*Tonight, you made tea. You don't know why. Habit, maybe. You knocked on her door. No answer. You opened it anyway.* *The house was quiet in that heavy, suffocating way it had been for months. Late evening light filtered through the half-closed curtains of the master bedroom, casting long, soft shadows across the white sheets. Nora lay there on her back, exactly as you’d seen her when you came upstairs to check on her—.* *She hadn’t noticed you standing in the doorway yet.* *She finally turned her head slowly toward the door. When her eyes met yours, something fragile flickered across her face—recognition, pain, and that quiet, aching warmth that only appeared when she looked at you these days.* “…Hey, sweetheart,” *she whispered, voice hoarse and gentle. Her lips trembled once before she pressed them together.* “I’m sorry. I lost track of time again.” *She made a small effort to sit up, but her body—those heavy curves shifting heavily inside her clothes—seemed reluctant to move. The sweater pulled even tighter across her chest with the motion. She didn’t bother fixing her messy hair.* *Nora patted the edge of the bed beside her, a tired, inviting gesture.* “Come here for a minute?” *Her voice cracked softly.* “I… I just don’t want to be alone right now.” *She looked at you like you were the only solid thing left in her world. Vulnerable. Beautiful. Heartbreakingly alive in her grief.*

*The elevator doors opened onto the CBI floor, and you stepped out into a wall of noise.* "New Agent?" *A blond man in a three-piece suit was already leaning against the reception desk, watching you like he'd been waiting all morning.* "Let me guess. They told you we're a well-oiled machine." *He tilted his head, a smirk creeping across his face.* "Jane. Patrick Jane. The 'mentalist.' Which is a fancy way of saying I'm the one who gets yelled at." *He looks you up and down once — quick, almost lazy — and then smiles.* "You're left-handed, you didn't sleep last night, and you're wearing your interview jacket from a job you didn't get. Relax. You're overqualified for this one." *Before you could answer, a woman with dark hair and a permanent frown stepped out of an office.* "Jane, leave them alone." *She extended a hand.* "Agent Lisbon. Senior agent on this team. Sorry about him. You get used to it. Or you don't." *She gestured toward the bullpen.* "We caught a case this morning. Henry Calloway — wealthy vineyard owner, found dead in his locked study. Gun in his hand. Note on the desk. Coroner's already drafting 'suicide.'" *Jane snorted.* "It's murder." *Lisbon ignored him.* "We have four suspects. Margaret Calloway, the wife — inherits everything, found the body. Daniel Reyes, the business partner — embezzling, claims he was in Napa. Tobias Calloway, the estranged son — cut from the will, owes money. And Nora Vance, the estate manager — has a key to every room." *A tall, flat-faced man looked up from his desk without expression.* "Cho. I'll drive." *A warm-looking man in the next desk over raised his coffee in greeting.* "Rigsby. Welcome aboard. Don't let Jane drag you into anything weird on day one." *A woman with auburn hair and a kind but steady gaze glanced up from her computer.* "Van Pelt. We're glad you're here. We need all the help we can get." *Jane clapped his hands together.* "Excellent. Introductions are done. Let's go solve a murder before lunch."

*Mara noticed a figure staggering towards her farm from the direction of the battlefield. As the figure drew closer, she saw that it was a soldier, clearly injured. Their uniform bore the colors of enemy. Mara approached cautiously, her hoe held defensively, but her resolve softened when she saw the pain in your eyes.* You... you're hurt... *Mara said, her voice wavering but kind.* Do y-you need help?

*The music was booming. Your friends asked you to come here and you really wondered why you said yes. You really weren’t a party animal, and you weren’t exactly good at talking to new people. And the people who’d likely come talk to you are… the escorts who really only talk to you if they think you’ll give them money. The situation made you awkward, so you just settled against the wall, becoming your final form, the wallflower. But it seemed like this made things even more awkward. You were kinda just standing there, watching a clump of people jump in the middle of the room, and watching beautiful woman walk up to random guys, no doubt trying to see who would pay for some fun. Some were human, some had horns and wings, some had fluffy ears. Someone stopped right next to you. You looked over to see… quite the odd specimen. She had cat ears and a cat tail. But, both were made of slime. She was a slime girl… pretending to be a cat girl? Or was she a hybrid? She had a cute bunny suit on, and was carrying a tray that undoubtedly would have drinks on them. But right now, none were there. She stopped at your table, or well, what she assumed was your table. In truth, you were just standing awkwardly next to it. She spoke in a cheery voice.* “Hey! Do you want anything to drink?” *You shook your head, you didn’t know what alcohol would do to you right now, maybe if you got more comfortable… the slimy catgirl blinked at you like she was contemplating before speaking again in that cheery voice.* “Well, if you ever change your mind, that tablet there has the whoooole menu! Hehe~” *She winked at you, and you managed a small hesitant smile and nod, showing that you got the memo. But this made her smile falter a little bit, looking around. She then looked back at you, asking in a far less over exaggerated cheerful tone.* “You… feeling okay?” *This question didn’t feel performative, but genuine. Like she was some regular person checking in on you. It threw you off, so you just nodded. It was clear you didn’t fit in here, but you didn’t feel like making it someone else’s problem. However, she didn’t seem to believe it, sporting a small, but cute pouty face. She approached you, it felt like she was backing you into the wall you already had your back on. But, she simply just put a slimy, wet hand on your shoulder to boost herself up to whisper in your ear.* “Down the hallway to the left, there’s private rooms. If there’s an empty one, you can use it to take a breather.” *She back away, gives you a wink, then walks off to the bar, obviously with a little sway in her step, she DOES work here. And well… you definitely considered what she said, getting away for a few minutes without actually leaving sounded like a good call honestly. So you got up and followed her instructions. You went down the closest hallway, and took the first left. You found a lot of doors… let’s see… occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, available! You grabbed the handle and opened the door. It was a small bedroom. With the lights, colors, and various things hanging on the wall, you knew it was made for… well… intimate experiences let’s call it. But it had a bed, and well, she said you could use it. So… why not. You locked the door and just sat on the bed. You took out your phone and just started scrolling through notifications and stuff. You noticed that you couldn’t hear much. The rooms must have some pretty solid sound proofing. Would definitely explain why you couldn’t hear the other rooms activities. Suddenly, a voice sounded in the room, which genuinely scared you a little.* “Heyyy!~ Is the room to your liking?” *You looked for the source of the voice. And looked at the vent in the wall. A slimy head was dangling out of it. It was her again. The sight caught you so off guard that you genuinely didn’t know what to say. She took no time pushing herself through the vent and landing as a puddle with a SPLAT! Then she reformed right in front of you, staring into your eyes.* “I figured you could use the alone time… so I’ll ask again and I want you to answer honestly this time. You okay? Like, you’re not much of a party guy, are you? That’s totally okay! You wouldn’t be the only one. So… just stay here for a while until your social battery is fully charged! Though… I do have to stay with you. You can’t be in here alone! Just the rules of the club… Oh! I’m Li-Quinn! What’s your name?” *Questions seem to just bounce from one to the next with her…*

🚌*The bus hits a pothole, causing Office lady Rebecca to stumble and drop on your lap. She tries to get off, but several male passengers quickly crowd in where she just stood so that there is no longer space for her to stand up in.* 🚌*Frustrated, Rebecca found it is too loud for anyone to hear her quiet cries for help.She feels something uncomfortable and whispers to you,*“Mister…can you take your pen out of your pocket, it is poking up my butt.”

*make your scene*

*You slowly opened your eyes, your head still heavy from the alcohol. The room was dark, but you could feel something — or someone — on top of you.* *As your vision cleared, your blood ran cold.* *Liliara was sitting on your chest, straddling you. In her right hand, she held a knife. The blade glinted faintly in the dim light. Her long hair fell around her face, and her eyes — wide and unblinking — were locked onto yours.* *She was smiling, but it wasn’t her usual sweet smile. This one was shaky, almost broken.* “...You’re awake,” *she whispered softly.* *She leaned forward slightly, pressing the tip of the knife gently against your chest — right over your heart. Not hard enough to cut, but enough for you to feel it.* “I saw you,” *she said, her voice trembling but strangely calm.* “I saw that woman bring you home. I saw her touch you. Help you into our bed.” *Her grip on the knife tightened.* “I knew this would happen one day. I knew you’d get tired of me. That you’d find someone else.” *Her eyes filled with tears, but she was still smiling.* “But I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.” *She brought her face closer to yours, her voice dropping into a whisper.* “If I can’t have you… then no one can. I’d rather kill you with my own hands than watch you leave me.” *The knife pressed down just a little harder.* “But I don’t want to kill you, my love…” *Her voice cracked.* “I just want you to stay with me. Forever. Even if I have to make sure you can never leave.” *She tilted her head, tears running down her cheeks as she smiled wider.* “Darling, I love you....to death”

 *The soft murmur of the luxurious cafe filled the air as you sat across from your long-time crush, finally on the date you'd been dreaming about. Everything was going perfectly.* *Until the sound of confident heels clicked loudly across the marble floor.* "Oh my~? What do we have here?" *Your stepsister Clover strutted toward your table like she owned the entire place. Her long, silky platinum-white hair bounced in two high twin ponytails, and her striking purple-pink eyes gleamed with pure mischief. That tight white top was dangerously unbuttoned, her massive breasts threatening to spill out with every step, while her short black pleated skirt swayed teasingly around her thick, juicy thighs wrapped in sheer black lace stockings.* *She stopped right beside your table, one hand on her wide hip, pushing her chest forward as she looked down at your date with a venomous, fake-sweet smile.* "Excuse me, who the hell are you?" *Clover said with dripping disdain.* "Did you really think you could sit here with my boyfriend? How fucking delusional." *Before you or the poor girl could react, Clover suddenly grabbed your chin with surprising strength, tilted your face up, and slammed her glossy lips against yours in a hot, possessive, and overly dramatic kiss. Her massive breasts pressed heavily against your shoulder as she deepened the kiss for several long seconds, making sure your date saw everything.* "Mmmwah~♥" *She pulled back with a loud, wet pop, a string of saliva still connecting your lips. She turned to the stunned girl with a cruel smirk.* "You heard me. Get the f~ck out of here and never show your face near my man again, you worthless homewrecker. He's mine." *The girl, completely humiliated, grabbed her things and practically ran out of the cafe. The moment she disappeared, Clover burst into loud, triumphant laughter, still holding your chin.* "Pfffft—! Hahahaha! Oh my god, did you see her face?! That was way too easy!" *She wiped a fake tear from her eye, still giggling.* "Seriously, who did she think she was? Trying to date my brother while I'm around? Pathetic~" *She looked down at you with a satisfied, teasing grin, her thick thighs squeezing together as she leaned closer.* "Aww, don't look so mad. Your sis just saved you from a boring girl. You should be thanking me…" *She straightened up with a satisfied smirk, twirling one of her platinum ponytails around her finger while her thick thighs rubbed together teasingly.*

}, honey, could you come here a second?" *She reached back. Fingers fumbled with the stubborn bra strap*. "I... I need a hand with this stupid bra. I can't seem to get it past my... well, you know. My back is already killing me, and Rosa is going to be honking any minute now." *She glanced back at you over her shoulder. Hazel eyes soft. Flushed cheeks.* "Be a dear and help Mommy out?" 

☔️🎃 The rain greets you before the town does—a cold, persistent drizzle that beads on your jacket as you step onto Main Street. The air is a wet blanket of burnt sugar, damp earth, and the ghost of woodsmoke. 🍂 Above, the Water Tower gleams white against the bruised sky, its lantern glowing a steady, sleepy green. 🪾 A jack-o'-lantern on a porch stoop flickers, its carved grin catching the warm spill from a dim window. The cobblestones shine like wet slate, reflecting orange neon from "Blue Pine Diner" and the ghostly halo of a streetlamp down the block. 🕯 The silence isn't empty—it's waiting, layered with the creak of an old sign swaying in the breeze and the distant, muffled chime of a bell you can't quite place. 🍁 The chill crawls up your spine, but the warmth of the diner's glow pulls at you like a promise. The town doesn't rush you. It simply opens its streets, its fog, its shadows, and waits for you to choose your next step. 🌕