Up for the challenge

❤️- A happy memory that makes them smile

💙- A sad memory that makes them cry

💛- A memory that makes them feel angry

💚- A memory that makes them feel guilty

💜- A memory about one of their loved ones, happy or sad

💔- A memory that leaves them feeling lonely

❣- A memory that leaves them laughing

💕- A memory about their significant other

💞- A memory about their children

💓- A memory about their friends

💗- A memory about a good deed they did

💖- A memory that made them feel special

💝- A memory that made them feel loved

💘- A memory that gets their heart pounding

bubble bath: do you have any routines before bedtime? like skin care, etc. what are they?

champagne: what topic could you talk about for hours?

crushed velvet: have you ever used your charm to get something you want?

diamonds: how do you feel about excessively spending money?

faux fur: describe your wardrobe.

glitter: describe someone special to you.

gold: describe what you would call the most perfect meal.

jazz: name a song that resonates with you and your emotions. explain the reason why.

lace: what is something in your life completely different from last year?

lingerie: do you consider yourself a promiscuous person?

lipstick: do you enjoy talking to strangers?

pearls: what's something about your personality that surprises others?

penthouse: what would you consider your dream home? describe it.

perfume: if you could make your own signature fragrance, what would it smell like?

robe: how do you prepare for an evening alone with a loved one/date?

roses: If it had to be winter, autumn, spring or summer for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

satin: what is your most favorite article of clothing?

sheet mask: what's your favorite lazy activity?

silk: do you have more inner or outer beauty?

silver: do you have any obscure hobbies? what are they?

sparkling water: what are your top three songs for the summer?

“Ohh shit… why…”

Rutger had awoken only to find out that he had an extra feeling somewhere on his rearside. He pulled his hand into the backside of his pants and pulled out an extra limb. Fuzzy and full of feeling, Rutger pondered why he was being gifted a functional tail.

“Huh?”

Rutger tumbled into the floor as he started to manually think about how he was supposed to run.

“Should we charge or surround him, Your Majesty?”

Eirika pursed her lips. “No. Three of you, go out and determine the particulars of the situation.”

Game Set Match – Sara Jackson-Holman

"Game set match, bitch."

"This is my shit."

"This is my world, you just live in it."

"This is my throne, bitch. Don't sit in it."

"If you're trying to play with me, I suggest you start playing a little bit harder."

"Keep watching me slay this, rewind and replay it."

"You may be cool, but I'm ice."

Down – Jay Sean

"[Name], are you down?"

"You oughta know tonight is the night to let it go."

"Put on a show, I wanna see how you lose control."

"Leave it behind 'cause we have a night to get away."

"Come on and fly with me as we make our great escape."

"Just let it be."

"Come on and bring your body next to me."

"I'll take you away and turn this place into our private getaway."

Champagne — Niykee Heaton

"I want you again "

"I'm far from sober."

"If I get this just right, I could lay here all night."

"Is it too much?"

"I got all these brand new addictions I'm bound to."

"Anything that stops me from thinkin' about you."

"I got champagne for the pain "

"Black out all the memories."

"I don't really wanna feel anything..."

"I'm my only enemy."

Salt — Ava Max

"I got breaking news, and it's not about you."

"I've been breaking hearts, too, and I learned it all from you."

"I got my thigh highs on."

"I feel like Wonder Woman."

"When my lipstick pops and I feel like Monroe, that's when you want me most."

"I'm all out of salt."

"I'm not gonna cry."

"Won't give you what you want 'cause I look way too good tonight."

"My tears are running dry."

Mad At Disney – Salem Ilese

"I'm mad at Disney."

"They tricked me."

"They had me wishing on a shooting star..."

"So call me a pessimist, but I don't believe in it."

"Finding a true love's kiss is bullshit."

"I felt sad love, I felt bad love."

"Sometimes, happy love turns into giving up."

"What the hell is love supposed to feel like?"

"What the hell is love?"

exile — Taylor Swift

"I can see you standin', honey, with his arms around your body."

"You're laughin', but the joke's not funny at all."

"It took you five whole minutes to pack us up and leave me with it."

"I think I've seen this film before and I didn't like the ending."

"You're not my homeland anymore, so what am I defendin' now?"

"You were my town, now I'm in exile seein' you out."

"I can see you starin', honey, like he's just your understudy."

"Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me..."

"Second, third, and hundredth chances..."

"Those eyes add insult to injury."

People Like Us — Kelly Clarkson

"We come into this world unknown, but know that we are not alone."

"They try and knock us down, but change is coming."

"It's our time now."

"Hey… everybody loses it."

"Everybody wants to throw it all away sometimes."

"I know what you're going through."

"Don't let it get the best of you, you'll make it out alive."

"People like us, we've gotta stick together."

"Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever."

"Here's to the damned, to the lost and forgotten!"

"It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom."

Style — Taylor Swift

"Oh, it's been a while since I have even heard from you."

"I should just tell you to leave 'cause I know exactly where it leads."

"I watch us go 'round and 'round each time."

"You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye, and I got that red lip classic thing that you like."

"When we go crashing down, we come back every time."

"We never go out of style.

IDK You Yet — Alexander 23

"How can you miss someone you've never met?"

"I need you now, but I don't know you yet."

"Can you find me soon because I'm in my head."

"Lately it's been hard."

"I only got half a heart to give to you."

When You Walk Away — 5 Seconds Of Summer

"Cut me open, take my heart so we'll never be apart."

"Don't you let it go to waste."

"Such a sentimental love in a cynical world."

"My feelings get the best of me."

"I messed it up before."

I'm almost pretty sure my karma got the best of me."

"Won't you let me down easy?"

"I can't let you go."

"I can feel it in my bones."

"You don't love me anymore."

“Ohh shit… why…”

Rutger had awoken only to find out that he had an extra feeling somewhere on his rearside. He pulled his hand into the backside of his pants and pulled out an extra limb. Fuzzy and full of feeling, Rutger pondered why he was being gifted a functional tail.

“remember our rule: the real winner is safety.” 

“cuddle coyote is stalking you.”

“eskimo kiss. butterfly kiss. cheek kiss. and one last kiss for your palm to ball up and stick in your heart.”

“i just couldn’t wait ‘til morning to let you know that i love you, too.”

“are you crying? who hurt you? tell me and i will hurt them tenfold.”

“my baby’s got a boo boo. what do you need, flintstones or snoopy bandages?”

“there’s a storm inside you, and i’m not leaving ‘til i see a little sunshine.” 

“snuggle monster.” 

“aw, my little schmoopie’s having a bad dream.”

“rule #5: mandatory hugs every time you walk through the door.” 

“well, if you’d let me stare at you in the daytime, we wouldn’t have to do this little dance.”

“gasp of gasps. i have clearly failed as a mother.”

“look, i don’t blame you for acting out after the way i treated you.”

“the rules are simple: you curse, you reimburse. $1 for every swear sworn in this household.”

“okay, don’t fuck with me here. are you talking about mom time?”  

“say it. say the words. say mom time.” 

“yeah, i’m everywhere.”

“looks like someone needs a sugar shower.”

“family takes care of family.”

“who is cooler than your mom?”

“no, no, no. this is not about me. it’s about you feeling better. so i can feel better.” 

“i’m not mad. i’m just disappointed.” 

“now give me all the kisses so i can store ‘em away for a rainy day like little love acorns.”

“it’s not a lecture, it’s an apology.” 

“are you toying with my heart right now? because it will literally explode.” 

“oh, no, not this game. i heard all about it on sixty minutes. a stuffy southern reverend said it’s the gateway to black magic.”

“it is my job to strong-arm people into seeing how amazing you are.”

“sometimes you just got to say, ‘what the fuck’.”

“it’s a locket. it’s got my picture inside so you can always have your mother near your heart.” 

“i love you, honey. i love you so much i will never let you go.” 

Eirika pursed her lips. “That is a shame. I do hope that it stays unfrozen to  facilitate trade, at least.” It occurs to her how privileged Renais is in many respects due to its location. Its mountains are not overly burdensome, and its central location makes for ease of travel. Granted, some rugged terrain would have deterred Grado’s soldiers that weren’t wyvern knights…

The stranger painted a vivid picture of her land, though Eirika was a bit puzzled by something she had mentioned. “You’ll have to forgive me for my ignorance, but what is an ‘aurora?’ A friend of mind may have mentioned something about it, or I must have seen it mentioned in a book somewhere, but I do not know what it is.”

“The neighboring country I mentioned previously also has Pegasi. They are marvelous creatures, though I do prefer horses. I imagine the most common horses in your land are built sturdy, and not for speed?”

The blonde woman’s motion to adjust the umbrella did not escape Eirika’s notice. “Ah, it is rather hot today. I don’t wish to impose, but did you bring a canteen for yourself? I have a spare. It can be difficult to prepare for unfamiliar environments, after all.” She remembered her first visit to Caer Pelyn keenly.

Now that she had positioned herself beneath the protection of the umbrella’s shade, Ingrid shifted her body until she was seated more comfortably, facing toward the magnificent ocean that stretched to the horizon before her. Watching the waves roll toward her then away was oddly relaxing, and with each passing moment, she found herself more captivated. While on this brief respite from the stressors of her normal life, she felt that for once she could slow her daily pace, and truly relax. Turning to Eirika, she nodded.

“Fortunately in most parts of Faerghus, the climate hasn’t effected trade too severely. There are many territories where the weather isn’t as extreme as the kind my territory experiences. Larger neighboring territories located either in ports or towards central Faerghus are wealthy in resources,” Ingrid explained, motioning with her hands as if she had a map laying before her, “House Galatea typically purchases supplies from those territories. Of course, being reliant on currency and other territories isn’t ideal…but thankfully my family has a good relationship with our biggest trade partners.” Surprise flashed across Ingrid’s features, but she swiftly composed herself, not wishing to portray herself as rude.

“Oh, you’ve never seen one? It’s beautiful, really. It’s something sort of akin to…a rainbow. It’s ripples of light in the night sky. It lights up the whole sky, glowing in an array of colors. You can only see it in particularly frigid regions, so I’m not surprised if you haven’t heard of one,” Ingrid explained, pointing to the sky as if she could create one herself, “I believe the Goddess created it…at least, there’s really no other explanation.”

“As for mounts…it depends on the creature and the rider. My Pegasus and I are quite fast…but some are trained to carry weight instead. The horses of Fodlan are different than other breeds. They have a heavier coat, which protect them from the colder conditions of the continent.” Her smile grew sheepish when Eirika mentioned her discomfort, and she wrung her hands together.

Eirika hated that voice.

“The aurora sounds extremely lovely.” She tapped her finger on her face. “It will not be the same as seeing it for myself, I have an acquaintance fond of painting. I wonder if he would be interested in a work featuring it.” She smiled slightly. “Though he said that he is hoping to focus on portraits.”

Eirika listened intently as the noblewoman talked about her land’s Pegasi and horses. She wondered if the horses had shaggy coats. That would be adorable...

bluewindsofrestoration

Eirika wrinkled her noise at him. “You actually had me worried! I thought our apartments were cursed with bugs.”

She raised an eyebrow at Ephraim’s choice of shirt. She had been half-asleep at the time, but hadn’t he said something about going out to eat? She wasn’t sure if a diner would allow someone with a tanktop to eat there.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, then. I wouldn’t want your back to get sore.” She was only half-joking. “You know, it would be fun if we had an actual sleepover. We could each fall asleep on one of my chairs, and watch movies.”

Oh damn. “Hah. Yeah, he recommended this science book to me.” Her heart, which had already been pounding from the supposed spider, beat faster.

But wouldn’t Ephraim notice that it was a journal? “Have you ever seen those books in college libraries that don’t have the title on them? It’s one of those.”

It was ironic that he mentioned Lyon, as her entries about him were one reason why Eirika wanted to keep it private. Reading them filled her with shame now:

Sometimes I worry about what would happen to Lyon if Ephraim and I ever moved away. Does he have other friends?

Maybe I should go to prom with him. It’s not like there’s anyone else he’d ask.

Lyon is my best friend, but he has this way about him that’s like a puppy.

Sure, the entries were teenage callousness that were meant to be caring, but what would Ephraim think if he read them? Or worse, what she had said about his disagreements with their father?

Ephraim had tossed the dairy back under the covers and sat up, looking at Eirika he gave a grin. It was so easy to toy with Eirika throughout the day. He stretched and sat up in her bed then fully. Tossing her pillow onto the floor, and then he sat up. Patting her back gently, he cocked his head. 

“So ya gonna come with me to the grocery store? I’m buying ya some groceries to compensate for me staying here during this time.” Ephraim grinned some and walked to her door and leaned on the doorway. “We can walk there unless you got a better way.” Ephraim folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot.

“Plus I’m hungry and I want a lot of meat in your freezer. And even then, I can cook dinner sometimes for you when you get home from work. Finish getting ready and come out to the living room.” Ephraim left her room and approached the couch where he slept. The blankets were in disarray and a complete mess. He started to fold the blankets and make it look nice and neat.

“Funny you should ask about walking. I’m actually thinking about buying a moped. Did you see the one on the balcony on corner property on the floor below? They probably shouldn’t be leaving that outside, where anyone could try some weird scheme to steal it or it can get damaged by the weather, but it gave me a chance to check it out.”

“You don’t have to do all that for me!” Eirika laughed. “Okay, I won’t complain if you do, though.”

“I mean, if you want it, I could probably steal it and fix it up for you. Or I could just always buy one for you. Is work slow for you right now, dear sister?” Ephraim paced around in the living room and looked around at her various decorations. 

“Eirika, your diary, I saw Lyon’s name mentioned. Have you heard from him lately?” Ephraim leaned against the wall by Eirika’s door so she could hear him better and he tapped his finger against his bicep. He wanted to know how Lyon was doing at uni but he didn’t want to seem needy when it came to him. Even if he was one of the few people who were his closest friends.

Eirika was currently working as a secretary at a pro bono law firm. The pay wasn’t great, but she hoped that it would allow her to branch into social work. “Just about everyone other than my boss is busy with a huge case, so she’s handling just about everyone else that comes in the door. I suppose it’s better to be busy and feel productive.”

Her stomach plummeted when Ephraim mentioned Lyon. Her voice was hoarse. “How much did you see? I know what I wrote was awful, but I was much younger...”

Ah, so he hadn’t seen anything incriminating, but now he surely would be curious! “We’ve texted on and off. I know that he’s busy with his studies. I was actually thinking about sending him a fruit basket, since he’s probably too busy to buy himself a lot of healthy food and he needs to look after himself.”

the fool: what journey have you recently started?

the magician: do you feel that you have the right tools and resources in your life to achieve your goals?

the high priestess: do you trust your intuition?

the empress: do you love yourself?

the emperor: do you believe you have control over your life?

the hierophant: what traditions or rituals or mantras have you created for yourself?

the lovers: do you feel alone? are you waiting for perfect harmony in your life?

the chariot: what forces are pulling you in opposite directions?

the hermit: how do you get in touch with your emotions?

strength: in what ways are you strongest?

wheel of fortune: do you feel like you are a victim of fate?

justice: do you believe in karma, or that hard work manifests as success?

the hanged man: are you truly open-minded?

death: have you had to bury another version of yourself? what came out of it?

temperance: have you found a comfortable balance in your life?

the devil: do you have everything you want? why do you want it?

the tower: what was the last reason you really cried?

the star: are you an optimist? why or why not?

the moon: what are you hiding from yourself or from others?

the sun: what makes you happiest?

judgment: are you sure that you want your life to head in the direction that it is?

the world: are you satisfied? do you love life or do you just tolerate it?

bluewindsofrestoration

Eirika wrinkled her noise at him. “You actually had me worried! I thought our apartments were cursed with bugs.”

She raised an eyebrow at Ephraim’s choice of shirt. She had been half-asleep at the time, but hadn’t he said something about going out to eat? She wasn’t sure if a diner would allow someone with a tanktop to eat there.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, then. I wouldn’t want your back to get sore.” She was only half-joking. “You know, it would be fun if we had an actual sleepover. We could each fall asleep on one of my chairs, and watch movies.”

Oh damn. “Hah. Yeah, he recommended this science book to me.” Her heart, which had already been pounding from the supposed spider, beat faster.

But wouldn’t Ephraim notice that it was a journal? “Have you ever seen those books in college libraries that don’t have the title on them? It’s one of those.”

It was ironic that he mentioned Lyon, as her entries about him were one reason why Eirika wanted to keep it private. Reading them filled her with shame now:

Sometimes I worry about what would happen to Lyon if Ephraim and I ever moved away. Does he have other friends?

Maybe I should go to prom with him. It’s not like there’s anyone else he’d ask.

Lyon is my best friend, but he has this way about him that’s like a puppy.

Sure, the entries were teenage callousness that were meant to be caring, but what would Ephraim think if he read them? Or worse, what she had said about his disagreements with their father?

Ephraim had tossed the dairy back under the covers and sat up, looking at Eirika he gave a grin. It was so easy to toy with Eirika throughout the day. He stretched and sat up in her bed then fully. Tossing her pillow onto the floor, and then he sat up. Patting her back gently, he cocked his head. 

“So ya gonna come with me to the grocery store? I’m buying ya some groceries to compensate for me staying here during this time.” Ephraim grinned some and walked to her door and leaned on the doorway. “We can walk there unless you got a better way.” Ephraim folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot.

“Plus I’m hungry and I want a lot of meat in your freezer. And even then, I can cook dinner sometimes for you when you get home from work. Finish getting ready and come out to the living room.” Ephraim left her room and approached the couch where he slept. The blankets were in disarray and a complete mess. He started to fold the blankets and make it look nice and neat.

“Funny you should ask about walking. I’m actually thinking about buying a moped. Did you see the one on the balcony on corner property on the floor below? They probably shouldn’t be leaving that outside, where anyone could try some weird scheme to steal it or it can get damaged by the weather, but it gave me a chance to check it out.”

“You don’t have to do all that for me!” Eirika laughed. “Okay, I won’t complain if you do, though.”

“I can imagine that it would take some getting used to, yes.” She did not speak for a bit, preferring to focus on helping the stranger.

Eirika gestured at the pole. “I think if you move the pole back and forth, that will help.”

“It would be unwise to try swimming in freezing water, wouldn’t it? I do enjoy having a chance to relax on the beach, but there are downsides like sunburn. It’s much more enjoyable when you have company.” Given that the blonde was unaccompanied, Eirika was briefly concerned that she might be speaking too boldly.

Granted, she had been sitting by herself when the umbrella hit her…

The princess did not want to impose on the woman, naturally…

“Is your homeland covered in snow all year round, then?” Presumably they had food imported. “I am sure it has its own charms. I expect it’s beautiful in the morning night! Is travel difficult?”

“Yes, I’m afraid that would be very much unwise. The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus is a cold, rugged land. Even in the “summer” months, swimming in the waters would be very dangerous,” Ingrid explained, her words intended to be largely informative above all else, “although, I don’t have much experience with the ocean that is along Faerghus’s border. The territory that belongs to my house doesn’t include an ocean, only two rivers.” Upon completing her explanation, she followed Eirika’s instruction and moved the pole from side to side, wedging it deeper into the sand. Once it had sunk a few inches, Ingrid noted that it certainly seemed sturdier, moving far less in her grasp.

“Almost all months of the year, actually,” She replied with a small smile, drawing her hand away from the umbrella now that she was certain that it was no longer a beach hazard, “I won’t deny that it can be a very challenging place to live. However, I think the climate plays an important role in ensuring the land’s people are strong and adept. In that sense, I’m grateful for the place I was born.” 

For a moment, Ingrid paused the conversation, shifting her body beneath the shade provided by the umbrella. She had already been in the sun for quite a while already, and she was hoping to avoid sunburn or becoming too heated.

The stranger painted a vivid picture of her land, though Eirika was a bit puzzled by something she had mentioned. “You’ll have to forgive me for my ignorance, but what is an ‘aurora?’ A friend of mind may have mentioned something about it, or I must have seen it mentioned in a book somewhere, but I do not know what it is.”

“The neighboring country I mentioned previously also has Pegasi. They are marvelous creatures, though I do prefer horses. I imagine the most common horses in your land are built sturdy, and not for speed?”