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hedgehog-moss · 6 months

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Last Sunday in October, a story in five parts :)

i. The guy who owns the pasture next to mine took his cows back to their winter lodgings the other day, and told me I could let my llamas eat what was left of the grass if I wanted. That was sweet of him but his pasture's fence is cow-proof, not llama-proof, so I had to wait for a sunny day, so I could sit with a book nearby and keep an eye on the llamas Pampe. Today was the day!

Pampy looked happy about this unexpected change of scenery and started grazing peacefully, meanwhile Pampe started with exploring the whole pasture, including the patch of woods at the back, hoping to find a flaw in the fence.

(Note Poldine below, desperately running after her mum so she won't be left behind if Pampe does find an opportunity to escape)

ii. I found some impressive coulemelles in this new pasture (I don't know any mushroom names in English sorry.) I cut one to take to the pharmacy and ask if they're the good kind (here with my hand for scale)

They're also known as nez de chat, cat's nose mushrooms, in some regions...

I found some girolles nearby last year, but not this time. The llamas seemed to be on their best behaviour so I thought after lunch I'd go look for mushrooms farther away in the woods, down by the torrent, instead of watching them all day.

Poldine, watch your mother.

I asked Merricat if she was volunteering her services as a llama-sitter (it looked like it)

—but she suspected I was going home where the fire is, so she followed me. (I don't make a fire on sunny afternoons, though... she had to nap in my cardigan instead. Not as good, but a tolerated second-best option.)

iii. I took Pan with me after lunch so he wouldn't encourage Pampe in mischief, and he was uncharacteristically audacious in his frolicking! He doesn't like water and he's usually quite prudent when we're near the torrent, even scolding me if I climb on mossy rocks, but today he was jumping from one slippery rock to the other very boldly.

As I was taking this nice waterfall photo, I heard a very dramatic high-pitched squeal followed by a dramatic splashing sound, and when I turned around Pandolf was dragging himself out of the torrent, looking, as we say in french, honteux et confus.

I'm sorry that his bout of audacious frolicking had to end this way :( Back to frolicking gingerly for at least a couple of years... (His fur is magical though, he looks like a drowned rat at first but then shakes himself twice and is immediately back to a normal volume of floof. So his dignity doesn't suffer for long, at least.)

iv. I found no mushrooms but something even better!

I love chestnuts so much, I've been hoping to find chestnut trees for years but was starting to think they just don't grow at this altitude... But I suck at identifying trees so it's very possible I walked past them dozens of times and never recognised them when it wasn't chestnut season.

You really have to earn every chestnut, even with the crushing-under-your-boot method to squeeze them out you still have to extricate them from their burr going ow ow ow the whole time. The worst thing is when you kill your fingers opening a reticent burr and it resentfully spits out a bunch of sad deflated worthless chestnuts.

Still, I ended up going home with chestnuts in every single one of my pockets. When we got out of the woods and back on the road Pandolf and I ran into a woman we don't know (so, not a close neighbour) and we started talking about foraging and I wondered if I should tell her about the nearby chestnut spot. But those things are private. No one told me about the chestnut spot even after I made increasingly heavy casual hints about how much I love chestnuts. After a while though I started suspecting this lady knew about the spot and was on her way there. Or on her way back, through a different path. She looked shifty. So did I. It's very possible that we were both standing there in the middle of the road with our coat pockets crammed with chestnuts, making pointedly non-chestnut-related small talk.

v. I went home and started making chestnut-pumpkin soup while dodging constant coordinated chicken attacks. At first they act like they're napping on a conveniently-nearby chair, or looking the other way, and as soon as you stop distrusting their intentions, they pounce, often from two different directions.

Side plot: Pandolf spent this whole time desperately trying to catch a cat, to restore his self-confidence after falling in the torrent.

Morille went from strolling casually on top of the fence to lounging casually in the hazel tree above my head, making it look like she hadn't even noticed she was being chased, which was very frustrating for Pandolf. Nothing wounds a dog like going unnoticed.

I told Morille it would make him happy if she let him catch her, and she was like eh, fine, and elegantly jumped from the hazel tree to the top of the stone wall.

Pandolf immediately followed, poked her a bit brutally with his big nose, and then he didn't know what else to do with her once he caught her so he just wagged his tail like "Well played, cat!! It was nice chasing you" and left.

v. bis (or ter) I want to reassure Pirlouit fans (who might have noticed that he wasn't allowed to graze in the neighbour's pasture with the llamas) that he knows he's entitled to fair compensation as a donkey, and he stood behind the fence the whole time I was preparing my soup, patiently waiting for his pumpkin benefits. Which he did get.

I found some leftover chestnuts in my trouser pocket tonight, that I'd forgotten about, so I'm having stove-roasted chestnuts for dessert after the chestnut soup! Chestnuts were 90% of my dinner and were also the reason Pandolf got dinner. I ran out of dog kibble and I was thinking of giving him a hard-boiled egg and some rice tonight, and go buy kibble tomorrow, but on our way back this afternoon we stopped by our closest neighbour's house and I humbly offered a handful of chestnuts in exchange for one serving of kibble. The neighbour's dog didn't look enchanted with our offer but his human agreed. I usually trade with my chicken's eggs but this woman has hens so I'm glad chestnuts are also accepted as valid currency.

#crawling along #i love numbered lists but i really should stop using them in my posts because i always end up adding extra stuff at the end 😭

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blackhairedjjun · 2 months

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the forest of you

pairing: choi soobin x gn reader | genre / tropes: fluff, cottagecore au, fantasy au, prince!soobin x witch!reader, mutual pining, just very soft vibes | word count: 1.9k | warnings: none, just a little (friendly) teasing

summary: prince soobin lives undercover as a commoner as part of a royal tradition, and you are the local potion-maker tasked with caring for him and magically maintaining his disguise. you take him to the forest one day to forage for ingredients, and you start to realize just how much you need him with you.

author's notes: i wrote this after binge-listening to soobin's forest cover, it was just soooo comforting and beautiful 🥰🥰 this fic isn't that overtly romantic since i mostly focused on recreating the comforting vibes and message of the original cover, but the pining is still there (i hope). the premise of this story is based on an idea i had some time ago but never turned into a fic, i do have ideas for fics in the same setting though!

(support by reblogging banner by @/cafekitsune)

“y’know, soobin, you’ve become less scared of the forest since you got here,” you say, swinging your herb basket back and forth as you walk.

“oh really?” the prince stares at you, his mouth agape at first before morphing into his familiar dimpled smile. cute. “i suppose that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“it’s a very good thing. having company with me is nice.”

soobin trails behind you as you trudge down the worn dirt paths of the forest, trees on all sides towering over you. you hum as you walk, eyes on the lookout for anything of use in your potions: flowers, berries, mushrooms, seeds, leaves, even fallen bird feathers. from time to time you turn back to glance at your ward, who follows at a comfortable pace while gazing at the canopy above him.

he stops in his tracks and points at a patch of mushrooms growing on the bark of a tree. the mushrooms are at his eye level, above your head. “wait, these are the ones you use for my disguise potion, right?”

“that’s right! i missed that 一 thank goodness i’ve got a tall person helping me out.”

soobin pries the mushrooms from the bark hands it to you, a proud grin on his face. you can’t help but smile yourself in admiration, and your smile only grows when his hands brush yours while he places them in your basket. “thank you,” you whisper.

now you walk side-by-side through the forest, and you much prefer it this way. even with his princely nature hidden, you find something reassuring about his presence: soobin towers over you, but he moves slowly, deliberately matching his stride to yours, even the swinging of his arms in sync. he stays close by you, as if protecting you from anything that might leap out of the forest, and your arms nearly brush his a few times.

every now and then you stop to take something from the forest: a cluster of deep red berries, a yellow-green fern growing in swirling patterns, a flower so white it practically shines on the forest floor. soobin gazes at you intently as you do your job, and you’re so engrossed in your work that you miss the soft smile that crosses his face while he observes.

“did you really do all this by yourself before i came here?” he asks as you step through a narrow space between two gnarled trees. in the distance some birds begin to caw, but you don’t even flinch at the sound.

“pretty much. i’m used to it, i guess.”

“and you weren’t lonely or scared? that’s really cool, y/n.”

“i wasn’t always like this,” you say as you pry another mushroom from some tree bark for soobin’s disguise potion. “the first time i went on my own, i wanted to prove to my parents that i could forage by myself. y’know, be a real witch and everything. but i was shaking the whole time... and i missed my parents so much. they used to point out the different birds to me while they foraged, or they’d just look at me all excited if they found a rare ingredient. and that’s what i missed the most, just having someone to be with.”

soobin presses his lips together as he listens to you. you’ve been foraging on your own for years, and though you tell yourself that you’re used to it, your heart aches at the memory. you turn to face him and your eyes meet.

“i get what you mean,” he says. “when i first came here for my incognito period, i remember missing everyone a lot. my parents and all the palace staff... kai, beomgyu... your cottage was so quiet in comparison. not that it’s a bad place, it’s just...”

“not home?”

soobin nods, his gaze falling to the dried leaves on the forest floor. the two of you continue walking through the forest, stopping only a few minutes later so that you can collect a few wild berries from a bush.

“it feels more like home now, though,” soobin says as he crouches down to help you. “i like the smell of the herbs from your garden and how toasty the cauldron room is. and helping you is, ah, it’s fun... you care about your potions so much and i like watching you work.”

you laugh softly to yourself, turning away as you feel a warmth spread through your cheeks. “it’s... well, i’m used to it. and having you around has helped a lot.”

“sometimes i feel more like a bother than a help. you work so fast!”

“don’t say that, you’re plenty helpful. look at you right now, i would have missed some of the berries hidden here if it weren’t for you.”

with the berries collected and placed in your basket, you stand up at the same time. you don’t realize at first how close soobin is standing to you, but your eyes meet his and you can’t bring it in yourself to look away. the prince gazes at you as if trying to speak without words, as if telling you from his presence alone that everything will be alright.

he reminds you of the forest too, you think: tall and quiet and seemingly stern, but filled with a cool comfort all his own.

your mutual reverie is broken by the cawing of a nearby flock of birds. soobin jumps and nearly falls; you grab onto his hand and you both wobble before he finds his balance.

“sorry...”

“it’s一it’s fine.” your hand is still holding onto his, and your cheeks feel hot. “we should keep moving.”

the two of you continue through the forest, taking care not to travel too deep but stay at the periphery. soobin stays close to you, and you thread your arm through his 一 this will slow your pace, but you don’t mind.

“by the way, i changed the measurements of the disguise potion a bit,” you say as soobin crouches down to pick some flowerbuds. “i’m not sure if you felt any difference.”

“oh really? it felt the same to me.” he shrugs and places the flowerbuds in your basket. “i always feel... disoriented when i use it.”

“i know, that’s why i was trying to change it...”

“don’t worry about it too much.” soobin glances up at a tree branch right above him, and a cool breeze blows down on both of you. “it’s just... when i’m a prince, i feel shy from all the people watching me, but when i’m disguised, it feels odd not being recognized, as if no one cares about me. does that make sense?”

you’re quiet for a few moments. you glance up at the canopy, then back at soobin; prince or not, there’s something about him that feels right at home here.

“i see what you mean... being around others is exhausting, but being by yourself is lonely. right?”

“yeah, exactly.”

“what about being with me?” you give him a teasing grin. “do you ever get sick of me?”

he grins right back at you, even rolling his eyes for dramatic effect. “yeah, i get totally sick of you. when i become prince again i’m banishing you so that i never see you again.”

“you could never do that, i bet. who’s going to make the potions of soothing to help you fall asleep, huh?”

“i’ve been stuck with you long enough that i could make it myself!”

you elbow him gently and you both laugh. the sound rings through the forest, and it makes the place seem smaller and warmer than it is.

you’ve often wondered what will happen when soobin’s incognito period ends and he goes back to his princely role. when the royal family first approached you to help with their son’s journey 一 apparently an old tradition to help future monarchs stay in touch with the common folk 一 you didn’t think much of it. you’d get an apprentice, make a few extra potions of disguise for him, then collect a hefty royal commission after eighteen months. at first, it had been nothing more than a chance to get an extra pair of hands and supplement your income as a potion-making witch.

but as you walk through the forest, arm in arm with soobin, you realize that you like the new routine you’ve established. the young prince helps you sell potions and make bread for meals, and more than once you’ve caught him giving harsh glares at rude customers who want to use your potions for nefarious purposes. and though his accompaniment to your weekly forages were originally nothing more than an excuse to get some help, you now find it impossible to imagine going on them without him.

soobin and the forest and you: in your mind they all fit together.

you’re so lost in your thoughts that he has to move in front of you to catch your attention. “y/n?”

“oh 一 sorry!”

“you know i was just kidding, right?”

“huh...?”

“about banishing you, i mean,” he says. “i like being around you too much.”

“ah 一 yeah! d-don’t worry, i know,” you say, and now even your ears are warm together with your cheeks. “and um, thank you.”

you blink a few times and glance around. the trees have become more gnarled and more densely packed together. you realize that the two of you are starting to approach the heart of the forest; go any deeper and things will get dangerous, not just from wild animals but also from wild magic. “uh, we should... go back...”

soobin nods and waits for you to lead the way before falling in beside you. again he offers his arm, and you thread yours around it. with his free hand he offers to carry your basket for you; it has gotten heavier from the foraging you’ve been doing. you shake your head and give him a polite smile, letting him know that you can carry it just fine, but the gesture opens up a lightness in your heart.

the walk back to the main road is quiet, but not awkwardly so. such moments of silence are not uncommon with soobin, but they have a comfort all their own; the prince smiles to himself as he walks, taking the time to admire the lush green canopy above or the carpet of flowers and ferns growing in between the tree roots. you find yourself sneaking glances at him and following his gaze to whatever plant has caught his attention 一 you’re so used to forest forages that you’ve forgotten how to stop and admire the scenery.

can you really imagine the forest without him? you feel his arm wound around yours, anchoring you, and it reminds you of the tree roots beneath your feet.

by the time you reach the edge of the forest, the sun has started to set and the sky has turned orange. rays of yellow light peek through the remains of the canopy. you put your free hand up to your face to block out the most blinding rays, and soobin tightens his grip around your arm.

“let’s go home?” he says.

you turn to him and smile. he looks radiant in this light.

“let’s go home.”

#txt x reader #soobin x reader #txt x you #soobin x you #choi soobin x reader #kpop x reader #txt imagines #kpop imagines #soobin imagines #txt fluff #soobin fluff #tomorrow x together imagines #txt fic #txt fanfic #bhj originals

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kteezy997 · 4 months

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The Candy Man-Part Eight//W.W.

warnings/info: Wonka family fluff, mention of secret sex room at the chocolate factory

A few months later…

It was all coming together. Willy worked day and night, creating the chocolate factory, all while coming home late and still helping with the babies. Your man barely slept, and you knew he was tired, but he was determined to create the most spectacular chocolate factory that the world had ever seen. You were just glad that he had hired an entire staff to help him, so he wasn't doing it all on his own.

Finally, he allowed you to come and work with him as well. He didn't want you to go back to work too soon after giving birth. But you insisted that you were ready.

The first day, you brought the babies along to see their father's work. They had grown so much. They were crawling everywhere, and so interested in the world around them. Their hair had thickened and become curlier, and they had plump, healthy little bodies. Maple was sweet and cuddly, and you were able to tie her hair up into tiny ponytails on the top of her head. Mocha was sweet too, but he could be a little too adventurous, almost to the point of getting into mischief.

You carried Mae and Willy carried Mocha into the chocolate room. This room was going to be special; you could tell by the way Willy had talked so excitedly about it.

"Alright, it's just behind this door." he said, turning the handle. He looked at you, biting his lip.

The door opened, and you didn't know where to put your eyes. The room was vast, with vibrant colors. Lush green grass, giant mushrooms with whipped cream spots, edible flowers of all shapes and sizes, and trees that rained gumballs. And trees adorned with giant gummy bears as well as multi-colored candy canes. The walking path was a rainbow of lights under your feet.

"Everything you see is edible, y/n." he said, setting Mocha down to explore.

However, the most jaw-dropping thing was the centerpiece chocolate river that flowed all through the room.

You were speechless, it took you a moment to really take it all in.

Willy took Mae from you, letting her join her brother in chewing on the candy grass.

"Willy...this is incredible. It's like nothing I've ever seen."

He came over to you, taking you in his arms. He kissed you, smiling softly as he pulled away. "It's all I ever wanted for myself, but I did it even bigger because of you and the babies. You, my family, are my biggest inspiration."

Your heart melted, and your eyes welled up with happy tears. "Oh, Willy, we are so lucky to have you. You work so hard, and we are so proud of you." you looked around the room again, "This is like a dream."

"It's just Pure Imagination, my love." he looked into your eyes, "Come with me." he said with a nod. He picked up both of the babies and started a stroll through the candy room.

You were delighted to follow them, and watch your children ooh and ahh at their father's creations. All the while, Willy sang his little tune, which he used a lot at home with kids, "Pure Imagination." His voice was so angelic. Maple and Mocha were mesmerized every time their father sang. You were certain your children would know the song by heart by the time they started to talk in full sentences. He had been singing it to them since they were still in the womb, after all.

You could see your future. Your curly headed kids growing and running amuck through daddy's factory. Willy would let them have all the sugar that they wanted, within reason, of course.

Now that Mr. Hudson had granted you a divorce, you had a vision of a magical wedding with Willy, sans candy. Sugary treats were your life with Willy, but you were both happy having a traditional wedding without all the busy colors that came with your Wonka treats. Mocha was the ring bearer and Mae the flower girl. It would be absolutely perfect; a day full of pure love.

.............

One evening, Willy came home, all excited. "Honey, your office is ready. Let me show you." he said, grinning widely and taking your hand.

"Whoa, whoa, Willy, who is going to watch the kids?" you giggled.

"Oh, I've got that covered." he said confidently, opening the front door of your home to reveal Noodle and her mother, Dorothy.

"Hey, y/n!" said Noodle, her eyes already searching for the little ones she adored. Once she spotted them in the living room, she ran to them immediately.

You greeted sweet Dorothy, thanking her for babysitting as well, and then you and Willy were off to the factory.

…….

Willy showed you your new office, and it was spacious and cozy. It was the perfect workstation! He even took the time to put up a couple of photos of the twins on your desk, as well as a vase of fresh flowers for you.

But he was more excited to show you something else. He led you to another room just down the way from your office. He put in a secret code that was several digits long. “Alright, my love, I hope you like this.” he smirked.

You walked in, seeing a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room and suddenly you were realizing what this room was meant for. There were big jars of different chocolates and candies all along the walls. Large ropes of red licorice hung on hooks. There were oversized candy canes as well.

“Wow. You continue to surprise me, Mr. Wonka.” you said, in awe of the…playroom.

“The walls are stone, of course, so no one can hear what goes on in this room.” Willy took your hands, “Honey, there are things that I want to experiment with, but just for us two. I hope you’re comfortable going on this…sexual journey with me?”

“Oh, yes, Willy, of course!” You kissed him, “I can’t believe you went to such lengths for me. It's so sexy. I love you, baby.” you then nuzzled your nose against his.

“You know that there’s no limit to what I’d do to please you. It’s my life’s work, darling. Well, after being a good husband and father, and making chocolate of course.”

“Wait, Willy, we’re not married.” you giggled.

Willy’s eyes widened, “Oh yes, that’s right. I forgot.” Then, he got down on one knee, "Y/n, will you marry me?" He presented you with a little jewelry box, opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

You gasped, without even thinking, you blurted out, "Yes!"

Willy smiled from ear to ear, slid the ring on your fourth finger on your left hand and shot up to his feet to hug you.

You were lifted off of your feet by him, and you cried tears of joy as he spun you around with glee.

"You're gonna be Mrs. Wonka!" Willy cheered.

@gatoenlaciudad @thebetawolfgirl @musicandbooksaremyhappyplace @tchalamss @softhecreator @bitchyunknownuser @lixzey @kpopgirlbtssvt

#timothée chalamet #timmy chalamet #timothee x reader #timothée imagine #timothee chalamet smut #willy wonka #willy wonka x reader #wonka #wonka fanfic

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lunar-witches · 1 year

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Whimsical Asks

🧜🏻‍♀️ - If you were a mythical creature what would you be, and why would you choose that?

🦄 - You are gifted a mythical creature as a familiar what creature are you choosing?

☁️ - Describe in detail what your favourite type of weather is.

🪽 - Which would you rather have: The wings of a bird, wings of an angel, or wings of a faery?

🍄 - Uh oh! You accidentally ate a strange, glowing mushroom with magical properties. What magical gift would you want it to give you?

🌺 - If you could have a magical garden, what would you grow in it?

🌙 - Are you more lively during the day, or the night?

✨ - You see a shooting star! Tell us your wish!

🍰 - If you were baking a cake to describe yourself what ingredients are you using?

☕️ - Plan a tea party! What will you be serving and who are you choosing as guests?

🎨 - Would you rather be able to use paintings as a portal to new worlds, or be able to make anything you paint become real?

🏔️ - If you created your own magical world, what would it be like?

🕯️ - What are your secret dreams and hopes?

🔮 - Describe your most magical experience.

💌 - Have you ever, or would you ever, give(n) someone a handwritten love letter?

#ask #asks #ask meme #ask game #fairy aesthetic #fairy core #cottage core #cozycore #fantasy #fantasycore #ask games #ask me

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moremousewrites · 2 months

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The Lesson

Pairing: Gale (bg3) / Tav (Femme Drow)

Summary: Gale and Tav are separated from the group thanks to Gale's impeccable navigation skills. Being a drow , you try to navigate your way back. This proves difficult when Gale is constantly distracting you.

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Smut, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, semi-public sex, vaginal fingering, oral sex, masturbation, eugenics, sexual slavery (mentioned), innappropriate use of language barriers

Gale had never been to the underdark before. This was made clear when he inspected a crevice that seemed to be a “shortcut” back to camp. Being a drow and a former resident of the underdark, you knew all too well he was going to get completely lost. To make matters worse, he had gotten you separated from the rest of the group.

In an attempt to pass the time, Gale asked about your experiences growing up in the underdark, Not wanting to divulge in such problematic history, you explained the properties of Noble Drow magic to him instead. As this was an area of the weave Gale had overlooked, he was giving you his rapt attention.

“The Drow have fey ancestry as you know, but magic is not a given. Through selective breeding and environmental factors, the most powerful magic users can be born and trained in Menzoberranzan” you explained, guiding him through the channels of caves Gale somehow dragged you into.

Gale hung on every word, cautiously avoiding a tinmask mushroom to his side.

“Commoners can develop magical abilities and rise in society. It is what males often pursue if they are not gifted with wealth or strength. Or the Dark Mother's blessing” you explained, nonchalantly.

Gale had noticed your jabs at the male sex before. Though you no longer swore loyalty to Lolth, it seemed that aspect of your culture had not yet been unlearned. He did not mention it as it seemed culturally insensitive to do so.

“Generally, we drow are endowed with many abilities as novices that any human or otherwise would need a lifetime to learn. Especially one so learnéd as yourself” you teased him.

Gale gave you his ridiculous grin. You were not getting under his skin so easily. “Incredible. And the architecture of Menzoberranzan. Is it really supported by magic? I can't imagine how practical that is.” He asked, following your confident strides.

You rolled your eyes. “There is nothing practical about it. It is a land of excess and debauchery. Be grateful I renounced my faith, otherwise I would have enslaved you for mine own pleasure” you sneered, irritated by the topic. You never stopped to think about how much you resented your home. Gale's questions were too sincere and you had enough of them.

There it was, Gale noted, your entitlement. He hated when you spoke this way. You'd hold yourself to a higher standard than the Lolth-sworn but you'd threaten him with your past. It was a very drab game you'd play.

To make matters worse, you were so often a delight to be around. You sacrificed your life for innocents, and prevented unnecessary violence. You could be kind and empathetic, but for some reason you'd just revert back to these ugly habits.

“I didn't mean to pry, Tav. If you want me to drop it, say the word. Unfortunately as a scholar, I feel the urge to educate myself on all aspects of the weave” He explains, trying to subdue your temper. You walk on a ledge and realize he can't follow. Huffing, you look for an alternate route. “I think it's important to know more about the cultures around us. Not just your home but your colony as well. I'm sure it must be an entirely different experience being a part of the Seldarine community-” Gale continued, trying to get your attention.

You cut him off, tired of his voice. “Please I'm looking for the… the…” you trailed off rubbing your temples.

Gale raised a brow, curious. “The..?”

“I don't know the word in your tongue. It's maybe only in Drowic” you took a deep breath and tried to think of how to say it. “like a cave but small and for falling”

“A hole?” Gale asked, amused. You never had trouble with common before. In fact, you'd sometimes take to mimicking him so accurately it would cause him distress.

“No no. It's called a…” you said the word but it was foreign to Gale. The sound of it rolling off your tongue was beautiful to him, in an odd way. Like a distant rolling thunder might be soothing.

Gale shrugged and you groaned, running curses in deep drow. The passion in your voice mixed with the fluency in which you spoke stirred something in Gale and he had to sit down.

“What's wrong? We need to get back to camp” you insisted.

“Oh nothing, just my knee acting up. Could you teach me something in that language?” he asked, folding his robes over his lap.

You pinched the bridge of your nose in agitation.

“No. We need to leave” you grabbed him by the arm and tugged at him but he wouldn't budge.

You tugged again, exasperated but he sat planted on the rocky surface.

“Just teach me one thing and I'll get up” he encouraged you, cherishing the feeling of your touch on his arm.

You were trying not to yell at him now. “Fine, repeat after me” you taught him how to pronounce a rather derogatory word in High Drow. It was an insult towards unexceptional males who an individual might deem culling.

Gale seemed very proud of himself when he was able to learn it after a few tries. You found the concept funny enough to not bother chastising him for being wrong.

“What does it mean?” He asked, shuffling his legs.

His face looked so pure, it annoyed you. What was he expecting from your little language lesson? You explained the phrase to him. He did not react.

“You're not mad?” You asked, irritated by his composure.

“Was I supposed to be?” He asked, leaning closer to you. You realized your hands were still gripping his arm.

You studied him; he'd be an insufficient male for mating. His human heritage was unforgivable of course but his that was nothing to speak of his lack of innate magical abilities and obvious self esteem issues. But you were no longer the ideal candidate for breeding either. You were a Seldarine drow and the standards of Menzoberranzan no longer needed to apply to you.

Taking interest in Gale felt wrong. It felt forbidden. But his arm was surprisingly solid in your hands and his gaze was fixed on your lips.

“Gale, I-” you started

He cut you off before you could say anything one way or another. “Whatever you have to say, please say it in Drowic” he insisted.

[This is a bad idea, Gale] you said, trying to convince yourself more than him. His cock twitched when you spoke his name.

“Keep talking” he leaned in, pressing a kiss beneath your jaw. Your grip tightened on his arm but you didn't pull away.

[We're incompatible, you're unworthy, I would demean myself by indulging you] you continued, breathless.

Gale's kisses traveled lower down to your collarbone, his hand gripping your thigh. You moaned at his touch, leaning into him. Gale moved to unlace your pants, sliding his hand inside and palming your clothed cunt.

[Gale, please. I need more] you panted out, grinding against his firm palm.

“I don't know what you're saying but I do love how you say my name. Please continue” he encouraged you by slipping one finger inside you.

You whined at the intrusion, noticing how wet you'd become. You'd started repeating his name as a plea for more but he wouldn't move.

“Ah, Tav it is lovely to hear my name on your tongue but I want to hear your native language. You have no idea the effect it has on me. Keep going, please” he toyed with you, pushing your hip back with his free hand.

Desperate for relief you cry out for him. [Please Gale I need you I need your touch. Fill me, take me I'm yours PLEASE] you begged.

Satisfied with your oration, Gale pumped his finger in and out of you slowly, drawing out your pleasure. His maneuvers were torture. He curled his finger upwards, pressing into you causing you to cry out in bliss.

You kept rambling, not knowing what you were saying by now but afraid he would stop if you were silent. When you moaned his name again, he pressed his thumb against your swollen clit and placed circular motions. It took all but seconds before you were coming undone in his touch. He was very skilled with his hands. “That was phenomenal. Please, indulge me more” he said, removing his hand from your lap.

“I'm running out of things to say” you panted, looking at him through lidded eyes. But he was kneeling before you and pulling at your waistband.

When he peeled the pants from your legs and saw your naked cunt, he looked like a feral animal ready to pounce.“I'm sure you'll figure something out” he leaned in close to your core but stopped just until you felt his breath on your folds. “Is this what you want?” He looked up to you, making sure you were alright.

You nodded your head yes. [Devour me]

Gale wasted no time after your permission. He snaked his hands behind your rear and pulled you forward to his mouth.You gasped as he licked the flat of his tongue against your folds. Bracing yourself against the stone surface beneath you, you pressed your hips further into his mouth. Gale grabbed your thighs, holding you in place. He took mercy on you and began lashing your clit with his tongue. His name was a chant, echoing in the cavern you occupied. You opened your eyes to look upon him feasting on you, wildly. You couldn't have predicted this meek, bumbling male to be so dextrous yet here he was proving you completely ignorant.

Your second orgasm was creeping up on you. Wanting to communicate this, you tried to warn the wizard. “I'm nearly there”

Gale removed his mouth from you at once. You nearly kicked him. “In Drowic, Tav” he ordered in a stern voice.

[In my tongue you would honour me as ‘mistress’] you hissed at him through High Drow. Gale noted the tone and did not continue his ministrations. You rolled your eyes. [Please let me finish. I've been good, it's not fair] you pouted, feeling restless.

“I think I heard please” he chuckled and went back to his exacting pace.

You threw your head back in relief. It was quick work bringing you back to the edge of your climax. Your eyes were shut tight until you heard a fast shuffling sound.

Opening your eyes, you saw Gale had loosened his trousers and was furiously stroking his cock. The scene was delicious.

This time, you did not bother to warn him as you came. The orgasm shot through your whole body, so powerful you thought he might have triggered your fey magic. The taste of you on his tongue mixed with your moans and shuddering body was enough to send Gale over the edge.

He rubbed himself through his orgasm, licking you through yours. You squeezed your thighs around his head when he continued well past oversensitivity.

“Please I can't give another” you pushed his forehead and he pushed his tongue into you, making you squeal in ecstasy.

Dragging his tongue out of you, he placed kisses on the inside of your thigh. You slowly opened your thighs to release his head, unsure if he'd continue attacking your cunt or relinquish you finally. He pressed one last kiss into the meat of your thigh and tucked his manhood away. It seemed he was going to be merciful.

“Are you alright?” He asked, helping you pull your pants back on. They were still soaked from your initial climax.

“May I speak common now?” You asked, drunk on lust.

Gale felt especially proud of you seeking his permission. It seemed he'd earned your respect. “Yes, you may” he offered you some water and you shook your head ‘no’.

“I underestimated you, wizard. You have many talents that I can appreciate. You would be a welcome courtesan in any noble house” you teased, knocking your knee against his as he sat next to you.

“Ah yes, a very tempting position. I'm surprised you ever left. It seems Menzoberranzan is quite dear to you still” Gale said, challenging you.

“Perhaps I was too quick to judge you, Gale. I have much to unlearn from the conditioning of my culture. In any case, you're a fine educator”

“Well I appreciate that, Tav. And thank you on the oral lessons as well”

#bg3 #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fanfiction #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #bg3 gale #gale x tav #gale x reader

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verbenaa · 2 months

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Hi, first thank you for your amazing work!! (and opening requests!) I had an idea for some fluff: after a few days travelling in the Underdark, Astarion misses the sun. To cheer him up, druid (?) Tav takes up his hands one evening and conjures (a soft) Daylight in them for him to enjoy :) enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

𝑎/𝑛: thank you so much for such an amazing request omg!!! this prompt is so fantastic, I really truly LOVED writing it! Also me and my triple earth signs LOVE druids, so I really vibed with that. This ended up being more sentimental than I originally planned, but I think it's really soft and sweet 💕 I really hope you enjoy this! Have a great rest of your Sunday too!!!

𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: Astarion/gn!Reader, Astarion/Druid!Reader

𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: hurt & comfort, fluff

𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 1.2k

𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: none, really!

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

we grow like ivy, twisting together with vines of the deepest green

Your fingers card through silver curls, the thick waves soft as your fingertips drag through the strands with ease, the motions soothing to you both as Astarion pillows his head on your thighs.

His weight is a comfort after the past few days combing through the best and the worst the Underdark has to offer; a seemingly endless amount of horrors against a world as dark as night, the neon effervescence of glowing mushrooms the only light by which you have travelled.

Your magic feels so different down here. You’re just as connected to the earthen ground beneath your feet as ever, of course; but the lack of sunshine, the absence of the moon’s rays, and of a world full of green always leaves you feeling slightly off-kilter so deep below the surface.

Taking residency in this technicolor world had been a transition for you both, but that was fine; as with the ever-changing beauty of the landscapes around you, you would grow, learn, adapt to whatever seasons this new life with Astarion may bring.

Astarion adjusts his head slightly as he absently twirls a gold piece between nimble fingers as he stares up into the endless black of the Underdark above, his form tense despite your calming ministrations.

“Just where in the bloody hells are they?” He releases the words on the breath of an overdramatic sigh, those elegant features of his that you love transforming into a childlike pout. There’s a frustration in his voice that he tries to smooth over, but you know him better than that by now to not hear it in the slight tremor in his words.

“There’s 7,000 of them, they’re bound to turn up eventually.” Such pragmatic words, though you find yourself wondering more and more with every passing day exactly when that statement would be coming true. You look down on him once more, taking in the tension in his limbs with narrowed, assessing eyes.

“What’s on your mind, Astarion?” The coin falters a bit as it moves from finger to finger, twisting up and over his knuckles. Astarion abandons the sight of the cavernous ceiling above, his crimson irises flitting to your own as he considers your words, rolling over them in his mind as you wait patiently for him to grant you a response, whatever he chooses it to be.

His throat bobs as his mouth opens and closes as he works to find his voice to speak, words faltering as they work their up the elegant column of his throat. You don’t stop the hand that brushes through his hair, letting the constant of your touch be his guiding light as he picks through the emotions weaving through his mind.

“I hate it down here. It’s dark and damp and everything smells positively wretched.” Bitterness coats the words as they fall from lips twisted into a frown. With a flick of his wrist he captures the gold coin in his palm, pocketing it with a swift motion.

Your head tilts slightly as you listen to his words, ears catching onto the way he says the word ‘dark’, spitting the word out as if it were acid on his tongue.

“Astarion” The hand in his hair smooths down over his temple to brush against the sharp bone of his cheek instead, thumb sweeping over his soft skin as you cup his face.

There’s a depth to the sadness that resides in his eyes, unhidden from you as you gaze into those incarnadine orbs, the reason behind this particular bit of melancholy suddenly obvious as you put his words together once more in your mind.

“The sun.” You lips part to say the words so he does not have to, a small nod deeper into the plushness of your thighs the only sign of affirmation he will give you.

“I…I just never thought I would truly miss something I barely ever had, I suppose.” He averts his eyes now, staring at the smooth leather that covers your legs instead. “I’ve lived long enough in the darkness, I don’t understand why it’s suddenly so hard to be without it now.”

You stare down at him momentarily, his words clawing into your heart with sharp talons as your mind whirls through what you could possibly do, what you could ever say to him, when you catch onto something—an inkling of an idea that may grant you both a small reprieve from the impenetrable darkness that surrounds.

“Up.” You smile at him as you bounce your legs from where they rest underneath his head, a small nod of your chin gesturing for him to fill the space across from where you sit. Astarion complies with your request, eyes slightly narrowed as he attempts to puzzle together whatever the plan is that has filled that beautiful mind of yours. He sits close, knee to knee, as he waits for your words.

“Give me your hands.” Your words are gentle as you hold your own palms open in offering, waiting, for him to press his own into your warm hands. There’s a brief moment of hesitation, Astarion’s mind turning over the possibilities of the action, but it passes almost as quickly as it appears, fading into the air around you as he slowly lets his hands rest into your own.

Your fingers close over his own, the warmth of your skin permeating into the chill of his as you turn his hands to face palm up, cupping them gently within your own.

You feel a familiar pull through your body, magic moving up from the ground to flow through your veins, like the greenest of ivy that carpets the ground of the world above the one you now reside. Even down here you are radiant, needing no sun or stars or moon by which to guide the power that winds its way through your soul.

The little ball of light starts small as it burns above your hands; the glow minute as it forms in an undulating circle. It brightens, growing ever so slowly larger in time with your breathing as it hovers there in its brilliance. You channel your energy into the spell, careful to keep the power you allow to flow from you minimal so that it does not overwhelm and instead manifests only as that beautiful, beaming orb. Its warmth permeates the air around you, a literal pocket-sized star emanating little waves of heat outward onto your faces, coloring Astarion with an aura of burnished gold.

Your smile grows as you look onto it in wonder, its radiance a spot of beauty in an otherwise dark world.

“And you have the audacity to say I’m the dramatic one.” He huffs at your sentimentality despite the fondness sticking to his own words, eyes focused onto that little glowing ball of sheer luminosity emanating from both of your upturned palms, the warmth cascading over you both.

His eyes slowly look up to find your own searching his features, the glow of the little sun that shines in your joined palms a balm on both of your weary hearts and you hope that once this moment ends and you have to carry on with reality that a little piece of the afterglow will remain in some form or another.

“We’ll find our way, Astarion. Even if it means having to create our own light to go by.”

#astarion x reader #astarion x you #astarion x tav #astarion x gn reader #astarion x gn!tav #astarion x gender neutral reader #astarion x f!tav #astarion x f!reader #astarion x female tav #astarion #astarion bg3 #my writing #request

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ghouljams · 10 months

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I heard y'all bring up Fae! Gaz and my brain immediately went brrrr. I just love him sm. As for his darling, and this is just a random thought I had so take it with a grain of salt, but since you're saying that he deals in well, deals, how about he meets his Darling who's in especially dire straits, but she has a very unusual and large request of him. She'd like him to make everyone in her hometown disappear without a trace, with no one to remember them. And when Gaz reminds her that this favor comes at a steep price, he's a little put off by how resigned and matter of fact she is to all of this. Kinda like he asks her, "What are you getting out of all this?" and she replies "Peace of mind." Sorry for the word vomit, but I thought I'd share this with you! 😅

OK Aaah! Yes thank you for sending me your Gaz thoughts. I am percolating. I think this is a big ask for the Fae Man, too big an ask... This is, hmmmmmm, I am going to use this as a little jumping off point. I do not think that this is Gaz's Darling, but it isn't not his Darling. I think Gaz has had many Darlings while they are indebted to him, and once they clear the debt they move on. Poor lonely Gaz...

There's a bend in the forest, a bow in the trail where it moves to avoid the faerie mound. The soft grass and clover that always grows mushrooms in perfect circles, a place that sensible people avoid like the plague. Unless they have very good, or very poor, reason to be there. You stop just at the edge of the path, steps away from the lush green.

You wrap your arms around yourself, one last hug before you go. A kindness only you can afford yourself. The air is still as you step off the path, your feet carrying you to the nearest circle. You drop to your knees, eyes squeezed shut as you stretch your fingers through the grass between the red caps. You don't know how this is supposed to work, but you're desperate.

"Please," You whisper, "please," you implore. A hand settles on your head, soft, gentle for who it must be touching you.

"What's wrong, bug?" A kind voice asks above you, "Don't you have anyone else to cry to?"

You shake your head under the hand, his fingers pet through your hair sympathetically. "No, you never do, do you?" He mumbles to himself, you open your eyes to look up at him. He's crouched in the center of the circle, elbow resting on his knee, chin propped in his hand, he smiles at you. You've never seen anyone look so warmly at you. "What can I do for you?"

"I want to leave," You tell him plainly. He shrugs.

"So leave." You flinch.

"It's not that easy."

"Sure it is, pick a direction and start walking." He raises a brow at you, fingers sliding along a strand of your hair before dropping it, he pokes your forehead, "Tell me what you really want."

"I want you to steal me away," You say, it bubbles up in your throat and drips golden from your lips. You cough, heaving magical truth. "I want to be forgotten, I want to be anyone but myself, I want to leave without the heartache of leaving." He taps your forehead again.

"That's enough." He tells you, you speak your Name before the gold leaves you and his hand snaps over your lips. "That's enough," He snarls, annoyance flashing in his eyes. You both know it's an offer he can't resist. He sighs, watching you with something bordering on boredom.

"Stupid girl," He says finally, "you don't care what it costs, do you?" You shake your head, his hand over your mouth moves with you. He stands, pulling you up with him. When he releases you it's only to hold his hand out to you. "Come on then, of your own volition."

You don't hesitate, taking his hand and letting him drag you into the circle. He holds you so close against his chest, tips your head back and kisses you like he's pouring honey down your throat. You swallow the offered succor, and forget.

#This takes place waaaay before Ghost and Love #Gaz is too nice he keeps letting them work off the debt #he likes his darlings but none of them have particularly caught his interest #it doesn't help that Soap cycles through darlings like candy #and Ghost isn't interested in having any ties #really rolling with a group of problematic bachelors #kyle gaz garrick #kyle garrick #gaz x reader #gaz modern warfare #Fae!Gaz #Fae au

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ocprompts · 4 months

Note

I only followed recently so you don't have to use these if you've done something too similar before. also you can rephrase them if they're awkwardly phrased.

Why is your OC named what they're named? Is there a different reason in-universe than out-of-universe?

Does your OC consider themself a cat person or a dog person?

If your OC was a pokemon gym leader, what type would they specialize in?

How does your OC decorate their room?

Does your OC share their room with anyone? A sibling, a partner, a pet..?

How many pillows does your OC sleep with?

Does your OC have an outfit that they never or almost never wear, but still keep?

What is the most illegal thing your OC has done?

Has your OC's favorite color ever changed? How?

Can your OC solve a Rubik's cube?

Does your OC collect anything?

What does/did your OC do with their old school work?

Does your OC prefer to sleep with their door open or closed?

How many times can your OC wear an article of clothing before they decide to wash it? And how does this compare to how actually dirty it is?

What does your OC have hung on the front of their fridge?

If your OC was a magical girl (gender neutral), what would their theme color be?

What kind of animal(s) are/were your OCs stuffed toys?

Is your OC any good at keeping plants alive?

How many ties does your OC own, and how often do they actually wear them?

Has your OC ever had any dental issues?

What kind of animal represents your OC, is it the same animal they think represents them, and is it their favorite animal?

Is your OC a fan of glow-in-the-dark items?

If your OC's life/story was a game, what kind of game would it be?

What books does your OC own, and why?

How much spam email does your OC get? And is it their own fault for signing up for it?

Does your OC have any mail subscriptions?

How many YouTube channels is your OC subscribed to?

How does your OC organize their phone gallery?

How often does your OC get a new phone?

What OS does your OC use on their computer? Did they pick it specifically, or did they just get a random computer and stick with whatever the default OS was?

How hard would it be to crack your OC's password?

How easily does your OC remember their own password(s)?

What age did your OC stop trick-or-treating? Dressing up?

When did your OC stop believing in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy?

How much money did your OC get from the tooth fairy when they lost a tooth?

Does your OC know how to make flower crowns?

Does your OC like hiking?

How good is your OC at remembering dates like birthdays and anniversaries?

Does your OC have the same political views as their parents? How have they affected each other?

What is your OC's favorite ice cream flavor?

When ordering a drink or treat, does your OC get small, medium, or large?

Does your OC like eating mushrooms?

Is there any birthday or Christmas gift that your OC is guaranteed to love?

Where does your OC get their groceries?

How well does your OC drive, and how does that compare to how well they think they can drive?

Does/did your OC make or buy their Halloween costumes?

Were your OC's Halloween costumes "normal" things, or were they weird or unique?

How big were your OC's birthday parties?

How often does your OC move houses?

Does your OC like garage sales?

Can your OC change a tire?

Who raised your OC when they were growing up?

How good is your OC at estimating distances, sizes, and measurements?

If you were trapped in an elevator with your OC, how long could you stand each other, and who would break first?

Does your OC have a good poker face?

How messy is your OC's bedroom?

How big are/were your OC's classes in school?

What is/was your OC's favorite school subject?

How is/was your OC's relationship with their teachers?

How bad do the holes in your OC's socks have to be for them to get rid of them?

How many pairs of shoes does your OC own?

Is your OC a hat person?

Has your OC won any awards or medals, and if so, what for?

What music genre(s) does your OC prefer?

How often does your OC buy things they immediately regret?

How often does your OC see wild animals?

What's the biggest animal your OC thinks they could take in a fight, and what's the biggest animal they could actually take in a fight?

How often does your OC lie?

What is your OC's preferred method of payment? Cash, credit, debit, cheque, bank transfer, app like paypal..?

How much money would it take to get your OC to kill someone?

What is your OC's sleep schedule like?

How well does your OC get along with their siblings?

How far is your OC willing to bend their morals for someone they love?

If someone close to your OC became a zombie, would your OC be able to shoot them?

How would your OC fare in a zombie apocalypse?

How is your OC at spelling?

How many languages does your OC speak?

How good is your OC's immune system?

At a carnival, what kind of food would your OC get?

Does your OC consider candy "food"?

What are your OC's favorite and least favorite household chores?

How does your OC feel about sex jokes?

What's your OC's alcohol tolerance like?

Does/did your OC decorate their locker in school?

If money wasn't an issue, what would your OC spend their days doing?

Does your OC enjoy puzzles like crosswords and sudoku?

How much facial hair can your OC grow?

How much jewelry does your OC wear?

How many piercings does your OC have?

How often does your OC need to use the bathroom?

How much does your OC care what others think of them?

Does your OC usually pick heads or tails?

What's your OC's rock-paper-scissors strategy?

Does your OC like shopping?

Why does your OC style their hair the way they do?

How does your OC feel about bugs?

Does your OC know how to perform CPR?

Has your OC ever been to the hospital? What for?

How many seconds does your OC allow for the 3/5/10-second-rule?

Does your OC keep broken, used, or worn-out items for sentimental reasons?

What makes a place "home" for your OC?

hi im literally in love with you <2

#sorry it took so long to answer this i had to find time to put all the asks int he queue #for eeryone reading this the next 100 or so asks are from this lovely person #who i love dearly #not an oc prompt #asks #anon

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teabutmakeitazure · 1 month

Text

Zuri's Declassified University Survival Guide

This is a post about survival tips in university (undergraduate), especially if you're an international student living alone in a different country in this circumstance. I will be adding onto this later on if there's something I want to add, so keep an eye out for update reblogs of this I guess.

General Tips:

it's okay to make mistakes. you are here to learn and grow. no one is perfect, especially in the first and second year of their studies. those are mandatory experimental years. you're not expected to get magically mature and perfect when you get to university (or college for you americans). be kind to yourself and analyse your mistakes instead of beating yourself over them.

don't bother too much about your wardrobe. just wear whatever's comfortable. you might think people care but no one does. more than half of the people at campus will be in sweats or pyjamas and if someone IS dressed up, they're probably arts kids or business majors and they're the ones with the least workload (yes i am dissing you guys I've seen your workloads stop lying).

put yourself in uncomfortable social situations. yes i said that. the only reason i somewhat learnt to make small talk and learnt to talk to strangers is because I go to every single social event that I can. it's not necessary to make friends in all of them. just talk to people, exchange contacts, laugh while the event lasts even if you never see them again. this is how you survive in the lonely dorm life. and if you make an actual good friend? amazing! it paid off. even if it didn't you'll probably network and build rapport and have acquaintances from different majors.

if you're an ethnic minority, don't be afraid. I cannot stress this enough. don't be afraid to be there and take up space. you are there because you deserve to be and qualified. sure, it sucks at times because a good amount of people won't interact with you because you're 'different' but the international students will and trust me they're the coolest bunch to be friends with (I have 0 such friends so far). most times you will have to take the initiative to talk and sometimes they won't respond or worse flat out ignore you but don't let that get you down. just don't interact with them again. the world is big. not everyone will like you and accept you. find the ones that will.

eggs and milk are your best friend. a glass of milk everyday and 2 eggs. make that a staple. eggs are also very versatile for recipes. more on that in the recipes section. also yoghurt. a smol cup of yoghurt everyday too and nuts whenever you can buy them.

always have a few pack of instant noodles at home. sometimes you have deadlines or you forgot to cook or need a quick dinner because there's so much to do and you didn't get groceries. always keep them in stock. they're a quick fix for food. I'm not promoting them for frequent dinner but it's better than starving. just eat the noodles man. there's already so much shit to keep track of just eat the damn noodles.

incorporate veggies into everything food. they're good for you. if you're like me and don't like veggies, experiment with different recipes and find the one you like best. one good way is fried rice or rice with mushrooms, veggies, and meat in the rice cooker (I don't own a rice cooker when I'm writing this). just eat your veggies and thank me later. if you don't wanna cut them up, get a pack of frozen veggies. it's better than nothing. baby steps.

meal plan. if I don't plan my entire week's food on sunday night, I do it the night before for the next day. eat out as less as you can. homemade is better even if you're a horrible cook. practice makes perfect and you'll be grateful for learning a few basic cooking skills along with your degree later on. cooking your own food also gives you the liberty to add more veggies or save money.

treat yourself to stuff sometimes. yes you deserve it even if you don't meet your goals. you're trying. be kind to yourself. get that boba.

study everything done the week by that week's weekend. do the day's content that same day and don't lag behind. utilise reading week and read. don't slack off please I'm begging you. I'll even get on my knees if I have to.

you're gonna miss home and it sucks. yes you will be having your fourth mental breakdown of the week on a wednesday night and you will be alone or hiding under the blanket as your roommate is asleep. you're gonna have to tough it out soldier. I see you and I feel you. it gets easier with time and when you're doing better, you'll feel relieved for toughing through. it's so lonely sometimes and it sucks but it's worth the pain. don't lose hope.

seniors are your friends. they will give you forbidden knowledge for free. from hidden places with good food or convenience things or just life advice exclusive to your institute, they have it all. they're also generally very friendly so don't be afraid to interact with them.

annoy the living hell out of your professor during office hours if need be and utilise the student help room for help. your tutors will be happy to help you so don't be shy to ask for help. they will appreciate you coming to them, trust me. as for your professor, they're lonely people. go to office hours if you need to, chat, ask them what you need. they'll appreciate your presence and happily help you.

the security guards and cleaning staff will be witnesses to your worst states (freshly out of bed or haven't showered in 2 days) but they don't care. they're just happy to be of service and have you around. be kind to them. greet them whenever you pass by.

sometimes coffee is bad.

if your classes start at noon or later, get an hour of exercise in the morning at around 8 or 9 am. the serotonin that will hit you will be unreal. trust me.

make local friends. they're cool people and friendly and very helpful and accommodating. I may be biased but it's true.

being a student helper, student tutor, or a research assistant looks good on your resume and helps you win more scholarships.

put headphones on when in public if you don't want to end up talking to someone you might bump into. it works.

your body also has rights. treat it with care. don't abuse it. nourish it. you should take care of your body like you would a loved one. feed it good things, clean it everyday, and so on. when you feel good by taking care of yourself, you still do better and feel more confident. wash your hair with a set schedule and use good products.

make your wardrobe easier. hang your usual shirts and maybe wear the one in front each day, the previous day's being hung in the back or in the laundry basket. it saves time.

there's no shame in not having stuff. I still don't own a proper laundry basket it all goes into an IKEA bag. you live in a dorm, not a house. sometimes not having every single kind of furniture or accessory isn't bad. don't compare your setup to others. if it's convenient, clean, and homey, it's good. you don't need those expensive lights or those expensive posters to make it seem cool. what you have and what you may collect among the way is enough.

notes on paper are better than laptop or ipad

take breaks. be kind to yourself. it is you for yourself. treat yourself with love.

manage your time by designating time blocks to a certain task. it might not always work but it will help create some discipline in the routine.

having a set everyday routine helps. you don't have to think what to do, thus saving you brain power.

use a semester planner for deadlines and important information. it's useful. I highly recommend. I also have a template if anyone wants.

write down your thoughts, what's bothering you, your feelings, everything on a piece of paper or journal at the end of the day. it'll help process your emotions and you won't have to let the thoughts and emotions fester inside you, slowly simmering and coming to a boil. remember, you are your best friend.

Recipes to help you stay afloat (they're all quick and easy dw):

right off the bat I want to say boiled jasmine rice with sunny side up eggs. you drizzle a pinch of salt onto the yolk, break it over the rice, mix it with the rice and eat it and it's just *chef's kiss*. definitely a comfort food and a very easy quick dinner.

a lot of these I found while scrolling through instagram and some are from when I was trying to lose weight. hope they're helpful!

oyakodon

one pot rice cooker rice with veggies

veggie and meat single serve in one pot

chicken wrap (primarily for weight loss I think)

chicken gyros (this guy makes amazing food)

minced meat weight loss meal prep

chickpeas (chana masala. this shit is bussin i swear)

something tomato + onion + egg

one pot veggie rice (recommended)

chicken shawarma (not dorm friendly cooking but looks delicious)

egg sandwich in one pan

potato marraka (THIS IS SO GOOD)

one pot rice cooker with meat and veggies

daal

chicken and rice

pizza style chicken wrap

five different chicken marinades for meal prep

one pot biryani

takeout style egg fried rice

rice cooker carbonara

one pot yoghurt curry chicken rice

weight loss chicken shawarma

healthier mac and cheese

chicken fajita

chicken tikka masala crunch tacos

one pan braised eggs

air fryer garlic bread pizza

another veggie and rice in rice cooker

fried rice recipe

hainanese inspired chicken rice in rice cooker

tomato orzo(?)

creamy tomato pasta

tomato and egg rice

mushroom sauce (can be eaten with rice)

creamy tomato tortellini

grilled cheese sandwich

#yes im referring to ned's declassified school survival guide #damn i miss that show #this is more for myself than anyone else #i got to compile all the recipes with this as an excuse nice #anyway hope this helped #i know I'm a yandere writing blog but i can also be helpful sometimes #zuri's declassified university survival guide #took me 2 hours but meh #college tips #university tips

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blues824 · 1 year

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Maybe the vice dorm leaders with an s/o who is like marcy from amphibia and got in twisted wonderland not by accident but figured out a way in. They also have the ability to sumon a dice with 20 sides that creates a random attack action depending on how hight the number is so for example 20 means a critical attack and a 1 is extremely bad.

Gender-neutral Reader. I have never seen this show, so I have put it on my watchlist.

Trey Clover

He took it upon himself to look after you because you were very clumsy, and that was dangerous in a world full of powerful magic. Countless times, he has caught you in his arms so that you wouldn’t have an oh-so-lovely meeting with the ground.

Upon finding out that you found a way into Twisted Wonderland, he realized that you probably could do the same thing to get out. You probably have, though. If something goes wrong here… you would be able to escape back into your world and not have to deal with it.

Whenever you gain another hyperfixation (i.e. the amphibians of Twisted Wonderland), he will invite you over so you can rant about your findings. He will be baking something, and you will be sitting on the counter while he’s working. You know he’s paying attention because he asks questions about the topic.

The first time you brought out your dice, it was when Riddle overblotted. You rolled the die and it landed on 19, meaning it was a severe hit. It really did a number on the Housewarden, and Trey was surprised that you had this power.

Ruggie Bucchi

Every time you fall, he lets out a giggle and a snicker before helping you up. But when it's clear that you can’t tell when you’re in danger, he grows very worried. He often tries to make sure that you’re okay, and even tries to be with you as much as he can so that you don’t get hurt too badly.

When he found out that you found a way into Twisted Wonderland, he wondered if you could take him to your world. Would it be possible to come back if he actually could leave? But then, you are staying here of your own volition, so you could leave at any given time… please don’t leave him.

He doesn’t have a lot of time to hear about your hyperfixations, but he finds it adorable when you yell in an excited voice about something. Sure, he might jump a few feet into the air, but he will definitely give you a cookie for managing to scare him.

The first time he saw the massive dice, you had rolled a 17 against Leona. He could tell that the magic you were using was much stronger than anything he had seen. No, it was more fateful. It was very spontaneous, as per the dice. Needless to say, the dice worked because of such a high number.

Jade Leech

The first time you fell, you fell right into his arms. He never lets it go, and often teases you about ‘falling for him’. You are left flustered very frequently, and it makes him smirk. However, after a while you begin to notice how he’s always nearby to help you up in case your clumsiness gets the better of you.

You had told him that you found a way into Twisted Wonderland and it had him curious: could you go back whenever you wanted? He would miss you terribly if you could and did. Would you be so cruel as to leave a poor eel behind?

Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of time to listen to your hyperfixations unless he’s taking care of his own mushrooms. You both combine your hobbies and create small ecosystems and you keep a bunch of amphibians that both help and thrive in the environment that Jade created with his obsession.

When he first saw the magic dice, it was when you were using it against his Housewarden. You were not afraid about it landing on a lower number because you could just end up chucking the icosahedron at Azul. However, it landed on 18, and it gave Jade the chance to attack as the cecaelia was distracted.

Jamil Viper

He’s also there to catch you whenever you fall. After all, he didn’t want you getting hurt. However, you aren’t another Kalim. You were smarter and tactful, but like Kalim you couldn’t tell when you were putting yourself (or others) in danger.

If you tell him that you found a way in Twisted Wonderland, he dismisses it until he’s laying in bed at night. Would you leave him when things get too difficult? Or maybe when you just felt like it? Now he’s paranoid.

Mans has no time to sit down and listen to you, but if you help him with chores then you can talk about the amphibian life that resides within Twisted Wonderland. Half the time, he’s just doing the chore, but the other half of the time he’s gazing into your eyes. With both, he’s not exactly paying attention.

As you fought against him, he saw the dice, and he was confused. You looked different as well, but you rolled and got a solid 20, meaning you landed a critical hit. It hurt, knocked the wind (and some ink) out of him.

Rook Hunt

This man is hiding in a tree nearby when you fall. He has read too many romance novels, and he wanted to be your knight in shining armor. So, if you were to slip and fall, he would always be close just so he could catch you. Don’t be surprised if he ends up catching you in a princess carry and telling you that you should be more careful.

Once you tell him that you had found a way into Twisted Wonderland from your world, he is asking way too many questions. You had magic, obviously, or else you wouldn’t have gotten here in the first place. However, your magic was different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, though.

He has all the time in the world to just sit and talk with you. He will ditch his responsibilities as a Vice Housewarden just so you can talk to him about a unique salamander or frog that you saw somewhere in the forest. He isn’t grossed out or anything.

When you were fighting against Vil, you rolled the die. You quickly explained to Rook that if it was a higher number, it would be more damage dealt. You rolled a 16, and laughed. The hunter loved your excitement, but now was not the time for that.

Lilia Vanrouge

Unlike Rook, he’s always coincidentally there when you slip up. It might come from earned senses from being a former general. So, don’t be surprised if when you fall, he is there, holding you by your arm so you don't fall. He would help you up by pulling you into his chest, making you flustered.

When you told him that you found a way into Twisted Wonderland, he kind of already figured. Crowley had never said that he was going to help you home, which was unusual even for him. So he guessed that you found your way into NRC, and it was through the mirror.

He has bits of time here and there, and he definitely doesn’t mind listening to you rant about the amphibian fauna that resides nearby NRC. He might be able to tell you some facts that you didn’t know because he’s practically ancient and knows a lot of stuff.

The first time he got to see you roll the dice within battle was when you were fighting against Leona. It was intriguing when you explained that if you rolled a high number, your chances of landing a critical hit were big. He may have used his magic to make it land on 20, but to this day he denies it.

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theresattrpgforthat · 6 months

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Are there any RPGs where the player(s) control a plant? The more realistic the better!

THEME: Play A Plant

Hello friend! Oh do I have the recommendations for you!!

Moss Creeps, Stone Crumbles by Adam Roy.

A bird perches on a tree branch, singing. A snail crawls across a bed of springy moss. Sunbeams shine through the canopy, their dappled light sparkling on the forest floor.

Moss Creeps, Stone Crumbles is a game about the slow, gentle march of nature. Using drawings and words, you’ll tell the story of a forest grove and how it changes over the course of 100 years. You can play with any number of participants from 2 through 20.

This game feels like a drawing version of Telephone - it requires each player to add something to a continuously growing map. It feels more like a creation exercise than a drawn out game, and the meditation that the author includes in the play document solidifies this feeling. If you want something simple, focused, and good for a large number of people, check out Moss Creeps, Stone Crumbles.

Undercover Houseplant, by ToriBee.

Welcome, Agent, to the most challenging operation of your career. You've been chosen for this mission due to your exceptional ability to adapt and overcome. In an unconventional twist of fate, you find yourself deployed in the field not as the usual two-legged agent, but rather a zero-legged operative: a houseplant.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate the enemy's premises, blend in with the local flora, and gather valuable intel from the unsuspecting individuals who dare to conduct secretive conversations in your vicinity.

This is a solo journaling game in which you are a secret agent, transformed into a houseplant in order to spy in on top-secret conversations. As you attempt to gather intelligence, you risk raising suspicion using a Suspicion Score. This will raise every time you fail a Growth action, which is meant to improve your ability to gather information, or a Communicate action, which involves subtle changes in your patterns in order to communicate what you’ve already learned. If you want a solo game with a humorous premise, I recommend Undercover Houseplant!

Rooted Together, by Monroeroe.

Play with a group of friends in this journaling game (that utilizes a d6) where you are mushroom folk trying to build a community. Rules light and open to expand to whatever sort of play style you find best.

I don’t have a copy of this game, so I can’t give much of an overview for this one, but based on the price and the description, I have a feeling it’s a rules-light game and likely uses prompts, considering it’s a journaling kind of game. If you want a bit more sentience and mobility in your plant (or plant-adjacent) game, consider Rooted Together!

Mushrooms & Magic, by FeatherBoy.

Years after a mysterious series of magical Churnings, kingdoms of Mushrooms awoke in a world left behind by the Ancients, surrounded by strange beasts and remnants of ancient technology from when "humans" walked the soils. In the years following, Mushroomkind fought and explored, discovered and innovated. But Mushrooms are small, and the world is large; much remains to be learned, and countless adventures are still to be had. Will you answer the call?

Mushrooms & Magic runs using a modified Powered by the Apocalypse / Monster of the Week-like system, with new mechanics for tool crafting, abilities, and several magic types. The game only requires one die - a d20 - and makes use of just four basic stats. While not necessarily rules-light, plenty of room is left within the game's structure for players to modify core abilities and attributes (and add their own!) as wanted within campaigns, and GM's are encouraged to have fun with the setting above all else.

This is probably the farthest from your request mostly because you are more like uplifted mushrooms - with very human-like attributes such as tool use, clothing, and the desire for adventure. However, it’s probably also the biggest game in this list, with a very interesting stat wheel, which is an interesting deviation from typical PbtA games. It’s a bit more granular while using the same rule-system, and I’m interested to see what that means in play.

Where Sunflowers Grow, by Darkheart Games.

You and your friends are sunflowers growing in a field once torn by human war. The battles are long over, but the soil your roots drink from holds the memory of blood. When the memories wash through you, you share your experiences with your friends.

Where Sunflowers Grow is a game for three to six players and can be played remotely or in person. The game requires ten unshelled sunflower seeds (or ten small slips of paper) in addition to the PDF in order to play.

I think this game is the most grounded in a real setting, with the unique perspective of plants growing on a field where violence took place. Your characters weren’t present for the conflict itself, but the violence has still managed to affect your life. I really like the thematic element of using sunflower seeds to randomize the memories which your sunflowers will move through. However, this is not a game for everyone - make sure to prepare your table for conversations about violence, trauma, and attrition if you want to suggest this game.

The Flora, by Affinity Games Collective.

The Flora is a meditative structured freeform game for 1-6 players.

In it you will play a long-lived plant, rooted in place, their history and responses to the elements, fauna, their human caretakers and the human-shaped world. The game starts with fledgling Flora growing in our present day, you will feel the marks of human activity, the shifting seasons, and the changing climate as you adapt and grow, and eventually decay and die.

You’ll be answering questions, choosing options from tables, telling or writing stories about the Flora and the different caretakers in the Flora’s life, drawing and updating a map of the Lot on which they live, and drawing the Flora throughout their lifespan.

It looks like this game can be played either solo or in a group. The “what you will need” list on the game page recommends a timer, so it looks like you have the ability to play the game in short bursts. The primary focus of the game is observing the growth of a plant through a series of caretakers, until it reaches the end of its life. I think there are also different options for the kind of flora you play!

Gardenborn: Knights of the Green, by Verdant Green Games.

You play as sentient plant knights called "Gardenborn" as you quest to find a long-lost Grail that holds the key to ending a devastating fungal plague ravaging the wilds.

Gardenborn is a cooperative TTRPG designed for one GM and 2-5 players. As sentient plants, you will venture into the Deep Wilds, where a plague called the Bloodrot festers. There are monsters such as Toadgres and infected stags, called Deergons. I like the stats for your characters: willow, hardy, tolerant and creeping. The game is still in its initial stages, so expect less setting and perhaps a few pieces that are rough around the edges, but the setting is lovingly present even in just the first draft!

Mossy Mechanics, by Diwata Ng Manila.

You've seen the power of the Succulent Sorcerers, you've experienced how a Petal Paladin enacts their order, and you have been beholden to the strength of the Bonsai Brawlers - now, be enchanted by the prowess of the Mossy Mechanics!

I’ve recommended the other instalments of Sin’s previous plant games, and it is only fitting that I include the last one here. You used to just be a clump of moss, but the “Other Mother” has awoken you in her first step of a plan towards world domination. Will you fight for her? Or against her?

This is such a sweet little system with the same basic stats across all games. All characters have Resist pips and Raw Magic pips, which determine your threshold for success. In Mossy Mechanics, you choose a Mechanic Form, which gives you your basic stats, as well as a Mod, which gives you special abilities. There’s also a quick little page containing everything your Garden master needs to know. If you want something cute and small and easy to run, I recommend Mossy Mechanics.

(I also have share-able character sheets for this one!)

#tabletop games #indie ttrpgs #dnd #game recommendations #indie ttrpg #plant games

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a-driftamongopenstars · 2 months

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Tav/Halsin fics you say? 👀

How about Tav, who’s not very nature conscious, tries to learn more about it on her own to surprise Halsin. But, she eats some poisonous berries or gets bitten by an animal and Halsin has to heal/patch her up 🤕

oh this is a delightful prompt, thank you so much for giving that to me to play with :D I hope you like this little story! also on ao3

She should have known by the way those pesky berries would not come off their leaf cradles that they were trouble. Still, she persisted and plucked them off and, worst of all, put them in her mouth. All she wanted was to try and impress Halsin with her slowly growing knowledge of foraging. Who knew that belladonna berries looked so terribly similar to blueberries. Or was that blackberries?

Tav groans.

"Save your strength, my heart," Halsin tells her, half gentle, half stern, but not unkind. His eyes and brows are full of worry, and he is busy setting out his herbs and remedies in tinkling bottles on a small smooth stool. He mixes them, looks at them through the light of the bonfire and whispers incantations that make the liquid glow.

"I'm sorry," Tav mumbles, clutching at her aching stomach.

"It is a lesson learned," Halsin smiles in mild exasperation. "Many a young druid in my circle has attempted what you did. But I shall not preach to you about the significance of humility before nature. Here."

He gently presses the lip of a small glass vial against her mouth, and Tav drinks the sweet concoction, her mouth filling with the flavour of grass and something minty.

Then, she watches through the haze of ache and relief as Halsin draws sigils in the air, his eyes glowing softly, calling upon the Oakfather to preserve this poor fool.

The remedy in her responds to the druidic magic, and pain soothes away ever so slowly, trickling from her systems. When the spell is complete, Halsin takes her hand in his, large and strong one engulfing her smaller, softer one.

"My heart, next time let me accompany you on your foraging adventure. And by Silvanus, leave any and all mushrooms you see exactly where they sit."

Tav looks away guiltily, brushing her gaze over her bag, left lying in the grass with the remnants of the sweet poison and, somewhere deeper inside it, a handful of mushrooms. Halsin sighs and shakes his head, leaning to Tav to kiss her forehead.

"Focus on recovery now, my heart," he advises, reaching for her bag to empty it of the hazardous contents.

Tav hides embarrassment and a small smile under his large warm blanket.

Accepting Tav x Halsin ficlet prompts :)

#baldur's gate 3 #tav x halsin #halsin #f!tav #fanfiction #driftcreates #oh this was sweet :D

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useless19 · 7 months

Text

It takes Bowser three tries to find a cupboard with food in it and it's only a measly bag of oats at that. Hopefully, Kamek's just behind on the shopping and they haven't been living like this the whole time Bowser's been away. There's a handful of spice jars in the next cupboard; Bowser swipes the lot and then finds a saucepan hiding under the sink.

Oats, water, and a good dollop of fire flower powder to start with on the stove. Porridge is easy and having food on hand always makes it easier to talk things over with people.

"Dad!"

Little claws scramble up the back of Bowser's shell before he can turn around to greet his son. A moment later, Junior drops his chin on Bowser's shoulder and smiles. Bowser ruffles his hair, unable to stop his own grin.

"Hey, kid. Been keeping Kamek in one piece?"

"Urgh, he doesn't let me go fast anywhere," Junior complains. "I have to go as slow as a snail so his shrivelled old toes can keep up."

Bowser laughs. "Atta boy, Junior."

"Are you back for real this time?" Junior asks.

Bowser winces. Junior catches him and whines.

"Junior, we've talked about this," Bowser says firmly. "I have to stay away for now."

"But I miss you," Junior says.

"I know, buddy." Bowser picks Junior off his shell and stands him on the kitchen counter in front of him. Junior is at eye-level, which hadn't been the case the last time Bowser had spoken to him like this. "This job's important, okay? If I keep it for a while longer we'll be set for life." Theoretically, anyway. "You're always number one, but I can't just do what I want and still have things like food and shelter. Sometimes I've gotta do things that aren't fun so you can get tasty stuff every now and then."

Junior looks away mulishly. Bowser sighs. He's been over this several times, but it's never easy to argue against kid logic.

"I miss you," Junior repeats.

"I know." Bowser risks a hug and is relieved when Junior clutches back. "Speaking of food, did Kamek forget to do the shopping this week? Or have you hidden all the good stuff to keep it away from me?"

"I'm hiding it from Wendy," Junior says, exasperated, frustration at Bowser's absence already forgotten. "She steals my choco-mango nuggets and replaces them with rabbit poop and then tells me I've got a diseased tongue because it tastes funny. But I know she did it! My tongue's normal, isn't it, Dad?"

Bowser barely manages to move his head out of the way before Junior sticks his tongue in his eyeball. He scruffs Junior by the shell and drops him down to the ground.

"Your tongue's fine." Bowser waves the sticky spoon at Junior. "If you want anything tasty in your breakfast, you better get it now. It's nearly ready."

"Be right back!" Junior shouts, sprinting out of the pokey kitchen.

Bowser finds Kamek's fine china in pride of place. It's more magic than china now, given that Bowser wasn't the most careful koopaling growing up and now Junior is following almost exactly in his clawed footsteps.

A thundering of feet announce Junior's reappearance. He's got a paper bag with a mushroom logo on it clutched tight in one hand.

"Who's that guy in your bed?" Junior asks. He wrinkles his snout. "He screamed when I saw him."

"Did you wake him up?" Bowser says.

"No, he was already awake," Junior blatantly lies.

Bowser lets him get away with it this time. He waves a bowl in Junior's direction, it's snatched out of his hand in a second by energetic kid claws. Junior sits at the table (when did he get big enough to not need a booster?) and carefully rations out a small handful of chocolate nuggets into his bowl.

"So who is he? C'mon, c'mon, c'mon."

"It doesn't matter, Junior."

Junior scowls and shoves a spoonful of porridge into his mouth. "He looks like the king, but he's too messy."

"Too messy?" Bowser snorts.

He catches sight of a flash of green at the doorway. Luigi hovers, uncertain, and makes some confusing gestures at Junior. Bowser might have gotten better at reading Luigi's body language and deciphering what he's actually saying behind his fancy words, but this intentional signalling is lost on him. Bowser shrugs.

"Yeah. His hair was all stuck up and he was drooling on your pillow! Eww!" Junior says through full cheeks.

Bowser grins at Luigi, who buries his face in his hands.

"Well, maybe you should introduce yourself and see what he says." Bowser points across the room.

Junior turns and waves. Luigi slinks in, still wrapped in Bowser's blanket. He stands awkwardly by the table until Bowser kicks a chair out for him.

"Hi!" Junior says brightly, cheeks still bulging, "I'm Bowser Junior!"

"Good morning," Luigi says with an awkward wave, "I'm Luigi."

"Like dad's boss, the king?" Junior screws up his snout. "Doesn't that get confusing?"

"I… no?" Luigi says, bewildered. "Why would that be confusing?"

Junior spoons more porridge into his mouth, getting a red smear on his chin in the process. His next protest comes with a spray of oats over the table. Kamek can clean that up later.

"But if you've got the same name as someone it gets confusing!"

"He is the king," Bowser clarifies.

"No way!" Junior says, slamming the end of his spoon on the table in emphasis. "He's too short!"

Bowser laughs as Luigi's bemusement turns into surprised offence. The tip of Junior's topknot barely brushes Luigi's nose. But then, the royal family aren't much for strolling through the castle town without a toad retinue and standing next to toads makes anyone look tall.

"Eat your breakfast," Bowser tells Junior. "If you share your mango-choc bits with the king then maybe he won't have you beheaded for insulting him."

Luigi starts, wide-eyed. "I wouldn't —"

"They're mine!" Junior shouts.

"Right off at the neck," Bowser says. He tweaks Junior's neck with his claws. "And he'd hang your dry shell up as a warning to other cheeky koopalings."

"No way!"

"I really wouldn't," Luigi says, worried.

Junior looks at Luigi suspiciously, and then back to Bowser, calculating.

"He says he's not going to do that," Junior says, testing. He looks between Luigi and Bowser again and then finally takes a nugget out of his bag and pushes it across the table to Luigi. "You can have one. And only because you're nice."

"Thank you," Luigi says, as stiffly polite as if he were meeting a diplomat. "I will reciprocate your generosity when I get the chance."

"Reciprocate?" Junior scrunches up his snout. "Dad, what does that mean?"

"It's just a fancy way of saying he's going to repay you," Bowser says.

"Oh," Junior says. "Why didn't he say that?"

"Because sometimes fancy people have to talk fancily."

"That's stupid."

"Believe me, I know," Luigi says wearily.

"Alright, Junior, off you trot," Bowser says, taking his empty breakfast bowl. "Leave his royal sleepiness alone and go wake up Kamek or something."

Junior hops off his chair, but doesn't run off immediately.

"Will you still be here when Kamek's awake?" Junior asks.

Bowser tugs on his topknot. "You know I don't leave without saying goodbye."

"Okay! Be right back!"

Junior sprints out of the room with his usual hyperactive energy. Has he always been that fast or is Bowser going to regret feeding him chocolate so early?

"He's a nice child," Luigi says.

"He's a brat," Bowser says fondly. "Gets that from me."

"I'm sure if he turned out half as well as you have, the kingdom will be grateful," Luigi says.

His slight smile vanishes when Bowser slams a bowl of porridge down in front of him.

"I don't care what the kingdom wants," Bowser growls. "He'll grow up how he grows up — and that's gonna be awesome. Leave your politicking away from my son."

"I didn't mean…" Luigi slumps. "Sorry. That's just my default response to meeting kids. I should have known better."

"Damn right," Bowser says, less happy with Luigi's misery than he wants to be. "How dare you give a default response to my son."

"I haven't had the chance to get to know him," Luigi says, for once getting Bowser's gist without needing it completely spelled out for him.

"He'll want me to take him down to the river before I go," Bowser says. "You should tag along so I can keep an eye on you too. Don't want you wandering obliviously into danger again."

A wistful longing passes over Luigi's face. Bowser usually sees that when he's thinking about his brother. It only lasts a second, then Luigi shakes his head firmly.

"I have to return to the castle," Luigi says, ignoring his breakfast. "I've been away long enough as it is. I can't — won't — leave the kingdom's fate uncertain for any longer than absolutely necessary."

"Eat your food," Bowser orders.

Luigi makes a wordless noise of frustration. "I can't just —"

"You're not doing anything until you've had breakfast," Bowser says firmly. "Whatever royal planning you want to do can wait five minutes."

Luigi pointedly spoons porridge into his mouth. He coughs, grimaces, then forces himself to swallow. Oh yeah, humans are funny about hot sauce. Delicate constitutions the lot of them.

"I think there's some milk," Bowser says. He opens the cold cupboard to find a handful of potatoes and not much else. "Somewhere."

The last cupboard holds a bottle of milk, spelled to stay fresh. Junior's adamantly against drinking the stuff, so it's not a surprise that there's only a little missing; probably for Kamek's tea. Bowser thumps it on the table in front of Luigi along with a battered tin cup. Luigi gratefully drinks.

"You need a plan," Bowser says. "You always do better with ten minutes to think things through, so take ten minutes."

Luigi looks mutinous, but he continues to eat his breakfast (after mixing in some of the milk). Bowser relaxes by inches.

"Okay." Luigi pushes his mostly empty bowl away. "I'm done. Thank you for breakfast. Can we go to the castle now?"

Bowser gives him a look. Luigi slumps in his chair, looking far more like Junior than royalty. Bowser puts the bowls in the sink and sits down across from Luigi. He taps his claws on the table and Luigi averts his gaze for some reason.

"You need to know what you're going to say to your council before you get there. What do you need to do?" Bowser asks.

"I need to find a way to show the Last Realm that they shouldn't attack," Luigi says. "To do that I have to find the professor, but I don't know where he is right now, so that's going to be a lot of work. And I also need to figure out a polite way of asking the Kongs if they expect the Kremling Empire to attack again soon. They can hold their own, but I have to be able to use our alliance as part of my deterrent methods and I can't do that if they're in open war." He sighs and puts his face in his hands. "Those are just the big two things, and I can't do both at once."

Bowser rolls his eyes. "Of course you can't. That's why you delegate."

"But they're too important to mess up!"

"And you'll mess up both of them if you try to do everything," Bowser says.

"I know…' Luigi's fingers tighten in his hair. It's a wonder he isn't bald from all the tugging. "I realised — yesterday, so it wasn't something I've intentionally been ignoring — I realised that I'm used to doing everything with Mario. We compliment each other really well and since he went missing I… I can't do it on my own."

That makes a lot of sense from what Bowser's observed of Luigi's workload so far. Why everything gets divided into two sets of tasks which Luigi flips between frantically when he remembers that the other exists.

"If I was just half the king Mario was…"

"Stop trying to be Mario, you'll never be Mario," Bowser interrupts. "And you know why?"

"Because I wasn't raised to be king?" Luigi says.

"Because Mario had a Luigi and you don't," Bowser says. "So stop trying to be Mario and figure out how to make being Luigi work for you."

Luigi smiles (Bowser mentally awards himself a point). "I don't suppose you would be interested in being my L—"

"Absolutely not," Bowser snorts. "I'm your knight, not your weedy younger brother. So, how are you going to use the fact that I'm your loyal knight and I have connections that you don't?"

"Loyal," Luigi repeats, amused. He shakes his head to get himself back on track. "Are you saying that you have someone with ties to the Jungle Kingdom?"

"I've got spymasters, pirates, entertainers, and plain old guerrillas." Bowser ticks them off on his fingers as he lists them. "You've got a whole passel of knights who'll do whatever you tell them to and advisors coming out your ears. You're not the best person for every job."

"It still feels like giving up, somehow," Luigi says slowly.

"Come on," Bowser huffs. "You hired me because you knew you weren't awesome enough to be a good deterrent. This is the same thing. Do you want to throw yourself a pity party or do you want to help your kingdom?"

Luigi nods. "I'm sure there are people who will be better than me at searching out the professor. If I write a letter explaining things, that should clear up any confusion he might have. Then I can plan a trip to the Jungle Kingdom to —"

"Not a chance," Bowser says. "Last time you left the castle you walked right into a ninji ambush."

"Which you saved me from," Luigi says. He smiles wryly. "Have I thanked you for that already?"

"At least twice." Bowser crosses his arms. "Give yourself some credit — I've never seen anyone get up a tree that fast."

"Sorry I wasn't more use. I —"

"Nope," Bowser interrupts. "Staying out of danger is your job. Dealing with enemies is mine. I want you up a tree or cowering in a closet at the slightest hint of danger."

Luigi nods. "As long as you're sure you can handle it."

"I can handle anything," Bowser says with confidence. "Don't worry your pretty little head about me."

Luigi chokes a laugh and bats his eyelashes. "Aww, you think I'm pretty?"

"You're the prettiest human I've ever seen," Bowser's mouth spills out before he can hold his tongue.

Luigi's smile freezes. Blood fills his face in that way humans get when they're embarrassed or exerting themselves (in lots of ways, but one particular type of exertion does its best to stick in Bowser's stupid horny head).

"You probably get that all the time," Bowser says, brushing it off. "Now, about —"

"When was the last time you saw someone compliment me?" Luigi interrupts.

"Probably because you spend your time doing less blatant fishing," Bowser says.

Luigi lets the subject drop, but he looks far too pleased with himself. Now he gets Bowser's dropped hints, when they can't do anything because Junior's going to drag Kamek into the kitchen any second now and no doubt Kamek's going to raise a fuss over the food supplies that he hadn't budgeted for and Junior will start asking to go out. Relentlessly.

"Let me fetch a couple of my guys," Bowser says. He thinks Wendy and Lemmy are around somewhere and he's almost certain Wendy has a friend or two amongst the Kremlings. "We'll knock out a plan of action and have you back at the castle in time for lunch."

#bowuigi #bowser #luigi #bowser jr #smb #fanfic #knight&king!au #part 5 #~2600 words #this got long #cleaning all this up is going to be interesting #just an epilogue to go #(i hope)

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