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deercountry2023-03-08 01:10 pm
reddosmod) wrote in deercountry2023-03-08 01:10 pm
The House Always Wins
MARCH 2023 EVENT
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
THE LEECH
HIGH STAKES
CODING
Due to the UNIQUE NATURE of the Moss King, previous March events are NOT available during this month's event. Please keep that in mind.
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]
Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]
Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]
WHEN: March 8-31
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.
The plentiful and bountiful harvest of plants that started to blossom towards the beginning of the month has continued, and if anything? It's getting more and more troublesome. The old saying goes that too much of a good thing is too much, and this is definitely the proof of that pudding. Plants are literally growing everywhere. Trenchies can be seen cutting branches out of impossible locations, and vegetation is beginning to grow inside of established businesses and homes. There is an ever increasing market for vileblood based defoliation options that are being offered by entrepreneurial Trenchies, but the fact that more than a few of those selling the stuff have gone missing under strange circumstances calls into question their efficacy.
For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.
The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?
By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.
For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.
The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?
By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.
WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia
You didn't think it would be that easy, did you? From the moment that the first talking plants appeared in Trench, there has been another ominous presence. Unbeknownst to the people of Trench, but the Moss King is recovering from Riteior's attack and, while they are safe and slowly getting back to their normal self, this has allowed for Riteior to offer a little payback in an effort to cause trouble to those seeking to stop his attacks on the Pthumerians of Trench. In the night, while characters are sleeping, the plants strike. They wake to find a thin film over them, but otherwise it appears harmless. The next full day, there's nothing wrong and they feel hail and hearty. In fact, those pesky little talking plants are gone from their house. Of course, the next day the horror begins to settle in.
Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!
Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?
FAQ:
This condition strikes after the mid-month, when the latest batch of rituals further weakens Riteior, and ensures the Moss King's safety.
This condition is not life threatening, unless a person attempts to use blood for a ritual or other purpose without first receiving a transfusion.
If a person attempts to perform a blood ritual before getting a transfusion, their anemia can become life threatening very quickly.
It is possible to completely avoid this prompt by not being targeted by Riteior. His cursed targeting is not that precise and he is clearly becoming desperate.
When a transfusion is given, both participants will be lightly anemic for another 24 hours, but the condition will fade afterwards completely.
It is suspected strongly by some of the Blood Ministers and Arcane Scholars that this is a curse brought about by a brief moment of control over the Moss King by Riteior. This can be learned easily in conversation with members of the orders in Trench.
Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!
Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?
FAQ:
WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death
The Moss King appears to be 'on the mend' by the latter part of the month, or at least he seems to be his usual self. A flyer advertising a special for all Sleepers and residents of Trench at the Goat Turning, his personal gambling hall, circulates throughout town. The doors of the Goat Turning will be open to absolutely everyone, and nobody will be turned away for an event that will last the last two weeks of the month! Anyone who comes will be given a complementary set of chips for free, along with a very special commemorative poker chip embossed with their own face on it which they are assured they can keep afterwards, assuming they don't lose it betting! In fact, that commemorative chip is the only way that a person can return to the Goat Turning during this period, and has to be shown to get admittance, though you don't need to bet it even if it appears to be worth quite a lot! Every night, a new allotment of chips is offered to gamblers. It isn't much, and if they're willing to trade a few goods to get more, they can supplement their stash. What could be more fun than a friendly game?
The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.
The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)
A Lunar Orb
A Vial of Pthumerian Blood that can leave a person feeling sickly and weak if they come in contact with it
A Genuine Lantern, enabling a second teleportation location to be placed!
A Blood Enchanted Weapon or Armor.
An Item from Home that a character might not normally find washing up on shore
The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.
So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.
So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.
FAQ:
Players are limited to one grand prize per character. Please record this prize on the prompt below.
Characters that die because of this event may die in any reasonable fashion in the basement. Tools are provided. This may be handwaved.
Because this event involves the potential of players bargaining for their lives and death, we remind players to be mindful and communicative with others regarding permissions and preferences during this event. Do not break permissions.
Lesser prizes can be won in quantity, but we ask that you be reasonable about this.
The Commemorative Chip is non-magical and there is no compulsion to gamble with it.
It is simply worth a lot more.
The Event is not age restricted, so underage gambling is possible.
The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.
The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)
The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.
So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.
So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.
FAQ:
no subject
Boy, if there was one thing Luz did not want to think about, it was that...and it was something she did have to tell Lexi about. She probably would too- she was taking such good care of her.
"Varian is the kind of person who needs answers, and he's not going to let something like feeling sick on the urge of death stop him."
He was just like that.
"Maybe. Yes. There's a lot I should talk to you about, because I know you'll listen and make of it what you will. But let's get more comfortable."
That would at least help Luz a bit.
"Good. I don't think you could get me to stop, mi preciosa."
Luz chuckled. "Oh sure, I kick culo NOW, but when I was first learning it was a struggle, and that was even worse when I was brought to Deerington. I had to earn every step of awesome magic I could manage. That's the only reason I don't know more about my Paleblood magic."
Luz grimaced. "Are you telling me those monsters cheated me out of seeing you in a cute band uniform? Truly the world is a cruel and unkind place."
That was a good way to look at things. Probably the best way, really.
Awesome!
"That's something people should prize more than they do. The person that's making everyone smile is giving them the strength to be amazing."
Nevermind that Luz was also on the OTHER side of that too, that even she needed strength from other people.
no subject
"Oh. Gee, who does that remind me of? Anyone in particular," Lexi asked with a smile.
And whatever Luz wanted to talk about, Lexi would listen. She knew this place tended to drive people to their absolute worst impulses or willing to do extreme things to keep their friends and found families safe. And she knew she wanted Luz to feel comfortable with her, no matter what. "Okay, but rest first. The rest can wait until you're feeling better."
Lexi grinned. "You have the sweetest nicknames for me. I really need to step up my game."
"I guess the important part is that you learned, right? You were able to take something from home you already have and amp it up higher. When you've got something like that, I guess blood powers don't really seem as...necessary, I guess?" She wasn't sure she was putting it the right way, but after running scared for a year, Lexi didn't see herself as having much of an option anymore.
And Lexi laughed, ducking her head in embarrassment. "Oh no. There was nothing cute about those uniforms. For one thing, they all came with those giant white fluffy hats. The ones which make you look like you're wearing a tampon on your head. They were horrifying and everyone hated them, so my parents probably did me a favor."
"I know they--like a general they---should, hint hint. I'm thinking of someone right now who should be valued, can you guess who?" But the sparkle in Lexi's eyes made the answer even more clear than it obviously was.
Lexi had been so used to having to stand on her own that having someone to rely on was actually really cool.
no subject
She might as well be truthful about it.
"What? I wouldn't be that crazy! At least, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't!"
Even though Luz was still thinking about how to do the ritual, sick as she was right now.
Luz nodded. Those serious conversations would happen once she was ready to tell her, just as she had to prepare herself to talk about the cannibals and the cave last time. That had taken time, and so would this.
"What can I say? You bring them out of me. You're just that great."
"I wouldn't say it's that, so much that developing that magic when I'm so far from where I would learn about it takes a lot of dedication. I was already learning it from scratch to begin with, but I at least felt a connection to what I was doing. Here, the idea of having another magic that I somehow have IN me is harder to think about. Personally, my own magic is always going to come first, since it's the one I started with."
Luz giggled. "See, now I'm even MORE curious how you'd look with them on! Somehow I feel like you'd still find a way to make them look cute!"
And now Luz is just blushing. "Uh. Your omens?"
She was being silly now, but Lexi was right in that Luz would absolutely have her back, whatever she needed.
no subject
"I know, hon. But sometimes you do push yourself, so I worry. Not 'cause I think you're not strong enough, I know you are. But there's already so much going on and I know sometimes you spread yourself a little thin. Though, I guess that's what I'm here for?" To worry and care and feed her, when deemed necessary.
Which was fine, since Lexi was going to help to provide the Darkblood as well as watch Luz's back. So everything was going to be fine.
And Lexi was becoming convinced that not only was she going to stay the only one from her world, but maybe she wasn't ever going back. And she was surprisingly okay with that, in no small part thanks to Luz. So Luz could take all the time she needed, Lexi would be there to be a listening ear and someone to lean on.
"Mmm-hmm. Je t’aime, mon amour."
"Okay," Lexi nodded. "That's sensible. I mean, it seems like a lot of people already come in with their own powers and abilities and they lean on one side or the other. Assuming that the other isn't permanently fubar'ed by their blood type. But I'm glad for you, that you're finding new and interesting ways to learn and use your magic all of the time. It's really cool."
And Lexi gaped, smiling anyway. "Ohhhh, no! No, no, not gonna happen. Seriously that hat alone was worth driving over repeatedly and it turns out that I really suck at woodwinds, they probably saved themselves a fortune by going with Cassie."
"--not exactly?! Sorry, I meant that you're light and worth being around. Not that our Omens aren't, but I was being people-centric. At least for now." And Lexi was blushing bright red, looking at a fixed place on the wall.
And Lexi was always one to fall for the blushy parts. Always. She'd given up on trying to avoid blushing on a regular basis.
no subject
Luz had to admit that. Hurting Lexi was just about the last thing she wanted to do. At the same time, she understood that Lexi wouldn't want to go hurting anyone either, anymore than Luz would want to. It was a situation Luz hoped would honestly never come up, but who knew, given how things could come about in Trench?
"I do tend to do that, huh? When we were first talking, that was what Ahiru was yelling at me about, jumping into things that wind up hurting me and other people around me. But I can't help it. I've gotten to know a lot of people in these worlds, and if there's a way I can do something, I want to try."
And Luz knew this would be a taxing thing for anyone dating her, so she did feel a little guilty about it. The last thing she wanted to do was exhaust her girlfriend.
Luz would be grateful, and even more so if Lexi happened to also provide the blood to help Luz right now, thought neither of them knew that would be the help she needs right now.
"Ooh, that is nice," Luz practically purred. "I know what those words mean. I love you too."
Luz nodded. "It's always an ongoing process. I can find out more ways to use my magic by combining the right glyphs, but some are more complicated than others. It takes a lot of work. I'll try to learn more about my Paleblood eventually, but the glyphs have to take center stage for me."
Luz giggled. "I guess we won't be musicians anytime soon then. We'll have to settle for being aspiring artists and bibliophiles."
Luz had no issue with that!
"I know you meant me. I was just being difficult."
Luz stuck out her tongue, a gesture to let her girlfriend know she was being silly. She might have even picked that up from Eda!
Good! Luz was just as susceptible though.
no subject
It was impossible to know, especially with this new faction making things even messier than they needed to be. Lexi had no real love for the Pthumerians, but she figured it was better the devil she knew versus the devil she didn't. And this new faction was absolutely the devil she didn't, and to be treated with absolute distrust until proven otherwise. If they even cared about that.
"Oh, hon," Lexi melted. "I know you do. It's on my list of many reasons why I love you. But sometimes...I really hate to say this, but sometimes you need to be selfish. Actually, no, looking after yourself isn't selfish. Because if you can't take care of yourself, how can you do it for anyone else?" And Lexi was well aware that she could be used as the ultimate hypocrite, taking care of her family and Rue first back home, but there the stakes were lower.
And Lexi would counter with that she should be the judge of that. Especially after so many months not doing what she should be doing. But that was coming to a close, she was strong. She was powerful. She could do this.
Well, as her mother's parents liked to quote as they chortled over wine coolers, hindsight was fifty-fifty.
"Good," Lexi practically purred. "How 'bout this, ma moitié?" That one was tricky. A lot more tricky, especially as Lexi couldn't come up with its equivalent in Spanish.
"Which makes sense. It's your magic from your world from people you care for. If you do decide you wanna do more with paleblood, I'm all ears. But if not? Don't let anyone push you the other direction," Lexi said firmly.
And Lexi smiled lovingly. "I can think of far worse things to be. Especially when you add 'girlfriends' to the list."
"Okay, okay," Lexi lifted her hands in a mock-surrender. "It's just that it's sometimes hard for me to tell, considering my sister and my mom and my best friend back home." "It's like 'what do you mean? What do you not mean?' like I'm some kind of human magic 8 ball." But her grin took any bite out of the words.
And Lexi gave a look of mock-shock at the tongue, leaning in to growl playfully, "Don't make me deploy the tickle-torture."
Too bad they made each other blush on a regular basis!
Totally playing "I'm not in Love" by 10CC as I write this
"I'd try to stop you, and I'd do what I had to with my glyphs, but...I would never take you out. I'd try to move mountains before I would willingly hurt you, mi amor. That might not be the smartest thing in the world, but I guess love isn't supposed to make sense sometimes, right?"
Luz didn't have the same amount of vitriol for the Pthumerians that a lot of people did, considering her feelings for Doorway, but she DID deal with Riteior's version of Trench. That had been more than enough of a reason to want to fight back against his attack on the Pthumerians.
"You'd be surprised at how well I can look after people and not myself," Luz said, following a cough. "Not that it's smart, because it isn't. It's actually a pretty dumb thing for me to do. Dating you has really made me reexamine all of the old things I would normally do, and seeing how silly they are now."
And Luz knew she would think more about the actions she took now, because in a way, Lexi had Eda's spirit of wanting Luz to take care of herself and wanting to protect her.
Heh. Luz was falling for her girlfriend more and more. Maybe it was because Lexi was becoming stronger, and she was starting to see how selfless she actually was.
Luz giggled, blushing. "I like it just fine, paloma. In fact, if you kept calling me that, I don't think I'm mind that at all."
The girl shook her head. "If I eventually have to start looking using my Paleblood powers, I'll do it because I want to. Not for anyone else."
Luz scoffed. "Hey, those are GREAT things to be! Adding 'girlfriends' just makes it ten times better!"
She grinned. "Well, you won't have to worry about it with me. I'll be as transparent to you as a ghost, without, you know, the dying part. Because no one likes that part."
Luz gave her a wide eyed, innocent stare. "You'd inflict that on your poor, hobbled girlfriend at her darkest hour? You're heartless!"
Was that a hint? Maybe.
see, all I can think of is the Tori Amos cover, which is CREEPY
It was strange, thinking of the Pthumerians as the lesser of two evils. And Lexi wouldn't fight for them, she'd be fighting for those she cared for. That was still a very strong distinction for her.
And Lexi smiled, a small sad smile. "I'm glad I'm something of a good influence. Now, it's time for you to be a good influence on me."
Lexi had been alone in a crowd for way too long, separated from her family, losing Rue's friendship. And in a way, she'd felt the same way here. But Luz helped. Luz always helped.
And Lexi's feelings were increasing as well, knowing how Luz threw herself into whatever it took to help others. That kind of selflessness was impossible to find in East Highland.
"Why go with only the one, when there are so many more to choose from, ma choupinette," Lexi said with an attempt at a cute smile.
"I know. And it's fine, you're plenty strong enough on your own." Which was true. She was continually amazed by Luz's abilities. She couldn't imagine being able to take a power from home and be able to hone it the way Luz had.
"And bibliophiles. That's also a good one. Also plus at least five points," Lexi said teasingly.
"Nope," Lexi said firmly. "No dying. Not again. Even though that's kinda what brought us together in the first place? Weirdest meet-cute ever, but it still works?"
"Okay, not at her darkest hour. After I feed you and you have some time to digest. So a couple of hours from now, at least?" Lexi smiled wryly.
A hint to be taken up on soonish? Probably?
It's like a low-key Nine Inch Nails song!
Luz brought out a sheet of paper and drew out a symbol for Lexi.
"That's the plant glyph. Channel your strength and will, and direct how much you want to come out of it, and you can actually ensnare someone in it! If you want it bigger, draw several and hit them at the same time."
It would take practice, but if Lexi were able to subdue her instead of having to hurt her, all the better!
"Me, a good influence? Now that's not something I usually hear!"
It was a self dig, but Luz actually did feel pretty honored that Lexi would say that. She was so impressed at how self possessed and assured Lexi was, being told she also made her want to change made Luz feel pretty warm inside.
It was Luz: somehow, in-between the Boiling Isles, Deerington and Trench, she found out why she wanted to be a witch. The elements in the worlds they were in fought against them, made actually staying good people sometimes impossible. Luz wanted to be one of the people still helping, making sure that Sleepers could still stay sane in a world like this.
Luz made a face. "Ok. It almost sounded like you called me your chipmunk. If you did, I don't think I'd even mind."
Luz pursed her teeth and chittered, adding to the effect of a rodent.
"I'm doing my best!" Luz was blush city again, of course. Boy, the positive vibes were just flowing, and she was fine with that.
"So that's...twenty point, theoretically? I think I lost count."
Still nerding it up Luz. Of course.
"Yeah, let's try NOT to have that kind of situation again if we can help it. But if it did come to that, on your end, I'll be sure to keep squiddy you safe, ok?"
She nodded. "As you wish, my Lexi."
makes sense since Tori and Trent were close back in the day!
And at the explanation, Lexi's eyes grew huge. "Are you...sure I can do this? I don't wanna mess it up and make everything worse. And I don't want to practice on you, so, uh. How should I practice? Don't get me wrong, it means a lot that you think I can do this and I'd rather use this than hurt you, but I'm just. Nervous." And babbling. She was doing that, too.
Because the absolute last thing she'd ever want to do was hurt Luz. Ever. Physically or emotionally.
And she grinned broadly. "Well, for me you are! You get me out of my own head and into, well. Society. I spent most of my time back home with my nose stuck in a book and no real social life other than the parties I third-wheeled around with Rue and Jules. But I dunno. If you see something special in me, maybe other people will too." The last sentence had her blushing fiercely.
Lexi felt Luz was often too hard on herself, spreading herself too thin, trying too many things at once. She couldn't hold Luz back from it, but Lexi wished that she could at least give an outside perspective.
Another reason to be in awe of Luz, the way that she'd taken all of her experiences in all three worlds and grew stronger, not bitter. Lexi wasn't sure if she'd be able to say the same.
And Lexi had to laugh, despite her ruminations. "No, I didn't call you my chipmunk. But I'm not going to tell you what I called you, you'll have to look it up, ma moitié." The gleeful challenge was clear in Lexi's voice and the twinkle in her eyes.
But okay, the rodent impression made Lexi bust out laughing. Not ladylike little laughs, either, full belly-laughs.
"Which is pretty terrific, you've got to admit that much," Lexi replied, both serious and half-serious.
"Me too," Lexi admitted. "It's probably a good thing we didn't start a math tutoring business."
Ehh, it was fine. So was Lexi.
And she grinned. "What, will you put squiddy me in a terrarium and carry me around?"
But that earned a blush, "Oh no, no quoting 'The Princess Bride,' that's not playing fair."
"Past the Mission!" A great song AND video!
Luz laughed. "Hey, don't worry, it's good to ask questions! The thing about this glyph is that you don't have to practice this ON people, you can just do it outside! Now, getting the drawing right does take time, but once you have that down, you have to focus on what you want it to do, and then you have to control it. The last two come hand in hand. Once you know what you can do, you usually can guesstimate what's going to happen with it!"
Luz knew all this, as she'd been thrown headfirst into figuring out how the glyphs would work!
"I know I'm biased since you're my girlfriend, but even before then? When I first met you I was really curious about you! You were really earnest and funny and smart! So why wouldn't I want other people around you that will remind you of that? You'll be fine, I promise!"
In Luz's opinion, Lexi had gotten so accustomed to not getting equal treatment back on Earth, that she naturally just stuck to her own ways. She understood that, she just didn't want that for Lexi if she could help it. She didn't need to still feel like she was second best to her sister.
Luz WAS hard on herself, if only because that was baggage she carried from her world, along with regrets she still had from this world too. She wished there were still some things she hadn't done, things she couldn't take back. But she could still learn from them, and try to be better.
"I guess I'll have some homework then. You're so cruel."
Luz gave her a pouty, wide eyed look to let Lexi know she was joking. Mostly.
"It sure is! Rodents are too despised, in my opinion. They're just as sweet as cats and dogs!"
Luz nodded. "Even theoretical math can be pretty weird in Trench!"
They were nerds together! That was all that mattered!
Luz raised her eyebrow. "I didn't even THINK of that. Maybe I will!"
And here Luz gave her a wink. I know. I'm working at half capacity. Got to have the upper hand somehow. Why not with a girl more than worthy to be my botón de oro?"
Absolutely! And all of Tinya's keywords are taken from Tori songs!
"Good. It's good that I can practice this on my own without needing a , y'know, a target. And I'm going to practice a lot. I don't want to accidentally put the wrong line in the wrong place and screw the whole thing up. But, focus, I can do that. I need to focus to use my powers, especially the whole telekinesis thing. And I figure that using the others will need even more focus. I can't just panic and throw someone into them, not like the last time," Lexi said firmly.
And Lexi would do the same, if only so that she could save her girlfriend from herself, if...probably when the time came.
Lexi laughed and ducked her head for a moment. "Well, I'm glad I made a good first impression, despite my kinda panic when I realized that dying here was a thing. It's still scary. I mean, most teenagers don't have to worry about their impending deaths on a regular basis." Because every month it seemed like someone died and came back to life. Sometimes many someones. She'd been lucky enough to avoid it so far, but it seemed like an inevitability.
And that was the heart of the matter. She was so used to being that third wheel, to have her friends be her sister's friends first or Rue's friend first that she'd gotten trapped in her own head, filled with self-doubt and a general feeling of unworthiness. Things she was still fighting against here, even though people did seem to actually like her which was a weird sensation.
That was something Lexi admired about Luz, her willingness to learn from her mistakes. Most people couldn't do that. They'd just double down on their behavior and expect things to turn out differently the second time. Or third. Or fourth.
"Yup," Lexi agreed, "I'm a big believer in hands-on or I guess brain-on learning. You can't learn something unless you practice it. Like with the glyphs."
And Lexi looked completely unrepentant.
"And you can teach rats to do tricks! Adorable rat tricks. Which is why I made sure all of my makeup and hair products and stuff were cruelty free back home." Lexi said with conviction. Rats, in her opinion, were cute.
"I know! I was in AP Calc back home and even with that, the math here is weird. Especially since I know the ship captains have wised up to the fact that I really, really want any books or comics or manga they bring in, so they've upped the price. Jerks. Now I need twice the amount of trade goods I used to be able to use." And Lexi made a face. It was so annoying! Now she had to haggle for prices rather than simply turn over some pretty shells and sea glass.
Cute nerds together.
"That could work. But what do squids eat? Please tell me it's not bugs of some kind. Or normal seafood I might like to eat as me. If squiddy me wants them, it'll ruin everything!" Okay, maybe she was being a little overly dramatic, but she loved the seafood she could eat. Damned rules against shellfish.
"Okay, I think I got one of those words. Oro means gold, right?" Turned out that the Discovery channel was worth something after all instead of weird dating drama only.
Ooh, nice! "Happy Workers" is very underrated!
What Luz is trying to say is that trauma and being pent up could sometimes go hand in hand.
"If you do that, it just won't work! I mean, if it gets close enough but is wrong, it'll be kinda bad, but for the most part, it'll just stay there. Just make sure you make the circle wide enough and concentrate, you'll be able to do it! Start slow, and then work your way up."
Wait a minute. "'Last time?'"
Luz shrugged. "You were still learning about all of that, I can't blame you. What you were just learning about, we knew if we were Deerington people. That was my first death though, and you just happened to be there with your sweet, sarcastic self. I didn't know it at the time, but you were just the person I needed to hear from. Might be why I was so curious about you after that."
Luz was still working on Lexi finding her self-worth. Luz might have problems finding it for herself, but she was definitely not going to let Lexi sell herself short, especially not when she was such a great person herself.
It had taken time. Luz made plenty of mistakes, and reminding herself that A) People were always going to be different from her and B) she still had a lot of learning to do.
"Exactly! I'm honestly very responsive to that kind of learning, so I wound up doing pretty well with glyphs!"
That was so mean, Lexi.
"Exactly! And they're so sweet too! Anyone who tests cosmetics on them should be punished severely! Did I ever mention I love all animals?"
Even bugs. Yes, that was how Luz was.
"You didn't tell me that!" Luz sounded indignant. "You let me handle those guys! I'll make sure that they're not overcharging us...as much as you can overcharge people through barter, anyway."
Of course!
"I don't...I mean, they're in the ocean, how would they even eat bugs? Look, I promise that I'll look up what squids eat and make sure that you're taken care of, promise!"
Luz meant every word. That's just how she was.
"Heh, close! I, uh, actually called you my buttercup."
She was blushing. "Because you are."
I keyword according to the artist I was consuming the most of when I fell. ❤
"...but. You can talk to me about anything. Okay," Lexi asked, hoping that unlike Rue, Luz would be willing to confide in her, to trust her fully with Luz's own self, not with Rue's own partial self. Partial at best.
"Okay...big circle...control...practice...all of those are doable. Or at least they should be. But I really, really hope that I won't have to use them any time in the near future. Or, you know. Ever." But Lexi knew, she knew that the time would eventually come when she'd have to. She could try to put it off as long as she liked, but there was no getting around it.
Lexi blushed crimson. "Oh, uh. There was this guy? I kind of got a threat-y vibe from him, so I warped his reality. Sent him right to East Midland High." And she shouldn't be so proud of that, but she is. No one can survive East Midland High with their sanity intact, it was her go-to when she thought about sending others different places.
And Lexi leaned against Luz gently. "...really? It was?" Because Lexi herself can hardly believe it. She keeps flashing back to that time and all she can remember is blind panic with a side of sarcasm.
But Lexi was trying, she really was. It took her this long to decide to start and try to establish herself beyond Cassie, beyond Rue. She hadn't even known how to start, much as she'd wanted to. But these were Lexi's first steps. Only time would tell how many trails those steps would take her down.
But those were lessons necessary for everyone, Luz shouldn't be upset by them.
"So I should do well, too. Since we have at least some learning styles in common," Lexi asked hopefully.
/hums and hides her hands behind her back
"You have. And I'm trying with the vegetarian thing! It's just that I have so many foods already restricted that I kinda want to enjoy the ones I don't! So don't take my turkey away from me," she said, only half-teasing.
"Well, no, I hadn't. 'Cause I thought I had everything under control. I mean, I hadn't passed the higher prices onto the customers, that's the important thing, right?" Because she was still too convinced that many times she needed to handle things herself. Like a boss. Or a grown-up?
And Lexi curtseyed. "I appreciate that. Even if all squids eat is bug meat."
"Buttercup! That's adorable. I happen to love buttercups, so that's a good one. Gimme a minute to come up with a new one, okay?"
Lexi smiled lovingly. "And you. Are my dulcet darling. That's from somewhere in The Princess Bride, if it's from Humperdink don't give me too much shit."
Ooh! Who do you associate Luz with then??
It wasn't a thought Luz really had anymore, but it had been there for a while, and Luz didn't really know how to explain that to her mom. How did you NOT think you were a failure for not being able to be "normal" after your father was gone and it was hard enough to move on, and then have to deal with school things.
She smiled, taking her hands and holding hers in Lexi's.
"I know. Or at least, I tell myself that when something bad happens, and then I forget to actually tell you because I'm trying to recover. That's pretty dumb, of course. I want to be as honest with you as I can, because I love you and I can be honest. So give me a moment."
She'd get to it. It just...sometimes took a little bit of time.
"Don't count on that. Lexi, I hope you never have to do it, but know that when you tell yourself you won't, you're denying yourself something that could help. I've made that mistake before: trust me when I tell you that you don't want to repeat that mistake."
Luz chuckled. "Good. Maybe he can make himself less threatening. As long as you're defending yourself from something bad, you're not doing anything wrong. I mean, as long as it's not, you know, 'the cornfield,' if you know what I mean."
Lexi knew.
Luz leaned over and held Lexi tight. "I think I was starting to like you then. I didn't know how the heck to deal with that, of course! My past crushes had pretty much ended in disaster, so I figured this was just a coincidence. But the more I talked to you, the more I liked you. You have that effect on me."
Luz would help her all the way, as much as she could. When Lexi needed her, she would be there, and when she didn't, she'd hang back and let Lexi deal.
"I think you'll do great! Just don't overthink it or be discouraged when you don't get it right away. That takes time, and I know you have the patience to get it!"
Luz winced. "Yeah, I love animals but...I can't give up actually eating animal flesh? It's an essential part of a Spanish diet, and I definitely don't know enough about vegetables to know what substitutes what."
Luz totally took that seriously.
"Don't be afraid to ask me for help, sweetie! I'd...well, I'd do anything to help you, and that includes our dream job! I'll go to bat for you whenever you need me to."
Luz giggled. "W-what? How would-that's so-"
She'd recover from laughing, just give her a minute.
"Oh, sure, if you want. But it isn't a one up thing. I just think you happen to resemble something beautiful and precious and prized and I'm super lucky. That's all."
Luz giggled. "Lexi, you can call me anything you want. I love your names, ok?"
That's pretty hard, given that I usually play m/f! I'll think about it!
And Lexi had given up on explaining her own comparatively mild issues with mental health given that so many others seemed to have it so much worse and what was Lexi upset about anyway? A little sibling rivalry and being abandoned by her dad? Who didn't have those things to deal with?
And Lexi drew Luz's hand closely, hugging it to herself.
"I--well, I know you have a lot of friends here before you met me. So I get it. The putting yourself out for them," so Lexi didn't want her to be holding Luz back in any way, shape, or form. Just know that Lexi had her back.
That made happy tears well up in Lexi's eyes. "Really? So I wasn't making a total idiot of myself?"
And Lexi laughed, "No, I don't. Unless it's supposed to be a 'Children of the Corn' reference? Seriously? A bad movie I haven't watched? Seriously?"
That made Lexi caress Luz's cheek. "You're not the only one. Even the crushes I had who were into girls chose other girls before looking at me."
But..."An effect? I almost feel like the description label of an anti-histamine," Lexi said with a grin.
"And...I'm the same. I had a crush on Rue since I was a kid, but she never saw me that way. Even after years--a decade--had passed, Rue saw me as her trusty friend, Lexi, the one who'd always be there to pee in a cup so Rue could cheat a drug test or take extensive notes in the classes we shared so Rue could have them, too. Good ol' Lexi, right? More like good ol' Yeller, complete with the depressing ending." Rue couldn't help but be self-deprecating, given the subject. For years, she'd thought that Rue would wake up and see what was right in front of her. Lexi was wrong.
And the same could be said for Luz, even though Luz depended upon her outer abilities rather than her blood ones.
Lexi winced, too. "I can't give it up, either, not completely. Though the whole 'no shellfish' rule is putting a serious harsh on my vibe." But anyway, as long as Luz didn't keep kosher or halal, no one should mind.
Reluctantly, Lexi said "I know. I know you are. But the messing with others' heads thing? Is kinda violent by nature. I mean, how to you carefully mess with the perceptions of others?"
Giving a minute~~
"Okay. I'll take that as a description and not whine too much. Only a little. Meaning, how on earth did I get that name?"
And Lexi giggled as well. "oh, oh, oh, you're asking me to bring up the really obscure shit, aren't you?"
When it comes to you, of course!
"She's not well, and the actions of somebody like that is not going to be caring about the people who are helping. Even trying to understand what she's doing will be impossible. It's probably all impulses."
And did Luz agree with them? Not at all. And the reason why would manifest easily.
Lexi still had legitimate things to contend with, it just wasn't as loud as Rue's or, apparently, as aesthetically pleasing as :exi's sister somehow. It was just OK to leave Lexi's problems on her own to deal with. That was the thing Luz hated, that it was just ok to have Lexi be grown up and strong and try to smile despite everything.
Luz looked at Lexi and sighed. "Yes. It is that. I've seen people have to deal with horrible memories, some from Deerington, some from their own world. I didn't know it, but over time, I realized how hard it was to try and make a life for yourself with people you hope understood you. That was why I wanted to stay in Trench, to be with those people, to love and protect them like they did for me."
She swallowed, then laughed. "Are you kidding me? Even then, I wanted to know more about you! What sort of books you liked. What music you listened to. What made you laugh? Maybe you didn't mean to, but you had my attention, and I had to talk to you again."
Luz shook her head. "No, I mean that kid from the Twilight Zone, the one that wished his enemies into the cornfield! Good guess though!"
Luz shook her head. "Then I messed up saying what you mean. I'm not always great at...saying how I feel to someone that surprises me all the time, who makes me happy every time I see her. I don't think words work for me like I want them to."
But here, Luz seized Lexi's hands and looked into her eyes. Luz's gaze seemed to penetrate here, but not in an angry way. Luz just stared at her girlfriend with a mixture of devotion and regret.
"I won't....I CAN'T do that to you. I wouldn't. You're better than Rue deserved. If there's one thing I'm happy about, it's that I saw you when she didn't. Now she'll have to manage without having you to help her, and that's sad for her."
She swallowed, licking her lips. "But not for me."
Luz was blushing wildly, hardly believing what she was saying, yet not feeling sorry for an instant at what she was saying.
"I will never understand why religion cares about the food we eat."
That was just it. Food was food! Would she follow exclusion of some things for Lexi? Absolutely! But ask her why it was excluded and Luz would just shrug.
Luz grimaced. "I don't know. I think that's something you need to practice so you don't. I told you that I'd be your guinea pig for that."
Luz made a face. "What, 'sweetie?' Because you are one. Do you hate it? I can come up with something different!"
It was only fair, right?
"Well. Now I'm just curious."
Melissa Etheridge is too easy and I don't like the Indigo Girls!
"...I know. I know she's not well. She hasn't been for a very long time, even before her dad died. And for the longest time, I made excuses for it, but. I can't anymore. Or at least I know I shouldn't. We all have...damage," Lexi said softly.
It was impossible to be more aesthetically pleasing than Cassie. Blonde hair, blue eyes, perfect figure. Honestly, Lexi had no idea where Cassie had come by those features since both of their parents were dark eyed brunettes. And so were their grandparents on both sides. She figured that maybe there was something to genetics, but she didn't know where they came from.
"I want to stay here, too. It's. Easier. To be me here. And the people here like me. For who I really am and after, I don't know. A long time trying to be likeable when it turns out all I needed was another world to find people who liked me. Weird, huh?" Lexi asked with a small, self-deprecating chuckle.
"Ohhh! See, I don't think I've seen that episode. Of course the one where William Shatner sees the monster on the plane wing kind of stands out," she said with a grin.
And Lexi's smile turned tender. "I understand. I...I have the same problem. About the words not working right. Even though I want them to. But I understand you, even when the words don't quite work."
When Luz took Lexi's hands, she gave them a firm squeeze in response, an anchor to show that Lexi was there and would fight as fiercely for Luz as Luz had for her. "I'm glad you saw me. Gladder than I can ever say."
And Lexi had to duck in for a kiss at that, how could she not kiss Luz after such a confession?
Lexi didn't regret a thing. It felt like all of the disappointment and regret had built together to be the person who could still open herself up and accept Luz's love.
"Me neither, but I miss clam chowder. And crab cakes. And lobster everything."
And Lexi would never ask that of Luz, she should get to eat whatever she wanted without her girlfriend holding her back from the things she loved.
"I know, but I hate the idea of guinea pigs to begin with. Cruelty-free makeup and hair products, after all."
"All right, mon rêve."
I see you and raise you an Ani Difranco!
Rue not realizing the girl she had was on her.
"Right. You can try and nudge her toward a way to fix that, but she has to want to, or it won't work. And the thing is, she might not even get to that frame of mind because of you. It might be something else! It really comes down to how things affect you in the moment. It doesn't mean you didn't do your best to try."
Luz had been around Lexi: she knew darn well that if you mattered to her, Lexi would do everything she could to try to help you.
And there was no point extolling Cassie's looks to Luz: if she didn't have Lexi's charm and wit and genuine earnestness, Luz wouldn't see Cassie as anything but a pretty girl that made bad decisions that everyone fawned over. There were plenty of people she knew who were like that.
Lexi was worth a thousand of them.
"Maybe it was THAT place that was bad for you. You were trying to work in a place where the way you were only worked if you said it the right way, and the right people like it. That's just trying to please people who don't care about who you really are, just what you show them that they can understand."
Luz, like Lexi, was not adored back home, and while Luz was fine with that, the adults around her thought it made her somehow deficient.
"Are you kidding?! That's, like, a well known episode! The Simpsons even reference it! Ok. We are having a Twilight Zone marathon, you and me. Sure its in black and white and old, but it's good!"
Dork, forever and always!
"Some people make words hard," Luz said, gazing at her girlfriend. "And that's saying something when the person they're talking to is already weak as paper."
Luz smiled. "I like to think we saw each other. That was what made it so great. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, I couldn't believe it was happening."
Oh please. A weak Luz wouldn't resist a kiss, and a devoted Luz would just cling on. Luz knew she was weak and tired, but all she could think of right now was staying close to Lexi.
"I love you very much Lexi. I just can't give up seafood."
Pig, sure. Pigs were cute, she didn't care how big and grunty they got, and as good as they tasted, for Lexi she would make that sacrifice. Seafood was where she drew the line-mostly because it would severely limit what she could eat in Trench.
"Oh, good point! I'll be your...target practice? No, that sounds worse. Crap. I'll come up with another word for it later!"
Luz winked at Lexi. "I WILL be looking up these words, you'll see."
Oooh, hadn't thought of her! That could work!
"I guess. It's just that you know about my mom and dad. So it was like third verse, same as the first, not at all different. And there's the whole hopeless thing which comes with being close to someone with problems they can't necessarily overcome. Not unless they want it and I'm not sure any of them do," she said regretfully. Her mom had been...as she was for as long as Lexi can remember. Her dad following suit after a near fatal car accident. And Rue during her father's fight with cancer. All of them had genuine reasons behind their behavior, but it didn't make it any easier to watch on the outside.
And Lexi would. Even if it meant people being wished into this scenario. Get them away from the source of bad behavior, whatever it was, and maybe they'd find a way to heal.
Maybe Lexi was too soft-hearted, but with the benefit of hindsight, she'd realized that the only reason why people really fawned over Cassie was because she was beautiful. They didn't seem to care about what she thought or how they felt and that to Lexi would be hell--was hell since she felt like that while she was home.
"You're probably right...I mean, what does it say when I think of the worst thing I can and it's my high school? It's not even damning with faint praise, it's just plain damning." She wondered what would have happened if she had put on her play. What people would've thought. In retrospect, it was too bitter, at least the part about her sister.
And Lexi was considered weird for wanting to do silly things like go as Bob Ross to a Halloween party. For being bookish and getting good grades and tagging along with others who were clearly closer with each other than they were to her.
That made Lexi grin. "You're on. And I still need to come up with the votes for a bad movie party. The problem is, I don't want to inflict Tommy Wiseau's ass on anyone and that's the worst movie I can think of."
"Me neither! It was--I've never gotten along with anyone so well so fast. And I thought you were cute, but I didn't know if you thought I was cute, but we managed to figure things out anyway and that's kind of a miracle." A light when things were at their darkest. That's what it was. And she hoped it always would be.
Lexi wrapped Luz in her arms, trying to keep her feeling supported and held. She could tell that Luz was feeling a little weak and wanted to do what she could to try and help her feel better and if that meant she could cling to Lexi like a koala if she wanted, so would it be.
"It's just shellfish!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Fish-fish are fine. But I swear I'll never make you eat Gefilte fish. There are lines and that's crossing them," and she honestly wondered if people actually liked the fish or if it was something everyone was lying about to everyone. At least Matzoh ball soup was good.
Lexi honestly disagreed about pigs after a tragic petting zoo incident as a kindergartener. If anyone would have felt justified in eating them as revenge, it should have been her.
"Yeah, target practice is no good. Neither is guinea pig. Those are bad terms." Lexi said firmly. "And I refuse to accept them."
And she laughed. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't!"
See, there we go! And Ani's got the superior "32 flavors!" Alannah Miles, feh.
"And the thing is, I'm just like you, Lexi, in a way. I want to help, but if people aren't going to take the help I give them, what's left to do but leave them to their own devices? You can try and make sure that they don't hurt themselves, but they can somehow make that happen all on their own."
Sometimes a place like Trench would even give them a push, while Luz just wanted to make sure that nothing this bad ever happened to Lexi.
One could only hope?
Lexi had been lucky to find Luz then- she DID think Lexi was beautiful, but it was in addition to already being smart and witty and far more complicate than people gave her credit for.
"High school can be bad for a lot of reasons. Trust me when I say? It might be a good thing that it IS the worst thing you can imagine. I can imagine worse situations because I've either lived through them or seen them through other people's eyes. You can sleep much easier not knowing some of those things, I can tell you that."
Some nightmares only needed the smallest prompt of a reminder.
Lexi would always have a weird friend in Luz. That was just a fact!
Luz sniffed. "Ok, so I'm not going to be super happy with seeing some guy's butt, which you seem to indicate is way disappointing, but if the movie is as bad as you say it is, I still might want to see it anyway!"
She could always regret it later!
"Oh, I'm adorable," Luz said with a wave of her hand, "but you're actually beautiful, and that was the thing that was making me chicken out at first. I kept thinking what right does my goofball butt have trying to talk to HER, you know? I was a little intimidated, so I had to psych myself out to go for it!"
It had been a risk, but luckily it paid off!
As for the affection, Luz was drinking in all of it. She nestled into the crook of Lexi's shoulder, her cheek resting on Lexi's cheek, and gave the softest purr.
"I kinda love shellfish though," Luz admitted. "Crabs, Lobster, mussles, clams...I could keep eating those until I'm full."
Luz made a face. "I don't think you could pay me enough to eat a fish that looks like it was fermenting in a jar."
Luz had read Charlotte's Web when she was younger and had a big cry on it.
"Your dummy, then?"
Now she was just being facecious!
"I'll just have to come up with more nicknames for you too, to make things interesting!"
wow, that's a blast from the past with alannah miles!
Lexi breathed a sigh and nodded. "And if they don't want to help themselves, there's no way to make them take our hands if they don't want to. Or aren't ready yet."
Strange, Lexi wanted to do the same for Luz. Protect her from whatever might happen. Come to her defense when that wasn't an option. She was stronger than people gave her credit for, at least back home.
Smart and witty, Lexi had no trouble acknowledging. And she even thought she had pretty eyes, a dark chocolate brown. But beautiful? That still threw her for a loop. She was trying to be better about it, even though it was strange to acknowledge to herself that others (especially Luz) thought she was beautiful.
"Yeah, but I don't want you to feel like you have to...I don't know. Maybe not bury those experiences, but feel like you can't talk to people about them. I know you like to watch out over others and that's one of the reasons why I love you, but sometimes you need to take care of you first," Lexi said earnestly. "After all, if you're not feeling 100%, how can you help someone else feel that way.
/cue "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. which was one of Lexi's favorite movies of all time.
"Oh, god, it's not just the bet. It's the massive number of completely ridiculous love scenes. That one's not appropriate for anyone under eighteen which I know makes me a hypocrite given the whole seventeen thing. Crap. I'll need to think back through the worst of the worst and find one everyone can see and laugh at. Nothing too kid-y, but nothing too much over PG-13." And Lexi sighed. "Which doesn't leave me with a lot of options, but I'll figure something out."
"And I'm so glad you did. As for me, well...I was sure I was just seeing things, interpreting things wrong. Like a whole 'there's no way she can like me, she's so warm and gorgeous and full of life, I'm being a dork," thing." Which made Lexi blush bright red.
Good, because Lexi had a lot of affection to share and wanted to lavish about 99% of it on Luz.
"I'll sit there, envious, and eat the chicken," Lexi replied, making a face.
"Honestly? Me neither. Every occasion I've had where it's been served, I take a piece and kind of mash it up with my fork to make it look like I ate some. Give me latkes any day of the week."
Wasn't that a universal childhood experience, to cry over that book? That and The Velveteen Rabbit. That one still made Lexi cry.
"No, mon étoile. It doesn't mean dummy," she said with a broad grin.
"Sure, why not! It can be an adorable couple language brawl. Maybe even in front of other people. No, especially in front of other people," Lexi declared.
And now I feel dumb since I actually MEANT Alanna Davis, not Miles.
"Exactly. And then there's another problem: sometimes you have to know WHEN to get involved, to stop them from doing something desperate. People aren't easy to predict all the time, and they can sometimes make the worst decisions for themselves. If I'm honest, I'm kinda not detached from that problem."
Luz knew she should probably try to sparse out her own issues, but at the same time? Lexi was her girlfriend. She ought to know, to an extent, exactly the kind of person she was. It might mean it would freak her out, but it would better than having it be a surprise.
And that was something Luz was starting to understand too: that Lexi wanted to help, and she ought to let her.
To Luz, it was hard not to see than in Lexi. She was already engaging and warm and funny, and then she had things that she couldn't deny: cheeks that warmed because of her words, skin that Luz wanted to stare at all day, eyes that she found herself lost in.
Lexi was pretty when Luz first met her, but getting to know her? Luz found her beautiful and it made her heart skip a little just to see her every day.
"I'm still working on that, Lex. I like to make people feel happy, so I don't really want to stay in a place where I only think of my own problems. But I promise, I'll try to work on them, with your help. I wouldn't want to keep things from you. I'll tell you anything!"
And here Luz looked so earnest it would have been mad to doubt her.
"Oh. Uh, yeah, no thanks. Hilarity and nonsense with bad words is one thing, but love scenes? Those belong in actually well done stories. In the wrong situation, they'd just be all awkward and stuff."
The last thing she wanted was to watch a movie throwing in a love scene so it inadvertently made her think of Lexi and make everything even MORE strange.
"Are you crazy? You looked all sun kissed and smart and you were so funny! I found myself wanting to talk to you more and more! At first, I thought I just wanted you to be my friend, but then I kinda dared to imagine looking up at you and sweeping you in my arms. It just felt...right, and I went crazy thinking I might lose you as a friend, but I needed to TRY."
Luz would take all of it happily Lexi. No problem there.
"If you say so. I love chicken, but it is absolutely not shellfish."
Not that you couldn't do a LOT with chicken. It was just different.
"Those latkes were amazing," Luz agreed. "I had to keep reminding myself that they were for other people!"
Absolutely. And if you wanted a little older trauma, Bridges of Terebithia was always there!
"Oh, I figured not! I was just referring to me!"
Was that much better, Luz?
"Oh, you really want to put that on people? Heh. You're so lucky that being with you makes that so easy!"
it's okay, we all make mistakes. myself included. ;)
It was all right. Lexi knew. It had been one of the strongest attractions to her, that she was so open and honest and real with everyone. Even though her willingness to say that everything was fine even when it wasn't worried Lexi and made her feel like a violently protective girlfriend.
It was true. Lexi wanted to help. She was through with being on the sidelines.
If Luz told Lexi all of that, she'd probably die of blushing. But in a good way. And honestly, the feeling was mutual. Lexi could stare at Luz for days, her bright eyes and lovely complexion, and warm, eager smile. Luz dressed 'down,' but couldn't disguise her natural beauty.
And Luz made Lexi feel warm all over. Which was a good thing. And she couldn't help grinning like an idiot around Luz, proud that this girl had chosen her to fall for. And hoping that Lexi lived up to that.
Lexi's eyes were soft. "I know you wouldn't. You're not that kind of person. You feel...everything so strongly and so openly. It's really brave. I hope you know that."
Lexi winced with sympathy. "Oh, I know. One night, we were watching the movie version of 'Watchmen' and it has this long, unsexy sex scene and it last for fucking ever. I felt so awkward, I wound up going to the kitchen to microwave popcorn and get everyone refills and when I came back it was still going on! Yecch. I don't know, maybe I should take a vote for the bad movie? Let people suggest shitty movies and let them debate each other."
If that ever happened, Lexi would be staring at a fixed point somewhere above the screen while she turned scarlet.
Lexi leaned in to nuzzle Luz's cheek. "And I'm so glad you were brave. Because I was feeling the exact same way, only I was like. There's no way she's gonna be into you, you're telling yourself what you wanna hear."
"Believe me, you're not telling me anything I haven't told myself a billion times."
Lexi shrugged and grinned. "Well, if you want, I can always make more for you and you alone."
And the end to the Chronicles of Narnia, only that made her mad more than it made her sad.
"Ohhh. Well, I don't let people badtalk my girlfriend. That includes my girlfriend," Lexi stated in a faux-stern mode.
"I do! People who are multilingual can figure it out but not cheat and just tell us. And we'll have a long list of things to have translated later on." In other words, good and nerdy fun!
Ty very much!
Luz was glowing with the praise, as Lexi's opinion mattered to her a lot. She still needed to work a lot on herself, she knew that much, but she was going to do her best there. With Lexi around, Luz could feel herself trying to be better at trying not to needlessly endanger herself.
And Luz was all for that, even if it, like Lexi, would make her worry more!
Luz couldn't help that. It was one look at Lexi and one conversation and she'd found herself smitten. Everything afterward was trying to pretend it wasn't happening so she wouldn't ruin their budding friendship, only to find they were both feeling the same way!
Luz just hoped that nothing in the future would test the boundaries of their relationship too badly. It was a faint hope, but she had it nonetheless.
"I do my best!"
Luz made a face. "Oh right, Watchmen. That's the movie where they showed the two lesbians killed with the 'lesbian whores' written on them. I remember that because I stopped watching afterward. It's probably a good film, but I don't like THAT, where straight people have to introduce gay characters to be killed. Not my cup of tea."
And even more so now that she knew about that bad sex. Yuck.
Luz laugh sounded like a bark. "What?! Really? I thought you were out of my league! I figured there was no way someone like you was going to be the kind of girl I could talk to for hours AND be into me! I was so happy to find out I was wrong!"
"Are you sure about that? Should I come up with something new, then?"
She shook her head. "Only when you feel inclined! I wouldn't want them more than once or twice a year. That way they feel more special!"
Luz could have written a whole book on her own fixing the ending WITHOUT throwing Susan to the proverbial wolves in the name of Christian allegory, thank you.
"Who am I to argue against a girl that knows me that well! But seriously, I appreciate that sweetie, thank you."
Luz's eyes were positively shining right now.
"Ooh, a challenge where I get to say secret adoring things about my gorgeous girlfriend? Sign me up!"
❤
Ah, problematic Alan Moore. Also, I totally took offense at Susan's "fate" in The Last Battle.
So did I! So I'm playing Queen Susan in another game with absolutely no intention of 'canon updatin
That's the way to do it! Wooo!
'oh, is this YOUR character? hmm? MINE NOW."
Well that's what you get for pushing Christian allegory over actual character development!
Yeah, it's weird, baby me didn't get the allegory at all and now it's all but jumping up and down!
Oh, I had rose colored glasses about Narnia for years. It hits different now!
so did I! but the his dark materials answer to it rang hollow to me as well.
They're both stories with kids pigeonholed into big things without really TALKING about being kids:(
Pretty much! And I'm a pantheist so neither option seems appropriate to me.
Re: Pretty much! And I'm a pantheist so neither option seems appropriate to me.
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