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m1ckeyb3rry · 2 months

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── THE GLASS PRINCESS // FOUR

Series Synopsis: You wake up in a strange room with no memories, broken glass at your bedside, and a prince named Zuko as your only chance at figuring out who you really are.

Chapter Synopsis: You go to the zoo with Ty Lee. Later, you and Jia-Li watch a brutal confrontation between Kaho and an underclassman.

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Zuko x Reader

Chapter Word Count: 5.3k

Content Warnings: complicated relationships (strangers to friends to lovers to enemies to strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers), amnesia, alternate universe, lots of secrets and lying and mystery

A/N: big reveal HAHA jia-li is ruon-jian’s sister and kaho is chan’s!! idk if that was what people were expecting or not but i thought it was funny so here we are

To Zuko,

I suppose that, if you really are set on it, it would not hurt me to think of you as my friend. I hope that you are prepared for what that may entail.

I jest. I do not think I am a particularly difficult person to have as a friend, though you might get a more honest review from Ty Lee or Jia-Li. At least in my own opinion (which one might find to be unfairly high), I am agreeable enough to get along with most people — at least those who are agreeable in return (so, not Kaho).

Ty Lee and I went to the zoo. It was entertaining. I am fond of animals, and I found I enjoyed myself more at the zoo than in the academy. At least the birds sound pretty when they screech! The same cannot be said for my dear classmates, who are of the disposition to speak quite incessantly but without anything of substance or value to contribute.

My classes have been going well. I am already at the top of the year, which is partially due to how much I study and partially due to a different factor. I will not call it memory, because it is nothing that that is personal to me, but it is true that at times I will understand something before our teacher has even taught it. I must have been a very learned Fire Nation soldier, indeed.

I had to watch an Agni Kai. One of the girls in the year below us fought Kaho. Of course, she lost. It is such a brutal custom, you know…though of course I understand the cultural significance, it is not a joy to watch. Certainly, I don’t understand how some of the girls were eating snacks and placing bets on the outcome. Luckily, the girl who went against Kaho is alright. Kaho let her off with only a small burn, but it could’ve been much worse.

In better news, Jia-Li has invited me to spend the next break at her house on Ember Island! So I will go there instead of taking up space at the palace. I am excited — I am not sure if I’ve ever been to the ocean or not. It will be exciting to see it for the first time; or, if not for the first time in my life, then for the first time that I will remember. Of course, I will continue to write to you even on vacation, and Jia-Li has already said that I can borrow her clothes and things, so there should be no strain put upon you. If there were, then I would not even suggest it.

The next time I shall see you in person will be after the term is properly over, then. I look forward to it will hopefully be the Fire Nation lady you want me to be by then.

From, Your friend Ursa

P.S. You should not be surprised by what I am about to say: I still don’t remember anything.

“Wow,” Ty Lee said, chewing on a piece of candy as the two of you walked down a gravel pathway together. “I still can’t believe we got free admission!”

“Apparently, all students do,” you said, holding out your hand. She dropped the small, round, fruit-flavored disks in your palm, and you popped it in your mouth, smiling at the burst of flavor. “Though it makes sense they don’t advertise that.”

The Strategy Mistress was sick, so you all had been given leave to spend the afternoon as you pleased. Ty Lee had offered to take you to the zoo with her, remembering that you had mentioned wanting to go when you had woken up in the palace, and you had jumped at the chance to not be in the suffocating dormitory for a little while.

At the moment, you and her were standing in front of the dragon moose enclosure, watching as they grazed. One of the dragon moose had a calf, and it was a sweet looking animal, somehow adorable in its awkward ugliness. As you watched, it had a spurt of energy, jumping and bucking through the pasture, racing along the fence line and only skidding to a stop when it realized it was being ignored. Its ears drooped as it trotted back to its mother’s side, lowering its head to the grass once again.

“These dragon moose look a little different than the ones that pull the carriages,” Ty Lee said.

“Oh, I know why that is,” you said, eager to prove your competence. “Dragon moose are actually only native to one small part of the Fire Nation. The ones that pull our carriages are the offspring of ones that were domesticated many centuries ago. They’ve been selectively bred to best fit our purposes almost since the day our ancestors first tamed them, so they’ve evolved into very different looking animals. The wild dragon moose, such as these ones, never had that push to evolve and optimize to our needs, so they look the same as they have for all of those centuries.”

“You sure do know a lot, Ursa,” Ty Lee said gamely. “Was that school knowledge, book knowledge, or past knowledge?”

“Book knowledge,” you said. “I don’t know if I was that interested in the convergent evolution of domestic and wild dragon moose in my previous life.”

Ever since the first day of your classes, when you had discovered a mysterious aptitude and innate understanding of the rules of etiquette, you and Ty Lee had come up with three categories: school knowledge, book knowledge, and past knowledge. School knowledge referred to the things that you learned in your lessons, the offhand comments and the droning lectures that you remembered better than anyone else in your year. Book knowledge was the summation of the many pages upon pages you had committed to memory, encompassing everything from the political structures of the Fire Nation to the fauna of the Northern Water Tribe. Finally, past knowledge was the most mysterious and ambiguous category, because it meant the random things you just knew in your mind, even though you had no real reason to.

More things than you were really comfortable with fell into that latter category. It really didn’t feel fair — why was it that you could recall the pillars of etiquette and the different battle formations of the Soldiers of Agni, but not anything about who you had been in the past? Why was your identity, which you wanted to know the most, the only thing you could not remember?

In the middle of the zoo was a large, artificial lake. You and Ty Lee stopped at the fence and leaned over to watch the flying dolphin fish leap through the air before diving back into the water with great splashes. A little ways away from you, a child raced up to the fence and gripped it, staring at the flying dolphin fish in awe. One of the fish noticed him and swam over towards him before slamming its tail against the surface of the lake, bowling the child over in a great deluge of salty brine.

You and Ty Lee exchanged looks, neither of you laughing until you saw the other’s face, whereupon you burst into fits of giggles, unable to hold them in any longer.

“Should we go help him?” you gasped out, wiping away the tears gathering in the corners of your eyes. Ty Lee, who was doubled over at this point, shook her head.

“I think — I think his mother’s got him,” she said breathlessly. True to her word, an adult woman was yelling at the boy as he wailed, still face-down and drenched to the bone.

“He should’ve just stayed with the turtle ducks,” you said, shaking your head and pointing at the small flock floating placidly along, far from the mischievous flying dolphin fish. “They’re so cute!”

“From what I remember, there’s a petting zoo area somewhere in the zoo, if you want to try feeding turtle ducks,” Ty Lee said. “I wasn’t able to see it when I came with Azula and Mai, though, because Azula hates turtle ducks.”

“Hates turtle ducks? How could someone hate them? They’re so sweet and guileless,” you said. “Was she wronged by one as a child?”

“You could say that,” Ty Lee said. She didn’t offer further explanation, but considering you had never even met Princess Azula, you didn’t blame her. Whatever her past with the turtle ducks was, it was the princess’s own secret to keep or share at her own discretion.

It took you a while to find the petting zoo, as they had no signs, so you had to ask people to point you in the correct direction. Unfortunately, most of the people that you asked were other visitors, and by the time you finally found a staff member to take you there, you had all but given up on the prospect of going at all.

“Mostly, the people who come to the petting zoo are kids, or at least have some of their own,” the zookeeper said. Ty Lee scowled at her.

“Some of us are young at heart!” she snapped, earning a snort from you and a bewildered look from the zookeeper, who raised her hands in the air and back away.

“I cannot believe that was your response to her,” you said as you reached the counter where a different zookeeper handed you little bags of food to give to the animals.

“I panicked,” Ty Lee admitted. “But really, she had no reason to be judging us! It’s her own job that relies on visitors like us. Who cares about how old we are?”

“Quite right, Ty Lee, and anyways it can be argued that I have about as much life experience as a child, in one way, so she really has no ground to stand on,” you said.

“I wouldn’t say you’re all too childlike,” Ty Lee said. “You act like most anyone else our age would. Maybe more mature, even, but certainly not less, even though you have no memories.”

“Of course, it isn’t as if the effects of my formative experiences on my psyche have been erased just because I can’t remember them,” you said. “They still shaped my spirit, even if I cannot recall how they did so.”

Unfurling your fingers and offering your hand to one of the dragon moose — which was of the domesticated variety, not one of the wild ones from earlier — you used your other hand to rub its forehead.

“Ew! It slobbered all over me!” Ty Lee said as the dragon moose she was feeding swiped its long tongue over her now-empty palm and then across her cheek, ignoring her attempts to shove it off of her.

“That must mean it likes you,” you said. She stopped trying to shove it away, her expression growing contemplative as the dragon moose used its lips to play with her long braid.

“Aw,” she said. “Now I feel kinda bad for being so mean.”

“I don’t think it’s offended, but maybe you should get your braid out of its mouth before it chews it off,” you said. Ty Lee yelped and yanked her braid out of the dragon moose’s grasp, jumping away to stand behind you.

“As soon as we get back to the academy, I’m going to have to shower,” she said, shuddering.

“You do smell somewhat like dragon moose,” you said, sniffing her delicately and then wrinkling your nose. “Wanna go back to the flying dolphin fish? I’m sure they’d be happy to rinse you off.”

“Very funny!” she said.

“It feels like you don’t think it’s that funny,” you said, snickering. “Which is a shame, because I do.”

“Let’s just go see the turtle ducks. They’re the whole reason we came here,” she said, stomping off.

“You don’t want to visit the hippo cow?” you said, pointing at the enormous beast that was allowing toddlers to clamber over it as it dozed with one eye open.

“I don’t even want to think about how things could go wrong if I go near that,” Ty Lee said. “Turtle ducks are nice and safe and little. As I said, let’s go there.”

These turtle ducks were kept in a pond which had no fence, allowing them to wander about as they pleased, swimming amongst the lilies blooming in the water and hiding in the bulrushes on the part of the bank further from the path.

Crouching, you broke off pieces of lettuce and threw them towards the turtle ducks. They paddled over and began to squabble amongst themselves, racing to snag the treats before their companions.

Ty Lee joined you, and for a little bit, the two of you were quiet, tossing lettuce at the turtle ducks and observing them eat. Only once all of your lettuce had run out did Ty Lee speak again.

“I thought turtle ducks ate bread,” she said.

“They do,” you said. “They love it a lot, which is why people give it to them. But it’s bad for them. Makes their stomachs upset.”

“Then why do they love it?” she said. “If it makes them sick, why do they keep eating it?”

“I don’t know,” you said. “It must taste very nice. Sometimes, it’s like that, I guess. You do things that you know are bad for you because you think that they are good.”

Ty Lee glanced at you out of the corner of her eye. “School knowledge or book knowledge?”

“Neither,” you said. “Past knowledge, I think.”

You couldn’t explain it, but then again, when had you ever been able to explain your past knowledge? Ty Lee exhaled but did not question you, which you were grateful for. You doubted you could’ve explained further, anyways.

“There you are!” Jia-Li hissed when you and Ty Lee walked into the dormitory building together. The light mood of the outing had faded after you had fed the turtle ducks, a pensive melancholy settling over you both in place of the earlier humor as the two of you considered your own respective thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” you said.

“Where have you guys been?” she said.

“We were at the zoo,” Ty Lee said.

“Didn’t I tell you before we left? Did something happen? Oh no, did the Strategy Mistress suddenly feel better and decide to hold class after all?” you said. “We have an exam coming up. If I missed a class, then I’m going to have to double down on my studying.”

“Those are words I never want to hear from your mouth again,” Ty Lee said. “How can you ‘double down’ on your studying when you already spend almost every waking moment doing exactly that? I mean, there’s only so many hours in a day, you know!”

“Never mind all of that!” Jia-Li said. “No, the Strategy Mistress is still sick, so you didn’t miss anything — at least, nothing academic.”

“Good,” you said. “I don’t mind missing anything else. Which I’m assuming we did, considering you look near to fainting, Jia-Li.”

“One of those idiots in the class below us has been spending the entire afternoon antagonizing Kaho! I’m afraid she’s going to blow up, and sooner rather than later,” Jia-Li explained.

“That sounds like something I’d like to be far away from,” you said. “We should’ve stayed at the zoo a bit longer, Ty Lee.”

“Mhm,” Ty Lee said emphatically. “I’d take dragon moose slobber any day!”

“I don’t think this girl realizes what she’s getting into,” Jia-Li said. “See, the thing is, whenever you’re around, Ursa, Kaho’s too busy hating you to get annoyed by anyone else. But since you were gone all afternoon, she’s had nowhere to channel her inner anger.”

You made a face. “So? Are you suggesting that I should’ve stayed around and let her be rude to me or something?”

“Not at all,” Jia-Li reassured you. “It’s more that she’s seemed downright gentle recently — or, I guess, gentler. That’s why that girl thinks she has a chance, but the truth is in terms of Firebending, Kaho is probably the most talented student in the entire academy at the present moment. And when you mix that talent together with an ill temper, it’s a bad combination.”

“Has she challenged her yet?” Ty Lee said.

“Not yet,” Jia-Li said.

“It’s only a matter of time,” Ty Lee said, sighing. “Ugh. This is all so ridiculous! We should all just get along.”

“Let’s just avoid them all for as long as we can and hope everything has smoothed over by the time we go down to eat dinner,” you said. “Ty Lee, you can stay in our room, as long as Jia-Li is okay with it.”

“Of course,” Jia-Li said. “I wouldn’t send you into the dragon’s maw like that.”

“I can handle her if it comes down to it,” Ty Lee said. “And I really need to shower — bad run in with a dragon moose’s tongue, Jia-Li, it’s a bit of a long story. But thanks for offering!”

“What can she do against someone like Kaho?” Jia-Li asked you. You shrugged.

“I have no idea, but she is one of Princess Azula’s closest friends, so she must know a thing or two,” you said.

“That’s true,” Jia-Li said. “Let’s stop talking about Kaho and her idiocy now, though. There’s no point in letting her spoil our time together. Did you have fun at the zoo?”

“I did!” you said. “It was nice to see all the animals, and we got to feed some of them at the petting zoo, which was nice. They were all very friendly.”

Jia-Li smiled fondly. “That’s good. I used to love going to the zoo as a kid. My brother and I used to visit together — his favorite exhibit was the flying dolphin fish, but I always liked going to see the koala sheep.”

“Were you and your brother close?” you said, feeling a pang in your stomach. You had no idea if you had a brother or a sister or any siblings at all. What if you did? Would they be missing you right now, or would they have moved on from you already? Would they resemble you, or would you look completely different? Would they have cared for you in your youth, or would you have cared for them in theirs?

“We used to be,” Jia-Li said. “When we were very young, that is. He was my best friend.”

“What happened?” you said.

“We grew up,” she said, undoing the ribbon tying her hair back and beginning to comb through her long locks. “I came here, and he went to the school for boys. Then I suppose we just learnt to have different interests. He preferred hanging out with his other boy friends, and so I was left to find my own entertainment.”

“That’s sad,” you said. She set down the comb and retied her hair.

“It is,” she said. “What I wouldn’t give to go to the zoo with him again, or some other such activity. Actually, I just wish we were children again…but we are grown now, aren’t we? It’s fine. That’s how life is.”

“Is he much older than us?” you said.

“Only by a couple of years,” she said before brightening. “You should come meet him!”

“Uh,” you said. “Where would we do that, exactly? And why?”

“Our next break is soon. My family has a house on Ember Island; you can come stay with us! Unless you have other plans already or something, of course,” she said.

“I don’t have any plans,” you said. “I probably would’ve ended up going to the palace again, but visiting this Ember Island place sounds a little more appealing, in truth. As long as you and your family are alright with it.”

“My family won’t care,” Jia-Li said, waving you off dismissively. “My father will probably be delighted to have the girl sponsored by the royal family staying in his home, and my mother will just be happy that I’m bringing a friend home. As for my brother…nobody cares about his opinion, anyways! If he wants to complain, then he can just run along and stay at his best friend’s house. They’re going to be on Ember Island then, too.”

“Then I would really love to do that,” you said. “Thank you for inviting me, Jia-Li.”

“Sure, you’re a great roommate, so it’s not an issue,” she said. “I was a little sad about having to leave you during break, but now I’m just excited! You’ll love Ember Island, I promise. It’s so beautiful there.”

“I’m excited, too,” you said. “Actually, I was a little scared about the break — I wasn’t sure if I had a place in the palace or not, and either way, there’s something a little intimidating about staying there. It’ll be much more fun to be with you the whole time, in a place that I can feel somewhat wanted.”

“Of course!” Jia-Li said, growing starry-eyed. “And I can take you to the ocean for the first time! Do you know how to swim? Wait, you probably wouldn’t know if you do or don’t. Well, if you don’t, I’ll teach you, and if you do, we can swim together! You can borrow my things, I think we’re probably close in size.”

“Alright,” you said, overwhelmed by the many plans she was already coming with. “I’ll leave all of that to you. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

“You can count on me,” Jia-Li said, giving you a thumbs up. “I promise it’ll be the best break ever!”

Since Ty Lee had apparently gone to her room after showering, you and Jia-Li decided to make your way to dinner together in the hopes that you’d find her in the dining hall. Both of you were hungry by that point, though, and you unanimously agreed to just eat, even if she wasn’t there.

“I’m surprised,” you said when you walked in and found no traces of Ty Lee anywhere. “She’s normally so timely when it comes to dinner.”

“Yeah, but remember how long it takes her to wash and dry her hair? She probably won’t be down for a while,” Jia-Li reminded you.

“Right, I forgot about that,” you said. Ty Lee took a lot of pride in her personal appearance — rightfully so, of course, given how lovely she was — so her pre and post-shower routines were quite extensive, to say nothing of the actual shower itself. And especially because she had gotten covered in dragon moose saliva at the zoo, Jia-Li was correct to assume that Ty Lee might not be out for quite some time.

“Uh-oh,” Jia-Li said as you two sat down with your dinners. She nodded at the end of the table, where a girl you vaguely remembered being in the year below you was smirking at Kaho, whose jaw muscles were twitching with every word the girl spoke.

“Someone should stop her,” you said, though you made no move to get up, wanting to stay far away from the disaster zone that was about to emerge. Jia-Li hummed in assent, but she obviously had the same idea, remaining firmly put beside you. “It’s like she has a death wish.”

“She’s just trying to prove her superiority,” Jia-Li said. “There’s a clear hierarchy in this school, and right now, Kaho is at the top. She doesn’t like when people come for her spot, but of course, everyone wants to be there, to be number one, so they’re always trying to best her. It’s why she doesn’t like you — you’re beating her in terms of academics, which she hates, because she’s supposed to be the best. At least with you, though, you’re not a bender, so she can console herself with the fact that you’ll never be able to compete with her in any way that matters on that front. This girl, though, is challenging everything that Kaho is. She wants to be the most respected girl in the academy, but to do that, she needs to prove that Kaho isn’t worthy of that place any longer.”

“Can she do it?” you said.

“No,” Jia-Li said bluntly. “Plenty of people have tried. None of them have succeeded, except for Princess Azula, and she’s a special case in that she already was afforded a different status than the rest of us because of her bloodline.”

“Then she’s a fool,” you said.

“There’s more fools in this world than not,” Jia-Li said.

The girl continued to tease Kaho, who was obviously doing her level best to ignore her, not even affording her the dignity of looking at her. One could argue that it was maturity, but you understood it for what it really was: a way to demean her opponent, to prove that the other’s existence was meaningless to her, that she was so insignificant it was as if she truly did not exist in Kaho’s eyes.

“Honestly,” the girl said, voice lilting impishly, “I feel for you, Kaho. I mean, you used to be the top student, and then a girl with amnesia took your spot! It must’ve been embarrassing, losing to someone who doesn’t even have any memories. And to make matters worse, the prince really does seem to favor that girl, and we all know what he thinks of you…”

“What is she talking about?” you whispered under your breath to Jia-Li. “Why is she bringing me into this? What does Prince Zuko have to do with anything?”

“You’d do well to shut up now,” Kaho said, though it was the wrong thing to do, for her reaction was proof that the girl had struck a nerve.

“It’s like I told you,” Jia-Li whispered back. “Kaho is used to being at the top. When we were younger, before everything with the, ah, banishment, she tried very desperately to befriend the royal family. She was never able to endear herself to Princess Azula, but her sights were always on the prince, anyways, so that mattered little to her. It was marriage she sought; the prospect of being Fire Lady was too appealing.”

“I’m assuming she was unsuccessful,” you said. Jia-Li nodded.

“Extremely. It wasn’t even her fault, really; Prince Zuko was always kind, but unattainable for all of us. He had no interest in dallying with girls that went to school with his sister, so Kaho was never able to gain his approval in the way she wanted. Perhaps it might’ve been different if he hadn’t been…you know. They might have grown closer as they grew older simply due to her sheer persistence, but we’ll never know,” she said.

“For being the supposed best of us, you’re not the best at a lot of things,” the girl said. “I mean, I bet you’re not even that good at Firebending!”

Kaho slammed her fist on the table, standing to face the girl and glaring at her.

“Is that the game you want to play?” she said. “Fine. I’ll go along with it. I challenge you to an Agni Kai!”

“I’m assuming that’s not a good outcome,” you said.

“Nope,” Jia-Li said grimly. “Let’s just say that things have gone from bad to worse. Come on.”

“We’re going to watch?” you said.

“It’s all but mandated. I don’t like it, either, but we kind of have to,” Jia-Li said. “Hopefully, it’s over soon. Sometimes, Kaho can be inventive.”

You and Jia-Li stood in the very back of the crowd, though your view was still perfectly unobstructed. You almost wished there was something blocking your vision, though, something in between you and what was surely going to turn out to be a grotesque sight, one way or another.

“Want some?” the girl in front of you said, turning around and proffering a bag of candy to you and Jia-Li.

“No, thank you,” you said, for you were already queasy and knew that sweets would only worsen the effect.

“I’m okay,” Jia-Li said.

“I’m betting on Kaho,” the girl said, grabbing a handful of candy and dropping it all in her mouth. “Wanna join the pool? One of my friends is running it.”

“Like a betting pool?” you said.

“Yup! It’s how I could afford to buy this candy — I won last time,” the girl explained.

“No way,” you said.

“We’re good,” Jia-Li said when the girl looked offended at your short response.

“I can’t believe they’re betting on something like this!” you said.

“It’s common, believe it or not,” Jia-Li said.

“I believe it, sadly, but I wish I didn’t,” you said. “It’s so heartless.”

“That’s just how things are here,” Jia-Li said. You pursed your lips as the fight between the girl and Kaho began, deciding to keep silent, because your words would be wasted when your argument was not even with Jia-Li in the first place.

Even though the girl was no slouch in terms of Firebending, the fight was over almost as soon as it started. Kaho’s power was too much for her opponent, and she seemed bored as she coated her palm in fire and slapped it against the girl’s bicep.

“I got the first burn,” she said, miming a yawn. “So I guess that means I win. Why are you crying like that? Honestly. Just shut up. Why’d you agree to fight me if you couldn’t accept defeat like an adult?”

The skin on the girl’s arm was red and angry, already beginning to blister, but you could tell even without an explanation from Jia-Li that Kaho had been merciful. She could’ve done worse, but she had chosen to let that girl off with a warning. A reminder to never be so daring again.

There was something odd about it all, though. Despite the fact that her opponent was standing across from her, you noticed that it was not the burnt, sobbing girl that Kaho was scowling at so darkly.

It was you.

Ursa,

I’m glad you were able to make it to the zoo. I know you mentioned wanting to go a while back, so it makes me happy to know that that desire of yours was fulfilled. I wish I could’ve been there. Did you get to feed the turtle ducks? I remember doing that when I went, though of course I only visited once, with my mother, and that was a long time ago, so maybe things have changed and they don’t let people do that anymore.

I wish you hadn’t had to see an Agni Kai. They are definitely a darker part of Fire Nation culture. But, then again, for a nation that values honor so greatly, they are just a natural consequence. I hope you haven’t been frightened too terribly. Mai says that Kaho isn’t always so generous with her opponents, so there’s something to be grateful for: at least it was only a small burn. You’re entirely right — it could’ve been worse.

You shouldn’t worry about taking up space at the palace. It would be my our pleasure to host you once again. But Ember Island is a nice place. You will have fun there, I’m sure. The ocean is very, very beautiful. It’s the bluest thing you’ll ever see, and it goes on for what seems to be forever. The Fire Nation is lucky in that our ocean is warm, and the tides are not so vicious — nothing like the poles, where it is so treacherous and cold.

It is nice to know that you are enjoying yourself so thoroughly. That is what I am really concerned with; it matters little to me if you ever become a proper Fire Nation lady or anything along those lines. I would even prefer it if you didn’t. It’s more important that you are happy.

Yours, Zuko

P.S. Perhaps I am not surprised, but I am still disappointed on your behalf.

#zuko x reader #zuko x you #zuko x y/n #zuko #avatar the last airbender #atla #reader insert #canon au #the glass princess #m1ckeyb3rry writes

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niqhtlord01 · 4 months

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Humans are weird: Never put a human in a zoo

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

The sudden extinction of the Dre people was as sudden as it was unexpected to the galactic community. They were one of the oldest and most technologically advanced races in the universe. Heavily isolationist by nature, coupled with their inherent self-sense of superiority they viewed much of the other space faring species as little more than savages by comparison as none of them presented a credible challenge their rule. Yet within a month they had lost nearly 99% of their population across multiple worlds.

The worst hit was their homeworld of Belnuck situated at the heart of their empire which became an empty husk of a world seemingly overnight. Ancient and powerful cities of technological wonder now were little more than ghost towns to be picked clean by scavengers.

There were no signs of civil strife or unrest, no exterior threat from military forces, not even a record of natural disaster on their homeworld. Nothing was found that could give a clue as to what could have erased such a prominent power as the Dre, and so it was written off as a deadly unsolved mystery and the galactic community went on.

At least, that was what the public report stated.

It wasn’t until a group of Kreen scavengers came upon a set of personal journals that the shroud of uncertainty was lifted. Only to be then shortly locked away and sealed under the highest security restrictions to ensure the truth never saw the light of day.

These are those journal entries: ------------------------------- Personal Journal Entry J-757931 Head curator Migu

The benefactors are requesting we add new exhibits to the zoo again.

I thought they would have been content with the Draxic specimens we captured last month but it seems the general public no longer find giant lizards fascinating to observe. One of them suggested we allow the Draxic to mingle with other exhibits for inter species interactions for potential science research; but I could tell right away that what they really wanted from this was to have guests pay to see those lizard savages rip apart our other attractions like a Frong in a Skitch field.

I wish they could at least try to hide their greediness behind some semblance of rationality. At least then it would be easier to stomach.

I’ve scheduled a discussion with our head capture specialists to go out and find new attractions for the people later today. I don’t have much hope they can find anything as fascinating to revive interest but one never knows. End Log Entry. ---------------------------------- Personal Journal Entry J-757935 Head curator Migu

Capture team theta appears to have acquired something of value.

The specimens were caught will transitioning into real space at the edge of a system and were removed from their vessel shortly after.

Their technology was primitive in nature, but from the recordings the capture team sent back their esthetic design choices appear to be unique for such a low species. Accessing their data banks was a trivial matter and provided a wealth of history to them.

They appear to call themselves “Humons”, and have only recently begun intergalactic travel.

From the data we have gathered these humons are a highly warlike society repeating cycles of great conflict to great resurgence throughout their history. During war time they have fought with everything from sharpened wood stakes to low grade thermo nuclear devices.

While lacking the physical exciting traits like armored skin or shape shifting qualities, I believe their nature as a self-destructive race will make them a comedic addition to the zoo.

Theta team is on their way back now with them and I’ve already given instructions to create the new paddock for them in the east wing. With any luck the benefactors will find them as amusing as I do and calm down. End Log Entry. ------------------------------- Personal Journal Entry J-757940 Head curator Migu It could not have gone any better. The public loves the new attractions and the benefactors love the increase in profits. Theta team captured roughly a dozen of these humons and when coupled with their historical data we were able to depict several invigorating habitats. We injected them with the standard nano machines to provide feedback on each of them for both the caretakers and the guests. I do have some concerns about handing the medical needs of these humons as none of our handlers know how to treat them, but I have tasked them with dissecting the gathered data for any relevant medical information. They seem very energetic and many of them have not stopped trying to escape their exhibit since they woke up. A few of them have already begun crafting crude weapons to defend themselves while forming mini factions. The largest group has created a primitive wooden fortress by sharpening sticks and creating walls with them. The smaller group has kept their distance from the larger groups while the remaining few have decided to remain in isolation from both groups. Guests love it when they start banging on the windows and try to talk with them. The children in particular I overheard already picking out their favorites and rooting for them to survive should they begin fighting. We’ve not had this kind of engagement since we brought in Bengols with their psionic abilities. ------------------------------

Personal Journal Entry J-758021 Head curator Migu

It’s been several cycles since my last entry and we’ve had a few snags. Our lack of medical knowledge regarding our latest exhibits has proven costly. Despite our best efforts to decrypt the remaining data from their ships it appears medical information was damaged beyond recovery during the capture process. This has left us unable to properly care for them during medical emergencies; which have happened far sooner than expected.

After several days of captivity several of the humons began showing signs of rapidly deteriorating mental stability. They’ve displayed signs of paranoia, societal breakdown, and an increase in aggression levels to the point they murdered other humons in the enclosure.

We’ve never had this problem before with our other exhibits, at least within such a short timeframe, and now the benefactors are calling for my head. They are upset that their most prized money generators are murdering each other risking their profit margin.

I’ve suggested applying mild sedatives to calm them but was denied. They insist that curbing their more primitive tendencies would cause customers to lose interest in them.

The suggestion of capturing more of these humons was strongly advocated for but it was my turn to deny that request. Deploying a capture team was an expensive endeavor and if the humons continued killing each other the costs would overturn any increase in profits.

I’m putting together alternatives now for my next meeting with them. Hopefully something will come along and save our hides. ---------------------------------

Personal Journal Entry J-758043 Head curator Migu

The problem for the time being has resolved itself via an unexpected avenue.

One of the capture humons was seen treating the few remaining humans; providing basic medical treatment and care.

Ordinarily we would have written off such behavior but because of our current medical situation we decided to bend regulations and reach out to the subject directly.

A translator unit was acquired and we were able to speak directly with the humon. It took several minutes to calibrate, thankfully much of their speech was unrecognizable. They would not stop trying to speak with us while it was being adjusted and went on and on about wanting to be set free and demanding answers. Honestly you think these humons would be grateful that we are lowering ourselves to speak with them.

When they finally calmed down we explained the situation to them. In exchange for their cooperation they would be given special privileges to treats and comforts for the duration of their stay. They wanted to be let out and freed from the exhibit but I quickly shut that down as a non-starter.

It eventually dawned on them that this was going to be their new existence for the remainder of their life and could live in comfort or watch as their friends died one by one; and they accepted the offer. -------------------------

Personal Journal Entry J-758117 Head curator Migu

While unusual the negotiating tactic with the humon has resolved the issue for us and the benefactors are happy once more.

With the medical humons help they were able to stabilize the injured humons while also negotiate a form of agreement between the humon factions in the exhibit. They could still maim and injure each other while guests were present but would not kill and then would be treated afterwards before the next day’s opening.

Interestingly enough the medical humon has proved very useful. They’ve been able to communicate with the rest of the humons and get them to fall in line. What’s more they’ve been minimalistic in requests with the biggest being to be taught some of the basics of our medical equipment so he can use it himself.

Ordinarily we don’t allow this but it would have freed up some of the medical wing so we allowed it with extensive supervision.

I must admit I am rather proud of myself for resolving the situation, and with such little expenditure. Things now are running smoothly once more and the profits are seeing ever increasing margins. Maybe now the benefactors will get off my back. Though honestly I think it’ll only last one or two months before the humons are worn out and they want something new.

---------------------- Personal Journal Entry J-758135 Head curator Migu

Oh gods it burns!

Everyone at the zoo is screaming and clawing their own skin!

Gods damnit make it stop! MaKE IT Stop!!!!!!!!!!!

-----------------------

Emergency Transmission January 2873 Chief Medical Officer Maxwill Clemons

This is Chief Medical officer Maxwill Clemons of the ship “Hades Rest” calling out to any terran ships requesting immediate rescue.

I am not sure what planet or system we’re in, but hone in on this signal and you will find us. I will be repeating this message every hour on the hour for as long as this place has power.

I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been in this god forsaken hellhole. The automated day/night cycles have made my attempts at record keeping near impossible.

Maybe a month? Two? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.

We were kidnapped from our ship after exiting a jump and woke up to find ourselves in some sort of alien zoo. The aliens refused to speak to us at first, instead watching us from windows and laughing at us while we struggled to find out what was going on.

They’re all dead now. The aliens that is.

I never knew what they called themselves and I don’t really care.

They treated my friends like animals, so I took their precious tech and turned it on them. Made the nano machines they injected us with register the alien DNA as a deadly virus in need of immediate eradication.

First one I got was the one who was so smug about our capture and display. They changed their tune after I spat in their eye and their face started melting as the nano tech spread. Two others came in after the screaming started and they got infected as well before fleeing the room.

I stood up and went to my comrades “habitat’ and let them out as every alien around us began screaming and melting away. That was at least three days ago now and I haven’t seen one of them yet. Their whole planet now is like one massive ghost town.

We’ve enough provisions to last us and the other freed captives for some time, but please do hurry. I want off this fraking shit hole as soon as possible. --------------- Message repeats:

Emergency Transmission January 2873 Chief Medical Officer Maxwill Clemons

This is Chief Medical officer Maxwill Clemons of the ship “Hades Rest” calling out to any terran ships requesting immediate rescue. ------

#humans are insane #humans are space oddities #humans are weird #humans are space orcs #scifi #story #writing #original writing #niqhtlord01 #ai generated art #stable diffusion

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pahtoosh · 3 months

Note

Hi, I’m not sure if your requests are open at the moment, but I figured I’d try anyway!

Would you be willing to write about Stucky and their little having a day out together? Like going to the zoo, the aquarium, or perhaps go swimming? Whatever you feel like writing is fine, even it is an entirely different activity!

I absolutely adore your work, so I can’t wait to see where you will take this idea 🩷

sleeping with the fishes

[image ID: a gif of fish swimming. /.end ID]

masterlist

sfw but 18+

wc: ~780 words

warnings: lots of being picked up and carried, not proofread

a/n: thank you so much for your kind words! this is such a sweet request, it’s my favorite thing to just write about a fun and fluffy day😁i hope you enjoy this and that i didn’t make you wait too long😅

pairing: daddy!stucky x little!reader

summary: your daddies take you on a trip to the aquarium

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

“Woah, woah! Slow your roll, fish patrol.”

“There’s no time, Baba! We have to go the ‘quarium!” It was almost unreal how quickly you were moving while simultaneously not getting any closer to the front door. You were running out to the car when Bucky stopped you with a grip on the back of your jacket. That didn’t stop you from jogging midair, though.

“Ah-quarium.” He plopped you onto the small bench in the entryway. “And I’m pretty sure there’s enough time for you to at least put on some shoes before we leave the house.”

Bucky kneeled in front of you so he could help you get on a pair of sneakers. He made sure to double knot the laces, knowing that you would have no patience for getting your shoes retied today.

“Dada! Are you almost ready?!” you shouted down the hall.

Steve sped walked out of your room with a backpack of stuff. “Almost! There’s a lot to pack for a full day out of the house.”

You whined and tried stomping your feet, forgetting that Bucky was still putting on your shoes.

“Hey, no whining and no kicking Baba,” Steve reprimanded. “We’ll get there with plenty of time to spare, baby. The fish aren’t going to swim away.”

“They might,” Bucky teased.

“Nooooo!”

“Buck, c’mon.”

Bucky grinned mischievously and gave you ticklish kisses on your face before helping you off the bench. “I’m only kidding, angel. Let’s get you in the car and buckled up while we wait for Dada.”

After what felt like a million hours, you were finally at the aquarium. Your daddies went over some safety rules while you were still in the car and once you showed that you understood, it was go time.

There were so many exhibits to discover. The tanks seemed to go on forever, all with different species of fish, snails, crabs, turtles, and other animals that you’d never seen before.

The aquarium offered something for the whole family. Still a science nerd, Bucky enjoyed reading the information cards placed by the tanks. Some of the animals and their habits reminded him so much of the aliens he read about in his sci fi novels. Steve was keeping a mental note of the animals he wanted to draw for you later. He even took pictures of a few to serve as a reference. Meanwhile, you practically had your nose pressed on the glass, just admiring the fish with an overwhelming sense of wonder.

When you saw something especially cool, you’d tug on the sleeve of your nearest daddy and point. You couldn’t just witness something so special and not share it. One of the best moments was when you pointed out a scuba diver in the large tank to your Dada. The diver noticed you and started a game of rock, paper, scissors through the glass.

One of the safety rules for the day was that you had to either wear a leash backpack or hold a daddy’s hand the whole time. In the beginning, you chose to hold hands, but then you switched to the backpack for more freedom(and because your daddies either walked too slowly or had no idea which tanks were ones to stop and stare at and which ones just needed a quick glance).

You could’ve stayed at the aquarium forever, but eventually it was time to go home. Steve and Bucky could tell you were getting sleepy. You got a little more clumsy, often getting tangled in your backpack leash, and asked them to hold you more often. Your daddies suspected that some of the requests to be carried had nothing to do with needing to see from a higher point, and much to do with your tired legs.

“This was the last tank, bubba. Now we’re going to the gift shop and then going home, okay?” Steve said.

You sighed. “Okay, Dada. Can I take a picture of the jellyfish first? Please?”

“Yes you can, baby. Good manners.” Steve held you still while you took a photo of the jellyfish tank with your camera.

As the three of you went to the gift shop, you asked Bucky to hold your camera so you could hold your hands behind Steve’s neck and place your head on his shoulder. He of course said yes. Your Baba also snapped a sneaky shot of Steve carrying sleepy little you using your camera.

You were practically already dozing off by the time you made it to the gift shop, but your daddies still went in and asked if you wanted anything to remember this trip by. You ended up leaving with a beluga whale plush, which you cuddled with the entire way home.

#inspiration has struck!!#stucky x little!reader #daddy!stucky x little!reader #oneshot #fluff #sfw regression #agere fic #marvel agere #littlespace fics #sleeping with the fishes #sleeping-with-the-fishes #toosh writes #little being carried

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yumeka-sxf · 11 months

Text

Was not expecting such a major cliffhanger at the end of today's chapter!

What's interesting is that Twilight could have shot Yuri but he hesitates (note the "waver" sfx in the panel where he's holding his gun).

Another subtlety is that Twilight is the one lowering his gun on the next page.

And there was also only one "bang" in the next panel.

Then we get the scene with Yor, obviously foreshadowing this bad turn of events.

She seems to have forgiven Loid and is only upset with Yuri for suspecting him of cheating...obviously because she was never truly angry at him to begin with and only invented those "gripes" to seem normal.

The blood dripping in the final panel of the chapter is not from Yor's cut but from the previous scene of Twilight vs Yuri (it's a bit confusing since it immediately follows the panel of her looking at her cut, but you can see the pebbles on the ground, so it's not in the kitchen).

My guess is that Twilight is the one who got shot, for the reasons I pointed out before of him seeming to hesitate about shooting Yuri. It makes sense since he knows that Yor would be devastated if anything happened to him. And maybe, deep down, he's grown slightly fond of his wacky brother-in-law. On the other hand, Yuri doesn't know that Loid is Twilight...but if he did, would he hesitate too, for the same reason? Regardless, I doubt the wound will be fatal, but it looks bad enough to be something that Loid (or Yuri) won't be able to hide from Yor or anyone else. Some people are speculating that Twilight and Yuri will meet up back at the Forger house, and Loid will have to somehow hide his injury to keep Yuri from being suspicious. But we'll see! I don't want to theorize too deeply since the arc is still ongoing and anything could happen. Heck, someone else could have gotten involved off-panel and will turn out to be the one who actually got shot. So many possibilities!

But gosh, this arc is turning out to be exciting! I wasn't sure at first, but now I think there's a chance we will indeed get something major from it, like an identity reveal for Yuri and Twilight. Or Twilight could manage to get away without Yuri finding out that he's Loid. But we haven't even seen the real Wheeler yet, and I feel like the arc wouldn't end without him showing up, and probably interacting with Twilight.

Gah, this is really shaping up to be a long and possibly plot-altering arc! The two-week wait for the next chapter will be torture! But at least (per this latest illustration from Endo), Anya is having a nice time at the zoo.

I can already envision her shocked expressions when she reads Mama's, Papa's, and Uncle's minds later.

#spy x family #spy family #sxf #spyxfamily #loid forger #yor forger #sxf manga #sxf manga spoilers #sxf spoilers #yuri briar

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lottiesticklishpickle · 9 months

Text

The Evil Dead

Kylian Mbappe x reader fluff

You were sat in you and Kylian’s shared bed, the lamp on your bedside table emitting a warm glow. Kylian was almost asleep, drinking from a glass of water on his nightstand, whilst you were reading from a book. Suddenly, a soft knock came from your door, followed by a small voice

“Maman, papa?” Almost instinctively, Kylian shot up despite being half asleep, before beginning to look around, his face expressing a slight fear.

“ChouChou? Is everything okay?” He said, looking towards the door to see his daughter cowering behind it.

“Oh Noémie, what happened?” You beckoned her towards you, nervous of a danger lurking in the house, scanning your daughter for any possible cuts or bruises. “Did you fall out of your bed, did you see something?” The little girl shook her head aggressively, and looked towards her parents.

“I had a bad dream,” she choked. You and Kylian let out a small sigh of relief, grateful your daughter’s safety wasn’t in jeopardy, despite still feeling disheartened by the fact she had a nightmare. You softly pat the bed and scooted away to make some room for her to sit in between you in Kylian.

“What was the dream about Chou?” Kylian said as he watched her crawl into the space between him and his wife.

“Well, you and maman and me, we were in a cabin on a holiday, and in the basement, there was this scary book.” You cocked your eyebrow in confusion as she explained the dream, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that you had heard this story before. Kylian on the other hand, began to make a face, a nervous simper.

“What else Chou, what happened in the cabin.” Your eyebrows furrowed.

“Well it had weird words, and papa tried to read them, and then, when he did, you got really mad and started hurting him.”

“Oh I did?” You said, your eyebrows furrowed even more, you had connected the dots, this was the plot of Evil Dead, the movie you and Kylian had watched on your first date. You turned to face Kylian, but he was looking away at the ceiling. “…You let her watch Evil Dead?” You softly scolded.

“It was the second one, you know, the less scary one.” He tried to explain.

“What difference does it make? They’re both terrifying! No wonder she’s had a nightmare, you let her watch a horror film!” You had thought this would be common sense. Your daughter looked up at her parents bickering. Trying to avoid a small fight in front of his daughter, Kylian looked down at Noémie and began:

“Noémie, you know the monster in that movie wasn’t real, right?”

“But they looked real, the lady got cut in half and bit the chainsaw hand man.” You slowly looked back up at Kylian, with an expression that said something like: How could you be so stupid?

“Well uh it wasn’t. You know what? How about you just stay in here tonight and you, me, and maman will all go to the zoo tomorrow, with the penguins you like.” He said, in an attempt to bargain with his terrified daughter and pissed wife. The little girl instantly perked up and smiled, looking up to her mother for approval, and only received a simply nod, which was enough for her.

“Thank you maman, thank you papa!” She exclaimed, hugging each of you before plopping down, you still staring daggers at your husband.

“Hey, at least she’ll grow up cultured, you can’t tell me it’s a bad movie.” Kylian tried to calm his wife.

“So is Fight Club, and I haven’t shown her that yet,”

“Well…” Kylian trailed off, your eyebrows lowering and eyes widening. “I’m kidding y/n.” He nervously laughed. “Can you forgive me?” He turned to look at you.

“We’ll see Kylian,” you said, turning over to look into his brown eyes, before turning back to your book with a smirk, hiding a laugh behind your lips.

“I love you y/n, good night.” He kissed your cheek before laying down next to his daughter, grasping her in his strong arms.

“Love you too, even though I’m still mad”

Lmk what y’all think

#football #soccer #football imagines #futbol #football blurb #psg #mbappe fluff #mbappe x reader #mbappe one shot #kylian mbappe #mbappe

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gallusrostromegalus · 11 months

Note

the 'Kon :)' in the list of things you're pleased about in aeiwam has be EXCITED please tell us more (if you want to)!

Soon after Masaki died, Isshin Kurosaki moved his family. It's mostly because the original clinic didn't feel haunted- if Masaki's spirit were still here, Isshin would know what to do, but instead he felt like his heels were dogged by the hole where she used to be.

It didn't hurt that the new place was larger, in a better school district, and closer to his friend Ryukken. He's almost feeling cheerful about the new place when Ichigo runs up the stairs and from room to room before calling dibs on one, because he's a big kid now and doesn't want to sleep where he has to listen to his dad snoring all night >:(.

Isshin felt slightly less cheerful when he looked out the big window in Ichigo's room to determine if he needs to put up some child safety grates, and realized their new neighbor was a taxidermist.

"I feel like it gives them a sort of dignity- A Life After Life, if you will." she said when he went by to make sure his neighbor was only eccentric and not something out of a horror movie. He wasn't entirely sure which, actually- Ms. Tanaka was an octogenarian with skin like tissue paper and a back like a question mark, but her living room was a veritable zoo of reconstituted animals, many of them former pets, if the number of domestic cats was anything to go by.

"Oh. Yeah!" Isshin grinned, terrified, and was struck by the idea of some goon in the 12th division slavering in the afterlife, desperate for her to shuffle off the mortal coil and bring her undoubted skills with dead bodies to R&D. "We've always been very spiritual people."

(Continued under the readmore)

"Oh, just like the nice young man who used to live in your house!" said Ms. Tanaka, sitting down in her armchair that was adorned by an ostentatious past-tense peacock perched on the back. "Odd fellow. Worked nights, spoke like he was born in the Sengoku Era or something, but very nice."

"He's BEAUTIFUL!" said Ichigo, staring in awe at an enormous Ginger Tabby Cat by the window, mounted in repose on a emerald velvet cat bed. Ms. Tanaka had done an excellent job conveying a sense of benevolent egotism on his whiskered face, but Ichigo's growing fascination with the Macabre was beginning to worry his father- Ichigo had seen the taxidermy stoat in the back window and INSISTED on coming along.

"Isn't he?" beamed Ms. Tanaka. "His name is Bostov! He was my very best friend for many years."

"Wow! Can I pet him?" Ichigo asked, eyes wide with delight.

"Ichigo, that's uh- that's not a real kitty-" Isshin began to sputter.

"Of course he's a real kitty!" Ms. Tanaka laughed, a noise like an ungreased gate. "You can pet him if you're very gentle." Ichigo stroked the deceased animal with exceptional delicacy for an overexcited Kindergartner. "He's so soft!" he gasped.

"Do you like him?" asked Ms. Tanaka.

"I LOVE HIM!" Said Ichigo, cheeks flushed and eyes bright for the first time in months now. Perhaps having a distant relative of the Addams family for a neighbor isn't so bad, if her creepy hobby cheers Ichigo up... Isshin sighed.

"In that case, why don't you take him home with you?" Smiled Ms. Tanaka. "I'm sure he'll be a good friend to you too."

"UH." Isshin blurted out, nearly spilling his tea on a flock of quail under the side-table.

"I have SO MANY friends in my home with me- it's bordering on a fire hazard!" Ms. Tanaka chuckled. "I'd be delighted to send him to a home where he'll be loved. Please- consider him my housewarming present!"

"CAN WE? CAN WE TAKE HIM HOME? PLEASE DAD??PLEEEEEEEASE-!!" Ichigo asked, stars in his eyes.

Isshin froze, horrified at the prospect of having... That. In his house. Watching him. ...and at the same time, completely unwilling to dash his little boy's dreams.

"yEaH oKaY." Isshin grimaced, soaked in a cold sweat.

*****

Bostov The Former Cat was bad enough, but at least the taxidermy beast 'lived' on Ichigo's bedroom dresser and not down in the living room where Isshin would have to look at it's green glass eyes, which seemed to follow him around the room. It wasn't right having a hollow thing in the house like that- any wandering spirit could decide to climb in there! He resolved to have it warded, but Kisuke said he was on a trip to the Caribbean for "Botanical Research" , and wouldn't be back until "After the Big Holiday on the 20th". Isshin hung up the phone, groaned and rubbed his face. It was fairly late, and he was still at the kitchen table, going through all of the licensing paperwork to get the clinic up and running.

"Hey Dad?" Ichigo asked, holding up a small plastic toy. "What's 'Soul Candy'?"

"Soul Cand-?" Isshin frowned, turned to look at the toy and nearly jumped out of his skin, swiping it away from the boy. "WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS? DID YOU EAT ANY??"

"...it was upstairs, in the back of my closet." Ichigo pouted. "-and no, I didn't eat any strange closet candy. I'm not stupid."

"Oh thank the Gods..." Isshin sighed, sitting back down at the table and shaking the small, duck-headed pill dispenser. Empty. "-I'm sorry I yelled Ichigo, but this is Very Dangerous stuff."

Ichigo arched an incredulous Eyebrow at him. "Really? Is this the same kind of dangerous that the half my Halloween candy you confiscated and ate was?"

"Ah- well. No. That was Dad Tax. This is actually dangerous. Here, come sit with me a minute." he pulled out the other chair at the kitchen table. "Remember how I told you about the ghost that lived in my attic when I was your age?"

"The Shinigami?" Ichigo asked.

Isshin did not *enjoy* lying to his children, but a little knowledge was a dangerous thing, and not enough even more so, so he'd concocted a little fantasy to explain why he knew all about ghosts and why the children never saw their grandparents, so he could tell them about the dangers of this world without telling them too much.

"That's right- His name was Kaien Shiba, and he was a Soul Reaper. At night, he'd turn into a ghost and leave his body behind, and go escort spirits to the afterlife or fight hollows." Isshin said. he'd named the fictional soul reaper after his favorite nephew in a fit of inspiration- he'd started telling Ichigo a tale from his days as a Shinigami one night after slightly too many drinks and had to convince Ichigo that that was only a distant acquaintance.

"...Like what killed Mom." Ichigo muttered.

"Um. Yeah." Isshin nodded.

They were silent for a moment.

"-Anyway, the way he turned into a ghost was that he'd swallow one of these little candies that would come in these tubes-" Isshin pulled the duck's head back to show Ichigo the mechanism. "-and Poof! he'd jump out of his body as a ghost so he could use magic to save people! But-there was a little soul inside the candy that would come out and take care of his body while he was away! Like a babysitter, but for his own butt! After a few hours, the little soul would stop working, and Kain would be home to climb back in."

Ichigo blinked at the mechanism, thinking. "So. There's a little person in these candies?"

"If there were any in here, yeah." Said Isshin. "They're not like. Whole people. Just little collages of behaviors and phrases. You know, like the fake voice that talks on the phone when you call to refill a prescription!" Ichigo frowned, considering something. "...There weren't any candies in this thing, were there?" Isshin asked, suspicious.

"No." Said Ichigo, frowning at him. "It'd be really lonely, being just a little soul, stuck in a candy, wouldn't it?" he asked.

"I suppose so, but I don't think the little souls are aware while they're in there. It's like being asleep for them." Isshin shrugged, lying to himself as much as his son about that.

Ichigo still frowned. "...What happens if the candy goes into a body without a soul in it? Like a dead body?" "Huh." Isshin frowned. "I dunno, actually. I guess the little soul would run around and operate it for a while, until it faded out, like it did with a normal body?"

Ichigo nodded, still preoccupied.

"Why?" Isshin tried.

"...No reason." Ichigo muttered, kicking his little feet. "Just thinking."

"Alright. Promise me if you find anything else weird or see any random candies to not touch them and tell me right away, okay?"

"Yeah okay." Ichigo nodded, only sort of paying attention. "I'm gonna go to bed. G'night dad." he muttered, getting up from the table and handing the dispenser to Isshin before giving him a quick hug and stomping up the stairs.

Isshin watched him go, aching a bit. I wondered how old he was gonna be when he started keeping secrets from me. He sighed, looking down at the Soul Candy Dispenser. Not that I'm being a Paragon of Honesty for him to follow...

---

"GIRLS? ICHIGO? HAVE ANY OF YOU SEEN MY STETHOSCOPE?" Isshin hollered, searching fruitlessly under the couch cushions.

"NO!" Hollered Karin from where she and Yuzu were playing in the small front yard.

"TRY ICHIGO'S ROOM, HE TOOK A BUNCH OF LAUNDRY UP TO SORT." called Yuzu.

"THANKS GIRLS!" he called back stomping up the stairs. Ichigo was at karate- he'd finally returned to classes, or at least, Tatsuki had finally physically dragged him back into the Dojo. "Man I hope I didn't put it through the washing machine-" he muttered, opening the door to the boy's room and started searching through the basket of laundry on his bed.

Isshin stopped, and stood up, frowning around the room. Something was off.

Ichigo was a tidy boy, somehow, and his room was usually in order save for whatever video game he had out to play and the bed he never made but... Isshin turned fully around trying to figure out what was off before his eyes finally landed on the top of the Dresser.

The Emerald Green Velvet Cat bed, home of Bostov The Cat, was empty.

"Did he take the cat out of the bed to play with?" Isshin wondered aloud, hoping that that, and not several other horrible scenarios, was what was happening. He could hear Karin and Yuzu giggling through the window, and he peeked down at them- they appeared to be having a tea party on the thin strip of grass, and the guest of honor amongst the dolls and stuffed animals was a familiar-looking ginger tabby. "Oh! The GIRLS took him out to play with." he sighed with relief, leaning against the window to watch them.

...and watch a strange man approaching down the street, who stopped at the garden fence. Isshin frowned- maybe he was just watching the girls play, in a normal, wholesome way like he was doing right now. ...or he could be taking candy out of his pocket and waving the girls to come through the gate.

Isshin jumped on the bed, tore open the window with such force it jumoed out of it's track and was halfway out to jump down at the man from the second floor when the most EXTRAORDINARY thing happened.

Bostov, Who by all accounts had been deceased for the better part of a decade and was made of little more than a skin and some glass stretched over a wood-and-cotton frame, Suddenly leapt up from his chair, claws and teeth drawn like swords and leapt upon the man, battering him visciously with a stream of einvective so foul it made Isshin's barrack-hardened linguistic sensibilities blush, before chasing him back down the street like a short, furious, ass-seeking missile.

"GIRLS!" he shouted, jumping down anyway. "-ARE YOU OKAY?"

"DON'T GET MAD AT ICHIGO OR KON!!" Shouted Yuzu, tears in her eyes.

"...ichigo or who?" Isshin blinked.

"Way to spill the beans, Yuzu." Karin groaned. "Yeah Dad, we're FINE- Kon was here, he'll beat the crap out of anything."

"Who's Kon?" Isshin repeated.

"HEY DAD." Shouted Ichigo, skidding into the garden in his karate gi, and out of breath, clutching an unconvincingly stiff Mr. Bostov under his arm. "SO. UH- WELL MR. BOSTOV CAN MOVE NOW. FOR SOME REASON."

"Uh-huh?" Isshin glared at the cat, who glanced away nervously. "Why do you think that is?"

"...it's a Christmas Miracle?" Tried Ichigo.

"Ichigo, it's fucking April." groaned Karin.

"...Passover?" tried Ichigo.

"-This wouldn't have anything to do with that Soul Candy Dispenser you found, would it?"

"uhhhhhhh..." said Ichigo. Honesty might not have been one of the boy's virtues, but at least he was a terrible liar.

"PLEASE DADDY DON'T GET ANGRY!!" Sobbed Yuzu, throwing herself around his calf and wailing. "MR. KON IS THE MOST NICEST KITTY IN THE WHOLE WORLD! HE PLAYS TEA TIME AND DRESS-UP WITH US AND TELLS JOKES AND CHASES AWAY DOGS AND SCARY MEN AND HE ALWAYS WAKES UP ICHIGO WHEN HE'S HAVING A NIGHTMARE-!"

"Yeah, actually, Kon's like. the first thing to make me laugh since. Well." Mumbled Karin, plodding over to Isshin's other leg and leaning heavily on him. "Please? he's weird, but he's a good guy."

Isshin sighed, then glared back down at the cat. "Alright. Who are you?" he demanded.

Ichigo and the formerly immobile cat glanced at each other and the feline unfolded as Ichigo set him down, shaking himself out and sitting on the walkway.

"So, uh- Hi. My name's Kon. Kon Bostov, if you wanna be formal, in honor of the beast whose body I currently inhabit." He nodded, waving a paw evocatively. "-And, uh. Well, how much do you know about the afterlife?"

"-Being from a long line of psychic mediums and prone to hauntings, my parents rented out our attic to a Shinigami when I was a child, and he told me pretty much everything." Said Isshin, and Kon winced. "So. Is 'Kon' short for 'Mod Konpaku'?"

"Ehh... well, Yeah." Kon winced. "-But hey! It wasn't my idea to be cooked up in a lab by some maniac and then put to death minutes later for something I didn't even do!" he snarled, fur bristling.

"What?" asked Karin.

"Kids I- Look, I didn't mean to lie, there just wasn't a good time to bring it up but. Technically, I'm wanted by the law. I'm an artificial soul created for battle to be put into dead bodies, but literally four and a half minutes after I woke up, the soul society- where all the Shinigami are from- condemned me to die, because they didn't like how strong some of the other Mod Souls were. I managed to roll myself off of the table and into a box of normal bodyminders to hide, Got put in a dispenser and then the shinigami that had been here accidentally left me behind." Kon explained.

"COOL!" Shouted Karin.

"NOT COOL. BAD!" Shouted Isshin. "Okay, okay I- I mean you're right, I never- I mean, the way Kaien told it, the whole Mod Soul program was pretty shady and it sounded really unfair. But why would a Shinigami just leave an important and dangerous tool lying around?"

"...I don't know how much spiritual sense you have my guy, but this town doesn't have a Hollow problem so much as the Hollowpocalylse goin' on." Kon grimaced. "-I really hope that guy's okay, he seemed pretty cool from what I could tell. I don't actually remember hearing him get called back to soul society." Kon muttered. "-Anyway, about three weeks ago, your brother found me in the dispenser in the back of his closet and put my candy body into this taxidermy cat, and I've been hanging out with the kids since then! You know, like a cat is supposed to do!"

Isshin stared blankly at Kon. The girls hugged his legs, lips wobbling, but he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, firming up his resolve- no matter how nice he seemed, a Mod Soul was a dangerous thing- and one crafty enough to live right under his nose for the better part of a month? No, absolutely n-

Isshin opened his eyes to see Ichigo had picked up Kon, cradling the cat to his tiny body, eyes wide and beginning to glisten with tears.

"...Ah. What the hell. You make the kids laugh." Isshin sighed, and all four cheered, thanking him profusely and promising to be extra-good and take good care of Kon- "But you put so much as a Whisker out of line and you're in deep trouble, got it?" Isshin leaned into the cat's face, scowling menacingly and shaking his finger at Kon.

"Understood sir!" Kon Saluted. "So when's dinner? Ichigo's been sneaking me scraps but I could really go for some chicken, or maybe ham-" he asked, tail thrashing excitedly.

"You can eat?" Isshin asked. "I thought you were all... Whatever they stuff taxidermy animals with?"

"-Might've been, but I'm all complete now? Fluff, guts, claws-the works!" Kon shrugged, hopping up on Isshin's shoulder. "-Between you an' me, I ain't even neutered! But that ain't a problem- Plenty of hot pussy around, if you know what I mean, especially that sweet little tuxedo bobtail just up the street- Me-YOW, huh?"

"Oh gods." Groaned Isshin, covering his face. "What am I letting into my house?"

"An intact male cat is called a 'Tom' Dad." Karin called over her shoulder.

"Alright Kon, a few rules- No more swearing in front of the kids, no bringing ladies around the house and for goodness sake DON'T TELL ANYONE YOU'RE HERE!" Isshin snarled at him.

"Alright, alright!" Kon sighed, rolling his eyes. "Out of curiosity though- What rank was your guy Kaien?"

"Hm?" Isshin asked.

"Only that I thought only the captains and a few lieutenants ever knew about project Spearhead." Kon glanced at Isshin, arching an orange-striped brow at him. "-funny thing, having a seated officer doing routine patrols, isn't it?"

"I dunno?" Shrugged Isshin, trying to keep his shoulders from tensing up, "-He didn't actually tell me all that much about how the soul society is governed."

"Huh." Kon nodded, smirking just a bit. "Interestin' guy, this Kaien. You should tell me about him sometime!"

"KOOOOONN!" Yuzu called. "My Dollie's shoe got under the fridge!"

"Coming Sweetie!" Kon called, jumping off Isshin's shoulder to reach his skinny little cat arm under the fridge and swat the missing accessory out from under the appliance. Yuzu applauded with delight and hugged him, laughing for the first time in ages.

Isshin watched them play for a bit and sighed. He not a bad guy, this Kon. All the same- Isshin took out his phone and dialed a number.

"~Urahara Shoten, home of Karkura Town's finest Candies, Cell Phones and Card Games! I'm on sabbatical 'til the end of the month or so, so if it's an emergency, hang up and call the Kurosaki Clinic! Or die! If it's not an emergency, leave me a message with what you need and I'll hook you up when I get back! Bye!~" Urahara's voicemail recording sing-sang over the line.

"Kisuke. It's me, Isshin. You will not fucking believe what my kids found in the new house. Call me as soon as you get back."

#AEIWAM #an elephant is warm and mushy #Bleach #Bleach fanfic #Isshin Kurosaki #Ichigo Kurosaki #Kisuke Urahara #Kon

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genericpuff · 5 months

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zoo wee mama, the new Hbomberguy video is a RIDE and it's absolutely relevant to everything going on in webcomics. let's talk about it.

youtube

I'm sure a lot of you have heard about this video going around already (it's gotten 2+ million views in just a little over 24 hours) but if you haven't, I highly recommend you set aside time to watch it yourself, I was surprised to see how much he had dug up especially regarding Youtubers that I never suspected were plagiarizing. He also says some very on-point stuff about how we view content creators and plagiarizing in this "do it yourself" industry that really resonated with me because it's stuff I've been saying for years in the webcomic sphere.

I won't spoil the video much because I think it's best experienced watching it for yourself (especially because he's putting all the money he earns off this video towards compensating the people who had their work plagiarized by one Youtuber in particular who's especially guilty... I'm not even gonna mince words, it's James Somerton) but this passage in particular just felt so validating to hear from someone who clearly holds themselves to the standards that more Youtubers - and creators in general - should be holding themselves to:

"I think a lot of people are inclined to protect creators they like on the grounds that plagiarism is a very academic-sounding problem, like something that happens in research papers or journalism, not something that you can do in a silly video made for entertainment purposes. Why are we holding Youtubers to standards? That would be like expecting accurate history from someone whose name has 'historian' in it! Because Youtubers often project a sense of being scrappy, do-it-yourself amateurs, it feels almost wrong to expect them to be professional... but a lot of them are professionals, regardless how authentic their persona may be. Youtubers are now among the most recognizable faces on the planet, and have become immensely wealthy doing this. Some are so influential we literally call them influencers. Maybe it's a good idea to have some standards for not stealing. Maybe." - Hbomberguy, "Plagiarism and You(tube)" timestamp: 3:35:32

Obviously this has nothing to directly do with webcomics but I do think it's something that reflects very similar behavior within the webcomic community that's, frankly, worth discussing. Many people justifiably want to make a living off their work, want webcomics as a whole to be taken more seriously in the mainstream next to traditional publishing, and for webcomic creators to be taken more seriously as professionals.

But at the same time, I still see a lot of infantilizing of the people in this industry, done by both their fans and the people within it, the idea that being a professional (noun) isn't mutually inclusive of being professional (adjective). It's how we've gotten creators in the past like Snailords, mongie, and yes, Rachel Smythe, who are often shielded by their fanbase on the basis of, "they're just indie comic creators doing what they love, leave them alone!" when they're very much not that, at least not anymore. At least two of those three creators have TV deals (though whether or not they'll make it to the screen is debatable), and all three of them have or have had Webtoons seemingly wrapped around their finger more so than any other creator (though mongie has argued she left Webtoons over unfair treatment, it really doesn't seem like that to the people who know how much mongie was intentionally pushing the rules of what she was allowed to post on the platform, particularly with her Sam x Charles smut).

They are not 'indie creators' anymore and they are not exempt from criticism just because their younger fanbase mistakenly assumes them to be the same age as them. Rachel, mongie, and Snailords are all in their mid-to-late 30's. They all have merchandising deals and either have TV deals or want to have TV deals. They've all been given priority advertising by Webtoons even at the cost of undercutting all the other creators and series on the platform that need it more. They are not "scrappy" creators, they're contractual professionals now and they all do not act like it. Whether it's reacting poorly to criticism or using their characters as a mouthpiece for their own egos or even just using their comics as a poorly disguised fetish, they're all contractual professionals who do not act professional. And they're not the only webcomic creators who do this.

And again, I've talked about this before on here and in the discussions on reddit concerning LO and other webtoons, so it's incredibly validating and refreshing to see Hbomberguy put those feelings into words (albeit about Youtubers, but let's be real, Webtoons is definitely trying to be the "Youtube of webcomics", as is Tapas and other competing webtoon platforms) because that sentiment rings true for a lot of the webtoon creators who have practically failed upwards and only forgo their advertised "professional status" when they're under fire for their actions and writing. Rachel is an "award winning creator" and "self-proclaimed folklorist" until her comic is criticized for its blatant misrepresentation and disrespect towards an entire culture, then all of a sudden "it's just fanfiction". Mongie is the creator of the bestselling series Let's Play until she's called out for racist depictions of Asians and Hispanic people in her work, then all of a sudden she's "just trying to make a fun comic" that's not meant to be taken that seriously. And of course, their audience of teens and young adults who don't know any better keep forgiving them and vehemently defending them because they wrongfully assume that these creators are scrappy teens just like themselves who just started making webcomics for fun and then achieved fame and glory overnight (which they're not!)

We should be having bigger discussions about what awaits the webcomic and "content creator" industry as a whole in the future and what standards we should be holding creators and their work to. We can't possibly expect these mediums to be taken seriously as a professional industry if we don't set better expectations for the quality of the work that's being created and the creators who are building these platforms for themselves.

"In current discourse, Youtubers simultaneously present as the forefront of a new medium, creative voices that need to be taken seriously as part of the 'next generation of media'... and also 'uwu smol beans little babies who shouldn't be taken seriously when they rip someone off and make tens of thousands of dollars doing it." - Hbomberguy, "Plagiarism and You(tube)" timestamp: 3:36:18

#hbomberguy #webtoon critical #anti lore olympus #lore olympus critical #lo critical #let's play critical #Youtube

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kisses-from-crows · 6 months

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Random Campbell Bain Headcanons

(chapter 7 is currently a 5k word inconsistent mess but i can give you this so, ehhh? not sure if these make any sense but in my brain they make perfect sense)

-this mf LOVES halloween

-he will spend will weeks thinking up a bunch of overly complicated costumes

-he spends WAY too much money on halloween decorations (i want you to picture Campbell Bain with adult money….)

-he has gotten tangled in those cotton spiderweb things a million times

-he always gets really enthusiastic about carving pumpkins but doesn’t have the patience to do the super complicated designs. always manages to cut off bits he didn’t mean to cut off.

-has a tradition of smashing the pumpkins to bits in the first week of november. (he likes this part more than the carving)

-will literally beg to get his nails painted and then will IMMEDIATELY smudge them, everytime, without fail

-settles for coloring in his nails with sharpie

-scarily good at mario kart, like frighteningly good

-likes to watch the muppets when he has depressive episodes

-had an intense cowboy phase as a child, until he went to a petting zoo and discovered he’s deathly afraid of horses

-the type of person to go radio silent for weeks or spam you with 50 memes and 12 songs in a matter of an hour. (there is no in-between)

-will respond to an important text two days later with a link to song and nothing else

-has a MASSIVE sweet tooth

-and has absolutely ZERO self control with candy, will down an entire bag of marshmallows (he prefers the mini ones) in a single sitting.

-noticed that Eddie had started to sneakily take his candy so he started keeping secret stashes hidden in various places

-eddie will find a stash and throw it away, only to turn around and see Campbell munching on a king-sized snickers, just gloating

-is ace spec but constantly makes dirty jokes, partly for shock value partly because he finds it hilarious

-very touchy, doesn’t get the whole “personal space” thing

-insists that he loves scary movies and then will go to bed with all the lights on after

-finds a pair of shoes he likes and then wears them every single day until they fall apart, then refuses to throw them out

-his closet is full of converse held together by duct tape and a dream

-is the biggest baby about being sick. this mf will get a tummy ache and just start rolling on the ground whining about “this is the end, get my affairs in order, tell Eddie i love him”

-toes the line between being the dream/nightmare blunt rotation. he has the most entertaining monologues but he’s using the joint as a talking stick and accidentally ash’d in the water cups twice now

-not allowed to smoke anymore because it messed with his bipolar and he didn’t sleep for 4 days straight

-can’t cook for shit, regularly burns soup. is banned from using the oven after The Incident™️

-won’t explain to anyone what The Incident™️ is

-if you ask Eddie about it, he’ll just say “he knows what he did”

-rumor has it that it involved makeshift shrink-i-dinks

-visits Fergus’s grave at least once a month. sets up a blanket and just talks. tells him everything that happened since he came last. what the rest of the crew is up to

-always leaves some sort of bit or bauble for Fergus

-got very upset when they would go missing, until he realized the local crows were collecting them

-now he brings some food and an extra toy for the crows, they’re good friends now

-one of the crows always flies down and hangs out next to him, so Campbell is convinced it’s Fergus

okay that’s all i’ve got for now! (sorry had to make it just little sad at the end)

#campbell bain #campbell bain headcanons #taking over the asylum #this likely makes no sense #but who cares

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prefect30 · 30 days

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Little Dove

Instead of Lucy Gray, he got her younger, little sister, Rosalie Jade.

Chapter Three

"Hey there, Capitol Boy."

Why are you talking to him? Wait, why is that District mutt even here?

The Academy, deciding that it would benefit all students for their new project, let all senior mentors out of school early to help them get to know their tribute.

It was a bit of a hassle for Coriolanus to get out early. High-as-a-kite-bottom argued that he shouldn't be let out early along with the others because he already had a headstart and was late.

Surprisingly, though, Coriolanus' new best friend, Dr. Gaul, said that since it was his idea for the mentors to get closer to their tributes, Coriolanus should be able to go.

So here he was, at the zoo once more. Only to find Sejanus Plinth, standing close to the cage, with an overflowing backpack of different foods, talking to his tribute.

I thought that I was Capitol Boy?

Coriolanus could see the sandwiches, which looked to be a variety of chicken salad, peanut butter and jelly, and egg salad, but how would he know, he's been eating watery cabbage "soup" for almost his whole life years, small water bottles, and ripe, deep purple plums that were slowing falling out of the bag with all of the other foods.

Reaching Sejanus and Rosalie Jade, he picked up on some of their conversation.

"I used to know him. We were friends."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sejanus. I can't imagine how that feels, having to see an old friend being forced to fight for his life. That's awful." Trying to comfort him, Rosalie Jade held onto Sejanus' hand while talking

Deciding that enough sympathy hand touches were given to each other, Coriolanus interrupted their little conversation.

"Rosalie Jade, how are you?"

"As fresh as a rose in the winter." She smiled at him.

You're actually going to make me go mad with all for your stupid ass riddles! As fresh as a rose in the winter? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

Sensing his confusion, Sejanus whispered, "She's not doing good. She's not strong or ready."

Not ready?

Looking at Rosalie Jade and then Sejanus in disbelief, Coriolanus tried to save face. "I knew that, I was conf-concered about her not being ready."

But ready for what?!

"Well course I'm not ready. I'm 12 and goin' to fight to the death for my life!"

Ohh! That's what she meant. Why didn't I figure that out and how did the District mutt figure it out first?

"Which is why I'm here, Rosalie Jade. To help you."

So listen to me and leave this mutt here and let's talk away from him. Far away.

"I know Mr. Snow. But Sejanus here was trying to help everyone get something to eat and since on one was movin’ to get any, I came up to get some and maybe hand out some since they might take it if it’s “from” me rather than Sejanus here. Unless you don't want me or anyone else eatin'?" Rosalie Jade teased him.

"Of course I want you to eat, Rosalie Jade. Just maybe over there, where we can talk about strategies to help you during the games." Coriolanus pointed to an area where there was a rock on the side of the cage Rosalie Jade was in.

"Right, so we can talk about ways I can snap the necks of my opponents. Now that might be a bit hard, with my height an' all." Roslaie Jade joked.

"Rosalie Jade." Sejanus said her name in the way he thought a mother would when their child said something offensive to someone.

"Oh, relax, will ya'? Let me make my jokes. I know I ain't makin' it back home. At least let my mind stay on the sunny side." Rosalie Jade said as she slowly walked away towards the area Coriolanus pointed out earlier.

"Don't say th-"

"What was that? I can't hear you!" Rosalie Jade interrupted Sejanus, making a fake pouty face at him while reaching her hands in front of her, making grabby hands.

"Too far! Oh, the shame! The misery!" She laughed as she turned around and plopped herself down on a large rock.

Sejanus lightly laughed at her antics while Coriolanus scoffed.

She needs to take this seriously. This is her life we're dealing with. My life. Both of our lives. We're connected and she needs to realize that her actions affect me as well. We're in this together, unfortunately.

“Well, she’s not listening to me anymore, might as well leave the bag here in case anyone decides to take any of the food Ma made.”

No one is ever listening to you, Sejanus. And, Ma? Really. We are in public, try to have at least some dignity and decency.

“Yeah. Hey, that was a good idea. Bringing them food and all.”

Maybe if I compliment him, he’ll give me some.

“Thanks! I couldn’t just let them starve in here. You know, no one is feeding them in there. They just threw them in the cage without anything!”

Nope, he’ll just complain to me more. God, when will he get over this. It’s been more than a decade since he came from Two, he needs to get over himself and let it go. And besides, they gave them a working faucet, at least they can drink and clean themselves.

“Yes, well too bad there is nothing we can do about it.”

So let it go.

“But there is! We could get them to stop the Games somehow, then no one would have to worry about having to fight for their own life!” Sejanus exclaimed.

People looked at the boys, surprised by Sejanus’ outburst and in shock from his words. Coriolanus looked around, smiling trying to distance himself a bit farther away from the lunatic boy. He quickly looked towards Rosalie Jade and saw her laying on the rock, her dress splayed out all around her, making it seem like she was lying at the end of a rainbow.

“I’m not talking about this in public of all places, Sejanus. But you need to accept them, you can’t do anything to change them. Thank you again for giving the food to Rosalie Jade, but I have to go to her now.” Coriolanus said, attempting to walk away when he was stopped by hearing Sejanus’ words.

“Wait! Do you think maybe we could trade tributes?”

What?

Coriolanus slowly turned around to look at Sejanus, his face in complete disbelief.

“Pardon me?‘

“It’s just that, well me and her kind of hit it off and my tribute, he just…he just won’t talk to me. Please?” Sejanus rubbed the back of his neck, looking down, embarrassed by his question.

What does he mean, “hit it off?” We hit it off too, right? And why does he want to have Rosalie Jade as his tribute so much? She’s my tribute, not his. Wait, do I finally have something that Sejanus Plinth doesn’t? Or is it that he sees how well she has been doing in Capitol eyes and wants to take that from me? No. I won’t let him. She was given to me, so she is my tribute, not his. And he sure as hell isn’t taking her from me.

“I’m sorry, Sejanus, but I don’t think we can trade tributes. Besides, we already started the project. It wouldn’t benefit either of us if we were to switch tributes now.”

“Ok, sorry for asking. It’s just-nevermind. Bye Coryo.”

Don’t call me Coryo.

“Goodbye Sejanus.”

Finally walking over to Rosalie Jade, he saw that she was now sitting up and finishing the last bit of the sandwich she was given.

Dammit Sejanus.

“Sorry about not bringing any food, I didn’t get the chance” Coriolanus said, crouching down to her.

“It’s fine! I’m just glad that I even got to meet Sejanus. He was real nice.” Rosalie Jade said, picking up her plum.

Enough about Sejanus!

Coriolanus watched as she bit into her plum, the juices dripping down her chin in slow motion.

He watched in a lustful hunger as she licked her fingers on the excess juice, wishing it was him. He was just so hungry.

“Mmm! Guys! This is real good! You should get some!” Rosalie Jade hollered about to the other tributes, encouraging them to eat.

Looking back at Coriolanus, Rosalie Jade said,”Sorry, but I wanted to make sure that they at least know they can eat the stuff without it killing them.”

“Killing them? Why would the food kill them?” Choriolanuss asked her, confused.

“Never know if one year the Games start early.” Rosalie Jade huffed.

“Well I can assure you that no food that will be given to you to eat will be poisonous or kill you.”

“Ok Capitol Boy, whatever you say.” She shook her head, laughing quietly.

So I am Capitol Boy.

Coriolanus waited until she finished eating her plum, which felt like hours, till he started to talk about his plan for her.

Setting down the plum pit, Rosalie Jade looked at him expectantly.

“Well Capitol Boy, whatcha’ got planned for me?” Rosalie Jade said, clapping her hands together.

“I need you to sing again.” Corioalnus said.

Rosalie Jade just looked at him hesitantly.

Then out of nowhere, she snapped at him.

“I don’t sing when I’m told to. I sing when I got something to say.” She crossed her arms defiantly.

“But this is the only way I can help you! You have to sing, otherwise there is nothing I can do to help you in that arena.”

Rosalie Jade just turned her head the other way so she wasn’t looking at him.

Crouching even lower to the ground, Coiolanus said, “Listen to me. They are thinking about making changes this year to the rules. If I can get some of my ideas passed, I can help you get sponsors.”

“Sponsors?” Rosalie Jade raised her eyebrow.

“People who are betting on you. They will send in money to help me buy things for you in the arena to help you survive, and hopefully, win.”

“Now I heard that there is some sort of prize for the student with the winning tribute. So are you helping me to win or to actually help me?”

Well of course I want you to win. I need the prize. But there is something about you that I need to figure out. What you reminded me of earlier this morning in the cage.

“Both.” Coriolanus shrugged.

Rosalie Jade looked him up and down before coming to the conclusion of, “Ok. I’ll listen to you. But I won’t promise I’ll sing. But maybe if you get me a guitar, then maybe I’ll think about it. Ok?”

“Amazing! Yes, great!” he said, slowly standing up.

“Maybe!” Rosalie Jade laughed.

“Ok, I’ll see you tomorrow, and this time with food!” Coriolauns yelled back to Rosalie Jade as he started to walk away.

“Got it, Mr. Snow!” Rosalie Jade teased.

Looking back at the cage, Coriolanus saw that the once overflowing bag of foods was now bone dry and even knocked over. Most of the other tributes had gotten their own sandwich, bottle, and plum. However, some didn’t because others took more than one, being greedy.

Well, it’s a good thing that Rosalie Jade got her food first. Now where the fuck am I going to find spare food and a guitar?

Just as Coriolanus was reaching the exit of the monkey exhibit, he stopped in his tracks, hearing it.

“Deep in the meadow, under a willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your��head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise.”

Rosalie Jade had listened to him and started to sing.

“Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you.”

He started to walk back into the exhibit, but was stopped by a Peacekeeper.

“Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves, a moonbеam ray

Forget your woes and let your troublеs lay

And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.”

“Sorry kid, closing time. No more visits.” The Peacekeeper said to Coriolauns.

“But it’s still bright out and I need to see to my tribute.” Coriolanus answered back to the tribute.

“No kid. You gotta go home. Come back tomorrow. Sorry.” The Peacekeeper said with finality, turning Coriolanus around and pushing him closer to the exit.

“Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

Where I love you.”

Rosalie Jade had finished her little song and Coirolanus didn’t even get to see her sing because of the incompetent Peacekeeper.

So she can listen. Good, obedient girl.

The next day, Coriolanus was sitting down in the Academy lunchroom trying to figure out how to get food for his tribute. He had already asked Persephone Price if she had an old guitar laying around, remembering how before the Dark Days she would take lessons for it was all she could talk about.

Before the Dark Days. How funny. How before the Dark Days, Persephone was an aspiring “musician.” How she wasn’t a cannibal.

Coriolanus Snow had many bad memories from the Dark Days, but the worst one would always be when he witnessed his neighbor, Nero Price, Persephone’s father, cut off the leg of a maid to eat.

That was the day when Coriolanus had truly witnessed humanity being stripped, even from the “rich.” How anyone would do anything to survive.

Just thinking about it gave Coriolanus a slight chill. Persephone most likely didn’t even know that she became a cannibal that day. Most likely thought it was some sort of meat mixture of rat, dog, and/or cat. But that didn’t matter to Coriolanus. Persephone Price and her family were cannibals, even if most of them didn’t know.

However, most know that while Persephone Price is a very kind person, she can be very competitive and geedy. So when she told Coriolanus, “Of course! I’ll have to look for it though. It might be buried somewhere deep in my attic,” Coirolanus knew that she would not look for the guitar one bit.

Of course she wouldn’t. She has her own tribute to try and win with. Which is why after he talked with her, he went to Pluribus Bell.

Pluribus was a big black market dealer and had helped Coriolanus and his family during the Dark Days. Coirolanus had always made sure to pay him back either with what little money Tigris made or with the gossip of what was happening in the Capitol and Academy that Pluribus couldn’t hear or see that Coriolanus had a front row seat too. But he always paid him back. Coriolanus hated owing anybody anything.

So when Pluribus said, “I think I should have one in the back. It’s for her, though, huh? Your tribute? Keep it for her. Give it to her and let her have it, as a final gift sort of thing. She would sound so pretty with it with her voice. Let your little songbird have this guitar as a gift from me, no charge, no debt,” Coriolanus was both grateful and annoyed. He got what he needed, but now owed, or at least felt like he owed Pluribus something.

But yet, he took the offer and intended on going back to him tonight to get the guitar for his tribute’s interview on Sunday.

So here he sat, thinking of a way he could get food to Rosalie Jade.

I could take it out of the cafeteria, but that’s not allowed and I’m sure if Highbottom saw me do that, he’d bust my ass and give me another stupid fucking dermit. I could maybe bring something from home? Oh, who am I kidding. The only thing we have at home is the disgusting cabbage soup and bringing that into a public setting would give away the very thing I’ve been hiding for years. How poor we are.

Deep in thought, thinking through his options, Coriolanus didn’t even realize that Sejanus had made his way over towards him. Only when he slammed his tray down, earning many looks of disgust from the other students, did Coriolanus even realize he was there.

What does the District mutt want now?

“Quite the ideas you had Coryo.” Sejanus said, looking Corilanus dead in the eye.

That’s what. Of course it is.

“Yes, thank you. I thought it would benefit Rosalie Jade if I was able to send her food or water in the arena.” Coriolanus answered him, trying to make it seem like all of this was to help Rosalie Jade and not himself.

“Yeah.” Sejanus muttered, looking down annoyed.

Deciding that this was the best time to ask, Coriolanus asked, “What were you and Rosalie Jade talking about before I got to the monkey exposure yesterday.”

This made Sejanus look up fast and in turn, make Coriolanus curious.

“Oh, just family stuff. Both her and mine.” Sejanus said after hesitating for a minute, looking around as if it was safe to talk.

“Ok, but what did you mean by ‘I used to know him?’ Who were you talking about?” Coiolanus asked right after Sejanus finished talking.

Looking down at his lap, Sejanus took a deep breath. “My tribute, Marcus, I used to know him. I went to school with him back in Two.” Sejnaus looked up.

Ohhh. But you moved here when you were so young, how could you have made such an “unforgettable” friend that a decade later, you still remember?

“My father probably bought him to my tribute to remind me where I am, what my place is, and well, you get the jist.” Sejanus started to rant.

I get the jist. I always do. Everyone does. You don’t shut the fuck up about it.

Trying to calm him down before he goes into full on protester mode, Coriolanus said, “Well it’s not your fault that your father bought him for you. You’re not to blame.”

“I'm so blameless, I'm choking on it.” Sejanus rebuttal bitterly.

Deciding that the risk of Highbottom giving him another dermit is better than having Sejanus Plinth drone on and on about how life’s not fair, Coriolanus wrapped his sandwich in his unused napkin and stuffed it into his pants pocket.

“I should go to see Rosalie Jade, he might be hungry.” Coriolanus stood up, collecting his belongings.

"Quite the rebel you are taking food for her." Sejanus told Coriolanus, looking him up and down.

"Yeah, I'm bad news." Corioalnus answered, getting out of his chair.

“Tell her I said ‘hi!’ ” Sejanus yelled to Coriolanus as he started to walk away.

“Ok!” Coriolanus answered back.

No.

Walking up the cage, Coriolanus saw that Rosalie Jade was still near the large rock. Except this time, instead of being on it alone, she was resting beside it with her eyes closed, leaning her head on Jessup.

Why must he always be touching her?

Coriolanus looked closer at the scene in front of him, realizing that not only was she resting her head on him, no. She was holding his hand.

What. The. Fuck.

Upping his pace to stop the comforting affectionate physical gesture, Coriolanus almost missed his fellow classmate, Arachne Crane, teasing her tribute with food. He saw the desperation in the tribute's eyes and knew from experience that she was experiencing horrific stomach pain from the lack of food.

Coriolanus quickly stopped, “Arachne, maybe you should just give her the bread. She most likely hasn’t eaten in days, maybe even a week depending on which District she came from.”

Arachne just looked Coriolanus up and down. “Who are you now, Sejanus? Why do you even care, Coriolanus?” Arachne scoffed, buttering a piece of bread.

“Besides, if she really wanted it, she would try a little bit harder. Wouldn’t you, girl?” Arachne mocked the girl, teasingly waving the buttered bread in front of her face.

Coriolanus just scoffed, “I am most definitely not turning into Sejanus. I am merely just trying to help you.”

“Yeah, well why don’t you just go over and help you little songbird? She looks like she needs your help real bad, oh wait! No she doesn’t! She seems just fine eating Plinth’s food and resting her eyes with her tribute. Maybe you’re the one who needs her help. Cause from the looks of it, she sure as hell doesn’t need you.” Arachne snapped at him.

Coriolanus' nostrils were flaring and his face was red from embarrassment and anger.

Of course she needs me! I’m her mentor for fuck’s sake! She’s only little and she needs protection. She needs to be protected by someone. And that sure as hell isn’t Jessup. It’s me. She needs me.

Trying to keep his composure and not blow up in Arachne’s dumb fucking face, Coriolanus simpley said, “I suppose then your tribute doesn’t need you either. It’s not like you're doing anything to help her, only yourself.”

Then, he slowly bent down to Arachne’s ear, whispering, “I bet you just want the Plinth Prize for yourself, you greedy little pig.” With that, Coriolanus stood up right, turned around, and started walking to his tribute before Arachne could even comprehend in her dumb little brain what he had just said.

Coriolanus knew he shouldn’t have said that, but he just couldn’t help it. He always had to get the last word.

Finally making his way over to Rosalie Jade and Jessup, he saw that she had opened her eyes and she smiled at him when she realized that he was coming her way. Getting up, she brushed her dress down and pushed her hair behind her back. Jessup looked up at her with confusion at her sudden movement, but when he saw Coriolanus, he raised his eyebrows up in a look of recognition. Waiting for her to walk over to him, he saw Jessup getting up too, following Rosalie Jade like a lost puppy.

I don’t remember being your mentor, why the fuck are you coming over to me? She doesn’t need you to “protect” her, that’s why I’m here.

“Mr. Snow.” Rosalie Jade pulled him from his thoughts, tipping her imaginary hat to him.

This got a genuine laugh out of him. Even in the midst of her inevitable death, she still stands here, joking around.

“Miss. Baird.” Coriolanus said back, pulling the sandwich out of his pocket, presenting it to her as if it were a bouquet of roses.

Giggling, Rosalie Jade took the sandwich, joking, “My! How pretty! Must taste even better than it looks.”

It better, this was supposed to be my lunch.

Turning around to Jessup, she split the sandwich into two, urging to give him the other half.

“Here,” she said, “eat up.”

Jessup shook his head. “No, you eat it, Rosie Jay, you need it. ‘Sides, I’m not hungry.” Jessup pushed his hands out to deny the food.

Rosie Jay?

“You think I don’t hear your stomach growling, Jessup Diggs.” Rosalie Jade said, putting her one hand on her tiny waist.

“Eat it, please. For me?” She said, giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Fine. Only for you though.” Jessup muttered, taking half of the sandwich and walking away to sit behind the rock.

Through the whole conversation, Coriolanus’ face had the same look the whole time. Disgust.

He hated how close Jessup was getting to his tribute. How he had taken on a “brotherly” role of some sort. No. That was Corioanus’ job. Well, to get her to win, and inturn, him, was his job. Taking on a brotherly role couldn’t hurt anyone.

“You ok?” Rosalie Jade noticed the look on Coriolanus’ face and thought that something was wrong.

“Yes, I am fine. I just-I have never heard anyone call you Rosie Jay before.” Coriolanus answered.

“Ohh, yeah. Well, only my close friends and family call me that. Some just call me Rosie or just Rosalie. My sister hates when people do, says it takes away my roots.” Rosalie Jade said, plopping herself down on the ground of the cage.

So she does consider Jessup like her brother. Well, we can’t have that now can we.

"Well, should I have a nickname for you? I feel as though we've become good freinds."

Rosalie Jade looked at him with her eyebrows raised. Then, after a bit of silence, she smiled saying, "Well only if I get to call you one too!"

Coriolanus smiled, "You can call me Coryo. And what do you think about Little Dove as a nickname for you?"

Rosalie Jade smiled back at him, "I think that if you like it, then I do too, Coryo." She finished, looking at the sandwich to realize it was yet again a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She muttered a little 'yes' as she did an air pump to herself.

Coryo. It rolled off her tongue so easily and, God, did it sound good.

“My sister would like you.” She said randomly, smiling up at him, patting the ground in front of her on the outside of the cage.

“Really?” Coriolanus asked, looking around the crowd before sitting down on the cold, slightly damp concrete ground.

“I think so.” Rosalie Jade said, tearing a piece off of her his sandwich to eat.

Coriolanus eyed the sandwich. He was so hungry today. He didn’t get to have the disgusting cabbage soup this morning, having to meet with Plurbis early in the morning to get Rosalie Jade’s guitar. And missing not one, but two meals today was most definitely not helping his infinite hunger. But, ohh! All he wanted to do right now was rip the sandwich right out of Rosalie Jade’s hands and eat it himself. However, even as he imagined the sandwich, he knew that what was left wouldn't be enough for him. No, he would need the whole sandwich. He would grab Rosalie Jade’s cute little baby face and suck the food out of her mouth. He didn’t care if it was bad manners or obscene, he needed to feed his hunger.

Unfortunately for Coriolanus, him imagining eating food did not help his stomach, but rather upset it, making it growl out. Coriolanus turned beet red and prayed that Rosalie Jade hadn’t heard his stomach.

But she had. She had also seen him eyeing her food today and yesterday. So, being the kind person she was she insisted that he have some.

“Here, have some.” She said, ripping her half of the sandwich into another half.

“No, it’s ok. You need to build your strength up.” Coriolanus said back.

“Oh yeah, so I can strangle the others while they sleep. I don’t think that's going to happen.” Rosalie Jade snapped at him.

“Besides, I need my mentor to be strong and healthy to take care of me.” Rosalie Jade said, grabbing the sandwich and putting it into his hand so he couldn’t refuse.

Coriolanus just nodded, wanting to ignore the spark he felt everytime she would touch him.

Rosalie Jade smiled as he bit into the sandwich, “Now it’s like a picnic!”

Coriolanus just gave her a smile.

“I thought that people in the Capitol always had somethin’ to eat. I guess never judge a book by its cover.” Rosalie Jade whispered to him, knowing that he wouldn’t want everyone around him to hear that he wasn’t well off.

“Yeah. You know, one time, I ate a tube of paste just to stop the pains in my stomach.” Coriolanus said, gesturing to his stomach.

He didn’t know why he was telling you this. This was personal, private information. Something that only him and him only will know, and now, Rosalie Jade. But, maybe they were sister-brother bonding?

“Yeah? And how’d it taste?” Rosalie Jade asked, smiling at.

“...Pasty.” He said.

To his response, Rosalie Jade laughed, causing Coriolanus to laugh as well.

“Descriptive.” Rosalie Jade joked.

“What can I say, I have a way with words.” Coirolanus joked back.

Rosalie Jade just looked away, softly laughing. But she stopped abruptly when she saw another young tribute.

“You see her there?” she said, pointing to a young girl.

“Yeah.” Coriolanus responded, subtly bringing her hand down. It was rude to point and big brothers have to teach their little sisters the manners and rules of the world.

“She’s only young, like me. A bit older, but still young. She doesn't deserve to be here, none of em’ do.”

“Neither do you, Rosalie Jade.” Coriolanus said, taking her hand in his.

That feels nice.

Rosalie Jade just looked away when he said that, her eyes catching onto Arachne, who was still taunting her tribute, this time with the cheese.

Rosalie Jade scowled at her, “Hunger is a very powerful weapon. Your friend over there seems to know it too.” Rosalie Jade said bitterly.

“She’s not my friend, she is poison with a pretty smile.” Coriolanus responded, just as bitterly as Rosalie Jade. What? He was still pissed off from what had happened earlier.

Arachne looked over at them, feeling eyes on her. She looked Coriolanus right in the eye and mouthed the words, ‘Needy Bitch.’

Shit. How does she know?! Fuck! She probably overheard Rosalie Jade and I. Dammit! With her big mouth, the whole Capitol will know before morning, especially since I had insulted her earlier. FUCK!

“I like your rose. Where do you keep getting them from?” Rosalie Jade said, reaching out to touch the rose.

“What-oh from my Grandma’am’s rooftop garden.” Coriolanus answered. He needed to keep his cool if he was going to figure out how to deal with Arachne.

“Rooftop garden?” Rosalie Jade questioned.

“Just a garden on a roof.” He answered.

“Ohh. Well, is there anyone else in your family other than your grandma’am? You know about my sister and Covery, I wanna know about you.” Rosalie Jade asked.

“Yeah, there’s my cousin Tigris. She is one of the sweetest people I know. I-uh, I was supposed to have a little sister, but-umm, she and my mother died in childbirth. My dad died out in District 12.” Coriolanus said, looking down.

He hated talking about his family, especially his mother. She was the only person he felt loved him during the Dark Days. Of course Tigris did, but it was a different type of feeling of love coming from your parents.

Rosalie Jade reached out for his hand, and gently dubbed her thumbs over his knuckles, “So you’re an orphan, just like me.”

Coriolanus looked up and just as he was going to say something, he saw Arachne tribute sneakily take the butter knife laying next to the bread. Arachne didn't realize as she was yet again taunting her tribute with water this time.

Seeing what her tribute was going to do, Coriolanus called out to Arachne.

"Arachne! Watch ou-" Coriolanus was cut off by a high-pitched scream.

He was too late.

The tribute had taken the butter knife and stabbed it into Arachne's neck. She was flailing around on the ground, hands over the wound on her neck as she bled out.

Over her screams, Coriolanus couldn't just make out the sound of someone throwing up behind him.

Rosalie Jade!

She was violently vomiting from witnessing the murder.

Well there goes the food she just ate. Shit, is this how she'll react in the arena? We'll have to work on that.

Turning back towards Arachne, Coriolanus saw the cameras from earlier short little interviews with the other tributes. He knew that if they were still recording and they just saw him standing there as if he didn't care, it would not help his cause at all. Not to mention, the whole crowd of people who came to visit the tributes were watching him.

He knew he had to help Arachne.

Rushing over to her side, he lifted her head onto his lap, pushing down onto the wound, trying to stop the blood.

The blood. There was so much blood. It reminded him of the day his mother died. How she wouldn't stop bleeding and he couldn't do anything to help her.

Shit. This was a bad idea.

Arachne was shaking her head from side to side, not being able to talk. He knew what she was saying though. 'I don't want to die.'

"It's ok. I got you." He whispered to her.

"Help! Somebody, please! Help!" Coriolanus started to shout out. And just when he thought that a Peacekeeper was coming to help her, he pulled out his gun and started shooting at the tribute that had stabbed Arachne.

He quickly covered his head, getting blood on his ears and face. He looked up slightly to make sure that Rosalie Jade was safe and didn't get shot. She had been dragged over by a Peacekeeper from where she threw up, to against the wall with all the other tributes, their faces to the wall and backs to the Peacekeepers and their guns.

"Nobody move!" One shouted.

Looking back down at Arachne, almost forgetting she was there and only remembering when he felt her move slightly, he saw that she had moved her hands back to her neck, since Coriolanus had taken his off to cover his ears.

As he went to put his over hers to add more pressure, he saw a tear roll down her face and the dull light in her eyes go dim. Her hands had let go of her neck as they slumped down to her side.

Arachne Crane was dead.

Just then , Peacekeepers came up to Coriolanus and lifted him up, dragging him away from her lifeless body.

Maybe Rosalie Jade was right. You'll never know if the games will start early.

“This is it. This is how it starts!” Grandma’am shrieked.

Since Coriolanus had gotten home, Grandma’am had not let go of his hand, afraid that yet another loved one of hers would be taken from her. Both Tigris and Coiolanus had tried to calm her down, but nothing would work.

“Grandma’am, please calm down. Everything is alright, I didn’t get hurt. I am right here.” Coriolanus squeezed her hand, trying to comfort and calm her down.

“Oh, you’re just lucky that songbird of yours didn’t peck your eyes out!” Grandma’am said bitterly.

“She would never do that Grandma’am. She’s just a girl. Now why don’t we get you to bed?” Tigris said, trying to usher Grandma'am to her room, but she didn’t budge.

“That beast hasn’t been a girl in a long time.” Grandma’am said matter of factly.

Coriolanus, getting annoyed at how Grandma’am was talking about his tribute, said, “Tigris is right, Grandma’am. Rosalie Jade is different. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Grandma’am just looked at him and sighed, then started to get up with the help of Tigris.

“Just find a way to win, Coriolanus. Use her to win for all I care. Just make sure you use her before she uses you and you end up dead in the trees of 12 like your father.” With that, she walked away towards her room with Tigris helping her.

Coriolanus reflected on this monstrosity of a day in the silence brought from Tigris and Grandma’am leaving.

He looked back on his little chat with Sejanus. He needs to separate himself from him before his rebellious ideas bring him and Coriolanus down. He needs to get Rosalie Jade more food since she threw it all up because of Arachne.

Arachne. She’s dead.

It took him some time to process what that really meant. She was dead, she wasn’t coming back, neither were his secrets that she knew about.

Thinking about it now, maybe it was a good thing she died? I mean, how else would she keep my secret. Bribery, with what money, sexual favors? Most likely, she is, sorry, was quite the whore.

Yes, the unfortunate death of Arachne Crane was a good thing. It was the only way he wouldn’t have told Coriolanus’ secrets without him losing his dignity. Besides, it’s not like Coriolanus killed her. No, it was her own tribute.

It was the only way.

“Today we remember Arachne Crane whose life was taken before her time.” Dr. Gual states behind the podium standing on the stage.

The Academy had decided to hold a huge funeral service for Arachne two days after her death, where her family, friends, and all the people of the Capitol were in attendance.

Coriolanus thought that all of it was over the top for someone as insignificant as Arachne, and it had even taken time away from seeing Rosalie Jade, but he put on his face of sorrow as he walked to the stage to give his “sorrows.” For Ararchne’s parents had asked for him to sing the Gem of Panem anthem in memorial of Arachne since he had tried to help her.

Taking a deep breath, he started.

“Gem of Panem

Mighty city

Through the ages you shine anew.”

His ribs hurt from the “training” his Grandma’am gave him to make sure that he said each lyric correctly.

“We humbly kneel

To your ideal

And pledge our love to you!”

As Coriolanus had finished the verse, he saw something, a car he thought, move in the distance, towards where the funeral was taking place.

“Gem of Panem

Heart of Justice

Wisdom crowns your marble brow.”

Coriolanus could see it coming closer and he soon realized what it was.

Holy shit.

“You give us light

You reunite

To you we make our vow.”

A truck, holding all of the tributes, was coming straight to the funeral service and hanging at the top of a crane, iconically, was the dead tribute who had killed Arachne.

“Gem of Panem

Seat of power

Strength in peacetime, shield in strife.”

Coriolanus tried not to mess up as he felt a lump form in his throat. He couldn’t believe that this was happening. He watched the truck as it turned, right as he started the last verse, showing off all the tributes and the dead one to the public.

“Protect our land

With armored hand

Our Capitol

Our life.”

He heard cries come from the crowd, either from his singing or from young kids seeing the dead tribute hanging from the crane. As the truck passed by him, he saw his Little Dove, with her head down, trying to comfort Wovey, who was crying. He saw that all of the tribute's hands were cuffed again.

Why is she comforting someone older than her? She should be the one getting comforted.

But his thoughts were interrupted by seeing the truck leave and the Peacekeepers enter, carrying Arachne’s casket on their shoulders.

So dramatic, even in death.

Next Chapter

#dark!coriolanus snow #yandere coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus x y/n #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus snow fanfiction

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