deernet | video: un; an.observer

WH AAAA TTT.

[Luz is actually in awe of this amazing and wonderful news. A. Used. Bookstore. WITH COMICS!!

I'm there! Wow! There are some cool places opening up lately!

Aw, only three hours on the weekend? That's a shame, I'd want to stay there for a while!

Hey! [she waves, grinning.

so many books and comics. she's been haunting the docks every time boats from other places arrive, buying up every book, graphic novel, and manga volume that she can, slowly accumulating them in the green house]

Yeah, I know! It's really cool, it's a good sign that we're in it for the long haul. I still wish some people from home would show up, but I need to try and make a life for myself.

Well, I figured people like their weekends, so I was afraid of being open too late, then. I figured it might be hard enough as it is to get a couple of employees, so I didn't want to stick them with the lousy shift--weekends.

[Cool, it was here again, and she ran a bookstore! YES]!

That can be hard. I came to the first town with someone from my world, and then several months later, she woke up. It was a pretty rough time.

But trust me, you'll make a life here. It's easier than you think!

I know, but I'm kinda greedy! If it were up to me, I'd beg for at least five hours instead of three!

How many employees do you have?

[she does! she loves bookstores, would much rather spend hours wandering the shelves at a local bookstore than click around on Amazon]

Oh. Oh, no. That's pretty bad. That sucks.

Well...I'm trying? I know I need to make myself be more social, that the worst thing which can happen is that they don't like me, but...I've never been what anyone would call "cool." To put it mildly.

Ooooh, do you have a job which lasts past five? Maybe I can set up extra hours on the weekend on an appointment system?

I have one prospective employee. What about you? Do you need a better or different job?

It wasn't great, no. Luckily, there are always people who want to help, so day by day, it starts to get a little easier.

I mean, isn't subjective? You're running a bookstore and a comic store, and that is incredibly cool to ME. Maybe you're just an acquired taste?

[Luz knew quite a bit about that].

I DID, but...my employer doesn't seem to be around lately. That'll probably give me free time now.

[She really REALLY hoped she saw Lysithea soon. She missed her].

I mean, not going to lie, working at a bookstore is sort of a dream job. It's also a little less dangerous, since it barely requires me to fly.

[Not that she minded doing flying delivery, but a bookstore? Wow].

I guess that's all we can ask. Day by day.

[and she looks genuinely surprised and pleased to hear that] Well. Maybe I am? That could work. Like lemon candies, they're sour at first, but then they're sweet?

[not that she'd describe herself as sour, exactly? maybe tofu would've been a better example, bland until you added some spices or sauce to it?]

Oh. Oh, really? That's got to be kind of nerve-wracking and upsetting. [even though those two were practically the same thing, way to go, Lexi]

Mine, too. Especially a bookstore like that, people wouldn't go unless they were genuinely interested in finding something good? And comics and manga. But, you can fly? Seriously?

[she was hoping people would be interested!]

Pretty much?

Sure, but I always liked the sour part, you know? It's a challenge to keep in your mouth, but once you acquire a liking to it, you really get to craving it!

[Personally, being sour was a perfect analogy for Luz]!

It is. She was also a good friend of mine, so I hope she comes back soon. Her sweets are to die for!

[That was just shameless advertising, though Luz really was worried about Lysithea not coming back].

And if you have a decent enough collection, people will eventually find something they want!

Yup! As a bird or on a staff!

So do I! I love anything sour, Sour Patch Kids, Lemonheads, mini SweetTarts, all of that kind of stuff. Always have.

[for her, too. and sour ale, which she found here. there was a blueberry and pomegranate ale in---what was its name, the lounge which only allowed women. anyway. very tasty]

Then I definitely want her to come back. Sweets aren't exactly common around Trench. And it's awful, because sometimes I get a craving for one of those iced chocolate pies--like the apple and cherry ones, only chocolate pudding. And I can't find anything like it around. Does she take requests?

[it didn't come across as shameless advertising, even if it got Lexi interested in the other girl's services]

I hope so! Gosh, I've been building up collections almost since I arrived. Only no "Fifty Shades of Grey" allowed! I use any copies of that as liners for Nosferatmew's litter box.

Wow. So cool.

Heh, you just named a bunch of my favorite candies! Kinda wish we had some of them here, to be honest.

[Ah yes, places Luz was likely not able to go because of her age. Oh well].

Lysithea not only takes requests, she bakes them herself! She's quite the perfectionist too: she won't rest until the customer thinks its as delicious as she does!

[Luz missed her a lot, honestly. There were less witches around than one would think].

Ah, great! Ugh, I've...heard about that book and its sequels. No accounting for bad taste for some people, I guess.

It is! If I do say so, it's also really fun!

So do I. You never realize how hooked you are on your local convenience store until it's no longer convenient. Or anywhere near here.

[Lexi's sixteen, she'd just squared her shoulders and marched on in there, acting like she knew what she was doing. after all, her mom let her drink within reason? though, Suze wasn't the typical mother]

Oh, wow. Now I'm really tempted to order a Key Lime pie. Mom and Cassie can't stand it, so I only get it when they have those little mini-pies at the grocery store.

[that had been a thing she'd noticed, that most people didn't have any powers until they came here and had a plethora shoved onto them]

I tried reading the first, just to find the grammatical errors? And even then, I only made it one chapter in before throwing it at the wall. But yeah, people seem to love it? So, um. Go, them?

I'm so jealous. I always wanted to fly, Superman made it look so cool in the movies.

That's so true. Couldn't even get an authentic taste of tostones if I tried.

[No plantains, and she missed that little bit of home with her mother.

Luz wondered if she'd ever understand why anyone drank. She was still a girl who knew she liked sweet things and certain teas. Alcohol just didn't TASTE good to her and knowing it impaired you didn't seem like a plus to Luz].

Ooh, good choice! Now I want one, especially since its getting warmer now!

[It was at least not so strange to Luz, though she knew she was still getting lax in her own development there. She still had her OWN magical glyphs to excel in, which had come to her before Trench].

It's just silly. The whole idea of what was happening sounds so demeaning and badly written. I don't think I'll ever really get some of what people find compelling writing.

[She'll stick to her proto fantasy heroines, thank you].

Oh, I don't look anywhere as cool as him! I still ride a staff, and you have to take into account wind current sometimes. It can be a real pain!

But Owlbert is a great Palisman, so it's never gotten too bad!

Tos--oh my god, I'm going to mangle the pronunciation, I studied German, but. I know they're a South American dish. A good one?

[she misses Cassie. and Suze. so many times, Lexi was left to pick up the messes they left behind and let them cry on her shoulder or rant to them, but. she still misses them.

she didn't drink to that point, only a beer or two and she was done. no, her mother and sister were the ones who consumed entire bottles of wine in less than an hour]

Yes! I know, can you believe it! Spring is springing! At last! I have no idea if anyone makes those pies, though, or if I could pull it off if I had the recipe.

[she knows she needs to ask fellow Darkbloods how they learned how to wield (and control) their own powers, but she doesn't like appearing weak, despite her chronic uncertainty]

I think those books set women's lib back by about fifty years. Fifty shades of sexual discrimination, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby.

[and Lexi to her super-heroines. they may be drawn to an impossible standard, but they still could kick some ass, even in high heels and a boob window]

Still, I'm going to imagine cool and no one can stop me. [and. was that flirty? maybe a tiny bit]

Palisman. That's adorable. In a good way!

Well, Caribbean, really, but I'm sure they make it in South America too, or maybe their own version? I probably need to look that up too. But yes, it's delicious! Fried plantain with a little salt and some garlic is a perfect side dish!

[Was she a little biased there? Certainly! And she wasn't going to judge when it came to who drank, she just knew it was not a thing she thought she could see herself doing].

Maybe that'll be a challenge we can do for ourselves! I mean, its not hard to make a pie crust, you just need to hunt around for the filling!

Ugh, I hear you. And yet she made so much money. I'll never understand the general public.

[Luz had her own group of heroines to look up to, certainly she wouldn't begrudge a boob window in the name of being cool and kicking butt]!

In that case, I'll take it! Not everyday someone actually calls you cool!

[Can Luz detect flirty? If only she thought she had any swag like that, but she DID blush at the praise. She was only human]!

Oh, he's the best! Loyal friend, sweet as can be and a great staff!

Sorry? I didn't mean to, you know, make assumptions. But that sounds really good, I love garlic in just about anything, though I've never had plantains before.

[understandable. and for the most part, she knew very well that she'd have to hold herself to a strict standard. addiction was on both sides of her family]

That would be fun. Really fun. And the ships bring in all kinds of things, maybe I can make a request for key limes the next time I'm there.

Me neither. I mean, I guess there's no accounting for taste, but there's taste and there's dear god, what were you thinking?

[she loved her comic book heroines, but hadn't felt comfortable talking about it back home becuase it would be another side she was a hopeless nerd]

Same here. But you can fly and that takes magic or super-powers. Both of which are very cool.

[and Lexi was too awkward to be blatantly flirty. a completely awkward ~~turtle~~ hedgehog]

Then it sounds like you have a great friend here. Probably one of many.

Edited 2022-05-27 15:48 (UTC)

Hey, no worries! They still speak Spanish down there! Honestly, I'm actually surprised you didn't say Mexican. That always seems the default in America?

Oh. Now I'm really sad there aren't any Plantains! Tostones are amazing!

[That was a bummer. Luz knew those traits could be passed off to kids. She'd read that in a few fics].

Ooh, nice! Maybe I should start looking up a recipe now!

I mean, not that I'm into, well, the themes, but if you were going to read about S&M, aren't there much better books? Written well?

[Luz herself was a hopeless nerd, though she was starting to think she didn't get to show it much lately].

Oh, its technically magical wood, in a way. But you still need to learn how to steer and keep yourself balanced while you're flying. It's a little like riding a bike, I think! Rocky at first and you crash a little, but then you get the hang of it!

[When you get stuck in the forest by the bat queen who makes you go through trials so you forge a closer bond]!

But thanks! It is pretty cool!

[Aw, hedgehogs! Luz heart eyes this]!

Oh, I do! But Owlbert's been with me through a LOT. In some ways, he's like another omen. Of course, he's also not mine, but that's another story.

Edited 2022-05-27 17:11 (UTC)

Yeahhhhh. And recent events [read, MAGA] haven't helped. But Spanish-speaking nations are as varied as English-speaking ones, it would be a lot of not cool if I assumed Mexican.

Maybe there will be some on the ships? I've...never really interacted with them, other than to get books, manga, comics, and the occasional hamburger.

[definitely. which is why Lexi stuck to two beers and none of the mushrooms. just to be safe]

Well, I can't let you do this alone. If I'm going to eat a pie, I'd like to help bake it, too.

Um. If you're looking for kink, Anne Rice's erotica novels are filled from top to bottom with kink. [a pause] I might have found my mom's copies under some shoeboxes.

[and there was nothing wrong with being a hopeless nerd! take it from Queen Nerd herself.

Lexi giggles] I'll take your word for it. I'll probably never be in a situation where I found out. But why is everything compared to riding a bike?

[also something way beyond Lexi's experience. but she's been close to death more times than she wants to think about, but bat queens? not so much]

Another story? I have time?

I'll bet. Things tend to get a bit messy when it comes to people not wanting others around them.

[Luz understood this as not only a Latina, but a neurodivergent and an LGBTA teen. Still, she was grateful for the effort on her friend's part].

I don't think they have everything from our world, so I'm not holding my breath. The best I could do might be to come up with a close alternative.

[Luz, of course, would keep her tea and hot chocolate, the spiciest of beverages]!

Together! Cool, I'd like that!

[And here, Luz turned really REALLY red].

Well. I think I'm not quite ready for that yet. As far as anything close to that goes, I'm...well, inexperienced.

[Never dated, never kissed, that whole thing. Being a misfit in school and then jumping worlds tended to have its drawbacks. As for Anne Rice, Luz had been curious once about something she wrote under a pseudonym with Sleeping Beauty in the title.

DEFINITELY had to put those books back because she was sure she'd melt with how red she got upon reading a little.

Yes! Nerds unite]!

Because when you first ride a bike it's the hardest thing! You're trying to balance yourself and get the grip right, and you fail all the time! Once you understand how to maintain that balance, you're pretty much on easy street!

[Right, right. People could sometimes come from normal places, Luz].

He belongs to my mentor, the person who took care of me when I world hopped the first time. The second time it happened, she was there again, and was still taking care of me, but then she "woke up." She left her Palisman with me though, so that's why I have Owlbert here with me. She carved him and is loyal to her, but he looks after me now, and he lets me ride him.

That's for sure. I'd like to think that things will get better, but that's a pretty big if.

[it was the least Lexi could do, be considerate. and she tended to be the peacemaker back home, but Cassie clearly had something bad going on and wouldn't trust Lexi to help her. which was equal parts frustrating and painful]

A close alternative is better than nothing at all? Besides, it's still early in the year, there might be some as we get into summer. So I guess that's a reason to be hopeful.

[when Luz turns red, Lexi felt herself turning red as well, the heat of the blush in her cheeks nearly scorching]

...um. So am I? If that helps? I had a crush on my best friend for years, but she's dating someone else. Which sucks, but her girlfriend is really nice.

[Lexi didn't have much experience, either. she went to the spring formal with some guy because he asked and she felt like she had to say yes. then practiced kissing with her best friend. but after that, nothing. she was talking to Fez on the phone a lot, but he was several years older than she was.

she had those books and a couple of others in a shoebox packed among her other shoeboxes. if Cassie had ever found them, she didn't tell Lexi.

nerds were awesome! nerds would inherit the Earth. and then have to fix all of the stupid stuff done by the equivalent of the popular kid]

That's true. The comparison makes sense when it's put that way.

[hers was about as "normal" as it got. she often felt out of her depth with people from more fantastical worlds]

It's good that you have something of your friend here with you still. That must help at least a little. Even though the part about her not being here anymore is bad. Why is it that for every good thing here, there's a bad thing?

Honestly, it's better not to hold your breath, or at least, try to be the change that you want to see happen.

[Corny, sure, but there was still some truth to it. Everyone was bound to have some bad stuff in their lives, so do what you could to try and make them easier]?

It does help. If I were to tell most people how well I do in that department, it might be pretty laughable. Being in another dimension, looking after your place and pets and avoiding the dangers of the next big thing tends to dry out your hope of finding anyone. And sorry about your friend. I had something like the reverse happen, and then I wound up here never realizing it until it was too late!

[Talk about unfortunate. Luz had no idea what kissing was even like, not really].

I wasn't trying to repeat words people just say, it does feel like that! In some ways its even a little harder since you have to account for the weather more than you would in a car.

[Normal was exactly where Luz was originally from, until she stumbled into an Iseki situation].

She was more than a friend. More like a mother figure, the one mother figure I could always count on.

Wish I had an answer for that, but I still haven't figured that out.

That's true. I think one good thing about Trench is that it doesn't have the same personal drama that home did. Not to say that there's no drama, I saw that thing where the girl apologized for killing people and one of them started shit. So it's actually drama which means something instead of who's dating whom.

[Lexi wonders how many people come from a home like her own, where they're expected to fill the role of the adult of the house, even though she's the youngest one there. if she didn't cook, they'd eat nothing but TV dinners and Chinese takeout forever. and the less said about the nagging she'd have to do to get mom to pay the bills, the better]

C'mon, you'll find someone. You're pretty, you're smart, you're fun to talk to. I bet that there's your perfect person out there, maybe they just haven't realized it yet. And it's okay. I was too nervous to try and say something for...a lot of reasons, with one of them being that I'm not out yet back home. [and she winces] Oooh. I'm sorry, that's got to be rough. Do you think she feels the same, though?

[messy, if her experience with that ninth grade boy was any indication. but Rue had been far less slobbery]

Yeah. I do have my driver's license, but I like riding my bike better.

[Alice Through the Looking Glass. that was a good summary of what it was like]

Oh. Oh, wow. I'm really sorry. But...it's hard telling who the tides might bring in.

Me, neither. I assume that as soon as we figure it out, off to home we'll go.

Oh sure, there's that kind of drama where you were put under some strange mind control and you kill someone by mistake. It's kind of weird that this is not the first time that happened!

[And at least it didn't happen to her this time!

Right, Luz was actually already stupidly trying to do that in her own house, and was likely going to get some push back for it soon enough].

Oh, come on! No one was interested in that back home! Granted, I've probably changed a lot since then, but I think people are way more interested in more traditionally pretty girls, or the cool ones with all the muscles!

[Luz had so many different types, from boys to girls, and gosh did they range].

I had the opposite problem from you. There was totally someone interested in me, and OI was so wrapped up in my own stuff and magical craziness, I missed the signs. So now I'm here, knowing that and feeling like bobo the fool.

[Forgive the meme].

No kidding! How come? You can't get air conditioning with a bike!

[Luz was kidding: she was obviously just playing up the whole luxury part].

You don't have to be sorry! Honestly, it was good she was here. She made me pay attention to things more, and tried to lift me up while protecting me. Now I try to do the same, whenever I can.

I'm not so sure about that.

Seriously? Damn. Well...maybe I should be trying harder to get used to my Darkblood stuff. One of them is supposed to be telekinesis, like something out of a comic book.

[she wants to learn, so she feels a little more like she's in the right place. at least for a while]

No, you come on! [said warmly] And who says you're not traditionally pretty? Your hair, especially, is pretty. So someone probably already has a crush, they're just working up their courage to say something.

[so did Lexi. but the main thing she was attracted to was intelligence. Rue back home actually qualified for that. when she actually tried, she was really good at school and had a degree of street-smarts Lexi knew she'd never have]

Ohhhhh. Oh, no. That sucks. Maybe they'll show up soon? I hope so, anyway.

[the meme is forgiven]

It's an easy way to exercise. I'm not exactly into sports, team sports especially. And things like exercise bikes and treadmills always seemed kind of pointless, all that effort to stay in one place. Yuck.

[and she makes a face, sticking out her tongue briefly]

Those are some great lessons to learn. Especially under these circumstances.

Really? What do you think?

Edited (html is evil) 2022-06-02 18:23 (UTC)

Ooh, no kidding?! You should definitely develop your blood abilities then! Telekinesis sounds like it could come in handy!

[She knew there were people still getting the hang of it, so if she could find someone who knew how to do that, it'd help to get them in contact with Lexi].

I mean, I'm not! You know, usually the preferred type are pretty and softer and all of that! I'm more me, and I don't mind that! I just sort of wish I was more what someone else was into, I guess?

[Luz had, in her mind, scruffy unkempt hair, which was cute, but she knew "pretty" girls tended to have longer, fluffier hair. What did she mean about someone already having a crush? On LUZ? Pfft.

She's appreciate that brains was what attracted Lexi though. More people needed to be into that]!

I've been here since the before town, and it hasn't happened yet!

[Not outside of her dreams anyway].

Heh, I'm into A sport, but its one usually done with magic. What you're talking about is probably better if you're losing weight though.

[Not that Luz loved that way herself, even if she was a ball of energy].

Exactly!

I've been here a long time, Lexi, and at least here? We start as squids and then we're part of Trench. If we die, we turn into squids, into the water and then we're ourselves again. I've seen that happen. So I don't think we'll be going home anytime soon.

Yeah, isn't that what Jean Grey started out with? Though, I don't wanna become the Dark Phoenix, that would be bad. But if I can build up what I can do, it would be great, right? Especially when things are making people act weird.

[she's too self-conscious to post asking for help. at least too much so to do it with her name attached]

Okay, maybe by some people, but some isn't all. You seem...I don't know. Kind of tomboy-ish? Which is cute in its own way.

[she'd watched her sister go after asshole jock after asshole jock, fall madly in love with all of them, and be dumped and/or betrayed by all of them]

Maybe. I hope it does, though.

[she kind of liked Fez back home. he was surprisingly kind and he listened to her. hardly anyone did that back home. but he was a drug dealer and what kind of future would that kind of relationship ever have?]

A magic sport? Like what? If it's okay to ask, it might be some secret magic thing?

[she was skin and bones and would like to gain weight in hopes that it went to certain places, but even that never seemed to work]

Okay. Okay. I'm mostly okay with that. Even though there are friends from home I really miss. [and from what she could tell about Cassie, bringing her here and away from home might actually be a good thing]

I think so, if the movies are to be believed! I think being as strong as Phoenix might take a while though, so let's settle with getting Jean's regular powers! And yes, that will definitely help.

[So scour the network and see if she could find a good teacher for Lexi. Got it].

Oh, I am. At least, I think so? Tomboys still get to like stuff animals and gush over cute things though, right? Because I do all that stuff! Maybe I'm beyond the spectrum!

[Luz demonstrated this with a mock "Captain Morgan" pose, giving Lexi a grin].

Oh no, I was just thinking of one that I played on the Boiling Isles, the first place I wound up! You get this ball through a hoop, but you're playing with mostly elemental magic to do it, most anything goes. I'll try and show it to you sometime, if you want!

[Luz would totally still be skin and bones were it not for all the flying and the deliveries. Additionally, Luz figured it would be pretty hard to gain weight in Trench in general].

I know what you mean. I actually made some pretty great friends back home that I'm missing right now. It's a good thing that I've made so many here, or I might be really lonely.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(CW: underage alcohol)

no subject

(CW: alcoholism, RL rapists named)

Re: (CW: alcoholism, RL rapists named)

(CW: addiction)

I won't hesitate to speak highly of garlic tostones^-^

not gonna lie, that sounds awfully good right now! (CW: kink being discussed underage to underage)

I've totally made them, so yes, they are great!

I've never had them! So that means I should look up a recipe!

Re: I've never had them! So that means I should look up a recipe!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(CW: drug dealers)

Re: (CW: drug dealers)