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countrymusiclover · 1 year

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31 - Knights of the Vale

Part 32

Fire OF A Stark

@dragonixfrye

Walking through Castle Black shrugging my brown fur cloak over my shoulders I paused watching the snowfall from one of the windows. Tonight is when Jon would face off against Ramsay to get back Winterfell. I am praying that he could actually reach the goal. Footsteps approached me down the hallway where I noticed it was my sister. “I don’t see how Jon thinks he will win this battle. He doesn’t know how he thinks.”

“Well Jaime doesn’t either. I am sorry we can’t be more helpful.” I responded by resting my elbows on the window seal. Jaime was watching little Rhaenyra in our chambers.

She crossed her arms over her chest locking a deep gaze with me. Her eyes were more serious than I remembered them to be. From Jofferey in King's Landing to Ramsay in Winterfell her marriages have been nothing like mine. It hurts me to know that the innocent girl has been treated so harshly. “Can I know why the Lannister army isn’t here? I tried to recruit the Blackfish and the Knights of the Vale. Unfortunately there hasn’t been much of a response.”

“We fled Kings Landing after I gave birth. Cersei is now the Queen of the seven kingdoms. I - I was terrified that she would murder me and Rhaenyra. Because she has the blood of a dragon and a lion.” I explained tucking hair behind my ear, slumping my shoulders in defeat.

Sansa looked at me softly beginning to walk down the hallway and I followed her heels. “I can understand that, sis. So what about using Joanna as an advantage on the field. If we can’t secure help for the battle.”

“I don’t want to put her on the battlefield and be viewed like all the other Targaryens are when they die. The house words may be fire and blood but I refuse to go down that road.” I declared hoping she would understand. I was a chosen Stark of the North. We both walked down the stairs until we were standing outside in the falling snow.

Sansa paused in her step seeing that Joanna was flying above our heads until she flew down and landed in front of us gently. “Is it safe for me to be around her…well maybe you could help bring the Knights of the Vale here.”

“They hate the Lannisters, Sansa. The late lord was poisoned apparently by them. If I set foot in their castle with Jaime they would probably execute him on the spot.” Throwing my hands up I couldn’t believe she would suggest something like that.

She bites her lip getting an idea. “Little Finger was there the last time I was before he married me off to Ramsay. He knows how to play the game. If you show up on dragonback as the last living Targaryen then I don’t see how they could say no.”

“You may have a point but there’s something you should know…I am not the last living Targaryen in the realm. There’s another.” Tapping my chin, my right hand fell to the handle of my sword on my hip.

She knitted her brows together. “What do you know about this other dragon?”

“She doesn’t have just one full grown dragon like me. She has three of them, Sansa. I have seen what she can do with just one so I am horrified to think what she could do with all of them.” Wrapping my arms tightly around myself I could still see some of the soldiers' bodies on fire and the horses running for their lives. “Her name is Daenerys and they call her the mother of dragons. Tyrion is her hand and is her adviser.”

My sister moved her gaze up to meet Joanna deep gaze. “Well you’re not like the rest of them. You were raised to be good and you weren’t born to have a dragon. So I believe that you are going to be different from the past dragons.”

“If you say so, sis….I’ll go and try to speak with Vale.” Squeezing her hand in mine I left her alone needing to find my husband and see what he thought about the backup plan we had in mind.

Pushing opened the door to our chambers Jaime was laying on the bed with little Rhaenyra asleep beside him. He lifted his gaze up to meet mine. “What is it now, Lynesse?”

“Sansa and I were talking and she informed me that she has been trying to get more soldiers yet there’s no luck.” I explained gently shutting the door behind me as to not wake our daughter.

Jaime rose to his feet, confusion written on his face. "Where are you going with this little dragon?"

"I am saying that I am hoping to fly to the Vale and convince them to come fight and take back Winterfell with us. Jon was right the Blackfish is gone and we need more men if there's even a chance to get more soldiers." I declared simply.

Jaime immediately responded back, raising his tone towards me. "No way in seven hells are you doing that!"

"And why not. I have my own dragon in case you've forgotten." I questioned not expecting him to say no.

He takes a step towards me where our chests were almost touching. His green eyes trained on me. "The Vale hate us Lynesse. They tried to murder my brother through the moon door for a crime he didn't commit. It's not safe for us there. They will consider you the enemy just because you're married to me."

"We have to try something, Jaime. And I refuse to let Jon ride off into a battle he might not win. So we have to do everything we can." I fought back towards him stomping my boots on the stone ground. "It's a risk we have to take and Sansa isn't taught to handle things like this."

Jaime grumbled reaching forward and resting his left hand against my cheek. "Lynesse, please just be careful."

"I will do my best. You have my word.” I vowed to him getting one last look at my sleeping daughter before leaving our chambers. Entering the stables I climbed onto Joanna’s back. Grabbing the reins we took to the skies and it was a much quicker trip to the Vale then it would have been on horseback. It was almost nightfall when I arrived at the castle with the guards drawing their blades at me. Raising my hands up in surrender I paused. “I am her to speak with the Lord of the Vale at the request of Sansa Stark of Winterfell.”

The guards lowered their weapons escorting me inside to see Little Finger and the young lord who could only be about Arya’s age standing beside him. “Lady Stark or should I say Lady Lannister-Targaryen it is a shock to see you here.”

“I thought the dragons were gone, uncle Peter.” The little boy spoke up.

Clasping my hands in front of myself I eyed the boy. Tyrion had told me that the boy's father was poisoned by someone working with the Lannister’s. But it seems odd to me to not have seen the lady of the Vale here as well. “I come at the request of my sister Sansa. She wants to take back Winterfell from the Boltons who you forced her into marrying for who knows what reason. She wants to ask for assistance from the Vale army.”

“I’m the lord of Vale. I have the power….you’re husband’s family murdered my father.” The boy piped up playing with a glass dove in his hands.

Dropping my gaze to the floor for a brief second I could feel Little Finger glaring at me. “How are we supposed to trust you, Lady Cadence? You are after all a Lannister by right. The Vale cannot afford to lose anymore of its rulers. Perhaps we could see your level of trust by making some sort of arrangement.”

“Arrangement, like what kind?” I asked knitting my brows together trying to figure out what he meant. The child of the Vale was now playing around the room leaving us to talk.

Little Finger stepped closer to me noticing that I wasn’t pregnant anymore. He heard the rumor but now it was true that there was a new Lannister heir. “Perhaps a marriage between Robin Lord of the Vale and whatever child you and the kingslayer have created. Say a girl.” Blinking my eyes I had no clue what to say to him about this.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

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succulentsunrise · 3 years

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A Chance of Courage

- Small talks, small actions and small decisions lead to something momentous.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 2! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my Day 1 fic 🥰

Edit: I've added a small directory!

Day 1 | All | Day 3

It is funny how sometimes even the smallest things can become an obsession in one’s mind. For Charlotte Roselei, this was the meeting she had had with Yami Sukehiro in the gardens a week prior. A cordial, common meeting - but the substance of it empty. Her mind kept replaying that meeting, her heart aching and leaping into conclusions. She knew that the more she thought about it, the more she was adding things into the scene. More meaningful stares. More subtle hints. The reality was probably something more reasonable.

“Sis?” Sol’s voice woke her up from her thoughts.

Charlotte turned towards the younger woman, straightening her back and trying to concentrate on her surroundings. They were sitting together outside, in the garden. Ah - that was why her thoughts had turned to the meeting again. The thought distracted her once more. She was in some aspect conscious that Sol was talking to her, but she found it difficult to concentrate on that. Sharing a moment like this with Yami would be impossible. He wasn’t the type of man to sit outside and read poetry. Charlotte liked poetry. It was proper and beautiful and oh - so romantic. She blinked, trying to listen to Sol again. What a beautiful morning it was…

“Sis, you’re not listening.”

The accusation wasn’t without reason, causing Charlotte to look slightly embarrassed and apologetic. She spoke gently, her eyes lowering down to the poetry book on her lap.

“My apologies, Sol.”

“What’s on your mind?” Sol asked, her young face painted with curiosity.

It would be too embarrassing to tell. Too difficult to tell to Sol. Charlotte shook her head with a small smile.

“I was wondering what inspired these authors to write so beautifully,” she lied.

“They probably couldn’t say what they wanted out loud, y’know,” Sol laughed with a grin.

Charlotte considered her for a moment. Sol was a vibrant person, full of life and brashness. She didn’t stop to consider things yet. She lived in the moment. Charlotte knew Sol looked up to her. Sol was still easily impressionable. Any opinion Charlotte presented, she echoed louder and coarser. Yes, Sol wasn’t refined, not like a noble. Perhaps it was what endeared her to Charlotte. Perhaps she liked coarse people. People like Sol and Yami. They both disarmed the wall of thorns she had built in her quest for control over her own magic.

They probably couldn’t say what they wanted out loud.

Charlotte found it a rather apt remark. Perhaps she should write one? No. Yami wouldn’t understand anything about poetry, and in any case, it would be rather too embarrassing. It was already embarrassing to try to come to terms with the fact that the ruffian had stolen her heart. With a sigh, Charlotte shook her head.

“You do not admire the ingeniousness of the poets,” she remarked to Sol. “Perhaps because you always have the right words for everything.”

Sol laughed a little more, its gay sound ringing in the air.

“I’ve got the words, alright, but sometimes they come out wrong! Or sometimes I mean to say something, but I say something else instead, something that I wasn’t supposed to say at all!”

“That’s because you speak quicker than you think,” Charlotte suggested, turning back to her poetry book.

Sol didn’t seem to mind her comment, and instead returned to her own project. She had decided to try embroidering on Charlotte’s insistence. So far, she seemed to be somewhat frustrated by the actual process, though delighted by the results.

Later that evening, Charlotte visited the marketplace at the Royal Capital. She never quite liked these trips. There were too many shouts, too many men staring, too many awed sighs. She steeled her face into a cold stare to keep people from approaching her and simply strode towards her destination: an antiquarian bookshop. It was a gold mine for old poetry books, and she had become a regular there by now. Her visit there was simple and sweet. The shopkeeper recommended a new arrival - a rather old poetry book by a rather old poet. Flipping through the pages, Charlotte had approved of its contents and taken it. Then, business concluded, she left. As she glanced around herself on the road, her gaze picked up a familiar figure far in the distance. The combination of dark hair, black cloak and the relaxed style of walking was impossible to not recognize. Yami. Next to him was one of his subordinates - Charlotte couldn’t quite remember his name. She considered for a moment going after them and talking, but her pride won over. She wouldn’t know what to say. In any case, it was too embarrassing, running after a man. Charlotte turned to the opposite direction, deciding to take the long way home. This time she tried specifically not to think of Yami. She avoided the parks of the Royal Capital with the exact purpose of not remembering their meeting. She kept the poetry book she had just bought out of her sight and she stopped herself from wondering about what Yami was doing here. She tried to concentrate on the other people wandering around: a group of young girls giggling and whispering in a group, several workers sitting together on a break, young children running across the street…

It was an impulse that made Charlotte stop at a street food vendor. She wasn’t especially hungry, but it had passed enough time from the last time she had eaten. A sweet smell had caught her attention, and the sight of the first berries of the year had enthralled her. She happily bought a snack and found herself a place nearby to eat it. Then, Charlotte sunk to her thoughts once more. She should’ve taken Sol with, most likely. Sol would’ve liked such a sweet snack. It’d be difficult to take one with, though. Would it stay good - and if she took one, wouldn’t she need to buy the whole squad some? No, it was too much trouble. Charlotte leaned her face to her hand and sighed. She’d just have to bring Sol here some other time. She couldn’t take the whole squad. For now she would just enjoy the atmosphere of the city, eat her little snack and go home. There were still some reports to be written. Charlotte’s thoughts became immediately busy with planning. She’d first write that one, then turn to the mission business - and then there was that case of misconduct from one of the girls. Yes, that would be very important to investigate. She would make sure there was something in that accusation before she’d let it slip through her fingers.

A series of voices caught Charlotte’s attention as she pondered her duties.

“--it’s great for all tastes, Captain!” a warm, insistent tone explained, half-apologetic, half-excited. “You could bring anyone here and they’d find what they’d like!”

The young man speaking was dressed in greens - Charlotte recognized him immediately as that subordinate of Yami’s. Her gaze moved quickly next to the man. Yes, Yami was with him. Scratching the back of his neck as he was squinting at the street vendor’s food, he seemed unimpressed and unwilling to be there.

“Just get what you want, and let’s go,” she heard Yami grunt.

It was clear they were here because of the subordinate. Somehow, while Charlotte had tried to avoid them, they had run to Charlotte. She felt a slight flush come to her face. Yami moved away from the vendor, waiting at the side for the subordinate to pick what he wanted. Charlotte stood up, impulse taking over. Several things jumped in her mind: the meeting, the fact that poets couldn’t say what they wanted, the fact that Yami was right there and that Yami was coarse like Sol, and that Sol spoke quicker than she thought. They didn’t make much sense like that, but they were what drove Charlotte to walk up to Yami.

“Oh, hey.”

Yami’s greeting expressed his surprise well. The eyes that stared at her were shrouded in that dumb gaze. Charlotte spoke fast and breathily, forgetting to draw air while speaking. She didn’t want the subordinate to hear.

“I was wondering if you’d meet me tomorrow evening.”

“Tomorrow?”

Yami’s gaze flickered to the skies. He scratched his cheek.

“Look at you,” he then answered, and Charlotte could swear there was a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Sure.”

“Tomorrow then. Let’s say at six, at the--”

“--at the Grove,” Yami interrupted with a smirk.

Charlotte’s composure faltered, the stream of words sputtering to an end. She felt her face become fully red as she tried to regain her ability to speak. The Grove? It wasn’t the one she had planned to suggest, but it was an alright dining place. Not as fine as she had thought of - but it wasn’t that big of a deal. Perhaps because she hadn’t planned it out properly yet. From the corner of her eye, she saw Yami’s subordinate turn to look for his captain. She didn’t want him to see this.

“Cat got your tongue? The establishment not good enough?” Yami teased.

Yes, it was teasing. Charlotte could recognize it, even when his expression looked hurt and insulted. He had perfected that look.

“It’s fine,” Charlotte muttered, embarrassed and caught off-guard.

Yami smiled.

It was a smug smile.

Charlotte whirled around and went back to where she had been sitting, picking up her things and leaving with her half-eaten snack. She couldn’t bear to stay there any longer. No, she needed to go and work on the reports.

That was - if she could concentrate on them after this.

#Yami Sukehiro #Charlotte Roselei #black clover #yamichar #yamichar week 2021 #yamichar week

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kkeidawrites · 3 years

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Her.

Chapter 7

The long wait is over! Here’s chapter 7 for you lovies! Enjoy! Buckle up it’s going to be a long one!

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this chapter and the next chapter includes violence and lots and lots of murder that includes gore and blood. And language because of Trevor Belmont. If you do not like any of these things please feel free to leave this chapter, unfollow me, whatever you need to do to not want to read this anymore; I completely understand and will not have any hard feelings towards your decision. Thank you.

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The cold wind blew through the air and Alia shivered from the feeling. She was glad that the wire had finally stopped tightening around her middle and peaked an eye up through her curtain of black curls to see the sun was setting.

She has been in this place for a whole day. A whole day where she’d lost her niece and nephew. The only family she was supposed to be watching after when her brother and sister-in-law were away working. If she did get out of here, what was she to tell them? How could she tell them?

She was supposed to protect them and yet here she is, locked up in a cage, bound by a fairies weakness and probably will be joining her relatives in death soon.

Tears fell down her cheek and Alia jumped slightly when she felt her cage shake. Looking up, she saw the yellow teeth of her captor outside of the cage, leaning towards the bars with an evil smirk.

“Hey there little fairy,” he mused as Alia stared blankly at him.

“You got some good news. In two days time, you will be escorted to an auction for your wings. It’s very rare when creatures like you are sent straight to the auction and you want to know the best part about this news?” He asked as Alia glared at him.

“I have the pleasure of being your escort there and I can receive the reward for bringing you there!” He laughed as Alia turned away from him as the man walked away from her prison still laughing.

‘I hope that my death is quick. I don’t want to suffer.’ Her tears fell down her cheeks as she squeezed them in anger.

‘I should have done more for Desiana and Samuel and now they’re dead!’ Her silent sobbing wafted through the quiet forest and it suddenly grabbed the attention of someone nearby.

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

With Alucard and co.

The golden haired man watched from two miles away of the camp and looked down at his current attire. Nobleman clothing and black hair fitted to his person as Sypha was able to conjure up a spell to change his appearance.

Alucard’s face had changed to a different one everyone is familiar with and his eyes were now a brown color. He prayed that with this spell that it will stay as long as Sypha said it would.

Flashback

The five all gathered in Dracula’s study and listened intently to Lisa’s idea to rescue Alia.

“A rich man who is ‘buying’ night creatures? Isn’t that a bit to coincidental?” Trevor asked.

“Actually, from what I have read about these people is that if you are willing to offer a high price to buy even the most valuable night creature, they won’t refuse a good sack of coin. Remember this is still considered the black market. Be very cautious on how you talk to them.” Lisa told him.

“One of you will be a rich merchant looking for service in your estate and you believe that using night creatures will keep people away and not have many people ask questions about why you have monsters in your care. If they ask why night creatures, tell them you are a very private person who thinks people shouldn’t be in your business and the night creatures are your ‘insurance’ to make sure people won’t say a word.” Lisa concluded and the four in front of her mulled over the idea.

“What if they don’t believe that story? How can you insure they will believe you are a ‘rich merchant’?” Alucard asked his mother who smiled and pulled a sack out of her pocket letting it drop on the desk below.

“This is a sack full of rare diamonds that I had found when I was still traveling from town to town. This should be enough to sway them if not, give them the whole thing. When that is done they will allow you to browse the area and during that time you will be able to find Alia and get her out of there. How you go about getting out is all on you three.” Lisa said and Sypha placed a hand under her chin, thinking.

“I can make a spell to change your appearance.” She tells her two companions and Trevor immediately raised his hands in defiance.

“No way am I changing my person, I can’t act for shit.” Trevor said and Sypha rolled her eyes.

“I wasn’t talking to you anyway.” Sypha said and Alucard looked at Sypha with a raised eyebrow.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to change my appearance, I have to play the part.” He nodded to Sypha and the woman took a step back to get some space for her spell.

Concentrating, Sypha’s hands began to glow red and a mist flowed around Alucard’s body, sheeting him where no one was able to see his person anymore.

Once the mist disappeared, everyone’s eyes widened and their mouth became agape as the man looked down at his new clothes he looked at his friends and parents shocked expressions. He raised an eyebrow at their peculiar behavior.

“What?” Lisa was the first to approach her son and looked over his appearance. Her son basically pictured the younger and human version of her husband and she raised a black loc off his shoulder.

“Oh Adrian, you look so much like your father when he was young! You are just as handsome with black hair than your blonde. How incredible!” Lisa squeals as Alucard felt flustered by his mother’s praise.

“Mother, please.” He tells her a blush coming onto his cheeks.

Lisa then turns to Sypha who was panting a bit. This spell takes a lot of her and Lisa moved back over to Sypha to help her sit down in a nearby chair.

“So this is what you would have looked like if you had black hair, extraordinary.” His father mused. It was as if he was looking at himself a whole century ago. Even in his younger years, Vlad had the same brown eyes and long black hair his son sported and felt a bit nostalgic. Although he had changed into a vampire, there were times where he kind of missed being human.

“I’m sorry, I forget that this particular spell is very taxing on my body.” Sypha tells Lisa, who shakes her head.

“It’s fine dear, you have an amazing talent of magic, you just rest a bit.” Lisa tells her motherly.

“We should get going, who knows when and where they will be moving next and we need to get moving in order to save your lady friend.” Trevor tells everyone, his tease targeted Alucard who glared at the hunter.

“He’s right, I can still fight.” Sypha stood from her place in her seat, feeling a bit dizzy as Lisa helped her steady herself.

“But, we must be quick, this spell can only last an hour or so before it wears off.” Sypha tells them and Dracula was quick to move to the mirror where the camp was located and moved it to see a different place that looked a good mile away from the camp.

“This should be close enough to the camp to sneak into. Be careful they may be henchmen but they are not idiots.” He tells the three.

Alucard adjusted his sword at his hip and moved to stand in front of the mirror with his two companions behind him.

“Let’s go.” Alucard says and he and the others stepped into the mirror leaving Lisa and Dracula to watch after them. Lisa worries for their safety but knows they will come out victorious in the end.

Flashback Ends

Trevor approaches Alucard and the dhampir turns to the man who had a concerned look on his face.

“Sypha can’t go for too long, she has returned to the castle to recover but, she will help us from there. Your father says to return to the area to go back through the mirror once we retrieve your friend.” Trevor tells Alucard who nods in understanding.

“Let’s get going. This spell can only last for an hour or so, that should give us enough time to get Alia out of there.” Alucard told him and the two made their way towards the camp.

Their identities were hidden as best as possible. Trevor had doned his fur cloak, hiding his Belmont crest on his shirt and Alucard made sure that the both of them walked as quick as possible in order to prolong the spell. If the spell broke, their plan would be ruined.

Trevor would play as Alucard’s head bodyguard and he would be playing backup just encase things don’t go as smoothly as possible.

As they approached the camp, two men with swords by their sides stood guard at the entrance and immediately their swords were drawn when Alucard and Trevor came closer.

“Who goes there?” One of the men asked as Alucard held his hands up to show he meant no harm.

“I am here to buy a couple night creatures to serve me.” He tells the man who stared at him.

“What you need night creatures for? You a business man?” He asked Alucard who nods. A smirk plays on his lips as the guard turns to his fellow guard.

“Tell the boss we have a buyer.” He says and the second guard nods giving an apprehensive look to Alucard and Trevor before quickly leaving the area.

A few minutes pass and the second guard returned with a burly man who was quite stout with red hair and matching mustache.

“I heard from my men that you are interested in the product we have here. What you interested in buying?” He asked.

“I wanted to browse around your camp to see if the creatures you have vacant here will be what I need for my estate.” Alucard tells him.

“Hmm, your estate huh?” The red head looks over Alucard’s attire and realized he was dressed like a rich nobleman but, anyone could do that.

“How can I know that you are a buyer? I see no large coin purse on you.” The man says and Alucard lifted his palm out to Trevor who reached his left side and grabbed the large pouch of diamonds.

Giving it to Alucard, the dhampir unlaced the strings of the pouch and the diamonds on top of the pile spilled over to shine. If you looked closely, you could see the money signs bling in the red haired man’s eyes.

“Well then! I guess I ought to show you what we have in our catalog, won’t I, Mr...?” He coaxed to Alucard who fluffed out his collar to keep up his act.

“Arikado. Genya Arikado.” Alucard says.

“Mr. Arikado,” he says and then nods moving over to place a hand on his shoulder to guide him into the camp.

“My name is Henrik and I am what I guess you could say is the manager of this camp. Feel free to ask me anything as we browse through the merchandise.” He says.

He notices that Trevor is following close behind and moves to whisper in Alucard’s ear.

“Do you need him to come as well?” Henrik asks.

“He is one of my bodyguards, the best I had hired. He stays with me at all times.” Alucard tells him as Henrik nods quickly seeing that his comment made his potential future client greatly offended.

“But of course sir, you seem to be a very important man and as such must have a lot of protection and money as well.” Henrik says with a smirk as they begin to pass cages with different creatures inside of them. Alucard’s eyes scanned the cages closely and so far there was no sign of Alia.

“Yes, my family has been quite wealthy for almost forty years and quite familiar with the church of my hometown.” Alucard fibs.

“What town, I dare ask?” Henrik asks.

“Aldra. Although we lack a lot of men, we are the most prosperous city on the countryside.” Alucard says.

Money signs played in Henrik’s eyes and he licked his lips in greed.

“Then I shall show you our most exclusive creatures we have on the market that you may be of interest.” He tells Alucard and guides him towards the back of the camp where a long chain cut off the other cages nearby.

Removing the chain, Henrik motioned to Alucard and Trevor to step in first then followed behind them. Again his eyes scanned the cages and then the sound of sobs reached his ears as he turned his head right to see a pair of familiar wings and curly black hair.

“Here we have a rare blue eyed werewolf, caught him a week ago. Had a hard time bagging this one, he’s been our most asked and most popular creature on the market. Bout to be on auction in the next two days.” He explains to Alucard who clearly wasn’t paying any mind to Henrik.

“What about that one?” Alucard points to Alia’s cage and Henrik looks to where he is pointing and raises his eyebrows.

“The fairy? What could you possibly want a fairy for, sir? They are actually the least valuable ones in the black market.” Henrik tells him. Alucard’s steely glare shifts to Henrik and the red head jumps back in fear.

“But, that doesn’t mean I won’t stop you from being interested in buying! Why don’t we check the fairy out and see if she is any of your liking.” Henrik says with a nervous chuckle as he moved to where Alia’s cage was. Alucard and Trevor followed and once they were by the bars of the cage Henrik banged the bars to get the fairy’s attention.

“Hey wake up! You have a potential buyer, make yourself presentable!” Henrik yells into the cage as Alia’s slumped form jumped from the sudden banging.

She slowly shifts her body to where she was sitting on her knees and looked at Alucard with sad, defeated eyes. Alucard’s eyes widened at the state Alia was in and his jaw clenched in anger.

Her vibrant and glowing brown skin was now a pale ashen brown color, her wings were down and fluttering every now and then and it looked like every time she did flutter her wings she would winch from the pain. Her head dropped to look down at her knees and her black curls curtained her face.

Something was holding her around the middle as her arms laid trapped by her sides.

“What is that around her middle? Rope?” Alucard asked, keeping his anger out of his tone.

“That is actually an iron wire that is around her. It’s their kinds weakness and it has what been keeping her in check. Came in last night and from my sources she is part water sprite and fairy. She raises in value in the market, if they are more than one creature their value increases-”

“How much for her?” Alucard asks interrupting his rant.

“My good sir, she’s unfortunately not for sale.”

“Excuse me?” Alucard turns to the man with murder in his eyes.

“I-I simply meant that she is not allowed to be purchased right now! She’s up for auction!” Henrik explains in fear.

“I have enough here to buy your whole camp. You would dare prevent me from purchasing just one fairy. What kind of business are you running?” Alucard asked Henrik who gulps.

“I’m sorry sir, but it has already been sent to other camps that this fairy is up for auction, I can however show you other fairies that are available-”

“I said I want her. I want her. NOW.” Alucard says darkly getting close to the man. Henrik gulps heavily and begins to nod profusely.

“Yes sir, right away sir! Right away!” Henrik says and calls for some men to open the cage.

It took three men to open the cage, one to unlock the chains and two to raise the bars leading inside the cage. Alucard moved to enter the cage and approached the hurt fairy.

Alia scrambled to the edge of her prison to get away from the black haired man that he knelt in front of her. His brown eyes softened and he reached his hand out to brush away her hair and look in her scared eyes.

His hand then fell down to her cheek and gently caressed it, he then smiled gently at her and Alia tilted her head in confusion. He looked familiar.

“She’s perfect.” Alucard says and Henrik nods with a rub to his head. He knew his higher ups would be upset with him but, when he shows them how much he had for letting someone else buy the fairy they would probably let him get a higher position.

“Shall we have her packaged for you, sir?” Henrik asked.

Alucard nods to Trevor who grabbed the back of Alia’s rope and tugged her roughly towards him. Alia yelps and grunts from the pain of the wire tightening around her.

“I believe my guard has a pretty good hold on her. Now, your payment.” Alucard says.

“Yes, her original price was 7,000 coins. But, with the extraction fee, and the storage fee-”

“13 diamonds to cover all the expenses should be enough, yes?” Alucard asks as he dug inside the pouch to grab them and then toss it to Henrik who greedily caught them and inspected them to see they were indeed real diamonds.

“Of course sir, she is all yours. Pleasure doing business with you.” He bows to Alucard and the dhampir nods to the man taking his leave.

“We shall be on our way now. I will be sure to return soon for more creatures.” Alucard tells the man as Henrik escorted them out his eyes twinkling at his the treasure he held in his hands.

“Please do return soon sir, we appreciate your service here.” Henrik says.

Alia begins to struggle in Trevor’s grip and the man pulls her closer to stop her and leans his head down to her ear.

“Be still and be quiet we are here to help you.” He tells her and Alia immediately stills at the new information.

Help her? Who the hell were they?

As they were approaching the entrance, the bottom of Alucard’s long brown cloak began to revert back to its original black and slowly the rest of his outfit followed suit. Trevor quickly noticed and cleared his throat to get the dhampir’s attention.

Alucard side eyed his companion and Trevor pointed his eyes down to his cloak and Alucard realizes the spell was fading away.

Henrik noticed that his client was suddenly tense and placed a hand on his sword, thinking nothing of it, Henrik continued to guide them back to the entrance of the camp.

As they approached the front Alucard’s whole outfit was different from the one he was in earlier. He prayed that Henrik didn’t notice but unfortunately the red head did as he turned and raised an eyebrow.

“Mr. Arikado if I may ask were you always wearing that outfit?” Henrik questions.

“My attire is able to change on its own, my hometown has made a thread that allows my attire to change its appearance depending on the time of day. It’s quite extraordinary, I have went from business attire to casual attire. Now, then I must take my leave-”

“Does that also include your hair changing from black to blonde as well?” Henrik asks and flicked his fingers in the air.

“Adrian?” Alia’s breathless voice called to the dhampir and he turns his head to her with a small smile.

Suddenly, men surrounded the four of them with weapons drawn as Henrik frowns and takes a step back to allow the men to circle the three.

“You see Mr. Arikado, I don’t like to be played the fool and though you have payed me handsomely for the fairy, it would seem that you have made my interest in what you are to take you to the auction than her.” Henrik says as he smirks.

Alucard’s grip on his sword tightens as he frowns.

“Get them!” Henrik yells and the men slowly approaches the three with sickening grins.

“Fuck.” Trevor curses as he looks around the men.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

End of Part 7

1// 2// 3// 4// 5// 6// 7// 8// Bonus!!

#castlevania!alucard x reader #black reader #black!reader #castlevania #fanfiction #castlevania x reader #my writing #alucard #adrian tepes #adrian tepes x reader #black oc #her. pt. 7 #netflix castlevania #castlevania oc

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wu-sisyphus-gang · 3 years

Text

Motion Sickness 37

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It was well known that Yang didn’t let just anybody touch her hair but I had always been an exception. Almost.

Some of my first memories of Yang’s hair. Yeah, the distant swish of the cloak and the petals and stuff too. My mother’s voice and the feel of warm light and skin.

But there was Yang’s hair next, golden and true. Much more firm than the silver imprint mom left in my heart. I could remember playing in the stuff, like a mound of straw and burying my face in it forever.

I didn’t remember that day in the wagon. But I do remember the aftermath. I could hear my father shouting, his fear was the only thing that ever actually provoked his rage. When he finally stopped his tirade and let her back inside to see me and uncle Qrow her eyes were already red.

From crying, rather than anger.

He watched her run up to me and pick me up.

“Ruby, I’m so sorry.” She’d sobbed and grabbed me so tightly in her arms. She cried too hard. I couldn’t help but burst into tears with her.

“C-c-can I?” I asked. She pulled back and looked hard into my eyes. She waited patiently with tears running down both of our faces. I choked on the words, “can I brush your hair?”

She’d giggled as tears poured from her eyes. She’d nodded furiously and we both calmed down as I combed through the golden locks.

Then when I was older, I remember the two years that I had to wait before going to school, where I wasn’t around my sister every day, if only barely. I remember waiting by the door for her to come back and to sit behind her and braid it, and brush it, and I could finally tell her all the things I’d been waiting to.

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We never found Jaune's body.

It was the implications of that which were the worst part.

Sure, we never found the relic either but that was secondary. My heart felt so heavy and fit to break at any moment.

It was like when Cinder incinerated Pyrrha all over again.

We found Ren and Nora, they'd died to some deep slashes and thrusts but that couldn't have been Jaune. There was no way. There must be some other explanation.

When Cinder had come back up my eyes had flared up again in her presence and I'd nearly blown her away with the power it had summoned. Emerald carried Cinder away while the other held us off. They escaped. They fled before our superior numbers especially when Blake showed up with reinforcements. I somehow couldn't even be happy about that either, seeing Blake again.

I felt like somebody had turned my heart and legs to lead and laid miserably in my bed at our rental. I could still smell Jaune's scent. A heavy, spice-like odor. It made my eyes water. Jaune, Ren, and Nora were gone.

"Ruby?" Yang knocked at the door. I knew she was worried about me. That was the only reason I responded.

"What's up sis?" It was weak.

"We… we need to talk."

"I keep telling everyone it wasn't Jaune. There must be something else happening."

"Ruby the marks on their bodies was consistent with Jaune's weapon." Yang sounded tired.

"Jaune wouldn't do that. All of you are doubting him. All of you think he killed them and took off with the relic but there was no need to do that! He could have betrayed me to Tyrion. He could have set us up in a dozen different ways. It doesn't make any sense."

"Ozpin said that the Grimm that was in there would allow communication. Communication between whoever and Salem. He says Jaune could have been a sleeper agent who only activated at the right code or phrase. No one thinks the Jaune we knew did it, Ruby. But he still did it."

"It isn't fair. Jaune would never. Not to Ren and Nora."

"Rubes…"

"Don't call me that!" I snapped more than I meant to.

"Ruby we have to talk about what to do next. You should be there for that."

I curled up, wrapping my hands around my stomach. It just hurt so much. More than I could bear. The pain made me writhe against the sheets in agony.

"Ruby!"

"I-it just h-hurts so much." I sobbed out. "W-what a-ah-m I supposed to do?"

"We move on, Ruby. It's all we can do."

"I can't. Not from this."

"Ruby I love Blake." Yang confessed sitting down next to me. "I know how you're feeling right now. When she left it took me months to pull myself together."

I grabbed fistfulls of my sister's hair and cried into it like I had when I was a young girl. I sobbed so hard it racked my body. The pain I felt in my chest was just too intense.

"But eventually I just had to. You know? You'll bounce back from this. I promise you will. I know it feels like so much right now but it will get better."

"No one expects you to be okay right now. Just do what you can." She held me as I cried. It didn't work, didn't make me feel much better. I missed Jaune's touch, the feel of his arms around me. I missed his aura, always so strong, so certain. So full. "Just do what you can and the rest of us will support you."

"Wh-what about Jaune?"

"We'll find him and do what we can for him."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know Ruby. I don't have all the answers. We have to assume Jaune is taking the relic to Salem. We have to stop her from getting her hands on the others too. Whatever that means. Whatever it takes."

"I don't wanna think about that anymore."

"No one blames you. Just take your time."

Yang stood up, leaving me curled up on the bed.

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I came down the steps in our rental for the first time in a day. Everyone looked over at me and I wished they wouldn't.

I sniffled.

"How are you Ruby?" Weiss asked, rubbing one arm with the other nervously. She was holding two mugs and she passed one to me, creamey and sugary just how I liked it.

I took it and wiped my face. Weiss was doing what she could for me. I met her blue eyes and saw a resolved strength in them. I'd always admired that quiet calm she possessed

How was I supposed to answer? That I felt like a fragile teacup? Set to shatter at a moment's notice and like nothing would ever be right again. I burned. They just stood there as I burned and no one would help. Could help.

Weiss was trying, reaching out to me desperately. Yang, too. I'd have to manage for them.

"A little better," I managed. "Not so good, though." I tried to smile but it was weak.

"We're here for you Ruby." Weiss said. "Whatever you need."

I needed Jaune. Weiss just wasn't enough right now. She was a lot but not enough. I felt like I'd never be whole. And I knew that he needed me. He needed us. Wherever he was he was hurting. His scroll feed had died and he was totally missing.

"I heard about you and Jaune," Blake muttered. "It can't be easy with what he did."

"I have all of you," I said. "And it's not what he did. Salem must have done something to him. He would never turn on us like that. Not on Ren and Nora either." I was adamant. They'd see. "He needs our help wherever he is. He needs my help even if he doesn't know it. Even if he's something else at the moment. And I'll be there to help him when we meet again." In my heart of hearts I knew I'd see him again. For now I had my partner, I had my team. I had my friends. That would have to be enough. Have to be.

Weiss gave me a weak smile back. She stood up and led me down the rest of the stairs and sat me down and kept one arm around me.

"What's our next play?" Yang asked. "We have no reason to stay here."

"With the Atlas embargo I worry for James next." Ozpin said through Oscar's lips. "Now that Salem ," he emphasized, perhaps for my sake, "will soon have the relic of knowledge it is imperative that we prevent the other relics from falling into her hands."

"These relics," Blake began, "what happens if she gets them all?"

"The relics all have power, for example it is the relic of creation which is responsible for levitating the upper city of Atlas. And with the relic of knowledge she can ask the lamp any question and receive a true and full answer. Both would be and are incredibly dangerous in her hands."

Yang let out a low whistle.

"The relic of knowledge has limits for example only three questions may be asked every one hundred years. And it cannot answer questions about those events yet to pass."

"So the relics are an end unto themselves." Blake clarified. "She doesn't need them for anything."

Ozpin hesitated. He leaned on his cane. "With the relics," he went on at length, "all of them together, she can summon the old gods back to Remnant. That is what we must prevent. If the gods are summoned too soon, before humanity is ready, they shall wipe out their creation and humanity with it."

It was Qrow's turn to whistle.

"Lords above." Weiss murmured.

"Before humanity is ready?" Yang questioned. "What exactly does that mean?"

"While humanity remains divided."

"Before we have accomplished world peace?" Weiss sounded shocked.

"Precisely that."

"That's Salem's plan then. Why she keeps us divided," I determined.

"Yes. It is also why I try to unify the states across Remnant."

"We're not ready." Blake said. "The Whitefang alone is enough reason for them to destroy us all."

"Indeed. And why we should make our next steps to Atlas and prevent the staff of creation from falling into her hands. As I mentioned I fear for James. If he has turned on us as Leo had…" he let that thought hang in the air.

Weiss let out a smoldering sigh but said nothing. I rubbed her back and leaned on her shoulder. I knew she wanted nothing to do with Atlas. Not after she just escaped. She wanted to go back like she wanted a hole in her head.

"The borders are closed, though." Yang protested. "This is all well and good but how do we actually get in?"

"Argus." Qrow said. "Argus is still the largest military base outside of the kingdom. It's the one place that isn't closed or shut down. Get there, and we may be able to convince them to give us a ride to Solitas."

"I suppose we do have Weiss. That alone might be enough to convince them. And if we can get a message through to Ironwood he may make an exception." Blake plotted. "Perhaps you set up a code before you -um- died." She looked at Ozpin and Oscar.

"And James will be doing all he can to get communications up and running. It will be the fastest way to restore things after the Black-Out day," Ozpin agreed. "For once, time may be on our side."

"It might mean sending Weiss ahead alone." Yang picked out. "They might make an exception for her and not the rest of us. If you went on alone do you think you could get a message to Ironwood."

"Yes. I do." Weiss exhaled. She didn't make it sound pleasant. "If nothing else I should be able to get in contact with my sister and she works extremely closely with him."

"Well it's a plan, a loose plan which might be for the best under the circumstances." Blake said.

That made me miss Jaune. He was always the strategist and I shook slightly in Weiss's arms. She squeezed me closer to her with a concerned look. I'd need to stop worrying her. I'd need to be strong. I'd need to be better. Jaune was counting on me as were my team.

"Perhaps we should take time to remember the fallen. Argus is going nowhere and James is skilled at what he does. Closing the border was an excellent move, all things considered. At least at keeping the agents of Salem away. Unrestricted access might be more concerning and I suppose he's due a little paranoia under the circumstances. What happened at Beacon was… traumatic. For everyone."

I gave him a shallow nod. I wondered if I'd start to lose my team too the way Jaune had. That horrible thought was nearly enough to send me scattering across the floor. It was a hard thought to swallow, my team were just as mortal and could be unwound as easily as Jaune's had. I resolved to never let it happen. I imagined Jaune had made a similar resolution, though.

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"How are you really doing Ruby?" Weiss asked. We stood alone out in our little courtyard. I inhaled a shaking sigh.

"Not good Weiss. It's bad. It's really bad. You weren't there but Jaune was often there to help keep me going. When things were bad against Vernal and the Knuckelavee."

She rubbed my back. I leaned into the feeling of her fingers against my bare skin. Our aura's overlapped slightly. Her's was a frigid yet familiar thing. The feeling was like being inside while it was snowing out. It was like holding a hot cup of chocolate in one hand and resting. You could feel the crispness in the air but it couldn't touch you. I breathed the feeling of it in. It was different from the almost-too-warm of Yang's aura or the flaring intensity of Jaune's.

"I know how much you must be missing him. Ren and Nora too."

I cried a little at their names. "They'd be happy, I think that they went out together. Finally," I said. "And you? Weiss? You never liked him!" I laughed a little.

"Hey! I started to see what you and Pyrrha were on about. At least towards the end. He was a good guy."

"He was so sweet. He'd do anything I asked him to. He would have killed and died for me."

"A big old golden retriever," Weiss agreed. "That must have been scary."

"A little. I mean who wants that kind of responsibility?”

"You know I'd kill and die for you too, Ruby."

"I know, Weiss. But… I just can't right now. Can't think about that. I don't want that kind of responsibility. And he became dangerous, too." I took a drink from my coffee. "And I got to watch him grow. I got to feel like I was a part of it."

"I saw him fighting Cinder. He wasn't doing bad. At least while his semblance was active. His semblance… do you think it might help him break out of Salem's influence."

"Probably." The semblance was about the soul. Even if she poisoned his mind there was that piece of him that had to remain, right? "Weiss, do you think he's out there right now? Alone and scared?"

"Have you met Jaune recently. I think Salem should be scared of what he's going to do to her. He's going to cut her head off. He's pretty particular about revenge and I think Ren and Nora will count."

"That's only if he isn't blaming himself. Do you think he knows how much we all love him?"

"He's in pain, wherever he is. That's for sure. I… Even if he breaks free I'm not sure he'll be able to live with himself." Weiss played things straight. Jaune did that too. He never lied to me, even to comfort me. I think that's one of the things I liked about him. He was always just there beside me anyways.

"You think he might take his own life?"

"If it's that or be a pawn of Salem's, I think it's a possibility."

"And there's nothing I can do about it." I cried a little more and Weiss wrapped me in her arms. I inhaled the scent of her pale hair. The tranquil creamy smell of her shampoo filled my jammed nostrils. I rested my chin on her shoulder.

"You'll be there. You'll be ready to help him. We'll be there to help him."

"How can you even say that. I wasn't there to help him this time."

"You can't blame yourself. You won. You drove back Cinder again. And the relic... well who cares about the relic. Ozpin mentioned he used some of the questions before he sealed it away. Sure it matters for the long term but none of that should matter to you right now. You just focus on getting better. And besides, this was all Salem's doing. She did this to him. To us."

"I know it's stupid but… he was such a good kisser too. That's really getting to me today. I could use some of that right about now." I cried a little more.

Weiss wiped the tears from my face as she gazed at me. She kissed my cheek gently. it wasn't quite the same, nor would I have wanted it to have been. It wasn't as full. She didn't have to lean down and make an effort out of it, not like Jaune would have. And he would have for me. Then she pulled me close again. We stayed that way for a long time. A long long time.

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-WG

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gwenbrightly · 3 years

Text

It’s the Thought That Counts... Right???

Here’s a short oneshot I wrote inspired by a discussion we were having about post MoTO Garmadon trying to understand holiday traditions.

“Would you like to come in out of the cold… sir?” a tavern keeper called, sticking her head through the doorway of a nearby building. She was staring at him. People always stared at Garmadon, even when he had hidden his oni form under a cloak or other manner of disguise. It wasn’t like it was his fault he was so tall and bulky. Or that he had an extra set of appendages.

He muttered a quick,

“Thank you,” – that was the term used to express gratitude, right? – before following her into the tavern. He couldn’t help but relax as the warmth from the fireplace on the other side of the room washed over him. Music softly played a song about someone named Santa. Garmadon didn’t know who that was, but the villagers must have, because several of them were singing along.

He wandered to a far corner of the tavern and seated himself in a booth. Might as well get comfortable while he warmed himself. Garmadon allowed himself a moment to simply listen to the music and empty his brain of the confusing thoughts and questions about life that so often filled his days. It was nice to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the tavern.

“So, stranger, can I get you anything?” the tavern keeper, who’s name tag read Mauve, asked him after a few minutes.

“I’ll take the strongest black coffee you have,” Garmadon answered. He could have ordered tea, he supposed, but it was far more fun to spite his brother. Even if Wu wasn’t actually here to gasp dramatically at his sin.

“Would you like any creamer or sugar?”

Garmadon shook his head in the negative. Mauve scribbled something on her notepad and disappeared into what he assumed was the kitchen.

As he waited for her to return, Garmadon glanced about the tavern. Mauve certainly had an odd taste in decor. The walls were lined with strands of greenery and little red berries. There was a tree coated in glittery froufrou near the fireplace. Why anyone would put a tree indoors was beyond him. And why decorate said tree? What purpose could it possibly serve?

“Here’s your coffee, sir,” Mauve announced, pulling Garmadon from his thoughts. She set his drink down on the table, and next to it, an oddly shaped white and red striped object. He stared at it in confusion.

“What is this?” he wanted to know. Mauve had the audacity to laugh as she replied,

“Have you… never seen a candy cane before?”

For the first time in a long time, Garmadon had a sudden desire to stab something. With immense self restraint, he decided to focus on the issue that was least likely to get him arrested – the nature of this… cane made of candy.

“Candy cane?” he repeated, trying to hide his curiosity. Mauve smiled at him.

“Yes. It’s a peppermint flavored sugar made in the shape of a cane. Candy canes are a Christmas staple.”

Christmas. Garmadon vaguely remembered overhearing talk of the holiday in one of the other villages he’d passed through. It was another mystery of the universe he had yet to unravel.

“Ah.”

“Well, if you need anything else, I’ll be over working the counter.” Mauve said, nodding her head towards the bar, where several families sat doing… something. Garmadon waited until she was gone to unwrap the candy cane and give it a tentative lick. Too sweet, yet somehow bitter at the same time. He wasn’t impressed. Taking a swig of coffee to rid himself of the taste, he stared out the window at the snowflakes that lazily drifted on the winter breeze. Most humans would probably say the view was beautiful. As much as he hated to admit it, he was beginning to see why they enjoyed the season so much.

15 minutes and an entire cup of coffee later, Garmadon meandered towards the bar. Staring out the window could only hold his attention for so long before he grew bored and now he was looking for something new to occupy him. Mauve glanced up from the papers she was folding.

“Ready for a refill?”

“Thank you, but no,” Garmadon told her, tossing a few coins on the counter as payment for his drink. The tavern keeper nodded thoughtfully.

“Would you like to join us in making Christmas cards, then?” she inquired motioning at the array of materials being used by several of the tavern’s patrons, “You don’t seem like the type, but I’m happy to get you the supplies if you’re interested.”

Garmadon eyed her skeptically.

“Tell me about these… Christmas cards.”

“You really don’t know much about Christmas, do you?” Mauve commented, more to herself than to him. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I…”

“That’s okay! We’ll teach you all about it!” offered the child sitting on the nearest stool, giving him a huge grin.

“You really don’t have to-” Garmadon began to protest. Mauve cut him off.

“Oh, no. Kelly is right. We’re teaching you how to make Christmas cards, and then you’re learning at least one Christmas carol.”

Garmadon groaned, but half-heartedly allowed himself to be taught the arts of card making. It wouldn’t be his best work, oh no, for he definitely wasn’t ready to admit that he maybe kind of cared about Lloyd – or for Lloyd to realize that he cared. But it was a start. After all, people kept telling him there was more to life than surviving.

______________________

Thunk! Thunk! Bang!

“We must have a visitor,” noted Lloyd just as a snowball hit him in the face. “Rude,” he complained. Kai sniggered, earning him a vicious glare from both his sister and the Green Ninja.

Bang! There was another knock on the gates.

“Perhaps we should call a truce and let whoever is out there in before they break the gates down,” Zane suggested before Lloyd could plan a counterattack. Cole nodded, dropping his own snowball as he spoke.

“That’s probably wise.”

The others sighed, but refrained from continuing their snowball fight. Their companions were right and they were curious to see who had made the icy trek up the mountainside to the monastery. Lloyd shot Kai his best we’ll continue this later and made for the gates just as another knock sounded.

“Could you be any more impatient?” he muttered under his breath. Giving one of the gates a tug inward, he was greeted by the mailman, who was looking at his wristwatch in annoyance.

“About time,” the mailman said, brushing past Lloyd without saying hello.

“Hello, Mr. Mailman! Would you like to come inside for some hot cocoa?” Zane greeted brightly. The mailman shook his head vigorously.

“No, no. I have lots of other deliveries to make, what with it being the holidays and all. Not to mention, I’m not entirely convinced this package doesn’t contain a bomb, and I’d rather not stick around to find out,” he replied hurriedly. The ninja glanced at each other.

“Why?” “Who’s it for?”

Cole and Jay asked at the same time.

“The package is addressed to the Green Ninja himself,” the mailman stated, shoving it at Lloyd with considerable delicacy, “if it is a bomb, please don’t bother filing a complaint with the Bureau of Mail Delivery and Package Sending. Remember. I’m just the messenger,” and with that, the mailman was gone.

“That was… odd,” commented Nya, raising an eyebrow. Lloyd hummed thoughtfully as he stared at the package the mailman had been so desperate to be rid of.

“It’s the mailman, sis. He’s always kinda kooky if you ask me,” Kai said, unconcerned. Silence fell as the group gathered around their brother to get a closer look at the package.

“It’s – it’s from my father…” Lloyd announced after a moment, completely shocked. No one knew quite how to respond to this news. The last time they’d seen Garmadon had been while Lloyd was still unconscious after the battle with the Oni. He hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye. And to be perfectly honest, no one was really sure they could trust the warlord not to continue his deceitful ways.

“Ah. Well, that explains the mention of a potential bomb threat, then,” Zane observed.

“Yeah…” Lloyd coughed awkwardly.

“So… are you gonna chuck it off the mountain and watch for a mushroom cloud? Or are you gonna open it and hope for the best?” Jay asked ever so tactfully. Lloyd thought for a moment before replying.

“Hhh… Kai, do me a favor and grab those tongs you keep in the forge. We’re gonna need em’.”

The master of fire was quick to follow Lloyd’s instructions and returned momentarily with a sturdy, and especially long, pair of tongs. Everyone took a step back as Lloyd set the package in a patch of snow away from anything important (his uncle would kill him if he accidentally set something on fire so close to Christmas). He gripped the tongs tightly and edged them carefully toward one end of the package.

“Here goes nothing,” Lloyd whisperer, snagging a flap of packaging and ripping it upwards. The seconds ticked by, but nothing exploded, beeped, or vibrated. He poked the package. Still, nothing. Curiosity getting the better of him, Lloyd pulled the rest of the dirty brown wrapping away from the contents of the package.

“Candy canes?” Lloyd couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Why on earth would Garmadon send him candy canes?

“There’s a card, too,” Nya said, plucking an envelope from the torn packaging. She passed it to Lloyd, who tentatively opened it.

“Dear Loyd,

The anoying villagers here tell me it is customarie to send cards to people you… people you’re related to. I don’t know why I’m alloweing them to dictate my life, but here:” Lloyd read aloud from the front of the folded piece of paper, struggling to make sense of the messy handwriting and questionable spelling. And, more so, struggling to understand what was happening. He had long ago lost any hope that he and Garmadon could ever go back to what they had once been. Had believed that their formerly loving relationship was permanently dead.

Biting his lip, Lloyd unfolded the envelope. The drawing inside was quite possibly the most hilariously insulting caricature of himself that Lloyd had ever seen. His initial shock at receiving a gift (?) from Garmadon was replaced with a squeak of laughter. He couldn’t help it; the image was simply too much for him to take.

“Are you okay, buddy?” Cole asked, concerned by Lloyd’s sudden change in demeanor.

“I-I don’t know,” Lloyd half laughed, half cried. He held out the card so the others could see.

“That’s sure… something else,” Nya commented.

“Yeah. I didn’t realize you had 4 arms, Lloyd,” Kai added, perhaps a bit too entertained by the interesting features Garmadon had given his brother. Nya viciously elbowed his side, but he shrugged unrepentantly. “What? It’s true.”

“Permission to laugh?” Jay asked. He was still ogling the image and Lloyd could tell he was only barely reigning himself in.

“I. Yeah, sure. Go ahead,” Lloyd relented, “I guess it is a pretty hilarious drawing.”

As Jay and Kai took full advantage of the invitation to let their true feelings show, Nya turned to Lloyd.

“Guess you won’t be forgetting this Christmas any time soon, huh?” she asked, a wry smile on her face. Lloyd laughed softly. Maybe this whole thing was a prank, maybe Garmadon had simply wanted to mess with him. But maybe, just maybe, his father was finally learning to care about someone other than himself. And that was a thought Lloyd could cling to on Christmas morning, when he felt the absence of those he had lost most keenly. A thought that gave him hope that perhaps someday, his family might possibly be complete again.

#ninjago #ninjago fanfiction #Garmadon tries to understand Christmas #It has.... mixed results #but he's trying #Lloyd is rightfully confused #Sorry for not including the pizza Vy #Myfics #validate meee #ninjago christmas fic

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shakespeareismydad · 3 years

Text

My thought process as I watch season 7 of GoT

-S07E03

-Can Cersei please shut up god, I’m so tired of listening to her talk

-Qyburn can suck a dick

-i have never hated a character more in my life

-this is painful to watch

-oh no not the ince*t, god anything but that, I’m so over it

-STOP KISSING

-no one cares if you're the queen stop fucking your brother

-i would love to see cersei burned by a dragon

-brooding buddies ahaha

-this scene is so pretty, the way his cloak blows in the wind is *chefs kiss*

-tyrion and jon interacting makes me happy

-“are you trying to present you're own statements as wise wisdom” PleaSe

-don’t make me think about robb and rickon PleaSe

-fucking lord baelish ugh

-sansa and her quick fire wit

-there are some chars i cant stand listening to

-ooh is it arya, please i hope it is,

-its bran instead oop, didn’t expect that,, hug it OUT

-bran is so pretty wow

-this is so sweet, the way the snow enhances her hair is *chefs kiss*

-oh no is Sam gonna be in trouble for helping jorah

-this is nice

-i hope sam doesnt get kicked out of the cidatal

-GO SAM

-ive heard so much about Casterly Rock and this is the first time I’m seeing it and tbh the hype wasn’t worth it

-SECRET TUNNEL!!

-pointy stick go stabby stabby

-FUCKING EURON AGAIN I SWEAR

-canny hack it, am not enjoying this

-for fuck sake the lannisters are at highgarden and for why

-I still don’t know if i like Jamie Lannister or not

-they aren’t gonna kill ornella, i hope not

-they really think they're gonna win how embarrassing

-she really just drank the wine

-the fact that jamie is jofferys dad still grosses me out

-S07E04

-pretty op scene

-Tom Hopper in game of thrones whaattttt

-Oh my god, every time i see cersei i wanna take my eyeballs out

-i don’t trust baelish with bran

-i don’t trust baelish period.

-imagine giving a kid a dagger that almost killed him i-

-i don’t want meera to leave

--alot of people died for bran ouch

-wait bran died, hol up, does that hes ACTUALLY the three eyed raven this time

-ARYA JUST GOT HOME

-they better let arya in

-Arya gone ahah

-sansa and arya moment, reunited at last

-this moment is kinda sad tbh

-this is so wholesome

-its sad again, i wish robb and rickon were here too

-”its wasted on a cripple” i bby noo

-brans wheelchair is so nifty

-i love podrick payne

-okay but theyre outfits are kinda bomb

-thats a lot of fucking dragonglass

-secret cave what will it hold

-the children and the first men are smart

-yess queen fight with them, wait bend the knee i- nevermind

-ion like this, does she really think he’ll bend the knee and the north folk will be happy

-what now

-oh no shes angry and doubting tyrion that cant be good

-jon is so pretty

-Daenerys’ shoulder broche thing is so cool, i want one

-brianne and pod training together is so nice

-im so proud of arya, what a bad bitch

-seeing arya ad brianne train has me shook

-”I’m a Bastard” me too jon me too

-ITS THEON I MISSED HIM

-uh-oh jon doesn't look happy to see theon

-are they gonna hug

-NO THEY ARENT FINNA HUG, pleas no fighting

-im glad he isnt killing theon

-the queen is gone?! Miss thing where did she go

-i can't get over the fact that tom hopper is in game of Thrones

-Fuck the queen especially Cersei

-its gone all quiet that means something bad is gonna happen oh no

-this shit gives me anxiety

-thats a lot of dothraki

-"we can hold them off" my guy no you cant

-she brought her dragon good luck holding them off now pahahah

-is this where jamie dies, I wouldn't be mad :|

-miss thing its over for them

-everything is going up in flames i- why are they still fight back at this point

-if ser bronn dies I'm gonna be mad

-sliced off the horse leg and for what

-deadass though if bronn dies I'm done

-i have so much anxiety oh no

-thats a big fucking arrow

-tyrion looks so sad oh no

-jamie is gonna die if he does boost soon

-I dont want the Dragons to get hurt ahhh

-i love bronn but king this ain't it

-HE HIT THE DRAGON THAT DANI IS ON I- THIS ISNT GOOD

-he blew the arrow thing up instead

-jamie leave youre going to die

-mayhe I don't want him to die just yet but he should listen to tyrion and fuck off

-ser bronn to the rescue?!?!

-im so stressed out ahaha

S07E05

-canny hack it they almost drowned

-jamie 'the twat' lennister

-tyrion walking through the aftermath makes me uncomfy, feels bad man

-dragon said rawr

-what the fuck kinda option is bend the knee or die

-tyrion murdered his dad and he'll do it again

-Just bend the knee it literally cant be that hard

-is she gonna feed them to the dragons

-oh my God she is, wait shes gonna roast them, that's definitely far worse than bending the knee

-ashes to ashes ig

-Cersei should be worried, Dani has three dragons why do they think they can win

-cersei gives me a headache

-jon is so pretty and for what

-mister dragon needs to chill

-is he gonna eat jon

-oh hes letting jon pet him alrightie

-it's kinda creepy seeing it up close ngl

-"gorgeous beast" PleaSe

-figure of speech yeah sure right mhmm

-didnt you want jorah dead like three seconds ago

-i fucking hate those ravens

-thats a big mountain

-thats a lot of dead folks oofdt

-oh sam

-hes a smart wee lad

-i hope they listen to sam, hes making very good point

-some of these measter are dickhead

-im so tired of bending this fucking knee

-what the fuck is a wet nurse

-how are you gonna bring a wight to the capital

-this is whisky business

-trusting a stranger is never a good idea but okay I guess

-the minute jon leave everyone starts shitting on him, what arseholes

-sansa is so pretty

-im so confused what is happening

- Ion like this

-oh no is jamie gonna kill tyrion

-not tyrion making jokes as if he isnt gonna die

-wheres gendry i miss him

-look at my mans I love him

-he looks so good,, look at him king shit

-pop off gendry with your big hammer thing,, I was not expecting that

-not miss thing tryna get bronn killed for betrayal i- 🤚🏾hold up

-IS SHE PREGNANT AGAIN OG MY FUCKING GOd,, shes really ginns have another ince*t baby i 💀,, cut the fkn camera

-gendry you had one job

-"youre alot leaner,, you're alot shorter" I king PleaSe pahahaha

-tyrion is so pretty

-jon you need to return cause like, I dont want you to die

-wait is sam leaving,, bye big library

-what is lord baelish up too now,, I'm sus

-only copy of what,, what is he doing

-is arya finna break into his room

-i dont like this,, he probably has whatever arya is looking for on him

-he hid it in the mattress that smart ngl

-what is lord baelish plotting,, it's making me unsettled

-"you need to convince the one with the dragons or the one with that fucks her brother" paahahah I cant pLease that's so fuunny

-tormund and jorah fight let's go

-"were all breathing" I mean ya I guess pahaha

-gendry is so pretty

S07E06

-they look so tiny against the snow

-"down south the air smells like pig shit" "you've never been down south" "I've been to winterfell" "that's the north" "pfftt" I love that whole interaction

-does tormund wanna fuck gendry i- pahahah

-hes allowed to be mad at you for selling him

-jorah and jon are having a moment bless them

-arya reminiscing about her dad is so cute and it makes me sad

-oh no they're arguing

-"beloved Joffrey" ouch

-we were getting along so well,, and lord baelish had fucked it up

-"gingers are beautiful" yes they are my guy yes they fucking are

-dws tomund what dick is 🤚🏾🤠

-uh babies tormund chill out

-the way Jon's jacket coat thing puffs out is so funny

-i really hope Jon's not in love with Dani

-cersei wants to murder alot of people

-wait why cant dani have children

-they looks like ants in the snow

-is that a polar bear,, NOT A POLAR BEAR I REPAET NOT A POLAR BEAR

-THEYVE GOT FLAMING SWORDS

-mans is gonna get eaten alive

-hes gonna die out here and he doesn't even care,, or maybe he wont die i ??????

-where did they get a flaming sword from

-lord baelish needs to stfu

-what is baelish planning

-its gone all quiet again

-jon said slice and dice

-that a loud fucking screech,, oh no I hear rumbling that cant be good

-go gendry go!!

-theyre running across a lake what if the ice breaks,,

-gendry is a fast little fuck huh

-im so stressed I dont want anyone else to die,, especially gendry

-theyre gonna freeze to death

-oh no thros froze, feels bad man

-where did he get a flaming sword,, it pretty poggers

-ive got anxiety

-not sansa going back to king's landing

-miss thing, honey, sansa it's never safe

-yall Danis coat is so pretty

-how to train your dragons type beat

-well done hound you've provoked the dead

-wheres dani and her dragons when you need her

-if tormund dies,, oh nooooo

-someone should help him

-this is so sad

-sis came through what a queen

-the king Walker is gonna throw the ice spear and kill the dragon oh naw

-the stress is coming back

-he just killed on of her dragons,, I'm so shook

-jons gonna drown

-okai hes still alive but how long still he freezes to death

-miss thing you're literally gonna freeze to death dont try to fight

-seeing uncle benjen die, saving him,, that hurted

-the CRUNCH of Jon's coat oft

-shes not gonna kill sansa right?!?

-arya gave her the dagger but now what?!?

S07E07 (this should be good)

-bronn I'm offend men with dicks are just as good with men without them

-the dothraki really just fight for fun huh

-THEON!!!!

-not the brothels 🤚🏾🥴

-the wight doesn't enjoy that box

-cersei you wont be killing anyone,, miss thing needs to SIT DOWN AND STFU

-god I don't wanna deal with any lennister,, apart from tyrion

-i love podrick

-maybe I dont like ser bronn

-im sus,, something bad might happen,, its gone all quiet

-here comes miss thing and euron

-im gonna be sick with anxiety

-does everyone just have a permanent from on their faces or what

-i hate when she speaks

-dragons as a means of travel is so handy

-ats a big fucking dragon pahaha

-constant state of stress

-euron shut the fuck up

-euron is gonna get punched in the face if he doesn't shut up

-sit down euron or fuck off

-cersei shut up for two seconds

-does whe really think the army of the dead is a bad joke,, MISS THING COME ONNN

-does miss thing believe them now after almost being attacked by a wight

-100,000 AT LEAST oh no

-euron is scared lol hes definitely gonna die

-"until the dead is defeated they are our true enemy" Miss thing we've been trying to tell you

-oop mans already been pledged and miss Cersei is pissed

-honestly fuck the Lannisters

-everyone is pissed at jon for not lying lol

-tyrion don't talk to cersei,, that's a bad idea just waiting to happen

-oh lord am stressed

#game of thrones #incorrect quotes #theon greyjoy #jon snow #S7 recap #jamie lannister #cersei lannister #tyrion lannister #podrick payne #brianne of tarth #ser bronn #sansa stark #arya strak #daenerys stormborn #daenerys targaryen

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talatomaz · 4 years

Text

jinx | kara danvers x arias!reader

a/n: i decided to just combine both these requests and I had fun writing this :)

requested by @babyydanvers and anon:

“hi, could you write something where kara x fem reader go on a date for their 2 year anniversary together & then they go back to their apartment & the reader & kara propose at the same time thank youuu.”

“can i make a request for either kara or laurel? i don’t care what it is lol you just write good quality fics. i know it’ll be good”

warnings: none

word count: 2.1k

masterlist | request list | request rules

i do not give you permission to repost or translate my fics on any platform - likes/reblogs are okay and are much appreciated

“Will you marry me?”

12 hours earlier

“Would you stop pacing?”

“I can’t. I’m too anxious about tonight.” You said, as you walked back and forth in Lena’s office.

“She’s gonna love it, y/n.” Lena said, admiring the ring you had bought.

After 2 years of being together, you had decided to propose to your girlfriend, Kara. And you were extremely scared, to say the least.

What if she said no?

What if she didn’t like the ring?

What if-

“Y/N, it’s beautiful. So how are you gonna do it?” Lena asked as you put the ring back in it’s respective box and pocketed it in your coat.

“I was planning to take her out to dinner. Make it extremely romantic and then when we get back to the loft, I’ll propose. It’ll just be us two which is better because we’re both private people and it’s more personal that way.”

“That’s gonna be awesome. And she doesn’t suspect a thing?”

Your best friend asked as you both turned to look at Kara through the glass doors. She was sitting at her desk, typing away on her laptop, presumably preparing her next article.

“No. At least I don’t think so.”

Saying goodbye to Lena, you walked out of her office and made your way behind Kara. Moments before you were beside her, she closed her laptop and turned to face you.

“Hey, baby. You okay?” She asked sweetly, standing up to kiss you.

“Yeah, I’m good. What are you doing?”

“Oh, I-I’m just writing an article.”

“Oh, what about?”

“I-I, uh, can’t say. It’s top secret.” She said, readjusting her glasses.

“Okay.” You said, eyes narrowing at her behaviour. “I should be getting back to L-Corp. I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah, I’m excited for our dinner tonight.” She beamed.

“Me too, love.”

You kissed your girlfriend goodbye and then caught a cab back to work.

***

Stepping into the office, you greeted your sister.

“Hey, Sam.”

“Hey. I know you’re gonna be leaving soon for the thing tonight but I need you to do me a favour.”

“Yeah, sure. What’s up?” You asked, leaning on Sam’s white desk, arms folded.

“Ruby left her USB with Alex. And it has her homework on it. She’s freaking out and I’m not going to let her go alone but I’m super busy here. I’ve got back to back meetings and-”

“Sammy, breathe. It’s fine. Just tell Ruby I’ll be at yours in a hour or two and I’ll give it her then.”

“God, you’re a life saver. Anyway, how are you? You nervous?” Sam asked, a smile replacing the worry on her face.

“Extremely. I just love her so much and I can’t wait to ask her but I’m just scared she’ll say no.”

“Of course she wouldn’t. I know she wouldn’t. She loves you, y/n.” Sam reassured you.

“Yeah, I know. It’s just my anxiety. Anyway, I better get to the DEO now if I’m gonna be ready for tonight.”

“No worries. Good luck, sis.” She said with a look in her eye that you couldn’t distinguish.

“Thanks” You replied before hugging her.

You then drove your car to the DEO. You had left it at L-Corp before visiting Lena at CatCo but you knew that you couldn’t catch a cab to the DEO. It was a secret Government organisation after all.

Walking into the DEO, you greeted Jonn and a few other workers you were familiar with when you noticed Alex speaking to Brainy.

“Hey, Danvers. Hey, Brainy.” You greeted the duo when they turned to face you.

“Hi, Y/N. Here’s Ruby’s USB.” Alex said, handing you the small memory stick which you put in your pocket.

“Thanks, Rubes was losing her mind according to Sam.”

Alex laughed in response before smiling.

“So...everything set for tonight?”

Alex was one of the very first people who knew about your proposal as you had asked her for permission considering she was the most important person in Kara’s life. Of course, when you had asked, she immediately gave her blessing and then gave you her whole ‘If you hurt my sister, I’ll hurt you’ speech.

“Yes. I think I’m good. Just hope everything goes to plan and Kara loves it.”

“I know she will.”

It was funny. Both Lena and Sam had said that too, as if they knew Kara would definitely say ‘yes’.

“Yes. Did you know that 1 in 4 women actually turn down a marriage proposal? I’m sure Kara won’t be that one.”

“Brainy!” You and Alex exclaimed as Alex hit him upside the head.

“Ow. That was insensitive of me. I apologise.” The intellectual said.

“It’s fine, Brainy.” You sighed and when you lifted your head, you noticed Kara in one of the labs.

“See you guys.”

You made your way to the lab and when Kara saw you, she closed the door to the lab behind her and walked up to you.

“Hey, we keep bumping into each other.” Kara laughed.

“Yes, we do. What are you up to?” You asked curiously.

It was the second time today that she was acting suspiciously.

“Oh, just Supergirl stuff. Anyway, we should be getting ready. Meet me by the stairs and we can go home together?”

“I drove so just meet me outside.” You countered.

“Okay, let me just pack up.”

Kara nodded and as you walked away, Kara re-entered the lab but her cape cloaked what she was doing.

***

“That was delicious.”

Kara said, unlocking the door to the loft. You both had had dinner at an infamous restaurant and after sharing dessert, you decided to come back home.

In the cab, your nerves had started to bubble but now that you were home, they were at an all time high.

Kara dropped her keys on the table and she grabbed your hand and pulled you to the sofa. You both sat on it but you couldn’t stop fidgeting.

“Kara?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I need to ask you something.” You stood up and held Kara’s hands in yours.

“I think you’re amazing. You really are the best person in my life. Before I met you, I was a mess. I didn’t really know how to live until I met you. I love the way you see the world from a different perspective. I love that you give life a new meaning.”

“I love that despite everything that has happened in your life, you still care so much for other people and it physically hurts my heart to see you cry. That is how amazing you are. That is why I love you. That is why I have something important to ask you.”

You continued before letting out a breath when you saw tears in Kara’s eyes.

It was now or never.

“Will you marry me?”

“No.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“No.”

12 hours earlier

Kara paused typing on her laptop and peered over her shoulder where she saw you and her best friend, Lena, in deep conversation. She was going to use her super hearing to listen in on your words but stopped herself. She promised you that she wouldn’t use her powers on you.

She looked back at her laptop and scrolled through the images on her laptop. She had already chosen the perfect one and seeing all the options available reconfirmed her initial choice.

She stopped when she heard the door open and footsteps nearing her. Shutting her laptop to hide its contents, she turned around to face you.

“Hey, baby. You okay?” She asked sweetly, standing up to kiss you.

“Yeah, I’m good. What are you doing?”

“Oh, I-I’m just writing an article.” Kara stuttered.

“Oh, what about?”

“I-I, uh, can’t say. It’s top secret.” She said, readjusting her glasses. She was now getting flustered.

“Okay.” You said and Kara saw your eyes narrow at her behaviour. “I should be getting back to L-Corp. I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah, I’m excited for our dinner tonight.” She beamed.

“Me too, love.”

Kara reciprocated your kiss and watched you step into the CatCo lift.

That was close.

***

“Maybe next time you should rethink robbing a bank.” Kara said, handing the handcuffed criminals to Maggie and another detective.

Before Maggie left, she gave a quick thumbs up to the superhero and Kara flew back to the DEO.

When she arrived, she greeted Alex with a hug.

“Where is it?”

Alex nodded in the direction of the lab so Kara made her way to it. Upon entering the lab, she saw what she was looking for in the centre of the table.

Looking behind again, she saw you speaking to her sister. Quickly moving a set of beakers in front of the box, she left the lab to greet you.

“Hey, we keep bumping into each other.” Kara laughed, hands on her hips.

“Yes, we do. What are you up to?” You asked curiously. Kara could tell you were suspicious.

“Oh, just Supergirl stuff. Anyway, we should be getting ready. Meet me by the stairs and we can go home together?” Kara hated lying but it was necessary.

“I drove so just meet me outside.” You countered.

“Okay, let me just pack up.” Kara nodded and as you walked away, Kara re-entered the lab and grabbed the box, concealing it in her cape.

***

You and Kara had now had an amazing dinner at the restaurant and were back at your loft.

Kara watched as you began to pace before kneeling in front of her and listened as you told her why you loved her causing tears to fill her eyes.

“Will you marry me?”

Kara looked into your eyes and saw that they were dark. Stark. For all you’d endured, you were a nurturing soul with a full heart. That was the quality that first attracted her. Breathing deeply, she built up her courage.

Now or Never. She thought to herself.

“No.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Present Time

Your heart dropped into your stomach as you knelt on the ground.

“What? Why?”

You watched as Kara slid off the sofa and kneeled in front of you. Pulling a small box from her pocket, she opened it and stared at you lovingly.

“Because I wanted to propose to you.”

You stared in shock at the ring in the velvet box as she did the same to yours.

You both were tearing up before Kara laughed through her tears, “so...are we gonna answer?”

“Yes, you fool. I love you and I’d love to marry you.” You chuckled.

“I love you too and can’t wait to marry you either.”

You both then took your rings out of their respective boxes and placed them on each other’s fingers. Kara then grabbed your face and pulled you in for a deep kiss.

When you pulled away, you jumped at the sound of applause behind you.

You both turned and saw Lena, Sam, Maggie and Alex standing in your bedroom; Lena and Maggie were holding up phones, presumably videoing you.

Your mouth dropped and you looked at Kara in surprise.

“Did you-?” Kara shook her head.

“You?” You shook your head.

“Where the fuck did you guys come from?”

“You said we’d be alone.”

You and Kara said at the same time.

Then you both looked at each other again,

“Wait, you told them you were going to propose?” You asked, looking at Kara.

“Yeah, and I asked Sam, sort of for her blessing. Wait, you told Alex?”

“Yeah, I asked Alex for her blessing.” You replied.

You both turned to face your family again.

“You guys fucking knew Kara and I were going to propose to each other at the same fucking time and you said nothing?” You shouted.

“Yeah, we thought it was going to be both hilarious and romantic.” Sam snorted causing everyone to laugh.

You and Kara looked at each other and nodded then you both picked up the pillows on the sofa and ran straight for the small group. You began hitting them until you, Sam and Maggie fell on the bed and Kara, Alex and Lena fell on the floor.

You started laughing and once you started, everyone joined in.

You whacked your sister’s head before leaning over the bed and meeting your fiancée’s eyes. She kneeled and kissed you lovingly once more.

Pulling away, she winked.

“Jinx.”

318 notes · View notes

brokenmimir · 4 years

Text

The Curse of the Golden Hoard

White Rose Week 2020, Day 5: Curse

In Vale, success breeds misfortune as readily as failure.

(Sequel to The Ruby Eye of the Serpent King)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24718948 https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13615480/1/The-Curse-of-the-Golden-Hoard

Weiss rolled her eyes as Yang threw the door open, the solid oak banging against the interior wall loudly, drawing the attention of all of Beacon. Normally she would've been angry at the brute attracting the potential ire of as many dangerous people as routinely visited the small tavern, but in that moment she was too elated to care.

Still, appearances had to maintained, even if her heart wasn't in it. “Yang…”

“Sorry, ice queen,” Yang sang. “Guess I forgot my own strength. How 'bout I make it up to everyone with a round of drinks on me!”

“Yeah!” the room cheered, and Peter Port smiled behind his thick mustache as he began preparing drinks for the relaxing crowd, who were all discretely tucking away the weapons they had prepared against the forceful entry.

Yang strutted over to their usual table, throwing the heavy sack she'd been carrying down on it, making it clink suggestively for those with an ear for gold. Blake did the same, and then Ruby as well, until all three looked at her expectantly. Finally, with a long suffering sigh, Weiss heaved her own sack onto the table, privately enjoying the sound of their new fortune.

“We're going to be robbed the moment we step out of here,” Weiss complained as she sat down, an unrepentant Ruby hopping onto her lap with a grin. Weiss grunted a little at the weight, as for as petite as she looked, the barbarian girl was all densely packed muscle, built lean and wiry for maximum speed and agility.

“Like anyone can take us,” Yang snorted. “I don't know about anyone else, but I'm feeling good tonight!”

Blake grabbed their drinks, a glass of mead for Ruby and red wine for Weiss, and soon all four clinked their glasses together. “To friends and family!” Ruby cried.

“To a job well done,” Blake added.

“To having fun,” Weiss put in.

“To being filthy stinkin' rich!” Yang crowed, and all four downed their drinks. “Hey Port, another round on us!"

“There's no way we're going to make it back in safety after this,” Weiss said. “And you'd better not dip into our haul to pay for all of this; we haven't even divvied it up yet.”

“Ugh, you are such a killjoy,” Yang groaned. “Come on, live a little! When are we ever gonna get this much again. And it wasn't even illegal!”

“Well, not very illegal, anyway,” Blake drawled. “I'm sure we broke some laws. You can barely breathe in Vale with pissing off some magistrate.”

Weiss hummed thoughtfully. “The tower was probably owned by someone, for all that it's been abandoned since the Grimm attack centuries ago. Furthermore, we are supposed to declare any salvage for tax purposes. So on at least two levels we broke the law.”

“Ugh, Vale sucks,” Yang groaned, before taking a swig of her ale. “Of course, I can't party like this back home. Even if I brought back this good've a haul somehow the elders would've just taken it to 'spend on the village' and I'd be expected to go right back out there.

“So not that different,” Weiss chuckled. “Except here, everyone's so corrupt that no one is going to report you for not following the law. It's just a matter of if you can keep your ill gotten gains.”

Hours later, drunk with success and alcohol, the four girls staggered out of Beacon and onto the filthy streets of Vale. Not even stepping over a mugged corpse could get Ruby down that evening. Nothing could distract her from how right everything felt.

When she'd first arrived in Vale five months before she'd been an outsider, a barbarian unable to understand or accept anything about the city she'd been warned about her entire life. The first person she'd made a real connection to, Weiss, hadn't really simplified things, as the beautiful woman had represented everything her people had looked down upon about the city folk.

But somehow, after those few short months, full of combat, wealth, deprivation, magic, fear, and joy, they had bonded more strongly than she ever thought she could with an outsider. She spent more time with Weiss than she did her own sister, despite both of them being in the same city. And somehow, she wouldn't change a thing.

“Hey, which way should we go?” Yang asked, as she casually slugged an opportunistic moron in the jaw. His head snapped around, teeth flying, before he collapsed bonelessly onto the ancient cobblestones.

After pausing to rob the thieves of the few coppers they had, Blake pointed down the street. “Ruby's place is closer.”

“It's my flat,” Weiss grumbled. “I'm the one who signed the contract for it."

“Ruby's sounds good,” Yang agreed. “Come on sis, let's go crash you're place and split some loot.”

Weiss grumbled a little, but Ruby could tell that it was mostly for appearances, and even that stopped when she moved close enough to rest her head on the other woman's shoulder. Weiss actually blushed a little, which Ruby found more than a little funny. Weiss had no shame at all about nudity or sex, but honest, public affection made her quite embarrassed.

Once Yang and Blake had dealt with the criminals who had seen or heard about their largesse and its probably cause at Beacon, they made good progress, soon arriving at Weiss's apartment building. Unlike the cheap flophouses and rundown hovels that populated most of the poorer part of town, it was a newly renovated building, one only two blocks from the nicer living spaces that surrounded the Great Market. Obviously the owner either expected for merchants to be bold enough to make the journey through the crime ridden streets in exchange for cheaper rent, or they thought that the market district would soon grow to encompass the building. Either way, it was far nicer than it had any right to be, and had been available for a price that they could (barely) afford.

Once Weiss had the door unlocked they entered the main living area, and without a word all four began to dump their sacks out in the center of the floor. Coins and small gems made up the bulk of the haul, but a variety of statuettes, jewelry, and idols joined the growing pile. It was an impressive display of wealth, and for all that gold had relatively little allure for her, even she felt herself caught up in the moment, drooling over enough wealth to buy her village.

“Weiss,” Yang said distantly.

“Yes?”

“Remind me to team up with you more often,” Yang sighed joyfully.

Weiss smirked, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder smugly. “Of course. A little bit of research, and enough muscle to make it through some Grimm infested ruins, and we have more money than we know what to do with.”

“Little bit of research?” Ruby asked. “Weiss, you've done nothing but plan this thing for weeks now. I was actually getting a bit worried.”

“Why would you be worried?” Blake asked. “A good score always requires careful planning.”

“'Cause I've never seen Weiss fret over this kinda thing before,” Ruby said. “Usually Weiss doesn't worry about money at all. It was more than a little odd.”

“This was a lot of money,” Blake said, patting her sack.

“Not as much as the snake guy had,” Ruby pointed out.

“No,” Weiss grunted, before smirking. “But this is gold in my home. There's a big difference.”

“Hell yeah, there is,” Yang crowed, scooping up a handful of gold coins and tossing them in the air. “We're rich!”

It was far too late at night when they finally finished splitting the money, and with the help of a few bottles of wine that Weiss had gleefully shared, Blake and Yang were in no condition to walk home, so she graciously let them sleep on her floor near the fireplace for the night. With their own fortune secured in sacks, Weiss and Ruby retreated to their bedroom, where, after a brief moment of thought, she dumped the sacks on the center of the bed.

“What are you doing?” Ruby asked with a giggle.

“Just a fantasy of mine,” Weiss said, removing Ruby's cloak and letting it fall to the floor. With deft, well practiced fingers she swiftly stripped Ruby completely naked, taking a moment to admire her strong, lean form. As she always did she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the scar she'd received fending off an assassin to save her life, before straightening up and shoving the barbarian back onto the bed.

“Hey! Ack!” Ruby complained. “That's cold.”

“If that's another ice queen joke,” Weiss grumbled as she straddled her lover.

“No, I mean, it's like, really cold,” Ruby said. “And kinda hard. And a little pointy.”

Weiss giggled like a child as she hovered over Ruby, sliding a hand through the gold and gems covering her bed. “Ah, come on. I've always wanted to make love in a pile of gold, and this is my chance. You're not going to say no, are you?”

Ruby just smiled up at her. “How much wine have you had to drink, anyway?”

She giggled again. “Way too much.”

Instead of replying Ruby pulled her down, and the two began to kiss, quickly growing heated as hands wandered. Eventually Ruby started trying to pull at Weiss's clothing, and she pulled back, standing from the bed.

“What?” Ruby panted.

“Just stay there,” Weiss said, before slowly, sensually beginning to remove her own clothing. She'd seen many, many dances put on to entertain crowds and rile up guests for more personal services, and while she'd never felt a need to put on such a show for a lover, she put every bit of her grace into it, the slight stumbles her drunkenness caused interfering very little with the display. Ruby's silver eyes were wide open, and Weiss grinned like the cat who caught the canary as she finally stripped the last item away, letting the silken undergarment drift to the ground.

She straddled Ruby again, but before she continued she spotted a piece of treasure sitting beside her lover. It was the appropriate size and shape, and with a wicked grin she picked it up, before leaning down and kissing Ruby again.

“Ack! Cold!”

Ruby wasn't sure what woke her up. Normally after so much mead and intimacy with Weiss she'd sleep the whole night through, but something pulled at her consciousness. It was a cold feeling, and at first she mentally blamed the treasure pile that Weiss had insisted they sleep on like they were legendary dragons. It wasn't quite that, however. The cold was deeper, in her heart, and she found herself shivering despite the blankets and warm body next to her.

Opening her eyes, she couldn't really see anything. It was dark, even darker than it should've been, as normally some dim light made it through the windows even deep in the heart of the night. She swallowed thickly, knowing on some level that something was wrong, although she couldn't put her finger on what. The same deep, primal sense that warned her when a dangerous beast was lurking about in the wilderness told her something was very, very wrong.

“Weiss, Weiss, wake up,” she whispered, still slowly turning her head from one side to the other as she tried to make out something in the pitch blackness. “Weiss.”

“Ughhhh,” Weiss groaned, shifting slightly closer and tossing a leg over her hip. “Again? You're starting to wear even me out.”

“Weiss, something's wrong,” Ruby whispered.

“Yeah, you're not asleep,” Weiss mumbled. “I promise, I'll do whatever you want… in the morning. Just need a… a little more sleep.”

“That's not… ugh,” Ruby groaned as Weiss fell back asleep. With a sigh she pushed her lover away, standing up stiffly and stumbling from the bed, coins and other valuables falling to the floor in a cascade of invisible gold. The sound seemed strangely dampened, however, as the heavy metal should've been louder falling more than a foot onto the wooden floor.

“I am never going to sleep on money again,” Ruby whimpered, rubbing her back and wincing when she dislodged a coin that had managed to embed itself into her flesh. No, she definitely wasn't doing that again, no matter how excited her weird fantasy had made Weiss.

It was hard finding her clothing in total darkness, especially since she'd been a bit distracted by Weiss while she'd stripped her. Once she finally had something on she reclaimed her battle scythe and carefully opened the door to the rest of the apartment, not wanting to risk walking in on her sister and Blake having their own celebration.

Instead, it was pitch black as well, but she could hear muffled snoring coming from the center of the room. “Blake? Yang?”

They didn't respond, even when she called again, and with her heart pounding in her throat she stumbled through the room, heading to where Weiss kept a candle for dark nights. Usually they navigated just fine by starlight, but sometimes her lover wanted to read in the evening, and she had to have something for that.

Normally finding the candle in the dark wouldn't have been difficult, but it felt like she was somehow being watched, like danger was all around her, ready to pounce. The longer she spent in that dark, quiet room, the more she felt vulnerable, like she was being hunted by an unknown predator. With unsteady hands she finally grasped the fine beeswax candle, a gift from herself to replace the stinky, smokey tallow Weiss had been using, and she pulled flint and steel from her pouch.

It was only as she tried to strike the tinder that she realized how badly her hands were shaking. She actually paused in her work in surprise, not quite able to believe it. It felt like it had been years since she'd had such a strong, useless reaction to fear, and yet here she was, shaking like a child on her first hunt. For the first time she was almost glad that it was dark, since it meant that no one could see her weakness.

After taking several long, deep breaths to gather herself Ruby finally regained her control, striking the flint and steel to produce strangely dull sparks. It took several tries, but finally the tinder took, and then the wick thereafter, lighting the candle.

It did almost nothing for the darkness. The large candle should've provided enough light to easily make out the room, but instead it seemed to be little more than a single point in the middle of a deep, dark blackness. She couldn't even see the walls of the room, and it was far from being so large as to make that reasonable.

Something was very, very wrong.

Ruby quickly, methodically searched the apartment. It wasn't very large, but with her light the way it was she had to take her time looking everywhere. Everything was as it should be, with no signs of intruders or anything else strange, other than the muffling of all sound and dampening of all light.

Yang and Blake were still asleep, which she supposed was strange in its own right. Yang was a heavy sleeper, but normally it was impossible to do anything without waking Blake up. Even a shift in the pattern of your breathing would cause her cat ears to twitch warily, but Ruby was able to crouch over her, burning candle in hand, without it disturbing her dreams.

With nothing wrong inside of the apartment, Ruby decided to check one last thing before waking up the others. Opening the door, she crept outside, looking about warily, before heading down to the street. While they were usually dark at night, with most honest citizens (for some meaning of the term) carrying lanterns if they had some business at that late of an hour, the stars and distant buildings usually gave enough illumination for her trained eyes to navigate the streets.

Instead Ruby looked around, frowning at the excessive dimness, before deciding to walk a bit to see where the dimming effect began and ended. She had only begun to walk when she spotted a body lying against the side of the building. She almost moved on, her time in Vale having conditioned her to ignore peopleliving or dead lying in the street, something that had been difficult to get used to after growing up in insular, tightly knit Patch. Without Weiss or Blake around to scold her for it, she decided to check on the person.

They were a woman of more than twice her years, with a face made up with powders and creams to seem younger, if poorly,something severely undermined by black streaks under her eyes. She was dressed in very little clothing, and from what Ruby could guess, were she younger and more attractive, the Weiss she had first met upon arriving in Vale would probably have paid for her services.

She also shouldn't have been passed out in the streets, without any sign of injury or intoxication causing her collapse. Ruby checked her pulse, and was relieved to find it, although it seemed slow, sluggish. She tried to shake her awake, but she didn't react at all, and it was then that she noticed something else odd. The black streaks, which she had assumed had come from tears mixing with kohl, were slimy and thick, and her eyes widened when she realized that their was a black streak on the wall behind her as well. It was hard to tell in the dim light, but if she had to guess, she'd say that the black ooze ran straight up the wall towards her window.

Ruby's fear sharpened, no longer seeming quite so baseless. She might've been able to dismiss her instincts crying out that something was wrong, or even somehow assumed that the muffling of sound and light were only in her head. But this was far more suspicious, and the only thing that kept her from running up the stairs was the burning candle in her hands, and how difficult it had been for her to light it in the first place.

As she hurried back towards the door she noticed two more bodies, this time a pair of laborers, tall and strong, collapsed near the street corner. While the woman may have been taking a break in the alley before continuing her walk or job, they were obviously taken by surprise, simply collapsing on the spot without a word. It was enough to make her speed up her step, using the arm holding her scythe to shield her candle as best as she could from the wind of her movement.

When she reached her door she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, leaning her deployed battle scythe against her shoulder so that she could carefully open the door without setting down her candle. It creaked open, and the gloom within was somehow even thicker, more impenetrable than before. The candle barely seemed to do anything, but she could somehow see something moving in the dark.

“Yang? Blake? Weiss?”

There was no response, but she heard something shifting in the room. Jaw tightening, she stepped inside, carefully shutting the door before her, before raising her scythe, choking up her grip to provide control one handed. It was a poor way to fight, but without better lighting she had no choice.

She slowly made her way across the room, eyes darting about, her heart jumping every time she saw something move, but every time it was simply her eyes playing tricks on her. Every figure was a piece of furniture, every attacker was naught but a shadow shadow, every monster an illusion when examined properly in the dim light.

When she reached her sister she nudged her with a toe. “Yang. Yang… Yang!”

She didn't move, didn't react. Finally, Ruby looked down, only to gasp at what she saw. Trailing down her face were the same thick, slimy black trails, as something apparently poured from her eyes, before being drawn across the room in the direction of the bedroom. One final glance at Blake to verify the same thing, and she was moving towards the bedroom door, keeping one eye on the slime trail while looking around for danger.

She didn't even bother opening the door, simply kicking it open, the loud slam a barely audible thud. Looming over the bed, over Weiss, was the most hideous creature she had ever seen.

It was thin, with long, spindly limbs, the feet coming to a single, sharp point, while the arms ended in three long, slender claws. The rest of the body was like a human shadow, angular and distorted, but recognizable in form, with bony plates scattered here and there, notably a skull and ribs. The face was vaguely human in shape under the bone, with burning red coals for eyes, and a gaping, fang filled maw.

Without hesitating she lunged forward, swinging her scythe in a broad, desperate stroke, hitting nothing but air. Unfortunately, the fast motion made the candle gutter out to almost nothing, and she was reduced to standing perfectly still, knowing there was a monster in the dark, unable to do a thing to stop it. She tried to listen, tried to feel the motion of the air, or see something in the dim ember of candle light, but it was like being wrapped in a blanket of night. All was still, silent, and shadowed.

After far too long the candle finally stopped sputtering, and Ruby turned about looking for the monster once more. It was when she had turned halfway around that she saw it, the thing having moved behind her, ready to attack once more. She swung her scythe again, trying her best to shield the candle with her body, but once again the tiny light failed, and she could do nothing but stand still, desperately hoping to find it before it could attack her again.

Then she felt the claws dig into her back. She reacted instantly to the sneak attack, diving forward into a roll that ended with her swinging her scythe, and this time, finally, she made contact. The monster broke its silence with a loud, terrible screech, which tore through her, scraping her bones for marrow and hollowing out her heart, leaving nothing but ice and fear behind.

This time she could hear it moving, the dullness slightly receded, and she didn't even hesitate, dropping the now completely snuffed candle on the ground as she spun in place, swinging her scythe right towards where she was sure the monster was. She made contact once again, and this blow sheared through something, and a moment later she heard something thump onto the floor, before the shrieking renewed.

Unfortunately her next swing missed, and her follow up hit the wall, so she paused, holding her scythe in both hands, trying to slow her breathing as she listened for the monster once again. She almost lashed out when she heard another sound, only to pause as she recognized Weiss's voice, even if she couldn't hold onto the words passing through her ears and mind. She shuddered, the motion agitating the cut on her back, and then the room was finally illuminated.

Weiss, nude and beautiful as ever, crouched on the bed, her sword in hand covered in a pale, spectral blue flame. She looked weak, her hand trembling, unable to fully stand as she held the weapon as high as she could through her enervation, trying to provide the best light she could. Ruby could see the lines of black slime down her own face, as whatever had happened to the others has been done to her as well.

Then Ruby turned, reacting almost before she sensed it, swinging her scythe once more at the monster. It was looming behind her once more, its left hand missing from her earlier attack, and, finally able to see, Ruby aimed her swing directly towards its neck. The scythe cut through, and the head bounced away, breaking down into the same black ooze before turning into the oily, smokey fog of a dead Grimm, its body slowly following.

“Weiss!” Ruby shouted, lowering her scythe and turning to her lover. “Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah,” she rasped, raising a shaking hand to her face, rubbing away the slime with a look of disgust. “What the hell was that?”

Weiss had never felt so completely drained in her life. Not after performing all night magical rituals with Cinder and the others, not after the frantic, desperate sword training lessons her sister gave her before she left to become a mercenary, not even after the wild, week long benders that dragged her to half the houses of ill repute in the city trying to forget everything. It was as though every bit of energy had been ripped from her body, leaving nothing but exhaustion in its place.

She'd used what little energy she had left to cleanse and bind Ruby's injury, the process wearing her out so badly that her lover had been forced to dress her, as she could do little more than slowly shift her limbs by the time the process was complete. Ruby had, much to her protestations, actually carried her into the main room, where she set her on a large chair and lit several candles.

Blake and Yang stirred sluggishly, Blake finally sitting up and blinking dazedly around the room. She didn't even seem to the notice the slime on her face, her nearly vacant expression only gaining a little focus when she saw them. “Weiss… Ruby. What happened?”

“Grimm,” Ruby answered. “I've never seen anything like it.”

Blake blink a couple of times, before starting to stand only to collapse when her legs wouldn't support her weight. She blinked down at them, an expression of betrayal on her face, before looking back up at Ruby for answers.

“I don't know,” Ruby said. “Weiss's the same, and I think it wasn't just us. There were some people in the street the same way.”

Weiss gathered her strength for a moment, before speaking, her voice small and weak. “The Grimm must've gained strength by taking ours. Given enough time we'd be dead, and it probably would've expanded the area effected. This whole block probably would've died before anyone noticed if Ruby hadn't stopped it.”

“How come you weren't effected?” Blake demanded.

“I dunno,” Ruby said. “I just… woke up. When this whole thing started. Dunno know why.”

Weiss sighed, leaning back into her seat as Blake and Ruby talked. She was too tired to really maintain a conversation, but she hadn't wanted to lapse into silence while Ruby was obviously upset. She smiled slightly, glad for the diversion, as she let herself mentally drift.

She had managed to fall asleep again, only to awaken when the smell of cooking bacon filled the air. They rarely made their own food, with Weiss knowing nothing about how to do so, and Ruby being limited to roasting fresh game over a campfire, but Yang had somehow picked up some real cooking skills, and when she came back to herself it was to the sight of the exhausted blonde hunched over the fireplace, slowly poking at crisping bacon in a pan, bread sitting on the stone nearby to heat.

“You're awake!” Ruby said.

“Mmm,” she hummed. “Did anything happen?”

“Uh… good news or bad news?” Ruby asked, moving to sit beside her on the seat.

Weiss narrowed her eyes. “How bad?”

“Uh… we're all alive, so it could be worse news,” Ruby hedged.

Weiss frowned. “So, very bad news.”

“Kinda,” Ruby agreed with a wince.

Weiss groaned in dismay. “How about good news… then breakfast… then bad news.”

Yang chuckled. “Gotta recharge before the bad?”

“Well, the good news is we're all alive,” Ruby said brightly. “The Grimm's gone, and the longer they've been up the better they've been feeling.”

“Yeah, you really need to put some meat on those bones, Weiss,” Yang taunted. “You're the only one who fell back asleep.”

Weiss glowered at her, not even breaking her expression when the other woman handed her a plate of food. “I also helped Ruby deal with the Grimm, while you two slept right through it.”

“Details,” Yang dismissed.

As annoying as the woman was, she prepared a filling meal. The fresh, hot bread was slathered with honey and fruit preserves, and the bacon was crispy, just the way she liked it. After crunching on a piece she groaned ecstatically. “Alright… you get to live.”

“How kind of you,” Blake drawled, although Weiss noticed she hadn't even looked up from her own breakfast.

Once they were all finished, Weiss leaned back against Ruby, a smile on her face as she finally felt a bit more human. “Okay, so what's the bad news.”

“Um… maybe it's better if you see for yourself.”

“See for myself?”

“Yeah… why don't you check our room.”

It was another typical night at Beacon, with Weiss nursing her red wine while Ruby sipped at her mead. Blake and Yang had gone elsewhere for the evening, probably driven off by Weiss's smoldering temper. Even most of a day after finding out the truth, her lover still wasn't over it.

“I can't believe it was all trash,” Weiss grumbled again.

Ruby chuckled. “Well, you know… easy come, easy go.”

Weiss glared at her, before sighing and slumping against the table. “But there was so much!”

The golden treasures they'd taken from the abandoned tower had turned out to be anything but valuable. With the Grimm cursing it dead, the treasure had turned out to be nothing but corroded scraps, rusty iron, and broken clay and pewter bits. Weiss hadn't been able to determine whether the fake treasure and associated Grimm had been an intentional trap placed by the tower's former owner, or if it had been something put together by the Grimm seeking gullible treasure hunters to prey upon, but either way they had been left with nothing.

“What's really bothering you?” Ruby asked.

“What do you mean?” Weiss asked, her back tensing slightly.

“Weiss, you're the one who taught me what 'easy come easy goes' means,” Ruby pointed out. “Usually you're the first one to shrug that kinda stuff off. So why're you so upset now?”

Weiss was quiet for a long time, before finally sighing. “You know our apartment?”

“Uh huh,” Ruby hummed. “What about it?”

“Before… before we moved in together… before we got together, I didn't have anything beyond what I could carry,” Weiss said. “Just a belt pouch of money, the clothes on my back, and my ancestral sword. Otherwise, I would fight or steal to fill my pouch, and then find someone's bed to sleep in for the night. It's been… years since I've had a room that required a lease. I haven't… I haven't had a home since I left Schnee Manor.”

“What's wrong with that?” Ruby asked.

“Everything,” Weiss sighed. “And nothing. I guess… I was used to a lifestyle once, where I had roots, and books, and fancy candles, and staff cooking me meals, and a warmed bed ready for me at night. All with a steady roof over my head and no risk of losing it all. Well, no risk until I chose to throw it away. Then I had nothing to lose, but that meant I had nothing at all. I was rudderless, alone in crowds, with nothing to depend on, and nothing depending on me.

“But now… I don't want that anymore. I want a life with you. With a home, and a bed, and the security not to need to run when things go wrong. Money… money had no value to me when my family had so much of it, and no value to me when I needed no more than I could take in a day. But now… now I don't want to risk losing this… this life we're building.”

“I had no idea,” Ruby said, taking her hand. “This has been really bothering you, hasn't it?”

“It should bother you, too,” Weiss said. “Vale chews up and spits people out. That was fine when I didn't care what happened to me tomorrow, but I don't want that anymore. I want… I want a tomorrow, not just a today. And a tomorrow requires more than odd jobs and petty crimes.”

“Then we'll find more.”

“It's not that simple,” Weiss said.

Ruby grinned at her. “It's only not simple if you make it not simple. Besides, even if something does go wrong, I know how to live in the forest with nothing at all. We'll figure out how to get by, I promise.”

“Dolt,” Weiss said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, who's worrying about silly stuff here,” Ruby said. “You know, you should share this stuff with me. We're in this together, you know? You don't have to worry alone.”

“I- huh,” Weiss said, leaning back in her seat. “I suppose you're right.”

“Of course I am,” Ruby said with a grin. “Now, how 'bout I get us another round of drinks, and then we can figure out what we can do next, since I guess we have to pay money to that landlord guy every month.”

“Sure,” Weiss said with a smile. “Together.”

#white rose week #white rose #ruby rose #weiss schnee #rwby #fanfic

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bazypitchandsimonsnow · 5 years

Text

The Black Swan

Chapter 1

Rating: T

Genre: Fluff/Angst

Word count: 3731

Chapter: 1/17 (All chapters)

Summary: Prince Simon of Watford hates being a prince. He would rather be with his friends than try to learn tax policy. While adventuring in the scary woods with Penelope, Simon finds a strange boy who somehow transforms from a swan into a human when he sits on a lake. Simon immediately becomes fascinated with the boy and his mysterious existence. And as he learns more, Simon's feelings start to deepen. But when the stakes get higher, can those feelings triumph over their struggles?

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AN: Hello everyone, and welcome to my big bang! It's super long, I spent hours trying to fix stuff that I'm still not 100% on, and I'm very happy I actually did it. And I really do like it, I'm just way too critical of myself. I wrote this because A) I love fantasy AUs, B) I love the Swan Lake ballet, and C) I love the webcomic based on Swan Lake “The Prince and The Swan” by April Pierce which I recommend you all read it's awesome. So this an AU based off both the ballet and the comic. I'm posting the first two chapters today cause I feel like them together is a good start to the story. I'll be posting every monday and every other Thursday.

Shoutout to my artist @bookerella who made amazing art for this fic. I’ll be linking her piece for this chapter at the end. And another shoutout as always to @carryonmylovelies because she has been my rock for the past five months through writing this fic and along with a lot of other struggles. She's the best and I love her with all my heart. And after all that, please enjoy the first two chapters of The Black Swan. Hope y'all like it :)

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Burning, everything was burning

The whole world was engulfed in flames and reeked of smoke. Simon didn’t know where he was. Only that this body wasn’t his. The arms were small, pudgy, that of a young boy. But he felt the muscles move and the skin heat up with the flames. They licked at him but didn’t touch, bending away before contact.

“Darling, where are you?!” a woman’s voice yelled, followed by an ear piercing scream.

Simon started running immediately. He didn’t know why, just that he had to go. He ran past the creaking wood, the scorched stone, looking for where the voice was coming from. Consciously, he didn’t know who it was, but he knew he had to get to her. A burning beam nearly crushed his head, but he kept going. He needed to get to her.

“Mum!” His voice shouted. It wasn’t his though, yet it came from his mouth. Rather, it was a child’s voice, desperate and afraid. Simon could feel tears streaming down the boy’s face, created from smoke and fear.

“Where is she?” Simon asked himself from the boy’s mouth.

Another scream rang out. Simon started running again. He couldn’t see. There was too much debris and smoke and fire to find anything. But he reached her room eventually, using all his short might to force the doors open. The boy’s mum was standing right in the centre of a ring of fire. Her grey gown was in charred shreds, hair obscuring most of her soot covered face. A thick arm was wound around her neck. She was struggling to breath, from smoke and the person choking her.

“Mum!” he shouted with voice that wasn’t his again. “Stop hurting her!”

“Run,” she rasped out. The person with the thick arm looked at him. His eyes were piercing blue, filled with a killer’s rage. The boy backed up slowly. “Run!”

And so he ran. He was running as far as his little legs could carry him, ducking and weaving through the burning debris. She told him to run. So he would, he would do whatever she said. Run, run, run-

“Not so fast, brat.” The man grabbed his small fancy collar so hard he choked. His voice was smooth, confident, completely sure of his own power. “You’re not going anywhere. I’ve got other plans for you.

He tried to scream, but the man’s grip was too tight for speech. The burning world slowly turned black.

———————————————

“Simon. Simon. Simon!”

Simon jolted awake so hard his head smacked against his wooden chair. He whined as he rubbed the sore spot. King David stood over him from the other side of the desk. He had his hands on his hips, glaring at his adopted son with extreme disapprovement.

“Yes?” Simon grumbled.

“Were you sleeping when you were supposed to be studying battle techniques?” David asked in a way that meant he knew the answer.

“N-No,” the prince lied with a shaky voice. David kept glaring, and Simon sighed. “I’m just tired from studying, Father, sorry.”

David shook his head, crown shifting on his brown curls. “I’m disappointed, Simon. You’ve been the crown prince full time for a year now, you should know how to cope. I brought you here to be my heir. The least you can do is try.”

Simon picked at his nails, a nervous habit he still hadn’t broken over the years. Another thing David was disappointed in. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Words are meaningless, Simon. Do better. Now come along, we have a council meeting.”

Simon had to suppress a groan. He hated council meetings. They were always so boring. They made him really want to find the executioner so he could be put out of his misery.

He did up his embroidered tunic properly and put the gold circlet back on his head anyway. He wanted all these damn things off so bad. The circlet always got too hot and made his forehead sweat. And the formal attire was so damn itchy. Simon was never comfortable when he dressed like a prince. Even years later, he still wondered if David made a mistake, picking him to be his heir.

David pushed open the council room doors with flourish, green cloak flapping behind him. He always did it so much with flourish, always making a grand scene when he greeted the council. Penny would roll her eyes.

“All rise,” Sir Premal announced, “for his majesty, King David Owens of Watford. And for his royal highness, Crown Prince Simon Owens of Watford.”

The lords stood, hands clasped in front of them respectfully. They all look bored, as usual. Nobility weren’t allowed to enjoy themselves. Simon was pretty sure it was written in the Constitution of Watford Kingdom. Though some of their eyes flicked to Simon and narrowed. He could feel the contempt and snobbery radiating off them. He knew what some of them thought of him deep down; just a lowly orphan painted up to impersonate a prince. Simon couldn’t disagree. A lot of the time, he felt like that too.

David stood at the head with Simon right beside him on a smaller chair. Everyone’s chairs had to be smaller than David’s.

“Be seated,” the king said. All the hardwood scraped on the stone simultaneously. Simon desperately wanted to slump further, but he knew David would yell at him later. It wasn’t worth the ear ache.

The King opened his large leather bound ledger. He kept meticulous finance records. Many would say he was obsessive. And many would be correct. “Now, the tax increases have been fully implemented. Have you all of you have been collecting well?”

His tone made it incredibly clear that this was a question with specific answers. David’s questions always came with specific answers. The lords shifted minutely, the closest they’d ever come to protest, and replied with a monotone “yes” as they handed their bags of collected gold pieces. Not Lord Grimm though. He merely pushed down his burlap sack while staring straight ahead. He rarely spoke during these meetings. Simon assumed it was because David took his late wife’s throne, the same throne that was originally meant to be passed down to his late son but was now going to Simon. Simon couldn’t blame him. He wouldn’t like being constantly reminded of his family’s demise either. Maybe not talking made it easier.

“Good,” David said as he checked off every province. “Any disturbances from the people?”

“No,” the speaking lords replied.

“Wonderful.” David snapped his ledger closed. “Now, there’s the matter of the old Hampshire property. It’s fallen into complete disrepair over the past few years, what with Lady Fiona moving and no one else living there. I suggest we demolish it for building materials. The new castle extension needs stone. Any protests?”

No one spoke up, because David’s cold expression told them not to. Not even Lord Grimm said anything, which Simon found surprising. Hampshire was the oldest Pitch family property. They owned it before becoming the royal family. But he said nothing. Just stared ahead with a bored expression. Simon still instinctively shied away though. Lord Malcolm Grimm always looked like a white haired pit viper, calm most of the time but definitely could kill you in an instant. But today was a good day, because Malcolm simply looked at King David, and nodded.

David nodded back. “Good. Lord Grimm, please alert Lady Pitch of this. Are there any other matters we need to discuss?” All the lords stayed silent in response. ”Very well. You’re all dimissised. Farewell, your lordships.”

“Farewell, your majesty,” the speaking lords said.

What was the point of this? Simon thought. Less than five minutes so the King could take money from the rich people and announce he was destroying a historic building. Penelope said most of these meetings were just so David could flex his power. Simon liked to believe there was something more, but he had to admit she had a point. She was usually right.

As he and Simon were exiting, Malcolm put a hand on David’s shoulder. Simon stiffened. It wasn’t appropriate to touch a king. He remembered the day David first brought him to the castle. His new father had slapped him away when he tugged on his royal sleeve. “You ask permission to touch a king, Simon. Remember that,” he’d said. Simon had always kept to that rule, along with everyone else. Yet David didn’t look upset at Lord Grimm’s discretion. His eyes justs slid over to the side.

“Excuse my boldness,” Lord Grimm said smoothly, “but I have something to discuss with you, your majesty.” His cold brown eyes shifted to Simon. Simon tried not to gulp. “In private.”

Simon looked to his father. David nodded. “Go, Simon. I give you leave for the day.”

The prince grinned ear to ear. “Really?”

“Did I not just say so? Return by supper.”

“Yes, yes, Father, I will.” Simon was already going towards the exit as he spoke.

“Close the door on your way out.” David didn’t say please, because, “kings are above politeness, Simon.”

Simon nodded. “Yes, Father.”

As he was closing the door, Simon heard snippets of their extremely hushed conversation. Malcolm looked serious, David looked unamused.

“Insult...too long...,” Malcolm muttered.

“Very well...remember...know your place,” David replied.

Simon was too excited to leave to care for stupid royal dealings. He shut the door and immediately raced down the carpeted hallway. Past the dirty high ceilings and confining stone walls. Even though this castle was only a little over a decade years old, it had the fashions of somewhere old. David wanted it to look ancient, to make it look like his royal line was just as old as the Pitches were. Penny told Simon it was about ego or power or something. Simon didn’t care. He just wanted to leave it right now.

The second he reached his room, Simon stripped off his tunic, making his circlet hit the stone with a tink. He hopped around trying to get his pants off and nearly fell face first on the floor. That would be rich, Simon thought, a crown prince with a broken nose caused by his own inability to get out of his trousers. What a great future king I am, huh David?

Simon put on his loose white shirt and filthy riding pants. He wrapped an old scarf around his head, attempting to hide his distinctive bronze curls under the grey fabric. It wouldn’t stop everyone from noticing him of course, but it would stop enough. Enough that he could get to one particular place.

As the reluctant crown prince and graduated student of The Mage School, which sat just to the north of the castle, Simon had enough practice getting from royal property to the town quickly. He used the hidden passageways, weaving through the corridors with ease, greeting every servant by name as he passed by. He ended up in the kitchen, where Cook Pritchard was already preparing for supper.

“Hello, Mrs. Pritchard,” he said, hanging over her counter. “How’s the kitchen?”

“Oh, same old, same old,” she replied. “How’s castle business?”

“Boring, of course. Say, is that a spare scone?”

The cook gave Simon an amused look. “I believe so.”

Simon grinned brightly. Ebb told him he had a smile that could persuade armies to surrender. She was always so nice. “May I please have it?”

Mrs. Pritchard sighed overdramatically as she handed the pastry over. “Only because you asked so nicely, your highness.”

“I told you, call me Simon, please. Your highness is too long.”

“I would, but his majesty insists on formal titles. He’s quite...demanding.”

“Don’t I know it,” Simon grumbled, taking an aggressive bite of the scone. “Thank you, Mrs. Pritchard. Need anything from town?”

“No, no, I’m fine. Those carrots you found last week were lovely, thank you.”

“No problem! Thanks for the scone!”

Cook Pritchard waved as Simon dashed off. “You’re welcome, your highness, have fun!”

He absolutely would. He always had fun on days like this. Simon ran out the wooden doors, over the rawbridge, and across the great lawn. Ebb was standing there with her goat herd, magically trying to rein them in. She waved with her entire arm.

“Good morrow, Simon!” she yelled. Ebb didn’t care for formalities at all.

Simon waved back. “Good morrow, Ebb! Need anything from town?”

“Oh no, I’m alright. Just say hello to Penelope for me!”

“Will do!”

Simon ran over the grass and down the dirt road. The thick brush of the Wavering Wood separated the castle from Watford Town. Most used magic to reveal a path. But Simon didn’t trust his magic, so he knew the forest like the back of his hand instead. He made it through with ease, jumping over fallen branches and across the mossy ground, emerging into the sunlight on the other side. He immediately took a deep breath, exhaling with a long sigh. Outside the stone walls and merwolf moat, he could finally breathe.

Watford Town was the biggest collection of people in the Watford Kingdom. (Both were called Watford, which made geography lessons far too confusing in Simon’s opinion.) Large, tall houses lined busy dirt streets. Stalls were filled with people shouting out prices of their wares. Everyone was bustling and talking and laughing. Soldiers stood on street corners, watching everyone move. Simon strolled past all of them with hands in his pockets. A few of them went wide eyed seeing him, but most people didn’t even notice he was there. He sighed. This town was his real home. And he missed it all the time.

Simon walked through the downtown to the slight outskirts. He knocked on a familiar red door. A few footstep sounds later, it swung open, and Simon was looking Penelope Bunce right in the eye.

“Hey Pen,” he chirped. “Ebb says hi.”

Penny smirked. “Did you have to sword fight Davy to get him let you out during the day?”

Simon grinned even more. “Nope. He just let me go.”

“Wow. Is our good ol’ King going soft in his old age?”

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” he scoffed. “Can I come in? Or has your Mum finally officially banned me?”

Penny barked a laugh and steps to the side. “Like she could stop me. Get in here, you royal bastard.”

Simon whipped off his scarf off and stepped into the Bunce house. It was big, but not as big as the castle, and it felt much smaller with two adults and four children all together. Simon didn’t mind. He preferred the cozy family feeling here to his large, empty supposed palace.

“How’s the castle been?” Penny asked. Simon groaned and flopped on one of the chairs. “That good, huh?”

Simon grunted. “Bloody nightmare. I thought David was demanding while we were in school, but now he’s got me reading even more books. I think I’m going to slice my throat on a policy manual page one of these days.”

“Oh the horror of reading. Want tea?”

“Yes please. And I’m fine with reading interesting books. But these ones have too many complicated words and not enough pictures.”

Penny sighed heavily as she boiled the kettle with her wand. “I sometimes wonder why we’re friends.”

Simon twisted his head around towards the kitchen with his sunshine smile. “Because I’m nice and charming and you love me.”

“True, untrue, and yes, I do, despite my better judgement.” Penny turned to him. She was smiling a bit, but her eyes were sad. “It’s sort of weird, y’know, not seeing you everyday at school. It’s been almost a year, and it’s still weird.”

Simon sighed. He got up from the chair and strolled over to her. He draped himself over Penny like an affectionate ragdoll, chin on her head and arms around her neck. “I miss you too, Pen.”

Penelope sighed and sunk into his arms for a second. But then struggled out of his grip as the kettle whistled. “Yeah, yeah, I miss you, you big softy. Now get off me and let me make the tea.”

“Of course, will do.” He planted a big wet kiss on her cheek before flopping back to the chair. Penny soon brought over two cups with steaming tea. She took the seat opposite him, and sighed after a long drink. Her whole body relaxed. And it looked like she needed it.

“So,” Simon said, “how’s the new job?”

Penny groaned. “Horrible. You’d think there’d be better work here for a mage, but there seems to be little good use for us outside court or in the North where Micah is. Which means I’m stuck trying to sell cooking ware to people on the street.”

“I wish I could help, Pen,” Simon sighed. “If I become king, I’ll make you and Micah court mages. And you’ll be my head advisor and court mage, promise.”

She gave Simon a strange look over her cup. “You mean ‘when you’re king’, Simon, right?”

Simon sunk into his chair. He shrugged his shoulders high and slumped down. Penny slowly put her tea down and leaned forward. “Simon, you’re the crown prince. You were specifically chosen by King David to be his heir.”

“I know,” he grumbled.

“You can’t pretend you’re not anymore.”

“I know.”

“You have to accept the responsibility of-”

“I know!”

The whole house shook slightly. The side table fell over and a crack appeared in the nearby wall. Simon was horrified, his gut twisting with guilt. He put down his cup and rubbed his face up and down. Stupid magic,he thought, never listens.

“Sorry,” he groaned. “Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t have lost my temper and this is your house and I’m damaging it. Sorry-”

“Hey, Simon,” Penny stepped out of her chair and stood in front of her friend. She put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I just, I hoped you would have accepted this by now.”

Simon sighed, slumping forward. “Yeah, me too. Guess not.” He ran a nervous hand through his tangled hair. “I just don’t know how I’m supposed to be a king. I barely passed my civics classes, I hate policy, I’m terrible at speaking, I can barely use this supposedly amazing magic I have. I’m never going to be like David.”

“Dear Lord, I hope not.” Simon gave Penny a weird look. “Simon, King Davy has made some good changes, but he does it with an iron fist. He just barrels through no matter what the lords or the people say. That’s not a good ruler, that’s a tyrant.”

“Don’t call him that. He’s not all bad. He took me in.”

Penelope sighed, patting him kindly. “I know. Just, don’t try to be like David, Si. Be like you.”

Simon reached up and squeezed her hand. “Okay. And you’ll be my top advisor. Or bodyguard, like Premal.”

She groaned, immediately pulling away from her friend. “Please never compare me to my brother ever again. The boy has a stick jammed so far up his arse you could mistake him for a statue.”

“Too true. He’s so still and slomen that I sometimes I run into him.”

“Please keep doing that. It might make him loosen up.”

Simon sunk further into his chair. “Hm, I’ll try.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead. It still felt weird from his crown. It always did. “I don’t want to go back to the castle tonight. David’s going to make me read the geography book again.”

“Well,” Penny said playfully, “I’m not working tonight. We could go exploring the Wavering Wood, like our school days.”

“But we’ve explored all The Wavering Wood,” Simon whined. But quickly, like a lightning flash, an idea came into his wild head. He grinned mischievously. Penny instinctively leaned back.

“I don’t like that look, Simon.” She raised a cautious hand raised.

He stood up, hands on his hips in triumph. “We can explore the Forbidden Lands!”

Penny groaned. She shook her hanging head and walked towards the kitchen. As well as away from her insane friend. “I knew you would say that and I still can’t believe it,” she muttered.

“C’mon, Pen, it could be fun! We’ve been through the Wood enough. We’re old pros. This would be a new adventure!” He followed after her, practically vibrating behind her as she put away the tea blocks.

“Si, the Wavering Wood may be dense, but the Forbidden Lands are different. They’re actually treacherous. Lots of steep slopes and dangerous animals. We could get seriously hurt.”

Simon waved dismissively. “You’ve got good magic, I’ve got a sword, we’ll be fine.”

Penny gave him an unamused look over her glasses. But when Simon put on his pathetic pout, her resolve buckled. He hugged her from the behind. “Please Pen? We don’t even have to go that far in. I just want to go explore somewhere new, have some fun. Like the old days.”

She still looked unamused, but Simon pouted more, rubbing up against her hair like the affectionate puppy he sometimes was. “Please?”

Penelope stayed stoic for only a few more seconds. But soon enough she sighed, posture falling along with her resolve. “Fine,” she groaned, “we’ll go exploring.”

That made Simon, crown prince of all of Watford and most powerful mage in the land, squeal like an excited school boy. He jumped up and down while saying, “thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I hope you know that if you die, it’ll be my head on a pike. So stay alive.”

“Of course! And I’ll pay you back. Get you some fancy herbs from the court mage’s cabinet.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Si.”

He hugged her tight again. “I wouldn’t expect anything else from you.”

Penny leaned against him. Simon put his cheek on her hair. He really did miss this. Mage’s School was tough, what with his lack of magical raising and previous poor schooling, but he met Penelope and Agatha. And for the first time in his life, he had real friends. He never thought he needed one until them. Now, he missed seeing them everyday so damn much.

Simon wanted an adventure. Like the great magical prince he thought he would be the day David took him in. Just one. That was all he needed.

———————————————

AN: If you're enjoying it so far, go to chapter 2 right here.

#carry on #snowbaz #cobb2018 #carry on big bang #simon snow #baz pitch #penelope bunce #fantasy au #the black swan #mysnowbazfanfic

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raphpanda21 · 5 years

Text

Such a beautiful lie to believe in

Last time

Eros: I need like three mimosas stat after that.

Thanatos laughed but the sadness lingered in his eyes

Thanatos: Sure thing, I guess I owe you that much at least. I am just going to go take a shower and maybe by the time I am done the girls will have taken care of things.

Eros saw the sadness hanging over Thanatos like a cloak but knew nothing he could say would help at the time.

Eros: Alright, sounds good. I’ll call and get our names in the list.

Thanatos nodded and disappeared into his room shutting the door behind him. Slipping out of his lounge pants he strode nude into his bathroom. Turning on the shower he turned to face the mirror as he waited for the water to warm. Studying himself his fingers moved up to absently rub over a small scar located on his left side right where his shoulder and neck meet. As the mirror fogged over completely he moved back to the shower slipping inside to try and let the heat and force of the water wash away his sadness or at least hide his tears.

As the furies were taking out the trash none to gently in front of Thanatos’s abode Hestia was just pulling up to Artemis’s home to handle the mess that had become Persephone.

Walking to the front door she let herself in using the hideaway key when there was no answer. Entering the home it seemed eerily quite but it was already nearly 10 o’clock so Persephone should have been up and moving around. Growing concerned and a tad guilty given how hard she had been on the girl Hestia made her way back to Persephone’s room. Knocking on the door she called out .

Hestia: Persephone , are you awake?

Silence was her only answer. Imagined horribles began to grow in Hestia’s mind. Surely she had not done anything rash to harm herself. She had been upset but Hestia had left certain Persephone would see that Hestia’s harshness came from her concern. Things seemed to be spiraling downwards for the girl and Hestia was just trying to protect what last vestiges of honor she might have left. Her worries outweighing her manners Hestia opened the door slowly and peered inside the room finding nothing. The room had been picked bare of every personal item. Rushing inside she quickly checked the bathroom and the closet finding both empty. Sitting down on the edge of the bed in shock she absently chewed her thumbnail.

Could she have left already and gone to her mother’s? It was possible but better to investigate on her own than send Demeter a text. Hestia knew all to well how obsessive Demeter was over Persephone.

Mind made up she got up from the bed and left the room planning to drive straight to Demeter’s under the pretense of just dropping in for a visit. As she walked down the hall she noticed the sound of snoring coming from Artemis’s room. Perhaps she knew where Persephone had gone. It couldn’t hurt to ask at the very least. Knocking on the door loudly she heared the snores come to an abrupt stop before the sound of movements come from the room and heavy footfalls approach the door. Pulling it open Artemis yawns loudly looking at a Hestia with a mix of annoyance and confusion.

Artemis: Hestia? What are you doing here?

Hestia: Sorry to wake you from your beauty sleep. I was just wondering if you had seen Persephone.

Artemis glanced down the hall shrugging

Artemis: I would guess she is in her room but since you woke me I guess she isn’t.

Hestia: Yes that is the case. She appears to have already moved out actually.

Artemis’s sleep heavy eyes widen slightly at this development.

Artemis: She has? Wow, she must have moved out last night cause it was as quite as a crypt when I got home. I just figured she was still sleeping.

Hestia: Well no matter. I will just swing by her mothers to ensure she has gotten settled in. I will see you later.

Artemis scratched her head as she watched Hestia go. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep she moved to the kitchen to make a large pot of coffee to get her through the rest of the day.

Just as she was enjoying her second cup of coffee the doorbell rang. Moving to answer it she is surprised to find her brother on the otherside. Looking him over her eyes widened at his appearance. He was sporting a swollen shut black eye and a busted lip.

Artemis: You look like shit. What happened to you ?

Apollo sneered at her pushing in past her and heading into the living room where he collapsed on the couch

Apollo: Thanks sis I wasn’t aware. This

He motions vaguely at his face

Apollo: Is all thanks to Eros. I never would have guessed a queen like him could throw a punch so well.

Artemis was floored. None of what Apollo was saying made sense at all.

Artemis: Wait, Eros? Like the god of love ? He has never struck me as the violent type. Why did he attack you?

Apollo rolls his eyes as he kicks off his shoes propping his feet up on the couch

Apollo: I don’t know maybe because he is a little bitch that can’t handle his liquor. Whatever the reason he totally got in a sucker punch and I ended up waking up on the filthy floor of a bar all alone.

Artemis rolled her eyes as she finished her second cup .

Artemis: So why come here? Are you hoping to get my sympathies?

Apollo: I never would dare to hope to get sympathies from you dear sister.

Artemis snorted smirking at him.

Artemis: I’ll get you an ice pack and then perhaps a nap might see you right. You can use the spare room if you want .

Apollo: Spare room?

Artemis: Yeah Hestia kicked Persephone out from what I understand. All because of the tabloids scandal which I think personally has been blown way out of proportion.

Apollo: Oh, yeah well you never know with those innocent acting types. Sometimes they will surprise you. I think I will take you up on the bed though. Don’t worry about an ice pack. Damage has already set in at this point but some rest should help.

Getting up he made his way back towards Persephone’s old room his anger spiking with each step down the hall. Had she run away? Did she think she could escape him? That she should? A country bumpkin like her should be begging him to keep her yet she was trying to play games. Plus there was Thanatos. She had been a virgin so he at least had her first but his possessive side didn’t want any man to have a slice of her pie. He needed to find her and have a conversation. She needed to understand what he expected of her one way or another. He really felt she needed some sense knocked in to her. Quit school, do whatever silly goddess work she was required to and be at his beck and call. He would take care of her and when he got tired of her she could go on and pursue whatever silly dreams she had.

Walking into the room he fell back on the bed with a groan. Why did all these women have to make things so complicated? His sister was just as bad with her thoughts of equality and he wasn’t even going to get started on his thoughts with regards to virginal goddess. Perfectly good waste of the female body in his opinion. That was besides the point though. He just needed to find Persephone and set her straight. Yawning he turned over to his side deciding to worry about all of it later as he began to nod off.

Just as Apollo was nodding off Hestia was walking up to Demeter’s sprawling abode. Ringing the doorbell she is greeted by a servant who leads her out to a back patio where the mistress is tending to her succulents. As Demeter turned and saw her guest a warm smile light up her face. Hesitia smiled back mentally praying for a chance to slip away and look for Persephone. If she wasn’t there she would just have to play dumb because she had no desire to be anywhere near Demeter if she discovered her daughter was missing. Demeter’s fury was known to rival Zeus’s and Hestia did not wish to be the target of it.

Demeter: Why Hestia what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?

Hestia: Oh nothing I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would drop in. It is about time for your yearly food conference right ? I figured you would be busy soon with all that so I decided to take the opportunity while I was near.

Demeter smiled and motioned to a nearby servant

Demeter: Bring out some refreshments and a fruit and cheese tray. We might as well treat ourselves while we converse right?

Hestia laughed trying to hide her nervousness as she settleled in a chair at the patio table. She just prayed Demeter wouldn’t pick up on her nervousness.

Hestia: Sounds lovely.

#greekgods #inspired #drabble #lore olympus #loreolympus #hestia #apollo #artemis #persephone

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grailacademy · 5 years

Photo

Welcome To Grail Academy - Chapter Twenty-three: Between Youth

Voshkie sneezed into the patterned handkerchief he’d had folded neatly in his breast pocket. He should make a point to call the maid and have her clean all this dust and cobwebs in the archives hall once he returned to his office. When he ran his finger across the countertop of the abandoned reception desk, a visible trail showed the grime still left on the table. This portion of the city hall was built like a mausoleum, with file cabinets lining each wall and reaching all the way to the high ceiling. He had no interest in this place. It was old, empty, it reeked of rotted and moldy paper. People still used the archives hall from time to time, but only as often as one would use a library when one could just as easily look it up on a scroll. Voshkie pulled on the small chain attached to a desk lamp, and watched the yellowing source of light until a hand was placed on his shoulder.

“This way, sir,” Reed motioned, his hand sliding down the governor’s shoulder to straighten out the handkerchief Voshkie had haphazardly stuffed back into the pocket of his suit. Voshkie didn’t mind his associate’s unhealthy attention to detail; it was actually refreshing to him. Someone still cared about political manners. Voshkie followed Reed down through the maze of file cabinets, drawing further and further away from the light of the desk lamp. Their journey ended at an innocuous looking beige drawer, where Reed tugged the handle forward and handed off a series of manilla folders to the governor. “That is everything we’ve compiled on Kuro and the Hedge Witches,” Reed began, “I’m sure you’ve noticed how light the files are.”

Voshkie opened the files and skimmed over the smudged letters. Threat to the city….acts of terrorism….experimental narcotics….gene-splicing….grimm DNA….border control….stunting the growth of Calicem…. All the newspaper clippings and police reports were thin. None of them had the full story.

“This is all of it?” Voshkie closed the papers and waved the files above his head. “Every mention, name drop, crime report, sighting, everything?” He wanted to be sure. Reed nodded, clasping his hands together in front of his stomach. The files made their way to rest under Voshkie’s arm as he turned around and walked out of the archives hall. “Good.”

“KNOCK IT OFF, BLAINE!” A muscular woman with a red bandana tied around her head shouted, inserting herself in the middle of the brawl on the dance floor. Another beer bottle shattered on the floor when she shoved what seemed to be the instigator of the fight away from the rest of the bikers, dragging him out of the bar by the back of his jacket. He yelled out a few obscenities, clearly drunk, before stumbling out onto the sidewalk. “I’ll be back for you, dickheads!” he called out, “You’ll see!” The rest of the bikers simultaneously flipped him off, and the one standing in the center of the group, with perfectly quaffed hair, responded by hollering, “Eat shit, Blaine!” The woman slammed the door to the bar shut, and the bikers turned to laugh amongst themselves. The chaos of the space had died down, at least for now.

Esmerelda made a motion with her hand, turning her finger in a circle, to signal that the trio should spread out and see what they could find. Nico skipped away to the bar while Bernard headed towards the jukebox. Esmerelda snapped her game face on, and approached the behemoth of a woman who had tossed the drunk biker out of the bar.

“Excuse me,” Esmerelda inquired with a honeyed tone as a slender finger tapped her shoulder, and the woman looked down at the girl the way a wolf looks at an injured deer. “You need something, honey?” The woman quipped.

“I was wondering if you had seen anything suspicious around here in the past few weeks?”

The woman laughed heartily, crouching down to meet Esmerelda’s eye level. “Honey, do you know where you are? You see the kinds of folks we get?” She motioned to the populous of the pub’s customers. “Suspicious activity is how I keep my job.”

Bernard watched the discs in the jukebox with an intense look. His finger continuously pressed the shuffle button on the machine that flipped one record to the next. Over and over, quickly, taking only milliseconds to read the title of the song, album, and artist. Standing in a corner, pressing a button. It was all he was capable of doing until he found an agreeable song. A man in a tan jacket looked up from his game of pool, the brim of his hat just low enough to hide his face. He set the cue down and snuck up behind Bernard, who jumped from the sudden contact. “You’re a long ways from home, ain’t ya?” He smiled warmly, ignoring the boy’s compulsive shuffling on the jukebox. Bernard was frozen, staring into the face of the man next to him.

“What are you-”

“-Wow, look at this! Such a stroke of good luck. Here I am, sent all the way from Vocatus to find you, and I thought I’d have to search the entire city. But I didn’t have to lift a finger! It’s as if the gods dropped you right into my lap.”

Bernard opened his mouth, but closed it again, clenching his jaw to stop himself from speaking. He looked around the bar, wary of the eyes that fell on him. He kept his back to the patrons, and spoke under his breath in a language he was sure nobody but the man next to him would understand, taking every precaution to keep their discussion hidden.

“Todavía tengo un mes.”

“Queremos asegurarnos de que está utilizando su tiempo en ese mes con prudencia. Y si me preguntas....” The man gestured to the sleazy bar they stood in, and then to the jukebox that Bernard had stopped methodically flipping through. “....Esto no parece ser un uso sabio del tiempo.”

“Estamos buscando a mi amigo.”

“¿Estamos?” The man tilted his hat up at the mention of other people, and his eyes searched the establishment until they fell on two people of similar age to Bernard, both standing out in the crowd. He sighed, “....Por qué no estoy sorprendido.” Bernard stood stiff as the man stroked his trimmed goatee.

“No me digas que realmente te preocupas por ellos.”

Bernard tried to bring himself to speak, but he was once again cut off. “No, claro que no-”

“No son la razón por la que estás aquí!” The man raised his voice, garnering attention from a few of the surrounding bikers and patrons. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke in a low voice, “We sent you here to train, not to be in some cheesy after-school special.” The man pulled the brim of his hat down and buttoned up his jacket, preparing to leave. Before he disappeared into the night, he gave Bernard a word of warning. “You wouldn’t want to disappoint El Santo Diablo. He expects big things from you.” Now that he was alone again, Bernard hunched over the jukebox and tried to hide his anxious, frustrated wheezing by furiously flipping through the discs.

Night on the Grail Academy campus was strange. Especially for those who didn’t actually attend the school, like Lolanthe and Aurum, and the Herculean figure standing behind them in a large black cloak made from boarskin. As he stepped forward, the breeze blew under the flaps of his cape and partially revealed a sliver of something sparkly underneath. Lolanthe complained, “Does you really need to wear that?” The man grunted and flared his nostrils, the tusks of the boar pelt that functioned as a hood on his head shifting as he did.

Aurum ran his hand over his cleanly shaved head. “I don’t see a problem with it. Let the man play dress-up if he wants to,” He said, his thumb running along the side of the envelope he held. He looked over the blueprints: the school, the dorms, the arena, and the clocktower. Lolanthe snatched them out of his hands and inspected them herself, disgruntled. “This is why nobody takes us seriously.” They both looked back to the man who towered over them, his arms crossed and his expression hidden under the shadow of his hood. Then they returned their attention to the school whose lawn they stood on, uncomfortably silent with all of the students away on Winter break. “Let’s get this over with….”

Nico spun on the stool at the bar, his back against it with his elbows on the counter, spreading out as much as he could sitting between two other people. To one side, a man with a loose tie hanging off his neck sipped at his drink. To the other side, a young woman in a flowery dress chatted with the bartender. Nico leaned towards the man, sticking his chin out with a smirk.

“Hey there, gorgeous~”

“Hey.”

“Have you ever hooked up with a rock star?”

“....No?”

“Would you like to~?”

Nico waggled his eyebrows, the smirk on his face growing. The man rolled his eyes and shook his head, finishing his drink before standing up and leaving. Nico frowned for a moment in disappointment, but just as quickly as it fell, the sly smirk rose back across his cheeks, and he swiveled around to the other side to lean towards the woman.

“Hey there, gorgeous~” He was about to use the exact same pickup line, but the woman held up her hand to stop him. “Nope.” She huffed and walked away, leaving Nico in the dust.

Rejected. Twice. It knocked Nico down a few pegs, for sure. He sat alone at the bar, wallowing in his sadness until he heard the raucous laughs of the bikers who had been in the fight when he first entered the pub. They were cackling over some dirty joke that their leader had made, drinks spilling out of their glasses as they clapped while the leader combed and smoothed back his hair with a grin. A plan was brewing in Nico’s brain. They seemed like reliable sources! Maybe they had some information about Yorick’s whereabouts. He drifted over to the group and tapped the gang leader on the shoulder. The men fell silent and stared at Nico. Or rather, they stared at his fingertips grazing the precious leather of their leader’s jacket.

“Are you sure?” As Esmerelda interrogated, her bangs fell in front of her face. “There’s been no Boost deals here? Nothing?” The woman scratched the side of her head under the bandana, shrugging. “Not for a few months. Too many cops patrolling around the bar for anything to happen.” Esmerelda sighed, arms crossing over her chest as she tapped her finger against her forearm, thinking. The music bouncing in the background made the ice cubes on some of the drink glasses rattle, and she could feel the bass pulsing in her chest. “Very well. Thank you for your time….” She turned to walk away, but what the woman said next stopped Esmerelda in her tracks.

“You Grail kids been poking your noses around here a lot lately. I’d watch out if I were you.”

“Grail kids? Do you mean there have been other students in here recently?”

“Well, yeah….not many, mind you. But it’s easy to pick ‘em out in a crowd.”

“What did they look like?” Esmerelda lurched forward with intent, listening.

“There’s this tall girl who’s a regular here. Letterman jacket. Usually has a blue haired chick and a cat faunus following her around, sometimes a kid in a lab coat too. Buncha’ weirdos.”

“Anyone else you can remember?”

“Hm….I think, yeah. New one been tagging along with them, ponytail and goggles. Real fidgety.”

Esmerelda had to hide her glee as she shook the woman’s hand. “Thanks, you’ve been a big help.” She snaked away with a keen smile, slipping up to Bernard’s side, who was startled and hugged his shoulders to his neck when she arrived. “He was here,” She murmured, “With Queenie and the others.” Bernard nodded, and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a cacophony of hollers and grumbles that erupted from the group of bikers that formed a huddle on the dance floor. Nico stood at its middle.

“Boys, boys, boys! Please! No autographs, I’m a very busy man”, Nico tittered. One of the bikers shoved him in the shoulder, making him fumble backwards into the arms of another biker. This one shoved Nico back into the center of the huddle. “Listen here, ya gutterpunk,” the gang’s leader spoke out, combing back his hair into place, “Nobody touches Morado’s jacket. Nobody.” His goons repeated him with cackles, “Yeah, nobody! Morado’s king ‘round here!”

“Are you seriously talking in third person?” Nico raised a brow at Morado before turning to address his underlings, “And you guys let him do that?” Morado snarled at him. Nico threw his hands up and looked off to the side. “Jeez, you are a stereotype. But hey, I don’t judge! You do you. I can see you don’t want to answer any questions, I get it, I got it. Now, I’m part of a very famous and influential musical group, don’t bother looking us up, I’m sort of a celebrity.” Some of the bikers stepped backwards out of the huddle, not wanting to have to add assault and battery of someone famous to their criminal records. There was no humanly possible way to become more smug than Nico was at that moment, his smile stretching the corners of his mouth like rubber bands. “Yeah, that’s right, VIP coming through. So I’ll just squeeze past-” Nico began to slip through, but the biker’s hand that pushed his chest and thrusted him backwards stopped him. “Not so fast.”

Nico’s artificial smile quivered. “You’re in a band?” Morado glanced at the other two people standing by the jukebox. “Prove it. Play something.”

The sweat was starting to drip down the side of Nico’s face. He laughed nervously, “W-well, we don’t have our instruments, and we still have to do our vocal warm ups, uh-” Morado lifted Nico off the ground by his jacket collar. His arms flexed underneath his jacket sleeves, and Nico squeaked when he feld his feet swinging back and forth, a yard above the floor. “SING, LITTLE MAN!” The man roared in Nico’s face, shaking him. His goons closed the circle around them and whooped and cheered, excited to watch their boss in action. Nico swung his leg upwards like a hatchet, nailing Morado in the crotch with the heel of his boot. He let out a wail and dropped Nico to the floor, and the boy scrambled to his feet. Esmerelda and Bernard rushed to his side when he was assaulted, but Morado easily stepped between them once he recovered.

The gang leader cracked his knuckles with a menacing glare, the other bikers pulling out an array of weapons from their pockets and forming a wall behind their king. The reflections of their switchblades glinting in the overhead fluorescent lighting, Morado hissed, “See, Morado was just going to give you a quick pummeling and send you on your way. But now? Now, you’re dead meat.”

The music from the jukebox stopped. Esmerelda and Bernard pushed themselves past the barrier of bikers, and Nico braced for the impact of Morado’s fist in his face. But it never came. His clenched fist was raised in the air, his arm wound back and ready to launch, when the bouncer burst into the pub and yelled, “IT’S THE PIGS!”

Almost on cue, a drunkard sitting at the bar screamed out “SCATTER!” and threw the bottle of beer he was drinking from on the floor. The glass exploded like a small firecracker, and in a chaotic flurry, all of the bar’s patrons flew off in separate directions, breaking more bottles and flipping tables as they all made their escape before the police arrived. The biker gang dove through the exit in the kitchen, Morado warning the trio, “This ain’t over” before fleeing the scene. The lights flickered off. Esmerelda grabbed Nico by the arm and hefted him up, the three of them crawling out through the overhead window in the women’s bathroom.

“Great, now we have another enemy”, Nico growled. Esmerelda brushed snow off her coat, the flakes sprinkling to the ground like powdered sugar, and she held up a finger in front of his face. “Correction. You have another enemy.”

Voshkie dialed a number on his scroll and listened to the dialtone. He stared into the embers that sizzled in his office fireplace, stoking it ever-so-slightly with a metal poker. He glanced down at the files in his hand. The building’s maid picked up the line. “Yes, Kelly? Could you to come in to the office early on monday? The Records Hall needs a good cleaning….yes, of course….yes…” Voshkie let the files fall into the fire, page by page, watching them turn black and disintegrate. Everything on Sable. Everything on the Hedge Witches. Everything that could compromise his position in office. “....Yes. That should be fine. Just make sure it gets taken care off. I have a mess of my own to attend to.”

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itsclydebitches · 5 years

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RWBY Recaps: Vol. 5 "Unforeseen Complications"

This is a re-posting from Oct. 28th, 2017 in an effort to get all my recaps fully on tumblr. Thanks!

This RWBY review had to be put on hold while I finished Stranger Things 2. In all honesty if you're reading this instead of watching the new season... please re-think your life choices.

For those of you who have binged properly you'll already know that though RWBY doesn't do holiday-themed episodes, they're still bringing in the Halloween spirit this week with the rather terrifying title "Unforeseen Complications." We open on Blake, Sun, Kali, and a pacing Ghira, wearing his tiny reading glasses that everyone was gushing over when the promo picture first dropped. Luckily we haven't lost the adorable cat Dad (yet), but things aren't looking good, especially when he's given this much screen time in a show that just loves breaking up happy families. Ghira is prepping a speech in regards to Adam's recent power-play and the only thing that eases the tension is a warm, family hug.

And Sun's awkward fourth-wheeling. Honestly, that was funny about ten episodes ago. For a side character that's been thrust into one of the main cast's storyline, Sun sure hasn't justified his place there yet. He's done little in the way of really assisting Blake in her work and the injury that worried everyone last Volume was explained away this very episode, amounting to nothing. The guy either needs something to do or finally needs to clear out--which, I should add, Blake wanted him to do weeks ago.

Sun aside, Ghira remains a favorite among fans for his sweet nature, fair views, and unending support of his daughter. His speech here, laying out Adam's rogue faction in the White Fang and his involvement in the Fall of Beacon, isn't anything that the viewer didn't already know about. In fact, the scene is a little confusing if you don't catch that Blake's story is apparently taking place a month behind everyone else's. There's no overt indication of this using text on screen and given that we're following so many characters, there's no easy way to imply an ellipsis, let alone that we're jumping around a suddenly non-linear timeline. I had originally taken Ghira's warning that Adam intends to kill Sienna as an indicator that news of her death hadn't reached the island yet. However, it was pointed out to me later that Ghira mentions Haven opening in two months time whereas Ozpin, later in the episode, says that school starts up in a month. I'm not sure why RT has chosen this form--or why they've made it so convoluted--but I'm trusting that it will somehow benefit the overall structure of the Volume.

Ghira's call to assist the humans in Haven certainly doesn't get an outcry of support from the crowd, but he's entirely undermined when Ilia (dramatically) throws off her cloak and reveals herself, shouting that they should never help the humans when they've done nothing but harm the faunus in turn. Sun tries to grab her (he fails) but the damage is already done. As we see through the camera focusing on our two creepy fox brothers, Adam's splinter faction has wormed its way in deep. We know thanks to Ilia's scroll that Adam not only plans to attack Haven but take out their CTT tower as well. RWBY is chock-full of themes surrounding communication (or the lack thereof) and literally taking out the kingdoms' one way of contacting one another is highly reflective of that. Combine that with Ilia’s few words sowing so much discord. Divide them and they’ll fall, and all that.

The real action of the episode though is with Team RNJR. After a full two weeks we finally get to see the gang's reaction to Professor Ozpin's return and oh boy, it did not disappoint.

Ruby: "Isn't it weird?"

She's so excited about this! Qrow reminds the kids that this is strange for everyone involved, including the boy you're hounding, so they sheepishly give Oscar some space. He admits that he's a little nervous because he's never met real huntsmen and huntresses before, which is a wonderful callback to Ruby's excited, "Can I have your autograph?" to Glynda in Episode One. She's come far enough now that she's the one people look up to with awe. There's also perhaps a bit of rosegarden here, but that's obviously a ship that can only happen if Ozpin gets a body of his own.

We then (bless) finally get some actual information regarding this Oscar-Ozpin situation. Oscar shows everyone his "parlor trick" where, with a flash of green aura, gold eyes, and white hair, Ozpin takes control of his body, making everyone emotional with a sincere, "It is so very good to see you again, students."

It's a remarkably light scene for all the revelations. Like I've been noting in all these recaps, Ozpin admits how pleased he is that Ruby and the others can retain their sense of humor in the face of confusing and traumatizing circumstances. We get another callback as Ozpin apologizes, saying that he wasn't exaggerating when he once told Ruby he'd made more mistakes than any man, woman, or child. We learn that he has been “cursed” by the gods for failing to stop Salem centuries ago. For thousands of years Ozpin has lived, died, and reincarnated in the body of a "like-minded soul," though there's still no explanation of what exactly constitutes "like-minded” in this scenario.

Jaune: "So who... what are you?"

Ouch. Though not an entirely unwarranted question when you’re suddenly dealing with the impossible. Ozpin says that he is the "combination of countless men" who have spent their lives trying to protect Remnant. The implication that he only reincarnates as a man aside (seems like a missed opportunity there), this seems like a pretty firm confirmation of the merging theory. The person we know as Ozpin might not entirely erase Oscar, but it certainly sounds like they won't remain completely separate people for forever. Indeed, Ozpin says straight out that at some point, "eventually," they'll “merge” and become the new Ozpin, a man who retains the memories of all his past lives. It’s all still horrendously murky, but honestly, if Oscar doesn't have at least a little bit of a freak out over this I'll be sorely disappointed.

We still don't know who or what Ozpin was originally. Was he just a man who took on too much, cursed by the gods for his failure or arrogance? Was he the wizard, one of the few capable of wielding magic in Remnant, thus making his survival (and the curse to ensure as much) a necessity? Ozpin isn't saying just yet. After assigning Qrow to find them more huntsmen he turns his sights on Team RNJR, telling them that they'll need to get into "fighting shape" before they can face Salem.

There is nothing that I don't love about this scene. Bringing back Ruby's lack of skill in hand-to-hand after Yang's character short spent so much time emphasizing it? Check. Implying that we'll finally unlock Jaune's semblance this Volume? Check. Ozpin confirming that outside the confines of his headmaster persona he's a happy, dramatic showoff?

Triple check.

All poor Oscar asked is that Ozpin not do anything embarrassing while he has control of their body and what does this man do? Act extra as fuck of course, performing a backflip onto the chair and spinning his cane far, far longer than he needs to. Nora is the only one unimpressed by this display, but I personally can't wait to see Ozpin training the kids. It should be especially interesting given his sudden loss of control--Oscar coming back unexpectedly and losing his balance, toppling them off the chair. Training is hard enough. Training while you're stuck in the body of a weak, undisciplined child... that's something else entirely.

The end of our episode takes us back to Weiss, still guarded by Raven's bandits. It's a moment of psychological torture, with her captor taunting Weiss with her own weapon and demonstrating that the one tool she has, information, is severely outdated. Ironwood has recalled all his troops from Mistral, including Winter. She's not around now to save her little sis’ like Weiss had hoped.

Which is hilarious, because in no world does Weiss Schnee need saving. Our last shot is of the miniature knight she's made out of a tiny glyph and her confident smile. Can't wait to see what she's planning to do with that.

Other Details of Note

I was incredibly nervous during the later half of Ghira's speech where he's just going, "We have ALL this INCRIMINATING evidence on this ONE SCROLL that I'm going to WAVE AROUND out here in the OPEN where anyone could EASILY STEAL or DESTROY IT..."

The faunus press all using their scrolls instead of cameras or old-fashioned pen and paper. It's a small but enjoyable bit of world-building.

The voice acting for Ozpin as Oscar was incredibly well done. Jury's still out on whether the echo is just a byproduct of his control or is somehow more meaningful. One theory currently says it's used whenever Ozpin says something that references all of his past lives, not just his last two.

Qrow immediately gets Ozpin coffee. Or hot chocolate. Whatever it is. He might be in the body of a 14yo, but you know as soon as he has control he needs a mug in his hands.

... Qrow then breaks the table and the mug. Hello, semblance. I'm looking forward to seeing more of that as the Volume goes on. Does the bad luck get worse the longer Qrow stays in one place? Is that why he's so eager to leave and recruit more huntsmen? What exactly are the rules here? No one has laid them out and (like silver eyes...) no one seems very interested.

Oscar upon learning that he'll be training too: "Wait, what?"

And you've gotta love Nora. She went from thinking over how she could bribe her powerful, dignified headmaster ("No wait, he has a school") to flouncing about and calling him their "little cute boy Ozpin." I really hope she ignores his request and keeps calling him that indefinitely. It's very amusing.

#rwby #mymetas #RWBY Recaps

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swanqueeneverafter · 6 years

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50. Labor of Love, Pt.3

Storybrooke. Beneath The Library. (Emma, Snow, David and Regina look on as Hercules and Meg prepare to cross to the other side.) Meg: “Do you think you can get to the prison through the tunnels?” Emma: “Yes, thanks to your map. Thank you.” Hercules: “Are you sure you don't want us to stay and help?” Snow White: “I think you've waited long enough. And if you don't cross before your uncle finds you, who knows what he'll do?” Hercules: “I was right. You became an amazing hero.” (He steps forward and hugs Snow White. Turning, Hercules and Meg hold hands and begin to cross over the bridge. Something appears on the other side.) Meg: “What is it?” Hercules: “Olympus.” (Hercules and Meg both chuckle, before crossing over. The clock ticks.) Hades' Lair. (Hades is pacing the floor when the Evil Queen arrives in a cloud of smoke.) Evil Queen: "You wanted to see me?" Hades: (Stops pacing, turns to face her:) "Oh, yeah. You could say that. This deal between us, it's not going well for me. Since bringing my flock above ground, the heroes have managed to redeem three lost souls. This is not what we agreed." Evil Queen: "I'm well aware of our deal, Hades. You needed more people to rule over, and as Queen I can respect that. Which is why I gave you Storybrooke in return for letting me carry out my plans in peace." Hades: "When Regina killed you, she sent you and the Darkness into my domain. That power was mine, I could've used it and been free of all of this by now." Evil Queen: "And what, swap one leash for another? You are bound to the Underworld because of what your brother did to you. If you had become the Dark One, you would've been bound to a dagger. Hardly a fitting upgrade for an all powerful God." Hades: "You tricked me. You convinced me to use the power of the Darkness to bring my Kingdom to Storybrooke. Now the Darkness is gone forever and I'm still trapped as ruler of the dead." Evil Queen: "You have all of Storybrooke's population at your disposal. Granted, they may not be dead, but you can't have everything. Hades, there is only one way you can be free of your burden and we both know what that is. (Hades glares at her:) So why don't you stop whining to me about your troubles and start doing something about it." Hades: (As the Queen turns to leave:) "Where are you going?" Evil Queen: "You prefer your subjects dead, right? Well, leave that to me."

Storybrooke. Woods. The Next Morning. (The Charmings and Emma are searching for the cave entrance to the underground prison when Emma's hand begins shaking. Suddenly, the vision of her dueling a mysterious cloaked figure fills her mind. Emma shakes her head violently, attempting to right herself, but this fails to go unnoticed.) Snow: “Hey, Emma, you okay? What happened?” Emma: “Nothing. Come on. Let's keep going. (Emma walks on a short distance, still struggling to keep her hand from shaking when she receives a call from Regina:) Hey, what’s up? (Regina’s part of the conversation is unheard:) I’ll be right there.” The Town Line. (Regina and Emma stand at the town line testing the magical force running across it.) Emma: “A protection spell? Like the one you used to keep everyone here during the curse?” Regina: (Sighs:) “No, not like it. This is the same spell. The only way to do that is with the ingredients from my vault, which I sealed with blood magic. I...” Zelena: (Arriving in a cloud of green smoke:) “Regina. I got your message. Is everyone okay? What happened?” Regina: “Well, someone put a protection spell on the town line.” Zelena: “Really? Well, who would do that?” Regina: “I was gonna ask you the same question.” Zelena: “You're accusing me of causing this?” Regina: “Oh, come on. Zelena, other than me, you're the only one who can open the lock to my vault.” Zelena: “That's not true!” Regina: “Really? Well, if it wasn't me, and it wasn't you... then who?” Zelena: “I have no idea, sis. But I'm getting tired of this inquisition.” (Zelena disappears.) Regina: (Turning back to Emma:) “I'm starting to think Hades isn't the only one we have to be worried about.”

Mr. Gold’s House. (Having arrived back in Storybrooke late the night before, Belle stands helping Mr. Gold with his tie as they dress.) Mr. Gold: “Belle, why did we come back here? We were finally free of it all.” Belle: “I couldn’t just leave for a trip around the world without saying goodbye to our friends first. Besides, judging by the sky out there, something’s not right here.” Mr. Gold: “Yes, but why should that be our problem?” Belle: (Smiles:) “Because, Rumple, you’re a hero now and problem solving is part of the job description.” Mr. Gold: “I don’t exactly remember applying for the position.” Belle: (Finishes with his tie:) “Look, we’re going to find our friends, see what’s going on and help them. Then we can leave, all right?” Mr. Gold: “I will hold you to that, Belle.” Belle: (Kisses him:) “Then it’s a deal.” Zelena’s Farmhouse. (Zelena arrives home to find the Evil Queen rocking her daughter.) Evil Queen: (Rattle shaking:) “You like this rattle, don't you, little one? My mother used to use it to soothe me. Mm-hmm.” Zelena: “Our mother used that on you?” Evil Queen: “Yes. And now it's yours. (Places it on the table:) Consider it a gift.” Zelena: “For what?” Evil Queen: (Placing the baby inside the crib:) “You didn't tell Regina about our little visit to the vault. You didn't even tell her I was in town. You know how much I admire the ability to keep a secret.” Zelena: “Oh. So it was a test. And here I thought you were different than Regina.” Evil Queen: “I am, because, unlike her, I will never doubt you again.” Zelena: “So, when you said I'd get my sister back... (Sighs:) you didn't mean Regina, did you?” Evil Queen: “I'm the sister you want, Zelena. I know this because... you're just like me... You would never settle for less. And Regina is quite literally... the lesser of two evils.”

Enchanted Forest. Past. (Milah is carrying an armful of firewood, whilst Rumplestiltskin follows behind her, limping, and Baelfire, carrying a net to catch frogs and butterflies with.) Rumplestiltskin: “Milah. Milah! You don't have to be doing this yourself. I said I would help.” Milah: “You said that. And somehow, it still didn't get done.” Rumplestiltskin: “Well, I was chasing dragonflies with the boy.” Milah: “Did he protect you from the big ones?” (Baelfire wanders off, having heard enough of his parents arguing. He comes across a snake, and curiously, he bends down to look at it.) Rumplestiltskin: “I know my leg slows me down around here, but I-I can do better. I can change.” Milah: “You're never going to change, Rumple.” Rumplestiltskin: “I can. I can be whatever you want me to be.” (Baelfire is now reaching to touch the snake, and the snake in return is poised in a threatening manner, ready to bite him.) Milah: “Just go play with the boy. That's one thing you can do, at least.” (Baelfire screams in the distance.) Rumplestiltskin: “Bae! Bae? (He and Milah run round the bush to see Baelfire on the ground in pain. Rumple kneels down with Milah and rolls him over:) Bae, what's wrong, son? What's wrong?” (Milah hears the snake hissing and uses a rock to kill it. Rumplestiltskin examines the snake bite worriedly.) Storybrooke. Present. Main Street. (Milah is getting ready to help kids cross the road, when her eyes land on Mr. Gold, who is standing on the sidewalk waiting for her. Milah doesn't look happy to see him.) Mr. Gold: (Waves:) “Morning, Dearie. (Milah doesn't say anything as she steps onto the road, allowing for the children to cross safely:) Didn't think I’d ever see you again.” Milah: (Once the kids have crossed, she stops in front of him:) “How'd you find me?” Mr. Gold: “You are standing in the middle of Main Street, so, you know. I must say, I do love the irony of your job. You watching children, keeping them safe, keeping them close.” Milah: “What do you want?” Mr. Gold: “I want to know what my dead wife is doing here. Surely you can’t think this is an everyday occurrence?” Milah: “You don’t seem surprised to see me.” Mr. Gold: “After spending centuries as the Dark One, nothing surprises me anymore. Although my curiosity is still very much intact.” Milah: (Sighs:) “Hades brought his kingdom to this place. I don’t know how he did it, but this is our home now.” Mr. Gold: “Temporarily. (Turns to go then thinks, turning back:) You know I am curious to see you here actually. Hades’ kingdom is usually filled with people with unfinished business, so what’s yours?” Milah: “I don’t have to tell you anything.” Mr. Gold: “No, why start now, eh? If you’re waiting around to be reunited with the pirate? He’s already found a new family from what I hear. Which leaves only me.” Milah: “You?” Mr. Gold: (Chuckles at the disgusted look on Milah’s face:) “Rest assured, dearie, I’m married to the woman I love and who loves me in return. So if you’re waiting around to apologise, I’ll spare you the trouble. I am over you.” (Mr. Gold turns and walks away, laughing as Milah glares after him.)

Granny’s Diner. (Regina enters Granny's diner by herself, on the hunt for the Blind Witch. Regina walks up to the counter, where the mute maid is working.) Regina: “Hey, where's your boss?” Mute Maid: (Can't speak, and tries to signal she doesn't know where Hades is.) Regina: “No, not some deity... your boss here. The Blind Witch? (The Mute Maid shrugs:) She’s cleared out already, huh? Can’t say I blame her. Even though she’s dead, Granny’s crossbow would still sting. (Notices Cruella De Vil trying to sneak out the back:) Never mind. (Runs after Cruella and manages to catch up with her:) You.” Cruella De Vil: (Sighs and turns around:) “Hello, Darling.” Regina: “You can help.” Cruella De Vil: “I can? I mean, of course I can.” Regina: “Tell me about the graveyard. I need to find someone.” Cruella De Vil: “Oh, it's just a chat you want. Well, if you're looking for someone, simply use your magic. (Regina hesitates:) Oh. Having trouble, are we? Let's sit down and be civilized.” Storybrooke. Woods. (Having found the underground prison, Emma stands by and watches as the Charmings help guide the inhabitants of Storybrooke to safety. Smiling as each person passes, her mind soon wanders to the vision that haunts her. Before long, her hand starts shaking yet again. Hearing a voice calling to her, Emma snaps out of her reverie and steadies her hand.) Emma: “I’m sorry, what?” Archie: (Smiling:) “I just wanted to say thank you, for rescuing us.” Emma: “Oh, yeah. (Shakes her head:) Don’t mention it.” Archie: “Are you... all right, Emma?” Emma: (Looking at him:) “My parents sent you, didn’t they?” Archie: “Yeah. Uh, they... they're a little worried about you, Emma. T-They thought it might be easier for you to talk to...” Emma: “A cricket? (Archie looks at her:) Sorry. I didn't mean that like I was, like, anti... cricket. I just... I'm not really in the mood for therapy right now.” Archie: “And I've found, usually, that's when people need it the most. You've been fighting bad guys for years without a break. When I met you all those years ago, you had nothing but walls around you to protect you. But since then, with Henry and your family and Regina, those walls are down.” Emma: “Isn't that a good thing?” Archie: “Of course it is. But it also let in all the collateral damage of all that fighting.” Emma: “Great. Then how do I fix that?” Archie: “With time... and... and some hard work.” Emma: “Can't you, like, give me a pill or something?” Archie: “When it comes to fixing our biggest problems, Emma, there are no shortcuts.” Enchanted Forest. Past. (Milah and Rumplestiltskin hurriedly approach a man in the woods.) Rumplestiltskin: “Ex-excuse us. Fendrake the Healer? S-Sorry to bother you, sir. I-It's our son. Oh, my... We... we... we left him at home, thinking it might be too dangerous to move him.” Milah: (Reaches into her bag and pulls out the dead snake that bit Baelfire:) “We need the antidote to this.” Fendrake: “Atlanthean rat snake. It's a 24-hour poison. Your boy will die tomorrow.” Rumplestiltskin: (Distressed:) “No! No.” Fendrake: “Unless you're willing to use magic.” Rumplestiltskin: “Magic! We... we'll pay anything! What magic?” Healer’s Hut. (Inside the healers tent, Milah and Rumplestiltskin watch as Fendrake picks up a small vial of potion.) Fendrake: “There is a potion to cure your child. It's very rare.” Rumplestiltskin: “How much?” Fendrake: “100 gold pieces.”

Healer’s Hut. Exterior. (The hut doors bang open, as Milah and Rumplestiltskin walk out, not looking happy.) Rumplestiltskin: “100 gold! We won't see that in our lives.” Milah: “No, but we'll get our cure anyway.” Rumplestiltskin: “How?” Milah: “You'll go back and take it.” Rumplestiltskin: “Take it?! He'd kill me for sure.” Milah: “Oh, now, there's a puzzle you'll have to figure out. He can't kill you if you get him first.” (Walks away.) Storybrooke. Granny’s Diner. Present. (Cruella and Regina are in Granny's diner, sitting at a table together.) Cruella De Vil: “I see you're admiring my fur. Doe skin, of all things. I'm not saying it's Bambi's iconic dead mother. And I'm not saying it's not.” Regina: “Just tell me about the graveyard. If I find a headstone, does that mean that person's here somewhere?” Cruella De Vil: “Who are you looking for?” Regina: “Never mind who. I just... I want to know where they are.” Cruella De Vil: (Opens her bag and pulls out a piece of parchment:) “I have a map here. Now that I've been made Mayor. Oh, thanks to your recently departed mother. It's got a list of cemetery plots, and you have to know how to interpret the headstones. You see, there's three... what would you call them? Settings? If the headstone is upright, it means the person is still here in town. If it's tipped over, it means their soul has gone on to a better place, okay? Happy person, tippy stone.” Regina: “And the third setting?” Cruella De Vil: “If it's cracked... Well, that's bad.” Regina: “Bad? They got pulled under to... wherever is worse than the Underworld?” Cruella De Vil: “Yes. But no one who's anyone goes there anymore.” (Chuckles.) Enchanted Forest. Past. (Fendrake is asleep as Rumplestiltskin sneaks in with a dagger. Instead of going to Fendrake, Rumplestiltskin starts looking through the potions, only to wake the healer.) Fendrake: (Inhales deeply:) “Who's here? (Sees Rumplestiltskin:) You. I can kill you with a single spell.” Rumplestiltskin: “Oh, I-I don't need a spell. I've got a knife!” (Rumplestiltskin pulls out the dagger and moves towards Fendrake, but doesn't strike.) Fendrake: “Then do it.” Rumplestiltskin: (He contemplates going through with it, but can't bring himself to kill the healer:) “I can't. I just can't.” Fendrake: (Relieved:) “Of course not.”

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

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emergenciesstory · 6 years

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Nats sis Part 3

Pairing: Sister!Nat x Jessabelle (OC), Tony x OC, Stucky

Word Count: 2,176

Chapter summary: Tony and Jesse are, well, soulmates.

Notes: Just a couple parts left!

Masterlist Nat’s Sis Masterlist

Sketching on the holograms was more fun than on the tablet. I had been working on his design flaws for who knows how long, weeding out the ones that wouldn’t work in practice to the ones that could be saved. Tony had given me a tablet to use while here, with access to all the files. ‘No need to keep manipulating the system’ he claimed. Tony moved behind me, putting together the mechanics on the first design from this morning. I occasionally heard him grunt or shock himself, but had gotten lost in the plan before me. While the idea sketched out, the description didn’t follow the sketch, nor was the formula right for what he wanted to do. Different from the others, this wasn’t a gun or improvement for his suit, but a bracelet to track and aid everyone. While it had benefits to Tony for his suit, it also was to call select weapons with a small chip installed in it. I had been busy, but running into the error of the chip situation. Sighing, I dove back into design of the chip.

“What’s wrong?” Tony looked up at me, the hologram I was facing becoming a blur of colors and numbers.

“Nothing, just running some schematics for the Call chip.”

“Call chip? Are you already on the last file?” His voice was closer now, and I noticed he was wringing a rag on his grease covered hands. Pinching out of my work, I scrolled back through the designs, each with a note or writing all over it.Tony took control and was evaluating them.

“The first few were good ideas, but impractical. For the function you want, the size is too great with the technology available. Even using some of Hydra or Russian technological advances- What?” Tony was staring at you with Jaw dropped.

“You used their technology?” He turned back, analyzing the few sketches I had fixed.

“Well, of course. What else would I have been stealing from the mission? That’s what I’ve been doing, hacking into servers, stealing weapons to analyze. If something technological goes missing, it was probably me for study. I destroy it after so no one can have it, or to put some kinks in their plans.” I jumped onto the work desk behind us, crossing my legs under my lap, watching Tony look at the design I was stuck on, picking up the pen and writing in yellow.

“Are you the reason one of the quinjets disappeared?” he mused, focusing on the new plans.

“No, that one wasn’t me. I wish though, I’ve always been curious about the cloaking device and tiles.”

“It’s not difficult technology. Basically big mirrors, just more fun.”

“I see.” Tony had sketched another idea on the plan, a magnet rather than blaster on the gun. “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Grabbing my pen, I finished the calculations for a magnet from where I was perched, the technology actually looking like it would work on paper. Clicking his pen off, satisfied, Tony turned back to me.

“Because, you’re not a genius like me.” He was standing in front of me, smirking at eye level. “Hungry?”

“Are you egotistical?” Tony quirked an eyebrow at my comment. “The answer to both is yes.”

Tony escorted me from the lab and into the lift down to the commons. The clock on the wall read 1830, we had been working for eleven hours straight. The storm outside was still pouring rain, but the atmosphere of the commons was bright and lively. Steve and Nat were dancing around the kitchen cooking while Bucky and Bruce sat at the bar. Music played out through the room, Clint asleep on the couch with the controls in hand. Tony took my hand and pulled me from the elevator.

“What’s for dinner?” He called out, still not letting me go. I tried to pull my hand away, shrink back and let the fun play out how it should have been but it was too late. Nat looked up at us and saw our fingers intertwined and smiled, hitting Steve who answered.

“Chilli and Corn bread! Been working on it all day.”

“It smells good.” I said, sincerely.

“Don’t worry. Clint told us you were vegetarian. You have your own pot.” Steve smiled gesturing to the smaller pot on the stove simmering.

“You didn’t have to go through the trouble.” a smile spread on my face, this felt right, light and airy, warm like a home. Much better than eating from a can while trying to remain invisible.

“No trouble, besides, only the best for Nat’s sister.” Bruce chimed in, smiling. Tony released my hand to go mess with Steve, a very endearing expression on his face. I felt my eyes shift again, but tried to not let it get to me so it would settle back to green.

“Blue.” Nat whispered beside me. I hadn’t seen her move from the other side of the island. “But nothing to be jealous of, Steve is taken, Tony is single. Use your training and open your eyes.” She placed a warm bowl in my hands before leading us over to the table.

She pointed to a chair to sit in and sat across from me, the others joining quickly. Nat sat between Bruce and Clint, with Steve settling into the head of the table, Bruce on one side and Bucky to his other beside you. Tony came in last, sliding into the seat beside me. They all began chatting while you listened to what Nat had said. Looking over at Steve, you saw the silver band, barely traceable on his ring finger. His hand lingered near Bucky, who’s flesh hand sat close, but not touching. Looking to his metal hand, I noticed a matching thin band missing into his ring finger. I looked at Nat whose smirk confirmed my suspicions, Captain America and the Winter Soldier were together.

“So, Jessabelle, What did you do today?” Steve’s voice brought your attention back to the tables conversation.

“Jesse, please. I um, well,” I stammered, face turning red.

“Jesse here was helping me work on some old plans I had scrapped. She actually got a couple cool things to work, so new inventions from Daddy’s lab should be out for training this week.” I choked on my food at his comment of his lab, enticing laughs, and concern, from around the table. Composing myself with the glass of water Tony placed to my lips, I muttered apologies.

“No worries, Doll. Not the first time we’ve been flustered from his, openness.” Bucky gave your knee a squeeze and returned to eating.

“Hey, grandpa. Just because you and your boo over there are from the 40’s doesn’t mean this isn’t acceptable now a days.” Tony quibbed back. The room went silent as Steve’s face went red, Bucky’s sheet white looking like murder.

Steve chuckled slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, cat’s out of the bag.”

“It’s okay. I knew. Just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” I said quietly.

“Who Fucking told you?” Bucky whispered, eying you.

“Chill, Barnes, she found out the same way I did.” Nat said, looking like she’d stab him with her fork of possessiveness.

“I do like how the band is from Bucky’s finger though. It’s cute, very innovative.” I mumbled, my chili suddenly the most interesting thing in the room. At this, Bucky turned red, looking at Steve’s hand, now interlocking in his.

“Yes, he is.”

The rest of dinner was quite uneventful, Everyone discussing their days and projects for the week. I was asked to come to training the next afternoon, Wednesday, and Tony asked if I’d help him finish a couple of designs. Agreeing, it was as though I was part of them. After dinner, Tony asked me back to the lab to finish the first design tonight, and get a head start on the others. Nat and Bruce had a date planned, Clint was going to join Wanda and Vision on a mission early and wanted to go to sleep soon, and Bucky and Steve made plans to watch a movie or something. I excused myself to go change back into the shorts Nat had loaned me before going back to work.

Following Tony back to the lab, we immediately went back to our tasks, him finishing the blaster, and I looking at some of the plans I had scrapped, seeing if I had made another rookie mistake like the magnets. I was chewing on a pen, looking over a plan, cross legged on the bench like before. I had dredged up a plan for improving the security system, and seeing how easy I could hack into it, I was focusing on the codes, many of them a lot more intricate than I had deciphered this morning.

“You know, I think there’s a lot more to you than you let on.” Tony said, snapping me from my daze.

“What do you mean?” I looked over at him fidgeting with attaching the small blaster.

“I mean there’s no way a confident, brilliant, metamorphmagus such as yourself just steals technology and learns about it for no reason.”

“There is a reason, I enjoy it. It was all I was good at. When Natasha and I were taken, they trained her to be a fighter, but when I had guns to my head, I dismantled them quicker than pulling they could pull the trigger. Yeah, I can hold my own, but what’s the point.” His gaze never wavered, so I continued, leaving out a small detail. “So they sent Natasha to kill me. Steel bullet, but luckily they didn’t realize the gun was too powerful. It went clear through my hip, the shock rendering me unconscious.” I slid the shorts and watched the tattoo disappear, showing him my scar. “They believed me dead. When I came to, I realized what had happened, so I changed my appearance and left. Been alone since, changing to do a job, stealing technology, plans, weapons, learning everything I could, and moving onto the next base.” Tony watched with wrapped attention as I told my story, fingers absentmindedly tracing the scars from the bullet.

“How’d you find Nat again?” He tilted his head to the side, sitting on the stool in front of me.

“I actually found Clint first. I had run into him back where he has his farm. Literally. We got talking and it was, easy, like talking to you. So I spent a while with him and Laura and the kids. When he was gone, I helped Laura with the work that had to be done in exchange for living there. One day, Clint came back while we were painting the sunroom. I heard the kids say ‘Auntie Nat’ and I knew the secret was out. We agreed to not say anything and I disappeared again.”

“Wow. Just, wow.” Tony had his hand resting on my knee, smoothing his calloused thumb over me. It was calming.

“Yeah.” I watched him as he processed the information.

“Smart, strong, and beautiful.” He smiled up at me, eyes deep. Not again, I thought, feeling the amethyst color come back into mine. “I do like your eyes, they’re very telling.”

“And what do they say now?” I whispered, keeping eye contact.

“If I’m correct, they’re confirming my feelings aren’t one sided.” Tony spoke slowly while standing, his face inches from mine when he stopped. Glancing at my lips, I barely processed what he had said before I felt his lips on mine, softly pressing as though he was timid. I kissed him back, dropping my legs to either side of him, begging to be closer. I felt his tongue on my lip before he pulled back slightly, smirking

“I hate you” I murmured, before sliding my tongue in his mouth. My hands laced their way to behind his neck, threading into his hair. I felt his hands move up from my knees, snaking up my thighs to caressing my ass, pushing the shorts off my legs. He kissed me deeper, need laced into his lips as I slid to the edge of the table to be closer to him. Suddenly, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine, smiling as we locked eyes.

“Violet opal and Amethyst. You imprinted.” He whispered, breathing heavily.

“How do you know that? The only one who knows my colors is...”

“I may have asked her out of curiosity how to get to know you better, and I may have intentionally left the file where you’d hopefully find it. When I saw you flash dark sapphire before dinner, I wanted to know more. So when you changed, I asked about them all. It’s intriguing.”

“If you wanted to know so bad you could’ve asked.” I whispered, still not letting go of my hold around his neck and waist.

“But now I knew how you felt before I did what I wanted to,” he smiled.

“Damn these eyes,” I mused, kissing him again.

#Nats Sis

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inyri · 7 years

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Equivalent Exchange (an SWTOR story): Chapter Fifteen- Legacies

Equivalent Exchange by inyri

Fandom: Star Wars: The Old Republic Characters: Female Imperial Agent (Cipher Nine)/Theron Shan Rating: E Summary: If one wishes to gain something, one must offer something of equal value. In spycraft, it’s easy. Applying it to a relationship is another matter entirely. F!Agent/Theron Shan. (Spoilers for Shadow of Revan and Knights of the Fallen Empire.)

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Legacies

15 ATC. Rakata Prime.

If it was uninhabited, this would be a beautiful planet. The view from the landing zone, white sand beach and pristine water as far as she can see, makes her wish for a bathing suit and a drink with a little umbrella in it. The pieces of wreckage do rather spoil the scenery, though, and if her experience on Tatooine is anything to go by she’s guessing the natives aren’t friendly.

Still, Nine strips down to her undershirt while she waits to review the mission parameters, letting the sun shine on her shoulders. It’s hot, after all, the warmth a pleasant change from the chill breeze of Manaan; maybe she’ll even manage a hint of a tan. (Probably not. Probably sunburn and more damned freckles, but one can hope.)

She’s also pretty sure, as she bends to lay her jacket on the Nightshrike’s steps, that that ‘pub agent’s staring. When she looks back over her shoulder his sightline flicks upward about two degrees, settling on her back holster.

Definitely staring. Hm.

“My eyes are up here, Republic.”

He blinks, then gestures toward the small of his own back. “Just looking at your holdout.”

“My holdout. Really.” She turns fully around, drawling out the words in amusement. “Assessing my weaknesses?”

Theron- she should use his name, since the four of them seem to be stuck together for the time being (a Sith Lord, a Cipher, an SIS agent and a Wookiee- a list that ought to end with “walk into a bar,” really)- shrugs. “Let’s call them limitations, if we’re pretending to be friendly. Don’t you worry you can’t draw it left-handed?”

“Very diplomatic of you. But,” she says, lifts her right hand and waves at him as she twists her left behind her back, drawing the little blaster and bringing it forward for him to see, “limitations are for amateurs. Modified release. And a centered holster gets in the way of my rifle.”

That might have been a nod of approval; not exactly a chatterbox, him. “Fair. I’m ready when you are, by the way.”

She crosses back over to where he’s standing, looks over the planned route on the map projected onto the side of Jakarro’s ship. “I didn’t realize there were still this many Rakata alive.”

“Outside of this planet, there aren’t. There were more a few hundred years ago, from what I’ve read, when Revan was here. But ever since the Star Forge was destroyed this place has been pretty much off limits.” Theron gestures toward one of the larger pieces, a colossal shard of twisted metal at least a quarter-kilometer long. Three whole sentences in a row- that’s the most he’s said since they all left Manaan. She might actually be winning him over. “They’re dying off, little by little.”

“Normally I’d call that hypocrisy,” she says, “but given the first Rakata I met tried to turn an entire research base into cybernetic slaves, I’d call it good riddance. And didn’t Revan want to use the Star Forge? It looks an awful lot like he blew it up.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t know the story, clearly.”

“Not really, no. I know Revan was a Jedi and then a Sith and then a Jedi again, and then he tried to kill the Emperor and ended up imprisoned for three hundred years.” Until you idiots let him out and he tried to build another army, she doesn’t say. She’d read some of the Revan dossier, years ago, but they were focused on weaknesses then, not deep details of the man’s biography. “We don’t focus on Jedi history much.“

“That’s-” he clearly wants to add something more, but bites his lip- “that’s the very short version, yeah. You’re missing a pretty big chunk out of the middle. But no, he tried to use it the first time. The second time he came back to- he destroyed it, that time, so it wouldn’t be used.”

She waves a hand dismissively. “Like I said, Jedi history’s not my thing.”

He shrugs and turns back to the map as Lana comes striding down the exit ramp.

“Are you ready, Cipher?” Lana, too, looks to the map. “Feel free to bring whichever of your crew you prefer. Jakarro’s agreed to be our distraction, so he’ll be heading out momentarily. I’ve tracked Darth Arkous and Colonel Darok to the temple complex here-” she points- “which is your destination. On arrival, confirm target presence and activity.”

“Wait. I thought we were all moving on the temple together. If they engage I’m going to need more than a two-man team, especially with a Darth in play.”

“Avoid direct engagement unless absolutely necessary. Jakarro will be nearby, and we’ll be monitoring you from the shuttle here and providing remote support. We need to figure out what they’re doing before we decide on a plan of attack.” Lana continues marking points of interest with careful swipes of her finger along the projection: the temple and an adjacent courtyard; a few villages along the shoreline; further inland, a stone circle with-

She eyes the map dubiously. “Is that a rancor?”

“Yup.” Theron reaches across and adds sharp claws and pointed teeth to the drawing. “Also recommend not engaging the rancor. Take the long way around.”

“Noted.” She flips him off and turns back to the Sith Lord. “Seriously, though, I’d be happier with a four-person team. I can only cover two with my generator, but can’t Theron-”

He shakes his head. “I don’t have stealth equipment with me. If you’re going in cloaked, you’re better off letting me slice from here.”

She arches an eyebrow at that. If he was involved in the Republic’s strike on Korriban in anywhere near the same capacity Lana had been for Tython he must be fairly high up the food chain, but he’s not dressed like it; as far as she can tell he’s got two pistols and probably a holdout but no longer-range guns, no decent melee weaponry, no poison, minimal armor and now no stealth. She’d pulled his dossier on the way from Manaan, though it didn’t tell her much- he’s been active a few years longer than her so he’s probably a few years older, but no codenames, a few vague links to old missions but nothing concrete which means either he’s never gotten caught or, if he did, he killed his captors. If that’s how the SIS supply their elites, no wonder she’s run circles around every ‘pub agent she’s ever met.

(Hunter didn’t count.

Hunter wasn’t SIS. And in the end, when she slipped her collar, broke free of the leash Hunter used to drag her by, she put a round straight through that bitch’s head.)

“Your people don’t give you much in the way of kit, do they?” Glancing in his direction again, she gives his gear another once-over. “You- oh, dear. You are a field agent, aren’t you? Not that there’s anything wrong with data analysis, of course, but-”

“I am not,” he narrows his eyes at her, lip curling in irritation, “a desk jockey. I can handle myself just fine.”

“Oh, I bet you can.” She grins. The expression on his face is somehow familiar- she’s sure they’ve never met before, but he reminds her of someone that she can’t quite place. It’ll come to her eventually, she’s sure.

(Lana giggles.

Oh, shut up, you.)

She ends up bringing Temple; she can still use more practice with stealth and Lana and Theron keep promising, even as they finalize the route and Jakarro takes off along the path toward the first village, that it’s just a scouting mission. She hooks the little camera over her ear, connecting the cable to her transmitter so they’ll have visual. Get in, report, hold position. Easy.

So of course it goes to complete shit less than an hour in.

The attack on the village should have drawn the Rakata guards off the shoreline path. They should have all been chasing Jakarro by now, but instead they’re fortifying the watchposts with more guards and trained beasts, fleeing the villages like cowards but running straight into her path at the same time. She and Raina get past the first two by skirting along the water’s edge but the third’s a problem- they’ll either have to wade and risk being heard, or try to get up over a rock outcropping that takes them dangerously close to the beasts.

She signals; Temple nods, and she draws her pistol and her knife, just in case, as they head up over the rocks.

They would have made it. Halfway past the guards a little sliver of loose stone goes sliding down the cliff face, though, and hearing the noise one of the creatures turns its head, takes a deep sniff- and looks straight at Temple, growling. The Rakata beside it huffs and raises a hand.

They freeze, too late.

She shoves her down as an arc of lightning takes a chunk out of the ledge above their heads and the debris breaks their stealth field. After that it’s messy, six Rakata and four warbeasts between the two of them, and even as she gets her generator up again and they wade into the sea to try to purge the scent of blood from their armor she can hear alarm klaxons sounding all the way up the coast.

“The coast route’s a no-go.” She hisses into her transmitter. “We’re blown. Requesting extraction plan from Watchpost Gamma.”

“I’m not so sure. The main complex is still quiet.” Lana answers back, her tone less confident than her words. “The alarm doesn’t appear to have reached them yet. Keep going.”

She pulls Temple into an alcove as a patrol team moves past their position. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this op. Reroute me, but I’d be ready to move in if I were you.”

“Take the right-hand path from your position,” Theron chimes in. “It’ll take you inland.”

“Past the rancor.”

“Right through it.” He sounds entirely too smug. “Unless you don’t think you can handle it?”

He’s trying to goad her, of course- it’s the favorite pastime of rival agencies since the dawn of the modern age, when they’re not actively trying to kill each other- and she isn’t going to fall for it that easily. Beside her, Temple rolls her eyes. Cocky bastard, she mouths, and she grins and nods agreement. “Watch and learn, Republic. Watch and learn.”

One can’t sneak past a rancor, not really. It’s got far too keen a sense of smell and even after their quick salt-water bath there’s still enough blood and enough sweat in their armor for a hunting species to pick up. The best she can hope for, then, is to turn the surroundings to her advantage; she gives Raina and her sniper rifle a boost up onto one of the standing stones around the ring where the creature prowls.

Still hidden, she creeps from the shadow of one stone to the next, gets back behind and downwind of the rancor and raises her knife, signaling up for the first shot as the field around her flickers out and-

She catches sight of the Rakata chief out of the corner of her right eye just before he closes on her and has just enough time to duck; his staff whips through the air above her head and she dodges, rolling forward through the rancor’s legs. A rifle shot takes it between the eyes and it roars, stomping, as she dives forward again.

“You could have mentioned the clan chief.” She has to shout to be heard over the bellowing as she peers around a pillar, launches a shock dart straight at the charging figure.

“Hold on-” Theron again, accompanied by a very loud metallic bang- “Lana’s meditating again, and I lost visual for a sec there. What are you- oh. Well, you’ve got him contained now, right?”

“For the next ten seconds, at least.” She gets around the Rakata as his limbs twitch. Her knife can’t cut through the ceremonial collar at his neck so she slashes at the backs of both legs before he can turn. “Are you two trying to get me killed?”

(Of course we weren’t, Lana huffs indignantly. It wasn’t well-scouted, yes, but-

I realize that now, she grins. But I didn’t have the best track record with SIS or the Dark Council at that point, remember. For all I knew, someone had put both of you up to taking me out.

I suppose you have a point.

She shoves another biscuit into Lana’s mouth. Of course I do. Now stop interrupting.)

“Don’t be-” he sighs. “Look, we’ll have better intel when you get to the temple. I’ve got about three-quarters of their the surveillance system sliced and I’m working on the last few now.”

The chief’s slower now, at least, staggering around and toward her as a flash off Temple’s rifle sight warns her out of the line of fire. “You’d better. I don’t do suicide missions.”

The shot, unlike her blade, gets through the collar just fine, and with no further distractions the rancor, too, goes down in relatively short order. It’s a shame they haven’t got time to take the teeth and claws- the last time she fought a rancor she’d had Vector and Doctor Lokin go over the corpse; Lokin had needed rancor bile for his research, for whatever reason, and they’d sold the sharp bits at the Mandalorian Enclave for a pretty sum- but the noise of its death has drawn a crowd, a tight phalanx of guards approaching over the rise of the hill.

Just in time, her generator recharges, and they sneak carefully away toward the temple complex.

The building itself is massive in a way that reminds her more of Korriban than Dromund Kaas. The courtyard fans out around the temple in all directions, great stone steps drawing one’s eye up to the high spire in the center, flanked by rough-hewn statues of a masked and hooded figure.

Revan. Fucking Revan, again.

When they’d raided the Foundry the rest of the strike team swore up and down that Revan had died. (Herself, she’d gotten thrown head-first into a pillar and spent the last moments of that desperate fight in stunned semi-consciousness. Not her finest moment.) He couldn’t have survived it, they said, all that lightning, even though he hadn’t left a body behind- that sometimes happened, apparently, with particularly powerful Force-users. His dream of a droid army, at least, had been quite thoroughly quashed.

They’re trying to build an army too, this group of conspirators, so she supposes it makes sense they’d end up here. Their plans on Manaan had failed- Rakata technology there, as well- and there must be some functionality left in that ancient temple. Was that what they’d been looking for in the archives on Korriban and Tython? Maps to ancient places, long lost to living memory. Places like the Foundry, like the Star Forge that used to fill the sky here…

But why?

Theron’s voice in her ear derails her train of thought. “Hey. I’ve got visual on the temple and… um. Did you bring any ion grenades with you?”

“Only two.” She pauses. “It’s cyborgs again, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Augmented soldiers in a cordon around the entrance. Human, this time, but the tech looks a lot like what you described from the underwater facility.”

“How many?”

Silence for a moment, then- “Four? No. Six, and one in heavier armor.”

She sighs.

“Too many?”

“I’ll manage. Where’s Jakarro?”

“Close,” Theron says. “But loud. You get backup or surprise, not both.”

That’s an easy choice. “Surprise, always. Keep him clear.” He knows the protocols, she hopes, or they’re all in trouble. “Requesting radio silence.”

“Copy that. Await your all-clear.” The channel clicks off. Not entirely useless, then. Good.

The heads-up did help. She gives Raina the second grenade and they split off a hundred meters out, the range on their synchronized generators just enough to let them flank the cordon from each side of the wide staircase; the grenades drop all the soldiers, their augmentations overloaded and sparking, leaving just the commander- who, of fucking course, has a rocket pack and another six cyborgs-

No. Another dozen cyborgs, in two separate waves.

Still, she manages. She always manages, though there’s a long scorch mark across her chest where she got too close to the commander’s downdraft by the time they’re done and Raina’s got a graze along her left thigh that’s left her limping. As the other woman presses a kolto autoinjector against her leg, the needle triggering with a soft hiss, her earpiece chimes, then chimes again.

“I thought I called silence, Theron.” Now that they’ve a moment to rest her left shoulder’s hurting, too, a dull wrenching ache, and she rolls it backward and forward. “And it was eighteen Void-damned cyborgs, not six, so you’d better have good news for me or I am really going to be very cross.”

“I’m afraid it’s more bad news, Cipher.” Lana sounds strange, distracted, her words slurring together. (I remember that. I had a terrible headache, Lana says. I was hearing Revan even then, but I didn’t know it… it was just a roar. Like sticking your head in a turbine.) “Arkous knows you’re coming, and they’ve got a shuttle on the roof. You may have to engage after all- we can’t afford to let them escape again.”

“You’re on your way, I hope.”

“Yes, but-”

She flicks the tip of the transmitter with her fingernail and gets twin yelps in reply, which serves them right because they’re going to get her killed and she is not going to die here, not today. “Let me guess- but you’re not sure you can get here in time.”

“No. We can get there, but Darok just fired up the turrets and I can’t get into that part of the security grid remotely. Going to need a distraction to be able to land near the tower.” Theron’s still trying to slice in, probably, given the amount of clicking in the background.

“How lethal of a distraction?”

“The goal is still live capture, if at all possible,” Lana says, her voice a little clearer.

She grumbles under her breath. She can hear Jakarro across the courtyard, so it’ll be three on two (the droid doesn’t count); those still aren’t ideal odds, though if she can foist Darth Arkous off on the Wookiee… well. It’s something. “Oh, all right. Shall I do it without armor, too? It’ll be an extra challenge, if you’re going to handicap me anyway.”

That earns an unamused huff from Lana, and, over the continued terminal noise, a muttered I’ve got cameras on top of the tower, right?

“You’re still transmitting, Theron. Moving to intercept.”

She imagines him blushing as she and Raina and now Jakarro, too, bounding up the steps four at a time behind them, fight their way through the entrance to the main temple, through the halls and up the turbolift to the shuttle platform.

In the end it didn’t matter.

Darok and Arkous were never going to surrender, never going to let themselves be taken alive, and she kicks herself for not suspecting the Revanite connection sooner; it explains so easily how they’d ended up here, following in the footsteps of a dead fool, though the Revanites had deeper roots than she’d imagined. She thought they’d stomped out the last of that heresy years ago, when she’d exposed the leader of their cell on Dromund Kaas- but she’d never followed that through, distracted as she was by the destruction of Jadus’ Dominator. Clearly, at least a few of the rats had dodged the trap.

She’d left her transmitter wide open while they’d fought, and as Jakarro gives Darok’s body one last ferocious kick she slumps against the rooftop console to nurse her bruised ribs and get the perimeter guns powered down. Opening the holoterminal and a slicing channel, she catches her breath as Theron and Lana flicker into view, side by side.

“You heard all that, I hope?”

“Heard and felt- the colonel is dead, too? I sensed Darth Arkous’ passing.” Her expression dour, Lana shakes her head. “It’s a shame they wouldn’t say any more.”

Theron’s shifting from foot to foot, fidgeting with his datapad. “I’m pulling data now, but there’s not much here. Damn it, we may never figure out what they were really up to. They were building an army for someone, but-”

“We’ll- oh-” Lana flinches, eyes scrunching shut as her face contorts in pain, and she staggers for a moment. “Something’s coming.”

(And to think I used to envy you that mind-reading thing, she says, nudging Lana teasingly. It seemed so useful.

It is, sometimes. But it’s hard to control. One ends up- she nudges her back, two fingers prodding at the side of her neck- seeing things one wishes one hadn’t.)

The ship’s already darkening the sky when she looks up, the figure projecting from it nearly half again the height of the tower and looming high overhead like something out of a nightmare, all cape and hood and mask and-

Raina ducks out of sight; Lana’s staring, eyes wide, up at the figure, and Theron’s gone pale and quiet and his lips move, silent- she told me he wasn’t dead, she knew-

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” She rests her hands on her hips, scowling upward in the general direction of its face, if it can see her at all. “Revan. I’m pretty sure I killed you.”

***

I don’t remember Theron saying that. Lana turns her head, eyebrow a perfect arching question mark. Who did he mean, she?

She shrugs. I assume he meant his mother… I’m not sure, actually. But you remember the rest of what happened after that, don’t you?

Lana nods. We should have waited for you on the beach, but Revan’s flagship was firing on us, too. Splitting up seemed the safest option. Then by the time I made it back to Vaiken, the death warrant was already active. Arkous’ failsafe must have kicked in the moment he died, and the word of a Darth, a Dark Council member, even posthumous, against mine- She shrugs. I ran, and hoped you’d get my message.

And Theron did the same, and Jakarro. I only slipped the net by virtue of not technically actually existing, I think- it wouldn’t work now, not with the old Minister gone, but he used to wipe my dossier once a month. It made it rather difficult to pin me down.

Lana grins at that. A trick I wished I could have replicated, but no such luck. So it was quite a relief, really, when you showed up on Manaan again, though I’m not sure Theron felt quite the same.

He said he was glad to see me. The pillow beneath her head’s gone flat; she fluffs it carefully, and settles back down. Although asking for a mutual debriefing may have been pushing it just a little too far.

(Stuttering out a denial, he’d blushed so hard his scalp turned pink. Oh, Force, he was cute when he blushed.)

***

Up next: Best-Laid Plans, in which the rest of what was supposed to happen in this chapter actually happens (they got chatty and we’ve got a schedule to stick to, here), we spend New Year’s Eve on Port Nowhere, and a rescue on Rishi brings two truths to light.

#inyri writes #equivalent exchange #swtor fanfiction #imperial agent/theron shan #imperial agent #cipher nine #theron shan

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