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actress4him · 9 months

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Querencia 15 - Park Day

The enthusiastic response I got on the last piece I posted helped motivate me to keep going! This is the actual chronologically next chapter, coming in a month or two after Mind Control. Enjoy!

Taglist: @darthsutrich , @inky-whump , @painful-pooch , @pigeonwhumps , @bookworm2107

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Contains: referenced mind control, referenced parental abandonment, fear of abandonment, broken bone, a couple more warnings in the tags to avoid spoilers here

Things have been fairly normal since the whole “supervillain getting in Jamil’s head and making him attack everyone” incident. Dagger is still a near-weekly problem, along with Meltdown and whoever else he happens to be hanging out with at the moment. Other villains come and go, too, some low-level Supers like Reaper and Gibbous, along with non-Super nuisances that the team does their best to curb, too - bank robbers and muggers and kidnappers and such.

No one has heard anything from or about Luna. Then again, no one had heard of her before the incident, either. Which means she’s probably still out there, and could very well be biding her time until she can strike again. None of them ever really talk about her, but Liliana can feel anxiety hanging in the air that wasn’t there before, especially on poor Jamil’s part.

Luna knows exactly where they live, what they look like without their masks on. Probably knows their names and where they work, thanks to rummaging through Jamil’s brain. So not only could she easily return, but she could also tell others the information she learned. They don’t know who she might be associated with. They managed to pin down Reaper one day and quiz him about her and any other new villains in town, but he was less than helpful on the subject.

Even if they could track her down and catch her, Liliana has learned from snippets of conversation that they really have nothing to do with her. It’s something she’s never thought of before, but one reason that there are still so many supervillains around is that there’s no way to arrest them. The government likely could detain them, but no one trusts that it would be humane or that the heroes wouldn’t also be captured in the process of trying to hand them over. Just the thought of the government locking them up makes Liliana sick to her stomach, villains or not.

Normal jails can’t handle them. Normal courtrooms can’t, either, in order to convict them to send them to jail. And no hero wants to be in charge of locking them away themselves, even if they did have the space and technology.

So all they can do for now is damage control, really. Try to stop their crimes as often as they can, try to disrupt whatever plans they have. She doesn’t envy the team their jobs. Between supervillains, regular criminals, and their day jobs, they’re constantly busy.

Every other Saturday, though, after everyone who’s working gets home, they make it a point to go do something together. Since Liliana’s been with them they’ve seen a couple of movies, gone to an arcade, had a picnic, gone to the mall, and eaten out at restaurants a few times. Every experience is a huge deal for her, though she tries to make light of the awe she feels. It’s just been so long since she’s done such normal, fun things. Sometimes she feels like she’s watching someone else’s life.

Today, they’re at the city park. No one can remember whose idea it was to start with, but “the children” - as Quinn likes to fondly dub Nari, Alex, and Jamil - went crazy over the thought of playing on the playground, so here they are. It’s late enough that all of the actual children have gone home. Jamil is trying out every slide, while Quinn judges Nari and Alex in a series of competitions on the monkey bars. Liliana watches everyone from the side, a small smile on her face, but every once in a while she glances over at the empty swings.

Swinging used to be her favorite. Especially on park or school swings like these, with the long chains that could take you so high you felt like you were flying. She and Mila used to see who could go the highest, and try to swing themselves right over the top bar.

It feels silly and childish now. She can’t swing herself right now, anyway. She healed another broken rib - on Nari this time - earlier this week, just a couple of weeks after the pain from Alex’s had finally faded. So there’s no way that she can pump the chains on a swing.

Still…she could just sit in one. That won’t hurt anything. Glancing over at the chin-up contest again, she makes her way over and settles into the plastic seat, gloved hands gripping the chains loosely. Her toes just barely reach the ground, giving her enough leverage that she can give herself a little push. The swing rocks gently. Liliana watches her sneakers as they brush across the dirt, back and forth. She pushes again and swings a little more. Such a simple motion, but it brings so many childhood memories flooding into her mind.

“May I give you a push?”

The sudden question makes her jump and look back over her shoulder, though she recognizes the voice. Jamil is standing behind her with a smile on his face, cheeks flushed from his adventures down the slides.

“Oh, um…y-you don’t have to, I’m…I’m fine.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to, if you’d like to swing. If not, I’ll leave you be!”

Now her mind is at war. She automatically wants to say no, not wanting to inconvenience him or make him do things for her.

She also really, really wants to swing.

Somehow, without her actually deciding what to say, “Sure?” slips out.

“Alright, hang on!”

Suddenly, she’s flying through the air, and it’s exactly how she remembers it. Colors rush by as the wind blows her curls back off her shoulders, then tangles them around her cheeks again. She grabs onto the chains tighter. Her legs automatically fall into a pumping motion, toes pointing out at the horizon, her eyes bright with exhilaration.

Yes, it pulls at her rib a bit. But she finds she doesn’t really care.

She’s been swinging for a few minutes, oblivious to anything else around her, when another voice breaks in. “Hold on tight, I’m coming through!” A set of hands grab the swing by her hips and shove forward, higher and faster until she’s sure she actually is going to go over the top bar, or more likely, fall out the back of the swing. She squeals in shock, though this sensation is familiar, too. Then she’s dropped abruptly, her stomach following the motion, the swing’s momentum twisting it back and forth as it reaches the bottom again.

Alex is turned around watching her, laughing. He’d come up from behind and grabbed the swing, running all the way underneath it.

Her brother used to do the very same thing, back when she was small enough he could lift her.

“Did I scare you?”

“A, a little.” She’s smiling, though. She can’t help it, even with the pain in her side and the melancholy of missing what used to be.

These people…they treat her like a family should. Better than her family ever did, though she feels like a traitor for thinking it.

She shouldn’t fall for it. If her real family taught her anything, it’s that what seems like love and care won’t last and can’t be trusted. If her own flesh and blood eventually turned on her, then she can’t expect people who were strangers a few months ago to be any different.

But right now, she’s shoving those thoughts deep, deep down. She can worry about all of that later. Right now, for once, she’s going to let herself enjoy the moment.

Nari is shoving and punching Alex and playfully fussing at him for scaring Liliana, and Jamil has jumped up on the swing next to her, standing on one foot and pumping with his arms. She doesn’t move from her spot, just keeps smiling and watching their antics. They’re so full of life and joy, even with the stress they constantly face.

Before long Quinn takes up Jamil’s position without a word, and she’s swinging again. Alex and Jamil balance on the seesaw, attempting circus tricks, screaming like girls when Nari uses her power to make the metal move beneath them, which sends her into fits of laughter.

It’s late when they finally pile into Quinn’s car to head back to HQ. Everyone is tired in a contented way. Alex leans the passenger seat back practically into Nari’s lap, claiming he’s going to take a nap, while she kicks his headrest repeatedly and threatens him. Quinn clears his throat loudly, though, and quiet falls to let him focus and not overwhelm him with sound in the small space.

Liliana leans her head back and watches the moon out the sunroof. Her hands are tucked between her knees to keep her arms from brushing up against Jamil and Nari, who each lean into their respective doors to give her more space. It’s…peaceful. She’s pretty sure she hears someone snoring. She could fall asleep, too, honestly, which is surprising for her since she doesn’t usually feel comfortable sleeping unless she’s alone.

The motion of the car does lull her into a near-dozing state. Her eyes are closed and she’s absentmindedly trying to picture which turn they’re taking when someone gasps and the car suddenly jerks to one side. Liliana’s eyes fly open and she sits up abruptly. There’s a bump and a loud popping and hissing sound, then the car is swerving uncontrollably, headlights sweeping back and forth across the empty road.

The seconds seem to pass in slow motion. Her hands are gripping the seats in front of her, eyes fixated out the front windshield. A cacophony of screams and shouted words fill the car as the steeply sloped side of the road looms in front of them, cutting off abruptly as they tip over the side and begin to fall.

Gravity inverts, and for a moment she’s weightless before being slammed back down. Her temple smashes into something hard and unyielding. Images are swimming through the darkness around her - a cracked window, slumped figures. A beam of light making her wince and turn away.

Someone groans. The car shakes as a door is forced open.

“This one’s still awake.”

“Here, use the syringe.”

There’s movement around her, the click of seatbelts unbuckling too loud in her ears.

“Wait, why are there five?”

“What?”

“This one, who is she? She’s not one of the usuals, is she?”

“Doesn’t matter, just grab her.”

Something is very, very wrong, but she can’t make her body work to do anything about it. The darkness outside is creeping closer inward. She feels her seatbelt loosen and a pair of hands latch onto her, but the darkness closes in completely before she can protest.

#querencia #liliana the healer #quinn the leader #nari the hero #alex the hero #jamil the hero #lady whump #lady whumpee #broken ribs #referenced parental abandonment #fear of abandonment #referenced mind control #car crash #kidnapping #urban fantasy #superheroes #heroes and villains #whump writing #whump series

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reuxben · 6 months

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Here’s our MTGinktober for “Plump,” starring Liliana, Heretical Healer and Garruk Relentless! C'mon, Garruk, stop holding up the draft and make your pec--I mean your pec! I mean pec your card...Uh…

Click this post’s Source link for this piece’s Making-Of.

More MTGinktober here.

Daily art updates on Instagram and Twitter.

Reuxben

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ilanarose7 · 15 days

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Some outcomes of Critical Role episode 91 (that happened either because of or completely separate from the big thing)

SPOILERS!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Starting with the ones not due to FCG's sacrifice:

Liliana has some level of trust and attempts at redemption with her daughter (those 31's on deception and persuasion Laura you legend!), which means a major player (and VESSEL?? tf was that about) who was formerly (and maybe kind of still) on Ludinus's side is swapping over

Ashton and Fearne are about to be exhausted from being Titans (Ashton much sooner since they powered up in ep. 90)

Zathuda is both proud and angry towards Fearne which is both terrifying and a bit heartwarming(?)

Nana (I think/hope it was her bending fate) was able to help Team Infiltration escape the Weavemind after Orym reached out

Now for the other outcomes due to FCG's sacrifice:

Orym's deal with Nana should be void since the group cannot return as they were (VM Spoiler Note: Liam's PC was finally saved from a deal leading to a life of service by Sam's PC after he wasn't able to in C1)

Chetney is ALIVE! I'm counting this as part of the sacrifice bc due to weird leveling circumstances Sam sacrificed his one brand-new 7th-level spell slot to take Revivify, which is a major thing to give up

Otohan is DEAD! GONE! That is a MAJOR player off the board and another one of Ludinus's high-ranking members off the board

FCG is dead, seemingly unrevivable based on how Matt phrased it (asking to make sure Sam understood what it meant). That will have MAJOR implications going forward.

On a D&D technical level, there is no primary healer meaning that Fearne has to take some healing spells or the party can't heal at all (pretty sure they used up all their potions during that fight).

On a character level, this is going to be devastating. Ashton, who started this whole adventure with FCG and has been saying for a LONG time that FCG was going to get themself killed, was unconscious when FCG made the ultimate sacrifice. Sending works, which means when they get back to Exandria, Imogen will probably be the one to let FRIDA know what happened.

On a slightly lighter note, I feel like Travis is going to shine next week. It's been said before and I'll say it again, Chetney is the heart of Bells Hells. He knows how to be there for this family and I have a feeling that will come to the forefront as we see the aftermath

I'm sure there are more outcomes, but these are the ones on my mind after barely sleeping last night following that episode. Sam knows how to play this game well and cuts straight to the heart while doing so. It was masterfully played and while completely devastating to watch, was also incredibly heroic and beautiful.

Good game, great players, amazing DM, and of course thank you Fresh Cut Grass for being a Faithful Care-Giver until the end

#cr spoilers #critical role #fcg #bells hells #ashton greymoore #fearne calloway #orym of the air ashari #laudna #imogen temult #chetney pock o'pea #im still emotionally wrecked #when matt started crying i completely lost it #by all means this would have been a tpk if not for fcg #sam riegel has done it again

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masterqwertster · 8 days

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Thinking about Liliana's little speech about how the Temples and governments will "hunt us down."

She means "us" as anyone who is Ruidusborn. And she's probably not wrong that there will be extremist groups/orders/cells that will do exactly that. Government attempts to collect and/or cull Ruidusborn. That the already existing stigma of a cursed birth will now be taken as a truth.

But she's kind of missing that the why of it all is that her group, the Ruby Vanguard, are the reason it would escalate to that level. Thousands of years since Predathos was sealed and started making Ruidusborn, and it's never been an issue on that level because any potential attempts to reach the moon and release the God-Eater weren't organized or empowered enough to actually be a global problem, much less get there and prove a real threat. Ruidusborn were just people with an unlucky birth, possibly strange powers, until the Ruby Vanguard started broadcasting their plans to kill the gods specifically by messing with Ruidus with the help of Ruidusborns.

It won't be fair to all the Ruidusborn who are actually trying to be regular people and not a God-Eater's tool. It won't be fair to Ruidusborn like Imogen who are actually fighting against Predathos. And it wouldn't be a problem if the Ruby Vanguard hadn't made them out as a viable world-class threat.

Liliana says they'll be hunted because the world knows. She doesn't mention that the world knows because of the Ruby Vanguard which she works for.

Which comes to the real truth of "us." "Us" is the Ruby Vanguard, and they have created a reason to be hunted by the world in all the people they've killed and the chaos and destruction they've caused in the name of their goal. It's not good, but when you're willing to kill, you shouldn't be surprised when that mentality is turned towards you.

If the Ruby Vanguard fails, the world remains strong enough to tear them down in the aftermath. Not only that, but the world is motivated to do so by the damage done to it and the fear of what would have happened if the Vanguard won.

And if the Vanguard does win, all of the clerics and paladins are depowered. Some of the greatest healers and devout warriors in the world, unable to draw out their full might. How much of the world is crippled and left defenseless without divine magics? And the Vanguard has a Ruidian army they're allied with and bringing down to Exandria. Who can resist them? They will be the hunters then.

#mq blathers #critical role #cr spoilers #c3e92 #liliana temult #cr meta

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madwomansapologist · 2 months

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Shades of Black and White | Raven Meets Dove

Meet Kind!Druid!Tav | More Daughter of Darkness | AO3

synopsis: Shadowheart only task was to survive the giths and escape with the artifact for her goddess. Liliana Wilde, a druid with a thing for the undead, wanted nothing but to enjoy her free time. Being abducted by a nautiloid wasn't on their plans, but to get out of it was their only goal. A common one.

warnings: Liliana Wilde (our kind!druid!tav) x Shadowheart. the healer falling in love with the necromancer (more on that later) is something for me. age gap (20ish years). meet cute? githyanki prejudice. selune caring for her children. tw: shar and lorroakan. dame aylin my babygirl.

The moon followed her every movements. Every stumble, every fall. It's the laugh when she makes a mistake, the soar as she stays awake. The reminder it isn't over. Damned be the Moon Witch.

Besides its pearly glow, Shadowheart was alone.

Shadows surround her with the familiarity of an old friend. It covered her footsteps, gave her enough time to escape with the artifact hidden beneath her clothes. Blood stained her fingers, tears marked her face, but darkness never stopped embracing her with its cold wings.

I'll stop when it's safe, Shadowheart told herself. It's been days, and by now her feet may never stop burning. She doesn't remember the sound of her own voice anymore.

She's the only one that remains standing. They all knew the giths weren't defenseless, but none could expect they would be so organized. Shadowheart could've respect it, but a gith is still a gith even when it knows how to think.

They spilled the blood of Shar's children, but still failed to end her.

Her mace was heavy on her hands, just as her eyes were always fabricating reasons to close. Shadowheart was so tired, but she can't. To sleep is to give them a chance. She can't. She needs to go on.

Her pain brings her closer to her goddess. Every scar on her skin, burn in her palm, whimper of exhaustion: it's a pray to the Nightsinger. A sign of faith, a prove of her worth.

She must succed. Shadowheart needs to.

When the nautiloid came, she looked up. The moon burned her eyes, but she could still see the ilithid machinery. Deep in the shadows, Shadowheart went as far as she could.

If only Shadowheart knew she was a pawn. That she would've been abducted anyway, no matter what she did, because of the Astral Prism. That her goddess didn't send her to steal an precious artifact, but to free the object able to protect those fated to destroy the Absolute.

But she didn't, so she kept on running. I'll stop when it's safe, Shadowheart repeated to herself.

She didn't.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The high stone walls of the Ivy Forest were made to protect them from the rest of the world. Inside it, they are safe. No one enters without permission. The gates simply refuse to open.

A dove challenged gravity, flying towards one of the main towers, and this very premisse. The wind tried to stop it, but the dove rose above. It was her territory.

A novice opened a window, leaning over to polish the wood frame. The dove almost knocked her over in fright. "Liliana!" She threw the cloth on the floor. "Again?!"

It's impossible, but she's sure the dove guffaw.

It flew through the stone corridors of the old palace, taken by druids ages ago and turned into a sanctuary. One of the clerics opened the archdruid's office after hearing the screams. It landed on the wooden table, and in a golden glow it gave space to a woman.

Liliana put her legs on the desk, her shoeless feet right underneath her tights. Her red hair was everywhere, falling in front of her face and messy on her shoulders, green leaves decoring a few loose braids hanging in front of her sharp ears. It was difficult to know if she put the leaves there or have not noticed them yet. Hard to say if she would care.

The archdruid sat in front of her, too tired to once again tell Liliana that she must leave her wild shape at the gates. Or at least wear shoes. Not the first time, definitelly not the last.

After all, Auri was the one to first call her Dove. She can remember it still. A thirteen years old girl learning to wild shape in her first lesson ever. A natural talent. A gifted child.

Auri would never let Liliana waste her potential. Don't matter what she needs to do.

"The Nightsong," Liliana said. "That's what he wants."

If only people knew how they don't care about what they talk near animals. The amount of secrets they share, the lies they assume, the mistakes they do.

Something was happening in the Sorcerous Sundries. Lorroakan was never a trusted ally, barely a tolerable neighbor, and from there they could feel something was off. He was ploting something, and Lorroakan isn't one to think about others safety when he does so.

"Six centuries alive and I continue unable to understand what makes wizards that stupid. Always hungry for more," Auri glared through the window, as if she could see the wizard from there. The elf rested her hand on Liliana's knees. "Did he saw you, my Dove?"

Liliana's answer was a smirk. She opened the map of the Coast on Auri's table, and marked the places Lorroakan mentioned. "You see it too, right? The pattern. How close he is from..."

"I do," Auri stopped her. Just from thinking about this place she can feel her stomach boiling. A hundred years passed, and it still makes her skin ache. A hundred more could, and she would still remember the neverending darkness. "We won that war."

"But the harpists and druids never recovered the lost territory from the Nightsinger. It's her domain still," Liliana pointed out. "I just don't understand why Lorroakan would ever spend his precious gold looking for a Shar's follower."

Auri crossed her arms. Liliana is smart, but still so young. She has much to learn. "What makes you think it's a Sharran he's chasing after?"

"The Nightsong," she said. "The Nightsinger. It makes sense to me."

"Shar and Selune both have equal claims over this world," Auri repeated the lesson Liliana never truly learned. "The singer doesn't necessarily own the song."

"Maybe that's why I only bother with Silvanus," Liliana rolled her eyes, jumping from the table. "So much easier to understand."

Part of Liliana expected Auri to demand her to search for the Nightsong too. Is not that she wanted to, but Liliana couldn't ignore the fact those searches were so close to her home town. All that remain are ruines, but she still would like to see them one more time.

Auri did nothing, so Liliana forced herself to go without saying a thing about it.

Maybe it's for the better. If she went there, nothing would stop her from thinking about her sister. It's better to stay at the Ivy Forest. To stay at home. Here she's safe from Daisy's poisoned memories.

Inside the Ivy Forest, she's safe.

Liliana should've stayed in her chambers. After days spying on Lorroakan, she should've chose to sleep. Or to bath. To eat. Instead, she flew throught the first open window to try to ease her mind. It was almost morning. She wouldn't have time to enjoy the cold breeze after it.

The worst decision of her entire life.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The twitching behind her eye was enough to enrage Liliana into breaking free from the pod. The hells burned outside the nautiloid, and its fire reached her heart.

Liliana never saw an ilithid before, but she knows about them. About what they used to be, and what they become. It all starts with the tadpole.

She won't die. Not here, not now.

Liliana will use a needle to get it out of her brain if she must.

Exploring the ship, and understanding it was as much living being as machinery, something got her attention. In a room full of brainless humans, a necklace reflected the hellfire.

A follower of Bhaal.

"Get me out of here," screams made Liliana jump from the place she was. She looked around, but no one else was there. Was she finally going crazy? "Please, help me! Over here!"

The distorted reflection of a woman inside a made Liliana run.

She tried to understand the control, but nothing of it made sense to her eyes. One thing was to know ilithid biology and history, other to understand their technology. But she saw an entrance, and since nothing else worked, she assumed a key was needed. She hoped it was near.

"I had an idea," Liliana screamed so the stranger wouldn't think she was leaving. "I'll come back."

"No, please, don't! Don't leave me here!"

"I won't," Liliana promised.

She came back with a rune of some sorts, praying to Silvanus that it wouldn't do the wrong thing to the poor woman locked on the pod. With her eyes closed, Liliana put it on the control.

When Shadowheart fell, the hot air invaded her lungs. Better than the cold one inside the pod. A helping hand made her stand on her feet, and green eyes gazed upon hers.

"We need to run," Liliana whispered, trying not to startled her.

"Thank you," was Shadowheart response. She could've ignored her. Leave her to her own luck. But she didn't, and that act of bravery Shadowheart can't ignore. "I won't forget that."

"You're welcome," falling into hell, Liliana smiled. "Now about running..."

"Yes, I just," Shadowheart stopped talking, searching for the artifact. It was with her, safe and sound. The redhead saw it, and didn't said anything. Good. Shadowheart took her mace. "Let's find a way out of here."

"You couldn't have worded it better," Liliana headed to the exit. Quick and spaced steps of a wood-elf, but nothing escaped Shadowheart's eyes.

"Wait a second." Shadowheart took the shoes from a Bhaal's follower. "He won't need it anymore."

Liliana accepted the shoes. She sat on the floor — meat? — and put them on her feet. Better than nothing.

Shadowheart followed Liliana. She didn't knew if the redhead had any clue of what to do, but followed her anyway. "I'm Shadowheart."

Liliana giggled. "With that name you must be a warlock."

"As if I would ever negotiate with a devil," Shadowheart rolled her eyes. "I'm a cleric. Healer. And you're a druid."

Liliana stared at her. "How do you know?"

"You have leaves on your hair."

Liliana touched her head, getting a dry leave out of it. That's new. "You ignore them until I can wash my hair, and I ignore how weird your name is."

Shadowheart smirked. "Deal."

When the ilithid demanded them to control the nautiloid, they both pretended to be brainless and did as he said. They had the same goal, and the two of them are experienced with winning a battle without fighting in it.

Gravity turned against them, everything started flying inside the control room. Shadowheart collapsed against a wall, her lungs burning all the air inside her, and saw starts. The sky!

Liliana used all her strenght to hold herself to the control. Shadowheart reached for her, but Liliana couldn't take her hand. They both would ended up falling from the ship if she accepted her help.

Better her than the two of them.

"My name is Liliana," she screamed. "It was nice to meet you."

"Come over here, you stubborn druid." Shadowheart tried to cast comand on her, but with all things flying around she couldn't concentrate. " Don't test me."

That night ended with the two of them sleeping by the beach, mere feet apart from each other. Rest, at last.

The moon watched over them.

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

BALDUR'S GATE 3 TAGLIST: @citrusbunnies @amandacanwrite

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

#madwomansapologist #kind!druid!tav #oc: liliana wilde #shadowheart x tav #shadowheart x reader #shadowheart #shadowheart bg3 #shadowheart baldurs gate 3 #baldur's gate #baldurs gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 tav #bg3 x tav #bg3 #bg3 x reader

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luminousstardust · 11 months

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Constellations for each member of Bells Hells!

As I started making my level 10 Imogen dress, I wanted to have the constellations I painted on there to have meaning. While looking up some constellations and the mythos behind them, I realized that a lot of them actually related to a lot of the members of Bells Hells, and wanted to have them all represented on her dress!! Along with a couple key NPCs.

So, here’s the list:

Imogen - Andromeda

This was the first constellation I added to the dress!! According to my friend who is very into astronomy, Andromeda’s mother bragged about her beauty, angering the greek gods and causing Andromeda herself to nearly be sacrificed for her mother’s mistakes. I feel like this ties into Imogen’s life very neatly, as Liliana’s involvement with Ruidus and the Ruby Vangaurd have definitely had a more negative impact on her life so far. And, speaking of Liliana…

Liliana Temult - Cassiopeia

Liliana is the only true NPC to be featured on Imogen’s dress, because the comparison of Andromeda and Cassiopeia to Imogen and Liliana was too good to pass up on! I also have Liliana’s constellation on one side of the dress and Imogen’s on the other for optimum heartbreak…💔

Laudna - Ophiuchus

Speaking of placement… Ophiuchus as Laudna is right next to the Andromeda constellation on the dress 💜🖤. Ophiuchus is a greek healer often associated with bringing people back from the dead, which Laudna has done twice now. He’s also associated with snakes, which is a fun little nod to Laudna’s snake ring.

Fearne - Capricornus

Fearne being placed next to Imogen and Laudna is also intentional - I could not separate the witchy bitches!!! Capricornus represents, just like Fearne, a horned half-goat. I chose this one not only because it matches Fearne’s physical satyr presentation, but because her Fae nature is so key to her character and her relationship with the world around her.

Orym - Scutum

And right next to Fearne is her bestie, Orym!! While Scutum doesn’t have much mythos attached to it like the other constellations, it’s name means shield in Latin, which is just SO Orym. Not only is his own sheild very important to him, but Orym often utilizes his battle maneuvers in fights to protect other members of the party, so he is kind of like a sheild himself.

Dorian - Lyra

OF COURSE I had to include Dorian!! And put him right next to his sending stone buddy. Lyra was an obvious choice for Bells Hells’ bard, since the constellation represents Orpheus’ lyre. But I also chose this with the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in mind, because Dorian’s separation and inability to “see” the rest of Bells Hells at the moment hurts me sooooo much. Hoping for a reunion eventually!!!!

Chetney - Caelum

Seeing the Caelum constellation, which translates to “the chisel,” is actually what inspired me to pair constellations to characters in the first place. A chisel constellation was MADE for Chetney!! Not only do I love love love the idea of a carver using their tools as weapons, but I absolutely ADORE that Chetney uses those same tools to make little personalized wooden crafts for his friends. He cares more than his grumpy old persona lets on!!!!

Ashton - Hercules

This one feels as though it may be a bit on the nose, but as the tank of the party I chose Hercules for Ashton. I feel like Hercules as a very strong mythical character represents all of Ashton’s strength - the physical, the internal, and the mental. Not only are they an incredible fighter, but having to deal with their chronic pain and emotional anguish requires a great deal of strength. Not to mention what team Issylra have been going through recently, and how he’s done his best to be, for lack of a better term, a rock for his friends.

F.C.G. - Libra

The Libra constellation represents a scale, a form of balance, which is why I chose it for F.C.G. With his healing abilities and love of emotional counseling, F.C.G. brings a unique balance to a party of heavy hitters who don’t necessarily love talking about their emotions. Also, their newfound religion promises to bring a new perspective to the party amidst their moral conundrum with the gods, which I’m excited to watch play out.

Bertrand Bell - Corvus

Last but certainly not least, the man who inspired the name of the Bells Hells himself! Corvus, the constellation representing crows and ravens, was an obvious choice for Bretrand. Not only was taken by the Raven Queen himself, but his girlfriend, Lieve'tel, was a cleric of the Raven Queen, so he feels intrinsically tied to the Matron. And as morbid as it was, Bertrand's death really set the Bells Hells off on the chain of events that has spiraled into the story we know today.

…And that’s it! I may add more constellations in the future (I have a few in mind for some of the guests, but I don’t want it to get too cluttered), but we’ll see! I’ll definitely post more when I finish Imogen’s whole level 10 outfit as well. Thanks for reading!

#reblogs appreciated since i spent a lot of time on this post / dress :))#imogen temult #imogen temult cosplay #critical role #critical role cosplay #critical role fanart #kinda!#bells hells #bells hells cosplay #painting #cosplay #sewing #tays cosplays

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whatrobindoes · 1 year

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"Liliana Vess is a planeswalker from Dominaria and is both a master necromancer and a healer. She cares little for others, seeing them as stepping stones on her path to greater power. It was this craving for power that brought her to the Chain Veil, an item she views with contempt at times, for its power comes at a terrible price. Though she appears to be in her late 20s or early 30s, she is actually over two centuries old.

After the Mending, she made a pact with four demons to secure her youth and power. To complete the demonic pact, Kothophed etched the contract in lines along Liliana's skin. As she cast powerful spells, the lines glowed purple; when she drew on the power of the Chain Veil, they could bleed." (Text from MTG Wiki)

A little fan piece I've been working on this year. Progress picks below:

#magic the gathering #mtg #liliana vess

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bewarethecircles · 10 days

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A list of my various predictions for Sam's future after episode 91 (some more likely than others):

The party tries to resurrect FCG and fails

The party tries to resurrect FCG and succeeds (unlikely imo)

FCG becomes a dead champion of the Changebringer ala vax

What remains of FCG's soul goes into the coin and you can flip it to get their opinion

What remains of FCG's soul goes into Frida and now they're chilling together

Sam's new character is Taryon Gary Darrington

Sam's new character is some sort of healer so that fearne doesn't have to be alone

Sam's new character is the champion of a betrayer god

Sam's new character is from Ruidus

Matt is now playing Liliana, Sam becomes the new DM

Feel free to add your own, I want to see if anyone can guess right

#critical role #sam regiel #fresh cut grass #bells hells #loveletters #fcg #critical role spoilers

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negative-speedforce · 7 months

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“It’s not a ‘trigger’! I don’t have ‘triggers’! There’s nothing wrong with me! I’m perfectly normal!”, “I don’t know what’s going on with me, but… I don’t think this is normal.”, “I don’t need to see a shrink! I’m not crazy!”, “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted them. I got what I deserved.”, “I’m supposed to be stronger than this!”

"I don’t know what’s going on with me, but… I don’t think this is normal.”

With: My Star Wars OCs Thalia and Liliana (I'll post a thing about her later)

cw for internalized aphobia

"Master Mithrandriel..." Thalia took a deep breath. "I think there's something wrong with me."

"Have you seen the Healers about this?" Liliana raised an eyebrow, opening the curtains of her office to let the sunlight in.

"It's nothing like that." Thalia said. "It's just... everyone else my age seems to be getting crushes. They talk about how hard it is to follow the Code, to stay free of attachments. Sometimes, I'll catch the older Padawans canoodling in the hallways. At first, I thought I was just a late bloomer, but now, I'm sixteen. I would have thought I'd have my first crush by now."

"You've never had a crush before?" Liliana raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Thalia nodded. "No. I mean, I find people vaguely attractive, but it's more the feeling when you see a really interesting ship design than anything more than that. I don't know what's going on with me, but... I don't think this is normal."

"Oh, Thalia." Liliana laughed. "Have you ever heard of the term 'aromantic'?"

"Vaguely? I mean, I've heard it, but it's kind of confusing." Thalia replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Aromantic means that you feel little to no romantic attraction towards other people. It's perfectly normal." Liliana replied. "There's nothing wrong with you, Thalia. You're just... you."

Thalia breathed a sigh of relief. "So this isn't just a 'me' thing?"

"No. There's plenty of people out there who don't feel romantic attraction. There's also people who don't experience sexual attraction, they're asexual, and they're normal too."

"I think I might be both." Thalia said after a moment of deliberation. "Asexual and Aromantic."

"Good to know." Liliana nodded. "Just remember- you're not broken. There's nothing wrong with you. And if anyone ever makes you feel that way, send them to me."

"Thank you, Master." Thalia bowed her head, standing up. "I feel.... better now."

"Good." Liliana nodded. "And if you realize that you're not actually aromantic, that's fine too. Whatever happens, just be true to yourself. The rest will follow."

#DID I MAKE IT WHOLESOME #I MADE IT WHOLESOME #ask revan #oc shit #vexic :D #revan writes

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howlingwolf23 · 1 month

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Back in February I learned that not everyone can taste/smell the liquids when they get an IV. The nurse said it's less common to be able to.

If you've ever had an IV can you smell/taste it?

In Dragon Age do you think people can smell/taste magic, especially healing magic? Who do you think would be able to and how do you think everyone would feel about it?

*Asks are sent for fun, no pressure to answer within a certain amount of time or at all.*

Some can and some can't

Canonically, Dorian mentions his teeth tasting funny after whipping a Veil-warp though I think this is different from healing magic. This was an extra charged spell. I think normally Dorian doesn't taste it and he finds it annoying.

Iron bull also can't taste and he finds it annoying as he doesn't trust magic and he wants to be able to taste it to know what's happening to him. Make sure he's not being tricked or poisoned with magic.

Sera doesn't taste it and is glad not to. Stuff is creepy enough as it is.

Krem also can't taste and is also glad he can't taste. Just doesn't trust it much.

Vivienne can taste it. Her healing magic always tastes quite clean to her.

Cole can also taste but not the same as everyone else. It's almost familiar but also tickles.

Cassandra, Scout Lace Harding, and Cullen don't taste and don't care. As long as it heals them and the people around them, that's all that matters.

Morrigan can taste and has preferred healers and healing methods as she is very attuned to the subtle tastes. She actually hates to self heal as it reminds her too much of her mother.

Liliana says she can taste but really she can't. She says she can because she thinks if people knew she can't taste, it's a weakness that can be used against her.

Blackwall can taste and says he doesn't like it but he actually does as it calms him to know it's working.

Josephine's answer changes everytime you ask her. The truth is the last time she really needed a healer was in school or as a child, fighting with Yvette, and she can't remember if she can or can't taste. She just tailors her answer to who asks.

Solas can taste and it vexs him. Is he supposed to taste it? Or was this taste always around before the veil? Is this the taste of home he long lost? Or is this the taste of the new world he is about to destroy?

I think most dwarves can't taste magic

Dagna can taste but just barely, but not enough to get enough to describe the flavor. The first time she needs a healer is at Skyhold, an accident in the undercroft. She was experimenting and Sera distracted her by being cute and there was a small explosion that required a mage healer.

Ever since, she's wanted to taste more to get a better idea of how healing affects taste. It really annoys her that no one wants to help her study the flavors. The problem is she wants someone to injure her just enough for a healer to heal. Everyone thinks she's a bit insane. Sera is very angry about this plan.

#dragon age inquisition #dragon age headcanon #can you taste the magic

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markrosewater · 2 years

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Why not more unplaneswalkers? I would have loved the first 5 gatewatch members as unwalkers. Imagine a mono white un liliana that became a healer

I was allocated two, so that's what I made.

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actress4him · 7 months

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Whumptober 2023 - Day 1 - Querencia

This is the next chapter of Querencia, directly following Park Day!

Taglist: @darthsutrich , @inky-whump , @painful-pooch , @pigeonwhumps , @bookworm2107

Previous | Next | Masterlist

No. 1: “But now this room is spinning while I’m trying just to fill in all the gaps.” | “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Contains: dude whump, lady whump, team whump, superheroes and villains, head injuries, unconsciousness, kidnapping, restraints, noncon drugging, referenced homelessness, implied torture, death mention

Liliana is first aware of a sharp headache in her temple. Waking up with a headache is hardly unusual, she’s used to sleeping on asphalt and hard-packed dirt with not enough food or water in her system. But something in her gut is screaming wrong, something that makes her open her eyes instead of rolling over and trying to go back to sleep past the pain like usual.

She’s not in an alleyway. She’s also not in her new room at the warehouse. She doesn’t know where she is, which has her immediately sitting up, though she regrets it when her head pounds and the unfamiliar room sways around her. Squeezing her eyes shut again, she puts a hand to the side of her head and waits for everything to settle.

“Lili! You’re awake! Are you okay?”

Blinking, she looks for the source of the voice. It’s Nari, sitting a few feet away with Jamil, a smear of dried blood across her upper lip. And Alex…he’s lying nearby, and looks like he’s asleep. Or…unconscious? She refuses to think of the third option.

“I’m…I’m okay, just…” She pulls her hand down into her lap quickly. “H-headache. What, what happened? Where are we, i-i-is…is A-alex okay?”

“He’s unconscious,” Jamil responds, looking over at him anxiously. “Like you were. Hopefully he’ll wake up soon.”

“We’re not really sure what happened.” Nari shifts, and Liliana’s eyes are drawn to the handcuffs linking her right wrist to the chain link that makes up one wall of the ‘room’ they’re in. Something about that isn’t right, but her mind is swirling too much to pinpoint what it is yet. “Um…last we remember was being in the car and…hitting something, maybe? And swerving off the road. Then we woke up here.”

Right. The car wreck, she remembers that now. “I-I-I think…I think I h-heard people…talking. I don’t, um, don’t remember w-what they said.”

“Well, we all know that we make enemies in our line of work.” Nari drops her voice low, as if someone might be listening. “And this has to be about that. But…the question is, how did they know it was us?”

“I told you, it has to be Luna.” Jamil doesn’t sound like himself. He sounds small, and scared, like he did right after waking up from being mind controlled. “We knew she was going to pull something like this sooner or later.”

Liliana’s eyes dart around the room, trying to decide what type of building they’re in, even though she’s sure Nari and Jamil have gone over all those possibilities already. It seems like a storage area of some kind, though the part they’re in has been cleared out. The walls are concrete block, other than the one that’s chain link fence with a door in the center. Through the fencing she can see stacks of boxes, and maybe another area like the one they’re in, too. It’s hard to tell for sure in the dim lighting.

“W-wait, where’s…?” She twists, looking behind her, making sure she hasn’t missed him somewhere. Her ribs twinge, even more of them sore now than the one she’d healed. “Where’s Quinn?”

The expressions that come over both Nari and Jamil’s faces put an immediate knot in her stomach. They don’t get a chance to answer, though, because it’s at that moment that Alex groans and begins to stir. He’s handcuffed to the fencing, too, and so is Jamil. She’s the only one not restrained. Maybe they figured she didn’t look like a threat. They’d be right about that.

“Alex, dude! You had me worried, are you okay?”

Nari nudges Jamil with her elbow. “Give him a second to wake up, Jay.”

Groaning again, Alex scrubs at his stubbled face with his free hand. “Man, my head. I must have gotten hit with something big.”

“How many fingers am I holding up?”

Letting his arm flop back to the ground, he picks up his head and squints at Nari. “Three.”

She nods and drops her own hand. “Yep. You’ll be okay. Just take it easy for now.”

“Um…” Alex rolls his head from side to side and tugs at his restraints a little. “Why are we in a dungeon and why am I handcuffed?”

Jamil lifts his shoulders up toward his ears. “We…got kidnapped?”

“What? How did somebody manage that?” He’s still pulling at his trapped wrist. “Wait, better question, why can’t I break the handcuffs?”

“Same reason I can’t.” Nari jingles her own set with a frustrated huff, and it finally clicks with Liliana why her being restrained felt so weird. They’re made of metal. Nari should be able to bend those to her will with little thought or effort.

“They’ve apparently done something to our powers,” Jamil explains. “I can’t replicate or anything, either. I don’t know if it’s something in the room, or if they drugged us, or what.”

“Great.”

Nari turns a thoughtful look on her. “If it’s drugs, I wonder if they gave it to you, too, Lili. I mean…most people don’t even know that you’re a part of the team, much less what you do.”

“Luna knows,” Jamil mumbles.

“I could, um…I c-could try healing someone? Alex’s head, m-maybe?”

“Guys!” Everyone’s attention turns back to Alex. “Where’s Quinn?”

Those same expressions are back. Jamil runs his free hand nervously through his curls, and Nari stares down at her lap. Liliana automatically starts fidgeting with her gloves without even knowing what’s going on.

“We don’t know.” Nari’s voice is never that quiet and unsure. “He, um…he wasn’t here when we woke up. We haven’t seen or heard anything about him.”

Everything falls silent. The severity and terror of the situation is finally sinking in for Liliana, making her stomach churn.

Is he hurt? Is he dead? Are they doing something horrible to him right this very second? Who are these people, and what do they want from them? And how are they going to get out of here if none of the heroes can use their powers?

“I’m…I’m sure he’s okay,” Nari begins tentatively. “He’s…the leader, they probably…just…”

A loud, strangled scream tears down the hallway and echoes through the room.

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koneko-pi · 11 months

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ahhhh Once again I'm anxious to share character information, but I've been feeling rather proud of her and have had a lot of fun coming up with her lore. So here she is, a little reworked but still a favorite of mine.

Pucelle Liliana

After the overwhelming successful joint assignment between the Silver Eagles and the Research Division, Julius thought it would be a grand idea to assign one Researcher to each squad; leaving it up to Briar on who would go where. While Briar would stay with the Silver Eagles, she would send Pucelle to the Crimson Lion kings.

Pucelle is a whopping 5'1" tall (155cm) and fifteen years old. Despite her age she has been with the research division for two years and is one of the people closest to Briar Rose, going as far as to call her "Captain", despite the division not being an official squad.

She is an energetic and bouncy girl, often running with a hop in her step or talking fast in her eagerness to meet new people. She is very personable, friendly and enjoys meeting new people. Loves to shake hands when first meeting others and is overly curious about nearly anything.

Upon her arrival to the Crimson Lions she made a good impression, despite her age, with the squad. They welcome her energy and eagerness to help and Fuegoleon quickly assigned her Leopold so she may get used to their day to day activities in the squad. They quickly become fast friends.

Despite her extremely friendly nature not everything is as it seems with Pucelle and she keeps a secret very close with Briars help...

Pucelle has a unique form of magic and grimoire. Unlike most she has a Tome, an old item only Briar recognized because of how rare they are. Tome's are Grimoire that don't belong to one person, and instead will activate and belong to those who have the highest affinity for it. This means the Tome can be passed from person and is not tied to anyone via their soul, this also means that once the mage dies, the Tome will not vanish.

Pucelle, thanks to the Tome, has Blessing magic. which means at its most powerful she is capable of dispelling curses, while at its weakest she can primarily heal people, boost aspects of things. This immediately thrusts her into the Crimson Lions local healer and support mage.

Aside from the Tome, Pucelle has no Grimoire for herself.

#black clover #black clover oc #black clover fanart #black clover anime #black clover art #oc: Pucelle #character profile

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mehoymalloy · 25 days

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WIP Tag Game

If you're tagged, make a new post and share 1-2 (or a few!) sentences from your most recent unposted WIP(s) with zero context-- Let your followers guess!

Thanks for the tag, @foibles-fables! Here's a few!

---

Her voice is too quiet in the stillness. Monotonous and low and nothing at all like the voice that echoes through Imogen’s mind. Snatches of conversation and fractured words—what little she had overheard while slipping in and out of consciousness—struggle to breach the haze of memory, trying to form any semblance of sense.

Petrov’s wavering tone as he anxiously recounts his and Verdo’s tale.

Otohan’s far firmer voice—orders to secure the perimeter and question locals.

A healer, briefly hesitating when instructed not to heal Imogen’s shoulder fully—the hitched breath of an argument held back as gentle hands ease the pain, but only just.

---

The imposing juggernaut, ever stoic, offers a hand. He’s always their preferred sparring partner on nights like these, when sleep alludes them and a restlessness courses fast through their veins. Normally, on the rare occasions he does manage to down them, Otohan would clasp his offered hand, grip it tight in silent congratulation as they’re pulled to their feet.

Normally, Imogen isn’t also standing over them, bent over just enough that long lilac waves tumblr over her shoulder as she looks Otohan up and down.

“And here I thought I was special for getting you on your back,” she says, too airily.

---

Liliana’s mind, even carefully concealed from Otohan’s prodding as it was, was a heavy, sinking thing—quiet in its gnawing anxiety.

Where Otohan hadn’t seen her lifelong mentor since she had ‘abandoned’ her duties to the temple, Liliana hadn’t seen her family for the better part of a decade—the sole reason she was doing so now was because her father was dying.

Otohan would not mourn the man, and she was fairly certain Liliana wouldn’t either—but guilt was a far better motivator than grief.

---

And I'll tag @willowbirds and my mind is BLANKING so please if anyone wants to do this feel free to tag me~

#fun tag games are fun #wip stuff #otohan thull #yeah they mostly center around her anyway so [shrugs]#critical role #cr3

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faerie--macabre · 3 months

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Sleep evades her despite the exhaustion that still lingers. Instead all she can do is stare down at the slumbering lump in her arms. In truth she shouldn't be holding him, shouldn't start forging a bond that will never flourish since she plans to leave as soon as possible. Yet here in her arms is the son that's given her a hellish nine months. Silently he lays atop her bosom, little fists clenched up and tufts of dark, raven hair sticking up in all directions.

The fact he lives is serendipitous. Because quite easily she could have snuffed out his existence long before now. But she didn't. If anything, Embrose should thank her for giving him an heir, one that's guaranteed for something great. "You're a Vess afterall." Liliana murmurs, fingers stroking the child's back with featherlight touches.

Continuing the bloodline was something she was never interested in. In her girlhood, at the age of seventeen, she was so relieved to have her apprenticeship with the healer of Vess Manor, Lady Anna. What was meant to be a punishment was in some ways a salvation. Of course the apprenticeship came with its own frustrations, yet; Liliana would much rather be elbow deep in innards, cleaning pus dripping wounds and listen to the dying cries of soldiers than deal with grubby little hands tugging at her skirts, shepherding rowdy youngsters and having a child on her hip near constantly. She'd happily stomp through the swamp collecting herbs if it meant not having to play nanny to her cousins and younger sisters.

That sentiment still prevails when she gazes down at her son. He's been quiet so far; calm while looking up at her with big brown eyes almost in adoration. Unfortunately there is no spark of that maternal feeling so often talked about. There's a possessive feeling that's lingered when a nurse comes to close. But it's less in a mother bear shielding a cub sort of way and more of in the way of owning an item --- an artifact or expensive bottle of liquor. And bless his tiny heart, he deserves actual care. That'll be Embrose's burden to handle.

Just when she's starting to get sentimental, a thought creeps up in her mind. Her son may live now but more than likely Liliana will outlive him by a long shot. While she is not fully immortal, she needs not worry about aging. Time is hers. Killian, the blood of her body and flesh of her soul, does not have the same advantage. There will come a day when he's rotting in the ground while she still walks the planes. Something about that thought makes her sick in her stomach.

Hastily it's pushed away. There's no need to linger on such trivial matters. Once she's gone, she's gone; never to return or seek him out. Her time on Arcavios is up. She has a life to live as does he and certainly as does Embrose.

Embrose...he'll be here in the morning. Liliana needs to prepare to drag herself back to Innistrad. She had considered sticking around for another day or two however, that might be problematic in the long run.

A soft yawn catches her attention. The tiny creature now looks up at her. Gently Liliana shuffles him so the two are pretty much face to face. "You will be the greatest curse I can bestow upon your father." It's a jest said softly, with more mischief than malice. The babe laughs as if he could understand every word she's saying. "Yes, you should give him as much hell as you have given me." That earns her the honor of his tiny hands splaying across her cheeks and what one can interpret as a kiss placed on the tip of her nose (though really it's more the equivalent to a nibble).

Her heart skips a beat. For a split second she reconsiders her plan to make a speedy escape. Guilt starts to creep up and that, that is a big enough sign that this needs to end.

So Liliana lulls her son back to sleep. Come daylight when Embrose finally arrives, all that's left is the swaddled child and a piece of parchment with the name Killian Lu scrawled on it in Lili's own beautiful script. No explanation following. The babe seems content, albeit appears to be missing a chunk of hair.

Returning to Innistrad, to Vess Manor is the most tranquil emotion. Her sanctuary, now like her body, is empty and silent. The feeling of her own bed and the silk sheets are like heaven. Her body as well as her mind are beyond tired. Before slumber completely takes hold of her, Liliana places a bundle of braided hair (inky black and no bigger than her pinky finger) onto the table beside her bed. There's a jeweler in Thraben that specializes in making pieces in commemoration of lost loved ones. She'll take it there. Maybe get itmade into a brooch or locket. The only remainder of odd time in her life.

Now her focus can return to her pacts. Demons won't kill themselves. Nor fetch their own artifacts or kill their own targets.

#(drabbles)#ink duelist;; killian #dean of shadows;; embrose #ask to tag #// an idea that's rattled in my brain for a couple of days

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