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deansapplepie · 6 months

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Till THE DEAD do us part |Chapter 14

A/N: This story will take place in all the seasons, but it’s not exactly a rewriting cause I’d have to re-watch everything to use the exactly lines of the characters, also I think it’s better if I tell a side story without changing the main facts of the story. This story has a Female Reader, but I don’t describe her appearance, so anyone can identify with her.

Chapter 13 Chapter 15

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Chapter 14: We’ll not lose each other

Summary: The group buries Dale and decide to honor his memory. The day that they would fulfill his wishes, chaos ensues and the day ends in fire, growls, screams and gun shots.

Warning; inner swearing, little angsty, mentions of violence, mentions of death, walkers are killed, grief, forgiveness. Minors do not interact.

Paining; Daryl Dixon x Grimes!Reader (Rick’s Sister)

Word Count: 2,151

Extra notes: I proofread the text, but English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistakes, of course with love. In this chapter we finish Season 2, I’d like to have written more about the final part, but honestly I thought it wouldn’t have anything that would make a difference in the story. Before the 8 months jump, I’m going to make some extra stories about them on the road.

The day wasn’t cloudy, but you felt just like it was. Everybody were silent, just talking when it was necessary. You did a funeral for Dale, everyone that wanted said a word about him. Rick decided to do things like Dale wanted and prove that you could be humans. When it all ended, you decided to talk to Andrea. You stopped her gave her a hug. “I’m sorry.” You said.

“For Dale or punching my face?” She asked a bitter smile on her face.

“Dale, and I have lost my temper very easily with you.” You broke the embrace, still holding her forearms. “The punches you deserved.”

“I’ve been reckless too, stubborn… trying to hurt others, just because I’m hurt.” She confessed. “I’m sorry.”

“Dale was important to everyone, but I know he had a special spot for you and Glenn. If you need anything, you can count on me, ok?” You hugged her one last time before each of you go your own ways. You were still upset at Andrea, but you realized you cared a lot for the people of the group and life was short. You’d hate if something happened to Andrea and you weren’t good.

Following this line of thought, you should also talk to Shane, but there was a whole different situation. You had already talked to him before and nothing worked, also after it he had hurt your blood brother, wanted his life for him… it, you couldn’t forgive. Not now, and you didn’t know if one day you’d be able to.

Hershel decided it’d be better if all of you moved to the house. He thought that more walkers would come because of the animals, also it was starting to get cold. You started to disassemble everything and bring what you needed to the house. As everything was kind of settled everyone started to do their chores around the house and organize all that needed to be organized.

Rick and Daryl were on the porch planning to take Randall to a town and leave him there. You wanted to go with them, but you couldn’t, they needed you around the house. Also, you knew they wouldn’t let you if you asked.

A long time had passed when Rick and Daryl decided it was time for them to take Randall to this other city and let him there. Rick asked T. to pick Randall so they could go, but T. came back worried saying that the guy wasn’t there. Holy Shit. All of you ran to the small room where he was locked, T. explained it was locked, no one forced it. It was very strange. Soon Shane came from the woods, blood and bruises on his face. Telling a story that Randall escaped the cuffs and forced him into the woods.

“It looks like not only you can’t identify vital signs, you also can’t fight against a slender boy like him. You’re not the same anymore Shane… thank God the world ended, or you’d have to retire.” You couldn’t hold your tongue inside your mouth and had to speak, because impossible nobody thought the same.

“I was taken by surprise, I wasn’t expecting.” He said and you tried really hard not to roll your eyes.

It was decided Rick, Shane, Glenn and Daryl would go in the woods to look for Randal, before they went you pulled Daryl aside. “Be careful, I don’t trust him. Everything he said, screams bullshit for me.”

“I know. I didn’t buy it too.” He said and he didn’t know what to do in the moment so he gave a little squeeze in your arm before entering the woods with Rick, Shane and Glenn.

It got dark very fast, and you couldn’t help the unease feeling while they didn’t come back. You stayed on the porch looking at distance for any sign of them. Soon Maggie joined you, nervous , fidgeting by your side.

“They’ll be ok.” You said, you didn’t know if it was for Maggie or for you. “Glenn and Daryl are badasses, Rick is a survivor, he survived when he wouldn’t. They’ll come back.” You side hugged her and she held your hand.

After some time Daryl and Glenn came back, you got inside the house with them, everyone waiting to know something.

“Are you ok?” You asked looking Daryl for any bruises, cuts, god forbidden bites and scratches. He had nothing.

“ ‘m good.” He looked at you, a little anxious to deliver the news.

“Where’s Rick?” You asked, worried.

“We thought he and Shane had come back.” Fuck. Did they separate? No.

They explained they found Randall, turned, and on top of that he wasn’t bitten. He had his neck broken. Shane. You knew it. But it didn’t answer why the boy turned if he wasn’t bitten.

You headed outside, you’d go with Daryl to find them. Worry consuming you. But when you got outside you saw something terrifying, a gigantic herd of walkers. You all started getting guns and setting plans to try ending with them, but you knew it was impossible, you’d need to fight them just so you could escape. You took one of the bigger guns and stood besides Hershel trying to protect the house and the ones that were still there.

Daryl jumped on his bike, Jimmy took the RV and together they tried to attract the herd to a place far from the house, Maggie and Glenn took a car to do the same while he shoot from the window and T. and Andrea took the truck, Andrea responsible of shooting the walkers.

The barn was on fire and you didn’t know who did this but you prayed it was Rick and not Shane, or both of them… but by all that happened you were afraid it would be only one of them. Everybody was running and fighting to get from the walkers and go to a safe place. Lori shouted for you and Hershel, but Hershel ignored. So you decided to stay there with him the maximum that you could, and try to convince him.

“Hershel, we need to go. There’s no way.” You tried reasoning with him while fighting the walkers.

“I’m not going. I’ll die protecting this land.” He stubbornly affirmed one more time.

“Don’t you think about Maggie and Beth? They need their Dad.” A walker fell in front of you as you shoot it.

“You can go.” He said one more time.

“I’m not going without you.” You said, and you didn’t want to, but it made you remind of what Dale did for Andrea.

Hershel’s ammo ends and he was going to reload his gun, there were too many walkers and you couldn’t cover him, when a Walker was too close and would bite him, Rick showed up and killed it. You pleaded Hershel to go with you, but it took Rick to convince him to go. You went to the car and you were relieved to see Carl, but… you thought Luna was with Carl. You couldn’t leave without her.

“Where’s Luna?” You asked before entering the car.

“She was with us, but she ran. I have no idea where she’s” Rick said, door open, waiting for you to go in.

“I’m not going without her.” You said turning to leave and go after her, but Rick was faster. He took you by your waist and pushed you inside the car, put the car lock and closed the door.

You tried opening the door, but it wouldn’t open. The fucker had locked it. Before you could go for the door on Carl’s side he started the car and left the farm. “No! Why Rick? Why?” You cried.

“I told you we wouldn’t lose each other, we’d not separate. I’m not letting you lose your life because of a dog.” He said, eyes on the road, hands firmly gripping the wheel. Carl hugged you and you hugged him back.

“It’s not a dog, it’s Luna. She’s my life.” You said turning your look for the window and crying all you could, trying to remain silent. Luna were with you in your worst, she was the one that made you smile again. A gift from your brothers and now, she was gone… lord knows where. You didn’t know if she was even alive. It wasn’t your fault, but you felt as if you were abandoning her.

“Maybe someone got her. We don’t know. You could stay and never find her. Let’s go to our meeting point in the highway. I’m pretty sure the others are going there too. It’s the only place all of us know.” Rick looked at you on the rearview mirror, he felt your pain, but he couldn’t go soft on you, he couldn’t have let you risk your life like that.

The rest of the drive was silent. The sun rose and you arrived at the spot where you left the sign for Sophia. She never got to find it.

All of you got off from the car. Hershel talked with Rick about he taking Carl and leaving to protect the kid. While that you followed Carl around, telling him to stay close. After some time, Rick talked about leaving, but before he could take any action, Glenn and Maggie arrived in a car, they got off and came to meet you. No Luna. The truck arrived with T., Lori and Beth. Again, no Luna. They were your last hope, It left Andrea, Carol and Daryl. You didn’t see Andrea and Carol around in the last minutes, so you didn’t know if they made it. Daryl wouldn’t bring her in a bike. Daryl, where was Daryl?

Some time after, Daryl arrived on his bike with Carol. You felt relieved to see them, especially Daryl. He stopped the bike close, Carol got off of it, Rick approached Daryl to greet him, he was happy to see he made it. Daryl got off the bike and you didn’t waste any second and hugged him. He didn’t waste any second to hug you back, damn the fear of being judged about PDA, you just survived a hoard of Walkers. He was relieved.

Nobody saw Andrea, Daryl wanted to go back for her, but Rick didn’t allowed he said it was too late to find her. The group decided to continue their way on the road. Daryl saw on your face that you had cried, but he decided not ask about it. He didn’t see Luna around, but he thought it’d be better if he didn’t ask anything in the moment. “Are ya comin’ with me?” He asked.

“Yes, of course.” You answered and as soon as the group parted from the highway you were on Daryl’s bike holding onto him and resting you head on his back. ‘And to think that last time we were leaving he made some excuse to not take me.’ You thought and also felt that there wasn’t anything more comfortable than being with him.

BONUS SCENE:

Andrea was left alone, everyone had taken the cars and she had no way out of the farm. She tried calling for Rick to wait for her, but she wasn’t heard. Her only option was to flee from the farm by herself. She took the guns bag from the ground, at least she was armed and could defend herself she moved in the woods trying to go opposite from where the walkers were going, even though she knew she would find walkers eventually, but she hoped not so many.

Deep in the forest she heard a bark and when she looked she saw a german shepherd, the dog from her mate from her group. The dog was barking at a walker, keeping distance but ready to attack. Andrea took a gun and shoot on the walkers head, making it fall motionless to the ground.

“I see you were also left behind.” She said getting closer to the dog and petting her. “I think it’s just you and me now girl.”

The dog was happy to see the face of a friend after seeing so many ugly faces of the walkers, she bumped her cold nose on the human hand to show her appreciation while swinging her tail.

“Come on, Luna. Let’s get out of here.” She said continuing her way into the woods trying to survive and who knows maybe re-encounter her group again.

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#daryl dixon #the walking dead #the walking dead daryl #twd #twd daryl #daryl x reader #daryl x y/n #daryl fanfiction #daryl imagines #daryl x you #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl #the walking dead daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon x grimes!reader #till the dead do us part #deansapplepie

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splat20 · 2 months

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Another part of Icewind Dale that's been fucking grueling so far though... Ngl a part of me is actually fascinated by the historical fantasy worldbuilding done by A Certain Kind Of History Dude who clearly has no idea how history has ever actually worked. The hoops they jump through to convince you that history has never been what might be called "political" is, in its own way, kind of impressive.

Conflict has never been about stuff like colonialism, it's all about nebulous human themes like Tradition. Conflict is about Economy and Economy never involves anything like class or culture. Only trout. The entire machinations of this society revolves ONLY around trout. (I'm now genuinely harping about the trout, it's just really dumb ok.) Conflict is about different groups just being fundamentally different, usually with a clear evil one. Conflict is about all groups being greedy about THEIR FUCKING TROUT because it's just a nebulous human condition to be greedy. Racist also. And poor people are just poor because they aren't ambitious, as a little aside.

It's so...... ashistorical but also deeply uncurious about our own actual real life world right now.

So many "high" fantasy books are like this. The Certain Kind Of History Dudes have too much power in this genre. They get praised for their worldbuilding and it's just the most shallow understanding of how anything works ever.

And more nefarious is the way this seemingly innocent ignorance so quickly and easily justifies stuff like "well, it's totally chill for good guys to kill bad guys... because they're from a bad guy society." Drizzt will tie himself in knots if he has to kill the worst human you can possibly imagine, but swats down random orcs no problem. The way that seemingly creates no cognitive dissonace at all for these writers needs to be studied in a lab. It's all fun and games when we're talking about monsters, but then you think about how that translates into the real world using the exact same mechanisms and that isn't fun at all is it? The ways racist men can tell themselves they are good people follows similar mental gymnastics. Why are "humans" deserving of infinite grace and forgiveness even at their most evil but "orcs" are understood to be inherently a lost cause? Why really? What is that mechanism really? It's been particularly egregious as I'm trying to slog my way through The Crystal Shard because, like, we can generously say that the "barbarians" are based on vikings, but ngl all I'm getting from this dynamic is Salvatore playing "cowboys and indians" but with white people. The general underlying vibes... And maybe that's what I'm trying to get at with what I'm describing in the fantasy races too. If you take off the mask, it all just feels like "cowboys and indians." A trope so deeply embedded in American genre fiction which has always just been incredibly racist this whole time.

These books are such whiplash because unfortunately I do love the characters but boy I wish I could save them from these books sometimes. The Crystal Shard has been soooo much worse than the other books so far imo, so I'm hoping the series chills tf out again generally.

#this has soured my enjoyment considerably but unfortunately i am cursed with investment at this point #jarlaxle come back #everything's going to shit without you babygirl #also where is catti brie tbh #i feel like catti brie isn't in this book because if she was she'd just be like 'everything happening here is macho and stupid'#im just saying maybe we didnt need wulfgar at all and you couldve just given the cool hammer to your daughter just saying #legend of drizzt #racism cw #fantasy racism cw

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mistresskayla-blog1 · 24 days

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Pockets Full of Gold

Characters: Thorin Oakenshield x town of Dale x dwarf company (Bilbo and Tauriel)

Fandom: The Hobbit - Richard Armitage

Lyn's Writing Event Day 6

May 6th: Week 1: Leprechaun

Characters: Thorin x townsfolk of Dale x Dwarf company (including Tauriel and Bilbo)

Fandom: Thorin Oakenshield (HOBBIT) – Richard Armitage

(The character of Thorin Oakenshield was created by J.R.R. Tolkien)

Timeline: AU Post (BOFTA) – No one dies, everyone lives

Warnings: drunkenness, embarrassment, anxiety, disorientation, scorn, angst, unaidable hiccups, mild nudity, shape changing, leprechauns.

Word count: 2.1k

Disclaimer: I am aware that even in the AU this violates rules of Tolkien, so I am hoping the 2 ladies and guardians of this lore will forgive me a little prank story, because it is a little funny. Enjoy!

It was dusk, in Dale, the rebuilding was well underway, and part of the company was celebrating a workday well done. Thorin had been overseeing some of the reconstruction over Bard’s request. Bard offers the dwarf company ale and food to their fill for the evening. And of course, chaos ensues, this gives our prankster an opportunity to spike Thorin’s drink. (But who would want to embarrass or otherwise humiliate Thorin?) Bilbo steps away from the riotous eating, which he knew too well would end in a mess and walk out to the look out on the river leading to Lake Town.

Thorin was sitting watching the revelry and a wench set down some ale for him. He nodded at her and took a sip. Bofur winked at him and tipped his own ale to him, “To many more glasses of merriment” Bifur, Oin and Gloin, Nori and Dori and Fili also cheered. Kili was away towards the water with Tauriel, discussing plans for their new future. Thorin knew this would get out of hand if he didn’t stick around. Balin had already gone back to Erebor, leaving him to get his nephews and the rest of the company home. There wasn’t much to protect right now, and Thorin drank avidly letting the ale hit his palette and quench his thirst. He knew, now as King not to imbibe too much, but he was a dwarf that could hold his ale better than any man.

Bofur grabbed another tankard and set it before Thorin, “Come on brother, let’s have another!” Thorin looked at him, quizzically, “Are you trying to get your King drunk?” Bofur chuckled merrily, “No, I’m trying to get that grimace of your face, your far too serious” he chuckled, “Its nearly May day, spring has sprung!” Bofur started to sing and bang his fists on the table and the company joined in. Thorin sighed, at the end of the table and sipped again.

Bilbo came back into the inn, and sat next to Thorin, “So, Master Baggins, how long will you be staying with us?” Bilbo, nervously, “Oh, probably a few more weeks, ya?” Thorin finished his tankard and reached for the second one, a loud clatter from behind made him turn, and Bilbo moved across the table to grab some cheese off a platter, passing over Thorin’s tankard. Thorin looked back as he sat down. And started to drink the second tankard. He stood up to speak to the company, “I wanted to thank you all for working with the Children of Man, I know that we are a proud lot, and as your, official leader, I am confident we can maintain a fair relationship with them”. The company cheered again, creating others in the inn to reply in kind. Thorin sat down and spoke conspiratorially to Bilbo, “Master Baggins, do you think you can cover me, I, (burped audibly) need a moment outside”. Bilbo nodded, “of course, of course”.

Thorin rose and left the table, feeling a bit strange, but not drunk. He finished the second tankard and set it down on an empty table as he left the inn. The streets were darker now, alleyways stretched and bent in his vision. Thorin gripped the wall of a building, steadying himself, “I don’t *hic* feel well *hic*,” Then Thorin fell to his knees and passed out, landing face first.

---

No one passed that alleyway, and after some minutes Thorin groaned, and pushed himself back to rest on his knees. He looked at his hands and they were smaller, he was wearing a dark green coat, with intricate gold trim along the lapel and collar. He stood up and barely made the 4th brick, “What the –“ he murmured, and scratched his chin, only to find a thicker beard there, and a when he saw himself in the moon’s reflection of a puddle, he saw it his hair was reddened. Thorin hiccuped and put his hand to his face, “Oh, Dwalin,” muttering Khuzdul under his breath, “I’ll kill him”. His head throbbed and he couldn’t figure out why he was so short, so much shorter than he was when he passed out. He was also wearing dark green boots that had pointy toes, “This is nuts” he mumbled. And as he started to walk, he heard the jingle of coins and felt the weight of them in his pockets, “Oh no..” he muttered, and as he started to walk, he jingled, and hiccuped, and then jingled again, coins started to spill from his pockets, and he scrambled to quiet the sound and pick them up.

Two men ambled by, and nearly bumped into him, as he scrambled to grab a coin, the gold shone in the moonlight and flickering torches, “Hey what you got there little guy?” One asked, Thorin gritted his teeth up at him, “Woah! Nevermind” and they both walked swiftly away. Each step that Thorin took he made more and more noise, and gold coins still spilled out, leaving a trail behind him, “I’m going to kill him,” was all he said. Until some children peaked down from a window hearing the jingle, “Mama! Mama! Look it’s a leprechaun come to help us!” Thorin looked up, his fright palpable, “Oh no, Mahal" And several boisterous youth came bounding out of a hut and scooped him up shaking him wildly. Thorin hiccuped uncontrollably and shouted for them to set him down. They collected the coins and dropped him scurrying off. Thorin huffed, wiping off his pants and readjusting himself. His pockets felt lighter, and then suddenly refilled, weighing him down again, “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me”, he rolled his eyes.

Thorin attempted to make it back to the inn, but what would he do? How would he explain how he looked? Several more men and women came upon him, stooping down to his very small stature and inquiring to his gold. “You look like that King from the Mountain, is that where you got all that gold from little man?” Thorin gritted his teeth, “Surely” A women looked back at her husband, “Maybe this is his offering, a little lad that looks just like him, did the King have kids this quickly, or maybe he always had some tucked away”. The women caressed Thorin’s scruffy beard and picked up some coins that were scattered around him, “Well don’t mind if I do your highness” She grinned and patted him on the head. Thorin hiccuped again, trying to quiet the queasiness in this stomach. He dug into his own pockets and threw handfuls of gold coins at the passersby. “Here! Just take it! I’m sick of this!” Thorin sounded like a petulant child to them with his shrunken form. But the more he emptied his pockets the more they refilled. And finally he just stormed off again towards the edge of the little lake, by the riverside.

Fili was walking back from the lake with Tauriel and stumbled past Thorin as he jingled and hiccuped heading towards the water, “Uncle?” Fili questioned. Thorin did not stop. He shucked the jacket, boots and pants and jumped headfirst into the river. Tauriel looked just as puzzled, “Was that Thorin?” Kili shrugged, “Sure looked like him, but why is his hair red, and look at these coins”, he picked up a handful. He picked up the clothes that Thorin had discarded, and more coins fell out of the pockets, “But well, to go the spoils, aye?” Tauriel rolled her eyes, “We should go after him, he seemed distressed”. Kili picked up more coins and pocketed them. Tossing the clothes back down on the walkway, “Right, right”. Kili’s sweet smile drooped when he saw Thorin wading in the water, at full size. The water was still cold and Thorin felt everything against his body, wearing only a shirt that hugged at his dwarven muscles. His diaphragm seized again, in hiccups, as he swam against the current of the river. Thorin pushed himself out of the water onto the fishing pier where Kili and Tauriel stood.

Thorin flopped onto the pier and Fili stood over him, Tauriel looked away as Thorin was naked from the waist down, “Uncle what happened?” Thorin groaned and put his hand out to be pulled up, Kili responded immediately. Taking off his coat and offering it to him, “Thank you”, the hiccups subsiding, his hair and beard back to normal. “I drank something I shouldn’t have”, he looked towards the Inn, “apparently”. Tauriel looked concerned, “A potion of some kind, you looked like a Leprechaun, a faeish creature of the West”. Kili looked at her, “Do you think your kin did this to humiliate him?” Tauriel looked shaken, “Oh my no, must have been someone around here, but who bears ill will towards you?” Thorin started to walk with them, back towards the Inn, “Only my men, and half the town, of course”. Tauriel looked embarrassed, “But surely not after you have made good on your claims to restore the towns”. Thorin smirked, “It doesn’t take much, you of all kind should know how fickle men can be”. Kili huffed, “Come on, don’t say that, I’m sure it was something harmless, a prank, maybe”. It is nearing May Day, we usually celebrate in surprising ways. Thorin looked down at him, “Well then maybe I should strip you down to your bares and let you dance under the full moon is that it?” Kili’s shoulders’ drooped, “I didn’t mean it like that,” Thorin ruffed up his hair, and hugged his shoulder warmly, “I’m kidding, kadan”, Kili warmed as they entered the inn.

Bilbo saw Thorin first and rushed over to him, “Thorin, my god! What happened?” Thorin looked at him, eyes softening, “I would like to know, Master Baggins”. His smirk faded as Bofur turned towards him, “Oh.. look who decided to come back! And what pray tell has happened to your clothes?” bangs on the table, “Look men, he's been robbed by a wee lass off the piers now,” Thorin gritted his teeth again at Bofur, and clamped his hand on his collar, lifting him to his face, “Did you do this to me?” Bofur put his hands up, “Never, never would I, I swear it”. Dwalin was keeping to the shadows, and he stood, approaching Thorin. Thorin looked to Dwalin an accusation at his lips, Dwalin cut him off, “I did not, my King, either”. Thorin set Bofur back down on the floor.

Thorin spoke to the company, “Does anyone know who put something in my ale?” The rest of the company was silent and looked contrite. Bilbo was still standing a few feet from Thorin, looking down, and mumbling. Thorin turned to Bilbo, “Did you do it?” his anger rising again, “You little pest!” Bilbo put his hands up, “Thorin I can explain, it was a,” Thorin grabbed him up by his shoulders and lifted him off the floor. “Don’t you realize what could have happened if I remained that way for longer than I had, do you?” Bilbo tried his best to explain in his soft tones, but all he could do was start to chuckle. Thorin’s eyes shifted from anger, to something akin to understanding as he set Bilbo back down to the floor. “You really are a pest you know that, what was that about anyways”. Bilbo, “Happy May Day?” he offered. And got a fresh tankard of ale. Thorin looked at him, “And what is this one going to do to me?” Bilbo’s eyes went wide as the King under the Mountain gulped it down strongly and wiped his mouth off with his sleeve. He let out a battle worthy cry, and slapped Bofur on the back, starting to sing along, “Come on, there once was a man..” then stomped his feet, still pants-less in the inn. Within a few moments Dwalin brought him some spare clothes from his saddle bag. Bilbo sat down, wiping the sweat off his brow, nervously as Tauriel stepped to him, “That was pretty risky, Bilbo, what was your plan?” Bilbo placed his handkerchief back in his vest pocket, “Oh I just wanted him to feel smaller and maybe spread some cheer around”. Tauriel looked at him, “But why, he is your friend is he not?”

Bilbo looked at her, “yes of course, and sometimes in brotherly love we all need to be taught humility”. He chuffed, and she stood proudly again, “I see, well, your lucky that Thorin respects and cares for you, that you can play such pranks on him”. Bilbo looked at Thorin again, clothed and merry, “I am indeed yes, he is a good dwarf, as well as a good leader, I will remember that”. Tauriel spoke to him as she watched Kili and Thorin dance arm in arm, “But I see what you mean about him being so serious. Its nice to see him smiling with his kin”. Bilbo looked up to, “Yes, yes it is".

THE END.

Hope you all enjoyed.

@legolasbadass @middleearthpixie @lathalea @riepu10 @evenstareedits @scariusaquarius @littlesweetdressmaker

@fizzyxcustard @enchantzz

#Lyns writing event 2024

#richard armitage #fanfiction #thorin oakenshield #magic #drunkenness #leprechaun #gold #hiccups #potions #the hobbit #pranks #humour #lyns writing event 2024

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vab9919 · 3 months

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Possible Spoilers

So this should be my last (I may add comments if I rewatch tonight) post about Lisa Frankenstein but I thought I should maybe do a better job at giving my thoughts on it. As someone who lost their mom in a tragic and unexpected way i personally can relate to Lisa a little in that way and i think that’s why i absolutely can’t stand Janet. Lisa went through one of the worst things someone can go through and Janet was just a shitty person about it. And while I don’t think she necessarily deserved what she got, it was a really big case of what goes around comes back around. But when taffy mentioned Janet’s earrings I almost lost it. And then there’s what happened to Doug was pretty much some intense justice. While I obviously don’t condone what they did to him he was obviously on his way to doing some pretty horrific stuff to women and needed to be stopped before he escalated. And then there’s Michael. While I’m glad he tried to be friends with Lisa he ultimately was kinda shitty. He should’ve told Lisa how he felt. I don’t think he deserved what he got though. Then there’s Taffy. Honestly I can forgive her for the whole Michael thing because she really did care about Lisa and tried to be a good sister. And Dale, he’s basically just there. He doesn’t really do or care much about anything. And finally Lisa. I definitely don’t think she’s a good person. Overall it’s a fun romantic horror comedy with characters who are pretty shitty people.

#me #lisa frankenstein #movies

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nightmareofthelake · 5 months

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rabbit's foot and deer antler (Part 2/2)

The aftermath of Part 1

David looked down at his glass filled with liquid amber and ice. He'd never been one to drown his feelings, but today seemed like a good day to try. “Why the long face, my friend?” The magician looked up at Aldous, who was cleaning some of the glasses. “Do I deserve to be forgiven?” The answer was no, David knew that, but he really needed to hear it from someone else. Maybe then he would finally stop overthinking everything. “That is solely in the hands of the person whose forgiveness you seek.” That wasn't what David wanted to hear. “Please don’t get my hopes up, Aldous. I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

David raised his glass and took a sip. Although he may not have consumed much alcohol in the past, even with his limited knowledge, he knew there was something wrong with the whiskey. It wasn't as strong as what he had drunk in the past, but a feeling he could only describe as TV static ran through his body. David looked at the glass skeptically before looking at Aldous questioningly. “Please be honest, old friend. Are you diluting the alcohol?” Aldous just shrugged. “It’s a lot of effort to bring all the bottles to the island. That’s why we have to make good use of what we have at the moment.” “So you dilute the alcohol to make it last longer?” "Yes indeed!" David took another sip from his glass, but something was still bothering him. “Aldous,” he began, looking suspiciously at the bartender. “What do you dilute the alcohol with?” “Don’t worry about it, my friend.” “Now I’m definitely worried! What's in there?"

But David wouldn't get his answer as a throat clearing behind him caught the two men's attention. When the magician turned around, he saw the familiar feathered face of Harvey. The parrot looked annoyed. “Harvey, my dear! How can I help you?" David greeted him, hoping he wouldn't lecture him about anything David had done today. “I’m here to bring you your new room key, Mister Rabbit,” the parrot announced, holding out the familiar skeleton key. David immediately noticed something was different. He took the key and looked at it more closely. Instead of the usual tag, part of a deer antler hung from the key. “I ran out of room number tags because no one here can keep an eye on their keys. That's why I had to improvise a bit," Harvey explained with an annoyed tone. This reminded David of something. “Is this why Detective Vandermeer has a rabbit’s foot on his key?” "Yes, that's right. I also hoped it would give him enough good luck to stop losing his keys. He currently holds the record for the most lost keys."

David breathed a sigh of relief. After seeing the rabbit's foot, hundreds of questions and theories ran through his mind. But hearing that it was just a good luck charm and not a revenge totem or something similar took some of the weight off his heart. The thought of Dale now having to carry a rabbit's foot still made David a little uneasy. It made his heart race and a strange feeling settle in his stomach. He had to try not to think about it. Instead, the magician turned his attention to his own key. The antler was four inches long and judging by its appearance, it was part of the crown. A really nice specimen. But David noticed something much more important. “How am I supposed to carry this around with me? It doesn’t fit in my jacket pocket or my trouser pocket!” Harvey simply shrugged. “That’s your problem,” he replied before turning around and leaving the room.

#rusty lake #david eilander #my writing #my fanfiction #rabbit's foot and deer antler #aldous vanderboom

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dalishious · 2 years

Text

Everything About the Elven Pantheon

IMPORTANT NOTE: This post is in the context of Dalish knowledge, practices, beliefs and legends, not anything to do with the Evanuris revelations in Trespasser.

Creation

Though the Dalish refer to the Elven Pantheon as the Creators, unlike Andrastian belief of the Maker, the Creators did not create the world; the world created them. The Dalish recognize the sun, land, sea and moon as the origin of creation.

Before anything else, there was the Sun and the Earth. Out of where the Sun touched the Earth, Elgar’nan was born, the first of the Creators. Elgar’nan walked the land, and for her son, the Earth grew all he needed. Green to live on, animals to eat. And the Sun gave light and warmth.

However, the Sun grew jealous of Elgar’nan being able to walk the land and take in everything his mother provided to him. So the Sun, in a fit of spite, set the Earth on fire and burned everything to ashes. The Earth cried in pain, her tears pooling together to create oceans and lakes, and in the cracks on her skin from the sun’s wrath, rivers. And from the deepest part of her sorrow, the Abyss (AKA the Void) was created.

Elgar’nan flew into the sky and wrestled the Sun, ending in him throwing his father into the Abyss.

Without the Sun, the Earth grew dark, the only light remaining being pieces of the Sun’s lifeblood left behind from the battle; the creation of the stars. From the Abyss, the Sun boiled the waters of the earth. Elgar’nan tried to regrow what the Sun had destroyed, but nothing would. The Earth tried to convince Elgar’nan to let the Sun go, but in his vengeance, he refused, and the Earth continued to die.

Then the Sea gave birth to Mythal, the second of the Creators. Mythal calmed Elgar’nan with a touch on his brow, and convinced Elgar’nan to make a deal with the Sun: if the Sun promised to be gentle to the Earth and return to her each night, he would release his father. The Sun was remorseful, and agreed. Thus, the cycle of night and day.

Elgar’nan and Mythal brought to back to life everything the Sun had destroyed. Once again the Earth was filled with life. The remains of the Sun’s heat in the Abyss left hot springs with sacred healing waters. And the Sun kept his promise; every night he returned to the Earth, and in his place, Mythal used a bit of his light to create the Moon.

Elgar’nan

Titles:

All-Father

Eldest of the Sun

He Who Overthrew His Father

Sun's-Death

Taker of Vengeance

Represents:

Vengeance

Fatherhood

Sun

Symbols:

Sun

Thorns/spines

Fire

Notes:

Along with Mythal, Elgar’nan heads the pantheon.

As the Taker of Vengeance, the Dalish invoke Elgar’nan’s name when seeking retribution. They also ask for his forgiveness in transgressions done out of too much pride.

It’s said the reason that the dwarves fear the sun is because of Elgar’nan’s fire.

Before the Exalted March of the Dales, Elgar’nan had the largest temple in Halamshiral.

Some Dalish clans believe Elgar’nan is the god that will restore their glory.

The sacred hot springs in the Dales—the Pools of the Sun—hold the remains of the sun’s heat from when Elgar’nan buried his father beneath the earth. The waters have healing properties. Unfortunately, the Orlesians claimed these sacred waters as their own, and built Andrastian statues all over the territory.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“All-Father, may you forgive our part in this tragedy. Would our sons and daughters have died if not for our pride?”

“Elgar’nan guide me, enemies come!”

Mythal

Titles:

All-Mother

Great Protector

The Protector

She Who Watches

Represents:

Justice

Motherhood

Protection

Moon

Love

Symbols:

Dragon

Moon

Tree

Beam scale

Notes:

Along with Elgar’nan, Mythal heads the pantheon.

Dalish Keepers carry staves cut from a Dahl’amythal; Tree of Mythal. The staves are cut when a mage becomes First, for the day they take the current Keeper’s role.

Mythal is considered to be the wisest of all the Gods.

Dalish elves invoke Mythal’s name when declaring a debt, seeking justice, seeking love, and seeking protection for themselves or others.

The Dalish also consider it dangerous to neglect praying at Mythal’s shrines. Pleasing Mythal means she will offer you protection and guidance, but angering her is to risk getting struck from the earth, as if you never existed.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“I will pray that Mythal watches over your path.”

“Mythal, All-Mother, protector of the People, watch over us, for the path we tread is perilous. Save us from the darkness, as you did before, and we will sing your name to the heavens.”

“If Mythal smiles on you, then you need fear nothing at all.”

“Let fly your voice to Mythal, deliverer of justice, protector of sun and earth alike.”

“Go with Mythal’s blessing.”

“May Mythal protect you in your quest.”

Falon’Din

Titles:

Lethanavir; Friend to the Dead

Guide of the Dead; The Guide

The Merciful One

Dirthamen’s Shadow

Represents:

Death

Fortune (as in the future)

Symbols:

Owl

Notes:

In most legends, Falon’Din was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Falon’Din is known as the overseer of funerals and guide of the dead.

In the times of Elvhenan, Falon’Din guided elves entering Uthenera on their journey of enlightenment. When an elf died, he carried them to the Beyond (AKA the Fade).

Falon’Din and Dirthamen are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

The ancient elves referred to him as “master-scryer”.

Dalish elves invoke Falon’Din’s name on their deathbed, when departing on quests or entering battles they do not expect to survive, when asking to be spared from death, and when praying for a deceased loved one’s safe passage to the Beyond.

The owl is sometimes depicted as Falon’Din’s companion, messenger and servant, helping him guide the People through the Veil. Other times, Falon’Din is depicted as a great owl himself.

Known Legends:

When Falon’Din searched for someone to serve him, he refused to chain the wind, as swift as it was, and could not task this of the People, as they could not live where he walked. The owl volunteered, saying “I am not cowed by darkness. Let me serve you who also has no fear of night.”

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“O Falon'Din, Lethanavir—Friend to the Dead, Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest.”

“Falon'Din, Friend of the Dead, may you guide our sons and daughters safely into the Beyond.”

“May your ashes be gathered by Falon'Din, And carried safely.”

“Falon’Din guide your steps.”

“Falon'Din be your guide.”

“Falon'Din, spare me.”

Dirthamen

Titles:

Keeper of Secrets

Falon’Din’s Reflection

Represents:

Secrets

Knowledge

Symbols:

Raven(s)

Bear

Varterral

Notes:

In most legends, Dirthamen was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Dirthamen gave the People the gift of knowledge, and taught them the value of loyalty and faith in family.

Dirthamen and Falon’Din are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

Dalish elves pray to Dirthamen when seeking knowledge, to reveal desired secrets.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. Dirthamen tried to follow, but got lost in the shifting paths of the Beyond, separated from Falon’Din for the first time. He wandered aimlessly, until attracting the attention of two ravens by the name of Fear and Deceit. Fear told Dirthamen that he would soon fade, lost forever, and Deceit told him that Falon’Din abandoned him because he no longer loved him. But Dirthamen subdued the ravens, and bound them to his service. He ordered the ravens to fly him to Falon’Din, where the two were reunited. Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond, as he did for the deer, and Dirthamen vowed to stay with him, as they could not bear to be apart again. (For Falon’Din’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Dirthamen gave one secret for each animal to keep, but one by one they all gave their secrets away. The foxes traded their secrets for wings from Andruil. The hares shouted theirs to the trees. The birds sold theirs for coin. But the bears hibernated with their secrets. When Dirthamen found out, he took the wings from the foxes, voices from the hares, and wealth from the birds. But the bears he honoured for their steadfastness, making them beloved above all other animals by Dirthamen.

In the days before Arlathan, a city beloved and counselled by Dirthamen was attacked by a high dragon. For three days and three nights the people shut themselves in and prayed for Dirthamen's protection. On the fourth day, Dirthamen shaped a giant, agile spider-like beast from the rock and trees of the mountain's forest. The first varterral drove away the dragon, and from that day on, guarded the city and its people.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Andruil

Titles:

The Huntress

Lady of Fortune (as in luck)

Lady of the Hunt

Sister of the Moon

Mother of Hares

Represents:

Hunting

Survival

Luck

Symbols:

Hare

Owl

Notes:

In some legends, Andruil is the daughter of Elgar’nan and Mythal. In others, she was born of the Earth.

Where Sylaise is known as docile, Andruil is known as wild.

Andruil watches over the animals of the Earth, and taught the People to respect all of nature; to never misuse the Earth’s gifts.

Her greatest teaching to the People was the Vir Tandahal; the Way of the Three Trees. There are different versions of the Vir Tanadahl (see below).

Dalish elves pray to Andruil for guidance on where to hunt, where to raise their halla, and where to settle and build. They also invoke her name when looking for good luck.

Andruil brings messages to the People by an owl, and the Dalish teach their children to watch for the owl’s messages.

Enchanted belts called Andruil’s Blessing are given to honoured allies of a clan.

In the time of the Dales independence, at least one forest was dedicated to Andruil, where a sanctuary for her worshippers was built. The sanctuary is now a haunted tour location for Orlesian nobles.

Vir Tandahal:

Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow – 1. “Be swift and silent; strike true, do not waver, and let not your prey suffer.” 2. “Fly straight and do not waver.”

Vir Bor'assan: the Way of the Bow – 1. “As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength.” 2. “Bend but never break.”

Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood / the Way of the Forest – 1. “Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn.” 2. “Together we are stronger than the one.”

The Vir Tanadahl applies to more than just hunting, but is a way of life for those who follow it. The mantra’s metaphors teach resiliency, respect and unity as much as they do a code of conduct for hunting.

Known Legends:

Fen’Harel was one day hunting for halla without the blessing of Andruil. As punishment, she tied him to a tree and declared he would need to server her in bed for a year and a day. However, Fen’Harel was also sought after by the Forgotten One Anaris, who found Andruil’s camp and sought to battle Andruil over claim on Fen’Harel. However, Fen’Harel tricked his way out of the situation by manipulating both opponents to lose focus on him, so he could escape. (For Fen’Harel’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain was blinded by a vengeful hunter after she cursed him, Andruil turned Ghilan’nain into the first halla, so she could find her way home and then lead her sisters to bring the hunter to justice. (For Ghilan’nain’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Andruil guide your path.”

“Andruil bless your hunt.”

“Andruil, grant me your power!”

Sylaise

Titles:

The Hearthkeeper

Represents:

Hearth

Home

Foraging

Domestic arts

Symbols:

Herbs

Fire

Notes:

In most legends, Sylaise was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Sylaise taught the People how to use fire, how to heal with herbs and magic, how to deliver babies, and textile arts such as spinning and weaving.

Where Andruil is known as wild, she is known as docile.

She is seen as a protector of children.

The Dalish pray to Sylaise to spare the sick and watch over the innocent. They invoke her name every time a fire is kindled, and thank her when it is quenched. They also invoke her name in marriage vows, asking to protect the home.

While most Dalish elves follow Andruil’s Vir Tandahal, there are those who instead choose to follow Sylaise’s Vir Atish’an; the Way of Peace. Not much is known about these teachings, other than that it is the way followed by healers.

Dalish elves sprinkle tree-moss over their aravels as offerings to Sylaise.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Sylaise enaste var aravel.” (“Sylaise favour/bless our home.”)

June

Titles:

Master of Crafts

Represents:

Crafts / Craftsmanship

Building

Symbols:

Bent branches

Anvil

Notes:

In most legends, June was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

June used Sylaise’s lessons to teach the People how to fashion weapons for hunting Andruil’s gifts. He taught them how to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark to stay warm.

Dalish elves dedicate most of their crafts to June.

In the days of the independent Dales, the High Keepers of June were all smiths.

Of all the Creators, June is the least understood.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Ghilan’nain

Titles:

Mother of the Halla

Represents:

Guidance

Navigation

Halla

Symbols:

Halla

Notes:

Ghilan’nain was once a follower of Andruil, who rose Ghilan’nain to godhood for her devotion to animals.

As an elf, she is described as having snow-white hair.

In times of great need, Ghilan’nain will send a golden halla to the Dalish, to guide them safely. This halla is known as Hanal’ghilan; the Pathfinder.

Known Legends:

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain came across a hunter who killed a hawk without making an offering to Andruil, she demanded he do so. When the hunter refused, Ghilan’nain called upon Andruil’s wrath to curse the hunter with the inability to ever kill another living creature. The curse worked, and the hunter was mocked by his peers for his inability to hunt. Seeking vengeance, he lured Ghilan’nain away from her sisters with promises that he learned his lesson and wanted her to teach him how to make a proper offering. Of course, the moment they were alone, he attacked Ghilan’nain, bound her, blinded her, and wounded her. But he was unable to kill her due to the curse, so he left her to die in the woods. Ghilan’nain prayed to Andruil for help, and Andruil sent her hares to chew through the bindings to free Ghilan’nain. However, she was still left wounded and blinded. Andruil transformed her into the first halla, so that she could find her way back to her sisters, and then lead them to the hunter to enact justice. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Ghilan’nain used her power to create fantastical beasts, the likes of which were hunted by Andruil. After a year of killing, Andruil approached Ghilan’nain with an offer: destroy her creatures, and she would be made a goddess. Ghilan’nain agreed, with a few exceptions: She destroyed her creatures of the air except those she presented to Andruil as a gift. She destroyed her creatures of the sea except those deep in the ocean, for they were too perfect. She destroyed her creatures of the earth, except for the halla, as she cherished them too much.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Ghilan’nain guide my hand.”

Fen’Harel

Titles:

Dread Wolf

The Great Wolf

The Great Deceiver

Lord of Tricksters

Represents:

Tricks / Tricksters

Nightmares

Misfortune

Deception

Symbols:

Wolf

Notes:

Fen’Harel is kin to both the Creators and the Forgotten Ones.

It is said that Fen’Harel kept to himself, away from the People. After the fall of Arlathan and the sealing away of the Creators and Forgotten Ones, he alone now freely roams the Fade on the hunt for dreams.

Dalish set statues of Fen'Harel outside their camps to frighten harmful spirits, and leave offerings at shrines to him like any other god. They also invoke Fen’Harel’s name when avoiding tragedy, as thanks for turning a blind eye to them.

Fen’Harel fears crossing the ire of hounds.

Known Legends:

In the days of Arlathan, a village came together and prayed for Fen’Harel to slay a great beast that tormented them. Fen’Harel appeared, assessed that the beast would kill him in a fight, and instead shot an arrow into the sky. The villagers asked how he would save them, to which he said, “When did I say that I would save you?” and left. That night, the beast killed the warriors, then the women, then the elders. But when the beast went for the children, the arrow Fen’Harel shot into the sky came back down into its mouth and killed the beast. While the children wept for the loss of their families, they still made an offering to Fen’Harel in thanks, because he did what the villagers asked of him.

There was once an elven king who lost one of his two daughters to a snake bite. At the funeral, a young noble man caught sight of an elven lady so beautiful that it broke his heart not to know who she was. Customs forbade him from talking during the funeral. The noble prayed to all the Creators that he would see this elven lady again, until finally he prayed to Fen’Harel; the only one to answer. Fen’Harel told the noble if he wanted to see this lady again, he simply needed to kill the king’s other daughter.

When the Creator Andruil and Forgotten One Anaris battled over who would punish Fen’Harel for wrongs he’d done against each of them, Fen’Harel tricked his way to freedom. During the fight, Fen’Harel called out to Anaris that there was a weakness in Andruil’s armour. Anaris took advantage of this and severely wounded Andruil, seemingly winning the battle. Fen’Harel said that since Anaris only won because of him, he should get his freedom. This distracted Anaris long enough for the Andruil to rise up again and attack the Anaris from behind. The two were so badly injured that they fell unconscious, allowing Fen’Harel to chew through his ropes to escape. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Fen’Harel is the one responsible for locking away the gods from the People. In one version of the legend, he tricked the Creators and the Forgotten Ones to retreat to the Beyond and the Void by proposing a truce. In another version of the legend, he lied about the location of a great weapon to win the war, luring them into each location respectfully. Whatever the method, the end of the tale is the same: Fen’Harel sealed away the Creators in the Beyond and their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal world.

An elderly Keeper of a clan in the Silent Plains had a coursing hound companion. When the Keeper slept, Fen’Harel thought to steal the Keeper’s dreams, but the hound protected his master, and chased Fen’Harel away. The hound caught Fen’Harel by the tail, and the two went around in circles before Fen’Harel eventually chewed off his own tail in order to escape. He has ever since feared hounds.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“He Who Hunts Alone, the Dread Wolf. He will come for us in the end, but today he turned a blind eye, and for that, we are thankful.”

“May the Dread Wolf never hear your footsteps.”

“May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent.”

“May Fen’Harel chase your spirit across the Beyond forever!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf hunt you for the rest of your days!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf take you.” (A curse)

-----

SOURCES:

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

Dragon Age: Redemption

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 1

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 2

Dragon Age: RPG Book

Codex entry: The Dalish Elves (DA:O)

Codex entry: Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance (DA:O)

Codex entry: Mythal: the Great Protector (DA:O)

Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt (DA:O)

Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide (DA:O)

Codex entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets (DA:O)

Codex entry: June: God of the Craft (DA:O)

Codex entry: Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper (DA:O)

Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf (DA:O)

Codex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla (DA:O)

Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two (DA:O)

Codex entry: Bear (DA:O)

Codex entry: Varterral (DA:2)

Codex entry: Vir Atish'an (DA:2)

Codex entry: Andruil's Messenger (DA:I)

Codex entry: Song to Falon'Din (DA:I)

Codex entry: Twins in Shadow (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 1 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Judicael's Crossing (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Silentir (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Tenebrium (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Letter from the Hero of Ferelden (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Ghoulish Delight (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Mystery of June (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Rebel God (DA:I)

Codex entry: Vallasdahlen (DA:I)

Landmark: Pools of the Sun (DA:I)

Landmark: The Guide of Falon'Din (DA:I)

Landmark: Offering to the Dread Wolf (DA:I)

Item description: Mythal's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Andruil's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Robes of the High Keeper (DA:I)

Item description: Elgar'nan Enaste (DA:I)

Item description: Evanura (DA:I)

Text appearing over statues at the Dalish camp in the Brecilian Forest (DA:O)

Dialogue with Tamlen in The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients (DA:O)

Dialogue with Lanaya in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Zathrian in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Maren and Velanna in Awakening (DA:O)

Dialogue with Marethari in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Marethari in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Mirror Image (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Memento of the Dalish (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill about Hawke’s mabari (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in battle (DA:2)

Dialogue with Ineria in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with the elderly widower in the Flowers for Senna (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan and Morrigan in What Pride Had Wrought (DA:I)

Dialogue with Keeper Hawen after gaining Dalish approval (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Vivienne in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Ithiren in The Golden Halla (DA:I)

War Table mission: Contact Clan Lavellan (DA:I)

-----

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#dragon age #elves #elven pantheon #creators #meta

369 notes · View notes

myocsfanfictions · 5 months

Text

The Road Ahead of Us - TWD (Season 2)

The Walking Dead Fanfiction

MASTERLIST

They had left Atlanta behind, trying to reach Fort Benning; but during an apocalypse nothing ever goes at it is planned. Sarah and Nicolette will have to face new challenges and dangers. How will they survive?

<< Previous - Next >>

Chapter 27

NICOLETTE

They didn’t need that too. Not so soon.

The plan was perfect, he would have survived, why would he risk everything right now? If they’d found him, they would have killed him now. Shane would have without blinking and eye, he seemed eager to get rid of the guy and now no one would have opposed to that.

“It’s getting late,” Sarah said folding her own hands as she paced the house, “They should be back by now.”

Outside the sun had disappeared, the sky were now dark. And that sight that she had grew so used to had become gloomy and creepy, maybe remembering what had happened just the night before.

“I’m sure that they’ll be back soon,” Patricia said moving next to Sarah rubbing her arm.

“Maybe we should go find them,” Carl suggested, but Lori shook her head at his son.

“No, we are not moving,” she said, before pointing upstairs, “Go in Maggie’s room.”

“Mom, they could need our help!” Carl protested but the woman wasn’t having it.

“Go, Carl! Now!” She exclaimed and Nicki observed the boy’s lip tightening before walking upstairs.

“It’s dark,” Sarah said again nervously, “Daryl never follows traces in the dark, he said that!” Nicki stood up, as Andrea went to her sister trying to convince her that they were safe. But everyone believed it. Nicki looked up the stairs again, taking a breath before making her way upstairs. She looked around, then going towards Maggie’s room. And when she opened the door, she saw that Carl had opened the window and he was ready to climb out.

“You’re nothing if not predictable,” Nicki said closing the door behind her back.

Carl scoffed, “What?” He said, “Are you gonna tell my mom?”

Nicki crossed her arms, “That her son is playing Spider-Man to sneak out of the window?” the she tilted her head to a side, "I'm sure she'd love that."

“What do you want?” He asked after taking a breath.

Nicki shrugged her shoulders, “Preventing you from breaking your neck seems like a good start.”

But Carl shook his head, “I have to help my dad,” he said strongly. Nicki observed him. He had always been the kind of person that wanted to help the group, she knew. But there was something different.

“What if he’d rather have you here?” She asked, observing the boy reaction. He seemed nervous, jumpy.

“If I’m here and he dies,” he said finally, “I would never forgive myself.”

Even Rick would have never forgiven himself if his son'd die for him.

Nicki moved towards Carl, “And what's the plan?” She asked, “Throw rocks at Randall?”

“I don’t know yet,” Carl answered looking down.

“That doesn’t seem like a good plan,” she said with a frown, keep looking at him.

“You don’t get it,” he said shaking his head, “I have to.”

She observed him silently for a moment, his eyes at the ground, covered by the hat as he didn't want for her to see him.

“Why?” Nicki asked. And Carl took a breath.

“I can’t… let this happen again,” He muttered, and that made her only frown more, not quite catching what he was implying.

“What?” She asked.

Carl set down on Maggies bed, with a deep sigh.

“Dale,” he admitted finally, looking up at her. His lips quivering a little, “It’s my fault if Dale died.”

How could it be his fault? A walker had killed Dale.

“Yesterday I went outside,” he said, “I took Daryl’s gun and I’ve found a walker,” Nicki listened in silence as he kept talking, “I was going to shoot it, he was stuck. But… he got free and I… ran away,” he took a deep breath, “It was the walker that killed Dale,” Nicki looked down at what he had just said to her.

“It was my fault. Because I didn’t do anything,” he repeated, “I could have end it there, but I didn’t, and now Dale is dead…” he took a breath, “I won’t let this happen again. I want to know that I did everything I could.”

Whatever we do or not do will affect the group, Nicki had been repeated that to herself over and over, since that day on the highway. Everyday. She understood.

“Come on,” she said gesturing for him towards the door.

“What?” He looked up at her with a frown.

“Let’s be smarter,” she said taking a look at the corridor, making sure no one was there.

“Where are we going?” He asked from behind her, as she made her way to Hershel’s room.

“Out,” she said closing the door behind him, then she went to the window to open it, “But from a place we can’t kill ourselves,” from that window the roof was less sloping, and if they were lucky, since that room was at the other side of the house from the entrance, maybe no one would have noticed them.

"We?" he asked.

"Yeah," Nicki answered simply, "Come on."

Carl was looking at her, with wide eyes, and that made her frown.

"What's with that face?" she asked, pointing at the window, "Get your ass out."

Carl was quick to climb out of the window, making little noise as his feet hit the roof. Nicki looked at the door, before, handing Carl her bow. He took it in her hands and then she climbed out the window herself. Once her feet touched the roof, Nicki turned to close the window.

"Alright," she said, before the two of them started to run on the roof.

"We could climb down using the porch," Carl said, looking down, "I'll go first," Nicki nodded her head.

"Give me you hand," she said reaching out her hand to him.

"I can do it myself," he was about to turn, when she grabbed him by the hood of his shirt, stopping him.

"I ment it when I said I'm not gonna let you break your neck," Nicki said, "Now man up, and give me that hand."

Carl scoffed, but he took her hand, letting her help him to climb down the roof. When he seemed secure enough against the wood of the porch, she let him go. He managed to climb down. Once he was on the ground, Nicolette hang her bow around her shoulders, starting to climb down as well. She could see the light from inside the house. Sarah would have freaked out if they'd figure out they were gone. But maybe they would have found Rick before that.

"Alright," she whispered once on the ground, "Let's go."

They ran towards the woods, where Rick and the others had disappeared. As they were sorrounded by the trees, not even the moon was helping them seeing where they had to go.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked from next to her.

Nicki took a breath, taking her time to answer, "I understand," she said finally, "What you were talking about..."

"Sophia?" he asked and she nodded.

"She ran out of my sight," she said, "I didn't ran after her, and she died," she thought about that moment everyday since it happened, expecially after knowing that Sophia had turned.

"You were right, when you said I'm blaming myself," she kept saying, "I can't stop thinking about it."

"Me too," Carl muttered. Nicki looked over at him.

"I don't think it's your fault, what happened to Dale," she said as they walked in the woods, "But it's not a good place to be... the guilt," she took a nervous breath "It doesn't matter how many people say that it's not my fault, what happened to Sophia. I don't believe them."

"I know what you mean," Carl said, "Both Dad, and Shane said that it was not me, but... I feel like that," he looked up to meet her gaze. It was not the fault that was bothering her, but the uncertanty of what could have been if she had done something else. Maybe nothing would have been different, or maybe it would have been. Those thoughts were so noisy in her head.

She groaned, "I hate feeling confused."

That made Carl chuckle, "You're a control maniac, that's why," she glared at him with a smirk.

"And you are a constant pain in the ass," she fired back but that made him chuckle more.

"Thank you, for helping me," Carl said after a moment, "I appreciate it," Nicki felt her lips turn up in a smile, before nugging his arm.

"Don't be that nice," she said, "It creeps me out," Carl chuckled.

Suddenly though a gunshot echoed in the field. Nicki brought her right hand to take an arrow, as Carl pulled out his gun.

"Did they found a walker?" Carl asked.

"Or Randall..." she said, "Where was it from?"

"The fields," Carl said starting to run. Nicki coursed before starting to follow him. They ran out of the woods, towards the fields where Dale had lost his life. And the only thing she could pay attention to was the silence. Why it had been fired only a single gunshot? If Randall had attacked them, why the others weren't shooting. And if he had ambushed them, they were four people, why shot once? A walker? Could it be possible? But they had checked the perimeter that morning, searching for any gaps in the fence.

"Nicki, do you see that?" there was a person in the distance. He pacing back and forth, and the more they got closer, the more they noticed that there was someone else on the ground.

Only two peaple. But the one standing didn't seem a walker.

"That's my dad," Carl said as they ran.

Now Nicki could see better, and that man was in fact Rick, but why was he alone? And who was on the ground?

Nicki stopped when both her and Carl were few meters away from Rick, that now had knelt down next who now she realized it was Shane. Nicolette's eyes widened.

"Dad?" Carl exclaimed, his body stif, looking at the man on the ground. What the hell had happened? Was Shane wounded? Was he dead?

Rick turned to them, with wide eyes. He then slowly stood up to move in their direction. He called his son name, but a movement caught Nicki's attention. It was Shane. His hand twitched. That movement made her frown. It was strange. But what happened after froze the blood in her veins. Now Shane was slowly getting up, growling. That was Shane no more. It was a walker now.

Nicolette's body froze. Shane was a dead. Like it had happened to Sophia, he had turned into those things. And she knew. She knew he was not Shane anymore, she knew he was dangerous, but for some reason her body wouldn't move.

Carl aimed his gun though. He was crying, but he was still aiming at the man.

"Just... put the gun down," Rick was saying to his son, he had tears in his eyes.

"Rick," she found herself whispering.

"It's not what it seems, please," Nicki frowned at Rick's words, but Carl shot the gun hitting Shane at the center of his head. He immediately went limp, falling to the ground. Carl was breathing heavy, and she noticed tears in his eyes as he ran to hug his father. In the mean time, Nicki moved towards, Shane. Why didn't she took the arrow? He was no more Shane, she knew. But it had Shane's face, his body...

Why did she stop?

Poor bastard, she thought. He must have been bitten, while they were outside. But where was the walker? And Glenn and Daryl?

"Nicki, come here," Rick's voice made her turn, eyeing one last time Shane, before walking towards Rick and Carl, that had gotten closer. Rick passed by her, looking at the body of his best friend, laying on the ground. While Nicki went to Carl. His eyes were wide, tears were coming out. That was the first walker that he had put down, and it was the person that had had such care towards him. It must have been so shocking for him.

"I'm sorry, Shorty," she muttered, putting a hand on Carl's shoulder.

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

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travlersjoy444 · 2 years

Text

The Aftermath (And Normal Blueprint-maker Math)

ROTTMNT Donatello x Yokai!reader

A loose part three to The Junkyard at the End of the World and Midnight Comics.

Part four is here, and part five is here.

This takes place in the bad timeline, a bit after the Krang invasion.

A lot of stuff happens in this chapter, although I imagine you can probably read it out of order? There is a loose plot to this 'series', but it's mostly just apocalypse shenanigans, light angst, and found family stuff. Reader is forced to play DnD, and Raph gets a cat.

4.1k words

***

I swallowed as I read April’s mission report from last night. She had led a party of four and come back with just two, herself included.

There were two casualties, that being Dale and Jamie. April had gone to high school with them just months ago.

Which wasn’t a lot, technically, but it certainly felt like it…I’d seen them off, too, and now they were gone.

“Hey (Y/N).” Said April from somewhere behind me. I looked up from my phone and nodded at her, and she pulled up a chair next to mine.

“Sup.” I smiled lamely. “Do you uh…want some…uh…well, I was gonna make grilled cheese, but I got distracted before leaving the kitchen, so I apparently only made toast?” I frowned, staring at my plate. “So uh…help yourself to some toast?”

She shook her head. “I’m good.”

“That’s fair. I really don’t want any either.” I said, wrinkling my nose.

“(Y/N), I…look, I just wanted to thank you for helping out last night.” April said, giving me a forced smile. “You…you did good.”

I forced a smile in return, feelings about last night still painfully raw. “Yeah…yeah. Um. Of course. I’m…sorry about how your mission went.” I finally managed to say.

April sighed, slouching a bit more. “I just wish I had been….like, I don't know, better. Um. Y’know. Obviously!”

I patted her shoulder. “Hey. April, it’s…well, it’s basically a war, innit? And we’re way way way outnumbered. So honestly…I’m just surprised we’ve lasted this long without any casualties.” I paused to breathe. “Um. That came out way more pessimistic than I meant it to, but the point is, you survived, and Cass survived, and the mission was a success. Our team members weren’t lost in vain.” I finished.

April shook her head and made an expression that almost looked like a smile.

“Oh, are we gathering for lunch dudes?” Said a weirdly…surfer sounding voice?

I looked up to see a turtle-shaped drone hovering a few feet above us.

“Actually I was just about to go check on Cass. See you guys in a bit, ‘kay?” Said April, hopping out of her chair.

“Ohmigod, are you SHELLDON?” I grinned, remembering Donnie’s mention of a robot.

“Oh-ho-ho, I see Don’s already told you about me?” Said the drone, seeming to smile.

“Yeah!” I nodded. “Well, he’s mentioned you.” I added as an afterthought.

“He’s mentioned you too!” Grinned the drone. “You’re the dragon who can build stuff!”

I blushed. “Well, I mean, kinda. I’m no engineer though, just a kid who can draw.”

“Donnie can probably teach you if you want.” Said SHELLDON matter of factly.

“Nah, I’m sure he’s busy. I wouldn’t want to get in his way unless he’s finally ready to fangirl over Atomic Lass.” I shrugged.

“SHELLDON!” Snapped Donnie as he dove out of the hallway. “What did I say about staying in the lab?!” He hissed.

“Oh, speak of the devil.” I commented.

“Why should I? I met your lab partner!”

“Because I said so-No.” Donnie corrected himself, shaking his head. “Listen, SHELLDON. When you ignore my very clear instructions, I feel angry.”

SHELLDON ducked behind me. “I wanted to meet the dragon, Donnie! And it’s boring there!”

Donnie took a deep breath, clearly trying to stifle his frustration. “Nonetheless, your wiring is still pretty raw. Forgive me, but I’d prefer not to rebuild you for a third time. And you don’t need to meet (Y/N). You probably would have today anyways.”

“Oh what? We would?” I asked.

“Yeah, you’re coming to work, right?” Donnie frowned.

I honestly hadn’t planned on it, assuming that Donnie was busy with the safe.

“Uh…I mean, I can? Can I? Because I’d like to, I just wouldn’t want to be a disturbance.” I stuttered.

Donnie shrugged. “If I didn’t want you there, I’d have stolen your keys to the engineering building.”

“Oh. Cool.” I said, unsure if he was joking or not. “Um. Also…Sorry about last night. For being all…short with you and all.”

He shook his head. “It’s…fine. Obnoxious, yes, but…admittedly understandable. Last night was….”

“Well, it was…last night.” I finished, smiling weakly, because what else could be said? Harrowing? Painful? Scary? I couldn’t say any of those without sounding like a complete wuss.

He nodded, giving a weak smile.

“Oh, speaking of which, I believe I owe you this.” He said, tossing me a bottle of iced tea.

“Oh, thanks ‘Tello!” I grinned. “You really didn’t have to-”

“Well, I wanted to. I’d prefer not to be the only one in the lab suffering from caffeine addiction.” He shrugged.

“Oh, so there’s an ulterior motive. Well played.” I said, as slyly as I could muster.

“Nah, he just wanted to give you tea.” Said SHELLDON.

“SHELLDON…” Donnie seethed, grabbing the drone. “Go back to the lab.”

“Make me.” Sassed the drone, and I was pretty sure Donnie was about to punch something if the expression on his face was any indicator.

“Hey SHELLDON, I’ll tell you what:” I began, standing up. “If you head back to the lab, Donnie and I will go with you. And once we’re done working for the day, we can all watch something or have a crazy drone race or something in the engineering building….Do we have a deal?” I smiled, holding out my clawed hand cheerily.

To my surprise and relief, SHELLDON smiled and knocked into my hand with his propeller. “Sounds like a deal, bro!”

“Rad.” I smiled, looking over to Donnie. He was staring at me with his eyes wide, and when SHELLDON turned towards the hall, he leaned towards me.

“How the heck did you do that?!” He whisper-shouted, seemingly in shock.

I shrugged. “Growing up I was always told ‘something-something-cooperation-something’, which I think just means to negotiate and or manipulate your way towards making people like you?”

Donnie shook his head. “Oh, wow. I…I am going to retain that information.”

I grinned impishly, nudging him. “Yeah, it worked on you too, actually.”

“No it didn’t. I already respected and liked you, I just also thought you were annoying.” He said, frowning as though he was surprised that I didn’t know that.

I smiled, a warm feeling rising in my chest. “Oh, that’s…that’s sweet, ‘Tello.”

“It’s just the truth?” He said, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head, still smiling. “I’m glad we’re friends now.”

“Me too?” He said, still looking slightly confused.

***

“Alright, order in the court, Mad Dogs! Meeting time, commence!” Said Leon, clapping loudly.

I sighed, shuffling into the office and plopping down on the chair between Raph and Donnie.

Donnie waved. “Hey (Y/N). Meet me in the lab later- I made some new LEDs, they’re sound activated. They’ll work for your project, unless you find you require something else.”

“That sounds great, Dee-”

Leo clapped again, glaring at us. “Order in the court, Donnie and (Y/N). That means zip it while your handsome-gorgeous-and-clever leader talks, yeah?”

I gave him a salute. “Okay, okay, ‘Captain’.”

“Ooh. I like that. Captain Leo- no, wait, Commander Leo!” He grinned, and April flicked him.

He coughed. “Right, okay. So you’re probably wondering why I’m calling this meeting at three in the morning, right?”

He was met by a unanimous chorus of groans.

“Okay, okay, jeez. Tough crowd, huh! Well perhaps you’ll understand why I called this meeting when I call up our good old friend- Hueso, you have the floor, sir.” Leo said smugly, and out from the shadows stepped…the owner of Run of the Mill Pizza? I hadn’t even noticed he was there. Huh.

“Thank you, Leonardo.” Began Hueso, his voice grave. “I am here because our base at Run of the Mill has been taken by these aliens.”

Leo nodded. “So obviously, I invited him and the other survivors to join us. But unfortunately…we’ve run into a problem. There just isn’t enough space to house everyone- the dorms are all full. If we plan on saving more people and keeping humanity and Yokai alive….well, space is gonna be an issue.” He concluded.

I frowned, leaning back in my chair.

“Well…the whole campus is protected, so we should be able to build pretty much anything so long as it’s within the boundaries. That said…” I sighed, picking at my scales. “We don’t really have any means of making some big new structure, far as I know.”

Donnie nodded, tapping on the table. “Obviously my usual brilliance would usually pull us through right about now, but our main means of construction is just whatever they sell at hardware stores. And a big dorm made of Home Depot sheds just isn’t structurally sound.”

Home Depot sheds…I used to beg mom to let get one to turn into a tiny home. Ha.

Oh!

I jumped up, slamming my hands onto the table. “Guys! Home Depot sheds!” I grinned, flipping my sketchbook open to a design I had made back in the Before Times. “Have you guys ever heard of Tiny Homes?” I said, holding up the illustration of a compact house design. “We can make small structures, so more people can have private space!”

Mikey snatched the sketchbook, staring at the design. “Ooh, I love this! Look at the colors!”

Donnie frowned. “It’s a graphite sketch, Micheal. There are no colors. That is an inacurate statement, and give me that-”

Angelo shook his head, holding the sketchbook over his head. “Just because you can’t see the amazing potential color stories for this doesn’t mean that I can’t.”

Leo nodded thoughtfully, looking over towards Donnie. “Is this…uh 'mathematically feasible’ or whatever you nerds call it?”

Donnie nodded, finally having got his hands on the design. “There’s a few obvious pros and cons, but I think it seems…doable! Plus that way we could cut some of the kitchen space and commons, since each of these would theoretically have individual kitchens and small living areas, correct, (Y/N)?”

I nodded, grinning.

“So…yes, it is actually mathematically feasible. Boom.” He concluded, giving me a fist-bump with his metal hand which I accepted with vigor.

“So Hueso, whaddaya say? Tiny living?” I said, holding out my hand.

He glanced at the designs. “It does look more…dignified than your dormitories.” He said, and shook my hand.

“Aaaand (Y/N) saves the day! Yuuuss! I’m the champion of everything forever, you’re welcome universe.” I beamed, pumping my fist.

April flicked my shoulder. “You’re startin’ to sound like Leon!”

I flicked her back. “Your catchphrase is your own name, April O’Neil. We’re both a bit Leo-adjacent.”

“Touche.” She surrendered with a slight smile.

Leo scoffed.

***

I sighed as I rifled through the mostly empty shelves of what had once been Home Depot. April and Raph stood a few feet away, messing with the stacks of plexiglass, and Donnie hovered above us to grab things from the highest shelves.

We were on another supply run.

Now one might wonder why we would do this. After all, it had only been a week and a half since the supply run that led to two deaths and the injury of Cassandra Jones….And the answer was that, well, we needed supplies.

Donnie and I had taken on the massive project of building all the new tiny homes, and our current line of thought was that the sheds from hardware stores around NYC could work as easy to build bases. This would not only cut down our workload by knocking off the blueprint and design phases, but it was also accessible to anyone who knew how to hold a power drill.

Which meant we could force everyone to help us, naturally.

Anyways, it would be okay this time, I reassured myself, because we were armed with new weapons.

I squeezed the handle of my new chemical crossbow nervously at the thought, though.

(I was honestly very proud of the crossbow. I had DIYed it, using my old pencil-made crossbows from childhood as a jumping off point.)

(Obviously Donnie had fixed up the design, which he did obnoxiously rub in my face, but it was probably all in good fun.)

(Theoretically.)

“Hey Donnie, maybe you should scan for Krang zombies again?” Said Raph, sounding as on edge as I felt.

“No, I did that already. There’s about a 98.5% chance that we’re completely safe, and that is accounting for any possible genetic mutations or evolutions of the alien matter.” He answered absentmindedly, flicking through the DIY shed kits. “Plus, I’ve got my eyes on my totally existent hack-into-every-camera-in New York-app.” He added sarcastically.

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off.

“And that’s not sarcasm. I actually do have it pulled up.”

I closed my mouth. I apparently stand corrected.

“M’kay…” Said Raph, still sounding unsure. Which was fair. I trusted Donnie’s tech, but being out here was….well, scary. Every time I heard a creak or unrecognized sound, an image of Cass flew into my head, bedridden and covered in stitches.

Or even worse, a vision of humans with Krang infections as they slowly melted and mutated into shambling piles of flesh and ooze and organic matter and oh I was gagging-

Why couldn’t we just have a normal apocalypse with normal zombies, darn it! This was all too…Lovecraftian for my taste!

“Uh (Y/N), you good?” Said April.

“Hm? Oh. Yeah, yup.”

“Uh…’cause you’re making like weird noises-”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just….” I frowned, and decided to steer away from heavy conversation. “It’s just…don’t tendons freak you out? Look!” I said, pointing at my wrist manically. “It’s like…you can feel it, and it can tear. I don’t like having it attached to me, so every time I remember that it’s there, I feel like throwing up.”

April frowned. “Uh…no.”

“Yes! Finally someone understands!” Donnie exclaimed with a shockingly theatrical tone to his voice. He landed on the ground next to us. “They’re just…..ew.” He said with a shudder.

I nodded, holding out my fist. “Nice. Another member of the hating-unusual-sensory-things-club.”

He knocked his fist into mine, nodding hard. “Obviously.”

Raph snorted, and April shook her head.

“Whatever happened to you guys like…hatin’ each other or something?” She chuckled.

“We never hated each other, what are you talking about?” Donnie said nonchalantly.

“Uh…yeah you did? Were you even there at those meetings?!” April scoffed.

“Hm. No, not ringing any bells. Must’ve been….a different brilliant genius and creative person.” Donnie shrugged.

I snorted, before faking seriousness. “Ooh yeah, April, you good? Did you hit your head or something? ‘Cause that doesn’t sound like us at all-”

“Uh…Donnie, your wrist thing isn’t meant to be glowing red, right?!” Raph exclaimed, cutting me off.

Donnie froze and slowly looked at the flashing red.

“No…not unless the cameras are down…” He swallowed. “Which would be bad…considering that would mean we have no way of knowing what is going on outside…if I didn’t plan for this and send SHELLDON on patrol!” He grinned. “Cue the maniacal laughter, if you will, Raphael?”

“Uh…Donnie?” Said SHELLDON over the comm link. “Bad news, bro…I’ve spotted Krang zombies movin’ towards you. They’re kinda far right now, but-” His voice cut off.

“SHELLDON? SHELLDON, come in! SHELLDON!” Donnie panicked, yelling into the comm link.

April Raph and I made uneasy eye contact, and I squeezed my crossbow a bit tighter.

“Well…That can’t be good…” I whispered.

Donnie scowled and put his goggles on. “Okay, it’s gonna be fine, I’m using the thermal setting to scan for organic life…”

“Smart.” I nodded, looking around fearfully.

“Okay.” Raph said weakly. “Cool. Cool, this is great. Just…scannin’ for life….fine! BUT WHAT DO WE DO IF THERE IS LIFE?”

“Uh…we barricade the entrances? Er…or we could all fly with Donnie’s jet-pack thing…” I offered.

Donnie shook his head. “There isn’t enough battery for all four of us! You’re magic, do you know any spells?”

“No! I’m not a good magic person.” I sighed, scratching my arms nervously.

Magic was about commanding feelings to your will…and I was absolute rubbish at that. Controlling the chemical reactions that caused emotion was not something that came naturally to me, and I typically logic-ed my way out of despair and insecurity rather than using self-confidence or hope or anything…So magic was, long story short, hard. I had the capability to do it, but…it always went horribly wrong.

“Barricading the entrances it is.” April said, grabbing a hammer from the rack and a few boards.

“No, no, no no no. Use screws you cretin.” Donnie ordered, knocking the hammer down.

She rolled her eyes, but complied.

I frowned, grabbing a drill hesitantly.

“So here’s a plan, I guess…” I began, heading towards a door. “We’ll hide out in one of the back rooms, so that we can barricade less and work less. And then we’ll come out once the zombies move on. That way we’ll avoid provoking them, right?” I suggested.

“Good plan.” Said April, following me in.

Donnie grabbed a few other drills and a pack of screws, while Raph grabbed the planks of wood.

“Cool.”

***

I sat on the spinny chair in the center of the office, going through the stuff in the drawers.

“Anyone need a six-month-old granola bar? It doesn’t expire till next year,” I said, glancing at the unimpressive lineup of things I’d found.

Raph grunted and held out his hand. “I’ll take it.”

I nodded and tossed it to him, spinning around in the chair and playing with some water I’d summoned.

April and Donnie were pawing through some drawers on the far end of the room, their occasional commentary keeping things vaguely interesting.

“Ooh, whoever worked here had an impressive collection of parking tickets.” Donnie whistled, holding up a handful of paper.

“Hm, maybe it was you, Don-Tron.” April teased, and he shoved her.

“Scoff. I’m an excellent driver, sister of mine.”

“Hm, I don’t know, the NYPD would probably beg to differ-” Said Raph, smiling a little.

“Ignore my family of little faith.” He said, slinking towards me with his head held high. “They are jelly that I am yet to receive a single parking ticket.”

“Boo! That’s because you burn them and then hack into the records. …We’re onto you.” Said Raph.

Donnie blushed. “No…I do….n’t?”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Sure, sure. Very believable, Donald.”

“Ooh! Ooh, lookit!” April exclaimed, pulling a box out of the drawer. “They have Dungeons and Dragons!”

“Oh, cool.” I smiled, rolling over on my chair. “We should definitely keep that and play it sometime.”

“Sometime? (Y/N), we are trapped in a tiny room while avoiding horrifying remains of our fellow humans- erm, well, our fellow people. The perfect time for DnD is now.” She declared. “I’ll even DM, I have a few stories we could use.”

Raph Donnie and I shrugged.

“Okay?” Said Raph, opening the box. “I guess I’m down.”

Donnie frowned, raising his hand. “Question: Can we do a sci-fi campaign? And -follow up- can it be set in the Jupiter Jim universe?”

“Ooh, yes April, please?!” I begged. “I wanna hang out with Atomic Lass!”

Raph nodded. “And I want my character to help Jupiter Jim himself!”

“Yeah!” The three of us chorused, high-fiving each other and grinning.

April sighed, shaking her head. “You guys are crazy, you know that, right? You’re lucky that I…also wanna do a Jupiter Jim campaign! Woo!” She grinned, pumping her fist. “Alright, roll up your characters!”

I beamed, grabbing my sketchbook to take notes.

M’kay. I shall play a…hm. A…sorcerer? Hm. No, it’s sci-fi. Uh…maybe a ranger? From like…a made-up planet…Oh no. I smirked. I should be a bard.

Donnie sat on the ground, chewing on a pen. “I’ll play a…rogue…scientist.”

“Shocker.” Coughed April.

“Hm? No, it’s actually kind of predictable. I always play a rogue.” Donnie said, missing the sarcasm. “You should get more observant.”

April shook her head, but smiled. “Right, I’ll work on that.

Raph nodded. “I’ll be a fighter-”

“-Shocker-” April coughed again, smiling.

“...Oh. I see. You were using verbal irony.” Donnie realized, frowning. “I retract my previous statement.”

“And I’ll be a bard.” I said, smiling.

“Oh no.” Raph muttered.

“Also -as a part of my backstory, of course- can I be friends with Atomic Lass?” I smiled innocently.

“Why…?” April said suspiciously.

“Uh- non-specific excuse.” I said, crossing my arms.

“Eh, I’ll allow it.” She shrugged.

“What?! But April- you never let me do that!” Donnie protested.

April shrugged again. “I’m in a good mood?”

“Scoff. Then -as part of my backstory- can my character date Atomic Lass?” He said, smirking.

“No!” I exclaimed. “Ahem, I mean- that’d be pretty weird, Atomic Lass isn’t the type to date a rogue, she’s too lawful-ish.” I said with a cough.

“...Touche.” Donnie said, narrowing his eyes. “Well just you wait, I’ll- ahem I mean my chracter Othello Von Ryan, the brilliant rogue scientist- shall win her over. You’’ll see.”

“Hm, unless my character -uh…what’s a good sci-fi name- unless my character, Yue Lunarshard, best storyteller and singer in five worlds, beats you -I mean Othello Von Ryan- to her affections.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Hm, I ‘unno, did I stutter, Othello?”

Raph coughed. “Guys, we’ve been playing for five minutes now.”

“Oh. Yes, of course, sorry. Proceed.” I smiled lamely, hopping off my chair and onto the ground next to them.

“Alright. So as I was saying, your characters were recently saved from the prison cells of Jupiter’s moon Callisto by Atomic Lad and his crew.”

“Boo.” Donnie groaned.

“Ew, Atomic Lad.” I scoffed. “Best Girl deserves so much better.”

“Definitely.” He nodded in agreement.

“Uh…April, can I roll to ‘accidentally’ shove Atomic Lad out of the airlock?” I asked, raising my hand.

“No, you cannot.” Said April.

“Darn.” Said Donnie. “Can I roll to ‘accidentally’ hit him with my tech bo? Er- Othello’s tech bo?”

“Not this time, Donnie.” Said April.

“What. A. Shame.” He said through his teeth.

“So. Your party is on the ship, and-”

Squelch.

There was a weird and almost wet sound from outside the barricade.

I swallowed and April closed her mouth slowly.

Raph winced as the sounds of grossly squishy footsteps sounded from outside, and Donnie flicked his goggles back on.

“Shit.” He whispered.

“Language, Donatello?” Raph hissed, nudging him. Donnie sighed.

“Shh.” He pointed at my sketchbook, and I shrugged and handed it to him.

He jotted down something on the page, holding it up.

According to the thermal optics, they’re out there and we need to zip it if we want to not get forcefully turned into ghosts today.

I nodded, saluting, while April gave a thumbs up.

The sounds outside grew louder, as though the gross messes of organic matter that had once been human were moving towards us. I swallowed and stood up, my limbs trembling with the effort of trying not to make any noise. I slunk across the room to grab our weapons, just in case.

Creeaaak.

I froze at the noise.

It was coming from inside the room.

I stepped back, not taking my eyes off the dark corner, and I saw the rest of the group flank me in my peripherals. I glanced over to Donnie, who raised his staff and gave me a nervous shrug.

Do you see anything there? I mouthed, hoping he caught the meaning.

He glanced back at the corner, then back at me again, and nodded.

I swallowed, aiming my crossbow, when-

“Mrrow.” Said the thing in the corner, stepping into the light.

Its ears were triangular, its body a weird off-white color, and its nose ears, paws, and tail were all grey. Its body was long and wiry, and covered in mangy fur.

My shoulders sank in relief. A cat. A Siamese cat.

The cat had its teeth bared and its claws unsheathed, but as it looked around the room it began to relax.

Raph hesitantly held out his hand to the cat, kneeling down so he was closer to its level.

And to my surprise, the cat bumped its nose against his hand and started to purr.

I guess it was probably a domestic cat before all…this, I concluded, and I petted the cat. It was dusty, and yet, it clearly took care of itself as evidenced by how soft its fur still felt.

“Hey Dee! The zombies have moved past ya, bro!” Blared SHELLDON over Donnie’s tech-y bracelet, and we all took a collective sigh of relief.

“Oh thank god.” April sighed, and I got to work un-drilling the screws in the barricade.

“Raph, what are you doing?” Sighed Donnie, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Raph trying to put the cat into April’s backpack.

“Givin’ uh…Cat here a nice safe spot to rest while we take her home.” Raph answered.

“Ooh, we need to work on your ability to name things, brother.” Donnie snorted.

***

#rottmnt x reader #rottmnt donnie x reader #donatello hamato #rottmnt donnie #rise of the tmnt #rise of the tmnt x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #leonardo hamato #donatello #donatello x reader #donnie x reader #rise donnie #rise donnie x reader #rottmnt #the junkyard at the end of the world

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jessread-s · 4 days

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✩🍼🤠Review:

I honestly didn’t think anyone could ever make the surprise baby trope work, but Elsie Silver is truly exceptional!

Almost free of her toxic marriage, Winter Hamilton has sworn off men entirely in “Reckless”. Enter Theo Silva, a rowdy bull rider and notorious ladies’ man who is looking at her like she might be his next meal. No matter how hard Winter tries to freeze him out, he melts her icy exterior and pulls apart all her defenses. Unable to resist temptation, Winter agrees to spend the night with the man she never thought she'd say yes to. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret, but that little plus sign is going to make it impossible to keep.

Winter is a very layered and complex character. In the other books in this series, she was portrayed as villain of sorts, but I quickly became heartbroken when I learned that her icy exterior developed as a result of being made to feel unloved by her awful ex-husband, her spiteful mother, and her absent father. It made me so happy when Theo came into the picture because he gave her the attention she deserved, became someone she could lean on, and helped her open up about her struggles. I loved watching her character develop the closer she became with Theo. I think motherhood played a huge role in her development as well. Her relationship with her daughter Vivi is so wholesome and in a way it helped Winter reconnect with her half-sister Summer. I enjoyed watching her grow as a person and heal.

Theo! Dale! Silva! This man is the blueprint! He is such a great father and partner. It was truly devastating to see him come to the realization that he had missed out on so many “firsts” with his daughter—including her birth—all because of miscommunication, but he didn’t let that get in the way of stepping up to be a fully present father and I admire him so much for that. He also steps up for Winter too. He is protective of her, prioritizes her, and makes her feel lovable. I appreciate that he actively avoided being controlling (unlike her ex-husband) and came to her defense when she needed him to. He made sure Winter knew that she didn’t need to change or fix any aspect of herself by loving her unconditionally.

The exploration of motherhood, self-acceptance, finding happiness, forgiveness, and moving forward is what makes “Reckless” so much more than a cowboy romance and set this book in cement as my favorite of the Chestnut Springs series.

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

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callmegaith · 1 month

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Not a big fan of "it's all gloom and doom in Rusty Lake" which is one reason I created Down the Rabbit Hole, because there's hope in suffering. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Like an anon once pointed out, Dale tried to kill David and it didn't heal him. It didn't fix him. So maybe ... He needs to forgive him instead.

In the same way I think Rusty Lake is about how hurt people hurt people, characters pass off their own traumas onto other characters. A cycle that is waiting to be broken.

And that's why I like to believe that Albert won't be a bad father to Rose. He's not the best, obviously. But he's not the worst either. He tries, because he knows what it's like to be a hated neglected child. He knows what it's like to hurt and suffer. And he wouldn't want that for Rose. He finds redemption in her. And I prefer to believe even a ""monster"" could love, even he could have a second chance.

Probably an unpopular opinion but idc, because to me Rusty Lake is about the horrors of trauma, but not only that, it's also about healing from those traumas. Being reborn, a new person, metaphorically, without the damages of your old self. And now Albert is reborn, a new person.

It doesn't erase his past sins. But he now has a second chance. And tho idc much about the Vanderbooms, I am looking forward to seeing what he'll make of this second chance.

There's beauty in Rusty Lake, in a sense that pain breaks us, and the memories of the past hurt, and sometimes our pain causes us to hurt others. But the cycle will be broken. There's hope under all the misery. You will pick up the broken pieces, and create a new you, ready to hurt and love again.

#gaith rambles #im so bad at structuring my thoughts #but I hope this makes sense #fandom: Rusty Lake

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inquisimer · 4 months

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if there was a right way

Kicking off oc kiss week with some sad Lavellan hours between Irosyl and @rosella-writes' Virelan! Thank you for letting me borrow your girl for this little piece💜

read it on ao3 here

Summary: In the bar at the end of the multiverse, Irosyl presses Virelan for answers she cannot give.

Female Lavellan/Female Lavellan | Rated G | 673 words | No CW

She steps through the Eluvian in a fine blue uniform that is just a bit too broad for her slight shoulders. She looks relieved.

Virelan’s heart aches for her instantly. There is suffering in Irosyl’s future, and loss. More loss. She wonders if the girl is more likely to forgive and hope, or if she will mirror Virelan’s own anger when next they meet.

“[[little moon]].” Her voice is low but carries easily to Irosyl.

“Vir!” She’s flexing her hand against a cramp as she approaches. Virelan grabs it, pressing the heat of the anchor between thumb and forefinger to relieve the pain.

Hers used to cramp too, right before it ended. The technique Bull used isn’t as effective with just one hand, but Irosyl relaxes all the same.

“Ma serannas,” she sighs. “You’re a miracle worker.”

Not hardly, Virelan wants to say. But she can’t quite figure how to keep the words from falling bitter, so she bites her tongue. Instead she takes advantage of her grip on Irosyl’s hand and swings her into a nearby bar stool. Her fingers play with the fine golden fringe capping her shoulders as Irosyl calls for a drink.

“And where are you off to all dressed up, hm?”

The look Irosyl gives her is wholly unimpressed, but there’s no bite behind her glare. Just exhaustion at the corners of her eyes; stress in the lines on her brow; sadness in the downturn of her mouth.

“As if you don’t know.”

“There were several insufferable meetings Josephine took us to trussed up like this,” Virelan protests. “But—I can guess. How far out from the Exalted Council are you?”

“We’re on the way there now. Took the opportunity and swung through some unexplored ruins at the edge of the Dales and now—“ she shrugs. “Here I am. Seemed like the last break I would get for…a while, at least.”

Virelan grunts. There isn’t anything to say to that—she’s right.

The bartender slides a peach-colored glass to Irosyl and she musters a grateful smile. As she ponders the drink, she tries—and fails—to hide her watching Virelan from the corner of her eye. Her violet gaze is still disconcerting without the filter of Mythal’s smoky gray brands, but Virelan meets it steadily.

“Will he be there?” Her voice is quiet and low around the hesitant question; Virelan has to lean close to make it out. Her blunt nails dig into her palm as her fist clenches in anger.

“Do not ask me that.”

“Please, lethallin. I am already bracing for the angry shems—sathan, I would know if I need to brace my heart, as well.”

Virelan stares down at the ice melting in her drink. Her lips disappear into a thin line and she wonders how kind Irosyl’s world has been in comparison, that the other Inquisitor does not yet harden her heart by default.

“I cannot.”

Irosyl’s fist falls harsh against the bar top, rattling the glasses. Her pleading eyes turn harsh.

“Then what is the point of this place?” she hisses. “Why does it crop up at moments like this, if not as a warning? If not to keep me from making your mistakes?”

Rearing back, Virelan’s remaining hand catches Irosyl’s chin in a bruising grip and her own rage rises up to meet frustrated anger. Virelan brings their lips together and presses her burning grief through the kiss, tells Irosyl why as best she can without the words she cannot find. Without the secrets that are not hers to tell.

After a moment of surprise, Irosyl responds. She kisses back as she always does—like this might be the last time. Her unmarked hand tangles in the front of Virelan’s tunic, pulls her closer as she feeds her own desperate, worn-down tenacity into the embrace.

When they break apart, Virelan rests her forehead against Irosyl’s. She exhales, breath washing harshly across Irosyl’s bare face as she brings the fury back under her thumb.

“Ir abelas,” she says raggedly. “I cannot.”

#ockiss24 #oc kiss week #my writing #oc: irosyl lavellan #virelan lavellan #mirrors to the multiverse #dragon age #dragon age fanfic #dai

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rucbarthatbowtiesarecooldw · 2 years

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Saturday Morning Session

Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah

President Dallin H Oaks

What the church and its members give to the poor and needy

D&C 58:26-29 “anxiously engaged in a good cause”

Be more aware and appreciative of the service of others

Jesus is the true light that lighteth every man and teacheth them to do good continually

“We are children of one God and we are here to serve humanity”

Tree schools

Recognize the good of others and support it

Have I Done Any Good

Dieter F Uchtdorf

“Fear not, doubt not. Be of good cheer, let not your heart be troubled.”

He would then ask you to repent so He could forgive you.

Remind you of His great sacrifice allowing us to repent

He is your strength and with His help there are no limits, your potential is limitless.

You are a child of God

At the heart of God’s plan of happiness is your power to choose. Choice is the purpose of this church. It is your destiny. He wants you to choose eternal happiness and eternal life with Him, but he will always allow you to choose.

Jesus Christ and the restored gospel are the right choice, the right answer, and when you feel weak, Jesus Christ is your strength

New revised version of for the strength of youth available today

Taught correct principles, govern yourselves

He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you, and that is very different from the way the world sees you

You need to know the whys and the hows, and then consider the consequences of your own choices. You need to put your trust and your faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ has very high standards for His followers.

The Lord is not saying do whatever you want, He is saying let God prevail

If He were standing here He would profess His love for you, and His complete confidence in you “YOU CAN DO THIS”

Tracy Y Browning – 2nd counselor primary

Put on spiritual guidance glasses so you can see more clearly and focus on the important. Without them on the entire world is filled with confusion

Focus riveted on the Savior and His gospel – nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on the Savior.

Jesus Christ is both the purpose of our focus and the intent of our destination

The Savior restored focus and clarity to His gospel

We are richly supplied with divine tools to aid our spiritual vision

When we fix our sights on Jesus Christ we come to understand that He is our only source of mercy and redemption

Why do you believe? What are the spiritual motivations of your discipleship?

Where we look for Him, we will find Him each and every day

See the world and each other as He does

Dale G Renlund

When unsure or uneasy you can ask for the Saviors help – when you ask you will receive it.

Operate inside the framework so you don’t crash and burn

Ask for what is right and good, not what is contrary to God’s will

Believing that you will receive

Receive personal revelation only within our perview, not others – in other words we land and takeoff from our own personal runways.

Only the prophet receives revelation for the church – the prophets runway

Personal revelation is personal – you could receive revelation about where to live, what career to do, who to marry

Personal revelation is in harmony with the commandments of God and the covenants we have made with Him

When we try to tell God what to do, we lose the spirit

This is why if a person tells you they received revelation that you are going to marry them you can laugh in their face.

Recognize what God has already revealed to you personally, and accept what He has already given

“nothing is more pervasive to the children of God, than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the spirit of God.”

Have the confidence to claim personal revelation for yourself, consistent with commandments and covenants already received

Rejoice the Lord is King

Rafael E Pino

What is normal for some may be weird for others, based on their own customs and traditions

If you want a new normal, turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly towards Jesus Christ

Let the normal things in your lives be those that keep you on the covenant path

1 personal and family study of the scriptures

Each person is responsible for learning the gospel

2 personal and family prayer

Pray allows us to communicate personally with God in the name of Christ

3 attend sacrament meetings weekly

We take the sacrament and renew our covenant to always remember Him and keep His commandments

4 participate frequently in temple work and family history work

Combines our families for eternity

Mosiah 5:15

Embrace your new normal by repenting daily

Minister to others

Keep an eternal perspective

Center your habits on Christ

Hugo Montoya

Take advantage of every opportunity to help our neighbors

We are willing to help each other because we love each other, and my brother’s needs become mine and mine become his, no matter if he speaks a different language or lives in a different country.

Love for God is the first commandment because of what He means to us – He is our Father and we are His children, He will always be there for us

Trust in our Father – He always keeps His promises

Be there for your kids whether they are five or fifty

Our happiness doesn’t depend on the circumstances, but everything to do with our attitude towards the circumstances

Express the gratitude you have for Heavenly Fathers love for you

We do not belong to this earthly home – rather we are eternal beings living earthly experiences

Because He lives, all of God’s children will live forever

Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy

Ronald A. Rasband

In the BofM “this day” calls attention to prophetic counsel and teaching

Read an unmarked BofM multiple times

(Sidenote, I’m actually rereading the BofM using an unmarked copy rn, and it has really been amazing reading things and going oohhhhhh wow – its like I’ve not read certain parts before even though I have to have done.)

BofM is more important and precious than rubies and diamonds

“The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.” – President Russell M Nelson (The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It? Oct 2017)

Invitation to give BofM to people who need it, who need to be blessed by it

President Russel M. Nelson

No matter what happens in your lives, your greatest strength comes from the Lord

With the addition of each temple, Godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and combat the influence of the adversary

Abuse constitutes the influence of the adversary

Any kind of abuse on women, children, or anyone – is an abomination to the Lord

He grieves and I (the prophet) grieve when anyone is harmed.

The Savior will not tolerate abuse – and as His disciples, neither can we

Do not allow the adversary to blur the line of what is true and what is not true.

God is the source of all truth

The church embraces all truth that God gives His children

From this pulpit you will continue to hear truth

Always ask the Lord to confirm that what you have heard is true

All Creatures of Our God and King

#ldsconf #tumblrstake #church of jesus christ of latter day saints #general conference #saturday morning session notes

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ally-holmes · 8 months

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Confounded

Day 7 of the 30-day short story challenge

Today's prompt was the word confounded which has three different meanings, therefore I challenge myself even more by using all three of them in a short story.

Fandom: The Hobbit | Pairing: Thorin x Bilbo

Warnings: pre-slash | Words: 903

Also available on AO3

Here it goes:

The loud noise echoed in the royal corridors of the reconquered dwarven city of Erebor. Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, king under the mountain halted next to his head of guards and best friend, Dwalin. Both holding in their breaths expecting the sound to repeat itself. And repeat itself it did.

No more than five years had passed since the battle of the five armies took place in the lands connecting Erebor and Dale. Men and dwarves had worked hand in hand to turn each city inhabitable once again which was a tough yet rewarding work. Needless to say, the relative peace reached, especially when in diplomatic encounters with the elves, had been their own burglar's handy work.

Bilbo Baggins had been so kind as to forgive Thorin for his words and acts when sick with dragon fever, and had shown even a more affectionate heart if possible by leaving the Shire in favor of living in Erebor. Evidently, Baggend had been carefully put in the capable hands of Bilbo's gardener to keep in tip-top condition if he fancied a sunny holiday back at the Shire. A holiday he'd been careful enough to mention to all the members of the Company with an open invitation to accompany him once it took place.

If the notion that the stay at the Shire was meant to be a brief one smoothed Thorin's heartache nobody needed to know. Not only did the king have to endure Balin's knowing looks in court the moment Thorin's eyes softened while listening to Bilbo, but also his own confounded nephews were catching on to his lovestruck demeanor. Even Dís, his sister, had taken it upon herself to 'knock some sense' into him, as she expressed in her letters which came all the way from the Blue Mountains.

Thorin and Dwaling followed the sound, hands at the ready on their weapons. The royal wing had not presented too much dragon damage and it's been quite accommodating for Thorin, Fili, Kili, Balin, Dwalin, and, of course, Bilbo. This license did not escape the Ereborians; they all knew what the king had intended with that simple move. Master Baggins, although a halfling, was meant to be respected as part of the royal family, he had won the acknowledgment of dwarf friend –which was unusual– and of savior as he not only took the Arkenstone from under Smaug's fauces but also kept it safe from Thorin's clouded mind.

Very well, Bilbo's chambers were the source of such noise. That notion nearly caused the king's heart to stop its essential work. However, the crouched figures against the ajar door calmed him down.

Fili and Kili were peaking through the slightly opened door, sharing confounded whispers. When sensing a presence behind them, the young dwarves tensed and turned their heads with their charming puppy eyes at the ready. Dwalin arched an eyebrow unimpressed.

"What are you two doing?" Thorin found himself whispering.

"Well, uncle, you see–" Before Fili could finish his sentence there was a crash inside the chamber.

"Confounded thing!! Wouldn't it work properly, no!!"

Bilbo's outburst slipped through the door. Fili and Kili shared a quick look before resuming their positions. Dwalin pushed the king slightly towards the door. Hence the current situation where the four dwarves spied on a very frustrated little hobbit covered in flour while mumbling to himself. The sight of Bilbo's big furry naked feet dancing around the shreds of some broken vase made Thorin's jaw tense.

Before Bilbo could hurt himself or accomplish whatever it was that he was so worked up about, the weight of those four dwarves pushed the door open making them fall. A pretty similar event came to the hobbit's mind when he saw a pile of dwarves on his threshold.

"Can I help you?" Bilbo's ability to pronounce a fairly polite question with a threatening tone and warning behind his eyes was a marvel.

Sputtering nonsense the dwarves put themselves together producing a cacophony of incredible excuses.

"Yes, well… It doesn't matter anymore. That confounded thing wouldn't work!"

"May I ask what's the problem, Master Baggins?" Thorin approached him.

"I was trying to bake one of my late mother's recipes. It's silly, I know. Bombur it's a fantastic cook and he will most definitely allow me to use the communal kitchen, it's just… I don't know! There's a perfectly functional kitchen right there and I've barely used it since I moved in I wanted to feel like it was mine, you see. Oh, this is ridiculous! I would've been nice to show up at supper tonight with my own baking for you, that's all I'm saying." Suddenly fidgety, Bilbo tried to shake the flour from his hands. "For you all, I mean. The Company. All of you. All of us. All."

"What seems to be the problem with the kitchen, burglar?" inquired Dwalin while pushing Fili a Kili towards it.

"The oven isn't working."

Just like that, Dwaling, Fili, and Kili cleaned and fixed Bilbo's kitchen. Meanwhile, the confounded Thorin Oakenshield was struck silent observing the nervous ticks in the hobbit with such focus he didn't dare to blink in case he missed any of his charming little movements.

Bilbo's plans for a big surprise had been confounded and yet he felt lighter than that very morning; all thanks to the dumb loving eyes Thorin was fixing on him without properly noticing.

The end.

#30 days short stories #30 days #short stories #writing challenge #writing #propmpts #thorin oakenshield #bilbo baggins #bilbo x thorin #pre-slash #confounded #fanfic #fanfiction #the hobbit

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cryptid-killjoy · 1 year

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Souvenance was always observed by this family. Being in Lothlorien wouldn’t change that. The Easter festivities went off without a hitch. It was always the pastel monstrosity.

One of Valerie’s favorite scenes in the Addam’s Family is when Fester’s lover had tried to kill him for who knows how many times and separated him from the family and when Morticia confronts Debbie she says, “You have gone too far. You have married Fester, you have destroyed his spirit, you have taken him from us. All that I could forgive. But, Debbie..”

Debbie, “What?”

Morticia, “...pastels?”

It was the unforgiveable. The time Flotsam was Morticia for Halloween was still a favorite. Valerie wonders all the time how lovely she’d be now that she had the actual body for it.

So of course the pastel holiday is made of mockery of in the Laveau home for fun. Oh, how many Malibu Barbies had been decapitated on Easter Sunday in honor of Debbie under Piper’s guillotines while wearing tutus and ballet slippers since she really wanted Ballerina Barbie. The Laveau kids and their traditions. When Piper started that one Flotsam knew he’d forever love that kid. The pastel paint ball course was a timeless one. It was about time to break in the Lothlorien woods with some color. The place might not have been as boundless as the swamps, but it was pretty sizable, and you best bet now that Chip was here Valerie found a corner out there somewhere to order in some hay stacks to give the feel of a mini course without destroying the lay of her land. He could do whatever he wanted on his new camp grounds, but she was keeping this place somewhat sacred and organized. Everyone was here so there was no way she wasn’t going to let Easter happen as always right at home.

Especially, oh especially because Dale seemed antsy. Piper promised not to miss Easter with the family. So, she showed early face for PR in Peru in a cathedral over there. But, mostly she had a picnic breakfast with her papas next to Kuzco’s mom. That was the thing about being back in Peru The Groovemaster went back to all his old tendencies, habits, and routines. It wasn’t like all the years between had never happened exactly, but he stepped in right where he left off. Yell for New Groove Chef for breakfast. Stare out the big picture window at the water wondering about his dad. Visit his mom. Make elaborate plans with a marker on the window for escape for his day. See? Almost the same. New Groove Maid would come along to erase them to keep them secret still. Somehow it just didn’t feel like a proper plan without that step. He kept the blanket fort in his bedroom built in the original manner he had oh so long ago when he first brought Clopin there. Once he had staff hired he was asking people to do things for him and now it was actually getting done unlike his years at the Laveaus. He wasn’t actually complaining as much. That was a big difference. If Clopin instilled anything maybe appreciating what he did have actually worked. His new staff wouldn’t even know how much they should appreciate Clopin for that, but he sure didn’t mind getting out of doing things if he could.

So the Troullifous were coming for Easter. Kuz simply made Piper agree to get him back to Peru before fireworks. In Peru Easter was a fireworks sort of holiday. It wasn’t like that in America and Kuz was a fireworks sort of guy. So, onto NZ they’d go after Piper stopped in through Feral to drop off Claudius and give that side of the family a hello. She had a little gift she wanted to give Maddy and Bastien besides the baby slippers Kuzco had sent out. She brought her bag full of tricks to the Laveaus too to share. But what all this really meant was Dale got to have some Piper alone time. Their real family all back together for the holiday the way a holiday should be spent. Everything got to feel extra normal, their normal. There was a time Valerie really needed that, but right now a mama knew her son really needed that.

Scout would go running up to Piper the moment she got there. They called each other cousins, but they were like sisters having shared a room for so long. She’d show up in the middle of Chess’s balloon throwing painting. Also pastel nightmare colors inside the water balloons.

Chess hid a handful of black paint balloons in the pile to keep Valerie motivated. Every time someone else got one she’d get aggressive and start throwing her balloons faster and harder. Val never did end up with a goth balloon as she kept calling them. She got frustrated and ended up getting a garden hose just to make a mud puddle just to create brown. She rubbed brown all over hers. Chess would tell her it looked liked her painting fell in a pig pen and was pulled out of the shitter. Valerie stood back and called it “Pastel al la Pig Pen. It’s a masterpiece.” A masterpiece that would end up in that night’s bon fire come evening. Most of the days’ mess would for easy clean up, but not before posing with it proudly for pictures with Chess sitting near the bottom pulling her own nose up with one finger pretending to be the piggie. She was wearing a pink shirt to get messy in at the time. Valerie thought it suited. It was all laughs with those two.

Valerie had just finished her own canvas of balloon art and washed up when she sat on the porch with an ice tea. That southern piece of her was born in. It wasn’t going anywhere. The porch sitting with her cold drink reflecting was a muscle memory way to thrive. Plus, the “voodoo Easter” was a place called Souvenance which was a day of remembrance. Reflection was built into this day in Val’s life. Her adoptive mother’s teachings would continue to thrive in her head no matter how far she’d strayed.

She’d sat down noticing she was still feeling tired extra easy lately thinking that would go away after she had the kids, but it hadn’t. She didn’t realize just because they were feeding from the outside of her it was any less tiring than having them inside feeding from you. It was still a lot of giving away of oneself especially with three. She sat down next to her husband and reached her hand out from her rocker to his hand and curled it against her neck.

She motioned out at everyone having fun with all their backyard games while all dressed up. There was a little goat running around the yard Piper brought. She had easy access to livestock and she was helping out for a ceremony later. Still, goats were so cute they way they bounced around and pranced and kept kicking up it’s feet. Babies were in swings and playpens all around. Even the Marrassa was running around vividly seen as a pair with all the Sunday sweets and games. All the joy and fun activity brought them out. It was then Valerie took note of all the twins.

“Look at them all, Thomas. Love, Chip and Dale, Jetson and Ranger, our pups. Wow. There’s always a third. Its in Her legends. And there it is. Our trips. I didn’t get it at first. Why me without Jetsam? But just look at them all. This is something special even if I don’t know what it is. I think she was waiting for this to all come together. I was just happy everything feels good today and I have such a great family. That’s special enough for me. But I can feel it right now. I just have this feeling something is happening. Something is coming together and aligning in the universe out there. This is something special.”

Chip looked happy. It was a way the world didn’t always get to view him, spine completely at ease out there socializing. He’d only zoned out a couple short moments and when he was spacey it felt right with Raya right there. So, it was a good Chip day. Scout was practicing with her super skills always calling things out she could taste, hear, and smell that she normally couldn’t. It was often inappropriate and got the ews and laughs as well as the amazement. She kept turning those things into a competition with Chip seeing who could guess what things were first. New transition, new games Valerie supposed. Then there was Dale who looked... like Dale. Dale and Piper. Dale and Piper were heavily arming themselves with Chip’s paintballs already shit talking from one practice shot.

Valerie knew her kids were adults now, but there was just something about those days they got together and still acted like they weren’t. Maybe they all had a little Peter Pan Syndrome inside them. Valerie was just grinning behind her glass of tea. She would like to keep it that way.

“Most special thing about today? My boys are happy again. Scout too. You did it. Everyone came to us.” Her grin just kept growing. “Okay maybe I’ll give Piper her credit. You and Piper. She ran towards her problems instead of away from them and burnt everything else to the ground pushing them all here and then you helped everyone find their fit here. Convinced them it was okay to stay. You and Piper my unsung heroes. She’s such a radical.”

Valerie teased a smile his way knowing Piper didn’t exactly plan it all out, but things were coming together just right. It sure did feel like it sometimes and Valerie did like an extremist.

@orleans-jester

#valeriexthomas #laveau easter

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tathrin · 1 year

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🎤—Describe the opening scene

Hmm, I have several stories in progress right now, so let's see which one to pick for this...I think And His Hands Ran With Gold And Shadow, because I think that's the one I have going right now that would need the most changes from the way the opening scene is written to how it would best be filmed.

We would start the scene sort of the way The Two Towers does, with a long pan-in across Middle-earth, perhaps starting on the Anduin and then scanning across the dark trees of Mirkwood, over Dale, slowly closing in on the Lonely Mountain.

There would be faint voice-overs from some of the familiar lines we all know and remember, sometimes mingling together half-heard and sometimes crisp and clear, slowly getting louder as we get closer to the Mountain and to the moment of divergence, until at last we reach new lines, a changed scene that we do not see, but we can hear, and infer, and shudder at...

Galadriel: I amar prestar aen...

Elrond: I was there, Gandalf. I was there the day the strength of Man failed...

Frodo: I will do it. I will take the Ring.

Boromir: It is a gift...a gift to the foes of Mordor.

Galadriel: But they were all of them deceived...

Aragorn: Boromir. Give the Ring to Frodo.

Boromir: Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.

Gandalf: All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us...

Elrond: Evil was allowed to endure.

Boromir: Why do you recoil? I am no thief.

Frodo: You are not yourself.

Boromir: What chance do you think you have? They will find you. They will take the Ring. And you will beg for death before the end!

Elrond: The line of kings is broken. There is no strength left in the world of Men.

Boromir: I see your mind! You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us!

Galadriel: And into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life.

Boromir: It is not yours, save by unhappy chance. It could have been mine. It should be mine! Give it to me!

Frodo: No! Let go! Let me go! Noooo!

(sounds of a scuffle; a scream in Frodo's voice; panting breaths; frantic footsteps on crackling underbrush; silence)

Aragorn: Frodo? Frodo!

Samwise: Mister Frodo, no! Look, Strider, he's still breathing! Oh, hurry, he's still breathing...

Aragorn: But Boromir, where is Boromir?

Samwise: Strider, please! (sounds of someone dropping to the ground; rustling cloth; a moan.) Frodo: The Ring...Aragorn, he has taken the Ring. Forgive me, I could not stop him. Boromir has taken the Ring...

Denethor: And so my son returns to the White City at last!

Boromir: Father, I bring you a mighty gift.

Denethor: Can this be? The One Ring—Sauron's Master Ring?

Boromir: Yes, father. Isildur's Ring, returned to Gondor at last.

Denethor: And Gondor will make good use of such a gift, my son...

Galadriel: One Ring to rule them all...

And on Galadriel's last words, the camera swoops down through the enormous double-doors of the Lonely Mountain and inside to the great hall, tall and shadowed and lit by crystal lamps that are not quite numerous enough to drive away the gloom that hangs in the corners of the tall ceiling and around the wide pillars that hold up the weight of the mountain.

On the throne in the center of the hall sits Gimli, dressed so regally that we can barely recognize him, with heavy beads of gold and gems braided in his beard but, crucially, no crown upon his bare head. A few other dwarves mill around, some by the throne and others lining the walls; it is clear that court is being held, but that it is an ordinary day of no especial significance. Perhaps a few proposals or orders are issued as we pan in for some establishing flavor; their specific content does not matter, because the focus of the scene will be on the slight scuffle by the door as the dwarven guards step aside to admit a handful of ragged, filthy, half-starved looking Men from Dale who drag in four struggling, bloody, wounded elves draped in heavy chains. The Men shove the elves to their knees before the throne, a line of dwarven guards in front of them with others gathered close behind; there will be trouble, and no escape, from either the prisoners or their captors.

Gimli looks bored—a cover for his misery—barely interested, until...he sits up a little in his chair, a look of horror growing behind his beard as the camera draws in closer to him. Then we switch to see the elves he is staring at, three of them with dark hair and one of the two in the middle a pale golden-blonde. Cut back to Gimli, who is gripping the arm of his throne with one white-knuckled hand, on which rests a heavy golden Ring adorned with a thick gem that catches the light and glimmers brighter even than the crystal lamps.

Gimli whispers so quietly that the audience can believe that none of the dwarves are standing near enough to hear him: Not like this. He closes his eyes, swallowing hard as though to fight back tears.

All the elves kneel, some struggling slightly and some staying stoically still, and their heads are bowed, but as Gimli stares and as the camera of his eyeline pans in closer, focusing in on the blonde one, his head comes up and the audience can see Legolas's face, streaked with blood. There is no recognition in his cold eyes as he stares back at the dwarf on the throne.

"A fine tribute," Gimli says, his voice ringing out strong but hollow in the echoing hall. "Tell the Men of Dale that they have earned their people four months of triple rations in addition to the gold-price on the heads of these elves."

The bedraggled Men lift their heads, grinning with joy and relief. Dwarven guards step forwards to take charge of the prisoners and the Dale Men back away, murmuring gratitude to the Lord of the Mountain for his generosity. Some of the dwarves stare at the elves through narrowed eyes; others eye the Dalemen with either pity or distaste. Some confer quietly among themselves, so used to these sort of things that they aren't even worth watching any longer. A few (one of whom we will later meet as Mólin; it is important that he be seen to be part of this scene, although he should not have too much focus put on him yet, to telegraph ahead of time that he is a Notable Character) watch Gimli closely, curiosity or suspicion glittering sharply in their eyes.

"Have the elves taken to the cages," Gimli announces, in his bold and hollow ruler's voice. Then his regal tones break a little, and he says, "Except — except for the golden-haired one."

Legolas's head snaps up, but there is still no recognition in his expression; just a sort of sad, smoldering anger and resignation. The other elves glance at him, then away again, the same grim looks on their bloody faces. One of them snarls at a dwarf who holds her arm, but can do no more than that with the heavy chains around her wrists and ankles and solid dwarven hands holding her tight.

"Take that one to my chambers," Gimli commands, his head thrown back and his voice ringing out boldly across the stone. He curls his lips into a cruel smile that does not reach his eyes. "I will see to his breaking personally."

The elves are dragged away, some struggling and some stoic, by their dwarven captors; Legolas is separated from the others. He holds his head high, his face blank, and does not look back, although two of them turn with miserable frowns to stare at him as they are pulled through different doors.

The Ring on Gimli's hand glitters in a close-up. His fingers are curled into a tight fist.

"Oh," Gimli says, making his voice light, "and heat water for a bath as well; the elf is all-over filthy with blood, and I will not have him defiling my rooms any more than can be helped."

Several dwarves chuckle with varying degrees of sincerity (Mólin is not one of them). Gimli holds his smile long enough for all the elves to be pulled away through the doors that lead deeper into the Mountain.

Then his smile fades to a bleak look of horror and he sinks down heavily into his throne.

We close-up on the Ring again, and see blood dripping from his hand from where he has gripped it so hard that the band has bitten through his skin and broken it.

Then we end with a long-shot of Gimli on the throne in the shadows, the other dwarves at a bit of a distance now and out of focus and looking to their own conversations, leaving him looking very very alone.

End Scene.

Technically I suppose it still opens the same, after the opening...but because we're doing a canon-divergent AU, I think it works best to establish what the divergence actually is, in broad-strokes at least, before the story itself starts. And since TTT has already established this style of opening with voice-over exposition/reminders, it seems the best way to go about it here too I think.

Granted, we could ostensibly actually cut in to show some of those scenes here too, the way they do with Gandalf battling the balrog...but I think it's stronger if we don't actually show anything in this case. Also because we don't want to then segue into Gimli having a dream or flashback, so the cut would be somewhat awkward — but also I just think it's got more weight, in this case, without actually being able to see what happened.

Just make everyone listen to some familiar lines, and then gradually realize that that part isn't the same, oh no...

#wips adaptation ask meme #gimli dark lord of erebor au #gimli #legoglas #lotr fanfiction #boromir #lotr adaptation #lotr movies #lotr #my writing #my stuff #ask meme

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