#slice of unlife?
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Vampire Au | JiuYuan
Okay so, both Shen Jiu and Wu Yanzi come across an abandoned hut on the side of a river, the river is also violent and not shallow so it's the perfect dumping spot for bodies.
So when both Demonic cultivator and disciple come across a man sleeping in the shade it was obvious Wu Yanzi planned on mugging him then using the body for demonic cultivation-
So after Shen Jiu waits outside as look out, acting bored. It was normal for the screams to begin that was usual.
"Shen Jiu! Help this Master!"
The fact that it was his Master screaming in pain? not usual?
Shen Jiu ran forward to the doorway in time to see the sleeping man, with a demonic face bite into Wu Yanzi savagaly, blood gushing from his neck then the demon? Threw his master on the floor and spat-
"Not only do you have the nerve to attack this one- you don't even have the decency to be a filling meal!"
A-a Jiangshi!
Wu Yanzi was dead on the floor and the Jiangshi gazed at him, raising his clawed hands gestured.
"you. Come here."
Shen Jiu wanted to run but suddenly his feet was moving forward, the man sliced open his finger then raised it.
"Swallow."
Shen Jiu face twitched in disgust, as the finger pushed and rubbed against his tongue then withdraw as he swallowed.
"Now you are my servant, dispose of this trash and guard me while I sleep during the day."
Shen Jiu scowled but did as he was told, not before pilfering Wu Yanzi's items before dumping the body in the river. It seemed he had some freedom within his orders.
And it appeared he traded one master for another.
When the sunlight set, the man immedietly groaned as he arched his back.
"That was the worst fucking nap of my entire unlife- oh you're still here."
"Obviously." Shen Jiu sneered, and the man rolled his eyes.
"Great- well this should work out for me. The night is short, and this humble master never wants to be out in te sunlight."
Telling Shen Jiu his weakness?
Either he was stupid, unlikely or he was testing Shen Jiu with this knowledge.
Wu Yanzi wasn't so different.
When they journeyed to a local village, luckily close to the rampaging rivers, the Jiangshi gave Shen Jiu money.
"Go find a nice inn for us, and buy something for yourself after."
Shen Jiu scowled, as the man vanished and Shen Jiu walked away, he couldn't run even when he tried to...although stopping outside a brothel and was able to enter and purchase some rooms.
...Guess he did have some freedom with how the command is worded.
He was able to go to a blacksmiths and buy some blades. Small knifes were the most affordable- and easy to hide and steal.
It was better to pay for something and seen as a customer, then leave suspiciously.
But when he found his new master, and took him to their 'inn' he scowled at the relief.
"Ah good- I was worried since I forgot to mention I needed something to eat."
Shen Jiu scowled, to think he put these women in danger-!
As soon as they entered, Shen Jiu with a dark scowl, and the man beaming and looking way to comfortable-
pov switch:
Not realising that it was all bravado, when he was alone he had no shame but now he had a kid and got he was only fourteen for christ sake!
Shen Yuan transmigrating as a freakin Jiangshi in PIDW had to be a cosmic joke!
"Hellow young masters!" The host spoke jovially, "May we interest you in some refreshments, one lady or two?" He glanced at Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan cleared his throat.
"Hmm, just one would do, and if you could..."
He placed the coins on the table, "A room with food and drink and a young man would suit me just fine." Shen Yuan smiled bashfully.
And he was met with different reactions. The host nodded, probably not surprised.
But Shen Jiu looked at him like he was an alien.
And yeah- then there was the feeding- okay he didn't need to sleep with them, but he had this whole routine thing and having someone watch, a kid at that- if he could blush he would but he's not ashamed! It's not wrong it's just food!
When the man came in, Shen Yuan would usually be more blunt, but felt that he had to be nice about it.
"I uh, I prefer doing it myself, you just get comfortable," Shen Yuan took the mans waist leading him to the bed "And relax."
All it took was a few kisses and nibbles, and the man was defiently playing it up, moaning like his life depended on it.
Shen Yuan hovered over him, if the man noticed a certain...lack of reaction he'll tense up and be suspicious-
Shen Yuan bit down, and now that was a real moan, even the mans hips thrusted up, sometimes that happened.
Shen Yuan fed as much as he could then stopped, just enough to make them tired enough to believe this was just a client being too rough.
Shen Yuan licked the wound clean watching it heal, then pulled back gazing at the mans eyes who relaxed, pupils wide and droopy under his thrall.
"Now, you'll leave this room disapointed but unsurprised that this was the worst client you have ever had the misfortune of laying with. So bad you want to erase the whole ebarrising thing from your memory."
The man left and Shen Yuan slumped back into the bed, just enough for another day he could lay low here for a while and when he notices how tired the patrons are he'll hop skip and jump to the next town no problem-
Shen Jiu shifted and Shen Yuan turned forgetting he was there.
"Why not lie? Why make him believe it was a lousy lay?"
"Why not? More incentive to never think of this Master and become suspicious." Shen Yuan shrugged.
Now he was stuck with Shen Jiu, he could send the boy out to find him a nice little hovel to sleep in then dismiss him.
Then again he seemed decent with cultivation- but if he lets him go what chances are he would come back to kill him?
...hmmm.
"Boy, tell me. What am I?"
Shen Jiu's eyes narrowed, maybe from being called boy.
"A Jiangshi." Shen Yuan blinked surprised, huh.
"I'm not stupid and my names is Shen Jiu." He bit, oh okay.
"How do you kill a Ghost Head Spider?"
"Strike the temple before it releases its baby like cries to alert others."
hmmm, so Shen Yuan began to quiz Shen Jiu, the other still stiff and answering every one like his life depended on it.
Shen Yuan sighed, moving over to the table and brightening to see food- he forgot about that.
"Shen Jiu come dig in!" He spoke, sitting down and pilling his own food onto a plate, Shen Jiu moved over cautiously.
"I thought you didn't need food?"
Shen Yuan smiled, "Ah but it's a form of nutrients, if a Jiangshi has a restrictive diet then they need other things to keep it going. I only fed a little so this is to make up the rest. Most Jiangshi don't need food if they drain a person kinda like Inedia to a cultivator- ah you don't have to eat if you don't want to."
Shen Jiu was physically trembling with the chopsticks showing he was fighting back.
Shen Yuan sighed, "Sorry it's been a while since I've last had a companion."
"Companion?" Shen Jiu snapped, "More like a slave! There is no point acting like the domesticated monster if I have to find you victims to feed on to stay alive. So don't pretend."
Shen Yuan blinked, then continued eating. Of course, that was probably what the other man did.
"Hmm, this one was rudely inturupted in his sleep being attacked and had defended himself, being half starved I wasn't in the right mind, it doesn't excuse it. My ire was towards that master of yours and he payed that with his life. You on the other hand I have no such animosity towards. But disrupting my sleep as well as tainting my home so I had to relocate? That was a debt that had to be payed."
He pointed his chipsticks his way "You payed that. And now, we're near a cultivation sect Zhao hao temple, you're a bit too...excitable to being a monk but if needs must-"
"No it has to be Cang Qiong."
Shen Yuan blinked, food stuffed in his mouth, "Hmm?"
Shen Jiu wasn't looking at him.
"It has to be Cang Qiong,"
...really?
Shen Yuan sighed dropping his food and scrubbing his hand across his face, "Need I ask why?" He whined, if a Jiangshi went to Cang Qiong he was beyond undead!
"No don't answer- ugh fine. I'll escort you then you can hop skip and jump the rest of the way. Alright?"
Shen Jiu scowled "Why can't you let me go now?"
Shen Yuan leaned back tilting his head to the side, "If you leave now, chances are a mass of cultivators will break down these doors and kill me. On the road in the middle of the night only trapped to go in one direction or have someone kill me? I want to live thanks. And you're a bright kid can defiently go the rest of the way by yourself and not find yourself in trouble."
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And Shen Yuan whenever he thought, this was it. This was the village he'll abandon Shen Jiu in and leave him to it. And yet each night they rested up at a Brothel instead, as they kept getting closer Shen Yuan WAS going to leave he really was!
But he needed to teach Shen Jiu so much stuff!
Sure he learned how to write and read from Qui Jianlou, but academically especially for Cang Qiong- Shen Jiu was going to be behind with the lack of clan, or or fortune to back him up he would face bullying.
But if he kept his head down, but still presented as a scholar and kept his head down?
So Shen Yuan quized him, he even taught him how to spar in the way he knew how!
"Look, I'll be honest Shen Jiu, I can't teach you forms or how to wield a sword properly. BUT as a Jiangshi and a supernatural enemy I can help you hone your speed and strength! So from now on you will be doing a lot of heavy lifting." Shen Jiu scowled.
"You just want me to fill up your bath water and give the Jiejies a rest."
"Correct and it helps you gain strength, also your diet needs to change too. With the excessive workout you'll burn through so that way the ecsessive weight will become muscle."
Shen Jiu scowled "Fine."
And of course it showed results. Shen Jiu had to do push ups, pull ups, Shen Yuan even made him do handstand push ups.
"Good work, you're doing well. Now do it with one hand."
"You-"
He heard him fall over and sighed "You'll have to repeat that set."
Shen Jiu was gaining muscle and looks, especially from the Jiejies the next neighborhood they went to.
And on the road with no one around, Shen Yuan would attack Shen Jiu, little things like tripping him up, drawing on his face. If Shen Jiu failed then he would have to do more sets.
Shen Jiu instincts was getting faster, and was even able to fight him for a solid 30's seconds.
But of course, when Shen Jiu realised this he became cocky and slipped up.
"You're problem is you think too much. And that throws you off." Shen Jiu scowled down at the bonfire then nodded.
"Yes, Master."
"Agh enough of that Master stuff it makes me feel creepy. Just Shen Yuan is fine."
Shen Jiu looked up at that, "Shen Yuan?"
"Not the same as yours. Shen for Wall." He corrected, then smiled as he leaned back.
"But going through town we could say we're siblings. A-jiu my adorable little brother!"
"No."
"aha- you're no fun."
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Shen Jiu was on edge, assuming Shen Yuan would take him down the dark path in the middle of nowhere and just kill him. And yet Shen Yuan would glance at the forest with a firmed lip and keep walking. When they went to the brothel once that was one thing.
The fact that he kept doing it, Shen Jiu never mentioned it, assuming if he called it out he would be punished.
And yet, the closer they got to Cang Qiong. The fact that Shen Yuan fed him more and even made him do excersizes-
Shen Jiu assumed he wanted Shen Jiu tired on purprose so he couldn't run or escape. But when he saw he was getting stronger and gaining muscle he was honestly surprised.
And when Shen Yuan quized him on plants, with each one they found on the road and telling him in depth about it's properties it didn't make sense to waste his time telling Shen Jiu this only to kill him off later on.
He thought maybe Shen Yuan lied about taking him to Cang Qiong, but when he helped him hone his senses and have faster instincts...it just didn't make sense.
"Hmm, Shen Jiu maybe we should go on a mission!" Shen Yuan spoke, after passing him a rented sword.
Shen Jiu almost missed what he said next too busy staring at the weapon in his hands! He could kill Shen Yuan right now-
"With a mission under your belt, that'll give you experience! Remember you're too old for the entrance exam SO you have to be good I mean really good that they couldn't dare pass you up to being plucked by another sect!"
And when Shen Yuan watched Shen Jiu on his mission, just observing and not helping at all, even observed as Shen Jiu took down the monster plauging the town.
Once he landed and looked at his Master for approval- then looked away why was he looking for his approval!
Shen Yuan hummed nodding.
"Very good, you were fast and efficient," He stepped closer and humed. "Now, is there anything on this beast worth salvaging?"
Shen Jiu froze, he was never taught that.
"Apologies Master, this one doesn't know how..."
Shen Yuan laughed, "Ah I forgot, well this is a learning experience! come here." And he taught him everything he needed to know.
When Shen Jiu was finally left alone and trusted to pay for their lodging, he asked the patron.
"How far is Cang Qiong Mountain?"
The man paused, "Hmm just a few towns North and you'll be there, this humble one see's you have a sword is your master a cultivator?"
Shen Jiu eyes flickered "Not one from a popular sect, my Master is a rogue Cultivator."
If this man thought they could triple the price he had another thing coming.
"Ah,"
"Also he would prefer," Shen Jiu stared at him cooley, he wasn't embarresed "Male courtesans."
"Ah of course-"
"Preferably someone older than myself, he's not a fan of young ones." The man nodded again. Shen Jiu remembered that incident, Shen Yuan was in a pleasent mood but when he saw the thirteen year old it was like something snapped.
He used his thrall to tell the prositute that he was way too young for this type of work and then brought in the owner and thralled them as well. Telling them that any worker under eighteen should work as cleaners or in the kitchens and be payed twice as much!
Shen Jiu stared as the owner nodded.
"M-Master why would you do that? That could ruin this mans buisness." Shen Yuans eyes were bloodshot as he glared after the man wobbling away.
"Then it should rot for all I care."
Shen Jiu never understood it, wasn't it normal for both genders as long as someone was willing to pay. But Shen Yuan seemed deeply unnerved by that.
"Also what the fuck is a pint sized childs blood going to do for me? Men have more women and children less so!"
"...Why would women have less blood?"
Shen Yuan shrugged, "I don't know, periods maybe?"
Shen Jiu didn't ask what a period was, Shen Yuan was still pissed and more annoyed when no one came to their room!
"You thralled him but didn't ask-"
"Agh! Shen Jiu can you just, I'll break his neck if I talk to him again!"
And Shen Yuans eyes was red, his teeth extended and even his voice was a deep growl.
Shen Jiu ran out like his ass was on fire, Shen Yuan faltered hand extended then covered his face with his hand.
He didn't mean to scare Shen Jiu...
Not realising that Shen Jiu collapsed against the wall, feeling weird.
He wasn't a stranger to attraction he knew what it was...in theory. Thanks to the Jiejies being so nice and talking to him assuming his Master and He had that type of relationship especially when he requested those types at the Brothel.
They spoke ...in detail...and Shen Jiu only to be polite nodded, but now it all came back to him in detail-
He wonderd if maybe Shen Yuan wanted him that way...especially since he was getting older, would Shen Yuan on the road...ask that of Shen Jiu?
Push him down in the woods in the dark? Both fumbling around in the damp dew grass-
Shen Jiu shook his head, forget that! He had to find Shen Yuan someone to feed on-
His traitorius mind flashed with the image of Shen Yuan feeding on him. And the fact that he found a young man similair to his face well...
_____________________________________________________________
When Shen Jiu stood before Cang Qiong Mountain right at the foot of the staircase, with two disciples stationed at the gates, thats when Shen Yuan leaned down.
"Okay, so I attack you-"
"What!?"
"Shush, I attack you, call you a worthless servant and you say you're not going to give me innocents to feed on anymore-"
Wait what!?
"And then you 'break' out my thrall, and when those two finally help, thats when I'll run away all "agh curses, Cang Qiong disciples ahh!" and you'll be taken in as a legendary strong cultivator who fought against a vampires thrall and won!"
There was stars in Shen Yuans eyes, he looked excited to 'act' and put on a show, but Shen Jiu couldn't- this was Cang Qiong there was a chance that they would hunt down Shen Yuan and kill him!
"N-no master this Shen Jiu doesn't think this is a-"
"Xiao Jiu!"
Both flinched and turned to see a party of returning Disciples probably coming from a mission and Shen Jiu's eyes widened to see-
"Qi-ge?" His voice broke, and Shen Yuan stood their awkwardly as the young disciple almost ran forward eyes shining in wonder.
"You're alive!" He sounded so joyful, and almost took a step forward but his Shizun stopped him, eyes narrowed in Shen Yuans direction.
"Yue Qingyuan who is this?"
Yue Qingyuan straightened. "This is a childhood friend of mine, Shen Jiu."
"Hmm," Shen Yuan shivered seeing those intense eyes looking at him.
Before he could open his mouth, Shen Jiu spoke before Shen Yuan decided to reveal what he was just to shove Shen Jiu into their arms.
"This is my Master, Shen Yuan. He has been educating this Shen Jiu about cultivation." The Sect Leader hummed.
"Really?"
"Shen Jiu is truly the prodigy, but this lowly one has nothing else to teach him. Both of us were wondering if there was any vacancies."
The Sect Leaders eyebrow twitched, "You think we just take any random child of the street?"
Shen Yuan glanced at the disciples then back to the sect leader confused. "Yes, you have an entrance exam open to anyone of the public."
"Yes, we don't accept all of them."
"You accept the students who pay. Or you pilfer off prodigies." Shen Jiu's hands twitched, he was NOT a prodigy what was Shen Yuan saying!
"With the right guidance, Shen Jiu can be the the pride of Cang Qiong."
The Sect Leader sighed, until Yue Qingyuan spoke, "Please Shizun! Shen Jiu is good enough to be a cultivator!"
"Yes but he's too old even for some instruction-"
"Then see what he can do, place him in a peak and if he fails then kick him off the mountain. What are you really losing?"
The man openly glared at Shen Yuan and of course his Master had to needle him more.
"Just see what he can do, then you can decide if he's worthy of Cang Qiong or not."
"You're not going to stop are you?"
"No."
"Very well."
____________________________________________________________
Shen Jiu was surprised, when the Sect Leader nodded and a random disciple came forward drawing his sword, Shen Jiu followed suit. Fighting here? at the base of the mountain!?
He was going to get his ass kicked and it was all Shen Yuans fault, he glared at him and Shen Yuan had to the nerve to look offended in a "Who me?" gesture.
But when the signal fell and the disciple lunged, cocky smile on his face. Shen Jiu was surprised it ended so quickly.
Thanks to endurance training and the his speed from Shen Yuan, he was able to dodge and move just as fast to disarm the disciple.
"..."
Even Shen Jiu looked surprised, and was irritated by Shen Yuans proud grin.
"Your form is off, without the speed and agilty anyone could easily pulverise you into the ground." The sect leader spoke, not missing Shen Yuans scowl.
"However, this has been inlightning. Very well. We'll see which Peak Lord will accept your prodigay, and you will be billed from the inconviniance." Shen Yuan sighed, "This Master had a feeling you would say that."
_____________________________________________________________
When Shen Yuan finally found a brothel ah he was so used to an assitant! Maybe he might thrall another young man and teach them everything he knew. Seeing Shen Jiu soak up all that knowledge made him prideful.
But when he returned after sending off the money, and then retired to his room paused outside the door knowing someone was inside already. Before he could run he took a step back into someones arms.
"Don't run."
The man reached forward opening the door and pushing him inside his room, he gaped to see the Sect Leader standing inside, he turned scowling up at the man who pushed him in not recognising the uniform.
"Be nice shidi, this one has fangs."
The man huffed then stood at the door arms crossed, meanwhile the Sect Leader was covering the window. He was trapped.
"Okay this one can't be in trouble with back-payments already-"
"It's nothing like that...Shen Yuan was it?" He nodded, glancing at the table with the teapot then back to the sect leader.
"This one had heard some strange stories about a master and his disciple. Going to brothels."
Shen Yuan pursed his lips, "Is this a...strange roundabout way of asking for a threesome? I'm flattered but neither of you are my type."
"Why you-" The man at the door almost drew his sword and Shen Yuans face split into a smile-
"Enough Shidi, you're too old to be goaded so easily. No tales of men having no memory after having one night with the Master. That the two travel at night," Shen Yuan couldn't sweat.
But god was it a close thing.
"And this Sect Leader detected it right away." Shen Yuan tilted his head, "What?"
"What you are-" Shen Yuan didn't let him finish, grabbing the teapot and throwing it towards the Sect Leader even with his speed- these were two experienced Cultivating Masters!
The an used his sword to parry the teapot, and Shen Yuan in the distraction dove past him out the window-
Then choked when something grabbed his robe, like holding the scruff of fur around a cats neck- he undid his sash and dropped, the Cultivator cursed as he watched Shen Yuan sprint across the tiled roof.
Shit, shit shit shit shit- well what a good unlife he had a shame it was so freakin short-
The man guarding the door landed in front of him and Shen Yuan yelped swearing like a sailor and skidding to the left dropping down into the alley way but was slammed into the wall by the sect leader.
"Now now little Jiangshi, if this Master wanted you dead, you would be dead by now."
Shen Yuan fidgeted in his grasp, trying to get out then sighing. "What do you want?"
"A conversation with tea, but you decided to make it difficult-"
"What want me to nicely sit here and say 'please Master Cultivator kill me quickly' I'm a monster you're a cultivator of course I won't sit there nicely and take it!" Shen Yuan snapped his teeth lengthing.
"Who said anything about killing you?"
huh?
Suddenly a tailsman was planted onto his back and Shen Yuan yelped falling like a ton of bricks face first into the ground.
"See, Shidi? look how weak he is." The Sect Leader sounded delighted, and Shen Yuan scrambled trying to get up it's like a fat buddha was sitting on him he couldn't move.
"Just because it hasn't fed in a while doesn't mean it's not dangerous-"
"Pick him up, we'll talk at Cang Qiong." Shen Yuan blinked when he was hefted up, this guy was stupidly strong!
___________________________________________________
Kidnapping aside, Shen Yuan didn't expect to being the resident pet of Qing Jing Peak. After seeing Shen Jiu's new Master and being forcefully put to work Shen Yuan did fear for his life.
But with all the food he can eat, and the blood given to him by the doctors he was basically living a cushy life AND he can read all the tomes of the Qing Jing Peak library!
Ah things were looking up!
"Ah that's bad..."
"How so?"
"Just...bad, weird after taste." The doctors hummed when Shen Yuan tasted blood he was able to tell who was healthy or not. The cultivators weren't stupid they never gave him information like a guinie pig just gave him samples and wrote down his answers. He didn't think anything of it.
After learning the man who got him was the Peak Lord of Bai Zhan he avoided him like the plauge, Shen Yuan was polite to everyone even reluctently the Sect Leader after figuring out what the man wanted.
He was so impressed with Shen Jiu he wanted Shen Yuan to duplicate what he was teaching to their students! Shen Jiu besides his form in fighting was astounding in everything else. So now Shen Yuan was a reluctant hallmaster.
Of course when Shen Yuan was given someone to feed on he had to admit it was strange for Cang Qiong to allow such a thing- then immedietly spat out the blood once it hit his tongue.
"Oh my god ew! What was that!"
Cheng Liang scowled, the Bai Zhan brute. "Blood, you need it to survive draining innocents is a line we won't cross-"
"Draining? I've never feed more than I needed to! and I can't live on this...doing bad things taints the blood."
"Well it's this or nothing."
"Then I'll take nothing."
-------------------------------------------------------
Of course the sect leader sent in Yue Qingyuan, and Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"What is this?"
"Feed, you're looking worse for wear. Yue Qingyuan offered."
He doubted it.
"Whats wrong with your blood?"
"Finally admitting your motive to killing the Sect Leader of Cang Qiong?"
"I never wanted to be here!" Shen Yuan sighed, then looked Yue Qingyuan in the eyes.
"This won't hurt."
He fed and sighed, it's been...a long time since he's had a good meal.
Even so, no need to take more than he needed, as he pulled back licking the wound clean for it to heal he flinched at the hand suddenly cupping his head.
"That wasn't enough."
Shen Yuan eyes narrowed, "Yes it was, now let go-"
"He can take it."
Shen Yuan shoved both away almost falling over, "No he can't. This one is fine so-"
"You're weak, embarrsingly so, how can this mountain expect you to survive like this?"
Shen Yuan looked at him in befudlement "I've been survivng pretty well so far."
asshole, he didn't say.
"You are wasting your potential, a Jiangshi can never be a cultivator, but can still get stronger-"
"Shouldn't you want the opposite? Isn't it better having a tamed Jiangshi?" Now the Sect Leader smirked, showing his real face that made Shen Yuan almost duck down but kept still instead.
"On the contrary, this Master finds no purpose in keeping things that are weak."
#SCUM#shen qingqiu#shen yuan#shen#scumbag system#luo binghe#system#scumbag villain#fanfic#svsss#bingqiu#shen jiu#scumbag self saving system#scum system#SVSSS#Jiuyuan#Shencest#Shen Yuan X Shen Jiu#Vampire Shen Yuan#Scum Villain#scum villain fanfic#scum villain self saving system#Shen Qingqiu#qingqiu#SCUM VILLAIN
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Blood and Silicon Episode 15: This Could've Been an Email
[Summary: Blake and Leo head to Harrison to bargain for the Salubri Yen's safety, but first they have to get rid of a body. Meanwhile, Harrison welcomes a newly-awakened Kindred to San Jose...]
@kentuckycaverats @zwoelffarben
It's a silent 1am drive to one of San Jose's national parks. Blake has the radio on at a low volume, to fill the silence more than anything as the scenery changes from cities, to suburbs, til finally they can't see lights from the houses anymore.
Blake tells Leo he can stay in the car, and gets out to grab Kyra's body, among other things. He gets a distance away from the car, and begins to gather materials to prepare for a fire.
Leo decides he's had enough of people telling him what to do for tonight, and gets out of the car to follow him.
Blake takes out a buck knife from inside his coat and begins to slice off parts of Kyra's clothing to expose the skin and have her burn quicker. He covers her body in a white sheet, covering it with gas and leaving a trail of it so he can safely light it from a distance.
As Leo watches Blake gather material/ prepare to dispose the body, there's a small spark of recognition in the back of his mind; this is somehow familiar.
Blake gives Leo a warning before lighting the fire; still it scares him, and her body ignites. Fire seems different now, more like a monster, so Leo takes a step back as Final Death overtakes her.
Blake is unphased; he's lit a cigarette.
[It's silent for a moment; anger builds up Leo's chest.
Finally he turns to Blake, if only to not look at the fire.
"What the fuck was that back there?"]
Blake is taken aback by this sudden question, and admits he doesn't quite know what happened, insinuiating it was Yen's fault. His tone is almost a bit too casual as he looks back at the fire, saying he's never frenzied at another vampire before; the blood normally doesn't make them do that. Leo continues- the point of the mission was to capture Yen, not kill her, and Blake could've fucked it up entirely. Leo keeps going, taking all his frustrations about Blake and from the past week out on him, and finally reveals he's been having headaches.
After his outburst, there's silence.
Finally, Blake breaks it.
["...I'm sorry, Leo."]
Blake agrees, saying he hadn't been very helpful. He says there's a lot of things that won't be nice to them, and someone you trust shouldn't make you feel like that. He apologizes again, saying he's not very good at talking about this sort of thing, but he hears Leo; he's right.
Leo is taken aback by Blake's apology; Part of him had been expecting more of an argument, a byproduct of having been with Jeremiah.
Blake asks if Leo even wants him to come with to Harrison.
["I get the sense you're tired of being told what to do-" and Leo laughs, bitter- "So why don't you tell me what to do?"
Leo pauses at this choice.
"...I'd like you to come with," he says. "The past two times I've met with Harrison haven't gone well."]
Leo fidgets with his hands, tapping his fingers as he realizes they don't have a plan; Blake advises him that dealing with Kindred business comes with practice, and that he himself also didn't come into this unlife prepared. Some have to learn quick, and it's almost like he's saying that from experience.
Blake says what he's doing works well for him, but Leo can find a better route for himself.
["Hopefully you'll have a long time to figure that out," Blake says. He seems to be somewhere else.
Leo's hold on his own hands tightens. "...I already have a route I don't want to go down."
"That's good," Blake responds. "You have a choice. A lot of us don't get anything when we wake up besides the fact we wake up."]
He tells Leo he's in a special position; a lot of people will try to make him what they need him to be, and people are constantly being used- and it's not great, especially when you're on the other side. Leo nods in understanding.
The body is embers now; Blake extinguishes his cigarette, putting Kyra's remains that didn't burn back into the duffel bag. He tells Leo that killing her was the best option; she would've come back later. For a moment he considers putting a hand on the Malkavian's shoulder, but settles for a nod; in this moment he suddenly seems much older.
The two of them walk back to the car.
---
[Blake: Finished with the first half. On our way to downtown now.
Pauline: Understood. Be safe.
He has an appointment as of the moment, but he can make your meeting work.
As far as I'm being told in this game of telephone.]
---
Meanwhile, in Harrison's office: A man has just walked into in the room. Harrison sits at his desk, an old computer to the side, with his pressed grey suit the same color as his eyes. He smiles.
["Sir Percival, yes? Please, sit down."]
They shake hands, and the man Leo had tried to distract earlier sits down across from Harrison. He thanks Harrison for having this meeting with him, and Harrison asks if there's any ulterior motives. Yes, actually- Percy wants to know more about the movements of the Sword of Caine in the past. Harrison comments he'll ask how Percy knows about that later, but confirms he learned about them as they were threatening San Jose some years ago (Percy taps his foot at the word "threaten," not seeming to like that word being used here)- he mainly learned about their battle tactics; Percy says he's more interested in their scholars, and Harrison rises an eyebrow before saying that scholars, battle tactics and history are all entwined, and as far as he knows the Black Hand doesn't have an active presence in the city.
Percy says he's been getting responses like that from other Cainites he's asked these questions to. Harrison isn't opposed to looking into it, wondering if Percy is suspicious of their activities- Percy only says he's following breadcrumbs, as he recently came out of torpor.
Harrison says there was recent activity- the Sabbat's attempt to fully pierce the city, somewhere around... 2005? 2008? He suggests to talk to those who were around back then, and says he's not opposed to helping Percy, but what business does he have here besides following breadcrumbs of a failing sect?
Percy taps his foot again, jaw clenching.
He assumes this assistance won't be free, and grabs a notepad to write down any names Harrison can give him.
Harrison notes Percy seems agitated, and the man responds that answers like this can be disheartening when looking for something more concrete. Harrison says they should talk more, as he thinks Percy has as interesting perspective of the Sabbat- But a pressing matter came up, and the individuals should be arriving soon; but he doesn't expect it to take long.
There's a knock on the office door- Cynthia, one of Harrison's ghouls, enters with Blake and Leo (his headache spikes as he enters the office). He and Blake had vaguely overhead the last few sentences of the conversation through the door- and he and Percy recognize each other.
Harrison introduces them, saying Leo is his adopted childe, before asking if they know each other? Blake's over here confused, since he wasn't aware the two had met (he was busy tearing out Kyra's throat); Anyway, Percy and Leo shake hands (Percy notices the Malkavian doesn't make any eye contact), and the Venture says they met briefly about 2 hours ago.
[Blake leans in to whisper to Leo. "You know this guy?"]
Leo is asked to recount how they met; it was a chance meeting, they didn't realize the other was a Kindred. Percy confirms this.
Harrison changes the subject to Yen, and upon being asked he says he only wishes to talk to her- and Blake says he understands Harrison was in the middle of a meeting, but maybe this could be just between us three? And Percy should leave? The man offers to come back later, and as he exits Harrison says he can help himself to the bar; they can finish their meeting later.
Once out in the hallway, Percy gives a polite smile to Cynthia, though his eyes are a bit cold when regarding her. He activates Heightened Senses, and listens in to the conversation.
---
Seeing as the two vampires before him won't sit down, Harrison stands to match their vibe. Leo expresses his concern for Yen after his conversation with her, and Harrison reassures it's fine- What, did they think he'd kill her or something? (They kinda did, in fact)
Blake says they couldn't be too sure with a Tremere hunting her, questioning why she was hunting down such a rare vampire anyway- he doesn't trust her. Harrison states Asha isn't that kind of Tremere; won't hurt Yen if she knows what's good for her.
Leo explains his concern is because he had spoken to her and she had seemed afraid, and he wanted to make hear from Harrison that she would be safe, so that he could relay that and reassure her- and as he says that, he realizes it isn't a lie, he really did want to confirm Harrison had good intentions. Blake adds that it's hard to get her to come with peacefully when she's only ever been hunted- and Harrison's like yeah man that's the fucking problem, no shit it's been hard to get a meeting with her. Leo wants to know what the meeting would be about; it would satisfy his curiosity.
Harrison knew Yen's sire, and figures she'd like to talk to him once she learns that- and no danger towards Yen would come from him. Blake seems relieved she'll be safe but still doesn't trust Harrison, and apologizes for interrupting his meeting; they thought it would be best to talk in person.
Harrison confirms if he should expect Yen tonight, hopefully around 3, and Blake says "if she wants to"- Harrison tells him that while Yen doesn't seem to want to talk, he's done nothing to her, and after the meeting with her she can do as she wants.
Blake wants to know what would happen if we don't bring her to him- Leo shoots his coterie member a look (what are you doing we don't want to get in serious trouble-). Blake continues questioning if she'll be safe.
["...Will there be a problem, Blake?"
The man shakes his head. "Nope. Just curious."
"Curiosity... Is the fledgeling rubbing off on you?"
"Nope."]
Harrison vaguely answers that there'd be trouble if they did that, and opens one of his desk drawers to pull out an old phone. He calls Asha to bring Yen, and the meeting concludes.
---
Leo finds Percy in the VIP area of the bar (it's reserved specifically for Kindred), and he apologizes for being annoying when they first met. Percy says it's fine, and really that was all Leo came over here to do so he leaves. Percy bids him farewell, wishing their paths to cross in better circumstances.
---
Leo has gone outside. He's told himself he's just lighting a cigarette, he's trying to convince himself that's the only thing he wants to do out here, but in the back of his mind he knows that's a lie. He's out here to find victims.
He's not really present, lost in thought with a mix of that internal dialogue and headaches, when Blake suddenly appears with a tap to his shoulder- Leo jumps.
Blake apologizes, asking if Leo's okay, and he says he's fine as he can be currently. Blake wants to know when Leo met Percy, and the Malkavian says it was at the alleyway- he's annoyed, not from Blake asking, but from his headache. Blake apologizes for not realizing Leo had distracted someone, saying he was caught up in the moment (referring to tearing out Kyra's throat). Leo turns away from him, gaze darkening. He's quiet.
Blake tells Leo he did a good job distracting Percy, making a lighthearted comment about how they should send Leo out to do that more often. Leo pauses, saying that after Yen arrives he needs to go... do something- he won't say feed. Blake understands, and asks if Leo wants him to go with, but the fledgeling wants to prove himself. Blake gives a thumbs up at his refusal.
Leo gets a text:
[Pauline: Can you confirm the meeting with Harrison truly went well?
Leo: Yeah, it went good. We got confirmation that Harrison isn't going to hurt her. He just wants to talk.
Pauline: Understood. We will be there soon.]
Eventually a car pulls up, and the girls get out- Asha is holding Yen's arm. The Salubri looks scared, but is reassured to see Leo there. Pauline splits off from those two as they enter building, and heads toward Blake and Leo.
As Leo turns the corner to try and find someone to feed from, Blake can't help but wonder if the Malkavian's headaches are tied to his hunger.
---
Percy enter Harrison's office; Harrison apologizes for the interruption, and continues where they left off, saying he can introduce Percy to people to ask about the Sabbat, but he'd like to know more about Percy beforehand.
Percy says it depends on what he finds out, but he's not planning on staying long, and currently doesn't have a place to stay- Harrison offers him exactly that in exchange for information, because surely during his search for breadcrumbs, he's learned some things about the Sabbat? And Harrison had taken an interest in them during his own research.
Percy says the Sabbat seems to show up, wreck havoc, and be defeated in terms of politics- he's more interested in their dogma. Percy pauses, before adding the Sabbat tries to sever the ties that be; rarely do the Sabbat go out of their way to kill fledgelings. They target elders at the top of the Anarch and Camarilla movements because those Kindred have gathered power and are stepping on those below them; they're targeted to try and take down the system. Cut off the head of the snake for something else to flourish.
Harrison says that's true, but unfortunately his understanding runs no deeper than his; he wishes to know more about Percival before introducing him to others.
He answers that he falls closer to being a Neonate, and that he's a Ventrue- but there's a bit of distaste there.
["Ventrue have very little presence in this city," Harrison says. "Any interest in seeing your fellow clanmates?"
"No," the other man declines, a bit of a smile on his face. "They won't take kindly to me."]
He explains he's a farmboy, not really from the common origins of a typical Ventrue. Harrison, in exchange for this information, says he knows of a kindred named Van who was around during the Sabbat Incursion- her knowledge of the city layouts were very useful, and while he'd need to explain himself, the Nosferatu of San Jose are always open for a deal. Percival says he's fine with explaining himself, as he has very little to hide.
Harrison asks why Percy is so interested in the Sabbat, anyway- Percy says he was close to the chaos from the Week of Nightmares during July 1999, when the Ravnos Antediluvian awoke. He wants to learn more about the Antediluvians, and figured the Sabbat's Noddist scholars would have more information.
["Noddist scholars?" Harrison grins, almost jovial. "Well, why didn't you say so!"]
Harrison says their interests are well aligned, and hopes Percy sticks around. He can point Percy towards a particular Noddist Scholar- his own grandchilder, in fact! He tells the Ventrue the scholar is called Jeremiah.
And the problem is that he seem to have gone missing.
["He may very well be dead. I'm not certain that's true, but even so; I need his notes back."]
Harrison also adds if he is dead, he would like to know what killed him- his strongest lead on Jeremiah's disappearance would be the man's childe; which is Leo, one of the men Percy had just met. Harrison continues to say that he believes in the power of bloodlines and wants to work with Leo, but the fledgling doesn't seem to want to talk to him. Maybe he'd talk to Percy about what's going on, but only if he's unaware the Ventrue is reporting back to Harrison.
Percy is uneasy about lying, but reckons if it's to get Harrison's grandchilde back, the good outweighs the bad. Harrison states he also doesn't like lying, but that being direct wasn't getting him anywhere- he refuses to believe that Leo knows nothing about Jeremiah's whereabouts.
He explains he had put Leo into the care of some older kindred to try and ease him into his new existence, and its given him mixed results. Harrison will tell Leo they worked out a deal where Percy will be given a place to stay on their Territory, and he informs Percy to build a relationship with Leo to gain his trust; If questioned on why he wants to know about Jeremiah, just say you want to seek info about Noddism. Percy agrees to this plan.
---
Leos phone rings.
[“Hello?”
“Leo!" Harrison's voice. "Long time no talk!”]
Harrison asks Leo is they'd have room on their territory for one more resident- Probably.
["What are your thoughts on Percival?"
"Uh- neutral, so far." The two had just met, after all.
"How'd you like to improve it?"
Leo pauses. "..Are you implying he's going to be the new resident?"]
Harrison tells Leo that Percy is good at protection, adding that that's not to say Blake isn't, but it's good to have more hands. Leo agrees to let Percy stay because what else can he do, say no? Harrison says he'll be in touch later to send Leo Percy's contact info.
---
Harrison confirms Percy will find his own place for the day, and asks for any contact info he can relay back to Leo.
[Percy hands Harrison a note. "Here's my phone number," he says, "But if Shreknet works for you as well-"
"Oh. Yes." Harrison makes a face. "About that..."
"Did something happen?"
"..You could say that."]
Harrison informs Percy of the Second Inquisition, warning him to be careful what he says over the phone. They shake hands again as Percival gets up to leave, and Harrison makes a note that he never did get Leo's last name.
The two Kindred bid each other good evening, and Percy goes to find a motel for the morning.
---
[New Text:]
[Cynthia: Leo, Harrison wishes to know who "Michael" is.]
Notes/Commentary:
Leo's gained a point in Streetwise! ☆ (im normal about it)
Love how Leo wouldn't normally have revealed the headache thing but it just kinda slipped out! And now Blake knows!! oughuh vampires normally dont get headaches!!!! love it here
Something about how Leo was expecting Blake to argue back due to how he was with an Extremely Defensive person for three years...
BLAKE FINALLY USING LEOS NAME?? aaaa
All of us losing it over hints of blake lore <3 (blore, if you will)
Leo saying he already has a route he doesn't wanna go down (being like Jeremiah). Hey buddy that's kinda funny bc you're not doing a good job at that /lh
Something about Blake warning that people will try to use him,,, and how Pauline is right there,,,,
Leo being protective over Yen not only cause she lowkey reminds him of himself but also.. he has a younger sister. projection moment fr
It was suggested later that what if Blake is a bit protective over Yen bc he's lowkey blood bound to her after trying to kill her, aaAAAA-
Percy saying he's not planning on staying long as if he's not a main character now /lh
Cue the spiderman pointing meme with Leo and Percy /j
Harrison continues to be funny, sorry. Just standing with us to match the vibe and having? a dial phone in his desk? amazing
Blake wondering about Leo's headaches being connected to his Hunger,,, OGUHHGH.
,,Is Harrison a noddist?
NODDIST JEREMIAH NODDIST JEREMIAH–
I got so incredibly excited over that bit of Jeremiah lore that I had to bite my arm im so fucking normal (i'm ok)
"[Jeremiah] very well might be dead." Hey. Hey Harrison. Hello??
Howdy yall, have we considered that Jeremiah just doesn't want to fuck with Harrison anymore? That he threw his phone away into the Navy Pier? /hj
Oh or what if he's just gone Sabbat? One of the players is still hung up on the "pawns of the Antediluvians" line from ep2 👀
"Leo! Long time no talk!" HARRISON THATS THE FUNNIEST THING YOUVE EVER SAID. You just spoke to him 5 minutes ago /lh
LEO. LEO YOU DIDNT CHECK IN WITH THE OTHER COTERIE MEMBERS IF THEYD BE FINE WITH PERCY STAYING WITH THEM. LEO-
head in hands. i am a fool i should've mentioned he used a fake name oh my god
#hello new tagged friend! welcome to my Recap posts- well rlly these arent recaps theyre more novelizations ig#there's so much dialogue here bc i liked a lot of what was said#eric finally speaks#leo west#blood and silicon#blood and silicon recap#vtm ocs
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exalted secret santa
throwing my hat into this ring for the first time now that i have two entire characters!
Candor That Draws the Horseman's Blade
Dusk caste Abyssal, 25 years old, 6'6, she/her/he/him
When the assassin Hard Truth killed his latest target, he didn't expect her to get back up again and slice his face off. Taking a deal with Eye and Seven Despairs to save her life, she was reborn as Candor. Her mission to deliver more souls to the Eye to convert to her Death Knight army got sidetracked two years later when she took a job bodyguarding a group of adventurers. Over a year, she confronted her past, made new friends, killed a few dictators, fell in love, and had an encounter with the Unconquered Sun that led to her finally achieving some inner peace. Now she plans to spend the rest of her unlife as a beacon of hope for other Abyssals, showing them that they can be free from their chains and that there's a place in Creation for them. She may be a loudmouth who loves to solve problems with violence, but her heart is in the right place, even if it hasn't beaten for years.
Character inspirations: Gideon Nav (The Locked Tomb), Lobo (DC Comics), Bowser (Mario)
important music: Let Me Live/Let Me Die, Rock the House, Vampire Reference in a Minor Key
older art
Kaida Lyrena
Water aspect Dragon-Blooded, 27 years old, 5'7", she/her
Born to the rich Kaida family of Brightwork, Lyrena grew up having the importance of decorum and responsibility drilled into her, out of the hope that she'd be the first person in her family to become a Realm soldier and bring respect and recognition to the family name. Instead, she screwed up her first assignment so badly she ended up on the run with a group of Tya, pursued by her ex. Now, after running into her childhood best friend and falling into a complicated love triangle with them and another shipmate, she's just trying to keep her life together without going insane so far from the comfortable, controlled life she's used to. An expert martial artist and dancer who uses her fancy footwork to keep herself out of her foe's reaches, the only threat she can't dodge is her own hangups. She's also been forcibly turned into a snake and an evil clown but she's dealing with it tho.
Character inspirations: Jessie (Pokemon), Tahani Al-Jamil (The Good Place), Helga (Atlantis: the Lost Empire)
important music: My Best Friend's Hot, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Casual
older art
Have fun with whoever you choose! Can't wait to see them in your style!
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Karlach joins the party and recognizes Rosary.
Contents: smut, dry humping, fingering, blood drinking, canon-typical violence, allusions to necrophilia
Read full story on AO3
“What the hells is she doing here?” Karlach growled at Rosary. The barbarian tiefling began to stomp towards Rosary at the bonfire. Rosary stood and looked over the angry woman, trying to search her memory for anything.
“You know me,” Rosary said eagerly. Astarion set a hand on her arm, as if to pull her back and Tav went to Karlach, holding out her hands.
“She’s the same as us, tadpoled,” Tav said.
“Gortash’s whore is nothing like us,” Karlach snapped. The memory roared through all their tadpoles: Gortash’s betrayal burning out Karlach from her bones as he sold her to devils, everything tinged with horror and disgust. Infernal chains had bound her and pulled her back, while her friend that had accompanied her to see Gortash was yanked back by his horns by Rosary. The Rosary in the vision wore a deep burgundy gown with metallic black arm cuffs. She kicked the back of the tiefling’s knees and forced him to kneel.
“You promised one for me,” Rosary looked up to Gortash who nodded.
“I’d never deny my lady her pleasures,” he smiled at her admiringly. Rosary giggled and before Karlach or her friend could cry out, Rosary had sliced his neck neatly with a dagger. She held his head up and kissed his cheek, letting his lifeblood spill down her front. She pushed him to the ground, straddling him and moaning into his mouth. She undulated on top of the body, letting her tongue dive into his mouth like a lover. As the chains pulled Karlach away, she saw Gortash yank Rosary’s head up by her hair, the horrible woman’s face covered in blood and smiling drunkenly. Gortash shoved his thumb into her mouth and she sucked it lewdly.
The memory dissipated but resounding disgust and shock radiated from the tadpoles around Rosary. She wanted to turn the memory over in her mind, see if she could relive it from herself instead of through Karlach’s eye. That would have to wait, for now she needed to leave before the party killed her. Tav and Astarion might defend her, but she felt disgust even from them. Tav wouldn’t want her to kill their companions either so Rosary decided to run. She turned on her heel and Misty Stepped as far as she could see. She cast Darkness on the camp as battle cries erupted and then Misty Stepped again until she was running blindly in the forest as fast as she could.
The grove wouldn’t be a good option, the druids would be suspicious of Rosary abandoning her party. The goblin camp wasn’t too far, though she’d likely not have a quiet space to herself there. She slowed a moment to orient herself in the growing dusk. Of course she didn’t hear Astarion. He caught her and pinned her against a tree, Rosary too startled to react. The previous connection from the tadpoles hadn’t disengaged yet and his mind seemed to be roaring into hers: mine, mine, not for stupid lordings or Cazador, mine!
Astarion had just had the best 24 hours in over two centuries of unlife, like hells was he letting Rosary run off. Her blood sang to him now even though he had satisfied his hunger for the first time just last night, and the way she submitted to him so willingly had been divine. Finally he had power over someone, he could be the one to inflict pain, and she had given him such grotesque inspiration for killing Cazador! He heaved a shuddering breath, finally feeling the tadpole squirming in his skull and broadcasting some of his thoughts to Rosary. Astarion tried to sense her mind, if there was any apprehension in reaction to him, but Rosary only seemed surprised.
“Is anyone else chasing me?” Rosary asked, pushing Astarion’s mind from her own. He seemed to come back to himself, pulling back from her slightly but not releasing his hold. She felt him sever the tadpole’s connection entirely and saw him mask his expression with his usual charming smirk.
“Tav’s trying to calm them down,” he said. Seeming to understand Rosary wouldn’t take flight again, he released her, but stayed crowded in her space so she leaned against the tree. “We might want to have our own camp for tonight though. We’ll see about rejoining in the morning. At the very least I don’t think Tav would object to me retrieving my pack if the others are hell bent on being…unpleasant to you.”
“Okay,” Rosary agreed. “We can probably find a small place in the abandoned village for the night.”
She let Astarion take the lead as he had far better vision in the dark than her human eyes. They found a house mostly intact and scavenged blankets to settle by the hearth. Rosary stared into the fire as she tried to recall the memory Karlach had shared.
The tiefling had been perfect, hot blood spilling down her gown as he gurgled his last breath. She couldn’t help the arousal surging through her at the gushing warmth. Her lover spoiled her with gifts like the tiefling, perhaps the only reason she didn’t take his life. He was too careful around her anyway, always sure to make her subservient when he took her. Enver pulled his thumb from her mouth and circled behind her, giving her a kick to lean back over the corpse. She kissed the tiefling while she bent her ass up to Enver, hoping he’d fuck her into the viscera.
Cold arms wrapped around Rosary and pulled her back into her body, seated before the fire. Astarion leaned his head against her shoulder and spoke softly, “I fear you are going to tip yourself into the flames if you keep watching them like that. What are you thinking of?”
“I remembered a bit of what Karlach shared,” Rosary confessed with a frown. She felt Astarion tense behind her before he resumed nuzzling against her neck. Her lust from the memory lingered and his caressing only stirred it further. Rosary tried to push it away, surprised Astarion released her as she pulled away to sit beside him. “I keep trying to remember something more, anything else but it’s gone. The tadpole doesn’t seem to have taken any of the others’ memories.”
“That’s because it didn’t,” Astarion sighed and leaned his arm on his knee. “Whenever we connect with the tadpoles, it goes both ways. Haven’t you noticed that?”
“A bit,” Rosary said, “so, what do you see when ours connect?”
“An endless void,” Astarion explained, “some corpses, but it’s mostly a feeling of hollowness. I suspect you ran into trouble before our little friends spirited you away.” Rosary thought on his words, trying to dig into the emptiness of her memories. Instead a migraine creeped along her skull and she shut her eyes against the firelight. She smothered the growl of frustration and opened her eyes again, glancing at Astarion.
“Did you need to eat before we sleep?” Rosary asked. He seemed to look over her closely, probably wondering whether she’d survive feeding him.
“I’ll only take a sip,” Astarion finally said. “Nothing so drastic as last night.” He pushed her hair away from her neck, shifting closer to her. Rosary bent her neck and braced for the sharp pain of his fangs, but he kissed her lightly. She took a quick breath in, trying to reign in her excitement.
“Are you going to bite me?” Rosary prompted. She twisted her hands in her lap.
“Patience, darling,” Astarion whispered. “I’m enjoying how your pulse flutters, so eager for me.” He kissed her neck again, sucking on the delicate flesh to bruise, and grabbed her hair to tilt her head. A needy whine escaped Rosary, the lust from before washing over her much fiercer. “I think it’s best that tomorrow our companions see you’re mine. Safer for you if they see you as tamed. And you want that, don't you, to belong to me?”
“Yes,” Rosary breathed. She kept still under his bruising kisses, her breath hitching at every grace of his fangs that still didn’t pierce her. “Astarion, please…”
“Please what, my sweet?” Astarion teased.
“Bite me,” Rosary demanded. He shoved her into the blankets, straddling her. Her hands fell to her sides in an attempt to regain her balance but Astarion used his knee to pin one and grabbed the other. She didn’t try to struggle against him, baring her throat for him instead. “Bite me, please…”
“Well, when you beg so prettily,” Astarion finally leaned down and buried his fangs into her neck. Just as the first time, the pain jolted straight to her core and she bucked her hips up. Rosary moaned as Astarion sucked, pulling on her blood. She kept writhing against him, desperate for relief, but he wouldn’t release her hands.
“Fuck! Astarion, please--I need more,” Rosary begged. He gulped down her blood noisily, moaning right in her ear. He ground himself into her center, both of them still terribly clothed. She pulled her arms against him, but he kept her held fast. “Let me touch myself, please!”
“No,” Astarion mumbled against her, licking up along the column of her throat. “You want to be good for me, don’t you? Then be patient.” Rosary instantly stopped trying to break free, but she couldn’t keep her hips from thrusting up, trying to feel more friction. He kept licking and kissing her throat until she had stopped bleeding and then started kissing down her body. He pulled her tunic lower so he could reach the bare flesh of her breast and gave her a delightfully bruising kiss on the top. The blossoming purple would show with her ample cleavage the following day. He let her up so he could pull the tunic off her. She had been getting ready to sleep earlier and so thankfully had only her small clothes left.
Rosary ran her now freed arms over Astarion’s chest, tugging his shirt free from his trousers, but he pushed her back down before she could finish, cupping her breasts that overfilled his hands and squeezing enough to make her give out a pained moan. He leaned down and nipped at her on the side of the neck that didn’t bare his fangs’ scar. “If I give you more, will you give me more too?” he asked her softly. “Just one more sip, right as I make you cum for me.”
“Yes!” Rosary gasped. “You can kill me again, I don't care--just don’t stop touching me!” Astarion buried a pleased laugh into her neck and finally reached his hand to her center, shoving aside the soaked cloth. He sank two fingers into her easily, curling them and making her shudder. He barely grazed her clit with his thumb. Rosary felt she would combust from just a few more flicks and could hear herself begging him incoherently. He heeded her cries and took up a faster pace so she was trembling and crying in no time at all.
Rosary crashed over the edge and Astarion seemed to tell instantly, biting into her again and gorging on her blood while he kept thrusting his fingers. He didn’t drink nearly as long, as promised, and was licking up the wound by the time Rosary tumbled back into her body, spent and breathless. When he had finished, he sat up and sucked her from his fingers. Had Rosary enough blood to flush she was sure she would have. She tried sitting up, but felt too dizzy and let herself remain on the ground.
“Aren’t you just a perfect mess,” Astarion smirked. “I’ll find some water and food for you.” He stood up and Rosary noticed he was still hard under his trousers.
“Wait, what about you?” she asked, trying to sit up again.
“Very sweet of you to be concerned,” he said, “but you’ve already given me enough. I’ll be back soon.” Rosary felt too weak to move and so let herself fall back into the heap of blankets.
Astarion closed the door and leaned against it, fighting with himself to not bang his head against the wood. His fixation with Rosary had worsened over the day instead of lessening as he had hoped. He had even gotten protective of the human, almost striking Karlach before Tav had commanded him to leave the camp with Rosary. Possessiveness he could tolerate, he’d always been selfish, but protective? Stupid. He was free of Cazador for now but he had no mastery of his body, still terribly hard. Astarion wanted to bury himself in Rosary until she forgot Gortash again. Was this what his targets felt, the need to fuck and then--
A dry heave had Astarion bent forward clasping his hands over his mouth. He forced himself to swallow, refusing to lose any of the precious blood Rosary had fed him. Astarion dashed into the midnight forest to kill something. Maybe a goblin would stumble across Rosary weakened from blood loss and slit her throat before the tadpole stopped it and put Astarion out of his misery with the girl. If he had any damn sense it would be what he hoped for but instead the thought just made him rush to find something quick to eat.
Astarion found a badger burrow and managed to snatch up the angry beast dwelling within, pinning it against his chest and sinking his fangs into it. As the blood (better than rats but hardly palatable after Rosary) flowed into his stomach, he decided he needed to think of Rosary as a tool. His little vicious treat to be snacked on and directed to kill Cazador. A means of pleading his case to Tav since the bard was strangely taken with the girl.
It’s just the blood of a thinking creature, Astarion thought, I’m not used to it yet. Once he adjusted he felt sure his body would stop reacting with arousal and he could simply feast in peace. He wouldn’t think about what Rosary would like to eat or how glorious she looked covered in blood. He wouldn’t think of her smile or her brown eyes glazed in pleasure. He wouldn’t think of how her lush breasts were perfect for setting his head upon to listen to her heartbeat and drift into trance. All of that would stop--he needed it to go away.
Astarion reluctantly left the badger corpse on the forest floor. He didn’t know how to skin or butcher it and Rosary would be too tired for the task even if she wanted the meat. He had spotted a beehive when he entered the forest, he’d bring her honeycomb and whatever he could find in the village on the way back.
Rosary had drifted into a light sleep when Astarion returned with a waterskin, some apples, and a piece of honeycomb. He woke her and insisted she finish the water and honeycomb before sleep fully took her. Rosary obeyed, delighting in the sweet honey. She set aside the apples for her breakfast and pulled her tunic back on, snuggling into her makeshift bed. She heard Astarion shift some of the blankets around for himself, and she fell quickly into a dreamless sleep.
#astarion#dreaming doll#astarion x durge#gortash x durge#plus size tav#bg3 fanfic#astarion x f!tav#astarion x female oc#astarion smut#astarion x tav
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I've come here to say that I ADORE the vibes of the stuff you've posted!!
The illustrations will be cartoony, and the artwork is (almost) exclusively illustration based.
I've watched way too many cartoons in my life and the influences are just slightly under the surface. I'm not satisfied with the style or quality but that's just art's way of art-ing.
The stories are soft (and I hope) sweet, slice of life (or unlife, for the ghosts and vampires and undead).
You are a vampire. Prim and proper, you need order and rules, you need structure.
You fall in love with a swamp witch, who on a semi-regular occasion, drinks a potion she forgot to label -- specifically drinks it to remember what it does -- and finds herself transformed. "Guess I'm a frog today?" she'll shrug her shoulders, unbothered, then hop off to handle frog-business.
You are struggling with your vampiric feelings as this witch's life is so chaotic that you almost forget that her familiar, a winged-black cat, is meowing in annoyance at you. Dinner is late in as much as it hasn't been served yet.
The cat regards himself as the ruler of the entire Netherworld, and you, the vampire, are another subject under his benevolence that need live up to your duty.
Such is the nature of the Netherworld -- infinite in width, innumerous in monsters, ghosts, witches mermaids -- that said cat may as well be the ruler. Impossible to know.
The dimension around you is rich in magic and resources, there is more than enough for all.
Adventures abound, big and moderate and small. The dangers are silly, non-sensical.
Halloween is celebrated daily, trick-or-treating several times a week -- you swap places, sometimes as the host, sometimes as the costumed parade.
There is joy. And books, aplenty.
And a goat that eats herbs that allows him to breathe fire.
A mermaid, canonically the most powerful magic-user to exist since the beginning of time, whose dual motives in life are "acquire candy" and "have adventures with her wife." Unbothered, entirely, with ambition.
A wizard in love with a satyr. He can't bear to admit it, the satyr being a rapscallion, making merry, which how can there be time to make merry, there are magical mysteries to decode yet. A saytr. With gorgeous eyes. And flute laughter.
A tavern owned by a dwarf and his husband known for a battle atmosphere so predictable that at any given moment, across the street, there is a replacement tavern being built, given the inevitable destruction of the first.
The stew is legendary.
The ale is a healing potion.
If you do not wish to partake of the brawling, there are seating areas away from the cavorting where you can enjoy your mountainous respite in peace.
There is an orc so tall that she doesn't need ladders or step stools to put the cans of spookgetti sauce on the top shelf at the grocery store where she works.
There is a goblin, her co-worker, so attracted to this orc that rather than introduce herself she takes up a career as an adventuring thief.
It's easier to steal jewels from queens than to say hello.
NetherworldPost.com opens in September 2022.
All of this and so much more. I haven't even gotten to to ramble about the experiments with the animated fire place or the ghost printing shop or the zine about haunted cereals.
Or the post office works in an infinite world! Full of monsters!!
The next 5 years or so are planned out -- the rest of 2022 is going to be set in getting things in order, really, so that takes us to... 2028?
Which is plenty of time to figure out the following five years.
I hope you'll take a peak occasionally.
I hope it brings you something you deeply love and didn't know you needed before you found it.
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Hungry
The wine tastes like vinegar.
And tonight's victim is so vile.
Pale lips and false smiles.
Faked words and dull trials.
He says I'm the very best.
That the other's can't compare.
As knives slice and open wide.
Sharpened fangs and whispered lies.
My prey scurried away again,
And I'm down on my knees.
Searching as I'm hungry.
Searching... Wanting... To be free.
Another evening of self-torment.
Another night that's meaningless.
Nameless eyes and stale breath...
Listen as they choke their final words.
Tomorrow maybe different.
Or likely just the same...
Using all my wicked tricks as I lead them astray.
I can't stop what I'm doing...
He tells me every day...
This is my role.
Do it and I'll stay...
Alive.
Sub-life. Unlife.
Satisfied... I never am.
I never will be.
I can't stop what I'm doing.
He tells me every day...
That they taste so delicious but I'll never be that way.
I am just a toy, a puppet or a slave.
I am a Monster he can keep locked away.
A canary in a cage would have more freedom then me...
I am left to wither, beg and plead...
My prey scurried away again,
And I'm down on my knees.
Searching for something to end the hunger.
Searching for some power...
Searching to be free...
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Trying to get revenge for a coterie mate who almost got sliced in half, Asterope found themself driven into torpor.
Ex-sabbat within the Cam, having the worst time of their unlife. Luckily they both survived and can hunt down the usurper at some stage.
#asterope szantovich#asterope art#oc asterope#tzimisce oc#tzimisce#vampire: the masquerade#vampire the masquerade#vampire the masquerade art#vtm 5e#vtm art#my art#vamily#vtm#asterope of the... camarilla?
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It's the start of the boo year, when I received a letter, hand delivered by a royal courier at my doorstep. The letter was addressed to me, from Elissbat, the addresses embossed in gold leaf. I carefully opened the lavender-colored envelope and removed the parchment from inside. It was scented with a lilac aroma.
"Dearest Valentine,
I do so hope that you would be available to meet with me for private conference. Despite my Uncle's abhorrence in well, just about every aspect of his unlife (towards you, me, the crown, all vampire kind, etc.) you do not share the same character. We are, in all technical respects, "cousins", and I may have a proposal for you. I look forward to your response, so that we may arrange a time and meeting place, either the nearest state embassy or Batsory Castle here in Londoom.
Sincerely,
Vampire Queen, Elissabeth Batsory"
I couldn't believe it! She wanted to meet with me and "propose" something seemingly crucial. Judging by her signature of her full royal name, this was a professional letter regarding the Crown. As soon as I could I wrote my letter responding that I would be willing to meet at her Castle. It had been ages since I had visited Londoom, and even longer since being in the Royal Vampire Palace of Londoom. I spent far more time in Castle Dracul in Transylvania.
I was flown out and brought to the Palace. Following guard instructions, I bowed and addressed her as "Her majesty", but soon after doing so, she pulled me into a hug and lead me into another room.
"I'm so delighted you made it! I just wrapped on my newest film a few weeks ago and it got me to thinking..." she started, "This new film is about the royal family many centuries ago and...in regards to my proposal, as my cousin.. though somewhat unofficial and unofficially adopted..." Stoker had never formally adopted me, nor would I EVER have wanted to be, but Elissabat and I had gotten along quite well whenever we met in Court events and happily agreed that we were cousins.
"I wish to bestow a Dukeship...if you would like that is." she offered plainly, as if she was simply offering me a slice of cake. 'Here's this on a plate, just take it.'
I was stunned, and asked why now, "Well, with Stoker out of favor indefinitely and from what I hear from Draculaura, you have turned over a new leaf. As queen, I would love nothing more than to give you a royal position proving that you have the Crown's full trust." she said cheerfully.
Well, of course I accepted and as the papers were processed, we discussed my title. I could have claim over nearly anywhere that I wished, Transylvania, New Goreleans, but ultimately, I decided to embrace my scaritage. My homeland that I had made forced to feel ashamed of, Direland. I nearly cried seeing on paper in bold dark red letters, "Duke Kieran Valentine of Monster (Direland)".
Together we spent time getting to really know one another; our likes, dislikes, hobbies, our current loves (ironically neither of us are in hetero relations as she was/is secretly dating her personal gorgon female makeup/hairstylist, and me a witch.) She expressed her concern and stressed that though shes happy to hear that I am happy with Spelldon, she urged that I be careful.
Getting off the subject of dating, we planned a grand party celebrating the new Dukedom. It will be held this Spring at the Embassy, friends, family, and other royals by invitation only.
The trouble will be...
Spelldon at the party...surrounded by Vampire Court members may be dangerous. I dont want him to be put at risk, but I want him beside me. I'm not ashamed of our relationship, and want to proudly show him off.
We'll see how this goes...
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personally, i think mh is at its best when it's doing slice of unlife
#i loved it when they did things like#'i like this guy but i cant tell him bc im a banshee and the sound of my voice fills people with fear 🙈'
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My Dread Lady, Chapter 29
Cyndia and her squadron flees before the Scourge while Jaina enjoys increased acceptance as Ranger Mage Proudmoore and catches up on hitherto neglected areas of dark ranging. Slices of unlife range from endearing to horrifying among the inhabitants of the Undercity.
”Ah. I see. Stealth.” Areiel said perfectly even in a ’forgive my slowness, of course I see now how obvious it is’ tone. She managed to keep her face expressionless while at the same time being unmistakeably expressive as only Ranger Captain Areiel could.
Anya followed her gaze. Before her was a royal mess on the meadow they had chosen for their practice. Kitala and Lyana were wrestling on the ground, each of them shouting ’tag’ at the other and struggling to physically prevent the other from having the last word. Jaina was chasing Clea around the field using everything from splashing water to randomly appearing luminescent illusions to unbalance her quarry, with a few harmless but very loud fire spells thrown in too now that she was at it.
”Courage, Jaina.” Clea whispered to her. ”If you can take on Scourge armies you can take on a Forsaken tea party. Except there isn’t any tea.”
#sylvaina#sylvanas windrunner#jaina proudmoore#warcraft 3#warcraft forsaken#dark rangers#anya eversong#fanfiction#archive of our own
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Electric Boogie Chapter 4 (Chapter 1)
Twyla's room was on the fifth floor of the house. She shared it with her pet dustbunny. Dustin took to Frankie right away, even if she did leave him a little staticy.
"Do you need me to explain the rules?"
Twyla smiled. "I think I get the gist. Frankie, truth or scare?"
"Truth," said Frankie.
"Where did you live before Monster High?"
"Bavaria, mostly." Frankie wiggled her toes to make her slipper flap against the bottom of her foot. "We were pretty big homebodies. Mom and Dad are the quiet types. No siblings. Not a lot of neighbors either. I was homeschooled for the first few days, but Dad's education was pretty spotty so that was not sustainable."
"I see," said Twyla. "How old are you exactly?"
Frankie made a sound like a buzzer, which was a lot more accurate than most people's attempts. "It's your turn now. Truth or scare?"
Twyla's eyes flashed in the glow from the setting sun. "Scare."
Frankie had made Cleo kiss Webby at the last Ghoul Squad creepover. She usually tried to come up with better scares than that, but she'd been distracted. Twyla had been missing.
Frankie didn't feel like making Twyla kiss Dustin, and not just because she would probably get a dustball. She followed Draculaura's lead instead and asked, "I scare you to… tell me what your biggest dream is."
For a moment she thought a stray spark had hit Twyla, but then she realized the Boogey Monster was just shocked. In a non-literal sense.
"I don't know?" she asked. At least it sounded like a question. "I never really thought about it."
"Well, what do you like?" asked Frankie.
Twyla seemed to bite off an immediate response, which had Frankie dying of scientific curiosity, but she shoved half a slice of pizza in her mouth. Dreams were a pretty big deal after all. It seemed strange that Twyla didn't have a single one after fourteen whole years, but Frankie's learning-curve standards had always been a little skewed.
"I like… children?" she said eventually. "I think. Oh, but I also like quiet?"
"School librarian! Oh, I know!" Frankie waved the other half of her pizza. "You should work at Monster High when you graduate. I'll work there too, as a Mad Science teacher, of course. Then we can still be friends!"
Maybe it was just the sunset, but Twyla looked flushed even though the house was a steady 15.5° Celsius.
"I'm sorry about the cold," said Twyla, as if reading her brain parts. "I asked the House to warm up. It usually listens better. I don't know what's gotten into it tonight."
"Your house is sentient?" asked Frankie.
"Don't take a sample."
"I wasn't going to," she insisted, tucking the sample jar surreptitiously back in her bag. "Well, the cold doesn't bother me because: dead bodies, but if you're cold we could always share a bed. Yours looks big enough for two. Sorry, Dustin. Three. With the sleeping bodybag I brought, we'll be even warmer!"
"Oh," said Twyla. "Okay."
Frankie changed in the bathroom. When she came out, Twyla had changed into her pajamas as well. She was wearing a sleep hood with little bunny ears to match Dustin. It was the cutest thing Frankie had ever seen in her unlife. She wanted to take a picture to send to the Ghoul Squad, but it wasn't worth making Twyla self conscious. Maybe she would take Frankie up on her offer someday and join them for a group creepover.
That would be creeperific.
"Is your dad going to be gone all night?" asked Frankie, settling into her side of the four-poster. Twyla rolled over to face Frankie, but she didn't remove her sleep mask, which also had bunny ears. This time, Frankie couldn't resist snapping a quick picture on her iCoffin. She did not send it to the Ghoul Squad.
"He probably won't be back till tomorrow afternoon, so we should be able to sleep in as late as we want."
"Is he away for work?"
"You could call it that." Twyla's voice had always been a little gritty, but now it was extra coarse.
"What would… you call it?" asked Frankie.
Twyla rolled back over to face the ceiling. "He's the Boogeyman. His job is to give children nightmares."
"Oh…" Frankie frowned. "I'm not sure I see the economic incentive."
Twyla laughed, louder than normal, like she'd been surprised into it. Frankie made people laugh without meaning to all the time. For once, it seemed like a good thing.
"Me neither. When I was old enough… I started to follow him each night, through the shadows. Most Boogeys don't learn how to do that till they're older, but I learned by copying him."
"Why did you follow him?" asked Frankie.
"I can… feed on negative energy," she said. "I would consume the nightmares that he gave to children. I could make them go away."
"That sounds… unhealthy?" Frankie wasn't familiar with Boogey physiology, but negative energy couldn't be good for anyone. It had 'negative' right there in the name.
"Well, he seems to be getting slower in his old age. These nights, he's usually just fanging out with Wewe Gombel. I wonder why." Frankie couldn't be certain with the sleep mask, but she was pretty sure Twyla rolled her eyes. "I used to be a lot busier. That's why I was homeschooled before Monster High too."
"Well, that's g- Wait. Homeschooled by who? Your dad?"
"Oh, uh, my education was… autodidactic."
"You homeschooled yourself?"
"The house helped assign reading sometimes. Although I still think it favored a Eurocentric patriarchal literary canon." This last part was said in a slightly louder voice, apparently for the house's benefit.
"How.. How does it feel to consume negative energy?" asked Frankie.
"I don't know," said Twyla. "I don't exactly feel myself after consuming too much of it. More overwhelmed than anything. Is that how it felt to take in too much electricity?"
"Maybe," said Frankie. "I had to get rid of the excess electricity by creating Znap. Do you have any outlet for the negative energy you consume?"
"Maybe it's not the same." Twyla fiddled with her sleep mask for a moment but didn't remove it. "Consuming negative energy must be part of my Scaritage. I mean, it comes so naturally."
"So you don't know any more about your Scaritage than I do?" asked Frankie.
Twyla shook her head, and a multitude of bunny ears flapped gently against her face. "Not really. My father is the quiet type too."
"What about your mom?" asked Frankie.
She thought Twyla had fallen asleep, but a few minutes later, just as Frankie was about to fall asleep herself, there was a whisper so soft it could have been one of Dustin’s snores.
"She's even quieter."
#monster high#monster high fanfiction#mh fanfic#twyla mh#twyla monster high#frankie stein#twyla boogeyman#electric boogie
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Catty Noir's Profile
Parents: Werecats
Age: 16
Killer Style: When I'm performing, I love big, flashy, larger-than-unlife outfits because they are ghoulishly glitzy, creeporifically cool, and fangsolutely fun! Even when I'm off stage, I like to wear fashions that sparkle and flash cause they make me feel lucky.
Freaky Flaw: I'm really superstitious. For instance, I always eat the same thing two hours before every concert: 7 chicken nuggets, 5 apple slices, 1 strawscarry shake. I have to enter stage left under one ladder and exit stage right under another, and finally, I always wear a piece of a broken mirror when I'm on stage. I find it very unlucky if any of these things don't happen.
Pet: Not having a pet is just one of the sacrifices I felt I had to make to pursue being a singer, but now I'm looking forward to getting something creepy cute, and scary sweet.
Favorite Activity: I like personally answering fan letters, really I do. I know that may not sound very glamorous, but it helps me feel connected to them, especially because without their support, I wouldn't be here.
Biggest Pet Peeve: Not being able to make my own schedule. After years of having every minute of my unlife planned for me I am OH-VER-IT!
Favorite Subject: I think it will be Monster Literature. One of the things I got to do a lot of traveling between shows was read, and I'm excited to learn about and read more of the classics.
Least Favorite Subject: I don't really have one. I think I'm pretty lucky because I'm interested in just about everything.
Favorite Color: Magenta
Favorite Food: Chilling cheese fries. They are my favorite after-concert food.
BFF's: I look forward to having the chance to make some.
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What I read in October and November
The Drowning City by Amanda Drownum - 2.75/5.00 While it was a fun adventure in an interesting setting, the character motivations felt muddy. I wanted to like the complicated politics, but the plot was sometimes hard to follow and didn't involve as much necromancy as I would have liked. I'd still give the next book in the series a chance if I found it at the used book superstore.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield - 2.00/5.00 I don't think this book is bad, it was just sold to me as something it wasn't. If this was recommended to you because you loved Into the Drowning Deep and wanted to scratch that deep sea horror itch, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you're interested in a slightly surreal meditation on grief, with very pretty writing check it out.
The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis - 2.50/5.00 As a debut novel, it's pretty good, but I wasn't quite feeling it. I didn't realize that it was going to be as romance focused as it was, but that's my bad. I just thought I was getting something a little more Castlevania. The setting is fantastic and well described. I am all about the gaslamp fantasy right now. The magic feels really magical and fantastic in a way that sometimes a harder magic system doesn't.
Unfortunately, the main characters are a bit flat and I don't think the story was served particularly well by having both POVs. They have more chemistry with every other character they interact with than each other. I loved Domek's relationship with Kaja, but Domek on his own does not have a strong presence on the page. Ora has a very strong Not Like Other Pijavica vibe that gets old very quickly. She views the rest of her kind as monstrous vermin to an extent where when she feels betrayed by Domek being a lamp lighter, it feels disingenuous and unearned. If we saw more pijavica like her, who just want to go about their unlife in peace, that betrayal would hit much harder. The ending has a bad antagonist pileup that leads to none of the antagonists feeling as impactful as if the author had just stuck to one.
Even with all that in mind, I think the author has a lot of potential and I would love to see how she develops as a writer. You could tell that she had a good time writing this.
Dracula's Child by JS Barnes - 3.25/5.00 I genuinely like this book, and it's interesting to read a Dracula sequel written in the style of the original novel. It builds slowly, but the letters, journal entries, and newspaper clippings are mostly short, so the book doesn't feel quite as long as it is. Unfortunately, it also makes it really easy to put it down until it really gets going. But when the horror starts to hit, it really hits. All that being said, it was good to catch up with my good friends Jonathan and Mina. However, I just preferred The City of Doctor Moreau.
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini - 4.50/5.00 This is a completely biased review. I don't know if I can confidently say that this book is good, only that it brought me immeasurable joy. I loved every second of it. I would absolutely 100% read another seven hundred pages of this. Hell, I would read another 700 pages of Murtagh and Thorn doing slice of life things and side quests.
I love Murtagh and Thorn's relationship so much. They are so good to each other and deserve to have fun and act their age and not have so many responsibilities and problems thrown on them. The scene where they were just playing together is by far the best scene in the book.
I haven't read the original quartet since high school so I don't remember much, but I feel like this book does a good job getting you back up to speed. I feel like Murtagh approaches magic in a very different way than Eragon and sometimes it's very interesting and creative and sometimes you get, "Fuck it. Brute force time." Like, there is something very entertaining about a character both sorting out a magical laser beam and going, "I don't have time to figure out a clever way around your wards, so I'm going to harden the air around your head and you're going to suffocate."
As a board certified, card carrying Oldest Daughter, I liked that Murtagh was really bitter about how things turned out for him. I completely understood why he would rather swallow broken glass than ask Eragon for help. I know people thought that Murtagh and Thorn were too angsty and made stupid choices, but they are very young and have been traumatized for their whole lives, so they deserve some bad choices and bad emo poetry. As a treat. And Thorn deserves to say snarky things about said emo poetry. As a treat.
I know that some people thought that the torture went on for far too long, but I was down for it. If anything, I would have wanted more.
That being said, I have my gripes with it. The pacing is weird, and while I was just vibing and having a good time, I could see why someone wouldn't like it. The ending is very abrupt, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how some things played out. Paolini is not very good at writing poetry. I would have preferred fewer poems and Thorn snarking more at the ones we get.
The main villain's name is really stupid, and I couldn't get over it. I know it's not pronounced the way it's spelled, but I couldn't get over it. There are definitely more than a few moments where the author is too clever for his own good. Like, dammit Paolini. don't use an archaic spelling of a common word, when it looks so much like a typo, on the first page. It sends the wrong message about the quality control that went into your book.
I still think that Paolini isn't good at writing romance. While Murtagh and Nasuada are, by thin margins, his least bad romance, I'm happy it's kept to a minimum. While I'm not sure I'd read a future installment, I hope that it is similarly in the background because there are scenes from To Sleep in a Sea of Stars that I cannot unhear. I am scared by them. I am entitled to financial compensation.
In the most affectionate way possible, I hope that this book finds its way to the lonely middle school girl who needs it.
#Gray Reads Stuff#I've posted this by mistake like four times already#I didn't read much the last few weeks because I got BG3 as a birthday treat#I was in a big vampire mood in October#I had so many thoughts about Murtagh#I considered posting that review separately
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On Vampire Relationships
Insomnia paid me a visit last night, so I got to thinking.
I get that imagining Lestat and Louis de Pointe du Lac's relationship's as being both intense and complex - with some toxic elements and others that could be seen as redeemable - has its appeal. Now, before you harp on me about being tired of seeing their thing being depicted as toxic, I'll remind you that people can genuinely love one another while being terrible for each other. Again, it's both toxic and redeemable. Ultimately, it's just another human couple, cranked up to a thousand.
Now - what if the stressors were mostly external, instead? What if you put together a vampire couple that just works, without overflowing passion or raw resentment, but that instead settles into a soft and kind Ozzie and Harriet type of tedium. You'd have to provide external stressors to keep things interesting for viewers or readers. Would that be equally as interesting on the long term, or would people tune out?
I'm imagining two Nosferatu-type vampires, one the elder and the other one its progeny, being content with blending in with their surrounding mortal populace and with having their occasional slice-of-unlife moments and the occasional argument. I'm imagining a version of vampirism that's mostly just a pathogen, so they're still technically biologically alive - just with different body needs.
I don't know; I just get a kick out of imagining Steffan von Oorlog, 350 years old, settle down in Montreal to take in its own brand of Cajun culture, only to fall for one of his students during his latest shift as a Slavic Mythology teacher. Steffan looks like he's in his late sixties, he's sort of gangly but dresses well, and easily compensates for the occasional hand and finger twitches. He falls for Mike, 28 years old, who's not necessarily the brightest bulb but who makes up for it with intuition and academic excitement.
It just seems interesting to me. No woe, no soliloquies - just an old leech determined to enjoy a relationship while it lasts, and both shocked and excited by the sudden emergence of the rare possibility to fashion himself a long-lasting partnership.
Next thing you know, they're sharing blood-laced coffees in the early evening, threading slightly knobby fingers together and cadging casket naps at 2 AM, unsubtly making the thing's assembly creak in time with their grunts... External stressors could take the form of Southern American vampires upending Montreal's Progressive undead scene and their species' strong ties with mortal affairs.
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Muiclac Bonedrinker
Type: NPC/PC
Aliases: Bonehead, first name is calcium but backwards
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexuality: Unknown
Race: Armored Soul (currently, homebrewed); skeleton of a fighter, original race: unknown but humanoid
Home: Elturgard
Age: Unknown
Class: Bloodborne Hunter, Homebrewed fighter based on Bloodborne. Don't judge me but it's the weapons that do it for me...
Spell of Choice: None
Weapon of Choice: Saw Cleaver
Job: Mercenary
Loyalty: Unknown
Alignment: N
Height: 6'5"
Personality: Stoic; dedicated and focused on his job and searching for the mage that gave him unlife to "repay" him for his torment; closed off about what he is because most people would NOT be down for meeting a skeleton just out and about doing his own thing like a normal, living person; not inquisitive in the slightest; lives up to the nickname Bonehead for a reason (he can't help it he's a skeleton and doesn't technically have a brain).
Status: Undead (currently)
Strategy: Swipe swipe, powered slice, fire pistol to finish them off. Can't hurt you if it's dead.
I don't have anything of him without his armor as just a skeleton because he never takes his shit off. No one knows what he looks like under all of that armor.
I'll eventually make a version of him with more Bloodborne-like attire...maybe.
#Muiclac Bonedrinker#dnd#dnd oc#oc#dnd pc#campaign: wait for it#dnd fighter#mine#long post#behold! a boneheaded lad#Bloodborne inspired subclass#dnd hombrew class#campaign: okay to borrow#campaign: characters
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more Vamp Glimmer and Supposedly-werewolf-actually-just-a-furry Adora
- Not-sure-if-dating-vampire-or-cosplayer Adora chatting with any bats she sees in case they are girlfriend
- putting out a welcome mat so possible vamp gf won't ever be stuck outside her apartment
- (it doesn’t quite work like that but adora leaves the mat out anyway) (just in case)
- watching Glimmer determinedly eat pizza while Bow facepalms and looking out for her when she gets violently sick later and being like ? Lactose intolerant?? OR deadly vampiric garlic allergy???
- its both
- and worth it
- Vampire glimmer remembering seeing her gf fight off a werewolf and screams internally bc adora is human she could have DIED
- also how strong is she to fight off a werewolf while wearing a full body realistic furstuit???
- hooman gorlfriend STRONK!!
-Question: how did human adora fight off actual werewolf?
-Answer: she read somewhere that werewolf bite could one hit K.O. vampires. Pure protective girlfriend panic did the rest
- this gets swapped once glimmer realizes her gf is 100% human, and very mortal, and won't actually regenerate or heal in moonlight, and could potentially be cursed for all eternity or eaten
- anything supernatural and not friendly within 100 yards of Adora can and will be mobbed by a cauldron of killer bats
- Adora think this is Very Cool
- but she also still wants to Fight too
- Bow face palms even though he isn’t even there to see it he can just sense them being reckless gay idiots by now he can just TELL
- Bow’s not a vampire YET but he’s been thinking about it for years bc his best friend is an immortal undead being of the night and he never wants her to be lonely
- Glimmer was actually a dhampire originally but uh a thing happened- Bow got mistaken for an actual vampire and she jumped in to protect and.... turns out that dhampires come back as vampires when they ‘die’. Who knew?
- (glimmer’s just grateful she got done with high school before she changed. collage would have made her a nocturnal shut in anyway so no biggie)
- Glimmer’s mom (also Vampire) was a lot more freaked out over it
- it made her a lot less pleased with the idea of Glimmer dating a werewolf aka a thing that hunts vampires on instinct once a month and is one of the few creatures capable of killing them fairly easily
- she made a lot of very thinly veiled threats to Adora
- Adora was Confused
- Adora spent a whole year thinking Glimmer’s goth dad had been killed by a furry and they even had a talk about how Glimmer felt dating Adora and how she didn’t want Adora to trying being someone else bc she was already nothing like the people who attacked her dad and SOMEHOW they still didn’t figure things out. Amazing
- Micah isn’t dead he was a human who got attacked by werewolves for being around Vampire Angella and she turned him to save him but he has to spend a few decades in underground recuperating before he can wake up again :(
- Glimmer, back when she was a living dhampire, was really scared he’d sleep for centuries and she’d never get to talk to him again
- another reason she’s cool with being a 100% vampire now
- Vampire Glimmer leans into her vampireness with glee- smokey eyeshadow, glitter, metal studs, corsets and fancy skirts, black lace fingerless gloves, lots of moon themed pendents, earrings that look like drops of blood, etc
- She calls her fashion TRAS-ylvanian Vamp-bi-er because she also uses the trans and bi pride flag colors just like, constantly
- Vampire Glimmer: Things I need to survive. One, clothes themed pink-purple-blue, and Two, clothes themed Blue-Pink-White
Bow: What about blood?
Vampire Glimmer: Oh, yeah. That too I guess
- Vampire glimmer can sprout smol bat wings
- she is very pissed. her mom’s wings are HUGE and she cannot WAIT to have wings big enough to use as her own ultimate vampire cape
- after finding out Adora is actually a human Angella gets worried for Glimmer in a whole new way
- by then she’d actually warmed up to ‘werewolf’ Adora and trusted her and was actually glad Glimmer’s girlfriend had some supernatural powers to protect her, but now Glimmer is with a human just like Angella was, and she’ll either lose Adora like Angella almost lost Micah or have to make the choice to change her and possibly be left with the guilt of that for the rest of her eternal life
- (Angella’s a little terrified of Micah waking up. What if he doesn’t like being a vampire? What if he pretends he’s fine with it but secretly isn’t and is lonely and miserable forever??)
- she talks with glimmer about it all and they share many hugs. Yay undead mother-daughter bonding!
- but this also makes glimmer worry bc she used to think her turning Adora a non-issue bc werewolf but now it’s a thing they have to think about and UGH her head hurts blegh whatever
- not long after Glimmer catches Adora very seriously trying on some cheap fake party fangs and taking notes on how they feel
- Glimmer laughs so hard she cries
- then she almost dies when Adora asks her “Vat’s vrong?”
- back to the I Am A Furry reveal, Adora sits down with Glimmer and explains that sometimes a furry is just a person who has a fursona and like dressing up as it if they can afford to and that’s literally all there is to it
- glimmer does some research and comes back with even more questions
Vampire Glimmer: If your fersona is bipedal werewolf but your fursuit is hyper-realistic to point where i thought it was a REAL wolf, then does that make you a Feral or just a detailed Anthro?
Adora: how do you KNOW about all this??
Vampire Glimmer: google exists. now answer the question so I know which terrible pun to send in Bow’s good morning text
-
-For the next few months after finding out The Truth glimmer suffers like, two more Truths per day
- Vampire Glimmer, texting from inside her coffin: Wait, if you’re not a werewolf then why do you eat your meat so raw?
Adora: .... i can’t cook...
Vampire Glimmer: .......... fair enough
- half an hour later -
Vampire Glimmer, texting again: WAIT if you’re not a werewolf then how come you get all moody and grumpy and run off into the woods every full moon??
Adora: LARPing is fun but also stressful and brings on my period AND you can’t fully appreciate a good werewolf fursuit without both the right backdrop and bright moonlight
Vampire Glimmer: Oh. huh
- half an hour later -
Vampire Glimmer, calling adora from inside coffin: Why do you always smell like dog
Adora, sobbing: I VOLUNTEER AT AN ANIMAL SHELTER DURING THE DAY MY SHIFT IS IN TWO HOURS PLEASE LET ME REST IN PEACE
Vampire Glimmer: OH MY GOD I’M SORRY BUT WHY ARE YOU EVEN ANSWERING YOUR PHONE
Adora, sobbing harder: I JUST REALLY LOVE TALKING TO YOU!!!
Vampire Glimmer: BABE I LOVE YOU TOO BUT THIS IS INSANE EVEN DEAD PEOPLE NEED MORE SLEEP THAN YOU’RE GETTING
- glimmer texts bow and has him make an emergency coffee run to Adora’s so she be kinda sorta functional. This becomes a ritual and Bow joking complains about having to do their ‘dark bidding’ (adora drinks her coffee black) (Glimmer hates that Bow managed to make a both a vampire AND a coffee pun)
- by far the most horrifying thing of all is the fact that Adora has no canine allergy to chocolate. She just doesn’t like it
- vampire! Glimmer lies awake for several days trying to process this
- in the end they both just really love each other <3
#spop#glimora#glimmadora#vampire glimmer au#mentions of -#bow#micah#vampire angella#slice of life#slice of unlife?
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