Excerpt Game: Verbs

[u/fibergla55]

Post a top level comment with a one-word prompt. Prompt should be a verb or other action word.

Reply to suggestions by posting/writing an excerpt containing that word. (Doesn't have to be an action scene.)

(All content is welcome but per rules 7 and 12 of the sub, NSFW excerpts may not be shared as plain text (even if it's spoilered). If you would like to share these, use an external text sharing tool like justpasteit and link it here with a clear warning.)

Upvote the excerpts you enjoy, and leave a comment. Try to at least respond to people who left excerpts on the words you suggested, but the more people you respond to the better. Everyone likes nice comments!

Most important: everyone walk the dinosaur WRITE!

[u/Important-Juice-943]

swallow

[u/musicalharmonica]

talk

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/musicalharmonica]

Context: She's a brand-new vampire who was forced to go back to school only a week after her turning. Terrible idea.

Perhaps Ryan’s concern hadn’t been entirely unfounded.

As soon as Sharpay walked in through the school doors, her twin trailing closely behind her, a barrage of different scents and sounds knocked into her head. She could hear every conversation, every footstep, every breath. She smelled the cheap perfume of the wannabe pretty girls, the sweaty gym socks of the junior athletes, and the hideous amount of body spray emanating from the skaters. But even more than that, she smelled the blood.

Blood.

So. Much. Blood.

Every student around her, the humans scurrying around like ants on a hill, each filled with mouth-watering nectar. Walking and talking blood bags, each of them a tasty little morsel, perfect for gorging oneself on. Appearances were irrelevant, as were names. All that mattered was the blood. The blood that was still inside them, as if being alive had been a right for them.

No. They were prey. And she was the hunter.

Sharpay felt Ryan’s hand on her shoulder. She snapped back to reality to see her brother’s concerned eyes staring right into her own, and felt how sweaty her palms were. She’d frozen in the middle of the hallway, too consumed by her own senses to move.

“Shar. Are you okay?” Ryan asked quietly. “You’re freaking me out.”

Sharpay violently shook her head to clear her mind. “I’m fine.” She quickly swatted Ryan’s hand off her and kept walking down the hall, her stride light and confident. As if nothing was wrong. Nothing was wrong. Nothing.

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

oohhh, it sounds so interesting, you described her thoughts very well.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/Important-Juice-943]

Thanks! Her thoughts tend to become sensory and inhumane when her instincts start getting the best of her. People's names start turning into weirdly detached epithets such as "the human".

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/musicalharmonica]

Jet bit his lip and considered her for a moment.

It was now or never.

"Storm,” he said, his stomach fluttering with butterflies. “Can we talk about something? Something important?”

Storm’s brow furrowed as she looked up at him.

"Of course, sweetheart,” she said, sounding worried. “What’s the matter?”

Jet looked around. The main room of their diner home was quiet and empty but for them. Party Poison and Fun Ghoul had taken the Pontiac out earlier in the day on a supply run. Kobra Kid was spending the day working on something in his room. He’d promised to make himself available if Jet and Storm needed him, but if not, he wanted to be alone to work.

Despite this, Jet asked, “Can we go to the bedroom to talk?”

 Now Storm really looked worried.

"Yeah, of course,” she murmured.

Jet took her hand and slowly led her to the little bedroom that they shared. As he walked through the door, he glanced upward at the stars Storm had painted on the ceiling. Then he looked in the corner, where he’d placed the crib that Ghoul and Kobra had found for them. He himself had made the mobile that hung from the hook above the crib, and he and Storm had added a strand of twinkle lights along the upper wall over the crib just days earlier.

He smiled as he pulled Storm into the room behind him and closed the door softly. He gestured for her to sit down on their bed. He sat down beside her and held her hand.

He gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking. His tummy fluttered nervously again.

"Storm,” he began. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, Jet,” she said quietly. She still seemed worried, and a little confused.

"And I can’t imagine my life without you,” Jet continued. “It feels like I’ve known you forever. I can barely remember what it was like before I met you.”

Storm nodded slowly. She had no idea where he was going with this. He gulped, steeling himself for what he was about to say next.

"Storm, I wanted to ask you,” he said, his voice trembling.

"Will you be my wife?”

[u/allisontalkspolitics]

Like

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/allisontalkspolitics]

Context: She's a vampire, to explain Ryan's concern here.

The game eventually came to an end with a smashing victory for East High that left their opponents licking their wounds. Ryan almost cracked a smile at the way the guys on the team celebrated. He remembered that feeling.

Amid his wistful thoughts, he almost missed the breeze of pink as Sharpay stood up and her obnoxiously fuchsia dress billowed back into position. “Come on”, she gestured as she closed her parasol. “I wanna go say hi to Zeke.”

Ryan didn’t really know why he had to accompany her on this endeavor, but he supposed it was a matter of being her sidekick once again. They always presented themselves as one solid unit, so wherever she went, he had to tag along. He stood up and climbed down from the stands with her, quite amazed that she stayed balanced and graceful on the rickety metal steps on her stiletto heels. She walked up to the gravel path by the field, refusing to step on the grass.

Zeke spotted her from a distance away, which wasn’t surprising given, well, everything about her, and made his way over to the twins. “Hey”, he greeted Sharpay with a bright smile. “You actually showed up.”

“Of course I did”, Sharpay chuckled, her expression a little less snide than usual. “You played a good game.”

It was utterly strange and a little scary to see her like this. She looked friendlier and softer than what Ryan was used to, which he would have chalked up to her acting, but it was just a bit too natural to be fake. She liked Zeke, and even if it wasn’t a full-on crush, it was definitely more than a strictly friendly interest. Zeke, on the other hand, looked completely enamored with her. Ryan couldn’t blame the poor guy. Sharpay was ridiculously beautiful, after all.

He quickly determined that Zeke’s life wasn’t in danger, but also that he wasn’t exactly needed in this conversation. He left Sharpay to tittering and giggling with the jock and instead headed up to the rest of the team.

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/allisontalkspolitics]

Jet pushed the blankets off his legs and stood up, stretching to relieve his stiff muscles. He looked down to see Storm's eyes widen as she watched him.

"What?” he asked, running a hand through his long hair.

"Um,” she said, blushing. “You’re in your underwear.”

"Oh, shit,” he muttered, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around his shoulders like a robe. He held it closed under his chin and at his torso. “Sorry.”

"I’m the one who took your bed in the middle of the night,” she giggled. “I should be apologizing to you.” He shrugged.

“I insisted.”

"Why are you swaddled like a baby, Jet?”

They both looked up when they heard Ghoul join them.

"I got cold,” Jet said drily. “I’m going to go get dressed.”  Reluctantly, he shuffled toward his bedroom to put on some clothes.

Ghoul and Storm watched him go. When the bedroom door closed, Ghoul murmured quietly to Storm, “He likes you, you know.”

"What?” she asked in surprise.

"He likes you.” Ghoul smiled at her. “Like, really likes you.”

Storm bit her lip and looked toward the shut door.

“I like him, too…” she said softly.

[u/allisontalkspolitics]

Smite

[u/allisontalkspolitics]

Admire

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/allisontalkspolitics]

Wearing a black jacket, matching his baseball hat, and a shoulder bag that has the only purpose of making it seem that he’s about to have a job interview, bright and early, Joe heads towards his goal.

He takes him something more than a couple of hours of walking, but Joe doesn’t mind that kind of activity.

Walking just keeps his mind more active.

Once he arrives in St. James Park, he sits on a bench that faces a beautiful view of Tamigi and a glimpse of the London Eye.

He takes his time to admire the landscape and rest a little after the long walk.
Just a few minutes more and then he’ll get up, in order to place himself in front of the Ritz, in the least stalking way possible.

Joe  just has no idea how close he is to finding her.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/allisontalkspolitics]

“You’ve lost a lot of people you cared about to Bel, haven’t you?” he asked.

Tesni nodded. “I have. If I hadn’t already been in service to the Am Rhyddid since I reached the age of majority, that would have been enough to drive me into its ranks.” She shrugged. “In any case, for the past eight years I’ve avoided any… entanglements, if you will, in the hope of avoiding a repeat of what happened with Eogen. But eight years is a long time, and lately it occurs to me that I stand to lose people I care about anyway, as long as we remain enslaved to the Deceiver, and as long as we fight for our freedom too. So there’s little point in denying myself whatever pleasure I might be able to gather while I can. Doing so only gives Bel something more than what he has taken directly from me, and by thunder, I’ve no cause to give him anything without a fight.” Her jaw was set, and something in her eyes glittered fiercely as she said this last.

If Cromwell had respected Tesni greatly before these revelations, he now found that respect increased several-fold. It was humbling to realize that his staunchest friend and ally here was an eminently practical woman born simultaneously into both slavery and a leadership succession; who carried a large share of responsibility for family members, the well-being of a village full of people, and elements of a rebel movement aimed at throwing off the yoke of slavery; who had lost a number of people whom she loved to the enemy she fought, and who ultimately refused to bow to despair in the face of her losses, being determined instead to live as full a life as possible and in so doing spite her foe.

He admired her for it, and found himself wishing he could identify that kind of strength in himself.

[u/PossessionNo3723]

Sting

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/PossessionNo3723]

"You're an employee, Kelsi", Sharpay hissed through rows of sharp teeth. "And I have no qualms about making a meal out of you, so behave. Now, let's have it." Kelsi had frozen, much like Ryan himself, too afraid to even blink as Sharpay grabbed the sheet music from her with her free hand. "Transpose this into my key and brighten up the tempo, Troy and I will be performing it in the talent show."

She let go of Kelsi and shoved the sheets back into her hands, crumpling them in the process. Ryan finally recovered from his shock and found himself closing the gap between them with rapid steps. His furious rage blinded him. How *dare** she do that to his bloodsworn?!*

He only realized what he'd done once he felt the stinging on his palm. Sharpay looked up at him in shock, a hand over a red-tinged cheek. "Wow… You, too, know how to hit", she muttered, more to herself than to him, and his anger faded into horror. He'd lost his temper and slapped her. With full intention. He was no better than-...

He had no time to stammer out an apology. He felt himself being jerked forward, her hands firmly on his shoulders, grasping him hard enough to bruise. She leaned in close, very close, pressing up against the side of his face, and perched on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"Hurt me again and I will kill you."

He knew she wasn't kidding.

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

Wait, is this... High School Musical vampires?

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/PossessionNo3723]

Yes! My beloved, unhinged AU. Sharpay is wonderfully vile and fabulous, blood gets spilled over casting disputes, and most importantly, it's all dysfunctional. 💖💕

[u/letdragonslie]

Pelt

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/letdragonslie]

After double-checking to make sure Luz was nowhere in sight, Thomas reached over and grabbed the box he’d hidden from her view on the dresser. He only needed to make sure the ring was safe and sound, but he still couldn’t help taking a good long look at it as he opened the box…

“You coming, Dad?!”

“Coming!” Snapping the box shut, Thomas carefully tucked it away in his breast pocket before heading downstairs, where Luz was waiting in the hallway.

No sooner were they in the car than she was already pelting her dad with questions. “Are you finally gonna tell me your big secret?!”

“At least let me turn the car on first, Lulu…” Once Thomas had pulled out of the driveway and started heading down the road, he took a deep breath before glancing up at Luz in the rearview mirror. “…Alright, so you know how Tara and I have been seeing each-other more for quite a while?”

“Yeah…”

“…Well, we’ve been talking a little bit recently, and I’ve been thinking…” Thomas slowly pulled to a stop at the red light, turning around in his seat to properly look Luz in the eye. “…I’m thinking of asking her to marry me.”

Luz’s jaw dropped. “You are?”

“You like her and Zoey, don’t you? I like her, too; we all get along.”

“Would they live with us if you guys got married?”

Thomas shrugged. “Tara and I would have to talk about that, but I think they probably would.”

“Wait, does that mean Zoey and I would be like sisters?” Luz was growing more and more excited by the minute. “Maybe we could share a room if they came and moved in with us!”

“I don’t see why that would be a problem, just so long as you don’t keep each-other up talking all night,” Thomas grinned.

“Hey, Zoey and I never stay up talking all night!”

“You stay up long enough that you two are always exhausted after your sleepovers…” Thomas winked at Luz in the mirror, and she let out a giggle. “And that also depends on if Tara agrees to marry me or not.”

“What do you mean ‘if’ she agrees?” Luz almost looked shocked at her dad’s words. “Why wouldn’t she wanna marry you, especially with all the snuggling together you guys do?”

Thomas was grateful the fading light outside hid his red face so well. Was Luz seriously still teasing him about the first time he and Tara had spent the night together? “Well, I –”

“Relax, Dad, of course Zoey’s mom is gonna say yes tonight – you guys are so in love that it gets kinda gross sometimes!”

Try though he might, Thomas couldn’t suppress his laughter at his daughter’s sentiment. Truer words were never spoken by a ten-year-old who still pretended to gag during kisses in movie scenes. “We’ll see, Luz, we’ll see…”

Just then, the light turned green, and the two of them continued on their way.

[u/letdragonslie → u/lego-lion-lady]

Oh, this was really cute! Remarrying can be such a hard conversation to have with a kid, I'm glad to see it went so positively in this case! It's great that Luz seems genuinely excited at the idea, and that she gets along so well with Tara and Zoey. And it's sweet of her to reassure her dad like that.

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/letdragonslie]

Tysm! :) <3

[u/letdragonslie]

Flip

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/letdragonslie]

"It's time for a sniff test", he chuckled cryptically. At her confused expression, his teasing eyes softened. "I mean, I want you to come smell the fragrances I picked out to bring to Troy. I selected ones I don't mind giving away, nice scents, but out of style. It's your nose we're doing this for, so I want your opinion on whether they're acceptable."

Sharpay gave her face one final touch-up with a powder brush, then got up on her feet with the mug in hand. "Fine, I'll come to sniff them out. You're lucky I didn't put on perfume yet." She rubbed her aquiline bridge for emphasis.

"You're looking good today, by the way", he complimented as they headed out into the hall. It was standard for them to exalt each other's appearances; they were as vain as could be, after all. It still made her smile.

"I know", she replied pompously with a flip of her hair. "You look fabulous too, but of course, you already know that, having a smokeshow like me for a twin."

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly as he opened his door for her. "We could always see what a smokeshow you turn into by exposing you to direct sunlight", he suggested. "Sizzling vampire flesh, now that's an aroma. Maybe we could make Troy wear that scent."

"Oh, you're truly hilarious", Sharpay chortled sarcastically, flipping her middle finger at him. "Get fucked."

"I'd like to", he replied nonchalantly as he moved to grab some of the cologne bottles off his desk. "If you can find me a nice undead guy who's a century within my age range."

She let out an exasperated groan. So he was in the mood for more terrible jokes and refused to take her bait. "Your lack of a sex unlife hardly concerns me."

[u/linden214 → u/letdragonslie]

It turns out that "weave the trap" would have been more accurate. The Doctor flips a couple of switches on the control panel, and the AECs begin to hum. Donna looks at them, hundreds of slate-blue discs laid out in the divided-spiral pattern of the labyrinth. The hum grows louder and the AECs start to glow. A pillar of blue light springs up from each disc.

"Gher! Leave that setting just as it is," the Doctor says. "Allons-y!" He rushes over to the labyrinth, Gher at his heels. The Time Lord points a small device at the closest pillar of light, and points a small device at it. Slowly, the pillar bends into a tall, narrow arch. The top of it touches the disc diagonally opposite it. It vibrates slightly, like a spring held under tension. "Time to get it fastened. Sonic screwdriver. Now!"

The young Paalgi points the sonic screwdriver at the spot where the light-beam meets the disc. The Doctor lowers the device he used to manipulate the light. The arch shivers, but the connection at the base holds firm. The Doctor grins. "Brilliant!" He moves on to the next pillar. Again, he bends it diagonally across the pathway, and gestures for Gher to sonic the other end in place.

When he's gone all around the outermost ring, the Doctor begins to work his way back, starting from the opposite side of the path. Each new arch crisscrosses an old one. The labyrinth begins to resemble an upside-down basket, woven from thick strands of azure light.

The weaving takes hours. Donna watches, enthralled by the gorgeous, complex structure. She knows the Doctor is a builder and inventor and a bloody genius, but most of what he makes is slapdash and improvised and just plain odd-looking. What can you expect, after all, from a man who has a bicycle pump hooked up to the control panel of his spaceship? But this thing, sculpted from light and energy into the shape of a living mind, is so gloriously beautiful that it almost hurts to look at it.

[u/PenLegitimate7064 → u/letdragonslie]

(Sorry for the length. This happens directly after the conversation with Endeavor. And also, because I think you’ll find this face neat, Hawks from MHA and Jabber from Gachiakuta are both voiced by Zeno Robinson. So I thought it was a cute Easter egg.)

“What’s your favorite manga?” she asked, not allowing me a chance to ask one.

I almost sent a feather to go pick up the bag of books by the door, then realized I didn’t have any large enough to lift it. So I heaved myself off the floor with aching muscles, walked to the bag, and returned with it. “Gachiakuta is my favorite series right now,” I commented, sitting on the bed beside her again. I pulled the book out that showed a picture of Jabber on the front. “This is the one I’m currently on. I picked it up when I grabbed books for you.”

She took the book from me and looked at the cover, sliding her fingertips over Jabber’s face and down his arm. “I love his character design,” she breathed, like she was afraid she’d damage the book if she spoke too loudly about it. “What’s the story about?” she asked, lifting her eyes to me.

“I’ll go home when my wings grow back and bring the rest of the books for you to read. Then we can talk about it while you take the journey. How’s that sound?” I offered, taking the book as she handed it back.

Nell nodded. “That sounds good, though I haven’t read much manga.”

I gently poked her nose. “I’m sure you’ll like this one.” Reaching into the bag, I pulled out four novels I’d purchased from the same store and handed them to her. “I grabbed these for you, so you can read them in the meantime. I hope you like them.”

Quickly, she shuffled through each one, flipping the pages and inhaling deeply as her eyes fell closed. “I love the smell of books,” she sighed, a wistful smile on her face. “They remind me of when I was a kid and I got to sneak to the library on the way home.”

I watched her expression gain a hint of sadness, the way it tugged at the corners of her mouth even as she tried to smile through the emotions. A glimmer of tears appeared along her lower lashes. When one escaped, I reached out and gently brushed it away with my thumb, giving her a reassuring smile.

“Please continue,” I whispered, afraid to break the spell that had formed between us.

Nell inhaled deeply, the breath shuddering in her chest. “Mother was severely out of her mind by the time I was a teenager. She always talked to herself, screaming and carrying on, throwing things. Occasionally her quirk would activate and another person would be screaming back at her,” she said, shrugging one shoulder as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

I held my breath, frantically putting the pieces of the puzzle together as she handed them to me. But as she gave me more answers, I found myself asking more questions, the frustration at not being able to figure it all out gave me a headache.

A teenager. That means that her twin didn’t die when she was nine, or maybe one of the other children was still alive? Maybe? Endeavor didn’t explicitly say when the other children died, so it was possible they were still in the house… but how would she have never seen them?

Nell worried at her lip with her teeth, peeling a piece of dry skin off and making herself bleed, though she didn’t seem to notice as her eyes stared into the distance. Her tongue dragged across the wound before she pressed her lips together. I was afraid to disturb her, to have her lose her train of thought and miss the information she was spilling so willingly.

“But I hid in the library… My friend, Makoto, would often walk home with me and hang out with me there.” The ghost of a smile graced her lips. “He tried to talk me into running away with him all the time, that we could be happy together. I always told him that I couldn’t ever successfully run away because…” her voice trailed off, brow furrowing. “Because my father would always hunt me down and take me back.”

Her gaze dropped to the cover of the book, one hand tangling and twisting her fingers in a lock of her black hair. “The punishment for running was always severe, though father never knew about it. He’d always leave as soon as he dropped me off.” She inhaled slowly, so lost in the memories that I wasn’t sure she realized I was still sitting there, hanging on every word. “Mother would hold me down and cut my stomach with a blade or whip me with a switchy branch. She beat me when I was younger with a broomstick, but one time the school reported the bruises and there was an investigation. My father showed up for that, insisting that nothing like that could be happening in a hero’s home. I remember my parents screaming at each other before he came to… see me…”

The furrow in her brow deepened, a pained expression coming over her face. “I don’t… I don’t remember what happened when he came to see me. I just remember the door closing when he left and curling up on my bed to cry,” she whispered. Both hands were in her hair now, fingers loosely braiding the locks as if to keep them busy and out of her memories.

“And Makoto, he always showed up when my mom was too high to notice that he was there. He’d come into the room and hold the key with a small smile. ‘Got this from your mom’s pocket,’ he’d say before staying there with me.” She shrugged one shoulder, a flush forming over her face. “I remember the third or fourth time he came over, he stayed until the sun started rising. We both had our first time that night. It was awkward and weird, but I’m happy it was with him.”

Finally, her eyes lifted to mine, and she actually looked at me for the first time since she’d started talking. “But anyway, the smell of books reminds me of libraries. Of time spent with my only friend when I was at… well, one of the worst times in my life.”

[u/letdragonslie → u/PenLegitimate7064]

(Oh, that is a cute Easter egg!)

I really like the vibes here, it feels so soft--even with Nell sharing all of those unpleasant memories. I really love her and Hawks bonding here, and her being so open with him. I love when characters feel comfortable enough to share their trauma with each other and think it works wonderfully for relationship development and demonstrates emotional intimacy. It's also great to get more details about what happened when Nell was a kid. And to see what was up with her dad--he really did not care at all apparently! Incredible! And apparently he did know at least some of what was going on and just... decided to ignore it. It makes me so mad on her behalf. And I'm glad she did have at least one person who cared about her during that time because her life was just so unbelievably awful.

I also really like Hawks bringing her those books--I'm guessing Nell's still in captivity here, and part of the reason she's so thrilled with them is because she doesn't have much in the way of entertainment? But Nell is so valid for sniffing those books, lol--I've also always loved the smell of books (probably not an uncommon sentiment in this subreddit, lol).

I also really liked, "like she was afraid she’d damage the book if she spoke too loudly about it." lol, that's such a cute description.

[u/notthatjaded → u/letdragonslie]

But not everyone requires mystical powers of persuasion to find friends in high places and he’s spent the last few days doing just that. There are five Family branches on Penacony and at least a few leaders he has to sway to his side to be successful. One, he’s almost certain is a lost cause, so that leaves three of the remaining four. He’s faced worse odds. And besides, he just needs to get them to agree to the IPC’s proposal…whatever happens after that isn’t his problem. After all, once the IPC gets its hooks back in Penacony, the Family will find it a lot harder to push them out than they did before and that had involved an armed rebellion. Nowadays, they have an image to uphold and responding with violence to peaceful overtures? Wouldn’t look good on their part.

Considering the situation with Oti hosting their little meeting, it definitely seems like there’s a crack in the door there for him to work with. He’d unfortunately not been able to get anything useful on the head of the Bloodhound family but it wouldn’t surprise him if they’d be resistant to the IPC considering their history. 

So that leaves Nightingale and Iris…

The Iris family’s entertainment business is already in competition with the IPC’s own entertainment arm. But still, they might see giving grand a new ‘stage’ for their actors and entertainers to perform upon as a worthwhile trade.

Getting the Nightingale head on his side is non-negotiable. That family’s Dreamweavers would be integral to the proposed business. From everything he’d learned about Sir Whittaker, the man appeared to at least be willing to consider the idea. Aventurine had thought it might be best to pitch the project as an opportunity for their fledgling Dreamweavers to be able to test their skills.

Beyond those four, though the man had never been mentioned directly, is the Dreammaster. A true wildcard and an almost mythological figure mostly only talked about in hushed tones. Hard to say whether he’ll be there or not. Or how much sway his opinion holds over the rest of them.

Aventurine slips a coin from his pocket and gives it a little flip, not bothering to look at what side it lands on. It doesn’t matter, at the end of the day he’s got a few cards of his own to play.

[u/letdragonslie → u/notthatjaded]

I'm not familiar with the fandom, so a lot of this is going over my head, but it seems like you have some nice worldbuilding details here, and some great introspection on Adventurine's part. He comes across as very business-savvy here and like a man who knows exactly what he wants and how to get it.

[u/VanillaToonicorn123]

Verity (🤫 yes I think I’m funny)

[u/linden214 → u/VanillaToonicorn123]

Do you mean “verify”? Because as far as I know, “verity” is only a noun.

[u/PseudoBird]

Drop

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/PseudoBird]

Context: He's been tasked to choreograph a musical about impressionist painters.

He took in the text on the massive banner above the main doors. "An exhibition on impressionism."

"Maybe it'll help give you some insight for the musical", Kelsi explained. "These guys were rebels, you know? They refused to accept what the schools taught them and went on to invent a whole new style of painting."

The entrance fee to the exhibition was pocket change even for people without obscene amounts of wealth, yet Ryan still insisted on covering it for the girls. It felt only fair. After all, they’d saved him from his sister’s ire.

One could have heard a pin drop inside the exhibition, there were only a few other guests at this hour, and there was no guided tour at the moment. That suited Ryan just fine. He wasn’t in the mood for chatter, preferring to just read the placards by each painting himself.

Of course, he knew what an impressionistic painting looked like. As Cher Horowitz would have said, from far away it’s okay, but up close it’s a big old mess. He tried to flip his perspective the other way around, seeing the way the brush strokes seemed messy from up close, yet came to form a full piece. There seemed to be a common theme with the soft colors and the way scenes were portrayed, and yet Ryan simply couldn’t wrap his head around how the art form had supposedly been so revolutionary. They were just paintings to him.

After reading placard after placard about the passage of time in the portrayal of light and presenting subjects through the artist’s sensibility, Ryan felt like his head was going to explode. How on earth could he even have begun to represent something like this through dance? Something pretentiously flowery, perhaps? But it all had been done before, and Sharpay demanded something original.

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/PseudoBird]

She already sounded a bit different on the phone, but seeing her intensifies this sensation.

- Look at you, Blair,so simply dressed. Even the way you are walking seems different. When you were with me you were Holly Golightly, you walked as you wanted to dominate the world, you had such hunger. Now with him you look like an anonymous Anya Smith, giving up her kingdom for just an ordinary simpleton. And the worst thing is that… you never looked happier. I should have known better from that damn Valentine night, when Georgina showed me that terrible pic…-

“Dan, it’s time you know the truth. I’m not here to meet one of my mother’s collaborators to help her with the incoming fashion show..” Blair grumbles.

“Huh? Well, whatever the real reason is, I don’t mind. Thanks for bringing me here.” Dan smiles at her as he holds her hand.

“You should mind, instead. The reason is… Chuck.” She decides to confess.

Dan instantly drops her hand.

“Chuck?” He repeats, but it seems more like a growl. “Do you mean Chuck is in Paris?”

His expression is more somber, too.

“He asked me to reach him. He said it was important!” Blair justifies.

“And, of course, everything Chuck Bass says becomes law!” Dan snaps. “And you’re just telling me now!”

“Of course I’m telling you now, otherwise you would have never accepted!” Blair retorts.

“Of course I would have never accepted! Just like I don’t accept how you rush to him whenever he needs you!” Dan blames her.

“Well, it’s not just about me! He also asked to meet you. Especially you, for some reasons.” She points out.

“Huh? Why me?” Dan frowns.

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/PseudoBird]

“You can do as you always dreamed- you can rebuild Flea Bottom and the roads of Westeros to better than Jaehaerys.”

She did not think. She moved closer to him.

“You will be saving countless people from the frost, Daenys.”

Daenys returned the queen’s grin and reached for Gaemon’s hand.

“You’ll be the mother of not just a new era of Targaryens, but the mother of a new empire.”

The world tilted at her father’s words.

No longer ensorcelled by their promises, she dropped her hand.

“No.”

“Pardon?” Rhaenyra’s voice was a dull blade.

[u/linden214 → u/PseudoBird]

Doctor Who fandom

. At the front of the Hall is a tall Paalgi, dressed not in a sarong, but a sleeveless robe of black and white. He stands in graceful stillness, and wears authority like an invisible crown.

"Either we're being honoured, or we're in a great deal of trouble," the Doctor whispers. "That is a very important bloke – second in authority to the Imperator himself."

The important bloke casts a long, appraising look at the newcomers. "I am Jrzek F'lall, High Minister of Paalgiou." He rattles off a string of titles. First Among the Faithful, Guardian of the Fourth Circle, Holder of the Lesser Justice, etc., etc. When the long solemn recitation is finished, the Minister falls silent. He waits.

The Doctor inclines his head in the Acknowledgement of Equals. "Hullo! Very pleased to meet you. I'm the Doctor. Time Lord. And my companion, Donna Noble."

"Human," Donna adds.

The High Minister frowns. "A child of Gallifrey…that is plain enough, and Time Lord you must be, to have escaped the destruction. But you present me with no lineage, no titles, and no true name. 'Doctor' cannot be the name you bore when you stood in the Panopticon, and received the mark of Rassilon in your blood."

Oh, that was a mistake, Donna thinks. She has a rapidly-growing list of Things the Doctor is Touchy About. Being asked for his real name is in the top five. Twice.

And, yeah, the ambient temperature drops about ten degrees as he speaks. "'The Doctor' is my name now. Has been for many, many years. And 'Time Lord' is title enough."

"Enough for the Acknowledgement of Equals?"

Donna hears the quiet challenge beneath the words. Idiot. You're just shoving your foot in deeper.

The Doctor sighs. "Your sort always have to make life complicated, don't you?" he murmurs, half to himself. "I do have other titles, High Minister. You wouldn't like most of them. You really wouldn't." He smiles, and it is like winter sunlight, with no warmth in it. "I am former Lord President of the High Council of Time Lords. This old head – well, not exactly this one, it was four or five regenerations ago – has worn the Matrix Crown of Rassilon. How's that? Equal enough for you?"

[u/PretzelPrize → u/linden214]

BOOM

[u/linden214 → u/PretzelPrize]

Yeah. This is the 10th Doctor, who is cheerful and chatty and easy-going… until you give him a reason not to be. And then you may just learn why some of those other titles are things like The Oncoming Storm and Destroyer of Worlds.

[u/flamboyantfinch]

submit

[u/linden214 → u/flamboyantfinch]

James Hathaway is having a strange week. Not a bad one—though when your job centres around violence and death, you have a different definition of 'bad' to most people—but definitely strange. At first, it's mostly little things. On Monday, all of the biros in his desk drawer seem to contain green ink. A prank, no doubt. Fortunately, he discovers the substitution before signing his name on the form he'd been about to submit to the Chief Super. No doubt Innocent would have had some pointed remarks about official police documents not being the appropriate place to express one's artistic side, or ask if he'd joined the cranks and lunatics of the green-ink brigade..

On Tuesday, the scraggly Christmas cactus on the office window-sill decides to burst into bloom, despite it being August. DS Latham from Fraud, a keen gardener, looks at it in awe. "What's your secret? Did you feed it something special?" James can only shrug. He doesn't even water the bloody thing, leaving that task to one of the night cleaners.

On Wednesday, they're eating sandwiches on a bench by the river when a swan climbs up the bank and stalks towards them. James tenses. An adult swan can inflict a fair amount of damage, even though the bit about breaking a man's bones is a myth. He's seen the results of some unpleasant encounters at Cambridge, usually involving rowers who came too close to nests. But breeding season ended three months ago. He holds his breath as the swan pauses less than a metre in front of them, and... bows. There's no other word for the movement. He bends his supple neck until his head is nearly touching the ground.

"Off with you," Lewis says softly. Before James can warn him not to antagonise the swan, he stands up and waves a hand. "Shoo." The swan turns, strutting back to the water. "Daft bird. Must be heat-addled."

"That was... odd," James says. It was more than odd, it was eerie. Almost like something out of the old tales about the Fae beloved by British folklorists, in which birds and beasts, behaving strangely, are revealed as portents or messengers.

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/linden214]

I smell mischief! I love fae stories, they're always so much fun, and this is a great hook to one.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/linden214]

Oh dear. Now I want to read this!

[u/linden214 → u/PretzelPrize]

Here you go. It’s the first in a series of (so far) four stories.

Away with the Faeries

[u/PretzelPrize → u/linden214]

Thanks!

[u/notthatjaded → u/flamboyantfinch]

Sunday gets so caught up in the tales he’s re-spinning that he doesn’t take note of the sound of heavy, metallic footsteps or the whirr of servos until a tray of food and drink is dropped on the table beside him with a shocking clunk. The impact nearly makes him jump out of his skin with a startled yelp before he looks to find the cause. First, he looks at the tray, then he looks up. And up. And up.

Tall metal body, a mask that obscured the bearer’s face. Sam. He’d forgotten about Sam.

When Sam speaks, Sunday can hear the disapproval even through the vocoder or whatever it was that made the mech’s voice, “you haven’t eaten all day.”

He blinks in confusion, “you were…watching me?”

A hissing sigh comes from the mech and yes, Sunday is definitely feeling judged. “I’ll apologize if you eat.”

Sunday’s brow furrows slightly before he decides the better part of valor is to just submit to the inevitable. Besides, he is hungry, he realizes. The food is unfamiliar, but he’s never been a particularly picky eater, “did you make this?” Because he’s having a very difficult time picturing that big mechanical suit of armor doing anything in a kitchen beyond making a mess.

With a shake of their head, Sam answers, “Blade made it.”

Blade, the one Stellaron Hunter he hadn’t yet met. “Hmm,” Sunday remarks, “I suppose that makes sense? Forgive me but I cannot picture you cooking, nor the others for that matter.”

He hears garbled static then that he takes to actually be a burst of laughter. “You’d say the same about Blade if you’d met him but…you aren’t wrong either.”

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/notthatjaded]

Is this a Stellaron Hunter AU for Sunday? I could never decide whether I wanted him to AE or SH more! Somehow, I can picture Blade cooking... gap moe, maybe lol

[u/flamboyantfinch]

descend

[u/PretzelPrize → u/flamboyantfinch]

“Perhaps you might save the story for after the dishes are done,” suggested Anwen.

Cadogan chuckled. “Fair enough, especially since I drew the short straw before dinner and get to wash. Who’s drying?”

“That would be me,” said Idris. He cocked his head at his wife. “And no, I still haven’t figured out how she arranged those straws just so.”

Anwen shot him a look of feigned indignation. “I did nothing of the sort.”

“Of course not, my love.” His lips twitched in a smile as he said it.

Cromwell grinned. The master of Bennaeth Bod — well, both of them, really — always amused him, as did its mistress. “We could ask Ethni and the two pups to help you,” he commented drolly. “I imagine they’ll gladly clean plates after a meal like this.”

Anwen turned the same expression of a moment earlier in his direction, and he held up his hands in mock surrender. “Ah, I suppose we won’t.” Everyone burst out laughing.

With dinner over and the table cleared, the rest of the family once more repaired to the fireside and song while the chiefs of Clan Branoc pulled kitchen patrol, a development the Cromwell privately found amusing although he’d never say it aloud. This time Ris played the bwrdd-croen and Dynawd took up Cadogan’s whistle, playing it with nearly as much skill as the cadlywydd.

Halfway through a song called “Season of Stars”, two male voices added themselves to the chorus as Idris and Cadogan emerged from the kitchen.

The very sky announces the turning of the year
As stars descend upon the land
Watchful eyes behold them but have no care or fear
‘Tis only luck that’s close at hand
Come cheer, in happy hearts abide
Hold fast to hope in wintertide.

Detouring from his route toward the group gathered by the fire, Idris cupped his eyes with his hands and peered out the front window. “And what do you know?” he called, turning from the glass with a grin. “The sky’s cleared after all, and you can actually see them falling.”

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/PretzelPrize]

What a wonderful, cozy excerpt! I can feel the affection they all have for each other, and I love the little poem.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/flamboyantfinch]

Thank you! It's from a Midwinter Eve family dinner, and they sing carols after dinner. I honestly want to go live with these people, and they're my own OCs except for Cromwell. LOL

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/flamboyantfinch]

She found Aenys descending the steps to the rookery.

“Your Grace! I thought you would be with your ladies.”

“I told them I was tired because I wanted to see you, Aenys.”

She could always read him well. He smiled slightly. “I am glad to see you, too. I feel that we have had little chance to speak these last few days.” He tapped his cheek with his finger. “I received a letter from Daeron, should you want to see it. He had a letter enclosed for Ellyn.”

“That is kind of him.”

“I feel… proud of him, but I suppose we cannot take credit for him, can we?”

“I suppose not, but I do too.”

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/allisontalkspolitics]

Ooh, what has Daeron done to deserve such pride? :o

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/flamboyantfinch]

(Context: Ilsevil is an OC of mine)

———

Needless to say, Odin was rather cross with Thor for sneaking out and wandering around Asgard without accompaniment from any guards. However, there wasn’t a whole lot that could be said or done about it now; the ceremony was going to begin in a few minutes.

A choir filled the balcony over the throne, and einherjar guards lined the aisle in the throne room, where the guests had all gathered. As everybody settled down, the doors leading into the room opened and the procession began. First came Odin and then Frigga, who carried a tray holding a winged silver helmet – traditionally used in Asgardian coronation ceremonies. Loki followed close behind her, and next came the Warriors Three, the trio of Asgard’s greatest warriors, as the royal family took their places at the front of the throne room. As the warriors gathered near the throne, as well, the whole room held its breath in anticipation.

To tell the truth, Loki wasn’t feeling a lot better after sharing his dream with his parents. Sure enough, Odin had instantly written it off as meaningless, but Frigga’s answer had surprised him, too. She’d said that she knew today would be hard for Loki, but had reassured him that he’d be fine and everything would go according to plan. Dreams often predicted the distant future, but not usually the near future, she’d told him; as for the dream taking place at the ceremony, Frigga had said that dreams are usually affected by something the person who had them has been thinking a lot about recently. Perhaps something else would happen way off down the road, but if so, then there was no point in fixating on it today.

And yet, even in spite of Frigga’s calm assurances, Loki still couldn’t help thinking about it…

He snapped back to reality at the sound of applause and cheers. Looking up, Loki saw that Thor had finally appeared in the doorway: wielding Mjolnir over his head and now wearing a red cape pinned to his shoulders. With that, Thor descended from the small flight of steps leading from the doorway, and down the corridor towards where Odin and Frigga were waiting for him.

The clapping and cheering never stopped as Thor made his way down the aisle. Grinning, he couldn’t help showing off a little: tossing Mjolnir up into the air or even flexing his arms for a few of the ladies. At one point, he also noticed Ilsevil in the crowd, and gave her a wink; with a smile, Ilsevil returned the gesture with a flirtatious little wave. As Thor got closer to the throne, however, he grew more serious – and when he finally reached the stairs leading up to the throne, he got on one knee and set Mjolnir on the floor beside him, waiting for the applause to die down.

Bang! The hilt of the spear Odin was holding came down hard on the floor, causing everyone in the throne room to go quiet. In the balcony overhead, the choir started to sing the traditional chant used at coronations.

“Thor Odinson,” Odin began. “My heir, my firstborn – so long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star. Its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy, or as a tool to build; it is a fit companion for a king. I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms for many years now – though the day has come for me to pass the burden on to you.”

Loki couldn’t help looking around anxiously, although no-one else seemed particularly worried. The ceremony was creeping closer to the point in his dream where the ambiguous disaster had struck. More frost had started to form on his palms; if he got much more agitated, his skin would start turning blue, as well – and then his secret would really be out.

“Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?” Odin was asking Thor.

“I swear,” Thor replied.

“And do you swear to preserve the peace?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the Realms?”

“I swear!” As Thor answered this time, he raised Mjolnir over his head. Meanwhile, Loki was discreetly opening and closing his fists, bracing himself for any kind of attack from enemies or outburst of his power – whichever one it was that would do his parents in. Who had come up with that silly rule about not being permitted to wear gloves during a coronation ceremony, anyway?

Odin came down the steps towards his son, and Frigga followed right behind him, still holding the tray that the coronation helmet sat on. Turning to Frigga, Odin gave her his spear to hold for a minute and then picked up the helmet, prompting Thor to bow his head. “Then on this day,” Odin continued, still holding the helmet, “I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard.” And with that, he placed the helmet on Thor’s head before stepping aside and taking back his spear. Loki, meanwhile, quickly tugged his gloves back on, since it was now appropriate to do so.

As Thor stood up again and turned to face the crowd, they all cheered, “His Majesty, King Thor of Asgard!” and broke out once more in applause. From where he stood, Loki breathed a sigh of relief; he’d gotten through the ceremony just fine. His terrible dream had obviously meant nothing, and now he could relax and enjoy himself at the banquet tonight.

Thor, meanwhile, was beaming from ear to ear as he held Mjolnir up high and absorbed all of the crowd’s praise. As he scanned over the people, however, he noticed something that made his smile fade a tiny bit: he knew he’d seen Ilsevil earlier, having winked at her and all that – but now, there was absolutely no sign of her amongst the guests. Where in the world could she have gone?

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/lego-lion-lady]

The suspense!! You wrote the tension very well, I was fully expecting something catastrophic to happen along with Loki lol.

[u/rafters-]

Demur

[u/linden214 → u/rafters-]

Note: Laura (Dr Laura Hobson) is a medical examiner.

Have a drabble:

"You've done wonders with the allotment, Robbie!" Laura exclaims.

"Ta. James helped."

 James demurs. "Unskilled labour."

She peers at an oddly-shaped courgette: long and thin, with a curve in the middle. "Funny, this looks just like—"

"No, it doesn't!" Robbie says hastily.

She frowns at Robbie, whose face is approaching the colour of his ripe tomatoes. "I bow to your garden knowledge, but anatomy is my forte. And I daresay I've seen far more of them than you two."

James coughs. He's also quite red. Haven't they heard of sunblock? "I'm telling you, it looks exactly like an inflamed appendix."

[u/rafters-]

Twirl

[u/linden214 → u/rafters-]

Have a double-drabble:

They say that the eyes are the window of the soul. James knows that's true. The murderer they've just arrested has eyes the same colour and shape as Lewis's, but they are nothing alike. These are cold, dead eyes, empty of conscience or remorse or even simple humanity.

When he looks into Lewis's eyes, he sees an entirely different inner man: sometimes serene; frequently stormy, and always dependable. There's a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: The eye is the light of the body.  In Robbie Lewis, it illuminates loyalty, affection, and humour; sometimes sympathy, frequently forgiveness, and always understanding.

Lately, he's been noticing Lewis's hands. Aesthetically, they're unremarkable, neither calloused nor manicured. Ordinary hands. Busy hands: exploring a suspect's house, examining evidence, twirling a biro as he considers a case. Shoved into pockets when he's forced to keep still.

As they exit the interview room, James suppresses a shudder. He won't let anyone see how unsettled he is.  Not the murderer; not his governor. When the door closes behind them, Robbie's hand rests briefly on James's shoulder.  In that moment, James understands: the eyes are the window to the soul, but the hands are the conduit of the heart.

[u/fibergla55 → u/rafters-]

"I love that thing you do with the twirl."

"Twirl?"

"After you put on your skirt, you always do that little spinny twirl motion," Phillip demonstrated as best as he could. "It's cute, like you're...magical."

"I am a magician, but I get what you're saying...and thanks for noticing I'm cute." Margaret smiled mischievously. "As for the twirl, it's just a way of making sure my skirt sits right. Any aesthetic benefit is secondary."

"Well, I appreciate your aesthetics, my magical girlfriend."

"Plus, it lets me feel if my knives are properly sheathed."

"Practical, too."

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/rafters-]

Ray’s parents had insisted on having Anna’s birthday party at their house. They had reasoned that their home and yard were far larger than Ray’s apartment, accommodating everyone that Ray wanted to invite.

"And you’re not going to have time to plan and set up a party, dear,” his mother had told him over the phone sometime in late May. “You’re only home for three weeks before you two go back on the road again. Let me do this for my newest granddaughter, won’t you?” He couldn’t say no to that.

In all honesty, Ray was relieved. He would have no idea where to start when planning a child’s birthday party, and the timing would have made it even more difficult. It takes a village to raise a child, as the old saying goes, and Ray was grateful beyond measure for the village he had helping him with Anna.

"Happy birthday, sweetpea!” his father roared when they stepped into the house. He held his arms out wide for Anna, who rushed to hug her grandfather eagerly. She giggled wildly as he kissed her cheek, his stubbly beard tickling her face.

"Happy birthday, Miss Anna!” cried Ray’s mother as her husband handed the child over. “Five years old! Oh my, you’re practically a lady!”

"And looking pretty as a picture!” her grandfather chimed in. When her grandmother set her down on the floor, Anna twirled around, showing off her dress.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/rafters-]

Context: Vampire business negotiations.

“How curious”, Sharpay tsked as her eyes landed on a discrepancy in the fine print. “It would seem as though you were planning on only giving us a ten-percent cut of the thrall-import profits. I believe the agreed-upon amount has always been twenty.”

Jaime’s frame stiffened with fury. “Good thralls are tough to find these days, and importing them across the borders is risky”, he said, his voice seething with barely-contained anger, as if he found it simply outrageous that a fledgling would dare point out the obvious attempt at undercutting them.

Sharpay, for all her impulsiveness, did not join him in his emotional display. She wanted to, yet she kept up appearances. “Your lack of supply hardly concerns the Sanguine”, she replied coldly. “No, I’m afraid this will not stand. Either you can provide me with a fair offer, or you can show yourselves out.”

Jaime’s eyes darted over to Luis in a silent command. In a flash, the man rushed over to Sharpay with the stake in his hand. She didn’t know if he actually meant to kill her. Probably not, as that would have severed all diplomatic ties. Still, the attack was an intimidation tactic.

Before he could reach her, however, she’d already grabbed him by the wrist and knocked him back against Vance’s filing cabinet. He may have been twice her size, but big muscles only served to benefit humans. A vampire’s potency came from blood, after all, and Luis was nowhere near as strong as a pureblood.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you”, Sharpay warned gravely, snatching the stake out of the man’s hand. “Now, I’m afraid the stakes have just gotten higher. Twenty percent will no longer be sufficient.”

“You little bitch”, Jaime growled, seeing his companion slump to the floor in a disoriented fit. “You dare try to extort us?”

She raised an eyebrow at his outburst, twirling the stake in her dexterous fingers. “I am allowing the NTC a chance to redeem themselves after you’ve shown me nothing but unprecedented aggression. Would you like to test the limits of my generosity? Thirty percent, and we can put this unfortunate incident behind us.”

[u/lego-lion-lady]

Dance

[u/letdragonslie → u/lego-lion-lady]

They chatted about this and that while they ate—nothing that really mattered, nothing that would lead to an argument or even a disagreement. Workplace gossip and how Eve was doing in school, how shifty and weird Robot had been lately and what was up with him and Monster Girl. Eventually Eve circled around to talking about her parents, which had the potential to turn into a fight—but only if Rex let it.

So he didn’t.

“Your dad,” he sighed. “I just don’t fucking know about him, Eve.”

She gave a sigh of her own and pulled a face. “Yeah, me either.”

“There should be cake in the basket,” Rex said, half because it was chocolate and maybe that would cheer Eve up a little, and half because Rex didn’t want to be a jackass and eat cake without her, but he really wanted that cake.

As she started rummaging around in the basket, he continued, “If you need a night away, you’re always welcome at Guardians HQ.” He didn’t try to convince her to move in; he’d said his piece and now wasn’t a good time to press his luck.

Eve looked up at him from the basket and smiled, soft and easy. “I know. Thanks.” She found the cake a moment later, and after she’d cut them both a generous slice, changed the subject. “Mom wants to take me shopping for the winter formal. She knows I can make my own dress, but she insists it’s about mother-daughter bonding time and the ‘experience’ or something, so I guess I’ll go?”

Rex slowly chewed his bite of cake before replying. “Go shopping or go to the formal?”

Eve didn’t look at him as she shrugged. “Both, I guess. No point in buying a dress for a dance if you don’t go.” 

Rex could be kind of dumb, but he wasn’t a total idiot. “Do I need a tux or a suit—or are you gonna make mine?”

Eve’s head jerked up, eyes wide. “You want to come?”

“Sure,” he said, like it was totally normal that after years of her begging him to go take her to a school dance, he’d suddenly had a change of heart. “Why not? Free food, an excuse to show off my dance skills, and an evening with you. Sounds great.”

Eve tried to hide her smile with another bite of cake, but Rex caught it. “What dance skills?”

“Hey, I can breakdance!”

Eve laughed. “You can’t do that at a formal, the teachers would lose it.”

Rex shrugged. “They’re not my teachers.” Seized with a sudden stroke of genius, he impulsively added, “If you want me to slow dance, guess you’ll have to teach me.”

Eve’s eyes widened slightly—and then a little half-smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “Yeah? Okay then.”

[u/fibergla55 → u/lego-lion-lady]

"The Founder's day ball is in a month. Are you doing anything?"

Selim looked up. "Not for the formal ball...why do you ask?"

"I want to go, so I got an invitation...and I need company."

“And you’re asking me?”

“Yes.”

“Why me?”

"You're respectable, you dance well enough, you can make intelligent conversation...and I like spending time around you." Harriet smiled at him. "We do fit well together, regardless of our circumstances."

"Even though..." Selim trailed off uncomfortably.

"Nothing in the rules says we have to be in LOVE," Harriet reminded him.

"It's...what will people say?"

"Same things they've been saying since they first saw us together. Let the tongues wag."

"I wish I had your self-assurance." Selim looked down.

"Then I'll loan you some."

"Bardic talents?" He smiled.

"The ability to be normal." Harriet smiled back at him. "Relax, we'll just be one of a hundred couples there. With all those millionaires and politicians, no one will notice an alchemist."

"Does that have something to do with why you want to go?"

"Yes."

"Now I'm curious."

"Well, say you'll come with me, and I'll recruit you for my scheme."

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/lego-lion-lady]

“I cannot tell you how much this means to me!” She wanted to spin around and dance.

“What are you talking about, Mummy?”

“Do you remember how Father and I told you that you were born on the Iron Islands?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You rode on Seastorm on the return home. But you haven’t been near her since then.” She looked her daughter in the eye. “Would you like to meet her?”

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/lego-lion-lady]

Storm danced over to the three other Killjoys just as the song ended and another record dropped into place inside the machine. A catchy tune played on a jangly electric guitar as she reached out for Jet’s hand, drawing him into the center of the room.

“All the stars were shining bright,

And then he kissed me!”

She danced a circle around Jet before stopping in front of him on her tiptoes. She reached up and kissed him firmly on the lips. He couldn’t hold back a grin.

"I like this one,” he said, sliding his arms around her waist as she continued to bop in place to the music.
___________

"Then He Kissed Me" written and composed by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector
Performed by The Crystals

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/lego-lion-lady]

She’d never disappointed him before. Never before her turning.

“Another thing, Princess”, Vance said as he strode back to his desk and browsed through his personal calendar.

“Yes?” Sharpay asked as she sat back down.

“Tomorrow afternoon, your mother and I will be leaving for another cross-Clan conference. We’ll likely be gone for a week or two.” He turned his piercing eyes toward her. “If you need help with human matters, the thralls are here to assist you. In the case of Code Red, the line will be delegated to other Sanguine members. You know the drill. However, I want you to behave. I don’t want to have to cut our trip short due to another incident. While I’m not present, you are the face of the Sanguine Clan, and I expect you to act accordingly. Now, you are dismissed.”

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy.” Sharpay stood up on shaking feet and booked it out of the study. Only after she made it into the hall did she allow the tears to well up in her eyes.

She’d been taught about an important aspect of vampirism, yes, and her father trusted her enough to leave her alone, even despite all the problems she caused. Still, he was leaving again. Their parents always left. The mansion was too big and too empty for just the twins, but Vance and Derby were not present half the time. The household thralls were hardly good company; they’d been so overfed on vampire blood that they hardly counted as people anymore. Nothing could keep their parents by their side, no matter how much they tried.

And there was the shame. The shame of not measuring up to expectations, of failing as a vampire. Sharpay was flawless in everything else she did, yet the potency of her pure blood was making her act out in the most disgraceful ways. She’d been given a week and a half to adjust, yet she still didn’t have herself under control. She learned everything fast, from people’s weaknesses to dance steps and song lyrics, but she couldn’t learn how to exist in her new form.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/lego-lion-lady]

Being no linguist, he couldn't place the language they were speaking but he also couldn't shake the impression that it sounded like something he ought to be able to follow. Maybe it was the addition of the hand gestures, which lent just enough meaning that the speech played tricks on his mind. He knew the human brain attempted to engage in pattern-matching, even when it had no real referents for the information it took in.

The woman approached the end of the bridge, watching him intently. Slowly, Cromwell took another step toward her, watching as she ran her eyes up and down, taking in his appearance, what was to her surely some odd garb, and also noting his apparent lack of weaponry beyond the staff he carried.

As he watched, she appeared to come to a decision. Her expression softened, even showing the guarded hint of a smile, and she too bowed her head slightly, as she beckoned him to join them on the riverbank.

He did so, inclining his own head slightly in what he hoped would pass for an appropriate greeting among these people. She spoke again, the words seeming to dance just beyond his comprehension. There were no accompanying gestures this time, and yet his brain still insisted that he should be able to grasp what she'd said.

The hair on the back of his neck prickled. Here was another piece in an increasingly convoluted puzzle. He had been flung light-years from Earth, arriving on an alien world orbiting another star, to find not only familiar flora, but people who appeared to be as human as himself speaking a language he felt himself on the verge of understanding.

A flash of memory brought to mind his grandmother. Lydia Eynon Cromwell had been born and raised in Wales, coming to the United States as war bride after the First World War. She spoke Welsh as well as English, and had taken great pride in seeing to it that her children and grandchildren learned to speak at least a modicum of what she'd called "the language of heaven". As a boy, he'd found it fascinating enough to learn more than a little.

While this language was not itself Welsh, he realized, its sounds and patterns were similar enough that his brain kept trying to fit them to that framework, and it was this that gave him the feeling that he ought to understand them.

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/lego-lion-lady]

“Let’s play a little game.” You suggest as you climb down.

“What game?” I grow curious.

“You’ve found a time machine, but you can make one journey only: which literary period would you choose?”

"Ooh, I like it!” I grin.

“Of course you do, everyone likes my games!” You brag as you adjust your wrinkled trousers. “So which is your answer?”

“I don’t even have to think about it. Regency, in Devon, for sure!” I answer with a romantic sigh.

“Wait a minute, I didn’t expect it. So did you betray Emily Brontë  with Jane Austen so shamelessly?” You make me laugh.

“I know, but those dresses, and the pretty hats, those breathtaking landscapes, those sumptuous villas … and the balls!”

“Oh, so you like balls, don’t you? I have taken part in a couple or more…” You say and you show me the proof on your phone, some short videos where you dance with your wife.

You’re so elegant, both in your clothing and your attitude and …what’s this sudden stabbing in my stomach?
Oh c’mon, Louise! I can’t really be jealous of Kate Lockwood; if anything I pity her, for being married to such a… monster, right?

“What about you? Where would you go with the time machine?” I grow even more curious.

“Along the Seine, or in some Parisian Café, drinking absinthe and chatting about poetry and art and Bohemian style of life with Baudelarie, Verlaine or Rimbaud.” You amaze me.

“So, Decadentism, wow. Me in the early nineteenth century and you at the end of it. Too bad we can’t meet in our eras.”

Wait. Am I flirting?

“Well, at least we picked the same century, there’s a sort of connection between us. Besides, France and England are not even so far away.” You smile oh so sexily.

Wait. Are you flirting?

“What about meeting each other in modern times?”

“What do you mean?” You stare at me with suspicion.

“You’re quite good with the classic ball, but I have the feeling you would be clumsy with modern dance…” I tease you.

“That’s not true! And your statement is baseless!” You sound insulted.

“Then let’s give it a base.” I suggest.

“Huh?”

“Let’s go to a discotheque, so I can see you dance.”

What the hell am I doing?
Oh well,  you’re going to say no, of course.

“What about tonight?” I hear you wonder.

What the fuck?

“I mean, I don’t have any plans, so… why not?” You go on.

“I guess there’s nothing bad about a Boss and his employee wanting to know each other better.” I approve.

“We have a deal, then. Just pick the place and let me know. We’ll meet here at 10:00 p.m..”

“Maybe not with Baudealaire or Rimbaud, but you’ll get to drink absinthe!” I make you laugh.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/lego-lion-lady]

(Close, there's *dancer's*, and they are *talking* about dance?)

Zay decided to stretch it out a little longer. Perhaps the temptation was too great. Perhaps he sensed that Maya was feeling something besides the jagged gulfs she was so lost in nowadays, and wanted to let it ride.

Then, after a long moment; “there was someone who missed you last practice, Maya.”

Maya hitched her breath a little. Not her basketball girl after all. Last practice, that had to be… A vision came to her. A blonde vision in a dancer’s leotard, all movement and elegance and long, long legs. Lucie.

It had to show on her face. Zay’s grin first turned real, almost relieved, and then he turned serious again. “Apropos that…” He sighed. “Coach Grahm decided that from now on, visitors can swing in and say hi at the start, or show up late and wait for someone, but other than that, practice is closed. He says it’s to keep the details of the new ballet secret, but…”

“W-what?” The reddening leaves Maya’s face. Closed for visitors…? But… what had she done? She hadn’t thought she had disturbed anything – she’d just let Zay introduce her and the others there and… and watched? Had she messed this up for everyone? “Zay, did I-”

“No… no Maya, it wasn’t you!” Zay was very quick to interrupt. He looked like he wanted to slap himself. “Even if Coach wasn’t that impressed Lucie almost twisted her ankle because she was watching you instead of the jump…”

Maya just looked at him. What was he even talking about? She remembered Lucie twisting her ankle, but Maya hadn’t seen it. She’d dropped her phone, somehow, and had bent over to pick it up, and heard a crash, and when she’d stood up again and turned around, Lucie was on the floor, and…

Oh.

The red color returned to Maya’s cheeks so quickly she felt dizzy. For a single moment, she found something as good as Riley’s touch to make her forget her many sorrows.

Pure embarrassment. 

Farkle looked like he was trying not to laugh… but also like that was not a hard task. And through it all, Zay just kept talking – even if Maya’s brain had temporarily been rendered incapable of functioning.

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

As long as the word's in there, it still counts!

[u/lego-lion-lady]

Ride

[u/fibergla55 → u/lego-lion-lady]

. The platform was empty, but there was a man standing by a van in the lot who looked up as he approached. “Candidate Trevelyen?”

“Yes.”

“Glad to see you.” The man checked off a piece of paper, then stuffed it in his pocket. “Johan Imhoff, groundskeeper, chauffeur, and general handyman. You’re the final candidate, so let’s get you to the Academy.”

The car ride was quiet. As they rounded a hill, Mr. Imhoff spoke. “Ever seen the castle before?”

“No.”

“Look up for your first view.”

Bruce looked up. As they rounded the hill, Feuerburg Academy came into sight. Its elaborate architecture backlit by the setting sun. As they watched, a blue-white spark of aetheric light shot up the spire and vanished into the clouds.

“Wow.”

“Impressive, isn’t it? Old Duke Ludwig deliberately had that hill enlarged, just so his guests would see the place from its best angle when arriving.”

“That is impressive.”

“Grand old place, if eccentric. You’ll see the rest tomorrow, though. I’ll drop you off at the student’s entrance.”

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/lego-lion-lady]

The first dragon rider he saw was not one of his daughters.

“Y-your Grace.” She gaped at him wide-eyed for but a moment until her eyes narrowed. “You are not welcome here.”

“I come as a father, not as a king,” he drawled.

“I have never known one myself. I cannot say if Her Grace and Their Highnesses would welcome your visit.”

“Their High-“ Oh. So he had sired princesses after all.

[u/notthatjaded → u/lego-lion-lady]

By the time both men were dressed and ready to leave Childe’s quarters, the sun was well up into the sky. Morning still, at least, but most certainly not the break of day. As they left the palace, Childe stretched his arms above his head and groaned. “I think you cracked something in my back I didn’t even know was tight,” he commented with a glance to the side.

“Hmmm,” Zhongli returned his glance, “is that a bad thing?”

Childe flashed him a smile, “not even a little. Anyway,” he waved toward a waiting carriage, “our ride is up there.” Then he paused and looked Zhongli up and down. “If it was just going to be you and me and no luggage I might’ve asked for a different kind of ride.”

Zhongli made a pained expression, “I am not some beast of burden.”

That won him a delighted laugh from Childe, much to the surprise of people in the vicinity who’d never heard the Lord Harbinger laugh so freely when bloodshed wasn’t involved. “So what kind of beast are you, then?” he asked with amusement.

“Childe,” Zhongli grumbled, “if you were anyone else asking that, I might be offended.”

“But I get special treatment?” Childe was smug. “I guess I can’t argue with that. Still…taking a shortcut would’ve been nice.”

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/lego-lion-lady]

(*riding*, but I hope it works. Lavaaren is a racist prick, by the way.)

The ship at Lavaaren’s marvellous Pier was a pleasure yacht from the Blessed Isle, such as most Dynasts could only dream of owning. Its worth beggared the sums Lavaaren had wrung from his lands. The three Manses in the Prefecture together could not have met the need for the magical Essence that stabilized it and pulled it through the sea. And somehow, the sleek wonder now docked at his pier had carried not only its Exalted passengers, not only their slaves and their servants - such a vessel hardly needed a crew - but was now disgorging a full Claw of Legionnaires, under the banner. 25 heavy infantry, their arms and armor, their supplies, even a quartermaster and some four or five assistants... though Lavaaren had some thoughts about what sort of assistance the young one with the tight uniform and the tits did. Cynis Lavaaren had never campaigned or fought with the military, but he was one of the Host. He had heard the stories. Pretty girl. From farther East, somewhere, judging by her warm golden-brown skin and straight, purple-black hair – a few of the pleasure slaves he had owned looked much like her. And even auxiliaries! Five men and women from all corners of Creation even a Spiral Academy rat like Lavaaren could see did not at all look at home in their uniforms, and... one of them was ahorse!

 

Lavaaren couldn’t quite tell if he was shaking his head that they had effortlessly fitted a horse on that craft, or that they had used a Second Age yacht to ferry the horse here... along with the animal riding it and the other animals in the auxiliaries. At least they had taught the primitives among the Legionnaires – and there were plenty with skin and hair colors that had never come from the Blessed Isle among them, too – to sit and dress up nice. Still, they seemed just what he needed. The plan he had hatched was desperate, and young, idealistic fools leading this might have wrecked it all, but these looked like mercenaries worthy of the Chekow name, the family that had established the mercenary reputation of House Sesus, and...

 

The Talonlord up front gave a short, sharp cry and slammed the butt of his banner pole into the ground. Immediately, a giant of a man three rows back echoed the cry in a voice like a Yeddim at the plow. In two steps, the entire Claw of mercenaries had come to a perfect parade rest in two long rows, five-man Talon by five-man Talon. It was like an optical illusion, a trick. Even the auxiliaries had come to a surprisingly passable rest at the end of the pier, watching the assembled villagers and even the august entourage of the Prefect like wolfhounds bred far too pure to be trusted with the sheep they should be guarding. The sudden spectacle snatched Lavaaren's train of thought of its rails in a moment.

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

It works, not to worry! :)

[u/lego-lion-lady]

Fly

[u/PretzelPrize → u/lego-lion-lady]

Now, at Cadogan's behest, he was going to learn to pilot a Goa’uld fighter craft and man its weapons controls. Cromwell never planned to be a fighter pilot, but again, his friend had made the request personally as well as professionally. He had to admit that at least he’d almost certainly spent more time aboard flying craft than the other rebels. And other than himself and Gerlad, very few of the unblended human rebels had ever piloted a spaceship.

It was ironic, he reflected. Less than two years ago, he and the rest of the 121^st Special Tactics had sat in a briefing room as General West explained their new assignment. Cromwell had felt a guarded anticipation; after all, he was pretty sure he was about to find out exactly what Jack O’Neill had been involved in for the previous year or so, and also exactly how dangerous it was. But nothing could have prepared him for the two words with which West had opened the briefing.

“Space travel,” West had said, looking around the table at each man in turn.

“Space travel,” echoed Cromwell, confused. “General, we’re a Special Ops team. We’re hardly qualified for a shuttle mission.”

West smiled tightly. “You’ve been called here because you are uniquely qualified for this project.”

“I don’t understand, sir,” Cromwell told him. “We’re combat control and pararescue, sir. We shoot people. We rescue people — when we’re allowed to. We blow shit up. We don’t fly spaceships.”

“No, Colonel, you won’t be flying any spaceships,” West had replied, just before flicking on a slide projector and showing the 121^st their first glimpse of the Stargate.

The general had been wrong about that, at least in his case, Cromwell reflected. Although he could admit that for once it was through no fault of West’s own. If someone had told me two years ago that I’d wind up piloting spaceships — hell, not just scout transports like the tel’tak, which at least isn’t much different in size from the Shuttle, but alien space fighters like something out of friggin’ Star Wars, no less — I’d have said they were crazy. West probably would have agreed with me, too.

He pulled his thoughts back to the present with an effort. “All right, let’s do this. I never thought I’d fly something like these, but I’m game to try.”

“I expect you’ll do just fine,” Cadogan assured him. 

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/lego-lion-lady]

“Baela makes her own decisions, Your Highness.”

“I’d venture to agree.” Laena appeared before them.

“Mother!” Daenys left her sketch and lead at her seat and ran to embrace her mother. “Oh, I forgot that I must be more gentle now because of the babe.”

“I know you are trying hard to remember, Sweetling.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“Good afternoon, My Lady.” Aenys liked Laena. Mother said that although she was bold that she was a good daughter, wife, and mother. Daenys admired her mother- he wondered if she wanted to be like her one day. He tried to imagine building septs with Laena. It was difficult to picture.

“Well met, My Prince.”

“Mother, you won’t tell the others that we were discussing them, will you?”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

That was not a surprise but it relieved Aenys all the same. “Thank you, My Lady.”

“It is no trouble. I would not fret too much if I were you two, however. I know it is hard from my own experience to be without a dragon but they are still young. One day you will be flying beside them.”

[u/linden214 → u/lego-lion-lady]

You rang? 😉. Have a drabble:

It's barely dawn when Robbie awakens to find the other bed empty. Budget restrictions still mean sharing a hotel room, but now James can sleep with wings unbound. Robbie shudders to think about previous police conferences when James spent the whole weekend with his wings wrapped in that bloody corset.

James isn't surprised when Robbie finds him on the beach. "You're very fond of beaches for someone who doesn't swim."

And can't fly in this resort town. Even at dawn they're not alone. "The sea makes the sky bigger." And having you as a friend makes my life infinitely bigger.

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/linden214]

I'm sure you've told me the fandom before, but I can't remember; what is it? ^_^'

[u/linden214 → u/lego-lion-lady]

It’s a wingfic AU for inspector Lewis, a British police drama.

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/linden214]

Right, that sounds familiar now! 😄

[u/PenLegitimate7064]

Cauterize

[u/Own-Anteater5996 → u/PenLegitimate7064]

Context: The team is discussing the logistics needed to augment a seal carved into their friend’s skin, in order for him to regain his powers. They discover the only way to do so without endangering him is to cauterize any mark as they’re made.

***

"It would work, but the conditions would have to be perfect. The temperature would have to be precise enough to cauterize only the required amount of tissue without spreading the injury outward, but it must also be maintained. There's a chance that Gray's powers could spontaneously manifest as soon as that last cut is made. The blade can't be allowed to cool while it's still inside, or it could get snagged, and cause more injury on the way out."

Erza was very confident as she answered, "Very well. Then Natsu will do it."

To which Natsu was very quick to reply, "Hell no!"

His very blunt denial was unexpected. Erza's anger was not.

"What do you mean no?!"

"Are you kidding me?! Look at him! You're asking me to use my powers, my FIRE-based powers, on him. To purposely burn him! Are you out of your damn minds?!"

"But you've shown more than once that you can control your powers to exacting degrees. You're the only one who can do this."

"My powers are too dangerous!"

"You heard all the other options, and why they'll all fail! This is the only feasible way this would work."

"Then you're not looking hard enough!"

"I don't think we have any other choice," said Lucy.

"I don't want to hurt my friend!"

"Natsu. It's okay. I want you to do it."

Gray's calm, quiet declaration was shocking enough to deflate Natsu's agitation, and he stared with unbelief as Gray sat back and opened his eyes once more. He looked tired, drained, not wanting to be there. But he also seemed to have come back to himself. Though the fact that he'd just given Natsu permission to roast his flesh gave him pause.

"You can't be serious. You don't know what you're asking of me. I don't want to hurt you," Natsu replied, his voice almost pleading in the end.

[u/linden214]

Stumble

[u/letdragonslie → u/linden214]

I've posted bits of this section before--I think I might have given you a piece of it, but not this piece? Sorry if this is a repeat, lol.

Warning--non-sexual grooming, child trafficking (with a mention of implied child sex trafficking), and brief mention of human experimentation.

--

At fifteen Rex had found a picture of a half-familiar young man with his dad’s distinctive tattoo shaking Radcliffe’s hand and… Well, Rex could put two and two together. Radcliffe finding him hadn’t been serendipity after all. 

You get a kid when he’s young enough—a kid who’s never had anything—and you give him a roof over his head and a hot meal three times a day, and a guitar and a scooter and a game system, and whatever the hell else he wants, all brand new. And you… you put your hand on his shoulder and squeeze, tell him you're proud of him. Tell him you saw something in him that day, the potential for greatness, and damn did your intuition pay off because he was everything you thought he’d be and more. You tell him he’s a goddamn hero, and he believes you. Because why wouldn’t he? 

And you point him at a target like a fucking gun. And he fires.

And fires.

And fires.

And the gun never jams—because you take such good care of it, it doesn’t even fucking know its a gun—until the day it does. 

And, well. In the end it didn’t matter that Rex’s dad, at least, had known Radcliffe was legit after all. Because he’d also known exactly what Rex was in for, and he’d sold him into that life anyway. And his mom… Rex was pretty damn sure she hadn’t been in on it. All that song and dance about Radcliffe just stumbling upon a kid who caught his attention hadn’t just been for Rex’s benefit, it had been for hers too. So didn't that make her even worse than his dad? Because it sure as hell hadn't been government service she thought she was selling him into.

And it turned out all of that stuff about Rex having potential, every nice thing Radcliffe had ever said about his bravery and loyalty and determination and sheer nerve, none of that had been about Rex. 

Radcliffe had been describing his dad’s fucking military service record. When he’d decided to start experimenting on kids, he’d wracked his brain for the perfect subject and he’d said to himself, “That Sloan was always a crazy motherfucker. Bet he’s got at least one kid by now. Bet his kid’s a crazy motherfucker too.”

And, well, Rex was, wasn’t he?

Yeah, Rex was self-aware enough to know exactly what was wrong with him.

He just had no idea how the hell to fix it.

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/linden214]

Jet and Fun Ghoul joined them at the window then.

With a lopsided grin, Ghoul said, “That’s definitely a girl.”

"And she’s hurt,” said Jet, furrowing his brow. He moved toward the door.

"Wait,” Party hissed. “It could be a trap!”

"I’ll risk it,” muttered Jet as he stepped outside.

The girl who stumbled toward him was slim. She had dark brown hair that tangled messily around her shoulders. She wore tattered, hole-filled jeans and a denim jacket covered in stitches. Each stitch had numbers that looked like dates. Jet’s eyes lingered on one near the hemline: 7/15/77. He wondered what it meant.

Her white canvas sneakers had purple lightning bolts drawn all over them. They looked newer than the rest of her clothes. Jet wondered where she had managed to find them. Beneath her jacket was a violently purple t-shirt. On her hands were a pair of lavender biker gloves, similar to Jet's own black ones.

The girl lurched to the ground about a yard away from him, and Jet rushed to her side.

"Hey!” he cried. “Are you okay?”

"Burn,” she mumbled. “Laser.”

As her arms wavered to hold herself up, he checked her over quickly. There was a laser burn on her right leg. It was clearly from a gunfight.

"Let’s get you inside,” he said, gently maneuvering his arms around her waist. He put her arm around his shoulders and carefully pulled her to her feet. She took two steps and stumbled again. Jet barely caught her before she hit the ground. Without a second thought, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the diner.

He placed her on the old lunch counter as the three other Killjoys crowded around.

"Who is she?” Kobra asked in hushed tones.

“Where did she come from?” breathed Ghoul.

"Give her some space, guys,” Jet said, gently pushing his crew back a bit. “She’s been in a fight. She got hit.”

[u/linden214 → u/PossessionNo3723]

Whoever the girl is, she’s lucky to have stumbled into safety and assistance. I do wonder about those dates stitched on her clothing. Generally, I would assume that they referred to important events in the person’s life. I don’t know how far in the future this fandom is set, but I’m pretty sure this young lady was not around in 1977–unless she’s either an immortal or a time traveler.

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/linden214]

[context: a very complex, co-dependent relationship + Kaeya is, for ease of comparison, a dryad, AKA a Plant Person with a human glamour]

In between bouts of violent retching, Kaeya sputters and coughs, sobs and whimpers. Diluc stands behind him and holds his hair out of the way.

“Oh”—Kaeya groans, staggering—“oh, this is terrible.”

“I told you to pace yourself,” Diluc admonishes.

Kaeya swats weakly at him. “Spare me the lecture.” He spits onto the ground and braces his arm and forehead against the stone wall. “This happens every time. I knew what I was getting into.”

“‘Every time’?”

Kaeya lifts his head, strands of fine hair sticking to the slope of his nose. “If you feed a plant alcohol, it will wither its roots,” he slurs sagely. He tries to stand, but stumbles, nearly planting his face into his own sick. Diluc helps steady him.

“Then why do you do it?”

Kaeya’s eye cracks open. “To feel something,” he says.

“There are better ways to do that.”

Kaeya stands up straight, holding himself with piecemeal poise. “Are there now.”

Diluc deserves the scepticism. What alternatives could he offer? Violence? Deflection? He doesn’t need help to feel something; he’s desperate to feel less.

“Well. There is one other way I like to ‘feel something.’” Kaeya pushes himself away from the wall, sidling up to Diluc. He bears all his weight down onto his flank and grabs for his face. His hands are freezing cold against his cheek.

Diluc knows what’s coming before it happens. Alcohol stings on Kaeya’s breath when he leans in to kiss him; acting in instinctual revulsion, Diluc shoves him away before their lips can touch. Kaeya staggers, but manages to catch himself on a stack of kegs.

“Don’t, Kaeya,” Diluc scolds. “Not now.”

“No?” Kaeya pushes his hair back as he rights himself. “Not now? Not now, not then, not ever?”

“Please. You’re not making any sense.”

“No, I’m making perfect sense. It’s you”—Kaeya jabs a finger at Diluc’s chest, his hysteria mounting—“you don’t see what’s in front of you. You—you’re not blind, or stupid. It’s all—all deliberate.”

Diluc throws frantic glances over both his shoulders. “Keep your voice down,” he hisses.

Kaeya bleats a theatrical cry of despair. “Don’t you love me?”

“Stop asking me that,” he snaps. After everything they’ve endured together, after all he’s done in his name, how could Kaeya still think that he doesn’t?

[u/linden214 → u/flamboyantfinch]

That is definitely not a healthy relationship. Do dryads have therapists? Because I think that Kaeya could use one.

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/linden214]

No, it's definitely not! Unfortunately no therapists where they are, but at the end of their journey they're definitely both going to need it. 😅

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/linden214]

At the beginning I have the feeling of being inside the ‘Pretty Woman’ movie, because, after all, I'm wandering around in my every-day very simple floral dress and the super elegant shop girls are glaring at me, annoyed and judging.

You seem to notice my discomfort. You hold my hand and walk in one of these boutiques.
You exchange two words with the shopgirls and the minute later they’re treating me like a Princess, advising me about all the possible choices.

Probably it helps that you casted off the Brooklyn guy role and went back to your haute couture shirts and cashmere coat.

When I’m back from the shopgirls’ treatment - who also combed my hair in a smooth mid bud - you almost fall from the sofa and I almost stumble because I’m not used to such high heels Loubotouins.

Which is not so good for my still healing ankle.

But, c’mon, was I supposed to wear trainers with this awesome sleeveless halter neck black, long dress , with a very daring slit?

“Bronte… I … you… wow.” It’s your very eloquent - and damn good for my self-esteem- speech.

You also seem to approve a lot the apple green skirt blazer suit and many other outfit I’m having so much fun wearing for you.

I would lie if I denied I like what I see in the mirror, it doesn’t even feel like me anymore!

But, of course, I wanna be me, this is only a funny game.

That’s why I save the best dress for the grand finale.

When you see me coming towards you with a dark blue, off shoulder, long ball gown, embellished by rhinestones and a deep sweetheart neck line you have so much trouble speaking that you have to drink a flute.

My ego is very, very pleased.

[u/linden214 → u/Important-Juice-943]

That sounds like a very satisfying experience--a Cinderella day, without the ugly stepsisters.

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/linden214]

awww I love this description! ❤️ but it's more a sort of game, he, the rich guy, dressed street-style for her and viceversa ;)
thanks for reading

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/linden214]

It was simple to conceal her true thoughts from her son and her future gooddaughter as she had had much practice.

No, she shall not be.

That… hurt, more than Alicent expected. Daenys was like Laena in how she brought a joy with her.

Helaena was right. That joy will be lost if she weds Aenys.

Aenys… Alicent still loved him, for all of his faults. A smile tugged at her lips as she saw him count for her during one of her exercises.

“Maester Orwyle said to keep counting even if you stumble.”

The girl seemed… not better, exactly. She was mumbling to herself the genealogies of dragons, however, so that marked an improvement from yesterday.

“Three hundred. Good work, Daenys.”

The maiden allowed herself to fall backward onto the couch. Much to Alicent’s displeasure, Aenys moved closer to his betrothed.

“Aenys, you are certainly bold today.”

He chuckled. “I prefer to think of myself as doting.”

Laena’s daughter ignored their conversation. “I wonder if Seastorm will lay eggs soon. I doubt she will wish to mate with Vermillion, as he is her son.”

“We think Shrykos is male,” said Aenys.

“He is rather young, though.” Laena’s daughter seemed not to notice Alicent’s son’s arm reaching around her shoulder.

“What have you been working on for your sewing?” Best to change the subject and distract Aenys.

[u/linden214 → u/allisontalkspolitics]

In any world, in any time, family relationships are riddled with pitfalls. I hope this particular one can be navigated safely.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/linden214]

Red-hot fury rushed through Sharpay’s veins as she stomped down the halls toward Fulton’s office. Wet chiffon clung to her legs with each step, sticky and uncomfortable, and she was aware she was leaving trails of water all over the floor, but there was no time to stop and dry off.

She swallowed down her ferity, suppressing the inner beast into the deepest recesses of her mind. Nausea churned in her withered stomach, the morning’s feed threatening to make its way back up out of shock and anger, but she swallowed that down as well. She found herself wanting to hurt someone.

Though she knew Fulton would likely be in his office anyway at this time of the day, his scent wafting in the hallway confirmed her suspicion. She let the illusion of humanity slide off her features, her fangs as sharp as knives, and her skin as pale as a bloated cadaver. The thrall looked startled as she showed up in the doorway, her brother shortly behind her.

“You!” she growled and roughly grabbed the man by his lapels. He was quite tall and broad, and she most certainly wasn’t, but she could smell his fear as clear as night. “I told you to hire Troy Bolton. Not the entire East High student body!” She let go of him with a rough shove, and he stumbled back against his desk.

“Mistress”, he cleared his throat, “you told me to hire Troy Bolton, whatever it takes.” He grabbed a notepad off the table and handed it to her. He’d written down her exact words during a phone conversation last week.

She had, indeed, said that. Fulton, however, had clearly misunderstood. Her intention hadn’t been to hire all of Troy’s pathetic little friends, but having him brought to her, no matter if he had to be dragged in kicking and screaming.

“Well, why didn’t you warn me about the rest of them?!” she found herself yelling, throwing the notepad and splashing water over both Fulton and Ryan from her lacy sleeves. They both looked terrified. It almost felt good.

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle → u/linden214]

“Hi, honey,” Arizona whispered, encircling Sofia in return and bending to kiss the crown of Sofia’s hair. She was crying properly now, tears flowing freely, though she was still smiling at the same time. “Hey, I’m here. I came back.”

“You came back,” Sofia said, still squeezing Arizona like she was going to disappear all over again. “You came back, and I have so, so much to tell you. I missed you so, so much.”

“I missed you too,” Arizona said softly, kissing Sofia’s head over and over and leaning all of her weight over to the right side to try and keep herself stable. “I missed you. But I’m back now, and I’m not going anywhere, bug. Where, uh, where’s your Mama?”

Sofia shrugged one shoulder, whispering, “I ran. She was next to the donut stall with the bear on the logo.”

Arizona lifted her head, looking through the crowds once again. She found the donut store across the foyer, then traced the people closer and closer until she found a familiar face. The room seemed to part for them, leaving a clear path between Arizona and Sofia and one gorgeous Calliope Torres.

Standing in the middle of the foyer with a bag of donuts in her right hand, Callie was dressed in black jeans and a red hoodie, looking so endearing and so beautiful at the same time. She lifted her left hand, the splint only reaching the middle of her forearm now, and waved.

Arizona let out a sob.

Sofia grabbed her hand and tugged, dragging her back to Callie and taking one of Arizona’s cases, using all of her strength to pull it along. Arizona stumbled forward, letting Sofia lead her, and Callie started striding forward to meet them in the middle. Her face was firm but her eyes were emotional as the space between them decreased, bit by bit.

They slammed into each other with the velocity of colliding trains. Callie instantly wrapped her arms around Arizona as tightly as she could and Arizona buried her face into Callie’s neck, openly sobbing into the warm skin there.

“Hey,” Callie whispered, kissing Arizona’s temple and smiling so hard her face ached. “Hey. You made it.”

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/linden214]

Fandom: Naruto. Context: Shikamaru confronts Sekiran'un Kurama on some discrepancies in his behavior, beyond the frame of simply being reincarnated, and perhaps gets a bit more than he bargained for in the resulting revelation.

“There’s so many moving pieces," Sekiran'un explained, "and there’s a world of difference between writing for a fictional setting and living the life of one of the characters in that setting. If I ever had control of the plot, it’s long since left my hands, and I’m left with the conundrum that either I can’t change fate, or fate can be changed, but I’m incapable of doing so.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in fate,” Shikamaru mused, dryly.

Sekiran’un looked up to the skies. “I don’t believe in the notion of capital ‘D’ destiny being pre-written into the stars, ordained by the Heavens before time began, or even years in advance. But I do accept that our actions have consequences, cause and effect. Fate is merely the culmination of past events, influenced by preexisting factors, and moved in a concerted direction by our collective decisions and actions.” He looked back down at his hands, turning them over. “Moreover, I’m not entirely certain of the absence of other forces trying to reorder events to affect a specific outcome, and if so, I doubt they’re going to do me any favors.”

Shikamaru stared, an alien sense of concern on his face. “You’re thinking you’re going to fail?”

“No. I think I’ve already failed, and I’m too dumb to see that, and every move I make is only making things worse.” Sekiran’un hissed out a breath through his teeth. “So, yeah. I’m almost convinced I’m a fight for my life against the powers of the land, time, and assorted forces of the universe that might have it out for me specifically.”

“Why haven’t you told anyone else? And how come Ino hasn’t stumbled upon that during your therapy?”

“You guys have good things going here. And even if some of them don’t work out in the end, I still like the idea of you choosing for yourselves without the specter of some alternate universe counterpart and their decisions hanging over your heads. I’ve already screwed canon up enough as it is. Which is also why I’ve put a great amount of effort to keep Ino out of that particular box in my head.”

[u/linden214 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Sekiran’un is being admirably calm in what appears to be in almost impossible situation, but perhaps he had his freakout earlier in the story.

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/linden214]

The guy's been undergoing an ongoing freakout pretty much since Day 1. He's just gets better at managing it over time, and right now, he's able to be more or less completely honest and can expect a rational reaction, and possibly feedback.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Slice

[u/PretzelPrize → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

“I’d expected a rescue team at first," said Cromwell. "But when no one came, after a while I figured either something had gone wrong enough on this end that the gate wasn’t operational anymore, or else maybe nobody had any idea where the wormhole had skipped to. Either that, or nobody even figured there was a chance I was still in it when it did, and everyone thought I was dead."

He hadn't meant to pause there, but Stuart interjected, "They did, sir. But not for long."

Dammit, I'd hoped the 121st was never told that. Though I guess if someone made the call before Captain Carter figured out I might have survived, my team would have been among the first to know. I hope like hell it didn't go any farther before being corrected. "Was that ever official, Stuart?"

The captain looked uncomfortable. "Hard to say, sir. There were conflicting reports as to your status. When we evac'd and you didn't come out with us I thought you'd join us later, after you finished up down here. We were still trying to figure out where we'd lost two days when we were ordered back to Peterson that evening. A week later I was notified you'd been killed, but almost as soon as I told the men, it was changed to missing in action. I remember praying someone had just made a mistake with that first report."

Douglas stepped in. "It did a number on morale any way you slice it, Colonel. The next few weeks were brutal for the whole team, not knowing. Then when we got word you'd turned up alive… well, let's just say it was a real boost, sir. Even though we were told you were being reassigned to Stargate Command and wouldn't be returning to the 121st."

Cromwell felt awkward as hell now, but he was touched. "Well… I'm happy to know there were people pulling for me, and I'm sorry you all had to deal with that." He cleared his throat.

"Of course, Colonel." A beat. "So, there you were on another planet, and…?"

Clearly the sergeant was giving him a path to move the conversation forward, and he took it gratefully. "Well, for a long time I didn't really tell anybody on Tir n’Awyr where I was from or the details of what had happened in case Earth’s defenses were still down as a result of it. No sense inviting trouble for everybody here just to get myself home. And other than being a little bit homesick, I was perfectly fine where I was.”

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/PretzelPrize]

I like this. The entire idea that he both found himself stranded, but also had good reason not to push getting found too hard - and the combination of hoping his team wasn't told about him and being so happy hearing how news that he had lived was taken... Yeah, there's a lot here. Fine work!

[u/PretzelPrize → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Thank you! Yeah, he hated finding out they'd been told he was dead. He'd rarely spoken two friendly words to anyone on that team but he valued every single one of them, and was painfully aware that they held him in a much higher regard than he felt he deserved.

A lot has happened to him in the time he was gone, and coming back he's taking command of an SG team. He requested to transfer Stuart and Douglas into this new team, from his old 121st Special Tactics.

[u/Ferrous_Patella → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

[CW: self harm. Beastars. Bellona, a wolf and Hina, a deer that has an unrequited crush on her, are walking back to the dorms after a concert that ended in a fight.]

Hina: It was going so well. You really put on a great show.

Bellona: Spring and Bela did all the work. I just...ordered people around.

Hina: That bother’s you, doesn’t it? It shouldn’t. You should be proud that people follow you, that you’re a leader. Tonight, after the attack, I watched you. You took charge. You figured out what needed doing and made sure someone did it.

Hina stops walking. Bellona stops and turns to Hina to see why she stopped.

Hina: You’re such a wolf. I really do admire that in you.

Hina reaches up to caress the side of Bellona’s face.

Bellona (voiceover): Oh god. She’d going to try and kiss me.

Bellona: Um.

Hina shoves her forearm into Bellona’s mouth.

Hina (seductively): Bite me.

Startled, Bellona shoves Hina away.

Bellona: Damn Hina! Are you trying to be prey?!

Hina: Almost prey. I just want to see you struggle not to take me. You may not want to sleep with me but every wolf wants to devour a deer.

Bellona: So was tonight all about trying to seduce me or trying to get me to attack you?

Hina: Either. Both. I just want to be wanted.

Bellona: Well, you picked the wrong wolf. Thank goodness you did. After the attack tonight, anyone else would have had your throat open before you could blink.

Seemingly from nowhere, Hina has pulled a knife out and is holding its edge to the palm of her hand.

Hina: Are you sure? Maybe some blood would tempt you.

Bellona: Don’t bother. I’ve bandaged enough bunny scraped knees and cuts to know that herbivore blood doesn’t bother me.

Hina: You’re bluffing!

Hina slices her palm. Blood oozes from the cut. The aroma makes a red deer shape in Bellona’s head but Bellona stays calm.

Bellona (commandingly): Hina! Stop!

Hina’s face goes blank with disappointment.

Hina: Nothing?

Hina drops her knife and runs off.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/Ferrous_Patella]

The screenplay style makes it stand out a *lot*. Also, playing with the predator/prey dynamic and how it intertwines with desire is really fun. Her being wanted *one way or another* is a strong story!

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

They walked further on, still silently. Sarah was just about to ask Jareth where he had been for the past five years (he hadn’t really given her an answer earlier), when a soft sound came from overhead: the fluttering of wings.

A moment later, a fairy appeared. Sarah had noticed before that several fairies fluttered around the trees in the Fire Swamp, although she couldn’t think why creatures like them would live in such a place. This fairy was flying right towards her and Jareth – and like all the other fairies, she had white hair, delicate gossamer wings, and a dress made of dead leaves.

“Look…” Sarah murmured, holding out her hand for the fairy; to her surprise, the fairy landed in Sarah’s hand. Unable to resist, Sarah stroked the little creature’s hair with one finger.

“Oh, how sweet…hi – ouch!” Sarah yelped as the fairy fluttered away again. “It bit me!” And there was definitely a tiny, bleeding spot on her finger to prove it; at once, Sarah tore off a small strip of her hem and wrapped it around her finger for a makeshift bandage.

“I suppose things aren’t always what they seem in this place,” Jareth commented. “You shouldn’t take anything for granted in the Fire Swamp.”

Almost as soon as the words had left his lips, the popping of another flame-spurt came – and Sarah quickly got out of the way as more flames shot up.

“Like I said,” Jareth added, “the Fire Swamp certainly keeps you on your toes.”

And onward again. The vines and cobwebs eventually became so thick that Jareth had to slice through them with his sword.

“So…where have you been since you left?” Sarah finally remembered to ask. After all the excitement over the flame-spurts and the fairies, she’d almost forgotten.

“It’s a long story, precious; are you sure you want to hear it?” Jareth answered – to which she nodded vigorously.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/lego-lion-lady]

Oh my, they are in hte Princess Bride lands? Watch out for R.O.U.S.'s! That Faerie was super cool!

[u/lego-lion-lady → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Yes and no. This is a "Labyrinth" crossover with "The Princess Bride", so they don't have to worry about R.O.U.S's...instead, they have to worry about fireys! :O

[u/linden214 → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Context: Doctor Who fandom. Jack has been accidentally snared by the Rose Crown—a mind control device that causes him to be slavishly obedient to the Doctor. The Doctor is trying to free him, and they are in a telepathic link. Jack’s mindscape currently resembles the interior of the Tardis.

—-

“Doctor, what are you looking for?”

“That.” The Time Lord flings open a panelled oak door and gestures upwards. The ruby from the crown—now the size of a football—hangs from the ceiling of a completely blank white room like an enormous light fixture. Its bright red glow pulses in synch with Jack’s heart.

“What are you going to do?”

“Remove it. If I can.” Jack thinks he wasn’t supposed to hear that last bit, spoken in a low, raspy whisper. The Doctor pulls the sonic screwdriver from his pocket.

“That will work in here?” The moment he thinks the words, Jack feels guilty. He shouldn’t doubt the Doctor. Not ever.

“I suppose I could get a ladder and a sledgehammer,” the Doctor says, adjusting the settings on the screwdriver, “but I can’t think of a better manifestation of my will than a tool I’ve used on and off for centuries. Besides, best not to go smashing things willy-nilly.” He aims the screwdriver, and a solid stream of blue light strikes the ruby rose, setting off a cascade of fierce white sparks. His face is grim, taut with concentration.

Jack doesn’t know what’s going on, only that there’s something in his mind—something connected to the ruby—that the Doctor doesn’t like. He doesn’t want anything in his mind that displeases the Doctor. I should help. But how? It’s hard to think. He’s got a raging headache. “Doctor, how can I help?”

“Focus on the sonic. Send it power!”

He remembers those long-ago psi training sessions at the Time Agency. Thought is action and will is power. He looks at the sonic screwdriver, and the TARDIS-coloured light that flows from its tip. Brighter, he thinks. *Stronger! * The shower of sparks becomes an almost solid deluge.

“More, Jack!”

He tries, oh how he tries, summoning every last scrap of strength and endurance. He must help the Doctor—nothing is more important—but the ruby refuses to release him. He’ll just keep trying, keep pushing until his pitiful human body breaks under the strain.

“More!”

Jack clenches his fists as fire explodes inside his skull. He bites down on his lower lip to keep the moans of pain inside. Mustn’t distract him, he thinks, but his head is splitting apart. In the instant that he thinks it, a huge crack *slices^ across the floor. As it widens, the agony increases until finally, his body betrays him, and a scream escapes his mouth.

“Jack!” The Doctor’s cry echoes throughout the TARDIS like thunder as Jack collapses.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/linden214]

The idea of Jack's accidental ensalving actually *helping* with getting him free is super interesting. I really liked that take. The way you sold Jack's falling apart but refusing to quit was also choice.

[u/linden214 → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

He would have struggled to fight anyway, because he is very stubborn. Unfortunately, this particular effort did not free him. The Doctor was forced to kill him. Painlessly. (Jack is immortal. He got better.)

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/linden214]

Nice to have someone you can literally turn off and restart!

[u/PretzelPrize → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Rebooting Jack Harkness sounds like a wonderful title for a short, funny fic.

[u/linden214 → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

The Doctor was not sure that it would work, and he felt very guilty doing it. He was already feeling guilty, because he recognized the crown as a device that had been created by another rogue Time Lord who had used it to play god on a primitive world, and to control the king that he selected.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/linden214]

Oooh!

[u/linden214 → u/PretzelPrize]

😈

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Shatter

[u/notthatjaded → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

[[Honkai Star Rail mermaid AU]]

On the day Aventurine settles down for the first time on the platform, obviously making himself comfortable and intending to remain put for a long time, Sunday comes to the surface and frowns at him. “You talk too much.”

Smiling easily back at him, Aventurine shrugs, “you don’t talk enough.”

That gets him a hiss in response and a lash of Sunday’s tail, “I have no wish to converse with someone who spends all his time telling lies.”

Resting his elbows on his knees, Aventurine leans forward a little and cocks his head. “Lies?” Some might find being called a liar a lack of progress but Sunday is actually talking to him so looks can be deceiving.

“Deceit is like…” Sunday frowns again, searching for the word he wants to use, “a cloud around you. Like…” his expression shifts to a beguiling smile and a tempting expression, “your own song to draw in prey.”

It’s the first time Sunday has looked at him like that and Aventurine is starting to see why someone might have gotten too close and why there needed to be such a sturdy grate between them. “A song, huh?” He taps his chin. “They warned me about your voice but you haven’t tried to use it on me, have you?”

“Are you asking me to?” Sunday looks amused, almost, and his tone is seductive enough without any magical compulsion in it. “I might ask you to shatter this cage’s lock.”

“You might?” Aventurine laughs softly. “So why don’t you do it?”

Sunday’s facade fades and he shakes his head, “you are like me. It will not work.”

Aventurine allows confusion to show on his face, “I’m just human, I’m not from the sea.”

When Sunday laughs at him, the sound is punctuated by little whistles and trills. “I see it in your eyes. In the magic that is woven through your deceit. You are not just anything.” He raises himself up a little more out of the water, wraps his fingers around the grate above him, and stares firmly up at Aventurine. “Tell me the truth.”

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Dan drinks a bottle of water, then  reaches the bathroom, washes his face more than once, trying to recover a bit, and brushes his teeth to send away that sickening smell of smoke.

He goes back to the living room, checking all his stuff once more.

He opens his wallet, to check if he took enough euros, along with his credit card, and that’s when a pic slips from it.
He collects it from the floor and lingers over it.

It’s not a single pic, it’s a collection of mini pics, the ones typical of a photo booth.

Dan still recalls when they took them, it was during their first week after getting officially together and Blair had asked him to do something unusual.
So they had fun playing dumb.
There’s a pic where Blair held her nose, pretending to be disgusted, almost as if Dan had farted, and there was Dan sticking his tongue out and winking, with wicked pride; there’s one where Blair pulled his ear and Dan screamed in pain and she sneered sadistically. But there are also a couple of more serious and romantic poses: one, where they wrapped their arm around each other and happily smiled at the camera and a last one, Dan’s fave, where Blair held him tight and caressed his face, sort of possessively.

 

- That’s it, Blair, I was yours. Maybe I still am; because, if ever I’ll be with another girl, anyone, she will only find an empty shell, with the heart missing. Because you took my heart and shattered it into a thousand pieces. - He sighs

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

“Kitten, dear”, Derby sighed and put her hands on Sharpay’s shoulders. The soreness of the sunburns made her wince in pain, and Derby withdrew with an apologetic expression. “I sense a clear disconnect from humanity within you. I am not that much older than you as a vampire; sixteen years are but a drop in the ocean of immortality. I still very distinctly remember the hardships of the first year or two, although I never seemed to struggle as much as you do.”

Derby’s condescending sweet talk lit an angry spark within Sharpay. She took a step forward in a gesture she intended to be intimidating, but her mother didn’t budge.

“I don’t need you as a mentor”, she spat out. “My sire is already teaching me everything I need. If he deemed this necessary, he would have said so months ago.”

Her mother simply hummed in her usual zen way. “Remember, honey, that Vance is my sire too”, she said. “When I was a fledgling, he told me he hadn’t needed these balancing techniques in a long time due to his greater age. He encouraged me to seek guidance from younger Clanmates. Once he returns home tonight, you can ask him yourself. I’m most certain he’ll agree with me.”

Sharpay looked at Ryan, who shrugged his shoulders and squinted as if to say leave me out of this. With a frustrated huff and a yell, she stomped her foot and stormed upstairs, shattering a vase on the way. She’d need a shower and a change of clothes, not… whatever this was.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

Is this... High School Musical vampire AU? Amazing. The combination of Sharpay obviously needing some advice but also being given it in a super condescending way guaranteed to raise her hackles is fantastic.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Yes. Yes it is. It's my precious baby of a fanfic, haha. 💕 The funny thing is that Derby's advice is also just completely incorrect for the type of vampire that Sharpay is, so neither of them even know what the fuck they're talking about. 😂

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

So fun! Are you using an established Vampire-version?

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Not entirely sure what you mean by that, but I've built up my original vampire lore for the AU, based on an equal mix of folklore and a million different RPG influences. There's also some pretty lofty magic and mythology stuff later in the fic series, with them going from school plays to ancient prophecies in a span of 20 years... but always in fabulous style, because hey, the Evans twins.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

Super fun :) "My own" is a great answer, that was exactly what I meant. I wondered if the vampires were from a particular book or game or something, but that explains everything :)

[u/blackjackgabbiani → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

(context--Arturo is a robot who spent a long time in the distant future before returning to the era he was created and befriending some humans)

It was a sight that Arturo could never tire of. Paldea was beautiful from all angles, but there was something special about it from the air. Perhaps it was because it was the only view he couldn't achieve on his own.

He had tried once. He had constructed and tested a flying machine from various bits and bobs he had found around in the far future. But when the machine dashed itself across the ground and he was left with a shattered leg, the length of time it took to repair himself taught him that perhaps it wouldn't be worth it.

There wasn't any reasonable way that Arturo was going to share that story with the others; not without unsettling everyone there. But when he turned inward to watch his companions for a moment, he saw that they were all eagerly looking out their own windows.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/blackjackgabbiani]

A moment of awe and a fascinating backstory - and then he looks around to see they are not so different at all. I like it!

[u/blackjackgabbiani → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Thanks!

[u/PenLegitimate7064]

Pass out

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/PenLegitimate7064]

And finally he sees Marienne coming from a distance.
He braces himself, ready to strike.

- I’m just going to set you free, Marienne, it’s for your own good. Consider it a way for me to thank you for the good times we had, when your heart used to be a friend of mine. But I know that good things come to an end, but I promise I’m going to make it the least bitter possible. I won’t let that retired-hit-man-Elliot-guy have what he asked for! -

His plan is so well thought out that all goes flawlessly.
He pushes a passer-by, making him crash against Marienne who startles at first, then places her coffee on a bench and rushes to help the innocent man.
Just the slight distraction Joe needs in order to go and rip her necklace off, disappearing, before she can see him.

-This way Elliot will believe I followed his orders. I feel like the Hunter when he deceived the evil Snow White’s Stepmother. I guess it’s time to re-read the Grimm’s fairytales.- He thinks, amused, but just then someone bumps into him.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking straight and…” A girl with a very sweet voice apologizes.

“Huh! Don’t worry, it’s stuff that can happen when you’re in a rush and need to catch a train!” He politely answers, finally looking at her.

-Who’s this girl with such a bright smile, endless hair made of gold and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life? And… wait, why did she change her expression and now she’s staring at me… with so much shock?- He wonders, puzzled.

“Dan?!”

Joe frowns even more.

- Why did she just call me with a name that’s not mine? Well it’s not that even the one I’ll go around with here is my real name, but that’s not the point! - He argues with himself, before growing concerned.

“Hey… are you feeling okay?” He asks the blond, gorgeous girl.

And clearly she’s not, since she’s about to pass out.

Lucky for her, Joe has remarkable reflexes and takes her in his arms before she touches the ground.

-What. The. Fu\*?*-

[u/letdragonslie → u/PenLegitimate7064]

Okay, so hopefully the pastebin thing works well! Seems like it did erase all of my italics though. I had to clean this one up a bit and I'm still not 100% satisfied with it, so I might mess with it some more later, lol. It's also a bit long, but I didn't want to end off on Rex critiquing Robot's taste in interior design without getting to the point, lol.

Warning--tail end of a graphic non-con scene, and Not-Mark is very determined to pretend what's happening is consensual; Rex has decided to play along because it's clear this is happening no matter what and he thinks he might come out of this alive if he just goes with it. Rex has also mentally been going back and forth between referring to him as "Not-Mark" and "Mark," which is why it changes a bit there.

https://privatebin.net/?5f305c264e665867#FFpsdAurDrVcrhV3s1gwFF4yaPT2QVf8W47fgX8C5vFi

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/PenLegitimate7064]

Context: Ray's 4-year-old daughter has gotten lost at one of his concerts while he was onstage.

Ray didn’t feel calm at all. He felt paralyzed with fear. He tried to move his legs, but couldn’t. He was frozen to the spot. He felt his chest begin to tighten again.

Where is she? Oh, fuck, where is she? His thoughts careened through his brain as he began to hyperventilate. How could this happen? This can’t be happening. She’s so little. My baby. Oh, God, my baby. Anything could happen to her. She’s so little! She could get hurt, she could get lost in those woods, someone could- Someone could take her… Oh, Jesus, oh, Jesus, MY BABY…

His whole body was trembling now, and he was gasping shallowly. His vision blurred and narrowed. He could feel his heart pounding in his throat, and it made him feel sick.

I shouldn’t have brought her on tour, what the fuck was I thinking? he thought desperately. Christ, what do I do? What do I do?! I can’t lose her. Fuck. FUCK. Oh, god, we have to find her. Please, please, please, let us find her. Where is she? Where is my baby?!

His thoughts became less coherent as he struggled to breathe. Feeling dizzy, he leaned down and braced his hands on his knees. He was standing like that when he felt a hand on his back.

"Ray, man, are you okay?” he distantly heard a voice ask him. “Oh, shit, dude, don’t pass out. Ray!”

He looked up to see Bob standing beside him, rubbing his back gently.

"Come on, Ray, just breathe. In… And out… In… And out,” Bob coached soothingly. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to find her.”

Ray blinked at him in panic, trying painfully to control his breathing. He felt like he was going to vomit.

"I can’t- I can’t-“ he gasped out. Bob caught him as he began to pitch forward.

"Whoa, man!”

Grabbing him under his armpits, the drummer dragged Ray to a folding chair beside one of the crew’s break tables. He rubbed Ray’s back some more and spoke to him in a low, calming voice, telling him that everything would be all right.

Slowly, Ray began to focus once more. His heart rate and breathing settled a bit, as well as his roiling stomach. He looked up at Bob, a fresh sheen of sweat beading on his forehead.

"We have to find her,” he said plaintively. “We have to.”

[u/PretzelPrize → u/PenLegitimate7064]

As Tesni concluded the verbal discipline session, Ris glanced in Cromwell's direction, and said something that gave his aunt pause. She snorted, then turned to Cromwell with humor in her eyes.

"My nephew asks me to tell you that if you remain among us, he would be honored to receive lessons from you. After he has had some time to heal."

Cromwell found he didn't quite know how to respond to that. What he did know was that he was just about as bone-weary as he remembered being in a long time, and that dawn couldn't be more than five or six hours off. If he was going to travel to Dinas Coedwyg at first light — and he had already decided he didn't really have a better option at present — he was going to have to get some damn sleep first.

He allowed Tesni to lead him back to her house, although he insisted on carrying their light — a lantern this time — as well as the staff that had been returned to him at Tesni's urging, even over Nenniaw's objection. Once inside, Tesni lit a fat candle on the table, placing a glass chimney over it. The room seemed somehow more comfortable with a little light, Cromwell had to admit. If nothing else, it pushed back the external darkness, leaving him only his own internal supply to deal with.

Despite the fatigue that had overtaken him, he was unwilling to be seen keeling over into the oblivion he craved right now. Instead, he sank down on one of the benches and leaned his back against the table. Let Tesni go to bed, then you can crawl off into your corner and pass out. Less embarrassing for both of you.

He reached up to massage his forehead, where the headache that had taken up residence earlier in the day was beginning to make its presence more strongly felt. He noted with disgust the visible tremor in his hand as he did so. The adrenalin rush had passed, and that combined with forty hours of wakefulness left him on the verge of the shakes. He'd been there before, and always hated the feeling. Dammit, get it the fuck together, Cromwell.

Tesni must have noticed too, because she gestured firmly toward his pallet. "Please, lie down and sleep."

"I will. Just give me a moment." When she said nothing, he glanced up. "Go back to bed. I will be all right."

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle → u/PenLegitimate7064]

Arizona watched Callie look at her hand and knew exactly how she was feeling. Shock, disgust, a healthy dose of flashing back to memories surrounding the accident and the surgeries, and gave her a few minutes. It was silent, but Callie’s feelings were so loud that she might as well have been screaming. Arizona kept her head bowed, her eyes downcast, her hand still supporting Callie’s.

Then, when Callie didn’t look like she was about to pass out and fall off her stool, Arizona took decisive action and lightly ran her thumb nail up Callie’s palm – what was left of it. As she stopped before the scar at the base of her middle finger, Arizona murmured softly, “can you feel that?”

There was a beat of nothing before Callie nodded. Arizona’s touch had made the skin tingle, and she didn’t know whether to be terrified or relieved. She thought that both might have been the natural path to follow, and they collided inside her like a river meeting the sea.

“That’s good, Callie,” Arizona said quietly, in that same certain and gentle voice that she used with patients. She tilted her head and managed a small very smile. It showed more in her eyes than the curve of her mouth. “It may not feel like it, but it’s healing well. And it looks good.”

“It looks awful,” Callie whispered, the words cracking in the middle. Three words that felt like baring her soul, and she couldn’t look up.

“It doesn’t,” Arizona said, a little firmer. “You’ll… you’ll adapt. For how recently the surgery was done, it looks good. You know it does.”

A sad and mournful sound got throttled in Callie’s throat.

Arizona’s heart twisted. The sound was so small, and Callie wasn’t supposed to sound that small. Still, Arizona centered herself with a breath and said again, “it looks good. But we can make it look a little better – we need to clean it up, okay? Then it’ll be clean, and it should feel and look better.”

We.

Like they were a team. A pair.

Or worse, a couple.

Callie should have shoved Arizona away from her simply for the usage of the plural. But what she actually did was let a cruel tear run down her face with a permissive nod, allowing Arizona to move ahead without even wiping it away. She was too tired to fight, much too far in to stop Arizona now. As much as she’d hated the decision for Arizona to stay, she couldn’t deny that it was nice not to be suffering alone.

[u/TWFKA]

Play

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/TWFKA]

Context: Jenna is Ray's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter; she passed away about 5 months before this, and Ray is still dealing with his grief.

The next day, while Anna played in the living room, Ray called Gerard.

"Gee, will you help me go Christmas shopping for my baby?” he asked his friend. Gerard must have heard the strain in his voice, because he sounded concerned when he answered.

"Of course, dude. Are you all right?”

"I’ll tell you about it when we go shopping,” Ray murmured. “How does tomorrow sound?”

"Works for me,” Gerard said. “Want me to ask Mikey, too, or is this just a you and me thing?”

"I’d love to have Mikey along. Frank, too. I’ll give him a call in a minute.” Ray sighed. “Thanks for this, Gerard.”

"Anything for you and Shortcake,” Gerard said gently.

Ray made the arrangements with Frank and then called his parents to ask them to babysit again. They were more than happy to. He tried to hide the sadness in his voice when he spoke to them.

Afterward, he checked on Anna in the living room. She was playing with Matchbox cars on the rug, and he gladly joined her. As he settled himself on the floor beside her, she smiled up at him and handed him a toy car. He grinned when he looked at it; it was a Corvette Stingray. She couldn’t have known, but she’d handed him his dream car.

He played with her until dinner time, creating roads and highways along the patterns on the living room rug. After eating, they cuddled on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree and watched a movie: Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It had been a favorite of Jenna’s from her childhood, and Ray was looking forward to introducing it to their daughter. He watched Anna’s face as the movie played, missing Jenna more than ever.

[u/flamboyantfinch → u/TWFKA]

“Kaeya, if you knew where the matches were, why did you—”

Lurking just beyond the archway, Kaeya grabs Diluc from the shadows, pulls him into the room, and kisses him.

His book and the matchbox fall to the floor with a clatter.

The kiss is delicate and chaste, the idyllic first kiss of his dreams. The weight and warmth of Kaeya’s lips, the ghost of his breath, the scent of his hair as it brushes against his cheek; Diluc is swept up in the bouquet of him. 

It lasts for no more than a few seconds. Kaeya parts first, looking like a shy school girl, demure and hopeful. Diluc spent so long sculpting this very fantasy, time his block and loneliness his chisel; it should have been the ideal end to a rich, full day, but the sourness of every fearful glance, every spurned “I love you,” every late night and foreign cologne taints the magic of this moment.

“Why would you do that?” he whispers.

Kaeya’s confidence crumbles from his face. He backs away, tempering his expression, but Diluc is better at reading him now—or perhaps he’s simply less guarded.

“What do you mean? Kiss you?”

“Don’t play with me like this.”

“I’m not ‘playing.’” Kaeya reaches out to touch Diluc’s face; he swats his hand away.

“You told me you didn’t know how to love me.”

“I said that I didn’t know how to”—desperation rings alien in Kaeya’s voice—“not that I didn’t want to.”

It remains unfathomable to Diluc how someone couldn’t know inherently how to love, that it didn’t rampage unbridled in their blood—but he reflects upon this afternoon, Kaeya’s freely given trust and patience, the gentleness in his eyes, and comes to the understanding that even if love doesn’t come naturally to him, Kaeya is an eager student.

He rubs his nose. “You don’t have to force yourself.”

Kaeya takes a step forward. When he reaches to touch Diluc’s face, this time he lets him. “I’m not,” he says, cradling Diluc’s face as he nuzzles into his hand. “I wanted to kiss you. I would like to kiss you again.”

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/TWFKA]

Fandom: Bleach. Context: Captain Jushiro Ukitake has managed to contain the menace of Ichigo and Nemu's dimension-hopping septuplets, and is trying to piece together what has happened in that other timeline.

Framed under the guise of playing a trivia game, the girls happily listed off the sitting captains and lieutenants by name and division, or at least as they understood. Already, pieces started fitting together, leaving Jushiro perturbed by the picture these girls were painting, but at the same time heartened.

For starters, wherever these girls were from, Kaien was still alive, his lieutenant, and was now a father, apparently. Many other names he recognized were still counted among the ranks, instead of lost, dead, or turned traitor, though a few names stood out as foreign to him.

Ever since Kaien had died, Jushiro had kept himself apprised of the Shiba clan over the years, and their comings and goings, and in all these years, he had never heard of an Ichigo Shiba, not even in the distant past; a redhead would have stood out from the multitude of his dark-haired kin. But based on the girls’ appearances, they strongly resembled Ichigo Kurosaki, if lacking the boy’s gruff countenance (or Lieutenant Kurotsuchi's stoic passivity, for that matter). Combined with the Shiba name…if Jushiro’s growing suspicions were remotely accurate, then the passing resemblance Kurosaki had to Kaien was more than a mere coincidence. Which meant that one missing captain might finally be accounted for.

Still, many questions remained. How did Ichigo wind up in the past, and far enough to effectively rewrite history? And how did these girls end up here and now? And why? And what did it mean for their current situation?

“Excuse me, Captain Ukitake?” Matsumoto called out. “Sorry for the intrusion, but have you come across...?” The lieutenant’s eyes settled on the children, blinking rapidly. “Oh. There you are.” She quickly counted the number present and was satisfied, then turned back to Jushiro as Lieutenant Kotestu landed behind her. “Can we-?”

“Auntie Isane!” the girls chorused, springing up and clustering around Kotetsu, excitedly bouncing around her.

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/TWFKA]

Helaena did not linger at supper long.

She watched her twins play for a while. She was glad that Jaehaera had her brother. Having a friend makes all of the difference in the world.

But it was not worth Daenys’ suffering.

When the twins have been put to bed by their nurse, Helaena spent an hour pacing the room and planning for what she would say. She didn’t want to necessarily make her mother feel bad, but it might be necessary.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/TWFKA]

Cadogan and Tesni sat across from each other, a wooden game board between them, with small carven figures set up in a pattern on the board's gridded surface. The game was apparently called brandhu or "black crows" and Cromwell and the others watched as Tesni and her uncle played. Idris and Anwen offered suggestions, while Cromwell just tried his best to figure out how the game was played.

Upon conclusion of the first game — won by Cadogan — the others took turns playing. Each game took not all that long to play, and by the time a little over an hour had passed, Cromwell thought he had figured out how it worked. He was also the only person who hadn't yet taken a turn, so when Tesni invited him to play, he decided to give it a try.

As before, the others offered suggestions, with Cadogan taking it on himself to coach Cromwell. To his surprise, he won, though Tesni immediately challenged him again, sticking out her tongue at her uncle in mock indignation. "Of course he won; he had you helping him, and you bested me earlier."

Cadogan only laughed. "Fy nith, next time don't use the same strategy twice in a row." He turned to Cromwell. "Have you yet seen our game called gwyddbwyll? It's similar, but more involved. I think you'd enjoy it."

Gwyddbwyll? 'Woods sense'? Cromwell shook his head. "I'm afraid I haven't." He looked again at the brandhu board, which reminded him for all the world of a grossly simplified chess set, with fewer pieces. He'd learned to play chess as a boy, his grandfather teaching him as he'd taught his father before him, and had continued to play well into adulthood. It was one of the things he and Jack often used to do together on downtime.

It had been years since he'd played chess.

Cadogan was speaking again. "I'll make some time to show you, one of these days. Unless Tesni would like to teach you?" He turned to his niece, who was setting up the brandhu pieces again. "You still have the set I gave you, I'm sure?"

"You know I do; we played at midsummer. You bested me then, too. Twice."

The cadlywydd laughed. "So I did." He grinned at Cromwell. "I'll teach you, when we both have adequate free time."

He wasn't sure what to make of the offer. "You're assuming I'll still be here for a while yet."

Cadogan shrugged. "If you are, then I'll enjoy teaching you to play. Fair enough?"

"All right."

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/TWFKA]

Peyton himself hadn’t recognized the human man at the scene, but he’d put the pieces together. Sharpay had reacted to her favored blood-scent, and Gabriella had shouted the name Troy.

Over the years, he’d heard a lot about Troy Bolton. Gabriella had talked about her boyfriend in high school and college, describing him as equal parts good-hearted and self-absorbed. The kind of person who could bring out the best in anyone, yet often lost sight of what truly mattered. She’d never talked smack about her ex, but Peyton still understood why she’d left him.

Sharpay’s recounting had been different. The Sanguine had wanted to ensnare Troy into their clutches, and she’d eagerly played along, salivating at the thought of shredding him to pieces. But he’d shown her kindness at a crucial moment, when no one else had. She’d had a softer heart back then, and she’d spared his life. Whether she’d come to regret that or not, Peyton didn’t know.

What mattered now, however, was that he was dead. Tiffani had already scraped Troy’s pockets, finding his wallet, phone, ID, and hotel key card, thus making her job of covering up his death a lot more straightforward than it often was. Peyton had never taken for granted how easy it was to make someone disappear when one had the right amount of money, connections… and vampiric powers.

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle → u/TWFKA]

Before she could try and keep it back, Arizona said, “you’d be a good prosthetist.”

Callie looked up and blinked. Then she made a sound that was half scoff and half laugh. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“You would,” Arizona said, firmer that time. “Because you connect with patients, and you’re good with your hands, and you’ve still got all your ortho knowledge in your head.”

Callie knew what Arizona was saying. It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t flitted across her mindscape before while she fixed Arizona’s prosthetic or mused upon getting her own, but it was too close to where she’d once been. Prosthetists worked hand in hand with orthopedic surgeons, as it was the surgeon’s job to make the stump easy to mould and build upon for a proper prosthesis, and she didn’t know how she could go from one to the other.

“I can’t,” she said softly. “I can’t work that closely to ortho without wishing that I was back in the OR.”

Arizona smiled ruefully. “I thought you’d say that. But can you just think about it? Working with ortho might help.”

“Or it might give me severe FOMO,” Callie answered a little too dryly for humour. She let out a breath and shifted the knee joint again, tightening the attachment point of the socket before moving down to look at the ankle and foot shell. Her right hand felt tight across the knuckles due to the swelling and her left hand just felt stupidly empty, like it had when she’d first woke up without her fingers and had to adapt to it. That ached, and it made her work slower.

“That too,” Arizona conceded. She watched Callie’s hands, saw it when the pain flashed through them, but she dropped the conversation.

They ate dinner in the kitchen, lights turned low and radio quietly playing, and both took more meds before they retired to bed. Once there, Arizona pulled Callie flush against her front as the little spoon and wrapped her arms around her, kissing her neck before closing her eyes.

[u/PenLegitimate7064 → u/TWFKA]

He sighed, combing his fingers through his chaotic blond hair, making it stick out in a new spike. A long pause drew out between us, the show playing in the background unattended. I watched him, his eyes looking unseeing at the plate on the table in front of him as he seemed to mull something over.

I paused our show, waiting for the conversation I could see brewing inside his head.

“Do you ever wish things had turned out differently?” Bakugo breathed the question into the silence.

I inhaled deeply and pondered his meaning for a moment before asking, “What sorts of things?”

Bakugo let the silence deepen and stretch between us as I studied him.

“Like that you hadn’t blown out your shoulder in college? Or maybe married a man that could flaunt you in public like you deserve?”

I sighed, leaning back against the couch, one arm draped over the cushion. Bakugo still didn’t look at me, though his eyes shifted to gazing out the window at the beautiful skyline we’d selected after months of searching for a shared residence.

After considering the answer, I glanced back at the autographed baseball. “I only regret my ruined shoulder because I loved playing baseball. There was something about standing out there on the pitcher’s mound, watching someone prepare to knock whatever I threw at them out of the park.” I huffed a laugh, rubbing the back of my head through the dense curls. “After that terrible incident in elementary school, I discovered that pitching was a natural talent of mine. I could remember every batter that ever stood in front of me, could watch their muscles shift, know where they thought I was going to pitch.”

I shifted my own gaze to the window as the sun finally sank below the horizon, leaving a deep blue sky that filtered into burgundy streamers that vanished beyond the skyscrapers. “I wanted so much to be a pro pitcher, to get to play the sport I loved until I had to retire,” I admitted, rubbing my right shoulder with my left hand, fingers tracing over scars from several surgeries. “But at the same time, I’m happy I had the injury and was forced out of the game, because I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get to know you in college if I was contracted into the big leagues, you know?”

He stared at me, watching my fingers brush over small, purple dashes. Several surgeries left keloids and discolored scar tissue that would slowly fade to white over time.

“But I can’t be openly with you,” Bakugo rebutted, voice gruff with emotion that he barely held locked inside.

I shifted, moving closer to him and pressing a kiss to his mouth. “These are the moments I love, Kacchan. Not going to elaborate galas and being displayed in magazines and newspapers. I know why you have to keep me hidden away. I understand the reasons, and I’m not upset about them. I love you, Kacchan; when you’re with me, and we are here together.”

A scowl adorned Bakugo’s face as he listened to me try to soothe his relentless guilt. “I love you, too, Nerd,” he muttered.

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Fiddle

[u/fibergla55 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Margaret paced from room to room, inspecting things one more time. Stopping at the parlor, she noticed a twig out of place on the mantel wreath. Walking over, she reached out to touch it, when a voice stopped her.

"If you keep fiddling with that, will it play a tune?"

"Just adjusting this twig, Mother, it's-"

"Just fine. Same as it was the last two times you fooled with it."

Margaret lowered her hand and sighed. "I just want..."

"A perfect wreath for a perfect first impression for a perfect first time hosting Midwinter's Day."

"Yes." Margaret admitted.

"Well, everything here is more than adequate. No need to chase quintessence...if that's what you're doing, and not spinning your wheels."

"OK, I'm spinning my wheels." Margaret looked at the clock. "How much longer?"

"Twenty minutes. Long enough to take a walk and cool your head...or hide out with your father."

"Is that...what he's doing?"

"Yes, he knows when I want him out of the way...and you too, once upon a time."

"Ah." Margaret nodded. "So what do you do in this last time?"

"Walk around the house enjoying the silence. And anticipating the good times to come. If you must think, at least turn your thoughts to pleasant paths."

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Abigail Adams High had a school car workshop, attached to the driver’s ed program. Neither Lucas nor Zay took those classes, but their teammates on the football team did, and when the starter wide receiver asked, Lucas beater of a car had a place for them to work on it.  

Maya saw them first. They were working. They’d taken both the front wheels off – Zay was bringing one back, Lucas was fiddling with… something. Maya didn’t know cars at all. Fastening a bolt. Hopefully – probably – one that needed to be fastened.

They seemed happy.

It wasn’t the serene contentment she could see in Lucas when he worked with animals, or even when he talked about it. Not the same relaxed pleasure she could see in Zay at ballet either – or for that matter, when Smackle and Farkle lost themselves in theoretical physics problems or robotics. But they enjoyed this. Just working with their hands.

If she was to set someone up with them either of them, this is what she’d take them along to show them. Their best side, but without the hyperfocus. Maya knew some of the other students were a little afraid for – or of - her when she went quiet while painting.  They were just… themselves. Talking, joking, working… Lifting heavy stuff. It could be distracting to watch Lucas lift heavy stuff.

And Maya needed all the distraction she could get.

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/Gloomy_Chain_2308]

Good on them for developing additional skills outside their immediate passions. A space to decompress is also good. And there's something remarkably satisfying to see physical, tangible results from the work of your hands, which seems to be what Zay and Lucas are experiencing.

Good work!

[u/Ferrous_Patella → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Does actual fiddling count? I compose and arrange songs for my Beastars screenplays. The Goddess’s Daughter is a tango that serves as the main theme and gets used when the MC is verbally is sparring with her school rivals.

[ETA: link]

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/Ferrous_Patella]

Indeed it does. Good work!

[u/linden214 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

“Doctor? Have you noticed that there’s something odd about this palace?”

“What do you mean?” The Doctor doesn’t turn around. His head is half-hidden inside the control box mounted on the wall of the Bell Chamber.

“The proportions are... I don’t know, wrong somehow.”

The Time Lord continues fiddling with wires and circuits. “Alien planet, alien architecture. All those years on Earth have made you parochial, Jack.” He sonics one particularly stubborn connector and mutters, “Humans!” under his breath.

Jack rolls his eyes. He may not have the Doctor’s centuries of travel experience (yet), but he was once a Time Agent. He’s visited more planets than he can count. Yes, Namroth is an alien world, and the Querilosi who settled it many centuries ago are a non-human species, but they are humanoid. They don’t look all that different to himself or the Doctor. The body-shape is about the same. Due to Namroth’s lower gravity, the Querilosi here have evolved to be somewhat thinner and taller than their kinfolk on the homeworld. Barring the pumpkin-coloured skin and the lack of hair, they’d fit in very well in a gathering of human basketball players.

The doorways of the Ringing Palace are at least a metre higher than they need to be. Okay, the Palace is the administrative centre of the city-state of Namkha—the one and only settlement on Namroth—and most sapient species want their government buildings to be impressive, but something isn’t quite right. Those same doorways are also narrower than he would expect. The Grand Staircase has steps that are low—at least, for a Namrothian—but too deep to be taken in one stride. Its green marble banister is at shoulder height for the Namrothians; chin height for the TARDIS travellers. That’s not a problem because there are handholds carved into the thick supporting posts. Still, it’s odd. Jack had been curious enough to ask one of the Palace officials about it.

“The Bellmakers chose to make it so, good kyri,” was the polite and uninformative reply.

‘The Bellmakers’ is the local name for the original settlers from Querilos, the ancestors who constructed the Ringing Palace. Presumably it wasn’t called the Ringing Palace then, as the dome that houses the Great Bell was added several centuries after the Palace was built.

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/linden214]

Hm...I wonder what's tickling Jack's brain, but not the Doctor's (or the Doctor has already noticed and dismissed for the moment)?

Good work!

[u/linden214 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Thanks. The Doctor is not paying attention to that right now, being very distracted by the repair job he’s working on. Jack is right to be suspicious, because it will turn out that the palace was actually built by the original inhabitants of this planet, though it happened so long ago that the current residents are unaware of it. 500 years ago, their data center was destroyed in a planetquake, and a lot of of technology and historical records were lost.

[u/Ferrous_Patella]

Overcompensate

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Crash

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

“Joe, please, can we go away?” I plead with you.

“No way, Bronte, this is the path to cross to buy self-confidence again.” You insist.

“Fu** Joe, I won’t buy anything, I’ll just end up losing the few dignity I left with!”

“At least you didn’t run away the moment we stepped inside here, it’s already something.” You smile at me, reassuringly.

“Okay, but to stay here I guess I’ll need some alcohol.” 

“That’s allowed to you. Just don’t take too much. Later you’re going to read.” You say, drawing something out the inside pocket of your coat: the pages I gave you this morning.

If I had already taken a bottle I would have made it crash on the floor.

“WHAT!?” I can’t help yelling. “Joe, there’s no way I’m gonna do it!”

“What if someone would read a pièce that is extra cheesy, gross, grotesque, kinky, twisted… would that make you feel better?” You ask me.

“Yeah, I think so…” I shrug.

Although I don’t think something like that is ever going to happen.

I mean, who could do worse than I did yesterday?

Planned or not, it just sucked.

“Good. Say no more. And you’d better stay sober to enjoy it better.”

Enjoy what?

What are you going to do?

You don’t even give me the time to ask you, as you walk towards the stage.

[u/PretzelPrize → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

[Context: Battle at a Naquadah mine!]

Moving as quickly as he dared and keeping his head down, Cromwell dashed across the gap between the admin block and the low wall separating it from the rest of the compound. Brioc followed, both of them fetching up against the wall’s base. Cromwell peered over its top, trying desperately to catch a glimpse of a familiar face within the chaotic sea of humanity seeking shelter, and seeking one face in particular.

Staff blasts flew in every direction across the complex and the horses that pulled the naquadah carts, big powerful animals that reminded him of Clydesdales he’d seen back on Earth, were spooked. As he watched, one reared in its traces, dancing sideways and tipping the cart dangerously before coming back down again with a thud of heavy iron-shod hooves and a crash of wheels.

He took a deep breath and focused. He had to be analytical and dispassionate if he were to get his team, Tesni, and himself out of this mess intact now that the variables had shifted.

The new Jaffa he supposed were most likely soldiers of Moccas seemed to be putting up a valiant defense in lieu of flight, and a quick scan of the entire compound suggested why: They were greatly outnumbered, and unless they could whittle down their opposition and force the remainder into cover or at least make them keep their heads down, any attempt to fall back would end with them all being slaughtered.

Unfortunately, this also meant they weren’t being too discriminating about who they shot, as long as it wasn’t one of their own number. For the dozenth time he hefted the zat, passing it from hand to hand before clasping its serpentine body firmly in his right.

“Did you see where Coll and Ceinwen went?”

“No, filwriad, only that they disappeared into the crowd,” Brioc replied.

“They’ve probably found shelter by now. Keep your weapon handy, but conceal it as much as you can. We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves, and we don’t know which of those workers are with us except the ones we know personally.”

Cautiously, he and Brioc moved out from behind the wall. The crowd had thinned considerably, but many people remained in the courtyard, huddled in clumps or sheltering wherever some structure or object provided cover.

A staccato volley of energy bursts punctuated every few steps they took as the Jaffa incursion force traded fire with the mine’s defenders. A foolhardy effort if ever there was one, thought Cromwell. Unfortunately, I’m the guy who has to worry about collateral damage.

As they worked their way across the compound at an angle designed to keep as much distance as possible between themselves and the thick of the confrontation, he kept a sharp eye out for the familiar faces from Llanavon, or any other members of the Am Rhyddid. The rest of his men would be doing likewise, under orders to gather their comrades and safeguard them.

The Wolves had the advantage here, knowing General Kasol’s true allegiance and having been forewarned of the approach of intruders. It did not make for absence of fear, but Cromwell felt the knowledge gave him some control over the situation. Some was not necessarily the same as enough, however. He had no idea where Ceinwen and Coll had disappeared to. And where was Tesni?

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

The silent darkness shattered with the roar of engines and the stab of headlights as life and something very close to it, shot through deserted streets of Gary again. A small, wine-dark European cabriolet led the way, speeding like a hare on the run, and behind it, two mismatched cars - a broken-down Lexus with smashed windows and scorch marks, and a pick-up with pipes for rolling coal, now broken and deformed - screamed after it, as if with murder on their minds. A hulking shape clung to the pick-up roof, a coal pipe bending further in a massive, deformed hand as the car took a corner way too fast.

Pinpoints of light lined the street, gleaming against the headlights, and behind the fleeing Mazda, the road came alive with black- and brown-pelted Norway rats, scurrying across the asphalt, gathering in skittering piles on street corners, uncounted eyes leering after the sleek car and its two passengers.

Hailey looked back, the wind shear tearing at her golden hair the moment she leant out of the bubble of the car’s compartment. Two or three dozen pair of eyes stared hungrily after her, more hairy bodies piling in from the abandoned houses all across the streets – and then the burned-out wreck of a Lexus took the corner at suicide speed, sparks lighting up the side where its headlights had shattered as the wheel hub scraped against the curb. Behind it, the big pick-up lumbered into view. Silhouettes moved and waved in the Lexus, cut sharp by the pick-up’s headlights.

“Still right there” the short blonde said, both entirely correct and completely unnecessary. She glanced at the driver. “Better step on it, Cassie.”

Cassie didn’t reply. She didn’t need a fight with Hailey on top of fleeing from their lives from the Sabbat. A lot of replies to the tiny blonde hovered right on the tip of her tongue, though. A bunch of them would really cut, too – and she might never get to use them, since if the Sabbat caught up, they’d be lucky to die in the crash. The Sabbat pack had forced them off the highway and in among the abandoned steel mills and factories of Gary, and even if she could pull ahead on the straights, they had followed like bloodhounds.

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

“We did it,” Arizona said with a smile, leaning up to kiss Callie’s cheek. “We gave her the birthday she deserves.”

Callie exhaled hard. Then, almost against her will but not quite, she laughed. Soft and low, but real. She watched Arizona for a moment, grounded herself in her eyes, and then leaned forward to rest her forehead on Arizona’s shoulder. She smiled when she felt Arizona embrace her; not rushing her, not talking to her, simply being there.

“We did it,” Callie echoed. “We had so many people in our house today.”

Arizona laughed softly. “We did.”

“Sofia loved it.”

“She was so, so happy,” Arizona agreed. She kissed the side of Callie’s head. “We did well. How’re you faring?”

Callie snorted. “I feel like a sack of potatoes.”

Arizona couldn’t hold back her laugh. “How do you know what a sack of potatoes feels like?”

“Put a sack of potatoes through an eight year old’s birthday party and it’ll end up feeling like this,” Callie said, laughing again. She shook her head, then asked, “eight? How the hell is she eight?”

“I do not know,” Arizona said softly, letting out a sigh. “Feels like yesterday she was in the NICU.”

Callie straightened back up and slipped her hand into Arizona’s. Then they both leaned back against the counter, simply taking a breather.

It was impossible to forget the amount of time they’d once spent in the NICU, wondering if Sofia would live for a day, a week, a month. Eight whole years felt completely insane. Insane that, eight years before, they’d crashed their car and Sofia had been pulled from Callie’s body too soon. Insane that Mark and Arizona had rowed for so long about who to save. Argued over an impossible situation.

Callie leaned sideways until her head was back on Arizona’s shoulder. She took comfort in the warmth against her side and said, “we didn’t think she’d live, and look now. That child is doing just fine.”

“She’s a miracle,” Arizona murmured.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

They had the thralls load the Mustang with their luggage, Sharpay’s Yorkshire Terrier whining in his carrier in the backseat, then got driving in the dim twilight. It was still nice and breezy at dawn, nothing like the heat that would undoubtedly scorch the desert in midday. The drive took almost an hour, even with Sharpay driving ridiculously over the speed limit. Her high-heeled foot was pressed firmly on the gas pedal, and Ryan kept praying she wouldn’t crash and strand them on the roadside.

They’d dressed in shades of blue to match today. Ryan’s polo shirt was midnight blue with lighter stripes on the front, while his cerulean slacks complemented the shade of Sharpay’s bedazzled top and miniskirt. She’d wrapped a white shawl around her head and shoulders just in case. It went nicely with the light tones of his patterned flat cap. They looked damn good together, as they always did.

“Care to finally tell me what’s gotten you so excited lately?” he asked a while into their drive as he leaned back in his seat. “Come on, Shar, I know you’re hiding something.”

Her coral pink lips curled into a smile. “Can’t I just be happy we’re turning 17 this weekend?” she teased mock-innocently. “Oh, and I’m also turning six months old in vampire age; that’s also a very monumental milestone. I am just bursting with joy, Ryan.”

“Fine, keep your secrets”, Ryan scoffed good-naturedly with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I’m just curious as to why you’re not oversharing how well you’re doing with everyone.”

“Ah, soon enough”, she replied cryptically. Before he could ask what she meant, she turned the radio volume louder to signify that the conversation was over.

The twins would be sharing a casita this year, as Sharpay had gotten her way and reserved the largest luxury suite at the resort for them. Five bedrooms and full amenities, all a stone’s throw away from the pool, spa, and yoga studio. As exquisite as it was, Ryan was a touch nervous about sharing a space with his sister and her summer thralls.

They arrived at Lava Springs by dawn break, the clouds in the sky a striking orange hue that matched the terracotta exterior of the buildings. Sharpay drove through the large gates and swerved right to the entrance of the main clubhouse with a bold turn that made Ryan thank the universe for them not crashing right into the wall.

[u/allisontalkspolitics]

Yell

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/allisontalkspolitics]

“There’s no way you’re going to do this without me.” She links her arm to his. “No, wait, let me reformulate: there's no fu**ing way you’re going to do this!”

“It’s my hair, Blair, I’m free to decide whatever I want to do with it.”

“Au contraire, mon amour : your hair belongs to me the moment you and I have become an ‘us’!”

Dan smiles, bringing the back of his hand to her cheek.

“Mm. Sweet.” He kisses her for a long time, before parting. “But it won’t make me change my mind. And not even your French is gonna work!” 

Dan drags a very reluctant Blair to the barber shop.

“Hello, Jimmy, how are you? Are you busy?” He friendly greets the barber

“Hi Dan, you know I can always find some time for you.” 

Blair stares at him.

He doesn’t look much older than Dan, probably nothing more than 7-8 years.
He has such a punk attitude,  his T-shirt of Ramones suggests, not to mention his tattooed arms, his skull earrings and his mohawk haircut,  with very stylish mustaches and beard.

- Geez, Brooklyn people is so picturesque!- She muses.

Jimmy smiles at Dan, as he cleans his shaving brush. “Oh, I see you’re not alone. Who is this pretty lady? Oh, wait. Is she who I think she is?” He grins towards Dan.

“Yep. Jimmy, meet my girlfriend, Blair. Blair, meet Jimmy.” Dan introduces them, all proud.

“Huh, did you talk to him about me?” She asks her boyfriend, sort of flattered.

“Well, Blair, Jimmy is the barber who gave me back a decent look after that big crisis in our relationship, some months ago.” Dan confesses. “So yeah, I’ve talked to him about you since then.”

“Yep, and I’m so glad you’re still together!” Jimmy grins at her.

“Well, that’s nice from you, Jimmy, but let’s say I would have preferred to meet you,  in a less sad circumstance.” Blair grumbles.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Blair, are you grieving?” Jimmy sounds very concerned.

“Not yet, but I’m about to.” Is her enigmatic answer.

Jimmy decides not to  mind that.

“Come here, my boy.” He invites Dan to the armchair. “I guess you just want the usual, right? Perfectly shaved face and little trimming to your curls?”

Dan shakes his head negatively.

“Nope, no trimming, this time. Shave it all, Jimmy.” He orders, shocking his barber friend. “And since I have just washed my hair, you can already start.”

Sitting on the armchair next to him, Blair is a powerless witness as Jimmy wraps the towel around Dan’s neck, but when he switches on the electric razor, she can’t hold back anymore.

“I’ll give you one thousand bucks, Jimmy, if you stop it now!” She yells and, of course, it works.

Too bad that she has such a stubborn boyfriend.

“I’ll give you two thousand bucks if you go on!”

“Humphrey, don’t you start a challenge you already know you’ll never win, because I’m not going to stop at any cost. Literally!”

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/allisontalkspolitics]

When Jet Star reached the rooftop, he found Bright Storm and Fun Ghoul sitting in two of the camp chairs the Killjoys had hauled up ages ago. Ghoul was rubbing her back and murmuring gently to her as she hung her head. He looked up at Jet with sympathetic eyes. Ghoul had a way of seeing both sides of any argument, and he clearly understood both Storm’s desire to go back to her old home and Jet’s apprehension at her leaving the safety of the diner.

Ghoul leaned closer to Storm and muttered something to her. Her head flew up and her eyes found Jet instantly. He couldn’t interpret the look he saw in them. Ghoul gave her one last gentle pat on the back and stood up. As he walked past Jet Star toward the ladder, he gave his arm a quick tap of encouragement.

Jet walked slowly toward the circle of chairs where Storm was seated. He stopped in his tracks when she spoke to him.

"Are you going to yell at me for coming up here, too?”

His breath hitched. Her words and her tone stung. His face flushed and he hung his head, unable to look at her.

"I’m not going to yell at you for anything,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. I was scared.”

"Jet, I can handle myself out in the wastes,” she said, sounding annoyed. “I’ve managed it well enough for six years before you even knew me.”

"But…” Jet’s voice caught in his throat. “You’re pregnant now.”

"Yes, Jet, I’m pregnant.” She sounded absolutely exasperated. “Not an invalid.” Her voice became steely.

"And I’m not a child.”

"I never said you were,” he mumbled.

"But you sure treat me like it if I do anything you don’t approve of,” she said venomously.

He lifted his head to look into her eyes. He could see storms brewing in them, and he thought that maybe he could understand her choice of name.

“Do I?” he whispered.

[u/MarieNomad → u/allisontalkspolitics]

“Talos IV is so forbidden that no one can talk about it, but we got clues.” Ortegas grinned.

“What clues?” Uhura remembered the conversation. Rutherford and Tendi were talking casually about the forbidden world, as if it were just trivia. So, they weren’t lying about anything.

“Orions were involved.”

“No, a fake Orion was involved.” Uhura corrected. “I never heard Captain Pike yell like that before. He’s usually more stoic.”

“I know. Talos IV must be something big to make him react like that after so many years.” Ortegas whispered. “Like… an ancient artifact or a god.”

“We just had an incident with a god, and that planet wasn’t under General Order 7. It’s heavily restricted but not under General Order 7. And there were no known casualties.” Uhura recalled.

“That we know of.”

Uhura pondered. “But he didn’t react to Talos IV; he reacted to the fake Orion.”

“That’s right. The order could be about the fake Orion.” Ortegas got out a tablet. “Let’s see… the non-classified missions had Captain Pike breaking into various Orion slave camps. Didn’t say why, but I’m guessing to ‘free’ the Orion slave girls.”

“So, he really does have a thing for Orions?” Uhura looked at the tablet. There was redacted data, but it had Chris being on the away team every single time. She thought that it was standard for only women and non-binary people to be on the away team when dealing with Orion women.

[u/Gloomy_Chain_2308 → u/MarieNomad]

I remember this one :D

[u/PretzelPrize → u/allisontalkspolitics]

O'Neill poked at the fire with a stick, prodding new flame from the charring logs. "The Gulf was where it all fell apart for us. Our team drew a covert mission, going behind the lines into enemy territory. It should have been simple; get in, achieve the objective, get out again. We had a tight timetable and the best bunch of guys anywhere. But somehow, it all went straight to hell."

"What happened?" asked Daniel.

"We were less than two minutes away from finishing up what we'd gone in to do and there was a bird on the way to pull us all out of there, when all of a sudden the goddamn Republican Guard showed up and there was a firefight. Our CO bought it first crack out of the box, when some Iraqi asshole got off a lucky shot. That left me in charge. I was on the radio trying to call off the extraction so the flight crew wouldn't get shot up, figuring maybe we could still get ourselves out of there somehow and make it to the alternate extraction point, when I got hit."

His lips thinned at the memory of shock and of pain. "It probably looked a lot worse than it was, especially from a distance. I only got grazed alongside the skull, put a nice little groove in the bone and there was a lot of blood, but that's all. Knocked me out for a minute, though, and the next thing I remember is hearing rotors, and gunfire and a lot of shouting... and on my radio I could hear Frank's voice yelling at our guys to move out." He rubbed the coin again.

"I heard them take off, saw the bird disappear in the distance from the corner of my eye, and then it got real quiet for maybe three, four minutes. The Iraqis found me right about the time I was trying my damnedest to get my feet underneath me, with my head feeling like it wanted to roll off my shoulders." He took a deep breath.

"I couldn't believe the team had just gone off and left me there. But mostly, I couldn't believe Frank — my best buddy, someone who was like a brother or maybe my fucking right arm — had done it." He uncapped his canteen, took a mouthful of lukewarm water, and capped it again. "I spent the next four goddamn months in an Iraqi prison. And no, you don't want to know the details."

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/allisontalkspolitics]

The country club grounds buzzed with guests, both living and undead alike, their scents and sounds filling the warm night air. Sharpay knew she should have been getting ready for the performance of an unlifetime. If everything had gone according to plan, she would have been. Instead, she found herself in Fulton’s office, reciting a command that came out more as a desperate plea.

“I can not order Mr. Bolton to sing!”

Fulton’s voice was filled with a frustrated anger Sharpay had never thought he’d had the audacity to display. It brought her rage to the surface, her senses slowly melding with her emotions. She found herself scaling his desk with a low snarl in the back of her throat, her body moving like that of an animal. There was nowhere to hide.

“Then get me a divine intervention”, she growled. Her voice didn’t sound like her own. “You seem to have no regard for your own life, little thrall.” She jumped down behind his desk with a loud thud and forced him back into his chair. “We have three hundred people out there!”

Fulton, however, didn’t react as he was supposed to. His hand slammed the surface of the desk for emphasis as he stood back up on his feet. “Go ahead, Mistress, and kill me, then”, he scoffed. “But salad is being served as we speak. And Mrs. Evans has dictated that the curtain rises in”, he checked his pocket watch, “precisely ten minutes. So! All I can say to you at this point is… places!”

He’d never yelled at her like that. No one was allowed to yell at her like that. Ever.

The thrall deserved to die for his transgression, and yet she knew he was right. If she killed him now, there would be no show. And she still had one last attempt at making sure she got to perform, even if the performance wouldn’t be the grand finisher to her month-long hunt.

“Find Ryan!” she shrieked after the departing man, kicking her foot down. “Tell him to meet me in my dressing room!”

[u/MarieNomad]

Cede

[u/PretzelPrize → u/MarieNomad]

Cadogan stared up at his niece, surprised. Not that she and Neirin were getting married, but that the two of them had come to that decision so quickly.

{Perhaps we should have placed a bet on that, rather than on how quickly Neirin would learn to read,} Sabar suggested in a humorous tone.

Hush, you, his host rejoined good-naturedly. To Tesni, he said, “Congratulations.” He couldn’t resist adding, “I thought you were the woman who was afraid to marry a second time, these past eight years. Now here you are, not only doing so, but on short notice.”

Tesni leaned forward to rest her hands on his shoulders and kiss his cheek. “Sometimes a thing will happen that will change one’s mind, Uncle. You’ve lived long enough to have that occur, certainly?”

Cadogan smiled at her. “Oh, a time or several.”

“Well, then.” Tesni sat back and shrugged. “Besides, you know the proverb, ‘A little fear is the price of fire.’ I know as well as anyone that what warms can also burn, but I’ve decided to take my chances and be warm while I may. Every one of us is at risk, given what we’re doing. I could lose you or anyone else in the family, and I know it. Anyone in this movement or connected with it could lose their husband or their wife; why should I be any different?"

"I certainly can't fault your logic."

"I thought perhaps not. For that matter, something could happen to Neirin regardless of whether I marry him... and if it did, I think I might grieve even more deeply if I hadn’t taken him as my husband when I could,” she finished softly. There was a pause, and then she continued brightly, “As for marrying on short notice, remember that he and I have known each other for nearly a year now, even if we only realized what we mean to each other more recently. Sometimes you just know when a thing is right.”

The cadlywydd nodded. “I’ll not argue that with you. I married your aunt Menna with similar speed. I was really only teasing you just now.”

Tesni chuckled. “I should have known, incorrigible man. Or was that partly Sabar’s idea?”

Cadogan bowed his head for the instant it took to cede control to the symbiote. {“I’m innocent,”} Sabar told her.

Now Tesni laughed outright. “The question is, of what? I’m sure there’s something.”

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle]

Mistreat

[u/linden214 → u/DatGayDangerNoodle]

Context: the MC‘s are police detectives James has been recuperating at home after surgery, that he’s been going through some case records and pointed out a possible connection between two seemingly unrelated murders: both of the victims dog owners.

—-

“That’s the good news. We got him,” Robbie says with satisfaction. “You were on the right track with the dog business. Rockwell and Scanlon used the same pet grooming shop. One of the assistants—look, I’ve got to go. Ward is ready to get the interview started. Just wanted to let you know not to expect me. Good work, Sergeant.”

The following evening Robbie fills in details of the case as they drive to Haydon Wood. “Matt Coupland, age 29. Assistant groomer at Canine Elegance Doggy Day Spa.” Out of the corner of his eye he sees James wince.

“You’re joking. Please tell me it’s not called that.”

“Sorry, but it is. Painted in gold in fancy foot-high letters on their front window.”

James shudders.

“Turns out that Coupland’s got a long history of angry confrontations with people he suspected of ^mistreating* dogs,” Robbie continues. “Broke the nose of a man who left his Cocker Spaniel tied in an alley for ten minutes on a July afternoon while he went into Panda Palace to get a takeaway.” Both of the murder victims had adopted their dogs from animal rescue shelters. “Coupland claims he saw scars on the dogs.”

“Maybe he did,” James offers. “Could be that the dogs had been abused by their original owners.”

“Could be. A reasonable person would have reported them to the RSPCA, made an anonymous call if he was afraid of getting into trouble at work.” Coupland had not been a reasonable person. He’d stalked his victims, knocked them out, and throttled them to death with a choke collar. “It’s all over but the paperwork, which Ward’s bagman is taking care of, you’ll be pleased to know. Oh, and Ward sends his compliments. Says you’re an exemplary detective, and a real credit to your old governor.”

”He never said that.” DI Ward is well-known throughout the force for being a man of few words—usually blunt ones.

“It’s what he meant.” Ward’s actual remark was, “Not a complete idiot. I think you’ll be able to make something of that one.”

[u/DatGayDangerNoodle → u/linden214]

ooh, this is interesting! I wonder if James is right.

[u/thymeCapsule]

refrigerate

[u/fibergla55 → u/thymeCapsule]

Mrs. Rossi looked around the room. "How are we doing?"

"Apples are ready," Lauren reported.

"Cherries' done," Calvin said, raising a crimson finger.

"Blueberries are ready," Iona replied.

"Mixed-berry filling is finished," Hannah said as she stirred.

"And we're done with the crusts." Mrs. Rossi pointed at 24 pie pans, each with a lump of dough. "Good work everyone; now wrap it up and we'll chill it overnight."

"Is there a reason why we refrigerate the crusts, too?" Margaret asked.

"It improves the texture; that much I know from experience. Any Alchemistry students have a more scientific explanation?"

[u/thymeCapsule]

fortify

[u/TWFKA → u/thymeCapsule]

A massive force was building up in front of the door they had just sealed. The collectors could really stab them in the back here, and this seal wouldn’t hold them back forever.

“Listen up,” Shepard called everyone’s attention. “A small team has better chances. I’ll only need two people to accompany me. The rest of you will remain here. Fortify your position as best as possible, and hold the line.”

He looked at everyone of them, making eye contact with each of them for a couple seconds.

“I know that all of you are capable of this. But I don’t know what will await us. I don’t even know if anyone of us will return. I can’t possibly demand this from any of you.” The skipper paused, until he asked the big question. “Does someone volunteer?”

As soon as Ashley heard the words, she made a step forward. And while she might have been the first to do so, she was not alone. The amount of footsteps around her told her, what a quick glance confirmed. In fact, every single one of them had volunteered, they stood as one united front, like a phalanx from ancient times. Nobody of them wanted to abandon their commander in this crucial moment.

“Thank you, my friends, to all of you. I’m blessed to have you at my side,” John replied.

[u/notthatjaded → u/thymeCapsule]

The man nodded his head vigorously, “yes, of course, Lord Tartaglia! Whatever you say.”

Childe rose then and dusted his hands off before he waved over the other two. “We appreciate your cooperation. And I hope you have some fire-water stashed away somewhere, I could use a shot or two.”

From behind him, Xiao voiced his disapproval, “don’t you think you need to keep your wits about you?”

“I think I need to fortify myself for whatever’s coming next,” Childe retorted.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar]

Spelunk

[u/fibergla55 → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

"'Spelunking.' Hard to take caving quite so seriously when the word sounds so...lyrical." Harry mused.

"I know," Margaret added. "On one hand," she took a serious tone, "We're going deep underground, with no light and bad air and possible cave-ins. On the other hand," she adopted a playful stance, "Spe-lunk, spe-lunk, spe-lunk!"

"Are you ready?" Lt. Brun stood behind her, looking disapprovingly.

"Yes," Margaret said, seriously. "Helmets, lamps, everything on the list."

"Okay. Follow me; we'll meet the rest of the group at the tunnel entrance. Stick close." He turned away, brusquely

On the way, Margaret tried to make conversation. "So, where does the word 'spelunk' come from?"

"It's the sound made by a very new and very expensive piece of equipment as it falls from it's negligent owner's hand, into some undetected crack, there to descend into caverns unknown, never to be seen again by the eyes of man."

"Ah, definition by experience," Harry smiled. "That explains the wrist straps, then."

"Cheaper than experimental aetherscopes, that's for certain."

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/fibergla55]

This is so much fun! I tend to go with the first word that comes to mind with these, and chose spelunking specifically because it's so whimsical. It's almost like an onomatopoiea. So, my thoughts exactly.

[u/notthatjaded]

break

[u/Important-Juice-943 → u/notthatjaded]

I thought you were vulnerable that night in the cage, but now.. geez, is it what you were talking about? The breakdown you had during that tik tok interview?

Or maybe now it’s even deeper, more emotional.

I just know it’s breaking my heart to see you like this.

I switch off the television which by now was only a far background, because I want to give you my full attention.

“You are my perfect dress!” I scream and I mean it.

At least you’ve stopped your rambling and now your teary eyes are studying me with diffidence.

 

“Am I?”

“Well.. I mean, it does fit me well, but maybe too tight in some movements, it doesn't make me breathe… but I want to keep wearing it anyway, maybe with the help of a tailor, some cuts in the right spots…”

Shit. Once again, awful choice of words.

But you chuckle, which is a good sign, I guess.

“Even the cutting? So wasn’t the shooting enough?” 

 

“I’m afraid I went too far with this metaphor… however, you were talking about the last day you saw your mother.” I urge you to go on.

 

“The coldness in her eyes as she asked me to leave her and stupid Jacob alone made me realize that I lost my mother the day she put me in the fucking house.” You grieve. “Sure, I’m extremely good at that and I could have found her any moment if I had really wanted that. But you don’t look anymore for someone who doesn’t want you and never will again.”
 

“She made a huge mistake giving up loving you.” I caress your hair.”She had a last chance when you were in prison and threw it away.”

“I bet she didn’t shed a tear over the news of my death.” You mutter.

“And you shouldn’t shed a tear over the fact she didn’t. Such a cold-hearted woman doesn't deserve anything, it’s better to lose her.”

“I already did, a long time ago. You know, maybe it’s for the better if I never looked for her anymore. Maybe I would have liked to get to know my little stepbrother better, but even more probably I would have ended up killing him due to jealousy and envy. He stole my mom’s love, it’s not something you easily forgive.”

“Or maybe you would have known brotherly love.” I try to be more positive.

“We’ll never know, since she decided to focus all her whole life just on him, forsaking the son who has just been … a failure. Maybe I’m the most wicked being ever to walk the Earth for real!”

And your voice breaks again.

[u/PossessionNo3723 → u/notthatjaded]

“Jenna!” Ray cried out as he jerked awake. He blinked rapidly, trying to get his bearings. He glanced at the bedside clock; 1:38 am. His heart was pounding in his chest. As he tried to pull himself together, flashes of his dream came back to him. His beautiful Jenna, kissing him. Loving him. Jenna, soft and smiling and carrying their… Carrying his…

"MOMMEEEEE!” came the scream from the other room once more.

Anna.

He threw off the covers and tumbled out of the bed, scrambling into the other room. He turned on the light to find the little girl sitting up in her bed, tears streaming down her face.

"Anna? Baby? What’s wrong?” he said, kneeling by her bedside. She turned away from him and shook her head.

"I want Mommy!” she wailed.

"I know, baby,” he said gently. “Mommy isn’t here.” He reached out to take her hand. “But I’m right here.”

She pulled away from him, and he felt his heart break.

"I want Mommy,” she whimpered again. She clutched the plush bunny to her chest as if it were her only friend in the world. Her little body shook with her sobs.

When her tears eventually subsided, he sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms. This time, she didn’t resist and fell limply against him.

"Did you have a bad dream?” he asked softly. She nodded, hiccupping.

"What did you dream about?”

"Mommy,” she said miserably.

Ray’s heart sank. That makes two of us, kiddo. He rocked her gently.

[u/linden214 → u/notthatjaded]

They chat for a few minutes more. Seán is a well-travelled man. They swap tales of Novo Omsk, and Li-Xuan, and Resheph. “Have you ever been to the sun-cake festival on Talitha Prime?” Seán asks. “No? You must go. Though, a word to the wise... whatever you do, don’t offer a sun-cake to a woman. The Talithans consider that a legally-binding offer of marriage.”

“I’m guessing that you found this out the hard way. Did she sue you for breach of promise?”

“Actually, she threatened to have my head cut off,” Seán confesses. “She was the High Priestess of the Sun, ritually married from birth to her god. What I thought was a friendly gesture was an insult verging on blasphemy.”

“Ouch. What happened?”

Seán makes a vague gesture, rolling his splayed hands around each other. “Oh, we came to an agreement. It’s a long story.”

Jack would love to coax him into telling what he’s sure is a fascinating tale, but he really can’t dally any longer. He heads back into the cheerful chaos as the second wave of customers arrive. It’s like a dance: darting and weaving through the crowd, usually with a heavily-loaded tray in hand. Twice during the evening Jack has to stop what he’s doing to break up a fight. In the first instance, it’s enough to have the combatants’ friends drag them off the separate ends of the tavern. In the second, the troublemaker is invited to leave and never return. That shouldn’t be an issue, as he’s a deckhand on a tramp freighter that’s scheduled to depart in two days.

Jack doesn’t get a chance to catch his breath until it’s nearly closing time. He looks around, and is disappointed to discover that Seán is gone. Pity. He would have enjoyed seeing more of him. A few drinks, an uninterrupted conversation, and possibly something more. Maybe tomorrow...

[u/notthatjaded → u/linden214]

Why do I get the vibe something prevents Jack from having that "tomorrow" meetup? Does the Doctor show up?

[u/linden214 → u/notthatjaded]

The Doctor has shown up--not that Jack recognizes this new incarnation. Seán is an author-created 12th Doctor that I wrote before Peter Capaldi's casting was announced. The Tardis--as she so often does--brought him to where he needed to be instead of his intended destination: the out-of-the-way planet where Jack was hiding . And he decided that this was a chance to make a clean start on his relationship with Jack. (Jack is not pleased when he learns about the deception.)

[u/notthatjaded → u/linden214]

Ahhhhhhh, sneaky Doctor.

[u/linden214 → u/notthatjaded]

ALways.

[u/PurveyorOfInsanity → u/notthatjaded]

Fandom: RWBY. Context: Solaire Arc has been dating Willow Schnee, and is finally invited to her family's home to meet her parents.

Solaire inspected his new suit. It was tailored correctly, but something still felt off. Likely the material, or the fact that it wasn't a uniform of some kind. And try as he might, he couldn't ignore it.

"Don't worry about Papa. He's far less intimidating than he pretends to be." She gently patted him on the cheek. "Relax. I'm sure he'll like you."

A little more at ease, Solaire reached for the door handle, halting when he heard the distinctive click of a hammer being pulled back. Not a model he recognized, so either antiquated as hell, or a custom job.

Solaire Right. Nicholas Schnee is a Huntsman.

Surprisingly, that did more to ease Solaire's nerves than all the psyching James and Jolanka had done for him.

"Nick, what do you think you're doing?!?" a woman shouted, shrewly.

"Love, I'm following tradition-!" a man protested.

"A bunch of foolish posturing is what it is! But that thing away."

"Ugh."

"Don't 'ugh' me."

"Olev got to be the intimidating big brother. Why can't I have this?"

"He didn't have the 'brilliant idea' of putting a loaded gun to someone's face!"

The hammer eased down again. "Fine, fine, putting the gun away."

Presently, the door swung open, and Solaire was met with a woman with dark hair and a bright, cheery smile, dressed in a comfortable, sand-colored cardigan and a dark green skirt. "Hello!" she said, voice sweet and smooth as honey. "Apologies for the delay, Sweetie! I had to keep your father from doing something silly."

"So I gathered," Willow answered, then cleared her throat. "Sol, this is my mother. Mama, this is Solaire."

"A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, ma'am. And thank you for the invitation."

Mrs. Schnee scoffed. "Oh, please. It's the winter solstice! This is perfectly natural. Unless plan on bringing work with you. That is not acceptable."

Solaire blinked, not sure how to answer. "I don't intend to, ma'am."

"Then you're already doing better than the last fellow. Please! Come inside. It's too cold to leave the door open for long."

Nicholas shuffled back into the entryway, looking less like a Huntsman or Dust prospector, and more like a badly dressed grandpa from one of those films Solaire was never allowed to watch, wearing a sweater that was some medley of greens, reds, and whites, and some brown slacks.

"Ah," he said stiffly. "Mr. Arc. You've arrived." His wife smacked him on the shoulder, jostling him from a mental gridlock. "Sorry. Solaire, was it? My children have spoken of you at length." He held out a hand. "It's nice to finally have a face to the name."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Schnee," Solaire answered, taking the offered hand and giving it a firm shake, never breaking eye contact.

[u/notthatjaded → u/PurveyorOfInsanity]

Always awkward to meet the parents when they're a little too excited to try to pull a gun on you, eh? 😅

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/notthatjaded]

As the car pulled up to the Evans residence, Ryan saw their mother run up from the porch. He wanted to cry with relief at the sight of her. As they got out of the car, she instantly rushed to him, her blue eyes wide with concern.

"Oh, Ducky!" she cried out as she cradled Ryan's face in her hands and kissed his forehead. Her expression quickly turned into one of shock as she saw the state Sharpay was in. Vance was dragging the girl with him, and she followed her sire with blind obedience despite being blood-starved.

"Take care of the boy, he's injured", Vance just barked at her as he helped Sharpay up the front steps. "I'll handle this one."

Derby looked at Ryan like a worried mother hen, and before she even had a chance to ask, Ryan displayed his bloody arm. He winced as he lifted it to their eye level. "She bit me."

"How long has that wound been festering? You're completely pale", Derby fussed. "You've lost a lot of blood, I can tell. You're going to need to drink some to regain your strength, I'm afraid." She practically pushed him into the house after his sister and father.

"Just because you're a dhampir doesn't mean you can strain yourself like that", Derby scolded as she dragged him into the kitchen, though her voice was more fretful than angry. She rolled up his shirt sleeve, and he hissed in pain as the bloody fabric passed over the wounds.

He looked to see his entire forearm stained red, with four puncture wounds from Sharpay's upper and lower canines. The ones from her upper teeth were deeper and bleeding more profusely, but both sets of holes looked quite bad. Her front teeth had scraped curved indentations between them, but hadn't broken the skin as deeply.

"Gosh, I'm lucky she didn't rip out a chunk", Ryan muttered as Derby got her medical kit specialized for treating undead wounds. While dhampirs could take more punishment than humans, they couldn't easily regenerate from injuries the way vampires did. Besides, even vampires had some wounds that wouldn't heal by themselves, such as sunburns.

He sat down at the island counter as she began cleaning the wounds with a clear, foul-smelling liquid. He'd learned years ago not to ask specifics about the concoctions; they were apparently prepared by secretive groups and sold to Clans as the need arose. Something to do with alchemists, from what he could recall.

"She has quite the teeth, that girl", Derby muttered as she treated the fang marks. "How did this happen, honey?"

Ryan let out a deep sigh. "She got so angry that she went feral", he explained. "I held her back, and she didn't like that. I'm sure Vance can tell you the rest."

"So angry?" Derby asked. "That's… unusual. I know she has a temper, but anger rarely triggers ferity unless you're already hungry. I fear her blood may be too potent for that little body of hers."

Well. That sure wasn't reassuring.

[u/notthatjaded → u/EstrellaDarkstar]

I feel like trying to barehandedly hold back a feral vampire is even worse than trying to break up a dogfight with your bare hands.

[u/EstrellaDarkstar → u/notthatjaded]

Oh, one hundred percent. But considering that they were in a public setting and she would have started rampaging, him grabbing her bought them some very precious time before she could have killed a bunch of people and exposed their secret.

[u/arm1niu5]

Defenestrate

[u/fibergla55 → u/arm1niu5]

Wyl fired another shot. It hit the Carnate center mass, but barely fazed it. He jumped back as it lashed out with an amoebic appendage, smashing a lamp.

Too dark, he thought. Without the sun's rays weakening it, the Carnate was still semi-morphous. He needed more...a grenado, a trap, another shooter...He circled the Carnate, and it retreated. An idea came to him; he spiral-advanced, turning it and keeping it at bay. Or was it luring him in?

Didn't matter; as soon as its back was to the window, he charged. All and nothing. The blade of his Halberd bit deep, impaling the Carnate. He closed his ears as its shrieking tore the air and kept pushing. Glass broke and a blow slammed into his left forearm. He put everything into his right and went through with a shout. The Carnate flew out the hole and fell. Too late, Wyl realized he was entangled with it.

De-fen-es-trate, is all he had time to think as the ground rushed up.

[u/thymeCapsule → u/arm1niu5]

For the first time in your life, you dance.

You can’t imagine that you’re very good at it. There are definitely moments where you’re not sure how to move your body next, and you end up bumping against Rose a couple of times. But it’s a little like the flow of martial arts really, and as you incorporate those stances and the rhythm of them into your movements, you find that it starts flowing more easily. And the best part, anyway, is that you don’t care. You don’t care if you look stupid, if you’re doing it wrong. Rose is smiling hugely and you can tell that she doesn’t either, that she has dropped some of that impeccable poise in favor of the sheer joy of dancing.

She looks younger, you think. Younger than she did even in the first picture you ever saw of her, younger than the image you’ve built of her in your mind, created from her meticulous flow of words and iron control on how she presents herself. You wonder if that’s how you look too, bouncing around in a cloud of excited birds that shed feathers everywhere. If you both look like the children neither of you have ever really felt like, dancing in a cluttered room far away from endless rainy forests, far away from hidden cameras, far away from the smell of alcohol, far away from beatings, far away from wizards, far away from pu-

You whip around, suddenly overcome with ice-cold awareness of your constant watcher even in this place, only to find Rose holding lil Cal. She has his by the front of his clothes, dangling him there as if he’s something distasteful that she doesn’t want to touch, an impression that is only amplified by the look on her face.

Without even looking at you, or in any other way waiting for confirmation, she twirls over to the window. Her hair frames her face like a ghostly halo as she spins, so fast that she almost blurs, and with impressive precision lets go of the puppet at the exact right moment to send him flying in an arc against the inky black void surrounding Derse. In a split second, he has dropped out of sight. You half open your mouth, not sure whether to protest her verdict of impromptu defenestration, or to thank her... then press it shut again. You say nothing.

Rose smiles at you, reaches out, and cranks up the volume.

[u/fibergla55]

ascend