#“Quest Start!” | ROLE-PLAY

[venalos]

@thestupidmeanone

"Easy, boy, easy."

"I am at ease. Stop it."

This was starting to become a pattern.

After the events involving a certain blue-haired, plucky Rider and her legendary (albeit juvenile) Rathalos, Rubina had not anticipated for more troubles to arise in the Verdant Hills. Fate would have other plans for her, however, as reports came in that a Zinogre of all things had somehow found its way to this locale.

Rubina gently patted Rex's back as she soothed him, the duo wandering through lush forests and over rolling hills. The moon, gorgeous and full and luminescent, bathed the scene in a pale light. Thunderbugs, far more than would be seen usually, buzzed and danced through the cool night air. Despite his earlier claims to the contrary, she could tell that Rex was highly on edge.

Zinogre should not be here. Zinogre could not be here. In the Venalos region's Old World, at least, they live almost exclusively in mountainous areas. Far, far away from the western side of the continent. Though these climates would be ideal for the thunder wolf wyverns, this was too large a trek to be worth the effort. Not to mention all the perils they would encounter on the way.

No, after earlier events Rubina was convinced that the Zinogre was brought here by an external influence.

Rex growled as they both heard something crashing through the brush. Her hand immediately found itself wrapped around the hilt of her Great Sword, then released it just as fast upon realising that this could not be their quarry. Whatever was running towards them sounded frantic and small, first off, unlike the great mass that would give away a rapidly-approaching Pokémon. Secondly, though there were countless Thunderbugs hovering all around them, the miniature Neopterons were not gathering towards the source of the sound. Finally, it did not take long for them to detect the hastened breathing of an out-of-breath person.

Rubina hopped off of Rex's back, whispering to him, "A person? Here?"

"I also smell desert raptor," Rex hissed in reply.

The pair had eased somewhat, but the knowledge that a wild Zinogre was still out there kept them on high alert. Nonetheless Rubina and Rex approached the sound of the presumably two figures running through the forest, perhaps in hopes of intercepting them.

[venalos]

@sonorous-eisfyl, cont.

The siblings ever, truly. There was not a single facet of Frosting's being, his entire existence even, that Safine could not adore. The way he spoke, the way he looked, the way he would blush whenever someone showed him even a hint of affection, it was simply too much to bear. Safine often found herself wanting to squeeze the literal life out of him, that is how adorable he is.

So far, however, she was successful in controlling herself. After all, how could she fawn over Frosting if he were not alive?

Safine took some time to reply, composing herself, before finally saying, "I'm a little sore, but otherwise I'm fine."

It took every ounce of her willpower not to kiss his forehead again. She did at some point taken hold of his free hand with both of her own, tightly clasped in her silk-soft yet vice-like grip. There was a giddy sparkle in here eyes, one that Frosting would likely be familiar with at this point.

"I was sent out to fight a Gold Rathian!" she exclaimed, getting right up to Frosting's face. "Can you believe it? A Gold Rathian, in the Old World, in the Jungle! I half-expected to be dropped off at the Forlorn Arena when I found out what I'd be fighting!"

Safine leaned away again, heaving a heavy sigh.

"I wish I could've tamed her, but the Guild wanted her more. Can't blame them, though. The tower doesn't make it easy to capture Rare Species and take them in alive..."

[vv-ispy]

something something samsara cycles I don't think it's a coincidence that the overthrow of Decarabian involved Jean and Diluc's ancestor + Venti's lookalike friend -> Mondstadt archon quest the key players taking down Dvalin were Jean and Diluc + Venti

Is. Traveler Amos?

Or put another way, traveler is the one with the floaty friend -> bard has the floaty friend. Venti is friends with Dvalin the terror of the tower/Amos is friends? Lovers? Something? With Decarabian the tyrant in the tower. Venti -> Amos, Traveler -> Nameless bard, Paimon -> Venti?

[welcometoteyvat]

love that clorinde got a good story quest she deserves it

[venalos]

Needless to say, Altra's outburst left most of the crowd taken aback.

Some of them believed themselves justified in their actions; surely such a massive, monstrous beast would have been too dangerous to not do anything about. It was simply too big, too terrible to behold to not be some ravenous man-eater! But, of course, Altra's rage had proven them wrong.

Others, seemingly, sought the glory in defeating such an awesome foe. Wani had given these invaders a spectacular display in sheer might and terror, lightning crashing and teeth gnashing. An avatar of relentless violence and rage, truly, yet one that retreated without so much as a static shock. It left those glory-seekers disappointed, wanting more.

Though caught off-guard, the officer and his trusty Arcanine were not ones to give up easily. As the crowd slowly dispersed he adjusted his hat and belt, then motioned for his Pokémon to follow as he approached Altra. "Wait just a moment, kid!" the officer yelled after him, suddenly breaking into a brisk jog. "You'll need to answer some questions!"

The officer moved to grab Altra's shoulder...

"That will not be necessary."

The officer stopped mid-grab and turned around to spot a tall, immaculately-dressed person approaching.

To call said person daunting would have been a severe understatement. They stood even taller than the officer's Arcanine, easily seven feet tall at the bare minimum, with raven-black hair. They wore an equally black yukata (under Alola's blazing sun?!), its fabrics flowing in the ocean breeze and emblazoned with golden patterns depicting a serpentine beast unmistakeably similar to the leviathan from before. Their most striking features, however, were their two eyes; large, almost glowing, a topaz glare that would have sent a shiver running down anyone's spine. It did not help that they had donned a most unnerving smile as they approached.

"Thank you so much for your services, officer, but I shall take it from here."

The policeman stammered, evidently caught off-guard once again. "I, uh, and who might you be?"

The stranger's smile widened. His skin began to crawl. The Arcanine's fur bristled.

"Topace Drakos, merchant and Pokémon Rider, at your service." They gave a humble bow, though still towered over the officer as they did. "I must apologise for the commotion my Pokémon has caused."

The officer puffed out his chest and grabbed his belt with both hands in an admittedly valiant effort to regain some semblance of authority, even as his Arcanine still remained on edge in the face of Topace. "Your Pokémon, huh? I do hope you're aware that Pokémon not registered for Poké Ride are prohibited? Don't think I didn't see that saddle!"

"Oh, I am aware," Topace chuckled, "and I am also familiar with local laws."

As they said that, they reached into their sleeves and pulled out a fat bundle of cash, promptly handing it to the policeman. "I do believe this covers the fine."

The officer outright snatched the money out of Topace's hands, glaring daggers at them, then counted the notes with only some difficulty. He did not notice the single bead of sweat rolling down the side of his head, nor his Arcanine deliberating between fight or flight. After some tense seconds passed he counted the final note, cast his gaze up at Topace without moving his head, then pocketed the cash.

It was not entirely obvious of this counted as pre-emptively paying a fine or a bribe...

"I'll let you off the hook this time," the officer grumbled, "but don't let me catch you or our Pokémon causing another ruckus!"

"Have a lovely day, sir~" Topace replied with an unnerving sing-song tone, watching the officer and the Arcanine leave. "As for you..."

They swiftly turned to face the remaining two, an action that would likely startle the pair. Suddenly, the air around them became significantly less unnerving, yet the fact remained that Altra & Desmond were still face to face with a veritable giant.

Topace rubbed their chin in obvious consideration, then laughed, "You must be Wani's new friends~! I saw the three of you conversing before that rabble oh so rudely interrupted you all."

Altra's worry still lingered. While he wasn't entirely too good at reading ones emotions, Wani's scaled face made it all the harder to read her expression. Her tone, even more so. The commotion would also catch Altra's attention, turning his head and gaze in the same direction as Wani...

What in the world?

"Wh-why? She's not mean!?" Altra looked surprised at the insinuation from the Police Officer. He already didn't like their ilk in the first place, already lacked trust in any law enforcement in general. so the fact they were so swiftly jumping to some dumb conclusion like this was annoying.

Wani hadn't tried to attack or do anything outwardly aggressive, so why were people being the aggressors suddenly?

"Ah- .. Wani." Altra frowned, he quite understood her need to look threatening, to defend herself from the people who were trying to show themselves as a threat. But when he watched her shift her bulk to leave.. He couldn't help but feel a little sad. She'd bee polite, kind.. And all for what? For people to decide 'Big scary and dangerous'.

"Okay.. See you around, Wani!" He'd been more than ready to try and at least get in the way of the attack, but thankfully.. it did little to nothing. Even as she vanished under the waved. Altra though, scowled, his eyes looking sharper than normal as his gaze snapped at the woman who ordered her Leafeon to attack Wani.

"She was nice, you jerks! What the heck is wrong with all of you!" He snarled out almost.

"What, you see a big 'scary' Pokémon and think that it's immediately bad!? We were JUST talking! But you had to come along and scare her off!" A snarl, a growl in his tone as he spoke. Likely, taking a few people in said crowd aback.

The fact the so called 'harmless kid' seemed adamant on making them back off. And some of the Pokémon in the crowd grew... uneasy with the kids' anger.

And yes, Altra was livid.

Sure, the trainers were too occupied with the fleeing beast, how quickly it had vanished beneath the waves. Some even looking baffled at his some kid thought it was 'safe' to be near such a Pokémon.

His ire seemed especially aimed at the Police Officers, who looked more 'concerned' about where Wani went. Meaning they likely were just using the crowds concern as an excuse for trying to chase off a Pokémon they likely thought was wild. Rather than someone's safety.

Especially as he'd seen they went directly after her even as she fled.

"You people make me sick..." He growled out, picking up Desmond with a wide scoop before turning his back to walk away from the crowd.

'Honestly.. That officer's Arcanine looked like it was more bark than bite. I bet I coulda' taken it.' A snicker from the little racoon Pokémon, but Altra shook his head.

'Ah.. I'm sure you'll see her again lad. Don't stress about it.'

[venalos]

@thenten

The footprints they followed were deep and spaced far apart. Three sharp, clawed toes were pointed forwards, with nothing to the side nor the back. Across the middle of the tracks were little holes dotted here and there, so small as to be barely noticeable, dug deep into the ground with fumes rising forth as if eaten away by acid. There were trees lying scattered along the tracks, snapped in half as if they had been mere toothpicks. It all culminated in a single spot, tooth scrapes carved into solid stone with railspike-like fangs either stuck inside the scrapes themselves or scattered everywhere across the dirt and rock.

Rubina had seen such tracks before. A Deviljho was here. Not exactly common to the Verdant Hills, yet not necessarily unheard of...

Rex held his head low, sniffing the spot where the brute wyvern had dug its teeth into the ground. He pulled away and snarled, despising the pungency. Huge and powerful he may be, yet a Deviljho was his physical equal and then some. Embers and flickering flames rose from his jaws, and he raked his venomous talons across the ground.

Rubina rubbed his nose to ease his nerves, and she tightened her grip around her Great Sword's hilt to ease her own. Deviljho are no major issue when tamed, aside from their massive appetites, yet wild individuals are bad news no matter how one sliced it. A single one of these brute wyverns was capable of causing immense ecological upheaval, devouring every living creature around and chasing away the rest. 'Localised extinction' was the term, Rubina thought. She knew the Deviljho they were tracking had to be taken down one way or another, at least before the Verdant Hills become utterly devoid of faunal life.

And definitely before anyone was hurt, or worse...

She stopped right as Rex did, his growls intensifying. Then Rubina heard it as well; the distant thundering foot falls and the brute wyvern's deafening bellow in the distance. The hunt was on.

"Let's go, Rex."

The Dreadking snarled in agreement as Rubina hopped onto his saddle, and the two took to the skies.

[fierykitten2]

Cherry stealing both Lunala and Lugia and riding on them meanwhile Orange is jealous and may turn out like Kieran just because it wanted to be able to ride on a dual Psychic-type Legendary that can fly but Cherry decided to hog both of them meanwhile Passionfruit just thinks the rest of its trio should think carefully about whether those Legendaries mind being ridden on (spoiler alert: they’re perfectly fine with it)

[ask-de-writer]

I would like to thank Delightfully

EAGER BINGE READER

@furislupus​ for READING and LIKING

QUEST FOR ANCIENT CANTERLOT

Role play with @wind-the-mama-cat & De Writer

Scene setting pieces

5. REBOOT / START UP

6. CELESTIA AND LUNA GO TO MEET TWILIGHT

Return to the Master Story Index  

Return to Role Plays

[impossible-rat-babies]

i still enjoy thinking about pollux in 14 because he is absolutely just. oh you can be a wretch in the gremlin way. like he would be a defected garlean who joins the ironworks. has the moral compass of nero but doesn’t have “prove your worth” issues nero had going for a minute. fuck it we ball kinda vibe. cid sanctions what he does because he is going to do the thing either way. he was in bozja when it blew up and is Totally Well Adjusted about seeing his boss be tempered by bahamut and the explosion there. worked on the g-force warrior from the sorrows trial series and wishes cid let him put more guns on it. the sort of “that was fucked up what happened with the ruby weapon huh? *pause* anyway what is going on inside this thing.”

edit: he would be mean Nero until the end of the omega raids at which point he still be mean to him but it’s in a stupid Rude way, but not like a malicious rude way. (I think about what nero says in the omega raids + ew role quests a lot bc he’s just some cool dude)

[nomaishuttle]

i literally have completionist brain but for real life and like. not a fun way for me to play games Definitely not a fun way for me to live irl

[venalos]

@ofheartandsoul

Usually a tranquil area that many of the Johto region's Pokémon call home, today the air was noticeably tense. The only stirring was that of leaves as the winds passed through the canopy, allowing beams of light to pass through. Then, out of nowhere, a pair of panicking Ooddish ran through the trees and undergrowth. A Noctowl followed close by, seemingly in pursuit, flying in the same direction before suddenly peeling away. All around Pokémon seemed afraid, hiding and sheltering away as a monarch walked amongst them.

They could sense that he was not from Johto, that he was an invader. They could tell that he was exceedingly dangerous.

King's massive, infernal silhouette stood out like a sore thumb within the greenery of the forest. The red-hot spires upon his back and the mismatched horns upon his head rose up like smoke from a flame. His eyes, red as embers, scanned the trees for something to fight, something to hunt. His tail, akin to a blade forged from fire and lava, swayed haphazardly as steam hissed from its surface. His every step was metallic, earth-shuddering, not too dissimilar to a hammer striking a sword on an anvil.

He was a Hellblade Glavenus, and an excellent specimen at that. He strode through the forest with an arrogant, aristocratic air, passing through as though he owned the place; considering no other Pokémon dared challenge this dinosaurian behemoth, he may as well be in charge until he decided to leave. King stopped to lean his head downwards, sniffing the grassy ground. His nose led him to a small, wooden structure built upon stilts. In his bestial mind, he compared it to a tiny human house.

Odd. Did a tiny human live in there?

Eventually he snorted, then sneezed, having picked up traces of... onion? He did not come here for onions. No, he could smell metal somewhere else. Quickly losing interest in the small house, King continued through the forest, following his nose. He disturbed a small group of Paras as he passed them by, the fungus-bearing crustaceans skittering away as they sensed the sheer heat emanating from him. A flock of Butterfree soon followed, frightened into fleeing as King's infernal tail came swinging far too close for comfort.

At last he found the source of that metal smell that had enticed him so. ... It was a singular, discarded Poké Ball. Chipped and old, with no inhabitant to speak of.

King grunted, evidently displeased. This was not what he expected nor hoped for. Still, metal is metal, so he scooped it up in his furnace-like jaws and ate it with an audible crunch. He would have grimaced had his physiology allowed for it, not fond of the artificial taste; proper metal ores were far better.

But, oh, well. Beggars can't be choosers, even if said beggar was a multi-tonne monster that fashioned itself after royalty.

[venalos]

The sudden tonal shift was not lost on Topace, and they realised too late that they may have divulged information that really should have remained under wrap.

They had been a little too overzealous in sharing about their glorious home region, but Topace could not help it! Though a rather lackadaisical person, they were still incredibly proud of both Venalos and their own business. In the latter's case it was certainly thanks in no small part to their own arrogance. Still, what little trust had been built between the first meeting and now was, for lack of better terminology, dashed to pieces. This would need rectifying if Topace ever decided to go through with their plan.

"I am very sorry," Topace promptly apologised, bowing to Reena slightly as they walked, "I realise that this is not the most pleasant topic outside Venalos."

"'Not the most pleasant' was putting it mildly," Topace thought to themself.

"Rest assured, 'repurposing' is not something any proper Venalosian would even consider when in a foreign region, myself included. I swear on my honour and pride." They paused, then added with a playful smirk, "Besides, it would also make for a terrible, absolutely terrible PR nightmare."

The pair slowly crested a hill, at the top a sudden breeze forcing Topace to squint. They then widened their eyes, briefly taken aback by the scene before them, before their expression melted into something a little more awed. Before the two lay Casseroya Lake, the vibrant waters surrounded by great mountains. It made for a truly gorgeous spectacle, a wonder, a testament to the grace of Mother Nature. Topace did not dwell on the lake's beauty for very long, however. They had a Pokémon to find, and find a Pokémon they did.

Further along, by the lake shore, a long mass of pink fins and white fur stood out like a sore thumb amongst the verdant grass and azure water. Even from a distance the fox-like beast was huge, so tall and long as to make even a Gyarados appear pitiful. Its fins flowed like silk in the wind, and its scales glittered like opals in the sun. It gave a gurgling purr, softly raising its lupine head, the fins framing its head twitching as it tried to make sense of the ruckus.

It would seem that this strange beast, this outsider, had been surrounded by a pack of Scyther, the clawed bugs hissing and snarling.

"Oh, dear," Topace sighed, brushing a hand over their yukata again as they looked on. "It would appear that we have a slight hassle on our hands."

They sounded more annoyed than concerned in any way.

"Oh, well thank you. I know it's not much, but I did come up with it myself."

The tsareena beamed though it was hard to tell considering her mouth was covered. "Well, that explains why you're here. Trying to find some folk who will be willing to purchase your exotic goodies and all that. I'm sure someone in the nearby town would be willing too."

Admittedly, she herself would like to see them too. Just to see what they look like compared to how things are here in Paldea. She does recall in the books that there were many different items that existed solely in the separate regions.

"That sounds like...a lot." And something she definitely didn't want to partake in. Sometimes it was hard just dealing with a fellow pokemon from Paldea that was super effective against her. She could only imagine what it must be like in the Venalos region. Still though, her curiosity continues to nag at her. Reena couldn't help it. It was the inner researcher in her.

"Oh? That's....that is certainly a...unique culture." Reena isn't quite sure on how to respond or think about it, but she'll tuck that little notion in the back of her mind. She doesn't have a reason to distrust them right now but if that's what their culture was about then...perhaps it wouldn't hurt to keep a careful eye on them. Just in case.

"Right, enough talk..." She blinked and paused for a moment. No no, it's okay for right now. You've got this, Reena. If...If things go sour you're still a pokemon. You know how to defend yourself. Not that she shouldn't have to defend herself or anything but...

That little worry is there now in the back of her mind.

The tsareena goes quiet as they begin their trek forward. Only occasionally does she glance up towards Topace.

[theothin]

Copying over my comment from this post since the original now has reblogs turned off:

It's interesting to consider all of this in full context of how Toshiro is framed in the scene. The argument starts with Toshiro insisting that Marcille was wrong to revive Falin with black magic and that she should go back with him to face punishment from elvish society, then get their help in putting Falin to rest. Laios argues that they can actually help Falin, and that eating properly gives them the strength to pull it off, at which point Toshiro tries to shut Laios down by throwing his past frustrations in his face. When Laios eventually overpowers Toshiro, he attributes it to his party taking proper care of themselves, at which point Senshi shows up to offer Toshiro food. Meanwhile, Maizuru expresses frustration at Toshiro's behavior, and when Toshiro talks about his out-of-the-blue proposal to Falin, Mickbell questions why he would do something like that, while Chilchuck remarks that it's the kind of world he lives in. Every part of Toshiro's position here comes across as antithetical to the protagonists and the quest we're following them on. Even other characters present don't seem to think much of his behavior here. And, while playing that antagonistic role, we see him imposing those social standards on someone who finds them confusing and alienating. The result is that the primary lens through which the viewer is encouraged to see the scene is that of an autistic person being berated for not living up to a set of social standards, and in particular not meeting the standards of Japanese society. And while a Japanese audience might find it easier to understand why Toshiro thinks the way he does, the scene is very clear in sending the message that he is wrong and that, as previous comments noted, he's been stuck in a mindset that's hurting both him and Laios. The outcome of the fight suggests that Toshiro would benefit from learning to think more like Laios about food - and I think the audience is also meant to feel that Toshiro would benefit from learning to think more like Laios about people.

And the addition from @delvinanaris:

More than that, Toshiro’s last line of that scene—expressing his envy of Laios—suggests that he, too, feels that he would benefit from learning to think more like Laios about people.

Also here's the original tweet and a great comment on it:

[hazelfoureyes]

The Radio Demon fucks a Human Sacrifice (part 3)

I deadass wrote part one as a one shot. Is this what peer pressure is? I love it.

It would have been easy to forget you, your soul was his anyways so the real fun had already finished. But that pesky video hit most streamed in 24 hours, he couldn’t even walk to the butcher without hearing you scream his name from errant phones. Surely there was a way, even from hell, to finish what he started and get you out of his system.

⟢ part1♡̶sidestory♡̶part2♡̶part3♡̶part4 ���

tags/warnings/promises: Alastor x reader, smut, soft Alastor, unprotected sex (duh?), creampie, edging a little, feelings, Valentino exists, Vox also exists, literally wrote this split screen with part 2 on the right side so I could line it up right like he does hehe, Alastor has a bad time

tag requested: @astraechos , @thekanrojimitsuri2 , @hoeforalbedo , @crazylazybabyk , @oddball08 , @lovingyeet , @just-trash-yeah-thats-it , @random-3455 , @alicehasdrowned , @des-deswain5621 , @coffee-colored-hopeless-romantic , @doctorswife221b

When Val released, ‘The Radio Demon fucks a Human Sacrifice’, it immediately went viral. The website crashed, downloads surpassed his wildest, horniest dreams.

It’s scary but also hot? ☆☆☆☆☆

Eat me Mr. Radio Demon!

I’ve never wanted to be a pussy so much in my life.

The reviews were all favorable, the comments rolling in, it was perfect.

Until Vox said it wasn’t. He had seen the video, but figured no one would care about seeing Alastor fuck anything. It wasn’t the success that got under his skin, it was the wave of positive attention it brought Alastor. Suddenly everyone was tuning in to his broadcasts, little miss princess’s hotel was busier than ever.

And it was ubiquitous. Every screen seemed to feature Alastor’s breakout role.

“I said pull it, Val!” Vox slammed his hands on Valentino’s coffee table.

“Vox, baby, you’re being really sensitive about this. I’m literally fucking piles of money right now. Actual piles of money, like, person sized piles.” Val took a drag of his cigarette, “Its good for business.”

“Would you rather fuck money, or me?” Vox’s screen glitched.

Val leaned his elbows on his knees, “That’s a really difficult question for me and I think you know that.”

“Augh! Val! Think of the big picture! That obsolete dickhead gaining attention means gaining power. And that’s bad for business.”

Val’s eyes fluttered, “What if we like, say it wasn’t him?”

Flashes of Alastor’s face fazed in and out of focus across Vox’s screen, your body flipping over, a mess of tentacles writhing.

Val took off his glasses, “Oh yeah, that’s pretty obviously him.”

“What is?” Vox’s face splintered back to the screen.

“Do you—- do you not know you’ve been like,” Val used his cigarette to gesture at Vox’s face, “just straight up playing his porno?”

Vox’s hands flew to his screen, “No! Fucking shit! What the fuck!!” He picked up a vase and threw it across the room, “Wipe it clean off the server! Delete it! Ban it’s fucking streaming! End of discussion!”

Val shrugged, he owned every bootleg distributor in the pride ring. He’d pull it and up the price threefold for illegal downloads. “Whatever you want, amorcito.”

Alastor was quite happy the video went ‘underground’ of sorts. The first month after you left, he was plagued by the sound of your voice. Everywhere he went it seemed you were screaming his name, every phone and television a conduit for you.

What really bothered him though, was the reaction others had to him. Where once sinners leapt from his path and set theirselves on fire to avoid him, now people winked and waved. It made his skin crawl. When alive, at the peak of his radio show fame, it wasn’t uncommon to have fans approach him in jazz clubs. But the decorum of 1930's jazz fans was a far cry from the brazen displays of desire from the citizens of hell.

“Perhaps I should have thought it through?” He mused.

“Ya think?” Rosie put her tea down, “Was it worth it, at least?”

He mulled the question over. Worth it? Well, he had your soul. Which is grand. But you weren’t even in hell to be called upon. What did he really get from the deal? Alastor brought his palm to his face, already feeling the blush spreading. Rosie's chuckle didn't help. He did get something. You'd been gone a month, and each day he woke up having forgot you existed. And every night he lied down to rest and imagined your eyes staring back at him. Did he want to fight you, or surrender, when he saw that look? When the silk tie had fallen from your face, slipping down your nose to reveal your intense stare...He thought his heart had stopped. For every ounce of resilience in your voice he found a pound of fury in your gaze. What poor luck Valentino had been given to receive you as an offering.

"Too soon to tell." He leaned back, finally dropping his hand.

“Well it seemed you had a good time… not that I could see much through the green glow and all that static noise. Really spoiled the climax with that move, Alastor dear."

Alastor’s eyes were saucers, “Rosie. Are you implying-,”

“What?” She drew out the word, “I thought you weren’t into those things so of course I was curious!”

He sighed, “I’m not.”

Rosie pushed the teaspoon around her cup with one finger, “Sure looked like you were.”

He crossed his arms, indignant, “You don’t have to have an appetite to enjoy a meal.”

“Message received loud and clear dear! I won’t bring up the subject again.” She cackled and changed the topic to the latest gossip around the colony.

Another night staring at the ceiling, mind ghosting over the idea of you. He felt like he his sanity was unraveling Leaving his bed, he stepped barefoot onto the grass of the swampy forest he materialized into his room when he moved in to the hotel.

With an outstretched hand, Alastor felt for your connection. He couldn’t see it, but the weight of the chain connecting your soul to him sunk into his palm. Curious, he wrapped his fingers around the invisible links and pulled.

With a soft green glow, you rose from the grass.

His breath hitched, he hadn’t expected that. “It seems our deal really did stick, didn't it?" walking towards you, Alastor dropped to his knees at your feet. You were on your side, unmoving.

His head cocked to the left, ears turned in. Alastor crawled toward you, rolling you onto your back and opening your legs. He slotted himself there, “Hellooo,” He took your face in his both of his hands, elbows resting beside your ears, “Are you… sleeping, dear?”

This is ridiculous.

Alastor inspected your face; peaceful. It was a new sight for him, he'd really only ever seen you in some kind of rage or lost in pleasure. His hand slid down your body, realizing you were in the robe still. He laughed, but realized it was for no one. "Are you really going to sleep, hmm?" He hooked his hands under your knee and brought it up around his hip.

Nothing.

"I'm starting to get offended, dear." He leaned down and whispered into the crook of your neck. "If you don't wake up-" He slid down, the robe open enough to let his breathe ghost over your stomach. He stopped. He couldn't do anything to you while you slept. It was void of any enjoyment for him. Without your reactions, it was just....pointless. While he did enjoy your performance in the studio, he was taught to show respect for those of fairer means. A sleeping partner fell into that category.

He reached beneath you and straightened your robe that had bunched there under your body. Placing your leg back down by your ankle, he began pulling the collar up and closed it snuggly.

He stood there for a second, looking over you. It worked. You're here again. His mother had taught him that the human soul was most vulnerable at night. When asleep, the soul could wander from the body and travel earth and beyond. She even said people could train themselves, and with practice, remember their journeys even after waking.

Kneeling down, Alastor pushed your hair from your face, "Don't forget. What fun is there in that?" The shadow beneath your body shimmered neon green before you were swallowed by inky darkness and Alastor was once again, alone.

After his mother died, Alastor was often alone. Most of his time, really. Well, there were people always around. But they were staff, or hangers-on, or women looking for a comfortable life. They were dancers and bootleggers and musicians. Which was fine and grand. But, they never saw him. He never let them, they never tried. He was the radio host. The great dancer. The southern gentleman. The killer. The cannibal. The deer in the woods. Not a single person ever looked at him on earth and saw him. Which was precisely what he wanted, and manufactured with his wide smile and good manners.

So when your eyes bore into him from that tacky studio set, and he felt suddenly naked in front of you, he knew you were looking at the him. You saw him.

It was worth it. Alastor was willing to admit that to himself.

Over the next couple days, he would randomly try to pull you to him. Through out the day, in different places, he would summon your soul and wait. Nothing. It confirmed his theory, your soul was only able to leave your living body while you were asleep.

In the privacy of his room, Alastor paced the space between grass and carpet. What was this feeling? Nerves? He hadn't felt nervous since he was a child.

But, what was causing him a pause, was if he summoned you and you didn't appear. Maybe it had been a fluke? Maybe for the 7th time in 3 days he would pull on that connection and be left standing there, alone.

Still.

He ran his hands through his hair, trying to regain composure. Finally, he reached out for your ties to him, and pulled you into hell.

He held his breath, unconsciously.

With a glow, you appeared again before him. He was quick this time to approach you, setting beside you and leaning close to your face. Asleep.

"Is this my foreseeable future?" He asked, "Staring at you while you sleep, my doe."

Suddenly, you opened your eyes and met his. Reaching up, you grabbed him with both hands and pulled his face into yours. Your hands ran through his hair as you took him in a frenzied kiss. Alastor froze for a beat, but when your tongue licked at his bottom lip, he was brought back to the moment. He pushed his tongue into your mouth, rolling over yours and reaching as deep as he could. He felt like he could unhinge his jaw and swallow you whole. He really could, if he wanted to.

Alastor swung his leg over your body and straddled your hips. "Mon cher, you've finally joined me." His chest was rising and falling with excited breath.

"Alastor?" You tried to feel your body, but it was nowhere near you.

"Don't worry your pretty little head. You're still alive and well. I've merely borrowed your soul for the evening." He looked down at you, and finally, for the first time in what felt like months, your eyes fell to his face.

But today, they were soft and out of focus.

"Can you see me, my dear?" He leaned down slightly, trying to read the look on your face.

"Am I dreaming?"

He chuckled, "Perhaps we both are." With an exhale he wondered if he had been holding his breath this entire time. "No, this isn't a dream."

"I don't understand...but--," You lifted your arms towards him, "Should I say thank you? It was fucked, what happened." Your voice was slow, words a little slurred, "But, I'm home safe and sound now. You did what you promised me. I don't know if I'll ever see you again so...should I thank you now?"

Your tongue felt fat in your mouth, heavy and delayed.

Alastor leaned down over you, "You don't have to say anything." He used his knees to open your legs, and settled there. "Unfortunately, you've become a little worm in my mind." His hands slid under the silk robe you hadn't stopped wearing yet, "I'm hoping if I finally have you, I can...whet my appetite, and return to my normal self." He felt along your hips, hands stopping when he realized you were naked under the thin piece of fabric.

"I keep remembering," you covered your eyes with your hands, "that big hand of yours. And I realize, you never touched me past that."

He smiled, genuinely, truly, "Exactly! You understand the problem precisely. Shall we both have our fill and be done with it?"

You moved your hands to touch his ears, waiting for him to disappear at any moment, "Please. I'm so tired of missing someone I don't even know." He removed your hands, and you held them to your chest.

"My thoughts exactly, mon cher." He adjusted his hips, letting his crotch rub against your core. This was the closest he had been to you since you'd met. It was dizzying, and it felt like his skin was vibrating everywhere it met yours.

A soft moan left your throat, causing his cock to twitch in his pants. Yes, it was you. This wasn’t his standard response to such sounds. Alastor sat up, his legs bent and knees at either side of your hips. Taking one of your hands from your chest, he placed a kiss on a digit. Then another. He kissed his way down your arm.

“So gentle. Weird.” You tried to focus on him, but your mind was still cloudy. The sensations were here but also so far away, too far away, in another lifetime all together.

“Was I not gentle before, all things considered?,” he continued his way down your arm.

You let your eyes drift to the sky, stars watching you from above, “More than him.”

His mouth went dry at the mention of Val, "I am many things more than him, darling." As his lips found your neck, he took a deep breath. "I can actually take my time now. No audience." He sucked a bruise, and released you with a pop. He presented two fingers to your lips, and without thinking about it you began to suck them. While you were slipping your tongue over and between his fingers, he moved to continue a trail of kisses and nips down your right arm.

"Get them nice and wet." He watched through half lidded eyes as you licked his long fingers. He knew he needed to remove his hips from yours, but the idea pained him. Finally, he took his fingers from you and swiped them over your entrance. Your chest jumped, so he did it again. He tried to push the fingers into you, but the resistance was more than he expected. You were wet, but tight. He let his middle finger slip inside you. So soft. So warm. His shadow tendrils allowed him some feeling but not this, this was something they kept to themselves.

"When was your last time, mon cher?"

Your mind searched for memories still left behind in your body somewhere, "In hell."

"You're in hell now."

"This doesn't feel like hell." You ground your hips onto his palm, trying to get that single digit slowly moving in you to come deeper, to become more. He replied by pushing in his pointer finger, erection becoming painful already as you let out a little moan. Bending them up, he began to make long thrusts past your g-spot. His mouth long stilled on your arm, staring at your face as you whimpered into the sky.

"Look at me."

Your eyes darted to him, half open and wet. Alastor felt his patience snap. Undoing his belt and zipper, he finally freed his cock. He ran his head between your entrance to your clit , gathering your fluids on him to ease his entry. Taking both of your legs, he held them at the ankles and set them on his left shoulder. With your hips slightly raised, he pressed into you.

With a hiss you dug your fingers into the dirt, body tensing instinctively. One of his arms hugged your legs to his chest, the other was now bruising your hips as he continued to push into you. With just his head in, he began fast and shallow thrusts. Every time making more progress into your warmth. The stretch burned, but the feeling of him forcing space into you for himself just made you wetter.

Finally, he bottomed out. He had no sense to still himself, shallow thrusts gave way to long, deep plunges. Alastor's breathing was filling the space around you, mixing with your own. Leaning back, he looked down at where you two were connected.

He withdrew slowly, nearly entirely, and pushed back in. Again. And again. It was intoxicating, how he felt himself melt into you. He'd had lovers in life, but never had he been with someone without a barrier of some sorts. Be that his well placed smile or latex. He'd never fucked anyone raw before. He almost regretted not trying earlier, as the sensation of your walls and arousal sticking to his cock and thighs was breaking him. Watching himself entirely disappear inside you, he closed his eyes. Everything was so hot, so tight, would he disappear entirely? Would he lost in the pleasure your body was so effortlessly giving? Was he the unlucky one?

Alastor pushed your knees up to your chest, using his body weight to hold them down as his paced picked up. You brought your dirtied nails to your own legs, holding on tightly. Desperately you needed something to tether you to the ground, keep you still against the twitches shaking your stomach and chest. You felt with any jolt to your nerves you'd fall off the world and drift into the night.

He felt the build up, his balls tightening and drawing in, he wanted to slow down-- he wanted to bring you there first but he couldn't stop the rutting of his hips. With a whine, Alastor's forehead came to rest on yours, hips smacking into you with a wet slap. "Look at me," He commanded again, and you obeyed. One of his hands came to your chin to hold your head still, "Don't you dare look away."

Struggling to keep your eyes open, he pushed into you with one final, deep thrust. His hands came down now to the ground around you as he pushed you into the grass. Hips stuttering, cock twitching in you. You'd never let anyone cum inside you before, the sensation of heat quickly filling your cunt made you tighten around him. "Good girl", He purred, jaw tight.

He pulled back slowly before bringing his hips down, sweat sticking to his forehead where it met yours. His pace was quickly becoming brutal, a hand finding its way to that little bud of nerves of yours. With rough pressure and hurried speed his thumb drew out your orgasm. When you came, you gasped out his name, craning your neck up to ghost your lips over his open mouth. As the pleasure surged from your center, you could feel your body again. He tried to keep his eyes on your eyes, but the overstimulation of your cunt trying to wring him dry forced him to shut them.

A light shone through his eyelids, startling them open again.

"Wait-!" He watched you get pulled away from beneath him. Before he could react, Alastor was on all fours in the forest, alone. Eyes wide, he pounded his fist against the grass. He tried to summon you back to him, to drag you to him but nothing happened.

He thought he'd gone crazy. Hands came to his head, smile pained as he tried to process what he was feeling.

No.

Not enough.

Too soon.

A growl ripped through his chest. This hadn't satiated him at all. No, he was worse off now. He was starved, he had nourishment ripped from his mouth and he as angry for it. Angry to hell, to Valentino, to the conditions of owning a living soul.

He did not even attempt to rest that night. Taking his time, he had to find composure again. Alastor managed to pull himself together after several hours of self isolation. After his heart stopped racing, after his hands stopped feeling phantom skin beneath them, he calmed his smile and went about his day.

When night returned, he couldn't help but stare into the forest domain. He wanted so badly to bring you to himself, but that want was terrifying. It was overpowering him, and he couldn't accept that.

Another night left, another day passed. Husk found Alastor's cruelty to be growing, his patience giving out at the smallest perceived slight. Angel stopped engaging entirely. Charlie found herself wanting to approach him, find out why it seemed his hair was always standing on end, his eyes sharp. But, she didn't. She couldn't. Alastor would pass through the halls like a raging specter. He wouldn't slow or acknowledge anyone.

He managed a week. Satisfied with his resolve, he waited for when night fell and he was sure you'd be deep asleep, yanked your soul from your body and into him. He felt rabid, like he his brain was catching fire. Finally when you materialized before him, he grabbed your face with his hand.

"My doe?"

Just like before, you stirred, and your hands immediately went for his hair. He pulled back, "Are you awake?"

"Am I dreaming? Alastor?" You looked drunk, mind struggling to process the change in scenery. Your arms wrapped around his neck as he hovered above you, and you pulled him into a kiss. He happily returned it, hands quick to untie the robe you had taken as your own. He wasted now time in getting himself unsheathed and lined up with you, before he could enter you reached out to him, "I wanted to say--- thank you. I don't know if I'll ever really see you again."

The realization made his blood run cold. His mother's stories flooded back to him. It takes training, and time, to remember the travels of the wandering soul.

"You don't have to say anything." Alastor thrust into you, your body tense but not as resistant as before. When he was finally enveloped in you, he could feel himself calm. He didn't feel any need to be gentle this time around. He immediately set a bruising pace, digging his nails into the soft flesh of your ass as he forced your hips to meet his with every thrust. You gasped beneath him, eyes wandering up to the sky just past his head. He'd bring you to climax, wanting to drink in your expression, and to his horror as you choked out his name you were spirited away from him again.

Everyone on the floor heard Alastor's rampage. When Angel ran to get Charlie and Vaggie, they were scared to knock. With a steadying breath Charlie rapped the door, "Al? You okay in there?"

Suddenly, silence.

The door whipped open, Alastor smiling with half lidded eyes, "Why of course. What ever made you think otherwise?"

"The fuckin' sounds of carnage, maybe?" Angel looked past Alastor. The sofa shredded, coffee table in pieces. The wallpaper had been ripped down and torn to shreds. Charlie noticed the dirt under his nails, but Alastor coolly pulled his hands behind his back.

"Can I do something for you?" His tone was cold.

"I guess not, Al...," Charlie took in the damage, "Did something happen?"

Alastor smiled wider, "No," and closed the door. No one saw him the following day, which wasn't entirely unusual but it was weighing on Charlie. When Alastor finally appeared and announced he was going to Cannibal Town, she was elated. A chat with Rosie would surely bring him back to himself.

"I don't see the problem. You've got her soul, you can summon her to you, and you get a little," She searched for the word, "relief. Why do you look so pained, old friend?"

"You know better than most I have no interest in chasing women, Rosie."

"Yet..." She cocked her brow.

"It isn't about the release. I don't particularly need that. I never have." He huffed, the conversation already exhausting him, "When I would kill someone, I was God. Their life was in my hands. I took that power from them."

Rosie clicked her tongue, "And when she's in your hands?" Alastor hunched over his black coffee before remembering himself and straightening his back. "I've never seen you like this before, hun. You've got it bad, huh?"

"Personal connections like this, Rosie, are dangerous. I lost my self restraint entirely. It's a weakness." He fought to regain his smile, never knowing who could be passing by.

She tutted him, "Oh no, that's where you're wrong. The difference between a strong man and an unstoppable man is having something to care about." Rosie leaned over and set her hand on top of his, "Imagine you walked into Val's studio right now and found her like you did a couple months ago. How would you react?"

His stomach wretched forward, if he saw you today, hanging from the ceiling? The stench of Valentino's cigarette smoke clinging to your hair, the marks where his hands had made contact with you? His hand under her's tightened, claws leaving marks into the wooden tabletop. "Do you feel weak right now, Alastor?" The hair on his ears was standing straight up, his now black eyes met hers, "You sure don't look it."

He’d remembered hearing something similar before from Vaggie. Could it be true? It was a precarious ladder. If he let himself be close to someone, then the person is in turn close to him, then that person knows him intimately, and then— they are a walking soft spot. Someone could take them and torture them for information. Or, hurt them to hurt him.

But, who would dare? A fire rose in chest at the thought. What was the point of power if he couldn’t have what he wanted? If he had to answer to others about his desires? To pursue strength and status was what he wanted but if that strength didn’t afford him freedom than what good was it, really?

"I say, not that you asked," Rosie smiled and withdrew her hand, "Could be nice to have a little company now and then. Plus, better than waiting 60 years or something for her to just die." She shrugged, "Now, eat. You look like a shit."

Rosie had a point, while your existence was fragile, it was still available to him.

For awhile, he would call you nightly. Alastor would fuck you into the grass, beneath the trees, under the stars. He learned your orgasm would wake you, and he would draw it out as long as he could. He'd edge you for hours, watching you sob for your release. Slowly, your consciousness became more and more solid during your meetings.

To his relief, his hunger for your presence calmed over time. He could handle a week or even two without sharing your company, and he noticed each time you seemed to recognize him more. You'd participate more, moan louder, scream his name and squirm from the pleasure. He relished trapping you underneath his wide shoulders, pulling you onto his lap as he fucked up into you.

He wasn't fond of the few times he summoned you and you were already wet, or smelling of cologne. He'd tease, "Lonely?" and when he'd fuck his back cum into you before helping you chase your own orgasm, he'd remind you, "You're mine, little doe. No one can replace me." And he'd feel his chest swell. Others had your body for the night, but your soul was his forever. With every meeting, he felt more like himself. And the nights you were screaming his name in the forest, and his horns were looming over you as he marked you over and over as his, he felt powerful.

Some nights, he'd call you to him to just let you rest. He'd enjoy a book, or some jazz over a meal, while you lied quietly in his bed.

The days he pulled you into hell and your hair smelled of the trees, of sweat and dirt, he would be gentler. He could feel the ache in your muscles, the tan on your cheeks, and sent you back.

One such night came, where he of course took your chains in his hand and tugged. But this time, when you arrived, your face was painted with anger. You were asleep still, and even when he whispered to you, you didn't wake. You were having a nightmare, from what he could tell. He took you to his bed, and let you settle.

You stayed there until waking up again in your bed.

And every night that week, he'd bring you to his bed and go about his tasks while you fought some demons in your head. He'd never seen you have a nightmare, and began to wonder if something was happening in the overworld.

Alastor was enjoying a deer carcass in his room, humming softly to himself, when a green light erupted on the floor.

He was well aware it wasn't night anymore, and that he hadn't brought you here. With a soft smile, he left his meal and approached the light. Slowly, your body rose from the darkness there. Not just your soul.

When you looked up at him, a smile on your lips and two small doe ears on your head, he grinned, "Did you miss me terribly, my little doe?" He offered you a hand up, "Welcome home.”

༻Masterlist༺

[workingwhileidream]

Okay Burrow's End had me thinking some thoughts... So here are my favorite Dimension 20 moments that rotate like a rotisserie chicken in my brain (in no particular order other than the order I thought if them).

- Riz goes into the butthole of the Corn Ooze Monster (Fantasy High). The first absolutely insane shenanigans move anyone makes on D20, setting the tone the show will have forever.

- Raphaniel kills Queen Pamelia (Ravening War). I think I saw Brennan's soul leave his body briefly when he got that How Do You Want To Do This from Matt. Time was an absolute flat circle that day.

- Hank convinces Brennan to let him role savvy instead of sneak (Mentopolis). Hank is one of the most famous content creators, having him on the show was phenomenal to begin with. Then right out of the gate, he pulls this move in his first episode. And it just works. Hilarious, instantly iconic.

- Jet Dies (A Crown of Candy). When Lapin dies, it is shocking but I wasn't attached to him as a character. Lapin was a bit antagonistic and his death happens early in the season. On the other hand, Jet is instantly likeable. Emily and Siobhan are amazing as siblings, their performances this campaign are some of my favorites. I have siblings and I am very close to them, so this hit me like a ton of bricks.

- The entire epilogue of Burrow's End. "Are you pitching and Air Bud ending?" is one of the instant hall of fame quotes from this show. I started crying I was laughing so hard.

- Ylfa's bottleneck and the TPK (Neverafter). There are so many close calls for total party kills in Dimension 20 history, but this is where it finally happens and it's only 3 episodes in. I was on edge, expecting another TPK at any turn, for the rest of the campaign.

- 3 nat one initiative rolls for the battle that literally opens the season (A Starstruck Odyssey). The beginning of a new season is always full of excitement. This season was extra special, having everyone back in the dome after the pandemic and the season being based off Brennan's Mom's comics. The zoom energy is still in the air and I still think about this season opener a lot.

- Mother Timothy Goose breaks Snow White's concentration with a cantrip (Neverafter). Only Ally Beardsley could and we all damn well know it. Still didn't stop me from being so far in disbelief that all I could do is laugh.

- Hob's "You will never know another lonely day" speech to Rue (A Court of Fey and Flowers). I will still cry about this if I think about it for too long. Rue and Hob's romance is the heart of this season to me. I won't be over it ever.

- Gertrude convinces Nyruth to give the Questing Queens very powerful boons after the Queens tried to rob them only a few hours earlier (Dungeons and Drag Queens). The fact that this season exists drives a level of serotonin into my brain that is unimaginable. This is the definition of a big swing and when Bob rolls well, Brennan has no other choice than to honor it. This is one of the moments I have made a meme of. I cannot wait for season 2.

- Wuuvy shows up to the duel and she did not come to play (A Court of Fey and Flowers). Aabria has talked about how Wuuvy is one of her favorite NPCs and I feel the same. Wuuvy and Rue's relationship has such a great arc and this moment is so pivotal.

- Fabian's no good very bad day (Fantasy High Sophomore Year). An iconic moment in D20 history that was truly wild to watch live. For everything to go so fantastically bad for Fabian and Lou was unprecedented. There is a reason why people still talk about this moment to this day.

- Amathar survives being pushed off the castle (A Crown of Candy). Brennan tried to kill Lou so many times in this campaign. I really thought Brennan had gotten him with this one, my stomach sunk. But Lou pulls it out and Amathar lives once again.

- Pib plays "Smoke on the Water" (Neverafter). "I stepped out to play 'Smoke on the Water' " is also a hall of fame quote to me. This list could be all Pib moments if I'm being honest, he's my favorite Zac character. And the fact that Zac doesn't roll well makes this moment funnier to me.

- Buddy Bear gets planted with the All Blossom (Dungeons and Drag Queens). Jujubee and Brennan owe me a therapy session for this one. I sobbed. My cat is my baby and I will be ruined the day she leaves me, so I get it. I really do.

- "Eat your dice, Brennan" (Fantasy High Sophomore Year). A great bit made physically possible by Siobhan. I hope Siobhan gives him gummy dice or something like that so that Brennan can continue to eat his dice for Junior Year.

- Orange Top Hat Fairy (Neverafter). It's a horror season and the cast is doing bits about how hot a mini is the entire finale and the Adventuring Party that followed. I felt the stress and off the walls energy through the screen. The Smooth Criminal pin was the first piece of Dimension 20 merch I bought.

- Viola's epic takedown of Phoebe (Burrow's End). Watching Rashawn absolutely crush it her first time in the dome was amazing. I loved Viola from the jump, her arc was so satisfying and fun to watch. Also the idea of a tiny stoat kicking a gun just the right way to get it to fire is hilarious. No notes other than please have Rashawn come back on every season she possibly can.

- Evan Kelmp warns the Rosemont student not to duel him (Misfits and Magic). Brennan's deadpan warning matched with the reactions of the other players and Aabria really make this scene. An underrated Brennan moment for sure.

- Stacey Fakename turns out to be real (Mentopolis). This was such a good reoccurring bit, so to have Stacey be real at the end of the story was too funny. In a season of bits, tropes, and puns - this one has the most payoff to me and is definitely my favorite.

[venalos]

There we go. Now this is what Safine liked to see.

She did not get to enjoy the embrace for very long before Isa began running in literal circles, but Safine hardly seemed to mind. Though Isa's comment of kissing her did make a slight blush cross over Safine's cheeks, the latter was simply relieved to see the knight so active and chipper again. So active and chipper, in fact, that Isa even went to far as to climb down and towards Area 4 again, much to Safine's abject horror.

Fortunately, whatever higher powers there were be thanked, Isa had more than enough sense to scramble back into camp the moment that same Anjanath from before loudly announced its presence. Quite rudely, too. Safine quickly embraced Isa again in an attempt to reassure the other, to make her feel secure, to make her feel safe in the former's soft yet strong arms.

"Shh, don't worry, I'm here. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

The Anjanath finally revealed itself, stomping its way past and just below the entrance to the camp, its raised fins peering over the edge like a shark's fin cutting through the surf. The fact its sails were flared was a bad sign, however, a sign that it was quite literally fired-up and in a bad mood. Its nose-bone was also puffed up, twitching and moist with disgusting, stomach-churning snot, a clear symbol of agitation. Its jaws were filled with green feathers but its face was covered in a thick, purple liquid. Poison.

It would seem that the Pukei-Pukei just barely managed to escape these jaws of death.

The source of the Anjanath's anger; a generous dose of toxins, an empty belly, and not to mention the terrible headache it still had from the earlier beating readily provided by Safine herself. It huffed and puffed some embers and flames, talons scraping across the soft jungle earth to leave behind deep gouges. This brute wyvern was not having a good day, and it was ready to make it everyone else's problem.

Safine inhaled deeply and sighed, Isa still in her protective hold.

"Here's what's gonna happen," Safine whispered into Isa's ear, still holding her close. "I want you to stay back and watch from a distance. This Anjanath's too dangerous to leave active this close to Astera, so I have to take it down. As I fight, take careful note of what I do. There will come a day where you'll have to fight one, too."

She pulled away, smiling reassuredly, then let Isa go and jumped over the cliff edge with shocking speed. The Anjanath, even with all its superb senses, was too preoccupied with its own frustration to notice Safine approaching from behind, hiding behind the enormous trees and the table-like shelf fungi.

It'd taken far too long for Isa to stop sobbing, and even longer to understand what Safine had meant. She wasn't... Going to be useless anymore?

It started as a slow building of energy in her legs, then her stomach, then her chest and head; a leap given into the Huntresses arms, a cry of laughter and happiness breaking the solemn mood she'd brought up.

It was a strange turn of events for Isa to find such happiness in someone else; it were as if she was starved of it, her body clinging to the positivity the other radiated.

╰┈➤ ❝ Do you truly mean it!? Truly? Truly!? ❞

Isa had never felt so happy before; a new adventure! A new trial to overcome, but this time with proper training. More ways she can protect Rika, more ways she can advance.

More ways she can bring them closer to the closing of their own travels together.

But the thought of loss was entirely lost to the Knight at the moment. It seemed Safine's pep-talk had worked.

Her arms were outstretched as she jogged around to let off energy, the pain inside of her entirely forgotten about.

╰┈➤ ❝ I could kiss you! I could kiss the commander! Truly, you're not having me on!? ❞

It seemed she couldn't quite grasp that someone was willing to do this for her, despite Isa's past mistake, as almost grave as it were. She wanted to do better; for herself, for Rika, for Safine.

This was going to be so exciting! So much, in fact, that Isa...

Decided to start scaling down the side of the camp, eyes wide with excitement and wanderlust, a cry out of--

It was that roar again. That one scream of terror that shot fear directly into her veins. As if commanded by some higher force, she'd scale back up the wall, crying to herself.

Perhaps this Anjanath had done a bit of a number on her, mentally, right now. She'd never felt so terrified before in her life, hands clutching at herself - and then towards Safine as she reached the peak again - before panting, eyes darting across the darkness for any sign of terror.

╰┈➤ ❝ I-It's still here... How has it found me!? ❞

Her voice shook with anxiety, hands darting to her sheathe, mentally crying and physically groaning at the loss of her weapon. She felt naked, she felt scared--

╰┈➤ ❝ We need to leave, please... Please! I can't take another cry from that thing! ❞