#(the mysterious benefactor strikes!!!)

[sanguineterrain]

Hi Sanne! I'm not sure if requests are open, but if you're up to it I'd like to request red hood x reporter! Maybe reporter reader is getting too close to a case and is starting to become a target and hood takes her protection into his own hands? ((Including lots of midnight rendezvous and rooftop bump ins))

i love this prompt sm! i've been thinking about a reporter reader ever since i read task force z :) thanks for requesting!

jason todd x gn!reporter!reader. tw: reader is attacked (but they're okay), guns, violence, fighting, jason being both a force to be reckoned with and a big softie. 2.5k words

****

"I don't need protection."

The Red Hood crosses his arms. You cross yours right back.

"Yes, you do," he says.

"No, I don't. I've lived in Gotham my whole life. I can take care of myself."

"Living around and being in the thick of violence are very different. You're already chasing this story; they will come after you."

And what a story it is. The story of the decade, at the very least. A task force of formerly-dead Arkham patients wielded against Gotham by a mysterious benefactor.

It's terrifying. It's dangerous. It's sure to win you your first Pulitzer.

And it all means absolutely nothing if the Red Hood keeps wrapping you in red tape.

Your jaw ticks. "This is my story, Hood. You can't turn it in, so I will. And I won't be scared off by some slimeball."

"Oh, please. You wouldn't even have known about this story if it wasn't for me, smarty."

Smarty. His favorite moniker for you because, according to him, you think you know everything.

Working with the Red Hood has been an unfortunate side effect of chasing your prize-winning story. Not only is he wanted in twenty-six countries (you Googled it) and is a ruthless crime lord (supposedly formerly, but you're doubtful), but worst of all, he's got an attitude to match yours.

He's also built like a tank, which is why you can't just. Outrun him.

"I can't just not publish the story," you say.

"I don't want to stop you from publishing the story. Hence the protection."

"I can't afford a bodyguard."

"Well, it's a good thing I already paid my rent this month."

You scoff. "The Gotham Gazette has a strict 'no armed and dangerous' policy. I'm afraid we all have to leave our gun-toting vigilantes at home."

You open the driver's door of your car, ready to end the conversation here and now. Hood calmly closes the door with his hip and leans.

You glare. "Get off of my car."

"Fact." He holds up a finger. "These kinds of people always strike before the story comes out. They know you're scared and stressed, and they wanna do it before the story gets out. Otherwise, it's obvious who killed who."

"And where did you read this fact? Crime Lord's Digest? We don't even know if they know I'm the reporter who broke into the lab."

"Listen, smarty, I've been in this game a lot longer than you. I know how they operate," he says, finally getting off of your car, only to lean on the hood. Jerk. "It's only a matter of time before whoever's behind this snuffs you out."

"I am not letting a wanted criminal nest in my apartment!"

"That's why I'd be there."

"I was talking about you, Hood."

"Funny."

"I'm not joking. Look, I appreciate your... help." You try not to show your exasperation. "But there's no way I'm inviting you over to my apartment. That'll set off more alarms. If anything happens, I'll call you. Until then, stay away. Deal?"

Hood looks you over.

"Hm. You're awfully comfortable with giving me orders, smarty."

Your adrenaline spikes for a second. But it quickly calms. You've worked with Hood for a month now. Sure, you were petrified the first week, but it quickly dissipated. You've fallen into an odd camaraderie with him.

It's actually kind of nice, having him on your side. No one at the Gazette gives you the time of day. You've become used to having a partner. Not that you'd ever tell him that.

"You take orders so well, I can't help but dole them out," you say, only a little smirky.

"Watch it," Hood rumbles, only half-serious. Probably.

You beam and wrench open your car door, sliding into the seat.

"See?" you say, turning the ignition. "No snipers waiting to take me out. I'll be fine."

He shakes his head and slides off the hood. "Ten bucks says they'll try by the end of the week."

You close your door. "You're on."

****

As it turns out, Hood doesn't need the end of the week to earn his tenner. Trouble breaks down your door the very same night.

You're on your couch with some well-earned Lebanese takeout when your door is ripped off of your hinges. You shoot up from the couch, chest immediately tight.

Your assailant is masked and isn't that typical, giving masked men everywhere a bad name.

You run to the kitchen, hoping you can grab a knife. But you're grabbed before you can get there. You slip on the carpet and trip further into your assailant's arms.

"Keep still so I won't make a mess," is all he says.

You start screaming. He covers your mouth and you bite his hand. That earns you a thump on your cheek, so hard your vision blurs.

Bang!

You freeze, expecting the warm drip of blood and the excruciating pain to accompany it. Instead, your assailant falls to the floor, clutching his ribs. You stumble backwards and see Hood at your door, gun still aimed. He stalks over and kicks the assailant in the chest as he does. The assailant groans.

"You okay?"

You're still staring at the man who very nearly killed you a minute ago. Blood roars in your ears. You think you might be close to fainting.

"Hey." Big, gloved hands hold your face. You flinch and hold the owner's wrists. Hood comes into view once more.

"Are you okay?" he asks firmly. "Look at me, look at me, sweet. Breathe. 'S okay. Does anything hurt? Did he—"

Hood cuts himself off as he touches your cheek, where you were hit. He lightly runs a thumb over what is probably a budding bruise.

Hood lets you go and whirls onto your attacker. He hauls him up and presses a gun to his stomach.

"Go ahead, shoot me!" the attacker shouts.

"If I shoot you, it won't be out of mercy. You won't get a quick death. You don't deserve it," Hood snarls, and you suddenly remember all of your good reasons for fearing the Red Hood.

"I ain't telling ya shit!"

"I don't expect you to," Hood says, and fires again.

The man crumples to the ground, but he's clearly still breathing. Still alive. Hood drags him to the door by his collar.

"You go back to your boss. And you tell 'em that they're fucking with the Red Hood now. And, in case I'm not being perfectly fucking clear through all that blood loss—" Hood grabs the man by his hair and wrenches his head back. "If you come for my reporter again, you'll wish I was kind enough to put a bullet in your head."

Hood hauls your attacker outside. You hear a car start a minute later, and it tears down the street.

You look at your guardian angel, spattered in blood.

Not nearly as much blood as I expected, you think manically.

Your body aches and shakes with adrenaline. You can't even get enough control to move to the couch.

"How–how did you get here so fast?" you ask, staring at your now cracked coffee table.

"I've been monitoring your apartment since you got home. One of the traffic cameras picked up a stolen vehicle turning onto your block, so I came here."

You look at Hood. He seems very collected, all things considered.

"You—how did you find my apartment? Have you been stalking me?"

"Please. Lend me a little credit, smarty. I don't need to stalk you to find where you live," he says, holstering his gun.

"Are you insane?!" you burst. "That is such a gross invasion of privacy! What the hell is wrong with you?"

Hood looks at you.

"What's wrong with me is I just saved your life," he says evenly. "And on that note, you owe me ten bucks. Maybe even fifteen, considering it took less than a day for them to do exactly what I said they would."

Your lip wobbles. You don't know what triggers it; maybe it's your scratched up door or torn sofa or the fact that the Red Hood is in your living room right now with blood on his suit.

The tears form quickly. You can't stop them.

You cover your face but a sob claws out of your throat. Soon, you fall into big, heaving cries.

"Whoa, hey." The floorboards creak under Hood's unsure footsteps. "Hey, I didn't mean that. Shit. I was just kidding about the bet part. Aw, don't cry, smarty."

A hand lightly touches your shoulder. You lean in, but don't dare to initiate more contact. So Hood eases you into a side hug, awkwardly patting your other arm. He's extremely warm and solid with muscle, but his chest is soft enough to rest your head on. He unclips his holster so it doesn't dig into your body.

"I was just kidding," Hood says quietly in your ear. He rubs your arm. "'M sorry. Didn't mean to make y'cry."

You sniff and shake your head. "No, it–it's not that, I'm just—God, I'm t-terrified, Hood. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? They're gonna kill me! I'm gonna die before I win my first Pulitzer!"

You try to suck in deep breath but it's not working. Hood leads your unsteady feet to the couch. You sit, fingers gripping his jacket. Hood carefully loosens your grip.

"They're not gonna kill ya, smarty. I won't let 'em. C'mon, let's have a seat. Where's your kitchen?"

You point, lashes still thick with tears. Hood leaves and returns shortly. A glass of water is held to your lips. You drink it, breathing stilted.

"'S okay. Take it easy. Breathe. That's right."

You swallow half of the water, and he sets the glass down on the coffee table. Hood hands you a wad of tissues.

"This is pathetic," you say, wiping your tears. "Can't believe I'm being nursed by the Red Hood."

"I think nursed is a strong word. But it's more than I usually do for my informants. Then again, they don't usually burst into tears."

"Don't make fun of me. I'm fragile."

"I wasn't making fun of you," Hood says, gentler than you've ever heard him. He puts the tissues aside and rests a hand on your shoulder. You turn into it, appreciative of the weight. "You handled this better than most people would. You didn't even pass out. Hell, I've passed out."

You're sure that Hood is leaving out important details behind that anecdote, like fighting off a hundred men or being swallowed by a whale beforehand. You're grateful nonetheless.

You turn to him, fresh tears in your eyes. "They're gonna kill me, Red."

He shakes his head. "No. Listen to me. Nobody is gonna do anything to you, okay? I'm not gonna let 'em hurt you, smarty pie."

"That's an impossible promise," you say. "One of these days, something will happen. You can't be everywhere at once. Especially not while I'm at home."

Hood tilts his head. "Well..."

"Well, what?"

He rubs his throat. An old injury, he'd once told you. The pain flares up sometimes.

"I could call in a favor. Get you into a safehouse."

"You would do that for me?" you ask. You probably shouldn't ask. Shouldn't look a generous vigilante in the mouth. But you can't help it.

"I can't very well publish the story myself, can I?"

You shrug. "I doubt that. You have your ways. Once you have the evidence, you don't need me."

"That's not true," Hood says fiercely. "I do need you."

Your eyes widen. Hood fumbles for a moment.

"That—I mean for the case. Obviously. I don't have any journalistic links besides you. And I wouldn't want the story to fall into the wrong hands."

"Oh." You have a strong urge to wrap your arms around him. Weird. "Well, um, thank you. I appreciate it."

"Don't thank me yet. It'll take me a few days to get the safehouse," he says.

You deflate. "Oh. So I have to stay here until then?"

Hood is quiet for a long time. So long, you briefly revisit your original theory that the Red Hood is actually an AI remotely controlled by a billionaire.

"Hood?"

You reach to touch him. He flinches, a tiny movement. You immediately draw back.

Nope. Still a man.

"Sorry," he says, hand slipping from your shoulder. "I was, uh, going over options. No, your place is toast until we find whoever's behind this. But, um, it would be possible for you to—if you want to, 'cause if you don't, y'know, I understand, but I—it would be doable for you to, uh, stay with me. Until I get the safehouse."

"Stay... in your apartment?"

"'S not far from here. And it's a hell of a lot better protected than your place. And, y'know, I'd be there most of the time, so like..." Hood clears his throat. "Uh, yeah. It'd be safe. I promise."

"I wouldn't want to impose," you say, nervously scratching your arm.

"Mm. If you're scared of staying with me, y'can just say so. I won't take it personal."

He does kind of sound like he's taking it personally.

"No, Hood, it's not that. I don't... I'm not afraid of you. That, uh, went away a while back," you say. "I just... I don't want to burden you. After all, it's your space."

He makes a sound that tells you he's rolling his eyes behind his helmet.

"Saving your life is important, smarty. Why you don't think so, I'll never know."

You make a soft, pleased sound. "Got a real bleeding heart there, Red."

He sighs. "Yeah. I'm working on it."

You grin. "Thank you for rescuing me."

"Part of the job. If you don't wanna stay with me, I could..." Hood hesitates. "With your permission... I could get the Bats involved. Ask one of them to house you."

"You mean Batman?"

Hood grunts. "Preferably anyone but him, but yeah, if it comes to that. He'll probably get involved anyway. Fuckin' busybody."

"The Bats would protect me? But they don't know me."

"Don't matter. If I asked them to, they would. If that's something you want."

You think. Is it something you want?

Sure, any reasonable person would prefer Nightwing or Batman to protect them.

"I don't want to stay with them," you say. "I'd rather stay with you."

He jerks like you've told him the sky is falling.

"You do?" he asks.

"Well, yeah. I know you, Red. And I know you'll keep me safe."

"At any cost," he says.

That simultaneously frightens and thrills you.

"Then I'd like to go home with you," you say. "If you'll have me."

"'Course, smarty. Anything to keep you safe. Go pack some stuff. I'll be out here. You're okay?"

"I'm okay." You stand and turn before he can see what he does to you.

Yes, it's an odd thing, being partners with the Red Hood.

You're starting to fear that you can't have it any other way.

(pt 2)

[inaconstantstateofchange]

binggeyuan modern!AU based on this prompt where shen yuan and luo binghe live in the same apartment building, but have never met each other. SY is more-or-less his regular shut-in self, and keeps very odd hours, which means that he happens to be wide awake the first time LBH gets back to the apartment building at 3 a.m. after some manner of illicit activity and realizes he doesn't have his fucking entrance key. LBH hits one apartment number after another into the intercom, fully prepared to dazzle his way into getting one of them to open the door for him, but the intercom is old, and people come and go from this building often enough that most people don't bother getting it set up, and he's having no luck.

finally, just as he's about to give up and bully his way onto mobei-jun or sha hualing's couch for the night, someone picks up. he doesn't even remember which specific apartment number it was, he was just entering them mechanically. immediately, LBH pulls on his smoothest affect (sure the intercom has no video, only shitty, garbled audio, but that's no reason to let the universe catch you slipping) and prepares to give the sob story performance of his life. before he can even get a single word out, however, there's a crackly, almost indiscernible "Open!" and he hears the click of the entrance door unlocking before the intercom call is ended. he stares at the intercom for a minute, somewhat wrong-footed, but then shakes himself out of it in time to catch the door before it locks again.

SY, for his part, was broken out of a binge-reading spiral by the intercom call, and fully did not realize how late it had gotten. he assumed he had ordered something that was arriving earlier than expected, and kept an ear out for a knock on his front door from the delivery person for a few minutes, but then got sucked back into the target of his current literary criticism.

the next time LBH gets locked out, he starts in the general number range he remembers striking on the last time, and pays closer attention to the numbers this time. he's curious if his little philanthropist will be so accommodating again. SY orders a lot of packages, okay! the one time he didn't pick up the intercom he had to wait an extra three days for his ultra-rare, limited edition merch, which he will not be going through again. this time, though, when the intercom picks up, LBH is prepared. he starts talking immediately, playing up his stress at being locked out, how sorry he is to be a bother, and how much he really, really appreciates it. SY fully blue screens at this unanticipated display of emotions, blurts something out about how it's not problem and of course he's happy to help out a neighbor in need, then hangs up (after unlocking the entrance, of course). it is perhaps fortunate that the intercom has no video, and thus he can not see the look on LBH's face.

LBH gets more and more consistent pushy with his calls, curious how far this little philanthropist will go for him. he knows his apartment number, of course, he could just knock and introduce himself, but he'd rather let him come to him. LBH starts interjecting little questions here and there, trying to glean any information about his mysterious benefactor. SY, meanwhile, is lighting a daily candle for this poor little bun somewhere in his building, who has truly the worst luck in the entire world! who ever heard of a gang of pickpockets stealing someone's keys not once, but twice in the same week!

LBH gets comfortable with the state of things — as ever, too comfortable. nothing good can last forever. one night, after a long and utterly shitty day, for the first time in ages, he loses his key for real. he's tried to avoid reaching out to SY at any time when he's not 100% in control of himself, but there's nothing for it. he punches in the numbers for the unit he knows by heart at this point, and when it picks up, he sighs tiredly, and waits for SY to speak first. after a moment of silence, the call drops, and the door remains locked. LBH is almost shaken entirely out of his malaise. not even a word? he puts SY's apartment number in again, but this time it doesn't even pick up. he stares at the intercom in unpleasant shock for a few minutes, then punches the wall next to it and leaves. he spends the night on mobei-jun's uncomfortably small couch, staring unseeing at the ceiling above him. at least the other man doesn't ask him any questions.

their easy rapport broken, SY starts to worry when he hasn't heard from his unfortunate little neighbor — maybe he's moved out? hopefully to a place with a more accommodating security system... after a full week, his worry ramps up even higher. he wants to believe his neighbor just found a system to keep track of his keys that works for him, but statistically, it seems unlikely. feeling like the most awkward, overstepping idiot on the planet, he scribbles off a few short notes, and sticks one by the the intercom, one by the mailboxes, and one in the laundry room. his neighbor will have to go at least one of those places, certainly?

to my keyless neighbor - hope you're well! i was worried- if you ever need me, you know where to reach me. you weren't a bother- - XX4

the next time LBH stops by the apartment (he's been avoiding it by couch-hopping as much as possible, to the great aggravation of his friends) he carefully avoids looking at the intercom. as such, it's actually sha hualing who spots the note first. (she bullied her way into an invite to make LBH actually go home.) she crows out a harsh laugh, snatching the note off the wall and holding it up dramatically, cackling about "rom-com shit". LBH isn't really paying attention, until he catches a glimpse of the apartment number at the bottom. eyes flashing, he snatches the note out of her hand, and reads it over once, and then again. after a moment, he turns to sha hualing, and tells her to go home, that he's got plans, actually. she gapes at him for a moment, then scoffs and turns on her heel, flipping him off as she goes. whatever! she didn't want to babysit his mopey ass any longer anyway!

LBH spends a few frozen moments running over his options, torn between calling right now just to see if his philanthropist will pick up this time, and giving himself a chance to freshen up, and maybe make a good enough showing for himself that whatever it was that caused him to be ignored before will never happen again. ultimately, he decides on the latter, but rushes through all his preparations as much as he can while maintaining sufficient attention to detail. he wishes he had the materials to make something truly spectacular, but his apartment is showing his absence over the past week. he settles on a meal that just barely feels sufficient, and finds himself more anxious than he can remember being in years at this point, staring at his philanthropist's apartment door, two levels below his.

he raises his fist to knock, tentatively at first, too quiet to hear, and then once more, louder. a muffled voice comes through the door, and a few moments later, it cracks open to reveal a man just a bit shorter than him, with a rumpled shirt that looks like it has just been haphazardly thrown on and hair that might not have been brushed in days. he's... really cute.

LBH and SY just kind of stare at each other, frozen, for a bit, until LBH proffers the food he's brought, and SY's archaic etiquette subroutines kick in, and he invites LBH in before he can even think about. his immediate wince makes it clear he had not meant to do that, but LBH is not above making a situation work to his advantage, and graciously accepts, stepping into the somewhat cluttered apartment before SY can recover from his slip-up. they still have not exchanged names.

ultimately, they get themselves figured out. LBH introduces himself, and SY follows suit. there's a beat of silence as they both realize that this does not actually clear up anything about how they know each other. LBH finds the words to explain his own part in this are slow to come, so he finally just hands the note, neatly folded, to SY. SY's face colors, but he overcomes it to fussily poke at LBH about how worried he was, when the other just disappeared! LBH stops for a second, hearing that, then slowly responds that it was SY who cut him off first. SY gapes at him, then demands to know when he did a thing like that! he set his intercom call sound to caramelldansen and max volume so he'd be sure not to miss it!

LBH gives him the date, and SY flushes again, then looks away, muttering something unflattering about a "qingge". LBH feels a wash of jealousy, that he's misread the situation and SY is already spoken for, but SY goes on to explain that he had been stuck overnight at the hospital - for nothing major! pretty routine actually! - and the friend that was staying with him must have picked up, then hung up when he couldn't figure out who was calling.

LBH sits back, somewhat at a loss. so it... wasn't because SY was tired of him? SY sputters, waving his hands about. absolutely not! he might be slightly forgetful, but binghe is clearly a wonderful young man and it's not like SY has much else going on in his life!

LBH determines to himself then and there that the only way to ensure such a thing does not happen again is to make sure that he is the one staying with SY the next time he's in the hospital.

[noahhawthorneauthor]

There's something about queer cozy reads that soothes the soul. Speaking of, I'm hosting a Read-Along for Phantom and Rook on Halloween!

I've partnered up with Fable to give away ebooks to those who join the book club, and if you'd like to participate but prefer audiobooks, let me know! I still have some Spotify codes that I'd be happy to giveaway.

The book club is already set up, link is here. I'll also be creating a Storygraph challenge, and sharing updates on here for those of you who like to quietly participate. It's a great way to celebrate PAR's book birthday, and to prepare for the sequel coming out in a couple months!

Blurb:

Arlo Rook has decided it’s time to move out of Garren Castle, home for orphans of all races, magical or not, at 100 years old.

It’s not the first time he’s left home, but after a setback that landed the Hedge Witch in the hospital a year ago, he ended up right back at square one. But now he’s ready to strike out on his own, despite his friend’s worries that he’s not ready for the ‘real world.’

Then, he crashes into a mess of copper curls and bright eyes, sending apothecary goods and his life into a chaotic mess. Thatch is a mysterious and incredibly wealthy benefactor of Levena, only spoken of but never seen. He requests a night of Arlo’s company and a tour of the city, which Arlo immediately declines.

But that’s not the last time they see each other, and it certainly wasn’t the first. Arlo doesn’t remember him, no one remembers Thatch after he visits, but Thatch never forgot the Witch with a familiar mark on his face.

Thatch Phantom is an immortal, the last of his kind and perpetually bored. When he’s not closing inter-dimensional rifts and corralling demons, he’s visiting his favorite city of all, Levena. Centuries ago, when life was particularly dull, he set up a scavenger hunt for a starving village, providing them with a year’s worth of supplies.

He anonymously returned year after year, upping the ante and providing less practical things, as the village had become a city and was wealthy beyond belief. Festivals were thrown in his honor, and have continued every year since. Hundreds of years later, The Game is still put on by the fabled ‘Scarlet Illusionist’, but no one has figured out who blesses them with the puzzles.

Once again, Thatch is listless and has decided to throw a wild card into this year’s Game. Whoever discovers him will win one wish of their choice, no restrictions. Aside from the obvious, such as no falling in love, murder or resurrection.

What he didn’t anticipate was crashing into the one person whose soul mark flares like a beacon when Thatch is around, teasing the immortal with the one thing he wants most.

Someone to call home.

🍁🎃🏳️‍🌈📚✨

Find Phantom and Rook here!

[thenerdblog]

~Character Information~

(Princess) Marinette/Ladybug

The infamous forest girl and the lost princess of Dupain; Marinette, also known as Ladybug, lives a happy and adventurous life in the forest, completely unaware of her royal origins as the lost princess of Dupain and the only child of King Tom and Queen Sabine. She was raised by the wise Master Fu, whom she affectionally calls "Uncle Fu", she was taken in as a baby to his cottage (though abounded by her kidnapper) and grew up with love, curiosity, and a touch of mischief. Her constant companion and very own kwami, Tikki, the lady kwami of creation (who known her since she was a baby), Tikki helps as she navigates her daily life, from climbing trees (even when her clumsiness gets in the way) to exploring the depths of the forest, where she interacts with animals, her closest friend Lady Alya, and builds her her dream of becoming a seamstress.

Her favorite red cloak and her ladybug mask symbolize her playful and daring spirit, blending into the world around her while hiding the secret of her royal identity. Despite her humble upbringing, Marinette's heart is filled with wonder and creativity, and she remains unaware of the grand destiny awaits her.

Prince Adrien

The charming golden Prince of Pariez; Prince Adrien of Pariez, the "Golden Prince," is known throughout the kingdom for his striking handsome looks, which he inherited from his late mother, Queen Emilie, and for his prowess on the battlefield. His charm has captivated many, including his betrothed, Princess Chloe (who known her since childhood), and countless maidens of the court.

Yet, behind this perfect facade, Adrien carries deep personal burdens. His life has been shadowed by loss and hardship - his beloved mother passed away when he was just a child from a unknown disease, and his relationships with his father, King Gabriel, is strained. The king, ruling with an iron fist and taxing the commoners heavily (a policy Adrien despise), keeps his son confined to the castle, isolating from the world despite being unaware that he would escape. Adrien's heart, however, holds onto the memory of his betrothed, Princess Marinette Dupain Cheng, whom he met only once as a toddler before she mysteriously vanished. Though he has no idea she is still alive, living as the mischievous forest girl Ladybug, he remains determined to find her and longs to escape his arranged marriage with Princess Chloe. His only solace comes from one of his closest friend and squire, Nino Lahiffe, with whom he shares laughter and companionship amidst the pressures of royalty.

Like Marinette, Adrien possesses his own kwami, Plagg, who has been his loyal companion since birth. Gifted with a miraculous by an unknown benefactor, Adrien was destined for greatness, though his father, King Gabriel, remains completely unaware of the existence of the miraculous and their power (before Emilie's death). Plagg, mischievous yet wise, aids Adrien in times of need, though his laid-back personality often contrast with Adrien's more dutiful nature. Despite his outward image as the ideal golden prince, Adrien quietly dreams of freedom, love and a life away from the suffocating expectations of the court and his father's rule.

King Gabriel

the tyrant and the grieving king of Pariez; once a proud and respected ruler, has become a cold and ruthless tyrant after the death of his beloved wife, Queen Emilie, and the collapse of the alliance between Pariez and Dupain following the mysterious abduction of Princess Marinette. Grief-stricken and broken, Gabriel withdrew from the world, allowing his sorrow to harden into a cruel obsession with power and control. His kingdom suffers under a rule, as he heavily taxes even the poorest peasants, showing no mercy in his pursuit of total authority. He keeps his son, Prince Adrien, locked away in the castle, unaware that Adrien can easily escape when he needed along with his squire.

In his desperation to bring back Emilie to life, Gabriel has turned to dark and dangerous means. He secretly wields the Butterfly Miraculous and has enslaved its kwami Nooroo, forcing the tiny creature to bend to his will. His ultimate goal to obtain the Miraculous of creation and destruction (like in the canon), which believed hold the power to resurrect Emilie, regardless of the devastation it might cause. He arranged Adrien's marriage to Princess Chloe of Bourgeois States after the alliance with Dupain crumbled, seeing it as a strategic move to secure his kingdom's future, though he remains oblivious to Adrien's true feelings. Gabriel Agreste's grief has transformed him into a villainous king, blinded by his ambition to undo the past and resurrect the love of his life, even if it mean plunging Pariez and its people into darkness (especially his own son). His reign of tyranny continues as he relentlessly pursues the power he believes will restore his broken family, unaware that his actions are pushing his son further away.

Princess Chloe

the spoiled Princess of Bourgeois states; Princess Chloe of Bourgeois states is the quintessential spoiled royal, accustomed to getting her way and using her charm to manipulate those around her. Confident in her beauty and status, she is determined to win the affection of Prince Adrien, even though their marriage is arranged. Chloe is relentless in her pursuit of him, believing that her wealth and influence will eventually sway his heart, despite Adrien's clear reluctance.

Her demeanor is often accompanied by her loyal but overshadowed lady-in-waiting, Sabrina, who provides support but also bears witness to Chloe’s jealous outbursts. Chloe’s jealousy is a constant presence, especially toward anyone she perceives as a rival, particularly Marinette, whose spirited nature and connection to Adrien only fuel her insecurities.

Chloe’s self-absorption often leads her to act without regard for others' feelings, using her social standing to belittle those she deems inferior. Despite her outward confidence, her actions are driven by a deep-seated fear of inadequacy and a desire for validation. As she schemes to secure her place beside Adrien, she remains oblivious to the complexities of their lives, viewing her royal position as a means to an end rather than a responsibility to the people she rules.

Squire Nino

The prince's trusty squire; Nino is Prince Adrien’s most trusted companion and closest friend, having known him since childhood. Their bond is built on years of shared experiences, laughter, and playful teasing. Nino's light-hearted nature brings a sense of levity to Adrien's often serious life, providing a much-needed escape from the pressures of royalty. The two friends share a love for adventure, frequently embarking on horse rides through the enchanting forests surrounding the castle. These rides are not just a means of exploration; they serve as a cherished time for the pair to connect, free from royal obligations. Nino also enjoys engaging in friendly sword fights with Adrien, allowing them to hone their skills while deepening their friendship.

Nino is a loyal friend who often provides a listening ear for Adrien's struggles and dreams, especially concerning his feelings for Princess Marinette and his aversion to his arranged marriage with Princess Chloé. His support helps Adrien navigate the challenges of being a prince, and he is always ready to lighten the mood with a joke or a mischievous plan, ensuring their adventures are filled with laughter

Lady Alya

The forest girl's noble best friend; Lady Alya, a noblewoman of the Cesaire house (though the Cesaire house were very good friends with Master Fu), she is Marinette's dearest friend and confidante ever since they were children. With a vibrant personality and a keen sense of curiosity, Alya often regales Marinette with stories and gossip from the royal court, providing her a glimpse into the world of royalty that feels just out of reach.

Loyal and supportive, Lady Alya is always in Marinette's corner, encouraging her to pursue her feelings for Prince Adrien. She recognizes Marinette's deep affection for the prince and often pushes her to be more adventurous and assertive in expressing her love. Alya’s enthusiasm for romance is infectious, and she frequently dreams up scenarios where Marinette and Adrien could be together, often urging her to take bold steps to win his heart. Alya is not just a source of gossip and encouragement; she also serves as a grounding presence for Marinette. While she revels in the excitement of courtly affairs, she also reminds her friend of the importance of staying true to herself.

Lady Sabrina

The princess' fidgety lady-in-waiting; Lady Sabrina, Chloe's ever-loyal lady-in-waiting, she is characterized by her obedient nature and slightly anxious demeanor. Often seen fidgeting with her hands or adjusting her dress, Sabrina is dedicated to serving Chloe, even when it means being subjected to her whims and sometimes harsh treatment.

Sabrina follows Chloe closely, attending to her needs and desires, but her loyalty is often tested by Chloe's demanding personality (24/7). She is also prone to eavesdropping on conversations, whether to gather information for Chloe or out of sheer curiosity. Though she has a penchant for gossip, her loyalty to Chloé blinds her to the more compassionate side of her character; she often feels caught between her friendship with Chloe and her own sense of right and wrong.

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tag @corinneglass!

WIP Intro Tag

Rules: Fill out the questions for your wip!

Title: The Mystery of the Mortal God

Genre: Steampunk fantasy

Audience: Adult, I think?

Tags: Girl, I don't tag shit :(

Stage of the Writing Process: Beta reading

Synopsis: Astra DuClaire is a witch - in fact, the best witch of the borderlands, a lawless strip of swamp nestled in between two mighty provinces within the human empire of the Republic. She seeks to earn her official mage credentials in an effort to get better gigs so she can pay off her mothers' debtor contracts. However, an opportunity to do this comes not in the form of money or a job, but in the discovery of a mysterious piece of tech.

Detective Ivander Montane is cursed. Death tugs at him with every step and breath. He had resigned himself to his fate until news reaches him that a string of occult murders once believed to have gone cold have become quite hot again. With the help of his trusty arcane rifle and the gifts of an otherworldly benefactor, he strikes out on an unofficial investigation.

Mashal is lost. He is cold. He doesn't know who he is or where he came from. All he does know is that someone deserves to die for what was done to him.

All three shall meet on the trail of a singular target - a mage of incredible power and mysterious intentions. Perhaps they'll be able to band together to get to the bottom of the tangled web that surrounds them. Or perhaps they'll let their selfish hearts get the better of them and be caught within the twisting strands of fate and hate.

I'll tag @elsie-writes @the-golden-comet @tildeathiwillwrite @rkmoon and anyone else who wants to play :)

Blanks below

Title: Genre: Audience: Tags: Stage of the Writing Process: Synopsis:

[sweetcloverheart]

Actually I’m still bitter about the finale - here’s an AU

I’ve lovingly decided to call this “Because the Butterflies Hate You” AU (Because Butterfly Effect is a spiteful bitch as Gabriel will soon learn).

So Gabemoth does as leaked and tries making his wish to “undo his past mistakes” via taking on Emilie’s coma status and giving his life for hers.

Un(Fortunately) for him, my version of Gimme is petty AF and the dictionary definition of the Jerkass Genie trope+monkey’s paw, so it grants his wish by taking him literally and undoing all his choices that lead him here to this moment - including his meeting Emilie. Should have been a bit more specific on that part Gabbie-boy!

So instead of croaking, Gabriel wakes up in his old family flat from back when he was still Gabbie Grassette. A quick search of his things and his old diary reveals that in this new reality, Gabbie’s attempt to strike out on his own fell flat, as never meeting Emilie meant he never met her parents or Audrey and Andre to help get his fashion career off the ground and create his “Gabriel Agreste” persona to escape his past. After too many failures in attempting to start up his own brand, he eventually (and reluctantly) returned home and took over the family frystand as was originally ordained for him.

Needless to say, Gabe’s not happy about this (nor the fact that he’s still alive, because that means Gimme didn’t use him as the wish’s price as planned), especially since despite all his googling, he can’t find anything about Emilie in the new reality (or Nathalie and Adrien).

So he gives temp control to one of his family employee’s and asks Harry (Who’s comedy career sadly failed to take off) to drive him to Paris under the guise of “Fry research” to see if he can gather clues there (and maybe see how much this world differs from the old one)

When he arrives, he sees the entire city has changed. Certain shops aren’t where they’re supposed to be or replaced with unfamiliar businesses, different people have taken different roles and jobs, and there’s no one who recognizes him. Even Andre, Audrey, and Tomoe are no longer the same people they were in the original universe either...

But even with all that, Gabriel still can’t find any sign of Emilie. Even researching her family turns up no clues for him (though that blasted Amelie seems to be doing well though). He had originally assumed she somehow still managed to break away from her parents, but none of that explains why he can’t find anything about her. It’s like she vanished into thin air. The only real clue he has is that she clearly didn’t find any success as an actress in this universe since he can’t find her filmography.

The same goes for Nathalie - though she seemed to have had a very detailed and lucrative career as an archeologist and explorer a few years back before she all but disappeared from the public eye some odd months ago. Conspiracy theorists point the finger at the mysterious research benefactor from her last expedition, but so far her case has many people stumped.

Which just leaves Adrien - and while his son seems to no longer have articles or magazine covers to track him with in this universe, Gabriel at least hopes one thing hasn’t changed in the universe.

“...Gabbie?” “Yes Harry?” “This isn’t about fry research is it?” “What makes you say that?” “*Gestures to the fact that they’re two grown men hanging outside a middleschool in a van*” “...” “...” “...I promise this makes sense.” “Do you now?”

Luckily for Gabriel, he was actually correct on that point - the Adrien of the new universe still attends Francois Dupont, and he spots him exiting during the lunch bell with some friends (Though that Dupain-Cheng girl isn’t with him - Strange...?). He still looks the same as the old universe, the perfect image of him and his beloved’s dream child

...Except, isn’t his hair a little darker? And the shade of green for his eyes is way off - nothing like the subtle emerald hues of his wife? Also, is that a cane? And why is he wearing that trashy bargain bin outfit for? Just what did that blasted Gimme change to cause his son to become so different!?

Before he can question it more though - a Sentimonster attacks. Yep, still a thing in this universe. Gabriel gets separated from Harry in the chaos but remains calm. After all, if there’s still an active Peacock user (which means it got fixed in this world as well), then that must mean the butterfly must be active too, which also mean that blasted Ladybug and Chat Noir are still around. They should be able to help him.

And Chat (or at least a new one it appears) does show up alongside three other heroes...but there’s no Ladybug among their numbers. An akuma never shows to help the sentimonster either. They take down the creature and rescue civilians caught up in the attack, but the damage done around the school remains as the children are forced to leave early, Adrien included.

Naturally, the lack of a Ladybug wielder despite the Peacock (and what happened to the Butterfly Miraculous? Is it not active? Was it never found?) still being in play is concerning, but Gabriel’s more interested in following his son (who technically isn’t really his son anymore but eh - semantics), to make sure he gets home okay - aaaaaand maybe learn more about his new life in the post-wish verse and possibly find a clue about Emilie. After all, if their son still exists, that must mean she still used Dusuu’s powers to create him which also means his wish didn’t change anything

Of course, it’s just then that Gabriel gets ambushed and dragged away into a random alley. When he finally regains his wits he learns his attacker is...

Marinette (wielding the Pig Miraculous no less), who as it turns out, still remembers the old timeline too - and is very pissed at Gabriel for that backstab venom (oh, and also for throwing the fabric of the cosmos out of whack because he thought he knew better than her, his wife, and the centuries old cosmic demigod).

Lucky for him though, she’s prioritizing undoing his universe-sized goof up over payback (for now), so now the two have to work together to find the Ladybug, get the Cat’s new owner to help them, and undo Gabriel’s wish to turn things back to normal. Hurray...

[darkness-beyond-ink]

The Crimson Night 🎩

She was known as The Crimson Night, a feared assassin who only struck under the cover of darkness. Her signature weapon was a hatpin laced with poison, which she used to pierce the hearts of her unsuspecting victims. No one knew her true identity or motive, only that she always wore a black dress and a hat with red roses. Some said she was a ghost, others said she was a demon. But one thing was certain: she was the most wanted criminal in the kingdom.

She had been hired by a mysterious benefactor to eliminate a high-ranking noble who was hosting a lavish masquerade ball at his castle. She infiltrated the party with ease, blending in with the crowd of masked guests. She spotted her target dancing with a beautiful lady in a blue gown. She waited for the right moment to strike, when the music stopped and the lights dimmed. She approached him from behind, pretending to be a friendly admirer. She whispered in his ear, "May I have this dance?" He turned around, smiling, and nodded. She took his hand and led him to the dance floor. She felt his pulse quicken as she pressed her body against his. She smiled wickedly and reached for her hatpin. She stabbed him in the chest, Teeling his blood spurt on her fingers. He gasped and collapsed, clutching his wound. She let go of him and walked away, leaving him to die in front of everyone. She slipped out of the castle, unnoticed, and disappeared into the night. She had completed her mission. She was The Crimson Night, and no one could stop her.

[les-mis-in-space]

SITM Reading Guide

I have taken Stars In Their Multitudes and divided it into arcs in the style of The Clone Wars. This should make it less daunting to read for those who have not been following from the beginning. Minor spoilers to follow.

Book I: Entrapment

Prologue (Ch. 1-3)

Com Narcom and Kaltha are introduced.

Com Narcom is serving nineteen years in prison for stealing to feed his family. Koss, a prison guard, observes him from a distance.

A family of scavengers, the Tarkays, encounter a Jedi who has been betrayed by his clone troopers.

Kaltha is the girlfriend of a celebrity's son, living a rich life on Coruscant. She has something she wants to tell him.

Benefactors (Ch. 4-6)

Com and Kaltha are set on their respective journeys.

Com is released from prison and dumped in a backwater village. A holy man named Korma takes pity on him.

Kaltha seeks to provide for her young daughter, Leela, and encounters someone who might be able to help.

Montal (Ch. 7-9)

Kaltha navigates an unfamiliar world and faces much hardship.

Aberon Halmath is a wealthy philanthropist beloved by his community. Koss, now a police inspector, does not trust him.

Kaltha becomes employed at one of Halmath's factories.

The Rescue (Ch. 10-12)

Com Narcom rushes to the aid of one in need.

Com Narcom must confront Inspector Koss as his past returns to haunt him.

Book II: Sanctuary

Monderon (Ch. 1-4)

A mysterious stranger arrives to help Leela.

Leela's cruel guardians send her to collect water in the dark. She meets a stranger in the woods.

Leela's guardians assess their latest patron, a man known only as "Antilles." They are intrigued by Antilles' kind treatment of her.

The Elephant House (Ch. 5-8)

Leela and Antilles adjust to their new lives.

Leela and Antilles move to the Elephant House on Pasir. Their neighbor, Mrs. Oogi, is supicious of them, as they are of her.

Antilles teaches Leela how to read and write.

The Mandalorians (Ch. 9-11)

Leela and Antilles seek refuge among an enclave of Mandalorians.

Pursued by the Empire, Antilles and Leela find themselves in forbidden territory. With the help of an old ally, Antilles must convince the Mandalorians to let them stay.

Book III: Revelation

New Beginnings (Ch. 1-4)

Leela and her father leave the Mandalorians and attempt to resume city life.

Leela is nearly thirteen. Leela's father, Ether, fears he will lose Leela if they stay with the Mandalorians. They seek new lodgings at an apartment in the city.

Apollon Kondric, heir to a noble house, mourns the death of his sister, Athene. He converses with a mysterious stranger at her funeral.

Leela develops several hobbies and interests, some of which give her father pause.

Heritage (Ch. 5-8)

Apollon Kondric learns truths about his family that have been kept from him all his life.

A young boy named Qualdo is abandoned by his family and turns to the streets to survive.

Apollon, now a university student, receives a message from the man at Athene's funeral. The man claims to be on his deathbed and wishes to see Apollon one last time.

Emancipation (Ch. 9-11)

Apollon strikes out on his own and makes new friends.

Apollon eschews his family's wealth and resolves to live by his own means. He is befriended by a fellow student who takes him in.

Apollon's classmate introduces him to a club led by a student named Auriel. The club's members hold anti-Imperial political beliefs.

Apollon meets his next-door neighbor, Portia, who belongs to a family called the Banquos.

Infatuation (Ch. 12-15)

Two of our protagonists become aware of each other's existence.

Apollon sees a girl in the park and becomes fascinated with her, though he finds her father intimidating.

Leela, now sixteen, attempts to attract the attention of a cute boy at the park without her father noticing.

Ether grows more protective of Leela.

Portia's Walkabout (Ch. 16-17)

Portia grapples with her conscience as she rebels against her family.

Portia ditches a shady job to take Apollon out for a midnight stroll. Apollon wonders what she means by this.

Before the Raid (Ch. 18-20)

Apollon once again encounters the girl from the park after having lost track of her.

The girl from the park makes an appearance as her father arrives to speak with Apollon’s neighbors about a financial matter.

Apollon enlists Portia's help to get him in touch with the girl so they can finally speak to each other.

The Raid (Ch. 21-23)

The Banquos attempt to exact revenge on an old enemy.

Leela declines to return to the Banquos, fearing they mean harm.

Determined to help the Banquos regardless of personal risk, Ether walks into a trap, unaware that he has a secret ally.

Portia attempts to find Apollon's mystery girl while on a mission from her family.

After the Raid (Ch. 24-25)

Leela discovers her father and brings him home.

Ether is gravely injured and requires medical attention. Leela takes on the responsibility of caring for him until he recovers.

Book IV: TBA

Book V: TBA

[danthepest]

The eternal war between the Dark King of the Abyss and Dark Ruler Ha Des and his minions. Part 1

Long ago, the Dark King of the Abyss was a powerful fiend with control over the darkness. He would designate various beings for death under his rule. His reign was overthrown by Dark Ruler Ha Des and his army and one of the first things the Dark Ruler did was strip the Dark King of his position and most of his power.

Dark Ruler Ha Des had many minions and fiends under his control. Among his top enforcers was the Opticlops. Some of the lesser fiends under his employ were the Winged Minion and the Dark Resonator. It is possible the other Resonators were working for him too. The Skull Servants and the Guardian of the Labyrinth also appear to be under his thumb.

At some point he made a deal with a mysterious benefactor that gave him control of the Berserk Dragon, a mighty skeletal dragon of destructive power.

Ha Des was a cruel and merciless ruler. He would posses lesser fiends, destroy souls, force his minions to act as body shields, perform mock trials with leading questions, shout at his minions to the point of intimidation and happily send them to their deaths.

Yet he would also switch places with them, though how willingly he did it is unknown.

Eventually, the Dark King returned. Having festered his hatred and creating a weapon that could weaken Ha Des, he proceeded to drain the Dark Ruler of his power, his mind and finally, his soul. He would use this to strike the final blow on his hated enemy, killing the Dark Ruler.

However, their war was not over...

[hobimo]

who is recommending bark fic........ mysterious benefactor strikes again

[monsieuroverlord]

Spoilers for Marvel Infinity Comic #31

Snikt Family Road Trip Part 5!

written by Stephanie Williams, art by Alan Robinson

Spoilers:

The continuation of our tale opens with how Jonathan got captured in the first place! 

It provides a little insight into how Jonathan perceives the world -- for example, he actually only understands certain words instead of full sentences, much like a really smart dog would.

Anyway, he made his way back to the RV, but found himself unable to get in, because he has no thumbs. He takes a nap outside the RV, waking up to a delicious smell! The smell turns out to be a trail of (oddly colored) cookies. Jonathan happily munches on them, but alas, it turns out they were also drugged! 

Jonathan is bagged by a mysterious figure, and the scene shifts to him in a cage tossed in a basement. But luckily, he notices the RV pull up and calls out to his family!

Like a creepy cult, the family comes out dressed in all white and welcome the Snikt Fam to Honey Badger Heaven! Akihiro wastes no time and asks what’s up with the basement, because he hears weird noises. Laura agrees. But the Honey Badger Cult Family offers them a tour, which they agree to (so they can investigate what’s going on)

Jonathan, disappointed they didn’t hear him, strikes up a conversation with an actual honey badger in an adjacent cage (said honey badger spent a summer abroad, so he speaks wolverine, lol) The honey badger informs him that the cage bars are weak, and they haven’t filed his teeth down yet, s he should be able to bite through the cage. And he does! 

He promises the honey badgers he will return to free them, and sneaks his way out. It’s an adorable sequence of sneaking through air ducts, then expertly evading a guard through hiding in plain sight, before coming across a secret room with Snikt Fam-specific stuff! (a piece of flannel shirt, weapon X helmet, a set of Logan’s claws, etc. Turns out the family is double-dipping in honey badgers and our Snikt Family!) There’s also a portrait of the Honey Badger Family captioned as the Top Benefactors (was the commonwealth mine thing planned? Dun dun DUUUUNNNNNN)

Jonathan finally finds our Snikt Fam, knocked out and tied up in a tiny lab filled with surgical tools!

To be continued! 

This issue was very Jonathan-focused, had lots of cute visual gags -- “DP was here” in the vent was funny, Jonathan strikes a few cute poses. 

One small gripe I have is the animal designs.  For example, Jonathan’s teeth. I just don’t like how he basically has buck teeth like a beaver. Genetically-modified or no, he’s a predatory animal! Where are his canines. On a lesser note, the honey badgers noses are also built more like a mole than a honey badger. It just strikes me as a bit off.

There was also a couple more subtle Scooby-doo references. For example, Jonathan says “Ruh-oh” at the end and the hiding in plain sight thing (although it didn’t give way to a comical chase scene this time). The storytelling continues to be a bit silly and wholesome. It’s very fun!

Obligatory photo dump:

[findopulencerp]

                                        𝖆𝖚𝖌𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓 𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖆𝖚

he appears as though he was born 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 years ago but is actually 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐬𝐢𝐱, he is a 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 who lives in 𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐞𝐧 as a 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫. he looks an awful lot like 𝐣𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲.

“Something inside me had dropped away, and nothing came in to fill the cavern.”

TW: death, gore, sex work.

The prospect of a forever is an enticing one, The reality of it however; leaves something to be desired. As the first son born into the upper classes of French society, Augustin had considerable status and seemingly endless potential in his future. Was he to go into the family business? Was he to strike out on his own into another field of greatness? Truly, the world was his oyster. Shame about the whole never marrying thing, but the option to even turn down potential wives was yet another privilege he had to call his own. 

Through gritted teeth was his want for true love spoken, heated arguments shared by candlelight in hushed whispers. Nevermind the rumours that followed as the years continued forward–his younger siblings would go on to wed, to have children of their own. The quest for true love turned towards the given excuse: married to the job. ‘Twas not the control of the ports, nor military fame (perhaps if he had donned a uniform then there could be pride to be had), the practice of law or even its dutiful upkeep. Nay, it was medicine. Was it a complete lie when he desperately claimed a burning desire to help his fellow man? To be a doctor was an educated position of promise–who knows, perhaps he’d be the one to discover the cure for the diseases that plagued mankind, wouldn’t that be something? 

As his twenties plodded on, his time spent in the service of others only climbed. It kept him busy. It kept him out of the home. If he donned the odd disguise to visit the slums and offer aid by lit lantern under an alias then that was his business. If these forays into how the other half lived provided another way to scratch a rather…disgraceful itch that did forever linger under his skin, then that was simply an unexpected side benefit. 

To visit the houses of leisure that allowed for one to lay with another man for a price, to somehow feel more like himself in these stolen moments when he donned a different name, a different face–truly how long did he think his luck could stretch? 

The mysterious doctor with the lantern hung outside a rented space, a rented space paid for by an unknown benefactor; face hidden behind a mask–those truly desperate didn’t see fit to look too closely for where else could they find such aid?  All it takes is one moment for everything to fall apart. Mayhaps the stench of blood still lingered somewhere about him, maybe it hung around him like a shroud even when donning his disguise or changing into his finery after scrubbing his hands raw. Perhaps he was simply drunk on the afterglow of truly being allowed to be himself.

Immortality was not offered as a boon to him, rather it was forced upon him. 

To awake within the house of vice he’d once taken such comfort in feeling wrong…with a man whose time he once bought looking down at him in pity. In the dim light he shouldn’t be able to see his face, he shouldn’t be able to trace every detail–he shouldn’t be able to catch the ghost of punctures past upon the flesh at his throat “He left me here for you.”

He needn’t have bothered even speaking. The blood on his tongue tasted sweeter than anything he’d ever tasted, sweeter than any wine–the man whose name was not given and the pity that he once looked upon him with now stared blankly out at the room. No longer did his heart beat, no longer would he look at anyone one way or another. His front stained red and flesh hung ragged at his throat. 

What a pitiful doctor Augustin Garneau was indeed.

The good doctor no longer hung a lantern in the alleyway, Augustin returned full time to the family home where he would steal himself away in his study. Hard at work he said when asked, rarely tempted forth to attend the galas–the prospect of dodging marriage and playing at something he wasn’t was now so far down his list of his concerns he rarely had it in him to play the role. No one had any clue what exactly it was he studied and no answers were ever given no matter how hard his family and friends did press. 

Questions that continued to go unanswered soon turned to pleas to rejoin society, this was an easier request to fill. To pretend to be Augustin Garneau was easier than pretending to be a good and just doctor. He was no longer human after all, that much he didn’t need his research to say. Married to the job. Married to the quest of knowledge. Though the sidelong jabs did still come on occasion, his parents had long since accepted his rather…odd choices in life. Four out of five children happily married with grandbabies of their own was a rather good score if they did say so themselves. 

Maybe their contentment in this was why they didn’t bother looking too closely at the intense way Augustin looked across the room during one of the rare parties they managed to convince him to attend. The way he looked at a fellow attendee, this attendee; a man whose name they’d come to learn was Jean-Claude du Derosiers. The younger man sparked a whole new light of life in their eldest who had been pulled so far inward from his former peers and for once, his secret research took a back seat to something. There were rumours of course, high society so loves its gossip but nothing ever seemed to come of them. The man was a constant fixture at Augustin’s side and as such it was so easy a thing to offer forth immortality to him. The desire so great to spend forever, the love so powerful and so very simple. It simply was. As they were, Augustin and Jean-Claude, it was; dare he say–perfect?

And then the people of France revolted against their oppressors. 

And that wonderful wonderful stranger turned dear friend turned basically family in all but name, who had brought their eldest out of his shell was gone. Without warning. Without a trace. They asked, delicately at first–then the rumours grew in fervour as their son began to act so very strange in his grief. 

In anger. In shame.  Augustin should have done something. Anything. Hadn’t he once lived a life for the people? For those who could not help themselves? There had once been the warm glow of a lantern outside a small, cramped clinic–and hadn’t Jean-Claude once been as warm to him as that glow? Had he not offered to turn him for their very own happily ever after in forever? 

Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was simple self-preservation. He could call it a hundred things, the guilt ate him alive all the same. Jean-Claude had truly been his first real love. He could say that with absolute sincerity. In the quiet safety of his bedroom of course. Perhaps written on parchment that was quickly fed to the flames. 

Forever was such a very long time. 

He did not remain to watch his family wither and die before him, to outlive not only his parents but his siblings and all their children, and their children’s children–for questions would be asked. And maybe his cowardice lit the flame under foot a long time ago, maybe it too had once been the lead in his gut that kept him from acting on saving what he once called his true love. 

His family never learned what he studied simply one day he was there and the next he was gone, all those that he would go on to outlive simply never met him. Spoken of only in mystery, that particular branch in the family tree never growing further.

He travelled. He learned. He helped. He fed. He gained and he lost. He wore a dozen different names, a hundred different masks. The faces of his family would fade, their voices gone from memory–time was a cruel mistress and even the names of friends he once held dear before his spiral downwards escaped his grasp. Jean-Claude du Derosiers had once been someone so very dear to him. More than a friend. Held closer than family.  A chapter in his long, long story that was supposed to be so much more–and even he too began to fade from memory as the years wore on. The guilt still gnawed at his bones but the grooves it had worn had long become scars–an ache in his chest that simply became something to spur him forward to be better. 

Which was how he found his way to Opulence. 

When you’ve lived as long as he has, you meet a lot of people. People whose faces he didn’t always remember or names that didn’t always stick; but people who passed on information that stayed long after they were gone. And once upon a time, someone had spoken of this place; this place that was a haven for his kind. A simple secret shared and while the idea of putting down roots after all these decades was a laughable one…Augustin was tired of the fading, of the loss–of the great and empty feeling inside of him; perhaps after two hundred years and countless lives lived, this could be the chance to be reborn as it were. 

It wasn’t like he had anything left to lose after all, and even the supernatural needed a good doctor to call their own.

“what power did he attain when settling in opulence?"

It’s not one he noticed right away. The nothingness that was left in the wake of his touch. It was a passing comment of a nurse who held out their hand and let his touch alight–it’s not quite a numbing sensation, it’s not quite a loss in the common sense. It’s the absolute feeling of nothingness, an absolute anaesthesia. No pain, no pleasure, no sense of temperature. No sense they’re being touched at all. The feeling lingers even after he’s taken his hand away, gradually fading to the prickling return of circulation. He’s taken to simply wearing gloves when outside his home, at the very least; it’s only activated by touch. It’s made feeding easier at the very least.

this character is…taken

[noahhawthorneauthor]

Did you know you can listen to Phantom and Rook thru your library? 🎧🏳️‍🌈🍁📚

Libby is an app where you can check out audiobooks and ebooks using your library card. Even if a book isn't available, you can request it which let's the librarians know there is a demand for it.

Phantom and Rook is available in a few libraries, and today it was added to the New York Public Library. (NYC) No matter where in NY you live, you can get an online card there. I think a few US states have this option with big city libraries, but I only know of NY for sure.

I love Libby, and a great way to support indie authors is simply by getting them added to a libraries catalog. Did you know they get paid each time their book is checked out?

Anyways, enjoy!

Phantom and Rook on Libby

Blurb:

Arlo Rook has decided it’s time to move out of Garren Castle, home for orphans of all races, magical or not, at 100 years old.

It’s not the first time he’s left home, but after a setback that landed the Hedge Witch in the hospital a year ago, he ended up right back at square one. But now he’s ready to strike out on his own, despite his friend’s worries that he’s not ready for the ‘real world.'

Then, he crashes into a mess of copper curls and bright eyes, sending apothecary goods and his life into a chaotic mess. Thatch is a mysterious and incredibly wealthy benefactor of Levena, only spoken of but never seen. He requests a night of Arlo’s company and a tour of the city, which Arlo immediately declines.

But that’s not the last time they see each other, and it certainly wasn’t the first. Arlo doesn’t remember him, no one remembers Thatch after he visits, but Thatch never forgot the Witch with a familiar soulmark on his face.

Thatch Phantom is an immortal, the last of his kind and perpetually bored. When he’s not closing inter-dimensional rifts and corralling demons, he’s visiting his favorite city of all, Levena. Centuries ago, when life was particularly dull, he set up a scavenger hunt for a starving village, providing them with a year’s worth of supplies.

He anonymously returned year after year, upping the ante and providing less practical things, as the village had become a city and was wealthy beyond belief. Festivals were thrown in his honor, and have continued every year since. Hundreds of years later, The Game is still put on by the fabled ‘Scarlet Illusionist’, but no one has figured out who blesses them with the puzzles.

Once again, Thatch is listless and has decided to throw a wild card into this year’s Game. Whoever discovers him will win one wish of their choice, no restrictions. Aside from the obvious, such as no falling in love, murder or resurrection.

What he didn’t anticipate was crashing into the one person whose soul mark flares like a beacon when Thatch is around, teasing the immortal with the one thing he wants most.

Someone to call home.

What follows is a wild chain of events filled with magical coffee shops, villains with vendettas against cheese makers, moving tattoos, grand puzzles, and second chances at love, and life.

[alternianewsnetwork]

BREAKING NEWS

ANN Remote Headquarters Saved From Meteor Strike By Mysterious Unidentified Benefactor

[maswartz]

My idea for how the MCU could do the FF

This is my idea for how Marvel can do a Fantastic Four movie series if they ever get the rights back from FOX. And yes I know a lot of people are in love with the whole “set in the 60s” idea but I’m not.

Reed Richards- A young entrepreneur who made a fortune on multiple patents allowing him to indulge in many scientific curiosities. He holds degrees in multiple fields of science. The press has dubbed him Mr. Fantastic. (think Elon Musk {minus the bigotry and insanity} meets Bill Gates meets Steve Jobs) After the accident he gains the ability to stretch his body to incredible lengths Susan Richards- An expert computer programmer and hacker she’s able to sneak into any network. Her programming software is used in all of the FF’s hardware. The accident gave her the power to create invisible force fields as well as cloak herself and others from sight. She calls herself the Invisible Woman as a result. Johnny Storm- A stuntman and experienced pyrotechnics expert he lives to chase the thrill. When his sister invited him on the trip he leaped at the chance. The accident gave him the ability to create intense heat and cover himself in flames. He declared that he was the Human Torch from now on. Ben Grimm- A test pilot who went to college with Reed and has kept in touch ever since. He volunteered to pilot the test flight but suggested that Reed either address the shielding or postpone until the storm passed. The accident mutated him into a rock covered Thing giving him increased stamina and strength. Before battle he recites the motto of the Yancy Street Gang “It’s Clobbering Time!”

Marvel’s Fantastic Four

Reed Richards creates a spaceship in the hopes of making spaceflight available to the public however during the test flight a cosmic storm strikes the earth. The cosmic radiation mutates Reed, his wife Susan, her brother Johnny, and the pilot Ben giving them strange powers. However they were not the only ones effected. Bolts of cosmic power strike all across the world (setting up future heroes and villains). One such bolt strikes a mountain sending cosmic radiation throughout it. A man named Harvey Elder was mining in the mountain when the bolt hit causing a cave in. However the energy mutated him and the life within the soil around him. He became the Mole Man and commanded an army of mutated worms, insects, and moles to do his evil bidding. Fighting him was the first test of the Fantastic Four!

Marvel’s Fantastic Four: The U-Foes

About a year after the cosmic storm hit Earth, Simon Ultrecht head of U-Forces a rival of Reed’s is contacted by a mysterious benefactor who managed to obtain a sample of the cosmic energy. Driven by greed Simon exposed himself and three others creating the U-Foes. The Fantastic Four must prevent these superpowered threats from wrecking havoc.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four: Doom

Little did the Fantastic Four know that the mysterious benefactor was watching them, studying them, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses until he had the knowledge he needed to strike. Victor Von Doom has returned to get his long awaited revenge against Reed Richards!

Marvel’s Fantastic Four: Galactus

Months after the battle against Doom a strange object enters Earth’s atmosphere, a silver man on a silver board. The Silver Surfer declares that Galactus is coming and that none can stop him from consuming the world. It’s up to the Fantastic Four to find a way to stop the Devourer of Worlds from destroying the Earth.

[theauthorlives]

The package arrives anonymously. It’s delivered to Yancy’s cell without inspection, which was in and of itself unusual. The tape sealing the box didn’t seem as though it had been replaced, at any rate.

It’s fairly heavy, as well, and marked on the side with a sticker announcing its contents to, at least in part, be fragile. On top of it is a note.

Happy birthday, Yancy. Enjoy yourself today. This should hopefully help with that.

His secret benefactor left no name.

Inside the box was a dozen or so colorful party hats, some noise makers, and a box of cannolis decorated with delicate chocolate curls that looked so fresh that they might have been piped somewhere on the premises.

Beneath all of that was a final box, the largest thing inside, that when opened revealed a black instrument case. Inside that case was a ukulele, it’s wooden body gleaming, it’s strings already in tune.

"The fuck...?"

Yancy frowned at the sight of the large box waiting him in the cell. It was placed on the small table, topped with a note in an unfamiliar handwriting. Was this a prank? Was this one of the other gangs trying to get an upper hand by having him be in 'debt' to a received present? But... That couldn't be the case. No prisoner had access to such professional looking parcelling skills, nor the stationery used. This was someone from the outside.

But who? No guard had mentioned anything, and it wasn't like Yancy had anyone who would go to efforts to not name themself. (Maybe that one prisoner who escaped, but surely they would have given a clue) Despite himself, he opened the box.

It was exactly as the note said. Party items to help celebrate, along with little desserts that resembled tubes. It doesn't give him any indication of who sent it, not did it explain why the box had to be so large. Everything was removed, one group of items at a time, and placed on the untouched bottom bunk. What Yancy had assumed to be a raised bottom of the box was actually... An instrument case.

"Oh shit... No fucking way..." Hand fumbled and nearly dropped the box in a frenzied attempt to get the final thing out in the open. Then, the box was swiftly pushed aside so he could put the case down and undo the latches.

It almost felt like a dream. It was a ukulele, one that was too perfect to be something that was bought by a prisoner. Who would use something like this as a bribe anyway??

"It's beautiful..." He lifted the instrument, holding it just right to strum a chord. It somehow stayed in tune despite the transit.

Shame that Yancy didn't realise there was no proof of postage to be found.

"Guess I gotta take good care of this so whoever this is won't be too upset." As for the party equipment? Well, Sparkles McGee ought to be finished their shift soon, and they always love an excuse to throw a fuss.