#i am willing to admit that i was pleasantly surprised
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At this point I'm gonna need to make a binder/scrapbook with your fics and little stickers of Raphael, Joi and heart shapes.
May I please request a bathing drabble? Maybe with Tav and Raph in his Devil's Den room and he takes a bath not caring if she joins. And she does join and omg wait that feels nice Tav, what else those hands do?
Okay sorry I'm done. Enjoy writing the Geralt bath scene with RaphxTav!
In truth, he ought to have returned to the House of Hope hours prior. The debtors have had free reign of the place for the past fortnight, overseen only by Korilla on her occasional return and Haarlep more frequently.
If he's being honest, the prospect is horrifying. And yet, despite the existential dread that stems from his incubus dictating the new status quo in his Home, Raphael lingers on the prime material plane. His centuries of living fade, leaving him grappling with a near-boyish excitement. All his years of planning and expectation are coming to a close. Tav and her friends will deliver the crown. He will assume his place as the rightful ruler of the hells, an archdevil in truth. Everything will be as it should, and the anticipation chases a thrill down his spine.
So, he lingers in the Devil’s Den, surrounded by his mortal trinkets and silence. The contract is not signed, not yet, but that will change shortly. And he has a moment to simply exist. He cannot remember the last time he indulged. More than a century, at least.
The devil lounges in his pool, head tipped back against the side. Rose petals float on the surface of the overheated water, already in the process of wilting. They are lovely little things, scenting the air so sweetly, fading like the mortal lives that cross his threshold. He finds it a pretty analogy, poetically suited for his situation. Raphael closes his eyes. The images that greet him are pleasing for the first time in so long. He imagines Tav, a flush in her cheeks, dipping her head in deference as she offers the crown. He imagines his Lord Father, falling to one knee before him. Mephistopheles will admit he was wrong in his estimations, so wrong; his son has become so much more than his blood might have entailed.
He’s so lost in the fantasy that he doesn’t hear her enter. Unlike the other suites, the door to the Den is always unlocked. His wards threaded through the door, the flooring, and every inch of the building, and so he’s never felt the need. It's the true duality of a devil: ever cautious and never willing to turn away potential business.
Tav clears her throat. If she expects some sort of embarrassment at his nudity, she’s picked the wrong devil. He cracks one open to spare her a look and then shuts it. Raphael feels her gaze sweep over him, lingering on the expanse of his chest and his thighs.
“Yes?” he drags the word out.
To his surprise, his mouse does not recoil or flee in the face of his nudity. Tav crouches near the pool's edge, reaches out, and smooths a wet string of hair away from his forehead. Her nails tickled across his skin, bordering on gentle. “It appears I’m intruding.”
“Oh, my dear. You could never.” The devil grins. Raphael plucks a scarlet-colored washcloth from a bowl of scented water and holds it out to her. “Come. Make yourself useful.”
Her lips curl in that delicious way, a touch of defiance but never enough. She crouches by the edge, fingers curling around his wrist instead of taking the cloth. “I wanted to discuss business.”
“And I am more than amiable. But…” he indicates his state of undress. “Needs/must. Let this be a compromise. Business and pleasure.” It’s the second word chasing a poorly hidden shiver through her. Tav purses her lips. She takes the rag and tips his head back. Raphael clucks his tongue. “No, no, none of that prudery. It shall go far more pleasantly for both of us if only,” he snaps his fingers. It’s an admittedly dirty trick, toeing the line of outright manipulation, but the cambion has always been a bold player in the great game. He doesn’t strip her nude; that would be cheating. Instead, he trades her pragmatic leathers for a gauzy little number. Entirely sheer when it hits the water, but semantics are everything in his line of work. She’s still clothed.
And she fits so sweetly between his spread legs. Tav blinks at him, disoriented at the shift in positioning and temperature. Ever selfish, he traces the elegant line of her neck. “There,” he purrs. “Isn’t this preferable, mouse?”
“Ass.” The hint of color is too high in her cheeks to blame the water.
He chuckles, drumming a lazy beat against her shoulder. “Language. If you don’t watch that tongue, I’ll find another use for it.” Her eyes flare. She is a delightful little creature, his Tav. Raphael dips her hand in the water before moving it to his chest. “Now. The matter at hand. Speak as you work.”
She watches the rag's path across his skin, water sluicing down the exposed muscle. He’s softer in this body than his true form, a man securely in his middle-age, but he’s taken great pains to balance age and beauty. Muscle remains, though less defined, and the smattering of hair across his chest is more pronounced. Tav’s free hand comes up, pressing her palm flat against his sternum. She curls her fingers in the hair and presses them flat again.
Raphael arches a brow. “Your business, dear. Unless you’d prefer to table it?”
“Apologies. I…” Tav shakes her head. The fabric of her new gown drifts on the water; quite an angelic image, if he does so say, quite lovely. She steps closer. Bold or stupid, she considers their positioning a moment longer before seating herself on his right thigh. “The contract. I said I’d consider it and I have.”
She says this while sliding her hand back into his hair, nails scraping over his scalp, tugging lightly. It feels better than he wants to admit. “And have you reached a decision?”
“I have.” He can hear the damnable little creature's pleasure. Nails skate down his neck, over his shoulders, back down to his heart, and then the circuit repeats. She scrubs at a nonexistent smear of dirt on his bicep. “I do believe we’ll find our own way through. No deal.”
“What!?”
Tav laughs. She hooks an arm around his neck to keep him from dislodging her from her seat when he stands. She holds up a placating hand. “Teasing! I’m teasing! You said we were friends now? And friends…” She chews her lower lip. He has half a mind to drag her back to the house and toss her to the jailor. She pushes his chest, leads him into a seated position, and resumes her task. “It’s becoming increasingly obvious I can’t trust the Emperor.”
“Yes. Any idiot might have seen as much.”
“Don’t be prickly, devil. I’m on your side.” Tav sighs. “I’ll sign the contract. Better the devil you know and all that.”
“How rarely forward thinking of you, pet.” She makes a face. One that says she intends to argue. Raphael cuts her off in the simplest way. He traces her lower lip with his thumb, heated from the water. Her tongue flicks out instinctually, just a little thing, to taste his skin. “We’ll celebrate this illustrious partnership, mouse. But first…finish your task.”
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Kleine Schatten
He was frustrated. The little shadow was still following him. Sometimes openly and other times, hiding and peeking around corners, usually after he has blown up on someone else. He works to control his temper, wanting to tempt them closer before he goes on the offensive. When you get about ten feet behind him, he suddenly spins on his heel and covers the distance between you in a split second, taking just two strides before he picks you up and pivots again, pinning you to the wall. He leans in close, eyes hard. "Why are you following me?"
You gulp, trying hard to meet his eyes. "I was told to, Colonel. It's part of my training. S-sorry." You barely managed to whisper the words, voice failing you by the end.
He freezes, grip gentling as he lets you slide down the wall, supporting you when your legs would buckle. Crouching down to be at your level, he asks, "Who told you to do this and why?"
It takes you several tries to answer, but König waits quietly for you to speak, not rushing or admonishing you. He gently rubs your arms in an effort to comfort you. "Sergeant Soap. He is training me in scouting and stealth."
"How is he training you, Kleine? I have not seen him assisting you." You fidget under his glare, and his eyes soften. He stands, "Let us talk more in my office. It is less exposed than the hall. More comfortable." König leads, and you follow, his shadow once again. He locks the door behind you and sits behind his desk, gesturing you to a seat. He sits quietly, watching the clock. You open your mouth, and he shakes his head. After several minutes, he turns to you. "So, he was not watching over you at a distance. I had hoped he would reveal himself."
"He... he made it quite clear that he had better things to do," you whisper sadly. "He said stealth was better learned in action, following a target in their home environment, and I needed to learn how to blend in while scouting." He wonders at your continued whispering, logging it away while he focuses on the information.
"I am sorry, Kleine. He did you a disservice. What would you like me to do about it? I can report him if you want, but retaliation is likely." You're already shaking your head.
"No, I would rather learn on my own than try to get him in trouble... I don't know where to start, though. I can tell I'm crap at this."
König snorts. "You are bad, Kleine Schatten, but I am willing to teach you. You will learn to sneak up on anyone by the time I am done. I am afraid that I can not easily teach you how to blend in. I prefer to stand apart and remain apart. That will not work for you, but we will find a path forward."
You excitedly nod. "I would love that!" Your voice is still a hoarse whisper, but you could swear he smiles back under the mask at your excitement.
"Ok, first we will..." He lays out the general plan, assigning you several books and films as teaching material. You tear through them and report back in a few days. He is pleasantly surprised, assuming he had given you at least a week of material. Your determination warms his heart and makes him even more determined to help.
Over the next few weeks, you learn more than you ever knew was possible about stealth and working covertly. He ensures that you put the lessons into practice, practicing stalking him. You find yourself getting better, surprisingly fast, and he praises your quick improvement while encouraging you to improve even more. You've never felt so driven by so few words.
In one of your talks, you admit that hand to hand is not a skill you excel at, and he assigns you sparring practice with him each morning while the others are eating breakfast. You lose, constantly. But he shows you how a successful move feels during each session, and you slowly improve, even managing to get the upper hand for a few moments once. His praise after that round makes you light up, the words repeating in your head all day long.
Soon, König is teaching you every skill he knows and you are teaching him the few things you know, showing him how to speed read, and as you learn, teaching him how to blend into the background better. The latter skill is his favorite as he loves scaring the other men on the team, especially Soap with his newfound stealth. He imitates a pillar rather successfully you find.
König has assigned you to avoid Soap completely as your new stealth mission. He wants to see how long until Soap comes looking for you. A full three months after he takes you under his wing, Soap finally asks König where his shadow is during lunch. König decides to have a little fun at his expense. "What shadow? I got rid of a spy a couple months back that kept following me around," he says calmly. He watches Soap's face blanch and König stands with his tray, striding off quickly. Soap tries to follow him but trips on his face. He lays there for a full thirty seconds, confused, before looking down and seeing his shoelaces tied together.
Your exit is unremarked upon and nearly unnoticed, but König is waiting outside in an alcove, a grin under his mask. "Kleine Schatten, that was a good trick. I think your lessons of sneaking are at their end." You try to hide the disappointed look on your face, but he chucks your chin gently. "Do not worry. You still need remedial lessons for other things. Your previous taskmasters were poor at best." He winks when you look up at him with your blinding smile.
Just then, Soap bursts out the door with Ghost following behind him. Soap is so focused that he storms past where the alcove you are standing, hurrying toward Captain Price's office. Ghost stops on the sidewalk near you. "Good job on the shoelaces, you two. Mind how close you get to the target and those around them. Your body heat is detectable for those of us on alert."
"Yes, sir," you whisper.
Ghost turns his head to look directly at you and König. "Thank you, König. I will deal with Soap. You, though. How is your marksmanship? Given how many shite teachers there are around here, I am worried."
You smile. "Better than my explosives work, but worse than my hand to hand combat."
Ghost smirks under his mask. "Well, we can't have that, can we? I will coordinate with König to teach you. I know he is good, but just as he is better at hand to hand, I am better at marksmanship. No offense, Bruder." With that, he walks to catch up to where he can hear Soap going off, likely in Captain Price's office.
König exchanges a look with you. "It seems you must make a decision, Kleine." You look at him puzzled. "What kind of mask will the newest sniper wear?"
"Sniper? I want to be an insertion specialist now."
He grins down at the shadow he has become attached to. "We shall see, Kleine Schatten. We shall see."
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Starry Sky
“Good evening, Astarion,” the half elf had such eagerness in her voice as she approached his tent. Astarion’s eyes flicked up from the random book he had found at the Monastery.
“Good evening,” Astartion’s lips curled into a seductive smirk, donning debonair mask in an instant. “How can I help you tonight, my sweet?” he asked, voice coated in sinful honey.
Anya’s cheeks turned a slight bit flush. She shook her head to try and shake the color off. “Uh, well, I found a spot to the east and I was wondering…. If…. If maybe you would like to join me there tonight, after everyone has gone to sleep?”
“My, I did not expect you to be this forward, darling,” Astarion said, watching as her cheeks turned a few shades deeper of red. “With such a sweet proposal, how could I possibly say no? I will see you then.” despite his sweet words all he could do internally was groan.
“Wonderful!” Anya said, blue eyes lighting up with excitement. “I will see you later, then,” Anya instantly turned and scampered off to her tent.
As soon as she was out of sight Astarion put a hand on his head and moved his hair back, letting out a sigh.
This was great for his plan. Her coming to him instead of the other way around? That meant Astartion’s trap to get her wrapped around his finger was working fantastically.
The only issue was he was in no mood for sex. He would rather spend the night doing something else, but denying her right now? When she came to him? He might lose her. And well she certainly wasn’t his first choice with her instance of being a goodie goodie two shoes all the damn time… Anya was the only choice he had in this camp of freaks and weirdos.
Ah well, it wasn’t like this was the first or the last time he would have to grin and bear it. Plus, their first night together had been… His own thoughts hesitated on the word to describe it. He wouldn’t say pleasant necessarily but more enjoyable than his average night. He may very well find himself pleasantly surprised. He didn’t hold out hope but it was possible, especially if she was willing to be more bold.
“I suppose I will have to see…”
Despite how he tried to amp himself up for the night, Astarion’s feet still dragged as he ventured down the most obvious path east. His face didn’t hide his discontent as he drudged forward.
He could turn around, the thought kept pestering him. Claim he had seen something in the shadows and decided to stay back to keep watch. Anya might believe him, she might even be happy that he was showing concern for the others. He hummed at the thought and stopped dead in his tracks. The thought became more and more tempting.
No. No. He should just get this over with. All Astarion had to do was make it quick.
It wasn’t too much longer before he stopped. Near the edge of a cliff, he could see Anya. She paced back and forward, trampling over a blanket she had set out and just barely not knocking into a wicker basket. Her arms were crossed, eyes glued to the ground.
“Well there you are, my dear,” Astarion said as he walked over.
Anya’s head flicked right to him, the expression of anxiety faded to a smile. “Astarion,” the excitement in her tone was clear. “I was getting a little worried,” she admitted as she sat down on the blanket, patting the spot next to her. “Come sit, the view from here is lovely.”
“Apologies for my tardiness, Halsin caught me on the way out and we got wrapped in conversation,” Astarion said as he took the seat next to her. “But now I am all yours and you are all mine… at least until the sun rises,” he leaned closer to her, getting closer to her.
“Well I am glad I have you!” Anya said as she leaned over to the basket. She shifted through it and he could hear glass clinking together. The sound had come from a bottle and a wine glass. She popped the wine bottle open and poured it into the glass, offering it to him.
Astarion stared at her for a moment as he looked at the glass in her fingers. He almost hesitated as his finger plucked the glass. “Why, thank you,” he said as he took a sip. It was velvet down his throat, probably the best wine he had since he had been thrusted into the wilderness. “Hmm, lovely.”
“I am glad,” Anya placed the bottle down between them.
“Not going to drink any yourself?” Astarion asked, raising an eyebrow. The glass went down easily and he moved to pick up the bottle.
“Nope, it is all for you. Shadowheart said it was a fancier blend and I want you to be able to enjoy it,” Anya said as she shifted into the basket and held up a bottle of water. “Don’t worry about me going dehydrated, though.”
Astarion’s eyes narrowed a little bit as he looked at her. “Oh? Any particular reason you are gifting me with a bottle of wine if not to share it, then?” he asked as he took a swig. The blend was familiar. This was Baldur’s Grape… “And where did you get this?
“Well exploring the monastery today, Shadowheart and I found some with all of the firewine. She did take most of it but I talked her into giving me a bottle. As for why you mentioned not liking the wine at the Tiefling party, so thought this might be nice,” Anya’s head shifted to looking at the blanket of stars across the sky.
“I see… Well, I have to appreciate it, quite a fine bottle she selected,” Astarion said as he took another swig, longer this time. He placed the bottle down on the other side of him as he shifted himself a bit closer to her. “This is quite the sweet sentiment, my dear,” Astarion’s hand moved, resting upon her thigh.
Anya’s cheeks turned red at the contact and her eyes glanced at him before back at the sky. “I am glad you think so,” her voice cracked just a little bit. “It-it is lovely tonight, you can see all of the constellations so vividly,” her finger pointed to a cluster of stars together. “There is Ursa Major, and then Ursa Minor. I also can see Cygnus, Draco and Cassiopeia.”
Astarion’s eyebrows furrowed together in a moment of frustration, but his eyes did follow where she pointed. “I never understood the point of constellations. I don’t see a bear and I don’t see a swan or whatever else it is supposed to represent,” Astarion said.
“Well, I cannot blame you for that,” Anya said. “A lot of people see the constellations differently. But most of them come from and are associated with stories, sometimes multiple…. The story behind Cygnus has been changed multiple times for example.”
“Oh? And what are those stories then?” Astarion asked.
“Well, I think the current most popular story behind begins with Phaethon, son of the sun god Apollo. Phaethon took the reigns of Apollo’s golden chariot, however Phaethon had not the skills to pilot the sun. It threatened to raze the earth,” Anya swooped her hand down. “So Zeus struck him down, knowing him into the river Eridanus where he unfortunately drowned. His friend or depending on the interpretation lover, Cygnus grieved and mourned. He went into the river to try and retrieve the body. The gods were touched by this demonstartion that they put him into the stars.”
“Sounds like lovers to me… even if it seems like a waste of time going after a body,” Astarion almost scoffed at the idea. Why waste time on the literal dead? It wasn’t like grabbing the body itself could bring them back. “Seems like the gods did him the wrong favor. Could have brought him back.”
“A proper burial was extremely important for crossing into the afterlife,” Anya said. “And bringing the dead back is no easy feat, in fact it actually links to another interruption where a man tried to bring his love back from the dead.”
“Oh?”
“Well, in one version of Cygnus it is actually Orphesus being depicted. Do you know the myth of Orphesus and Eurydice?” Anya asked, turning her head towards the vampire.
“Uh, vaguely, isn’t that one about the guy who went to the underworld to get his lover back and did the one thing that would ensure he wouldn’t?” Astarion asked as he picked up the bottle again. “What does that have to do with swans?”
“Exactly right! And an excellent question,” Anya said as she took a long sip from her water. “The answer is that Orphesus, overtaken by sadness, began to play music so melancholic it would wilt the world around him. This was murdered and then placed into the sky as a swan, with his lyre beside him,” Anya said as she pointed to a smaller constellation next to it.
“That seems cruel, putting him among the stars when his beloved is underground.”
“I don’t disagree, but most of the time the gods, especially the Greek ones, are. Hell, even with the constellation we are talking about directly. A third way to see Cygnus is one of Zeus’ sex disguises,” Anya said.
“... What do you mean sex disguises?” Astarion asked as he closed his eyes slowly. “And why is it a swan?”
“Zeus would take different forms all of the time to bed women. Whether it be in the form of their husbands or animals of some sort. In this case, he took the form of a swan and raped Queen Leda. This lead to the birth of Helen of Troy.”
“That is kind of disgusting,” Astarion’s face scrunched up a bit. He hadn’t heard much about Zeus. “And isn’t Helen of Troy the one who started the Trojan war?”
“Hey!” Anya’s cheeks turned into a pout. “Don’t you dare blame Helen for that. Helen did…” Anya thought for a moment. “Nothing, she really did nothing to start the Trojan War but exist. What actually started the Trojan war was feud between Athena, Hera and Aphrodite that was settled by Paris. Helen was an unfortunate victim in the squabble.
“What was the feud?” Astarion asked. He hadn’t meant to take an interest in what she was talking about. However now he was leaning in closer not to try and put the moves on her, but to listen.
Anya grinned. “A party on Mount Olympus is where many of the gods were invited… but not all of them. One of those left out of the festivities was the Goddess of Chaos, Eris. Angry at being left out she devised a plan. Into the party she tossed a golden apple with a note that the apple was for whoever was the most beautiful. Three Goddesses attempted to lay claim. The Goddess of Knowledge, Athena, the Goddess of Marriage, Hera and the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Zeus was asked to settle this dispute but refused. Instead he selected a mortal to do the judgment, Paris. Paris was asked to pick who was the most beautiful, however none of the Goddesses wanted to lose so they all offered him a different bribe.”
“Seems pointless to hold the contest at all in that case if they are all offering bribes,” not that he wouldn't do the same. Granted if he was put into a contest like that he was certain his sheer beauty would wine him alone.
“Oh it is. Athena offered him great wisdom and battle knowledge. Hera offered him an empire.”
“Oh! He should pick that one,” Astarion chimed in.
“He maybe should have,” Anya said. “Because Aphrodite, the last one to make her offer, promised him Helen of Troy. A woman who was very well known to have been married to Menelaus, the King of Sparta. With all of his options laid out, Paris chose Aphrodite’s offer.”
“Gods, what a moron. He could have had all of that power and instead he picked a woman!” Astarion exclaimed, rolling his eyes. “Had he even met Helen before?”
“Paris, uh…” Anya thought about it for a second, putting a finger to her chin. “I don’t know if he had. I don’t think he did,” Anya said. “Having met a woman meant very little if she was beautiful in Greek Myths. And Helen was known to be extremely beautiful. Many men fought over her hand and now Paris had it.”
“I am sure that didn’t go horribly wrong for him at all,” Astarion said. “You sure know a lot about this stuff.”
“My uncle taught me all sorts of Greek myths and legends,” Anya said. She had a fond smile on her face as she looked at the sky again. “He would take me to the park and point out the constellations, telling me about them. Knowing the stars has come in handy multiple times,” Anya said.
“How so?”
“Well, constellations have always been used as a navigation tool, and it is a great way to spend time with someone you care about,” Anya looked at him with a closed eye smile.
Astarion’s eyes flicked away as he looked out towards the sky as well. “Hm, I suppose it was wise then. It has been interesting,” he wasn’t expecting to have enjoyed himself at night, but he had been pleasantly surprised.
“I am glad,” Anya said.
“So… how about that one,” Astarion pointed to a random grouping of stars in the sky.
“Oh! That is Pegasus-” Anya began the story of the winged horse. Astarion watched as she talked of the myths, answering any questions and going on tangents…
It was… nice. Very nice.
And the wine certainly didn’t hurt to evening either.
#baldur's gate 3#bg3#baldur gate iii#astarion#bg3 astarion#astarion romance#astarion x mc#astarion x tav#greek mythology
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I have a welcome home request if you don’t mind!
Lee Barnaby and Ler Frank
Frank gets sick of Barnabys prank calls and decides to put a stop to it
(Sorry if I’m bothering you i just really like your fanfics! 😅)
(No bother at all love!! I love writing these, as usual pls dont tag as ship)
Barnaby B. Beagle was relaxing under a shaded tree on a sunny day, laying down on the soft grass with his eyes closed, pipe in his mouth leaking out a steady thin stream of grey smoke, he felt just about ready to take a nap.
"Ahem"
Barnaby cracked open an eye at the sound of a clearing throat above him, he was met with the familiar frowning grey face of the neighborhood's resident Butterfly expect.
His lips curled up into a lazy grin as his tail started to wag slightly behind him happily at the presence of his friend.
"Frankie!" He hummed pleasantly. "How can I help you on this fine sunny evening?"
The grumpy puppet rolled his eyes. "You know very much so what you can help me with today Barnaby."
The beagle opened both eyes and peered up at him curiously.
"Now I'm not too sure what you mean there bud."
Seeing the bigger puppet was in fact confused, Frank rolled his eyes again and crossed his arms.
"Both Julie and Wally prank called me today."
Barnaby chuckled, reclosing his eyes. "Yeah those two kids are rascals, need me to tell ya where they are?"
"They aren't the ones i'm looking for Barnaby."
"Oh?" Barnaby hummed, ear perking up slightly.
Frank let out a groan. "I know you know the only reason they started doing it is because you did it first."
Ah so that was what this was all about, Barnaby fought to hide his smile.
"Now i'm not quite sure I have any idea of what youre talkin bout there Frankie."
The puppet scoffed. "Oh don't play dumb with me Barnaby I know you've been the one encouraging them to prank call me!"
Okay maybe the blue beagle had done a little bit of...encouraging of his other small friends, it wasn't his fault they had decided Frank's reaction was so funny when they had witnessed Barnaby prank call the grumpy puppet himself, that they just had to do it for themselves.
Unable to stop himself from grinning this time Barnaby just tsked at the puppet.
"Why Frankie I am ashamed of you."
"I-what!?"
Barnaby had to stop himself from snickering out loud at the pure disgruntlement in the puppets tone, maybe he was being a bit mean but he couldn't help it. Frank's flustered reactions were just too cute.
"Sitting here and assuming i'm the one at fault, why i've just been sittin here mindin my own business all day. For shame."
Barnaby shook his head, keeping his eyes closed and arms resting under his head. He didn't even try and keep the smile off of his muzzle at the shocked silence from Frank that followed. For a sec he thought the puppet might have even walked away until.
"Oh okay that is it!"
There was some quick shuffling and before Barnaby could even open his eyes, two hands grabbed onto his sides and began to gently squeeze, sending shocks of ticklish energy shooting all throughout Barnaby's body.
The Beagles eyes snapped open and he let out a embarrassingly high pitched squeal, immediately he attempted to curl up into a little ball, rolling over onto his side as he burst into giggles.
"Wha- hehehehey! Frankhehehehe"
The smaller puppet smirked at the beagles attempts of escape, he simply allowed his squeezing hands to stay glued to the beagles sides.
"Now Barnaby don't act so surprised, you know you walked right in to this one."
Barnaby cackled, kicking out his legs and attempting to dislodge Frank's hands to no avail. "Y-You ahahahahaha!"
Frank raised a brow; "I what? I am perfectly justified for doing this after you sent those two pranksters after me?
"Ihihihihi did nohohoho such thihihihihing!"
"Oh?" Frank hummed. "So you aren't willing to admit that it was you who started this whole 'Lets Prank call poor innocent Frank' shebang?"
Barnaby snorted softly, reaching over and trying to grab Frank's hands in his bigger paws.
"Lihihihihihies and Slander!" He managed to choke out between titters.
"Hm, very well."
The grey puppet leaned down and proceeded to drape himself across Barnaby's side, reaching down and, after making his hands into the shape of claws, gently scratching up and down Barnaby's blue fur covered belly.
"I don't mind keeping this up until your ready to admit to truth Barnaby."
Barnaby let out a long 'awooo' before it faded out into loud body shaking belly laughter, the beagle kicking out his legs while his tail wagged a mile a minute behind him, smacking against Frank's leg.
The puppet chuckled. "Though perhaps this isn't the best method to get you to admit the truth, considering how much you seem to enjoy it."
Barnaby snortled, arms out in front of him as he flapped his hands, as if he were unsure of what to do with them. His left leg was kicking so much he was starting to kick up dirt and grass.
He tried to speak but anything he tried to choke out was lost in his snort filled laughter, which was broken up by the occasional soft awwooing howl, beforing fading back into laughter again.
The normally grumpy puppet couldn't stop himself from smiling as he watched his friend laugh happily, it was a well known fact in the neighborhood that combining tickling with belly rubs always drove poor Barnaby up the wall.
Maybe Frank was being a little mean by using this tactic, but to be fair Barnaby did leave him no choice.
"You really do like the Belly scratches don't you?" Frank chuckled softly in amusement.
"It does make sense of course, you are a dog after all." He hummed thoughtfully, never slowing down his scratching once even as he got a thoughtful look in his eye.
"Though dogs don't usually have this kind of reaction to gargalesis like you do, but that most likely has to do with the fact that you are a sentient one-"
Barnaby didn't know what to do with himself, between the tickling, the belly rubs, and Franks thoughtful observations of Barnabys own ticklishness, he could handle teasing but he could never handle Franks on casual comments, finally after a moment he reached out to slam his fist against the ground.
"U-UNCHEHEHLE!" He guffawed. "UuhuhunclewoooOOO!"
He cries for uncle faded away by a final, quite literal, howl of laughter. Seeing his friend call for mercy, Frank immediately stopped. Undrapping himself from across his friends side he sat back on his knees and crossed his arms over his chest, a smug look on his face.
Barnaby was left sprawled on the ground, body shaking with left over titters as his tail wagged at a more sluggish pace behind him. After a moment he let out a long groan, sending Barnaby a lighthearted glare over his shoulder.
"T-That." He huffed. "Was so uncalled for and unfair."
Frank just raised a brow at him. "You could have stopped me by telling the truth at anytime."
Barnaby didn't answer, he just let out another long groan as he turned over to rest onto his stomach, chin stretched out to rest down on the ground as well. Frank chuckled, leaning forward to prop his elbows upon Barnaby's back.
"Well?"
Barnaby gave him a glare before he huffed. "Fine, Fine alright, I might have done a little bit of pushing to get em to team up on you."
Frank gave the top of his head a few gentle pats, which did not make Barnaby's tail wag any faster; it did not; he was still very totally mad at Frank, letting out a self satisfied hum.
"See? Now was that so hard?"
Barnaby gave him a little tiny growl, though it lacked any real anger or threat behind it. Frank simply kept looking rather pleased with himself, as he turned around and leant againt Barnaby. Pulling a book out of...somewhere, Barnaby rose a brow.
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you to rest up so you can help me get back at Julie and Wally."
Barnaby scoffed. "And what makes you think I'll help you? I should get you back the moment I'm back on my feet."
Frank didn't even flinch, simply turning a page in his book.
"Because if you don't I'll just ask Eddie to help, and I'll make sure to let them know that you were the one who sold them out."
Barnaby froze, thinking of the wrath the two tiny puppets could inflict on him, especially if they got Howdy involved. (The two small puppets had Howdy wrapped around their pinkie fingers, the poor caterpillar puppet had quite the soft spot for the small puppets.)
Finally he huffed. "Fine fine, I'll help you. But dont think this means that you are off the hook bud."
The blue beagle suddenly shifted around, causing Frank to let out a surprised noise, but Barnaby simply had shifted on his side so he could curl around Frank like a big puppy, the grey puppet now leaning against his stomach.
Frank froze for a moment before he relaxed with a fond sigh, reaching out with a free hand to scratch behind Barnaby's ears as he continued to read through his book.
Barnaby let out a content hum, tail thumping against the ground in a steady rhythm as he closed his eyes.
Now this was a much better way to relax.
#Pandabuns post#Pandabuns fic#Requests#Welcome home tickle#Ticklish Barnaby!!#These guys are such an underated duo#I adore them#they are just so very sweet#Barnaby really said: I am jus a little guy...jus a leetle creature...i would never do nuthin...#the audacity#ahhh i missed writing these
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~ August's Books Reviewed ~
The month started out strong with me riding a Sanderson high, then I did a thing that I objectively hate and know will 9 times out of 10 have me reading less, which is started several books at once.... as of the end of August I was reading three books at once, yet none of them were finished so none of them get included in August's round up... look forward to that in September I guess!
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
(763 pages)
The stress I felt reading this was unreal... which is simply evidence of how good it is. It genuinely was pulling actual visceral reactions from me and I physically could not put it down at points. I know this is a shorter review than usual, but I can think of nothing else to say.
I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
(748 pages)
An amazing conclusion to a really really good trilogy. The twists and turns of this were so well executed and completely shocking in exactly the right way. The ending in particular I never could have seen coming. If this were a spoiler review I'd be able to go on more, but for now, I leave with simply the promise that if you love fantasy novels, Sanderson novels, epic twists and/or social/religious/political commentary then you should definitely give this series a try!
I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
(585 pages)
I was gifted this book and admit to being a little wary before committing to reading it, as a general rule books that blow up exclusively on social media tend to be a let down to me after the copious amounts of hype they've received. I'm pleased to say that was not the case with this book. If anything, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. It was extremely uniquely written; it was emotional, clever and beautiful. The characters were all so complex and felt genuinely so real. I would say that was the highlight of this book, the characterisation. Every character you could relate to a real person. You sympathised with their decisions, or at least understood them. Like real life, there was no villains and heroes. Bad people and good people and somewhere in the middle people, sure. But also like real life, the last group was the most prevalent, and the first two groups different to each individual's opinions. I would actually really recommend this book to almost everyone I know who reads, I'm pretty sure everyone could find something in it that keeps their focus, be it the mystery, the love story, the characters....
I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The twist of a knife by Anthony Horowitz
(373 pages)
I am like 90% sure that this was not the first book in a series, however it stood well as a stand alone book too! Like the other Horowitz book I read earlier this year, I found this novel a little slow to pick up at first, however I did get into it in the end. I found it clever and quirky and I loved the meta elements. Ultimately, it was exactly what it was advertised as - a light, humorous murder mystery - and actually, I'm not mad about taking a break for something silly every so often!
I gave this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
(422 pages)
After the success of The Seven Husbands, I felt brave enough to try another recent social media favourite book. I'd seen mixed reviews over this one, however my flatmate strongly recommended it and as usual, our tastes in books aligned and it was extremely good. Despite the predictability of the plot, I was fully engaged the entire way through which speaks to how well the characters were depicted that I was willing to look past the predictability of it all just to read more about the people. In fact, I would like to make this a formal call for more people to start writing fanfictions for this novel because I want to read even more about these characters and am being denied that currently based off the limited options on ao3 (if anyone has any good recommendations please let me know!) I think, if I had read this in another month it would have received five stars, however it was let down by the fact that it was read within the same weeks as Sanderson and The Seven Husbands which meant I could not in good conscience give it full marks when the plot was just a little too easy to see coming for me. Therefore....
I gave this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#book review#book reccs#claireelizabethsblog#brandon sanderson#mistborn#the well of ascension#the hero of ages#taylor jenkins reid#the seven husbands of evelyn hugo#anthony horowitz#the twist of a knife#m l rio#if we were villains
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Carl Grimes x Dhampir! reader
Part 1 - Batgirl
Hi guys! So this is an idea I had bc I was allowed to watch BloodRayne way too young and it became one of the pieces of media I now daydream about. Also I am fully admitting to lightly tampering with dhampir lore to fit the narrative I’m going for! Don’t take it too seriously, this is just for fun :)
Dhampir. A creature who is the result of a “union” between a human and a vampire, often female and male respectively. As a consequence of this, a dominating amount of dhampirs go on to become vampire hunters. Well equipped for the job with the ability to see vampires' true faces, heightened senses, strength, regeneration, and no vulnerability to crucifixes, holy water, or sunlight. Blending in with humans almost entirely, even being able to digest and gain sustenance from human food, the only catch is that they still need blood. Most choose to get it from vampires on their hunting kills, seeing it as something like an act of vengeance if not anything more than ridding the world of one more vampire.
Walking down an eroded street littered with soggy orange, yellow, and brown leaves shed from the trees above, you occasionally look up to see the sun shining through the branches. Still, too far from Earth to feel much warmth, something you preferred compared to the blistering heat.
“Just about afternoon”, you noted under your breath. Now turning your full attention back to the street, following rusted and decaying street signs to an old shopping center and god willing finding something of use to you. You could do with a new change of clothes considering how rainy it’s been, your light summer clothes were definitely not going to cut it once it starts getting colder. Continuing to make a mental list of things to keep your eye out for, you round the corner of the street and lay eyes on the strip mall. You pause for a moment to listen and watch for movement, any sign that you might not be alone, dead or alive.
After you surveyed your surroundings and made your way toward the building, you pulled one of your twin arm blades from your scabbard. You knocked on the window of the old department store, once again listening and watching for anything that might be in there. Seeing no reason not to, you open the door and walk into the store. You were pleasantly surprised by the fact that this place didn’t look like it had been picked through a ton so maybe you’d be able to find something to wear! Staying alert, you look through the store with cautious steps while you glance over the racks. Finally landing on a comfortable and practical pair of pants, you grab them and stuff them into your bag. Feeling pretty good about the odds of you finding what you need, you go on to keep looking for a shirt and hopefully a good jacket. Padding over to where all the shirts seem to be gathered you make your selection before searching for a jacket, turning around but almost immediately halted by a clattering coming from the back of the store.
“Fuck that,” you muttered to yourself as you slinked out of the store, grabbing the first jacket you saw on your way out. Unwilling to exert any unnecessary effort during a simple supply re-up before you had even started, you slipped through the door and shut it quietly behind you. It was still clear outside, no cars, no walkers that had their eyes on you so you decided to just stick to being quick and fast. Your next target was a gun shop. Even though your arm blades were extremely effective, you take your weapons very seriously and you’ve noticed that your handguns have been needing some maintenance and a few light repairs. Knocking on the only remaining window of the old gun shop, you drew the attention of two walkers. Arms extended, they came towards you through the broken windows, still trying to reach you as they tripped over each other. “Like a couple of drunk toddlers,” you sighed as you singled out the one about to get up first, piercing your blade into his skull before he could fully stand. The second walker is now up and walking toward you, in one fluid motion you remove your blade from the first walker and kick in the second one's knee, making him fall to the ground with a crack and a thud. While he’s down you make quick work of plunging your blade into his temple.
Refocusing on what’s going on around you, you hear…footsteps? Not the shuffling or dragging of walkers, but careful and deliberate steps falling on hard linoleum coming from the very back of the gun shop. You silently walk into the store knowing you don’t really have a choice, you need to have at least one working gun. You go to the left first, putting the most distance between you and the back room while you find a repair kit. The quiet footsteps and faint rummaging noises continue as you pick through the shelves, not finding what you came for you end up walking through the store a little more. Hoping to avoid whoever is back there, you take a quick walk through the aisles and resolve to leave if you don’t find a repair kit in the next three minutes. You were just about to call it when you finally found a kit that had been sitting on the floor, swiftly picking it up and plopping it into your bag, you realized that you didn’t hear the rummaging or footsteps anymore. Instead, you heard the sound of a latch bolt sliding against the strike plate and slightly hastened breathing. Turning on your heel and glaring at the newly cracked open door, you take your chances and go for the door. You can tell the person behind the door has figured this out too as you can hear their breathing pick up even more.
As you get up to the door you can hear a quickened heartbeat on top of the heavy breathing. Using the suspense to your advantage, you stand to the side of the door and pull a small rock from your pocket and throw it towards the entrance of the store. Hearing the heartbeat and breathing come even closer, you flung the door open, causing the person behind it to fall forward. “Shit” the boy on the floor in front of you groaned as he turned over onto his back to look up at you. “What the fuck?” he says through a wince. “Yeah what the fuck is right, why were you watching me?” you ask, no longer feeling very threatened once you get a good look at the boy. He looks just about your age; wavy brown hair, freckles, and the most piercing blue eyes you’ve ever seen. “How’d you know I was in here anyway?” He deflected. “I heard footsteps, breathing, and the door opening.” You answered. “No way your ears are that good.”
God dude, you don’t even want to know how possible it is. There are some upsides to your abilities but you were always left with the knowledge that you were different from everybody else. You didn’t fit in entirely with humans and you most certainly didn’t fit in with vampires. In fact, most vampires you came across wanted you dead anyway, they don’t take kindly to dhampirs at all; especially not the ones that become vampire hunters.
“Believe me or don’t, it doesn’t really matter. I just want to know why you were watching me.” You persisted. After a moment of silence, he stammered out a confession. “...fine, I was watching you. I saw you take out those walkers…it was impressive. I closed the door when you were done, I didn’t know whether or not I had to be threatened by you.” He chuckled through the tail end of his sentence, clearly hoping to relieve the tension. “I’m not a threat to you as long as you aren’t a threat to me.” You tell him as you lean over to pick up the hat that fell off his head when he lost his balance. You pass him his hat and offer your hand to help him up, letting your face melt into a soft smile as you watch him adjust and settle his hat back onto his head before he grips your hand and allows you to help pull him up.
“So what’s your name, cowboy?” you ask the boy, now fully standing in front of you. “It’s Carl. And it’s a sheriff’s hat, not a cowboy hat,” He replied with a hint of teasing condescension. “What’s your name, batgirl?” he continued. “Batgirl?” you scoffed. “Yeah, you said your ears were so good that you heard me breathing behind this heavy ass door so… batgirl.” “Fair enough. Well, my real name is (y/n) if you want to call me something other than batgirl.” “Alright then (y/n). I’ve gotta ask, what’s with the giant crucifix?” You glanced down at your necklace, realizing it had come untucked from behind your shirt when you bent down to pick up Carl’s hat. “Oh, it’s just kind of a good luck charm I guess,” you try to give the simplest explanation possible as you put it back under your shirt. “Oh I get it,” he said, assuming it belonged to someone you lost. You just let him think that because it’s easier than giving him the whole truth.
“So what were you looking for in here? I can help if you want, I know guns pretty well.” Why is he so eager to help? “I’m good, I already got what I came for anyway,” you said as you stepped past him, now put off by the uncharacteristic behavior of someone living in the apocalypse. Beginning to walk through the aisles and towards the exit, it doesn’t escape you that Carl is following behind you. “Wait, where are you going?” he asks as you walk out the door and past the two walker corpses you took down before you came in. You remembered Carl saying he saw you fighting them, it made you uneasy that he had been watching you for longer than you thought and you didn’t even notice. Granted, your senses had been honed for seeking out vampires, but humans had become an equally large and present danger. You abruptly turned around, almost making Carl fall over again from suddenly stopping in his tracks. “Did you see me before I killed the walkers?” You pressed. “What? No! I came in through the back and heard the walkers and I was about to come out and deal with them and then I saw you,” he defended. “Were you making noise in the store to our right before you went to the gun shop?” “No? Is something wrong?” He’s clueless, but all your alarms were going off. “Sorry I’m just a little nervous, I’m not really used to being around other people anymore,” you weren’t entirely lying, but not telling the truth either. You could sense a vampire somewhere, you just couldn’t pinpoint exactly where. “I can stick with you if you want some company?” You nod and let him tag along with you into the old pharmacy, knowing the human would be safer if he was with you.
Searching through the shelves for hygiene products, meds, and anything else you could use, Carl is doing the same. Suddenly, you hear another clattering noise, this time it’s coming from right beneath your feet. “Carl?” You whisper yelled out to him. “Yeah?” “Be very still and very quiet, I just heard something coming from downstairs,” you warned as you tiptoed over to where he was, trying to locate a door that would lead to the sound. “There’s a downstairs to this place?” he commented. “There has to be,” you replied with certainty, walking to the far back of the shop, behind the counter and through the medication storage room. Sure enough, there was a door. “Stay behind me, okay?” you asked as quietly as you could. “What? No, you should stay behind me! Why are we even going down there anyway?” he protested. Before he could say anything else you were already opening the door and walking down the stairs, he quickly followed behind you with his gun drawn. Now unsure what to think of this girl he just met, but still unwilling to let her be alone.
The basement is barely lit, with only one window covered in dust at the top of the wall in the right corner, leaving the furthest opposite corner to be cloaked in a dark shadow. You stop halfway down and signal to Carl to wait on the stairs, he looks at you like he wants to ask something but just nods instead. You walk down the rest of the stairs and face the shadow, you see it immediately. The snarling face stands out against the pitch black in the corner under the steps. “I can see you, y’know,” you spoke to what Carl perceived as the complete darkness. You hear an almost lion-like roar before the vampire launches itself at you. Your reflexes in full swing, you reach for the holster under your shirt and grab your wooden stake. Before the vampire can lay hands on you, you jump to the right and roll over your shoulder, getting promptly back onto your feet. Carl had no idea what he was seeing, he tried to get a good shot at who/whatever was attacking you, but couldn’t manage it with all the movement. The vampire sprung forward at you again but was thwarted by your roundhouse kick. You knocked him backward and while he was still stumbling you uppercut him, putting him flat out onto the floor. You jumped on top of him and held him down so you could drive your stake into his heart, his back arched in pain as he groaned out and finally let out his death rattle. Now breathing heavily as you stand up and watch his body turn into a cloud of ashes that slowly sprinkled onto the dirty basement floor.
“What…the fuck…was that?” Chest still heaving from the fight, you look over at Carl, who had moved slightly from his previous spot on the stairs. “Was that what I think it was?” he asked you, absolutely dumbfounded by what he had just seen. “Depends on what you think it was,” you said, wanting him to come to his own conclusion, trying to gauge his reaction. “...I don’t want to sound crazy but I did just watch a dude turn into a pile of dust, right??” “Yes, you did, Carl.” “...seriously? You’re seriously telling me vampires are real?” He said, not wanting to believe any other monster existed. “Unfortunately.” You hated to burst his bubble, but it really is better that he knows now. “Have they always been real or…?” He wondered aloud. “Yes. Pretty much since the beginning of time.” You say as you take a couple of steps towards where he stands on the stairs. “How come I’ve never seen one before?” “You’re lucky, do you normally stick with a big group?” “Yeah, why?” He answered, not knowing where you were going with that question. “They probably know it’s not worth it to fuck with you guys, you got a lot of muscle in your group?” “Yeah, we do…” he felt both reassured and unsettled by this information, realizing several encounters with people in the night made so much more sense. He knew about raiders obviously, but some things happened that didn’t seem consistent with the things raiders do at all. People who held up him and his group and just asked endless questions like they were stalling for time but they were always overpowered by the people that (y/n) referred to as the muscles. Carl was pulled from his thoughts by (y/n)’s voice.
“I think that was the only one down here. He was probably the one who made the noise I heard in the other store, there’s another door here, these basements must be connected.” You loosely pointed to the door. “How do you know it’s the only one?” “Well if there were more they all would’ve heard the fight and come running to help out their buddy, also they would’ve heard us talking by now and attacked us.” You said bluntly, but Carl found it oddly comforting the way you walked into the situation with confidence. “How long have you known?” He asked, wondering why this all seemed so normal to you. “Ever since I was old enough to understand.” You said solemnly, slowly returning your gaze directly to his eyes.
Hey it's me again! I hope you guys liked that, it was a lot of fun to write and I look forward to making more installments of this! Also please bear with me, I haven't written anything in years so I hope this isn't a miserable read. If you have any editorial suggestions, please let me know because I've read through this so many times that I'm probably blind to any mistakes!
#carl grimes x reader#carl grimes x y/n#carl grimes x you#carl grimes fanfiction#Carl#Carl Grimes#the walking dead#Carl Grimes fanfic#Carl Grimes imagine#the walking dead imagine#carl grimes x dhampir! reader#my work
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"Carving Pumpkins" Quillkiller Oneshot
Prompt by @sapphicmicrofics (prompt: pumpkin)
-
"Are we seriously doing this?"
"Yes, yes we are. If I'm willing to ruin my nails, you can keep an open mind for this."
Rita had just brought home pumpkins, to which Bellatrix had thought for a split second that Rita was going to make a homemade pumpkin pie - only to have such a dream squashed by Rita stating they were going to carve pumpkins whether she liked it or not.
. . .
Turns out, despite breaking multiple nails from both persons, it was fun. Gross, yes, but fun.
Gutting a pumpkin was not nearly as fun as ripping out the organs from a human in Bellatrix's option, but at least this was something she could do with her partner.
By the end, they both had carved their pumpkins faces and sat out on their porch, night slowly falling, lighting two candles with their wands and placing them in their pumpkins.
"Hate to admit it, my love, but I was pleasantly surprised by your idea."
"Told you so. You need to listen to me more, for I am always right."
Bellatrix barks of laughter at that, and Rita chuckles along right with her.
It was a quite pleasant evening between the lovers, one Bellatrix hoped would happen more.
-
[Word count: 202]
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GET TO KNOW THE MUN.
Cut for length
what made you pick up the current muse(s) you have?
Well- I started off as a single muse blog as a human version of Thresh from league way before they updated his lore and kept kicking him even though he's already a redundant character lore wise now, but this blog was made for my bloodmoon Thresh who would alter become Yijun. Then I became a multi-muse to add some more of my ocs I really wanted to write and well here we are now.
More specifically for my main muses, I started writing Tar as soon as he hit ptb to be honest. I just really resonated with his lore and it gave me an excuse to research things about the time period he's from, I think his lore leaves a lot to reading between the lines to see what's actually true and I was pleasantly surprised when his tome came out and it confirmed a lot of what I was already thinking. Though with Ghostface it was more so me really enjoying the concept of him as a character, a person who just so seamlessly blends into society he basically can get away with whatever he wants. While I had a number of HCs before his tome that ultimately had to be scrapped, I do really enjoy it and him more as a character.
is there anything you don’t like to write?
I really do not like one-liners, I get bored so fast with them. I like writing things where there's continuity between what happened and the next our muses speak. And I feel like one-liners specifically just don't really allow that to happen.
is there anything you really enjoy writing?
Oh I love writing when characters talk about their morals or ethics, I love the constant cat and mouse of trying to figure out what flavor of fucked up they're dealing with.
how do you come up with headcanons?
Mostly depends on the character, with Tar I'll read about something that happened in his time period and be like "Oh hey he probably had to deal with that, how would he have dealt with it?" and a lot is just what I can muse over in my head can roll over for a while to talk about in a meaningful way. Not that I don't enjoy silly dumb HCs, but I'm less inclined to write about what a muses favorite ice cream flavor is vs their family history.
do you write in silence or do you play music?
For the life of me I cannot write with music playing whether its bg ambiance or not, I can't do it, it's too distracting to me.
do you plan your replies or wing them?
Really depends on the reply. If it's a thread that's really important to my muse and how they'll be written with another char moving forward? I think about it a lot. If it isn't and it's just a first meeting or something, I don't very much.
do you enjoy shipping?
I enjoy shipping, but I a willing to admit I am absurdly picky. I prefer writing platonic relationships to romantic ones for the most part to be honest. For me to be invested in a romantic ship I have to know the other mun and talk to them regularly, I've been spoiled too much me thinks.
what’s your alias/name?
Spük / Spooky / Spooks / etc.
age?
23
birthday?
01/01
favorite color?
Black/white and on that spectrum just because they make every other color stand out more tbh
favorite song?
Oh it changes a lot, but right now I'm really enjoying: One More Soul To The Call
last movie you watched?
Talk To me - I'm pretty sure? Or at least its the one I can remember, it's a incredible movie even if it's a bit intense.
last show you watched?
Mlp FIM, it's such a nostalgia show for me I've been enjoying sharing with with Egg. It's the absurd concepts it introduces that really get me.
last song you listened to?
Feed Me with Your Heart - Ponyphonic
favorite food?
I really enjoy mussels.
favorite season?
Fall.
do you have a Tumblr best friend?
Staring directly at @witchcraftandburialdirt fr fr
Tagged by: @mxlevolence (Thank you!!! <3)
Tagging: Anyone who hasn't been tagged idk who hasn't-
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Crystal Springs Chapter 19: Now on ao3!
See the aftermath of market day HERE!
Chapter 19: The Man with a Plan
With Jack and Winter's connection all fixed up, and an explanation found for the "magic-splosion" up North, Jacqueline finds herself in the hot seat as the subject of her blackouts are broached. Elsewhere, The Man has (some semblance of) a plan, and he's making it Kasper's problem.
Things are coming together! We're getting more and more answers! This chapter is a FUN ONE. We've got some VERY COZY FROST FAM MOMENTS! And we'll be popping off over to see What's Up with The Man 🤔🤔.
And now, your excerpt:
"I think I know where this is going," Jacqueline admitted.
"They just want to help you, Jacqueline. And so do I," Jack said, placing his hand on the handle of Jacqueline's room door. "That's why I brought up the blackouts this morning. And that's part of the reason I was waiting up for you, too. I told Mom and Dad I would. Look, we have to—"
"I know," Jacqueline cut him off, her palm flying up. "I know," she insisted with a tired smile. Fingers curling in, she dropped her palm. "I appreciate you covering my ass about them. And I know I snapped about them this morning," she glanced to the side, pushing hair off of her face. "It's just..." her eyes moved upwards as she searched for words, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's scary. I'm scared. I don't know what they are or why it was happening and I don't know anything about them. I'm a dead end in terms of figuring out what's happening to me, which is just super inconvenient. But," she held up a finger before Jack could interrupt. "Xander and I had a good chat. It's scary, yeah. But I know you guys just want to help and I—" she paused for a minute, taking a very deep breath. "—I'm willing to talk about them now."
"Oh!" Jack said, pleasantly surprised and very relieved. "Oh, that's good."
"Why do you sound so relieved?" Jacqueline questioned, as Jack pushed the handle down and opened the door.
"Because I am. I was expecting you to put up more of a fight. You know, you really are stubborn."
"A chip off the old block," Blaise spoke up.
The two sprites screamed, jumping back. Jacqueline's bodice was once again hovering in front of the pair; Jack's icicle tie was hovering very threateningly in the air.
"Calm down, it's just us," Winter said, beside Blaise. The pair of them were sitting comfortably on one of the sofa's in Jacqueline's room, trying very hard to bite back their laughter.
"For the love of winter—"
"I told you guys I'd handle this! I said, go to bed, I'll wait up for Jacqueline!"
"You scared the SNOW out of me, this is way too many scares in one night—"
"You were just downstairs!"
"Am I pink? I feel like there's pink. Am I glowing? Is Rosehaven calling me?!"
Jack eyed Jacqueline carefully, whooshing the icicle tie away. "No, you're good! You're good."
"Thank HEAVENS."
I love Blinter. They're so funny.
Intrigued? Want to read more? Check out Chapter 19 HERE.
Want to start Crystal Springs from the top? Read the Prologue: An Encounter HERE on ao3 and HERE on fanfic dot net!
(tho ao3 is the most recent version of the fic! I'll catch ff dot net up in a bit. you know. when it cooperates 🙃🙃)
Story summary below the cut :)
It’s been almost a year since Jack Frost thawed and things are looking…well, not so great. Jack’s powers are seemingly gone. Without them, the Dome that keeps the North Pole safe from the cold and its magic controlled is melting, putting everything and everyone magical at risk.
Unable to hide his power shortage any longer, Jack is forced to admit the truth. Thankfully, there is a solution: enacting the Legate Law, bringing Jack and the sister that he hurt so many centuries ago back together again. But when Jacqueline starts experiencing destructive blackouts, the pair are forced to head back home to Crystal Springs, bringing Jack face to face with the rest of the family.
Needless to say, between getting his powers back, helping his sister figure out what in the FROST those blackouts even were, reconciling with his parents, meeting the two even younger siblings he didn’t even KNOW he had, NOT TO MENTION the ancient threat that’s had it out for the ENTIRE Frost family finally making a move?
Saving Christmas (regrettably) is looking to be a little bit…complicated.
#dani speaks#the santa clause#the santa clause 2#the santa clause 3#tsc#tsc2#tsc3#cs on ao3#fanfic#crystal springs#long post#jack frost#ocs#my GOD what tags do i usually put here#ANYWAY! FIRST OF WEEKLY UPDATES!!! SO EXCITED!#idk when i should update with the new chapters. torn between the day the new episode of the series airs each week#bc i'm a bitter petty old woman#or like AFTER the series episode airs each week#so that i may cleanse my palette#and maybe those of fresh readers 💖💖💖#I AM TAKING CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ON WHEN TO UPDATE#anyway ENJOY!! new cs: NEXT WEEK#and fun smile shot from the poll--i have not forgotten--this weekend i hope :)#cheers! enjoy!
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"Winterfest?"
"An annual celebration. A gathering of the community for all our helpers Above. To thank them, show our gratitude for their generosity throughout the year."
"Kind of like a family Christmas party?"
"Of a sort," he agreed, "though it occurs in January. In fact, the initial gathering was on the occasion of my second birthday; a coming out, if you will, when Father first introduced our helpers to his adopted son. Before that, many of them knew of me only by word of mouth. It seems I was uncomfortable around strangers, especially in large groups. And Father was understandably reluctant to… show me off."
"I’ve never liked crowds, either," she quickly offered. "They tend to make me twitchy."
"According to Father, they tended to make me feral."
Startled, she slowed to look, and sure enough, though his expression gave nothing away, composed as it was, his eyes were glinting with humor when they met hers. She threw him a grin. "I bet you were a handful."
"And still am."
She smiled even wider, pleasantly surprised by his easy banter. Though she suspected he might have a sense of humor buried under all the grief he'd been carrying around since she'd known him, she'd never expected it to surface the way it had. And then she began to wonder why. Why now?
As if he'd read her curious thoughts, Vincent turned and said, "Beginnings can be awkward, Diana, but I'm hopeful we've moved past the worst of it. You should know you needn't be as careful with me as you might suppose. I'm not so fragile as I was when... first we met."
They'd come to the end of the tunnel and to a sort of doorway, wide and circular, that opened onto another passageway, the floor of which was a good ten feet below where they'd come to a stop. It looked as though the two sections should've been connected by a ladder or a ramp or something - and someone, at the last minute, had changed their mind and abandoned the idea.
Then Vincent took a step out into nothing and dropped down to the lower tunnel - just like that, in one easy motion, bending slightly at the knees to absorb the impact of the fall. One second at her side and the next below and gazing up at her, arms open and lifted in invitation. Without thought, she took the step off the edge, and he caught her at the waist and set her gently down beside him. She got her bearings, thinking hard about what he'd said about beginnings as they took off walking.
What kind of beginning are we having, here? she wondered. Different than the first one, when I yanked him out of that graveyard and brought him home. Which got her thinking about those three days he'd spent in her loft. And all the moments afterward, until he'd finally been able to bring Jacob home.
"Fragile," she admitted after a companionable, silent minute or two, "isn't exactly the word that comes to mind when I remember those first few times." And then wished she hadn't said anything at all. God knows, the last thing she wanted to do was embarrass him. It was one thing to make light of your own less than admirable moments, quite another when someone else did it for you.
There was a small silence before he inquired, "Will you make me ask, then?"
Ducking her head, she replied, "I was thinking 'crazed' was more like it."
He thought about that for a few seconds, as she threw him a series of surreptitious looks. "I believe," he finally said, "that would be an accurate assessment, as well. Feral. Crazed. I suppose I can take comfort in the fact that some things never change."
"Look, I didn't mean it that way. I was just –" She stopped talking because he'd stopped walking, and turning to her, very matter of factly took her hand and leveled those crystal blue eyes at her.
"You worry overmuch, Diana. There is nothing you could say that would offend me. You have seen me at my worst and yet here you stand, still willing to abide my company. Res ipsa loquitur."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"It's Latin: the thing speaks for itself."
She broke out in another unrestrained smile. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess it does."
They started off again. And neither of them said anything about the fact that he was still holding her hand. It wasn't like she wasn't deeply aware of it, because she was, and wondering at the same time just what the hell it meant. It wasn't some kind of earth-shattering gesture or anything, like it would be if he'd kissed her or something. Yeah, dream on, kiddo, she cracked at herself. It was just a simple clasping of hands: friendly, nice. But it surprised her, nonetheless. And then Diana decided she was probably making way too much of it, in any case. For all she knew, Vincent was a big fan of holding hands and did it with anyone he liked. Some people were that way. Nobody she'd ever met, but that was beside the point, because he wasn't like anybody she'd ever met. Just the fact of his existence, and her knowing it, had changed everything.
Upsidaisium
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hi 🙂 I want to know how the zodiac gods will react if they found mc cheating on them with another god who works for the king. Please Please Please make it an angst.
Human Weakness
Synopsis: Your boyfriend so often treats you as less of an equal without thinking about how you might feel. So… Why should you feel guilty for falling in love with another god who works for the King?
✨Masterlist✨
Female Goldfish!
A/n: Angst, AnGsT, ANGST!! 💀
You have no idea how much I wanted to make MC cheat on them with my Goddess OC Ophiuchus. 💀 I made her last year and never mentioned her or used her for anything so I want to change that this year. I’ll get around to writing her backstory sometime and maybe about her relationship with MC. For now…Male-Ophiuchus! Ophiuchus was the only way I could get myself to write about cheating… I don’t know how many more of these I can write.
–Word Count: 5,133 –
He was a lovely god… by all means, you should have brought up how you felt with him rather than pouring your heart out to some stranger you ran into in the palace.
All you could admit was that you weren’t having the best of days when you first met Fi, the god of Ophiuchus. He was kind and considerate, unlike how you’d come to see your boyfriend. Fi was willing to listen to what was bothering you and try to help you fix the situation. After all, similar to how Ichthys could heal wounds, Fi had the power to heal emotional wounds. You wouldn't have believed it if you didn't experience it yourself.
When you were first introduced to a relationship with a god, you expected a little more communication between the two of you. You had a fairly good idea on how relationships were supposed to work. You were positive it didn’t include flirting with all the goddesses he came across.
Though, to be fair, you knew the zodiac gods were like that before you started dating your boyfriend. You should’ve known better than to place your heart in the hands of a god who didn’t take care of you like he was supposed to.
So… what was it to him if you started seeing someone who treated you like you mattered? Ophiuchus treated you like you were the only person in the universe. Who could blame you for wanting someone like that who took care of you?
You happened to be in the Heavens searching for your zodiac god when you literally ran into Fi, the god you’d fallen head over heels for. He grinned down at you, surprised to find you lost in the palace all by yourself—similar to how you first met. “My goddess, it’s a pleasure to run into you around here. Such a rare sight.”
“Rare?” You questioned, your eyebrow lifting. “I feel like I’m here more often than that. But I feel like you see me more often than I show up in the palace.”
“How else am I supposed to make sure he didn’t upset you again?” Fi’s gaze softened as he reached out to caress your cheek. “I can sense your heart in shambles once again… How do they not realize how fragile you are?” He was mostly muttering to himself, but you heard him.
You looked down, avoiding his gaze. He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t like we could do more than point out everything that was wrong. “I’m tired of acting like it’s okay. Why is it he can speak to anyone he wants but I know he’d be angry to find me meeting with another god? He- He doesn’t care how I feel!”
“You're getting worked up over this,” Fi pointed out, his hands resting on your shoulders to steal your attention. “Take in a deep breath for me. Good, good. Now let it out sloooowly.” He smiled pleasantly as you did as he instructed. “Now, why don't you tell me what happened this time?”
That was something you loved about Ophiuchus… He was willing to listen to everything to get it off of your chest—literally. The problems you divulged to him felt less intimidating and less of an emotional weight on your shoulders.
Sighing, you explained, “Well, it started at the mansion. I went visit him… to clear things up. I took your advice and decided to talk to him about how I was feeling. I tried to be honest… But he just brushed me off, like how I felt didn't matter!”
“That’s not very nice,” Fi agreed, tapping his chin in thought. “Did he say anything unpleasant to you?”
“Well…” Your cheeks puffed out, glancing at the floor before Fi directed your attention back on him. “He acts like he owns me. I mean, I understand I'm just a human with stars in my eyes, but I have feelings just like he does!” It was like he noticed your tears before you did. His thumbs were delicately brushing your cheeks, silently encouraging you to continue. “Well… He got mad… As if I'm not entitled to my own feelings or something. So he told me to go home and left me. Though… None of this would have happened if I'd just stayed quiet. He wouldn't have gotten mad at me. So… Is it wrong that I came to apologize to him?”
Fi’s eyebrows furrowed, as he took your quivering hands in his. “You have no reason to apologize. I wish you wouldn't chase him so.”
Your eyes trailing down to his chest, you timidly asked, “Can… you hug me?”
His gaze softened before he pulled you into his arms, caressing your head gently. “You deserve much more than that cruel god is giving you. My poor (Name)... Won't you rely on me and let me be your strength?”
You gnawed on your bottom lip before replying, “You asked me that already. You've been taking care of me and granting my wishes.”
He couldn't help but let a handsome smile slip across his face. “Hearing your answer a second time makes me feel like my efforts of taking care of you aren't going to waste. Let me be your pillar; let me be your happiness; let me be your light in the dark; let me be your forever-healing snake-bearer, the God of Ophiuchus.”
“Yes,” you quietly agreed, your fingers desperately gripping into his department uniform. “Heal me. Make it stop hurting…”
He gently tilted your head up toward him as he had done many times that you'd been seeing him, lowering his own just enough for his lips to softly land against your willing ones.
♌️♌️♌️
Leon’s first reaction was to jump in immediately and interrupt the two of you, but he had to pause at seeing the way your arms wound around Ophiuchus’ back. Were you… actually openly accepting this god’s touch? He was pissed, needless to say, and his desire to take back what was his was strong.
Only… that was the problem, wasn’t it? He recalled your words from earlier. At the time he thought you were just complaining about him for the sake of complaining—Karno did that all the time. You didn’t like how controlling he was or how he treated you like an object. Honestly, you were a goldfish—you were his goldfish. Why was there a special protocol for how he was supposed to treat you? He loved you and you loved him. Wasn’t that enough for you? Well… come to think of it, perhaps he asked too much of such a lower creature. Still, he would not apologize for chasing you into the arms of another man. His pride was too strong for that.
If you want to cheat on him, then by all means, go ahead! It’s not like that funny feeling in his chest was heartbreak or anything. He knew that when Ophiuchus was finished with you, then you’d be running back into his arms in no time. Of course… that’s contemplating the fact of if Ophiuchus could even mess up as badly as he had… If Leon had taken your words into consideration then you wouldn’t have had to go to anyone else to feel genuinely cared for.
Turning on his heel, he had seen enough. He didn’t need to start something with a rejected zodiac.
♋️♋️♋️
Karno always thought Ophiuchus was a kind god who placed other’s feelings before his own, but clearly he was mistaken. Fi most certainly did not take Karno’s feelings into consideration upon choosing to devour you—wait. More importantly, did he even get your consent to be doing this?
Judging by the way your arms wrapped around Fi in return, Karno had his heart-breaking answer. You were cheating on him… that was the only thing he could see as he unabashedly watched the two of you.
In some manners, it made sense to him. Karno had been the cause of your grief for a long time coming—it was only a matter of time before your relationship fell apart. It was just that… this was not how he was expecting it to happen.
He was at least certain of it being due to how he ruined your life as a child and proceeded to hide the evidence by erasing your memories… or the fact that he failed as a guardian from the dark gods… or maybe you even suspected him of being unloyal. Any of the reasons were plausible.
Still, why with Ophiuchus? Of all the gods in the Heavens~ No, Ophiuchus was a nice man—an upstanding member of the Zodiacs. He might have deserved you more than Karno who only ever blundered your relationship.
Regardless… he would be sure to slip extra spices in Ophiuchus’s plate at their next gathering. It wouldn’t fix his heartache from losing you… but it would be an opportunity to see Fi in pain.
♒️♒️♒️
Huedhaut felt like he was losing Clotho again. He finally got her back and- Wait. No. You weren’t Clotho. It was just a similar feeling to losing her that plagued his heart.
Since Clotho’s departure Huedhaut had to admit that his heart had frozen over into a solid state. With his emotions at the bare minimum, it wasn’t surprising that he rarely ever spoke to gods outside of the two departments. Nevertheless, he knew of Ophiuchus, the god kissing you now. Fi was friends with Clotho as well—two strange peas in a pod.
But… perhaps things were always destined to be this way. Perhaps Huedhaut was always meant to have a frozen heart. It was what he deserved for being such a sinfully greedy god. He didn’t deserve your love and affection—he’d only be the death of you too. Besides… so as long as he kept reminiscing about Clotho, he would never truly be able to handle your relationship.
He had faults… the same as any other god—the same as Ophiuchus. It was just that you chose to find Hue’s faults and put them on display for him. You showed Hue what a nasty color envy was on him when you would point out that you weren’t telling him who he could and couldn’t talk to. He got comfortable in his relationship and started being social again—something that really came back to bite him in the ass. Meanwhile, he tried to control your contact with other men—how was that fair? It made sense you’d resort to cheating on him as a viable method of getting what you desired.
Yes, this reminded him of losing his beloved once again. But that was fine. You could be happy with Ophiuchus… Huedhaut would simply resign himself to being alone and frozen-hearted once again.
♉️♉️♉️
Teorus didn’t understand why you were letting Ophiuchus do this to you… You were literally accepting him on top of you. He knew you didn’t notice him standing there, which made it even worse. You weren’t purposefully doing this in front of him to make him jealous; you were doing this because you were cheating on him.
His cheeks flushed in irritation. Why did you get upset with him for talking to other goddesses when you were seeing this god behind his back?
Teorus always thought Ophiuchus was a strange god… so, what did he have that Teo didn’t? Teo was supposed to be your Prince Charming; who was this guy to steal you from under him?
What was this feeling in his chest…? He was angry, he was jealous, but he was…. sad? No… He knew what sadness felt like. This was something else—something more intense that went deeper than petty sadness.
Still, maybe you were right… He expected too much. If he had listened to your complaints and actually attempted to be a better god, then maybe you wouldn’t be in someone else’s arms, your lips on his.
So, he had no reason to be angry at Ophiuchus for something that was his fault. Teorus chased you into the arms of another god and he didn’t give you the light of day to express your feelings to him. He supposed… he didn’t deserve you. More than that, you deserved someone who was going to care for you unconditionally… someone who wasn’t a god like him.
♑️♑️♑️
Aigonorus stared blankly at first. The sensation of being betrayed hit him harshly once again. Only… this was different. You never dated him for status or to use him for his powers as a wishes god. You never had any ill intent with him. You loved him because he was himself. So… what happened?
Last time the love of his life left him for someone else, it was probably in his best interest to let go. But… you… he didn’t want to lose you. You were the first person to genuinely love him and accept his heralds—and his heralds liked you too! They rarely liked anyone other than Aigo.
So, why did you go to Ophiuchus? It couldn’t have been a matter of who was more powerful or more prestigious. Aigo was a zodiac god while Ophiuchus barely made it as an actual member. By all means, Aigo was more powerful—but… that’s not what this was about. He knew you’d never be so heartless and petty.
He tried to think about it, not coming up with any viable answers right away. Unless this had something to do with your argument a short while ago. He doesn’t remember much, having been half asleep at the time. He only recalled you complaining about him not treating you like a person… He wondered how he seemed to treat you then.
Blinking, he noted the way Ophiuchus looked at you like you were the only one in the world. Didn’t Aigo look at you like that? No… his face was usually too apathetic no matter how he felt on the inside. No matter how he looked at it… he wasn’t treating you like you wanted, and he ignored your pleas for change. So, Ophiuchus was your change… Well, he resigned himself to his heartbroken feelings. It seemed like less than he deserved.
♐️♐️♐️
Tauxolouve’s eyes widened in confusion as he watched the two of you. In a way… this made sense. When he kissed you and saw your death, it wasn’t him standing beside you in your final moments. He should have seen this coming. But… someone like him couldn’t change overnight. He was too confident in his ability to keep you. He’d dated countless goddesses. Finding you, he just assumed that you wouldn’t leave him—that you were the one. He was used to being the one leaving the relationship. Why did he think it was impossible for someone to leave him?
You were wary of his womanizing ways ever since you met each other; he knew. He knew the other gods constantly overreacted about him being a big flirt, so he always thought your complaints were overreactions of the same nature. Your pleas fell onto deaf ears and now that he watched Ophiuchus sweeping you off of your feet, he wondered how far back it was that he went wrong.
The way Ophiuchus was looking at you, there was no way this was a new relationship that the two of you shared. In all the relationships he’d been in, he’d never been cheated on before. Was this perhaps what it felt like for a woman of his? Did they feel the heartache he was feeling when they watched him lightly chatting with other women? Was it accurate to compare the two scenarios?
Regardless, he knew he couldn’t blame you for seeking the love of someone as kind as Ophiuchus. Maybe if he’d been better at listening and granting your wishes he would have had a decent chance. Maybe he deserved this pain you were giving him. Just maybe… he deserved to be alone—a lesson on treating others how you wanted to be treated.
♎️♎️♎️
Zyglavis was the Minister of Punishments. By all means, he was the scariest god in the Heavens and no one would dare get on his bad side—no one but Ophiuchus, it would seem. Of all things, you had to go to the least qualified god to be a zodiac. Then again… this wasn’t about rank, he knew. You hadn’t dated Zyglavis because he was a Minister, just as you didn’t cheat on him for someone more powerful. Ophiuchus was beneath him in all manners, but you still went to him.
How did this happen again? He was always so busy with work that he didn’t recall you ever being this displeased with him. Though, perhaps that was why you had shouted at him earlier in the day when he was in a rush to return to the Heavens. But really, what were you? You were a human. Did you truly need his attention at all hours of the day? If he had the time he would have willingly given it to you—yet his negligence was what led to this.
The scowl on his face was steadily replaced with sad eyes. He couldn’t imagine that the one person he loved would betray him so easily… Then again, he betrayed you, didn’t he? He neglected you until you ran to someone else’s arms. His heart full of ache, he turned. It was the first time anyone considered giving a stick in the mud like him a fraction of their affection and he’d lost it all because of his horrid personality. Though, that wasn’t something that could change overnight. If you were happy with Ophiuchus… then so be it.
♏️♏️♏️
Stupid woman! Scorpio couldn’t help but glare at the two. First you yelled at him that morning, next thing he knew you were in the Heavens with your lips all over Ophiuchus. Well, it could have been the other way around and he would have had every reason to kick his ass. Only… You looked like you were eagerly kissing him back. His cheeks flushed in frustration. Acting would only make you hate him more than you already did.
But… If you were cheating on him then why should he feel remorse if he were to punish his subordinate for touching his goldfish? In fact, shouldn't he punish both of you?
Sighing, the building irritation slowly escaped him. He didn't need to cause a scene. Besides, Scorpio knew he didn't have a clue on how to make you happy—you fell in love with him regardless, and you stuck to that decision. You tried your best to teach him how to have a nice relationship, but it was a waste of time in the end. All your lecturing couldn't help a hopeless case like him.
Ophiuchus could probably treat you better. At least he'd be able to hold your hand and not lose his mind over the gushy romantic crap that popped into your head. Though… He had to admit… He's sure he'll miss that the most. No one else showed him the kind of love you did… But it was too late for that. It was time for him to move on. He'd just… go back to being a puppet of the King.
♊️♊️♊️
Dui immediately turned away upon seeing you and Ophiuchus. He thought Ophiuchus was a nice god to have around—but there was such a thing as being too nice. Still, he didn't want Shadow to come out and deal with the nuisance himself. Though… What would the harm really be if Shadow came out? Dui hated this tense feeling in his chest. If Shadow came out, then he wouldn't have to deal with it—he wouldn't have to feel this way.
But… What made you go behind his back like that? Why Ophiuchus? He wanted to think that Fi was a horrible god and manipulated you into falling for him—but he was sure that wasn't the case. Fi was a decent person… enough that he wouldn't use his powers to manipulate someone. Besides… You were so nice. There would be no point in manipulating you. But… if you were really so nice then why were you cheating on him?
He had to wonder if it was what you were yelling about earlier… At the time he didn't really understand why you were yelling at him. I mean, did you really feel like he didn't treat you like a person? You said he treated you more akin to a pet but… it's not his fault you were such a cute goldfish. Was it so bad that he wanted to dote on you? And when he was too busy to be with you… Did you blame him? He liked humans, but maybe the way he treated you was too much. Ophiuchus would be the one to listen to your problems and help you, unlike him.
Not to mention you had your hands full with Shadow. Maybe you were tired of his split personality… Just like everyone else… Maybe this was better—for you, anyway.
♓️♓️♓️
It tempted Ichthys to just snap his fingers, showing Ophiuchus not to mess with a god like him, but he had to pause. He stopped himself for once, recalling that you had yelled at him earlier in the day for something similar. Come to think of it, amongst all of your yelling, you called him childish. Would pranking Ophiuchus out of jealousy be considered childish? And if you were to get caught up in his prank… That would mean you were right in accusing him of always treating you like a toy.
But he wasn't! When you first met each other, you liked his pranks and fun way of punishing people! When did you start resenting him for what he did best? Was it because he teased you too much? Just what did you think was so childish about him?
You had been through a lot with him—you saved his life, to put it simply. If it weren’t for you, then he would have been okay with dying. But what was he supposed to do now that you were with Ophiuchus? Were you happy with him? You looked happy… That’s all he ever wanted for you. All of his jokes and pranks were all to make people smile—especially you. But he couldn’t even do that much for you. Frowning, his eyes averted from you to the floor. If Ichthys couldn’t make you happy then you clearly didn’t need him. He couldn’t help but laugh to himself quietly as he abandoned the scene. It looked like he was back to square one. Without you… he supposed he could go back to waiting until the end—pranking his days away and hoping to see someone smiling from it. In the meantime… maybe he could catch a glimpse of just a few more of your smiles.
♍️♍️♍️
Partheno had rarely felt his demon blood flaring up in him, but seeing Ophiuchus touching his goldfish just made him feel much more possessive than usual. Immediately, his only desire was to see Ophiuchus punished, but of course, he had to stop himself from lashing out or using his powers. He was a god now, so he couldn’t just let such feelings take over without just cause. Though, this seemed like a just enough cause…
His eyes narrowed on you, in specific. He was the god of love so he knew very well what the two of you felt just by looking at your faces. He wouldn’t have believed it to be true if you hadn’t yelled at him just that morning. Evidently being a god wasn’t the only task he had to fulfill in your eyes. He had to ‘stop acting like he owned you.’ Though, what did that really mean? He was treating you like a loving partner, wasn’t he? He was keeping you by his side, making sure you weren’t flirting with anyone else while he wasn’t around—give those gods an inch and they’ll take a mile. Ophiuchus was a prime example of a god taking you for granted. He took advantage of your soft heart almost as soon as it was displayed.
Partheno couldn’t believe you fell so easily for someone like Ophiuchus, but there you were. Well, considering all he had ever done to you, you deserved someone better. He was a demon; he used your kindness against you—he used your love against you. How could he have ever expected you to forgive him for that, truly? Yes… he supposed he deserved for you to cheat on him. Maybe it was better for him to find out this way. Now he knew the pain that you felt when you found out who he truly was when he took you to the Under Realm. All the heartbreak was so raw and unfiltered. The god of love would bask in the feeling of heartbreak—he deserved nothing less.
♈️♈️♈️
Krioff felt the flames rising to his hand before he could even register what he was really seeing. As much as he wanted to lash out with his flames and bring harm to Ophiuchus, he knew you were there and his priority was keeping you safe—it didn’t matter what the situation looked like or what the situation actually was. Though the carpet was singed by his flames—proof of him being there—he made a swift exit from the building, determined not to make a troubling scene. Besides, you had already yelled at him before because of his possessiveness.
But didn’t you know he was just trying to keep you safe? All of his efforts were only meant to ensure you didn’t wander off into someone else’s arms or go off and get hurt on your own. It was all thanks to past experiences—he didn’t want to take any chances with you. But, evidently it was too much for you to handle. You told him to stop breathing down your neck and he thought he was doing a decent job, but evidently it wasn’t enough. You wanted change from a god like Krioff who was nearly as immovable as a boulder.
But if you wanted something more from him, then maybe it was better you went to someone like Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus didn’t have the trauma as he did. Fi didn’t fight so hard to save his sister's life only to lose her—he wouldn’t know what loss was. Loss was what made Krioff hold you too hard. He suffocated you to the point where you desperately wanted to escape him. So… maybe you needed a soft god like Fi. Fi couldn’t hurt you with flames coming out of his hand… it was all the safer and better option. Anyone was the safer and better option when Krioff was the one getting compared.
#star crossed myth#scm leon#scm karno#scm huedhaut#scm teorus#scm tauxolouve#scm aigonorus#scm zyglavis#scm scorpio#scm dui#scm ichthys#scm partheno#scm krioff#star crossed myth fanfic#department of wishes#department of punishments#voltage inc fanfic#zodiac gods#my asks#scm ophiuchus
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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
I typically am not someone who enjoys any kind of fighting anime or the cyberpunk genre. In fact, until this piece, I had no idea that cyberpunk was a genre. But I have heard of this piece before this class, but never had any interest in watching it. In fact, I was pretty disappointed when it was selected as our class choice. But I was pleasantly surprised by this anime, I actually ended up watching the whole thing (because I am sick and have nothing else to do) and I ended up enjoying it.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a story about a society that is so messed up that it fails basically everyone in it: everything is heavily dictated by money, you cannot trust anyone, and the only way to escape it is to go to another celestial body (which also requires money). It follows David Martinez, a street boy who attends a preppy school but doesn't fit in, and his adventures after he acquires a military grade piece of cyberwear.
One theme that I want to touch on that is very noticeable within the first few episodes is the idea of money, and a society so overrun by it, that it no longer cares about it's citizens. David's mother slaves away at her job to make sure that he is able to attend the best school possible, because she fears that if he doesn't, he is just going to end up like her, not having enough money to run their washing machine. However, we see that he doesn't fit in at this school, and he is an outsider because he is poor and doesn't have the same posh, stuck up attitude as all of the other kids. This comes in on a later theme. But, the whole slaving away to pay for his schooling is sad enough, but when they get into the car accident, as he is crying for help for them, the medical team walks up, scans them, sees that they are not a member of their specific insurance plan, and then leaves them there to die. And when a rinky-dink hospital takes them in and his mother ends up dying, instead of condolences, David, now an orphan, is bombarded with funeral packages, listing the different costs of funeral services. I think this is a sad commentary on the prioritization that money has in our world today.
Another major thing I wanted to talk about was David being constantly outcasted by his peers. I think that the constant bullying and the fact that he was treated as lesser than, really developed his personality into one that fights hard to be not just equal but "built different". I think that his body did have an unusual ability to support the cyber wear, but he went way too far beyond his limits, even after his friends told him it was too much, and after watching Maine die because of it. But I think that ties into this idea of knowing and acknowledging your own limits. The same thing could have been said for Maine. If either of them were simply willing to recognize when they reached their capacity, and either removed the cyber wear or stopped using it like their friends advised them to, then they could have likely remained alive. I think that having the ability to recognize your own limits and weaknesses is actually a very important strength, and it was very sad to see David losing it in his last moments.
Those were the two main things that I wanted to talk about, but I also thought the idea of going to the moon to escape how horrible reality on Earth is, is very reminiscent of another anime we watched in this class (a place further than the universe). I thought it was very interesting as well, because we see that the cyberpunk universe is also completely dictated by money, with those having money being the people in power and those without always getting the short end of the stick. Lucy's dream reminded me a lot of that idea of emancipation from capitalism.
But yeah, I liked this anime. I will admit, I enjoyed the first 4 episodes significantly more than I enjoyed the last 6, only because it started to feel a little too basic for my tastes, and I enjoyed the deeper storyline of the first few episodes of this show. It actually reminded me a lot of Dorohedoro, another anime on Netflix, but I will admit, I thought that one was executed better from start to finish. But I thought the characters were pretty cool and I really enjoyed the piece overall. It was a very interesting watch and although by no means would I rate it a masterpiece, it was pretty good and I'm glad I have finally watched it so I can engage in the exchange of cultural capital with it now.
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For shit to ask people who write
So… well you know I am damn curious therefore
well I am interested in 4, 5, 18, 19, 22, 25
but as this is quite a list feel free to just pick 2 or three of those that you are willing to share with us…
No worries, I wouldn't have reblogged that post if I hadn't wanted people to ask stuff. Thanks so much for dropping by!
4. What are some of examples of storytelling that inspires you outside of books?
Art, songs, little scenes my friends tell me on WA, news. In the case of fanfiction, fanvids and gifs are also an important source of inspiration for me.
5. What is the plot bunny you’ve been carrying the longest? Optional bonus question: do you ever wonder why you haven’t written it yet and experience deep existential dread?
A sci-fi original story that's been living rent-free in my head for almost a decade. It used to make me experience deep existential dread because I'm not sure I'll ever be able to write it —it's a very complex concept that needs lots of time, research and skill—, but not anymore. I'd still like to write it but it's no great loss if I don't, since I'm the only person invested in it and I can always daydream about it.
18. Tell us about a character who’s very different from you who you love a whole lot.
Most of the characters I love are very different from me, hahaha. Peggy Carter comes to mind right now.
19. What’s something neat you’ve learned while doing research for something you were writing? Also, how much do you worry about doing research in general?
I admit it's been a long while since I've done serious research. I don't always bother when I'm writing fanfiction, though I do remember learning microwaves were common in the UK in the late 70s/early 80s.
22. Talk about a writing experience that has pleasantly surprised you. Or talk about several. Seriously, writing is cool. You’re making up whole stories out of your brain, revel in that shit.
Writing is the coolest! My favourite experience is when the story seems to write itself, when the characters act on their own (but without getting themselves into trouble I can't get them out of) and the whole thing just flows. You never know where you're going to end up and I find it impossible to actually explain the way I feel at moments like this because people tend to think it's an exaggeration. But no, on those occasions I'm just the person holding the pen, writing down someone else's story.
25. Hey - what are you working on right now?
The next chapter of House Potter. ^-^ I've written a little over 1000 words so far.
Shit to ask writers
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CHAPTER 22
SUNDAY BELOW GROUND
I Awoke on Sunday morning without any sense of hurry and bustle attendant on an immediate departure. Though the day to be devoted to repose and reflection was spent under such strange circumstances, and in so wonderful a place, the idea was a pleasant one. Besides, we all began to get used to this kind of existence. I had almost ceased to think of the sun, of the moon, of the stars, of the trees, houses, and towns; in fact, about any terrestrial necessities. In our peculiar position we were far above such reflections.
The grotto was a vast and magnificent hall. Along its granitic soil the stream flowed placidly and pleasantly. So great a distance was it now from its fiery source that its water was scarcely lukewarm, and could be drunk without delay or difficulty.
After a frugal breakfast, the Professor made up his mind to devote some hours to putting his notes and calculations in order.
"In the first place," he said, "I have a good many to verify and prove, in order that we may know our exact position. I wish to be able on our return to the upper regions to make a map of our journey, a kind of vertical section of the globe, which will be, as it were, the profile of the expedition."
"That would indeed be a curious work, Uncle; but can you make your observations with anything like certainty and precision?"
"I can. I have never on any occasion failed to note with great care the angles and slopes. I am certain as to having made no mistake. Take the compass and examine how she points."
I looked at the instrument with care.
"East one quarter southeast."
"Very good," resumed the Professor, noting the observation, and going through some rapid calculations. "I make out that we have journeyed two hundred and fifty miles from the point of our departure."
"Then the mighty waves of the Atlantic are rolling over our heads?"
"Certainly."
"And at this very moment it is possible that fierce tempests are raging above, and that men and ships are battling against the angry blasts just over our heads?"
"It is quite within the range of possibility," rejoined my uncle, smiling.
"And that whales are playing in shoals, thrashing the bottom of the sea, the roof of our adamantine prison?"
"Be quite at rest on that point; there is no danger of their breaking through. But to return to our calculations. We are to the southeast, two hundred and fifty miles from the base of Sneffels, and, according to my preceding notes, I think we have gone sixteen leagues in a downward direction."
"Sixteen leagues—fifty miles!" I cried.
"I am sure of it."
"But that is the extreme limit allowed by science for the thickness of the earth's crust," I replied, referring to my geological studies.
"I do not contravene that assertion," was his quiet answer.
"And at this stage of our journey, according to all known laws on the increase of heat, there should be here a temperature of fifteen hundred degrees of Reaumur."
"There should be—you say, my boy."
"In which case this granite would not exist, but be in a state of fusion."
"But you perceive, my boy, that it is not so, and that facts, as usual, are very stubborn things, overruling all theories."
"I am forced to yield to the evidence of my senses, but I am nevertheless very much surprised."
"What heat does the thermometer really indicate?" continued the philosopher.
"Twenty-seven six-tenths."
"So that science is wrong by fourteen hundred and seventy-four degrees and four-tenths. According to which, it is demonstrated that the proportional increase in temperature is an exploded error. Humphry Davy here shines forth in all his glory. He is right, and I have acted wisely to believe him. Have you any answer to make to this statement?"
Had I chosen to have spoken, I might have said a great deal. I in no way admitted the theory of Humphry Davy—I still held out for the theory of proportional increase of heat, though I did not feel it.
I was far more willing to allow that this chimney of an extinct volcano was covered by lava of a kind refractory to heat—in fact a bad conductor—which did not allow the great increase of temperature to percolate through its sides. The hot water jet supported my view of the matter.
But without entering on a long and useless discussion, or seeking for new arguments to controvert my uncle, I contented myself with taking up facts as they were.
"Well, sir, I take for granted that all your calculations are correct, but allow me to draw from them a rigorous and definite conclusion."
"Go on, my boy—have your say," cried my uncle goodhumoredly.
"At the place where we now are, under the latitude of Iceland, the terrestrial depth is about fifteen hundred and eighty-three leagues."
"Fifteen hundred eighty-three and a quarter."
"Well, suppose we say sixteen hundred in round numbers. Now, out of a voyage of sixteen hundred leagues we have completed sixteen."
"As you say, what then?"
"At the expense of a diagonal journey of no less than eighty-five leagues."
"Exactly."
"We have been twenty days about it."
"Exactly twenty days."
"Now sixteen is the hundredth part of our contemplated expedition. If we go on in this way we shall be two thousand days, that is about five years and a half, going down."
The Professor folded his arms, listened, but did not speak.
"Without counting that if a vertical descent of sixteen leagues costs us a horizontal of eighty-five, we shall have to go about eight thousand leagues to the southeast, and we must therefore come out somewhere in the circumference long before we can hope to reach the centre."
"Bother your calculations," cried my uncle in one of his old rages. "On what basis do they rest? How do you know that this passage does not take us direct to the end we require? Moreover, I have in my favor, fortunately, a precedent. What I have undertaken to do, another has done, and he having succeeded, why should I not be equally successful?"
"I hope, indeed, you will, but still, I suppose I may be allowed to—"
"You are allowed to hold your tongue," cried Professor Hardwigg, "when you talk so unreasonably as this."
I saw at once that the old doctorial Professor was still alive in my uncle—and fearful to rouse his angry passions, I dropped the unpleasant subject.
"Now, then," he explained, "consult the manometer. What does that indicate?"
"A considerable amount of pressure."
"Very good. You see, then, that by descending slowly, and by gradually accustoming ourselves to the density of this lower atmosphere, we shall not suffer."
"Well, I suppose not, except it may be a certain amount of pain in the ears," was my rather grim reply.
"That, my dear boy, is nothing, and you will easily get rid of that source of discomfort by bringing the exterior air in communication with the air contained in your lungs."
"Perfectly," said I, for I had quite made up my mind in no wise to contradict my uncle. "I should fancy almost that I should experience a certain amount of satisfaction in making a plunge into this dense atmosphere. Have you taken note of how wonderfully sound is propagated?"
"Of course I have. There can be no doubt that a journey into the interior of the earth would be an excellent cure for deafness."
"But then, Uncle," I ventured mildly to observe, "this density will continue to increase."
"Yes—according to a law which, however, is scarcely defined. It is true that the intensity of weight will diminish just in proportion to the depth to which we go. You know very well that it is on the surface of the earth that its action is most powerfully felt, while on the contrary, in the very centre of the earth bodies cease to have any weight at all."
"I know that is the case, but as we progress will not the atmosphere finally assume the density of water?"
"I know it; when placed under the pressure of seven hundred and ten atmospheres," cried my uncle with imperturbable gravity.
"And when we are still lower down?" I asked with natural anxiety.
"Well, lower down, the density will become even greater."
"Then how shall we be able to make our way through this atmospheric fog?"
"Well, my worthy nephew, we must ballast ourselves by filling our pockets with stones," said Professor Hardwigg.
"Faith, Uncle, you have an answer for everything," was my only reply.
I began to feel that it was unwise of me to go any farther into the wide field of hypotheses for I should certainly have revived some difficulty, or rather impossibility, that would have enraged the Professor.
It was evident, nevertheless, that the air under a pressure which might be multiplied by thousands of atmospheres, would end by becoming perfectly solid, and that then admitting our bodies resisted the pressure, we should have to stop, in spite of all the reasonings in the world. Facts overcome all arguments.
But I thought it best not to urge this argument. My uncle would simply have quoted the example of Saknussemm. Supposing the learned Icelander's journey ever really to have taken place—there was one simple answer to be made:
In the sixteenth century neither the barometer nor the manometer had been invented—how, then, could Saknussemm have been able to discover when he did reach the centre of the earth?
This unanswerable and learned objection I, however, kept to myself and, bracing up my courage, awaited the course of events—little aware of how adventurous yet were to be the incidents of our remarkable journey.
The rest of this day of leisure and repose was spent in calculation and conversation. I made it a point to agree with the Professor in everything; but I envied the perfect indifference of Hans, who, without taking any such trouble about the cause and effect, went blindly onwards wherever destiny chose to lead him.
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I am here to interrogate you about Val/Goro for the Ship Questions: Pre-Relationship: 1, 7 | General: 2, 4 :3c
Tyyyy for asking, I did not mean to schedule this one so close to the last haha. Questions are here
Pre-Relationship 1: How did they first meet?
They did meet in the canonical way– which is to say Val crawled partway out of the dump and Goro took her the rest of the way. Important caveat that she 100% was deliriously info-dumping about the elite squad that almost killed them while they were both bleeding out and Goro was pleading with her to call someone. (Love that particular dialog option I gotta say)
Their first real conversation at the diner, Val was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did Goro not want to kill her but he was surprisingly practical about his desire to seek vengeance. She agreed to help him in large part because looking at him made her think of where she'd been sitting six months ago. After a week or so on his own in NC he was mostly impressed by her will to live and whatever it was that had her ripperdoc willing to go out of his way to keep her alive on the strength of an IOU.
Pre-Relationship 7: What would their lives be like if they had never met?
Hoooo, there's a lot of ways to think about this one, but the most obvious is to say that Yorinobu's rebellion didn't play out at all. In that universe, I think Val would eventually transition out of merc work and start her own tech repair and supply business with Jackie. If she managed to survive through that she'd probably end up picking some sort of rivalry which keeps her busy and motivated. Maybe meet Rogue and actually get along with her, because she's good at nothing if not networking and building a rep.
Barring Saburo walking into any other dangerous situations and then telling him to get lost, Goro would eventually successfully end his tenure as Saburo's bodyguard and probably end up in semi-retirement as a teacher. Possibly strike up an old flame in his old age (a fellow elite soldier, haven't decided on a name for him). So essentially, they'd both get on alright without the other, but I think Val would suffer a little more from trust issues and rely a lot on Jackie as her sole close connection.
(I hope that's not a boring answer, but I like the thought that even though they were thrown together, they don't need each other, and they work because they choose to.)
Other answers under the cut:
General: 2. Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?
I'll admit I hadn't thought about this, because canonically they don't have any free time during game events, and then afterwards they're hiding their relationship because they're not supposed to have one.
But I'd have to say they would go out for a romantic dinner dressed to the nines, take turns swapping stories, eat excellent food and get a little sloppy drunk, before indulging other appetites. By that point they've got all the other romantic bases covered (blindly loyal sacrifice, tending bloody wounds, killing for love, engaging in mutual trolling) so all that's left is to enjoy parading each other around with incredible that's my wife! (gender neutral) energy.
Funnier answer: if we're counting by quality time spent together outside of work (i.e. Goro's missions), it would be that time Val got stabbed in a knife fight with a scav and Goro showed up to help her clean out the rest of the den.
General 4: Were they each other's first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?
For both they are the first relationship where they recognized they had the same way of showing care, which is to say absurdly large acts of self-sacrifice and devotion. Recognizing and respecting that urge in each other is a very important part of why they become inseparable so quickly. (They need someone to take care of!)
#ask meme#valentine#they're very different people and yet at the same time the pointing spiderman meme
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After getting all I wanted out of The Stanley Parable - good stuff but not my kind of good stuff I think - I’m now playing an indie VN named Spare Parts
I admit the protagonist doesn’t entice me much but I am willing and eager to be pleasantly surprised, and the mystery of the plot intrigues me~
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