short: surprise

I had moved in with Heliotrope almost a year ago, much to Daddy's chagrin. Not that he didn't like Helio, he just didn't like his babies growing up.
Unlike many of the other houses on the street ours had an unobstruced view of the sky. It was especially beautiful at night when all of the stars were out.
As was usual now, I was sitting on the front lawn stargazing when Helio came out to join me.

He sat silently next to me, gazing at the side of my face with a smile starting to spread across his.

He rested his hand on mine, and I felt something hard yet cool between our hands.
It took me a moment, but when I realized what lay between our hands my face dropped in complete shock.

"So," He said slyly. "will you marry me?"

"Of course I will!" I squeaked like a mouse.

"In fact," Now I was the sly one, whispering in his ear. "I think we should get married right now."
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"Positive."

-----
A very short short.

influence

Note: There's some intimacy pictured in this update and if you're uncomfortable with it then scroll like a mad man past it.

Did you know my twinnie's married now? Yeah, I didn't either until this morning when I got a call along the lines of this:
 "HAAAAY GENNYYYY! GUESSS WHAAAAAT!!!!! I'M FUDGING MARRIED NOW!!!"
"*ear pain* ...What?"
"YUUUP!"
"... are you pregnant?"
"NO YOU GOOBER! *insane amounts of laughter*"
"Drunk?"
".... Well a little now but not when we eloped!"
"Why did you elope Billy-bo?"
"Helio proposed last night and I just couldn't wait!!"
"... ok.*totaly not judging* Do Mom and Dad know?"
"Yes, of course! They asked if I was pregnant too. And blah blah blah blah..."

Now that my beloved twin is married I started feeling like a jealous spinster. And of course at that moment Universe popped into my head.
No way! No! I'm not that desperate... yet.
------

It had been a long and chaotic day at work. There's nothing easy about vampberry testing, let me tell you. Today a vampberry patient that I had become good friends with, named Hyacinth, went into labor. Now one thing we had learned from previous experiences was that vampberry births are extremely difficult. This one especially since she was giving birth to triplets.
I had been on edge all day at work and the adrenaline hadn't really worn off. As I approached my front  door I heard some weird noises.
*scuffle* *scuffle*
"OMB what was that???" I freaked.
"Ok, calm yourself, Gen, it's probably just a bird or something... Yeah"

*shuffle* *scoot* *muffledwhisper*
"Just an animal.J-just a-an an-nimal." I chanted, trying to make myself feel better. Like when your little and you chant to yourself that there's no such thing as ghosts (though in my line of work I found out there actually are, hence why sleep with the lights on).

*CLANK*
"GAH! That was not an animal!! What the berry is out there??!!"

Just as I was about to make a beeline for the door I felt a gush of wind from behind me.
Then came a blase' "Boo."

Slowly I turned around and I was met with the sight of a very cocky Universe.

"Ugh, you? Anyone but you. I don't need this right now." I rubbed my temples at the threat of a headache.

"Oh c'mon, sugar. You know you don't really mind."

"Can't you just shoo?" I whined. No matter what he thinks, I've had to long of a day to deal with him at this hour.

"Sorry, sugar, you won't be rid of me that easily." An eery smile crept along his face, like he was attempting something he knew he shouldn't. And for once I was actually afraid of him.

A strange feeling crept into me then and I was pulled into him. After that I couldn't recall what went on.

---------

I awoke in my bed. After that I noticed many strange things. 1. I don't recall going to bed 2. There's something slightly heavy laying across my side and 3. I think I'm naked. That's unsettling.

Slowly I turned my head to see whatever the thing draped across my side was. I was instantly infuriated when I saw the dull glowing form of Universe.

Without any tact I jumped out of bed yelling "WHAT THE FUDGE, UNIVERSE?!!" I quickly pulled on my PJ's which I keep on the night stand.

" 'The hell, woman?! I'm trying to sleep."

"NOT ANY MORE!" I smacked him in the face with his boxers. Obviously my temper wasn't going down any time soon so he decided to cooperate and covered his nether regions.

"YOU USED YOUR FUDGING VAMPBERRY MIND POWERS TO MAKE ME SLEEP WITH YOU?!!!"

Still as suave and cocky as ever. "Y'see, sugar, it's like hypnotism. I can't make you do anything you would be against. So blame yourself. Hah, I didn't even know if it would work."
My face reddened, whether from anger or embarrassment, I'm not really sure.
"Now, most vampberries don't like to make this know but, we can also read minds. " All semblance of anger flew out the window then, the only thing I could feel was complete and utter embarrassment. And he knew it.
"I read your mind before I influenced you. Part of you was happy to see me."
"Shut up!" Apparently I reverted back into to a teenager.
He ignored me. "So why don't we just make it official and go on a date?" I burst out laughing then.

When my hysterical laughter turned to giggles I realised I had actually hurt his feelings. "Oh, you were serious." I said meekly.
"Yeah."
"Well... no."
"Why not? I know I've been on your mind, sugar. And quite frankly you've never left mine."
Ignoring the blush that flooded my cheeks I said. "Well, you borderline raped me for one!"
"It's not rape if it's consensual, and it definitely was."
"What makes you think it was?!"
"You ripped the buttons off my shirt, sugar."
"That's it I've been embarrassed enough for one morning! Out!"
--------

For the next few weeks after that, every where I went there was Universe asking for a date. And for a while I could just ignore him but after about two and a half weeks straight of it , I got sick of it and made a resolution.

I was at the gym exercising, for once, and suddenly there he was on the treadmill next to mine.

"So how about dinner? And I don't mean you as the dinner."
"Sure." I said with oh so much enthusiasm.

"Seriously?"
"Will it get you off my back?"
"Definitely."
"Then it's a date."
"You won't regret it, sugar." He hopped of the treadmill and gave me a peck on the cheek.
"I'll pick you up at 7!" He called. I turned to look at him with my hand on my cheek but he was already gone.
-------

AKA the chapter where Universe is shirtless alot.

short: the talk

Disclaimer: This update contains talk that some may not be comfortable with. Please keep in mind that this is going to be around Family Guy level of crude humor if I do it right. You have been warned ♥


"Son, can you come in here?" Merlot called to his boy from the comfort of the sofa.
Drover came into the living room noticing only he and his father on that floor of the house. "Yeah.. this doesn't make me nervous at all.." He trailed off as he took a seat beside his dad.
Merlot cut right to the chase. "Now I know you and Violet have become rather romantic lately-"
"Oh dingle berry! Please tell me this isn't what I think it is!"

Merlot nodded slowly, fighting off a smile at the look on his son's face.
"Now, Drover. I know at your age there's a lot of things you want to try with girls, maybe even other boys-"
"DAD!"
Lo ignored his outburst and continued on. "You just need to be careful with what you do, son. I already have fifteen grand kids and I don't need any from you yet."
Drover rolled his eyes at his dad.
"But, there is another matter. I know you must have had feelings for the darlin' when she was still imaginary, and you probably had to take them into your own hands, if you know what I'm saying. Now that she's real I don't want to hear you two going at it all hours of the day."
"Oh my Berry Dad stop already."

Undeterred, Merlot marched on. "Have ya done anything yet, boy?" All serious now.

*smack smack*
*giggle*
*smack*



"Uh... no."
Merlot knew when his kids were honest and when they were hiding something but he chose to move on. "Now, I've been through the same thing you are going through, with the exception of the girlfriend out of thin air. In fact there was this one time, before I met your mother mind you, ...."


~15 excruciatingly graphic minutes later~

".... and it went EVERYWHERE!"
"...."
"Son..?"
"I think my ears are bleeding."
"Oh it wasn't that bad of a story!"

"Really, Dad? This is where the line is and this is where you are allllllll the way over here."
Lo laughed at his son's embarrassment.
"Y'know son, if ya need some I may have an extra box I can spare, your Mama hasn't really been in the mood since she's started going through the change of life." Lo's generous offer was lost on his son, who just gave him a look for a moment.
"I think I'm gonna go in that corner over there and die now." Drover got up and started walking out of the room.

"Remember to practice safe sex!" Lo called, a cocky smile on his face.


----------
Hope you all enjoyed this little short!
I'm experimenting with picture sizes so feel free to let me know what size ya like ♥♥♥

at last

After Mare had given me the base ingredient I was completely jazzed to work with it, hoping for the first time in a long while. Unfortunately, Mom kept me busy with the family the whole week so I had to wait until the weekend. Ok, even on the weekend I wasn't supposed to be at my lab table but I got up at 2am, before anyone else even Gold Mist, and snuck down to my lab table to work.

Creak. Ho-dingle berry some one's there! I stood still as a frozen gummy worm for two whole minutes until I was sure no one besides me was up and moving. I quickly pulled on my lab coat and goggles and got down to work.

I was actually alone for once as Violet was asleep in her doll form. It was a rare thing for me to really be by myself these days. I was always observed by someone; Mom, Downy, Wisteria, Dad, but mostly Violet herself. Not that I minded always having her around, really that was the thing I loved the most. I can depend on her to always be there for me and she always no what to do and what not to do when she's around me. She knows when I need a sympathetic ear or when I just need someone there to sit with me. That's one of the things I love about her.... not love j-just friend-love and... yeah.

At what I guessed was around 5am, A cloud of colorful smoke puffed from the chemical concoction and in that smoke was the image of a girl's face. I had never seen her before but upon looking into the smoke girl's eyes, I knew it was Violet. I did it... I made the potion!

I changed back out of my lab wear and waited for everyone else to wake up, too excited to actually go back to sleep. I did however take the time to think back on my life, thus far. Making Violet real will change everything, I'll no longer have to worry that I'm some lunatic talking to a hallucination. Everything will be different.

When life was young

and all was clear

not much to fear

besides the monsters under your bed

but as you get older
the world's like a boulder
ready to fall right down on your head

when life was young.

At about 8:30 everyone was awake. I couldn't wait, so before they could even get breakfast I had summoned everyone to the front hall. Downy was a little miffed that she couldn't head right out to the slip n' slide but the others just looked at the strange brown liquid in my grasp. They of course couldn't see Violet, who stood right in front of them, but they would soon.

Violet was a bit wary of drinking the strange chemical and looked at me apprehensively. "Trust me." I urged, handing over the potion.

She chugged it down and soon a cloud of light captured her. Every one's attention wavered from me to the growing cloud of light in front of them, shock spread wide over their faces.

Adrenaline pumped hard and fast through me as I waited for the light to die down and show her.

Soon enough it did and the first thing I did was grab her in my arms and spin her around. As her feet touched the ground again I pulled her in close and kissed her.

I knew that I loved her and I was finally ready to accept that, I just hoped that she could too.

That evening I sat out on the porch just looking up at the stars and thinking. I heard the careful foot steps of Violet before she sat down next to me. We sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity before she said something. "Stop worrying, Drover, I love you too."

My eyes popped wide open and I looked over at her. She giggled before explaining. "Since I come from your mind I'm in tune with it."

"You can read my mind?!" I croaked making her laugh harder. "No, no. More like empathy." I sighed in relief before pulling her in close to my side.

A bright beam of light caught my eye. "Look, Vi! A shooting star." She smiled wide and lay her head against my shoulder. "Do you think its good luck?"
I thought for a moment before answering. "I sure hope so,"

--------

So so sorry it took forever for this update! life has been really chaotic and kinda crappy but the update is out! WOO!
and also, a good pic of Violet Umber~

a new soul

For the millionth time, Violet was frowning at me as I worked at my lab table. "You shouldn't work yourself so hard for my sake, Drover. You won't be able to enjoy life if all you do is go to school and work on potions."
"I'll enjoy my life when you can be in it fully." I huffed.
Her frown deepened and before I knew it I was smacked upside the head. Lucky for me her plush hands can't cause too much damage. "I heard your Mom and Mariner on the phone. His kids miss you. He misses you. Don't you see that your family is more important than someone who's not even real?"
I turned on her then, nearly knocking over the chemicals in my rage. "Dammit Violet! Can't you see that you are important? You're all I care about! Once I turn you real then I can be more involved with them! But you come first! You'll always come first, even before me!" My temper died down then and I slumped over the lab table. "Just..Just be real already."

Every morning I wake up and grudgingly start my morning routine, fighting the urge to just blow everything off and work at my lab station. And every morning I ignore the stares of concern from my family and shuffle my way to the line at the bathroom. Five people (and a baby) and one bathroom, mornings aren't fun and to make it even worse this lovely Monday morning Mom decided to voice her concerns.
"Drover, sweetie, I know you believe you can make your imaginary friend real, but," Ugh I hate how she says 'imaginary friend' like I'm five. "You're beginning to worry me. She's just a doll, honey-"

I lashed out at her then. "She's not just a doll! Why can't you just have some faith that I know what I'm doing?!"
Needless to say she was shocked at my outburst. Not once in all my life of being a misanthrope have I lashed out and yelled at my parents.
My head has always been swarmed with wonderland-esque imaginings but I could tell what was just my imagination and what was real.
"I'm not a psychotic fool, Mother! You used to be fine with me but now you're acting as if I'm some insane weirdo!"

Mom looked on the brink of tears, part of me felt awful for that but the other part was still very angry. "Baby boy I'm just concerned about you. You're tense lately and you've lost so much weight...." She trailed off, tears finally spilling over.
Not able to bear the sight of having caused my mother to cry I quickly turned on my heel and marched into the bathroom to drudge through my morning routine.

Vi made her disappointment in me very clear that morning and for once I was glad that she couldn't leave the house. School of course was spent with me wallowing in self hate and wondering if Mom was actually right, was I just schizophrenic or some ting of the sort? No, I shook these thoughts from my head, No, I know she's real, she is real. But... I'm trying to make her real, so at the moment she isn't...? Gah! I am going insane!
After a school day filled with trying to force my thoughts to be coherent ,much less make sense, I came home to this lovely gem. "Drover! We're going pay a visit to Mariner, so don't take your shoes off!" Mom called from the kitchen in a creepily cheery voice. I knew she was just getting me out of the house and away from my lab.

When I tried to pry it out of Mom that she was using this as a plot to get me away from my lab she cooly replied, "Don't be silly, sugar, we just want to visit the kids, we haven't seen them since their birthday, and the little ones have grown so much!" I quirked my brow at her, looking at her in the mirror... well some of her Dad's head blocked a bit. "Then why aren't Downy, Wisteria and Gold coming?"
"Downy needs to work on her grades, Wisteria's at a job interview, and Gold is down for a nap." Dad said, though I could see a hint of a mischeavious smile.
"Whatever." I huffed sliding down further in the seat.

We arrived at Mariner's house and were ushered in by a worn out but still some how cheery Paprika. Mare and Pappy had had another set of twins (the woman ovulates too much) and they had entered the terrible two's.
Well, mainly Sunrise who enjoyed hitting her twin brother and pulling people's pants down.

Horizon was a Mommy's boy and only really threw fits when Pappy wasn't around ... and when I try to hold him.

Mariner came down the stairs a bit ruffled, explaining that Padua was having a hissy fit again. Dad and him greeted eachother with their goofy handshake. "Why am I related to you nuts?" I mumbled.

Mare smacked his arm around my shoulders and pulled me away from the others. "You're just that lucky,bro." I rolled my eyes at him, a faint smile touching my lips.
His face became serious then. "Drover, Mom told me what's been going on. She said you have a friend you want to make real." This is why I like Mare, he didn't act like I was crazy, he had seen much weirder things on the job.
I nodded, wondering in which direction he was going.

He smiled at me then. "I think I might be able to help." My eyes lit up and my mouth nearly dropped to the floor. "Are you serious?" I gaped. He winked and pulled something out of his pocket before grabbing my hand and placing it in my palm, making me curl my fingers around it. I was about to say something when he put a fingure to his lips before looking around to see if  anyone was paying attention.

Mom was goofing around with Aero, Dad and Paprika were trying to coax Sunny into playing blocks.
Coast was clear.
Mariner came closer to me and spoke quietly. "The science facility has been looking into imaginary friends and making them real. I've found the base component of  the formula, that rock. Its pure rainbownium, when exposed to intense heat it turns in to a liquid. I can't tell you the rest of what we found, so its up to you to discover it." He patted my shoulder with a smile as I looked at him wide-eyed. "Thank you, Mariner."
Knowing I would want to take a crack at it immediately, he made up an excuse for us to leave, something about Aero's colon.
I hid the rock in my pocket and couldn't help the wide smile that grew on my face as we drove home. Mom and Dad, of course, thought their plan had worked. It kinda did.