#[ good day my friend. how do you fare? ] (starters)

[egittae]

bambi and the old stag - lambert & dimitri

Starter for @blaiddllodi (riding+1)

With one last double check on his equipment, Lambert nodded with satisfaction once he made sure all was set. Though this was a great opportunity to simply bond and get a breather with a nice and calm horse ride, as a teacher that was still an expedition and so he needed to be sure he was ready for anything that could possibly happen- both good and bad. 

Even more since he had been assigned a house leader on top of it all. Not that he’d be less prepared if it were a regular student, no- but house leaders did demand extra care. If anything happened to them it could be bad for everyone, particularly the Church’s image…and he didn’t even want to think about what damage it could do to the Abyss and its people.

The process itself was kind of odd, however- starting with the very student Lambert had been assigned to. As he was a professor of the Ashen Wolves Lambert naturally assumed that if he were to be assigned a house leader, then it would be Yuri since he was already a student of his, while the other house leaders would be each assigned to other professors from their respective affiliations for obvious reasons. The face he was met with, while a familiar one, wasn’t that of his keen-eyed house leader.

Dimitri, prince of Faerghus and leader of Blue Lions. That was the student that had been assigned to him for whatever reason…which was why he was double checking everything. Lambert already intended to be careful with whatever kid was allowed under his wing, but the prince of the very land he hailed from…it did add a little more pressure on his shoulders for this to go all right. It was one thing to give that boy a lesson or two within the Academy, and it was another to be the sole responsible for his safety outside of the campus grounds.

Not to mention, he hadn’t forgotten. Lambert knew better than to bring it up, but his heart remembered the cold ache from the realization that the boy’s voice and appearance- his eyes, felt almost like a claw trying to tear and shred through the fog in his mind, violently searching for something within it. The ominous realization of something he didn’t even begin to feel ready enough to think about let alone let it settle. It wasn’t fear nor disgust, much less displeasure. Lambert held no ill feelings towards that boy.

If anything, he was more afraid of what the truth behind that boy’s identity could do to him. Would it treat his heart like a pride of lions would a gazelle in the wilderness? Would it twist, crush and shred it apart violently- driven by survival and the need to make things right? Or would it cradle it gently, with love and the softness of resolution?

It felt wrong to sew his hopes onto someone else, but the phantom tugging his mind around while keeping him in the dark was restless.

He didn’t want to think about it. Not now- later, much later perhaps, but not now. Now he was just a teacher, preparing an expedition for a student and that was it.

A deep breath, eyes meeting the Goddess’ in the sky, and reality stood by his side. 

“Greetings, boy. Dimitri, was it? Are you ready to go or do you need more time to prepare your gear?” Arms crossed over his chest offered a comfort only he could understand. “We are scheduled to follow a trail into the forest and end up in a glade of sorts. This is no camping mission and I know there is Faerghan blood in your veins, but winter is coming. Do not underestimate the mountain’s winds.” He offered a gentle warning, taking the chance to also analyze what the student was bringing.

“Also, do not forget treats for your horse. They are hard workers and could use some extra appreciation too.” The man blinked before climbing up to the saddle, looking down at the prince.

[unparalleledtomes]

Not With the Eyes, But With the Mind (18+)

Ao3 Link

Pairing: Gale x OC Female Character

Summary: Against his better judgement, Gale's hopeless pining gets the better of him and he finally caves, treating himself to images of Noa and nearly nuking himself in the process.

Warnings: masturbation, smut, nudity, minors dni.

Word Count: 1900

A/N: did it take me over three months to write 1900 words? you betcha. will it take even longer for the next one? you betcha.

Gale lay in his tent next to a toppled stack of books. If he unfocused his eyes, allowed his mind to carry him home, he could almost picture the view from his tower through the canvas. It was the moonlight, the way it barely poked through the blue-green skin of his tent—it reminded him of evenings alone on his balcony just before a storm rolled in, and how the moonlight barely poked through then.

He tried to hold onto that image and the tranquillity it often brought him, but tonight the colour only reminded him of Noa. 

How she poured wine from a bottle that glinted teal in the fire, a glass each for her and Karlach. Astarion nursed his own. But Gale didn’t indulge, too afraid of what might tumble from his mouth in the presence of his new friends, or those he hoped to call friends. The orb, too, clenched inside of him and there was a slight shake in his hands, a heaviness in his chest that felt like a threat. 

“Come on, soldier. You’ve asked everyone for their life stories and haven’t said one thing about yourself.”

“That’s not true. Astarion hasn’t said anything.”

“I beg your pardon. I’ve said plenty. What more do you want?” 

“Well, for starters, I’ve never known a magistrate so interested in bloodshed.”

“What’s life without a little danger, darling? Besides, you’ve rather impressed me these last weeks. Goblins and bugbears, those poor dwellers in the crypt. There’s plenty of blood on your hands.” He lowered his voice as he spoke, like the very idea of violence excited him. 

Noa scoffed into the fire. “Not a thought that comforts me. Mark my words on this, night-walker. I’ve been around a long time—life’s easier with a sheathed sword.”

Gale smiled but Astarion flicked his wrist. “Spoken like a true, boring adventurer. I, for one, can’t wait to see what other massacres lie ahead of us. Gods know there’ll be plenty before our next sunset.” 

Noa rolled her eyes. “Gale, how about you? How’re you faring under all these…oh, let’s call them adventures?”

“Well, it’s certainly a leap from the comfort of my tower. I’m far more used to a crackling hearth, a good book, and an equally soothing glass of Blackstaff wine.” The thought needed only to be spoken and he was back at home, all but felt the veins of mature pages in his hands before he let the moment pass. He raised a finger. “But, adventure never strays far from a talented wizard, as I’m sure someone of your demonstrable capabilities can attest.” 

He wasn’t sure why but Noa laughed then, and the sound lifted some pressure from his heart. 

Gale blinked at the tent. He breathed slowly and with some difficulty, torn between chasing away what he’d rather remember. But her image haunted him like a childhood mistake and it wasn’t long before the faintest thrum of lilac tangled in the moonlight, the orb stirred to life.

“Coming from the great Gale of Waterdeep, I appreciate that. It’s not every day a golden boy finds you impressive.”

“Ha, oh well, hardly a ‘golden boy,’ though my natural abilities did catch unequivocal attention from the most spectacular beings. That said, it does put a bit of pep in one’s step to know their name travelled across Faerûn, eh?” 

Astarion audibly scoffed but Gale relished in the idea. He ignored the ignorance, forgave it even. It was the very same he’d dealt with all his life from those who could only watch as he mastered the Weave, destined for greatness—that of which he had in Mystra’s reverent embrace. His eyes fell to the snapping firewood. As quickly as it’d come, the thought soured. 

“It has,” Noa said plainly. 

“All good things, I hope.”

She brought the goblet to her mouth and held it there without drinking. “I’ve heard your story.” Her eyes flicked to his and they watched each other for an eternal second. A queer look accompanied her words, silent recognition piercing as a blade. “I’m really glad we ran into you, Gale of Waterdeep.”

Nothing existed but her face across the flames. He could only stare; he didn’t know what to say. 

The need was in his hands before it was in his cock. He folded them behind his head and tried to focus on the dull ache of his knotted fingers. He blinked, inhaled through his mouth, but there she stood above the flames in a long stretch before bed. She reached to the stars and it was all he could do to avoid her silhouette as she bid him goodnight. 

But alone now he snuck a boyish glance at the memory of her breasts. The orb burned through his tunic and onto the canvas above him, an aurora borealis in that Waterdeep sky, and he watched the colours billow until an intrusive thought of her naked made his ears simmer. 

Energy crackled around his briefs, warmth pulsing between his legs with every unstoppable thought of her face, her eyes—one rich and dark as earth and the other obsidian as a mountainside. He thought of the freckles that spilled across her nose and wondered how many adorned places he couldn’t see.

Stop it, he thought. By the gods, stop it. But she didn’t leave and he wouldn’t let her. 

When Astarion and Karlach eventually retired, he was alone. Flames lapped at the darkness and he curled his hands into fists to stop the shaking. Through the spots in his vision, a lantern burned from Noa’s tent and he watched her gently unwind her braid in the sliver of gold that shone through. When she lifted her shirt he looked away so quickly the whole world spun. 

The orb radiated from chest to cheek with pain, a hellish prick of needles coursing through his hands. He breathed deeply, pleaded with his mind to free itself from these calamitous desires, but everything was black against the light of her face. 

He didn’t want to will her away any longer—he wanted to touch gold. 

His face burned, and with great shame he unlaced his trousers. The simple caress of fingertips made him shiver, his shaft already hard and leaking by the time he freed himself. He pinched his eyes shut and reconsidered the whole sordid indulgence but she immediately stood before him, smiled at him, and with the first timid stroke he nearly whispered her name. 

Together they soared past the skies above him, their naked bodies entwined within the Weave. She outshone the stars, overthrew those swirling constellations he often dreamed of, and he could only float in awe of her. She bit her lip the longer he stared, a simple gesture that made him grin as he imagined a dahlia flush in her cheeks. It was enough to coax a faster rhythm. 

Back in his tent the orb singed his chest but he ignored the fire to press his tongue into her mouth. It shamed him and even in his mind he hesitated, but she moaned and wound her arms around his neck until he relaxed. He tentatively twisted up and down and she inched closer to bite his lip. He trembled at the brazenness of it, but envisioned her leg around his hip, her fingers in his hair, and when she moaned again he started to pump faster. 

With that same shy look in her eyes she squeezed the length of his cock. His head tipped back and she pressed a kiss to his neck so warm he swore he felt it. He stroked faster, grabbing her breast with one hand, cradling her head with the other, but it wasn’t enough. With a moan he multiplied, arms born from arms to have enough hands for every inch of her. Countless fingers caressed her back and gripped her thighs, touched her tongue and brushed the hair from her face, and in that paradise of starved simulacra all her moans rang out like music. Whether his hands throbbed from the orb or his grip on the bedroll, he didn’t know—all he knew was somewhere in those stars Noa belonged to him.  

Wildflowers billowed in the camp’s lazy breeze and he felt it through the canvas, the way it quickly became her breath against his shoulder. His eyes watered from the choking pain in his chest but he’d let nothing take her, each stroke a blacksmith’s bellow that kept her image alive. 

She rocked into him, slow and natural as a boat on water. The orb sizzled like a branding but he held her gaze, stroking until his back lifted off the bedroll. He tried to speak, to beg her not to go, not now, not when the world was so close to making sense again, but no sound came. Still she smiled and brought her lips to his ear, close enough to feel her breath, close enough to feel the tip of her tongue when she at long last whispered, “Gale.” 

His eyes shot open. The Weave flowed from his pupils and drowned the world in lilac, droplets spilling down his fingers. He sat up and clutched his heart. Copper dribbled from his mouth and he coughed at the taste, a pounding in his head like a great aching heartbeat. He looked around, tried to catch his breath, but only coughed again. 

He was blind. There was nothing but the Weave, so bright in his eyes it burned white. A terrible shiver ran through him and for a moment he thought the last thing he’d ever see was Noa’s face. He tucked himself back into his trousers and blinked again and again until the monstrous glow dwindled back to lilac, and finally to nothing.  

With enough breathing the crickets’ song poked through the thunderclap in his ears and he steadied himself on one hand. Felt the soil beneath his fingers as the world retook shape. Focused on the toppled tomes at his feet as the vice loosened around his temple. He lifted his sticky palm without looking and lightly jerked his wrist, the Weave slipping over his skin like a glove before it disappeared again to take the mess with it. 

But when that hushed breeze no more than a whisper rolled into his tent, he turned toward it, opening and closing his fist though he didn’t know why. Perhaps as a reminder of how foolish he’d been, that he’d nearly broken the promise he made to himself by doing something this stupid, by putting this many innocent lives in danger. He studied his hand, its shape mostly lost to the dark, and slowly opened his fist again. Perhaps it was something else. 

An unwelcome wavelet of guilt trickled down his back and he cinched his tent closed, lying on his bedroll as if he hadn’t just tainted Noa’s trust or nearly blown away half the Sword Coast. All around was black and there was nothing he could do now but wait for the shadows to make sense, to watch the canvas overhead and see if he could return home. 

And in time, he did. 

He didn’t know how he’d look at her in the morning. How he’d look at himself. But in that quiet moment beneath the Waterdeep moon he remembered the way she looked at him, and sleep came easy.

[reginrokkr]

@resolutepath asked: ✔ for aether mainly or any who interest you! but also i added halfdan to my secret npcs list so yknow that's an option too

Do I know your muse(s):  yes | no | a little | tell me about your muse

Setting: our verse | my verse | your verse | modern | alternate universe | other

Pre-established relationships? yes | no | depends on the relationship

Possible relationships: friends | classmate | co-worker | roommate | family, real or adopted | dating or blind date | married | friends with benefits | unrequited love | lending a hand | teacher - student | rivals | allies | partner-in-crime | enemies | protecter - guarded | business partners | spy - infiltrated | manipulator - manipulated | star-crossed | first meeting | other 

I’m in the mood for: fluff | angst | horror | romance | humor | crime | hurt / comfort | action | supernatural | slice of life | crack | dark threads | light threads | any genre | multi-para | shorter para | one-line | any length | plotted threads | unplotted threads | other

Feel free to: message me ooc | message me ic | tell me your ideas | write a starter | answer one of my opens | send a meme | reblog this with your preferences - let’s find common interests!

For Aether

For him it'll depend on two main things, whether he's the one who will become the Abyss prince later down the line or the traveler. I'll present ideas for both:

✧ In the first route, I think we can go all the way during Khaenri'ah days when he was "summoned" and venerated as the prince of Khaenri'ah. As per my own take of Dain, he would be highly suspicious of him because of this incipient obsessions part of the civilization has with the Abyss, Aether included in this. Dain won't consider him a prince, but he'll give him the respect expected from him. As the captain of the Black Serpent Knights, I wager that he would have ample opportunities to meet Aether and even act as his personal guard. I'm aware that for this we'd need some previous discussion in regards of how we perceive Khaenri'ah so we don't go entirely blindly either in a vastly unexplored territory for now.

Following the destruction, Dain wouldn't blame Aether for being unable to save the nation despite being revered as a sign of hope to bring betterment to the nation and would actually empathize with him for being put in a position that maybe he didn't even want to have. During the duration of their journey across the nations in search of their destiny, I picture it to be heavy in dark and heavy moments where they are dealing with their own circumstances + being thrown in situations where they have no other choice but to fight their way for survival and, at least for Dain, he would want to help the other nations for multiple reasons.

Lastly and leading to the moment they go their separate ways up until the present, their relationship would certainly be sore and Dain has no intentions to yield in his pursuit to frustrate the Abyss Order plans, no matter how good intentioned Aether might be.

✦ As the Traveler I think we could expand more on what we're given, it'll be in a way easier as we already have some guideline to follow and there is actual room for exploring further in what we've seen. I don't have much more to say on the matter as it's more self-explanatory based on the AQs they crossed paths.

As my personal preference, I'd lean more towards the first path because it's more unexplored in my end and also less seen overall from my own observations. However, I also noticed that this is request only, so I'll leave that to you to determine if you'd like to give it a try! We could also do multiple threads if you'd like, I don't really mind.

For Halfdan

I can't thank you enough for suggesting this for Halfdan too because I've been dying to interact with one for ages >< I would love specially to see how they fare in Khaenri'ah days and I would also love to hear your thoughts on Halfdan's mindset in regards of the lingering obsessions, the Abyss, the highly likely strangeness in the society with those that revere the Abyss, everything, truly! I have plenty of ideas about Khaenri'ah that I plan to write about soon and would love to share with you in turn.

I think we could also do things in the present as seen in the Chasm but more expanded and more a thing between them alone, albeit more bound to restrictions given the circumstances he's under unless you have a different twist for him in that regard.

[themuseandantarctica]

* 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔

sentence starters based on jill mccorkle’s short story collection crash diet, from the story “carnival lights”.  change however necessary.

❝ i never slept with [name] like everybody says i did. ❞

❝ it isn’t like this is some metropolis we live in. ❞

❝ we hear things over the dinner table that don’t even get in the paper until the next day. ❞

❝ the worst part was that i couldn’t tell him why i’d socked [name] in the face and made her nose bleed down a blouse which she had broadcasted all day long was brand new from that new store in the mall where the mannequins are painted silver and don’t have faces. ❞

❝ tell me what happened , [name].  you can tell me the truth. ❞

❝ i did not sleep with [name] even though i wanted to. ❞

❝ he’s a nice guy and i’m a nice girl. ❞

❝ i mean , i’ve only had one boyfriend other than [name]. ❞

❝ i told him that if he could keep his mouth shut , i’d go with him , otherwise forget it. ❞

❝ ours was a brief relationship which ended with him telling people that he had given me seven hickeys and had undone my shirt to get a feel three times. ❞

❝ i’d like to be an engineer.  or an architect. ❞

❝ when he talked of my natural talent it wasn’t like he was telling me some big news i didn’t already know. ❞

❝ i loved [name] and had for a long time.  even when i was kissing [name] behind the church , i was loving [name]. ❞

❝ i suggest you take the clerical courses out at the technical institute and see how you fare in a setting of higher learning before committing yourself. ❞

❝ i knew that what the counselors were really thinking was that someone like me would need financial assistance to go to college and it was just too damn much trouble to fill out the forms. ❞

❝ you think i should take the course you took ? ❞

❝ [name] was attracted in an odd way, sort of a prehistoric way. ❞

❝ a lot of the girls like [name]’s looks , but i much prefer [name]’s type , thin and graceful , smart-looking. ❞

❝ i’ve gone back to school for two summers now.  it’s hard work. ❞

❝ she’s enrolled in a class right now.  she has to go at night and that’s hard work.  she’s a modern woman. ❞

❝ you could start out at tech and whether or not you pursue school after that .  .  .  well , time will tell. ❞

❝ the walls tell you to go and do things i’ve never done but have thought about , and the air is thick with cigarette smoke. ❞

❝ is that [name]’s name you’ve got in your notebook ? ❞

❝ so what do your parents think about us going together ?  we’ve been going together two months , one week , and two days , but they act like they’ve never heard of me. ❞

❝ they know we’re friends but my parents are kind of weird about these things. ❞

❝ i just don’t tell them a whole lot. ❞

❝ she probably had to get his permission to sit her modern mousey self down. ❞

❝ of course , [name].  why , that makes lots of sense.  i really like how you smell. ❞

❝ i was studying the way she moved and took her clothes off. ❞

❝ what do you think we did before we could afford a big television and cable ? ❞

❝ that was a quickie.  poor guy just couldn’t keep going. ❞

❝ i know more than you know. ❞

❝ what boy is going to walk in and say give me a size small ? ❞

❝ [name] said that he was tired of waiting for us to be together.  he said if something didn’t happen soon he’d die. ❞

❝ those rides can’t be safe. ❞

❝ the band is playing. ❞

❝ you can go tomorrow night. ❞

❝ it was getting hard for me to look at him. ❞

❝ the thought of a whole roomful of old people gave me the creeps. ❞

❝ i longed for our moment together , the one we had planned , the one that filled my every dream waking and sleeping. ❞

❝ it’ll be worth the wait !  it’ll be grrrrreat , you big bad tiger. ❞

❝ good grief , you thought i’d called that ? ❞

❝ what kind of young girl takes such a job ? ❞

❝ is she reading what she says or making it up right off the top of her head ? ❞

❝ i’m not one to ever go creeping around at night , so i’m not quite sure what came over me. ❞

❝ he was ready to do my household chores for a week , ready to pay me ten dollars. ❞

❝ what kind of car was it ? ❞

❝ what do i look like , a car dealer ? ❞

❝ i’ll just go out there myself.  i’ll go tomorrow every night and every night until they come back. ❞

❝ as much as we wanted to trust each other , we just couldn’t. ❞

❝ no , i don’t believe it. ❞

❝ what about the headless woman ? ❞

❝ let’s go and get it over with. ❞

❝ he just wasn’t feeling well , said that all these lights and things spinning had made him feel sick , so i told him to go home and rest. ❞

❝ well , how will you get home ? ❞

❝ i’ve got the car. ❞

❝ have fun.  don’t stay out too late. ❞

❝ i have to close the booth but [name] will be home all night. ❞

❝ it’s going to be a long night. ❞

❝ i’m sorry i’ve been so quiet , but you know , i knew we had to come over here and i just wanted everything else out of the way. ❞

❝ what was it you wanted to tell me ?  you said you knew something funny. ❞

❝ it’s just an idea is all. ❞

❝ it’s pretty strange. ❞

❝ i’ve heard girls have a lot of ideas about how the first time  ---  ❞

❝ nervous ?  you’re acting kind of weird. ❞

❝ can’t we talk a little first ? ❞

❝ why didn’t you just say you didn’t want to go through with the plan ? ❞

❝ aw , honey , i don’t want to go.  i have to deal with those crappy people all week long. ❞

❝ does he really like her or is he telling stories about how he’ll die if they don’t meet ? ❞

❝ so now what happens ? ❞

❝ i was too scared to cry. ❞

❝ what are you doing hiding in those bushes ? ❞

❝ can’t a couple get a little privacy ? ❞

❝ why’d you do that ?  you messed it all up.  they’ll never come back now. ❞

❝ we’re out here spying. ❞

❝ why don’t you leave ?  go on. ❞

❝ you’re a jerk , and you’re in our way. ❞

❝ [name] and i want to be alone. ❞

❝ might as well let [name]’s reputation get some mileage out of it. ❞

❝ [name] said he didn’t understand me at all.  that he didn’t think he could take much more of my leading him on. ❞

❝ i was trying to get it so you’d marry me. ❞

❝ the worst part of it all was the way my parents couldn’t look me full in the face for a while. ❞

❝ it was very lucky that there was an open spot this late in the year ; i’m sure you’ll do very , very well. ❞

❝ it was the first time she ever looked me square in the eye and smiled. ❞

❝ i figure i’ve got the rest of my life to fall in love and take my clothes off for a man. ❞

❝ i want to know that i made at least one decision that was right. ❞

[crusherthedoctor]

Sonic Heroes: Sweet or Shite? - Part 1: SILVER

There are some heroes I like. And there are some heroes I don’t like. But why do I feel about them the way I do? That’s where this comes in.

This is a series in which I go into slightly more detail about my thoughts on the heroes in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and why I think they either work well, or fall flat (or somewhere in-between). I’ll be giving my stance on their designs, their personalities, and what they had to show for themselves over the course of time. Two things to keep in mind:

1. These reviews will be focusing mainly on game portrayals. Though alternate media will occasionally be mentioned, it'll be for the sake of adding onto a point if a portrayal is similar enough, or to compare and contrast if a portrayal is different enough.

2. These are just my own personal thoughts. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions! I don’t bite. :>

Anyhow, for today’s installment, I decided to challenge myself by starting off with a complicated one. Born from the future, and never content to stay put in said future, it's the saviour whose debut came from the most unfortunate game... Silver the Hedgehog.

The Gist: Once upon a time, in the distant future, there was an idealistic young hedgehog named Silver, gifted with the power of telekinesis for reasons unknown. With his amazing potential, he was truly destined for a wonderful, prosperous li-just kidding, it was shit.

“All two of us.”

For as long as he knew, the world was forever plagued by Iblis, the terrible Flames of Disaster. Cities stood in ruin, flames stood high, the floor was lava... it was a bitter life to be certain, all thanks to Iblis. Not even defeating the titular creature did much good, since it would simply come back to be a shitty boss fight another day. What was he - and his friend, Blaze, a character we definitely never saw before and definitely didn't have a completely different backstory before - to do?

Trust the first person he sees, of course. Even if they look like they might be related to the same Flames of Disaster that he fights so constantly.

If he had eyelids, he'd be winking at the camera.

This mysterious fellow, Mephiles the Dark, informed Silver that if he were to wipe out Iblis for real, he would need to take a trip into the past, and eliminate the root of the problem... Sonic the Hedgehog? That was what Mephiles claimed, yes. What was his proof? There was no proof.

That was good enough for Silver.

Oh look, it's Fleetway Sonic.

After an elaborate series of events, which should sound exciting but really isn't because it was just Silver going “Iblis Trigger grrr” in varying tones of voice, he was finally able to corner the blue hedgehog... twice! And despite having less fighting know-how than the hero who saved the world plenty of times, he effortlessly came close to killing the blue hedgehog... twice!

This looks like a jobbing for...

Why twice? The first time was halted by Sonic's friend Amy Rose, who Silver had met beforehand after she mistook him for Sonic, an understandable mistake that even the keenest of eyes would be forgiven for making.

The second time was also interrupted, this time by Shadow the Hedgehog. There's only room for one controversial non-blue male hedgehog in this franchise, sonny boy. Actually, his reasons were more benevolent than that: he wanted to show Silver the truth about what was going on, by time travelling to the incident that gave birth to Iblis. Why was one able to to this, so long as more than one Chaos Emerald was present? No one knew.

That was good enough for Silver.

“I challenge you to a dumb-off.”

As it turned out, Iblis was one half of a sun god called Solaris, the other half being the aforementioned Mephiles. The Duke of Soleanna wanted to reunite with his late wife by harnessing Solaris' power, which succeeded from a certain point of view since he's dead now too. The resulting blunder split Solaris into two halves. One half was all brawn, with little capacity for intelligence. The other half was Iblis.

Understanding the error of his ways, and after making peace with Sonic, Silver went back to the future to try something different, which consisted of doing the same thing he always did. Luckily for him, the script decided it would work this time, albeit at the cost of Blaze sacrificing herself... Maybe? Sort of? It’s not entirely clear what happened to her, and it’s not like this was the last we ever saw of her.

~La laaaaaa, la laaaaaa, la laaaaaa, heading to a better game, la laaaaaa~

But ohhhhh nooooo, turns out THAT didn't solve anything either! In the present, Sonic was killed by Mephiles, after the latter realised he should probably do that already if he wanted to make any progress at all with his plan. This incident led to Iblis being brought into the present, and they fused to become the omnipotent Solaris once more. Such power... such divinity... such devastation...

Actually, he was really easy. The antlion from Underground Zone was harder.

Manchild robots - 1, god of time - 0.

With their super forms in tow, Silver, Shadow, and the revived Sonic joined forces to defeat Solaris, with Sonic in particular going the extra step in retconning Solaris out of existence entirely. Since time itself reset, meaning Iblis was no longer a memory, Silver's timeline was given a second chance. What was he to look forward to in this new, promising future?

Shit.

The Design: Let's take a closer look at Silver's appearance, shall we?

Or rather, a certain thing that's wrong with it.

He's holding up fifteen fingers.

Yes, you all know what I'm pointing to: the hairstyle. Let it be known that I'm very aware of the intention behind this design choice. It's supposed to be based on the Japanese Red Maple Leaf, which holds a lot of relevant symbolism for Silver's character. This is a fine idea in theory, and I can respect the intent and the creativity.

But here's the thing: If it looks like a ganja leaf, people are going to say it looks like a ganja leaf. I know some fans will gnash their teeth at me saying this, but the fact of the matter is that intentions and ideas, no matter how good they may be on paper, don't always translate well into the final product. Unleashed Secret Rings Black Knight Sonic '06 in general is certainly no stranger to showcasing examples of that, and Silver's hairstyle is no exception. There are ways to incorporate symbolism in a character’s design without making them look like meme bait in the process, and no amount of “umm ackshually” will change that, I'm afraid.

That said, there's another reason why I'm staying clean of Silver marijuana: it doesn't work for a hedgehog character. With the other hedgehogs, their hairstyles are simple and get the point across: Sonic's goes without saying, Shadow's is more angular to befit a slightly rougher hero, and Amy's is a cute bob cut of sorts. But Silver? Even without the ganja, you've still got the two tentacles making up the back of his head.

I'd rather not be reminded of hentai quills, thanks.

“I thought Crusher-san would like it :’(”

I do find it hilarious that they went through numerous designs for Silver, and this was what they chose to go with. Some of his prototype designs may have fared better had any of them been used instead... but we didn't end up with any of those ones. We ended up with this one, therefore I'm judging this one.

But don’t worry, it’s not all bad with Silver...

The Personality: As far as actual character goes, Silver's personality is as straightfoward as most characters in the series, yet it's no less interesting, because it took a while for it to fully evolve to what it currently is. The seeds of his character - a good-natured yet awkward and rather insecure kind of guy, who doesn't fully understand how the present time works - have always been there, but it was often downplayed in earlier titles due to him being hungry for Iblis Trigger blood... or being an arsehole for no reason.

Although to be fair, everyone in Rivals is an arsehole for no reason.

Eventually though, after the writers gave him a Snickers, these traits got more opportunity to shine. Mostly in side media admittedly, but it's been noted in the games as well. With no Iblis to angst over, he's proven to be a surprisingly bubbly chap, who just wants to know how you're all doing, fellow anthro kids. And whereas his naivety was previously used for intended tragedy to benefit the evil plan of a guy who thought taking the -istoph- out of Mephistopheles would make him inconspicuous, now it's been used for a bunch of low-key contexts that do a much better job at endearing him to the player.

Finally, something I can relate to.

Hell, he even seems to have learned from the Mephiles incident, as he was quick to make it clear to the next shadowy deep-voiced anthro with demonic eyes he met that he wasn't gonna fall for any of them fibs no more, ya hear?

“YouTube and Twitter don’t count.”

All in all, it works well enough, in my opinion. His personality does pave the way for some funny and wholesome moments, and since they’re no longer trying to build him up like he’s Shadow 2.0, he's nowhere near as much of a tool as he was before. So I guess you could say... I like it?

Does this mean I can say that I like the character as a whole then, design and '06-induced idiocy aside?

Well, not quite...

The Execution: This is where the complication part comes into play. We know now that I like his personality, not so much his design, but that's only the half of it. It would be more accurate to say that I like his personality... and dislike everything else.

Aside from that, obviously.

For starters, the creation process for his character and story was summed up with, in their own words, “Think Trunks from Dragon Ball Z”. So he comes off as rather lazy and uninspired. Now I'm not expecting my Sonic characters to be 100% unique, there's always going to be similarities to other franchises no matter what you do, even if subconsciously or by complete coincidence. Taking inspiration in itself is no big deal at all.

But... was that it? Copying a DBZ character to such a blatant extent? Was there no other thought put into it?

Naturally, this ties into an overarching problem: the franchise's mid-00's habit of trying way too hard to be the anthro Dragon Ball Z. Sonic has had DBZ influences since the early days, with the Chaos Emeralds and Super Sonic, but it didn't assimilate itself into every waking aspect of his universe. It was merely an additional flavor that added to the complete package, in the same way that a Death Star with a moustache didn't mean the franchise was suddenly Star Wars the Hedgehog.

But come the turn of the millenium, nearly every main title in the series ended with Super Sonic and/or Super Shadow saving the day, while everyone else either stood around being useless, or only helping in ways that no one actually cares about. Including the in-universe President apparently, since only Sonic and Shadow were featured in the photo on his desk.

Amy smiled. “I guess the rest of us can go fuck ourselves, huh?”

This reached its peak with - of course - Sonic '06, with Silver in particular being an obvious result of this then-ongoing trend. And yes, it would be unfair to use him as a scapegoat, considering it was already a problem long before he turned up. But moreso than even Shadow, it's an era that Silver is forever a relic of, for better or for worse.

But it doesn't stop there. Since Silver is considered a mainstay character, his gimmick of being from the future also creates problems of its own, because in order for him to make further appearances, he keeps turning up for little explained reason, and thus he suffers the Deadly Six problem of being shoved into places where he doesn't belong, for fanservice's own sake. Take Sonic Colours DS for example, where he went back in time JUST to check out Eggman's theme park... Okay...?

On one hand, I’d visit it too, since it's made by Eggman. On the other hand, I’d stay clear of it, since it's made by Eggman.

And when there IS a justification with more weight to it? It's just recycling the '06 routine of trying to avert his ruined future, which isn't much better. The cause may differ depending on the story, but if his future is a permanent shitehole for one reason or another, he might as well cut out the middle man and stay in the present altogether, since that's where his friends are anyway. But they seem intent on not doing that, despite the future schtick being a noose around his neck at this point.

In hindsight, maybe this was a hint to how the rest of the arc would turn out.

And then there's his dynamic with a certain purple cat... No, not Big. The other one.

“I’m here, by the way.”

Simply put: I don't like this dynamic. At all. Or rather, I don't like how they keep milking it. Blaze's backstory was radically changed to justify her presence in Silver's future, and it really shows, since she barely even shows up half the time, as if the developers themselves forgot she was in the game. But her backstory has since been restored to her original alternate dimension interpretation, so hanging around with the grey hedgehog is all good now, right?

To be brutally honest, I probably wouldn't care for this dynamic regardless. But I would be more willing to tolerate it, and I'd refrain from groaning every time they're seen together... if they weren't intent on playing it up so much in spite of '06 being wiped out, sometimes with a bit of commentary involving their thoughts and memories, which only succeeds at making things more confusing. If Blaze is around, Silver will be nearby, and if he's not at first, he will be soon enough. This franchise does have a problem in general with restricting who's allowed to interact with who (I personally believe Sonic Heroes may have led to this, or at least it accelerated it), but I'd argue it's at its most insufferable here, with Blaze's potential and her entire world taking a backseat to being the sidekick of Ganja Man.

And you might say “Well, it's part of the franchise now, so you'll just have to accept it”. To which I ask: Have you accepted Two Worlds? Have you accepted Solo Sonica? Have you accepted Sonic's friends not doing much as of late?

Yeah. That's what I thought. “It’s just how it is” doesn’t mean you can’t criticise it.

Meanwhile, Marine is lucky enough to get so much as a shout out.

So yeah, I have quite an extensive list of grievances involving poor Silver. But... very little of it has to do with him, right? They're all indirect problems that he just so happens to be linked to, as opposed to someone like Chris Thorndyke, who is genuinely a shit character through and through. This is more comparable to Tails being bitchy in Lost World, or Amy being manipulative in Chronicles, or Sonic being a smug dumbass in IDW, or Shadow not wearing a Hawaiian shirt in Boom. Frustrating, regrettable, but not really the character's own fault.

Yet even after all that, there's one last kick in the teeth... How do you fix all this? And how do you fix it when he's since gained a sizable fandom, many of whom like him for these very attributes? If you leave it as it is, you're stuck with this big, awkward mess that everyone pretends to ignore. If you try to do something about it, you'll get complaints about disrespecting the True Silver Spirit, and you’ll get questions about why you didn't create a new character instead... And if you did use a new character for the sake of a clean slate, THEN you'd get complaints about not using Silver.

It's a tough call to be sure, and it's such a shame because like I said, I do appreciate his personality, so I can't say he's bad outright. But with all this... clutter, I can only put him in the average category. So, in he goes.

Crusher Gives Silver a: Thumbs Sideways!

Well, I'm glad this one's out of the way. Putting my thoughts into words with Silver was harder than it should have been. I do slightly regret starting this series off on a rather downer note, but rest assured, it's a lot more positive from this point onwards, since while I have higher praise for some heroes more than others, the hero characters as a whole fare a lot better than the majority of villains not named Eggman.

I guess you could say that I hope to show why Sonic's friends aren't as shitty as the haters would suggest. ;)

[positivexcellence]

Bare Magazine- Gen Padalecki

The Bare Magazine: Where to start? Congratulations on your many successes! What drew you to blogging?

Gen Padalecki: I went to school [NYU] for acting, and I’ve always been really driven and work-oriented. I got a job on “Wildfire” right out of college. I’d been working and acting until I met Jared, and then we got married and had kids pretty much right away. And that was wonderful, I got to fully immerse myself into being a mother. But when I was pregnant with our third child, I wanted to have something just for myself. So I started a blog. I wasn’t even on social media at the time, so I was pretty nervous to show who I was. But then it just took off. So, that’s how I got here.

Bare: On the blog, you refer to yourself as an urban homesteader. Enlighten us, please!

GP: For me what it means is living off the land where you can. I don’t have a working farm, but I have a garden I can pull vegetables from and chickens that lay eggs I can use. Urban homesteading is about dipping your toe into the water and living as sustainably as possible.

Bare: Did quarantine allow you to do more urban homesteading?

GP: Yes, being around more let me tend more to my garden and observe its cycles. It helped me understand the seasonal aspect of food. I also jumped on the bread baking train with everyone. My friend gave me a two-year-old starter, but I just couldn’t figure it out. But I did do a lot of pickling since we had a surplus of vegetables from our garden.

Bare: And how have your kids fared in quarantine? That’s a lot of together time for a big family!

GP: Setting a strict schedule helped, especially during the summertime when they weren’t in school. We created a schedule where we woke up at a certain time, ate at a certain time and even snacked at a certain time. Children thrive knowing what’s in front of them. Of course, sometimes you need to break from the schedule. We even took a road trip. And we had “date night,” where we’d take out one kid a week for some individual time.

Bare: Any thoughts on when you’ll get back in the saddle?

GP: When quarantine started, I was riding a lot. It’s the first thing I’d like to get back into again. I grew up around horses. I even had a horse before we had our first son. It’s always an activity that has been in our family. My mom had a paper route to pay for her first horse!

Bare: Shifting gears to acting, how was it working with your husband in “Walker”?

GP: Most people look at us like we’re nuts, but we met working with each other. [The couple met and fell in love on the set of “Supernatural.”] But we are both hard-working, A-type personalities, and we do really well with feedback, so we tend not to get our feelings hurt. I mean, we’re already in love with and attracted to each other! It’s also fun to put our marriage aside when we’re working, since our roles have nothing to do with who we actually are

.Bare: Do you guys have rules about being away from each other and the kids?

GP: That is certainly challenging. When Jared was away, we had a rule that we’d never go two weeks without seeing each other. Now he’s in Austin, so it’s a bit easier, but we’re still winging it. I think the biggest thing is for one of us to always wake up with and put the kids to sleep. 

Bare: Speaking of non-negotiables, what are your Bare essentials?

GP: My family. They’re, like, number one.

Outdoors. Especially the trees. I love forest bathing.

A great book. [Recent favorites include Lot Stories, Three Women and The Nightingale.]

My two boys make this insane crème brûlée that I could eat at any moment.

And I love BITE Beauty lipstick and Boyish jeans. They’re comfy, cute and sustainable.

Bare: What about pieces from the Sonoma Collection, on which you collaborated with Kohls?

GP: I wear it! It’s super-comfortable. I loved making and wearing that collection. But I like dressing up, too! I feel like when you wear something that feels good, you feel good. It gives you a little confidence even if you’re not having a great day.

X

[yeaahishowedupatyourparty]

@.JaneyPowellx: This has been something I’ve been debating doing for a long time now and it’s never really felt right. Even now, with all of the words on paper, or typed on to a digital page, it doesn’t feel right. I found writing fiction through the desperate need to escape reality & I’ve done everything in my power to keep them separate. Whether your favourite work of mine is Harry Potter, The Selection, We Were Liars or Twelve, you’ll never find me in them because they’re idealised situations in world’s that could be just around the corner or in far off places. 

This story is different. It isn’t fiction and it isn’t escapism. It’s set in the real world and within the 21 years I’ve been alive. If you’re holding this book in your hand after purchasing it or have just downloaded it from my website, I’ll be bold enough to assume you already know the basic premise of the plot and you already have your expectations. There’re different versions of this story on true crime YouTube channels, in the newspapers and on blogs, some written with a good lot of research being done and others written just for clicks. It’s been a hard thing to accept, but all of them are somebody’s experience of the event and therefore hold a certain degree of truth. 

This is just another version of a story that you might have heard before, this time told by me, Janey.  CHAPTERS 1-3: TRIGGER WARNINGS THROUGHOUT FOR ABDUCTION, ASSAULT/HARASSMENT, DRUGS & ABUSE

//OOC: This isn’t a full on story, just the outline! I think it’s taken her ages but she’d definitely record like a diary-styled retell of everything that happened to her involving the abduction that happened when she was 15. It’d be super cheap and available in stores AND online but all the profit would be go to appropriate foundations. 

CHAPTER ONE - Happy Birthday! 

In this chapter, Janey would start out by describing her fifteenth birthday. The year before, she’d seen Harvey, her older brother, cross a milestone - his sweet sixteenth. Therefore, the expectations for her birthday were pretty high. She was expecting the big party, huge balloons, special presents, a sip of alcohol and extra privileges but alas, she was only turning fifteen. Her parents were very clear about birthdays, drinking and other rules: 16, 18 and 21 were the milestone birthdays, otherwise parties were smaller and inexpensive. 

She’d go on to explain how she’d been sulking all day because of it and explicitly remembers refusing to blow out her birthday candles after dinner. It would be something she’s embarrassed by now but at the time, it was perfectly reasonable. She’d mention that most people who only know the twenty-one year old her wouldn’t recognise fifteen year old Janey. A moody teenager who insisted on dressing like Jade West from Victorious and took way too much interest in her pink flip-phone (another thing she wasn’t happy with, seeing as Harvey - being 16 - had recently got a better one).  

It’d talk about how her parents were firm but fair and well known in Violet Springs. Her Mum was a teacher and, to Janey’s horror, actually taught her in Year 7. Her Dad is an independent photo journalist who mainly covers local sporting events. She’d explain how they’re amazing parents and even if fifteen year old her couldn’t see it, they were equally amazing to Harvey, Annabel and herself. 

Janey would go back to writing about having serious middle child syndrome and never making life easy for her parents. She wasn’t “naughty” but definitely pushed boundaries by breaking curfew, getting in trouble in class and talking back a lot. She’d confess that she cared a lot about being in the “right” crowd in high school. Deep down, she was always a naturally quiet person but felt the pressure to be as loud as the other girls. She wanted attention, and to be popular, and for boys to like her; that was all that mattered & if she knew then what she knew now, she probably would’ve slapped herself because she has no doubt that that’s what ultimately led to everything going wrong. 

She’d mention that her birthday is the 19th of March (and she prides herself on being a true Pisces as it’s also her moon sign). It also gave her a couple of months until summer, where she and her friends planned her REAL birthday party since her parent’s wouldn’t give her one. They’d decided that they’d go to the open fields in between Lilac Heights and the Cotswolds (?) during the summer and drink, get high and just have a good time. She’d explain how the group of girls she was friends nearly all had older boyfriends who were in college and it was easy to get a hold of stuff they probably shouldn’t have been having. 

Janey would talk about how the field has become iconic for completely different reasons now. If you google it, you won’t have to scroll very far at all to see pictures of it sectioned off when the police were searching for her. But, that summer it was beautiful and everybody was tanned, having fun and happy to be going into the last year of high school. Janey would explain that she’d always been insecure about not having a boyfriend, but she and her friends planned to change that because one of their boyfriend’s was bringing a guy who she’d been speaking to online. He was 22.  

The end of this chapter would be romanticised and Janey would reflect on how it was the last time she was ever “old Janey.” Her plans had been to sneak back in through Annabel’s bedroom window and get into bed before her parents even suspected a thing. But, that never materialised. 

CHAPTER TWO - As It Happened. 

In this chapter, Janey would mention that she’s going to tell everybody exactly what happened that night. Details the police couldn’t even figure out when they tried to piece it all together. There’d be a trigger warning that she’ll be mentioning drinking, harassment and abduction but would promise that it isn’t graphic.

The first part would be about how the field party was a typical summer thing; hot weather, people drinking and having fun as well as sneaking off into the forest (but not too deep) to do god knows what. She’d talk about how she ignored the constant texts and calls from her Mum when it got dark, and how she was drunk. It’d also cover that she was introduced to the friend of her friend’s boyfriend  and even though he wasn’t her type, she was excited about the attention. When it got too dark to see anything, most of her school friends decided to call it a night but Janey went to Downtown Springs with the guy she’d met and his friends because they promised they could get her into Indigo, which they did. 

Most of the night was fun; she was bought drinks, there was lots of flirting and she felt special...which is kind of the hole she’d been trying to fill throughout her teen years. She’d definitely then mention that the guys she was with and every person like them exploit people who aren’t feeling their best and would talk about surrounding yourself with people you trust and not just people who are giving you what you want. 

At one point, the boyfriend of her friend (who was now at home) started getting really loud and rowdy. To this day, Janey doesn’t know if it was genuine or just an act for an excuse to get her to leave the club with them and not go home like she’d planned. They were kicked out before it was midnight and she’d vividly recall passing a few people from school (including Wes and Nate - her ex, I think!) and chatting to them for a little while before the guys she was with mentioned their friend was having a house party in London. Nate specifically asked her to stay but she was set on having fun on her birthday and left with them. 

She’d talk about seeing familiar buildings of Violet Springs turn into intimidating city offices and the roads getting wider as they entered London. The atmosphere in the car shifted slightly but at the time, she was too drunk to even notice. Neither of the guys said anything to one another or her & it gives her the chills now to know that in that moment, she’d been abducted, but she didn’t know it. They got out of the taxi and Janey remembers being embarrassed about not having enough cash on her to pay for her third of the fare - something trivial now - and one of the guys just paying for it without much fuss. 

Once they stepped outside, she saw they were stood in front of a tower block that was almost completely silent. No sign of a party. That’s when she started to hesitate but was too shy to say anything; she was in a weird part of London at 11:45 with nobody she knew and no money. Also, she was sure she was just overreacting. One of the guys said that the party was on the top floor which is why nobody could hear it and even faked a phone call with the “host”. Janey took the elevator up to fifth floor with them and again, felt as if something weird was going on because the top floor was the seventh. This also ended up being something that confused the police in her investigation; witnesses who saw her enter the tower block had overheard the conversation and couldn’t piece together WHY she wasn’t seen on the seventh floor or who’d even supposedly had the party. 

She’d explain how the flat they entered belonged to the friend of her friend’s boyfriend and how eery it felt when it was completely silent. She asked multiple times about the party and both guys said they’d go up soon, but they wanted to have some more drinks and smoke before going up so that they were on everybody else’s level of being completely fucked. Janey remembers sitting on the arm of the sofa and realising how gross and dirty everything was. She wondered how someone who was 22 had given up already and remembers seeing pictures of her parent’s starter home at that age and how pretty it was by comparison. 

The longer it took for them to go back up to the party, the more anxious Janey got. Eventually, she excused herself to go to the bathroom and decided that she’d have to face her parent’s consequences and ask her Dad to come and get her. She panicked even more when her phone wouldn’t switch on and she realised it was dead...meaning, she’d have to borrow money to get home. Once she came out of the toilet, she half debated leaving without them knowing because she just had a horrible feeling but felt like that’d be rude. So, she went back into the living room and asked to borrow a phone. That’s when things shifted completely and fun flirting became intimidating harassment; sleazily flirting with her and telling her not to be boring. One of them even insisted on kissing her to shut her up but once she got really upset, they agreed to take her home on the basis she’d have one last drink. She did, and it was spiked, which made her pass out. 

The next day she woke in the bedroom of the same apartment, still fully dressed - something she was too young to register at the time, but now she reflects on it, it was the one comforting thing of the whole morning. But, her bag had gone and the door to the room was locked from the other side. She remembers banging on it and calling for someone, but nobody answered. She’d describe the panic and desperately wanting her brother or her Dad in that moment, but had to keep reminding herself she didn’t have her phone to contact them. She ended up being shut in that room for twenty-four hours before one of the guys came back; the friend of the boyfriend. He told her that she wouldn’t be going home and the more noise and fuss she made, the longer she’d stay in the bedroom. 

Janey would talk about how her biggest regret is NOT making a fuss and screaming until a neighbour or somebody heard, but her survival instincts kicked in and she was scared she was going to be seriously hurt if she didn’t listen. So, she stayed quiet and followed what she wanted him to do; which was to dye her hair brown and change into clothes he’d bought for her - a basic black tank top and sweatpants. Again, at the time she was too confused to even begin to think about why but now she knows it was because she’d soon be declared a missing person and if they were taking her into public, she looked too familiar to any description circulating. 

She’d end this chapter by saying how she remembered sitting on the floor of the living room that night while he put the dye in her hair, trying not to cry while her story first broke on to some of the news networks. But she’d also talk about how she felt twistedly happy that her parents had decided she was missing and not just out being her usual, difficult self. 

CHAPTER THREE - THE FLAT. 

She’d start the chapter with a warning about mentions of sexual abuse again. This would be a really brief chapter, but it would basically be her explaining to everyone who she was taken in the first place; trafficking; and how it isn’t what everyone imagines. She wasn’t chained up in a basement somewhere. In fact, before the news of her disappearance really blew up, she was actually allowed out given that she was with one of the two guys. She’d go to the store, or just sit in the park and once even to the gym. 

She’d explain how ultimately though, she’d been taken as a product. Neither of the guys ever slept with her, but there were other men who did and they’d pay the two guys to do so. She’d never get or see any of it and she’d talk about how from the beginning there were strict rules. Her name would be ‘Liz’, short for Elizabeth which was her middle name, she wasn’t to have personal conversations with any clients and the answer had to always be yes to whatever they asked. Also, crying or appearing upset was a big no. 

She’d talk about how this went on for a month which was enough time for the search for her to gain momentum and more press coverage. And, she knew this, because the people keeping her almost INSISTED that she read newspaper articles or watched reports about herself. She’d also mention how they would mock her parents, sister, brother and friends who obviously would make appeals or speak about it in statements and find it funny. That would often set her off and she’d argue with them, which never ended well for her. 

The chapter would be rounded up with how by the end of August and moving into September, when she was supposed to be starting college, the police released sketches of the “suspects” and mentioned that they could be in the London area. For around three days, Janey had hope and felt like she was going to be found...but the guys began to panic. That’s when she wasn’t allowed to go outside anymore & one night, she overheard the guys speaking about how they were going to move her “and the others” further away from the Capital. That’s when she knew that this was going to be a lot harder than just doing what they said until they got bored. 

[egittae]

let's hope anodyne isn't behind this | lambert & duessel (axe +1)

@obsidiendo

It was straightforward, very much so.

This one house of Leicester, who Lambert managed to somehow remember the name of- Riegan, the same same from that house leader kid of the Golden Deer, had been boasting about its latest findings: a mine that somehow hadn’t been spotted until now, apparently rich with minerals and that could definitely offer a powerful boost to the territory’s commerce. It seemed almost too good to be true in Lambert’s eyes- he may have weak memory, but he does have enough knowledge to be aware that mines don’t just show up like that- but anyway. Good for them, right?

Until Lambert was given the information that for whatever reason, that mine seemed rather dangerous. There was no explanation on why exactly, with everything being fairly vague. And now he, alongside another teacher, had been given the task to approach the area for some recon- both to check if the reports about the mine were indeed real, and also have a better idea of why it was considered so dangerous.

“I can only hope that there are no monsters inside that thing. Mostly because fighting a monster inside a cramped, dark cave sounds like the recipe for disaster.” Lambert spoke out loud, standing just before the perimeter tape set by Riegan authorities to keep onlookers from getting too close. He couldn’t see much of the mine from there- just forest and rocks, but he could identify a path that would most definitely lead to its entrance.

It felt strange, how natural that felt to him. Faerghus has many mines too, doesn’t it?

Why was he so familiar with those aspects? Wasn’t he just a soldier?

Breaking into a sigh, he rested one hand on his hip- covered in armor, before facing his companion. A big, strong guy a little older than him who seemed like quite the battle veteran. He was a teacher of the Golden Deer, and Lambert needed him to tag along because as an Ashen Wolves teacher he didn’t have clearance to come by himself. He wouldn’t protest, though! A partner is always welcome for recons. “Did you get anything from those guards, Duessel? Any information on what is in there or is it a true case of look around and find out?”

Not that Lambert was against it, no. Even more if it meant ensuring the miners’ safety- which was his priority at this point. Resources were cool and all, but Lambert didn’t quite agree with the idea of them coming at the price of the miners’ safety.

“What could be in there to even justify all of this…I expect to see literal walls of gold and silver at this point.” He frowned. He couldn’t help but wonder if the authorities were hiding something from the public.

[tlbodine]

Thanksgiving is Gonna Be Weird: A Survival Guide for 2020

It’s 2020, the pandemic is worse than ever, and the holidays are right around the corner. No matter what, this is going to be a weird Thanksgiving for a lot of people. With travel restrictions in place and most of us having a mighty desire not to murder our friends and family by spreading around a disease, there’s a good chance that you’re going to be celebrating a bit differently this year. 

And, hey, maybe you decide not to celebrate at all. Which is perfectly valid! 

But maybe you’re staring down the possibility of your first Thanksgiving on your own, or feeding just the small group you live for rather than a big crowd, or some other unusual circumstance. And if that’s the case, I wanted to compile together some resources/ideas to help you out. I know this isn’t my usual horror fare, but...well, I hope it’s helpful, regardless. 

“Help, I’ve Never Made Thanksgiving Dinner Before” Starter Kit

Maybe you’ve always gone home for the holidays but are currently stuck in an apartment with a few roommates, and none of you have any intensive cooking skills. Maybe you always take the kids to Grandma’s house and have never had to contribute more than a side dish but now really want to do a proper Thanksgiving feast for your partner(s), kid(s) and whoever else lives in your house. 

Never fear! A Thanksgiving feast doesn’t have to be intimidating! In fact, Thanksgiving foods are usually pretty simple; the most challenging part of the whole feast is the project management aspect of working with a lot of different dishes and getting everything ready at once. But the smaller your crowd to feed, the easier that is! 

So, the first thing you’ll want to do is come up with a menu. Sit down and write a list of all the foods you normally eat and enjoy on Thanksgiving. If something is served at your family meal that you’ve never cared for, guess what? You can boot that bad boy right off the list! 

By and large, the standard Thanksgiving feast consists of: 

Roast turkey 

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Some kind of dinner roll

Cranberry sauce

Some number of vegetable side dishes (often a green been casserole and a sweet potato casserole) 

Some kind of dessert (often/traditionally a pumpkin pie) 

I’ve linked above some easy & favorite techniques/recipes for all of these foods, but of course you can buy time-saving convenience items to get you rolling -- from potato flakes to gravy mix to premade pie. I won’t tell if you don’t. 

If there’s something you’re used to eating every year that you don’t know how to make....call whoever usually makes it! If at all possible, obviously, I’m not recommending you do a seance to talk to your dead great-aunt and get her rolls recipe. Just, like...phone up your friend/family member, get the recipe, and use it as an opportunity to connect. Odds are both of you are missing the human interaction. 

“Hey, That’s Nice, But I Live in a Dorm Room”  Edition 

Okay, okay, I get it. You’re away at college and can’t get home to see your family safely and you’re living in some kind of weird socially isolated dorm situation where you have limited access to cooking implements. Or, shit, idk, maybe you’re couch-surfing or living in a motel or otherwise not in possession of a full kitchen. 

I got you, fam. 

Do you have at your disposal a microwave? Rice cooker? Even an electric kettle will work! 

If you have some way to boil water, you can make instant mashed potatoes, gravy, and stove-top stuffing. If you have a microwave, you can steam some vegetables and bake a sweet potato. For dessert, core an apple, stuff the cavity with brown sugar + cinnamon + butter and nuke in the microwave for 4 minutes. 

It’s hypothetically possible to microwave a turkey, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, I’d opt to buy a deli roast chicken (about $5 at most grocery stores), or even just some turkey deli meat. Alternatively, ham usually just needs to be warmed rather than cooked, and you can buy a big ol’ ham steak at the store for a couple of bucks. 

“I’m Dead Broke Because COVID, Send Help” 

You know the great thing about Thanksgiving food? It’s cheap. No, really! It can be, anyway, especially since a lot of foods go on sale. 

In my area anyway, the local Wal-Mart and Smith’s Grocery have: 

A can of green beans for about 79 cents

A bag of instant mashed potatoes for about $1 

A big can of yams for about $1, or fresh yams for 50 cents/lb (usually a couple sweet potatoes = 1lb) 

Canned corn or peas + corn for 50 cents, or steam-in-bag veggies of your choice for $1 

Stovetop stuffing for $1 or sometimes even 50 cents per box 

Margarine for 79 cents to $1 

Gravy mix packets for 50 cents each

A can of cranberry sauce for $1 or less

Most of these are also available at Dollar Tree! 

A lot of food banks will also be giving out turkeys this time of year, and some grocery stores will give you a free turkey if you spend $50 or $100 on groceries or whatever. Do you have an older relative who needs groceries? Ask if you can go buy their food and deliver it to their door (contactless!) and keep the free turkey.

You can pretty easily feed a group of 4-6 for $20 or so, especially if you’re willing to be flexible on your protein. And what are you doing feeding more than 6 people in the middle of a pandemic, huh? 

“I’m Used to Hosting a Big Dinner But There’s Only Like Three Of Us Living In This House WTF How Do I Scale This Shit Down” 

Maybe you are a Thanksgiving veteran. Maybe you’re accustomed to hosting for a big crowd and cooking a small meal just seems dumb and pointless. I feel you. This is my life right now! But don’t despair! 

The way I see it, you’ve got a couple-three options: 

Option One: 

Cook your turkey + a different side each day, and eat your Thanksgiving feast spread out over a week or so. It’ll keep your leftovers from dominating your fridge, let you eat something fresh, and allow you to enjoy all your favorite recipes. Downside is you’ll have to cook every day, so you tell me if you’re too busy to do that. 

Option Two: 

Cook everything that you normally would, but portion off half of it or whatever to stuff into your freezer, or go deliver it to somebody else’s door. The odds are pretty good that you’ve got a friend or family member who is freaking out about the holiday, and if you can’t see them in person, you can at least drop food off on their porch and then honk aggressively/cheerfully from the safety of your car! 

Option Three: 

Make something different this year. If you’re a foodie, take this as an opportunity to challenge yourself to create something high-maintenance and weird that you wouldn’t normally make. This is a good choice if you’re off work and stuck in your house with nothing else to do. Basically you’re subbing out quantity for quality so the meal still feels special and unique even if it’s, y’know....just you and your cat, or whoever. 

PS: Roasting a whole chicken or a cornish game hen is a fun, small-scale way to get your bird-in-the-oven experience. You can also buy a turkey breast and just cook that, which will be a lot faster than the whole bird anyway. 

"I’m An Essential Worker And I’m Working Thanksgiving And Have No Time To Do ANYTHING, What Now?” 

Dude, I get it. And whether you’re a doctor, nurse, grocery store employee, or whatever other essential service-worker, my heart goes out to you because hoo boy this year has been shit, hasn’t it? I can’t do anything about the hazard pay situation, but I CAN tell you that there are a few places offering delivery-based Thanksgiving meal options! 

You might want to search around a bit for your specific area. Cracker Barrel, Marie Callendar’s, Boston Market, and other types of branded “home-cooking” type restaurants tend to have some kind of Thanksgiving thing. Why not call your local restaurant fav to see if they’re doing something similar? Most restaurants are desperate for a way to stay afloat right now, so a ton of places that don’t traditionally deliver are offering curbside service now. It’s worth a try! 

So, there you have it. 

I hope some of these tips taught you something new, pointed you to a helpful resource, or gave you some ideas. More than anything, I just want everybody to be safe and happy this holiday. So, please -- get creative, wear your mask while you’re shopping, avoid the get-togethers, and be careful. You may save a life! 

[mememanufactorum]

Halo 2 quote starters

* FEEL FREE TO SHARE AS YOU PLEASE, NO CREDIT NEEDED. CHANGE PRONOUNS OR ANYTHING ELSE AS DESIRED.

-The Heretic-

“This has gone on long enough. Make an example of this bungler.”

“The weight of your heresy will stay your feet, and you shall be left behind.”

“You know how expensive this gear is?”

-The Armory-

“Hey, take it easy!”

“Careful, you’ll pull a tendon doing that!”

“Fine, but don’t come cryin’ to me when you rip your leg out of its socket.”

“This is important. You should at least look at me when I’m explaining it.”

“Look, just ‘cause the brass kisses your ass don’t mean I will.”

“Look at me when I talk to you.”

“Are you listenin’ to me?”

“Would it help if I said please?”

“When are you gonna tell me how you made it back home in one piece?”

“Well, he’s in a particularly fine mood.”

“Nobody’s sayin’ much, but I think something big’s about to happen.”

-Cairo Station-

“You told me there wouldn’t be any cameras.”

“You told me you were gonna wear something nice.”

“Folks need heroes, to give ‘em hope. So, smile, would ya? While we still got something to smile about.”

“You’ve drawn quite a crowd.”

“If they came to hear me beg, they will be disappointed.”

“We’re lucky to have you back.”

“I’m sorry, but we’re gonna have to make this quick.”

“You look nice.”

“I need a weapon.”

“Check your targets and watch the crossfire.”

“They’re in standard formation: Little bastards up front, big ones in back.”

“As soon as that door opens, let ‘em have it!”

“I don’t believe it! They’re retreating! We won!”

“This is bad! Real bad!”

“Just a friendly reminder: Bomb.”

“If this thing goes off, I am NEVER talking to you again.”

“Tell your friends I got enough ammo for all of ya!”

“Come on, is that a weapon or a flashlight?”

“How much time was left?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s crazy.”

“So, stay here.”

“Unfortunately for us both, I like crazy.”

“Just one question… What if you miss?”

“For a brick, he flew pretty good!”

-Outskirts-

“Any idea what it means?”

“Hey. Wake up.”

“Talk to me. Should I start CPR? What’s going on?”

“Blink if you can hear me.”

“If they didn’t know we’re here before, they do now!”

“Oh man, I love the beach.”

“I hope you packed a suit.”

“I don’t think they expected us to be here.”

-Metropolis-

“It blew right through us!”

“You had your chance to be afraid before you joined my beloved Corps. But to guide you back to the true path, I have brought this motivational device.”

“When I joined the Corps, we didn’t have any fancy-schmancy tanks! We had sticks! Two sticks and a rock! And we had to share the rock!”

“Usually the good Lord works in mysterious ways. But not today!”

“If God is Love, then you can call me Cupid!”

“They’re tough, but they ain’t invincible.”

“He never gets me anything.”

“Oh, I know what the ladies like.”

“That’s quite a welcome party.”

“Who’s in charge now?”

“See this look?! It’s terror!”

“Did I give you permission to bitch?!”

“I don’t think it’s stopping, get your heads down!”

“That thing is really starting to PISS ME OFF!”

“It can’t go any further this way. We have it trapped.”

“That’s right, you mothers! Run!”

-The Arbiter-

“How much further must we heft this baggage? Any cell will do.”

“Why not toss him in with this lot? They could use the meat.”

“Ultimately, the terms of your execution are up to me.”

“I am already dead.”

“Do you know where we are?”

“Even on my knees, I do not belong in their presence.”

“They would use the faith of our forefathers to bring ruin to us all!”

“What use am I?”

“That armor suits you, but it cannot hide that mark.”

“Their lives matter to me. Yours does not.”

“Warriors, prepare for combat!”

“Be silent and swift, and we shall quell this heresy without incident.”

“We have the element of surprise… For now.”

“That was the last of them – but there are more ahead.”

-The Oracle-

“That stench… I’ve smelled it before.”

“Close your jaw or I shall bind it shut!”

“Come out so we may kill you.”

“We should have brought weapons to burn these bodies.”

“We’ll never break through this!”

“May our Lords guide you.”

“We shall not forget your sacrifice.”

“Keep your blade handy.”

“Take my blade.”

“Turn, heretic.”

“Who has taught you these lies?”

“More questions? Splendid! I would be happy to assist you.”

“Unfortunate. His edification was most enjoyable.”

“Why do you meddlers insist on using such inaccurate verbiage?”

-Delta Halo-

“I don’t care if I have the clearance or not.”

“Where’s our target?”

“Until I can move and fight, I’m going to keep a low profile.”

“Hang onto your helmet!”

“Mind the bump.”

“Could we possibly make any more noise?! ...I guess so.”

“If I were a megalomaniac – and I’m not – that’s where I’d be.”

“I heard that, jackass!”

“Transcendence, huh? More like mass suicide.”

“You always bring me to such nice places.”

“They don’t seem to consider us a very serious threat. Boy, are they in for a big surprise.”

-Regret-

“Wait, go back!”

“I’d need to make a thorough survey to be sure.”

“I wish I had more time to decipher these inscriptions.”

“Well, they were nice enough to bring us a ride.”

“Sorry, were you trying to kill something?”

“And people say I’ve got a big head.”

“Oh man, he’s SO dead.”

“Oh, great! We’re gonna ride another one of these death traps!”

“Man, look at the size of that thing!”

“Guards! Remove this vermin from my sight!”

“You dare to interrupt my sermon?!”

“Surely you can do better than that?”

“Perhaps you underestimated me, no?”

“This is not your grave… But you are welcome in it.”

-Sacred Icon-

“This is unprecedented… Unacceptable!”

“Are you questioning my decision?”

“Politics… How tiresome.”

“We have always been your protectors.”

“These are trying times for all of us.”

“Why? Looking for a little payback?”

“Let’s see if you fare better.”

“Stay in the shadows, wait until it loses interest, then strike the beast when its back is turned.”

“We must hold this camp until reinforcements arrive.”

-Quarantine Zone-

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Forward, warriors, and fear not pain nor death!”

“No matter, they will die all the same.”

“Steel your nerves, we’re not turning back.”

“I grow restless without a target.”

“Ignore the braggart. Ready yourselves.”

“That fool! He’ll alert them to our presence!”

“Look on the bright side, if we’re lucky, they’ll shoot him down.”

“You know, your father never asked me for help either.”

“We got trouble.”

“How you doin’?”

“A bloody fate awaits you and the rest of your incompetent race.”

-Gravemind-

“What… Is that?”

“I am a monument to all your sins.”

“Relax. I’d rather not piss this thing off.”

“Kill me or release me. But do not waste my time with talk!”

“There is much talk, and I have listened through rock and metal and time. Now I shall talk, and you shall listen.”

“We have much to do!”

“You know nothing about containment! You have demonstrated a complete disregard for even the most basic of protocols!”

“If you will not hear the truth, then I shall show it to you.”

“They’re beefing up their patrols. Stay sharp.”

“The path is broad, and we shall walk it side by side.”

“Be glad! A reward for all your toil and all your sacrifices in the year at hand.”

“There are those who said this day would never come. What have they to say now?”

“Look on the bright side: For now, they seem much more interested in killing each other.”

-Uprising-

“Let’s just throw them over the edge.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“So, you’ve come to save your friends!”

“They have shed our brothers’ blood… And for that, they must die.”

“So much for a stealthy advance.”

“Bah! Over so soon?”

“Long have I waited for this!”

“...And yet I live.”

“What vulgar taste. Even as trophies, these weapons are useless.”

-High Charity-

“Your pal. Where’s he going?”

“Not a very original plan, but we know it’ll work.”

“No enemy has ever withstood our might.”

“Arrogant creature. Your death will be instantaneous, while we shall suffer the progress of infinitude!”

“We exist together now… Two corpses in one grave.”

“This crisis will not be the end of us.”

“If you will falter, know this… One final effort is all that remains.”

“I can’t go with you.”

“Don’t make a girl a promise… If you know you can’t keep it.”

-The Great Journey-

“I know a way to break those doors.”

“A day’s rations says I can do this in one cut.”

“You don’t like me, and I sure as hell don’t like you.”

“I just happen to have a key.”

“Hey, bastards! Knock knock!”

“Ha, ha, that’s real funny. I’m still shootin’.”

“What, do I have to spell it out for you? MOVE!”

“Are you trying to get killed? Gimmie some room!”

“Not another word!”

“If you want to keep your brain inside your head, I’ll tell your boys to chill.”

“Go ahead, do your thing.”

“You want revenge? Well, here I am. Come and take it.”

“Just like the rest of your race, cowardly and weak.”

“A lucky hit. You shall not land another.”

“Silence fills the empty grave now that I have gone.”

“My mind is not at rest, for questions linger on. I will ask, and you will answer.”

[malfoyinfidus]

“ -- -- THEODORE, it is always good to see you.  have you come to look at the collection again?”  lucius’ smile does not reach his eyes as he steps aside to allow nott entrance into the malfoy manor.  the walls feel HAUNTED now.  there has been some major redecoration since the awful year, but still lucius feels unsafe in his own home.  alas.  “or, what’s left of it.”  he adds with a humorless chuckle.  “how have you fared?  i saw the papers. . .  i could vouch for you.  your father and i. . .”  were they friends?  lucius does not know any longer.  “no matter.  i only offer you my help, should it... do any good.”  there is much SHAME in the malfoy house these days, and draco can only do so much to fix his father’s mistakes.  

@theoamatus​ liked for a starter!

[floweypacifistweed]

Url tosserino

My Opinion on;

Character in general: Well, he is your interpretation and development. In my opinion a character with a lot of self-confidence, harsh, aggressive but also with his good sides, especially towards his closest friends and family. A typical character believing strength comes from raw power and being ready to fight in the blink of an eye. Such characters always fare well in the grand scheme of any RP and even just because they always have something to say or offer you a fighting choice option! Additionally he is very well thought out and groomed for your playing pleasure, so I see nothing wrong about your portrayal! It is perfect and I actually want to know more! How they play them: Fiercely, violent, giving me lots of good vibes. I am no stranger to headbutting and having such an interaction was really GOOD after such a long time without engaging in RP. It really fueled my inspiration and made me want to have those two collide more often. Antagonizing seems to really float my boat in all honesty. The Mun: Is a nice bean! We are talking on and off, every few days and we are also sharing opinions or some hobbies. I also recently realized we kind of have the same humor, which makes all of the interaction even more worth it! I’d love to talk more in the future and also interact more with your muse!

Do I:

RP with them: In all honesty, I was a bit intimidated, first stepping foot on this page. As it tends to happen with OC characters, they are a lot harder to act out than OGs. You find yourself stressing over making them believable without having a notion to swing by... the only thing you can rely on is a certain vibe for their personality and a strict Parkour of rules. Of course reading specific rules like that always makes you wonder if you can keep all of them and can enact an interaction to the other ones taste. So I was extremely anxious starting out. It took some nudges from them to even satisfactorily make me overstep the worry and just write that damn start for our interaction already. And I was entirely too happy and relieved, when it worked out as well as it did. Want to RP with them:  You should! Their world and character building is fantastically thought out and the character I got to know for now gives you a lot to work with! The RP never comes to a standstill or gets dull, you always have a point of action that you find desirable to pick. I have been enacting a LOT of fights in RPs, even during online MMORPGs and I found those RPs to be relatively hard to get a hang on back then. No problems here. Like genuinely, this mun will even go out to flatter you for writing your replies, which is just BEYOND me to even express well, because it is just so completely sweet and nice! Definitely a stamp of approval for me. You don’t have to worry about me coming back there. Tell me a time and a desired plot start and we will do this, my friend!

What is my;

Overall Opinion: Very inspiring person and choices for their plot point picks and interactions! I would advice you to engage them with the vigor they deserve, because everything else would be a crime! COMMIT OR GO HOME!! X’D

The mun is a sweetheart to talk to and you should prepare to be comfortable around them, because they have a very inviting personality! You can let yourself be slipped away here and be pretty assured, that nothing much can go wrong. Treat them with respect and show them kindness and you’ll realize what a cool partner in RP they are! I have a feeling that OCs don’t get enough love and attention here and whenever I am busy and see their starters rush by without much notice, it somewhat breaks my heart, because they deserve more attention. They have a very fiery muse and I know that isn’t necessarily for everyone. I would advice you guys to just step into their game though, because world building for your own pleasure is a though talent. A lot of people on here really try their best. People like @pawnshopsouls build their whole worlds here, thriving from the attention they get and become more well versed with every interaction they have, because it gives them so much more to build on and work with.

I feel like if we all stepped into their game a little more and just let them around us freely, everybody could get beautiful things out of it. This mun strikes me as extremely creative and their muse also calls to me in that sense, that they are able to thrive with attention and become so SO much more than you expect them to be. So I personally ask you to pick that chance up and just try the fit! There is really nothing to lose here. All you can do is win!

[luxusnoname]

Glory Is A Whisper (Part One)

Summary: All his life, Braig dreamed of the honor and prestige that came along with being a hero from the stories of old. So when an opportunity to find a legendary weapon falls right into his lap, how can he say no? But if those stories are anything to go by, things never turn out quite as expected. Part one of (?) in a series. For Day 6 of @apprenticeweek : AU.

Characters/Pairings: Braig, Dilan, Aeleus, bg Dilan/Aeleus. More to come in the next part 👀

Rating: T; some alcohol and swears

Word Count: ~2.1k

Author’s Note: Will be posting part 2 tomorrow for the free day! I started writing this as a one shot but it quickly spiraled out of control. You know what they say: once you start using fantasy name generators for your towns and mountain ranges it’s all downhill from there.

~~~

Glory Is A Whisper

“I just don’t get it,” Braig pondered aloud, kicking his feet up on the rough-hewn tavern table as he tipped back precariously in his chair. “What do all of those legendary heroes have that I don’t?”

The fairy-tales always made it sound so easy. Sure, there was usually a dragon guarding the princess or some ancient necromancer with an army of undead to protect a magical artifact, but the hero's path always seemed to lay out nicely before them. Sometimes it appeared in the form of a magical mentor, sending the hero on a quest or guiding them to great power. Other times it was a prophecy, a pre-destined event that one was born and molded for their entire lives. Braig had neither of these going for him. So what then was an aspiring glory seeker to do?

Dilan, one of Braig’s only friends in the village, sighed and sloshed the liquid in his tankard around. How many times had they had this conversation before? He didn’t look up from his ale as he responded sharply.

“Manners, for starters. Feet off the table, Braig.”

The smaller man gave a dramatic groan, but obeyed. “I’m serious! I’ve got charisma-”

“Debatable.”

“-good looks-”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“-and my skill with a bow.”

Dilan grumbled; he unfortunately couldn’t refute that. If there was anything that could be said about Braig’s potential for greatness, it would be attributed to his keen marksmanship. He was also quick and far more clever than most would give him credit for, but he often acted carelessly on impulse. His personality, boisterous and cocksure, left much to be desired. 

He was a man through and through - by all accounts, the least remarkable race in the realm. And if one asked any of the villagers of Dunstead that knew Braig, he in particular was even less so.

“All I’m saying,” Braig continued, “is that there’s gotta be something more to life than… This.” He gestured to the rest of the tavern and its rowdy, drunken patrons. The irony that he was one of them went completely over his head.

Dilan scowled. “You’re the one who wanted to come here in the first place.”

“You know what I mean! Yeah, I like to come here because sometimes people come through with stories. Stories of places and treasures far away from here. But if this is all I have to look forward to for the rest of my life? What’s the point?”

“I think you’ve had too much ale and it’s muddling what little sense you have left.” He shook his head. “Perhaps it’s time we leave. I have to be at the blacksmith’s first thing tomorrow morning.”

Braig waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not nearly as drunk as you think. You can go if you want, but I’m going to stay a while longer.”

“If you say so.” Dilan stood up with a grunt, digging around in his pocket for a few silver pieces. He set them on the table. “Give these to the barkeep before you leave. Do not pocket them.”

“Give ‘em to him yourself then. Aeleus likes you better anyway.”

He watched his companion leave the tavern, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aeleus doing the same. Braig rolled his eyes. Their mutual infatuation was so obvious to everyone but each other, yet Dilan called him the simpleton. He kicked his feet back up on the table and closed his eyes, listening for any threads of conversation that might be mildly interesting.

“They’re not so much from me as they are an apology for him having to put up with you,” he quipped, with a quick glance at the ginger man behind the counter. “Besides. He’s busy right now and doesn’t need me distracting him.”

Braig shrugged. “Whatever you say, Dil. Have a good night.”

He had spent many a night like this in Dunstead’s tavern, listening to rangers and travelers and peddlers exchange stories in hopes of finding a legend to follow. Preferably something that required his skill with a bow to slay a dangerous beast or defeat a great foe. His fingers itched for a more challenging opponent than the rabbit he hunted for dinner last night.

But these were not the sorts of stories he heard. Most of them were boring and none were even close to anything he would consider legendary. Sure, killing a rabid wolf that had been slowly picking off members of a nearby village was worth some bragging rights, but where were the riches? The grandeur? He wanted recognition and reward for his efforts, but he was beginning to think the opportunity would never come.

And then the tavern door creaked open and the din of the crowd quieted ever so slightly. Braig cracked an eye open and glanced toward the newcomer. It appeared to be an older man judging by his gait, but a heavy cloak obscured his face. He wasn’t a Dunstead local, that much was for certain. More than a few pairs of eyes followed him to the bar where he seated himself. There was a heavy and distinct air of otherness about him that Braig couldn’t put his finger on. He seemed… Powerful. Important.

Maybe he’d had too much ale after all, because he didn’t even think before he stood from his own table and swiped up the money left by Dilan, making his way to the bar. He seated himself next to the stranger and beckoned Aeleus over.

“A pint of your finest for myself and this gentleman here.” Braig handed him a silver piece with a flourish. “You can keep the change.”

Aeleus nodded and set about pouring their drinks. Braig turned to the old man, who had watched the exchange passively. It was strange; even up close, he couldn’t make out any distinguishing features beneath the cowl.

“I appreciate the kindness, stranger.” The newcomer's voice came as a deep and gravely rasp. “Do you often buy drinks for weary travelers?”

“I guess you could say I’m in charge of hospitality here,” he grinned. “The name’s Braig.”

The man dipped his head in acknowledgement. “A pleasure.”

“Your drinks, gentlemen,” Aeleus interrupted, shooting Braig a brief ‘I know you’re bullshitting this man but I’m going to stay out of it’ glance before setting their tankards down and leaving to serve another patron.

Braig lifted his drink in a toast, bumping it with the stranger’s. “Welcome to Dunstead, my friend!”

As they drank, Braig got the feeling that this reclusive stranger was privy to some secret knowledge or power. He just had a feeling. And so he found himself crafting a very elaborate and very false story about how he was a famed archer in the region and basically the hero of Dunstead. He recounted a tale in which he single-handedly defended a young prince who’d been attacked by bandits while passing through the hills on the east end of the village, and was rewarded handsomely for his valor. Most of the money was donated to widows and poor families in town, of course. He peppered in other small, more believable acts of kindness as well, and the stranger listened with rapt attention.

“A shame your deeds are not known elsewhere,” the gentleman hummed at the end of it all. “It is to be expected, of course. Such heroic men are usually only acknowledged in the pages of history. But it would appear I’ve found a legend in the making.”

“Eh, maybe so,” he shrugged nonchalantly. “But helping others is a reward all its own.”

“Me? A living legend?” Braig laughed, playing up his modesty. “As if. I’m just a guy who does the right thing, regardless of reward.”

“Oh, but that selflessness is what qualifies you to be a hero,” the stranger continued. “You’ve risked your life for others with little regard for your own safety. Don’t you think that’s deserving of something more than just the respect of your fellow man?”

“But what if I told you that it doesn’t have to be?”

Braig’s façade almost cracked as whatever he’d been about to say died on his lips. His shock, however, was quickly covered up with an easy grin. He knew his act was working as intended, but he hadn’t expected to get to this point so quickly. 

The man dug around in his robe for a moment before procuring a rolled parchment. He laid it on the bar to reveal a map of the realm. Braig had seen one like it once before, a traveling peddler’s map marked with safe trade routes and profitable towns. But this map… There was only one destination marked on it. An inconspicuous spot at the foot of the Skarnfell mountain range.

“Tell me, Braig, have you heard tales of Whisperwind?”

His jaw nearly hit the floor. Of course he knew of Whisperwind, as did every other child who’d ever heard a bedtime story. It was a legendary elven bow, enchanted so that as long as the target was in sight, its wielder would aim true every time. He hadn’t allowed himself to believe it was real since he was a boy that dreamed of discovering it. Most dismissed it as a legend.

The stranger gave a low chuckle. “I can tell by your expression that you have. Now, don’t you think such a weapon would be fitting for a hero such as yourself?”

“But… I thought the elves left this region long ago.”

“That is what history has told us, yes. But their last settlement before moving on, a city inside the mountain, still stands. And inside, they left behind one of their greatest artifacts.” The man pointed to the spot on the map to reinforce his point. “I’ve searched for it myself, but lack the wits I’d had in my youth. Perhaps you’d fare better?”

“I-I don’t know what to say.” They were the first honest words he’d spoken to the stranger so far, a sure sign of his shock. “I appreciate it, I do, but… Why entrust something like this to me?”

The stranger laid a hand on his shoulder, eyes beneath the cowl silently penetrating his very soul. Was that a flash of gold he saw?

“You are a great man in word and deed, Braig. As I said before, I believe you are worthy of more than just praise alone. This is your opportunity to become something more. A true legend.”

Maybe it was just Braig’s imagination, but was the man’s grip on his shoulder tighter? Or was he just nervous, already imagining the journey ahead? This was what he’d always dreamed of, after all. A legend to chase after. His chance for glory.

His destiny.

“Take this map home with you and think on what I’ve said.” He let go of Braig’s shoulder and rolled the parchment up once more. “A gift, for entertaining this weary old man with tales of valor and generosity.”

Braig stood up, tucking the map into his pocket and shaking the stranger’s hand. “Thank you, mister…” He chuckled awkwardly. “Y’know, this whole time we were talking, I never did catch your name.”

“My name is hardly important. But I’ve affixed the corner of the map with my symbol. If you discover Whisperwind and make it into the pages of history, I would like to be named in your story. My symbol will suffice for such a purpose.”

Braig nodded dumbly, head still reeling from the revelations of the past few minutes. “Yeah, of course. I’ll never forget your kindness, sir. Truly.” He turned to walk away, but stopped short. “Wait, do you have a place to stay tonight? If you don’t, it’s the least I could do to offer you mine.”

The man laughed, deep and rich. “You needn’t put yourself out on my account. I have money for a room at the inn tonight. I’ll be moving on tomorrow morning.”

“Alright, well. I bid you a good night then. And safe travels.”

“Likewise, young man.”

As Braig left the tavern, he nodded to Aeleus, who was doing his best not to make eye contact with Braig. Bless the man, he really did mind his business… Oh right, he almost forgot the tip! Braig stopped just outside the door and dug in his pocket for the silver coins Dilan left, but his fingers found nothing. Huh, maybe he’d dropped them on the way to the bar. They were probably long gone, swept up by some vulture. Not that it mattered, anyway. What was a few pieces of silver to a great weapon from the age of elves?

Braig hardly got a wink of sleep that night. The stranger told him to think it over, but he’d already made up his mind. He packed a bag and was ready to leave at sunrise. The journey would only take a week, so he really had nothing to lose. The most difficult part would be the day spent navigating through Willowmire forest at the northern border of Dunstead. But as long as he stuck to the path, he’d be fine. He had to be, for his destiny awaited him.

[kirishwima]

Sophia my darling friend I hope the reblogging of sentence starters means you're taking prompts? "You can call me anytime, even if you dont really have a reason to" with stucky? ♡♡

That is correct my fluffy bean! And you found the way straight ot my heart-hwich is just 80% filled with Stucky and 20% with like, pizza idk

from these prompts******Steve is restless.It’s not hard to tell; the way his leg bounces where he’s sitting, how his arms are folded, the purse of his lips. Anyone can tell. Bucky even more so. How could he not? There’s the tell-tale signs only he knows, the Steve that’s his and only his, who no one else has ever seen. The way his nose scrunches up by a fraction when he’s stressed, how his fingers clench into his palms, a nasty habit that used to leave semilunar dips into his skin. Bucky would trace his finger over the crescent moons, rub his thumb over them as he chastised Steve for his bad habits.“I don’t know Buck”, Steve started and Bucky could do little else but shake his head, “I don’t-I don’t feel good about this.”Steve stood up, paced around the wide marble room. To the side, Bucky could see the entire forest, the bright blue skies spanning over Wakanda, sunlight preening through the open balcony. How beautiful, Bucky thought, the way the blue of the sky resembles those eyes, still the same no matter the bloodshed and the horror that befell them. To have these eyes worry, worry because of him-it was a sin far too great for Bucky to bear.“Steve” he started, but to no avail.“I’ll be so far away Buck, for so long-I’ll come, as often as possible but what if you need me? What if-““Steve. Stevie.”Steve paused, turned to Buck, his restlessness a constant jitter on his back. He sighed, eyed Bucky as he stood and took a gentle hold of Steve’s hands, guided him to the balcony and fresh summer air, the breeze cool and hot all at once.“Do you trust me?” Bucky asked, his voice soft, afraid to break the sacred moment. Steve’s fingers clenched over his.“Always.”“Then trust that I’m making the best decision. Please.”Steve looked to him, and Bucky looked back unwavering. He searched for any hint of judgement in those baby blues, any droplet of doubt or fear.He found none. He never did.“Call me, okay? Even if it’s late or early or even if you’re busy-call me every day. You can call me anytime, even if you don’t really have a reason to.”Bucky huffed a small laugh.“As soon as Shuri shows me how to work these Wakandan watch-phones, sure. I will, everyday.”Steve leaned close, knocked his forehead against Bucky’s.Bucky breathed in, let his eyes fall shut. There were words threatening to spill through his mouth, selfish ones he knew he didn’t deserve to say.You can stay here. Stay here with me.Please.He swallowed it down, the lodge in his throat ready to burst through his skin and let him bleed to death. And even then, he wouldn’t say them.Bucky needed Steve.The world needed Captain America.Steve brought a hand up, traced Bucky’s cheek, grazed his temples with his knuckles. He brought his hand to the nape of Bucky’s neck, gripped his skin as if afraid to let go.He leaned up, placed a kiss on Bucky’s temple.“You’ll be safe here. Time away form the battlefield-It’ll do you good. I know it will.”Nothing can be good without you here.“Yeah. It’ll be just like the old days, with just more technology. And ‘selfies’”, he chuckled.Steve smiled, yet it didn’t reach his eyes. His nose still scrunched, the furrow in his brow held a secret he refused to share with Bucky.Tell me. You worries your fears; let them spill from your heart to mine. A heart like yours shouldn’t be tainted with worry, not for me, not ever.Steve opened his mouth to speak. Whatever words he was to say died in his throat when a cough interrupted them, coming across from the palace doors.“I hate to interrupt whatever you lovebirds were up to”, Shuri’s playful tone seeped into her voice, her hands on her hips and her grin wide and sly, “and I’ll give you more time if you need it, but Captain, your ride is here. And he doesn’t seem very keen on waiting.”“You heard her right Rogers”, came another voice from Shuri’s watch. With a flick of her wrist, Sam’s face popped up, the holographic blue doing nothing to hide his grin. “Either take Barnes with you or get your goodbyes over with and get over here.”Steve shut his eyes, shook his head.“I’ll be there in a minute.”He turned to Bucky, his smile bittersweet, the hold of his hands loosening.“You stay safe, you hear me? And call me. Whenever you can just-talk to me.”Bucky nodded. He didn’t trust his throat to speak.He didn’t trust his lips to smile, not when Steve’s back turned to him, broad, battered through the fabric of his shirt; Bucky knew better than anyone the burdens that back fared. He didn’t trust his eyes to remain dry when the door shut, when he caught glimpse of Shuri’s sympathetic wince as she guided Steve away.He didn’t trust himself to make it without his other half. Not again.******

:-))

[camillemontespan]

the dinner party, part one [TRR]

Pairings: Oh boy. So basically, there's a lot of sexual tension/love triangles going on and the dinner party is going to reveal secrets, lies and everything in between. Set before Liam becomes King and the attacks. Let's serve the appetisers.

Drake X MC (Camille).

Kiara x Drake (I know, like leave him alone please).

Olivia x Liam (unrequited)

Liam x Camille (he is in love with her).

Madeleine x Hana (unrequited, full of denial bitchy love on Madeleine’s part).

Maxwell x Hana (and vice versa. I really ship these two).

The Evening’s Specials: Backstabbing served with a side order of insults; secret kisses; a big dish of illicit touching under the table served with a cold glass of truth. Enjoy.

Camille studied her reflection in the mirror. Standing in the palace boutique, she had watched Bertrand and Maxwell gather together suitable outfits for tonight’s dinner party. She was currently wearing a ruby red strapless mermaid tail dress that split up her leg.  It skimmed her curves and showed off her body in all the right places. ‘This dress is quite... scandalous,’ she commented, smoothing her hands over her hips. Bertrand glared. ‘This dress is vintage Valentino. You will wear it.’ Camille grinned. ‘Oh, I wasn’t complaining Bertrand.’  She twirled around and Maxwell gave her a thumbs up. ‘You look amazing! To think when we first found you, you were wearing that unflattering grey waitress uniform and now, you look like a film star!’  Camille clapped her hands together in excitement. ‘What are you wearing tonight, Maxwell? Squid suit?’ Maxwell considered. ‘Well, I do love my squid suit... but this occasion calls for a James Bond-esque suit.’ Camille looked through the racks of suits, trying to pick a good one out for him. ‘Why has Liam invited us to a private dinner? How private are we talking?’ Maxwell grimaced. ‘Me, you, Hana, Liam, Drake, Olivia, Kiara, Madeleine...’ Camille groaned. ‘Madeleine? Really? What about Penelope?’ ‘She had a poodle emergency.’ 

Maxwell located a suit and went into the changing room to try it on. Bertrand was tidying away the discarded dresses that had been rejected. ‘Are you not invited Bertrand?’ Camille asked. ‘I was but I’m too busy with Beaumont affairs,’ he said. ‘Shame because I do love the wine that Liam’s household serves.’ ‘Maybe I can steal you a bottle,’ Camille suggested, winking. Bertrand chuckled. ‘I think Queen Regina checks their wine supply every day so sadly, not possible.’  Maxwell came out of the changing room, strutting into their vision. ‘I’ve found it. Just call me Beaumont. Maxwell Beaumont.’ He twirled on his feet and flashed the inside of his suit jacket. Camille grinned. ‘You look so good!’ Maxwell finger gunned. Bertrand groaned. ‘This is what House Beaumont is coming to...’

At seven pm, Camille and Maxwell reached the front door of the palace. ‘Do you think I can perform my sword trick with the champagne?’ he asked her as they waited for the palace doorman to let them in. Camille winced. ‘I don’t think so, babe...’ Maxwell shrugged. ‘Oh well. Next time!’ ‘Hey Maxwell. Montespan.’ They turned to see Drake had turned up. He was dressed in a dark blue suit. ‘Drake, you’re all dressed up!’ Camille said. ‘You look great.’ ‘Don’t get used to it, Montespan,’ he said dryly.  The door was opened and they were guided into the foyer. The chandelier above twinkled and the candles that were set on each step of the winding staircase glowed. The doorman took Camille’s coat. Upon seeing her dress, Drake’s eyes widened. ‘Montespan, you look... wow.’ Camille looked down at her dress and blushed. ‘Vintage Valentino, did you know?’  Drake shook his head, his mouth agape.  Camille sniggered and walked past him, bumping her hip deliberately into his. He turned pink as he watched her hips do a figure of eight as she glided further into the foyer.  Maxwell smiled at Drake and followed her, oblivious to the tent-like situation going on in Drake’s lower region. ‘I’ll, erm...  just wait here and make sure the coats are okay...’ Drake said, clearing his throat. 

Ten minutes later, the rest of the party had arrived. Liam had his servants serve them glasses of champagne first. ‘Thank you for attending my private dinner,’ he began. ‘I feel we haven’t had a chance to get to know each other properly as this suitor competition has been going on. I know all the suitors individually but I feel you don’t really know each other. So, let’s use tonight to change that.’ Olivia smirked. ‘I get why the suitors are here, but why the village idiot of House Beaumont and the commoner who always gets a free ride?’ Maxwell’s mouth dropped open. ‘Hey! Village idiot?!’ ‘Free ride?’ Drake replied, not amused. Olivia shrugged, ‘Just stating the facts.’ ‘Olivia, we’ve not even sat down yet and you’re already insulting the others? Really?’ Camille said, a look of disgust on her face. ‘At least wait until the shrew gets served, then you can talk.’  Drake tried very hard not to break out into a smile. Camille came to this dinner armed.  Olivia sighed. ‘Fine. Liam, where are we all sitting? I hope I’m next to you, as I am your childhood friend.’ The other ladies rolled their eyes. Liam smiled. ‘You are actually.’ Olivia smiled. ‘Well then ladies, after me.’

Camille found herself sat in between Hana and Drake. She could live with that, considering Hana was becoming her closest friend at court and Drake... well, Drake’s fingers had made their way through the split in the dress and between her thighs as soon as they sat down, so she was content with the situation. She pulled her chair in more so she was closer to the table. It meant Drake’s hands were hidden from the rest of the table and it wasn’t obvious what he was doing to her.  ‘Your dress is beautiful, Camille!’ Hana exclaimed. ‘Where did you get it?’ Camille focused her attention on her friend, placing a napkin over her lap. ‘It’s vintage Valentino, according to Bertrand.’ ‘You have to let me borrow it another night,’ Hana said. ‘I can lend you vintage Dolce and then we can both be happy!’ They both giggled and Hana surveyed the menu. ‘Hmm, interesting dishes. I wonder if they still have that Michelin chef in the kitchen?’ ‘Hmm, I wonder,’ Camille murmured, skimming her eyes over the menu but not absorbing any of it. Instead, she was focusing entirely on Drake’s touch, which had increased in speed. She bit her lower lip and clenched the side of her chair. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Drake was smirking. God, she loved this devilish side of him. It made her even more aroused just thinking of him, dominating her. 

They had began sharing secret moments a month ago, after their trip to Olivia’s. Once Drake had let down his walls and opened up to her, Camille found that she had been trying to spend more time with him. She had soon realised that he was trying too. He had invited her to have a drink with him in Olivia’s wine cellar and  another time, they had played pool. He took her out to a cosy Italian restaurant, no frills, no fuss. They hung out together, pretending they were just friends, but they both knew that wasn’t the case. When she had kissed him in the wine cellar, that was it. Lines had been crossed. They both knew where the other stood. Now, any chance they got, they found a way to share a moment. Camille wanted him. She wanted to feel him touch her, to feel his body on hers. But more than that, she thought about him all the time. About how whenever she watched a film she thought he might like, she wanted to tell him all about it. Or whenever she read a book, she would bookmark a page that reminded her of him. She was scared to admit that she was falling for him but she knew she was.

 The thing that held her back was being in the competition. She didn’t want to embarrass Liam by leaving. She didn’t want everyone to make Drake out to be the villain. But she was growing increasingly scared that Liam was going to choose her. She didn’t know why - aside from their first meeting in New York, she hadn’t actually spent that much time with him. He was always trying to keep the other suitors happy so he would catch her for short moments then leave again. Naturally, she felt closer to Drake since she actually saw him a lot more than anyone else she knew. But Liam had been telling her secretly that if he had his way, he would choose her now. He would tell all the other suitors to go home. At first, she found it flattering. Now that she saw Drake in a new light, she felt sick every time Liam whispered romantic things in her ear. 

Drake’s fingers went deeper into her and she nearly knocked over her champagne glass. She gave a startled squeal, prompting curious looks from Hana and Madeleine.  Camille discreetly took Drake’s hand and drew it away from her. ‘Damn it,’ Drake breathed, his mouth quirking at the corner. Camille responded by placing her hand on his crotch.  ‘Camille, you look flushed,’ Madeleine commented. Camille shrugged, keeping a casual look on her face. Drake reminded himself to never play poker with her. ‘It is quite warm in here. Can someone open a window?’ Liam asked a servant to open a window and a burst of cool air entered the room. The room now also filled with the smell of fish. Plates of salmon were placed on the table in front of the guests and everyone tucked in for the starter. A tray of olives, bread and oil was laid out in the centre. Olivia took an olive and studied Camille. ‘So, Camille.  How do you think you are faring in the competition?’

Everyone turned to look at Camille. Camille swallowed her bread. ‘I believe Liam is the best one to ask that question to,  to be honest,’ she answered. Liam was about to reply but Olivia cut over him. ‘I just would like your opinion. After all, you could be better matched to someone else more of your station, not a prince, that’s all...’ Camille maintained her straight face. She felt Drake tense up beside her. Please keep calm, Drake, she willed him. ‘More of my station?’ she asked, her eyes flashing. Olivia smirked. ‘Say, to a palace servant. Or a stable hand. Or a commoner, just a few suggestions.’ Madeleine raised an eyebrow. ‘Who would dare marry a commoner?’ She and Olivia both laughed, the two of them ganging up.  ‘This isn’t a nice dinner conversation,’ Hana said. ‘Let’s move on. I’m sure Liam will decide who he wants to marry in his own time.’ Liam shot Hana a grateful smile. ‘Indeed. No cat fights at the dinner table, please.’ Madeleine rolled her eyes. ‘Oh please, Liam. What did you expect when you invited all of the suitors to dinner?’ ‘I expected manners and sophistication,’ Liam replied cooly, ‘but I see that is lacking in two people at this table and  FYI, Camille is not included in that. Make of that what you will.’ ‘Buuuuurn....’ Maxwell muttered, playing with his piece of bread.

Madeleine’s eyes shot to Maxwell. ‘Don’t even get me started on you,’ she spat. He looked up and stared at her. ‘What have I done?!’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.’ Liam raised his hands up. ‘Enough Madeleine. That’s an order.’ She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her champagne.  Liam sighed. ‘Now, Kiara, how are you finding the competition?’ Kiara looked up, her eyes wide. She had barely spoken a word all night, since her only friend Penelope wasn’t in attendance. She was sat next to Maxwell who had been trying his best to get her to talk, but she had looked at him like he was on fire and hadn’t offered much conversation. ‘Oh? Tres agreable,’ she said. ‘I’ve enjoyed meeting all the other ladies.’  ‘Good to hear,’ Liam answered, glad to have one lady who wasn’t biting another guests head off. ‘You’ve been doing very well.’ ‘Thank you,’ she said, blushing. She glanced over at Drake. Camille noticed and fought down the urge to hold Drake’s hand in front of her. Kiara had been interested in Drake since the barn raising event in which he had helped her and her eyes had followed him like a puppy dog since. It was slightly grating. Drake never noticed because his eyes always followed Camille. Kiara knew this, but she was still hopeful that he would notice her. Olivia looked at her and raised an eyebrow. ‘Have you made many friends here? Not me, of course. Are you friends with Camille?’ Kiara nodded. ‘I like to think so,’ she answered politely. Camille smiled at her. She and Kiara could play nice, they weren’t naturally bitchy, unlike Olivia and Madeleine.  ‘And Drake?’ Olivia continued. Kiara blushed again, this time a deeper shade. Drake looked at her over his glass of champagne. ‘Drake has been very nice too,’ she replied. ‘Though I haven’t got to know him much.’ ‘I’m sure you’d like to change that,’ Madeleine said dryly. Kiara paled. So Madeleine also knew about her crush. Perfect. Drake cast her a warm smile. ‘We can be friends if you want, Kiara.’ He had meant it to be a nice gesture, to help her feel more at ease, but Kiara looked down at the table, her heart sinking. Camille winced. Men could be so dense sometimes. 

When the chicken had been served,  thinly veiled insults continued to be tossed around the table.  Madeleine now decided to turn her attention to Hana. She commented that Hana’s beautiful dress was last season and therefore, unwearable. She asked if Hana was used to such a tough competition given that she was always ‘so sickeningly nice.’ Hana had looked down at her lap, trying her best to stop tears from forming. Camille discreetly took hold of Hana’s hand under the table and give it a little squeeze. ‘Camille, I want to leave,’ Hana whispered when everyone else was now talking about the next social event. Camille shook her head. ‘You can’t, Hana. Liam’s invited you to dinner. Besides, if you leave now, it’ll just give Madeleine more ammunition.’ Hana groaned and pushed her plate away. She was no longer hungry. The conversation moved onto families and naturally, Drake stayed quiet. He helped himself to more champagne, wishing it was whiskey. ‘Camille, tell us about your family,’ Madeleine said, giving her a smile.  ‘There’s nothing to tell,’ Camille replied, giving her a smile back. It hurt to do it.  ‘Really? Just because I did some research and it seems like you have quite the interesting background...’ Kiara frowned. ‘Interesting background?’ ‘It’s nothing,’ Camille said quickly and Madeline sat back, looking triumphant. She had found a sore spot, finally.

‘I mean, your parents died when you were younger, right? Was it to alcohol? Or to drugs? Either way, so tragic.’ Hana’s cutlery clattered to her plate. ‘Madeleine, how dare you!’ Liam cleared his throat. ‘Madeleine, that’s enough.’ ‘What? It’s what I heard!’ Madeleine said, her eyes wide. Camille stared at her plate, her chest rising quickly. Do not give her the satisfaction, she told herself.  Maxwell stood up. ‘Let’s play Charades!’ ‘Dinner’s not finished yet,’ Madeline said. ‘So yes, very tragic. You’re an orphan. Taken in by your grandmother, I heard. But she passed away a few years ago so you really are all alone in the world. Poor Camille-’ ‘Madeleine, shut the fuck up right now,’ Drake ground out. He was clenching Camille’s hand under the table, stroking her fingers, trying to calm her down. He was the only one who knew about Camille’s parents who both died when she was five. He knew that five year old Camille had walked into her parent’s room and found both of them lying on the bed, syringes stuck in their veins, their skin blue and veiny. They were still. She had told him the story after a few too many whiskeys and in between her hiccups and tears, she admitted that she wished she had been there to stop them.  Camille jumped up from the table and stormed out of the room. ‘It was just an observation,’ Madeline said innocently. Olivia turned to look at her, a look of disgust etched on her face. ‘That was too far, Madeline,’ she said. ‘I thought you at least had one shred of decency.’  Drake excused himself from the table to find Camille. He looked at Liam, who nodded. 

Drake found her in the Study. She was sat on the edge of the desk, shaking and tears rolling down her cheeks. Drake rushed forward and scooped her up into his arms. ‘It’s okay,’ he murmured. He kissed the top of her head firmly. She felt so small in his arms. Her hands clung onto his lapels as she shook.  ‘I feel so embarrassed,’ she whispered. ‘Nobody knows about my parents. Not even Hana or Maxwell. Only you. I hoped it would be a secret. How did she even find that out?’‘ ‘She has her ways,’ Drake said bitterly. He looked down into her eyes which were now red rimmed. ‘Are you alright? You say the word and we’ll leave. I’ll take you away from this.’ She shook her head. ‘I wish... Liam invited us, it would be rude to leave-’ ‘Camille, I think he would understand! She has bullied you relentlessly.’ ‘She would win if I left,’ Camille replied. Her eyes flashed. ‘I’m not going to give her the satisfaction.’ Drake sighed.  ‘Thank you for the suggestion, though,’ she said, smiling weakly. ‘I’d love it if you could take me away from all of this.’ Drake stroked her cheek and kept her gaze. ‘I always want to take you away.’ Her lips met his and he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her in closer. He felt her heart pounding against his chest and to his alarm, a tear fall down her cheek. He pulled away and studied her. ‘Camille?’ She laughed bitterly. ‘I’m this close to asking you to take me away from Cordonia, take me back to New York, away from all of this shit and we can just be together, like this, all the time. Can we do that, Drake?’ Drake ran his hands down her arms. ‘If I said yes, will you let me kiss you again?’ She nodded. ‘Then yes,’ he answered. 

Camille threw her arms around him. The kiss was deeper, more desperate, more needy. His tongue explored her mouth and she breathed heavily, gasping as his hands ran over her body. ‘I need this...’ she murmured. Camille wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his hardness against her. ‘I need you,’ she continued.  ‘You have me,’ he whispered.  Her hands made their way to his belt buckle and she unclasped it. Drake kissed her neck and his lips roamed down her collarbone down to her cleavage. ‘Oh, Drake...’ Camille groaned. ‘Oh my!’ a shrill voice interrupted. Drake and Camille jumped and pulled away from each other. Their eyes were both wild. They saw Madeleine standing at the door, smirking. Drake cleared his throat and gently moved to let Camille off the desk. ‘Well, this is unexpected but I suppose not a surprise - the commoners united. I was right.’ 

Camille smoothed her hair and straightened her shoulders. ‘Shut up, Madeleline,’ she said. Drake quickly fastened his belt buckle. Madeleline gave a hollow laugh. ‘So typical. Wait till I tell Liam that his best friend is trying to steal his favourite suitor. What a laugh that will be!’ She turned to leave the room but Drake grabbed her arm. ‘If you do that, I will make you regret the day you were born.’ She cast his hand off her arm, shooting him a look of fury. ‘How dare you threaten me!’ Camille stepped close to her. ‘You’ve threatened me many times, Madeleine. Now you can have your fun and tell Liam. Go ahead. I would love to leave this competition. But something tells me you won’t.’ Madeleline raised an eyebrow. ‘Oh really? How come?’ Camille gave her a little smirk. ‘If you tell Liam, I will tell Hana how much you want her.’ Madeleine’s eyes widened. ‘What? That is absurd-’ Camille held up a hand and silenced her. Drake smirked. God, he loved powerful Montespan.  ‘I see the way you look at her when you think nobody is watching. You bully her like a small boy bullies his crush in the playground - if Hana had pigtails, you would be pulling them and pushing her down by now. I haven’t said anything and Hana is oblivious, but just know that I know how you feel. Drake and I are not the only ones with secrets.’ Madeleine reddened. ‘How dare you-’ ‘So, go ahead and tell Liam. But I will tell Hana and you will have a lot of explaining to do.’ Madeleine stared at her. Camille gave her a wink. She knew when she had won. ‘So, back to dinner?’ Camille suggested. Drake stepped forward and crooked his arm. She gladly took it and shot Madeleine a grin. ‘See you at the table!’

[darkzorua100]

I have to give it to episode 64. Not only did we get the first half to the backstory to how Yusaku and Kusanagi met and teamed up, this episode was just hilarious in general, even during times when it was supposed to be serious but I still got a good laugh out of them for the Easter eggs and just how ridiculous some scenes were.

For example, the beginning of the episode. Takeru’s expressions to Naoki just appearing out of nowhere while Yusaku goes from “I have to deal with this on a normal bases. I’m honestly just used to it by now.” to “Boy, if you start talking sh*t, I will flat out murder you.” Then we cut to Ai flying around the city and what does Kusanagi do? He takes advantages of it and makes Ai a living advertisement. I feel like this is A.I. abuse but this is kinda what they are made to do so...you’re the one that decided to turn Yusaku’s duel disk into a helicarrier, Ai. You really should have known better if you thought that Kusanagi wasn’t going to use that to his advantage against his competition XD

Speaking of which, Takeru goes out of his way to buy Kusanagi a thank you meal from a hamburger place for saving him from Blood Shepherd only for Ai to crash land right into him and I love how Takeru and Flame’s first reaction to this is “Huh, duel disks fall from the sky here! No wonder everyone is a duelist here!” But after finding out that it was Ai, and that he upgraded Yusaku’s duel disk to be able to fly him around, Flame gets the bright idea to turn Takeru’s duel disk into a vehicle. Takeru’s reaction to that was basically mine. Thanks Ai, you gave Flame ideas. I won’t be surprised if he somehow is able to actually do that in the future. Also interesting thing to note, it looks like Takeru might still be living with his grandparents after all since Flame says that if they turn his duel disk into a vehicle, he wouldn’t need to take a train home anymore. I know Japanese schools work way differently then the ones in the U.S. so him going to a different school to improve his education greatly after slacking in it for so many years seems like a good excuse to actually go to Den City to help Yusaku but wow, I have to give Takeru so major credit. He really is going out of his way to help Yusaku since he’s going through all the trouble to what I assume is back and forth trips each day from his home town to Den City. We don’t even know how far these two places are either so that train fare can’t be cheap. Where is he even getting the money for this anyway? Well I guess his grandparents I should assume. Since he’s finally going to school again, and making friends since I’m sure he told them about Yusaku, they probably pay as much money as they can to keep Takeru happy like this after so many years of being completely shut off from the world. Just something I found neat.

And then we cut to this and I seriously just want to know what was going through Yusaku’s head when Naoki said this. Apparently murder judging by his facial expressions he made during this scene. Naoki, Yusaku already has to explain the whole Takeru situation when him and Ryoken meet back up. You really need to stop trying to make this whole thing into a love square because it seriously is never going to happen. I do like how the show is just running with the whole soulmate line now. Sure they weren’t being settle before about Naoki being super gay for Playmaker but now they are just not even trying anymore. And what did I tell you guys about the Naoki blackmailing Yusaku should he find out he was actually Playmaker? He actually would do it apparently. Does he actually know that Yusaku = Playmaker though? Hell no. I’m sure this is just going to end in another fake out just like the Go situation, which now thinking about it we never actually got an answer to that question, and Naoki is just going to pull a fast one on Yusaku and states that he knows that he is actually Playmaker’s number 1 fan or something. In which case, yep totally, Naoki. He loves Playmaker so much that he dresses up as him in his free time. You discovered Yusaku’s dirty little secret, please don’t tell anyone!

So we start getting the backstory part of the episode and wow, Jin was so messed up when he was rescued. Completely shut down. The human mind processes things differently between humans but it really is so fascinating how out of the four kids we know about, they all took in this experience differently. Like I said, Jin’s mind completely shut down, Spectre got a kick out of it and wanted more, Takeru had no drive to do anything and became depressed, and Yusaku tried to move on with his life but when that didn’t work, he sought out revenge against the people that did this to him. I just want to know who the last two kids are now just to know how they reacted to the Hanoi Project. But yeah, after realizing that Jin wasn’t going to get better, Kusanagi took it upon himself to find out what happened to his brother. In doing so, his career plans changed a lot. Apparently he wanted to be an athlete at one point, then became a hacker, and now he owns a hot truck. This guy is all over the place.

We find out that these flashbacks take place during when the Knights of Hanoi were out destroying the Cyberse cards. Revolver said it himself, when Playmaker showed up and he saw that he was using Cyberse, he was shocked by this since he thought his organization had wiped them all out but the question I have to this is just how did Link Vrains get access to the Cyberse-type in the first place? Five years before the start of the show, Ai sealed the Cyberse away and he was on the run since. We learn in the preview for 65 that Yusaku found his Cyberse deck in the ruins but in answering that question leads to even more questions. What are they doing in the ruins? Who was using them before Yusaku got his deck? The Ignises, who created the Cyberse-type, didn’t interact with humans before Revolver showed up but they were clearly in a duel disk, not just laying around on the floor. What kind of aztec stuff is this? There seriously has be a seventh Ignis, the divine one, we don’t know about yet because I don’t know how this is going to be explained otherwise. Add in Yusaku’s Link Sense and how he felt like he has done Speed Dueling before it was even a thing again...oh this is hurting my brain.

Kusanagi ends up witnessing a murder happen and is about to get murdered himself by some Knights of Hanoi goons but is saved by Playmaker...well Unknown at the time. Yusaku didn’t name Playmaker yet in these flashbacks which really makes episode 65′s title make sense. I very much want to see how that name was chosen since Playmaker is a pun of Yusaku’s name and I’m pretty sure at realizing that, Kusanagi is going to suggest the name for him. Because if you are going to be the hero that Link Vrains needs, you need something better then “unknown”. Also, I just loved how much Playmaker was just done with anyone in these flashbacks XD He just wants his revenge but instead he has to save people and beat up goons who can’t tell him anything. 

So against his warnings, Kusanagi returns to Link Vrains and ends up getting into trouble, again, and Playmaker has to save his ass. Kusanagi logs out and Playmaker ends up out right destroying a Knight of Hanoi with a starter deck. Before he used Cyberse, he used the 2018, I believe, starter deck and just wow. Revolver, how bad are your henchmen if they are getting OTK by a starter deck?! Like I said, this episode was just so funny, even for serious moments like these. Also buy the new starter deck apparently. But yeah, afterwards, Playmaker gets outnumbered, even though I pretty sure he can take all of them at once, but just doesn’t because they know nothing that can help him in his quest for vengeance, and this time Kusanagi is the one to rescue him by getting him a way out and afterwards tells Playmaker to meet up with him at Cafe Nagi. And right after that, we get the real life meeting between Yusaku and Kusanagi and can I just say I love Yusaku’s outfit! I’m a sucker for hoodies, what can I say (also copying your boyfriend much, Yusaku? You and Ryoken even have similar ways to approaching others who you wish to team up with (Ryoken to Spectre and Yusaku to Kusanagi) but boy, why can’t you wear this more often or at all?! You look out right ready to shank someone and it is amazing!  I also just loved the way Kusanagi convinced Yusaku to team up with him. 

“If you’re the strongest spear to fight the Knights of Hanoi, I’ll be the strongest shield to protect you!” I really like this quote for some reason and perfectly sums up their partnership. What does that make Takeru then? The armor? Since time and time again, he goes out of his way to protect Yusaku from dueling Go and Blue Girl so he wouldn’t have to worry about them and out right protected him from Blood Shepherd’s trap. I think it makes sense. 

And yeah, the episode ends with them agreeing to work together. Like I said before, the preview shows them working together in their first real mission to get Yusaku his Cyberse deck. Overall, I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this episode. It was just funny and the backstory was just good and gave us answers to questions we needed answers for. I hope next week’s episode is just as good and I really hope we do get a Ryoken/Revolver cameo during it because it makes sense to throw him in there just to foreshadow what Yusaku and Kusanagi have to face off against together in the future.