Is this where we post dailys? I still cant figure it out

November 6th:

What if Spider-Man was a super villain and the Green Goblin a hero? Or if the Great Prophecy was about Annabeth while Percy grew up at Camp Halfblood? Today we’ll be diving into the world of fanfiction with a classic trope: role-reversal. Take two (or more) characters from the same story and imagine their positions have been swapped. Consider the impacts on their personality, the plot, and the world. For 300 points (extra 100 for proof), write 400 words exploring this new version of the story.

Author's Notes:
▸ It's a Project Sekai fanfiction. Woah. (Specifically, what if Rui and Emu swapped?)
▸ I have not read many WxS things so this is probably extremely out of character but it was fun to write so yay!
▸ I may have gone 4x the minimum word count.

Tsukasa grinned, flashing his best smile. That concluded his audition for Pheonix Wonderland. He would get a part for sure! Who couldn’t resist his charming star-ness?

The director stared at him. Surely he was dazzled by his great act! He felt bad for the following auditioners – he had set the expectations too high.

The director coughed. “Okay, next,” he said.



In the corner of the room, a strand of purple hair barely caught the sunlight.

A boy watched.



A few days later, Tsukasa was being lead by some weird mascot thing (that was confusing) to his future job. Ah! How he felt the breeze in his hair! It was a fantastic day to be introduced to his future fame and prestige.

There was a leap in his step as he followed the mascot to the stage where he would be performing.

They reached it.

He stopped.

What was this… thing?

This hideous, worn-down, possibly abandoned stage? Surely the mascot must have gotten the area wrong. A star couldn’t perform in such a… such a… such a revolting site!

A figure landed right in front of him with a loud THUD. Tsukasa screamed.

“Greetings,” the figure started. It was a boy. A boy with odd purple hair. It wasn’t a young sort of boy, though. He seemed to be around Tsukasa’s age. Old teenage years, perhaps? Although, “old teenage” was an oxymoron. Ah, who cared. How did- how did he just- materialise out of thin air? And how was he acting so chill!?

“What is this?” Tsukasa demanded.

“That’s what I was about to ask you. Pardon me if I scared you – I just jumped down from the roof there. If I may, what are you doing here?” the old teenager asked.

Tsukasa frowned. “I’m Tsukasa Tenma, future worldwide star! My journey is supposed to start here. I’m assuming that you’re here to take me to the best stage in the amusement park?”

The old teenager furrowed his eyebrows. He glanced at the mascot.

“Oh, he’s been appointed here,” the mascot explained briskly.

The old teenager froze. “What? Via auditions, I assume?”

The mascot nodded. Tsukasa glanced between them. What were they discussing?

The old teenager shook his head and touched his forehead. “I specifically told them not to appoint anybody to Wonder Stage,” he muttered. “I work better alone. It’s not like they care, though.”

He looked back at Tsukasa, as if just remembering that he was there. “Are you sure you would like to work with me?”

“Work with you? I don’t even know your name yet!” Tsukasa said.

“Rui Kamishiro,” the old teenager – Rui, as it turned out – replied. “You have auditioned for a role in Pheonix Wonderland. It seems like you’ve been placed here. I’m welcome for you to back out, if you’d like.”

Tsukasa narrowed his eyes. “What stage do you use?”

Rui gestured to the one behind him. The old, rusty, worn down one. Tsukasa stared, mouth agape.

“No. No way am I working in that dusty old stage!” he proclaimed. “I’m a star! A star must have a star-worthy stage! This? This is…” He stopped. “This could use a lot of improvement.”

The mascot interjected, “That’s exactly why they hired you, apparently. They believed that Wonder Stage was in need of fixing, and they thought that you could help rebuild it.”

“What!?” Rui and Tsukasa exclaimed at the same time. “I’m perfectly fine rebuilding it on my own” – “This isn’t what I signed up for!” – “I specifically told them not to hire anyone” – “Rebuilding, seriously? Do they think that this marvelous actor is a janitor of some sort?” – “Must I really work with someone?”

The mascot cleared its throat, and they both stopped.

“It’s what the park directors say,” it stated simply.

Rui and Tsukasa stared at each other. Rui put his hand to his chin in thought.

“Well,” he started, putting his hand out. “If you can prove to me that you’re truly dedicated, then I won’t mind working with you.”

Tsukasa glanced at the hand, then to the stage. His eyes darted between the two. On one hand, he would finally get his long-awaited job at Pheonix Wonderland. On the other… that stage? Really?

Rui caught his eye. “Oh, the stage? It’s not as bad as it seems. I’ve been working on fixing it, but I guess an extra hand won’t be bad. As long as you don’t touch the fireworks.”

Fireworks? Tsukasa shook the thought off. He hesitated still. “Will I get to perform shows?”

“Oh, of course. If you prove yourself to be dedicated enough,” Rui repeated.

With a deep breath, Tsukasa shook Rui’s hand.

“I’ll be looking forward to our partnership!” Tsukasa grinned. “As the best star you’ll ever see, I’ll prove myself. Just you wait!”

Rui chuckled. “This is sure to be interesting, then,” he said.



A few days later, the duo heard commotion somewhere in the park.

“What’s that?” Tsukasa asked as he removed his costume’s hat.

Rui looked up from his invention and listened carefully. “Oh, that’s just Captain Mix Candy.”

Tsukasa glared at him. “You can’t just expect me to know what that is!”

“Captain Mix Candy is a street performer here who comes and goes every one in a while. She does have quite some skill, if I say so myself. I’ve watched some of her shows,” he explained, going back to fiddling with his project.

Tsukasa paused. “Wait, you can just street perform? You don’t need a stage?”

“Oh, no no. What she’s doing is technically illegal. The guards keep on pushing her out, but she keeps coming back. I admire her persistence. Personally, I’ve never cared about silly rules such as those, hmm?” Rui said absentmindedly.

Tsukasa stared at Rui. “You’ve never told me that.”

“It never came up,” Rui replied briskly.

The commotion got louder. A loud applause echoed through the area.

Tsukasa jumped. “That’s it! I’m going over there to see how good this Captain Mix Candy really is,” he declared, stomping over to the source of the sound.

Rui followed him. It didn’t hurt to watch another performance. Perhaps he could take some notes as well.



“And then–” Captain Mix Candy started.

“Stop right there!” a guard bellowed.

“Oh! I’m sorry, everyone! I have to go!” Captain exclaimed.

Dissappointment swept through the crowd.

Captain frowned at all their sad faces. That was no good!

“It’s okay, though! I’ll make sure to come back with a continuation of the story!” She beamed so brightly that the crowd couldn’t help but smile as well.

The guard was approaching her. Captain ran.



“Follow her!” Tsukasa yelled.

Rushing side by side with the guards, the duo followed Captain Mix Candy through hidden alleyways and over flowery bushes.

How does she manage to run that fast? And with such skill?

Tsukasa panted. He glanced at the empty spots beside him. Where were the guards?

He looked behind himself. Ah, there they were. Worn out, probably. Not him, though! Tsukasa the star refused to be worn out!

With a deep breath, he caught up with Rui despite his tired legs. Together, they ran after Captain Mix Candy until she suddenly stopped.

“What?” Tsukasa breathed. He nearly collapsed but caught himself in time. Rui shot him a concerned glance before following his gaze to Captain.

He watched as she crouched down. There was a child, he realised. The child was crying.

“Shh, it’s okay! Smile big!” she exclaimed.

The child sobbed more. Captain frowned, but a lightbulb seemed to brighten up her face almost immediately. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a large rainbow lollipop. (How did she fit that into her pocket? Tsukasa pondered.)

“Here! Candy,” she chirped. She handed the lollipop to the child, who stared at her with wide eyes.

The child looked at the lollipop, then to Captain, then to the lollipop again. He looked at captain with twinkling eyes.

“Thank you!” he said with a smile larger than the lollipop.

“Wonderhoy!” Captain cheered, doing an explosion-like gesture with her arms.

The child tried to copy her. “Wonderhoy!”

Captain clapped.

Beside Tsukasa, Rui smiled.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said.

Tsukasa glanced sideways at him. “What is?” he asked, but he found himself smiling too.

“Making others happy. Isn’t that what matters most?”

Tsukasa’s mind flashed to his sister. Why did it do that? Wasn’t his ultimate goal to become a star?

In that moment, though, he found himself nodding. “Yeah. It is,” he agreed.



The child left and the duo approached Captain.

“Excuse me!” Tsukasa exclaimed, a bit too loudly. Captain swung around. “Captain Mix Candy, is it? I’ve just seen your recent display of kindness and a snippet of your latest performance. I must proclaim that they were quite the spectacle.”

Captain smiled. “Thank you!”

“I would like to present to you an offer,” Tsukasa continued.

Rui glanced at him. What?

“I believe that you are a dedicated person who strives to always make others smile. Me and my friend Rui here, well, that’s our goal too.” He reached his hand out. “How would you like to join our troupe? The guards won’t have to restrain you anymore.”

He looked sideways at Rui.

Is this okay? his expression asked.

Well, I don’t mind. Rui’s shrug and polite smile said.

Captain tilted her head. Then she beamed. “Wonderhoy!” she cheered again, doing that same explosion gesture.

Tsukasa stared blankly. “I- is that a yes or a no?” he asked, his hand awkwardly hanging in the air.

“It’s a yes! I’d be glad to join your troupe!” Captain chirped. She shook his hand, rather too hard, shaking Tsukasa as well. Tsukasa exclaimed and she let go.

Rui and Tsukasa shimmered with delight.

“Welcome then, Captain Mix Candy,” Rui said, extending his hand as well.

“It’s Captain Emu Otori,” Emu corrected politely, accepting the handshake (this time not too hard). “And I’m excited for all the adventures that we’re about to have!”

Her eyes twinkled with an idea. “I have a friend who would love to join as well! I’ll go recruit her,” she said, and without warning, she was off.

Tsukasa stammered. “I- Hold on! Wait!”



Word Count: 1,683

Weekly #1 (1365 words)

Part 1:
(551 words)
“I saw her in the rightest way…,” a muted, but seraphic voice streams into the hall from the band room. I stop in front of the door, bewitched by the tune seeping through the heavy wood doors. I stand with my back to the door, my head tilted slightly to the left in order to better hear the flow of song. “Oh, won't you kiss me on the mouth…,” spouts the voice. My chest tightens slightly at the sound of her voice, steely and unavailing. An urge overtakes me, to open the door and see the face that these arresting words belong to. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, soaking in the words of the girl, stimulating me to slowly open one of the broad doors. I finally get a view of the girl, her back is turned to me, her fingers sweeping across a grand piano. Unheeded to my presence, she continues her stream of music. “I sleep so I can see you, ‘ cause I hate to wait so long.” she belches, emotion slightly constricting her voice. I remain as a silent audience to her performance as she closes the song. I stand for a minute, looking at the girl’s glossy brown hair. I have to remind myself to breathe. I let out a small gust of air and the girl finally turns to me. Her eyes widen slightly at the realization that she had an audience. “I- hello,” she stutters, a pink tinge emerging on her cheeks. “Hi, I say shuffling awkwardly. ”Hi to you,“ I say assertively walking over to her, taking a seat on the piano bench beside her. ”I heard your singing,“ I say crossing my legs. ”You're insane.“ Her blush furthens and she looks at her feet. ”I- thank you,: she says, determinedly avoiding eye contact. I lean back slighting, my back resting against the piano. Her chestnut brown eyes follow my movement, but she doesn't utter a word. We sit in silence for a minute before I turn in her direction, “So are you part of the choir?” Her eyes meet mine, and I can't help, but drown in the deepness of her eyes. “No, my mom is the choir instructor and she lets me come in here during study hall,” she says, cracking her knuckles nervously. “Ms. Carpenter is your mom? Sick, I had her for guitar as a Freshman, love her.” The girl's mouth twitches upward. “Anyways,” I say shifting my body to face her and extending my arm. “Might I know your name?” The girl blushes and takes my hand, her eyes staring unblinkingly at our interlocked hands, “It's Violet.” I smile at her brightly, and shake her hand, “Hannah.” I tell her. She nods shyly, returning her gaze to her feet. “Well Violet,” I say standing up and running a hand through my hair. “This has been fun, but if I don't back to Geometry, I'm going be in some serious trouble,” I say rolling my eyes. I give her a smile and nod before I throw my bag over my shoulder and begin to exit the band room, stealing one last glance at her delicate poise, before I leave the room, letting the door close and thunder, the sound renovating around the now silent room.

Part 2: (100 words)
I hang from the edge of the tattered bridge, one arm wrapped tightly around the rough material, the other clutching the contained rift responsible for this entire ordeal. “Mabel,” Dipper begs, extending a shaking hand “take my hand.” I wrap my legs around the hanging rope, reaching one hand towards Dipper's awaiting one. He clutches my sweaty hand in his, failing to pull me up. “Let go of the rift,” Dipper cries. With wide eyes, I slowly shake my head. “Keep it safe,” I call before tossing the rift to Dipper and letting my grip on the rope go slack.

Part 3: (509 words) (TW)
“I'll see you soon, mother” I declare as I leap from the plane. Immediately air whips against my face and I struggle to turn towards my best friend, Sara. Her long golden hair tangles behind her and she offers me a grin as we tumble towards the earth. As the earth gains on my figure, I unleash my parachute and I glance towards Sara to make sure she's done the same. As we drift towards the ground I extend my arm, offering her my hand. She gives me an appreciative smile and takes it in hers.As our feet hit the ground I look to Sara excitedly, “I'm going to see my mother,” I exclaim, and she gives me an animated grin. Me and my girlfriend, Sara, had spent the last few months traveling the world and trying to fill out our bucket lists. We'd stayed in countless hotels throughout our entire trip, meaning I haven't stepped foot in my home town since we'd left. During our trip, me and Sara had picked up little trinkets and knickknacks to bring back to my sick mother who'd been diagnosed with cancer a few years prior. We put our gear in the car and head towards home. We stop at Wendy's and look through the gifts we'd selected for my mother. I take out my phone and lean towards Sara, placing a kiss on her cheek before snapping a photo of our flushed and smiling faces. We organize the trinkets and finish our meals before getting back in the car. As we pull into my mothers driveway I clench Sara's hand in excitement. I'm going to see my mother again. I unlock the door and enter my mother's home. “Mama,” I call up the stairs, “Mama, I'm home,” I shout, but only silence answers my calls. I hesitantly trudge up the stairs, glancing in each room. My heart rate accelerates as I pass more and more empty rooms. I finally reach the room at the end of the hall, extending a hand and slowly open the door. “Mom?” I freeze in my steps and my eyes widen as I gaze upon my mother. She's laying in her bed, blankets slightly in disarray. Please be sleeping I pray as I near her bed. I feel a pang in my chest and time itself seems to slow as get a view of my mothers face. “No,” I whisper, as my legs start to quiver. My body feels too heavy and my vision begins to swim. I collapse to my knees and I think I could drown in my tears. I pull my self up and shakily leave the room,heading for the kitchen. I stare blankly, not bothering to spare Sara a glance as I walk towards the kitchen. “Lauren,” Sara says, as I pass her. “Laura!' she cries as I lock the door. My chest heaves as I rummage through the cutlery. Sara is screaming now, begging me to open the door. ”I'll see you soon, mother." I whisper to myself.

Part 4: (205 words)

huckleberry street - night

Mary
Are you going to tell me where we're heading?

Julie
Only if you promise not to tell anyone, and that includes Alex.

Mary
Seriously? What do you have against Alex?

Julie
He's your boyfriend

The two walk together in silence. The gleaming moon is the only light in the barren streets of Edenburg and the faint scattering of mice is the only sound.

Mary
What's wrong with my having a boyfriend?

Julie remains silent, her hands move to her pockets and she kicks lingering rock as the two walk along the stone streets.

Mary
Are you going to answer?

Silence.

Mary
Do you not like him?

Julie
I don't like any of your boyfriends.

Mary
Are you scared he'll replace you? Come on Julie, you know you're my best friend.

Julie
That's not it. I don't like you having a boyfriend.

Mary (shocked)
Julie, I don't need your authority to have a boyfriend! Why don't you find yourself a boyfriend, then you'd understand.

Julie
I wouldn't understand.

Mary
Why, why wouldn't you understand, Julie?

Julie
I don't want a boyfriend.

Mary (exasperated)
Then what, pray tell me, is it that you want?

Julie
You, Mary. I want you.

For sci fi cabin tasks
song about someone you love task
295 words

Six Feet Off The Ground

It started small like all the best things do
Love creeps up and strikes you from behind
Butterflies when you give me that smile
Just the two of us laughing and holding hands
I just want this to never end
Daydream became reality

Little jokes and his hugs
The way you listen to me talk for hours
The small things you do mean the world to me
Just the way you look in my direction
Got me looking like a mess
You have me spinning around
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground

Secrets are harder to keep then I thought
Even if you hold them close as you can to your heart
So let me just tell you a little something
I love you, I love you more than anything
To the moon and back then there again

Little jokes and his hugs
The way you listen to me talk for hours
The small things you do mean the world to me
Just the way you look in my direction
Got me looking like a mess
You have me spinning around
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground

Take your hand and put it in mine
Lead the way, i’d go any day
Laugh and smile as time seems to slow down
You make me feel like i’m the only one in the world
Will we stay in a daydream or will we make it our reality
I love you and I feel like i'm six feet off the ground with you

Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground
Feelin like i'm six feet off the ground

Daily 6
568 words

Story - Harry Potter

Albus was woken with a start by his alarm going off. Midnight. Finally. He was turning 11.

He squeezed his eyes shut and slowly traced two words in the thin layer of dusting coating the floor of the rickety house. Happy birthday. He allowed the sounds of the waves crashing onto the pebbled shores and the wind whistling through the house to calm him and then he gently blew away his message, making a desperate wish.
For a moment, Albus was left in peace, his eyelids drooping, his mind full of pictures of the life he could never have. It was a blissful moment, the eye in the storm (literally).

Two sharp knocks at the door startled him out of his thoughts.
“H-hello?” He asked tentatively.
He watched in horror as the rusty hinges slowly ripped away from the wall, flakes of rust and paint raining down on the floor. The door slammed downwards, brushing the end of his foot. Albus scrambled backwards, shaking in terror, and raced behind the far wall.
He peeked round the rough edge of the wall, spying a large shadowed figure lumbering inside. Very large.
“Albus Dumbledore?” He boomed, crossing his arms over his chest menacingly. “I’m ‘ere to take you to Hogwarts.”
Hogwarts? Albus thought, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. This is a dream. It has to be. Any moment now I’ll wake up.

“You can come out, you know.” The man told him, a little more gently.
Albus stepped tentatively out from behind the wall, still trembling.
“You know, Albus, I ain’t seen you since you were a baby! Fancy that! The famous Albus Dumbledore! And I knew ‘im as a baby. Ha!” He exclaimed, grinning madly.
Albus retreated slowly. How did this man know him?
“W-Who are you?” He asked quietly.
“Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.” He said gruffly.
“Who are you?” He repeated, a little more bravely, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice.
The man smiled softly. “I’m Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Gamekeeper at Hogwarts! Course, you’ll know ‘bout that already, am I right?”
He shook his head slowly.
“I think you’ve got the wrong person. I-I’ve never heard of Hoggywarts.” He whispered.
Hagrid gave a massive laugh.
“What do yer mean, you haven’t heard of it, you numpty! Hoggywarts? Ha!”
“No, really!” Albus urged him.
Hagrid scratched his beard, his twinkling eyes growing puzzled, then sorrowful, then a cold pure fury came into them.
“What do yer mean?” He bellowed.
Albus shivered. Had he said the wrong thing? “I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“No, it ain’t your fault young’un. It’s yer aunt and uncle, who are currently standing there looking very suspicious!”
Hagrid looked pointedly at the stairs. Albus followed his gaze, and spotted Aunt Petunia shaking in fury, and Uncle Vernon munching on peanut butter distractedly.
“What’s that, boy?” He asked distantly.

“Anyways, don’t you know where you got your magic from?”
“M-Magic?” Albus asked, his brain getting more and more muddled by the second.
Hagrid sighed heavily.
“What do you mean, magic?”
“I just don’t understand!” Albus shouted angrily.
Hagrid tapped his umbrella on the floor, gazing at it disappointedly.
“Albus Dumbledore, yer a wizard. And under the rule of Harry Potter himself! Getting on a bit, but still the greatest wizard there is alive!” He told Albus passionately.
“What?”

Daily for Nov 6
+429 words
If Percy and Annabeth had swapped and Annabeth fought the minotaur

Percy had been waiting for years to go on the quest that the Great Prophecy foretold. Ever since Luke and Thalia had brought him here when he was young he kept an eye on all the new campers, searching for the sign that they were the one that the prophecy talked about. Chiron had promised him a spot on the quest and he was determined to go. A loud roar rips through the air in the middle of the night. Percy shot up out of his bed and immediately grabbed Riptide. “What the heck is this?” He grumbled under his breath as he grabbed his jacket and shoes before sliding out of the Poseidon cabin into the heavy downpour outside. He can see some of the other campers rushing out of their cabins to investigate the noise. Usually something like this meant that a monster was around which was never a good sign. In the distance close to the entrance he spots Chiron. As Percy scrambles his way closer he sees that Chiron is shouting at Grover through the magical barrier as a girl is fighting a minotaur? This is definitely not a job for a new kid but she scrambles up onto the back of the minotaur and pulls at its horn and slices it with her sword. The minotaur lets out another large roar and the girl plunges the horn into its back and it dissolves into dust. The girl collapses to the ground and Chiron and Grover rush over to help the girl. They take her off to the medical wing so Will can heal her up. When everything quiets down later on he slips in to check on the girl. Up close in the faint moonlight Percy can make out her features. She has curly blond hair and fair skin, Will had managed to clean up all the cuts on her and fix her injuries and she was honestly really pretty. Percy quickly shoved this thought away and pretended to look bored when he saw her stir slightly and open her eyes. “You drool when you sleep.” He stated bluntly and crossed his arms as the girl opened her eyes and groggily glanced around. “Where am I?” She asked and promptly blacked out again. He sighed and then walked out of the room and back through the light downpour back to his cabin. Maybe this girl was the one who would fulfill the Great Prophecy. He would have to keep an eye on her. This was sure to be quite an interesting year for him.

-Storyline Activity #2-
Word Count: 286 words
Activity: Rewrite a section of your story in a different genre/style (paraphrased)

Original text (from a story written for school): Once the little bunny realized this, he started to cry. He was only five, of course, and obviously he would be scared. Imagine being stuck in the middle of the woods with no idea how to navigate to your destination.
Suddenly, Benjamin heard a noise. His long, fuzzy ears perked up. Was it? Yes, it was! A branch cracking! Filled with hope, Benjamin stood up and looked around. Maybe it would be one of his friends, and they could guide Benjamin back to his house!
Benjamin located the source of the sound. A red furry face and glowing eyes were visible through the trees. When the figure emerged completely from the forest, Benjamin realized that it was a fox. Benjamin was uneasy. His mother had always told him to stay away from foxes. “They’re dangerous, sweetheart,” she had warned him . Well, as much as he hated it, this fox could be the only way Benjamin could find his way out of the forest. Wearing a monocle, top hat and a green tailcoat, the fox looked quite dapper.
“Hello, little bunny!” the fox exclaimed amiably when he saw Benjamin. Benjamin relaxed a little when the fox turned out not to have a raspy, deep voice as he had been imagining but a rather pleasant medium-pitched voice with a hint of an English accent.
“Hi!” Benjamin shyly murmured.
“Where are you off to, little rabbit?” the fox asked, “Isn’t this quite far off the trail for a young rabbit like you?”
“Yes, it’s a little far off the trail. I think I’m lost. I was going to my granny’s house but I started daydreaming and wandered off the path and then I was here and I don’t know the way back home!” Although he had been trying to keep it together, Benjamin burst into tears.
“There, there, little one.” the fox consoled Benjamin, “Don’t worry, I know how to walk back to the trail! And while I walk you there, why don’t you tell me about your granny and where she lives?”
“Okay!” Benjamin replied, “That sounds good!”


Rewrite (in Realistic Fiction):
The girl sat down in the middle of the crowded sidewalk. She was hopelessly lost, and she knew it. Why, oh why had she decided to run away from home?!? She would never find her way back now. Her tear streaked face scanned the faces of passersby. Sadly, the majority of the people walking by were glued to their cell phone screens, and the people who weren’t looked… well, to put it nicely… unfriendly. She put her head down and rested it on her knees, trying to figure out a way to get back home. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the man standing in front of her for a bit. Then she noticed his shoes. Gasping, she looked up. No, it wasn’t her father, although she could see the very slight resemblance.
“Hello, little girl!” the man said.
“Um… hi?” the girl said, hurriedly trying to scrub the tear tracks off of her face.
“What are you doing in this big city, all alone?” the man asked.
“I… I just want to get home!!!” the girl replied, bursting into uncontrollable tears, “I don’t know how to get back!”
The man explained that he knew the city very well.
“I’ll walk you home.” he said, “What’s your address?”
The little girl studied the man. Her mother had always told her not to talk to strangers. But… this stranger could be the only way she could get home. Against her better judgment, the girl stood up and bravely told the man her address.
“10159 Pendragon Lane.”
“Alright, hop in my car, girly, and let's go!” the man exclaimed, courteously opening the door of a shiny black limousine.
The girl stepped into the car.

November 6th: Daily #5
Rolereverse: What if Hermione had to live with the Dursleys instead of Harry?
Words: 600

Hermione Granger has always been told her parents tragically passed in a car accident. She has lived with the Dursleys all her life. They believe she was an accident and that she was not worth being with a perfect family. The biggest problem in the family has been blamed on her. Hermione especially hates Dudley, the only son of Petunia and Vernon Dursley. He looks chubby with red cheeks and a small nose. He always wears a blue shirt two sizes too small, and his pants are always tightening his barely visible waist. Hermione tried to stay in her room to study and read her heart out. Dudley always makes her tranquility worse by grabbing books and throwing them. Her aunt and uncle do not do anything because they think Dudley is their amazing angel who does no wrong. On a Sunday afternoon, a letter addressed to Hermione came in the mail. An owl was outside, delivering the letter. Mr. Dursley made her their mail carrier and always told her to grab the mail. She went over to deliver the mail and discreetly tried to open her letter. Dudley, who was right behind her, grabbed the letter and screamed, “Daddy, Hermy has a letter!” Hermione tried to grab it back, but Dudley has already handed it to his father. As Mr. Dursley read, his face got pale until he finished, and his face turned purple. He screamed, “DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS? THAT’S IT! NO MORE MAIL FOR ANYONE INCLUDING YOU!” Mr. Dursley put his fat finger close to Hermione’s face. Hermione spoke, “Yes uncle,” and ran upstairs to her room. Over the next few days, Mr. Dursley nailed the small hole for mail shut. He had become delusional and even forbid the family to open the window. Sunday finally came around and Mr. Dursley smiled a very toothy one. Hermione felt a rumble and looked towards the door. The mail slot was filled with letters for Hermione. Owls of all sizes came left and right, dropping the same letters. Mr. Dursley went out, grabbing and yelling. Hermione grabbed a letter from the floor and ran to her room to safety! She decided to hide the letter, so she won’t get caught. She heard Mr. Dursley yell, “THAT’S IT! WE ARE MOVING!! FAR AWAY!” Over the next few months, the family moved near a lighthouse by the sea. Hermione stayed awake on night for it was her birthday. She wrote, “Happy Birthday Hermione,” on the floor. A thud went through the door and the whole family was in the room. Mr. Dursley had a rifle when a huge man came through the door. The man had a pink umbrella and loads of layers of clothing. He had a huge beard and spoke loudly, “Sorry, I’ll fix that.” He walked through the fallen floor and started again. “Where is uh…. Hermione Granger?” Hermione went forward, toward the man and raised her hand. The man spoke, “Me name’s Hagrid! Whyr haven got yur stuff from Diagon Alley?” “Diagon Alley? I am sorry but I am very confused.” The man turned red with anger and looked at the other family members. “Yur tellin me that yu never told her? Come with me Hermione.” Mr. Dursley looked as if he was going to deny it but stopped at Hagrid’s face. Hermione went outside and saw a bike with a sidecar. Hagrid motioned for her to sit in the sidecar. When both sat, Hagrid started the motorcycle and flew high in the air where Hermione would find more about the wizarding world.

Role reversal daily
(Characters are Pixal and Zane from Ninjago!)

The boy tilted his head. “You are like me,” he said. His voice was only not quite monotone, a hint of surprise—or pleasure?—sneaking in.

“I—” Pixal looked him up and down. “Well, I suppose so. Yes.” She smiled, unsure. Another nindroid. Another one “like her.” His eyes were blisteringly blue, cold but not harsh. They were bright with a type of life she could understand.



She would understand that life better when she gave him half of hers. He had looked so empty, so robotic, at times, it devastated her, especially when those blue eyes were replaced by red, all the life inside them ripped away. Still, that life, that brightness she’d seen when they first met was there. Indefatigable. Even she got tired at times. How did he smile so persistently, not even seem to notice he was so different?

For some reason, Pixal didn’t feel more drained as half her life force was set, glowing green as Lloyd’s powers, into Zane’s chest.

The boy’s name was Zane. He’d told her what it stood for, but she didn’t remember. (A nindroid forgetting something. Imagine that.) She preferred it better as a name; it was somehow right, that way.

Pixal couldn’t have said why she did it, except she wanted those eyes to recognize her. She wanted him to know the life he held—she wanted that smile to be real, as real as she could help him make it—she wanted him.



It worked better than she might have hoped. He held her hand for a moment afterwards, and if she closed her eyes, she could imagine she was just a normal girl, and he a normal boy, and maybe that was all she needed. To pretend. He didn’t look like he was pretending when he smiled.



As ice coated her body and something inside her hardened with the cold, ready to shatter, Pixal thought of her friends. Of course she thought of them, in the end. It was a physical need, to protect. Not just those who could not protect themselves . . . but those she loved. And those who loved her.

She closed her eyes, ready for darkness to take her and her enemy.



She hugged him like it would protect him, like that innocence in his eyes would never fade, like his life, and hers, was real.

The more she pretended, the easier it was to believe. And when she met his eyes, it didn’t even really feel like pretending anymore.


+414 words

November 6th Daily - Role Swap AU - 418 Words

Three short snippets from a New Amsterdam AU where Georgia’s a doctor instead of Max. This was such a slog to write, guys~

Number 1 - First Day On The Job (01x01)

“Hi,” Georgia said, as she walked into the large auditorium that - somehow - managed to hold all the doctors, nurses, allied health workers, maintain ace workers, and administrative workers in the hospital in one place.

“My name is Georgia Goodwin, and, uh… I’m your new medical director.” It was awkward. It was so awkward.

“My husband, Max, and his twin sister, Luna, were born here at this hospital,” Georgia explained. “And then, eight years later she died here, of a hospital-acquired infection.”

“It was entirely preventable,” Georgia continued, trying her best to cover up her nervousness. “So… to be working here, trying to make this hospital better for someone I care about, is a dream come true for me.”

“So, how can I help?”

Number 2 - Overcrowded ED (1x04)
“How can Baptist run their hospital without a cardiothoracic surgeon?” Dr. Lauren Bloom asked.

“They can’t,“ Georgia replied. “They’re no longer a Level 1 trauma centre.”

Georgia let those words sink in for a minute.

“We’re going to have to pick up Baptist’s full ambulance load.”

“What?” Dr. Bloom looked surprised.

“They’d do it for us,” Georgia tried to justify it as best she could. It was probably the most irrational decision she’d made, but she couldn’t go back on it now.

“Would they?” Lauren replied, clearly skeptical. “They’re short-staffed, and so are we.”

“But what about the other network hospitals?” Dr. Floyd Reynolds, the only cardiothoracic attending, asked.

Georgia sighed. “We’re the closest. It’s on us. We help everyone, and I am not having patients die in cross-town traffic.”

Sensing the skepticism in the room, Georgia added, “But nothing will go wrong. I’ll make sure of it.”

Number 3 - Luna’s Heart (01x09)

“Sorry, this is kind of weird,” Sarah said. “But, uh, why me?”

Georgia tried to keep composed. “Just an interesting case,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

“You’re the medical director, and you’re dropping everything for me, Dr… uh,” Sarah tried to ask. Oh. Georgia hadn’t told Sarah her name.

“Goodwin.”

“Dr. Goodwin,” Sarah finished.

“My husband, Max, had a sister, and, well…” Georgia tried to figure out the best way of breaking the news in the least creepy no-I’m-not-stalking-you way. “… according to our records-“

“I’m the transplant recipient.” Sarah finished. “Her name was Luna Goodwin.”

Georgia stopped. “Yes.” She said. “Would you like to talk to him?”

“Please,” Sarah replied. “Luna’s given me a beautiful life, and he deserves to know that.”

Role-reversal AU, Ninjago pilots Nya/Kai role reversal

~ 657 words ~

“Kai!” Nya could see her brother fighting against his captor’s, but they were swiftly disappearing out of sight. Her legs could not keep up with the massive wheels on the skeletons’ vehicles.

When Kai’s screams faded, and the roar of the engines died in the distance, Nya fell to her knees in the dust. Her armor clanked in protest, greaves digging into her shins painfully.

Tears wet the road beneath her before she even realized they were falling. She’d failed.

“I couldn’t protect him, I’m sorry,” she whispered to the ground. Part of her hoped that somewhere, somehow, her parents would know, could feel her heart breaking. Another part desperately needed them not to know, to believe that Kai was safe and sound, and that Nya was the perfect older sister she’d always wanted to be.

Well, there was one way to make sure they never knew. Sniffling, Nya stood and clenched her hands into fists. She would get him back.

So, she turned to the strange man with the long, white beard and weird powers. He had walked up beside her, leaning against his bamboo walking stick with a thoughtful expression.

Nya stared right into those ancient eyes, chin up with the tears still drying on her cheeks. “How do we save him?”


Training under Sensei Wu was not easy. In fact, it was the hardest thing Nya had ever done, apart from telling her brother that their parents were gone. But the memory of that pain and of the pain when he was taken away from her too, pushed her forward like an unstoppable wave. She couldn’t stop, couldn’t fight back against it. And she didn’t want to.

She felt the tsunami press her onwards as she tried the training course again. It guided her movements, urged her down, under, through the obstacles. Nya realized that if she just listened to that guiding force, if she didn’t try to fight the course and instead moved with it, she could make it through without a single bruise.

”Ha!” she said, coming to a halt before her sensei. He smiled, setting his unfinished teacup down.

“You have done well Nya. Tomorrow will be your final test, make sure to sleep well.” He winked, then departed before Nya could blink.

His teacup and pot were missing, too. Nya stared at the step where he’d been. However she’d succeeded at his training, the man himself never ceased to confuse her.

Well, that was the least of her worries. This ‘final test’ thing was her biggest concern. Hopefully, after she’d passed—and she would pass—Wu would deem her ready to take on the skeletons, to save her brother. Resigned to take his advice and get some sleep, Nya headed to her room and threw on her pajamas.

As she was brushing her teeth, she heard the creaking of wood. Was Wu up? She’d never heard him moving around this late. Nya checked behind her, but all she heard now was the buzzing of her electric toothbrush.

When she turned her gaze back to the mirror, a figure in black dropped down behind her.


“Wait, let me get this straight—you’ve had three other students this whole time?” she demanded, throwing her hands in the air.

The three students in question, who had just attacked her while she was getting ready for bed, didn’t seem any more pleased with this turn of events than she was.

Okay, maybe that was an overstatement—she was really angry. But the auburn-haired one’s irritation was more than enough to make up for the blond-haired boy’s mild confusion and the black-haired boy’s slight indignation.

“We’re solid!” the latter one protested, slamming his fists together to emphasize the point.

Nya scoffed, she’d fought all three of them off. One on three! “I don’t want to be a part of any team anyway. I’m fine as long as you let me go get my brother,” she said, crossing her arms.

06.11
Everyone had heard of Inej Ghafa, though she was more commonly referred to as the Queen of the Barrel, and Per Haskell’s most favoured lieutenant.
The general consensus was she had come from nothing. Two years back, a Suli girl still in her fluttering purple silks had walked up to the Dregs’ door and demanded a room. She had chosen well. Per Haskell was stupid and drünk enough to not question the costume, clearly Menagerie silks, and yet he was clever enough to see the way Inej held herself, a ghost in the company of the crowd. He sent people off to train her to climb, to fight, to run on the steeply gabled roofs of Ketterdam, slick with oily rain.
It turned out Tante Heleen wouldn’t realise where Inej had gone for almost a year, a feat undoable for anyone apart from Inej. Everyone knew the Peacock had an eye on everything – or everything apart from the unknowable, which is to say everything apart from Inej. And so it was this way she acquired the title of ‘Wraith’.
She had learnt the art of spying from another spider, her age. A short little boy with a terrible haircut, and his name was Kaz. He had been the best, before Inej had arrived, and they were still almost evenly matched in skill. Matched in skill, that was, until the bank job.
Inej didn’t like to dwell on that too much. She hated it when a member of her crew was injured on a job, or if they’d got picked up by the stadwatch and she’d have to go to the station the next morning with a thick stack of crisp kruge to bail them out. But more than that, she hated to see the people she was supposed to be leading, suffering. And to Inej, there wasn’t much that got worse than a shattered leg on the way out of a fifty-thousand kruge heist.
So then Inej became the only competent spider in the Dregs.
It was an odd thing, to be a lieutenant and a spider. Lieutenants tended to be the bruisers and sharpshooters, the heavy hitters of the gang. Not a light spy. So Inej practised and trained, fighting up close, even learning a few tips from Jesper. She needed all the skills to become the Queen of the Barrel, she knew that. She fought, tooth and nail, first the Razorgulls in a major territory skirmish, then the Liddies after a safehouse raid gone wrong. She was formidable, and she knew it – had made herself that way to be taken seriously in Ketterdam, where being a Suli girl meant a rockier path to success – a path Inej was willing to take.

484 words <3

Ever since Aziraphale was kicked out of Heaven for losing his sword, Crowley had been growing increasingly more fed up with the way things were. Aziraphale had been the only reason he managed (albeit barely) to stay in Heaven the first time around, and now that his only friend was gone it didn’t feel like there was much of a point anymore. Crowley knew that even though he didn’t feel at home in Heaven, like he truly belonged there, he was stuck there and there was nothing he could do about it. He’d built up enough of a reputation, both good and bad, that he knew there would be grave concern if he dared to attempt anything major. So he resigned himself to a boring and lonely life. He tried to convince himself that was what he deserved, but he just couldn’t seem to accept that his worth was really that low.

Aziraphale hated it here. He missed light, he missed personal space, he missed kindness, but most of all he missed Crowley. He spent as much time as he could on the surface, knowing Crowley had a special affection for the Earth and always hoping to run into him. But Hell was furious each time he disappeared and Crowley never turned up anyway. Aziraphale was beginning to lose hope that he would ever be happy again. He often found himself thinking that nothing like this could ever happen in Heaven, and then reminding himself that Heaven was the reason he was in this mess to begin with. Despite everything, part of him was still loyal to his original home, and he could tell that loyalty was unlikely to ever shift.

Crowley was restless. He hated all the assignments he was sent on. What was the point of being good if the miracles you were allowed to use didn’t actually help anyone? At some point, he lost track of exactly when, he started discreetly causing chaos and the overtly, blatantly fixing it again. It worked wonders. He was heaped with praise for fixing problems he had delivered caused in the first place. It didn’t matter, did it, as long as he was fixing problems? Who cared where the problems came from? It’s not like the other angels had any idea what he was doing.

But Aziraphale did, and Aziraphale cared. He noticed Crowley was returning to Earth more and more, and Crowley truly was very good at what he did, no one else would ever have noticed, but Aziraphale did. Crowley felt just as out of place as he did.

And so they came to The Arrangement. Aziraphale could do good things and Crowley could do bad, and they’d take credit for each others’ work. They were both much happier now than before The Arrangement. And as they worked together more and more, you might even be able to say they became friends again.

November 6th Daily (REALLY BAD AND VERY RUSHED ESPECIALLY NEAR THE END LOL) || 5174 words
I entirely forgot to mention, TW for weapons. When the weapons are being used, it is usually towards the villains, and not graphic in any way at all.

A wonderful, ordinary day in Bugaria arises! However, there's one little difference: Two bugs of completely different backgrounds have both asked to become an Explorer's Association for the highly respected Ant Queen;
Vi, a fellow teen bee who had gone missing from the hive several years ago, likely after betraying her family's wishes and exploring the land instead of producing honey. Most of her family is long gone, or entirely forgotten of her existence between then and her sudden reappearance now.
Kabbu, a fellow beetle who lived peacefully amongst those who lived in the Northern lands who decided to leave as he felt he was needed for a more noble cause. His friends and family have been worried sick, and almost unwilling to talk to him since his decision.
It was as if fate itself decided to bring these two bugs together. Neither of them had an exploration partner, and they both required one. After the suggestion from both Maki and Eetl, an explorer mantis and blue beetle, that the two should team up, they tested their skills and were given their official explorer’s permit.
“You do know what the Snakemouth Expedition is about, correct?” Eetl asked, as Maki had to deal with other things.
“To be honest, not really.” Kabbu responded.
Eetl began to discuss the dangers of Snakemouth Den, a place that was located right at the edge of the outskirts, and how a legendary treasure has been said to lurk in the depths. Vi rolled her eyes as he went on that rant. Kabbu was mostly focused on what Eetl had to say, though was a little confused at Vi’s disinterest.

After the explanation was over, the duo left the Explorer’s Association, and headed towards Snakemouth Den. They mainly avoided the enemies within the area, trying their best to get to the den as quickly and unharmed as possible.
“What a surprisingly cozy entrance…” Kabbu noted as he walked on in, Vi following him close behind. Vi seemed rather cautious with every step she took. Kabbu seemed a lot more relaxed, and surprised by how little danger this place seemed to be so far.
Suddenly, they reached what could only be assumed to be what remained of an ancient civilization. On the wall was a door, and on the ground were two large buttons on each side of a platform with a similar look as the door. Two rocks were scattered nearby.
“No, Kabbu. You’ve got to put the rock ON the button!” Vi exclaimed, getting rather annoyed by the fact that Kabbu didn’t seem to know what to do. That hint gave him the information he needed to solve the puzzle, however, and suddenly, something dropped from the sky. It was… just a mushroom?
“Hmm… how intriguing…” Kabbu went over to pick up said mushroom. Vi looked at him in shock and raced to grab him. However, it was too late. The platform gave out, and Kabbu fell into the unknown. Vi stumbled, attempting to stop moving before she’d reach the edge of the ground. Alas, she went through the same demise. …except at least she could fly.
Vi fluttered down safely, whilst Kabbu laid down, face first on a giant mushroom.
“Hey, get up, big guy!” Vi shouted. “Oi, Kabbu! Get up!”
Kabbu sprung up. “…big guy? Hey! I’m not that big, am I?” He seemed to be in a bit of a daze from the fall.
“Nah, you’re fine. Just… hurry up. We’ve gotta go find that treasure, right?”
“Oh, right. Yes, the treasure. Give me a moment.” Kabbu said, using Vi as help to get up onto his feet. The two of them began to venture off, until not too far in, they encountered a spider.
Kabbu was startled by the sudden spider’s appearance, while Vi’s already giant eyes widened in horror. Kabbu tried to reassure her. “It’s going to be alright. We’ll just distract the spider and-”
Vi had already run off.
“By the holy leaves of the Goddess Venus, how could I have been abandoned this early?” Kabbu muttered. The spider captured him with a web. “Perhaps I should have listened to my friends. I shouldn’t have become an explorer.”
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance. “I advise you don’t move,” they said in a soft, mysterious voice. “Even though you kind of can’t…”
An arrow flew right above Kabbu’s head, striking the spider. The figure walked towards Kabbu, revealing to be a skinny, yet fairly tall red moth. They unraveled Kabbu, allowing the two of them to flee to somewhere the spider could not reach, grabbing the arrow on the way out.
“Thank you, kind stranger.” Kabbu told the moth when he caught his breath. “…you haven’t happened to see a bee around here, have you?”
“Oh, you mean this thing?” they asked, pulling Vi out from underneath their wings.
“Vi! You’re here! …you vile creature. You almost left me to my fate!” Kabbu siad, his attitude changing rather quickly mid-sentence. Vi let out a nervous chuckle.
“Uh, yeah… sorry about that… I’ll try not to run off like that again-”
“Well, I’d best be going now. Have fun on your mission or whatever. And, just some advice… try to stick close to each other.” the moth said, walking back in the direction of the spider.
“Wait!” Kabbu shouted. The moth turned back around just before leaving the safe spot. “You’re welcome to join our team if you’d like,” he suggested.
“Yeah, the more, the merrier, as they say!” Vi exclaimed.
The moth sighed. “Well, it’s not like I’ve got anything better to do.” They walked back up to the duo. “I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Leif, a fellow moth, and a decently skilled archer. And wielder of this.” As he said that, he took out a strange looking mechanism. with the flip of his wrist, a blade appeared.
“Wowwww~” Vi said, kinda mesmerized.
“That’s all about me. You said you were… what? Vi? And beetle, what’s your name?” Leif asked, forgetting he was still wielding his butterfly knife, and pointing it at poor Kabbu.
“Kabbu, fellow novice explorer from the Northern lands.”
“How wonderful…” he said in a sort of careless, kind of sarcastic tone. “Well, you two lead the way, I guess.”

The trio journeyed through Snakemouth Den with little difficulty after that. Using Leif and Vi’s weaponry skills, and Kabbu’s impressive physical combat, they were able to fight practically every enemy with ease.
“It’s the treasure!” Vi was in absolute awe with what seemed to be just a mask sitting upon a podium. She ran towards it, forgetting all of the caution she had taken throughout the journey so far due to her excitement. Suddenly, the spider from earlier jumped out at her. She shrieked and attempted to flee again, however, Leif managed to grab her by the scruff. Vi attempted to escape, though it wasn’t really worth trying. She gave up, and the three of them stood in front of the spider.
“Again? When will that accursed spider just leave us alone?” Kabbu muttered.
“When we defeat it.” Leif answered, taking out his weapon.
The spider growled, and attempted to attack Kabbu. He performed a decent block, however.
The trio took turns attacking the spider, slowly weakening it. However, even with Vi being rather protected by the other two, the spider attempted to attack her. Her desire to run away was strong, however, she knew that her team counted on her. Instead, she stared at it dead in the eyes, as the other two took their turn. Slowly but surely, her worry became a fit of rage, and then…
“ARGH!” A bolt of lighting shot from Vi, and hit the spider, numbing it instantly. Both Kabbu and Leif turned around in disbelief. Vi seemed sort of embarrassed.
“How did you-”
“I don’t know!” Vi interrupted. “I don’t know, I don’t know, I DON’T KNOW!” Kabbu and Leif looked at each other, then back at Vi, and then back at the spider.
Leif gave a glare at the spider. “I guess this is the perfect time to strike it.” Kabbu nodded in agreement.
The three bugs each hit it one more time, taking it down for good.
“LET’S GO!” Vi seemed to completely forget about the fact that she had just used magic, which was a rare feat to possess within Bugaria. She ran up to the treasure and grabbed it in triumph.

The newly formed trio made their way back to the Ant Kingdom, somehow making it out nearly unscathed. Eetl cried of joy at the reappearance of Vi and Kabbu, and the treasure they had found, though was rather sceptical of Leif. “What is he doing with you two…?” he asked. The two of them were rather surprised that Eetl seemed aware of this rogue moth’s existence.
“He assisted us in Snakemouth den, thanks to his incredible weaponry skills. So, we decided to allow him to tag along. Would you allow us to have a third member in our party?” Kabbu asked.
“Well, I mean, if he’s proved useful, I shall grant you… Team Snakemouth, our first trio of explorers!” Eetl said. Vi celebrated, Kabbu seemed rather joyous, and Leif actually appeared to showcase some sort of emotion. “Anyways, now that you have retrieved this priceless artefact, I guess we should bring you to see the queen.” Eetl began to walk towards the plaza of the ant kingdom, which was just outside of the castle. From there, Maki, who had returned from his earlier duties, brought the trio to the throne room.

“Ah, so, you are the new explorers. I’ve heard of your recent exploit… already obtaining the artefact from Snakemouth Den.” The queen said.
“Indeed we have, my queen.” Kabbu said, bowing. The other two bowed, Vi entirely forgetting, and Leif just sort of hesitating.
“May you… hand me it?” she asked, looking over at Vi, who very clearly held the treasure. Vi hesitated for a moment, which the queen seemed displeased.
“Just hand it to her. Now.” Leif whispered in a rather threatening way. Vi then walked forward, handing the queen the treasure. She took it, and admired it for a moment.
“Oh, how proud my mother would be if she were still around…” she said quietly. “Well done, brave explorers. I’d assume you’re ready for your next task? This one would truly prove your worth.”
“Yes, we are, my queen.” Kabbu said.
“Wonderful! You three are then tasked to go to the golden settlement in search for the next artefact. Legend has it that the way is only opened via the golden festival, which occurs tonight. I advise you to leave now if you want to make it in time.” the ant queen explained.
“Then we shall leave immediately.” Leif said, bowing once more before leaving.

“Is it just me, or does the queen seem… suspicious?” Vi asked once she and the rest of Team Snakemouth left the castle.
“Vi, don’t talk about the queen like that.”
“Yeah, I’d assume you’re not all that well versed on how to treat royalty.” Leif said. “I feel similarly, though I’m aware that no one should speak of someone with as much authority as the Ant Queen like that.”
“Ok, ok, I get it. Let’s just go on with the mission if you’re all gonna be like that.” Vi rolled her eyes.
“Yes, let's do that…”

Throughout their mission in the Golden path, settlement, and hills, the team improved on their skills. Vi began to learn her rather intriguing lightning powers, and Kabbu even attempted to use Leif's bow (this did not end well). Eventually, after a long trek after the festival, the team met up with the fabled Goddess, Venus.
“Ah, Team Snakemouth. Great explorers I've heard so much about… Leif, and Kabbu. I've been expecting you…” Venus said, emerging from the ground as an enormous, beautiful flower.
“Hey! What about me!?” Vi shrieked.
“Oh… there's 3 of you?”
“What do you mean? There's always been 3 of us.” Leif said, feeling rather suspicious of both this supposed Goddess, and Vi.
“Well, I mean… never mind. We shall discuss this after I give you your trial, as I assume you're looking for the next artefact.” Suddenly, a monster that resembled a sunflower appeared from underneath the ground. The trio used their skills and finished it off quickly.

“You bugs are more impressive than I thought….” Venus said, weak. “Well, I guess you shall receive your reward, as well as answers to any questions you may have. I do see all.” The trio seemed quiet.
“Not even you, Vi?” Venus asked. Vi didn’t answer.
“I’d personally like to know what you meant when you didn’t acknowledge her presence.” Leif said.
“Well, I don’t feel that I should tell if Vi doesn’t want anything shared. Though, to put it simply, I cannot feel her presence specifically, unlike I can with you two, despite me being able to see her right now.”
That just left Leif more confused.
“Well, if that’s all, then I suppose I shall present you with the artefact.” A vine rose up in front of Venus, holding some strange script. Vi quickly grabbed it and ran, shouting “Woo!” as she did. Kabbu and Leif struggled to keep up.
“Thank you, Goddess Venus.” Kabbu said before leaving.

The Ant Queen was rather surprised by Team Snakemouth’s quick return. “Well well well…. you three are quick, and rather handy.” she said as Vi handed her the second artefact.
“Well, there’s no mission Team Snakemouth can’t do, because we’re just that great!”
“Vi, try to be a little more humble…” Kabbu whispered.
“Oh, yeah, right-” Vi was a bit embarrassed.
The Ant Queen gave the trio their next task: Go to the Bee Kingdom, and ask that they take the Honey Factory’s core, which is said to be another artefact. The Queen said nothing more.

“Seriously, guys, this queen is giving off really weird vibes. Do you not see it?” Vi asked.
“Well, I mean, she didn’t even thank us… but that could just be the fact that she’s busy.” Kabbu added.
“Enough about the queen.” Leif said. “Besides, there’s matters that I’m more intrigued about. Mainly you, Vi. Do you have any idea what Venus was saying?”
Vi froze up for a moment. “…no. Not at all. Why would you think that!? Y’know, maybe we should take a nap to take our minds off of all of this.” She seemed nervous, laughing a bit. She started to go towards the inn in the plaza of the ant kingdom, though Leif grabbed her.
“Nope, we’ve got a mission to do. We can rest up in the bee kingdom if you’re that desperate.”
Vi appeared to be full of existential dread by that idea.

After a long trek through what had to be the most unenjoyable area of Bugaria (the Lost Sands), Team Snakemouth arrived at the Bee Kingdom. There was a little bit of trouble entering the hive, but the guards seemed to brush off whatever abnormality that deterred them from entering was.
The visit with the Bee Queen was smooth, although Vi seemed to be rather confused on who the Queen was. Did this mean she didn’t live in the bee kingdom? Leif was even more suspicious at this point, until…

“Hey, that’s the bee who went to Snakemouth Den!” some old bee said.
“Yes, Vi did come to Snakemouth Den with us. We’re always glad to see fans of our friends.” Kabbu told the bee.
“No, like a bunch of years ago, back when exploring was pretty much unacceptable. A short spunky little bee defied the kingdom’s wishes, and when they left and never returned, no one spoke of them again. But me, I remembered. I remember you well.” The old bee said in a rather menacing voice.
“Come on, let’s go. She’s just a little old and has memory issues or something…” Vi said, trying to pull her teammates away from the bee.

The rest of the trip to the bee kingdom went alright. There was a whole mission where the factory shut down, and they had to do a bunch of stuff to access the core, and a giant bee drone attacked them. Vi was also constantly questioned by Leif, and Leif was questioned a lot by Kabbu, as he always seemed unusual, not in the same way as Vi though.
Out of nowhere, Kabbu went up to Leif. “So… where did you learn to use those weapons? Most of Bugaria is very weaponless, and you weren’t an explorer before we met.”
Leif turned around. “I used to know certain people, and I practised, I guess.” Kabbu felt that what he said wasn’t the entire story, but he didn’t want to push his friend too much.

Team Snakemouth decided to leave each other’s personal issues out of the conversation for a while, merely paying attention to finding artefacts and giving them to the queen. Although, after the 4th and final artefact, the team came back to the town in absolute ruin. Wasps were scattered all over the place, threatening civilians with spears. The trio proceeded with caution, and made their way into the Ant Kingdom palace.
Kabbu and Leif were well aware of the recent disputes between the ant and wasp kingdom. They both appeared to be searching for the Everlasting Sapling, and neither kingdom wanted the other to get it first. Vi, however, was not all that aware of this, so this came as more of a shock for her.
In the throne room was the Ant queen and the Wasp King, facing each other, threatening each other with their weapons. Some explorers and wasps surrounded the two of them as back up. Leif decided to try and strike the king with an arrow. The king acted quickly and deflected it with his axe. Kabbu and Vi responded with both a lightning bolt and a quick dash at him. Both attacks were evaded. The king struck at the whole team, stealing the artefact, and turned back around to face the queen.
“I advise you to give the remaining artefacts to me. Now.” The king said menacingly. The queen didn’t seem to want to surrender the treasure. That thought didn’t seem to change, even as the king held his axe, preparing to swing it right at her head.
Woosh!
Maki had appeared, suddenly, whacking the king with his sword. The king, shocked, decided to flee. “I’ll be back!” he shouted.
The queen took a sigh of relief. “Team Snakemouth, fierce explorers, I grant you a break.”
Vi seemed confused. “But, he took the artefact! Shouldn’t we go find it again?”
The queen was worried. “…no. We will find it by other means. No one is to travel to the wasp kingdom under our kingdom’s current circumstances. Until we track down that tyrant, you are free to complete other tasks, or even take a ‘breather’ from everything.”

Team Snakemouth left the castle with a sigh of relief.
“Perhaps this will give us more time to bond.” Kabbu suggested.
“Yeah, and perhaps Vi will finally be ready to talk about whatever’s been up with her this entire adventure.”
“Nothing is happening! Why do you have to keep bugging me about it?” Vi exclaimed.
“I dunno, the additional treasure we found in the ancient sand castle says differently.” Leif said, pulling out a gem. Vi had a rather odd reaction to it.
“That’s- what- Snakemouth Den-?” Vi muttered, feeling oddly connected in a convoluted way to the rock.
“Snakemouth Den?” Leif repeated.
“She did seem rather skittish there compared to all of the other destinations we had been to.” Kabbu stated.
“Then I say we head back there.” Leif smirked a bit. Vi seemed both intrigued, but also desperate to not go. The team left for Snakemouth Den anyways, though.

When the trio arrived, the first thing they noticed which was different was the fact that the ancient door had opened up. Leif entered first, and the other two closely followed.
“Gee, it sure is dark here… and foggy…” Vi commented, looking around. The door led to a small room that was only lit by strange blue lights that seemed to be powered by ancient crystals, which is what granted most sorcerers their powers. In the middle, where most of the light met, was a small podium, which appeared to have a hole just big enough to fit the rock.
Leif placed it down with caution. Suddenly, it glowed, and a giant door at the front of the room opened right up. He entered with no hesitation, while Kabbu had to basically force Vi in.
The moment they got through the door, they were ambushed by enemies, which appeared to be the exact same creatures Team Snakemouth were, though different. They appeared to be a zombified version of what they likely previously were, their lives taken over by a nasty fungus that sprouted from every pore of their body. They were all pretty confused, but fought them anyways.
“That was… creepy. It’s like I was attacking myself!” Vi said.
“It was rather odd.” Kabbu said. Leif nudged him, and looked over at Vi, who was in front, then at Kabbu. Kabbu did not get what he was trying to insinuate.
Leif rolled his eyes and followed Vi. The trio adventured as usual, finding themselves in some sort of laboratory, filled to the brim with those fungus creatures they had just fought. Vi still had the thought in her mind that she was practically fighting herself, and nearly began to believe that maybe she was one of them. Though, she tried to push the thought out of her head. Until they reached the depths of the lab.
There, an old video began to play.
“Ugh, another failure. Throw it out with the others.” said a roach in the video, holding what seemed to be a fungus similar to the ones mind controlling the bugs.
“At this rate, we’ll never be able to complete our study…” said another roach, taking the fungus and going off screen. Vi seemed rather engrossed in the video. Kabbu had a sudden realisation about what Leif was trying to insinuate earlier.
The screen changed, and there was… Vi, in a spider web? Vi was taken aback. The fungus from the other scene crept its way on screen. Vi felt that this scene was… familiar.
“No. No…. no, this can’t be it. I’m not a zombie!” Vi felt an extreme sense of existential dread. “That can’t be it!” The screen turned off. Vi tried to turn it back on in any means necessary. “There has to be another reason for why I’m like this!” she shouted, kicking the device, and then trying to shoot a bolt at it. It flickered, and then imploded. Vi fell to her knees. “I can’t be some undead monster-”
Kabbu wrapped his stubby arms around Vi, and Leif decided to do the same.
“Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have forced this upon you… the outcome seems rather unsettling, even to an outside perspective.”
“Whatever happened to you, we’ll make sure that you don’t go through any issues alone.” Kabbu assured her. Vi, however, did not feel reassured in the least. She pushed her teammates away and ran off. Leif seemed rather ashamed.
“I should’ve known she didn’t want to be here for a reason. The truth is terrifying, and I’ve never felt more regret.”
“Yeah, I mean, imagine if you were like that. I know I’d be as terrified as Vi if I found this out about myself. Perhaps in an alternate universe…”
Leif ignored his friend’s rambling, and tried to consider what to do next. He then began walking in the direction Vi ran off in. Kabbu took a moment to notice, and stumbled over to him.
“So… why did you pressure Vi into this in the first place? Not trying to be rude, just trying to gain perspectives.”
Leif sighed, still walking. “I don’t know… maybe I just didn’t want to continue through my struggles alone…” he admitted.
Kabbu let his inner therapist continue the conversation. “If you don’t mind me asking, what struggles?”
Leif put his head down, still keeping pace. He took a moment to consider whether or not this was the time to share. He ultimately decided that it was.
“Look, these weapons… they’re some of my family’s weapons. My parents were explorers, and this is what they used on their missions. One day, they figured they’d allow me to tag along on their mission. Worst mistake of their life.
I was young, and a fool. I tripped up, and a monster spotted us. My parents managed to allow me to escape along with the bow and arrow and butterfly knife, though they were unable to say the same. So, I decided it was best for me to leave, and become the fellow rogue bug you met me as.”
“Oh… oh dear. I’m so sorry.” Kabbu gave Leif a hug.
“No, it’s fine. I knew I had to get that into the air at some point. That was genuinely therapeutic.”
“Still, I feel like I have a duty to ensure the wellbeing of my teammates.”
“Oh, Kabbu, you big suck, as Vi would probably put it.” He gave a little smile. “Speaking of Vi, we’d best search for her.
“There’s no need to find me if I’m right here!” Vi suddenly appeared from behind a mushroom. The other two seemed very relieved. So, the trio made it back to the Ant Kingdom where the Wasp King had made a return, alone, surprisingly.

“I repeat, it'd be in your best interest to hand me those artefacts of yours…” He said, standing in front and above the queen, who had fallen from an earlier attack.
“Why won’t he give up-” Vi muttered.
The ant queen looked up at the wasp king, clutching the artefacts she had left. She refused the wasp king’s suggestion. The wasp king raised his axe and struck her, leaving her unconscious. Everyone in the room gasped. The king took the artefacts from her unmoving arms, no one stopping him in the process out of fear. Holding the artefacts and his axe, he turned around and began to walk out. Everyone in the way stepped back, not wanting to take their chances. Once the coast was sure to be clear, everyone surrounded the queen.
After a few moments, she got up. “Curse that tyrant…” she muttered.
“It comes to my great displeasure that our artefacts had been taken by the King.” The Ant Queen announced. “He’s probably heading to the dead lands as we speak. So, together, we must find another solution! Team Snakemouth, you are to guide me to the Termite Kingdom!”
The trio was rather shocked that they were selected to assist the queen. Though, they accepted.

The trip through the Termite Kingdom was pretty standard. The King and Queen seemed rather untrusting and forced Team Snakemouth into combat with their greatest soldiers. They were then granted a submarine, headed for Rubber Prison, managed to defeat the Wasp King’s general (who had a tank), and stumbled their way through the dead lands.

Finally, they had reached it. The Everlasting Sapling was said to be right here. And who else was there other than the Wasp King.
“Alright, my brave explorers. The time has come. Defeat the tyrant!” The Ant Queen exclaimed as a source of encouragement. This battle was a demonstration of how far the trio had come. They had their hardships against the King, but eventually, they came out on top. There the King laid, no longer being able to serve as the Wasp Kingdom’s monarch. The Ant Queen snatched the artefacts and walked to where the Everlasting Sapling was supposedly protected. She used the artefacts to unlock all of those sources of protection, and there was the fabled treasure itself.
“Finally… after all of this time. I truly did it, mother.” The ant queen said, taking off her mask. She looked over at Team Snakemouth, exhausted after the fight.
“You know, my mother would have used this plant to rule this kingdom for eternity, bringing peace and prosperity to all that lived there. I initially had the same dream.”
Leif was getting rather suspicious. “What do you mean by ‘initially’?” he asked.
“Well, over time, I desired the Everlasting Sapling for… other reasons, and those reasons will finally be revealed to all of you, the entire land of Bugaria!” this was followed by a laugh.
Kabbu was absolutely shocked, Leif seemed a bit less shocked. Vi looked at the other two. “I told you.” she muttered.
The Queen walked closer to the plant. The team watched in horror, not even thinking to strike her. She grabbed a leaf and munched on it.
“Finally, I shall take my mother’s wishes, and do so much more with them. I shall rule the entire land, and no one shall ever step out of line unless they’d like the idea of becoming nothing more than a seedling’s snack.” She sprouted these weird looking leaves, and had appeared to become part plant herself. She began to levitate. And thus, the true final battle began.
Insert a really long fight with a whole bunch of healing from both sides, and cool plant and lighting powers, and so on.

The queen was finally reaching a point where she was too weak to continue. And right then and there, bam! Tree. She became a tree.
“Well… now what?” Vi asked.
“Celebrate?” Kabbu suggested.
“Well, yeah, sure. But… we need a new queen.” Leif said.
The trio looked at each other, having no idea what to do then, so they decided to head back and discuss with Maki, the bug that was most likely second in command.

“Hmmm… so the queen truly did have bad intentions, and had been overthrown by you three? Then, I guess that means I shall crown you three as rulers of the kingdom.”
The three of them stared at him. “WHAT!?” they shouted nearly simultaneously, Vi being the loudest, and Leif being much quieter than the rest.
“Well, you have all proved your worth throughout this adventure, and it seemed like most of you had good judgement of the queen’s intentions from the very beginning. So, if you would like, I shall grant you the position, if you’d like. With my help, if need be.”
“Seems like too much responsib-”
“We’ll take the job! Nothing’s too difficult for Team Snakemouth at this point, is it?” Kabbu interrupted Vi.
“Fantastic. I suppose we shall hold a ceremony.”
From that day on, Team Snakemouth became more than just an exploration team. They had received two wonderful gifts: The gift of royalty, and the gift of an unbreakable friendship.

Perhaps in another universe, it would’ve been different, as Kabbu once pointed out. Though they shall never know, as long as they reign.

===

If you managed to finish this, holy Goddess Venus, congrats. You somehow read over 5k words, and managed to not stop reading because of cringe. That will probably one of the greatest achievements of your life, and I will respect you for the rest of my life.

Word War!
199 words!
Prompt: “Are they in charge? They look like a five year old in a tux”

Ronan looked shocked, making a face at the newcomer. The said five year old crossed her arms. Ronan looked back at the visitor and said, “Oh, um, of course she is in charge! Why wouldn’t she be?” “Because she’s five.” “That doesn’t detract from her merit and you know that! Come on, don’t be old fashioned. She’s going to do amazing! I’m sure that you’ll get used to her.” The child smiled, satisfied with his defense. “Why don’t you come sit? Momma, I mean, my servant will be here quite soon!” The newcomer snickered and rolled her eyes, but complied. She sat next to Ronan and exaamined him. Why did he look so worried to not upset the child? That was incredibly weird, and needed to be investigated. However, soon “momma” entered the room. She was a tall woman, around six eet. She was intimidating, her eyes gleaming in the soft light that lit the office at midnight. She smiled at the newcomer and sat down next to her child, “Ah, hello. You must be the hired help.” “I sure am” The newcomer replied. She glanced at the woman, holding her gaze as her eyes pierced through her soul.

The uneven thump of Kaz’s cane on the mottled floor echoed through the stairwell. His leg was particularly bad today, and it hadn’t been helped by the unnecessary stress of the exchange. He wondered why he was climbing the stairs to Inej’s room- it was just habit, he supposed.

Finally, he reached the landing. Pushing open the heavy door, Kaz cursed Inej’s good faith. He’d asked her why she chose the room on the top floor as her own before, and her answer had been as righteous as ever- to be closer to her supposed saints. How did Inej believe that she could become closer to some divine figure simply by sleeping on the higher floor of a rickety Barrel building? It was beyond him. In fact, how such a saintly person had become leader of a Barrel gang never failed to baffle Kaz.

“Kaz,” Inej greeted. He nodded in return, and Inej rolled her eyes.

“You don’t need to put on the act for me, Kaz,” she scoffed. “I’m not going to spoil your reputation.”

“Reputation,” he snarled, “is the least of my worries.”

Inej laughed, flipping her tightly coiled braid over her shoulder. “Well, then- what does worry you? You, the mastermind of the Barrel?”

Kaz locked his jaw and hobbled to the desk in the center of the room. It was scattered with all sorts of top-secret documents and an assortment of handleless knife blades. He pushed them all aside and sunk down into the desk chair.

“And now you’re sitting at my desk,” Inej lamented. “Really, Kaz, you have no sense of your superiors.”
”Seeing as all you do is sit at that windowsill and feed the ravens, I don’t see why it concerns you,” Kaz retorted.

Sighing, Inej untangled herself from the banister and sauntered towards Kaz. She planted her hands on the hardwood before him, her delicate fingers tantalizingly close to a cruel-looking blade.

“Better?”

Kaz met her gaze. It was unshakable. He looked away.

“So. What brought you up four flights of stairs today?”

“I don’t like what happened today.”

“Nobody likes what happened today. We lost one of our big men.”

“No, I don’t like what happened to our plan.”

Inej’s eyes roved Kaz’s face scathingly.

“Our plan?”

“I wrote it for a reason. I-”

“You are not the leader of this gang. It would do you good to remember that.”

Fuming, Kaz said nothing.

“Anyways, I see nothing wrong with what happened today. We exposed a traitor, bettered a rival gang and will become richer from it. You have problems with that?”

“I have problems with you disregarding my plans. You know you need them.”

“I do not need them, Kaz. I do not need you,” Inej stated coldly. “You’re an asset, nothing more.”

She got up and strolled back to the balcony.

“It would do you good to remember that.”

Painstakingly, against the wishes of his bad leg, Kaz rose.

On his way out to the door, he heard Inej mutter under his breath.

“Saints forgive me.”

Role reverse daily:
It was all over the news. An alien has been found in this town. It was little, pink, and looked like a frog.
“It would be so cool if someone caught it!” “I wish I could keep it as a pet!” “There's no clear evidence for it, you know.” That's what everyone was saying. Anne could not help but overhear it. Wait… Cool? No one thought Anne was cool. No one bullied her, but it was all because how cool Sasha was. She felt like a pushover sometimes. When everyone at school weren't busy discussing the most recent news, they were gossiping. Sometimes about Anne.
“If it wasn't for Sasha, this girl would be a doormat. Teacher's say she is one incomplete after another, always taking the easy path of following the ideas of others.” “They're not lying. Does she even have a personality?”
It was time to change that. If she could find the creature, make actual proof it exists and maybe keep it, everyone would find her cool. Anne coughed to get attention of her best friends.
“Sasha, Marcy, do you think we could…”
“Go find the alien everyone talks about?” cried Marcy, full of excitement. “…Or maybe go to the mall instead of school?”
“Sure, why not?” Anne shrugged.
“No, we should go prank the principal.” Sasha denied the ideas. “It would be less risky. Or will it? Just kidding, no one cares about that sort of stuff. I'm just in a mood for pranks.”
Well, alien hunts could wait just a bit.
______
After an escape from punishment, Anne tried to ask her bff's to find the creature again.
“Well, that was fun. It really gets your trouble gene activated, am I right?”
“…” stared the other two girls.
“What I meant to say is lets go on an adventure of a lifetime!”
“Idk, I would rather kick back and chill.” Sasha scratched her ear.
“But Sash, it would be so fun!” Marcy and Anne begged in unison.
“Lets go over to my place and hang out in the pool.” the bossy one seemed like she wasn't even listening.
“Fine.”
____
At the pool, Anne whispered to Marcy:
“Hey, Mar-Mar, do you think we should go on an alien hunt on our own?”
“Without Sasha to use brute force and strategy? I don't know, Anne.”
“But it will be better than not going, right?”
“I guess. But it won't be as fun without the complete trio.”
“Whatcha whispering about?” jumpscared them Sasha.
“About the new good witch Azura book, of course!” quickly replied Marcy.
“Well, keep talking about your boring nerd stuff if you don't want to watch me do a backflip.” slyly looked at them the bossy one.
They just pretended to not plan a nighttime sneak to catch an unknown creature.
_________
“According to the newspaper, the alien was seen around here” quietly said Marcy.
Suddenly, something attacked them with nuts and tiny rocks. The girls both screamed!
A little pink figure jumped out from behind an old tire. It was a giant frog wearing a hat with googles and a dirty jacket. It badly lassoed the girls and yelled:
“Caught ya! Thought you were going to eat good ol' Sprig, didn't you? Well not gonna happen!”
“It speaks English!” exclaimed Marcy
“Marbles, I think it's not a good time to take notes” Anne said a bit grumpily.
“Wait, you can speak? You have different languages?” the creature, who seemed to be called Sprig, was surprised.
“We do! And we have bad news for you, alien: we taste terrible!” Anne took out a tennis racket.
“What? I'm not going to eat you.” the frog frowned and put his slingshot down.
“You were trying to catch us!” yelled Anne.
“You were trying to catch me!” Sprig yelled back.
“We wanted to see something from other planets! You can't blame us, we have such a boring reality where you get in trouble for fun!” Marcy joined the conversation. “And you were trying to eat the reporters!”
“I was going to see if the ‘reporters’ ” Sprig did air quotes “could help me. They seemed smart at first, but ran away screaming the second I started moving!”
“That does sound like them.” agreed Marbles. “So how did you get here, anyway?”
“One second I am home with Polly and Hop Pop, the next I am in a some sort of a giant garbage bin! That's pretty much all I know. Sorry!” said the pink frog.
“You're Sprig, right?” Anne asked.
“Yep. Sprig Plantar.”
“I'm Anne Boonchoy. Nice to meet you, Sprig.” smiled the main character.
“And I am Marcy Wu!” smiled Marcy. “I can't believe I got in such an adventure!”
“Well, lets get you some shelter, pink dude.” Anne looked around.
And the alternative story went on, but it's too much to write about, at least yet.
796 words!

daily #6 ✦ what if you were me (my titles are so lame this session sobbing) ✦ 422 words
Universe: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Characters: Keefe and Fitz

notes for myself
keefe: would still be a prankster and not care about his grades, but without the bitterness behind it. he'd be a lot more sunny and open.
fitz: would wear himself out trying to please his parents and be super serious. also angry.

It was strange that the best and the worst student at Foxfire should have become friends, but there you were.
Keefe Vacker reminded people of sunshine. Always smiling, always with a joke or a chivalrous gesture. He had a reputation for pulling pranks on teachers and had landed in detention multiple times–although he often managed to charm his way out of it.
Fitz Sencen, by contrast, wasted few words talking to people and strove to get the highest marks. Other than Keefe, he had few friends; he was notorious for lashing out when he failed.
Keefe was really the only one that bothered to look and see what lay beyond his temper, and that was what he was doing now.
“You haven't been to school in days,” Fitz said, crossing his arms. “Do you not trust me enough to tell me what you're doing?”
Keefe held up his hands. “Hey, I would if I could,” he said easily, throwing an arm around his friend's shoulders. “I'm…working.”
“Nobody talks to me when you're gone,” Fitz said.
Keefe laughed. “I thought you liked it better that way! Come on, it's time for class. Unless you wanted to ditch…?” He smirked and gestured towards his favorite ditching area.
“I don't skip class,” Fitz huffed. But he wasn't really angry.

Well, not normally.
But today he was.
He was even in the spot that Keefe was normally in, although he had refused many offers of skipping class before this.
He just couldn't do it anymore. How was he supposed to be better than the best? How much would he have to lay at his father's feet before he was finally accepted?
Everything he did was “adequate.” No more, no less.
He was in such a funk he almost didn't see the girl.
She looked lost, which made sense. Not a lot of students came back here.
She paused on seeing him, and he almost snapped at her to ask what she was looking at.
But…she also had what looked like a pretty nasty burn on her hand. Sighing, he slumped off the bench and walked over.
“You look lost.”
She tucked her hand behind her back. Great, she'd noticed him staring. “Just trying to find the healing center,” she said.
Fitz pointed. “It's that way. Take two left turns, a right, and another left.”
He was about to walk back to the bench when he saw her look of confusion and heaved another sigh. “You know what, I'll just take you. Come with me.”

this is unfinished but i ran out of time anyways sokeefe ftw i love keefe

Daily #6
11/6/2024
592 words

A/N: This is a Clint and Maria Hill role swap, where she recruits Natasha (Natalia in this fic) to SHIELD. Ultimately part of my larger au, where it’s Clint and Natasha role reversal, with her recruiting him, but that’s not what I decided to go for today lol. Not loving how it turned out, but it’s something This was originally supposed to be Maria POV, some flirting with a governor, a big KABOOM!! and depressive thoughts, but ahaha- Both time and the filterbot would be after me Probably.
For what I didn’t get to write… They have both been undercover and interacted with each other for a few days, but a large distraction at a gala led Maria to tug Natasha (Natalia) aside to chat
Anyways, have this somewhat watered down version and I’m off to dinner. This does have threats and um. A badly written fight kind of a scene?? Not really?? But yeah lol.

Natalia's eyes widen, startled by the sharp tug to the side, but quickly narrow her gaze when she's turned around to meet Jamie.

“Nice to finally meet you, Black Widow.” She's backed her up into a corner, a stell grip around her wrists on either side of her. Natalia smirks, someone was certainly feeling ambitious today.

“Who do you work for, Jamie? If that's even your real name,” Natalia questions, rotating her wrists slightly. Who would want her so badly? Nevermind, that list is too long. Who is willing to come after her? “Interpol, Jaques, FBI…”

“Jamie” presses firmer on her wrists. “It's not Jamie, it's Maria. Wait, Jacques?”

She smirks. “Did a number on his family and his buisness a while back. I haven't seen him in a few years though.” Natalia had wondered whether Jacuqes Monet would do something about it, but she'd rather not face his wrath. She really should have gotten rid of him when she could…

“Whatever, it doesn't matter who I work for; I'm here to kill you.”

She finds a opening and slides under the arm gripping her left wrist, hoping to flip them around. She grunts when she's tugged back.

“”I'm not here to play games and neither are you.“

Natalia's eyes glint, glancing at this Maria. ”What do you propose?“ Her entire life was a game, needing the right strategies to win. She had to be first, she had to be best. What else is it, foolery?

Maria ignores her question, instead looking at the bruised skin around her wrists. Natalia glances around; there had to be someone walking by this corner- ”I know what the Red Room does.“

She freezes, meeting Maria's eyes. How did she know about the Red Room? What does Maria know? Obviously, she knows something; a bit about their rigorous discipline at least. Natalia tugs her bound arms as close as she can.

”If you want to escape, I can either eliminate you or I can give you an offer you can't pass up.“

She glances at Maria's face, searching for lies, deception, deceit… Either Natalia's been slipping up, Maria was well train, really well trained, or she's telling the truth. It's not about to be the first time it's the former. Still, she was intrigued. What did Maria have that she thought she could offer the Black Widow?

After a moment, she answers. ”What kind of offer?“

”Do you promise to cooperate with me?“ The grip on her wrists loosens.

Natalia quickly turns herself outside of her captor, locking her into the corner instead. Fingernails dig into her wrists, but that's the least of her worries. She will not show weakness, she will not be trapped.

”I have been already, haven't I? I could have taken you out already,“ she snarls, pushing her closer to the wall. ”What's the offer?“ She said it wouldn't be a game, so why was Maria playing around?

”You could join me. SHIELD could use an agent like you.“

She stills and Maria pushes back. Anger spikes through her, no, not anger. Fear? Or freedom. Taste of freedom. If she was telling the truth like Natalia believes she was…

”Fine.“

”Fine, what?“ Maria prods, her eyes searching the Natalia's face this time.

Natalia locks eyes with Maria as she speaks. ”Fine, I'll join you." She's heard of SHIELD. It's a better defection than what she's been planning. And what kind of an organization sends an agent alone to recruit an assassin as deadly as her? The one she was willingly joining apparently.