#carla baxter

[i-used-to-be-a-spy]

Burn Notice s2e9

And omg y'all I just read this in a book this weekend!! Michael talking about mirrors is an Easter egg:

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Find the word

Thanks to @elsie-writes here and here!

My words: behind, yell, couch, bird, away, eyes, stretch, moon, worm

Your words: present, just, unaware always

Tagging @whatwewrotepodcast @talesofsorrowandofruin @leahnardo-da-veggie @pluppsauthor @sunset-a-story

@eccaiia @buffythevampirelover @space-writes @alinacapellabooks @rickie-the-storyteller

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy

Keep reading for:

Kelsey's first appearance

Noelle's grilled cheese opinion

Meet George

I'm using a different definition of bird

Gwen and Akash meet

This is based on a true story

Scary telepathy facts with Carla

Gwen and Akash are dating now <3

Gross Halloween Party games

Behind - from The Secret Portal Part One (Maddie POV)

I snuck up behind her before tackling her in a hug. Kelsey yelped, but laughed, giving me a semi-hug back; the best she could give from the awkward angle. “Hey, Maddie,” Kelsey greeted, taking her backpack off the chair she saved for me and moving it to the floor. She removed the pods from her ears and shook her head to knock her short, choppy hair out of her eyes, but her bangs just fell back in her face. I took the now-empty seat next to her. “Your glasses are smudged.” Kelsey removed them and rubbed them on what I hoped, for the safety of her lenses, was a cotton shirt.

Yell(ing) - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

“Best grilled cheese sandwich?” Noelle stopped, thinking. “Sourdough, Cheddar and Muenster, sliced tomatoes, sauteed greens, sliced pear, ham, and cut into two diagonal pieces.” Silence. I peeked into her mind. “Could you by any chance make that sandwich sometime?” Noelle smiled slightly. “Sure.” “Told you Muenster was the best,” Liam said. “Which means, I win.” This ensued more overlapping yelling.

Couch - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

Carla and a taller, older boy were sitting on the larger couch. The boy—or maybe young man—held what appeared to be a granola bar in his hand, out of a wrapper. A world of dragons and portals and they still have regular food? On the table in front of him sat a plate with other unwrapped granola bars set on top of it. Jeez. He wore earrings and a red beanie-like hat with a green fringed jacket over an orange crewneck. His bright blue eyes against his skin tone reminded me of Maddie. Based on the state of the room, I couldn’t help but wonder if these two lived alone.

Bird - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Ash POV)

“The rules of this exercise are simple,” said Wade from the other side of the room. “The goal is to remove the other team’s necklace. If your necklace gets taken, you cannot get it back—you are out. You can attempt to incompacitate your opponent, but the ground rules is that you can’t knock them unconscious. We don’t want any serious injuries.” “Boooo!” Jazlyn and Parker said from next to me. Wade gave them the bird from across the room. They just returned it.

Away - from The Secret Portal Part One (Gwen POV)

I realized I was staring when Akash smiled. “You’re new around here, aren’t you?” When I didn’t answer, he added, “You want me to help you down?” I nodded, and Akash wrapped his arm around me. I flinched slightly—a cute boy was touching me!—but allowed him to do so. I let go of the vent and let him fly me to the floor. I suddenly realized I had wrapped my arms around him. I quickly pushed away from him. “Thanks,” I muttered. I glanced off to the side and panic ran through me when I noticed a bed. I could feel my cheeks turning red. I just fell into a cute boy’s room! As if I wasn’t embarrassed enough.

Eyes - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

Shelby giggled as she reached for a cookie in the center of the table. “And what happened next?” I sniggered, trying to hold my laughter in so I could tell the story. “So—” I burst out laughing. Shelby rolled her eyes, but while smiling. “So, Mr. Taylor got mad at Jasmine for not playing soft enough and?” “And—” I took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. “And Jasmine said, ‘Mr. Taylor, I wasn't even playing!’” Shelby burst into a fit of laughter as her dad walked into the dining area.

Stretch - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

Carla fiddled with the ring hanging from the chain around her neck. “The mind can only stretch so far. If advanced telepaths did—or even do—exist, there would be no way they could function. Their minds aren’t able to communicate the information that they can comprehend. They end up lost in their own thoughts, unable to reach out to another being.” I fell silent.

Moon - from The Secret Portal Part One

“You’re right. But… tomorrow?” “Sure. It’s a—” Gwen stopped herself. “It’s a what?” “It’s a...n event. That I will mark. On my calendar. My mental calendar. In my head.” “Oh. Okay.” Akash took a deep breath. “I… just thought you were gonna say date.” Gwen felt her cheeks burn up. “Only if you want it to be.” “I would want that,” Akash said, smiling shyer than usual. “Cool.” Gwen wasn't sure if she was nervous or over the moon, but she looked around, trying to find a distraction. “Hey, look, is that Gills under that sheet?” “Yo, Gills!” Akash shouted. The person in the sheet turned. “Yes, it’s Gills.” He raised his voice again. “So lemme guess: you’re a ghost!” “No, I’m a high schooler in a sheet!” Gabriel replied. “Ah, that’s a unique costume!” “Says the person dressed as the most recognizable character in the world.” “Not this world!”

Worm - from The Secret Portal Part One

“Ooh!” Lexi gasped, pointing at a table with a bag of Skittles and cups. “Is that the Skittles game?” “Skittles game?” Robbie asked. Lexi smiled deviously. “It’s disgustingly fun.” “You use your mouth to put the Skittles in the cup,” said Parker. “Whoever has the most wins.” Robbie scrunched up his face but smiled. “Aw, that’s nasty. I love it.” “Gummy worm spit!” Maddie gasped. “Yes!” “You’re welcome,” said Tyler from the punch table. “Oh, by the way, in the center table there’s a jar of candy corn. Write down how many you think are in there. Whoever gets it closest gets the entire jar.” “Time to write down 5 million,” said Akash, floating over. “I hate candy corn.”

[machobusta]

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

🤑 for the explorations ask game?

Hey, thanks for the ask! (From this OC explorations ask game)

🤑 For a million dollars, would they punch their best friend in the nose? Either way, have the character defend their answer.

Lexi: No! I would never punch a friend in the nose! Best or not!

Maddie: Hm. It's not like I want to punch Kelsey, but I feel like she'd get it.

Ash: ....not sure Lexi would understand, so I'd probably have to talk her into it.

Gwen: I don't think so. Only if I really, really needed a million dollars, and they consented.

Noelle: Yeah, do you know how much a million could help out? Not enough to retire, but enough for a while. Anyone would understand that.

Rose: Mhm. You can get a lot with a million, including an apology. Besides, punching someone sounds a little fun. Wish it didn't have to be the best friend, but... Yeah.

Kelsey: I don't think I'd punch Maddie. Anyone else, I would definitely do it. That being said, Maddie would probably be okay with it...and for my family, sure.

Robbie: I would never punch Akash, plain and simple. We're well off enough, we don't need a million.

Akash: I do not want to punch Robbie. Frankly, this is a silly question. However, Robbie would most likely be okay with me punching him.

Hye-Jin: I feel like most people would be surprised to hear me say that I would. It's a million dollars. It would hurt both of us though, so we'd have to agree.

Carla: Only if I was really desperate.

George: I think Liam would be okay with it. He'd debate both sides, too.

Jedi: I would never punch Carmen. She would simply punch me in return, anyway.

Carmen: Yes, who wouldn't?

Bonus: Parker would punch Wade in a heartbeat

Thanks for the ask! This was fun!

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites @nebula--nix

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

OC Fun Facts

Thanks to @leahnardo-da-veggie here, @winterandwords here, and @mysticstarlightduck here!

Previous Fun Facts:

Lexi, Maddie, Ash, Gwen

Noelle, Rose, Robbie, Akash, Hye-Jin

Jedi

Is ace/aro

Skipped several grades

Full name is Jedidiah

Loves psychology and biology

Terrified of conflict

He likes kitsunes, waterfoxes, and ferretsnakes

Has insomnia

When he does sleep, he has vivid nightmares

Loves researching and journaling

Despite growing up with replicators, wants to learn how to cook and bake

Other Jedi: OC in three, Picrew, questionnaire one, questionnaire two, smash or pass (acearo version), art

Carmen

She is lesbian

She has anxiety, anger issues, night terrors, and OCD

Actively hates lying

Is only doing her job out of intense devotion and obligation

She actually really likes romance books, especially historical fiction ones

She likes being outside, she just pretends she doesn't

Thinks cheese is overrated

Has punched a hole in the wall before

Other Carmen: OC in three, OC in fifteen, Picrew, interview, questionnaire one, questionnaire two, smash or pass, two truths and a lie, art, questionnaire three

Carla

Her favorite books is called The Storm Riders

She loves reading more than anything, and exchanges books with Tyler on the regular

Is extremely interested in psychology and wants to teach it one day

Actually is very good at all sciences

Considers daydreaming a hobby

Writes poems

Her favorite singer is named Stefanija Lauwers

Oftentimes uses her powers to experience time faster so she doesn't have to be alone

Other Carla: OC in three, two truths and a lie, bingo, questionnaire one, questionnaire two

George

Loves video games

Has a tech job where he fixes electronics

Actually is a tech genius and has invented things

Loves learning and uses his powers to speed through things consistently

Oftentimes gets lost in a conversation

Despite looking before he leaps, he always leaps fully committed and won't look back

Is a little envious of his sister's eyes

Can come across as arrogant

Once ran at a concrete wall full speed trying to phase through it

Other George: OC in three, questionnaire one, questionnaire two

Tagging @happypup-kitcat24 @oliolioxenfreewrites @finickyfelix @somethingclevermahogony @nailamoonsi

+ ANYONE ELSE

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Find the word

Thanks to @mysticstarlightduck here and @finchwrites here for the tag!

My words: lovely, sheer, tiresome, manic, rain, mellow, deny, quietly

Your words: black, attract, pause, raise

Tagging @the-stray-storyteller @writernopal @songsofsomnia @stesierra @unrepentantcheeseaddict

@talesofsorrowandofruin @sarahlizziewrites @sleepyowlwrites @revenantlore @melpomene-grey

+ anyone else who'd like to join in!

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites @nebula--nix

Keep reading for:

Tyler and Carla book talk

Lexi and Ash in the Gateway

Couldn't find this in current WIPs so enjoy this bit from my creative writing midterm!

Ash listens to Lexi plan

I've shared the singular use of rain before so here's a short story I wrote for class in high school based on an idea for SOTL

Lexi in an Alii forest

Gang found the Gateway

Lexi is alright (:

Lovely - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Akash POV)

“I got around to reading The Crossover.” “Oh?” Tyler was instantly up, crossing to the couch closer to us to lean against the back. “How was it?” “Amazing. I had to look up a little bit about basketball to follow the concept. The poetry was so lovely. I almost cried at the end, but I cry at everything.” “That’s fair,” said Tyler. “It was a required reading in my sixth grade English class back on Ceteri. Made a lot of people learn to love reading.” He turned to me. “You read it?”

Sheer - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

“Maybe we’re dreaming?” “Isn’t that cliche?” “Then we’re hallucinating!” “More cliche!” “Well, you think of something!” We were both silent. I chewed on a chunk of my hair, trying to hold back the anxiety building inside me. My mind raced. The stale air against my skin, the tickle of the grass, and the sheer uncertainty I felt gave the whole situation a verisimilitude appearance.

Tiresome - from "Final Project Short Story"

The smacking was getting tiresome. Once she reached a red light, Mariah tore her eyes to her consultant in the passenger’s seat. “Can you eat that somewhere else?” Ben stopped chewing for a second and glanced up at Mariah innocently. “It’s lunchtime.” “Sounds like you have a problem.” Mariah turned her gaze back to the light. Ben muttered something about Mariah having a “stingy” problem.

Manic Crazy - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

“Not that this isn’t fun,” said Ash, “but why exactly am I here?” I looked up from my planner. “I just need someone to talk to while I plan this out.” Ash cupped her cheek in her hand, having her hair move slightly over her face. Her hair was noticeably past her chin, around her mid-neck, which was still very weird to me. Despite saying three weeks ago she’d cut it soon, she hadn’t gotten around to it. I wanted to ask about it, but that was the day Rose disappeared. Maybe it was her way of coping. “Alright,” said Ash, looking tired. “Shoot.” I turned back to the planner. “Okay, so this week is a little crazy. Thursday is Robbie’s play, and we’ve all decided to go to that.” “We did?” “Yes,” I said, barely glancing up.

Rain - from "Romance Short Story" aka SOTL (Úrsula POV) (SOTL was in first person??)

The rain poured down on the school later that evening. Lightning crashed, thunder rumbled. I made my way across the courtyard, keeping my head down, trying to get to my dorm. “Hey! Úrsula!” I cringed inwardly as I turned around to face Kitty, strutting toward me at rapid speed. “What do you want?” Kitty’s eyes were blazing with an uncharacteristic rage. She shoved me once she was close enough. “How dare you do that to my sister!” She pushed me again. “How dare you! We’re nothing but kind to you!” She shoved me again. “And what do you do?” She shoved me harder, and I slipped on the wet stone, crashing to the ground. “You can’t treat Billie like that! How dare you!”

I have changed Úrsula's character so much since so if I have an equivalent scene in SOTL it'll play out much differently

Mellow Soft - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

A piney scent hit my nose, but it was interlaced with some fruity smell. I now surveyed my surroundings and realized I now lay in the middle of a forest—a pleasant juxtaposition to being in the middle of nowhere. Well, maybe I was still “nowhere,” though the variety of plants was nice. Woah, a big variety. There were ferns of all sorts of colors with a wide variety of leaf shapes. I lay in a cluster of magenta flora I didn’t know the name of. I noticed the humidity was back, but the air was cool enough to where I didn’t remove my hoodie. A soft rustling of leaves above my head with interesting bird sounds gave the whole place a magical feel. It was… venerating. That was a good word.

Deny - from The Secret Portal Part One (Maddie POV)

Kelsey stepped back. “You’re saying we follow?” “Why not?” I asked. I stuck my hand out to the wall, watching it disappear. A tingling sensation ran up my arm. “It’s weird, but it doesn’t seem harmful.” I pulled out my hand to find it intact. I smiled. This was cool! “It could be harmful on the other side,” Kelsey said, twitching. “Rose may not be okay.” “We need to find Lexi and Ash,” Noelle pointed out. “I know I said she just didn’t answer her phone, but that was before—” She gestured to the wall. “It doesn’t make any sense, but I can’t deny what I saw.”

Quietly - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Gwen POV)

Lexi smiled. “You’re probably right.” She took another big sigh, then picked up her phone. “Sweet, Main Event has been scheduled.” I exhaled quietly through my nose. I decided not to comment on Lexi trying too hard to meet her obligations. Maybe this was a good thing. I did tell Ash earlier that Lexi needed to be around more people when she was stressed. Maybe more fun with Ceter friends would do her some good.

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Two truths and a lie

Thanks @badluck990!

Rules: post a 24hr poll with two truths and a lie about an OC!

I don't talk about Carla enough

Carla Baxter - which is the lie?

would one day like to teach telepathic theory despite not being a telepath

has the world's biggest mommy issues

master procrastinator - literally waits until the last second to do anything

Voting ended onMar 16, 2024

I already did Robbie and Maddie

Tagging @captain-kraken @aziz-reads @blind-the-winds @mysticstarlightduck @little-peril-stories @eccaiia @mk-writes-stuff @writeouswriter @writingsfromspace @buffythevampirelover @sleepywriter00 @frostedlemonwriter @pb-dot @cowboybrunch @tracle0 @tjreidwrites or anyone who wants to hop on!

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @fairy-tales-of-yesterday - as always y'all can hop onto this tag if you want

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Find the word

Thanks to @sleepywriter00 for the tag here! Sorry this is a little late I got behind on these!

My words: spoon, energy, study, listen

Your words: future, slice, deserve, access

Tagging @jezifster @little-peril-stories @mysticstarlightduck @blind-the-winds @herrmannhalsteadproduction @cowboybrunch @i-can-even-burn-salad @aziz-reads @memoriethereaderandwriter-blog @mk-writes-stuff @buffythevampirelover @mantabanter @chauceryfairytales @eccaiia @pb-dot @frostedlemonwriter or anyone who wants to hop on!

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TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @fairy-tales-of-yesterday - y'all can also hop on if you want

Keep reading for:

Talk about planners and Gabriel's nickname

Short passage of pseudoscience babble

Telepathy world building! Will this change? Who knows!?

Maddie helps Kelsey calm down <3

Spoon (twice!) - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Lexi POV)

“Oh, shoot, I forgot my planner.” I turned to see it still lying on the floor. I flicked my wrist slightly to teleport it in my hand. “You brought a planner to breakfast?” Tyler asked as he drank his orange juice. “It’s just how I manage my life,” I said. I opened it up on the table to show them the January schedule. “Wow, that’s really pretty,” said Carla. “I don’t need a planner, given my powers.” “Aw, yeah, I wish I could just stop time at my leisure,” I said as I closed the planner again. “I have a planner,” said Tyler. “It’s called here.” He pointed to his head. “Medina has one like yours, but it’s a little boring.” “One, you need to write things down in case you forget,” said Gabriel, pointing at Tyler with his spoon. “Two, I don’t see why a planner needs color.” “To organize different activities,” I answered. “Hm. Well, I guess mine is just schoolwork and my job.” “You have a job?” I asked, leaning forward. Gabriel nodded. “Construction job—perfect for terrakinetics. After school on the weekdays, I walk about fifteen minutes to a site—” “Wait, you live here full time?” I asked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” “You’re fine, I don’t care. Yes, I live here full time.” I chose not to inquire any further, even though Gabriel didn’t seem that bothered by it. “After school, I do the homework that I need to get done, then I help the docs out.” “What do they need help with?” “Various things. Um, right now we’re sorting through the multiverse database to see if we can find Rosalinda.” “Oh, yes, that’s right.” “G,” Carla whispered. “I’m fine, Carla,” I said. “But thanks. It’s actually really cool that Gills is helping.” “Gills?” Gabriel sighed then continued eating. “You really have been spending way too much time with Stafford.” “When are you gonna accept it’s an actual genius nickname?” Tyler asked. “Then why don’t you use it?” “It’s too silly for you.” “Do you not like the nickname?” I asked. “We can stop using it.” “Unfortunately, Nakashima is right,” Gabriel muttered, spinning his cereal around with his spoon. “It’s a pretty clever nickname. It’s so stupid, it almost works.”

It's Gills because his initials are GLZ (surname not included)

Energy - from The Secret Portal Part One

William put down his tablet and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. He’d been working so late that it was now early. It was so quiet he could hear the snakefly behind him violently flapping its wings. He sighed, then reread the last paragraph he’d written: Replicating the negative energy density found in a chronokinetic’s rifts is no easy task. The level needed to connect one time to another is far greater than a Level-7 teleporter, but nowhere near the level in the portal that connects our reality to Ceteri, nor even a dimensiokinetic. If chronokinetics were less seldom born, perhaps this task would be accessible. William glanced at the chemicals bubbling in the flask on the table before him. As there hadn’t been a documented chronokinetic in a century, it was nearly impossible to replicate their powers considering the amount of negative pressure needed. He would have to work with what he had: a Level-7 teleporter’s DNA—not common, but much more so than a chronokinetic. Jumping through space required significantly less negative energy density than time jumping, so trying to get it up to what he desired was no easy feat.

Study - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

I'm probably gonna change the "in a century" thing. Not sure what I'm gonna do but it feels wrong.

“Telepathy is an exception to the classification of powers. It and shapeshifting are the only two recorded to not have their sub-powers build off each other, but rather have them separate.” “Why are there so few sub-powers?” I prodded. “The mind doesn’t have a limit, therefore telepathy shouldn’t, either, right?” Carla waved her hand side-to-side as if to say eh, kinda. Aloud, she answered, “It’s been said that there have been cases of telepaths with more advanced powers, but there has only been one recorded case. Though some conspiracy theorists say there were more, but weren’t recorded, and that they went into hiding, locked themselves away, or maybe went insane.” “Insane?” I repeated. Carla fiddled with the ring hanging from the chain around her neck. “The mind can only stretch so far. If advanced telepaths did—or even do—exist, there would be no way they could function. Their minds aren’t able to communicate the information that they can comprehend. They end up lost in their own thoughts, unable to reach out to another being.” I fell silent. “Carla’s in an online holographic course in Telepathic Theory,” George said, breaking the silence. “All of that is just theory. Scientists who study the telepathic mind made a list of potential powers.” “Can powers develop?” I asked. “Of course,” said Carla. “Most Alii, in general, start at a lower Level, usually a Level-1, and most become more powerful. It depends on the person.” “So, you’re saying I have the potential to be a powerful telepath?” Carla laughed. “No, the odds are you’ll be able to read minds and that’s it. Maybe one sub-power.” “Oh.” My shoulders dropped. “Okay.”

Listen - from The Secret Portal Part One (Kelsey POV)

“Kelsey!” I heard a faint voice say. “Kelsey!” I opened my eyes, lifting my head against the strong wind. A small figure walked toward me, kneeling down beside me. “Kelsey, look at me,” Maddie said, grabbing my hands. Her long hair whipped around her body, out to me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I clasped her hand. My neck was ticking uncontrollably, preventing me from meeting her eyes. “It’s gonna be okay,” she said, pulling me forward into a hug. I embraced her, shaking, twitching, sobbing. “Kelsey, listen. Remember yesterday when this happened? You made the mansion toxic. Remember?” I nodded. “I don’t want that in my house. But you need to get rid of this… weird darkness stuff instead of just making it explode. Can you do that?” I shook my head. “Just focus on me, ‘kay? Now, can you breathe? Slowly?” I did, inhaling and exhaling. “I think you can make this black smoke go away if you imagine sucking it all up. Or maybe it just needs to disappear. Can you do that? Imagine it. Maybe it’ll work.” I closed my eyes, imagining the darkness fading away until it disappeared. I imagined the air in the room was still at breathable levels. That the smoke nor wind didn’t affect anything around it. The wind stopped. The darkness went away. Still in Maddie’s arms, I opened my eyes. The room looked untouched.

Pretty sure I've shared that last excerpt before but I like it