an apple a day

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of loose quotes taken from various characters from hades (supergiant games). these quotes are from the first game of the series. writing/roleplaying prompts. from fluff to angst! feel free to edit as you see fit, especially since some are gendered.

While he avoided Sylvie's eyes, he sensed her out of his peripheral, hovering while she waited for her drink. "It probably doesn't help for me to tell you not to beat yourself up about it, right? I'd be a real hypocrite if I did. But... I mean, we're only human."

"You're right," he murmured. "It doesn't help...but thanks all the same."

Maybe "being human" was the problem. Carter always had larger than life expectations for himself, and he became frustrated and depressed whenever his lofty goals didn't pan out.

Sylvie finally returned his lukewarm pleasantries, and then she left, and that was that. He hated the strange emptiness that immediately followed her departure. While entertaining her casual conversation, it had been rather easy to pretend all was well, and that he had a modicum of a normal life, but with the young doctor returning to her table, to her friends, the stark reminder of everything he didn't have came launching up at his heart and snapped its hungry jaws.

With a shaky finger, Carter signaled to the bartender for another Manhattan.

--

Drinking alone had its advantages. Unfortunately for Carter, he wasn't about to experience any of those. Sylvie popped up at his side again, earnest and soft as she asked to join him.

For whatever reason, he found himself incapable of speech. Glancing up at her in wall-eyed silence, his brow creased while he watched her park herself on the adjacent bar stool, her body facing the front as she settled in.

"Mind?" he echoed. "Yes. I-I mean...no." Not that he had much choice. "Looks like you've already made yourself at home, so I'd be kind of a dick if I told you to pound sand."

Idly pushing his half-empty drink back and forth between his hands, Carter glanced her way, cautious. "Was this place even your first choice? Ah...Pittsburgh, not this bar. Seems a little rough around the edges for you."

"If you want me to go, I'll go." Her gaze finally found him for a moment, lips curved into a small smile to show that her words were genuine. There was no use sticking around if she wasn't truly wanted. "But I know if I were in your shoes, I'd like to have a friend with me."

The question caught her off guard, taking a moment to consider it - Nobody had asked her that before and Sylvie wasn't entirely sure she knew the answer herself. "I don't think I had a first choice. I just wanted to get as far from home as possible," came her explanation, before she then clarified: "Phoenix. So here seemed as good a place as any, and UPenn has a great med school, so..."

So it seemed like divine fate when she'd received her acceptance letter in the mail, the promise of a world away from her family name so sweet that it took all her might not to board the plane that very instant.

she glanced down at the papers as sylvie handed them over, already scanning the handwriting before looking back up at her. "seriously, no problem," she said easily. "i actually really enjoy working with the spanish-speaking patients." the relief on sylvie's face was enough to make her smile. "and i haven't seen my grandma in years, so you're actually doing me a favor. i can get my latina grandmother fix." the brunette chuckled softly before motioning for the other to lead the way.

andrea had seen plenty of providers get frustrated when communication became difficult. the fact that sylvie seemed more concerned about the patient being comfortable than about the inconvenience itself earned points in her book. "buenas tardes, good afternoon," she greeted gently as they entered the room. "me llamo andrea, soy una de las enfermeras my name's andrea, i'm one of the nurses. solo queríamos asegurarnos de entender bien sus síntomas y tener una idea clara de por qué vino hoy, así que vine para ayudar con la traducción. we just wanted to make sure we understood your symptoms and had a clear picture as to why you're here today, so i came to help with translating."

Leading Andrea back into the room, they were both greeted by the warm smile of Mrs Herrera, an expectant gaze upon the elderly woman's face. "All right, Mrs Herrera," Sylvie started. "I've brought Andrea to help out."

All that and more circled her mind on the brief walk into the doctor's lounge, lifting her chin and swallowing down her fear as Dr Robby turned to face her. Then... relief. His question earned a flicker of surprise, a moment of blinking as lips parted to scramble together an answer.

“I’m afraid I’m fresh out of taste,” he muttered. “But if this place is so off-putting, why are you here?”

There was no judgment in his tone, merely curiosity. And as she flashed him a sheepish grin, he found himself offering a ghost of a smile in return. “Five whole minutes?” he echoed, feigning horror. “Well… I’ve always been told I’m not much for following rules. Guess I'll have to disappoint you.”

Sylvie mentioned friends, and Carter discreetly glanced over her shoulder, curious to see what kind of company she kept. “You’re getting your last drink by yourself?” he asked. “Your friends couldn’t even see you off properly?”

Perhaps he was digging in the proverbial knife. It wasn’t any of his business — not really — and once she reciprocated with a question of her own, a slight grimace tore across his features. It was pretty pathetic being here by himself, but he hadn’t anticipated anyone might approach, and least especially not someone he (vaguely) knew.

“No,” he replied, praying his tone didn’t sound as miserable as he seemed. “I finished my rounds about thirty minutes ago, so I figured I’d top it off with some more bad decisions.” His chin stiffened somewhat. “I assume you heard about the grandmother who coded. I made a bad call.”

Carter always tried not to make these cases personal — really, he did — but dammit, whenever he’d seen Mrs. Overton on the table, he’d thought of his own grandmother, and his stomach had nearly folded in on itself, making it near impossible for him to react with a clear and level head.

“She was nearing the end of her life, anyway,” one of the med students had reassured.

It wasn’t the slightest bit comforting. Not to Carter, when he always felt as if he had something to prove.

Not wishing to dwell, he deflected, “Well, don’t let me keep you from your ‘bigger and better’ things. I wouldn’t wager a 'late-night pity party' is high on your to-do list. But, uh...” Here, he offered her a salute with his glass. "It was nice meeting you. Properly this time."

"I'm asking myself the same question," she replied, grin unfaltering before the bartender came into view. Hastily asking for one of their specials and tapping her card onto the machine, there was a moment of hesitation at the mention of her friends seeing her off - Looks like they were getting into personal territory. "No, its okay. We're not that close, really - They want to go off to some club thing and its not what I pictured for the night."

Although Sylvie had assumed that nobody was joining Carter, to hear that he was there alone still somehow surprised her, partially convinced that he had a friend or a date hidden away in the bathroom. And then... oh.

"Yeah, I heard. I'm... really sorry." Losing a patient was the most difficult part of the job, one that she was learning very quickly in her first real year as a doctor. "It probably doesn't help for me to tell you not to beat yourself up about it, right? I'd be a real hypocrite if I did. But... I mean, we're only human."

"It was nice meeting you. Properly this time."

If that wasn't a dismissal, Sylvie didn't know what was. A flash of surprise crossed her expression before the previous smile plastered back onto her lips, wrapping her hand around the glass as it was placed on the bar in front of her. "Yeah, definitely. It was nice to meet you too."

And then, without fully realising her feet had carried her away, she was back at the booth, not even trying to figure out the tail-end of the others' conversation. Her mind was on the man she'd just met, the heaviness that seemed to surround him weighing her down like lead, and she did everything she could not to glance back at him - There was no use giving her friends the wrong impression.

It wasn't even fifteen minutes later that the others were hugging her goodbye, pleas of "are you sure you don't want to come?" met with a firm nod of the head. With her jacket gathered under her arm, a fleeting glance was sent towards the bar, the sight of Carter right where she'd left him filling her with a sense of strange unease.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Well, its quieter here than down at the hub, so I could be tempted." A grin was sent to the other, the urge to stick her hand out in greeting only curbed by the fact her arms were, in fact, full. "Yeah. Sylvie. I've heard great things."

Great things. As in Dana calling him a sweet kid and Langdon not disagreeing was the epitome of a stunning reference, but it was good enough for Sylvie.

"She's good as gold, really. Dr Robby said he sent over her test results, but everything looks normal enough. She's taken formula like a champ and had a normal bowel movement, so she just needs monitoring until social services can find her a foster family. Estimation puts her at about three weeks, give or take."

The statement and question that followed made Ally chuckle. It wasn't the first time she was asked, and she was sure it wouldn't be the last; night shift was a special place and not everyone could handle it. But, for Ally, it felt way more comfortable than the day shift.

"I don't think I have a secret," she shrugged. "It's more...I don't know. It's hard to explain. The logistical answer is I like seeing the sun when I leave. When I did day shifts early on I woke up just as the sun was rising and by the time I left it was already set. That sucked. But I also really like the crew. Dr. Abbot is a great leader and teacher. Not that Dr. Robby isn't, but their styles are different, you know? And I like seeing all the different types of cases we get at night. It could be a kid with the stomach flu or a car accident or something insane I can't even think of."

if you are sending to a multi-muse, remember to specify the muse that the questions are being sent for . feel free to edit these as you see fit .

🌟 What’s something small they did as a child that hinted at who they’d become?

❤️ Who is the one person they’d drop everything for, no questions asked?

💔 What’s the one wound (physical / emotional) they’ll never fully recover from?

🗡️ What’s their “I’ve killed for less” trigger?

☀️ What’s their happiest childhood memory?

🌧️ What kind of weather matches their soul?

🍽️ What meal do they cook when they need to feel like themselves again?

🎶 What song instantly makes them emotional & why?

🌙 Do they sleep peacefully / fight nightmares every night?

🔒 What’s a secret they’ll take to their grave?

🪞 What do they secretly hate about their own appearance?

💪 What random skill are they weirdly proud of?

👶 Baby picture of them - what’s the most embarrassing thing about it?

🏠 Describe their home when no one’s watching—messy, spotless, chaotic cozy?

😭 What always makes them cry, even if they hate admitting it?

😂 What’s the dumbest thing they’ve ever laughed at for way too long?

🧸 Do they still have a childhood comfort object? Where is it now?

✏️ What nickname do they secretly love being called?

⚔️ How do they act when they’re furious but have to stay polite?

🩸 What’s the worst injury they’ve ever had & the story behind it?

🕊️ What would instantly calm them down in a panic attack?

🔥 What’s something they’d burn the world down to protect?

🌹 What scent reminds them of the person they loved/love most?

🪥 What’s their most oddly specific daily routine?

💔 What’s the one apology they’re still waiting for that’ll never come?

🃏 Are they the type to forgive / hold a grudge until the end of the universe?

🌌 What’s their biggest “what if” that keeps them up at night?

🦋 What was their “I’m not a kid anymore” moment?

🎭 Do they wear a mask in public? What’s the real them like underneath?

🧳 If they had to leave home forever with only one bag, what do they pack?

🌑 What’s the darkest thought they’ve ever had about themselves?

☕ What’s their comfort drink?

🖤 What’s a “villain” trait they actually possess?

🤝 Who is the one person they never want to disappoint?

🎁 What gift would utterly destroy them (in a good / bad way)?

🩹 How do they react when someone they love is hurt?

🌅 Are they a sunrise / sunset person - what do they think about while looking at their favorite?

🧣 What texture/clothing item makes them feel safe?

🦉 What piece of advice do they give everyone but never follow themselves?

🔪 What’s the most violent thing they’ve ever done for love / survival?

🦋 What seemingly insignificant memory do they cherish the most?

🌹 What is their love language & how badly do they need it right now?

🪨 What’s the hardest choice they’ve ever made?

🧋 What food/drink do they hate that everyone else loves?

🕰️ If they could relive one day of their life, which would it be?

👑 In their own story, are they the hero / villain / someone else entirely?

🌡️ What temperature do they keep their home at & why?

🧸 What would their younger self think of them now?

💌 What’s the letter / text they’ll never send?

a collection of quotes, phrases, and sayings from the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie, Now You See It. change & alter as needed.

"What I'm about to show you was never, ever meant to be seen."

"Make sure they spell your name right in the credits."

"The secret to any good trick is misdirection."

"Okay, so I'm not the best at making friends."

"I've tried pretending I'm into lip gloss and text messaging and hanging out at the mall. I just can't ever seem to pull it off."

"No, I can do this, all right? I can do this."

"This really matters to you, huh?"

"You're my last chance."

"They've been scamming us from the start."

"You could come up with something like that again, right?"

"Remember, you never know how strong your magic is until you test it."

"Wait a minute! We're not done talking here!"

"Right now, the only heartbreaking obstacle in my life is you."

"Look, there's things about me you're not gonna understand no matter how much we talk."

"A magician's greatest asset is the ability to think in unusual ways."

"So, uh, [name], now that you've done all this intense-but-not-very-interesting-to-watch thinking, anything you'd like to hop up and show us?"

"Have I mentioned you're making it hard for me to concentrate?"

"It might help if you try cluing me in, you know."

"I'm not the enemy, you know."

"Don't be a freak."

"I think you're hiding something."

"If something's going on, maybe I can help."

"I need to sort this out myself."

"I've got a feeling we might actually really like each other if we didn't have to be in combat mode every second."

"Can we try calling a truce for a minute or two?"

"It's past curfew. It's dark. We're gonna get caught."

"Could you please tell me what you're doing?"

"I can't believe you figured this out."

"Uh, guys, I don't think this is such a good idea."

"This place gives me the creeps."

"Have I mentioned that I'm a little claustrophobic?"

"It's not like anything bad is gonna happen, right?"

"Can someone please explain to me what just happened?"

"Things just keep getting stranger by the second."

"A good magician never reveals the secrets of his tricks."

"What if he actually has magical powers?"

"Do you have any idea how crazy you sound?"

"I don't know how I did it. I don't understand anything about any of this. These things just happen to me."

"You're really learning how to play this game, aren't you?"

"No one knows better than a professional magician what nonsense real powers are."

"Whatever way it ends up, it's just gonna be a complete disaster for me."

"Wait, you don't... you don't honestly think you have real powers, do you?"

"Look, I need to explain something to you, but you've got to promise me that you will just sit there quietly and let me get through it."

"I'm a freak. I'm a freak."

"It didn't just appear. I made it appear."

"But how is any of that possible?"

"I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what's wrong with me."

"I can't control my magic, [name]. I don't know how or when things are going to happen. They just do."

"That must be so scary for you."

"Maybe what you need more than anything is just one person who's really gonna believe in you."

"Isn't that what friends are for?"

"You've got nothing to lose, [name]."

"It's common for the powers to first appear around the time of puberty."

"Are you up to it, [name]? Tell us. Are you up to it, or not?"

"Instead of going for far-fetched answers, why don't we look at a more logical explanation right in front of us?"

"I guess it walked up here all by itself, didn't it?"

"[Name], wait! You can't run away from me!"

"Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it."

"You actually had me fooled for a minute there."

"You're exactly like everybody else I've ever known -- setting me up to make me look like a fool."

"Did you ever stop to think that maybe this has nothing to do with you?"

"You know what? Tell it to someone who cares."

"Sorry I was ever lame enough to imagine we were friends."

"Now you see it, now you don't."

"[Name], I know all about you. I know about your struggles, I know about your confusion, and I know about your powers."

"I didn't find you. You found me."

"If I'm so great and magical, then how come my powers are always totally out of my control?"

"[Name], I have felt every single thing that you've been feeling. I was exactly like you, alone and afraid."

"That's where you are, [name]. You're home."

"We'll work on it. We'll work on it together. That's what mentors are for."

"He's the only one that truly understands me."

"For the first time in forever, I'm feeling like a normal kid."

"Show them. Show them what you're really all about."

"Please, you have to believe me. I know what I saw and heard."

"You're probably just overwrought and overworked. We've been asking a lot of you."

"No, you can't do this to me!"

"Save it, okay? You had your chance to speak up, and you didn't."

"I mean, how was I supposed to believe you, huh?"

"You have no idea how happy I've been lately, feeling like a normal kid for the first time in years."

"If you want my opinion, I think what you really came here searching for was to find somebody who could accept you as you are."

"We're in this together now, [name]. I'll be right there with you."

"Isn't that kind of like cheating?"

"We can do great things together, [name]. Don't let me down. I'm counting on you."

"I've been there, and I'm not interested in going back."

"Please listen to me. I really don't want to see you get hurt."

Remaining curled over a Manhattan and nursing it like his life depended on it -- hell, who was to say it didn't? -- he only turned his head when he was inexplicably gripped by the urge to look over his shoulder.

To his surprise, he saw one of his coworkers, a first-year resident named Dr. Sylvie Monroe, if he recalled correctly, and not exactly someone he wanted to run into in a place like this.

Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately, depending on how one looked at it), Sylvie brightened when they locked eyes, and she gave him a chipper wave. "I didn't take you for a 'terrible bar on a Friday night' kinda guy."

Unbidden, Carter snorted, an incredulous smile tugging into place. "Yeah?" he asked, swiveling toward her on his stool. "Then what 'kind of guy' would you take me for? The straight and narrow?" Definitely not anymore. "Do I need to be home by ten? I have at least until midnight before I turn into a pumpkin."

Appraising her, a hint of unease still prickled at the back of his neck. People already gossiped about him. Not exactly in a malicious nature, so much as out of curiosity, so he dreaded what Sylvie and the others at PMTC might have heard. He'd made a point not to talk about his attack at County General, but it wasn't as if a quick Google search wouldn't unearth article after article of "Chicago's Golden Boy" getting knifed in the kidney, and then his young med student coding as a consequence to his ineptitude.

Carter blinked up at Sylvie, wondering if he should offer her a spot to sit down. It would've been polite, but it seemed that even basic manners had been cut out of him. Crippling back pain, rehab, and therapy had become his new normal, so he wasn't exactly going to be the poster child for Mr. Congeniality anytime soon.

What kind of guy would she take him for? Considering they'd uttered all of two words to each other before this fateful meeting, she could honestly say that he'd stumped her there, a guilty grin gracing her lips as she shrugged it off. "I don't know, someone with taste? And if you're aiming for a ten o'clock curfew then I'm sorry to say you're over by five whole minutes."

There was a beat, two seconds of silence wherein Sylvie opened her mouth to make her excuses, before another question was sent her way. "Oh, no - I'm here with friends. But they're about to go on to bigger and better things, so I'm just grabbing my last drink before I call it a night." The promise of her own apartment was calling like a siren, a mental plan to put on some terrible TV and heat up some mac and cheese forming as she stood.

The idea that she'd be out on a Friday night with the nurses almost earned a laugh, a shake of the head replacing it. No, they weren't friends like that, not outside of work. It was difficult enough trying to form any sort of connection with anyone whilst on shift, what with the fact she got pulled away from every conversation before it could finish.