Twinkle's Story: Chapter 61

DUKE

I look down to see the color black held in my paws. Black pants, black shirt, black jacket. They're all here. 

"Why did you move them? I kept them in the shack," I say to Dawn. 

Dawn replies, "I checked the shack only to see you weren't there. The real question is why you left it. So why did you, Duke?" 

I hold up the jacket. Something about it feels different. But what? 

"Well, at least you're still alive. Twinkle and I were starting to get worried about you." 

Twinkle... 

"You allowed her to wear my jacket, didn't you?" 

Dawn hesitates before nodding her head. At least Twinkle is okay. The black flames touching Twinkle sounds like a nightmare. That can't happen. 

"Where did you go? Twinkle and I looked for you." 

The hairs tickle the back of my neck as I raise my head to the blue sky. It's another gorgeous day. 

"I was feeling better, so I decided to go out on a walk." 

Dawn sees me looking up, so she does the same. We sigh at the same time. 

"You know I put you in there because of Fierdan's urges, right? He wanted you to kill me. Your homicidal and suicidal thoughts were getting hard to control again. There's a reason I told you to stay in the shack, so I could take you out of isolation when you got better," she says.

I close my eyes. "I'm better now. My mind isn't flooding with thoughts of homicide or suicide anymore. It'll be okay, Dawn. I swear." 

I've got to tell her. I can't pretend around her forever. 

The tips of my fingers brush the top of her right paw. I look past Dawn to the door left ajar. 

"I'm gonna change," I tell Dawn as I walk past her. 

Once I'm in the bathroom, I lock the door. The last time I concentrated on myself in a mirror, glass shards were in my paw and wrist. My blood trickled over my paw and down my wrist. 

I had large wings of black fire back then. It was difficult to control the black flames. I couldn't conceal them. 

The eyes in the mirror blink back at me. The dark circles under my eyes look so obvious. I haven't really slept in ages. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had a peaceful sleep. 

Mirrors and I had some rough times in the past. I've hurt myself in front of mirrors several times. This time, however, I won't make myself bleed. 

Instead, I turn on the tap. Water flows through the spaces between my fingers into the sink. Then I let the water cover my face. The cold feels so satisfying on this hot day.

I turn off the tap. I don't dry my paws. Looking at my reflection, I run my paws through my hair. Droplets stay at the ends before falling down my neck. 

Let the water cleanse me; purify me of all my wrongdoings. Make me just like Twinkle, a good person. Wash away all the bad from my body and mind. Make me well again. 

My hair reaches the bottom half of my neck. It's getting pretty long. I don't remember the last time I let it grow out this long. I like how it looks though. 

There also used to be a clear difference in color between the roots and the tips of my hair. Now all of it is the same dark brown, nearly black, color as the tips only were before. 

I wonder if Fierdan and the black flames have anything to do with this. They probably do. I'm looking more and more like him. 

Stepping away from the mirror and counter, I take off the red clothes. 

A minute later, I walk out of the bathroom wearing my black clothes. I left the jacket unzipped. 

Twinkle...

She has to know the truth. 

I don't see Dawn. Confused, I step outside. I don't see her anywhere. That makes me smile. 

However, I do see Twinkle. I go up to her. She doesn't blush when she sees me this time. I find it interesting how an outfit change can make such a difference. 

The look in her eyes is more similar to when she walked to Ardere and me just beyond the forest. A look of serious frustration. 

"Duke, we have to talk." 

Our toes touch. I grab one of her paws. It feels so smooth and gentle compared to my own. 

"I have to tell you some things as well," I say while studying her jawline. 

Inches away from our lips making contact, I see a flash of blue light. My left cheek stings. 

Twinkle lowers her right paw. It's in the shape of a fist. 

She actually punched me. What for? 

Her blazing blue eyes remind me of how my eyes get sometimes. Her grin reminds me of my own. Her words remind me of words I would say.

Twinkle reminds me of myself. 

With her eyes twinkling in the light, she says, "You don't have to say anything about it. It's okay, Duke. I already know." 

Then I blurt out the words that have been burdening me for days on end. 

"Dawn and I kissed while you were away."

I'm a little surprised to see the corners of her lips still turned up in a smile. 

"I already knew that. We have more similarities than you think." 

She even laughs.

"Dawn kissed me too," she says.

Okay, I did not expect that. 

That special look is in her eyes. 

"I am just like you, Duke. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

No, she can't be like me. She's too good to compare herself to me. 

Then I see her paw on the middle of my chest. 

"Oh and one more thing, Duke. Knowing that you have feelings for Dawn as well, I want to make it clear. I'm not interested in keeping what's left of any possible romance we once had." 

Though I'm reluctant to, I nod my head. 

"Okay, Twinkle, I understand. What's the rest of the news you have for me? I can handle it." 

Then she lets only the blue color of her eyes show. There is so much intensity in her gaze. 

Then comes the blue shining out of her claws. A short time after she spreads her arms out, blue wings appear. 

A strand of orange hair blows forward on one side of her face. A strand of blue hair does the same on the opposite side.

"It turns out I actually don't have ice powers. The reason why our abilities are so similar is because my Elemental Power is also fire. You see, we're two halves to the same coin. Yours being hot orange fire from Zios; my half being blue ice fire from Mira."

Now more than ever before does Twinkle have a striking resemblance to myself. It scares me. 

TWINKLE 

Duke's reactions were priceless. It feels great knowing something that he doesn't. I still have a lot to tell him. 

"Have you ever noticed how many parallels there are with us, Duke?"

Haha, he's so confused. 

"What parallels?" he asks with a hint of unease in his voice. 

Then I start explaining everything I can think of to Duke.

"We both, in some strange ways, are related to Zios and Mira. We have opposite fire Elemental Powers. We both have a black bird affiliate. We both have endured some type of abuse from our parents. We both harmed ourselves using Xs."

I can tell he's starting to get uncomfortable. I fly up a few inches from the ground. 

"We can both fly," I say before landing. 

"Our Elemental Powers are the first and second strongest ones. Mine being the stronger one."

Duke laughs. "Yours having more power than mine? I doubt that."

I laugh too. "Yeah and I'm the only one who has a combination of two elements in one. Fire and ice. In fact, blue fire is supposedly hotter than orange fire. But since I have ice in my Elemental Power as well, my blue fire turns into having ice characteristics."

"So what you're trying to tell me is that yours is basically cold fire that's easily mistaken as blue ice?" 

I put on the most serious expression I can. "Yes." 

I laugh again a few moments later. 

"Any more parallels you got for me, Twinkle?" 

I take a deep breath. "Actually, there are more. We both want to kill a specific person who negatively affected our lives." 

His eyes widen. "No, no, no. You don't have Fierdan and Soulless invading your brain like I do. You aren't a phantom like I am. You don't want to kill anyone. You're not like me, Twinkle." 

Right after he says that, his bottom lip quivers. 

"I just said that, didn't I?"

I tell him yes. And then I ask him what he means by phantom. 

Duke takes off the jacket. A few seconds later, his shirt as well. 

While his eyes are closed, he places his right paw over his heart. He takes a few steps away from me. 

Black flames shoot out of his claws. Two large wings of black fire shoot out from his shoulderblades. 

He removes his paw that covers his heart. The purple part of the purple and black flame is glowing. 

He opens his eyes. One tear falls out of his left eye. 

It's my turn to be surprised. One eye amber; one eye purple. A faint purple flame appears in front of his left eye. 

His voice is barely above a whisper. 

"Don't you dare say you're similar to me ever again. I'm Fierdan. I'm a monster. This flame mark on my heart indicates that there is phantom blood inside me. I'm a phantom. I have indirectly caused you to be injured by phantom attacks. I caused you and Fauna to die. I have violent instincts. Stop comparing yourself to me. You don't want to be like me!" 

His voice cracks when he says that last sentence. 

"You didn't kill me or Fauna," I say, trying to reassure Duke.

More tears fall out of his left eye. 

"Yes I did! I'm a demon and you've got to exorcize me, Twinkle!" 

"No, Duke, you're not! You're not him. You're so much better."

"You don't know that! I am Fierdan whether you like that or not. Even though I haven't killed as many people that Fierdan did, I still have had thoughts of killing some people. At one point, one of those people was you, Twinkle."

"It's okay, Duke," are the only words I reply to him. I repeat myself a few times.

"Remember when I told you I would kill my mother the next time I saw her?" 

I nod my head. Of course I remember. That was our first fight. It was while we were on the Tall Tower's roof. Duke had said that there were phantom attacks and other violent events happening in fox territory because of his mother. Now we both know that those attacks are because of Fierdan. 

Duke wipes the tears from his eye. The purple flame around his eye has disappeared. The black flames, however, are still visible. 

"I met her the other day. It was weird though. She was actually being nice to me. She didn't hurt me. In fact, she might have just saved my life." 

A few minutes later, the black flames disappear as well. Totally forgetting his shirt, he puts on the jacket. 

Seeing how he looks like that makes my face get warm. 

Gosh darn it, Duke. Why do you have to start looking like that? 

His smile makes my heart ache.

"I also think you should know that I'm going to die soon." 

My heart skips a beat.

"Wait, hold on. What do you mean? You can't die, Duke." 

Dawn was right. Duke actually wants to die so badly. How long has he been hiding this important information from me? 

That smile of his hurts me.

"I won't be alive to experience my next birthday. I've got four months left at most. Then I finally won't be able to hurt you or anyone else ever again. Because by then, I'll only be known as Fierdan." 

He laughs sheepishly. 

"Then I finally won't be able to hurt you or anyone else ever again." No, no, no, no, no, no. 

"Who do you want to kill, anyway?" he asks.

"Admiral."

"Admiral, huh? Guess you're right, Twinkle. We do have some parallels. I want her dead too."

I move my paws in front of me. "Oh no, I'm not actually being serious. I don't want to kill anybody for real. I just hate her a lot."

Are you sure about that, Twinkle? Don't try to hide the fact that you are a killer at heart just like how the Duke Fierdan is. Duke's fire is obvious just like the demons he has to face. Your fire is less obvious, and you have your own demons to face yourself. You have evil in you, but it's shown in a different way than Duke or Fierdan's. Stop hiding from the truth, my dear. 

That night, I dream about those two yin-yang foxes again. One bright orange fox and one bright blue fox. 

Then the orange fox stands up and turns into Duke. The blue fox does the same and turns into me.

Our bodies are like spirits. Ours combine to create one body. 

I'm too tired and sleep-deprived to wake up from this dream. 

Our bodies combined like a type of fusion don't look like something entirely new. I've already looked like Duke before. I am his blue counterpart. 

Parallels. So many parallels. You and Duke are one of the same. Parallels. So many parallels. Parallel lines never end. 

Twinkle's Story: Chapter 60

FIERDAN 

Forgiveness is unattainable. Dear child, you did not deserve the treatment I gave you. Pernicious flames slowly devouring you until merciful death has taken over. No blade was in my paws to ease the pain and quicken your inevitable death. You were only a child. 

I've let my resentment take over me. I could only think of forcing everyone I could get my paws on to know how much I suffered. Everyone cheering his name. "Hail Zios," they would say. Treating him as if he is a god. I am his son. Would that make me a demigod? No, it wouldn't. Zios is no god. Mira is no goddess. They are nothing more than the creators of a whole new level of hell. 

Just like them, I don't deserve forgiveness. I can't be forgiven. I'll hurt myself for you, little one. That is the only atonement I can receive for acting on the malicious deed of murder. 

I plant a kiss on that small square. This cloak has an array of colors, yet no other square patch of fabric on it is anything like this particular one. Back when I lived with Dawn in our castle home, I would kill everyone I could get my paws on that praised Jamaa and Zios. Everyone who condemned phantoms even though they were the direct results of having Jamaa invented. Everyone who turned a blind eye to the truth. Only Dawn understood. She was never like the others. That was why I spared her. I would take my favorite article of clothing from each of my victims. Attaching the various colors worn by people made the cloak become the only colorful thing I possessed in my world of darkness. It was the light in the dark. It was the only way for me to get color, and I longed for color. I wouldn't call myself sane, but the colors of their clothing kept me from losing it completely. 

This one square was from the sweater of a little girl. No other patch of fabric feels as soft. No other patch of fabric has that pale pink color. No one was nearly as innocent as that girl. 

Just like how Zios took away my innocence, I stole the girl's innocence from her. There will always be bad people in every world. I am one of those people. Potential for living a happy life has been taken away from me, so I have taken that away from the girl. Jealous of her happiness, her joy. 

Remind me of my wicked deed I have inflicted upon this young girl. Give me your punishment. Hurt me. Make me bleed. Take away everything I have. It's the least you could do. 

I press my nose into the middle of the pink square, and I kiss it again. Then I let the cloak fall to the ground to be covered in the black goop. 

Guilt can only temporarily go away if I'm punished. Soulless punishes me. I need them. 

A few minutes later, I'm standing in front of the locked door. Inside that room is where I have confined Soulless. I unlock the door without a second thought. 

Confining Soulless is the equivalent of taming a wild beast. They're unpredictable. They can easily hurt you and escape. 

I enter the room and immediately lock the door behind me. In front of the far wall is the prison cell where I trapped Soulless in. Shackles and chains cover up the majority of the cell. It's nothing more than a highly secured box. 

Approaching the cell, I see the two large white eyes glare at me. I unlock two of the locks, and they exit the cell. 

"Well, well, well. Who else could it be but Fierdan?" 

From the look in their eyes, their emotions are indecipherable.

"Hurt me," are the only words I say out loud. 

I get taken aback by the reply. What does Soulless mean? No? They love hurting me. Why is this time any different? I've asked for it before. 

"What a pitiful sight you present to me, my dear Fierdan. You are so weak without me. No strength, no muscle, no power. You are nothing without me." 

Soulless comes closer to me. I feel their touch on my lower chest. I flinch. 

"This naked body you present before me is a disgrace. I'm clearly the one who gives you strength and power. The great Fierdan is only a frail and thin body now. How ironic!" 

I feel their fingers gradually go lower. Their touch is delicate, nothing like the touch of them sending electric shocks throughout my body.

The touch disappears when the fingers reach below my waist. Instead, Soulless stands up tall at their full height. They tower over me. 

The white eyes slice through the darkness. It's intimidating as always.

"You won't be able to succeed. Ever wonder why your first life could never terminate me?"

I try to conceal my fear as I speak to Soulless. I don't move anywhere. 

"He was too weak. I won't make the same mistakes that he did."

Laughter is the next thing I hear from Soulless. I stay put even though I don't want to.

"No, oh how far from the truth you are. Fierdan, my dear, the reason you won't be able to succeed in terminating my life is because of one single thing. And that, my dear, is attachment."

"Attachment? I'm not attached to you in the slightest," I scoff. 

Soulless grins. "Oh please. You've captured me and locked me up in here because you don't want me invading your brain. Yet here you are constantly returning to this room. You can't sleep without me giving you pain. Fierdan, you rely on me too much for you to go all the way in ending me. You're way too attached." 

"I'm not attached. I freaking hate you. I am going to win this battle against you with Duke. That's final," I say and turn around. However, I stop myself from walking away by their next words.

"You are too attached to me because we share a deep connection. Before Dawn could, I told you everything. It was me who sparked that fire in your eyes. I took part in creating your new identity in the new world. I've shaped you to become Fierdan. Want to know why I knew about your life before Jamaa? Why I told you about how terrible Zios is? Why I told you he put you here in this hell? Why I told you how he ordered for your mother to be killed?" 

I can only interpret their facial expression as satisfied. 

"It's because all this time I've been holding a grudge against Zios. Perhaps an even bigger grudge than you ever had. I taught you to hate him no matter what. Oh, how I've taught you well. Your anger compared with mine made you become so furious with this Jamaa world that you nearly made a genocide of the fox race. Without me guiding you, I highly doubt you would've become a mass murderer."

Orange sparks appear. "I never really wanted to kill all those people!" 

Mocking. Soulless is mocking me. 

"Orange, huh? Just like your father, Zios. I could have never guessed you still have orange flames inside you."

More orange sparks. "Don't you freaking dare remind me of Zios. I've stopped using orange flames because they disgust me. Reminding me of that monster of a father. The color orange sickens me. These orange sparks must be some leftover flames from that time I set Duke's orange flames against him."

"You and Duke are the same. The only difference is that he's a puppet you and I have created when we were together. When will you two learn that?" 

The orange sparks disappear. I sigh in relief. 

"I bet you never knew this, Fierdan," says Soulless. "Zios created me to act as a guide for you when you first came to Jamaa. Behind his back, however, I worked against him. When I learned the truth about what happened to your mother and Dawn's parents, I vowed to become the ultimate enemy of Zios."

"Why are you telling me this now? I'm telling you to hurt me, yet here you are being nice for once."

Soulless, you are so unpredictable. How could I have ever guessed this from you? 

"I just want to reveal who I really am. It's about time I've told you."

Soulless? Who are you? What are you?

Their white eyes stare directly into mine. They smile. 

"I am partly your brother." 

I suddenly become speechless.

Soulless continues. "I've informed you of the injustices Zios did because he hurt the both of us. You were too young to fully understand what he's done. Zios wanted your brother to be nice to you, but your brother turned against Zios by venting out all his frustrations he had with his father into the program that created me. Zios never found out what your brother did until it was too late. Because by then, we have both landed in Jamaa." 

Am I being manipulated again? I can't trust Soulless. I need to have Duke kill them.

"You see, my dear Fierdan, you're too attached to me with the inability to kill me yourself because of our complicated connection. The two of us being partly brothers."

Oh, but you're wrong. You're still going to be killed one way or another, Soulless. Even if you are part of this mysterious brother I have, I'm still going to have you exterminated from every world forever. 

TWINKLE

I have tried to calm myself down, but I can still feel my heart beating so fast. How can I ever relax now? Duke has returned, and on top of that, he's wearing red. He's in red!

My dreams are becoming a reality. In that one dream, Duke was wearing a red tuxedo. Now in the living world, here he is wearing a semi-formal red shirt and pants. 

I'm exhausted of playing these games of romance with Duke. We can just be friends, right? What about what Dawn said? Maybe she has a valid point. Kissing someone, even if it's on the lips, shouldn't automatically determine the two people are in a romantic relationship. Kissing isn't the ultimate way to show someone you love them. 

But that only brings up another point for me to consider. Were Duke and I every truly in love? 

I lie down right where I am. Finally some peace and quiet. 

I don't sleep for long though. Dawn tells me that Duke wants to talk to me. In private. 

I sit up. "Tell Duke that I'll talk later. I'm so tired."

She just grabs my paw and drags me to my feet. I glare at her. 

"You haven't spoken to each other in weeks. You both have a lot to say to each other," Dawn says.

Not wanting to start a fight again, I reluctantly go to where she told me Duke is. 

I spot him somewhere in the shade. I hope he hasn't been waiting for too long. 

After taking a deep breath, I approach him. 

"There you are, Twinkle. Why did you run away before?"

My face feels hot. Seeing Duke in this outfit intimidates me. He looks too much like in that dream. 

Apart from the clothes he has on, he looks different. His hair looks darker and longer. His voice is a little deeper. These might just be little changes, but they're changes nonetheless. 

Darn it. If he wasn't before, he definitely is now. Duke is a hot fire. 

Act casual, Twinkle. You look different too. He's in as much of a shock by what you look like now as you are to him. 

Duke arches an eyebrow. "Uh, Twinkle? Hello?" 

I am fully aware I'm blushing right now. Twinkle, the great first impressionist. Ha, ha.

"Oh, that's right. Hi Duke. Wow, would you look at that. You're wearing red. You look very nice." 

My words are followed by an awkward silence. My face is probably purple at this point. 

"Uh, thanks? I guess?" he replies.

Around an hour ago, I was covered in blue ice flames. The blue flashing through my veins. Now, however, the only thing that runs in my veins apart from blood is embarrassment. 

"Does my outfit make you uncomfortable, Twinkle? I can take it off if you want."

I shake my head and move my paws in front of me. "Oh no, that's not necessary. I'm fine, you just look different. I don't want to talk about it." 

He takes a step forward. I take a step back. 

"Talk about what?" he asks. 

I avert his gaze. His eyes are way too intense. Was he always like this? 

Barely louder than a whisper, I say, "You were in my dream the other night. You were wearing some nice red clothes. You had pure black eyes in my dream, and here you are wearing sunglasses. I haven't slept for that long since that night." 

Duke smiles and laughs. "Oh, my eyes aren't black. At least I'm pretty sure."

When he is holding the sunglasses in his paw, I see his eyes. They're the same color as before. The same dark shade of amber. I breathe, relieved.

The next thing I know is he's ruffling my hair. His smile is so cute.

"Try and get some rest, Twinkle. The things I have to tell you are probably going to sound unsettling, so I guess it's for the best if we both sleep a little."

I bet I know what he plans on telling me. I keep on forgetting he doesn't know that I know. 

"Oh, one more thing. Do you know where my black clothes are?"

I look at the ground and bite my lip. I put on Duke's jacket. The jacket of the concealed black flames.

"Oh, Dawn has them."

Duke thanks me and goes to Dawn. 

my children

Hi. :)

I'm in the mood to draw my characters.

But unfortunately I still have homework to do. I could have been finished by now, but I'm a procrastinator.

I've been watching episodes instead. Omg. These shows. My heart. Wow.

I still can't draw hair. Ugh.

Eyes could use some work too.

Actually, my art in general could use some work. It sucks lol.

I hate how I get motivated to write chapters on weekdays. I usually can't write on weekdays because school stuff gets in the way.

Dang it, life. :/

Well anyway.

I've been thinking about their pasts a lot. I might make another "past" chapter.

Not Chapter 60 though. I already have plans for that one.

To be honest, I'm thinking of just writing some chapters in third person. Like, idk, they'll be "special" chapters. No various POVs being used.

One "past" chapter I'm thinking of is when Dawn and Fierdan first meet Twinkle (or if I change her name, her being Mira's daughter).

The other one is one I just started to really think about. But I'm not sure if I should include it yet.

That one is about them as humans before the whole Jamaa thing happens.

And by that I mean my two children who I love thinking about their pasts.

I'm so mean to them. Poor kids.

And what I mean by that is writing about Dawn's past as a human.

Dun, dun, dunnnnnn.

I think I'm going to make Danny (Fierdan) have this connection to Dawn in the human world before both of them got dropped into Jamaa.

Ugh, I really want to draw the two of them as two innocent human kids.

But I don't like how I draw my characters. I always draw them ugly and gross. Ugh, ugh, sigh, sigh.

Haha. Here I am thinking of Dawn and Danny having this bond (good, bad, why not both) while his brother (I should really pick a name for him lol) is in the background being forced to be around his father.

I love my children. I'm crying.

Dawn's parents. Oh, what a sad story. Tragic.

Between the human and animal world, let's just say that Dawn forgot some vital information too. Just like how Fierdan did. Not to that much of a degree though.

I love thinking about little human Dawn and Danny. I love them so much. <3

I should go now. Bye.

♡☆♡☆♡

bloody fingers, bloody sleeves

The title may sound poetic, but it's actually about how my finger started bleeding.

Yay. :)

Back at school for another week.

Not yay. :(

Anyway, I'll just explain it here. Read on if you want an explanation.

I was talking about nooses because I went to Puerto Rico.

That's my explanation. 10/10 great job, Cutepups.

Ok fine. I'll explain some more.

One of things we (my family and I) did while we were at Puerto Rico was go to this museum.

Why a museum? I don't know. My dad likes museums. My family also thinks I must love art museums since I'm in an art history class.

Since this is in Puerto Rico, everything was in Spanish. So basically, none of us really understood what the words in the museum were saying. At least not in its entirety.

Anyway, this museum was kinda creepy. Ok. It had creepy stuff.

I only remember two "works of art" though.

What? We did a lot of stuff after the museum. I'll go into the rest of the stuff on a different day. Yeah, I'm that lazy lol.

I don't know the name of this museum, and I didn't take any pictures there. So um. Please believe me lol.

So in one room, there was mostly nooses. 100 of them. Row after row. Yes, nooses, those rope things used to hang people.

My siblings and I walked through the nooses. Ah, haha, man. Life sucks, kill me.

After a while, we found out the 100 nooses was a memorial for 100 people who were executed. I don't remember the whole historical thing, and I'm disappointed in myself. I'm too lazy to google it.

Well anyway, that made us feel sad.

The other creepy thing from that museum was in another room. Now this artwork was creepy.

I remember there being a semi-dark area near a wall. It was like a U-shaped shelf. And on this shelf, there were these dolls. The same type of doll but with some slight variation. Dolls sitting there. They looked creepy.

Yeah lol fun times in a foreign museum. Lol haha.

Puerto Rico was only one day of our cruise vacation. I still have to post about the other days. I'm almost two months late lol.

Well, actually, why not. Change of plans.

I'll talk about the rest of Puerto Rico day.

I'm still bitter about how they got to see and hold an iguana while I was back on the cruise ship.

He got me a Puerto Rico bag. That's nice, wow. Thanks bro.

Anyway, after the museum of nooses and creepy dolls and another taxi ride, we went to this place called Bacardi Factory.

If you don't know what that is, it has something to do with alcohol. Mainly rum.

I'm the youngest and they love alcohol. Rip me.

It wasn't that bad though. It was pretty good. Liked it a little. Good tour.

Got to keep our cups. Got a towel too.

It was nice, to be honest.

We got to see iguanas over there. Nice, nice.

And with a taxi ride back, we were back near the dock where the cruise ships were.

This took up most of the day, so when I headed back to the ship, I took this one picture.

Aesthetic. What a lovely sky.

The American flag next to the Puerto Rico flag.

So cool lol.

RIM time

Hello. I found out today's RIM is a nonmember one, so I decided to go on AJ. I can't stay on my computer for too long and school stuff is stressing me out, but here I am.

About last post, nooses have to do with me wanting to remember to post about my cruise vacation. I don't have pictures of the nooses though. Just in case any of you were wondering.

It'll make sense lol.

Ugh, I kinda want to post a chapter. I doubt I'll have enough time to though.

On a vaguely related note, I've realized something. Several antagonists in cartoons I watch have names that start with the letter Z. And I made myself part of this thing by having Zios be an evil character in my story series.

Wow. So funny. You're hilarious, Cutepups. Ha, ha.

Anyway, this song kinda reminds me of Twinkle and maybe Fauna a little too.

All the King's Horses~ Karmina 

"I knock the ice from my bones", "caught in the thought of that time when everything was fine", "couldn't put me back together again", "run with my hands on my eyes, blind but I'm still alive", "free to go back on my own, but is it still a home when you're all alone? Is it still a home?"

Yeah lol what.

I've been getting lots of physical affection this week. Nice. By that, I mean hugs lol. 

(Shoot, I'm wasting time.)

Oh, that's right. AJ.

Rare Cat Ears for everybody! Pretend you're a purple cat today!

I bought the RIM and made an outfit. 

This fox from one of the loading screens looks so cute. I like how the sky looks too. Pretty.

Have a skit lol.

~*~

*In Sparkle's room while recording the RIM commercial*

Sparkle: Today's Rare are these Cat Ears. Finny, say the stats.

Finny: They can be found in Jam Mart Clothing for 900 gems. Since there is no lock on this item, they are available for everyone to buy.

Sparkle: Okay then. Thanks Finny.

Finny: You're welcome.

*Right after Sparkle stops recording, Duke enters the room.*

Duke: *chewing gum* Hey.

Sparkle: No, no, no. Get out.

Finny: Why are you here?

Duke: I don't know. I'm bored. *sits on Sparkle's bed*

Sparkle: What do you want?

Duke: *blows bubble* What's popping?

Finny: What?

Sparkle: Hey, that's my strawberry gum! Stop taking my stuff!

Duke: Nah. 

Finny: Hey, that gum reminds me of a strawberry field.

Sparkle: Stop saying I smell like dirt!

Finny: I didn't say you smelled like dirt. I said strawberries.

Sparkle: Ugh whatever. Then stop calling me a strawberry. Just because I like strawberry scents and pink stuff doesn't mean I am one.

Duke: *falls onto his back and makes weird finger motions* Valentine's Day sucked.

Sparkle: Stop that thing you're doing with your fingers.

Duke: What, this? *points right index and ring finger at Sparkle and tiny black flames appear at the ends of the claws*

Sparkle: Yeah, now stop that.

Duke: Why though? It's fun.

Finny: Can you at least make the flames orange?

Duke: *chews gum loudly* No can do, Fin.

Finny: Oh okay.

Duke: Like what is with those two? Since when did the two of them become friends? She's supposed to love me. 

Sparkle: She's clearly not interested in you anymore. You're such a creep.

Duke: But why? I've been waiting for so long for us to celebrate Valentine's Day together. But she leaves me for Dawn.

Sparkle: Isn't that the exact same thing you did to her?

Duke: *sits up on the bed* No.

Finny: *sighs* Sparkle is saying you cheated on Twinkle by seeing Dawn. 

Duke: Oh.

Sparkle: You and her both cheated on each other by seeing Dawn behind each other's back. 

Finny: Yeah, you two have some similarities.

Duke: Who are you talking about?

Finny: Really? You and Twinkle.

Duke: Oh. *spits out gum and throws wrapper at Sparkle* There, you have your gum back.

Sparkle: You're a dick.

Finny: Whoa, watch your language.

Duke: Wow rude.

Sparkle: I'm the rude one? You're the rude one, Duke.

Duke: Ugh okay fine. *blows out the black flames*

*They go downstairs to the living room and find Brock sitting on the couch.*

Brock: Oh hey guys. I came here to visit.

Sparkle: *full of rage* Without my permission? 

Brock: No one asks for your permission. So why should I have to?

Sparkle: Ugh fine. You can stay.

Brock: *picks up the RIM from table* Cashier Girl No Lady is working today. She's selling this for the week's RIM. I'm glad she's getting more customers again. Several weeks ago, there were no customers except for myself. That RIM was so simple. She also told me that you all died. Oh and that Duke killed one of you guys and then himself. Whew, I'm glad that didn't actually happen.

Finny: Whoa, hold on. You missed us?

Brock: Yeah. Haha, I felt so bad for not apologizing to you guys sooner. I'm glad I'm not too late.

Duke: Who did I kill?

Sparkle: Didn't you hear what he just said? It didn't really happen.

Duke: No, well, I know that. It sounds vaguely familiar, that's all.

Brock: Well, I'm not sure who if you want me to be honest with you. By her words, I can only assume she means Dawn or Twinkle.

Duke: Oh. Oh wow.

Brock: What?

Duke: Oh, it's nothing. 

Sparkle: Stop lying, Duke. Tell us.

Duke: I'd prefer not to.

Finny: Come on, dude. You're making us concerned.

Duke: Fine! *black flames appear for a moment before disappearing again*

Sparkle: Okay, I guess we should all sit down.

*Sparkle and Finny sit on the couch next to Brock, but Duke refuses.*

Duke: So you say I killed Dawn?

Brock: Well, either her or Twinkle.

Duke: What if I told you she was right?

Brock: What do you mean?

Duke: I almost did. I almost killed Dawn.

Finny: Whoa, what? Oh my god, Duke!

Sparkle: *whispering to Finny* Remember that time we were with Taurel? He kept on referring to Duke as a killer.

Finny: He was wrong though. Duke can't be. He can't have those urges. He's our friend.

Sparkle: Yeah, he was a little messed up. I'm still skeptical about Duke though.

Duke: You know I can hear you, right? And I said almost. We just saw her the other day, so of course I didn't actually kill her.

Finny: Why would you want to kill her?

Duke: *sighs* I didn't kill her! 

Brock: I always had the feeling you had a few screws loose in your brain.

Duke: Shut up, Brock. And how did you know that I want to die?

Brock: Look, I don't know how she knew. She just told me she had dreams of this happening. We didn't know they held any meaning. 

Duke: You two clearly knew something about me. You've been pretending to be funny, but all this time you were serious. Weren't you, Brock? *black flames appear* Haha, oh man. You were right. I'm the more messed up one. 

Finny: Stop with the fire. Please calm down.

Duke: No. All this time, I've been the messed up one. You think I didn't notice? You and Sparkle used to work for the guy who wants to break me. Haha, who am I kidding? You both probably still think I'm a kind of monster. I see the looks in your eyes when you see me. We aren't friends. 

Finny: Yes we are! We'll always be!

Duke: Even if you know I'm Fierdan? That I'm a puppet he made? Because he was a killer. 

Finny: Yes, I don't care! 

Duke: Your fault then.

Sparkle: Stop being so dramatic. 

Duke: Oh, it's you again. Look, I know you hate me. I know you never wanted me to come live with you. I know I scare you. But do you really think I chose this life? That I wanted my life to be like this? Because I didn't. Nearly every day I wish I could be a normal person. But guess what? I can't. I'm a messed up person, so just deal with it.

Sparkle: I don't actually hate you, Duke. You're annoying and creepy at times, that's all.

Duke: I'm a freak. Just admit it!

Brock: I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm so sorry.

Duke: Don't apologize. It's about time I told you guys. 

Brock: I missed you so much. *gets up and hugs Duke even though he's covered in black flames*

Duke: *wide eyed* What are you doing?

Brock: I'm so sorry.

Duke: For what?

Brock: For always being such a jerk to you. 

Duke: I'm a jerk too. *pushes Brock away*

Finny: In all honesty, we all are.

~*~

That got a little emotional. Oops lol.

Bye. <3

yes hi

I'm back with another post.

I just want to say some blog stuff.

I'll be making some big edits to the Support page soon.

Yeah. I want to change some stuff on it.

I'm also going to change how the front page looks too. Well, just a little.

I'll do this when I have a lot of time on my computer. Whenever that will be.

I also have some poems in mind. I still have to post them.

Oh, one more thing.

Remind me to post about the nooses before I forget again.

Ok thanks I love you.

:)

Valentine's Day skit

I've been debating with myself on whether to post a skit or new chapter tonight. I decided on the skit. 

The skit is the easier to write and more light-hearted version. 

Oh and I forgot to mention. One reason why I've been writing chapters more often is because of the TV shows I'm watching. Every time I finish an episode, I feel inspired and want to write a chapter. The plots of these shows give me story ideas. 

Enjoy the skit. :) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brock: Happy Valentine's Day! 

Duke: Valentine's Day was on Tuesday. Today is Saturday.

Brock: Whoa, I thought you died! 

Duke: Uh, no? I'm still alive. 

Brock: Gosh, you gotta ruin everything for me. I was talking to Cashier Girl No Lady, and then you suddenly appeared out of nowhere. 

Duke: She's not even here, you idiot.

Brock: You drunkie.

Duke: I'm sober right now.

*Twinkle, Dawn, and Finny enter scene*

Twinkle: Hey Dawn, want to know what's so funny?

Dawn: What? 

Twinkle: I used to think you were a lustful creep only after romance. I thought I was the third wheel in your relationship with Duke. Haha, so funny.

Dawn: Oh gosh no. I don't love him romantically. 

Finny: Um, I'm here too. 

Duke: Me too. And what do you mean that you didn't love me romantically? Did you forget all what happened? 

Dawn: Duke, you're more like someone I have to protect than a boyfriend.

Duke: You were fantasizing about me. And when we were alone together, we kissed. A lot.

Twinkle: Dawn told me she kisses people to express her emotions to other people.

Duke: Yeah sure she does. On the lips?

Twinkle: Yeah.

Duke: Did she do this to you?

Twinkle: Haha yeah.

Duke: Interesting...

*Sparkle enters scene*

Sparkle: Why are you all in my living room again? Get out! 

Finny: I still love you, my pink candy sweet. You smell like a strawberry field.

Sparkle: Are you saying I smell like dirt? 

Finny: What? No! I'm saying you smell like strawberries.

Sparkle: You're too weak and pathetic.

Brock: Haha. Hashtag rejection. Oh by the way, have you seen Cashier Girl No Lady?

Sparkle: She never came, you idiot.

Brock: Wow okay, I get it. You and Duke are related because you both are so rude to me.

Sparkle: Related to that monster? Don't remind me! 

Duke: Guys, I'm right here.

Sparkle: Shut up! 

Duke: Wow rude.

*Sparkle leaves scene*

Duke: Where was I again? 

Brock: So you are drunk. Haha, little drunkie.

Duke: I could kill you right now. But since I have some basic decency, I won't.

Twinkle: Basic decency? Wow, you're so funny.

Dawn: Yeah, stop being so edgy, Duke.

Duke: What even is your sexuality? Since you like to kiss everyone apparently--

Dawn: Whoa, who told you that?

Duke: Twinkle did.

Twinkle: What? No I didn't.

Duke: Uh, yeah you did.

Dawn: What's yours?

Duke: Why are you asking?

Dawn: Why not.

Finny: Strawberries don't smell like dirt, right?

Brock: I doubt it. Sparkle is just in a cranky mood.

*Brock and Finny leave scene*

Duke: Ugh ok fine. Straight.

Dawn: Are you sure about that?

Duke: Uh, yeah?

Dawn: Twinkle wants to become a boy.

Twinkle: What? No, I never said that. 

Dawn: You told me you want to look more like Duke. For example, you want to cut your hair short.

Twinkle: That doesn't mean I want to be a boy. 

Dawn: Ok fine. I have another reason, anyways.

Duke: Which is?

Dawn: Fierdan is attracted to you.

Duke: What? Eww no.

Dawn: Ok fine don't believe me.

Duke: I don't. 

Twinkle: Ok he's getting sensitive. Dawn, stop it. 

Duke: I'm not sensitive.

Twinkle: Stop living in denial.

Duke: Where's Brock? I'd rather be drunk right now. 

Dawn: Ok fine. I'll stop only because you said so.

Duke: I'll find some myself. 

*Duke leaves scene*

Twinkle: Valentine's Day is stupid. It's basically a day commercializing love.

Dawn: True, but hey. Think of it as chocolate day.

Twinkle: Chocolate is good. 

*Dawn and Twinkle eat chocolates out of a bag*

*Duke returns holding a bottle*

Duke: I found it, vixens.

Sparkle: Give it back. It belongs to my parents. You're underage just like the rest of us.

Duke: Screw you. *starts drinking from the bottle* 

*Five minutes later*

Duke: *holding empty bottle* Ah, that's better. It's Valentine's Day weekend. Who wants to love me?

Twinkle: Dawn said Fierdan does.

Duke: He doesn't count. I'm asking you or Dawn.

Dawn: You've hurt both of us. Why would we return to you with a romantic intent?

Duke: Because I'm hot.

Twinkle: Ok fine. I do.

Duke: Ah heck yeah! 

*Twinkle and Duke are about to kiss, but instead Twinkle punches him in the face*

Duke: Ah heck no! 

Dawn: I'm so proud of you, Twinkle.

Twinkle: Thanks so much, Dawn.

Duke: Wow, that was so uncalled for. Rude.

Twinkle: I'm better than you will ever be.

Dawn: That is a true fact. 

Duke: What? No? Everything revolves around me.

Twinkle: Not anymore. 

Duke: Are you seriously rejecting me right now? 

Twinkle: Yeah. I don't need to have a romantic partner to celebrate this holiday.

Duke: Fine then. Neither do I.

Twinkle: Fine.

Duke: Fine.

*Brock and Finny enter scene*

Finny: Guys, do any of you know when Cashier Girl No Lady is coming?

Twinkle: No idea.

Finny: I can't remember if it's in thirty seconds or one minute.

Twinkle: Oh.

*Doorbell rings*

Finny: Oh, so 45 seconds.

*Cashier Girl No Lady enters scene wearing a fancy dress*

Twinkle: Whoa, you look stunning. 

*Brock comes downstairs*

Duke: I really can't tell if I'm drunk right now. You actually look less ugly, Brock.

Brock: Gosh, thanks for the compliment. 

Duke: Anytime. I don't feel like throwing up when I look you in the face.

Cashier Girl No Lady: Umm. Brock, are you ready to go to the restaurant? 

Brock: I'm ready when you are. 

Cashier Girl No Lady: Ok then let's go.

*Cashier Girl No Lady and Brock leave scene*

Dawn: Do you want to go to a restaurant, Twinkle? 

Twinkle: Yeah sure.

*Dawn and Twinkle leave scene*

Duke: Wait for me!

Duke: Ok that's fine. Haha, I'm okay. Just abandon me. That's cool.

Duke: This is fine.

*Sparkle enters scene*

Sparkle: I live here, you drunk idiot. Now get out! 

Duke: Want me to interrupt your video like in the good old days?

Sparkle: No, get out of my house! 

Duke: Technically, I live here too. 

Sparkle: Not anymore you don't.*shoves Duke out of house and locks the door when he falls down the outdoor steps*

. . . 

Duke: Hey guys! 

Twinkle: What are you doing here?

Duke: Sparkle kicked me out, so I was looking for you. 

Twinkle: You don't know how much I hate you.

Duke: Why do you hate me?

Twinkle: I got my reasons. 

Duke: Really? That's it?

Dawn: Don't cross the line, Duke.

Twinkle: No, it's okay.

Dawn: If you say so, Twinkle.

Twinkle: I want you out of my head. Leave us alone, Duke.

Duke: No, I just ran four blocks just to find you.

Dawn: You heard the girl. Leave her alone.

Duke: Haha, why would I do that? 

Dawn: *takes out green sword* She doesn't want you to bother her anymore.

Duke: I'm allowing her to explain, but now you're being so hostile.

Dawn: Ok fine. I'll allow you to talk to her. 

Duke: Good to know. Now please leave.

Dawn: I'm not going anywhere.

Twinkle: I would like us to be friends. But I'm not sure if I can handle that from you.

Duke: What do you mean?

Twinkle: My dreams tell me otherwise. Gosh, I just want this conflict to end.

Duke: So you fall in love with Dawn instead? 

Dawn: We're friends. I can hang out with other people besides you. Stop controlling her and bossing her around.

Duke: I'm not controlling her. 

Twinkle: Yes you are! You have to stop! Stop hurting us.

Dawn: You better leave.

Duke: Ok I will. What's with you two?

Twinkle: Nothing's wrong with us. The real question is why you can't leave me alone? 

Duke: If you can't let me go, it's your problem, not mine. 

*Duke leaves scene*