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be-my-ally · 1 year

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"...Elvis has left for Graceland."

This is, uh, what I did with some *generally helpful information* about mirrors in Graceland (although tbh there's not even that many references to them here) and bde withdrawals. I lied - I thought my empty promises wip would be out first, but when inspiration hits and a shorter fic just pops out of your fingers - and the alternative is the dreaded editing, you end up with this instead! Enjoy my lovelies - this is also a little (ok a lot) for @thatbanditqueen - enjoy the references to red Graceland, the correct suit for the exact date, and even his exact upper of choice in spring summer ’74! Oh! and the dress pictured below is YSL from 1973 xx (and also @ellie-24, and @whositmcwhatsit for encouraging me! Surprise! We were discussing films and I was writing this!)

summary: you’re elvis’ girlfriend circa ’74, and have a lot of fun congratulating him after his recorded show in Memphis.

pairing: afab!reader x elvis (of the big daddy flavour)

warnings: 18+, thigh-riding, the ripping of an expensive rental dress, big daddy elvis in all his big daddy-ness, yet again - reader sucks his tits idk man I didn’t think was gonna be a kink for me but clearly it is, v. minor references to his drug abuse, p in v sex, uhhhh…. Oh mirrors! I know Graceland wasn’t as, uh, dirty as Hillcrest but I think he still had enough fun there, Elvis keeps his jumpsuit on. this is essentially unedited so pls ignore any typos - I'll give it a look over in the morning!

wc: 4.1k - We did it baby! Concise smut!!

March 20th 1974 - Mid-South Coliseum Memphis

“…Elvis has left for Graceland.”

You’re delayed in leaving - a problem with the valet, or the sound, or something that someone has to sort out - so despite the fact that Elvis himself has left you are stood, waiting, with a couple of the mafia boys for the other car to be brought around. Undoubtedly to be stuck in the hordes of fans and traffic on the way out. You hated being stood exposed like this, it made you feel like people’s wandering glances weren’t just sizing up the King’s new girlfriend, but laughing at you - at how you’re no more special than the rest of them. Stood in much the same way they all were. Left behind while he was whisked away to his palace.

The temperature had dropped since you’d arrived here earlier, and you wished you’d thought to bring a jacket but the weather was just starting to warm up and you’d been thrilled to be able to wear a little strappy number - a little part of you, or maybe a large part, wanting to show off a little for the home crowd. Silver and diamanté straps that held up the draping gently twisted fabric that flowed in a column, brushing your curves - it was, expensive and flashy in a subtle way - it was almost too much for the concert. But, as always, you’d been outshined by Elvis’ own crystals - the stark white of his sparkling jumpsuit brighter than any of the stage lights. You’d worn it mostly for him though, despite the fact that he’d barely glanced at you in it.

By the time you’re all loaded into the car, heading the barely ten miles towards Graceland, the novelty of passing down Elvis Presley Boulevard from an Elvis Presley concert to go and see Elvis Presley still hadn’t waned. You smile a little at yourself and you can feel Charlie laughing from the other side of the backseat of the car, “God makes me laugh every time I see that damn sign - as if he needed a bigger head!” You laugh with him, but you can hear the affection in his voice - as if you were being let in to a joke of the inner circle; the joke about his large head being simultaneously true but also at odds with his nerves mere hours ago. Despite your traffic fears you make quick progress and it’s mere minutes before you’re pulling up to the drive, parting the crowd and through the gates. You’re quick out of the car but you’re surprised not to see or hear him when you walk through the front door, until Billy, coming around the corner, sees you and points upstairs. You nod and thank him but, not seeing the point in rushing if he’d gone to bed, you head to the kitchen - fetching a drink and take your time finishing it. You start to slowly make your way up the main staircase, stopping to check yourself out in the large mirror on the wall, reapplying a little lipstick just in case he was awake.

When you walk in, he’s pacing at the bottom of his bed, still in the sweaty white jumpsuit, walking back and forth, he gestures past his padded doors, towards the landing and the huge mirrors he’d recently had installed on the ceiling to match those on the walls. “Saw you take your time, something more important than me baby?” You frown, shaking your head - you forget, when at Graceland, that his eyes are everywhere; even as much as in Hillcrest.

“Course not babe, of course not!” He tuts, but you’d not been expected him to look so awake so you hadn’t thought you’d had to rush up to him; despite your desire to see him, and congratulate him on the show. So you have no words to your defence - you can’t exactly tell him you expected he’d be half out of it by now. You glance over at the gold foiled nightstand on his side - the orange bottle for his dexedrine open and on display. He follows your gaze, his own eyes hardening a little, tiny little lines forming on the edge of his still-linered lids. Neither of you mention his sudden burst of energy and where it came from. He turns back to you, hands on his hips. It draws your attention to his outfit. He’d not even changed from his stage jumpsuit - a rarity since he was almost always in his robe by the time he’d passed through his bedroom doors. It strangely matches well in the dark, red, interior of the room - red crystals of the fire suit almost the exact colour of the carpet. But it also, oddly, made him stand out even more - the crystals seeming like they were everywhere, like he was made to be stood in this room; reflecting across the mirrors, and emphasising the white of the jumpsuit - his skin jumping out. The zipper was low, as it had been all night and you rake your eyes over his exposed skin. He’d been exceptionally physical tonight, the showmanship spectacular and it was displayed in his chest and stomach shimmering with his still drying sweat. You feel yourself growing wet.

“Shut the door honey,” You do as you’re told, he’s gruff, almost as if he feels he should be apologetic but would never admit it, “Not had time lately have we, huh, baby?” You shake your head in response, uncertain what to say - you hadn’t, he’d been so busy worrying about these concerts, and then afterwards about the live recording - about the intricacies of the sound, of how the crowd noise will be isolated. It meant that as excited as you were to see him perform in Memphis, in his home - you were more excited to get past it to the month long break he was going to have. But you also knew how privileged you were to get any time with him at all, and you knew how quickly his moods changed lately. Unwilling to say anything that might make him reconsider his plans and head back downstairs, leave you alone, waiting and wanting while he entertained.

“Well. We’re here now.” He moves over to you, determinedly catching you in a kiss. You squirm a little, eyes closed, trying to will away the thought that you weren’t the only woman he’d kissed this evening, force away the images of him with the girls in the front row. There was fewer than normal, chaste pecks on the cheek - he didn’t want to mess up the recording after all. But still, you’d felt the envy growing in you, jealousy burning through your veins. He makes you forget this though, as he rubs his hands down your arms, warming where they’d already grown cold in the frigid air of his bedroom and his tongue slips deeper into you. You can taste the gatorade of the night, mixed with the sparkling water he’d probably downed along with his uppers - the faint tingle of the carbon dioxide still present. He kisses down your cheek to your throat, leaving traces of your freshly applied lipstick from your own lips before he turns you around, facing the headboard, and walks you towards the bed - your legs bump against the end. He tugs at the straps that cross on your back, impatient. You wince, trying to stop him;

“Elvis, baby, it’s a - a rental, gotta be careful, it’s one of a kind -“

“Fuckin’ fancy shit - get it off then, fuckin’ hate when you don’t just let me buy you -” Despite his harsh words he kisses across your shoulder in between his words. You cut him off,

“It’s not for sale El, so you couldn’t have even -“

“You tellin’ me what I can or can’t do now mama?” He toys with the strap, you think fast trying to stop what you’re sure is coming -

“El, seriously - I didn’t mean it like that I just - ah!” He pulls the chain clean off - square crystals spilling over the bed.

“Fuck - E!” He yanks the other one, this time accompanied by a little tearing noise as the seam rips from the back. Before you have time to protest any longer he’s pushing down the twisted top, your breasts popping out. He grabs your chin, pointing it towards the back of the bed - where the large mirror hangs - you can see yourself reflecting from the mirrors on the other walls too - the glances of different angles almost overwhelming.

“Look at yourself.” He maintains his grip on your chin while palming one of his simultaneously thick but still sleek hands across your boob. He twists a nipple as you gasp, pulling it out a little. He pushes you up with his other hand, forcing you to balance on your knees on the end the bed, his own thigh coming in between to force them further apart and support some of your weight as you sink down a little. He hikes the long length of the dress up, grabbing your wrist and forcing you to hold it up yourself although the maxi-skirt still drapes and covers your modesty. He lets go of your face, pulling you back against him harder with both hands, and his stomach, more pronounced than before, bumps against your back. You stare, mouth open, as you watch his large hands span across your waist. His head is bent over into the crook of your neck, sucking a bruise onto the dip of your collarbone, his sweaty, fluffy, hair tickling your chin. He moves his leg a little, bending his knee onto the bed too, forcing it further into your crotch, allowing you to grind down on him.

He pushes you down himself, hands on your hip bones and the soft flesh there, moving you in little circles feeling you rub against him. He suddenly, frantically, pushes the dress up further - exposing you entirely. You gasp, as he unveils your little secret of the night - not only had you not bothered with a bra - the dress being far too revealing for it, but the soft slippy fabric had clung to whatever underwear you had tried, ultimately leaving you to go commando for the night as well. He grunts against your skin, looking at you in the mirror over your shoulder,

“You been like that all night, honey?” He traces a finger over the undercurve of the swell of your tummy, tickling a little, as he rotates it in little circles - teasing you in its pattern that’s reminiscent of how he often touches you.

“Ye-es, they - they showed through,” He tucks your ass into him, his belt digging into you, and preoccupies himself with stroking a finger the length of your vulva, his thigh slightly getting in the way until you push yourself up a little more.

“Surprised you ain’t already ruined that dress, how wet you are - bet you were drippin’ all over the place. Watching me.” He presses a finger into you, just the very tip, gently, his other hand coming back up to your nipple - you clutch at his arms; “Weren’t you?”

“Probably, probably E - can’t help it around you, not when you’re performin’ looking so good -” He laughs, pulling his finger away, crooking it as he pulls it up - knocking one of his huge rings against your clit. He draws you back - his body moving with his laugh causing you to bounce you on his thigh. You let out a gasp that quickly turns to a moan,

“You think I look good darling?” You meet his eyes in the mirror, they’re bright and impish; a smug little smile on his face. Any other time you might have teased him - but not today. Not with your angle changing slightly when he pushes you forwards a little, his broad, large thigh pressing firmly into you again, you can feel your labia spreading against his jumpsuit, tight weave of the dancer’s gabardine rubbing against you. You bob your head quickly;

“Of course, of course E - you look, looked amazing; don’t want you to take it off.” He laughs, as if you’ve given him an idea - or perhaps confirmed something he thought before,

“Well, don’t be shy - prove it to me baby.” You gape at him, trying to twist around to do something - although you’re not sure what, to prove it to him, but he stills you with both hands holding you in place. Before he lifts you, manhandling you where he wants you as he pulls you off of him - moving to sit down on the fluffy circular chair in the corner, he keeps a hold of you as he goes, but allows you to turn, before yanking you back onto his lap. Resting your legs on either side of one of his thighs. You can feel the crystals on your inner thighs, rubbing against you and you’re sure you’re gonna have a weird form of beard-burn by the time you get up, but you don’t let it stop you and you rock back and forth on him. He takes a second to strip your dress completely off, leaving you completely nude where before your belly button had been afforded a little modesty but nowhere else and you brace yourself with hands on his shoulders to arch your back, pushing your tits out and grind down on him.

“That’s it baby, show me how much you love this ‘suit, want you to get me all wet darling, not letting you up till there’s a spot on me,” You can feel your heat rising just from his words, and the rough material under you provides just enough friction for you to feel yourself getting close.

He pulls you closer to him, so that you’re rocking your body practically into his crotch, and the movement is pulling the jumpsuit off of his chest a little, the tiniest hint of a nipple peeking out. You lean forward, rocking against him and shifting your balance with your arms around his neck for stability. You can feel every part of the chest section of the jumpsuit rubbing against your skin, pinkening it with the feel of the stones but, as your own nipple catches between a group of them with a little prickle of pain, you can’t help but moan, it only adding to to your building pleasure. He lets out his own little grunt as you move your head to his neck - causing him to fall back against the chair further. You’re practically horizontal now, although his feet remain on the floor and it puts your cheek in contact with his chest. You nuzzle into him, unable to resist licking when he’s so close - so shiny, so tempting. He bucks his hips as you do as if you’ve unlocked a hidden sensitivity of his. It only spurs you on more, moving to suckle on his little pink nipple, one of your hands coming away from his neck to stroke his chest hair. You only realise you’d zoned everything but his chest out when you feel a hand in your hair, pulling your head back and you suddenly realise he’s been talking, babbling at you, the whole time but you’d had such a single-minded focus you’d not even noticed.

“Lord baby, you gots a hot little mouth, hot fucking little lips. God baby, your tongue, where’d you learn to do that, huh? Liable to make a man cream his pants like that, honey, and wouldn’t that be a waste?” He strokes your face and you smile, looking up at him, as he lets go of your hair and rubs his hands down your sides again. It’s only a moment later when he’s hauling you off of him, struggling to his feet. You stand there, flushed but growing colder in the frigid air with every moment that passes without being pressed against his burning body heat, your nipples pebbling. You watch as he surveys the room for a moment, his own arousal more than a little apparent in the stretchy fabric of the jumpsuit - before sighing,

“Simple’s the best. Right honey?”

“Sure, I’m - I’m sure that’s right El,” You agree, but not really knowing what you’re answering and he catches you by the arm pushing you backwards onto the bed, you gasp and scrabble backwards at his insistent pushing. A moment later you understand as he’s pulling the belt off, unzipping himself finally and, - oh, he’s not taking it off, he’s just unzipping the suit all the way, pulling his cock out. You groan, head falling back against the mountain of pillows. You’d never, never have mentioned how much you wanted this, to have his thick powerful body still encased in his jumpsuit as he fucks you. His magnetism, the sexual energy from the concert and his presence on the stage being impressed upon you with every brush of your naked body against the fabric - against the rhinestones.

He pulls himself back a little before slipping a finger into you, ring bumping against your folds, it sinks in easily - you’re already so ready, just from bouncing on his thigh, and to be honest you’d been wet enough from the moment Also Sprach Zarathustra had turned into See See Rider. He hums, pleased that you’re soaking for him, and he doesn’t wipe off his finger before pushing it into your mouth,

“That’s it baby, suck it off, taste yourself on me,” You obediently do as he says, sucking down - hollowing your cheeks, eyes wide. He pulls it out to balance himself on one hand, grasping his cock in the other, pumping it a couple times before lining himself up with your entrance.

“Better be ready for me honey - ‘cause I’m sure as hell ready to sink into your tight little cunt.” You gasp as he doesn’t even wait for a reply, pushing himself into you. He’s pressing into you from all angles as you slowly adjust to his length within you, his soft tummy - crystals pressing into you from above, his musky chest just below your eye-line and his arm bracketing you into him from the other side of your neck. He stills for a second, before leaping into motion, struggling slightly to move himself more upright, keeping himself in you and pulling you close against him with a hold on your hips. You’re on your back while he kneels up now, allowing him to lift your butt a little, and thrust a little deeper. You squirm on him, little moans and gasps being released - you’ve not yet been able to get past having had the bedroom next to your parents growing up. He grabs your hips now, rings pressing in tight, to move your body onto him as he pumps into you. He’s talking the whole time - the man’s unable to stay quiet any moment he’s awake -

“Oh god darling, never gonna be able to wear this suit ‘gain, Lord how’re you, so -” He thrusts in, hard, to punctuate his next sentence - “so - fucking - tight.” His breathing is already growing heavier, “How’re you so goddamn tight - like Lil’ Elvis is caught in a - ah - fucking vice. God, look at you.”

You look up at him, fresh sweat starting to form at his chest and brow, he’s not even looking at you though, and you wonder who that last comment had been aimed at as he’s staring at his own reflection in the mirror. You’re glad though, when he smiles - eyes bright when he does glance back at you; whatever he’d seen had clearly cheered him up and out of his self-conscious mood, enough to encourage a sudden burst of energy again. He drags you back, lifting his own hips enough to spear into you at just the right angle. As he hits that perfect spot inside of you repeatedly he moves his hand from where it was still clutching your hip to stroke down across your mound, it’s a slightly awkward angle but he manages to swipe his thumb perfectly across your clit - your leg jerking, and your back arching in response.

“Oh - Elvis, oh god, I’m so fucking close - babe you gotta, just keep -” He grunts above you, his thumb keeping pace, and his cock thrusting in at the same speed. It’s mere seconds,

“Fuck - baby, you’re squeezin’ ‘round me so fuckin’ ti-ght, that’s a good fucking girl, my good girl.” Before it’s enough to send you over the edge, clenching down on him and shuddering, your mouth agape and your eyes shuttering closed as the waves of your orgasm crash over you.

“Oh, oh - god, Elvis -” His pace changes, and it drags you back from floating, as he just goes for it at a rapid pace, fingernails clawing at your skin, before his hips are stuttering and he’s quickly pulling out as the first streaks of his ejaculate shoot across your pussy, he pulls himself up, pumping it across your tummy, and you moan at the sight - him looking goddamn regal - sparkling in the dim light as he shoots across you. He moves one of his hands to rub it over you, between your folds and over your stomach - into your belly button. Before he collapses on top of you, practically smothering you, in an effort to reach your mouth to kiss you - your legs are so tired and tense but you can just about lift them up to come around to grasp at him, barely noticing the now-familiar scratch of the rhinestones, locking your ankles over his back. You’re probably smearing cum all over the jumpsuit but you don’t care - too desperate to feel him close to you. You lock lips for a long moment, letting him take whatever he wants, underneath him like this it’s difficult to feel anything but utterly submissive and at his mercy. Your lips are bitten and raw by the time he pulls away and rolls off of you, and you can’t do anything but lie there, your chest heaving as you try to catch your breath. You look over at him, and he’s in practically the exact same position, soft matted chest hair wet with sweat and his little rounded tummy poking out of the unzipped suit with his now soft cock resting outside too, but smiling up at the ceiling -

“Wish I still had my scarf - wouldn’t even have to get up to find something to wipe us down with,” You laugh with him, just barely getting the effort yourself to stand, on shaky legs, you’re sweaty and damp yourself and you can’t imagine how he feels - going straight into this after a two hour long concert, so you chivvy him up,

“C’mon then El, I’ll run us a bath - we can get all clean together,” He hums, sounding as if he’s close to his come down already,

“ ’S-ok little one, I can - just need a, a, wipe down.” You frown, you like his musk but no way in hell are you getting back into bed with him like this, but you’re not quite sure how to say it without starting an argument, when strangely, for once - Elvis seems to sense your reluctance, “Alright, alright, fine. But only if I get you all wet and warm in my lap,” he laughs to himself again, “well - warm and wet again - huh, darlin’,” You giggle with him, walking gingerly to put the bath on, and as you stand up he’s already stood behind you - crowding you against the dark bathroom wall, stroking your sides with his thick fingers, he tips your chin up to look you right in the eyes - “Thank you for that though little one, needed - needed to see how much you like me, see me again, been - I’ve been so distracted I ain’t had chance to even look at myself in weeks.” You smile,

“Of course Elvis, I’m all yours - anytime.” You pause, wondering if you should mention it, “Seriously though - we’re gonna have to get Bill or Ciro - someone’s gotta fix that dress,” He just laughs at you, shaking his head -

“Honey, I told you - I’ll just buy it.”

#big daddy elvis fanfic #big daddy elvis #70s elvis fanfic #elvis fanfic #elvis presley fanfiction #elvis presley smut #elvis x reader #elvis smut #elvis x you

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falcor-thee-luck-dragon · 3 years

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Of Monsters and Men

Chapter 7- Of Banquets, Bastards, and Burials

Summary: Jaskier seems full of good ideas, one that brings you and your Witcher into the halls of a prideful Queen.

Warnings: nothing but a good time, mostly

Masterlist

Grumbling in disgust at the messy monster slaying you and Geralt had just endured at the frozen lake nearby, you hastily burst through the wooden doors of the local tavern where Jaskier and the other villagers currently are. He's trying to get the gory details from some man who insisted on accompanying you both on your hunt, resulting in him fleeing the scene covered in chunks of globby Selkiemore blood from a blow you landed onto the creatures opened eye.

Right before the beast swallowed Geralt, his silver sword cleanly slicing through the creatures stomach and finally putting an end to the tiresome hunt. Just like that, done and done. You watch as the tavern goers faces grimace at the gnarly scent protruding from yourself and Geralt, your crimson eyes catching the delighted sight of your laughing bard as he finds you two easily in the crowd.

You walk up to the table that the bard is sitting at, "What's that stench?" Questions the man by Jaskier's side, you glare at him like he's the biggest dumbfuck in the whole Continent. Your body is spotted in splayed monster guts likewise to Geralt who's almost unrecognizable by how much blood and innards coats his face. What else would cause such a scent?

"Selkiemore guts. Had to get it from the inside." Replies Geralt bluntly.

"We'll take what we're owed." You add, the man nods as he quickly reaches into his jacket to pull out the sack of coin. Jaskier taking this time to begin singing his famous Toss a coin to your Witcher ballot, the whole entirety of the tavern happily joining in as he gets out of his seat.

Not caring to join them you turn to walk away from the masses, Geralt trailing behind as you make a beeline for the wooden keg, "Fuck me I need a drink." You exclaim before filling up a mug and quickly downing it like there's no tomorrow, Geralt chuckling as he does the same. When you pull the cup from your lips does the bard make himself known.

He leans against the counter all the while rambling on about how you two owe him for making yourselves so famous now. Wordily explaining how for a single night he'll need you both to watch out for him as he and the two of you attend some princess' banquet, though you're not entirely sure what he's on about considering you're too distracted by the free beer.

Setting an empty mug upon the wooden counter you roll your eyes, done with his excessive disjointed talking, you turn to leave as Geralt follows your lead towards the stairs, Jaskier calling out something of possible interest to sway your minds.

"Food, women, and wine, Geralt!" Shouts Jaskier, stopping Geralt in his tracks as you turn around.

Jaskier looks at him hopefully as Geralt lets out a tired sigh, "I already have Y/N." Grumbles your tired Witcher as you walk over next to him, a spark of interest tugging at the inner adventurer in you.

"I haven't had a kingly meal in ages, nor have I worn a silken dress in almost a decade." You add with a humored laugh, turning your attention to Geralt, "I bet you'd love to see me in silk and jewels, now wouldn't you my love?" You purr into his ear while lightly touching his dirty arm, he looks at you with a telling half grin.

——

You watch as Jaskier paces in front of the two of you with a small cloth draped casually over the side of his shoulder while he contemplates how tonight should go for him, that is if everything goes well and no lords try and kill him. Since you took a much needed bath earlier, you get the privilege of cleaning off Geralt as your talkative bard continues his ramblings about the party tonight. Grasping the small bucket in your hands you crouch behind Geralt, dumping a warm bucket of water onto your grumpy Witcher's gut smeared head, you hold in your giggles as he sputters and wipes his face from the sudden tiny waterfall to his head and face.

"Now now, stop your boorish grunts of protest, you should be grateful to have Y/N as your willing washer." Quips Jaskier as he walks around Geralt's tub and you who's seated behind him with your hands in his dirty hair, "It is one night of you two bodyguarding your very best friend in the whole wide world. How hard could it be?"

You flick some stray pieces of Selkiemore guts out of Geralt's tangled mane while Jaskier walks around you once again, "Every lord, knight and twopenny king worth his salt will be at this betrothal." He explains as he picks up some bath salts on the nearby cabinet, "The Lioness of Cintra herself will sing the praises of Jaskier's triumphant performance!" You snort when he throws the salt into the bathtub, tiny crystals landing around and on Geralt as he watches the bard, unfazed and rather quite annoyed.

Taking a cloth from the side of the tube you gently rub the dirt and blood from Geralt's tense shoulders, "How many want your head on a spike?" You wonder with a small chuckle as the bard looks elsewhere trying to think for a second.

"Hard to say. One stops keeping count after a while. Wives, concubines, mothers sometimes." He replies as Geralt lets out an annoyed huff, suddenly Jaskier stops and sits on the edge of the tub, "Ooh, yeah, that face! Ooh! Scary face!" He looks up at you, "Ah and Y/N, those ruby sparkling eyes of yours paired with your own dangerous royal status. No lord in his right mind will come close if either one of you is standing next to me with a puss like that." Geralt reaches for his cup, just as Jaskier grabs it out of his hand, "Ooh, on second thought...might want to lay off the Cintran ale. A clear head would be best."

Chuckling in amusement you rest your arms on either side of Geralt's muscular shoulders as he huffs in frustration, "I will not suffer tonight sober just because you hid your sausage in the wrong royal pantry." He grumbles while you try to untangle his wintery mess, "We're not killing anyone. Not over the petty squabbles of men."

"Yes, yes, yes. You two never get involved. Except you actually do, all of the time." Notes Jaskier as he walks to the front of the tub, you simply shrug your shoulders in reply, he does have a compelling point, "Ugh. Is this what happens when you get old? You get unbearably crotchety and cantankerous."

"Only if your a moody Witcher." You jest, causing Jaskier to snicker as Geralt rolls his golden eyes.

"Actually, I've always wanted to know, do Witchers ever retire?" Questions Jaskier thoughtfully.

Geralt looks up at him, a frustrated expression dancing across his features, "Yeah. When they slow and get killed." You watch as the bards eyebrows raise at his dismally bleak answer before his lips turn into a mischievous grin, Geralt looking much the opposite as he suddenly turns his head in an attempt at finding his missing clothes, "Jaskier where the fuck are my clothes!"

You squint at the smirking bard, wondering what's brewing in his inquisitive noggin, "I know that look. Jask what the fuck are you planning?"

He throws a casual hand upon his slender hip, "Oh don't fret about the clothing, I sent them away to get washed like Y/N's." Says Jaskier before turning to Geralt, "Anyways, you're not going tonight as a Witcher."

——

You stroll into the large bustling banquet hall, your darkly colored dress flowing as you walk. The material is comfortable and beautiful, it hugs your torso and back as it crawls up to your neck, leaving your arms bare except for the lacy fingerless gloves adorning your hands and partial forearm. The lower half of your gown free of any restraints as it swishes elegantly with each step, easier done with the two slits running up to your separate thighs. A ribbon and jeweled necklace gently hugging your neck as a creasant moon and sun hangs from the material. Your feet are covered by two comfortable black boots laced in a thin mesh that rides slightly above your knees. It appears that Jaskier may indeed shine with good taste with his clothing choices for yourself, Geralt on the other hand, less so.

Your crimson eyes scan over the other party attendees, some of them giving you double takes as you saunter through the room, your whole pose practically screaming royalty. With a small tug at the corner of your lips you walk next to Geralt's left side while Jaskier restlessly glances around the party goers on his right. You can tell how excited he is to be playing tonight, plus very nervous for the possible angry lords trying to seek him out from his past shenanigans.

"Right, so stick to me, look mean and pretend you're mute. Y/N, just don't make anyone piss themselves. Can't have anyone finding out who you two are." Whispers Jaskier right as a short bearded mage wearing green finds you three in the crowd, you recognize him instantly.

His face lights up at the sight of you and your Witcher, "Geralt of Rivia, the mighty Witcher! And of course, Princess Y/N of Alkatraz, the fearsome dhampir!" He beams with a hearty raise of his silver mug, many banquet attendees turning to stare at you two. You can't help but internally cringe after he loudly announces who and what you are, great now half the banquet knows your business.

"Shit." Whispers Jaskier softly, you nervously smile at some ladies who have turned their done up faces towards you, in turn you make sure to keep your fangy grin hidden as you give them a small friendly half grin.

The bearded mage walks over to you both, a smile upon his face and a drink still in his hand, "I haven't seen you since the plague." He jests at Geralt before turning to you, "And the Vampire Queens only heir, it's an honor, haven't seen the likes of since..."

"Good times, Mousesack." You interrupt with a quick flash of a smile, your eyes darkening for only a second, he shakes his head as a laugh departs from his lips.

"I've missed your strikingly unprecedented temperament my dear princess, and Geralt, how I've longed for that famously sour complexion. I feared this would be a dull affair, but not the White Wolf and Lady Dhampir are here, perhaps all is not lost." Declares Mousesack as he eyes up Geralt's formal attire, his brows furrowing in thought, "Why are you dressed like a sad silk trader?" You could have laughed if not for the watchful wary gazes around you.

Geralt turns to glare at a fidgety Jaskier, who looks at him like a scared puppy. You watch as Mousesack puts a hand to Geralt's broad shoulder, guiding him away to gossip about the royal attendees in line for princess Pavetta's hand. You decide to keep away from their speaking and instead vouch to wander about on your own. Your eyes scanning the crowd as you eavesdrop in on their conversation across the room.

Minding your business by a flaming warm torch, you suddenly hear what sounds to be a very pissed off older lord who's cornering your retreating bard. Without skipping a beat you look up and lock knowing eyes with Geralt who immediately excuses himself from Mousesack to intervene before Jaskier gets his parts snipped off.

With a snicker you watch as Geralt humorously calms the situation, explaining that Jaskier had his balls kicked in by an ox as a child, the lord suddenly going sympathetic and in turn giving the bard a single golden coin. You smoothly bring yourself over to your boys, your dress flowing beautifully as you walk. But as soon as you rest your lace covered hand upon Geralt's forearm does the sound of trumpets pierce through your sensitive eardrums, the familiar scent of blood flowing into your nostrils.

"All rise for Her Majesty, the Lioness, Queen Calanthe of Cintra!" Shouts a nobleman, you turn your sights upon a blood spattered golden armored woman who practically swaggers into the great banquet hall, a smirk upon her blood spattered face.

Leaning a careless arm against a short marble guard wall, Geralt doing the same to your immediate right, the both of you watch with interest as Queen Calanthe saunters past some tables where she snatches a beer in delight. Your bard gone from you once again as he swiftly walks near the Queen, he places himself near a stone pillar as more musicians follow behind him, his favorite lute in hand and a beaming smile upon his face.

Queen Calanthe continues her walking as she boasts of how close-by townships needed reminding of who really is Queen, her people cheer in pride and gratitude, then to your utter amusement she sasses for Jaskier to play a jig as she struts over to the royal table, where a very anxious looking princess Pavetta quietly sits, tears rising to her enchanted blue eyes.

Nonchalantly you reach over and with a cheeky smile take the beer from out of Geralt's firm grasp, he simply lets go as a humored grin falls onto his handsomely clean face. Then to your usual unvexed temperament, you raise an eyebrow as a rowdy lord begins snapping at another about who's actually managed to slay a manticore or not. In the heat of the moment your ears prick to the whispered gossip being spilt by a woman who's just outed yourself and Geralt as her lips brush past the Queen's ear. So much is happening all at once and those fucking lords won't shut the fuck up.

"Enough!" Shouts the Queen, the lords instantly snapping their heated attentions in her direction, just as everyone else does so and now you're dreading what she's about to say next as she eyes your direction, "We have two renowned guests here tonight." The lot of the banquet hall turning in their chairs to face you and your equally as annoyed Witcher, "Perhaps one of them can declare which esteemed lord is telling the truth?" She challenges, a smirk forming onto her lips.

Pursing your lips together in irritation, you watch as the displeased lords turn back to the two of you, "Neither." Answers Geralt bluntly, you cringe inside as the first lord accuses him of calling himself a liar. Great start Geralt, really great start.

The lords face grows in aggravation as he throws a disapproving hand in your direction, "Eh, The Butchers of Blaviken, ha, he bleats utter nonsense." Laughs the lord and the other nobleman around him. You keep your mouth shut as a calm aurora keeps about you, tonight you will not cut anyone's head off, or at least you'll try.

Tension sits high on the air as you wait for Geralt's two cents on the matter, "Perhaps the lords encountered...rare subspecies of manticore." He replies, Jaskier sighing in relief, you doing the same.

The lords nod in agreement as you decide to add something to the matter, "I do not doubt it, those fuckers can be ruthless and tricky in their nature...any dead one is better off then alive." You reply, the lords all nodding in agreement once again as the Queen breaks out into an amused smile.

"Perhaps our esteemed guests would like to entertain us with how they slayed the elves at the edge of the world?" She exclaims with bravado, raising her beer into the air, oh right she hates elves with a burning passion, fucking racist.

"There was no slaying." You deadpan loud enough for the hall to hear, turning your glare to the disappointed lords to save the Queen from your displeasured gaze.

Geralt sensing your resentment comes to your rescue, "I had my arse kicked by a ragged band of elves. My lady Y/N here had to reason with Filavandrel, saving me from a sured demise lest I have had my throat cut." He replies with a nod, the Queen grins as the lords cheer on, wondering about the song considering it tells a different story.

You roll your eyes at their jests, "At least when my blade clashed with Filavandrel's silver, I didn't shit myself." You quip with satisfied smirk upon your lips as their faces fall in embarrassment and irritation, "Which is all I can hope for you, good lords. At your final breath, a shitless death." You conclude with a raise of Geralt's mug, "But I doubt it." You mutter quickly before downing the rest of it. Geralt holding in a chuckle at your side as the lords burst with laughter.

"It would have been your blade at Filavandrel's throat had you been there, Your Majesty." Speaks a man as the crowd cheers, "Not that any elven bastard would crawl from their lair to meet you on the field." The Queen smiles at his boastful words, he looks like an important lord to the Queen, wonder who he is?

"Any man willing to paint himself in the shadow of his failures will make for far more interesting conversation this night. Same goes for any lady fierce enough to wield a blade like myself. Come, Witcher and princess Y/N. Take a seat by my side while I change." She smirks with a tilt of her head as you bite the inside of your cheek in growing discontent. This is not how you had anticipated for this evening to go, but honestly when does it ever go your way?

——

Sitting at the high table, Geralt by your side and the Cintran royalty to your farther right past Geralt. You sit in silence as you watch the lords and ladies converse and feast at their tables, your ears listening as Calanthe complains about her dress, probably the only thing you could agree upon. She then speaks of how she's pleasantly grateful for yours and Geralt's company tonight as this way you both are granted permission to remove any irritants from the crowd who may disturb the peace. Your Witcher refusing her just as you do the same when the first of Pavetta's royally dull suitors comes to speak his status and point.

The first eligible contender being a smiling Lord Peregrine of Nilfgaard, he steps into the large center of the room with a smackable cheerful face, his long black hair pulled back into a low pony tail. The little man boasting of his heritage right before Queen Calanthe practically shits all over his name and kingdom. She turns down a couple more as the party continues to carry on for another good twenty minutes. Until Jaskier starts playing The Fishmonger's Daughter very loudly for the whole entirety of the hall to hear. At least the music dulls the million conversations happening amongst the bustling chatty crowd.

You lean into the plush cushion on the back of your seat as the lot of the banquet begins clapping blissfully along. Calathe sighs, "How much more of this peacocking must I endure? This...All this because male tradition demands it. If I were a man, I could simply tell the whole lot of them to fuck off, declare outright who Pavetta should marry and have done with it." She scoffs, "Or, better yet, let the poor girl decide her own fate."

Geralt turns his attention to the bored Queen, "Something tells me this isn't the first time you've navigated the vagaries of male tradition. In fact, I'd wage you thrive on it."

She gifts him a bemused grin, "Spoken as one who has navigated his own share of fools."

"Hm."

"Tell me, Witcher, why are there so few of you left?"

You side eye him as he takes a long pause to think on the depressing matter, both Calanthe and Pavetta listening in on Geralt's slow reply. He sighs, just the breath leaving his mouth enough to speak on his behalf, "It is no longer possible to create more of us, since the sacking of Kaer Morhen." He pauses again, eyes set to the marble floor below, "Tell me, Your Majesty, why do you risk your life on the battlefield when you can rest on your throne?"

"Because there is a simplicity in killing monsters, is there not? Seems we are quite the pair, Geralt of Rivia."

His golden eyes trail from Calanthe to the rest of the party goers, "Hm."

"Now you, princess Y/N, how is it that you have found yourself in the company of a Witcher and his bard? That is a story I would indeed love to hear." Says the Queen as you frown, talking to her is not what you wanted, there's a reason you made Geralt sit in between you both.

"I found them wandering the road like a lost puppy. It would have felt like a crime to leave them there all alone, so here we are." She chuckles at your reply.

"Very well. But I must ask, how is it that you came into my court with malevolent origins infused in your creation, did you not think you'd strike fear into the hearts of my honored guests?"

You turn your focus to the curious Queen who no doubt is testing you, "I am what I am, that I cannot alter nor change as there is no cure. Not that I need one...And your guests, well, if I wanted to gift them with the kiss of death. They would have never made it to your front gates."

She raises a brow, face shifting into a satisfied grin, "I could use someone like yourself in my court, it's too bad, if I had a son. Perhaps our houses could have formed an alliance, now that would secure Cintra with all of the north."

"Too bad indeed." You could have thrown up at the idea of such a ghastly concept, you throw on a fake grin instead, "He'd be a little young for me."

"Would he now?"

Geralt holds back a smile as you look at the Queen from across him, "I am almost five hundred years old after all."

She raises a brow, "I didn't realize dhampirs never aged, I was under the assumption that was just elves and powerful mages."

"It is understandable to be unacquainted with the concept, after all, my kind is incredibly rare."

She leans back in her seat, "Fascinating."

Your scarlet eyes scan the large room as you hope she refrains from asking anymore further questions. When all of a sudden you can hear the clashing of chain mail and swords behind the wooden doors right as they burst open, a lone knight breaking forth into the banquet hall. He calls for everyone to calm down as he hastily walks to the center of the stone mosaic floor, you can tell something is most definitely up with this mystery knight in shining black armor, who's quite literally made a royal welcome.

The black knight stands in the center of the cavernous hall, "Please, I need but one moment of your time." He respectfully kneels before the throne, I am Lord Urcheon of Erlenwald, and I have come to claim your daughter's hand in marriage." Proclaims the armored man Lord Urcheon, voice loud and true.

The room fills with delicate whispers as the Queens heartrate speeds up with growing tension, "Knight..of no reown...from a backwater hamlet, dares to enter my court without revealing his face?"

"I apologize, Your Majesty. A knight's oath prevents me from revealing my face until the sounding of the twelfth bell."

"Bollocks to that." Says the Queens favorite lord before briskly walking up to him and forcefully pulling off his helmet to reveal the cursed face of a man resembling that of a hedgehog. Oh yes, tonight is about to get very interesting. You share a quick look with Geralt as your scarlet irises trail all over the knights dark grey colored skin, whiskers, sharp teeth, and pointy spikes protruding out of his head in place of where a full head of hair should be.

The Queens dark eyes go wide in shock, "Witcher, kill it." Urges the Queen breathlessly as fearful tears whell up in her dark eyes.

"No." He replies as she glances over to you, your eyes still locked onto the strange looking knight.

"Y/N, whatever the price."

You shake your head in refusal, "This is no monster."

"I order you." She demands, her voice trembling.

You snap your shinning eyes over to her, "This knight has been cursed. Have you not a heart to hear him out?" You challenge.

Calanthe shares a glare with you before facing Lord Urcheon, "You're both bloody useless." She sneers, pointing at the knight, "Guards! Kill him!" In seconds you watch as Lord Hedgehog or Urcheon, fights off the approaching guardsmen, bringing them down easily as he then faces the Queen once again.

"Lioness of Cintra, I have come to claim what is rightfully mine! Pavetta. By the Law of Surprise." He exclaims just as more lords and guards unsheathe their swords as they race over to attack the cursed knight. You watch in astonishment as Lord Urcheon clashes blades with numerous men, all going quite well for him until he's punched in the face, where he abruptly falls to the floor as a trail of blood seeps out from his lips and nose. The furious guard standing at the ready raises his axen spear into the air as he prepares to kill the bested knight.

In a blur of red you're at the cursed knights defense, swinging your stolen sword into the air as your blade cuts the wooden staff in two, the weaponized part conveniently landing into the hands of Lord Urcheon. You growl at the surprised guard, listening to the sound of flesh being cut as Geralt slashes down a man from behind you, who'd just as soon seen you dead. A second later the three of you freeze and glance around the room as everyone stares on in stunned silence, the tension in the room at an all time high.

"Kill them all!" Demands Queen Calanthe as she points to you, Geralt, and Lord Urcheon who's now rising up from the floor. An instant later sounds great battle cries emitting from either side of the room as all hell breaks loose.

Deciding to be a little chaotic for the hell of it, as a man swings his dagger at your head do you immediately shift into a hoard of angry black bats. You can see, hear, and smell everything all at once in a perfect mix of dangerous unison. The men below you have no chance as you storm your way through them, leaving a war path in your wake of blood and broken bones while Geralt fights valiantly through the fearsome angry guards.

Shifting back into your original form, you grab the throat of a young lord who was about to plunge his sword into your side, his eyes going wide before you sucker punch him in the nose, breaking it instantly as he then passes out due to overwhelming pain. Another swings his sword at your arm, missing by an inch as you whip around to throw him across the room and into a marble pillar, his arm breaking in two with a dreadful crack.

"Stop!" Shouts the Queen, in an instant you turn your attention over to Calanthe and Geralt who stand, facing one another defiantly.

The room goes silent as everyone remains at ease with themselves, everyone unsure as to where this is all headed. A second later Pavetta runs down the small stairs as she pulls Lord Urcheon into a tight embrace, okay that is indeed strange. They tightly hug as she scolds him for coming here and not staying away, concluding that there is something most definitely going on here between this odd Lord Urcheon and the princess of Cintra. They soon release one another, sharing one lasting heartfelt look before Urcheon breaks away to cautiously take a step towards the Queen, he then falls to one knee, bowing with respect.

"Your Majesty, the dhampir speaks the truth." He slowly rises, "I was cursed as a young boy. My whole life a living misery until the day that I saved your husband, King Roegner, from certain death. By tradition, I chose the Law of Surprise as payment. Whatever windfall he came home to find...would be mine."

Calanthe sneers, "Oh, the stupid bastard. Better you had let him die!"

"You knew he'd come," Says Geralt, "and you pushed me to kill him."

Eyes of the Queen, Pavetta, Lord Urcheon, Geralt and yourself glance between one another at this revelation for her urgency earlier. Her dark gaze falls onto her daughter, "You...carousing with the beast that swindled your stupid father!"

"Tis' no swindle." Says her favorite lord, "Asking for payment with the Law of Surprise is as old as mankind itself."

"Don't lecture me, Eist."

"It's an honest gamble. As likely to be rewarded with a bumper crop as a newborn pup Or...a child of surprise." Nods Eist as Pavetta and Urcheon hold hands, "He could not have known. Destiny has determined the surprise be Pavetta."

"When I heard King Roegner had returned to find a child on the way, I abandoned all thought of claiming the Law of Surprise. I knew, I knew no woman would ever accept me like this. So I waited. I waited until the twelfth bell when the curse breaks. I never intended to meet her." He explains to the Queen honestly, dark eyes now focused on Pavetta, "Just from afar."

Pavetta smiles up at Urcheon, "Until destiny intervened and our hearts collided."

"And at dawn, I awoke with her in my arms and me..like this." He says soflty.

Sir Eist steps closer to the deeply conflicted Queen, "Who are we to challenge destiny? Life was saved, debt must be paid, or the whole order of the world falls apart."

Mouseack steps into the spread about circle of the six of you, "Honor destiny's wish, or unleash its wrath upon us." Queen Calanthe looks rather dismal as she glances between all of you standing before her.

"There is no us! I bow to no law made by men who never bore a child! Is there no man amongst you who does not cower before destiny?" Tests the Queen as she turns to Geralt, "You, Witcher...who has known monsters of every fang and claw, are you afraid too?" She smirks.

"No. I've seen mothers lash themselves raw over the death of a child, believing they crossed destiny, ignoring the stench of the 50 other children in the plague cart outside. Destiny....helps people believe there's an order to this horseshit. There isn't." He concludes with a half smirk, "But a promise made must be honored. As true for a commoner as it is for a queen." Calanthe's eyes whell up with fearful tears as she turns to Pavetta who's eyes fall from her mother to the man by her side.

She looks into the knights dark eyes while resting a comforting hand upon his prickly cheek, "I love Duny, mother." She looks at Calanthe, "I will marry him." Enchanted gaze set back to her cursed lover as she smiles brightly, "I will finally be free."

Everyone looks to the Queen expectantly in this sweet rare moment, she slowly hands over her sword with sad eyes as a single hopeless tear falls onto the floor. She shifts her attention back to Duny as she reluctantly reaches her hand out for him to take her blessing, although you're nervous something more sinister may arise at this interaction.

Your inner thoughts remaining correct as Calanthe pulls away from Duny, a fake smile upon her tearful face as she reveals a sharp hidden dagger from her right hand, time stills as she thrusts it towards his throat in one calculated motion. Your ears suddenly pounding in pain as Pavetta let's out a blood curdling scream that magically launches everyone back in a violent burst of wind, you included. You're quickly airborne, but before you hit the hard back wall you suspend yourself in mid-air, floating above the ground as gusts of wind blows your hair and dress every which way.

Lowering yourself closer to Geralt you watch in bewildered surprise as Pavetta and Duny raise into the air, a cyclone of wind surrounding them as she chants something incomprehensible in elfish.

"The fuck do we do now?" You scream over the loud noise, Geralt purses his lips together before pulling out a tiny glass bottle and downing the potion as he forces his way into the circle where he's able to stop Pavetta. The swirling cyclone of chaos and the two lovers falling to the ground in an instant, the room finally going calm once again.

Still casually levitating next to Geralt, you watch a cautious Calanthe slowly walk over to Pavetta and Duny, he leaves her side as the Queen and princess have a moment together while everyone else in this giant hall gather themselves from off of the ground.

You set your feet to the marble floor, gaze trailing around the destroyed area and all the disheveled guests until you land your sights onto the back of Geralt. A concerned hand lays against his forearm that draws his attention to the left, "Are you alright?"

He gifts you a small grin, "I am fine Y/N."

"You hit the marble pillar pretty hard."

He takes your hand to place a gentle kiss against your knuckles, "Don't worry for me, I am uninjured." You can't help the concerned expression crossing your features, you open your mouth to speak when Calanthe pulls everyones focus yet again.

"Destiny has spoken..and I have listened. The Law of Surprise will be honored." Breaths the Queen, heaviness in her words, "Pavetta will marry Lord Urcheon." She concludes, the room whispering amongst themselves.

"React poorly and you won't just face the Lioness, you will be facing the sea hounds of Skellige. Because Queen Calanthe has agreed to my proposal of marriage." Exclaims lord Eist, the three of them holding hands as they stand side by side.

"There will be two vows tonight! I assume that's agreeable." She shouts, everyone silently giving their nods of agreement, "Delightful." She whispers.

——

Standing around in a large circle, you watch as Calanthe blesses and marries Pavetta and Duny, they kiss and a moment later Duny begins convulsing like he's about to vomit. He falls to the floor with a pained grunt before he suddenly looks up once again, this time appearing rather more human like, the curse seemingly broken.

Him and Pavetta immediately embrace each other once again as she looks at him in confusion, "The twelfth bell has not yet rung." She whispers in astonishment, puzzlement clear on Calanthe's face.

"What has happened?" She wonders.

Mousesack steps forward, "I think your blessing of this marriage has fulfilled destiny...The curse has been lifted." He concludes with a grateful smile at the positive turn of events.

"Whew! I think this has the makings of my greatest ballad yet." Beams Jaskier as a high lady of the court touches his arm, her hands all around him.

You let out an amused snort, "If you're alive in the morning." You mutter before turning to leave, not caring enough to stay for any more action.

Geralt gains the bards attention before existing with you, "Don't...grope for trout in any peculiar rivers until dawn." He advises, taking a couple steps as he trails behind you.

"No, wait! Wait!" Announces Duny as he stands up to look at you and Geralt, "You've both saved my life. I must repay it." He says with a hopeful smile as you walk over closer to Geralt's side.

"You've proven yourself to be the kind of man who would do the same." Shrugs Geralt, "I want nothing."

You nod, "As do I."

"No, please. Please Geralt of Rivia, my Lady Y/N, do not feel like you're doing me a service. I cannot start a new life in the shadow of a life debt." He says with pleading eyes, perhaps he makes a compelling point.

Letting out an irritated huff of air you shrug, "A single prized weapon will suffice as payment, Lord Urcheon...nothing more is needed." His face breaks out into a satisfied smile as he turns his expectant attention back to your Witcher.

Geralt sighs, "Fine. I...um...claim the tradition as you have, the Law of Surprise." The Queens dark eyes go wide as yours do the same, what the fuck is he doing? "Give me that which you already have but do not know." He ends with before turning his back to the newlyweds and the Queen.

"No! What have you done, Witcher?" Snaps Calanthe as he turns a calm face towards her.

"Fear not, Your Majesty, if I am seen in your kingdom again, it'll be to kill a real monster, not lay claim to a crop or a new pup. Destiny can go fu.." Pavetta lets out her dinner onto the floor as she abruptly cuts him off, you shut your eyes tight, knowing exactly what that means.

"Fuck." He mutters as everyone stares at him knowingly, you then nod to the royal family, swiftly turning to make a quick exit, Geralt following your lead as the two of you hastily walk out the wooden doors and into the messy hallway. Mousesack close behind, "Clearly the girl has access to immense primal power." He concludes, causing yourself and Geralt to stop and face him.

"Obviously, and she has no fucking clue how to control it." You deadpan as Mousesack gives a tiny grin.

"I will stay. Guide her." He assures, meaning every word.

Geralt nods, "You're a good man, Mousesack."

The old mage grins, "You both should stay too." He quickly advises, his efforts falling flat, you've already made up your mind.

"This has been enough partying for the two of us. We're getting out of here. Alone." Answers Geralt, the mage wanders closer, a telling look upon his bearded face.

"You're bound to this now, Geralt. Whether you like it or not." Shaking your head you touch Geralt's arm, your crimson eyes finding the old mage's.

"This isn't our problem, we're not here to stay or help anyone....you know us better than that." You add, irritation clear in your voice.

"Yes, I do, but you can't outrun destiny just because you're terrified of it. It's coming either way. Not believing won't change that." Argues Mousesack, he's beginning to grow on your nerves by the second, though he means well you'd rather get your hand smashed by a boulder then stick around for this unborn child of surprise.

Shaking your head, you scoff, "Bullshit. This was just a girl using her magic to stop her mother from killing her lover. Nothing more for us to be concerned about. This is the Continent, weird shit happens all the time." You muse with a shrug.

Mousesack hums, "So you say my dear princess, but the bond that will come into being between Geralt and this child...when it is born, will be extraordinary. If you dismiss it, leave without claiming this...child surprise, you will surly unleash true calamity upon us all." You let go of Geralt's arm as he walks closer to the mage.

"We'll take that chance. Mind yourself. True words are rare birds in courts like this. Watch for daggers in your back. Or, more likely, poison." Warns Geralt as he puts a friendly hand on Mousesack's shoulder, "Be careful, old friend." Sincerity clear in his gravely voice.

Mousesack looks down in disappointment before giving Geralt a downcast farewell, your Witcher handing him a curt nod before turning and walking towards the doors past you. Standing your ground you purse your lips together as you frown at the old mage.

"Y/N, you're both making a mistake....this will not end well for you dear princess, and you of all people should understand that." Urges Mousesack knowingly, further pressing on your buttons at his admittedly truthful words.

Scoffing you frown, "Do not lecture me on the ways of destiny and all that fun magical shit...I know it's cost Mousesack, destiny has never done anything for me in all my four hundred and eighty some years on this fucking Continent." You growl, glaring at the wall before finding his troubled gaze once again.

He gives you a small smile, "I believe destiny has intervened more then you'd know, in ways that you do not understand yet...even for as old as you are." You simply roll your eyes at him.

"God all you mages and wizards are all the same, believing in the first signs of anything enchanting and going with it." You argue, stepping in closer to the breaded man, "I've dealt with your people in the past and have suffered for it..."

"I know of your troubles and trials that have given you a bad taste with them, us, but listen, sometimes you must forget the past and move on for a better future." He softly urges.

Shaking your head you find his pleading eyes again, "May you be the only sensible one then...truth be told you're one of the only mages I could ever stand, but that's not important anymore...I do hope you live long and die on your own accord, but one would be a wise fool to think that my old friend, watch for tricksters in the shadows lest you face a grim end. So long Mousesack, friend from.." You pause, not sure what else to say.

He reaches out to clasp your hands with his, "I know Y/N, although I'm wary we may never see one another again."

Letting out a small laugh you smile, "Maybe you're fucking destiny will say otherwise, farewell, and uh....watch out for your kingdom." He lets go of your hands, with a tiny nod do you turn your back on the greying mage, swiftly exiting through the doors where you find Geralt on the other side waiting patiently for you.

The two of you walk in time with one another, "If we're lucky we'll never see this fucking kingdom again. From fun banquet to child of surprise, Geralt you're really on a roll...gods the both of us. Jaskier's right, we do get involved in everything."

He glances at you, "We should really stop doing that."

"We could live as recluses in the woods and hunt bears for sport, or become pirates", Geralt chuckles at your words, a smile coming to your once frowning face, "Or not, you're not really the pirate type..."

"We could live in Alkatraz, your homeland? I'd give money to see your mothers face the second you brought me home."

You nudge his arm playfully, "My mother? The actual Vampire Queen, meeting a Witcher of all people. You'd maybe make it across the stone bridge leading into the castle before she'd be sending death hounds after you. And my love, they are not cute and cuddly by any means, annoying slobbery bastards more like." He pushes open another door as you walk through after him, "We'll find somewhere, or not...if I'm being honest, I quite enjoy traveling with you. Keeps my life interesting, never know what's going to happen next, and best of all. I have you all to myself."

"Except when Jaskier decides to join us. Some nights I contemplate strangling him in his sleep." You laugh at Geralt's blunt comment, "I've thought about doing that too, although I'd miss fucking around with him too much, he's just so easy to scare. I'll probably end up being the cause of his first grey hair." You muse with a smile, Geralt leading the way out the door and into the cool night air.

You turn to him as you keep pace, "And don't you dare make a jest about you and your white hair."

Geralt smiles down at you, "I wasn't."

"You were thinking it."

He hums, "I'm actually thinking something else, and I would like to tell you when we get back to the tavern." His tone is lower this time, the implications obvious as you gasp and smack his arm.

"Geralt!" He chuckles at how he's already got you flustered, the cheeky little shit, "Well, perhaps I may take you up on that offer. It does sound rather intriguing, then you could finally get me out of these silks and jewels...I bet you'd love that." He raises a brow as you practically purr into his ear.

Though this night may not have ended pleasantly at the banquet, you'd be damned if it didn't end pleasurably on your own terms.

Tagged: @notahappytree @ashleyforeverareject @sokkasdarling @kmuir1@haleypearce @diegos-butt (@auds24 sorry idk why ur name won’t work)

#the witcher #the witcher x reader #the witcher x you #geralt of rivia #geralt x reader #geralt x you #geralt of rivia x reader #geralt of rivia x you #of monsters and men fic

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straymackerel · 4 years

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19 and Dazai? I really liked all of the words uwu it was hard to pick! Also, congrats :) I don’t remember if I already congratulated you or not! Much love, friend 💕

dazai + boketto || ぼけっと (japanese, v.) to gaze thoughtlessly and vacantly into the distance.

➽─{thank you mod! i wanted to play with the idea of an annoyed reader responsible for wiping dazai’s history clean, supposing that ango was not the only one involved. this is a year into his disappearance.}─❥

warning(s): some angstiness, references to suicide

Your latest client is, in a word, uncooperative. He flakes on your appointments, dodges your questions on the occasion that he shows up, and jokes around relentlessly when you attempt to discuss the more serious aspects of your work. For the most part, you don’t mind his blithe disregard for your services so long as you get paid—but lately, he’s making it damn near impossible for you to do your job.

It is exactly because of his unamenable ways that you find yourself in a quiescent corner of the city on your one evening off. It seems that all but the moss and the sky have forgotten the lone building you’ve arrived at, a decrepit once-white manor that bathes in golden hour afterglow. You march up the square stone path that your troublesome customer has mentioned many a scheduled meeting, though you never imagined walking it yourself. It curiously leads straight from the forest right up to the front door. (Part of you thought he made this place up. Part of you still wonders if it’s real or not, even as you slip through the entrance and scale up the stairs.)

“Dazai? Anyone?” Both your voice and the sound of your footsteps resonate throughout the spacious halls, but they garner no response in turn. You meander past lattice windows and beyond marble columns, wondering if your intuitions were off the mark. It takes the sparkling crystals of a sunlit chandelier to reaffirm your gut feeling that Dazai is, in fact, here tonight.

The ballroom. Of course. He never shut up about that ballroom.

You step into the tiled floor of a high-ceilinged ballroom, half expecting to see bandaged arms flailing around in a silly dance or swinging back and forth from chandelier to chandelier. Instead, you see crimson curtains—all of which are drawn back—lining long floor length windows, one of which is propped wide open for none other than the suicidal maniac to dangle his legs over the edge of the floor. He sits in unusual silence, not so much as stirring as a light breeze blows matted bangs out of his face. You can’t help but pause at the view of a quiet, unmoving Dazai, but eventually you force yourself to walk towards the unsettling sight.

“Dazai, I’ve been trying to get in touch with you all day,” you say as you approach him. You expect an excitable performance; you expect a grand gesture of welcome. You expect wrong.

Unstartled, he never turns away from the woods, nor does he flinch at your silent appearance. You crane your neck in hopes of seeing what he’s looking at, but there’s nothing in the distance but trees upon trees. You ponder the situation, his favorite pastime coming to mind immediately.

“...You’re not thinking of jumping, are you?” Dazai gives a dry laugh in response.

“And falling only two floors? That sounds more than painful than deadly,” he scoffs.

“Oh, good then. There’s no point in erasing the history of the deceased,” you say, an edge creeping into your voice. I’ve walked all over Yokohama today, you wanted to add. I’m not getting paid to babysit you, you wanted to add.

“Any other guesses for me, oh great intelligence agent?”

“I’m not here to entertain you, Dazai. I have no idea what goes through the mind of a self-destructive freak at this time of day,” you shoot back, but your deadpan only seems to egg him on.

“Maybe that’s just it,” he says, swinging his legs now. “Maybe it’s just nothing.” 

“Nothing?” you ask, seating yourself beside him with a thud. His eyes never shift to meet yours; you follow his gaze to nowhere in particular.

“Nothing at all. There comes a point where it is too tiring to even contemplate one’s life,” he replies.

“Dazai, you’re way too young to be having a midlife crisis.”

“So I’ve heard.” Your bluntness is rewarded with a short silence. “…You know, being raised in the Port Mafia forces you to grow up fast. For most of my life, I believed in war and bloodshed and little else. It was all that I clung on to. So tell me something.” His legs cease their needless movement, feet digging into the building’s outer walls. “Do you believe in your line of work?”

“What do you mean by that?” 

“When you erase someone’s history, do you truly believe they can start over anew?”

“Well, that’s the general idea,” you say, eyes trained on the fevered skyline. The sun proceeds to slink back into its nightly slumber. “Do I believe in it? Well, I’ve seen the most violent of my clientele adopt mild and uninteresting lives, if that answers your question.”

“Not really,” he says curtly.

“Then help me out here.” You fold your arms. “What are you getting at?”

“…It’s exhausting, trying to become the person I want to be.” Pause. “Pretending I’m this lighthearted and upbeat guy, pretending I give a damn about right and wrong. Pretending I have any semblance of humanly affects—be it joy, sorrow, or motivation. And soon, I’ll have to pretend I’m not as acquainted with evil as I really am. It is all I can do to maintain the disguise. It is all I can do to show up at your office.”

“You’re asking a different question, then. You’re asking if people can change.”

“Is it really all that different?” Dazai asks.

“Look, my work deals with a person’s background, not their minute-to-minute image nor their inner turmoil. I’m not your psychologist,” you say.

“I thought you might say that.”

“Yeah, well, this is what happens when you bring your baggage to the wrong place,” you reply coldly. The last rays of sun sliver into the oblivion. “Tell you what. Our next session will be our last. I just have a few remaining questions about some... mishaps that can be traced back to you.”

“And what makes this different from any other session?” Dazai finally faces you, gaze steely. You turn your body to face him as well.

“If it really takes that much energy, save your self-actualizing efforts for later. You still have a year in hiding left to work on your appearances, and maybe even your inner self.”

Nightfall cloaks the room in shadow. The neutral, all-too-serene face Dazai had worn is replaced by a look of true and utter hollowness; all pretenses seem to fall away under a lack of illumination.

“What’s different is, you can keep the mask off this time.” He lays down in response, falling back as though he were a rag doll or a scrap of fabric, all traces of emotion leaving his voice:

“Let’s get this over with, then.”

If you’re in crisis, there are free and confidential options available to help you cope.

24/7 USA National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

Lifeline Web Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

USA Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. It is silent, it is private, you can use it anywhere discretely on your phone.

List of international crisis lines:

http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

#dazai x reader #bsd x reader #bsd scenario #dazai osamu scenarios #bungou stray dogs fanfic #dazai oneshot #500 followers event

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angellazull · 4 years

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The Gift

(September 13, Kyril's birthday @kyril-hphm, so here's Angel's gift. Is the universe normal or AU Angeril? Well, draw your own conclusions 😉 Happy birthday, Kyril.)

Angelo spent weeks thinking about an ideal gift to give Kyril, whenever he had time he paced his dorm, pacing back and forth, while holding the keychain he got from Kyril on his birthday, the a key ring had practically become a lucky charm for Angel, he can't walk without that key ring hanging from his belt loops or the pocket of his cloak.

The Ravenclaw boy wanted to spend the first few days with his beloved Slytherin, but he had been called home days before his birthday and no one knew exactly why, all Angel could do was wait for him to go back to school, and when he returned Angel would be waiting with a gift.

The night was already taking over the sky, and a dark blue carpet, dotted with small sparkling crystals stretched across the infinite horizon, a full moon illuminated the school grounds, that made Angel's mind turn to Chiara running through the forbidden forest, when approaching the window of his dormitory to look at the starry sky, the stars looked like small diamonds, finally Angel had some idea.

"Diamonds? Crystals? Crystals! That's it!" Angel knew exactly what to do.

The blue-haired boy approached the small bookcase with his private books, he was an advanced spell book that belonged to his father, but the book had the exact magic he needed. Searching among the various titles, he found a small gray-covered book that almost fit in the palm of his hand. He quickly started flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for in Chapter 15, "Projection Spell".

"Time to get to work."

The boy took everything he needed in his trunk and went up to the common room, where some students were still studying or talking among friends. Sitting in a corner with a vacant table, he spread out all the material and the open book on the table, taking out his wand he was ready to start.

The Ravenclaw common room gradually became quieter as her housemates went to their dorms to sleep. Angel was alone in the hall working on Kyril's gift for much of the night, until he was overcome by sleep.

When the first rays of sunlight came in through the window, the boy with blue hair woke up, with a piece of turquoise gift wrap stuck to his cheek, he had slept, rubbing his eyes he looked at the mess that had been left on the table, taking his wand he made all that disappear, leaving only a small box, wrapped in turquoise wrapping paper, with a peach bow, Angel knew that Kyril loved those colors. Now he had to hurry.

After getting ready, Angel took the small box and put it in the inner pocket of his cloak, along with his wand, when leaving the Ravenclaw common room, he assumed his animagus form and ran towards the entrance to the Slytherin common room, if he had luckily, she would be able to find Kyril when he left for breakfast, while he waited, several students left, but no sign of Kyril, after several minutes of waiting, Angel finally saw someone who could give him an answer, Mezure Mournblight, one of Kyril's dormmates, assuming their human form, Angel approached Mezure.

"Mezure, have you seen Kyril?"

"It's you, Lancaster." Mezure crossed his arms when he saw Angelo. The truth was that Mezure was not a big fan of Angelo. "Kyril, he's in the dorm, he's not feeling very well."

"What!? What happened?" Angel asked worriedly. "What does he has?"

"So you didn't know." Said the Slytherin boy looking at the Ravenclaw.

"Did you know what? You're making me worried."

Mezure blew out a long breath as he looked at Angelo, rubbing his eyes, he decided to tell what had happened to Kyril's mother.

When he finished counting, Angelo couldn't believe it, he needed to see Kyril right away.

"I have to see how Kyril is doing, please let me in your dorm."

"What !? No way, you are not Slytherin, you are Ravenclaw, you cannot enter our dormitory."

"Please, I have to see you." Angelo took Mezure's arm and looked at the boy with legitimate concern. "Please let me in."

Mezure let out another long breath, before rolling his eyes, he approached the stone wall and said aloud "Fang of Basilisk", the passage opened to reveal the Slytherin common room.

"Don't delay, I don't want to be punished for letting a student from another house enter the Slytherin common room." Said Mezure sharply, before heading down the hall.

Wasting no time, Angelo crossed the common room towards Kyril's dormitory. Upon entering, Angelo saw a pile of blankets on Kyril's bed, approaching, he sat on the bed and patted the blankets.

"Happy birthday, little fox."

The covers parted, revealing a Kyril who looked as if he had been crying all night, he reached for the glasses on the nightstand.

"Angelo? How did you…?"

"I needed to see you, I heard about your mom and I'm sorry." Angel pulled Kyril into a very tight hug. "I hope you know that I'm with you, you have me, Kyky."

After letting go of the boy, he placed a gentle kiss on Kyril's forehead.

"Despite everything, I have something for you, I hope you like it." Angel reached into the inside pocket of the house and took out the small turquoise box and handed it to Kyril. "I did it myself."

Kyril took the box and opened it, inside was a necklace with a fox made of turquoise crystal, and of a cat made of blue crystal, they were together and their tails intertwined, as if they were holding hands.

"I know you already have a necklace, but I wish you had something to remember the two of us, even when we're not together, and look at this."

Angel pulled out his wand and ordered "Appare Memorium", as soon as he placed the tip of the wand on the back of the crystal animals, a beam of light projected into the air, as if it were a projector, from the beam of light, now via Angel and Kyril strolling and laughing, while taking jelly slugs milkshakes, was a memory of the boys' last visit to Hogsmeade, it had been a fun day for both of them.

"It's a variation on the appare vestigium, but instead of showing a person's last steps, it projects an image from a memory, and I chose our last walk in Hogsmeade, remember how we had fun that day? You are not alone, Kyky."

Although it was a very sad period for Kyril, Angel hoped that it would make him see that he was not alone, and could count on Angel at any time.

"Happy birthday, stubborn little fox."

#hogwarts mystery #hphm #harry potter hogwarts mystery #angelo lancaster #kyril vasiley #hphm mc #kyril's birthday #my writing #I hope kyril likes the gift

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la-fille-en-aiguilles · 5 years

Text

Not a One Time Thing

Female Reader x Young!Sirius Black Drabble

A/N: I’ve been consuming a lot of Sirius Black content lately, and it got me thinking about The First Wizarding War, and this drabble just happened. It’s nothing much, but I hope you like it.

I also have a request for Remus in my inbox (I haven’t forgotten you, Anon - I was wondering by the way if you are the person that requested the story about Sirius’ son). Anyway, I’m planning to write it once I finish with The Beautiful & Damned story - which returns tomorrow with the last chapter.

Synopsis: Beside Y/N is where Sirius Black finds a home in the midst of The First Wizarding War - Attention, slightly smutty content!

...There was something blatantly tragic in the way he lowered his gaze. He probably thought he wasn’t welcome, and dodged your eyes in attempts to escape that guilty feeling scratching on his chest. In vain, might you add. You knew all too well how the rest of your night was going to play out, one look at him sufficed.

While Sirius was probably dealing with his inner demons and trying to come up with something to say (none of what he could tell you would make sense, and both of you knew it), you tilted your head, studying his silhouette bathing in the moonlight, bleeding through your bedroom’s curtains, summer breeze playing with the weightless gauze (you always left the window open, so owls bringing news could fly straight in).

Everything about Sirius held a trace of that flagrant culpability that made your heart ache. You were always very discreet about it, tried not to stare too much at the prominent lines on his forehead, or that tense line of his jaw now hidden by a thick beard – a new look he must have been forced to adopt, for it is difficult to find the time to shave in the middle of a war, when the fiercest of Death Eaters are constantly tracking your ass. You felt bitter now, not able to see the bottomless oceans of his light grey eyes, very upset at the fact that he still thought he needed to hide them every time he’d apparate unannounced.

Suddenly alarmed on some intuitive level, you let your gaze scan his entire frame, propped up on a chair, searching for any sign of injury. When you found none, a sigh of relief escaped your bitten lips.

That’s when Sirius raised his gaze to face you. The crystal clear surface of two moonstone-colored oceans were finally fixed on you, and there was nothing in the world that you wouldn’t give just to see those silver sparks dance around the pitch-black pupils. Seeing Sirius smile was a luxury these days that lasted for rarely more than a couple of seconds. Blink and you miss it.

Watching him raise from the chair, his hair slightly longer than the last time you met and falling on his forehead, you made your way towards him.

“You don’t have to explain”, you muttered under your breath before you tangled your fingers in his hair, your mouth brushing ever so slightly against his. Feeling his long eyelashes tickle your skin, you deepened the kiss, his hands clutching on to your hips as if you were his lifeline. He might not have had those familiar clean-shaven cheeks or neatly combed hair, but he still smelled like he used to: like the dust of the battles he had slayed, an old-fashioned patchouli perfume and some musky odor you couldn’t quite place. Burying your face in his collarbone, you inhaled the mélange, for the first time in months feeling like home.

“I just needed you”, his voice came out rasp, but so full of sentiment. “Coming here is incredibly stupid of me, but…” you’d expect him to develop, but Black did no such thing. After a second of staring onto your reddened lips, he couldn’t make himself finish. His lips captured yours again, the kiss so much more heated this time, his beard scratching your cheeks and chin; but you had no fucks left to give. You might not have mentioned it before, but you needed him too. Not like the members of the Order that sent him on the most dangerous missions, because they knew he was the only one able to come back alive. Not like his best mates James and Remus, when they were confronting the darkest parts of themselves and needed the light of the brightest star to chase them away. Your need was of a different nature, and right now he was trying desperately to fulfill it, in Merlin knows how many minutes you were allowed to share this time.

“Sirius,” you moaned, as his lips traced a burning path down your throat, his hands cupping your breasts through the thin material of your shirt. The wind outside picked up some, ruffling Black’s hair from behind as he faced you again, his grey eyes asking you what was wrong. The truth was, nothing was wrong. You just wanted to see him, wanted to remember every detail about his features, every small crinkle in the corners of his eyes, before he left again.

“I love you”, he stole the words right off your mouth, rubbing small circles in your cheekbones with the tips of his calloused fingers. His eyes were so bright they were hard to look at this up close, but he gazed at you in a way you’d never expected from him before, and you were hypnotized. “Stop me if this isn’t what you want”, he whispered.

The tips of your noses grazed before your lips smeared together in a stinging kiss that ignited every fiber of your body. The tip of his tongue slid along the seam of your lips and you opened up for him, your lower belly weightless, desire for Sirius overwhelming you. Dizzy and lightheaded, you let out a little gasp when you felt one of his hands slip down the arch over your back, bringing you closer to his solid, taut body. Everywhere he touched you was white hot, the taste of him on your tongue making your entire body shiver, down to your core.

You knew this was leading to something more than what you both were accustomed to. As you slid your hands around the back of his head, pushing your lips squarely onto his, whimpering in his mouth, you wondered for how long he would leave you this time, and before the thought upset you, you brushed it away. What mattered was here and now. And if he survived – and he most assuredly would – he would come back to you, because whatever was going on between you was never a onetime thing. You both knew it before, but tonight, your sentiments were put into words.

“Open up for me, baby”, he whispered into the silence of your dark room, and you threw your head back, feeling his fingers press to your folds, your skirt resting entirely on your waist by now. “Let me feel you… Let me taste you”.

You knew his beard would leave angry skin on the insides of your thighs. You knew it would be a torture to feel him fill you up and then walk around empty for Merlin knows how long. Yet you also knew he loved you, and you wanted drink his love up like a shot of firewhiskey.

“Not tonight,” you whispered into his mouth, staring right into his eyes blown-up with emotion, positive you looked just as fucked out. “Merlin knows there’s only one thing that I want between my thighs other than your head”.

And then, a fire coursed through you, a veil of tears burning at the back of your stare as you struggled to keep it in. Biting your lips, you admired the beautiful sight in front of you, bestowed upon you by some silly joke you considered yourself lucky to come up with.

Sirius said nothing – and he didn’t need to talk. His smile and sparkles dancing on the surface of his moonstone eyes had said it all…

#young sirius black #sirius black x reader #sirius x reader #sirius black smut #sirius black angst #sirius black fluff #sirius black drabble #sirius black one shot #ben barnes #sirius black imagine #marauders era #marauders imagine #harry potter imagine #harry potter reader insert #first wizarding war

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myefflorescence18 · 4 years

Text

[knb] - Entry #1

Art by: Shindou Arata

Pairing(s): Akashi Seijuurou/Momoi Satsuki

Warnings: Slightly AU-ish.

Summary: In which she makes him question his own belief.

——————————————————

Akashi Seijuurou does not believe in fate.

What he does believe in, however, is that mankind controls life himself. After all, God has created them to be on top of the food chain, has he not? Those who let fate play them like a pawn on a chessboard is merely not strong enough to take matters into their own hands — in this world of disorders and madness, power is everything. Akashi Seijuurou has no weaknesses, nor will he ever possess them: the weak is below him, and his orders are absolute.

Yet, there are times when he is brutally reminded of the fact that in the end, he is only mortal. And life does not favor all, not even an Akashi. The first time his belief was defied was when his beloved mother passed away.

And then, he swore to never harbor something even as close to the emotion called love, because feelings were a weakness and that was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

No, he did not love basketball. No, he did not love the days he spent playing it underneath the roof of Teikou Junior High.

No, he did not love the team they once were before dubbed as the Generation of Miracles. The name was fitting, but utterly ridiculous and none of them ever truly acknowledged it.

The second time his belief was defied was when Rakuzan lost against Seirin.

It is a century before Rakuzan’s defeat, he had told them with absolute confidence during the match. He hadn’t believed in that then — he had known for a fact that victory would be theirs. It had to be. But the bitter humiliation that followed when he was betrayed by fate even after putting everything on the line to secure said victory was abominable, to say the very least. And although his belief hasn’t exactly been swayed afterwards, he supposes that something inside him has undoubtedly changed since his inner counterpart vanished. It is a loss and a relief at the same time — no longer is he tormented by his inner demon, and his power is more absolute now than ever when their abilities are both combined. Still, there are moments when he has to admit he misses the company. After all, it is only him who can truly understand himself. It‘s not that Akashi Seijuurou doesn’t feel. He simply chooses not to acknowledge those feelings, because they are burdensome and useless in his conquest of absolute victory against fate. He deems those who are so openly sentimental misfortunate souls — that’s why he finds the lethargic Atsushi, the inexpressive Tetsuya, and the prudish Shintarou to be less troublesome than others. Ryouta is too loud, Daiki never bends to the rules (the rules bend around him), and Satsuki feels too much.

He has known from the very moment she announced herself the manager of Teikou’s basketball team that her passion would be her downfall: she is too sensitive, too thoughtful, too vulnerable. The way she pulled restless nights to analyze their opponents and the way she cared about every little detail of their team members never escaped his observant gaze. He had to praise her efforts, of course, but he found it terribly ironic how in the end, Satsuki wept for the tragedy of them all even if she had contributed greatly to it herself — sure, they were prodigies, but would they have been able to climb high enough to fall without her enthusiastic help? It’s a shame, he thinks. Because Momoi Satsuki is the only female figure apart from his deceased mother who comes close to leaving a lasting impact in his life. Although they can’t possibly be more peculiar, in a way, she mirrors his intellect, his wits beautifully so — this much he has realized the first time she illustrated her skills for the team to see. The change in her usual cheerfulness, her glimmering eyes was a fascination to behold: he noticed how her gaze would sharpen, her eyebrows would tighten, and the lively look in those ruby hues would be replaced by sheer intent to crush their opponents. While their abilities are quite similar, the basis of them have been different. His Emperor Eye allows him to predict his enemies’ movements on the court, but dare he say, hers far surpasses that. While he can only see the future based on what has happened and what is happening, on existing data; she fills in the blanks herself, goes beyond simple predictions, and knows which courses of action will be taken before the player even knows himself. For this alone, he deems her worthy of being his partner in crime.

But Momoi Satsuki feels and he does not. So at that time, he pretended to not notice how she was breaking inside, gnawing at herself, wilting like the roses in his vase. He pretended not to hear her heart shattering into pieces when he indulged Daiki and Atsushi’s disobedience, and pretended not to hear his own heart tearing itself apart at the look of despair on her face when he told her she was no longer of use to the team. By then, he was too far gone. She was akin to some sort of substances that glued them together, or at the very least, attempted to. But glass was never meant to be fixed that way — once they broke, they stayed broken.

And there are things he can’t possess no matter how powerful he is.

❝It’s time to change members, Momoi,❞ he tells her as the basketball rolls to her feet and she bends down to pick it up. Akashi Seijuurou doesn’t have a weakness, but for a brief moment, he is questioning the authenticity of said fact because her ruby eyes are positively radiant when they shimmer with crystal tears that linger on long lashes, and it prompts him to think that he won’t mind conquering the world for her if only she asks.

❝Everyone is waiting for you.❞

With his affirmation, she runs off to the center of the court in a rush of childlike excitement. He stays behind, watching as she blends in flawlessly with the rest of them, like the final piece to their puzzle — and is reminded that they belong to different worlds after all. His world is too cruel, too chaotic, too evil. It is full of bitter truths and merciless intentions, of immense pressure guaranteed to crush everyone and anyone with a tight fist. Hers is bright and positive and hopeful; she hasn’t given in to the despair that temporarily overtook back in their middle school days, and she doesn’t give up on the boys, ever. She belongs with them, he muses, noticing the way she flushes ever so prettily when Tetsuya compliments her, noticing the way Daiki’s gaze somehow always strays towards her direction even if he’s unaware of it.

He is not selfish enough to tear her away from that happiness, even if it equals to his own.

He doesn’t feel. He shouldn’t feel. ❝Satsuki, I told you already...❞ The rest of Daiki’s sentence falls on his deaf ear as he is suddenly reminded of one particular afternoon they spent in each other’s company.

It took place back in their Teikou days — the happy ones. The rest of the team had gone on to hit the local convenience store that was all too familiar with their alarmingly large expenditure for popsicles and snacks before heading home, but she had offered to stay behind and help him finish planning their strategies for next season’s tournament. The classroom was empty saved for the two of them: they sat beside each other by a window, the only sounds filling the silence were the scribbling of pencil against paper, her gentle voice as she pointed out the data she had analyzed, and him softly humming every now and then to agree with her. There was little need to criticize — she did things with intimidatingly high accuracy, after all. ❝You could’ve joined the rest, Momoi,❞ he told her once they had finished and she was stretching her arms above her head. ❝I wouldn’t have minded handling the data.❞ ❝Nonsense, Akashi-kun,❞ she exclaimed in that bubbly voice of hers and dismissed his statements with a swat of her hand. ❝It’s a manager’s job! You already have a handful dealing with Captain duties as it is.❞ Well, he supposed she was right. Silence dawned upon them afterwards, until she decided to disrupt it with a question that bewildered him. ❝Akashi-kun.❞ ❝Yes?❞ ❝...Why do you never call me by my first name, like you do with everyone else?❞ For a moment, he was at a loss of words. It wasn’t that he hadn’t realized it before, he just never expected her to notice as well. Still, he rather blamed something else for his temporary shock than her actual question. Perhaps, it was the look of childlike wonder on her virtuous face — how those large, doe-like eyes captivated his gaze within’ the confinement of its sparkling hues; or the lightheartedness that escaped her parted lips in soft hums as she then directed her attention elsewhere than his fixated stare, innocently playing with a lock of pink hair that framed her face. Why, she asked. Because she was never meant to be more than a manager, that’s why. Because his heart was never meant to spring alive at the mere sight of her, the mere sound of her voice, the mere idea of being in her company. To call her by her name would brought their proximity to another level, and the vulnerability she would’ve been able to see then frightened him. ❝...You never gave me a nickname like you do the others as well,❞ he pointed out, successfully avoiding the question as she proceeded to flush in embarrassment of being caught. ❝Mou...Akashi-kun is always right,❞ she huffed and pouted, not able to come up with a reason to justify herself. The corner of his mouth lifted up in a prideful grin at her remark. ❝Will it make you happy if I call by that, then? Just this once.❞ She eagerly nodded. ❝...Satsuki.❞ He placed an elbow on the desk and leaned into his hand, captivated as she practically glowered with happiness even at this simple thing, blessing him with a beaming smile that turned her eyes to crescent moons. By then, he understood that he had made a grave mistake when she was no longer Momoi and instead, simply Satsuki — the girl who wore the gold and scarlet of sunset spilling through the window as though they were merely jewelries to accentuate her beauty; who felt fanciful, ethereal, and entirely out of his reach.

❝Akashi-kun!❞ He is startled out of his reminiscence upon the calling of his name. The girl from his trip down the memory lane is there, standing in front of him, only she is present and real and now a young woman rather than the adolescent he once knew: rounded cheeks are refined to soft angles, feminine features more prominent, more defined. Only her eyes remain the same — ever glowing, ever reflective of her optimism and hopefulness.

❝...Thank you,❞ she whispers appreciatively only for him to hear, and the split second in which their fingers barely graze each other’s when she hands him the basketball is a short lived bliss. As her infectious smile prompts him to do the same in return, he finally comes to the conclusion that fragments of her should be locked away for good. Perhaps, in another lifetime, where he is no longer an Akashi... fin

#annasfic #akamomo #akashi seijūrō #akashi seijuro #akashi seijuurou #momoi satsuki #akashi x momoi #akashi seijuro x momoi satsuki #kuroko no basket #kuroko's basketball #knb #knb fic #fanfiction #oneshot #drabble #pixiv #fanart

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aesthyuckic · 5 years

Text

AVENOIR | l.dh - QUINQUE

(gif not mine - credits to rightful owner)

Genre: High School AU (at beginning) ; Tarot Reader!Witch!Hyuck

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: (for future chapters will bold if in use) belief contradictions, mentions of r*pe, blood, swearing, violence, mentions of abuse, slow but with a purpose

Pairings: Lee Donghyuck (Haechan) x Reader (F)

VII OF SWORDS IN REVERSE - turn a new leaf, desire to reform, desire to change

The sky outside of the diner was a royal blue color as the sun slowly approached the horizon. It was early and the two had been awake all night, walking to the city. Sitting in the greasy diner was really the only rest that they experienced that night. Donghyuck felt exhausted. He felt exhausted all the time but not quite in the way he was currently. He never craved sleep so badly before.

“Ask me a question about your life.” Cosimia said as she leaned back in the white booth.

“Okay,” He mumbled, ignoring how strange the request was while he rubbed his heavy eyes. “When the fuck will I get to sleep?”

“On the bus,” She sighed. “And I’m being serious!”

“So am I.”

The bus wasn’t going to be there anytime soon which made the boy pout while he suppressed a whine in throat. While he hated long drives because of how numb his butt got, he couldn’t wait to get on that twelve bus drive even though he doubted he’d sleep that long. He felt somewhat on edge being there in plain sight while his friends and family looked for him. They should’ve left already...

The girl across from him let out a sigh before she abruptly put a small, black box on the table in front of them. He noticed the top had gold engravings on it that sparkled in the nice so beautifully that it was hypnotizing to look at. She took the lid off with ease which revealed sleek cards, just as black in the box covered in gold engravings as well. She put the lid to the side before she examined his reaction to the object. He was too busy staring at the pretty, gold drawings that caught his eye until he felt her eyes on him.

“Are those tarot cards?” He asked, finally looking up at her.

She nodded. She reached over and pulled the cards out of the box and put them in front of her on the table. They smelled brand new to him. He just wanted to stare at the sparkling gold on the simple black cards all day long.

“There’s so many different types of reading...” She mumbled, more to herself than Donghyuck. “Let’s do self-assessment.”

She picked up the cards and began to shuffle them. She struggled at it judging by the neat pile turning into a heaping mess of cards all over the place on the table. She wasn’t very good at shuffled which for some reason brought a small smile to his face.

“I need you to ask a question in order for the spirits to provide me with information about your current path.” She said.

“You believe in all that sort of stuff, don’t you?” He asked as he crossed his arms and leaning back, a small smile on his face because of how naïve she was. “Tarot cards, zodiac signs, ghosts, crystals having energies... Stuff like that.”

“Yes,” She admitted. “Don’t you ever get scared at the accuracy of tarot sometimes? Or just the dreams and feelings of something happening and then it happening? Things like that, you must get scared by because it happens too many times to be coincidences... Crystals do have energy, it’s actually what technology depends on and zodiac signs are more real than you’d think. It’s not just your sign, you have a whole natal chart that makes up you. I know you’re a leo moon so you’re very affectionate towards your friends and family, also very creative and childish but need attention, badly.”

“H-how do you know that?”

“All I need to know is your birthday for the most part. You were born on a day where the moon changed but I doubt you’re a cancer moon, I’ve seen how cuddly you are with your friends and you were always trying to make sure the spot light remained on you.”

He hated it. He hated the words that came out of her mouth and how accurate they were. He understood what it was like to be scared by accuracy of mysterious things. He didn’t expect something so unlogical to sound so logical when she said it. He hated how smart she was. He always liked to win in agreements and get the last word in. He frowned about it to which she smiled as she picked three cards that stood out in the pile.

“Now, question.” She demanded.

He huffed, “I don’t know, just give me the regular?

She rolled his eyes at him as she began to set the cards face down on the table. She put the rest back in the box which sat to the side. He found a gold drawing of an eye with the tarot suits staring back at him. There were little drawings of stars in each corner as well.

“Past,” She started by pointing at the card to her right. “Present and future.”

Cosimia flipped the cards over one by one until they revealed new drawings to him. He saw little words in gold print at the bottoms of each of them.

High Priestess, reversed, Ace of Cups and III of Wands.

“What do they mean?” He asked, looking up at her only to realize how minimal the space has become between them due to his eagerness to know.

Her eyes seemed to go gold even in the bad lighting of the restaurant. He noticed her breathing had become slightly irregular as well, her eyes darting everywhere trying to find exactly what to land at it. She just smiled while blinking a few times before she turned her attention back to the cards below them. There was no blush on her cheeks like he’d expect or sweat. She looked more startled than nervous because of him

“The High Priestess,” She jumped right into the reading, not a sign of unease like previously. “In reverse, she stands for lack of center, lost inner voice and repressed feelings. She wanted you to listen to yourself and voice your problems with what you want and don’t want. You silenced her for too long when it came decisions and staying true to yourself. Present, Ace of Cups represents new love, overflowing feelings and creativity. It symbolizes new beginnings and the start of emotion fulfillment. It’s a good time to open your heart to people and a time to unleash ideas you have. Lastly, for future, Three of Wands is about looking ahead, expansion and rapid growth. It quite literally embodies future as a card... It stands for the transformation of your dreams into a reality. Look forward and despite any obstacles, be dedicated to getting what you want and go at any length you must.”

Donghyuck’s breath hitched in his throat at the accuracy of the past card. He was unsure of the present and future one but didn’t like the sound of new love or the thought of overflowing feelings. He had never actually liked anyone or experience the roller coaster of feelings it had attached to it. Frankly, he wasn’t ready for any of that from how he’d seen his friends go through. He simply just nodded in response to Cosimia’s reading as he leaned back in his chair, slowly.

“Do you like to give these readings to people?” He asked in a small voice while he stared intently at the black and gold tarot cards that still laid in front him.

“Not exactly,” She shook her head as she slipped the cards back into the box before she closed it and slid it across the table to him. “They’re for you anyway, you’ll be good at them.”

“I don’t know how to read these things!” He frowned.

“There’s a little book at the bottom that tells you how to read them and I know you don’t know why I gave them to you, but you’ll need them.”

“I really don’t think I’ll ever use them but thank you for thinking of me... I guess...”

“Don’t be so bitchy about it. You’ll be using them in San Diego so we can get money to live on while we’re down there.”

“Excuse me? And what will you be doing to get our money?”

He hated the idea of work considering that was one of the reasons he decided to tag along with her in the runaway. In the least, he couldn’t be disappointed in it since they needed some way to get money. She had smiled at him from across the table as still air surrounded them. The only sounds being the humming of refrigerators and cup of coffee or two, hitting the counter.

She laced her fingers together on the table before she leaned forward. The lack of space between her and Donghyuck had made him internally panic. The eeriness of it all didn’t help either. Wasn’t she the one that didn’t like this situation earlier? She chuckled after she finally leaned back.

“You’re scared of me.” She mumbled.

“No, that’s not it!” He was quick to exclaim. “You’re just creepy... That’s all...”

Not to mention how she made him feel made him act differently than he usually would... He didn’t quite understand why his stomach ached, but in a good way, oddly, whenever she was around. Or how he wanted to turn into an different person whenever she was in sight... It was all new to him and he had no idea why it was just her and why then in his entire life.

“We give off that vibe sometimes,” She shrugged. “People are scared of the unknown and what they can’t exactly understand.”

“We?” He questioned.

“We psychics,” She answered. “Didn’t you want to know how I know we’ll be okay back at the beach?”

He bursted out laughing in the diner. He laughed so hard he almost fell out of his chair and onto the grimy floor of the place. To be completely honest, he laughed more out of fear and in hope that she was joking. She never said ‘sike’ though. He guessed it was good that it sounded like regular laughter rather than nervous laughter. The outburst had pissed off the half asleep customers that had just come in to start their days.

“What’s so funny?” She asked.

“Psychics aren’t real!” He shook his head with a panicked grin on his face. “No one can talk to the dead. The dead are just, well, dead!”

“I’m the type that can predict the future.” She informed him.

“That’s even less real! No one can know the future, it’s so unpredictable! Faith is nothing but a myth.”

“Free will is nothing but an illusion.”

Silence followed her words as the two just stared at each other from across. The customers found euphoria in the tranquility while things so small to them went on. It was clear they were both passionate, perhaps the moon they shared was at fault.

“Listen,” She sighed. “You don’t have to believe what I believe-“

“I believe you’re crazy and stupid.” He interrupted.

“And I believe you’re a bitch that has relationship issues,” She snapped. “It seems like you’re getting more comfortable with me, that’s good.”

Donghyuck remained quiet for once as he couldn’t find the words to respond. She was right about him having relationship issues that he needed to work out. He always tended to torment those close to him with how annoying he always was. Also, would cling to them the next moment which confused everyone. A very hot-and-cold personality. He didn’t like the fact that Cosimia could see that like no one else. He was scared of her because of this...

Her mood changed constantly, which made it seem like she had multiple side to herself. He wondered if her snap was because of sleep deprivation because it wasn’t like her. Maybe even the thing he had said was due to his irritability. Or even better yet, he was just hallucinating because of his sleep deprivation.

The sound of metal hitting the table had caught his attention and dragged him out of his mind. He noticed Cosimia standing up and paying for the cups of coffee she had been drinking all night. She dropped something on the table in front of the boy. He picked up the thing she dropped and look at it. It appeared to be an ID, more specially, a college ID. It had his face on it put with a different name. It looked so authentic but it was obviously a fake. He looked up at the girl.

“We’re dead, remember?” She tsked. “Let’s go, the bus is coming soon.”

He nodded before grabbing his own bag. As the walked out, he couldn’t stop staring at the name on the ID he held.

Peter Lee.

There’s no way she could’ve known his English name was Peter. He felt a random set of chills run down his spin which he ignored. He shoved the ID in his pocket and continued to follow closely behind the girl.

The bus was already at the station when they arrived. They rushed to get on, checking the IDs and tickets as the few passangers got on. He was shocked that checker hadn’t recognized him. He wouldn’t doubt their faces being all over the news right now. It was nice to be oblivious to the chaos you created in order to live in tranquility.

It was quiet on the bus because of how early it was and how many people got on due to the time. The sky had turned into a purplish-gray color that marked dawn. Donghyuck’s eyes felt heavier than before as he watched the scenery through his window. He hadn’t noticed himself subconsciously rest his head on Cosimia’s shoulder. He felt her flinch and her shoulder disappear from under his head. When he looked at her, he noticed she looked rather terrified at the action.

“Sorry,” He coughed. “The window is not very comfortable. Can I rest my head on your shoulder, please?”

“Sure.” She breathed.

She sat back in her original position, slowly. It didn’t take him long to go back to resting his head on her shoulder in hope of sleep. Though, he could feel how tense she was and noticed she was holding her breath. He opened his eyes and saw her hands gripping the handles of the seats so hard the color disappeared from her knuckles.

She broke.

“I have to go to the bathroom.” She told him as she shot up from her seat.

She rushed down the narrow isle. He watched as she stumbled into the back and into the bathroom. He leaned back once she shut the door behind her. He sighed at the situation. He began to wonder about what had just happened. Was it something he did? What even was that?

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monotonemanday · 6 years

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Mysme Royal AU - Saeyoung The Royal Scribe

I have decided to continue my royal AU! So here is the next part! Where Knight MC meets Saeyoung, the scribe for the royal court! I hope you enjoy!

Something Wicked (Awesome) This Way Comes

As MC stood in front of the massive gate her feet still unwilling to move, she noticed it was oddly quiet. Only moments ago it seemed like peasants and nobles alike were pushing their way past one another outside of the castles walls. Going about their day's as planned. She looked to her right and as soon as she did she heard a sharp voice.

"Ya know..."

MC snapped her eyesight to the left. Standing next to her, looking directly forward, was a seemingly common man, with blazing red hair and honey eyes. The sun hitting them, the trajectory of the light making them shine gold. He was not looking at MC and he had not finished his sentence. MC stared at him with wide eyes. Wondering if he was going to continue. The silence making her uncomfortable. She furrowed her brows and inhaled, ready to break the silence. But as if he was baiting her to try and say something, before she could get the words out, the man cut her off.

"I found that just staring at things doesn't cause them to do what you want. Allow me to assist you, fair maiden!" The red haired man walked up to the gate. When he gave it a few gentle raps with his knuckles, the gate began to part open. "You see. Just gotta know the right knock to get in." He winked and walked back beside of MC.

"Thanks but...I wasn't exactly trying to get inside." MC mumbled to herself, clenching her hands into fists and looking down at the dirt beneath her, but her voice carries more than she is aware of.

"Oh, were you not? Are you waiting on a formal invitation? No that can't be right. You already got one!"

When she looked to her side the man was gone again. She found him perched. Sitting on one of the nearby posts by the gate. A very high post. She was impressed he made it up to sit. She arched an eyebrow at him quizzically.

"You know who I am?"

"Why of course! You're the new sheriff in town! I was just on my way inside and as a member of the royal court, seeing you, it is my duty to greet you! Make you feel at home!" The lively man jumped down and stood beside her once more. He picked up the roughed up sack and satchel MC had brought with her and threw them over his shoulder. "So onward we go my lord!" With his free arm he pointed forward in a charging motion and began to hastily walk through the gate doors.

MC chuckled to herself and found that her legs that earlier felt like they were cemented to the ground, now were as light as feathers and she took the first step forward since she had arrived at C&R Kingdom. She quickened her pace to catch up with her new acquaintance.

"So you know me, but who exactly are you? You seem very informal for a member of the royal court."

The man stopped and turned toward her with a deadpan look. Then a single tear fell from the corner of his eye. MC stood in horror trying to think of what she had done to trigger such emotion.

"Thank you! That is one of the nicest things anyone could say to me!" His honey eyes sparkling from the moisture of his fake tears, closed tight as he let out a hardy laugh and began to walk forward once more. "The name is Saeyoung! And I am the royal scribe!" He stopped and waited for MC to step beside him and then he leaned in close to her ear. "I am also the self appointed caretaker of the Prince's royal feline, but that's between you and I." Saeyoung winked at MC and they continued on their walk down the paved path to the castles main doors.

MC was walking with her hands clasped behind her back and her posture straight as a board. She was not carrying anything since the scribe so graciously scooped up her things. She knew that she was within the castle walls now however, and she needed to present herself in a certain manner. She came to be the head of an army. A "Lord" to the Prince. She had not yet met Prince Jumin but she couldn't let herself falter in the eyes of anyone who was already known to him. The people within these walls were potentially her men, the people she was to lead. And even those that were not hers to command, she felt needed to see her and take her seriously in her new position. Aside from that, intimidation. The Prince and the royal court may have invited her to the kingdom of C&R but that didn't meant it's people would be so gracious as well. She walked tall and proud but her inner Knight had rusted armor.

"And those are the only titles you hold?" MC side eyed her companion, looking for a specific answer.

"Well, some people call me Seven! As for titles though, I hold no more. Is something bothering you oh brave knight?"

"Bothering me? No. It does not bother me. But you did not mention to me that you can do magic."

Saeyoung did not stop walking but MC noticed that his shoulders tensed. He was only about a foot in front of her. He looked back and she saw the corner of his lips upturn slightly.

"Is that so? I wasn't planning on bringing it up so that is probably why, well...probably why I didn't!" He laughed but MC did not find it as entertaining as him.

"Well yes, after all, you are a mage." MC stopped walking, signalling that she was starting a heavier conversation between the two. "So you are like me. Hiding somewhere that accepts your differences because the rest of the lands fear what you do."

Saeyound let out a loud gasp and held his hands over his heart. "Oh Revolutionary Knight! Such filthy words you speak! The M word is forbidden across this land and many many others!"

She raised her brow at the man once more. Not playing along with his games. "But you are. That gate has to be manually operated but there was no one stationed at that point. You were perched on that post that was far to high and difficult to climb, and you are carrying those bags with such ease because you aren't really carrying them. They are hovering."

"Looks like you caught me oh wise and ruthless knight!" Saeyoung placed his hands behind his head, interlocking his fingers and using them as a pillow. He leaned back. Far enough to where he could lift his legs off the ground. He was levitating now, swinging side to side as if he were in an invisible hammock. "I have magic hands. It's true. And if you come to my chambers later I could even show you my crystal ball." He raised his eyebrows a time or two at MC.

"I'll pass." MC hoisted herself up to sit on the half wall that was bordering the paved path they were walking. Saeyoung brought his feet back down to meet the the path and leaned against the wall. Putting his weight on his elbows. "You use magic so openly?"

"Within these walls, absolutely! These are my people! They love The Great Wizard Saeyoung!" He stood up and began to move his hands around gracefully, like he was summoning spells over a cauldron.

MC merely rolled her eyes. "I doubt that anyone calls you that."

Saeyoung floated himself to sit next to MC on top of the wall and he let out a soft sigh. "Listen, MC. You've heard of The Knights of the Round Table?" MC only nodded her head in response. "The great knight, Arthur Pendragon, who wields the legendary sword Excalibur. King Arthur who fights with his companion the great wizard, Merlin! That. That is you and I. Our destiny. What we are about to become. This Kingdom faces a great danger. The Empress of Magenta and her Mint army. They will come soon. And when that time comes, you and I will stop her! Together. The Valiant Knight and Extraordinary Wizard! THE FAMOUS DUO! MC AND SEVEN! SEVEN AND MC! WITH THEIR STEEL AND MAGIC! HEROES OF C&R!" He flung his arms towards the sky but gave himself a little too much momentum. The enthusiastic story teller lost balance and tumbled backwards. The path they were walking and the wall they were perched on were not high, but the drop behind them was pretty significant.

"Saeyoung!" MC shouted after him, hopping off of the wall and grabbing his wrist.

"Nice catch, MC! But there was really no need to get so worked up. I mean...you know...legendary wizard and all." He smirked and MC pulled him up over the ledge. Instead of sitting back on the wall they settled for leaning against it.

"Sure, all of that sounds exciting Saeyoung but Arthur and Merlin? They are just legends, myths."

"So were you, MC. The Revolutionary Knight. But here you are, right in front of me. Coming to help our lowly little kingdom."

A million thoughts began to rush through MC's head and she leaned in silence. The energetic red haired man she had met only minutes ago was trying to convince her of this tale about a disgraced maiden on the run, turned hero. She didn't want to be a house wife, a simple maiden or the princess to some kingdom she didn't care for just because of a sham marriage. So she became a fighter and a rogue, knowing it was not how things are supposed to work. Once that facade came crashing down she was an outlaw. And now she is back in someone's kingdom, under someones rule but she is an authority. All of these thoughts where overwhelming but she knew as the "Revolutionary Knight" she didn't have time to dwell. She was to push forward.

"Well," She pushed herself off of the wall and collected her sack and satchel from the ground. "If we are going to become legendary heroes to be remembered...It's a good thing you're handsome."

Caught off guard by the comment, Saeyoungs cheeks flushed. Then he rushed after MC who had made it quite away's ahead of him.

"So are you rethinking your answer to meeting me in my chambers later?" The magician teased.

"Absolutely not."

Saeyoung huffed at MC's blatant response. They walked in a comfortable silence for a moment until the atrocious roar of MC's intestines burst forth.

"Aha! Our hero is hungry! It just so happens I know where to find the best chef in the kingdom!" Saeyoung grabbed MC's forearm and jerked her into a new direction. "This way! Off to see the kingdoms royal chef! Who not only is the best chef, but he is also the cutest." Saeyoung laughed to himself as he drug MC off to a separate place other than the main entrance to the castle. There was still a bit of time before she had to meet with Prince Jumin.

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storyteller15 · 5 years

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Chapter Six: The Selection

I groaned and stirred my body around in a different position.

Last night had to be the one of the best moments of my life. Despite the fact that I never got my picture back, I did something that at least made me feel a little better: Comforting Asriel. I considered myself lucky to be pardoned by him for leaving the second floor. Of course, I will be following the rules for now on. Maybe . . ?

I was doing fine sleeping so far until I hear my door creak open. Oh no . . . I shifted my body around, laying on my stomach in hopes that they ignore me and allow me to sleep in more. In the background, I can hear my maids talking in hushed voices. With a soft sigh, I knew my sleep is going to end shortly when I felt someone standing over me.

"Good morning, my lady," Barbara whispers, tapping my shoulder. "It's time to get up."

I whined and pulled my sheets over my head. "When will I ever get to have the time to sleep more?"

I hear Barbara and Lesley giggle at my protest. In the background, I can hear someone's flat heels clacking against the rug and the sounds of curtains swinging open. Through the back of my eyelids, I watched the warm sunshine make my vision look orangey-red, even if my bed sheets are covering my face.

Ugh . . . Sunlight.

"Please wake up, my lady. You wouldn't want to be late on meeting the royal family." Lesley insists; her voice filled with worry.

My eyes shot open, pulling my sheets away from my head as I moved my body upward.

Dammit! Why is it that I always forget about important stuff whenever I wake up? I really need to make a mental note to myself about these things so I don't forget. Maybe sleep has its benefits of making us forget the good and bad things. Thus, the important things like meeting the king and queen.

"Alright, you got me. I'm completely awake." I said, my voice sounding groggy.

"Would you like to wear the light cyan sweetheart neckline gown, or the strapless pink ombré gown decorated with some glitter?" Lesley asks, holding the lovely gowns in front of me.

I squinted at them, trying to think. The pink to me is asking for too much attention. Maybe I will wear it in another occasion; perhaps if Asriel plans a ball that involves looking gorgeous. The light cyan on the other hand, looks almost simple because it didn't have that much glitter like the pink one. The color itself reminds me of the ocean back at home.

To be honest, I'm not trying to impress Asriel and his family. I only present myself as what I am. I won't let the competition change me no matter what. I'm so grateful to have Bryn pick out my dress designs for me to wear during The Selection. She knows my tastes far too well.

"I'll go with the light cyan today, Lesley. Thank you." I get up, stretching my arms out as Barbara helps me get undressed out of my tank top and soft shorts.

"Fine choice, my lady," Lesley beams, hanging it over the screen.

"I still can't believe you got to meet Prince Asriel; it was quite lucky of you. Perhaps it's fate!" Barbara squeals happily, laying out my white matching undergarments for my gown.

I chuckled nervously, feeling my cheeks flushed rosy pink. "I wasn't meant to Barbara, I'm still feeling guilty for disobeying the rules."

"Don't fret about that my lady," Lesley moves my hair out of my face. "You had a good reason, and we respect it. Prince Asriel is very kind to his subjects. Perhaps you mean something to him my lady."

"I suppose so," I answered solemnly, walking into the bathroom to brush my teeth while Barbara and Lesley prepares my makeup items for me to wear today.

In the mirror, my hair was completely a mess as if I had been fighting off clingy vines as I slept. Eye crusts rested in the inner corners of my eyes, waiting for me to rub them off my face. Ah, my lazy look. I wish I could wear this look for just one day . . . No makeup, no fancy clothes, and no waking up early. Sadly, it rarely happens now because people will barge into my room, needing me to get ready for various important things. I dismissed those thoughts as I rinsed my mouth and washed my face.

In the background, I hear Barbara shuffle past me just to start my shower. I was told that I shouldn't wet my hair when I shower, because the oils in my hair will make it easier to work with if you need to style it. So, I decided to wrap my hair into a bun, removing my thin bra and light pink underwear off as Barbara dismisses herself out the bathroom. Making my way inside the shower, I close the thin glass door behind me and welcome the hot water running down my body. Ah, there's nothing like a good hot body shower can make my morning worth to wake up to. I quickly grabbed my melon cucumber scented soap and scrubbed until every last trace of smelly sweat was gone.

After my quick body shower, I sit down in front of my vanity, cuddled in my white fluffy robe to watch as Barbara do my hair. First, she brushes the tangles out of my long hair. Then she twists half of my hair into two curled rose-like messy buns and secures them with swirled pins decorated with aqua blue crystals. The rest of my hair is draped over my back, since I wasn't in the mood to have all my hair up. So, my hair is in a half up-do. And to make my hair look prettier, she curls the ends of my hair in a soft form. Barbara then parts my hair strands to each side of my face to frame it. I raised my eyebrow at them; I probably need to style my hair some other time. However, I do love the way Barbara did my hair. I should have her teach me how so I can do it on Bryn someday.

With my hair done, it was time to do my makeup.

I had Lesley skip my lips, so she starts by applying some rosy-pink blush over the apples of my cheeks and lightly dabbing some white eye glitter over the inner corners of my eyes to make them look noticeable. Next, Lesley uses a black liquid eyeliner, winging it downwards to give my makeup an innocent look. And because my dress is light cyan, the outer corners of my eyelids are lightly dabbed with an icy blue eyeshadow, finishing it off with some of the eye glitter she used for my inner corners to give my eyeshadow that frosty theme. Finally, she adds a little mascara on my lashes, curling them a little. I love the way Lesley does my makeup! She doesn't put too much, only what is necessary to make my look dazzle.

Of course, I didn't think any jewelry was necessary. So, Barbara and Lesley helps me dress into my beautiful light cyan sweetheart neckline gown over my beige strapless bra and underwear that Barbara picked out for me to wear since it is strapless after all. My gown sparkled like the ocean, making me feel homesick. The skirt at least felt light enough for me to carry it when I walk. After Lesley zips up my dress, I slowly walk over to the raised platform that stood in front of the three mirrors that lets me see myself in different angles. From behind, I can hear my maids sigh in awe.

"Wow! You look so beautiful! I'm so glad that you chose this dress. It looks gorgeous on you!" Barbara bleated for joy.

"Thank you, Barbara. You and Lesley are the reason why I look this way." I said earnestly, smiling at both of them.

"You're too kind, my lady," Lesley flushed red, feeling flattered. "Oh for goodness' sake! It's almost time to meet up with the other girls. Please remember to square your shoulders and keep looking straight when you meet with the royal family." Lesley takes my hand, setting down my white low-high heels down for me to slip them on.

I smiled happily to myself. I don't have to wear those ridiculous high heels that makes your entire feet ache from walking. "Yes Lesley, I will." I promised as I hugged both of my maids gratefully.

"Good. Now off you go! Good luck, Zefie dear!"

I wave them goodbye, picking up the hem of my skirt a little, as I walk out the door. I walked down from the west wing over to the middle of the second floor where it separates both the east and west. There I stopped in front of the elevator and pressed the button that had a glowing yellow arrow pointing down. According to Lesley, I have to take the elevator to to get to where I should be going. It seems there are certain places that have no stairs leading to them, and can only be accessed via the elevators.

With a loud swoosh sound, the elevator doors opened wide to welcome me inside. As I walk in, I noticed that the other side of the elevator also has a set of double doors and a panel of buttons that are labeled with numbers one to ten, with a few letters next to them. Interesting, I underestimated the palace. It really is bigger than I imagined judging by the sectors each button can lead me to in this enormous palace. Maybe even big enough to get lost into it like a maze. If I can memorize the entire place, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all. That is if I remember where I'm going.

Once the doors closed shut, I pressed the elevator button that's labeled 'P-1', feeling the elevator rumble under my low-high heels. I felt the walls shake a bit, hearing the elevator hum loudly as it takes me down to the first floor. No elevator music, thank goodness. I really dislike elevator music because it's a bit awkward. Silence is what I need even though people don't like it one bit.

Deep into my thoughts, I reminisce through last night's encounter, thinking about how Asriel scooped me up into his arms like a gentleman. The way his fur tingled against my bare legs and arms, giving me goosebumps. And the way my heart skipped a whole lot of beats just seeing his face near mine. His green eyes even looked beautiful under the moonlight. Perhaps we could start from where we left off. But then again, I don't even know if Asriel will recognize me under this glamorous attire . . .

Just then, the elevator shakes to a sudden stop, snapping me out of my dark thoughts and back to reality. I shook my head slowly, realizing the big mistake I was making. What am I saying? I shouldn't be putting myself down and thinking the worst. I promised Bryn that I'd stop doing that. My face suddenly went pale. Bryn! Crap, I cursed to myself. I forgot to text her to let her know that I won't have my phone for awhile. It's too late now, so no need to add that to my list of worries. Looks like she'll have to wait.

I shrugged my shoulders as the doors opened wide, leading me into the familiar corridor. This was where we had our interview and where the palace entrance is located. I walked to the opposite direction to another corridor, leading me to a new area where I can see all the Selection girls present and prepared to meet the royal family. I guess I was the last one, or perhaps the girls couldn't wait to meet them, so they decided to come early. To my surprise, I find Fiona having a rather interesting conversation with Malachite. I wonder . . . How long will her facade last for her to finally ends her game and acts true to herself?

"Hey, there you are!" Colleen surprises me with a big hug from behind.

"Colleen, hi!" I giggled against her chest, returning the hug.

"Where were you last night? I was hoping that you would join me and Delilah to watch the broadcast together last night." She pouts at me, looking a little sad.

My entire body was chilled to the bone. I hope she didn't come look for me in my room.

"I was asleep, I'm sorry. The long travels from Aura Cove to Berdea really got me super tired."

"Oh, yeah. That makes sense," She nods knowingly. "You should have seen yours! It was fantastic and amazing! They made you look majestic and exquisite!"

"Wha?! No way." I gaped at her, feeling my cheeks flushed red.

She smirks at me, giving me a playful wink. "Way! I'll show it to you on my phone later. Anyway, are you excited to meet Prince Asriel as much as I am?!"

I chuckled nervously. Oh I met him already, I thought to myself. He's a very wonderful person, and is good with his hilarious puns. Sadly, I promised Asriel to not tell anyone about me encountering him last night, which was fair enough.

"Y-yeah, I am."

"You're not getting cold feet, are ya?" Delilah appears beside us, dressed in a beautiful violet gown, with her skirt decorated in amethyst jewels.

Do I look that obvious? "Maybe."

"Aw cheer up, Zefie! Perhaps seeing his face should melt those cold feet of yours." Colleen encourages me.

"Yeah, you'll do fine." Delilah pats my shoulder.

"I love your dress, Delilah! It looks good with your lavender hair!" Colleen gushes.

"Thanks, I like your orange dress. What made you decide to wear that color today?"

"It's my good luck color!" She twirls around as her skirt flowed with her body. "I just thought maybe There's a seventy percent chance that I'll go on a date with Prince Asriel today!"

I chuckled and smiled at her optimism. "I'm sure you will, Colleen. Asriel can't resist colors that match the sun."

"Really?! Thanks, Zefie!" She gushes, wrapping her arms around me as I uttered an "oof."

In the corner of my eye, I spot scarlet wearing a beautiful emerald green gown, with her long hair made into lovely curls. I should go talk to her.

"Can you guys give me a minute? I'm gonna go try and have a chat with Scarlet."

"Sure, come find us soon. We have less than five minutes before Mettaton shows up." Delilah reminds me, before Colleen releases me and began to walk towards Scarlet.

The last time I saw her was when we went inside the palace together. Well, before I got lost. Other than that, even if she acts like she doesn't need anyone, I'm still not giving up on trying to be her friend. Scarlet can't compete alone. She at least needs someone to talk to.

"Hey, Scarlet," I greeted her, giving her the needed space.

She looks at me with her dark brown eyes. "Hello, Zafrina."

"I uh . . . Well uh . . . You look pretty. I love the color of your gown." I felt flustered and angry for not finding the right words to compliment her.

"Thanks."

There was a long terrifying silence, before I realized that she's not in the mood for a brief chat. Why must she seclude herself away from the others? I know she's not bad like Fiona, but . . .

"I'm sorry to disturb you, I'll go ahead and let you have your space." I turned away, walking back to where I can see Delilah and Colleen talking with another Selection girl.

"Hey, I heard about Fiona toying with your feelings," Scarlet begins to say, even though my back was facing her. "I'm sorry she did that, she doesn't deserve any kindness after what she did. So, watch your back."

I gasped softly and smiled, turning my head to face her. "Thank you, I will."

"Good morning darlings~!" Mettaton beams at us, wearing the same outfit as yesterday. Except he's now wearing a black tuxedo, decorated with glitter over his magenta long sleeve collar shirt. "I assumed you all slept well and prepared yourselves to meet the prince and his family?"

The girls all screamed happily in response, as I make my way towards Colleen. I latched onto her arm, just to prevent myself from getting lost in the crowd. From the corner of my eye, I find Fiona 'smiling' at me, waving. I pretended that I didn't see her, turning my head to focus on Mettaton.

"Alright then, let's go ahead and go over the plan. So, listen carefully, darlings." Everyone then stops to listen to what we'll be doing.

I felt my stomach twisting into knots again, making me feel lightheaded.

"As you know, Prince Asriel and his family are waiting patiently in the grand ballroom. When your name is called, all you have to do is walk to them, curtsy, and introduce yourselves. You will say your name, town, and the names of your parents. Sound easy enough for you, darlings?"

The girls replied by nodding, while I tried to hide my anxieties behind Colleen. Delilah rubs my back, noticing my pink sparks of magic dancing across my fingertips. Why must I always get nervous at a time like this?

"Just breathe, Zefie," Delilah whispers to me, continuing to rub my back. "Breathe in and out slowly, we're right here."

Colleen rubs my arm, giving me a reassuring squeeze. "Try closing your eyes, it'll prevent your magic from getting out of hand. Trust me, it helps."

I do what they say, breathing in and out with my eyes closed. In the background, I don't exactly hear what Mettaton was saying, only hearing nothing but my heart pumping loudly enough for everyone to hear it. I leaned against Colleen's arm, continuing my breathing exercise.

"Alright, darlings, it's time! Please listen for royal guards Papyrus and Sans when they call your names! Now I must go, I've got other things to do that involves the media, good luck darlings, ta-ta~!" Mettaton waves before he disappears down the hallway.

"Huh? Who's Papyrus?" Delilah asks, sounding puzzled to whoever that person was.

"WHY, THAT WOULD BE ME, HUMAN!" Papyrus appears next to her, posing in heroic way as his scarf fluttered dramatically like a cape.

I gasped, smiling in an instant to see his goofy face. "Papyrus!"

"NYEH?! AH! IT'S YOU, HUMAN MAGE ZEFIE! YOU LOOK LOVELY TODAY!" He gushes at me, taking my hands into his

"Wait, you know this tall skeleton dude?!" Delilah asks, flabbergasted at our happy reunion.

I chuckled softly. "Of course! He's one of the royal guards who helped me when I got lost yesterday."

"INDEED I WAS!" He shouts, his voice filled with energy. "IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, POOR HUMAN MAGE ZEFIE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST AND ALONE!"

"Ooh! Pleased to meet you, Papyrus!" Colleen shakes his hand.

"Y-yeah, same." Delilah smiles at him.

"WHAT A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU ALL! NOW IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME, I HAVE AN IMPORTANT DUTY TO DO AS A ROYAL GUARD!" He waves us goodbye, speed-walking towards the entrance to the ballroom.

"I don't know about you guys," Delilah says, watching as some of the girls disappear when Papyrus calls for each of them. "But I kinda find it hard to believe he's in one of the royal guards. He's just too . . ."

"Innocent? Yes I know, but we may never know until we see him in action." I replied, feeling my anxieties shrink again.

"Gosh, she has a point. I would love to see how he fights." Colleen giggles as she sways her bushy tail around.

Just then, I spot Sans walking down our way, keeping a goofy grin on his face.

"Sup, kiddo."

"Morning, Sans." I waved as he walked by, joining his brother.

Delilah and Colleen gaped at me, opening their mouths, but I cut them off quickly.

"He's Papyrus' older brother. He works as a royal guard, too."

"What? No way, don't you think he's a little too short?" Delilah raises her eyebrow at Sans as if she doesn't believe me.

"Hey, appearances can deceive us." I shrugged my shoulders.

"SANS! YOU LAZY BONES!" Papyrus begins to yell at his brother. "YOU ARE ONE MINUTE AND TWENTY-ONE . . . NO TWENTY-TWO . . . TWENTY-THREE . . . NYEH! YOU ARE LATE! WHAT WERE YOU DOING?!"

"Heh. Sorry, Paps, I had a skele-ton of work that had to be done." He shrugs his shoulders with a wink, watching Papyrus stomping around.

"ENOUGH OF YOUR DUMB PUNS, SANS! AND QUIT USING THEM IN FRONT OF THE SELECTION GIRLS! NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE, IT'S TIME THAT WE FOCUS ON OUR DUTY!"

"Sure. Whatever you say, Paps."

The three of us snickered a laugh. I can see why Claire finds the skeleton brothers entertaining. The way they argue is nearly identical to a married couple, but in a brotherly way. Sans is mysterious no doubt, but his bad puns and smart pranks can make some people laugh. Papyrus is a hard worker, filled with positive energy that puts a smile on everyone's faces. Together, they make a great team.

"COLLEEN DARWIN?" Papyrus calls out.

"Oh! That's me! Wish me luck, guys!" Colleen beams happily, walking forward.

"Luck!” Delilah and I said in usion.

We watched as Colleen beamed with joy as she walked through the huge double doors Papyrus and Sans stood to either side. There are actually two ways to get into the ballroom. One is where the skeleton brothers are, the other is down the hallway. That entrance is for the very important guests that aren’t from Berdea or Auradon. Curiosity suddenly made me wonder what the ballroom looks like. I heard that it overlooks the gardens and the forest where we can see Mount Ebott.

Suddenly, Delilah clears her throat. My thoughts were paused at the moment as I turned to who she was looking at. My entire body went still as if they weren’t functioning anymore. Standing a few feet away is Malachite, giving us a cold stare. Beside her is the two-faced Fiona.

"I don't think we’ve met," A wicked smile spreads across her face. "I'm Malachite Levoue, you can call me Mal for short."

"I know who you are, you're that famous monster model from Coloratura that poses in fricken bikinis." Delilah hisses, her voice sounding distraught.

"Oh, don't lose your temper, dearie. I'm only here to get to know my competitors. I see we have a mage in the Selection? Alban isn't it?" Malachite turns her attention to me, her stares sending me chills deep into my spine. Something felt very . . . Wrong.

"Yes."

"How nice. I'd love to see you perform your magic some other time, little witch. Anyway, besides the introductions, I’m actually here to give you two a friendly warning. Don't get in my way, I won't get in yours." She warns us with a vicious glare, leaving us speechless before Sans calls out her name.

"See you at the ballroom, buddies," Fiona sneers at us, joining Malachite.

I immediately grabbed on to Delilah's wrist before she tries anything rash. "Delilah, don't. It's not worth it." I begged her.

Her breathing was laboring, but my grip on her didn't falter as I watched her face turn red out of anger before she finally spoke again.

"But she was pestering us for no reason!" She tried to pull her arm away, but I refused to let go as she kept a hard expression on her face.

"This is the type of reaction she wants from us," I held her close, hoping she would calm down. "If you let your temper get out of hand, you will be eliminated. And we are not going to play their game. Malachite and Fiona will have to do better than that if they're going to try to get us out of the competition."

Delilah takes a few more deep breaths before facing me. I sighed in relief as her expression begins to soften up. Thank goodness. I pull her over to the side for a little while as we watched more girls disappear through the doors. It didn't take long before Delilah was being herself again.

"Thanks, Zefie. You really saved my ass there." She says, her voice sounding grateful.

I responded by smiling at her. “It’s what friends do. And by that, I mean actual real friends.”

Delilah wraps her arms around me as I did the same. The number of girls remaining began to dwindle fast as Sans or Papyrus called out names. So far, only twelve human mages, with me included, entered the Selection. It was a fair number enough to ease my worries of being the only one.

It didn't take long before Delilah was called out to go. It was then, as I took a good look around, I began to realize that I was going to be called last. Oh. Oh, no, no, no, no.

Suddenly, my stomach twisted in an excruciating angle again. Why must I have be the last one? I asked myself. They must be doing a random draw, instead of going alphabetically. Or else I would have been first, because my last name starts with an 'A'.

"OOH! ZEFIE ALBAN!" Papyrus shouts, making me jump. "IT IS YOUR TURN TO GO!"

I took a few deep breaths, walking down the hallway where I can see Papyrus and Sans waiting for me.

"You're the final one to come up, kid." Sans spoke too, giving me a wide confident grin.

This is it, I thought to myself. Pretend that you never met Prince Asriel last night, pretend that you're surprised to finally get to see him.

My hands began to tremble, clutching my skirt tightly until my knuckles became white. Stay calm, stay clam! I begged myself. I really need to get over my anxiety quick. If I don't, I'll probably end up--

I felt my heels step over the hem of my skirt, making me lose my balance. The next thing I know, I watched as the floor was prepared to meet my face. Just then, I felt two arms stopping me from reaching the floor. I gasped and looked up to find Papyrus and Sans holding me up.

"Don't worry, kid," he gave me a wink. "Everybody falls for the prince."

"SANS! THIS IS NO TIME FOR YOUR RIDICULOUS PUNS!" Papyrus scolds him.

"Heh, sorry. I can't help myself, Paps. It was an opportunity I just had to catch."

"SAAANS!!"

I couldn't help but laugh so hard at their argument before Sans began to speak again.

"Anyway, don't worry, kid. We won't let you fall. Not in our watch."

"WE BELIEVE IN YOU, HUMAN MAGE ZEFIE!"

I gasped softly, smiling at both of them as they helped me stand up again. "Thank you, Sans. Thank you, Papyrus."

"NO NEED TO THANK US! NOW, GET IN THERE AND SHAKE THOSE BONES UP WITH CONFIDENCE!" Papyrus says, his voice voice filled with encouragement.

"What he said." Sans grins at me.

With a few deep breaths, I squared my shoulders and held my head a bit high as I slowly walked inside.

Suddenly, my eyes widened, the ballroom is absolutely breathtaking. The only similarity I can compare it with, is the ballroom I saw from Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'. However, it is even more exquisite than the movie itself. Instead of the floors and columns being brownish, it was more in a creamy-beige color that blended well with marble. The floor pattern had quite a few tiles shaped as the golden flowers imprinted in different yellow shades over the square tiles. The arched windows stood tall, overlooking the forest and the beautiful skies of Berdea.

Over to my left, I see all of the girls standing on the side patiently. In the corner of my eye, I notice that Colleen and Delilah were grinning at me, making me smile even more. It only took me a moment before I found King Asgore and Queen Toriel standing at the far end of the ballroom with Prince Asriel and Princess Frisk standing between them. All of them, except Asgore, were wearing their royal robes with the Delta Rune symbol over their chests. Asgore was wearing a dark purple cape that draped over his shoulders and gold metal armor. His gold crown, with a big red ruby encrusted in the middle sat neatly atop his blond hair.

I swallowed hard, keeping a gentle expression on my face as I finally reached them and came to a slow stop. Just as Mettaton ordered us, I curtsied with my head lowered deeply to show my highest respect to Nanny's best friends. The silence was killing me, hearing my heart beating loudly in a fast pace.

This is it, I thought to myself. The truth will finally come out. All of the girls will know now.

"Hello, Your Majesties," I spoke softly, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear me. "My name is Zafrina Alban of Aura Cove, I am the daughter of Runa Cordelia."

In the background, I hear Toriel let out a loud gasp, making my body flinch a little as I raised my head up slowly.

"Zefie?" Toriel gaped at me, her red eyes twinkling brighter than any jewel, exposed her excitement. "You're Runa's child?!"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty--"

Just then, I stopped talking when she runs towards me, wrapping her soft arms around me in a big hug as I uttered an "oof" for the second time today.

"Oh my, look at you! You're so beautiful and so mature!" Toriel gushes.

My cheeks flushed rosy pink in embarrassment. In the background, I can hear the girls whispering to each other. Colleen looked like she was going to explode from the overwhelming joy that danced across her face. Well, so much for trying to stay out of the spotlight . . .

Asgore chuckled softly, approaching us and hugged me as well. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle before I returned the hug.

"It is an honor to meet our dearest best friend's daughter in the flesh," he spoke in a low rumbling voice that sent me chills down to my spine.

Malachite gaped at me. She's probably surprised by the fact that I'm the daughter of the king and queen's best friend. The daughter of the last seal monster, a Selkie. Great, another thing added to my list of worries.

"You may not look like her, but I can see her personality in yours." Asgore beamed, cupping my face with his big warm hands.

I blinked, still feeling embarrassed as he released me. The only response I can give them is a shy smile. As my gaze drifted, my eyes met with Asriel's for a moment. He smirked at me, keeping his 'innocent' expression plastered. Frisk fidgeted in place, looking so eager to meet me.

"Thank you, Your Majesties." The two of them smiled at me before Toriel spoke again.

"We'll have to catch up with details sometime, my child. Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you, Zefie. I am Toriel, and that tall handsome fellow is my husband," she looks over towards Asgore as he smiled sheepishly before she bends down to whisper something in my ear. "But you can call him 'Mr. Fluffybuns.'"

I quickly bit my tongue down to hold back my laugh, putting a hand over my trembling mouth. So that's the one Nanny was talking about with Toriel. It's no wonder they laugh about it so much. I looked up at Toriel as she gave me a wink putting her finger over her lip.

"It's a great honor to meet you both," Toriel gave me a warm smile before she takes her place next to Asgore, allowing me to meet Asriel again face-to-face.

Asriel chuckled nervously, clearing his throat before he finally spoke. "H-hello, Miss Zafrina. I'm Prince Asriel, it is a great pleasure of having you compete in my Selection." He bows as my heart pounded loudly.

"Hello, Your Majesty. it's nice to meet you, too."

For a second, I thought I just saw the corner of his lip twitched when I used his formal name. Gotcha.

"Haha. Well then, Miss Zafrina, I do hope I get to have the chance to talk with you again," His voice rose a little after he spoke the last word, hinting last night's event when he threatened to have me date him. That is, if I don't call him by his real name.

I raised an eyebrow at him, giving him a small playful smirk. Game on, Prince.

I turned my attention away from him, before anyone catches our knowing glances towards each other. My eyes focuses on to Frisk, seeing her smile warmly at me. I adore her so much, she is the symbol of peace and mercy. Not only she freed the monsters from their prison, she also became the ambassador to speak for them.

"Hello, Your Highness," I curtsied before her. "It's nice to meet--"

Frisk suddenly surprises me by hugging me tightly, cutting me off as she lets out a soft giggle. "Hello, Zefie! it's nice to meet you, too! I've heard so much about you from my mother and father's letters! I hope we get the better chance to know each other some other time." She gushes, speaking in a gentle voice.

I didn't know how to respond to her, so I decided to return the hug before she released me. I gave her a soft smile and curtsied before I walked over to where Colleen and Delilah are waiting for me. Suddenly, my breath was caught in my throat when I felt some of the girls, including Malachite, staring at me. I let out a shaky breath as Delilah wrapped her arms around me.

"Don't mind them, Zefie," she reassures me in her hushed voice. "Who cares if they think you're a threat, I still see you as my friend."

"Delilah's right. Just because the king and queen acknowledged you as their best friend's daughter, doesn't mean that you're going to be treated better than the rest of us. They're not like that." Colleen holds my hand, giving them a tight squeeze.

I leaned against Colleen's arm before we hear Prince Asriel began to speak again. "Thank you, ladies. I would like to say how much it was a pleasure to meet every one of you. Each of you showed such potential, giving me hope that I will have a chance of finding my future wife during my Selection."

All of the girls responded by squealing and applauding at his response. I felt my heart feel constricted, clutching at my chest. This event has just been too overwhelming, I guess. However, it's still early, so perhaps a stroll around the palace should ease my nerves.

"Now that you've met my family," Asriel continued to speak, getting my attention again. "It's time that everyone joins us at the dining room, where our breakfast is prepared and served."

My stomach growled loudly once he mentioned food, making me gasp as I quickly hid behind Colleen. Some of the girls were looking around to see who made that strange sound. I turned and found Asriel glancing around before his gaze settled on me. Well, I'm fucked, I thought to myself as my cheeks flushed rosy pink in embarrassment. Oh god, I just wanna run back upstairs and hide in my room for the rest of the day.

To my surprise, Asriel puts his hand over his stomach. "Ah! My deepest apologies, I guess I'm feeling a bit famished. Shall we follow my parents to the dining room now?"

"Yes, that's a wonderful idea, my son. I, too am feeling hungry myself." Asgore chuckled, walking out of the ballroom with Toriel holding onto his arm.

Frisk and Asriel follow after them, exchanging a brief conversation in hushed voices. And finally, the rest of us followed as we exit the lovely ballroom. Delilah and Colleen wiggled their eyebrows at me as if they knew that Asriel said that just to save me from dying of embarrassment. I shook my head, putting my hands over my stomach. I can't help it, I just love food.

"That was so nice of him saving you like that," Delilah smirks at me, nudging my shoulders with hers.

"Right?! I'm so jealous, Zefie! Do you really love food that much?" Colleen asks, patting my head just to cheer me up.

"First of all, he's just trying to be nice. There wasn't exact proof that it was me," I said, unsure whether I was trying to comfort myself or dodge away from the subject.

"And second," I continued. "Yes I absolutely love food! Call me a fatty, but I can never go on throughout the day without having something in my stomach." I waved my arms dramatically as they laughed.

"You're not a fatty, you're just a person that loves food." Delilah yawns loudly, stretching her arms out.

"Ah, that reminds me," Colleen faces me as the three of us began to slow down, but kept a good distance enough to stay close to the group. "About your mom, Runa Cordelia. is that why you never said anything when I mentioned about her yesterday? Were you afraid that maybe we wouldn't like you if we found out?"

I blinked twice, almost forgetting about that before I answered. "Y-yeah, but it's mostly because I didn't want it to be a big deal for me when I compete. I just don't want the attention on me, that's all." I shrugged my shoulders, rubbing my arm meekly.

"Well don't feel that way, we're not going to be like Fiona and use it against you. We're friends Zefie, and nothing is going to change that."

"Yup. What she said," Delilah says earnestly.

"Thanks, guys. That means a lot to me."

Colleen began to squeal. "I still can't believe your mom is Runa! Her reputation is very high, did you know that her father was King Asgore's General?"

"What? Really?" Delilah's eyes went wide.

"Yup! My grandfather met him, too. He told me that General Cordelia's human form is suppose to be handsome to a human's standard."

"Pfft stop! I don't wanna hear anymore details!" I complained, making both of them chuckle.

We continued to follow after the girls, carefully keeping my hands over my stomach as if it will help keep the noises in, and trying not to be obvious at the same time. Coming from the same direction as to where the elevator is, we walk past it and find ourselves in another corridor, the columns lining them. My eyes lit up. I can smell something so inviting, feeling my mouth starting to salivate.

Just as I was about to mention the wonderful smell to Colleen and Delilah, I suddenly felt a strong hand grip my wrist. In one quick move, their other hand covered my mouth just before I could think or utter a cry. The surroundings blurred as I was reeled out of the hall, and behind a large pillar. Frantically, I tried to pull away, but they refused to let go. Oh my god! Who?! What?! Why?! I muffled out a cry as I quit struggling, trying to look over my shoulder to see who or what was holding me captive, their grip on me softened.

Asriel?!

My body melted from the sudden relief. He quickly put his finger over his lips just to cut me off from what I was about to say or ask. With panic seeping throughout my body, I quickly took a peek at Colleen and Delilah in case they realized that I was gone. And to my surprise, Frisk was talking to them; they seem to be having an interesting conversation. I guess that would keep them busy for a little while.

Once they disappeared out of eyesight, Asriel pulls his hand away from my mouth just to allow me to speak again. "Your Majesty? What in the world--"

"Ah, ah, ah, Zefie." He uses his finger to cut me off. "Did you really forget about what I told you to call me if we're not around people?"

I gaped at him, feeling shocked as my cheeks flushed red. So, he was not joking after all. My heart began to beat in a fast pace, hearing it thump loudly enough for the both of us to hear.

"Sorry, sorry! A-Asriel, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in there, where everyone is waiting at the moment?"

"Well I had to see you first before we eat. I'm here to thank you for keeping our secret untold."

Suddenly, I remembered that I ended telling my maids about it.

"Uh, yeah about that, I uh . . . Well . . . I ended up telling my maids."

"You told your maids?" He raised his eyebrows at me, not looking angry at all. "That's actually fine, I kind of knew you would end up telling them."

"What? How?" It was my turn to raise my eyebrows at him.

Asriel chuckled softly at my expression. "After you left with Sans, I went back up to my room to check your name on the list and the maids you are assigned with. And to my surprise, you got lucky. Barbara and Lesley are good, loyal people. And good at keeping secrets."

"Yes, yes they are," I nodded in agreement. "So, what else did you want to say to me? I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I'm feeling super hungry."

My stomach growled louder than before, making me groan in pain.

His eyes widened and chuckled. "Ah, so it really was your stomach that growled with anticipation! I apologize, I'll make this quick, it's actually something very important . . ."

"Oh, what is it?"

"I'm uh . . . W-well I uh . . ." He stuttered nervously, beads of sweat suddenly forming over his fur if possible as he was trying so hard to say it. "I-I am asking you if you could go on a date after we eat breakfast."

After he mentioned the word 'date' my entire face glowed in a rather reddish-pink color. "W-wait, If it's because I used your formal name, I didn't mean to, I was just--"

"No, no, no. That's not why at all." He chuckled softly, giving me a warm smile. "I just want us to talk more, and I honestly couldn't stop thinking about last night. There's something about you that just makes me eager to find out what makes you laugh, or the things that makes you nerd out."

I gasped, putting my hand over my mouth. I didn't think he would keep that in his mind all night. Laugh? Nerd out? He must be serious.

Just as I was about to accept it, I suddenly remembered that Colleen dressed at her best, hoping that Asriel will take her out on a date. I felt so guilty . . . She helped me in so many ways. I can't go on a date with him, knowing that Colleen will feel a little bad that she dressed up for nothing.

"So, w-what do you say Zefie? Do you accept?" Asriel spoke again, waiting for my answer patiently.

"Ah, Asriel. I would love to go on a date with you, but . . . I'm afraid I'll have to decline." I looked down, rubbing my arm softly.

"W-What? Why? Was it because I did something wrong?" His voice was filled with panic when he asked.

"No, no! Not at all, it's not it at all." I put my hands over his reassuringly. "It's just . . . Well . . . You see, I have this friend, and she is absolutely funny and very optimistic. She made me feel happy in so many ways, that words can't describe how grateful I am to meet someone like her. And because she told me how confident she felt, she thought that maybe you will notice her and maybe ask her out on a date. Other than that, I'm not saying no on purpose, I just don't want to be the friend that makes them lose their hopes."

Asriel gasps, surprised by my reason for declining his offer. I watched as his green eyes twinkled with admiration, watching as a smile formed on his face.

"Once again, you managed to give me a reason to admire you Zefie. Alright then, I can do that. I'll ask your friend on a date for your sake. What is her name?"

"It's Colleen Darwin, she's a squirrel monster wearing an orange colored gown. Her hair color is light cyan." I answered, remembering her by memory.

"Ah, Colleen." Asriel nods, remembering her right away. "Yeah, you're absolutely right about her. She is very optimistic and positive. She reminds me of Papyrus."

I responded by beaming with joy, giving his hands a tight squeeze. "Thank you so much Asriel, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that."

"Your welcom. And thank you for finally calling me by my real name."

"You wish, Your Majesty." I stuck my tongue out at him teasingly, starting to walk away until I felt his hand gripped my wrist again and pulled me back to face him.

"How very clever of you, Zefie. Even if I'll go on a date with Colleen, that still doesn't mean that you're off the hook." He says, staring at me intently.

"W-what do you mean?" My heart was pounding fast.

Asriel leans his face towards my mine until his snout nearly touched my nose. "What I mean to say is, that I'm still going to ask you on a date once I finish mine with Colleen first."

He chuckled darkly, his hot breath sending me intense chills throughout my body. Did I not mention how dangerously close his lips are to mine? I didn't think he had it in him. I can only gape at him, feeling my cheeks flush red again.

"I-It's a date!" I gasped, surprised at my own outburst.

"Good, I'll hold you to it. Other than that, shall we head for breakfast?" He beckons the door that led to the dining room.

"We shall," I walked up ahead first, but stopped. "By the way, why did you have Frisk go and talk to my friends?"

Asriel can only smirk at me before he spoke. "You are not the only person who told someone about our secret. And because Frisk is my best friend, I ended up telling her about our nightly event. So, she decided to do me a favor by distracting your friends while I pulled you away just to ask you on a date. And because that plan somewhat failed, well . . . Y-you get the idea."

"R-right, but like I said, I didn't mean to. And besides, you should still be happy, you still succeeded by asking me out on a date either way." I can only smile at him, watching his cheeks flushed red over his thick white fur as he scratched the back of his head.

"That's true. Well played, Zefie. Now let's go and eat, I'm feeling very famished after smelling that delicious scent."

I giggled softly at him before we walked together towards the dining room.

As we entered, I suddenly felt a lot of the girls looked up and stared at us. Some looked with curiosity on what could be the reason why I walked in with Asriel. Others, like Malachite and Fiona, sent cold stares. I think Asriel caught on to it, before he began to speak.

"Ah. Please forgive me for being late, ladies. You all can go ahead and start eating. However, I do not appreciate the stares some of you are giving to Miss Alban. And that should stop now." He says, his voice sounding stern.

Some of the girls quickly looked down, feeling embarrassed for their rash behavior towards me. In the corner of my eye, I saw Malachite clearing her throat nervously and Fiona blushing, looking flustered. I lowered my head down to avoid any awkward glances as I hurried over to where Delilah and Colleen sat. I sat between them, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

He didn't have to do that for me, I thought to myself. Why does he always have protect me? I can handle myself.

"Gosh, you okay?" Colleen asks, her voice filled with concern.

"Just a little shaken up, that's all. Maybe I'm just hungry." I said, and that was the truth.

"If it's because of you being gone for five minutes, then don't feel bad. Maybe he stopped you for something important."

Actually, he did, I wanted to say.

Instead, I decided to keep quiet about it and let Asriel be the one to surprise for her. Today is going to turn out okay, I just have to make the best of it. I wonder where Asriel will plan on taking Colleen on their first date. I glanced over at Asriel as he took his seat between Asgore and Frisk.

As I relaxed, I decided to use this time to look around. The dining room is huge. I can't believe a table this long even existed! It had to be at least fifty feet long. Banners hung among the walls in the colors of gold and purple, with the delta rune crest imprinted in the middle. Very classy, I thought to myself.

I turn my attention over at today's breakfast. Oh! There are different kinds of dishes to choose from. I go ahead and take a few sausages and some scrambled eggs over to my plate and began to dig in.

Holy cow! They absolutely taste delicious! Since I'm around people, I ate in a well-mannered way just to look polite. It was a good thing that I had Lesley not do my lips, I would have tasted lipstick over my food.

"So, hey, not to sound too nosy, but where did you disappear to?" Delilah whispered softly enough for only the two of us to hear. "For a second you were behind us, and the next thing we knew, the princess somehow magically appears and decided to have a small chat about how our day was going."

I chuckled softly. I'm surprised that she didn't even see or hear any of what just happened.

"I was pulled to the side because Prince Asriel wanted to talk with me about something. Other than that, Princess Frisk only came by just to distract you guys from questioning my sudden disappearance."

"Huh . . . That makes sense, so what'd he say?"

"He wanted to take me out on a date, but I declined."

Delilah gaped at me as if I just grew another head. "Are you crazy? Why would you do that?"

I can only smile at her, shrugging my shoulders. "You'll understand why."

And just like that, Delilah decided to not press on, continuing to eat her pancakes.

Over the past fifteen minutes, we continued to eat and chat. A few monster girls that sat across from me began to ask questions about Nanny. Things like her personality, her human form, and what she's doing as of now. Of course I gladly answered by how amazing she is, though I sadly told them that I've never seen Nanny use her magic before. They told me that Selkies have the power to cure certain illnesses and heal monsters and humans. I was intrigued by how much they know about Nanny's kind, I'll have to look into the royal library to read about them. Or perhaps I should talk to Asgore or Toriel about Nanny's past.

Surprisingly, I ended up meeting a new friend Delilah introduced me to.

Her name is Selene Marcos of Elridge. That's the town Nanny and I used to live, and where we first found Bryn. She's actually a nice girl, but there are times when she would show signs of being a little too shy to even look at people in the eye when she speaks. Now I'm starting to understand why I shouldn't be timid all the time. Looks like I'll have to get lessons from Papyrus on how to be confident about myself.

Just then, Asgore announces that after we finish our meals, we can go ahead and explore around the palace. However, he kindly reminds us that if we plan on leaving outside the palace, we must have a guard to chaperone us. Well, it is a big palace after all. The only place I plan on going is the greenhouse. Something about that place just makes me want to explore it.

One by one, the girls leave the dining room to go ahead and explore the palace. However, there will be guards on duty to keep us away from going to certain places that only the royal family can go to. I sighed in relief once Malachite and Fiona left to go wherever they pleased. King Asgore and Queen Toriel left as well, with Frisk following behind them.

I glanced over at Asriel, seeing him look a bit nervous. Once his gaze met mine, I beckoned to Colleen with a smile on my face that he should ask her now. He responds by nodding, walking towards our direction.

"Hello, ladies," Asriel greets us with a soft smile.

"Hello, Your Majesty," Delilah, Colleen, and I responded in unison.

"I hope none of you don't mind if I borrow Miss Colleen's time, do you?"

I smiled to myself as I 'pretended' to look surprised. "Oh, no; not at all. You two look like you need some time alone, come on Delilah."

I quickly grabbed her by the arm before she protests, leaving Colleen behind with Asriel. I didn't miss the way Colleen's face turned red, overwhelmed with what's happening to her. I quickly placed my hand over Delilah's lips before she really loses it.

"See you later, Colleen!" I called over my shoulder.

Just as we exit the dining hall, Delilah quickly pulls her arm away and began to speak.

"What was that all about? Why'd you pull me away?"

"You remember when you asked me why I rejected Prince Asriel's offer to date him?" I smirked at her.

"Yes? But what does that have to do with us leaving right away--"

Her words suddenly trails off, starting to thinking through as if she's trying to put the puzzle pieces together. "You . . . told him to take Colleen instead, didn't you?"

"Mhm," I nodded once.

"And you remembered when she was hoping that the way she dressed today will get him to notice her."

"Mhm~."

She became speechless for a moment before she finally spoke again. "Wow, Zefie . . . Thank you, you really made her day. I don't think I've met anyone that would decline the prince's offer just to have your friend take it."

"Colleen deserves a chance like this Delilah, it'll make my day just to see her smile."

"Me too,"

We continued to walk down the corridor, admiring the details of the palace until Delilah decided to go back up the second floor for a spa day. She did offer for me to come with her, but I told her that I was going to go check out the greenhouse. I walked with her to the elevator and waved her goodbye as the doors closed between us.

If I remember correctly, the greenhouse should be over at the east side of the palace. From the elevator, I go ahead and went straight towards an empty hallway, the large columns lining the room. Up ahead, I can see huge double doors shaped in an arch. It looks beautiful because it's made out of different colored glass, framed in pure gold that still glimmered as if it never aged. The more I get closer, the more I can see the exquisite details of the doors. From the sides, gold leaves and silver vines entwined around the frames of the doors to outline them, looking as if they were growing out from the polished marble ground.

The sunlight beamed through the door, making my dress glow in different colors from the stained glass. How beautiful, I thought to myself. It's no wonder I adore the gardens so much. Over to my left, there was a metal sign that reads out: 'Please take off your foot wear before you enter the garden, thank you.'

I raised my eyebrow at it. What a strange rule, maybe Asgore has his reasons. So, I did as the sign asked, taking off my heels and left it on the side before I turned the silver doorknob, swinging the door open with the bright lights enveloping me.

#selectiontale #undertale #undertale au #Zefie Alban #asriel dreemurr #frisk (undertale)#undertale sans #papyrus #toriel #asgore #terato writing #fanfic

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saintmccann · 6 years

Text

RED

part one of two

prompt none; this is an original AU fic. van mccann’s charming wit and hatred for authority has put him in danger, and you’re the one who’s after him.

notes lovely banner by @niceboybob

_____

The day the package showed on your doorstep, you had come back from the ropes course ready to shower off the grit and sweat. There it lay on the rough doormat: a pristine black box sealed tight. Scrutinizing your surroundings - left, then right - you carefully lifted the box and brought it inside, locking your door behind you. You knew what this meant.

As soon as the package was inside and away from unwanted attention, you unsheathed the pocket knife you always kept in your bra. You slid it across the black satin tape of the box, cutting a straight, calculated slit all the way around the length of the package.

A ribbon on the side was meant for you to pull. The inner black box slid from the outer shell. Inside, wrapped in fragile black tissue paper, were two items: a small piece of black cardstock the size of a business card, and a black file folder sealed with red wax.

The red wax came away from the folder easily; it was fresh.

You spread the pages of the file over your table and read them silently to yourself, aware of your surroundings.

Van McCann. Born August 1, 1994.

Will be attending Capitol Records opening reception for Halsey’s latest album release with entirety of Catfish and the Bottlemen.

Photo enclosed.

Catfish and the Bottlemen. Band information card enclosed.

Members: Van McCann (frontman), Benji Blakeway (bassist, photo enclosed), Johnny Bond (lead guitarist, photo enclosed), Bob Hall (drums, photo enclosed).

The black card read a dollar amount embossed in gold. Six figures.

*****

Your Louboutins stung the sidewalk as you strutted down a side street from the entryway doors. You’d studied the plan of the block enclosed in the black folder. You knew every alleyway, every door, every window, every escape route possible throughout the mansion this party was being held at.

You stalked up to the entrance of the grand old house, careful not to step on the excess fabric of your trailing black dress while avoiding the throes of paparazzi. They were everywhere, photographing artists stepping out of jet-black limousines with belles and beaus on arms. You made a point to avoid having your photo taken. The doorman’s eyes caught a glimpse of yours for only a moment before you showed your invitation and were let inside.

The foyer was wide, chandeliers looming overhead in the entryway as guests chatted, waiters winding through the crowd with silver platters sprinkled with champagne glasses. A grand staircase to the right spiraled up to the upper entertainment hall and balcony, where most of the guests would settle shortly before 10:00pm, when Halsey would address the party and thank them for their support.

Your eyes swept the crowd a few times. Your eyes grazed Jennifer Lopez in her Rihanna-esque see-through dress (“swarovski crystals, girl,” you thought to yourself), Niall Horan in his sharp dapper suit, and Migos, chained to the nines over all-black ensembles. Capitol Records had a diverse artistry, and it made for a wild party. Target wasn’t in sight yet.

You cautiously ascended the hardwood stairs above to the upper banquet hall, heels resonating on the wood, all the while acutely aware of your surroundings, softly smiling at people so they wouldn’t suspect the glock strapped to your inner thigh, or the razor-sharp comb holding your hair in its perfect half-updo.

You circled the room once, chatting small talk with waiters until you’d made your rounds indirectly examining every guest at the party. There was a mirror on the opposite wall; a perfect way to innocently touch up your makeup while still recording the positions of everyone in the room. From your bra, you pulled your ruby red lipstick, and drew it on your lips painstakingly slowly. Both men and women alike were watching you from the corners of their eyes, enthralled.

Afterward, you needed a drink in your hand to convince everyone you belonged there. You glided to the bar-cart at the back of the room. After surveying the liquor available (expensive it was - but you were used to clientele with money) you decided on a drink. Your hand reached out, nails painted perfectly crimson, and collided with another, clumsier hand, reaching for the same crystal lowball.

“Ain’t that funny. I’m already actin’ drunk and I’m not even on my second,” a warm voice to the right of you said, loudly, in a hybrid Chester accent. You turned to look at the face of the person with the voice, and immediately had to keep cool. It was him. Target, sighted.

You smirked, to save face. You were hardly ever surprised in this business; you wondered where he’d come from, and how he’d managed to slip through the throng of the crowd without you noticing.

“Hi, I’m Scarlett,” you introduced yourself, voice velvety, letting him kiss your hand. Seductress tip number one. His lips were warm.

“Hello, love, I’m Van. Catfish and the Bottlemen. Heard of us?” and at your brief head shake of a no, he continued. “All of us boys are here, celebratin’ with Ash. What’ll ya have?”

“Scotch neat.”

His head ticked to the side, and eyes sparkled mirthfully. In a low, flirtatious voice, he replied, “How dangerous of you.” Tongue between teeth, impressed, he poured you the finest scotch on the cart, and made himself one too.

You rose your glass to his with a clink. You sipped it, smoothly. He took one timid sip and scrunched his face up.

“Can’t handle your liquor?” you said, devilish grin on your face. He was already enamored.

“Not as well as I handle my women,” he replied, and downed the rest in one gulp, winking as he swallowed.

At that, you let out a genuine laugh.

“We’ll see about that,” you spoke, sipping your scotch slowly. You had to keep your wits about you tonight.

“Will we?” he looked up at you from beneath his eyebrows, one cocked up slightly, smirk plastered to his face.

He noticed someone walking at the front of the room, and poked your shoulder with the pointer finger of the hand the crystal glass was in. Some cold condensation dripped on your collarbone, and you shivered. “See him?”

You turned your head slightly, and nodded at the grey fox in the rakish burgundy suit.

“That there’s Joffrey Wingate. Reckon he’s had it out for me for a while,” he told you, chuckling to himself. “The man hates me.”

“And why is that?” you asked, curiosity dancing on the tip of your tongue. Always putting on a show for your prey.

“So like I said I’m from Catfish and the Bottlemen; we’re a band, signed to Capitol like the others here. But I’ve terminated my contract with the label without going through all the hoops, cause I found myself a loophole in the contract, see. Smart one,” he said, tapping a finger against his temple. “But I’ll lose him countless dollars. He’s the CEO of Capitol, right. He didn’t expect that me going back to Communion would be this easy, nor did he think his pockets would be affected.”

“How dangerous of you,” you repeated coyly, and watched his playful smile widen. It seemed he was a fan of your banter. Most men are.

“I always rake up trouble wherever I go. Always have. You gotta do it your way, or don’t do it at all. Anyways -- I see my pal over there, and he looks like he needs to be steered clear of that unsuspecting lass. She looks like she’d do some fatal damage on him, she’s way out of his league” he said, taking a step away from you. He looked back, smiled a teasing smile, and said, “Lovely to meet you, Scarlett… hope we see each other again soon.” He then stalked away to interrupt Larry Lau from making a so-called fatal mistake.

You watched him walk over and cut into the conversation from across the room. He probably knew you were watching; that was your intent, anyways. Let him know you’re “interested.” Seduce and destroy.

He was wearing black slacks over his long, toned legs, with a black blazer. Golden pendant peeking out from the white shirt that wasn’t buttoned all the way up. Hair mussed about, falling into his eyes when he became more animated. Shoes, unshined. Hands drifting about, acting as if he belonged there, because in his mind, he did. He was cleverly underdressed. You sipped your scotch again, shook your head slightly to clear it from the pure alcohol, and prepared for phase two.

This time, you made the rounds to attractive men in the room, using jealousy as your weapon. Liam Payne was without Cheryl Cole, and it made it all too easy to flirt with him. Hand on his arm, laughing at the things he said, casually throwing in some interesting pieces of knowledge; he was hooked. He seemed like the type who craved fame, fortune, and women of status. Dan Smith from Bastille was next; a bit older, but still a catch. You actually enjoyed the conversation you had with him, and it made your act more believable. You made sure Van was eyeing you occasionally; he was making sure you weren’t getting too comfortable with the other men in the room with the drink he made you in your hand.

When you noticed Van staring a little too often, you knew it had worked. So you said goodbye to the man you were speaking with, dropped your crystal glass onto a waiter’s tray beneath your nose, and made your way to the powder room.

It was on the lower floor. Heels echoed down the hardwood stairs again, and across marble flooring. You pushed open the door, and were met with several dashing ladies in jeweled dresses and perfectly primped hair ogling themselves in the mirror, fixing lipstick, bobby pins between teeth, arms pulling down dresses that had hiked too high. You smiled at them, and walked into the bathroom.

Time check: 8:00pm. Two hours before Halsey’s speech. The party had potential to die about an hour after that; 11:00pm was the deadline to get the plan rolling.

The gun strapped to your inner thigh by the lacy black garter was pre-loaded; safety now turned to off. Comb, ever present in your hair.

You popped out of the stall to check your looks one more time, making sure everything was concealed beneath the black swooping dress your body called home tonight.

“Wow. You dress is like… fucking gorgeous,” a drunk girl called out to you from her perch on the loveseat by the mirrors. “This sweetheart neckline…. The bodycon silhouette that drapes all the way down to the floor so elegantly…. God, you’re beautiful!”

“Thank you, dear,” you snickered, and let her feel the fabric on your little sleeve.

“Like, I’m so inspired by this. I’m going to have to get my boyfriend to buy me a dress like this. Where’d you get it?”

“Actually, I had it specifically made for this occasion. Parties like this don’t happen for me this often.”

“Woooow. You’re fancy. I love it!” she squealed, and hopped off the loveseat to rejoin the party.

You adjusted the sleeves a bit, so they draped just right on the sides of your shoulders. You had to admit - in the full-length mirror, you looked incredible. This had been your favorite job outfit yet; the red lip, the red nails, the red bottoms on the shoes, matched with the black just screamed exactly what you were up to. The irony was giving you a power trip.

You put your persona back on, and opened the door of the powder room out to the foyer. Miniature tiramisus were swaying back and forth on waiters’ trays as they corkscrewed through the crowd. You picked up a small tiramisu; it looked delectable.

“Figured you were the type to like chocolate,” Van said, walking from behind you to stand next to you. “Told the waiter myself to bring some over to yous.”

You smiled. “So thoughtful.” He smiled too.

“How is it?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“Want some?” you asked. You punctured a corner of the cake with your fork and tore it off for him. “I’ll feed it to you,” you said, playfulness dancing in your eyes.

He opened his mouth, and he used his teeth to retrieve the cake off the fork. He sighed and closed his eyes. “Now that’s fuckin’ delicious.”

You laughed, and used the same fork to feed yourself more cake. A little germiness didn’t matter in the grand scheme of this job. Not that you minded his. He seemed like a relatively clean guy.

“So, Miss Scarlett where you from?” he began, and you knew he was falling for the ruse quickly. You hated that you had to tell him the story of your alias. He was starting to grow on you.

“I’m from a tiny town called Lakeland, Washington. It rains there all the time. Wouldn’t recommend it. Yourself?”

“I grew up in a place called Widnes, in Wales. Me mum and dad had a bed and breakfast. I loved helping them out and generally having a laugh there. Now I live in New York, with me mate Larry, the one you saw me rescue earlier.”

“Ah, yes, Larry. Does he always go for women like that?”

“Well, us both are terrible ‘bout it. We see somethin’ we like and can’t help but latch on,” he said, winking. You felt a blush creep up hot on your cheeks. It did not go unnoticed by Van.

“Shall we have another drink, love?” he asked, and when you nodded, his arm looped through yours. He escorted you up the stairs to the bar cart. The men who’d eyed you previously, even some you’d spoken to, were now staring at you enviously as you walked by with Van on your arm. When you got close to the bar cart, his arm dropped, and instead his hand went to the small of your back, leading you the rest of the way. His hand was warm. You appreciated the touch.

“You still want scotch neat or you want to try something else?” he asked, perusing the contents of the cart.

“How about a red wine?”

“Done and done.” He lifted a bottle by its neck, peeking at the date. His eyes widened. “1947. Alright, gotta be this one. Can’t not take advantage,” he said, and poured two glasses.

A clink resounded again. Van picked up the bottle of wine again, studying it. “What do you say we take this onto the balcony? Get some fresh air?”

“As you wish,” you responded seductively.

He held your hand and drew you both to the french doors that were propped open to the stone balcony that overlooked the front yard of the mansion. He leaned against the railing, sipping his glass of wine, eyes locked on you.

“Van, do you have any cigarettes?” you asked him, batting your eyelashes slowly. He set his glass of wine on the stone railing of the balcony, reached into his pocket and pulled out a package of hand-rolled cigarettes. “Course.”

You put one to your lips, and he lit it for you. You did the same for him; the flame twirled in his eyes, and over his pursed lips. He breathed out a heavy sigh. You were so close to him, breathing smoke in his face. He couldn’t handle the lack of touch.

He placed his hand on your waist, and led you to stand between his legs; you were at eye level with him now. You let your hand come up to smooth down the white collar of his shirt. His lips parted into a smile as he tilted his head up and puffed his cigarette. His jawline was exposed; hard and thick. One move from head to neck and the comb would slice his jugular right through. But you refrained. It wasn’t time yet.

You leaned in to whisper in his ear. Your cold breath blew across it first, and he closed his eyes. “You should come home with me tonight,” you softly said, and pressed your hand against his chest with intent. You let your hand trail up to his collarbones, pressing the chain of his pendant against his skin, leaving tiny indentations, caressing his jaw, and landing on his cheek. His lips parted. Your crimson lips brushed the corner of his mouth, and you felt his thigh twitch. You stood up, pivoted, and walked away.

****

Time check: 9:45pm. Fifteen minutes until Halsey’s speech. She’d been gliding around all night, sequin dress ablaze under the chandeliers, hosting. You knew from the files that she knew Van. That would be your hook to get him where you wanted. You sighed. Your job never got any easier.

You saw Van speaking to one of his bandmates on the outside backyard patio. For the past few hours, he’d been chatting it up with everyone, as if he knew everyone. You’d been watching him for the past thirty minutes from a third floor balcony. It’s not like anyone noticed you slinking away toward the unused elevator on the first floor, and it’s not like anyone knew where it was besides the owner and yourself, because you’d looked at the plans prior to the event. You needed to get away, to survey the back portion of the house where the alleyway with your car was visible behind the fence.

Van would look around every few minutes, surveying the guests for your face. It was honestly making you sad. He had no idea he’d fallen straight into your trap.

PART TWO HERE.

#PART TWO TOMORROW #YEE HAW #van mccann #vanfiction #vanfic #catfish and the bottlemen #catb #catb fanfiction #catb fanfic #mintyvan is back #happy 1 year blogaversary to me!

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ixiethepixiewrites · 6 years

Text

A Rose for Two

Warning: fluffy garbage, no real warnings

Rating: G

Summary: The palace gardens have the most beautiful roses and the most handsome gardeners.

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JU!!!! This fic is a gift for @not-aph-england Hope you like it!

The sound of birds singing in the trees and bushes of the palace gardens was one of the most relaxing noises Arthur could think of. The wind rustling leaves, small creatures scuttling about, and bees going from one patch of Spades blue roses to the next brought forth a symphony of sounds unlike that of any other location. It was heavenly. The young Queen sighed, sipping his tea. Today was certainly lovely.

It had been a long while since he'd been here last, the workload of a monarch taking its toll. With no King having been found yet, he couldn't help but be bitter about his lot in life. Just where was the King hiding? Did they know about their mark? Was it in some hard to see spot of their body? Arthur hoped not, for it would be another year before they could begin searching citizens by force. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

Arthur let out a soft sigh, relaxing in the evening sun. There were perks to this job, of course, though the negative had been outweighing the positive lately. Perhaps things would change soon for the better. The Jack had been found not too long ago, which had lightened the load, but not nearly as much as he had hoped. Only the King could make the set whole and the work less. Curse these binding magic laws of the land stating that only a King could sign documents into law without the referral of a council. That slowed everything down horribly.

Soft whistling came from around the corner, making the tired monarch smile. Oh yes, now this was the best part of being chosen as Queen. Soon, Alfred, the royal gardener came wandering around the bend, singing his happy tunes with not a care in the world. Arthur watched him as he relaxed on the wooden bench he'd chosen to take his tea at. What a beautiful view. That golden wheat hair, those ocean blue eyes, and the tanned skin of a laborer who works in the sun most of the year. Yes this was a sight to behold.

Those blue eyes met Arthur's own green, a smile shared between them. They both loved this garden dearly, and Arthur was delighted to have someone to talk to outside of the palace that loved plants as much as he did. Especially the roses, their shared favorite. “Working hard as ever, lad?” Arthur decided to ask, still smiling.

Alfred grinned in response. The boy was a mute, he only knew how to speak in gestures and expressions. Arthur had never asked if he knew how to write. Knowing what he said without further explanation, the Queen stood from his seat and wandered to the roses. “They are looking beautiful this year. You've been doing so well keeping them alive.”

The gardener’s cheeks went pink and he made a motion as if he were chuckling. He held out a cut rose to Arthur, smile playing on his lips. The Monarch took the flower and held it to his lips to hide his smile. “Thank you. You know just how to cheer me up. My work has been piling up since no King has been found as of yet.”

Alfred frowned at that, but it turned into a sympathetic smile soon enough. He held up a finger, then went to his gardening cart. After a moment of shuffling things around, the lad came back with a lovely blue rock. He offered it to the Queen. Arthur took it carefully, looking the stone over. It seemed to be an ordinary rock, though it sparkled with numerous blue crystals embedded within its surface. “Why, it's lovely, where did you find it?”

The blue eyed man pointed vaguely to his shovel and some new saplings that he had been tasked with planting. Ah, so he had dug it up while putting in some new plants. Arthur went to hand the rock back, but Alfred shook his head, placing his hand over Arthur's and pushing it back to him. Did he want to give the rock as a gift? How odd, yet endearing all at the same time.

Arthur held the rock close to his heart, smiling at Alfred. “Thank you.” He spoke softly. “I wish I could give you something...”

Shaking his head, Alfred smiled sweetly, as if he were saying he didn't need anything more than Arthur's smile. Of course that would be ridiculous, and Arthur quietly berated himself for thinking that way. Alfred obviously just didn't want the rock and had given it to the Queen as an offering. Though the way the other man looked at Arthur recently... he could have sworn he felt his heart skip a few beats each time he got that look. A look of longing. If only he were not promised to a King he'd never met.

Arthur was snapped from his inner monologue by the voice of the Jack calling his name. It seemed his break was over. With a bow, Alfred bid Arthur farewell. The Queen, on a sudden impulse, removed one of his earrings and offered the sparkling blue gem to Alfred. The lad blinked slowly, shaking his head and hands as if he were saying he couldn't accept them. Arthur insisted, and so with shaky hands, Al took the silver laced gemstone and held it to his own heart.

“No matter how busy I may get, I want you to always think of me when you see this. Okay?” Arthur couldn't believe what he was saying, but he held firm, his own cheeks reddening at the implications of his action.

Face matching the redness of his Queen, Alfred smiled that longing, loving smile that Arthur knew he had seen the gardener make towards him before. It made his stomach do little flips. Without another word, Arthur hurried away to get back to work, leaving Alfred alone in the garden, heart full of hope.

A year later, when the strip searches for the King began, the mark was found on the lower back of a certain palace servant, and Arthur got his earring back.

#usuk #hetalia #ukus #aph england #aph america #ixiewroteathing #happy birfday #giftfic #oneshot

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ohahahahaha · 7 years

Text

Replaceable Part 3!!

Lance was woken by the sound of the castle alarms blaring. He quickly rolled out of his bed and put on his armor. He took a quick look in the mirror to see how he looked. He is eyes were still puffy and red from all the crying, but if any of the others asked, he could simply blame it on the sleep. Running his fingers through his hair to make it look presentable, he took a final glance at his reflection and ran to along to the pounding sound of the alarms. Lance reached the room just as Hunk was. Hunk sent him a small smile, in which he returned. His smile quickly fell however when he turned to look at Keith, who was clearly trying to ignore him, not even looking in his direction. Lance swallowed around the lump in his throat. *No. No more crying.* Allura clapped her hands together, getting the attention of the team. "Okay, Paladins! We'll be arriving on the planet in just a few ticks, so just a quick reminder that this alliance is very crucial to Voltron and stopping Zarkon. Everyone must be on their best behavior! We have to make sure that we secure this alliance, no matter what!" *Oh yeah...* Lance thought. *I completely forgot about the alliance..* "Princess, we are now landing!" "Thank you, Coran. Alright Paladins! Let's greet our, hopefully, new alliances!" As Lance stepped onto the foreign planet, he looked around in awe. It was beautiful here. There were enormous, strange looking buildings that looked like skyscrapers. The planet reminded him of New York, only there was a peaceful, calm aura surrounding the place. It was clear to see that this alien race was very civilized and advanced with technology, which also meant weaponry. They would definitely be a powerful ally for Voltron and the fight against Zarkon. Allura led them to a large building that resembled a mansion, but it appeared to be made out of an iridescent, chrome material. Coran stepped forward. "It's made out of a material that's virtually indestructible. And you may have noticed that you can't see into the building, but once you are in the inside, you can see the outside. I believe you have something similar on Earth. Two-way mirror is it?" Pidge nodded with her mouth hung open while the other paladins looked around in awe. "It's beautiful." Shiro murmured. Lance nodded in agreement. He could feel the excitement bubble up inside him as they drew nearer to the entrance. When they entered the building, Lance was not disappointed. It appeared as though there was some sort of celebration going on. Hundreds of chandeliers made out of glowing blue crystals hung from the ceiling, creating a soft blue hue to light up the room, giving a calming effect. Rows and rows of tables were lined up, displaying an endless buffet of food Lance had never seen before. The aliens there were all dressed in various ball gowns, some of which seemed to sparkle like it was made entirely out of crystals and jewels. And there was music softly playing in the background. Everything was breathtakingly beautiful. One of the older looking aliens recognized them and walked over to Allura. "Ah, hello Princess Allura. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Allura bowed deeply. "The pleasures all mine, Queen Lilith. I would like the introduce my Paladins, the team of Voltron." The Queen's eyes shined as she gazed at them. "Yes, yes! I would like to thank you for everything you have done so far. The task you have been assigned is very challenging and dangerous. It is quite impressive the things you have accomplished." The Queen turned to Allura. "Now, I do believe we have business matters to discuss. Paladins, please enjoy yourselves. This party was thrown for you after all." The team sheepishly gave their thanks. Lance turned to the party, eyes alight. *Finally, time to relax and have some fun!* ~~~~~ Everything was going amazingly. Lance's belly was stuffed with delicious food, everyone he talked to was incredibly respectful and kind. He was...happy. He smiled genuinely for the first time in what a felt like a very long time. Everything was going perfect. That was until he talked to Hunk. Lance noticed Hunk talking to a trio of female aliens who were all wearing elegant gowns. They were all giggling as Hunk was flushed red and rubbing the back of his neck. Lance knew that look. Hunk was uncomfortable. What kind of friend would he be if he didn't come in the save the day for his best bud, his right hand man? So, Lance made his way to them. "So, what are you lovely ladies doing this fine evening?" One of them turned and giggled. "Oh, we were just asking Hunk here about his adventures as a Paladin." The alien let her hand trail down Hunk's arm. "He's very strong and brave. And quite cute if I'm being completely honest." The others around them giggled in agreement. Lance chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news ladies, but Hunk right here." He threw an arm around Hunk's shoulders. "He's already a taken man." Lance felt Hunk stiffen underneath his arm. "Lance, what are you-" "And who is the lucky lady to have such a handsome defender of the universe?" One of the girls pouted. "Well beautiful, that would be one rock hard gal by the name of Shay. You see, from the first time Hunk looked at her, he was smitten. You should of heard him-" "Lance, can I talk to you for a second?" Hunk interrupted. Before Lance could reply, Hunk dragged him away from the group, and to a secluded corner. "Hey, what's up buddy?" Lance grinned. "Don't 'buddy' me." His smile fell. "What was that all about?!" "Wha-what?" "Who gave you the right to just start running your mouth about my feelings or relationships?" Lance slowly took a step back. "I-I'm sorry, Hunk. You just looked uncomfortable and I thought-" "No. That's just it. You didn't think at all." Hunk gave him a hard look. "Did you ever think how that made me feel? Lance, that was embarrassing! Shay and I aren't even dating, and the only reason I told you that I liked her is because you're supposed to be my best friend!" "Hunk, I am your best friend!" "A best friend wouldn't just spill out the inner most secrets to compete strangers! I thought I could trust you. I guess I was wrong." Lance could feel the familiar heat behind his eyes. "H-Hunk.." "Just leave me alone, Lance. And just try to think of others feelings before you think of yourself. And stop trying to 'help' me. You've done enough 'helping' already." With that, Hunk turned and left. Lance stood frozen, unmoving. Feeling the heat increase and the water beginning to form in his eyes, he quickly left. He had to get out of there. He couldn't cry in front of these people, he would just ruin the alliance. *Just like I ruin everything else. But where could I go?* Then, someone was calling to him in his mind. *Blue.* Lance ran back to the castle, avoiding his teammates. He couldn't let them see him like this. When he got to Blue's hangar, he could already feel himself starting to crumble. The dam behind his eyes cracked and the tears began to flow. He ran to Blue as she lowered her head and open her mouth for him to enter. Lance threw himself into the pilot chair, drawing his knees to his chest and allowing the tears to flow freely. "Blue, why do I have to mess up everything? I try to help, but I just end up making a bigger mess of things. I knew I didn't belong here. I was never meant to be a paladin of Voltron. I'm just a weak, pathetic, excuse of a pilot. Keith was right. I'll never be a true pilot of Voltron. All I am is a cargo pilot." Lance muttered bitterly. Blue tried to send him comforting thoughts, reassuring him that he did belong and that she CHOSE him to be here paladin, but Lance ignored her, letting the grief and shame consume him. ~~~~~ Lance was still in the castle with Blue when he heard a thunderous crash outside, followed by several screams of panic. He ran to the nearest window to see what caused the commotion. When Lance glanced toward the sky, he gaped at what he saw. A large Galra ship was hovering in the air, and it suddenly projected a hologram of a scarred, angry Galra. "Paladins of Voltron, I am here in behalf of Zarkon. We know you're here! If you do not reveal yourselves, this planet will perish." Lance watched as Hunk, Pidge, Keith, and Shiro ran outside the building, facing the hologram. "Ah, there you are." "What do you want from us!?" Shiro shouted. "Hmmm..I actually have a deal to offer." *A deal..what could he possibly have to offer that would interest us?* Lance pondered. "Do not think we haven't noticed that you have stolen information from our database, but what caught my attention was what you specifically searched. It appears that you are looking for your fellow species, one that shares DNA to the Green paladin." Lance gasped as he saw Pidge pale. "Where are they?! What do you know?! TELL ME!!!" Pidge screamed. "Haha, be patient gremlin. We do have the information about these humans you are looking for, possibly even their coordinates. But in exchange for your the information, you have to prove your strength to me and pry the information from myself. Let me see the strength a member of Voltron has." The others sneered and shouted at the Galra while Lance set his jaw. He knew what he had to do. ~~~~~~ "I'm going." "No Shiro, if you go, who'll lead Voltron? There's a very high chance that whoever goes will not come back alive." "It's either I'm going, or no one is going, and that's final." The team was still arguing when they were caught off guard by thunderous laughter. "Ahahaha!! It appears we have a challenger!" The team whip around, just in time to see the Blue lion headed straight toward the ship. The Glara ship begins to take off, the Blue lion right on its tail. "LANCE!!" The team ran after them, but they were slowly losing ground. Shiro quickly turned on his communications in his helmet, allowing the others to hear. "Lance! Lance! Do you copy?!" "I hear you loud and clear, Cap!" "Lance, what the quiznak do you think you're doing?! Get back here right now! That's an order!!" "Sorry Shiro, but I can't do that. I'm getting that info." "Lance, you can't do this; it's a suicide mission!!" Shiro screamed desperately. "That's okay Shiro. I'll do whatever I can to help my team, especially if it's concerning their family. I may never get to mine again, so if there is a chance that I can help any of you get back with your family, I'll always step up to the plate. It's time that I tried to do something right, instead of being a disappointment to the team and ruining everything. Besides." Lance chuckles weakly and let's a few more tears escape, dripping off his chin onto the control panel. "I'm replaceable."

#langst #lance #klangst #klance #replaceable #my poor bby #keith #shiro #pidge #allura #coran coran the gorgeous man #hunk #voltron

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mouseonmarrs · 4 years

Text

Pneuma

As we turned the corner the instant warmth I felt oozing out of my body, the joyful smile on my face. The Christmas tree was brightly lit, covering the living room in a hue of greens and reds. It was like seeing it for the first time, every beautiful baby blue and royal purple ornament glimmered in the light. Each glittering snowflakes sparkle, reflecting the light of the bright decorations throughout the room. The silver reindeers looked as if they were coming to life as the light from the tree was like magic. My joy intensified as I laid my eyes on the shiny, perfectly wrapped presents coated in Sesame Street and Blue's Clues themed wrapping paper. The sight was amazing. Tears started to roll down my cheeks. I was so excited, I didn’t know what to do with myself. As I looked over at my sister, I realized she was crying too. Just seeing her overcome with such happiness was probably the best thing I ever witnessed.

My mom looked down at us and started to giggle. “Awe, look at my emotional little babies, what’s wrong love bugs? You didn’t think you were getting much this year?”

“It’s just so—, “I started.

“Pretty,” Nara finished.

Mom gave us a warm smile. “Well, I’m going to go get the hot cocoa and cookies. I’ll be right back.” She unravelled her hands from ours and made her way into the kitchen.

Nara made the first move towards the tree. She walked over to the smallest box wrapped in red and blue Elmo paper, bent down and picked it up. “I love the wrapping so much, I don’t want to open it,” Nara said as she smiled and looked at me. “How did Santa know I liked Elmo?” She turned and looked at the kitchen towards mom.

“Santa knows all there is to know about you, so he could give you the perfect gift.” Mom said light-heartedly as she pours hot water into mugs filled at the bottom with Swiss Miss Cocoa dust.

“How does he find these things out?”

“Well, he’s always looking after you and constantly reading the letters you write to him every year.” Mom giggled.

“I really wanted to meet him.” I walked over next to Nara and picked up a small Blue’s Clues box. “I had a wish I wanted to tell him.”

“Must have been a very important wish for you to want to tell him in person and not through a letter”. Mom said curiously, decorating the drinks with whipped cream and marshmallows.

“No, not this year. It was bigger than a letter. I’ll just wait till next year, that’s if I meet him” I said sadly.

“Don’t give your hopes up sweetheart. You never know.” She came around the corner with a decorative tray full of green and red tree-shaped sugar cookies, and three mugs of hot cocoa. “Looks like I had to pull out the secret weapon. I was expecting screams of joy, instead, I got tears.” She giggled as she placed the tray on the love seat.

“Sorry, mommy” Nara smirked.

“Don’t be, it’s fine darling. Besides, I know what always cheers you guys up” She handed us both a mug. “Be careful, it’s still hot.” She said and then grabbed her own and sat down on the long couch. “Alright, so who’s ready to open some gifts?”

“Well, I guess I’ll go first.” I sat down and placed my mug on the floor next to me and read the names on the package.

From: Grandpa

To: Kai

I was a little excited, I didn’t know what this little package could possibly hold. “Is Santa grandpa?” I looked up at mom.

She giggled, “No baby, others also gave you gifts this year.”

“Oh okay. I thought I found him” I smiled and proceeded to unwrap the gift.

Under the wrapping was a dark brown square wooden case, that framed a glass opening. The case was embedded with designs of vines and leaves. Through the opening, there were seven different coloured crystals shaped in the form of teardrops and a silver chain tucked snuggly in velvet casing. Each stone was decorated with a silver ornamental brail. Taped to the bottom of the wooden case was a card describing the gemstones.

The Seven Healing Stones of Chakra:

Root Chakra

Bloodstone: Red, Black, Brown, and Gray

Stone Use: Protection, security, Physical Energy, Stability and Willpower

Sacral Chakra

Tigers Eye: Orange, Blue-green and Light Brown

Stone Use: Creativity, Cleansing, Intuition, and Emotion.

Solar Chakra

Topaz: Yellow and Gold

Stone Use: Ambition, Intellect, Personal Power and Protection.

Heart Chakra

Rose Quartz: Pink

Stone Use: Love, Compassion, Emotions, Balance, and Universal-Consciousness

Throat Chakra

Angelite: Blue

Stone Use: Communication, Clarity, Self-Expression, and Truth

Brow Chakra

Azurite: Indigo, Purple and Reddish-Orange

Stone Use: Spiritual Awareness, Psychic Awareness, Intuition, and Inner Wisdom

Crown Chakra

Amethyst: Purple

Stone Use: Enlightenment, Cosmic Universal Consciousness Energy

“Wow,” I said in pure amusement. “this is really cool are they like protection crystals?” I opened the case to examine the gemstones further.

“Your grandfather heard about your night terrors and decided to get that for you.” Mom came down off the couch and sat next to me on the floor. “Each stone represents a Chakra or spiritual and physical energy of the human soul and body. It’s a part of a religious belief called Hinduism in India. Grandpa thought you might need some protection, and knew you were into spiritual things like this.” She took the bloodstone crystal, installed it on the chain and placed it around my neck. “I think this one would be the best for you today.” She said, smiling.

“They are so pretty, may I see them?” Nara asked excitedly.

“Sure” I handed the case over to her.

“Grandpa really knows how to pick a gift. Where did he get this from?”

“I believe he said he had it handcrafted by a shop in Japan while he was on tour in Korea.” Mom said with certainty on her face.

“Wow that’s amazing,” Nara and I both exclaimed.

“I will never take it off.” I looked down at the stone hanging around my neck.

“Okay! I want to open a gift from Grandpa!” Nara said lively. She handed the wooden case back to me and started searching under the tree. After fumbling around for a few seconds she found one from him. She pulled out a small box the same size as mine. “Oh, here we go, I can’t wait to see what’s inside.”

“I thought the wrapping was ‘too pretty’” I smiled, mocking her.

“Shush,” she said while scrunching her face at me.

I made a funny face back at her, causing an eruption of laughter. Nara then continued to open her present. Under the wrapping, was a wooden case similar to mine. It was decorated with the same vines, but the leaves were replaced with tiny flowers. Inside was a silver bracelet tucked in the same velvet casing with the same coloured gemstones as mine. Each was attached to the base of the bracelet in the shape of a halo with the gemstones coating the outside with a silver centre. Between each stone, there were silver ornaments that dangled with designs of dragonflies and different kinds of flowers. Taped on the bottom of her box was the same card explaining each gem’s use. Nara’s face lit up with bliss as she opened the case. Mom took out the bracelet and placed it on Nara’s tiny wrist.

“It looks beautiful on you, baby girl.” Mom said in awe

“Thanks, mama. It’s so pretty, Grandpa is awesome.” Nara lightly jiggled the bracelet.

“Look, the sun is coming up.” I turned my head in the direction of the window.

Mom and Nara turned their heads in the same direction. “I should get breakfast started,” Mom said as she got up and headed towards the kitchen.

On her way, she grabbed the radio remote and turned on the Christmas Carol CD she plays every year. Nara and I continued unwrapping gifts and sharing our excitement. Showing each other our new toys and clothing while eating cookies, and singing along with the music. A little time went by before we suddenly heard a knock on the door. Nara and I paused and looked towards the door. There was talking and laughter outside the window that sounded quite familiar. Mom walked out of the kitchen to open the door. As the door opens mom was greeted with smiles and laughter.

“Well, hello there!” Grandma walked through the door and gave my mom a warm hug.

“Hey, Mama!” Mom teethly smiled, returning her hug.

“Grandma!” Nara and I yelled jumping up with glee.

“Oh, I smell something good cooking.” Another voice stepped through the door.

“Hey, grandpa!” We both giggled as we ran over.

“Hey brats, opening gifts without me?” He said jokingly, hugging us.

Pulling at my grandpa’s arm, we walked towards the tree to show him our new things, while Grandma and Mom walked towards the kitchen.

“I see you already started on breakfast”. said grandma while placing her jacket on the wooden dining room chair near the back door, taking a seat. “Are you guys still coming to the family dinner tonight?”

“Yeah, right after I get those two situated and dressed, we’ll head that way.” mom responded.

“How did they like their gifts from Pops?”

“Oh, they loved them”, she sweetly smiled, “I think they were more excited about that than anything else. I love how their sets match they are really beautiful, thank you.” Mom says, grabbing the eggs and milk out of the refrigerator.

“No problem” smiled grandma. Speaking of, I made Kai a dream catcher. It’s back at the house. I hear they help with nightmares.”

“Thanks, ma, he’ll love that. Maybe he’ll start improving. I’m starting to worry about him.” Mom begins to frown. “He doesn’t seem to be getting better, actually I think he is getting worse.” She frowned while cracking eggs in the glass mixing bowl filled with homemade pancake mix.

“Worse how?” grandma said concerned, shifting her weight on the chair.

Mom lowers her voice, “He started running fevers in his sleep and sleep-walking. There have been times where I’ve heard him whispering to himself, and when I go to check on him, he’s sitting on the edge of his bed with his eyes closed and whispering inaudible words.”

“And Nara? Is she showing any signs?”

“No, not so far.”

“ That doesn’t sound good at all. I wonder why one is and the other isn’t. Grandma makes a face of curiosity. “You don’t think it’s –“

“No, I don’t know what it is. He hasn’t said that he’s seen them so I don’t ask.”

“Maybe it’s time you have.”

#pneuma #ghost adventures #ghost stories #ghost #scarystories #long reads #fiction #terror #horror #my writing #writers on tumblr #writers

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lunastwilightblog · 7 years

Text

“Lillian” part 2!

Part one

Words: 2767

So I’ve finished the second part of my first fic, which I’ve out under the cut here, I’d love to know what you all think of it💖

A pained expression crossed Aro’s face as he put his hands back together, under his chin. Lillian waited for him to speak, her nerves wrecking her insides but her lungs taking in slow, steady breaths. In the light of the early day she noticed a tree in the corner of the garden, by the wall over which she’d climbed. It was a young tree; smaller than other ones of its kind she had seen, yet just like them in that its brown bark was peeling away to reveal a grey inner layer, and its dark green fingers of leaves rustled softly in the new breeze. The day was beginning. Yet, there was no birdsong.

Aro’s soft voice harshly broke the silence, snapping her attention back to him. “How wonderful it is that you are here, my love. What you have suffered is truly, truly horrific.” She opened her mouth to ask him how he knew what she had been through, but he continued. “My gift is centred in the palm of my hands. With one touch,” he smirked, “I can hear every thought one has ever had.”

Lillian did not know whether to be alarmed by this or not. He had read her mind? He had heard every single one of her thoughts? Her mind had been violated too, now? She thought she should have been disturbed and upset, yet all she could utter was the question: “so you understand me?” Then she was frightened. He had experienced everything she had through her mind. What if he had been hurt by what he saw? “I’m sorry if it was too . . .” Your experience has nothing on other people, I bet, what you’ve been hurt by is nothing. You’re just weak.

“Do not fret, sweet one. Though of course I am disturbed by what you have undergone, you need not worry about me.” He lifted her chin gently with his fingertips, and only then did she notice she was crying. “You have my deepest sympathy, Lillian.” He looked into her eyes, sternly. “You are safe now, I will make sure of it.”

“Thank you,” she sniffed. Why is he so kind? I don’t deserve this.

“You are worth much more than you allow yourself to believe.”

She shook her head. “But you know I can’t do anything special,” she replied as she diverted her eyes back to the tree.

Aro raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened. “Quite on the contrary!”

“Hmm?” She was confused. If he’d really heard her thoughts, he would know as much as she did – that she wasn’t special, and that she didn’t have some sort of magical power.

“My darling Lillian, you have one of the most powerful and exciting gifts I have ever happened upon in all my years!” All his years? He looked in his late twenties at the oldest to her eyes. And what did he mean about a powerful gift? It wasn’t as if she could fly. She wondered that maybe he really was a madman as she’d considered earlier. A very convincing madman.

“What do you mean?” Though slightly more confident, her voice was still very quiet, and unsure.

“Sweetling, you are in Volterra. This night, while suffering from painful, debilitating injuries and near starvation and dehydration,” – he raised his palms up in wonder – “you walked twenty-three miles. That should have killed you.”

Twenty-three miles? That could not be right. “How is that a gift?”

Aro grinned, and tilted his head to the side, clasping his hands together again. “You do not remember the instance when you were electrocuted in a bathtub at three years old. That, too, should have killed you, and so should have many, many other incidents through which you have endured. La mia cara, your gift is a gift indeed. It seems, that quite possibly, you possess the inability to die.”

Oh.

“That . . . makes sense.” She gave him a smile. “Thank you.” She was unsure of what she was thanking him for, but she felt as if she needed to. This stranger had been kinder to her than anyone she had ever known before, and she was very grateful. She looked into his eyes as she thought about this, and a question formed on the tip of her tongue. His eyes. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Si, of course.”

She felt unsure about this question. She didn’t want to offend her new friend. An abrupt gust of wind blew her hair into her mouth as she braved asking. “Why do you have red eyes?”

He suddenly looked up, to the sky. “It is getting light. I’m enjoying our little chat; shall we continue it inside?” He stroked her cheek delicately. “You must be needing to sleep. I will answer your question in a moment.” His tone was comforting, and she was comfortable with him putting his arm around her as they stood up, and as he guided to her to the plain, mahogany door in the side of the building that made up one side of the garden wall.

Inside was a corridor that angled downwards, into the hill. It was plain, with industrial grey carpet and white walls with tube lighting. It didn’t fit with Aro’s look – he was smart, and his features perfect, not a single smooth, perfectly straight hair out of place. This corridor was too out of place; fake, a façade. It smelt wrong, too, Lillian thought. It was like fresh paint and dust, unlike Aro, whose breath was even pleasant. His hand was placed gingerly on her waist, and though it was a comforting gesture, Lillian couldn’t help but feel unnerved about her proximity to him. Like this corridor, something about him was . . . off.

Soon the atmosphere of the passageway changed, and they came to a harsh iron gate, its grills stretching from wall to wall. It was a fearsome thing, but Aro unlocked and opened the heavy door with ease. It did not creak.

He led her through another short series of plain corridors leading downwards until she was sure that they were underground and she began to panic internally and her throat felt as if it were closing up and she suddenly clung onto Aro to avoid falling. He looked concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she stammered, “just claustrophobia.” She tried to stabilise herself and took several quick, deep breaths.

He removed his hand from her waist and took a few steps away from her.

“No,” she protested. “Not you. Underground.”

“I’m afraid most of our small company here reside underground.” He touched the top of her arm, something Lillian was aware people did when they wanted someone to like them, or when they were being persuasive. She didn’t mind though, he was clearly only trying to help her. “They are all very talented, just like us. Would you like to meet them?”

Who was he? Was this where all the freaks like her came to live? Had she been that lucky? No, not lucky. If I am apparently gifted, and I am hated and tortured for what I can do and I can’t even do something as cool as Aro, and people hate me for only being related to people who had powers . . . If that boy and girl really existed . . .

Then they’ve suffered as much as me. The notion broke her heart. She couldn’t fathom the idea of other people being hurt. The troublesome thought made her forget her claustrophobia.

She was unsure if she wanted to meet these people. And she was still sceptical over whether Aro was telling the truth. “I am, don’t you worry.” He gave her a small, warm smile. He read my mind! Aro chuckled. “Yes, I can.” He tilted his head to the right, down the hallway. “Shall we?”

The door at the end of this, wooden floored hallway was astonishingly ornate. Gold leaf adorned the frame and the delicate swirling pattern, and several large red rubies embellished the coil of each of the swirls. Lillian was in awe. It’s amazing. “If you like jewels, I have many more lying around that you could have, perhaps, if you take a liking to them.” Lillian’s mind was distracted from the door now, her eyes watching the CCTV camera pointed at them.

All of the ideas whizzing around her head about the possibilities of how these new people would be; how Aro’s home looked; how she could cope immersed in a world she knew nothing about – none of them could have prepared her for what she saw beyond the door. It was magnificent display of a hallway; sparkling black marble stretched out in front of her, in the floor and the walls, the ceilings a majestic crimson, and the grand golden doors on both sides decorated with cerise curtains, shadowing them from the several crystal chandeliers hanging in even intervals along the ceiling. Small glass tables sat between some of the doors, situating small items like a bunch of flowers in a vase, and miniatures of the statues from the garden. This suited Aro more.

He nudged her gently in the small of her back and took her to the end of the corridor, and opened a door there on the right, by a small potted primula vialii. There was no hint of dust on the table. This place was spotless. Lillian stepped inside this new room, and was again greeted by a stark contrast in colours. This room was gold; a rich, delicate gold created with the same gold leaf that beautified the door earlier, but now played Midas on the ceiling, the room’s corners and between the glittering black stones of the floor. The light in this room was entirely artificial, again emitted from grand but not gaudy chandeliers, and it was cold, unlike the town aboveground. Its shape was uniquely octagonal, and upon each of the eight walls was a gorgeous, colourful renaissance era painting, though she recognised none. A few people were scattered around this room in small groups, and all had turned to face the door when Lillian and Aro entered, but Lillian’s eyes were drawn to the centre of the room to a high dais, upon which sat five thrones, all as unique and as magnificent as the others, embellished with their own designs and precious stones. Two men and two women already sat upon four of them, the one in the centre empty. They were all staring at her, and she shied away behind Aro.

“What is this, Aro?” Questioned the man on the throne furthest to Lillian’s right. He was tall in stature but his hollow cheeks and white hair gave the impression of being weak and frail, yet the clarity and confidence of his voice stood as a bare refutation of that idea. She watched him curiously.

Aro took Lillian by the arm and pulled her gently towards the centre of the room. “Dear Caius, this is Lillian. She has a wonderful gift!” Wonderful didn’t look like a word Caius had ever said in his life, as he glared at Lillian sourly. “She cannot die!” Aro rejoiced. “Even after struggling more than twenty miles in her condition she has not even thought once about water, or food. Such a marvel!”

Caius’s response was heavily cynical in tone. “And how will that be of benefit to us? If anything, it serves to be a problem now she knows too much.”

“Brother, I thought you would understand. She has this gift now, thus has the potential to evolve into something more powerful when she is one of us. Perchance,” he looked back at Lillian and smiled again, “she may be able to protect others than herself from harm.”

Protect people? Is that what he was on about earlier when he said there was a chance she could have a power and not hurt anyone? But something else in their conversation made her hairs stand up on end. When she is one of us. What did he mean by that?

Her soft, scared voice was barely audible to her own ears as she spoke. “When I’m like you?”

A tall and brooding man in plain clothes standing by the painting to the left of the door locked eyes with her. His were a menacing red, like Aro’s. She looked away, back to Caius, who was glaring at Aro, paying Lillian no attention. She couldn’t discern the colour of his eyes from this distance.

Aro wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and when his cold, hard skin touched hers she suddenly understood. These people, whoever they were, weren’t exactly . . . human.

Aro heard her distress and quickly adjusted his expression to comfort her. “Like us? Yes indeed.” His other hand stroked her cheek gently, but it served more to unnerve her than to console. Surprisingly, it was her own conscience that told her what she needed to hear. If they were going to hurt you, they would have done it already. Didn’t you hear Aro? He wants you to be like him. He read your mind and still he likes you, he wants you here. Someone wants me.

She had to agree with that, and Aro relaxed, having heard her conclusion too, though it was Caius who spoke first. “You haven’t told her yet?”

“Tol-,” Lillian began, but the frosty glower Caius was giving her made her quiet. Told me what? She thought, looking up at Aro. Her eyes flickered back to the dais when the woman on the throne by Caius rose, and stepped over to stand beside him and take his hand. She was beautiful; tall, and thin, with long, thick white hair. She must be his wife.

“Brother, please be less harsh toward this young one. She has suffered enough today.” He stood up straight, and took away his hand from her shoulder. “We are vampires, my love.”

Vampires?

She jumped as a sudden snort of laughter erupted nearby, only realising a moment later it was hers.

“Is there something wrong with her?” Caius asked Aro, but Aro only chuckled.

“Are you alright, Lillian?”

All of her fear swiftly fled her body, and she breathed deeply, somehow relieved. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just . . . didn’t expect . . . vampires.” A crystal from a chandelier twinkled in the corner of her eye. “I’m not scared.” She smiled. If she were a vampire, immortal, she would certainly never be caught and sent back to her basement in England to rot until old age. She could never get hurt again, and live forever, with this man here, who seemed to care so much more for her than anyone else ever had. She felt that she owed him. She owed him her life, and she was giving it to him. “If you meant that you’d like me to be a vampire too, I can do that.”

Aro rubbed his hands together and smirked. “Contrarily-,”

“Contrarily?” Caius snapped. Lillian was beginning to take a strong dislike to that vampire, who forever seemed to be interrupting with unnecessary passionate scorn. Maybe she had missed something.

Aro put his face in his palm for a brief moment, apparently irritated.

The other man on the thrones spoke up then. He was unlike Caius, with black hair waving to his shoulders, an average build and a face that wore an expression of eternal boredom. Perhaps he’d had too much of Caius’s constant picking, like Aro seemed to have had. “You should turn her now, Aro, if that’s what you believe her talent to be. She could save us a great tragedy.” His voice was deep like Aro’s but far more whispery, and fainter, as if he were not quite there.

Aro nodded. “Of course, Marcus, I will turn her as soon as it is appropriate.” He moved so fast then, too fast for Lillian’s eyes to register he had moved until his face came creepily close to hers, and his hands rested upon both her shoulders. “But first, there is something else of high importance she can help us with.”

Me, a human, help with something that’s really important to vampires? She was immediately interested. He thinks I could be good at something?

She and Caius spoke synchronously. “What is it?”

“Lillian, we are, hmm, what you may consider the vampire form of law-enforcement,” Aro explained, “recently, we happened upon a type of case we had not judged afore. I believe your particular gifts can help us reach a final conclusion.”

Devilishly, Caius smirked.

#my words #lillian

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princess-of-the-corner · 7 years

Text

I spent far too long mapping out MLP Tarot Cards. So I’m putting the list here to help myself remember to do something with it and possibly discuss with others?

Major Arcana

The Fool- The Cutie Mark Crusaders

The Fool is for innocence and beginnings. The Crusaders are kids starting to figure out who they are. It is also for recklessness and inconsideration. While not malicious, children don’t fully think through their choices and make mistakes.

The Magician-Trixie

Obviously.However, she does fit the card meaning.Willpower and desire are words associated with the card, something Trixie has a lot of. But so are trickery and illusions, when she cared only for Trixie.

The High Priestess- Discord

My choice for this is more on my own headcanons of Discord’s past. But the card is for Intuition and Inner Voice, but on the reverse we have repressed feelings that cause a loss of said Voice.

The Empress-Chrysalis

The Empress is a symbol of Motherhood, nurturing guidance. Things Chrysalis is supposed to be. But the Empress is also controlling. Mother Knows Best, after all.

The Emperor- Nightmare Moon

The Emperor is for structure and control. A father figure. Stern but wise and understanding. Quite like Luna. However, it’s reverse is a cold tyrant, the grip on the Kingdom causing them to suffer, much like Nightmare would have.

The Hierophant-Starlight Glimmer

Tradition and Conformity, much like Starlight’s Town. But also taking new approaches, diverging from the restrictions.

The Lovers-Cadence and Shining Armor

Self explanatory. The Card of Union, but also Harmony. But reversed could be a loss of balance.

The Chariot-Rainbow Dash

Willpower and control, harnessing the world around you to achieve goals, like becoming a Wonderbolt. Yet she is also at the mercy of opposing forces. Rainbow is Loyal to many ponies, which causes her to be stuck in the middle when friends fight, even if it’s a friendly competition like the Equestria Games.

Strength-Fluttershy

Bravery and Compassion. Some argue that Flutters isn’t brave due to her fears, but ‘ bravery is not ‘being without fear’ it’s standing up for what is right even though you are scared’. That said, the reverse is self-doubt and insecurity.

The Hermit-Spike

The Hermit represents contemplation, finding out who you are through journeying by ones self, but also the loneliness of losing your way on that journey. All I can think of is Spike’s search for who and what he is, a Dragon that acts like a Pony or a Pony that looks like a Dragon.

Wheel of Fortune-Pinkie

The Wheel is for changing cycles, and also Luck. But also the uncontrollable. Change and cycles, like that of seasons or the Sun and Moon. But it’s also for the fact that even when things are bad, there will always bee something good just around the corner, always another reason to smile.

Justice-Blueblood

This is another connected to personal headcanons, involving Blueblood being, essentially, an inside informant on the Nobility’s misdeeds. Justice stands for fairness, but also karmic retribution. However, there is also accountability. Turning a bling eye to something that should have been given the proper punishment. In Blueblood’s case, that is Sunset Shimmer.

The Hanged Man- Rarity

This card is about sacrifice, self-sacrifice to be exact. while the card is a bit literal, it’s about Generosity, giving your all to others, even if it could hurt you. But there is also a thing as too much sacrifice, or hesitating out of your own wants. Rarity finds a good balance, but has moments of giving too much or hesitating for her dreams.

Death-Thorax

The Death card is for Change, Metamorphasis and the end of a cycle that starts anew, so it is quite literal here. It’s for a radical transformation, losing something to be better. Thorax is the symbol of Change for the Changelings, but also the end of a cycle. The end of Queen Chrysalis’s reign and the beginning of King Thorax’s.

Temperance-Applejack

Temperance is about walking the middle path. Unlike Rainbow and her Card(the Chariot) being torn between her Loyalties, Applejack goes for who is objectively right, but stays emotionally neutral in the conflict. The Mom friend. However, she does have her buttons to be pressed.

The Devil- Sombra/Obsidian’s Posesion

One of the more literal ones, and 100% headcanon related. This card represents fears, obsessions, and insecurities that hold people back. The Reverse, however, is about freeing ones self from the Devil’s clutches, restoring your own control.

The Tower-Diamond Tiara

Had to have Diamond in here because I love her so much. Anyway, the Tower is a card about the dangers of Pride, the destruction of the foundation of our lives to remake ourselves. Diamond’s whole life was about the things her Mother taught her, but she has seen the path she was heading down and has begun to fix it. However, as long as her mother is there, she can’t fully rebuild.

The Star-Twilight Sparkle

The Star is for Hope and Rejuvenation. She’s the Hero, and as long as she stands they are Invincible. But she also gives others second chances, and helps them remake themselves on their journey. That said, there are times where she gets into insecurity, and loses faith in herself, but just a Spark will give her what she needs to save the day.

The Moon-Luna

Duh. The Moon card is about the unconscious and illusions, Dreams that reflect our minds and hearts. But there is also confusion in the vagueness of Dreams, and it is easy to lose your way in the dark.

The Sun-Celestia

Again, duh. This card is for Joy and Celebration.Success overcoming any obstacle, just like the Invincible Sun Princess. But sometimes, the cloudcover can block the Sun’s rays, making it difficult to be optimistic. Making it difficult to see things right in front of you until it is too late.

Judgement-Sunset Shimmer

Judgement is for reflection, to evaluate your life and lead to your Rebirth. But you can also judge too harshly, letting yourself be lost in the details you don’t like instead of seeing the full picture. Sunset has definitely done the reflect and rebirth, but we only saw a little of the harsh judgement. She focused on the terrible things she did, letting it define her despite having good parts of her past(hey, she was Celestia’s Student for a reason!). While she has accepted her past and has been Reborn, there are moments where she focuses on the bad(her anger management issues in FG.)

The World-The Elements

Again, self explanatory. The World stands for Harmony and Completion. Unity and Perfection from inner and outer sources. And how empty everything is without them.

Minor Arcana:

I don’t think I’ll give as much Meaning to the Minor Arcana as I did the Major Arcana. Mostly because that’d be a pain to go through and match each one to one specific character. Like, matching the Death card or the Sun card is easy. But matching the four of Pentacles? Actually, that one could be Filthy Rich... ignore me. I’m not doing that for all the cards.

That said, the Suits are mostly organized. The Kings of each are one of the four princesses, and each suit itself is made up of a corresponding race of pony, or said pony’s ‘Court’(aka, important characters that don’t match but I put in that group) in the Crystal Pony case(Seriously, can we get more Crystal Pony characters that have legit names and personalities????). The Ace is a non-pony(or not exactly a pony) that is associated with that Suit or Race. Some will get an extra ‘why I put them there’ note.

Wands-Unicorns

Wands represent creativity, passion, desire, and the Spark of beginnings. It’s element is Fire. Wands are perfect for the magic wielding Unicorns.

King- Twilight Sparkle

Twilight was born a Unicorn, and a part of her will always think of herself as one.

Queen-Sunset Shimmer

A Unicorn just as powerful as Twilight, but not the Princess.

Knight-Rarity

Page-Sweetie Belle

10-2-Starlight, Trixie, Moondancer, Lyra, Blueblood, Party Favor, Sugar Belle, Vinyl Scratch, Fancy Pants

Ace-Spike

Not only is Spike only associated with Unicorn characters(Twilight, Shining, Rarity, etc.), but he is a Fire element.

Pentacles- Earth Ponies

Pentacles relate to worldly things, are much more ‘passive’ than the Wands’ ‘active’ nature, and is associated with the Earth Element.

King- Celestia

Celestia is the most ‘grounded’ of the Princesses, but also the most ‘princess-like’.

Queen-Applejack

Knight-Pinkie Pie

Page-Applebloom

10-2-Big Mac, Maud, Marble, Limestone, Bonbon, Double Diamond, Cheerilee, Octavia, Nurse Redheart

Ace-Timber Spruce.

Another personal headcanon

Cups- Crystal Ponies

While they aren’t related to the Suit’s Element(Water), the suit is associated emotions, especially Love. Considering the Crystal ponies run on Emotions, it’s a good fit.

King- Cadence

Princess of the Empire

Queen- Shining Armor

Hey Jori! This one’s for you! Okay, really, while he’s not a Crystal Pony, he’s husband to the Princess

Knight- Sunburst

Headcanon-wise, I headcanon him as part Crystal Pony. But he is the Crystal Mage.

Page- Diamond Tiara

I headcanon her as part Crystal Pony and I love her too much to not include her.

10-2- Flurry Heart, Autumn, Mercury, Rose Quartz, Verity Lucky, Scarlet Heart, Amber Laurel, Fleur de Verre, Golden Harvest,

Honestly, there aren’t any Crystal Pony characters that aren’t background ponies. Seriously, how and why so you’ll have to go to the wiki to know them,

Ace- Thorax

Not a Crystal Pony, but his default disguise is one, and he lived with them for a while.

Swords- Pegasai

Pegasai match this suit’s Element(Air) more than its symbolism, as Swords are for reason and logic. Not to say they aren’t reasonable or logical, but it’s not something they’re known for.

King- Luna

Mostly by default, but she is the one seen flying most often(and also the one seen using magic most often but I digress). Also Air is a Moon Element.

Queen- Rainbow Dash

Knight-Fluttershy

Page-Scootaloo

10-2-Flash Sentry, Derpy, Daring Do, Spitfire, Soarin, Thunderlane, Night Glider, Lightning Dust, Alula

Ace- Gilda

Not a Pegasus but related by flight.

#mlp #tarot #mlp tarot cards

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