#kinda holds true for all the queens maybe. the way they all canonically came back and found each other | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

alicelufenia · 17 days

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Thinking about my last reblog and how Baldur's Gate 3 character creation kinda fucked with my perception of paladins in the bg3 setting (it's specific version of the Forgotten Realms at least)

Since paladins don't get to select a deity at CC, I got the impression that paladins who's oath was not sworn before any particular god were more common than they really are.

There's technically a "Paladin of X" tag in game for dialogue, but the ONLY way to get it without mods is to also take a level of cleric and select a deity that way.

So when I made Alice as essentially a renegade paladin whose oath was sworn before no one except through her own conviction and fervor to self-actualize (she's Oath of Glory in canon) and that manifested divine power anyway, turns out that's really weird and uncommon in setting where most paladins swear an oath before a deity, and thus presumably are bound to tenets dictated by said deity (or the order of paladins they belong to, whether that reflects the true will of the god or not)

This is, in my defense, NOT how it works in tabletop 5e, where paladins select an oath but are not required to pick a deity (they still can pick one like many characters do, even those with no levels in divine casters). Giving a paladin a deity is more a nod to tradition, but RAW you're free to hold an oath without following a faith, just like you can be any alignment regardless of your oath (except maybe oathbreaker. BG3 even turns that on it's head by making it possible to be 'Good' as an oathbreaker, even restoring your oath, which isn't a thing in tabletop unless it's to repent for breaking it but without going full oathbreaker subclass)

Enter the most prominent paladin in Baldur's Gate 3, Minthara

Don't have any art saved to my phone so enjoy plushthara instead

She originally swore her oath of vengeance while in service to Lolth, to seek out and eliminate the enemies of the faith in Menzoberranzan (essentially part of the Lolthite Inquisition). This, by the way, is why she's so insightful when it comes to the other companions; it was literally her job to get good at reading people to find out what their deal was.

Her crusade against the enemies of Lolth led her and an army of House Baenre soldiers to Moonrise Towers, but instead of putting an end to the Absolute cult, she was captured, tortured for days, her soldiers killed or enthralled, and finally tadpoled and made to turn all that religious ferver and devotion towards serving the Absolute.

For this failure, Lolth abandoned her. As a Lolth-sworn drow (a problematic term basically made up for bg3 but works here) losing Lolth's favor is the most devastating thing possible, and there's almost no chance of going back. After being released from command of the Absolute by the Prism, she was, spiritually, alone for probably the first time in 250+ years of memory. Unless you come from a religious background only to lose faith later in life, you can't imagine what that's like (I don't ftr, but this is how I have come to understand it based on @spiderwarden's analysis)

And yet, despite this severing from a god that works Her way into every facet of Udadrow life, her oath endures. She remains a faithless (really faith-orphaned), but still undeniably spiritual paladin, bound to an oath that, for now, has her carrying out the same objective that sent her out of the Underdark before—destroy the cult of the Absolute, and seize that godlike power from those who control it.

When you rescue Minthara after romancing her in act 1, she says "You came. I prayed that you would, but there are no gods left for me." That raw-as-fuck line also spells out her current relationship to religion; IF a god would have her, she would be devoted. She even calls out to Lolth who, if the Spider Queen were to somehow take her back, she would in a heartbeat. With none answering her, she has no one but her savior, Tav/Durge, and their companions (whom she is now oath-bound to help whether she likes them or not)

And her natural inclination is to channel all that hurt, all that resentment and humiliation at being left with no divinity to know and to be known, into abject RAGE. Though she doesn't show it, I believe she is angrier and meaner NOW than she's ever been in life. That's why she talks about spitting on a shrine to Lolth, why she disapproves of offering tithe to any god at the Stormshore Tabernacle. Why she wants to BECOME a god, to become Absolute.

Hate is love betrayed. And I believe she had a LOT of love for Lolth.

Anyway this started as me musing on the spiritual nature of 5e paladin oaths in bg3, and kinda turned into character analysis for Minthara. Still, as the game's biggest example of a paladin who no longer serves any god but still commands divine powers to ⚔️SMITE Evil⚔️ by her oath, I think it came around in the end.

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blondrichclosetwitch · 1 year

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Friends are so alarming, and my lover's never charming

Laughter, joy, and loneliness and sex and sex and sex and sex

And look at me, I'm in tatters

I'm shattered

The time has come, the time has come, the time has

come today

And spoil all the fun, won’t you please

Oh ok, if you insist

He loved guns and roses, roses, roses (I bought PJ so many roses)

Somethin' has made these kids get scary

Oh, writin' in blood on my walls and shit (have i mentioned they smeared blood on my walls and curtains, but then came back and tried to remove it from the wall)

Don't know what it is, it makes my head get crazy

Oh, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sick of it

Nothing’s gonna hit you like the truth

You’re just following orders, closin your eyes and telling lies while they’re taking our daughters

Did you really think this bloody road would pave the way for you?

Man, it sounds just like a prison for the walking dead

I’ve got a message for you and your twisted hell: you’re gonna wish you never messed with me.

Mama mama many worlds I’ve come since I first left home

Going to leave this broke-down palace

Well here comes Lucifer with her canon law

You were my partner in crime, it was a welcome waste of time

Awaken perfect state

The time has come, the time has come, the time has come today(yes, that’s two different lists)

And everytime I prayed I prayed for you

Welcome to the Big 10 Conference

Oh look the song they like to play before I get a concussion

A parrot on your shoulder saying everything when you talk (have we talked about anytime I say anything, there is something that repeats what I would say next before I even think it—-it’s some type of conditioned response from having my mind fucked with)

“The things you’ve said well maybe they’re true. “

You drive me out of my mind

And all I really want is some justice

By the time you wake, it'll be too late

Now the bullet's left the gun

Missed the time, so we’re using 15:09 which kinda gives it a double entendre as the French say

Spy, spy, pretty girl. I keep havin' this brainstorm about 12 times a day. There are children in washrooms holding hands with a Queen. And my head’s full of murders.

So now, you should spend the morning, lying to your father.

We clung on like barnacles on a boat

Even though the ship sinks, you know you can’t let go

And if they stare

Just let them burn their eyes on you moving

And if they shout

Don't let it change a thing that you're doing

So, enchanted at 4:06/4:09—-I still have a migraine so I’m a bit out of it, but yes we were enchanted to meet, and I’m not sure why exactly I kept seeing maggie during the song when I closed my eyes, but I sure did.

My best friend told me you're the best lick in town

You almost turned me psycho

I almost lost my mind

I didn't know the depth yet of someone so unkind

But for her it's just another day

You opened up Pandora's box

You don't know what you just unlocked

Gotta get a message, get it on through

Oh now, mamma don't you ask me why

Woh-ho-ho, listen to the music

All the thoughts unuttered and all the feelings unexpressed

Play upon our hearts like the mist upon our breath

But awoke by grief, our spirits speak

Love is stronger than death

All I know is I’m fallin fallin fallin

#today is a 15/6

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enchantedblackrose · 3 years

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All the Pieces Pt 2

Sirius Black/Fem Reader

Warnings: light swearing, kinda long, unedited. I broke canon and will probably continue to do so in other parts now?

Part 1|| Part 3|| Part 4|| Part 5

Part 2 of ?

No more secrets from you I would lose to love you And I have never felt so Like a man that's been set free I can spread my arms now - Pieces, Dan Powell

Your questions wait longer still as you watch Sirius step hesitantly into your living room. It's not completely conscious, but you can't stop looking at him. He's so skinny and looks defeated, but then that fresh morning sunlight dances across his face. For a second you see glimpses of the boy you knew years ago.

Sirius clears his throat. The sudden noise startles you and you nearly jump.

"Shower!" You yell, though you're not sure why it comes out as a shouted demand.

"'m sorry, what?"

"I mean, you must want a hot shower?"

Disbelief creeps onto his face. "I would love a hot shower so don't take this wrong, but you must have a hundred questions for me?"

"A thousand actually," you smile, "but they can wait."

Your compassion causes a warmth to fill Sirius that he hasn't felt since the last time he was in your presence. He nods his gratitude, not trusting himself to speak.

You direct him to the top of the stairs and inform him of the fresh towels in the linen closet and the second bedroom he may use. Before he closes the bathroom door, you tell him you'll see if you can scrounge up any other clothes for him.

"And then if you want," you say, "we can set those damned robes on fire." Sirius laughs as you walk away.

Never being one able to throw anything away, you know for certain you have some old clothing belonging to Sirius. Not trusting the old rickety steps of the pull down ladder, you apparate to the attic.

"Lumos." The tip of your wand illuminates enough of the storage space that you easily find the light fixture and gently pull on the chain. You put out your wand.

Immediately you spot the desired trunk and the sight of it causes you to draw a sharp breath. Your habit of saving everything while at times like this is beneficial, it often brings you some pain. You sit in front of the trunk, opening it slowly.

Photos and a small midnight blue velvet jewelry box sit on the very top. You pick them up and hesitate before setting them aside.

Next you pull out a large leather jacket, followed by men's pants, several shirts, including tees with the face of David Bowie, another with the Stones, and even one with ABBA. You throw your head back in laughter; you really do keep anything and everything, but this is why. Even these mundane items hold precious memories.

You set the clothes beside you and thumb through the photos: Sirius kissing you on the cheek, Sirius kissing James on the cheek, you and a very pregnant Lily at her baby shower, you and Remus laughing with a pink haired, confused Sirius in the background, Peter attempting to rollerblade, Sirius in his dog form, the marauders near the Whomping Willow at school, you and Sirius slow dancing at James and Lily's wedding. You sigh before gently placing them back in the trunk. You pick up the little box, the delicate fabric still plush and smooth in your hand. But you decide to return it to the trunk without opening it.

Sirius should be getting out of the shower soon and you want the clothes ready for him when he is. You turn off the light before disapparating to the guest bedroom. The clothes were well preserved and a few incantations later they are freshly laundered. You leave them at the end of the bed.

You retreat to the kitchen to prepare brunch. The food is mostly done when from above you hear the water stop, squeaks of doors opening and shutting, the creaking of floorboards and then Sirius barking a hearty laugh. You smile to yourself.

"You always were a pack rat," he says, appearing after a minute. You see he opted not to wear any of the muggle musician shirts, but instead he's in a solid black t-shirt and dark jeans. Both hang loosely on his thin frame. You say nothing about his playful quip, mostly because it's true. You indicate for him to sit in one of the wooden kitchen chairs. "That said where's your engagement ring?"

Your heart sinks as you think to that blue box upstairs.

"Sirius," you warn, your voice low.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't fair. Though you not wearing it was the second thing I noticed about you." He offers a smile, but you don't relent, refusing to dive into this conversation when there's still so many answers he owes. Seeing your hardened expression, he holds his hands up signaling he still means no offense.

You sigh. "What was the first thing?"

His grin widens into a full smile. "Your eyes of course. They're just as I remember. Beautiful, full of goodness and emotions. I could always tell what you were feeling."

Despite yourself, you feel heat rise to your cheeks, blushing over Sirius Black's words like you were still a schoolgirl. It's mortifying to adult you and you take a large sip of orange juice to avoid eye contact.

Sirius smirks slightly, but begins to eat. The array of food mimics a small buffet: chocolate chip muffins, pancakes, bacon, toast, oatmeal and scrambled eggs. A glass pitcher with orange juice sits beside jams and butter.

Sirius takes more than a bit of everything. A mostly comfortable silence falls over the table as two of you eat. Even when you have finished, you refuse to bombard Sirius with questions, allowing him to enjoy the meal.

Finally, getting his fill, he peers at you across the table. It's finally time for you to learn the truth.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything," you reply without missing a beat. And so Sirius starts with Peter's betrayal ("literal filthy rat! How could he?" you cry) and ends with knocking at your door.

Your eyebrows furrow. Sirius told you his story and you're still left with questions.

"What's on your mind?" He asks knowingly.

"How did you know where I was? Remus stays here once in a while, did you know that? What's Harry like? Merlin, Peter escaped? He's out there free and you're...do you think he knows where You Know Who is?" You rapid fire questions without thought or pause, but Sirius chuckles.

"I can only answer one at a time, darling. Slow down. Breathe, maybe. I'll answer them all." He shifts in his chair, leaning back slightly. "Dumbledore came to that tower where I was held and told me, in his way, that I may have a friend here. That he would send an owl to that friend explaining my innocence. Remus and I had little chance to chat dealing with that treacherous rat, and Snape," he sneers "and the full moon, of course. But I am glad to know you and Remus maintained your friendship," he pauses as if wanting to say more, but thinks better of it.

Both a sad and happy smile plays on his lips as he answers your next question. "Harry is a carbon copy of James, with the same knack for trouble, though he has Lily's eyes. I'm hoping he has her common sense, too. He's got a good head on his shoulders and the right sorts of friends surround him." Sirius's expression goes dark. "Peter will go wherever he thinks he'll be protected. Voldemort is out there, and I'm willing to bet Peter will do anything to get to him."

Another silence falls over the two of you and you shudder at the prospect of Voldemort returning.

"I'm sorry if I asked too many questions," you finally say after a long moment.

"You didn't."

"You're welcome to stay here. For as long as you need."

"I'd like to. I'm not sure how long, but a couple nights at least if it's no trouble."

"It's no trouble. Er, does your hippogriff need anything?"

"Buckbeak? Nah. There's plenty for him to hunt and he's free to roam a bit, right? I'll introduce you two later."

You laugh. "I'll show you to your room. You must be exhausted."

He catches your wrist before you walk away. His touch makes you feel as though you're on fire. You ignore the sensation and look Sirius in the eye as he speaks. "Thank you. Your kindness is truly unmatched, y/n. Always has been." You don't know how to respond. As if on cue, he yawns and then frowns. "I haven't asked anything about you."

"There will be time for that later. C'mon." You smile reassuringly but mentally you're thankful to prolong any more heavy conversations.

Sirius follows you up the stairs into the bedroom. Your eyes scan the room and you frown. The pale green wallpaper accented with tiny pink rosebuds and the bed donned with oversized blankets and half a dozen throw pillows is a stark contrast to Sirius. You mumble something about not being able to redecorate this room just yet. But Sirius just smiles. You draw the curtains shut in an attempt to block the midday sunlight.

"I think you should have everything you need? Of course help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I'll head to town to get some things."

His face is solemn. "Y/n, stay with me?" He clears his throat. "I mean...will you. Please?"

Wordlessly you nod. You let him climb into the queen sized bed first. Once he's settled, you get in, laying next to him. He moves you closer. Your head rests on his shoulder. He breathes in your scent as his arms wrap loosely around you. You drape an arm across his chest, assuring him his touch is welcomed. His grip tightens slightly as his breathing slows. You watch the rising and fall of his chest until your eyelids flutter shut.

Light tapping on your front door pulls you out of your dreams. Confusion hits first as you're heavy with the weight of a man's arms around you. Sirius. You smile as you become more awake, remembering the moments just hours ago. The knocking grows louder. Urgent, even. Panic sets in.

You shake Sirius awake. He bolts upright in bed, his breathing labored. You place a hand on his chest to calm him. For the moment at least. "Someone's at the door." You tell him in a harsh whisper . Sirius's eyes widen. "Transform," you urge. "And for Merlin's sake stay here." He wants to argue, but knows you're right. You wait until he becomes a large black furry mass of a dog. You close the bedroom door behind you, earning a low whine from Sirius in the process. You hurry down the stairs, clutching your wand in your dominant hand. Fear courses through your veins. You feel your heartbeat quicken with each step.

Drawing a deep breath, you swing the front door open. The sight nearly stops your heart.

"Finally y/n. Is he here?"

Taglist: @oingo233

#sirius black x reader #sirius x you #hp fanfic #harry potter fanfic #adult sirius #sirius x reader

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moonlit-imagines · 4 years

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Headcanons for being Jane Foster’s child

Jane Foster x child!reader

Thor Odinson x Foster!child!reader

warnings:

a/n: no not a foster child, jane foster’s child 😌 also im so super glad you liked those!!! hope these are just as good!!! and im genuinely so sorry these took so long

prompt: anonymous: “Hey! I just read the Tony Stark x Potts!child!reader HC and I loved it! Would you do the same but with Thor and Jane? ❤️”

no babysitter = go to work with mom

dr. selvig gave you a rubik’s cube to keep you entertained

“fuck that! here, y/n, you can play my DS” -darcy

“can you not swear in front of my child?” -jane

you thought tonight would be boring, but then your mom and darcy collectively hit a homeless guy with a car!

“holy crap, we’re all going to jail!” -you

“don’t say ‘crap,’ y/n! we need to get him to a hospital!” -jane

ngl this dude was kinda funky

darcy used her taser and your mom covered your eyes, but you still peaked ;)

ride to the hospital

“don’t touch him, y/n”

“sorry, doc”

and the very next day you guys stole him 💕

“mr. thor, where are you from?”

“i am from asgard! it is much different from this realm, but your’s is adequate, i suppose”

“thanks?”

you could see the way your mom looked at him, though

he ate all the pop tarts >:(

she gave thor her ex boyfriends clothes

“yeah, donald was a real ass—” -you

“don’t say ‘ass.’ darcy curses too much” -jane

“sorry, mom...anyways, donald forgot to pick me up from soccer practice like, a dozen times. he sucked” -you

“this ‘donald’ doesn’t seem like a very good man...also, what is ‘soccer?’” -thor

you grabbed a soccer ball and tried to show him how to play but there was some other stuff the *scientists* had to take care of

you were a regular at izzy’s diner (well, mom was) and they always made you cute pancakes in different shapes!!

“ah, it’s a smiley face! that’s adorable!” -thor

“yeah! they like to surprise me whenever i come in. they’re pretty awesome” -you

*your mom literally beaming at how good thor is with you already*

you and thor were drawing on paper placemats

and then he broke a glass and you started giggling hdhshshs

but he had to leave

“no, thor, please don’t go!”

“i hope to meet you again one day, little one. hopefully fate sees it through”

:((((

no time to be sad bc ur mom’s lab got hijacked by the government

“hey, no fair! that’s my diary!” -you

“sorry, kid. there are constellation drawings we have to observe” -coulson

“aw, you draw constellations? wait, not now. you can’t just take all our stuff. especially that! that belongs to a child!” -jane

“sic ‘em, y/n!” -darcy

“don’t listen to darcy, y/n” -selvig

chilling in the trailer and missing thor bc he was the most interesting thing to happen to you and your mom in a while

and you wanted her to be happy even tho he was kind of crazy

“hey, mom? do you want to watch the stars tonight like we used to do? we could make s’mores?”

“that sounds like a great idea, baby! i’ve gotta go take care of some science stuff, so i’ll pick up some s’mores stuff while i’m out. love you!”

yeah she went to go see thor and he kinda got arrested but your mom came back home so you could watch the stars!

“so, do you like thor?” -you

“what? what makes you say that?” -jane

“it’s cool if you do, i think he’s awesome. a little weird, but at least he’s nice”

then thor and selvig came home and selvig was drunk as a skunk

*poking him while he giggles and tells you about thor*

“i wish your grandfather could have met that guy! he would have loved him...i wish you met your grandfather, too” -selvig

thor inviting you back outside

“i’d like you to teach me more about this ‘soccer’”

by the time you guys were done, it was 3am and you were too pumped to go to sleep

so thor told you stories of his home and battle and family

you didn’t want him to stop, you were fascinated by it all

and uhhhh yeah then earth kinda had some vikings show up

they told you that you’d “make a fine warrior one day”

and then yall got attacked by a ????? a what??? a destroyer???????

“get y/n out of here now! they shouldn’t have to see this!” -thor

you were still nearby and saw thor become thor again

after he was done fighting the destroyer, you ran to give him a hug

“that was awesome! can i hold your hammer?”

“maybe someday, little one”

then you didn’t see him for 2 years

which upset your mom a good bit, you had to help her through that episode. lots of sitting on the couch and eating ice cream together talking about how he wasn’t worth her time even tho you missed him too

but he came back! and then your mom sent everything flying bc she had an “infinity stone” inside her and thor took you two to asgard

“y/n! you’ve grown so much, i almost didn’t recognize you!” -thor

tbh you really digged the outfit they gave you, but also you were on another planet? thor insisted on giving you a tour (by flying you around)

“i do hope you’re having fun, little one!”

worrying about your mom simultaneously bc you overheard she was sick

but asgard got attacked and you and jane were confined to a room in the palace, which sucked because you wanted to see it all

but thor sent guards to bring you anything to keep you entertained

“maybe we’ll skip the mace for now, thank you” -jane

after several events that count as child endangerment, this chapter came to an end and your mom and thor finally made it official

loki called you a rodent and then saved your life so you were kinda iffy about him

about a year or two later, your mom had to travel a great deal in order to get some work done, so you were left in the care of thor, who took you to avengers tower

“oh, my girlfriend’s child is an angel! and they’re so intelligent, just like their mother!” -thor gushing to other partygoers

“yeah, thor, your ‘angel’ is sneaking drinks from the elderly” -tony

*sipping his beer* “they’re a growing teenager”

you did have an amazing time interacting with the avengers

and once they tried grabbing the hammer, you knew you had to get in on it (but you failed like the rest)

“don’t worry, my y/n, you have to be eighteen years of age to be able to lift mjölnir!” -thor

“oh, that makes sense!” -you, while thor aggressively shakes his head at the other avengers. he just wanted to make sure you didn’t feel bad you weren’t worthy yet :(

more child endangerment but really what did you expect?

thor went off world and your mom split it off w him but you did have his email so you were still in contact with him

swearing you saw odin on the street once or twice (fast forward)

and then your mom dusted and thor found you as soon as he possibly could, it was so good to see him

he took you in since you were alone now, you moved to new asgard and became prince(ss) of the new land by relation?? makes sense right

basically you and valkyrie made all the calls while thor grieved for years

but he still took care of you

“y/n, would you like to play video games with me? i think it may be a good bonding experience, what do you say?” -thor

“duh!”

uncle korg made you help him with fortnite while thor was asleep

you wished to wield stormbreaker one day

showing thor earth media! his favorite star wars character is r2-d2 dont ask why

he taught you asgardian recipes and you taught him...earth recipes?

when he was drunk he’d ramble on about his childhood and battle and enemies and jane and loki and hela and frigga and literally anything that came to mind

“y/n, could you please get me a beer? and get one for yourself, too” -thor

valkyrie most definitely gave you some battle training so you you blow off some steam, you were glad she taught you how to fight like a true warrior

thor wanted to teach you battle tactics so you could fight alongside him, but he never got around to it

a raccoon and bruce banner visited later on, proposing a way to get your family back, thor was an emotional wreck

his debriefing on the reality stone was tense when he started crying about your mom and everyone stared at you

“hey, don’t look at me. i don’t control the god, i just keep him company”

ending up waiting 1 second for the avengers to come back from their mission, resulting in you being stuck in the middle of a very heavy battle

“y/n, get out of here!” -thor

“don’t worry, thor! valkyrie taught me a few moves!”

“you make me incredibly proud, little one!”

“i’m not so little anymore, am i?”

“you will always be my little one, y/n. blood or not, that will not change!”

victory, but at what cost? it was a rough ride, you needed to get patched up, but your mom was finally home and thor...he decided it was time to leave earth again

“don’t worry, my y/n. i will see you again.” *tearing up* “i’m so glad i got the pleasure of raising you these past few years. i love you dearly, now go be with your mother”

you straight up wanted to bawl your eyes out right there

“well, y/n, you’re next in line for the throne of new asgard. what is your first command?” -valkyrie

“actually, i think you’d make a much better ruler than me. i’ve got to spend some time with my mother now that she’s home”

“you’re so much like him, you know that?”

staying with your mother, who was diagnosed with cancer not long after returning from the soul stone (a/n: jane getting cancer is canon in the comics and confirmed for thor 4)

“i missed five years of your life and now i’m sick, that’s just our luck, isn’t it?” -jane

she was understandably upset, but she also felt guilty

“mom, don’t beat yourself up. everything is okay, we’re still together right now. i won’t be going anywhere, i promise”

taglist: @alwaysananglophile // @rorybutnotgilmore // @locke-writes // @sweetheartliz07 // @queen-destenie // @natasha-danvers // @lokihiddles // @frostedgiantfavs // @emygirl // @lotsoffandomrecs // @johnmurphyisbisexual // @teenwaywardasgardian // @pappydaddy // @captainshazamerica // @freya-xo // @ravenmoore14 // @purpleskiesstorm // @ofthedewthesunlight // @canarypoint // @zoeyserpentluck //

#thor odinson x child!reader #thor odinson x reader #thor odinson imagine #thor odinson #thor #thor x reader #thor imagine #marvel #marvel x reader #marvel imagine #avengers x reader #avengers imagine #avengers #jane foster #jane foster x child!reader #jane foster x reader #jane foster imagine

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demetriandelibinaryboyfriends · 3 years

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AIGHT Y’ALL I wasn’t tagged but I’m doing this anyways because f u c k i t

It's the year 2021 and you're obsessed with The Karate Kid. How are you feeling?

Deadasss weird as fuck, my dude. Like...out of all the things I could’ve predicted happening in our lord’s year 2021, it definitely was NOT getting hyperfixated on a hammy gay ship with a punk and a nerd from a goddamn karate soap opera. And yet...here we are??? I will never understand hyperfixations, my guy. But I’ve met a lot of really cool people in this fandom, so I can’t really complain.

Did you grow up with TKK or are you new to the series?

I have never seen a single Karate Kid movie in my entire life. When I was a kid, it looked kinda dumb so I never got into it XD But then I saw my roommate watching Cobra Kai on Youtube Red one day (he has every streaming service known to man) and I was hooked. And...here I am!

We gotta do the basics. Favorite character:

Literally EVERYONE except for Kreese, Yasmine, Kyler, and Tory, sorry stans

Okay but if we gotta pick, Johnny Lawrence is my Problematic Fave. Also I love my boy Daniel, he’s trying his best!!! And Amanda LaRusso, we stan a queen!!!

Among the kids, definitely Miguel, with Demetri as a close second. I also love Sam, Aisha, Moon, and Hawk (pre- and post-Bastardization Arc, anyways XD)!

Favorite ship:

Take a look at my username and take a WILD FUCKING GUESS lmao Yes it’s Eli/Demetri because DUH, every interaction they have is so fucking gay and Eli fucking saved him!!! And came back to him!!! And betrayed the world’s most terrifying dojo with a WAR CRIMINAL SENSEI all for Demetri!!! And how Demetri was willing to forgive him for everything at the drop of a hat because he always had faith there was still good in his best friend??? That’s TRUE LOVE motherfuckers. Please let them kiss in Season 4. I will sell you all of my limbs. Sam/Miguel is a close second because they’re cute as shit and it’s just so lovely to see two people so unapologetically smitten with each other. They are in LOVE, and I will RIOT if they break up again!!! Keep Sam and Miguel together 2k21!!!

Underrated character:

SAMANTHA LARUSSO!!! The amount of hate my girl gets for acting like a normal teenager and fucking up occasionally JUST like the rest of the cast makes me want to start punching things. She cares SO MUCH about her friends!!! And she loves the shit out of Miguel!!! She hasn’t always been the best friend but you know what??? Neither has Hawk, and we still forgave his ass!!! Also LET HER BE FEMININE but also kick utter ass, my god!!! Femininity should not be synonymous with being weak, y’all! ALSO DEMETRI, like yes, he likes to complain and occasionally run his mouth, but guess what else he likes to do??? Never give up on the love of his life his best friend Eli Moskowitz and refuse to lose faith in him no matter how much of a little shit he’s become, and I for one think that’s very badass of him. Also the way he takes care of Eli pre-Cobra Kai in his own snarky bastard way makes me absolutely Weak and needs more appreciation. Like the dude has charisma and COULD have probably made other friends and left Eli behind if he wanted, but did he??? No, he wants the weepy loser with the lip scar in the polo shirts and dorky sweaters and will protect him as much as his wimpy ass is able!!!

Underrated ship (don’t say therapy, lol):

Among the adults, Daniel/Amanda!!! Like maybe I just don’t watch that much tv, but it seems kinda rare to me to see a happily married hetero couple, and it’s just nice to see a married couple who genuinely love each other and where there’s not like...lingering resentment or some shit. I feel like this ship gets overshadowed by Lawrusso a lot (which like--okay, fair!!! Daniel and Johnny do have a ridiculous amount of chemistry, and the gay undertones are undeniable, so I get it), and it makes me kinda sad. I do love Lawrusso, but I don’t like when Amanda has to get her heart broke for it to happen, you feel? Among the kids, honestly YasMoon. Like I really love the idea of Yasmine trying to better herself because of Moon’s influence on her and because Moon like...inspires her to be a better person, I guess? With their pretty strong friendship, it just makes more sense to me for Yasmine to get a redemption arc through Moon than through Demetri. ALSO girls DO often pull the whole “mean girl” shtick to cover up being closeted lesbians, and Moon IS canonically bi, so it could work!!! I just think this one could be a really interesting Friends to Lovers take, and could make a really nice coming-out arc for Yas. And MoonPiper too, honestly!!! Like they only got 5 seconds of screentime so I understand WHY it’s underrated, but I still love what we DID get and loved that there was a canon gay ship (even if only for 1 scene lmao). I’m really excited to potentially see more of them in Season 4!!! Please, I’m begging!!!

Wax On, Wax Off or Sweep the Leg?

Sweep the Leg because it will always be deeply hilarious to me how Demetri took note of the first move Eli ever used on him and spent presumably weeks perfecting it OUT OF SPITE just to get him back with it at the soccer game MONTHS later. Just goes to show how OBSESSED Demetri is with Eli and their little karate rivalry which is just NOT straight, I’m sorry

Which of Daniel’s dumb little outfits is your favorite?

There’s something so funny about this pretentious little fuck walking around in fancy suits once he becomes a #SuccessfulBusinessman, and still occasionally trying to do karate in a full-ass suit (take THAT, Tom Cole’s boba!!!) I’m also a big fan of how he looks in his gi with his little headband. Still killing that look as a 40-50-something!!!

Character from the films you most want to return, who’s not Terry Silver:

Tbh I have still never seen a single Karate Kid movie (they took them off of Netflix, RIP), so...I don’t really care if they bring anyone else back??? I’m invested in the characters we already have in the show, I don’t need some rando from the movies to make a cameo to have a good time XD The only character I really wanted them to bring back was Ali, and they already did, so like...I’m good??? That’s all I really needed, I can die in peace now XD

Scene that lives in your head rent-free:

Basically any fluffy Elimetri scene, but 5 in particular: ~Miguel first meeting Eli and Demetri at the lunch table, and Eli looking at Demetri like he hung every goddamn star in the sky ~Demetri going off at a terrifying, “unhinged” karate sensei on the first day of Cobra Kai because he made fun of Eli’s lip and Demetri is not about that shit ~ELI STEALING DEMETRI’S NACHO AND SMIRKING AT HIM, LIKE EXCUSE ME SIR PLEASE BE A LITTLE LESS HOMOSEXUAL IN FRONT OF YOUR GIRLFRIEND ~Eli yanking Demetri onstage during Valley Fest to hold a board, and Demetri being visibly like...extremely turned on when Eli breaks said board ~ELI SAVING DEMETRI DURING THE CHRISTMAS FIGHT, ELI APOLOGIZING, DEMETRI AND ELI KICKING COBRA ASS TOGETHER AKSBDCUWYVCBU

Will Anthony LaRusso ever be relevant?

I hope not! He’s kind of a funny meme character to pop up now and again but I don’t think he deserves a serious plotline when there are so many more interesting characters to follow.

You live in The Valley and are forced into the karate gang war. Which dojo do you join?

Miyagi-Do because Cobra Kai would eat me alive. Also I’d probably straight up get stuck and die in that cement mixer, if I even made it that far XD Besides, being salty that your friend who you have a crush on likes martial arts better than you and starting martial arts to impress them but also being too lazy to join anything TOO intense is a Big Mood and I am certainly not speaking from personal experience here, no sirree

What’s your training montage song?

"Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna for a weight-training and bicep-flexing montage, “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons for a more intense punching-and-kicking-shit montage. I don’t know why this is, I just feel it in my heart.

It’s the crossover event of the century! Which TV show are you combining with Cobra Kai for an hour-long Saturday night special?

*Briefly panics because I don’t actually watch that much TV and most of the stuff I do watch is fantasy/sci fi shit that absolutely would not work for a CK crossover*

Hmmmm okay but ACTUALLY

You know what would be fucking funny as hell would be an It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia crossover. Allow me to elaborate: ~The Gang goes to LA on vacation during the height of the Karate Dojo Wars. They literally can get barely anything done without all these goddamn karate-fighting teenagers getting in the way. ~They are all very annoyed by this. Even the most obscure of tourist attractions is eventually intercepted by karate fights. ~Mac tries to join Cobra Kai because he sees all this karate fighting on, and wants to unquestionably prove both his badassery and masculinity. Both Johnny and Kreese are like “Wtf are you doing here? Aren’t you like 30?” ~Mac gets a planet-sized crush on Johnny after all of 5 minutes and endlessly gushes to the gang about him. The gang mercilessly roast him about this and about how much of a pathetic loser with his life together in no way whatsoever Johnny sounds like. They proceed to have exactly 0 self awareness about this. ~The Waitress is in town visiting family or something, and Charlie is stalking her, as per usual. However, every time he’s about to go up and talk to her, a pack of battling Miyagi-Dos and Cobra Kais throwing punches and kicks everywhere blocks his path. One times, Mac is among one of these packs and Charlie is like “???? He didn’t get kicked out of that teen karate dojo yet???” ~Seeing how much the Kids These Days seem to like fighting, Charlie drops by a local high school to try and sell Fight Milk to the kids doing karate. Only Kyler and Brucks buy into it, and subsequently get the entire West Valley High wrestling team sick. Charlie is inevitably arrested, as Counselor Blatt thinks he’s selling the kids drugs. ~Dennis makes a plan to have sex with every hot chick he can in Los Angeles. He meets Ali on a dating app post-divorce, and inevitably tries to bang her. It doesn’t work. ~Frank crashes the rental car, and inevitably the gang ends up at one of Daniel’s dealerships. Dee quickly takes a liking to Daniel and is like “Watch, assholes--Imma homewreck this guy’s marriage.” She starts frequenting the dealerships to attempt to flirt with Daniel, until one day she walks in on him having sex with Johnny in a back room and she’s like “Is that the guy from Mac’s goddamn dojo?!?!” ~Dennis, of course, tries to sleep with Amanda. Amanda is not having it, and rebukes him in the most snarky, Amanda-esque way possible. Dennis is just like “Oh not AGAIN--the women in this goddamn diva city have too high of standards!” ~Later on, the gang is at the beach and Dennis spots the blonde lady he went out on an ill-fate date with, and decides to give it another shot--that is, until he sees her go up and kiss another woman and he’s like “IS THAT THE LADY FROM THE CAR DEALERSHIP??? STUPID-KARATE-KICK-COMMERCIAL’S WIFE?!? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.” ~Dee complains to Dennis about her lack of luck getting laid, and Dennis is just like “Oh come ON, is everyone in Los Angeles gay???” Smash cut to Hawk and Demetri having sex, Moon and Piper making out, Bert and Nate holding hands, Chris and Mitch doing oral, and Amanda, Ali, and Carmen having a threesome. ~Frank tries to scam Kreese into buying cheaply-made karate equipment for his dojo. The gang ends up having to leave LA because Kreese is quite literally plotting all of their murders.

For tagging, uuuuhhhhhh @jackonthelongwalk @soe-leo @max-eagle-fang @cc-tinslebee @backawayfromthegay @asphodel-storm do the thing, if y’all haven’t yet!

#cobra kai #cobra kai season 1 #cobra kai season 2 #cobra kai season 3 #ck #tag game #binary boyfriends #daniel larusso #johnny lawrence #it's always sunny in philadelphia #iasip

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scarlettwitcher · 4 years

Text

Úlfur Minn Part Three

Request: by @laneygthememequeen: Hello lovely! I just saw that youre open to requests and are itching to write something for soft boi geralt! If you’re open to it, can I request a geralt x reader where reader seems like super innocent but is like an actual warrior/badass and he’s just like in awe. Or maybe where the reader is in like a dress for some reason and she usually doesn’t wear dresses because they’re inconvenient for fighting and ends up having to fight in the dress. take care and I hope you have a wonderful day💖

Summary: After Jaskier is finally able to convince Geralt to be his bodyguard for Pavetta’s betrothal dinner, shit goes down and Geralt has to make the decision of whether or not he should tell Y/n how he really feels.

Characters: Geralt, Reader, Jaskier, Calanthe, Eist, Mousesack, Pavetta, Duny, mentions of secondary characters in the show.

Word Count: 3296

Warnings: Angst, violence, fighting, some kinda(?) graphic descriptions of fighting, mention of blood, cursing, fluff, canon typical warnings

Author’s Note: Part three!!! I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda sad this series is almost over! I really loved writing this. I’m thinking of writing more episode based series, with reader being integrated into the plot. I find it interesting! Thank you for all the love this series has been getting! As always, my requests are open. I’m currently in the progress of writing a couple, but am still open for more. My taglists are also open, so if you’d like to be tagged for any individual character, fandom, or be tagged in everything, just shoot me a message or an ask! Thanks for reading and feedback is always welcome!

Also, show my girl @queenxxxsupreme lotta love. k.

Previously on Úlfur Minn...

“Lioness of Cintra, I come to claim what is rightfully mine! Pavetta. By the Law of Surprise.” Before anyone could speak more, more guards appeared and attacked Duny. He carried himself easily as he defeated the guards around him, slashing at them. But as more guards entered the room, he became overpowered and was hit roughly in the face. He fell and rolled onto his back as he stared up at the guard holding a large axe over his head. He panted as he stared up at the guard with fear as he dripped blood from his lips. You growled out in anger at the queen’s disregard for the man’s life. You ran and grabbed his discarded sword as you stood over Duny. “NO!” The guard swung the axe and you swung the sword at the same time, cutting it in half as the axe fell into Duny’s hands. You swung your sword again, slitting the guards throat. He looked at you and nodded, before getting up and looking at all of the guards that surrounded the both of you. Geralt growled in anger at you for putting yourself in such a compromising position. You looked over at him and shook your head, telling him it wasn't the moment for him to scold you. He made his way to your side, almost hovering over you.

“Kill them all!”

Now...

Everyone watched in horror as the three of you fought against the Cintran guards, the men falling in seconds. Geralt had to take a second to stop and watch as you battled against the guards. He was in complete awe at how smooth and quick your moves were. You had been traveling with the Witcher and the Bard for years but have never had to fight. Geralt always made sure you were never in a compromising situation. Since you were only the healer of the group, he never let you join him when he had to slay a monster as much as you bugged him to let you tag along. If he had known you could fight so swiftly, he still probably wouldn't have taken you but he at least wouldn't have worried so much when he left you with Jaskier, knowing the bard couldn't even defend himself for shit, much less protect you when need be.

One guard came running after you as he swung his sword at your chest. You ducked as he swung and used your sword to slash his knee, blood splattering on the floor. The guard screamed in pain as you kicked him in the face hard, knocking him over. As soon as you regained your footing, you tripped over your dress. You were having a rough time with the dress you were wearing. You growled out and cut two very large slits in front of both of your legs. You didn't care that every movement caused your skin to be exposed, your legs visible to everyone around you all the way up to your hip. You had never been so exposed in your life to any but you didn't care. You we're fighting for what was right and you could worry about being embarrassed later. Geralt watched you with wide eyes and was distracted by your beautiful body and almost didn't see the guard sneaking up behind him. He swung around and hit him with the butt of the sword as the guard went flying into a table on the side. Before long, Eist joined the three of you. “The Law of Surprise has been called. You kill them… kill me.”

Soon, all of the Lords joined the battle, running towards the four of you with their daggers and swords. Just as you all defeated the guards, you easily defeated the lords. One of the lords that had been constantly after you all night ran towards Geralt. You frowned and went after him, tripping him as he fell forward and knocked himself out as he hit the floor hard. The Lord's brother saw this and charged angrily at you but Geralt saw this and swung his sword across his chest as he fell over with a scream. You smiled briefly at him and nodded at him as you continued fighting other guards that appeared behind you. One of the guards had been able to disarm you, knocking the sword that was in your hand onto the floor. With quick movements, you grabbed the dagger that was hidden on your thigh garter and spun, slashing his throat, watching as he fell, gripping his throat tightly. You grabbed the sword you were using and continued to fight, almost in a rampage to make a point. Calanthe had enough of the fighting and rose from her seat as she grabbed her sword and made her way into the middle of the battle, kicking one of her guards on the way. Geralt sensed a presence behind him and swung his sword only to stop as Calanthe was holding her sword towards him.

“Stop!”

"STOP!"

“Duny. I told you to stay away.” You panted as you stood back, watching as Pavetta hugged her lover tightly. You moved behind the couple as you tried to fix your tattered dress, dropping the sword in your hand and sheathing your dagger back into place. Duny kneeled in front of the queen and took a deep breath.

“Your Majesty… the Witcher speaks the truth. I was cursed as a young boy. My whole life a living misery until the day that I saved your husband, King Roegner, from certain death. By tradition, I chose the law of Surprise as payment. Whatever windfall he came home to find… would be mine.”

“Oh, the stupid bastard. Better you had let him die!”

“You knew he’d come, and you pushed me to kill him.” You jumped at Geralt's voice from how close it was to you. You didn't realize he had moved towards you. You looked up at him and swallowed thickly, knowing the moment you were alone, he was going to berate you for being so foolish. He reached a tentative hand towards your cheek as he scanned you for injuries. You had a few cuts around your body as well as a few bruises on your cheek, jaw, and collarbone that were already darkening. He cursed you quietly and you huffed a silent laugh as Calanthe spoke with her daughter and her lover.

”...andoned all thought of claiming the Law of Surprise. I knew…. I knew no woman would ever accept me like this. And so I waited. I waited until the twelfth bell when the curse breaks. I never intended to meet her. Just to watch from afar.”

“Until destiny intervened… and our hearts collided.”

“And at dawn, I awoke with her in my arms and me… like this.” You watched the couple and sighed softly, knowing your heart longed for someone to look at you the way Duny looked at Pavetta, or in this case, you wished he looked at you that way.

“Who are we to challenge destiny? Life was saved, debt must be paid, or the whole order of the world falls apart.”

“Honor destiny’s wish, or unleash its wrath upon us.”

Calanthe glared at all the men. “There is no us. I bow to no law made by men who never bore a child! Is there not a man amongst you who does not cower before destiny? You, Witcher… who has known monsters of every fang and claw… are you afraid too?” Calanthe looked at Geralt as he scowled at her. Because he couldn't look at you, he reached out and held your arm in his hand as a sense of comfort, his way of knowing you were okay.

“No. I’ve seen mothers lash themselves raw over the death of a child, believing they crossed destiny, ignoring the stench of the 50 other children in the plague cart outside. Destiny… helps people believe there’s an order to this horseshit. There isn’t. But a promise made must be honoured. As true for a commoner… as it is for a queen.” Geralt quickly returned his gaze to you as he pulled you into his arms. You relaxed under his hold, taking a deep breath of his scent.

“NO!” Before you could realize what was happening, everyone was thrown by a powerful thrust of power. Geralt's back hit the wall but you weren't so lucky. Your head hit the wall hard and you fell unconscious on the floor as Geralt called out your name, pulling you into his hold once more as you fell limp against him. He could hear your heartbeat and that was enough to calm him in the moment, but he was still worried as you wouldn't react to anything he did. He cradled your head gently and growled when he pulled his hand back and saw it was covered in blood. Geralt watched as a large tornado began to form in the room as Pavetta and Duny began to float in the eye of the storm. Geralt and Mousesack tried their best to intervene but we're thrown back as the storm got stronger, gathering all of the loose items in the room. Geralt looked at your unconscious form and knew, the sooner he ended this, the sooner he could get back to you. Taking one of his vials, Geralt gained enough power to cast his magic. He pushed as hard as he could into the storm, getting an inch inside. Pavetta gasped as she looked at him as he casted his magic at her, throwing the couple onto the floor. He panted heavily as he slid to the floor next to you, pulling you into his arms as he held you tightly, as everyone watched Calanthe reconnect with her daughter.

“Destiny has spoken! And I have listened. The Law of Surprise will be honored. Pavetta will marry… Lord Urcheon.”

“React poorly and you won’t just face the Lioness, you will be facing the sea hounds of Skellige. Because Queen Calanthe has… agreed to my proposal of marriage.”

“There will be two vows here tonight! I assume that’s agreeable…” Everyone nodded their acceptance as Calanthe smiled softly. “Delightful.”

Soon, the couple was married by the queen. Duny began to growl animalisticaly as he fell to the floor. When he lifted his head, the curse had been lifted and the spikes that adorned his head were replaced with black curls, and what used to be animal features on his face, we're now human features.

“The twelfth bell has not yet rung.”

“What has happened?”

“I think your blessing of this marriage… has fulfilled a destiny. The curse has been lifted.”

“Whew! I think this has the makings of my greatest ballad yet.”

“If you’re alive in the morning. Don’t… grope for trout in any peculiar rivers until dawn.” Geralt was all but ready to leave as he held you in his arms. He needed to get you away from all the royal drama to heal you. He growled in irritation as he was stopped by Duny.

“No, Wait! Wait. Both you and Y/n saved my life. I must repay you.”

“You’ve proven yourself to be the kind of man who would do the same. We want nothing.”

“No, please. Please, Geralt of Rivia, do not feel like you’re doing me a service. I cannot start a new life in the shadow of a life debt.”

The Witcher sighed as his eyes drifted down to your unconscious form. His eyes softened and he looked back up to the knight. It's not like you could make a decision and he knew he'd have to make it for the both of you. “Fine. We… claim the tradition as you have, the Law of Surprise. Give us that which you already have but do not know.” Geralt turned to leave once more but stopped at the cry from Calanthe.

“No! What have you done, Witcher?”

“Fear not, Your Majesty, if we're seen in your kingdom again, it’ll be to kill a real monster, not lay claim to a crop or a new pup. Now as you can see, Y/n is injured. Destiny can go fu-” Geralt was interrupted by Pavetta as she threw up and both Duny and Calanthe moved to her side immediately. All three of them slowly looked up at Geralt as he watched in surprise before sighing. “Fuck.” Geralt moved quickly away from the room, grabbing his sword that was lodged in a table, having enough of all the drama for the night. Mousesack stopped him to speak as he glared at the man, already not pleased with him from earlier events.

“Clearly the girl has access to immense primal power.”

“Yeah, and with no idea how to control it.”

“I’m gonna stay. Guide her.”

“You’re a good man, Mousesack.”

“You should stay too.”

“This has been enough partying for me. I’m getting out of here with Y/n.”

“You’re both bound to this now, Geralt. Whether you like it or not.”

“I’m not for changing. You know me better than that."

“Yes, I do, but you can’t outrun destiny just because you’re terrified of it. It’s coming Geralt. Not believing won’t change that. If you want to protect her, you'll do what's right.” Mousesack nodded to you in his arms and Geralt unconsciously gripped you tighter as if you'd slip from his hold.

“Bullshit. This was just a girl using her magic to stop her mother from gutting her lover. Nothing more.”

“So you say as if you wouldn't do the same for Y/n. But the bond that will come into being between you, Y/n, and this child… when it is born will be extraordinary. If you dismiss it, leave without claiming this… child surprise, you will surely unleash true calamity upon us all.”

“We'll take that chance. Mind yourself. True words are rare birds in courts like this. Watch for daggers in your back. Or, more likely, poison. Be careful, old friend.” Geralt turned and left the castle, making his way towards the suite you had rented. He held you carefully as he rode Roach through the quiet night. He watched you quietly as he sighed into the silent night. “You are an idiot, you know that my love? Throwing yourself in front of that knight like your life didn’t matter… Let me tell you, it does.” Geralt held his breath as he swore he saw you move in your unconscious state but when you were still for a few minutes, he let go of the breath he was holding and shook his head. “To me, you do anyways. Watching you today was just… I didn't know you could fight so well.” Geralt willed his eyes away from your form to watch the road he was travelling on.

Once he arrived at the suite, he made his way to one of the bedrooms and laid you down on the bed as he brought bandages and some of the ointments that you always used for his wounds. He made sure to remove the heels you were wearing, setting them to the side of the bed. He let his fingers linger over the skin of your ankle before scolding himself and returning to caring for your wounds. Touching your soft skin as he cared for your wounds had him feeling hot under his clothes. He didn't know how he could handle being around you after watching you fight and seeing that much of your skin. Sure, you both have traveled for years together but you were too innocent, too careful about yourself and your surroundings. You'd never change in front of each other, you wouldn't even remove your shoes in front of him sometimes. He thought you had something against him but as he noticed you were this way with everyone, it didn't offend him so much. But after seeing you fighting, seeing how swift you moved around, how sexy you looked with your tattered dress, he didn't know if he could go back to you being your innocent self.

He didn't know how much time he spent watching your sleeping form. He reached over dragging his fingers against your cheek before letting it drift down to your shoulders. He let his fingers wandered slowly down your arms all the way to your fingertips. His hand moved further to your exposed skin. He let his fingers hover over your hip before touching your warm skin. Slowly he watched his own hand as it moved across the soft expanse of your thigh, stopping for a moment at the thigh garter as he removed your dagger. He stared at the piece of clothing as if it was offending him. He wondered now just how many times you wore this under your clothes. He swallowed thickly as he moved his hand down to your knee when he heard your heartbeat jump up, beating fast and hard, the opposite of what it was moments before. His eyes snapped up to your face and he saw you watching him with wide eyes. He didn't have the words to explain what he was doing and slowly moved to stand up from the bed but you reached out and grabbed his hand gently, pulling him back to you. You held his hand like it was a lifeline as you sat up, Geralt using his other arm to help you into a seating position. You reached up gently, cupping his jaw as you moved a stray piece of hair behind his ear just as he had done earlier at the betrothal. “Did I miss anything important?” You whispered playfully as you watched his eyes wildly take in your features.

Geralt huffed at you as he let himself relax under your touch. He swallowed thickly and sighed as he locked his eyes with yours. “You worried me dove.”

“It was only a small bump. I’ll be alright by tomorrow.”

“You must’ve hit your head really hard if you even think I’ll let you travel while in this state.”

“Witcher, please. I’ve suffered worse.” You moved to stand up but winced as a fast and sharp pain passed through your head. Geralt only looked at you with a disapproving frown, only confirming what he was saying. You let yourself give in to the tiredness. You sighed quietly as you nodded. “Fine, I guess a day of rest wouldn’t hurt.”

“Good. Now that I know you’re okay, what were you thinking?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Throwing yourself in front of Duny like that!” Geralt hadn’t meant to but his anger had taken over his head. He was enraged that you’d been so careless of your life. You flinched as he yelled at you and he noticed. He took a deep breath, dragging his hand down his face, trying to calm down. An uncomfortable silence fell in the room between the two. Geralt knew he couldn’t dance around his feelings anymore. He would take your rejection over the what ifs. “I could’ve lost you.”

You opened your mouth to answer but you had lost your voice. You knew he’d be upset but you never anticipated this. The way he said those last four words made you hope there was more to his words. That he wasn’t just worried about losing you because he was your friend. You didn’t know if asking outright would help the uncomfortable feeling you had and decided to lighten the mood just a tad before getting serious. “You wouldn’t have. I knew you’d be there to protect me. I know deep in my heart you’ll always be there, Úlfur minn.” Geralt grunted at the nickname. You had started to call him this about a year ago and he always tried to find out the meaning behind it but never could. It was from a very old language that was almost never used anymore. He knew you knew the language to heal, some spells requiring this language aside from Elven. You would never tell him what it meant and it bothered him to no end.

“Now you’re making fun of me?” You furrowed your brows at his statement as you quickly shook your head in disbelief.

“Úlfur minn, I’m not making fun of you. I’m being honest.”

“Like you’ve been when you tell me whatever that stupid name you call me means?” You felt yourself frown at his words as you tried to think of something to answer but came up blank again for the second time that night. “Yeah, thought so.” Geralt couldn’t explain why he was so angry. He was still pent up from the evening at the betrothal. He knew it was wrong to take it out on you but he was upset and he needed you to understand that you were too important to just be jumping in front of weapons for others. He stood and paced next to the bed you were laying on. Before he could further mess up the night with the woman he loved and say more, or in this case, yell more, he heard a soft whisper coming from you.

“My wolf.”

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broadwaytheanimatedseries · 4 years

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So I Had An MLP AU Idea -

Art by the lovely and talented @really-sleep-deprived-nerd :

Introducing, The Sides Of Harmony!

Vivid Star, Element Of Magic

An angsty brooding loner with a mysterious troubled past.

At the beginning of the story, he's an anti social recluse who works at night, from home (he's never been more thankful for astronomy being his special talent)

On the days he is unfortunate enough to be awake when the sun's still out, he spends that time catching up on some light reading or, if he's feeling extra adventurous, practices a new spell or two.

His only true friend at this point, besides Violet His pet fruit bat, is his big brother Tender Star, who has recently been promoted to royal guard so they'll be spending even less time together.

He stumbles upon the tale of nightmare moon by complete accident *cough* destiny *cough* and after informing his brother to keep an eye, he decides he cant just sit around and hope for the best.

So he gets probably the worst idea he's ever had in his life.

He's gonna go to ponyville, where the summer sun celebrations are held this year, and try to warn Princess Celestia himself.

And pray she doesn't send him to the dungeon for his insolence.

Rose Comfort, Element of Generosity

Ponyville's resident social butterfly and drama queen.

After a childhood full of siblings rivalry, he and his twin decided to live as far apart as possible, without leaving their hometown that they love so much.

Rose found a nice spot in the middle of ponyville to grow his garden and sell flower arrangements, and he revels in the attention and admiration his role gives him.

Everypony loves flowers, and as a provider of flowers, everypony will love him!

Recently, the twins have been able to reconnect and have begun making amends. Its a slow process, but it's been going rather smoothly, all things considered.

Rose has a small flower shop and big bombastic dreams, like his dream of marrying Prince Blueblood and becoming a prince himself.

Rich Comfort, Element Of Kindness

Infamous town weirdo and ponyville's resident beast expert and critter caretaker.

He grows his own produce for himself and his animal friends, that way he rarely has to leave his house.

When Rich and Rose parted ways as young adults, Rich decided to live right at the edge of the Everfree forest.

At first ot was only so ponies would leave him alone, but one day when his Angel Bunny ran into the forest, he discovered just how much he liked the place.

It was a bit too hostile an environment to safely live there, but he liked going in there every so often to have some adventures, and in the process, he became the only pony in ponyville thats has any experience dealing with scary monsters from the spooky dark forest.

Recently, since they've started making amends, Rich has been inviting Rose along to his Everfree Adventures™, but the latter is understandably hesitant.

Rich is lowkey still jealous of Rose about one thing only, and thats the fact that his brother could have any stallion he wants but he's holding out for "the one", which wouldn't be so bad except he's got it in his head that the one is some handsome prince that he's never met and doesn't even know what he's actually like.

Peppermint, Element Of Loyalty

Ponyville's sweetheart, the great and loveable Peppermint!

Co runs the local sweet shop with Liquorice, now that their families have merged their candy businesses into one incredibly successful business.

When his aunt Minty told him the family wants, neigh, needs him to move from Manehatten to Ponyville to help run their new shop there, he was rather skeptical, but never one to turn his back on anypony, especially not his family, he agreed to go help.

However, when he got there, he found the place already operating rather smoothly without him, but the candy they were selling?

All sours and bitters, and not one baked good in sight! And it was alphabetized for Pete's sake, ALPHABETIZED!

no, this couldn't stand, he wouldn't allow it. He marched right over to the front desk and requested to meet with the manager, as he was supposed to be doing that anyway.

The Unicorn at the desk raised an eyebrow and simply replied "i am the manager, what seems to be the trouble?"

Liquorice, Element Of Honesty

Ponyville's most obnoxious know it all, at least according to most ponies who don't know him very well.

(also lowkey resident hot nerd and heartthrob but no one will admit it to his face. Listen this doesn't need explaining but Logan is hot in every au, even in ones where he is a sentient horse).

Before he took on the responsibility of running the ponyville location, Liquorice was settled quite nicely in Fillydelphia, and was looking into ways of making gem based candies for the dragon population of the city.

Truthfully, he was very eager to make a name for himself outside his own family business, to prove that he doesn't need to rely on anyone else because he's good at what he does.

But he also knew that his parents wouldn't have asked him to do this unless it was very important to them, and even though he didn't need their help, that doesn't mean he shouldn't give them his.

So he moved to Ponyville and quickly started working on the shop to make it successful enough so he could leave, knowing its in good hooves and being able to trust that its running exactly like it was when he left it.

Unfortunately, this plan went along well for maybe a week, before somepony came by and demanded to know everything about how the establishment, his establishment, is being run, and that's when both he and Peppermint first discovered they're supposed to be running this store together.

Oh horseapples.

Dapper Jester, Element Of Laughter

Ponyville's most wanted, in more ways than one.

Growing up in Las Pegasus, Dapper learned how to captivate an audience, amuse a crowd, and cheer up anypony in need of a good laugh.

He made a name for himself in his hometown and became a sensation there, but as much as he loved the attention and glamour, he decided it wasn't a lifestyle he wanted to pursue.

Don't misunderstand him, he loved preforming and would never give it up, but a life of revelry and indulgence from a young age can get pretty old pretty fast.

He soon grew tired of the fame and adoration, he wanted a simpler life where his career as an entertainer would still allow him room to be somepony beyond just a show pony.

His mind made up, Jester moved to Ponyville, and his new life has begun... As a ballon artist.

Not to knock down the profession, its just that balloon artistry is only so sought after and its not the highest paying job.

Luckily he managed to save some of his earnings made in Las Pegasus, and found a lovely cloud house to settle into, as he still feels quite connected to the (literal) high life.

Main Ships:

Prinxiety - Slow Burn

Thomile - Established Relationship

Logicality - what do you call it when they're pretty much a married couple all but officially since the beginning but it isn't canon until the very end of the story? Kinda like that.

Richceit - Even Slower Burn in a very complicated situation, featuring (eventually) divorced single father Filthy Rich trying to raise his daughter and navigate through his feelings, and (eventual) dadceit being amazing and sweet and supportive and awesome.

Dismus - Crazy Chaos Couple™, low key angsty, featuring Discord lord of chaos being out crazied and out topped by Rich, an earth pony who isn't afraid of him and is attracted to his brand of fun and sense of humour, and Rich finding someone who doesn't judge him for his eccentricities without being an animal.

Anyway, thats it. Hope you liked this au and wanna see more!

And As Always,

Stay Tuned...

#dee writes #sanders sides #dee's aus #sanders sides au #mlp fim #mlp au #elements of harmony #soe au #sides of harmony au

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theriverpersonshadow · 3 years

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Lamia Drama/Deltarune Semi-Crack Fic

The not-awaited, not asked for Lamia Drama X Deltarune crackfic that absolutely no one wanted, but might now find they want!

I played Deltarune Chapter 2 and just decide to write some silliness for fun. This is extremely non-canon to everything involved. Spoilers (kinda but not really) for DeltaRune Chapter 2.

Warnings for swearing, an extremely brief moment of existential dread, and one sexual joke.

As always, the species of lamia I use come from @vex-bittys

If this is your cup of tea, maybe buy me a Kofi?

Susie stared up at the sign in front of them. “Kris. This…. Is this a fucking pet shop???” Susie said. The sign said “Caring Coils” and had a picture of someone part skeleton, part snake.

“No! It’s a spring shop!” Lancer said. What else could “Coils” mean?

“U-Um… I… I don’t know where this building came from???” Ralsei said. As far as he was aware, they had seen neither snakes nor springs on their journey, but apparently this was in Castle Town now! Somehow!

Kris walked in. It was surprisingly bright for something in the Dark World, eerily similar to what it’d be like in the light world, but given that the main inhabitants seemed to be the apparent offspring of Jockington and Sans, just… What was even happening here.

“Are these, like, half skeleton, half snake?” Susie said, walking up and knocking on the glass holding the Mamba. A dozen or so snakes suddenly tackled the glass, hissing at her. “Okay, not gonna lie, that’s kinda cool. You think they bite?”

Kris just stared at the sign on the glass enclosure saying “Please Ask Before Handling – We Bite – Highly Venomous” until Susie got the hint.

Regardless, Susie hummed, seriously contemplating sticking her entire hand in there anyways. “Hey. Hey Noelle, you dare me?”

“SUSIE NO!”

“C’mon, does venom even work on monsters?”

“Hah! Clearly you know nothing. Monsters do not have blood and nerves to shut down the same way humans do,” Berdly said, strolling over to the Mamba enclosure. “They don’t even look that tough. Look! They’re worm- AAAAAAAAAAAA;LKJSDFLK;JDFA!” He had stuck his hand in there and immediately gotten himself bitten by like 13 Mamba. He flapped his wings, running around the room and sending bitty Mamba flying absolutely everywhere. Tiny battle cries filled the room as they chased after Berdly.

“Um… Kris? Should we help him?” Ralsei said, watching the chaos.

Kris answered No, deciding to instead head into the back. Unlike the skeletal-snakes who were snake sized in the front, this area seemed inhabited by skeleton-sized skele-snakes. Kind of. Most were shorter than Kris, except one Cobra who zipped directly by them with a weaponized mop in hand. Kris peaked back – looks like the cobra dude was mopping up the little skelesnakes. Cool, that’s been settled.

They got a few odd looks as they browsed the area. It had snake things, and child things. Presumably for snake children, which most of these seemed to be. If not for the supplies and price tags, it’d be easy to mistake this place for an orphanage – which Kris could understand, who would want a Sans X Jockington baby?

Oh hey, that one might be an adult. A particularly grumpy looking skele-snake looked them up and down, them immediately flipped them off, “Oh great, I thought I was done with human shit. Or whatever the fuck you are.”

Kris flipped him off back. What meaningful dialogue.

Meanwhile, Ralsei was trying to figure out what he should do. In the few seconds Kris had left, Suzy had broken another enclosure completely and even more snakes were running around, not at all helped by Lancer and Rouxls mistaking the new lightners(?) for worms and trying to eat them. Berdly had been swiftly knocked out by the tiny swarm.

Thankfully, something answered Ralsei’s prayers. He didn’t expect his newly found angel to be a 12-foot-something long version of the things causing chaos, but he literally started mopping up the little ones and depositing them into boxes. As soon as that was done, he gave them all an exhausted, withering stare, “Why. Just… why.”

“Worms are tasty!” chirped Lancer.

“These are not worms, we’re lamia,” the new person said. He sighed, straightening himself, “Where are my manners. I’m Nikolai. Apparently the rest of the staff disappeared, somehow, and I have no idea where we are, so forgive me if I’m a bit… in need of several of wines.” His “staff” uniform had been replaced by gold and white robes… and a small golden nametag declaring him “staff”.

Rouxls pushed himself to the front. “I sympathizeth with thee mostly fullily, thine fellow worker of high class and generallyeth most terrifying stature.”

“… I think I’m having a stroke,” Nikolai said.

“Hey Yooooo. I Heard Someone Was Wanting Wine (alcoholic)? I Have Some Battery Acid Right Here!” the Queen said, holding her glass cup of battery acid. It exploded in her hand. “Oops Lol (amused)”

“… I… I give up,” Nikolai said, laying his head on a table. Several of the bitties were chirping and giving praises, trying to tell him not to give up, but the Mamba were also trying to knock the box they’d been placed in off the shelf by all ramming the side of it at once. The chaos refused to be contained any longer.

Ralsei looked at Nikolai sympathetically, going over and patting his back, “H-Hey, it’s okay! I’m sure between the two of us and Kris we can keep… order… Oh dear.” Everyone had scattered. It seemed that only The Queen, the unconscious Berdly, and Noelle remained in the room with them.

The Queen looked into the bitty Papython tank. “Hey Is That You Trousle?”

Trousle looked up at this new lady with the cool glasses, nodding.

“Sorry You Came Eleventh In The Dragon Cards The Deckening Mini-Tournament Game But Dang Getting That Much Out Of Like A Billion People (Exaggeration) Is Dang (Damn) Impressive!” The Queen said.

Trousle’s eyes widened, how did she know that?

“Oh Yeah And Here Is This (based on search history: Sexy Dom Bitties).” It was a small domino with Mettaton legs sticking out from it.

Trousle was silently screaming, but being him had the perk that he didn’t have to hold in his screams! They were silent by default. So he was just screaming and completely blush-colored in the face.

“Oh And Emo Thrash Metal (based on search history: Emo Thrash Metal).” She deposited a small broken chunk of the Thrash Machine that had thrashed her giant robot’s ass which was inexplicably wearing eyeliner and had “it’s not a phase mom!” written on it.

Meanwhile, Susie had joined Kris in flipping off Hux, and then Liam came.

“Tch. I don’t know what you troglodytes think you’re doing, but we’re closed. Get out,” Liam hissed, putting himself between Hux and the intruders. They were not closed, but could you really be “open” when you had accidentally planeshifted to another dimension without the majority of your staff?

“Yeah! Fuck off!” Hux hissed, throwing a double birdy.

“YOU GUYS WANNA GO?!” Susie yelled, foaming at the mouth and drawing her axe. Liam looked injured, but if he was going to go around picking fights, she wasn’t going to stop him!

“Oh please,” Liam said, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms, smirking far too smugly. “I would obviously win.”

“OH IT IS ON!” Susie said, surging forwards. She and Liam both turned out to be too adept at dodging for this to go much of anywhere, and Hux and Kris just spent the fight insulting each other even after Susie and Liam got so mutually carried away they left the battlefield.

Lancer had found some new kind of paradise: a plastic hammock full of dubious, blueberry snot flavored salsa! He paid no mind to the other person using the weird spa, just jumping in and plopping into the vat of goo.

Oozy blinked owlishly at Lancer, then started laughing, “Kid? Kid, what are you doing?”

“I’m claiming this spa as mine, you minty fresh bundle of mouthwash.”

“Um… This… is my bed?”

“No it’s not! This is a hammock, not a bed!”

“… can’t argue with that logic,” Oozy said, shrugging. He wrapped lightly around Lancer, purring. That said, he couldn’t quite resist the urge to tease, “Wow, easiest snack ever.”

“Thanks!” Lancer chirped.

Rouxls Kaard then skidded down the hallways without ever adjusting his Trademark Pose, “HALT WORMTH! THEE SHALSTH NOTS EAT MINE PRINCETH.”

Oozy, being a little shit, looked Rouxls in the eye as he lightly pressed his teeth to the back of Lancer’s head and audibly said, “Nom.”

“NOOOOO! UNHAND HIM, THINE UNCLEANETHEST OF HEATHENS!”

“Naaaah.”

“I’m slimy!” Lancer chirped.

Meeeeeeanwhile, Keith was laughing maniacally in a mix of sheer disbelief and genuine amusement as he dodged kicks from a living checkers piece, a small army of Pawns at his side. Too bad they weren’t from the same game.

Some of the Queen’s butlers helped Nikolai and Noelle clean up the storefront from the burst of chaos (and Berdly). They still weren’t sure how they got there, but y’know what, even Nikolai cannot contain this, so he lets the kids who are old enough play around the area with some supervision.

The Mamba immediately flock to the Dojo, Liam leading the charge, to prove their superiority over all. Berdly gets his ass beat there again. There are Papython in the bakery and Kings in the café, and, well, just lamia generally everywhere.

A lot of the younger ones flock to Seam. Every child’s dream come true: a giant plush toy that can actually talk to you and he’s kind of just a big fluffy grandpa!!!

Eventually just Kris and Hux are left inside, locked in a battle of wills and insults.

“Like you’d even know what it’s like to not have fucking control of shit! To always be told what to do and what to be, and if you can’t, no one gives a fuck about you!”

Kris: Act:

Understand.

They understand, they understand far too well.

…

Kris: Act:

Kidnap.

The snake boy is going home with them now. He screams, but he does not get a say in this. Bye.

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draggingthedregs · 4 years

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as i said earlier, it is an ungodly length but i hope you can enjoy my late night, book-drunk opinions anyway!

***

guess who just finished “ruin and rising”?

i’m seriously not okay. someone send help. i got lots of thoughts, none of which you are obligated to read but this seems like the best place to share.

oh and spoilers, duh.

for starters. woah.

i can’t say it was what i expected but i had known that what my heart really wanted was kinda far out of reach. the ending felt real and feasible, complete with love and loss.

in terms of “ruin and rising” alone, i think it was possibly the strongest of the three books. the pacing was good, nothing felt like it dragged on too long or went too fast for its own good. i think that was really important as well, considering the fact that there was always something going on. literally,, always. no one ever got a damn break.

mal’s “death” hurt me more then i had expected. which honestly leads back to one of my main gripes with this story. the love square (which i elaborate on later in this post, just hold on a bit). i’m not going to lie. i hated mal. through the middle of “siege and storm” up to page 168 of “ruin and rising” (and even then it was a long road from hate to crying over him). he was an ass, i think we can all admit that. for awhile there, i even jumped on the “fuck mal” train and had no plans to stop at any station anytime soon. for the longest time, the relationship with alina felt so fragile and forced, like the only reason it existed was because leigh had written it into existence. though, as i read on, i saw why it was so strained and saw the eventual resolution, which i will admit i was happy with. mal and alina, however annoying and troupe filled their personalities were, did develop as characters. and their relationship made some semblance of sense in the grand scheme of things. does that mean i forgive the “on-again-off-again”, “cold-shoulder”, “we-cant-be-together-in-this-lifetime” bullshit? no. does that mean i suddenly love mal? also, no. does that mean i ship them? ugh slightly. does that mean in a magical dream world where i got to chose what happened, they’d still end up together? impossible to say. BUT i can say, that they deserved each other. and i am happy that they got their peace together like they both always wanted (no matter how out of place it felt at any point), especially considering the fact that she literally had to kill him.

my dear dear darkling... i knew what fate awaited you and yet, when the time came... it hurt just the same.

okay,, that was a bit dramatic. but come on. leigh wrote a damn good villain with aleksander morozova. i meAN, thE lAYERS. he was a horrible person and yet, so many of us still love him. he killed for fun, manipulated no matter the cost, preyed upon the weak because he could, literally blinded his own mother and still! i can’t help but love him. there was so much human woven into his darkness. the moments of simple longing, of exhaustion, of loneliness. in all honesty, if there had been a way to humanize him, to erase or explain away his atrocities and have him just be aleksander again, i feel like i would do it. but, in the context of the story i do understand why it wasn’t possible. redemption for the darkling was off the table, no matter how much humanity still remained. but that’s what makes him such a good character. you want him to be different because you can see the good and all the potential for things to change, for them to rule ravka side by side, but at the same time, he’s the same man who is still actively creating more shadow demon creatures to eat whoever he wishes. you can’t resist him and that’s why he’s so wonderful, yet horrifying at the exact same time. (though don’t worry i am still a trash can and the darklina ship is still superior in the love square. again, i promise i will get there).

i feel like i have to talk about how much i loved the “secondary characters” (i struggle to call them that because they actually run this shit). i will say, at first, i hated zoya. i am not a big fan of the “mean girl” troupe or the “i’m-prettier-than-you-and-i-know-it” thing but... she really grew on me. i looked forward to zoyas comments and constant bitchiness, as did the characters in the books. and when she left the note and the blue kefta with alina in the epilogue,, oh god my heart. and the ragtag crew of grisha making up the remainder of the second army were amazing. their banter and dialogue were some of my favorite scenes to read in “ruin and rising” and i want books just filled with them and only them. david and genya deserve the damn world, adrik was so great, nadia and tamar are so precious, and i will miss harshaw’s weird ass more then you’ll ever know. don’t even get me started on misha and oncat. they are the true stars of this series, you cannot convince me otherwise. god i love them all so much, what a brilliant cast of characters. except the apparat. fuck the stupid ass apparat.

i know what you’re thinking. “you forgot nikolai.” no. i promise you, i most certainly did not. i just love him so much he gets his own chunk.

i mean, how could he not? he’s one of those rare, genuinely perfect characters that are impossible to not love. and i don’t mean perfect because he has no flaws or he’s written unnaturally, i mean perfect because of all of his flaws. he is arrogant and calculating, brash and unapologetic in his ways, but he’s also kind and caring, witty and charming and way too clever for his own good. i rooted for him more then i have ever rooted for someone in my entire life. he made everything ten times better. you can always count on his ass to pop up in a flying ship with a shiny pair of boots, a witty remark, a new plan, and too many ideas.

now, the important business... the ominous love square.

i think the words i used were “one of my main gripes with the story” which is true, but i think leads to a bigger issue with some of the characterization in the story. the “love square” was a term i thought of in relation to the many overlapping and confusing ships that center around alina (obviously being mal, the darkling, and nikolai). all of the ships were so entertwined and written over top of one another that there was no other way for me to describe it and the square seemed like a nice enough analogy. it just felt like way too much on everybody’s plates.

i love nikolai and alinas friendship. i mean, LOVED it. because i loved it so much, i found the little nods to a ship odd and unnecessary. their story line was very focused on the fact that ravka would need a king and queen, hence the scene where he gives her the emerald and all but proposes right then and there. however, that scene would have made scene and carried the same weight had there not been the splashes of romance both before and after. now, i understand why people ship them. and honestly, if under different circumstances, i probably could’ve and would’ve shipped them myself. they would have had one of the best marriages in a society where you didn’t get to marry for love. but it just made everything more complicated. people would’ve speculated on a ship had there been no kisses or pining, soley based on the possibility of a marriage and because of their close friendship so, why was the canon addition of it necessary? i just couldn’t get behind it when i loved their platonic relationship so much and when there were two stronger and more developed ships, waging war in the background.

now, my final bone to be picked... let’s be real for a second, alina in “shadow and bone” sucked. she was annoying and had no personality beyond being a sad, lonely, orphan in the darklings sparkly new grisha world. though i will say, in the later two books, i grew to like her. her character development did its job and i actually think she grew to be a pretty good protagonist. she did her best with the cards she was dealt and i think she did really well. however, her inability to pick a boy constantly bothered me. after being in love with her best friend for literal years, she is really ready to be be the first lady of the second army. and yes. sure you could justify it. she wasn’t getting letters in return, she’d been away for months, she was adapting to her new life, the darkling made her feel seen and wanted which is all a very new feeling to her. but then she goes right back to mal after he makes a confession that he didn’t realize he loved or needed her until she was gone for months (this was one of my biggest problems with mal. my problem only grew when he spent the entirety of “siege and storm” being a dick. but like i said,, we have reconcilied. we are fine now). there were times throughout the series where i genuinely didn’t understand why they were together, why i liked them together, or why i even wanted them to end the series together. alina even asks mal at the end of “ruin and rising” if there entire relationship was based solely on the fact that mal was the last amplifier and the fact that she even had to ask really says something. was their entire romance because of the amplifier? was it because of the “we-are-just-meant-to-be-together” thing? or was there actual chemistry? i really couldn’t tell sometimes. and the darklina ship was even more twisty and winding. he went from telling her deep dark secrets because he wanted to hear the girl he loved say his name to literally threatening everyone she loves because he wants her weak and all to himself. like,, whAt? (again,, layers) and don’t even get me started on the darkling and alina apparition interactions. those were a wild fucking ride. i felt like i was getting manipulated along with the both of them in those. but maybe that was the point of the darkling and alinas relationship. it was supposed to be so horrible yet so electric that you couldn’t pull away. but i doubt the same was meant to be said for mal and alina.

now i feel like i may be coming off in the wrong way. i loved more about this series then i didn’t. but me gushing about every fine detail and conversation that made my heart melt wouldn’t make for the most interesting read, if it was even coherent. all in all, i think it’s safe to say the grisha trilogy is great. does that mean it doesn’t have flaws? of course not. does that mean the flaws outweigh the good and the actual point of the story? absolutely not. my small complaints about a few things really do not take always from the fact that i love this series. i would love anything written by leigh bardugo, especially in the grishaverse.

if you’ve made it this far, that’s commitment. thank you brave soldier. don’t take anything i’ve said with anything more than a grain of salt. seriously. if this is your favorite series, don’t let my lil complaints ruin your day. because really, the good outweighs the bad here tenfold. i’m just a girl with a lot of opinions and a platform to share them at four am... it’s a dangerous game.

but, goodbye grisha trilogy. you have served me well and i will return to reread you soon. but for now i will do a lot of writing (i already have so many fic ideas brewing) and read all the fan fiction and tumblr posts i’ve been avoiding for fear of spoilers.

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inessencedevided · 4 years

Note

Once you're done with the entire show, could you maybe do sorting for all the characters? I usually know the house for each character, but I have literally no idea with The Untamed. WWX for example I can equally see him as a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff and my brain hurts trying to decide.

First of all: I'm so so sorry anon! This took ages to answer! I hope you're still out there to read this! I started answering ages ago and then trailed off because I had to think about it. So here goes:

Thank you so much for this opening! I LOVE sorting non-HP characters into Hogwarts houses!! And for some of these, I’ve already done so in my head ages ago :D

Disclaimer: I’m mostly going off live action canon here, but will make some comments about the novel from time to time.

Disclaimer 2: Obviously, these are extremely subjective. If anyone disagrees, I would love to hear your counter arguments! I love discussing these things!

Wei Wuxian

GRYFFINDOR!

I know you said you weren’t sure but in my book, he’s a textbook Gryffindor. I’m not saying he doesn’t have Hufflepuff or Raveclaw traits (his sense of justice and his “out of the box thinking” kinda genius come to mind), but those aren’t the main drive of his actions imo. WWX follows his confiction and he often does so without even considering a second option or a compromise, especially before his death. And he is not afraid of deviating from the law or societal expectations to do so. This alone could also make him a Slytherin. The reason I wouldn’t place him there is the way he acts very much in the open. He doesn’t try to bring about change by quietly working in the background. He openly calls people out on their bullshit, even when it is clearly to his disadvantage and might just come back to bite him in the ass. Imo, WWX is a brilliant example of how a gryffindor might be driven to doing some very questionable shit given the "right" circumstances.

Lan Wangji

Now, he’s a different story. I have a lot more problems sorting him, maybe because he is not our point of view character. And he's the reason why it took me so long to answer this ask. My conclusion might be controversial, so let me work up to it. Slytherin? His most slytherin trait, imo, is his determination and drive, which I think stems, among other things, from a desire to prove himself. However, I believe his main reasons for this were family loyalty and (somewhat headcanon territory) the rejection he must have felt at his parents absence. And I don't see him as cunning either, as that always carries a certain level of deceitful intent, even if it's not malicious. And deceitful? That's one thing lwj certainly isn't. So, Slytherin is not a good fit for him. Ravenclaw maybe? He is certainly very intelligent, but that intelligence is more due to his studious nature and his focus, imo. And wisdom and out-of-the-box-thinking are not traits I would associate him with, especially in his younger years. So gryffindor then? He is certainly brave in many ways. He is enduring and stubborn, both gryffindor traits. But he also someone who takes his time to arrive at decisions, unless he is under extreme emotional duress (losing his mother or the love of his live). His bravery, to me, seems to be deeply rooted in his deep deep devotion. He goes through extreme, long lasting pain for the few people he holds close to his heart. In the end it all comes down to his heart, his loyalties, his devotion. Ironically, even more so in the book than in cql. And that loyalty, that steadfastness, that devotion is extremely hufflepuff.

So here you go:

HUFFLEPUFF! (There is no yellow:/)

(And now I really wanna write that AU :D on first glance, lwj would make such an unusual hufflepuff, with his cold and aloof behaviour. I want to play with this idea now!)

Lan Xichen

HUFFLEPUFF!

Aaaahhh! Now I really like the idea of the twin jades of hufflepuff. :D and Lan Xichen is a bit more obvious right? He certainly has the intelligence of a ravenclaw, but his defining characteristics are his devotion to his duty, his kindness, his fairness and his willingness to carefully consider all sides. A hufflepuff to boot. No wonder, I love him so much.

(And now I can't help but imagine lan Xichen, welcoming his little brother at the hufflepuff table, beaming with pride. And later, making sure that they eat at least 1 meal per day together because he knows his brother doesn't make friends easily, even in a house as theirs. Until there's a certain rebellious and bright eyed gryffindor, with a penchant for DADA ...)

Jiang Cheng

He, too, gave me a hard time sorting him. Ravenclaw, I discarded immediately. Gryffindor came next. He's definitely brave in his own way. Going on after the devastating loss of his entire family is brave beyond anything I can imagine, but his motivation why he did it, I believe, was a mixture of family loyalty and his competitiveness and drive to prove himself worthy. Thise are hufflepuff and Slytherin traits, respectively. I would tip the scale towards the latter, simply because his inner conflict is so defined by his feelings of inferiority, his feelings of never living up to his parents expectations. He's in that weird place of being both extremely privileged and emotionally neglected. It reminds me of Draco, come to think of it. So, my favourite angry grape, I'll place in ...

SLYTHERIN!

(He's even rockin' the snake aesthetic already :D)

Jiang Yanli

With her association with cooking and motherly love she seems to be a rather obvious hufflepuff. She is certainly brave, too, enduring her family's near destruction and moving on, or standing in front of her adoptive brother and defending his place in her family and in society. But again, it's very much tied to the people she loves. So yeah,

HUFFLEPUFF!

Nie Mingjue

The jock to end all jocks and still he's got a heart of gold. He's kinda the cliche gryffindor and I can't find a reason to not place him there. So *head barely touches him*

GRYFFINDOR!

Nie Huaisang

SLYTHERIN!

If the twist at the end didn't happen, I'd have placed him in Ravenclaw, as it is, he is such a quintessential Slytherin and also, just ... my favourite kind, especially in cql, where he just fuvjs off to paint his fans and leaves others to do the heavy lifting. He got what he wanted, revenge for his beloved older brother. It reminds me a bit of Horace Slughorn (minus the people collecting). He doesn't want to be at the top. He just wants a comfortable enough life and the possibility to reach his very specific and not at all mainstream goals. A legend. (In mdzs, where he becomes chief cultivator, he's still a Slytherin, albeit a slightly less interesting one.)

Wen Qing

Now, she is another hard one. Another fiercely loyal person (although that's a common trait in mdzs/cql), she also had to show incredible resourcefulness to survive and still stick to her principles throughout her life. But to mention that she invented and su subsequently performed the first core transfer in history. (In the book, it is specifically mentioned that the essay on this subject was written by her). In short, this woman is s genius in her field and forward thinking and incentive. All of those are textbook Ravenclaw traits. So, with her we have ...

RAVENCLAW!

Wen Ning

Puh, he is hard. I know, with his timid behaviour and gentle nature, hufflepuff comes to mind BUT ... he strikes me as a neville. As in, his bravery lies in the fact that his own insecurities hinder him constantly and yet he overcomes them every day in a hundred small ways. He is brave precisely because he is afraid of so many things. And, like Neville, when his sense if right and wrong demands it, he takes a stand. His rescue of wwx and jc extremely dangerous circumstances and the core reveal come to mind. So, even though he probably argues with the hat to place him in hufflepuff, I'll place him in ...

GRYFFINDOR!

Jin Guangyao

SLYTHERIN!

Do I have to explain this?

Luo Qingyang

I know, she's a much more minor character than the others but I love her and this is my post, so she's in it. Do i have to say it? I hate to be the "Gryffindors ftw!!!"-one (as a proud snake), but yeah, Nie Mingjue was goddamn right when he said that she's got more backbone than half the cultivation world combined. My queen snapped and removed herself from the narrative and I love her for it!

GRYFFINDOR!

Let's get to the juniors:

Lan Sizhui

Now, maybe the hufflepuff does run in his family because I do think he belongs there, too. His defining characteristics are shown to be kindness, fairness and filial piety, even though he also has a mischievous streak and does not shy away from confrontation when he thinks his warranted (politely defending "Mo Xuanyu" in front of the Mo clan comes to mind). So yeah

HUFFLEPUFF!

Lan Jingyi

His brash and outgoing nature would make him a good gryffindor fit, certainly. However, the trait I associate with him the most is his nonconformity and that in a sect where that is highly unusual. He might not be as much of a social butterfly as Luba, but he still reminds me more of the kind of eccentricity associated with ...

RAVENCLAW!

Jin Ling

Now he's hard. Maybe because he postures a lot though that's something that's true for a lot of these characters. He tries to imitate his uncle but has non of the trauma to back it up, though he is an orphan and,in his position, probably pretty lonely which leads to the kind of breakdown we see him having over his confrontation with the person who killed his parents and he can't even really blame and so he just... crumbles. And non of that really helps me in my search for a house for him. I don't really see him as a Slytherin because while he loves to posture and play his privileges, he mostly crumbles under pressure and I don't think there's conviction behind it. He's certainly not sly either. Rabenclaw? Nah. I see neither outstanding amounts of eccentricity or wisdom. Gryffindor? Maybe. He's certainly impulsive. And he displayed bravery both in Yi City and even more so in the Guanyin temple where he had to face the fact that one of his uncles, the men who raised him, would kill him to achieve his goals. Still, what left the biggest impression on me was how, after his own world had just completely changed, he send his dog away because wwx would fear him. And how he then tried to get his uncle to talk to wwx. So I'd tentatively go with

HUFFLEPUFF!

Ouyang Zizhen

Another hard one because we don't know him very well in canon. But what we do know is that he is very emotional (passionate one might say) and has no qualms going against his father in a fit of teenage rebellion. I love him for it but that's not that much to go on. Both of these point to gryffindor however, so that's where he goes. :D

GRYFFINDOR!

So ... that's where I'll leave it. I know I missed the Yi city arc but it's getting late and I'm tired. 😅 If anyone wants to add them, feel free!

Congrats of you've made it this far down! :D

Please, do come and discuss these with me!

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hazel-writes · 3 years

Text

Summary: You embark on your first mission off-board the Finalizer, but only to learn that trouble tends to follow you no matter where you are...

Word Count: 2,800

Notes: Things are starting to pick up!

Warnings: strong canon-typical violence, blood

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

I think it's gonna be a long, long time

'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find

I'm not the man they think I am at home

Oh no, no, no

I'm a rocket man

• Rocket Man - Elton John •

This was your first time in the hangar since Ms. Stoney had rudely ushered you to your quarters on your first day onboard the Finalizer.

As you entered, you were once again faced with the great speckled wall of never-ending space. The scariness of its infinite expanse reminded you of the first time you ever saw the ocean.

You were ten. You and your family had traveled to a remote part of Lothal for your father’s birthday. He had been wanting a change of scenery to spark some new inspiration for his paintings and your mother had surprised him with the impromptu vacation.

You didn’t remember much from that trip, but you did recall your older brother, Doran, attempting to teach you how to swim.

“Move your arms like this, and your legs like this,” he said, demonstrating the correct movements.

You crossed your arms defiantly. “I still don’t understand why you want me to learn how to swim. We don’t live anywhere near the ocean!”

Doran’s eyes lit up. “Maybe someday you will. Maybe someday there’ll be a huge rainstorm and the whole world will flood, and you, thanks to me, will be the only person on Lothal who knows how to swim. You’ll escape, start your own civilization, and be queen of the new world.”

You raised a sceptical eyebrow. “So you’re saying, if I learn how to swim, I’ll become queen of the world?”

He smirked. “Precisely.”

You looked to your mother, still not fully believing him. “Ma, is that true?”

She shrugged. “Crazier things have happened.”

"Okay, fine. I’ll learn how to swim. But I don’t want to be queen.” You look out to the vast ocean, trying to find its end. “It would be much too lonely to rule the world on my own.”

As if on cue, you were pulled from your memory when the First Order’s own ruler entered the hangar, accompanied by General Hux and a brigade of stormtroopers.

The Commander and General made their way onto a small private shuttle, while the troopers entered a larger one to their left. You, Akilah, Takoda, Rilea, and Soren followed behind the troopers.

————————————

The ride to Dantooine was cramped and bumpy, but much shorter than you imagined it to be.

When the shuttle lowered its ramp for the troopers to exit, the view you were met with left you breathless.

Your eyes were embraced by a kaleidoscope of colors. Green hills framed small valley villages like nature’s very own picture frames. Blue skies provided the perfect backdrop. Pink and purple flowers dotted the rolling ground and ancient trees towered over them, almost protectively.

Takoda laughed, nudging you forward, “What, you’ve never seen a tree before?”

“Not like this,” you replied, awestruck.

He sighed, looking around, his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, I suppose this place is kinda special.”

You laughed. “You suppose? ”

Rilea appeared next to you. “Koda lived here for a while; he’s used to it’s ‘specialness’ by now.”

You turned back to Koda, surprised. “You lived here? On Dantooine?”

“Yep, a long time ago,” he sighed again.

This shocked you. “Even though there’s so many Resista-”

You are silenced midway through your question as General Hux began to speak to the group.

“All of you have your missions. This should be a quick, easy job. Myself and Commander Ren will be speaking with the leaders here. Troopers, only engage with citizens if absolutely necessary. If any resist violently, kill them. We will not waste our time on wannabe rebel scum.” He turned in your direction. “You five, distribute the posters and try not to get yourselves killed.” He pauses. “You are all dismissed.”

The crowd dispersed as you turned to face your team members.

“Well that was downright inspiring,” Soren quipped sarcastically.

Rilea scoffed, “ You’re one to talk, Mr. Melancholy.”

Soren rolled his eyes.

“So how does this work?” you asked, changing the subject.

“I think it’s best if we split up,” Rilea said, “We have a lot of ground to cover.”

“Sounds good!” Koda replied. “Meet back here in an hour?”

We all nod.

Akilah speaks up. “Just remember: keep your head down. Try to put up the posters when there aren’t too many people nearby. If you get into any trouble, run back here. Got it?”

We all nod again.

“Good. I’ll see you all in an hour,” she said before walking away.

You start in the opposite direction, towards a thick tree-line at the edge of the meadow that the shuttles landed in.

After walking for about twenty minutes, you came across some small buildings — a mix of houses, tiny shops, and public amenities.

You took out your stack of posters, pulled one off of the top, and taped it to the building closest to you.

Success.

You found another building with a white wall, pulled out a second poster, and had just started to put it up when you were approached by three men.

“What do you think you’re doing, First Order scum ?”

Why is it always me?

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.” You took a step back, smiling. “Just putting up some posters.”

The man nearest to you, who was sporting a floppy brown haircut, spoke next. “Posters… is that what you call ’em?” he laughed. “ We usually refer to them as First Order trash!”

He walked towards you, stumbling a little, and snatched the poster out of your hand before crumpling it into a ball.

The man smelled like alcohol and looking around, you noticed that the building you decided to tape your poster to was a cantina.

Great.

The man threw the crumpled-up poster in your direction and you stumbled backwards, dropping the rest of the posters on the dirt below.

“What a shame,” one of the other men said sarcastically. He wore a dark blue shirt that was ripped on one sleeve.

You attempt to stay calm. “Look, I don’t want any trouble — I’m just doing my job.”

“Ha!” the floppy-haired man scoffs, looking at his two comrades. “We’ve heard that one before, haven’t we boys?”

“Yeah!” the man with the ripped shirt shouted emphatically, “Were you ‘just doing your job’ when you murdered my brothers and sisters? When you destroyed our houses? When you stole our land and resources?”

You were lost for words. “I- I’m sorry. I truly am.”

“You really think I’m some bantha-brained idiot?” he replied, infuriated. “If you were ‘truly sorry’ you wouldn’t be putting up those posters.”

“I know, it’s just-”

The floppy-haired man spoke up again, a sinister smile on his lips. “You know what boys, I think we should give the Order a taste of their own medicine.”

You didn’t like where this was going. “Please, let me just-”

Before you could get another word out, the man had grabbed your arm roughly.

You tried to squirm out of his grasp, but he was too strong. You could try using your newfound powers, but you remembered what Commander Ren had told you: don’t reveal your Force abilities while on the mission.

Thinking quickly, you were able to bring your knee up to hit him where it hurt, and he stumbled back momentarily, cursing.

The other two men surged forward, slamming you into the wall behind you. Your head made contact with the hard surface and you saw stars.

Feeling dizzy and disoriented, your body slid to the ground, as the men began to search your pockets.

“What- what do you want?” you managed to choke out, still dazed from the impact on your head.

The man you had hit, having recovered from your blow, made his way back over to you.

“Shut up, you sithspit.”

His words spurred a surge of energy within you, and you did your best to grab and scratch at the hands that were searching your pockets, only to have the floppy-haired man backhand you, hard .

Your cheek stung, and so did your emotions. You felt angry. Hurt. Constricted. Frustrated. Trapped.

A familiar sixth sense began to build within you, begging to be released from your body.

No, no, no, you thought. Remember what the Commander said. Remember what he said. Don’t disappoint him. Not again.

You felt the sense within you retreat and you breathed a sigh of relief. Your head was pulsing to the painful rhythm of your panicked heart. You could feel blood seep from the spot on your cheek where the man had hit you.

The guy with the blue shirt, having found the credits you had brought along with you in case of emergency, shouted in victory.

“We’ll be having a big feast tonight, fellas!” he shouted, holding out your coins for them to see.

"Wait-” you started, knowing that without those credits, you’d be pretty much broke.

“What did I say, girl — shut your mouth!”

You felt a heavy boot make contact with your already nauseous stomach.

Your eyes glazed over, silent tears falling, as you curled into the smallest ball you could manage. It was what you did as a child whenever you heard the X-Wings and TIE fighters exchanging fire above your house.

Your ears suddenly picked up the sound of another pair of heavy footsteps approach from a nearby alley.

Through bleary eyes, you watched as each of your attackers were lifted off the ground and thrown into the wall opposite to you with sickening crunches.

You shuffled back as fast as you could, given your current state, not wanting to incur the wrath of whatever it was that approached you.

Your back hit a hard wall and you could do nothing more than shut your eyes and shield your head with your arms, preparing for the imminent attack.

“Stop.”

A voice sounded from in front of you.

A familiar voice.

“Commander,” you whispered, hoarsely.

He knelt down, his mask scanning your slumped body.

“You need medical attention,” he said, in his typical ‘stating a question as an order’ tone.

“Yes, I think you may be right,” you responded, letting out a pained chuckle.

He continued to stare at you, intently, through his visor. You began to feel a prickling at the back of your head, much like the time in Hux’s office. Except now, it was gentler — comforting. And this time, you embraced it, letting it in completely.

After a moment, the prickling stopped.

The Commander looked down for a moment, as if uncomfortable with what he was going to say next.

“You- you didn’t defend yourself,” he said in a tone you had never heard from him before. He sounded confused, conflicted.

“I tried,” you said, rubbing your hands, which were still sore from clawing at your attacker’s limbs.

“I meant with the Force,” he continued. “You felt prompted to do so with Hux, and yet with this more... threatening encounter, you refused.”

You gazed up at him, surprised that he didn’t already know the answer to his own question.

“You told me not to,” you said simply, looking at him, the corner of your mouth twitching upwards.

“And you would rather risk death than defy my orders?”

Finally, you thought. A genuine question.

“I trusted that the reasons behind your orders were important,” you replied, confident in your explanation.

He seemed taken aback by that. Maybe he wasn’t used to people following his orders because they ‘trusted’ him. Instead, he was probably used to them following his orders out of fear .

You started to stand, but your stomach reeled at the attempted movement. You sucked in a sharp breath of air through clenched teeth and put a hand on the wall behind you for stability.

Your head was spinning — you had hit it harder than you thought. Lights danced before your eyes, making it hard to see.

The Commander’s cloaked shape rose next to you, and as your eyes followed his movement, you realized you had almost forgotten how tall he was.

He reached a gloved hand towards you, slowing slightly when he got close, almost as if he was expecting you to flinch.

You didn’t.

He took that as a sign to continue his maneuver. Placing one arm below your shoulders and the other at the backs of your knees, he wordlessly lifted you off of the ground and into his arms.

You were on the brink of consciousness, but managed to whisper a final “thank you” before drifting into an unrestful sleep.

———————————

When you woke, you weren’t in your bed like before. You looked down, only to realize you were still in the arms of your Commander.

Slightly embarrassed at your vulnerable state, you closed your eyes and pretended to be asleep, as to avoid any potential awkwardness.

“I know you’re awake.”

Kriff.

You opened a hesitant eye and looked up at the source of the deep, rumbling voice, but his mask was pointed straight ahead, on the trees in front of him.

“Where are we?” you asked, your voice coming out hoarser than you wished it to.

Still looking forward, he responded. “We’re almost back to the shuttle.”

“Oh,” you replied.

A comfortable silence fell over the two of you; no noise was present other than the breeze blowing the leaves of nearby trees and the sound of the Commander’s boots crunching twigs and branches at a steady pace beneath you.

His walking slowed as you neared the edge of the tree line. You looked past it to see the larger meadow where the First Order shuttles were situated.

The Commander came to a complete stop and looked down at you quickly, before bringing his eyes back to the clearing ahead.

There was that strange emotion again: confliction.

He probably doesn’t want to be seen carrying me, you thought. Too much visible empathy isn’t good for his menacing reputation…

You decided to speak up first — making the decision for him. “You can let me down now, I’m fine.”

He shifted his glance downwards as you moved in his grip. However, instead of letting you go, as per your instructions, he maintained his tight hold.

You wished you could read his mind like he had read yours back on the Finalizer.

What was he thinking?

Why does he seem so conflicted all of a sudden?

Why is he helping you, again?

Suddenly, as if in response to your questions, waves of intense feeling washed over you.

Anger. Frustration. Confliction. Curiosity. Reluctance.

It took you a second to realize that these weren’t your feelings, they were his.

Shocked by your sudden intrusion into his mind, he looked at you, tilting his head slightly to the side, before guiding you to stand on your feet. The Commander remained silent as you leaned on a nearby tree for support.

He glanced between you and the shuttles, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

“Go,” you waved him in the direction of the meadow.

He didn’t move.

“Go,” you spoke again, softly, attempting a smile. “I understand.”

Seemingly content with your reply, he nodded his head slightly, and headed into the meadow, cape blowing in the breeze behind him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, you waited for five minutes, giving the Commander enough time to get to the shuttles before you followed.

The pain in your head, cheek, and abdomen increased, so you began to stumble into the meadow, hoping to make it to the shuttles before you passed out again.

Luckily, a familiar voice called your name.

“Guys, come on — I found her!” Akilah’s words sounded across the meadow.

Your exhaustion got the best of you, and you crumpled into the soft grass beneath you.

“Sor, come help me!”

You looked up to see Akilah’s worried face, followed by Soren’s confused one.

Koda and Rilea followed close behind, but Akilah soon directed them back towards the shuttle to warn the medical crew of your arrival.

She directed her attention back at you, smiling. “Here, hold on, we’ll get you back in no time. Sor, grab her other arm.”

You felt your body lift off the ground, Akilah holding up your left side and Soren holding up your right.

“Wait,” you spoke, barely a whisper. “I- I dropped the posters.”

Soren looked at Akilah. “Is she serious right now?”

“Umm… I’m really not sure,” she replied, frowning. “Could be a head injury.”

“We better get her back,” Soren replied, as the two of them helped you back to the shuttle.

They laid you on a makeshift bed and the on-board medic began attending to your injuries.

You used the last of your strength to lift your head slightly to search for Commander Ren, but he was nowhere to be found.

Dropping your head back onto the pillow, you closed your eyes, finally embracing the comforting darkness of sleep.

———————————————

Previous || Masterlist || Next

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aire101 · 4 years

Text

Ferrum Chapter 4

Hey y'all, got this chapter out a bit sooner than the last one!

For those who read the light novels of SAO this chapter will be kinda familiar, for those who have only watched the anime, this is the town where Kirito ran to after leaving Klein in Episode 1, and the quest where he got his Anneal Blade we see in the series.

Also, while I make no promises that it will make it into the story, I am open to suggestions on what kind of adventures or shenanigans you would like to see the boys get up to in SAO. As I've mentioned previously I don't really intend to get the boys mixed up too much in the main canon, so if there's an aspect of the SAO world in general you'd like to see explored outside of the main battles and Kirito's storyline I'm open to considering it. I'm also ok with interactions with known characters, just trying to avoid writing the whole Kirito centric Aincrad arc.

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

Activate-Vertical slash-hold

“Switch!”

1-2

“Switch!”

Defend-rage spike, upward strike—

“SWITCH!”

Peter fell back again, the post motion-delay that set in for a measly few seconds was nevertheless a highly vulnerable moment that he and Mr. Stark had figured out a work around for early on in their trek. The boars from Day 1 had been easy one hit kills, so they hadn’t noticed the system forced post-motion cool down period until they had been fighting on the road the next day. Their tag-team approach served them well, and best that Peter could tell from when they came upon other players in the wild, most of the rest had come to the same conclusion that they had. Because of that, it was unusual these days to find someone soloing in the pvp areas by choice.

Mr. Stark switched in with a strong horizontal slash, bringing the Little Nepenthe's HP down to zero.

“You know, I was never one for plants anyway, but after this quest I swear to god I will never put a single point into the gardening skill,” said Mr. Stark as he sheathed his sword.

“I’ve told you, green stuff is sadness and disappointment solidified,” replied Peter, following suit.

“I still expect you to eat your greens, kid.”

“It’s a tragedy, I tell you. Here we are, trapped in a fantasy game and every meal is still served with vegetables.”

“Yeah, that’s the real tragedy here.”

“I want my money back.”

“You weren’t even the one who bought the game. But either way, I’ll buy you every Playstation, X-Box, and Nintendo game ever in existence when we get back if you just never touch a full dive ever again,” said Mr. Stark, laughing.

And there’s Peter’s daily reminder that he still hadn’t informed Mr. Stark of the horrific truth of his situation.

“I think it’s time to call it a night, Underoos.”

“Is this quest even worth it? We’ve been out here for like three days weeding these things out. The drop rate on this thing is atrocious,” moaned Peter.

“From what our source says, this quest has one of the best weapons you can find on this floor as it’s reward. And while I’ve been funneling as many points as possible into weapon creation, its not quite where it needs to be to match that yet, so better to start with a good blade and just do the enhancement myself. Also, don’t think I didn’t notice that terrible pun, you should be ashamed.”

“Hey, there’s no shame in my pun game.”

Mr. Stark gave a deep sigh/groan before he turned and started walking back towards the direction of Horunka Village. He probably had rolled his eyes too, but it was impossible to tell through the helmet he always wore.

Night had long since fallen over Aincrad, and it had been dark in the forest even before that. Pale blue light slit through the trees overhead, lighting the path, but otherwise they made their way by memory and intuition. A breeze stirred up leaves from the ground, and Peter shivered slightly from the cool night air.

“Do you think its going to snow here in the winter?” asked Peter.

“If we’re all still here in the winter—which all signs point to yes— I think it will. We can see from the thunderstorm last week it has a functioning variable weather simulator. I wasn’t a part of that programing team obviously, so I don’t know for certain just how far that variable goes, but I would think the primary associated weather variations like rain, snow and heat waves will be included. It might also vary by floor. Probably won’t know the answer to that until we get a few floors opened up,” answered Mr. Stark.

“Huh… something to look forward to I guess,” said Peter.

“Why? You don’t get enough snow in Queens?” Mr. Stark said with a joking tone.

“Yeah, but you know in the real world I kinda have to be careful with the cold. My body temperature runs a bit cooler than the average, so unless I’m in the suit I try to keep exposure to a minimum. In here I can probably spend all day in it with out any trouble,” said Peter.

“I didn’t know that, actually,” said Mr. Stark, this time far more seriously. “You haven’t mentioned it, and I hadn’t thought about that at all.”

“Oh. Well, that built in heater and temperature regulator in the suit pretty much took care of the problem. It’s just something I have to keep in mind,” said Peter, awkwardly trying to cover his slip up. Obviously that had been a conversation they had some time after Mr. Stark’s last memory.

It had been almost two weeks since they had been locked in this game, and Peter was still no where close to figuring out how Mr Stark was even here. And he was equally no where closer to telling Mr. Stark the truth about the events in the real world— Thanos and the Infinity Stones, Mrs. Stark and Morgan, Mr. Stark’s death and Peter’s own—

“Anyway, we should definitely make a day of it once it does. I don’t know about you, but its been years since I built a snowman and I kinda want to change that,” said Peter, quickly diverting his thoughts.

“Sure, might as well. Not like we’re going anywhere fast in here. Though if you start singing Frozen songs I might reconsider.”

“You know, they’ve written out your entire life story in news articles and magazines, but they always leave out how much of a killjoy you are.”

“Whatever, kid. I’m the life of the party.”

“A retirement party, maybe.”

Mr. Stark threw the finger back over his shoulder at Peter and kept walking.

Peter was just just about to follow suit when out of the corner of his eye, the sight of polygons coalescing into a hazy form caught his attention.

It was obviously another Little Nepenthe, but above the typical hellish roots and vines and the bizarre, speckled pitcher plant topped with its gaping fanged mouth, was a large, blood red bloom.

Petter inhaled sharply, the sound causing Mr. Stark to spin around as well.

This was it. This is what they were looking for.

Before the creature could attack and he could second guess himself, Peter drew his sword and leapt in with a swift Horizontal Strike at the plant’s weak spot— the joint between the stalk and the pitcher.

The strike hit true, and before the evil hell plant got even a single chance to spew its corrosive liquids, it dissolved back into broken polygons, leaving behind nothing but the delicate flower holding the Ovule they had searched for.

“Whoa! You actually got one!”

Mr. Stark and Peter both spun around, swords raised. Behind them stood another player no older than Peter, with his arms now raised in a sign of surrender.

“Sorry! I was using my hide skill in here. It doesn’t really work on the Little Nepenthes, but it helps avoid other confrontations,” said the player.

Despite what they said, Peter took a good look around, searching for others. The timing and the seeming lack of a party giving good reason for concern. PKers lurking around valuable drop spots to attack and rob unsuspecting players of their loot wasn’t an uncommon thing in PvP games, and unfortunately not even a full two weeks in, SAO was no exception. In any other game, they may simply be considered griefers. But here, to the best of their knowledge it was nothing short of murder.

“Where’s the rest of your party?” asked Mr. Stark, not lowering his blade.

“Eh, I don’t really have one,” said the guy sheepishly

“Forgive me if I find that a little hard to believe,” said Mr. Stark. “Kid, do you see anyone else? Or are they hidden as well?”

“Look, there’s really no one else, its just me. People in here don’t really like my type,” said the guy, with a sad note in his voice.

“Oh…” said Mr. Stark, voice now tinged more compassion than aggression. “You’re a beta tester, aren’t you kid?”

The guy flinched, but nodded. “Please, I promise I’m just doing some light grinding in the area. There’s no one else, and I already have the quest item.”

Mr. Stark didn’t sheath his sword, but he gave a nod and backed away.

“Alright, good luck then,” he said.

The other player nodded in return, turned and walked back into the woods.

“Pocket the ovule quick and keep an eye out. Don’t sheath your sword until we get back into town,” said Mr. Stark before he began running back in the direction of Horunka village.

Peter slipped the item into his inventory and easily kept pace with the other man. After a few minutes of running, Peter finally spoke up, “Do you think he was telling the truth? Pretty surprising he freely admitted to that. For all he knows we could have been Beta Killers.”

“If we had killed someone our player cursors would still be orange. It is unusual though. He must have figured it was worth the risk to try and get us to back off,” said Mr. Stark. “Poor kid, as if being stuck in this game wasn’t bad enough, having to hide a beta status from other players…”

Just as Mr. Stark had expected that first day, it didn’t take long before the terrified and angry masses started looking for someone to blame. And with Kayaba disappearing into the digital ether, apparently the scapegoats they chose were the 700 or so beta testers who had logged in with the rest that day. According to most pub talk, the beta testers had left the rest of the players in the dust of the Town of Beginnings, getting through the most lucrative quests and hunts before most even dared to leave the city. They were condemned as selfish and greedy, and were therefore persona non-gratis in most parties. Even worse were the stories of betas being outright murdered and monster PK’d. Out of the almost 1000 players who were already dead about two weeks in, around 150 had been beta testers. A staggering amount given how few of them there had been. Plenty had undoubtedly met their end due to the game itself, but many had ended up victims of angry mobs.

Peter didn’t understand it. Yeah, the beta testers had more info and experience than the rest, but they had shared much of that info on the internet before the game even began. Then after a few days in game, vendor markets began carrying a free SAO Guide booklet created by someone called ‘The Rat’, who had clearly made and circulated the original file Ned had uploaded to the Nervegear. Almost anything you could want to know was available. It was how they had learned of this quest in the first place.

“Hey Ferrum, why do people have to suck so bad?” asked Peter, mostly rhetorically.

“If I had the answer to that, I wouldn’t have been a weapons manufacturer.”

After a few minutes of running they finally crossed over into the town Safe Zone. Horunka was a small village, with only about ten buildings in all. One of which was the house of the NPC who gave the quest, and their current destination.

As they walked down the road towards the house, several parties milled about, clearly having just returned from their own hunts. A couple eyed the two of them as they walked through.

“Looks like someone finally managed to snag an ovule. Lucky bastards…” someone muttered.

“Who actually wears a helmet in this game?” said another.

“Yikes, imagine being stuck in here with your dad…”

Overhearing that last line caused Peter’s face to flush, which given its digital nature was just plain unfair. Did they have to be that thorough?

No bigger than the town was, they were soon standing in the living area of the house. The lady of the house whom they had met previously still stood stirring a pot of simmering liquid, her expression drawn and tired. The only thing that about her that gave her away as an NPC rather than a player was the exclamation mark hovering above her head in the place of a player cursor, indicating a quest in progress.

“Go on, kid,” said Mr. Stark, staying by the door.

Peter slowly approached. Even knowing that the woman was an NPC, it still felt rude to just barge into the house without invitation. He brought up is inventory and took out the ovule, handing it out to her to take.

Immediately her face brightened, and Peter couldn’t help but wonder just how developed the NPC AIs were. Were they simple rudimentary ones like most games? Or were they more like Mr. Stark’s AIs? Was she aware of what she was?

“Oh, thank you so much, kind swordsman! My daughter has only grown worse since we last spoke, I was beginning to worry she may not make it till your return,” she said, taking the ovule from my hand and adding it to the pot.

I saw my quest log update to the left of my view, but I was distracted by the sound of deep coughs coming from further in the house.

“Here, this blade has been passed down in my family for generations, but I gladly trade it in exchange for your aid saving my child’s life. Take it with my blessing,” said the lady, pulling a blade encased in a worn red sheath from an old trunk. With both hands she extended it out to me to take, a smile still on her lips, tears of gratitude sparkling in her eyes.

“Thank you,” said Peter, perhaps unnecessarily, but old habits die hard.

The lady nodded in response and went back to stirring the pot in the kitchen. The quest was complete.

In the center of his field of vision, Peter received a message declaring as much, along with one noting the EXP points gained.

“Alright, let’s head back to the inn and get some grub and call it a night,” said Mr. Stark, holding the door open for him.

Behind them the lady did not acknowledge them at all, but began carefully ladling the contents of the pot into a cup. Peter wondered if somewhere inside there really was a little NPC girl the lady tended to day in and day out, forever trying to alleviate an illness she was created to suffer through.

As Peter walked through the doorway out into the night, he thought back to Aunt May. Back to when he always seemed to catch whatever bug was going around at the time. She may not be the best cook, but one thing she had down pat was chicken noodle soup. She would stand over a pot in the kitchen just like the NPC had, cooking up a big batch that he could easily heat up through out the day when he felt up to eating. Their finances being what they were, she and Ben could not always get out of work so easily, if at all. They did their best to schedule their work so one could be there with him, but sometimes the overlap just wasn’t quite there. Fortunately, a little old lady all the apartment kids called Nana lived a couple doors down from them and was usually content to be on call for kids who needed it.

He wondered what Aunt May was doing right now. Was she sitting beside his hospital bed, holding his hand, but he couldn’t feel it? Were they literally in the same room with each other, but worlds apart? Would she talk to him like she used to when she thought he was sleeping, hoping against everything that he could somehow hear her? What would she say? They had only just started finding their new normal when this happened…

He looked down at this hands, but all he could feel was the weight of the sword he still held.

Tears came, unbidden and unwanted.

If that bastard was going to lock them in this prison, the least he could have done was not code in visual emotion effects.

“Awww… look at the little boy crying,” mocked one of the players outside the inn as they passed.

“Don’t be an asshole, Derrig. You cried for two days straight when this shit started,” said one of his party members, while slapping the offender on the back of the head.

“You ok, Peter?” asked Mr. Stark quietly. “I would offer to go beat the shit out of that guy, but not sure if its worth a duel.”

“No, don’t do that. I’m alright,” said Peter. “Let’s just get up to the room.”

“You go on up, I’ll order some dinner to be delivered,” said Mr. Stark.

Peter nodded. They pretty much always ate in a room so that Mr. Stark could remove his helmet. Occasionally Peter wished they could eat with the other players, just to visit with someone else for a change. This wasn’t one of those nights.

Once in their room, Peter quickly removed most of his gear, leaving only his breaches and his tunic. The sword he placed on the table.

Apparently the sword was called ‘Anneal Blade.’

Peter fell back into a chair, letting his head roll back, closing his eyes.

In the real world, he would undoubtedly be able to hear every conversation going on in the rooms around them, as well as whatever hubbub was going on in the main room downstairs. But in here there was naught but silence. It had taken him a bit to get used to not hearing literally everything going on around him. He hadn’t realized just how much noise he was used to constantly filtering through in his day to day life until it was completely removed. He had thought he would love not having to deal with his extra sensitive senses, but come to find out it was pretty anxiety inducing to have them taken away, like an extended bout of sensory deprivation.

If only he had never put on that Nervegear. If he had told Ned that maybe they should wait until the next round of production of SAO to get into the game, let them get the bugs worked out.

Except…

The door opened, and in came Mr. Stark and two plates of whatever today’s special was downstairs.

“They were pretty busy down there, so I just brought it up myself. Figured I’d listen in on a pub talk a minute and see if any news has been circulating,” Mr. Stark said, setting down the plates.

“Did you hear anything interesting?” asked Peter.

“Not much. But one group did mention that there were some rumors floating around about a Log-Out point in a forest west of the Town of Beginnings. No one going in has come out alive though, and the Rat has been trying to get word out that the information is false and didn’t come from her,” said Mr. Stark, sitting in the chair opposite.

“Ugh, that sucks,” said Peter. “What’s the point in starting a rumor like that anyway?”

“Some people get their kicks in screwed up ways, kid. It’s as simple as that.”

The lapsed into silence as they ate their meal. But eventually Peter noticed Mr. Stark looking up at him.

“What?” asked Peter.

“Wanna talk about it?”

Peter swallowed and shook his head, “Not much to talk about. Was just thinking about Aunt May.”

Mr. Stark nodded, “I’m not going to say she’s doing fine, because we both know that’s probably a lie. But I will say that she’s a strong woman, and I know as soon as we get out of here she will be right there waiting for you with some awful attempt at baked food and the world’s longest hug.”

Peter gave a laugh as tears began to spring up again.

“You’re definitely right. Thanks, Mr. Stark.”

“Look kid,” said Mr. Stark with a sigh. “I know you enjoy watching me squirm, but I would really appreciate it if you would switch to just ‘Tony.’ For one thing, there’s millions of Tonys in the world, but with the right info out there the name ‘Mr. Stark’ might become a bit suspicious eventually. We’ve just been calling me by my user name outside of our room, and that’s worked out alright, but eventually you might slip. And given my track record on secret identities, we should probably do everything possible to avoid scrutiny as long as possible.”

“Dude, you never had a secret identity. As soon as Iron Man became a thing you outed yourself on live television,” said Peter with a caustic tone.

“Whatever, my point still stands,” said Mr. Stark, waving off Peter’s remark.

“Does it though?”

“Yes, please, please start calling me Tony.”

“It really bugs you, doesn’t it?” asked Peter with a laugh. “Why?”

Honestly, when he asked he had expected Mr. Stark to blow off the question and change the subject. Because in the real world— back before the Decimation— every time they’d had this conversation and he had asked, that was ultimately what Mr. Stark did.

This time however, a tense silence met his question.

“Growing up, Howard was always ‘Mr. Stark.’”

There was a pause, as if he was unsure whether to continue, or how.

“Pretty much everyone on earth calls me ‘Mr. Stark.’ And that’s who they see— billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, wanna-be hero, narcissist, hedonist. That’s by design. It’s what everyone expected from me—being my father’s son— and I rose to the occasion. There’s only a handful of people who have gotten past ‘Mr. Stark’ and made it to ‘Tony.’ At this point, I’d like to think you’re one of them who has.”

Peter sat in quiet shock. Then slowly his heart filled up to the brim with something warm and sad, until he felt he could have burst.

There were a million things he felt, and only a few he could say. But only one he felt needed to be said right then.

“Ok… Tony. But I don’t want to hear you call yourself a wanna-be hero again. Because you are a hero. To everyone… but especially me.”

Tony didn’t reply for a moment, but eventually settled on a nod.

“Alright, deal,” Tony finally said, turning back to his food.

The got a few more bites in before Tony spoke again.

“I’m thinking of skipping on meals for a while. I’m kinda curious how long it takes to actually start feeling hungry in here.”

Peter looked at him confused, “What do you mean? You haven’t been hungry? Like at all?”

Tony blinked at him, “No, you mean you have?”

“Uh, yeah… several times a day usually.”

“Huh… maybe its because of your real world metabolism bleeding through. But no, haven’t felt it at all yet. Seems like a waste of Cor for me to buy meals if I haven’t actually been hungry,” said Tony, finishing up the last bite of his roast. “Not to say that its a wasted experience. They did a pretty remarkable job on this coding. But it would probably be better to save what money we can for now.”

Peter nodded, turning back to his own plate, but could only bring himself to push the food around a little, his stomach suddenly a bit queasy. Perhaps Tony was right, and it was just because of his RL body needs…

He’d talk to a few other players about their experience. Just to be sure.

“So, ‘Anneal Blade,’ huh?” said Tony, looking over the sword still laying on the table. He brought up its specs to analyze.

“Yeah, not exactly sure what the name is about. I mean, I know about the annealing process in biochemistry. I studied it a bit after the spider bite. But not sure how that would really apply to a sword,” said Peter.

“It was originally a process to remove impurities and harden iron for weapons. That’s where scientists originally pulled the term from that they used for the DNA process,” said Tony offhand, still reading through the sword’s numbers and looking it over in his hands. “The sword is as good as the guide implied. It should definitely hold up for you for a good while. Especially once I can start enhancements on it. Looks like we can attempt up to eight.”

“Does that mean we need to put a blacksmith’s forge on the shortlist?” asked Peter.

“Nah, I still have a few levels before we need to worry about that. Still, like I said, it is probably a good idea to start pinching pennies where we can. Jesus, I haven’t had to save money since that time my old man cut me off for a while back in college. This sucks.”

“Welcome to how the other 99.9% live,” said Peter, not an ounce of sympathy in his voice.

Tony shrugged, “Karma is definitely a bitch.”

“This isn’t karma. You’re just a spoiled brat.”

Tony stuck out his tongue, just like the mature adult he was.

Peter laughed, “Exactly. I’m calling it a night. We good to head out in the morning?”

“Yup, heading west from here to grind a bit on some of the higher level forest mobs. We’ll see where we end up after that.”

Peter nodded. Where ever they went and whatever they faced, they would do it together. They’d make it through this.

Even without his spider powers and Tony’s money, they were still Spider-man and Iron Man. Kayaba couldn’t take that away from them.

2 notes · View notes

d-pennants · 4 years

Text

Spoilers for the Dragon Prince Season 4 and beyond.

My collated notes of all the hints about what is coming up in the Dragon Prince, from interviews, AMA, ComicCon panels. Updated with stuff from Through the Moon.

There will be 7 seasons of 9 episodes each total and possibly some side projects. The story will be in three arcs with a time skip between the arcs. Books 4 & 5 makes up the next arc, which may be called the Mystery of Aaravos. Book 4 is Earth.

Side projects have been confirmed to all be part of canon and include a video game set in Xadia, an tabletop RPG game called Tales of Xadia, a possible feature film of the Orphan Queen and a possible side story set during the reign of Sol Regem featuring Sir Phineas the Cursed and his travelling companion an elf professor Delilah Geel (Who wrote the Secrets of Xadia book).

The video game was in play testing in October 2020, and Wonderstorm was still hiring staff to work on it. After S3 came out they said there was going to be an announcement about the game in 2020, but things may have been delayed due to Corvid.

Through the Moon graphic novel is set between seasons 3 and 4. It feature’s Rayla, Callum and Ezran having returned to Katolis and receiving a request from Lujanne to go the Moon Nexus for a ritual at new moon and bring Phoe-Phoe’s ghost feather. While there Rayla seizes the opportunity to use the lake’s power as a portal between life and death to try an answer the questions that have been plaguing her about the fate of her parents, Runaan and whether Viren is truly dead.

There will also be a second graphic novel set between seasons 4 & 5.

Reminder - stuff said in interviews, AMA & so forth is subject to the team changing their mind when it comes to actually putting stuff in the show or books. They’re still planning things out. So take things as “the current idea is this, but we’ll see how it pans out”

There’s no word on how long the time skip between season 3 and 4 will be, however, Through the Moon starts 3 days before new moon and S3 ended 2 days after full moon, which is only 11 days. About 17 days pass in TTM. The Tales of Xadia TRPG is also going to fit in between these season too. AE said a vague ‘lots of weeks.’

Season 4 will include the hero trio trying to address how to heal and start to change things in the world, however there are scars history has left that will impede them. Aaravos will bring those scars to bear, though the creator did say that Aaravos himself didn’t cause those scars, he ‘brought it out’ in the people who did.

There’s a big theme of understanding what’s happened in the past and how it affects what’s happening now. Questioning what their fore-bearers have done, admitting fault and forgiving mistakes. (BTW, this is on both human and Xadian sides).

“Ezran is the key to everything.” Ezran’s empathic ability will allow him to play a role in the world no other can as he can connect to non-human beings. Though the circumstances of S1-3, who his parents are and his strong compassion, Ezran is in a unique position to cause real change.

Callum will learn more Sky magic spells well as obsessing to work a connection to another arcanum - he is dedicated to being the best mage he can be. Callum will always have a conflict between what do you want to do with magic and what will you do for magic. One hint given is that Callum cannot perform healing with his Sky magic. On an Instragram Live AE admitted he was trolling a bit, but said a betting person would pick Callum being the first human archmage. On an AMA there was a hint that historically there may have been elves that learned a second arcanum. (However, interview stated Aaravos’ mastery of all the primals is just him - he’s special).

Callum’s ‘destiny’ is tied in with the Key of Aaravos Rune Cube. It will be very important coming up. The Key is being pulled towards a location in Xadia. The closer it is to the location, the stronger the pull. (Reminder - it previously belonged to Aaravos and unlocks a great power in Xadia). In Callum’s Spellbook it says that once Zym has been returned Callum intends to find out what the Key does and make Harrow proud.

Writers have been very cagey about whether Callum being able to learn an arcanum means other humans can. “Callum learning Primal magic means that Callum learned Primal Magic.”

They’ve referred to him as the first human to learn an arcanum. However, another interview indicates that humans may have been able to connect to the primal sources in the past - thus Callum relearned something that has been forgotten for over a thousand years

Are non-magical species able to evolve into one that can use magic?

JR: There have been humans long in the past that could have AE: Yeah, right JR: They’re like [waves hand], but modern day he’s a phenomena. Like nothing is done like this no longer. AE: Yeah, I mean if Callum is developing the ability to do Primal magic do you believe that Callum is special because he’s the only human who’s able to do it or do you believe that that Callum is special because he’s the first human in forever to realise it is possible for humans. You know that kind of a little bit the question - I mean he’s special either way and right, but is he special because he’s realising that that maybe those limitations weren’t true or is he an exception to to this limitation.

Cartoon Universe interview

Though they did point out there’s not been much incentive in the last 1000 years for humans to learn Primal magic, given that Dark magic is both easier to use and more powerful.

Rayla will have an inner conflict about her future as a Moonshadow elf that she needs to figure out. Including how being friends with humans and wanting to be a protector rather than the assassin she was raised to be will affect her relationships with her people. (Plus, the whole being ghosted and ghosted parents issue needs to be addressed). Update info from TTM: Rayla ends TTM by going on a quest by herself to locate Viren. Her clues are the Storm Spire, a cave and... a giant cocoon.

There is an unspecified but important storyline involving Runaan. But the coins will get addressed at some point.The coins would require very powerful magic to release the trapped elves and it may not be possible for Primal magic. However, Viren is capable of releasing people he has coined. Also, Rayla knows something happened to her parents, but doesn’t specifically know about the coins. Viren showed Rayla a pouch and mentioned adding her to his collection. AMA answer suggests Callum didn’t see what Viren did in the history spell - he just know Viren did something to Rayla’s parents. TtM seems to confirm Callum’s spell didn’t show that part. Whether Gren saw Runaan in the coin seems up to debate - in the novel he knew Viren used magic on Runaan came out holding something small, like a button or coin. (PS. They also confirmed Runaan slew Harrow, and Harrow is dead dead).

Soren has a complicated future ahead of him as he’s lost the only support system he’s known his whole life. He has a lot to learn and many places to go.

Claudia is going to get a lot worse and there’s a long way to go for her, though they did hint that there’s hope for her in the end. Her motivation is love and family, not power. However, she is willing to go to great sacrifices for her family... Also, her hair will get whiter.

“When we get back to her in Season 4, there is some amazing stuff, just in the first few episodes, which by the way are also funny and quirky and all the things we’ve come to love about the character, but she becomes a very critically important driving force of the narrative in Season 4.”

Inverse interview.

It will be explained in S4 how Claudia was able to perform the resurrection spell. It hasn’t been used previously because she either a) didn’t know it - as in Aaravos taught her it - or b) didn’t have what was necessary to cast the spell.

The story about how Claudia managed to find a supposedly extinct for a 1000 years unicorn and capture it will be addressed in S6.

According to Claudia’s VA - Racquel Belmonte - Claudia will likely have a protege dynamic with Aaravos. She will change her mind a bit on disliking all elves and open up a bit on seeing Viren’s connection to Aaravos.

They have a backstory about why Viren treats Soren so harshly compared to Claudia (though he’s manipulative of both), though it’s not indicated when this backstory will be shown. New info from the book said that Viren used dark magic to save Soren from dying of an illness. This ravished his appearance and whatever he did scared his wife, Lissa, into leaving him. Also Viren wanted a son who would carry on his path and is disappointed Soren isn’t like him. Viren feels some resentment towards Soren that he refuses to acknowledge.

AMA confirmed that Lissa will not be making an appearance in S4 or 5. There is a possibility she may be included in S6, but it’s just a potential idea. Early mage fam life involving Lissa will come up in the novels. (BTW she currently lives in Del Bar and was in no danger from the smoky assassin as she has nothing to do with the leadership of Del Bar)

Viren became a bit of a card carrying villain in season 3, however in season 4 & 5 some of the complexities behind his actions will be revealed. (His VA said that Viren had understandable reasons in S1 & 2, but was a villain in S3, however, he’s happy with how S4 & 5 will develop Viren. Also he gave a strong hint that Viren will have a kind of “fresh start” thing going on, and “do a 180″, and his story is apparently kinda wild).

Viren and Aaravos: Viren didn’t take Runaan’s warning that “you found something worse than death” seriously enough. Viren is ‘in hot water’ in his dealings with Aaravos. The question over time would be - “Wait, am I making my own choices or am I being led to choices you wanted me to make, Aaravos?”

This current era will be known as the Return of Aaravos. Apparently in S4 & 5 Aaravos is going to be very... mysterious. In fact the arc could be called The Mystery of Aaravos.

“The next two seasons are about understanding who Aaravos was, who they thought Aaravos was, how they realized what was happening, and imprisoned him.”

This is tied into the Orphan Queen storyline, for more info see this post. Parts of this storyline will feature in flashbacks S4 onwards.

A lot of Aaravos’ motivation comes from a relationship he had with a character whose name is featured on the map from the novel. (Candidates are Skall’s Hook, Ruins of Elarion, Mount Kalik and Eboreus. They said on a Q&A that Elarion wasn’t referring to a person, just the city).

Aaravos has a speech coming up in S5 that explains about the history of magic and why he’s interested in humans. Summed up - Over 5000 years ago there was only one kind of magic, deep magic, and it was very difficult to wield, then something happened that split magic into the 6 Primals Source and gave every creature and plant a connection to one of the 6 Primal Sources, which were much more practical magics. Except humans.

When asked what was coming out of the cocoon an interviewer gave “Aaravos’ physical form” and some jokes options. Ehasz replied, “I’m gonna say none of the… well, I’m not gonna say.” TtM update: In the world between life and death the cocoon held a corrupted version of Viren - a month after Viren was resurrected at the end of S3. Rayla says Viren is caught between life and death, but in the living world.

Janai is Queen Khessa’s heir, so she should be the next Sunfire Queen. Janai also has a brother. (Sunfire elves also have a Light Being form with healing powers that’s even rarer than the beserker Heat Being form. This fact has come up a couple of times so they’re likely going to introduce a character with this form - could be Janai’s brother).

Janai will find out that Aaravos whispered something in Khessa’s ear before he killed her.

Also on Amaya and Janai:

Also, they did a reveal page for Janai's mount, a Twin-Tailed Inferno-Toothed Tiger, with some interesting info. These flying firecats are believed to only tolerate those of pure-heart and aggressive to those of ill-intent. You can't give a factoid like that and not use it somewhere.

Tales of Xadia will feature storyline content that bridges the gap between Season 3 and the newly-announced Season 4 of The Dragon Prince,” according to Fandom’s press release. “Players can explore the ruins of Lux Aurea, try to restore the corrupted Sunforge, and fight to stop the spread of the evil monstrosities it radiates. This off-screen story will come alive in game supplements—as well as in organized play events—prior to Season 4’s release.

Forbes

Sol Regem will be in season 4. (No character makes me think of “scars of the past” more than this character. He is not going to be interested in reconciliation between Xadia and humanity).

There will be a new elf character - Terry the Earthblood elf. Has similar powers to Toph from Avatar tLA and is said to be very funny. For reference this Earthblood elf is from Callum’s Spellbook;

Also a new dragon in season 4 - Rex Igneous (Fire King) the Earth Archdragon, who lives underground but comes up every hundred years. He’s appeased by food he hasn’t tried before (looking at Ezran and his jelly tart habit here);

They mentioned that both Earthblood and Tidebound elves will be introduced in seasons 4 & 5.

There’s another archdragon who has been mentioned at SDCC and in the novel, Luna Tenebris, who reigned between Sol Regem and Avizandum.. Ehasz said that the end of her reign is being explored in S4, but no current intentions to explore the beginning.

JR mentioned that the territory of the Skywing elves will be visited at some point, and how having a small portion of the population that has wings, and a even smaller population that can magically manifest wings, has an affect on their culture. (The three types apparently have different outlooks - with winged elves being known for moving on when they don’t care to deal with things).

They’ve mentioned a character that will be introduced in the video game will make it into the show. AE & JR were talking about how they were currently writing stuff for S5 and how this character just got their moment, so I think this character is due in S5.

Core novel Book 2: Sky will introduce a very important Dark Mage character not yet featured on the show.

Also, as a tidbit from AE - there’s a scene in S5 where someone makes a sacred promise to Bait.

Sarai will feature in the show again. AMA confirmed Callum’s father is “fully human.” His father may come up in the novels.

In the novel new lore about unicorns was introduced. This lore will be incorporated into the show at some point.

The reactions to elf/human romantic relationships will be a thing.

Aanya will be featured again. Ezran and Aanya will be friends.

Queen Fareeda of Evenere actually survived the smokey assassin’s attack - she just went missing for a bit. Her story may come up later on.

Captain Villads and Berto are likely to be featured again, but not confirmed.

They do have some stories about Callum’s father they want to tell, but it’s likely to be in books rather than making it into the show.

Crow Master has scenes coming up. The Crow Lord is real but that’s all they’re gonna say.

Some very epic beings will eat jelly tarts in the show.

And a finishing note to put the fear in you - possible major character death.

PS. It has been confirmed that Rayla, Callum, Zym (and Bait) are the main characters for all seven seasons, so this leaves... Soren, Claudia, Viren and Amaya.

#tdp lore #tdp speculation #spoilers #tdp season 4 speculation #the dragon prince #long post #tdp spoilers #my notes

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nautiscarader · 5 years

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Starco Week Day 5 - Double Date

So, I only yesterday learned the @starco-week 5 is now, and the Double Date prompt would be perfect for two of my favourite couples I could see in a crossover happen: Starco and Wendip from Gravity Falls.

Also, this takes place in my “There is no such thing as canon” verse. So, the finale was a bit different, magic is still there, since, come on. That was like half the show.

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Wendip/Starco, 3.5k words written in a single sitting what the what, G/T

(Ao3)

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As wind blew through his hair, Dipper Pines clutched to the green shirt of his girlfriend, trying not to fall from the steed he was riding, and wondered if the last twenty or so minutes of his life was real. Wendy Corduroy let out a loud "Yee-haw" and kicked the creature underneath their bottoms with her thick shoes, which only made it go faster through the sparkling, almost illusory-looking tunnel.

But perhaps more bizarre than the muscular unicorn they were riding was the second one next to them, occupied by two equally odd teenagers. The boy had short, black hair, and was mounting the steed with much more confidence than Dipper. The girl with long, blonde hair on the other hand, not only was standing on the unicorn's back, but from time to time grew wings and flew next to them shooting spells from her hands.

Dipper pines swallowed, and as the tiny bit of chilli brushed his taste-buds, he remembered that it all started with a date.

Wendy wasn't that keen on California. It was a huge, crowded, cosmopolitan state, so different from the peaceful Oregon she grew up in. Well, as peaceful as Gravity Falls could be. But then again, the Pines twins were visiting her every Summer, and also every Winter since she started dating Dipper, so it only seemed fair she visited Piedmont. But Dipper and Mabel's home town was merely a pit-stop on a tour around the state in Dipper's first car, an older but still reliable pontiac Wendy christened "Bad-mobile".

Dipper deliberately picked the route to Los Angeles with as many stops next to vast national parks as he could, just to give his girlfriend a taste of her home town, and acquired a few warnings from park rangers when Wendy tried climbing sequoias (they weren't brave enough to issue a fine to a woman with large sharp weapon).

Once they got to the LA, though, things got complicated, and the couple got lost in the myriad of smaller towns, leading them to a serene, seemingly quiet place called Echo Creek.

- Don't worry, dude. - Wendy spoke, eating a taco and ruffling Dipper's hair, as he continued shuffling through his pocket map. - I'm sure you'll find it... - I knew there was a road here, to the Mariposa Falls... But it looks as if it disappeared! - he exclaimed, and begun munching on his burrito. - Maybe call Ford and tell him you've got a case of runaway road. - she chuckled. - Come on, Wendy...

The chestnut-haired boy fell defeated onto the vast paper map and groaned into it.

- I wanted to make this date special... - he whispered - And instead, we're lost and we're eating fast-food... - Damn good fast food, Dip. - Wendy added, but that didn't seem to cheer him up.

She scooted towards him and laid her head onto the map. Her nose touched Fresno, his, quite appropriately, Lost Hills.

- Hey. - she spoke, meeting his eyes. - Hey. - Dipper, you don't need to make it special, man. This trip is already cool... - But I have to, it's our anniversa-

But before he finished saying the rest of the word, *something* let out a mighty roar behind them. Thinking a falling sequoia might have followed them, they turned around, and instead, they found a glowing, bright red portal swirling in the sky, just above the little fast-food place.

The unmistakable, bright red aura froze Dipper and Wendy's blood in their veins. Their trembling hands automatically found each other and their fingers entwined, when they realised their worst nightmare, the ones they, and a hundred or so people in the world still had till this day, was coming true. The worst part was, not many people seemed to have notice it, or cared.

- He's... He's back... - Dipper cried, looking into the flaming whirlpool of smoke in the sky, and tears begun flowing down his cheek.

But he wasn't. Instead of a demon, something much, much different came out of the hole. A glowing, black horse rushed out of the portal, trampling one unused table, and galloping down the nearest street, evading cars without much care.

- Don't you guys see what's going on?! - Wendy cried to the customers, much more interested in their meals - Run away, go find some shelter! - Eh, it's not so bad - a middle-aged woman replied, licking off mustard from her finger - You should have been here last month, young lady, they were so rowdy then.

Dipper and Wendy exchanged bewildered looks.

- Who was?

As if to answer the question, another loud noise reached their ears, when a stampede of bright, yellow unicorns, big and small, galloped through the portal, closing it behind. But there was a key difference this time. Someone was riding them.

- Catch that Warnicorn! - the woman commanded, jumping into air and flying on her wings, while a young man in red hoodie took her place, steering the lightning-fast creature.

Wendy and Dipper marvelled at the two, and only a distant shriek told them they have missed one unicorn aiming their way.

- Wendy, watch out!

Dipper pushed his girlfriend out of the way, but not quick enough to evade colliding with the oncoming monster. He looked at Wendy, saw he was safe, and in the split of a second he had left, closed his eyes.

- Dipper! - A paralysing shriek filled his ears, before a loud, neighing noise muffled it completely.

But when Dipper Pines opened eyes, he realised he wasn't dead. Or at least if he was, he hasn't finished dying yet. He was bouncing up and down on the back of the creature, and as he looked back, he saw one person he didn't want to risk her life for his.

Wendy Corduroy jumped on the nearest tour bus and followed the magical stampede, until she was close enough to reach her hand to him.

- Hold on! - she shrieked, as the bus manoeuvred around cars and unicorns alike, losing balance every few seconds.

Dipper reached his hand, seeing Wendy's face getting bigger and bigger, but just when she was about to catch him, the railing she was holding onto broke, and she fell to the road underneath her.

- Wendy!

But once again, something seemed to have pushed her back, and when Wendy realised she hasn't lost all of her teeth and her life, she found out she was flying on a purple, cloud.

- Hello, I don't think we've met yet!

A purple, *talking* cloud.

Wendy raised her head, and saw where it came from. The same woman that was commanding the unicorn army was flying a few dozen feet above her, her six arms pointing vaguely towards her. Only then, when she got to her senses, she heard Dipper's voice.

- Wendy! Here!

Sitting in a much more comfortable position, Dipper offered his help this time, and the cloud flew Wendy to her boyfriend, letting him secure her on the magical horse's back. The two pulled each other into a deep kiss, until they remembered that they were still riding a wild, unknown magical animal.

- Hey, you two, grab onto your warnicorn!

A new voice reached them from their right, and they were welcomed by the dark-haired man they only saw a blur of before. He was smiling and as he steered his unicorn closer to theirs, he reached his hand towards them.

- I assume you're tourists? - he asked, as if the situation was absolutely normal. - Name's Marco Diaz. And I'm gonna guess you're riding a warnicorn for the first time?

Wendy and Dipper, clutching each other for their life, exchanged confused looks and nodded.

- Don't worry, we're gonna get you out of there in a mo. Star! - he shouted to the levitating girl above him. - Not now, Marco, I nearly got him! - We've got company!

Star Butterfly turned around and only now saw the woman was joined with a man next to her. She looked at the Black warnicorn getting away, groaned and flew towards the stowaways. She put her six hands forward, making the whole herd slow down, until Wendy and Dipper understood they were no longer in danger of getting trampled or fall to the nearby road.

- Well, thanks, guys, now he's gone! - she fumed. - But I guess you're alive. So, get off of mr Nibblepants, and let the professionals take the case. - Er, thanks, but who are you...? - Wendy raised her brow, watching as wings and four additional hands retract into the young woman's body. - I'm Star Butterfly... - ... magical princess from another dimension, future queen of Mewni, Destroyer and Saviour of Magic, and winner of the Most Radical Dress competition Two-k-Nineteen... - Marco added, seemingly an often-repeated phrase - ... and in case you haven't noticed, we're chasing a Dark Warnicorn! A creature of pure dark magic. - And we ride the light ones - Marco added, stroking the mane of his steed, grazing on fake grass - We're the good guys, I suppose. It's kinda cliché, honestly. - Hey, if that thing's escaped, we can help you catch it. - Wendy was quick to counter Star, hearing a note of superiority in her voice. - Oh yeah? May we see your W.C.s? - C.V.s, Star, C.V.s - Marco whispered.

Dipper and Wendy looked at each other, and she let Dipper take from it. He reached into his pocket and produced a tablet, bound in a leather-looking case.

- Hey there, this is Wendy, and I'm Dipper, and, I guess we're kinda doing the same thing over Summers...

He flipped through pages and pages of his notes, riddled with not only drawings, but photos of monsters and creatures neither Marco nor Star has ever seen. And as he continued talking about them, curious smiles appeared on Marco and Star's faces.

- ...and here's the Middle Foot, not the Big one, not the Small one, just the Middle one, and that's my sister, Mabel, playing cards with it, she's not with us today, but you know, she usually hangs out, and... - Alright, alright. - Star stopped Dipper - So, you guys wanna go for a ride, huh? - Er, I think so... - Dipper stuttered. - You bet we want! - Wendy exclaimed.

Star smiled. In a split of a second, light engulfed her, as she transformed into her magnificent, otherworldly form.

- Okay then, let's take a shortcut! Hold onto your horses!

Listening to her, the warnicorns all neighed and stood on their hind legs, as she twirled in the air, opening another portal, not unlike the one Dipper and Wendy saw above the taco stand. And next thing they knew, they were rushing through interdimensional tunnels, seeing time and space thumb-fighting as magic twisted them to whatever form Star Butterfly wished to be. They marvelled at the colours they so far could only dream about, until Marco Diaz nudged Dipper's arm and spoke, watching sparks in their widened eyes.

- No, it doesn't get boring, trust me.

Dipper and Wendy looked at each other, and let out a loud cheer, just as another world was opening in front of them. The warnicorn they rode seemed no problem walking on thin air, manoeuvring between two layers of clouds that seemed to create both ceiling and floor of a spacious dimension. Large, column-like structures of solid cloud connected two, creating a forest-like labyrinth of pink, between which the small herd had to geth through. After a while, though, Star commanded the warnicorns to stop, and flew onto the floor, reverting back to her human-like form.

Wendy jumped from the warnicorn, though it took a moment for Dipper to convince himself he won't fall through the odd-looking ground, if one could call it that.

- So, what now? - Wendy approached Marco and Dipper, who were taking a much more cautious looks around. - Now... the chase is on... - Star whispered, sneaking behind the tree-like formation.

Wendy and Dipper exchanged confused looks and followed Marco, who in turn was a step behind Star.

- So, where are you guys from? - Gravity Falls, Oregon - they both replied, and Wendy playfully nudged Dipper - Well, I guess, I'm from Piedmont, but I pretty much live there for like half a year. - And where is she from? - Wendy pointed at Star, who was licking the horse-shoe pattern in the cloud beneath her. - Star is from Mewni, that's a, uh, a different dimension. Like this one. - he looked around - And we met when she, uh, became a exchange student.

He scratched his head.

- Yeah, I know, weird. I don't think it was legal either. - And you guys are okay with all that magic around? - Dipper raised his brow. - Says a dude who stopped the end of the world with his sister - Wendy snickered. - Uh, kinda. Trust me, Echo Creek have seen way, way weirder. - And since when you two are a thing? - Wendy suddenly asked, stumping both Marco and Dipper.

She turned around and winked.

- Eh, long story - Marco's face reddened. - Your typical school-friend-turns-into-a-squire-and-then-a-knight-to-the-princess one... - Not too weird, then - Dipper retorted.

Marco shifted his eyes towards Wendy, receiving an enthusiastic nod from brightened-face Dipper. Suddenly, Star raised her hand, prompting them to stop, and she squinted her eyes, taking a whiff of the surroundings.

- He's here... - So, what's the plan? - Wendy asked, her hand already on her axe. - Marco, you're gonna try circle him with portals. Got your scissors? - Sure do, Star. - Now you two, we'll have to confuse him, so I can lure him into the pond... - The what? - The pond that purifies magic. - Marco quickly explained - Not our first rodeo. - Wish I had Mabel's grappling hook... - Dipper mumbled - But I got grunkle Ford's laser pistol! - Cool, set it to "just scare it". - Star spoke quickly. - Eh, it doesn't do much more than a regular pointer. - he admitted - Ford brought it from a planet inhabited by cats, hence why it was considered a weapon of mass distraction... - And I can scare it with this!

And before Star could react, Wendy swung her axe into the tree-like column and jumped up, already hanging onto the nearest branch. A few seconds later, she was at the very top, waving at Star.

- Cooool. No magic, old-school, I can respect that. - Star giggled, and flew up, turning into her butterfly form. - We can both scout for it from up high. - Yeah, about that - Wendy pointed onto the horizon - Is that it?

Star gasped when she saw a dark cloud heading straight onto them.

- Positions!

Out of the four, it took Dipper the longest to find a suitable place for himself. He settled on just staying when he was, and aiming his "weapon" at the oncoming, miniaturised storm cloud. Soon, the traces of Dark Warnicorn's body became visible, and when Star shouted "Now!", all hell broke loose.

Marco took large, red scissors, unhinged them, and wielding both halves, made two flaming portals with each swing of his makeshift swords. Star was blasting spells from the other side, giving Dipper occasion to confuse the warnicorn with multiple beams of colourful light. And from up above, Wendy swung on what appeared to be liane made from candy cane, and landed on her feet, waving her favourite weapon. A few precise cuts along the way made the nearby stalactite-like structures fall down, cutting the Warnicorn's way out. He neighed, surrounded by two more unexpected foes, and only when it understood he was trapped, Star begun her part.

Her body glowed, and the Warnicorn started falling through a portal in the floor, seemingly drowning in a yellowish liquid, the same colour as the steeds they were riding a moment before. It took Dipper a moment to realise the Warnicorn was going to be alright, no matter how gruesome sounds it let out.

And indeed, a moment later, a pure yellow unicorn emerged from the pond, prancing happily, as Star closed her distance to him.

- There you go, little one - she spoke to the Warnicorn twice the size of hers, ruffling its mane - Who's a good creature made from pure magic? - Well, there's that. - Marco took halves of his scissors and put them together, closing the portals around him. - Are you guys alright? - I think so. - Dipper spoke, checking his body - But honestly, don't know if I was doing that much here... - Nah, you were fine. - Marco patted his back - I was screaming on my first date with Star as well. - I-I wasn't screaming. - Dipper stuttered. - Yeah, you were - Wendy joked, walking from behind one of the fallen cloud tree. - That was some quick-thinking with the pillars! - Star exclaimed. - Thanks, not the first creature we caught that way. - Wendy smiled - Remember giant slug, Dip? - I'm trying to forget it, actually... - he shivered.

The three watched as Star helped the reborn Warnicorn prance around a few more times, before she took him to join the herd they left at the other side of the forest.

- And do you do that often? - Wendy asked Marco, as the four walked back. - It sometimes happens with wild Warnicorns. - he explained - And other times there are more... serious matters. - Like, whole universe might asplode into powder matters - Star added, making unnecessary sounds with her mouth. - But we've got lots of friends in different dimensions. And speaking of...

Marco looked at Star, who nodded eagerly.

- I think we could have a helping hand or two where you guys live. Seems it's pretty weird place by Earth's standards. - Yeah, and we could use a spell-blasting princess as well, when, I don't know, heating's broken. - Wendy joked. - Hey, do you think this would help us in our research? - Dipper interrupted - We...We might get access to all those dimensions Ford theorised about!

He suddenly grabbed his head.

- This... this might be amazing! - Wow, your pocket dork sure gets easily excited. - Star nudged Wendy's arm. - Tell me about it. - she rolled her eyes, looking at her boyfriend muttering under his breath.

Star once again performed her dance, opening large, glowing portal, and the four stepped back to their world, right back to the fast-food restaurant they left in such weird circumstances. Star made one more trip escorting the herd of warnicorns, and returned a moment later, back in her mewman form.

- Hey, speaking of, what were you guys doing in Echo Creek anyway? - Eh.. - Dipper scratched his head - I... I was going to take Wendy on our anniversary, and I was trying to find a road to Mariposa Falls, but... - Oh, yeah, that road was eaten last year. - Marco explained quickly. - By a giant hungry caterpillar. The, uh, the city hasen't decided how to rebuild it yet. - But we can take you guys there!

This time it was Marco's turn to wield his magic. He took his scissors and cut the part of reality in front of them, opening door to a glade, with enormous waterfall in the middle, surrounded by massive, thick forest. Wendy and Dipper eagerly stepped through the portal, before Star said they will pick them up at sunset, mentioning something about "free tacos".

- Oh, Dipper... This is awesome! Just like home, never thought you guys have such cool places here. - And, uh, you say it after you've done chasing an evil unicorn through a different dimension? - he chuckled. - You know what I was talking about, mister...

Wendy cupped his face and brought his lips to hers, pulling him into a deep, sensual kiss, which soon made both of them weak in their knees, and forced them to fall and roll on the soft grass, surrounding the vast lake.

- Do you wanna go swimming? - Wendy suddenly asked, breaking the kiss. - Er, I don't think it's legal here... - Can you see any cops? - Wendy raised her brow - I brought my red swimsuit... Just don't look!

Dipper turned around, and closed his eyes, listening to his girlfriend changing clothes, already imagining spending their anniversary in one of the most serene and peaceful places he's been in.

But if Dipper Pines wasn't so faithful, and has taken a peek, he might have noticed a small cut on Wendy's thigh. What looked and felt like an ordinary bruise, had a definitely otherworldly black colour, the same as the unicorn, whose hoof has grazed Wendy when she was swinging her axe...

#starco #wendip #starco week 5 #starcoweek5

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madrut16 · 5 years

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The Dungeon Part 1 - BB Chp. 13 Rewrite (Adrian x MC)

Author’s Note: Ahhh, it’s back! I know I’m skipping a lot of chapters but, I don’t think I can emotionally handle playing Chp 4 and 11 again. That’s why I’ve been putting off writing more of this. So, that’s why I’m resuming from here. Also, the end is what I’ve been the most eager to rewrite. I made a few major changes to this chapter that aren’t canon about Nicole. First, she’s not helping with the rescue because I thought it was weird and I don’t want that snake a part of it. Second, Isabel (my MC) is already highly suspicious of Nicole and part of the plan is to prove she’s a traitor (I don’t want to give too much away). I also made Isabel’s reactions more emotional because of Adrian being her LI.

The changes are also why I split this into two, it would be way too long if I didn’t! Hopefully, you all enjoy it though!

Summary: It seems like fate has been sealed after Adrian is sentenced to death, but Isabel isn’t ready to give up even with the odds impossibly against them. She works together with Kamilah and Lily to come up with a genius but dangerous plan to save him, one that could put her right in The Baron’s crosshairs.

Disclaimer: All of the characters and the dialogue not original belongs to Pixelberry Studios.

Rating: PG/PG-13

Word Count: 4113

Tags: @endlesshero1122, @kinda-iconic, @starshippromise, @flyawayboo, @kamybelen-blog

“He’ll meet the sun.”

Kamilah’s words echoed through Isabel’s mind as she sat next to the fireplace at the powerful vampire’s office where they came to regroup after the verdict. The first time she heard them, the emotions that she had been holding back as they dragged Adrian away had come to the surface all at once. Right there in the middle of Central Park she completely broke down sobbing and Lily had to almost carry her back to Ahmenet Financial.

She was still sitting where her friend had placed her on the leather couch, her tears now silently streaming down after the violent cacophony had seemed to go on forever. She stared at the flames and ash beginning to form on the wood and she swallowed another lump that had formed in her throat. That’s what Adrian would be in mere hours and here she was, completely unable to help him like she should be able to.

Isabel couldn’t deny that he wasn’t just her boss anymore or even a friend. Up until the ball, she managed to convince herself that it wasn’t anything more than a small crush. Even when she gave into temptation with that kiss almost a month ago during their midday excursion. But then, there were the sparks she felt during their dances and the intense dread and worry she felt during the whole trial and all of the little moments in between. And now that he could actually be gone...there was no going back. She cared for him, in a way she’d never felt before. That same feeling her cousin Delilah constantly described when talking about Liam.

In fact, she suspected it was more than that even, that she was starting to fall in love with him. Isabel knew that she wasn’t completely there, it took her forever to arrive at that. And there were so many secrets about him that she wanted to know until she was at that point. But, that process had definitely begun. Enough that she couldn’t think of living without him. She would do anything to save him if she could, even if it put her in danger.

Also, she could tell that she wasn’t alone in feeling this way. It was in his eyes constantly. She noticed it in her apartment when she was begging him to save Lily. Or maybe it even started in the museum, when he told her he just couldn’t let her go. That’s what scared her the most, the possibility that she was somehow responsible. He broke the rules for her. He had been so concerned for her safety and happiness throughout all of this. Yet, it hadn’t crossed her mind until now what danger he faced by having her so involved. Without her, this might not have happened at all.

Her daze from being lost in her head was broken by the sound of heavy footsteps on the hardwood.

“Hey,” Lily said gently, causing her to look up. “Figured you could use this.” The gamer gestured to the glass of water in her hand, a single ice cube inside to chill it.

Isabel simply nodded and took it as her friend sat down next to her, an equally tense expression on her face. “This is all my fault, Lil,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“How? You were the one who advocated for him the most! They were idiots for betraying him. Maybe he’s done things in the past, but now? I don’t think Adrian could hurt a fly unless he had to.”

“But I’m the who reason he’s in this mess in the first place! If I ha...hadn’t begged him to turn you then The Council wouldn’t have been so mad at him.” Isabel took a sip of the drink in her hand, failing to stop the waterworks once more. “Hell, I should’ve just gotten my memories erased like he was told to,” she spat angrily. “All I’ve been doing since then is causing more trouble.”

“Nonsense.”

Kamilah suddenly appeared and sat down in the armchair across from them. Seeing Isabel, her eyes softened into a more concerned expression. “I don’t want you to talk like that anymore. I know I had my doubts about you in the beginning, but now I know he made the right decision. He confided in me at the Ball about what he saw you and I’ve rarely seen him speak of someone so highly. And never a human, not even Nicole.”

“Really?”

The Vampire queen nodded. “I happen to agree with him. You’ve proved to be brave and extremely helpful among many other things. And Lily, I have to say you have learned rather quickly and I have grown quite fond of you two.”

Isabel saw a brief moment of light on her face as she looked at Lily.

Soon, her expression darkened once more. “None of this is your fault...or his really. Truth be told, this was bound to happen whether you were here or not. Most of them have wanted him gone for a while now. The Baron is relatively young and resents Adrian for making him follow the rules, Lester has been holding a grudge against him for decades. As for Vega...he’s been jealous almost since the beginning. He will do anything to have power and Adrian has been in the way of that.”

“What about Priya?”

“She’s indifferent either way. The only thing she cares about is herself. Not to mention she's easily manipulated. I think she still wants affection from Vega also, even though they've been done since the thirties."

A minute went by with silence before Lily perked up. "Wait, I wanna know more about this serum. Do you know anything?" she asked Isabel who nodded.

"I know a lot about it actually," she answered.

"Is what Vega said true then? Can it really…?"

"Yes, it's really supposed to make vampires human. The final product anyway, I have no idea if it works like it's supposed to. Adrian only showed me a prototype. Although with his success rate, I wouldn’t doubt that it does.”

"That definitely sounds like something Vega would make a fuss about. I had no idea until the trial," Kamilah told them.

Isabel felt a spike of anger and she slammed the glass down onto the side table. "That's what I can't figure out, he's not supposed to know about it! If Adrian didn't tell you, the person he trusts the most, he definitely didn't tell anyone else on The Council. Now I know why."

"So someone on the inside...leaked it to him?" Lily questioned following along.

"Yes, that's the only way Vega would have known. You both saw how surprised Adrian was at the trial!"

"Isabel, who is authorized to know about it?" Kamilah asked, almost demanding.

"Not many. Just me, the researchers in the lab working on it...and Nicole." The last name she answered with dread.

The others picked up on her suspicions. Lily exclaimed, "You think she betrayed him? That girl is attached to him like a leech."

"I think it's highly possible yeah. It's the only person that makes any sense. You would think she would've helped more at the trial. It was almost like she wanted him convicted."

Kamilah frowned. "Something about her just never sat right with me either. However, that is a lot of suspicion without evidence.”

"Adrian did express to me once that she really wants him to turn her.” She was met with wide eyes. “Don’t worry, he told me he would never do that, even if there wasn't a rule. She was too power hungry, irresponsible. And she was really agitated during the ordeal with Lily. At the time I just thought she was worried about Adrian but now...she was probably wanting it to be her," Isabel theorized.

"That's... convincing. However, we would need more than that to actually prove it enough for any action. It'll have to wait until...after dawn," the Vampress stated.

They all knew what she was referring to.

"So that's it? Just like that, Adrian's gonna die?" Isabel asked once she realized that no one had a plan to try and save him.

"I'm afraid so," Kamilah spat angrily, her hardened expression returning.

Even she had given up trying. Isabel figured out of everyone, she would be the last to leave it to fate.

"I feel like I've been punched in the gut…"

Lily agreed with her sentiment. "Me too. Like I can't catch my breath…"

While it hadn't been long, she had grown fond of him too.

Kamilah looked at them sadly before taking out a carafe and mixing some liqueur before handing them both a glass over ice. "Drink. It'll dull the pain."

Suddenly Isabel looked up at them, her eyes ablaze and pushed the glass aside. "Dull the pain? I want to do something about this! There must be some way--"

She was quickly interrupted. "Believe me, if there were I'd be doing it." The older vampire snapped. "Adrian is like a brother to me. I'd burn The Council to the ground for him…" she let out an impossible, defeated sigh. "But we've played our hand and lost. If we went to war, it'd be two clans against four. We'd be destroyed. Along with half of the city."

"But that trial was total bull! Adrian was set up!" Lily exclaimed.

It was clear that Kamilah thought so too. "Council justice is swift...and not always just."

Isabel shook her head, not believing what she was alluding to. "Can't we at least...appeal to the Council?"

She was met with a scoff. "And say what?"

"I don't know! Try to reach whatever shred of fairness and humanity they have left? They can't really all want Adrian dead?!"

Kamilah frowned once more. "After what they learned about the serum, I suspect they do."

No. They weren't just going to give up. Bolting from the couch Isabel paced frantically, tears welling in her eyes again. "There's got to be something! I mean Priya likes me. What if I offer to let her feed on me in return for a favor?"

"Yikes dot yikes," Lily exclaimed, begging her not to.

As for Kamilah, she let out a dry, bitter laugh. Bluntly, she told Isabel, "Priya would take the deal...then use you till you broke, and then force you to watch Adrian die with a smile on your face. Priya might be clueless when it comes to council meetings and put off an air of allure...but she's every bit of a monster as the Baron. Maybe even more."

Isabel gulped, instantly regretting what she'd suggested. She remembered Adrian's warning about her in the club that first night.

However, the lecture wasn't done. "I'm sorry Isabel, Lily. The reality is harsh, and I won't sugarcoat it." Kamilah’s next words were clipped as if to put an end to the discussion. "There is nothing we can do."

Isabel didn't know what came of her, but the idea of doing nothing became more and more unacceptable. Maybe it was her sadness turning into anger or her feelings about Adrian influencing her but, the one thing she wasn't used to is giving up. Even when the deck seemed impossibly stacked against her. So, she impulsively said what she had once before.

"No."

Both Kamilah and Lily looked at her in surprise.

"Excuse me?" The older vampire said. "Did you not hear what I said?"

Isabel wasn't swayed. They were going to fight until the very end. At least she was. "I did, and I still say no. How can you accept that?!" she said incredulously. "There's always something."

She paced around the room desperately trying to get her fast mind to work at lightning speed. Suddenly she stopped as a simple but dangerous idea came to her. It was a long shot, but it might be the only way.

"What?" Lily asked, knowing that look on her friend’s face.

"Couldn't we just...rescue him ourselves?" Isabel blurted out. "Can we at least try?"

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Finally, she watched as Lily's expression grew slightly more optimistic. "Yeah, I mean...we're pretty badass right? You especially?" she gestured towards Kamilah. "And you've got at least two dozen vampires in your Clan…"

Kamilah shook her head. "I wouldn't ask them to risk their lives. Not for another Clan's leader." Isabel could tell she liked the idea though, she could see it in her eyes. "Besides, even if we could do that without getting ourselves killed...none of us know exactly where Adrian is being held."

"Um, I do."

All of them turned around to see a woman Isabel had seen a few times when she'd gone to meetings here with Adrian. She was a vampire from Kamilah's Clan and head of security. She also worked for Adrian before becoming interested in finances and transferring over and was still fond of him. She couldn't remember her name though.

"Janet," Kamilah said in surprise. "How much have you heard?"

The redhead swallowed. "Most of it. I was--working late. Word is already spreading through the Clans about the trial. I can't believe they're going to execute him."

Isabel was the one who replied. "Not if we do something. You said you know where they are keeping him?"

"Yes...I know exactly where he is."

Kamilah quickly offered her a desk chair. "Come, sit down. Tell us what you know." She poured Janet a drink and slid it to her across the desk as they all took a seat.

"Thank you. I have a friend who works for Vega who's privy to that information. She was glad to tell me where he is. "

Lily sat up straight. "A mole! You've got a mole!"

Janet smirked. "I work in espionage, both here and when I was with Adrian. It's my job to get information. Luckily, that was her plan all along. She's been wanting to leave for a while and this was the perfect opportunity. She's willing to work with us to keep Vega off his trail as long as possible too."

"Again, I've underestimated you, Janet," Kamilah replied, a smile appearing for the first time in a while.

That's when Isabel knew that her crazy plan might work after all.

"I think love you," she exclaimed gratefully. "Now, where is he?"

Janet sighed. "In the Bloody Cellars."

Isabel felt a chill up her spine. That's where The Baron sent her until she was rescued by Jax on the way.

Suddenly, she jumped as Kamilah slammed her fist on the table, anger once again coursing through her. "I knew it. My worst fears have come true."

"It makes sense. It's the one place they thought he'd be safest from you."

"Well, they picked the wrong human to mess with, especially when someone I care about gets hurt,” Isabel fumed.

"Sorry, can we put that thing down, flip it and reverse it?" Lily asked, confused. "What is the Bloody Cellars? Because it sounds like a Halloween-themed wine bar."

Kamilah explained sternly, "It's The Baron's private prison beneath his club, where he locks up anyone who's crossed him. A disgusting cesspool of torture, murder, and brutality."

"So no Halloween-themed wine bar."

Her friend shook her head, mouthing "no" before swallowing back yet another wave of emotion. "To think...to think they've got Adrian in a place like that…"

She closed her eyes tightly, imagining the suffering he was most likely going through. It felt like a knife to the heart. She had to get him out of there, whatever it took.

She felt Kamilah's steely gaze and met it. They both felt that way. "It's beyond cruel. Even for The Council."

Janet agreed. "That's exactly why we need to bust him out. Quickly."

Isabel nodded. "I couldn't agree more."

She looked at the clock and saw that it was almost three thirty am. Sunrise was at 6:45, which meant that they had three hours to work with. They need to do this fast.

Kamilah cleared her throat, the determination back in full force. "Okay, now that we know where he is, we have to figure out how to get him out."

Isabel remembered that Adrian kept a blueprint of the entire club that he showed her when she went to deliver the notice a couple months earlier. Her almost photographic memory still gave her a vague idea of what they looked like. She also remembered where they were kept.

She relayed this information to the group. "We still should have time to grab them, if we act quickly. Plus, it can also give us an opportunity to see if Nicole is really the traitor I think she is."

"Vega already has security outside Raines corp, although...if you could get past them…"

"Kamilah?"

"He won't have much of the secured the inside, not until the killing is done. He'll want as many of his men to watch as possible."

Isabel smiled. "Easy. Priya isn't the only one who can do some manipulation. I already have an idea of how I want to do it. I’ll just pretend I'm just getting my things from the desk, which is true. I did leave a lot of things there thinking I could go back. And I'm a good actor too."

"Have I told you that I love you?" Lily exclaimed.

"Many times Lil." She continued her explanation. "Now, if Vega wants the serum for himself, he's going to go back for it. And if Nicole is in on it...she'll trap us in the office if we return there after Adrian is rescued. By then, I'll have gotten rid of it, so Vega can't have any. Then, we head to the club from there. That part won't be easy. I'll see if on my way out I can get Adrian's car. It'll be fast enough for us to lose them if they follow us at any point."

Even Janet and Kamilah looked impressed. "Nice work Isabel."

"Thanks. I also know enough about the layout that we can still think of the rest." Isabel said.

"Cool, so what's the plan now?" Lily asked.

"We need to find a way to sneak in and bust him out!"

"Hell yeah. I'm always ready for some Technical Espionage Action! Although I kind of meant, you know, a plan plan."

"Oh. Right."

Janet shifted in her chair, refilling her glass. "Even with the floor plans, infiltrating the Shrike is no easy task. And if my friend is telling the truth, The Baron's doubled the number of guards on duty."

Isabel began to think, picturing the blueprints in her mind until an inkling of an idea began to form, like a puzzle she had to solve. It was almost too simple but, that was what she hoped would make it work.

She looked up at them, her eyes shimmering. "Wait. I've got something. This may sound dumb but what if we just...walked through the front door."

"You're right," Kamilah admitted bluntly. "That was...idiotic."

"But, that's just it! That's exactly why I think it could work!" Now, Isabel had their full attention. "What if...we went in like we were trying to make a deal...and then sprung him."

She left everyone speechless. For a few seconds, everyone stared at her in surprise.

Finally, the CEO stammered, "I...stand corrected. It's actually an interesting idea...a good idea. But what could we possibly offer The Baron?"

She already had an answer, although she didn't like putting the person she had in mind at risk. But, she had to. "Another prisoner. One he can't refuse."

They all looked at her, slowly coming to the same conclusion she did.

Her and Lily whisper the name at the same time. "Jax."

"Are you sure? I doubt he would easily agree to this," her friend exclaimed.

Isabel sighed. "I hate putting him in danger too. But, he’s the one enemy that The Baron hasn't been able to put away. And...we should give Jax something in exchange: a home for the Clanless. He wants that more than anything. If...that's not too much to ask."

She looked over at Kamilah.

"If this is successful, and we win the fight with Vega afterward...I don't see why not. I certainly wouldn't object. The only reason I've been against it so far is because of Adrian making enemies with the Council. But, seeing as that has already happened...I'm done playing nice."

"Then I think we'll have a deal!"

The air was full of optimism as the rest of the plan was pieced together in meticulous detail.

Just when Isabel thought they had accounted for every obstacle, Lily posed one more question.

"What if The Baron won't even be convinced with Jax? What if he thinks even that's not enough to go against Vega?"

Kamilah scoffed. "Oh, I know he won't give us Adrian unless we get him ourselves. He'll just sit us there and wait for the sunrise. Jax breaking him out will be the ace up our sleeve.”

"But what if he doesn't even let him down there at all? Then we've done all of this for nothing!"

Isabel knew. She knew immediately what The Baron would accept without a doubt. Both Jax...and her.

"Then have Kamilah throw me in there also," she volunteered.

"No!" Lily pleaded. Kamilah also looked uneasy.

But she already made up her mind. She told herself that she would put herself in danger for Adrian and she meant it.

Turning to Kamilah, she explained, "You said you would do anything to save Adrian. So, if you throw me in there as if that's not part of the plan, he'll bite. Especially if you pretend that I'm expendable because I'm human. I'm the one person he wants to kill more than Jax.” She saw they were still hesitant. “Please, I want to be down there, I need to. I need to see him and make sure we get him out."

"If you are sure that you are okay with this, I will do that," Kamilah replied.

"Yes, I'm sure. We can't tell Jax about this part though, his reaction needs to be genuine. It'll sell better." She escaped the Baron's clutches with Jax once, she was confident they could do it again.

Lily frowned at her friend but didn't stop her. "I hope you know what you're doing Iz," she warned her, voice wavering with fear. "I don't wanna lose you, not after all you've done for me."

Isabel smiled. "I do Lily. Adrian's risked his life to save mine before. Now it's my turn."

Her best friend nodded. “Okay,” she mouthed.

After everything was confirmed, she called Jax. He was the one thing left she needed to secure the plan. He picked up after the second ring.

"Isabel? Is everything okay? How...how are you?" He inquired with concern.

Biting her lip, she put him on speaker before answering, her stomach in knots. “We’re rescuing Adrian!" She exclaimed.

"What?”

"Jax, we have a plan to bust him out that can work. But, we need a big favor from you in order to make it happen, one you’re not gonna like.”

There was silence. "This is going to be something dangerous...isn't it?"

Isabel sighed. "Yes, but it's the only way The Baron will let us down into the Bloody Cellars where they're keeping him."

She quickly explained the whole plan with help from the others.

"You really put all of this together."

"Oh, I...it was a team effort really."

Lily scoffed loudly. "Are you kidding, you were the one that refused to give up, even when the rest of us did! You also came up with the idea for rescuing him, and how to do it."

"Fine, I guess I contributed a lot, that’s not the point,” Isabel said hastily before returning to the task at hand. “Look, Jax, I know it's a lot to ask."

"You're right, it is. I don't know if I can risk leaving my people without a leader." He replied.

She knew he would say something like that but, she still had her end of the deal to disclose.

"Jax, that's exactly why you have to do this. Keeping Adrian alive is your best shot at giving them a real home, safety. He’s been fighting for you, but the Council wouldn't let him. If you help us by doing this, and we somehow win against Vega, we'll make sure the Clanless are protected.”

After a minute, he said, "You're serious? You can actually make that happen?"

It was Kamilah who answered him. "If we do the impossible and make it out of this alive? Adrian and I will personally see to it that you and the Clanless replace Vega on the Council since he won’t let us go both alive.”

"Then I'll do it. If Adrian really has been that sympathetic to us," Jax stated. "There are a lot of my people in that prison also."

"I promise he has," Isabel said.

They were actually about to do this. The adrenaline already began to run through her veins.

She heard him sigh after a long pause. "Alright then. Let's get Adrian out of there."

Note: I just edited this because I realized that this is Chapter 13 and not 12! Sorry!

#playchoices #choices stories you play #bloodbound #adrian x mc #adrian raines #bb rewrite

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littlecrookedheart · 5 years

Text

Imagine • Prompt Request One Shot

Prompt : “You come to my room and wake me up at 4am, to cuddle?” / “You’re getting crumbs all over my bed”

Requested by some anons!

Pairing : Maxwell x Farrah

Rating : None! Pure fluff.

Word Count : 2,561

Author’s Note : This variates from canon but...most of my stuff does? I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer : I do not own these characters. I’ve added a bit of a flare to them for the sake of this piece, but they do not belong to me.

Typically, during these hours the castle was still, even the staff remained quiet as they dozed off sitting upright at their stations, security being the only select few ridden with energy. But tonight, as it had been for nearing a week, one man roamed the halls, clanking around the kitchen for a late night snack, slipping across the polished floor on the balls of his feet.

At the foot of the staircase, just before the turn into the kitchen, a stout man with graying hair and a long moustache sat at his position, shining a row of shoes.

"Lord Beaumont," he nodded, his nose whistling as he breathed.

"Just Maxwell, Grover. No formalities necessary."

"As you wish, 'Just Maxwell.' May I suggest something?"

Maxwell raised an eyebrow and smiled to the man, who looked up to him over thinly rimmed copper frames.

"If you'd like to continue these midnight walks through the halls, perhaps you'll wear shoes. You slide so quickly 'round the corners, I fear you'll knock your head into the wall."

Maxwell chuckled softly, sticking one foot into the air, admiring his doughnut printed socks.

"They're so fashionable, though."

"It would be more so a tragedy if their owner could only wear them while in an infirmary, yes?"

"Good point, Groves," Maxwell said, giving him a small salute. He peeled his socks off, leaving them in a bundle at the bottom step, making his way into the kitchen.

"What's for breakfast, Marjorie?"

Marjorie, a young girl with braided blonde hair, blushed from behind a large bag of flour, slowly peeking around to see his face. She was small and likely ten years his junior, but there was no doubt she awaited his company each day. She never said much, and neither did he, but he made it a point to share a smile with her as often as possible.

"Can you believe it, Maxwell? Queen Mother has requested berries and waffles yet again."

Maxwell hopped onto the counter, grabbing a handful of chocolate chips from a nearby tin.

"I don't mind that, so long as I get some, too."

Marjorie's lips curved into a small smile, looking away as she said, "Yes, but you aren't the one who leaves for the day smelling of frying oil."

"You fry the waffles?"

"Yes?"

Maxwell's forehead creased, a grin spreading across his face as he shrugged. "You learn something new every day." He slid off the counter, walking over to the pantry doors. "But you know why I'm here. Do you mind, Marjorie?"

"Of course not. Just be sure to let King Liam know to clear my panel so I'm not accused of stealing."

"Have I ever forgotten?" Maxwell smiled, grabbing a plate of saran wrapped cookies from a higher shelf. "Are these fresh?"

"They're from this evening, yes."

"I'll take these. Thanks, Marj. Gotta take these to Farrah."

"Lady Farrah is up so early? Today's festivities don't begin for six more hours."

"She's an early riser," he lied, rushing out of the kitchen and up the stairway, handing Grover a cookie as he passed by.

Farrah's room was second to the end of the hall, a far walk, one that socks helped speed up. The sound of Maxwell's feet on the floor made him cringe, but he didn't care enough to back track to his own room for slippers. He knocked four times, nearing a fifth before the door flew open, Farrah's face riddled in confusion.

"Morning, sunshine!" He said, squeezing in through the crack in the door. Farrah rolled her eyes, locking the door behind him and flipping on the switch to her bedside lamp. Maxwell had already propped himself in her bed, unwrapping the cookies.

"What time is it, Max?"

"Late. Or early, depending on how you'd like to see it."

"What I'd like to see is me asleep in that bed."

Maxwell smiled at her, gazing at her in awe. He adored the way the waves in her hair scattered across her shoulders, a few flyaway strands poking up from her head. She always seemed to glow in the morning, so soft and beautiful he couldn't believe it.

"Come sleep, then." He patted the bed beside him. "Or have a cookie. I grabbed these for us."

"What did you need, Max?" She asked, climbing into bed next to him.

"The truth or a lie?"

She glared at him and he laughed, ruffling her feathery locks in his hand. She grabbed his arm, reading the watch fastened around his wrist.

"I just kinda...wanted to cuddle."

"You come to my room and wake me up at four in the morning...to cuddle?"

He nodded, eyes widened like a puppy dog, lower lip pouting. Farrah drowsily smiled, handing Maxwell the plate of cookies and sliding over to him. She lay her arm across his chest, head on his shoulder, lulling herself to sleep to the sound of his heart beat.

And then a crunch, cookie crumbs raining down his shirt and onto her sheets.

"Aw, damn it, Max. You're getting crumbs all over my bed."

"Sorry," he mumbled, holding a hand to his lip.

"Bite it?"

He nodded, wincing. Farrah got up and made her way to her en suite, gathering a warm washcloth and healing salve from the cabinet. She sat next to him, soothing and tending to his bloody lip.

Maxwell caught the hazel reflections in her eyes, holding in a dreamy sigh as she softly dabbed his lip with the tip of her thumb. Her lips looked like roses, supple with morning dew, shining in the lamplight as she spoke to him.

"Next time, come to bed with me, and you won't have to sneak around so late for a cuddle."

"Maybe I like the sneaking," he teased, pulling her to him.

"I mean it. Come to bed with me."

"Farrah...you know the castle will be in talks the moment the lock clicks."

"So let them be," she whispered, drawing his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

"We aren't in New York. Cordonia...expects...more from us."

"Can I be honest?" She asked, Maxwell's hand caressing her hair.

"Of course."

"I hate that."

"Me too." Maxwell sighed, breathing in the fresh coconut scent of her hair. "If I could write our story, there would be so many nights where I just held you."

"Why can't we? I mean.. I know why. But convince me to believe it."

"There's nothing that can convince you. Nothing convinces me. But we do what we have to."

"Don't you get sick of playing by these rules?"

"I'm sick of anything that prevents me from loving you to the fullest."

Maxwell held her close to him, draping a knit quilt around her shoulders.

"Let's play the imagine game," he whispered, leaving a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"You first."

His fingers ran along the length of her back and to her neck again, gentle yet secure.

"Okay. Imagine...we could skip festivities today."

"Oh my god, please. What would we do?"

"Play cards in the sitting room at the Beaumont estate. You could teach me how to bake. I could give you my best Jerry Maguire impression."

"I've seen that impression, I think."

"Would you say it's...impressive?"

"Well, now I'm not going to."

"Wow! Sometimes, Farrah, I don't know how I fell in love with a bully like you."

Farrah laughed, nuzzling her face into his neck.

"Imagine we could buy a little house somewhere far away. Somewhere on the beach, maybe."

"We could watch the turtles."

"And eat so much ice cream."

"In fairness, I already eat a lot of ice cream," Maxwell said, reaching to grab another cookie. This time, Farrah grabbed it away from him, shoving the whole thing into her mouth. Maxwell bent his brows and burst into laughter before saying, "They're really good, right?"

"Does Marjorie still have a crush on you?" She asked, leaning to her bedside stand for a drink of water.

"Are you still jealous?"

"I've never been jealous, you goon, just observant. I think she made these cookies for you, they might be perfect."

"I've never met a cookie that I didn't like."

"True," Farrah smiled, "This could be pre-made dough and you'd love it."

"What?"

"It's a joke, Max."

"Pre-made?"

"You know, the tube kind."

Maxwell looked into space, a confused expression on his face.

"Tube cookies?"

"You can't be serious! You've never seen pre-made cookie dough?"

"What does that even mean!" Maxwell cried, dramatically chomping two cookies at once.

"Imagine a life where my fiancé didn't litter my silk sheets with cookie crumbs."

“Imagine a boring life, why don’t you?”

Farrah took the plate of cookies and walked them to the other side of the room, jumping on the bed, Maxwell’s strong hands catching her mid air. She pulled his shirt off and nestled her head on his chest, meeting his gaze.

“Hi,” he whispered, kissing her forehead sweetly.

“Hey,” Farrah sighed, filling the spaces between his fingers with her own.

“Imagine sitting in a cute little café where nobody recognized either of us.”

“Or how about…adopting a sibling for Chance?”

Maxwell’s face lit up at the idea. “How about two?!”

“Dare I say three?”

“Dare. But not four, that’s so much puppy love. I don’t know if I could keep up.”

“I have no doubts. Hmm, what if we went in one of those underwater tunnels to watch the fish swim all around us?”

“We could order pizza and watch reruns of Fresh Prince all day.”

“That sounds like a dream.”

Farrah listened to Maxwell ramble off ideas for while before drifting to sleep, the sound of his voice carrying her off like a lullaby.

Maxwell looked down, hazily brushing fallen strands of hair from her eyes before closing his as well.

–

In the morning, a quiet, repetitive knocking sound came from the door. Maxwell clamored over, opening it to reveal Marjorie.

“Maxwell, you’ve missed all of your morning calls, breakfast, and your ride. Your brother was so preoccupied with a phone conversation that I’m not so sure he noticed. I’ve let you sleep a bit, but I thought I’d try to let you know.”

“What? What time is it?”

“Nearing noon.”

“We slept…two hours…past time to leave?”

Marjorie nodded, a solemn look on her face.

“Thanks, Marj. You’re the best.” He closed to door, hopping into bed next to Farrah.

Her eyes opened slowly, becoming more alert when she noticed the amount of sun soaking through the curtains.

“What time is it?”

“Time to skip today’s festivities.”

“Good one. How behind are we?”

“Farrah, I’m serious. We’re not going. I have a better idea.”

Farrah sat up, checking the time on her phone, swiping through dozens of missed calls and messages.

“Max, what have we done?”

He was profusely padding away at the keypad on his phone, grinning as he looked up.

“We overslept. And I hearby decree that today we have an imagine day.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Never had one to begin with, baby. Put on your best pajamas.”

–

Marjorie handed Maxwell and Farrah each a small packed linen bag, nodding toward an empty hallway.

“Head straight out. Just beyond the trees.”

“Thank you, Marjorie,” Farrah said, a warm smile on her lips.

Maxwell took her hand, running out the door and past the trees, surprised that no security had returned to their postings yet. There was a parked car with tinted windows and civilian license plates, a set of keys tucked under the driver’s side tire. He unlocked the doors and got in, Farrah’s face lit up in excitement as he started the engine.

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere but here.”

Farrah connected her phone’s output to the radio, playing a throwback playlist from when they were growing up.

“Oh, make sure our locations are turned off,” Maxwell suggested, knocking his knee gently against the center console.

“You’re brilliant.”

“Tell me something I don’t already know.”

–

After belting out ‘Bye Bye Bye,’ and a few handfuls of other classic 90s songs, Maxwell turned down an unmarked road. Farrah straightened her posture as they approached a modest yet grand looking house with old Victorian architecture.

“Whoa,” she exlaimed, looking to Maxwell with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

“Welcome to tiny House Beaumont.”

“What? What is this place?”

“Come on,” he chuckled, elbowing her playfully. He walked to her door, opening it for her and taking her hand, unlocking the entrance with a small iron key from his pocket.

The foyer was dark but inviting, like a cozy house you’d see in a film. The wallpaper was ancient but beautiful, colorful florals strewn with vines and hummingbirds with more detail than anything you’d find in modern time. Maxwell locked the four steel locks on the door, turning into the sitting room and drawing two sets of curtains hanging over large bay windows. Along the walls were built in bookshelves, a dark oak shade, the scent of antique pages lingering in the air. Farrah sat back on a large sofa, its high back comforting her bones after the car ride.

“Maxwell, this is incredible.”

“Wanna know a secret? It’s mine.”

“What?” She leaned forward, grabbing his wrist and pulling him to her. “How?”

“I bought it during an auction a few years ago. I was sick of Bertrand and needed a break.”

“And it’s just been empty since?”

“I came here a few times since then. But there’s a staff that tends to it bimonthly.”

“How does nobody know about this?”

“I know how to cover my tracks when needed. Plus, the staff doesn’t know I’m who owns the place. They think the guy’s name is, 'Reed Starling.’”

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Not necessary, baby. Sometimes we all need a break. Plus, I did promise you an imagine day.”

“There will be chaos at the castle when they realize we aren’t there.”

“I called in a favor. Liam…he gets it. He will keep this a secret for us.”

“How long do we have?”

“Until morning. It’s as good as I could do,” he said, frowning.

“That’s perfect. So which one are we having, then?”

“Hmm?”

“Imagine day. What are we doing?”

“Well…Reed Starling may have placed an online order for pizza delivery.”

“Don’t tell me-”

“And my collection of Fresh Prince happens to be in that bag Marjorie packed for me-”

“Maxwell!” Farrah shouted, climbing onto his lap, scattering kisses over his face. She met his lips with intensity, fingers in his hair and happiness in her heart. She could feel him smiling against her, which made her do the same, leaning into the couch as they gleefully held one another.

“You deserve this, Farrah.”

“We deserve this. There is no 'me,’ when it comes to my happiness.”

“Maybe our life won’t be like this every day. Maybe when we marry and we reside in the duchy, things will be a little bland and a lot busy. But you’ll be with me and I’ll be with you, and that’s the happiest thing I’ve ever realized.”

“As if anything could be bland with you next to me,” she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek, “Imagine being so in love you didn’t know how to comprehend it. So in love your heart could burst.”

“Imagine being in love with someone who loves you even more than that.”

#maxwell x mc #maxwell beaumont #the royal romance #trr #maxwell x farrah #write things

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