part of that world

“ Well, I like that it’s a win-win now. I’d have hung out with a squirrel for free, but hey! I don’t have to, which makes it even more a plus. I — woah, I don’t think there’s anything I can add to that! You’ve got all the dramatic bases covered, what with souls, and memory loss, and two happy cries, not to mention the whole window thing. I wonder what it is I shout? Ah, I guess I’ll just have to wait to find out. I see now how many problems would be solved if our future selves weren’t pining, or being noble, but alas, we can’t change the potential future. “

“Exactly, you’ll have to wait for the end of our movie to know what you’ll say! Or else it isn’t very exciting if you already know...although, it’s weird. That’s the one part of the story I can’t make up. Even if I think about it, I can’t make it up because I have no idea what happened before the accident besides the pining. Were there milkshakes shared? Playlists made? Was there a speech that was talking about me but disguised as a talk about someone else? Plus, even though I’m the screenwriter, it’s hard to write stuff for you to say besides the basics because otherwise I’d be like ‘is this what Steve would say?’ and start to be afraid I’m writing you all wrong. Or can we? I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Only the Fates can do that, and they can be pretty hard to persuade sometimes. You gotta ask them in just the right way, otherwise, they’ll turn you down like Narcissus dissed Echo!”

“ Ah, so it’s a lucrative poker game. I’d try and ask if there were an in for me, but I’m afraid I have the worst poker face; not just in poker, just in general. It’s the curse of all that damn trustworthiness hiding away in there. I’m sorry! I can pretend to pull back a little bit — hey! What if I pine, while you pine, and then in the end we realize it was all some cute misunderstanding while music plays in the background? Huh? It seems like a good idea to me. I like the sound of your dad then, he’s got the right idea. We might have to capitalize on ‘em, since I can’t play poker like some of us apparently can. Let me tell you then, they do their job and do it well. We can drink tea! I think it’s all the jungle-y bits, you know, since tea uses leaves, which are sort of like jungle-y bits. “

“It’s okay, you’ll end up getting some of my winnings for squirrel-sitting, so it’s not a complete loss! Oh, good, good, I like where this is going. What if, when the music starts playing, we happy cry and run in slow motion to the other--but then! Bam! A car hits you! And it’s horrible! So we go to the hospital! And you’re in a coma, because, you know, you were hit by a car, but your soul comes to me and is like ‘I wish I had told you sooner,’ and it’s really sad--but then! A miracle! You wake up! But, you have amnesia! So, you can’t remember all the pining, and it’s really sad because you’re like ‘who’s that girl?’ and I cry because I want you to know, but if I tell you, you might sacrifice stuff for me and I want you to live the best life possible, so I leave, still crying--of course. So, time goes on, and we start living our own lives again, and then we meet in like a grocery store or something--a park! That’s more romantic. Okay, so we meet in a park, and I seem familiar to you, but you don’t know why, and I don’t tell you because, you know, there’s no drama then. So then, we keep accidentally meeting in random places and your feelings start to grow all over again and one night you run to my apartment and you’re like ‘Hey! Nev!’ and so I open my window and there you are and you shout something that you only would have remembered from before the accident and I start crying and you climb the fire escape and we both happy cry again and it’s a really nice ending with more music playing in the background!”

He rolled his eyes, “ I’m sure you are. ” He spoke through gritted teeth.

“Has anyone ever told you what a strong jaw you have? Look at it!” She held up her spoon as a quasi-mirror, “What a jaw! You should clench your teeth all the time, it really emphasizes it.”

[ brian peered over the edge of the spiraling staircase, getting lost in thought. being a seven year, he thought he knew what he would be doing with his life. instead, he had no clue and was terrified to go home to an abusive household. sighing, he missed his fellow student come up behind. they shoved him, causing him to lose his breath. he slid down to the floor, head between his knees. ]

Nevaeh was joyfully skipping back to the Hufflepuff common room after an especially riveting Herbology class when she spotted a familiar figure on the ground. Brian? Concerned, she quickly approached him, “Brian...” plopping down onto the floor, “it’s me, Nev! Are you okay?” Taking a closer look at him, there was something about his demeanor that led her to ask the question with a softer tone, “Are you okay?”

“ Thank you! Y’know, aside from always feeling like I had a ‘Steve’ jawline, I’ve felt that I have a squirrel personality. Yes! If I can’t be a squirrel, I would love to be friends to one. They just seem like the best people — er, squirrels. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on poker night. Seems like something important, and I’m sure your future squirrel wouldn’t want you missing out. I love the word skiddadled! I’m glad you feel that way. I hope it isn’t too soon to admit that I’ve felt the same ever since we met; though I suppose you didn’t skiddadle into my life, I still skiddadled into yours…but that’s semantics. The bottom line is that we’ve both got the sort of faces people would pay good money to use in their commercials. I’m sure. Takes guts to even blink, and look at you all fluttering! It’s very impressive, I hope you know. I’m all for George of the Jungle. “

“It’s very important, that’s how I’m providing for myself since I can’t find a real job. Being in the Program makes it hard to do anything like that. Oh whoa, yeah, you might need to slow down a little bit. I’m not ready for reciprocated feelings. You see, I’ve got to pine a little bit before I’m comfortable with mutual appreciation. Semantics shmantics! That’s what my dad always says. Hmmm, that’s true. We might have to capitalize on that because after all, not everyone has faces like ours. Oh, why, thank you! That’s the goal with these lashes, to seem fancy and impressive, so it’s good to know they pay off for something. Sounds perfect. Can we have some tea while we watch it too? I don’t know, but there’s something about that movie that makes me feel like drinking tea.” 

More than okay, why wouldn’t I be? I am as comfortable with someone from the Underworld as I am with someone in their underwear. Not that I spend time with people in their underwear but if I were to –– the point I’m trying to make is that I think it’s superb no matter where you originate from. Oh I’m no writer, I used to write journal entries that got a bit carried away but that was years ago, I keep them concise and in codes since you never know whose hands it could fall into.  It is a perfect word and it suits you! Reminds me of noodles – are you a noodle eater? I hope you are here all year, and with hundreds of years to follow! I wish I spent more time swimming, I’ve never swam in an ocean, only lakes or rivers. Or ponds. Do you enjoy ice fishing?

“ I know if I were a squirrel, I’d be happy with any nickname. If you do get one to keep around you, do you think I’d be able to chill out with it from now and again? I’d make a great squirrel sitter too, for your nights out. In that case, I promise I’ll always remember to comfort you when needed. The last thing I would want is for anything to be over! I’ll be sure to keep my brownies and cookies handy. Yikes. Poke you in the eye? That sounds hardcore. I don’t know if I could do it, even with your help applying them. What if I blink and they cause some freak blinking accident? All of those sound like good options — really worthy of the trees’ memories. Though The Lorax sounds like it’d hit too close to home for that occasion. Maybe some other time. “

“You’d make a cute squirrel. Of course! We’d welcome the company. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t wanna have no friends at all! I’d be happy for you to hang out with me and my squirrel. Oh, yes, a squirrel sitter is important. After all, I’ve got weekly poker night to go to on Fridays. Thank you, I had a feeling I’d be able to count on you from the moment you skiddadled into my life. I may be the local ‘trustworthy’ face, but I’m pretty sure you could’ve carried the same title. It takes time to get used to them, but a freak blinking accident reminds me of that movie where the older woman is teaching her granddaughter to be coy and they use fans and she flutters her eyelashes and it was funny. It was kinda like this--” She does an exaggerated impression of Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries 2. “Yes, yes, George of the Jungle might be the most appropriate without being sad.” 

Of the Underworld, if I’m not mistaken? That makes two of us now! Not from the Underworld, just the loving. Though, now that I’m thinking about it, I’d be honored to visit at any point in time. You think so? I just came up with it on the spot, I’ve never viewed myself as a way-with-words type of person. My sister Harlem, she’s got a way with words I’ll tell you that. She’s a real reader she is. Yes, yes I do feel you! What an astute way to handle it, I would’ve set an outrageous goal like uh going to the…I don’t know, the next planet over. Or drinking milk. Snaps for that way of thinking, I agree!

Yeah...actually. And you’re...you’re okay with that? Me being from the Underworld? Well, she might be a great reader, but you seem to be a great writer! Although I don’t doubt she’s great at writing too, but I’m just saying, you’ve got the special spice--the creativity. Creativity is important, makes life more fun, and you seem to have oodles of it! Isn’t that a good word? Oodles? It’s probably one of my favorites. Ahhh, thank you, thank you! I’ll be here all year! See, now that there’s no obligation to do a resolution, there’s a bunch of time to do other fun things like climbing trees or swimming!

“ If it’s any help, I’m sure the squirrel will forgive you for it. Squirrels don’t seem like they’d mind a bad nickname that much. But I will definitely come over for cookies and hugs — now that I know the consequences, over, for real? — though I may have to mix up every now and then and bring brownies. Hey, there we go. I’m sure those take a lot of time to put on, right? Fake eye-lashes, those are something I’m sure I wouldn’t be brave enough to try. I’m all for delegating and watching a movie instead! Those trees may have it coming, a little bit, but that’ll be after Higgins is gone and I’m sure I won’t have the heart for them right after that tragic loss. What sort of movies do you think’ll fit the occasion? A fun food-fight sounds fun, alright; I think I might have to leave my family this coming Thanksgiving, spend my time with the rag-tag group. Nah, my real family’s a little strange, so this all definitely sounds way more fun.“

“Yeah, squirrels are just happy to have some attention. I wonder if I could keep one in my room...of course, I’d take it outside because it wouldn’t want to live indoors. But it could stay the night. Yes, over! I need someone dependable and won’t waste my time on some kid who can’t even remember to comfort his friend! Brownies would be acceptable. They do--actually. Sometimes they poke you in the eyes if you’re not careful enough. Well, if you ever wanted to be brave enough, I could help you apply them! Hmmm...The Lorax, George of the Jungle, Into the Woods...something that will pay homage to the fallen trees because that’s only respectful.”

“I’ve heard. Actually’ve been taking turns with my deceased relatives to participate and carry the name of our family on but never have been quite the athletic one. Kira’d still beat me in a second if she were here, which I’m grateful that she isn’t because that makes me the star. All the other Yus have been dead for so long they can’t remember how to move properly anymore.” The river ahead silvered with ancient blood flowing into the gods’ veins, sacred liqueur not meant for deities. A long, not quite yet lost tone of despair painting away the red – the mortal life being washed by holy envy. Sweetened daughter of death could only do so much in order to deafen the eternal thirst for suffering. Zhen, however, wouldn’t be the one to tell her, he would never. “Is Hades okay with you taking charge? Last time he’s got enraged by you bringing me here, if I well remember.”

“Are you kidding me? He practically forced me to take his seat! I was like ‘whoa, Dad, chill out!’ you know, cause his hair was getting real big.” She joked. “He and mom really needed some time off, and with her restrictions being lifted, the timing was right.” It took an effort from all three of them to convince Zeus to lighten up. Hades hadn’t made any evil plans since getting married, Persephone had been nothing but kind to all so she didn’t really have to persuade anyone, and Nev created a play depicting how she would rule the Underworld in her parents’ absence. It took some time, but they succeeded, and the little hell family had a party down under that night. “Well, he only really got upset because he has some beef with your dad, but, I mean, who doesn’t? He warmed up to you after some time.”

“ Well, I know we’ve just met, but I’m letting you know right now, I’ll always be there for you when you manage to well and truly fail at nicknames. Always — that’s a promise I expect you to hold me to, too. Aw, but don’t ruin your eyelashes! I’m never going to stop encouraging you, so we wouldn’t them to fail us so early on. Oh, that they will. I’ll personally see to the trees myself once Higgins is gone. Or, maybe I’ll delegate. I wouldn’t want to have to see the trees get all ruined, not personally. Damn — alright, it really does look as if our families aren’t really the same. You had me going there for a couple of minutes, I have to admit. But in the end, I always have preferred the rag-tag group of misfits sort of family. Much more fun. Way less food thrown at thanksgiving. A win-win all around. “

“I will hold you to it. In the middle of the night, when I come up with a really bad nickname for a squirrel, I’ll expect you to come over with cookies and hugs. If you don’t, you can consider us to be over. That’s sweet--Steve. I’ll try and keep them together, you know, since we’ve got a long time they need to hold up for. Delegating would be good...actually, I’d hate to see them destroyed too so I might have to stay with you in headquarters when that happens. Maybe we could watch a movie or something. That would be a nice way to distract. Exactly! And even if there is food thrown at Thanksgiving, it’s because the gang of misfits wanted to have a fun food fight! So, it’s definitely more fun than regular family! Well, depending on the family, I guess.”

“ Ooh, yeah, I’ve definitely had better nicknames. That’s alright, you tried your best and that’s all that matters. I like Steve! Honestly though, who needs oxygen. Those trees aren’t giving us anything we want, not anything we need. Though I guess my new dad needs it…alright, I’ll allow it, the trees can keep on giving oxygen. This one time, no more compromises after this. Well! Okay, I see that it’s obvious now. I just thought, since we were family. It must be our moms that are the same. I’ll have you know, I’ve never known my mother. “

“Thank you. I really appreciate your support. It’s hard when you’re not the best at making up nicknames, and you being here for me means a lot. Really. I’m tearing up, which I can’t do because these fake lashes don’t work well with crying. But it’s hard not to when I’m so overwhelmed by your encouragement. Sounds good! Once old Higgins leaves Junglewood, or dies, whichever comes first, those trees will meet their makers! Is that right? Then we possibly can’t have the same mother because mine has always been faithful and true. I’m afraid I have to admit something: when I said ‘family’, I didn’t mean it literally. I meant more along the lines of a rag-tag group of strangers coming together to make their own family. Not actual biological family.”

reblog and add your results!

“ I believe it. Why wouldn’t I believe something like that, coming from the ‘trustworthy face girl’? Ah, right, yes, I remember. Well, I bet that dad would forgive me, too. Bad reception in Junglewood, I hear, what with all the nature interfering with phone lines — the nerve on some of those trees, am I right? Okay, forgive me for being slow here, but you said we were each other’s family now! Are you sure we don’t have the same dad? “

“Mmm, you catch on quick, Skiddley! No...no, I take that nickname back. It sounds gross. You’ll just be plain old ‘Steve.’ You’re so right! Those trees don’t have any respect. Like, what are they doing? Providing oxygen? Pft! Who needs it? Certainly not I. Or you. Although, Higgins does, so maybe it’s okay that he’s there. Do you honestly think we have the same dad? Are you blind? Obviously, my father is a redhead.”

“ Ah, I knew there was a trustworthy look about your face! I was running, skidding really, across the floor over there and I thought — that girl, she looks like she can help me out. I would never. I’m sure my dad would understand that I’m living a life off the grid now; I mean, what dad? Do we even have a dad? Sweet, though, I always thought I had the jawline of a Steve, thanks for noticing. “

“I can see why you’d think that. Believe it or not, I’m known as the town’s ‘trustworthy face girl’. Shhhhh, Steve. Don’t mention that dad again. You have a new dad now, his name is Higgins Waterbottom and he lives out in Junglewood because he wanted to be closer to nature. We don’t have the same dad though, that would be weird. You’re welcome! I guess Wiggins did well in naming you.”

i completely understood. ivy leagues and my future are what is most important to me, therefore knowledge is the correct answer here !! and i do not know who ares is, nor do i really care, although he seems to have some sense

For someone who’s obsessed with knowledge, you think you’d know basic mythology. But that’s cool. I’ll just be my ignorant self, learning from the world around me and not just books. It’s silly to think a person can actually become smart by doing something other than reading. I don’t know how I ever could have thought that way. Looks like I have no future...this is a sad day for Nevaeh.