#jade :( come home :( I’ll talk to you about mushrooms :( | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

astringofmadhousefloozies · 3 years

Text

On Illness and Recovery, or: Sickfic, Baby!

You know the drill! Please let me know if you liked it, and check my Twisted Wonderland fanfiction tag if you want other shit I’ve done.

Contains coarse language and emotional whiplash.

~*~*~*~

Some things stay true no matter where you are; the truest, right now? Schools are disgusting fucking petri dishes, as your miserable cold will tell you. Your cough had only been getting worse as the days went on, with it came exhaustion and a chill that wouldn't leave your bones. You should probably be holed up in your dorm instead of going to class, but that had it's own issues that you were struggling to solve.

"Are you done yet? I want to eat." Grimm's nose, and little else, poked out from a pile of blankets on your bed.

"Nowhere close. Shh." You taped the last bit of plastic over the balcony entryway, and swapped the roll of tape for a heavy duty stapler. "Hold that right there."

The skull-faced ghost held a packing blanket over the plastic as you stapled it in place. By the time you were done, you couldn't see much, which at least meant you could no longer see your own breath. Maybe now, you would be able to feel your own fingers.

Ah, they joys of your own rotten, ancient place - you wake up with frost on your bedsheets and your washbasin shattered from the ice within it. There were other rooms in the place, but most had holes in the ceiling or were too big to heat effectively. So now, you were going to live in one room, that you'd yet to figure out how to run electricity to, and only leave for class or the bathroom. Even if you were ill, could anyone blame you for still going to class when your own home had a nasty quirk of being even colder than outside?

Anywho, it was time to do some homework. By the light of an oil lamp. In five layers of clothing. Curled up so close to a tiny fire you might as well be inside of it. While your not-a-cat complained the whole time.

Yaaaaaaay.

~*~*~*~

"You really should be resting."

You scoffed. "You just feel bad because you're the one who got me sick."

"You can't prove that, everyone's had a cold the past few weeks."

"No one else has been exploring my tonsils, dude."

Idia clapped a hand on your mouth, which you did not lick solely because you were wearing a cloth mask. "Quiet! That's secret intel."

"What? No it's not, everyone knows."

"I don't want to advertise. Then I'm a raid boss and you're the rare loot drop."

You elbowed him in his boney ribs. "No one's going to kick your ass out of jealousy. Just because I'm the hottest bitch in this place doesn't mean I've got universal appeal."

"You're still the only girl and people are weird about it." He placed the back of his hand on your forehead and winced. "You're too warm."

"How can you tell? You've got gloves on."

"That's how bad it is. I'll make some tea."

"I'm not drinking anything out of the damned lab equipment."

He frowned. "I've never had anything bad happen, it's cleaned correctly."

"You're smarter than that. One of these days you're going to grow a tail due to residue in the glassware, and I'm going to haul you around in front of god and everyone by it, going 'I told you so' the entire time."

He blanched, knowing that that was not an idle threat, and someone laughed. "I think I should make that happen, just so we can see that."

"Jade, no. No magic mushrooms for my man, or any other concoctionary bullshit either."

Idia looked ready to die, so to take attention off of him you leaned over and poked Silver awake before he fell face first in the potion he was working on. Logically, you know his narcolepsy was debilitating. Right now, you wish you could have borrowed it last night. You don't remember walking up during the night, but you must have, because why else would you be so tired?

He started up, mumbled "thank you" and went back to stirring as if he hadn't been about to drown in dubious magichemicals. God, you wished that was you right now.

"Idia, deal. You help me get through this class, I'll grab some hot food and go home."

He made a show of hemming and hawing before saying, "Grimm needs to let me hold him when I drop you off, and I will."

Ordinarily, you would have just said "Ask him yourself and don't be weird about it," and Grimm would have simply told him no until sufficiently bribed. But Grimm was still in bed at home, saying you kept him up all night, so instead you bumped Idia with your hip and said "What, you can't think to ask for better pussy to fondle?"

Of course, you just had to say something crass at the moment where everyone went quiet. Even Crewel raised his head and both eyebrows at you. The only reason you didn't get a riding crop to the face and a week in horny detention (where, you assumed, they punished you for being a bad girl indeed) was Idia, rapidly going through every stage of confusion and grief, with a few currently unknown to man. You'd intended to tease him, but that sheer amount of confused, horny misery on his face was just too much, and you laughed so hard you bent over.

And coughed. In a short time, there was no laughter left, only miserable coughing from the depths of your chest that left you on the floor with your eyes watering. Someone thumped your back a few times, and when you yanked your mask off to catch a proper, if shallow breath, your mask was full of a red-streaked, pus coloured slime.

A fur coat was draped over your shoulders as everyone made various noises of disgust. "Class dismissed. Let's get you to the nurses."

~*~*~*~

"How in hell are you still mobile."

"Pettiness and a desire to not freeze to death."

Crewel narrowed his eyes at you. "Both lungs."

"That is what double pneumonia means, Professor."

You could see his whip fingers itching. "Yes, well. You can't come to class like that. And... Is it really that bad in Ramshackle?"

Idia raised a hand. "It was really cold the last time I was there."

"Ugh. I told Crowley we should have razed the place for an expansion on my dog run." He looked at you with a curious mix of genuine fondness and even more genuine disgust. "I'm not putting you up until your place gets fixed, you'll leak all over my furniture. Anyone here going to babysit?"

"I've done perfectly fine in my own dorm, I don't need to become the pet of another dorm."

"Those little fairies said that if you don't stay on bedrest and stay warm, you will die. I am not filling out that paperwork." He looked to you classmates. "Speak up or I'm docking a letter grade."

Silver raised a hand. "I think we could do it but I don't think D- Lilia would let me. Malleus would end up trying to play nurse and skip class."

"Oh god, no, we don't tell him I'm sick until I'm safely ensconced somewhere, he would lose his damn mind and I'd try to strangle him after a week of it."

"There are no spare rooms in Octanivelle. However, I could try some experimental medicines I've been-"

"Jade, no."

Idia was quiet, before speaking up. "I... I don't know if Ignihyde has a spare room, or would be good for healing."

He'd not left your side since your collapse, and gone so full of writhing, barely concealed anxiety he'd broke through the other side and simply shut off. You didn't get it, it wasn't actually anything serious. The nurses had pumped you full of medicine, you'd be up and about a week or two at the most, instead of the month's worth of hospital rooms and bad food it would have been.

Crewel sighed. "Time to start checking the files to see where you can be squeezed."

There was a cough, from the fifth student so quiet despite his size. Everyone had honestly forgotten he was there.

When he spoke up, it was to you, and not anyone else. "There's an unoccupied room down the hall from me. I think the weather in the Savannahclaw dorms will be good for your health. You shouldn't have to stay where you won't be wanted, or get sicker. Would that work?"

You looked at him, assessing. You and him hadn't talked overmuch, and he didn't seem to mind. But as severe as he looked? You could see the sincerity in his offer.

"That should work. Jack, right?"

His ears flicked, and his tail twitched. "Yes."

"Thank you, Jack. You're very kind."

~*~*~*~

Easy to see why the room was empty. You suspected it might have been a storage room, or that there had been a monastic order in the dorm at one point. A single bed just fit the far wall, with a chair, a desk, a bureau, and little else. But the far wall had a large window, and the room felt... nice. And a hell of a lot warmer than than your room in Ramshackle.

"It'll make an excellent sickroom." You set your schoolbag and an entire case of tissues on the desk. "Thank you again, Jack. You sure it won't be any trouble?"

"I've already cleared it with our dorm leader, he said he doesn't care as long as you don't rub phlegm on his things." Jack was a solid block of frown and muscle in the corner. "The window does open, you should keep it that way for circulation. There's a bathroom down the hall, there's showers in there. If you need anything or anyone tries to bother you, please let me know."

"Will do." You were already unpacking the few things in your bag, trying to get them arranged before another coughing fit took you.

"I can help get your things, if you need?" For a dude who was very do-that-shit-yourself, he was being very helpful.

"Idia's grabbing Grimm and anything else I'll need. He'll know what I want."

"I see." Silence, and more interesting ear flicks. "So."

"So?"

"You and him are..." He made a guesture with interlaced fingers.

"Yeah. Jealous?"

He snorted. "No. Just curious. He's a bit..." Hand wiggle.

"I'm a bit too. It works. Would have been nice if he'd gotten the hint before I had a ghost turn me inside out in front of him and everyone else."

"You know that's why you're so sick, right?"

You made a noise that was hard to decipher, that he used as cue to continue. "You never smelled quite right after that happened. Even after the healing. You're always a little..." He moved his hands, trying to grasp the right simile. "Like when a flower's starting to drop petals. Overripe."

How in the hell were you supposed to take that. What do you even say to that? Does everyone know you smell? Does -

"Oh god, you all know when I'm on the rag."

A single, curt nod, and you put your head in your hands and groaned.

~*~*~*~

A knock on the door

"Who is it?"

"Your worst enemy."

"Get your ass in here, Vil."

Vil had on... good lord. Mask, gloves, face shield. An absurdly fashionable CDC agent. "You look like shit."

"Thanks, Vil. Means so much coming from you."

He stayed by the door, ready to flee if a spare germ came floating towards him. "Heard you're out of commission. Thank the seven, I'll get some peace in my life."

You flipped him the bird, but smiled as you did. "Don't say that. I'll made a sheet ladder and mix sputum in your cold cream."

"If you do that I will personally burn your clothes and replace them with something decent that you will hate."

"Try. Come to gloat?"

"Just a bit." He set a large cup with a straw at the very edge of the desk, straining at arm's length as he did. "This should unfuck your throat somewhat."

"Such language!" You waited until he retreated to the door before you took the smoothie. It was... very, very purple, and smelled minty. "Trying to poison me, finally?"

He rolled his eyes. "When I decide to poison you, it's not going to be through something that obvious. You will never see it coming, and then I'll sell your corpse to Floyd and everyone will just think he finally decided to go full crazy and Riddle is next."

You snorted. "Honestly? I think he'd shit his pants if I actually returned the affection. One time I saw Riddle give him a genuine smile and he had to go sit down because he started shaking so bad." That might have been because the smile was caused by Floyd cracking his head on a doorway and falling flat on his ass, but the point still stood.

When he stopped laughing, he turned to leave. "Take at least an extra week to get better, for my sanity. And don't give the creature any, it won't agree with him."

"Shh, I just got him down for his nap-"

Grimm made a horrible snort from your feet and say up. "Food?"

You made a look-what-you-did guesture at Vil, but he left instead of helping you deal with your beloved yowling idiot.

~*~*~*~

You woke up coughing in the dark. It took entirely too long for you to figure out where the hell you were, and why, and you took the offered tissue with great-

"JaySUS FUCKING CHRIST" You jumped back so much it was only Malleus's grip on your arm that kept you from going through the open window.

"People are sleeping, please do not yell."

"Don't yell my ass, how long have you been there?"

He shrugged. "Since before sunset. Ortho was here first."

You leaned around Mal, to see Ortho sitting on the desk, scritching the belly of a drowsing Grimm. "Hello, Yuu. Your fever has gone down half of a degree since I took over."

The audacity of these idiots, you swear. "Both of you go home and go to bed."

"No. You need watching." Mal had not blinked once since you'd woken up, and how about that? His eyes glowed in the dark, or he had very strong eyeshine; either way, there was no iris around the blown out pupil. "You are very ill and need taken care of. I can do that, I took care of Silver when he was ill."

"Mal."

"Yes?"

"Do we need another boundaries talk?"

He frowned. "But you are ill."

"Mal, I will call Lilia and tell him what you are doing right now. I will personally write your grandmother and tell her you're neglecting your studies. I will get Leona down here and he will call you a simp until you go outside and fight him on compulsion."

"Those all sound terrible!"

"Ortho, don't kiss up because you're next. Why are you here and not home charging?"

"Idia wouldn't go home to sleep until I said I would let him know if you got worse."

You opened your mouth, and shut it again. Why's he so worried? You had to physically shove him out the door to go to his next class, looking like his heart would break, and he'd still skipped board games to fidget miserably in the chair Mal now sat in, looking ready to burst into tears every time you coughed.

Ortho seemed to read your mind. "He gets worried when people get sick. I got sick once."

Ah. That explained a hell of a lot that you were too polite to ask.

"... Okay, you can stay."

Mal perked up.

"You go home. I'll never go back to sleep if you keep staring all night, and you do need to sleep some."

Mal's face fell.

"You can come back tomorrow, after class."

He perked back up. "Goodnight, Yuu. I will see you tomorrow!" A brief kiss against your sweating temple, and he was out the same window he most likely came in.

"Hey, Ortho?"

"Yes?"

"If you can dim your lights a little, you can come lie down with me."

~*~*~*~

You were rudely poked awake by a giant asshole.

"Why are you in my nap room." Leona hovered over you with obvious displeasure.

You blinked and sorted yourself. Ortho was crammed between you and the window, hopefully dreaming of electric sheep, and Grimm was still dead asleep, the little bastard. "Jack put me up here because my dorm's a block of ice and I can't stay there on doctor's orders." Crewel might have a doctorate, it's not a lie.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"I did." Jack was behind him, his own link in a chain of hovering displeasure. "You said it was fine as long as she didn't make a mess. I brought yogurt."

"Thank you-" More miserable coughing, with now everyone either rubbing your back or passing you tissues. Except Leona, who simply held back and watched. By the time you were done, he just nodded.

"I'm not moving you, but..."

"What."

"I'm calling in a favour next time Cheka gets pawned off on me. He likes you."

You'd argue that, but you liked the kid. "Aight. Everyone get out, there's too many fucking people in here and I'm discovering new and interesting depths of claustrophobia."

Leona didn't need to be told twice.

"I'll be back after class with your homework. Maybe at lunch with something. Not before then. Stay put."

"Oooo, oo. I'm going with you, big guy." Grimm scampered over. "I'll get bored here all day. You can just nap."

You rolled your eyes "I can just nap. Jack, if he sticks with you, he's going to want to eat everything you do."

"I'll manage."

"Would you like me to stay?" Ortho was finally up, or maybe you hadn't noticed him exiting screensaver mode.

"I'd like you to tell your brother that I'm not going anywhere. Use those exact words."

He nodded, a faint whirr as he did.

"I'll see you guys later, okay? I need more sleep."

~*~*~*~

Someone gently shook you awake, and said someone was leaning in the window.

"Hey, Kalim." Why'd you have to be the center of attention when sick, and therefore couldn't kiss anyone to thank them for said attention.

"Hi! I asked Jamil to make extra lunch for you!" He set a covered dish on your knees.

"Thank you. Was he okay with that?"

"He was when I said it was for you. Everyone's heard that you're laid up!"

"News travels fast. Am I about to get even more popular?"

"You're always popular because you're great. Feel better! Jamil said he'll have extras tomorrow too. See you!" And off he went.

You needed to tell Jamil thank you, but he would probably just tell you to just stop talking about abolishing the monarchy instead. (Not because he didn't support the idea, but because he didn't want to be punished for not keeping the idea from Kalim.) What did he make, anyway?

"Oh, curry. Sweet."

~*~*~*~

The days progressed roughly the same. Drowsing most of the morning, lunch, more drowsing in between laptop stuff, maybe actual sleep. Coughing up far less gunk as the days went on. And entertaining an absurd fucking amount of people. Everyone seemed determined to check on you, even people who you'd never seen before in your life; Ruggie made something like 10k madol charging people to try and see you through the window before you cursed him out. Your Heartslabyul boys dropped in every couple of days to relate shit that they hadn't simply texted you (along with a pile of pastries from Trey and handwritten instructions on recovery from Riddle, the latter far less appreciated than the former). Floyd dropped in once to mostly complain about how you weren't around to eat the mushrooms he picked out of his food, tried to convince you to let him carry you over to the Monstro Lounge himself, and when you refused, kissed the tips of your fingers and left pouting. Jack, true to his word, dropped in at least twice a day to deliver food and homework, and once spent forty-five minutes glowering at anyone approaching the bathrooms while you took a shower that ached on your oversensitive skin.

Some people were far more regular. Every day like clockwork, Malleus perched in your window and was the world's friendliest, most affectionate vulture. Twenty minutes after that, Idia would come in, sit in the chair, and exude such concentrated grief that you were at a loss for what to do beyond asking if he wanted to talk about it, to which he would shake his head and simply resume sitting there, tapping away at his screens until the next panicked flurry of activity every time you made a unhealthy noise.

"You are allowed to go home. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm much better than I was."

He just shook his head.

"I will come get you if something happens," Mal offered.

More head shaking, and a "no" from his tablet, before adding, "Never again."

"I'll call Ortho and make him tag you out."

"I said no. And Ortho is with Lilia."

Lilia, small, beloved pest, has what you like to think of as a compulsive need to parent. He was god knows how old, had raised at least three of your classmates that you know of, and seemed to consider you his newest fledgling. After hearing about what happened, he'd taken it into his own hands to fix Ramshackle to... well, not OSHA compliance, but you wouldn't be cold.

"Does he know how much I appreciate it? Appreciate all of you, really?"

"Of course he does. He loves talking about you. He wears that shirt you made all the time."

"Which one? I've made him seven so far."

"When do I get one?"

"When they make T shirts that'll fit over your horns." Something drooped in the corner of your eye, and you looked over to see Idia shaking himself upright. "Hey, babe. When was the last time you slept?"

He took an embarrassingly long time to lie through his teeth and say "Last night" through his tablet.

"Yeah, no. Get over here." You took a moment to drag Mal's hand down before he could just do a sleeping spell, or something equally well meaning but deeply inappropriate.

"No."

"Please?"

You held your arms out until he couldn't resist, and soon you'd arranged his head on your chest.

"You hear anything more sloshing around in there?"

He shook his head.

"I am on the mend. I... don't really know what happened before. And I sure as hell don't know what you did to get him back. But I'm not going anywhere. So rest."

He gave a faint nod.

"I will wake you, if need be?"

To both yours and Mal's surprise, Idia answered him with a pat on his leg.

"Thank you."

Idia was already asleep.

~*~*~*~

"Mal?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know what 'cyanosis' is?" You’d been stroking Idia's head for hours. Or minutes. Time flies, and you could not tell the difference.

"Not immediately, no."

"It's caused by a few different things. Hypoxia, hypothermia, that sort of thing. The blood in you doesn't have enough oxygen. So little that, instead of red, parts of your body turn blue or grey due to the lack of oxygen."

"I see." He looked intently, much as you did, at Idia's greyish nails and blue lips. "That doesn't seem survivable."

"Not if it's severe, no." The flames from Idia's head curled around your fingers, grasping at you even when he's not aware of it. "It's not something you see on someone as... lively as him. It's something I think about a lot. Whether it's to do with his magic, or that curse he won't elaborate on."

"I've heard rumours."

"Oh?"

"The Shroud family curse. Nothing concrete, for an origin. Madness, misfortune, and illness have plagued the family throughout history. Add in a trend of cousin marriage beyond the norm for upper-class families due to people not wanting to subject their loved ones to a cursed bloodline, and the tree is more of an notorious, ingrown shrub."

"That just sounds like shitty genetics and what happens to every family as the years go on, not a curse."

Mal shrugged. "is there a difference? Even in the sleeping curse my grandmother bestowed so easily, much of the power came for the fear of it. A girl grew up without her family because of the fear of it."

"True." You leaned down and kissed the top of Idia's head, feeling an unconscious smile as you did. "There must be a little hereditary something. He gets so anxious about this beautiful hair! He hates people looking at him, and he doesn't even realize it's because he's the most beautiful thing in any room he walks in."

"Thing?" Mal raised an amused eyebrow.

"Even the finest art in a museum doesn't have the benefit of being actually alive."

"Your capacity for love and beauty is enviable. Hunt would be jealous." He reached out and brushed a stray lock away from Idia's face, and you could feel another smile against your chest.

~*~*~*~

"Aight, so we've patched up holes in the walls, insulated the windows - Idia here," Lilia clapped Idia on the small of his back, causing him to make a distressed squeak - "smart boy, found some solar panels and we've got electricity up in your room, the kitchen and the bathroom by your room, not just the front room anymore! The rest we got the ghosts to help seal off to hold the heat in. I got you a space heater for your room, so you don't have to do a fire the whole time, and as long as you don't open the windows back up before spring, you won't freeze."

"Thanks, guys. One question."

"Yeah?"

"What did you do to my room."

Lilia smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're a walking prank and can't keep out of there, what did you do."

"Nothing this time! I promise!" He held his hands up. "At least you can stay home for the next few days, Crewel says you gotta be back Monday or he's going to start making funeral prep."

"I'm literally better, but if he does that I get to help. Always wanted to plan my funeral, I have very specific ideas about what flowers to use and preferred corpse disposal."

"Maybe you should go upstairs and not talk about funerals and their associated things."

"Sure thing, dear."

After settling in your room, most everyone cleared out, even Idia. The only person still there was Jack, looking this way and that with a stern look.

"Hey, Jack?"

He grunted in assent.

"So like, why'd you put me up and help take care of me? We've hardly talked before then."

He sighed. "You've been very nice to me."

"You sure? I'd remember you."

"Uh."

"Jack?"

~*~*~*~

It was a beautiful day, if chilly in the wind. The sun was warm, the trees turning, and you just came across one of your best friends.

"Hi buddy! Are you lost today?"

The very large dog shook it's head and pressed into your knees.

"Okay, you wanna walk with me? Come on."

You'd found this enormous white Malamute wandering campus the first time a few months ago, and after checking in with a few other students who kept laughing when you asked if he was their dog, simply decided to enjoy your new friend and run and play. He was very smart, and initially standoffish, but could not resist a friendly face and good ear scritches. Today, you and Buddy here simply ran around like a couple of idiots after a lost soccer ball until it was time to go eat.

"I'll see you later, buddy. Bye!" You held out a hand, and after a firm shake, kissed the point where his snout met the rest of his face. "Stay safe, I love you."

Buddy made a low grumble and rubbed his paws over his face, and you went off to supper.

~*~*~*~

"You couldn't have told me?"

"How do you explain that? 'Hey, I run around as a wolf sometimes and you mistook me for a lost dog so you lovebombed me and I was at a loss and by the second time it was too awkward to say anything'?"

"I've been playing with you for months! I let you run with Crewel's dalmatians!"

"I run with them as a person, too, that's nothing special."

You pinched your nose. "Everyone must think I'm an idiot."

"I'll deal with them. I'm sorry, Yuu."

"I know. You are my good boy, after all."

His tail started wagging in spite of itself, and you laughed.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland fanfiction #jack howl #idia shroud #malleus draconia

58 notes · View notes

spiderling-space · 4 years

Note

new writing blog, yay! could I request HQs for Jade, Jack, Leona and Jamil with a fem!reader that hasn't been sleeping well lately and she's constantly dizzy and drifting off?

I was gonna say “yey J squad” then I realized Leona starts with L.

I don’t know why I can find more things to write for some characters.

This was challenging for me to write. I love challenges though.

I hope you enjoy it!

🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

Jamil Viper

As a compensation of what he did when he overblotted, Jamil agreed to tutor (Y/N). While spending some time together, he befriended (Y/N)

Until a few days ago, (Y/N) was attentive and always on time but now she is late and and drifts off as he speaks.

Jamil’s first thought is that she began to find him boring or taking a type of revenge. So he probes her with questions.

He was close to using snake whisper on her but he thinks it might leave an awful taste so he uses his wit to find truth.

After asking her too many questions for her taste, (Y/N) tells him the truth.

“Alright alright just stop! I admit I’ve been Magiflix and Chilling for the last 4 days! I’ve just discovered a tc show with 6 seasons! I needed watch them all!”

Jamil didn’t think the reason would be this silly. And he doesn’t intend to fail as a tutor.

He considers what he can do and comes up with something: he will take (Y/N)’s laptop and phone at night so she won’t watch the show until morning from any device.

When the night comes and Jamil comes to collect the laptop and phone.

(Y/N) extends her devices. Jamil grabs them but (Y/N) doesn’t let go.

“Just 1 more episode?” — “No.” — “Can i at least say goodbye?”

Jamil finds it odd yet he nods.

“My precious!” (Y/N) says and starts running.

Jamil is surprised, trying to understand what has occurred. When it happens, he runs after (Y/N). Ah things he does for friendship!

🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄

Jade Leech

Jade is one of the boys who would notice the smallest change in people.

He’s the always observing one.

For the last two days, he notices the dark circles under (Y/N)’s eyes. He also notices that she is trying to cover them with make up.

Jade The Shroom Guy recalls that there are a couple mushrooms that can help her to sleep.

“Oya oya, (Y/N), you seem like you’re in need of help.”

Jade puts his hand to his chin and smiles “Would you mind telling me what troubles your sleeping? I’m sure we can solve it in Mostro Lounge.”

“Nothing!” That was a fast answer.

Jade continues to smile while looking at her.

The intensity of his gaze makes (Y/N) confess. “All right fine! I’ll tell ya!” She knows she is defeated. “Look, buddy... uhm... human females have this monthly cycle which sometimes causes an immense pain that even painkillers won’t help. That’s what making me unable to fall asleep...” She whispers the latter part.

“I could give you ‘shroom in Mostro Lounge to help you sleep.” — “No offense Jade but I don’t think getting high will help me.” — “???” — “???” — “???” — “Oh you meant mushroom-mushroom, not the other one...” (Y/N) trails, wanting to be buried 6 feet underground at that moment.

Jade lets out a laugh before composing himself again. Perhaps he could help her for free just once; a reward for highlighting his day.

Meanwhile (Y/N) understands the value of having enough sleep. She wouldn’t embarrass herself like she did if her mind was in right place and was able to think straight; at least that’s what he hopes.

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Jack Howl

Jack could smell the caffeine on (Y/N) miles away. She was laying on a grass with a book in front of her.

He thinks that amount of coffee is unhealthy for humans and voices his concerns to her.

“Are you kidding me? I have 3 essays to finish and a potion to brew and 2 exams! I don’t have time for sleeping. I was supposed studying last night but accidentally fell asleep and lost 3 hours! I don’t have time to sleep!” (Y/N) talks rapidly that Jack almost doesn’t comprehend what she has said.

Jack understands her worries but now he is worried about her health. He sleeps at 9 pm because he gets up early and needs to have certain amount of sleep.

He is concerned that she will get sick.

Before he can say anything, he sees that (Y/N) drifted off.

He can’t wake her up but leaving her there, sleeping on ground might cause some people to make fun of her so he also lays on the ground and closes his eyes but not sleeping. If someone approaches them and asks what they are doing, Jack will tell them that (Y/N) and he are trying a new type of breathing exercise.

He isn’t good at lying but at least he tries.

He will have a real chat with her once she wakes up but for now he think she needs as much rest as possible.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Leona Kingscholar

It’s noon so that means nap time for Leona!

He goes to Botanical Garden to nap as usual.

What’s not usual is that seeing (Y/N) occupying his place.

Well he is going to nap there so (Y/N) needs to move

He walks her side, disturbing her sleep.

“Oi herbivore wake up.”

(Y/N) stirs, muttering something inaudible.

Leona tries his luck again.

“WHAT. DO. YOU. WANT?”

(Y/N)’s sudden yell catches Leona off guard. He has never seen this side of hers.

He plays it cool though, at least tries to

“You’re in my place.” — “Then find a new one. Now shoo!”

Herbivore was never hostile toward Leona before.

He doesn’t like the way she talked but he can’t be rude to her. After all a woman is a woman. He thinks maybe fixing her issue would make him earn his place.

“What is your problem?” — “You annoying me!” — “If you don’t cooperate, I will continue to annoy you.”

“What do you expect me to say? That I can’t sleep lately because I dream of my family and it hurts that I can’t see them? That my parents think I’m probably dead? That I will not be able to get back to my world ever again? That because I can’t sleep at nights, I drift of during classes and getting scolded for it? Well I will not say any of those!”

Now Leona gets the issue. Lack of sleep is getting to her nerves. Therefore making her think of her problems more which leads to less sleeping, cycle of doom.

While he cannot help her to go back home, he can offer some comfort. He would be damned if he doesn’t help a woman in trouble when he can.

Lucky for her, he is master at sleeping. The least he can do is to aid her in getting some rest.

“Oi herbivore scoot over.” Before she can protest, Leona sat next to her on ground. “If you won’t move then we’ll nap together. Ruggie will come to wake me up when lunch ends.

Leona wraps his arms around her body and pulls her down, hugging her as if she is a pillow.

(Y/N) wants to protest but she is too tired fo it so she just rolls with it.

When Ruggie comes to wake them up, he first takes photo of them together to use it as blackmail.

After waking up from sweet nap, (Y/N) is able to gather her thoughts better.

“Please ignore everything I said before.” — “Done.”

She is thankful that Leona didn’t press on the issue.

Leona decides to have a chat with Headmaster to fasten the process of a way to her home. He may act like he doesn’t care and tell himself that he is only doing it to have his napping zone just for himself but deep down he knows it’s not true. (Y/N) warmed her way up to his heart.

(Y/N) is thankful for Leona. For some reason it was the best nap she ever had and felt the most energized she ever did in the last few days. Maybe the secret is to nap with a sleeping master.

#jamil viper #jade leech #jack howl #leona kingscholar #scarabia #octavinelle #savanaclaw #prefect #vice prefect #female reader #headcanons

259 notes · View notes

raven-at-the-writing-desk · 4 years

Text

Diary of the Writing Raven

Part 3 of the 1000+ follower milestone! A continuation of Raven lore (check out part 1 and part 2 for more context)!

Today, we will peak into the raven’s diary. Shhh, don’t tell anyone. The bulk of the entries are hidden under the cut--because a bird has to keep their secrets under lock and key!

***Warning: Spoilers for the main story campaign, particularly chapter 3 and chapter 4!***

Day 1

I am here. At Night Raven College.

There is a strange man. He calls himself my Uncle. He says that he is so very, very kind...and that he will give me a nest, a place to call home.

Uncle has given me this diary with which to record my thoughts. I will put it to good use.

I am thankful.

Day 32:

Uncle says I cannot stay in the attic writing.

He says I cannot stay in my cage forever.

Uncle says I must go out into the world.

He says it often.

I am scared.

Day 45

Uncle has given me robes.

He smeared things on my face.

There will be a ceremony of sorts, and I must attend.

...I am still scared.

Day 46

The ceremony is over.

I got lost on the way to the Mirror Chamber.

A weirdo chased me.

But...a nice person helped. Then he guided me to the ceremony.

He had very pretty eyes.

His name is Mon-sure Schemer? Mister Jade Leech. I hope I can see him again.

Day 49

I am so fortunate! I have stumbled upon Mister Jade again--this time in the hallway.

There was another Mister Jade with him. His name is actually Mister Floyd. They are brothers--twins, in fact! Eel mermen, too.

They look alike, but their personalities are quite different. It is a curious thing.

Mister Floyd is a little scary. He talks funny, and he is moody--but he promises he does not bite. He has taken to calling me “Black Pearly”.

They say they work at this “Mostro Lounge”, and that I should visit.

I am excited!

P.S. Mister Jade says I do not need to call them misters. I will be doing that!

Day 50

The Mostro Lounge is lovely! It has these glowing jellyfish lights, and seashell decorations. There is cool jazz, and a calming underwater ambiance.

Jade seats me and gives me recommendations. I don’t know what a lot of things on the menu are--Uncle has been feeding me mostly grain and small scraps of meat, trying to get me accustomed to human food.

Jade brings me a thing called Flounder’s Blue. He says it will be easier to hold down than solid food.

Flounder’s Blue comes in a short and stout glass. The liquid itself is actually yellow, with streaks of a blue drip swiped on the inside of the glass, and a blue...circle (?) stuck in, protruding out like a fin.

It tastes...sugary. I do not yet have the words in my vocabulary to properly describe it.

Jade tells me the circle is a “wafer”, the blue is a “syrup”, and the liquid is a “pineapple and cherry juice”.

I am learning many new things today.

Jade is so smart!

Day 54

I almost flopped at giving a presentation to Professor Trein’s class.

Floyd says it’s because I talk strangely, that I stutter and pause too much.

“Why can the Black Pearly write so much, but talk so little?” he asks. “You should tell Jade to tutor you, he’s pretty good with words!”

I have to agree with him. Jade taught me many new words in the Mostro Lounge before. I was embarrassed, but I asked him for help.

He was happy to oblige.

We will meet a few times each week to work on my speaking skills.

Day 59

I tripped and fell in P.E.--I am still no good at running.

Jade was sweet and helped patch me up.

I cried a little.

Okay, a lot.

He stayed with me until I stopped.

Day 71

I have gotten into the habit of visiting the Mostro Lounge every weekend.

The owner, Azul, is friends with the twins. He lets me sit at a table in the corner to do my work and practice speaking.

Jade sits with me and exchanges words.

He has me read stories I have penned aloud.

Sometimes he puts a plate of snacks or a drink in front of me and asks me to taste them, then describe the flavor to him. Other times, he points to people or things in the lounge and asks me to give my thoughts.

Once, he pointed at himself. I told him that he was very patient, that he was someone I trusted.

“Fufu. That is good to hear,” he says.

I also told him that his smile was beautiful.

Day 75

Today, I saw Jade’s true form.

We were swimming today in P.E., but I had to sit out. Ravens cannot swim.

Floyd and Jade were eager to get into the water. Their skin turns blue, and they sprout fins and long eel tails.

...I am not entirely certain why they lack clothing though? It must not be customary for merfolk.

They are having fun in the water.

I am glad.

Day 83

An angry Savanaclaw student came to me in the hallway after Alchemy.

He started to say something about the Leeches and deals, but Floyd told him to stop bothering me. In that moment...Floyd looked like a monster, all teeth and sharp edges.

Jade pulled me away and invited me to go hiking with him.

It sounds fun, but I am concerned about the Savanaclaw student.

Jade says to not fret.

So I listen.

Day 84

There is so much to see in the mountains!

Trees! Streams of water! Rocks! Dirt! Animals! Plants! The sky!

I want to experience everything at once. I am so excitable that I trip over my own two feet a few times--but it’s okay. Jade is always there to help me up.

His favorite thing about nature is mushrooms. He tells me all about them, and the places they like to hide.

I like listening to him talk. His voice is so deep and melodious--and his eyes sparkle when he is excited.

It’s very cute.

Day 86

Jade shows me the mushrooms he is cultivating, and his terrariums.

They are fascinating--each mushroom has its own personality, and each terrarium is like a miniature world.

A thought has wormed its way into my head as of late:

I wonder what it would be like to be a part of his world.

Day 90

It rained.

I shared an umbrella with Jade.

It was a little strange to be squished right next to him.

My heart would not stop pounding, and my cheeks were on fire.

Day 112

The days are growing colder, and shorter.

I wish that time did not fly so fast.

I want to spend more of it with Jade.

I need to return the jacket he lent me.

Day 120

Uncle is worried.

He says I spend too much time with “morally dubious” people.

He questions my ability to judge character.

He does not believe me when I tell him that Jade is a good person.

Uncle warns me to be careful.

I am being careful.

Day 132

Winter has set in.

Jade is kind enough to provide blankets and warm beverages for our study sessions.

At this point, I do not have many issues speaking, but...I do not want to stop. I want to learn more and more. I want to learn more about him.

I enjoy being by his side.

I hope he feels the same.

Day 139

We said our good-byes for the holiday break.

Uncle is taking me with him to a tropical island, and Jade is staying in Octavinelle.

I tell him I will miss him, even if it is just for a few weeks. He looks a bit sad, but he sends me off with a head pat and a smile.

Uncle offers to order me a tropical drink as we board the cruise ship. He tells me not to think of Leeches--those vile, blood-suckers, he calls them.

I say no thank you, but I dream of Flounder’s Blue.

Day 153

The new year has come.

It feels nice to be back on campus, to see Jade again.

We exchanged stories.

Not much happened on my end--I mostly sat indoors and wrote what I could to pass the time. Uncle was often up late into the night, partying and sipping on pina coladas.

Jade says that he helped a few friends and stopped a snake from tearing apart Scarabia. He even shows me a video.

How heroic of him!

I know that I can always count on Jade.

Day 166

I went shopping with Jade.

Floyd was in one of his infamous moods, and Azul is busy with school work--and Jade could not possibly restock ingredients for the Mostro Lounge all by himself.

It was quite busy in town--it made me nervous. I’ve never done well in big crowds of strangers.

Jade said I could hold his hand, if that made me feel any better.

It did.

And it reminded me of the day we first met.

Day 170

I’m still thinking about holding his hand.

Whenever I do, my heart quickens and my forehead begins to bead with sweat.

What is wrong with me?

Have I fallen ill?

Day 185

The students speak excitedly about this holiday known as “Valentime’s Day.” It is a time when you give gifts to the people you care for a lot. A common one is a sweet known as chocolate.

Jade laughed when I told him about it. He said it is actually “Valentine’s Day”, not “Valentime’s Day”. Silly me!

I asked him how many valentines he was expecting.

“None. Oh, woe is me. I appear to be rather unpopular among my peers, fufu.”

How could someone as amazing as him not get any valentines? It boggles my mind.

Day 186

I’ve decided.

I will give him a valentine.

Day 193

I’ve stopped writing stories and devoted most of my free time to researching recipes and designing chocolates.

I think he will like little mushroom-shaped ones. I’ll need to test the flavors out to see what works the best.

I hope the chocolates will bring a smile to his face.

I like his smiles.

Day 195

Oh no, diary.

I’ve realized.

I think I like him.

Day 197

The chocolates came out so well!

I’ve wrapped them up in a box and secured it with blue ribbon. There is an old nursery rhyme...

If you love me, love me true,

Send me a ribbon, a ribbon of blue.

Even if I cannot say those accursed three words...I hope that my feelings are able to come across. The curse cannot punish me for that, yes?

Day 198

I was a fool. I have been tricked. I was being used.

I heard them. I heard everything.

In the Mostro Lounge today...the octopus was speaking to them, the twins with the pretty eyes.

“This is not like you. You are working too slow,” the octopus said to the man I considered my friend.

“I apologize. She was...putting up much resistance. It can be rather difficult to form a connection with such a jittery bird.”

“That is your job,” the octopus sighed. “We need the raven on our side when we approach the headmaster about expanding the Mostro Lounge.”

I understand now--I understand it very well.

Those smiles, that kindness--they were smoke and mirrors.

To begin with, I was always destined to be a prop in someone else’s story. A convenience. Something to be used, then discarded once I am no longer useful.

I have overstepped my boundaries as a storyteller. I...should have remained on the sidelines, where I belong.

I...I know what I must do. I will not allow myself to be tricked a third time. Not by that old storyteller, and not by a slimy eel.

I will steel myself. I will build a wall—and none shall scale it. I will lock myself in a tower, or perhaps even a bird cage, and throw away the key.

To the man with the pretty eyes and the charming smile, farewell.

I’m glad that this raven was, at the very least, able to be a useful footnote in the pages of your story.

Day 201

He feeds me pretty lies and sweet nothings, day in and day out.

He tells me everything I want to hear--that it is a misunderstanding, a mistake. That things are different now. That he cares.

Uncle was right. Leeches are vile blood suckers.

Day 210

I reject his advances every chance I get.

I know they are all with ill intent to begin with.

Even so...no matter what I say or do, he always manages to get the upper hand in the conversation, the interaction.

I hate him.

I hate Jade Leech.

I hate how he is able to take my words away and render me speechless. Words are my only strength, my power as a storyteller. Without them, I am vulnerable.

I don’t want to be the same weak and naive little bird I once was.

Day 213

It is unfair.

Maybe I am too kind, or too weak, or too gullible, but...I want to believe him.

I must put such thoughts behind me and move on.

Day 226

Uncle tells me that someone has sent a letter and a small package.

Into the trash the package goes--right where it belongs.

But the letter--that, I cannot bring myself to throw away.

It bears his handwriting, the very same gentle curves and slopes that taught me new words and phrases many an evening.

It is silly of me to be this sentimental--and over an eel, of all creatures!

So I stow the letter, unopened, in a drawer. It will remain there as a permanent reminder of my follies.

It is better this way.

I cannot be hurt.

I will not be used.

The curse will not kill me.

I can write stories, forever and ever.

This is...for the best. Isn’t it?

#Jade Leech #Floyd Leech #Azul Ashengrotto #Dire Crowley #twst #twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #spoilers #angst #STOP READING MY DIARY #Tale of the Cursed Raven #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #Raven Crowley

237 notes · View notes

twistedtranslations · 4 years

Text

Kalim Al-Asim - A promise to Jamil 1&2

You can unlock this story by getting Kalim’s SR Lab Coat

Translation under the cut

Scarabia Dorm - Jamil’s room

/BAAAAM!!!

Jamil: What’s that? What’s that explosion sound!? It came from the kitchen.

Scarabia Dorm - Hallway

Kalim: I give up~~

Jamil: Kalim!! Are you unharmed? Did you hurt yourself?

Kalim: Oh, don’t worry Jamil, I’m fine! The spell to get some water out saved me especially. As soon as I put the water on myself, I escaped from the accident.

Jamil: I see... In any case, what happened? Can it be that the parents in the Asim household were trying to target the heir Kalim...?

Kalim: Tomorrow we have alchemy class, right? I totally forgot to do my homework. So I used the earthenware pots from the kitchen.

Jamil: So you failed at it, and destroyed Scarabia’s kitchen and canteen?

Kalim: My bad, my bad. I wanted to practice making a huge cracker by throwing bread, salt and blue cheese in a pot!! I thought it’d work out~

Jamil: Did you even read the textbook? Have you ever opened the practice manual and looked at the distribution charts?

Kalim: Of course! But don’t you think that naturally digged up ores are more beautiful than coals that have been changed into diamonds? That’s why I thought I wanted to make something interesting with alchemy that no one has ever made before!

Jamil: You shouldn’t lump artificially made diamonds and real diamonds together. Besides, what you are doing isn’t alchemy, but falls in the category of foolish cooking.

Kalim: Hahaha. Now that you say it! Don’t worry, I haven’t put gold in it!

Jamil: I’m getting irritated... Regrettably, being direct with him is useless. I should calm down... Whatever. I shall call a service man tomorrow and have him repair the charred kitchen. We should finish your assignment. I shall teach you.

Kalim: Thanks Jamil. Ah! But it’s better if we prioritize fixing the kitchen.

Jamil: Why is that?

Kalim: This evening I’m holding a banquet. I’ve invited a lot of 2nd years from the other dorms.

Jamil: Irritating... The refreshments...and the meals...just who is...going to make them?

Kalim: Who...you? And while you’re at it, you can make my part as well. Ah, since it’s a banquet you don’t have to be elaborate! Anything you make is tasty after all!

/BAM!!!

Kalim: Aah! Nothing happened, where did that explosion come from?

Jamil: You shouldn’t talk that much for someone who destroyed the kitchen. Besides, didn’t we have a banquet yesterday!!

Kalim: Yesterday was saturday and today is sunday. Those are the best days to party on.

Jamil: Aah~ My patience has reached its limit! I will definitely not cook. THE BANQUET IS CANCELLED!!

Kalim: Huh~~~!? The banquet is...cancelled!? Why!?

Jamil: What’s there to question! It’s only natural! Listen well Kalim, you will now go and apologize to everyone you invited.

Kalim: Really~~~~~~~!!

Mirror Chamber

Kalim: The promise I made with the invitees is important but the agreement I have with Jamil is even more important. I can’t do anything but apologize to all the invitees from the bottom of my heart. So the first person...

Heartslabyul Dorm

Riddle: The party is cancelled? ...But Kalim, did I not refuse your invite in the first place. You ran off without waiting for my reply. In any case, it is no problem for me.

Kalim: Sorry Riddle. I will definitely recompensate you. I’ll invite you to my next banquet! See ya!

Riddle: Good grief. He is exactly the same as on the day he invited me. He pays no attention to what anyone tells him.

Mostro Lounge

Floyd: What’s your order, sea otter? Hm, you’re not a customer? I’m a bit busy with the café now~

Azul: Is the party at Scarabia cancelled? The one we were invited to... It is a holiday, so us three cannot leave Mostro Lounge empty during a peak business period.

Jade: Kalim, the postponement of your party is extremely regrettable. I look forward to the next opportunity. Now, let me show you the exit.

Kalim: Azul, Floyd, Jade, sorry! I’ll invite you again!

Diasomnia Dorm

Kalim: Silver, sorry! Today’s party is cancelled. Forgive me!

Silver: Nodding off...nodding o....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Kalim: I take that nodding your head means you forgive me! Thanks! Don’t look so disheartened.

Mirror Chamber

Kalim: Alright, I’m on a real “Cancelling the party” message tour. Next is the last invitee. Let’s go!

Savanaclaw Dorm

Ruggie: No way!! I’m definitely not forgiving you!

Kalim: Huh!!

Ruggie: You told us to “Cheer up with good food and fun dances!” right!?

Kalim: Y-Yeah...

Ruggie: I was really looking forward to today’s banquet! I skipped dinner yesterday and now I’m starving...

Kalim: Sorry Ruggie... but Jamil will not allow me to hold a banquet...

Ruggie: Then what’re you going to do about my belly changing gears? I even went out and bought tupperware~

Kalim: Ruggie... I can’t believe that you looked forward to Scarabia’s food and dances to that extent...

Ruggie: Ah, I don’t really care ‘bout the singing and dancing... But I ain’t forgiving you either way!

Kalim: I see... I got it! Riddle and the others must be just as dissapointed! Okay I’ll cancel the cancellation! I’ll host the best banquet on my own!!

Chapter 2

Savanaclaw Dorm

Kalim: Okay I’ll cancel the cancellation! I’ll host the best banquet on my own!!

Ruggie: As expected of you. Then I can fill my belly ‘til it’s bursting!

Scarabia Dorm

Kalim: First of all, I should make refreshments for the guests! Is what I want to say but... I forgot both our kitchen and ingredients are charred. Hey, Jamil! Wait, I can’t rely on Jamil today...

Ruggie: Then, why don’t we use the college’s canteen. I’ll request the license.

Kalim: I see. Thank you Ruggie. You’re a good guy!

Ruggie: Shshsh... In any case today’s meal will be a treat~ (TL note: can also be extravagant)

Kalim: Since we secured a place we should buy the ingredients next.

Mister S’s Mystery Shop

Sam: Welcome! No matter what you seek, we have it IN STOCK NOW! What are you searching now?

Kalim: We want to create a lof of famous stew of the Country of Hot Sands. We came to buy all the sheep and chicken you have!

Ruggie: Hey, Kalim. Shouldn’t you check your wallet first?

Kalim: Hm? Wallet?

Sam: That is no problem for the imp of the Country of Hot Sands! I can charge his household directly.

Ruggie: Really! As expected of a son of the world famous multimillionaire Asim family. Well then, we shouldn’t only get sheep and chicken, I also want top quality marbled beef~ Just kidd...

Kalim: That’s fine! The guests will enjoy it more if there are a variety of flavors.

Ruggie: You’re really OK? Then I want to use my favorite truffles as well~ I’m not going to eat them though...

Kalim: Sure!

Ruggie: Sure!?

Kalim: Don’t hold back! This is a banquet to please the guests.

Ruggie: Then I want to eat one of the three biggest delicacies of Twisted Wonderland, an icicle mushroom! But y’know, there’s no way you’ll get something that expensive huh?

Kalim: IT’S OKAY!

Ruggie: IT’S OKAY!? But icicle mushrooms are seldomly harvested, it’s a super rare ingredient. I don’t think our college store has it...

Sam: IN STOCK NOW!

Ruggie: YOU HAVE IT!?!?!?

Kalim: You’re so reliable Sam. I’ll take all of them!!

Sam: Alright! Thank you, imps!

Kitchen

The ingredients are complete. Let’s hurry up and cook! First we toss all the meat and the beans in the pot-

Ruggie: Don’t~~~!! Kalim, can it be that you’ve got no experience with cooking...?

Kalim: Nope! At home, we had kitchen staff and when I went to the dormitory Jamil cooked for me.

Ruggie: Sigh, because you’re such a spoiled child... Okay, I’ll cook. I’ll congratulate you for gatherin’ all these high quality ingredients though. Go take a nap will ya.

Kalim: I’ll refuse! Jamil got mad because of me. I’ll have to take responsibility. That’s right, you can cook right. Please. Teach me!

Ruggie: Ugh!! That’s so bothersome but he’s not gonna listen to anythin’ I say~ Okay. Let’s make some good meals lickety-split.

Kalim: Thank you, Ruggie! I’ll do my best.

Ruggie: Let’s first cut the meat and vegetables in giant pieces with a kitchen knife.

Kalim: Ah. I’m forbidden from touching any cutlery. He told me to stop because it’s dangerous.

Ruggie: Huh!! But you want to cook by yourself right? You can’t start if you haven’t cut the ingredients.

Kalim: But I promised to Jamil... Ah, what about using magic instead of knives to cook? Wouldn’t it be interesting to use magic to eat at the banquet instead of forks and knives? Let’s see if I can mince the meat with magic. Hah~~~!!

Ruggie: Aaaaah! Kalim, calm down. Don’t use magic ‘n all the food~~~!

Kalim: And the cooking is done! What a nice smell~

Ruggie: Cooking with magic was a bit too much but you managed to follow my instructions fair’ well... You’re obedient and motivated, that’s where you differ from Leona.

Kalim: I could make the best meals thanks to you. Then-

Ruggie: Let’s dig in~~~~~...

Kalim: Let’s go and tell the invitees, that I told that the banquet was cancelled, about the cancellation of the cancellation of the banquet!

Ruggie: Huh~~~~!! Now? All of them?

Stairway

Jamil: Where did that Kalim loiter now. This time he isn’t even picking up his phone... I suddenly lost my cool. I hope he doesn’t cause too much trouble...Mumble...mumble... What’s that? There’s a lot of noise coming from the canteen. I should inspect that commotion first.

Kitchen

Kalim: Everyone, are you enjoying the banquet? I’ll bring you dish after dish~!

Heartslabyul student: Ahaha. Good going, Kalim~ Cooking with magic, you sure think of strange things.

Savanaclaw student: We’ll also prohibit the use of forks and knives! Let’s use magic to bring the food to our mouth.

Cafetaria

Riddle: After all, I could not refuse and now I too am present and stuck in this mess. He might be overbearing but it doesn’t hide any malicious intentions and he really just goes crazy in the moment...

Floyd: Hey, Azul, why did we come? Not that I mind because the sea otter is pretty funny.

Azul: The waiters of this party have placed an order from us Mostro Lounge.

Jade: It seems that a super rare delicacy, namely the icicle mushroom will be served. No doubt that this will please the manufacturer.

Silver: This is good... especially the mushroom...

Ruggie: Shshsh! Thanks to you both my belly and tupperware are bulging!

Jamil: I told Kalim to cancel the party. But why are there so many people attending...?

Kalim: Hey, Jamil! You finally came. Try my food.

Jamil: Did you use cutlery or fire!? I always forbid you from doing that because it’s dangerous...

Kalim: I cooked without using either of those by using magic. Ah, but Ruggie helped me out a lot as well... Jamil, you’re amazing after all. I didn’t know cooking was this troublesome.

Jamil: Huh...?

Kalim: Sorry for today. But I really wanted to throw a party no matter what. I really wanted you to get along better with students from the same year.

Jamil: Kalim... I understand. But next time, please discuss this with me first.

Kalim: Okay! Gotcha! But in any case, I’m hungry! Jamil, make something for me!

Jamil: Huh!? But you just cooked yourself didn’t you!?

Kalim: What are you saying? I’m the party’s organizer. I’m just cooking and serving the food for everyone. And didn’t I promise that I’d never eat anything that wasn’t made by you!

#twisted wonderland #kalim al asim #jamil viper #ruggie bucchi #azul ashengrotto #floyd leech #jade leech #riddle rosehearts #silver #personal story #translation #sam

598 notes · View notes

aurilis · 3 years

Note

hi i wanted to ask you if you could do a little fanfic like it would be if Carmen was promised to chase if you can i thank you very much🙂

Hi ! A short one is possible. As for the context, since it seems not realistic to me that Camen can be promised to anyone nowadays, I chose to do it in ancient times, more plausible. Hope you’ll like what I came up with.

Greece, ancient times.

In the streets of a city was running a little girl. Cladded in a white dress, a big smile on her face and her mid-long hair floating around her face, she was heading outside the city, to a meadow. Behind her, her nanny was running after her.

“ Please … lady Carmen … no so fast.” she breathed.

Carmen just laughed, replying that she should be faster. Carmen arrived in the meadow. She used to come here to play with her friends, some coming from another city. Here in Greece, cities were state ruled by monarchs. Carmen was the daughter of the current ruler : Dexter Sandiego.

“ Ah ! There they are !” exclaimed Carmen when spotting to silhouettes approaching.

Her nanny finally caught up with the child, just to see her running again.

“ They should stop … feeding her … on hares !” made the nanny.

Anyway, she could walk now. Carmen was greeting her friends, both coming from the neighbour city : a boy older than her, Chase, also prince and his cousin Julia. The kids began to play while the nanny met the fellow servants accompanying royalties now playing with Carmen. While keeping an eye on the children, they prepared a picnic. One hour later it was all ready to be eaten, and the servants called for the kids. They were fast to arrive, and welcomed the meal with larges smiles. They all rested a bit after that. They returned home when the sun was declining, promising to play again some other day when their lessons would let them sometime again.

Carmen went back satisfied of her day, wishing for more often moments like those. A peaceful day, a day of freedom. As a princess and future ruler, she had a lot to learn. Her days resembled like one of a minister : very busy, quite exhausting. She waited impatiently moments when she could play. Apart from that, life was peaceful, her city prospers. Carmen grew up like a mushroom.

She was still seeing her friends, their games changed as they were now teenagers : riding horses and racing, archery.

“ Hey ! You left before the signal Chase !” shouted Carmen.

She was on a beautiful dark horse.

“ Noooo you’re just too slow, surely because of those pounds you gained lately !” he teased, on his brown destrier

Carmen replied by a shocked sound, while Julia had a laugh.

“ Just you wait ! I’ll transform you into a pulp, not that it would change !”

She heeled her horse, beginning to catching up with him. But Chase didn’t say his last word and neither did his horse. They ran side by side, jesting with each other until the finish line where they spotted Julia outrunning them and winning. The losers grumbled. They let their horses resting and feeding, admiring the sky laid on the grass. Carmen breathed. She liked those moments so much. She glanced at her friends around her. Chase promised to be an attractive man later. He already was in fact … Julia would break some hearts too.

They parted at sunset too. While she was enjoying her day, Dexter was in a meeting with his counsellors. It was time to think about betrothing her. The young girl was in the process of becoming one of the most beautiful woman in Greece. Surely lots of men would want her hand. Better settle this before initiating any conflicts. So here they were, to choose a husband for her.

Carmen entered the palace in this instant. She asked her dear nanny about her father.

“ Well, he’s in the middle of a meeting right now, your highness.”

“Oh, alright I’ll see him later then.”

Carmen went to her mother she embraced. She spoke about her day of course. Helena was listening to her daughter with pleasure, around a drink.

“ Oh ?”

Carmen’s face brighten all of a sudden. She was talking about Chase, that prince from the neighbouring city. Helena stared at her daughter.

“ Well, well, well.”

Dexter arrived an instant later. He hugged Carmen, before asking how was her day. The princess joyfully answered.

“ I’m glad you have a wonderful day. Now, go to you room and change clothes for dinner will you.”

“Yes dad !”

They watched her running to her room.

“ So ? Did you find someone for her ?” asked the queen.

“ Yes.”

“ And when do you plan to discuss this with her ?”

Dexter gulped. Carmen was known to be found of freedom, not sure she’d like to learn about her betrothal.

“ We still have time for that. Starting tomorrow I’ll send an ambassador to request an audience with her promised one’s father.” announced Dexter.

Helena sighed. The sooner the better according to her, however her husband wanted to preserve their daughter’s happiness for now.

Time flowed again, while Dexter was arranging her wedding Carmen was getting closer to her friend Chase. Julia was fast to notice it and found great joy in teasing each other about that. They denied it strongly at first.

“ Come on Carmen, you should see yourself : both of you are turning ruby so deep that I’m thinking about opening a stand for barbecue, you would be the grill, and sell it to passers-by.” made Julia.

“ Me ? N-n-n-no I’m not !” protested the princess.

Julia rolled eyes.

“ You two love each other. So please confess because your clumsiness is about to get on my nerves.”

“ You really think Chase loves me ?” asked Carmen shyly.

“ No, his blushing are simply a skin disease, and his smiles a way of ventilating his mouth !”

Carmen sniggered. The princesses parted. Carmen was thoughtful on her way home. It was true that the young man was often present in her mind lately. She waited even more impatiently to see him, and was sad more then before to part with him. The princess was musing on her possible feeling when a servant announced that her father requested her. Intrigued, she obeyed and went to him. Dexter welcomed her then invited her to sit? He said he had an important new for her. Carmen was 18, more than about time to get married. She startled hearing that. WHAT.

Dexter avoided looking at her while continuing : he starter negotiations two years ago and betrothed her. Carmen shivered. She trembled, not listening anymore. Betrothed … she was getting married. To someone she probably didn’t know, and certainly didn’t chose.

“ Carmen, are you okay ?” asked Dexter, finally noticing his daughter’s state.

Carmen didn’t respond. Instead, she stood up and ran away to her room. She was feeling nauseous. She paced in her room. All she could think bout was no. No it couldn’t be. She would never accept to marry a perfect stranger, someone she didn’t even have the slightest clue about, someone else than … She stopped. She had to do something. No way she’ll let that happen. She would chose her own destiny. Carmen closed her eyes. It would hurt her parents … but she had no other choice. The princess swiftly grabbed some clothes and money she stuffed in a bag. She stopped once again, breathless. It was a princess duty to marry someone that her parents would choose. But Carmen always figured that hers would let her have a word in it. That they would talk about it with her, trust her judgement.

Instead they didn’t. She felt betrayed in that instant. So she resumed her idea. Tying bed sheets and clothes together she made a rope. She descended by her window. Finding her horse she put tissue around his hoof to lessen sound and dragged outside. Once far enough, she ride it and ran away. Ran in the night, looking behind her. She was heading to the neighbouring city’s palace. As she was running there, someone else went in the opposite direction. She saw a familiar face. The princess stopped her horse.

“ Chase ?”

“ Carmen ?”

“ What are you doing here ?” they both asked, joining.

It appeared they were both coming to see each other. They were both promised to someone, and couldn’t accept it well … because their heart already belong to the other. They blushed again.

“ Then, let’s run away from here.” said Chase.

“ Right.”

The two of them galloped until their mount got exhausted. At dawn, they embarked in a boat to leave Greece and take refuge in Crete. They comforted each other during the trip.

Thanks to the money they both had, they could buy some land and hire three servants, with a house. They lived happily together like this for a few weeks. Lived free since a long time. Chase was thinking about proposing Carmen, and was looking for a jewel on the market. He chose a ring with a ruby. He went back home, when he noticed to familiar banner on the way. He gasped. Those were his family’s one along with Carmen’s one ! They found them ! He heeled in horse to hurry. They had to run away now. Chase barged in the house while Carmen was preparing the meal.

“ Our families ! They’re here !” he exclaimed.

Carmen went awfully pale. She pointer her finger behind Chase. Too late. They were already here. Carmen grabbed Chase’s arm. No. It couldn’t end up like that, it just couldn’t ! She would never agree to be separated from him, forever. Chase tightened his jaw. Looked like fight was incoming. Well for Carmen he would fight a god. He spotted his father chamberlain, looking curiously jaded and not angry.

“ Seriously. Couldn’t you wait being married before running away ?” he said.

“ What ?” responded the lovers.

“ Your betrothal. Remember ?” he resumed looking at Carmen.

“ What ?”

The chamberlain lifted his head.

“ Your fathers decided to betrothed you both. Hadn’t you run away you’ll know it. We noticed your attachment to each other, and luckily you were good enough of a party to please the kings and queens. Well until you decided to stupidly flee. So can we now go back home and properly unite you ?”

Oh. Chase and Carmen looked at each other. Ooooooh the shaaaaame ! They leaned their head and agreed. They left their money to their servants for them continuing living. Back home, they didn’t dare to cross their parents’ look. The latter stopped worrying a bit when they learn they ran away together. The wedding was prepared, bride and groom eyes on the floor during most of it, ashamed by what they did. Their parents were amused in the end. More fear than harm, and they should be happy now.

“ My neck hurts from staring at the floor.” mumbled Chase, once they were alone.

“ Don’t mention it, I was looking for a hole to hide in or a bag to cover my face.” moaned Carmen.

“ Weird wedding ever.”

They lifted eyes. Little by little, they exchanged a smile. They were married. Back in home, reconciliated with their parents. Happy weird ending.

( not so short in the end.)

#carmen sandiego #chase devineaux #carchase #carmeneaux #fanfic

16 notes · View notes

girl-in-the-tower · 4 years

Text

SR Card: Lab Coat Part IV

So this ended up being a bigger project than I anticipated, so I guess here we are on the brink on going through all the school clubs until Kore finds the right one. Well, this will be fun!

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

Kore: Dangerous... Hmph! How can they say something like that!

Grim: But it’s true, isn’t it?

Kore: Ah! Don’t you start too Grim! I’ve been insulted enough today!

... That’s it. I’m going home. I don’t care about clubs anymore!!

Grim: Wah! Don’t shout!

... Phew, finally you’ve come to your senses. Hehe~ Rice pudding, here I come!

Jade: My, you seem troubled Kore-san.

Kore/Grim: Waaaaaaaaaah!

Grim: It’s-

Kore: Floyd! No, wait! Jade-senpai!

Jade: How rude. It’s quite insulting to mistake one twin for another, you know. Could it be that Kore-san still can’t tell us apart?

Kore: N-No! That’s not it! I’m sorry, Jade-senpai! Please forgive me!

Jade: Fufu, now I understand why Floyd enjoys seeing you flustered so much.

Kore: Huh? What does that mean?

Jade: Nothing. Please ignore that.

Grim: Ugh, what bad luck running into this guy...

Jade: Hm?

Grim: Gulp!

Kore: Um, Jade-senpai, what are you doing here?

Jade: What a coincidence. I was about to ask the same thing.

I was on my way to my club, when I heard Kore-san’s troubled voice and I couldn’t bear to ignore it.

Grim:... He’s definitely lying about that last part.

Kore: Eh, no, I’m fine, so please don’t worry!

Jade: I see. How fortunate. But if you do perhaps need assistance, do let me know.

Kore: Ah, I understand. Thank you. Though I don’t think it will be necessary...

Jade: Very well. I’ll be on my way then.

Kore: Okay. Have fun at your club today... Hmph!

Jade: Oh, is there something wrong, Kore-san?

Kore: Eh? How did you know?

I-I mean, no! Everything’s fine!

Jade: You’re rather bad at lying. Did you know that?

Kore: Ugh... Theo- I mean my father used to say the same thing...

Maybe I should just come clean... You see what happened today was... (explain... explain...)

Jade: I see. So after an unexpected encounter with Floyd you fled from the basketball club...

Kore: Yeah...

Jade: And after a dismal performance at track and field you were kicked out.

Kore: Ye-Yeah... It sounds so much worse when I hear you say it.

Jade: And now you’re upset that you can’t be part of a club... fufu.

Kore: I guess that’s the correct word for it...

Jade-senpai why are you shaking?

Jade: Oh... I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine. Please ignore it... fufu...

Kore: Alright... mumble... could it be he’s laughing at me... mumble... no, surely not...

Jade: So?

Kore: Hm? Sorry, senpai, did you you say something?

Jade: Kore-san, it’s bad manners to not pay attention when someone is talking to you.

Kore: No, it wasn’t my intention to...

Jade: It’s alright. I was just asking if you would be perhaps be interested in joining me in my club activities today?

Kore: Eh? Is that really okay?

Jade: Of course. Besides, the ‘Mountain Appreciation Club’ doesn’t have any physical requirements for its members, except perhaps for endurance.

Kore: Oh! I have plenty of stamina so that’s no issue!

But, mountain appreciation...

Jade: Hm? Is there something wrong with that?

Kore: Not really... It’s just I grew up on a mountain. Sort of.

Jade: Yes, I’m aware of that.

Kore: You are?!

Jade: It’s the reason why I would like for you to join me today. I’m interested to hear what a person who is intimate with such an environment might have to say.

Kore: I see... That makes sense.

Grim: It does?!

But, you know, the mountains here and those back home are very different. I’m not sure that I would have much to say about it...

Jade: Oh, what a pity... I was rather looking forward to it. Well, if that’s how it is...

Kore: A-Ah, but I think it would be nice to just walk and appreciate the view...

I don’t think that I’ve done that since I came here, now that I think about it... Alright, I’ve decided!

Jade: Oh?

Kore: Jade-senpai I would like to be part of the ‘Mountain Appreciation Club’, if it’s alright with you!

Grim: Eh?!

Jade: Fufu, of course. Well, let us be on our way then.

Kore: I’ll be in your care!

Grim:... And here I thought we could finally go home.

Arghhh! It’s so troublesome!

* * *

Kore: Woah, this place really looks nice!

To think that such an amazing view was always so close to us...

Grim: Is it really that great? Seems kind of boring...

Jade: Looks like you have bad eyesight, Grim-san.

Grim: Gulp! This guy gives me a bad feeling in my stomach...

Kore: Aren’t you just hungry? Should we stop for a snack?

Grim: Ah, that might also be true... Eh?! You have those with you?

Kore: Yeah, you’re such a glutton that I thought I should bring some with me everyday. But it wasn’t necessary to use them until now.

Grim: To think that I have been suffering all this time for nothing?!

Kore: You just admitted you forgot you were hungry in the first-

Ah, there he goes stuffing his face again.

Grim: Nom... nom... wahh, these are so much tastier than those mushrooms...

Kore: Hah? You were just praising them yesterday.

Seriously... you...

Jade: Oh, do you like mushrooms, Kore-san?

Kore: Um, rather than like, I guess they are nice for a change of pace...

Why do you ask?

Jade: Hm, mere curiosity. Did you know that you can find many species of mushrooms on this mountain?

Kore: Eh? I didn’t know that. Jade-senpai, are you fond of mushrooms?

Jade: Not specifically. Rather, I am interested in terrariums.

Kore: Really? That’s surprising, but it really fits your image somehow!

Jade: Fufu, I will take that as a compliment.

Since I come from the Coral Sea, I have never seen a mountain before coming to this academy and mushrooms were also hard to find. I find them rather fascinating.

Kore: Mm, I kind of get it. Back when I was living in the Glacier Mountains, I would never take walks like this. It was really dangerous to be alone in the wild...

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mushrooms before now either...

Jade: It seems that we have that in common.

Kore:... Yeah, I guess so. Hm, I think that’s why I feel like it would such a waste not to finish that crate we bought from Sam. He even said they were local too...

Jade:... Kore-san.

Kore: Yes?

Jade: Did you buy those mushrooms from Sam?

Kore: Huh? Yeah, I did.

Jade: And?

Kore: And?

Jade: What did you do with them?

Kore: Oh, Grim wanted to try some mushroom dishes, so we used some for cooking. But the crate was so big that there are a lot left anyway...

It’s really troublesome...

Grim: Hm? Can’t you just throw in a compost pile, or something like that?

!!! Oi, what’s with that scary look on your face?!

Kore: What do you me- Woah! Jade-senpai, is something wrong?!

Jade: No, not at all... fufu...

Kore:... Are you sure?

Grim: O-Oi, Kore, I think that this is enough hiking for one day...

Le-Let’s just go back!

Jade: Oh, but we haven’t even reached the half-point yet. It would a shame to leave now, Grim-san.

Grim: No! I think now is the only time where we can even escape!!

Kore: Escape? What’s with you? Saying weird stuff like...

Woaaaaaaah!

Jade: Kore-san?

She suddenly took off.

Kore: I can see them! I can’t believe they are actually here!!

Grim: Oi!! Kore!! Don’t leave me behind! I don’t want to die yet!

Kore: To think I would actually get to meet one!

It must be a dream! A real-life miracle!

Grim: Gah! You’re too fast when you’re excited!

What’s even so great about those things anyway...

#twisted wonderland #kore hightower #grim #jade leech #sr card #lab coat card #twisted wonderland oc

8 notes · View notes

goblin-writer · 5 years

Text

FlashFictionFriday - Peach Kissies

This is my first attempt at FFF, the story continues below the cut.

The red sky glitters above you. The not-quite-stars shining their jaded light, nearly consumed by the lantern light. The streets are empty at this time of night. The Constables, known for their brutality towards those that brave the streets at night, are skulking in the shadows, waiting to find the fool to wander the streets at night. The scent of violence hangs in the never moving air, and the lapping of the river seems to carry some dire warning with it.

You stand on the gable of the neighbours’ roof, looking over the smoky rooftops, waiting for something. You don’t quite know what. Your mirror had rattled this morning, it wasn’t wise to stay indoors when that happens. You had left a jar of chattering teeth behind. Hopefully whatever creature crawled from the mirror did not want to have something more exotic.

“You seem lost.” A voice pipes up behind you. As you turn there is nobody behind you. You feel soft fur brush over your boots. A cat looked toward you, “You haven’t been outside at night I see. Duck down and follow me. And before you ask. Yes, all cats speak. Now be quiet and stay low”

The two of you rush between the chimneys and gutters. Feet flying across tiles and wooden panels. The cat does not look back at you but waits for you to catch up. The night air feels better up here, the stench of violence. You arrive at a gap in the roofs. A trade road lies before you with a precipitous drop.

“I can’t jump that.” It’s a five-metre gap. No person could cross that.

“You don’t have to. You see that steeple to the right? A line hangs from there to the other side. Just go through the window.” The cat turns to jump, “Don’t talk to the gargoyle. He wants your eyes.” With the warning in mind, you clamour through an open window and onto a staircase. The Church of the Blood Sun, a heretical institution to some. They grew since Roermond was pulled above, into the dizzying heights or the stars. Old Gods were being forgotten slowly, and the terrible Blood Sun was growing in popularity. The stairs creaked as you climbed, terrifying images carved into the stone, the top was just one flight away.

“A traveller comes to my abode. The waters of the Hambeek are flowing in their swirling pools and the Blood Sun if far gone. Tell me traveller. What gifts do you bring?” The voice is soft as a warm winters breeze. The scratch of the claws upon the flagstones lulls you into a near hypnotic trance. You start to open your lips. You want to tell the voice about the wonders in your backpack. Your voice catches and you turn around. A cold talon grips your neck holding your head forward. “No need to look. Tell me, use your voice to sing to me.” The talon relaxes. The figure retreats from you. Your eyes find the rope the cat told you about.

Kneeling down you pull some pastries from the bag. A set of Peach treats. You know they aren’t made with real peaches but the taste is close enough. You lay them on the floor and step over them. Once more the claws clack on the stone. You hear the talons gouge the floor. You leap for the rope, managing to hold on tightly, you find purchase on a metal tube. The air whips past you, a feeling that you haven’t felt in years.

The trip is over as rapidly as it began. You find your companion sitting expectantly before you. “You gave him food. Well, that was foolish, but at least your eyes are still yours. We are nearly there. Follow me.” The cat dashes off, faster this time, as you struggle to keep up. You round a particular chimney to find the cat gone. Hesitantly you sneak to the edge of the roof. Music is drifting up from below. Two people are playing their instruments. The young girl was playing her flute, the boy played on his flute. They huddled above a balcony, sitting in a small outcropping. The cat was perched on her shoulder.

“Leonard, our friend says that we are expected above. Let’s go.” The girl had stopped playing and was reaching up to the roof.

“Who is expecting us then?”

“I have no idea. They have sweets though.”

“Just no more mushrooms and I might kiss them.”

“Do you have anything worthy of kissing?” The girl asked, looking into your eyes.

“They carry an assortment of peaches.” The cat decided to whisper, just loudly enough that you could hear.

The four of you decided to sit on the bridge while eating your treats. Peach Kisses, or Kissies as Leonard seemed to pronounce it, Peach Flowers, Peach Drops, and most importantly, Peach Tart. Being a baker allowed you access to some more expensive ingredients. None of your food ever contained mushrooms. Even the flour was made from long grass. The Kisses were special though. While simple, you always made sure to season them well. Sorrow Cinnamon and Smoke Venom made sure that any that ate them walked away with red lips and blushing cheeks. It felt just slightly as if someone were kissing you.

The night flew by. The Constables that came passed were more than willing to look the other way for a piece of tart or two drops. The three of you, sitting on that bridge, making music and gifting food to passers-by. The city woke that morning, slightly changed.

“Come again tomorrow?” The girl asked. You assure her that you will, and, smiling at Leonard, you plan to bring the Peach Kissies along.

“I’ll direct you home.” The cat mumbles, “Maybe a rat or two are still in your bakery.”

“Why did they come in yesterday?” You ask.

“You shouldn’t deal with the Masked Horror. They steal from the rats.”

Thank you @cawolters, thank you for an amazing prompt. Hope you like what I did with it.

#goblin writes #flash fiction friday #writer event #flash fiction #much love delicious reader

13 notes · View notes

elementsofemotion · 3 years

Text

Chapter 2: The Eternal Forest

“Caelian, aren’t you done yet?” Nathaniel whined exasperatedly, as he hung limply in the air.

“Not yet,” Caelian said, as he ran his fingers down yet another individual feather.

“But you’ve been doing this for hours .”

Caelian glanced up at him before blinking up at the sun. It had certainly moved quite a bit in the sky, so the sprite probably wasn’t lying about the time.

“I have to preen all of them or it’s pointless, Nath. If I stop, I’ll lose track.”

“You’ve only done, like, three of your wings. It’s going to be another two hours before you’re done at this rate. Stop avoiding the town!” Nathaniel huffed.

“Fine, let me at least finish this wing.”

“Ugh. Fine. I’ll wait. Over there. Call me when you’re done.”

Caelian watched as Nathaniel zipped across the pond and to the other side of the meadow clearing. The sprite hovered above the flowers for a moment before settling down into one, using it as a makeshift bed.

The sun was high in the sky, leaning more towards the west now. There were probably only a few hours left before darkness fell. Nathaniel was right; he needed to hurry up and finish his task so that he could report back to Gaia. Preening wasn’t the best use of the remaining hours of daylight.

Caelian shifted on the rock that he sat on, and looked down into the sparkling water of the pond. He had mostly dried off from the water of Iaestia’s protective bubble, though his coat still felt slightly damp.

As he studied his reflection, he noticed a few leaves and twigs sticking out of his tangled hair. He brushed his hand through it, feeling his fingers getting caught in the tangles a few times. After a few more tries of running his fingers through, the stuck leaves eventually drifted out, and the twigs fell into the water, scaring away some of the nearby fish.

Caelian sat back onto his heels as he looked over at the spread out wing beside him. His white wings always ended up looking more dusty and dirty than his black ones, so he always did them first.

Maybe it wouldn’t be too noticeable if he walked into town with only half of his wings preened. The white ones were done, at least.

He returned his wing to a folded position against his back before sliding off of the rock and hitting his feet to the ground. He’d finish the other half of his wings after he was done with his job.

He walked gingerly around the pond, being careful—as always—to not step on any of the wildflowers that covered the ground. As he made it to the other side, he knelt down around the area where he had last seen Nathaniel, and inspected the larger flowers.

“Nath?” he called. Upon getting no response, he crawled over to the next patch of flowers, looking intently for the sprite’s jade green body amongst the bright colors. After a few more moments, he spotted the sprite curled up in a pale orange flower, appearing to be sound asleep. Caelian gently cupped his hands around the small sprite, lifting him up out of the pollen filled core. Nathaniel gave a small sneeze as he woke up.

“I thought you said it was too late in the day to be sleeping?” Caelian asked.

Nathaniel rubbed at his large eyes, “Yeah, well, it gets pretty tiring flying around all day. Not that’d you’d know, or anything. Can’t fly and all. Super exhausting.”

“I see,” Caelian couldn’t help but crack a soft smile. “Want to sleep in my hood for a bit?”

In response, Nathaniel flitted up and out of Caelian’s hands and into his hood. His weight was barely noticeable as he snuggled into the soft fur.

“Wake me up when we get there.” Nathaniel sighed.

Caelian pushed himself back up, steadying himself on his feet as he glanced back across the pond. A small family of deer had emerged from the other side of the clearing, some of them eyeing Caelian curiously as the others had a drink.

He had a heavy urge to go visit and play with them, as they admittedly were his favorite animal that inhabited the forest. But instead, he managed to tear his eyes away from them and step back underneath the canopy of leaves.

It wasn’t a terribly long walk. Not to Caelian, at least. An hour of pushing through the underbrush was nothing compared to the long hours he’d spend checking every corner of the realm, making sure Gaia’s barrier was still up.

Pathways didn’t exist in the forest. The spirits got around by memory and landmarks alone. The younger ones learned from their elders how to navigate through the giant trees. Sprites had been the ones to show Caelian how to navigate. Each and every scar on the trees was like an arrow pointing to a destination. Landmarks such as the fallen trees and mushroom patches- They were all neatly integrated into his mind.

If it weren’t for the fact that spirits could live for a millennia, he would’ve said that he had traveled throughout the forest more than anyone else had. But his short years in the realm simply weren’t comparable to some of the elders, who had surely explored the forest far more than he ever could in his 100 or so years of existence.

At least, he was pretty sure it had been around 100 years. It felt right, but it was a bit hard to keep track without a calendar. Maybe one of the denizens would be willing to let him have one? As he pondered on it, he wondered what he’d really do with one; he wouldn’t have much to mark into it, would he? He didn’t even know his own birthday, after all. The day Gaia found him wandering the forest was the closest substitute they had for that day. They merely guessed he was somewhere around 5 year old at that point.

To this day, it was a bit of a mystery where Caelian had come from. No forest spirit claimed him as their child. It was almost as if he simply appeared one day in the forest; a small toddler staring up at the numerous sprites as they watched him curiously.

Coincidentally, it had been Nathaniel that had told Gaia an unknown child had appeared in the forest, and it was she who personally went to retrieve him.

It was probably the very first vivid memory he had: Gaia, shrunken down to a more normal height, one of the numerous things she could accomplish with her powers, approaching him and kneeling down with a smile.

He remembered… not really thinking much when he saw her. He felt no emotion back then. The world felt like it was going on around him, with him as a mere spectator to his own life. Like he didn’t really exist. Gaia had said she immediately sensed something off about him, but that it had taken her a few weeks to fully understand what was going on.

It had then taken years for her to formulate her plan: to gather powerful enough sprites of each element who were willing to help an abandoned child that nobody knew. It was an ability only she and one other god had the power to do. Taking four different sprites from each element, with each element embodying their own set of emotions. They would be reduced to their pure elemental energy and bonded to the person through a soul link. This would grant that person the ability not only to use the elemental abilities of the sprites, but to feel the emotions they encompassed.

They took the forms of lanterns, containing their essence inside the glass. They worked without Caelian even needing to do anything. While some emotions that embodied the sprites could overlap in similarity, while working together in tandem, they let Caelian feel a wide range of emotion.

He felt normal.

… At least, those were his feelings on the matter. Perhaps not entirely normal. The forest denizens seemed to disagree on his thoughts of what normal was.

When he stepped into the edge of the clearing that nested the town, as soon as anyone nearby noticed him, they promptly turned their back to him or hurried off somewhere. Caelian only silently watched their reactions as he walked onward.

This was normal.

“Hey, Nath…” He spoke quietly, reaching behind to gently tug at his hood. A moment later he heard the sprite stir. He heard a soft yawn, and a moment later Nathaniel had climbed up onto his shoulder.

“We there already?” He yawned again.

Caelian gently lifted Nathaniel off his shoulder, cradling the small sprite in front of him as if he were some sort of protective shield.

It’s fine, he told himself. I don’t feel upset with them, so it’s not a big deal. I just feel… empty? I guess, like I used to. I’d rather not feel like that... But it will pass.

It was admittedly a strange sensation for Caelian, as if he and his elementals didn’t know how he should feel, so his emotions simply... ceased. Like a punch to the gut, the switch from feeling happy, content, anything, going to pure nothingness, always hit him like a bag of bricks. If he could experience truly feeling upset, if he had to guess, he would be upset over having to endure that feeling every time he went to the town.

But he was Gaia’s disciple, and as such, he had to endure this.

As he walked, while most of the looks he got were full of disdain, there were a few expressions of pity scattered throughout. Sure, not all of the denizens hated him. There were a handful that at the very least didn’t mind him, and even a few that were genuinely kind. But they were heavily numbered by those that dislike him. He would always visit the kinder ones last, so that he could better hold onto those memories when he had finally left for the day.

Caelian sauntered over to the town square, near the well. He didn’t actually need to visit and talk to everyone in the town; if someone needed him for anything, he simply needed to be visible long enough for them to potentially ask. But there were always a few particular individuals he’d take the time to seek out, as Gaia specifically asked it of him.

Garson’s home was only a few yards north of the well. It was a small home built into a hill, using a nearby fallen tree as an expansion. Caelian stepped onto the old, dirty doormat that laid at the partially covered entryway. Shifting Nathaniel over to be held with only one hand, he knocked.

A few moments later, an older man swung the door open, the smile on his face quickly falling at the sight of Caelian.

“Oh, well if it ain’t the little forest prince ,” he sighed, a hint of a sneer in his voice as he said Caelian’s nickname, “What d’you want?”

Caelian paused a moment before speaking, “Um, is there… has everything been alright in the town?”

Garson gave him a hard look, before taking a step forward out of the doorway. This forced Caelian to take a step back, and Garson tightly closed the door behind him.

“Look, kid. We’ve been over this. There ain’t no point for you to even keep comin’ here- not that you ever do to begin with. Go back to playin’ with your little forest animals.”

Caelian was quiet for a moment. It was true; he rarely visited the town these days.

“I’d come more often if anyone actually-”

“Kid,” Garson interrupted, placing a fisted hand onto his hip, “Ain’t no one here gonna ask anythin’ from a halfie .”

“I’m not a halfie,” Caelian shot back quickly, “You all just assume that because of how I used to act.”

Garson furrowed his brows, frowning as he pointed a fat, calloused finger at Caelian, causing the boy to lean back, “You ain’t a normal one, kid. You can’t even feel no emotion without those little lanterns of yours. That’s a halfie disease, guaranteed. One of your parents went and had a kid with a human- that’s the only way a spirit would have a disease like that.”

“It’s not a disease,” Caelian said quietly, “I just… I don’t know why I was like that. It’s fine now, Gaia helped me, so why does it matter? I’m just a nature spirit.”

Sure, it was known that if a spirit and human were to ever successfully have a child, that child would have serious complications. The two simply were not meant to mix, and their offspring would pay the price for it. There had been numerous ‘halfies’, or hemicaes, as they were more officially called, documented throughout the ages, all with unusual health problems or traits, but they were a rare occurrence, and not much was known about them as they typically ended up living lives of solitude, away from the judgement of others.

Garson shook his head, his hands falling back down to his sides. “You’re just playin’ pretend, is what you are. You can’t feel anythin’. It’s all the sprites tellin’ you what to do. You can’t relate to nothin’ and no one. I’ll never understand Gaia’s decision, choosin’ some defective, lost little halfie as her disciple,” he sighed before adding, “Shame Ezekial passed on. Him bein’ the disciple during these times would’ve been ‘lot more comfortin’.”

Caelian remained quiet. He didn’t believe what Garson said about his elementals dictating how he felt. If they did, he didn’t think they’d leave him feeling nothing right now. At least Caelian finally got out of the void at the mention of Ezekial, sparking Riemos and his own curiosity. Ezekial was the name of Gaia’s previous disciple, though he knew very little of him. He just knew that he had been with Gaia for millennia before finally passing on due to unknown causes.

Garson turned away from Caelian, opening the door to his home again and stepping inside. “Just go home, kid. Sure, you’re Gaia’s disciple now. You can store her excess power and help her with whatever she needs, fine. But don’t be expectin’ anyone here to want anythin’ to do with you.” With that, the door closed, leaving Caelian to quietly think about Garson’s words.

He was startled out of his thoughts when he felt Nathaniel wriggle away from his grasp, flitting up into the air with a huff. “What an asshole,” Nathaniel grumbled. “Don’t listen to him, Cae.”

“It’s fine. It doesn't bother me.” It was true. Caelian felt literally nothing from the conversation. He knew the words for how he should have felt, but not how those emotions would actually affect him. He couldn’t help but be curious what those emotions he still lacked were like. Gaia always told him it was for the better, but was that really true? “Well, whatever. He was no help,” Nathaniel folded his arms, “Let’s go check on everyone else.” “Alright…” He had agreed to check on the others, but he ended up wandering rather aimlessly through the town, quietly watching as the other spirits went about their lives. He often felt curious of what it was like to constantly be around other people; he had been isolated from other spirits for most of his life. Sure, the animals and sprites always kept him company, but the spirits here seemed so different.

Maybe Garson was right, that he couldn’t really relate to them.

He was broken out of his thoughts when he noticed a familiar face pass by him, causing him to immediately perk up and do a double take. A younger boy, closer to Caelian’s age, was carrying a large water jug filled to the brim with well water.

Upon noticing Caelian staring at the boy, Nathaniel quickly flew down in front of his face, blocking his line of sight, “Oh no. We’re not talking to Mathias today.” “Why not?” Caelian asked, leaning over to peer around Nathaniel’s tiny frame, “Maybe he needs help carrying water.” “Nope. He’s fine. No need for me to experience second-hand embarrassment today,” Nathaniel said flatly, moving to block Caelian again. “What’s that?” Caelian asked, taking a step back to look at Nathaniel, “Just let me check on him really quick.” “Don’t worry about it,” Nathaniel sighed with exasperation, “He’s fine, Caelian, we have other things to do, okay?” “... Okay.” “Okay, great. So let’s- HEY!” Nathaniel let out a high pitched screech as Caelian ducked under him and bounced over towards Mathias. “Mathi!” Caelian called excitedly, coming to an abrupt stop in front of the boy, causing him to nearly lose balance and fall over in surprise. “Ah- Caelian,” he shook some of his shaggy blond hair out of his eyes and gave the boy an unsure smile. “Can I help you?” “I, um- I actually wanted to ask you that. Do you need any help carrying water back to your place?” Caelian asked, his tail wagging excitedly. “Huh? Oh, this? No, it’s fine, I got it,” Mathias said, adjusting his grip on the clay jug slightly, “Thanks, though.” “Oh, okay. Um, hey, Mathias-” He spoke quickly when he saw the boy start to walk away, “I was actually wondering if we could like- hang out or something sometime?”

Mathias paused, looking back at Caelian with a concerned frown, “Ah… Well… I’m pretty busy, you know?” “I mean, whenever you’re not busy,” Caelian tilted his head slightly, leaving Mathias to let out a soft sigh. “Um, look- Everyone in the town that’s nice to you has everyone turn against them, too… You don’t seem that bad, but... I don’t really…” “... Yeah, I get it,” Caelian said softly. “Sorry,” Mathias said, giving him a genuine look of sympathy, “I need to go now.” He stood quietly as his tail slowly stopped wagging, lying limply in the dirt as he watched Mathias hurry off. A moment later, he felt the familiar plop of Nathaniel landing on his head. “Ya done?” he asked. “Yeah… I guess.” Nathaniel sighed, lightly patting the top of Caelian’s head, “Don’t worry, Cae. We’ll find you some nice friends someday.” “Huh? I have friends, though. I have the deer- and, well, you.” Nathaniel couldn’t help but snort, “Well, thanks for remembering me, I guess. Let’s just go visit Old Tamia and call it good, yeah?” Nathaniel said, jumping off Caelian’s head and back into the air. “Do you think Gaia will be upset?” Caelian asked as he turned and followed Nathaniel’s lead. Nathaniel paused for a moment, looking over his shoulder, “What makes you ask that?” “I still can’t really seem to get along with anyone.” “They won’t even give you the chance to get along, Cae.” Nathaniel sighed, “I don’t know what they expect- They get mad at you for not always knowing what to do, but if they never give you the chance to try you’re not going to improve.” “You mean back when they’d ask me questions and for help and stuff?” Caelian asked, tilting his head slightly. “Yeah- like when that one guy accused the other the other of stealing that- what was it? A pig? Goat?” Nathaniel shrugged, “I don’t remember, but they wanted you to do something about it? You’re still a baby and don’t know anyone here, of course you’re not gonna have any idea whose animal it was.”

“I didn’t think anyone would lie about getting their animals stolen…” Caelian said as he looked up at Nathaniel, who was hovering above his head. “Exactly! You haven’t had time to learn. I think everyone here is too used to Ezekiel- they expect you to be able to settle everything as quickly as he did. Hell, I doubt anyone would’ve even tried a stunt like that if he were still around.”

“Everyone always talks about how much they miss him- I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to measure up to that,” Caelian said as he stared ahead. “Someday they’ll respect you. They have to. Or else Gaia will smite all of them,” Nathaniel huffed. “Wait, she’d do that?” Caelian asked, quickly looking back up to Nathaniel. “Well, no,” Nathaniel said after a pause, “But we can threaten them with it.” “I don’t think she’d like it if we threatened them with that,” Caelian said with a small laugh as he stepped up onto a rickety old porch. Nathaniel landed on his head again as his footsteps creaked across the wood.

The house that they had arrived at belonged to someone known as Mrs. Tamia. Her home was more typical than that of most of the other nature spirits. It was a simple looking house, built out of wood and red bricks. From the outside, it had quite the rustic feel to it, with numerous hanging and potted plants on the porch and numerous flowers throughout the surrounding gardens. The house itself, however, was a bit decrepit. The flowers and plants clearly received the brunt of the care. Caelian stepped up to the door and gently took it’s metal knocker into his hand. He rapped the metal against the wood a few times, before releasing it and taking a step back. He stood waiting patiently for a few minutes, before the door slowly creaked open. An older, hunched over woman with curly gray hair and large, round spectacles peeked out at him. “Oh, why if it isn’t little Caelian!” she rasped, opening the door wider as she balanced with one hand on her cane, “I was just wondering when you’d come visit again, dear. Come in, come in.” “Thanks, Mrs. Tamia,” Caelian said as he followed the woman into her home. The inside of the home felt smaller than how it looked outside, mostly due to the vast amount of things the woman had collected throughout the years. However, it did have an organized clutter to it that gave the home charm. Numerous dim lights were spread throughout the room, giving just enough light to see the various collections of knick-knacks and old books neatly displayed on the many shelves. “How have you been, Dear?” Tamia asked as she hobbled over to the kitchen area. “I’ve been well,” Caelian said, slowly keeping pace behind her. “How has Gaia been? Everything going well in the forest?” “Gaia’s fine. Everything seems normal right now. Just the usual stuff.” “Good, good. I'm glad to hear,” She said as she opened a cupboard, “I’ve been worried about the Goddess as of late. Keeping that barrier up isn’t an easy feat, especially with most of her excess power being gone. Not being able to leave the Great Tree, poor dear. But you take care of yourself too, Caelian- You're so young, I’m sure it’s not easy for you to handle all of this responsibility, either. Here, sit down.” “I’ve been doing my best,” Caelian said as he sat down at the table, “But how have you been, Mrs. Tamia? Is there anything you need help with or for me to relay to Gaia.” “Oh, I’ve been fine,” she said, pulling a container out of the cupboard, “Don’t you worry about an old hag like me. Here, love. I just made these this morning. Help yourself.” Caelian couldn’t help but wag his tail and gently tap the table in excitement as Tamia set the container down in front of him, removing the lid and revealing numerous different kinds of cookies, all of which were neatly sorted into compartments. “Thank you,” Caelian said, taking one of the cookies. He carefully broke it in half, trying to prevent any crumbs from falling onto the cream colored table cloth, before holding it up to his head for Nathaniel to grab onto and gnaw on. This was the one nice thing about visiting the town, at least; Tamia had always been kind to him. The first time she ushered him into her home, he had been amazed at all of her belongings and would spend hours inspecting them. His favorite was still the small, colorful bird that would tip back and forth, appearing to be drinking water.

It was also the first time he ever got to experience eating such delicious foods; things like sweets, pastries, and cooked meals weren’t things that he would ever have been able to find or make out in the forest, and Tamia was always delighted to share her baking and cooking with him. As an older spirit, her offspring didn’t come around to visit much anymore, so she was happy to treat Caelian. The first time he had ever tasted one of her cookies, he had squealed in delight. “Have you already visited everyone else in the town?” Tamia asked with a smile, as she slowly sat down in the chair across from him. “Most of them- Nobody really wanted to bother with me, though,” Caelian said, giving another piece of cookie to the small, greedy hand waving in his face. Tamia let out a sigh, “Yes, it's unfortunate how the others view you. They complain to me for always hosting you- halfie this, halfie that. Bah, as if it’d matter even if it were true. You’re a kind and gentle young man. I see why Gaia would have chosen you as her new disciple. You have much of the same qualities as Ezekiel.” “Do I?” He asked, gazing up at her, “People mention him all the time, but I’ve never actually heard much about him.” She nodded, “Granted, he was much older than you, but I remember when he was young and first appointed as Gaia’s disciple. He had the same childlike curiosity about the world as you have. He was a sweet boy, and a kind man, always going out of his way to help others.” “I guess we are a bit different, then.” Caelian mused, staring back down at the cookies, “I don’t really help others much.” “Your day will come,” she said as she slowly stood up from her chair. Caelian watched as she walked over to the window, gazing out at the pink sky. “It’s already getting late. Do you still sleep out in the forest, Caelian?” “Yeah…” Tamia frowned as she turned to look at him, “Will you still not consider moving into the disciple’s house? I worry for you, especially as the colder weather approaches.” Caelian’s eyes flicked over to the window. He had been shown the disciple’s house once, long ago. It was a lone cabin, isolated but not too far from the town, that was passed down and meant for each disciple to inhabit. He remembered the smooth wood floors, the blank, cream colored walls, and how strange it felt. Then there was the thought of being so close to the town at all times. Perhaps it was useful for the past disciples, but for him… Tamia sensed his hesitation. “I know you don’t enjoy coming here,” she said gently, “But perhaps familiarity will help the denizens become more used to you.” “That’s okay,” Caelian said with a smile. “I prefer the forest, honestly. It feels more natural to me. I like the roots and moss. Plus, I’m closer to Gaia there.” Tamia gave a soft smile. “I understand. But never forget I welcome you here with open arms, Caelian. Now, here,” she walked over to the table, placing the lid back on the cookie container and then extending it out towards Caelian, “Why don’t you take this with you as a treat?” “Oh, but I don’t want to take all of them-” Caelian started, but Tamia gently pushed the container into his hands. Nathaniel flew back up into the air, allowing Tamia to gently ruffle Caelian’s messy hair. “I can always make more- it’s a gift, dear. Whenever you run out, come back to visit a lonely old woman, won’t you?” “Ah- yeah, I’ll try,” Caelian smiled, “I guess I should go, now- Sorry I couldn’t visit for long, Mrs. Tamia.” “Don’t be sorry, my dear, I know you’ve got a lot to do. You’re always welcome here, even if it's just to grab a snack and leave. Never forget that.” “I’ll try to make sure I can visit for longer next time,” Caelian said, as he stood up and pushed in his chair. “Thank you, Mrs. Tamia.” “Of course,” the old woman smiled, walking with Caelian over to the door and gently opening it. “Stay safe out there, won’t you?” “I will,” Caelian said as he stepped out the door, Nathaniel following close behind him, “Bye, Mrs Tamia, see you next time!” The woman waved to him as he walked on until they were out of view. Nathaniel landed back down on Caelian’s head as the boy looked down at the cookie container. “Well, that wasn’t too bad, right?” “Mrs. Tamia is always nice, I’m glad,” Caelian smiled, “I’d like to do something for her next time we visit- I don’t know what, though…” “Maybe you can make her something?” “I don’t really know anything I could make, though… I can’t bake or cook like she does… or sew… or anything, really.” “Well… You’ll have time to figure it out,” Nathaniel said with a yawn. “Yeah, I guess.” The sun had nearly set by the time Caelian left the town, bumbling back into the forest. It was harder to navigate at night, so he wanted to get back as soon as possible. “I don’t think you’ll make it before dark,” Nathaniel commented, looking at the slowly disappearing blotches of light against the forest floor. “Want me to go on ahead and let Gaia know you’ll report back to her in the morning?” “But I want to make sure she knows I went,” Caelian looked up as Nathaniel flew up off his head. “I’ll tell her, don’t worry. Just go ahead and go back to hollow and I’ll meet you there- I don’t want you slipping and falling off the stairs or anything because you can’t see.” “But Iaestia will just-” Caelian paused as Nathaniel zipped off ahead of him, apparently having already decided what to do, regardless of Caelian’s input. “... Use her water shield.” Caelian trekked on alone, now at a less brisk pace. He really wanted to report to Gaia tonight, but he didn’t want to make Nathaniel mad, so he’d just do as the sprite said. Lost in his own thoughts, he continued on as he recalled his time spent at the town. Mrs. Tamia was probably right, and Gaia pushed for it often, too. He really should visit more, regardless of how empty it made him feel. Even if the denizens never fully accepted him, it was his duty as the Goddess’ disciple to take care of them. Maybe if he just focused on that, with Nyxidae’s help, it wouldn’t be so bad. He smiled to himself at the thought. It was then that he noticed that the forest seemed especially quiet. It was normal for the songbird’s chattering to have died down by this hour, but there was a distinct lack of the chirping crickets that he always fell asleep to at night. He couldn’t even hear the frog’s chorus, either, despite their calls always being loud enough to echo throughout the forest. He paused, standing quietly amongst the trees. The sun was gone at this point, the moonlight now taking over, doing its best to provide the forest with its soft light. It was a feeling he couldn’t quite place, like something familiar, but forgotten. Somehow, something felt off. The air he breathed in felt unusually cold, like an icy hand gripping his throat. It was then he heard the snap of a twig from somewhere behind him, causing him to turn and look. “Hello?” he asked, staring off into the empty forest. Predators weren’t a concern for him; none of the carnivorous animals in the forest ever hunted the mana beings. But there was still a weird feeling somewhere in the pit of his stomach. He stood there for a few moments, waiting. There was nothing but silence. He took a step back, before turning and running off into the direction of the hollow. He wasn’t sure why he ran.

#EOE #Elements of emotion #webnovel #chapter 2

0 notes

perfectlyrose · 6 years

Text

obscured: chapter two

Summary: The forest is a dangerous place. Impenetrable fog has descended on it for one day a month for as long as anyone can remember. There are stories of wolves and ghosts haunting the woods and tales of doomed lovers from long ago. Things are about to change though and maybe love will find a way after all. (Nine/Rose AU) AN: *coughs guiltily* hi i'm here with my yearly update of this fic. i hope to have another chapter up by the end of the year so keep an eye out for that! Also, note that age difference in this fic. This is a younger version of Nine - a little less jaded (though still some), maybe a little more optimistic, etc. (Also any opportunity to picture a young CE is a good opportunity. He looks good at any age tbh, but there is a dearth of mid-late twenties CE in my life so here we are.) Word Count: 3803 // Rating: All Ages AO3 // tumblr // TSP // FF

"Rose! I was getting worried!" Jackie exclaimed, hurrying over to her daughter the moment she walked in the door of their cottage.

Rose gripped her mum's arms, surprised by the intensity of Jackie's distress. She'd expected to walk in to a lecture on going further into the woods and staying longer than necessary, not to Jackie in an almost panic.

"What's wrong? I wasn't gone any longer than usual." Rose said, leaning over to set her basket of herbs and mushrooms on the table. She turned back to her mum and saw the fear behind her eyes. "What happened?"

Jackie shook her head. "Nothin' yet, love. But someone new's come into the village and I've got a bad feeling about them and you weren't home yet. I was just worried."

"I'm sorry I got you worried," Rose said, pulling Jackie into a hug. "I took a little longer than I meant to."

Jackie pulled out of the hug and pushed at her shoulder with a snort. "No, you didn't."

Rose laughed. "Yeah, alright. But I did get some more wolfsheart today, I know we were running low."

"Why don't you go put everything up in the stillroom?"

Rose picked up her basket again but didn't move towards the back room. "What about the stranger's got you all on edge? Usually you're the first one to invite someone new around for the latest news from abroad."

Jackie's mouth hardened into a line. "I've just got a bad feeling about 'im. Something about his eyes makes me distrust him."

Rose bit her bottom lip and headed towards the back room. Her mum's instincts about people were usually good but she did have a tendency to rush to judgment based on them. She'd have to wait to see if she spotted this stranger herself, maybe ask the forest if he'd gone through there and made any impression.

The trees had a good impression of her Doctor, of John. She wondered what Jackie would think if she met him. She bit back a smile at the thought. The Doctor would have a hell of a time with trying to talk circles around her mum but they'd probably get around to swapping healing lore before long. They could bond over that.

Rose shook her head as she bundled herbs for drying. One actual conversation with her healer and she was imagining how her mother would like him. She always was one for getting ahead of herself.

She was putting up the wolfsheart when she heard someone knock on the door. It was too authoritative to be any of their neighbors and Rose was halfway out of the stillroom when Jackie caught her eye and shooed her back inside, motioning for her to shut the door as well.

The worry was back in Jackie's eyes so Rose did as she was told. As soon as the stillroom door shut with a soft click, she pressed her ear against the worn wood, anxious to know what was happening out in the main room.

The voices were muffled but she could make out her mum's clipped tone and the oily smooth pronunciation of a stranger talking about some sort of healing remedy for a deep bruise.

"Let me make up a poultice for you to take with you. I've got what I need in my stillroom." Jackie's voice was clear as she turned towards the door Rose was pressed against.

"I'd love to see where you do your magic," the oily voice said.

Rose shuddered. Something about the man's voice rubbed her the wrong way and made her long for the safety of the forest. Jackie was definitely right to distrust him.

"Nothing magic about it," Jackie said, steel in her tone leaving no room for argument. "But I don't like strangers in my stillroom. I'll be out in a just a mo' with your poultice."

Rose backed up from the door, positioning herself behind it so that she wouldn't be seen when Jackie slipped inside. The two women shared a look laden with meaning before Jackie began to assemble her bruise remedy.

She crushed a handful of parsley with her mortar and pestle and then added some mint and lavender to soothe the senses more than the injury. She finished it off with a sprinkle of water Rose had gathered from a hollow stump after the first rainfall of spring.

Jackie tied it all up in a cloth and stepped out of the stillroom two minutes after she'd entered, closing the door firmly behind her.

Rose heard them Jackie explaining how to best use the remedy and then discuss the price briefly before the front door opened and shut.

A few minutes passed before Jackie opened the door to the stillroom. "You can come out now if you're done putting up what you gathered today."

Rose leaned against the counter, watching her mother closely. She looked exhausted after the encounter with their customer. "That was the stranger in town you were worried about, yeah?"

"Unfortunately. Apparently someone pointed him our direction to get a poultice."

"Who is he?"

"Hopefully, we never find out," Jackie said with finality. "Now, why don't you show me what else you picked up today when you went further into the forest than what I asked you to?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rose stayed close to the cottage for the next couple of days. Word was the stranger was still hanging around town. He apparently wasn't talking to anyone but he paid handsomely for room and board so the people of Powell let him be. As far as anyone could fathom, he was waiting for something or someone, although what he possibly thought could happen in somewhere as isolated as their village was beyond them.

By late afternoon of the third day, Rose couldn't stand sitting around any longer and made her way towards the forest with her gathering basket. Her sturdy grey cloak kept the unseasonably brisk breeze at bay and she practically ran to the treeline.

The hood of her cloak fell around her shoulders and as it did, Rose felt a chill steal over her that had nothing to do with autumn quickly closing in. Someone was watching her. The young oaks around her, steady and protective, didn't like it any more than she did, and they filled her head with their buzzing concern.

She slipped further inside the forest, sticking to the path until she was sure she was out of the sight of whoever was observing her. The moment the trees around her exuded relief at her being unobserved, Rose set off at a run towards a clearing half a mile from any path, knowing no one would be able to find her there without the help of the forest or someone who knew it as well as her.

By the time she got there, her heart was pounding and she'd almost managed to run away from the feeling of a cold gaze sliding over her body from afar. The chatty bushes and saplings in the clearing did the rest to help distract her and banish the memory for the time being.

She returned home calmer than when she left but with a feeling of foreboding that even the forest hadn't been able to erase.

The next day, the stranger left town without a word.

If he passed through the forest on his way in or out of Powell, none of the trees or bushes would speak to Rose about his passing.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rose ran to the woods, blue cloak fluttering behind her. Autumn had set in fully now and the forest floor was covered in a damp blanket of red, gold, and brown. The chill in the air stung her cheeks as she wound her way along the paths but she barely felt it in her excitement.

John should be back today. Or rather, he was back if the gossiping trees were correct. This time she was determined to sneak up on him instead of the other way around. If the trees would just tell her what path he was on, she was sure she could pull it off.

Finally a group of maples told her through the arboreal version of giggles that the healer had just passed them. Rose hurried in their direction as some ash trees chimed in from further down the path to confirm what the maples said.

She was grinning bright and wide as she stepped soundlessly onto the path behind John. She could tell he was scanning the underbrush on either side of the path, keeping an eye out for her.

"Looking for something, Doctor?" Rose called out.

He didn't jump but it was a close thing. When he turned to face her, there was a smile as big as her own on his face. "Someone, actually. You seen any wood sprites around here? Looking for one about this high," he put a hand up, indicating her height, "blonde, bit gorgeous."

Rose's heart skipped a beat. She tucked her tongue into the corner of her smile. "Just a bit?"

"Maybe more than a bit," John replied, smile not fading at all as he walked towards her.

"Mmm, don't know any wood sprites of that description," she said.

He reached and linked their hands together, pulling her closer. "You're sure about that?"

"Pretty sure, yeah."

"Shame. I'll have to keep looking then." John made like he was pulling away from her but Rose tightened her grip on his hand.

"Don't you dare."

Rose closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, hands bumping against the bulging pack on back. It didn't feel like it was the first time she had hugged him as she rested her head against his woolen jumper. It felt like she'd been doing this forever.

John's hands were tentative as he splayed them on her back, holding her to him.

"I missed you," he admitted quietly, mouth just above her ear.

Rose pulled back just enough to look up at him. "You barely even know me," she said, watching his face carefully.

"Are you saying you didn't miss me?"

She scoffed. "Of course I missed you, you plonker."

"And you barely know me," he pointed out.

Alright, fair enough," she conceded. She stepped out of his embrace but reached out to reclaim his hand. "So, Doctor, tell me about where you've been travelling? I know a place we can sit for a while if you've got time."

"I always have time for you."

"Smooth talker all of a sudden," Rose teased.

John made a face. "You'd be the first to accuse me of that. Usually stumbling over my words when I'm not talking about medicine, me."

"Haven't done with me."

"You seem to be an exception to the rule, Rose Tyler," he said, squeezing her hand.

"Good. So, where have you been lately?" she asked as she led him off the path. There was a small stream nearby that she sometimes swam in. It was too cold today but it was still a pretty spot to sit and talk.

"Oh, here and there. Nowhere particularly exciting," John hedged.

"Everywhere's exciting to me," Rose insisted. "I've never left Powell except to come into the forest."

"I don't think I've ever been to Powell," he mused.

"You haven't. Everyone in town would know if you'd been through."

She shuddered at the thought of the last stranger who'd passed through. He hadn't been back yet but she couldn't shake the feeling that he would be.

"Are you cold?" John asked, looking down at her with concern.

"Nah, just had a bad thought, is all."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really. It's nothing. The conversation just reminded me of the last outsider who came through town," Rose elaborated.

"Didn't care for them?"

"Gave me the creeps even though I never got a proper look at him," Rose admitted. The sound of the water was growing louder and she picked up her pace, dragging John along with her in an attempt to forestall any further questions.

Rose found the old stump by the stream and took her usual seat on it. John set his pack down and then lowered himself to the ground, laying on his side with the grace of a cat and completely heedless of the dampness of the forest floor from last night's rain.

"Tell me about your travels?" Rose asked again.

This time he relented. "What do you want to know, curious little wood sprite?"

"Everything."

Rose leaned forward, propping her elbows on knees, waiting for whatever story he chose to tell. She'd imagined a million of them all the times she'd shadowed him through the forest. She could tell even then by the wear on his pack and the ease of his long stride that he travelled often and far.

She'd wanted to know everything about him then. Now the need was even stronger.

"Went west to the Forest of Cheem, have you heard of it?"

Rose shook her head.

"It's different kind of forest than this one, much less feared. There's a whole city's worth of people who live within it, coexisting with the trees and the flow of nature," he said, admiration clear in his voice. "It's fantastic, it really is. If you don't know the community is there, you'd never even see them with how they've integrated themselves. It's almost like they've become trees, somehow."

"Find any wood sprites there?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Her tone was a little more arch than she intended but her healer just chuckled, low and deep.

"No wood sprites. Had the local equivalent of a princess proposition me, though."

"And you said you weren't a smooth talker!"

"She was the one doing the propositioning, not me! I thought she'd just been being nice, helping me with finding the patients who needed attention. Figured she flirted with everyone if she flirting with this daft old face."

Rose nudged him with her foot. "S'not daft. Anyone with eyes would be flirting with you."

Or ears, she thought to herself. She loved the rumble of his voice, the unique way his tongue wrapped around words and the cadence of his accent.

John just shook his head, self-deprecating smile clear to read.

"I mean it," Rose insisted.

The copse of alders across the stream snickered at her and she shot them a mental reproach hoping that they heard her. She didn't need the persnickety trees commenting on her own attempts at flirting.

He smiled at her, blue eyes brightening as her sincerity registered.

"You know," he started, speaking in a casual tone that did was obviously put on, "despite the relationship the people of Cheem have with their forest, no one quite interacted with it the way you do with these trees."

Rose froze and then carefully, consciously loosened her muscles, trying to appear casual herself. "Maybe I'm just an odd duck," she offered.

"Or you've got the land magic that most are still convinced is a myth."

Rose just fixed him with a glare.

"Alright, alright, I'll leave it be for now. I'm just curious. I've been studying the sparse accounts and legends of it for years and you're the first person I've ever come across that might be able to confirm or dismiss my theories."

"So I'm just a science experiment, then?" Rose asked, pain lancing through her chest. It hurt more than she could have anticipated to realize that maybe her healer was not interested in her the same way she was in him.

How could he not feel the pull dragging them together? Did he not feel like there were live sparks tumbling through his veins and heating him through when they were touching? Was she in this all on her own?

Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought, looking away from him in the split second after she asked her question. He was a fully accredited doctor, of course he wouldn't have any interest in girl from a tiny village who wasn't even a proper healer.

"No!" The word burst out of him with unexpected force.

Rose looked back at him, questioning look at her face.

John moved to a kneeling position, looking up at her. "You're not an experiment to me, Rose. Not at all."

"No?"

"No." He kept her gaze, expression serious until he was sure she believed him and then cracked a small smile. "Besides, one doesn't turn down a proposition from a princess so they can make their date with a science experiment."

Rose laughed. "Alright, I guess I'll believe that."

"Good, because it's true."

Silence fell between them and Rose could hear the alders laughing again. At least she didn't have to worry about them sharing the whole story with any of the more gossipy trees. The alders liked to maintain an air of mystery and just talked amongst themselves.

There were some birches nearby that might tell the tale though. She groaned mentally. The forest wasn't going to let her hear the end of this for days.

"Are you heading back to the east edge of the forest?" Rose asked.

John nodded.

"You should probably start heading that way if you want to stay on the path you were on and still make it out by nightfall."

"Good plan."

"Then follow me, Doctor." She stood and waited for him to grab his pack and do the same before linking their hands again.

"You always going to call me Doctor?" he asked, sounding amused.

Rose looked up at him. "Didn't sound like you were too fond of your name. Would you rather me call you John?"

He shook his head. "No, I just... I'm not used to people listening when I ask them to call me something else, I suppose."

"Well, you were my healer for months before I talked to you so switching to calling you my Doctor was easy," she said, beaming up at him.

Just like she'd hoped, the tips of his ears turned pink and his eyes darkened a touch at her claiming him as hers again.

Rose got them back to the path and then dropped his hand, unsure now of what to do. It was difficult to part ways when she wanted to do anything but walk away from him.

He nodded towards the small basket she had with her. "Have I kept you from your gathering?"

She shook her head. "I just brought it in case I spotted something I wanted."

"And you didn't?"

Rose flicked her eyes down his body and then back up to meet his gaze. "I did, but I don't think my basket's big enough."

His eyes darkened as her words sunk in and Rose felt a thrill go through her at knowing she'd caused this reaction. John reached out and pulled her against him for another hug.

"I'll be back next month, my little wood sprite."

"Not so little," she protested, not moving from the embrace.

"Littler than me," he said, resting his chin on her head in demonstration.

Reluctantly, she started to pull away after another few moments. The days were getting shorter and she didn't want John to be in the woods after dark because of her. John's hold on her didn't let her get very far.

Rose tilted her head up and let out a tiny gasp at the intensity of his gaze. She could feel his thumb rub against her back through her cloak, grounding and comforting as he searched her face for something.

Rose just let her heart shine though her eyes and hoped he found whatever he was looking for.

Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, John leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek, right off the corner of her mouth.

He pulled back after a couple of seconds that had slowed into a small eternity.

"I'll see you soon, my Rose," he said, voice rougher than it had been moments earlier.

"Until next time, Doctor," she answered. Knowing that if she stayed even a breath longer, she would jump back into his arms and do her best to kiss him senseless, Rose smiled at him and then turned and darted off into the trees.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

John watched her go and let out a long breath as she seemingly vanished after taking a couple steps off the path. If his pulse wasn't still pounding and his lips tingling from their almost-kiss, he would think she might well be a vision, a creation of his imagination or something that haunted these mysterious woods to lure travelers off the path.

But Rose was real and he had just almost kissed her. He ran a hand down his face, fingertips lingering on his lips. He'd wanted to haul her against him and snog her properly. The way her golden-brown eyes had darkened and shimmered as she looked up at him, breath catching, told him that she had expected him to, wanted him to.

He groaned and started walking down the path. Rose had been right to say that they barely knew each other but it was hard to remember that particular fact when she was grinning at him and bantering like they'd known each other their whole lives. She had to be six or seven years younger than him but it didn't seem to matter.

Something about her just drew him in though, a gravity all her own. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her this entire month even though they had only a half hours acquaintance. The woman was magical, in more ways than one.

John grimaced as remembered her reaction to him pushing about her land sense. He had not intended to make her feel like all she was to him was a curiosity or experiment. He did desperately want to know more about the magic she wasn't talking about and her connection to the forest, and there were people who he was aware of in the magical community who would treat her as an experiment, but he was far more interested in her as a person.

The hurt painted on her face and the doubts that had slumped her shoulders in the wake of his questions were going to haunt him, he thought. He never wanted to make her look like that again.

He much preferred her sparkling, wild smile or the look of breathless anticipation right before he kissed her.

Those were expressions he planned on being the cause of again. The latter one in particular, he knew he would be dreaming about for the next month.

Although magic involving time was one of his specialties, he knew he couldn't make the days until their next meeting go by any faster, but it didn't stop him from wishing that he could.

#ficandchips #nine x rose #doctorroseprompts #since this is kinda witchy!rose #it is definitely magical!rose #and magical!doctor for that matter #obscured #i am so sorry i only manage to update this once a year but look!!!#it's almost four thousand words!!!#at least i show up with long-for-me chapters when i show up?#thanks to everyone and anyone who remembers this fic!#y'all are the reason it's still getting written and i love y'all #i wrote this

24 notes · View notes

fyeahspiritofjustice · 7 years

Text

It Was A Short Story Once

chapter: 4/?? author: N pairing: Mumen Rider/Metal Bat summary: The start of something new. Badd’s little sister is a fan of a different hero. He just wants a date. There are monsters in between. A/N: Guess what N is still alive despite all apparent signs and is posting again. As usual, if you dig it feel free to comment in our inbox here or over at AO3!

When he wakes the next morning it’s to a shirt in his face and Zenko’s third sternest look. “Oni-chan! You’re going to make me late!”

He yawns as he manages to sit up, using the shirt to wipe his face. “It’s not that late…” His phone buzzes and sure enough, it is that late. His eyes bug. He trips over the sheets on his way to standing. “Aw shi-” Zenko’s giving him a glare. “-ttake mushrooms. You eaten yet? Got your homework? Is your music packed?!”

A curse is bitten off as his zipper catches the side of his finger. When he looks up, hair mussed, finger in his mouth, pants mostly zipped, he realizes Zenko is standing there with her uniform neatly pressed and bag already on her shoulders.

She hands him one of his protein drinks from the fridge. “Hero Day is in three days, onii-chan! We’re not going to be late, right?”

“Cross my heart,” he promises, taking the drink. “Lemme find a shirt an’ I’ll walk you to the bus, ok?”

It’s as he’s digging through yet another accumulation of clothing on the living room floor that Zenko asks, “You’re still going to wear it for Hero Day, right?”

“It?”

“The shirt!”

“What shirt?” He asks, absently.

“Baddo!”

He straightens at that and looks at her, lost. She points and it’s then he remembers she handed him a shirt.That he’s still holding. Setting down his still unopened drink he unfurls the shirt.

I <3 MUMEN RIDER stares back at him in bright green and yellow.

He’s pretty sure the sparkle were added afterward, considering the way they’re ensuring his hands will have bling for the rest of the day. “Uh…” But when he looks up he sees the look on Zenko’s face and glitterfied or not he can’t go back on his word. “Yeah, of course. Promise.”

The smile he gets is worth the shit Tanaka is going to give him.

It ends up being Tajima who calls him on it, giving his hands a look out of the corner of his eyes. They’re at the batting cages in upper K-City, the ones with the new machines that have three settings and reinforced cage wire after at least two run-ins with mysterious beings.

Badd rolls his eyes at Tajima’s look. “My sister.”

CRACK!

“Uh-huh.”

CRACK!

“For Hero Day.”

CRACK!

“Uh-huh.”

CRACK!

Round over he puts down his bat to give Tajima a look. “From a shirt.”

Tajima just smiles, which manages to make him look half a foot shorter. How that happens, Badd has given up on figuring out. “You busy afterward?”

Badd’s nose wrinkles. “After when?”

Tajima’s face will probably freeze in an eyeroll someday. “Hero Day.”

“Takin’ Zenko to the parade.”

“I mean after that, dumbo.” Tajima pauses as the attendant appears with a new basket of baseballs, giving a respectful nod to the man, before turning back to Badd. “After the parade an’ all that.”

He has to think, rolling the borrowed bat in his palm. “Maybe.” There’s a question coming and he’s not about to commit. Particularly given how he has yet to actually ask what Zenko has planned. “Why?”

A proud smile splits Tajima’s face. “Goin’ to a party at Haninozuka’s.”

“Huh?”

“Third year?” It’s still not ringing a bell, no matter how much Tajima gestures with his hands. “Private academy up the street, big yellow-brown eyes, small-?”

“The Cookie Mascot?” He pops his lip. “You sure he’s a third year?”

The attendant slips out with little more than a flash of his glasses and a respectful bow, closing the door behind them. Badd loosens his collar, sweat pooling at the base of his neck from the encroaching summer warmth.

Tajima just shrugs. “Who knows. Anyway, you in? Bunch of us are going.” It’s when Badd hesitates that Tajima tacks on. “Supposed to be catered, super fancy house, private school girls…”

It’s almost too late that he realizes that he should be more excited about that than he is. Perhaps a few months ago, maybe? His preferences aren’t exactly secret among his close circle (Tanaka included, and by extension Ennoshita). Though he’s never exactly been one to turn down similar invitations. Reputation, after all, was everything.

They both talk at the same time. “Sure./Guys?”

There’s an awkward silence where Tajima brushes his hair back and Badd rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

Badd shakes his head and waves it off. “It’s cool.”

And it is, even if it’s started a cog going. Pieces lodging themselves into a thought, making him well aware of just what his late nights and early mornings have added up to. It’s almost an earthly miracle that Zenko hasn’t caught on. It’s definitely a god-level act of intervention that he’s realizing it now.

Fuck.

Tajima notices even as he picks a bat, swinging it once before deciding it’s good enough. “What’s up with you, man? You’ve been acting...” The batter trails, waving his hand with a loose swivel of his wrist.

“Yeah, just.” He finds himself swallowing, not sure he’s ready to share his revelation with the class. “Been a long week, you know?”

“You failing writing again?”

Which, god bless Tajima, is just the out he needs. “Yeah, you know how it is. No way they even read it all either.” Tajima huffs in agreement and takes a swing. CRACK! A perfect hit to hide Badd’s annoyance and second-hand embarrassment at himself. He clears his throat even as the batting machine spits out another. “So what time?”

When he goes home that night he has more than enough to ruminate on and not enough time to do it. By the time dinner and dishes are done, Zenko’s homework is double checked and the apartment is swept even the clock seems tired, faded green numbers blinking in and out. His own homework lays strewn on the growing mountain of clothes. Try as he might, however, the only thing done is his name on the assignment.

The pencil he should be using to finish an analysis of the night’s reading sits between his teeth, new canine marks in the wood. Enamel grinding away as he simultaneously hates himself for at least two different reasons.

First off, the...crush. He nearly bites through his pencil. The last time that concept applied in his life things ended in a fight that lost the team three bats at the next day’s practice. He’d hated feeling splintered. Fractured like the barrel of his once-favorite practice bat.

(Coincidentally, that’d been the first time he’d picked up a metal bat, but that’s not the point here.)

Would he say swearing off it all was dramatic? Perhaps. But it’d grown from childish melodrama to practicality. Between Zenko and school and work there’d been little room for anything else. Squeezing in another person became a chore quickly and if the lack of socks on his feet was any indication it was that he had enough of those he couldn’t keep up on. Few understood his dilemma. In the end, it was easier to save his nerves and spare someone else’s feelings than expect understanding.

It’s not that he’s inexperienced, he muses. He has...enough to know what he likes. He’s always had a certain jaded charm, a rebel with a cause attitude that draws in a certain type. With fame came the privilege (some would say responsibility) of desire. And he was young and, if he was honest, lonely. It was easy to say yes in the moment knowing there wasn’t going to be a next year.

Which, he liked. Right? Lead taints his tongue and he sinks lower on the sofa.

Easy didn’t always mean preferred. If that was the case Zenko would play something portable and cheap. Like the flute. Or, hell, he’d take a violin at this point. Flings were just that though. Less commitment, less chance of heartbreak, and easier to break away from without investing parts of himself he just couldn’t afford to be left hanging without. Not that he wants that. Wanted that. But it’s been so long since can became should that he isn’t sure he’d even want something that was more anymore.

He doesn’t like to think about just how misshapen that makes him.

Yet even with the one bedroom apartment over his head and Zenko’s well-stocked backpack sitting by the door as a reminder, he still feels as if there could be...more. Which is reason number two: that idealism.

It pops up like a tenacious spring dandelion. Stubborn and insistent. A fighting spirit Badd can admire until it’s standing in the way of accepting what should be an easy existence. Fights, piano recitals, a piping hot dish of revenge. It’s all he wants in life, or rather should be.

Until fucking Mumen Rider.

Mumen Rider, the hero stuck at Class C - Rank 1 permanently. Mumen Rider, the idiot on a bike breaking up bar brawls and B-list villains (and that’s being generous). Mumen Rider, the hero with abysmal stats and yet a universal appeal that suprasses his own. Mumen Rider, the man with…

He falters.

That’s the problem. He doesn’t know about the man. Mumen Rider the hero? Yes. Mumen Rider the H.A. member? Enough. But Mumen Rider the man? Not even the forums can help him there, and he’s tried at least four times with different searches.

Which, come to think of it, is...odd. Even his own high school is listed on the internet. It hasn’t resulted in a rapid increase of recognition, though the further in rank he climbs the more whispers he hears in the hall. It’s not a secret, by any means, but heroes are a dime a dozen, if not less for the high turnover rate the business has these days.

His teeth bite through the last shreds of cheap wood and he curses at the splinter in his tongue.

Shit. That was it. Mumen Rider the hero was just that. A hero. The man beneath the goggles, for all he knows, is boring. Plain. Fucking Haruna for all he truly knew. What happens as a hero wasn’t always a translation to what happens when the mask was off. (He’s never forgotten meeting Sweet Mask for the first time. He likely never will.)

He spits slivers of wood from his mouth. All you’ve got to do is go out with him. Just once. You’ll see. It ain’t gonna work out.

Just one date. He’s always been a decent enough judge of character. One date and he’ll know if it’s going to be something worth the eventual, enveloping reminder later on down the line. Sound logic. He can live with this decision. And with a ‘fuck you’ to schoolwork his eyes slide closed… Only to fly open again ten seconds later.

How the fuck is he going to ask the guy out?

By the time Zenko’s dragging him off the bus for the parade he still doesn’t have an answer. The street is busy with the sounds of bands, noodles frying. Confectionaries that layer the smell of sweet upon sweet. Heroes mingle, some behind booths to promote themselves, others attempting a less overt form of marketing. Cameras ensure encounters are recorded. He can spot at least four Hero Association press people attempting to be sly about their photos. Colorful strings of lights sway in the late spring breeze.

It’s A-City at its finest, but of course it would be. The Association is big on looks. True to form there isn’t even gum on the streets.

“Baddo, come on!” Zenko is pulling his hand. How she got a schedule already he doesn’t know. Her smile is bright though and he can see her best friend waving by the shaved ice cart. “Mina is already here!”

He lets himself be dragged, shifting in his jacket. His own hero duds may be at home, but his bat sits straight and strong against his spine. Just in case. “A’right, a’right, I’m comin’!”

She lets go of his hand in favor of Mina’s, leaving him to shove his fingers into his pockets and chaperone from a distance, lest he be accused of hovering. (He would never.) Two things of candy floss, three bags of popcorn, and a paper cone of soy wasabi almonds later they head off to find seats for the parade. He ignores the looks he gets. He’s used to the coy glance overs and second sneak peeks.

“Hey, Zenko, hold on!” She’s running ahead of him, the bright strains of parade music drifting over the crowd. Did they start early? He loses her quickly in the crowd, leaving him carrying a half empty bag of soy wasabi almonds. He dusts his fingers off on his shirt, adding green glitter to the mix. Two seconds and he's lost her, god damn it. “Can’t see ya…”

“Need some help?”

He’d been reaching for his phone, but that all goes out the window as his body freezes. Fuck. When he turns the phone’s long since out of his mind.

Mumen Rider is straddling his bike, one foot keeping him upright, another poised on a peddle. There’s a few new scratches on his goggles. Badd swears he can see the glint of glass embedded in the rider’s helmet. None of those details he knows he really should know, but there you go.

“Uh…” Score one for not his pride.

Badd knows they aren’t alone, but it feels like it. A part of his brain recognizes parade music, the screaming of a megaphone, the shriek of the crowd. They’ve got Sweet Mask headlining this year with a rare appearance by Tornado and Blizzard together (for the last time if tabloids are to be trusted). A thousand things to look and see and do.

Mumen’s head tilts a bit, enough so that Badd notices then hates himself for cementing in his memory. “Nice shirt.”

It takes Badd a moment to process that. When he looks down, dumbly, it hits and he feels ready to sink into the concrete. Fuck fuck fuck. How bad does it look? Does it make my arms look small? Is my hair ok? His hand goes up to check for fly away hairs. Almonds go flying.

“It’s not like I l-like you or anything.” Fuck. “My sis’ bought if for me.” God damn it, stop talking. “It’s laundry day.”

By now his mind has stopped trying and he’s pretty sure his heart is going to fall into his stomach and dissolve in acid. It would probably be a kinder fate than the slow descent into agonizing mortification happening right now.

To his credit, Mumen Rider doesn’t laugh. “I like the glitter. Green’s my favorite color.” And the man actually gives a smile.

It does nothing to help Badd not stare. “Makes sense. You know.” He waves a vague hand at all of Mumen Rider.

Of course he’d know, why wouldn’t he know?

Mumen Rider’s hands tighten a bit on the handlebars. “Yeah. Listen…” There’s an awkward pause and Badd has to stop himself from biting a nail. “I know you’ve been following me for awhile.”

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.

“I was just wondering if there was a reason?” Mumen Rider is calm through it all, not even raising his voice.

Metal Bat - master of the fighting spirit, hero A-Class 21, the comeback kid, 10th district’s finest flirt and best chance of getting into the championships - would later recount exactly twelve things he could have said that he probably should have said.

Instead, he says in a mad rush of syllables, “You wanna go out sometime?”

Immediately he feels his face go red, though in the delusional state that he’s in he swears Mumen’s pinkens as well. There’s the muddy warble of a tuba blaring that seems to fit Badd’s general state of mind. Really all he needs is a meteorite or a god-level disaster to strike to finish him off.

Thank god Mumen takes away the question of who’s supposed to speak next. “Look, you seem like a nice guy.” Mumen shifts. “And I’m flattered-”

Badd knows where this is going. He’s given this speech himself and he can’t say it’s any easier to be the one hearing it. Every almond he’s eaten sits like a rock in his stomach. “But what? I’m not your type?”

“You were kind of stalking me,” Mumen says with a frown.

Badd notes he didn’t answer his question. “Followin’. Not stalkin’.” Because only weirdos did that.

“Because you heart me?” There’s a twitch of Mumen’s lip and Badd finds himself reddening again. “I’m flattered, truly. Your work is impressive. You’ve got a passion for hero work, Metal Bat-san, and an inspiring gift.” And if that doesn’t immediately plaster itself to the inside of Badd’s rib cage he doesn’t know if anything ever will.

But this is still a rejection and no matter how he feels about praise there’s still the end of that sentence to get to. He tries not to let his disappointment show. “But ya ain’t interested. I get it.” He shrugs, trying to keep the roll slow. A hand sweeps his hair, leaving soy wasabi powder. “Not your thing." And he gives him a look. "You're not one of those pro-family people, right?"

Mumen's hands go up. Fast. "NO. No. Gods, no. Just..."

So it's him then. "Right. Forget I said anythin’, ya?”

He’s ready to bail on this conversation entirely so he can go lick his wounded pride in the anonymity of the crowd.

But Mumen isn’t moving. “It’s…” Aside from in front of a camera, it’s the first time he’s seen Mumen flustered. “Not that.” (It’s a confession drawn out, rusty in use.) Mumen has a hand at his neck now, fingers curling. A deep breath in. “You’re just a kid.”

And Badd stops short of saying anything at all. “Huh?” Because if there’s any word he’d use to describe himself it’s never kid. It hasn’t been for nearly ten years. It’s a title that has his hands suddenly making fists and a defensive wall a mile long springing up.

Mumen bites his lower lip just enough for Badd to hate that he notices. “You’re, what, sixteen?” Badd refuses to give him the satisfaction of a verbal answer. “You’re too young.”

“Too young for what? ‘Love?’” He hates himself for actually doing the air quotes. “A relationship? Think I don’t know what I want? I ain’t that young, you know, and I don’t need the likes of you assuming that just because I’ve got a few less years that you’ve got this better idea about what I ‘need’ to be.”

“It’s not…” Mumen starts, trailing helplessly. “You dropped that.”

Which has Badd confused until Mumen points to the ground. The rest of Zenko’s soy wasabi almonds litter the ground, wax paper flapping in the breeze. Mumen is staring at him and he stares back, not sure if he heard that right. “Excuse me?”

“You dropped that. And the cleaning crew worked through the night to make sure the streets were clean for today.”

He’s incredulous, until he remembers the first time they locked eyes and the four way intersection and the intricacies of justice displayed in the way Mumen Rider considers himself very much a part of. It’s part of the charm that has Badd even here to begin with, wearing this shirt, even asking this stupid question. Which means that...

Oh.

“You’re not just givin’ me a brush off, right?” Mumen actually looks a bit hurt so Badd clears his throat. “So when ya say I’m too young…”

“Right now.” Mumen licks his lips. “You’re too young for me right now.” Justice rests against Mumen’s hips as he holds his hands up, anticipating a comment. “Come back when you make S-Class and we can talk then.”

A tick then two goes by as Badd processes this. “I might never make S-Class.”

Mumen just smiles a bit. “Not sure that many papers and that many people could be wrong.”

Which is also true. He’s already in A-Class, and there are betting pools regarding if he’ll be one of the few heroes to make S-Class in less than a year of hero work. “All right. When I hit S-Class then.”

Mumen Rider’s shoulders slump a bit in relief. “Could you do me a favor until then?”

“Depends on the favor.”

“Would you stop following me? It gives the wrong impression.”

Badd can’t help himself. “In case you haven’t heard, I’m king of makin’ impressions.”

“Doesn’t saying that negate the validity of that claim?”

“Ain’t a claim, it’s fact.”

Mumen huffs lightly. Badd swears there’s a smile in there. “Either way…”

“Yeah, yeah, fine.” Badd waves off the conversation, wrist settling on his hip. “Could take a lesson from me, though, ya know.”

Mumen’s other foot stops idly moving on the pedal. “Is that right? And what would you teach me, Metal Bat-san?”

Badd’s grin is toothy. “Lotsa things. But mostly on makin’ a splash. You’re a hard guy to find.”

Which he feels like Mumen does know, from the single shoulder shrug that gets. “Seems a made an impession on someone." Badd can feel his face reddening as Mumen glances at his shirt. "But you're right. I don’t really like the publicity. There are others more deserving.” Badd frowns a bit, but Mumen’s phone buzzes and the cyclist fishes it out to flip it open with a thumb. “I’ve got to go.”

That also surprises him, considering his own phone didn’t ring. It couldn’t be the Association. Yet another question to add to his growing list.

“Yeah, sure.” Not that Mumen needs his permission to go. Mumen gives him a polite nod and pushes off. He watches, then calls after him, “You’re gonna say yes, right?”

Mumen just looks over his shoulder and gives him a thumbs up, making him wonder if the cyclist even heard him at all.

Wax paper crumples under his foot as he turns. Lifting his shoe, he scoops it up and turns it in his fingers. All he’s got to do is make it to S-Class. It can’t be that hard. Right?

As the paper finds a bin and almond dust is wiped off on his jacket, he hears his name being called.

“Badd! Badd!”

Looking up he finds Zenko making her way toward him, Hero’s Guide in hand. “You’ll never believe who I got!”

“Probably will,” he quips, bending his knees so he can look over Zenko’s shoulder and properly admire each new signature in her Hero’s Guide.

By the time he’s replaced the lost almonds, listened to three speeches by various Association officials, and stood in line to get Child Emperor’s signature, he’s had enough of Hero’s Day. His skin itches and he's restless. Zenko, however, is ecstatic and that's enough to curb his complaining.

The mood comes back, however, hours later at the promised party. True to reputation, the Mitsukuni Mansion is a study in grandeur. A sweeping front drive, finely manicured lawn, and butler at the door are certainly nothing Badd’s every grown accustomed to. The grandiose chandelier of the foyer and elegant stemware serving sparkling apple juice, it’s a surrounding that should be utterly and absolutely captivating.

All he can think about is Mumen Rider.

The party goes on behind him, a string quartet (a fucking string quartet) providing the night’s entertainment, and honestly if he’d known it was going to be this kind of a party he wouldn’t have come. Even his hero gear feels out of place. A bright smear of red against the elegance of black and white and pastels.

Dancing isn’t normally his thing, much less ballroom, much less being served on literal silver platters. Which is how he finds himself on the overlook, sipping sparkling juice and watching the influx of even more fashionably late individuals flood up the front stairs.

Watch all ya want, it ain’t gonna be him. The juice is overly sweet and his nose tingles from the carbonation. It just makes him all the more restless.

Tajima chooses that moment to make his entrance, arguing, loudly, with Izumi, Mihashi in tow. “I’m just saying, what’s the point of a chocolate fountain if you’re not allowed to dip stuff in it?”

Izumi wrinkles his nose and yanks Tajima’s drink away. “Just because they say finger food doesn’t mean your actual fingers.”

Mihashi, brave soul he occasionally is, attempts to step in. “You can’t deny, having those guys do it for you seems kind of excessive.”

Tajima rolls his eyes, dramatically, then catches Badd’s eyes and grins. “Heeeeeey, Badd! This is where you disappeared to! Thought you’d be schmoozing all those ladies in there!”

It’s obvious the drinking has gone beyond cider. His first thought is who’s going to get Tajima home. His second thought is, “You got any left?”

“Any what?” Even buzzed Tajima’s got his senses.

Badd laughs even as Izumi shoots Mihashi a clear look. “We don’t have anything…”

Mihashi looks nervous now (not that he doesn’t usually). Badd takes it upon himself to slap a supporting hand on the kid’s shoulder lest he vibrate out of his skin. “C’mon, Iz, you an’ I both know this party fucking needs it.”

Izumi looks between the three of them, Tajima wiggling his nose, and Mihashi rubbing the back of his neck,. He sighs deeply. “Seriously, it wasn’t from me, ok?” The flask comes out and the drinks suddenly become something far more tolerable. “Why am I always bringing the alcohol? When you gonna chip in, Badd?”

He takes a generous sip of his own drink. “When I ain’t got your butts to save.”

Mihashi stares at his glass, both hands clasping the stem as if it were a lifeline. “Are you sure we should be doing this? It isn’t our house, and if we’re caught Momoe will…”

“We’re fine, we’ll be fine,” Tajima says, draping an arm over Mihashi and leaning in. “Party’s too fancy anyway. Needs something more exciting than a chocolate fountain. Which why are they called that anyway? Not like they want you drinking the chocolate either.”

“Pretty sure they don’t want ya drinkin’ out of the normal fountains either,” Badd points out.

“That is not what you said that time at-”

“Hey, we said we’d never talk ‘bout that again!” A quick flick of Tajima’s nose stops the story - no one needs to relive that, least of all people not there - but has them devolving into a face making competition that ends with Izumi snorting into his glass and Mihashi laughing.

It’s easy, easy to be here giving a fuck all to the noise behind them. To pretend like it’s another party, another night, another remarkably normal moment where the metal bat on his back isn’t the definition of his existence.

“You’re in a better mood,” Tajima says to him, low, as Izumi and Mihashi compare game scores on their phones. They’ve switched now to leaning by the entrance to the house, watching the dancers go by, the music faster though no less foreign. Waiters scurry by, giving them the odd look. “Find someone?”

Badd snorts and finishes his drink. His tongue burns now and he’ll have to walk it off before he gets home. “Said it yourself. All these people here ain’t in my league.”

“You've met all of them?”

“Don't need to.”

Tajima hums. “Got high standards there.”

“The highest.” He doesn’t really, but even now there’s a part of him that isn’t sure how to turn Metal Bat off.

“Know what they say about standards…”

He snorts. “They were meant to be broken?”

It’s not really funny, but Tajima laughs anyway. “You, my friend, break everything.”

Which earns the baseball player a wicked grin. “Haven’t broken you yet.”

“Only because you said I haven’t got a brain to break.” Tajima slugs him in the arm before finishing his own drink, smacking his lips. “Still, those “standards” of yours? Gonna leave you high and dry.”

Perhaps maybe Tajima’s right, a part of his brain suggests. But it’s not an issue, says his heart, because there’s that hazy promise of a date. Just as soon as he makes S-Class. He can wait that long, right?

“Doesn’t matter if it does,” he shrugs.

Tajima squints at him. “So there is someone.”

“Never said that.”

“Don’t bullshit me.”

“Ain’t bullshitting if I’m not saying anything.”

Tajima watches him for a long moment before looking back to the sea of people. Servers duck and dodge in white and red, obvious among the soft ball gowns and silk collars. Badd can’t deny there are several beautiful people there. But the glasses are stylish and elegant, hair neatly kept.

He hums. “Already know what I want.” He gestures with the now empty glass toward the ballroom of people. “And trust me, it ain’t anyone you see in this joke.”

They’re interrupted by the clatter of a tray. (Turns out, silver sounds just as loud as iron.) Badd moves to grab the serving platter as it rolls by, smooth even with the warm burn in his chest. He’s conscious of all eyes on them as he holds the tray out to the server scrambling to pick up glass.

The server takes it, head down, messy brown hair hiding what his glasses don’t. “My apologies, sir. I didn’t watch where I was stepping.”

“Yeah, ya didn’t.” Zenko would be disappointed in him and he screws his mouth up a bit, ready to attempt something less in your face. He stops at the red tinge across the server’s cheeks, suddenly tongue-tied in an uncharacteristic stab of uncertainty.

“Hey, no worries…” Tajima starts, but the server is already on the floor, sweeping up broken glass with his hands. Another server is already moving in with a cloth. Tajima glances at him and shrugs. “So when do I get to meet her?” At silence Tajima adds, “Him?”

There’s no chance of his answering that. Mihashi saves the day, however, with a particularly awful rendition of the latest K-Pop ballad. It's a less than subtle sign that they’re actually there for anything but the food. It gets them ‘escorted’ out, with more apologies than he’s heard in awhile. They’re not the only ones leaving, as a bicyclist speeds down the drive ahead of them. Though it’s tempting to think of earlier that day Badd instead wrestles the flask from Izumi and the rest of the evening they spend at the school track finishing the flask under the bleachers.

#JusticeSpirit #Mumen Rider #licenseless rider #metal bat #zenko #one punch man #opm #fanfic #it was a short story once

10 notes · View notes

ciathyzareposts · 5 years

Text

Nippon Safes Inc. – A Tale of Two City Names

Written by Torch

The name’s Nuts, Doug Nuts. I’m an electronics genius with a mission. And that mission is… what was it again? Oh yeah, to steal a jade Buddha from a safe in the “Saku-Rambo” Monastery. Only problem is, I have no idea where to find the monastery.

It’s time to check out the rest of the great city of Tyoko! Or Tioko! Frankly it’s getting a bit silly that the game can’t decide on a spelling for the name of the city, so going forward I plan on doing a count of all the city name references I find, to see which one is used most frequently, and will thus be the official name. Check the summary at the bottom to see if your favourite comes out on top. But now, let’s start exploring! And by exploring I mean wandering around aimlessly, clicking stuff until something useful happens.

The city center consists of a number of screens. The exits aren’t always logical or easy to spot, so I hope I’ve found them all. Due north from Honest Chan’s, however, I find this busy street.

“Busy” means featuring more than 2 people

There’s a newspaper salesman who looks kind of familiar.

Um, Chan? Is that you? Why do you have a hole in your teeth?

Is this also supposed to be Chan? Chan’s shop is usually closed until I get near enough… Maybe it’s the evil twin brother Dishonest Chan? He dosn’t try to sell me any newspapers, but I can ask him to buy a ticket to the underground. Doug doesn’t know where he wants to go though, so I can’t buy any. Let’s explore some more, then. There’s an apartment building on the other side of the street. I head there and find…. Doug’s home!

I have no idea what the deal is with the mannequin. Mouseover yields no description

Finally I find out what the key is for, I unlock the door and enter. I guess it makes sense to carry around the key to your apartment. But you never know with adventure games.

Home sweet geek den

Now this might be a good time to vent a little bit about something that bothers me with the interface. I mentioned in an earlier post that mouseover on a certain spot might only show the any text if you have selected an appropriate action. Well, it gets a little worse than that. Take Doug’s storage cabinet, that you see in the above screenshot. If I mouseover with no action selected, almost the entire cabinet will show up as “larder”, both before and after I “open” it. The only other thing that shows is radio, which incidentally I can NOT interact with.

Now compare the next 3 screenshots. I’m pointing at a weird device, that Doug can’t remember what does. When I have the “look” action selected it show up as “Device”. When I have the pick up action selected and point to the exact same spot, it says “radio”, and on the screenshot with no action selected, it says “larder”. Add to this that the radio is actually on the shelf above the one I’m pointing at.

Larder: “A cool room in a domestic house where food is stored, but larger than a pantry.” Well, food or technical gizmos

A bit of a bummer, but hey, there’s a TV! Let’s watch some. Only, hmm… mouseover shows this as a “larder” too. Ok…. Look action? Nope. Open / Take / Talk? Triple nope. Thinking it’s just a prop, I look around the apartment for more stuff and find a remote lying around. Preparing for the worst, I try pointing the remote at the TV, and…

Seriously! (No, it doesn’t matter that the curtain is closed in this shot)

Ok, let’s consider the impact of this. Pixel hunt is one thing (and often criticized), but this is potentially way worse, since I may have to scan the environment once for each action (plus no action), then for each inventory object, just in case…. I sure hope I’m making this out to be worse than it really is. I mean, it IS logical to point a TV remote at a TV, but it would be nice to actually have that area show up AS a TV without me needing to select the correct item first.

Oh well, we’ll see how much of a problem it’s going to be as I progress through the game. Let’s get back to exploring the apartment. Also, I DID turn on the TV. Let’s see what’s on

The only thing on is a news broadcast about a man who’s climbed up the top of the “Tioko Television Tower” and is threatening to throw himself off. Not sure how that plays into Doug’s story, but perhaps we’ll find out. Aside from the remote, I find a wrench in the chest in the lower left corner, which I take. Doug also has some techno-stuff in his “larder” that add some flavour

What passed for a hardcore computer in 1992. Contrary to the rest of the specs, the hard drive size is actually half-decent.

As I head outside again, I notice there’s something in Doug’s mailbox. I open it and find a letter and a package. The package contains a detonator, and the letter explains that some explosives that Doug ordered from Mitsushita were out of stock, so they couldn’t be delivered at this time. I guess we need to find some explosives somewhere then.

Out on the street again, I head north from the newspaper stand and end up where Dino’s intro took place. There’s a “bill dispenser” here, which is the game’s description of a guy who hands out flyers/coupons or “bills”. I can’t talk to him, and I still can’t interact with the Mitsushita building, so I try to head towards the museum on the other side of the street. When I click the museum hotspot, however, Doug instead walks up to the dispenser… let’s just call him “Bill”, and gets a flyer.

Bill, the dispenser. Of bills. He should get top billing, because he’s… er… ok, I’m all billed out.

Ok, that’s a bit strange. It’s the only time (so far) the basic no-action-selected pointer has triggered anything besides making Doug walk. If I click Bill again, I get another flyer. After 6 flyers, I don’t seem to be getting any more of them. For reference, they are:

“SENTO BATHS – Smell has its importance too” “Give a donation to the tennis elbow research fund” “HIROSHIMA BEANS WITH MUSHROOMS” Bonus for tasting free of charge “THE DEAD RAT – Just the haunt for really smart guys” “Due to open soon – KAIZEN-SUSHI RESTAURANT. Grand competition for the opening” “AUTUMN SALES! Come to the Tyoko department store.”

There’s a garbage disposal hatch here. I can dump the posters in there, and then get new ones from Bill. No idea what the point of that is. From here I can head out to the highway again, but that’s a dead-end, so I backtrack a bit and find a new location west of Honest Chan’s. This place looks like a shopping mall. It could be the department store mentioned in one of the flyers, but I can find no way to enter it, despite the entrance showing “stores” when I hover over it.

“In a city of 1.7 million inhabitants, only ONE store can call itself the Tyoko department store” Maybe there’s Tioko department store as well?

West of the mall is a screen that annoys and confuses me.

Maybe I’ll come back with explosives

It looks significant, with the gate, and the intercom and everything, but there’s nothing to interact with, and no text anywhere related to the house/gate/bridge. Is this the monastery I’m looking for? The mall screen exit text calls it “residence”.

Anyway, further west is a park

Uh oh, hope it’s not a maze

Yup… It’s a maze

Yes, it’s a maze. I walk around in the park for a while until I’m thoroughly lost. There are some other people about, including a guy that looks like a monk or something. Thinking he could be one of the “initiates” that are the only ones allowed into the monastery, I try to follow him, but he disappears and pops up again randomly somewhere else. And I can’t talk to him either. After some mindless wandering, I suddenly end up here

Hope I’m not being Punk’d

Now, it’s possible that I’m doing things in the wrong order, but if I try talking to the punks, Doug asks them for 100 yen, and I have no idea why. I still have my 1000 yen, and I don’t know what I’d need another 100 for at the moment. Regardless, they’re not interested, but they seem to want to come off as quite the intellectuals. Remembering my bunch of flyers, I go through them and find the one about a bar or café called “The Dead Rat”. Maybe they’d be interested?

Would “really smart guys” fall for this?

I bet real “really smart guys” would know the difference between a mouse and a rat

Ok, they fell for… something. But they don’t actually leave. They do however “drop” ( if you can drop something 3 meters horizontally ) a comic book. Which I pick up. It’s an old issue of “Beatleman”, whoever that is. Perhaps it’s a long shot, but I’m thinking maybe the newspaper seller would be interested in this. And as luck would have it, he actually is.

I have my doubts when it comes to the Chans’ appreciation skills

After some haggling, I get 100 yen for it. Ok, so now I have a 1100 yen, but no idea about what to spend it on. Perhaps a train ticket, if I could only figure out where to go? Just as I receive the money, the face of a guy pops up on the screen and asks me about the population of Tyoko. This must be the copy protection that Vetinari mentioned in a comment on the previous post. I type in a number I find in the manual, and the guy goes away

Do I count Chan once or twice?

Oh, and at some point I notice a parking meter next to Bill, the dispenser. Already being a on the wrong side of the law, I try dismantling it with my wrench, and end up scoring another 100 yen. Probably like 4 people saw me, but the police must already have met this month’s quota, because nobody comes to arrest me this time.

Still clueless about where to go, I decide to map the park so as to make sure I don’t miss anything. I find that not counting the entrace, there are 2 areas of interest. The punks and a restaurant called the Kaizen-Sushi. It’s not open (yet), though, their outside sign promises a competition for when they do open.

Despite now knowing my way around the city and park, I’m still a bit unsure what to do, so I just zip back and forth between locations for a while. After some time I end up back at the Hot Sushi. Now, in my previous post, I barely mentioned the 2 guys sitting at the table, drinking. I pretty much dismissed them as an in-game joke, since they’re clearly a manifestation of some of the game developers (one of them talked about how his biggest mistake was creating Nippon Safes Inc.). This time, however I can ask them about other stuff. Not sure when this was triggered.

I just hope I don’t have to draw first blood to get there.

Now at first they don’t really seem very helpful. One says to go on muleback. Then the other says to get a taxi, and the first one replies that there are too many taxis in this game. These guys are clearly all about breaking the fourth wall, but ok. Other than that, they can tell me how far along I am in this chapter (21% at this time). So they do seem like a hint service more than anything, BUT… after this, when I go to the museum/Mitsushita screen, Bill is gone, and the taxi driver from before is there. Not sure if there’s another way to trigger this, and I just chickened out and used an in-game hint(?). Either way, I try asking him for a ride, but he’s not too happy to see me

Cuz you’ve been hurt before, I can see it in your vein.. er..eyes

Guess I have to make it up to him somehow. I try to give him my 1000 yen, but can’t. After I leave the screen, every time I come back, he’s gone, and Bill’s there again. I try going back to the hint guys, and now I have a new question to ask them.

I don’t know, son. Ask your mom. She’s the one who cleans up around the house

Now, whether or not you’ve been paying attention, this “sumo ring” business may seem to come out of the blue, but during the taxi ride from the prison, I could ask the driver about a Sumo figurine hanging in the front window of the car, and he would profess his passion for sumo wrestling. Looking back at my screenshots, I find that he wanted ticket for a match, but they were sold out.

Saya whata?

They won’t tell me the location of the Sumo ring without anything in return. More specifically they want a mug of beer to “help them remember”. Which costs 1000 yen. Which I have, because earlier in the chapter, the taxi driver would rather punch me than get paid. So, here goes.

You know, other people drink to forget

Ok, at least something to go on. Now that Doug knows where to go, the newspaper seller can sell me a metro ticket. It’s 100 yen. How convenient. The metro entrance is on the screen with the Hot Sushi entrance.

This guy is an “oshiya”. His job is to push people onto crowded trains.

Told you

When I arrive at the Kinza district, I meet a familiar character

Excuse me, is this the line for Sumo night?

It seems it’s possible for random people to enter a Sumo wrestling competition and win a grand prize. Dino want to try, but he’s being denied on account of being too skinny. Doug ends up promising to help Dino put on some weight ( in an unrealistically short time ), and in return Dino will get Doug a ticket to the Sumo match. My magic crystal ball predicts that I’ll give the ticket to the taxi driver, and he will take me to the monastery.

Ok, great, I’m on a roll now after some mindless wandering. I remember something about a competition at the opening of the Kaizen-Sushi restaurant. Could it be an eating competition? If so, I could perhaps tip off Dino. I head back to the park to check if the restaurant is open now.

The prize is a jar of mothballs?

Hooray! They’re in business. But the competition isn’t about eating. It’s about guessing how many balls are in the jar on the shelf on the left. Ok, so how do you enter? I try talking to the chef about it, bug Doug just guesses a number by himself, which is nowhere near correct. Guess I’ll have to try something else. Before I can get thus far though, I run into a potentially worrying situation…

On the right is a stack of Hiroshima beans with mushrooms. I remember that name from one of the flyers: “HIROSHIMA BEANS WITH MUSHROOMS” Bonus for tasting free of charge

So maybe I can get some of those beans for free.

I present the flyer to the chef.

Is it just me, or is this joke about Hiroshima and mushrooms (ie. nuclear bomb cloud) in poor taste..?

So far, so good, but…. I check my inventory, and I didn’t receive any beans. Ok, I can probably pick up a can myself…? Not so much. Can’t pick them up. Can’t open them. Can’t “wrench” them. So, is this a bug? Was he supposed to give me the beans or am I missing an item that opens cans? Or did Doug already eat the beans…?

Either way this is as far as I’ll go for this session. I’m not quite asking for assistance yet, but I’m not sure I feel confident that everything is as it should be… Either way, stay tuned for next time, if you want to find out if I’m stuck or not.

Time played: 3h 10m

Tioko/Tyoko mentions Tioko: 7 Tyoko: 5

Inventory: key, empty soda can, 4 flyers, TV remote, wrench, detonator, 100 yen, underground ticket

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/nippon-safes-inc-a-tale-of-two-city-names/

#retro games #dos games #retro #crpg #adventure #amiga #oldcomputers #8bit #16bit #blog #repost

0 notes