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diejager · 8 months

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Crow

Pairing: Monster TF 141 + Horangi & König x Eldritch horror!reader

Cw: blood, gore, canon-typical violence, injury, mutilation, tell me if I missed any. Wc: 1.9k

They hadn’t expected to have another specialist join them, none of them even knew what Price had in mind when he brought you in. You were normal in every way - as normal as a soldier could be - and unassuming under your dark clothes and gear. You smiled and waved when greeted, you took orders well and you spoke when spoken. You were like a ghost, there but also not there, invincible unless you made a sound or movement. Excluding all they saw in you, you were simply uncanny, with weird mannerisms and habits that made you seem inhuman - as inhuman as you could be to hybrids.

The only words Price had given them before you landed were: “They’re good at what they do, just don’t cause any trouble, understood?”

They were vague and as unassuming as you first seemed, like any warning for any person that could easily become annoyed or mad. Ghost certainly hadn’t put much thought into it as he should. Gaz had elbowed Soap in an attempt at reminding the werewolf to heed their captain’s words. Rudy and Alejandro wouldn’t have to worry, they knew and learned the limits of any man’s patience, smart and intuitive. Horangi was as weary as he would with any new addition, eyes narrowed in annoyance and curiosity. Unlike any of them, König hid any emotions from his stoic face, shoulders broad and back ramrod that emphasised his height and broadness, he couldn’t be sure if you would be easy to ignore or irritable.

Granted, they all had expectations for you since Price seemed so proud and confident when you first joined them, acting like a child given his dream, famished to have you by his side as professionals as possible. Yet here you were, normal looking, of average height and average weight, and simply there. Although there wasn’t anything inherently abnormal to you, the simple presence of your being made their hair stand on end. There wasn’t any reason to be so frightened or chilled about you, you hadn’t done anything deserving of such fear and suspicion, and Price trusted you with his life. If he trusted you, then the rest could, no? After all, dragons are the most protective of monsters.

As Price promised, you were good at what you did, never a flinch, never any hesitation, never a moment of weakness. You were too normal and good to be a human, especially not with the way corvids flocked to you. Ravens, crows, magpies and jackdaws followed you everywhere you went, simply standing or cawing around you as if you were a memener of their murder. Going to London would be dreadful with how many corvids called the British Isles their home, which - coincidentally - was where you lived.

All but Price had a hard time forming a bond with you, your eerie presence made it difficult to relax, and apparently, you knew it as well, since they had an equally difficult time finding you on the base. If you weren’t beating a sand-filled punching bag, you would be at the shooting range, and if you weren’t there, then you’d be somewhere on the roof of a structure, taking in the cool, stormy air of the UK with your bird friends.

You only smiled when they all blew up in cackles and jokes, never laughing with them or cracking your own jokes. Your voice never raised over a certain point, a murmur or a raspy growl. It was either human or inhuman to you. If Soap, Gaz and Rudy were having a hard time making you open up to them, then the rest would have an even harder time doing so. They were failing miserably.

That was until Soap caught an airy chuckle from you when he passed Price’s office, the older man having probably said something amusing to you which had you laughing. And as loud and rowdy the werewolf was, he couldn’t stop himself from telling the others, his excitement and enthusiasm bleeding into the rest. It had somehow made them more determined to bond with you, you were, after months of work, a permanent member of Task Force 141.

Unfortunately, the most they got were snorts and huffs, snorts from Ghost’s dark humour and huffs from Soap and Gaz’s poorly made-up jokes, theatrical performances of failures and defeat in the face of an unflinching and unusual being. Questions started piling up on Price’s desk, wanting to know if you were human, if you were a hybrid, if you were a monster, if you were even a living being seeing as you hadn’t taken a single breath or eaten (not that they’d seen you eat.).

“That’s classified, ” Price stopped their musing with two simple words. “Unless they tell you themselves, I don’t think it’s any of my business divulging that to anyone.”

Price’s secrecy and respect for you only sowed the seeds of curiosity and intrigue deeper. What had you hidden from them that was so classified that Price couldn’t tell them? Even Alejandro didn’t have the clearance to dive into your files - not that there were any. The question lingered in their minds, unanswered and famished for one: What were you?

Somehow they’d gotten separated from you, being caught under heavy fire from Russian ultranationalists and backed into a building with most exits blocked or surrounded by the enemy. They worried about you, being left to yourself in a situation like this one was dangerous for even the most skilled and wary soldier. Whereas they all had their backs, one watching for the other, you were alone. And whereas you had the possibility of using your powers of shifting - if you were a hybrid or monster, they still hadn’t found the answer to that question - they were in the confines of a restricted building, letting loose would either damage the already-damaged-building or become a danger to their own teammates.

Ghost’s fog was deadly. Soap could come under fire from them shooting. Gaz couldn’t fly freely in a tight place. Price’s fire could be devastating. Rudy couldn’t risk getting tired. Alejandro could be unknowingly shot by them. König was uncontrollable and unpredictable. Horangi was a danger to himself in the secret of darkness.

They were fucked, caught in a dire situation that could mean the end of them, but regret and panic wouldn’t be of any use to them, they had to concentrate and wait for backup.

“Backup from what, Price?!”

What could possibly reach them in time to support them? They were too far in for any help to arrive quickly enough. The closest naval ship was thousands of miles away, the closest ocean was hundreds of miles away and any military support even farther. What would they even be waiting for?

“Cap! We can’t-”

A scream shattered the skies, howls of pain and panic filling the once booming sound of foreign guns. The sound of bodies being broken and bones cracking brought their attention elsewhere. The Russians weren’t aiming at them anymore, shooting at something bigger and more dangerous than any of them. They were looking at a creature that picked them off one by one, the shadow of a monster covering the white snow. The fear in their eyes tainted the sky as their blood sullied the fresh snow, turning white into red and pink.

Whatever that was was dangerous. The ability to rip men apart and incite terror into well-trained and hardened soldiers was anything but amiable, safe and good. Their bodies were tense, muscles contracted to move at the flicker of movement from the monster outside the building. Their weapons aimed towards the entrance, fingers laying restlessly on the trigger and shoulder screwed with suspense as the screams and cries slowly died down to howling winds in the night.

Price raised a hand, holding them back from firing at the entity, they lowered their guns, following the captain as he walked towards the door. He hadn’t flinched or froze when clawed fingers gripped the wide opening, a giant, black hand cloaked with feathers. Another landed on the ground farther away, letting them see the blood staining the show, seeping from its fingers and dirty feathers. With a low rumble from the beast, it lowered its head to the doorway, where Price had stopped.

He smiled at the gigantic head of a crown, its black beak sharpened with pointed teeth, as black as its skin and feathers. An oval eye blinked at them, white as the snow and piercing as the cold. It sent chills down their spines, ready to jump away if it attacked, but Price patted the skin under its eye.

“Thank you,” Price spoke your name so reverently, thanking it - you - with a grateful smile and proud eyes.

That monster - it - was you, the unassuming, perfect and eerie human. You, who was always around corvids, were one yourself, albeit a gigantic, crooked version of a crow. You crooned at Price’s touch, soft and loving like he was. You moved away from the entrance and they left. It was as if they walked into another world, blood, bones and guts littered the ground, as if a cat had had its fun with something breakable. Ghost and König thrived in this scene, the blood and gore feeding them. Unlike the rest that either recoiled or stared off, preferring to look at your bird-like form than the ground.

In all your glory, you stood high and mightily, toppling over the trees by hundreds of metres. Covered head to toe in black skin and black, glistening feathers, you held your head high to look at the Russian field. Four horns curled over your head, sprouting from your crown and curling at the tip, they mimicked a crown of bone. Bones also grew from your back, the protrusion of your vertebrae growing along your back like a ridge, sharp and deadly, like the sharp-looking feathers that protected your back. If any of that were shocking then your second pair of wings would be frightening, an equally big pair of wings help support your weight on the ground, besides two legs, clawed perfectly to inflict lethal damage. And at the end of your back, a flared, serpentine tail with feathers curled upwards.

While Price acted with such ease and comfort around you, the rest simply couldn’t. If they were bothered by your presence before, now, after having shifted and showed your true skin, it grew tenfold, becoming unbearable and suffocating. You saw their discomfort, cooing at them before you shrunk, bone and feathers sinking back under your skin, your beak turning into the face they knew, but your white eyes remained. It was all knowing and powerful.

You were an Eldritch being, an all-knowing and powerful creature, perhaps one of the last horrors that lived. It made sense why Price was so trusting of you, believing you to be unable to betray them. Why he warned all of them to never stray into your hate and annoyance. Eldritch horrors, after all, were the strongest beings alive (if they could be called alive), old as aeons and unmoving by time. Dragons were second to them, the proud and respectable monsters knowing the worth of Eldritch creatures and respecting them.

Everything fell into place. It clicked, why everything was simply so. Perhaps, after knowing your secret, you’d open up to them, let them in your colossal and dark and unbeating heart.

Taglist: @saelkie @yeoldedumbslut

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gay-dorito-dust · 9 months

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bro a ken x reader where the reader moves to barbieland but she’s got tattoos and he’s got no clue what they are …

The ending to this is absolute arse. Idk what to do.

‘What’s this?’ Ken asked as he gestured to the tattoos you had littered here and there before even more questions followed after. ‘Can they come off? Did someone draw on you like Weird Barbie? If so was it with permanent marker?’ Ken then proceeded to smile, puffing his chest out like a proud bird, ‘I learnt that big word all by myself.’

You chuckled, now realising that ever since you came to BarbieLand there wasn’t a single person in sight who was even remotely as tatted up as you were, and so all of Ken’s random inquiries concerning them made all the more sense. ‘These are called tattoos and no they can’t come off, and I guess you could say that someone ‘drew on me’ but not with a permanent marker pen, but instead a piece of equipment that some might consider a painful process.’ You shrugged. ‘Though that depends on the pain tolerance and the placement of the tattoo.’ The look on Ken’s face was borderline hysterical to you with how wide his eyes became as they trailed over your most recent tattoo as though it’ll jump out and bite him.

‘Did you say painful? Like someone pinching your skin type of painful?’ Ken asked.

‘Hmmm. Think more like being stung a thousand times when in the midst of the outlining of the tattoo, only to then feel like your being scratched repeatedly and all over by a stray cat when they start the shading and or colouring process.’ You told him.

‘So you’re meaning to tell me that you were being hurt!’ Ken cried, retracting his hand away from you as though he was going to cause you more harm, which was something he doesn’t want to have happen. ‘Why would you or anyone ever want to go through that horrible process?!’ He said, voice muffled with his hands clasped over his mouth. You should’ve probably known that Ken would’ve reacted like this but the damage was already done, and yet you couldn’t help but find it sweet when he exemplified concern over your well-being, despite the fact that it was over something as briefly painful as a tattoo.

‘Beauty is pain as they say,’ you began, ‘but I found that once you get your first tattoo, you’ll soon enough want more to add to the collection. Think of it this way, we use tattoos as a way of self expression, some of them can be of something meaningful or something fun and cartoonish and hold no meaning at all other then it looked cool at the time. But I think they quite cool, don’t you Ken?’ The blonde then removed his hands from his mouth, moving himself closer to you as to get a better look at your tattoos in general, just as a smile appeared on his face. ‘They’re so cool.’ He admitted but it was clear he was still a little conflicted about the pain you put yourself through for a tattoo. ‘But they still sound a little frightening.’ He admitted to you with a weak chuckle and you couldn’t do anything but understand and sympathise where he was coming from.

‘Yeah, they can be frightening at first but I promise you Ken, I wasn’t in that much pain for very long, besides I was the one who wanted it done, the tattoo artists were just doing their job.’ You reassured him as you felt his fingers gingerly trace the tattoo, taking in every last detail as he looked at it with a new found perspective. Your tattoos are beautiful to Ken and he’d show appreciation for each and every one by tracing his fingers over it, almost as though he’d ruin the artistry that went into them if he went any harder. He found tattoos fascinating but would probably never get one himself and even if he did, he hoped that this tattoo artist that you talk about could give him a horse portrait, or at least something related to horses at the very least. That would be cool.

#barbie #barbie imagines #barbie imagine #ken x reader #ken x y/n #ken x you #Ken fic #ken fluff #Ken imagines #Ken imagine

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heavenlyraindrops · 2 months

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Change With the Seasons| Stardew Valley| Sebastian x Reader

♡♡♡♡♡♡ Chapter One: Moving In

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A/N: This is just gonna be a cute romance between Seb and the Farmer, aka Reader. If It’s also available on AO3 and Quotev. I’d visit the masterlist if I were you, since it contains trigger warnings + the story blurb (summary/ synopsis)

♡♡♡♡♡♡

Chapter Summary: After moving in and getting accustomed to life at the farm, you happen to meet a certain someone on a rainy day by the docks.

♡♡♡♡♡♡

The wind whistled through the trees, snaking its way through your hair and causing the leaves to skitter. Immediately the breeze died down as soon as it picked up.

You had just finished speaking to Major Lewis. Robin, the carpenter, however, had decided to stick around for some more conversation, an idea you weren’t completely against yet weren’t completely welcoming towards either.

“You should definitely get to meeting all the townsfolk,” Robin said, eyes surveying the wooded, overgrown land. They flicked back to yours, and she smiled. “It’s not everyday we get a new person here in Pelican Town. So they’re all very eager to meet you.”

You smiled and nodded, as she continued:

“And you should meet my kids too. They live with me in the Mountains, oh, the mountains…”

As Robin went off on a long rant on how wonderful and fresh the crisp air of the mountains were, you looked out at the farm stretched before you. It was covered in rocks, wood, overgrown grass and trees. You winced at the thought of having to clean it all up.

“Anyways, I won’t keep you any further!” Robin smiled, and left.

You proceeded to dump your luggage on the bed, which creaked under the weight, and rolled your sleeves up. The first thing on your list today, you decided, was to go into town and see how it was. You had, after all, dropped your safe, stable life in Zuzu for this.

The walk to the village wasn’t too long. You picked up a daffodil along the way, with no other reason than finding it pretty. Immediately you arrived at what seemed to be a clinic. You peered in, but it was closed. The building next to it had a large sign. Pierre’s General Store. A calendar nailed to the wall caught your attention- it was listing all the events and birthdays in town. A specific day seemed to jump out at you: Flower Dance.

You’d have to ask Mayor Lewis about that.

You put your hand on the door handle to Pierre’s store and pushed, but the doors refused to budge. It must have been locked, too. You checked your watch. It was only seven. That explained it.

You wandered down a little, taking in the buildings and houses. You squinted at a small figure in the distance, loitering near a couple of flowers. Seemingly very interesting in them.

As you moved closer, you realized that it was a little old woman, tending to the flowers. She smiled at you, and you smiled back. “You must be the new farmer. Welcome to the community, dear. I’m Evelyn. You can call me ‘Granny’ if you like.”

You flushed at her kindness. “Alright, Granny.”

She smiled and nodded, before heading inside a small blue house, claiming to go bake some cookies.

You exhaled slowly, staring at the flowers. The spring sun seemed to glow off of everything, yet the breeze was cool. You felt a faint smile growing on your face. You’d like it here, in Pelican Town. You knew it.

A week had passed. So had your doubts.

Everyone in the town had been kind to you so far- so far, being the keyword as you hadn’t met many people yet. You’d woken up that morning with rain lashing down, pattering on the roof, echoing through the small cottage. With watering your rather small number of crops being taken care of, you’d decided to devote the day to fishing at the docks, ever grateful for the rather flimsy bamboo rod Willy had gifted you.

The rain was pouring down harder than when you had left as you arrived at the docks. Your hair stuck to your forehead, slick with water, droplets of it rolling down your cheeks. You carefully picked your way across the docks, which had grown slippery. The sea was choppy, and occasionally hit against the supports of the docks but they were fortunately high enough from the water level. Yet still a few salty drops sprayed onto your face now and then.

Being as drenched as you were all ready, you just decided to sit down on the edge of the dock, before casting out your rod. You didn’t even notice the man already sitting next to you amidst the whirling wind and drops of rain and seawater. You shivered, cold, before glancing to the side and-

“Oh!” You jumped in surprised, almost toppling off the dock and into the angry sea. “H-hello.”

The man stared at you in silence, the black strands of hair obscuring his face, making it unable to be seen properly, before turning back to the sea. “Hey.”

You’d never felt awkward with the people in Pelican Town until now. You forced a nervous smile, tilting your head. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. You don’t mind if I sit here, right?”

He dug his hands into the pockets of his black sweatshirt, the moody look on his face deepening. “Whatever,” he muttered, then said under his breath, “The ocean’s better enjoyed alone, though.”

Your own frown hardened into a scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean?” It hadn’t even been ten seconds since you’d met this guy and you were already starting to feel a growing dislike for him.

“Nothing,” he said. You noticed the eyeliner around his eyes getting slightly messed up from the rain, and stared hard back out at sea. So much for everyone in the twon being nice. You must have jinxed it, or something.

“What’s your name, anyways?” You asked, taking another stab at being friendly.

“Sebastian,” came the blunt reply.

You stared at him again, for a moment. He caught you staring, and raised an eyebrow, an action which for some reason made your heart pound. “What?”

“Nothing.” You turned your attention back to the fishing rod. The weather was becoming harsher now, your clothes completely drenched through with droplets rolling down your face and arms. Thunder rolled and lightning flashed, making you jump and let out a small noise. Sebastian smirked and you glared at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said, clearly mocking you in such a subtle way you wouldn’t expect. You scowled, feeling something tug at the rod. It was a soggy newspaper. Feeling your face burn with embarrassment, you picked it up and scrunched it up in your hand before getting up and stomping down the dock, back towards your farm.

“Nothing,” You muttered, mockingly. That day, you decided.

You do not like Sebastian.

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anzulvr · 1 year

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OUR LIFE BEGINNINGS AND ALWAYS // SPOILERS FOR THE DLCS IN STEP 2 for both Cove and Derek!

In which two friends like their other best friend.

COVE / DEREK X READER (head cannons might make a oneshot 🤞🤞)

— reaction

Cove is kinda confused, he never really expected Derek to like you in that way, he never really got any signs (Derek was trying to hide it) but he wouldn’t be upset or anything. You’re all friends in the end, besides Derek was being considerate trying to hide his feelings for everyone else’s sake.

Chalks it up to “Well who wouldn’t like MC?”

(Final warning for Derek dlc spoilers!!)

Derek has always been aware of Coves crush since it’s super obvious to everyone. In his DLC if you tell him you thought he was cute he admits his first impression of you was that you are cute too! So I think after he hangs out with you and Cove for the first time he realizes early on that Cove already likes you so he’d just try to act like nothing but the more you hang out the harder ignoring his feelings get. Derek’s reaction to Cove finding that out that he likes you would be worried cause he doesn’t want to make anything weird. Cove wouldn’t throw their friendship away just cause he’s got a crush on you. Derek would go down a spiral of “what if Cove hates me.” “What if they both never speak to me again.” So just make sure he knows you’re not going to ghost him over this😭

more in cut!!

Extra hcs for u!!🫶🫶

How would people figure out both derek and cove like you?

ft — Mr Holden, Moms, Elizabeth, Lee, Kyra! In that order!!

Derek was over for lunch with everyone and at the table it was just too obvious. They knew Cove liked you but they hadn’t really payed mind to how Derek acted until then. Cove still would have been completely oblivious to it. At home Mr. Holden would say something like “so, you have competition huh sport?” with zero context and wouldn’t further explain when coves all lost. Cliff decides not to break it to him💀Maybee if it comes up sometime he’d give cove advice like in the soirée DLC where he makes him to bring you a flower! He’d always be up to help out cove but cove would be too embarrassed to ask😭

For the moms they’d just tease you how they do with cove and they’d also just mess with Derek in the same manner. Probably not around Cove so he wouldn’t catch on😭 when they’re feeling out of pocket they’ll say something to you both like “I wonder what has him all nervous” once derek is out the room and just laugh while shushing eachother.

Elizabeth canonically knows and she doesn’t care who hears her when she says things lmfaoo

it’s not super regular she hangs out with you since she does her own thing but I feel like she’d be down to gossip about it all the time like. “ELIZABETH GUESS WHAT-” and that’s literally the only time she lets you in her room without arguing about knocking or telling you you’re being annoying 😭

Lee knows every detail she’s so invested lowkey she’d instigate just a little but nothing comes out of it because it’s Cove and Derek. You can’t leave this girl in a room with one of them because she’ll say somethingg 😓

“Hey Cove, didn’t derek ditch soccer’s practice to hang out with [MC]? It’s so unusual of him huh? To willingly SKIP a day to hang out with them..”

“Not really? I think it’s nice, he needs breaks once in a while.”

And then when Lee gets Derek alone for like 5 minutes;

“Hey Derek- do you think [MC] and Cove are cute?”

“Huh? Oh- well yeah [MC] is has the prettiest eyes and they’re so cool and funny and amazing- Coves a awesome guy too but I’m not interested like that ya know?”

“I meant cute.. like together. ”

“Oh. ”

Kyra time!! She’s the bestt

She noticed your little love triangle in that one trip to the mall while she was spying on all of you. The little drink share?? Derek blushing when you snuck up on him and Cove too freaked out to let you drink his smoothie?? She almost got caught by cove when he heard her laugh but he just wrote it off as him hearing things.

She TRIES to help Cove take you places because he drags you to the beach every other day 😭 like “Hey babyyy, you’re not hanging out with [MC] today?”

“Not today, they’re out helping Derek with his brothers today.”

“Oh alright, maybe tomorrow? I can take you two out some place? Maybe the tropical place again.”

“yeah I guess? I’ll ask them if they can later! Thanks mom.”

#cove x reader #cove holden #derek suarez #our life beginnings & always #cove holden x reader #derek suarez x reader #cliff holden #kyra preece #elizabeth last #our life x reader #our life beginnings and always #our life b&a #ourlifeb&axreader #gb patch games #ol:ba #cove x mc

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devildomwriter · 4 months

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One Little Thing, A Ring Part IV | Mammon x Reader

1.1K Words | GN! Reader | CW: Angst

You came home late again that night from work and were surprised to find Mammon already asleep. The past few weeks you’d been working extra hard, Mammon had stayed up for you and offered you a rose he’d stolen from a bouquet somewhere in the house. But tonight he was sprawled out under the covers and his cheek was pink and puffy.

You inspected closely without waking him up and felt the skin had liquid beneath. Using your magic you identified the perpetrator and healed his wound, draining the last bit of magic you had in you for the day.

Not bothering to change out of your old clothes you lifted the blanket and fell asleep next to Mammon.

Mammon was practically comatose but he could sense your presence and his pained face grinned as he snuggled closer to you, head on your chest.

You smiled and held onto him as you drifted into sleep.

Mammon was sad the next day to see you’d left early again. He noticed your slippers by the bedside and began to wonder if you’d actually been there or if he’d dreamed it up.

He pulled out his D.D.D. to call you but you couldn’t answer and he gave up after a few tries and sighed.

He scratched his back and stretched, trying to wake up his body before being put back to work. Despite the cheer of the holiday season, Mammon stayed occupied only with work and didn’t enjoy it as he normally did. All he could focus on was money and this time it was for a good reason. All of this was for you.

Mammon’s brothers had all learned what was happening and dealt with it in their own ways. Lucifer’s way of dealing was to occasionally ensure Mammon had more work to do but he remained at the castle a majority of the day to make sure he wasn’t worked too hard.

His brothers began to randomly appear at the castle and soon after some kind of disaster would occur that they’d never be punished for.

Eventually, Mammon caught on and he wasn’t happy. He put up with a lot of shit from them over thousands of years but he wasn’t having it and called for an intervention.

They didn’t listen to him so Lucifer forced everyone to come together and hear him out. Mammon got a pardon from work so everyone could meet up at an acceptable time of the day.

“Okay, why’d you call us here?” Leviathan asked annoyed and focusing more on his D.D.D.

Mammon growled, “Dammit, you know why. All of ya do!” He pointed his fingers at his brothers.

Asmodeus gasped and placed his hand over his chest. “I’ve done nothing wrong, how could you accuse me!”

Mammon glared at him and Satan nudged Asmo to cool it with the theatrics.

Belphegor rolled his eyes at Mammon’s declaration. “What did you expect?” He hissed, in demon form.

Beelzebub put a hand on Belphegor’s shoulder trying to ease his anger but it was palpable.

“You guys know damn well why I’m working and you’re makin’ it harder what gives!”

Satan glared at Mammon now, “as Belphie said. What did you expect?”

Mammon clenched his fists and his demon form slipped out which surprised his brothers. Mammon didn’t often lose control like the rest of them, even when they beat on him, called his names, or won their money back, Mammon would stay calm. But not now, Mammon was beyond pissed.

Lucifer remained silent, he knew what Mammon was going to say and he knew that Mammon would be right too.

“Do ya realize that by gettin’ in my way, you’re really just gettin’ in ___’s way!”

They froze in silence.

“I get that you’re all mad they didn’t date you instead! I get that cause I’d feel the exact same way! Y’know how pissed I got all those times I thought they were dating one of you! Or when they kissed Lucifer that time he got amnesia!”

Lucifer chuckled and earned hateful glares from each brother.

“Anyways, I get it! But this isn’t about me, it’s about ___! And if you really care about them then you should want them to be happy and like it or not, they’re happy with me! And I’m tryin’ to give them a ring they deserve and I’m doin’ honest work! So quit comin’ into the castle and screwing everything up! It’s not cool and you know that!”

Everyone was silent for a while and Mammon finally tucked away his wings and sat on the couch facing his brothers.

Lucifer finally spoke with a small nod. “I know.” He relented. “You’re right. All of us are making things harder on you.”

“Hey! You don’t speak for me,” Belphegor snapped but Satan shook his head.

“Give it up Belphie. We’re too obvious.” Satan looked Mammon in the eye. “Fine. We’ll stay out of your way and we’ll do it for ___ not for you.”

Asmodeus nodded and Beelzebub looked at the ground.

“But know this,” Satan continued. “I’ll be waiting for the moment you slip up and when that happens I’ll be the one by their side.”

Leviathan set his D.D.D. down and glared, “That goes for me too.”

Everyone agreed and Mammon sighed. “Whatever, that’s not gonna happen so you’re all gonna have to suck it up for ___’s sake. You really think they want you guys trying to ruin their relationship the second you can?”

Satan turned red and Beelzebub blushed in some sense of shame. They wouldn’t admit to it but they still intended to romance you any chance they could get. Similarly to Diavolo, they were hoping that after hundreds or thousands of years with Mammon, polygamy might be on the table.

Mammon knew this and stayed wary of his brothers but took solace in the fact they wouldn’t dare upset you, so his relationship was safe as long as you were happy. That scared him at the same time.

The closer Christmas got the more he panicked. Was he really good enough? Could he really make you happy forever? He couldn’t even make up his mind on a ring because everything looked so damn perfect when you wore it and he couldn’t afford to get them all.

Mammon looked at the calendar one more time before collapsing into your bed, “the twenty-third already…” he sighed and covered his face.

He was so close to eternal happiness but at the same time feared letting you down. Mammon had nightmares that night until you shook him awake.

“Huh! What’s happening!” He shouted with a start, his cheeks stained with dried tears.

“Mammon…” you said in a gentle tone and wrapped your arms around him. “You need to tell me what’s going on.”

Part I • Part II • Part III • Part V

#obey me shall we date #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me satan #obey me leviathan #obey me belphegor #obey me beelzebub #obey me asmodeus #obey me mammon x reader #obey me x reader #one little thing series #obey me angst #obey me fluff #25 days of obey me christmas #obey me 25 days of christmas

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rebeccathenaturalist · 1 year

Text

What Are Mosquitoes Good For?

Originally posted at my blog at https://rebeccalexa.com/what-are-mosquitoes-good-for/

Now that the weather has cooled down over much of the United States, insects have died back or gone into hibernation for the winter. So you may be tempted to be glad that the mosquitoes have disappeared for the time being. Maybe you even wish they wouldn’t come back next year! After all, they’re just mosquitoes, which annoy us and spread diseases, right? What are mosquitoes good for, anyway?

Much to the surprise of a lot of people, they actually have some pretty important ecological functions, and your local ecosystem would likely suffer if the mosquitoes were all exterminated. So today, I am going to be a mosquito apologist.

What Are Mosquitoes Good For? Food!

You may have seen hundreds or even thousands of mosquito larvae swimming in a pond or other fresh water. Perhaps you thought every single one of them came to find you after they became adults! They certainly are prolific; some species can lay as many as 300 eggs at once.

But this isn’t just because they want to have more young to annoy you, generation after generation. Rather, it’s because a lot of mosquitoes end up eaten before they even get a chance to reproduce. As eggs and larvae, they’re food for fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects and other arthropods. Once they take to the wing, birds and bats become major predators, as do adult dragonflies and other winged insects, plus spiders that catch them in their webs. While a single bat might not actually eat 1000 mosquitoes in a night, all those various predators do take a significant chunk out of the mosquito population.

Platanthera obtusata is just one of many orchids that rely on mosquitoes for pollination.

What Are Mosquitoes Good For? Pollination!

Believe it or not, most mosquitoes aren’t out for your blood! The majority of mosquito species are entirely vegetarian; it’s only a few in which the females seek out blood to help produce eggs. Most mosquitoes drink nectar or plant sap, and in the pursuit of the former they play a vital role in pollinating the flowers they visit. Goldenrod and orchids are just two examples of groups of plants pollinated by mosquitoes. And while mosquitoes might drive Alaskans buggy, they are vital for pollination during the short Arctic summer.

What Are Mosquitoes Good For? Keeping Things in Check!

Mosquito larvae spend anywhere from a few days to a few weeks in the water where they hatched. They feed on a variety of bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms. Because they have a lot of growing to do, and need to prepare for their final molt to adult form, they have to eat a lot! That means they help keep their prey species’ populations in check. An overgrowth of algae, for example, can reduce the amount of sunlight that submerged plants have access to, and as the algae dies it increases the amount of nitrogen in the water. By constantly grazing on algae, mosquito larvae are helping to prevent these sorts of ecological imbalances.

What If We Made Mosquitoes Go Extinct?

So what are mosquitoes good for? Quite a lot, apparently! However, there’s no denying some species have also caused us a lot of grief. There have been calls to exterminate all mosquitoes, or at least every species that could ostensibly cause us problems through disease transmission. And to be sure, I don’t want to see people dying of malaria or West Nile virus, especially as these diseases often hit disadvantaged populations harder, with fewer resources for treatment. But it’s something where we need to weigh the consequences carefully.

What would happen if there were suddenly no more mosquitoes? Sure, the animals that prey on them could potentially find other sorts of food, but there would be an upset in the food web as the predators put more pressure on remaining prey species, which could lead to some of those species become locally endangered or even extirpated. Or the predators might drop in number as they failed to find enough food. Either way, getting rid of all the mosquitoes would have a negative impact on the food web.

Finally, and possibly most importantly–we may not fully understand the ecological roles mosquitoes have. As I wrote recently, ecosystems are incredibly complex networks of relationships among thousands of species, and for centuries we have been eradicating entire species without any thought as to what long-term effects their loss might have on their native ecosystems.

However, that brings up another point: the fact that there are invasive mosquitoes. Invasive species wreak havoc on ecosystems they’re introduced to, and it just so happens that one of the most notorious disease-spreading mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, is invasive across much of the tropics, as well as subtropical and temperate areas worldwide. Spread through the slave trade, this mosquito is a prime vector for yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika, and several other pathogenic diseases affecting humans. Its cousin, Aedes albopictus, is also a disease vector and is more cold-hardy, meaning it could spread even further.

What’s the answer? Well, historically people just drained wetlands, much to the devastation of the native ecosystems there. More recently, the widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides like DDT also knocked back mosquito populations (at least temporarily), but also killed off many other animals both directly and indirectly, to include nearly wiping out multiple raptor species due to eggshell thinning. Moreover, mosquitoes have developed resistance to pesticides, making them a less useful tool overall.

More recent innovations to control specific invasive mosquitoes hold some promise. A. aegypti, for example, has been genetically modified in labs to create a strain known as OX513A. Not only do the offspring die before they can reproduce, even if a OX513A breeds with a wild mosquito, but the offspring also apparently lack resistance to some pesticides. Biological control using Wolbachia bacteria inhibits A. aegypti‘s reproduction, and also makes them unable to carry certain diseases such as Zika and dengue fever.

So it would appear that the fight to control invasive species also has the bonus effect of stopping the mosquitoes most likely to give the rest a bad name.

Did you enjoy this post? Consider taking one of my online foraging and natural history classes, checking out my other articles, or picking up a paperback or ebook I’ve written! You can even buy me a coffee here!

#mosquito #mosquitoes #insects #invertebrates #arthropods #wildlife #wild animals #animals #entomology #biology #ecology #invasive species #nature #natural history #bugs #long post #environment #environmentalism #conservation

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rkdhsdl · 5 months

Note

you are feeding into my hpma brainrot right now T~T LIKE I JUST STARTED PLAYING YESTERDAY AND EXPECTED FEWER FCS AND HCS OF DANIEL BUT HERE YOU ARE DOING THE LORD'S WORK.

for a short fic idea, how about a y/n with a flirty attitude that says cheesy pick-up lines to daniel as a way to tease him thinking he'd just shrug them off but he actually fell for them as time passed on. (and they're in the same friend group which makes it harder for daniel to not fall for them)

keep writing author!! i am your number one fan right now (self proclaimed title)

-K.M

love, don’t do this to me…

word count: 1846 gender neutral reader character(s): daniel page TW/CW: i don’t know man, ooc characters + i forgor the story so it probably doesn’t make sense writer’s notes: daniel’s hopelessly in love w/ u and he doesn’t know what to do, and i’m using some of the pickup lines my s/o uses bc they’re so corny + and i think i made this too long oopsies

daniel’s first thought when he met you within the train to hogwarts was, ‘what an eccentric person,’ and nothing more. he still remembers your first interaction with him– well, not really, as he was just watching you talking with lottie animatedly. never would he have realised that he would fall for you in such a short amount of time.

now, daniel thinks that liking you is somewhat of a curse that you put on him, a spell, mayhaps a potion? but he knows deep inside of his heart that isn’t really the case. after some… incidents during your third year, you and your friend group, which included himself, reconciled properly- which may have been the trigger to his thumping heart whenever you were near.

it first started when you were all in your fourth years, sitting on the long dinner tables.

“hey, daniel, oi, listen!” you snap your fingers in front of his face, caramel eyes blinking and looking at you in curiosity. you continue, “you know, it’s pretty hot here…”

daniel squints at you in confusion, eyes urging you to continue. ivy starts to laugh, covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hold her chuckles.

“what do you mean? it’s pretty cool here.” the brown haired boy retorts in confusion.

“i don’t know, to me it’s quite toasty here… maybe it’s because you just came out of the oven, cause you’re really hot–”

daniel’s face contorts into surprise as his ears burn, hands scrambling to cover your mouth before he heard anything more. his eyebrows furrow in annoyance as he notices how your (e/c) eyes started to gleam of smugness, feeling your lips turn into a coy smile.

“merlin’s beard, (y/n), that is not appropriate in public!” the auburn haired boy reprimands you. to be completely honest, he would’ve come back at you with another, more, cheesy pick up line, but in the moment, he could only think about your words. he knew himself that your words didn’t really have much meaning to it, as he heard you vocalise similar words towards the others.

but he couldn’t help but hear his own heart beat vigorously at the thought of you really meaning it to him.

after that, daniel started to act a little off around you. you didn’t notice, though on the other hand, ivy, robyn, kevin and lottie would roll their eyes in exasperation as they saw their brown eyed friend stutter and trip on his steps around you, face burning in a red flush whenever you and daniel would accidentally lock gazes together.

the second time he knew again was in your fifth year.

“come on, daniel, you know you like them!” robyn’s voice is piercing in the evening air, as she points an accusing finger towards daniel.

“shush! what if they hear?” daniel attempts to calm robyn down as he looks around.

and speak of the devil, you float down from your broom, in all your glory as you plop down next to ivy as you bring your broom towards the floor.

“well, since you called, here i am, what’s your other two wishes?” you speak, voice suave and laced with confidence as you lean towards daniel. the four friends gather slightly and watch, finding amusement when daniel starts to stutter and shut down, face turning bright red. your eyes crinkle into a satisfied smirk as you pat his back quite harshly, causing the boy to stumble in his stupor.

“so, why are we here again?” you ask, looking at the dark forest near hagrid’s home, subconsciously taking daniel’s hand into yours as you drag him around towards the entrance– or so you presumed to be– of the forest. the tawny haired boy felt your hand against his, as his mind started to clog up with nothing but fluster, unable to listen to whatever you and the others were talking about.

following this situation, daniel had promptly started avoiding you, which made you slightly confused, though you paid no mind. maybe something happened again, you’d think, as you walk around hogsmeade with lottie and ivy.

the third time he found himself kicking his feet like a highschooler in love was in his dorm bed during the sixth year.

daniel eventually learned the hard way that avoiding and evading situations where you’d be in was unavoidable, and eventually started to try be less obvious about his feelings for you. hopefully, you didn’t know. the last he would want is for your friendship to sever due to his feelings.

daniel was waiting in one of the cafes at hogsmeade as he waited for your arrival. you arrive, cheeks rosy and warm due to the cold of the winter, wrapped up and cosy in your overcoat, scarf and hat. you looked adorable in daniel’s eyes, and he didn’t know that he was staring until you waved your gloved hands in front of him.

he looks at the menu with you, skimming through the assortment of drinks and desserts listed.

as you both order, you both start talking about school, until you decide to start another of your corny pick up lines.

“hey, daniel, you know what’s on the menu?” you ask, trying your best not to pop out a smile.

the boy nods, “yeah, drinks and sorts?”

“no, no, it’s me ‘n’ you~” you reply, with an arch tone laced into your voice. daniel’s eyes blow wide open, ears burning once more as he stares at you dumbfounded, taking some time to understand your words.

once it processes, daniel starts to malfunction slightly as he slams his head on the table, causing some looks from the other booths. you jump slightly, startled, but pat his head as you chuckle.

“really, daniel? your reactions are just too cute!” you coo. your words turn daniel into mush, as he leans into your hand. he wishes you also like him back, as he presses his head into his arms more in bashfulness.

once the two of you headed back to hogwarts, he was nearly screaming into his pillow that night as he kicks his feet, reminiscing your actions and words again and again, repeat in his mind.

the fourth time he know he’s fallen helplessly in love with you was the seventh year, during the early start.

daniel knows that there isn’t much time, and he wishes to spend as much time with you. you and your friends, including him, know that soon, after graduation, you all will part ways, contacts rare as you all live your own individual lives.

the chocolate eyed boy wishes that time would stop, as he looks at your animated conversation with lottie about a new art museum that opened near your home. his gaze is sewn with love and adoration as his eyes trace the side of your face, the outlines and your joyful expression.

ivy, robyn and kevin look at daniel with a deadpan stare as they look at each other with a knowing look.

what the four– including lottie– knew was how you’d stare at daniel the same when he’d be brewing potions in the small potions room that he was practically living in, (e/c) eyes reflecting the small flame under the cauldron as you’d admire his focused expression.

they knew the both of you were hopelessly in love with each other, and they did not want the two of you to part ways without a proper ending.

the four arrange a group study meeting in the library, only for them to not appear as you and daniel stare awkwardly at each other, waiting for lottie, ivy, robyn and kevin.

“maybe they bailed? it’s been well over half an hour…” you mutter, as you set your bag down on the floor, gesturing daniel to sit to the opposite of you.

he complies, pulling the chair to accommodate himself as he sets some books down on the wooden table.

moments of silence pass as you look up towards the boy, his coppery coloured hair complementing his face swishes around slightly as his eyes and head move around to search for information.

“daniel?”

he looks up at you, tilting his head as you smile slightly.

“you know, i’m studying to be a historian, because i’m quite interested into finding a date…”

daniel blinks for a few seconds, face bursting into a bright red, as he stares at you once again in stupor, mouth opening and closing as he attempts to find the right words to come back at your cheesy pick up line. his attempts fail as he deflates into his chair, head sinking down into his hands as he cools his face down.

you chuckle in amusement as you put your books into your bag, doing the same to the flushed boy’s, giving out his bag to him as you stand to his right, scanning his flustered features on his face.

daniel stands up soon after, taking his bag from your hands as he looks away from your smug face, speedwalking from you towards the exit, as you run towards him in mirth, your chuckles reaching his red ears.

the fifth and last time he knows he needs to confess is in christmas, during your seventh year, the last year in hogwarts.

his hands are clammy and shaking, once again in the cafe at hogsmeade, awaiting your arrival. christmas songs are ringing in the streets, as children skip around in merry joy with the songs as the adults walk around, smiles donning their faces.

the bell of the cafe rings as you enter the cafe, sliding into daniel’s booth, smiling as you dust some of the snow off of your shoulders. daniel thinks you look adorable as ever, as he pushes your favourite drink towards you as he sips on his. you look at him with glee as you take the warm beverage with appreciation, smiling as you enjoy the taste.

“(y/n)?” he calls out to you, as you look at him with curiosity. daniel continues, a small smile playing on his features.

“they say nothing lasts forever—so would you be my nothing?”

daniel thinks he did a good job in hiding his nervousness as he looks towards the window, unable to wait for your reaction.

from the peripheral vision of his eyes, he sees your face flare up, ears warm as your eyes stare at him in fluster.

ah, success… he thinks, as he looks at you with the same coy smile of yours, as he gestures for you to come closer. you comply, unable to retort another pick up line back.

“so, would you be the final piece of my life?” he whispers in your ear. daniel hopes that you reciprocate his feelings back, as he looks at you expectantly.

you nod, as you hide your face in your scarf as you collapse into your seat, thoughts running in your mind as you malfunction, unable to connect comprehensible words.

daniel chuckles as he reaches over to pat the top of your head in endearment.

at least he isn’t the only one with adorable reactions.

#hpma x reader #hpma #daniel page x reader #daniel page

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perhaps-in-anotherdream · 9 months

Text

[CN] Victor’s Nostalgic Memories Date (Eng Translation)

“You’re my first.”

“You’re my first, too.”

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 旧忆之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

─

【Subbed Video】

[Heads-up]: Read the transcript for reading, but PLEASE DO WATCH THE VIDEO!! THE BGMS, THE VOICE ACTING, EVERYTHING!! (also, yes, I’ve made my real-time reactions 🤪)

youtube

───────

【Transcript Version】

【Chapter 1】

Not long ago, Victor received a commemorative book.

The sender is his alma mater, Loveland Central Elementary School, which is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The book is filled with old photos of his school. With unending excitement, I relentlessly search for that familiar figure among them.

Little Victor holding up his award certificates with a composed demeanor, hoisting the national flag with aplomb, or standing on the winner’s podium during the sports meet… all these are images of him I haven’t seen before.

MC: Model student, flag-raiser, long-distance running gold medalist… how many more surprises does this man have in store that I still don’t know about?

?? (Victor): What are you muttering to yourself this time?

I look up and find that Victor has entered the bedroom without me noticing.

MC: I can’t help but feel sentimental~ After all, you were that “kid from someone else’s family” when we were little.

–

[Tidbits]: The term MC uses here is “别人家的小孩,” I guess you’ll understand this better if you are an Asian/ of Asian descendance/ have Asian parents LOL; it’s often used to describe how parents spur their own kids into working harder by often mentioning “the other kid” as a role model who usually excels in many aspects~ :> And MC playfully follows this with– he belongs to her/ they’re a family now. So, she can take pride that “the prized boy” is all hers 🤣💕 (aside from the obvious knife about MC being regretful of missing out on each other’s lives, which comes later~ 🥲)

–

Victor: Someone else’s family?

Watching his cool and collected expression as he arches an eyebrow, I cheekily walk up to him.

MC: Hehe, but now you’re mine~

As I notice him smiling slightly, I can’t help but be insatiable and pull him along to join me in flipping through the photo album.

We have just flipped through a few photos of the “Campus Singing Competition” when the person beside me seems to have seen something, causing his pupils to quiver ever so slightly.

Following his gaze, I catch a glimpse of a young kid with dramatic stage makeup, sporting a red dot on the space between his brows.

Before I can take a closer look, the commemorative book in front of me is abruptly snapped shut.

MC: Wait!

Hastily, I clutch his hand down and carefully inspect the photo. There is actually a small caption below it that reads–– “Little Victor, photographed by Dad”

Astounded, I snatch the book and examine it closely–– the child’s solemn expression, with furrowed brows, is unmistakably identical to that of a certain someone I know so well.

I stare at Victor in utter disbelief, while he seems to have already resigned himself and closed his eyes.

MC: Hahahaha–– you’re so cute, hahaha!

Victor: …stop laughing, give me back the book.

MC: Alright, but you have to agree to one condition of mine.

Victor: ...you sure know how to make demands.

MC: Don’t want to agree? Well, then I might just turn you into an emoji pack, huh?

Victor takes a deep breath as if he has reached the limit of his patience. He then takes out his phone, quickly taps on the screen, and holds it to his ear.

Victor: I had planned to bring a certain someone along to visit the school when I’d sign the contract to donate to the school building.

Victor: But since the photos seem enough to satisfy you, I think I’m gonna talk to the school about reducing your title to a colleague.

Hearing his words, I immediately grab his arm, displaying a sincere expression.

MC: Why didn’t you tell me about the building donation before? I’m not laughing anymore, I promise!

He arches an eyebrow and moves his phone a few inches away, as if waiting for me to offer a bigger bargaining chip.

I narrow my eyes and steel myself.

MC: I’ll give you three of my embarrassing childhood photos!

Victor: Deal.

Hearing a muffled chuckle in my ears, I suddenly realize what’s going on. I seize his phone and, sure enough, find that the screen is still locked.

MC: …you’re so childish, Victor!

Despite my reproach, he remains composed and raps my head.

Victor: He who touches ink becomes black, you know?

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 2】

Victor: …wish strips?

An old metal box is gently placed on the table, inside of which is stacked with many pieces of weathered papers, tinged with a yellow hue.

After the completion of the donation contract signing, only three people remain in the empty conference room— the two of us and the principal.

Principal: When I learned that you were coming back, I inquired with your homeroom teacher about anything that might have been left behind from back then, and she really found it.

Even as I try hard to focus my attention on their conversation, an inevitably innate urge drives me to reach out and flip through the wish strips with my fingers, looking for a certain one.

Soon, a weathered piece of paper catches my eyes, with meticulously and neatly penned six letters that form the name “Victor.”

However, before I can reach my hand for it, a large hand with slender fingers lands on top of the paper––

Forced by the seriousness of the atmosphere we are in now, I can do nothing but watch helplessly as Victor nonchalantly slips the note into his pocket.

Victor: If there’s anything else you need help with in the future, please feel free to contact me again.

Principal: Thank you, Little Vic. Despite your remarkable achievements in the outside world, you still haven’t forgotten your alma mater.

–

[Tidbits]: I’m freaking crying, haha–– look at his Principal still calling this grown-ass man “小李 (Xiao Li)” aksdknld– the sheer adoration you can’t let go of despite the admiration a person has achieved from you– 🥺

–

Victor: You’re too kind. On a different note, I wish to take my girlfriend on a tour of the school later. I wonder if it would be convenient?

Principal: Absolutely! You two are welcome to wander around and have a good time.

–

It’s summer vacation, and the campus is absolutely empty.

The continuous symphony of cicadas seems to transport me through countless summers, carrying me to the past that belongs to him.

Hand in hand, we walk beneath the shade of the sycamore tree, retracing the journey captured in old photos, from the faintly plastic-scented crimson athletic track to the library, and eventually arriving at his former classroom.

–

MC: Where would you sit back then?

Seeing him pointing to a seat in the back row, I press against the window frame and peer inside, yearning to glimpse that small figure across the boundaries of time and space.

MC: Do you have any special memory from your elementary school days?

Victor: What do you mean by special?

MC: Copying homework? Not paying attention in class? Or maybe… puppy love?

It seems like he’s heard something that displeased him; a slight frown creeps onto his face, and he gives me a subtle, scrutinizing look.

Victor: [strikes immediately LMFAO] Your elementary school life was this eventful and colorful? It seems like I underestimated you a little.

MC: Of course not; I didn’t do anything of the sort! I’m just simply curious about your school life~

Victor: It was like any regular elementary school student’s life–– attending classes, doing homework after school, and occasionally playing soccer. Nothing out of the ordinary––

Suddenly, the sound of a series of brisk footsteps interrupts his words. Before long, two kids carrying backpacks appear at the far end of our sight.

Little Boy: Did you check? If you forget to bring your homework again, I won’t come with you next time.

Little Girl: I’ve really brought it this time! Where should we go to do our homework today?

Little Boy: The library.

Little Girl: But we need to stay quiet in the library, and I won’t be able to talk with you there.

Little Boy: …let’s go to the burger joint then.

Watching their departing figures from behind, I tug at the corner of Victor’s clothes.

MC: Have you ever done homework together with other kids?

Victor: Might have done some group assignments at some point.

MC: With you sitting next to them, their study efficiency must have gotten a massive boost. I’m really envious of those classmates who had the chance to do homework with you…

Hearing me say this, Victor’s face takes on a curious and contemplative expression.

Victor: Don’t be envious. I’ve got an idea.

MC: What do you have in mind?

Victor: It just so happens that I have to work tonight. You can bring in your unfinished proposal, and we can “do homework” together.

MC: …I’ll pass. Even a dummy can tell the difference between a friendly invitation and being supervised by a capitalist.

As we are talking, I see the kids from earlier run out of the convenience store in front of the school gate.

With delight on their faces, they share a pack of crisp instant noodles. The savory and crispy aroma from afar feels as if it reaches the tip of my teeth as well.

Just like me, Victor turns his head toward the source of the noise. Upon seeing his reaction, I immediately reach out and take his hand.

MC: Wanna go to the convenience store? It’s my treat!

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 3】

The store is not big, but it boasts a diverse selection of snacks arranged on the shelves.

However, my eyes are drawn to a seemingly ordinary pack of candy tucked away in the corner. Memories of my elementary school days rush back, when this candy was all the rage for playing pranks, and I also couldn’t resist tasting it once myself––

Even at this very moment, the fast secretion of saliva in my mouth is a vivid reminder of its “special” flavor.

Filled with curiosity, I pick up the candy and shake it at Victor.

MC: This candy used to be so popular back in the day. Have you ever tried it?

Victor: Nope, I haven’t.

MC: Your childhood is missing just a little something, then.

Victor: If being a glutton is your yardstick, you probably had the most complete childhood in the whole world.

Listening to his playful banter, I silently make up my mind to tease him a little. I grab the candy and settle the bill.

Just imagining the look on his face when he tastes the sourness makes me involuntarily curl my lips into a smile. However, realizing that his gaze is fixed on my face, I hasten to temper my smile.

MC: Victor, may I fill in the missing pieces of your childhood?

Victor: No need.

Ignoring his attempt to decline with a shake of his head, I affectionately bring a candy close to his lips.

MC: Come on, give me some face! I never asked any boy students out for snacks back when I was in school. You’re my first.

Upon hearing my words, his motions pause momentarily, and he stares at me fixedly with downcast eyes.

Just when I think he’s going to reject me again, he softly lets his lips part, lowers his head, and eats the candy from my hand.

I instantly widen my eyes, not wanting to miss any nuance of his expression. But all I see him is chewing the candy nonchalantly without any changes in his demeanor.

This isn’t right… could they have changed the recipe? Puzzled, I pop a candy into my mouth, but as soon as it touches my tongue, I grimace from the sourness.

MC: Sss! So sour!

Victor seems to can’t hold back and bursts into laughter.

Victor: Mmm, it’s indeed sour.

MC: You did that on purpose!

As my indignant glare meets his eyes, he arches an eyebrow in response.

Victor: You sure have a talent for turning the tables. But speaking of doing it on purpose—

Victor: Back when I was in school, I never teased or played with any girl students, either. You’re my first, too.

The candy in my mouth still gives rise to an unending stream of sourness, yet I can distinctly taste a sweet flavor.

Victor: So happy that you’re in a silly daze?

Upon hearing his teasing, I realize I’ve been rooted to the spot and giggling like a silly person this whole time. I quickly pretend to be composed and divert the topic.

MC: I was thinking that we visited all the locations where each of the old photos was taken, except for one that slipped through the cracks!

MC: Where was that adorable picture of you with the red dot between your brows taken?

Victor: Why do you always apply your surplus obsession in places where it’s not necessary?

MC: Humph, it took me so much effort to get you to bring me here. Even if I have to dig the school three feet deep today, I’ll definitely find it!

Seeing me steadfastly staring at him, he lets out a sigh and helplessly takes my hand.

Victor: My alma mater had to spend so much effort to reach the lifespan of a hundred years. I’m not letting it be dug up by you.

—

We’re obviously supposed to be searching for the location of the photo. However, Victor brings me back to his old family home, which is currently empty.

Before I can even ask anything, my gaze is captivated by a rather extravagant box of jewelry on the foyer table.

As I let out a small gasp of surprise, Victor also glances over, and his expression turns somewhat speechless.

Victor: Aunt Grace purchased these during her trip abroad. She said you might get tired of seeing me in formal attire, so I should occasionally change things up…

MC: Pfftt! Why didn’t she just send them to you directly?

Victor: Because I declined. She probably planned to take a roundabout approach and ask my dad for help.

MC: Well, that works out perfectly. There’s no need to bother Uncle.

I “obligingly” pat my chest as an expression of “taking responsibility” and put the ornaments in my bag.

MC: But you didn’t especially bring me here just to pick this up, right?

Victor shoots me a wordless glance and then points toward the flower house ahead.

–

Victor: Not just the head is slow, the eyes are slow too.

MC: Hey, you meanie…

After a few seconds, I’m suddenly taken aback, my eyes widening. I pull out the photo from the commemorative book and compare it to the flower house before my eyes. To my surprise, it turns out to be exactly the same.

MC: This photo was actually taken at home?

Victor: After I came back from the performance, the teacher notified us that we needed to take a photo.

MC: But I thought you would remove your makeup right after the performance!

Victor: You’re right. I did wipe it off as soon as I got off the stage. But my dad deliberately used a red seal ink paste to reapply that dot.

Seeing the awkward look on his face, I can’t resist the urge to tease him and fish out the lipstick from my bag.

MC: How is it fair if you just make do with a red seal ink paste? Since the other kids have it on, you should too.

Victor: …I should not have told you.

He firmly grasps my unruly hand, but I use my left hand to snatch the lipstick and persistently keep inching closer to him. At this point, I’m practically draped onto his body.

Just as the lipstick is about to touch his forehead, he suddenly looks behind me.

Victor: Dad, you’re back.

I jump off him in a panic, and with my eyes closed, I immediately bow towards the entrance.

MC: Hello, Uncle!

After waiting for quite a considerable amount of time without any response, I’m beginning to feel slightly puzzled when I hear a soft chuckle from above me.

Victor: Turns out that there are still ways to restrain a certain someone’s out-of-control unruliness.

I raise my head and see that there is no one at the entrance.

Seeing the smirk of triumph in his eyes, I let out a “humph” and decide to turn the tables against him. At this moment, I coincidentally spot the wish strip peeking out from his pocket because of our earlier playful fooling around.

But he’s guessed my intentions, and almost simultaneously, he presses his fingertips on the slip of paper along with me. This results in a brief standoff as neither of us releases our hold.

The silent confrontation lasts for a few seconds until I pout, and that’s when I hear him let out a resigned sigh of compromise. I finally have my wish fulfilled and get my hands on his wish strip.

The paper has already yellowed and become brittle, but the carefully and neatly written words haven’t faded even a bit during the overlong passage of time––

“I want to grow up fast so that I can find her.”

Caught off guard by intruding into the “secret” of his past, I somehow feel a mixture of indescribable emotions flooding my heart.

How come he never mentioned to me that he had such a wish before? I can’t help but lift my eyes to look into his.

And he stares at me for a long, long time, as if he too wants to glean something from my expression. His lips twitch, but he doesn’t utter a single word even after a long time passes by.

Seeing him hesitate like this, I decide to be the one to break the silence first.

MC: Haha, I didn’t expect your wish to be so sincere and honest.

MC: But don’t worry, who didn’t have some little secrets in their childhood? I’ll just pretend I didn’t see it!

Victor: Little secret?

He doesn’t seem to have expected me to say this, causing him to evidently be stunned for a moment. But soon, a glint of playfulness sparks in his eyes.

Victor: Well, that’s a shame. I was originally going to share it with you, but since a certain dummy isn’t curious––

Victor: I guess I’ll just have to leave it be.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 4】

He has really done what he said, not uttering a single word of explanation.

He even seems to be in high spirits as he grabs a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet, as if he does not feel my indignant glare fixed on him at all.

Victor: Let’s celebrate together.

MC: Celebrate what?

Victor: I’m really lucky; my wish has come true.

With a hint of tenderness crested between his eyebrows and in his eyes, he uncorks the wine bottle. “Pop”–– the celebration begins, but I feel as if it’s my heart that has begun to deflate.

I push down the bitter feelings in my heart and take a sip of my drink.

MC: Congratulations to you, then.

Victor: Why does this “congratulations” sound a bit like you’re saying it against your will?

Being relentlessly pressed by his step-by-step advances while he is greatly amused, I suddenly feel a mix of embarrassment and anger soaring into my chest.

MC: How should I congratulate you then? Do you want me to take a photo of you for comparison to prove that you’ve grown up properly, just as you wished?

Victor: Sure, how do you plan to take the photo for me?

Originally, it was just an impulsive remark I made out of anger. But his reply suddenly causes me to choke, rendering me momentarily speechless. I can’t help but feel a little itch in my teeth.

However, upon glancing at the extravagant jewelry box in my bag, I narrow my eyes.

The next second, I push him onto the couch and start “hanging” all the jewelry on him without even asking him.

Victor: …are you decorating a Christmas tree?

MC: Since we are taking new photos in the once familiar place, you naturally have to dress up enough like an adult to give them the true value of commemoration.

However, I gradually realize that the ornaments on him don’t look over the top at all; instead, they make him look even more exquisite.

Seeing this, I wickedly pull open a section of his collar, exposing a large expanse of sculpted muscles that charges into my eyes. I can’t help but gulp at the sight.

Victor: Is this how a certain dummy defines an adult?

MC: Why? Can’t I do this?

Hearing his soft chuckle, I huff in anger as I mutter under my breath.

The next second, my wrist is clasped in place, and I find myself falling into his arms. That familiar scent of his hems me tightly.

Victor: Of course you can. But I think there’s still a bit of room for enhancement.

His warm breath grazes my ear now and then, making my heartbeat accelerate involuntarily.

Realizing that my chance to counterattack is slipping through the cracks, I inwardly compose myself and tilt my head slightly, forcefully suppressing my racing heartbeat.

Aiming my gaze at the lipstick on the table, I immediately come up with a plan.

MC: You’re absolutely right; there’s still room for enhancement. It was my bad. I still need to mark you like an adult––

I grab the lipstick and apply several thick coats on my lips, then seal it with a big kiss on his cheek.

The corners of his lips twitch slightly, seemingly evident that he didn’t anticipate my move at all. After a brief moment, he just casually leans back against the couch.

Victor: Have you finished all your preparations for taking the photo?

Looking at his face painted with the mark of my kiss, I nod in satisfaction.

He raises an eyebrow at my reaction, then pulls me closer to him once again.

Victor: Now it’s my turn.

Victor: Photos that hold the true value of commemoration should be taken alongside the witness testimony who made my wish come true.

MC: Witness testimony? Me?

Victor: Is there a third person here?

Victor rubs his temples helplessly, but the smile hanging at the edge of his lips seems to validate the daring conjecture harbored in the depths of my heart.

MC: The “her” you wrote about in your wish strip… it’s me?

Victor: You dummy, who else could it possibly be except you?

Without a moment’s hesitation, he admits it candidly.

In this instant, my heart feels as if it has been drenched.

The mottled wish strip in front of me is akin to the tip of an iceberg I have somehow peered into. It reminds me that in places I’ve never seen, millions of emotions lie buried that I still don’t know about and have yet to fathom.

And those deep eyes of his, which have been fixed on me all along, are so honest and sincere without the slightest concealment, make me surer than ever that––

The impact of our childhood encounter, the bond that forged our destinies together, perhaps runs much deeper than I had ever imagined it to be possible.

It turns out that I have already had my place in his past long ago.

By the time I speak again, my tone has already become joyful.

MC: Ah–– it turns out I had already become your heart’s desire so, so early on. I must have had quite the charm back when I was little, huh~

Victor: …I really underestimated how thick-skinned you can be.

He laughs involuntarily and watches me quietly for a while. The light in his gaze becomes even deeper and more earnest.

Victor: But MC, when I say “I’m lucky,” it’s not because I found the little girl from my past.

Victor: It’s because of the fortunate circumstance–– that little girl turned out to be you.

I instinctively find myself rooted to the spot, feeling a tingling itch sprouting in my heart, as if a wobbly little flower has blossomed within me.

It’s not until he takes hold of my hand that I finally snap out of it. Accompanied by the silky smooth touch of his fingertips, an English word takes form on the glass wall of the flower room –– Morii.

MC: What does it mean?

He lowers his gaze to look at me, his eyes seemingly concealing a subtle smile.

Victor: Originally, for me, those past days were nothing but ordinary moments, days that I would never want to look back on.

Victor: But the moment you stepped inside and looked around, those old times suddenly came to life again.

Victor: Perhaps it’s the gift of a certain dummy; you’ve always made me want to keep holding onto these moments that exist because of you.

His gentle voice is reminiscent of a feather landing in my heart, creating concentric ripples of waves.

I find myself unable to contain my giggle and lean in closer to him.

MC: Then let’s keep holding onto it.

He is slightly stumped for a moment but soon understands the meaning of my words and turns on the camera, aiming it at us. From beginning to end, those eyes of his gazing at me have held a perpetual interplay of tender and fervent glimmers.

Lifting myself up on my toes, I approach the figure that is also drawing closer to me.

Two throbbing hearts appear to have traversed the confines of endless dusty time, seeking solace in each other’s arms time and time again.

Right at this moment, the flash of the camera lights up.

────────

[Tidbits]: Didn’t wanna break the immersion, so kept it for the last here. The word Victor led MC to write together, i.e., “Morii” means the “desire to capture a fleeting moment that cannot be retained.” It’s basically the ephemeral nature of life, the reminder of everything inevitable. It’s like a time in which you expect the least, a time in which that moment spontaneously confronts you, but there is nothing you can do to preserve it— and the desire to do all you can to keep that moment to yourself is “Morii.” And if you know Victor and Victor x MC’s story, I’m sure you understand why it’s so important that they wrote it together, or rather MC instinctively followed his strokes without asking why— (இ﹏இ`｡)❤️

—

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

[Anika’s Long Analysis & Ramblings]

───

#SCREAMING INTO MY HANDS EVEN NOW. PEOPLE READ THIS DATE WATCH THE VIDEO READ THIS DATE WATCH THE VIDEO AJSJDJDHF #also analysis + rambling word count: twelve hundred plus 🤗🫠#AKSHDHDJFHJ I JUST — WEEPING SCREAMING THROWING HANDS I LOVE HIM SO FCKING MUCH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH AJDHDGHHDH #mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mlqc #mr love victor #mr love queen's choice #李泽言 #恋与制作人 #love and producer #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc translations

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spinningwebsandtales · 11 months

Text

Imagine Getting Flustered At Dante’s Flirting

Dante X FemReader

Rating: T

Warnings: Super bad pickup lines (seriously so bad they’re terrible), Dante has no shame, suggestive themes, and violence

Word Count: 846

(A/N:) I’ve had this idea in my drafts for awhile and I am so happy to finally getting around to writing it! I researched cheesy pickup lines and chose the ones I thought sounded the most like what Dante would say. Oh my gosh the cringe. It made me laugh though. Hopefully my fellow Dante fangirls will find this cringey funny as well! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

There was two things that you never wanted to happen when going on missions with Dante, that was bodily injury or Dante getting bored. And right now the latter was happening and you were suffering for it. This mission had started out rough but had cooled off quickly as it had now become a waiting game. You were stuck in close quarters with Dante and he was becoming relentlessly annoying. He liked the pass the time by annoying you majority of the time. But this time he decided to go a different route and embarrass you enough that it would leave you flustered the majority of the day.

The cramped quarters had him leaning over you, his hot breath causing you to tremble as the hair that had escaped your ponytail brushed your neck. Dante knew the affect he had on you and he smirked to himself. Before puffing an extra hot breath that had you jumping back a little bit. Your body pressed against his gave him an idea as he wrapped an arm around your waist and drew you even closer against him.

“I would take you to the movies after this,” he purred and you glanced back only to see unfettered glee. “But they won’t let you bring in your own snacks.”

You groaned trying to worm away, which only made his grip tighten. Your cheeks were beginning to burn and there may have been a twinge of a headache threatening your skull. But your disgust was only pushing him onward.

“Babe,” Dante cooed, placing his mouth right at your ear to breathlessly whisper. “If you were a Transformer, you’d be Optimus Fine.”

“Oh come on Dante,” you groaned trying harder to get away. “I like Optimus Prime don’t ruin Transformers for me.”

“Are you telling me that I have competition with a giant robot?”

“Keep telling me horrible pickup lines and you won’t have to worry about competition, cause I will bury you,” you snarled.

Dante eased off for a little while, letting you keep an eye out for the devil you were both pursuing. But once again he grew bored. He started with stroking the bare skin on your arm. Lovingly tracing your calloused digits before tangling his fingers with yours. You didn’t mind this part of him, you actually thought he could be quite sweet when he wasn’t being obnoxious. You sucked in a breath when he brought your hand to his chest, the hair on his chest tickling your skin. He had another cocky grin on his lips as you tried to tug away.

“It’s okay I just want you to feel my shirt,” Dante purred pulling you roughly where you fell against him. “It’s made of husband material.”

“Oh my gosh please stop!”

“Your middle name must be Gillette baby,” he paused kissing the tip of your nose. “Because you’re the best a man can get.”

“Nooo,” you groaned. “You don’t even shave you idiot!”

“I would for you,” he answered.

You glared, “No you wouldn’t. Can you just please focus on the mission instead of goofing around?!”

“I’m beginning to think you’re a bank loan sweetheart...”

You were seriously contemplating punching him in the mouth. Unfortunately it would just hurt your hand and it wouldn’t take him long to heal up and be back up to blathering away and telling you horrible pickup lines.

“Cause you have all my interest,” Dante finished.

Before you could say anything, your saving grace finally emerged from the shadows. You wordlessly tore from Dante’s grip and jumped from the window. Immediately Dante followed, entering the fray and fighting by your side. He was surprisingly quiet while you both battled. He must have figured out you had had enough of his foolishness for the moment. When you were fighting, if he wasn’t careful you had no qualms about putting a knife in him by “accident”. With the devil dispatched and Redgrave safe once more, Dante took you both back home. You had never been so happy to see the Devil May Cry office.

You tugged your boots off, chucking them by the front door and unstrapping your weapons. With the weight gone, you felt so much more comfortable. You stretched and yawned, thinking about taking a shower when Dante stepped at your side.

“I’m in the mood for pizza,” he said and you deflated happy that it wasn’t another pickup line.

When he grasped your wrist tightly, you jerked looking up to find him grinning once again. You tried escaping but he quickly swept you off your feet into his arms.

“A pizza you that is,” he laughed as you struggled to free yourself.

“I freaking hate you and your stupid pickup lines,” you screeched trying to fight the blush that refused to go away. Dante kissed you gently on the lips, carrying you to the back of the building. He wanted to make it up to you as you really put up with a lot. He mostly liked seeing you so flustered, so he didn’t plan on quitting now or ever.

#Dante X Reader #Dante / Reader #Dante #DMC #Devil May Cry #Dante Imagine #DMC Imagine #Imagine #Not My Gif #My Writing

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fandom-go-round · 5 months

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Hi, bebe! I would love a thing on how each of the magic-using bg3 party members feel when they're channeling their different kinds of magic through their bodies to cast it, both physically and emotionally--i.e. druidic magic and channeling nature for Halsin, Shadowheart and her divine casting, Wyll and the power he draws from his Patron, Gale and what it's like for him to manipulate the Weave. One thing I'd love to see with Shadowheart in particular is the ways in which it feels different for her to channel divinity from different goddesses as her relationship to the divine changes. Thank you so much!

Warnings: Act 2 Spoilers, Act 3 Spoilers, Shadowheart Quest Spoilers, Gale Quest Spoilers, Halsin Quest Spoilers, Wyll Quest Spoilers, Magic Talk, Implied Self Image Issues, Relationship Issues (Gale)

Halsin:

His magic feels like a warm breeze, grass between your toes, laying in a sun patch. Casting druid magic always feels like the earth is responding, reaching out to the call. It’s one of the reasons Halsin loves being a druid so much. Nothing makes you feel connected to life than the world responding to your pull. It’s more complicated than that of course and the type of spell also means a lot. Healing magic is like warm water, rolling across wounds. It can cause people to jump in surprise if they’re used to divine healing magic which is more of a ‘sinking into the skin’ sensation.

Being in the shadow cursed lands makes everything hard. Summoning the power of the land is nearly impossible so it pulls more from the caster. Halsin focuses mostly on changing shape than complicated spells; it feels like spell slots go twice as fast. He has to admire the other druids who make it look easy. Part of his issue is that he’s distracted by Thaniel; with so much to focus on, magic is hard to come by.

Baldur’s Gate is easier and harder at the same time. It’s easy to find life in the city but only humanoid life. There are patches of plant life here and then but it’s a weak cry to the forests he’s been living in the last hundred years. Halsin finds it jarring to be around as so many people and longs for more open spaces. He takes small pleasures in warm bathes and interesting food but it can feel hollow. He’ll never say it but he enjoys breaking the cobblestones with his spells when he has to fight, letting nature push its way through. He’s not going to tear the city down but he knows that he can’t stay permanently. The sooner her can feel grass between his toes, the better.

Shadowheart:

Shar’s magic feels like a crisp breeze; it can feel jarring but also makes her feel more alert. Little the first nipping of winter on her cheeks. A pinch on the cheek from a teasing relative. The cold keeps her alert on a normal day. The magic makes her numb eventually; after a long day Shadowheart feels like she’ll never get warm again. She does find it comforting and to feel close to her Lady is something that she wants every day.

After she renounces Lady Shar, magic feels empty. It’s almost worse than the cold sinking into her bones. The feeling of going to call for a spell and simply feeling void; it would be funny if it wasn’t so cruel. There is a god that answers (she can still cast magic) but she tries not to think about it too much; she’s not ready to commit herself to another god yet. It makes it hard to be a cleric and she’s in pain on two fronts; losing her god and also her purpose.

Where Shar’s magic was cool, Selune’s is warm. The first time she feels the connection Shadowheart doesn’t finish the spell, the surge of warmth making her panic. To feel safe and warm makes her want to cry but she pushes through, healing Karlach so fast most don’t even notice her hesitation. Warm hands cupping her cheeks, a hand on her shoulder. She’s in awe that worshipping can feel this good and has to sit with that. Devoting herself feels easy when it’s like standing in the sun.

Wyll:

Wyll’s magic always has a heat to it. Even if it’s an ice spell, his fingers tingle like being held too close to the fire. It makes sense, he figures, since his powers do come from a devil. He was never someone who thought he would wield magic but the longer he has the powers, the more he enjoys it. They give him the power to protect people and what he loves. How can you not appreciate them, even when he’s on the edge of falling in deeper?

The issue is that the magic changes, over time. The first few years it’s a warm tingle and now, after seven, the flames are licking up his arms. Wyll feels tired after he casts a spell, even as he’s able to cast more spells. It feels like the magic is an inferno and could swallow him whole. It’s a blessing when he first gets the tadpole, it blocks some of the heat and makes it easier to think. It’s during this period he realizes the truth; the magic is wearing on him. Physically and mentally.

Wyll has to decide if he’s going to keep the magic or try to get out of his deal. His Infernal powers are addicting in the best and worst ways, like stretching a muscle and feeling the burn. He wants the power to save people and he does a damn good job at it. If he loses his magic, then what? Wyll knows he’ll still be a hero but if he can save more people… it’s not something that he’ll decide just yet but it weighs on his mind the entire journey.

Gale:

The Weave is something that Gale can’t live without. It’s one of the constants in his life and tapping into it is almost as easy as breathing. Sometimes it’s easier. When he was with Mystra it felt like every time he cast a spell he could smell her, feel her all around him. A comforting embrace that shielded him from the outside world. If he felt lonely with her, it was worth it to feel wonderful doing magic. To push himself deeper and deeper into study so that he could feel good again. Was it healthy? Maybe not. And that’s a hard pill to swallow, even years later. But in the moment, it felt like everything he ever wanted.

After her has the orb, magic feels like a vice. The comforting hand turns into a clenched fist and Gale has to stumble through learning to cast even minor spells. It’s like wading through mud in the dark; he’s lost and the Weave threatens to consume him entirely. The first few times he pleads with his goddess to set him free, to help ease the burden but she doesn’t reply. Eventually, he learns how to navigate these new feelings. The sensation of being swallowed turns more into water lapping at his ankles, cold and icy.

The Weave will never feel the same way again and Gale accepts that. After the crown, after the tadpole, he’s happy to be able to touch magic and not feel pain. It’s not longer a lover’s embrace anymore and he needs that, to heal. It’s still warm, still comforting but more like a pair of gloves than entangled bodies. He has a lot of feelings about Mystra but he does still respect her and he’s glad that she respects him. The Weave makes him feel whole and it’s not something he’s going to take advantage of again.

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seiya-starsniper · 3 months

Note

Uh, if you do want *another* prompt to get you to 200k (I know I already sent one) number 28 from the Smutty fic list is just sooo Hobrinthian. Just saying. ;)

28. A puts a blade by B's throat, be it seriously or as a joke/teasing. B's reaction is…enthusiastic || AO3 Link Here

SPOFSDOKFS the best part about this is that I am always writing some variation of this prompt for this ship. And I love that get to do it again for my birthday celebration 💖💖 hope you enjoy friend!!!

-----------------------------------------------

“I am searching for some wayward creations of mine,” Dream tells Hob late in the evening of their reunion meeting. “They departed for your world when I was captured, and I worry they are causing irreparable damage.”

Hob nods solemnly, taking another sip from his near empty pint of beer. He waves a server down to refill their drinks, and Dream accepts his refilled glass of wine graciously. It is the first time Hob has ever seen him actually consume whatever was put in front of him. His friend must be under a lot of stress indeed.

“Anything I can do to help?” he asks. “Not sure I know how to identify a dream or a nightmare, but I’ve been around a while. Just tell me what to look for, yeah?”

Dream considers the offer, then begins to tell Hob about his missing Arcana.

-----------------------------------------------

After a few phone calls, a twelve hour flight, and nearly three weeks of following a trail of bodies, Hob finds himself face to face with the last of Dream’s missing creations.

Well, technically they’re face to face. If one ignored the fact that Hob’s mouth was currently pressed up against the Corinthian’s.

Hob had tracked the Nightmare to a gay nightclub in the Southern region of the United States, figuring out relatively quickly that the Nightmare had a type. He had, at first, thought the Corinthian had held some sort of prejudice, but when he stepped in to stop the Nightmare mid-murder, Hob realized very quickly that the blond just liked to play with his food.

Hob, of course, had gotten stabbed first in the abdomen, and then in the thigh for all his troubles, and somewhere in the scuffle he’d knocked the Nightmare’s glasses off his face and smashed them under his foot. When the Corinthian realized that Hob wasn’t surprised by the look of him, and that he wouldn’t die from something as simple as a stab wound, the blond had taken a decidedly different interest in him.

It's not quite a kiss between them, it's more teeth (and there are so many teeth) than tongue, and there is nothing gentle about the way Hob slams the blond into the brick wall behind him. He can feel the cool steel of a second knife at his throat, which only makes Hob's blood run hotter. The first one is still buried in his thigh, the pain long forgotten in favor of Hob’s rapidly hardening cock.

“You’re not like the others,” the Corinthian growls into his mouth. His teeth bite down hard on Hob’s bottom lip, drawing blood, and Hob hisses before he slams the blond’s back harder into the wall. “You’re something older, something that can’t die.”

“Bingo, darling,” Hob pants, before he bites down on the Nightmare’s neck and runs his tongue along the same strip of skin. “Your creator’s been looking for you. You’ve been a bad boy over here in the States.”

“You can tell Dream to fuck right off,” the Corinthian snarls, pushing back against Hob’s body, but not quite pushing the immortal off. Hob knows the blond could propel him across to the other side of the alleyway if he really wanted, he’s only human after all, and the beautiful beast in his arms is so much more than that. Hob laughs as he feels the blade against his neck draw blood. He’s surprised he isn’t dizzy from the blood loss yet.

“Can’t do that pet,” Hob purrs as he moves a hand down to the Corinthian’s trousers, still unbuttoned from his previous encounter before Hob arrived. The blond is just as hard as he is, and Hob wants to kneel at the Nightmare’s feet and get his mouth on his cock. Probably not the greatest idea given the circumstances. “You need to go back to where you came from. Would it help if I said please?”

“I'm. Not. Ahhhh,” the Corinthian moans as Hob’s hand wraps around his cock. It’s a good size, thick and heavy in his palm. “Going back,” the nightmare finishes. His hips are thrusting into Hob’s hand now, and Hob chuckles at the eagerness.

“You sure I can't convince you?” Hob whispers into his ear, squeezing just hard enough to wring out another breathless moan. Hob ruts his own still covered cock against the Nightmare’s thigh. “I’m sure I could ask for leniency if you’re a good boy for me.”

“No fucking shot,” the Corinthian says, grinning ferally from all three of his mouths. Hob grins back with all of his teeth.

“Didn’t think so,” he replies, before he does something bold and kisses one of the Corinthian’s eye mouths. The Nightmare gasps and goes rigid beneath him. Hob worries for a brief second that he’s gravely misstepped, but then the tiny mouth opens up to him and purrs.

Hob comes in his pants. It doesn’t take long before he’s able to finish stroking the Corinthian to completion, and then they’re quiet for a few moments, breathing heavily, the air thick with the stench of blood and sweat and sex.

Then a thumb is pressed into Hob's eye-socket, and he screams as the Corinthian slashes his throat too fast for Hob to react. The Nightmare then yanks his other knife out of Hob’s thigh and stabs him again and again and again. Hob’s vision goes dark as his body finally gives into the blood loss and exhaustion.

Hob wakes up some unknown amount of time later in the alleyway of the nightclub, bloodied and with one eye missing. He curses at himself for his carelessness. The Corinthian could be anywhere by now. Hob really hopes Dream isn’t tracking his progress through dreams because it was going to be bloody difficult to explain to his friend that he decided to fuck instead of catch his most problematic creation.

Then again, Dream hadn’t warned Hob about how attractive the Corinthian was going to be, so really it’s the Endless’s fault that Hob thought with his cock first.

Hob gets a call from a blocked phone number two days later and knows immediately who it is. He hasn’t given the phone number of this burner phone to anyone.

“I know who you are, Hob Gadling,” the Corinthian’s American accent purrs into his phone.

Hob laughs. “Did you enjoy your meal then, darling?” he asks knowing exactly what’s happened to his missing eyeball. His body has already grown back its replacement, and it hurt like a goddamn bitch the entire time.

He hears the Corinthian chuckle on the other line and Hob tries to imagine where the blond is right now, if he’s lazily lying in bed, or calling him from a payphone as he drives off to God knows where.

“I'm going to hunt you down and take the other eye,” the Corinthian promises him. “How long does it take for one of those to grow back for you?”

“Meet me in London and find out?” Hob asks, already knowing the answer.

“I have a better idea,” the Corinthian replies. There's a convention in a few days and wouldn’t you know, I’ve been invited to be the guest of honor.”

“Have you now?” Hob asks, already pulling out a pen and paper. “And what’s this, some sort of serial killer convention?”

“Something like that,” the Corinthian replies, chuckling darkly. “You should come. It'll be a bloody good time.”

#the sandman #sandman fanfic #hobrinthian #hob x corinthian #the corinthian #hob gadling #seiya writes #seiya writes hobrinthian #seiya's birthday prompt fills

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the-daily-spider · 6 months

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what's your favorite species of:

spider

wasp

butterfly

moth

beetle

(bonus points if u include pics for each one)

AHHH AHH AHH OK OK!! This ask actually made me so excited I couldn’t even think about responding for a few moments cause I was stimming so hard. Oh my god. Ok. Wow this is a tough question.

Starting with spiders!!! Ok I KNOW there’s a lot of super cool/crazy/smart/venomous/absolutely buckwild species out there but my favorite is purely sentimental. It’s Tigrosa Georgicola. I see them everywhere where I live and they’re one of the first species I ever picked up. My phone screen is literally a photo of me holding one.

I’ve got a soft spot for wolf spiders anyways cause they purr and carry their babies on their backs and are just so gorgeous and big and amazing but this one especially is so good. One of the most docile species of spider I’ve handled, and their orange banding against their dark brown bodies is just so gorgeous. They’re literally tortoiseshell, what more could you want? And they get SO BIG it’s always such a delight finding one of these guys I love them so much

Next up wasp. Oh man big question. Lots and lots of good options and I am SO fond of paper wasps and mud daubers but I think if I had to pick a favorite it would be Auplopus carbonarius. They’re an absolutely TINY species of spider wasp that I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting once. Adults only get about 3/8” long. They also make little barrels to store food in!! And are great recyclers with their nests, they often take over old beetle burrows!! That’s so cool they’re like little home renovators. Here’s a pic of me holding one

Alright onto butterfly. This one’s a little harder since I’m not super into butterflies, but man there’s still definitely some really cool ones.

My favorite has gotta be Hamadryas feronia, aka the variable cracker. That entire genus is fucking gorgeous though, so shout out to some of the other species like the red cracker, ringless blue cracker, grey cracker, and the velutina cracker. Seriously just look up cracker butterflies. They’re all gorgeous. They also make a really cool cracking noise!! Look it up!!

Ok ok next! favorite moth. This is a REAL close toss-up between clearwing hummingbird moths and buff-tip moths. Vampire moths were also high up on the list, but I think buff-tip moths have to win. Phalera bucephala to be more specific. They’re just so delightful. Their camouflage is SO GOOD they really do look like such perfect little broken pieces of branch. It’s endlessly endearing. AND their caterpillars are such a pretty yellow color. Everything about these guys just makes me smile

Next is beetle!!! Ok I’m a basic bitch on this one sorry, but trilobite beetles have won my heart. I don’t have a specific favorite species within the genus, they’re all just amazing. It’s also really funny to me how big the difference is between males and females. The females retain their larval form as adults, which is already cool enough for any species, but it’s especially wild seeing how these guys’ larval form looks. There’s nothing about these guys that isn’t amazing to me

#beetles #spiders #moths #butterflies #wasps #bugs #THNK YOU FOR THIS ASK #There’s so many cool species I need to talk about #you wanna ask me about my favorite craneflies sooooo bad #seriously these guys are all so lovely tysm for giving me an excuse to show off some cool bugs

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thalassarche · 10 months

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Hey y’all experiencing these heat waves or going places that are way hotter than you’re used to: Check your meds to find out whether anything you’re taking can cause heat sensitivity! This includes: heat intolerance (getting overheated very easily), increased sweat production OR impaired sweat production, increased OR reduced thirst, lethargy, reduced alertness, and increased risk of fainting

A lot of very commonly taken medications can cause heat sensitivity, and a lot of people don’t find out about it until they’re wondering why they’re sweating buckets or feeling exhausted after a short time in the heat. Additionally, some common OTC meds like cold and allergy meds, antibiotics, and NSAIDs can cause photosensitivity, which makes you far more prone to burning in the sun.

[Alt text: Meds That May Cause Heat Sensitivity: Mental Health meds (Prozac, Zoloft, Xanax, Klonopin, Cymbalta, Effexor, Elavil, etc) - ADD/ADHD Stimulants (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, etc) - Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZZZquil) - Blood Pressure (beta blockers, diuretics). This is not an exhaustive list! Please check your own medications, including OTC, for heat-related side effects! Keep hydrated, limit heat exposure, and be safe!] I have to emphasize that the above list is not exhaustive, it presents a handful of examples in a few common categories. Research the meds that you take, especially if they’re similar to any that are listed! If you do take meds that can cause heat sensitivity, be aware that you may have a much harder time handling the heat, and that time spent exposed to high heat puts you at higher risk of developing heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include headache, racing pulse, heavy breathing, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, and light-headedness. If you start to experience these symptoms, get to a cool environment, remove any layers of clothing you can, place cool damp cloths on yourself, take frequent but small sips of water, and monitor your symptoms. If they don’t go away in an hour or they worsen, or you start vomiting, seek medical attention, because they could progress to heat stroke, and that is a life-threatening medical emergency. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. I’m just someone who’s taken many of these meds, some for over a decade, and it wasn’t until I moved to Arizona that a medical professional ever talked to me very specifically about these potential side-effects in a way that made me actually realize I’d been experiencing this. My prescriber is working with me to find some different meds that addresses my needs without making me miserable with side-effects, so if you’re in a similar place, ask what other options there might be for you. Above all, be safe in the heat! Stay hydrated, you need more water than you think, and it’s far better to take frequent small drink!

#heat sensitivity #heat intolerance #medications #idk what to usefully tag this with I just made a post on twitter specifically for folks going to FFXIV FanFest in Las Vegas next week #and I stole my own content to put it here too

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bestworstcase · 1 year

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So...

Fell from the sky into a "crazy world"... trying to get home... trying to get to the tree... tree causes ascension/rebirth/renewal... tree could be considered home... "we just want to go home/to the tree"... they literally need to ascend back to Remnant...

And at the risk of sounding very stupid, is this going to be some "you just gotta believe" magic? Is Ruby's Total Breakdown really holding them all back from getting out? I get that's kind of the narrative point here but still... ugh fuck, I'm just losing it right now.

NO BUT ALSO, YES! BUT ALSO, NO. mostly no but a little yes.

if you’ve never read the books (or watched the musical, which has proven to be a significant creative influence because they wrote this volume for !!!me!!!) the single most important thing you gotta know about wonderland in order to follow along with what rwby’s doing with the ever after, is that wonderland is about taking abstract ideas—metaphors, idioms, the null case, etc—literally and taking concrete things and treating them as absurd. the result is a very particular way of looking at the world. everything is sideways and stretched and turned inside out and also the same. the harder you try to understand it the less sense any of it makes, but it also makes perfect sense if you begin with the assumption that of course it makes sense. it’s very much like a dream.

the ever after nails this way of looking. absolutely knocks it out of the park. everything the cat says is true, but only if you know how to think like the cat. otherwise the words make no sense and obfuscate more than they explain.

for example: ruby asks the cat which of their names they prefer to go by, and the cat answers “oh, i don’t go by; that belongs to the days and years! but if you are asking what i am, i am indeed a cat most curious.” if you listen to that with regular ears it just sounds like the cat is talking cryptic nonsense and refusing to give a straight answer. but! in the cat’s perspective they’re not only being quite clear, they’re giving ruby a lot more information than she asked for: the days and the years go by, but the cat does not, because the cat is a cat most curious.

the cat cannot ascend because it is their purpose to know everything. the cat doesn’t, can’t, partake in the endless cycle of life and rebirth. all afterans change when it’s their time to change, but for the cat it never is and never will be. the days and the years pass them by, and they are always so. very. curious.

you see? they mean precisely what they say.

one of the things that makes 9.8 is SO COOL is that the cat code-switches to reveal their ulterior motive—they repeat all the same information conveyed by “oh, i don’t go by!” but this time speaking in ruby’s (& the audience’s) language. and then, while they do slip back into afteran speech a bit when they get irate (“it’s not a place you go, it’s a place you know!”) for the most part once they’ve made this switch they stick with it. and that’s really fun, because it pulls back the curtain to show off the machinery of the wonderland logic the ever after runs on. it’s not gibberish, it’s nonsense. there’s a kind of sense to it, if you feel around for it with your hands.

(a similar thing happens with the paper pleasers in 9.7: note the purple star explains the village’s desire for ascension in very clear, straightforward, unambiguous terms. now think about how jaune perceives ascension, the lengths he goes to to prevent it, and how the purple star says they keep trying to tell him that he’s wrong. they learned to speak his language and he still refused to listen.)

so, anyway, what this means for the tree and the way out is this:

the cat told them how to find the tree.

“you do not go to the tree.” the tree isn’t real. you can’t go to the tree—you can’t move spatially from point a to point b and expect to arrive at the tree, because it’s not something that exists as a spatial point. it’s something else. it’s an idea. it’s a metaphor. you do not go to me, i go to you; what am i? that’s what the tree is. it’s a riddle without an answer, except for all the answers it has.

“the tree goes to you.” it’s something more like the days or years, which go by; the tree goes to. it doesn’t matter where you are, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. the tree will be wherever you are when you’re there, because the tree isn’t tethered to any one point in space. the tree is everywhere and might be anywhere and certainly it’s always somewhere. (“it’s a place you know.” if you know where the tree is, you’re already there. if you don’t, you’re not. it’s very simple.)

“unless, of course, you’re me. you see?” this is two separate statements intertwined as one. just as the days and the years go by for the cat, the tree never goes to them—they can’t ascend. that’s the first thread. the second thread is a hint. how do you get the tree to be where you are? you need to be “me.” you need to be yourself, you need to know yourself, and you need to want to become yourself. the riddle is “what are you?” and the answer is “myself.”

(<- the you you wanted to be when you were still you.)

and this is exactly what happens when the tree goes to ruby. the first time, when the herbalist asks the question, she comes face-to-face with her younger self and has the shattering realization that she no longer knows who she is. the second time, the tree reaches out to her with the broken pieces that shattering shook loose, and ruby’s answer is “i’m fine. i can handle it.”—not quite an identity, but a belief about herself. and the third time, ruby says “i don’t want to be me anymore,” but then she realizes that isn’t quite true. she resists the cat, as much as she can, and the cat cannot become her. there is—waves hands—something in ruby rose that only ruby rose can be, and with everything else eroded away that something is what the tree goes to when ruby calls out to it by drinking the tea. there’s some narrative exploration happening here of what “myself” can mean, the different angles and layers of identity: the way ruby once saw herself, the stories she tells herself about herself, the essence of who she is deep down inside her heart. and ascension, of course, is about assembling all of these disparate pieces into a completed whole. you break, you rebuild.

BUT.

& this is the important part!

the tree isn’t the way home, it IS home. it is, specifically, the home of the ever after. afterans conceive of ascension as a return home to shed their burdens like an old coat, to rest, to heal, perhaps to dream for a while of what they would like to be next, in order to ready themselves for their return to the waking world. just as you can spend the night in a friend’s home, a non-afteran can rest for a while in the tree and perhaps be revitalized, but the tree isn’t their home. they’re houseguests.

could the tree get them home? open a door? help them find their way? maybe. if they look at it from the right angle, because all of these things can be metaphors for the healing and renewal the tree provides. but maybe not, because their perspective right now is all wrong. they still don’t GET IT. if they want the tree to get them home the first thing they need to know is that the tree can’t get them home: you don’t go home, home goes to you.

(home is where the heart is; it follows that if you find your heart, you’ve found your home—and found you’re home, too. if their path home runs through the tree, it’s a path made of metaphor and verbal sleight of hand. you see? it’s very simple once you get the hang of it.)

(this also, as a sidebar, elucidates why the cat cannot ascend; the tree is not their home anymore than it is rwbyjn’s. the cat is the heart of the ever after—they are the part that knows, the part that very rarely forgets, when they fill broken hearts with pieces of their own what they’re really doing is saying i remember, i remember who you were and are and will be, i remember the pieces you forgot, let me remind you of them now—but the cat’s heart is with their maker. they can’t ascend because they can’t go home and they can’t go home because their home is on remnant and their heart and their home will always be on remnant until they know why she left them here.)

(<- the cat thinks their maker left them to make humans. they don’t know, but the bubbling resentment behind their uncertainty suggests that the cat believes that she left them behind because she liked humans better. they are, accordingly, desperate to become human. finding their way to remnant as a cat wouldn’t do them any good if their maker isn’t interested in them that way anymore; it’s not enough to just find her, they need her to ANSWER THEM.)

…um.

so, the way to get home is to solve all the riddles—what are you looking for? where can you find it? what will you do? what will you be? what are you?—in, i would guess, roughly that order. the act of answering itself is what gets them home, because in the course of answering they will find what they’re looking for as a matter of course, because what they’re looking for really is where their hearts are.

(obligatory musical note: “home is where you keep your hopes and your memories/it’s more than where you sleep, it’s the place where you dream”—the essential mechanism outlined here, of finding your way home by finding where your heart is because wonderland is not about going home, is the central conceit of the musical; and i really cannot stress enough how much 9.8 set up for the next to episodes to resolve by following the same narrative beats. the characters are split up the same way with each group facing the same fundamental challenges in the same general circumstances, and the only piece not yet on the board is the mother-figure who arrives at the penultimate moment to protect alice from the defeated hatter’s wrath. which, um. UM! so, i think it’s a pretty safe bet that the thematic resolution of this volume will resemble that of the musical pretty closely, and the narrative workhorse for that theme is the getting home mechanism.)

the TL;DR here is, getting home is about—well, knowing. to get yourself home, you need to know three things: 1. what are you? 2. what is home? 3. where do you find it?

and once you know that, it’s easy.

ruby having a breakdown isn’t holding them back. (quite the contrary; ruby’s been the one finding the way home this whole time. she doesn’t know it yet, because she can’t see the whole picture, but she’s been the only one doing what she’s really supposed to do all along—letting the world guide her, turning her gaze inward and trying to see. she isn’t seeing clearly, so she thinks she’s falling behind, but really she’s still leading the way. just, in a much different way than she thought she had to.) nothing is holding them back, per se. they just haven’t learned everything they need to learn, and the things they know, they don’t know how to put together yet. once they know, they’ll already be home.

#rwby v9 spoilers

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kasdan · 8 months

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𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟’𝑠 𝐹𝑢𝑟𝑦 {𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝟥}

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a/n: i would like to give a fair warning that i have no idea how tf guns work and tried my best with explaining things the best i could so sorry if things aren’t accurate. i hope you enjoy<3

Summary: you’re finally free but then are taken by a strange man who tells you he’s here to help you.

Pairing: frank castle x reader

Warnings: kidnapping? depending on how you look at it, police bc they are a warning in themselves, blood, ptsd, angst, guns, frank being the baby girl he is

Word count: 3.5k

Chapter song: Hello Cold World by Paramore

I try to get as far away from the crumbling building as possible, but I find it harder than I initially expected. There are even more sirens out of the building, and something loud and spinning above me with a stream of bright light coming out of it.

I feel a cool sensation wash over me as the light comes closer to me, and it moves so fast that I don’t have time to even try to hide from it. I lift my hand over my eyes, attempting to cover them from the brightness. My heart pounds as the light stops right on top of me, my mind racing with possibilities. However, one of the possibilities my mind came up with did not include the light turning away from me and moving behind me.

I’m confused, thinking surely something would have happened when the light saw me. I don’t dwell on it any longer as I quickly make my way in the opposite direction of where the thing went.

I’m breathing heavily, my body greatly fatigued, but I force myself to continue, getting fully out of the facility, which is so close that I have to press on. The closer I get to what I believe to be the edge of the exit to the facility, the more lights I see flashing blue and red. I see a group of people next to the lights and rush behind a small building, where I’m able to pick up part of a conversation.

"We were told an experiment went wrong here, and the building started crumbling down on itself. What kind of an experiment does that shit?" I hear another person answer them, sounding bored.

"I don’t know, but why were we told to secure the permitter for an experiment gone wrong, and what up with the helicopter? Can’t believe I was woken up for this." My eyebrows crease in confusion. Did they not know that I was the experiment? If they’re here, why wouldn’t they be told?

I’m too busy in my head to notice the other voices coming closer to where I am, and it’s too late for me to try to do anything but to press myself up against the building and let out a small gasp.

They stop for a second and look right at me, and I stare back wide-eyed, heart pounding, and I wait for them to grab me, start to yell for the others, draw their weapons at me, anything, but nothing happens. They continue talking and walk right past me, like I’m not even there.

I watch their backs as they walk through the barricade and over to the other side. I’m confused again, as this is the second time tonight that I’ve been glanced over and completely ignored. I don’t understand why people are just walking past me like I’m not even there. Aren’t they supposed to be looking for me? Even if they didn’t know if they were looking for me, I would think finding a person here would raise some suspicion at least.

I look down at my hands and notice a light purple glow radiating off of them. It’s the same kind of aura that I saw around myself in the building before it collapsed. I think back to the power that I was able to summon and wonder if that wasn’t the only thing I am able to do. I decide that I should just test the theory and hope that I am still able to produce the strange shield that I did before if it doesn’t work.

I try to steady myself as best I can before taking a deep breath and stepping out into the open. I can see lines of the flashing red and blue lights, causing me to squint to be able to see slightly. I can see groups of people standing around talking and wandering, all of them seeming to be in their own world.

I can see where the people are getting in and out, and I slowly make my way over to it. Soon I’m where the barricade opens from, and I hesitantly stand in front of it, wondering if anyone is going to notice me standing there.

My question gets asked when someone goes up to open the door. I back up so I don’t get hit, and the person coming out walks in, immediately turning around to close the barricade back up behind them. I don’t have time to worry about being seen as I quickly rush to get through to the other side before I am closed in again.

I’m able to squeeze myself through the gap just in time before it’s closed off to me. I look back as the door shuts and the person who walked in turns to walk around the corner, disappearing from sight.

I look around at all the people around me, none of them taking a second glance at me. I look back down at my hands and can still see a faint purple glow, but it seems to be getting fainter. I have to get out of here before whatever power I’m harnessing wears off and people are able to see me again.

I don’t know where I’m going or what to do, so I aim to just go where my body takes me. I can feel my body starting to shut down as I walk, but I force myself to get further and harder to find.

It seems like I’ve been walking forever, but I know it can’t have been that long. I eventually see lights and buildings in the distance and hesitate to go further. There are likely a lot of people there for the number of buildings there are, and I think to turn a different way but stop myself. I figure anyone looking for me wouldn’t expect me to waltz into an area with a high amount of people, so I walk towards the buildings and lights.

I try to avoid the brightest places and maneuver my way through the shadows of the buildings. There don’t seem to be that many people here from what I can see, but I don’t let my guard down as I work my way through.

Not long after I start walking, I feel my legs start to collapse under me, and I brace myself against a building. I know I’m not going to be able to keep walking for much longer, so I try to find a spot for me to stop for a bit. I find a small area in between two buildings, and I stop there, practically collapsing on the ground against one of them.

I can barely feel my limbs as I brace myself against the wall, and now that I’m sitting, I can feel the full effects of the events that happened. I look down at my arm, and there’s dried blood that trickled halfway down it from where the creature scratched me. It doesn’t seem to be openly bleeding that much anymore, which I consider a plus. My shoulder aches, and I’m pretty sure I pulled it or did something to it while trying to reach for the gun while being pinned down. I look down at the gun I still hold and weakly make sure to snap the safety on before managing to put it in the waistband of my pants.

I breathe out and close my eyes, leaning my head back against the wall. I can feel my body shutting down, finally reacting to being tased multiple times and being slammed against a wall, and I can’t bring myself to stop from falling asleep. I have the image of Ellie as that creature in my head, with me shooting and killing her on repeat, and I vaguely remember the feeling of water trickling onto my skin before falling into complete unconsciousness.

I can feel my body shaking slightly as I let out a small groan and work to open my eyes. It seems to be a harder task than I thought; my body is still aching and not wanting to move.

I hear a strange, constant rumbling sound and lift my arm up as if to try and make it go away. However, instead of hitting a brick wall like I was expecting, my hand rubs against something cold and smooth. This causes me to open my eyes fully, and instead of seeing the buildings where I left myself, I see a ceiling with walls closing me in. There’s a blanket draped over me and a pillow under my head as confusion engulfs me.

Confusion soon turns to panic as my breathing picks up. They found me. They found me, and now I’m being brought back to be locked up. Or what if they’re not even going to lock me up anymore and are just planning to get rid of me? I’ve caused too much damage, and now they’re scared of me doing it again. But why am I not restrained? My body doesn’t wait to catch up with my brain before I’m jumping up, not expecting the ceiling to be that low and almost hitting my head on it as the blanket on me falls to a heap on the ground at my feet.

I’m not expecting the ground to be shaking and moving, and I lose my balance and crash back to the ground. I hear a faint "shit" from above me as I can feel myself being pushed slightly to the side before the movement stops completely. I hear a door slam and footsteps walking around to the door where I am, and I force myself back into a corner as far away from the door as I can get.

The door opens, and a blinding light streams through, causing me to whip my head to the side and bring my arm up to try and block it out. Every time I try to open my eyes, I can feel them burn before I have to shut them again. I’ve never seen this kind of light before, and I was forcing myself to try and get used to it so I could try and work to defend myself against this person.

Suddenly I hear the door shut, and my eyes shoot open to see that the person has entered along with me, holding his hands out in front of him. My breath hitches as he goes to take a step forward, and I try to push myself further into the corner.

"Hey, hey, I’m not gonna hurt you." He speaks in a soft tone, bending down on one knee without moving to get any closer to me. I look down to see the purple aura around my hands again, but it goes in and out like it’s trying to stick but can’t. I see the man look down at my hands, where I was analyzing, with a confused look on his face. Can he see the glow?

"Are you okay?" He asks, and I look up at him, his brown eyes staring into mine. He wears a slight smile, and it makes me feel an almost calming sensation, like I want to trust him. Wait what? No. Why would I even think about trusting this stranger who took me? He’s probably trying to lure me into trusting him so he can strike when I’m caught off guard.

I tense up as I think about it and prepare myself to get ready and fight my way out, even if I know my body probably won’t be able to handle it right now. I remember the gun and reach behind me to grab it, but I find it’s not there.

The person notices the movement and lets out a breathy sigh. "Yeah, sorry, couldn’t take any chances. I’ll give it back once I know you won’t try and shoot me." He lets out a small laugh and looks down, shaking his head. I don’t say anything, opting instead to put my hands in my lap and start fiddling with my fingers, a nervous habit I’ve picked up with my time in the lab.

The man lets out another small sigh and moves to open the door again. He stops when his hand is on the handle and turns his head to look back at me. "I promise I’ll tell you everything when we’re somewhere safe." He says this before turning back around to push open the door.

This time I’m expecting the bright light to stream through, and I’m able to keep my eyes open slightly, but I'm still not able to open them completely. I see him jump down slightly to get all the way out of the compartment, and with his back still towards me, I act fast.

I get up as fast as I can, fighting through the wave of dizziness that I experience, and bolt out of where I was being kept. I push into the man, who stumbles to the side, caught off guard by the contact, and jump out. I try to keep my balance, but my legs still aren’t trustworthy enough to hold me up well, and I fall on my knees, feeling a sting on them. I don’t have time to think about it as I push myself up and start running in a random direction.

I hear the man curse behind me, and I don’t glance back as I push myself to run as fast as I can. I don't know where I’m going, and nothing looks familiar to me at all, and it looks like there doesn’t seem to be anyone else around. I try to push my way into the covered area to hide myself, but before I can get there, I feel an arm wrap around my chest, and my body falls back against another.

I try to pry the arm off of me so I can move, but it’s too strong, and I squirm to try to get free. "Please, I’m tryin’ to help you." I hear the voice of the man who took me behind me, and my mind is screaming at me to get free and run, but my body is exhausted, and instead it ends up slumping against him.

"Please." I manage to speak, and for some reason tears well up in my eyes again, but they don’t fall, making my eyesight blurry.

"You’re okay. You’re okay." I hear from behind me as I feel the man release his hold on my chest and bend down to bring an arm under my knees, lifting me up into him with his other arm supporting my back. My head is against his chest as my body falls limp in his arms. Any warnings in my head about this person disappear as he walks with me in his arms back to where we once were. My body felt like it was floating, and I wouldn’t be able to try to escape again even if I wanted to.

We get back to where we were, and the man hops up onto the ledge and places me back down on the pillow where I was before running. He grabs the blanket that was lying on the side in a ball and places it back on top of my body. He takes one last look at me as he jumps down again, and this time he is able to successfully close the doors back up behind him.

I hear another door open and close above me as the rumbling sound from before comes back, and my body is slightly shaking from it again. I try to close my eyes and relax again, but my mind is too alert, and so I end up staring at the wall as this stranger brings me to an unknown location.

After a while, the rumbling stops again, and I hear the stranger get out. I find enough strength to be able to push myself up and lean against the wall. I follow the sound of the footsteps coming around to the back, where I am, and hear a latch sound as the door is opened again.

The stranger stands there as he looks at me, and I continue to stay against the wall, not moving. C'mon, I got a room for us; no one should look for you here." He holds out his hand as a motion for me to take it, and I hesitate for a second before slowly moving over to take it. I have nothing left to lose anyway. He helps me down from the ledge, and my legs wobble unstably as he goes to hold me steady. Once I gain my balance, he looks at me before he reaches to grab the blanket that was used to cover me and wraps it around my shoulders. "Maybe just wrap yourself with this until we’re inside."

I look down and just now notice that my clothes are stained red with blood almost completely, some of it being my own and most of it being from various other people. You can see rips in the clothing, leaving parts of my skin vulnerable to the air, and I do my best to wrap the blanket around me, trying to cover up the worst parts.

The stranger seems satisfied with this as he closes the door and latches it, leading me away. He walks close to me, and I do my best not to walk too slowly and annoy him. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by my pacing, though, as we walk down this hallway of sorts, passing by a variety of doors. As we’re about to pass another door, someone walks out of it, and I jump, the stranger grabbing my arm lightly to pull me next to him. The person coming out of the door doesn't even acknowledge us as they grunt and start walking down the way we came from.

The stranger's hand stays on my arm as we continue walking and eventually stop in front of a door. The stranger releases my arm as he reaches into his pocket to grab something and pulls out some sort of key before using it to unlock the door in front of us.

The door opens, and he motions for me to enter as he puts the key back into his pocket. I slowly make my way into the room, surveying my surroundings. The room itself looks to be around twice the size of the cell that I’m used to, not including the door that looks to lead to another room.

Instead of the pure white walls that my cell had, these are a little darker than that, with pictures hung up on some of them. I hear the stranger move around me and place a bag on one of the two things with pillows on them that took up most of the room in here. I hear him unzip the bag, and what I see inside is a range of different guns. I instinctively take a step back, and he looks over at me. He chuckles and shakes his head before saying, "Relax, darlin’ if I wanted you dead, you would be already."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I quip as I watch him take out a pile of clothes from the bag.

"Who said I was tryin’ to?" He asks as he holds out the clothing that he took from the bag out to me. It’s astonishing how different he seems from when he was seemingly trying to comfort me before to now. Does he have some kind of ulterior motive? If he does, I should try to figure out what it is, right? And if I’m actually safe here, like he said I would be, it seems I was in my thoughts for too long as I heard him whistle and wave his unoccupied hand in front of my face.

"S-sorry." I barely get it out in a whisper as I grab the clothes being handed to me. I can see his face visibly soften at this as he shakes his head.

"Don’t worry bout it." He speaks in a dismissive tone before motioning to the door to the other room. "You can shower and change into these. They’re all I got at the moment till I can get you some in your size." I look down at the clothes and realize that it looks like he’s given me some of his clothes to change into. "I’m gonna head out and get some food for us; I should be back before you finish showering; the place is just next door."

I stand there as he moves to go towards the door before remembering something. He pulls a gun out of his waistband and hands it over to me. I recognize it as the gun that I stole from the guard and move to take it from him. I move the clothes in my hand under my arm and grab the gun from him. I pull the slide back to check to see if there’s ammo in it, and when I’m satisfied with what I see, I snap it back shut, locking it in place. I look up to see the man amusingly looking at me. “Just in case.” He says as he nods his head towards the gun he gave back to me. After this he turns to open the door.

"I’m Frank, by the way." He mentions before turning back and leaving out the door, closing it as I hear the lock move into place.

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