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bby-deerling · 9 days

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Not sure if you are taking requests and/or suggestions, but I would die for a "Who did this to you?" or a "Who hurt you?" HC for female reader with, at least, Sanji, Law, Kid, Zoro and Ace. You can add more if you'd like! 🤩🤩🤩

I loooooove your writting! 👏🏻🙌🏻🫶🏻 And, obviously, you don't need to write this if you don't want to! 💯🥰

R.J.

this is a little bit of a monkey's paw because i decided to subvert this trope for these scenarios >:)

who did this to you?

ft. sanji, zoro, ace, kid, and law

masterlist || commissions

tagging: @willowbelle @eelnoise @fanaticsnail @indydonuts @sanjisprincesswifey

sanji

"dearest, who did this to you?" he asks with wide eyes full of concern as he rakes his fingers through the choppy tresses of your hastily cut hair. you usually entrusted sanji with giving your locks a quick trim, but with him being wrapped up in the whole arranged marriage gone wrong thing, you had to turn to one of your other crewmates to get rid of the pesky strands that were flying in your face. based on the haphazard way the layers were cut, the cook assumes that you, for some unknown reason, had entrusted luffy or chopper with the task; however, he finds himself being proven dead wrong as nami pipes up and raises her hand.

"i did!" she exclaims proudly, eyes sparkling as she stands tall, making sanji switch up his attitude completely about your new style, spinning around and singing out a string of over the top praises for her. rolling your eyes, you grab his arm and yank on it, taking him somewhere more private to talk.

"tell me what you really think, sanji." you hiss as you drag him into the kitchen, glaring at him as you cross your arms. he pauses for a moment, not wanting to hurt your feelings; however, he knows that in the moment, what you need from him is honesty, so he tells you that hair grows back, before reassuring to you that you're just as beautiful in his eyes, even with a bad haircut.

zoro

slumping down at the breakfast table with little to no sleep, you and zoro are too tired to even think about hiding any of the marks he left across your neck last night, until your friends start commenting on them.

"geez, you look like you got attacked by a wild animal!" nami exclaims, bewildered as she stares at the darkening purple bruise along your throat.

smug as he downs his mug of coffee, zoro smirks as he leans back in his chair. "huh. i wonder who did that." he says, his grin getting wider as he watches the cook start angrily stabbing at the sausage on his plate. nami and usopp yell out a "gross!" and stick their thumbs down at him as they continue to stuff their faces with food.

"there's a wild animal that snuck on the ship?" luffy exclaims, already mentally making a plan to hunt it down and have sanji cook it up.

"no, just an uncivilized mosshead." sanji spits out, sparking an argument with the swordsman that ends up having to be broken up by robin, who spawns hands to grab both of them by the scruffs of their neck and plop them back into their chairs to continue eating.

ace

"who did this to you, huh? was it me?" ace teases as he pokes at the warm flush on your cheeks; he had been relentlessly flirting with you all day, but you were left tongue-tied unsure of whether he was serious or just teasing you to pass the time. "y'know, you're so cute when you're flustered." he continues with a grin, gently squeezing your waist.

"t-thanks!" you sputter out, struggling to look him in the eyes as his other hand finds your waist and your line of vision gets shadowed by the brim of his hat. "ace, do you like me? like, actually like me?" you squeak out, so uncharacteristically meek as your nerves make you worry about misinterpreting a bit of playful fun.

"'course i do. you're so silly sometimes, worrying about stuff like that." he says with a grin as he leans in and presses his lips to yours, melting the swirling storm in your head away with his warm, heated lips.

kid

"who the fuck did this to you?" kid growls as his hands trail along a few small bruises on the side of your hips one morning. you look at him with knitted brows, unsure if he was serious or not.

"you did, you fucking idiot! don't you remember?" you snap at him; even if kid hadn't noticed how rough he had been with you last night, there was no way you could forget the way his fingers indented into the plush skin of your hips as he pounded you into the mattress.

his expression screws up for a moment as he tries to recall what he did, until he realizes that maybe his grip had been just a bit too tight; nevertheless, he decides to continue to play dumb to try to swing the situation in his favor. "still not coming to me. you're gonna have to walk me through it 'til i remember." he says with a wolfish grin; however, you simply roll your eyes and sigh.

"i'm still too sore. ask me later." you scoff as you roll out of bed and stumble to the bathroom to run a brush through your hair.

worth a try, he thinks to himself as he gets up with a grunt, joins you in the bathroom, and starts to do the same.

law

"tch—who did all of this to you?" law says with a low chuckle as he loops an arm around your waist and pulls you close; the rest of the crew were in their boiler suits, but you were done up so pretty that his heart nearly stopped when he caught a glimpse of you for.

bepo jumps up in the air raising his hand and eagerly taking the credit; when law had called from the sunny telling the crew he'd be back to zou in a few days, he'd asked for a second alone with you—that the rest of the crew eavesdropped on—where he told you to wear something nice for him. the navigator had taken this task very seriously and convinced some of the other minks to turn you into a creature somewhere between a princess and a goddess.

"well, you look gorgeous." he murmurs, unable to keep himself from planting a chaste kiss on your lips, though the rest of the crew clapping and cheering makes you both pull apart and shoot them red-hot glares.

"quit making it weird!" you both snap simultaneously, faces burning red as your friends let out a sea of laughter.

#one piece x reader #law x reader #trafalgar law x reader #law x you #trafalgar law x you #roronoa zoro x reader #zoro x reader #sanji x reader #vinsmoke sanji x reader #black leg sanji x reader #eustass kid x reader #eustass kidd x reader #ace x reader #portgas d ace x reader #one piece headcanons #one piece scenario #one piece fanfiction

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chaoticbardlady99 · 2 months

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Darling, Never Stop Haunting Me

(Spawn Astarion x F! Ghost Reader) : Prologue

Synopsis: You’ve haunted Szarr Palace for 354 years after Donella Szarr failed to turn you into a spawn. You have favored Astarion over the other spawn for the last two centuries and after a series of events and a Paul Revere-esque mission to save him from being kidnapped- you finally meet each other in the flesh.

CW: Death (obviously), mentions of Astarion’s trauma, mentions of Gore, mentions of Gale x Tav

Disclaimer- put together the picture for the banner, but I do not own any of the pictures. Birdie is a stock image 💜 I will not describe the readers body in detail- she is just merely on the banner for ✨drama✨. I believe the picture of Astarion is from @aristenfromwarsaw . And then the symbol of Orcus in the back is a free image off the internet.

Chapter One : AO3

Your paws hit the pavement as you frantically search for Elfsong Tavern. You haven’t left Szarr Palace since you died there so many years ago- you didn’t even know what the Hells an Elfsong Tavern was until Dalyria had told Cazador that was where Astarion was staying.

It’s still just before sunset so there is still plenty of time to warn the group about the upcoming kidnapping attempt- you just hope one of them is a Druid.

You aren’t naturally a cat- you’re a ghost and you’ve been haunting Szarr Palace since Donella Szarr killed you what feels like eons ago. You had been merely walking home one evening from a Violin gig you had barely managed to get- it had gone so well that they had asked you to come back and play next week. Oh how life had other plans for poor 28-year-old you who made her entire life about music and died never experiencing romance, true companionship, etc. You had grown up isolated amongst nobles, but you knew of Donella Szarr so her asking you to have tea with her didn’t seem that bizarre.

Needless to say- it was weird watching your own funeral.

No matter how hard you tried, you could never cross over and Gods did you want to. You didn’t even care if you became incorporeal or went on to the Heavens- you just wanted to be able to actually talk to people and do things again. You were incredibly apathetic and haunting with no purpose. You’re a house ghost who has no say over the house- you can’t even help fix things in the damn place without asking to be exorcised.

Your misery was reduced significantly a little over 140 years later when Astarion Acunin experienced his first night in Cazador’s kennels. His screams haunted you and you are the one who is supposed to be doing the haunting!

You did everything you could to try to make his time with Cazador somewhat bearable, but your efforts were too small and you feel as if you failed him. You tried to possess Cazador and it went miserably- you had almost been consumed by the darkness in him entirely. You had been a mere fly to his soul.

You were able to possess Godey easily enough, but you had to be careful because he has sent Cazador on a multitude of Ghost hunts before.

Astarion knew you were around- he’d acknowledge you as ‘Ghosty’ whenever his candle would flicker out and then come back full force for him to finish sewing his clothing. He could sense your presence at other times too- one time you had been certain he was able to see you as you sat with him for the duration of Cazador’s ‘poem’.

You favor Astarion over the other spawn, but you have come to justify it as Astarion was the one who needed your help more. He was frequently the subject of Cazador’s rage and need for violence. You know it’s because he resembles Vellioth to some extent and you are certain that’s why he targeted Astarion in the first place.

Cazador introduced himself to Astarion when he was a young magistrate. It had been at one of his many lavish affairs and you had seen the menacing glint in Cazador’s eyes when the young man walked in with some over the top female on his arm.

Cazador asked Astarion to begin convicting people wrongfully and sending them to Szarr Palace. He offered a handsome amount of gold and Astarion took the offer without a thought. You immediately knew this man had signed over his soul- knowingly or unknowingly, you had no idea.

Things became even messier when Cazador began to have the closest thing to love he could feel for the young magistrate. Astarion was very intelligent- he wasn’t charismatic naturally, but he knew how to study behavior and work around it. He knew what Cazador wanted to hear.

So when Cazador found out Astarion had taken another deal on the side as well as potentially a more formal lover, well, he had signed over his fate. Cazador framed a Gur Hunter, Astarion sent him to the other group of slavers instead of Cazador, and Cazador let the Gur know this anonymously ‘in good faith’.

At first you thought it was just karma doing it’s work, but then you learned that Astarion was just another young person like you who was just trying to figure it out. Where you thought you were doing your duty by meeting with a noble, he felt he was doing his- at first at least. He had been sending a reasonable sum of money back home to his parents, but he became greedy and ended up paying for that with a life sentence.

Some higher power must be merciful because it had seemed that Astarion had managed to escape Cazador for good.

Then the moron decided to come back and now Cazador is sending Leon after him with three of the other house spawn.

You don’t care for possessing any living soul- a tacky couch? Maybe, but only because it doesn’t have thoughts. However, desperate times called for desperate measures and you are really regretting not getting the gumption to possess a person.

You are far too cute with your fluffy grey and white fur and big green eyes. People keep trying to scoop you up in their arms and children chase after you. Other cats are just plain rude and unhelpful- you have no idea how you are going to find this Tavern.

“You seem rather lost, little ghost,” a voice says from a nearby tree.

You peer upwards to see a Calico Tressym eyeing you curiously. If you weren’t so focused on finding Astarion, maybe you would be mad at her for openly announcing you are a ghost.

“I’m looking for someone,” you say as you try to catch your breath, “I need to get to Elfsong Tavern as soon as possible.”

This seems to interest the Tressym because she immediately jumps down with a serious expression on her face.

“Who and why?”

Screw it- you don’t have time to be picky.

“I’m looking for a man named Astarion- his life is in danger,” you say quickly.

She seems to digest this information for a moment as she circles you. Her eyes explore your fluffy form and she seems to decide you are trustworthy because she beckons for you to follow her.

You race after her as she flies over the buildings and lands- wait, why is she landing in front of that man in purple on the beach!? That’s not Astarion or a Tavern!

In spite of your confusion, your gut pushes you forward and before you know it- the man you are looking for comes waltzing out of a house with a disgusted look on his face while a tall, red tiefling woman holds a very old heart in a jar.

“Astarion,” the man, Gale, tries not to make his own panic too obvious, “come here.”

“You’re going to have to do better than that to interest me, Gale,” he says with an emphasis on the man’s name, “why should I?”

“For God’s sake- it’s about Cazador,” the man hisses.

This grabs his and his other three companion’s attention. They immediately huddle around Gale- the silver haired woman immediately aweing upon seeing you and the blonde haired woman intertwining her hands with Gale’s. The red tiefling is still holding the heart and you gag upon seeing it which earns a laugh from the group.

“What about Cazador?”

Astarion’s voice betrays the panic he’s feeling- for whatever reason, his panic prompts him to scratch you between your ears. You fight the urge to purr. You are a person- dammit! A dead one, but a person nonetheless!

“This Ghost,” Gale says with uncertainty while pointing to you, “is saying that Cazador is sending Leon, Aurelia, Yousen, and Violet later tonight to detain you.”

“She was practically barreling through streets- poor thing was about to experience her second death,” adds Tara.

“Apparently it was a suicide mission,” Gale adds.

You are suddenly lifted up from underneath your arms and a pair of ruby red eyes are boring into yours. After a few moments, a giggle of all damn things exits this man’s mouth.

“There are at least five or six useless thralls you could have possessed and you chose a cat?”

You flatten your ears and leer at him before attempting to communicate with him- only to be disappointed when an angry yowl leaves your little mouth. Astarion fucking giggles again. THIS IS SERIOUS!

“This is far more adorable though, I will give you that,” Astarion says as he begins to walk towards the tavern with you now cradled in his arms.

You never would have found the damn place on your own. It was clear on the other side of the city!

“It’s a shame I can’t understand you a single bit,” Astarion says, “I would love to know how Cazador has been fairing without me there.”

Terribly, but in a crazed, rage filled way. Unfortunately poor Dalyria and Petras had been receiving the treatment usually reserved for Astarion. You were happy to see him thriving, but it does make you sad that it had to cost two other people’s dignity and comfort.

The moment the party enters the room and announces that they are anticipating an attack once the sun sets, everyone jumps up and prepares themselves for the coming battle.

Astarion places you on his bed before grabbing a green bottle and chugging it. He then proceeds to look at you expectantly and you have no idea what he is doing, but it’s starting to kind of freak you out because neither one of you is blinking and he’s beginning to look more and more like the predator he is.

“I don’t think I like this game,” you say, “you look rather terrifying when you don’t blink for long periods of time.”

“Oh, but terrifying is what I aim to be, Darling,” Astarion says with a toothy grin, “I don’t want any of them reporting to Cazador that I’m still the pathetic vampire spawn I was before I went missing.”

“You were never pathetic,” the words come out of your mouth harshly, “and if you must know- they are reporting to Cazador that you practically have a whole army of ‘do gooders’ by your side.”

“Oh really? Do tell me, how does that make him feel?”

“He was surprised at first.”

“Naturally.”

“But then he heard about Orin’s death and your part in it- he’s worried, to say the least.”

“Good,” Astarion snarls, “he should be.”

The siblings arrive exactly when you said they would and they are surprised to see everyone prepared to see them. You are absolutely floored when Astarion tries to convince them that he’ll ascend all of them- he has to know by now that that is not what this ritual will do. You notice the uneasy glances between Astarion’s companions.

If they really are the heroes Dalyria made them out to be, will they truly let him ascend without contest?

There wasn’t time for any questions as the other spawn rush the group. You did manage to help in the fight- Astarion was being cornered by Violet and Leon so you took it upon yourself to wreak havoc upon Violet’s scalp. She went back home pretty quickly and Astarion was able to take on Leon with ease.

Now you sit in front of a big window and take in the moon. Your heart breaks for the 7,000 souls beneath Szarr Palace and the six other house spawn. Poor little Victoria had finally been taken away from the city and replaced with someone else- Leon promised he’d come find her. Gods you hope she doesn’t think Leon purposefully abandoned her. She’s a great kid.

“You seem to be thinking rather hard for a cat.”

“You lied to them.”

The silence between you is deafening before you finally look up at him. Astarion’s face is conflicted and guarded as he searches your features for any indication of what you are feeling. Cats aren’t terribly expressive apparently.

“Don’t give me that disappointed ‘I’m not getting cuddly, Astarion’ look!”

You feel your hackles raise slightly and your tail get puffy as you get up on your feet. You narrow your eyes at Astarion and he meets yours with equal amounts of stubbornness.

“I’ll give you this look for the rest of your damn life if that’s what it’s going to take!” You exclaim, “you can’t kill them! They have suffered too! Dalyria and Petras both tried to keep as much information as they could about you and your companions so that you stood a chance against him! Leon just wants to be with Victoria as a free man!

“The rest of them… they think it’s going to free them… they are all talking about what they want to do with their lives after this,” you say with anger and sadness in your voice, “You can’t take that from them.Their lives are not yours to take!”

“I hate to disappoint you,” Astarion says with venom lacing his words, “but I could care less about what they went through and their wants or their souls for that matter. No one was there for me, well besides you, but not everyone is an overly friendly Ghost like you.”

Your eyes become blurry and Astarion’s face goes from anger to shock and confusion. It takes a moment to collect yourself, but when you do- you make sure to say exactly what you are thinking.

“It makes me sad.”

“What does?”

“That you ended up being no better than Cazador,” you say flatly, “I thought I saw some redeeming qualities in you. I guess I was wrong.”

You watch it take all of his willpower not to snap your neck right there or pick you up and chuck you against the wall. The woman, Karlach, seems to notice his sudden shift in energy because she’s quickly walking over and scooping you up off the windowsill.

“You look like you need to take a breather, Fangs,” Karlach chuckles awkwardly, “maybe you should go hunting. We’ll be leaving to storm the castle before you know it.”

So he does and Karlach takes you over to her bed.

“That was awfully harsh, Boo,” Karlach says, “a gentler touch may have been better.”

“Karlach, I’ve been a ghost for almost 400 years. I have been forced to watch either Donella, Vellioth, or Cazador terrorize handfuls of people,” you shake your head, “Cazador is the worst of the worst- he’s terrorized over 7,000 people at this point and that ritual will kill all of them. Yet the soul I’m most upset about losing is Astarion’s.

“So yes, it was harsh, but it needed to be said.”

Karlach is quiet for a moment, “I suppose that’s true… but 7,000 people? I thought there were only 7 vampire spawn?”

“What? Who in the hells told you that?”

“Fangs- obviously.”

Oh right, he wouldn’t know that every person he’s ever shared a bed with is rotting away, starving in Cazador’s dungeon.

“No,” you say softly, “unfortunately there is a lot more going on than Astarion knows.”

**********************************************************************

Astarion is the first through the door when the group comes back from Szarr Palace. You have been sitting on Karlach’s bed the entire time- pacing anxiously. Scratch and the Owlbear cub would ask you to play with them, but you couldn’t get rid of the twisting knot in your stomach.

He goes to his bed and grabs a new change of clothes before weakly walking in the direction of the washroom. Karlach makes eye contact with you when she walks through the doors and she gives you a big smile.

Wait, does that mean?

She follows it with a thumbs up.

He didn’t do it. Holy Gods he didn’t do it! BUT WHY!?

You have a million questions, but you’re sure he doesn’t want to talk to you anytime soon. You bid a farewell to Karlach and the other companions. She tries to convince you to stay and talk to Astarion before deciding to leave, but you merely shake your head. You said your piece and you can return to haunting a now empty castle.

Or maybe you’ll be a cat around Baldur’s Gate. Tara seems to enjoy wandering around and you did forget how lovely the sun feels.

The walk back to Szarr Palace goes far smoother than your adventure finding Elfsong Tavern. The courtyard is still in bloom so the scent of red roses acts as your guide. Gods- Cazador was such a cliché. You hope these roses die and someone decides to plant literally anything else. Maybe you could figure out how to? You can dig hypothetically.

So that’s what you do. You begin digging out the crap ass red roses and do your best not to get caught on thorns. After the fourth or fifth rose, you have it down to a science and you’ve gotten quite a lot of work done on one flower bed. This cat thing isn’t all that bad!

Well, minus your excessive need for water and food, but there’s a running fountain nearby so that’s promising. The food part is going to be the harder part. You haven’t had to eat for centuries now and the growling in your belly is entirely foreign to you.

Should you try to steal food? Honestly, you’re adorable enough, you could probably beg for some food. Trying to hunt for a mouse is absolutely off the table and forget a bird all together.

You look up at the sky. The last bits of daylight cling to the horizon and the moon begins to kiss the sky. You are going to keep working until the sun has set, you’ll attempt to clean up, and then you'll sucker some people into giving you food.

Back to digging it is!

You continue your work and think about what you may plant. Maybe you could find seeds for food- there are plenty of homeless who could use it, but would they dare go to Szarr Palace for produce? The idea makes you snort. Donella would be infuriated if you turned the front of her “work of art” into a free farmer’s market for the needy.

“Are you taking up gardening now? I think it suits you,” a familiar voice says, “well, maybe more so if you were actually a person and not a cat.”

You slowly turn around and you’re met with the sight of a sheepish Astarion. He absentmindedly plays with his own hands, but you are happy to see some of the tension melt away when he sees your face and begins laughing.

“You are caked in dirt, Darling.”

“I would hope so- if this is something else then I have a real problem on my hands.”

“Ha!” Astarion says, “I don’t think you have any reason to fret. I can’t remember the last time Cazador had anyone tend to these stupid things.”

“Oh he didn’t have to,” you say in exasperation, “Donella enchanted the damn pots so that the plants can grow without soil. She hated the smell of fertilizer.”

“Donella?”

You blink at Astarion two times and tilt your head to the side.

“Cazador never mentioned his aunt?”

“Does this look like the face of a person who knows about Cazador’s aunt?”

“Put your sass back in your pockets, Mister,” you say with equal amounts of attitude, “Donella Szarr was the first Vampire Lord in Baldur’s Gate. She created Vellioth and well, you know how well that all went.”

“But how do you know Donella?”

“She killed me,” you say bluntly, “she took advantage of my naivety. She thought I was a promising young woman and she was very anti-patriarchy which I did really appreciate. However, she invited me over to tea to discuss a potential job offer at a party of her’s. She didn’t know how to properly create a spawn so when she drained me dry and I never popped back up- she realized she made a terrible mistake.

“Not because she cared about me, but because my parents were relatively prominent in the community.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Hmmm… well I was born in 1,110 then Donella killed me at the beginning of her dynasty in 1,138 sooooooo about,” you think so hard your ears begin to twitch, math was never your strong suit, “354 years ago.”

“Good Gods, you’ve been trapped in this damn place longer than I have. Why in the hells would you come back?”

That is a good question- why did you come back? You suppose it’s because at one point you were attached to this house and it made you uncomfortable to be away from it for longer than eight hours at a time, but that’s dissipated. You didn’t realize your attachment had changed to a person- the vampire spawn asking the question- until he disappeared and you felt like you did the one time you tried to stay away from Szarr Palace. It had weakened you significantly, but now that you’re a cat, that attachment isn’t there and you are free to go about your silly little business.

You also don’t know where else you would go. It’s not like staying in the Rothwell crypt is going to do wonders for your mental health and going back to haunting this palace means you’ll feel uncomfortable again until you are reattached.

“I don’t have anywhere else to go,” you admit, “so I came back to the only place I know. I think I might piss on Donella’s legacy by making this a community garden to feed the homeless. She’ll be infuriated- rolling over in her urn.”

Astarion snorts, “your idea of revenge is helping the needy? Gods, you’re insufferable.”

“What would you suggest then?” You retort, “I can’t imagine it will be easy finding seeds for anything worth planting. Unless you can hook me up with some sunflo-.”

“What if you traveled with me instead?” Astarion interrupts you.

Oh.

You blink a lot and your jaw has dropped. The happiness spreading through your body makes your paws tingle with excitement.

What an exhilarating concept. However, there must be a catch.

“You just said I was insufferable.”

“Just because I asked you to travel with me doesn’t make that any less true,” Astarion says, “but I’ve rather enjoyed your silent company over the past two centuries, I’m sure I’ll get used to the eccentricities of a ghost cat.”

“It’s quite a generous offer,” you say slowly, “why do you want me to travel with you?”

Astarion looks positively exasperated by your onslaught of questions.

“I would like to remind you that the last time I trusted a vampire- I died!”

“I suppose that’s fair,” he says with a sigh, “for a noble and a bard, you certainly aren’t one for mincing words.

“I was conflicted about ascending. No one was really giving me a reason not to because no one wanted to upset me. You, on the other hand, humbled me,” he says with a shrug, “and the lack of haunting I’ve experienced over the past several months has been absolutely terrible, Darling. I can’t keep a candle going as bright as you do to save my life.”

He says the last part with flourish and embellishment followed by an awkward cough.

You look to the roses and the garden bed then back to Astarion. It’s a much more fun idea- going with Astarion. It would be safer to remain here, but your life was cut so short so long ago. What if you could find a solution to become a person again? What if you could have the life you’ve always wanted?

“Okay.”

“Okay meaning?”

“I accept your invitation to travel with you.”

You are being scooped up from underneath your armpits again and Astarion holds you at arm's length. You flatten your ears and look at him unenthusiastically. Maybe you made a mistake.

“Wonderful! Now let’s get you cleaned up- you are positively disgusting right now.”

“You really know how to make a ghost feel special.”

Astarion wipes off the dirt using water from the fountain and a handkerchief before picking you back up and heading towards the cemetery.

“There’s something I need to do before we go back.”

He sets you down on the ground and you are surprised to see that you have arrived at his own grave. He remarks the grave as a symbol of his new life and you pluck a flower to drop on his grave. Astarion scratches you in between your ears and laughs as you chastise yourself for purring.

As you walk through the cemetary, you see another familiar name.

“That’s my family’s crypt!”

You sprint to the door and Astarion looks around for any clerics of Kelemvor before picking the lock. You bound down the stairs and Astarion is close behind you with a flame for light in his hands.

Your mother and father are there. It’s odd that your mother lived a much shorter life than your father considering she’s an elf. It looks like your father remarried and you have half siblings.

“Is this you?”

You look over to where Astarion is standing and sure enough- a plaque on a tomb reads, “Here lies Althaeastra ‘Birdie’ Rothwell. Beloved daughter, talented violinist, and the kindest soul this world had the privilege of knowing. We love and miss you forever and always. Kythorn 22, 1,110 to Alturiak 8th, 1,138’.

Your father’s tomb reads specifically, “Birdie’s Father” and your mother’s has, “Birdie’s Mother.” You had been their only child and you had been everything to them.

“Yeah,” you say sadly, “that’s me.”

Upon further investigation, you find that your mother had set your childhood home on fire after drinking too much. She died in the fire because she didn’t try to leave the house. Your poor father must have been devastated.

Your siblings are still alive, but you don’t have any desire to get to know them. That ship sailed a long time ago.

“I’m ready to go,” you say as evenly as you can, “I’m starving!”

You bound up the steps before he can say anything and you are grateful for the fresh air that fills your lungs. At least now you know what became of your family while you’ve been trapped in Szarr palace.

The walk back to Elfsong is quiet and the two of you sit by the windowsill and watch the world go by as the Tavern goers cheer and laugh. All of Astarion’s companions are fast asleep and your eyelids are feeling droopy following the chicken Astarion had managed to steal for you.

“So you’re a cat named Birdie?”

“No, I’m a ghost possessing a cat and my name is Birdie,” you say pointedly with a big yawn, “and I only go by Birdie because my first name is a monstrosity my grandmother insisted I have. I began singing before I began talking so my parents called me Birdie.”

“There’s no reason to argue semantics, Darling,” Astarion says with a dismissive wave of his hand, “no reason to get defensive. Truly adorable story though.”

You roll your eyes before laying your head down to fall asleep. You don’t protest when Astarion picks you up and sets you down to sleep on his bed. He scratches behind your ears before he also lays down on the bed with his book in one hand and his other petting you until you fall asleep.

Author note: Likes, Comments, and Reblogs are always appreciated! Please let me know if you would like to be on the tag list! I am using the Ghostwalk campaign for NPCs, locations, etc. It is a 3e Campaign and doesn’t mirror 5e Ghosts. I have tweaked some of the ghost powers and such for the sake of the story, but if you would like more information on Ghostwalk and the City of Manifest, there is a PDF online that is free to download :)

Additional Note: I didn’t think this concept would be received so well! Thank you so much for everyone’s kind words, like, and reblogs 💜 I am out of town, but I will probably end up posting the next chapter because I’m excited and I love Birdie and Astarion.

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weirdmarioenemies · 6 months

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Name: Dubior

Debut: Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Kirby's Return to Dream Land is very realistic, because it accurately depicts the phenomenon that, when you go to space, you will encounter funny robots flying about! What is their purpose? We don't know! There is, however, a sort of controversy or misunderstanding revolving Dubior.

You see, Dubior grants the Spark ability. Because it is a robot that runs on electricity, and uses all sorts of electric attacks! However, many people do not like this, and think it should instead give the UFO ability.

Perhaps I am in the minority here, but I disagree! Dubior may be a flying machine in space, but at least to me, it does not seem all that much like a UFO! It is just a funny robot. The UFOs in this series have all had a very distinct design trend, which Dubior does not follow. Besides...

What is a UFO? An Unidentified Flying Object. Dubior is not unidentified. It's Dubior! It says it right there on its health bar! Objectively, Dubior is not a UFO. It is just a FO. And nobody says FO.

What Dubior HAS always reminded me of is those little handheld vibrating massagers! You know, the ones with a central round part and three or four orbs that vibrate and you rub it on your back? It is a fun thing to be reminded of!

Anyway, Dubior is a mid-boss, and a very special one! As Kirby and friends journey across Popstar, they will encounter various mid-bosses as usual, culminating in a classic Mid-Boss Tower Level in which they are fought one after another, each fight taking place higher in the tower.

This tower is so high that it pierces the atmosphere, and Dubior is fought last, on nearly the top floor! It is no coincidence that the most alien of foes is only on the closest point of this planet to outer space. This foreshadows that it will reappear, and more often, on the distant planet Halcandra! This seems to be where it was created, but for what reason? We don't know!

What we do know is that in Planet Robobot, the Haltmann Works Company uses Dubiors as part of their invasion! I assume they reprogrammed or recreated ones they found on Halcandra, since we know they have been there. It is the only of their returning mid-boss arsenal to not be mechanized, which is amusing. How are you going to mechanize a robot? You're not!

Geez. I can't believe I've said so much about Dubior and I have not even gotten to its wonderful antenna thing! It's clear by now I find Dubior delightful, but to me, the antenna is its best feature. When it first appears and sees Kirby, the three weird floating rectangles seem to freak out, growing and flashing red and white, as if it would be saying INTRUDER ALERT INTRUDER ALERT.

Dubior is also a parent! Happy birthday to Dubior Jr.! I love love looove when things are named like that. This is a machine! You would think it would be named something like Dubior Lite or Dubior Micro, but no! This was Born, and Named, after its proud robot parent. As were its many siblings, because many Dubior Jr.s can be spawned! Mollusc Fans may notice that Dubior Jr. looks quite like a nautilus, with a body like a curved shell, and a brim above its eyes like the leathery "hood" of a nautilus! It is a strange decision, since Dubior's design does not appear to draw from any real creature, but of course I am very happy about it. I'm Mollusc Fans!

Finally, we have Dubior EX, who I do not have much to say about, but am including because it would be wrong not to. This one is pink, and with only one eye, positioned to appear slightly menacing as opposed to regular Dubior's wide-eyed innocence! I prefer regular Dubior, but EX is very cool on its own merits, too.

If after all this you still consider Dubior to be UFO-like, I'm not upset with you.

#dubior #dubior jr #dubior ex #kirby #kirby's return to dream land #kirby enemies #not mario #funky friday #mod chikako

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sorrelchestnut · 9 months

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I think everything about Astarion is perfectly explained by the fact that he has siblings.

I mean, yes, centuries of torment and trauma, grasping at power to make himself feel safe, blah blah blah: that part was immediately obvious all the way back in EA. But he's also genuinely selfish and petty and spiteful, seeming to delight in people's miseries and sulk at their joys, in a way that doesn't come off as "traumatized sadboi" so much as "spiteful bitch." Which I enjoy tremendously as a character, don't get me wrong, but like. He does cackle in joy when you accidentally (or "accidentally") send that poor gnome flying into oblivion. He is not a nice person.

But! The second you learn that he has siblings, everything makes sense! He wasn't tragically wandering the halls of a big Evil Gothic Mansion alone with his master and tormentor; he was locked in a fucking dormitory with six other spawn of indeterminate age who are encouraged to compete and sabotage each other for Cazador's favor. (There were fucking bunk beds, y'all. Just imagine.) I spent years going to sleep-away camp for the summers and usually came back meaner and that was with dozens of counselors attempting to teach us the value of friendship; of fucking course Astarion is the most miserable, spiteful little bastard (un)alive.

Some of it is the very specific trope they used to write him: he's the very model of a regency rake, not the "dark powerful reformable bad boy" kind but the drawling, pissant little dandy fortune hunter, who ingratiates himself with the dowagers by way of his cutting tongue and seduces young ladies of means to live off their dowry. But the rest of it is very definitely the two centuries of social reinforcement by his equally miserable and hateful siblings. He's every mean girl from every teen movie who got that way by climbing to the top of the pack, allergic to sympathy and sincerity because any hint of it has been consistently mocked and punished and inflicting that mindset on others in turn.

As usual none of it actually excuses his bad behavior, blah blah blah I'm not interesting in legislating the crimes of fictional men, but it is excellent character writing. None of what I learned about him later ever contradicted any of my first impressions, only informed and enhanced. And it says a lot that he does grow so much more sympathetic and sincere by the end (if that's the example you set) because it really reinforces just how much he's influenced by his social circle. When he's surrounded by a pack of perpetually-adolescent squabbling murderchildren, he's... habitually unkind, let's just say. When he's away from that environment and rewarded with kindness and validation for behaving like a moderately functional adult, he finally gets a chance to prove that he just might actually be one.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #astarion #meta #baldur's gate 3 spoilers

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micropoe10 · 5 months

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Batstarion & Batav (A Headcanon)..Pt.1🦇

I finally got the epilogue from the new patch, and first thing I did was stare this man down til he went to bat form and it did not disappoint! He is so perfect (not like he isn't already 100% of the time), but I wanted to hold him and squeeze him and just take care of him.

I have absolutely adored seeing everyone's wonderful batstarion artwork, and so many of you have inspired me to write Batstarion x Batav Adventures. Recently though I've been inspired by the amazing @pani-artz and their rendition of our favorite fuzzy flying menace.

So I thought what if...(Ascended Astarion and spawn/vampiric TAV) can move freely between themselves and their bat forms. And fly around Faerun causing chaos and going on adventures living their best lives....GET READY FOR SUPER FLUFF PART 1!!!

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Taking place somewhere between his ascension and the epilogue party, Astarion and Tav are living the high life in their dark palace in Baldur's Gate. Hosting lavish parties, meeting foreign dignitaries, enjoying each other's company everynight. When they aren't entangled in one another's arms Astarion is working on his ascendant abilities.

Walking on walls and ceilings was a breeze, turning into mist nothing too it. But transforming into a winged creature of the night gave him a little more trouble then he'd like to openly admit.

He'd be all too entirely happy to show off to Tav one night after mastering it, hoping for a bit of praise..

He'd transform into a pale white pat with a little pink nose, red eyes, and yes the fluffiest hair on his head between his ears perfectly coiffed.

Tav would be so happy, telling him that he is glorious and magnificent, feeding into his ego lovingly before telling him how utterly adorable he is, as he flies around their head.

He would tell them "Darling, the Vampire Ascendant isn't adorable!" with an exasperated huff "I'm to be feared, I'm a menace look at me." He'd say standing up and puffing out his little chest. They'd be able to understand each other easily without the use of speak to animals due to their bond with each other.

"Of course my dark lord." Tav would reply with a chuckle under their breath, trying to keep a straight face because he is really is too adorable. Tav would then ask if it was a possiblity for them to transform into a bat as well.

Astarion would tell them that of course with Mephistopheles blessings/power there should be no reason that they shouldn't be able too. But that it would probably take many months of practice to be able too, and Tav should feel discouraged if they didnt get it right away. It would take meditation and focus and then POOF in the middle of Astarion talking Tav would transform into a bat.

No of course if Tav was a druid this would be super simple, as they would easily be able to turn via Wildshape.

Tav wouldn't be entirely steady with their wings quite yet, and would just run around on the ground. Because vampire bats can not only fly, but can run and walk on the ground with ease. Which makes them excellent predators.

Astarion would get broody over Tav being able to master transformation so quickly with ease. Pouting his little bat lips and crinkling up his little nose calling Tav a show off. "You just couldn't let me have this one thing."

Tav would crawl over to him, both of them still in their bat forms and try to look him in the eye, but he would keep turning around on them slightly annoyed grumbling to himself.

Tav would climb up on his back, knowing his ears are super sensitive when he isnt in batform and would take this opportunity to lick his ear now knowing how much he likes it. Before setting their head on his between his ears closing their eyes and chittering happily.

Astarion's little nose would flush super red with Tav's actions and he'd sigh contently, as Tav rested on top of him. As annoyed as he'd be about Tav learning it so fast he'd be really proud of them. He'd tell them later.

While entertaining guests in the palace, Astarion gets bored easily, he's into power, and controlling, not diplomatic speeches and old men talking.But also yearns for adventure like they use to have, so without warning he'll change into bat form infront of everyone and just fly off.

Of course guests will be shocked and startled, Tav would excuse themself telling the staff to start "the protocol" the bat has flown the roost.

The protocol is a safe guard for moments like this; normally means the use of the spell Modify Memory, or simply killing off all the guests.

Tav would go and search for Astarion who would be sitting in one of the windows upside down in one of the many towers over looking the city.

Tav would dramtically hold theirs hand to their head as if to swoon "If only there was daring roguish vampire acsendant to rescue me from the drabble and idle chatter of grumpy old aristocrats..." they'd peek up at him with one eye to see him wrapped up in his own wings.

"Darling people will talk if you're the only bat in the belfry, it's not a good look. Besides towers are for damsels, and while you're worth rescuing to me, a damsel you are not. Please come down my love." Tav would say to him before turning their back putting their finger to their lips, thinking aloud.

"I wonder if Gale has space in his tower for you...I'm sure he'd enjoy the company. Would possibly even want to study you." Astarion would fly down at the mention of being sent off to Waterdeep unwilling. Flapping his wings in Tav's face as they grab him and swiftly ties him up in a cloth swaddling him on his head poking free.

Astarion would be screeching and chattering away..."unhand me, I am fear on wings, terror of the night, I am the darkness!!"

Tav carries him into the throne room, as he continues to chatter and struggles against his bind "darling you know I dont understand you when you're chattering that fast".

Tav puts him down still swaddled on the throne kneeling before it. Astarion has stopped thrashing around for now and then the world goes sideways as he falls over his head hitting the stone throne with a thud.

He blinks repeatedly.."I'm going to fucking kill you." as Tav picks him back up and props him up with pillows.

Tave winks at him, "A lot of talk from a little guy, but if you did that my love who would help you take over the world? Bring our enemies to heel..help me drain every last one of those pompous aristocrats out there?" Tav pouts playfully while gently stroking Astarion's head between his ears.

Astarion makes a sound somewhere between a hum and a purr, enjoying Tav showering him with attention, rubbing his head, playing with the little tuft of hair on his head twirling it around their finger.

Astarion also is starting to enjoy the comforting feeling of being swaddled, held tightly in place has a calming affect. Like when Tav normally comes up to him while they are both in their mortal forms and wraps their arms around him in an embrace. Holding him a little longer each time without breaking away.

Astarion smiles at the thought as Tav runs their finger down his small furry cheek and under his chin, bringing their lips to kiss him on his tiny pink nose.

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A/N: 🦇🦇 WHEW that was a lot, I will be posting many more HCs and you know, bat adventure snippets 🦇🦇 if you have anything you'd like to see, any batstarion x batav adventures you'd like to see, or want to be put on the Tag List just drop me an ask. 🦇🦇 - until later my Bat Babes🦇🦇

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Tag List

@pani-artz @tragedybunny @tallymonster @bunnidarling @spacebarbarianweird @justporo @just-a-refrigerator

#astarion #bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 astarion #astarion romance #bg3 stuff #bg3 oc #baldur's gate 3 #astarion x you #astarion ancunin #my headcanons #astarion headcanons #batstarion #batav #my seratonin #astarion fluff #possible angst #batstarion x batav

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tealcicada · 8 months

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For the Decepticon Sari AU, I imagine if the other Decepticons got to babysit a baby Sari, Starscream would have the worst time.

Lugnut? Sari loves him. It took Megaton to let Lugnut share Sari-sitting with the others (Lugnut thought that they were “UNWORTHY OF TAKING CARE OF MEGATRON’S SPAWN!”)

The Seekers? They felt like Sari wouldn’t like them (clones of Starscream, member), but she loves them, which makes them happy. (Skywarp is the responsible one, Thundercracker the fun one, Sunstorm the serious but caring one, Ramjet the weird one, and Slipstream the irresponsible one).

Shockwave? Overprotective Babysitter. When Megatron came to get Sari, he found Shockwave cradling Spiked Energon, while Sari was in the box. (Megatron didn’t question it. Probably because he had no questions).

Blackarachina? Well she felt… scared of taking care of a baby (Elita-One’s caring nature showing), but when Sari touched, Instant kinship. It took several hours to remove Sari from Blackarachina’s care, all the while Blackarachina screamed “KINSHIP” over and over.

Waspinator? (He exploded, but Sari got upset if they left him). He kept stating that Sari’s a “Queen!” She liked it.

Soundwave (Created through the Cyber Key)? Sibling, in a “I may find her annoying, but I will kill you if you hurt her” type way.

Swindle and Lockdown (Both tried to steal Sari for money, both got their afts handed to them by Megatron, then forced to join)? Very good with her, probably because Megatron is looming over them while they do it.

Constructicons? Uncles. (Dirt Boss First, Scrapper Second, Mixmaster Third).

Blitzwing? Funny/Weird/Cool Cousin. (Weird tried to eat her once, so he’s on thin ice. So is Hot-head, as he tried to teach her to fly by throwing her into space).

But Starscream? She’s an absolute gremlin. She purposely screws with him, get him into trouble, and frames him for things she did. And every time, when Starscream’s getting scolded, she gives him a knowing, Shit-Eating Grin, which infuriates him, and Starscream always gets in trouble, because no one suspects Sari. (She’s well behaved).

I love every single one of these thoughts!! 1000% especially for lugnut, he adores Sari and sees it as a great privilege to babysit her and help teacher her the Deception way. Strika and Lugnut are like top tier aunt and uncle to her, especially Strika’s no nonsense training turns her into a warrior and tactician that the Autobots fear even though for her safety Megatron never allows her onto the field of battle so there’s very little known about her.

Will say tho, while they may have thought about it since Autobot command would have a ridiculous bounty out for the capture of the elusive heir to the decepticons, they would never try to collect on that bounty since Megatron and all the decepticons would torture the to them to the point that death would be a blessing for such a transgression.

I am always excited to talk head cannons Decepticon!Sari au, pls feed me your thoughts

#decepticon sari #decepticon!sari #macaddam #lugnut #sari sumdac #tfa #transformers animated #ask prompt #sketch #the decepticons are a delight at parent teacher conferences

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deathmetalunicorn1 · 5 months

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Part 17 Straw Hats and Eri!Reader go to the Sabaody Archipelago!! (You can write what you were planning with this, since I’m so excited and curious about your idea for this arc, but I’m wondering if you’ll add in these ideas that I have, if not then that’s fine with me!! Since this Arc has a LOT happening)

Reader was scared when she saw a man killed by a Celestial Dragon, and when they left she helped heal the man so that he can go back to his family (Not realizing she was seen by a few individuals)

They finally make it to Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar (After fighting off some Bounty Hunters), and meet Shakky who treats Chopper and Reader to some Cotton Candy while telling the Straw Hats about the ‘Worst Generation’ or ‘Supernovas’ with Reader being at the top since she has the highest bounty, with Kidd second and Luffy third)

When they went to look for Rayleigh, they end up at Sabaody Park and decide to play for a bit (Especially after learning this is Reader and Camie’s first time going to a place) trying all the rides, eating cotton candy and winning giant stuffed toys, Reader was sitting next to Camie when all of a sudden, everything went dark

Everyone is horrified when they learn Reader and Camie have been kidnapped! And immediately group up with the help of Duval and the Flying Fish Gang to search and rescue Camie and Readier

When Reader woke up, she’s terrified of the strange scary men smiling sinisterly at her, and started shaking from hearing screams and cries from others as they’re being dragged away (She’s trembling violently as she’s hugging Camie in fear) until they’re being forced next to be sold off

The Auction is giving Reader ‘Special Treatment’ since she’s the ‘Big Star’ of their show (They’re being gentle with her so they don’t bruise her skin as that would make her less ‘valuable’)

The Auctioneers start to coo and fawn over how adorable Reader is only to panic when they learn she’s ‘Devil Child Y/N’ the one who’s so highly wanted by the World Governemt (As they proceed to talk about the rumors that spawned around her being a ‘Monster’, an ‘Offspring of the Devil’ and that her being here will ‘Curse Them’, which just makes her family glare murderously because none of that is true)

However Reader was also bought, but by the Female Celestial Dragon (As she wants her because Reader looks like a ‘Doll’)

Reader was horrified when she saw Hachin shot by a Celestial Dragon (She wasn’t upset when Luffy punched the ‘Bad Man’ that shot Hachin through the room)

When Rayleigh appeared in front of Camie and Reader to help them get their collars off, Reader felt that she could trust him and didn’t even close her eyes when he was taking her collar off (This makes Rayleigh smile and tell Reader that despite her age, she’s incredibly brave)

They escapes with the help of Duval and the Flying Fish from the Marines (Not before they go to Peterman and beat the SNOT out of him)

They make it back to Shakky’s Bar along with Rayleigh and learn about Rayleigh’s past that he was the First Mate of Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates (And Reader is told who Shanks is, and she’s in awe as she wants to meet ‘Mr. Shanks’ too!)

Rayleigh becomes another one of Reader Grandpas! (And he tells her she can just call him ‘Grandpa Ray’ since it’s probably easier for her to say, which makes her smile as she repeats it and she’s overjoyed to have another Grandpa!)

They’re going to lay low until Rayleigh finishes coating the Sunny (They’ll be able to find Rayleigh with his Vivre Card) and say goodbye to their friends to look for a place to hide for 3 days (Nami beats Luffy black and blue for wanting to go back to the Amusement Park) until they run back into Kuma! And try to fight him off and run away from him, though they’re shocked when a new guy and another Kuma appears! Only for Luffy to say they need to split up and Reader joins Luffy’s Group (Only to face off against Sentomaru who is beating Luffy with ease) though Reader was horrified to see Zoro shot but was relieved to see Grandpa Ray save him

Everyone started to run again when Luffy ordered them to run away because they can’t win as they’re too weak (Reader is running with Luffy)

Reader felt terror when Kuma made Zoro disappear, and started to panic when Kuma started to make the rest of her family disappear one by one with Brook, Usopp, Sanji, Franky, Nami, Chopper and finally Robin (Reader screamed ‘Mama’) leaving Luffy and Reader the last ones left (Both are sobbing uncontrollably over their loss of their Friends and Family, with Reader tightly hugging Luffy when everything suddenly went dark)

I tried to not make this so long, but it’s very difficult with so much information happening in each arc (So I always write down the main events that happen, then I try to shorten it as much as I can)

-The mangroves were enormous- towering high in the sky above you, with large bubbles floating all around, it was almost like a fairy tale for you.

-You were with Luffy, going to a bar owned by someone named Shakky, because the ship coater Hachi recommended was usually found there.

-The bar was rather run down, but Shakky was really nice to you and Chopper, giving you both cotton candy while she told Brook the color of her panties, after he asked, before telling Luffy that Rayleigh wasn’t there and directed him towards the amusement park.

-She then told Luffy about the other Supernovas here on the island, those with bounties over one hundred thousand, with you being in the top seat and Kidd being in second, something Luffy did pout lightly over, but he wasn’t upset at you- as he knew that the government wanted you, and that’s why they were offering so much.

-Your eyes were sparkling as you sat next to Camie as she told you about the amusement park, as you had never been and you turned to Luffy, a shy look on your face, “Can we go big brother?”

-He immediately beamed and for the next two hours you had so much fun, riding rides, sitting with Chopper when neither one of you were tall enough for the big rides, and you got to try so many treats!

-You were with Camie before you saw a man coming over and Camie screamed out as she was grabbed, alongside you. Luffy turned, seeing bounty hunters holding you both and he immediately charged over, “Camie! Y/N!!”

-These were slavers, people who had intentions on selling you both to the auction house, “A mermaid and a brat will surely fetch a nice price!” Camie had tears in her eyes, but she quickly swung out, to at least rescue you, hitting the man who was holding you, knocking him back and you out of his arms and into Luffy’s arms before they ran off with Camie, “We’ll get you back Camie!!”

-You were sniffling, hugging Luffy tightly around his neck, terrified of what had just happened, crying for Camie, but Luffy held you close, giving you the same promise, that they were going to get Camie back.

-Your hat had been knocked off, revealing you to everyone around and Luffy took off running, forgetting the hat and soon the Archipelago was alight with the news that you were there, and the slavers who had attempted to kidnap you were besides themselves! They missed out on a massive payday!!

-The auction hall was no place for a child, but your crew all met there, and they had to keep you safe, as Chopper told them that the slavers knew who you were now, and they couldn’t leave you alone.

-There were other people in the auction house who had looked over, seeing you there, holding Sanji’s hand, knowing exactly who you were, but they weren’t going to make any move on you- not with your crew around you.

-You saw a polar bear and your eyes went sparkly, tugging on Sanji’s hand, “Look- it’s a polar bear! It’s so cute!” Bepo turned, seeing you, and he blushed, looking down, apologizing, to which his crew scolded him for being so weak willed.

-Law, who had ignored you for the most part, other than hearing you call Bepo cute, heard footsteps and turned to see Kidd entering, and he instantly smirked before flipping him off.

-You saw this and you looked down at your free hand, mimicking him, “What does this mean?”

-Kidd and Law turned to see you, a six year old little girl, flipping the bird and instantly Law turned white in shock as Sanji cupped your hand, stopping you as the others were quickly glaring at Law, yelling at him for being a bad influence for teaching you something so bad as Sanji explained it was a rude gesture, not wanting you to get upset.

-Kidd couldn’t help but snicker, smirking down at Law, “Yeah Trafalgar- you are a bad influence on the little shit.”

-You looked back up at Sanji, hearing the new word, “What’s a little shit?” it was Kidd’s turn to turn white in shock as all the anger shifted quickly to him as Law couldn’t help but chuckle as they were both getting yelled at.

-When you saw Camie in a large fishbowl on stage, going to be sold off as a slave, tears welled in your eyes and you saw a man, wearing a funny suit, laughing at Hachi who tried to save Camie, before shooting him.

-You ran to him, “Hachi!” he groaned, managing to shift his body, wrapping his arms around you to shield you.

-The Celestial Dragon’s eyes went wide, “You’re that Y/N that daddy is after!! I’m going to be praised so much when I get home!!” before he approached to snatch you up.

-Hachi held you close as your horn flared up, healing him just a bit, but Luffy charged by and everyone was stunned, seeing him punch out the Celestial Dragon.

-You weren’t sure why it was bad, but everyone else was quickly running out of the building, panicking.

-There was a lady, the sister of the man Luffy just punched, also wearing a bubble suit, who quickly set up a ladder next to Camie, going to shoot her, “I’m going to kill this mermaid since you attacked my dear brother!”

-You were running before you even knew it, easily getting out of Hachi’s arms, and she saw you running towards her and she smiled, seeing that she had a chance to take you, as she knew her father and the others were all looking for you, “Aww look at you- you’re so cute! Like a little doll~ I’ll ask father to keep you once he’s done with you.”

-You then shocked everyone, except for Luffy, as you made it to the stage and you ran for her, pushing the ladder with her on it, pushing it over, sending it to the ground, “You leave Camie alone!!”

-Camie was pressed up against the fishbowl, “Y/N!” you were in tears, looking angry as the Celestial Dragon struggled to her feet, “You little brat! I was going to give you the world because you’re cute! I guess I’ll treat you like every other human- like dirt beneath my feet!”

-As she screamed at you, she swung her hand back to hit you, before a wave of energy rushed through the room, knocking those who remained, out, except for those who were strong willed, the three pirate crews in attendance, Camie, and Hachi.

-You were confused when she suddenly collapsed, looking around before you heard a man speak, “My-my~ you are quite bold little one- and you as well, ‘big brother’.”

-An old man walked out, spinning his collar on his finger before he removed Camie’s with ease, without it exploding, and he grinned, seeing Hachi, injured but not as bad as you had healed him a little bit, before introducing himself as Rayleigh.

-Luffy could tell that this was no mere ship coater, his strength was way too impressive to just be that, but he didn’t have much time to think, as word got out that an admiral was coming, as two Celestial Dragons had been attacked, and you all needed to get off the island.

-Rayleigh picked you up. You weren’t afraid of him, he was comforting, as you held his jacket, “Grandpa what did you do to that lady?”

-Rayleigh beamed brightly at your words, “Grandpa? Ooh I like the sound of that! You can call me Grandpa Rayleigh or Grandpa Ray- and to answer your question, I used Haki, I forced my will out and those with weak wills won’t be able to withstand it, so they get knocked out.”

-It sounded a little confusing as he took you to Luffy while Hachi got Camie and Rayleigh told Luffy that he would coat the ship, and to meet him in another part of the Archipelago, while he escorted Camie and Hachi to the ocean, so they could escape.

-Franky held you in his arms, shielding you as they had to run, after Luffy fought the marines alongside Kidd and Law, proving their strength, but when they got word that Kuma and an admiral, Kizaru, were on the island, you all had to make a run for it.

-Franky had to put you down as Kuma intercepted the Straw Hats, and you hid, watching Kuma easily taking care of everyone and your eyes went wide as he did the same thing he did to that princess, Perona, hitting her and blasting her away.

-One by one they were all blown away, disappearing.

-You and Luffy were screaming out everyone’s name and Robin turned to rush at you as you ran out, “Y/N!” your hands were stretched out to her, tears in her eyes, “Mama!” before she disappeared like everyone else.

-You tripped from the shock, landing hard on your hands and knees, tears immediately welling in your eyes. Your family was gone- they were all gone!

-Your tears snapped Luffy, who was in anguish, hunched over on the ground, out of his shock and he ran for you, seeing that you were still there, “Y/N!” You lifted your head, seeing him running towards you through the tears.

-You sobbed, reaching out to him, “Big brother!” before a dark shadow loomed over you, you turned, your voice caught in your throat as Luffy shouted, “GET AWAY FROM HER!!”

-Kuma’s hand came down slowly, like he wasn’t going to hit you like he had done the others, and once his paw hit the top of your head, you vanished as well.

-Luffy felt his whole world crumble, seeing you were gone as he tried to attack Kuma, lunging at him- hatred being the only thing fueling him.

-The Warlord easily caught him, holding him up by his neck as Luffy was nearly feral, demanding for his crew brought back, trying to punch and break free.

-Kuma’s voice was low as he spoke to Luffy, “I sent her somewhere safe.” Luffy’s eyes went wide, shocking him, and before he could ask where, Luffy was blown away as well.

-The Straw Hats were separated, scattered all over the Grand Line.

#eri reader #luffy #zoro #sanji #usopp #robin #nami #chopper #brook #franky #tralfagar law #eustass kid #bartholomew kuma #silvers rayleigh

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manyworldsofdarkness · 3 months

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What is CURSEBORNE?

This might be of interest to any World of Darkness or Chronicles of Darkness fans or any fans of Onyx Path Publishing and White Wolf in general. We could be getting a new urban fantasy horror game series soon.

On April 10th, 2023 Onyx Path publishing’s blog brought up a hypothetical of making their own urban fantasy game series. Of course this was in response to their lack of any new WoD or CofD products as they do not own the rights to those IPs and must have approval by Paradox before working on anything. Currently Paradox is more focused on supporting their v5 products with their in house studio, Renegade Games and are no longer contracting other studios to right supplements for them for the foreseeable future. Because of this, the 20th Anniversary World of Darkness games and Chronicles of Darkness lines aren’t getting any new releases and what has already been announced and put into production are the only things to release in the near future. The only way for Onyx Path to make more urban fantasy horror games is to make their own and while they only mentioned this as a possibility, the comments section of this blog post exploded into discussions over this new potential game.

The next few blog posts afterwards continued the discussions asking people what they would like to see in a new potential horror game, such as a Masquerade system or signature characters as the comments sections only further spawned more discussion over this new world. Around this time too, Onyx Path announced their new unified version of their in-house system called Storypath Ultra, which should go without saying but will definitely be the system this potential game will be using. Then about a month later, on May 19th, on the official Onyx Path YouTube channel, this video was released https://youtu.be/fL1VPUzoB_Y?si=cR4ZPeb0wf9Kt6mM

youtube

A short seven second long animation of a murder of crows flying against a snowy tree line and the word “CURSEBORNE” forming as they all fly away. A short, mysterious teaser? Well for the next eight months Onyx Path would release a total of 30 videos of similar nature as of writing this post. Strange and short vignettes of classic horror tropes such as fog, spiders and recordings of monsters. Some would even be rereleased with minor differences and even text. I recommend watching some for yourself, there is a really eerie vibe to some. These capture more “modern” horror vibes when compared to WoD or CofD, some even feel inspired by analog horror or urban legends, the “Train” short particular reminds me of Japanese urban legends. Blog posts more or less stopped mentioning this potential game as time went on and mentions were then replaced with a strange picture of a moth, the same one at the top of this post.

On January 31st, 2024, 7:00 EST this website appeared https://www.curseborne.com/

CURSEBORNE, the title in all of those videos. The website has no text, just images of the same moth from the blog just posted all over a black background. Some will slowly fade in. Clicking on them will lead to a new page featuring one of the many teaser videos playing in your browser. Going back to the homepage, you’ll see a moth that appears to be glowing when compared to the others. Clicking it sends you to a Typeform quiz asking “Who are you?”. Answering it gives you a strange title such as “Raptor”, “Gaki”, “Archivist” etc. with a description of how you act. If I’d have to guess, these titles could be the names to new monsters or factions in CURSEBORNE. I’d like everyone who’s interested to please take this quiz and post your results on this post to see how many titles, or “paths” are found.

In short, it looks like Onyx Path is gearing up to make a new urban fantasy game using their own system. It’s not going to be World of Darkness with different names, but its own unique take on the concept.

#curseborne #World of Darkness #chronicles of darkness #onyx path publishing #white wolf publishing #TTRPG #Youtube

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theshotsheardacrossworlds · 1 month

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Bat

Once again got inspired by art. #NotSorry. Set post-game. Agnetha sees a white bat flying around...and wonders why it's squeaking at her. SFW.

Agnetha Wildheart screamed when she saw the white bat flying extremely badly in her and Astarion’s suite at Wildheart Manor. While their new home was being repaired (it’s a larger house overlooking Gray Harbor that sustained some damage when we fought the Netherbrain---it was Astarion’s favorite that we saw) and his tailor shop being built (on the site of my and Nadia’s house that was destroyed during the final battle), they were staying at Wildheart Manor. In my old suite that I had growing up and before I moved in with Nadia. It’s nice to be home, but I can’t wait to be in our home.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCKING HELLS! IT’S A BAT!”

The bat squeaked insistently.

Wait, is it…trying to look me in the eye? And it keeps trying to land on my tits?

She held out her hands in front of her ample chest, and the bat collapsed in a very cute heap.

“SQUEAK! Squeak!!!!”

Uhhhhh…okay. She shook her head. “Sorry, little one. I don’t think I have a Potion of Animal Speaking on me—oh hold on, yes I do!” Walking to her alchemy table, she placed the bat down and found the potion she was looking for. “One moment, sweetie.” She drank the potion and immediately heard a familiar voice.

“DARLING!!! My love! Look! Look what I did!!!” The bat that was indeed Astarion squeaked happily. “I can change shape!”

Agnetha blinked several times at her fiancée. He’s a fucking bat. He’s literally a bat. On my table. He’s a bat on my table. “So, how did you change shape?” What sort of magic bullshit did he get himself into this time?

Astarion flapped his wings. Like he’s excited. Aww, he’s so cute. I should pick him up again. “Oh sweetness, please do carry me around, right against your chest. It’s s-so wonderful, darling.” That was the cutest fucking squeak-yawn I’ve ever heard. “But to answer your question…I’m not sure. I was reading about spawns who managed to break free from their masters---not many of those---and it seems some developed some abilities that a full-blooded vampire has.” He nuzzled his head on the top of her cleavage. “And I thought, ‘What if I changed into a bat?’ And then IT HAPPENED!”

She giggled, supporting his soooooo tiny body with one arm and rubbing circles on her head with her other hand. “You sure you’re not a latent sorcerer, love?”

“No, I most certainly am not! Ooh darling, that feels amazing. Don’t stop. Please.” She changed from his head to taking a small brush (an extra toothbrush from the Elfsong) on his back, and he was like putty in her hand. “Lower, dear. Lower.” He moaned softly. Oh gods, what if—

She began to brush lightly on his behind, earning her an ungodly moan-squeak from Astarion. “You like that?” Awwww his little bum is wiggling! He’s so fucking cute right now that I can’t bloody stand it.

Astarion bit back another moan and cleared his throat. “I’m declaring at least an hour per day to bat time and having this very special treatment. We simply must do this every day.”

She chuckled softly, now focusing on the other side of his cute little bum! Awww! “I think that can be arranged. You’re feeling alright though, love? No lingering effects?” When I’ve accidentally polymorphed in the past, I always felt nauseous.

“No, darling. I’m fine. Don’t worry. You worry too much as it is!” Of course I do! I’m taking a very active role in running the shop and setting things up, overseeing repairs on our home, and trying to find a way for you to walk in the sun again!!! It’s a lot! He nuzzled her softness. “Gods, you’re so warm, my love…”

Putting the brush down, she kissed the top of his very little head. “Do you want me to lie down and pull on a blanket? You’ll be nice and toasty that way, Star.”

He nodded. “Yes…yes please, my little butter bun…”

When I asked him why ‘my little butter bun’ he said it’s because I’m hot, soft, and delicious. He may have been drunk off bear again. Kicking off her shoes, she pulled the covers off and got into their bed with Astarion faceplanted in her plush chest. As she pulled them back up, he was as relaxed as she had ever seen him. “You okay?”

“Perfect, my sweet…you’re so, so warm…and soft…” He sighed into her chest as she rubbed his head with a finger. “And delicious!” He playfully brushed a fang against the top of her breast, and she lightly bonked his head with a grin.

“Excuse you! Dinner is later, love. If you want a little snack now, you can have some from my finger.” Oh my gods, that’ll be so cute. “Naughty little bat.” My naughty little bat. Mine for as long as he wishes.

He let out a contented squeak. “In a little while, sweetness. Want to savor this…”

Agnetha was not sure when she fell asleep but woke a few hours later with her naughty little bat snoring and purring exactly where she left him.

#agnetha wildheart #human tav #plus size tav #taking inspiration from art again #sorcerer tav #astarion #astarion ancunin #bg3 astarion #astarion x tav #astarion x named tav #astarion bg3 #batstarion #fluff #soft astarion #agi is his little butter bun #and she is taller and bigger than him lol #agi x astarion

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chaoticbardlady99 · 13 days

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Darling, Never Stop Haunting Me

Spawn! Astarion x F! Ghost Reader\

Chapter 7: Skinny Love

Synopsis: You and Astarion go shopping for a dress and end up stumbling upon a very special Violin. After a week of Astarion avoiding you, you decide to do something about it.

Disclaimer- put together the picture for the banner, but I do not own any of the pictures. I did take the picture of ‘Birdie’ and Astarion on my PS5

Likes, Comments, and Reblogs are always appreciated! Thank you for all your support and love!

Gods above, Astarion thinks, if you do exist- some assistance with self control would be appreciated.

This is probably the eighth dress you have tried on and while he can tell you aren’t happy with it, he and his body certainly are. Just like the last dress, and the one before, and the one before that.

It had been about a week and a half since you both arrived in Waterdeep and he immediately began teaching you how to fight like a rogue, but also provided you with typical bard weapons like hand crossbows. He bought several different types of weapons for you to try- so far you seem most adept with the Rapier, hand crossbows, and hand to hand combat.

However, this means both of you had been excessively close and touching frequently- sometimes in compromising positions that make Astarion want to take you right there- eat you out while you cry out his name like a prayer on the sparring mat Gale so graciously conjured up.

His libido hasn’t calmed down- it’s gotten even worse- along with his intense feelings towards you. Yesterday’s debacle didn’t help. Astarion had taken a fairly easy contract so that you could practice sneaking around. Well, the family came home earlier than anticipated and Astarion had dragged you both into a large Wardrobe that was obviously never used and only for show.

You had tried to argue in protest because you didn’t know what was going on- Astarion found himself holding you tightly against his chest, your back to him, and his hand covering your mouth.

He could smell your arousal, the way your heart started up again like a kick drum after it stopped, and you certainly couldn’t hide the minuscule moans that had left your lips when he pulled you closer to him whenever someone walked by. He just hoped you couldn’t tell how hard he was against you.

But do you actually want him or was that just the nature of the circumstances?

It’s become borderline unbearable- sleeping next to you is a wonderful experience, but he’s often up early trying to tell his body to calm the hell down- his imagination getting even more imaginative.

“What about this one?”

You hop up on the little platform and look in the mirror with your hands on your hips before twirling to look at him.

You look like a dream- the lavender satin fits your curves in all of the right ways and accentuates your hips, ass, and breasts without being overly showy. It’s modest- the top wrapped in a different direction than the floor length skirt and the straps are meant to hang, unsupported along your shoulders before dropping down along the back- reaching just below the skirt so that it looks like you are almost wearing a cloak of sorts.

“You are a vision,” he whispers, the words he’s been trying to hold back all day finally come flying out of him.

“So yes?” You ask nervously, while picking at your nails.

He nods, too worried he may give a full blown love confession in the middle of the dress shop if he opens his mouth.

Thankfully, shoes and purchasing everything was the easiest part of the day- the sun beginning to go to sleep. You kept insisting on letting you do something to pay him back for buying all these items for you, but he doesn’t want you to feel like you owe him a damn thing.

You don’t have money- you were quite literally a cat up until two weeks ago. Astarion is more than happy to make sure you have what you need- reminding you, once again, that if it were anyone else it would be a nuisance, but you are worth it.

You are Astarion’s Godsend after all.

“Gods,” you stop in front of a music shop, “look at that beauty.”

Astarion follows as you are completely enraptured and away from the world- pulled inside towards the beautiful instrument and you just stare at it.

“Ah- I see I have a fan of the classics!” The elderly man comes up and gives you a firm pat on the shoulder that Astarion has to help you rebalance from, “Made of Englemann Spruce with Maple sidings. Rosewood fittings along the pegs and the floral pattern as well as the leafing pattern are hand carved.

“It’s not for sale- it’s a part of a little competition I have put together.”

“Competition?” You are practically frothing at the mouth, “what competition!?”

The man smiles widely, he must be an older bard and a teacher. Symbols of Oghma are along the walls and Astarion is absolutely thrilled that your first real choice of stop doesn’t have a single attractive individual around. He doesn’t have any desire to fight for your attention.

“It’s not so much a competition, per say, but lots of people have turned it into one. Anyone who walks into this shop and sees this Violin is drawn to it for a reason,” he says, “but only one person is meant for this Violin. It’s waiting for someone- otherwise it sounds like shit.”

You laugh at the man’s last sentence, “so temperamental.”

“Aren’t they all?”

You look at the Violin and Astarion studies your expressions. There is apprehension and fear, but also so much hope- so much hope that you may be the one the Violin has been waiting for.

“Would you like to play it?” The elderly man rasps, “I have never felt it produce such intense energy nor yearning to be played as it is right now.”

“I know,” you whisper, “I can feel it.”

You take the violin and Astarion notes how you hold it as if it’s a living breathing human being that deserves respect. You hold the violin as if you are worshipping it- not a single sound comes from it as you gently pick it up and cradle it against your face.

“What are you going to -“

You hold up a finger to the old man- listening to the violin. Within in an instant- beautiful, bright, cheerful music pours from your finger tips and into the violin.

Astarion feels the breath he doesn’t need being stolen from his lungs and brought to life as it always should have been- the air feels warmer, but in a soft spring day kind of way. The sun’s rays seem to warm the room even though it is the evening and Astarion feels utter- complete bliss. So calm and relaxed, the store clerk seems to feel the same way.

Astarion feels disappointment float through the air when you stop playing and he notices how you look at the clerk with wide, desperate eyes.

“Is that what you were looking for?”

The man smiles and you hand him back the violin- he begins to move to the part of the store where the cases are.

“About 400 years ago- I had a feeling I needed to make this violin,” he says wistfully, “I could never figure out why- it all had to be particularly done in a certain way and when I tried to play it, it wouldn’t produce a single noteworthy sound.

“I thought I did something wrong,” he shakes his head laughing, “but then Oghma came to me and said that the violin is waiting for it’s person, it’s purpose and that I will know when they arrive.”

He places the violin in a deep blue velvet, hard case and locks it. Before handing it over to you- you look like you are on the verge of tears and honestly, so is Astarion. He is so happy for you he could scream it from the rooftops.

“I’m glad I no longer have to look,” he says with a wink, “take care of the old gal, will you?”

“With my life, sir!”

You are giddy and hugging your new violin to your chest- dancing along the streets and skipping occasionally from giddiness.

You almost miss the empty park- almost.

Astarion gently grabs your arm and guides you to the park- a few people are wandering around or sitting at the bench. One elderly woman looks at the sky crying.

“Oh, do you want to go for a quick walk?”

“No- I want you to play.”

You look at Astarion like he’s grown a second and then third head.

“I couldn’t,” you shake your head, “I haven’t played for a group in years and-“

“And yet you are still one of the most incredible violin players I have ever heard,” he whispers, not wanting to have anyone else pressure you, “I understand if you don’t want to, but I think it would be a disservice to all of humanoid kind to not hear you play tonight in this park.”

You look up at him- searching his face. Astarion is begging and pleading that you don’t discover how disgustingly love sick he is for you. He doesn’t want to ruin your friendship- he doesn’t want you to run off because you can’t possibly ever return his feelings and don’t want to hurt him.

“You really think so?”

“I know so, my Darling,” Astarion says, absentmindedly cupping one side of your face and swiping his thumb along your cheek gently, “you are brilliant and I will take every little morsel of your talents that you are willing to share.”

That seems to do the trick- you walk out on the little stage meant for bards and you begin to set up. You make sure the instrument is tuned and you seem to be thinking hard about something. You look at him while placing the violin on your shoulder and pressing your chin into it.

One of Astarion’s favorite songs hits the air and he feels engulfed in it. Your last several months of traveling had allowed you to teach him a lot about violin music and how to feel it, not just listen to it. Astarion always jumped at the opportunity to take you to see a Bard in the park after the first time at Baldur’s Gate.

You know how to play other instruments as well, but your favorite is the violin, so he always made a point of traveling faster if there had been a violinist heading to the town nearby. Gale kept him updated as you traveled- it was very easy to make happen for you.

He never wanted to walk down the Crypt of the Rothwell steps and see you grieving for your biggest fan, your mother, ever again. She died, not even saving herself, because she loved you so much she couldn’t bear to live without you. Astarion, as much as he wishes he didn’t, understands exactly how your mother felt and he can only imagine the bliss she felt at the idea of being reunited with her again or at least, not feeling the pain of your absence, anymore.

You only play songs Astarion likes- he notices. It fills his heart with hope, but he also didn’t realize how many happy, cheerful songs he has taken such a liking to.

It is because of you, after all, so it’s fitting that you would be the one to perform them. It sounds better when you play them and Astarion is certainly ruined for any other bard from here on out.

His entire life, his soul, and even 200 years of torment seem to have been balanced with every moment he has with you- now you are here and playing violin for him as if it’s the simplest task in the world.

After 200 years of keeping his candle alight, you are still helping him to see more clearly- your love, your life, your laugh, everything about you, has given him back a spark he never thought he would find again.

He would marry you tomorrow if he could. You could travel together, live anywhere in the world, and the possibilities are entirely endless. Maybe one day you will both find a couple of wish scrolls to reverse your respective afflictions.

You would never know what it means to be unloved again. You would never want for anything because Astarion would find a way for you to get whatever you needed and then some.

You play with the same vigor you started with- even though it��s been about an hour. People are gathered around you in awe, but not a single gold coin.

Astarion gets up and places a couple coins in your case- others quickly swarming. You look at him and Astarion swears he sees the emotions he wants you to feel towards him.

Love, happiness, belonging.

Several hours go by before you end up back in bed with him- cuddling close. Astarion had complimented you until your entire face and neck were a blush red color and, admittedly, he was thrilled that you had turned down every man who had asked to get to know you tonight.

However, there was one thing he struggled to understand.

“Why did you play songs that are my favorite, Darling?”

You look embarrassed and avoid his gaze.

“You are the only one worth playing for,” you whisper, “and I wanted to do something for you because it makes me happy when you are happy.”

Astarion looks at you and you look at him.

“You make me happy just by being you,” he whispers, “never change, Birdie.”

You smile and snuggle closer into him. He doesn’t even try to stop the pleased sigh that leaves his body. You relax significantly more after that.

“My mom used to put a gold coin in my case when I played in public,” you smile, your tears a mix of wistfulness and grief, “she said it made other people feel obligated to do it.”

Astarion snorts, “that was exactly what I was thinking- great minds think alike.”

You laugh and the sound fills his chest with adoration. He is truly truly fucked. Astarion doesn’t know what it’s like to be in love with someone, but this feels pretty damn close to what books describe.

He isn’t ready to shatter the illusion or go plummeting like Icarus when you ultimately reject him.

Astarion is grateful for your breathing evening out and he let’s himself continue to bask in the illusion that you are his and he is yours.

*****************************************************************

You stand near Astarion’s location and sip on your flute of Champagne- trying to soothe the bruises to your ego as Astarion confronts his mark. He flashes you a look every once in a while- frustration and fear.

You weren’t supposed to be there, but you had snuck after him- letting him think you would stay in Gale’s tower and spend the evening with them.

You had argued against it for the entire day- he used to take you everywhere, why is he suddenly leaving you behind all the time?

“You have no proper fighting skills,” he said in exasperation, “and it’s not like I can fit you into my bag anymore- even that wasn’t safe enough!”

He left in a huff and you waited a while before trailing after him. Unfortunately, he caught you pretty quickly right outside the party- pulling you into the bushes and telling you to go back. You refused and he caved, but you had to stay out of the way.

“I want you to know that I personally have no problem with you being here,” Astarion says to the imposter Marqui of Nesmé , “I actually find dogs to be relatively good company from time to time.”

The man looks positively flabbergasted under the pounds of make-up and a disguise glamor- he’s evidently not very good at protecting his identity. You can hardly judge though- Astarion is all melodramatics with pretty words and funny quips- he could disarm even the most apathetic of individuals.

Astarion is also hardly inconspicuous with the amount of male and female attention he attracts- the Marqui is obviously noticing this now too as people begin to murmur around them.

You are already anticipating possessing the ‘Marqui’ and dragging him outside before he (or Astarion) can crash the Duke of Waterdeep’s Ball. Duke-what’s-his-nuts had demanded that his guards rid Waterdeep of all Werewolf presence that had infiltrated the citiy’s walls. The order was put out due to the recent slaughtering of livestock and increased infection rate, but his guards failed. He was furious! He wanted to be the one who gets to brag about saving the day!

Thankfully the Duke isn’t privey to the fact that the stranger who will be earning his gold this evening is like a character from a children’s book; most of his plans are not thought through- despite how many times he has learned that lesson- and the execution is… well sloppy.

However, you would be lying if you didn’t say the lack of a plan is rather exciting. You enjoy thinking on your toes- you miss being the ‘brains’ of the operation and getting to be involved, but you will settle for this for now.

The man says something that you can’t hear- Astarion puts his hand over his chest in shock and takes two dramatic steps back. You can’t help the little bit of laughter that rises up your chest- Gods he’s adorable.

“Did you just-? Did anyone else hear that!?” Astarion says with fake distress, “this man just threatened me!”

The other man is panicking now- realizing that Astarion is, in fact, the one fearless asshole who isn’t going to let him leave alive without a fight.

“Will you shut your mouth already!? I did not threaten you! I merely suggested you walk away! I can give you gol-“

“With a knife to my chest, nonetheless,” Astarion says, barely containing his grin and keeping up the act, “I am positively flabbergasted- bamboozled. How dare I be treated this way in my own Duke’s home!”

“And then attempt to bribe him!?” Some gorgeous woman says before throwing her croissant at the werewolf man, “do you have no shame!? This man is a sweetheart! A hero!”

Suddenly multiple nobles are throwing their food or drinking glasses at the man. Red, angry magic begins to flow out of his skin. You are struggling to contain your laughter- how in the hells Astarion managed to pull this off is a mystery to you, but you are enjoying every moment.

“Fifty years! We’ve been married fifty years!” the unknowing widow cries, “you aren’t my Daniel!”

“Of course I a-“

Astarion looks positively annoyed that the woman has stolen his spotlight and is causing the Marqui to panic even more- you had heard rumors that the Marqui had been abnormally affectionate with his wife as of late and referring to her as “My Marquess”. That poor woman has to be so confused.

“GUARDS!!!!!” Astarion screams, “THERE’S AN IMPOSTER TRYING TO FOOL A DEVASTATED WIDOW!”

“WIDOW!?”

Leave it to Astarion to find the worst way to tell a Wife she’s now a Widow.

The Marquess cries out dramatically for the crowd- well known across the town as having a flair for the dramatic. In the meantime, Wolfie is still trying to fix his blunder, but continues to fail miserably.

“Uh your name is…. Allison?”

“MORGANA! MY NAME IS MORGANA!”

The crying continues and the Marquess slaps the man staring at her with his eye twitching.

Astarion flashes the Werewolf a shit eating grin- the same grin he wears when he knows he’s caught someone in a lie. The imposter is trembling in rage, the Marquess is performing her grief with so much agony that she looks like she is going to pass out, and Astarion continues to Goad the man.

You look around the crowd with watchful eyes- the scene Astarion is making is attracting more attention by the minute. Yet he’s still incredibly charming while he throws insults in the Werewolf’s direction. All the women and men are practically swooning- if only they knew what a terrible planner he is.

“Ha!” Astarion releases a laugh of victory, “you didn’t even bother to try to find out his wife’s name? How inconsiderate- look at the poor thing- she’s devastated! Her husband is dead, she has the face of an ancient spinster, and some stinky heathen didn’t even bother to try to play the part right.”

The Marquess is definitely more upset about the comment on her looks than her husband being in the Fugue plane. She doesn’t remain sad about it for two long though because the Werewolf summons a shadow blade and shoves it between her eyes. The crowd begins to scream and run around frantically in the ballroom.

You catch the man flashing you a wicked smile through the crowd and sizing you up out of the corner of his eye before looking at Astarion. You barely hear what he says next as you make your way over.

“I’d be careful with your next move, Spawn,” the man’s voice is suddenly louder and more malicious, “it would be a shame for your lovely friend over there to develop Lycanthropy, wouldn’t it?”

Astarion waivers for a half of a second before he goes completely blank. Your stomach turns over at the statement- probably because becoming a Werewolf is one of the last things (maybe even a throw away item) on your bucket list. You aren’t sure you can become a werewolf, but you would prefer not to find out.

The werewolf and Astarion continue to face off in the middle of the room, the guards struggling to get past the sea of “innocents”.

“Well, aren’t you one to ruin the fun?” Astarion says darkly, a stark contrast to his earlier tone, “now you’ve gone and made it personal- it’s a shame, really. I was hoping we could be friends someday.”

“A disgusting creature like yourself? My friend?” Wolfie laughs bitterly as his transformation begins to take over.

“Pot,” Astarion gestures to the man before himself, “meet Kettle.”

The man lets out a hungry growl and his skin tears unnaturally. Now in full Werewolf mode- the Imposter begins to lash out at Astarion who manages to dodge every blow until Mr.Werewolf picks up a woman and flings her at Astarion- he topples over to the ground from the impact and surprise. Wolfie begins to stalk towards Astarion, licking his sharp canines as he creeps forward.

What happens next takes mere seconds, but it feels like it happens in 10 hours as your legs make their way across the gap, silver dagger in hand, before unceremoniously lodging the weapon into the Werewolf’s throat. A high pitched, pained howl escapes the werewolf’s lips as he keels over. That was so much easier than you tho-

“GUARDS!” The Duke says as the guards come running towards the scene, “THAT COUPLE NEED TO BE ESCORTED OUT OF MY HOME! Those degenerates are not supposed to be here!!”

Thought too soon.

“YOU RAT BASTARD!” Astarion yells, “you hired me to kill him!”

“Oh did I?” The Duke shoots back with a grin, “and why in the world would I waste my money on the likes of you?”

You just barely helped Astarion up from his daze when the Vampire is grabbing your wrist and dragging you through the crowd, away from the guards. Eventually he drops your wrist when you are right on his heels, but the guards really aren’t that far behind.

You follow Astarion closely as he takes sharp corners and jumps over furniture as he leads you out of the looming castle and up one of the towers. It feels like yards are being added to their escape attempt because the stairs never seem to end. You are beginning to hear the rattle footsteps of guards getting closer to you and your heart rate speeds up even more in fear.

“Star,” you manage to yell out between breaths, “what’s the plan!?”

“I’m working on it!” He yells back at you.

Astarion suddenly changes course, exiting the tower through one of the doors. You chase him across the ramparts, through another door, and try not to lose your balance as he goes sprinting right down a hallway with an open window.

His plan is to jump!?

You are suddenly being yanked into Astarion’s chest as he goes leaping out of the window- a scream of terror dies in your throat as you go plummeting towards the ground from the 80 foot drop. With a flash from Astarion’s hand- you go tumbling and you both land at the portal entry in Gale’s house.

Your head is still spinning, but Astarion is already upright and he looks furious.

“What in the HELLS WERE YOU THINKING!?” he screams, you flinch at the sound, “are you trying to get us both fucking killed!? No scratch that- are you trying to get yourself killed!?”

You don’t know how to respond. You feel frozen and small.

He sighs, “this is a mistake- I am going to write Halsin tomorrow after the wedding and see if you can’t live with him for a while.”

“What!?” You sound even more shattered than you thought you would, “Astar-“

“No,” he begins to stalk towards the door, “you can-“

“YOU USE TO TAKE ME EVERYWHERE!” You scream at the top of your lungs, not wanting him to keep bowling you over in this conversation, “and now what!? I’m boring- I’m not enough? What is it!? Because you are not sending me away like I’m a child! We are EQUALS!”

Astarion looks at you and for the first time all week- you finally see him again. He looks broken all over, like he had only left Szarr palace mere days ago instead of months. There are even tears in his eyes and you move without thinking- wrapping your arms around him- he is quick to reciprocate and hug you even tighter.

“That isn’t it,” he whispers, looking defeated, “I don’t know if I could handle losing you again- especially not now.”

“Then why are you pushing me away?” You choke on your own words, “what is going on?”

You feel him shake his head- a sign he isn’t ready to talk about it yet.

“Okay,” you sigh, “if that’s what you want, I will live with Halsin for a while.“

Fat, wet tears hit your shoulder and you know he’s thinking. About what? You aren’t sure, but you hope he is changing his mind. The last thing you want is to go live with Halsin. You want to be with Astarion and you accepted a while ago that a romantic relationship would never be in the cards for you- despite how in love with him you are.

“No, it’s not what I want. That’s probably actually the very last thing I want, but I am so worried about you that what I want doesn’t seem important,” Astarion sighs and holds you even tighter, “I will start taking contracts that you can go on again so you can keep practicing.

“And it would be nice to have you back,” he murmurs, “it’s all rather boring without you.”

“Then please stop pushing me away,” you plead and he looks at you- still holding onto each other, “I don’t know what happened, but I feel like you don’t want me around at all anymore.”

“I am… going through something personal and,” he pauses, “I just need more time before I am ready to talk about it.”

You furrow your brow and you can feel your frustration trying to get the best of you, but you have to respect his boundaries.

“Okay,” you whisper.

“I promise- I want you around,” Astarion says, wiping away the tears staining your cheeks, “more than anything and once I figure out my, uh, personal matters- I will let you know what I find.”

“Okay.”

You leave it alone- Astarion says he needs alone time.

You can’t help but feel defeated. You had hoped he had the same feelings for you when you played all of his favorite music. Obviously he doesn’t.

Alone time usually means he’s off to find someone in a brothel and probably won’t be back until the morning at the latest. He will come home smelling of someone’s cheap cologne or perfume and will surely have a story to tell about the person's bed he ended up in last night.

You feel your unwilling tears begin to flow as you sit on the couch on the balcony in the living room- your arms wrapped around your knees and your knees to your chest.

Or maybe he is meeting with someone he really really likes and doesn’t want to introduce you. Maybe that’s the personal matter- he doesn’t want to introduce her or him or them to you yet because he’s worried you are going to be an absolute freak about it and go crazy since it’s obvious you are obsessed with him.

At least you tried or at least that is what you keep telling yourself.

“Birdie! How was- wait what’s wrong!?”

Oh no, it’s Tav. You really like Tav- you do- but she is Astarion’s friend and is probably going to tell you to get over yourself.

You wave a dismissive hand, “oh nothing- just so moved by how beautiful the moon is.”

There isn’t a peep from behind you so you assume she shrugged and walked off.

“Where is Astarion?”

Nope, too good to be true.

“He is, um, having alone time.”

You don’t mean to make it sound so venomous.

“Oh? I might need some more context,” she says with an awkward chuckle, “that doesn’t sound terrible?”

You let out a huff of annoyance.

“It means he’s at a brothel or, considering our earlier conversation, he’s with a person he really likes,” you murmur under your breath.

The silence is damning.

“Why would you think that?”

So you are right- Tav sounds uneasy.

“Gods,” you hop off the couch and look at Tav with your bloodshot eyes and arms crossed, “I don’t know because I played all of his favorite songs at the park as a sort of impromptu, ‘here is a set for you! The person I care about more than anything else in the world’! Oh by the way- THIS IS A TRADITIONAL WAY A BARD PROFESSES THEIR FEELINGS!!!!

“We fall asleep in the same bed, in each other’s arms and up until the day we went fucking dress shopping- I really thought I had the right idea. Obviously…. I was wrong.”

Tav is just looking at you and she looks like she has no idea what to say to you. You just shake your head in defeat.

“Good night Tav,” you say, “I hope this can stay between us.”

You go past the shell shocked woman and go marching back upstairs to your shared room with Astarion. Tav told you that you were welcome to any room if you wanted your own, but that was when Astarion wanted you around. Maybe it’s time to take her up on the offer.

You pack your stuff together and drag it out the door towards the next room over. You catch a glimpse of Tav who looks like she’s panicking and has no idea what to do.

“Oh um that room is going to be occupied!”

You look at her lamely, “when?”

“Uh two days from now.”

“Okay,” you say flatly, “then in two days I will clean everything up for you and find an inn- if that’s alright with you.”

“You really don’t want to stay with Astarion anymore?” Tav says with a nervous chuckle, “maybe you should talk to him before you-“

“There isn’t anything to talk about Tav,” you snap, immediately regretting it, “I-I am sorry. I- please. I can’t keep humiliating myself like this.”

Tav looks extremely conflicted.

“Okay.”

***********************************************************************

Tag List: @n3rdybirdee @fandomarchiveilyd @dajeong @hotmesshobbit @godoffuckedupcats @bitchstarion @hereliesblackdragon @pebble-bb @preciouslittlebhaalbae @lavvyan @beepersteeper

#baldurs gate 3 #astarion #baldurs gate astarion #astarion x reader #bg3 spoilers #astarion x tav #astarion romance #astarion x you #bg3 #karlach #astarion ancunin #astarion x f! reader #astarion x f!reader #astarion x f!tav

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darubyprincx · 2 months

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Two Idiots, One Body | previous • next

Beef awoke with a yawn and a stretch, sitting up in his bed. It took him a few seconds of staring blankly at his bedsheets to realize that he was, in fact, looking at his bedsheets and not at the back of his eyelids like he originally thought he was.

In fact, he discovered after clumsily waving his hand around in front of his face for a moment or two, he was barely registering anything this morning, which normally only happened when he was really, really tired. It was like someone had tossed a thick white veil over his vision and a thick fog into his brain.

Only dimly registering that he seemed to be moving on autopilot this morning, he went with it and spent his normal morning routine thinking about what on earth could be going on here. Coffee with two shots of creamer and a tablespoon of sugar, just like he always made it...

Beef suddenly snapped to reality so quickly that he felt like he'd been whacked with a sheet of linoleum. He didn't like his coffee with sugar and creamer, he drank it black! Come to think about it, this was day 2 of the season! How did he even have coffee, much less a coffee machine? And that wasn't even the worst of it.

Beef turned around slowly, taking in the surroundings. He was standing in what could pass as a kitchen inside of what was clearly a cave. Yes, there was the entrance over there. In one corner lay a lime-green bed.��

This wasn't his house.

Beef didn't even have a house yet because he wasn't here yesterday!

Despite all of the pitfalls in his memory, however, Beef already knew exactly who was behind all of this.

"Iskall," he said loudly into the cool air of the cave. Then, louder: "ISKALL!"

The cave did not respond. Neither did Iskall.

Beef stalked outside (he did not stomp when he was angry, he just walked with an incredibly menacing aura) and glowered at the area around him. There were a couple of tuff pillars and random chests around. It was a beautiful morning, with thin wisps of stratus clouds flying their pale banners above a bright white sun. The air smelled sweet and fresh.

"When I get my hands on Iskall85," Beef declared to the open sky, "I am going to prank her so hard that he's going to be finding wet sand in her socks for the next season and a half. May God be my witness."

"Hm?" asked a voice nearby. Beef turned around to see Stress' head pop up over the top of the nearby hill. "Oh, hi Beef! Glad you made it!"

"Hello, Stress," said Beef, nodding up at her. "Have you seen Iskall lately?"

Stress scrunched her face up in thought. "Hmm," she said, "no, not this morning, but he was here yesterday. I can send her a message if you want."

"Sure," said Beef, looking around again to try and get his bearings. Iskall's base was just east of spawn, with Ren and Cleo nearby.

Again, Beef had zero idea how he knew any of this, seeing as this was his first time on the server.

"By the way," said Stress, hopping down to squint at him, "did you steal Iskall's armor?"

"What?" asked Beef, looking down and realizing as he did that he was indeed wearing a full set of iron plate armor, complete with a diamond helmet and boots. "What?"

"You're not very good at lying, love," said Stress, mistaking his utter confusion for a weak attempt at an alibi. "That's his armor. And her shield, too. There's chests full of materials next to spawn, divided up for everybody. There should be one for you, unless Grian took it."

"I know," snapped Beef, even though he definitely did not before that moment. Stress raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed. "I'm sorry. It's been a really weird morning. I woke up in Iskall's bed with all of his stuff on me and I just want to know what exactly she did and how on Earth he did it."

"Okay," said Stress, still not sounding entirely convinced. "Well, the most I got out of her yesterday was that he was still recovering from a monster cold. The last I saw her was in this area yesterday. Maybe you could go ask Mumbo for news."

"Yeah, I have no idea," said Mumbo, a little too cheerfully for a man standing in full iron armor. "Haven't seen him at all today."

Beef frowned. "Nothing?"

"Nope," said Mumbo, absently walking to one side. The man was always in motion. It was really distracting. Beef had to repress a sigh as he turned to follow him. "No messages, no notes in your base, no nothing?"

"No nothing," Mumbo confirmed. "If you want me to tell ya when he shows up, I can do that."

"Please," said Beef. "That would be extremely helpful."

"Am I allowed to know why you want to know her whereabouts so badly?" asked Mumbo, raising one eyebrow. "Or is that classified information?"

Beef paused a moment. On one hand, he was happy to explain. On the other, he couldn't exactly say that he woke up in Iskall's bed with his armor on and all her tools in his inventory now could he? Beef internally shuddered to think of the implications of that.

"It's classified," he said with a nod. "Thank you, though."

Mumbo nodded in return. "No problem, mate," he said, going back to whatever it was he was doing with no further questions. Beef appreciated that quality in a man. Most people, when probed for the sort of information he was after, would ask awkward things like why and how and what's up with this guy. Mumbo, meanwhile, was blissfully head-empty when it came to all matters except for redstone knowledge and Grian.

After that conversation, the strange mental fog cleared out almost instantly. Beef got to work building a house close to but not too close to spawn, choosing the location for the flatness of the land and the tranquilness of the surrounding landscape. It was a quiet place, a comfortable spot where you could kick back on the front porch and watch the sunset.

Beef went to sleep that night in his own bed that he'd build himself, comfortable and cosy. Maybe, he thought as he drifted off to sleep, Iskall would be online tomorrow. And if he was, there'd be hell to pay...

#two idiots one body #ray's tag #keys' writing #mcyt #hermitcraft #this is either chapter 1 or chapter 2. havent decided yet

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cainluvr69 · 6 months

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"In this World Adrift with You" Cain SSR Card Story - If I Could Support You

thank you to @/cainharem on twitter for the story raws!

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: Haaaah! <Gladius Procella>!

Monster: Ghaaaah!!

Cain: Whew… There, finally done…!

Akira: Cain…! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?

After glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, I ran to Cain's side. He'd been fighting a outbreak of tiger-like monsters, spawned by the Calamity's influence. Normally this many would've required multiple wizards to contain.

Akira: (We were just supposed to do the preliminary investigation today… I hadn't been expecting there to be so many of them already.)

Seeing the current state of things, though, Cain had decided to take it upon himself to contain the outbreak all on his own so that the nearby town wouldn't get attacked overnight.

Cain: I'm just fine. Maybe a few scratches, that's all.

Akira: Thank goodness… I'm so sorry I couldn't do anything but watch. …I wish I was a wizard. Then at the very least I could protect myself, if I was just stronger… (Cain having to protect me and put down the monsters at the same time is just too much of a burden to put on him… I could at least spare him part of that…)

I couldn't bear to look at him, and cast my eyes downwards. But then I felt a large hand on the top of my head.

Cain: Don't worry about it, Master Sage. This is that whole keeping the right person in the right place thing. I'm suited for combat, and you're suited for other things. So it's fine if you let me or other people suited for it do the fighting, or anything else you're not good with… And in exchange, if we need help with something you're good at, you can pay us back then. That's fine, right?

Akira: Cain…

Cain: Well, I'm just repeating what someone else told me! So I'm not expecting you to move mountains for me or anything.

Akira: …Thank you. That does make me feel a bit better. (Rely on someone else when you need to, and let them rely on you in return. It's a wonderful way of approaching things.)

I must've looked like I felt better too, because Cain pulled his broom out of thin air with a bright grin on his face.

Cain: Well, let's start getting ourselves back. The sooner we report back about what happened with the monsters, the better.

Akira: Of course…but are you sure you'll be fine? You did use a lot of magic in that fight, so maybe you should rest for a little…

All of a sudden, my stomach growled.

Akira: S-sorry for making such a weird sound! And right then, too…!

Cain: Ahaha! No, I'm feeling pretty hungry, too. Let's try to make it back in a single flight, no breaks!

Akira: You were moving around a lot… Okay then. But if you don't feel up to it, be sure to tell me, alright?

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: (I've heard that if a wizard uses too much of their magic, it'll show in their flying, but…) (Cain really does look like he's okay, and his broom isn't shaking, so I guess things really must be fine. Thank goodness…)

I sighed in relief, and recalled what we'd been talking about earlier. I stared at his back--completely straight, his posture perfect.

Akira: By the way, Cain, who told you about repaying things like that? I think it's a really great way of looking at things.

Cain: Oh, that was--

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: It was the two Central witch sisters who taught me that one.

Akira: Central witch sisters… Do you mean the former Central Sage's wizards?

Cain: Yeah, I told you a bit about them before. They were a really lively pair who loved looking after others. I mean, they took good care of me even though I didn't know jack about anything when it came to magic. That was something they told me when I apologized one time for being such a bother. I still remember exactly what they said. "No need to apologize, or even say thank you. Just be sure you're there to support the people who need it when it's your turn to do the supporting."

Akira: Wow… They sound like they were both very reliable.

Cain: Yeah. At the time, all I could think was about how grateful I was to them… I've grown a lot since then, and now that there's more of us living at the manor, I think I understand what they meant a little better now.

Akira: By what it means to…support others when it's your turn to support them?

Cain: Yeah. Back in the knights, I was used to keeping pace with everyone around me and keeping them moving. Maybe it's weird for me to be saying this about myself, but… It's good to have someone like when there's a bunch of free-spirited people all living together, right?

Akira: Ahaha, but you're right about that. I often find myself relying on you, Cain.

Cain: Haha, I'm honored. …But that's exactly why I've been thinking that this is what they meant. It's my turn, now.

Cain looked back at me, a sincere and reliable smile on his face. Something occurred to me, though, while I was thinking about what he'd just said.

Akira: (But… Cain already cares so much about everyone living in the manor.) (And he always tries to help as much as he can with missions like the one were covered today and things on the Central political front.) (Shouldering as much he does with a smile on his face can't be easy. Isn't there anything I can do for him…?)

Cain: Oh, I can see the manor! We're almost there, Master Sage.

✦✧☾✧✦

We landed in the central courtyard, Cain's motions as steady as they always were.

Cain: Alright…here we are. Good work today, Master Sage.

Akira: Same to you, Cain. You did so much today. Be sure to really rest up--

Cain: Yeah-- …oof.

Cain had started to nod his head when all of a sudden, his knees began to give out from underneath him and he slowly slumped to the ground. His mismatched eyes were unfocused, staring blankly into space. His broom fell from his hand, clattering onto the stonework.

Akira: Cain?! Are you okay?! …I-I need to find someone…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: …mmn. …Where…? When did I fall asleep…? Is it morning? (I don't remember getting into bed… The last thing I remember is coming back to the manor with Akira…) (Oh, right. I was so relieved that I'd gotten them back to the manor safe and sound that my mind suddenly went blank…) …Man, I've really done it this time. I guess that's what happens when you overuse your magic. (I really didn't mean to overdo it. But I guess I just couldn't keep hold of the last bit of my magic.) …I'm still barely a wizard at all…

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: (I can't remember what happened after we got back to the manor.) But I feel like I can remember someone taking care of me in the night…? …! (The door just opened. Who is it? They're trying to hide the sound of their steps, but they're not the steps of someone who does that often.) (…Ahh. This presence belongs to…)

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: (Is Cain still asleep? Well, I'll just change out the towel on his forehead for right now…)

Cain: Is that you, Master Sage?

Akira: Wah! I'm so sorry, did I wake you up?

Cain: No, I woke up just a little bit before you came in. Is this towel… Were you the one taking care of me last night?

Akira: Ah, yes. Figaro examined you too, but since my room is right next to yours, I took of everything after that. But, um, are you feeling better? Do you hurt anywhere, or anything like that? I don't really know what the symptoms of magical exhaustion look like, so…if there's anything at all, please tell me.

Cain: I'm just fine now. My head still feels a little heavy, but that only needs a little more rest to take care of.

Akira: Thank goodness… (It's not like I've ever had magic to exhaust in the first place, so I didn't know what he was going through… I was so worried… But he doesn't look pale or exhausted, so that's a relief.)

Cain: Thanks for worrying about me. And sorry for troubling you.

Akira: (…Ah.)

His perfectly sincere apology and words of thanks made me remember what he'd told me about yesterday.

Akira: …You don't need to thank me, Cain. If I'm relying on you, then I need to be there for you to rely on me too, right? Right now, it's my turn to support you.

Cain: …! …Haha, that's right. I was the one who told you that, even.

Cain scratched his head a little, and then smiled at me.

Cain: But please let me thank you. You took care of me all night, after all.

Akira: Of course I did. I mean, I tried to play it cool by saying it's my turn to support you now, but this is nothing compared to everything you do for me…

Cain: Oh, don't say that. You've really helped me out, and I'm more than happy with that. …I'll probably push myself without realizing and make trouble for you again. So when I do, can you support me again, like you did this time?

Akira: …! Yes, of course!

Cain doesn't let anyone else see when he's weak or hurting, so him asking to rely on me made me very, very happy.

Akira: Just tell me whenever you need anything. I want to do what I can for you too, Cain!

Cain: Thank you. I'll be relying on you.

We smiled at each other, and then we bumped our fists against each other's. The warmth I felt from him was as warm as my happiness was at being able to rely on him, too.

Sub Episode: Cain and the Door to the Past

Akira: I've heard that a door you can see the past through appeared on Borda Island's beach. But, speaking of the past, there was a memory I'd keep coming back to to keep myself calm when I'd first arrived in this world and had no idea what was going on.

Cain: Huh? What memory?

Akira: An adult I trusted reading a book to me.

Cain: Cute! That does sound like something you'd hold onto. I'd love to meet your friends in your own world if I ever get the chance to, somehow.

Akira: I'd love that, too. You're a cool and gallant knight, so I bet everyone would be surprised to meet you, but happy, too.

Cain: Good to hear! So people love knights in your world too!

Akira: Do you have any memories like that too, Cain? Like, one that makes you feel calm and happy when you're stressed…

Cain: Me? Um, maybe I do, but…

Akira: You're blushing? That's unusual.

Cain: I mean, first you go calling me a cool and gallant knight, and now you're asking me about what memories make me happy…

Akira: Should I not have? You called me cute first, you know.

Cain: You don't mind being called cute, though. Meanwhile, you ask me a question that's the complete opposite of what a gallant knight is supposed to be all about. A memory that calms me down, huh. I can't say I've ever thought about it, but I can't say I don't have one. It just…sort of feels like I'm peeking into the most vulnerable part of myself. I'll do my best…

Akira: (Cute… Normally Cain's so gallant and fearless, willing to face whatever comes his way…) (So maybe he's not used to thinking about how to protect himself.) (Maybe you can't keep warm, soothing memories at the front of your mind if you're supposed to be on the front lines of the battlefield.)

Cain: …

Akira: (Oh… His face got all serious.)

Cain: …Ahh, I know… I've also got memories of my mom or my favorite hat from when I was little coming to mind, but… I guess the memory I'd pick to keep myself steady would be the day I was given my title as a knight. This country has seen so many legendary heroes over the course of its history, and I was chosen to be one of its proud knights. Whenever I found myself lost or scared, remembering the fact that I was someone worthy of being called a knight let me keep moving forward. That memory is one I still keep close, even now. Despite the fact that I've been completely stripped of my title as knight.

Akira: Cain…

Cain: Oh, don't look at me like that. I'm perfectly proud of who I am now, too--one of the Sage's wizards given the honor of protecting you, Akira. If you ever find you can't sleep, then I'll read to you in place of that acquaintance of yours.

#.mhyktl #.cardtl #cain knightley #translating this made me feel absolutely sick in the head insane. thank you

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