#❖⎜she shall guide ⦗echo: ic⦘

[thetraumaking]

The Accursed Crown

Note: I did not enjoy writing this chapter.

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Chapter 14: Stale Ass Wheat Bread

She felt the ship come to a halt, digging into the land before dropping the metal plank with a loud thud. Her fingers fiddling with one another as she looked at the door, her nerves were at high alert, waiting for the door open and filling the room with fire nation soldiers. 

Seeing her so nervous, her father places a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, dear. It’ll be just a meeting to sort out a couple things, we’ll be home once we’re done.” 

Wordlessly, she nodded her head, sparing her father a meek smile. By her father’s side, they walked out of their room to the dock. The fire nation soldiers that escorted them to the fire nation stood by in files. As guests of the royal family, one would expect them to receive all the prestige and respect from all those who serve their hosts, yet, as Yue looks around the men that stood by her sides, she couldn’t help but grimace at the bored, yawning faces of those soldiers. They were haphazardly swinging their arms, whispering to one another, shifting and bouncing on the balls of their feet, no military bearing in sight for as far as the eye could see. 

Her eyes then trained off to her side, to see her father’s reaction. He stood firm, face stoic and cold as an ice sculpture as he moved along by her side. 

Following his lead, she held her head high despite the urge to retreat back to their room. Walking off the plank, they were greeted by yet another soldier, though compared to the one that flocked around the ship, this one had no helmet on. Dark brown hair and a sharp face to match. 

The man bowed with much unneeded force. “Greetings, Chief Arnook and Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe. I am Lieutenant Zhao, I shall be your guide till further notice.” He stood up with a huff, “Now, if you would, please follow me.”

Yue shared a look with her father before doing so. They climbed up what she believed was over a thousand sets of stairs. The closer they got to the top, the closer she believed they got to the sun.

If she were to describe the palace in one word, she would say “suffocating.”  Similar to the element that their hosts bend, everything was yellow or red, and similar to how fire use up all the air, it was suffocating. 

Their guide, Zhao, visibly brightened when they made it at the front gates of the palace, where there stood four individuals. Once they made it to the top, they saw a stark contrast to how those four were compared to the others that stood in line. While the workers and staff, Yue assumed, had their heads low in a bow and dressed in similar outfits with minor differences. 

The four at the centre stood tall. Their dresses were made of the finest of silk, she could only guess how expensive they were. Two children, around her age, maybe a couple years younger, and two adults, one of which was more youthful than the other. 

“I greet the Princesses and Prince of the Fire Nation.” Her father bows to the four. She was quick to echo in after him, keeping her eyes closed as she bowed. 

When they looked up, her father got into an exchange of pleasantries with the oldest of the four, Princess Ursa. She assumed that she was the mother of the two younger ones, who were busy tugging on the sleeves of the fourth person. Prince Zuko and Princess Azula, she recalled hearing about them from her father and his advisors. She then looked towards the stoic faced one, you. With the branded number on the cheek and tired, distant eyes. 

076, an adult, she concluded. There were many whispers going around you, they say you were the bastard of the prince prior to his engagement to Ursa and angered by his son’s conduct, the Fire Lord had sent out a hunt for you and your mother to erase all trace of your existence. At her last ditch attempt to save you, your mother had sent you to the child soldier program where your abilities thrived. So much so the royal family could no longer ignore your achievements, and as if you had proven yourself, the Fire Lord had called you to the palace to better serve their cause in expansion. 

They later then made you into an instructor to further develop the direct descendants. And despite the prince’s treason, his wife, the ever-so-kind princess Ursa has still treated you like family and cared for you as if her own. 

Though that is nothing but the word of the mouth. 

She was snapped out of her stupor when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Looking over to her father, she sent him a quizzical look. 

“I will be in the meeting room, will you be alright on your own for a little while?” Wanting to ease his worry, she nodded with a smile. 

Watching him leave with Princess Ursa and Lieutenant Zhao, her once confident smile faltered. 

“Um… hi, I’m Zuko.” 

She looked curiously at the offered hand before taking it. The prince’s hand was warm, she could tell he had a kind heart, although a bit awkward and sweaty. 

Her lips quirked up while she introduced herself. She thought, like her brother, Azula would do the same, but the girl simply said her name and crossed her arms. Then she looked to you, expecting to be waved off, she fidgeted. 

“You don’t need to know their name, they’re with me.” Azula spoke for you, grabbing your arm before pulling you away from her and Zuko. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Yue, please do enjoy your stay at the palace.” You spoke over your shoulder before being led away. 

Her and Zuko were left in their lonesome. She wondered if she had offended the younger girl in some way. The way she spoke to her was quite dismissive, she got the impression that Azula did not like her much. 

“Have I done something wrong?”

Zuko lets out a huff, placing his hands on his hips with an eye roll, “I wouldn’t worry too much about her, she’s just weird. Azula being Azula.” He then brought her to the guest room, where all their luggage were currently being handled by the maids. “Your supper will be brought in in a bit when your father gets back from the meeting. We’re going to have dinner together later tonight so be ready for that.” 

He left shortly after that, making sure that she understood everything. She sat on the large bed before letting out a sigh. 

Once her father comes back, they’ll have a dinner with the royal family and they’ll leave the next day. They’ll be back home in less than twenty four hours. She’ll just have to wait a bit more. 

As she sat there on the bed, she became restless. Their supper has come, yet no sight of her father. Has something happened to him? Where was he? Was he still at the meeting? Surely the Fire Lord hasn’t done anything to him. Surely the Fire Lord knows the implication of harming the envoy. 

Yes they are at war but there is a certain respect each party must hold for one another, no one harms the messenger for they are innocent, they are simply following orders and sending out word. 

The sudden knock startled her, snapping her out of her spiral. 

When she opened the door, surprise would be a little too weak of a word to describe the feeling she was having. At the door stood you. 

“Apologise for the disturbance, Princess Yue.” You bowed, “I received word from the Fire Lord that your father’s meeting will be extended due to a complication from our part.” You stood up before offering, “Princess Yue, would you give me the honour of joining me for a stroll?” 

She held your gaze before agreeing, she was curious about you. The rumours only made you out to be some vengeful spirit but as she walks beside you, stealing glances at you, you resemble more of a docile pet. 

As she looked at you, she couldn’t help but notice how tall you were. The clothes you wore, despite the high quality, were more suited for someone who’s more physically active. She has heard of your feats in battle and how often you are sent away on sieges. You looked tired. 

Like a shallow creek, you seemed to be just going with the motion. Being pulled and tugged this way and that. If one were to gaze inside your head, she wondered what was inside. 

You were also covered in scars. The number on your cheek seemed to be branded on and later added paint. Both of your palms were scarred over, must be due to training with your bending. She wondered if you could still feel texture with how much damage your poor hands took. There was also a large burn just peeking from under your collar. 

“Is something the matter, Princess Yue?” You stopped walking to look at her. 

“No, it’s just… that number on your cheek…” She hesitated, wondering if she’s crossing any boundaries, “it- it looks painful.”

“It was.”

“… does it still hurt?”

Your reaction surprised her. The small smile on your lips looked foreign on you, as if you were not used to the action. Rather than the branded mark on your face, the smile looked as if it hurt you more. 

But, she took it as a privilege. Something about the rarely offered smiles never fails to draw out her own. 

Shaking your head, you crouched down on your knee, “No, would you like to feel for it yourself?” 

She nodded her head before ever so lightly grazing her fingertips over the scarred tissue. The bumpy uneven skin felt foreign to her. The wound looks quite old. How old were you when they branded this number on you? Did they at least have the courtesy to let the burn heal before adding the paint? Did they at least treat it afterwards? 

As she stood there, tracing the numbers on your cheek, you simply enjoyed her cool touch. 

“Would you like me to heal them? The scars.” She looked at you. 

Her eyes shining so brightly it made you lost. “You… can? Why?”

“To show my gratitude for treating us with respect. You look and speak to us with honesty, you don’t look down on us. And…” Should she say this? She doesn’t even know you that well. But, that look in your eyes-

“You’re kind.”

_________

I hate genuine kind characters, hard to relate and feel like they're fake.

[mysticwolfshadows]

Taken - Zutara - Part 68

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With Toph's seismic sense guiding them, they find Ozai with little trouble. Within a minute, they're standing in front of thick metal doors, the time keeper the Mechanist gave Sokka signaling the start of the eclipse.

"It's now or never," Katara said. "Toph. Open the door."

"With pleasure."

As Toph stepped up to the door, she saw Sokka's white knuckle grip on his sword, and it suddenly dawned on her. Sokka and their father had been watching her all morning. Sokka less so, but still noticeable. And she realized, as Toph was cracking open the door, that she would be seeing the man that had made her life hell for years. The man that had pushed her, a child, until she had contemplated her own death. Almost wished for it.

And as the doors were pried open, her gaze lifted over rows of elite Fire Nation warriors, and met with the man that had hurt her so deeply all those years ago. And it was not rage for her own pain that set her blood to boil. It was for the sweet boy she had befriended, for the boy he wanted so much for his family to be proud of him. Her skin burned with righteous fury for the son that was burned by this man, by his father, and denied the care before his exile.

"You," Ozai snarled, as his eyes landed on Katara.

Before she could snap back, Aang was stepping forward.

"It's over, Ozai," Aang said, staff at the ready. "See reason and surrender."

Katara knows this mans greed for power to deeply to think he would ever surrender. Already, she was pulling the water from two of her skins.

"Kill them," Ozai ordered, standing up.

With fury in her heart and Vengence in her bending, Katara was already sending the water forward. The soldiers had bare moments to move out of the way before a wall of ice was spliting the room, all the way to the far wall, mere inches from Ozai's face.

"You're not going anywhere," she snarled.

The soldiers quickly regained their composure, and lunged into the fray. Katara looses herself in the fighting, ducking spear thrusts, and sending jets of water into the chests of men. She keeps an eye on Ozai all the while, keeping him corralled on his dais.

She isn't sure how much time passes, so absorbed in the violence. In releasing her steaming rage. When the fighting is done, the soldiers are knocked out or pinned to walls with rock or ice. And there stands Ozai, glowering at them.

"My soldiers," Ozai scoffs. "Defeated by children."

"It's over," Aang said, stepping forward. "Surrender, and save whatever honor."

There's a glint in Ozai's eyes, and he sneers. "Never."

It happens so quickly, Katara isn't quite sure what happens. One second, Ozai is twisting around, sending lightning at Aang. The next, Aang is taking it in, crying out as he sends it off into a far corner of the room. But before anyone can move, Aang is lit up, tattoos glowing with the Avatar State, as he bends the floor to restrain Ozai's arms.

"Fire Lord Ozai," Aang said, voice echoed by all the Avatar's before him, "you and your forefathers have devastated the balance of this world, and now you shall pay the ultimate price!"

And then Aang is touching Ozai's forehead and chest, and the room is bathed in blinding red and blue lights. Katara has to shield her eyes, wondering what in the name of Agni was going on.

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[bingjourney]

Approximately last year (2022), I made decission to pull off my cracked molars. I wasn't ready to let it go, but I have to. I've been chewing with only left side of my mouth for years, and I can feel my teeth are screaming for justice and equality.

As someone who believes in miracles and the posibility of the impossible, i googled whether there is a way to cure cracked tooth. I've been listening to brainwave frequencies, searching of possibility to reattach it with special glue, but my intuition made it clear that I have to let it go.

And this breaks my heart:

I have to say goodbye forever and it is gone, no longer with me. I have to deal with it and accept it.

On my way to dentist, I feel my heart is pounding, I'm nervous because I almost never visit dentist or hospital, or any other health centre. Somehow my body is strong enough to keep it healthy for 3 decades, but I just took it for granted because I thought it was normal.

In front of dentist, I remember it was Ocean dental, I check pick a card tarot reading on youtube to see if I made the right decision with pulling it off. Hey, I'm a libra, it's tough for me to decide something, especially cutting my body part off.

The pick a card reading was from Terri Nichols "yes or no", and it's around 15-20 minutes. But the only sentence I remember is when she said "you will feel nervous right now, but eventually you will feel much better after this. It was the right decision after all."

After the encouragement from my spirit guide through Terri, I entered the dentist and pull my tooth off. I still remember the "crack" sounds echoing in my skull. It was pretty much like breaking ice, and the ice breaks. To celebrate my liberation from the cracked tooth, I decided to eat chicken noodle from Mie Gajah Mada, and I use my right side of mouth to chew.

Yes, there was tears of joy. Streaming like a waterfall.

And so I apologize to my teeth, i told them I'm sorry for abandoning your hygiene so one of you shall go. And I promise I will take care of the rest that still remains.

I go to dentist for scaling, and always brush my teeth for at lest once a day. I never again abuse my teeth by chewing overly tough rock food, and always be gentle when I chew. Of course, whenever I consume sugar, Always rinse with mineral water.

Today, I go to the dentist again to treat the captivy, and received shocking news.

The dentist said that my lost molar is regenerate!!

It's about to regrow!!

I was so happy I cried on my way home. I can't stop expressing my gratitude to God, Angels, Universe, Spirit guides, Ancestors, and my body for this miracle.

I thought it was gone forever and apparently it regrow!

Thank you, thank you so much for this gift, this miracle 🥰🙏

[project-v175]

Out on a Limb

Brutal fighting. That's what the wizarding world had succumbed to. Violence. All her life, she had only known the peace of magic. That changed when she became an apprentice at the ministry. She wanted to be an auror. She wanted to restore peace. He who shall not be named had ruined everything for her, and it needed to be set right. Nothing felt normal for her.. not until him.

Chapter 15: Don’t Leave Me!

Venus woke with a throbbing between her ears. Her heartbeat was echoing in the room. Or perhaps the thrumming was that loud in her chest. Either way, it made the world spin. The unlit room was still too bright for her swimming vision. She lifted herself on her elbows. Her head lolled to the side towards the door. The door swayed open, and Alastor stepped into the doorframe. He stood there as the world stopped moving. There was a frown on his face and pain in his eyes. He stepped up to the bed. His hand slid under Venus’s head. She hadn’t realized how sore her head was. Did she hit it? Was she poisoned? Was she too far from the water? That had to be it. She needed to get out of this bed if she was going to get anywhere near the water. Speaking of locations, where was she? Her body worked against her. As she attempted to sit up, her muscles strained and she felt a sudden wave of weakness wash over her. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t lift herself and had to give up, sinking back onto the bed.

“Stay down..” Alastor’s voice was quiet and cold. He hadn’t spoken to Venus in this tone since they had met. What the hell was his problem?

“What.. the hell happened?” Venus’s voice faded in and out.

“Chloroform. How’s your head?” Straight to the point. Of course. He wasn’t the type to spare any detail.

“Who would want to use-” Venus let her eyes flutter. Alastor’s question registered in her mind. The echoing of her heart was no longer in her ears, but she swore her pulse had never been so strong before. “I’ll be.. Fine. Just need- water..” Venus let her voice drift off again. The comfort of the pillows was all too inviting. Sheets she usually recognized as cold were warm, oh so warm.

Alastor’s presence disappeared for only a moment. His hand had slid from under her head as easily as it slipped in. When he returned, Venus blinked up at him with exhaustion evident in her eyes and painful tears slipping down her cheeks. Alastor wouldn’t let Venus see it, not until it was healed. The large cut on the edges of her hairline would leave a nasty scar. It wouldn’t be as bad as his, but it certainly sent his stomach twisting with guilt. He had let her get hurt. Or worse, caused it.

Just after Venus had passed out in those woods, three Deatheaters had crept out of the trees. They meant to catch Alastor in a moment of weakness. They held the unconscious girl hostage with a knife to her throat. It was mere moments before Venus was free again and the Deatheaters would never be seen again. Alastor preferred to erase those memories from his mind. They were never pleasant. Even though she was free, his amputated leg kept her from harm. No amount of hobbling would have gotten him to her before she fell to the ground. Her head struck a tree root, skin splitting on contact.

Alastor pushed last night from his mind. His hand lifted her slowly off the bed and into a sitting position. A glass of water was placed into the young woman’s hands and guided to her lips. Venus gulped the liquid down after her initial sip. The ice-cold feeling down her throat sent ripples of relief through her. Her ever-growing thirst was finally satisfied. Whatever had happened, she felt better with the water. She let out a sigh of relief. Her eyes immediately searched for Alastor. With her already capable of gulping down water, he was nearly out the door. She stumbled out of bed. The too-fast movements sent her head spinning for a moment. Venus fought through the feeling and began after Alastor. He ignored each of her calls until he reached his room.

Then he turned to her, anger forced into his voice. “What do you want?”

Venus’s eyes went wide. She hadn’t been spoken to like this since she was a child. She felt scolded. “Tell me what happened last night? What happened, not whatever you want me to know. You aren’t telling me everything.”

Alastor whipped around and stormed into his room. He didn’t even bother closing the door before he began packing his things. His wand lifted clothing out of drawers and into a bag, folding them midair. “I told you. Chloroform.”

Venus watched in awe for a moment, then she snapped out of her mind. Her anger coursed through her veins. “From who? And why? Come on, talk to me! Clearly, you care! Or you wouldn’t keep returning me to safety.”

Alastor listened to Venus’s badgering for nearly ten minutes. By the time he had finished packing his bag, she had used every excuse possible. She plucked them from the air, reasoning with Alastor all too well. But her reasoning didn’t persuade him to tell her like she had hoped. Instead, he turned her, frantic and blood boiling. “Deatheaters! Your little stunt in the Black Lake got their attention!” Alastor hobbled forward, his middle finger pressing to his temple. “Constant vigilance! You're- You- You're a distraction. I'm leaving.”

Venus's mouth went agape. Alastor had clearly felt something last night. He saw the parts of her that even the Parletts he kissed her! “Bu- Alastor.. What- It wasn't like I planned on it! You were the one who kissed me anyways! You wanted to go out there!” Venus began reasoning again, to no avail. Alastor's bags floated behind him as he all but stumbled down the stairs. She stood at the top, her foot stomping the floor like a childs. “Fine! If that's how you're going to be, fine! Get out! I don't want to see you anyways!”

Alastor's cold heart shattered. Venus could feel her heart breaking in two while tears formed in her eyes. Both of their stomachs filled with dread. It was a bottomless pit that made Venus want to hurl the emptiness within her. She watched Alastor leave. Creech stood at the bottom of the stairs, confusion etched in his features. Venus fell to the floor, her hands hiding the sobs wrecking her bottom. Creech appeared at her side, his hand soothing the aching within her. Even though she was the one who demanded Alastor to leave, she couldn't help the innocent, childlike begging.

"Come back.. please.. don't leave me.."

___

Author Note

I AM BACK FROM THE DEAD YOU GUYS!! Enjoy this rapidly thrown-together chapter that I hope made you cry. I don't think it's as long as other chapters, but this is what you get for now. I'll need some time to figure out where to take this next so there may be more radio silence. However, I will do my best to keep you updated.

Question: Who's perspective would you like to see next?

1. Alastors

2. Venus's

3. Both

I do feel the need to explain myself to you. About a month ago I hurt my back. Tomorrow morning I will be getting an MRI on it because I am still in pain. Things are looking towards spinal damage, so if it comes down to surgery I will be completely offline for a few months. I will be in physical therapy for a while regardless. I am also graduating high school this May, so my schoolwork has been a pain. In. My. Ass. I hope to have more free time to write soon. Until next time!!

[lovelyfanatical]

I Get a Sugar Rush Whenever I'm With You - Chapter 7.1

Happy Friday fellow Drukkari stans, or whatever day it is for you! Took a little longer, but I'm back with the first installment of the next chapter! If you need to catch up, you can find all other chapters on my table of contents here, or you can find me on AO3 (though you'll need an account to view). Last time, Sprite won Star Baker, Ajak was eliminated, and Makkari invited Druig over. Whatever will happen next? Find out now, in the next mini-chapter of Drukkari in the Great British Bake Off!

In the middle of the week, Druig found himself standing at Makkari’s door, arms full of groceries, wondering once again if this was a date or just a secret hang-out between friends. Hunter seemed to think it was the former, but then again, Hunter had said he’d marry Bobbi a third time if she’d have him, so perhaps he wasn’t the best judge of these things. Druig was leaning toward the latter just when Makkari opened the door, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him, and he found himself hoping that Hunter was right for once. She took a bag from him as she ushered him inside.

Druig wasn’t quite sure what he was expecting. While it was comparable in size to his own, Makkari’s flat was undeniably much homier than his. It wasn’t overflowing, but it was certainly filled with stuff, unlike his own sparse sitting room. That said, it was still tidy, and although he couldn’t decipher its organization himself, he felt there was likely a method to the madness. Instead of cleaning products, it smelled of old books and, as he neared the kitchen, something sweet he couldn’t quite place. As he put the remaining bags on the counter, it hit him.

Did you actually bake a lemon cake? he asked.

I’ve sort of been wanting one since last week, she answered, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Luckily, we don’t need the oven for this recipe.

Shall we get started, then?

Makkari’s eyes widened as he echoed her words from before, and her grin grew even wider.

Since they’d decided to buy cones rather than make them, they made quick work of the ice cream. Makkari guided him through it, observing him steadily as he followed her instructions. Although he was trying to concentrate, Druig thought he caught her looking directly at him rather than what he was doing more than once throughout the process. She’d looked away quickly, but not quick enough for him to not notice.

It wasn’t long before the mixture was in the ice cream maker, then all they had to do was wait. Makkari made tea to go with the lemon cake, which Druig had nearly started eating directly out of the pan, it smelled so good. Makkari had shooed him away while she cut it into slices before bringing him a plate. As they ate their cake, they chatted about work and tea preferences and practice bakes.

I mean, I baked a lot before, but practicing for the competition is practically a part-time job, Makkari said.

It would be, if they paid us, he replied with a mock-pensive expression.

Well, obviously! she retorted with a snort, which made him chuckle. But, if I’m being honest, I didn’t think I’d still be here in week seven.

Druig softened a bit as he responded, You’re not still having doubts about belonging here, are you?

Not nearly as much as before, thanks to you, she said, her expression softening as well. But I still haven’t won Star Baker, and I wasn’t so sure about my performance last week.

I’m sure you’ll win one of these times. And I wasn’t sure about last week either, but neither was anyone else. Well, except Sprite, Druig conceded.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure nothing scares her.

Agreed. I also think she’s actually twelve, maybe thirteen at most. Must’ve made a fake ID to get in.

You said it, not me, Makkari said, shaking her head but still smiling.

Well, I had no doubts that you’d still be in the competition, Druig continued. I’m slightly surprised I’m still here, though.

Hey, you’re not having doubts again, are you? Makkari asked, her face growing a bit more serious.

Only a little. Last week was tough, he admitted. I mean, Ajak’s been baking for years, and she got eliminated.

It is going to be weird without her there, she said sadly. I felt like she was always looking out for us.

Even when she was disapproving of your investigations? he asked.

Even then, she replied wistfully, but her expression grew mischievous again as she added, Although, she was wrong about not interfering.

Why do you say that? he said, though Druig had a feeling he already knew the answer.

I talked to Dane. He has decided to ask Sersi out! Makkari could barely contain her smile, and it proved to be infectious.

Wow, another successful case, then, he said, which made her giggle. I’m sure Sersi will be over the moon on Saturday.

I can’t wait to see her face! Makkari’s expression softened again as she continued, Thanks, by the way.

For what?

For always supporting my shenanigans.

Well, you do most of the heavy lifting.

True, but I couldn’t do it without your help. You make an excellent partner-in-crime.

The conversation was lighthearted, but Druig could feel the weight of her last statement, his heart swelling a bit. Between that and the way she was looking at him now, he was surprised he could form any coherent thoughts. He managed to sign, Thank you, Detective Makkari. It’s an honor to be your partner-in-crime.

Better than being Star Baker?

Undoubtedly.

She giggled at that, making him smile. As she looked up at him through her eyelashes, Druig found himself transfixed. It was as if nothing else in the world existed outside the two of them. All other thoughts seemed to drop away as he looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, and she looked back. They had begun leaning toward each other from across the small kitchen table as they talked, and Druig thought for a moment Makkari might be leaning even closer.

The ice cream maker dinged, and just as quickly as it had started, the moment had passed. Druig got up, and Makkari quickly followed suit. They sampled their chili mango ice cream, and Druig actually felt his knees buckle under him. As his senses came back to him, he noticed Makkari was laughing at his reaction. So, he leaned into it.

Glorious Makkari, I am defeated, he said, collapsing into a chair.

This made her laugh even harder, but she managed to sign, You, sir, are exaggerating!

Not even a little. I’d give you a handshake, but I can’t possibly get up.

She crossed over to him at that, saying, Well, I have to get my handshake.

Makkari offered him her hand, which he gladly took. And if their handshake lingered a bit longer than necessary, neither commented on it.

-

Alternate title for this chapter: Is This a Date: The Sequel! 😆 Hope you enjoyed the fluff!

Part 23

[presefone]

LONG META , persephone's duties x persona, the goddess of elysium and reincarnation , the destroyer & the dreadful :

i just want to say that i do have a gripe with the common description of persephone being an only kind-hearted goddess full of life and usually described as 'the sunshine', 'the cinnamon roll''. i do believe her existence as mere 'kore' was definitely simpler, and that she mostly spent her time with the nimphs, satyrs and mortals, that she was a youthful being and less strict, wanting more in her natural need for fertility and grandness, lover of nature and life-bringer - but as the persephone the hyms describe her, the force behind the name and its meaning, while sympathetic to mortals and heroes and definitely benevolent on cases, was a very dangerous goddess the mortals mostly feared. she ruled not just the underworld, but the season that brought mortals, essentialy, life back. and if she was unpleased, then they would be too ; after her cult became strong in ancient greece, you have depictions of them fearing to say her name out loud, and vowing to kore spokenly instead - the hyms essentially placing her as a guiding force of death, not just life. she was also very ruthless to those two kept duties from being done, and was essentially described as awful and dreadful. she was written as terrible many times before;

Hesiod, Theogony 767 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) : "There, in front [of the ends of the earth], stand the echoing halls of the god of the lower-world, strong Haides, and of awful Persephone. A fearful hound [Kerberos (Cerberus)] guards the house in front . . . keeps watch and devours whomsoever he catches going out of the gates of strong Haides and awful Persephone."

Ovid, Heroides 21. 45 ff (trans. Showerman) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "[A maiden laments the death of her lover :] Ah me, at the very time of marriage cruel Persephone knocks at my door before her day!" [N.B. Here Persephone is the personification of death.]

Orphic Hymn 57 to Chthonian Hermes (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) : "[Hermes] who constant wanderest through the sacred seats where Haides' dread empress, Persephone, retreats; to wretched souls the leader of the way, when fate decrees, to regions void of day . . . for Persephone, through Tartaros dark and wide, gave thee for ever flowing souls to guide.

she's hardened, she's dutiful and feared for it. and while we do have many other tales of her being written as benelovent and the wise next to haides, i like to think she is both. all the time. she's nurturing because she brings forth life, but she's feared because she is one of the guides of death, she forbrings the thawn of ice but also, she is all of it within the concept of rotting and fading away and waiting for your final judgement, both raw and cruel as well as the one giving a second chance and an offer for rebirth:

Theognis, Fragment 1. 703 ff (trans. Gerber, Vol. Greek Elegiac) (Greek elegy C6th B.C.) : "Persephone who impairs the mind of mortals and brings them forgetfulness. No one else has ever contrived this, once death's dark cloud has enveloped him and he has come to the shadowy place of the dead and passed the black gates which hold back the souls of the dead, for all their protestations."

Pindar, Dirges Fragment 133 (trans. Sandys) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "But, as for those from whom Persephone shall exact the penalty of their pristine woe, in the ninth year she once more restoreth their souls to the upper sun-light; and from these come into being august monarchs, and men who are swift in strength and supreme in wisdom; and, for all future time, men call them sainted heroes." [N.B. Pindar appears to be saying that the soul is judged in Hades and, if found guiltless, passes on to the realm of Elysium. It must, however, return to earth twice more and suffer two more deaths. Then, finally, Persephone releases it from the cycle--it returns to earth once more to live life as a righteous king, hero or sage, before being sent to the paradisial Islands of the Blest.]

Statius, Silvae 5. 1. 253 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) : "Whenever a shade approaches that has won the praise of a loving spouse, Proserpine [Persephone] bids summon joyful torches, and the heroines of old come forth from hallowed bowers and scatter the shades of gloom in radiant light, and strew garlands and Elysian flowers before her."

so there's this belief that persephone breaks the cicle and created reincarnation, which makes sense considering spring can be life ( and represents it, with a very dark-known myth i won't get into right now ). perhaps the mortals mostly feared not being worthy of it, and that her judgement would be unforgiving. but yes, this is the route i'm taking. maybe my persephone will be perceived as cruel by your muse at times, but she's doing what she considers righteous ; she's still a representative of death, after all, and it is never pleasurable to face it.

[scribbling-dragon]

15, 29

15. what wip are you taking into next year with you?

adaptive nature, unless i somehow manage to finish it before the end of this year (which is doubtful, but not entirely impossible. it would just take more time than i can probably spare atm)

29. favourite line/passage you wrote this year

ooo. quite a few, some from adaptive nature come to mind but this one is one of my favourite (and more recent) ones

“Seek the forgotten heart,” she says, “Seek it in the darkest depths, and remember to bring your brightest light. Your light shall test you, as will the past, and the flower has thorns that you will not spot. Trust in them, for the flower shall aid you, and the past will guide you. Remember,” her face is going hazy, and his legs have gone almost completely numb, “You are not alone. You do not carry the ice of Aeor with you any longer, I have spared you that burden. Love those around you, or they can slip away far too quickly for you to truly cherish.”

Her face fades, the last of her advice echoing in his ears as he sinks back into a more blissful darkness.

“Hold your heart close, for there is no greater weapon, my dear child.”

I just like this chunk because it's something i had wanted to write for a while (that whole end of the chapter has been drafted since i started writing adaptive nature lol) and it holds a Lot of significance for the penultimate few chapters of the fic ;)

(x)

[xcerizex]

"Preciously, endlessly, I long not for you but your smile.

Just as he'd promised to her, he began subtly guiding her throughout her journey in Godheim.

He does his best to stay out of her way as he pulls the strings from behind. Cael makes sure to steer her away from the Paragons in order for her to successfully find the truth. And he knows that in doing so, she will have to suffer and endure many hardships. In her eyes, this was unavoidable if she truly wanted to save Godheim.

So no matter what happens, come what may be, he will not falter. This was her wish, and he has no intention of discarding it for his own wants.

So why is he wavering now?

"Haaaaaa...."

'It hurts'

A strangled sound barely escaped his lips, resembling closely to that of a weak cry of an animal. He could barely hear it however, the violent rush of the blizzard determined to drown out everything and nothing, including his sorrow.

His hand clutched the mound of flesh that used to be her hand, pressing the lapis necklace as close to her as possible. But despite how desperately he searched for it, there no trace of warmth to be found anywhere.

Her body had already gone cold from the snow.

His hand tightening around the pendant and her hand, the words he wishes to say to her echo hollowly in his head.

'Won't you...give up this time?

As if it were responding to him, mocking him, the lapis necklace began to pulsate and glow with power. Her power.

'... It's as I've thought. Truly, I've become an utter fool.'

This meant that she was determined still, ready once again to push forward. Even if it meant suffering a hundred more deaths, and a thousand more days.

And if this was what she wanted, he had a duty to see it to the end. No matter what it takes, he will endure.

He has no choice but to endure.

'Even...when it's this painful?'

With her right in front of him, he feels like his heart is being pierced from the inside, the sharpness of it forcing it's way up his throat. Threatening to choke him right then and there, to kill him if the ice would not.

His silhouette resembles that of a statue, a masterpiece of despair carved by hand. If anyone were to look at his face, they'd laugh in glee and delight. While expressionless, the pain swirls like a torrent in his eyes, it's edges red enough to be mistaken for blush.

Oh, what a splendid sight it is! The apathetic facade of the Silver Knight, reduced to nothing but misery as the cold pierces through his skin, all the way to his heart.

He knows it's not because of the cold. He knows that the pain in his chest shall never cease, till the day comes she finally returns "home", safe and sound.

'... But it's as you've said, you won't run away.'

So he leans forward, wrapping her arms around her mangled body in an embrace. Hoping to comfort her in her final moments, before time turns back and they are separated once more.

Or perhaps he's lying to himself. It's quite pathetic really. After all, she had already bled out long ago, the blood from her wounds dried. It's the reason his clothes stay clean, despite how tightly he's holding on to her.

'But just this once...while she's still here...'

While he still has the right to stay by her side...

His pitiful reprieve is cut short as the pendant becomes brighter, enveloping the both of them in a blinding light. Signaling the beginning of a new timeline.

'...Goodbye.'

"...And thus, he loved her with a love more than love."

[gobboguy]

Chapter 31: The Gelbeg Domination

The icy winds howled around Cairn Doom, sweeping down from the snow-covered peaks that loomed like ancient titans against the steel-gray sky. The very air crackled with an unnatural energy, as if the mountain itself trembled in anticipation of the impending storm.

On the frozen battlefield below, the Orcish troops stood in formation, a formidable and intimidating sight. Massive horses, their breath visible in the frigid air, snorted steam as they pawed at the ice beneath their hooves. Standard bearers held high the banner of the Orcs, a symbol of their unity and strength - a black flag bearing the unmistakable mark of a green hand, a sign of the Orcs' indomitable will.

Atop a balcony jutting out from Cairn Doom, Ionia, clad in black armor adorned with the emblem of the green hand, stepped forward. Her generals flanked her, their eyes fierce with determination, and at her right stood Ulf, her daughter, a living testament to the future Ionia envisioned for the Orcish people.

Ionia's voice, like thunder echoing through the mountains, cut through the biting cold. Her words carried a conviction that seemed to freeze the very air. "Orcs!" she bellowed, her voice carrying the weight of destiny. "Today, we stand at the precipice of greatness. MOG, in all his wisdom, has granted us this moment, this chance to claim what is rightfully ours!"

The wind whistled as Ionia continued, her eyes ablaze with fervor. "We will march across the Kingdom of Acury, leaving a trail of ash and conquest in our wake! Farfield, that wretched bastion of humanity, will crumble before our might. Gelbeg's dream, the dream of a homeland for the Orcs, will be realized in the flames of victory!"

She raised a gauntleted fist, the metal glinting dully in the pale light. "We will burn their villages, pillage their riches, and conquer every inch of their accursed land until it bows to the rule of the Orc! MOG has spoken to me through my daughter, showing us the path to triumph. Today, Gelbeg will be avenged, and the Orcs shall reign supreme!"

The Orcish troops below roared in response, their voices merging with the howling wind, creating a cacophony of warlike fervor that resonated through the frozen landscape. The march towards Farfield had begun, a relentless tide of Orcish fury, unstoppable and unyielding, fueled by the vision of their leader and the promise of a homeland long denied to them.

Amidst the icy gusts and the eerie stillness of the mountain, Ulf, the daughter of Ionia and Gelbeg, stepped forward, her transformation evident in her altered appearance. Her once grey-green skin had darkened to a deep, menacing shade of red, adorned with intricate snake-scale patterns that glistened in the pale light. Her eyes, once human, now glowed with a serpent-like yellow hue, reflecting the ancient power coursing through her veins. Fangs protruded from her mouth, and her once-human features were now marked by a primal, fearsome aura. Clad in dark armor that seemed to merge seamlessly with her new form, she exuded an air of authority and raw power that commanded respect.

Raising her head high, Ulf addressed the assembled Orcish warriors with a voice that resonated with newfound strength and conviction. "My fellow Orcs," she began, her words carrying an otherworldly resonance, "we stand on the cusp of a new era, a glorious transformation gifted to us by MOG himself! Our very beings have been reshaped, elevated to a higher state, and in this new form, we are unstoppable!"

"With the blessings of MOG," Ionia's voice cut through the tension, her eyes fierce with conviction, "I hereby declare Ulf, the first Orc Saint, chosen by MOG himself." The Orcs bowed deeply, their acknowledgment a testament to the sacredness of the moment.

Beside her, Ulf stood tall, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly fervor. "Our transformation, guided by the hands of MOG, marks a new era for our people," she declared, her words echoing off the mountains witnessing the glory of the Orcs. "We will honor our deity with the blood of our enemies, and in return, MOG shall bestow upon us a kingdom worthy of Gelbeg's dreams."

Split-Nose, her face wild with religious fanaticism, stepped forward. "I pledge my service as the High Priestess of MOG," she intoned, her voice resonating with ancient power. "With MOG's favor, we shall rise, spilling the blood of man in His name."

The Orcs erupted in a primal roar, their loyalty sworn to their leaders and their dark deity. The mountain seemed to shudder in response, acknowledging the weight of the promises made within its stone walls.

Her eyes glinted with fervor as she continued, her voice carrying across the frozen battlefield. "The blood of Farfield shall flow like a river, a sacrifice to MOG that will pave the way for our Kingdom! Gelbeg's dream will no longer be a distant hope but a tangible reality, carved in the very stones of our conquest. With every drop of their blood spilled, we bring honor to MOG, our eternal patron, and we further our rightful claim to this land."

Ulf's gaze swept over the Orcish horde, her words resonating with an eerie confidence. "In Gelbeg's name, we shall establish our Kingdom, a realm born from the ashes of Farfield. The time for orcish subjugation is over; we are the chosen, the transformed, and we shall rise above all others. The very earth shall tremble beneath our feet, and the heavens themselves shall acknowledge our dominion."

The Orcs roared in response, their voices mingling with the howling wind, a cacophony of triumph and impending conquest. Ulf, now the embodiment of their aspirations, stood tall and unwavering, her presence commanding absolute loyalty from her people. The destiny of the Orcs had been rewritten, and under her guidance, they would reshape the world in the image of their newfound power.

[lily-of-rabanastre]

Ascilia, Chapter 11, Scene 02 Excerpt

Just a little something while I finish up this chapter. Only about two more scenes to go, one long and one short.

A full hour had passed by the time the trio returned to Thavnair by way of the vault’s hidden aetheryte. Having found no sign of the invading souls, it seemed as if Y’shtola’s hopeful hunch had been correct from the start. With that in mind they put the matter aside and went their separate ways.

For Y’shtola, that meant departing for Gyr Abania, that she might request the cooperation of Garlond Ironworks. For Ascilia, that meant departing for Meghaduta, that she might ascertain the state of Ahewann’s consciousness. And for Lily, who had received a call on her linkpearl about halfway through their search, that meant waiting in the city’s aetheryte plaza.

Barely ten minutes had passed when her expected guest arrived in a flash of light. Dressed in her usual ice blue longcoat, her wavy blonde hair curling down over her horns and past her shoulders, Mikoto seemed as if she were cut from memory itself. It was a shame they’d only ever seen each other a scant few times—and never at a time when they could unwind together.

Tonight was no different. She and Ascilia had only sought to reach out to her for her expertise. But as she approached her nervous looking friend, Lily couldn’t help but hope her time here in Thavnair could be more than that.

“It’s good to see you again, Mikoto,” she called to the Auri Archon. “And thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Glancing her way, Mikoto seemed to study her form for several seconds before suddenly gasping. “Heavens, is that you, Galbana Lily? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in such regal attire. There were people wearing similar garments in my visits to Thavnair, of course, but is there some special occasion or custom you’re observing?”

At this, Lily couldn’t help but give a soft laugh. “It is a bit traditional, hm hm! My sister and a good friend convinced me to go all out for my wedding proposal—I’ve not had the opportunity to change into something more casual.”

“Your wedding proposal?” Mikoto smiled warmly. “Never did I imagine you as a bride to be. To whom did you propose, my friend, and did they accept?”

“I’ll tell you all about it on the way to Meghaduta,” Lily replied, offering her hand. “Shall we?”

Minutes later the pair arrived within the halls of Meghaduta, guided by a friendly Radiant to an ostentatious dining hall. Seated at the near end of a long table were Rubedo and Ascilia. While her sister sat dourly in the same blue sari she’d last seen her wearing, her beloved had taken the time to switch out from her white armored dress to a pink draped gown—a style common in her native Dalmasca.

Between them were an assortment of traditional Thavnairian dishes, enough for five or six guests.

“Glad to see you made it back safely, love,” said Ascilia as she rose up to greet them. Leaning up onto the tips of her toes, she kissed Lily on the cheek, then smiled as she turned to their new guest. “And thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice, Miss Jinba. Please, have a seat.”

Returning Ascilia’s smile with one of her own and a curtsy, Mikoto quickly took a seat beside Rubedo. “Please, call me Mikoto. And it is I who must thank you for calling upon me. I’m afraid I’ve made little progress in my study of the crystals Lily and I utilized in Bozja. My research was deemed prohibited, and banished to the restricted archives of Noumenon.”

“Why would they—” Lily began to ask, only to roll her eyes in disdain. Of course Sharlayan would do that. “Those crystals can allow one with the Echo to directly interact with—and alter—the recipient’s memories. I can’t imagine the Forum was thrilled with that revelation.”

“I’m afraid your conclusion is correct,” Mikoto admitted. Reaching into one of the pockets of her longcoat, however, she swiftly produced a collection of papers and an all too familiar crystal. “Thankfully, I have always been diligent and judicious in my research, taking notes in triplicate should the need arise. And though it delayed my arrival, our allies in Bozja were happy to lend me a freshly charged crystal.”

As Mikoto set the notes down on the table, away from the dinner plates, Ascilia let out a hearty chuckle. “You’d have fit right in with Louisoix and his disciples, I believe. But are you certain you wish to take this risk for our sake?”

“Such duplicity is hardly becoming of an Archon,” Mikoto admonished her, though from the beaming smile and warm cheeks, it seemed to Lily that the compliment had struck home. “Rest assured that I have taken every precaution to protect my reputation that I could afford.” Then, glancing back towards the entrance, her smile faded. “... But before we take part in tonight’s festivities, might I request an examination of the patient? If what Krile has told me is true, my coming may well have been for naught.”

“That will not be necessary,” said Rubedo, her voice barely louder than a whisper. “Ascilia and I can tell you everything you need to know.”

Turning aside, Mikoto opened her mouth to speak, only to shut it as she stared into Rubedo’s eyes. After an uncomfortable period of silence, she cleared her throat and gave a friendly smile. “My apologies, I was so consumed with the matter ahead that I neglected to introduce myself. I am Mikoto Jinba, an Archon and specialist in the field of aetherology—particularly the study and application of aetherial wave-forms. To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“... R-Rubedo…” Rubedo stammered, her eyes flitting towards Lily, then Ascilia. “I-I am…”

“It’s okay, Rubedo,” said Ascilia, her tone as warm and gentle as her words were cryptic. “You needn’t be afraid.”

Leaning back into her chair, Rubedo took a deep breath, as if to steady her nerves. Then she straightened her back and cleared her throat. There was a haunted look in her eyes and a clinical dryness in her tone as she began to speak, and though it had been Mikoto who’d asked, Lily sensed that her sisters’s words weren’t for their newfound guest at all.

“Rubedo kir Valnain, Senior Medicus of the IVth Legion,” she firmly declared. “I am a practitioner of medicine and alchemy, and have served for thirty years as a field medic, physician, and surgeon.”

The room seemed to fall silent thereafter, the air thick with tension. Something dreadful had finally clicked within Lily’s mind as it dragged itself back to a day three months prior. On that day she had seen to the capture of thirty-three remnants of the IVth Legion. It would have been thirty-four, had one not managed to give her the slip. And now here she was, that enemy and countryman. A life she’d almost clapped in irons.

Her own flesh and blood.

Her eyes drifted down to the cups before them, her throat suddenly drier than a desert. But to lift her glass, to lift her head, would mean meeting her sisters’ gaze. The whole room began to stretch and spin away, the voices around her drowning out in a rush of blood to her ears. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt like this, but not once in her life had she ever felt so…

“Thank you for clarifying your… former occupation,” boomed the muffled voice of Mikoto. “I hope to say such honesty and forthrightness has given me reason to place my faith in you. Though I must confess—my previous experience in working with the IVth Legion was... quite unpleasant.”

“I am not surprised,” Rubedo’s voice echoed far above her. “The Daeva we call ‘Necessity’ has done more to destroy their reputation than any rebellion, ever since the Barheim Incident over eight years ago. But I digress…”

As far as Lily could tell, the discussion had turned to Ahewann. But for the life of her she couldn’t make out what they were saying. Her head was pounding, her heart thumping harder, beating faster than she could ever recall. And the room continued to spin, her gaze drifting deeper into the reflection in her cup. Golden eyes stared up from within the water, piercing through her.

Her father’s eyes, sharp and cold. The Vulture’s eyes, a disguise to protect herself. Her eyes.

Reaching down, she gripped the cup before her, lifting it to her lips and downing its contents. Then she set it down, leaving what could only be a bloody handprint upon its immaculate clay surface. Standing up from her seat, she bowed her head.

“May I be excused?” she asked no one in particular. “I need to lie down.”

Without so much as waiting for an answer, not that she could’ve heard one, Lily hurried from the room, slamming the door shut with such inhuman strength that the entire world shattered. Down the crumbling halls of Meghaduta she fled, the walls collapsing into darkness until all that remained were ringing echoes of her sandals against the impossible floor beneath her. She knew not where she was running. Nor did she care. Anywhere was better than where she was running from.

Even this cold, empty void.

[myjennieblr]

Avatar Legends: Prologue, Part 1

Once, they were the greatest defenders of humanity that no one knew about.

Once, they had had monasteries and safe houses sprinkled over all the continents.

Once, Avatars had sought them out, sought their knowledge and their connections and their intelligence networks, to help keep the world in balance.

Bohai pushed the prophecy scroll aside with a sigh, wondering which of the long-abandoned strongholds might have records of the Order’s decline from that golden age of prosperity and influence. He had never found a satisfactory answer as to why the Order had fallen. Whatever had caused it, the balance had been broken and the evils of the world were on the rise, even as the Order had dwindled to a bare handful of them, scattered across far too wide a range, trying to keep the balance. To find the most pivotal Moments to stop the forces of Disorder in their unending quest for destruction.

Where was the Defender of All?  Surely it was time for their arrival? Bohai had made a study of the Defender prophecies. Ever since he had been old enough to understand how bleak the Order’s future was if nothing was done to change its path, he had realized that the prophecies of the Defender held their last, best hope. And he had made it his mission to find them. He would be the Teal Emissary spoken of in the prophecies. The one to find them and guide them onto their path.

He pulled the scroll back towards him again, unrolling it and reading over the words once more, despite having every one of the prophecies memorized.

“And the Defender of All shall use fire to calm troubled waters, thus shall you know them.”

He shivered in the chill of the old keep. He had hiked up here from Bodishai, hoping that this old stronghold would have records he had not yet accessed. He had spent the last few years in the Fire Nation before coming here, hoping that the reference to fire meant a Fire Bender, and the winter cold here was harsher than he had become used to. But there had been nothing more in the old keep than a few dusty scrolls locked away behind a well-crafted false wall in what had once been the library.

He pulled his blue-green cloak around him and packed the scrolls away into his bag. If he left now, he would be back in the town before darkness had fallen. He stepped outside, feet crunching on the skiff of new snow that had fallen, his breath forming clouds in the air. The charwoman at the inn he was staying at had said it was the coldest it had been in years, and that it was going to get colder still. Just his luck.

He was halfway back to the town when he heard a great roaring sound and an echoing boom not far away. There was a pause, then another echoing crash and another roar. Startled, he moved carefully towards the sound. That was the sound of destruction. Of unbalance. And that made it likely his concern.

After a careful few minutes moving through the snow-covered trees, Bohai found himself on the edge of a basin carved from the hillside. The basin held a pool at its base, rimmed with ice. At the edge of the pool, a girl stood, calmly facing a snarling water spirit.

“That’s enough of that,” she said sharply, tucking a stray wisp of brown hair back into the fur-lined hood of her cloak. “You are being ridiculous.”

The water spirit roared, hefting a large rock from the water below it and hurling it towards the girl. It splashed down into the water in front of her, shattering the accumulated ice around the edge of the pool and sending a spray of frigid water at her. Bohai swore under his breath. Being soaked in this weather was deadly.

Planting one dainty foot on an exposed rock, the girl spun, fire sparking from her hands and deflecting the deluge away from her, the cold water hissing as it hit the wall of fire she had pulled up. Her cloak, Bohai noted as it swirled outwards as she spun, was also fur-lined.

“You are going to have to talk to me eventually,” the girl said. “What’s got you mad enough to attack like this? You’ve always shared your water before… and it’s the only place not frozen right now! The people and animals around here need it more than ever.”

The spirit roared again, splashing at the girl again, though it didn’t have quite the same energy as before. The girl hopped over the spray, landing on another exposed rock with only a tiny bit of a wobble as her foot slipped a little on the slick surface.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” she said again. “Maybe I can help. Maybe the others can help. But my friends need water, and this is not okay. And if you keep this up, I’m going to get very angry.” Her tone of voice changed, turned wheedling. “Come on, Manshui, talk to me. Tell me what the problem is. Tell me what you need.”

“They can’t have my water. I need it.” The spirit huffed.

“You always shared before,” the girl said, sounding puzzled. “What has changed?”

“There was always more water. Sharing did not matter. There was more. No more water. Only cold.”

“No more… Oh! Your spring froze over!” The girl smiled at the sullen spirit. “Well, I bet I can fix that.”

“What?” The spirit looked confused.

“You need to let me come over there. Are you going to let me help you, or are you going to keep throwing a tantrum?”

“You can help?”

“Well, I’m not guaranteeing anything, but it’s not like I’m likely to make things worse, now, is it?” The girl began picking her way around the edge of the half-frozen pond. “The ice won’t last forever… this cold will break in a few days, or a few weeks.”

Bohai held his breath as the girl made her way closer and closer to the still-agitated spirit, apparently fearless. There was, he could see, a fissure in the rock that had built up an impressive glittering ice sculpture. The girl examined it critically, thumping on it with one hand.

“I can get rid of this,” she said. “It should let the water flow again. But it will freeze over again in a couple of days if it stays this cold. I will come back every three or four days to thaw it for you, if you will promise to let people come for water. They won’t take enough to endanger your pool, not just for drinking water.”

“Show me,” the spirit said, radiating distrust.

“Promise me,” the girl shot back. “Or your spring can remain frozen and you can panic about it until it thaws.”

“I promise,” the spirit grumbled.

Nodding her satisfaction, the girl pushed back her hood and tossed the edges of her cloak back over her shoulders to keep them out of the way, planting her feet firmly on the stones she was balanced on. She breathed in deeply, and Bohai could see the gathering energy before she exhaled a massive gout of flame. The fire bathed the accumulated ice, and he lost sight of her in the cloud of steam that rose as the girl’s fire melted the ice away, vapour condensing immediately in the chill air.

When the cloud cleared, water was falling in a steady stream from the fissure in the rock, splashing down into the open water of the pond. The girl was looking at the spirit, who appeared much calmer.

“Every three or four days?” The spirit asked.

“Every three or four days,” the girl answered.

“I promised. I promise.”

“Good. And next time, just tell us what the problem is. Seriously. This? Little problem. Easy to solve.” She pulled the cloak back around herself, tugging on a pair of mittens that she had pulled from the cloak’s pocket. They were dyed the same colour as her cloak, Bohai noticed. He swallowed hard, watching as she turned to walk away along a path that led up and out of the basin. Bohai started to move too. If he hurried, he would be able to be at the lip of the basin by the time she had finished the climb up and out.

Was it actually possible?

The words of the prophecy echoed in his head.

[okruchlodu]

Enveloped in shadow and candlelight, Yennefer of Vengerberg brings to mind a December morning, silver with frost: she brings to mind, a blizzard of ice, shivering, dangerous; annihilating; her eyes flash, a startling, violent shade of purple; her mouth, soft and sweet with lipstick, summons upon its curves a dispassionate, alluring smirk. She does not answer him with words, only with laughter, sharp; breathless, and provocative in its malicious nature, spilling like deep, dark water from her mouth and draping its lovely, menacing echoes around the both of them, a mantle of velvet; he guides them in a dance somewhere amidst the throngs of couples twirling along the grand hall, and readily does she follow his unspoken rules, ebbing and flowing in time to his desires and moods as he leads her to the ballroom floor. It’s a game for the long haul, and she does like Gale Dekarios in his grandest of forms: too often lured with promise only for her to sell him down the river- he can now taste his bitterness between his teeth, thinks the enchantress, furious and inflamed, a spurned, no longer wanted, cast-off of a pawn in her hands— how could she blame him for it? He is a dark star full of flames, and she likes how it burns. Decidedly wicked. Betrayal suits him well; surely, he must be secretly, thrillingly aware that he is pursuing the right tactics— the very ones she's hoped he shall.

Yennefer hums idly, a heated, dark sound that displays her aloof amusement as she purposefully imposes upon what little distance that remains between them. ❝ — oh? ❞  how masterfully placed you are, then, if you truly believe me to be up to something, goes unuttered. And yet, she beckons and something in him, must follow still, as though ensnared by the slithering shadows, the dark promise of her call. ❝ hm... ❞ — a dance and no more? Truly? — ❝ That,❞ her eyes never leave him, their unnatural violet gaze both piercing and intrusive.  ❝ remains to be seen.❞ the word choice is blatant, ignited by the spark of devilry in her gaze.

The music swells and she flows with its demands, drapes her arms leisurely round his neck in a loose embrace, tosses a shock of raven curls off her shoulders, and their heads suddenly plunge in a close, fragrant closeness that causes the spark in her eyes to intensify and the right corner of her lips to curl further up. ❝ you have nothing to fear of my calculations. I am here for pleasure, Gale.  ❞  informs him Yennefer at her leisure, her imposing posture mimicking the change of direction in the dance.

Moonlight, nude on the tapestries swaying in the breeze streaming in the hall through the windows, shines; it is all fire-bright and gleaming around them, violas and dresses soaked by candlelight, light beams gliding over velvet carpets, roses drooping in the heat,  whispers and laughter, the smell of spiced wine. It is the warm breath from her parted lips, the gleam of her eyes, shining like a mirror, and how her dark hair spills like spun silk down her back as they move together, streaming over his hands.   ❝ —and I shall not leave you wondering... I have an excellent sense of dramatic timing, it appears. Here I am... minding my business when I'm invited to this feast thrown in the name of the heroes of the Empty Lands ... Imagine my surprise to discover you among them.❞ a pretend air of disbelief drenches her voice, threaded with laughter (silver and ice), inviting a darker smirk in their wake. ❝ How valiant! Forgive me if I should grow weak in the knees. ❞ she taunts.

@waterdepths

He saw her from a mile away. In fact, if he's allowed one moment to be poetic with his thoughts, perhaps he'd felt her from eons past. Gods. Gale huffs a little, whirling his tumbler. He's half-way drunk, that he'd admit, but by the gods' strange favor, still sharp. Able.

The loud music pulses. The lit candle burns. About this frivolity, Gale feels remarkably comfortable. He's a scholar, of course, more of the like to lean on a well-stocked library, but as a man of affluence and a silver-spoon living, the luxuries of a ball is long-since known. There twirl ladies red in suede, men in suits pink with velvet, and Yennefer in her frock of ink-spilling blacks... She's dressed for a funeral. His ego-death. Gale decides she's novel, the crowd parting as though she's miasmic in her allure, but he, like a doe, sits nighttime-still. Forget the wine, he grouses. He tastes berries on his lips. To endure her at all, he'll require a cellar, and grabbing her flute, she swoops right in.

He swallows. His wise brow is straight, the depths of his gaze twinkling hot with caution. Brace yourself, he thinks. She may little indulge in the joys so had in a setting like this, but to wrangle a wizard around her scheming fingers... Oh, moving like a storm, she'll enjoy this plentifully.

"With all due respect," of which that measure is left entirely vague, "I very much doubt I could wound you in any that matters." How smart. Gale keeps his gaze leveled as she comes upon him, a vision of fury and a whisper of doom. Her dress is deep in shade, some obsidian, Shadowfell-plunging, the candlelight upon it like moonlight on tar. He himself is brighter, restrained but no less ravishing, a sash of purple across his chest and his tailcoat jeweled, a delight of fuchsia and teal-stoned fixings. He hadn't expected festivities like this right now, but stranger things have happened. He's battling death two ways, is singing with poisoned blood in his veins, and yet, even stranger than being spirited upon the nautiloid, this sorceress, smiling, can't leave him alone.

Mystery, he'll call her. She takes his hand, and with some guilt, Gale wagers she's casting the line to some ploy. As it stands, he is a bare-hearted thing, perhaps foolish in how much he wants to see good, and gods up above, she's long-since known that. He raises his drink in answer, hand heavy beneath her palm. She, taunts him, eyes lightning, and his orb throbs mad. "I'm noticing you aren't clarifying which way my miscalculation leans," Gale says all the same, tone tight and straight. At his ear, Mystra's symbol glimmers. "I'm hardly far gone enough to try my hand at your arithmetic. You're calculating," he continues, "and in a way I find mathematicians should collectively shudder to. I've never known you to be anything but purpose in a woman, and I'm certainly not far gone enough to believe a dance just that." Yet, he rises all the same. His party saved a noble some days back, had been gifted a ball in their honor, and fate, a comedy, offers him her. Hells. He frees his hand beneath hers to cover her own. "If the sherry is wanting, then slake your appetite on this dance you're seeking. I assure you, you won't leave with much more." Remembering how she snatched the beast from his hands... Bitter, are we? He guides her toward the floor. "I should wonder by what cruel hand of fate would have me sat square in another web of a plan of your making," he says, bowing. Then, he grabs her waist.

[ack3rlady]

The Universe Had His Back - Chapter 6

Sunshine

Summary: Reader finally goes back home to meet Levi & Luna and discovers the true reason behind her fallout with him.

Chapters: Five | Six | Seven

Master List

Warnings: Fem! Reader, Fluff, Spice - non-explicit , Modern AU

Word Count: ~ 2.7k

Inspiration: Shall We - Chen

Tags: @sooibian, @queenofcurse, @red-n-tall, @badbitxhbuckybarnes , @sweet-assh0le ; Anyone else who'd like to be tagged, please let me know!

Being at the patisserie today was difficult. You were exhausted after staying up all night in anticipation of how the day would go. The thought of returning to your old home that evening to see Levi and Luna combined with the revelation bombs that Hange had dropped on you yesterday had your heart in your throat for a good part of the day.

You were so distracted that a dozen eggs went flying from your hands when Miche tapped on your shoulder from behind during one of his usual visits, causing a huge mess on the kitchen floor. You had blown up at your new assistants Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie for looking at you wrong when they rushed to help with cleaning up the mess, after which Miche had officially ordered everyone to stay out of your way.

Your head rested on his shoulder, as you ate a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich, sat in the breakroom during lunch hour. Mikasa sat opposite you, quietly analyzing your body language, contemplating whether breaking the silence would be the correct choice to make. The television news anchor’s gibber-gabber played like white noise in the background while you chewed on the dry bread at a frustratingly slow pace, your eyes glued to the Aztec patterns on the ceramic backsplash beyond the sink. After hearing you sigh for the fourth time in three minutes, Miche decided to finally speak up.

“You do realize you’re not going to war, right? It’s just your little girl, not a titan. What has got you this terrified?”

He was right. Why were you overthinking this? Luna was your own daughter. She could never hate you, could she? Would she despise you for not being there for her for the last two months? What if she refused to see you today? What if she refused to see you at all? Your breathing began speeding up again.

“Oi!”, Miche jerked his shoulder and shook you out of your thoughts. “Stop worrying, will you? It'll be just fine.”

This resulted in another sigh from you and an eyeroll from the two.

Hours flew by in a matter of what felt like seconds. It was already time to leave for the much-awaited reunion. You assured Miche that you were okay to drive when he offered you a lift. Upon beginning on the familiar route you took every day for the last five years before you moved, memories of the long periods you spent stuck in traffic, longing to see your family after an exhausting day at work flashed before your eyes. Unlike then, you were hoping to be stuck in it today, just so that you could buy more time to prepare yourself.

But obviously, life had other plans. You zoomed past surprisingly empty roads and didn’t have stop at many red lights. And before you knew it, you pulled up on the street outside the house, your house, within fifteen minutes. You sat in your car frantically shaking your leg and running your hands through your hair, looking at the little home where you had spent both the best and the worst days of your life.

Light emanated from the large windows, the Prussian blue front door that you and Levi had painted yourselves, was closed, the lawn was freshly mowed, and Luna’s swing set sat on the grass just like it did while you still lived there. The sight made your heart warm, but you couldn’t get yourself to walk towards it. You gripped the steering wheel and laid your head on it, trying to calm down, until a knock on the window caused you to jump. You looked up to find Levi hunched over and motioning you to step outside.

“Oi! You’ve been parked here for thirty minutes. Are you coming home or what?”, he asked when you lowered the window.

Home?

You decided to finally leave the comfortable confines of your vehicle and slowly made your way to the house, your heart beating rapidly. Levi’s hand found yours; the warmth from his fingers intertwining with yours made your breath hitch.

“It's going to be okay. She’s really excited to see you.”, he assured you when you met his eyes.

Inhaling deeply, you stepped inside the house. Everything looked exactly how you remembered it. The sheer white curtains lining the French windows were gently blowing with the breeze, the rich cherry-wood grandfather clock that stood ticking away at the far end of the living room, books were lined neatly on shelves, family pictures were mounted on the wall, warm yellow light from the lamps illuminated all these features - it was all unchanged. You were instantly drawn to the pictures. Letting go of Levi’s hand, you moved to stand in front of the wall, softened gaze roaming through them and reminiscing the happy memories they brought back.

“Mama!” You were roused from your reverie by a voice you yearned to hear for the last two months. Immediately, Luna had clung to your leg like a koala bear.

“Loonie!” you squealed, picking her up and pulling her into a solid embrace.

“I missed you, Mama!”, she reciprocated with an equally tight hug.

“Oh, I missed you so much more, baby girl!”, you didn’t realize when you began sobbing.

Levi, who was happily watching your reunion from a distance, walked closer and placed his hand on your shoulder, giving it a light squeeze as a reminder for you to stay strong.

“I’ll get dinner ready. Moon beam, why don’t you take Mama up to your room?”, he drew Luna’s attention as you stole some moments to compose yourself. The little one zealously tugged on your hand and guided you upstairs yapping in excitement the whole way.

You watched in awe as she told you story after story about everything she could possibly remember since the day you last saw her. Her angelic voice was like cool water to your parched ears. What took you so long to come back here? All the fear of rejection vanished in thin air as Luna modeled the new dresses you just gifted to her, and showcased the toys and books that her doting Papa, uncles and aunts bought. She insisted that you tie her hair into two space buns like you always did before because apparently, “Papa never gets it right like you do.”

Levi leaned against the door frame and smiled at the sight of Luna theatrically narrating an especially thrilling story about her encounter with a ladybug in the backyard. He clicked a mental picture of his little girl's dramatic oration while you marveled at her as if she sprinkled the stars up in the sky. As soon as she was finished telling how the polka-dotted bug landed right on the ridge of her nose, she spotted her father and announced that the three of you were to immediately commence with a tea party.

Akin to the rest of the evening, Luna insisted upon sitting on your lap as you sipped on hibiscus tea that Levi brewed while she drank the warm turmeric latte that she requested you to make. You peppered the top of her head with kisses as the walls of your home reverberated with more tales about her day at the park, and about a puppy that tickled her fingers by licking them. At 8:00 PM sharp, Levi declared that it was time for dinner when you finished your respective beverages.

His signature dish, Tonkotsu ramen was on the menu that both you and Luna gobbled it up in no time. For dessert, you brought her favorite strawberry ice-cream mochi that you made yourself at the patisserie. You two ladies chatted away and Levi participated every now and then.  You couldn’t help but think how perfect this felt and going by his serene expression, Levi seemed to be mirroring your thoughts.

Bath time after dinner had been a routine as the three-year-old was still learning to eat by herself and more often than not, made a big mess. You volunteered to bathe her while he cleaned up.  He slet out a content sigh when Luna’s laughter accompanied by yours echoed through the house as you splashed her with water while she played in the tub. Even the most beautiful music in the world did not hold a candle to this harmony that was falling on his ears.

When it was finally time for bed, Luna was in deep slumber within minutes, drowsy after a warm bath and a fun-filled evening. You reclined on the bed by her side, caressing her hair and listening to her mellow snores, and Levi sat on the armchair by the bed, catching up on some reading, occasionally glancing at the pair of you.

It was tranquil. The light from her moon-shaped night lamp dimly illuminated the room. The dream catcher that you made for her swayed over your hear. Nothing but sound of the soft breaths of your baby and of Levi occasionally turning the page of his novel filled the air. There was no stress, no negativity, only peace of mind. With closed eyes, you took it all in, this life you missed so much.

You had been entranced for a while before feeling a soft tap on your forearm. Levi signaled you with his neck to head outside. Right as you tried to get out of bed as gently as possible, a little hand gripped yours tightly.

“Mama, don’t leave.”, the melancholy in Luna's sleepy voice tugged on the strings of your heart. You opened your mouth to respond, but words refused to spawn.

“Moon beam, Mama will be back home with us soon.”

Levi was now on the bed beside you, caressing Luna’s hair with one hand and clutching yours tightly with the other. It was hard to decide whether the sudden flutter in your heart was a result of bewilderment, or from the warmth of his words.

Making sure she was really asleep this time you both lightly kissed the snoozing baby, snugly tucked her in and made your way downstairs.

“Tea?”, he offered while entering the kitchen. You obliged, making yourself comfortable on the couch, not ignoring the sudden Deja- vu that dawned upon you.

He soon returned with two steaming cups of fragrant chamomile tea and sat next to you, stretching his arm on the backrest. He absentmindedly twirled strands of your hair between his fingers as you both sipped the hot beverage in a serene silence.

“I owe you an explanation.”, Levi finally began.

You turned to face him, with your back now resting against the arm of the couch. Poles apart from his usual calm demeanor, he looked... fidgety. His puffed the already plump pillows beside him, eyes glancing over everything in the room but you. Your continued silence was enough sign for him to go on with what he wanted to say.

“Uh... You are the first person I’m about to tell this to. In fact, I have never even uttered this out loud before. I only just came to terms with it myself.”, he exhaled sharply.

“What is it, Levi?”, you urged.

"Okay. Here goes. Something in me changed on the day Luna was born. I knew that as a father, I was expected to be her protector; that's what I was told a father should be. But- But I was too afraid for her. It was an obsession, almost blinding. It started with keeping the kid out of harm's way at all costs. But it just deteriorated from there. As she grew up, she wanted to try new things and explore. And you, like any parent would, encouraged her to do just that. It makes me sick to even say this, but my urge to shield Luna got so bad that I started to perceive you as a threat to our own daughter. I got these splitting headaches and I’d black out and lose track of what I was saying or doing every time things didn’t go my way. I didn’t even realize when I pushed you far, far away until it was too late.”, he sighed, his gaze locked on the blank television screen in front of him.

Your stomach was in twists, horrified face exuding your inability to grasp what you just heard. There was a long, pregnant pause as he waited for you to say something... anything.

“How could you?”

Levi and you had been together for a long time even before you married. You were offended that he could feel this way about you. It made you furious that he put you, Luna and himself through so much pain. Neither of you could control tears from being shed as he continually begged for your forgiveness.

"I knew I had fucked up, the moment I signed those papers. I turned our whole world upside down with my own hands. My mind felt like a prison that I could not break out of, and instead of letting you help me, I abandoned you.", he despaired.

Your rage started to evaporate when he described how lost he felt the moment you were gone; how he had hung on to Luna like his life depended on it, just to maintain his sanity. He was barely sleeping and the frequent nightmares he had were only making things worse. He told you how he had been working hard on controlling his impulses - starting by trusting Furlan, Isabel, Hange or Erwin with taking care of her in his absence.

“I can’t express how much I regret letting you go, love. I wish for every second of every day that I hadn't done it.”, He was breathing raggedly, as if trying hold back another wave of tears.

You quietly stared at him, unable to think of anything to say to him.

“It is getting late. I should leave.”, you sniffled as you began to gather your things.

Your mind was in scrambles; the heartache threatening another breakdown. It was almost midnight, the tea had done its job and you were exhausted, causing your feelings to be much more amplified than they would be otherwise. The last two days had been too much to process.

He nodded in despondency and watched you walking to the door.

It reminded him of something.

This.

This was his nightmare coming true. Again.

In his dream he was stuck to the floor, robbed of his voice, his limbs frozen. He couldn't let that miserable dream win this time. He needed to stop you. He had to have you back. He couldn't let you leave.

Not again.

Just as you were about to step out, he called out your name and reached out for your hand.

“Stay.”, he whispered, almost too softly.

“Levi, I have to be at work early tomor...”

“Why are you such a dumbass? Do I really need to spell everything out for you?”, he interrupted.

“You’re not helping your case right now.”, you raised your brow.

“I love you, you idiot. I let you go once, and I don’t want to do it again. I wont survive being away from you any longer. I need you. I horribly failed at being a good husband. But I promise I’ll make everything right if you give me another chance. Please.”, he begged, the lone tear running down his cheek shone in the dim luminescence of the room.

Dumbfounded, you gaped at his anguished face. You were wordlessly taking in what he had just said when he mistook your silence for rejection and turned around, looking dejected.

“Levi!”, you clutched his hand and pulled him towards you.

Your bodies collided, faces just a few inches away from each other's. Reaching for his face with your other hand, you wiped the tear away with your thumb.

“Kiss me.”, you breathed.

He looked... befuddled, unable to comprehend the words that just left your tongue. Getting impatient, you took it upon yourself to close whatever little distance that remained between you.

And like pieces of a puzzle, your lips met; perfectly merging together as if that’s where they always belonged. The stars that twinkled in front of your closed eyes accompanied were by ecstatic explosions in your heart and butterflies in your stomach. His lips tasted like sweet chamomile tea, with hints of the tangy strawberry from earlier. His touch was so gentle that you were transported back in time to the balcony of his old apartment where a shy Levi took all evening to muster up the courage to kiss you after your first date while it snowed outside.

The tenderness soon heightened into fiery passion when his hands wandered down to your thighs to pick you up and pin you against the door, slamming it shut. Waltzing tongues, heavy breaths, frisky hands; you were like two starving animals who were just presented with their favorite meals, hungrily grabbing the other and moaning into each other's mouths. He began to fiddle with the hem of your shirt, pulling it up with one hand as the other held you firmly against the door.

“Oi! What the fuck?”, Levi resembled a child who dropped his ice-cream on a hot summer day when you swatted his hand away.

“Slow down, Tiger. What’s the rush?”, you smiled coyly while wiggling out of his grip.

“I-I uh...”, He looked dazed, unable to form sentences.

“I love you too, Levi. I never stopped. But I don’t want to get hurt again. It has only been a day since we reconnected. Can we take this slow?”, you sighed, smoothing his hair and straightening out his shirt.

“We’ll go at whatever pace you’d like.”

A/N: So, did you ever expect to be Levi's Modern AU Zeke Yaeger? 🙊😬

Chapters: Five | Six | Seven

[foxcantswim]

Alcina x F!Reader - The Cold

So this is chapter 3 from my fanfic: Operation Heisentrescu BUT it can be viewed as a oneshot.

Daniela gets too cold so (Y/N) has to heat her up. Daniela’s mother is impressed... She’s falling for you hard.

-x-

The castle had been eerily quiet for most of the day, neither you or Lady Dimitrescu had seen the girls around anywhere. It was peaceful, but it wasn't the same without them. It was quite an unsettling atmosphere.

The both of you had just assumed they were messing around in the cellar, but Lady Dimitrescu looked at you with clear worry as she approached.

"My Lady?" you wondered, "What's wrong?"

"My daughters aren't usually this quiet. I dread to think if something has happened."

You quickly shook your head, "They're strong, my Lady," you tried to reassure, "Nothing could take them down." You learnt pretty early on that the only thing that could stop them was a harsh cold temperature, you never got along with the girls completely but you would feel terrible if anything happened to them.

"I won't rest until they are found," Lady Dimitrescu stressed, "I shall head back up to their chambers to see if they have returned."

Nodding, you replied, "I will continue to look for them. They couldn't have gone far."

"Thank you, my dear," she offered you a small smile before turning away.

Your eyes followed her as she headed up the stairs, you allowed yourself to stare this time as she got further away. How you wished she would stare at you the same way you stared at her. You had to fight the urge to cling onto her and tell her it was going to be okay and that her daughters would indeed be found, you weren't exactly sure on her view on physical affection.

You had to snap yourself out of the moment, "Come on, (Y/N)," you groaned, "She's the Lady Dimitrescu and you're... you're just some gross human-lycan thingy," you weren't exactly sure on what you were. You knew you were human but... A small part of you was lycan in one way or another. And you knew Lady Dimitrescu's views on lycans: she despised them.

As you made your way towards the dining room, a sudden worry washed over you. You prayed that the girls hadn't gone outside, snow was falling heavily and combined with the night air it was definitely cold outside. Way too cold for the girls to handle at least. If you had to hug them again to keep them alive, so be it. You began to rub your hands together, trying to keep yourself as warm as possible just in case.

A loud crash caught your attention. That had to be them, they were always breaking something or causing trouble wherever they went. You picked up the pace and headed towards the source.

Another crash.

You realised that it was coming from the kitchen.

"Don't. Drop. It. Again," a familiar voice said around the corner.

"Bela?!" you exclaimed upon seeing her.

She quickly slammed the kitchen door shut and looked at you, "(Y/N)?" she questioned.

A sigh of relief escaped you as you headed towards her, "Jesus, Bela! You had us worried sick!"

"Wh-"

You quickly cut her off, "Your mother was scared something had happened to you. What's going on? Is everything okay in there?" you motioned towards the kitchen.

"Yes!" Bela nodded, "Everything is fine!"

Another crash.

Bela tried her hardest to keep a smile on her face.

She was definitely killing whichever maiden was dropping the plates so often.

"Are you sur-"

Bela cut you off this time, "Yes. It's... It's just Daniela! She's feasting in there at the moment and I know how much you hate to see things like that so... I told her I would keep guard."

"Oh?" you wondered, "I... I guess that makes sense. But where have you been all day-"

"Nobody invited me to this little get together," you heard a giggle behind you.

You turned around to see... Daniela?

"D-Dani?" Bela said.

She was definitely killing Daniela.

"Daniela?" you questioned, slightly confused, "Aren't you supposed to be... feasting?"

"I finished hours ago?" she said, "She tasted stale but I guess I can't complain."

You folded your arms and glared at Bela, "Okay, what's going on? Do I have to bring your mother down here?"

"No!" Bela shook her head, "Nothing's going on."

Little did you know, but there was a lot of busy people behind the kitchen door. They were tasked with making a grand meal for you and Lady Dimitrescu. Cassandra had somehow managed to 'commission' some people to make a custom cake, too. Well- she threatened a few people from the village to do it.

"Then let me in the kitchen," you said.

"I don't-"

Daniela spoke over Bela, "Oh my god, is that snow?!" she pointed out the window, quite clearly trying to distract you from the current situation. Suddenly, she ran towards one of the doors and kicked it open.

"Daniela?!" Bela exclaimed, already feeling the cold air circulating.

This is gonna hurt... Daniela thought to herself. Oh, the things she would do to ensure her mother's happiness.

Without another word, Daniela headed out the door and dove into the snow with a loud shriek.

You barely had time to think before you made your way outside, you knew how crazy Daniela was but you didn't think she was that crazy. Your hands wrapped around Daniela's frame before you dragged her up onto her feet, "Daniela?" you asked, she was already as cold as ice. You pulled her into the castle and shut the door behind you.

"Dani?!" Cassandra said as she ran over to you.

You held the girl close, trying to keep her warm, "Sh-She's freezing. Fire. We need fire," you said.

Bela rubbed her arms trying to warm up a little, "I'll go get mother," she said, desperately wanting to get out of the cold room. The guilt was already beginning to tear her apart.

Cassandra headed out of the room and you followed, your arms secure around Daniela. You noticed that her fingertips were slowly turning white, and small pieces of her were crumbling away.

"No no no!" Cassandra said, noticing it too. She hated how stupid her younger sister could be, but that wouldn't stop her from being over protective of her. A fire was quickly lit in the main hall, she added as many pieces of firewood she could in order to make the flame bigger, "Come on, Dani. Please-" Cassandra's voice was starting to shake.

Right now you didn't care about the melting snow that was covering you, all you cared about was getting Daniela warmed up as soon as possible. You sat down by the fire and hugged the girl close, her own shaky arms came to rest around you loosely. You decided to remove her hood as it was mostly just covered in cold water now.

Harsh footsteps echoed throughout the castle as they approached, you knew it was your lady. You looked over your shoulder to see a swarm of flies coming down the stairs followed by Lady Dimitrescu, she had a pained expression.

"What happened?" she asked, trying to keep calm. She almost tripped over her dress as she tried to make her way towards you a little too fast.

Bela transformed back and grabbed a nearby blanket before heading over to you, she wrapped it around you and Daniela hoping to help in any way she can.

Shaking your head, you replied, "I don't know, my Lady. She- She just ran outside into the snow and-" you stopped as you felt Daniela begin to hold you tighter.

Lady Dimitrescu knelt down next to you and put her hand on Daniela's head, petting her hair lightly, "Oh, my sweet daughter..." she said. She had to fight the tears that threatened to fall, she didn't want to appear as weak in front of you. Her head turned towards Bela and Cassandra who were standing nearby, "What happened?" she almost demanded.

"I don't-" Bela started.

"The truth!" their mother ordered, her voice was clearly laced with pure anger. Bela winced at her mother's order.

Bela and Cassandra looked between eachother before nodding, "I was trying to keep (Y/N) out of the kitchen, mother," Bela explained, "And Daniela decided that the best distraction would be to... well to do that."

"What could possibly be going on in the kitchen to lead to this?" Lady Dimitrescu said, she was already growing tired of this.

"We were planning a surprise for you, mother," Cassandra admitted, "And for you too, (Y/N)."

"We would never want Dani to put herself in harm's way. We didn't realise she would do something like this to prevent (Y/N) from entering the kitchen," Bela spoke, she could feel a tear slip down her cheek as she looked towards Daniela.

"We apologise, mother," Cassandra tried to reason.

Lady Dimitrescu looked like she was about to snap at them but you quickly intervened, "My Lady?" you said, softly. Her gaze was now on you, "They didn't mean for things to go this far. I can see they had good intentions. Daniela can be a little, if you don't mind me saying... insane."

Cassandra quickly headed over and threw herself around you and Daniela, "I'm sorry, Dani," she said, "I should've protected you."

"Cassandra, she's still too cold," you tried to reason, "We can't have you getting cold, too."

Their mother spoke calmly, "Come here," she said to Cassandra, guiding her daughter into her own arms. She looked over at Bela, the girl had a look of guilt plastered across her face, she had her hood covering her eyes, "You too, dear."

Bela slowly made her way over and quickly accepted her mother's embrace, "I can't apologise enough, mother. I'm your eldest. I should have been more careful. I-"

"Now, now... We will have none of that," she began before looking at you, "I'm sure (Y/N) is right. You had good intentions. But I will not allow this to happen again without punishment, do you understand?" Your heart fluttered upon hearing your name roll off of Alcina's tongue, that was a rare thing to happen.

You smiled as Cassandra and Bela both answered, "Yes, mother."

Daniela softly nodded against you, "Y-Yes, mother," she whispered. A hum left Daniela as she smiled, her eyes were still closed, "Human waaaarm."

"Will she be okay?" Bela asked.

You nodded, "She's warming up," your eyes trailed down to her fingers and saw that they were back to normal.

"Thank you, my dear," Alcina nodded towards you, "If anything happened to Daniela... To any of you," she looked between all of her daughters, "I don't know what I would do."

If anyone saw you like this, they would assume that you were one big happy family all curled up by the fire together... But in reality you were still just a simple being to Lady Dimitrescu. You were waiting for the day to be thrown away. This moment wouldn't last forever. And you were sure that this intimacy wouldn't be a normal thing, the girls were sure to go back to teasing you and Lady Dimitrescu still didn't have feelings for you.

That wouldn't stop you from pining over the woman, though.

"Would you mind telling us what you were planning?" Lady Dimitrescu spoke up to cut through the silence.

Cassandra and Bela simply giggled whilst Daniela shook her head against you.

[startanewdream]

A proper kiss

Prompt: "Oh, for heaven’s sake, girl, it wasn’t that good of a kiss, anyway."

Except Lily Evans can't stop thinking about it.

Read on AO3 or below:

_______________________

Oh, for heaven’s sake, girl, it wasn’t that good of a kiss, anyway.

It wasn’t even a kiss. More of a brush of lips, the tenderest of the touches, really.

It was more like the first kiss Lily had ever had, the one she had not counted because it was nothing like she had read about - no magic, no shivers, no tongues or hands embracing each other.

Very much like the not-a-kiss that she shared with James Potter.

Could it even be counted as one if it happened during a game? She reasoned that not - except the challenge was to kiss someone and then Sirius had chosen James and they had kissed.

No, not a kiss. Just a brush of lips.

One that cannot leave her mind ever since they shared it three days ago.

It happened for a stupid dare, one of those games that seemed to be popular that year and especially among Gryffindors. Marlene had accepted to gift mouse toys to Professor McGonagall, Mary had kissed Remus and Remus had kissed a flustered Sirius and Peter had performed surprisingly good dance steps for them. And then it was Lily's turn and Sirius was chosen to select her dare.

Sirius was always the worse when it came to ideas so Lily had almost laughed when he dared her to kiss someone; then her relief had vanished when a smirking Sirius had called for James.

James hadn't laughed, not even smiled and in general, James didn't seem to find this amusing at all.

He had frowned. 'Sirius, come on', he had complained, refusing to look in Lily's direction.

'You know the rules, Prongs', Sirius had said calmly. 'If Lily doesn't want she can give up'.

No one had backed down and Lily wouldn’t be the first. So she had raised and placed herself in front of the couch James was sitting, offering her hand.

'Come on, Potter'.

Her voice had been calm then, focused, practical. She certainly was more confident than James, that looked unsure, biting his lips and seeming like all he wanted was to disappear.

He wouldn't, she knew. James Potter never backed down from a challenge.

So he had raised, ignoring her hand, and Lily had raised her head - he was taller than her by half-a-head.

'Just a kiss, Evans', Sirius had reminded her, a note of provocation in his voice that Lily didn't have the time to understand, because suddenly she had realized how close she was to James.

They had been closer during their patrols, shared nights of working in the Head duties - once James had fallen asleep on her shoulder, or the time they had hugged after successfully organising the Halloween party and there was a dance they shared on the last Slug Club dinner. That proximity was not unusual.

But standing next to James, her head bent high to look at him, her eyes wavering between his hazel eyes and his lips - that was new.

The seconds seemed to last longer and her heart was beating faster because of - of what exactly she didn't know, but there was some sort of adrenaline and fear and elation. There was the same expression on James' face, plus one feeling she couldn't exactly define.

'Evans?', James whispered. 'Maybe you should…?'

He was right, of course, though Lily noticed he hadn't said what she should do.

Just a kiss. She could do it. 

So she raised her hands, cupping his face so he could lower his head; then Lily raised on her tiptoes and pressed her lips on James'.

People cheered around them as they had shared for all the other silly dares, but Lily couldn't hear the sounds, couldn't feel anything other than the softness of James' lips, his woody scent, and the warmth of his body so near him.

It lasted three seconds before they broke apart.

It could not be considered a kiss with that shortness of time.

And still it hadn't left Lily's mind.

The game had continued normally and James had not given her any indication that something had happened between them; he had laughed and joked and done his dare (using the Floo Powder to go to Dumbledore's office) without a blink.

And Lily had stayed quiet with her lips still tingling from that touch, still wishing for more.

That thought was driving her crazy, and not because it was James Potter who once she had promised she would never go out with me. No, this was crazy because it was James, who was her friend, whom she trusted, and who absolutely had no feelings for her anymore.

And Lily wanted to kiss him again.

This seemed to be a unilateral wish. In the last three days since that kind of a kiss, James hadn't said anything, hadn't done anything to indicate he had been thinking about her too. Instead, he had been his bright funny self, talking to her normally (in that way that she couldn't help but grin because he was an expert in making her smile) and doing his Head Boy duties.

But today was Wednesday, which meant they were supposed to patrol the corridors until eleven. A time alone with James Potter, just the two of them - maybe if Lily did kiss him, that increasing urge inside her would just be appeased...

Once again, though, James didn't give any signal he shared the same urge. Lily saw him talking to the Hufflepuff Prefect, guiding her in changing the Common Room password, and Lily felt strangely crestfallen when she noted the way they were laughing, sharing some joke about the kitchen.

She was silly of thinking she was the only one that he made feel happy through any conversation. That was just James. It didn't mean anything. Like probably that kiss.

This thought clouded her mind so when they were alone in the Prefects Room, just before the patrols, Lily pretended not to notice, concentrating on finishing the report of the last detentions. She was painfully aware of the time, however, so she couldn't even be surprised when James called her.

'Lily? Shall we - I mean, patrol?'

He looked strangely flustered. Lily turned to him, but James wasn't looking in her direction.

'I can go alone if you want, it's no big deal -'

'No, no'. Lily raised, packing her things. 'It's my job too - I wouldn’t dare to leave you alone’.

It was supposed to be a joke, but the way James’ lips curved made his response seemed more like a grimace.

Lily fell quiet after that.

It was a long dull patrol where nothing happened, though for once Lily hoped they would meet someone out of bed - preferably a group of people who would try to fight them back, just so there was any emotion. But the halls were empty and they walked in peace.

Lily wished she could feel that peace too, but in the absence of any other sense, she was painfully aware of how narrow some corridors were and how much closer she was to James Potter. Not too close - that she had been already and she knew that being by his side was just a shadow of how she had felt when they were kissing -, but enough so she could feel his scent and his warmth in that cold night and enough so their hands would brush together at some point, sending a wave of electricity through her body that reminded her that she absolutely needed to kiss James again.

A proper mind-blowing full kiss. Just so that desire would be fulfilled.

But James looked startled when their hands brushed, though it usually happened a lot in other patrols, and he crossed his arms as if to avoid that happened again.

‘Sorry’, he whispered.

‘For what?’, Lily asked, confused, her voice echoing in the empty hall, and he didn’t answer.

They finished the patrol in silence and somewhat distant from each other; Lily felt that James was trying really hard to avoid being near her and this realization made her feel suddenly immersed on ice.

He didn’t want to be near her.

Perhaps she had been too focused on her own wishes to realize James had not cared for that kiss. She remembered how he had complained to Sirius, how he seemed opposed to the idea…

Lily had spent so much time thinking of a proper kiss with James that she never had thought that maybe he would hate the idea.

All smile and hope were gone from her face when she told the password to the Common Room and the portrait opened.

‘Lily?’, she heard James asking, but she didn’t turn, walking in the empty Common Room with just the thought of sinking in her own bed. ‘Lily?’, he tried again, this time grabbing her shoulder, carefully to not touch any of her skin.

‘What, James?’, she asked back, turning to him and wishing she could be as cool as he. James just looked concerned with her, not at all like they had shared a kiss right in the middle of the Common Room three days ago, very close to the spot they were.

‘You - I don’t - I’ve talked to Sirius, ok? I told him that was off-limits’.

She blinked.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘That - that dare. I told him it wasn’t funny and I am sorry - I don’t want things to be awkward between us’.

Lily bit her lip before sighing. James was right. Despite anything she had might felt, despite the fact he was really attractive looking so worried with her now, his hands grasping his own hair in that way of his when he was nervous, they were friends. She could ignore any urge that she felt for him.

‘It’s fine’, she said, her voice lighter now. ‘No awkwardness’.

He smiled, and Lily forced herself to ignore how warm that smile was.

‘Good. It was just a stupid dare’.

‘Not even Sirius’ most creative idea’, Lily agreed, sharing the smile with him now. ‘Kiss someone? He could have done better’.

‘And it wasn’t even a kiss, come on’.

That made her stop.

‘What do you mean, it wasn’t a kiss?’

James flushed, his hand once again on his hair.

‘I mean, people were saying we kissed and I told them it didn’t count. That was like a brush? A peck?’

It was all she had thought of in the last three days, all she had tried to convince herself, and still, hearing James talking about it as if it meant nothing, as if those three seconds their lips had met weren’t worthy of being the only thing on her mind lately -

‘I hope it counted’, she heard herself saying, her heart pumping furiously on her chest. ‘Or else I wouldn’t have completed my dare and I would have to kiss you properly this time’.

James blinked at her, looking uncertainly.

‘No one thinks you didn’t finish your dare, Lily’, he said in a low voice, shivering when she took a step closer.

‘You seem to think’.

‘I was just - just trying to convince myself it was nothing to lose sleep over -’

‘It wasn’t even that good of a kiss’, Lily murmured, ignoring how she had mostly certain lost a lot of sleep thinking about it.

‘Yeah, I mean - if we had kissed for real, it would be far better’.

That made her grin and James’ eyes fell for her lips for a second before he looked back at her.

‘Confident much, Potter?’, she teased, and he rolled his eyes, but he was grinning too. That was familiar for them - the pleasant retorts, the light mood, the teasing.

It was only that need of kissing James that was new to Lily.

‘On my kissing abilities? Sure. If we had really kissed you wouldn’t be able to think of anything else’.

That seemed dangerous, Lily thought. If that sorry excuse of a kiss was already making her lose her mind over him, she didn’t want to know what a real kiss would do.

But she was never one to step down a challenge.

And as far as she knew, neither was James Potter.

‘Fine, you got me curious. I dare you to kiss me, James’.

He blinked furiously, not seeming to understand.

‘I - what?’

‘A proper kiss, like you said. Not a peck. Not a brush’.

His smile slowly died and he lowered his head to look at his own hands.

‘No’.

‘James Potter refusing a challenge?’, she asked, trying to sound light, despite the fact that there was something unpleasant dancing in her stomach. When he didn’t smile, she took a step away from him. ‘Sorry, I thought - sorry’.

‘It’s not you, it’s just - we are friends’.

‘Oh’, she tried for a smile. ‘I get it, too friends to mess things up with a kiss that would be only… better’.

‘It would’.

He looked back at her, his eyes full of conflict, and Lily refused to look away first, to take another step back. After a long minute, James approached her, his expression still unsure.

‘I have something to confess, Lily’, he whispered, the words seeming to come out on their own. ‘I know it was not a kiss, not really, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it’.

‘Me neither’, she admitted, and then he paused. She wettened her lips before saying again, with all the courage she could muster. ‘Maybe… maybe if we kissed it would get better?’

He didn’t seem so certain, but he nodded. ‘It wouldn’t have to mean anything’.

‘Just for the dare’, she agreed in a whisper, raising her head, and then there was an inch between their lips and the same feelings she had felt three days ago were involving her. Adrenaline and fear and elation, but now also there was another one and she finally understood what James had felt that night.

He had craved for that kiss as much as she was craving right now.

And then they moved at the same time, their lips meeting just as the eyes were closed and that was a proper real kiss as Lily had been dreaming of sharing with James, all pieces coming together: his hands holding her waist, her wands on his neck, burying themselves on his hair; the sweet taste of his mouth, his tongue dancing with hers and making her moan softly; the way her heart was beating so fast it seemed to want to come out of her body and yet flushing her with happiness and joy; and the magic.

Above all, there was the magic she was hoping for.

And then she realized James had been wrong. That meant something.

Much earlier than she would like, James broke apart, keeping their foreheads together while he caught his breath, seeming to calm himself. Lily watched his face, the tiny shining smile on his lips, and the disbelief in his hazel eyes when James finally opened them.

‘Hey’, he whispered, separating himself just so he could talk to her, but Lily was glad he didn’t mind the way her hands were still around his neck nor did he lifted his own arms from around her waist. ‘Now that was a kiss’.

‘Yeah’, she agreed, her voice low too. ‘But I was wrong’.

‘About?’

‘I thought it would get better. But I - I still wanna kiss you’.

He looked at her, seeming to be looking for some sign Lily was lying, but she knew he would find none. Her need for kissing him had not been subdued by the kiss they had just shared.

It had only grown, in fact.

‘A proper kiss?’

‘A real one’.

‘Is that a dare?’

‘No’, Lily smiled tentatively. ‘It was a request’.

It turned out that very much like her dares, James wouldn’t refuse her requests either.

[kyogre-blue]

Dragonspine lore

Just gathering all this in one place, for my reference.

Information about the Frostbearing Tree, from the Frostbearer catalyst:

When the daughter of the priestess of Vindagnyr was born beneath this white tree, the king in the verdant mountain was filled with joy when she received her blessings. Surely, the blessing of Sal Vindagnyr would be everlasting, just as the undying silver-white tree whose roots pierced the earth.

When the nail that froze the world descended suddenly, and that tree, too, would be shattered by it, that girl took the most complete branch, thinking to breathe new life into the tree that once overshadowed a nation.

But in the end, the grafted life could not flourish. The cutting snowstorm eventually covered the moonlight like a curtain of countless blades...

A long, long time later, yet still long ago - when the deathmatch between the dragons of darkness and wind was decided at last, when corrosive blood stained the ashen valley red, the tree, at last, remembered that it had not died with that entombed city,

And it extended its greedy roots towards the warm ichor that irrigated the land. And as a certain someone poured a crimson essence upon it, the tree that should have long died remembered its past, and bore a single fruit from the gathering of all its might...

Here for those who dwelt in my safe shadow, for the priests who eulogized me, for that lovely maiden who oft painted upon my form, for all the happiness they could not possess - I enjoin them all into this crimson, icy fruit.

To the ones who can render recompense upon this poisonous world shall it go, and may they carry my innocent, bitter fruit as they enact justice.

To summarize: Long before Durin, the Dragonspine was called Sal Vindagnyr. It was a prosperous, verdant kingdom that worshipped a Leyline tree. However, one day the Skyfrost Nail fell from the sky, breaking the tree and engulfing the mountain in perpetual ice. The last princess of the kingdom had preserved a single branch from the tree, which lay dormant until the mountain was tainted by Durin's blood. Absorbing the tainted blood, the former silver Leyline branch sprouted into a crimson Frostbearing Tree...

The Ancient Writings on the tablets:

"...far from snow and strife, and came upon this verdant paradise. A monument was laid down in this place, and it was named Sal Vind[agnyr]..."

"...guided to where the pale white tree stood. That month, the underground waterway..."

"...dreamed of the black dragon that blotted down the sun, and knew it to be an omen of doom. That same month, the outlander..."

"...its soul, and Starsilver its bones. But the one who could wield it, the ice-breaking outlander, Imunlau[kr]..."

"...attempted to heal the Leylines, but the tree had already withered. After burying the princess..."

"...without result or reply, Varuch proceeded on to the summit..."

"...snow whipped across the skies. The pillar that fell from the heavens was riven in three..."

"...ended. There is no more need for records. Yet I regret nothing more than having been unable to watch her finish the fresco within that great hall..."

To summarize: The people of Sal Vindagnyr tried to stop the perpetual snowstorm, including the king (named Varuch) heading to the summit himself. However, only an outlander named Imunlaukr was able to wield the Starsilver weapon they forged for this. He was too late, and the princess had already died. Somewhere along the way, the Skyfrost Nail was split into three pieces, which is how we find it.

From Snow-Tombed Starsilver, the claymore in question:

Tainted black blood dripped from the blade of his greatsword, as he trudged through now-foreign snowy paths.

But when he returned to the great hall of that mountain country, naught but ringing deathly echoes welcomed him.

"So even here, there is nothing left for me to protect... You who dwell in the heavens, you must wish for naught but to watch our ashen suffering here below. In that case, then let me help you pass the time with a song of iron and blood."

The outlander left the Starsilver originally meant to shatter snow and wind alike between the frescoes. Then, he descended the mountain to search for a land full of war and strife - a place he might paint red with blood.

Note that the Imunlaukr clan is also mentioned in the Sacrificial Greatsword description. They were a clan that sought battle in the belief that it would amuse the gods and joined the new Mondstadt that Venti created after Andrius melted the ice across the region. Interesting point: This is also the description that says, "On the cliff facing the eastern sea, the ancestors worshiped the masters of Time and Anemo together." It also again brings up "brave warriors stained black with blood."

Purely speculating, Sal Vindagnyr was probably BEFORE the rebellion in Old Mondstadt (they are mentioned fleeing "snow and strife" to settle in Vindagnyr, which sounds like Mondstadt pre-Andrius unfreezing it and the Archon Wars, respectively). So the founding clan perhaps picked up these traditions of "fight for Celestia's amusement" from this specific dude after he left Dragonspine.

There's also this image of the inner chamber and the frescoes that the princess had been painting, which I saved from a tweet that doesn't seem to exist anymore (not mine):

Completely irrelevant small point: The eight letters outside the great hall which you have to make light up spell "veremini," which wiktionary tells me is second-person plural present active indicative or imperative of "vereor," which means "to revere" or "to dread."

Aside from this, there is a series of Ruin Guard remains which spell out, "For the nation, we can't forgo this skyborne power, but we failed." We know the Ruin Guards were created by Khaenri’ah, so they were probably sent to retrieve the Skyfrost Nail after Sal Vindagnyr had fallen but were unable to make it through the ice and snow. 

Most of this isn't particularly relevant to the main storyline, but there are two points that link back to the ongoing themes:

Even though this was before the Cataclysm, Gold, and Durin, Imunlaukr fought something with "tainted black blood," so the whole business with tainting is OLD. Gold wasn't the origin as such, they just used it. Imunlaukr particularly seems to have thought that going the Abyss (assumed) might have some answers re: the Skyfrost Nail.

Both the Frostbearing Tree and Imunlaukr consider what happened to Sal Vindagnyr to be unjust, and Celestia's fault. Now, this might be just their bitterness at what feels like meaningless suffering, but it could also be that the Skyfrost Nail didn't fall on them accidentally. (AKA Khaenri'ah was not the first or only case of human nations getting slapped down by the divine.)