#'did you just trade my son to the Navy?'

[awtysm-cryptid]

Do you think in the scene where they bring out the Code Elizabeth took one look at Captain Teague, did a double take, and just went to Barbossa "Hold on is that Jack's dad" "Yeah that's Jack's dad...they look alike dont they, you can really tell" "Your right, they do"

and then later mentioned it to Will

"Hey Will you see that captain over there with the red coat, black hair and trinkets in his hair" "Yeah??" "Who does he remind you of?" "Jack, why?" "That's Jack's dad" "Really wow...didn't we just trade his son to the British Navy??" "....oh god"

[syrma-sensei]

→ A Lioness's Home.

gif credit

pairing: daemon targaryen x lannister!reader.

rating: domestic fluff.

word count: 1.3k.

a/n: this is a sequel to my "a true victory" and "a dragon's glory". however, you need not to read the prequels, but it's preferable, though. the events of this fic take place during the ten-years time jump, but the plot doesn't necessarily follow the canon agendas.

masterlist | AO3

WITH WEALTH, DRAGONS, AND VALYRIAN BLOOD, you and your family found a fine living in Lys. And perhaps more than just fine living. Daemon and you are called the prince and princess of Lys; an honorary title given by the Lyseni people after the triumphant war led by your husband against Myr and Tyrosh over the Disputed Lands.

While Daemon was claiming yet another glory winning a war, you were claiming your own by preserving the free city's economy in maintaining the integrity of the trading path between Lys and Lannisport.

Lord Jason Lannister was more than thrilled and willing to help his sweet sister, and Ser Tyland couldn't be happier that their sister did not forget about her two lion brothers who love her immensely. Furthermore, Lord Tyland saw that in helping you, thus your husband, to ascend to power in foreign lands, it would push the dangers of the newly-reformed Triarchy away. The pirates of the Triarchy, as it seemed, did not wish to yield yet even after their gruesome loss in Stepstones at the hands of your husband and House Velaryon several years ago. Securing power in Lys would prevent the pirates to rise again, as your small family already owns three dragons, and the Lyseni people's favour.

When you were in your sixth month of pregnancy, with a very large bump in your belly, Daemon took you to the dragonpit to choose a dragon egg for your child together. You chose that special moment to tell Daemon, sheepishly, that he needed to pick two eggs and not only one. Your husband arched an eyebrow, letting the new information sink, then a wide and satisfied grin adorned his handsome face.

You suspected it during your fifth month, and the maester confirmed your qualms when he visited you for your monthly check-ups. You asked him not to speak to your husband of the matter, for you wanted to share the happy news with him in private and on distinctive occasion.

Taelon was the first to be born, his birth was easy, coming out without much fuss. Daenesya, however, was the one hard to deliver; your battle in labour continued for several hours before you finally heard her screams for air. Daemon never left your side during the whole process, encouraging you while you cried and screamed through insufferable pain. He dried your sweat and whipped your tears away from your face, reminding you that you're his fierce lioness and you could do it, while the Septas around you told you to hold your breath and push.

“Well done, my brave girl,” Daemon said proudly while holding both babies in his strong arms. “Well done.”

Daemon was true to his words and when your children's first name day came, the four of you took residence in Lys, where you were welcomed and treated with great hospitality.

Taelon and Daenesya are the epitome of exact opposites. Upon the first look, one would immediately say that your twin children are the mirror of one another; silver-gold long hair, and their eyes are amethyst flecked with emerald. However, one is quiet, calm, and leisure, and the other is unruly, chaotic, and headstrong. But both are of dragons and lions in spirit.

Your son's egg hatched after two years of his birth and gave him his precious Darkfyre. A beautiful dragon, with navy blue scales tinted by light cyan frames. His burning flames are of blue colour. Daenesya, on the other hand, her egg hatched after a year of her birth, and she was gifted her best friend Aeksyas. She's larger and wilder than Darkfyre. She has silver scales and golden eyes, and her flames are dark red. Daemon explained to you that dragons take after their riders, and you see it with your own eyes.

“Dracarys!”

Red and blue fire weave together, and from the purple flames Daemon emerges from while mounting Caraxes. A cheered applause acclaims from around you as your husband and children give them a dragon show. Among the spectators, you're the loudest and rowdiest; a proud wife and mother, watching her family proudly showing off the discrete dragonblood they have.

It's true that the people of Lys have the reminiscent of Valyrian blood, but the Targaryens are the only ones who are capable of taming dragons to their will in the Known World.

Nevertheless, your eyes are a tad more focused on your husband more the children. Daemon never ceases to mesmerize you with his riding skills, and the correspondence he has with Caraxes. The two share something really special, and you're never tired of watching over and over again. There were some times when you, eagerly, mounted Caraxes with Daemon for a ride. It was such a thrilling experience you don't mind to try it again. But in such occasions, you let the Targaryens do their thing while you stand their with charmed audience.

After a while of strutting their talent in the sky, the trio, led by Daemon, take their land on the ground. Everyone clapps for them, including you, before the three usher their mounts to the caves they've turned it into their own Dragonpit.

“Daemon, darling,” You say when the latter emerges from the cave pit, “You were marvelous up there,”

Daemon encircles an arm around your waist, pecking you lips. He smells of dragon and fire.

“Did you see Darkfyre's flames, mother!” Taelon gushes from behind, his face is slightly smudged by dirt and soot.

“Oh, I did, and they were magical, my cub!” You crouch a bit to whip his face with your handkerchief.

“Mother, did you see how pretty Aeksyas's wings are?!” Daenesya shrieks as she takes her father's side, clinging to his arm.

You chuckle amusedly, “She's the most beautiful dragon I've ever seen, my sweet.”

The four of you head to the carriage that's waiting for you to go home.

•••

After the three of them washed the dragon stench off of them, the four of you had supper. Then came Valyrian class for Taelon and Daenesya. The twins reluctantly escorted the maester to the library. And the two of you are left alone.

“Caraxes would be always my favourite dragon.” You whisper your secret to your husband as you reach the roof of your palace. It's where you and your husband spend some quality time together away from everyone's eyes. You sit on the padded floor, with your husband's head in your lap.

Daemon guffaws, “That would break Dani's heart; she thinks Aeksyas is your favourite, and she brags about it before Taelon.”

“Oh, really?” You arch a brow, “Wonder where did she get that idea from?”

Your husband smiles privately and leaves you with no answer, but you know him better. Daenesya is his favourite, and you can see why, she's practically the little version of himself.

You stroke his face gently, “I was thinking, husband,”

“What is it, my love?” He drawls as he relaxes into your touch.

“What do you think of visiting Westeros?”

His violet eyes snap open, and he gazes up at you, puzzled, “You want to go back there?”

“I do, but only for a visit,” You continue, “I'd like the children to see their homeland and be introduced properly to their kin. Also, I want to show my family off in court.” You smirk, flicking your hair behind your back.

“You little minx, you want a revenge, do you not?” Daemon returns your smirk with a sly one of his own.

Your grin grows wider, “Great minds think alike, my dragon. Yes, it's exactly what I want. I want to crush everyone who's belittled me in the past. If it pleases you, of course, my prince.”

There's a satisfied grin on the dragon's mouth, a proud one, even, “I do not mind at all, my fierce lioness. And let the small folk write songs about our love and how it conquered all...”

You chuckle giddily at him before pecking his lips, “Thank you, husband,” You grab his hand and kiss it, putting it against your cheek, “But know that it's neither Westeros nor Essos is my home...”

Daemon raises an eyebrow, “Where might it be then, my love?”

“You,” you answer with a pacing heart, “You're my one and only home...”

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Intro post! + links to everything :)

Hi, I'm DK and this blog is mostly full of me talking about the Six of Crows and the rest of the Grishaverse! (and I'm also on AO3 as she_posts_nerdy_stuff)

It's occurred to me recently that I never did an intro post and also I'm just generally feeling that things over here are super disorganised so I've gone through all of my posts since 2022 (this was not a quick task you guys omg) and done my best to organise everything into tags so that you can access them all from here! All the links to the tags, or sometimes individual posts, are below the cut, and the categories are AO3, Grishaverse analysis, Grishaverse edits, Grishasverse knitting projects, and Grishaverse incorrect quotes.

Please note: this is a lot of stuff to wade through and I am sure to have missed the odd thing, but hopefully this is pretty mch everything! If you're looking for something that I've said should be here and can't find it, let me know and I'll do my best to track it down :)

Thank you all so much, love to you all <3

AO3 LINKS (I'm starting with the easier links, I don't have to make tags for these ones)

Original works

As I'm writing this I have four fics up on AO3, two of which are works in progress, and I'll update this post whenever that changes (ie when I finish them or when I start a new one)

UPDATE: Five fics now! Links are below <3

Daughter of the Rain and Snow

225k words, 146 chapters, Kanej focused with Wesper featured and Helnik kinda mentioned, post-canon, no archive warnings, completed

Summary:

Around ten years after the events of Crooked Kingdom, 25-year-old Captain Inej Ghafa frees Maya Olsen from a pleasure house in Ketterdam. Maya is looking for revenge against the man who put her in her position, a man who she knows nothing about except his name: Kaz Brekker.

Don't Go Blindly Into The Dark

100k + words, 60+ chapters, Wesper focused with Kanej featured and Helnik mentioned, pre-canon, canon divergence, no archive warnings, work in progress

Summary:

To hide that he can't read, Jan Van Eck has been forcing his son to pretend he's blind since he was eight years old. Wylan is now attending Ketterdam University, and meeting Jesper Fahey may very well be about to change his life. But is he safe to tell Jesper the truth? And what will Jesper say if he does?

Jesper is struggling to weigh up his life in the Barrel and his life at the University of Ketterdam, and there's a good chance that his growing debt is about to make the decision for him. He hasn't attended class consecutively for months, but maybe that will change when his newest project includes partnering up with Wylan Van Eck. But can he really leave the Barrel behind him? And how long can he keep up the pretence of who he thinks Wylan wants him to be?

Meanwhile there is a darkness growing in Ketterdam, and it seems a killer may be stalking the streets of West Stave. An unknown evil is closing its jaws over the city, and it’s starting to feel like nowhere is safe.

Our Gods Have Abandoned Us

19k + words, 11 chapters, Helnik and Kanej with Wesper kinda featured, so much angst, post-canon, canon-divergence (Van Eck wins AU), major character death, work in progress

This one properly started with this post

Summary:

"Of course they do, Jes," Kaz flexed his fingers in his gloves, "That's what losing a war means. And when that war comes, Kerch can't afford for Shu Han to win it. They'll back Fjerda against Ravka now so that when Shu Han turn against them Fjerda will back them in return. Ravka's navy will fall to Kerch's, most of Ravka's territory will go to Fjerda and if it has any money left then I expect plenty of it will be given to Kerch as part of the deal. The Shu will move against Fjerda to take back the territories they were trying to win from Ravka, and Fjerda will pay them little mind until they declare war on Kerch. Novyi Zem will back Shu Han, because they still think their trade ambassador was killed by the Kerch in what was actually Shu Han's last attempt to start a war over here, Fjerda will back Kerch, refugees will flee to the Wandering Isle and their economy won't be able to withstand it, and meanwhile I will remain exactly where I am and get drunk toasting to the end of the world. You're all welcome to join me,"

OR -

A Van Eck wins AU, mostly exploring how the Crows would respond to the situation but I have some semblance of a larger plot forming I just need to piece it together

If I'm Good Will You Come Back?

2k words, 1 chapter, sad and angst, gen but Helnik mentioned, canon compliant, major character death, completed

Summary:

Five times Matthias Helvar spoke to his baby sister through Djel, and one time that she answered

I’ve put major character death as a tag but it’s nothing beyond canon, it’s just depicted in this fic from a slightly different perspective 👍

Portrait of a Dead Girl

7 chapters so far, gen but also F/M, Alina and the Darkling are in a relationship in this but it isn't shipping them and the Darkling is the villain, canon divergence, alternate universe, rape/non-con, underage, major character death, work in progress

Summary:

Alina Starkov was given to Duke Aleksander Morozova of Os Alta in marriage when she was fifteen years old. Within a year, she was dead. The official cause of Alina's death was marked as putrid fever, but many at the time believed, and many in the future will go on to believe, that she was poisoned by her husband.

-

This fic is completely inspired by The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrel, which is a work of historical fiction based on the real lives of Duchess Lucrezia d'Este (née de' Medici) and Duke Alfonso ii d'Este of Ferrara. You don't need any prior knowledge of The Marriage Portrait or history to read and enjoy this fic, but know that my writing is very much going to mimic that of O'Farrel in format and although I'm hoping to write the story in my personal usual writing style I will definitely be borrowing a lot of my descriptors, symbols, and so on and so forth from O'Farrel - there will be some of mine too though :)

Somehow, Through The Storm

11 chapters so far but ongoing, kanej-centric with wesper and helnik featured, angst like you wouldn't believe, but also some happier times (ish), alternate universe, major character death, rape/non-con, work in progress

Summary:

In the slums of the Warehouse District, Kaz and Inej are struggling their way through a seemingly unending winter. Wrapped up in a stranger's overcomplicated marriage contract that he is convinced is key to solving the merciless weather, Kaz remains busy and distracted for days on end, putting everything else at risk. So when a storm ravages the city and sweeps Inej into danger, the offer of safety, food, and a place to stay is an overwhelming one - no matter the cost. Terrified of mounting threats, Inej signs a contract - not knowing she would land herself trapped at the Menagerie. Kaz signs a contract that states if he can walk all the way through the city and back to the Warehouse District with Inej behind him, never looking back at her, they will both go free. But this is the Barrel, the darkest part of the city where the rules of physics can change with the stroke of a pen; the journey back will not be the same as journey there… * This is a Hadestown-inspired reimagining of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, casting Kaz and Inej as our main characters and heavily featuring our beloved Crows, set in an alternate version of the Grishaverse with a different magic system based entirely on contracts.

Recommendations

Posts where I'm recommending fics can be found here

GRISHAVERSE ANALYSIS LINKS

Okay this is gonna be where this starts getting complicated to organise but here we go, and hopefully now that I have this as a place to keep it organised I'll be able to routinely come back here and update it so we can keep it all together :)

Assorted analysis - Grishaverse

Grishaverse asks

-> subcategory of asks: 'DK finally gets it together and answers her asks because it's about damn time (working title)'

Chapter-by-chapter SOC analysis

(NOTE: I've really been meaning to bring this series back I just haven't had time, are people still interested??)

Specific posts (I've put these ones here because they're generally the ones people ask to be tagged in or that I reference in other posts)

Kanej bathroom scene analysis

Kaz and Wylan's potential to become each other

Rare Spices Billboard

Inej vs the Wraith

Kaz's views on hierarchy

Religion in the Grishaverse (this one is mostly Djel and a little bit of the Saints; I did also write a lot in a reblog of a really good post on Ghezenism by @skepticalcatfrog as well so if you're interested in either part of that you can find it here, I would highly recommend reading their post it's really interesting)

Shadow and Bone TV show analysis

GRISHAVERSE EDIT LINKS

I'm not really sure how to organise this one but all of them are tagged here

If people would like me to I could come back and try to arrange them by character or ship or something?

GRISHAVERSE KNITTING LINKS

Most of the time when I post about this stuff I give updates on all of them, but if you happen to want to filter them (or if I need to come back looking for something specific) then here are the projects:

Kefta cardigan

Six of Crows blanket

Toy crows of the Crows

GRISHAVERSE INCORRECT QUOTES

I organised these by their sources because there were too many for me to choose another way to sort them tbh

Text posts I made based on things my friends and I have actually said. In real life. - the series

Source: friends

Source: the completely made up adventures of Dick Turpin

Source: community

Source: Parks and Rec

Source: the good place

Source: modern family

Source: our flag means death

Source: ghostbusters

Source: renegade nell

Source: the office

Source: young sheldon

Source: the cornetto trilogy

Source: big bang theory

Source: what we do in the shadows

[rometalia]

APH CARTHAGE/HANNIBAL

Anyways err hi this is my APH Carthage oc! His name is Hannibal, and the art above is by me (I’ll show some fanart later)

Tbh he’s a bit complicated to explain for me 🤔 but to start, he’s the son of Phoenicia/Melqart! He and his father weren’t always super close but Carthage respects Phoenicia. Phoenicia taught him everything he knows about business, trading and his knowledge on the seas in general lol. To be honest, I didn’t want to take the military route I see most people go for with their APH Carthage ocs which isn’t bad at all! I just thought it’d be interesting if he was more based on Carthaginian politicians.

He’s very prideful, a bit stuck up but presents himself as superior (like literally everyone in the ancient world). He’s a bit narcissistic too but it’s more or less just having an inflated ego. He likes to show off his navy and how good at trading he is and a lot of the times, his wealth.

Before I go any further I AM A TOXIC DOOMED UNHEALTHY CARTHROME TRUTHER. THEY ARE AT EACH OTHER!S NECKS AND REGRET THEY EVER TRIED TO MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK THEY ARE SO TOXIC YAOI.

Rome and Carthage’s relationship to me is veeeery interesting. Like… Carthage knew he was great. The people around him knew he was a great. He was a big, maritime trading empire. But he needed more. It was never enough for him—I’m not sure if he feels guilty about this want for more and more but I’m leaning towards yes.

Rome was the same. He was just a regional power at the time, away from his siblings trying to conquer the Italian peninsula. But he oh so desperately needed to be recognised as more. He wanted to know he could rest comfortably knowing there was nobody that was going to try and invade him at any given time. Most of all, he wanted superiority (young Rome was EXTREMELY narcissistic lmao.. glad he’s toned it down overtime).

Their relationship just started out as acknowledging they needed something from each other and they were the ones that were going to give it to each other. But they got attached, “somewhat”. I think Carthage especially knew it was wrong and he shouldn’t try to pursue something more with Rome because he just has this gut feeling it’s not going to end well for him—Rome is growing, he!s becoming stronger, and sooner or later he wasn’t going to need Carthage anymore. But he did it anyway.

When Rome did eventually end up leaving him Carthage was PISSED (and maybe a lil heartbroken but shhh Carthage voice im a manly man that doesn’t need romance), but he could stomach it for now until that shit with the Mamertines happened—honestly thats another conversation in itself but basically, I have two Mamertines ocs, a set of siblings and being the land pirates they were they reunited Carthage and Rome except it’s not a happy reunion and Carthage wants to see Rome burn at a stake and vice versa.

The Punic Wars:

Carthage voice I’ll make you pay Rome….. I’M NOT DONE YET….. evilly laughs

Rome voice I’ll make you pay Carthage….. I’M NOT DONE YET….. evilly laughs

Rome voice heh. I told you.

When Carthage found himself at Rome’s mercy it was like his pride had disappeared. After the first Punic War, he was discouraged but he still believed he was going to win. At the end he had to face the fact he wasn’t invincible—and so did Rome. (After the second Punic war in particular I’m pretty sure he’s thoroughly a bit afraid of Carthage and the seas from the first coughs HANNIBAL IS AT THE GATES!!!1!1!1!)

In the afterlife, Carthage is more of a bitter old man. Distant, doesn’t really say much and just kind of lives alone lol. “Requiem for O.M.M.2” is him/CarthRome coded

Anyways fanart time! (Check alt texts for second and third)

(Credits: @gracheeee for the first, @fertaine for the second and third, and @pin4tre for the last)

[a-separate-peace-musical]

Finale

Who else loves a good reprise medley finale?

—

Lights up. GENE cleans out his locker. HE walks outside. Troops are there, with tanks and artillery and sewing machines for parachutes. BRINKER walks over.

BRINKER

Hey, Gene. Ready to enlist?

GENE

I guess so.

BRINKER

My dad’s here. He wants to meet you.

MR. HADLEY approaches.

MR. HADLEY

Look at those doughboys! And their artillery—sewing machines!

BRINKER

This war is technical, so they’ve got to use all kinds of machines. Even sewing machines.

MR. HADLEY

Well, I can’t imagine any man in my time settling for duty on a sewing machine. I can’t picture that at all.

(to Gene)

So what are you enlisting in, son? There are so many exciting things to enlist in these days. Frogmen, the Paratroops…I’d give something to be a kid again with all that to choose from.

GENE

Well, I was going to wait, but then I figured…

Why wait to be drafted when we can choose now?

Control our own fate as much as they’ll allow

So I’m joining the Navy. I’ll never see a foxhole, I hope. And Brinker’s all set for the Coast Guard.

MR. HADLEY

The Coast Guard?!

BRINKER

You know, Dad, the Coast Guard does some very rough stuff.

MR. HADLEY shakes his head.

MR. HADLEY

What world am I living in?

Has everyone gone mad?

Get on up and be a man

‘Cause there’s a world war and real work to be had

Disappointed in kids these days

They wouldn’t know honor if it hit them in the face

If I was your age, I wouldn’t be playing it safe

You have to do what’s right

Whatever you feel is right

Just make sure it’s something you’ll be proud of in hindsight

‘Cause this is your moment

This will decide the rest of your lives, it’s true

The stories that you tell of this will define you

And you don’t wanna be the kids left behind

BRINKER rolls his eyes. MR. HADLEY walks away. BRINKER scowls.

BRINKER

Sorry about my dad.

GENE

It’s all right.

BRINKER

It’s all that World War I malarkey that gets me. I’m no hero, and neither are you. And neither is he. He never was. I don’t care what he says he almost did in World War I.

GENE

I think he just feels left out, being too old for the war this time.

BRINKER

Left out! Left out! He and his crowd are responsible for it!

The war, it started, before our time

We committed no crime

But now it’s our duty to go and die

While the ones who caused this just sit idly by

It’s all just a trade

A deal in the works for decades

We’ll take their place to pay for the mess that they’ve made

The old men made this and we’re stuck in the middle

And nobody cares, not even just a little

It almost feels like a prank they’re having

It’s such a joke but I’m not laughing

BRINKER walks away. GENE stands there, contemplating. HE turns to the audience.

GENE

I don’t think I believe him

It’d be safe if it were true

But war supersedes generation

Where there’s ignorance and fear, it follows too

HE looks around at the war reminders around him. HE looks up at the sky.

GENE

Things at Devon are different these days

The atmosphere is sadder lately

No one talks about you ‘cause I can’t talk about you

Not in the past tense, someday maybe

Now that I’ve lost you

Feels like I’ve lost myself

But I think it was long ago

that I really lost myself

In a world of my own

A separate construct of ignorance

And I missed the true separate peace we had found

What I wouldn’t give to go back to it now

The evil in the world couldn’t break you

So the evil in me did it instead

But you took it with you

Now it’s dead

It died with you

And my fears of the war, they all slip away

Like dew in the sunlight, evaporating

‘Cause what’s there to fear, when you’ve already killed

Your enemy, the fear and the hatred within

GENE marches away as PATRIOTIC MUSIC plays. Lights dim slightly.

OLDER GENE approaches and looks at the building. HE looks at the stairs Finny fell down.

ENSEMBLE

Return to Devon

1957

OLDER GENE

Things at Devon look strangely the same

Updated so they haven’t aged a day

Plus c'est la même chose, plus ça change

The more things stay the same, the more they change

Locked myself in a prison/of resentment and fear

I didn’t even realize/but now it’s so clear

But I felt no fear in the war

I felt no fear anymore

‘Cause what’s there to fear, when you’ve already killed

Your enemy, the fear and the hatred within

You took it with you

It died with you

HE goes to stare at the tree. HE places a hand on the trunk.

OLDER GENE

It doesn’t look so big and fearsome anymore

Ain't it funny how nothing endures

Not a tree, not love, not death by violence

And we find and we lose ourselves in the silence

The memory of seventeen still lingers

Our innocence, it slipped right through our fingers

We found ourselves pitted against the world and the war

We reacted with hostility to the horrors

Leper lost his mind when he saw it

Brinker lived in quiet resentment against it

Quackenbush lashed out in attack

I built up unnecessary defenses

Only Finny didn’t

He rose above

With affection and love

The rest built up Maginot lines

Against enemies in their minds

Who never attacked in the way that they thought

If they ever really existed at all

We, as a society, take a great fall

Fighting enemies that never existed at all

HE stands there, still touching the tree. Lights dim.

THE END

[sea-owl]

Someone was very nice and sent me an ebook copy of Fourth Wing, and now I'm gonna drag ya'll with me as I read it.

Warning this will probably have spoilers because these are just all my unfiltered thoughts.

So here's chapter 1-3

A Captain America reference in the book dedication? Well there something I wasn't expecting. Does this make Yarros Tony Stark?

Oh so this is supposed to be like a history book or biography in world.

Girl same, I can't climb six flights of stairs either. My asthmatic lungs would kill me.

Is Violet a nepo baby?

So kinda of a nepo baby, except the nepotism is possibly gonna get her killed by her mother's profession.

So she had a brother. . .I don't believe he's dead. I'm calling it now he's alive.

I like Mira. She kind of has this realist attitude about her, but it's obvious she loves her sister.

And here ladies and gentleman we have boy number 1 enter the ring! Dain Aetos! Childhood friend who is probably gonna get heartbroken or break her heart.

I agree with Mira, Violet get that shit over with and move your butt across that parapet.

Separatists? Like Star Wars?

Oh we got a name drop for boy #2 and the one Violet is probably gonna end up fucking/fall in love with, Xaden Riorson!

So Xaden is the son of a former enemy of Violet's mom and will attack her kids. Yeah he's definelty the love interest. So we got an enemies to lovers thing going on, they better both try to kill each other at least once. Only way I accept my enemies to lovers.

Oh do we got new besties? Gotta keep an eye on Dylan and Rhiannon.

Oh Violet is a little romantic.

Violet trading a boot with Rhiannon, definitely a future bestie.

Oh we get to see Mr. Love Interest! Damn Violet keep your panties on.

Damn Dylan is dead, I shouldn't be surprised his name was too normal and we only got his first name.

Can Jack shut up? We got his last name so he's probably surviving the parapet, damn.

You know this is intresting world building. Violet is a history nerd and using this history to keep herself calm also gives us the readers a chance to know more about the world too.

Oh look just casual murder. Violet you better move girl, there's an unhinged ahole behind you.

Well being short has some advantages. Violet should push that dagger in a bit further. Jack already wants to murder you girl, make sure he can't reproduce.

Violet is better than me, I would have made Jack a eunuch.

Oh here's Dain!

Yeah Violet is not getting into the Second Wing Dain. My money is that Xaden got to the red head first and got Violet put in Fourth Wing.

Oh, Dain had a plan to sneak her out. Aaannd now he's pissed Violet off.

That's kind of sad, the General rather see her daughter dead than not a rider.

Oh so she is in Second Wing, for the moment at least. Wonder if it changes again once they get dragons, or if someone is gonna switch her later.

Called it, Xaden did make sure to have Violet in his wing to fuck with her.

I kind of feel for Violet's thoughts of not cheering for the ones who died.

Hey the dragons are here!

That navy dragon is gonna come back. It was staring a Violet for too long not to. Not sure if it's her future dragon or one of the boy's but that dragon is gonna come back.

[authorofcelesti]

Shelby flew through the storm, narrowly dodging bolts of lightning. She considered turning her broom around and heading back to the familiar evermoor, but she shook her head against it.no, i left for a reason. This way, the Witch police will stop hunting me down.

A few minutes and seventeen bolts of lightning later, she figured she should land before she was actually dead. She quickly landed in a small clearing and used her cloak and broom to create a tent. She set down her bag to use as a pillow and quickly fell asleep.

<><><>

The next morning Shelby woke up, confused as to where she was. But then she remembered everything. The battle, the explosion, packing, the storm. I never did check to see if the spell worked or not. Crawling out of her makeshift tent, which had done a surprisingly good job of keeping her dry, she stood up and looked around the clearing. The tall pines dripped with leftover raindrops from last night and there was a small pond to her left. Shelby walked over and looked at her reflection in the clear water of the pond and compared it to her wanted poster. She had a spare set of clothes that Katherine had given her to try on about a week before Sausage became possessed, but even with them on, she knew it wouldn't be enough. She tried anyway though.

The clothes were very practical and a lot thinner than her now very ripped sweater and overalls. But she was a lot farther south and it was quite a bit warmer. Katherine had made her a loose blue shirt along with a pair of shorts held up by suspenders. The clothes had come wrapped in a navy blue cloak that had small gems scattered around it, making it look like the night sky. Shelby pulled the hood of the cloak up to cover her brown hair and checked her reflection before sighing. It would have to do until she could either make or find a potion to change it. Which was gonna be a top priority if she wanted to successfully hide from the Academy.

With a sigh, she pulled a map from her bag. Now, she thought to herself, where’s the closest village?

<><><>

The village was a peaceful place. The houses were whitewashed and had multi-colored roofs, reminding the witch of Chromia. Maybe I could settle here, she thought, but decided against it as she saw the town's newsboard.

Smack-dad in the middle, between help wanted advertisements and pictures of missing cats, was her wanted poster. Glancing around, she pulled up her hood a bit farther before ducking towards where she sensed magic. It seemed that she would have to travel quite a ways farther to be rid of the posters.

After a few minutes of walking, she found the potion shop. As Shelby walked through the door, a bell above jingled, alerting the shop owner to the presence of a customer.

"Hello there! What can I get you?"

The shop owner was an older man walking out of the backroom of the shop. His blond hair was pulled into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. He had blue eyes and large black wings folded behind his back. A young man, most likely his son, trailed behind him.

"Hi, I'm just looking for something to change my hair color."

"Of course! What color were you thinking?"  The shop owner said as he walked over to a shelf. He picked up one of the bottles and held it towards her." We just made a batch of this bright orange. It would go well with your eyes

"I don't think that I'm near bold enough for that, maybe white?"

"Hmm, I’m pretty sure we have some in the back." He said before turning to his son. "Tommy could you-"

"On it, Dadza." The boy said before rushing into the back.

“What currency do you carry?” the man asked her once his son had passed through the curtains.

“Oh.” Shelby hadn’t even thought of how she would pay for the potion. “I don't really have any currency, but I do have things to trade, like, uh.” she quickly rifled through her satchel for something that could be considered valuable. 

Mushrooms? No. spare rockets? Maybe. Oh wait! The young witch pulled out a handful of blaze rods. The shop owner’s eyes widened at the sight of them. 

“How in the world do you have so many?” he asked her. She opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by a voice behind her.

“C’mon dad, she’s obviously some kind of adventurer.” Shelby turned to see two boys walk into the shop through the front door. The one who spoke wore a yellow sweater and a gray beanie covering his brown hair. She also noticed that he was slightly translucent and seemed to float an inch or two above the floor. A ghost, Shelby realized. He seemed more, sentient than the other ghosts she’s dealt with. His friend trailing behind him had long pink hair and tusks jutting out the corners of his mouth.

“Well yes, Wil, I can tell that.” the winged man told the newcomer. “I was just surprised that she had so many. You must've spent quite a lot of time in the nether.” he told her.

“You could say that.” she said, “Is this enough to trade for the potion?” 

He waved his hand. “Oh yes, yes. Most definitely. I can even toss in a few healing potions for you.”

“That would be great,” Shelby said, “ thank you.”

<><><>

Back in her clearing, Shelby looked at the potion and scrunched her nose. It smelled absolutely terrible. But if she really wanted the authorities of her trail, this is what she needed to do. She plugged her nose and gagged down the milky potion. She looked at her reflection and watched as her hair slowly turned white, starting at her roots and changing her naturally dark brown hair. She took a step back and gave a little spin. With both the hair color and new clothes, she doubted that anyone would recognize her from her posters. Now she just needed to find a place to settle. But it would need to be even farther from the evermoor than she already was. She carefully wrapped the empty bottle in her large cloak and put it in her satchel before jumping on her broom and taking off with the setting sun on her right.

<><><>

A week of flying later, Shelby was pretty sure she had found the right place. It was relatively isolated, so no one would try to find her, but there was a village with a spellbook store a bit to the east. She was just glad that the bookstore owner had forgiven her for accidentally casting a lightning bolt on him. 

She had set up about halfway up a steep mountain, and as much as she loved sleeping outside, she was getting sick of it pretty quickly.

"Ugh, I miss my bed!" She was currently sprawled on the grass right next to her campfire, a book of spells open next to her. The contents were mostly storm-based, which she had found an affinity for back in the academy. But that wasn’t as important as getting a good night’s sleep. Her back ached from the stupid rock that seemed to dig into her side no matter what position she slept in. she needed a house, stat. She just didn't know where to start.

Maybe I can use magic, like with that first hut in the evermoor. She sat up and ran over to her chest to search for items she could use in a house-summoning spell. She came up with a few scattered items that could work, a few pieces of deepslate, some blue-leafed saplings, some candles, as well as a few magical bits and bobs she'd found.

She set the items in front of her and studied them. Shelby couldn't really remember how she'd done it back in the evermoor. But if she'd figured it out once, the witch was positive she could do it again.

She looked over at the Gem crystal and picked it up. She must've grabbed it on her way out.

“How did Gem say these worked?” she asked no one in particular as she turned the Gem crystal over in her hands. To any normal person, it would just look like an amethyst crystal, like the ones found in Lizzie’s mines. But because of her magical training,  the witch could sense the reservoir of mana contained inside. She recognized the magical signature from the amethyst that had been integrated into Sausage’s magical staff. Maybe I can use it to make a new wand? She considered the thought, but quickly discarded it. The mana inside was too much to fit inside just a wand, and she didn’t have the knowledge of how to filter it out. That was more of wizardry than witchcraft.

The Witch set down the crystal on the ground beside her. But she must've done it too harshly, because her ears were soon met with a high-pitched hissing noise. Startled, she looked back at the crystal and realized that there was a large fracture running lengthwise along its purple surface. The mana inside, she realized, it’s escaping! She picked up the crystal and started panicking. At the rate the crystal was going, it was going to explode soon, and Shelby definitely didn't want that.

Acting on instinct, she threw the crystal away from her.

There was a flash of light and Shelby closed her eyes to avoid being blinded. When she opened them again, there was a tower sitting where she had thrown the cracked Crystal. It had a deepslate base with walls made out of a royal blue wood. What the,  she thought, did- did I do that? But how?  She looked around her little clearing and realized that she had thrown the crystal in the direction of the materials she had gathered. I guess that explains where the spell got the materials.

She walked up to the spruce door and put her hand on the doorknob. Slowly, she opened the door and was stunned by what was inside. The spell had not only conjured up a warm home, but had also furnished it with a kitchen, a fireplace, and-

“A bed!” Shelby quickly pulled off her shoes and jumped onto the soft mattress. It feels like sleeping on a cloud. And with a sigh, the runaway witch fell asleep.

<><Two months later><>

Shelby stepped out the front door of her house and yawned. It had rained the night before, so the ground under her feet squelched with each step. She heard a noise to the side of her and her eyes followed, but she froze when she spotted her mailbox with the lever on the side switched up.

Her heart stopped. Oh no, she panicked, have they found me?

She carefully opened her mailbox and pulled out the single letter placed inside. She sighed in relief as she noticed that the seal on the envelope wasn’t the Academy’s. 

In fact, she thought as she turned the letter over in her hands, weighing it slightly, I dont think ive ever seen that crest before. She carefully opened the letter and read the invitation she found inside.

Dear storm witch,

You have been chosen to participate in the witching event of the century. In the event of my death,

 I always knew that someone would have to rise and take my place as Supreme 

Witch. Which is why I’ve devised a series of games to determine my successor. 

Eight witches, one winner. Will you come out on top?

Follow the North Star during the witching Hour. it will show you the way.

Yours truly, the supreme witch

The Supreme Witch had often been talked about at the Academy. They weren't a single person, but a title passed on through mysterious circumstances. 

Well, not so mysterious to Shelby anymore.

If I was the supreme witch, I could clear my name easily! She realized, Even the Academy wouldn’t dare go against the supreme witch.

[nilsavatar]

You don’t have to answer this it’s ok, I’m just genuinely curious on how you come up with a full Navi name. I get the structure a bit but how does one come up with a Navi last name? This is a stupid question Ik😭

Hi there and thank you for asking for my advice!🥰 I hope I don’t get too technical in my explanation, but consider it a professional distortion because I specialize in this very field. I will try to keep it as simple as possible but don’t hesitate to ask me further questions if you want to go deeper. Also, no question is stupid, and all deserve an answer. It is right to ask anything about what you doubt or are curious about. If you find someone in me who can satisfy them, I’ll gladly answer, even if within the limits of my knowledge🥹

Na’vi is an arbitrarily created language, like Esperanto, and this makes it a little easier to grasp and study than a natural language, as grammar and phonetics should have no exceptions because of the evolution of the language in time and space. Although Na’vi actually does have them in pronunciation due to actor errors that have become canonical.

Fictional languages for cinematic use have become a very serious area of filmmaking, particularly in historical, fantasy, and sci-fi. James Cameron's will for the Na'vi language to sound authentic is no surprise. The aim was for it to sound alien, but for it to be replicable by the actors, whether they were playing natives or humans approaching the language. So, basically, it involved the phonatory apparatus of the Na’vi being similar if not identical to the human one, but the sounds produced were mixed to make them sound from another world. Paul Frommer (the Na’vi language inventor) combined elements from various languages, including Polynesian, Eastern European, Japanese, and Swahili. From Japanese and Swahili in particular, he took the agglutinative structure. Swahili is a lingua franca that arose from trade between the inhabitants of the East African coast and the Arabs, from whom it has been heavily influenced.

I am doing all this tedious background because the structure of full names in Na’vi is derived from Arabic more or less (Arabic names are far more complex).

Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk’itan = Neteyam of Sully (family) son of Jake >> te is the particle of belonging to something/someone [a borrowing of the Japanese particle の]. Tuktirey te Suli Neytiri’ite = Tuktirey of Sully (family) daughter of Neytiri >> in the case of words preceded by an apostrophe [‘itan/‘ite and so on], the particle dropped, but the positions between the two objects are reversed.

Just as in Arabic, Na’vi emphasizes from whom you descend, and whose child you are. For male names, one looks to the paternal line, and for female names to the maternal line.

I hope my long introduction did not confuse you and that this was the answer you were looking for. I tried to cram in as much information as possible without getting bogged down. But to give a dry answer on the structure of Na'vi names without at least an excursion into the language itself seemed to me to be fragmentary.

If you’re interested, there are portals on the Internet to generate names, divided into male and female. I recommend this one: https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/avatar-names.php I use it when I don't know what to call my characters, especially to vary with family names. There are also forums for learning grammar, and phrases. But I recommend you first start with the Na'vi dictionary compiled by Mark Miller and authorized by Frommer, with phonetics and basics. Beware of automatic translators, they are poorly done.

💕Thank you again for asking me. I'm flattered beyond words!💕

[lenniharrisonsims]

Behind The Scenes...

Imperial Palace, Glimmerbrooke, 8:21am

Kat: Del Sol has declared neutral, which I figured as much. President Mitchell has just started his first term, he wouldn’t want to jump headfirst into a war that has nothing to do with them. I appreciate his caution.

Misha: It would help if he declared for us, though. It leaves a gap on the East of the continent where Windenburg could get a foot in.

Cesare: Mitchell remaining neutral also gives Highwall an excuse to stay neutral as well, which makes our cause look weak.

Kat: We are not in need of allies. We have all the states of the Empire, the forces of Newcrest, Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, and Brindleton Bay. How many allies does Windenburg have? None.

Misha: But his navy is still twice the size of ours, even if you include all our foreign aid.

Kat: Unfortunately, this is true…

Cesare: It's because he has a draft- mandatory conscription for all the adult men in Windenburg. All we have is voluntary service-

Kat: And I'm not going to change that. I promised my people they would not be forced to fight.

Vera: Current intelligence tells us King Victor plans to commandeer the naval forces of the island nations he’s occupying.

Kat: Tartosa has a fairly impressive navy, but not much can be said for military forces in either Sulania or Selvadorada. That’s part of why both have peace and trade treaties with us. We are meant to provide the military might for them in case of an invasion. Why do we not have a plan to recapture Selavadorada yet? 

Advisor 1: We’re currently in talks with Oasis Springs for the addition of their navy to our numbers in an invasion of Selvadorada as we speak Ma’am. His Majesty, King Ivan, was apparently out of office this morning when our council tried to reach him about a decision. Something to do with a “family matter.”

Kat: We’re his family. Vera, get my brother-in-law on the phone immediately.

Vera: Yes Ma’am.

Advisor 2: Oh my god…

Kat: What is it?

Advisor 2: You need to turn on the TV, Ma’am. World News Coverage.

*Vera turns on TV*

TV: -in a lavish ceremony at the Crescent Cathedral in Newcrest, and has now begun to call himself “Emperor.”

Kat: Oh my god…

TV: “The New Windenburgian Empire” as he called it, encompasses the previous kingdoms of Newcrest, Sulani, Selvadorada, and Tartosa.

Misha: What?!

TV: Emperor Victor also crowned several loyal members of Windenburg Royalty and Nobility into positions of high authority in his new empire. His eldest daughter, Princess Martha, was crowned as the new Queen of Sulani. His son, Prince Jonas, was made King of Tartosa. The Earl of Frankvan was crowned as King Lucien of Selvadorada.

Kat: What the hell…

TV: The most shocking out of all of these of course was the crowning of Mr. Stefano Colona, the exiled King Cesare’s younger brother, former Prince of Newcrest and Prince Consort of Sulani, as the new King of Newcrest in his own right.

Cesare: That bastard son of a bitch!

TV: He was crowned alongside his once-mistress and now wife, Miss Justine Boyd, and his son born to the pair- the young Damien Colona.

Misha: How could he?! After everything you did for him, and for Damien? This is how he repays you?!

Cesare: He’s never cared about any of us. All he has ever cared about his power…

Advisor 3: Ma’am…

Kat: What?

Advisor 3: You might want to change it to International Breaking News.

Kat: Why?

*Vera changes channel*

TV: -at the ceremony, announced the engagement between the new Crown Prince Damien Colona of Newcrest, and Princess Emma Lofton-Strauss of Windenburg.

Misha: What?!

Kat: They’re just children…

TV: The new Emperor stated that the union was to solidify the new friendship between the ruling families of Newcrest and Windenburg, and help shape the future of the New Windenburgian Empire.

Kat: Turn it off. Vera, change of plans. Get Ivan, Caleb, Genevieve, and all my generals on an emergency conference call now. 

Cesare: What are you thinking?

Kat: I’m thinking that if we don’t get help to the Island Nations now, I worry about what’s going to happen to the ruling families that just got ousted and are still trapped in their homes.

Misha: You don’t think Victor would-

Kat: I think he would probably do anything to legitimize his new Empire, and that includes getting rid of opposition.

[technologycompanynews]

Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now - Information Important Internet - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/decorator-hangs-up-brushes-scottish-construction-now/?feed_id=136635&_unique_id=669a7bf3b74bd Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill BannermanPerth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators.Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour Studio for the send-off.When Davie started out, the obligatory paint-splattered workplace radio was pounding out hits like Abba’s Eurovision classic “Waterloo,” the Bay City Rollers’ “Shang-a-Lang” and the year’s best seller, Mud’s “Tiger Feet.”“It was great to see Bill again. It brought back a lot of great memories,” said Davie (66).“But I reminded him I didn’t start out with Bannerman’s.“One of my pals was a painter and when I was leaving Perth High School, he said it was a good trade to get into.“I decided to give it a go and initially landed an apprenticeship with D. Smith in Princes Street.“How did that go? It was terrible, a nightmare.“Back in those days there were railings stretching from the North Inch and the full length of Tay Street.“I must have painted every one of those railings, and the two bridges. Then it was on to railings for the council in Glenearn Road.“Enough was enough six months in. I was seeing railings in my sleep.“I told Bill what was happening. He said I’d never learn anything just painting railings.“I told Smiths I was leaving to join the navy and got a good reference. A few months later the old boss spotted me in a Bannerman’s van and realised I hadn’t joined up to see the world.“It was a four-year apprenticeship, and it was some team I was working with.“A lot of the tradesmen had come through the war. I was just a daft laddie. If you showed willing you were fine, but they didn’t take any prisoners.“It was a different world. When you were working off scaffolding, health and safety didn’t come into it. You were up three-part ladders using an extension pole and roller.“We were doing up loads of flats in the centre of Perth, pretty much every hotel in Pitlochry, painting shooting lodges and battling midgies up the Perthshire glens. Whitewashing the exterior of Blair Castle was another memorable job.“The craziest one was working in a big house in the Isla Road.“I had a feeling something wasn’t right when I spotted some blood on the staircase wall.“It turned out a Canadian grey goose had flown in and was stuck in an upstairs lounge.“I beat a hasty retreat when the thing came at me. It was angry, and huge. It tried to stick the heid on me.“No mobile phones in those days so I shipped out and used a neighbour’s landline to tell the boss there was a goose loose aboot the hoose.“Jack Hutchison the foreman came to the rescue, flinging a dustsheet over its head and getting it out.“The 50 years have flown by. Bannerman’s have been a grand firm to work for and I was lucky to work with characters I’ll never forget.”Keen Celtic fan Davie earmarked a holiday with wife Kate to mark his retirement.“I’m a member at King James VI so I hope to get in a bit more golf,” he said.“I’ve been a trustee with the Perth City Boys Club Trust for 12 years.“The old Dunkeld Road clubrooms were sold for £90,000 years ago and now we give out grants to help local sports clubs and individuals.“When times are hard the first thing that folk stop are club memberships for their kids so we try to give a helping hand.“The boys’ club was fantastic for supporting youngsters and I remember a squad of us from Bannerman’s going in to do up the clubrooms one winter and they didn’t take a penny. That was some gesture.”Davie is just the second tradesman to mark a half century with Bannerman’s, which celebrated its centenary three years ago and also has a Colour Studio in Dundee.“Davie genuinely is a legend in the local building trade.

Everyone knows him and he’s a fine tradesman,” said Ewan.“Dad set the alarm on his birthday to make sure he joined the team gathering to wish Davie well in his retirement.”Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now #Decorator #hangs #brushes #Scottish #ConstructionSource Link: https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/articles/decorator-hangs-up-brushes http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Decorator-hangs-up-brushes-Scottish-Construction-Now.jpg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill Bannerman Perth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators. Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour … Read More

[onlinecompanynews]

Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now - Information Important Internet https://www.merchant-business.com/decorator-hangs-up-brushes-scottish-construction-now/?feed_id=136634&_unique_id=669a7adcda5e1 Davie Birrell (cen... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill BannermanPerth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators.Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour Studio for the send-off.When Davie started out, the obligatory paint-splattered workplace radio was pounding out hits like Abba’s Eurovision classic “Waterloo,” the Bay City Rollers’ “Shang-a-Lang” and the year’s best seller, Mud’s “Tiger Feet.”“It was great to see Bill again. It brought back a lot of great memories,” said Davie (66).“But I reminded him I didn’t start out with Bannerman’s.“One of my pals was a painter and when I was leaving Perth High School, he said it was a good trade to get into.“I decided to give it a go and initially landed an apprenticeship with D. Smith in Princes Street.“How did that go? It was terrible, a nightmare.“Back in those days there were railings stretching from the North Inch and the full length of Tay Street.“I must have painted every one of those railings, and the two bridges. Then it was on to railings for the council in Glenearn Road.“Enough was enough six months in. I was seeing railings in my sleep.“I told Bill what was happening. He said I’d never learn anything just painting railings.“I told Smiths I was leaving to join the navy and got a good reference. A few months later the old boss spotted me in a Bannerman’s van and realised I hadn’t joined up to see the world.“It was a four-year apprenticeship, and it was some team I was working with.“A lot of the tradesmen had come through the war. I was just a daft laddie. If you showed willing you were fine, but they didn’t take any prisoners.“It was a different world. When you were working off scaffolding, health and safety didn’t come into it. You were up three-part ladders using an extension pole and roller.“We were doing up loads of flats in the centre of Perth, pretty much every hotel in Pitlochry, painting shooting lodges and battling midgies up the Perthshire glens. Whitewashing the exterior of Blair Castle was another memorable job.“The craziest one was working in a big house in the Isla Road.“I had a feeling something wasn’t right when I spotted some blood on the staircase wall.“It turned out a Canadian grey goose had flown in and was stuck in an upstairs lounge.“I beat a hasty retreat when the thing came at me. It was angry, and huge. It tried to stick the heid on me.“No mobile phones in those days so I shipped out and used a neighbour’s landline to tell the boss there was a goose loose aboot the hoose.“Jack Hutchison the foreman came to the rescue, flinging a dustsheet over its head and getting it out.“The 50 years have flown by. Bannerman’s have been a grand firm to work for and I was lucky to work with characters I’ll never forget.”Keen Celtic fan Davie earmarked a holiday with wife Kate to mark his retirement.“I’m a member at King James VI so I hope to get in a bit more golf,” he said.“I’ve been a trustee with the Perth City Boys Club Trust for 12 years.“The old Dunkeld Road clubrooms were sold for £90,000 years ago and now we give out grants to help local sports clubs and individuals.“When times are hard the first thing that folk stop are club memberships for their kids so we try to give a helping hand.“The boys’ club was fantastic for supporting youngsters and I remember a squad of us from Bannerman’s going in to do up the clubrooms one winter and they didn’t take a penny. That was some gesture.”Davie is just the second tradesman to mark a half century with Bannerman’s, which celebrated its centenary three years ago and also has a Colour Studio in Dundee.

“Davie genuinely is a legend in the local building trade. Everyone knows him and he’s a fine tradesman,” said Ewan.“Dad set the alarm on his birthday to make sure he joined the team gathering to wish Davie well in his retirement.”Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now #Decorator #hangs #brushes #Scottish #ConstructionSource Link: https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/articles/decorator-hangs-up-brushes http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Decorator-hangs-up-brushes-Scottish-Construction-Now.jpg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill Bannerman Perth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators. Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour … Read More

[formidablecompanynews]

Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now - Information Important Internet https://www.merchant-business.com/decorator-hangs-up-brushes-scottish-construction-now/?feed_id=136632&_unique_id=669a7ada6571d #GLOBAL - BLOGGER BLOGGER Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill BannermanPerth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators.Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour Studio for the send-off.When Davie started out, the obligatory paint-splattered workplace radio was pounding out hits like Abba’s Eurovision classic “Waterloo,” the Bay City Rollers’ “Shang-a-Lang” and the year’s best seller, Mud’s “Tiger Feet.”“It was great to see Bill again. It brought back a lot of great memories,” said Davie (66).“But I reminded him I didn’t start out with Bannerman’s.“One of my pals was a painter and when I was leaving Perth High School, he said it was a good trade to get into.“I decided to give it a go and initially landed an apprenticeship with D. Smith in Princes Street.“How did that go? It was terrible, a nightmare.“Back in those days there were railings stretching from the North Inch and the full length of Tay Street.“I must have painted every one of those railings, and the two bridges. Then it was on to railings for the council in Glenearn Road.“Enough was enough six months in. I was seeing railings in my sleep.“I told Bill what was happening. He said I’d never learn anything just painting railings.“I told Smiths I was leaving to join the navy and got a good reference. A few months later the old boss spotted me in a Bannerman’s van and realised I hadn’t joined up to see the world.“It was a four-year apprenticeship, and it was some team I was working with.“A lot of the tradesmen had come through the war. I was just a daft laddie. If you showed willing you were fine, but they didn’t take any prisoners.“It was a different world. When you were working off scaffolding, health and safety didn’t come into it. You were up three-part ladders using an extension pole and roller.“We were doing up loads of flats in the centre of Perth, pretty much every hotel in Pitlochry, painting shooting lodges and battling midgies up the Perthshire glens. Whitewashing the exterior of Blair Castle was another memorable job.“The craziest one was working in a big house in the Isla Road.“I had a feeling something wasn’t right when I spotted some blood on the staircase wall.“It turned out a Canadian grey goose had flown in and was stuck in an upstairs lounge.“I beat a hasty retreat when the thing came at me. It was angry, and huge. It tried to stick the heid on me.“No mobile phones in those days so I shipped out and used a neighbour’s landline to tell the boss there was a goose loose aboot the hoose.“Jack Hutchison the foreman came to the rescue, flinging a dustsheet over its head and getting it out.“The 50 years have flown by. Bannerman’s have been a grand firm to work for and I was lucky to work with characters I’ll never forget.”Keen Celtic fan Davie earmarked a holiday with wife Kate to mark his retirement.“I’m a member at King James VI so I hope to get in a bit more golf,” he said.“I’ve been a trustee with the Perth City Boys Club Trust for 12 years.“The old Dunkeld Road clubrooms were sold for £90,000 years ago and now we give out grants to help local sports clubs and individuals.“When times are hard the first thing that folk stop are club memberships for their kids so we try to give a helping hand.“The boys’ club was fantastic for supporting youngsters and I remember a squad of us from Bannerman’s going in to do up the clubrooms one winter and they didn’t take a penny. That was some gesture.”Davie is just the second tradesman to mark a half century with Bannerman’s, which celebrated its centenary three years ago and also has a Colour Studio in Dundee.

“Davie genuinely is a legend in the local building trade. Everyone knows him and he’s a fine tradesman,” said Ewan.“Dad set the alarm on his birthday to make sure he joined the team gathering to wish Davie well in his retirement.”Decorator hangs up brushes | Scottish Construction Now #Decorator #hangs #brushes #Scottish #ConstructionSource Link: https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/articles/decorator-hangs-up-brushes http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Decorator-hangs-up-brushes-Scottish-Construction-Now.jpg Davie Birrell (centre) with Ewan and Bill Bannerman Perth tradesman Davie Birrell has bowed out after clocking up 50 years with family firm Bannerman Decorators. Bill Bannerman, who took him on as an apprentice in 1974, interrupted his 94th birthday celebrations to join son and third generation partner Ewan at the firm’s Dunkeld Road Colour … Read More

[swampgh0stt]

I have not written for anything MegaMan related since like 2010′s???? 2008??? sometime around there. But I’ve been getting back into Battle Network lately & wanted to try writing something out, because it’s always got a special place in my heart. 

AU where Saito survived infancy, but his HBD left him in a fragile state. Including OC villains (T’aaku & Valery) as a means to an end. It was originally 2 docs titled “Rip to Saito but I’m different” & “Survivor’s Guilt? I don’t even know her” if that gives you insight

Also, if you squint, slight ForteRock bias? 

cw: major character death

“I figured it out.” 

Valery’s voice broke the silence of the warehouse, echoing in electronic reassurance. Normally, they would fill the space with their ramblings— (“And Great Spirits alive, could they ramble,” thought T’aaku)— but for the past few hours? Complete silence. It had given T’aaku a chance to review his own notes, mulling over the physical layout of SciLabs he had acquired. Stealing tech wasn’t the most honest of work, but it was his trade. He was brilliant on his own, but circumstances were rather unkind, often backing T’aaku into a corner of desperation. 

Until he created Valery— which he often deemed was his greatest success. There was hardly a Navi or a program that could keep his dearest at bay. With the exception of the Blue Bomber, who had been such a thorn in Valery’s side that the AI obsessed over her, mercilessly. Now that they broke their silence, T’aaku cringed at the thought of another rant incoming. 

“I know how to ruin Hikari’s day.” 

Well… That certainly brought T’aaku pause. “You really sat there this whole time, thinking about that?” He huffed, lifting his goggles from his eyes. A yellow eyed glare set on the hologram screen of his PET. “I have better things to do—“ 

“It’ll get the Blue Bomber off our backs for a while,” Valery added in a purr. That made T’aaku reconsider. Of course it always led back to her, but… She was a genuine threat to their project. “Trust me on this,” Val urged with confidence. “It’ll spare us a lot of trouble.” 

There was something uneasy twisting at his gut. He wasn’t sure what to think, but… “Whatever,” he huffed and held up his hands in surrender. “Whatever half-assed plan you came up with, just… do it. Don’t tell me, alright?” 

A wicked grin pulled back on Val’s face. “As you wish.” 

———-

“Netto…!” Haruka’s voice called from the kitchen, calling her child down. He stumbled along, skipping down the stairs without a care in the world. Why should he? It was his birthday! And his twin’s as well, but… Saito was always the main focus in everything they did together. Netto shoved his hands in the pockets of his vest, slipping into the kitchen with practiced carelessness. 

His mother had the brightest smile on her face as soon as she saw him. “You know what day it is.” As if she needed to remind him. “Your father’s coming home in a few hours,” and that was the best news Netto heard all day! “We have plans with your brother.” 

There it was. His eyes rolled as a pout set on his face. It wasn’t his fault he was stuck in the house all the time, so did he have to steal the attention for himself every single time they did anything as a family? “Maybe I already had plans,” he grumbled. Haruka knew her son had a feisty streak in him sometimes, especially when it came to the subject of his twin. But he wouldn’t dare miss a chance to spend time with his father, no matter how angry he was. 

“Here--” A slice of cake was handed over on a plate. “Can you bring that to your brother? There’s a slice waiting for you already.” Because she knew, immediately, that he would ask where his was. “You’re fourteen today!” 

Netto took the plate with a sigh, turning on his heels to head back upstairs. When he reached the door to his brother’s room, he paused-- hearing her voice on the other side. His heart clenched, hearing him sound so happy. (“All these birthday wishes for me, Rock? Guys-- You’re too nice to me.”) He knew immediately that Saito was talking to other Navis. They were his only friends, and Netto just wished he could make the same contacts he had. 

Maybe if he stopped getting so upset everytime he tried to include him--

He huffed, opening the door and plastered his best smile on his face. “Sai!” His voice rung out as he held up the slice of cake. “Mom wanted me to bring this to you.” He didn’t want his twin getting the wrong idea. The rest of the world might give him special treatment, but he refused to-- in his mind. Netto handed off the plate, grimacing as he stole a glance at Saito’s PET. 

Rock--

Such a source of envy from Netto. Saito always excelled with his Navi, getting opportunities he never could before. And while he was saddled with the Navi he refused to customize, he always felt his gut twist whenever he saw Rockman. Now, he could see other Navis on screen as well. Blues was always hard to miss-- (how did he befriend that stick in the mud!?)-- and Roll, too. Netto stepped back with a roll of his shoulders, shoving his hands in his pockets again. 

“Are you going somewhere?” Saito sounded hopeful when he asked, his green eyes locked on his twin brother. He knew how he felt, the resentment he held towards him… More than anything, he just wanted to ease those ill feelings. He wanted an actual relationship with his brother, if only he would give him the chance. “We can share the cake!” He gave him his own bright smile through the oxygen mask on his face. 

Netto just shook his head. “I’ve got my own, downstairs.” Away from you. “I’ll see you later, alright? Dad’s coming, so… I’ll be back then.” 

Saito’s smile immediately fell. This was typical, he knew it… But sometimes it really bothered him. “Oh… Alright.” It was a struggle to not sound so heartbroken, and an even bigger struggle to not look it when Netto turned and took his leave of the room. His shoulders slumped, attention returning to his PET screen. “He’ll be back later.”

Rockman folded his arms and huffed. “He always says that.”

-----

Netto’s slice of cake was forgotten on the table as he took off, no doubt in search for his friends as he left his mother and sister behind. All he needed was a time estimate for when his father was coming home. 

Haruka busied herself with decorations around the house while Saito tried to distract himself with all the Birthday messages he received. Rockman read off each enthusiastically, trying to help lift his NetOp’s mood after Netto’s departure. Navis came and went with their message deliveries, some staying longer than others-- but for the most part? He was left with Rock. The day was turning just the same as every other. He had hoped it would be different… 

“Anything else, besides messages?” Saito hated having to cut his Navi off mid-sentence, but the drone of similar well-wishes was starting to wear on him. “What time is Dad coming home again..? I can’t remember.” He was in desperate need of a distraction. “Hey, I have an idea. Maybe we can find Forte today?” 

Rock hesitated at that suggestion. “Ah… I don’t--” His words were cut off as there was a sudden power surge in the house. Saito’s gaze ripped away from his PET screen, shifting to his bedroom door. 

He heard it first, the hum of the ventilator silencing-- then he felt it. Saito’s hand immediately grabbed at his chest as it tightened with the sudden lack of oxygen. “Rock--” His voice squeaked out, his hand shakily reaching for the PET. The ventilator wasn’t the only thing that shut off, it seemed. Luckily, sunlight flooded his room, but the lights flashed through the house like a child flicking the switch excitedly. 

He was able to jack his Navi in, but time was not ticking in her favor. Rockman felt his NetOp’s desperation, hurrying to find the source of whatever nasty virus had infested the house all at once. “I’ve got it, Saito!” The little Navi reassured, immediately taking off in search of the ventilator-- and whatever virus had cut it off. He wouldn’t get very far before he was scooped up by a large rack of antlers that tossed him aside with ease. 

“!!!” Rock recovered quickly, his green-eyed glare falling upon a familiar sight: The same Navi he had run into so many times before; a known criminal… Valery. “I don’t have time for you right now!” He spat back. From where he was, Rock could see the ventilator’s access point, but Valery had put themself in his way. They were the cause of the sudden surge… The reason why the ventilator remained shut off. 

Val shook their head, a vicious laugh slipping out. “Trying to reach something?” 

Rock clenched his fists. “Saito..!” He knew he was asking a lot of his NetOp, but… He was desperate. “I need a battle chip--” Any one would do. The quicker Rock chased this menace off, the quicker he could get the ventilator back on. 

Saito was too breathless to speak, but did as he was asked. Unfortunately, Valery was more than happy to engage Rock in a fight, drag it out for as long as they could manage. And every second that passed, Rock could hear his NetOp getting worse. Val was intentionally wasting his time, to Saito’s own detriment. 

The battle was over as they both heard the sound of Saito vomiting. Val lifted their head just in time to see the operating screen-- see Saito double over the side of the bed and spill his guts on the floor. He found no relief after, with the mask now pulled away. Saliva and vomit was dripping from his lips as he gasped for breath that refused to fill his lungs. He could feel his heart pounding-- in time with his mother’s fists at the bedroom door. 

Move, Saito thought to himself. He had to move-- get to the door. It was his only chance. But Valery had already thought it through, keeping the outside world locked just beyond the bedroom door. Saito was trapped within, alone, while his Navi struggled to save his life. Unfortunately, Saito didn’t have the strength to help Rockman. 

“Saito!” Rock called to his Operator. “Stay with me, alright!?” He was already moving away from the PET. Val was all too eager to access the camera in the room, watching as Saito fell out of bed and to the floor. He was trying to crawl to the door, but he couldn’t move any further. “Saito…!” Rock called again, panicked at the video footage playing out. 

That signature wicked grin spread across Val’s face, watching the pitiful display. Every gasping breath Saito took was another thrill up their spine. Rock realized they looked more like a wild animal than an actual Navi, utterly disgusted at the excitement they had for possibly taking a life. They wouldn’t actually kill him, would they? 

“You’re killing him!!” Rockman shouted. 

Val turned his excitement on to the smaller navi then. “He won’t die…” But they knew they were lying as soon as the words escaped them. And how could they not find joy in it? The Operator to one of the biggest nuisances they had ever known… now brought to heel by their own whim. Reduced to gasping on the floor in a puddle of his own vomit, Val had put him there himself. Humans really were fragile little things, stupidly chasing after what they considered their own successes while failing to realize the downfalls. “You know the problem with automating everything, Rockman?” Val tilted their head, like a dog listening to a siren. “Monsters like me have all the power.” 

Rock took a step back, thinking through his options. He was at a disadvantage with Saito out, so he couldn’t rely on his Operator to win this fight. There was always the chance of reaching out for help, though… He whipped around, turning his back on Valery as he desperately started typing up a message for Netto. Val was more than happy to let him struggle. They knew they had already won. 

---------

“Netto.” The brunette groaned, hearing his navi call for him. “Netto, you have a message from Rockman.” 

“Oh great!” He threw his hands up in frustration. It had only taken so much to get his friends gathered for an impromptu birthday outing. Now his twin had come calling? Likely to bitch at him, as per usual. “He can wait.” He had all this curry to get through! 

The Alpha-I Navi paused, then continued with some hesitation: “The message says it’s an emergency--”

Netto bared his teeth angrily. “Saito’s not my Mom! Even if he likes to act like it sometimes!” His voice had raised, betraying the frustrations he had tried to hide in front of his friends. Dekao and Meiru exchanged worried glances with each other. They both knew how Netto felt about his twin, and they pitied Saito really! Meiru had been hoping he would put that resentment aside for their birthday, at least. 

“Maybe you should answer it.”

The brunette sat back in his seat, sulking. “If he needs help so bad, he can email his NetBattle friends. I’m busy. Besides, I’m sure they’re all tripping over themselves trying to get his attention anyway! What does he need me for?” 

------

“No answer?” 

Saito could hear Valery’s voice from her PET. He felt his heart sink. All that desperation was suddenly sapped from him, replaced with grim acceptance. Stuck on the floor, alone in his room, face-first in his own vomit… That was not how he wanted to die. But he was, while his mother tried to reach him-- held back by the monster that invaded their home’s network. Saito’s breaths were shallow and quick, but it was no use. “Rock--” He didn’t have the strength to do anything else. The least he could do was say his goodbyes, if his body would even allow that. 

The Navi tensed, hearing his Operator speak. “Don’t-!” He exclaimed. “Please..” Saito didn’t need to waste time on words. 

But his Operator insisted: “It’s okay.” 

Rockman knew it then, too. It was too late, wasn’t it? Netto wasn’t coming. Haruka couldn’t get in. Saito was dying, and this other Navi was more than happy to let it happen. He always worried that something like this could happen… but Rockman never thought it actually would. They had always been so careful, always worked with the right groups-- 

Valery listened in as each gasping breath grew shorter, less frequent. This was it-- the moment they had been waiting for! The sweet sounds of death echoing out from that frail body. “You deserve this,” Val ran their tongue over their teeth. “For every time you ever got in my way--” 

Their moment of victory was ripped away in a blinding flash of purple, a massive burst of dark energy that Rock just barely managed to escape from. A dark shadow had joined in the fray, his form smaller than Valery’s-- but just as deadly.

“Forte!” Rock was relieved to say the least. He could even the playing field, keep Valery distracted while Rock rushed to get the ventilator back on. But even that had proven useless, when Saito had already ripped the mask off his face. “Saito!” Rock called to his Operator. “It’s fixed! It’s fixed, get it back on!!” 

But there was no answer. 

“Saito!” Rock called again, because he couldn’t accept that his Operator was dead. Things were finally starting to look up..! Help had arrived, and Rock could fix everything Val had done to their home. The doors were unlocked, allowing Haruka the chance to rush in and scoop her child up in her arms. But help had arrived too late. 

--------

When Netto heard that his father had come home early, he was quick to cancel the rest of his plans and rush back. His heart was soaring at a chance to see his father again, making him almost reckless as he skated down the sidewalk. It was a pretty slow start to his birthday, he’ll admit, but it could only get better from--

“What..?”

It was hard to miss the flashing lights and emergency response vehicles gathered outside of his house. He skid to an immediate halt, his brown eyes wide as he took in the sight before him. What the hell happened? He spotted a well-meaning paramedic approaching him, and immediately decided that he wanted no part of that. Netto hurried forward again, slipping through the front door but was stopped when he heard his mother’s wailing from upstairs. 

Oh no. Upstairs… where his twin lived. 

Netto swallowed down the lump forming in his throat, remembering the emergency message he got earlier. He took a step up the stairway and paused, his eyes locked above. His mother’s sobs drowned out every other sound around him. “Saito…” His voice was soft. Something terrible happened to his twin, didn’t it? He took another step forward. Had he answered his message, could this have been avoided? He didn’t even open it to find out just what was going on, assuming he was nagging him for leaving the house. 

Why would he do that, he asked himself now. Why would he nag him for leaving on his birthday? Had he really been so jealous about everything that he completely-- ignored Saito, in his time of need? “Mom?” Netto called up, his voice cracking with emotions held back. This wasn’t happening, it couldn’t be. 

His father appeared in the hallway above, and Netto knew right then- by the solemn look on his face. There was no going back anymore. Netto stared desperately back at his father, silently pleading for reassurance. Yuichiro closed his eyes and shook his head. 

That broke Netto’s resolve. Skates were kicked off as he rushed up the stairs and around his father, into his brother’s room. His mother was clinging to his body, but Saito was lifeless where he lay. There was vomit on the floor… His mask had been thrown haphazardly, and the sheets clung to the side of the bed where he had fallen from. 

His PET was nearby, and Netto could hear Rock’s voice coming from it: (“It wasn’t Forte!! He was trying to help. He didn’t do this!”) Forte was here? It didn’t matter anymore. 

Yuichiro finally came back in the room, kneeling down beside his wife and his dead son. Netto regretted not opening that email now. He had abandoned his twin… and even Forte had been here-- What sort of person was he? 

His fists clenched, tears starting to spill down his cheeks. 

Happy fucking Birthday indeed.

------

“Oh my G-d.” 

T’aaku’s hands shook as he read over the headline again. A chill ran up his spine, but his whole body was numb from the shock. “Valery-- you killed him,” he breathed out. 

The article had a picture of Saito plastered on it, before going into detail of what was supposed to have been a special day gone horribly wrong. His vision started to blur as his eyes scanned slowly over each word, tears obstructing his ability to read through. “You actually-- you actually killed a child,” he sobbed. Had he known that was the plan his Navi came up with, he never would have agreed to it. The Blue Bomber was a nuisance, sometimes a genuine threat, but his NetOperator didn’t deserve to die for it. 

And what’s worse… Valery had said they thought of a good way to ruin Hikari’s day. This was so much more than that. 

Without hesitation, the Navi answered: “He deserved it.” T’aaku felt his stomach drop with such carelessness. “Besides-- that indie Navi took the fall. Really, humans are so stupid.” 

T’aaku whipped around to face his PET, his teeth bared angrily. “He was a child!” He shouted back, not bothering to hide how truly upset he was. “I never wanted this--”

“You said.”

“I didn’t tell you to kill a sick kid!” 

Valery didn’t bother to argue back. Instead, a recording of T’aaku’s voice played out from the screen: “Whatever half-assed plan you came up with, just… do it. Don’t tell me, alright?” Their yellow eyes glared right back, a wicked smile on his face. “I killed her?” They countered with a tilt of their head. “You killed him. You made me…” 

“Shut up!”

“I never would have existed without you. I was only acting in our best interests, getting rid of that disgusting internet cop. If you had come with me, we could have made off with his PET and been done with the Blue Bomber all together.”

“You want me to steal from a dying child!?” T’aaku couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What kind of monster did he make? 

“Yes.” Valery wouldn’t pretend like they were concerned about grave-robbing, or any trouble that could bring their operator. This was opportunity! The world was now biting at the bit to get their hands on such a famous, now operator-less Navi! 

And who were they, to miss out on opportunity? 

-------

The house was a lot quieter without Saito. Netto found that he couldn’t stand it. 

He missed his twin’s voice ringing through the halls. He wasn’t particularly loud, but he often left the door to his room open so Haruka could keep an ear out. Netto would give anything to hear him planning NetBattle strats with Rock, or a snarky exchange with Enzan. 

No… More than anything? He saw Saito’s face, that bright smile directed at him, just before he left her for the very last time. He didn’t want to speak with his NetBattle companions, Saito wanted his company. He had even offered to share his slice of cake with him, as he always did-- Saito was always trying to include him, to drag him along with him, to have his twin at his side. Netto rejected him at every turn, wanting to stand on his own rather than stand by his twin’s side. And why, why didn’t he just spend more time with him? 

Why did he resent him so much, when all he wanted to do was be with him? 

Netto stared into him room, stuck at the threshold. It was so dark without him. Their father had taken her PET with him back to SciLabs, leaving Saito’s room in complete silence without his Navi. 

It didn’t take long, after news got out, for a dispute about who was to buy Rockman off the family. He was far too valuable to waste away without an operator. Netto felt like crows were fighting over his brother’s corpse every time a new offer came in, begging the Hikari family with false niceties and a very large check. 

He didn’t want Rock going to anyone else. If someone was taking him, Netto wanted to be that new Operator. They didn’t deserve to have his brother’s Navi… He didn’t either, but at least he could try to do right by him, after how he had wronged Saito so often. 

But that was not his decision to make, it seemed. Rockman was whisked away, and Netto could only wonder why. 

He took a step into het room, undisturbed after Haruka had cleaned it. No more vomit on the floor… and the sheets were fixed neatly on the bed. Netto could only see that awful scene he had come home to, with the room in disarray and his brother’s body lifeless in their parents’ arms. Could he have saved him, if he only answered the message? Had he rushed back home then, instead of stuffing his face with curry--

He grit his teeth and shook his head, feeling hot tears start to form again. Why didn’t he answer the damn message!? He could have easily come home and sent his Alpha-I Navi into the fray, maybe even operated Rockman and saved Saito’s life. Would a second Navi have been enough to chase off the attacker? 

Was it even actually Forte? Rockman had been insistent that it wasn’t, but the police were certain of their bias against him. He had a history of hating humans, yes… But Netto only ever heard praise and admiration come from Saito, when he spoke about Forte. Was it in his nature to turn on someone, when he sensed weakness? Was he no better than some wild animal that shouldn’t be touched? 

But Rockman said-- 

Netto paused, holding his breath as he listened in. His mother was beside herself in grief, having found something to kill her pain that made her less lucid, but kept her from sobbing the days away. She was not the same, after Saito’s death. None of them were, but his mother was especially destroyed over it. He wondered if she, too, blamed herself? Having been home at the time, unable to reach her son on the other side of the door. Did she hear the whole thing? Was she forced to listen to the bitter end, knowing she was powerless? 

He couldn’t stomach the grief he harbored already. Netto wasn’t sure if he could live with himself, if he experienced that too. 

After his mother passed without sparing a glance his way, or even to Saito’s room, Netto continued his silent exploration. Without the PET, he needed something to keep with him, something that could keep his twin alive. What he found was his bandana, with Rockman’s navi-mark embroidered in. It had been a gift, though he wasn’t sure from who. Saito received so many gifts for his efforts, and instead of celebrating with him? He often shrugged it off and went on his own. 

Another regret. 

“I’m sorry,” Netto breathed out as he pulled the bandana over his forehead. “I’m so sorry, Saito.” 

-----

“How are you feeling?” 

The first thing Saito heard was his father’s voice. He blinked, coming to and seeing a world vastly different from the one he had always known. His green eyes directed down, spying the blue gloves on his hand. He looked like Rockman…

He was Rockman..!

Saito glanced up in shock. “What happened..!?” His voice was soft. The last thing he remembered was feeling terror and desperation, choking on his own spit as he gasped for breath. He heard Rockman calling for him… Heard Forte’s name in the mix-- then nothing.

“This was the only way I could save you,” his father explained. “I’m sorry. It’s selfish, I know. But I can’t lose you.” 

Saito lowered his hands to his sides, his shoulders sagging. He had spent so much of his life staring at a screen… This was newly found freedom without restrictions-- and gifting him the chance to actually spend time with his friends, but.. 

“I can’t tell anyone about this, can I?” He already knew the answer. 

“No, I’m afraid not,” his father sounded as if he regretted it. “Not even Netto. Not yet, at least. Is that alright?” 

What was he supposed to say? “Will he be my operator?” He didn’t want to find himself under some stranger’s control. 

“Yes…”

It was almost a dream come true, in the most cruel fashion. He would finally get time with his twin brother… But at what cost? “Alright…” Saito resigned himself with a nod. This was the hand he was dealt. It was the only way.

[calif0rnia-lovers]

learning to share.

request: since you made it a thing to give us Rio and his wife can you give us his proposal? How you think he did it?

warning(s): none — date night + marcus

pairing: rio x reader | rating: 💙. | words: 630

✧ Friday nights are reserved for date night. Rio sticks to this religiously. he’s busy during the week, so he makes sure it’s never interrupted or postponed

✦ It is on one of those nights that Rio proposes.

✧ He has thought about the moment for months, but it doesn’t go as planned. Primarily because someone else crashes his plans for the evening

✦ “I wanna come.” It was a request made by Marcus as he’d watched his father pick up his keys. “I never get to go with you!”

✧ “I know. You’ll go next time. not tonight, lil man.” Rio might think he lays down the law in his house, but his son knows otherwise.

✦ because when you enter the kitchen ten minutes later, a fully dressed Marcus accompanies you. with your help, marcus has traded his school clothes for a pair of navy blue dress pants and a white button down.

✧ “I told him no,” Rio shakes his head, unable to suppress his smile as you fix his son’s bow tie, your eyes roll dismissing his objection.

✦ “and I told him yes.” the sweet, innocent smile on your lips mirrors the one Marcus gives his father. “doesn’t he look so handsome?”

✧ “you can’t give him everything he asks for, just because he smiles at you,” Rio warns. The kiss he presses against your forehead betrays the stern tone of his voice. “he’s gonna end up spoiled—“

✦ “sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” you tease. “I think you’ll manage having to share me for one night, Rio.”

✧ the table he’s reserved, at your favorite restaurant, now has three seats instead of two.

✦ “you can order whatever you want,” you tell Marcus, the sight of his widened eyes bringing a smile to your lips.

✧ “whatever I want?” his eyes passing across the table to his father who is silently watching him, an amused smile on his lips.

✦ “of course,” you smile, your eyes lifting to meet Rio’s. “your dad’s paying.”

✧ the seat rio had planned to take alongside you is now occupied. he is forced to sit on the opposite side of the table, watching as marcus sits alongside you.

✦ for the first time, when your food arrives, rio isn’t offered to try it—well, he is, but he’s not the first to be offered. you offer it to marcus first.

✧ the conversation is full of laughter—only rio is not the cause of it. rio doesn’t get much in. marcus talks a hundred words per minute, focused on sharing every thing that passes through his mind with you.

✦ rio watches silently, chin in hand, as his son rests against your side. the smile on his son’s face is one Rio has become accustomed to in your time together. it is a smile that appears the second marcus notes your arrival.

✧ you glance up, the smile on your lips softening as you meet your boyfriend’s gaze. “you okay over there?”

✦ “oh, who me?” rio’s brow raises, his smile stretching. “just thinking how I should’ve stayed home. my own son’s got me third wheelin’”

✧ “if you continue to behave, I’ll make it up to you later.”

✦ rio waits until you are in the restroom to lean forward. “You wanna help me with something?”

✦ the price of the ring doesn’t matter. he’ll most definitely downplay the cost if you ask. Rio’s focus was creating a ring he knew you’d love. he brought marcus along to the jewelers for the final seal of approval.

✧ upon your return to the table, you find Rio has suddenly changed his mind about getting Marcus dessert.

✦ you’re walking, Marcus between the two of you, eating your ice cream when Rio reaches over his fingers catching yours.

✧ “before we head back, Marcus and I wanna ask you something.”

manny montana tags: @amorestevens @kimljn @kaystacks17 @crybabysdeadbunny @youlovetkay @harryswhore03 @mariaxliliana @partypoison00 @corpse-babe @uhlxis

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[muffinlance]

Muffin, did tou change the chapter count on As the world should be? :0

Yeah, I sneakily marked As the World Should Be as completed when I realized that A) it's in a good spot to be finished as a standalone short, and B) I am really not gonna get back to it for a long long time. I may yet return to it, but for all intents and purposes it's done.

But since you Definitely Asked, here's the start of what would have been the second chapter:

2. Negotiations

Ozai had once entertained the possibility of bonding with his son. They were both second born. Both destined to be overshadowed by the child before them, simply due to poor luck and a tragically low infant mortality rate among the upper class.

Azula was the perfect heir; eager, obedient, a firebending prodigy, blooming within the court from the first time she realized she could threaten a servant with fire and face no reprimand.

It was easy for the subtler talents of a second born to be overlooked. For the quiet work of a political mind to appear subservient to their older, flashier sibling.

From when his son was first old enough to be worth the investment, Ozai made certain to set aside time to spend with the boy.

%%%

The guard lemur announced Zuko's presence with a loud chittering call and then sat itself on his shoulder like one of the palace lizard-dogs detaining a target, ready to maul on command. Zuko stopped walking and tried to ignore its gigantic eyes watching his every move, its head nearly pressed against his. He would really prefer not to lose half his face.

"Avatar. I've come to open negotiations. As we—" the lemur started tugging at his crown, but Zuko's hands were too full to brush it away. "—As we discussed."

"Come on over! Have you had dinner yet? And it's all right to just call me Aang."

"Nu-uh," the nonbender said. "Pause. What are you carrying, and what are they doing here?"

"Writing supplies?" Zuko said, raising his portable writing desk a little higher, and catching the bag of paper and inks before it could slide off.

Which left the issue of Mai and Ty Lee standing behind him.

"We're chaperoning!" Ty Lee said.

"Wouldn't want anything to impinge upon his Highness' honor," Mai said.

Zuko flushed. And accepted the Avatar—Avatar Aang's—invitation to join them at their fire. He even accepted a bowl of… something that was rice-based… to be polite. He set the bowl on the edge of his desk, and arranged a stack of papers and ink pot and readied his quill. Which the guard lemur confiscated with its tiny paws. ...He readied another one.

"I think it would be prudent to begin with our opening terms," he said. "What do you want?"

"The war to end," Avatar Aang said.

Zuko diligently wrote this under the column titled Demands of the Avatar and His Associates from the Nations of Water and Earth as Regarding the Avatar's Surrender (First Draft).

"More specifically," the nonbender said, "for the war to end without the Fire Nation ruling the world. Troop withdrawals, that navy of yours needs to stay out of our waters, reparations for rebuilding, war criminal trials that aren't a complete farce, in fact, why don't you just turn them over to us for judging—"

"A firebending teacher for Twinkletoes," the earthbender said. "One who isn't going to fry him. And you guys can't keep squatting on Earth Kingdom land."

"My mother's necklace back," the waterbender growled under her breath.

He diligently added all these to the list.

"What does the Fire Nation want?" Avatar Aang asked, when they were done saying things almost faster than he could write.

Zuko started putting marks next to the things that made sense. "We want the war to end too, obviously," he said, and ignored the general Water Tribe reaction to 'obviously'. "Troop withdrawals and land and sea border treaties would be a part of that, and if there are war criminals than of course they'll be brought to justice—"

" 'If'?" the nonbender squawked.

"Zuko," Mai said. "You're not supposed to tell them what we'll agree to. You're supposed to talk their terms down. By using your own."

"Oh. Right." He sat up a little straighter, and started writing under the Fire Nation's column. "We'll need Avatar Aang's surrender, or at least his reclusion from any hostile actions, both now and in the future. His bending instructors should probably be with him, so he can learn to… actually be the Avatar. And so they don't do anything political on his behalf. And, uh. I'm not sure about reparations, aren't those… usually for the side that loses?"

(There was additional squawking, and some growling from the waterbender.)

"But we will want trade deals. Which can certainly include supplies for rebuilding."

And had to include food, because the Fire Nation's population had lived for a hundred years outside the borders of their island, they didn't all fit there anymore. There was a reason they had to keep expanding the colonies' borders.

This seemed like a good place to leave their initial negotiation rounds. Before any war crimes could be inflicted against his person. Also, he should probably consult with father before making any formal promises.

%%%

Enclosed please find a copy of Avatar Aang's initial demands prior to surrender. There is a significant amount of common ground—

Ozai was very aware of his brother sitting across from him, sipping tea.

"Who knew your son would be such a diplomat!" Iroh smiled. "Ah, but obviously you did. I admit I had my doubts when you sent such an inexperienced combatant into the field, brother, but clearly I lacked the foresight to see that this was your plan all along!"

"Indeed," Azula smiled, with no fewer teeth. "Quite ingenious, father."

Firstborns. How Ozai loathed them.

[softitunes]

heyyy gurll😌💅 dont mind me just here to ask for that imagine with 💃⭐Doffy⭐💃 Ya'know...the one we were literally talking abt yesterday with the kid who looks identical and all that? Ye...make it happen

👁👅👁👍

Have fun...😗

Ahh right right...😅 ill be honest i totally forgot abt this lol.

𝐃𝐨𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 "𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐧" 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦...

Discovering him

Doffy first discovered him through the morning news paper and honestly

My guy was genuinely confused...

He didn't destroy the slave trades yesterday??? Did he? Does he sleepwalk?

that's him in the picture...right?

It isn't till later that day, diamante rushes into his office showing him the wanted poster...

𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃

𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒

𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒙𝒐𝒕𝒆 _________

350,000,000 𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑠

That's when it all clicked. He has a son? How is he only just finding out about this? How old is he? Who raised him? Does he know about his father?? Surely he does...

He has all his executives gather all information about the "kid" or so he thought, apparently his son is 21, 20 years younger than himself in fact he was like a carbon copy of him, just with longer hair and regular shades...and no pretty coat.... born and raised in the north blue, he had made himself quite known in that region and the grand line...always slipping away from the navy's grasp.

And from what doffy's heard...

_________ was still currently in sabaody.

Meeting him

It was quite awkward for a moment...

The second they saw eachother, they both froze it didn't last long though, seeing as doffy just laughed off the tension and _________ kinda just carried on with his thing, walking down the street, buying groceries, he didn't seem too bothered with the stalking shichibukai.

He even offered to talk with doffy at a nearby bar.

_________ may look like his father, But he doesn't seem to act like him, to be honest he was alot calmer than the flamingo, he had a somewhat stoic but relaxed expression and was softly spoken unlike the shichibukai who cackled throughout the entire conversation.

_________ didn't seem to talk about himself much, only mentioning minor little details about his past.

His birthday, the village he grew up in, he did however reveal that he doesn't know who his mother is...and was abandoned at a local orphanage but he never went further with that. The conversation was mainly just small talk from there and also doflamingo talking about his family.

Now We all know doffy wouldn't be subtle about wanting _________ to join his crew/family, as a matter of fact right after they finish talking doffy confronts him outside.

"I want you to join my crew"

"Why?"

"Eh, i just don't know how to feel about my kid joining with some weak crew...it would make me look bad, plus it's probably best if i keep an eye on you, from what I've heard, you're quite the troublemaker, i don't you to some how screw up my stuff in your chaos..."

"I probably get it from you"

"Fufufu Oh that's a definite...so have we come to an agreement?"

"Eh only cuz you're my ol' man"

"I prefer the term father...young man"

"How old are you?"

"20 years more than you"

"Old man it is then"

He could get used to this...in time

Bonus:

Heres a drawing i did inspired by dis👀👀👀

Also @vanillassswirll...👁👅👁🖕