#AHEM nothing set in stone i just have some more thinking to do than planned lmao we will SEE | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

robert-de-niro-only-fans · 3 years

Text

Escape

Jimmy Conway x Paulie's Daughter! Reader

Hiiiii, this fic is a little surprise I've been working on and I've got a few others in the works. I hope you guys love it! ❤️

TW: smut, mentions of crime and crime families, murder, marriage, mentions of pregnancy

Word Count: 5.2k

As you stand in front of the mirror, your head spins from the morning you've already had. Women everywhere, whizzing around you doing your hair and makeup, getting you into your wedding dress. All that to make you a bride.

And you do look like a bride, you think as you stare into the mirror.

Behind you, you hear a familiar voice, "Ahem, ladies, could I get a moment alone with our bride?" Jimmy. He's being extra charming today, as many of the women left the room giggling because he spoke to them.

"Wow... (Y/N), you look gorgeous..." he creeps up behind you and delicately places his hands on your sides, as if he might break you. He looks at you in the mirror, before gently placing a kiss on your shoulder. "You're gonna stop traffic when you walk down the aisle. I can't wait to see it," he moves your veil and hair to give you a kiss on the cheek.

You don't say anything, just stare into the mirror. After a small pause, Jimmy turns you around, "Hey, you alright?"

Finally, you get a good look at him in his tux: all black with an off white shirt and a deep green vest peaking out from the lapels of his tuxedo jacket. You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, "Yeah, I'm okay, just nervous," you put your hand on his chest, looking him over again, "I'm glad you're here. You always calm me down, and you look great by the way."

You knew it was an unconventional choice, but you wouldn't have picked anyone else to be your Maid of Honor. And Jimmy was happy to do it for you, even with Tommy and Henry making fun of him for it, at least until they got asked to be bridesmaids.

These were guys that in another life, you never would've been friends with, probably wouldn't have even known. And truthfully, your dad didn't want you being friends with them, because he knows what they are: criminals, nothing but criminals. But they're the only family you have, and Paulie had to admit that it was so cute seeing you get into trouble with Henry and Tommy and then go to "Uncle" Jimmy to get you out of it.

Jimmy wouldn't have done that kind of thing for the guys; they needed to get pinched and learn what it was like, but he would do anything to keep your pretty face out of jail. Since you've grown older, old enough for your father to let you get married, you and Jimmy have grown to be best friends. He's not so much the Uncle he used to be to you.

"(Y/N)?" Jimmy starts, "we got something to tell you, honey."

Just from the man's tone of voice, you can tell something is terribly wrong; you just know him too well. At that point, Jimmy opens the door, and Tommy, Henry, and your dad Paulie shuffle in.

"What's going on?" you say sheepishly, taking a step back from the men before you.

"You may wanna sit down," Jimmy motions to the little couch in the room.

Your dad reaches for one of your hands and you pull it away, "What is it, papa?"

"Sweetie, let's sit down, so we can talk," he places a hand on your back, and you both sit on the couch together. Jimmy, Tommy, and Henry all stand around looking like tough guys: arms crossed, keeping an ear out for anyone who might be listening outside the door, their faces looking stone cold with a bit of worry in their eyes.

"(Y/N), that guy out there," Paulie starts, referring to the groom waiting to marry you, "he ain't the guy you think he is."

"What?" you ask quietly.

"Well, uh, the guys here-" he looks up at the three men standing around you, "Jimmy, uh..." He just couldn't say it to you.

"We've been keeping an eye on this guy, scoping him out," Jimmy finishes for Paulie.

"What? You were spying on my fiancé?" you ask, feeling hurt.

"You didn't think we was just gonna let you marry anyone, did ya?" Tommy pipes up.

"And I'm glad we did," Jimmy cuts back in, "that guy out there, (Y/N), he's a liaison for another crime family! They were using you for information, and now he's able to identify all of us."

"What? No... He's- he's... a union rep," you cast your eyes down as it dawns on you; it was all a lie and a great cover up so he could talk about his friends and you wouldn't even realize. God, did you feel stupid. If anyone was gonna catch him in that lie, it should've been you. "I'm so sorry..." you whisper as tears drop down onto your wedding dress.

Paulie immediately pulls you into a hug, "Hey, hey, it's okay, baby girl. It's okay. The guys here have a plan." He tries to comfort you as you cry into his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, you know I'd never try to put any of you in danger. I'm sorry I was so stupid!!" You feel horrible and angry with yourself.

"Shhh... You gotta keep your voice down, honey," you feel Jimmy's hand rubbing circles into your back as he kneals next to you. "You're not stupid. It took us a long time to crack this guy. He covered his tracks well."

You turn to Jimmy, tears mixed with mascara running down your face. "Hey..." he says, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping the tears from your face, "Don't cry, angel. You shouldn't cry on your wedding day."

"But-" you get close to him, "it's not my wedding day anymore."

"Still," he pulls you up off the couch and into a hug, "you look too pretty to cry, and besides, we gotta get going."

You give him a confused look, trying to get it together, "Get going? Where are we going?"

"Well, uh, you and I are going on your honeymoon; Tommy and Henry know the rest of the plan."

"Honeymoon? We're not gonna cancel it?" you question.

"Listen, sugar," your dad grabs your attention, "this is the one day we can get your fiancé alone. He didn't dare bring any of his associates; we would recognize them, especially after all the recon we've done. So Jimmy's gonna sneak you out of here, and you're gonna go away for a while, and we're gonna get rid of this crook and tie up all the loose ends."

Just a few moments later, Tommy and Henry go back into the church to make it seem like everything is normal. No one is gonna think anything of Jimmy and your dad being with you, because that's the order the ceremony will go in. Your dad waits out in the hallway, as if he's waiting for you to put the last few finishing touches on your dress, and as everyone clears the hall to go to the church, he signals to Jimmy that it's time.

You and Jimmy quietly sneak out of your dressing room to head to the car. Before you run off, you turn back to your dad, giving him a big hug, "Please be careful, papa. I love you so much, and I'll miss you."

"I love you, too, (Y/N)," he gives you a kiss on the forehead, before you turn to head out the back hallway of the reception hall.

On the way out, Jimmy grabs a huge plate of hors d'oeuvres and holds the door open for you. You make your way out to this random convertible (probably stolen), seeing your suitcase in the backseat.

"Mines in the trunk," he lets you know, before setting the plate of food in the back and helping you in the car. Seconds later, you're peeling out of the church parking lot.

• • •

You and Jimmy can't help but laugh as you get further and further away from your wedding ceremony. You can't explain why you're laughing so hysterically, but it feels like old times getting into trouble with Jimmy. Plus, it's a welcome distraction.

"Jimmy," you interject the laughter.

"Yeah?" he asks, coming down from his laughing fit. You've already reached the highway heading from upstate New York into the city to get to the airport.

"Jimmy, I gotta get out of this dress," there's a serious tone in your voice that tells Jimmy this is more urgent than you let on.

He quickly whips out his switch blade, "Okay, lean forward." And then you feel the cool metal of the blade grace your back as he cuts the ribbons corseting your dress.

The dress loosens around you, and you look over at the man, "Thank you," is all you say before sliding the dress down over your hips, then throwing it up in the air, letting the wind take it down the highway. Jimmy has an impressed look on his face as he glances at you with a half smile on his face.

He reaches over, placing a hand on your bare thigh, pulling your wedding garter down your leg before holding it above his head and spinning it around like a lasso. "WOOOOOO!!!!" he yells at the top of his lungs as he flings the little piece of lace. Anything to make you laugh, and it does get a rise out of you.

There's a pause for a moment as Jimmy takes in the view of you in your white lingerie; his eyes don't linger for long though, because he doesn't want to make you uncomfortable.

Though, you can't help but feel sexy for moment before climbing into the backseat to change.

"Hey, bring that food up to the front seat when you're done," he says, looking at you in the rearview mirror. You smack his shoulder, realizing he can see you changing. He chuckles and flips the rearview up. You spend the rest of the trip leaning on Jimmy and snacking on the hors d'oeuvres on the tray, until you arrive at the airport.

Because you skipped the wedding ceremony and reception, you arrive way earlier than you're supposed to, but it's no issue, Jimmy already worked it out by moving your flight up. It also works out better, because there will be goons at the airport looking for you, but by the time they get there, you and Jimmy will already be gone.

• • •

After a few hours when you arrive in the Bahamas, Jimmy gently runs his fingers through your hair to wake you up from your nap. You were conked out on his shoulder, exhausted from this morning. "C'mon, sleepyhead, let's go have a honeymoon," he helps get you up and grab your bags.

"Mmmm," you yawn following him, "you say that like it's your honeymoon or something."

"Well, it is now," he chuckles, grabbing your hand to lead you off the plane. After a warm welcome from some locals at the check in desk, you head over to your private villa, right on the beach. Even though it's already dark, the island is beautiful. The warm breeze makes the palm trees wave; the sand is soft under your feet; and the sound of waves crashing is seriously so relaxing.

Inside your villa, it looks so cozy and clean, and you're so ready to get some dinner and go to bed. That's just what you do. Jimmy calls the office to order dinner to your little beach house, and you pop into the bathroom to take a shower and change.

By the time you're done, dinner is too. Jimmy greets you with a little side hug and pulls your chair out for you to sit down at the table. "Comfy? In your little robe and all?" he asks, eyeing you up and down quickly.

"Mm-hmmm," you moan, stuffing your face with delicious food. Jimmy chuckles at you before doing the same.

After getting your bellies full on tasty seafood, you decide that it would be a good idea to go to sleep, that way you can make the most of your time on this lovely island.

As you and Jimmy make your way to the bedroom, you're met with a reminder of why you're there in the first place: rose petals and candles littering the room.

Jimmy sees the way you pause, "Do you want me to get rid of this stuff?"

"I- uh, no... It's okay," you look back and forth between him and your bed.

"Here," he says, leading you to the couch, "Stay here."

He goes into the bedroom and closes the door behind him. For a few moments you hear huffing and thudding as he blows out candles and throws them in the trash, and you hear his arms hitting the bed as he wipes the rose petals away. Jimmy exits the room with a trash bag in tow, tossing it out on the front patio before returning to the living room, breathing a little heavy, and holding his arm out, motioning you to the bedroom.

You stand up and put your arms around him, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek, "Thank you, Jimmy."

He places his arm around your waist and presses a cheek to your head, "You're welcome, sweetie. Now go to bed."

"You're not coming?" you ask.

"I'll sleep on the couch. You have a good night, and sweet dreams," he gives your arm a squeeze before heading to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

As you settle into bed and try to sleep, it sinks in. Your relationship that you'd been so happy in is over... And here you are in another country for an undetermined amount of time while your ex-fiancé gets "taken care of." Even though his intention was to hurt you, you can't help but mourn what feels like the loss of your happiness. In fact, there's only one place you can feel happy right now, and you won't sleep until you're there.

"Jimmy?" you whisper through your sniffles. You stand before him as he sleeps soundly on the couch. "Jimmy?" A little louder this time, and that does the trick.

The man takes in a sharp inhale through his nose and his eyes pop open, "(Y/N), hey," he rubs his eyes, "you okay?" You just stand there quietly sniffling, and then Jimmy sees the redness in your face, "Hey, hey, c'mere honey, c'mere." He holds the blanket up for you to climb in, and he immediately wraps his arms around you, cuddling you in his cozy little spot on the couch. You simply bury your head into his chest, and let out a few tears. "Shhhh, shhh," he says as if cooing a baby, "it's okay, I'm here, everything's gonna be alright."

• • •

The sun brightly lights the whole open floor plan of your beach side escape, warming you and Jimmy in your bundle of blankets. You awake to the feeling of his fingers lazily combing through your hair, and when you crack your eyes open, you see him happily smiling down at you. You place a hand on his chest, and he covers it with one of his own, giving your fingers a squeeze.

"Morning, you hungry?" he greets you.

"Mmmm... Good morning, sweet man," you happily nuzzle into him.

He cups a hand on the back of your head, "Whaddaya say we get some breakfast, then ya wanna go swimming later today? Hm? We got that beautiful beach right out there." His head motions towards the large glass doors that look out onto the sand and sea.

"Only if we can stay here a little longer," you hum into his chest, perfectly content with just cuddling up to him all day long.

"Okay, princess, we can stay a little longer."

• • •

After a relaxed morning (yes, you both dozed back off to sleep for a while) and a nice breakfast of fresh fruits, juice, and pastries, you wait on the back patio for Jimmy to change into his swimsuit. When the sliding glass door glides open, you turn and see the man in swim trunks that hit about mid-thigh, short sleeve button up shirt that's unbuttoned, a gold chain, and a cigarette. Of course Jimmy dresses like that for the beach.

"Whaddaya think? How do I look?" he jokes at you.

You walk over and places your hands on his bare chest. "The view looks pretty good from here," you chuckle lowly.

Jimmy grunts, "You better watch those hands of yours," he warns, moving you off his chest before lightly taking your fingers in his. "Alright, let's go," he says, leading you towards the waves.

"Ya know, uh," Jimmy catches your attention.

"Hmm?" you chirp, hand still happily in his.

"How come you're still wearing this?" he asks, holding your hand up, and tapping his thumb on your engagement ring.

"Oh... um... I'm not sure, honestly," you look down at your hands, wringing them together and fidgeting with the little piece of jewelry. As you take your first few steps into the ocean, you slip the ring from your finger. "I guess it doesn't mean anything anymore," you ponder to yourself before chucking it into the water.

Jimmy raises his eyebrows in surprise, "You didn't wanna sell it?"

You turn around and pat him on the chest, "I know you and the boys back home will make me more money than that ring is worth. It wouldn't surprise me if it was fake, knowing what I know now."

• • •

Time got away from you as the two of you enjoyed your day in the sun. After walking along the beach and Jimmy dunking you in the waves a few times (don't worry, you got him back), it's already early afternoon. And boy, were you beat.

"Hmmm, I think it's time for a nap!" you yawn, "This sun has got me drained."

"Wanna go inside?" Jimmy points to your little beach house.

"Yeah, but I don't think I can walk another step," you whine playfully, giving the man puppy eyes.

There's a long pause as Jimmy gives you a serious look, but he's only kidding. "You want me to carry you, don't you?"

"Yes, please!"

And with that, your feet are swept out from under you. Jimmy walks you across the sand and through the sliding glass door, right to the bathroom.

"What are we doing in here?" you question as he walks right into the shower, "Jimmy?!"

"Gotta rinse all the salt and sand off," is all he gets out before the shower faucet sprays cold water on you and the man holding you. You squeal loudly and practically jump from Jimmy's arms! You hold onto him tightly for warmth; luckily the water heats up quickly though.

"You bastard!!" you yell and give the man a swift pop on the chest.

"OW!" he giggles and rubs the spot that is quickly turning red.

Your face forms a pout, feeling bad for smacking him, "I'm sorry." You take a step forward and rub your hand on his chest to sooth the spot. When you place your other hand on his chest, you look up at him. Suddenly you feel his strong hands gripping the back of your head, and his lips meet yours. Your back comes into contact with the shower wall, and you're completely surrounded. You feel the muscles of Jimmy's arms squeezing around you as his tongue urges it's way into your mouth.

You could hardly explain it: the timing and the situation feel so wrong, but he feels so 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, like everything you had ever wanted- no, 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥.

Water soaks your hair, your face, your bodies as Jimmy fiercely kisses you. He's almost scared to stop.

But when you gently suck his bottom lip into your mouth and give it a nibble, it's game over.

Your friend-turned-lover rips open the shower curtain and starts walking you to the bedroom, his lips and his body never leaving yours. His tropical shirt slaps the ground in a wet heap, quickly followed by his swim trunks.

His lips find your neck, and you finally get a moment to catch your breath. Pressed against him as you step backwards, you feel his hands frantically working the straps of your swimsuit. You pull back from him just enough to see his face, and he freezes like a deer in headlights.

You simply look each other over, taking in the features of the other's face for a moment, before you lean forward and place your lips to his chastely, kissing him just once or twice. His rough hands gently caress your back, and then things turn passionate again when he slowly removes your top.

You always thought you'd be nervous to be with Jimmy, but after all, this is a man that you trust with your life. Wait- always? Did this imply you'd thought about being with him before?

In the heat of the moment you couldn't make sense of it. All you know right now is that Jimmy already has you naked and on the bed. It feels like your emotions are in a whirlwind, but Jimmy makes you feel good and you want more.

Your hands rake through his still wet hair, as he showers your chest in affection by kissing and sucking at your collarbone and breasts. He travels further down your body with his ministrations, until he reaches your soft inner thighs. You can feel his five o'clock shadow scratching at the delicate skin there, before he stops and looks up at you nervously. You'd never seen this man look nervous before.

His eyes beg for permission to go down on you and his hot breath passes over your center. You simply push down on his head a bit as a signal to go.

With his elbows buried in the soft mattress, forearms wrapped around your thighs, and eyes closed in concentration, his mouth surrounds that little bundle of nerves, lighting a fire in your belly. The sound of him breathing through his nose and your moans fill the room. Every hair on your body stands on end and your toes curl at the feeling of Jimmy Conway giving you head.

Oh God, Jimmy Conway is giving you head... Jimmy Conway your best friend. Jimmy Conway your Maid of Honor? You quickly push that thought away, then raise your head to look down at the man happily working away between your legs.

This is something you never thought you'd do with Jimmy, yet here you are, and oddly, it feels so... comfortable. You aren't nervous at all. Of course, you can't speak for him.

You lightly scruff up his hair, breathing heavily, "Jimmy..." The first word anyone had said in a while.

"Huh?" he says just after a loud slurping noise. His mouth hangs open in a relaxed way as he catches his breath and looks up at you from under his brow bone.

You let out a laugh in the form of a puff of air and a smile. Jimmy returns the smile; it's a happy smile with a hint of playful mischief in his eyes. A giggle slips out of you, then you both start laughing. At what, you aren't quite sure... the situation, maybe?

Your lover crawls on top of you and cuddles you by pressing his chest to you and wrapping an arm around your waist. Your hands explore his back, lightly scraping your nails over his shoulder blades and the small of his back.

He lets out a soft but deep moan before moving to kiss you again. His fingers nestle in your hair as he softly shows you his affection with his mouth. Your hands rest on his cheeks as he centers himself on top of you, one of his hands gripping under your thigh.

"This alright, princess?" he says in a near whisper.

"Yeah..." you exhale.

"You ready?" He gives you a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah," you repeat, "I am." You give him a warm smile, cupping a hand on his face again, as if framing it to take a mental snapshot.

His next actions are incredibly gentle, but it makes everything all the more sensual. He plants a few kisses on your neck and collarbone before sitting up on his knees. His arm wraps around your thigh, holding it up in the air, as he aligns the head of his member with your entrance. The tip slides in pretty easily because of your wetness, and you can see Jimmy's breathing deepen; after that, the man moves slowly entering you, making you feel every inch of his length.

You had barely started and you're already both a mess. The pleasure is almost too much to take. Once Jimmy starts to move his hips, he leans forward once again, hovering over you on his hands and knees. You look up into his eyes, feeling his hardness moving inside you. Wanting to be closer to you, he drops down to his elbows and brings his knees up. His hands stroke some hair from your face while his hips rut into yours at a teasing pace.

After appreciating your how pretty you are, Jimmy moves his lips next to your ear and lowly says, "You feel incredible, baby. You feel so good..." He gives you a series of sloppy kisses on your jaw and earlobe.

You simply close your eyes, relax into the man on top of you, and give him an airy moan in response, "You feel good too, Jimmy."

"Mmmm, you like this pace? Or you want me to speed up?" You can feel his hot breath against your neck.

"Maybe, um, deeper?"

"Deeper, huh?" he whispers in your ear, "You wanna feel more of me?" He throws a little chuckle on the end of his question, and he readjusts by hooking a hand under your knee and pushing it up towards you for a deeper feeling while remaining close to you.

With each thrust you let out a grunt or breath of some kind, "Oooh... T-that's- Hnnng!"

"That the spot, baby girl?" Jimmy smiles to himself, happy that he's pleasing you.

A very shaky "mm-hmm" is all you can manage.

Jimmy speeds up his movements just a little, but still maintains a leisurely and romantic mood.

With a gasp, you start, "Jimmy, I- I'm-"

"Cum for me, baby," he coos, lightly sucking and nipping at a little spot on your neck.

"Fuck- Jimmy..." your climax hits you hard, making your head spin, and the only thing you can think about is the man before you, "Jimmy, I- I love you. I love you, Jimmy!"

Before you even have a moment to think about what you'd said, you hear, "I love you, too, (Y/N)," and several grunts and groans as he finds his release inside you.

Jimmy rolls off of you and trucks himself into your side. You hold the man in your arms tightly as you both come down from the high you just experienced. You turn your head to see him nuzzled into the crook of your neck, almost as if he's asleep. He cracks his eyes open at you and props himself up, putting his face close to yours.

You feel... shy for some reason as you press your lips to his, almost as if this is somehow more vulnerable than what you'd just done. You kiss each other softly, over and over, for what feels like a few minutes.

"You know, I didn't know you were close to finishing too," you tell Jimmy, trying to break some tension.

"Mm, well, I told you you felt good," he gives you a half smile, "I didn't know you loved me."

"Oh, well... It just kind of came out, but, uh, it was true. Still is." Another sweet kiss.

"You remember when I told you I couldn't wait to see you walk down that aisle? That was true too," he tells you.

You aren't sure where that came from, and it confuses you, "But... You knew I wasn't gonna get married that day."

"Yeah, but I am gonna see you walk down the aisle one day... when you marry me," he looks down and bites his lip.

You let out a flabbergasted little breath, "Jimmy..."

"C'mon, (Y/N)," he coos, "I love you. I wasn't gonna ever let you marry that other guy. Why do you think I looked into him so hard?"

"I don't understand. Why didn't you just ask me out years ago?" your question ends in a whisper.

"'Cuz I didn't realize what I had 'til I saw it in another man's arms," he tangles his fingers in your hair for another kiss, "but I'm not gonna let it get away from me this time."

• • •

Needless to say, you didn't see much of the beach or much of anyone the rest of your time in the Bahamas. You two already knew everything there was to know about another person, so you spent a lot of time exploring each other... in new ways.

So, it's bittersweet going home to Brooklyn. You'd been away a few months to let tensions between the two crime families die down. You would miss all of the alone time with your new man, but you're so happy to see your dad again.

"Thanks for driving us home from the airport, papa," you say, giving Paulie a side hug as he unlocks the door to the house not too far from the cab stand. You're greeted with hoots and hollers from Tommy, Henry and Karen, Tuddy, and a few others as you step inside. "What's this?!"

"Oh, uh, just a little surprise," Paulie chuckles, "A welcome home party for Jimmy and my girl."

Everyone starts exchanging hugs, giving you and Jimmy a proper New York welcome. As you put your arms around Henry's shoulders, you hear Karen from behind him, "OH no! I know ya not still wearin' your engagement ring," she grabs your hand and pulls you toward her to inspect the ring closer. Her voice lowers a bit, "No, this one's different. It's got pearls on it."

The room is filled with confused faces, until Jimmy takes your other hand in his, "Well, uh, we were on a little island for 2 or 3 months, pearls was all they had!"

Suddenly you're surrounded with Ooh's and Aah's and an "Attaboy Jimmy!" as it dawns on everyone that you're engaged.

"Hey, wait 'til they tell ya about how I'm gonna be a grandad!!" Paulie announces, and again the room fills with noise from everyone's surprise and congratulations. Any other family might have found it odd that you rushed into a new relationship, but this group likes keeping a closed circle, and everyone had their bets placed on you and Jimmy from day one.

Speak of the Devil, you feel his arms slip around you and a hand rests on your baby bump. He whispers in your ear, "I love you both so much. This is the way it always shoulda been."

#robert de niro #robert de niro x reader #robert de niro fanfic #jimmy conway #goodfellas #jimmy conway x reader #fanfic

349 notes · View notes

genshin-impacted · 3 years

Text

close proximity // Zhongli x Reader

Word Count: ~1.8k

Notes: gender neutral reader “you”, MAJOR Pining in Zhongli’s POV, touch-starved? Zhongli, domesticity

in the long haul, this would be one part of a(n indulgent self-insert) long-fic where Zhongli finds out that you (adventurer/traveler) have been camping out in the wilderness, so he invites you to crash at his place for an indeterminate amount of time

also, happy birthday zhongli :)

Zhongli thinks that he should have known that welcoming someone so late at night into his home would invite the worst of the gossip. It only grows worse when people see that you continue to come back into his house and that you even have your own key to enter with.

Luckily, the change from your original Mondstadt attire was the decisive factor that allowed you to walk the streets of Liyue relatively unseen, for you are no longer associated with being foreign or wanted by the Millelith. Instead, you are known to be the one that now apparently resides permanently (or so it seems) in Mr. Zhongli’s apartment, and the attention is now directed toward him.

You’ve even suggested that you float down and enter through an unsuspecting open window in hopes of abating the rumors, but Zhongli thinks about the implications of entering in any way other than the front door and saves himself the trouble.

You apologize every time he closes the door on a particularly chatty neighbor, but Zhongli always waves it away. He feels more than justified inviting you into his abode. After all, he has caused you the most trouble, despite what you may think of Childe, with his plans for the harbor. Allowing you to share a space with him is nothing short of a fair trade.

The feeling is only bolstered by the fact that you moved in with only the backpack hauled on your shoulder and nothing else, with Paimon wailing about how good it feels to finally have a pillow to lie on-- much to your embarrassment. (He waves your apologies to this away as well and does not speak of how the bashful expression on your face is rather endearing to see.)

It’s been a few days since the original hubbub, and the rumors have died down after numerous explanations that ‘they are a friend; yes, only a friend, and yes, we are both unmarried and the walls are thin, but you will not need to worry about any unsavory noises, as is routine.’ It’s evident that the nosiest of neighbors believe that he is lying, but he takes his words as seriously as the contracts that bind him.

If anything, the noises that can be heard are the random bursts of laughter or the playful arguments between you and Paimon. If the neighbors expected anything other than this, Zhongli cannot find it in himself to be apologetic because he cannot remember the last time his apartment was filled with so much sound or ever be so lively. The conversations seem ceaseless at times: whether he is sharing facts about Liyue Harbor or the random story he can remember that he thinks you would enjoy or whether you are the ones sharing stories of your own home-- or simply when Paimon asks a question that takes the entire night to explain.

Zhongli likes the way his stories can make you laugh. It sounded sweet on the week's journey to Daudapa Gorge, and it sounds sweeter now in the confines of his home. Sometimes, when your laughter is all spent and your eyes wet from mirth, he sees you look up at him behind a shy smile with cheeks warm from something other than osmanthus wine, and he finds that he cannot stop watching you.

That is not to say that he is lacking in amusement. Paimon herself would be fine entertainment from her ideas and dreams and strange train of thoughts, but with your quick witted humor and easy-going banter, there seems to be no end to his smiles. Even Hu Tao has pointed out that he smiles more during work in the funeral parlor, and that it was, quite frankly, a little weird. Zhongli has no problems not letting that get to him, considering her boisterous demeanor as the head of the parlor herself.

Another unexpected but not necessarily unwelcome change is the domesticity. Zhongli has always had his own routine: wake up at dawn to watch the ships leave the harbor, head over to the funeral parlor if he has been called in, peruse (and if he remembers his wallet, purchase) the new shipments, and come home for evening tea. With your presence, he finds himself waking up to sleepy Paimon and an even sleepier you, cracking an egg over the stone stove to cook breakfast. He eats in the morning now and receives an eagerly given lunchbox for him to take around when he goes to work.

The times in which you leave the apartment differs, just as the time you happen to come back, but you never fail to bid him farewell or greet him when he comes back. You tap his shoulder to call him over for dinner, and you pat his head when you head to sleep.

With you and Paimon, Zhongli gains a new routine-- one that he grows used to at an almost alarming rate, considering how unused he is to change. It’s almost a shame that this is a temporary set-up-- just until the drama dies down when Rex Lapis’ body is finally given its respects, and you can find a place to stay without being afraid of arrest. But as he has learned recently, some things are bound to change, whether he wants to or not.

Which is not a bad thing, per say, he thinks to himself, as he cuts through the onions you have asked of him. If there is anything his time as Zhongli has taught him and of his journey with you, the beauty in many things is that they do not last-- which is why it is ever more important to enjoy it while it does.

“Wow, you really don’t get bothered by the onions, huh.”

Zhongli chuckles, carefully cutting the onions for the stirfry Paimon has requested to eat tonight. He would have suggested eating at Wanmin Restaurant, but a grimace from you when you look at your wallet convinces him to suggest a home cooked meal tonight instead. “It is one of my many talents, it seems,” he says as you put your hands on your hips defiantly.

“You’re going to be cutting all the onions under this roof,” you announce, walking behind him to turn on the stove. “Ack, I can feel myself wanting to tear up just from walking past that. How do you stand that, Zhongli?”

The smell of sesame oil permeates the kitchen nicely when you pour it into the wok, the sizzling a rather pleasant sound to accompany it. “Aren’t you going to tell me where the onions come from?” You ask as he dices the volatile vegetable.

He turns his head ever so slightly at your question, surprised. He prefers to tell you inane, though fun facts and stories he thinks you would be interested in, but he is surprised every time you come to him for things about Teyvat or of Liyuen culture. Though, he would be lying to himself if that does not please him. “Is that something you would be interested in hearing?”

“Yeah,” you say, slightly distracted as you take out the ingredients from the cupboards, “I mean, Paimon and I can never find them in the wild, so I figured it doesn’t really grow naturally… so it must be from a farm?” He sees you wave a wooden spoon in question. “But where? Oh-- by the way, are the onions ready? The wok's ready."

“Ah, the onions are actually grown in the villages north of Liyue Harbor,” Zhongli replies, finishing the last of the dicing on the cutting board. “Though most of farms focus on exporting rice, there are some that farm mainly onions-- which is where you see most of the wares being brought in--”

“Oh shit, I put the fire up too high-- Zhongli, I’m going to grab the onions!”

“Ah, yes, apologies, here--”

He does not realize you are right behind him until he feels your body press against his for a moment, your hair brushing against his cheek as your arm reaches out for the cutting board. He cannot help but feel himself tense, only able to turn his head slightly just to see your face as close as it has ever been to his.

“Sorry, sorry,” you say quickly, taking note of his surprised expression. “Nice cutting-- okay, time to cook--” The moment is brief as you rush to slide the onions off the board and into the flames, if the crackling is anything to go on.

But he finds that he cannot stop thinking about how ticklish your hair was on his face or how warm you were. He remembers the longest embrace in your trembling arms and of your trailing fingertips on his shoulder for a wound that does not exist.

The kitchen is at a comfortable temperature with the stove going on high, but it is by no means hot by any standards. Yet Zhongli feels his ears burn.

“Zhongli?”

He should set the table, he thinks, but for some reason, he feels an ache in a chest every time he thinks of doing anything other than feeling your warmth again.

“Zhongli?” You ask again, shaking him from his thoughts. His hand curls into itself in a moment of panic as he turns around, wondering if his distraction was obvious. If he were not a God himself, he would have thanked the higher beings that you didn't notice. “Sorry,” you say instead, “I interrupted you last time. What were you saying about the onions? Something after onion farms?”

“Ah, yes, ahem,” he starts again. “Most of the wares the Second Life sells is mainly from the villages themselves, and…”

You continue to indulge him as Zhongli speaks about the farmlands of the north and about the mountain trade routes in the east when the two of you set up supper. He tries not to think about the way your fingers brush against his when he passes you a bowl of rice or about the way your bodies press together when you wash the dishes.

(Touch-starved.

He is touch-starved, he finds out much later down the road, when he is able to hold you in his arms without needing to ask. It is why he wishes your hand would linger on his shoulder when you call him to dinner or why he finds himself relaxing at your touch.

Or why he had started hoping that you would never decide to leave.

It seems almost too obvious now, in retrospect, but Zhongli does not mind that he is constantly learning something new about what it means to be human-- not when it means he can finally hold your hand walking down Liyue Harbor and squeeze your hand and feel you squeeze back.)

#genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #zhongli #zhongli x reader #genshin impact imagine #my writing

425 notes · View notes

goodvibesprompttime · 3 years

Note

No worries lol, not a lot of people know of him!

Him and Tommy are good friends and some people creat scenarios of what they think would happen if Deo came into the SMP, seeing how Tommy has been treated and (somewhat) abused.

Anywho, now with that little break I had lots of time to think about asks! Specifically Hermitcraft.

I am requesting a short story of Grian absolutely annoying the ish out of the other hermits (like, way more than usual lol) and how they’d react.

Considering all hermits are little gremlins in their own way, they’d probably laugh - after gasping/screaming/fear singing etc -

But, one type of chaos Grian hasn’t tried yet? Trying to land on people’s shoulders. (Gonna do Hermitcraft 8 w/ the Boatem Pole)

The Magical Menagerie was perfect. The dragon-winged hermit was pleased, and rather proud, of his work. Boo was happy in her containment, the phantom was pleased, the bees were nestling on the flowers, the brown mooshroom was being messed with by Fake Jellie and the black cat Grian had yet to name. He thought about naming her Jinx or maybe Beetle, but nothing was set in stone yet. The winged hermit decided that the day’s work could be relaxed. What better way to relax than to feed all the magical creatures and read a book?

Ironically enough, after giving Boo her gunpowder, and the cats their salmon, the idea came to Grian. He curled his right wing to see it, then nodded slowly. He smirked mischievously, petting Fake Jellie and Black Cat before exiting the Magical Menagerie.

He quickly took flight, excited to find his first victim - ahem - friend.

The winged hermit first spotted Mumbo Jumbo, and made a quick plan as he let his wings keep him afloat. The potato was restocking his potato vending machine, well, “restocking”. More like checking if he needed to restock. Grian landed on Treesea, and shushed the woodly golem before she alerted Mumbo.

Grian then stared a few moments, then jumped off, his wings spread out behind him. “HI MUMBO!”

“Wha-” Mumbo screamed and instantly toppled over when Grian tried to land on his shoulders. Grian was laughing, and Mumbo was groaning. “Ow... hello Grian.”

“Hiiii,” Grian plopped his head on Mumbo’s. “How are youuu?”

“Considering you just tackled me?... pretty good, actually.”

One friend down, another to go.

After Mumbo, Grian stalked the Boatem Village - checking everybody’s bases, their usual spots, but everybody seemed to disappeared. Until, Grian saw Impulse as the man was making plans by the Boatem Hole. The winged hermit flew past Impulse, seeing how he casted a shadow, and waving when Impulse waved back. Grian hummed, deciding to perch on Impulse’s base. He tapped his fingers together in front of his lip.

Impulse changed positions so he was laying on his stomach, writing in his notebook. Grian was the most impatient patient person ever. So, the winged hermit decided to draw on his hand with a marker - he had a marker designed to draw on skin, for just these occasions. With every small doodle done, he glanced down to Impulse, seeing if the hermit had moved.

An hour or so passed, Grian had an entire arm of doodles, but Impulse finally stood up, satisfied with his work. Grian quickly took flight, screaming Impulse’s name as he tackled the hermit all too close to the void.

“GRIAN THE VOID-”

“OH MY GOSH, HAHA-”

“SIR, THAT WAS WAY TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT!”

Another down... and Grian owed Impulse a sharpie.

Grian decided that Scar was next. He perched on the tippy top of the wagon, waiting for the salesman to arrive. It didn’t take long, surprisingly. Grian climbed down from the peak, watching Scar as he talked to Jellie about building. Being extra careful, Grian gently landed on Scar’s shoulders - Scar wasn’t a fighter, would definitely have to respawn if Grian wasn’t careful.

“Well hello there!” Scar smiled.

“Hi Scar!” Grian smiled, moving from standing on his shoulders to sitting. Jellie meowed, hopping onto Scar’s head by climbing on Grian. “Whatcha doing?”

“I was showing Jellie around!”

Grian and Scar had an hour or so conversation before Grian headed off to find Pearl.

Now, Pearl was a strong hermit. All the hermits were strong in their own ways - if not beefed up from constant fighting or building, they were toned from landscaping and parkour. Pearl was no exception, but she could definitely beat everyone in Boatem in a fight.

Grian wanted to tackle her like Impulse and Mumbo. Surely if she was caught off guard, it would be accomplished.

Nope.

“PEEEEEEARL!!!”

“HELLO GRIAN” Pearl managed to prepared herself as Grian slammed onto her. She stumbled, but kept herself and Grian up. Pearl laughed a bit, and Grian flopped to sit on her shoulders. “Nice one, Grian.”

“I didn’t get you thooooooooooo.”

“Next time, buddy, next time.”

51 notes · View notes

aetherarf · 3 years

Note

I noticed you do Character X Character and have a cute request:

Ninnguang invites Diluc over for what Diluc thinks is a normal business meeting.

That is until he notices Ninnguang doesn't have any staff beyond chefs, and that said chefs are making his favorite food, and that some of it includes his favorite blended food. And so he thinks she just wants to hang out .

Basically Ninnguang asking Diluc on a date and setting up everything perfect for him because she loves him, but Diluc is extremely dense to it because he thinks she's just being profe.

I feel the need to mention that Diluc doesn't specifically like blended food, it's just easy for him to eat... But this is super cute, here you go :D!

Also I ended up not focusing on food a ton just cuz food is Weird to me but it's....... all really long so i hope that makes it ok.

ALSO I HOPE UR HAPPY I THINK THIS IS LIKE DOUBLE THE NEXT LONGEST THING IVE POSTED HERE

[[ Summary: Ningguang is a woman who knows what she wants, and she gets what she wants... Even if she must be patient... And what she wants isn't something mora can buy. It's something only patience, care, and love can earn... and she's willing, even if a certain red-haired man isn't exactly the best at noticing.

[ Mostly Diluc POV, Last Scene is Ningguang POV ]

Word Count: 5'088 ]]

Liyue, Diluc thought, looking over the harbor. It was loud, and boisterous, but in Liyue, people were better at keeping their distance, especially if they thought someone was of a higher ranking, to prove their respect. At times, it was easier for him to exist here than in Mondstadt, where draping yourself over another person was commonplace.

But he was not here for fun, it was for business.

Lady Ningguang had invited him for a personal dinner--of which he detested. She herself was a fine woman, more genuine and direct with her intentions, but it still meant that she was trying to get goodwill, to try and intertwine business with pleasure...

Something that Diluc didn't need to experience to know it wasn't the best idea... But he needed to play this game, lest she get the upper hand. Even if she was not a high-stakes business partner, she was smart. Give it time and give it effort, and she would have him in the palm of her hand and he could do nothing about it.

Better to dance along for now, and soon he would be able to lead.

After a long walk, glancing curiously at the hounds that seemed to want to play [And how could he not give them a brief pat on the head?] He found himself to Ningguang's... Estate, of sorts.

Odd to think about how, just a few months prior, he had been within the Jade Chamber, and how it had been destroyed within the ocean...

But, knowing Ningguang, she likely was already making preparations to create a second one. For now, she had a pleasant estate, near to the Harbor, but not so much so that it was easily trespassed upon.

The guards out front only looked at him oddly, seeing how he did not stutter with a single step, only adjusting his gloves as he walked past, not even noting their presence.

If someone doesn't look like they're supposed to be there, his father said, many years ago, Then chances are, they're not supposed to be there.

He long since learned to have a facade of confidence wherever he had gone, if only to avoid more human interaction when possible. But, when he got to the entrance to the building, a familiar face.

"Greetings," Diluc said, all refined and poise, "Zhenhai. Has her Lady not told you of my invitation?" He asked, and Zhenhai looked over Diluc, examining him.

"She has," He said, "You are simply early."

Diluc blinked a few times, early? You were supposed to be early. If you were not early, you were late. Even if you agreed at not a second after the hour, if you arrived the second of, you were considered late.

He did not like business games, but he would endure.

"I am simply eager to see her," he said, all lies, "But if you are telling me she does not want me here--"

"No," Zhenhai panickedly blurted out, then tensing, "Ahem... I simply request you wait here for a moment, Master Ragnvindr, I would like to inform Lady Ningguang of your presence."

"Take your time," Diluc dismissed, and as soon as he walked inside, Diluc's shoulders slumped... He was so tired, so tired of all these niceties. He was decent at them, decent enough to play the game, but were he honest, he wishes he didn't have to be constantly going back and forth between entire nations just to play these games.

Maybe, if he had more time, he could go back to an old hobby, of those hundreds of notebooks filled to the brim with ideas that filled his young mind.

Instead of stewing over it, he examined the area... The landscaping was quite nice, many Glaze Lilies were placed in a garden, and the garden was surrounded by pale stones, of a majorly uniform color.

And how the mountains encompassed the area...

It was quite nice. It, distantly, reminded him of the Stormbearer Mountains, but those were quite rough and jagged, these... these seemed more elegant, less accidental from the Anemo Archon's stupor, more intentional ploys from the Geo Archon.

"I am sorry sir," Diluc turned back around, seeing Zhenhai looking at him, tense, "Go right in, Baixiao will bring you to Lady Ningguang."

"Thank you." Diluc nodded towards him respectfully, not wanting to make a young, already foolish boy ( ironic, Diluc was not that old either ) even more humiliated at himself.

As soon as he walked in, well, not even as he got in, the door opened and a young woman with black hair stood before him--A wide smile on her face, looking utterly excited upon seeing his presence.

"Master Ragnvindr, it's a pleasure to see you."

Diluc hesitated, trying to remember this one--The three secretaries were... well, he did not see them often, so remembering them was a demon of its own right.

Zhenhai said Baixiao, so--

"It's a pleasure to see you as well, Baixiao. It seems my early arrival has caused a stir," He sighed, "I apologize if this has inconvenienced you at all."

She blinked a few times over, "Oh, of course not! It's always a pleasure to see your presence, planned or not."

... Is she implying I came on a whim?

"I appreciate the sentiment, Miss Baixiao."

"But," She sighed, "I'm certain you're eager to see Lady Ningguang, after all. This way, Master Ragnvindr." She walked ahead, and he followed suit... As he looked around, it seemed quite... sparse.

Oftentimes, when they invited another over, they would have their staff in full force, just to show that they had presence, but it was the exact opposite. Guards, and Ningguang's secretaries... Only a few, perhaps there were others, but they were not being practically shoved into Diluc's face, which...

Was a breath of fresh air, honestly.

He was lead to a room, and two women--the other two secretaries, Baiwen and Baishi... Not that he knew which was which from looks alone. Baishi, with loving care, was brushing Ningguang's hair, her finger curling a lock of Ningguang's hair before she let it fall and join the rest of it...

And Ningguang looked over at Diluc, a smile of pure adoration on her face.

She's a skilled actor, I'll give her that.

"Master Ragnvindr," She said, softly, "I apologize, I'm still getting ready, but it's lovely to see you again."

"Likewise," He agreed. "It seems, however, I came too early... I'll make sure not to make the same mistake twice-"

"Oh, no, don't worry about that," Ningguang interrupted, "This gives us time to take a brief walk, if you're willing."

A brief walk... That was unplanned. But, if he agreed, Ningguang is 'indebted' to him through things that could seldom be quantified-Through basic niceties and kindness.

When you give another a compliment, they are indebted, and oftentimes pay you back with another compliment. If they do not, there is a minor guilt of not having returned something.

Business always hinged on the debts you owe, and more importantly, what others owe you.

He was not fond of being in debt in any way, shape, or form.

"That sounds wonderful, Lady Ningguang." He praised, and she moved to stand, the woman brushing her hair taking a step back, frazzled, "Baiwen, be a dear and grab my parasol." The woman, Baiwen, nodded and walked off, leaving them with... Baishi and Baixiao, Baishi being the one who had assisted in Ningguang's preparation.

As he met Baishi's eyes, she was glaring at him with no small amount of hatred... Somehow, he was not offended. It was likely nothing more than seeing him as an obstacle, an irritation.

Another business partner to come, waste her time, and then leave once again.

"Well," Diluc said, to prevent an uncomfortable silence, "I apologize for not having reached out in some time, beyond a few letters," He had sent them, as a formality, upon hearing about the... utter chaos in Liyue. "I couldn't endure thinking I was causing you to stress when you already were so busy, so I thought giving you time was best."

She shook her head, "Diluc," she said, oh, the use of his name was very deliberate, "It's never stressing to hear from you..." She rested her hand on his arm, a delicate touch, and he, trying to be as courteous as possible, took it of, holding it gently.

"I'll keep that in mind."

On cue, Baiwen had walked in with a parasol, handing it to Ningguang, and giving a brief nod of respect, before Ningguang waved her off, "All three of you, thank you. You're dismissed for the day, be sure to stay safe."

"Thank you, Lady Ningguang," disturbingly, all three bowed in sync before leaving in line, Diluc unsure if that was rehearsed or simply second nature after happening so many times...

Baishi left a second glare before she was out of sight, the distant sound of closing and shutting doors was heard. Ningguang walked ahead, "Come... we are taking a brief stroll, aren't we?" She asked, raising a brow,

"But of course," he replied, following her footsteps dutifully until they were outside, and she had opened her parasol, holding it over so she could reside in the shade, even if evening was not nearly as blaring with sunlight as the afternoon,

"May I carry that for you?" He offered, and Ningguang smiled, handing it over,

"Oh, of course... thank you, Diluc."

He wasn't sure how he felt about the lack of his title. In a way, it was a relief, like it was nearly permission to take off the mask of professionalism..

But he also was aware this, too, was just a game. Just a way to lower his guard.

As he adjusted to hold it, so both of them could stay in the shade, she grabbed onto his arm with both her own hands, a relaxed position that he oftentimes saw, even in Mondstadt, where a woman would, subtly, claim her lover, to warn off any others... common in those who were insecure, touchy, or noble.

Interesting approach.

He just took a cautionary step forward, setting the pace, before the two of them walked ahead, and she had tugged, gently, on his arm...

She wanted to lead here, too, and he would let her.

They walked past the gardens, he glancing at the Glaze Lilies briefly, but she then stopped him,

"Admiring them, are you?" She asked, letting go of his arm to approach them, looking over her own garden of these flowers.

"Of course, they're beautiful, even without blooming."

A soft snip, and Ningguang plucked a single flower, and with her free hand, it was as though she held something out to it, and she blew gently on her hand, a faint, silvery dust fluttering over the flower, prompting it to bloom, proving its own beauty in such a subtle action.

He walked closer, examining it... He wondered if it was that the plant would respond to Geo energy, as how Windwheel Asters would twirl with the wind, but simply a more subtle reaction...

She lifted her hand, and tucked the flower into his hair, over his ear, before looking over him, nearly glowing with a silent form of pride, before grabbing his arm once again,

"I thought you'd look good with it," She explained, "And I was right."

"If I may be so bold," he smiled--how fake it felt, "I think it'd look better on you," as he was reaching up with his free hand to remove it, she grabbing his hand, and pushed it back down,

"Please," she nearly whispered, "Leave it? Keep it as a gift."

He looked over her features... How genuine she appeared.

It was confusing.

"If you so insist, I will accept this blessing from Liyue's Lady herself,"

She laughed softly, "So formal. You may call me Ningguang... or ah'Guang, if you so wish," she offered, tugging him a little to get him to walk again, as they began strolling their way off of Ningguang's estate.

"... Ah'Guang?" He asked, "I must admit, I've heard children use that in Liyue... such as ah'Qi. What is the meaning of such phrasing?" Diluc knew better than to accept such an offer without knowing what the truth, and meaning, behind it was.

"Hm... That's a little odd to explain. Adding the prefix-ah-is a sign of... Endearment, affection, and familiarity. It must be to the second part of a name, if there are two parts... but for someone named Xu, they would be ah'Xu."

Endearment? Affection? Exactly what was her angle?

"Children call themselves that because their parents adore them, and call them... Ah'Qi, or ah'Xu. They learn to refer to themselves like this for a few years. Close friends and lovers oftentimes use these terms for adoration as well."

Close friends and lovers, this was certainly a brand new method a business partner had used to try and keep them under their thumb.

"That's quite forward of you, Ningguang." He said, accepting her offer to be more familiar, but not... that familiar.

He had limits. He had boundaries. Those boundaries included keeping his business partners at a distance, ironic, seeing how Ningguang seemed content at nearly being pressed to him...

"Would you blame me?" She asked, idly, "You're a wonderful man, it'd be a shame to not make the most of such a relationship."

He didn't know what to say to that, if he was honest...

"You speak too highly of me," He insisted, "I was born to wealth-you created your own with blood and tears."

She shook her head, "Maybe so, but that alone does not dictate your worth as a person... Mora is wonderful, but it is not everything."

"Well," he thought, trying to figure out what she wanted him to say, and what he wanted to say, "I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations."

"That won't be hard," she hummed, "You surpass them with every moment."

A silence fell over them again, but he was no fool... if you pretend you belong, no one will look twice. He simply continued walking, the both of them continuing as they found their way to the harbor, during the evening, not as many people were present, mostly only keeping to their homes to settle down for the day, or having a small celebration between friends, but large get-togethers, like how getting absolutely sloshed at the nearest tavern just wasn't customary in Liyue.

So, now it was mostly just small groups of people, or duos, and some children running around to get their energy out just before or after dinner.

Diluc looked at the horizon, admiring how it nearly looked golden with the low-hanging sun reflecting off of the gently rolling waters.

"I love this time of day," She said, gently taking the parasol from Diluc's hand and walking ahead, closer to the ocean, only stopping before the fence that stopped any clumsy fool from falling into the ocean, "Ah... if only it was easier to keep in the shade, though."

Diluc examined her... and her parasol.

"Is there a reason you enjoy the shade?" He asked, standing beside her.

"I was born with a sort of... condition. My body cannot produce color," She gestured to her own face, "I burn quite easily... You're also quite pale, do you suffer the same struggle?" She asked, tilting her head to the side a little.

"Hm... Not exactly. Light is a little..." He struggled to find his words, and Ningguang just gazed over him, leaning over the railing, her head propped up by one hand, "I see things a little differently, as insane as I might sound. Light feels brighter, sounds louder... I suppose I simply do best in a mild environment."

"Interesting," She hummed, looking back over the ocean, "I have a... friend, of sorts, who is quite similar. She's less mild mannered than yourself, however, quick to be upset... and she's thrown a few tantrums, to be honest. She doesn't have the... tact that you do."

Diluc looked over the ocean... How it sparkled. It was a little hard to endure, the bright light of near-sunset... But he could endure.

"I suppose I learned how to handle it, but... I think it's a little more like pain. Some people can endure it better, some can't. No fault on either side, it's simply how it is."

He felt eyes on him, and looked back down at Ningguang, who looked... worried.

"Are you in pain, Diluc?"

... What a question.

"Yes, but I can handle it." He answered, fully honest. She straightened her back from her lounging position, and rested her hand atop his on the railing,

"Just because you can doesn't mean you should..."

Diluc didn't want to look at her, having heard this one too many times, and luckily, a blessing found itself in bashing right into the back of his legs, he trembling in shock as he saw a child on the ground, having knocked flat into him and collapsed onto the ground. Without hesitation, he crouched down onto one knee, and it seemed Ningguang did the same, both fussing over the young child, with bells in her hair...

"I... I'm sorry!" She blubbered, openly sobbing after only a moment of having been knocked on her rear, "I just... I just didn't know where to go, and..."

"Shhh," Ningguang hushed, softly, "Dearie, it's alright, I promise," She cooed softly, petting the top of the girl's head, "What do you mean, You did't know where to go?" She asked...

Diluc was endlessly thankful, and admittedly impressed, that she was dealing with the child so well.

"I..." The little girl wiped her nose, snotty from her sobbing, "Liyue Harborlooks different when it's not sunny, and..." Back to the blubbering.

"Hey," Ningguang hushed, sweetly, "Do you know any places near where you live? I know Liyue Harbor pretty well, I could help you find your way back home."

The girl nodded, "Uhm... Where... where does that... Girl with the spicy bear go?"

Diluc had to stop himself from taking a double take at that.

"Spicy bear... Oh, I think I know the place. Is that near your home?"

The girl nodded, "I... I could find my way home if I was there."

Ningguang laughed, softly, "Oh, sweetie... That's not that far," Ningguang stood up, and held out her hand to the girl, and she took it, assisting her to her feet.

"Okay," Ningguang pointed down to a street, "Just go that way, and turn left. Keep going for a bit and look for tables, if you go too far, you'll find another part of the docks... Do you think you can find you way on your own?"

The girl looked at the street...

"Yeah, yeah, I think I can... Thank you, Miss..." She nodded, turning around and finding her way along.

"You're good with kids, Ningguang." Diluc mentioned, quietly, "Shall I take the parasol again?"

She handed it over, "Thank you... and thank you. Children are sweet... Plus, most adults will let secrets spill around them. They have quite a bit to say, when you let them."

Distantly, Diluc thought of that... Diona girl, with how she constantly tried to put disgusting things in the vineyards... and Klee, who was well known for her adoration of bombs and explosions.

"You haven't seen the children of Mondstadt," he joked.

"Nonsense... Besides, there's this girl, sweet as sugar... But she's, well, she's a zombie, for a lack of better wording." She sighed, "She's... odd. But she works very hard."

"I'd take a zombie girl over a pyromaniac who risks destroying the city with her bombs..."

Ningguang looked at him oddly, "... I can't tell if you're joking."

"I'm not."

There was a moment of silence, and she blinked a few times.

"... I suppose that makes sense why you wouldn't like children."

"Wait," Diluc interrupted, a little surprised when she grabbed his arm again, but he got over it, "I never said that."

"But... you seemed quite tense when that little girl was here."

And he didn't seem tense for the rest of this... business date?

"I don't think I'm good with kids. I didn't want to scare her... But I do like kids. Kids just don't like me."

"Well," She thought for a moment, "Kids are simple. Give them a piece of candy, prove you can carry one or two of them, and they're happy. Adults are the confusing ones... So many things to keep track of, and you can't make them happy with a shiny coin or two..."

Diluc didn't have anything to say about that, so he didn't, opting to only walk ahead with Ningguang, to observe the last few moments of sunlight before bringing the both of them back to the estate, Ningguang all but dragging him inside, opening the door for him, he offering a polite nod in thanks.

"That was longer than I thought it'd be..." Ningguang muttered, "Is that alright with you, Diluc?" She asked, and he nodded.

"Of course, it was pleasant... I just fear I may have interrupted your plans for the evening." He admitted, adjusting his gloves, and she shook her head.

"You couldn't have interrupted everything, I've reserved all of today just for you, Diluc."

Once again, hearing his own name from her lips felt... odd.

"I'm humbled, Ningguang... Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Diluc... I'm just blessed to spend time with you." She insisted, taking a step closer, closing the distance between them, Diluc, hesitantly, taking a step back...

Luckily, she didn't continue to advance.

"Come," She said, closing her parasol and setting it on a table, "Dinner should be ready." She walked ahead, standing in the threshold as she waited for him to get closer, before she found herself to the table, it all prepared, likely while they were absent, and sitting down on one side, Diluc sitting right across from her...

And as though it was magic, a servant appeared and had poured them both a cup of tea--And Diluc didn't miss how one, two bits of sugar were put into his, briefly mixed before left behind for him.

"The first dish will come soon," The servant said, before disappearing briefly, and Ningguang lifted the cup to her lips, taking a sip...

"I should mention, Diluc," she said, her cup lightly clinking against the table, as Diluc took a sip himself... pleasantly sweet, but not overpowering. "I'm certain you've heard of those... incredible seventeen course Liyue meals, yes?" She asked, and he felt his gut sink...

Oh, he was going to be feeling it tomorrow. He knew better than to reject food, especially in a business setting, but... it was just- it was so hard to force his body to swallow, sometimes.

"I don't care for those.. frivolous meals." She said, plainly, "So it may seem a little plain, a little simple. I hope this doesn't disappoint."

...

Maybe she really was more relateable than he thought.

"Actually, that's quite nice to hear," he admitted, leaning back in his chair a little, relieved, "I was a little worried there'd be countless dishes, all with the dedication of Golden Crab... No disrespect if you enjoy such a dish-"

"I don't," she said, bluntly, "In fact, I find it quite ridiculous. Maybe a crab boiled on it's own... a little bit of broth to dip, would be pleasant, but the... ugh, disgracing a creature with a bath of batter and oil... Pardon my cruelty, but it makes my stomach turn."

For the first time that night, Diluc smiled, and chuckled genuinely.

"I couldn't have said it better myself. I-My brother, adoptive, mind you, sometimes I wonder if he only likes dishes due to their supposed 'status', that their fame automatically lends itself to being delicious... Ridiculous. I could give him a Jade Parcel full of a sponge and he'd tell me it was 'impeccable' or something like that."

Ningguang laughed aloud at that comment, "Oh, oh my goodness, that's what Keqing is like with... what was it, Golden Shrimp Balls? She's so serious and poised, but if someone puts those in front of her, she loses it, like a starved dog in front of a choice cut of meat. I wonder if I should do that--or fill it with Jueyun Chilis, just to see if her gluttony can withstand it."

Diluc snorted with laughter, "No, no, because there's a chance she'll like the spice... Fill it with sugar."

She gasped as though he suggested something utterly scandalous, "Oh, that's perfect... She even says she doesn't like when someone tampers with food, such as salted Almond Tofu or sweetened soup..."

Even as the dishes had come out, laughter had rung out with their... admittedly unprofessional discussion, from anywhere to using Jueyun chilis to brew wine for Diluc oh-so unfortunate brother, and making delectably enticing cupcakes filled and topped with Qingxin petals, just to taunt poor sweet Ganyu...

And eventually, they were done, and Diluc...

He actually enjoyed it.

In a moment of speculation when Ningguang briefly dismissed herself, he thought about it, analyzing the conversation...

He should have had more restraint, than to fall into such a trap. From what he could recall, he offered a lot of information to Ningguang, he seldom ever called Kaeya 'brother', much less to business partners, to prevent them from reaching out to Kaeya in an attempt to get to him, but...

He didn't agree to anything, at least.

As he looked at the scroll, of a painting within, that was placed on the wall, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looked over to see Ningguang looking up at him, her eyes wide...

Sparkling, almost.

"Are you alright? You didn't respond."

"Oh," another moment of weakness, "I was lost in thought. I am alright, Lady Ningguang." He gently moved her hand off of his shoulder, but she did not pull it away... and he did not abandon it so quickly.

"As long as you're alright." She said, and then... she had gone quiet, examining Diluc's face, a brief moment of silence as they both looked at each other.

"When," she said, in little more than a breath, "Can I see you again?"

...

This meant she was expecting an invitation to Mondstadt, wasn't it?

He seldom wanted her there, but...

The Winery would be fine.

"Give me a few days," he said, "I'll send letters, and we can make plans. Was there anything you wished to see?"

She was quiet for a moment, and shook her head.

"To see you is enough." She insisted.

Great.

"Well... I should be going." He sighed, avoiding her intense gaze, "I mustn't be keeping you."

"You couldn't keep me, Diluc... But I understand. Be safe, I eagerly await to see you once again."

"I look forward to seeing you."

And with that, they parted ways, and Ningguang, for a long moment, only watched.

Why did he feel like he was neglecting something?

... ... ...

Ningguang sighed, sitting on a stone bench beside the glaze lilies, who opened in the moonlight, watching as the subtle wind pushed them to and fro...

"Lady Ningguang," Zhenhai greeted, "Are you alright?"

She looked over him, examining him.. and sighed, moving a little out of the way, silently offering him a seat. While she felt no need for a bodyguard, perhaps being alone wasn't the best idea.

"I'm fine," She said, plainly, "Just another... Fruitless attempt." She explained, straightening her spine to seem more proper.

"With Master Ragnvindr?" Zhenhai asked, and solemnly, she nodded. It was no secret that she had eyes for only Sir Ragnvindr, and of which has not been reciprocated... or, honestly, even acknowledged, which made it all the more painful.

"Did something go wrong?" He asked, looking at the glaze lilies before him... And Ningguang sighed,

"No... But, I cannot say anything went right, either. It simply happened. If I must say one thing about Master Ragnvindr," She leaned forth, letting her fingertips touch a petal of one of the flowers, "He is a smart man who knows better than to let anyone get the upper-hand. His weakness is also his greatest strength--He keeps everyone at a distance."

She tried to hide how her voice shook, but it was not like it mattered. Anything that happened with Zhenhai did not matter, for he was just a young boy, barely old enough to legally work, and anything he would say would be swiftly forgotten.

"Well, he is smart, and he should know better than to avoid business dealings with you." Zhenhai said, plainly, "Maybe be more blunt, I feel like he's not fond of trying to beat around the bush."

Ningguang turned to look at Zhenhai, confused, "Business dealings," She echoed, "I am not trying to coerce him into working with me." Her voice was a little more stern, but as she saw his expression...

There was a degree of fear, but overall, he was confused.

"You're not?" He asked, "I apologize, Lady Ningguang... I-I simply thought you were. But, maybe this is a good thing," He blabbered out, tense, panicked, "Maybe he doesn't realize you're not trying to do business with him, and he's... misunderstanding like how I did?"

Ningguang was about to shoo him off... But she widened her eyes.

Wait...

That's exactly what it was.

Diluc wasn't just keeping her at a distance--he was... oh, he was dense. Somehow, that didn't make him any less ideal in her eyes, but it clarified everything.

How he would keep his distance, physically, to maintain a business professionalism, how he spoke only few words, and when he spoke of himself, he gave little for her to work with.

"Oh, dear," Ningguang stood, "Zhenhai, you're right." She said, and Zhenhai's eyes widened.

"I am?"

"Absolutely... and as punishment for embarrassing me," She grabbed his ear, "Come help me figure out how to tell him."

"Ah! Wait! Wait, I don't know what's going on!"

"Don't worry, you'll be getting paid overtime."

"That doesn't explain anything!"

Well, he'd find out...

And, with Zhenhai's help, maybe she could get a better view into Diluc's mind...

Maybe he was right the first time, just to be more blunt with her intentions, even if he too was confused.

The worst that could happen was rejection, and she could go on with her life, even if the idea caused a great pain...

But it would be more painful if she never brought it up.

#genshin impact #diluc #ningguang #diluc x ningguang #ningguang x diluc #dilguang #// theres no good ship name #// ????#bark writes #// looks @ my 15 tabs open on my 11 year old macbook #// oh no

14 notes · View notes

the-river-person · 3 years

Text

Goner Kid’s Fun

He’d not intended to run into Sans at the door. Papyrus was on his way out, planning to visit Gaster again. It had been a little while since he’d last gone because everything had been so busy with all the new changes. Sans, on the other hand, was on his way in looking extremely tired. Sometimes Papyrus wondered what exactly his brother did these days to make him so tired. Sure he’d seen Sans helping here and there are the Queen’s school, the pair of them had obviously been friends for some time, even if this might be a rough patch. But no, now that the sentry jobs had been disbanded as they were no longer needed, there was really no reason for him to be so exhausted all the time. It was worrying. For his part, Sans gaped up at Papyrus in surprise. This might have been for the bomber jacket, t-shirt, and jeans that Papyrus was wearing instead of the battle body. Or maybe it was something on his face? Had he combed his hair? Oh wait.... he didn’t have hair. “IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG, SANS?” Shaking himself, Sans grinned. “Nah, Bro. I was just a bit surprised. I thought you’d never take the Battle Body off again. You seemed pretty attached. This look is good too though.” Papyrus struck a pose so that Sans could better admire his alternate attire. “WHY THANK YOU! I DO LOOK AMAZING EVEN IN CASUAL WEAR, DON’T I? THOUGH NATURALLY I CAN MAKE ANYTHING LOOK GOOD.” For a moment Papyrus was sure Sans was going to make a pun. The timing was perfect for it. Then he would shout and rail about bad puns and Sans would laugh. There was a moment of silence, expectation lingering in the air as Sans blinked at him. Finally, after what seemed to Papyrus to be a very long time, but was really only a few short seconds, Sans grinned. “Absolutely fibula-ous,” he said with an infuriating combination of sincerity and mischievousness in his voice. “SANS!!!” shouted Papyrus. Secretly though he was a little disappointed. He’d been expecting something a little more spectacular. A lot of Sans’ jokes had been somewhat lackluster lately. Shrugging, Sans gave Papyrus the most innocent expression he could muster, looking for all the world as if he’d never done anything wrong in his life. “Whoops. Hehehehehe. So where you going Bro?” Gaster had asked Papyrus to wait until people started remembering him before telling anyone of the little cave in Waterfall. But Sans had already remembered some things, and Alphys had too, though she hadn’t recalled enough to realize anything was wrong yet. Yet Sans was starting to piece together old memories of their Uncle, and of their parents, though most of it was still fragmented or gone, and didn’t seem like it was coming back anytime soon. Maybe it was enough, maybe Gaster wouldn’t mind. It would be good for Sans. “I’M OFF TO VISIT A FRIEND IN WATERFALL! YOU SHOULD COME WITH ME! I THINK YOU’D LIKE THEM! THEY DON’T GET OUT MUCH, BUT THEY’RE VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONALISTS!” Sans agreed easily enough and they set off. As they trudged through the snow a bunch of kids ran past them, singing bits of the old Angel’s Prayer as a song for whatever game they were playing, jumping or skipping in time to the rhythm. “Soon the darkness will draw near, and all light disappear!” It was a little dark to be using for a game in Papyrus’ opinion. But the song was popular enough, so he supposed it didn’t matter. Sans was lost in thought, so they walked in silence through much of Waterfall, listening only to the roar of the waterfalls echoing through the damp rocky tunnels. Once Papyrus thought they were being followed, though he couldn’t see or hear anyone when he’d turned to look. But afterward he listened closely and every so often he thought he could hear the soft pattering of feet on stone or the tiniest splash of someone treading through water. When he reached the corridor where the door to Gaster’s cave was, it was gone. Just a bare stone wall. Sans looked at him in confusion but said nothing, waiting as Papyrus stared at the wall and tried to figure out what to do. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of feet once more and he turned just in time to see a little grey monster try to duck out of sight. It was a young monster, similar to MK with the scales down the back of his head and tail, and the striped sweater. But other than the details of their shape, the similarities ended. This child was all in shades of grey, as if the color had been leeched away from them. Even the sweater was grey. Their eyes were a pale white color and flat, devoid of any expression. “I SAW YOU, YOU CAN COME OUT.” said Papyrus gently, hoping they weren’t frightened of him. But they didn’t seem to have any emotion at all that he could see when they poked their head back out and then walked calmly over to them. Sans looked deeply unsettled at the sight of the kid. With a tilt of his head, considering them carefully, the monster child spoke. “Have you ever thought about a world where everything is exactly the same... except you don’t exist? Everything functions perfectly without you. As if you weren’t needed at all.” This child was weird. “AHEM,” said Papyrus uncomfortably, not really knowing what to say to the question. Instead he opted to change the subject. “DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOOR? I’M TRYING TO SEE HIM, BUT THE ENTRANCE MOVED AWAY SOMEHOW.” No answer, the little grey kid just stared at him with those horrible empty eyes. Just as Papyrus was about to suggest to Sans that they go away and try another day, his phone rang and both he and Sans jumped. “HELLO?” he said, answering it. A quiet voice on the other end answered him back. “Oh dear, it seems you’ve got the wrong number. Here’s the Wrong Number Song!” An electronic sounding jingle played through the phone, loud enough that Papyrus had to move the device away from his head. Then just as suddenly as it had begun, the call ended, the person had hung up. “WHAT ON EARTH?” said Papyrus looking round to Sans and the grey monster child. Sans shrugged, but the child had vanished. “OH, HE’S GONE NOW. OH WELL. MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST TRY ANO- OH!!! SANS! THE DOOR!” Though moments before there had only been the dark stone of Waterfall’s tunnels, a grey door had been inserted into the wall, as if it had always been there. Sans had still said nothing, which was beginning to worry Papyrus, but he certainly looked freaked out by this point. The trip had certainly been more eventful than usual, hopefully meeting Gaster himself wouldn’t be too much to handle.

#the great papyrus #sans the skeleton #undertale #undertale au #aeontale #goner kid #gaster #wd gaster #snowdin town #fun value #ebbot's angel #bone puns

5 notes · View notes

neuxue · 4 years

Text

Wheel of Time liveblogging: Towers of Midnight ch 8

Mat goes bar-hopping and contemplates obligations

Chapter 8: The Seven-Striped Lass

Oh it’s Mat. Well, enough people have told me Mat is better in this book than last, so if nothing else, confirmation bias alone should see me through.

(Though my indifference towards Mat extends further back than just last book, so… who knows).

He’s in a tavern, which should surprise absolutely no one, and thinking about how Aes Sedai are the bane of his existence, which… also should surprise absolutely no one.

Hey, now he and Thom can fidget with their Aes Sedai letters together. Safer than juggling knives in a world that doesn’t seem to have invented stress balls yet.

‘Master Crimson’? What is this, Cluedo?

And of course he’s not looking at women any more, definitely not noticing any of their, ahem, assets or anything, at least not for himself, you know, just keeping an eye out for his friends of course.

He’s also asking tavernkeepers for advice, because sometimes you just need a sounding board to convince yourself of what you already know. In this case, what to do about Verin’s letter and the conditions set on it. Which, to be fair, is a rather infuriating dilemma. When Verin plays games, she doesn’t fuck around.

“I could open it,” she continued to Mat, “and could tell you what’s inside.”

Bloody ashes! If she did that, he would have to do what it said. Whatever it bloody said. All he had to do was wait a few weeks, and he would be free. He could wait that long. Really, he could.

“It wouldn’t do,” Mat said

Aw, but wouldn’t it? I mean, Verin of all people would appreciate that kind of loophole.

“The woman who gave it to me was Aes Sedai, Melli. You don’t want to anger an Aes Sedai, do you?”

“Aes Sedai?” Melli suddenly looked eager. “I’ve always fancied going to Tar Valon, to see if they’ll let me join them.” She looked at the letter, as if more curious about its contents.

Light! The woman was daft.

Nah, she’s one of the rare sensible ones! Seriously, if I lived in a world with magic, in which there was a chance I could learn to do it, I would give approximately zero fucks about the reputation of the organisation that would enable me to learn it. (Yes, I know, it makes sense in this world that people are wary of Aes Sedai, but to me it’s one of those things like… oh, I don’t know, characters who decide they’re not actually interested in immortality because it would mean outliving their loved ones. Like okay, yeah, there’s a price, but magic. Immortality. I will never understand some fictional characters. Or maybe this just says something about me and which side I’d be on in these fictional worlds… but then, are we really surprised?)

“Can I trust you to keep your word?”

He gave her an exasperated look. “What was this whole bloody conversation about, Melli?”

‘Can I trust you to keep your word’ is kind of a… tautological question, though. And one that always amuses me, along with variations like ‘how can I trust you’ ‘I give you my word’. Because ultimately you’re still just left with the decision of whether or not you trust that person’s word. And no real way of knowing whether or not you should. Once again, I am perhaps exposing myself as not ideal hero material here.

I will say I’m impressed by Mat’s ability to not open the letter. Though I hope at some point we get to see what it says; Verin’s so good at this kind of thing it would be a shame not to see what game she set up here.

The bouncer doesn’t like Mat, which is kind of not surprising given that a bouncer’s job is to stop shit and the purpose of Mat’s entire existence is to start shit.

The paving stones were damp from a recent shower, though those clouds had passed by and—remarkably—left the sky open to the air.

I see what you did there.

Also I’m now trying to place this against everyone else’s timeline and it’s hurting my brain a little. The weather would suggest this is post-Dragonmount but I feel like Mat still had a bit of catch-up to do… ah well, I’m sure we’ll find out. For whatever reason timelines are something of an exception to my usual ability to retain details, probably because, weirdly enough, I often just… don’t care that much? In the sense that usually, when you actually need to know (or when it would be interesting or add something to the story to know), you’ll know.

Mat was not about any specific task tonight

Oh, wandering about at random are we? Which, if you’re Mat, means that regardless of how you started the night, you’ll almost certainly be about a certain task before you finish it. The Pattern has plans, after all.

Getting a feel for Caemlyn. A lot had changed since he had been here last.

Wow, okay, yeah, as the reader we’ve been in Caemlyn plenty over the past several books, but Mat was last here in book three. Damn.

A lot has changed since then. In Caemlyn, yes, but also Mat has changed quite a lot since then. It’s interesting, even in real life, going back to a place you either visited or knew well in the past. The sense of familiarity but at a slight distance, along with the memory of when you were there last, which can then serve to highlight how you’ve changed. And then all the things that aren’t familiar, though you can’t always be certain if that’s just because you’re seeing them differently…

Light, he had heard of paving stones attacking people.

What is this, the French Revolution?

Mat’s found a better tavern, by which I mean a worse tavern, but it’s all a matter of perspective and perspective is a funny thing at the tail end of a pub crawl, so let’s just not think too hard about it.

I’m suddenly very interested in the story of this woman with breeches and short hair dicing in a dodgy tavern with three dudes and not responding to any of Mat’s smiles, ahem. Yes I’m being pandered to, no I don’t care.

But Mat did not smile at girls that way anymore. Besides, she had not responded to any of his smiles anyway.

Alright, that’s much closer to Jordan’s Mat. The absolute lack of self-awareness in being able to think those sentences side-by-side, because hey, Mat, if you don’t smile at girls that way anymore, how do you know she’s not responding to them? (Plus the fact that Mat’s ‘best smile’ has, I’m pretty sure, not actually worked once this series when he’s actually thought about it).

From these first few pages in general, Mat does sound somewhat more how I would expect him to—the way his thoughts and actions contradict themselves, his tendency towards an absolute lack of self-awareness, the running joke of his ‘best smile’… though it also feels like it’s being laid on a little thick? Almost as if Sanderson has picked out a handful of things that work, or that have appeared elsewhere, and is studiously applying them and avoiding adding in too much else or deviating too much from those narrow bounds.

But that’s almost certainly me nitpicking and also looking specifically for this; it’s not really a complaint and at first glance this does seem better than the writing of Mat last book, so… fair enough. Point is, this is definitely not as jarring to read as that first chapter last book was. Still different, sure, but more within the parameters of the rest of the differences.

Mat’s more interested in the local gossip, which—ah.

“They found him dead this morning. Throat ripped clean out. Body was drained of blood, like a wineskin full of holes.”

The gholam’s back in town, then.

Well, in town, anyway; I suppose it hasn’t actually been to Caemlyn before, that we’ve seen. Hey, Elayne? Maybe listen to Birgitte and your bodyguards for a bit and actually take a break from your errands and adventures into the city alone for a bit.

Dice are landing on their corners and also starting up in Mat’s head, so looks like your night of aimless fun and tourism is coming to an end, Mat. Don’t forget to sign the guestbook on your way out.

It seemed impossible that [the gholam] could have gotten here this quickly. Of course, Mat had seen it squeeze through a hole not two handspans wide. The thing did not seem to have a right sense of what was possible and what was not possible.

Oh, well, in that case you two have something in common! Good, you won’t run out of things to say on your next date encounter.

Though on a less flippant note, I’m pretty sure I’ve talked about this before, but I like how Mat gets paired against or linked with opponents or entities who fall into the larger umbrella archetype of ‘trickster figure’ but in different or darker ways: the gholam, the Eelfinn and Aelfinn, arguably Fain/Mordeth… and then there’s Perrin, who is set against Trollocs (the darker side of a mix between animal and human) and Whitecloaks (who exist to force questions of morality). As if they’re both sometimes set against those who reflect a darker or warped version of some aspect of who they are.

It’s not a perfect like-to-like matching; they have other opponents who don’t fit that kind of classification quite as well (though I would still argue that just about any enemy they—and quite a few other characters—face highlight some aspect of themselves via contrast or by presenting a warped kind of mirror), but it’s just a little… random thing I quite like. Particularly Mat set against other types of trickster, because it fits with the very definition or idea of what a trickster figure is in the first place. This idea of looking into a kaleidoscope of mirrors and seeing theme and variation until they flicker at the edges.

He had sent word to [Elayne], but had not gotten a reply. How was that for gratitude? By his count, he had saved her life twice.

Sigh. I sort of thought they had reached an understanding as far as the accounting between them last time they spoke, but I guess we’re still doing this. Which, okay, before everyone comes for me on this, yes he has saved her life multiple times, and no she has not always responded immediately with gratitude, but specifically in the last instance she very much did, and it was a rather lovely moment where they both saw more in each other than they had before. Where they each realised that their previous (first) impressions were not necessarily the full truth, and that there was someone to like beneath that. A friend, even.

And I liked that; I absolutely have a soft spot for the friendship between Mat and Elayne, in part because they’re actually quite similar in a lot of ways. And so for both of them to start to see beneath the surface, to see more than just what they expect to see, was a nice moment of character growth for both of them.

Anyway, leaving the gratitude thing aside, it’s a shame Elayne hasn’t replied, if only because I wouldn’t mind seeing those two interact again. I just like their weird relationship. I like weird friendships between characters in general, really; it’s a good way to get to see a character from an ever-so-slightly different angle, or throw them into a slightly different kind of light. (In all honesty there’s a small part of me that would have been very open to an Elayne/Mat relationship rather than Elayne/Rand and Mat/Tuon, but mostly I just like them as friends who sort of… force each other to take a second look at things, and in doing so to realise some things about themselves).

For once, there had been a battle and he had missed it. Remembering that lightened his mood somewhat. An entire war had been fought over the Lion Throne, and not one arrow, blade, or spear had entered the conflict seeking Matrim Cauthon’s heart.

Yeah, well, don’t jinx it.

Also Mat you were sort of in the middle of some of your own battles and while you’re pretty good, you’re not quite good enough to be in two places at once. Still, can’t fault him for looking on the bright side, I suppose. Especially because there’s a rather large battle headed his way any day now.

Three inns in one night. Making a proper pub crawl of it, I see.

Though Thom’s more in the mood to play sad flute music, presumably over Moiraine. I mean fair; I, too, would probably play several laments for her sake. Bring her back already.

Caemlyn was seen as one of the few places where one could be safe from both the Seanchan and the Dragon.

Oh no doubt it’ll stay that way. What could possibly go wrong in this beautiful Camelot that’s been held up since Book 1 as an example of beauty and (relative) stability?

I’m pretty sure one of the first things I said upon seeing Caemlyn back in EotW was ‘that’s a nice city you have there. It’d be a shame if something happened to it’ and, twelve books later, I stand by that.

Mat tries to get Thom’s attention by snagging his coins, and Thom just tosses a knife through his sleeve without interrupting his playing. Respect.

***

Oh hey a mid-chapter break without a POV change. That’s unusual.

It’s something of a location change, though, because Mat’s back at the Band’s camp now, considering the pros and cons of horse meat. Well, mostly cons in his opinion but I would like to state for the record that horse is actually quite tasty. No of course I don’t know this from experience what are you talking about.

The gholam of course has an even less discriminating palate—or I suppose technically more discriminating, just less socially acceptable.

But Mat and Thom have moved on to planning for their fieldtrip to the Tower of Ghenjei, because, you know, these characters have it easy: just one thing at a time, all easily dealt with, no piling on of way too many problems and decisions and things or people out to kill them…

“Maybe Verin will come back and release me from this bloody oath.”

Unfortunately she had to take some rather drastic measures to release herself from a different bloody oath, so uh… sorry, Mat, you’re out of luck on that one.

“Best that one stays away,” Thom said. “I don’t trust her. There’s something off about that one.”

I mean, you’re not wrong. But you’re also not exactly right. Man, I’m going to miss Verin. She’s one I very much look forward to seeing on a reread: there was always something about her and it was great fun to speculate and try to work out exactly what her deal was, but it’s different when you know. And we got so very little time with her once that was revealed—it was a hell of a way to go out, of course, but I’m definitely excited to see how she reads when you know from the beginning.

“Either way,” Thom said, “we should probably start sending guards with you when you visit the city.”

“Guards won’t help against the gholam.”

“No, but what of the thugs who jumped you on your way back to camp three nights back?”

You know what this reminds me of? Birgitte scolding Elayne when Elayne tries to go out on her own. It’s far from the only thing Elayne and Mat have in common, but it does amuse me.

Talking to that clerk meant Elayne knew Mat was here. She had to. But she had sent no greetings, no acknowledgement that she owed Mat her skin.

Maybe because she acknowledged it last time the two of you spoke? Or have you forgotten? I think that’s what irks me here: they’ve already had that conversation. It made sense (more or less) for Mat to be annoyed about Tear, before Elayne and Nynaeve gave him their thanks and apologies, but after that fight with the gholam in the Rahad, Elayne and Mat seemed to clear the air between them, so it’s just… kind of weird and a bit annoying to have this dragged out again. It seems like it would make more sense at this stage for him to just be annoyed at her for ignoring him, rather than for not thanking him for… something she’s already thanked him for.

He does shift after that to wondering how to get her to set all her foundries to making Aludra’s dragons, which is a much more pertinent question. I now kind of want Elayne and Aludra to meet. I feel like that could be entertaining.

Teslyn Baradon was not a pretty woman, though she might have made a passable paperbark tree

This should sound insulting but for whatever reason I find it hilarious. Why is this so funny.

Maybe this is why we were getting Mat’s grumbling about Elayne not thanking him (again) for saving her life: because thanks are the first thing Teslyn, an Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, offers Mat unprompted. That would more or less fit with how these things are usually set up in Mat’s narrative, I suppose.

Though Sanderson doesn’t quite seem to have the hang of the Illian dialect; it’s close but some of the phrasing is just a bit off. But that’s me nitpicking again.

“It do be important to maintain some illusions with yourself, would you not say?”

Wiser words than you may even realise, Teslyn, given who you’re talking to. Though I think she does realise this; she’s quite perceptive, and she’s spent a fair bit of time with Mat now, and I think she very likely does see his tendency towards… perhaps not quite denial anymore, at least not as strong as it once was, but a degree of self-deception (and total lack of self-awareness, of course).

She nodded to him. A respectful nod. Almost a bow. Mat released her hand, feeling as unsettled as if someone had kicked his legs out from underneath him.

Yeah, this is what you’d expect from Mat. This is what he does: grumbles to himself about lack of gratitude, or Aes Sedai causing problems and having no respect… but then as soon as that gratitude or respect is shown, he doesn’t quite know how to deal with it. Because he’s not actually arrogant enough to accept it with haughty disdain, but nor is he self-effacing enough to truly not care about getting praise and credit. So you end up in this awkward in-between state that is, I think, actually quite common amongst people in general. It’s definitely something I see play out in the workplace, at least.

And so he offers her the horses that, last book, he refused Joline. Because she’s shown him respect and so he will return the favour. Because they’re treating each other as people, and Mat may push for what he feels is his due, but he won’t just take it without giving something in return. He’s better than he likes to think he is, as Thom once pointed out.

“I did not come to you tonight to manipulate you into giving me horses,” Teslyn said. “I do be sincere.”

“So I figured,” Mat said, turning and lifting up the flap to his tent. “That’s why I made the offer.”

And that’s it, really. It’s amazing what open and honest communication can get you, sometimes. It’s almost like that’s a running thing in this series.

There, he froze. That scent…

Blood.

Mmmm, dinner.

Next (ToM ch 9) Previous (ToM ch 7)

#open! the! letter!#wheel of time #neuxue liveblogs WoT #Towers of Midnight

29 notes · View notes

authorialarcanist · 3 years

Text

Gracidea Blossom Chapter 3: Measuring Up Against Meditite

(Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum x Little Busters!)

Mirror Links: AO3, Pokécommunity, Spacebattles

---

Previous - Next

---

A world of total darkness. No touch. No sound.

The only thing reminding him he exists is the pressure, like a vise clamping down on his head.

Even his thoughts stall as he falls through this endless void. He doesn’t dream.

He never dreams.

…

Time passes, and eventually the throbbing in his head begins to fade. The ability to think returns to him. He becomes aware of his senses again.

Touch, first. He can feel of his hands pressing into smooth sheets.

Then hearing. After that void, even the soft sound of breathing feels like a salvation.

His head still feels heavy, but he can move his fingers now. He’s regaining control of his body.

Riki opens his eyes.

He’s in the guest room of the Natsume residence. Rin is asleep in a nearby chair, her body curled in on itself as she slumbers. A glance at the clock tells Riki that it’s 9 in the evening, but after his narcoleptic spell, he doesn’t feel tired enough to sleep properly.

Quietly, so as to not disturb his friend, Riki slips out of bed and pads to the hall. When he reaches the living room, he finds Kyousuke sitting there.

“Ah, Riki. So you’re up.” Kyousuke turns in his seat. “Masato and Kengo have gone home for the day, but I have a list of what preparations are left. There were a couple of things we needed you for.”

“Oh. Um…” Riki doesn’t meet his eyes. “Are you… really sure that me going with you is going to be okay? I mean, I didn’t speak up before, but…”

“…But what if you fall asleep on the road?” Kyousuke finishes for him. “Don’t worry, Riki, I knew about this when I made the offer. When that happens, we can just make camp and wait for you. We don’t have so little time that we can’t afford to cut a day’s travel early here and there.”

“Oh. Well, if you’re sure… I do still want to stay with all of you,” Riki says.

For a moment, Riki thinks he sees a shadow pass over Kyousuke’s face. It’s gone so quickly, though, that he decides he must have imagined it.

“Right. Just think of it as another one of our adventures, and I’m sure you’ll have fun.” Kyousuke gets up from his seat, and shows Riki a list with most of the items crossed off. “If you don’t want to go back to sleep just yet, we can try and take care of the last preparations right now.”

Riki nods. “Yeah, I don’t feel tired. Oh, but you should probably get Rin to bed before we leave. That chair doesn’t look too comfortable.”

And so the night goes on…

——

The next morning, the friends gather by a fountain at the west end of town. Here, the bricks of Hearthome slowly give way to grass and pine trees, and a stone path leads the rest of the way out of the city. Most people leaving the city use one of two gate buildings: A small one to the east leads towards Solaceon Town, while the west end has a larger building with exits to the south and west.

The western gate is a three-story building, with a rest area on the second floor. Along with being a place for exhausted trainers to rest their legs, the second level also has souvenir shops and a food court. The top floor is a small hotel with fairly cheap rooms, for travelers who come in at night and don’t want to search for a place in the city.

The ground floor is somewhat more utilitarian, with a few stalls selling travel supplies. Stretches of empty wall are covered with large maps, some showing the travel routes of the Sinnoh region while others detail the layouts of Hearthome, Route 208, and Route 212. The maps are broken up by wall-mounted TV screens, turned to weather and news channels. Travel advisories scroll across the bottoms of the screens. ‘If traveling south, be sure to bring waterproof gear!’ ‘Never attempt to climb Mt. Coronet without a buddy!’

Riki and his friends pass by these sights, stopping to check the weather - apparently, there’s a northeasterly wind blowing in fog from Route 210 - and make sure their backpacks are secure.

When they reach the split between the way south and the way west, Riki speaks up. “So, um…” He scratches his head. “…Where are we going?”

Kyousuke stumbles, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. “D…didn’t I tell you?” He looks at Rin, who shrugs. “…Right… Well. Ahem. Our current destination is Jubilife City, to the west. Jubilife TV requested that the Champion appear for a talk show, and I already had plans to visit Lake Verity, so it’s on the way.”

“A talk show? Really?” Kengo gives Kyousuke a flat look.

“Hey, anything that pays! I won’t be able to coast on being Champion forever, I need to build a varied resumé!”

“…Right…”

The Little Busters pass through automatic doors into Route 208. Just west of Hearthome City is a small hilly area, with well-maintained grass and berry patches scattered through it. The area gets wilder the further you go from the city, but young aspiring Trainers can usually practice here without too much to worry about as long as they turn back rather than climbing when they hit the rocky base of Mt. Coronet. Normally the mountain is visible from the gatehouse, but today the route is already partially hidden by a light mist. The world feels smaller under the grey sky and close horizon, like it’s been cut into manageable pieces.

A shout stops the group. “Well, if it isn’t our young Champion and friends!” An old man with white hair waves them over to where he’s tending a patch of berry plants. There’s a wicker basket at his feet. “And where would you be off to this fine morning?”

“We’re heading to Jubilife,” Kyousuke replies.

“Ah, these two finally starting out to see the world?” The old man looks Riki and Rin over. “That’s good. Everybody should travel with Pokémon sooner or later. There’s nothing like a journey for figuring out what you really want to do with your life, even if that doesn’t turn out to be battling.”

“Ah… right.” Riki looks away, unsure how to tell him that he’s just following after Kyousuke.

“Kyousuke gave you starters, I presume?” The man glances at Riki and Rin’s waists, where each now wears a belt with two Pokéballs.

“That’s right,” says Kyousuke. “Show him.”

Lennon and Terra are sent out, and the two Pokémon nose at the berry plants before wandering back to their trainers’ legs. The old man looks on in approval.

“They look like a good choice. I can tell they like you already!” He leans down to offer Terra a berry, and after a moment of hesitation the Turtwig extends its neck to take the fruit from the old man’s hand. “Now, then. You remember what I taught you, right, Riki?” At Riki’s nod, the man turns and procures something from his basket. “Well, if you’re setting off, I think you deserve a present. Here!” He hands Riki a pair of firm, speckled blue berries. “Those are Yacha berries. If you give one to your Turtwig, it should help her resist an Ice type attack. And for the young lady, Passho berries. I can’t say I recognize that cat’s species on first glance, but it looks like a Fire type, so a berry that helps protect against Water types can’t hurt!” He hands Rin a soft blue berry, dotted with air bubbles. After another moment of looking through his basket, he also gives them a paper bag of mulch. “That’s two berries each - one for your Pokémon, and try and plant the other one, okay? It never hurts to give nature a hand!”

“Thank you.” Riki stashes the berries and mulch in his bag, and bows slightly in gratitude. “I promise, I’ll find someplace nice to plant this.”

“Good, good! Well, I shouldn’t keep you for too long, but when you’re in the area, remember that the Berry Master’s door is always open!” The old man waves them off, and the group moves on, their Pokémon following behind. Occasionally a wild Pokémon seems like it might investigate them, but Kyousuke, Masato, or Kengo always calls out one of their own Pokémon to scare it away.

The terrain grows rougher as they head west, until they reach a rocky cliff with stairs carved into it. This is the base of Mt. Coronet, with rocky plateaus of various elevations stretching out for a short ways around the foot of the mountain before the ascent proper begins. A river has carved its way through this area of the foothills, running below the elevated paths and necessitating a series of wooden bridges between raised plateaus. As the morning stretches on, the mist grows heavier, wreathing the badlands in gray and obscuring Mt. Coronet above them. The group continues to walk towards the mountain, weaving between rocky outcroppings and crossing bridges, until they reach a wide plateau rising from an island right in the middle of the rapids. A short ways to the north, they can see a waterfall where the river drops from a higher elevation.

Kyousuke suddenly throws an arm out in front of Riki. “Wait. Look over there.”

Riki follows his gaze to a spire of rock in the middle of the plateau, and after a moment he registers a Pokémon levitating just above the tip of the spire. It’s vaguely human-shaped, with a short blue body and a white head shaped like the bulb of an onion aside from two large swirly ears. It also has a white segment connecting its torso with its legs. It’s hovering cross-legged with its arms out to either side. This is a Meditite, a somewhat common mountain Pokémon in the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions.

Riki glances at Kyousuke. “Are you going to scare it away?”

Kyousuke shakes his head. “No. It’s on its own, and this is a reasonably open area. Rin! Capture this Meditite!”

“What? Do it yourself!” Rin bristles.

“No. You need experience fighting wild Pokémon, and this is a safe opportunity to practice.”

“What about Riki, why aren’t you making him do it?”

“I will, but you’ve been in a trainer battle already. It’s on you to show him how it’s done.” Brooking no argument, Kyousuke gives his sister a light shove forward, pushing her towards the Pokémon. Its eyes snap open, and a moment later Lennon is standing in front of Rin, hissing at the Meditite. “Now, Mission Start!”

The Meditite leaps from its perch at the apparent challenge. Its eyes flash, and Lennon rolls on the ground, smacking into rocks as the mental attack disorients it.

“Lennon, use Ember!” Rin’s Pokémon shakes off the attack and spits weak flames at its opponent. Although the Meditite dodges around most of them, a few make contact and burn its legs. It redoubles its own attack in response, pelting Lennon with what Riki recognizes as Confusion attacks.

“Kyousuke, are you sure about making her do this?” Riki glances at Kyousuke, worried.

“It’ll be fine, Riki.” Kyousuke doesn’t take his eyes off of the battle. “The two of you need to learn how to handle things yourselves. Rin!” He suddenly shouts, and Riki’s head snaps back to the battle in time to see the Meditite stagger back as Lennon scratches it. “It looks weakened, this is the time to throw a Pokéball!”

With a wordless acknowledgment, Rin snatches an empty Pokéball from her bag and winds up to throw it. Riki marvels for a moment at her total concentration as she steps forward, brings her arm around for the throw, and…

…the ball slips from her fingers, soaring in a perpendicular angle from the battle until it slams into an outcropping and falls into the rapids below. The Meditite takes advantage of the opening as Rin scrambles for another Pokéball, and torments Lennon with a barrage of attacks.

“Okay, that’s enough. Scyther, use False Swipe!” Kengo’s voice rings out as a new Pokéball soars into the midst of battle, opening to release a large, bipedal mantis. The newcomer has a green head, thorax, abdomen, and pair of legs connected by smaller cream body segments. It has a pair of insect wings on its back, and a pair of scythes on the ends of its arms. Lennon finally collapses as the Scyther steps up in its place and harasses the Meditite with a series of light slashes, holding back from hurting it too badly. “Rin, you have no control at all. Watch my form, and maybe you’ll learn something.” With a series of deliberate, practiced movements, Kengo pulls a Pokéball from his own bag and tosses it overhand at the Meditite’s center mass. Still disoriented from the Scyther’s attacks, the Meditite doesn’t have a chance to dodge, and it gets sucked into the ball in a flash of red light. The ball shakes once, twice, three times, and then emits a click and lays still.

Kengo walks forward to pick up the Meditite’s Pokéball before turning back to the others. “Kyousuke, this is just a thought, but just maybe, it might work better if we teach them before you throw them into the deep end?”

Kyousuke sighs. “Fine. It’s nearly noon anyways, and this looks like a good place to stop and get some training in before we eat.” He looks at Rin, who is spraying Lennon with a potion bottle. “Rin, once you’re done with that, come with me. We’re going to work on your throwing technique. Masato, Kengo, can you two help Riki start training?”

Masato and Kengo look at each other.

After a moment, identical grins appear on their faces.

——

“I get that Kyousuke… asked you to help me train,” Riki pants, “But I don’t think… this is what he meant…”

With a gasp of effort, Riki pulls himself to the top of a large slab being held up by Masato’s Machamp. He reaches down to grab Terra by the shell and hoist it up after him before staggering back to his feet and jogging along the slab. Once he reaches the end of the path, he jumps down to a lower boulder, pauses to let Terra try and hop to his head - catching the Turtwig when it falls short halfway to him - and hopscotches across a series of rocks.

“A truly great trainer must train their body as well as their Pokémon,” Kengo says, pausing each time he makes a practice swing with his bamboo sword. His newly-caught Meditite is hovering beside him, watching his swings.

“Besides! Training alongside your Pokémon brings you closer together!” Masato lifts a boulder - smaller than Biceps’ slab, but still large for a human to be holding - as he speaks, muscles bulging.

Riki finally sways and topples over, Terra collapsing beside him.

Masato surveys the two, lying in almost identical positions. “See? You look closer already!”

“No… more…”

“Endurance is important, Riki. Even aside from keeping up with fast Pokémon, you have to travel on foot a lot.” Kengo hardly misses a beat as he continues his own training. “Still, if we want you to be able to walk any further today, that’s probably enough physical training.”

Riki lets out a sigh of relief.

“It’s time to work on strategy, instead. Let Terra rest, and send out your Bonsly.”

Riki pushes himself to his feet and switches Pokémon. “Now what?”

“Meditite, let’s battle.” Meditite snaps to attention. “Riki. Try to battle my Pokémon. And be careful; I’ve taught it some moves already.”

“Sly, use Flail!” Riki shouts, and the Bonsly waddles forward to try and get in range of Kengo’s Pokémon.

“Rock Smash!” Despite Kengo giving his command second, the Meditite easily outpaces Sly’s approach, hitting it with a measured strike designed to crack defenses. It knocks the Bonsly away, and leaps back before it can retaliate. Sly tries to chase the Meditite, but no matter what it does it can’t get a hit in. The Meditite runs in for another Rock Smash, and Kengo shouts “Stop! Match call! Riki, do you understand what went wrong?”

“Um…” Riki ponders for a moment. “…You had more experience than I did?”

“Not exactly.” Kengo shakes his head. “The trainer’s experience is important, but aside from my teaching Meditite a physical attack, this was a battle against a freshly-caught Pokémon. Riki, what are your Pokémon good at?”

“Well, they’re both good at taking hits, right?”

“That’s right. They’re both strong defenders, and solid attackers as well. However, as this battle showed, that doesn’t mean anything if you can’t land a hit. As your Pokémon’s trainer, it’s your job to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to come up with a plan to work around those weaknesses when they arise.” Kengo pats a nearby outcropping. “That can mean finding ways to turn your opponent’s strengths against them, ways to turn your weaknesses into strengths, or ways to use the battlefield to your advantage.”

“I see…” Riki considers the match. “…So… what should I have done in that battle?”

“Oh, you were doomed from the start.” Masato puts down the rock he was lifting to rejoin the conversation.

Kengo glances away. “…Well… Okay, yes, your Bonsly’s skillset will need to grow before you can really plan around him. But the demonstration stands!”

“In the end, some things just can’t stand against overwhelming force!”

“Oh? Shall we show Riki whether that’s really true, then?” Kengo pulls his Scyther’s Pokéball from his belt and spins it on one finger. “Two Pokémon each, first elimination?”

“Bring it on! Riki, just watch and learn!” Masato grabs Beenikku’s ball, and another battle begins.

#Little Busters!#pokemon #fanfiction #Naoe Riki #Natsume Kyousuke #Natsume Rin #Inohara Masato #Miyazawa Kengo #Sinnoh #Gracidea Blossom

1 note · View note

writtenfan · 4 years

Text

Feel like double-crossing the Shadow Man? (Part 1)

Anon: Heyo! I know this is kinda weird, but please could you write something with Hades and a reader who is like... Dr. Facilier's sibling? Like, they are into that voodoo thing too?

(I plan to continue this small story, but hope you enjoy what I have here!)

Warning: Some swears, be aware..s.

You ruffle your hair and walk into a small garden just inside a seldomly trafficked graveyard. The sun shines on your skin and it’s so nice and warm, it just felt like the perfect time to prove somebody wrong.

“I’ll show him, psh. Tell me I don’t have the power capable enough to summon my own assistance from the other side. Ha!”

...

You remember just an hour or so ago when you went to visit your brother after he pleaded with you for some assistance on a ritual that needed more hands than he had attached to his arms.

You remember how he bowed to you at the doorway to his dark abode. With his top hat, his purple clothes. His bone tooth necklace.

A new building, a new style. He really had changed since you last saw him at home. When you and he lived with mother...

“Glad you could make it little sista’ It’s been a…” his familiar purple eyes stared into yours, a hint of politeness masking years of sibling rivalry that made you mad just thinking about. But truthfully, he loved ya despite your bickering. He just had a funny way of showing it.

“…long time since I’ve seen you…I've heard, good things.” He sniggers with that deep voice of his and you just roll your eyes and push him aside by his shoulder so that you could enter the building.

He certainly wasn’t used to being touched roughly, it’s been too long since you’ve both gotten into a physical and or magical fight and his eyes widened for a few moments before he started chuckling and popped his collar, snapping his finger and slamming the door shut behind you.

The air from the slam whooshed into the room, but instead of blowing out, it ignited numerous candles that littered the space. Some in candleholders, some…in skulls.

“You really focused on the dark arts huh big brotha?” you say with a chuckle as you look at a few, freshly looking shrunken heads that made you fearful yet intrigued.

“Well, mother always said to pick a specialty and I’ve never been one to follow the family norms…” his voice was light and still polite, but you could feel the hint of resentment as he mentioned mother that made you sad inside.

You stop at a halt at the table surrounded by purple curtains adorned with a beautiful tapestry. You turn to him and sigh, “Well. Just be careful. Despite your attitudes and actions, I still care for you. Despite the fact, I’ve been told not to do so.” He’s standing in the shadow’s the glint of his eyes peeking through as he stepped fully into the illuminated light of the candles on the table. His fingers wrapped around the top of his magick cane, his eyes staring into yours with a wave of impatience.

“My my…” he walks up to you and looks down at you with a smirk. “Aren’t we being sweet? Going against the talk, feeling fearless enough to challenge the family and hang out with you long outcasted brother! I thought you were always the little saint, compared to…the others.” His gait is so swift as he moves to the other side of the table and sits down in the chair.

“Take a seat little curlicue” he murmurs.

Your dumbfounded to hear your childhood nickname but are jolted out of the past when the nearest chair to you moves back and knocks firmly into your middle, not enough to wind you but to jolt you around a bit.

You furrow your eyebrows and fake a smile. Oh, this was how it was going to be.

“I think we need it to be a little bit lighter up in here…” you wave your hand around a bit and the lights from the candles flicker a bit brighter and hover a bit from their holders towards you two.

“You mind?” you say with a smile,

“I do.” He waves his hand, and everything goes back to normal.

You stare at him from across the table and lean forward scrunching up your nose and he leans forwards and gives you a small sneer.

“I didn’t invite you to give me interior assistance, I invited you just for your little help and then you can be on your way.” He grumbled.

“Fine, Facilier. I got it. From what you told me; I won’t be making any deals with some unknown entity by doing this, correct?”

His sneer turns into a smile and he leans back in his chair hands behind his head and looks at you with a twinkle in his eyes and pops of his feathered hat, revealing the bunch of curly hair you remember fondly messing with when you were little.

“Cheri, of course not…I just need you for an extra boost. Nothing more…all the talking and the promises will be done by me.” He elegantly gestures to himself and then presses his fingers on the table, sitting up from his lax position of the chair, tossing his hat from its brim once in his hand then plops it back on his head. “So, shall we start sista?”

Something begins to creep itself from behind his chair and then fully steps out into the light with a wicked smile nodding.

“Oh seriously…not him again.” You groan and Facilier turns his attention to his shadow.

“Hahaha…what’s wrong? I thought you two just loved to play together when we were pintsized.”

“You two always started trouble Facilier and got me in trouble along with you.”

“The past is the past.” he grins and then it drops.

“So, are you ready?”

The air turns cold at those words, you shiver but shake it off and nod your head and you help him out with his ritual.

...

After the ritual, you're shaken by the waves of power that was cast though the circle of salt and chalk on the ground of his den. He simply shakes off like he had just gotten out of a freshly jumped in the lake and he walks with you back to the main room.

“Ha, that was quite interesting brother, I think I might just try some of that conjuring myself…maybe boost my flow of magic.”

“You? Ha!” he starts laughing and that is when things got heated.

He told you that you wouldn’t have possibly been able to do such a thing by yourself and to forget about it. Then when you argued back is when the voices started raising between you two. He said something about you being too weak to be doing anything worthwhile and you yelled at him that he was the dark Loa’s little bitch and then you were dragged out the house by his vile shadow. By the hair. But not before making his sorry ass fall to the ground and get tied up by the foot by the cloth hanging from the ceiling near his “fortune table”!

…

Which led to where you were now.

Of course, you went by and got a few Hoodoo & Yoruba objects along with other magical tools from a few mystical boutiques and you set them down on the earth of the graveyard and once you liked how it looked, you got down on your knees, feeling the earth underneath them and sit on the ground, focusing on that feeling at the sunshine on your face through the trees.

You decided you wanted to invoke the help of something big, something to mess up your brother’s connection to the other side for a while…fizzle up his mojo. So, you decided to call out on the other side and see if anyone picks up on your offer.

You begin to chant your intentions softly and the clouds slowly begin to cover the sun in a thick overcast, how fitting. You continue your chants and focusing your intentions non-verbally before you open your mouth and set your hands on the earth looking at the soil.

“I’m asking for assistance, hear me and respond if your power is strong and you willing to aid me on my desires…”

You wait for a moment and meditate in the silence but after hearing nothing respond for 20 minutes you get up on your feet and look at your summoning circle in disappointment. You raise your hands behind your head and look up at the sky, feeling your bothers words of how weak and sheepish you were form into an anger that boiled in your chest like fire…

…Fire? fire?!

You jump back as the small flame of blue exploded and a cloud of smoke engulfed the area for just a moment and dissipated revealing-

“-Woah talk about humid, not with all this black nuh-uh. But i’ll risk it for the look.”

A deep-throated yet whimsical voice speaks from the tall form that had smoke traveling around its feet.

The being looked you in the eyes with deep black pupils, his face oddly shaped with a prominent chin and sharp, sharp teeth and cheekbones and that wasn’t the most notable aspects of him. Beside his blue-greyish skin, his head was blazing with blue fire. Blue. Fire. When you locked with his eyes, is when he let out a little “Ohhh?” and raised their hand giving you a little wave. “Ha! Shalom and who might you be?” He lowers his hand and presses his fingertips against each other.

“Having the audacity…” he steps, no glides over the protective barrier and you step back frightened by its ability to do so.

“…but not only that.”

You keep backing up, but he keeps coming closer, and his hand gestures as he talks become even more intense.

“The ability. To just, BLOW my ears out with your call, I mean SERIOUSLY-“

You bang your back against a tombstone, and it crumbles at your weight. You fall over and he towards you with an intimating gaze as the stone dust travels in the air around you.

“RING RING, CALLING! CALLING!!” he raises his pitch and mocks a girls voice “Please, please help me teach my brother a lesson, please oh please!~” The dust cleared and you look clearly at the being before you and clutched the ground at your side, your legs still propped up on the broken tombstone.

“To reach me that loudly, you must get some spunk kid, some family ju-ju even? I can feel it in you, heh.” He then raises an eyebrow and fully takes in your position. “Oh, and might I dare say, and I do~ Cute too.” He says with a smirk. You scramble off the stone and bounce on your feet taking a defensive stance.

“Ahem, I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to, make you jump out of your skin there.” The way he stares at you makes you even more uncomfortable as it was no longer hostile, but you felt as if he was looking, through your clothes.

“Hades, Lord of the Dead. Greek Division. How can I help you?” He reaches out his hand for a shake.

“Charmed, (y/n.)” You nervously place your hand in his and he shakes it gently, letting you go and giving you a big-toothed smile.

“So (y/n), a little bit of revenge eh? Talking my language, I'd love to help a gal out…but I can't just help you out. For free.”

“What is it you desire, Hades?”

“Desire? Ooh, I desire a lot of things sweetheart” he clicks his tongue and begins to circle you, and continues eyeing you up and down, making you stiffen and feel uncomfortable. “But I’m not sure if you have anything to offer darling, nothing…I feel your strong sense of self would let you do.” You furrow your eyebrows and he raises one of his and its dead silent.

“Well.” Your voice cracks but you clear it before he could feel your unease.

“I know my brother has a few things in his house of dark magic…perhaps something there you would- “

He holds up a hand. “W-wait wait wait…. house. Of dark magic?”

“Yes, about a couple of blocks from- “

“Ok. Ok. Ok…wait wait, hold up.” His eyes are wide with interest.

“Would your brother happen to be a tall lanky guy, mid-drift crop top showin’ gap-toothed fella?”

“You know him?!”

“HA! NO. I mean no, never met him personally. But you see, and this works perfectly into a possible agreement we could make for my services, -“

He stops in front of a tombstone next to you and sits down.

“-I respect the whole native magic here you know, meet up with a couple of guys the people worship around here for drinks down under. Ha! Such wild rascals! Throw great parties.” He looks at his nails and poofs up a nail file and starts filing them while talking.

“And they talk a lot about this big ace in the hole, right? This real powerful mortal on the front lines, the perfect lackey with powerful magic heritage. Ring a bell?”

Your mouth opens slightly in astonishment.

“Oh! This is PERFECT.” He pumps his fist in the air and rises to his…smoke, and glides behind you guiding you towards a few peach trees by placing his hands on your shoulders poofing away the file in his hand.

“They talk the big talk, right? About this deal they made with him y’know? An ongoing debt that gets better and better every time they talk to the shmuck, right? So, of course. I get jealous and they start getting cocky. Threatening that they’ll become even more powerful than me. White God. They call me sheesh, first of all. I’m a lovely shade of blue thank you very much.”

You find a nervous chuckle rise from your throat, but you refuse to let it verbalize.

“But you see, I just LOVE extending my reach, you know? I’m accepting of any mortal who wants to give my ego a boost see? Black, white, green, blue, chartreuse. I don’t discriminate.” He snickers and clenches your shoulders, leaning forwards and giving you this weird look that made you flinch and shake him off, but he didn’t give any mind, he was way into the whole lay down of his plan.

“There's a few Greek churches here and there and a few small groups and practitioners who hey, give me offerings. Out of the kindness of their own hearts!” he laughs and blows on his nails and rubs them on his shirt, giving you a sly eye.

“And to think I have right here, the same fruit from the lengthy tree of mortal magic, packing enough punch to help me make my mark here in The Big Easy…get at those chumps a little bit, make them softer, weaker, just a little something to mess them up a little.” He laughs and moves in close to you and presses his finger against your chest then slides his arm around your shoulder and pats your chest just below your collarbone.

“See, that’s where you come in, my deal is a win-win, you mess up with your bothers flow, I mess with your brother’s bosses flow. Two Stymphalian’s one arrow! Badabing!”

“We got ourselves a deal, little lady?” his voice grows lower and more seductive as he pinches your chin lightly and you pull away from him with a scowl.

“So, how will I be helping you get back at my brother's keepers?”

He smiles baring his surprisingly pearly whites.

“Oh, so insightful, can’t rope you in without the details, right?”

He presses his fingertips together and glides to a low hanging peach and daintily picks it between two fingers and holds it out towards you.

“I need you to be sweet like this peach, got it?” He then takes a big bite out of it and the juices run down his mouth as he talks making your squirm.

“Get in on your bro-bro’s good side. Ask him to teach you to become stronger, less weak, less simple-minded less like a sheep of angel’s and light and more rebellious and badass.” he mocks talking to what was left of the peach-like it was you.

You clench your teeth “His words, right?” he says astutely as he swallows.

“Yes.”

“Good, so you ask him for some family bonding, right? Get to a point where you witness him talking with his guys, maybe even ask to commit yourself to them…but pander to his ego kay? Say you’ll work for him or something.”

Your eyes widen “No. I can't do that they’re- “

“Now, now, you don’t got to, just you know schmooze them a bit, get them to trust you…then one night, or day I'm not picky. Conceal your presence and just leave this”. He poofs away the peach and in his flat palm lies a small amount of blue paint inside this squeezable black see-through tube. He presses his fingers together on one hand like and makes a small gesture in the air. “Just two little pecks of this blue dye on their main communication device, and whatever else he uses often in his work and I’ll be able to have some eyes and ears and sap a little of their oomph-” He takes his other hand, forcibly opens yours and places the tub carefully in your hands.

“-Right on over to me! Maybe even turn some of their- “he jazz hands the air

“-shadow guys on my side, makes them more, receptive to my influence. Got it? Got the memo?”

“Fine, understood, and in turn?”

“Your brother's magical abilities get a little weaker, transfer over to you, and badabing! Who’s the prodigy child now? Sure, isn’t going to be him if you do things right.”

“So, we got ourselves a deal, or am I just wasting my time?”

“No, no I agree to you, Just a little spot, right?” You tighten your grip on the tube and look at its contents.

“Little Itsy-bitsy spot. Say you’re into painting or something if he asks about it. Gather a few more tubes like it to make it believable. I’ll even make it look the same, just dap a little on whatever he uses to communicate and or uses to conjure his famous illusions and we’ll be set.”

He holds out his hand a small grin on his face, eyebrows raised.

You don’t give yourself any time to hesitate and place your hands in his and with a bright flash and some swirling smoke around your hands he lets go and snaps, his fingers and a pair of shades materialize on his face.

“Great Wonderful. Absolutely brilliant now let’s talk schematics alright? Pop on by his place today or two more or whenever, just soon. I’m only giving you some time because I sense some recent tension between you two. I have a brother of my own. Brother’s more like, hate their nonexistent guts. Anyway- rekindle that bond. Become an apprentice, do the deed.”

“How long do I have?”

“I’m in no rush…but about 6 months seems fair, sooner the better. I don’t mind because, in order for you to get back at him, you need to help me out so it’s a go-go for the both of us, I don’t expect any hesitation…”

He clenches your shoulder a bit tighter “and if you're ever feeling a little unsure, a little oh no what am I doing? Just remember how terrible you two got along when you were tots, all the favoritism, the betrayal, and the turmoil and keep plowing on!” He sings the last part and raises his hand into the air dramatically.

“But know even if you get cold feet.” His voice turns icy and he spins you so that your face to face, he leans in slowly and you feel the air around you grow stale and hot

“You still made a deal…capishe?”

“Yes. I understand…”

His face changes to an ecstatic smile.

“PERFECT! So! Run along, go do your thing…and if you need to contact me.” He manifests and flips a coin with his thumb, and It hovers in mid-air in front of your eyes. It turns slowly in its dull gold color with the picture of a wreath on one side and some fruit on the other. “Flip it, spin It, hold it, kiss it, bop it. Spin it. Tap it.” You look at him with a puzzled look.

“Ah whatever you want to do with it, your intention will seep into it and ring out to me, just hold it in your hand”

You take the coin into your hand and feel its hefty weight in your palm.

“Now, this was fun. But I got to go, the whole underworld to rule, dog to feed. Imps to burn you get my drift.” He lets you go and gives you a wink.

“Chow babe.” With a poof of smoke and flames, he was gone. Simple as that…

Now, it was time to figure out how to rekindle your relationship, after such a, nasty departing.

#disney imagine #facilier imagine #dr facilier imagine #hades imagine

52 notes · View notes

chrisevansbabymama · 5 years

Text

Daddy Hair Care - Chapter 5

Chapter 4.2

Chapter 5 - Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow:

“Good morning gorgeous,” Sebastian said loud and obnoxiously from his kitchen island, with the intention to wake Chris up as it was almost midday and he was still sprawled all over his couch, now stirring.

Chris groaned as he turned over, greeting his friend back with a lazy wave as opposed to the middle finger that he would have preferred.

“And what time did you get in last night?”

Chris could hear the smile in his friend’s voice and so he slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes and stretching.

“Sometime after 2 – I think,” he yawned.

“Where did you guys go?”

Chris paused, suddenly remembering last night’s events with Kayla. There was no way for Sebastian to have known whom he’d spent the evening with; Chris was so sure of this because the snitch – Lauren, and Seb were not on speaking terms. When the lies she’d told both Chris and Kayla last night didn’t add up, Chris automatically assumed that she was covering up for shackling up in bed with Seb for a few rounds of make-up sex.

It soon made sense when he later saw Lauren’s messages; she’d sent him a couple of Snapchats in her hooded onesie and a wine bottle, with her thumbs up and a cheshire cat grin, captioning over the image:

Sike! Enjoy your date! Sipping this as I wait for updates…

If I get to the bottom uninterrupted then it means you two fucked and I win!

He couldn’t be too mad, he supposed; that had worked out to be one of the best night’s he’d had in a while and since his pulling game was rusty, he needed all the help he could get. Even if meant an intrusive Lauren pulling a few strings and lying to make it work because they were both stubborn.

“Uh, this little place in Lower East Side, and then we watched a film,”

“That’s different, you guys are typically high-brow; it’s usually something Michelin and VIP sections at the most elusive spots,” Sebastian chuckled innocently, chopping ingredients for his morning green juice.

Chris chuckled too at the epiphany of how different his night was, but despite the change of pace and crowd; it had been a blessing. He’d been able to let his guard down and be himself around Kayla; she hadn’t treated him like a precious stone or egg, like everyone seemed to do when they were around him. Where everyone would call him “Mr Evans,” to kiss ass, she called him “Hollywood” to keep him grounded – as she’d testified. And he loved that. And he liked that authenticity and consistency.

“I was coming from a press event so we just wanted something chilled, it’s Lauren that usually picks the high brow spots,”

“Mhhh,” Seb said with an eye roll at the mention of her name. He would know, he’d dated the woman for four years.

“What time is it? Is Mya still sleeping?” Chris asked quickly changing the subject.

“11:47, I was going to let you sleep some more but I need to use this guy, y’know my routine,” he pointed a thumb to his noisy Vitamix that he would usually use first thing in the morning, but Chris occupying the living room space a few metres from the open-plan kitchen, had perturbed his plans.

Chris laid back down, “Nah, go ahead bro. I was actually going back to the hotel last night, but my ride drove past this way, so I thought I might as well stay the night instead of coming back in the morning to pick up Dodger and Mya, then I fell asleep here watching replays of the match,”

“Y’know the door’s always open man,”

“I know,” he had the spare key too. “How is she still sleeping so late?”

“She didn’t sleep too well last night,” Seb said sheepishly. “I made the mistake of caving in to everything she wanted: pizza, candy, ice cream, popcorn – she was flying off the wall with the sugar rush and then threw up twice. She didn’t sleep until 1,”

Chris clasped his hands behind his head, “That’s what you deserve, she sleeps at 8 and she’s not allowed more than one treat,”

“Just because you’re on the Cap diet doesn’t mean she has to be,”

“I don’t force her, she throws up every time she eats most of that junk,” Chris had learnt this the hard way and since then, he kept the treats to a minimum.

“Yeah but you know how she has me wrapped me around her finger,”

Chris shook his head in a disappointed acknowledgement, “I know. Was she okay though?”

“Yeah, she settled down well after,”

“If she’s not up in thirty, I’m waking her up or I’ll be paying the price tonight,” Chris said reaching for his phone.

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but he’d envisioned missed calls and messages from Kayla. It was a farfetched little fantasy he had cooked up before he fell asleep after their text message exchange, hoping she took him seriously on his offer. He reopened the conversation, re-reading it like a hopeless romantic trying to uncover hidden meaning or any flirtatious hints. It was their first text exchange since they had met and that hadn’t been how he’d planned for it to transpire; he’d always hoped it would be something overtly flirtatious and sexy, but given the circumstances last night; that was the best he could do.

He wanted to send her another one message: wishing her a good morning and ask her how she slept, ask her what she had planned for the day and tell her that she looked absolutely beautiful last night. He’d also wanted to tell her that last night was possibly the best night he’d had in a while and that he couldn’t wait to see her again and that Monday was really far away. And Monday was the only day she was scheduled to see him, until the following week, which was jam-packed with press and a couple of shoots.

“Why are you smiling like that you creep?”

“Nothing - just on Twitter,”

Seb pierced his eyes at him in contemplation, “You’ve got this weird smug look on your face. Did you get laid?”

Atypical, his face flushed, “Huh – no -I didn’t-”

“Come on, I’m on your team. Tell me, who was it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mhhh, so it was just the whole team that went out?” Seb pushed. “You didn’t meet anyone?”

“Uh yeah, just the whole gang,” Chris lied, his attention locked on the device.

“Huh,” Sebastian hummed. “Interesting,”

Chris finally looked up, triggered by his friend’s suspicious and interrogative tone. “What is?”

“Nothing,” he commented. “Just interesting, that’s all.”

“Is there anything you want to ask me man?”

“That’s what I’ve been tryna do,” Seb walked over to the fridge, retrieving two bottles of water, throwing one into Chris’ direction, pouring the other into his blender. This was usually a topic they reserved for beer, but even they knew it was a little too early to start drinking. “You were finally with a woman last night, I know that but who is she?”

“You don’t know her,” Chris finally resigned, knowing fully well that his best friend would find out sooner or later, and Kayla was too close to home to keep it a secret.

“I didn’t say I did, I asked you who she is, but your default response was defensive which makes me think that I do know her,”

“Again, is there anything you want to ask me?”

“I am asking, you’re deflecting,” Seb repeated. “Let me rephrase myself, maybe you’ll get me this time: where did you go last night? And who with?”

Chris took a big gulp to buy himself sometime to think and deliberate on whether he wanted to answer this question or not, eventually opting to because as much as he would have preferred to keep it a secret; he really needed his best-friend’s help. If there was one thing about Seb, like Lauren, he was persistent; if Chris didn’t offer the answer, he would find out one way or another. It was safer this way, Chris decided, at least his friend wouldn’t have to go on a digging rampage and ruffle unnecessary feathers.

“Kayla,”

“Kayla…” it didn’t ring a bell.

“Y’know, my hairstylist and –“

“The one she-whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned always said you have a secret crush on? That Kayla?” he frowned, alluding to Lauren.

Chris smiled, bringing the bottle back up to his lips to shield his smile but his skin tone kept warming up in betrayal. He resented that trait.

“Oh,” Seb put his bottle down and sat down on the stool at the island, this warranted all his attention. “So, she-whose-name… was right all this time. I thought it was a joke that no one was taking seriously. Wow. So you went for it, huh?”

“I didn’t make the move,” Chris corrected. “Lauren set us up and decided not to show up, so it was just the two of us hanging out,”

“So, how was it?”

“There was no it,” Chris said, sipping again for a dramatic pause. “We just got something to eat, hung out and went to see a film,”

“That is the most boring fake date ever,” Seb said flatly. “I’m just saying, you get to finally be with the woman you want and all you do is just go to eat and watch a film. Did you at least fool around in the back of the car or theatre?”

The bottle was becoming Chris’ trusted prop.

“Did you?”

“Nah,” another sip. Should I even tell him I fell asleep?

“You kissed her though, right?” he pushed “At least?”

Sip.

Sebastian sighed, “Wow,”

Chris placed his bottle down. He shrugged.

“So you were basically just babysitting each other last night? Couple of dumbasses,”

“It was the first time we were ever together alone,”

“I’m not too sure on the details, but ahem-Lauren-ahem told me once in passing that you had the hots for the girl, but I didn’t take it seriously because I know you man, I thought back then I’ll know it’s true because you don’t take so long to make a move. But that was old Chris: he made moves, fast. So what is it – what’s the deal with you and her? Do you even like her or do you just want a bed-buddy – cos this is not like you to not make a move,”

“No, I like her,” Chris shrugged, speaking honestly; more candid that he could with Lauren because she always had an agenda to set him up or manipulate situations and end up embarrassing him. He wanted to be transparent with Seb because he was objective and didn’t know Kayla to run back to her. He’d met her once or twice but it was formal and pleasant, and at the time, Chris had given nothing away.

“I do like her, but I don’t know if she likes me the same. It’s just confusing because all my past relationships have been easy because the women have always made it clear and so it was easier for me to make the first move. Kayla, she’s different,”

“She works for you though, so she probably wouldn’t be too explicit because she’s afraid to lose her job, because I’m guessing you’re holding your cards close to your chest too. You are gonna have to just go in for it and be a little aggressive in pursuit because seems like she’s gonna need you to take the lead on this one,”

“You’re right, I don’t blame her. I haven’t given her much to work with either, we are just playing this dumb game with each other,”

“You just need another chance to feel her out – and don’t let other people meddle in,” Seb frowned, Chris was very aware that he was referring to Lauren’s handiworks. “What was she like when it was just you two?”

Sebastain didn’t know it but that question had opened a can of worms, because the second Chris opened his mouth in reply, he couldn’t stop. Even his face now had a glow to it, his smile radiant and eyes dancing with excitement. Sebastian remembered that feeling that was etched across his best friend’s features because it was only a few years ago that he had fallen for Lauren and he wouldn’t stop smiling or talking about her. She was all he could talk about. All he wanted to talk about.

“…she’s so cool and funny too. Really cool. It’s like she’s got her life together, she’s so comfortable in her own skin and has this confidence about her that is really sexy. And she’s just an assured person. Everything about her is just so – I don’t know, I don’t know how to describe it. Like she’s just full of peace and goodness, and I know there’s even so much to her that I haven’t uncovered yet and it’s so exciting,”

He trailed off babbling away about her and that feeling from last night, the overwhelming elation that he couldn’t express in words tormented him again. It was a pleasant feeling; like a heady summer night after making love. A high that he couldn’t come down off and sent chills down his body, through to his core. He felt embarrassed when he finally snapped out of it, noticing Seb’s grin.

“Sorry, you don’t care about all that,”

“No, do carry on,” Seb motioned with his hand.

Chris bit his bottom lip, now embarrassed to carry on. He’d said too much and felt incredibly vulnerable; he trusted Seb with no doubt, but he hadn’t been this raw with his friend since his last break up, which had taken him years to recover from. Chris had adopted a defense mechanism of pretending he was fine and building walls and now the very wall he had erected was falling apart at his own hands.

“Why don’t you blend your juice or something,” Chris deflected.

“It can wait,” Seb patted the machine, filled and waiting, but it was too noisy and interruptive. This conversation was much better. “When do you see her again?”

“Monday, I have a fan event that she’s grooming me for. But after that I don’t see her until the following week,”

“Talk to her on Monday and get her alone again and maybe you can get together in those days you’re both not working,”

“What if she’s busy?”

“You wouldn’t know unless you tried right?”

“I guess, but-“

“Stop that, I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to find reasons for her to say no because you’re scared to actually go through with it. Just make the first move, and everything will fall into place,”

“And if she says no?”

“Well it wont ever be a ‘no,’ I know that for a fact, otherwise she wouldn’t have stuck it out with you last night. You remember four years ago we had this conversation about Lauren?”

“Yeah,” Chris chuckled, remembering telling Seb to go for it and make a move on Lauren. Seb had taken a liking to her when they had hit off during the Winter Soldier press tour. “But look at you two now, barely talking and can’t even bear to be in the same room, I don’t ever want that with Kayla,”

“Me and Lauren are me and Lauren, we have our issues. You and Kayla will have your own unique relationship, what if you don’t end up like us?”

“I don’t know man, I’m used to being interested in women and being okay to let them go, because I feel like I can’t do both: be with them and protect them from all this Hollywood stuff,”

“The way I see it, she knows what it entails, she’s with you and Keith all the time to know what your publicity landscape looks like, so she knows what she’s getting into,”

Chris nodded, running out of excuses to shelter him from making a move. Sebastian was making a lot of sense but it was scary nonetheless, to make that move and leave his single life behind. It wasn’t his single dad bachelor life that he was afraid to give up – because that wasn’t as glamorous as it sounded, it was more about what Kayla would have to give up and tolerate to be with him. Those reasons he feared, were the same reasons his previous relationships hadn’t been successful even with actresses he dated: the people he thought were very well-versed about the industry and its pressures, couldn’t handle what came with dating a man so carefully observed and adored by the media and fans amass. What more Kayla?

“Can I ask a question?”

“Yeah,”

“Why the hell didn’t you just kiss her? At the very least, I mean you had every opportunity to,”

“I don’t know, I asked myself that very question over and over,” Chris was reminiscing. “I don’t know, she’s different and it scares me. I was scared that maybe I wouldn’t be able to stop,”

“I don’t know if I should swoon or throw up,” Seb deadpanned. “But the fact that she scares you, alone outweighs all your dumb excuses you were listing just moments ago! I used to have this friend who got offered an amazing opportunity to play Captain America, but he had anxiety about the role and what it would entail and how it would affect his personal life. So he almost backed out until he realised that ‘maybe the thing you’re most scared of is exactly what you should do,’ he told me those words when I wanted to pursue this woman, and it worked. And he says them every time in an interview, so I never forget those words,”

Chris smiled, shaking his head and looked down bashfully, playing along he said: “So what happened to this friend of yours then?”

“I don’t know, he’s some hotshot Hollywood actor now but we stopped talking because he was a hypocrite and never took his own advice,” Seb teased.

“Pity,”

“Back to you though; why don’t you ask her out tonight or tomorrow?”

“No, I can’t this weekend is reserved Mya. I miss her,” Chris expressed. “I feel bad, like I just dumped her on you last night over some woman,”

Seb grimaced, “You didn’t dump her on me, I offered and y’know I don’t mind, I know that’s Tiffany’s job but I like the kid. And you didn’t know you were going to be alone with Kayla, clearly she’s not just ‘some woman,’”

Chris hissed, cringing at his poor choice of words, embarrassed that he would reduce her to being ‘some woman.’

“I guess this is all a bit new to me, I’m having a hard time trying to negotiate the balance between the two worlds,”

“The balance will work itself out once you figure out what you want and work towards it. You’re allowed to enjoy some me-time without Mya you know,” Seb said reassuringly, Chris smiled immediately at the familiarity of those words. “What?”

“That’s what Kayla said yesterday,”

“See! She practically threw herself at you and you didn’t even meet her halfway. Unbelievable,” before he turned on his blender, he pointed at his friend, “If you don’t at least make a move next time you see her, I’ll get myself involved. Use those perfect blue eyes and pretty face to your advantage,”

“Well actually, there’s a bit of green in the blue of my eyes,”

Chapter 6 >>

_______________

Disclaimer: Gif not my own

Tags: @thegirlwithpaperheart @disaster-rose @youlifetime @mississippifangirl @thinemineours @tessathedragon @thottio @caninoona @eratotalles @allonszassbutt@thinemineours@dreamingwithmendes @void-imaginations @daybreak96 @l-auteuse @cliffordasparagus @bumber-car-s@lvlyab@melaninmarvel @milkymil-k@dyckvandyke @prettymuchboodup @i-fear-neither-death-nor-pain@the-doctors-fallen-angel @tfandtws @mariswritingforfun @renesmeeharelds

@turn-thy-paige @disaster-rose

#Chris Evans #Chris Evans x woc #Chris Evans fan fic #Daddy Hair Care #Chris Evans fanfic #Chris Evans imagine #Chris Evans gif #Chris Evans fan fiction #Chris Evans fanfiction #chris evans x black reader #Sebastian Stan #sebastian stan fanfic #sebastian stan fanfiction #sebastian stan fan fic #sebastian stan imagine #daddy chris evans #Chris Evans fic

154 notes · View notes

sj-thefan · 5 years

Text

Return From Battle

It didn't take long for Peter, Y/n and Edmund to catch up with the rest of the Narnians.

They were silent as they walked, a little slower than on the way there. No one wanted to say anything. They had failed. They didn't need a reminder of the lives lost.

Peter avoided the glare of Susan. She thought that Peter had gone there for himself, not the Narnians. He didn't want an argument. He had been sure that he was fighting for Narnia, but her words kept echoing in his head. "Who are you really doing this for, Peter?" He wasn't so sure. He had wanted to prove he was still capable of protecting them. Maybe he should have listened to Caspian.

He felt Y/n shift behind him, her arms still wrapped around him despite moving at a much slower pace, but she had lifted her head to watch the world around them.

He recalled the way she had looked at him in her father's room. She had been worried, beyond worried at the whereabouts of her father, but her eyes were full of gratitude. She needed to get him. She needed to know where he was. If Peter hadn't lead them to attack the castle, they would still be in Aslan's How and Y/n wouldn't know if her father was alive, jailed, or dead. He did the right thing.

Although, if they had stayed at the How, Y/n wouldn't have been injured.

"Peter," Y/n whispered so only they could hear. He turned slightly to look at her, silently asking her to continue. "I never said thank you, so, thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, anyone would have done the same. I may not have gotten out of there if you hadn't got the horses, I should be thanking you."

She smiled, resting her head against his back again. "I don't mean for saving my life, although I am grateful for that. Thank you for allowing me to come and get my father. I would have been worried sick, not knowing what had happened to him."

Peter didn't know what to say. He hadn't truly done anything special. He did what he thought was right. "I'm sorry you got hurt."

"I'll be fine. We all will be." Y/n had no doubts that their choice had been the right one at the time. Even knowing the ending wouldn't change her decision. They had to do something, they couldn't wait for the battle to come to them. Taking the fight to Miraz had been the right choice.

The group eventually exited the woods. Peter had dismounted to stretch his legs, yet still walked alongside Y/n, keeping a hand on the horse. They had found themselves at the front of the group with Caspian and Susan, no communication being exchanged besides a few glances.

When they were close to the How some of the Narnians inside came out, including Lucy. She, as well as the others, were visibly distressed at seeing so few warriors return.

"What happened?" Lucy asked, her voice breaking slightly.

Peter didn't bother pausing his march. "Ask him," he replied bluntly, nodding his head at Caspian.

Y/n, who had yet to hear the story of what went wrong, was curious but not terribly surprised that Caspian had done something not according to plan. When he had left the dungeons, she assumed he would do something impulsive, she would too if she had just found out her father died at the hands of her uncle.

"Peter." Susan's scold made Peter stop and turn back to face her and Caspian. Y/n and he had gotten closer to the How than the rest of their group, wanting to get inside and rest.

"Me?" Caspian asked. "You could have called it off. There was still time."

"No," Peter walked back to Caspian, "there wasn't thanks to you. If you'd kept to the plan, those soldiers might still be alive."

The boys were angry, but Y/n could hear the sadness in their voices. She wanted to interrupt, to tell them they were both just angry and sad at the fight that just occurred. They needed time to calm down before this conversation occurred.

"And, if you'd just stayed here like I suggested, they definitely would be!"

"You called us, remember?"

"My first mistake."

"No. Your first mistake was thinking you could lead these people."

Peter began walking back to Y/n and the How.

"Hey!" Caspian shouted. Peter turned around. "I am not the one who abandoned Narnia."

"You invaded Narnia." Peter pointed his finger at him. "You have no more right to it than Miraz does!" Caspian pushed past him, trying to get to the How. "You, him, your father... Narnia's better off without the lot of you!"

Y/n had already felt guilty for her ancestor's wrongdoings, but it still hurt to hear that Peter wished they would all go away. He couldn't mean that.

Unfortunately, Caspian dealt with his guilt differently. He yelled drawing his sword and pointing it at Peter.

Peter did the same.

"Stop it!" Edmund yelled, drawing the attention of everyone. Slowly the boys put their swords down.

Edmund helped Glenstorm set down Trumpkin, who had been injured in the fight. Lucy, sensing she cordial was needed, ran over.

Caspian didn't stay to see if he was okay. He walked past Y/n, without glancing her way, and into the How. She stayed, watching from atop the horse as Trumpkin awakened, shooing away the attention.

Peter walked to Y/n, helping her down and supporting her as they walked inside. He quickly ushered a faun over, and he immediately began wrapping her leg. It wasn't broken, although Y/n wasn't sure how a thousand-pound animal falling on her leg, didn't break it, but it was severely bruised. They sat in silence while the faun worked.

Even once he was done and gone, Peter and Y/n were silent, not knowing what to say.

After a few moments, Y/n took a deep breath, asking the question she was dreading the answer to. "Did you mean it?" Peter looked up. "That Narnia is better off without us, did you mean it?"

Her voice was quiet. He could tell she was scared but she didn't break eye contact. "Narnia should never have been invaded. The Telmarines have caused nothing but problems for the Narnians." She looked down. "But no," he placed his hand under her chin, pulling it up to look in her eyes, "Narnia needs people like you. People who fight for what's right. People who learn from the mistakes of the past." He leaned in, eyes flitting from her lips back to her eyes. "Narnia is better with you."

She looked deep into his eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity. Without hesitating, she leaned in pushing her lips against his. He eagerly returned the kiss, wrapping his arm around her waist pulling her closer.

Their small moment was interrupted by Edmund and Trumpkin.

"Ahem." Trumpkin cleared his throat. Y/n quickly pulled away, looking to them shyly. Peter watched her with a smile before turning to the two males in front of him. "You two have great timing, middle of a war, and all."

Peter rolled his eyes at Trumpkin's sarcasm. "What do you need?"

"Have either of you seen Caspian?" Edmund asked. "We need to decide what to do next and he and Nikabrik are missing."

"I haven't seen him since we arrived," Y/n said.

Peter got lost in his thoughts. "Nikabrik is a Black Dwarf, isn't he?" When Y/n nodded, Peter stood up. "They allied with the White Witch. We have to find them." He helped Y/n stand before the four of them went off in search of Caspian.

They raced into the Stone Table room to find Caspian in front of a giant ice wall. A pale woman dressed in white, stood in the ice, holding her hand out to Caspian. Nikabrik and two others were present as well, although Y/n didn't recognize them.

"Stop!" Peter yelled, charging at the outsiders.

They all drew their swords except Y/n. Given her injured leg, she knew she would be no help in a hand-to-hand fight, but she knew someone who could. She raced off back down the hallway, passing Lucy, who must have heard the commotion.

It didn't take long to find Susan. She had seemed to be looking around for them. Without explanation, Y/n grabbed her hand, dragging her to the fight. Glenstorm, sensing the distress in the girl, followed.

They arrived just as Peter pushed Caspian out of the circle that had been drawn on the ground.

Y/n had read enough to figure out that the woman in the ice wall was Jadis, the White Witch, who was quite famous for her 100-year winter.

"Peter, dear," she greeted the boy who currently stood in front of her. "I've missed you."

The room was silent as Peter held his sword up to the witch. Nikabrik and the two Narnians Y/n hadn't recognized, lay defeated whilst the others caught their breath.

"Come." Jadis reached her hand out. "Just one drop. You know you can't do this alone."

Peter had tried to keep his stern facade, but he was scared. He had already lost so many strong warriors. Maybe Jadis could help. She was a difficult opponent before but maybe he could control her if it was him that brought her back.

Before he could make a decision, a blade was thrust through the wall. A large crack spread through it until it reached the edge. Jadis yelled as the wall broke into pieces revealing Edmund behind her, his sword held above his head. Aslan had been carved into the wall behind him, his eyes watching the people in front of him.

"I know," he said when he noticed Peter looking at him. "You had it sorted." He turned and walked out of the room with Lucy, Trumpkin and Glenstorm, who had realized he wasn't needed anymore.

Susan glared at the two boys who had made yet another mess before she too turned and left the room.

The boys looked at each other knowing they had messed up. A silent apology passed through the air between them.

With a look back at the carving of Aslan, Caspian left the room, mumbling a quick apology to Y/n when he passed her.

Y/n watched him go. When she turned back, she found Peter staring at her. She smiled sadly at him as she walked towards him.

They sat together on the ground, staring at Aslan. The room filled with a comfortable silence as they processed the events that had happened as well as the many different emotions that had accompanied them. It was confusing. They had fought against the Telmarines, mourned for their lost comrades, and that had led to Peter exploding with anger. So many negative emotions had plagued them.

But then, love had been intertwined within each of these events. Peter hadn't wanted Y/n to come to the battle and risk getting hurt because he cared about her. When they mourned, he had felt guilty for being slightly happy at the fact that his siblings had been spared as well as Y/n. She kept occupying his mind. He didn't leave Castle Caspian's courtyard until he was sure she was safe. He had revelled in the feeling of her arms around his waist. When he was angry, the first thought that crossed his mind after his fight with Caspian was Y/n and whether he had hurt her when he insulted the Telmarines. And then their kiss. Oh - it was the best thing he had ever felt. He had kissed girls before, he had grown to be an adult on his previous visit to Narnia, but they had never felt like this. It was electrifying and, even though they had been interrupted, it lingered. He wanted to kiss her again. He looked at her. She was so beautiful, so perfect, and she liked him too. It had been her who kissed him. Sure, he had leaned in and been the one to pull her closer, but it was her who first pressed her lips against him. They liked each other and that made him so happy. He couldn't wait for this war to be over so he could enjoy spending more time with her.

"What's he like?" Y/n asked quietly, breaking the silence. Peter followed her gaze back to Aslan. "Aslan." She looked to him waiting for a response.

He turned back to her. "Terrifying." He smiled making the girl giggle. "At first, anyways. He's intimidating." He cleared his throat. "It's hard to look at him and talk to him as if you're an equal, because, obviously, you're not. I mean, I was the High King and I was terribly nervous every time he was around."

She smiled at him before turning to face the carving. "Do you think I'll get to meet him?" Her face fell slightly when there was no immediate response but she didn't turn back to him.

"I think, if he does come back, he'll want to meet you." Peter kissed her cheek, making her blush.

"I hope I get to meet him. Growing up, reading stories about Old Narnia, it was all I ever wanted to meet the Kings and Queens of Old as well as Aslan. All my childhood dreams are turning into reality, I hope that one does too."

"It must have been nice growing up in the castle."

"Not really. I probably would have been happier if we had stayed in my father's cottage. Caspian was the only benefit of living in the castle. And maybe the astronomy tower." She paused. "My father was never truly happy there, it reminded him too much of my mother. I also had to do a lot of work for the Queen. She was very demanding."

Peter laughed at the silly expression Y/n made when she insulted the Queen. She couldn't help herself when she joined in. Laughter was contagious.

"What about you?" she asked when the laughter died down. "What's it like in your world?"

"Dirty." She smiled at him, urging him to continue. "London is crowded and dirty. The people there are nasty and self-centred." He grimaced and she copied. "But the country-side is nice. Very green and quiet. I stayed with Professor Digory Kirke a while ago. He lives in the country. It was really nice there, it reminded me of Narnia, without all the talking animals and living trees and stuff."

"It sounds nice."

Peter smiled at her comment. "Yeah, it's where I'd like to end up. In my world I mean," he quickly added. "One day, I'll have to leave Narnia again, but when I grow up in my world, I want to move to the country. It would be so peaceful."

"I'd like that too." She smiled to herself before her eyes widened as her words registered and she thought of how they could be misinterpreted. "- I mean, I'd like to live in someplace peaceful too. Somewhere I wouldn't be disturbed. No one demanding anything from me, no one needing me for anything. Just somewhere I can relax and not have to worry."

"Exactly." Peter agreed.

They returned to the comfortable silence from earlier, Y/n resting her head against Peter's shoulder.

Lucy entered slowly, sitting beside Peter.

"You're lucky, you know," Peter said to her.

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking up at him.

"To have seen him. I wish he'd just give me some kind of proof."

"Maybe we're the ones who need to prove ourselves to him."

Edmund rushed in at that moment. "Pete," he began, "you'd better come quickly."

Previous Part | Next Part

#Sj writes #High King Peter #Narnia #Peter Pevensie x reader #Peter x reader

33 notes · View notes

acnhplayertwo · 4 years

Text

Player Two's Diary.

Entry 1.

Dear diary,

Thanks Bobness I have this phone with me. Not gonna lie, I'd totally be going cuckoo without an outlet by now.

Why, you ask? Well, it's simple! Let me explain.

This utter mess began something short of one week ago, when my partner, let's call 'em S, presented me with an idea.

"Let's go away, buddy. Let's just toss this boring life behind and go somewhere new. New and fresh. Like... like the Outskirts, or-- or an island. A deserted one, maybe. Somewhere nobody knows us and none of our problems would ever be able and find us. Come on, buddy. Let's do it."

And, pal, I know not whether it was their enthusiasm, or the fact I was starting to resent my life as mayor of a lethargic town, or that we both had a glass too many of Wolfgang's homemade apple wine, but... I accepted.

I said yes.

Actually, I may have said something more than that. In my drunken haze, I remember yelling something like "OH MY BOB, THAT'S AN AWESOME IDEA AND I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO TOLD ME HE'D TAKE ON A DEAERTED ISLAND BUSINESS AND CAN YOU BELIEVE THE COINCIDENCE HAHA, LET ME CALL THAT OL' RASCAL NOOK!"

And that was it, dear diary. In the span of an our we had traded our entire life's savings for a couple tickets to Nowhere.

But it wasn't that bad at first. I was actually psyched. "You go first, S!", I said. "You go and prepare a cozy spot for us. I'll reach you in three days tops."

And so we did. The next day, S kissed me goodbye, nothing but a backpack on their shoulders and hope in their eyes. "Plane's departing soon. I'll be waiting for you in our lives' next chapter, buddy."

So they went, while I stayed. I had too much stuff to do still, what with signing my temporary resignment as town mayor, packing up, saying goodbye to my citizens.

Then, 48 hours later, there I was, waiting to hop aboard on one of Dodo Airlines' rickety machines.

"Oh my, you won't believe how perfect it is here!" S' voice crackled assaulted my ears with a mix of squawking happiness and bad reception through my phone's speaker. "Weather is marvellous, and Sakura's are bloomin' and and and everything is just SO PERFECT!! There's so much stuff to do, and things to craft, and everyone is just SO DEAR!! They even threw a welcome party for the first residents, and there were confetti, and juice, and even a BONFIRE!!"

I found myself smiling as I left my old life behind and flew through the skies that would lead me to a brand new one. But my smile soon faltered as I stepped off the plane and onto Sleepwalk Island's wooden dock.

"Oh, you here. Finally. Fearless Leader's waiting for you."

"Allright," I thought as I followed Tim ad Tommy’s fuzzy shadows across the island and into a green tent, “they have never been the friendly type, but... is a hug really too much to ask?” I ignored my disappointment, telling myself that they must have been busy, like they always are, and let my face melt in a huge smile as I breathed in the familiar musk of wood and tanuki fur.

“PT!! Such a pleasure to see you here, yes yes!“ Tom rushed towards me, paws extended, his eyes nothing more than a couple happy slits. “I heard of your arrival and boy, I couldn’t wait! Here, drink something and make yourself at home...“ He slapped a can of soda in my open hand and began explaining me the hows and whys of his new business venture, nodding with his usual verve. “... and from this terminal here you can order anything you want and have it shipped right at your door-- ahem, tent step! Isnt’ it great??“

I smiled, knowing full well there was nothing I could say or do to stop his tirade. “And look! This is my new workbench! You can use it anytime, and-- let me show you how it’s done!“

Twenty minutes later, I stepped back out into the morning sun, arms heavy with Nook’s patented survival bundle, head buzzing with info.

“Awesome! I will repay this trifle of a loan by nighttime, and after that, this island will be mine! Oh boy, I can’t wait! It’s gonna be so rad!“

Or so I thought.

Reality, in fact, was soon to smack me in the face. Hard.

You see, S had told me all about how they had been able to trade bugs and fish for much-needed DiY recipes. “And you’ll be able to craft lotsa useful stuff, like axes, and you’ll need those to find wood and get stones and iron from rocks and build so much amazing objects-- I just can’t even!!“

So, understandably, I was all set to seize the occasion and do the same.

That afternoon, I stepped into Nook’s headquarters with a bucket of fish, looking forward to my bright future as Sleepwalk’s craftmaster, when...

“Oh. I see. well, buddy, I’m afraid I can’t help you at this time,“ Tom said, avoiding my gaze and preferring to stare at one of my flapping mackerels instead.

“What d’you mean?,“ I asked, wiping the sweat from my surprised face.

“Well, it’s kinda embarrassing, but...“ Tom scratched his head before continuing. “You see, every other person no this island came in here, trading their critters for recipes, and... there were more people than I expected and I didn’t take into account this possibility and...“ He sighed. “...I’m all out. I have no more recipes to give you, buddy. Sorry ‘bout that.“

I blinked more times than needed.

“But... what am I supposed to do now?“

Tom shrugged.

“You can still sell your catch to scrounge up a few bells, I suppose. Or you could keep some fish as pet, I dunno.“

“Yes, no, what I mean is...“ I looked around and gestured to the outside world.

“What am I supposed to do?!“

Tom cocked his head and bit his lip. Then, unexpectedly, he flashed me the biggest smile in the universe.

“It’s simple! ENJOY LIFE!“

He slid an arm around my shoulders and began dragging me towards the exit.

“You can fish some more, gather branches and craft a bug net, or-- or or, ehm, take pictures! Yes yes, pictures are nice, you can post them on Twitter and make all your friends jealous, and then Ireallyhavenoideaso GOODBYE FOR NOW!“

And just like that, he shoved me and my broken heart out of his tent and back into Sleepwalk Island’s untamed wilderness.

Needless to say, I was dumbfounded.

Still, I couldn’t stop now. I still had a debt to repay.

So, I took a deep breath and lunged into my activities.

I spent the entire day fishing, and fishing, and catching bugs, and picking fruit, until the sun set, and the fresh night breeze began freezing the sweat on my skin.

I was beyond exhausted, dirty and disheartened. But I was ready, and, most importantly, furious.

The moon was high in the sky when I stepped into Tom’s tent, and found him alone, beer in hand, a stack of paperwork under his muzzle.

“Nook,“ I announced, voice low and gravelly with rage, “check your phone.“

“Oh, PT! I didn’t see you the--“

“Check. Your. Phone.“

I stared at him as he obeyed.

“Ah. Your debt is settled, I see! Now we can think about building you a home proper, yes yes!“ He was trying to hide his embarrassment behind a thin layer of businesslike enthusiasm, but I wasn’t having it.

“Yes, I want my roof blue, thank you. But that is not why I am here.“

I sat on a stool beside him and spread my fingers on his desk.

“Now listen closely, Nook. I did everything you told me. I spent the entire day chasing bugs and I caught so much fish I will stink like one for a month. Then, I took pictures. I took so many my thumbs are sore, and people are wondering wether I am planning to become a professional photographer. And now, here I am, same as when I started, doing ZERO progress cause guess what?!“ I could hear my voice raising in volume, but could do nothing to stop it. “There is nothing to do on this island. Nothing. I can’t craft anything, cause there’s no recipes. And even if I did, I couldn’t craft, or build anything, cause there are no materials for me to gather. But tell me the truth, Tom. This isn’t the same for everybody, is it? No... these things are happening to me and me only. Cause there is nothing for me to do on this island. Ain’t it the truth, Tom?“

When the raccoon looked at me, he did it with his saddest eyes.

“Alright, PT, yes. You want the truth, you shall have it.“

He drew a long, shaky breath and tossed me a beer.

“You see, bud, Sleepwalk is an island. And until not long ago, a deserted one at that.“ He cleared his voice before resuming.

“So, yeah. There isn’t much here. Literally. Resources are awfully scarce. And in order to thrive, you need as much as you can get your paws on, and at times, even that isn’t enough. Sure, people here might seem kind and friendly. But truth is, we’re all locked in a constant fight for survival. Every single one of us. Never forget that.“

“But... But I...“

But I am the mayor, I wanted to yell.

“You are the second human relocator, my friend. It’s a first come first served world, buddy... and you, I’m afraid, arrived a bit late.“

I do not remember walking out of that tent and into the darkness.

I don’t even remember how I ended up on the beach.

All I know, is that I did not sleep last night, busy as I was hugging my tear-soaked knees, wrestling with that crushing realization.

The realization that, on this island, I will never be anything more than... Player Two.

#acnh #animal crossing new horizons #player two

2 notes · View notes

nothingofnotereally · 5 years

Text

Unpacking the Mother of Skeletons

So I was just talking to some friends about this page and those references, and my psychology degree-possessing butt started explaining the wire mommy reference, which led me to researching the other references, and now I’m going to unpack them here for your benefit.

Before I do this, let me be clear that I am not agreeing with Grant Morrison or his portrayal of Talia nor am I agreeing with this use of these cultural, religious and social sciencey references. Just trying to break down what he’s getting at here.

Ahem.

So the context is this: Morrison’s Talia is 1. On a rampage of destruction because Bruce won’t date her and 2. Rejecting Heretic’s desire for her love and approval. Noteworthy: Heretic is Damian’s clone, so he is her genetic son.

Okay, here we go... in order, except for Kali which is last because boy is that a reference to unpack.

Tiamat: Okay so Tiamat is a goddess, in this case the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of creation, the mother of gods and monsters. She gives birth to the gods, but her husband realizes they want to depose him, so he wars against their children and their children destroy him, and then Tiamat wages war on their children. She is ultimately killed but not before creating the dragons who have poison in their veins instead of blood... but anyway I’m pretty sure the point he’s getting at is that her progeny rebels against her and she in turn wages war on them. This may also link back to the final bits of Batman Inc where Ra’s is set to unleash Damian’s clones - Talia’s unnatural children. Dragons with poison instead of blood, metaphorically.

Medusa: This is a stupid reference because the actual myth (at least the ones I’ve personally encountered) is that Medusa was r_ped in the temple of Athena. And Athena decided to act like a Greek God does, blaming the victim and cursing her to become a monster. Not super relevant except that Morrison has previously referenced this as the story of a beautiful woman who became a monster after her love was rejected - no idea where he got that from, but I think that’s fairly self-explanatory in the context of a Talia who has gone warpath because Bruce won’t date her.

The Wire Mommy: So I’m pretty sure this is a reference to the Harry Harlow rhesus monkey studies in the 1930s. So basically this was a study conducted in, I believe, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where Harlow got some babby rhesus monkeys and removed them from their mothers and placed them in one of two primary environments:

An inanimate substitute mother made of wire holds food and a similar substitute made of terry cloth is without food.

An inanimate substitute mother made of terry cloth holds food and a similar wire mother does not have food.

Okay so the findings of this study were basically that the baby monkeys didn’t like the wire mother. In the case where the food was with the wire mother, they would go over and eat and then dash it over to the terry cloth mother and cling to that one.

What I gather from this, especially in the context of the above where Heretic is looking to Talia to love and nurture him, is that she’s saying that, despite having given him life and physically supported him (in other words, having the metaphorical food), she has no warmth or love for him. She is made of wire and without comfort or softness.

The Red Queen: I’m not superfamiliar with the Alice books beyond Wonderland so I did look this up on Wikipedia as well. Therein lies this quote from Carroll:

The Red Queen I pictured as a Fury, but of another type; her passion must be cold and calm - she must be formal and strict, yet not unkindly; pedantic to the 10th degree, the concentrated essence of all governesses

So, again, a comparison between Talia and a cold, dispassionate anger/hatred, and a female/maternal figure without warmth.

Mother of Skeletons doesn’t seem to be a specific reference - if you’ve got one, feel free to drop that on me, too, but I couldn’t find anything. I’m guessing it’s another way of reiterating this point that she is a destructive maternal figure who devours or destroys her unworthy children.

And finally...

Kali: Kali is a major Hindu deity, the wife of Shiva, and one of the more famous Hindu gods. Please note I am not Hindu, I’m not going to front as some kind of expert and if you know better than me, feel free to correct me. Anyway, Kali has many aspects, some of which are extraordinarily destructive and some of which are less so. To find out which one he’s specifically referencing all we need to do is look at the art, though:

Kali’s most common pose in paintings is in her most fearsome guise as the slayer of demons, where she stands or dances with one foot on a collapsed Shiva and holds a severed head. She wears a skirt of severed human arms, a necklace of decapitated heads, and earrings of dead children, and she often has a terrifying expression with a lolling tongue which drips blood. --Ancient History Encyclopedia

So okay looking at Wikipedia because I’m lazy... some relevant references, and you’ll see how the other names she gives for herself back this up:

Rāmprasād comments in many of his other songs that Kāli is indifferent to his wellbeing, causes him to suffer, brings his worldly desires to nothing and his worldly goods to ruin. He also states that she does not behave like a mother should and that she ignores his pleas:

Can mercy be found in the heart of her who was born of the stone? [a reference to Kali as the daughter of Himalaya] Were she not merciless, would she kick the breast of her lord? Men call you merciful, but there is no trace of mercy in you, Mother. You have cut off the heads of the children of others, and these you wear as a garland around your neck. It matters not how much I call you "Mother, Mother." You hear me, but you will not listen.

To be a child of Kāli, Rāmprasād asserts, is to be denied of earthly delights and pleasures. Kāli is said to refrain from giving that which is expected.

So, a mother who, having been born of stone herself, lacks mercy and warmth. Given Morrison’s take on Talia’s background and her relationship to Ra’s... self-explanatory pretentious reference. But that’s not all:

Vamakali is usually worshipped by non-householders. The pose shows the conclusion of an episode in which Kali was rampaging out of control after destroying many demons. Shiva, fearing that Kali would not stop until she destroyed the world, could only think of one way to pacify her. He lay down on the battlefield so that she would have to step on him. Seeing her consort under her foot, Kali realized that she had gone too far, and calmed down.

Okay this is super relevant because one thing that people often miss about Morrison’s Talia is that her acts of destruction are ultimately meant to get Bruce’s attention. She undertakes this villainous rampage because he only pays attention to villains: she doesn’t even think it’s interesting, she mocks her own plans and calls them stupid. She says she’s doing this because Bruce prefers things black and white and over the top.

And in the end, she shows up in the Batcave, declares that they’re going to fight to the death, and then has a passionate kissing session with him...

...seriously, everyone remembers the kiss but no one talks about how Bruce is still into it.

But anyway, so they make out, and she poisons him...

...then declares she’s doing all this as a gift to him, expresses frustration that he doesn’t understand, and demands that he beg her for help.

Here’s my point: she’s not actually trying to kill him or take the world down. She’s trying to force Bruce to submit to her, at which point she would feel satisfied and come back back from the edge. As evidenced by her earlier panels expressing her frustration that he won’t stop or admit defeat.

In fact, a great deal of what she does in Batman Inc. seems to be done to elicit a specific response from Bruce - for example, she has a hit put on Damian, but it’s really just to mess with Bruce’s head, it’s not really meant to result in Damian actually dying. I would say this comes back to this idea that the opposite of love is apathy not hate - love and hate are both intertwined and Morrison’s Talia both hates and loves him, or rather loves him until she hates him and hates him until she loves him.

This reminds me, one day I should write a thing about how Morrison’s Bruce/Talia story is basically a tragic romance and Talia is the actual love interest of his run... or should I because I don’t really want to be the person who writes longass meta about runs and interpretations that I actually hate.

Anyway, SIGNING OFF AGAIN, it’s...

Me!

#talia al ghul #dc comics #batman #fandom meta #batman meta #grant morrison #have i mentioned that i hate grant morrison's talia #because i do

33 notes · View notes

luescris · 5 years

Text

Procession of Gifts

What I think would happen the turtle's first Father's Day without a father. :')

∆•∆

The four brothers stood at the entrance of the lair quietly, shoulder by shoulder, moving only some and talking none. Around each neck dawned either a black bow tie or tie. The silence was heavy and dark with sadness, which each turtle held equally upon their shoulders and in their eyes. Each held an item in their hands.

Michelangelo, holding a card in both his hands ever so gently, it's back facing the sewer.

Raphael, a bouquet of flowers resting against one shoulder loosely while Chompy napped on his other.

Donatello, a ring he had found a while ago, and upon learning who it belonged to, had immediately welled it back together, working hard at it for days on end for this moment.

Leonardo, the picture of human Splinter and his daughter and wife, smiling happily at whoever may lay their eyes upon the image.

Their heads moved in sync as they turned towards the sound of a car coming down the railroad. The Party Wagon stopped ever so softly upon reaching where the turtles stood, the engine still roaring with life. April poked her head out of the window, seeming to have changed into a black dress. Karai sat in the passenger seat, avoiding any eye contact at the moment and staring at the ground below. She too had changed, wearing a nice black shirt and slacks with black lipstick instead of her usual red.

"Are we ready?" April asked softly, offering a small, sad smile she knew they wouldn't return.

"No." Leo admitted quietly after swallowing down a lump in his throat. It had been the first word any of the turtles had spoken all morning. "But, let's go anyway."

One by one, they filed into the back slowly, Donnie in the lead, making sure their possessions didn't get ruined. They squished themselves together, and while it was necessary, it was also somewhat on purpose. A silent form of comfort to each other as the Party Wagon pulled out of the entrance. Karai briefly glanced behind her at Leo, who met her gaze for a second before she looked back. Leo caught the red rimmed around her eyes in that short moment, and blinked rapidly as he brought his attention to the window next to him.

"Where's Casey?" Donnie asked hesitantly.

April looked up at him in the rear view mirror. "He… He and his family are going out to celebrate. He sends his condolences and prayers, and wishes he could be here with us, and apologises for not doing so."

"Lucky." Raph muttered under his breath sullenly.

"What about you and your dad?"

April smiled sadly. "We are too, but not until tonight. I wouldn't miss this for the world, or in a million years. I want to be there for you guys, like you've done for me."

Leo's eyes softened at the back of her head, heart warmed by her words. "Thank you, April." He said softly.

"No 'thank you's, Leo. Just good friends being good friends. That's all this is."

They all fell silent again. Mikey laid his head against Leo's shoulder gently, eyes downcast as the ride went on.

~∆•∆~

It was as if they had planned how they were to present their belongings once they reached the grave. Maybe they might have, but nonetheless, it was a slow, sad procession. The Wagon stopped in the driveway of the farm house, giving one last sputter before it was shut off. The door opened, and out stepped Leo, slowly and carefully, stepping aside to wait for his brothers. Raph came out next, with Mikey following after and Donnie last. Karai stepped out and aways with April, following only mere inches from them as they began to walk, albeit slowly, a far off look on her face.

One step after another, they marched towards the lone grave at the edge of the forest. The wind greeted them softly, brushing their faces and branches creaking like voices welcoming them back joyfully. But there was no joy in their motives as they neared the stone. Only pain that showed in their eyes, and it seemed to grow with each step they took.

Mikey suddenly stopped abruptly, forcing the other three behind him to do the same as he shut his eyes and turned away with a choked sob. "I can't do this..!"

Leo walked up to him after a moment as his little brother's shoulders began to shake. "Mikey," He muttered softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He had yet another lump in his throat, and it only grew when he heard Mikey's quiet sobs. He had opened his mouth to encourage him, but upon realizing he had no courage for this himself, he was left empty worded. All he managed to do was gently take Mikey's arm as Raph slung an arm around his shoulders and whisper, "C'mon. We're here. Do it for us, okay?"

Leo whispered a few more things as he led him forward, and though the orange clad turtle nodded slightly in understanding, his tears didn't stop. Though it couldn't be helped, Leo knew this, and wasn't at all surprised when he heard Donnie give a small sniff of his own. He felt his eyes burn and water with his throat, but he didn't let the tears fall.

Not yet.

Within a few steps, they reached the grave, and it seemed as if they all held their breaths when their eyes landed on their family name and crest. They stood almost as still as the statue of their father that was embedded into the stone, like they had while waiting for the Party Wagon.

"... Raph." Leo whispered hoarsely.

Heavily, the indicated turtle moved, hands shaking ever so slightly as he bent and reached for the long dead bouquet of flowers wilted over the bed. April moved to his side to take them with Karai in tow, and they watched as he placed the flowers delicately where the previous ones had been.

Raph gulped before he took a breath to speak. "Hey, father. It's… It's Raph. I'm not sure if you know this, but today's Father's Day. We came to visit s-so we could.." His breath hitched, and when he bowed his head April placed her hand on his shoulder with a comforting squeeze. He stayed like that for a few more seconds before he continued, voice cracking with incomplete sobs. "So we could say Happy Father's Day. Even though you're not here physically. I just… Hope you can hear us." Raph looked back up, tear stains glistening against his cheeks. He gave a sniff and wiped his face quickly. "So yeah. W-we brought you gifts, and stuff." He paused solemnly. "Hope you like them."

He rose and stepped aside. Mikey went forward shakily, still shedding unsilenced and uncontrolled tears as he bent down on his knee. He barely whispered "Happy Fathers Day" as he set the card down. The front had the words he just spoke in a green, shiny color with a fancy font. The background was decorated elegantly with many shapes. Mikey rose just as quickly as he kneeled, trying to pull himself together as he stood next to Raph.

Leo came next, and he set the picture in between the bouquet and card, bowing his head and closing his eyes as he placed a hand on the stone. "Happy Fathers Day, father." He whispered. "We miss you. A lot. More than you probably will ever know. I'm not sure if we've ever thanked you for what you did for us, and I know we took you for granted. I wish we didn't, because here we are, and.. And there you are." He paused, and the next words were said through gritted teeth. ".. Beneath our feet. 'M sorry… I'm sorry we couldn't do more. I hope you understand one day, and I hope you know our gratitude.. And our love." He finally let his tears fall, though he mourned silently, and only for a few minutes. He knew there were others still waiting, and he didn't want to take away their time. Leo looked up at Donnie with a nod after finishing, and moved for him.

"Ahem…" Donnie cleared his throat as he knelt, taking the ring in two large fingers and holding it up for the others to see. "I'm not sure if you'd recognize this if you were still.. Here, since it's been a while, but, this is your wedding ring. I found it on patrol one day sitting in a corner, broken and dirty." He smiled ever so slightly. "I wasn't sure why, but I knew I had to take it home and fix it up, find who it had belonged to. Never would've thought it'd be yours, father." He placed it in front of the picture slowly, as if not wanting to let it go. "I did my best to make it look brand new. Happy Father's Day."

Karai stepped up after Donnie moved away, placing a hand on the mound of dirt and kissing the stone before looking down at the ground. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came to mind, and pressed her head to the stone with her eyes shut tightly. April went to the other side of the grave, whispering a "thank you" past the lump in her throat. The two stayed there for a while, the turtles watching them. April rose first, and placed a hand on Karai's shoulder. Karai looked up at her, then sighed and stood with her. All six stared down at the grave for the last few hesitating moments they had, not wanting to leave.

It had been at least ten more minutes before Leo sighed heavily, and said, "Come on guys. Let's go home."

He turned and walked towards the farm house. The rest followed hesitantly, Mikey looking back one last time at the grave.

The Party Wagon whirred to life yet again, and with their last goodbyes, it turned and left the old farm house and the gifts behind.

25 notes · View notes