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osamusriceballs · 1 year

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Private Tour

Tsukishima x fem reader

Warnings: None

Words: ~ 2,1 k

About: Musuem guide Tsukki- idk, he's kinda cute, kinda flirty and mean, and kinda awkward. He's Tsukki~

A/n: The way I looked up actual information about that museum and Sendai city- no way I'm LEARNING THINGS BY WRITING A FANFIC WHAT THE HECK-

"I can show you around, Miss."

You look up at the very first time you've been hearing English words ever since you started walking around in the Sendai City Museum.

A surprisingly tall, blonde guy looks down at you- a pair of stylish glasses sitting on his nose, as well as a slightly arrogant look on his face if you’re being honest with yourself. A look at his name tag reveals that his name is "Tsukishima" and after looking at him dumbfounded for a few moments, he bites the inside of his cheek, exceeding a mixture of annoyance and regret. "Do you not speak English, Miss?"

You blink a few times before you finally nod, feeling embarrassed by how long you have been staring at him. "Uhm- yes I do."

"You've been walking around aimlessly for quite some time. Our security guard put you on the "watch" list, but I figured you simply don't speak Japanese and don't understand the structure of this museum."

You stare at him again, impressed by his flawless pronunciation- and after realizing what he just said, you keep on staring but with heated cheeks.

"Oh... I didn't want to cause problems. I don't speak Japanese, you're correct. I'll take a leave then." You nod and slightly bow, appreciating that he deemed you as "not suspicious enough to get her kicked out by the security guards, but still weird enough to politely kick her out myself". You quickly turn on your heels, avoiding to look at the very security guard that probably put you on the "suspicious" list, as well as that blonde museum guide that apparently wants to get you out of there as well.

"Wait, wait- I didn't mean it like that-" a few big strides form the tall man, and he has already caught up to you, extending his long arm to stop you before he quickly steps in front of you.

You stop abruptly, confused by his effort to catch up to you and the deep irritated frown on his face. "It's fine. You don't need to apologize." You reassuringly smile and lift your palms to show him that it's really fine, it’s not his fault after all, but he bites the inside of his cheek once again. A habit?

"I meant the offer. I can show you around."

It's your time to frown now at his sudden persistence-

You look at him intensely for the first time, trying to figure out his intentions at this point. The sleeves of his white dress shirt are rolled up, and his upper arms seem surprisingly muscular- he generally makes a very fit impression to you. His blonde hair is curled, slightly falling down onto his forehead, and even though it should look messy like this, it's rather cute and handsome on him. He looks really intelligent- probably the combined effect of the intense look in his pretty brown eyes and his position as a museum guide. He's actually very attractive-

"Please." He adds after a few seconds, the word coming heavily from his lips, and you’re somehow convinced that he's genuine with his offer.

"Um... okay. If you insist. But if you're just being polite, there is no need too. I've already seen most of the exhibit, I don't mind leaving now."

He nods after your words and slightly bows, his face looking a bit more relaxed now that you've accepted his offer. "Follow me."

His arm rests behind your back, almost touching you for a second to guide you the way towards the entrance. " My name is Tsukishima Kei. We'll start in chronological order of the exhibit, it's easier for you to get into the topic that way."

"How do you know my age?" You ask him dumbfounded, simply following this man wherever he leads you. "The security guard checked your ID when you entered."

The way he nonchalantly states it makes you stunned for a few seconds, but you're quick to recover from it. "What's your age then? And your birthday?"

He rolls his eyes at your words, but you don't feel real annoyance from him. "Why should I tell you that?"

"Isn't it unfair that you know my birthday and I don't have the chance to know yours?"

He hisses quietly and rubs the back of his head, and you wonder if he already starts to regret talking to you. "September 27. 1996."

"Oh." You nod at his words, actually surprised that he seems so talkative and considerate now. He suddenly stops, and you find yourself standing in a big room that you have passed before. You remember your attempt to read the pretty engraved information on the walls, but quickly giving up when you notice that there were very few words written in English. Is the way you fidgeted with your phone for an eternity and (futilely) used a translator why you were put on the "watch" list?

"Have you heard of Date Masamune?"

You purse your lips to suppress a smile- an embarrassed smile when you recall where you've heard that name before. Tsukishima raises a brow and takes your lack of response as answer.

"You've heard that name. From anime I guess?"

You slowly nod, avoiding looking at him at all cost, but a sudden snort makes you look at him- and you realize that he's laughing. You would be mad at him for making fun of you, but his laugh sounds surprisingly cute and so contrary to the cold persona that he has displayed so far that you don't find it in you to get angry. He regains composure after a few seconds and clears his throat before he turns back to being serious and bored- but the short glimpse at this side of him makes your stomach tingle.

"He actually found the city of Sendai. He was a regional ruler during Japan's Azuchi–Momoyama period and the early Edo period."

"Really? He found this city?" You look at him with raised eyebrows, impressed by the new information.

"He did. However, the Sendai area has been inhabited a very long time before that actually. The story of this city mostly began at around 1600 though."

"With Date Masamune?" you ask, and he nods with a pleased hum. "Correct."

"I would assume that you led me here to show me his battle armor?" you gesture towards the metal suits in front of you, and he nods once again. "Correct again."

"See, I don't need you, I can figure it out on my own." You try to joke to lighten up the mood, and much to your surprise, his lips turn into an amused curl at your words.

"Sure. You want my name tag and show around the next group of visitors?"

"Y/n Tsukishima doesn't sound too bad, does it?" You grin- and freeze when you realize the meaning of your words. He coughs, a slight redness now tainting his pale cheeks, and you quickly avert your gaze.

"I guess it doesn't." Your breath stocks at his words, and now you definitely don't have enough courage to look at him.

"Tell me more about his battle armors. Why are there so many? I can't believe he's worn all of them." You quickly try to turn his attention to something else, and he turns his body towards the exhibition again.

"This is his original battle armor." He gestures towards a black armor with a crescent moon on top. "The design is also used in most anime depictions of him." He side eyes you at the comment but you decide to ignore it, not wanting to tell him that he nailed it. "But some of these armors have only been worn for ceremonies. And the ones in the back are from Toyotomi Hideyoshi." You try to keep your poker face when he drops another familiar name, but he is too smart to not notice how you tensed up for a second.

"I guess you know him too?"

"I uhm... I wouldn't mind learning some historically accurate information about him." You're certain that your cheeks are burning at this point, and you're relieved when he just settles for a small chuckle.

"Don't worry, I'll give you an overview about his life and influence on Japan. I need to make sure that someone who tries to steal my job and my last name knows about Toyotomi Hideyoshi."

"I'm not trying to steal anything here, just to make that clear." You shoot him a burning glare, but he doesn't mind it at all.

"I know at least two security guards who think otherwise."

You look at him blankly, and he returns your gaze with the same blank expression- until you both start laughing.

He has a pleasant laugh and voice- that's what you realize after your conversation with him so far. You're convinced that you could listen to him talking all day- maybe he should voice one of these audio guides?- and you find yourself even more attracted to this man, to his intellect and his wit.

A small group of men suddenly catches your attention though, and you slowly stop laughing- especially when they suddenly gesture towards the two of you-

"Oya oya, what's with that look on his face?"

"I've never seen Tsukishima smile like that- is that his girlfriend?"

"Oyy, Tsukki! You promised us a tour, didn't you?"

"Don't bother the other visitors, Bokuto-san."

You're stunned at the way Tsukishima immediately pales and tries to hide his face- that tall tree of a man with bright blonde hair trying to hide himself with a measly attempt like that?

"Do you know them?" You point towards the group, and he "tsks" and nods finally. "Yes. I didn't expect them so early though."

"Oy Tsukki, will you play with us later? It's been a while, I want to show you my new skills."

"What are you doing here?" Tsukishima's tone significantly changes compared to the way he has been talking to you. No more friendly and polite note, just annoyance and embarrassment.

"We told you we would come, didn't we, Tsukki?" A tall man with black hair and a lazy grin wraps an arm around Tsukishima and rubs his head, effectively messing with his blonde hair.

"And who is that young lady over here? Your girl?"

"Kuroo-san, you're embarrassing him." Another guy with glasses comes up to the front, quickly followed by a very energetically walking man with broad shoulders and white hair.

"Tsukki, introduce us to your girlfriend!" His smile is almost blinding, but you're too perplex after the sudden commotion to answer him- "We’re leaving." Tsukishima shrugs his shoulder until the tall guy lets him go, and you're stunned when Tsukishima suddenly wraps an arm around your shoulder and guides you a few steps away before he removes his arm quickly.

"I'm sorry for that."

He scratches the back of his head and avoids eye contact when he finally brought you out of their reach, clearly flustered by the unexpected situation he just found himself in. "It's fine." You reassure him and try to stay focused on him, and not on the way the guys started talking about the two of you way too loudly, the words "Tsukki's cute girlfriend" making their way too your ears way too often.

"These are... acquaintances from me. Don't mind them. They are fools sometimes."

"They seem nice actually. You should introduce me someday; you don't want to withhold your girlfriend from your friends after all." You attempt to joke to lighten up the situation, and he quickly glances towards you again, his glasses reflecting the white light from the lamp above when he does so.

"I thought you already had my last name? I feel like we skipped a few steps here."

Your cheeks heat up at his words, and you find yourself lost for a suitable reply, only for him to smile again. "Let's start with step one."

His left hand moves into his back pocket, and he fishes for his phone, handing it to you after quickly unlocking it- and you manage to get a short glimpse of his dinosaur background before he presses the contact button.

"I- Can you-" he bites the inside of his cheek- you start to believe that he's suppressing a hiss with that habit whenever he's irritated or doesn't know what to do- and you quickly save him before his cheek turns bloody at this point.

"I still need to learn more about Hideyoshi. If you promise to be my private guide next time too?" You reach for his phone and he willingly gives it to you, now suddenly lost for words. Tsukishima nods, silently watching you while you type in your number, and you read it three times to make sure it's correct before you hand it back to him.

"Here you go. Will you be here tomorrow too?"

"Yes. I'll be here till 5 pm. You can come whenever; I'll make time for you."

You smile at his words and walk towards the exit, shyly waving at the group of men that are still watching you both, and they happily wave back when they notice you leaving.

"See you tomorrow, Kei."

"See you tomorrow."

You finally turn but you don't miss the smile on his face though when he reads your contact’s name.

"Tsukishima y/n."

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shady-tavern · 2 months

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Preview for "The Price of a Life" the March Patreon Short Story

(warnings ahead for murder and implied, attempted assault, please take care of yourselves)

*.*.*

Rani grew up with neglectful parents and a little brother who was treated like he could do no wrong. While she was often tasked with looking after him, receiving the blame for any and all misbehavior, her brother was given pats on the head for being such a strong willed rascal.

It wasn't the easiest time growing up and as soon as she was able, she spent every minute out of the house, helping the miller with carrying sacks of flour, holding horses still for re-shoeing at the blacksmith's smithy and in the evenings she was wiping down tables in the tavern.

Any excuse to stay away and earn some money was pounced upon without hesitation. She was soon known around town as the girl who accepted any job so long as someone paid her for it.

No matter how rough and tough it was, she lifted her chin stubbornly and no matter how hard it became, she was determined to prove people wrong when they doubted her.

She learned who in town was corrupt and to be avoided, she learned who would attempt to exploit her and she learned how to recognize the glint in people's eyes that promised nothing but pain and misery on her end.

She learned just how hard she had to hit to take someone down, heart pounding with terror and adrenaline as she stood in a dark, damp alley. A stone smeared with blood was in her hand as she stared down at empty eyes.

She learned just how deep she had to dig a hole to ensure no wild animals dug the body back out, painful bruises blooming on her skin.

She learned fast and she learned well. Her hands grew rougher than any other girl's her age, she became stronger than many of the boys and she turned into a ruthless negotiator with a sharp intuition for those who wanted to trap her into agreements that demanded too much of her.

Her parents rarely saw her, but the few times they caught her sneaking back home, they were scolding her for being a terrible daughter who was never around and she ought to hand over some of her hard earned coin, they had housed and fed her for years after all.

Rani moved out of her childhood home as soon as she was old enough and the blacksmith flagged her down for an apprenticeship right away. It was hard work, but Rani was used to that and in the evenings she still went around, doing odd jobs for a bit of extra coin.

"I heard that unruly brother of yours got tangled with some unnatural folk," she heard her master say one day, almost half a year after having moved out of home.

They had some massive horses in today and they behaved well under her steady and reassuring hands. She had learned early on that animals liked it when she gave them a feeling of comfort and security, that they liked her calm and quiet words.

"I genuinely don't care," Rani answered, the black mare snorting and finally relaxing, lowering her head and her ears perked.

She was a sweet one, but a different blacksmith had once badly hurt her while shoeing her and now she got worried and scared easily. It was understandable, in Rani's opinion.

The blacksmith hummed, a low noise that seemed to rumble in his barrel chest. "No one's seen him in a week, people think he ran into the Blood Lords."

Her hands stilled for a moment. Everyone knew of the Blood Lords, of the monsters that called the cursed city beyond the forest their home. Endless rumors surrounded that place, one worse than the other. Anything and everything could be bartered away in that place, from souls to blood and even someone's own children.

The Blood Lords never left their cursed city and while some speculated it was because they couldn't, they didn't need to either. Not when there were people desperate or foolish or arrogant enough to seek them out anyway, thinking they could weasel out a deal in their favor.

Rani had always thought that even her hardheaded brother knew better than to tangle with creatures which knew neither pity nor compassion.

"He'll be back soon, I'm sure," she said, though a part of her was sinking like a stone headed for the bottom of a lake. "He's old enough to start adventuring away from town. He's probably trying to get to the king's city and he'll turn around when he realizes it's a bad idea."

The blacksmith hummed, low and sceptical and Rani felt just as doubtful of her own words. What if her brother had been stupid enough to go to the cursed city? A place shrouded in eternal fog and with the taste of death so prominent in the air it made all but the most foolhardy or desperate flee in terror.

At least, it was like that according to rumors.

Rani focused on her work, but once she was sent away by her master, instead of seeking out one of the people who usually needed an extra hand, she headed to her childhood home. It had been the first time since she had moved out that she had gone back.

She half expected her brother to pop out, scaring her half to death and laughing at her face and the angry but secretly relieved lecture she'd give him. She half expected the little shit to have been hiding somewhere, watching as people fretted and worried, giggling to himself.

What she found were her parents crying their eyes out. Even before they looked up and spotted her in the open door, their hopeful faces falling with disappointment upon seeing that it was her and not her brother, she knew the truth.

Her brother had, indeed, been stupid enough to tangle with the Blood Lords.

"You must save him," her mother began, tone half accusing and half an order, as though she blamed Rani for this situation.

Rani turned on her heel and strode away, angry and worried in equal measure. She had always ended up stuck with cleaning her brother's messes. Had always had to face the anger of anyone he had played a prank on, getting scolded and told to keep him in line, because her parents slipped away from their responsibilities whenever they could.

She was sick and tired of being dragged into their problems, into being blamed. Her parents were two perfectly healthy adults, they should handle this.

She stomped all the way home, to the tiny little apartment over a general goods store she had rented. She passed by the alley where she had fought that terrible man, the rock she had used still lying where she had dropped it. Any blood on it had long since gotten washed away.

No one had ever found out what had happened to that man.

She owed her brother nothing. In fact, she had told him multiple times to be more careful with his pranks and jokes, that one day he'd bite off more than he could chew. That he had sought out the Blood Lords was as laughable and nonsensical as a louse trying to tear out a wolf's throat. What had he been thinking?

She told herself that it was most likely already too late to save him. The Blood Lords took everything they wanted, they were considered even worse than the fae knights that rode through the forest during full moon nights, luring the prettiest lads and lasses out of their homes to whisk them away for forever.

The Blood Lords lived off of blood and souls and the screams of the anguished and tortured, their veins filled with dark magic and malice. According to rumors at least.

But there was always a kernel of truth to rumors, wasn't there?

Rani stared into her cramped little space, gritting her teeth, until an enraged snarl ripped free and she grabbed her cloak and shoved some things into her satchel before stomping out the door again.

*.*.*

Would you like to read more? Then check out my patreon! Or the masterlist, for more of my stories and other patreon story previews. Enjoy!

#my writing #short story #preview #patreon #dark fantasy #dark fairy tale #monster lover #I hope you'll enjoy it!#i had so much fun writing it #and I hope it will be a fun read as well!

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radley-writes · 9 months

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Guess who finished the pre-beta edit of No Man's Sky (working title)?

THIS BISH

I'll drop a full Beta post tomorrow with more details/blurb/content warnings! But for now... I sleep, feeling accomplished!

#hehehe #this book took SO much faff but it's finally come together!#I'm very pleased with it teehee #I hope you'll enjoy it!#radley writes #radley rambles #no man's sky

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whatthefoucault · 2 years

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“Hi,” he said, with a little wave.

“Hallo!” Viago waved in reply, smiling. It was nice to see Anton. Anton was nice.

#vianton #what we do in the shadows #wwdits #wwdits anton #viago #goodness i've been working on this one for ages #at last chapter 1 is here!#i hope you'll enjoy it!

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ficsforeren · 2 years

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You truly made me cry so much after reading the last song 😭 I had a two-week streak of not crying but I just finished it and oml the waterworks flooded my bed. I literally stopped doing homework that I have pending to be able to finish reading. My heart was so broken 💔 your writing is THAT good, you’re THAT girl. I want to read the alternate ending asap but I’m fucking grieving!!!!!! 🥹 I just can’t take of my mind that ending. I think the last fics that broke me to tears this bad were broken records by @/sukirichi and wastelands by @/saintobio 💔 anyway I’ll definitely keep reading your works, be proud of your writing since it’s squeezing these feelings out of me and many others, I’m sure of it! Thank you!

AAAAAA BABYYYY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THE LAST SONG 😭😭😭 I don't deserve your compliments omg you're being too sweet but thank you ❤️❤️❤️ Also, sorry for making you cry 😭 I swear the alternate universe will make you feel better. I've written a lot of fluffy moments with DILF eren to make up for the pain LMAO

#I hope you'll enjoy it!#writing in another life was so fun because eren got to be even more of a simp for reader than he already was LOL #TLS epilogue review #kana answers stuff #queue #kana gets some love!

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shibaraki · 2 years

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i'm so excited to read the new fic omg . i've been getting super into aizawa fics again + this might just be the push i need to start working on my priest!aizawa slowburn wip again

prrriest aizawa?! forgive me father for I have SINNED.. on my knees and it's not for GOD.... I wish you so much luck with your wip!!! I know there's a lot of pressure on writers to get stuff done quick, but you will always be happier doing things at your own pace!! and thank you very much for the excitement <3

#asks #I hope you'll enjoy it!

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dazatsuweek · 11 months

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Im wondering for the dazatsu week is it all for fics or can we also submit fanart? (Sorry this is my first event im not sur eof some thinga)

No worries! I'm happy to answer any questions 💛

All types of fanworks will be welcome in the event, so yes - you can submit fanart. Full rules of the event will be announced together with prompts after the interest check ends.

#I'm honored that this will be your first event #I hope you'll enjoy it!#questions

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mawguai · 1 month

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I'm so grateful to have met you

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alexassanart · 3 months

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favourite scenes from pacific rim 3 💙

#please don't look at me i spent WAY too much time on these......#also really hoping i don't accidentally give anyone false hope since tragically pacrim 3 only exists in my head #you can definitely tell which scenes were drawn first lmao #because it started as just a fun exercise before spiraling out of control #anyway. enjoy i guess. don't look too closely #maybe you'll even be able to extract my post-uprising-fic-tropes-greatest-hits plot from these #pacific rim #newton geiszler #hermann gottlieb #newmann #my art #fanart

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rayjeff · 3 months

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silly doodle guys

#i know that there's lot of controversy now about this show #i don't support whatever bad is going on with viziepop #but i still enjoy this show and i've been waiting for it all these years :^#and i don't have amazon prime so yeah you can figure how i watched this show lol #hazbin hotel #alastor #hazbin alastor #doodles #aaaaandd i decided not to stick with one fandom so now i'll draw a lot of different things :D I hope you'll like it! :>

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marmastry · 15 days

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Hasa and Maya

Kofi

#dfsjhlkgjhsdfjkghfldskgh #im back o{-{#sorry if im not that present here lol #i hope you will enjoy this my dear readers #my 30 sickos #unfortunately there is still no smooching #we will get there #someday #but for now #i hope you'll enjoy their mini rival arc HAHA #mayamaya #hasahasa #fancomics #splatoon oc #moomers #splatoon 3 #hasamaya

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maatdraws · 4 months

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can you hear the music ? 🫀(astarion animatic)

Music by Ludwig Göransson

Oppenheimer (Original Motion picture soundstrack)

#astarion #astarion ancunin #bg3 #bg3 tav #astarion x tav #iorek #baldurs gate 3 #fanart #astarion x mc #oc #myart #animatic #i gave everything for this #hope you'll enjoy it

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shady-tavern · 5 months

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Preview for "Dark Waters" the December Short Story

(warnings ahead for implied murder and death, mentioned fevers and illnesses and attempted kidnapping. Please be sure to take care of yourselves!)

*.*.*

Everyone knew the river was off limits, that the nearby old bridge that led across it was half broken and the rushing, deep water beneath was deadly all on its own. But that wasn't the reason everyone chose to walk for miles to a solid stone bridge which stretched over a wide, shallow part of the river in order to cross to the other side.

That the old bridge was too decrepit to cross was just an excuse, since someone could have repaired it long ago. No one would, however, for a monster lived in this part of the river. Dangerous and deadly, he had dragged many a foolish mortal to a watery grave.

Sometimes Lyna could hear singing on the wind when she left her hometown, a luring tune that could sound melancholic or cheerful, depending on the monster's mood.

Not everyone was careful of course and sometimes she heard stories of people who disappeared, of backpacks and torn clothes being washed onto the shores of the lake the river was feeding into. At least the monster didn't live in the lake her hometown was built around, Lyna thought to herself, or there would be more deaths.

Merchants grumbled and complained every time they visited and local traders were just as exasperated and annoyed with the long way around they had to take to get to them, but no one risked anything.

The town had banded together twice in her childhood days to pay for a monster slayer, once for a famed duo and once for an entire group. Both times the warriors had ended up dead, their bodies washed ashore, the wounds grisly and frightening.

Whatever lived in the river, it was powerful, so no one messed with it. Slayers were expensive as well and since the town itself never got attacked, they had accepted that they could not cross the river wherever they liked.

In the grand scheme of things it was a rather minor inconvenience, Lyna knew that. Everyone knew that. But people were either lazy or efficient, depending on the point of view and the added detour kept rankling at everyone.

Being helpless rankled at everyone.

Lyna personally didn't worry too much about the river as she grew up, only when she started to apprentice under the local alchemist and potion maker did it become more relevant. There was a special herb that grew only on river banks and another one at the bottom of rivers, the former useful for salves that healed burns, the latter used for ointment that made people look fresher and healthier.

She accompanied her master on long trips down the river until they were clear of the monster's, quite frankly massive, territory. Of course they weren't the only ones who sought the herbs. Other towns and villages that housed herbalists or even just knowledgeable folks who home-brewed some things came to these safe spots to harvest.

Lyna and her master always managed to gather enough to stock up their supplies, but every time on the way back, she saw the overgrown riverbanks of the monster and the herbs that grew there in plentiful quantity.

When they got closer to the town, about a mile away from home, the riverbanks even rose to form cliffs and along those cliffs grew plants she wished she could get her hands on, because they could create marvelous healing potions.

If her master and she wanted to get those kinds of herbs, they either had to wait until a trader brought them or they traveled for two days themselves to another part of the river with cliffs.

Though, again, they were hardly the only ones to do so and often enough they had arrived to find everything already harvested, the craggy surroundings empty. Traveling two days for nothing was rarely worth the risk as well, so their town only had a very small, carefully hoarded amount of healing potions.

Often enough, when the road brought them too close to the river, Lyna could hear the monster. It had taken her a while to realize that it was making noise on purpose, that it wanted them to know it was keeping pace with their mule pulled cart. She was never able to figure out if he meant to be cruelly playful or just straight-up threatening.

Aside from that, however, life was good. Their town was doing well, the people were largely content and they had visiting bards and performers who brought joy and stories and the occasional scholar that sold and bought new books.

Lyna made enough coin for herself and her grandmother, who had raised her after her parents had died when she had been a babe, to live comfortably. Her grandmother's lady friend had moved in recently to stay with them after her children had left for the capital and the home had grown lively with conversations and was always filled with amazing food.

Lyna found all her clothes mended before she could get around to it herself, a new scarf knitted and a new cloak made of a dark, river-green color replacing her old, worn one, to keep her dry and warm in bad weather.

It was all going well until a fever swept through the land. Many merchants slowly but steadily cut down on their trading to try and avoid spreading it, while towns and villages grew wary of outsiders. The bards and performers were asked to either no longer visit or to stop in their town and stay until the sickness had passed before they traveled again.

Lyna and her master were busier than ever, brewing potions and creating salves, drying and selling herbs to be ground into food or burnt to create cleansing smoke. Their stock dwindled fast and soon they had to go on many trips to try and stock up.

Right up until the fever reached their town as well. It started out small, with a family here and there, until suddenly half the town was sick. Lyna's master herself was one day locked away in her cabin, refusing to come out and sounding weak and raspy.

"Wouldn't it be best to close the shop for now?" her grand-aunty, her grandmother's best friend, asked worriedly when Lyna returned home. "You are putting yourself at risk."

And them as well. Lyna frowned, eating dinner quietly as she mulled over things. That evening, as she sat with the two elderly ladies in front of the fire, one knitting and the other sewing, she came to a decision.

"I'll move into the potion shop. Just for now," she hurriedly tacked on when they both looked up sharply. "Just until we made it through this. People need medicine and I want to help. I'll make sure to come by and chop wood and carry water, but I won't come into the house, just in case I get sick too."

Her grandmother was quiet for a long moment, exchanging a look with her friend. "You will save a healing potion for yourself," she said and lifted a hand when Lyna tried to protest. "I will not lose you, Lyna. I lost too much already."

Lyna did not tell her that they had no more healing potions left at the shop. Otherwise her master would have healed herself instead of retreating into her home to avoid spreading the illness further.

*.*.*

Would you like to read more? Head over to my patreon! A new short story is posted every month and there are plenty others available for reading already. I hope you'll enjoy what you find! =D

#patreon #my writing #short story #river monster #monster lover #a wee bit dark in places #just so you know #I hope you'll enjoy it!#preview #fantasy

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