#made me giggle - the once in a blue moon i look on reddit | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nerv0usm3chanic · 3 years

Text

CORRUPTION

Chapters: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4

((NOTE - This is an introduction to a new PERMANENT AU feature exclusive to nerv0usm3chanic. Please see further, generalized information regarding this AU here: X

Be advised that each of these chapters are VERY LONG. The full content will be tucked under a read more after a brief introduction segment.

DO NOT REBLOG.))

Vivi frowned as she spotted Arthur perusing the shelves of Tome Tomb. He wasn’t often in here except when meeting up with Vivi for hanging out later...which, now that she thought about it, hadn’t happened in quite some time. The blue-haired woman made a mental note to invite Arthur and Lewis over for one of their terrible movie nights before heading over to talk to the blond.

“Hey Artie!” The blond jumped at her sudden greeting, his hand over his now racing heart as it registered who it was that spoke to him. “Oh jeeze! I’m sorry for spooking you, Arthur.” She couldn’t help but let a small giggle.

“N-no worries, I’m fine.” Arthur assured her, taking a deep breath, “I um...I was just looking up some things here.” He gestured to the shelf, a series of books on it and many of which hopefully containing his desired topic. Vivi peered over, tilting her head and quirking an eyebrow.

“These are all about ghosts and magic...ooh! Did you hear a rumor about something spooky?” She was getting excited now, “Are you researching for a case, Artie?” Her eyes sparked with her excitement. With a nervous swallow, Arthur nodded slightly, scratching at the back of his head.

“Uh, y-yeah, you caught me.” He coughed, “I heard some rumors of ghosts causing some magical energy fluxes and-”

“Ooh! So exciting! I’ll have to get with you on this later after work!” Vivi clasped her hands around his and practically bounced in place. Just as suddenly, she bounded away to continue her workday and Arthur sighed. Thankfully, he got away without further questions, but he hated the idea of having to explain exactly why he was researching this topic. He’d have to take a rain check if she were to invite him anywhere.

“Is this everything?” The shopkeeper asked in a calm, neutral drawl. Arthur nodded silently, drumming his fingers - both the metallic and flesh and bone - on the counter as Duet collected the first of the three books. A blightly-colored eyebrow quirks and the mysterious person looked at Arthur meaningfully. “Are you sure?”

“U-uhm...I think so?” Arthur quailed, glancing sideways as he saw Vivi pass by with a cart of books to be out away. With worrying amber eyes, Arthur begged Duet to stay quiet about his purchases. They too glanced at Vivi before setting the book down with a soft sigh and giving Arthur a serious look.

“Something is off about you, Kingsmen. And I don’t like it.” They commented in a hushed tone, sure to keep their conversation between Arthur and them alone. Their implication was deeply ominous and Arthur shrank at the connotations. Duet relaxed slightly, easing their dark tone and casually checking out the books Arthur had selected as if nothing had been said. After a moment, Duet looked to the blond again.

“You are...researching...yes?” They offered a much more sensitive tone, prompting Arthur to nod and sigh in some relief. “Perhaps there is someone...I can recommend to you.” And with another subtle gesture, Arthur saw a flash of gold from Duet’s sleeve. He blinked as the shopkeeper slipped the thing in between random pages in one of the larger books.

“Was that a...a card?” Arthur asked as Duet finished ringing up the books. They didn’t answer, just placed the books into a plastic bag and looked to Arthur again.

“That will be $43.23.” Duet’s flat expression indicated they had no interest in continuing. Them making a directed glance over Arthur’s shoulder was enough to say why: Vivi was nearby. Arthur nodded, pulling out his wallet and retrieving the necessary funds.

“Thank you.” Arthur nodded, passing a $50 bill and taking his bag of books. He had no need for the small amount of change, especially if Duet’s lead pointed him in the right direction.

“This is it?” Arthur asked himself later that evening, looking at the gilded card and with the large book in his lap. There wasn’t anything even written on the card, just a golden embossed moon and beneath it, the words ‘qui petit auxilium’. Arthur didn’t know what it meant and he frowned angrily as he flung the card off to the side. He pouted further when the card spun gracefully and made a smooth landing on his nightstand. “How am I supposed to get help with this stupid spirit if I can’t get a straight answer?”

‘I can hear you, boy.’ The spirit snarled in his head.

“I know you can.” Arthur growled back, turning to the book for help and turning pages to look at the index. The blond proceeded to read from a selected section, investigating all he could from what little there actually was on ghosts and their affects on people.

Pages upon pages on skeptical theory, a chapter on the effects of those under possession - or assumed so - and a handful of paragraphs on magical side effects. None of which described lightning or electricity. There was a small section on hearing the voice of the spirit that plagued, though it was played down shortly after with most victims actually being mentally-ill. Arthur grew frustrated. Hearing that voice constantly tease and taunt him, a spirit that made electricity fly from his hands at the most inconvenient times, and the constant strain and worry...

With an exhausted sigh, Arthur shut the book, using the attached ribbon as a bookmark. He set the book on his nightstand and flopped onto his mattress...before looking to the card once again. Metal fingers reached out, taking the slip of thick paper and turning it carefully. The moon glinted bright in the lamplight as it turned and again the words showed bright.

“Qui petit auxilium...I wonder what that means?” Arthur whispered, weariness beginning to weigh on his eyelids. ‘I just...I just wish I could find something...someone to help me.’ With that thought, the blond curled onto his side, ignoring the devious hums of the other voice in his skull.

Despite his doubts, Arthur continued his research, both through the books he purchased and online. He even created a new throwaway Reddit account to search for advice and ideas on how to deal with things. Most if it was hooey and there were a lot of folks going to him to sell their ‘holistic’ home remedies for his ‘condition’. With a sigh, Arthur closed his laptop and rubbed at his tired eyes, bags growing darker each day.

He was the definition of exhausted. By this point it had been more than a year since his possession and he still hadn’t gotten used to the meddling voice in his head or the electrical surges that liked to flow around his metal arm. Arthur scowled at the appendage.

“You were supposed to help me feel normal again.” The mechanic growled at the inanimate arm as it laid peacefully beside his computer.

‘Normal was never an option after you and your friends stepped into my trap.’ The blond ground his teeth a moment before aggressively pushing back from his desk. He needed a walk. Arthur said as much when Lucan asked where he was going.

“Awrigh’ lad...bu’ Ah got dinner cookin’ righ’ now. If ye want it warm an’ fresh, be back in a half hour, okay?” Lucan asked. Arthur gave a tired grunt of ascent and loudly closed the apartment door behind him. The dark-haired Kingsmen looked to his father in concern. Arthur was rarely this moody, even in his teenage rebellious phase and it worried his family.

There was a flash of gold in the bright moonlight as Arhur played with the strange card over and around his fingers. The nights were chill and even walks at 6:30 pm were lit by streetlamps and moonbeams. Arthur liked going for walks at night. Fewer people to run into, to talk to about how poorly and pale he was getting, to look at his arm and feel sorry for him. Amber eyes narrowed at the thought.

He’d seen the pitying looks all three of his friends gave him...and he understood why, but it hurt to see them think anything poorly of him because of his still-new disability. He wanted to be normal again. He wanted to have never gone into that cave. He wanted Vivi and Lewis to have listened to him and his bad feelings. He wanted to...to...he sighed in defeat, looking to the card Duet had given him as he walked past a series of old houses in the nicer neighborhood on the outskirts of Tempo.

Research led to only dead ends...to all but one question he had.

“Qui petit auxilium...help to those who ask for it.” A nice sentiment...but ultimately useless if he didn’t know who to ask for help. His only clue was the golden moon that seemed to glow full under the light of the pale white moon above his head. Funny...they both seemed to match at this phase. Arthur hummed idly as he thought about it and looked up.

“A shooting star...” He murmured, coming to a stop in front of another old pseudo-Victorian-style house, the walls covered in ivy and all of the windows dark with some boarded up and others curtained off. He watched the meteorite sail in a surprisingly long trail across the sky. Before it vanished, he closed his eyes and sighed out softly:

“I wish I could find answers...I need help. Who do I go to?” He opened his eyes to see the meteorite had gone. “...please?” For once...the spirit in his head was silent. Arthur felt its presence, but heard nothing. That in itself was remarkable. On another outlet of breath and a soft nod, Arthur turned his head from the sky and turned to make his way back home...when he heard a loud creaking from his right.

Startled, Arthur whipped his head towards the previously-abandoned house. The door was opened and a bright light poured forth, golden and warm and beckoning. The blond didn’t even notice the soft pulse of magic from the card in his hand as he cautiously made his way through the front gate and approached the front porch. He didn’t even notice that the windows remained dark and empty of all life.

The entity in his mind was suspiciously quiet as he set foot on the creaky wood and carefully approached the door.

“Hello? Hello, is anyone home?” Arthur called out, hopeful to gain the homeowner’s attention as he poked his head inside. “I think your door lock may be...broken...” Words trailed off as Arthur took in the sight before him: a comfortable entryway complete with classically ornate wallpaper and decorations given gold trim to compliment their warm tones. He stepped further inside, fascinated to explore more.

Arthur came across a sitting room with the back of a large wooden chair facing him, a fire dancing merrily in its hearth. He sucked in a cautious breath when he noticed a dark-skinned elbow resting on one of the arms and a draping golden cloth pooling at the front of the chair.

“A-ah um...ex-excuse me for intruding...” Arthur started, pausing to swallow nervously. “I-I um...I actually was walking by and your d-door seemed to creak open on it’s own. I’m...I’m not sure, but I think your lock may be broken. I just wanted to let you know, just so you’re not surprised...by intruders...like me.” Oh, he could have done this so much better. Waiting at the front door and knocking would have been a much nicer way to alert the homeowner of this issue.

“I appreciate your concern, but you needn’t worry. I will be just fine.” There was a flutter of nerves in Arthur at the low, feminine tone. Internally, he was both intrigued and frightened by the energy he could feel exuding from around the woman in the chair. Then suddenly he was more frightened when - in the corner of his periphery - he saw the door lazily creak shut and click securely in place.

“Come around so I may see you.” A soft request that rang as a command through Arthur’s rattled skull as she raised one hand to beckon him forward. He nodded despite the fact that she couldn’t see it and carefully made his way around the armchair before finally seeing the commanding woman who owned this obviously magical home.

She was quite the opposite of who he expected to be living in a decrepit-looking house. Shimmering golden locks were tied back neatly, held back by a pearly comb while the rest spilled gracefully around and over her mostly bare shoulders. Arthur blinked at the shimmery golden dress she wore, something he estimated to be worth five or more months of his earnings at Kingsmen Mechanics and she wore it like a second skin with how confident and relaxed she was in her seat. His eyes briefly assessed her arms - obviously strong with muscle, but still lithe and feminine with their bearer’s grace - before he met her gaze.

Arthur swallowed at the bright glow that emanated from her eyes. A firm gaze that studied him with obvious wary scrutiny and a touch of irritation that carried to the slight downturn of the corner of her dark and light contrasting lips...Arthur averted his eyes to her shoulder as the homeowner assessed the mechanic.

“You asked for help...for a problem you cannot resolve by typical means.” A statement, not a question, but Arthur nodded anyway. There was a beat and then the woman let out a soft breath, so soft that Arthur was sure a mouse couldn’t have been quieter. “You wouldn’t be inside this building if you weren’t in genuine need. Take a seat and tell me what plagues you.” Arthur looked to the matching armchair beside hers as she gestured her other hand towards it.

“Th-thank you...” Arthur says gently, nodding to the woman and taking his seat. Once comfortable, Arthur begins to spin his tale.

That was the night he met Luna, the Witch of Secrets...

Chapters: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4

#corruption au

7 notes · View notes

the-east-wind-shall-come · 6 years

Text

FEH Valentine’s Day - Ayra

Here’s a ficlet I did for the weekly writing prompt on the FEH reddit. It ain’t particularly good, but it’s cute I guess.

The Day of Devotion. The most annoying holiday to ever exist, Ayra thought to herself as she passed through the castle gardens. Couples were lounging about on benches, opening presents with smiles.

“You are the wind at my back and the sword at my side,” she overheard Chrom telling Robin. Ayra passed behind a bush, and paused her stroll to watch.

Chrom held Robin’s fingers tenderly in his hands, teasing them gently.

"Chrom, what’s that sticking out of your pocket?"

"Oh! That’s a gift for you. I remember how your eyes lit up when you saw it in town." he said with a chuckle. "I love you, Robin. I just want to make sure I say that often."

Robin smiled, and placed her other hand over Chrom’s.

“I love you, Chrom. I’m lucky to have you by my side," she said to him, before leaning in to kiss him.

Ayra rolled her eyes, and stepped away from the bush before turning to head in the opposite direction. “Why am I wasting my time listening to this garbage? I should be on the training right now,” she muttered under her breath, marching away with her head held high.

A few more paces, and she finally reached the Training Tower. The faint echoes of steel hitting steel escaped through the tower’s walls. Ayra opened the door, and stepped inside. It was mostly empty, save for a few sparring teams. She spotted Lon’qu and Olivia, Seth and Eirika, and Roy and Lilina all teaching their partners correct technique. Marth and Caeda dueled in the corner, laughing and chatting the whole time.

“Hold your sword steady, Olivia. I knew a Wo Dao would be perfect for you,” Lon’qu whispered in Olivia’s ear over her shoulder, causing her to blush. He straightened her arm. “Crouch first, and then strike at your target with the full force of the moon.”

He turned to face her, and she lunged at him with the sword tip aiming for his throat. “Not bad,” he commented with a smile, causing Olivia to blush again. Seeing her blush caused Lon’qu to blush in return.

Ayra silently watched the couples spar, as her nerves began to build. Not here, too! She wanted to scream. Why can’t you people take your lovey dovey romance elsewhere?

She spun on her heel and walked out as angrily as she walked in. With a steady march, she made her way to the Great Hall, where the summoner was coaching the Tempest Team during their morning break. Seated at the table were Lyn, Arden, Sheena, and the Black Knight.

“You’re doing great guys,” Alethia congratulated her armored knights. “Just about 75 more rounds, and we’ll have looted all that the Tempest has to offer. Our rate of score growth is all thanks to you, Lyn!”

The blue dressed Lyn smiled. “Consider it a gift from me to you.”

Without hesitation, Ayra marched right up to the summoner. “Alethia, send me into the Tempest. Right now.”

“Hmm, looks like someone’s having a bad day…” Alethia commented. “What’s got your panties in such a twist?"

“Say that again and you’ll pull back a stump,” Ayra threatened with a glare.

“All right. I suppose you could use a bit more skill. Who wants to take the next round off?”

The Black Knight raised his hand, slowly. “Release me from this nonsense. I will take part in no more of this.”

Sheena rolled her eyes. “I think we’ll manage without him, Alethia. He’s earned enough merit as it is.”

“All right. You’re all set to go, Ayra. Enjoy,” replied Alethia, before leaving to return to her studies.

“Come now,” Sheena said. Lyn and Arden stood up. “Follow me,” she said, and the team followed her through the portal into the mists of the Tempest.

Battle #1

“Ayra, what’s wrong?” asked Arden, sincerely. “I’ve never seen you this angry before.

Ayra huffed as she sliced another axe cavalier to shreds. “It’s those stupid couples today. Everywhere I go, they’re swooning all over! HYAAA!” she growled, cutting a red mage in two.

“Watch out!” Arden yelled, before shielding her from a blue manakete’s attack. “Calm down, please. You keep advancing toward our foes, but you need to hold back a little so you don’t get hurt.”

“Arden?” she asked as the magical mist from the attack cleared. “How did you get here so fast?”

“I got a new pair of boots,” he said with a smile. “Like em’?”

Ayra stared at the green shoes on his feet, and couldn’t stifle a laugh. “They make you fast now… but they do look a little funny.”

Arden grinned. “Well, I’m glad I could bring a smile to your face, then. You look nice with one.”

Ayra turned away before he could see the blush on her face. “That was a bad joke. Let’s go, and restore your health from Sheena’s renewal.”

Battle #80

“Arden...I can’t go on much longer…” Ayra said with desperation. She was covered in wounds, and it was obvious that Lilina was going to kill her in one shot.

It was just the two of them on the final map, for the 80th time.

“Not..on..my watch!” yelled Arden, and swiftly swapped spaces with her. “I like fighting with you. I do a lot better than I normally would,” he said, kneeling beside her. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the final blow that he knew would end his life.

Within moments, the green light of Lilina’s presents cascaded down upon him, and shattered his armor. “Goodbye, Ayra….I...have...no..regrets….fighting...by...your...side,” he said with a cough, before fading away from reality.

“NOOOOOOO!!!!” screamed Ayra, eyes blazing. “HOW DARE YOU! YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS!”

Luckily for Ayra, Lilina was the last foe in Castle Ostia. She raised her sword and attacked with full force. “I WON’T LET YOU LIVE!”

She sliced at Lilina not once, but 150 times, faster than the speed of purple light. Her foe faded in a flash of light, and a whirlwind of mist shrouded her senses.

“Ayra?” she heard the summoner ask. “Are you all right? You returned unconscious with almost all of your health gone at the end of that last round.”

“Alethia?” Ayra replied. “I don’t know what came over me. If you don’t mind me asking, where is Arden?”

Alethia giggled. “Funny you should ask that. He’s waiting for you in the Sanctuary.”

Ayra leapt up from her bed in the infirmary. “I must go and thank him.”

She quickly made her way to the Sanctuary, where she found Arden waiting quietly by the rows of garlands hanging upon the wall, looking out the window. The scent of roses wafted in the air, and petals were strewn about the floor. The scene reminded her of the castle garden she walked through earlier that day.

“Arden...what are you doing here?”

Arden turned to face her with a genuine smile. “I could ask the same of you, I guess. You did an amazing job out there on the battlefield. You always do.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to speak to you about,” Ayra said, walking to stand beside him and gaze out the great windows. “I want to thank you for helping me out today. I couldn’t have accomplished anything with how frustrated I was, if you hadn’t been by my side. And in the end, you saved me,” she paused, turning to study his face. “I really appreciate it.”

“Ayra…” he said, with a pang in his voice. “You know, I had a great time fighting beside you today. It has been one of the happiest days of my life since I arrived here. And I--” he began, but ended abruptly.

A moment of silence passed.

“You what?" Ayra demanded. "What are you trying to say?"

Arden took a deep breath. “I love you.”

Ayra felt as if a great wind had blown her back. “What? You love…me?” A tear fell down across her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.

“Well…” Arden paused, looking into her eyes. “Does that mean you love me, too?”

“After all we’ve been through? Of course, you big slowpoke!” she shouted at him, before throwing her arms around his neck.

Arden laughed, embracing her in a warm hug. “Strong and tough is good, you know I love that. But don’t call me slow. You said so yourself that I’m fast now,” he said with a smile.

Ayra laughed for the second time that day. Guess the Day of Devotion isn’t so bad, after all, she thought, as she finally found her one true S-Support.

hope you enjoyed this cheese sandwich

#arden #ayra #feh #fire emblem heroes #valentine's day #fe heroes #genealogy of the holy war #fire emblem #fe4 #ayra x arden #arden x ayra #fanfic #oneshot #ficlet #my writing

13 notes · View notes