#“Why was Cass there?” you may ask. Well. I am of the mind that it would have been so cool if she had come with Tim in looking for Bruce

[lunewolf13]

Spilling Tea Part 7 (final):

All the Robins (minus Jason, who left early) are sitting criss-cross applesauce on a plush carpet, summoned by Dick Grayson to play "truth or dare but without a dare and you can choose what to spill."

Dick: Tim, you're the only one left.

Duke: The best for last, as they say.

Steph: Yes Tim, please share us your most recent shenanigans.

Tim: Well, this wasn't recent per se. This actually happened while I was hunting for clues all around the world.

Steph: You already told us about the spleen thing.

Tim: Yes, but did I tell you about the piña coladas?

Steph: The what?

Tim: So me, Cass, and my team of assassins all walk into a bar.

Dick: Tim, you're not legally allowed to drink. Then, or now.

Tim, who is currently 19 years old: They didn't check our fake IDs, if that makes you feel better.

Dick: It really doesn't.

Tim: Anyway, we go to this bar. Live it up. Celebrate. I think it was a holiday. I order a piña colada. It tastes good, so I order another one. Next thing I know, I wake up in a dumpster in Argentina. Mind you, the bar was in Cuba.

Duke: Dude...how much did you drink?

Tim: I dunno. I stopped counting after six.

Dick: Six??

Steph: Why didn't Cass tell me this lore?!

Dick: Why did Cass let you drink? Wait, did she drink too??

Tim: No. She went back to our hotel early. That's not all that happened though. I wake up in a dumpster, with the access codes and schematics of France's in my pocket.

Dick:

Steph:

Duke:

Damian:

Dick: Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne!

[that-basic-simp]

To The Stars

Star and Stripe x Fem!Reader CW: N/A WC: 1.5k+ A/N: A bit late, but Happy Birthday to Star and Stripe!

"Cass," I sang to her. "Cassie," I sang once more.

"Five more minutes," she grumbled, tucking her face into her pillow as she brought it closer to her.

"Time to get up, love," I said and pressed a kiss to her head.

"Five more minutes," she said.

"Come on, Cass."

She reached up and grabbed my arm, "Y/N L/N."

"Cassie, don't do this," I said.

"Will leave and come back in five minutes."

"Damn it, Cassie," I said, my body moving towards the kitchen.

I heard her giggle as I marched out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. I was free to walk after that. I moved around the kitchen, getting everything ready for her this morning. As I walked past the calendar, I took note of the date. My eyes widened as my mind registered what today was.

"Shit," I whispered.

Once the five minutes was up, I marched back towards the bedroom.

"Cassie, time to wake up."

"Alright," she said and picked her head up, stretching.

I smiled and went in to hug her while her arms were up in the air. She smiled as her arms wrapped around me. As she pulled me towards her, she fell back onto the bed.

"Cassie!"

"Good morning," she smiled, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Morning," I nuzzled into her.

"What time is it?"

"8."

"Oh shit!"

She got up and set me down on the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"I-It's the fourth, isn't it?"

"Yes. July 4th."

"I've got a parade to attend to."

"Oh shit that's right!"

"I completely forgot about it," she rushed into her closet to get her hero costume on. Afterwards, she was in the bathroom.

She came out a few minutes later and had everything on and ready.

"I tried to get the commander to let you come, but he said it's for your own safety."

"I know, I know, Cassie. It's going to be a big parade and with you there, there might be a chance of an attack."

She nodded her head, "I want to spend the day with you, I do. But."

"Cass, you're going to be late. I understand, babe."

"Are you sure? It's not too late to cancel."

"And have the star of America not be there to celebrate her home country? You need to be there. You're our Star. It'll be like All Might not being there to celebrate Japan's national holiday. Whatever that may be."

She smiled, nodding her head, "Thank you, love. I promise, tonight, we will do something."

I nodded and she pecked my lips before heading towards the kitchen.

"Your coffee is on the table, but you might need to put it in a to-go cup."

"On it. Thank you again."

As I was walking towards the kitchen, she came back over to press a sweet, but firm kiss to my lips.

"I love you," she said as she rushed out the door.

"I love you, too. C-Cassie!"

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Please be safe. I'll be watching."

She nodded, "Of course."

The door closed behind her and I headed into the pantry, grabbing a box of cake mix. I put on my red, white, and blue apron and turned on the TV, watching the news as they were covering the upcoming parade. While they were preparing, I was getting things prepared to make the cake for Cassie. Of course her birthday was fitting for her. She was America's number one hero after all. I think it was fate. As I was getting things ready, my phone went off.

"H-Hello?" I asked, trying not to get cake mix on me.

"Hey, Y/N!"

"Oh, hey, mom."

"Are you out with Cassie right now?"

"No. She's got the parade today."

"Oh that's right! She had to be there?"

"Mom, think of who you're talking about."

"Right, right, duh. You're not with her?"

"No. The commander told her against it. It was for my safety."

"Which is probably for the best."

"I know. I wanted to be there, but I am also glad I am not."

"Why's that, dear?"

"Her birthday."

"No way her birthday is the Fourth of July."

"Yep. It is. Fitting as she is our number one hero."

"It really is. Are you doing anything for her?"

"Well, since I don't expect her to be here until maybe this afternoon or possibly early evening, we're just going to be doing something here. I'm making her a cake right now."

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Let me look in the pantry real quick. I want to put some of her favorite gummy candy on it. Shit, I don't have any."

"I can run to the store and get some."

"Thanks, mom. I really appreciate it."

"Of course. I know how much Cassie means to you."

"She means," my eyes wandered to the TV screen where they were interviewing her.

She had a smile on her face, her head held high. A child had gotten past the barrier and the police and guards were running after them. Cassie turned and the camera pointed down, the child hugging onto her leg. She chuckled and picked the child up, placing them on her shoulder.

"Want to say hi to everyone?" Cassie asked to the child.

"Hi, America!" the child waved, smiling.

Cassie smiled back and when the child's parents arrived, she handed them back to their parents. She smiled and waved to the child as they disappeared off camera.

"Hello? Y/N."

"S-Sorry, mom."

"I'll be there in about thirty minutes. Maybe even longer depending on how bad traffic is."

"Thanks, mom.

"You're welcome, Y/N."

I hung up and went back to baking the cake. As I put it in the oven, my mother came over with the gummy candy. She stayed to watch the parade, as they were starting to close off the roads she takes to get here.

The parade started and there was a huge crowd as there were multiple overhead angles. A lot of the footage was of Cassie. It couldn't be helped.

Once the parade was over and people were leaving, my mother and I were finishing the cake. I wasn't going to put on the gummy candy until Cassie got here. I placed the cake in the fridge and my mother said goodbye. I said goodbye to her and about an hour later, Cassie arrived home.

"I'm home, Y/N."

"Welcome home, Cass!" I came up to her, being pulled into her embrace. "Did you have a good parade?"

"Yeah, I did. It was hot, though," she said.

"I can tell," I said, noticing she had changed out of her hero costume and into a tank top and shorts. Even her hair was down.

"Anyway, what did you do while I was gone?"

"Well, my mother came over and we watched the parade together."

"Sounds like fun. Anything else?"

"Nope."

"Alright."

"Now that you're home, want anything to eat? I bet you're hungry."

"A little bit," she said.

"I'll make you anything you want."

"You know what," she said. "How about we go out tonight? I'll take you out somewhere nice."

"Are you sure places are going to be open?"

"Shit, right."

"Yeah."

"I'm good with anything," she said. "Although I do want a nap."

"Ok. You can do that."

"Huh?"

"Yeah. Today is your day. You can do what you want," I smiled.

"O-Ok."

"And if you want," I grabbed her large hand. "I can take a nap with you."

She smiled and picked me up bridal style, carrying me off to our shared bedroom. We weren't planning on the nap being so long to where it was dinner time. Both of us woke up groggy and not that hungry. So we snacked on some small things while we talked about dinner. I ended up making something small for the both of us.

"I have something for you."

"You didn't have to do anything for me."

"I wanted to. Besides, it is your day after all."

"You keep saying that. What do you mean?"

"Close your eyes."

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. I pulled the cake out from the fridge and placed the gummy candy on. Thankfully my mother bought the candies in the shape of stars. I placed them on accordingly and then the candles, lighting them up before I carried the cake over to her.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you," I sang as Cassie opened up her eyes, a wide smile crawling onto her face. "Happy birthday dear, Cassie. Happy birthday to you."

It was a cake in the shape of the American flag. I placed it in front of her and stood beside her.

"Y/N."

"Happy birthday, Cass," I said, placing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Thank you, Y/N," she said.

She blew out the candles and we ate some cake together.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything," I said.

"You made me the cake. That's more than enough."

"I know, but I wanted to get you something, but it completely slipped my mind."

"Y/N, I forgot today was my birthday until you reminded me."

We both chuckled.

"But I should do something special for you, since you always have to do parades and celebrations on the fourth. You don't have a day where it's special just for you."

"I have you to make it special."

"Aw, Cass."

"Besides, I know the best birthday present you can give me," she said as she stood up, making her way towards me.

"What's that?"

"You," she whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You. Me. Bed. Now," she demanded.

"No need to use New Order on me," I chuckled as I stood up.

"Good girl," Cassie said, making me go weak in the knees.

While everyone was celebrating and shooting off fireworks, the entire night, all I saw were stars and experienced my own fireworks.

[whumpasaurus101]

Chapter Ten

Ohhhh the whump in this- there is quite a lot teehee. Enjoy me rising from my hybernation of 2 months!

---

The chair let out a quiet groan as Cass readjusted himself in his seat, eyes staring plainly at the table which Martyn sat opposite him. They had stayed like this for a while. Not a single sound. Cass wasn't going to give Martyn  shit. He tried to keep his mind quiet. Keeping himself away from the situation away from his head. His team was going to look at him for what they should do next. But he didn't know. What they could do.

His eyes desperately scanned the room, searching for something- anything he could use as a weapon. Oh, who was he kidding?? They were doomed.

“So, tell me, Cass, why did you lot decide to come in and ruin my soiree?”

Cass clenched his jaw, his eyes still moving. He looked to the guard who stood at the door, rifle in hand held across his chest. Maybe if he caused a distraction he could snatch it and-

Cass yelped out as Martyn slammed his fist against the metal table, the loud sound echoing through the room, cutting crisp through his thoughts, “I asked a goddamn question. All your team has given me silence and I’m really getting tired of this, sweetheart.”

Cass grimaced at the name, shifting once more in his chair as he cautiously studied the man before him. The top half of hair that wasn’t buzzed was swept up neatly into a ponytail.

“Do you use gel in your hair?”

Martyn had to do a double take, his face slightly screwed up in confusion, “I beg your pardon?”

“Your hair, does it have gel in it?” 

“My- I- you what?”

“You said all you was getting was silence, I’m filling that silence.”

Martyn huffed out a sigh of disapproval, “It’s ‘were’, darling, ‘all you were getting’.”

Cass couldn't help but crack a smile, letting out a slight laugh, “I’m tied down to a fucking chair in a goddamn interrogation, I think my grammar is the last of my worries.”

Martyn held back a smile, readjusting his tie as he cleared his throat, “I like my things to be perfect-”

“Yeah yeah, hold up, I am not one of your.. things..” Cass spat in disgust. Martyn hummed in amusement, “Cute of you to think you can make decisions now. I’ve got you, Cass Brady.”

Cass tensed, “H-how- I-”

“I have my sources,” Martyn grinned, crossing his arms with a smirk, “Luckily, before you tried your pathetic attempt to save dear Niko, you gave my men and I just about enough time to go do some… research.”

Cass could feel his stomach drop to the ground. What the hell happened? All the years it had taken Cass to remove everyone's identity from any records so they were untraceable. Welp, apparently not.

“The Outlanders,” Martyn hummed, “A bit… whats the word…. Cliche, no?”

Cass set his jaw, glaring at the captor before him, “I was fifteen when I came up with it.”

“No need to get so defensive!” Martyn smirked, “It's quite cute actually.”

Cass’ fists clenched behind his chair, knotted in a rough rope as he felt anger bubble and burn in his chest, “What do you want?” He demanded.

“I want answers, Cass.”

“Well, good luck with that,” Cass spat, his eyes hardening, “I'm not telling you shit.”

Martyn folded his arms with a hum as he leaned back in his chair, “Oh really? Well, Mr Brady, I have something that just might change your mind.”

Cass’ blood turned cold as he saw the scene unravel before him. The door of the room opened and in walked a guard, dragging in a bloodied and bruised figure. Cass had to swallow down his own bile as he saw the face of the person, Cass.

“You see, in my research, I thought my men had made a mistake mistake with the matching last names- but as we dug deeper I knew a little,,, persuasion from your brother might do the trick!”

“D-d’nt te-tell hi-” Niko rasped, a mixture of blood and sweat dripping from his hair as his head hung low. He didn't have enough energy to lift it. God, if he had learnt one thing, it was that those guards were not as weak as they may seem.

“Let him go!” Casss roared, suddenly thrashing against the restraints.

“There we go, a bit of fire! Now, do tell me, why did you come uninvited to my party?”

“We-we honestly were just plus ones who-”

Cass was cut off by the gut wrenching sound of a fist colliding with skin. He watched in horror as his own brother collapsed to the ground with a cry.

Anger took over Cass, “Let him go.” His voice slightly shook but he didn't give a damn, he blinked furiously as he tried to hold back tears.

You know what you need to do in order to save him.”

“Bullshit!” Cass growled but that only drew another punch towards Niko. “I’m going to murder you, you son of a bitch!” Cass roared.

Martyn stalked closer in a few strides, snatching Cass by the jaw and yanking him so they were face to face, “Listen here you bitch-lipped son of a whore-” Cass flinched, his heart freezing in utter shock as he stared at Martyn- “Every single word that comes out of your mouth that isn't what I want, gets your brother one step further to his own fucking death.”

Cass stared up at Martyn in horror, his mouth slightly opened as his chest heaved with pants. What kind of leader was he- yelling and cursing? The first thing he told his gang was to never make things personal and always remain calm. God- god his brother, he had brought Niko into this goddamn life.

“I-”

Cass took a sharp inhale before letting the breath out, he watched as Martyn lifted a hand, getting the guard to halt.

“There was… a target at your party… a target that we- well… we’ve been looking for for a while now…” Martyn’s eyebrow raised as he crossed his arms, “And this…target, it doesn't happen to be me, no?”

Cass’s eyes blow wide, “No! No not at all! I don't even know who you are!”

A shiver ran up his spine as the room filled with Martyn’s chuckle filled the room- then it dropped to utter silence and his smile fell. In a matter of seconds a hand wrapped around his throat.

“Let me get something clear, Cassius, I really don't like liars. So if someone lies to my face-” His hand tightened and Cass swore he saw stars- “Somebody gets hurt.”

Cass tried to scream as he heard the cry of his brother. Martyn forced his head to look at his brother being beaten relentlessly. But he couldn't make a noise, he couldn't move, He couldn't save his brother. So what use was he to his own team? ---

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[whumpiary]

technically a follow on from this piece. could probably stand alone. this piece has been 80% done in my google docs for three years so if you see any big holes in it uhhh. no you didn't.

if you've ever wanted some vague exposition on cass' powers or choices, then this is for you

content warning: mentions of death, victim blaming, aftermath of violence/assault, referenced dubcon/noncon, brief mind control

-

The common room at Bergen Estate gets quiet at night. Most of the charges prefer their own rooms as it gets dark. Hiding from the bogeyman.

But Harley liked the large, dark emptiness of the common room.

The curved chairs, the pillars, the rows of books and video games lined up along the shelves. The big oak tables. Bean bags in the corner. Rugs here and there. The whole place had the energy of some sort of bizarre combination between a kid’s playroom and a university library. But Harley wanted a space to think, and this was the easiest one.

Their intuition had been right and wrong in equal amounts tonight. They’d known they would be called to Christopher’s lounge tonight. And they were. And they knew that they would be fine after. And they are. But… if they were so fine why do they feel so God fucking awful?

“Harley can go, right? It’s not like we need them.”

Every time they try to push the memory from their head, it bobs to the surface again like an apple in water.

“I have to say, Harley… I really am so disappointed in you.”

They stare out the large bay window, at the leafless trees silhouetted in the mix of light from the garden and from the moon. The whole thing looks ghostly. Gothic. The dark through the glass makes the whole window reflective; a giant mirror just waiting to show them their face. But it’s dark in here too. It’s a dark room reflected on a dark night. That’s why it’s so obvious when there’s a shuffling flash of light behind them, making their heart skip.

The door opens, someone steps through, and then it closes. Dark again. Harley stiffens, freezes, trying to catch another glimpse of who it is in the reflection of the window but it's back to shadows on shadows on shadows.

They listen as the person shuffles to one of the cushioned seats. Shuffles. Like it hurts to move. They sit so carefully that Harley can barely hear them. Then there's quiet. Stillness. An exhale.

Harley doesn’t move. They know stillness. They know silence. Have known it for longer than they’ve been here.

But then there’s another exhale.

And another.

Any hitch of breath that might be happening in between is more or less silent.  Which means, usually… crying. 

Harley feels themself cringe. The Bergen Boys don't cry. Those are the rules. Not Christopher's rules but the deeper, unspoken ones between the lot of them. You don’t complain, you don’t ask for help, you don’t cry. Or if you did, it got beaten out of you quicksmart. Everything else was a free for all as far as Harley has ever been able to tell. 

So the shadow person has come to the common room in the middle of the night. Assuming, like Harley had, that it would be empty. That it would be safe.

Guilt washes over them all at once, guttural and nauseating and they realise all of a sudden that intentionally or not just by sitting here, listening, they're imposing. Intruding. Doing the wrong thing. And then the fear beneath that, on top of that, around that, that if they wait too long and the shadow person notices them, they may well end up on the wrong side of thrown fists. Again.

Harley shifts on the couch where they sit, exaggerating the whisper scrape of fabric on fabric, and leans back on the left side where they know the leg creaks.

The shadow person's breathing stops immediately and Harley hears them stand.

"Who's there?" 

Harley freezes again, regretting making their presence known. Cassius. 

"I can see you. On the couch. Get over here." His voice is sharp and violent. Deeper than usual. There's a childish part of Harley, not as far beneath the surface as they’d like, that wishes desperately they’d just stay silent and hidden. Safe.

But, like they were told, they uncurl their legs. Stand. Turn. Start to walk. 

Harley can see the moment that the light from the window must catch their face. Cassius' face softens, eyes fluttering closed and body sagging with what was maybe relief. 

“Harls,” he says, running a hand over his face as he sits back down. Harley doesn’t miss the wince. “Jesus Christ, man, you scared me.”

“Sorry.” The apology flies out of them like a verbal flinch. “I’ll leave.”

“No, ple-” Cassius stops himself, eyes shuttering closed. Harley watches him take a deep breath, brow furrowing briefly. You don’t cry. You don’t complain. You don’t ask for help. “You can stay. If you want. I don't mind.”

Harley hesitates for a moment, glancing around half-uselessly, before choosing a seat across from the other charge and folding into it. 

“What are you doing up so late?” Cassius asks, as though they’ve bumped into each other at a truck stop. At a bar. Fancy seeing you here. 

Harley shrugs. “I don’t know. I couldn’t sleep. I kept…” thinking about what you were doing. They bite down on their tongue to keep themselves from saying more. It’s stupid. 

They trail off as Cassius looks up at them and the dull light from the window catches the shape of his brow. At the blood smeared along his temple. The bruising already flaring up along his cheek. “Did… did Beauche do that to you?”

Cassius huffs out a half laugh, running his tongue between his teeth and the obviously bruised tissue of his cheek. He drags his hand up, knuckle brushing softly against his brow. “Yep. What a gentleman, huh?”

“But Christopher said he wouldn’t be violent.”

Cassius scoffs, “Yeah and Christopher’s such a shining beacon of truth, huh?”

Cassius sits back in his chair, eyes hard, and Harley holds their breath. With the shadows of the trees outside dancing across his face, the shading of the bruises and the swelling there, Cassius looks half monster.

Then his expression softens, his body relaxes. “Nah, it was my fault." He lets out a sigh, hand running back through his hair. "The guy wanted me to cry.”

“And did you?” Cassius’ glare is immediate. Has Harley slamming their jaw shut so quickly their teeth click together. “Sorry.”

Cassius shrugs a shoulder in acceptance of the apology and leans back in the chair. He closes his eyes and all at once it’s like some mask comes down. He looks exhausted and hurt and… young, actually. Harley always forgets that. He’s younger than them. About a three year gap between them.

“Why are you up?” Harley says, after the silence gets unbearably fragile. “Here, I mean. I thought you’d be…” They struggle for a tactful way to put it. “In the other wing.”

“Nah, he didn’t want me to stay, thank fuck. And Christopher doesn’t like me coming in af-... Um. He doesn’t like me coming in too late,” Cassius says, picking non-existent dirt out from under his finger nails. He clears his throat a little as his face flinches in and out of a frown. “Plus, the sooner I see him, the sooner I have to… you know…”

He gestures loosely at his face and Harley frowns. The sooner he’d have to do what? Get rid of the bruises? Get rid of the pain that keeps making him flinch and close his eyes? None of them talked about it but they’d all seen it. Bruises fading on Cassius just to bloom on his brother in minutes. Always after a visit to Christopher. Always without a word spoken.

Harley can’t help their own contempt, “Isn’t that a good thing for you?”

Cassius looks at them with an expression Harley can’t place, dark eyes flicking between both of Harley’s, as though searching for something. He looks angry. Murderous. Violent. Then he snorts and it’s gone. “Yeah. Sure.”

He drops his head, hands fidgeting between his knees. With the angle and the shadows, Harley can only just make out the shape of his nose, his eyes half hidden behind his hair. It sticks out at awkward angles around his head like a terrible crown. Frizzy waves in some parts, kinked curls in others.

It'll suit him more when he leaves and he grows it longer.

The thought comes unprompted, unbidden and with the utmost certainty. Like the predictions always do. Just a slice of truth falling into the head with the right prompt. An understanding that that's just… how things will be.

It's not the first time Harley's thought something like it. That Cassius will do much better once he leaves. The notion of it is almost horrifying. Cassius has been here longer than they have. It’s hard to imagine Bergen Estate without its golden boy. 

Harley chews on their cheek and “If I ask you something, will you answer truthfully?” 

Cassius shrugs. Smirks. “Probably not.”

Harley rolls their eyes and looks away, annoyance settling in their gut. They don’t even know why they bother with Cassius. He’s always the exact same. They're about to stand up to leave when Cassius clears his throat and-

“I’ll trade you for it,” he says softly, dark eyes shining with something unnameable in the dim light. “You ask me something, I ask you something. No lies.”

“Promise?”

Cassius just shrugs. Which is probably as good a promise as Harley’s going to get, really. They sigh and trace the patterning of the rug with their eyes before pursing their lips together and looking back up at Cassius with a focussed sincerity.

They swallow. Inhale. Hands grip the arms of the chair. "You hate it here.”

Cass’ eyes skitter to the side and back. "That's… not a question."

"Why don't you leave?"

“Same as you, dumbass. Legally binding contract.”

“No, I mean-” Harley bites down on their cheek and tries to figure out the right words to say what they mean. “You can make him do whatever you want, right? You can make anyone do what you want. So why don’t you just… make him get rid of you."

Cassius exhales in a way that could almost be a laugh. But probably isn’t. “It’s… complicated.”

“Because of Henri?”

He shrugs, looking bored as he meets their gaze. “Sure.”

“No lies.”

Cassius sighs, leaning back slouched in the chair. He shrugs. “Just because I can make someone want to do something, it doesn’t mean they’ll do it.”

“Like… he’d resist you?”

“No.” Cassius pulls a face. “I mean yes, maybe. But no… It’s like…” He makes a sound hallway between a sigh and a groan. He rolls his neck, eyes roaming around the room like he’s trying to figure something out. He leans his chin on his hand, fingers skirting over his lips before looking back to Harley. “Hᴀʀʟᴇʏ, sᴏʟᴠᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ʜᴜɴɢᴇʀ.”

Harley stands instantly. They turn on their foot and move to the door and for the first time in their life everything is certain. Everything is clear. Everything makes so much sense and all they have to do is… Is to… 

“Um…”

Cass half smiles. There's something vicious and cruel behind his eyes. “Dᴏ ɪᴛ, Hᴀʀʟᴇʏ. Sᴏʟᴠᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ʜᴜɴɢᴇʀ.”

They step forward, compulsively, and for some bizarre reason they start raising their arms in front of them, as though their body can’t figure out a way to solve the issue even though they want to and as soon as that thought hits them the frantic desire starts to dissipate, filling instead with deep dread and panic. 

They turn their head towards him, eyes wide. Frozen. "I…" 

Cassius’ gaze is dark and heavy. Hungry and calculating. His jaw sets. “Hᴀʀʟᴇʏ, ɢᴏ ᴋɪʟʟ Cʜʀɪsᴛᴏᴘʜᴇʀ.”

The feeling that floods them is white hot and immediate. Desire and rage running through them like lava. They’re not sure they’ve ever moved so fast, wheeling on a foot, making it to the door, but no sooner are they reaching for the handle then-

“Nah, ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ɪᴛ. Cᴏᴍᴇ sɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ.”

All at once the desire dissipates, and the panic sets in like shame. Like failure. They come back over. They sit back down. Then their thoughts catch up and they look at Cassius with fury. How dare he do that? How dare he go into their head and make them feel that? 

Cassius just smiles. Shrugs. “Sorry. Figured I’d show not tell.”

‘’I could’ve killed him.”

Cassius shrugs, unshaded and unconvinced. “Nah. You would’ve got halfway down the hall and changed your mind.”

“But what if I didn’t?”

“Then you would’ve gotten to his room and realised you didn’t know how. You wouldn’t have killed him.”

“I might’ve,” they protest, still indignant.

Cass shrugs, smile lazy and tired, “But you didn’t.”

They try, for a few moments, to hold on to the anger. The indignation. It’s so, so easy to hate him when he’s far away. When they can’t see him or only see him at a distance. It’s much much harder three feet away from him, where the moonlight show the bags under his eyes as dark as the bruise blossoming above his temple.

“He takes you away from here sometimes,” they say eventually. “You could… when you were away from here. You could leave. Make him let you leave. That’s not that hard.”

Cassius just looks at them, chin resting on his hand, fingers covering his mouth. He raises his eyebrows at them expectantly, foot bouncing like a motor. He’s probably trying to look annoyed. Sarcastic. But he just looks like a sad little boy.

Understanding clicks in.

“But Henri…” Harley voices for him.

Cassius shrugs a shoulder. A tear manages to make it all the way to his cheekbone before he swipes it away with the side of his fist. The Bergen Boys don’t cry. “Told you. Complicated.”

This isn’t how things are meant to be. Cassius is meant to stay in the other wing, up on his damn pedestal and away in Christopher’s bedroom. He’s not meant to cry in the common room. He’s meant to be the golden boy in his golden room. It’s meant to be easy to hate him. He’s meant to be arrogant and selfish and mean and rude and-

“Your French isn’t better than mine,” they say suddenly. They can’t quite say where the compulsion to say it comes from.

Cassius blinks, “What?”

“In the office before, you said your French was better than mine. It’s not.”

He looks at them for a moment, frowning and annoyed and then suddenly he’s laughing, eyebrows shooting up in exhausted amusement, “You’re weird as fuck, you know that?”

“What? No I’m not,” Harley spits, suddenly self-conscious and antsy.

“Yes you are,” Cassius says. “I did you a fucking favour and a half tonight-“

“I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“And you know what, you’re welcome by the way.”

“I never asked you to-”

“Oh, save it. Yes you fucking did. You know what I can do. You know what I can feel. You were basically fucking screaming at me.”

And that, they do remember. Closing their eyes. Drowning Christopher’s voice out in their head. The huge loud static of I don’t want this, I don’t want this, I don’t want this.

The air stills. The atmosphere between them settles like dust in the shadows and darkens again. Guilt creeps over Harley's shoulders and rests with heavy claws. They shouldn’t have said anything. 

“My French is more usable than yours,” Cass mutters.

They’re truly unsure if he’s being genuine or just trying to break the ice that’s frosted over. They try for the latter, “Your grammar sucks.”

“Yeah, well we didn’t get much further than ‘voulez-vous coucher avec moi’, so I don’t think I did fine,” he gives them a dead-eyed smile that they assume is meant to cast the comment in humour. They don’t really find it very funny.

After a few awkward beats, Cassius gives up the ghost. He clears his throat, “Alright. My turn,” 

Harley readjusts in their seat, straightening their spine, tucking their hair behind their ears to listen for the question. They wait one moment. And then two. The whole time the golden boy seems to scrutinise them, looking into their eyes as he sizes them up, makes some sort of assessment.

Cassius’ voice is low and jarringly sad as he finally lands on a question, “Why do you hate me so much?”

If it was possible for Harley to feel every cell in their body crystallise… that was what this feeling was. “I don’t hate you.”

Cassius smiles. Tilts his head. The blood along his temple catches in the light. “No lies.”

Harley frowns and looks away, turning their head to look out the window across the other side of the room. They wonder if he remembers the day they met as well as they do. It was in this room. Just a few feet from where they were sitting now. He’d been sitting on the arm of the couch making some smart mouth comment to someone and they’d thought he looked friendly. And then his eyes had met theirs and prediction hit like an epiphany:

You’re going to kill me one day.

Unprompted, unbidden and with the utmost certainty. A slice of truth falling into their head.

You’re going to kill me one day to save yourself.

They knit their fingers together in their lap, pressing knuckle to knuckle. They press their lips into a thin line. Something with wings — a bird or a bat, they can’t tell — takes flight from one of the trees outside the window. Darkness reflects darkness back.

After it becomes clear they’re not going to answer, Cassius prompts again, “Was it something I did?”

They shrug one shoulder. Like he does. Look down at their hands. The shadows across the room dance and shimmer.

“Is it because of…” out of the corner of their eye, Harley sees him wave a hand at himself. “You know. What I do.” A pause. They see his Adam’s apple bob. “The way I do it.”

Harley frowns, ducks their head lower so they don’t have to look at him, even in periphery. They manage to shake their head this time. 

“Is it…” Cassius stops and starts. Stalls. Clears his throat. “Is it something I’m going to do?”

Harley finds themself looking up, despite themself.

They meet his eyes. Time stops for a second.

Cass looks so full of grief for a moment that Harley’s certain the rest of the world must’ve been robbed of it. All shoved into one person to hold for a second. His voice sounds wrecked, “I’m sorry.”

They almost believe him, too. And they hate him all the more for it.

Did he have to be so perfect at this, too? Did he have to be forgivable for this, too? Can’t they just hate him? Can’t they just hate his guts and let him get whadt he’s owed for the things that he’s done, does, is going to do? They want to ask him. They want to tell him. All of it. They want to see his face as he tries to figure out how to respond. They want to know how he feels when he finds out he’s gonna be a murderer.

“It’s okay,” is what tumbles out of their mouth instead.

“Yeah,” Cass laughs and another tear makes it out of him. They hate him for it. He swipes at it with the side of a closed fist. “No it isn’t.”

They hate him as he stands up. 

They hate him as he cuts the conversation short.

They hate him as he passes and gives the back of their chair a pat.

“See you around, Harls.”

They watch the window for the flash of light as the door opens, a yellow glow spilling into the room for a moment like blood from a cut. And then the door shuts with a click. And the room is back to its inky darkness. And the golden boy is gone. And Harley isn’t.

And their hatred is an unspooled ball of yarn in the middle of the floor.

[pansyparkinsonsworld]

WHERE THE NORTH WIND MEETS THE SEA

note: this is originally from ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46195858

CHAPTER TWO: dragonfire

Valaena combed her long silver hair, whilst staring at herself in her vanity. Would things be different if she knew her biological father wasn’t Daemon Targaryen? Would it be different if her father was truly Laenor? It was the hour of the ghosts when Prince Aemond Targaryen showed up to her chambers, frighting the Princess.

"Prince Aemond, what are you doing in my chambers this late at night?" Valaena asked, as the Prince walked inside of her chambers. She had been wearing only a thin pale pink night robe, with a lace garment underneath. The Prince was still in his fighting clothes, it seems.

“Valaena, I have had a long day - well night, and it occurred to me that I was running low on my personal supply of Dragonfire Wine. I have an idea, why don’t you have a few cups of it with me tonight? We can toast to the future, and speak of the past. What do you say? “ He smirked.

"I am afraid I cannot drink, my Prince." She smiles.. "But if your Prince wants, I could drink a cup or two.." Valaena did not drink, she did not like the taste of the liquor on her throat.

“Hmm. Yes, perhaps just one or two cups, after all; I don’t know if your mind would be able to handle quite so much.” Aemond gazed into her eyes, and smiled. “Yes, I would like that very much indeed, my lady.” He walked over and picked her up from her chair. “So, what’s the first topic we should start on, hmm?” He twirled her around, and sat them down and poured the first cup of Dragonfire.

"How about your betrothal to that Baratheon lady, my Prince?" She grinned, as he poured the first cup of Dragonfire. She knew what Dragonfire was; she tried it when she was four and ten, two years ago..

He pouted. “My betrothal. Yes my lady, my betrothal. It is a match that was not my own choosing. I fear it may be a match meant to ensure that the Lord Baratheon of Storm’s End is a loyal ally of the Crown. I fear I may not love her, and she may not love me. I fear I may not be happy.”

"But my Prince.." She started. "You may get to know her, maybe you may love her? Who is the Baratheon lady that you are betrothed to, my Prince" She giggled. She knew that he was set to marry a Baratheon lady, but she never got to know her name.

“Her name is Cassandra Baratheon, or Cass as I call her. She is beautiful, well-spoken, well-mannered, and she is kind to me.” Aemond described her. “We could all ask for someone worse to marry. I suppose I am quite lucky. But there is just something missing, something in me that will not allow me to be happy. What do you say to that, my lady? Why do you think I feel this way?”

She sighed. "Maybe it is a deep rooted hatred, release the hatred so that you can finally feel.. free." She said, as she took the cup and sipped some Dragonfire. "Why do you have this deep rooted hatred anyway?"

“Hmm. I am not even sure that I can name the source of my hatred. But maybe you are right. I have hated from a young age the fact that I was second born. Second born, and the second choice. Perhaps I despise that fact. Or maybe I am just angry at the world. I fear it may be the latter. But maybe I need to learn to let go. I fear I have been angry for so long, that I no longer remember what it feels like to be truly happy.”

"Oh." Valaena nodded, she could not relate to that as she was the first born of her mother. "When you're with.. Cassandra, do you feel a spark there?" She gestured to his heart.

“A spark, you say?” He looked into her eyes, they were lilac. Just like Princess Rhaena, daughter of Aenys. “Hmm. I cannot say that I feel a spark with Cass. I care for her, I am sure of it. But there is no spark in my heart when she is near to me. I do not feel a fire in my lungs when she talks to me. I suppose I should find a woman who I felt a spark with, so I wouldn’t have to question if she was the right one. And you my lady? Do you feel this so-called spark?”

"Yes, my Prince." She giggled. "I feel this spark with my own betrothed. But to give you some advice. You and Lady Cassandra should get to know the other better, treat her with respect, flatter and praise her. Make sure you acknowledge her.. Give her a kiss or two, but make sure you do not… fornicate with her just yet."

“Yes, you are correct my lady. I intend to be a perfect gentleman, a perfect suitor for Lady Cass. I will treat her with the greatest respect, and I will give her no reason to doubt my commitment to her. But alas, you never told me your betrothed, my lady. Will you tell me his name? I am excited to know who has captured your heart.” Aemond nodded.

Valaena giggled. "He is from the North side of Westeros. And he rules it, as well. His name is Lord Cregan of House Stark."

“Lord Cregan Stark.” Aemond processed. “You must feel extremely lucky my lady. He is one of the most powerful lords in the realm, his lineage is most distinguished, and he is most noble. You must be ecstatic to be set to marry such a man. I will admit, I envy you lady Valaena. Your betrothal is far greater than mine.”

"Perhaps it is, from a status point of view." She nodded. "You, you marry a Lady who cannot claim the land of her chauvinist father, who is merely the eldest of the Four Storms. Whereas I.. I marry a Lord who is the true heir to everything in the North. So.. Perhaps it is, my Prince."

“Hmm. Yes, you are right. Perhaps you do have me beat in that part, my lady.” Aemond chuckled. “But I would argue with your other points: you are beautiful, well mannered, and I believe your wit is unmatched in the realm. You would make a marvelous lady of any castle, any lands in the entire realm, you would inspire great pride in yourself and your people. You would have many suitors across the realm for your hand. So, is a lord of the north a better catch than a second-born prince? I’m not quite sure my lady.”

"I do not care about those matters. Cregan is better; in a lot of terms. The first born, and not a second born." Valaena tried to bite her tongue. Aemond seemed to be hinting that he wanted to be betrothed to Valaena and not Cassandra.

“Yes, I suppose you are right. In terms of birthright, he holds more titles. But I hold a better claim to a far greater throne, my lady.” He paused and smiled. “My lady, you are quite fascinating to talk to. I find you quite intelligent. I was expecting you to be a little ditzy, like the rest of the ladies of Westeros, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is quite entertaining talking to you.” He looked into her lilac eyes. “You should come around here more often my lady. It is not often I meet a woman as interesting as you.”

"I am afraid that I can not come around as often as I could, for I have to prepare for my wedding, which will come in two moons.." Valaena giggled, and sipped the Dragonfire. "Do you want some?"

He looks at her glass with Dragonfire with a little smirk on his face. “Yes my lady, I believe I shall take a few sips. It is a good wine, better than most that I’ve had in my life.” He reaches over and takes the glass from her hand, takes a small sip, and takes a bigger sip. “I would say you’ve done quite well for yourself my lady. You will be marrying a man from the most powerful house in all of Westeros. Not many people get such a privilege.” He scoffed as he held the glass.

“Have you any plans on what to do after the wedding? As the lady of Winterfell, all of the North would look to you as a source of inspiration. What do you intend to do with this new power?” He asked her.

“Yes, indeed. I plan on improving Winterfell, the crops–. the laws, and everything there. I must be a great Lady–. for my future people.” Valaena giggled, the effects of Dragonfire were starting to affect her.

“Very honorable of you my lady, to use your new power and influence to make things better for your people. Many others would have abused this power for their own wants and needs. And I must warn you, the Dragonfire will only continue to have a greater effect the more you drink. Are you sure you wish to continue?”

"N-no.. Not anymore. I must sober up," She giggled. "What does Cassandra–. What does she feel like, when you fornicate with–." She giggled once more.

“Valaena, the Dragonfire has really gotten to you. You are saying some quite… interesting things. But I will answer your question my lady.” Aemond laughed. “Cassandra is quite passionate and loving, but she, I believe, would prefer love to passion. She is very caring and is sure to speak her mind. She isn’t quiet or submissive, she is strong and independent, but doesn’t act like it, like some other women I have seen in King’s Landing.”

"My mother taught me, my Prince." Valaena giggled. Rhaenyra Targaryen, a woman of many, including a Mother.

[liverobinreaction]

Banshee In A Well Snippet

“You promised,” is the first thing Cass says to him, voice hoarse and accusatory. “You promised you’d be okay.”

“I am,” he tries to rasp out, and the way she tightens her grip feels like a warning, so he quickly corrects himself: “I thought I was.”

“You lied,” she says mournfully, “you lied, and I let you go.”

From where she’s tangled with him, he can’t see her face, but the minute shift of her shoulder tells him that she’s spiralling, and he quickly goes to pull away. She tries to tighten her hold, but he needs to look her in the face.

“Cass, I promise I thought I was okay,” he repeats, and she lets out a sigh so deep he can feel it in his bones.

“Lying,” she breathes out into his ear, “to me, to yourself, to everyone.”

And that-

Tim doesn’t know how to respond to that.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” he finally admits, because that’s the crux of it; he doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know what’s the right thing to tell them, how he needs to react, how he convinces everyone that this is normal and always has been.

Cass just leans back in, tucking her head beneath his chin, and she holds him with a gentleness that makes his eyes sting.

“Words are hard,” she agrees, and he lets out a strangled chuckle.

Both of them stay quiet for a moment, neither quite sure how to continue.

Or, well, he does. Because Cass is Cass is Cass, and she is his sister before anything else.

“I think dying has been the one constant in my life,” he confesses into her hair, half hoping she won’t hear him. But she does. Of course she does, and she goes still at his words, chest hitching as she waits for him to continue.

And unlike the bitter torrent he threw at Bruce and Dick, unlike the caustic sarcasm he spewed to amuse Pru, unlike the clinical observations he noted down for himself and Ra’s, what begins to pour out of his chest hurts in a way he’s swallowed down since that first lungful of water.

“It’s normal,” he finds himself saying, “that’s the thing, it’s normal to me. And no-one’s ever asked before. No-one’s ever noticed unless I died in front of them, and even then it’s a toss-up, though to be fair, I actively try to prevent people from connecting the dots.

“I think a part of me actively wants to die, Cass,” spills out of his mouth, and he regrets it as she flinches against him, but he can’t stop. “And not in a permanent, suicidal depressed way, but like there’s some biological imperative that makes me seek out death over and over. Because what other explanation is there? I was five when I died the first time, and then I killed myself to test it. Multiple times. And even when I tried to avoid it, it still lingered in my mind.

“Why did I do that stuff? Why did I record it? Why do I still pull that shit, over and over, choosing death like it’s the easiest thing in the world?”

Cass is silent in his arms. But she doesn’t let go.

Instead, the room is disrupted by a clearing throat, and Tim’s eyes dart up, even as Cass stays still. Alfred stands there, wrinkles pronounced and voice hoarse as he speaks.

“If I may, Timothy?”

Cassandra doesn’t move to kick the older man out, not like she did with Bruce and Dick, and Alfred-

Well, Alfred is Alfred.

And so, Tim nods.

[batstorm93672]

"Can you get me in M'gann?"

M'gann crossed her arms and smiled "Of course. Miss Martian to the rescue. Now Damian is trapped in a fake reality in his mind. I can send you in, but you may not remember why you came in. The power will influence you, you have to fight through it. Can you do that?"

"You know me, I can get my baby brother out"

Close your eyes, I'll send you in. And make sure to stay safe Nightwing.

.

.

.

Dick woke up to see Kory beside him sleeping soundly. As always, she looked perfect and stunning. Dick sat up and kissed Kory on the forehead.

"Mmh, Dick? Where are you going?"

"Going to Gotham, the family set up a movie night. So before it starts we're just gonna hang out"

"I would ask you to stay, but I know you haven't been there in awhile. So have fun"

"Thanks Kor, I love you"

"Love you too"

Dick got dressed and started the car up, it was nice out today.

Can't wait to see everyone. I haven't seen Damian for a few weeks, hope the kid is alright

Robin got hit, we gotta--

That was weird... what was I thinking about again? Lost my train of thought. Whoa when did I arrive? Heh time flies

Dick got out the car and walked to the front doors. "Master Richard, how joyful it is to see you arrived well" "Hey Alf, am I the last one?" "Quite the contrary, you're the first of the others to arrive. Master Damian and Miss Talia are in the living room if you'd like to see them while Master Bruce is still at work with Master Tim" "...Why is Talia here?" "Why would she not be? She is a resident residing in the Manor" "I- I'll go see them"

"Hey Dami!" Dick popped in to see Damian reading with Titus on his lap, the dog was so big that Damian had to lift the book up over Titus so he could read. "Richard, hello" "Hello Dick. It's been awhile" Talia was sitting by Damian, Titus's head was on her lap and she was stroking Titus. "Talia... why are you here?"

Damian raised an eyebrow "What are you going on about?" "Is everything alright Dick?" "Um... yeah all good, guess I'm still shaking off some sleep"

I can contact Miss M--

"Damian..."

"Yes?"

This feels odd, Talia is here and somehow it doesn't feel right... why does my head feel so foggy?

"Can we step out and talk for a second?"

"I suppose, what is going on with you?"

"Nothing I'm all good here"

And yet... something isn't right. It has something to do with Damian, that's my gut feeling anyways

Ushering Titus off of him, Damian got up and walked out with Dick. "What do you wish to discuss Richard?" "Are you alright Damian? Talia isn't hurting you is she?" Damian looked offended "Why would my own mother be hurting me? Yes we've had complications, but we are past that. You were there"

"No something isn't right, all I know is that it has something to do with you. Somehow this isn't right. We need to figure it out"

"We do not need to figure anything out, I am going back to read by my mother's side"

Talia... she never stayed since Bruce... she... she killed Damian because he chose to stay. Everything is coming back, Damian getting hit while we fought in Boston against a meta that Bruce asked us to help detain. Then I called M'gann...

"Damian this isn't real. You were hit while we were fighting and trapped in another reality in your mind. I came to get you out"

Damian frowned.

Then everything changed. Dick was sitting down beside Jason and Cass. Everyone as a matter of fact was here. A movie was playing on the screen. Dick looked back to see Damian watching with intent as he sat by Bruce and Talia.

What happened? The mind magic must've sensed that I'm an intruder and is now trying to distract Damian by changing the scene

Dick grabbed a kernel from the popcorn bin and threw it at Damian. The kid scowled and made eye contact with Dick, rolling his eyes, Damian looked back.

The movie was over, Bruce was smiling "Alright, it's already late. Shall we turn in for the night?" Everyone agreed to sleep over...

Damian went to his room suddenly after taking a few steps to his bed. The door, he didn't close, shut and he turned to see Dick. Dick locked the door and looked almost guilty.

I gotta get him out of this fake reality

"Damian I need you to listen. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm not lying. I wouldn't lie to you about something like this"

Damian crossed his arms and kept his gaze away "Fine" "This isn't real, I know you don't know because you got hit with some mind stuff and Miss M managed to bring me to your mind. We wanted to get you out of here before anything bad happened. Who knows what is going on, plus it seems it's already noticed I'm not the fake that this place conjured up"

"You're wrong..."

"Damian I know it's hard to believe b-"

"I mean you're wrong about me not knowing"

"...what?"

"I figured it already. I found out on the first day"

"That's good, I'm betting you were looking all over for an exit. Any clues?"

"I'm not going back"

Dick looked flabbergasted "Why not? Who knows what this place is going to do to you"

"That scene change wasn't the mind altering magic. It was me, you were saying so much that I skipped to the movie night so maybe you would get off my back about it. Heh I should've known better"

"Damian, why do you want to stay here?"

"Because she's here. Everyone is here. No one is in pain, I'm happy... I like it here and no one leaves me. We're a happy family that's all I want Richard. I don't want to choose between anyone. I want to be happy with everyone by my side. I can't go back"

"Damian, as your older brother I can say, this isn't right. I understand you want to feel this desire of joy and I'm sorry that it isn't fully like that. Life is... different. But all of us are still a family"

"...my mom left me, used me, made another me just because I wasn't good enough. Just because that God forsaken Pit messed her mind up. So why... why can't I stay someplace where she doesn't leave me?"

"Because being here could cause something bad. What about your physical body? You're active in your mind while you're physically sleeping in the real world. If you don't wake up then your health will be paying the price. It's been three days Dami, how long can your body take sleeping?"

Everything turned dark, Dick looked around it was an empty void and Damian was nowhere to be seen. Small sounds came from the right and Dick ran as it grew louder. Coming to see Damian hugging himself and crying "I know... I can't stay, I just wish... I just don't want to chose who to be with when it hurts my relationship with the other. I love them both, but it won't ever change..."

Damian looked up "The only way to get out was for me to choose to do so. I guess that's what makes the mind power so powerful in the first place" "I know you're scared, but I'm here to take you back. You'll be okay Dames" Damian grabbed Dick's hand and was walking behind Dick like a child holding their parents hands. Rubbing his watery eyes and suddenly for a moment it did change, Damian looked to see that he was holding Talia and Bruce's hands his parents were smiling.

"We love you son"

.

.

.

Damian opened his eyes muttering as he rose from his slumber.

"I love you too"

[reds-fluff-extravaganza]

Cass x female!reader

Requested over on Ao3! The prompt I got from this generator

You were headed to the Wizard’s place, holding a small bag in your hands. You were going to visit your girlfriend, Cass, as you figured she would be spending all day inside, working. You were going to get her outside for a bit, as you didn’t exactly think it was healthy sitting inside all day at the computer, working and working with little to no breaks. It just worried you is all.

You walked up to the door and knocked, waiting a few moments before Howell opened the door.

“Oh, Y/n, it’s good to see you. I’m guessing you’re here for Cass?”

“I sure am.”

“She’s in her room like usual. Come in.” Howell moved aside to let you in. You walked inside and the door was shut behind you. Without another word, you walked to Cass’ room, knowing where it was as you’ve been here more than enough times. You knocked on her door before you opened it, and as you suspected, she was at her computer, working on something you had no idea about. You walked into her room, closing the door behind you, and went over to her.

“Hey, Cass.” You spoke up as you hugged her from behind, making her jump a bit and look back at you. She calmed down, seeing it was just you.

“Oh hey, Y/n. What’s up?” She then noticed the small bag in your hand, “what’s in the bag?”

“Well I’m glad you asked, because it is…” You let her go from the hug and grabbed a box of sidewalk chalk out of the bag

“…Chalk? Are you serious, Y/n?”

“Yes, I am!”

“What are we, five?” Cass asked you in a teasing manner, turning her chair around to face you.

“Why not? It’s nice outside and I know all you’re planning on doing is staying in here and working all day. That’s not exactly healthy, Cass.”

“But I’ve got to work, Y/n.”

“That may be true, but you’ve got to have some fun too!” You grabbed her hands and pulled her up out of her chair.

“Come on… please, Cass? You asked, still holding her hands. Seeing as there was no point in arguing with you, she sighed softly in defeat and nodded.

“Alright, fine. But next time, I pick what we do for our next date.”

“Deal!” You grabbed the box of chalk in one hand, still holding one of Cass’ hands, the two of you then walked out of her room and outside. Cass took a moment to realize that you were right: it was nice out today. It wasn’t scorching hot, but it wasn’t freezing cold, either. You went over to the sidewalk, which not many people walk down anyways, and sat down. You looked up at Cass before patting the spot beside you with a smile on your face. Cass playfully rolled her eyes and sat down beside you on the sidewalk. You opened up the box of chalk and grabbed (f/c) from the box, while Cass grabbed a light blue. The two of you were pretty quiet as you doodled on the sidewalk. You noticed her working on something that was pretty intricate, making you tilt your head slightly to see what it was.

“Whatcha working on over there, Cass?”

“You’ll see, Y/n.”

“Oh, okay.” Though you were curious to see what it was she was, you went back to your own sidewalk doodles, which wasn’t much, but you didn’t mind, since it was just chalk, but you did draw up some better doodles than others. Besides, you knew not many people were going to see them, and you were having fun with it, that’s all that matters.

You were brought back from your thoughts as you felt a tap on your shoulder, making you look up from your drawing.

“Alright, you can take a look at it.” Pretty much as soon as those words left her mouth, you scoot closer to see what it was she had been working on. In the most prettiest writing you’ve seen from Cass, was your names together, which almost looked like calligraphy the way it was written.

“This is really pretty, Cass!” You looked over at your girlfriend, your eyes practically having stars in them. Cass rubbed the back of her head in slight embarrassment.

“You really think so? I, uh, can do a bit of calligraphy, but I haven’t done it in so long so I’m glad you like it.”

“This is absolutely beautiful, thank you.” Of course you had grabbed your phone from your pocket and took a picture or two.

“I want to remember this, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh, uh, not at all.” If it were anyone else, she would’ve minded, but since it’s you, it’s okay.

“I didn’t know you knew how to do calligraphy. Could you maybe teach me a thing or two sometime?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“Sweet!” However, before you could say anything else, you felt a drop of water on your forehead.

“Huh?” You looked up at the sky, feeling a couple more drops of water on your face.

“Rain? I didn’t think it was supposed to rain today.” You grabbed the box of chalk from the ground, placing the ones you had gotten out back into the box.

“Come on, let’s get back inside. We can watch a movie or something.” Cass grabbed your hand and the two of you head back inside before it started pouring down rain. You decided to head back to her room and watch movies on her computer since you didn’t want to be disturbed by her brothers, though you had a feeling she wouldn’t let them.

“Hey, Y/n?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks… for getting me outside, I mean. I know I don’t go out much, but that was actually kind of nice.”

“It’s no problem, Cass, and we can do it again another day! Since I still have the box.”

“Cool. For now, let’s just wait for the rain to stop and watch the movie.”

“Sounds good to me.” You two cuddled up under a nice warm blanket as you watched movies for the rest of the evening, until you got tired, in which you moved to rest in bed, cuddling a bit more before falling asleep.

[shadowqueen402]

Amaunts Fatale: Part 11

Balan hummed in deep thought at Aria's suggestion. He was also keeping in mind of what Iben had explained to him earlier. "Odds are, Lance must have a recipe for this drink," Balan theorized. "He must be using an ingredient that causing others to no longer properly think."

"That explains why the others that are back at Lance's hideout refuse to leave," Yuri said.

"You think this ingredient is also the reason why Wizeman was here earlier?" Leo asked. "Because he assumed that we have it?"

"Most likely not," NiGHTS said. "Wizeman was well aware of Balan's and Lance's existence. So odds are, he must know something about Lance that we don't."

"C-Can I phone my friends?" Emma asked Balan. "I-I want to let them know that I'm okay."

"I suppose that it won't hurt," Aria said. "But after that, you have to turn off your phone. Lance is capable of tracing your calls."

Emma nodded and took out her cellphone. Then, she dialed up Kaylo. Soon, a frantic Kaylo was heard on the other end of the line. "Emma!? Are you okay!?"

"I am, now," Emma said. "I escaped with the help of three friends; Iben, Yuri, and Cass. I found Leo, he's okay. I'm currently staying with Balan until it's safe for me to come home. But I just want to call to let you and the others know that I'm okay."

Kaylo breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great to hear," She said. "And it's nice that you found three of the people that went missing."

"Yeah, Iben revealed some information," Emma said. "Lance was luring the missing people to his hideout. He would even use a drink to wipe their memories."

"A drink?" Kaylo asked. "Thanks for the heads up, Emma. Can you tell Balan that me and the others wish to help?"

"Okay," Emma said. "But after I end the call, I have to turn off my phone. Lance can trace my calls."

"Got it." Kaylo and Emma hung up. Then, Emma turned off her phone.

"That was my friend, Kaylo," Emma said. "She wants to know if she and the others can help us."

"I would let them help," Yuri said. "They may know something as well. Plus, you can explain about Wizeman."

"Sounds good to me," NiGHTS said.

Kaylo belongs to @kayssweetdreams

Aria belongs to me.

[bluekat12345]

The Sun and Moon Shall Be Our Guides: Chapter 33

First Chapter: The Sun and Moon Shall Be Our Guides Chapter 1 - An Anxious Author (tumblr.com)

Previous Chapter: The Sun and Moon Shall Be Our Guides: Chapter 32 - An Anxious Author (tumblr.com)

Next Chapter Coming Soon

"What do I say to her?" Cassandra asked the Enchanted Girl as she walked back to where her mother would be waiting for her.

"Don't tell her you found a piece of the scroll." The girl instructed. "Not yet at least. Once she's proven that she can be trusted, then you may show her. if you wish."

Cassandra nodded. When she got back to the spot, she saw her mother was already there, sitting on a stone, looking bored.

"There you are!" Gothel snapped. "I don't know who you think you are, young lady, but its rude to leave without telling someone."

Cassandra was about to apologize, but then she saw the Enchanted Girl float silently next to Gothel, shaking her head at Cass.

"Mother, of all the places to take me to practice my power, why specifically did you bring me here?" Cass asked.

Gothel rolled her eyes. "You already asked me that. I told you-"

"You didn't really tell me anything." Cass declared. "The closest thing to an answer was that this tree was hundreds of years old, but you didn't tell me anything important."

Gothel scowled at her daughter. "Cassandra, you watch your tone! I am your mother, and you will not speak to me like that!"

The tone she used, it was one Cassandra was very familiar with, ever since she was a child, whenever she acted out of line, at least when her mother said she did, her mother would use it to, as Gothel would say, 'remind her of place.' For a moment, Cass felt herself shrink a bit, ready to apologize and beg forgiveness.

But her Enchanted friend wasn't going to let her. "Don't let her control you like this again. You are stronger than she ever wished to be. And she knows it too."

"Well?" Her mother asked impatiently. "Aren't you going to apologize to your mother for hurting her like this?"

"Hurting you?" Cassandra whispered. As the phrase repeated in her mind, something inside the Dark Princess snapped. Years of trying so hard to gain her mother's favor seemed to crash within her soul.

Years of feeling she was not good enough as Gothel's daughter, years being second best, if she was even that, in Gothel's eyes, years of being punished for things she didn't do by Gothel.

"Why should I?" Cassandra asked. "What have you ever done to deserve an apology?"

Gothel glared at her daughter. "How dare you?" Then she marched towards her daughter. "Do not forget that I am your mother, I have made countless sacrifices for you, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even have this power."

"This wasn't because of you!" Cassandra pointed out. "Princess Rapunzel was the one made the Moonstone easy to take, and I grabbed it myself, no thanks to you!"

"And who led Rapunzel to that chamber in the first place?" Gothel reminded. Then she raised her hand. "Everything I did, it was to make sure you could be as powerful as you could be, and this is the thanks I get? You are nothing but a spoiled little brat!"

Just as Gothel was ready to backhand Cassandra, the younger woman grabbed her mother's wrist before she could hit her. Gothel's eyes grew wide as her daughter had her wrist in a painfully tight grip and glared at her.

"Everything you did, it was for yourself!" Cassandra realized. "The only reason you want to help is so you can use the moonstone's power through me! Everyone was right about you."

Before Gothel could get another word in, her daughter shoved her hard to the ground. "Growing up, I've heard whispers and rumors about you. But I ignored them, I even stood up for you because you were my mother and I thought you had a shred of decency within you that they didn't see. But know I see you are as selfish, vain, and manipulative as everyone said you were."

Then she took out her piece of the Demanitus scroll and smiled at it. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore. Because I don't need your approval anymore. Because now with the moonstone, I can be the person I was destined to be."

When Gothel noticed the scroll piece in Cassandra's hand, and she shrunk into the ground and raised her hand in a feeble attempt to defend herself. "Cassandra, sweetie, please! I'm your mother! You wouldn't kill your own mother, would you?!"

Cassandra glared at Gothel. "Of course not. As angry as I am at you, I could never kill you. Besides I need you alive if I am to unlock the power of the moonstone. But first, let me show you what I found."

"I hope everything's going alright." Rapunzel said as she and Adira stood in the hallway.

Once they had returned to the castle with Eugene, Adira had said it was time for Eugene to talk to his father. Rapunzel didn't need her to explain what she meant by that. She wanted to be there with him, but Adira insisted that this was something Eugene and Edmund had to go through themselves, without the others.

"No need to worry, Princess." Adira assured. Though if she was being completely honest, Adira herself was a bit worried about the pair, worried that they wouldn't go through with talking. But she had to believe that they would. "We both know they need this."

Rapunzel nodded. "I know, I just don't feel right leaving Eugene to deal with this alone."

Adira smiled at her. "That kind of you to care, but this is something they need to sort out themselves." Adira's smiled then turned teasing. "A pity the engagement is broken off. You two seem like you'd be a wonderful couple."

Rapunzel blushed and looked at her feet, earning a chuckle from the older woman.

Then they heard the door open and saw Eugene and Edmund come out of the room. They could see their eyes were a bit red and they could tell that they washed their faces before exiting, but there were still hints of tear stains on their faces. But their faces also showed no pain, but peace.

"Are you two okay?" Rapunzel asks.

Eugene smiles at her. "Don't worry, Blondie. We're okay."

"I won't speak for my son, but I certainly feel better than I have in a while." The King added.

Adira and Rapunzel smiled at the men.

Then King Edmund's face grew serious. "But there is still so much that needs to be done. Bring everyone to the War room. We have a lot to talk about."

"Yes, your Majesty." Adira replied. "I'll gather Quirin and Hector."

"Rapunzel and I will get Varian and Lance." Prince Eugene added.

"What's going on?" Rapunzel asked as the four scattered.

"We're going to find Cass." Eugene answered.

"Thank you all for meeting here." King Edmund started as everyone was in the War Room.

"Good to see you back on your feet, Sire." Hector declared.

Edmund smiled at him. "Thank you, old friend." Then he frowned. "But we have important matters to discuss. I have been informed that while the Kingdom has taken some damage, reconstruction has already begun and has been going well. Correct?"

Quirin nods. "Yes, sir. So far, we've been able to divide our resources to rebuild homes and other necessary infrastructure. However, I must admit that we might be spreading ourselves a bit thin."

"With all the construction in town, we don't have enough resources to restrengthen the castle." Hector explain. "And while many have recovered from the numerous rock attacks, we're still don't have enough people to help with reconstruction or to protect us from potential threats."

"Can't we ask Corona for help?" Lance asked. "The Queen seems like she'll be willing to help if she was willing to give us the flower and the scroll piece. And the King's probably calmed down by now."

"I'm willing to ask." Rapunzel offered.

"Thank you, Princess Rapunzel." King Edmund said. "We'll keep that in mind, but for now, let's talk about the reason I called for this meeting in the first place. I might have an idea where Cassandra could've gone."

"How do you know?" Rapunzel asks.

"I admit, I am not completely certain, but it is still a good place to start." Edmund admitted. "The Great Tree."

"I think I read about that while researching Demanitus." Varian comments. "You think she'd go there because of his connection to that tree?"

Edmund nods. "It is possible. It would be an ideal place for her to go if she wants to learn more about the moonstone and how to control its power."

"Then we should head there as soon as we can." Eugene declares.

"We can't be too rash, my son." Edmund insists. "As I said, I am not completely certain she would go there. And as Hector and Quirin point out, we're low on capable workers, so we'll need all we can here. I propose sending a small party to see."

"Well, I insist on going to." The Prince says. "Cass is my sister."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Edmund nods. "I'll send Hector to go with you." Then he turns to the warrior. "I know I can trust you aid my son."

Hector nods.

"Sir, I insist on going as well." Rapunzel speaks up.

Edmund didn't seem too sure. "Princess-"

"Please, your majesty. I want to help." Rapunzel begs. "And since I am the Sundrop, I might be able to help her in case she's in danger because of the moonstone's power."

Edmund was quiet for a moment, thinking about it.

"I agree with Rapunzel." Prince Eugene adds. "She's more capable than you think she is. Trust me."

The King looked his son, then the princess again. Eventually, he nods. "Very well, then the three of you will go to the Great Tree and see if Cassandra is there. You'll leave in 2 hours, that will give you all enough time to prepare. And Princess, if you're willing, I need you to help me write a letter to Corona to ask for help."

Rapunzel nods. "Of course, I'll head to office and begin writing." Then she leaves the room.

Edmund smiles at Eugene. "A wonderful young woman."

Eugene smiles back. "She certainly is."

"Once we get this situation under control, we might have to plan your wedding again." Edmund comments.

"DAD!" Eugene screeches, his face red in embarrassment. Then he storms out of the War Room while the others laugh/chuckle.

"What did I say?" Edmund asks in confusion.

(I have put off this story for far too long. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back to writing and completing this. Wish me luck and hope I post another chapter soon!)

[or-something-better]

November 9, 2022

Nightly RP        (Part 4 Sam from the void)

Ellen

with a heavy heart and shaking hands I come to the stand and state the complaint I have Well the only complaint I have is having to choose sides between my family. We are all in this together and being told to choose a side is not easy. And  it made my heart rip in 2. I feel as though that was not fair. I feel he had just as hard as time with that too I sit up straight that is the only complaint I have. So far I have found him to be a caring and true God.

Gabe

nodding as I listen I can’t help but softly smile Only a couple of quick questions Ellen if you’d be so kind?

Ellen

Ask away Gabe.

Donna

smiles warmly

Gabe

You have a daughter correct?

Ellen

I do. Yes

Gabe

What would you do if someone hurt her?

Ellen

The same thing you did. As we have spoke about before.

Gabe

And if someone kidnapped her?

Ellen

I'd go to hell and back to try and get her back

Gabe

All I needed to hear thank you so much no more questions your honor

Ellen

clearing my throat may I please return to my seat your honor? Charlie

Leo

You may take your seat. Rachiel can you call the next witness?

Ellen

headed back to my seat

Gabe

looking over and softly smiling at Cass and Donna

Rachiel

Next witness is Ruby

Ruby

I hear my name called. Leery about this whole damned thing – Angels especially, I squeezed Sam’s hand, stood up, and go sit in the chair. I’m not exactly sure what it is you want from me, I say, looking pointedly at the Angels. Listening to the charges at the start, it seems there’s more going on here than just this team and Gabe. ‘Anarchy’, ‘Mutiny’, ‘Siding with Humans’. That’s between you and Gabe.

Gabe

sitting watching as Ruby takes the stand

Ruby

I won’t talk about anything except Gabe’s rush to judgment. If that’s not acceptable, then I’m wasting my time here. I pause to see if I am done or moving on.

Donna

blushes so red and smiling big looking into your eyes

Gabe

nodding urging you on wanting to hear what you have to say

Ruby

I understand Gabe’s reasoning in his own mind why killing Sam was what he thought was needed, and I could bet money I was next on his list. No, my complaint isn’t about the ‘sentence’ he carried out against Sam. It’s his lack of LISTENING that I have a problem with. He passed judgment before getting ALL the facts, or even just giving us a chance to explain. Did he even wonder why we did it?  Would things have turned out the same way if he’d listened? I shrug my shoulders Maybe. But we’ll never know. And he still seems to have the inability to want to find out all the facts. He ignored or took certain parts out of the whole picture to justify his decision for the sentence he chose in his outburst of rage. All that power made him judge, jury, and executioner all in one. Is that wise? I think there need to be others working alongside him as counsel…though I don’t think the ‘heavenly’ sort is a good idea. They’ve shown their bias already. That’s it. I’m finished.

Leo

nodding, and taking notes

Gabe

standing I approach the witness stand Ruby we’ve known each other a while now correct?

Donna

shifts in my seat!

Ruby

Yes

Gabe

And you are demon correct?

Ruby

Yes

Gabe

And in the time we’ve known each other, though my father and the other angels have passed judgement on you for the fact that you are a demon have you ever found me to be unfair where you are personally concerned?

Ruby

With the exception of recent events, I believe you to have been accepting of me. After all, you have allowed me to help the team when my 'talents' have been required.

Gabe

We’ve had a mutual respect for lack of a better term, in fact I’ve shown you an abundance of trust haven’t I?

Ruby

I would say that there has been mutual trust toward each other.

Gabe

Even so far as to trust you and your judgement and make you one of the nearly immortal horseman yes?

Ruby

Yes, which makes it difficult for me to understand why you would not have taken the time to ask us why we did what we did. You still have yet to. You cannot see the whole picture until you find out WHY

Gabe

You make a fair point and within the trial I will get to that.

Gabe

Next question; have you or have you not on numerous occasions harmed or even killed those who attacked or harmed Mr. Winchester?

Ruby

As well as others of the team, yes.

Gabe

Now: and a simple yes or no Is sufficient : did you ever ask them why?

Ruby

The demons, vampires, werewolves, etc. I've killed? Just clarifying

Gabe

Yes did you ask them why they attacked Mr. Winchester?

Ruby

No more than you also have done

Gabe

Fair assessment Would them apologizing have made a difference?

Ruby

Are we to become politically correct before killing now?

Gabe

Apparently Ruby

Ruby

Are we lumping every crime into the same category? To give a blunt yes or no answer would not do the answer justice. Without context, it means nothing

Gabe

My point , if it so pleases the court, is to show that any member of the team would act first and ask questions later when it comes to those they love. But, Ruby I take your point. Only two more questions.

Ruby

My point, is that there was time between the actions and when you killed Sam.

Gabe

1. Why was it our child was kidnapped?

Ruby

Now you ask? There was a plan concocted between Lucifer and Able. If you want ALL the details, here is not the place. Sam and I will sit down with you and give you ever bit of it. It saved ALL of your children

Gabe

My follow up question is this: at ANY time did you come to Donna, myself or any member of the team asking for help or another way?

Donna

shifts again glaring at Ruby! unable to sit still shifts again

Ruby

We were under surveillance by Able and Lucifer and didn't want to run the risk of them taking action against the Nephilims. What does this have anything to do with you being on trial. Sam knew he was going to die.

Gabe

Just clarifying. That’s all no further questions

Leo

Thank you. You may step down.

Ruby

Thankful this was over I go back and sit down.

Leo

Atheed, can you call the next witness.

Gabe

walking over I take Donna’s hand and kiss it softly as I sit awaiting the next witness

Sam

I reach over and squeeze Ruby's hand and nod, hoping she knows she did well.

Bela

Atheed I now call Alex to the stand

Alex

Stand up and took a deep breath nod and walk over and stand

Ruby

I give him a weak smile. I hope it was enough.

Rachiel

Whenever you ready Alex

Gabe

watching Alex take the stand

Alex

Nod I am ready Sweat nervous Wave at Gabe hey bud I have no against you but I know it wasn’t yourself that you use your power it control me to use my gun and shot in my head Frown look down wipe my tear

Gabe

standing I approach the witness stand and hand you a tissue

Alex

Thank bud Wipe my tear and put in my jacket pocket

Gabe

Thank you Alex I appreciate your understanding. Do you mind if I ask you a couple of small questions? I’ll be brief

Alex

Yes sir Nod

Gabe

Have I or have I not always been there for you and your kiddos?

Alex

You always been there for me and my children and looking down from heaven

Donna

I take a deep breath as you take my hand and heart flutter with your kiss! Feeling so much better!

Gabe

What would you do if someone you trusted kidnapped your children?

Alex

I will hunt someone ass down if they mess with my children Bear teeth showing

Gabe

nodding and patting your hand with a soft smile I know you would you’re a wonderful mother

Alex

Smiles thank you

Gabe

Last question since we’ve known each other such a long time: what is the mood in the bunker like when I “abuse my powers” to cause chaos in the bunker?

Alex

If someone said bad letter Like explode

Gabe

Ok what I mean is like when people get turned into things, or banana pudding floods the bunker, things like that. Do people seem upset? Or do they seem to have fun with it?

Alex

Some people get upset and some are enjoying to have fun Love having fun

Gabe

I know you do Alex. Thank you so much no more questions you’re honor

Alex

You’re welcome bud

Donna

soft smiling watching Bear !

Alex

Smiles at Donna

Leo

You may step down Alex. Atheed your next complainant

Gabe

Give the kiddos a hug for me in case I can’t ok?

Alex

Hey honors? Is it ok I go sit over there I point at Donna I will

Atheed

I now call patience to the stand

Alex

Bow yes sir Went sit down

Patience

heading up for my turn after taking the oath I take the stand my hands are sweating thinking to myself I hate this whole thing looking at the judge I asked do I really have to be here this is all a HUGE mistake?

Leo

Yes, Patience, you have to be here.

Patience

I understand your honor thank you still looking at the judge so do I just say my peace?

Leo

Yes. Please do so.

Gabe

Then I ask you a few follow up questions . Easy peasy like a lemon breezy

Patience

starting to shake a little thinking I know it can be heard in my voice.  Ok so I haven't been with the team that long, but the time I have been here I've been killed a few times but was always brought back.

Patience

My biggest peeve is Sam being thrown into the void, yes he's back now but the horror he went through

Patience

But your honor Gabe is really the only one for the thrown. I mean who else will lead us Lucifer?

Gabe

approaching the witness stand how was the last supper?

Patience

looking at Gabe I shoot him a crooked smile whispering I'm sorry Well Gabe to be honest it wasn't bad.

Gabe

No worries I want you to be honest  of course

Patience

And I did deserve it. But it turned into a learning experience

Gabe

Would you say a lot of those things I do happen to have a learning experience attached? A reason

Patience

Yes sir stirring in my seat trying to sit straight up

Gabe

Can you also inform the court what it’s like when I’m causing chaos in the bunker and when I’m not , the difference?  My “abuse of power”

Patience

Well when you cause chaos everyone seams to turn against each other the way we did when Sam was gone. It tore us apart And when you're not we're all about the hunt and having fun

Gabe

Noted thank you

Patience

Togetherness family

Gabe

You can step down

Patience

Thank you you're honor stepping down and going to take my seat Gabe a good luck smile as I take my seat

Leo

Atheed you may call your next complainant

Gabe

sitting watching my hand in Donna

Atheed

next witness Crowley if you will so kindly take the stand

Donna

my hand tightens in yours! Soft smile!

Gabe

watching Crowley kind of looking forward to his time in the stand more relaxed with every witness, I get a look on my face as if I’m struggling with a decision

Donna

you okay sweets?

Gabe

kicking my legs up on the table as I wait

Crowley

I stand from my place among the others and pat Henry's shoulder reassuringly and glances towards Bela (unless she's still in lockup) and straighten my jacket before heading towards the stand. I swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me.....someone? I sit and cross one leg over my other folding my hands on my knee Before we begin I do have a question. Are we supposed to be airing personal grievances? Or just ones about dear Gabe as god? I've seen a bit on inconsistency in the....is testimonies or griping the correct word here?

Gabe

oh I’m waiting for the end

Donna

oh okay baby

Gabe

Yes I can’t help but laugh

Leo

I would say your grievances with Gabe. The others all had their chance.

Crowley

I bite the inside of my cheek looking pensive. To say I don't have issues with Gabe would be a lie, criticisms even. Somedays I'd even dare to say he acts more like a demon than me, meg or ruby. But to say that anywhere but here I'd probably get smited. But it's fine because if you're brought back then it's Okay I say a bit sarcastic If one of us killed someone then we'd, pardon the pun, Get hell for it. Possibly even kicked out of the Bunker or family. If I insulted Meg or Ruby then nothing would likely be done or at least something relatively minor. if I dared insult Donna, then I'd be killed Dead Dead, or at the very least banished. What I'm saying is. We're Called family, but we aren't REALLY family. It's been proven. I've thought it, probably even said I…

Leo

Do you have a response thus far Gabe?

Leo

I must say I’m intrigued to hear what more he has ….

Gabe

Feel free to continue leaning back I put my hands behind my head relaxing more

Castiel

Leo I object

Leo

raising eyebrow Since that was a proper interruption for a change, I’ll allow it. What’s on your mind?

Crowley

I arch a brow and instinctively know this is a trap, but still feel compelled to speak further I'll admit, as far as grievances this one is petty. I give nicknames, it's a thing I do. We've seen Moose, squirrel, ect. He didn't like to be called Munchkian, fine, whatever, he turned me into a hamster and put me in a ball of Holy Water. I may hate being called a Leprechaun, but I haven't caused physical harm over it. I thought I was supposed to be the proverbial bad guy.

Castiel

I’ve got a couple your honor. The first being that this has become less of a trial based on facts and become an assassination of character. Another is that the witness is adding speculation into testimony believing he knows what Gabriel thinks it feels. Saying why Gabriel trusts meg or Ruby in his testimony is an opinion not a fact. He can not speak on my clients thoughts or feelings.

Leo

While I will agree he can’t speak for others feelings…. Your character is exactly what we are here to judge…., dismissed.

Cass

taking notes

Gabe

leaning over I whisper in Castiel’s ear

Cass

looks my dead in the eye not saying anything then slowly nods

Gabe

No questions your honor

Crowley

I am speaking grievances as I, the complainant, have been led to feel when in Gabe’s presence. Is that not my purpose Your Honor? If not, I apologize.

Leo

Thank you Mr McLeod. I think we’ve heard enough. You may take your seat. taking notes

Crowley

I arch a brow, surprised Gabe didn't have questions for me but stand, smoothing my jacket and stepping down and returning to my seat beside Henry

Rachiel

My next complainant is Charlie

Charlie

taking a deep breath, I make my way to the stand, not looking at anyone before taking my seat

Gabe

looking at my nails I snap myself an energy drink looking around the room at the hunters and nod a smile upon my face

Ellen

feeling the air is thick and hard for me to breath as my best friend makes her way to the stand

Gabe

softly whistling I turn to the Littles smiling and waggling my fingers

Donna

stomach still in knots I watch curious!

Gabe

winking at you remember, win win

Charlie

Honestly, I don’t have a lot of complaints, as much as I do questions. We are meant to be family, and to trust one another but I’ve never felt more betrayed than I did when I heard Sam was dead…. I thought after everything it was over. While I agree that Sam did a horrible thing, 2 wrongs don’t make anything right. Aside from that I’m proud to be the wingman subtle grin Gabe has been my best friend and saved our butts more than once. Running things certainly isn’t easy and I can’t say that I would do things differently because I’m not in his shoes…. I can say that communication on all parts needs work…. But that can be said for any family…. lowering my eyes to examine my hands in my lap

Gabe

setting my chair down I pop up with a skip in my step you’ll always be my wingman char no matter what happens Charlie can you define family for me?

Charlie

Family is someone you trust, someone you love without question. Not necessarily related, but truly valued. Not someone you can live with… but people you can’t imagine your life without….

Gabe

If that’s your definition of family have I not proven to you numerous times over the last year that we are family?

Charlie

nodding you have… maybe why this one hurt so much….

Gabe

And I did promise you that Mr. Winchester would be safe did I not?

Charlie

You did… so to me that meant alive

Gabe

That was your interpretation correct?

Donna

winning baby!

Charlie

Well the definition of safe is this : protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost. But he was harmed… so therefore not safe….. And he was lost

Gabe

At any time did I tell you there would be no repercussions?

Charlie

Was days before we knew what happened ….You did not. But you said he would be safe….

Gabe

Now can you point out Mr. Winchester in this court room ?

Charlie

I can. pointing towards Sam and ruby he’s the tall one over there

Gabe

Kinda sticks out doesn’t get?

Charlie

A little grins

Sam

I give Charlie a smile

Gabe

That being said is he, as we speak, knowingly to you under ANY threat of harm, death or retribution from me? Have I not in fact stated that there would be zero punishments handed out?

Charlie

Currently no, but he has been since you told me that.

Gabe

So would you say that not only he, but in fact ALL of you are, by definition safe?

Charlie

Currently, yes.

Gabe

So based on your testimony that I said he would be safe, I kept my word he is in fact safe by your previous statement Correct?

Charlie

I’m conflicted on that answer

Gabe

Ok then let me ask did I ever give you any sort of time frame on that promise I made?

Charlie

No, but by killing him… he was no longer safe. Just because he is now doesn’t change what happened….

Gabe

I agree, but it also doesn’t change the fact that he is in fact safe. In fact one could truly argue that he now is in more danger of harm, death, torture, pain, etc from other beings and monsters now that he’s been released from the void true? One last question for you Charlie

Charlie

Ok…

Gabe

In the time that we’ve known each other haven’t you found that I have been honest to a fault?

Charlie

Yes, that I can agree to.

Gabe

Thank you char, no more questions

Charlie

as the judge nods to me, I make my way back to my seat

Leo

Next witness

Atheed

I call Sam to the stand

Sam

Giving Ruby as nervous smile, I take the witness stand for my turn, I look over at Gabe, Donna and then at the rest of the Angels, swallowing my unease, I try to just focus on whatever questions are asked of me and give an honest answer. Pretty much the only thing I can really do at this moment.

Gabe

leaning back in my chair watching I lean back kissing Donna’s cheek and winking at the Littles, as I use my feet to Rick back and forth in my chair

Donna

I kiss you softly, a sweet good luck smile!

Rachiel

Sam, whenever you are ready. You may begin

Sam

Look, I’m not up to speed on what you Angels normally do when one of your own is causing concern. I mean, I’ve seen how Castiel has managed things over the years, but I’m not sure most of what he ever did was by the book. So, for all I know this Trial today is a regular thing… but still it’s a very unusual occurrence for all of us… and I thought I was being brought here as some kind of witness, didn’t realize that I was being considered a complainant, or a defendant.

Gabe

we are definitely eventually getting out of this world It’s your chance to take the stand and tell the world what a piece of shit I am Sam , join in the others are enjoying it

Sam

I consider my answer a moment, and then direct my words to the Angel officiating this thing. I can’t imagine the amount of pressure that Gabe is under on an hour by hour, day by day basis… He’s God, THE God, for over 7.8 Billion people. No way I can even process what that must be like.

I think just being the Dad to 39 children and counting, is an incredibly horrible thing that he’s got going on. So, for the most part, he keeps it together pretty damn well.

Gabe

blinking

Sam

Having everyone’s eyes on me, makes me feel a little uncomfortable. Clearing my throat, I take a deep breath and nod my head towards Gabe. I know that you're all expecting ME to say more than that... I’ve known Gabe a lot longer than everyone else here… well, at least longer than those of us who aren’t Angel’s anyway.

Only he wasn’t a God when I first met him, we didn’t even know he was an Archangel back then. Dean and I thought he was a Trickster and while he was trying to teach me a lesson… I had to experience my brother’s death over a hundred times, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Leo

nodding and taking it in

Sam

I look down at my hands for a moment, take a deep breath, and tell myself to keep it together. I would have to say that I’ve seen him make snap judgements, based in my opinion more on how he feels in the moment, rather than how he might feel if given a chance to think about things or look at all the facts of a situation. I’ve seen him often kill people, or banish them to the Empty, or turn people into animals or objects at a moment’s notice, usually these things are done under the umbrella of trying to teach a lesson, at least that’s the reason I’ve heard being given.

I’d like to think that someone with that kind of incredible power… gave people a little more consideration before unleashing it on them. But… having said what I just said… I look over directly at Gabe. I forgave him a long time ago for the things that were done to me and my brother. I paused a moment to make sure he heard me. He’s made up for them many times over, by saving us and those we love… Looking up and straight into the Leo Angel’s eyes. Changing from his life as a Trickster, to being God Above All, has to be quite the learning curve. I smile back at Gabe. I think I’d still rather take my chances with THIS God that I know, rather than anyone you Angels might decide to put on the Throne in his place.

Gabe

unable to help myself I grin at Sam

Leo

clearing my throat Does the defendant have anything to say??

Donna

nods!!!!

Gabe

taking a moment, I look at Sam  after your testimony I almost hate to do this but so much has been made of this I have to ask a few questions

Sam

I knew that you would.

Gabe

Sam after screwing with your brother what did you and your brother attempt to do, in fact what did you THINK you had accomplished doing to me?

Sam

At our very first encounter, we thought we'd killed you. After the year of Dean dying over and over, and then almost another year without my Brother at all... I begged you to bring him back. Not sure why you did, except that you told me it had stopped being fun months ago. I said we wouldn't come after you... we never did

Gabe

And yet with all that happens between u , I’ve been there for you and your brother repeatedly, in fact wouldn’t it be fair to say that the only time I’ve turned down helping you was after I’d been kidnapped by Asmodeus and he’d fed on my grace repeatedly? And even then, I still changed my mind and killed him when he was a threat to you, Dean and Castiel correct?

Sam

Absolutely fair. I give a sad smile and shake my head I’m not the one on trial here Gabe and I thought these Angels were here about your behaviors as God. If you want to talk about things I’ve done or my reasons for doing them, fine. I’m happy to have that conversation between us.

Gabe

No I’m leading to a point here since so many people have brought up at this trial your death. I’m making a point. Since I’ve taken the throne have I EVER turned down your request for my help?

Sam

Never, not any time that I can think of right off anyway... But I’m not disputing the punishment you handed out for what you believed was an attack on your family. I knew going in what was going to happen to me. I hold my head up, and try to nod once. And I’d do it again… Well, to quote… YOU  “I was in a no win situation that had to look convincing to Abel and Lucifer - the Dark Beings, and in the end it saved not only all your children’s lives, but the entire teams lives” Pretty sure you’ve done the same in that kind of situation… least that’s the exact justification you gave to Henry yesterday.

Gabe

It’s a fair justification and you’re right, but with that said what made you believe you couldn’t come to me for help? Did you not think I would protect you in every way with all that I am from both able and Lucifer?

Sam

In all honesty, I wasn't really sure you'd believe me about Lucifer. When you told us that he wasn't really dead dead, you were pretty much his champion and were clearly in his corner. I felt like too much of a risk with all of your family at stake. I couldn't put that on them

Gabe

taking a moment no matter what Dean did you were always in his corner Sam , he’s my brother and I love him like you do Dean , but it saddens me truly that you felt you couldn’t come to me , I’ve always helped you and you know I’ve fought Lucifer on your behalf numerous times even at what was thought to be the cost of my life correct ?

Sam

You have protected all of us from Lucifer

Gabe

And I’d do it again. That’s what family does

Sam

You're right. That's what Family does. If it had been just US, maybe talking it all out would have been the way to go… but Gabe, this threat was coming for your family. It saddens ME that you’d believe I’d do anything to hurt them, and that you couldn’t listen to what was really happening.

Gabe

So I have to put out there and ask you, it was mentioned earlier in this trial that I didn’t ask why you kidnapped our child, but wouldn’t it be fair to say that you failed in explaining your actions? Until now? Why should it be on me to ask why you kidnapped our newborn child?

Donna

nods like 8 times!!!!

Sam

It wasn't ON you, I knew what I was doing and I knew what would happen and I don't hold you responsible for any of it. I would have liked a better outcome, still would. But it is what it is... What does any of this have to do with these Angels wanting you gone?

Gabe

To answer your question Sam , I only bring it up because so many members of the team have brought it up here at the trial and I’m trying to make them see through your testimony why it was done. The biggest grievance that’s been up repeatedly is my actions against you, I’m clarifying it. I have no more questions

Gabe

Thank you Mr. Winchester

Sam

I nod and look over at the Angel That it for me?

Leo

You may take your seat.

Sam

Thank you I leave the witness area and go back to sit next to Ruby

Leo

Have we any further witnesses?

Rachiel

None that I would call. Atheed?

Gabe

I have one

Atheed

how about Gabe

Gabe

Your honor? I’ll be brief but I have a witness I’d like to call Charlie

Rachiel

I have no objection to that

Gabe

I’d like to call Donna to the stand

Donna

I sit up straight with a start! And look back to my eldest 3 babies who also perk up, I don’t know…. I look back to you and stand! okay my love!

Gabe

First and foremost you have the right to air any grievances against ME , and no one else , if you’d like to

Donna

I walk to the stand and sit shakes head baby. I love you all of you, even if you drive me crazy. All kinds of crazy.

Gabe

I love you too grinning

Donna

I don’t need to air any grievances my sweets! I smile! gawd I love you too

Gabe

I need to to be just, fair, and honest ok?

Donna

I take a deep breath, nod and wait for the question

Gabe

My first question for you is this: do you remember the promise you had me make the one promise I made you out side of our wedding vows, and can you tell the court what that promise was?

Donna

We promised no dying. Ever. Again.

Gabe

Have I kept that promise to you?

Donna

Um.

Gabe

Honesty Is the most important thing Your under oath

Donna

No.

Gabe

No what?

Donna

sighs you haven’t. And kills me every time you die! It looks down at my hands!

MISSY CASSIE and Evie NODS TOO!

Gabe

We’ve fought over this numerous times haven’t we, well, we’ve  debated it

Donna

Constantly! I … don’t know why you always have to be the one Kill me!

Gabe

Not going to happen

MISSY!!!

NOOO!!! stands

CASSIE

pulls her back down! shhhhhh

Donna

big sigh with a glare pain in the arse! soft smile!

Gabe

Now at this trial and before hand, you’ve heard me called selfish, self centered, that I only care about myself and our family meaning you, myself and the Littles is that correct?

Donna

I look up into your eyes again! Yes

Gabe

Yet is it only you that I’ve died for? Or our Littles ?

Donna

No. You’ve….sighed died for the group a lot. Drives me crazy! There’s that crazy I mentioned !!!!!

Gabe

That’s all on my end if anyone would like to cross examine or shall I take the stand?

Donna

I look around! and I stand

Crowley

I raise my hand I'd like to ask a couple questions

Donna

For me????? blinks

Gabe

Feel free sitting down

Crowley

Gabe did say anyone. I just have a couple questions. I walk forward

Donna

Wait? Are you guys questions for Gabe or for me????

Crowley

For you Miss

Donna

Oh! I sit back down! Okay

Crowley

Just for the record, could you please state your relation to Mr. Gabriel

Donna

I’m Gabriel’s Wife! Mother to his our children … Nephilim 🥰

Crowley

And, to check the record, while on the stand you said " I don’t need to air any grievances my sweets! gawd I love you too"

Donna

Yes

Crowley

Actively flirting with the person questioning you?

Donna

Yes

Leo

The witness is not on trial….

Crowley

I look to the judge But she was flirting with the person who IS on trial while being questioned by them I believe that would qualify as bias towards the person questioning her

Donna

Why would that matter

Leo

That is for me to decide Mr Mcleod. Aside from that, does this line of questioning have a point?

Donna

I’m still answering the basic questions he’s asking me.

Crowley

Bias would make you an unreliable wittness

Donna

But the questions had nothing to do with bias Truthful answers.

Crowley

Bias was enough to have Eileen’s testimony struck That is all.

Leo

The questions asked were strict yes or no and were indeed factual. There is no opinion to be swayed here. I could ask you the same question, have you seen Gabe die for the “team” or “family”?

Donna

nods

Gabe

Crowley you were asked a question by the judge

Crowley

He said he Could as me, not that he was Were you asking me that question?

Leo

Yes, Mr McLeod. I would like an answer, just to resolve the bias here…

Crowley

I do not honestly recall ever personally wittnessing Gabe die.

Leo

addressing the courtroom Can anyone else attest to whether or not Gabe dying for you, is factual or not?

Gabe

Your honor?

Leo

You may speak

Gabe

When you ask someone a question are they considered to be under oath?

Leo

Yes, they are.

Gabe

I’d like to ask a question to Crowley then as well if I may it if you’d like me to put him back on the stand, I have only two questions for him

Crowley

I glance to the judge

Leo

Granted. Ms Angel you may take a seat.

Crowley

I go to trade seats with Donna

Gabe

Crowley can you tell me again if you have ever witnessed me dying? For the team or family?

Donna

I step down

Crowley

I close my eyes and search my memories I.......I can remember instances where you HAVE died, but I only remember hearing about it after the fact. The one that comes to mind being when we were turned to stone. I know it led to your dying, but I was stone and can't be sure of your motives.

Gabe

Ok did you not say and I quote: In fact when you contacted my wife didn’t you follow it up with: And I quote: Not only did you witness my dead body but you speculated both how I died and why ?

Crowley

Yes, I witnessed your dead body not the act of you dying. And as you said, speculation. As I said, I can't be SURE of your motives.

Gabe

No more questions your honor I turn and wink at Donna  again, win win darlin

Donna

I smile big beaming at you!

 To be continued

…………………………………………….

7. One by one Rachiel and Atheed call witnesses to the stand (everyone from the team takes their turn this is a free run but be respectful to each other and do not start distracting in the court room of bts) with Gabe getting a chance to ask questions in cross examination. Ruby, Alex, Charlie, Patience, Crowley, Sam, Gabe

[thearchivistsjournal]

Day 208,

It seems that Maiko walking with me to the Village in the morning is becoming a regular occurrence, and not an unwelcome one.  It’s funny, a few weeks ago I might have rankled at the hovering protection - or at least, I might have interpreted it that way - but I don’t think that's what this is.  We didn’t say much on the way, but it can be nice just to be with someone.  There’s something special about mere physical proximity to someone friendly and familiar.  And sure, the two of us are both content to go for whole days without seeing anyone else (well, I used to be anyway, and I think I’m slowly recovering enough to get there again), it’s a balance one needs to find for themself.  It’s another aspect in what I mentioned before about talking to Maiko being like talking to myself.

I spent the morning working on restorations.  Well, duplication, more like.  One of the older archival records was getting fragile so I’m making a copy.  Figured it would be decent practice for copying Iole’s book as well.  Although if it has illustrations I’m less sure how to handle those.  Trace them maybe?

As I was taking a break for lunch Lin arrived, bags under her eyes and missing the usual spring in her step.  When I asked what happened she told me she’d been up through the night helping her father deliver a baby.  She said she hoped I didn’t mind that she took a nap for a few hours before coming to report it for me to add to the records.

I assured her that of course I didn’t and started pulling over a chair for her and telling her to help herself to the food while I grabbed the current record book.  She accepted in that way that you do when you’re too exhausted to object to any suggestion that comes your way.

One official birth record later (which I may need her to double-check and amend sometime when she’s more lucid) I pointed out how beat she looked and offered up the archive’s bed.  She declined, said she had her own bed and didn’t want to impose, stood up, grabbed the chairback to steady herself, and changed her mind.

As we walked over to the alcove and opened it she mumbled something about probably sleeping better here than at her parents’ anyway.  

I didn’t pry for elaboration on that one.

I’m done with my lunch now and I’ll be getting back to that restoration work here shortly until she wakes up.  As much as I’d like to talk to her about the sarcophagus and maybe even ask for advice about Cass, I know the deliveries are hard on her so this probably isn’t a good time.  Maybe she’d like to hear about the boat updates though.

*******

I was packing up to leave for the evening when Lin re-emerged.  I think she put two and two together when she saw me thus because she started apologizing for sleeping there so long.  I gave my best attempt at a good-natured-and-not-condescending chuckle and assured her it was fine.  Way I see it, if someone sleeps that long in the middle of the day it means they really needed it.  

I closed up for the evening and we walked together a bit until the point where we would have gone separate ways.  With a hesitancy that I wish I could be over by now, I extended an offer to (continue her) crash at my place (“our place” with Maiko there as much as I am?).

She said that she’d been planning on heading to Siren Overlook, but an evening with friends beats out weird magic mood music any day.

I wonder if that’s why I never see anyone else up there? Because everyone else has healthy emotional support networks.

Not that I had much time for that line of introspection at the time.  I was too distracted by Lin abruptly turning and taking off toward the road out of town.  As I scrambled to catch up with her I asked if she needed anything from her house.  She slowed down, perhaps realizing I was having trouble keeping up, and said that she probably did and would probably regret it in the morning but she really didn’t feel like going back right now.

Another statement I’m very carefully not unpacking.

Maiko and Lin were both pleasantly surprised to see that we’d be a trio and not a duo for our walk back once the former emerged from her hiding spot in the tree line.  Made for a livelier than normal walk back.  At one point Lin made a comment about it being a nice evening and the trees and undergrowth being pretty.  It took me aback somewhat, but she was right.  Strange how that which I’d found so beautiful when I’d first arrived barely even registered to me anymore until someone actually said something causing me to really look once more.  The curse of familiarity I suppose.  It’s the same with people too, I think.  Not just appearance but personality, behavior, mind, spirit, whatever you wish to call it.  Spend enough time around an amazing person and they can seem mundane to the point where you start to lose your appreciation for them without realizing it.  Don’t know if that’s better or worse than the alternative of being too enamored forever so that you lose sight of the imperfections that make them a person and not an abstract ideal in your head.

Or at least, that was my own train of thought as I went from watching the trees to watching my companions talk with one another as we walked.  Once again I found myself thinking that I was lucky to have such friends, and for once it was without the undercurrent of feeling undeserving.  Or at least it was until I realized I wasn’t feeling that way, which brought it back, but I was able to consciously silence that voice with some effort.

Once we got back I did manage to pull Maiko aside and let her know that I hadn’t told Lin anything catacomb related yet.  That she’d been not feeling so great after the baby delivery (and maybe some issues with her parents?) so I didn’t want to drop another serious topic on her tonight.  Maybe tomorrow though.  In the meantime though, we did fill Lin in on boat-related updates and talked more about plans for that upcoming outing, which she seemed to be looking forward to about as much as we were.  Lin also brought up the prospect of another overnight trip to the lake of stars while we waited for the boat to finish.  Could be fun.

<==Previous          Next==>

[caffinedragon]

Thank you for the clarification on the poison thing. There has been a lot of blatant twisting and malicious misinformatuon regarding the game in the last few months so having someone that willing and respectfully clarified that for me is very much appreciated.

But far as i can tell the intial tadpole mind reads when everyone first meets arn't under the control of the player or anyone in the party. The tadpole does it on it's own. After that the player has to choose whether or not to push further.

As for Astarion, due to the fact that most people in Faerun would kill him first and ask questions later just because he is a vampire spawn, I can understand why he does things the way he does.

Logically it is more likely that he would get staked if people found out than have people help him, and the only thing savinf him from being found out right away is because he is walking around in the sun.

He is also trying to stay alive while he is hiding himself, and since his food source is blood exclusivly he doesnt have many options available.

It's still not cool what he does but what other choice did he realisticly have.

And with Minthara, her overall character just isnt all that interesting or meshes well with me personally. I am the type of person to judge you more on how you treat my friends than how you treat me and the clips of the way she treats the others rubs me the wrong way.

There is only so much leeway I can give her in terms of her background because at the end of the day, she is still an adult woman who is in control of her own choices when not under the control of the tadpole. Regardless of her reasoning.

And on a personal note, I also roleplay a lot with the characters i make over using a self insert and out of my main three i plan on running through the game with, only one, would realisticly keep her alive from a psychological standpoint.

My drow ranger Razzikel(current tav i am trying to beat the game with) wouldnt and didnt give her a chance. To him, she is the woman who caged and tortured the man he has been secretly in love with and is his best and closest friend for 200 years and who is gleefully going to raid the grove he once called home to slaughter innocent men, woman, and children who are taking shelter there on top of it. Choosing her life over thiers is a choice he makes without a seconds hesitation.

My Tiefling Eldritch Knight Cass is a soldier through and through. And when the man who eagerly gave shelter to her fellow tieflings in a world that would rather see them dead, she does it on principle. Halsin says these three were the leaders and they needed to be slain so the refugees could continue to travel safely to Baulder's Gate? Alright bet.

R'yleh my Great Old One Warlock Durge however, would most likely keep her alive if only for the information she could have on the master plan he built but cant remember the details of. However, other than ask her questions about her culture to sate his rampid curiosity, he would leave her alone because his eldritch horror heart gets firmly and very willingly stolen by Astarion. And if she did anything that put Astarion or the others in needless danger, she would end up being roasted on a spit for dinner and the leftovers fed to his displacer beasts.

So, as i said before, if the mood strikes i may look up a vid or two to see her romance that way, but as for playing it in my personal game I am happy to skip it.

I have little enough spare time as it is with work, running a house and taking care of a disabled parent. So i am going to play my game the way I most enjoy it. As i am sure you will do the same.

I respect that you enjoy her character as is your right, and i hope that you can respect the fact that I do not, as is mine.

Fans of the same game can love it for different reasons and still enjoy it together. A fact that I have noticed is unfortunately falling to the wayside as of late.

Larian should have had more faith in what they created.

I have two boiling hot takes related to the above, that may get me some hate but oh well.

1. They should have kept thier original design for Wyll.

From the posts i read, he was originally a bitter and angry sort of Anti hero who was resentful of what he had been through and how messed up the world turned out to be.

A sentiment i myself felt after a pretty traumatising year.

This could have led to a journy of Wyll finding out that, despite what he had been through, he could use his talents, experience and story to become a better hero and wiser hero if doing a good run or make him a vicious and ruthless Archduke if running an evil playthrough.

However, a lot of people seemed to not like this original personality for...various reasons...so they scrapped it and we got, what feels like to me anyway, the "damsel in distress" instead.

Considering what he got was put together last minute, it's not bad but...it could have been a whole lot better.

2. Minthara should have stayed as an evil run only character.

Far as i understand it, Minthara was meant to be a character you only got if you were doing an evil run.

It is why the "tent glitch" existed. You weren't meant to have both Halsin and Minthara so the tents would occupy that spot depending on which one was recruited.

But for a variety of reasons, people began to demand a way to get her as a companion without running evil and so Larian changed it.

I personally believe they shouldnt have changed it.

BG3 is supposed to be a dynamic game where depending on dice roles, class choice, and even what race you play will give you a different gaming experience.

It incentivises multiple playthrough's and longer time with the game so the player gets their money's worth out of it unlike a lot of AAA titles that have been coming out.

Keeping Mintharas as evil only gives more of an incentive to play as an evil character, just like the deeper lore you get playing the durge does and it goes along with the more dynamic nature of the game.

And if they wanted her to be available on a good run, there no doubt would have been a mod created at some point to do it.

Not every request by the players has to be accepted.

TLDR: Larian should have had a bit more faith in thier original design and kept Wyll as he originally was and left Minthara for evil players instesd of slap dashing "fixes" at the last second or post release.

[thepaperpanda]

A Fiery Braid || Kyojuro Rengoku x reader

Summary: After Kanao braids your hair, the Flame Hashira wants to try a new hairstyle too.

Warnings: none

Words: 1823

Request: braiding Rengoku's hair.

Authors: Cass & Grizzly

Kyōjurō Rengoku walked around the common room of the Butterfly Estate, waiting for new orders. He had been there for a few hours that felt like an eternity to him; he preferred to remain active rather than sit still. Even so, he wasn't going anywhere; Kyōjurō had one more reason to stay. You were that reason.

You were attractive; your hair was always neatly braided, perfect skin was glowing. Whenever he was close to you, your curious Y/E/C eyes studied his every movement, leading him to assume that you were also a little interested in him. On that day, he saw you again; you had been talking to Kanao.

Kyōjurō was a little shocked when he noticed you and the young girl vanished when he only turned his head around after smelling freshly made onigiri. Young man decided to look after you.

You went to have tea with Kanao. Despite being so quiet, she didn't cause you much trouble. She always wanted to spend time with you.

You sat on a porch, drinking tea made by Aoi. Even though you loved being here, your time was running out. You had almost fully healed your broken ribs, wrist injury, and broken leg as well.

In an attempt to flip the coin, Kanao put away her cup. As it landed on her palm, the girl gave you a soft smile. “So would it be okay if I showed you a new braid I can make? Girls have taught me."

Your eyes widened in surprise. "Of course I don't mind. Just let me lose my hair." Saying this, you loosened the ribbons holding your hairstyle together and ran fingers through your hair.

Kanao put away the cups and tray during the meantime. After that, she moved closer to pull your long hair to the back so she could start working.

Little did you know that you were being watched by a pair of Kyōjurō's sharp eyes. You were drinking freshly brewed tea in one of the rooms when he noticed you. Why was he not asked if he wanted a cup as well? Suddenly, Kyōjurō leapt up and peered inside the chamber. "Ladies, good morning. Do you mind if I join you?"

You both stared at him.

Kanao didn't react at all, she was too focused on your hair.

Naturally, you bowed your head as much as you could to show your respect. Both of you were slayers, but let's be honest, you were much lower than Hashira. "Flame Hashira, good morning to you as well. I don't mind it and I am sure Kanao doesn't mind as well."

Kyōjurō Rengoku stepped in slowly, looking around for a free spot.

As he sat down on one of the pillows on the floor, he crossed his legs and watched you. "It is rumored that you are going to leave us soon, Y/N."

You nodded gently so as not to disturb Kanao's work. "My injuries are almost healed. I may be able to leave in a few days. I hope I won't be back here anytime soon... As a patient, I mean."

He whispered quietly, but repeated louder this time, "What a shame it will be that you will no longer be among us."

“I'm not skilled. I just do what I can to keep people safe. But thank you for your kind words. That means a lot." You smiled at him.

While he nodded, he remained in a strange state of thoughtfulness. "Are you planning anything?" He asked.

“It's been a while since I got any orders. If that doesn't change by the end of my treatment, I think I'll visit my own home for a bit," you shrugged a little. You added, "If my crow will bring orders. I think I'll be running after yet another demon."

"So it was your crow who stole my onigiri a few days ago!" He laughed softly.

"Did it have a dark blue sash?" You asked.

Rengoku nodded and touched a pair of chopsticks on the table in front of him to improve their position. "Indeed. Your friend is ill-mannered."

Embarrassed by your crow behavior, you blinked and blushed.

Although you knew that your crow's nature was not so benevolent and that it loved snacks, you didn't expect this.

"Flame Hashira, please forgive me! I had no idea he was so mischievous! I didn't know! I'm so sorry!"

"I could have used a second form on him, but he seemed oddly tame. Watch him next time, Y/N."

"My apologies! I had no idea he could do something like this. I will scold him as soon as possible."

Kanao interrupted your little panic by putting the braid on your shoulder. You looked at it and gasped loudly, it was so beautiful. "Woho! It's perfect, Kanao! Thank you so much, I love it."

The girl smiled and once again flipped her coin. Once it landed back on her palm, she nodded. "I am glad you like it. I will now join others and leave you two alone." Soon, she left the room.

Kyōjurō nodded with a smile on his face. "Your braid is very beautiful, Y/N. It suits you very well."

"Thank you. I braid my hair so they don't bother me while working." You nodded, stroking your hair.

“Isn't it true that a fabulous look always adds some spirit?" He smiled. "I guess Senjuro would like your crow pet."

"Yes, it does! I feel so much more comfortable knowing my hair looks nice and doesn't bother me," You nodded. "You mean your younger brother, right? I don't think he would like my crow since he loves to steal food."

"My little brother is almost as optimistic as I am so I am certain he would easily notice the positive aspects of the pet crow you have."

"Maybe," you replied. The crows belonging to other slayers seem calm and polite, but this one is really mischievous."

"I think it depends on the crow's personality. They're a lot like humans."

"Unfortunately I got hungry and rude." You sighed deeply, playing with your braid.

"You can always train him," Kyōjurō said as he looked at you. "I like your braid a lot. Could you please make me one?"

The blinked, completely overshadowed his question. "I-I… Sure. Your hair is long enough to make a decent braid. It won't be as long as mine though.”

As he gestured for you to approach, he undid the bun he had made. "I'd like to try that!"

As you continued to be surprised by his question, you got up and moved closer to sit next to him. Maybe it was silly, but honestly, you were scared of his hair. What if you burned your hands on it? Nevertheless, you moved your hand gently through the hair to ensure there were no tangles.

"Did you learn from a master or were you self-taught?"

"My father was a demon slayer. He was my master until he retired from fighting because of his wounds." You said, brushing his hair with your fingers before you started gently braiding them.

Kyōjurō nodded slowly as he listened to your story. "I trained to become a Hashira. It might have been easier for me since I am part of the Rengoku family and our lineage is filled with powerful swordsmen."

"I know, I heard a lot about your family." You nodded, gently braiding his hair.

"Just! I would like them to be braided as neatly as yours. Your braid is very beautiful."

Your skilled fingers collected strands of his hair and worked them.

I promise to do my best. I love your hair, sir, but I was sure they were hot since they looked like fire." You giggled, pulling back another strand of his hair.

A quiet hiss came from him. "Ough!" He then winked at you as he rolled his head back. "Don't worry, just kidding."

You told him, "Please, don't do that. I'm scared to pull your hair."

"You're not dealing with any demon here, it's just hair!" Flame Hashira reminded you in the soft tone of his.

"I'm braiding the hair of a Fire Pillar. It's terrifying on its own," you hummed, tying the strands together. "Could you pass me the ribbing in which your hair was tied up before?"

You received the item from him shortly after. Grabbing the end of the braid and tying it tightly to make sure your work wouldn't fall apart, you thanked him quietly. "It looks great."

To check the braid, he jolted up and rushed to the nearest mirror. The final result incorporated all of the hair into a smoothly woven pattern over the scalp. A smile spread across Rengoku's face as he said, "I love it!"

You smiled and clapped your hands. "I am so glad to hear that!"

“Maybe I can return the favor by taking you out for onigiri?” Rengoku asked, turning his head to you.

You stared at him again, surprised. Was he just... inviting you to dinner? "Of course. This sounds wonderful!"

Flame Hashira smiled at you with a small sparkle in his eye.

You smiled and followed him to the kitchen to grab a few onigiris.

After that, you two proceeded to sit on a porch. At first, you were afraid of Hashira, but now you were relaxed as if you were talking with a good friend.

As you held the onigiri in your hands, a craw wearing a navy blue sash jumped on your shoulder and simply grabbed the onigiri.

You blinked. "Hey!”

Rengoku chuckled. "That guy is rude," he said. "Or hungry. Hunger is the most unpleasant feeling a living being can experience."

He carefully examined one of his onigiris. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he opened his palm and extended his hand out to the crow, with onigiri in it.

Clearly, the crow couldn't resist the snack. The crow quickly swallowed it and spread his wings.

"CRAW CRAW! I brought an order! Order! A village where people go missing! Demons attack!"

Rengoku's crow joined you two soon, as well.

"North! North! The village in the north needs help! People are going missing. Y/N will join Flame Hashira to take care of the threat!”

"Huh?!” You gasped, shocked with the information.

Rengoku's lips curled in a little smirk as he nodded, getting up. "The order was passed. I think we need to hit the road. There are some demons that need to be slayed!"

"I just need a moment to gather my stuff," you nodded and then looked at your crow. "And you! You shouldn't just steal people's food!"

Crow definitely felt offended and just pecked you on the temple before flying away.

"So it's rudeness that runs in his little veins!" Rengoku chuckled softly and nodded at his own crow. "Get ready, Y/N. The duty is calling!"

"Yes, Rengoku-san!” You nodded excitedly and ran off to gather your things.

[reveluving]

meeting you (jacob's pov) ; andy barber x reader

summary: the school's been treating Jacob well so far, including the students’ favourite, who just so happens to teach him literature.

warnings: minor angst + fluff

a/n: a different perspective for some context~ expect a lot of Jacob & reader bonding, okay? ^^

˚ · . series m.list

'she's like, the only teacher I can tolerate at the crack of dawn' ;  

First day of school has always been intimidating, including to Jacob, where he already has a hard time sleeping. Just an hour before his sleepiness kicked in, he did a little research on his new school. So, he hasn't stumble upon anything shady. If anything, the articles he found had something to do with the school's clubs like debate, basketball and even volleyball representing up to the nationals.

Which, he had to admit, it was very impressive.

But at the same time, he's feeling pressured.

What if behind closed doors, it's just as bad, if not, worse than his old school? Don't people always say that high school's worse than middle school?

The only good he got out of it is the fact that he's still keeping in touch with Sarah.

At 1.03 a.m, he turned off his phone and laid in his bed, hoping to ease his mind before the big day. He knew his father's doing his absolute best. If there's a single dirt, it's enough for Andy to look for another. He’s tired of taking anymore risks, especially when it's about Jacob's future.

Now, when it comes to his mom, well, he'd rather not think about it — about her at the moment.

On his first day, Mrs May asked the class to partner up with the person physically closest to them. Jacob’s partner just so happen to be AJ Wilson, who became his first friend. Hours later, he met his younger brother, Cass.

So, he gave tomorrow's events the benefit of the doubt, and thank goodness he did. He started off extremely slow, so slow that he's surprised anyone's interested in talking him. Jacob’s major trust issues was expected but he's trying his best. If he was able to put aside his differences with his dad, albeit needing almost a year to do so, then why stop there?

"No way, you got Ms (L/N), too?" AJ's eyes sparkled, "She's like, the only teacher I can tolerate at the crack of dawn,"

He thought AJ was being dramatic but on his first literature class, he met you.

AJ wasn't lying about looking forward to Wednesday's from now on. He's never even touched a Shakespearean piece until you passed around a book for the next project — A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The story was so fucking weird. 

But, he also managed to finish the book within the same day.

Thank goodness for modern translation.

“Thank you Jacob,” He handed you his worksheet. Fortunately for Jacob, it was nothing difficult, just a simple exercise, “Oh, could you stay after class?”

Oh... oh no... but, why? He was beginning to enjoy the class!

“Nothing too serious, I promise,” You reassured, feeling guilty when the colour drained from his face. He nodded apprehensively, returning to his seat and quietly nit-picked where he could’ve went wrong.

Did he greet you formally? Was there a homework he didn't submit? But it's only been his second class! What. Went. Wrong.

He was too engrossed in finding his own faults, he didn't even realize how you glanced at him in worry once in a while.

Then, came one of his most dreaded moments yet.

“You wanted to see me, Ms (L/N)?” He approached your desk when all but AJ left, waiting outside of the class.

“Mhm, I'm a little worried. You're a little quiet in class," You began, “Mrs May told me you’re new to the school so you never got to follow the format they taught in our middle school, is that right?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Okay, so far, nothing too horrible.

“Am I going too fast with the syllabus?” You watched his face scrunched up a little. The format wasn’t so tough but considering that he’s never taken literature before, let alone learn the format, he might need some time.

“A little...? B-but it's okay! I'll try to keep up,” You hummed in understanding, though you felt bad at the way he seemed so... scared stiff. You were only asking him about the syllabus.

Well, that and one more thing but that's a bit of a gamble.

“That’s fine. I have some notes that might be useful to you,” You responded to his look of interest with a single nod, “I hope you understand that I’m doing this ‘cause I know you have other subjects to worry about. So the last thing I want is for you or anyone else to stress out in my subject, y’know?” 

Aw, that's really nice of you.

"But, uh," You cleared your throat — you curiosity's too strong to hold back, "Are you okay?"

...

Huh. Jacob doesn't recall those words being that impactful and yet, he's not sure how to respond.

He knew he's not okay.

You observed the way his eyes stared into nowhere for a second, proving that he was indeed going through some stuff. Mrs May never told you anything about the teen other than being a new residence in the neighbourhood with his father. That, and he's quite reserved 'for a reason'. But, to you, he wasn't hard to read. Partially because he didn't do a great job at hiding it.

Trauma.

You know when you see it. It was pretty clear, even from a mile away.

Whatever happened to this boy, you could only he hope that this neighbourhood's treating him better. Way better.

"I... I am?" His answer sounded more like a question but you didn't want to pry. Not when you could tell that he's a little uncomfortable.

"That's good," You smiled softly, "Just wanted to make sure my students are doing okay, that's all,"

Oh... bless your soul, Ms (L/N).

“That’s... I really appreciate that. Thank you, Ms (L/N),” He relaxes for the first time in a while.

“No problem. If you have any problem, I'm all ears, alright?" The lump in his throat prompted him to nod.

Say any more and he's likely to break down right then and there.

"Now, go ahead. Seems like AJ’s waiting for you at the door. I’ll have the copies ready by tomorrow,” You cocked your head at the door, where the older Wilson smiled sheepishly. You and Jacob snorted, the latter followed his classmate out but not before hearing you one last time.

“Say hi to your mom and uncle Sam for me, okay?” 

“I will!” AJ grinned. Jacob tilted his head, somewhat curious but also intrigued that you knew AJ’s family much more personally. 

Towards the end of his second week, Mrs May asked him to meet her after class.

"How do you find the school so far?" She asked, arranging a number of worksheets on the desk before focusing on the teen.

"It's... quite nice," No lies there. He’s just overwhelmed with, well, everything.

"Good, good. now, I wanted to ask if you've considered any clubs to join?" Ah yes, clubs and society. Considering his poor performances in his last middle school year from... 'that thing', the board of the school still gave him the green light to enroll.  

But on one condition; he's required to join a club in his first year to make up for his previously underwhelming performance. Thankfully, there's an array of clubs to choose from.

"I'm still not sure, to be honest," Jacob scratched the back of neck but dear ol' Mrs May's smile didn't falter.

"That's alright. Hopefully you'll find one by the end of the month, though. If you're not sure, you can ask your teachers, since most of them are in-charge of their own clubs. There's Maths, Chemistry, even your literature teacher,"

Ms (L/N)?

"Yes, Ms (L/N)," She repeated. Whoops. He didn't mean to say that out loud, "She's the faculty advisor for the basketball club. Why not give it a try?" Jacob winced, remembering his therapist's exact words.

For now, stick to light physical activities.

"I... don't think I'd wanna join a sports club,"

"I see. Well, why not join as a manager instead of a player?" The tilt of his head prompted her to pull out an A4 sheet out from the desk drawer, "I'm not sure if you noticed but some clubs offer a manager position, including the basketball club. You'll still earn the same benefits as any other member,"

Hmm, that doesn’t sound so bad, to be honest.

"But, if you're still not sure, feel free to ask any of the teachers in charge. You'll find the right one, dear," She passed him the flyer, along with other clubs for his own references. God bless Mrs May for her generosity.

His options went from nine to four to eventually, the very last one, and it's no surprise what club he decided to know more about.

Reve's Basketball Club.

Fortunately, he knew exactly who to ask.

"Make sure you read the next five chapters before the next class!" You reminded your students as soon as the bell rang.

"Ms (L/N)?" You looked to your right to find Jacob standing before you, shuffling his feet.

"Hey, Jacob! You're not having lunch with your friends?" You wiped the final writings on the board before giving your full attention to the teen.

"Not today, I have my own," He took out a bar of granola out of his pocket before clearing his throat, "I wanted to ask you about... the basketball club, if you're okay with that?" Oh? You didn't expect that — he didn't seem like the sporty type. Then again, who were you to judge? He, like everyone else, is new, but him especially, considering he moved in all the way from Massachusetts. 

"Oh, that's more than alright! Is there a position you’re particularly interested in? Coach Fury’s looking for a center player but I’m sure we can squeeze you in for the other spots," You whispered with a glint in your eye, hoping to calm him down, judging by the way he's hesitating to ask. He half-smiled before showing you the club’s flyer in his hands.

“I’m, uh, actually interested in the manager position, if it’s still available?” Well, lucky you! Nobody’s ever sought the manager position for any clubs this fast, let alone basketball. Normally, you or the players had to scout for someone when time was running out. Nothing wrong with that though, you're just glad someone's interested! He might even get a kick out of it since some of his classmates are part of the team, too.

"Ahh, of course! Come, let's sit down," You motioned to the desk closest to yours.

"Alright, you’re aware that the manager position offers the same benefits as what a player would get, right?" Jacob nodded slowly, "So, my first question is how familiar are with you with basketball knowledge?"

"Uhh..." Okay, he didn't think through, "Barely...? I think I played it once or twice as a kid but, I guess not much.."

Good job, Jake.

You chuckled, "Don't worry. The first time they assigned me on board, I honestly knew nothing about it. I had to do my own research beforehand but in all honesty, they're easier to understand than you think. Do you have any questions about the role?"

"Well..." Gosh, is this worth asking?

"Is the position heavy to work with?" Jacob's face scrunched up. He didn't want to seem weak or even babied for such a question but again, he was advised to avoid vigorous activities. He’d rather not know the consequences if he neglected what’s best for him.

"Hmm..." You tapped your chin, "Tell you what, why don't you stop by the gym tomorrow or Thursday after school? I can show you the basics. That way, you’ll able to get an idea of what you’re expected to do, should you decide to join us,"

He pondered at the idea.

"Yeah, okay, thanks, Ms (L/N)," He smiled softly.

"Not a problem, kid. Now," You stood up from you seat, "You better get going. Lunch time doesn’t end until another fifteen minutes so you’ll have some time to kill," That, and you don't fancy the idea of Jacob eating just a granola bar. So, as soon as he thanked you and took his leave, you called his name, "Jacob!"

"Yes?" He paused at the door.

“Try to grab something other than a granola bar, yeah?" You advised, "At least get a drink on your way out,"

His heart ached — how could he say no to that? He couldn't say no to that. You're just looking out for him.

He purposely slowed his pace as he walked to the cafeteria.

Was he being over-emotional?

He never stopped thinking about it, not even when he got himself a chocolate milk. Not the best choice but it'll do, right Ms (L/N)?

His day continued in a blur and he walked home alone, which he has yet to get used to, considering he's been walking with his new friends who were living in the same block. But, he needed his alone-time.

Was he really into basketball or he's only interested because he feels, dare he say, safer, around Ms (L/N), for whatever reason? He knows there's a difference between the two but he can't imagine himself in another club. He's barely opened his mouth for any other classes unless they asked him a question but for the most part, he kept it to himself.

Well, there's no harm in trying, right...? He even took the liberty to do some research on the sport before bed for uh... safety measures?

He could only hope that whoever’s in the club doesn't mind him.

“JACOOOB!” He jumped as soon as he opened the gym door, only to grin when he immediately recognized the voices.

AJ and the Maximoff twins.

"We didn't know that you're joining!" Tommy shook him by the shoulders while his brother, Billy tried to pull him off. Jacob has yet to figure out where he keeps all his energy — it's already 3.30 p.m. and he's still energetic.

“Alright, alright, let’s not crowd around him,” You shooed them away, placing your hands on your hips like a mother scolding her children, “Shouldn't you guys be changing by now? Not unless you want Coach Fury to...” You drawled, knowing that was enough to send them off in a flash. 

Oh, right, the coach.

"Now, just a heads-up; Coach Fury's a bit of a grump but I can assure you that he's just a 'tough love' kinda teacher, y’know?"

Oof, don’t he know it.

The coach already sounded intimidating but he did not expect the massive scar on his left eye. Jacob instinctively stood closer to you at the very sight of him. You gave him an encouraging pats on the back, mouthing an 'it's okay' when he looked at you in fear.

"Barber, so glad that you could join us," Fury's calmness didn’t last though. At the corner of his working eye, you knew he's switched to ‘colonel mode', "Did I not tell you to work on your aim?!"

"S-sorry, Coach!" A senior player yelped and nearly ran into his teammate. He scowled and turned his attention back to Jacob, only to find him tenser than he ever was. He didn’t even have to look at you to know that you’re facepalming and sighed.

"Sorry 'bout that. You would think that as a member for almost three years, you’d know the dos and don’ts by now,” He shook his head disapprovingly, observing the older members with their juniors, carefully this time, “Anyways, Ms (L/N) told me that you’re interested in the manager position?”

“Yes, sir,” Jacob responded.

“Well, at least one of us have some manners around here,” He noted, crossing his arms, “She's going to show you the ropes. Nothing drastic for now — write down whatever that's good or bad, keep an eye out for our equipment and pass around towels and water bottles. You can do that, can you?”

“Yes sir,” Coach Fury huffed but amazingly, in amusement before patting his shoulder.

“Call me coach, kid, now get to it,” His soft(er) tone contrasted to the booming voice that he let out just moments after, calling the team in to line up for a briefing. 

“Seems like you’re on his good side already!” You congratulated before beckoning him to the bench, where the bottles, towels and basketballs perched on. You chuckled at Jacob as he breathed a great sigh of relief.

"Really?"

"Really!" You reassured, “So, ready to get started?”

He nodded, smiling softly as he finally sound something to look forward to in school.

Days turned to weeks, where you and the team gifted him with the official jacket, not long after his permanent decision to stay. You've figured it out after his third visit to the practice, though, and added him into the list of new members when you ordered the jackets weeks prior. He's already grown attached to his friends and even Coach Fury.

If he wasn't screaming, that is.

You didn't know this but another reason he stayed is because you made him believe that no one's here to harm him, including and especially you. His dad seemed more than okay with you too, which meant a lot.

Hell, if he's being bold, it seems like his dad almost enjoyed talking to you, even for a short while. But, this is the Andrew Barber he's talking about; his trust issues were... something else but if he didn't mind your presence, then Jacob's more than relieved.

"Welcome to the team, Jacob," You beamed — a look of pride that only a parent could have. Something he's yearned to see from here on out.

You were proud of him, meaning that he's doing something right.

Yeah, he'll do just fine here.

˚ · . f i n . · ˚

˚ · . taglist: @wanniiieeee @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @0mrs-evans0 @sophiaedits @innerblizzardbird @knifevsstageprop @marvelmenwhore @nasawho @tastingcevans @liecastillo

[imaginingmarvelandeverything]

Chapter 7: Battle Lines

Pairing: Morpheus x OC (Cassandra of Troy)

Warnings: mentions of death, mentions of violence

Word count: 1633

A/N: Here is chapter 7 of Fated and Forgotten! Getting closer to the Fall of Troy now, then we’ve only got about 3000 years to the beginning of the show! But don’t worry, the 3000 years are only going to be snapshots. Hope you like it!!

Main masterlist

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Ko-Fi

“Sir, I know you do not like me to press, but I am concerned about your continued entanglement with the mortal.”

Morpheus glanced back from the stained glass windows towards Lucienne, to find her stood with her hands clasped in front of her in the middle of the throne room. He looked back at the windows, watching as they shifted to show battle lines being drawn among the younger gods. “I have my reasonings, Lucienne.”

“Some of the residents of the Dreaming are growing attached to her. I think it would be better to save them the disappointment down the line and cut contact now.” She said, giving him a knowing look over the top of her glasses.

He sighed, Lucienne cared more about the other residents of the Dreaming than any of them ever cared about her. He turned and walked down the stairs, coming to a stop in front of her. “I cannot cut contact, Lucienne. Cassandra of Troy is soul bonded to me. That is why she has an affect here, and why I can feel her pain.”

Her eyes widened. “All the texts say the endless are exempt from soul bonds.”

“I know. I spoke with the fates, they told me someone I know is playing a jest, unaware of the consequences that breaking a soul bond will render.” The image of Cass lying motionless in a pool of her own blood as the light faded from her eyes reappeared in his mind and he quickly pushed it away.

“Do you know who formed it?”

His shoulders dropped. “Not yet. There are many possible candidates, old and new gods I may have angered that could form the bond if they had access to something to enhance their power. Whoever it is, they are aware of the fate awaiting Cass. But they are unaware of the consequences it will have.”

“Her death will break the bond.” Lucienne realised, her years of reading the books in the library giving her more knowledge than him sometimes.

“I already have a plan in place.” He assured her.

“Then she knows, what she is to you?”

“No.”

“Sir-”

“I have it handled, Lucienne. She has seen herself surviving the initial fall of Troy, and she will not leave her family while they still live. I will step in after their demise, before anything can happen to her.” He said. He felt the familiar tug at his heart as Cass slipped into the Dreaming, far from the palace.

Lucienne frowned. “Do you think that wise, sir?”

“What do you mean?” He asked, frowning now as well.

She took a breath. “I mean, she is highly devoted to her family, even after all they have put her through. Do you really expect her to understand why you waited to tell her?”

“I do not have a choice, Lucienne. I cannot risk the stability of the Dreaming.” He sighed.

“Even then, she will still be mortal, she will still die.” She pointed out.

“When the time comes, I will ask my sister for help. Death has the ability to grant immortality and I do not think she will say no when I explain the situation.” He knew Death would give him a lecture when he told her, so he was putting it off for as long as possible.

***

Morpheus watched Cass laugh with Abel and Cain. The three of them were sat in the space between the House of Secrets and the House of Mysteries, a tea set sat out on the picnic blanket in front of them. Gregory’s head was in her lap and she was idly stroking his nose as she talked to the brothers. He felt a wave of possessiveness pass through his chest, but he pushed it down, knowing it was nothing more than the bond reacting. The same way he knew it was the bonds fault that his heart skipped a beat when she noticed him and her whole face lit up.

“Lord Morpheus.” Abel and Cain said at the same time as he walked up to them.

“Would you like some tea?” Cass asked, holding up a tea pot.

“No. I wish to show you something.” He held out his hand to her, not oblivious to the shocked look on both Abel and Cain’s faces.

She gently nudged Gregory off her knee, the gargoyle huffing in protest, before taking his hand and letting him pull her to her feet. He turned to leave, but she tugged on his hand to stop him as she turned back to her companions. “I will see you tomorrow night, I expect to try that cake you mentioned.”

Abel smiled. “Of course, my lady.”

She turned back to Morpheus and he started walking. “You can taste the food here?”

“Sometimes. I have to concentrate and it is almost as if I am eating a ghost of the food rather than the food itself, if that makes sense.” She said.

He gave a stiff nod; more of his power must be seeping through the bond than he first thought. It raised more questions as to what would happen when he eventually brought her into the Dreaming in her full corporeal form.

“What is it you wish to show me?” She asked as he led her through the palace gates and into the throne room.

He gestured to the stain glass windows. “Battle lines are being drawn among the gods. They are choosing sides in the war, I thought you might like to see who was on your side.”

“It will not matter.” She whispered, taking a step forward to better see the sigils in the glass. “The gods will not join the fight, not in the end, when it counts. Aphrodite will save my brother, Paris, and prolong the war, dooming my people. Even I am fated to lose my freedom begging for Athena’s help at the foot of her alter. And yet, I still hope I am wrong.” She turned to give him a tight smile.

“How do you still hold onto hope?” He asked, genuinely curious to her answer.

She stepped up to him and took his right hand in her left, dropping her gaze to their entwined fingers. “What does humanity have, if not hope, King of Dreams? What would I have if I let go of hope? Madness and hysteria, locked away and hidden from the world. I have to hope that somehow I am wrong, that somehow this is all going to work out. Because if I do not, I will truly lose my mind.”

He let her words wash over him, her proximity and the weight of her hand in his feeling like the most natural thing in the history of the universe. “How long?”

Those two little words seemed to hang in the air between them, the weight settling on both their shoulders. He watched her shoulders rise and fall as she took a deep breath, her right hand moving to join her left on his hand. Her fingertips skimmed over the exposed skin of his wrist that was visible beneath the skin of his robe. It is just the bond, his mind whispered to him as he felt his heart jump.

“Not long now.” She eventually whispered, her voice much steadier than he expected it to be. “The Greeks have surrounded the city. Hector will go to them in a bid for peace, but Achilles will stab him in the throat and then drag his body around the city wall. Paris will kill Achilles, and Troy will think it has won the war. But the Greeks will have a plan to breech the walls, one that I cannot yet see. The rest of my family will die, apart from my brother’s wife, my mother and I. We are to be the spoils of war.”

Rage filled his chest and the Dreaming reacted accordingly; the throne room darkened and the energy in the room seemed to warp around him. But Cass did not step away from him, the same way she had not stepped away from him in the dream of her would be suitor. He knew it was the influence of the bond that made her so sure he wouldn’t hurt her, even if she was still mostly oblivious to its existence.

“Morpheus.” She said his name the same way she had last time and he snapped himself out of it, the room lightening again and the Dreaming returning to normal. “You must have seen so many people meet grizzly ends.”

“That does not make it easier.” He admitted. “And I have not know most of them personally.”

“I was hoping to ask something of you.” She said, her fingers still tracing patterns on the inside of his wrist.

“I am listening.”

“After… At the end, I was hoping you might grant me a place here, like you did for Abel and Cain?” She finally looked up, her dark eyes hopeful as she met his own.

His heart stopped and his lips parted with his exhale. “You will always have a place here.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, her hand squeezing his.

He bowed his head in recognition before tugging her towards the library. “Lucienne mentioned a book you might like.” He said, already formulating a plan to keep a closer eye on her in the waking world now the end was drawing nearer.

Chapter 8

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