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gigmusicdscvr · 6 years

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HELLO, COLOUR ME WEDNESDAY !

This is our interview with Jen from the queer band Colour Me Wednesday which is based in West London, UK. The DIY pop-punk band are currently busy with the release of their new album “Counting Pennies In The Afterlife” as well as preparing its promo tour.

Let's begin with introductions !

Hi, We’re Colour Me Wednesday, Jen on vocals, Harriet on guitar, Laura on second guitar or bass and Jaca on drums and percussion. The band has existed for around 10 years now but our first album came out in 2013 and we’re releasing our second album now!

So, do you describe yourselves as an all-female-band ?

We aren’t an all-female band we are a band of 3 women and 1 non-binary person.

You talk a lot about vegan, feminism also sociopolitical issues, how do you come up the ideas afterall?

We all consider ourselves to be activists, we are opinionated and that’s just part of our daily lives so it feels very natural to be writing about veganism, feminism and socio-political issues in our music.

As a band, you must have experienced best and worst moment, which worst moment you hope it never happened again to all-female and queer bands like you?

As many people are aware, all-cis-male bands are considered the default, and anything that deviates from this usually does attract some negative attention or just plain ignorance from other musicians, sound people, promoters, fans or other people in the music industry. Some of us have been groped at gigs, we’ve been harassed and heckled and we imagine we’ve been denied many opportunities without even knowing it because we aren’t taken seriously. It’s not just about individual anecdotes though, it’s a huge problem which can be seen in statistics alone and everyone needs to constantly be checking themselves to readdress the imbalance. The best thing to do when you do here about a bands ‘worst moment’ is to believe them and assume that this kind of thing (like a musician being groped or attacked at her own gig or simply undermined) happens way more than you might think.

Anyway, talk about your upcoming album, it seems so clear from the title, it would be about politics and social issues, also satirical jokes, is that right ? Our new album is actually called: "Counting Pennies In The Afterlife" - a collection of songs which explore themes like the fall of capitalism, unemployment, weak and boring men and social anxiety. We really pushed ourselves to make each song exciting and catchy to try to make something even better than our debut. We do as a band do everything with a sense of silliness as well as dry humour because how could you bear it all if you couldn’t laugh?

How is it (the new album) compared to your previous albums, musically and lyrically?

I think some would say the new songs are less explicit in their political content, in some ways, but in others a bit more analytical and broad. We’ve become a lot more confident in our abilities, Jaca and Laura weren’t on the first album and they are two of the best and nicest musicians in the UK. Our last EP Anyone and Everyone was recorded at home by me and Harriet. Previously we didn’t believe we could be capable of doing something like that, it far outstrips the first album in terms of production and we wanted to see what we could do in a real studio. MJ at Suburban Home Studio in Leeds really engages with the songs and we felt safe with him. There are guitar harmonies, big riffs, key changes, synth riffs and interesting percussion on this album, every song is a treat.

Whom do you like to compare your music to?

We want to be considered a pop band in the purest sense. Every song is hopefully catchy and compelling in its own right. A band like Hop Along make interesting and unexpected songs which always end up stuck in your head, when, at first it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to be pop music. Wolf Alice really enchant us as a band because there aren’t many UK bands doing what they are doing and finding as much success. We are also always compared to the 90s band The Sundays, they are from a town not that far from us and have light but soaring vocals delivering a kind of dreamy social-realism.

All-female and queer bands with feminist lyrics are such a new trend in UK and US, do you guys lined up with other bands with the same mission? How is it like then?

I think that feminist girl bands have been around for decades, look at the Slits, look at Riot Grrrl. I think because of the internet, people are finding the music and music scenes they want to be a part of so this has meant a resurgence of feminist music and the mainstream are going to be forced to pay attention - in the DIY scene everyone has become very conscious of making their lineups more diverse, their spaces safe and accessible but it’s an ongoing process. We want to set a high standard for our fellow musicians and for fans and eventually, the mainstream music industry will have to follow that standard too.

The best offer or collaboration you've ever got ?

We are very proud of the tight-knit group of DIY musicians we have met who earnestly just want to be good people and make good music so we would never trade that for anything - and we are always talking about projects we can work on together. One being that Dean from Doe and Rich from Happy Accidents remixed our song ‘Blossom’ recently. Touring with Lemuria was a dream come true, touring with LVL UP was an unanticipated delight and opening for Waxahatchee a few years ago was dreamy.

What does an average day for you look like? Are you already set the music as your full-time career?

An average day has a long list of tasks because in the UK we run our own label and Harriet is constantly posting merch, sending emails and I’m constantly designing artwork, flyers etc. It would be good to have it as a full-time career but it doesn’t yield as much profit or status as you’d think it would for all the work we put in. We all have day jobs, Jaca is the closest to living the dream as they work as a drum teacher!

Do you ever find yourselves stuck and what would you do?

Once I got stuck in a tunnel at the City Museum St. Louis, USA. We visited this museum as part of our tour with Spoonboy and it was full of kids jumping into ball-pits and sliding down slides. It’s not really a museum but more a huge climbing frame/obstacle course/theme park - very cool. I’m very physically unfit and my body just gave up on me and left me lying on my front in a narrow tunnel carved out of a tree. I just couldn’t pull myself along anymore, and kids were pulling on my ankles.

Best advice you have for new bands, also listeners ?

Wear earplugs.

If you could come back to a certain era, what would it be and why?

I hate to say that I would go back to the 90s but it does feel like there were more opportunities for bands like us then. But then again, nostalgia is death.

Last, name the last artists you listen to !

Ariana Grande, SZA, Kacey Musgraves, Carly Rae Jepsen.

The second album of Colour Me Wednesday, “Counting Pennies In The Afterlife” out on May, 15. Order here !

#gigchat #interview #colour me wednesday #uk #band #new album #counting pennies in the afterlife #album #pop punk #indie #diy #music #music blog #music discoveries

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ellanainthetardis · 6 years

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Hey. I have a prompt for HADS that just popped into my head. Can you do one where it's during the rebellion but chaff is alive I don't know how. Like they rescue him with Katniss and fi nick and obviously haymitch is there too. But Effie is still in the capital. So can it be like chaff watching him throughout that time and seeing how much Haymitch actually loves her. Pretty please xxxxx

And

Prompt: Hi!Ihave a prompt idea for you: The chaff survives in the arena(can be continued627 of the story) and he witnesses how Haymitch and Effie officially became acouple(maybe they are married) And he says he is very happy for them and theydeserved their happiness. PS. Very sorry for my English,because do not speakthe language and I write with translator:)

Here you are! [X]

Survive, Live, Thrive

The silence in the hovercraft’ssmall medic bay is almost shocking after the screams and the explosions in thearena. It takes Chaff several long minutes to finally relax and stop staring at Beetee’s rapidly rising chest.

He’s not hurt.

Not like Beetee. Not like thegirl who’s lying a few feet away.

He’s not hurt.

He’s alive.

So many aren’t.

He looks down at his hand,almost surprised to see the clotted blood. He doesn’t know why he’s surprised.He remembers trying to distract the Careers, to buy the others time to put theplan into action – assuming the plan was still the same one they had roughlyagreed on before the Quell started. He remembers Brutus jumping on him with abattle cry. He remembers thinking “I’mgonna die. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die.” even as he raised his cutlass.

There’s a long deep gash on hisstump from when he used it as a shield. If he still had a hand, Brutus wouldhave cut it clean off. Again. There’s probably poetic irony in that. The nervesin that part of his arm have long gone dead though and he didn’t even feel thepain. The mistake has cost Brutus his life though. Blade between ribs.Perfectly angled. Blood everywhere.

He doesn’t understand how he canbe alive.

The plan has always been for himto join the others – and he tried –but he was trapped on the other side of the arena from the start.

Brutus dead. Enobaria roaringwith rage in the distance, calling for her former mentor, promising revenge…

The cannon still ringing in hisears…

He remembers running to thetree, remembers spying Everdeen’s long braid in front of him… Beetee’s shoutedwarning…

Toosoon…

But the girl panicked when shedidn’t find the boy there – and so had Chaff because that wasn’t the plan. Peeta had ran off in the woods to find her,Finnick on his heels…

He’s not sure where Finnick isnow. He stormed out of the small room almost as soon as they had checked himout.

Chaff hadn’t followed him.

He met the startled grey eyes ofthe girl back then… Understood she made her own conclusion about that lastcanon…

He tried to tell her to wait because it was too soon…

But then the arrow flew.

And then…

The doors slid open and Chafflooks up at the tired face of his best friend. Haymitch stops next to Everdeenfirst, makes sure the blankets are tucked properly, that she’s not cold… Thenhis fingers brushed the black hair that came loose from her braid away from herface. There’s a tenderness Chaff isn’t used to seeing there. There’sself-loathing on Haymitch’s face too.

“They’ve got the boy, Jo andEnobaria.” his friend says, grim. “It’s confirmed.”

He closes his eyes. “They’re notdead.”

The way he says it is neutral.He’s not sure it’s such a good thing. He has a good idea what the Capitol hasin store for them.

A hand falls on his shoulder andhe startles, instinctively reaching for the cutlass that used to be at his beltand that they confiscated as soon as he put a foot on the hovercraft.Haymitch’s grip is firm and it goes a long way into grounding him though.

“We’re in the clear. They gaveup pursuit.” Haymitch adds. “You’re okay?” He laughs because that’s probablythe only good answer to that question. Haymitch’s lips stretch into a smirk andhe snorts. “Yeah. Guessed so.” Twelve’s victor squeezes his shoulder hardbefore letting go. “I’m glad you made it.”

Chaff nods because he’s notreally in any state to make a joke. “What’s happening out there?”

“Chaos.” Haymitch shrugs. “Ifyou’re up for it, we can use your input in the tactics room. Finnick’s alreadypacing a hole in the floor.”

“No news from Four?” he guesses.“Cresta was supposed to be evacuated, right?”

“We don’t have com with Fouryet.” his friend explains before adding, almost apologetically. “Or withEleven.”

He nods again, not quitesurprised. He’s less worried for his own family than for Cresta though. He’sbeen working with the rebellion for years. He knows the rebel cell in Eleven,knows their leader, knows their agents… He knows they will have taken hissister and her sons to safety at the first sign of troubles. He trusts them. Hetrusts them a lot more than he trusts Thirteen’s people in Four to get Crestaout.

He follows Haymitch to the mainroom, shaking Heavensbee’s hand out of reflex when the former Gamemakeroutstretches his and tells him it’s good to see him… There’s a lot of talksabout Districts rioting and Chaff can only understand half of it because hisears are still ringing so he eventually settles on forcing Finnick to sit downbefore he collapses and on listening quietly.

News from Four comes a littleafter that.

The boy goes white as a sheetwhen it’s confirmed Annie Cresta was taken before the rebels could get to her.Haymitch spares him a sympathetic look but there’s no time for Twelve’s victorto take care of Finnick, not when Heavensbee keeps asking for his opinion, sothat falls on Chaff. He tries to keep his tone light, to tell the boy theywon’t hurt his girl because she doesn’t know anything and it will only take twominutes to figure that much out. Annie’s only a trump card they have no reasonto play until they actually get their hands on Finnick. She’s insurance,nothing more.

Finnick looks at him like he’sstupid.

Chaff feels stupid saying that shit.

Everdeen shows up not long afterthat, screaming like a banshee and attacking Haymitch like an enraged animalonce told they don’t have Peeta. He doesn’t know what’s up with that. The lovestory was for show, that much was pretty much agreed on between all mentors butmaybe reality caught up with fiction at some point. It’s a little heartbreakingto watch the girl fall apart like that. Or it would be if he didn’t feel so…Too much happened in a short time, he doesn’t feel much of anything, truth betold.

He watches Haymitch cradle hersedated body to his chest and carry her back to her bunk. When Haymitch comesback, he looks like he aged ten years.

The news about Twelve come asthey are nearing Thirteen and it’s an off comment about how they have to avoidthat air space at all cost because Capitol hovercrafts are still patrolling.Chaff leaves Finnick to move to Haymitch at that point because the images onthe screens… Twelve isn’t in ruins. It’s destroyed. Erased.

“Survivors?” Haymitch croaksout, his jaw clenched.

Heavensbee checks and thenshakes his head. “We don’t know yet.”

Haymitch is quiet after that,very quiet.

Chaff sticks close anyway,hoping Eleven isn’t in the same state of destruction, hoping Fay and the kidsmade it to safety.

Thirteen is… Not what heexpected and everything he dreaded.

Grey, deep underground and fullof soldiers.

President Coin meets them infront of the hovercraft and Chaff’s been hearing about her for years but itonly takes a few seconds for him to decide he’s probably not going to like hermuch. Then again, she doesn’t look like the sort of women who worries about being liked. He exchanges a brief look with Haymitch and that look saysit all.

“I need to know what’s going onwith Twelve.” Haymitch demands once the introductions are out of the way.

“Let’s move to Command.” Coinsuggests, her milky grey eyes sweeping over the rest of them. “All of you needmedical attention.”

That’s a dismissal if he everheard one and it’s on the tip of Chaff’s tongue to protest.

“Okay, yeah.” Haymitch nodsbefore he can say anything. “The second hovercraft arrived, right? I need myescort to stay with Katniss. If the girl wakes up and there’s no familiarface…”

“Effie Trinket was not on boardof the second hovercraft.” Coin cuts him off. “Her status is unclear.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

Haymitch took the news aboutTwelve with stoicism but, right now, Chaff sees the panic kicking in. The lastdrop that will make the bucket spill.

“What?” Twelve’s victor asksfaintly. “She was supposed to…”

“She wasn’t there.” thePresident repeats, dismissive and uncaring. “It is unclear if she defected tothe other side or if she was taken and, frankly, it is not my priority.”

“But…” Haymitch argues only tobe interrupted by Heavensbee’s comforting hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll find out what happened.”the former Gamemaker promises. “My agents were supposed to get her. Perhapsthere was a complication and they had to go underground. In any case, I toldyou… She is a Capitol citizen and she never gave any cause to doubt herloyalty. She will be safe.”

Chaff scoffs at that because ifthere is one thing Trinket won’t be alone in the city, it’s safe. Everyone knows she and Haymitchare sleeping together. They can deny it all they want, it’s obvious to everyonewith eyes. And what’s even more obvious, in his opinion, is that they’re in sodeep they’ve got each other under their skin.

He doesn’t get the whole storyabout Trinket until later, once he’s lying in a hospital bed and Haymitchstaggers in his room and drops on the chair next to the bed only to grab hishead between his hands and start rocking on himself.

“What did I do?” Twelve’s victorwhispers with horror.

“The right thing.” Chaff swearsbecause it’s no time to wonder if they should have gone to Snow instead. Thereare always deals to be made, after all. Deals that may have save the boy, hisDistrict and his escort.

“They’re gonna torture them.”Haymitch says quietly, still with that touch of horror in his voice. “Peeta.Jo. They’re gonna torture them for sure.”Chaff remains silent because there is nothing to say. Yes, they will betortured. Annie, he doesn’t think so. Because she doesn’t know anything usefuland that much will be obvious. She will probably not have a good time but shewill be as safe as can be given the circumstances. He spares a thought forEnobaria and hopes, despite the fact they’re not exactly friends, that the girlwill be smart enough to keep on playing the Career card and that it will beenough to save her. And then there’s… “They have Effie. Plutarch’s team was toolate.” Haymitch continues. “They got her.”

“You knew the risks, buddy.”Chaff reminds him, not unkindly.

“But she didn’t.” he counters. “And she doesn’t know a fucking thing… They’re gonna rip her toshreds and she doesn’t know a fuckingthing… I just told her to follow Plutarch’s agents, I told her to be ready… I… Fuck Heavensbee. Shouldn’t have trustedhim. Should have kept her with me.”

“She doesn’t know anything…Yeah, she might have a hard couple of hours but they might leave her aloneafter.” he points out.

Haymitch chuckles and it’s darkand bitter. “Sure. ‘Cause they won’t use her to make the boy talk,yeah? They won’t use her to torture me,yeah? She’s a traitor. You get that?She’s a fucking traitor now. She wentand got those stupid tokens, she’s got that stupid Mockingjay braid under herwig…” His voice breaks. “They’re gonna rip her to shreds. All because of me. It’s happening again… It’s…”

“You need to get a grip,Haymitch.” he interrupts. “Trinket’s not the priority. She never was. She’s anescort, she’s gonna be fine.” His best friend looks at him then and Chaffbarely recognizes him. The defeated expression on his face, the haunted look inhis eyes… They can’t afford that. “She’s gonna be fine. They’re probably gonna release her in a few hours.” heinsists and the lie tastes like lead on his tongue.

Sometimes, Chaff wonders why healways ends up sitting on a chair next to Haymitch’s hospital bed, waiting forhim to wake up.

That’s how they met in the firstplace.

The kid had no mentor and whileno Gamemaker has ever blinked an eye at sending kids in an arena without amentor to supervise and only a clueless escort to make deals on their behalf,they find it dangerous to leave a brand new victor to his own devices. Or maybeit was Haymitch they found dangerous.

Chaff liked the boy’s style fromthe first moment it became obvious he was looking for the limits of the arena.

Mags would have stepped up if hehadn’t claimed it would make more sense for him to do it. After all, he’s onlyfive years older and he didn’t have a victor to take under his wing yet. So hesat in the Games Clinic, waiting for the Quell’s victor to wake up and when theboy finally opened his eyes he lied about having pulled the short straw.

Chaff couldn’t say he hadplanned on Haymitch becoming his best friend, the little brother he neverwanted and the best kid he could have hoped for all rolled into one. They’re friendsfirst and foremost, equals, their relationship not tainted by the instinctiverespect a victor always develops for their mentor… But there are times whenChaff feels like his mentor, not hissuperior but…

He loves Haymitch, it comes downto that in the end.

Maybe he’s only five years olderbut Haymitch’s his kid. He’s the onewho showed him the ropes, he’s the one who hugged him when the sixteen yearsold finally broke down one night on his Victory Tour, he’s the one who offeredhim his first whiskey – on retrospect maybe not the best decision he ever made– he’s the one who taught him to always use a condom, he’s the one who wasthere every step of the way when Haymitch started his slow but steady descentinto alcoholism, he’s the one who comforted him every time he was sold – and itmight not have happened often and Haymitch might like to pretend it hadn’t atall but it had – he’s the one whowatched him get in too deep with his escort and warned him, time and timeagain, that it wouldn’t end well…

Haymitch’s his kid, his brotherin everything but blood, and he loves him.

And it kills him every time heends up waiting on a chair for him to wake up. How many times has he ended upthere during the Games? How many times has Haymitch drunk to the point they hadbeen forced to pump his stomach? How many time has Haymitch ended up injuringhimself by accident? At least he hopes it was accidental. With victors it’salways hard to tell.

And now this.

He’s not entirely sure how longhe’s been sitting on that chair. Thirteen isn’t exactly understanding withaddicts. He knows just how much Haymitch has been dreading getting sober and hethinks he was right to be wary. Chaff’s been expecting medical care not… this. If he hadn’t made a fuss, they would havejust tossed him in a padded cell and waited for him to either crawl out or die.

The hospital room has beenstripped to the bare minimum as it is: a bed, no sheets in case Twelve’svictors tries to kill himself with them, and a chair Chaff has to take out ofthe room every time he leaves. It kills him to see Haymitch strapped to thatbed.

It kills him and they’re pastthe worst of it.

Haymitch fought so hard againsthis bounds for days that, padded or not, they left nasty bruises and shallowcuts around his wrists and ankles. He’s been calmer for a day or two, out of itstill but less likely to scream himself raw, scared by imaginary fire orhallucinations that torture him.

What Chaff hates the most,though, is the disrespectful way the medical staff treats him. With loathing.As if he is weak to have gotten addicted in the first place. Nobody gets addictedin this District. They don’t have enough of a personality for that. They’re… drones.

He believes in the rebel cause.

But he’s not sure he believes inThirteen’s.

“Effie…” Haymitch mumbles.

And, like every time this hashappened in the last week, Chaff reaches out and pats his leg. “She’s not here,buddy.”

He’s not sure he understoodbefore.

Sure, he knew Haymitch wasgetting in too deep, that feelings were developing and that it was not onlystupid but dangerous – and he wasproven right because Trinket’s now in the Capitol, probably being tortured –but he didn’t know it was… He’s been listening to Haymitch screaming her namefor days, begging for her when he wasn’t begging for liquor, sobbing her namein the worst of the delirium…

He’s been aware Haymitch hasfeelings for a while…

But this… This is more than justfeelings. This is…

Haymitch’s in love with her.

Not infatuated, not justattached, it’s… Love.

“News?” Haymitch asksfeverishly, his grey eyes focused for once.

It’s the most lucid Twelve’svictor’s been for days.

“Not many.” Chaff denies.“Katniss’s still pretty much catatonic. They’re talking about bringing her toTwelve, let her see for herself…” He shrugs. “Not sure what good it’s gonna dobut it’s been made clear I’m not her mentor and I’ve got no say. No news fromthe Capitol.”

Haymitch blinks slowly, tries tolift his hand, probably to rub his face, and finds it impossible because of thepadded cuffs. He doesn’t ask Chaff to undo them and Chaff doesn’t offer.

He argued against them in thebeginning but Haymitch got violent and dangerous – for others and for himself.

“Your family?” Twelve’s victor asks next.

“They’re safe.” He smiles. Hecan’t help it because there’s little joy to find around here but this at leastis his own personal ray of sunshine. “They’re still in Eleven, in hiding. Butthey’re safe. The rebels almost secured the District. It’s a matter of days atmost.”

“Good.” Haymitch mutters andthen closes his eyes only to open them again. “Can you call Effie? I need her… Ineed…”

His friend’s grey eyes areclouded and Chaff doesn’t want to add to the pain and misery he must be in. Sohe lies. “She’s been with you all night. She’s sleeping now. She needs to resttoo, yeah?”

“I miss her.” Haymitch whispersand Chaff winces when he realizes the younger victor is tearing up. Haymitch isnever very open with emotions and he’s been watching him cry and sob for thelast week or so. Withdrawals destroy a man.

“I know, buddy.” he sighs. “Iknow. She’ll be back soon.”

Hopefully.

“I’m tired.” Twelve’s victorconfesses, his eyelids drooping.

“Get some more sleep.” headvises.

“Not safe.” Haymitch argues.

“I’m staying right here.” heswears. “You’re as safe as can be.”

It takes him hours to trackHaymitch down after the victors’ rescue.

He watched the stylists and theprep team as well as a few Capitol agents being executed in Command butHaymitch has ignored his insistent staring, his own eyes riveted to the screen.His friend held his breath. The whole time Haymitch has hold his breath,waiting for whom they would bring next.

Then, Heavensbee dragged him totalk to the boy’s doctors and Chaff lost him.

He finds him eventually, in thecompartment they share, sitting on the floor with his back to the wall, in amess of broken furniture and ripped up clothes.

“Love what you’ve done with theplace.” Chaff comments, picking up the one chair that doesn’t look too broken. He straddles it carefully,making sure it will hold his weight. “You destroyed my stuff too or just yourown?”

Haymitch doesn’t answer butChaff wasn’t expecting him to. The fight left his friend, that’s plain to see. Theyounger victor toys with the golden bangle that hasn’t moved from his wristsince Finnick gave it back, a hollow look in his eyes.

“She’s not dead.” Chaff saysbecause someone needs to say the words aloud.

It’s been in Haymitch’s head sincethe rescue team came back without his escort. Boggs promised Haymitch if theyfound her and if it was doable, they would grab her but they didn’t find her.And now Portia Rose and the boy’s prep team have been executed on live TV asretribution for the rescue and if there ever was a good timing to publicly dealHaymitch a fatal blow it has been it.Executing Trinket right then would have made the most sense.

And since they haven’t, it mightmean she’s already…

“Haymitch.” he insists. “Youdon’t know she’s dead. Maybe that’s the point. Keep you guessing. Distractyou.”

“It’s my fault.” Haymitch says.So quietly he almost doesn’t catch it.

“No.” Chaff sighs. “Snow’s asick bastard. You know that, buddy.He’s toying with you, that’s all. He kept Cresta in case he got his hands backon Finnick. It’s probably the same thing.”

Haymitch shakes his head anddrops it against the wall with a painful thud.“Staying alone is the only way to stay safe. That’s what you taught me.”

“Yeah…” He looks down. “Not muchof a life though.”

And he wishes Haymitch hasn’ttaken that advice so close to heart. He hasnever made the mistake of settling down. There have been women – countlesswomen – and one or two who could have made his life that much sweeter, one or two he wouldn’t have minded marrying andhaving babies with… But never has he made the mistake of dragging someone else inthis life. He already has his sister and his nephews to look out for and that’senough, the knowledge that they would be the ones to pay for his deeds…

But he has Fay and the boy. Who does Haymitch have? It’s no wonder he tookso fiercely to those kids. Mentors always are protective of their tributes butit hasn’t taken Chaff very long to figure out Haymitch adopted those two likethey were his own well before they even actually won their Games. The girl… Thegirl is so much like a young Haymitch used to sometimes, the things she wouldsay or do, that Chaff has to do double-takes and stop himself from asking themother how long she’s really knownhim. And the boy… He hasn’t had a lot of chances to get to know the boy beforethe Quell started but from what he’s been told… He’s impossible not to like,too genuinely kind to be dismissed or ignored.

Haymitch took to those kids likea fish to water and after so many years alone wasting away…

He’s not stupid enough not tohave realized Trinket’s been the only guilty pleasure he’s been allowinghimself on that front. Haymitch had plenty of women before but none with whomhe connected like he has with her.Short of another victor to share the burden with, he let Trinket fill thatrole, be his partner, his support…

It hasn’t stopped Chaff fromthinking it wasn’t a great idea.

It’s perfectly alright to fuck an escort as long as it’s all aboutfucking the Capitol… Gettingattached, now…

“I love her.” Haymitch whispers,swallowing hard. “I didn’t know… I love her.”He’s not quite sure what to say to that. He’s guessed already but to actually hear it from his mouth… It’s notsomething Haymitch would admit to anyone else either. Not to Finnick. Certainlynot to his Mockingjay. Haymitch closes his eyes, licks his lips. “It’s gonnakill me. If she’s dead… If… It’sgonna kill me. It’s all my fault,Chaff. I love people and they die. But her?I can’t… If she…”

“She ain’t gonna die.” he cutshim off firmly and he hopes, he fucking hopesthis isn’t going to come back to bite him in the ass because he doesn’t dopromises he doesn’t keep and this feels too much like sending a tribute in thearena and promising him he will come back a victor. “She’s Effie Trinket. She’stoo fucking stubborn to die.”

And she loves life too much togive up. She’s full of it. That’s part of what he hates so much about her. Howalive and vibrant she always is when the rest of them are half-dead inside. Heresents it. He laughs and jokes and is always in a good mood but only becauseit’s the only way he’s found to keep on. She laughs and jokes and is always ina good mood because she’s full of bloodysunshine and he doesn’t find that as attractive as Haymitch does.

“She’s alive.” he persists andthe more he says it, the more he believes it.

She has to be.

He’s too scared Haymitch won’tsurvive the alternative.

He waits by the truck outsidethe Capitol prison, taking nervous drags of a cigarette he nicked from aPeacekeeper prisoner inside and he keeps his eyes on the clear blue skyoverhead. The prison’s walls are all smooth stones, almost inconspicuousamongst the other buildings in the street. Hidden in plain sight.

Well…

It must have been inconspicuousbefore the rebels invaded the Capitol.

Now it’s all ruins. The prison’swall’s blown up, matching several buildings down the streets, there are hugecraters in the road and it’s taken them almost an hour to get there with thetruck from the Presidential Mansion even though Chaff’s pretty sure it wouldn’thave taken them more than twenty minutes before the war.

The destruction makes him sickto his stomach.

It’s not that he particularlylikes the city although he has some good memories in it and he doesn’t have anylove lost for the Capitols but he can’t help but feel sorry for the innocentpeople who got caught in the middle. He’s always made a difference between theassholes in the known – escorts, Gamemakers, sponsors: the elite – and the guy behind the bar at his favorite club or thewaitress in that little café that must have been blown to smithereens by now. They’re innocent. Stupid, yeah.Brainwashed, clearly. But innocent.

And now the rebels are murderingthem in the streets for the smallest offense.

Not Thirteen’s soldiers. Thoseare disciplined, a well-oiled military machine too used to obeying orders… Butthe rebels from the Districts, those whose hatred for the Capitol as an entityhas been simmering for years… They aredangerous. They’re bloodthirsty and high on their victory and Coin can keepcalling to a ceasefire all she wants, it’s not enough to cull their thirst forrevenge.

Then again, Coin can pretendshe’s above this, Chaff knows the truth of what happened at the City Circle andthat too makes him sick.

More dead kids.

And the whole war seemsworthless now.

He flicks the ash off and takesanother nervous drag, wishing Haymitch had let him come with him. He doesn’ttrust Heavensbee to handle Haymitch if he loses it – and if that Peacekeeper doesn’tstop taunting him with everything he’s done to Trinket or if Trinket’s dead, heis going to lose it in a spectacularway. He should have insisted, maybe. But Haymitch told him he wanted to do thisby himself and he respected his wishes. Stupidly. Because that’s what bestfriends do.

He hopes Trinket’s not dead. Fuck, he really hopes Trinket’s not dead.

Katniss is alive for now but thedoctors warned it’s still touch and go, the burns are extensive and it’s notguaranteed she will survive them. The girl’s sister is dead and Haymitch didn’tsay but Chaff can tell he liked the kid a lot. Finnick… He’s not even goingthere. He’s not even going to think about thatbecause he will march into the prison and beat a random Peacekeeper to apulp if he does. The Circle’s bombings… Watching those kids die…

Chaff feels on the edge himselfbut for Haymitch it’s personal andpainful and it won’t take much more to push him over the cliff.

And when he spots his friendmarching out of the building with a small dirty thing in a tattered prisonuniform, tightly wrapped in his jacket, cradled close to his chest… Eleven’svictor’s next breath remains stuck in his throat. He tosses the cigarette andautomatically crushes it under his boot, not daring going to meet him.

She’sdead, he thinks. She must be. Thewoman in Haymitch’s arms… Her hair is brown with muck, her skin is covered withdirt and he can guess at wounds where the jacket doesn’t keep her covered… But,above all, she’s still and limp. Herface is pressed against his neck as if it fell there when he picked her up…

Heavensbee is trailing afterhim, his face closed. It takes Chaff a second to realize the former Gamemaker’sshaking.

There’s blood on Haymitch’shands and on his forearms. Somehow, he doesn’t think it’s all Trinket’s.

He doesn’t ask though. Not hisplace. If it were his sister… Hell, if it were his woman… That Peacekeeper was looking for it anyway. You don’t goand taunt a victor like that.

“We’re going back to theMansion.” Haymitch snaps at the soldier who’s been driving the truck and who’sbeen lurking not too far. “And make it faster than the trip in.”

Chaff opens the door to the backseat without questioning his friend’s orders, finally breathing out in reliefwhen he spots the telling rise and fall of her chest. It’s small and it doesn’tlook promising but it’s there and as long as she’s breathing, it’s not too bad.

“I will stay to check with theother prisoners.” Heavensbee announces suddenly. “Some of my agents are inthere.”

“Whatever.” Haymitch spits outwithout a look and climbs in. The moment he adjusts his grip on her, Trinketcurls up on his lap, leaving an empty seat.

Chaff climbs in too and shutsthe door just in time for the soldier to start driving.

“How bad is it?” he asks, tryingto get a good look at her.

“Bad.” Haymitch grits throughclenched teeth. “Something’s wrong with her eyes. I think she was in the darktoo long. And I hurt her when I picked her up. Her shoulder feels weird. Likeit was put back in its socket the wrong way. There are infected wounds, she’sgot a fever and…”

She reeks of death.

Chaff doesn’t say it but she does. It’s a dozen different smells allinto one: body waste, clotted blood, pus, unwashed flesh…

Haymitch’s breath is quick andhe holds her tighter, prompting her to whine.

She’s conscious.

Chaff sees her blink quickly andthen press her face against Haymitch’s neck as if she can’t bear the light.

“Could be worse.” he points out.She looks like a skeleton and it’s not a hard leap to make to guess it’s been awhile since she last had a decent meal. All of that can be made right though.She’s alive. She doesn’t look on the brink of death – not too much at least…

“She ain’t talking.” Haymitchsays quietly, burying a hand in the bird nest that’s her hair and pressing along kiss on her forehead. “She ain’t… She ain’t here.”

It really must be love, Chaffthinks, because he wouldn’t have put his mouth anywhere near her at the moment.

“Give her a minute, yeah?” headvises. “Take it easy.”

“You don’t get it.” Haymitchgrowls. “That cell… It was a hole. I had to crawlto get her. They buried her alive. They fucking…”

“Buddy.” he cuts him off firmlybecause she’s curling up into a small ball and she’s shaking. “Easy. You’re frightening her.”

Haymitch lets out a long deepbreath and rests his cheek against the top of her head, gently coiling a handaround her nape. “Sorry, Princess… Didn’t mean to get angry… It’s alright. I’vegot you now. I’ve got you. You’re safe. You’re with me. I’ve got you.”

She’s a pitiful little thing andhe still doesn’t like her much but he still reaches out and takes her hand.

“It’s okay, love.” he promisesin a soft voice. “We’ll keep you safe.”

The day he finds Haymitch passedout drunk for the first time in months is the day he finally visits EffieTrinket’s hospital room.

He’s been in and out during thefirst days, when she was still completely out of it, unable to utter a coherentword and jumping off the bed to curl up in the corner every time she woke up.He stopped going when Haymitch finally managed to coax her into saying his namefor the first time and gradually brought her back to sanity. They’re not friends and he doesn’t want to imposewhen she’s obviously struggling to recover.

He can’t imagine the pain she’sin – well, he can actually because helost a hand once and surprisingly thecutting isn’t the most painful part of losing a limb – the doctors had totake her apart to make her whole again: dislocate the shoulder to pop it backthe right way – apparently the first time was Jo’s hasty handiwork – severalsurgeries to thoroughly clean the infected wounds before it could morph intogangrene – and it came close – dimmed lights to help her eyes readjust tonormal lighting… It’s been difficult and she’s frustrated with a body thatwon’t respond to her the way it used to.

He knows it’s not totally herfault but he can’t help but resent the way she treats Haymitch.

One second she clings to him,the next she pushes him away.

She’s angry, confused, scaredand traumatized.

He gets that.

He does but… When she screams at Haymitch that everything’s his faultand that she hates him, it breaks his friend to pieces and Chaff’s on his side,always and without question. It doesn’t matter that he gets she also has aright to that anger. Haymitch’s barely hanging on right now, he spends all histime in hospital rooms when he’s not working with Heavensbee to make sureTrinket escapes the Purge.

As far as Gamemakers, escorts,stylists, prep teams and Games staff go, it’s a bloodbath. Mockery of publictrials, live executions…

It’s too easy to remembervictors could have been judged the same way if Katniss hadn’t secured immunityfor them.

He doesn’t bother knockingbefore walking in Trinket’s hospital room. Maybe he should have because she’swearing only a sport bra and the ridiculous purple leggings Haymitch thoughtwould cheer her up, and she tenses as soon as she sees him. Recognitionflickers in her eyes and she relaxes a little but she still reaches for asweater only to toss it away with frustration when she remembers the sling herarm is trapped in.

“Have you come to gloat?” shehisses.

It’s unwarranted and so far fromher usual polite tone that he’s taken aback for a second.

“I’ve come ‘cause whatever yousaid to Haymitch today, it drove him back to whiskey.” he shrugs and closes thedoor behind him. “Didn’t get much out of him. I’m guessing your physicaltherapy didn’t go well.”

She has sessions twice a day andHaymitch always makes sure he’s there for them because… It’s not going well andTrinket tends to cut them short. He knows Jo stayed once or twice and that itdidn’t end in a better fashion.

She flinches at the accusationand tosses him a guilty look, hugging her legs close to her chest with her goodarm. She doesn’t lean against the pillow at the head of the bed, he notices,but, then again, given the state her back was in a few weeks ago only, it musthave become habit to avoid putting pressure on it.

The scars he can see aren’tpretty and he supposes she’s self-conscious about those but he refuses to averthis gaze and, after a few seconds, she juts her chin in the air. That’s a goodsign. That’s more like the Trinket he knows.

“My apologies.” she sayseventually. “I was rude to you.”

“Yeah. But I don’t care.” heshrugs and drops on the free chair without waiting for her to invite him to.“We need to have a talk about our boy, you and I.”

“I did not mean to shout.” shesighs and she looks defeated. She looks old.“I just… I do not like him coming to those sessions. I told him but he comesanyway and…” She lets her voice trail off. “I do not like him seeing me likethis.”

“If he doesn’t come, you don’teven try.” he points out.

“I am tired.” she whispers,begging him to understand. “I am so tired.”

“You want to be able to use thatshoulder again?” he challenges. “’Cause from what I’ve been told, heavyphysical therapy’s your only shot at getting back a decent range of movements.”

“I know.” she snaps. “I do notneed you or Haymitch or Johanna to tell me. I am perfectly capable ofunderstanding what the doctor says. I just… It is too difficult. Why can’t youall understand that? It is toodifficult and I am tired. I am tired.I do not want Haymitch seeing me like that, I do not want him to hold my handwhile I struggle to lift my arm an inch, I do not want…”

“That’s all it’s about?” he cutsher off. “’Cause if you blame him for what happened to you…”

“I don’t.” she says but she’snot looking at him. “He and Plutarch explained everything.”

“Doesn’t matter.” he counters.“You were hurt. You were scared. I’m guessing they said nasty things about youand Haymitch back there…”

“I won’t betray him.” she almostsnarls. “I did not lose faith in that cell, I won’t betray him now. I just… Ineed space. I need space but sometimes I need him. And I know it is unfair to him. I know I am horriblesometimes. I do know.” She shakes herhead, her eyes shining with tears. “I just want…”

“You want everything to go backto how it was before.” he finishes for her. “But that won’t happen, love.”

“I do not mean to hurt him.” sheconfesses. “But those sessions… I am inpain and…”

“Yeah, I get it.” He thinks itover and then he shrugs, a bit reluctantly. “I’ll do it with you. Thesessions.”

She frowns. “I beg your pardon?”

“Look… I don’t care if you shoutat me and I won’t let you quit.” he offers. “I can be your physical therapy buddy.”He clears his throat awkwardly. “Besides… We better learn to get along witheach other now, Trinket. For Haymitch’s sake if nothing else. What do you say?Truce?”

She studies him for a second andthen forces a small smile. “Truce.”

Chaff averts his eyes whenHaymitch hugs Trinket, glad to have hung back a few feet away to give themtheir privacy.

They’re in front of the TrainingCenter. He and Trinket aren’t allowed to pass the doors and once Haymitch isinside, he won’t come out again. There’s a hovercraft on the roof, ready topick him and Katniss both up and bring them to Twelve as soon as Heavensbeewould arrive. To say that Haymitch isn’t keen on the idea is an euphemism buthe will do what he must for the girl and it’s either exile to Twelve under hissupervision or life imprisonment.

Whatever they whisper to eachother, it doesn’t carry to him. They said their goodbyes already, Chaffguesses, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Haymitch is torn over this. Heasked Trinket to go with him but she declined. She wants to stay with Peeta.She wants to try to find her footing back by herself.

When Haymitch comes toward him,Chaff smiles and offers his hand, using the grip to pull his friend into a bearhug. He claps his back twice.

“Keep in touch.” he demands.

“Take care of my girl.” Haymitchrequests.

His decision to stick around inthe city for a while isn’t exactly subtle. Haymitch can’t be here and Trinket isn’tentirely recovered yet. It makes sense for him to stay given that everyone elseis leaving. Annie decided on going back to Four and Jo left with her. Beeteehasn’t been the same since the City Circle’s bombings and left for Three assoon as he was able. Haymitch doesn’t want Trinket to be left completely aloneand after weeks spent helping her using her shoulder again, Chaff’s a littletoo invested to just abandon her to her fate. So he’s sticking around. At leastuntil he’s sure she’ll make it by herself.

Most days, even if it kills himto admit it, he thinks he understands what Haymitch sees in her now. He even thinksthey’re friends.

“I rather think I will bethe one taking care of him.” Trinket huffs from the side, a pout on her lips.“I am usually the one making sure the two of you behave.”

“Goes without saying,sweetheart.” Haymitch snorts, letting go of Chaff to frame her face in hishands.

Chaff rolls his eyes when hisfriend kisses her – because Haymitch has a nasty habit of doing that every timehe thinks he can get away with it – but he can’t deny them this goodbye.

Twelve is a small Districtcompared to others but rebuilding and expansion never stops and Chaff is stillcompletely lost despite having been there a couple of times. He stubbornlykeeps going at random until he finally gives up and asks an old woman the wayto the Victors Village. Five years of peace were enough that most people don’tautomatically put a name to his face and he reaches Haymitch’s house withoutbeing recognized.

There are fat geese wanderingaround the yard and he can’t help his chuckles, pretty sure Trinket isn’t fondof Haymitch’s pets.

He tosses his travel bag on theswing seat on the porch and knocks on the door. He’s smiling wide long beforeit opens on Trinket who squeals in obvious surprise.

“Chaff!” she exclaims withdelight and tosses her arms around his neck.

And if one day you had told himhe would ever be glad to see Effie Trinket, he would have laughed at your face.

He hugs her back – and keeps hishand and his stump in proper placesbecause it’s one thing to rile up his best friend’s escort and another tofondle his girl – frowning a littlein confusion. “You weren’t expectingme?”

“Should I have?” she asks,frowning too when she steps back.

“Sorry, forgot to tell you hewas coming.” Haymitch lies smoothly, stepping out of the living-room. “Chaffwanted some holiday. Told him he was welcome to stay a few days…”

“Well, of course, he is welcome.” Trinket huffs as if it’s obvious. “Do come in.”

He’s ushered inside and settledin the living-room before he can say anything, Trinket immediately disappearinginto the kitchen to fetch something to drink – because it won’t be said thatshe’s not a good hostess.

“Care to explain?” he asksHaymitch in a low voice, once he’s sure she can’t hear them. “’Cause you said come as soon as possible and here I ambut I sure ain’t here for a holiday…”

He hopes there’s not any troublein paradise because he doesn’t want to deal with a brokenhearted Haymitch. Hisfriend’s been happier than he’s ever seen him since Trinket moved to Twelve andas far as he knows everything’s fine – never perfect but fine.

Haymitch doesn’t lookbrokenhearted though. He’s smirking hard when he drops on the couch next tohim. “I’m gonna need a best man.”

Chaff’s face lights up and heclasps his friend’s shoulder, laughing in genuine joy. “Finally found the ballsto ask her, buddy? Good for you. Good for you…”

“Haven’t asked her yet.” hedenies, shaking his head. “Annie and Jo are coming tomorrow. When everyone’shere… I’m gonna ask her then. And we get married the day after. No fuss, nopress. Nobody knows except you and the boy.”

Chaff lets out a long whistle. “You’resure of yourself? ‘Cause your girl, she’s fussy.She’s gonna want a party.”

“All taken care of.” Haymitchdismisses. “Peeta’s been working on the cake. I’ve got Sae ready to cook afeast. Once the girls get here, we’ve got all our family in one place. And I’vegot a tux ready. She’s gonna bitch about the dress but I’ve got a deal with oneof the shop girls in town… She’s gonna make sure she gets the shop all toherself for a few hours tomorrow night.”

He can’t help but actually beimpressed. “And I’m the best man?”

“Who else?” Haymitch snorts.“But don’t spill the beans before tomorrow, right?”

“You’ve got a ring?” he asksbecause that seems like the only thing Haymitch didn’t think about.

“Yeah.” His friend chuckles thenand Chaff can’t remember the last time he heard Haymitch sound so carefree, so happy. When he was sixteen probably,before he learned what had happened to his family. “I know it’s a bit crazy andstupid… We’re too old to get married and it won’t change much anyway but… Iknow she wants it so… Whatever,right?”

“Right.” he approves and claspshis shoulder again because as crazy and stupid as it is, he’s happy for hisfriends. “You deserve this. Both of you.”

“What is it we deserve?” Trinkethums, coming back with a tray loaded with stuff they won’t drink or eat.

“Being happy.” Chaff shrugs.

Trinket’s face softens, her lipsstretching into a fond amused smile. “How sappy but very right of you.”

Chaff rolls his eyes at herteasing but can’t help smiling himself.

It’s in moments like this he’s really happy to have survived thatQuell. He loves spending time with his sister and nephews but he never feelslike he belongs as much as when he’swith his adopted family.

#hayffie #effie trinket #haymitch abernathy #prompt #quell #mj time #hurt comfort #chaff #angst #angsting h #dark side of h #post prison effie #book!verse #thg canon au #haymitch with feelings #h doing the rescue #d13 #coconuts friends #established

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princelucivaryaslana · 5 years

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It’s D&D and i’m bad at it and talk too much HEYOOOO

So Mercy is fucking dead forever.

Which I mean, he was an excellent character and the player i thought hated him actually enjoyed our character dynamic so it’s bittersweet, but god he was bad at things. Also, he’d officially died-died three times, the 13-year-old goliath that served as the party lil brother and the little purple kobald everyone loved that was the goliath’s best friend were dead-dead too, Mercy had found his mom in the afterlife after agonizing over her the whole year and a half he inhabited Prince Valafar’s body, and he was (as I have been) agonizingly cognizant that he was more of a hindrance than a help when it came to achieving party goals, so he didn’t really have a reason to come back (although he would have come back as an aarakocra and finally been able to fly again and that would have been cool but whatever I did this).

I’ve started playing a Madness domain cleric named Ban (pronounced “Bahn”).

Backstory: Ban’s parents were a changeling trouper (who was open about their status as a changeling and used their talents for acting) and a changeling living in town disguised as an elderly elven weaver. The weaver excitedly met with the trouper in secret the night the troupe arrived, having not knowingly met another changeling in years, and the two had a short, secret romantic foray during the troupe's week-long stay in town before they parted ways. The weaver ended up having Ban a little while later and kept them a secret until Ban was old enough to be taught how to shapeshift, whereupon Ban was taught how to look like an albino human child so as to be easily discernible from the other children in town, as well as to create a simple excuse as to why an elderly elven woman suddenly had a child (”I found him sleeping in an alley. His mother must have abandoned him due to his condition, poor thing.”). The early years of Ban’s life were warm and happy. Ban was clever and quickly taught themself how to read, spending a lot of their time with their nose in a book when they weren’t out playing with the other children. Their parent taught them how to subtly age, about the art of acting, and about the cultures of the other races. They also taught Ban how to weave and sew, and they took great pains and pride in teaching Ban how to transform into the elderly elven weaver themself, a persona named Shi (short for Shilaena Nivarian) that had been passed down through the family for generations. Unfortunately, it couldn’t last. Ban’s parent was very old, and they died in their sleep one night when Ban was about 8 years old, reverting back to their default form. Ban took their trade tools and as much of the most expensive wares as they could carry and ran north to the capital, as they’d been instructed to do if their parent ever died. They lived on the streets in the capital of their country for almost 6 years, learning through practice how to quickly learn enough about other people to convincingly portray them, as well as how to sneak and steal. When they were around 14 years old they finally sold the last of the wares they’d taken with them from home (though they kept a small square of thread-of-gold cloth to remember their parent by), so they moved farther north, using the money they got from that final sale to rent a kiosk in the marketplace of the first big city they entered and play the part of Shi for the first time in years. When they made enough money to feed themself between cities while still having enough left over to rent a shopspace, they moved on, and they slowly traveled northward with that routine for about 2 years. When Ban was 16, they were living in a city that claimed to guard the third of the Seven Seals, a group of massive monsters who, through magic runes kept in a tower built in the very spot where all the planes converge, were kept alive but controlled to seal away a powerful blood mage who threatened the entire world (it’s all very complicated and dramatic). The city had an annual tradition of selecting a child, usually an orphan, and throwing them into the cave where the Third Seal, Everbleed the Webbed, resides, to appease the beast and keep it in its prison. Guess who got picked as sacrifice because they were young and new in town? So Ban was caught, blindfolded, knocked unconscious, and thrown into the cave the spider-thing lived in. Whilst in the cave, they had a dream wherein a voice told them they weren’t going to die there. When they awoke, there was a gem embedded in the flesh of their throat, and the Seal was chewing on their shoulder. After slashing the beast in the face with a blade made of blood (i won’t apologize, it’s a rad weapon and is going to make me very useful as a tank) and getting out of its grasp, Ban ran through the cave, fumbling through webs covered in acid, pursued by Everbleed and other creatures that lived in the spider’s cave, their head full of the sound of powerful winds. Winds that screamed. Winds that never ceased. Winds that threatened to drive Ban mad. Winds that succeeded.

Turns out, during Mercy’s character arc, we ended up killing the First Seal trying to get Prince Valafar’s girlfriend out of the dungeon, which initiated the decay of the other seals, so our party has been given the task of killing all of the rest of the monsters before they can start to run rampant again. Ban was called upon by the elderly archdruid Moody Blue, a PC from the first campaign and one of the founders of the Allegiance of the Nine, to give the party information about Everbleed so they can kill it and save the Warforged wizard’s creator, another first campaign PC (he’s a tortle gunslinger-turned-wizard who steals people’s bodies to stay alive like an asshole lol) who’s stuck in Everbleed’s rune seal. Apparently, he true-iced and then Sequestered himself on it after being mortally wounded by one of this campaign’s BBEGs, and he can’t get out to be healed until the seal breaks.

All that aside, lemme tell ya how I’m still real bad at D&D.

Ban and Rush (a really cute otterfolk paladin from Moody’s order of the Nine) joined the party after Moody sent out four letters asking for help. We were supposed to go fight Everbleed that session, but Moody let slip that there were rumors of weird goings-on in other parts of the continent, and Tome and Aliara (the Warforged transmutation wizard and the half-elf beastmaster ranger, respectively) were not terribly eager to go fight the spider without a few more allies in light of what they’d just gone through, so, despite Moody warning us that it might not go well, we set out to deal with the other issues in the realms and hopefully accumulate forces in the process.

We started with a town that claimed a bunch of portals were popping up everywhere with horrible monstrosities coming out of them. When we arrived, about four hours from sundown, the outer fringes of the town were on fire and the townsfolk were running about, boarding up their windows and locking themselves indoors. We managed to bully the town innkeeper into letting us inside his tavern, and after he tried to aggressively swindle us and failed, he told us about the whispy black ghosts and the lanky, bony, long-fingered abominations with glowing red eyes that were coming out of the portals and killing everyone. We ended up finding such a portal in an alleyway across the street from the tavern, and we fought and killed 4 wraiths there, though not before they reduced our paladin’s hp maximum to 43 (that’s important for later). After we killed the wraiths, while I was trying to get up the nerve to have my literally crazy cleriboy stick their head into the portal to see what was up....the paladin stuck his head in the portal to see what was up. Inside the portal was a room made of smooth stone and tile with a giant purple eyeball chained inside of it and three of those white bony motherfuckers surrounding it. After alerting the bony bitches to his presence (he literally said “gross” out loud he was so stupid what a good boy), the paladin popped his head back out and told us what he’d seen. While the rest of the party was standing IN THE ALLEY trying to decide if they were going to run or stay and fight, Ban stuck their head in and saw the boneclaws were making their way to the portal already. Ban told them so just as the innkeep yelled at us to get inside, where he insulted us some more and started freaking out. While the otter was trying to sleep to get his HP back, the boneclaws broke in and interrupted his rest. They attacked and we started to fight them, and we were doing pretty well after Tome turned the big one into a sheep. Unfortunately, just as the sheep ran outside of the tavern, Tome’s player forgot about the sheep (tbh all of us except the DM did) and had Tome cast Haste on himself, and the big one came back with a vengeance. I tried to get a Turn Undead off on it and failed despite the fact that the damn thing didn’t have advantage on its Wisdom save because of one of my domain features, and it ended up murdering the otter paladin before I could heal the damage he’d taken from the other boneclaws. We managed to kill it by remembering that oh, yes, of course, we intended to Polymorph the innkeep into something not a little bitch, and turned him into a giant ape to help us fight. We managed to kill the boneclaw priest pretty quickly after that, and the session ended there.

“But Winter,” you might exclaim, “you’re playing a cleric! Why didn’t you just use Turn Undead on the wraiths in the alley and prevent this whole disaster instead of waiting until the boneclaws attacked?” Well, you see, the thing is, I’m a fucking idiot and have also never played a cleric in a campaign with undead in it. Mostly though I’m an idiot.

I will say that I offered to fix it since it’s my fault the otter died (Gentle Repose is useful and I just need one more level to be able to cast Raise Dead), but the DM and the player have already moved on and made a different character.

Oh, also Ban’s god is Ghaunadaur, but they didn’t know that until after the boneclaw fight. Tome had done an Arcana check in the alley when Ban and Rush described what they saw in the portal and had told us all that what we described sounded a lot like a shrine of Ghaunadaur, also known as The Elder Eye. After the boneclaw fight, Ban had heard the voice that talked to them sometimes say, “You will make that up to me, child,” and had put two and two together and now has to keep yet another secret from their new buddies.

I love D&D

#PHEW that's long #anyway #D&D #Dungeons and Dragons #Dungeons & Dragons #long post #Mercy's fuckin dead bois #it's time for a newer edgier bitch to reside #I'm gonna miss that dramatic pink douchebag

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