#please don't tag her as deputy | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

Visit Blog

Explore Tumblr blogs with no restrictions, modern design and the best experience.

Fun Fact

There were a total of 171.5 billion posts on Tumblr in 2019.

#please don't tag her as deputy

frogchiro · 1 year

Note

hi me again i know its not eremites but my brain has been HAAAUUNNNNTEEED by omegaverse and COD i just know for a fact Ghost n Price share a role as "leader" of the pack, more Price than Ghost (warrior cat brain: DEPUTY GHOST *WACK*) and yes the entire pack takes care of their sweet omega but they feel the most weight of keeping her happy n healthy :<< Ughehrgrgrgrr Ghost is a silent lover, (this can really apply for annnnnyy au im just barfing my brain out here) brushing your hair out of your face as you sleep, cheek smooshed against your pillow. Oh my god you know that man would invest in silk pillow cases if you mentioned that silk is better for your skin n hair. That one stuffie you can't seem to sleep without, it never seems to get dirty, you don't think much of it. That's cause Ghost brushes it out for you, making sure theres no limp neck syndrome either (basically the fluff gets separated from body n head leaving none for neck) mention that you like a certain snack? or found a childhood snack you had but could never find after a certain point? at least 5 of them in the cupboard, 2 if they come in big packs.

John loves to spend time together with his sweet girl, he doesnt often have the time for it but when he does he loves to savour it. Loves Loves Loves being able to have you on his lap, a cigar in one hand, the other on your waist and a whiskey on the table next to his recliner. Memorizes your routine, if you have somewhere to be that you have to wake up for, he wakes you up, very gently. Kisses against your shoulder, traveling to your face. Kissing your cheek before turning you onto your back, just admires your relaxed face before he whispers your name. ASS!! GRABBER!!! grabs your ass, sure here n there he'll greet you with a gentle spank but he. grabs. ASS. He memorizes your coffee order too!! He may tease you a bit if it something like, 80% cream, 12% sugar and 8% coffee but still. sniffle snorgle so sorry for the long ask snifhghgrngr i love them. and i LOVE your blog, been following for a super long time, found you from pierro tags and just been obsessed. Take care of yourself okay?? MWAH (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

AHHHH THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS DARLING *MWUAH* I'm really glad you like my humble little blog so much and stick around for such a long time <3

I'm gonna go with omegaverse with these again bc I'm obsessed :<

And yes yes you're right!! Alpha Si is a silent lover but he's so expressive when he wants to be! If you're close enough you'll see all the little things; ticks, micro expressions even with the balaclava and/or mask, the little noises like chuffs or rumbles, everything! It's like a whole new world opens up and that's when makes being mated to Ghost beautiful <3

And he can be surprisingly clingy and touchy too! Definitely not right from the start but give him time and soon you'll have a 6'3 baby clinging onto you. What he may lack in verbal communication he compensates with physical affection and little noises; he will literally purr like an engine and make little chirrups in answer to your own as you nuzzle and preen each other in your nest.

Another thing about him are his surprisingly strong nesting instincts! He never really got to make a nest, or rather felt safe enough to do it. With his past, his father who always mocked him for nesting it never felt right until he got with you. Will take up the whole bed and literally roll in it so it's covered with his scent and pheromones and let out a pleased rumble when he finally deems his den good enough and safe before dumping you in it <3

Alpha!Price on the other hand loves quality time spent with you <3 He's much more verbal with you than Si and is quite touch himself in the privacy of his office or den, will always try and keep a hand on you and never let you out of his sight. He's the oldest of the alphas, much more mature and secure in his position as head alpha but will bellow and growl like crazy if he went out for a second out of the den to check up on something and upon returning he notices that you're not there anymore only for you to return from the bathroom confused what's all the commotion about.

Would never admit it out loud but he loves loves loves scenting you! Especially if you're on base with him. John has a strong masculine smell that screams 'ALPHA' in the most pleasant way; will make you go weak in the knees just from a whiff <3

Likes to rub on you when you're laying in your nest at night, his face shoved right into your scent glands and your delighted giggles bring him immense joy as he tickles you with his beard <3

#i'm fucking combusting #cod x reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #john price x reader #john price

921 notes · View notes

angelwhisp3rs · 4 months

Text

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ man like me

Pairing: RE!2 Leon x fem!reader

Summary: Leon has gone through so much training, life always made it look like he didn't luck out. Always the butt of the joke, he questioned if he would ever be a man. His partner seems to think he is man enough for her <3

Tags: Smut; bj; he cums in her face; slight sub!leon; leon gets called a fairy because he is not considered a "macho man" (i hate m*n)

Notes: First post! I'm so excited, i've been brainrotting for RE for years, and just now decided to add to the community. Love you all! Feel free to give me any tips for my writing or some prompts!

Also, please! If you are a minor, i don't feel comfortable with you interacting with my content, so no minors allowed ok?

Have you ever felt like you weren’t blessed? Well, Leon felt that every day of his life. His parents dying, his rough childhood in the orphanage, he had to work twice as harder than anyone of his peers to achieve anything. Now, as a cop, he believed that this was all in the past - he chose the manliest job of them all.

Oh, well. Turns out that stations were just an adult hangout spot for jocks that never grew out of their high school days.

The women would coo at him, calling him cute and adorable, while the older officers would sneak some comments about him being a “fairy”. Fucking idiots.

After some months working with them, Leon managed to gain at least some respect among his colleagues - he was a great cop after all, and he even managed to tone down some of the ridiculous teasing (and plain homophobia, if you ask him).

To the surprise of everyone there, a new recruit would be coming in, making Leon celebrate a little on the inside - maybe it would be his chance to stop being the butt of the joke and finally laugh along with the rest, not being the one laughed at.

He couldn't wait to finally turn his luck around.

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

Turns out he is wrong. Of course things wouldn’t go his way once. The rookie was a girl - well, a woman, and a pretty one at that.

The men there went ballistic. The single, desperate for attention, and the married, aching for an affair. Used to the calm and pliant women in the precinct, the men didn’t wait for even 5 minutes to let out their disgusting comments, calling her a hot piece of their ass, some even suggesting that they could ‘teach her’ the ways around there.

They were so wrong. Cutting their comments short, she looked at them in disgust, and distributed answers that put them back into their places. Hell, she even dared to ask how the deputy’s wife wasn't arrested for animal cruelty for sleeping with a pig like him.

Leon looked at her with stars in his eyes - she was different from him after all, not letting those idiots run through her. The bigoted idiots decided that as a “punishment” to her, she would be his new partner, matching their work hours and patrolling together. That fact made him excited, but not for long. Unfortunately, his intrusive thoughts began swarming his head: “Do you really think she won’t make fun of you?” and “A woman like her would eat up a man like you”.

The only thing he could do was stand a hand to her, offering a handshake “Hi there, partner. I’m Leon Kennedy”.

She had a predatory smirk on her face, looking at him up and down. “Hi, Leon. I think we’re gonna be great partners”.

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

When Leon thought she would eat up a guy like him, he didn’t think it would be like that. It was way after the time they had to clock out, and they were the only ones left in the station. Leon was backed up in the evidence room, his pants on the floor as her mouth worked around his cock, drenching it with her spit. The only sounds heard were the man trying to drone out his moans with his hand on his mouth, and her gagging as she took him as deep as she could in her throat.

To Leon, this had to be a dream - no way that would ever happen. But as he looked down, her sinful eyes looking up at him, he knew that he couldn’t even dream of something as good as this. He had to be careful not to knock out the evidence in the surrounding files, choosing to rest his hand on her ponytail - quite convenient for the situation.

“You are doing so well, baby. Why don’t you come in my face, and show them that you are the only man able to do that, huh?” She taunted him as she kept pumping his cock his her hands, slick with her saliva and the precum that drooled on his tip

Her mouth returned to his member as she kept her hands going, thriving at his blushing face and his desperate whines. The man was going crazy, it’s been so long since something other than his hand touched his cock, that the 8 minutes of her mouth - which he believed to be 30, were enough to bring him to the edge. Soon, her mouth pulls back as she jerks him faster, angling at her face as he coats it with his pearly cum, hitting her cheeks, mouth and chin.

While he believed that his soul had left his body and come back, she stood up and grabbed some tissues there to clean her face. All cleaned up, she helped him put his pants back on and pressed some kisses to his jaw, whispering to his ear “Why don’t you come over to my place and show my cunt who is the only man to fill it up?”. After that, she left the evidence room with a smirk, looking back at him once and throwing a wink at him.

Well, it turns out that luck was a person, and it finally caught up to him.

399 notes · View notes

written-in-flowers · 23 days

Text

The Drifter: The Weaved Web (1.01)

Pairing: Chan x Demon!fem!Reader (future)

Genre: adventure, fantasy, romance, fluff

AU: western!au, fantasy!au, bounty hunter!au,

Word Count: 20k

Overall Summary: A demonic bounty hunter drifts into the sleepy seaside town of Levanter Bay, and there is where she finally finds a real home.

Tags: western!au, demon!reader, fantasy!au, high fantasy, kidnapping, child kidnapping, demon summoning, mentions of death, mentions of trauma/PTSD, arachnophobia, descriptions of violence,

Disclaimer: These works are completely fictious and for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to reflect or label the members of Stray Kids. The events within never took place.

Please do not repost/translate!

****

Episode 1: Sacrifices.

Episode Summary: A rash of child kidnappings has unsettled the quaint town of Levanter Bay, Sheriff Bahng and his deputies are at a loss until a strange demon comes riding into town.

***

‘Welcome to Levanter Bay, The Sunny Side.”

Levanter Bay appeared anything but sunny. An overcast sky blocked any sunlight that might’ve shone on the open bay. The water washing up on the docks appeared gray and dark, small waves lapping at the wooden stilts holding up the port. From the top of the hill, the small town resembled a semi-circle of small buildings leading out to the docks far off. It did not seem any different than any other country town, and after a week of riding and camping, a warm bed and a hot meal sounded good. Giving gentle kicks to Summer's sides, the black mare started to walk down from the hills.

“What do you think, girl?” You asked your mount with a soft pat. “How does a warm night in a stable of hay sound?” When Summer huffed, you said, “I know we're low on money. With a bit of luck, this place will have a bounty board and we can get some coin. It'll all work out, I promise.”

Summer gave another snort, and you furrowed your brow. “Don't be bitter. That thing with the snakes turned out okay in the end. We got the reptile guy's amulet and returned it to the villagers. Everything was fine like all the other times. Whatever job we find next will be just as easy, and we can end the day with a good pint of ale and some hay….” You then scratched her neck, “And maybe an apple? A sugarcube?”

You smiled when Summer whinnied softly. Reaching the bottom of the hill, you saw the quiet town up ahead of the dirt road. People riding their own horses and driving wagons passed you on their way into town, likely on their way to the ships at the end of the main road. You considered taking one of them when you finish up business in town. The destination itself never mattered to you. Each location offered up more chances at new experiences and new lessons. The Shadowlands provided nothing but melancholy and pain. The mortal world teemed with life, and you wanted to feel it all.

Once you entered town, you saw the scope of the townspeople. People of all races, human and magic, lived side by side in harmony. You spotted a werewolf in human form, his ears and nose a dead giveaway, talking to an elderly man through a post office window. Out of the local bank came a blond man, counting bills before sticking them in his bill fold. Two women, one a feline werecat and the other a reptilian walked together to a market stall run by a young human. Back home, the only people around were other demons like yourself. Those who passed through The Mar already departed the mortal realm, therefore could not be considered “alive”. They’d been shadows who could do nothing but wail in their misery. You made eye contact with a skinny elf walking out of a barbershop, and grinned.

“Morning, sir,” you nodded at him as you rode past.

Townspeople in such a tight knit community tended to eye strangers closely, but they appeared extra suspicious of you. A young mother walking past with her children spotted you, and held them closer to her sides, rushing away from you. It's your horn stumps, no doubt. No amount of hair or hats could hide the two stumps on the front of your head. The first tell-tale sign of a demon was their horns, their markings being the second. You covered yours with your jacket and gloves, but if anyone did see them, they'd see the ancient fire runes inked onto your shoulders and wrists in adolescence. It’d been your markings that drew Him to you in the first place.

‘Children of the flames are mighty and strong. I can make you stronger.’

Summer gruffed when a reptilian woman crossed her path, but you calmed her down immediately. Clearly, your dreadsteed hadn't gotten over her last encounter with reptiles. You apologized to the woman, then asked:

“Excuse me, can you tell me where your inn or hotel is around here?”

“In the market square,” she said a tad affronted, closing her coat over her chest with folded arms. “The White Pearl, is the name. Ask for Changbin, he'll get you a room, Miss.”

“Thank you, and sorry again about my horse,” you patted Summer's neck, “She's…skittish.”

The woman gave a contemptuous huff, then walked away. Riding into the large town square, you pass vendors selling their wares until you find an inn nestled into a corner. You guessed it by the hanging sign that read “The White Pearl” with an open clam shell underneath. Through saloon doors and large windows, you saw patrons already enjoying a drink and a meal inside. The thought of a hot breakfast crossed your mind, and your stomach growled. Dismounting Summer, you tied her up to a pole next to other horses, and walked inside.

Nobody noticed you walk in, since everyone appeared focused on their own conversations. Good. You didn't want anyone seeing you. Crowded places tended to have too many eyes, and too many eyes also meant too many mouths. You've run out of enough taverns to know to keep a low profile until you've taken a good look around.

‘Mortals are weak and simple. They are meant to be beneath our feet.’

“Howdy there,” a voice caught your attention.

He stood behind the bar cleaning pint glasses. Seeing his muscled arms and short stature, you guessed a dwarf but he appeared a bit too tall. A forest dwarf, then. He wore a flannel shirt rolled up his forearms and a white apron around his waist. You gave a small smile and head nod as you approached.

“Welcome to The White Pearl,” he glanced up at your horn stumps, but did not linger long, “What can I get you? We have our daily lunch special, a hot sandwich with a drink of choice.”

It sounded good, but your light purse felt heavier than ever. “I'll take a bit of water for now, thanks.”

The innkeep went to work pouring water into a glass. “Just passing through, ma'am?”

“For the moment,” you answered, taking a drink from the cold mug. “I was wondering if your sheriff’s office had a bounty board? My horse and I came from Newport a few miles west, and we've gotten cleaned out since then.”

“A bounty hunter, hm?” The man nodded, taking you in for a moment. “Yeah, Chan has a hero's board outside the station. You won't find anything that pays well there though.”

“Poor town? I thought with the port nearby you'd be off better than some other places.”

“You'd think that right?” He noted, “But since our docks were invaded by pirates a few months ago, our mayor has been working on rebuilding it. You'll be doing quite a few jobs I expe-Hey, you!” He snapped from his friendly tone to a harsh one. You looked to see a child walking secretly out of the tavern, guilt on his face. “What did I tell you about pickpocketing, Eunwoo? Come here, empty them out.”

The young moon elf, detected by his high pointed ears and soft lavender skin, came over to the bar. From his pockets he withdrew a leather bill fold, two gold coins, a single dice and a silver spoon.

“A spoon?” The innkeep questioned, lifting the utensil. “Eunwoo, who could you have sold the spoon to?”

“People always need spoons, Changbin,” the boy shrugged. “There can be somebody eating soup and not have a spoon.”

“I've told you before,” Changbin slid the contents into a wooden box behind the counter, “If you're hungry, I'll give you a free plate and a drink. You don't have to steal.”

“Sorry, Changbin,” he pouted apologetically.

“Now, go on into the kitchen and tell Wooyoung to give you a lunch plate. You can feed Honey too, if you want.”

The elf child smiled brightly, then rushed through a door behind the bar. He turned back to you, “Seo Changbin, I own this place. You are?”

“YN,” you answered, “Just YN.”

“You're a demon? I thought demons had strange names? I met one during the war named Tarhez.”

You giggled, taking a drink, “I changed it when I decided to live in the mortal world.”

“Oh yeah? What is it?”

“Multak,” you said, your true name sounding rough and deep. You laughed at his stunned expression, “Told you it's hard on mortal ears. In my language it means ‘shield of fire’.”

“Interesting,” he replied sincerely. “If you couldn't tell from the patrons eyeballing you right now, we don't get many demons around here.”

“Not many of us decided to stay when the war ended.”

You almost could not go home when the war against Nor'goth ended. The evil, primordial demon lord escaped from your realm into the mortal one, claiming that all humankind deserved punishment and enslavement. While most demons joined him, a fair few of you went against him. The Blind One, Sakmarth, led a force to defeat Nor'goth once and for all. You might have not known mortals at the time, but you knew nobody deserved enslavement. It simply went against your code. The image of the mighty, dark demon sent a sickly chill over your body. Glowing orange eyes that saw into your soul and tentacles that tore down several men at a time came to the forefront. He’d been monstrous. Even now, so many years later, you still heard his guttural voice in your head.

‘You are mighty, shield of fire. Join me, and together we can bring this world to its knees.’

You’d told him ‘no’ before sending him back into the abyss.

“What about you? If I'm correct, you're a dwarf, no?”

“Woodland Dwarf,” he smiled, “And proud of it. I came down from the Blue Mountains far west, with nothing but a dream, my axe, and my bear.”

“Bear?” Your eyes widened.

“Yeah, my bear Honey. She's right there,” he nodded over to an open window where you saw a massive grizzly bear walk past. “I've had her since she was a cub. She's dangerous and looks like it, but if you give her some food and a head scratch, she’ll love you until the day you die.”

“Like my Summer,” you pointed out your own horse outside, “She's a dreadsteed. That's like a demon horse to mortals.”

“A dreadsteed? I think I saw those on the battlefield. Some demons I knew had them.”

“They're faster than lightning, stronger than oxes, and make good war horses,” you added. “She's gotten me out of a few jams in the past. I bet your Honey did the same.”

“She did. I took her into battle myself…Seems we both have war stories to tell,” he drawled, gazing over you again. “Listen, if you want a good paying gig, Sheriff Bahng always has open bounties in the station documents. If he thinks you're up to snuff, he'll pass on something to you. He should be there now.”

You finished your water, then nodded appreciatively. “Thanks, I'll go check out the board, then I can come back for that special.”

He gave you a nod, and you left the inn. Summer shifted her feet when you untied her. “The place seems alright,” you told her. “They got a pet bear, but I'm sure it's not in the stables.”

Changbin said you’d find a listing outside the sheriff’s office. Feeling your light coin purse and hearing your rumbling stomach again, you knew you’d need to find a job soon. Walking through the busy market square towards the sheriff’s station, you spotted the wooden bulletin board covered in different colored papers. Reading some of them, you realized most involved hunting down excess wildlife in the forests beyond the town, finding lost items or relatives, or helping settle disputes. Nothing particular stuck out to you, but mindless work was better than no work at all.

“What do you think, Summer?” you turned to the black horse you’d guided by the reins to the board. “Want to go hunt down some feral boars with me?” The black stead huffed and shook her long black mane, almost as if declining the offer. You chuckled, “Alright, that’s a no.” You looked at the board again, “Well, we gotta pick something. I might be demonkin and you might be a dreadsteed, but we have to eat too.”

You continued looking for a proper posting when someone came out of the office. He wore a beige button down and denim jeans with black boots. The badge on his breast glinted in the morning light, the word ‘sheriff’ across the top with the town sigil on it. Black curls kept back from his face, even with his big nose he was handsome. At least, other women might think so. You turned to him right as he stretched and basked in the warm sun.

“Excuse me, Sheriff?”

“Oh, good morning,” he smiled, noticing you standing there, “I've never seen your face around here before. You're new in town?”

“Just stopping here,” you explained. “I was checking out your listings board.”

He sized you up for a moment. You caught him looking over your black jacket, plain shirt and boots, getting a sense of you before his eyes landed on the crown of your head. Your horns were the price you paid to live amongst humans. His eyes stayed on them a moment, then he looked back at your face.

“What’s a demonkin doing so far from home?” he asked curiously.

The usage of your peoples’ true name surprised you. “Living.”

“Clearly, you’re not keen on doing it for long if you’re looking at our board,” he said, almost amused. “Do you have a speciality?”

“Warlock,” you answered, “Sort of goes hand-in-hand with my kind.”

He nodded again, “How long have you been drifting?”

“Since the war ended.”

“You fought?”

“Yes, sir. I fought with the Mortal Armies.”

“Against your own people?”

“Not all of us see other races as beneath us. I like to think of myself as one of the good ones. Now,” you stepped closer, “Does your office have any private work or do I help Mrs. Young with her feral boars? The innkeep at the White Pearl said you might.”

The sheriff gave you another once over, then said, “Tie your horse up there and come in. I think I have something up your alley.”

You tied Summer to a post outside the door, and followed the sheriff inside. “I’m Chan, by the way,” he introduced himself in the main hall, offering his hand.

“YN,” you replied, shaking it firmly.

“A demonkin named YN,” he mused, “Never thought I'd see one of your type around here.”

You looked around the small office to see two other men already in the room. One of them was short with cheeks expanded by the donut he’d stuffed into his mouth. By the long fluffy tail sticking from behind the chair and his black nose, you saw the squirrel hybrid immediately. The man jotting down notes in a book had two slits in his shirt that revealed the dark purple wings close to his body. When he looked up at you, his eyes matched his wings. A shadow fairy. The squirrel hybrid only nodded, but the dark fae sat stock still. You registered the stunned expression and realized he recognized you. Not many mortals knew you by sight, mostly by name and your demon name at that.

“YN, these are my deputies: Han Jisung and Lee Minho,” he pointed to the hybrid first, then the fae, “Boys, this is YN. She’s come looking for work. I thought she could help us with the Hook Clan.”

Both men also sized you up like their sheriff. Han spoke up first, “Speciality?”

“Warlock,” you answered again. To prove it, you flicked your wrist to make the donut in his hand disappear and reappear. “That’s nothing compared to what I can really do.”

“Hm,” Han stuffed the other half into his mouth before you could do it again.

“As I live and breathe…” Minho said softly, “Multak.”

“You know her, Minho?” Jisung questioned in surprise.

“Have we met before, sir?” you asked him next.

“Not personally,” he answered, “But every shadow fairy who was at the Battle of Incheon knows the fire demon Multak.”

Incheon, home of the dark fae race. You recalled it fondly: tall dark trees with their canopies of leaves hiding the light-sensitive species, and wooden houses sitting on stilts or floating on boats throughout the wide rivers and lakes. Shadow fae came in all shapes and sizes, but they proved to be fierce and formidable allies. Nor’goth’s forces kidnapped and drained the fairies of their powers to weaken them, even breaking their bodies to do it. Your heart had gone out to the wisps, the smallest and most gentle of them all. All they do is tell fortunes and guide people to their fates.

“Wait…” Chan stood still, examining you once again, “You’re the fire demon?”

“I’m a fire demon,” you said, not wanting to go into the differences between the demon clans in The Mar.

“She stopped Nor’goth almost single handedly-”

“-Almost-” you emphasized, “It was a group effort.”

If the Orcs had not distracted his people with their fiery catapults and if the elves had not shielded you, you wouldn’t have been able to strike. Your sword, a runic blade of fire, struck Nor’goth right in his heart.

“I don’t know,” Minho said in a sing-song tone, “It was your flaming sword that vanquished him in the first place.”

“You have a flaming sword?” Jisung’s eyes widened with wonder.

“It’s a runic blade,” you turned to Chan, “So, who is this Hook Clan?”

Minho sensed the change in subject, but you knew he wasn’t done. Nor’goth and the war are the last things you wished to discuss in detail. You did not agree with the Shadow Lords about Nor’goth’s sentence; banishing him to the underworld prison, The Abyss, will not hold him forever. You didn't care how weak they'd made him.

“They’re outlaws at the edge of town,” Chan answered, going over to a desk where he kept a stack of folders. He brought it over to you, withdrawing reports and documents for you to see. “They started off with stealing cattle or crops from the farmers, but they’ve escalated in recent weeks.”

“Escalated how?”

You noticed the three men appeared apprehensive, a tension starting to stiffen between them.

“They started kidnapping children,” said Minho. “The last kidnapping was Wang's little girl, Hyeyoung. Before that was Seo Dobin, and before that was Lee Sanghee. The only connections we’ve been able to make,” he flipped through his notebook and found a page. He walked over to you and showed you the page, “All three were between eight and ten, taken from farmlands, and in broad daylight. We don’t know where they are, why the clan is taking them, or what they plan to do with them.”

“What makes you think it was them?”

“The clan always paints a red hook somewhere when they’ve struck. It’s been found at each scene.”

“That’d be foolish of them to do,” you noted, reading more of his notes. “That’s basically telling you that it was them.”

“They’re not the brightest bunch, if I’m being honest,” Minho replied.

“Which means they’re least likely to have done it,” Chan told him. “Kidnappings like this require a thought process and planning. The Hooks have always operated loosely: pick a target, slaughter anyone who gets in the way, and take what they want. If they are kidnapping these children, they would’ve slipped up at some point.”

“They could be hired by somebody else,” Han chimed in from his desk. “Red Hook will work for whoever pays him enough. If they’re taking kids, it’s likely someone is paying them to do it.”

“Then who?” Chan looked over to ask him.

One person came to mind, but you’d sound foolish. Nor’goth is currently imprisoned in the Abyss, an island floating in a dark void, powerless and useless to anyone. You read Chan’s reports and cross-checked them with Minho’s notes. You hated to think it, but some dark warlocks and shadow magic practitioners use children in their rituals. Just because a ritual lists ‘innocent blood’ or ‘innocent souls’ does not mean the caster needed a child. Even demonkin preferred using animals over defenseless children.

“-I think it’s just too easy to scapegoat a group because of their reputation,” Chan’s voice caught your ear. “I want to catch Red Hook and his band of outlaws, but I want to arrest them for crimes they actually committed.”

“His mark’s has been found at each scene-”

The outlaws must be hired to help. They reminded you of a band of thieves back in the capital city who were stealing resources from a nearby mine. It turned out they stole them for greedy goblins.

“Do you know anything about this clan aside from their crimes?” you interrupted them. “Their leader? Anything significant?”

“We don’t have a name, but he calls himself the Red Hook,” Chan told you. “According to people who’ve seen him, they say he’s a magic user.”

“Human?” you directed this at Minho.

“Can’t say for sure, since the clan is a mixed bag,” he replied, “But the people we interviewed said they didn’t see any magical distinctions.”

“Where do they hide out?”

“Around,” Chan shrugged. “Last location was an abandoned farmhouse northwest of here. We checked it out already, and they’re no longer there. They tend to drift around to keep us a step behind them all the time.”

“My friends in the forest tell me when they see them,” Jisung said, “But they’re pretty well hidden a lot of the time. It’s likely Red Hook is concealing them somehow.”

“Friends?”

“The animals,” he explained. “The rabbits, squirrels, gophers, moles, and the like. I can talk to birds sometimes, but not always. It helps to have eyes in the trees,” he grinned mischievously, picking up a bag of trail mix.

“I’d like to talk to the families,” you said, seeing the children’s names once more.

You didn’t see anything peculiar other than they’d taken two girls and a boy so far. Some rituals called for a certain number of souls, but never spoke about sexes. It can certainly be a coincidence. Although, you rarely came across those in your line of work.

“We already did,” Minho told you, “They don’t know anything.”

“I’d still like to talk to them myself. Their children might have something in common that you missed.”

“Does this mean you’ll take the job?” Chan asked, and you detected a glimmer of hope in his voice.

“For a fee.”

“Naturally,” he nodded.

“With a demon on our team,” Minho said, “We’ll have this case wrapped up by supper.”

“I don’t know about all that, but I’ll do my best,” you insisted.

Chan moved to his nearby office when the door opened. In walked a rotund, dark-skinned man in a blue suit, wearing a bowler hat and checking his pocket watch. He didn’t look at the men at first, but when he looked up, his eyes settled on you. Shock took over his broad, square face and brown eyes widened with realization.

“Good afternoon, Mayor,” Chan intervened before the man could speak, “What can I do for ya?”

“Chan, there is a demon in our station,” he said, voice quivering slightly.

“She’s a bounty hunter,” he assured him. “She’s come to help with the missing children.”

“Demons don’t like children.”

“We do, actually,” you retorted, arms crossed. “And no, not to eat them,” you added disdainfully.

“YN's a bounty hunter, Gerald,” Chan said. “She's just agreed to help us with the missing children. I think it'd be beneficial to have someone like her helping us. YN, this is our Mayor, Gerald Wallace.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” you tried keeping the annoyance from your voice.

“I don't know, Chan,” the mayor said, “You know folks around here. They won't take kindly to a…demon being in town right now.”

“I only want to help,” you fixed your jacket, “But if you don't want me here and want your children to keep being snatched up, then I'll be on my way.”

“Wait, wait,” Minho came to your side and faced the mayor, “Mayor Wallace, this demon isn't a normal demon. She's the demon who ended the war.”

Did he really have to keep telling people that?

“Impossible,” the mayor scoffed, “There's no way that demon stuck around after the war.”

“I did,” you said. “Do you want my help or not?”

“We do,” Chan answered quickly. “We do.”

“Chan,” Mayor Wallace turned to him stiffly, “May I speak to you in private, please?”

“Of course,” he gestured to let him pass, “This way.”

He shot you an apologetic glance, then followed the mayor into an office.

“Sorry about that,” Minho said, “I promise our townspeople normally aren't this prejudiced. Things have been uneasy around here, so you can imagine a newcomer strolling into town concerning people.”

“Explains everyone's apprehension,” you replied, seeing Chan and Mayor Wallace through a window. You can see both men starting to heat up during the conversation. “It doesn't bother me as much as it used to,” you said, “I understand my people did heinous things when they came here. Not everyone is so quick to forgive.”

“But not everyone is like that here,” Han reassured you. “They'll warm up to you soon enough.”

You didn't particularly care if the little people liked you. You didn't plan on staying too long anyways.

“Where are you staying in town?” asked Minho, walking over to a small bookshelf behind his own desk. “The White Pearl?”

“I need money for a room and a stable first,” you told him, feeling that rumble in your stomach again. “I hoped I might get at least an advance. We've rode a long way.”

“We can talk about that when Chan finally finishes with Gerald,” he casted a glance over to the window. Chan appeared to have quieted the mayor down, but the man remained unconvinced. “You can go on ahead and tell Changbin I sent you. He'll give you a room, and some feed for your horse.”

“Appreciated,” you nodded, “Tell Chan he can find me there.”

“-Chan, I'm telling you this isn't a good idea!” Mayor Wallace said, coming out of Chan’s office. “We already got the docks to rebuild, the town council is on my behind about the merfolk situation and now we have our children going missing! Then, you got Han over there who'll tell anybody that'd listen that we got a demon and cause a damn hysteria!”

Chan appeared more amused than upset by now, and asked, “Han, you planning on causing a hysteria?”

“Not today, Chan.”

“See? Gerald, you put me in charge of the safety of this town,” he patted his shoulder, “Trust me.”

Wallace's shoulders sagged, and he gave you an uncertain glance, “Alright. I trust you. You never let us down before.”

“There you go,” Chan concluded, steering Mayor Wallace to the door. “You tell the council we have our best people on this…”

“He really knows how to de-escalate a situation, huh?” you asked, impressed.

“That's why he is the sheriff,” Han nodded. “Come on, I'll take you back to the inn. You can get settled before the work begins.”

Han led you out the door, and you untied Summer. “Looks like we got a job after all,” you grinned, petting her side. She huffed and you said, “No, no snakes this time…I think.”

“Wow,” Han marveled at Summer, taking in her fiery eyes and black mane. “A real dreadsteed.” He wiggled his nose at Summer, who nodded her head. When he gave a grin, cheeks puffing out, he said, “She's a tough cookie, huh? She says you guys just came from Newport.”

“You can talk to her?” You guided Summer back to the inn.

“Animal hybrid,” he pointed at his own chest. “I can talk to all kinds of animals, even demonic ones.” He glanced at her again, “Summer is an interesting name for a dreadsteed. Is that her real name or a new one?”

“It's her name,” you said. “I gave it to her when we came back to the mortal realm. I named her that because summer is my favorite season. We don't have seasons where I'm from.”

“How dreadful,“ Han frowned, “I can't imagine living anywhere that is so desolate. I used to live in the forest before Chan found me and brought me here.”

“Found you?”

He scrunched up his nose guiltily, “I might not have been the most law-abiding squirrel at the time. I'd been caught stealing food from different farms, and rather than send me up the road, he gave me a place to stay and a job.”

“During or after the war?”

“After,” you both reached the steps of the inn, “A group of demons attacked my village and destroyed everything. I didn't have anywhere to go, so I ended up outside town. Chan found me hiding in someone's boat and took me in.”

“That's awfully kind of him.”

“That's the kind of guy he is,” he shrugged. “He really cares about everyone.”

Han and Changbin helped you and Summer settle into The White Pearl. By the time Chan arrived, you'd devoured a hot sandwich and given Summer hay and an apple for her patience.

“Everything squared then?” You asked him. “Your mayor seems…”

“He's only being cautious,” Chan insisted, “But with a bit of convincing, he's willing to pay the 50 gold price.”

Fifty sounded more than fair to you. After that, he insisted on taking you to the childrens’ families himself. You both mounted your horses and headed towards the first farm.

“What can you tell me about their families?” you asked him, riding Summer alongside him on his own horse.

“Seo Dobin, the first kid taken, lives at the Seo vineyard not too far out of town,” he began. “His parents grow grapes and berries and are part of the Seo pack.”

“Pack? He's a werewolf?”

“Yes, but don't worry. Junhwan and Eunji are good people. Dobin's dad can be a bit of a hothead; I’ve had to put him in holding once or twice, but he’s usually a nice man. His mother, Eunji, does some work at the bakery here from time to time.” He noticed your pensive stare, and said, “They’re all good people. Each and every one of them.”

“Good people can have enemies too,” you replied. “Enemies that they don’t know about, even. What do the other families do for work? Minho said the children were taken around farms?”

“The farms are the least guarded parts of Levanter,” he said, “Since they’re owned by the families and not the town. The Seo family mainly deals in grapes and berries to make into wine; The Wang family grows wheat, and the Lee family grows corn.”

“All crops where the stalks can grow high,” you added to your mental list of notes.

“Where the children can be snatched without anyone seeing them,” Chan added, nodding to himself. “I thought the same thing. It’d be harder to take them from a pig, horse or cattle farm because there’s always people patrolling those types of places. A crop of plants? Easier to walk through them and wait for the kid to go right by them instead.”

“Are there any other farm-”

“-I already told them not to let their kids go running off into their fields or in the woods,” he answered ahead of your question. “I told the kids at the schoolhouse to go straight home after school, and don’t talk to any strangers they meet on the road.”

“Did you instill a curfew?”

“I’ve considered it, but I don’t think it’ll help much. These kids are taken during the day off their families’ own land. I’ve asked a few of our local hunters and mountain men to keep an eye and an ear out for anything suspicious too.” He hesitated, and you worried what question would follow it. “Minho’s convinced it’s the gang, but it’s not them.”

“No, it isn’t.”

��And I think you already have an idea who it is.”

“The idea that magic casters use children in their rituals was a myth perpetuated by religious zealots who fear magic and everything it can do,” you said, keeping the bite out of your voice. “While innocent blood or souls are called for in a good chunk of blood magic rituals, anyone who truly knows magic and reads magic texts will know that it means an animal. Whoever this person is either is a magic user who doesn’t care about translations, or a magic user who doesn’t understand the magic they are trying to wield.”

“You say ‘magic user’. Do you mean, like, a human using magic?”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Fae, demons, merfolk, some species of hybrids are all born with magic already inside of us. It’s in our bones, and in our blood. Our specialty, if we have one, is just a choice we make in using our magic. Humans…No offense, Sheriff, but humans were not meant to have magic.”

“Really?”

“That’s not a jab at humankind. I’ve met plenty of human mages and warlocks who use their gifts rightly,” you said quickly. “I mean, physically. Their bodies are not meant to hold it. Yes, they can perform little rituals and incantations and make potions, but real magic? No. It'd kill them, so they likely wear trinkets or charms that harness their power. I think whoever is taking these children plans to use them for something, otherwise you would’ve found their bodies by now.”

“Perhaps they're using them to gain more power?” He suggested.

You considered the idea. “It's a possibility.”

You both arrived at the Seo farm, where you saw a farmhouse, barn, and a chicken coop. Beyond the house, you saw rows upon rows of vineyard bushes. The barn door wide open, you saw two young men pouring fermented grapes into a barrel. Briefly you pictured a young wolf pup running around the front yard area, maybe with a toy plane or a kite while his mother watched over him from a window. The same woman who happened to be outside the house with a tub and washing board.

“Sheriff!” She gasped, dropping the board in the water and coming his way. “Sheriff, have you found him? Have you found Dobin?”

“I'm sorry, Eunji,” Chan frowned, getting off his horse and removing his hat. “But, I have someone here who'd like to speak with you about that day.”

“Who?” she looked at you. Even with the crinkles on the sides of her eyes, Mrs. Seo looked younger than you expected. Her wolf ears perked at the sight of you, and you saw her nose twitch slightly. Her claws long and black, led to furry arms underneath her linen dress. “A demon? What's a demon doing here?”

“I'm here to help, ma'am,” you answered, dismounting Summer and standing in front of her. “Sheriff Chan told me about the children in the area, and I want to help you.”

You expected her to question you like so many others, but instead she breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness! We need all the help we can get. Dobin has been missing for three weeks now, and nobody can find him.”

Worry filled her eyes and you spotted the shaking hands she wrung together. You pitied her and said, “Where was the last place you saw him?”

“Back here. Come with me.”

She led you both around the house to a backyard. You saw the typical horse and wagon tied up outside the barn in a stall, calmly eating hay. The vineyard started behind a wooden fence that bordered the entire crop, and seeing the uniform rows stretching for acres made it the perfect kidnapping spot. You imagined a small boy being snatched without anyone seeing him or his kidnapper.

“He was down there,” she brought you both behind the fence to point down a middle row, “Helping one of our pickers gather grapes. He always loves helping pick the grapes,” she smiled fondly, “We know he sneaks some, but we let him. Our picker, Taeyong, said he turned his back to put some buckets in a wagon, and when he looked back, Dobin was gone. At first,” she wrung her apron in her hands nervously, “At first, we thought the little rascal was hiding from us. You know, the way children play hide and seek? He does that from time to time and it worries me something awful,” you heard the panic in her voice even speaking about it, “But when it…it started to grow dark,” her eyes began watering and her lip trembled, “We…Oh, why did I let him go?! Something told me not to, but he was with Taeyong! He was safe! I should've been more careful! Why?! Why didn't I pay more attention?!”

Chan embraced her as she started to sob. She reminded you of the women in the villages during the war. Women who grieved for their fallen children, who begged you to find their lost sons and daughters. Their pain radiated onto yours, stinging your eyes and bringing a bout of helplessness. This warlock, whoever they were, needed to be stopped.

You nodded at Chan, then proceeded into the vineyard. Cautiously, you walked outside of the trodden path where you saw dozens of footprints having worn down the grass into the dirt. Wheel marks told you they'd just finished collecting ripe grapes for the day, and it's unlikely you will find any child size footprints here. Taking a whiff of the air, you only smelled freshly toiled earth and ripening grapes, not flesh. If you concentrated, you caught wisps of human sweat but nothing of a child. Time would’ve drowned out any proper scent. You envisioned a small boy, eight-years-old and greedily munching on grapes he'd picked off the vines. He'd have walked away from Taeyong. What could make him walk away from the safety of an adult? Standing in the middle of the row, you scanned over the vines to only see more grapes. He had plenty to pick from here, so why did he walk away?

“Taeyong,” you sensed Chan walking up behind him, “Did you ever interview him?”

“We did.”

“What's his story?”

“Exactly what Mrs. Seo just told you,” he said, “He was picking, turned around, and the boy was gone.”

That sounded too convenient. “Any idea why the boy would walk away?”

“More grapes? Berries, maybe?”

You started walking alongside the path again. Turning to face one of the hedges, you noticed breakages in the foliage.

“He went through here,” you said, seeing a break between two stalks. You then spotted small footprints still in the dirt. “Yes, yes, he went through here. Otherwise Taeyong would've seen him walking away.”

You pushed through the vines to the other side without another word. Dobin didn't stop here. He kept going. You inhaled deeply, trying to mesh through the various earthy scents for something human. Scanning the floor in the second to last row, you saw them. Embedded in the hard packed dirt were small paw prints. Four toes with a palm, they went one in front of the other through the dirt. You crouched to touch one, and realized they were cat prints.

“Do The Seos have any pets?” You asked Chan, who just broke through a brush behind you.

“A dog, some chickens and two horses.”

“No cats?”

“No cats.”

Slowly, you followed the cat prints until they went out past the fence. “He followed a cat,” you concluded, “Into the forest.”

“How did we miss these?” Chan wondered, following the prints with his eyes.

“Because they were hidden,” you answered simply. You took a few sniffs, then said, “A cat. Yeah, definitely a cat.”

“So, our kidnapper can turn into a cat,” Chan said, standing beside you at the threshold of the forest. “Clever. Most children like animals, especially children who live around them. Dobin likely saw the cat and followed it.”

The image of Dobin, innocent and cheerful, following a cat before being snatched gave you shivers. Stepping further, you let your sense of smell guide you, but sadly it wasn't as strong.

“Deputy Han,” you looked at Chan, “He's an animal hybrid.”

“Yeah, obviously.”

“How good is his sense of smell?”

“Pretty damn good.”

“Have him come here. He can help me track down this cat.”

“I'll have Eunji call the station.”

You saw a rush of adrenaline pump through him. He finally had a lead. According to his notes, Dobin, a werewolf, went missing three weeks ago; Sanghee, a garden fairy, disappeared two weeks ago, and Hyeyong, a werecat, was a week ago. Two girls. One boy. All from farm families outside of town. All of them are magical. The connections seemed too close to be a coincidence. Thinking of the timeline again, you realized they'd taken a child each week. They'd need a fourth, if they follow their pattern. Problem? You had no idea which farm they'd strike next.

****

“Alright, children, remember what Sheriff Bahng said. You're all to go home straight after school, and don't talk to strangers.”

A rustle of books and papers sounded at dismissal. Slyvia followed the other children outside of the schoolhouse, her lunch box swinging from her clawed hand and books to her other side. She saw classmates rushing ahead of her to the general goods store for sweets, while others waited for their parents to retrieve them. Her own mother had taken to coming for her since the disappearances began, but not today. She had too much work. Slyvia immediately thought of all the chores waiting for her back at the ranch. Her mother will need help with the washing, and then she has to muck out the stables. She hated cleaning the stables, but with her brother and father away in the big city, there is nobody else to do it. Walking past The White Pearl, her sensitive nose already smelled the manure.

“Hey Slyvia! Wait up!”

The reptilian child turned around to see a boy running to catch up to her. Barney Pebbles was a lumpy elf halfling boy who lived on the farm next to her family's ranch. Sandy blond hair fell behind his pointy ears, and she saw the run bring pink into his cheeks. Slyvia smiled a toothy grin at him regardless.

“Want to…Want to walk home together?” He huffed, catching his breath as he came up beside her. “My Ma says it's safer if there's two…two of us.”

“Sure!” Slyvia beamed. “Sheriff Bahng says we need to look out for one another.”

The pair continued walking together. “Did you hear about the demon?” he asked, pushing blond hair from his forehead.

“Demon? What demon?” She wouldn't deny the pang of fear that struck her. “Where?”

“My Pa was leaving the bank when he saw a demon on a big horse riding past him,” he explained as they reached the end of town, “He says she had these stumps on her head, and her horse had flaming eyes!”

“But don't they have wings? My Uncle Sithlin says some have wings.”

“I didn't think to ask,” he grew quiet, then said, “Do you think they're behind the other kids?”

“But that started happening before they came.”

Slyvia thought about her missing classmates. Dobin, a boy slimmer than a tree branch, once offered to split blueberries they found near the school. Sanghee, a garden fairy, always radiated kindness and befriended her on her first day. Hyeyoung, a werecat kitten, helped her find her bonnet when it flew off her head. Their disappearances worried everyone. Slyvia hoped her friends were okay, and that Sheriff Bahng would find them in time. Her father told her Sheriff Bahng was really smart and made of tough stuff.

The other kids said he could talk to sea creatures.

Slyvia and Barney walked down the dirt road leading out of town. They passed by merchants going in and out of town, and greeted neighbors they saw along the way. They continued talking about the newcomer, and she couldn't stop the bundle of nerves in her stomach. She remembered the stories her Pa and uncles told her about demons. They're supposed to be evil made into flesh. Thinking about a winged monster gave her jitters.

“-Mr. Edwards says that the demons he saw were super tall! As tall as trees, and they could breathe fire.”

Slyvia listened to his story while she looked up the forest lined path ahead. She saw the crossroads where it split between the town, another village and the capital city. The tall directory signs were her first milestone back home.

“Maybe they're helping whoever is taking the other kids,” she suspected. “My Nana says they use babies in their rituals, and feast on newborns.”

“You think?”

‘Meow!’

The two children stopped in their tracks at the sound. When it sounded again, they realized it came from the forest bushes nearby. Slyvia's nerves stood on end. Barney stepped closer to the threshold, bending to peek into the bushes.

“Barney…”

“It's a cat,” he said, “I think it's hurt.”

“Barney, don't go in there.”

She could smell it the closer she came. Barney, ever the animal lover, ignored her warning and walked further into the forest.

“Slyvia, come quick,” he said worriedly. “It's hurt.”

Slyvia came up behind him, and sniffed the air. Most cats smelled according to their environment. Barn cats smelled like horses and pigs; house cats smelled like coffee and linens. A wild cat carried the scent of leaves and trees. This cat didn't have any of those. She walked behind Barney, her heart starting to race.

“Barney Pebbles, you come back here,” she said, panic building in her voice. “We're not supposed to wander off.”

“It might be really hurt, Slyvia,” he replied over his shoulder.

Feet crunching the forest floor, Slyvia tried peeking into the shrubs from behind him, but couldn't see anything.

“Come here, kitty,” Barney crouched in front of it, “It's okay. I won't hurt you. Hey! Wait!”

The sound of rustled leaves told her the cat scurried from the bushes. Barney went after it, and Slyvia followed. A downward wind brought a scent to her flat nostrils. Not a cat. Not a dog. Not a bird, rabbit or wolf. She gasped. It was human. She saw a flash of black and white dart behind one of the trees, Barney only a few paces behind.

“Barney Pebbles! Come back here now!”

“Calm down, Slyvia. It's only a-AH!”

“Gotcha!”

“Barney!”

Slyvia cried out his name as an arm grabbed him from behind a tree. She froze in place, her breath becoming haggard and drying her throat. She could hear Barney struggling, and a man’s voice drowning him out. The sound of snapping twigs came from her right, and she spotted them. Three men wearing red armbands stepped out from behind the trees, malice on their faces. Slyvia ran. Her heart pounded in her chest with each foot step. Panic put them right on her heels, and she beat the ground harder.

“Get her!” She heard the silvery voice say from the distance. “Don't let her get away!”

The young chameleon ran through dense shrubbery, the tiny branches snagging on her dress and scratching her colorful scales. She'd do what her Papa taught her. With a quick glance back, Slyvia dove into a nearby bush and closed her eyes. She envisioned herself turning from her usual pale green and yellow to a dark brown. She brought her knees to her chest and tucked her head and tail inwards. The footsteps charging after her came right beside her bush, and she stuffed her face into her dress to muffle her breathing.

“Where'd she go?” One of the men asked. “She can't have gone far!”

“If Maurice hears we lost her he'll burn us alive!”

“Ah shoot, Suho, does it really matter? That was a girl, and Maurice only needed a boy.”

“She can go blabbing to the sheriff and his deputies,” the other man retorted. “We're so close, Baekhyun. I can taste it now. If we help that old man with his ritual, he'll give us whatever we want. That means gold and women!”

“I…I don't know, Suho,” a higher voice said uncertainly. “They're kids. I thought we didn't harm youngins.”

“We're not harming them. Maurice says they'll be fine. It'll only hurt for a little bit.”

“You believe that?”

“Of course, I do. Now, you go that way; Chanyeol, you go that way and I'll check down here. She can't have gone too far.”

Slyvia heard the men split up. The last image of Barney being lifted off the ground came to her, and she shivered. The men, whoever they were, also kidnapped the other children. She needed to tell someone quickly. When the coast was clear, Slyvia gingerly climbed up the tree behind her. Her fingers sticking to the branches, the child moved from one tree to another with ease. The Seo family lived not too far from this spot; she can go to them to call the law. She needed to find Sheriff Bahng. He needed to know that Barney is in trouble.

****

Han and Minho appeared some time later, the pair having appeared through a portal.

“I thought it'd be faster than horses,” Minho explained, closing it with a wave of his hand. “What have you found?”

“There's paw prints,” you told Han as you both walked to the blocked off spot in the dirt, “But no animal scent.”

“You think it might be a hybrid?”

“It doesn't smell like an animal or hybrid,” you said. “It's…I don't know. Chan said you have the best nose, so I thought you could track what I can't.” You stopped right by the forest entrance, “They go about three or four yards into the woods, then it goes cold.”

Han nodded, “It shouldn't be that hard. If we can't track the cat,” he pulled out a small handkerchief from his pocket, “We can track Dobin.”

“What's that?” You eyed the blue and white cloth in his hand, seeing grape vines stitched into the border.

“Dobin's head scarf,” he answered. “He wears it when he goes into the field. His mother thought it might help.”

You watched him take a deep inhale of the scarf, closing his eyes in concentration. Soft black nose wiggling, tail twitching at the new scent, Han immediately glanced up to the tree ahead. He started walking without saying anything to anyone, sniffing occasionally as he went.

“You think it's a human shifted into a cat then, huh?” Minho asked, coming up beside you.

“I can't pick up anything to the contrary,” you told him. “My sense of smell isn't very strong here. He might find out what I can't.”

Minho grew quiet while Han stuck himself into a bush. “I was looking through my library at the station. I keep it there for research purposes and all that, you know? I thought while you and Chan checked out the different locations, Han and I could try finding any magic rituals that require sacrifices.”

“Psh, that's a lot. What did you find?”

“That the shadow casters of yesteryear really enjoyed sacrificing things to ancient gods,” he snorted. “But I did come across a few rituals of interest. One in particular intrigued me.”

“What was it?”

“The Secrets of the Mystics by Arnold B. Miller described this group of ancient mystics who called upon gods to sustain their power,” he began. “They regularly sacrificed people to a god named Yuth’ik. I couldn’t find anything that gave any background on Yuth’ik other than that he was defeated by a warlock named Vivian Moon and several others centuries ago. They banished him into another realm, where he’s likely laid dormant for thousands of years. If the Hook clan are really working for someone, it’s someone who wants to release Yuth’ik.”

“For what purpose? More power?”

“Most likely.” He gave a slight scoff and shook his head, “If they’d gone to an actual magical being, we’d tell them what a stupid idea that is. I will say this: I pity whoever this person is.”

“Why?”

“The ancient gods weren’t known for their kindness,” he said. “A lot of the stories in the book mentioned the summoner having to give something in return.”

“Four souls isn’t enough?”

“That’s just to open the cage. If Yuth’ik really is a god, they'll expect gifts. The person behind this doesn’t understand that once you summon a god or a demon or any powerful being, you’re their servant for life,” he looked over at you, dark eyes serious and stern, “For life.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from laughing. Shaking your head, you said, “Will they ever learn?”

A part of you expected Minho to take your words offensively; he does live amongst humans, and is close to them. Yet, you heard him snort and say, “Never.”

The three of you traveled further into the forest. Han sniffed every bush, tree and flower patch that carried a wisp of Dobin’s scent. You admitted his sense of smell must be incredible if he can follow a trace three weeks old. His bushy trail flicked and wiggled whenever he caught a particularly strong scent. Both you and Minho kept your eyes on the trees around you, searching for the slightest change or movement.

Underneath the canopy of leaves and sunlight, you took in the vibrancy of the world around you. Nothing grew in The Mar. No trees, flowers or grass thrived there; the only animals around were the vicious beasts lurking around the mountain ranges and rocky canyons. A cool breeze wafted through the trees, brushing your cheeks and hair, and you inhaled deeply. Why would anyone wish to destroy such a glorious place? Nor’goth’s armies tore down trees, burned wheat fields, and polluted rivers to keep the mortals from feeding themselves. He believed cutting off their supplies left them powerless, but the people you’d met proved the opposite.

“Did you guys hear that?” Han sprung up from the newest bush, whipping his head side to side in a panic.

“Hear what?” Minho asked, irritably. “Jisung, we’ve been walking for ages. Have you found anything yet-”

“-Shush!” he interrupted him, putting a hand up for silence.

The two of you watched the hybrid carefully walk sideways, his head pointed up into the trees. A feeling of apprehension came over you when he stopped underneath one of the thicker trees. The smooth motion of an arrow being notched caught your attention, and you turned to see Minho’s bow armed and ready to loosen. Han braced his hands up against the rough bark, and sniffed. The immediate image of an enemy dropping onto him had you withdrawing your sword from your back.

“Jisung…” Minho whispered harshly, but Han ignored him.

“Slyvia?” Han said, confused. “Honey, what are you doing up there?”

Both you and Minho shook when a figure jumped down from the tree onto their feet. Minho unleashed his arrow, but thankfully it stuck into the tree inches above the child’s head. Skin the color of the trees, the chameleon-hybrid’s scales gradually changed to light green and yellow in seconds. Bulbous, beady eyes were on either side of her nose, full of fear and worry.

“Deputy Han!” she cried, immediately wrapping herself around his middle, “Deputy Han, you have to help me!”

Han bent down to her level right as you and Minho reached her. Her heavy breaths making her chest rise and fall, you saw tears spilling from her black eyes and shoulders shuddering in every sob.

“It’s Barney!” she sobbed, voice cracking at the end. “They took him! The bad people took him! You have to help him! Sheriff Bahng has to get him!”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Han said, hands rubbing her shaking shoulders, “Just take a deep breath, honey. You mean Barney Pebbles? Fred’s little boy?”

“Yes! We were walking home together, and he-and he saw this cat in the bushes and I told him, sir, I told him to not wander off but he did! Then, we chased it-it- in-into th-the woods and this bad man picked him up and these other men started chasing me! We have to save him! We have to!” she fell back into Han’s arms, sobbing into his shoulder as his eyes met Minho’s.

“Where did this happen, Slyvia?” Minho asked next, bending down to look into her face. “How far?”

“That way,” she pointed behind him. “I don-don’t know where!”

“Alright, alright, you go with Deputy Han and talk to the sheriff,” he said to her gently. “My friend and I will go look for Barney.”

Slyvia took one glance at you, then buried her face in Han’s neck. You expected that reaction. Crouching beside Minho, you said, “We’re going to find your friend, and bring him back, okay?” She flinched when you met her eyes again.

“You’re a demon…” she said, voice muffled by Han’s shirt collar.

“I am,” you nodded, standing with Han and Minho, “And you want to know what that means?”

“You’ll eat my friends!”

“No,” you giggled, “It means bad guys are scared of me. The bad people who took your friend will hand him right back to me if they know what’s good for them.”

This seemed to calm her slightly, though not enough for her to look at you. “I’ll take her to Chan,” Han said. “We can get in contact with her folks, and Barney’s parents.”

“I’ll give him a heads up.”

Minho reached into a pouch on his belt and withdrew dark blue dust. Putting a pinch between his fingers, he blew it out into the air. Rather than disappear or fall to the ground, the glowing swirl of dust stayed in the air.

“Chan, we found Slyvia Eleon. She says Barney Pebbles was just grabbed. Han’s bringing her to you; YN and I are going to scout the area.” With another puff of air, the dust cloud quickly darted away from you and down back to the farm. “We should go to where he was taken,” he said to you, “We could check it out while their footprints and scent are fresh.”

“Good idea.”

“Slyvia,” he addressed the little girl again, “Sweetie, do you remember any details about where he’d been taken? A tree or flower or a specific place?”

Slyvia turned her head, sniffling, and thought for a moment. “It was near the direction sign. I remember because I live past it.”

“On which side?”

“The…left. The left side of the road.”

“Alright, thank you, Slyvia,” he petted her head, “Don’t worry. My friend and I are going to find Barney.”

“They’re going to kill him,” she broke back into a sob. “They’re going to kill him and eat him!”

“Nobody is killing and eating anyone,” Han assured her, rubbing her back as he began walking away. “Mrs. Seo just came back from the bakery too. She can give you a snack and you can tell Sheriff Bahng…”

Watching Han take the girl away, you looked to Minho, “Do you know the sign she’s talking about?”

“I do. It’s far though. Take my hand.”

You didn’t question it. Taking his hand, you watched the dark fae aim his outstretched palm to the ground. Glowing and sparkling a bright purple, you recognized the spiraling and crisp winds of a teleportation circle. In a flash of light, you and Minho left your spot in the forest. You could feel yourself being thrown into a tornado, spinning and spinning through gushes of wind, before landing on soft grass.

“Here we are,” Minho said, removing the circle with a closed fist.

You found yourself on the dirt road a mile from town. On the crossroad corner stood a tall post with different directions on it. ‘Levanter Bay 1 mile’ ‘Gold Rush 5 miles’ ‘Sunwind 10 miles’ went in various directions.

“Slyvia said they saw the men down towards town,” Minho started walking in that direction. “Their footprints will still be in the dirt; we can follow those.”

“This Barney kid,” you caught up with his quick strides, “What do you know about him?”

“A bit simple-minded, but a really nice kid,” he answered. “His family owns a pig farm. He loves animals, so it’s no surprise he followed a cat into the woods despite all sense.”

“They took him from off the road instead of a farm,” you noted. “They’re getting desperate. This ritual of theirs must be happening soon.”

“Yuth’ik’s ritual can happen at any time. They just need the four souls and the right words,” he said. “They need all four in order to open the portal to let him through.”

“That explains the rush. It’s risky to be snatching kids from the side of a somewhat busy road,” you nodded at a passing wagon, “Someone might’ve seen the two of them going off the path.”

“Perhaps, but if they went deep enough, nobody would’ve heard them.”

You both stopped when you reached two sets of clear footprints going off into the grass. Minho and you walked along them, and that’s where you picked up a scent. Barney Pebbles must sweat pretty heavily if you could pick it up so quickly. It started by one of the trees at the edge, then carried off through a large bush. When you looked inside, you saw tiny prints in the dirt and a breakage in the leaves.

“The cat hid in here,” you told Minho, “And he followed it.”

“There are more prints over here,” Minho called from nearby. You saw him standing between two large trees, looking at spots behind them. “The shapeshifter had accomplices. Two or three by the looks of the sets.”

“What were they planning to do? Ambush the kid?”

“To make sure he didn’t escape,” he examined one of the trunks with his hand.

Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a small piece of blue chalk. Well, at least you thought it was chalk. Minho started rubbing the blue stick onto the thick brown bark as one might a piece of paper. You came up to him, and saw the blue chalk having outlined handprints along the edge of the trunk. You counted two large hands on one side, then two more on the other.

“Two over here,” Minho went and did the same to the other tree, “And one more over here. Three culprits.”

“What is this?” you asked him, wiping some of the chalk with your finger.

“It’s a little invention of mine,” he said, putting the chalk away. “I enchanted a few pieces of chalk so I can lift prints. It’s damn helpful when investigating scenes. I got a fingerprint off one of them,” he said, putting a thin piece of film into the pouch, “I can cross check it back at the station. If it’s one of the Hook Clan, we’ll know who.”

“Intriguing,” you nodded, “I never heard of an enchantment that can do that.”

“I like to experiment with magic,” he shrugged. You both walked back to the scene of the kidnapping, “Magic is so versatile and fluid. It can be used for anything, if one puts their mind to it.”

“That bit of powder you used to contact Chan,” you said, “You invented that too?”

“I wish,” he said, “It’s one of the ways fairies communicate away from home. Fairy dust,” he petted the leather pouch. “Can transport messages or people from one place to another.”

“Just think happy thoughts?” you joked, remembering the stories.

Minho laughed, “No, no happy thoughts required. Just a deep breath before you teleport.” He stopped at the spot where you smelled Barney and his kidnapper the strongest. “What can you smell?”

“Male,” you sniffed the air, and let the aroma linger in your nose, “At least 30-years-old. He’d been standing right here,” you pressed yourself against the tree. You put your nose to the trunk, catching a bit of his sweat on the skin. Something then threw you off, “Coal.”

“What?”

“Coal,” you sniffed the spot again, “Or something like it. He had some sort of dust on him.”

“The clan sometimes hang out in abandoned mines or lumber yards,” Minho said, putting his fingerprint dust on the bark next to you. “That might be where it comes from.”

“We should tell Chan and Han,” you advised, “Then we can see what they learned from the little girl.”

“Alright.”

He took your hand a second time, and opened up a transport circle once more. In another howling winds, you left the wilderness for the hustle and bustle of Levanter Bay. Stumbling forward a moment, you caught yourself in a deep breath. Hardly anyone appeared bothered by the demon and fairy who’d just popped up in the middle of the town square.

“Minho,” Changbin came down the steps of the inn, wiping his hands with his apron, “Is it true? Was Barney taken?”

“News travels fast, huh?” he quipped.

“His dad is in here,” he nodded to the inn behind him, “Hollering about someone taking his boy and that he was gonna hunt the bastard himself.”

“Oh god, no,” Minho groaned. “Don’t tell me he went into the woods?”

“No, no, I talked him down, but he’s more pissed off than Honey when she can’t catch any fish,” he said. “You didn’t find him, did you?”

“We didn’t, but we have leads,” he answered. “Just…make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”

“People know the clan is involved,” Changbin said seriously. “Fred was talking about going to the Brandstone Mine south of here.”

“The mine?” Minho looked over at you, then back at Changbin, “Why there?”

“Rumor has it that Red Hook and his boys are up there,” he answered, looking between the both of you. “It’s only a matter of time before someone takes it upon themselves to take them out.”

“That’s a dumb idea,” you snapped. “It can cause them, or whoever they’re working for, to do something rash.”

Like kill their captives and dispose of their corpses. Minho was about to give Changbin instructions when a voice called out from behind him, “Lee! Hey, Lee!”

A big burly man with a thick blond beard and short blond hair came storming down the steps towards him. From his red face, you could tell he’d been ranting for a good while now. Minho sighed irritably, “You go to Chan. I’ll handle Fred.”

You nodded, and watched Minho reach Fred first. Fred, standing several inches above Minho, started shouting right away. You thought Minho might flinch at the sudden rush of anger, but the deputy remained cool. Deciding Minho and Changbin could handle the distressed parent, you walked ahead back to the station. Inside, you found a group of people sitting in the middle of the room. Slyvia sat on the lap of a woman who could only be her mother, and another chameleon hybrid who must be her father. A slender woman with blond hair was beside them, anxiously listening to everything they were saying. Barney’s mother, no doubt. Chan and Han sat in front of the girl, talking to her softly and gently.

“-Did you see what they looked like?” Chan asked her. “Anything particularly different or noticeable about them?”

“No,” she shook her head. “I was hiding.”

“Could you hear what they were talking about?”

“They said that they’d get burned alive for not getting me,” she said. “But the other man said they didn’t need me.”

Slowly, you approached and put the pieces of her story together. “Did they say any names?”

“Suho, Baekhyun and Maurice.”

“Kim Junmyeon,” Chan grunted, “How’d I know he’d be involved?”

“And Baekhyun too,” added Han.

“Who are they?” Slyvia’s mother asked.

“Part of the Red Hook clan,” Chan told her. “We think they’ve been taking the kids. But, Maurice…I don’t know any Maurice around here. Jisung?”

Han thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Nope, nobody comes to mind. Does that name mean anything to you?” he asked the parents, and they shook their heads.

The moment Slyvia’s parents spotted you, they gasped. Her mother clutched her tightly, while the male stood in front of them. You didn’t make any move towards them, instead deciding to keep your distance.

“That must be who they’re working for,” you finally spoke up. “Minho and I found four sets of prints on the trees near where he was taken.”

“That’s a demon!” the man said, “Sheriff, you got a demon in here!”

“She’s a friend, Salazar,” Chan insisted, standing up to put himself between you and the father. “A friend.”

“That’s a damn demon! There ain’t no demon that's friendly! I’ve seen what those things can do! I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the one taking all the children!”

“I’m only here to help, sir,” you said from your spot.

‘Their kind will never accept us! They know nothing of respect or obedience! They must be subdued!’

You shut out Nor’goth’s voice from your head. “Minho and I found some information that backs your daughter’s story,” you said.

“She’s his niece,” Barney’s mother said, stepping in front of him to address you. When she tucked hair behind her ear, you saw a point at the curve. A Sunwind Elf. “You’re here to…to help us?” you heard the disbelief in her voice. She looked at your horn stumps, then back to your face. “With Barney?”

“Yes, ma’am. I take it you’re his mother?”

“I am,” she nodded. You noticed her puffy eyes, and trembling lips. “Slyvia says he was taken by a shapeshifter.”

“We believe so,” Chan answered.

“Your husband is a human, isn’t he? I saw him outside,” you asked her, coming closer.

“He is,” she nodded. “I’m from Sunwind. What does that have to do with anything?”

“So, your son is a halfling,” you looked to Chan, “Dobin is a wolf pup. Sanghee is a garden fairy, and Hyeyoung is a werecat. They’re all children with magic inside of them.” You turned to Minho’s desk where you found a book left open. When you turned a page, you saw a chapter titled: ‘Yuth’ik: God of the Trees’. Rather than tell Chan that these magical children are likely being used for their magic, you said, “There has to be a connection, right?”

Chan glanced at the open book, then at you, “Yes, there might be.”

“It was those damn bandits in the woods,” Mrs. Pebbles snapped. “They did this. They must have. Who else is vile enough to kidnap innocent children? On a count of them being magical, no less!”

“Them, and someone they’re working for,” Chan told her, putting up a hand to calm her. “Wilma, go find Fred. Lord knows he’s bound to do something crazy.”

“Too late, Sheriff,” Han said with a deadpan voice as he looked out the window.

“What?”

Everyone converged by the window where a group of people on horses started kicking up dirt. Their calls and cries mixed together, and you knew what happened by their angry faces.

They started a damn mob.

“Damnit!” Chan cursed, grabbing a rifle from beside the door and rushing outside. With all of you behind him, he called out to the crowd, “Hey, hey, hey! What the hell's going on here?! Minho!”

Minho and Changbin tried closing off the horsemen, but there were too many. Fred Pebbles, sat upon a white palomino, glared down at Chan.

“They got my boy, Sheriff!” he said, voice hoarse and deep. “Those bastards have my boy!”

“We know, but there’s a way to go about this!” Chan shouted over the ruckus, “Hey now! Hey!”

“Pebbles, damnit man!” Mayor Wallace appeared from the mercantile with a few other customers, “What are you doing?!”

“I'm gonna make this all right!”

“Like hell you are!” the mayor blustered. “We are civilized people! Not animals!”

“So what are we supposed to do?! Let those filthy sons of bitches take our children?!”

“Of course not, but Fred, riling people up and going out there like this can make stuff worse!” Mayor Wallace wiped his brow and said, “Let's all go into the town hall and discuss this-”

“-I'm tired of listening to y'all. You ain't don't nothing-”

Chan cocked his rifle and fired it into the air. The loud gunblast caught everyone’s attention, some of the people ducking and others whipping around angrily. The crowd focused on him, Chan walked up the steps of The White Pearl, and he glared down at them.

“What the hell’s gotten into all of you? I thought we were people, not animals!”

“They keep taking our children, Chan!” one woman shouted from her horse. “Somebody’s gotta do something!”

“I understand that, but if we went around hanging every single person we thought was guilty, we’d be no better than them,” he remarked. “I know you’re all worried. I know you’re all hurting, but we need to be smart about how we handle this. Red Hook might have his morals-”

“-Horse shit!-

“-But the person he’s working for doesn’t,” he continued. “Now, thanks to Slyvia and our bounty hunter, we’ve discovered some new information.”

“Such as?” Mayor Wallace asked.

“They’re operating in a coal mine,” Minho said, getting up onto the porch beside Chan. “Anybody know any abandoned mines around here?”

“There’s the Willfire mine up north,” the woman on the horse called out. “My husband used to work there before the war.”

“The old Brandstone mine too,” said Mayor Wallace. “But, that was gold, not coal.”

“The coal could be dirt,” suggested Changbin, the woodland dwarf. “If they’re living in there, they likely got the dirt on their clothes and hands.”

“It’s a long shot,” an elderly man said from atop his horse, “But they could also be at my family’s mine. It’s gotten run over by spiders, but if they could’ve exterminated them before moving in.”

You shuddered thinking about the large arachnids.

“Alright,” Chan nodded at their answers, “I say we split into groups and search these mines while they’re off guard. Deputy Han will lead a group to the Brandstone mine; Deputy Lee will lead one to the Willfire mine, and I’ll take a group up to Mr. Choi’s mine. If you find them, do not engage,” he said these words firmly, “We need to catch them off guard. Whoever is helping them will not hesitate to kill anyone who opposes them. We need to be vigilant and patient.”

“And I will stay with the rest of the town here,” Mayor Wallace said to Chan. “Changbin and I will organize something for the children and the families. You know, keep everybody calm during this whole thing.”

“Sounds good…”

“They’re going after magical children,” you whispered to Minho and Han. “They plan to use their magic to open the gates.”

“Makes sense,” Minho nodded.

“Those poor babies,” Han frowned worriedly.

“We need to find them quickly,” you told them. “Now that they have four children, they can start their ritual.”

“Seungmin! Seungmin, where are you?” Chan’s words interrupted you, as he looked through the crowd.

“Right here, Sheriff.”

Dressed in a pin-striped shirt with an apron around his waist, Seungmin fixed his glasses on his nose and looked up at Chan. Just by the golden eyes, black wolf’s nose, and furry pointed ears, you realized Seungmin was a werewolf.

“Where’s your pack at?” Chan addressed him.

“Likely back home at the den,” he answered. “We’ve been looking ever since little Dobin was taken. He’s one of us, you know. I’ll get word to my father about your search parties.”

“I’ll call on the wisps!”

A young fairy came floating up to the steps. Black hair in front of his face, the garden fairy’s bright green wings batted as he landed on the floor. You noticed he held onto the medical bag across his body. “They can fly faster than light and move between the different parties if they find something. The trees may have information too.”

“The trees?” the words left your mouth before you could stop them.

“They don’t say much,” he said, “But they will speak to me.”

“Jeongin,” Han said to you, “Garden fairy. He’s also our doctor, believe it or not.”

“And who the hell is she?!” another woman in the crowd asked.

“That’s a demon!” the elderly miner gasped, taking a few steps back. A couple others did the same, but you did not react to their shock. “Sheriff, Sheriff, did you know you got a demon next to you?”

“I do, and she’s been extremely helpful since she arrived this morning,” Chan said.

“I told you,” Mayor Wallace hissed at him. “I said they wouldn't take kindly to her.”

“How do you know she ain’t got anything to do with this?” asked Fred, taking a few steps back on his horse. “Their kind eat children!”

“We don’t eat human flesh,” you rolled your eyes, annoyed. “I don’t know what human started that rumor, but demons who still hold up to our code never harm the young.” You briefly recalled the children who’d get lost in the afterlife, and end up in the terrifying Mar. “I’m only here to help,” you said.

“For some gold, I expect!”

“And because whoever is doing this is harming children, and children are sacred to my kind,” you replied sharply. “Their souls are pure and precious.” Whenever a lost soul passed through your gates, a demon always took them back over to the heavenly cloud world of Divinity.

“Get your heads out of the sand,” Changbin said to the group, “She’s good people.”

“How would you know?” the old man asked.

“Because I've met dangerous people before, and she's dangerous in a different kind of way.”

“That's just her demon magic working on you!”

“Alright, if you don't believe me then let's get someone else's opinion.”

Changbin whistled through two fingers, and from behind the inn came an enormous grizzly bear. Far too big to be a normal bear, you suspected. Honey came right up to Changbin’s feet, sniffing for a scrap of food. It was when she smelled your scent that she moved over to you. Yes, it was silly of you to reach out to a bear, but you put the back of your hand to her wet nose. She gruffed once, nudging your hand with her nose, and then putting her head underneath it for a few scratches.

“Honey’s never been wrong about anyone before,” Changbin gave them a satisfied smile.

“Plus, she’s a war hero,” Minho said, “She killed Nor’goth.”

The name sent a ripple of uneasiness through the crowd. Even you, who defeated him, couldn't help shifting at the words. Skin hard as rocks and dark purple Nor'goth towered several feet above anyone else. Burning orange eyes stared at you with hate as you challenged him. If it weren't for your allies, you may have died trying to defend your people and the mortal world.

‘I will not suffer your insolence anymore, Multak! Prepare to meet your doom!”

“Is that true?” One man said with wide eyes.

“It is,” he answered for you. “I don't know about you all,” he said, going down the steps, “But I think it's pretty handy having a demon around.”

An agreement mumbled amongst the townspeople, but you didn't care. “Chan, we're running out of time,” you hissed at him. “The longer we wait, the closer they get to completing their ritual.”

“To do what?”

“What else? Summon a being they have no business summoning,” you said. “It is going to blow up in their faces, and a lot of people can get hurt if we don't get a move on.”

“Alright,” he nodded.

All the groups split evenly, everyone mounted their horses and began riding out of town. You looked around for Summer, realizing you'd left her at the Seo farm. No matter. You whistled a three note tune, and a burst of fire came from across the square. Summer dashed through the portal, charging past other people and horses to get right in front of you. She kicked the ground, head swishing as the commotion riled her up. Taking her reins, you held her still before mounting her.

“YN!” Chan rode up to you on a white horse, “You’re with me. We’re checking the Choi mine.”

You gulped thickly, “Isn’t that the, um, spider one?”

“It is…” he then smirked and your cheeks burned, “Is our strong fire demon afraid of itty bitty spiders?”

“They are not ‘itty bitty’ and they’re gross!”

His laugh made you grumble, and you charged ahead of him. Summer snorted, making you kick her sides lightly. “Hey, I didn’t pick on you about the snakes.”

Running behind the group headed to the last old mine, you already pictured the eight-legged creatures likely waiting at the end. The old man mentioned that they’ve likely been driven out by the gang, so you clung onto that. Your skin crawled at the idea of having to fight ginormous spiders when a flash of white caught your attention. Chan’s horse, snowy white, came up to you once again. You got a good look at the animal, seeing the shimmer in its white coat and strands of silver streaked through its mane. Rather than fully black, the beast’s eyes glimmered a dark green color.

How did Chan get his hands on a sea steed?

“Where’d you get it?” you asked over the clopping feet.

“What?”

“Your horse! It’s a sea steed! How’d you get it?”

He gave you a proud smile, “My Ma gave it to me!”

“Your Ma?!”

“She's a mermaid! You should meet her sometime!” He added.

“Your mother is a mermaid?!”

“Yeah, from the Southern Sea,” he said. “My Pa worked as a fisherman, and that's how they met.”

“You're a halfling then?”

“That's usually what people call me.” He then turned to you with a grin, “Not all of us halflings are so obvious.”

“What can you do then? Besides gathering search parties and solving crimes,” you smirked at him. For once, you're not the one under scrutiny.

“Nothing extraordinary really,” he shrugged. “I used to sing whenever I worked on my dad's boat, since the fish would always come to me. But then I felt bad about luring them to their deaths so I stopped. I can breathe underwater…I could live in Hydrus if I wanted.”

“Hydrus?”

“It's the merfolk capital of the world,” he said. “My Ma sits on the city council. She's a healer there and has her own apothecary. She told me I could always come live with her, but I prefer being on land.”

“How come?”

“My Pa mostly,” he answered honestly. “He needs me more than her. She has her family down there; he's only got me and our dog. My sister lives with her, but she and my cousin come to visit sometimes.”

“Your sister?”

“Hannah. She's got more mermaid than human, so she struggles living on land. Do you…Do demons have families?”

You gave it a thought. “In a way?” You decided, “We have our clan, which is a family. The Keepers are our parents, and everyone your age is a brother or sister; anyone older is an aunt or uncle.”

“Are you allowed to visit home or are you banished or something like that?”

You shook your head, “I can go if I wish. My horns…” you hesitated, “They're what I traded to live here, but I'm not exiled like some of my kin.”

“So, in a way, you fought against your family.”

“I did. I wasn't happy about it, but I did what I had to do.”

You pictured the demons you fought against during your ride. Brothers and sisters, standing on the other side of the field, severed their ties with the Shadowlands and became Nor’goth’s servants. It hurt you to fight them; you'd grown alongside most of them, and saw them as family. But, Sakmarth said those who break their vows are no longer part of the demon realm. You found that easy to understand but hard to carry out.

The Choi mines happened to be several miles outside of town. Dusk began to set by the time you reached the outskirts of the mine. The trees around gave almost no sunlight. Whatever light did come through broke through the dark leaves in the canopies. The same canopy where you saw the thin, silver strands of webs. Cobwebs hung from the dark branches and stuck to the tree roots at the bottom. Apprehension settled into your stomach seeing them so high. Already, you felt their pincers snapping close to you and their furry legs skittering when they rushed around. However, seeing Chan and the other townspeople getting off their horses, you knew showing fear would disappoint them. You are Multak, fire demon and vanquisher of Nor'goth. You can't be afraid of anything.

“Mr. Choi,” Chan looked at the wizened old man coming over to him, “What direction do we take from here?”

“Down this dirt path to the end,” he pointed at the path leading further inside. “My family sold the land when those damned tentaculars started nesting there. If the gang's anywhere, it is right here.”

Chan nodded and let him take the lead. He and several others kept their pistols and rifles ready as you carefully moved through the dead forest. One false step or loud twig might send a signal to any beasts in the area. You kept your hands firmly wrapped around the sword handle, doing your best to not tremble. You peered between thick patches of webbing; tricks of light and shadows created long legs and thick bodies creeping behind the silvery webs. There’d be no way for the gang to survive in arachnid infested woods; they’d be cocooned and devoured in minutes. Their warlock must have cleared them out; you might run into nothing along the way. At least, that’s how you comforted yourself.

“I thought demons weren't scared of anything,” Chan teased.

“I'm not scared.”

“Then why are you shaking?”

“Am not.”

“Don't worry, YN. If a spider comes, I'll kill it for you.”

You rolled your eyes, but the image left you feeling nauseous. Going deeper into the dense forest, you began hearing small cracks of twigs or rustling of leaves on the ground. The clicking and clacking of the tentacular species pinched your ears; you thought you might throw up right there. There used to be dozens back home, and you always avoided their nests. This forest is their ideal environment.

“Wait,” Mr. Choi whispered, putting up a hand, “I see lights. Yeah, they're right there.”

A glowing orange light broke the darkness of the forest on your left. Everyone turned to see it hiding behind dense bushes and trees. Anxiousness stiffened your bones when you saw thicker webs in the trees above you. They must have scared them off not long ago if the webbing appeared so fresh.

“Fred,” Chan called the burly man, “You take Ryu, Harold and Donny and flank them on the right. Mr. Choi, Samantha, and Jenny will take them from the left.”

“And you, Sheriff?” the woman, Samantha, asked.

“YN and I will draw their attention.”

You hardly heard Chan’s orders. You didn’t keep your eyes off the trees for a moment. Phantom hissing and clicking sent shivers up your spine, leaving you in a cold sweat that wet your palms. Back home, clearing out spider nests or infestations was left to the newest soldiers. Shadowland spiders looked nothing like mortal ones. Their venom burned through flesh and bone, and their pinchers stabbed like sharp knives. You hated them. You pushed them from your memory as Chan encouraged you forward. Steeling yourself, you tried keeping your fears deep in your gut instead of on your face. You’re supposed to be a big, scary demon. You are a demon of the fire clan, a warrior forged from rock and flame; not a baby afraid of a few pests.

Very large pests

Carefully, you both walked towards the firelight. Chan kept his rifle pointed ahead and you kept your sword at the ready. The sounds of chatter and laughter caught your ears first. When you and Chan reached a small bundle of bushes, you crouched down to peek through the foliage.

Around a campfire sat four men. One of them, broad and wide, turned sausages in a skillet over the fire while another, slender and narrow, poured more ale from a barrel nearby. One lounged back against large sacks, his hat over his face and a fourth sat on the floor arranging coins into small piles.

“I got twenty gold here, Suho,” the one with the gold said. “That’s five pieces each. I thought you said Maurice would make us rich! This ain’t rich!”

“The real money’s coming soon,” Suho, turning sausages, said. “After he’s done with those kids, he’ll hand over the rest.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Idiots…” you whispered to yourself. The realization came to you right away, and you shook your head. “They’re the gifts.”

“Gifts?”

“In order to appease Yuth’ik, the summoner has to offer gifts to the god. This warlock did not really need lackeys to kidnap children; they could have done it themselves. They hired these bandits to then hand them over to Yuth’ik.”

“A double-cross…Suho wouldn’t like that.” He thought for a moment, then said, “Follow my lead.”

Chan stepped out through the bushes first, casually walking into the light. You went right after him, eyes sticking to your surroundings. From the rocky face behind them, you guessed they must not be far from the mine entrance.

“Evening, y’all,” Chan said in a friendly tone, “How’re you doing tonight?”

The four men scrambled to their feet. They each reached for a nearby weapon to hold up, but you noticed the shock in their eyes. Only Suho appeared calm and easy.

“Evening, Sheriff,” he replied in a casual tone, “We were just enjoying a nice campfire, some ale and the night time breeze. Care for some?”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass. I’m here on sheriff’s business tonight.”

“Is that so?” Suho glanced at his members, who sneered back at him. “That’s a shame,” he cocked his pistol, “Because I’m in the mood for bandit’s business tonight.”

“Do you happen to know anyone named ‘Maurice’, Suho?” Chan took a step forward, unafraid of the gun pointed at him.

“Nah, don't ring a bell, I’m afraid,” Suho shook his head.

“Hm, that’s strange. A little reptile hybrid said you might, and a few friends of mine have been looking high and low for him.” You heard his friendly, polite tone turn serious. “I thought The Hook clan didn’t harm children.”

“We don’t,” he said.

“But the person you’re working for does, and that’s okay by you?”

“I don’t work for anybody but myself,” Suho said.

“Stop with the games, Junmyeon,” Chan cut across him. “I know you and your gang have been kidnapping children from the town. You might be a thieving, no-good outlaw, but I never thought you’d be the type to hurt kids.”

“We don’t have anything to do with that.”

“We have your fingerprints on the trees where Barney Pebbles was taken,” he said. “Who’s Maurice and what is he doing with the kids?”

“I don’t know a ‘Maurice’.”

“Junmyeon…these children could be in serious danger. They’re innocent, and I know you wouldn’t let some psychotic warlock kill them.”

“Again, Sheriff, sorry to disappoint you, but we don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do you even know the man you're working for, Junmyeon?”

“I only work for myself, so yeah, I do know the man I work for.”

“Whoever he's summoning tonight is going to expect human sacrifices…and it's not the kids.”

“What'd you mean?” Asked the shortest one, wide eyed and worried.

“He needs the kids to open the portal, but he has to have gifts to offer the tree god thing. I'm guessing that's you and your boys. Now,” he took another step, “You can tell us where he is and we stop him or you become an ancient being's dinner.”

You heard a small twig snap from somewhere behind you, and every nerve in your body stood on edge. It could either be a friend or a foe. A big, furry, hungry foe. Up in the sky, you saw the russet colors slowly fading to black. You’re running out of time.

“I still don't know what you're talking about,” Suho declared, but not as strongly.

“-Junmyeon,” Chan came closer, “Don’t make this harder on yourself. Tell me where Maurice is, and you'll be free to move on.”

“Ha, I doubt that. You’ll have me cuffed before I even talk.”

“You're telling me you want to get eaten then?!”

You grunted and walked past Chan into the light. Eyes glaring at him, you let the fire light wash over you to give them a better view. All four men froze in place at the demon standing on the other side of their campfire. The cracking, burning wood crunched under your boots when you kicked their skillet aside and stood in the fire. The burning flames licked up your legs to your thighs, but you hardly felt them. You might as well have stepped into a warm bath.

“Listen, scumbag,” you growled, making sure he heard it, “Tell us what you know about the warlock and where he is before I pull you into this fire with me.”

Suho, clearly not one to back down easily, pointed his pistol right at you. “Stay away, demon,” he said stiffly, though you could smell the sweat coming through his pores. Fear. Your demonic roots savored the fragrance, “Or I’ll shoot!”

In a swift motion, you reached out and brought the heavy man right to the edge of the fire. High pitched screams followed his panic kicking as flames danced close to his ankles. Suho tried uncurling your fingers from his shirt collar, but to no avail. You bore your eyes into his as you spoke.

“Where is Maurice, human?”

Too afraid of being burned, Suho did not answer you right away. You quickly looked to the men around him, seeing how they’d backed up and away from you. “I asked you a question,” you grunted, lowering him closer to the fire, “Where is he? Where?!”

“Pl-please!”

“Innocent children will have their lives sucked out of their bodies, and you’re standing there refusing to help them?!” You dragged him into the fire at last, though kept him above the lowest of the flames. The sound of running feet told you his members left him behind to be tortured. “Do you know what we do to people who harm children in the Shadowlands? Hm?” You brought him in closer, “We burn them!”

You dropped him into the fire, and Suho screamed hysterically. Rolling away, he rustled around on the ground to put out the tiny flickers on his back. Panting and sweating, the gang leader stared up at you in horror. Most likely because the fires burning inside you had finally reached your eyes. Their mortal hue turned into burning coals, and your fingers itched to set him aflame.

“In the mines!” he screamed, cowering under your fiery gaze. “He’s in the mines! He has his little pets helping him! Please, don’t eat me! Please!”

“Where’s the entrance?”

Suho whimpered, not answering.

“Where’s the entrance?!” you demanded.

“Tha-th-that-t- wa-ay!”

He pointed to his left, and you nodded. Storming off into the nearby path, you already saw the sky gradually becoming darker and darker. The warlock could start their ritual at any moment.

“Hey!” you heard several pairs of feet coming up behind you, “Hey, what was that?”

Chan came up beside you, but you kept on moving. “Intimidation,” you said, “You weren’t getting answers, and we’re running out of time, so I stepped in.” You smirked over your shoulder, “Nothing makes a man talk more than under the threat of eternal flames.”

“You weren’t going to actually kill him though, right? That…That isn’t how we do things here.”

“Of course not,” you scoffed. “Yes, people like Suho deserve whatever fate they have coming, but when that happens is not up to me.”

“Oh…”

You knew why he asked that. “I’m not that kind of demon, Chan,” you told him, “I might be a demon, but I’m not a thrill killer. I only do it when-”

You stopped at the sight of metal tracks some yards away. The mine entrance was on the other side of them, dimly lit and foreboding. Empty cargo carts sat on the tracks, and you saw crates stacked on top of one another. Whoever worked this mine abandoned it long ago, and several residents had taken it up. All the fire from before extinguished when you saw the gargantuan spiders roaming the area. The stinging sensation of bile crept up your throat, and your skin started crawling again. Big and hairy, most of them varied in colors of white, gray and black. You almost turned back, but knew to do so now would be abandoning the children and also negating any perceived toughness.

“Kind of hard to intimidate a wild beast, huh?” Chan asked, humored by your weak attempts. “Especially big ones with several pairs of eyes-”

“-Nothing needs that many eyes or that many legs!” you harshly whispered. “How can we get past them?”

“Fire,” Mr. Choi croaked from behind, pulling out a large matchbox. “It’s how my grandfather used to do it back in the day.”

“Works for me,” Chan shrugged, turning back to you, “YN? Would our fire demon like to handle the big nasty spiders?”

You stuck out your tongue at his smug smile. “I’d love to,” you responded pointedly. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

“Please, be my guest.”

He then made a hissing sound that made you punch his shoulder. You knew he was only teasing. Any other time, you’d tease him back but the sight of a spider coming down from the mountain with a bundle between two legs caught your attention. Fire. Warmth and light always scared off nocturnal beasts.

Taking a step out of the treeline, a prickling sensation went up your legs, most likely the formation of goosebumps all over your body. You searched for a starting point for the flames, which happened to be the light shedding of webs along the tracks. In a single thrust of your hand, a bolt of red-hot fire shot from your palm and onto the metal tracks.

Like a spark to gunpowder, the fire quickly began spreading. The beasts sensed the fire right away, and scurried away from the light. When one of them spotted you, it screeched loudly and scuttled over to you. With a high scream, your entire body went into a panic and you shot both hands out. Shrieking screams pierced your ears as the flames engulfed the creature, whose cries died out along with a few others. Your comrades, not wanting to miss out, started shooting. Gun blasts added to the fires scaring off the spiders; some of them took several shots while the proper marksmen got them between the eyes.

“Come on,” Chan took one of your wrists, “Let’s get inside.”

“Inside?!”

You imagined more spiders awaited you in there, “This is no time to be a baby! Let’s go!”

Guiding you through the scorched earth, you kept your eyes peeled for any more spiders, but they’d appeared to have been killed or scared off. You’d gotten right into the entrance when your party came up behind you.

“There’s more where they came from,” said Mr. Choi, “But don’t you worry. I grew up in this mine. I know it in and out.”

“Yuth’ik is an earth god,” you deduced from research, “He’s likely far underground where there’s roots.”

“I know the right place,” he nodded.

Chan and Mr. Choi led the group, and you did your best to keep your shaking legs moving normally. Someone came up beside you.

“You really showed Suho.” It was Fred, carrying his rifle across his chest. “I ain’t ever seen a man scared out of his wits like that before.”

“Being the good cop wasn’t working,” you shrugged, “So I played the bad one.”

“We could have used someone like you when this all started.” Once he realized how that sounded, he recovered, “I mean, the sheriff and his deputies are great at their jobs. It's…Things weren't being done quick enough.”

“I understand,” you said. The amount of webs did not match the spiders outside. There are more of them. “He was doing the best he could with what he had. I'm glad to be of some use here.”

Fred moved to talk again, but the group then stopped. In the spacious coal mine, you saw them right when everyone else did. High above the floor, cocoons hung from the ceiling and stuck to the walls. Bundles long and short were covered in several lengths of sticky webbing. You gulped back the fear burning in your throat, and stepped over to a nearby cocoon. About the average size of an adult, you poked it with your sword. When it didn't move, you looked at Chan with a worried stare. Your suspicions proved true when you cut a hole in the head to see the corpse of a young elf maiden inside. Sickly pale and blue, her paper thin skin and hollowed cheeks suggested she'd died ages ago.

“How horrible…” Samantha frowned, opening another to find an old man.

“Donny,” Chan looked at Fred’s farmhand, “Stay here with Samantha and start cutting the bodies down.”

“Harold and I'll keep watch,” Fred said, pulling out a flint to light a nearby stick.

“Good idea,” he nodded his approval.

As the other four started removing bodies, the rest of you went further into the mine. It didn't take much longer to reach the heart of the mine, and it was there that you thought you might scream. Dozens of spiders small and large covered the walls, and stood on the ground around a platform of rocks. None of them caught your scent yet, but one false move will have you setting the place on fire in a panic. You flinched when a warm hand grabbed yours.

“Stay with me,” Chan whispered, his fingers gently taking your wrist this time. “We need to stick together.”

“The kids!” Mr. Choi gasped, pointing at the platform.

Wrapped from the neck down in white webs, four children wriggled around an archway carved into the stone wall. You heard their sobbing pleas through the unrest amongst the beasts, and you forced out your fears. They needed you. It was then that you finally saw the warlock named Maurice. The top half of his body was a human torso, aged but strong with white hair braided back from his face. The bottom half was a spider's form, eight legs keeping him standing high above the children. That explained why the creatures hadn't killed any of the clan members.

“My children!” He said, his voice a delicate hiss, “Tonight we bring forth the power of the old magic! We bring forth our salvation! We bring forth our victory!”

The beasts approved, clicking and clacking in their language.

“For centuries, mortals have feared our presence! They run from us! They hunt us down and kill us!” He continued, “But tonight, sweet children, the old god Yuth’ik will give us our redemption. We will have our revenge!”

“Ugh, disgusting creature,” Mr. Choi scoffed. “Let's get him-”

“-Not yet,” Chan stilled him with a hand. He scanned the area and shook his head, “There are too many of them. They'll overpower us. We have to be smart about this.”

“Or extremely dumb,” you said, a thought coming to you. “You stay hidden and wait for my signal.”

“YN!”

Your knees wobbled walking towards the entryway into the main area. A human would be of no concern to the spider hybrid, but a demon from The Mar might keep him distracted.

“-No more will you cower in your nests, feeding off scraps! You will have fresh meat!-”

“I wouldn't say my meat is fresh!” You shouted over the chatter of the room, “But demons are an acquired taste, I've been told.”

Maurice paused in surprise at the sight of you. Black eyes held you in their gaze. He had four of them. Nobody needed that many eyes.

“Ah,” he grinned, teeth sharp and white, “Here's the demon I've heard so much about. Was it you who harmed my children outside?”

“They were in my way.”

Confidently, you walked through the horde, which parted to make way for you. Glittering black eyes stayed on you as you moved. Having them all in one place suffocated any fresh winds coming through the tunnel passages. Your skin prickled having them so close to you. You kept a tight grip on your sword at your hip, gripping so tight the pummel dug into your palm. No fear. Show no fear.

“You know summoning an imprisoned god is against the celestial laws, Maurice,” you continued. “The Blind One doesn't take kindly to people who disobey him. I suggest you release those children and take your spider friends back where they came from.”

Maurice gave a mocking laugh, “As if you could do anything to stop me. Once my ritual is complete, no mortal alive could stop me.”

He turned away from you to face the archway. “You'll have to give him something in return,” you said, “And be in servitude to him for life. I don't think you want to be someone's puppet, do you?”

“I will do anything I must,” he said. “I shall be the ultimate supreme lord. Everyone will bow down to me or suffer the wrath. The weak mortals you so eagerly helped will be scum beneath my feet.”

“Please, help us!” A red-haired girl with leaves in her hair cried. Sanghee, no doubt. “Help us!”

“Please!” said the werecat Hyeyoung.

“He's going to kill us, please help!” pleaded a blond boy with concurved ears. “Help! I want to go home!”

“Silence!” Maurice shouted angrily over his shoulder.

He lifted his head towards the arch and began muttering the incantation. It brought forth a vortex of black and blue, and gradually a white light broke through. You gasped at the recognizable swirls of The Abyss. Unrest rippled throughout the horde, who'd begun moving away as the portal opened.

“Children,” the warlock called out to the spiders, “Dinner.”

You screamed as several spiders hurried towards you, some clawing over others to reach you. Fear and panic set inside you again, and erupted on its own. Bursts of fire cracked and burned the ground around your feet, keeping a protective circle as you started launching fireballs at any beast in sight.

‘Bulgakgan!’

Flames shot out continuously from your hands, and as you moved in a clockwise circle, spiders were incinerated. One minute there, the next a stumbling ball of fire. Sensing a greater foe, the rest of the spiders began crawling away. This boosted your confidence significantly, and you switched to your sword. With another command, the dragonfire runes on your sword burned red and heated up the steel blade. Swinging and slashing the air, the spiders burned from the flaming steel alone. You hardly noticed the grunting and struggling occuring on the platform above you.

Chan was locked in a struggle with Maurice. He blocked the hybrid's long legs with his arms, then gave a swift kick to the steady legs on one side. Maurice shot bolts of gray and black shadow magic at him. One barely grazed his bicep, and you heard his loud painful cry. Maurice, believing him finished, sent more shadow bolts at him just as Chan rolled away. Getting onto his feet, you watched through your own fight as Chan turned around. Mr. Choi, holding his own against his own foes, tossed him a rifle. Maurice chuckled right as Chan raised his weapon.

“For Levanter Bay!”

You heard the war cry from behind you. Fred, Samantha and Donny appeared, sweating and fueled with adrenaline as they covered the front entrance. A gunshot bounced off the walls, though the thick webs kept the sound suppressed. Chan's bullet missed, which amused Maurice, who curved his hands until more dark matter materialized between his palms. Chan quickly reloaded, but Maurice rushed at him. With another shadow bolt, he knocked Chan squared in the chest and launched him back several feet.

You hurled a fireball at his legs, causing him to fall against the wall. This split second diversion was all Chan needed to shoot a bullet into Maurice's forehead from the ground. Their leader defeated, propped up by his legs, the other spiders disappeared from battle up through ceiling tunnels leading further into the mountain. You took deep breaths, heart pounding in your chest as you rushed over to Chan's side.

“Chan, are you alright?” you asked, looking him over.

The shadow bolt singed his shirt, the black mark vibrant against his chest, but otherwise no blood. It hadn't gone through completely.

“Thick skin,” Chan winced through a laugh. “Merfolk side, they say.”

You both stood up on shaking legs, “Still, shadow magic is nothing to sniff at. You need to get that checked out.”

“Yes, ma'am,” he saluted halfheartedly.

The thought of Chan being mortally wounded by shadow magic came to you. You'd grown to like Chan. You felt glad for his merfolk blood. His eyes glimmered even in the dim torch light, and his soft smile warmed your cheeks. You turned from him to see Mr. Choi cut the children out of their cocoons. To avoid more butterflies, you started helping him.

“Papa!”

Barney Pebbles ran to his father the second you freed him, weeping and reaching out before the man embraced him tightly. The other children took comfort in the adults who'd saved them.

“Sheriff Bahng!” Dobin, furry with a black snout, ran over to him, “I knew you'd come! I told everyone you'd come for us!”

“Of course I did.” Chan hugged him and patted his back. “Your parents have been worried to all hell about you. Let's not keep them waiting.”

“Or stick around for more of those things!” You added, shuddering and sheathing your blade.

The rest agreed and walked with you out of the mine. You took in deep breaths of fresh air, feeling the breeze cool down your body. Heat never bothered you, but it still felt nice to fan your flames. You watched Barney and Fred riding back on his horse, the young boy protected by his arms. Being raised in The Mar by the warrior fire clan, people thought your clan were cruel. In fact, it'd been the opposite. You sat on your horse, remembering the time an air demon healer soothed your cries after a particularly nasty spar in the yard.

“Ma'am?” Hyeyoung sat on Samantha's horse, tearful and shivering. “Are you a real demon?”

“Yes, I am.”

“But demons are supposed to be mean.”

“I'm only mean to the bad guys.”

She grinned at this, but said nothing else as she leaned into Samantha's embrace. When you reached the main road, you caught up with Minho and Han towards town. Minho found nothing at his mine, and Han only ran into vagrants with nowhere to live. What you really anticipated was the missing children with their parents. Word spread about your mission while you'd been gone, and as you rode to the town square, all four children rushed to their parents. Cries of joy and smooching kisses reached your ears, and it brought warmth into your chest.

“Oh, thank god!” Mayor Wallace appeared from the school house building, which doubled as a meeting hall apparently. He hustled over to Chan, “Chan, Chan, thank goodness you came back safely! And you got the children back too!”

“It wasn't all my doing, Gerald,” Chan insisted, dismounting his horse. “I had help.”

Mayor Wallace looked at you once more. You expected words of suspicion or caution, but instead he held out his hand, “Thank you, YN. We wouldn't have our children back if you'd not stepped in on time.”

“I was only doing my job, sir.”

“And a fantastic one you did.”

Someone called him from afar, and he excused himself. The weight of the battle, using your own magic, and the adrenaline wore you down. The hazy feeling of exhaustion came over you within minutes. You looked on the townspeople being reunited with friends and loved ones fondly, similar to scenes you'd come across during the war. The fear of the past few weeks lifted at the return of the four children. Taking a seat outside The White Pearl, you continued observing them.

Nor’goth used to claim that humans were selfish beings that knew nothing of loyalty. They were animals that killed each other needlessly. The people of Levanter Bay proved him wrong. The mortal world proved him wrong. When the tides grew high and the odds stacked against them, mortals banded together under one flag. They created The Allies, and stood as one against a common enemy. The Shadowland cities did no such thing until the war, and Sakmarth liked to say mortals had much to teach them. You couldn't help being in awe of them at that moment.

“Hey there, Honey,” you said kindly as the bear waddled up the steps towards you. She sniffed your palm once more, then licked it. “You should've mentioned you liked spiders. I would've brought back some legs.”

“They're too boney and don't have enough meat for her.”

With the pet came its tamer. Changbin stood at the door a foot away, leaning on the frame.

“She usually eats salmon or roots and berries I pick up on my hunts,” he took a seat beside you to watch the community. “You really pulled it off, huh?”

“You doubted I would?”

“Not for a minute,” he shook his head, “But it's amazing. The kids are saying you had a flaming sword?”

“It's a rune blade.”

“Interesting,” he nodded thoughtfully. “You'll make big money off of this. Saving children from a spider hybrid must be-Haha, what's with the shudder?”

“I hate spiders,” you grumbled. “Why did it have to be spiders?”

He laughed and patted your back, “Come inside, hero. We cooked up a feast to celebrate. You look like you could use a drink or two too.”

“Good, I'm starving!”

You went inside with him to find tables of food laid out. You went in right away, sneaking apples to give to Summer later on. As you tore into a chicken leg, Han and Minho appeared in front of you with their own plates.

“Spider hybrid, huh?” Minho sniffed, “I suppose we were wrong about the human warlock theory.”

“Very,” you nodded, taking a huge bite of your chicken leg before turning it over. “He hardly got a chance to summon Yuth’ik.”

“Chan said you got there in the nick of time,” Han said, forking mashed potatoes into his mouth. “He said he might have gotten killed if you hadn't come along.”

“And that he inherited his mother's skin,” Minho sipped an ale cup before saying, “Well done, Multak. I told you we'd have this thing finished by supper.”

You both grinned at one another before digging into your supper.

****

The festivities carried on through the night into morning. You crashed into your bed upstairs and passed out instantly. When you left your room for the common area downstairs the next morning, you were met with applause. This reaction startled you, But not as much as the praise.

“Thank you, YN!” Fred Pebbles came over from the bar and lifted you into a bear hug. “From me and mine, thank you!”

“Woah, okay!” You laughed out your surprise.

“We mean it,” Wilma walked up from behind him, holding out something to you. “Here, take this as a thank you.”

Made of pure tiger's eye, someone engraved the blazing sun into the small charm. It hung from a thick string that glistened in the sunlight.

“It's a tiger's eye,” she explained. “My people wear certain stones for different things. This charm will protect you on future quests.”

“Appreciated, Matriarch.”

She smiled at the elvish title. “No, thank you. Barney is our only son. When we heard he'd been taken, we thought he'd be dead for sure. It was by the light's grace that you showed up when you did.” You saw her watery eyes and hugged her tightly.

It then occurred to you that The Pebbles' weren't the only ones with tokens of gratitude. When Wilma and Fred left, the other parents met you outside. Sanghee’s grandmother gifted you a valerian plant, meant to bring strength and knowledge to you. Dobin's father and mother gave you a wolf tooth, a special gift given to allies of specific werewolf packs; Hyeyoung's werecat parents did something similar with a cat claw. But, it was the children who warmed you the most.

“There's the demon lady!” Dobin said from across the square.

They'd all been standing in the middle of the market with Han, who smiled at you. “Well, go on,” he encouraged, “Jump her.”

You flinched at the gaggle of children coming your way. They didn't jump on you, but they surrounded you.

“Do you really have a flaming sword?”

“Can you make people turn into dust?”

“Hyeyoung said you set the spider man on fire!”

“Ms. Demon Lady, did you die?!”

You didn't know which one to answer first. However, their barrage of questions ended when Chan appeared.

“Come on now,” he said, shepherding them away, “Don't crowd YN. You got school.”

The children groaned in disappointment, but still walked away. You fixed your jacket on your shoulders, watching them going towards the schoolhouse. Most people you helped handed you the money, and then sent you on your way. The people in those towns usually didn't know you'd helped them at all; they only cared when their own people rushed into danger. Yet, the cold reception you received when you arrived turned warm and friendly.

“You've become pretty popular around here,” Chan told you. “You're all the kids have been talking about.”

“And clearly their opinion is the only one that matters,” you smiled in amusement. “How are the kids doing?”

“They're still shaken up, since, you know, a spider hybrid kidnapped them and planned on sacrificing them to a tree god,” he answered, “But they're happy to be back home. Thanks to you.”

“And you,” you added. “How's your chest? That bolt hit you pretty bad.”

“Minho took care of it for me,” he shrugged, though you noticed the slight wince when he did. “It just stings. Nothing to worry about.” He then fished in his pocket to withdraw a leather pouch, “The mayor wanted me to pass this onto you. Your payment.”

You opened the pouch to see dozens gold and silver coins in the bottom of the bag. With an approving nod, you already budgeted what amount went to what expense.

“So, um, where do you plan to go now?” Chan asked you, hands in his pockets as he walked with you to the stables behind the White Pearl. “You can always pick up other jobs around here. Someone always needs help. Mrs. Young still has a boar problem; she says they keep eating her cabbages. I didn't know they even ate cabbage,” he added with a soft laugh.

You chuckled, coming up to Summer's stable. Your horse kicked the ground gently, a greeting. “As tempting as Mrs. Young's boars sound, Summer and I were planning on heading to the capital.” You pet Summer's snout, smiling softly as she huffed. “Don't worry. We'll take a ferry there.”

Chan stayed silent, then said, “Um, that might be a problem.”

“How come?”

“The ferry isn't running right now,” he said, thumbs hooked in his pockets. “Our local sea serpent has been seen close to the bay, and the King declared the ferry closed to keep people safe. You know these sea monsters. They like knocking boats over and eating people.”

“The King said this?” You faced him, arms crossed in disbelief. “I didn't hear anything about that.”

“It came in an hour ago,” he said. “Private government papers and other boring stuff. The damn thing nearly swallowed a whole navy ship, so imagine a little transport ferry. Psh, they'd stand no chance.”

Not once did you ever hear a royal decree not being posted or spoken about anywhere. Looking over Chan, you noticed the slight curls in his black hair, pushed back from his face and left to grow out. Brown eyes looked at you with a twinkle of hope inside them. You supposed you could stay a little bit longer. It isn't as if you had important business anywhere else. Levanter Bay did not seem to be a terrible place; the sunshine is something to be desired, but the people were actually nice. You touched the tiger's eye necklace you'd been given, as if rubbing it might produce an answer.

“I guess we can hang around here,” you said casually. “What do you think, Summer?” You asked your horse, “Want to hang around here for a bit?” You laughed when she grazed on the hay inside a feed bag. “I guess that's a ‘yes’.”

“Great,” Chan grinned. “That's really great.”

“Looks like you're in luck then,” you walked up to him, casually, “You'll have someone help your station get out from under the bounties up on that board.”

“I'm not proudful. We could use a demon in this town. Except, maybe one that doesn't burn down a whole cave because of a few spiders.”

“There were more than ‘a few’,” you punched his shoulder, but he only laughed. “There were hundreds, and I took out a good amount before everyone else joined in. I noticed you, Sheriff, didn't fight any spiders.”

“I was fighting the biggest one!”

The two of you talked about Maurice and his disgusting army on the way back to the inn. You had enough gold to buy you food and board at the inn, and you actually liked Changbin and Honey didn't scare Summer.

It's not such a bad place after all.

***

A/N: Wow, my first Stray Kids fic (well, a real one. The last one doesn't count too much to me). I hope you guys really enjoyed this one! I have one for each of the members coming up soon! Like, comment, and reblog! it keeps posts alive <3

Episode 2 >

#stray kids #bang chan #han jisung #seo changbin #yang jeongin #kim seungmin #lee felix #lee minho #hwang hyunjin #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids fantasy au #bang chan x reader #chan x reader #chan x female reader

57 notes · View notes

juicycoutureheaux · 11 months

Text

Fixer Upper

This is an AU with sheriff!Leon x innocent!farm girl reader

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

I usually don’t write for Leon, but I felt inspired to write after a work inspired by Lol I felt like the story idea was fitting for his character. This is set in another time, around the 1950s, so there will be some sensitive topics that my personal values DO NOT align with. We can’t change the past but we can change the future, I will put TW but if I miss anything please let me know, I would love to be accommodating. Let me know what y’all think if it’s good enough to be a series or if I should even want to entertain the idea.

This fic was inspired by a new friend who I have been so excited to be able to get to know over a short period of time. thank you for everything @heavennights , you're an amazing human.

Y/N wiped the sweat from her brow as she leaned over the truck’s steaming engine.

It was her daddy’s old Ford truck and she wasn’t even supposed to take it out this long. She cursed herself for not bringing her tool set, but she didn’t anticipate the truck to get overheated so quickly either.

You wanted to cry, you were dreading the tongue-lashing you’d get from your daddy when you got home. Y/N had just turned 18 earlier that month, right before she graduated high school.

You wanted to go to college,learn about space, and how to get there; but mama & daddy said it was a waste of time, they would never let a woman work at NACA; no matter how hard she tried.

Instead, Daddy had pulled in a favor from one of his childhood friends that worked at the police station and got you a job there as a secretary. Daddy prayed that Y/N would settle down with a good man that could take care of you. The farm was going to be passed down to your older brother, Hank.

Hank was already married with a child on the way. His wife, Mary-Anne, was one of your only friends. She was two years older than you but they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

You were deep in thought when you heard tires coming down the dirt road. She turned around and saw the flashing lights coming from the vehicle's top.

When the vehicle came to a stop, you realized you hadn’t recognized the man getting out of the front seat. You couldn’t help but stiffen up at the stranger and felt a cold shiver down your spine despite it being close to 90 degrees outside.

You couldn’t deny the man was handsome; his clear skin was complemented by his stormy blue eyes. His features mirrored the men in the magazines, his hair longer in the front and slicked to the side. His official Springfield County Name tag read “Deputy Kennedy.”

You must have been staring too long because he smirked at you playfully. It made you blush.

“Looks like you have a dilemma here, darlin.” He said, his voice lacking the southern accent most people had in this area.

“Oh…uhm…” you said timidly looking at the broken down truck. You were sure you had never seen this man before despite working for the local police force. She knew the sheriff's position had opened up but didn’t realize they had someone in mind since Chuck DuBois had resigned.

“You’re not in trouble, sweetheart. I’m here to help.” He smiled a toothy smile at you.

You couldn’t help but return it meekly. “I was trying to get home, but my engine overheated,” you said, trying to choke back tears. “I can walk up the road to Parker’s Gas station and call my daddy, I don't want to waste your time.

The man looked at you shocked. “In this heat, sweetheart? You might as well call the coroner now.”

It was a hot day, and your hairline growing damper by the second.

“Let me take you home, I’m sure we can get your daddy out here and we can fix the truck for you.” He opened the passenger door for you and you gladly accepted.

“Deputy Kennedy” cranked the car and the radio blared to life playing “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash.

He extended his hand to you. “I realized I didn’t introduce myself; I’m Kennedy, Deputy Leon Kennedy,” he eyed you up and down absentmindedly. “And you are…?”

You blinked. “Oh, I’m, “Y/F/N, Y/L/N.”

Leon looked at you for a minute, before he asked, “That last name, is your father Farmer L/N?”

You shook your head.

Leon smiled at you brightly. “So you’re my new secretary! Damn, this town is really tiny!” He laughed.

You couldn’t help but giggle along with him. What were the chances?

You decided to be brave and get to know your new boss.

“Where are you from?”

“I’m actually from Colorado, but I moved to Georgia about a year ago.”

“That’s really neat.” You said meekly, not quite sure how else to respond.

“I guess, have you ever been?”

You shook your head, “I’ve never been out of the South, but I would like to ride on an airplane one day!” You said excitedly.

His handsome features turned into a genuine smile. “I know you will, Y/N.”

You blushed and they rode together in comfortable silence until his car pulled down the long driveway of the farmhouse.

Y/N’s father and mother were waiting for her outside the farmhouse. You gulped and suddenly felt like a small child.

Leon let out a deep whistle. “Looks like they’ve been waiting for you.”

He exited the car, waved in the direction of her parents, and opened the door for her.

She hesitantly got out and walked up to the house. Y/N’s father was the first to talk.

“Where the hell have you been?” He looked at Leon. “And why the hell are you wasting the deputy’s time to escort you home? Why didn’t you call?” He raised his voice.

You were scared to answer, you were shaking and very upset to get the courage to speak.

“Sir, I insisted that she ride with me. The truck she was driving had broken down and she wanted to call, I felt that it would be more efficient to just take her home.”

Y/N’s father’s glare softened. “If you insisted,” was all the rugged farmer could say.

Your mother grabbed you to take you inside, but you resisted slightly, thanking Leon for his Kindness instead.

He tipped his hat, “No need to thank me, miss.” he said genuinely, “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at the station.”

He walked back to the patrol car and drove away, the dust from the unpaved driveway following him.

Your mother wasted no time in pulling you harder than before, into the farmhouse.

“Y/n!” she scolded. “What were you doing accepting a ride from a man you had never met before? I hope Patrick’s parents don’t hear about it!”

You cringed. You were so taken up with Deputy Kennedy’s kindness, you had completely forgotten that your parents had set you up with someone else.

Patrick was a young, college-educated fellow whose parents were influential in not just your town, but the entire southeast. Your mother was absolutely delighted when his mother, Suzanne approached her in church one Sunday and suggested setting you and Patrick up.

According to Suzanne, you were a charming match for her son, you had no reputation of being “fast” and came from a good god-fearing family.

You had never interacted with Patrick before, despite your brother Hank having gone to school with him. When you asked Hank about Patrick, Hank scoffed. “That guy is known for being a candy-ass, but popular with the ladies. He was always playing backseat bingo with some floozy.”

“Mama and Daddy want to set me up with him.” She confessed to Hank. “Miss Suzanne insisted we meet.”

“You’ve got to be kidding, they’re that desperate to get you off the farm? I knew you were talking about that NACA stuff, but I didn’t think they were listening.” He said bluntly.

“What are you talking about?”

“They don’t want you going to college, Y/N. They want you close to home, that space shit, its just a bunch of bullshit.”

Y/N felt her ears get hot. Sure, she wasn’t the smartest, but she had won the Science Fair three years in a row, all of her projects inspired by NACA. She was interested in how intricate mathematical equations could put men into space.

“It's not bullshit.” She said quietly.

“I know it's not bullshit to you, Y/N; but people around here, they don't know the difference.”

She decided to end the conversation and head up to her room after that.

The next day she was dressed in her Sunday best waiting in the Armstrong family’s Parlor. It would be her first time meeting Patrick. He came strolling in, dressed in preppy casual attire, oblivious of his surroundings.

She rose to meet him. “Oh, darlin’ don’t you get out of that chair, I didn’t think you’d be here so soon.” You blushed at him calling you a pet name so quickly.

“I apologize, I didn’t know what to expect.”

“You’re too polite! I know why my mother had such an interest in you.” He said proudly.

You analyzed his features, his eyes were dark but expressive; his windblown hair had soft curls. You thought he was quite handsome, no wonder Hank had mentioned him being so popular with the girls.

He sat down next to you, smelling of aftershave. You were enamored with him already, none of the boys at school ever paid you any mind. You could have never imagined holding a princely character such as Patrick’s undivided attention.

As you two were starting to engage in casual conversation, an older woman in a maid’s uniform brought in a tray of iced tea & other refreshments.

“Thank you, Lavinia.” Patrick said passively.

Lavinia just bowed silently and hurried out of the room quietly.

You had never been served by anyone before. You were so shocked you couldn’t even focus on the fact that Patrick was eyeing you carefully.

“Sooo, what do you do in your spare time y/n? Surely you don’t spend all your time entertaining farm animals all day.”

That last part of the statement caught you off guard. Is that all he thought of you as? A simple farmer’s daughter?

You laughed awkwardly. The laugh was more for Patrick’s comfort as he was obviously proud of his poor attempt at humor.

“I enjoy reading to the animals,” you said sarcastically. You looked as Patrick’s handsome features contorted into an expression between confusion and genuine concern.

“That was a joke,” you rushed to say. “I enjoy reading, but obviously to myself.”

Patrick’s face relaxed, relief spreading over his features. “Oh, that's neat! What do you like to read?”

“Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles is one of my favorite books.”

Patrick looked at you, the confused look coming back to his face. “That's…interesting.” He said, trying to be polite.

“What do you like to do?” You tried to direct the conversation to himself.

You quickly learned Patrick loved to talk about himself, he couldn’t stop talking about his various “Achievements”.

You listened patiently, thankful that he probably wouldn’t ask you any more questions about yourself; you didn’t want to embarrass yourself further.

After he listed off his various conquests of sailing and horseback riding, he began to scoot closer to you.

“I think this has been a wonderful meeting, mother was right, you are quite beautiful.” He said, brushing stray hair behind your ear.

You blushed, you had never been touched like that.

“Do you think we could meet again next week? I would love to take you out.”

You nodded enthusiastically.

“Wonderful!” He checked his wristwatch. “It looks like it’s getting late, would you like me to take you home?”

You looked at him hesitantly, you were unsure about having another man drive you home.

“Don’t worry,” he said, an almost devious look shone through his eyes, “I don’t bite.”

You reluctantly agreed and soon you were in his 1956 Red Corvette. It was a sporty thing, he insisted riding with the ragtop down. He handed you a pair of sunglasses that were hiding in the glove compartment.

“You’ll need these.” He said as he put his own pair over his eyes.

He looked perfect. How could he be anything less? His life was absolutely charmed. You wondered if he ever felt out of place, of course not.

As the two of you were riding in the car, he moved his hand closer to you, slowly and put it on your knee.

You felt butterflies in your stomach, completely overwhelmed by all the new sensation. Wind blowing your hair violently, the scent of summer and Patrick’s warm large hand on your bare knee.

The ride was over too soon for your liking. You handed the sunglasses back to him.

“Keep ‘em sweetheart. You’ll need them again when I pick you up next time.” He winked at you.

You felt like your knees were going to turn to liquid and you felt like you couldn’t move.

He leaned over and gave you a peck on your cheek and you almost fell over.

You quickly gathered your things.

“T-thank you for your time. It was really nice!” You stuttered out.

“Anytime Sweetheart.”

When you got to the door safely and waved goodbye he started the car and rolled away.

You would be dreaming of this moment for a while.

#resident evil fanfiction #leon kennedy x reader #leon x reader #leon kennedy #resident evil #alternate universe #fanfiction

182 notes · View notes

the-silver-chronicles · 2 months

Text

5 Songs and 3 Outfits

Tagged by @g0dspeeed @nightbloodbix @voidika @onehornedbeast @inafieldofdaisies and @strafethesesinners

Tagging @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @softtidesworld @adelaidedrubman @strangefable @turbo-virgins @cassietrn @carlosoliveiraa @corvosattano @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @afarcryfrommymain @megraen @minilev @starsandskies @deputyash @deputy-morgan-malone @dephellseed @derelictheretic @chazz-anova @snake-in-the-garden @cloudofbutterflies92 @florbelles @foofygoldfish @fourlittleseedlings @gaeadene @henbased @ladyoriza @la-grosse-patate @skoll-sun-eater @shallow-gravy @thewanderer-000 @titiagls @trashcatsnark @vampireninjabunnies-blog @shellibisshe @wrathfulrook and @aceghosts + anyone else who wants to join.

RULES: Post 5 songs associated with your OC(s), followed by 3 outfits they would wear.

Gathered Silva Omar, Kamski Neon and Ernesto Stallone for this one. Read under the cut:

SILVA OMAR (FAR CRY 5)

Dream -Bishop Briggs

"I wanna break down where your heart gets So torn it's almost breaking mine I wanna lay here, lost and bitter So long, I feel like I could die I wanna tell you what my truth is But it's buried down inside."

Last One Standing - Skylar Grey ft. Polo G, Mozzy, & Eminem

"Now you see me standing in the lights But you never saw my sacrifice Or all the nights I had to struggle to survive Had to lose it all to win the fight I had to fall so many times Now I'm the last one standing."

Safe And Sound - Capital Cities

"I could lift you up I could show you what you wanna see Take you where you wanna be You could be my luck Even if the sky is fallin' down I know that we'll be safe and sound."

Heat Waves - Glass Animals

"I just wanna know what you're dreaming of When you sleep and smile so comfortable I just wish that I could give you that That love that's perfectly unsad Sometimes all I think about is you Late nights in the middle of June Heat waves been fakin' me out Heat waves been fakin' me out."

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye ft. Kimbra

"Now and then, I think of all the times you screwed me over But had me believing it was always something that I'd done But I don't wanna live that way Reading into every word you say You said you could let it go And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know."

Note: The women in the images below are not Silva's faceclaim and I unfortunately could not remove them. I had done my best at removing their features but if you notice a difference between the women and Silva's faceclaim, please ignore it and focus on the clothing instead. Thank you for your understanding.

Below is Silva's dress which she pretty much only wears at home, a longer version of the deputy uniform, and her casual clothing (plus that of which she wears during the Reaping). Yeah, she doesn't like to show off a lot of skin.

Another note: These are not the right colors.

KAMSKI NEON (FAR CRY 5)

[No Faceclaim Acquired Yet]

Enemy - Imagine Dragons ft. J.I.D

"Oh, the misery Everybody wants to be my enemy Spare the sympathy Everybody wants to be my enemy Look out for yourself!"

Whatever It Takes - Imagine Dragons

"Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do whatever it takes 'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains Whatever it takes You take me to the top I'm ready for whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do what it takes."

Some Nights - Fun.

"Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck Some nights I call it a draw Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle Some nights I wish they'd just fall off But I still wake up, I still see your ghost Oh, Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh."

All The Stars - Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA

"Tell me what you gon' do to me Confrontation aint nothing new to me You could bring a bullet Bring a sword Bring a morgue But you can't bring the truth to me Fuck you and all your expectations I don't even want your congratulations I recognize your false confidence and calculated promises All in your conversation I hate people that feel entitled Look at me crazy cause I aint invite you Oh you important? You the moral to the story? You endorsing? Motherfucker I don't even like you Corrupted mans heart with a gift Thats how you find out who you dealing with."

Spirits - The Strumbellas

"I got guns in my head and they won't go Spirits in my head and they won't go I got guns in my head and they won't go Spirits in my head and they won't go But the gun still rattles The gun still rattles, oh."

Kamski's clothing mostly consists of a worn doctors uniform, however he does use a pedestrian disguise with a mask if he's going to do something illegal or a regular casual clothing (in the habit of dressing up for winter and refuses to break habit even in the worst of Summer) when going to do legal groceries.

ERNESTO STALLONE (FAR CRY 5)

[No Faceclaim Acquired Yet]

Bad Feeling - Jagwar Twin

"They say! Everything's perfect here And the sun is shining Hey! Hey! Everything's perfect here There's nobody crying Oompa loompa doompety do I got a bad feeling about you Oompa loompa I don't know, dude I got a bad feeling about you."

Hot Girl Bummer (slowed + reverb) - blackbear

"Fuck you, and you, and you I hate your friends and they hate me too. I'm through, I'm through, I'm through."

I'm A Wanted Man - Royal Deluxe

"They didn't know it when they turned me loose I shot the sheriff and I slipped the noose The law ain't never been a friend of mine I'd kill again to keep from doing time You should never ever trust my kind I'm a wanted man I got blood on my hands Do you understand? I'm a wanted man."

Bad - Royale Deluxe

"I'm bad As bad can be So bad That it's hard to believe Oh what they say about me I'm bad, I'm bad As bad can be I'm bad Take a look and see So bad That it's hard to believe I don't care what they say about me."

Bloodshot - Sam Tinnesz

"I'll take another hit to the backbone I'm picking up the heat Like an atom bomb No time on the clock It's a bloodshot 3, 2, 1 You got me bloodshot Maybe I'm a good guy Standing on the wrong side Maybe I'm a sweetheart Trying to make my own scars Don't know what it looks like Just know what it feels like Scared to let it outside Scared of what I just might find."

Stallone doesn't have that much change in clothing besides two changes in his dark blue Courser Guard/gunslinger uniform and his disguised Chosen clothing (for when he infiltrates Eden's Gate).

#far cry the silver chronicles #far cry 5 #oc: silva omar #fc: mina el hammani #oc: kamski neon #oc: ernesto stallone

32 notes · View notes

janedoeswriting · 6 days

Text

The Way The Wind Blows (Stiles x OC)

Chapter Two

Description: Rhiannon finds herself trapped within her guilty pleasure tv show— Teen Wolf. Now, she must choose which path to take… one that leads back home, and another that follows uncertain adventure.

Tags: extreme slow burn, frienemies to lovers, fix it fic, canon change, actions have consequences.

TW: smut??, angst, fluff, sexual harassment, anxiety, depression, obsession, domestic violence, manipulation, etc. Just please do not read if you are sensitive to difficult subjects.

youtube

((Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult)

Stiles awoke with a start in a pool of his own drool. His laptop was open but dead, and he had papers scattered around his bedroom. The sun peeked through the window and his alarm clock blared.

It read '8:15 am' in blinking red letters. "Shit."

He was going to be late to his first day of junior year. Stiles stuffed books and papers and slid half the contents of his desk into his backpack before sprinting down the stairs and into his car. He turned the key and after two attempts the engine finally turned over.

The police scanner blared to life. He remembered that he'd left it on the night before. He also remembered how he had stayed up almost all night researching deer attacks and missing persons reports in the area. He'd mostly come up inconclusive. As he sped through a stop sign a voice on police the scanner spoke. "We've found the 10-65 wandering around the forest. She looks unharmed and is cognitive. Taking her into custody."

In the background a girl was yelling indistinctly. Stiles slowed to an eventual stop in the middle of the road, turning up the volume. "10-4, we'll get CPS on their way."

His own father's tired voice rang through the jeep's speakers.

"She's demanding to be brought to the station, Sheriff. She refuses to go to the hospital. She requested you by name."

Stiles slammed on his gas, taking a screeching u-turn in the direction of the sheriff's office.

---

"Stiles, what in the hell are you doing here?! Get to school!"

His father wasn't exactly glad to see him.

But Stiles had pushed past him and stumbled into his dad’s office.

There she sat, wearing a tattered hospital gown and dirtied feet and hands.

She looked up at him through dark eyes and disheveled hair. She still looked significantly better than how he and Scott had found her the previous night. Except now, dark purple circles shaded under her eyes.

Another older woman wearing a pant-suit stood from beside the girl.

“What’s this?” The older woman asked. She looked very professional and ticked off.

“I can help!” Stiles claimed. But his father grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him back out of the office.

The door slammed shut with a bang.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t ground you for a month.”

The tone of Sherri’s Stilinki’s voice was dangerous. The other deputies found something else to do and made themselves scarce.

“Dad, I can help you! I was the one who found her last night—,” but he was strictly interrupted.

“Stiles. Let me do my job. This girl is a runaway. She won’t talk, and we need to find out where she belongs.”

Stiles had gathered that much from the police scanners. She’d run away from the hospital last night, and every deputy was out all night searching for her.

“And you were up all night looking for her, right?”

Stiles recognized his father’s dim eyes and shaky hands from too much caffeine.

“Stiles. CPS is gonna take care of it. We’ve been trying to get her to speak but we’re running short on time. It’s looking like we’re gonna have to skip the hospital and take her straight to Eichen.”

The name of the mental hospital sent a chill down Stiles’ spine, though he didn’t know why. He'd never even stepped foot in there.

“Let me try to get her to talk.” Stiles said with such a serious look in his eyes that Sheriff Stilinski hesitated.

Stiles was about to argue his case, but was surprised by the words “Fine, make it quick.”

Stiles thought his father must have been really tired and desprate options.

He energetically opened the door again to find the CPS worker struggling to get any words out of the girl.

“Let my son try to talk to her,” Sheriff Stilinski said.

The CPS stood and was about to protest when a calm voice said, “Stiles.”

The room went quiet and every eye was on her. Rhiannon, Stiles remembered.

“Can we have a minute alone?” Stiles asked, turning back to the older woman.

The CPS worker looked ready to rip into him for even asking, but Rhi grabbed the woman’s forearm. She looked down at Rhi in shock. Apparently, this had been the most response they had received all morning.

"Stiles."

It was all she said. And that seemed to be enough. The worker looked at Stiles with a harrowing face that said 'you take care of her or else', and walked out in a frustrated rush. Stiles' dad looked at Stiles in surprise, but inclined his head and followed the woman out of the room.

The silence that followed was deafening. It was so long and so silent that Stiles started babbling.

"Hey! Uhhh. We met before, I'm Stiles," and he outstretched his hand. Rhiannon just stared at him, then at his hand, then back up at him. Stiles took his hand back in a rush and rubbed the back of his head. His entire body moved obnoxiously.

Spaz, Rhiannon thought, but couldn't even blame him. That was part of what she liked his character for. His character, she thought. He's just a TV show character.

"So, uhh," he said, grabbing a chair and sliding it forward to sit in it. The noise scraped against the ground loudly. He cringed in response, but kept going.

"You're Rhi-Rhiannon, right? That's what you told me last night, remember?"

Rhiannon couldn't even quite believe it still. Here he was, so handsome and real and talking to her. She felt like she was dreaming. The sensations of pain and hunger from earlier reminded her that she wasn't.

The prick of a needle in her arm. Her fist wrapped in the pillowcase as it smashed through the window. The shards of glass cutting into her feet and knees as she climbed through the opening. The long cold night that followed, not knowing where she was or what she was doing. All she knew was to find home. To go back where she came from.

She wandered all night. Eventually, she collapsed in the woods against an old oak tree. Her sobs racked her body for hours. A deputy found her without any tears left to cry.

When they tried to drag her to the hospital, she kicked and screamed until her gown fell off of her body. When they finally wrapped her up in it again they heard her begging them for one request.

"No hospital. Sheriff Stilinski. Take me to the Sherrif's station. No hospital."

And here she was. Face to face with Stiles Stilinski-- a person who wasn't real.

"That's your name, right?" He asked. Rhi just stared at him. He was so pretty she almost couldn't tear her eyes away. Almost.

Stiles inclined his head expectantly. "Hello?"

Her eyes roaved his face until finally they locked onto his stare. For some reason, he was taken aback by the eye contact, but recouped quickly.

"Where are you from?" He asked.

Rhiannon tilted her head to the side. "Somewhere else." She said, and that was all she could say. How does one explain that she wasn't from this world.

"Okay, that's helpful," Stiles said sarcastically.

"You're real?" Rhiannon asked distantly. Without thinking, her hand raised and ever so lightly touched his cheek. She didn't believe he was really real. That she was really there. Until she felt the warmth of him. In a rush she stood up and staggered back as if she was electricuted by the skin of his cheek.

He leaned back from the contact as well, holding his face. They stared at one another for a long moment. "Do you know me?" he asked without thinking.

Rhiannon said nothing but continued clutching her hands.

This is real, she thought. I'm not dreaming. This is real. This is Stiles.

"Answer me!" Stiles finally demanded, standing up in a rush.

He immediately regretted the dramatic response, but thankfully she didn't respond with fear or shock.

Instead, she continued to stare at him. Which only frustrated him more.

But instead of lashing out at the girl again, he turned and leaned against the windowsill of the office. The blinds were closed but he could feel the tangible presence of his father on the other side of the glass.

"Stiles."

Her voice was soft and level. He slowly turned, and found her gaze. Her chin was held high and her hands held in fists at her side.

He waited for her to say something, but she didn't. Finally, Stiles broke the silence and his own chaotic thoughts.

"What do you know? What do you remember?"

She only watched him in fascination. He didn't know what to do with that. Those His frustration peaked.

"You came from somewhere! Where?!"

The door burst open. His own father came in the room.

He approached Stiles in a flurry.

"Stiles, this isn't helping," he muttered to Stiles. And Stiles stepped back. As if for the first time he saw the girl he was yelling at. Skinny and cold. Wearing a hospital gown with dirty hands and feet. Her words and actions made no sense. She was not afraid. "Dad-," he started, but was strictly interrupted.

"Stiles, go to school. Now."

Scott leapt down the stairs with renewed hope and purpose. He had been waking up early for the entirety of summer. It was only 7:45 and he had already worked out, and gotten a few chapters through his copy of Call of the Wild.

A sound from the kitchen garnered his attention. He swiped a banana and began to peel it as his mom stumbled through the side door. She was a wreck. Her hair was wild and her clothes stained with both blood and sweat and dirt. "Woah," Scott started, noticing the time. She was supposed to be back an hour ago.

"Are you okay?" Scott asked.

"Long night." Melissa said without any energy to even attempt to sound relieved that she was home.

Scott took a bite with a look of pity in his eyes. He didn't envy nurses one bit.

"Must have been crazy in the ER last night, huh?" He asked as she collapsed in a chair at the table.

"You have no idea," she mumbled, resting her head against her arm and closing her bloodshot eyes. Scott was about to lay a blanket over her when she groggily opened her eyes again and mumbled.

"It's fine. I can go to bed--" She said. "But, Scott. There's something I need to tell you."

Her tone switched to a more serious one as she remembered the events of the previous night. His mom even seemed to wake up a bit. Scott stilled, listening attentively.

"Last night, there was a woman who came in with Isaac. They were attacked by someone. All she said was that she needed you, Scott." Scott stared at her in confusion. Melissa searched his gaze.

"You don't know anything, do you?" She stated but it was rhetorical. Scott shook his head to answer she question Melissa already knew. "There's something else," she added, eyes growing droopier by the second.

"That other girl you found in the street-- she escaped the hospital last night. The police found her wandering around the woods a few hours later. And I can't explain it, but it seemed like she knew who I was. And she kept asking strange questions about you."

"Strange questions... Like what?" Scott asked.

"Like... what grade you're in. I mean she said some weird things-- like how she's from another world. But then she went quiet and escaped the hospital under everyone's noses. Scott... she knows what you are. I don't know how, but she knows."

Scott almost didn't wait for Stiles to show. He was late. By a lot.

But just as Scott was about to make a break for his first period and forget the idea of meeting with Stiles before classes began, a blur of blue screeched into the parking lot.

Stiles tumbled out of his jeep in a rush as students filed in the doors. He spoke to Scott in a rapid hushed voice.

"That girl we found last night-- Rhiannon. She ran away from the hospital last night." Stiles said. Scott nodded, "I know. My mom told me. Apparently she knows who I am too. But I've never met her before in my life."

Stiles nodded. "Exactly. And she knows who I am too. I don't know how to explain it, but she knows us."

Scott sucked in a breath as they walked down the hallway. "So what do we do? I mean-- maybe she is just crazy." Scott said.

Stiles shook his head with so much surety that Scott raised an eyebrow at him.

"No-- she isn't crazy." Stiles said. "And what makes you say that?" Scott asked sceptically.

"I-Well I don't really know how to explain it but I know that she isn't crazy." Stiles felt stupid even voicing it allowed. All signs pointed in the direction of some sort of mental disorder, but those stone eyes flashed in his memory and he just knew the truth. She wasn't crazy.

"Stiles, we found her naked in the middle of the road. She broke a window and ran away from the hospital--," Scott started, reasoning with Stiles but Stiles interrupted. "I know, but just trust me. There's something more to it. She knows something, and I'm going to find out what it is."

Stiles sounded so sure of himself that Scott had to believe his friend. Scott nodded, sending his friend a look that said 'Okay, I believe you'. Stiles nodded back, and disappeared down the hallway to his first class of junior year. The bell rang, and Scott walked into his own classroom. He couldn't help the thought that nagged at him.

Maybe Stiles is right. Maybe she knows more than she lets on.

===

Notes: Thank you for reading! Sorry about how long part two took. I'll try to be more consistent. Let me know of any recommendations or thoughts. This will be a long slow burn and there will be a heavy focus on the main character's arc and story changes.

I'll make a masterlist and story stuff soon with all the inspo and playlist and everything.

PART THREE

8 notes · View notes

direwombat · 7 months

Text

another wip wednesday another wdoller

tagged by @ivymarquis (tysm~!)

tagging: @cassietrn, @poetikat, @confidentandgood, @trench-rot, @strafethesesinners, @miyabilicious, @simplegenius042, @g0dspeeed, @inafieldofdaisies, @josephslittledeputy, @adelaidedrubman, @madparadoxum, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @voidika, @strangefable, and anyone else wanting to share something today! (please like/reply to this post if you want to be added to the wip wednesday taglist!)

considering i just posted ch5 of katc a few days ago, interlude ii doesn't have anything that's anywhere near ready to share, so please take this werewolf au snippet (and a bonus smutty kitsybjake snippet for the fic i've been trying to write since...february...affectionately dubbed "the muzzle fic")

werewoof au

“Any idea what done this?” Sybille asks.

The coroner gives a small shrug. “Best I can tell? Some kind of animal.”

“An animal?” Her brows shoot up in surprise. “You tellin’ me an animal burst through a barricaded door, mauled, beheaded, and cracked Mr. Wolanski’s skull like a coconut, and then — what? — decided to do some redecoratin’?”

“I think I’m gonna vomit,” Staci mutters.

“Not in the crime scene!” the coroner exclaims at the same time Sybille squeezes Pratt’s shoulder and urges, “Go get some air.”

Pratt swallows thickly and nods, politely excusing himself before slipping out the front door.

The coroner turns to stare at her with exhausted apathy. “You’re asking me what killed Mr. Wolanski,” he says slowly, as if addressing a child. “In the absence of gunpowder, shell casings, or any other signs of a weapon being used against him and the abundance of trauma consistent with the kind typically found among the victims of wolf attacks, yes — I am concluding that the cause of death can most likely be attributed to an animal.”

She crosses her arms and shoots the man an exasperated look. By no means is she an expert on lupine behavior, but never has she heard of a wolf ripping off a person’s skull cap to get at their brains. It’s too much effort for fairly little gain -- at least, compared to the easy, meaty flesh of the torso.

He scribbles something on his clipboard and then looks at her pointedly over the rims of his glasses. “I’ve told you the what, Deputy. Figuring out the why is your job. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” A curt nod is all she’s afforded before he’s shoving past her to instruct his team to finish up bagging things to analyze back at the lab.

Her feet remain rooted to the hardwood floor for a moment, watching the man’s back in mild disbelief as he walks away. With a small shake of her head, she pulls herself form where she stands and exits through the front door to go find Staci.

The poor man is leaning against their squad car, hunched over and breathing into a paper bag. She nearly walks over to him, but when she catches Eli’s eye from where he also stands just beyond the crime scene tape, she pivots over to him. Ducking underneath the yellow ribbon surrounding the property, she crosses the distance between them in a few brisk strides and pulls him in for a hug. His arms wrap around her, and she feels some of the tension in his shoulders melt away in her embrace.

“How you holdin’ up?” she asks

He squeezes her tight and buries his face against her neck. “‘Bout as well as you can after finding your best friend ripped to shreds,” he says thickly.

the muzzle fic (this is straight up smut so no pressure to read if you don't want to <3)

The sight of both of them makes Sybille’s mouth water, and every breathy groan she pulls from them goes straight to her own cunt. Her jaw hangs slack, eyes glazing over. Her chest heaves with every breath, and drool dribbles from the corners of her mouth, drenching her chin and dripping off the metal of the muzzle.

Her entire world narrows to fulfilling a singular purpose: pleasing her Masters. The edges of her senses blur, blocking out all other stimuli so that she can focus on the tasks literally in her hands. She can’t take her eyes off them, watching as they take their pleasure from her. Her ears are finely attuned to the soft gasps and grunts as they buck their hips into her hands; and her nose filled with the heavy, heady scent of sex, so thick in the air that she can almost taste it.

She wants to taste it.

She leans forward to bury her face in Kit’s cunt, wanting so badly to taste the juices flowing down the other woman’s thighs. Hell, she’d even lick up the droplets that have fallen to the ground. But when she leans in, the muzzle knocks against Kit’s mound. The cold metal presses against her clit and Kit gasps. Her eyes fly open and she looks down at Sybille.

That look of surprise quickly turns lecherously wicked. Her nails rake pleasingly across Sybille’s scalp and she clicks her tongue condescendingly. “Aww,” she coos in mock sympathy, “you thirsty?”

Sybille nods frantically. Her tongue lolls out of her mouth, eager to taste her. Her hips rock, her breath going shallow as she leans forward, pulling against the chain. The supple leather of her collar digs into her throat, restricting her airways. “Yes…” she rasps, “please.”

Kit hums thoughtfully and drags a knuckle down Sybille’s cheekbone. Then, she slaps her, just hard enough to make her flinch. “Too bad.”

A desperate sound is torn from her chest and she turns her pleading eyes to Jacob, begging for mercy.

Mercy that’s nowhere to be found.

“Only good girls get to use their mouths,” he says, and he very pointedly drags Kit in for a lengthy kiss. Their lips move roughly together, all prodding tongues and biting teeth, and she wants nothing more than for them to kiss her like that too. When they pull away both their lips are swollen and Jacob looks at her with a taunting smile. “You haven’t been a good girl.”

“I can be,” she whines. “Please. Please, I can be good.”

#getting that last chapter of katc out took up a lot of brain power so the writing front has been slow on other things #but...ta dah #the muzzle fic really is mostly for myself and skelly but please enjoy some syb rocketing into subspace #murder gingers were. displeased. with her getting bite-y post-trials so they decided to take some punitive action #syb just wants to be good ;w; (or rather she wants /them/ to tell her she's good... which there is a difference lmao)#whining wombat

20 notes · View notes

inafieldofdaisies · 11 months

Text

What Would Your OC Sing At Karaoke Night? Tag | Tagged by @g0dspeeed <3

If your OC was at a karaoke night, what would be their go-to song? Would they even partake? Bonus points for a little story.

Okay, for ages I so had this idea how Sabrina would go full Kate Carver (Walker: Independence, gif under the cut) and do a little impression of John as a joke. @g0dspeeed's WIP Monday post and mention of Cappie's karaoke song so became a sign it's time to talk about this. Snippet below. I will probably do a separate post for Calahan and Mercedes one day. :D

All can be cured with a payment Yea, trust in the blind Faith in the hands of the faithless And beautiful lies You are one step away from annihilation! Ooh, do ya feel the heat? From below Send a sign to me, the next one’ll pay me in gold I don’t know how to lose I know that you think that I’m some kind of savior But I’m the broker of sin Just a coin for your wrongs, and I’ll cleanse ya Oh, what did you do? Yes your riches can purchase atonement Oh, what did you do? There’s a price to be paid and you owe it!

"Go out with me just once. Please.", Sabrina had asked with such hopeful expression John had found himself unable to say no to her idea to drag him out to the Spread Eagle. This is exactly where he had ended up few hours later: in front of the entrance to the bar, music and chatter spilling into the night air. "You have to give them a chance.", she said with conviction, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Deputy-", he mumbled, knowing full well things weren't about to go as smooth as she expected them to. "I mean it, John.", her voice became stern as she took hold of his hand and pushed the door open, dragging him inside. The second they stepped over the threshold, it was like the whole atmosphere of the bar shifted. The chatter died down significally and all eyes zeroed in on the two of them, yet Sabrina seemed oblivious to everyone's wary stares as she ran towards Hartley and enveloped him into a hug. Calahan kept his arms around her for longer than John could tolerate and had the audacity to wink at his narrowed gaze. "I will be damned, Gray. He actually came.", Hartley exclaimed as he finally let go of Sabrina and nodded in his direction in a greeting. A start. A hand hit the Deputy's back, "You owe me 50, Cal." "Les, don't tell me you bet on it.", there was a hint of warning in Sabrina's tone, but her eyes softening in Leslie's direction told a different story. "I bet for him and it was Calahan's idea. Blame him, Rina.", he shrugged as he sat back down in his seat. "Sit.", Sabrina whispered to John, then turned to her friends, "Everyone, play nice."

Calahan snorted at the same time Leslie shook his head. "Brin, nice isn't exactly my forte these days, but I'd try.", Mercedes finally spoke up, sending a smirk his way as John removed his jacket and sank into the chair next to hers, "Hello, brother… in-law. Guess some things never change, eh?" He was still getting used to her personality after she had shed her Mercy act. On the small stage, Sharky Boshaw was taking his turn at Karaoke night, clearly set on a mission to burst everyone's eardrums with Hurk Jr. as his back-up singer. "Wooohoo.", Harley cheered, raising his lighter in the air like he was at a concert not at shameless public torture. Not the kind I'd enjoy, too. "How uncomfortable are you on the scale of 1 to 10, brother?", Mercedes muttered before letting a laugh, "It's cute you're here, I'd give you that. Jacob would never. I tried." "I'm just peachy." "Liar.", she patted his shoulder, "A drink would help." "No." "Mer." "He's fine, Brin. I'm not going to eat him." An hour that felt like eternity to him passed where locals tried their hardest to do an impression of an America's Got Talent reject. "I'm up next, yo.", Hartley announced as he headed for the stage and blew a kiss towards Mary May who was manning the bar as usual, "This one is for a certain special someone. Not you, John." Laughter sounded all around them as the music started and he slipped into the song while Sabrina rested her head against John's shoulder and grabbed his hand, "We can go if it's too much…" "We're staying, Deputy.", his eyes found hers and a side of him wished they were back at the ranch, but he meant what he had said. "Okay. I'm off to the ladies room. Be right back.", she said and left after dropping a quick peck on his lips. By the time Hartley wrapped up his performance and came back to the table, she still hadn't returned, her absence making him worry. "Oh, this is going to be fuuuuuun.", Mercedes sing-songed and she leaned forward, the secretive expression on her face giving John a pause. Hartley nodded with a knowing smile and took a sip from his beer. John was about to get up and look for Sabrina when the lights in the bar went off for a beat as another song started. The second they came back on, he was staring at her on stage, wearing none other than his jacket as she bit her lip and looked in his direction. When did you even grab it, Deputy? People cheered when her melodic voice took over the room, her presence mesmerizing everyone, including him. In that moment, sitting through a whole hour of terrible singing and uncomfortable stares seemed all worth it. It took him a while to realize why she had chosen the song, by the time she got to the second verse and bridge, he had no doubt it was about him.

♫ I know that you think that I’m some kind of savior But I’m the broker of sin Just a coin for your wrongs, and I’ll cleanse ya Oh, what did you do? Yes your riches can purchase atonement Oh, what did you do?♫

She was wearing his jacket. Singing about sin. Successfully breaking the ice and acknowledging the elephant in the room so people can move on. "Now, that one is about you, chief.", Calahan uttered out and whistled as Sabrina's song came to an end. Clapping followed her as she returned to the table and plopped down into John's lap. "How angry did that make you?", she asked, kissing his cheek while her hands wrapped around his neck. "It didn't. It was a sight to behold." "Yeah?" "You look good in my jacket, what can I say?", his lips hovered over to hers, not quite touching. "Jesus, get a room.", Hartley fake-coughed, "You truly are a goner, Seed. I expected you to storm out, all broody. Not pass the test." "I'm drinking to that.", Mercedes raised her hand in a toast, "To unlikely company that ain't so bad after a few drinks." Seconds passed, where John expected nobody to join in, then Calahan clicked his bottle against her glass, prompting Leslie to do the same before Sabrina followed suit, too. "I'm next, people.", Mercedes declared as she strutted over to the stage, no doubt catching many eyes on her way. Good thing Jacob didn't come. John was certain the night would have ended differently, possibly in a fight instead of with Sabrina sitting in his lap, surrounded by friends for hours until the two of them emerged back out, ready to head home. "Drive safe.", Calahan called out before taking a drag of his cigarette and adding, "See you next Friday, Seed. You still owe me, so don't think of ditching us." "See… told you he's coming around.", Sabrina said, unable to hold back her smile, "Thank you for tonight." "Anything for you.", John retorted as she snuggled closer to him and he put an arm around her in attempts to keep her warm on their way to her father's Bronco.

Kate:

Tagging @josephseedismyfather @adelaidedrubman @thesingularityseries @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @euryalex @detectivelokis @nightbloodbix @aceghosts @madparadoxum @trench-rott @josephslittledeputy @dumbassdep @theelderhazelnut @purplehairsecretlair @neonneurons @jinfromyarikawa @shegetsburned @clicheantagonist @poisonedtruth @cassietrn @wrathfulrook @voidika @harmonyowl @strangefable @schoute @jacobsneed @strafethesesinners and anyone that would like to do the tag <3

37 notes · View notes

bonefall · 1 year

Note

random question but as someone who's considering trying to do my own rewrite esque thing... is it weird that i want to like. Fix bramble and squirrel's relationship instead of having him continue to be an abuser? Maybe it's just the fact that I liked them as a kid (or that i havent read SqH/past OOTS) but there's this weird disconnect where the bramble in my head is apparently a lot different than other people read in the text lol. figured id ask you since you're The wc rewrite person

You can sort through my tags on Bramblestar if you'd like ideas. I am the king of "Bramble why can't you be GOOD." I talk a lot about how he is abusive, what I enjoy and what I don't enjoy about the idea of an abuse plotline, so on.

I personally won't recommend fixing Bramblesquirrel as a ship though. I think it would be a lot better to rewrite them as adopted siblings... tbh I've never seen a romantic BrambleSquirrel rewrite that didn't keep blaming Squilf as "just as bad" and "pushing each other's buttons" which I think is a really, really uncomfortable implication considering canon

Like... unfortunately, fanfic is inherently a commentative medium. We can fix, we can prune, we can rewrite, but we can't break free of the implications of canon.

I personally feel like the line is so fine that's impossibly razor thin.

So if you are committed to fixing BrambleSquirrel, please try to make sure to treat Squilf as valid. Bramble is constantly downplaying and ignoring her because she's loud and assertive, even though she's nearly always right.

She couldn't trust him with that secret; the second he found out he abandoned his family and acted passive aggressive for an entire year. He trained in the Dark Forest and let Leafpool take the fall for secrets he leaked to Hawkfrost. He throws Firestar's legacy at Squilf while getting pissed off that anyone throws Tiger's legacy back at him, even when they're not.

He holds the fact she wants a new baby over Squilf's head to invalidate her concerns all Squilf's Hope long, screams at her for caring about endangering kittens, and then leads a battle patrol against pregnant women.

Please please keep these in mind. Please either eliminate these, or for fuck's sake, don't "Bothsides" these issues

I think if you're going to fix Bramblesquirrel, you cannot give Bramble power. You'll have to completely change these situations so that he is not the deputy or leader, as these conflicts drive the plot. I can recommend Brackenstar or Thornstar instead, have Squilf lose a deputy position over the secret, Bramble is upset but supportive.

(Especially tap into how ThunderClan treats the three differently after this reveal, "i was angry you didn't trust me, but i see why you did it <:/")

Keep the internal arguments between the two of them harmless. Model something like Honeymooners, where in spite of their arguments being loud and blustering, Squilf is clearly never ACTUALLY afraid of him and NONE of these fights end in Big Summer Blowouts.

(And a side note; if your relationships look like that, you deserve better. It is actually not normal to have huge fights every month. I was Shocked but it is true.)

Remember, remember, remember; you have to SHOW me them being a healthy couple in spite of any arguing they do. Imagine that you CANT tell me "they love each other." You can never say that word-- can I still tell they are a loving couple?

If the answer is ever no, reevaluate.

#Bones Gives Advice #Am i really The Rewrite Guy? Lmao I'm flattered but like #I am just sitting here #I am drinking gingerbread coffee out of a winnie the pooh mug #I'm like. Im just a little guy

47 notes · View notes

an-ecu-harrypotter-au · 2 months

Text

TPS Part 1: Toby's Letter

Ah'm a slow, 11 year old, southern boy wit a strong accent. Mah momma died when Ah was 5 so mah Pop's been raisin me by 'emself ever since. It ain't always been easy cause fer some reason Ah ain't like other boys. Sometimes shoes make mah feet hurt, a buncha people talkin makes me wanna run an hide, an if thangs jus don't go mah way Ah jus wanna cry. But today Ah'm doin well. Mah clothes feel good an nothin's too loud fer me. Even when Ah'm eatin breakfast, Ah'm feelin good. Ah see Pop comin in the kitchen with a letter.

"Son ya got a fancy letter today."

"Oh, gosh! Who'd be writin' a real fancy letter ta me? Ain't like Ah'm special. Did it say where it's from?"

"It done got sent from a fancy British wizard school, Hogwarts. Yer gonna be learnin magic."

Ah get real confused by it. We ain't in British. We're in Florida. Ah'm startin ta think this ain't real cause we don't even get mail till later in the day.

"How'd it get here?"

"Burrowin owl dropped it off by mah window."

Ah squint at Pop. Ah ain't ever seen an owl jus hang out by Pop's window let lone send 'em mail.

"Oh, yer jokin' wit me, Pop. Ain't no fancy school out there that teaches magic. Ah wanna hear ya read it ta me."

"Dear Mr. Kwimper, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

"Well doggone tha's a real letter. Does this Hogwarts school got a place ta stay? Ah ain't gonna be able ta sleep on no wood floors."

Ah start shakin mah head cause Ah slept on wood floors before. Mah head done hurt an Ah ain't stopped cryin till Pop picked me up an put me on his lap. He done tol me Ah's sleepwalkin so he made sure ta wrap me in a special blanket so Ah won't do that no more.

"They's got a dorm for all 'em kids. You's gotta take a special train jus fer gettin ta Hogwarts."

Ah start ta rock in mah chair cause Ah'm gettin excited.

"Wow! Do Ah gotta wear a fancy schmancy uniform, too?"

"We's gotta read the list Ms. Gonagall gave us so's we find everythin ya need son. Ah'm fixin ta make sure ya got robes that don't make ya meltdown."

Pop says meltdown an Ah 'member when he bought me clothes fer mah first day a school last year. Everythang done made mah skin itch an Pop had ta pay money fer grandmomma ta make me special clothes that don't make me cry. Her an granddaddy live in a nursin home in Orlando so we went on a big road trip ta get it. Ah ain't ever met momma's parents but Ah know the special blanket Pop wraps me in came from 'em.

"Here's the list. Gotta read it good son."

Ah start readin it an it's a real long list mah eyes start glazin over so's Ah start readin it out loud cause Ah 'member things better doin it like that.

"First-year students'll require: Three sets a plain black robes, a plain pointed black hat fer day wear, a pair a protective dragon hide gloves, an a black winter cloak wit silver fastin's. Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags."

Ah blink a couple times an look at Pop.

"Ah really gotta wear all this Pop? Ah don't wanna wear clothes that got itchy name tags cause then Ah'm gonna be cryin cause it's gonna make mah skin itch."

"Ah ain't gonna make the name tags itch, Toby. Ya ain't gotta wear it all at once. We's jus gotta make sure ya got 'em so yer ready. Don't wanna have ya goin ta a wizardin school nekked. Now keep on readin yer list."

Ah nod mah head a couple times an try findin mah spot again.

"All students should have a copy a each a the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History a Magic, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide ta Transfiguration, One Thousand Magical Herbs an Fungi, Magical Drafts an Potions, an The Dark Forces: A Guide ta Self-Protection. Tha's a lotta books Pop. Ah dunno if Ah'm gonna be able ta read 'em all."

"We ain't gonna know what ya need 'em fer till ya get yer schedule. Jus keep goin son."

Ah start rubbin the letter again so Ah don't lose mah place.

"1 wand, 1 pewter standard size 2 cauldron, 1 set a glass or crystal vials, 1 telescope an a 1 set a brass scales. Pop wha's a vial?"

He taps his head ta think. Vial sounds like a fancy word fer somethin.

"Somethin like a bottle son. Gotta be a fancy bottle cause ya ain't gonna be jus workin wit water."

"Ah guess ya make sense Pop."

Mah finger traces over the final lines a the letter.

"Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad. PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK."

Pop pats mah head an he's smilin which Ah think's a good thang. Ah think Ah also said the last part a the letter too loudly.

"So how's we gonna be payin fer this Pop. A lotta stuff we gotta get if Ah'm goin ta the wizardin school."

"Doncha worry son. Wizardin money ain't the same as our money. We's gonna do good."

"Wow. Ah ain't never even thought bout gettin a new pair a socks before. Pop, Ah gotta get there. How'm Ah gonna get there? Ah don't have no owl."

Ah start rubbin mah hands which Ah always start doin when Ah'm gettin nervous bout somethin.

"We's gotta move ta the UK when ya done wit your schoolin this year Toby."

"We's movin'?"

"We's got Kwimper kin in Ireland. Gonna be boardin with em."

Mah hands keep rubbin faster. Ireland's jus so far ways from Florida Ah'm kinda gettin scared.

"Ah don't wanna live in Ireland, Pop. There ain't any sweet tea there. Wha bout grandmomma an granddaddy? Ain't they gonna be sad that we're leavin?"

"Sure but they's got plenty a ponds full a frogs an toads fer ya son. They ain't gonna be sad Toby. Once they see yer letter they're gonna want ya ta go. Grandpa always said ya need ta go ta a special school meant ta help ya."

Ah start gettin excited. Pop thinks it's funny when Ah go from bein all scared ta bein happy. Maybe he knows it's cause everythang goes from bein scary ta bein fun so long's ya talk bout it right.

"They's got froggies an toadies there?"

"Mhm. Gotta have a pet ta bring so's ya can find a toad or frog there."

"Yipppeee! Okay, Ah'll find the smallest, quietest, cutiest lil froggie that there ever was an Ah'm gonna love it, an hug it, an give it a name! Ah'm gonna take it ta school!"

Ah'm wigglin in mah chair now. Wizardin school's soundin way more fun than regular schoolin.

"We's gonna have a lotta fun learnin bout the wizardin world. Lotta adventures ta have."

"Ah guess Ah got a whole school year fer learnin' magic an catchin' toadies! Boy howdy!"

Pop pats mah head an Ah start tryna ta calm down. Pattin mah head seems ta help when Ah get all excited. Thinkin bout froggies an toadies jus make me wanna wiggle.

"Now finish eatin so's we can get ya to school."

"Oh! Ok Pop."

Ah finish mah breakfast an hurry ta put on mah shoes an start ta follow Pop ta the car.

"Ah better remember the whole list! Ah ain't gonna be one a 'em kids who ain't ready fer school cause they ain't read the list."

"Got plenty a time ta learn the whole list son."

After we leave the house an head down the road tagether Ah start talkin again. Ah jus gotta get it all outta mah mouth cause now Ah'm too excited.

"Ya said there'd be a special train to Hogwarts, Pop. Wha's that mean?"

"Means only Hogwarts kids get ta ride on it."

"Well, how'd they know who the Hogwarts kids are, Pop?"

"You's gonna be gettin a special ticket tellin ya where ta go. Only Hogwarts students an kin can go ta that part of the station."

Ah ain't been on a train before. Ah only seen 'em go on by when Pop'd take me shoppin in the main town. Ah ain't even known what a train ticket'd look like.

"Ah get a ticket? Can Ah see it, Pop?"

He chuckles which probably means Ah done got somethin wrong.

"Ah ain't got it yet. We's gonna get the ticket durin the summer."

"Aww... But you'll gimme the ticket right when we get it?"

"Course Ah'm gonna give it ta ya. Ya only got yer letter cause ya turned 11 last week."

This is so much ta think bout. Ah can't even wait ta get ta Hogwarts.

"Ah can't wait fer mah own magic ta happen! Pop, have ya ever used magic?"

He looks down an Ah wonder if Ah done said the wrong thing.

"No Ah don't son."

"But ya know 'bout it. Why don't ya do magic?"

He keeps pattin mah head.

"Ah ain't been born wit it son. It happens."

"Oh, Ah get it."

Mah mind starts ta wander. How's it that Ah been doin magic an no one done tol me bout it.

"When mah own magic starts to happen, do Ah jus say a magic word or somethin an it happens?"

"Been makin magic happen past couple a days. Tha's why you's gotta be kept calm so's ya don't get meltdowns."

Ah gotta be quiet cause everythang Pop done tol me's gotta be thought through. Ah musta got mah magic last week cause Ah sure don't 'member doin tricks.

"Pop? Will they make it so's Ah won't have meltdowns no more?"

"Might get better when you's grown. That's why Ah've been tellin ya ta use yer times tables."

Ah blink a little an feel kinda sad. Ah thought magic'd be able ta do anythin but Ah guess it ain't like that.

"Oh. So Ah can go ta Hogwarts an learn magic even if Ah'm slow?"

"Tha's right."

Pop an Ah make it ta school. Ah'm feelin better now that we's had our talk.

"Now you's have a good day son. Ah'll pick ya up later."

"Ok Pop. Ah'll be good."

"Tha's mah boy. Jus get through these final months then we's gonna be movin ta the wizardin world. Don't go tellin yer friends though cause they'll jus get jealous."

Ah jus can't stop smilin. Ah hope mah teacher don't get mad cause Ah'm too busy thinkin bout bein a real wizard.

"Bye Pop!"

Ah head out the car an inta the schoolyard ta find mah friends. As much as Ah'll miss 'em Ah jus can't wait ta move ta the wizardin world.

AN: Shout out to @arrolyn1114 for helping me proofread.

Tagging my followers: @nemos-rapture, @xanatenshi, @briefpandatimemachine, @alienelvisobsession and @hooked-on-elvis.

#toby and the veela #the philosopher's stone #yer a wizard toby

6 notes · View notes

omgkatherine01 · 4 months

Text

Moonlight Beta: Chapter 4 - Orphaned

Series Masterlist

Chapter 3, Chapter 5

Pairing: Scott McCall x Fem!Liam Dunbar

Please comment, like and share

The police had showed up to arrest Violet after she tired to kill Scott and Brett.

Lia opened the double doors to walk inside toward the boys' locker room, and she walked past Coach and the team.

"Guys, back off," Coach told them, "You can get your gear tomorrow. If anyone sees Garrett, you notify the police immediately. Then tell him he's off the damn team."

Lia walked down the hall, and paused when she saw Scott talking to a man alone. "Dad, really," Scott told him, "I'm okay."

"I should've been here," his Dad said, "And I said I would be at the games." Scott shrugged lightly, "Well, I mean this was just a pre-season scrimmage. I didn't even tell you about it."

"But I promised your Mom I'd be around so she could pick up some double shifts at the hospital," he said, "I should've been here."

"You're here now," Scott said with a small nod. He saw Lia over his father shoulder, and his father looked to where he was looking at. Lia tensed and gave a small nervous smile, "Hey. Sorry, I--"

"It's fine," Scott said as he shook his head. Lia pushed herself from the wall and walked closer as she looked at Scott's father, "Hey. Lia."

Scott's father held out his hand, and she shook it as he smiled at her, "Raphael McCall. Nice to meet you."

Jordan brought Violet out into the hall, having her handcuffed. Lia, Raphael and Scott watched.

Violet looked at Jordan's name tag, "Jordan Parrish?"

"Deputy Parrish," Jordan told her.

Violet looked at Lia and Scott, smirking as she past and Jordan led her out, leaving. Sheriff stood next to Lia, Scott and Raphael, and the man looked down at Sheriff's hand, "Sheriff, what is that? Is that the weapon?"

"Yeah," Sheriff answered. "It's a thermo-cut wire."

Raphael looked up in recognition, and he turned around, following Violet and Jordan with the Sheriff, "Parrish, hold up."

Scott looked at Lia, "Where's Kira?"

"She took off," she answered. "Stiles told her about Lydia cracking the second part of the Dead Pool." Scott looked up, "Her Mom's on it."

"Everyone's on it," Lia said. "You're not," he said. Lia shook her head, "Not yet. There's still another third, right?" Scott tilted his head to the side and started to listen on Raphael and Sheriff talking to Violet.

Lia stared at him with a small frown, "Are you listening in?" Scott glanced at her and nodded. "How can I?" she asked softly. "Focus your breathing," he said softly after a moment and took her hands in his, "Just focus on one side, all you have to do is concentrate."

Lia released a breath and stared at him for a moment as she listened in.

"Thermo-cut wires, a very unusual weapon, Violet."

"Can you hear them too?" Scott asked, and she nodded.

"Now, we've got a file in the Bureau on something similar. Used in over a dozen murders."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just go to school here."

"Maybe we should call your parents, then. Oh, no... That's right. You don't have any parents. That's why they call you the Orphans."

Lia glanced over and looked with Scott to see Jordan taking Violet away while she glared at Scott's Dad. Raphael looked at Sheriff, "We need to find her boyfriend, Garrett."

Sheriff nodded and Raphael walked away.

Sheriff turned around, "Coach, I'm gonna need both their locker numbers. And somebody find me a pair of bolt cutters."

Lia and Scott exchanged a look, and they let go of each other's hands. Scott nodded and they walked to the boys' locker room. "Stay here, be on the look out," Scott said quietly and walked into the locker room.

Scott opened Garrett's locker door, and knelt down. "I think someone's coming," Lia said quietly and looked at him, "Hurry." Scott unzipped a red bag, opening it before he froze. Lia glanced outside and then quickly at Scott, "You find anything?"

Inside the bag, it was full of money, all in bands, all $100 bills.

Scott hesitated and looked at her, "No," he answered and closed the bag. He grabbed the bag and closed the door. "Let's go," he said quietly as he walked out, grabbing Lia's hand and dragging her out of the hall before anyone could see them.

--------

The next day, Mason and Lia were on a jog in the preserve, something Mason deemed 'healthy' for Lia to do considering how weird she was being lately. To distract her from whatever was going on in her mind, Mason started to rant about how they found out their friends Violet and Garrett were really murderers.

"It's not just that we were friends with them, Li, they were using us for their cover," Mason said, "I mean, professional killers were using us. How are you not freaking out about that?"

"Trust me, Mason, I'm freaking the hell out," Lia said. It was true, Mason had no idea how worse the situation was. They were trying to kill supernatural creatures like Lia to get money from the Deadpool hit-list.

Lia didn't realize she was now running faster to the point where Mason couldn't catch up. "Lia, slow down!" Mason's words didn't register in her head until she was far enough away that Mason was nowhere to be seen.

"Crap," she muttered to herself after stopping and turning. A truck rammed into Lia from behind, making her fall and roll over the ground.

Lia groaned in pain and lifted her head. Garrett got out of the truck, walking closer with his dagger in hand, "Hey, Lia." Lia was healing from her injuries of being run over, unable to move with broken bones. "Sorry about missing movie night. Don't worry. I got something else planned." Garrett stabbed her with the knife.

--------

Since Mason came back from the jog and couldn't find Lia by himself, he went to the only other person Lia started to hung out with beside Mason;

Scott McCall.

Mason didn't know how Scott, a junior, knew his best friend who's a freshman, but the teenager knew that Scott and Stiles helped Lia deal with what happened with her old team coming to face them, so he didn't question it. Not now. Not when they needed to find Lia.

So, the moment Mason told the Alpha that Lia just disappeared during their jog, both of them started searching for her together around school until they went to Coach's office to see if he had saw her before her disappearance.

"Sorry guys, Lia skipped my class," Coach replied, "Maybe she's sick, like me."

Mason and Scott walked down the hall as Mason frowned and looked at the Alpha, "Lia didn't look sick on our run."

Scott looked at his phone to see if she had texted him back, but nothing. "She's not getting back to any of my texts."

"Mine either," Mason said. The bell rang, interrupting their conversation. Scott looked at him, "Yeah, don't worry. I'll find her. Text me if you see her?" Mason nodded, and he walked off to his next class and left Scott.

Scott was soon the only one in the hallway. As he was about to make his way out of the hallway to find help in search for Lia, his phone started ringing. The teen alpha sighed in relief when Lia's phone number popped up, and he quickly answered his phone.

"Lia, he--" the alpha was cut off by a male voice that he soon recognized.

"Try again, Scotty," It was Garrett.

Scott couldn't help but let out a low growl at the thought of the boy hurting his beta, "Where is she?"

"Come on, like I'm actually gonna tell you that?"

"I'll give you the money," Scott said.

"Yeah, you will. But that's not gonna get you Lia back. You're gonna have to put in a little more effort than that."

"What do you want?"

"I want the money and Violet, or you never see Lia again."

Garrett hung up, and Scott glared at his phone. He got a text from Lia's phone. He clenched his jaw as he opened it.

Meet me at the bus pit.

Scott looked around the empty hall with a glare and walked out. He walked to the bus pit and looked around before using his hearing to find Garrett.

Garrett was waiting between two buses with his lacrosse stick/dagger. Scott walked closer, stopping at the front of the buses, looking around, walking toward him.

"Okay, what do you want?" Scott asked, "You want me to go to Stilinski? I can do that. Or I can talk to my father. He's an FBI agent."

Garrett scoffed, "You think I want you talking to anyone with a badge? I'm not getting help from a werewolf because I want him to talk to someone."

Scott glared at him, "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"They are transferring Violet to a federal facility," Garrett said, "You are not gonna let that happen."

"How?"

"They're going to put her in a car," Garrett said, "We're going to follow it. We get ahead of it. You stop it."

"You want me to attack a car?" Scott asked, "That's your plan?" Garrett glared back at him, "You're an Alpha. If you can't stop one little car, then one little Beta is going to die." He held up his lacrosse stick/knife, "I stabbed your girlfriend with a blade dipped in wolfsbane. Once it gets to the heart… Bad things happen." Scott glared at him, trying to keep his anger in.

--------

Lia was in a well, a fucking well. She had been stabbed with something laced with wolfsbane. Even though she knew little about it, she knew that at some point she would probably die if nobody would find her.

"Help!" the teen shouted, "Scott! Is anybody there!" With no answer, the girl got even more impatient and freaked out. "Somebody help me, please! Somebody help me! Help, Scott! Scott!"

After a while, she tried to climb out of the well but fell back down and into the water. She was starting to lose any and all hope until she remembered a conversation she had with Scott that first night at the lake house.

It was not too long after the full moon and Lia finally gaining control that Scott showed her the window she broke while turning.

"You did that. You went right through it."

The freshman was surprised at the damage, "I jumped through a window? As in an actual window?" Scott smiled slightly at her confusion as she looked to find any injuries on herself.

"The cuts healed while you were changed," Scott spoke up, stopping the girl from checking herself over. "I guess that's one good thing," she mused, too ashamed to make eye contact with Scott.

"For you," Scott said, "For someone else, it could be really bad. We need to figure out how you can get a grip on this."

Lia frowned, remembering all the conversations she's had in the past over her lack of control when it came to her anger.

"I've been trying to do that for years, it hasn't improved much" she explained. "What does your Dad say?" he asked.

"He says when kids get angry they deal with it in one of two ways. They either hurt themselves or they hurt someone else".

It took a lot of effort and strength, but the girl finally started climbing up the well again. The girl was doing good until the wolfsbane effect started to hit her as she got closer and closer to the top. She was so close, so she howled instinctively. Luckily for her, Scott heard this and raced to the well.

Lia kept going, pushing herself further and further. Right before she got to the top, her foot started to slip as well as her hand.

But before her other hand could lose its grip, someone's hand grabbed onto her arm and pulled her out of the well.

It was Scott McCall, her alpha.

Scott pulled her out of the well and a bit a ways from it before sitting her down, "You're okay, I got you."

The girl was shaking and rightfully so. After all, she would've died if it wasn't for Scott's incredible timing.

Scott pulled her into a tight and protective embrace, sighing in relief that she was okay. Lia hung onto him tightly in fear of it all being a dream, that she was still stuck in the well. They held onto each other for that moment. They were okay, everything was okay.

"Scott... I don't feel so good," Lia admitted as they pulled away. Scott looked down at the cut on her t-shirt, and saw the deep knife wound on her chest.

"You'll be okay," he said and picked her up into his arms. He carried her away in bride style and she rested her head on his shoulder before slowly closing her eyes.

Scott brought Lia to the animal clinic where his boss, Deaton, was healing Lia. Chris Argent was also there, he had been helping Scott try and track Lia beforehand and was there to keep him company and make sure everyone was safe. They might've started on a rough-note when Allison was still alive, but it seemed as if her death brought them closer together. Chris saw Scott as a son in a way, he wanted to be there for him.

Lia groaned as Deaton cut into her chest with a professional doctor-blade. The yellow wolfsbane that she had been stabbed with came out at that moment.

Scott put his hand on her forehead in a comforting manner for his Beta. "I don't want to keep watching people die," Scott admitted quietly. "I'm not sure you have much choice about that," Chris said.

"Maybe I do," Scott said. He looked back down at Lia for a split second. Lia almost lost her life that day because of a teen couple who wanted money and were willing to kill to get it. An innocent freshman girl almost died, his first and only turned Beta.

"That's a lot of burden to carry, Scott," Deaton advised his employee carefully.

"I don't care," Scott said, "No one else dies. Everyone on that list, everyone on that Deadpool. It doesn't matter if they're wendigos, or werewolves, or whatever. I'm gonna save everyone."

#teen wolf fanfiction #teen wolf #teen wolf fic #teen wolf x oc #tyler posey #danielle campbell #danielle campbell icons #scott mccall imagine #scott mccall fic #scott mccall icons #scott mccall smut #scott mccall x oc

17 notes · View notes

spaghettificationandpretzels · 11 months

Text

A Voice Through the Nothingness Part 9

Series Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

As always, please comment if you're enjoying yourself.

Contains: Slow burn, so much fluff, brief mentions of domestic violence, mild angst, more fluff.

4.3K words

Comment if you want to be tagged or follow #a voice through the nothingness.

“Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great.”- Roger de Bussy-Rabutin.

She could tell Billy was already looking for her and they met eyes across the room, Hazel waving softly before picking up her drink and walking over. Billy gave her a soft smile, his heart racing in his chest, "Hello Hazel."

Hazel smiled back, trying to compose herself, "Hello Billy."

Billy didn't know where to start, Hazel looked amazing, "How have you been?"

Hazel smiled, "I've been great. What about you?"

His head was a whirl with emotions, "Me too, things are really good."

Hazel pointed to the bar, "You wanna get something to drink then go somewhere quiet so we can talk?"

Billy nodded, "Sure, I'd like that."

Billy followed Hazel to the bar and flagged down the bartender,"What she's having please."

Hazel smiled, "That's right, you're a whiskey man."

Billy nodded, "Yeah, how is it?"

Hazel took a sip, "It's nice, very rich."

Billy collected his drink and pointed out the doors to the balcony, "How's outside sound?"

Hazel was already walking towards the doors, "Outside is great."

They found a table as far away from the party as they could and sat down, watching Lizzy meet up with the rest of Billy's group while they figured out what to say.

Billy took a deep breath, "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry I put you in the position I did. I realise now that I put your job at risk and.."

Hazel cut him off, "There's no need for any of that. I understand why you did it and I was just as at fault as you were. I'm sure you knew but I lied to you when I said I didn't have feelings for you and that wasn't right either. I should have been honest."

Billy shook his head, "You did what you thought was right and you were right when you said six months down the line I would feel differently because I do. I miss spending time with you and I miss talking to you but I see now that I didn't love you, not really, had we started a relationship, it would have ended badly."

"I know. I have to say, my feelings faded too. I still missed you terribly but it wasn't love. Maybe we can have a redo and start from scratch." Hazel didn't realise how much she missed him until now, it almost hurt.

Billy smiled, "I'd love that." He took another deep breath, "How's work been?"

Hazel grinned, "I'm the deputy head of the department now and I've been given five students to work with instead of two, turns out I love teaching. How's Anvil?"

Billy's smile grew, "That's amazing Hazel, really, you deserve all the recognition. Anvil amazing, I'm sure you've heard but Thomas has brought us so many clients, the kid's a genius."

Hazel nodded, "I did, I'm really happy he's found a good place to settle."

Billy leaned in closer and Hazel mirrored him, the air charged, "How's Barry?"

Hazel huffed, "How long you got?"

Billy itched to reach across and grab her hand, "All the time in the world, I want to know everything."

****

Lizzy fell right back into conversation with Frank, Karen and Curt without effort, it was safe to say she missed them as much as Hazel did, "how has everyone been?"

Karen smiled, "We've been great, did you read the article I did on your ward?"

Lizzy nodded, "I did, it brought it a lot of extra funding so thank you for that." The expansive article about how wonderful the long term care ward was had been the talk of the hospital for weeks.

"Now that Hazel and Billy and talking again, I'm thinking about asking if I can do one on the peds ward. What do you think?" Karen already knew the answer.

"I think that would be great, they're always looking for help. I'm sure Hazel will help you find someone, she's the deputy head of the ward now." The smiles on their faces made her feel so warm.

"What about you? You should have gotten a promotion by now?" The way Frank said it made Lizzy suspicious.

"Yeah, I won a nursing award. But you already knew that didn't you?" The answer was clearly yes.

Curt smiled, "You deserved it for everything you did for Bill, we had to nominate you."

She shook her head fondly, "Well thank you, it came with a nice pay bump."

Curt laughed, "Let me guess, four dollars and a slice of pizza?"

Lizzy pressed her lips together, "Now now, Curtis, you know full well that New York pays its hardworking health care heroes a lot more than that, it was two slices of pizza."

It took less than a second for the laughter to take everyone over. Lizzy caught her breath and sighed, pointing over to Billy and Hazel through the window, who were clearly enraptured in conversation, "what do you think they're talking about?"

Frank shrugged, "It doesn't matter, they look happy."

****

Hazel's eyes went wide as Billy went on with his story, "What do you do when shit like that happens?" She held back a laugh, "Oh sorry Mr high falutin businessman, we didn't mean to catch the pool boy neck deep in your wife but we did."

Billy chuckled, "Basically, he doubled our pay for proof. They've been married long enough that she still got a tasty settlement and he moved into a women barely old enough to drink."

She sighed, "Ah, isn't that always the way?"

Billy nodded, "You have no idea how many times we've seen it. Can I ask you a question?" Hazel nodded, "How did you end up getting such a large promotion in six months when you don't play politics? I mean Lizzy said it herself you'd rather spend all your time with patients than running shit, what changed?"

"Nothing changed, I still spend all my time with the kiddos. I already have my master's in nursing but an accelerated trauma course came up and I took it. I'm two months off finishing. I think they wanted to shut me up after the shooting but I get to change things where I am and that's why I took the job." Hazel swirls her mostly gone drink, "I never wanted to be one of those people that left the coal face and I don't plan to be but I'm sick of screaming into the void."

Billy reached out his hand and grabbed hers, "Hey, you don't need to justify anything to me. You just told me you were changing things and you're still doing what you love, I'm not going to knock you for that."

Hazel smiled and squeezed his hand, "Thanks Billy." She took a deep breath and pointed towards the inside, "We better go in and mingle. I need to pull in more donations after all and you have networking to do."

Billy shook his head, "Like I said before, you've missed your called as a UN negotiator."

Hazel huffed, "You'll have to find one first."

They headed inside, right over to their friends, "You all sorted?" Lizzy did her best to keep her tone neutral.

Hazel nodded, "Yep all sorted."

Karen went first, wrapping Hazel in her arms with a smile, "It's good to see you again. We've all missed talking to you."

Hazel hugged her back just as hard, "Likewise, we have so much catching up to do."

Frank was next, squeezing Hazel hard enough that he pressed the air out of her lungs, "It's good to see you too Franky."

Frank chuckled, "Lizzy tells us you've been doing amazing things, we're all very impressed."

Hazel nodded, "She's talking me up, I'm just doing my job."

Curt went last, hugging her with a gentle smile on his face, "I missed our reminiscing sessions."

Hazel smiled back, "Me too and I'm about to be a pediatric trauma nurse so we'll have lots to talk about."

Frank grinned, "Really? Good for you, how does that work?"

Hazel's face filled with pride, "I've been doing half shifts in the ER and half in the ward so I can still spend time with my patients. Not much will change once I'm qualified I'll just be more specialised and have more skills."

Billy sighed, "Well, I think it's great. You should be proud of yourself."

Hazel nodded, "I am."

Lizzy turned her head suddenly and grabbed Hazel's arms, "Now, if you'll excuse us, there's a very important donor we need to talk to."

Hazel followed Lizzy's gaze and nodded, "Yeah, we'll back back in a bit."

Billy waved his hand, "No worries, that's what these things are for anyway. Speaking of, I see someone Anvil would love to have as a client."

Hazel smiled, "Shall we all meet up later for a dance?"

Billy nodded, "I'd like that."

The night swirled by and Hazel was grateful for the free supply of drinks. Between going back and forth with donors and trying to fend off people wanting war stories, she was over it and ready to go home. She and Lizzy were trying to guide the conversation away from a recent horror car cash when the tapping of a glass filled the air and the hospital director wandered to the middle of the room.

With a smile, she began to talk, "Hello, everyone and welcome to our annual charity ball. Now that you've all enjoyed your horderves and drinks, it's time for some wonderful music and some dancing."

Billy locked eyes with Hazel and made a beeline for her from across the room, extending his hand with a smile when he reached her, "May I have this dance?"

Hazel smiled and took his hand, "You may."

The music started as they embraced and Billy smiled as he pulled away, "We gotta leave room for Jesus."

Hazel giggled, "There are too many rich people in this room for him to be here."

Billy grinned, "You sound like Frank."

Hazel huffed, "I don't think that's such a bad thing. Can I ask you a question?" Billy nodded, "How do you deal with them every day? I've seen Anvil's website, you give away as much as you take in so as much as you wear the ten thousand dollars suits and the fancy watches you're not one of them."

Billy was impressed with her assessments, "You just said it, the more money we take in, the more we can give and these guys pay a pretty penny for our protection. The nice suits and the fancy watches just help us look the part. Can I ask you a question?"

Hazel had a feeling she knew what he was about to ask, "Sure."

"When Frank looked into you, he looked into your financials too, why do you so far below your means." Billy knew the answer, he did it himself for years.

"I'm saving up for a house in the suburbs. A nice house where I can sleep in a room that's not also my kitchen and my living room, with a backyard and no barking dogs or drug dealers on the street and I don't want a loan. So I'm loving in a two room apartment and taking the subway and if I keep going the way I am, I'll be out of there and in a house in a year." He could hear how tired she sounded.

Billy swallowed, "I'm realising now how little we know about each other. You know about my mother and that I grew up in the system but that's it and I've got no idea about you. Can't your parents help?" The intrusiveness of the question hit him, "I'm sorry, that was really personal."

Hazel shook her head, "No, it wasn't, you've told me about your mum, I should repay you in kind. I don't have a father, he left when my mother was pregnant with me and my mother died when I was twenty without a dollar to her name. She had a massive heart attack and dropped dead at work one day. Lizzy and I met when we were eighteen in nursing school and she's been the only stable person in my life since my mother's death."

Their sudden closeness made a lot more sense now, "I'm so sorry."

Hazel smiled softly, "Don't be, it's made me really strong and hell, if I could handle working three jobs to get myself through nursing school without debt, then I can handle anything." Billy knew exactly what she was talking about, "what about you, you didn't get here without hardwork."

Billy huffed, "Shit went really bad on my last tour, there's not much I can talk about but Frank and I came into some money because certain people asked us to clean up some stuff."

Hazel blinked, "I'm not asking for an answer, in fact, I don't want one right now. But I'm getting the feeling this has something to do with the leaks David was accused of. If that's the case, I know why you can't talk about it and I don't blame you for getting something out of it."

Billy felt strange, he knew that there was plenty of information out there, especially after the video of Rawlins having his fun went viral, "You know, Karen said the same thing to Frank."

Hazel huffed, "It's not that hard to understand Billy, you did what you had to. I hope a day will come along when you can give me details because."

Billy smiled, "Me too."

They danced through each song, unwilling to split from each other despite the looks, their chests growing closer as the night drew to a close. As the last song soften and people began to leave, Billy looked over Hazel's face and willed himself to break the peace, "Let's meet for coffee and catch up, maybe we can talk more about how we got to where we are now, that's what friends do, isn't it?"

Hazel smiled, "I'd really like that. How does next Saturday sound?"

Billy nodded, "That sounds great. You wanna give me your number so we can make the plans?"

Hazel reached into her small purse, unlocked her phone and handed it to Billy, "How about we exchange numbers?"

Billy's phone was already out, "good idea." With a flurry of fingers, it was done and the phones were back with their owners.

Hazel rubbed her face, "Well, I think I've had it for the night and Barry will be worried if I'm out any later."

Billy laughed, "Yeah, I have a job in the morning. I'll see next Saturday."

Hazel smiled, "I'm looking forward to it." She saw Lizzy in the corner of her eye and with one last goodbye, she left.

Frank wandered over, Karen leaning against him looking worn out, "You look like you were having fun."

Billy huffed, "Ask Curt, he was the one romancing my old nurse all night."

Curtis chuckled, "Lizzy has been your nurse for six months man. She's a nice lady, so what if I spent the night dancing with her."

Frank rubbed his face, "I think we should all head home before this turns into the real housewives. When are you seeing Hazel again."

Billy sighed, "Next Saturday and we're just going for coffee as friends so I don't want to hear anything about it."

Frank huffed, "Sure Bill."

****

"Are you listening to me?" Hazel and Lizzy were enjoying their break but Lizzy seemed too busy buried in her phone to pay attention.

Lizzy nodded, "Yeah, yeah, you're excited to see Billy on Saturday, you don't know if you'll have time to change out of your work clothes. Just do whatever he won't care."

Hazel sighed, "Alright Lizabeth, slip. You haven't been off you phone since the charity ball. What is going on?"

Lizzy rolled her eyes, "Curt and I have been texting. We're going on a date of Friday."

Hazel held back her smile, "You wanna let me know why you're only telling me this now?"

"Because you have your own stuff to worry about, I was only going to tell you if it went well." Hazel could hear the apprehension in Liz's voice.

Hazel gave her a soft smile, "Curt's sweet. We've both had a shit track record with men but I think he's one of the good ones."

Lizzy nodded, "Yeah he is. What about you and Billy, how are you feeling about that?"

Hazel shrugged, "I have no idea, so I'm not going to agonise over it."

****

Hazel waited outside the chocolate shop, Billy was quick to suggest it and Hazel was faster to agree. He arrived right on time, a smile on his face and his arms open for a hug. Hazel accepted, Billy was warm and he smelt like something that came in a fancy, funky coloured bottle.

Billy smiled, "It's good to see you again."

"You too Billy." She waved her hand at the door, "Shall we?"

Billy nodded, "We shall." He held the door open as they entered and headed to a table, Billy even pulled out Hazel's chair for her.

"You look like you know this place well, how many women have you brought here?" Hazel's tone held no offence.

Billy smiled, "A few, it's a great place for a first date."

Hazel chuckled, "Yes, but only if you don't get the triple chocolate and double fudge ice cream Sundae."

Billy's eyes went wide, "Well, since we're not on a date, you wanna get that?"

She nodded, "Oh yes, please. You gotta share it and it's amazing. Lizzy and I get the day after we do full moon shifts."

Billy raised an eyebrow, "Ok, now I'm really interested.

Hazel laid her hands flat on the table in an effort the stop herself from getting too excited, "So, technically, you don't need to share it but it's not fun if you don't and you can't have it on a date because ordering brings up strong opinions about ice cream combinations. First things first, you get the choice of three different chocolate ice creams, which is all they have here and then two different types of fudge."

Billy felt strange, he never really got to have anything like this, not just the fancy ice cream but the joy over something so small, "What's your favourite combination."

Hazel's smile grew, "That's just the thing, it's different every time. They have the base flavours white, milk, dark and super dark chocolate but the rest is day by day. By far, my favourite was milk chocolate, white chocolate vanilla swirl and super dark with a hint of coffee and two swirls of creme brulee fudge. You'd think it would be too rich but the scoops are small and the main focus of the ice cream isn't how sweet it is, it's the quality of the chocolate."

Billy huffed, "If I wasn't sold already, I am now. You wanna go to the counter and order?"

Hazel shook her head, "Nope, I'll go with you so I can get points on my membership card but you're ordering since you've never had it before."

Billy smiled, "Fine, but only if you let me pay."

Hazel sighed, "I could argue with you but I know I won't get anywhere, so alright."

"Give me your membership card and I'll surprise you." She handed it to Billy and he hurried over, returning a few minutes later with an order number. "They'll be out with it in a minute. Why after a full moon, why not just after a shit shift?"

Hazel thought for a moment, wondering how she was going to word it without sounding weird, "I'm sure you know what full moons are like, they're filled with weirdness and with kids things tend to be even worse. So we use it as a way to get through a shift we know is going to be bad."

Billy knew what she was talking about, anything could happen when the moon was out, "That's actually a really good idea. That whole people lose their minds on a full moon is pretty universal." Billy took a deep breath, "can I ask you something?" Hazel nodded, "Curt and Liz, what do you think?"

Hazel smiled, "Curt's kind and Lizzy deserves someone kind. They're grown ups, I'm sure they can handle it."

Billy smiled, "Good, because I feel the same about Curt." Before Hazel could reply, the Sunday came out, "Wow, this is something."

Hazel laughed, "wait until you try it. What did you get?"

Billy smiled, "Milk chocolate and maple swirl, super dark and white chocolate. I got two swirls of whisky fudge."

Hazel already had a spoon in hand, "Well, if you don't hurry up, I'm going to eat it all."

Billy chuckled, "Heard loud and clear, I hope it's worth the hype." Billy watched Hazel as she took her spoon and took a little bit of each, he knew one thing, even if it tasted like shit, watching Hazel enjoy herself would make it worth it.

****

The sun had just set when they were finally done, having moved from the chocolate shop to a little deli for a small snack when they got hungry for something other than sugar and chocolate.

Billy rubbed the tiredness from his face and sighed, "Can I walk you to the station?"

Hazel shook her head, "Only if you want to but I wouldn't offer to take me home, you'll get mugged wearing that." While he was dressed casually, it still looked expensive.

Billy chuckled, "I think I can handle myself if that's what you want."

She shook her head, "Maybe one day, but I have to check one of my neighbours today."

Billy paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue, "Can I confess something?" Hazel nodded, "When I first got out of the hospital, I cased your place. I know it was wrong of me and in hindsight, I have no idea why I did it and I feel shit about it but I needed to know if you were safe."

Hazel didn't flinch, "What did Dr Charles say?"

Billy sighed, "That I was in marine mode and that it was wrong of me."

Hazel gave him a soft smile, "I knew you were there. Frank too"

Billy blinked, "How?"

She broke his gaze, "Getting strangled almost to death made me a little paranoid, I tend to notice things that most people don't. Since you told me something, I'll share with you. I have an agreement with the dealers on my block, I supply them with legal Narcan and test kits through a program at the hospital and in exchange, I help them out when they can't afford to get their kids to a doctor for small shit. And occasionally, they let me know ahead of time if strange men are looking for me."

Billy was unsure of what to say, especially after what he and Frank did, "What, and they're just fine with it?"

Hazel nodded, "They're not good people but they're not bad people either. These dealers are in it to support their families, not to make money. The ones on the block that don't make nice end up getting shot. I'm sure some of them are your CIs. I'm sure you have questions."

"Why? I'm sure you've seen what these people do to each other, what they do to addicts, how can you stand them?" Billy didn't mean to sound judgemental but he did.

"Because I can reach them when no one else can. I'm not ashamed to admit that I use their worries about their children to get them to see reason and some of them have. If I get one person out, then the rest is worth it. I'm sure you know what it's like to have to get dirty to make a change." Unlike Billy, Hazel meant the unkindness in her tone.

Billy paused in the middle of the street, "You're right and I'm sorry. I have no reason to judge you for doing the right thing."

Hazel shook her head, suddenly guilty for her response, "I'm sorry too, I get a certain way when it comes to kids and I went for the low blow, there's no excuse for that."

Billy smiled softly, "I'm the one that went there first. I could have used someone like you when I was a kid, I think my life might have been a bit easier. I guess I'm just pissed that I missed out."

Hazel reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I think we all need somewhere soft to land when things are hard, that's part of being human."

Billy took her hand in his and continued walking her to the station, "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you hadn't lost my card?"

Hazel looked deep in thought, "No. My job involves lots of hurt kids, questioning the universe is a great way to end up sad. I don't think everything happens for a reason but it does happen, I lost your card, you got blown up and now we're here and there's something in that."

Billy nodded, "So live in the moment and don't be angry?"

Hazel chuckled, "The first half, I'm angry all the time but at least I'm feeling something that's not terror."

Billy knew that feeling well, "Yeah, I get that. I really enjoy talking to you."

Hazel smiled, "Likewise. You wanna have a picnic in the park one day? We can even feed the ducks some grapes."

Billy nodded, "That sounds great. How does after your shift Thursday sound?"

Her smile grew, "That sounds great." Billy hadn't realised they had reached the station, "This is my spot."

The absence of her hand in his made him feel cold, "Yes, it is. I'll see you Friday."

Hazel nodded, "You will. Bye Billy."

He gave her a soft wave, "Bye Hazel."

Part 10

@rainbowgoblinfan

#a voice through the nothingness #billy russo #the punisher #fix it fic #billy russo imagine #billy russo fanfic #billy russo smut #ben barnes #the punisher fanfiction #billy russo x ofc #frank castle #karen page #everybody lives/nobody dies #curtis hoyle #daredevil

20 notes · View notes

walker-extended-universe · 9 months

Text

Tall Handsome Stranger

Ships: Lucia Reyes/Original Character, Past Hoyt Rawlins/Lucia Reyes

Tags/Warnings: First Meeting, Flirting, Post-Series, Jared Padalecki's Cameo

Summary: After Hoyt breaks her heart one too many times, it's time for Lucia to move on. Then, a Texas Ranger rolls into town looking for the man who tried to kill him.

Written for @yeehawgust Week 2 Prompt 7: Tall Handsome Stranger

A/N: The name came from a tumblr poll don't @ me

Taglist: @theladywyn, @ihavepointysticks, @klaatu51, @itsjessiegirl1, @neptunium134

----

It was a lovely day in Independence when a handsome stranger rolled into town. He ignored the calls from the white doves and the waves from other women out and about as he rode on down to the sheriff’s office. Tying his horse to the hitching post, he looked around the town, eyes narrowed as if he was searching for something.

Not finding it, he stepped into the sheriff’s office. “Hello? Sheriff Davidson?”

“I’m sorry, the sheriff’s not in right now. He’s on a patrol with the deputy.” A woman approached him from a small desk near the door. “My name is Abigail Walker; I’m the legal consultant here. Perhaps I can help you, mister….?”

The man smiled. “Samuel Winchester; Texas Ranger. I really was hoping to speak with the sheriff. I’m on a manhunt right now.”

“Well, you’re welcome to wait until he returns. He should be back in an hour if you have the time. If not, I can take a message and he can carry on the search here. Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for a man named Hoyt Rawlins. I’ve heard he comes here in between his escapades and I have a bit of a personal score to settle with him. That’s why I came here first.”

Abigail hummed. “I see…. Well, I’m sure the sheriff will be happy to help you track him down but you’re probably better off asking around town; he has a few good friends here who might know where he is. I’d start with Lucia Reyes at the Side Step Saloon. From what I understand they’re…intimately close.”

He nodded. “I’ll take that under advisement, Miss Walker. Please let the sheriff know I’m waiting for him.”

—---------

Lucia put up the last of the new shipment of whiskey when the saloon doors swung open. “Aye, we’re closed,” she said over her shoulder. “And, no, I’m not letting you drink early if you pay extra for ‘early service’.”

“Not here for a drink, ma’am.” Heavy boots thudded on the floor up to the bar.

Lucia turned around to see a (very tall, very handsome) man flashing a badge from under his coat. “Samuel Winchester, Texas Ranger. I’m looking for someone and I was told you might be able to give me some information.”

She nodded. “Of course. I’m always happy to help the long arm of the law. Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for a man named Hoyt Rawlins.”

Lucia groaned. “Good Lord…. What has he done this time?”

“Attempted murder of a Texas Ranger and theft.”

She balked. Hoyt was a thief, that much she knew. He robbed banks and trains and stagecoaches alike. But murder? He may travel in dangerous circles but even when she doubted him most, she never imagined he’d stoop so low…. “I don’t know anything about that,” she said carefully.

“Are you sure?” He leaned on the bar, getting in her space. “I’m told you two have an intimate relationship.”

Luica scowled at him. “We did. He made a lot of promises he couldn’t keep and then he bailed on me when I needed him. I haven’t heard from him in months. Maybe you should check in with Ruby and her girls at the hotel down the road; they’ve probably seen him more than I have.”

“Apologies, Miss Reyes.” The ranger had the decency to look sheepish. “It’s just that my contacts told me he spends a lot of time here in Independence and I thought this would be my best bet. Is there any chance he’s in town without you knowing?”

Lucia sighed. “Well…. If he wanted to avoid me, he’d probably go to the bar at Hagan’s. You can speak with the manager there, Kate Carver. She probably knows more than I do.”

Samuel shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him. “A woman manning the sheriff’s office, the saloon, and the best hotel in town? That’s a first for me.”

Lucia giggled, shrugging. “What can I say? Independence is…special.”

He smiled. “I think I’m starting to see that.” He pushed off the bar and tipped his hat to her. “Thank you for your help, ma’am.”

“Of course, Ranger. Come by for a drink sometime?”

“Maybe I will.”

—----------

“Excuse me, Miss Carver?”

Kate looked up from the paperwork on her desk to the man standing in the doorway of her office. “That’s me. What can I do for you?”

“I’m hoping you can help me find someone.” The man walked into the office, flashing his badge as he did so. “Samuel Winchester, Texas Ranger. I’m looking for a man named Hoyt Rawlins.”

Kate quirked an eyebrow. “Are you looking to arrest him or is this more of a personal grudge?”

“Little bit of both.”

She shrugged. “Well, I think you’d have better luck speaking to Lucia Reyes at the Side Step. She and him-”

“Have an intimate relationship. I’ve heard. I’ve already been to speak with her though and from what I understand, they had a bit of a falling out and aren’t on speaking terms. She told me I might have luck asking you for leads.”

Kate hummed. “She’s really done with him then. Interesting.” She put down her pen. “I do wish I could tell you where to find him but I haven’t heard from him recently. He skipped town a few months ago and he hasn’t so much as sent a letter. But, I can give you a lead on a good tracker if you think that’ll help?”

Winchester sighed. “I’ll honestly take anything at this point. I’ve been looking for him for months now and I’ve got nothing except a few rumored sightings. It’s like he’s a ghost or something.”

Kate chuckled. “Honestly, he’d be easier to handle if he was a ghost. But he isn’t, which means he’s left a trail. If he was here recently, which he probably was if you heard word of him being out this way, there’s evidence. And if anyone can find it, it’s Calian. He’s a tracker for a local apache tribe and he’s helped finding missing people before. I’m sure he’d be willing to help. Tell him Kate sent you.”

Winchester nodded, tipping his hat. “Will do. I appreciate that.” He turned and walked away, hopefully to find his man.

—-----------

The sheriff did return to Independence, but the Ranger was long gone by then. Abby took her leave from the office early and went to meet with Kate at Hagan’s for their nightly gossip. Working the hotel and the sheriff’s office, they heard a lot. But tonight, there was only one thing on their mind.

“So, the ranger.”

“Handsome devil, wasn’t he?”

“Charming too. Respectable.”

“And tall….”

Kate chuckled. “Yes, very tall. Heard he spoke with Lucia.”

“I may have sent him that way.”

“Playing matchmaker, Miss Walker?”

Abby shrugged. “You know how she was after Hoyt left last time,” she murmured. “Don’t you think she deserves someone who will stick around for her and not just because he’s got nothing better to do?”

“And you think the ranger is that someone?”

“I think he could be, if she gives him a chance.”

Kate hummed. “You’re assuming he’s infatuated with her.”

“Of course he is. Who wouldn’t be? Hell, who isn’t, in Independence?”

“Fair enough.” Kate smirked. “I suppose I’ll have to be extra accommodating next time he comes by; make sure he has a reason to come back.”

“Atta girl.” They clinked their glasses and downed their drinks before moving on to the next topic of conversation. “Quite a storm last night, wasn’t it?”

—---

Lucia needlessly wiped down the bar. It had been a slow night for the Side Step but she wasn’t ready to close down just yet. She just had a feeling about tonight.

The doors swung open, letting in a small gust of wind, and she turned to see a familiar face walk in. “Evening, Miss Reyes,” said the handsome ranger from weeks ago.

“Good evening, Ranger,” she greeted, a smile tugging at her lips. “Seems you finally learned when my hours are.”

“Well, I was hoping to get that drink you offered me.” He smiled and walked over to the bar.

“Of course. Something fine, I’m assuming? To celebrate catching your man?”

The ranger sighed. “I wish. Man’s a damn ghost. At this point, I’d be better off staking out railways. Maybe I’ll try that when I leave town.”

“When you leave?” She poured him a drink and slid it to him. “Does that mean you’ll be staying for a while?”

He shrugged. “I was thinking about it. You know, I’ve been damn near all over this state but I’ve hardly ever stayed anywhere? Not since I left home and joined the service. There’s always somewhere I need to be, someone to track down, something to protect…. I’ve spent more time on my horse than I have in a bed.”

Lucia hummed. “I almost envy you. I’ve lived here my whole life, never traveled further than the edge fo my family’s property. I always wanted to but my parents never approved before and now…. I just don’t have the time.”

Samuel hummed. “I suppose we all have to do things we’d rather not to keep food on the table.”

“I suppose.”

The ranger quietly sipped his drink. “I don’t think it’s the traveling I mind so much,” he said suddenly. “It’s just- It’s been too long since I’ve had a place to go home to. I haven’t had that since…. Since the war.”

“Well….” Lucia extended her hand and pat his arm. “This is a pretty nice place to call home. It’s quiet most of the time and we don’t see too much trouble. Plenty of land available for sale too, if you were looking for a place to settle down….”

“That does sound nice.” The ranger covered her hand with his. “I’ve got some leave. Thinking about spending a little time here, checking the place out. See if there’s anything worth staying for.”

Lucia smiled. “I hope you find it.”

“Me too.”

#yeehawgust #yeehawgust 2023 #walker: independence #walker: independence fic #walker: independence fanfic #my writing #my fic

10 notes · View notes

jennycalendar · 1 year

Note

Hi! I'm new here (here being your blog, calendiles fandom, and also just...Buffyverse fandom in general? I haven't been here that long haha) and I finally got around to checking out your work on AO3 and uuuhhh you've written SO MUCH!!! So first of all, THAT'S AMAZING, GOOD JOB!! But second of all, I have no idea where to start reading... Can I maybe get like a rec from you of your top 5 faves? (Not fan faves, but YOUR faves, fics/series you're most proud of, etc.) Please and thank you :)

oh, wow, this is so sweet <333 hello! i have seen your fic in the buffyverse tag and lurked more than once there. expect some reviews at SOME point when my brain will allow me, because you are adding some excellent sapphic/nonbinary representation to the buffyverse in a very lovely way. i deeply appreciate your energy.

as for my top five faves -- i appreciate your specification that they have to be MY top five faves, because i really was about to just point to the braveryverse as smth that i think you personally might like. (not a single straight person, found family, etcetc). but my personal top five is a lil different than the stuff that's the most popular w/ fandom at large. (not by too much though.)

all of these range from "a little lengthy" to "novel-length" but i think they are worth it! and they are also all complete! (except for the first one on the list, which has a sequel in the works, but everything PUBLISHED is complete!)

1. never mind the years of wasted time

so this is my long-standing baby that i am blogging about all the time! it's so important to me! i cannot overemphasize how much this 'verse means to me. it's an improbable little everybody lives/nobody dies au set about three years after canon, and in my heart it does kind of stand as a spiritual follow-up to canon, in that the emotional place that giles starts the story is very much a continuation of the emotional place that he ends canon in. there are so many details within the main fic (what you make) that i cannot pack into a single summary (giles and jenny's eight-year-old son, who she left sunnydale to raise! giles and buffy trying to figure out how to reckon with the concept of giles being a parent to a kid that isn't her! jenny's adoring extended family! a subplot that is literally just all about how giles's parents met and fell in love! giles and jenny's individual baggage from their complicated parents and how that informed the decisions they made with each other and with/for the kids they were in charge of!) also it is impossible to read the fic and come away NOT loving art or alice or nora. nora is literally my url now because i tricked myself into loving her so hard by writing her all the time.

anyway yes! top of my list, this is the thing i am the most proudest of, it is literally novel-length and i have been considering learning book-binding just because i want the physical experience of making it into something that i can hold.

2. as day follows night

this is also long but um, less long? this is The Faith Fic. i don't really know how to talk about it without spoiling it (or if i've already talked about it and spoiled it, or if the tags will spoil it...) but suffice it to say that this fic is about faith right after killing the deputy mayor, and her decision to ally herself with an all-powerful witch. or more like "attach herself." like to the witch's skirts. and hang on while the witch drags her around trying to get her to let go. (this girl has some attachment issues). it's got fuffy it's got fairy tales it's got the force of platonic love being the most powerful force in the world <3 and i think it is the first long fic i ever wrote where i had an outline and a plot that made sense and consistent tone throughout!

3. the tale of princess imogen

FAIRYTALE CALENDILES WHAT MORE CAN I EVEN SAY??? also some background fuffy and tillow bc obviously! anyway this whole fic is about jenny the witch pining helplessly for giles the acting monarch and losing her mind a little when princess buffy lets it slip that he's in love with some dark-haired lady who's constantly hanging around the castle all the time. and then subsequently coming up with a Magic Plan to ruin his chances of ever being able to win this dark-haired lady over, because what if she's bad for the kingdom? what if she's just trying to grab at power? THIS IS FOR POLITICAL REASONS SHE IS VERY NORMAL.

4. illumination

this one is about giles and jenny both realizing that they share the experience of being closeted bisexual individuals in a het-passing relationship & subsequently figuring out how to process this. (so obviously chapter three is pegging. but it's THEMATICALLY IMPORTANT pegging. and if explicit stuff isn't your cup of tea, the first two chapters are totally sfw!)

5. private life

i am actually really proud of this one! this is set in season four and it's about xander walking in on giles kissing a man and having to reckon with a lot of complicated internalized biphobia. i love xander so much. of course he has to make this list. (and this is DEFINITELY the shortest fic on this list lmao.)

also honorable mentions to north star and it's the principle of the thing, which are the fics that i write when i'm not feeling like writing a Big Complicated Interlock-y project, so if you wanna read something of mine that will (uh, someday) be updated and is still in progress, that would be where to go right now until the what you make sequel shows up! north star is essentially a (mostly) scooby genfic that's set in season six where willow resurrects jenny to prove herself to giles, and it deals with the fallout of that. it's the principle of the thing is a super trope-y fic about giles and jenny getting green card married in the middle of season one because that's what you do when your workplace enemy might have to leave :) you propose marriage so he can't :) it's normal :) she's normal :) she's fine :) do not look her in the eye

#fic #calendiles #this list is constantly in flux re: what i am currently writing #but these are the projects i am the most proud of!#anyway this was fun and joyful and so sweet! hello! thank you for bringing some warm new positivity to this fandom <33

17 notes · View notes

loserbby · 3 months

Text

Welcome to #LOSERBBY. A multi fandom multimuse that dabbles into fandoms such as Dead by Daylight, Legend of Zelda, and more! This blog will probably always be a wip, but aside from some about pages, I'm more then ready to rp here!

Rules and Muses can be found under the cut! nsft sideblog @carnalbby // zelda multi sideblog @hyrulc

♥ I'm Moni! I'm 26 she/her. This is a mutuals only blog, and an 18+ only blog. There will be adult themes here, so please don't follow if you're a minor. ♥ General rp rules apply; don't be gross, don't be a nazi, don't be any kinda phobic. Don't reblog threads that you don't belong to, only reblog memes from me if there's no source. ♥ All muses are open! Some just are request only. I'll be sorting muses below based on fandom, but there will be some information with them as well. ♥ Triggers will be tagged sparingly, mostly because there's a lot of horror here. Tags will be tagged as trigger tw // and nsfw will be tagged as nsft // ♥ The best way to rp with me is memes! Feel free to use any meme as an icebreaker. But always make sure to tell me who you want, or you'll get someone random or ignored. ♥ Joey is called "Jack" because my abusers name was Joe. I love the character, so I just kinda gave him a nickname. ♥ Bonus Legion rule: My default relationship status with the Legion is that they're poly. But if you're a Legion rper and don't want poly ships please let me know. I'm by default gonna have them just friends in our rps unless we plot something out, of course. But to other threads with non-Legion rpers, Joey's taken by three maniacs.

Muses!

Dead by Daylight!

Primary - Feng Min, The Doctor, The Hell Priest Secondary - Jeff, The Entity, Michael Myers, Sable Ward Tertiary - Joey

Fable!

Primary - Secondary - Sparrow, Primrose Tertiary - Garth, The Crawler

And last but not least, some randos!

Primary - Killer Croc, The Deputy (Abbey Rook, FC5) Secondary - Cassie Hack Tertiary - Mothman

#[ pinned post ]

2 notes · View notes

the-silver-chronicles · 8 months

Text

OC Game and Music Monday

Tagged by @josephseedismyfather for this OC game and will be doing my FC5 Deputy OC Silva Omar. Tagged by no one for the Music Monday one.

Rules for OC Game: Bold what is true and tag 15 people.

OC Game below:

APPEARANCE

i'm over 5'5' // i wear glasses/contacts // i have blonde hair // i prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // i have one or more piercings // i have at least one tattoo // i have blue eyes // i have dyed or highlighted my hair // i have gotten plastic surgery // I have or had braces // i sunburn easily // i have freckles // i paint my nails // i typically wear makeup // i don't often smile // i am pleased with how i look // i prefer nike to adidas // i wear baseball bats backwards

HOBBIES AND TALENTS

i play a sport // i can play an instrument // i am artistic // i know more than one language // i have won a trophy in some sort of competition // i can cook or bake without a recipe // i know how to swim // i enjoy writing // i can do origami // i prefer movies to tv shows // i can execute a perfect somersault (sometimes)// i enjoy singing // i could survive in the wild on my own // i have read a new book series this year // i enjoy spending time with friends // i travel during school or work breaks // i can do a handstand (no she fucking can't)

RELATIONSHIP

i have been in a relationship // i have been single for over a year (a lot longer than that for Silva) // i have a crush // i have a best friend i have known for ten years // my parents are together // i have dated my best friend // i am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // i have a long distance relationship // i am an only child // i give advice to my friends // i have made an online friend // i met up with someone i have met online

AESTHETICS

i have heard the ocean in a conch shell // i have watched the sun rise // i enjoy rainy days // i have slept under the stars // i meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // i enjoy the smell of the beach // i know what snow tastes like // i listen to music to fall asleep // i enjoy thunderstorms // i enjoy cloud watching // i have attended a bon fire // i pay close attention to colours // i find mystery in the ocean // i enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season

MISCELLANEOUS

i can fall asleep in a moving vehicle // i am the mom friend // i live by a certain quote // i like the smell of sharpies // i am involved in extracurricular activities // i enjoy mexican food // i can drive a stick-shift // i believe in true love // i make up scenarios to fall asleep // i sing in the shower // i wish i lived in a video game // i have a canopy above my bed (she has one she sometimes brings out and uses) // i am multiracial // i am a redhead // i own at least three dogs 🐶 (Technically only one when she gets Boomer)

And here's a song to describe the relationship of Silva and her (disowned) adoptive padre, Paul Yellowjack:

youtube

"Tryna wash away all the blood I've spilled This lust is a burden that we both share Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer Souls tied, intertwined by pride and guilt

There's darkness in the distance From the way that I've been livin' But I know I can't resist it

Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time You and I drink the poison from the same vine Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time Hidin' all our sins from the daylight From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time

Tellin' myself it's the last time Can you spare any mercy that you might find If I'm down on my knees again? Deep down, way down, Lord, I try Try to follow your light, but it's nighttime Please don't leave me in the end

There's darkness in the distance I'm beggin' for forgiveness (ooh) But I know I might resist it, oh!"

Tagging: @socially-awkward-skeleton @adelaidedrubman @shallow-gravy @poisonedtruth @voidika @chazz-anova @cassietrn @direwombat @josephslittledeputy @inafieldofdaisies @wrathfulrook @vampireninjabunnies-blog @g0dspeeed @strangefable and @henbased + anyone else who wishes to join in on the fun.

#far cry the silver chronicles #far cry 5 #oc: silva omar #oc: paul yellowjack #music monday #oc game #Youtube

19 notes · View notes

Last Seen Blogs

jackyjackdraws

I'll be forever by your side

hardqui

Azael

potatocat

Animations and Doodles by Yolin

shayalexandriaa

Nomadic Infatuations

vene430tattoo-blog

Tattoo Artist + Illustrator