#And I'm grateful to Red for allowing us to go on this journey with him

[dreampsychosis]

My favourite songs of 2023. Marvin descending by Christine and the Queens.

[jacaeryslover]

RAISED BY WOLVES: a jon snow fanfic.

02.

it took some time to get the guardian of the north to accept your request, he knew it was going to be dangerous, but he couldn't say no to you, he loved you like you were his own blood.

arya was as thrilled as you, she couldn't wait to begin the journey to kings landing. " i hope i get to practice with my sword" she said to you, while mimicking the action of sword fighting, she also told you that jon gifted her a sword, and that she called it needle.

you knew that sansa was smitten by that baratheon boy, prince joffrey. but you wished to never be in his presence, he was a repulsive human being, and you saw that the days he stayed in your home. but love blinds you, or perhaps, dreams do.

somehow, the news travelled fast enough that they reached robb and jon. robb looked at you, analizing your expressions, like he knew that that was exactly what you needed, a look into your past. and jon didn't say a thing, maybe he didn't care enough to try and change your mind, or perhaps he cared so much, he couldn't say a thing. and you wished it was the latter.

later that day, robb stark entered your chambers, and only the old gods and the new ones knew what the young wolf had to do to put his hands on the old book. "this is for you, sister. so you don't forget your blood, and hopefully, you discover more about it in your journey" he said, placing the valyrian book on the girls hands.

"thank you, robb. i- i don't even know what to say. thank you, brother" you heard your voice cracking, knowing he did too, you hugged him really tight. since the day you arrived, he cared for you, and loved you as an older brother would. and you were really grateful.

"it's nothing, the next time we see eachother, you will have to tell me the stories of the old valyria, and the rise of the dragons. as a payment for the book" he said, showing you a cheerful smile. but you could see his watery eyes looking at you, you were grateful for this family you thought, and later those thoughts became questions. does your older brother loves your sister as much as robb loves you? you hoped he did.

the second one to visit your chambers was jon snow, you noticed that he looked troubled, his eyes seemed tired and even though he was looking at you, he seemed distant. "hi there, i heard you're leaving for king's landing." he muttered, his tone lacking affection caught you off guard.

"yes, lord stark allowed me to go with them. i think i really need this, y'know? my family lived in the red keep for ages!" jon felt your excitement in your high pitched voice, almost resembling the nine year old arya. he didn't know if you were excited for leaving the cold winterfell, or if you were excited to finally know more about your family. and he could relate, he wanted to know more about his family too, who is his mother, and is his mother alright?. "but i'm particularly excited to see the library" these last words made him realize that love is a dangerous thing, while he didn't want to part from you, he was delighted at the same time, thinking of your sudden happiness.

"i hope you find the answers you're looking for princess, i really do. see, i talked with my uncle benjen the other night, and i decided to join the night's watch. i came here to bid you goodbye, i guess your departure should've made things easier, but i don't want to leave without saying this first-" you could hear doubt in his voice and immediatly your anxiety began to grow.

"i don't want us to lose what we have, i still don't know what will happen in the future, but- but if i join the nights watch i will swear an oath, one i cannot desobey. and one i will regret if i don't-"

"if you don't what?" you said, growing more and more impatient every second he didn't finished his sentence.

"if i don't kiss you, princess" you stared at him, his moonlight eyes catching your lilac ones. you were not thinking straight. your bodies started to seek eachother like the air you need to breath. with each step taking you to a rushed decision, your heart knew it was a right one.

with your faces almost colliding, you muttered almost like a whisper, only for him to hear it "then kiss me, jon snow".

his lips brushed gently against yours, caressing each corner of your lips, tasting and memorizing every line, every taste, and every sound that you provided him. this was a scene straight out of his dreams.

and life was not fair to him, he could only confirm.

the second he got you, was the second he lost you.

[lilacmingi]

ALICE IN WONDERLAND AU ♤ PART 2: JIMIN

My works are 14+ ONLY. If you’re under 14 DO NOT interact with me or my works

Pairing: Tweedle!Jimin x fem reader

Word count: 2,286

The pounding of your heart was so loud it's all you could hear as the man emerged from his hiding place in the cluster of towering plants. Stepping out onto the pathway was a rather innocent-looking man with honey blonde hair and gentle features. Round eyes, a button nose, and puffy, pink lips akin to the delicate petals of a flower. He donned a black and white striped shirt that hung off his shoulders, showing off his prominent collarbones and a pair of dark red shorts. Like Jungkook, this man was incredibly handsome as well. His visuals were breathtaking, like he had been sculpted by Aphrodite herself.

"Jimin." The man beside you vocalized in mild surprise, his body relaxing now that he knew there was nothing to worry about.

"Oh! Hello." The stranger responded, smoothing out his shirt and dusting off any leaves that clung to the fabric. "I haven't seen you around today."

"What are you doing here?" Jungkook asked.

"I was running away from the bandersnatch and needed somewhere to hide. Who's this?" He gestured towards you.

"This is Y/n."

Jimin's brows raised. "The Y/n?"

"The very same." Jungkook not-so-discreetly pulled you towards him, not liking the way his friend's eyes glimmered like that of a hungry animal.

"Ah. She grew up nicely." The blonde noted aloud, a small smirk pulling at his full lips while his eyes shamelessly raked down your figure.

Admittedly, you felt the slightest bit flustered under his gaze, not used to being so obviously (and brazenly) ogled at.

"Well, this is certainly a nice surprise. What brings you back here?" Jimin inquired, taking a step forward.

"Back off." Jungkook warned. "I was sent to bring her here."

"Oh?" Jimin's brow twitched in interest. "Why don't I tag along? I can keep you company."

"No thank you. I've got this under control." Jungkook responded briskly. "It was my job to fetch her, so I'll be the one taking her to the Hatter."

"You don't want extra protection? What if something happens to her on the way? Two is better than one, you know."

"Again, I've got this under control. Besides, if you tag along you'll just be a nuisance."

"Hey!" Jimin grabbed onto Jungkook's ear, pulling on it harshly.

"Ow!" He hissed.

"I was born before you. Have a little respect for your elders."

"Okay, okay! Ouch! Let go of me."

"You'd better be grateful I didn't pull on your precious bunny ears." Jimin huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

Jungkook merely grumbled in response, rubbing his ear which was pink from the tight grip Jimin had on it.

The blonde then turned to you with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to see you here again." He bowed and took hold of your hand, placing a gentle kiss to the top of it, the action sending a light rush of heat across the apples of your cheeks.

"Ah. Yes, I'm sure it is."

"Where's the other one?" Jungkook asked, changing the subject and providing a good distraction so you could calm your racing heart.

"Oh. I don't know." Jimin shrugged.

"Other one?" You echoed.

"Jimin has a twin but no one ever sees him."

"Ever?"

"No. He's always off somewhere." Jungkook explained. "I only ever caught a glimpse of the back of his head."

Strange. You thought. Then again, everything here was strange.

"We need to make haste and get Y/n to the Hatter before the bandersnatch finds us. If that thing catches our scent we're dead."

"So you're letting me tag along?" Jimin's eyes glimmered with hope.

"If Y/n is okay with it then I suppose I can't argue." Jungkook sighed.

"The more the merrier." You smiled.

"Perfect! Right this way, milady." Jimin bowed, holding his hand out.

You accepted his offer, reaching out to take hold of his hand, allowing him to walk by your side as your journey continued.

"I'm glad you allowed me to tag along or else this little walk would be a bore."

"I beg your pardon?" Jungkook turned his head towards the older male, taking offense to his unprovoked comment.

"Oh come on." He chuckled. "You're about as interesting as a game of croquet with the Red King."

Pure rage burned behind Jungkook's once friendly eyes, the jab clearly striking a nerve for the bunny hybrid.

"This is why I didn't want you here. You always harass me and it irritates me to no end."

"I'm just teasing. Jeez you're so uptight."

"I'm not uptight."

"Hey, I have a question." You spoke up, hoping to distract the two and de-escalate the situation.

"Yes?" The two men turned to you, speaking in unison.

"Can't we just teleport to the Hatter?"

The two shared a look.

"Teleport?" Jimin echoed.

"Yeah. This is a dream, right? Anything is possible in dreams."

Again, Jungkook and Jimin looked at each other, a mildly concerned expression etched into both their features.

"Do you really think this is a dream?" Jungkook inquired.

"Yes. It has to be. There's no logical explanation to any of the things that have happened so far."

"I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, but this is real." Jimin told you, his tone even and his gaze unwavering.

Come to think of it, every emotion you've felt since falling down the rabbit hole was very much real, though to be fair, some dreams are like that. They're so vivid that they feel as if you're actually experiencing them until you finally wake up and realize it was all in your head. Except you haven't woken up yet. You were quick to pinch your arm as hard as you possibly could with your free hand, wincing at the pain that shot up your arm.

"This is real?" Your voice came out much weaker than you intended.

"Of course it is, silly." Jimin chuckled, ruffling your hair. "I don't know why you're so surprised."

Now you just felt stupid. Of course this was real. Everything felt real but you were in denial, unable to accept the fact that you'd been walking beside a man with literal bunny ears and got chased by quite possibly the most frightening creature you'd ever seen. A creature that you knew didn't exist in your world. So now what? You're in some place called Wonderland that you've supposedly visited before yet you have no recollection whatsoever of being in a place like this. Oh and also there's some guy called the Red King who send that bander-thing after you.

You blinked a few times, bringing yourself back to the present before your thoughts could get too carried away. The last thing you wanted was to have a mental breakdown in front of these two.

In an attempt to distract yourself, your gaze traveled down to yours and Jimin's intertwined hands, taking notice of his adorable little fingers.

"Your fingers are so cute." You voiced your thoughts aloud.

"Are they?" He grinned.

"They are."

"You two should compare pinkies." Jungkook nudged you. "He gets embarrassed."

Now that he had brought it up, your curiosity was piqued.

"Is that okay with you, Jimin?" You asked.

"Of course. Anything for you."

He released your hand, holding his pinkie out as you mirrored his actions. An unintentional giggle left you when you saw the size difference. Jimin had possibly the cutest pinkie you'd ever seen in your life. It was short, pudgy, and oh-so-adorable. His cheeks turned a deep shade of pink at your reaction.

"I know." He murmured, lowering his head to hide his rosy cheeks that now resembled strawberry mochi.

Meanwhile, Jungkook was off to the side snickering at his friend.

You nudged Jimin. "It's cute."

"Thanks. I don't like my hands all that much. They're not manly enough."

"Ah that doesn't matter." You waved a dismissive hand. "Being manly is overrated, anyway."

"It is?"

"Sure. Being yourself is all that matters. Plus, you can't change the way your hands or fingers look. That's how you were born."

Jimin's eyes glimmered, his heart melting at your words. You're just as sweet as he remembered.

Jungkook cleared his throat, gaining your attention and causing you to look over at him.

"Aw someone's jealous." Jimin had a smug smirk on his face.

"I'm not." Jungkook denied.

You reached out and took hold of his hand. "I can hold two hands at once. No need to be jealous."

He cracked a small smile. "Thanks. You're just as kind as you were back then."

"I wish I could remember it."

Jimin's expression fell immediately. "What? She doesn't remember coming here?" He asked looking at Jungkook. "You don't remember coming here?" He pointed the question at you this time.

"Unfortunately no."

"Ah." He frowned. "That's a shame."

"It was a long time ago. That's probably why I don't remember. Then again, I'm not sure how I could possibly forget a place like this."

"There's no use worrying about it. It can't be helped. Maybe it'll come back to you eventually." Jimin gave your hand a reassuring squeeze, offering you a warm smile.

"I hope so."

Silence fell over the group as you walked along the cobblestone path, the quietude punctuated by the sounds of your shoes thumping softly against the flat rocks.

Why couldn't you remember coming here years ago? Was it that irrelevant? Surely not. You couldn't seem to understand how you could possibly forget a place like Wonderland. It's strange creatures, colorful plants, and hybrid inhabitants are something you'd like to think you'd never cease to remember.

"Y/n?" Jimin's soft voice pulled you from your thoughts.

"Hm?"

"You okay? You had this distant look on your face."

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just trying to figure out how I could've forgotten this place."

"Don't worry about that right now." Jungkook said. "Like Jimin said, it might come back to you. And being around familiar things could eventually jog your memory."

"Right." You nodded. "So how long until we get to this Hatter?"

"It's gonna be a while longer." Jungkook informed you. "Sorry."

"Are you alright? Are your legs tired? Do you need me to carry you?" Jimin asked.

"You couldn't carry her, but I could. Have you seen these guns?" Jungkook flexed his free arm.

"We can't see because of your lame tailcoat." Jimin shot back. "Plus, I'm fit. I can carry people." He puffed out his chest.

"I'm fine." You assured them. "My legs aren't hurting or anything."

"Very well then. If your legs or feet get sore let me know." Jimin said.

"Let me know too." Jungkook added.

"I will."

These guys have lost their minds. You thought. Why are they being so protective of me?

A loud thump that rumbled the ground beneath your feet caused all three of you to stumble and nearly fall, a distant roar making your heart drop.

"Oh no." Jungkook's face visibly paled. "The bandersnatch found us."

"Hide!" Jimin shouted and pulled the both of you into the tall plants lining the path.

"What if it gets me this time?" You asked worriedly, your hands beginning to tremble.

Now that you knew this was reality, the fear you felt earlier had tripled. The realization that you could die dawned on you in that moment.

"It won't." Jimin assured you, wrapping his arms around your shoulders.

He surprised you by placing a kiss on your forehead and started to run his fingers through your hair in and attempt to soothe you. Scared out of your wits, you buried your face into his chest and squeezed your eyes shut, a small part of you hoping that this really was a dream, though you knew better.

Another pair of arms wrapped around you and upon a quick glance over your shoulder you saw it was Jungkook.

"It'll be okay." He assured you. "Jimin and I won't let anything happen to you. You have my word."

You nodded, your fearful eyes following the bandersnatch that was now in your line of sight, sniffing the air to catch a whiff of your scent. As it moved closer you tried your best not to scream.

"Y/n." Jungkook grabbed your shoulders, turning you to face him. "You have to go on alone."

"What? Why?"

"It's gonna get you if you stay."

"No." You shook your head. "How am I supposed to navigate this place on my own?"

"You'll find your way."

"What about you and Jimin?"

"We'll be fine. We can take care of ourselves."

You looked to Jimin for reassurance.

"Jungkook is right."

Jimin pulled a slingshot from his back pocket and snagged some rocks from the dirt and grass below, loading one into the pocket.

"Y/n." Jungkook pulled his chained pocket watch out. "On the count of three, run."

"I don't know if I can do this."

"You can." Jungkook assured you while swinging the watch around to gain momentum. "Run and don't look back."

"You'll be okay." Jimin added, kissing your cheek.

"Y/n, you ready?" Jungkook's asked, glancing over his shoulder.

You nodded, swallowing even though your mouth was dry as a bone.

"One."

The bandersnatch grew closer.

"Two."

You sucked in a deep breath and prepared to make a run for it.

"I guess this is goodbye for now. Maybe we'll see each other around."

"I hope so." Jimin said.

"Three."

Jungkook leapt from the plants, swinging his pocket watch and hitting the bandersnatch directly in the eye while Jimin started launching rocks at the beast, reloading the slingshot in the blink of an eye. You took this as your opportunity to flee, scrambling to your feet and bolting down the path, not bothering to look back.

➯ Part 3: Yoongi

Masterlist ᝰ

DO NOT steal, plagiarize, copy, repost, alter, or translate my works in any way

Tag list: @h3arteyes4mingi @weird-bookworm @poppy2007 @parkjennykim @evidive @mxlly143

[sunnyboos]

I Vow To You - Chapter 1

Dear Queen Ruka,

I hope this letter finds you in good health, my dear friend.

Your husband has done well, lending his aid in defending our kingdom while my king rests his war-torn body. Muzan has been defeated; no longer will he cause our kingdom any harm. No doubt, he hides in shame, licking at his battle wounds but fear not, his powers have been stripped from him and his title is no more than a distant memory.

The healers say my love will recover with time and I will be forever grateful to your husband for saving him. Words will never be able to convey the joy I feel that we will know peace.

I hear you are with child, another boy, perhaps? My congratulations to you, that is absolutely wonderful news. Yumeko has been quite restless, imploring us to make the journey to your kingdom. Of course, contrary to what she would like me to believe, I am aware her inquiry is more so to see the young Prince Kyojuro. I'm sure he's quite looking forward to having another sibling to play with – I do hope he is well. If he's anything like his father, he is going to become a fine man and rule over your kingdom with patience and kindess.

Please do send word when your child is born; we would be honored to attend to lay upon many gifts as we've done so before.

PS – please do send my regards to the young Prince, I'm sure he misses Yumeko just as much as she misses him.

Sincerely,

Queen Sana

***One Year Later***

Vibrant, wide hues, resembling that of a fiery blaze stared at the large castle gates; eagerly awaiting the arrival of his long time friend, Princess Yumeko of the Shiratori Royal Family. Lightly bouncing in place, he felt antsy standing in place for too long – when would they be arriving? Hopefully soon!

His antics did not go unnoticed by his mother as she leaned her head slightly towards him, “My son, please stop fidgeting” she gently chided, “I understand your enthusiasm to see the Princess Yumeko, but you must be respectful” she held the heir's younger brother in her arms as he cooed lightly up to his mother while the older Rengoku brother nodded furiously, indicating he had heard his mother.

“Apologies mother!” the seven year old immediately stalled his movements with much effort. The poor boy could barely contain his excitement; he had grown quite close to you as both your mothers had known each other long before either of you were born. As you grew, you continued to bond and form a beautiful friendship; one that both families had been allowing to bloom. One could go as far as to say, they had hoped this would blossom into an eventual courtship: uniting both kingdoms. But it was far too early to predict the likelihood of events to transpire.

He stood by his father's side in his red and white royal uniform; though it was not as ornately decorated to the degree of his father's, he looked to be the spitting image of the king. Shinjuro's uniform had his royal crest pinned to his coat over his right breast, made with solid gold in the shape of a fiery blaze and a red ruby in the centre it. Gold buttons adorned his crimson coat and a stark white cape rested on his shoulders with flames lining the hem. One day, when Kyojuro would take his father's place, he would wear both the crest and cape proudly and rule over the kingdom.

A jovial laugh sounded from the king, watching as his son desperately attempted not to bounce in place as he patiently impatiently waited his friend to arrive, “My love, he is just excited to see young Yumeko, it has been quite some time since last they have seen each other” he reminded.

She quietly giggled, “Yes, I'm well aware, my king, but our son must remember to mind his manners”

The young boy looked up to his mother, nodding his head, “My apologies, mother, I did not mean to cause disrespect!”

“It's alright, my young flame” her ruby red orbs acknowledge her eldest son, “Just please be sure to be respectful for when they do arrive” nodding again, he turned his attention back towards the castle entrance, a wide smile on his face as the creaking of the bridge slowly began to lower, signalling someone's arrival... your arrival.

The grin on the young Rengoku's face continued to widen and his eyes shined brighter than the sun upon staring at the carriage that most definitely contained both you and your mother inside. Your father lead the handful of knights at his command on his valiant steed: a beautiful, ebony stallion. The smile on your father's face resembled the young boy's as he reached just steps away from the Rengoku family in front of him. He dismounted from his stallion, Yoru, and made his way towards the carriage, waving off any knights that were ready to help both yourself and your mother from the carriage; that honor would always and forever be his for as long as he lived. He gently opened the carriage door, your mother taking his hand as she gently and gracefully stepped outside; her other hand held part of her dress as to not step on the delicate material.

Once she was safely on the ground, he then assisted you. As you stepped out, the young boy's face flushed. You were wore a royal blue dress with tulip sleeves and gold feather detailing at the hem of the skirt and sleeves. Half of your dark chocolate locks were pinned back by a gold feather hair clip, the other half rested on your shoulders. Your eyes as blue as the wide-open sky; shining in the sunlight as they focused on him.

“Kenji, my friend!” Shinjuro greeted the man as you all approached the Rengoku's, “You look well!”

The man grinned, “As do you” your father's attention focused on Ruka as he bowed his head in respect, “Congratulations to you both; another son! You'll have your hands full if he's anything like his father” causing Shinjuro to laugh.

Ruka smiled warmly, “Our eldest seems to have taken to his father's personality, I would say. It will be interesting, to say the least, to watch as our young Senjuro grows to become a young man”

While the adults were engaged in their conversation, you stood before the young prince, wanting to embrace him after being apart for so long, but due to both parents' strict policies on etiquette, you held back, “Hello, Prince Kyojuro!” you politely greeted as you curtsy. The young boy bowed his head, smile still as wide as ever, greeting you in return.

“Hello, Princess Yumeko!” the men could not help but snicker at the two of you while their wives smiled warmly at the sight before them.

Ruka decided to speak, “Let us go inside, I'm sure you're tired from the long journey. Kyojuro, Yumeko, would you like to stay outside and play in the garden?” she suggested.

Both of you eagerly nodded your heads as you looked up to Queen Ruka. You looked back to each other and before you could speak, the young Rengoku heir took a hold of your hand in his, “This way, Yumeko-Chan!”

“Ok!” you stumbled slightly but you were able to find your footing. One hand holding on to your dress, the other holding just as tight to his as you followed behind him, making your way to the garden; one of your favorite places to be.

In your kingdom, both yourself and your mother, tended to the swans that occupied the large fountain. You always enjoyed watching them interact with one another. Your mother cherished those beautiful creatures; they symbolized your family name. You always wondered what it would be like to fly freely as they do; soaring above the clouds and enjoying the air between their feathery wings.

“We're here!” the young boy cheered as he slowed his pace, allowing you a moment to catch your breath, yet your hands were still holding on to each others, “Mother had these planted for your family!” your brow raised as you followed the boy. Before you could ask him what he was referring to, your eyes settled on the beautiful array of white roses that stretched all around the marble fountain.

You gasped as you grinned, “They're so pretty!”

Carefully, the young boy leaned over and plucked one of the smaller blossoms, ensuring no thorns had been weaved into the petals. He turned to look at you, “May I?” he asked. You nodded. He took a step forward and tucked the flower on top of your ear; weaving the rose into your hair as your cheeks flushed, “I... saw father do this mother once... I think it-” you cut him off by kissing his cheek, his eyes wide and face gone ablaze.

You lean back and smile, “Thank you, Kyojuro... I will cherish it as long as I can”

And that began what was soon to be a beautiful courtship.

Unfortunately, just outside the Rengoku Kingdom, a far sinister plan was being put into motion. In a dark cavern, tucked away in the darkness of the Wisteria covered forest, the once well respected advisor of King Shiratori, now nothing but a pitiful waste of a man as he lay in wait, plotting his revenge against the kingdom. A wicked smile graced his lips as he watched the magical portal before him; the young Prince Kyojuro and Princess Yumeko.

That girl... She will be the downfall of her father's kingdom... One day.

He watched as you laughed with the young Prince, a smile so young and innocent.

“She will be mine”

[fourswords]

ezlo... the grumpy grandpa ever...

i was going to respond to this with a list of quotes from him that really show how he's the grumpiest grandpa ever but then i remembered this one quote from him that goes:

"There are some strange creatures on Mount Crenel… Creatures I've never seen before, and your sword alone won't beat them! Don't give up hope, though! Try your other items on them! Well…you don't need me to tell you how to do your job. Just deal with those monsters, and I'll take care of everything else."

i think the "Well...you don't need me to tell you how to do your job" is funny and interesting in equal measure because it's such a stark contrast from other companions for links who were on the younger side (think oot link with navi and ww link with the king of red lions) at the time whose purposes were definitely more aligned with, at the very least, helping link to do his job as a hero (navi with z-targeting, the king of red lions with helping link get around and also kind of. manipulating him into becoming The Hero™). but ezlo is canonically fucking clueless about damn near everything that doesn't involve his niche realm of being a "famous minish sage" who is "renowned for his amazing creations" (according to his figurine description). like:

"A strange nut that will allow us to understand the Minish language… The Jingle Nut, did he say…? No, wait… That's not it… Ah, I remember now! It was the Jabber Nut. That's what it was… Come on, my boy! We've got to find the Jabber Nut!"

"Have you ever visited Hyrule before? What? You have? …What's it like? Not that I… I mean, I've seen it before! Of course I have! I'm very well traveled. I just wanted to see…what you thought of it!"

"So! We must infuse the White Sword with the elemental power. That means we must find the elemental sanctuary. And the way we do that is… Um… Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out!"

"So there are three books that we're supposed to return, right? Link, I'm sure you can handle it! Don't get me wrong! I'd love to help! But I'm a great Minish sage! I don't understand your big, human ways! So…I'm counting on you!"

there are a BUNCH more examples but you get my point. i just think it's really, really funny that out of the few companions that younger links had at that point in time, it's in the minish cap that said companion is like "ehhhhh i don't need to tell him what to do he's smart enough to deal with it himself. he just needs to be yelled at to stop dawdling and GET A FUCKING MOVE ON sometimes." which is also kind of exemplified by this line of ezlo's near the end of the game, too:

"We will get through this! We have all of the techniques and power you've gained in your journey! And we have your wisdom and courage as well! Link! I believe in you!"

it says a lot that he attributes not only courage to link but wisdom as well. link has so so so so so SO much personality in this game and between his own flavor text/internal dialogue when interacting with things and ezlo's running commentary on link's attitude/words/expressions/reactions to things it's SO plain to see (ex: "Link, I know this may not be a great time for it, but... I wanted to say thanks for everything you've done. I'm very grateful for-- Hm? What? You're freaked out? You're not used to me being nice!? Fine, then! Forget I said anything!"/"You're so energetic all the time… Not that I'm saying you're hyperactive or anything! I meant it as a compliment! Like…you've got a special talent for being WAY too peppy or something."). and i love it so much. it's also exemplified by this line of dialogue which is absolutely hilarious to me:

"Do you have to ask me about every single little thing?! Just figure it out for yourself, you big baby!"

anyway. for the sake of not going on a 500-year tangent about how ezlo is my number one favorite companion and the hero of the minish is my number one favorite link and how much i adore all the dialogue in it. i'll end it here. <3

BUT ALSO FUN FACT DID YOU KNOW THAT LINK ACTUALLY CANONICALLY DIDN'T BELIEVE IN THE MINISH PRIOR TO THE MINISH CAP:

"So, where in the library would any Minish folk live, anyway? Maybe those people who say the Minish exist "only in stories" might be right! Hey! Link! What's that look for? Don't tell me you were one of…them? You're kidding me! You're wearing a Minish person on your head, you oaf! I certainly hope you believe in us now!"

[yujo-nishimura]

"Told you so..." - Part 6

This is a private ongoing fic just for me and @lostfirefly

Since tumblr doesn't let me post it privately I need to share it publicly, but feel free to scroll through the content, since this is just for our own amusement. ;)

I am so in love with my own story that I cannot stop writing.

Buggy and Helga miraculously arrived at Level 5, their path unhindered by more guards who failed to discover or confront them. The few pursuers they encountered on Level 4 were swiftly dealt with, as Buggy launched a knife attack while Helga fought alongside him. These guards on Level 4 lacked any notable combat skills, resulting in an easy victory. However, the exhaustion had taken its toll on the weary escapees.

As they finally reached the fifth level, a cold and comforting air enveloped them, causing them to collapse behind yet another pillar. Breathing deeply, they savored the relief it brought, although thirst, hunger, and exhaustion had started gnawing on them from their relentless running.

Buggy leaned on his girlfriend, momentarily closing his eyes, seeking a brief respite before they continued their arduous journey. Helga wrapped her arms around her captain, his presence providing her with solace and a renewed energy. With Buggy by her side, she felt invincible, ready to face any challenge and she knew she would go all the lengths for him.

"Are you alright, cutie pie?" Buggy inquired, opening one eye as he gazed down at her fiery red hair, his hand gently caressing her back.

"I'm fine. I'm just grateful we're still alive," she replied.

"Me too... Going back up is out of the question at this point. So let's hope your little underground passage is real!" Buggy pulled her closer to him, an overwhelming surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Feeling her warm body against his made him dizzy with desire. He wanted to kiss her and press her against the cold prison walls, but he understood that now was not the time for intimacy. Sensing his pent-up longing, Helga tenderly kissed his lips, a brief moment that prevented him from succumbing to his desires.

"I want you too, my darling. But first, we need to escape from here. Then we'll have all the time in the world for whatever you want to do with me," she whispered.

Buggy's face displayed a mixture of eager anticipation and frustration, but he nodded in agreement. Holding her tightly one last time, he savored her sweet scent, cherishing the closeness of their bodies.

"Let's go," she whispered, Helga always being the voice of reason.

They both stood up, and Buggy smiled. "But no more carrying. It's time for you to use your own feet."

"I bet I can do that!" she laughed.

Carefully, they pressed forward, sensing a different atmosphere in this lower level compared to the two levels above. The heat had dissipated, replaced by a chilling air that emanated from the robust stone walls. All the cells were constructed with sea stone, a material that nullified Buggy's powers. The silence within these chambers felt suffocating, with very few prisoners present. The darkness seemed to swallow any glimmer of hope.

"I believe this is where they keep the most dangerous Devil Fruit users," Buggy whispered to Helga as they cautiously moved forward.

Helga whispered back, chuckling softly, "So why were you on Level 1 then?"

Buggy rolled his eyes. "I didn't disclose my Devil Fruit powers to them, thankfully. Otherwise, I would have been confined down here, unable to save both of us."

Suddenly, they froze in their tracks. Buggy pressed his finger against his lips, gently pushing Helga back against a wall. "Shh!" he cautioned, and Helga was grateful for his swift reaction. From behind a pillar, they caught sight of a guard walking down the aisle towards the array of cells, carrying trays of water. Helga's unbearable thirst reminded her of their dire need.

Buggy quickly understood, detaching two of his hands, allowing them to float towards the guard. One hand lightly tapped the guard's shoulder, causing him to turn around. In the same instant, the other hand delivered a powerful blow to his face, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Buggy's hand swiftly caught the two glasses of water before they hit the floor, and his floating hands brought them back to Helga and himself within their hiding place.

"Don't pick a fight with a Chop-Chop Fruit user!" Buggy proudly declared after emptying his glass, feeling instantly revitalized.

Helga also breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the refreshing respite. "Thank you so much, darling. That was exactly what I needed..."

"You jerks, what do you think you're doing here?" a sudden angry voice pierced through the silence, startling Helga and Buggy. It wasn't the guard who had been knocked out and awakened again. From a prison cell next to the pillar where they were hiding, stood a girl with long ash-colored hair and fierce green eyes, her face contorted in anger.

"That was our water, you bastards! How dare you drink it?" she yelled, her voice echoing loudly, causing Helga great concern.

"Shh! Please! We didn't know. Can you kindly stop yelling? They might find us," Helga pleaded.

"If I cared, we'd already be locked in here together. Stealing our water, you deserve the same fate!" the girl replied with a high-pitched voice.

Helga could sense Buggy's irritation growing as he reached for his knives. "Let me shut that bitch up!" he whispered, but in that moment, a golden hook encircled the girl's neck from behind the prison cell.

"Excuse the outburst of my little girlfriend here," chuckled Crocodile, the sound of his laughter causing both Helga and Buggy to be in awe.

"Cro... Cro... Crocodile?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

"The former Warlord?!" they added, their astonishment evident.

"You're Buggy the Clown, the former apprentice on Gol D. Roger's ship, right? And this is..." Crocodile began, but Helga interrupted.

"I am Helga, his vice captain."

"Ah, the playtoy!" Crocodile chuckled in amusement.

The girl next to Crocodile fell silent, seemingly too afraid to speak with the hook still around her neck.

"Why are you two down here? Have you lost your minds?" Crocodile asked, his voice tinged with amusement.

"No, we heard there's an underground passage to escape!" Helga quickly responded, still confident in their escape plans.

Crocodile laughed again and released the girl, who was still pouting about the water. "I think that's a futile mission. But how about this: you two let us out of here, and we'll help you get out?"

[inkedinfusions]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 | eren jaeger chapter 7

⊱𖣂⊰ | In which you fall into a fictional world with the key to Pandora's box.

⊱𖣂⊰ | masterlist

⊰– prev   next–⊱

𝟎𝟕 | 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭

chapter word count: 3.4k

content warnings: blanket warnings

a/n: Lied again! I have no clue where I pulled this chapter from lmao. I was deadass giggling writing the last scene, I've had those two last lines written since the Beginning. Leave comments!! Please please please I love reading yall's reactions <3

Thanks for reading!

"𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍���?"

"Packed."

"Water."

"Yes."

"Well, what about–"

"Oh my god," you say, exasperated. "Stop acting like a mother hen. I'm crossing the sea, not going to war."

Zeke sends you an unimpressed look, making you roll your eyes. Yes, you were going to take part in what might be the most tense and dangerous conflict of the era, but it would be great if Zeke stopped acting like you hadn't gone over every detail multiple times this past week. Five times, to be exact.

"Maybe not now," he says. "But in the future there will be... conflict."

You gesture with your head that yes, you're aware that the goal of the plan is to incite it. Violence is not something you feel comfortable encouraging, or even witnessing, but your way home hangs on how well you use it as a tool.

Over the past year, you've had many opportunities to think about just how far you would be willing to go. Zeke was –is? Was– willing to sacrifice comrades, foes, himself, to achieve his goal. Eren all but killed four fifths of humanity to ensure his friends' freedom.

What are you prepared to do, if an occasion to kill or be killed rises to challenge you? Will the ends (home home home) justify the means?

"I'll be okay. They're good people."

You wonder if Hange will offer you tea. If you'll be allowed to accept it.

"All the more reason to save them." Zeke smiles, and you know he truly thinks what he is offering is salvation. It doesn't matter that his salvation is synonymous with atonement, just like Eren's is synonymous with slaughter.

Today you don't quite trust your voice to agree with the sentiment without wavering, so you just offer what you hope is a supportive smile, and pray that whatever lingering anxiety present in your expression is attributed to common nervousness before a journey.

Many times you have expressed your approval of Zeke's plan, and yet today you find yourself faltering. Maybe it's because it's today that it will start to take form. Maybe it's because it's today that you will have to perform in accordance to your perceived agreement, not just dish out empty words.

So you find your words, ones that can be assimilated into your own idea of salvation. Ones that have only the meaning you give them, and yet can be camouflaged to fit Zeke's agenda.

"I will."

And you mean to try. Even if they don't take you seriously, even if they suspect foul play on your part. You will try to save those on Paradis from the salvation of Zeke. Even if it means betraying him before he betrays you first.

Zeke smiles, and you smile back at him, together taking a step back to admire the tapestry of framework that has been woven since before your arrival. You know Zeke has woven his own agenda into it, strings blending into what seems to be an inconspicuous enough plot.

You know you will take the loom and make your own yarn, with which you will strive to replace the horrors that are implicit in the hidden embroidery. Maybe your hands will be an irritated red from doing and undoing tight knots, maybe they will bleed again when the threads pierce your skin.

But what is a little blood in exchange for your salvation?

Zeke continues with his farewell, ushering you both out the door into the silver rain of moonlight.

"And for what it's worth, I am very grateful for your willingness to proceed. I know it's not an easy thing to do, what I've asked of you." He pauses. "What you've offered."

You let his words sit for a while, debating on how to respond to his sentiment.

Saying 'You're welcome' doesn't feel right for the context, and saying 'No problem' would be a complete lie. But gratitude can be reciprocated with itself.

It's hard to pin down one thing to thank Zeke for, when you know that almost everything that you've done together is something you plan to unravel later. So instead, you settle in a general thought, one you can twist and edit to your liking.

"Thank you," you end up saying. "For everything."

There's a million things that everything encompasses. His guidance in learning the new languages. His kind words on days you didn't feel like getting out of bed. His patience and understanding of your situation.

You don't doubt that there's part of him that, in the heat of a moment, will still view you as a tool directly tied to the completion of his plan, but you can't help and wrap your arms around him when he initiates a hug.

Zeke engulfs you completely, his sturdy frame hiding you from the world's eyes in the handoff point.

It is odd how, when you forget yourself, he causes you to look further into misplaced words, and yet he is also a comforting presence at the other side of the table every evening.

You both let go after a few moments, gray meeting your gaze when you exchange unspoken sentences through your eyes. You grip your rucksack's straps, suddenly feeling very nervous.

"So am I supposed to talk to them or–?" you start.

"No," Zeke interrupts you. "Not here. She'll give you the details."

You mouth a confused she? before remembering Yelena is also a player in the game that is about– no, that has already started.

The silence rests like a boat on still waters.

"Is this a bad time to admit that I'm terribly scared of the ocean?" you say, hesitantly teasing, wanting to break the somber atmosphere.

"I know you are not," Zeke responds. "And even if you were, you are resolute enough to still make the journey."

You don't know whether he means it as a compliment or a grievance, but you still take it and fold it deep, deep in your heart. Just like you have water and rations for your one day journey to the island, you must also have the fortitude for the many month long pilgrimage you're about to embark on.

"And Y/n," Zeke says as you start to walk away.

You turn to him, illuminated by nothing more than the bright moon in the sky. There were no lampposts in the street, nothing to guide you but some carefully taught instructions and the memory of a now destroyed map.

"See to it he understands. And have a safe journey."

You nod, retreating into the shadows, the echo of your footsteps serving as your only companion.

Oh, you will see to it that Eren understands, yes. But not Zeke's salvation. Not his own. But one where he is saved too.

You find Yelena at the outskirts of the internment zone, standing ominously in the alley you remember was circled in crimson red. She is already looking at you when you turn the corner, adding to the creepy atmosphere she exudes.

"You are two minutes late," is the first thing she says to you after a year.

"I don't have a watch?"

"Not relevant," Yelena says and you grit your teeth to avoid snapping back. Making enemies with your new overseer will make you more problems than not, so you must attempt to at least keep the cordiality on your end.

Yelena is not... mean, so to say, but rather incisive, cutting around kind words to deliver sharp statements. She is efficient, ruthless, and razor sharp. One must be careful in order to not get cut around the edges. And too bad if you do, because she is not going to apologize. At best you'd get ignored, and at worst taken off the operation.

When she walks into the faint spotlight produced by a small emergency lamp in the wall, you catch a glimpse of the white uniform in order to pass through more inconspicuously. It is very off topic for the situation, but you can't help but question whoever decided that white was the best color for people with very messy jobs. Probably the same person that decided that the Scout's pants were tight and white.

She walks in the direction of the wall delimiting the end of the zone, towards a small door, which you assume is used for maintenance. You follow after her, two paces behind, entirely too aware of the sound of your steps.

The noise that would normally be ignored, is now the only thing that echoes in the night, and you flinch when your foot hits a stray rock. It rolls further and further away from you, finally stopping against the door. No one but you notices, and yet you feel watched, every move you make accounted for.

Yelena stops at the threshold of the closed door, and you frown, confused. Wasn't she just grilling you because of unpunctuality?

"How long are we supposed to wait here?" you ask, ninety percent sure you were supposed to just go through the door.

"The window caused by the change in guard was lost due to your two minute delay," she says sharply.

Huh. Maybe she had the right to be pissed off then. Still, you don't think that it will be an issue. There were many backups to the backups, and room for flexibility. You doubt Ms Creepy gaze appreciates it though.

"I'm sure Zeke has given you a general overview. I'll give you the details now, so pay close attention," Yelena says, flicking open a pocket watch.

"Yeah, I have a question about that," you say. "Why couldn't he tell me that, instead of us talking about it here and risking getting caught?"

Yelena shuts the pocket watch after looking at the time, her hand reaching for the handle of the door. "Zeke is one of the most closely watched individuals in this country. Would you like to take a guess as to what would've happened?"

You come to your defense, not liking the carelessness she's implying. You don't need to be undermined by Yelena, not when your cooperation and knowledge is the only guarantee she has. Speaking of, Zeke never mentioned if he ever told her of the nature of your information. But you know better than to ask.

"We've talked plenty before and nothing has gone wrong," you say, falling into step next to her as you walk inside.

"Recently?" She asks pointedly, voice hushed but no less stern.

Your silence speaks for you.

No, you haven't talked with Zeke about the plans or about Eldia in general, not without hiding your words in double speak.

No, you haven't discussed anything more than the bare minimum about your preparation.

No, you weren't even allowed to talk about it in public or beyond the whispers in the kitchen after a particularly worrying meeting at Headquarters, one that focused on attempted sabotage to the nation of Marley.

"There wasn't an active conflict then. You'll understand that circumstances are different now."

Yelena continues walking along a cramped hallway, guiding you to, once again, another door. This one opens before either of you can grab the handle however, and your heart drops before you realize who it was that unlatched it.

"I counted one more change in guard than what was planned. What happened?" asks Onyankopon.

He is dressed in similar fashion to Yelena, fully cladded in an Eldian soldier uniform, complete with the helmet and sturdy black vest. He hands Yelena a similar helmet and vest, which she fastens on her head and torso after receiving.

You will be hidden in an unused storage room, so there was no point in risking getting another uniform for you. Even if you were wearing it, it would do nothing to dissuade suspicion in the event you got caught, your age and dubious place of discovery taking care of any leeway you might get.

So instead you are dressed in dark clothes, perfect for hiding out in the shadows on your way to the ship, and comfortable enough to not bother you on the day-long trip to Paradis.

"There was an unforeseen delay with the girl," Yelena answers Onyankopon.

His eyes turn to look at you, not reproachful but cautious. He has never met you properly and his first impression of you is one where you jeopardize the beginning stages of the operation. At this point the ground should just swallow you whole.

"It's nice to meet you," he says. "Again, I mean. You gave us all quite the scare when the tornado appeared." He smiles reassuringly, only just fully comprehending that you are just a kid.

"Likewise," you mumble, before Yelena nods with her head towards the cargo truck that will take you closer to the coast. Your group dutifully climbs inside it, and Yelena knocks two times in the metal dividing the drivers cabin and yours.

"I need you to memorize the plan," Yelena says when the engine starts. " I won't be repeating it, so commit it to memory."

Well, that answers the question of whether she knows the full scope of your knowledge and its origins.

Your brain scrambles for an imaginary pen and notepad at her signal, dutifully writing out the parameters of the plan. Thanks to the series it is nothing you don't know, but the way the information is presented and your role in executing it is new.

Like in the series, the plan you're instructed to relay to Paradis' envoys is the one in which Paradis grows their own technology over the course of fifty years, with the Rumbling as a deterrent from attacks of other nations.

The threat of the Rumbling will be enacted by Historia and her hypothetical children, bred exclusively for that purpose. You feel sick, and don't know whether to attribute it to the way Yelena is presenting it as cold facts or to the sway of the truck in the poorly paved streets.

Yelena also notes that it is imperative no one knows about the actual plan. You know she'll approach Eren when the time is right, when he has already resigned himself to the tragedies he will trigger, when the faction of the Jaegerists has already been established by Floch.

Onyankopon chimes in a couple times, mostly to provide reassurance. Your stress must be showing on your face way more than you planned then, you muse. Still, you think it's sweet how he tries to put you at ease.

"And in the event it gets too dangerous or you get found out, find either Yelena or me. There are contingency plans in place for specific situations," he says.

"Don't get caught," is all Yelena says.

You fight the urge to roll your eyes, settling for a huff. "I'm not planning to."

The truck skids to a stop, and you follow Onyankopon out, grabbing his extended hand when stepping down. As soon as you are all out, it makes a half turn and drives away, headlights off.

You follow Yelena and Onyankopon as they guide you to the pier, steps gradually stopping when you approach the carts that are used to load provisions into the ship. Wordlessly, you climb onto one of them, concealing yourself with the cargo inside of it.

You brace yourself when the cart begins to move, pushed by one of the Volunteers, and you mindlessly fiddle with your sleeve while being hauled into the ship. It feels a little like a spy movie, and you wish you had more energy to fully enjoy the experience, if only to distract yourself from reality.

It was ironic how, in your world you read stories to avoid the dull present, and now that you were finally in one, you dissociated to avoid what is now your reality. You can't be blamed, though, you wanted adventure, excitement– not the constant threat of horrific death over your head.

The cart stops, and you are helped out of your hiding place by a no name Volunteer, who unlocks the door to a small cargo area where you'll spend the rest of the trip. He leaves after locking you in, and you move towards the right corner further away from the door.

The place you choose to spend the rest of the trip is blocked from view by crates, giving you a small semblance of comfort. Even if somebody, for some reason managed to enter, you would have time to react.

You exhale shakily, suddenly feeling ridiculously unprepared. It feels all too real, all too fake.

You clench your hand in an effort to stop its trembling motions, adjusting the grip on your satchel as you sit down. Your back slides against the wall, and you rest your head on the containers to your left.

The ship won't leave until the first light, and you know Pieck will be part of the farewell party for the crew, so you can't risk looking out the small window high in the wall. Light eventually shines into the room, marking the sunrise and, like you were told, the ship begins its journey to the neighboring island.

There is nothing much to do in the ship, not when you only barely have access to a cramped lavatory, unused by the crew and thus safe for you to use. You eat some of your rations when you get hungry, drink water when you feel thirsty, and get lost in daydreams when you get bored.

Sometime around halfway through the journey you give up on trying to entertain yourself, falling into interrupted sleep when the anxiety of someone walking through the door startles you awake.

You sleep and wake up, and sleep and wake up, and when the sun has long since set, it is then when the ship halts.

You don't immediately process that it stopped, but when you do you quickly brace yourself for the earthquake that Eren will bring when he lifts the boat. Weirdly enough, nothing happens, and you strain your memory for the reason.

You groan when you realize that you still have a few hours to go, enough time to go ashore for the teams that are supposed to, where they'll be held hostage by the Scouts.

Oh shit.

The realization comes crashing down. You'll be meeting the main cast soon, and you have no clue what you are going to say. Will Yelena even let you speak? Or will she be convinced you'll somehow mess it up and gesture you to be silent?

You fall on your rear when the ship shakes, gripping tightly the secured cargo around you to avoid sliding across the room.

The ship is moved in a stable tempo towards the shore, and roughly deposited into what you assume to be where Levi and Hange are waiting.

Shots are heard. You know it's nothing to worry about, but it still makes you uneasy. Your head swivels towards the door when you hear the incriminating jingle of keys, but it is just the Volunteer that was tasked with letting you out once they hit land. You nod at him when he turns the other way around, and you follow until the salty air of the sea greets you.

He guides you down the ship, leaving you alone to walk to where Yelena and Onyankopon are on the beach. Eren's titan is nowhere to be found, and you guess he has already detransformed and gone to hide out with his friends.

Your heart thunders in your chest, sand softly crunching under your feet as you make the trek to where four people are conversing. You can't distinguish the facial features of the two Scots, and yet you are one hundred percent sure that they are Hange and Levi.

A twig snaps behind you, and you quickly twirl around to catch whatever the origin of the sound was. In the milliseconds before you discover the culprit you are convinced that you are overreacting, and that it is simply a wild animal that you scared away.

You are proven wrong, however, when you turn around and all you can see in the dark night is a pair of aquamarine eyes, framed by the red lines that mark all titan shifters.

Eren Jaeger stands before you, dark brown hair swaying in the cool wind. You stare, unmoving, not sure what to do, what to say.

And yet, your initial shock is nothing compared to the bafflement of hearing his next words

"Y/n," he breathes out.

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[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

1/2/2024 DAB Chronological Transcription Part 4

Announcements

Daily Audio Bible.com, that’s the Website. That is our home base. If you want to know anything about anything to do with the Daily Audio Bible, that's where you will go take a look around and check it out. there's a store, there are products created to enhance your Journey Through the Bible. that there is a wonderful brand of wind farm coffee and tea’s and you can conveniently sign up for a subscription, and they will be roasted fresh and delivered to your doorstep as much or as little as you would like to sign up for. you can do all of that there at the Daily Audio Bible store on the website. If you would like to partner with us here at Daily Audio Bible, thank you so much. if this has been life-giving if this is life giving to you know that we cannot do this without you, and we are so grateful that we do not have to. if you're giving by mail, PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174. or if you're utilizing that mobile app, look for the give icon, it's located up at the top right hand corner of your mobile device. and lastly you can look for the give icon on the website. if you need prayer, if you have heard somebody and Jesus is just hugging at your heart compelling you to pray for that person, of course you can do that silently, if it's important for you to let that person know that you are praying for them there are several different ways for you to do so, 800-583-2164, that’s for Chronological. or once again utilizing the app, you can hit the red circle button that is located at the top right hand corner of the app as well. The prayer line is equipped for a 2 minute message. when you are finished with your prayer and it will get to the right place. I am so glad that you're here we are well on our way and I am looking forward to maybe a less difficult year the last year, but a beautiful and exciting journey and Year together in community as much as you want to be together through his word there is no better way to go through the year then daily in the word of God. to allow him to speak to shape to guide to challenge , encourage and to spread the love of Jesus to all who are in need. am I going through his word everyday. I'm honored, humbled, humbled to my knees to be any part of this journey with each and everyone of you. I look forward to turning the page together tomorrow until then, I'm Jill, love one another. 

Community Prayer Line

Good morning DABC, I wanted to lift up Sam and pray to heavenly father. I come to the throne little guy. I'm asking father for you to do a new thing and say I'm Lord God I want to thank you Lord for allowing the most of them to be removed father. but Lord God we know that you are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end so father you know what's going to happen from the beginning right now with the radiation for God to take the desired effect Lord that it needs to keep his blood pressure Pay a piece upon that as well and I pray that you all have a Happy New Year I love you all and once again continue to be encouraged and have a wonderful day. 

this is Kevin from Illinois this is my first time calling and I just want to say Praise Jesus for bringing us all together and guiding us through a year together this is by my first year with the daily audio Bible and I don't ever want to turn back and I want to follow Jesus with my wife and I want us all to do that together so I want you all to know I've been listening and I've been praying for you and I want us all to pray together as we move forward into the next year Jesus thank you for bringing us all together as a family and showing us what life should be like and what life can be like help us go out into the world every day wearing your full armor of God so that we will be protected and we will have your peace that transcends all understanding happy New Year Jesus father in Heaven thank you for being there to guide us and bring your spirit into our hearts to circumcise our hearts and change Who We Are we love you Jesus amen from Pennsylvania her brother Sam who's in the hospital with the blood pressure and he needs radiation also I pray that God's hand is all over y'all and your family I pray that he gives you Tina peace over the whole situation and I pray that the doctors are able to figure out Sam's blood pressure and get him on the right medication I pray that God's healing would be upon him and I pray that no matter what God's will will be done and be rejoiced by you and your family in Jesus name I pray amen thank you Lord God for answering the prayer and for Tina's face Tina from Pennsylvania for her face and Divine Healing for her brother Sam thank you Lord God for answering that prayer and thank you for her faith being the only offering that you need and may be done according to her belief and according to her word we thank you for 100% recovery for Sam in Jesus's name amen

[alessabriel]

Moments like those were unique with characters from tokyo revengers.

I'm really loving the Tokyo Revengers manga and I couldn't help but write about some characters, when I go later in the manga I will write about even more characters and I hoped to get it right. Take good care of yourselves, drink water and eat well, it is important to.

Anyway Byebye ✨

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

➡️Draken | Ken Ryuuguuji

The sun filtered through the window with lilac curtains giving the room a slight glow illuminating the scene within it; a tall young man with blond hair sat on the floor on the black carpet with a noticeably smaller girl behind him.

There was no one else with whom he could let his guard down like this.

Draken despite the cold shower, knowing that he has rested well and that he should not be sleepy, your soft hands combing him make him drowsy, lethargic and with heavy eyelids, he could hardly see your reflection in the mirror in front of him. He, concentrated on his braid and there was nothing better in the world than you being so close that he could feel your warmth, your soft caresses.

With care and gentleness you manage each blonde strand between your fingers, intertwining little by little. You did not see the mirror, they only saw blonde locks that slipped between your fingers, he had beautiful and well-groomed hair. Almost finalizing the braid was when you directed your gaze towards the mirror in front of you; Draken seemed to be nowhere near falling asleep again from the way he nodded slightly.

"Are you sleepy Ryu?"

A denial was the answer clearly but you only laughed at the obviousness of his lie, he was so cute when he was so helpless and vulnerable with you. They were unique moments and by how he snuggled between your legs he said that he only wanted to spend a few more minutes like that, together.

In the morning when even their paths did not separate, Ken Ryuuguuji could allow himself moments of vulnerability where you would cradle him carefully, smiling at all times and he did not need to have his eyes open to know that your face only showed love, he had already gone through a long stage of doubts, denial and self-inflicted pain that knowing who you are, his partner, that you are by his side and that you do not have any doubt in loving him as he is, with everything included only makes him feel more secure. Draken didn't doubt his love for you, he never could.

"I just want to stay like this for a few minutes"

"All you wish Ryuu"

The "I love you" were in the air and were received by both, they knew that love was mutual ...

━━━━

➡️Mikey | Sano Manjiro.

The days you left school were naturally late thanks to the extra classes, the club, and other activities. It was normal to walk through the hallways of the school meeting only a few students from grades above who gave tired greetings, it must be difficult to be anywhere from leaving you assumed.

The silence was comforting as something cold.

Once with your outdoor shoes on, you left school seeing how your boyfriend was on his motorcycle with his cell phone in hand distracted, a clumsy idea emerged from the depths of your head and you executed it without thinking twice; you covered his eyes with your hands feeling the seconds how his hands touched yours, it was difficult to hold the laughter.

Mikey only limited himself to smiling without you seeing him, from the moment he felt your warm presence he knew it was you and only as confirmation the sweet aroma of your perfume invaded the air making it comforting, you were warmth, affection and home. You were so smiling, sweet, attentive and funny that sometimes he thought how you had noticed him.

As if you had a detector for his pessimism, you kissed your boyfriend on the cheek when you discovered his eyes showing your remarkable pout openly.

"You are bad guessing love" you accused fun catching your partner's face in your hands, you held between your little hands a mysterious, beautiful and so enigmatic world called Sano Manjiro "It will be that I am very good and I take you by surprise. What if? "

Mikey could only smile and let himself be carried away by your beautiful voice, you seemed to have a sixth sense for when he was just getting into negative thoughts about his relationship and he felt grateful for it, you were so special and irreplaceable.

"Aha, of course" accepted the blond amused, receiving another kiss with pleasure but this time on the lips. Mikey loved the feel of your smooth lips against his own, he could taste the taste of your gloss directly from your lips and it was the best feeling in the universe. "Come on I'll take you home."

The words died from the moment you got on the motorcycle behind your boyfriend, clinging with both arms to his waist and hiding your face from the wind that you knew would impact on your face that you still did not get used to. The soft roar of the motorcycle lulled you, the aroma of fabric softener, sun and sweets coming from your boyfriend only made you feel even more comfortable that it was inevitable not to rub your cheeks against his back, love overflowed from your heart .

"I love you Manji" you whispered softly, without the intention of making you listen but because of a red light one of Mikey's hands was caressing yours, you knew that he had heard you.

"I love you even more S / o-chan"

The green light on the traffic light sealed the rest of the trip in a pleasant and sweet silence, where they knew they were safe.

━━━━

➡️Hanagaki Takemichi

It was late when they finally managed to get out of the game room, both laughing at monumental losses in silly games but with a more than happy smile on their lips. Takemichi couldn't help but smile and feel the constant pounding on his chest as your fingers were intertwined with his own, it felt good.

"I had a lot of fun today Michi" you said once you were both waiting for the train at the station, your gaze fixed to the front and then looking at your side hoping to find him looking elsewhere but you met his unmistakable bright eyes that made you blush "We should go out like this more often, I say if you don't have more meetings with Touman "

"I think the same! We won't have any meetings at the moment so you will put up with me longer, ”Takemichi joked laughing.

"I like spending time with Takemichi-kun so it wouldn't be to put up with it, it would be spending quality time with my boyfriend"

You refuted by giggling when you heard that he was choking on his own saliva, so you let go of his hand to gently hit his back helping him out of his stupor. Takemichi could only try to stop coughing and when he did he felt you closer, one of your arms behind his back surrounding him and how you leaned against his. It was instinct and perhaps the feelings of him speaking for him since he left a kiss on your head, he could smell the fruity aroma of your shampoo and the unmistakable essence of your perfume.

Little did you know that your Takemichi could only think of a way to save you, never to lose your smile and treasure each new memory.

You were his first and only love ...

━━━━

➡️Atsushi Sendo | Akkun

The journey from his school to your school was about half an hour, but it was worth every tiny second for Atsushi who, like every Friday, had separated from his other friends to pass by you. Even though they had been going out as boyfriends for more than two and a half years, he still felt the nerves all over his body and the butterflies flying in his stomach that multiplied when he saw him leave the main doors laughing at something that your friends said, you looked beautiful with the glow of the sunset making you the center of their world. It was ridiculous how just by seeing you could make him fall in love more. Trying to regulate his nerves I wait for you when he saw you say goodbye to your friends and jog the rest of the way towards him. Was it even allowed to look this good and attractive in a school uniform? He did not know.

"Did you take too long Atsu?" you questioned your boyfriend smiling.

The other people ceased to exist the moment you approached him, the moment he could see your bright eyes and catch the sweet aroma of your perfume in the air.

"Not at all I just arrived a few minutes ago, how was school?"

With a remarkable pout you started with your remarkable anecdote of this day without even knowing that Atsushi was looking at you as if you were hanging the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky. Akkun only listened and commented from time to time, until it was his turn to tell about his day at school. Neither of them noticed when their hands clasped, it was natural.

━━━━

➡️Tachibana Hinata

The dark sky above their heads only gave more seriousness and intimacy at the moment, with her nerves on the surface Hinata could only see how the wind moved your hair and carried in it, the scent of your shampoo or perhaps your perfume. perfume that I gave you on your birthday a year ago?

"The moon is beautiful tonight" you said to the air.

Hinata did not take long to detect the message behind your prayer, endless nights watching k-dramas, anime and watching movies xianxia by your side made her understand the references, she loved how you expressed yourself so casually by dropping messages of your unconditional love.

"If the moon is beautiful S / o"

When Hinata thought that silence would fill the air, your voice was heard again but this time in front of her. Hinata could only swallow hard to see you standing in front of her, so she could see the difference in heights between the two and how the elegant beauty accentuated your being, you were so pretty and attractive that it could not cross her mind that you corresponded her feelings but there they were; in the park late at night on a romantic getaway that consisted of a motorcycle ride and talking in a park where they had confessed.

"But I can't help but think that I'm lucky to be able to call you my girlfriend Nat."

"It is not worth it! You always know what to say and you leave me like a fool in love looking at you. You're unfair S / o-chan! "

Before her words continued Hinata felt your lips brush against hers, your kisses were so soft and gentle that she felt so fragile in your arms, so loved and desired.

"I love you so much Nat"

The kisses continued gentle, soft and in order to communicate love, one more memory that the couple would engrave in her memory.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

✨ Here is the end, comments are welcome and if not has in the same way thanks ✨

💕

[mythicamagic]

Heatwave: a Tododeku fanfic

Summary: Todoroki's quirk comes in very handy during a heatwave. If Izuku could just calm down enough to reap the benefits, that would be great. Tododeku

Rating: T

Words: 1,700

Read here or on Ao3

AN: First time writing for this pairing, I hope you like it! I might add another chapter to this, not sure yet.

Heatwave

Izuku Midoriya wasn't exactly the type to curse a blazing orb in the sky for inflicting Japan with a particularly nasty heatwave. He left that sort of thing to Kacchan.

However, pair intensive training with a punishing system of high atmospheric pressure baking the concrete beneath his shoes and heating his already screaming skin from the overuse of his quirk- and Izuku found himself dangerously close to hurling a complaint at the sun.

He stumbled out into harsh glaring sunlight, thankful his training session was finally over for the day. His clothes plastered to his form, skin thrumming. He patted himself down, panting.

"You're not helping," he mumbled to his trembling legs. If his limbs could co-operate, that would be great. At least he hadn't suffered any broken bones.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Izuku gingerly carried himself across the courtyard to a water fountain- taking grateful gulps.

Without thinking too much about his surroundings, Izuku leaned away and collapsed onto the nearest available bench beneath the shade of a tree. He boldly sprawled onto the wood, letting it cushion his back- hinting at his state of exhaustion. Izuku never liked to take up too much unnecessary space.

The second soft curling hair met something sturdy beneath his head- he probably should've jolted away.

Oh...wow.

But a cool- frosty sensation bit into the back of his neck, heavenly upon heated, abused flesh. A faint gasp escaped him, swallowing a relieved groan.

He only knew one person at UA who could elicit such a cold temperature.

Tilting his head back, Izuku squeaked.

Todoroki didn't look up from his book, seemingly immersed in it. Faint flecks of snow and frost coated his right side, likely in use to keep him cool.

And I'm mooching off it!

"A-ah! I'm so sorry, Todoroki!" whipping his head up so fast his vision spun, Izuku shifted slightly to face him on the bench. "I didn't realise you were there- and not in a bad way! I don't mean to say that you don't have a presence- because you do! You're very striking and cool and-"

"You can lay back down again if you want to, it's not a big deal."

Panicked words caught in Izuku's throat mid-ramble.

Green eyes blinked, sliding downwards. Lay back down? But his head had been cushioned by Todoroki's thigh. Practically in his lap.

Todoroki appeared unruffled, tearing a calm, languid gaze from his book. His expression remained unreadable. "It's hot."

"Huh?"

"The weather."

"Oh! Yes, it sure is!" Izuku winced, loathing the squeak in his voice. Oh to have a quirk that could allow the ground to swallow him up.

Todoroki blinked slowly like a contented cat, tilting his head. "So...I don't mind sharing my quirk…" he elaborated, gesturing with one hand to his right, frosty side.

Izuku gazed at the layer of white clinging to Todoroki's leg, hip and arm. His heart warmed, stomach doing a somersault. "You'd really do that? But I'm… well, I'm kind of gross and sweaty from all the training," he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I wouldn't have offered if I thought you were gross, Midoriya."

He stilled, caught off guard by the statement. Todoroki had a way of being incredibly direct, but it never really bothered him. Especially at times like these. Todoroki was incredibly kind, more so than he'd likely admit.

Due to the sun melting his nerves, Izuku accepted the offer readily with a hearty 'thank you!' Laying down again, he fought not to slump with relief and exhaustion the second his nape and damp hair met the solid, cold muscle of Todoroki's thigh.

Heterochromia eyes watched him briefly, before sliding back to his open book and continuing to read.

Screaming internally, Izuku fiddled with his hands, settling with lacing them upon his stomach. The silence roared loudly.

This doesn't have to be weird. He's just a friend. Friends do this kind of thing all the time, right?

Well, none of his friends. Todoroki was usually quite reserved with physical affection, Iida expressed himself through verbal concern or encouragement, and Uraraka did similarly since she worried about activating her quirk with the use of her hands. When she patted him on the back it was with a well placed palm.

But he'd observed Kaminari, Kirishima and Ashido, and they were aggressively touchy-feely in comparison, slinging their arms around their friends and lounging against each other.

Izuku tried not to take this rare moment for granted. He needed to talk about something. Anything!

"Ah- that's Hero's Journey volume 9!" he exclaimed, tilting his head back to sneak a peek at the cover of the book. "How are you enjoying it?"

Todoroki lifted a shoulder, "it's alright. I figure volume 10 will wind down with covering Hero retirement since this one is about marriage and kids. It's a little naïve in places though."

Sobering, Izuku instinctively switched gears, forgetting his embarrassment and nodding seriously. "I get what you mean. It doesn't go into nearly enough detail about what having a family can be like for Pro Heroes. Most of the top Heroes in the rankings either don't have kids or are estranged from them."

"Yeah...but I was referring more to the part where it speculated about pairing existing heroes together and imagining what quirk their children would have. It skipped over Quirk Marriages like they were nothing."

Reading the heaviness in Todoroki's voice, dark brows pulled together. Izuku tilted his head, injecting conviction into his tone. "When we make it as heroes, we can talk more about it. Shed light on the issue."

Mismatched eyes flicked down, meeting his. They warmed just a little, the corner of Todoroki's mouth tilting up at the corner.

"You almost sound a little heated there," he teased.

"Aha," Izuku scratched a freckled cheek, "was that weird? I'm not personally affected by it so it's probably none of my business- but I know it's important to you. I get riled up on your behalf."

"Don't overthink it- I'm glad when you do. Reminds me of when you screamed at me during the Sports Festival."

"H-hey, I didn't scream..."

"It was definitely a scream."

"A loud yell, maybe."

Todoroki gave a small noise that sent Izuku reeling, toes curling at the sound. Holy shit- that that been a chuckle?

"Anyway, I won't be having kids unless I adopt," the Half-Cold Half-Hot user muttered, circling back to the real conversation. "So this volume probably doesn't apply to me much."

"Really? I can imagine Endeavor not liking that," Izuku hummed, sharing a mischievous smile with him. "But then, you've never set out to do anything for his specific approval. You're living your life, with your quirk."

Something cool and smooth met his forehead like a soft icepack. It took a moment for him to realise that it was Todoroki's palm settling over his bangs. Izuku went completely still, speechless.

"You still looked warm, I thought this would help," Todoroki glanced away, holding his book with one hand. Was it just Izuku's imagination or did his unscarred cheek look slightly red? It was hard to tell from the angle without craning his head back even more upon Todoroki's lap and he was currently working on trying not to hyperventilate.

Hand. On head. Touching!

He positively combusted when a thumb started to stroke his damp brow currently marred with sweat, rubbing gently at the bridge of his nose. Izuku's freckled cheeks blazed red.

"You're doing that thing again where you get worry lines here," Todoroki muttered, continuing to move the pad of his thumb for emphasis. It felt so gentle. His skin sighed at the touch.

"I-I was just...hoping this wasn't inconveniencing you or anything…" Izuku lied, voice thin. Oh no. Those darn jitters and confusing feelings were acting up again, sending a migration of butterflies up from his stomach into his throat.

For a while, it had been hard to pinpoint that he got flustered around Uraraka because she was a girl- a pretty girl- and one that paid attention to him, but it didn't go much deeper than that in terms of romance.

Todoroki was different. When Izuku thought about him, he admired his strength and values- how far he'd come in owning his successes and slowly breaking free from the shackles of the past- but such thoughts were accompanied with a weird yearning.

Todoroki was one of a kind. Beautiful when he flourished. Izuku admired him as a fellow student and rookie hero. But then the jitters came, followed by sweaty palms and a deep yearning. A yearning for what, Izuku hadn't been able to fathom. He just felt like brushing the hair out of Shouto's eyes or leaning against him or-

- or kissing the exposed skin of his neck. That would be nice.

Swallowing thickly, his heart stuttered when that thumb paused.

Dark grey/turquoise eyes shifted back to him. Todoroki remained unreadable, sometimes able to be a calm sheen of ice- others an explosive force of passion and anger. "Like I kind-of said before, I wouldn't do this if you were inconveniencing me. I just wanted to do it."

You...wanted to touch me?

"Besides," he continued in a quieter tone, "you're the one who encouraged me to act like this. Embracing all aspects of myself and being more upfront with stuff."

Izuku felt the need to say something despite the dryness of his tongue. "I'm glad," he exhaled slowly, feeling as if he were talking robotically- heart going a million miles an hour. "Because it's nice. I uh, I really like it."

That's an understatement of the century.

Todoroki didn't say anything more, but his thumb resumed stroking the worry lines on Izuku's brow, smoothing them out. Izuku blinked, smiling a little. Lulled into a relaxed state, dark-green lashes drifted half-closed. They then shut completely, tension leaking out of his overworked body. Warm breaths evened out.

Unbeknownst to him, Todoroki set down his book and reclined slightly against the bench, gazing at Izuku's sleeping face before looking at high branches. He tilted his head back, appreciating the refreshing summer breeze and basking in the dappled sunlight that played over his face and the freckles of his long-time crush.

[hufflesmonsters]

New Beginnings

A/N: hi, just dropping in to say I’m writing again >:D enjoy this slow burn. Also, surprise, it’s not a lizard man story though I do have one in the works so there is that.

~*~*~*~

Torren swung the ax down, splitting the log in two. Sweat beaded his brow as the sun bore down on him. He stuck the ax down in the wood stump and stood, wiping away the sweat with the back of his hand as he looked up at the sky. Just past noon, he’d have to get a move on if he was going to be on time for the kings summon. If he even wanted to take the job, whatever it was. If King Richard the second wished to hire a mercenary, it surely couldn’t be for anything fun. He clearly didn’t want to waste his own men for this, which meant that Torren was likely going to die during his job. 

And yet… the money he would get if he lived. He could retire, and finally live his dream of being the towns hermit to its fullest potential. As in, he only ever comes into town on stormy nights to buy ten kegs of ale and disappear for another three months. He grew his own food, hunted his own meat. Of course he kept messing up his tomato plants which meant he had to go into town to get those, but once he can figure it out then mission Hermit was a go. 

Stepping back, he grabbed the shirt he had draped over a nearby branch and walked towards his home. It was a nice little shack, one he’d built from scratch back when he was just a young boy. He had found the location by accident really, one minute he was being chased by his elder brothers, the next he was standing in a clearing with a pond and no one in sight for miles. At first it was just a cool hideout, somewhere he could go to get away from his crazy family and village bullies. But over the years he spent more and more time here, fixing it up and expanding the facilities. Next thing he knew he had completely moved in and claimed the land officially as his. 

Tossing the shirt on the couch, he walked into his bedroom and opened his dresser. He wasn’t sure what he’d need really, if this was a quick trip, and he hoped it was, he’d only really need two shirts, pants and his washing supplies. He already had his armor on, his swords were already by the door, polished and ready to go. He grabbed the shirts, extra pants, and his bag of supplies and stuffed them into a bag that he could tack onto his horses saddle. He’d grab a small coin purse for food and drink, which should cover him for his trip if he was careful. If he ran out of coin he’d only have to offer to chop wood for inns or something like that. 

As he turned to leave, bag in hand, he stopped by the kitchen and grabbed the oat bag for Sweetie. Most of the time she was content to just chew on grass, or even break into gardens and devour everything in sight. But oats, how she loved oats. 

The sun glared at him as he exited the house, he stopped briefly to lock it up before continuing down the path to the pasture. He could already see the giant grazing peacefully, black tail flicking away bugs as her dappled gray coat shone silver in the sunlight. She was truly a magnificent horse, holding a presence without even trying. She was a draft horse, one of the few capable of holding a full grown orc. And she was an absolute sweetie, hence, her name. 

“Got something for you, Sweetie,” Torren called as he entered the stall part of the pasture, grinning as her large head shot up, ears pointed forward and nostrils flaring. She smelled the oats like sharks smell blood in the water. With a graceful trot, she soon stood in front of him, towering over him by two feet. She bent down and nuzzled his cheek lovingly, snorting into his ear as he tried to shove her away. “We don’t have time to cuddle, girl. The King wants us at the castle by midday tomorrow.”

Sweetie snorted and stood upright again, flank twitching as she moved past him and into the tacking area. She was smart, smarter than most horses he’d met. She waited patiently as he began to saddle her, taking his time to secure the bag and oats in a place where she couldn’t get to it. She was tricksy, especially when it came to oats. But she also knew that those were a night time snack, something that he wouldn’t just give out unless they narrowly avoided death and allowed her to have something to chew on while he fought off a panic attack. 

He slid the reins over her head, patting her cheek as she opened her mouth to allow the rod to go in. Once she was fully outfitted, he lead her out of the stalls and closed the doors behind her. He swung up onto her back, and settled in. Gathering the reins, he clicked his tongue and set off down the dirt path that lead into town. The castle wasn’t too far, if he traveled nonstop today he’d be able to make it before midday tomorrow. Talk to the king, get the job done, and they’d be home before they knew it. 

~*~*~*~

Reaching the castle, Torren almost turned back around. He’d heard the rumors, how King Richard the second seemed to… overcompensate. The walls around the kingdom were large, but not as large as the damn castle. It towered over everything, almost as if it was a direct challenge to the gods. It was also very, very ugly with its pale brown coloring and lack of windows.

Showing his summons slip to the guards at the gate, he slowly made his way into the kingdom. It was another thing that irked him about King Richard, he was a man with “purist” beliefs. No race other than human was allowed past the walls without a proper invite. There was no trading, or apprenticeship allowed between humans and others. Which raised another red flag about this job offer, why would a king who hates his kind specifically ask him to complete a task for him. 

Torren tightened his fist on the reins as he watched the crowd wearily. He was going to die, either here or on this job if he wasn’t careful enough. The townsfolk weren’t bad, they looked more open to him than the guards did, but he didn’t dare interact with them. Not even to the young children who waved at him for the guards were watching him just as closely as he was watching them. 

Reaching the palace, he climbed off of Sweetie’s back and handed the reins over to the stable boy, a warning look in his eyes. If they mistreated her, he would rip all of their spines from their backs and beat them to death with it. Torren turned to look at the guards that approached him, back stiff as he towered over them. It was almost laughable, how they escorted him into the palace. 

The inside of the castle was just as ugly as the outside, the same beige walls, no decorations whatsoever. Whoever helped the king design this deserved to be publicly executed. Knights stood at every corner, some seemed to be standing at random places the further they got in. It was almost as if someone had just told them to pick a window and stand. The guards increased as they drew closer to the throne room, all of them standing at attention as they stopped in the middle. The guards beside him stood at attention, hands over heart and back straight. 

One of the guards announced the arrival of the king, everyone else following in salute. Torren looked up in expectation for the infamous King Richard the Second. Looking, looking, out of confusion, his gaze drew down to the floor when an irritated cough sounded. 

Oh, oh gods… 

Torren had to physically bite his tongue as he took in the sight of King Richard the second. No wonder the castle was so large and hideous, this man barely stood past a humans waist. He recalled an old nickname for the king, one that was immediately outlawed in the towns surrounding his kingdom. Little Dick Jr, the bane of all of Pufort. 

Torren knelt in front of the tiny king before any more offense could be given. And he had a lot to give at this moment in time. “Your grace,” he said stiffly. 

“Rise,” came the nasally response. “Do you know why I've called you here, orc?” Dick Jr asked once Torren towered over him again. 

“No, m'lord.” 

“I am a king without a queen, I'm basically a laughing stock in all the kingdoms!” Torren was willing to put money on it, that wasn't the reason why, but he knew better than to say that. “But there's a princess, locked away in a tower due east. And she will be my bride.” 

“And you wish me to retrieve her?” Torren asked for clarification. That didn't sound so hard at all. 

“Yes, it's a week’s journey all together, the roads are treacherous, but I'm sure you're no stranger to that,” again, nothing dangerous. “And then of course there's the active volcano and lava surrounding the castle and the dragon guarding it.” Ah, there it is. 

“I see, that doesn't sound too difficult for me,” Torren said, lying through his teeth. He could handle bandits, he could even sneak past a fucking dragon. But lava? An active volcano? That was something he'd never experienced before and wasn't too keen on the idea. 

“Perfect, we will discuss your payment when you get back. Godspeed, I wish to be married by the end of the month!” Little Dick Jr clapped his hands twice, alerting the guards that he was done talking to the half orc. 

Torren bowed his head and turned to make his leave. If he walked fast enough, he could get out of this city by the time the king reached the stairs. The guards had attempted to follow him out, but after they had to literally run to keep up they quit. It wasn't like he was going to do anything anyways. 

He eyed the gods awful bust of Dick jr. and contemplated tripping into it…

No, no. Not yet. 

~*~*~*~

If there were small miracles, Torren may have found one. Sweetie was in perfect condition when he had retrieved her, granted she had been touched by the stable hands and she made sure to voice her displeasure by biting his shirt and nearly throwing him into a mud pile. Sweetie was a sweetheart up until she had the wrath of the gods placed upon her. 

They had made their way out of the kingdom as fast as they could, and Torren was grateful that the guards didn’t give him an official escort out of the kingdom. Though, he had noticed several guards watching him carefully if he lingered too long in an area. Sure, there was traffic, but he was an orc, that was an unforgivable crime don’t you know? He half expected to get harassed when he passed by the front gate guards, but he was uncomfortably surprised to find that they did not. 

Oh, he was going to die on this mission. He should have gotten his affairs in order, who was going to take after Sweetie when he was gone? His brothers were half a kingdom away and his neighbors didn’t know he existed. Now, he was realizing as he traversed the hills, it was a bad time to be a hermit. Sweetie was smart though, maybe she’d find a new hermit to adopt and go about her life. 

Okay, maybe he should focus on traveling and not his soon to be untimely demise. 

Torren had just crested the hill overlooking the neighboring village when a shout came from his right. Looking over, he was wary to see an elf making his way over on his own sturdy steed. The elf seemed friendly enough, though most elves he met rarely stayed friendly. He paused and waited for the elf to approach, keeping a hand on his dagger just in case. 

The elf wasn’t bad looking, kind of handsome really if Torren was being honest with himself. Tall, a bit taller than most of the elves he met, golden skin that would make King Midas jealous. Long brown hair braided back in practicality rather than aesthetic, though it was a tad too ornate for pure practicality. He was dressed in simple leathers, with elven embroidery up around the shoulders, partially obscured by the cloak he wore. 

  “Hail, friend! I see you came from Pufort, a fine accomplishment for those of us considered too “unpure”,” the elf gave a laugh as he settled beside Sweetie. “Gavril, merc for hire,” he introduced himself as he put his hand out.

“Torren,” Torren said as he took the hand and shook it once. A mutual respect was given to the elf, some mercs stuck together, especially those around Pufort. The land wasn’t known for tolerance, mostly the guards fault, and so it wasn’t common to see many mercs who weren’t human. “What brings you to Pufort?”

“Ah, but the king, of course!” Gavril gave the man a bright smile before his smile dropped. “Better to talk here than in the village. Less ears.”

Torren felt his heart drop at the comment, dear gods was this the end? He hadn’t even made it out of Pufort yet! Gods, the amount of fun his brothers would have when they find out that he died in Pufort of all places… 

“I can see you’re freaking out, fear not, I am not going to say “long live Dickie”,” Gavril let out a laugh, and Torren didn’t appreciate it, like, at all. “He hired me a month back, and when I disappeared he chose to hire you.”

“And I should believe you, why?” Torren actually did believe him, it was just the dick move that Dickie would pull. But he was a distrustful man by nature, and so grilling the elf it was. 

“Why would I lie? Being here in of itself is a death sentence for me if one of his guards spots me,” Gavril shrugged. “No, I felt as if the job was far too… strange for me to complete without the full story.”

“And that story was?” Torren raised a brow as he shifted on Sweetie, who snorted in warning as she grazed. 

“The princess, she’s apparently the daughter of the neighboring kingdom, Aster. I did my research and went to them with the information on Richard. They don’t like the idea of an unsavory man such as him “rescuing” their daughter in such an unhonorable way,” Gavril leaned a bit as his voice dropped. “I was riding by, coming back from another business that I had to attend,  when I happened to have heard he had another summons, I thought it was only fair to let you know about it all.”

“And what, exactly, are you hoping to inform me of other than the princesses misfortunes?” Torren leaned slightly in despite himself. 

“I’m to meet another fellow, a minotaur by the name of Jardor. He was the princess's guard before she was imprisoned so she’d be more trusting of us. Her parents hired me to take her Aster instead of Pufort, and their offer is extended to any other mercenary hired by Richard.”

“And this is legitimate? How do you know they won’t cast you off to Richards' wrath once they have their daughter?” 

Gavril nodded as he sat upright. “A fair question, I, myself, found myself doubting it. However, I asked around their former employers and found that they were actually credible. I understand that you have no reason to believe me, but if you are curious you are more than welcome to come with me to meet up with Jardor.”

“And where is he?” Surely a minotaur would be noticeable around a place like Pufort.

“He was smart enough not to come to the welcoming land of Pufort,” Gavril said with a grin. “He’s in Halder’s Rest in the neighboring village, Stonewall, I believe.” 

“And you just happened to be riding by Pufort and saw me?” Torren raised a brow as he leaned back. 

Gavril let out a soft laugh. “Fair enough, I might have been lingering around to see what the little man’s reaction would have been.”

“How? You couldn’t have been allowed in the city.”

“It’s actually fairly easy to sneak in if you find the really dumb guards,” Gavril said with a smirk. “If you talk fast and use big words to explain away things, they simply just let you in.”

Torren shook his head, “very well. I’ll come with you to this Jardor, but I make no promises that I will join you.”

“Of course,” Gavril gave a bow to his head. “Now, what do you think are the odds that these kind folk will allow us to rest in their undoubtedly comfortable inn?”

“‘Us’?” Torren looked at the elf with furrowed brows. Surely he didn’t think they were going to travel to Halder’s Rest together, did he?

“Yes, ‘us’,” Gavril said with a raised brow. “Surely you didn’t think I’d just abandon you to these unwashed masses, did you?”

“Yes?” Torren wasn’t sure who he pissed off up there, but he was fairly sure he didn’t deserve this kind of forced upon companionship here. 

“Oh, my friend,” Gavril gave a sympathetic pout before clapping Torren on the shoulder. “You’re stuck with me.”

Gods help him.

~*~*~*~

Turns out, the good folk were not willing to rent out their plentiful rooms to two distinguished gentlemen like them. So, seeing as the guards started gathering around them once they exited, the duo had opted to camp out on the spacious planes outside of the village. Pro: it was a nice night out with the stars shining bright; con: there were wolves and they very much were eyeing them as a snack.

Luckily for them, the wolves found a rather unfortunate deer and left them alone for the rest of the night. After that, the sleeping got easier, though Torren still kept a hand on his dagger under his pillow. And if he noticed that Gavril did the same with his staff, well, he wasn’t going to be one to talk. 

The morning was a tense affair, Gavril had cooked and while it smelt delicious Torren wasn’t one for accepting food from strangers. But his mother also raised a gentleman with manners so he ate anyway. And it pissed him off more that it was, indeed, delicious in all honesty.

They set off not long afterwards, mounting their steeds and making their way to Stonewall, a village that was a good two hours away. Both Sweetie and Torren did their best to ride ahead of Gavril and his steed, Farren, however the two seemed to be professionals Thorn in his Side, for they stayed right on his heels, humming a stupid little song.

Torren really pissed off some of the gods. 

But, by the Grace of the gods, they finally made it to Halder's Rest with minimal spats. Or, "character building" in Gavril's mind. The vast difference between Aster's civilians and Pufort's was easily spotted. Where an inhuman was hard to see even just passing through in Pufort, it was hard to not see them in Aster. From vendors, to guards, to just a milk maiden lizard girl. 

It felt… welcoming. 

"Halder's Rest is just down the road,'' Gavril said as he led Farren though the bustling roads. 

Torren let him take the reins, not sure if he should run or not. He had no idea really what sort of situation he was walking into. One kingdom was going to be pissed off, that was for sure. Either Pufort or Aster, and he wasn’t sure which one was better. Aster wasn’t known for its military, sure it had it, but no one had seen it in action in well over a hundred years. They preferred to stay diplomatic in negotiations, and somehow it’s worked so far. And yet, he feared what Aster would do if King Richard the Seconded got his grubby little hands on their daughter. 

But another part feared what the King would do to him if he failed to deliver the princess. He wasn’t the first mercenary, and even Gavril admitted he was cheating death when he hung around Pufort waiting for Torren to leave. Pufort was well known for their military power. King Richard was always willing to fling a fleet at a neighboring kingdom, or hell, even his own people, if he felt there was even a hint of offense at him and his legitimacy of his rule. 

He should run, Torren realized. Like now, right now-

“Hey, there he is!” Gavril said as he pointed at the minotaur guard that stood outside the inn with his arms crossed.  “Jardor!”

Jardor looked up with irritation on his face. He was big, even for a minotaur and just as uniquely colored. Most minotaurs that Torren had come across were either brown or black with white colorations. But Jardor was a multi-colored minotaur, white based but he had russet, black, brown and gray mottled on the skin that was exposed through his armor. His horns were wide and angled high, making him more imposing.

“Stop calling attention to us,” the guard hissed as they drew closer. “You could jeopardize the mission.”

“Oh, please,” Gavril rolled his eyes. “There’s only milkmaids here, it’s not that dangerous.”

“The king could find out and send his fleet,” Torren hissed at the elf. 

“Exactly,” Jardor snorted as he shifted his stance. “Our success depends heavily on stealth. Until we deliver the princess back to the capital of Aster, we are not out of the weeds yet.”

Gavril sighed heavily but nodded. “So, are we heading out or is there other business we need to attend to first here?”

“We’ll head out, most of the pleasantries can be exchanged on the road,” Jardor said as he led them to the guards stables and pulled his draft horse out of the stall. As he mounted, Torren surveyed the town. It was a nice place to be, he supposed. But he still preferred his privacy.

“I don’t believe we met,” Jardor said to him as they set out. “I’m the Princesses’ guard, Jardor Stoneskin. And you?”

“Torren Azorrn,” Torren said finally. “Just got hired from the King-”

“-and poached from me once he left,” Gavril interjected with a cheerful grin.

“Yes,” Torren agreed with a heavy sighed. 

Jardor snorted and shook his head. “Of course,” he sighed. “I apologize for him, he was supposed to go home and then make his way back here. Though I am glad he did make the detour, I doubt I would have survived the trip with just the two of us.”

Torren found himself smiling as Gavril let out a gasp of mock hurt. “It is nice to have a more level headed company,” he agreed as Gavril mumbled to himself as the two men snickered. 

“I will have you two know, I am pleasant company!” Gavril said as he steered his horse next to Sweetie. 

“Of course, my friend,” Jardor said evenly with a placating smile. “Of course.”

“Why did you have to return home, anyways?” Torren asked with a raised brow at the elf. He had only mentioned business arrangements, but going home was an entirely different thing “Was that the other business you mentioned earlier?” 

“It was,” Gavril said defensively. “I have people at home who were waiting on me, had to let them know I’d be back for good later than anticipated.” 

Torren nodded and left it at that, he wasn’t going to judge people for their personal affairs, he knew that if he was still in contact with his own brothers he’d be doing the same. They lapsed into a silence after that, save for the occasional direction change from Jardor the other two were content with just following him. Finally, Torren found himself speaking up. “Jardor, if you’re the princesses’ guard, then why aren’t you with her?”

“Ah, there are two princesses in Aster, the one who is heir to the throne and the second in line should anything happen to the eldest sibling,” Jardor said. “The princess I served was the second in line, though she loathed the whole thing,” he added with a soft smile. “When she was...cursed, I was ordered to stay behind and help protect her sister.”

“So she’s cursed?” Gavril asked with a frown. “You didn’t mention that.”

Jardor shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I, yes, she’s cursed,” he said stiffly. “The sooner she comes home, I’m sure she’ll be closer to breaking that curse.”

“Isn’t true love usually the factor in those curses?” Gavril asked with a furrowed brow as Torren studied the minotaur. 

“Yes, but that is not the case here,” Jardor said with such confidence neither mercenary knew what to do with that. 

“So what is this curse?” Torren asked. “Why was she moved to such a remote location, surrounded by lava and a dragon?”

“It was considered necessary by the Throne, it was not my place to question it,” Jardor said stiffly. 

“So you did disagree,” Gavril noted. “Which means it likely isn’t a curse, and that makes me so much more intrigued, don’t you feel the same, Torren?” 

Torren didn’t comment. But he did note that the minotaur was clearly hiding something, and that made him all the more wary of this job. He should have just stayed home. 

“Must you grate on my nerves, elf-boy?” Jardor snapped as he looked at the elven mercenary. 

“Ah, elf-boy is actually my younger brother, a cute lad but not nearly as annoying as me, elf-man,” Gavril said with a grin, but it dropped quickly in the wake of a grim expression on his face. “Look, we can deal with a dragon, and even the lava. But if she’s cursed, we need to know exactly what we’re walking into.”

“Nothing dangerous,” Jardor promised, and the two men relaxed just a bit at that. The situation was weird, but Jardor radiated a trusting aura that it was hard to suspect they were walking into a trap. At least for Gavril, Torren always assumed there would be a trap involved when he traveled with others. “Just let me take the lead when we get to the tower, a familiar face will help her.”

“How long has she been locked away?” Torren asked finally. 

“Seven years,” Jardor said with a weary look in his eyes, and deeper down, pain. “It’s high time for her to come home.” He nudged his horse, kicking her into a faster gait as they made their way out of Aster and into the wildlands. “That said, we’re a three day journey away from the tower, it’s in a remote part of the country that few travel by. We shouldn’t face any resistance before the volcano.”

“Well then, let’s get ourselves a princess,” Gavril said with a smirk at Torren as he sent Farren barreling after Jardor. 

Torren sighed heavily and patted Sweetie’s neck, “let’s get this over with,” he said to her as he nudged her side gently, a gentle permission to run with the other horses, a permission that she gladly took as she galloped next to their two companions. In just three days, he’ll be fighting off a dragon surrounded by molten lava just to rescue a princess. That was the only certain thing he knew about this mission, if there was a curse, if they could get her to Aster before the King found out, if he still was getting paid.

Gods, was he still getting paid?

~*~*~*~

[eye of the tiger blasting]

Jardor kept the lead, forging ahead when Gavril decided that bickering with Torren was a Lovely Idea. Both men, both adult men, were constantly five seconds away from getting into a slapping fight that escalated when Gavril, a four year old apparently trapped in a twenty eight year old's body, claimed that Torren had hit him. 

Jardor just let it happen when Torren really did hit him. 

Setting up camp was a horrid affair, all three of them were skilled in camping, but those skills had varying degrees. Jardor could put up an excellent tent, but the sleeping cot kept getting tangled and eventually he just laid out on the mess with a stoic resolve. Torren was an expert in putting out his sleeping cot, but his tent kept falling out on one side and eventually he just moved Sweetie over to help keep it propped up with the promises of getting her an extra big bag of oats. And Gavril would put his tent up, but in the process of laying out his sleeping cot the tent would fall. When he’d try to put the cot up first, the tent would fall and he’d have to find his way back out again. And so, in a moment where his remaining two brain cells bumped together, he tied his tent up to the branches of the tree keeping it up and elevated while Torren glared at him from the inside of his lopsided tent that was beginning to smell of horse.

The morning didn’t help anything either. 

Torren, used to years of cooking and traveling by himself, had woken up early and made himself, and only himself, a nice breakfast. The other two, woken by the pleasant smell of bacon and the heavenly sizzle of fresh eggs being cooked, came out of their tents with growling stomachs and crushing disappointment when they spotted Torren eating it all by himself. Jardor was disappointed, Gavril was dismayed. The two had to fend for themselves, Jardor splitting a piece of jerky with the elf as they glared subtly in Jardor’s case, and blatantly in Gavril’s. 

When they finally set back out again, it was in lesser spirits than the day before. They were less than a day away, according to the smell of sulfur that got increasingly heavier as they traveled on. Gavril could see why no one had rescued the princess prior till now, the lands around the volcano were barren, the roads treacherous by hungry wolves. It was dangerous even for the three of them, he couldn’t imagine a merchant or a lone adventurer braving this land.

Well, maybe Torren.

But everyone else would be fucked.

Jardor let out a soft laugh up ahead and slowed to a stop at the crest of the hill. He glanced back at the two catching up, a light shining in his eyes as he grinned at them. “We’re here,” he announced as the tower, tall and magnificent, loomed below. It wasn’t exactly just a remote tower, Gavril could make out some crumbling structures of a once beautiful palace. He wondered, hoped really, that it was still stable and safe for the princess, surely her parent’s wouldn’t have dumped her into this hell hole if it was unstable. He paused, actually, he’s met some gods awful parent’s. It was a high possibility. But that was neither here nor there, the tower was still far enough away, but they would arrive there within the hour if they paced themselves. They still couldn’t spot the dragon, and none of them were willing to go head on against a fucking dragon.

Torren opened his mouth to speak, to ask what the plan was in case the dragon reared its head. But before he could utter a single word, a horn sounded from behind them. The three turned on their steeds to watch as a troop of soldiers made their way towards the tower, banners flying high, and armor glittering in the sunlight. 

Pufort. 

"Fuck," Gavril said with pursed lips. 

Fuck was right. 

~*~*~*~

Princess Amirah was absolutely, and positively bored. She had nothing else to paint, unless Harold suddenly changed their mind about her painting his scales. She’s run dramatically through the hallways a dozen times this morning, and really she wasn’t feeling it for a thirteenth time. All the books have been read, a countless amount of times. At this point she could quote the books and she did, constantly, to Harold as they cleaned their teeth from their meal each night. Harold never spoke as to whether or not they enjoyed it, but she assumed they would have put an end to it by now if they didn’t. 

She sighed heavily as she paced her room, paint brush in hand as she tried to figure out a new canvas. There was still some room on the window sill, maybe even the dresser if she painted small enough. She paused by the open window, the smell of sulfur no longer bothered her as she breathed it in. She barely remembered the smell of fresh, clean air. Or the sound of bustling streets, the maids coming in with sweet hushed words, her mothers hugs…

Amirah shook her head and smacked her cheek chastisingly with her paint brush. No, no thoughts like that, she’s survived seven years without those things, she can survive many more. In all honesty, she probably could leave. It wasn’t like anyone was going to come looking for her of all the princesses in this unholy tower. They were more likely to go for the skinny blonde overlooking the ocean than her. Which was fine, she was the second born princess of Aster, her sister was always considered the prettiest, the fairest, the princess that all should aspire to be. 

Amirah made it her mission to defy that expectation. She hated the princess duties that her mother and sister had forced her to attend. She hated the expectations that were expected of her as the second in line to the throne. To marry a neighboring kingdom, to secure an alliance between the two. To have their heirs and continue the bloodline. It all made her squeamish honestly. In a perfect life, she wouldn’t mind marrying and settling down on her own terms with someone that she truly loved. But she didn’t have the perfect life, she had her mothers expectations and her sister's legacy. 

She was honestly safer in the tower than back home. 

A strange sound filled the air, and a frown pulled at her lips as she looked off outside. She adjusted her glasses as another horn sounded, a horn of all things. Why would a horn be here, who was blowing the damned thing. They were going to wake Harold up!

Leaning out the window, Amirah let out a gasp as banners crested over the hill. Banners that belonged to Pufort, the kingdom ruled by King Richard. In the distance, she spotted three men charging ahead of the group, and hope glittered in her heart as she spied familiar horns. Was Jardor really here? She didn't know who the other men were, or what she assumed were male honestly she knew some beefy female knights, oh gods was Clarissa here? That would truly make her day. 

Before she could speculate, however, a loud roar filled the air and shook the ground. Clinging to the wall, Amirah looked up in slight fear. She knew that roar, and what it meant. A challenge, anyone who wanted her, had to go through them.

May the Divines bless their poor souls.

[taesramenhair]

Set Me Free [MYG]

The abbey has been a constant in Yoongi’s life: his home, his school, his workplace. Now it’s burning, pillaged by invaders - and it’s up to him to keep their relic safe. The strange man he meets at the high altar doesn’t seem to understand that, but he does understand staying out of harm's way.

word count: 5.7k // genre + rating: SFW (12)

warnings/tags etc: violence, injury, minor character death (unnamed characters), mention of corporal punishment, some Not Nice People, as you might have guessed - angst with a happy ending, monk!Yoongi (sort of), vague middle ages AU, religious imagery, religious references, mainly ft. Jimin but the others have a cameo at the end too. [This is my first fic so I'm not used to tagging - please, please tell me if I've missed something important!]

Masterlist

Yoongi never thought he’d be grateful for a childhood spent chasing chickens, but here he was. With the wind snarling around his reddened ears and loose pebbles rolling under his feet, he was immensely thankful that he’d always been given the outdoor duties. At the time, he’d hated it, of course, but it had built his stamina - and if there’s one thing you need when fleeing up a mountain, chased by murderous bandits, it’s the ability to run.

Not that he was going that fast anymore. The terrain was difficult, path narrow and winding, and the cut on his arm was distractingly painful. It wasn’t bleeding so much now, thankfully, but it throbbed with every beat of his worn-down sandals against the dusty rock. His one advantage over his pursuers was that he knew this path well and they didn’t. He had gained a lead on them in the twisting corridors of the abbey – his abbey, now nothing more than hollowed, blackened stone burning violently in the valley below – and left them scrabbling foolishly in the dense foliage at the base of the mountain. It wouldn’t be long before they made their way through, though, and he had to reach the top first. He had to make it to the altar.

A misjudged footfall coming around the last corner slid Yoongi into the floor, landing heavily on his left shoulder as the strap of his sandal broke apart. Every ache in his body rose now that he wasn’t moving, screaming up towards the bright midday sky even as he forced himself to let out nothing louder than a pained groan. He couldn’t let them know anything was wrong. Let them think he was safe. Let them think he was long gone.

Testing his shoulder with a gentle roll – ah, painful – the young acolyte turned onto his knees and rose shakily. The broken sandal was all but useless, barely staying on his foot as he stepped forward. This high on the mountain, though, the ground was harsh and stony, the only foliage being the flowering apple tree next to the altar Yoongi couldn’t yet see but knew was just over the next rise. He’d have to hobble to keep the shoe on but it was preferable to tearing the sole of his foot on jagged stones. If only he hadn’t given his best shoes as an offering, he thought bitterly – and then instantly chastised himself. The gods had ben pleased with that offering, had taken it quickly and sent plentiful rains in response. It had been a worthwhile sacrifice, even if he was now struggling to reach sanctuary.

A noise below told him the bandits had broken through the tree cover already. They were gaining on him. He hobbled faster.

No one had expected an attack that day. Yoongi had been by the stream when it started, bathing his battered hands in the cool waters, breathing in the dews of the spring day and hoping they would sweeten his tears.

(It had been his turn to watch the blessed fire, but he had been sick all week and the abbot had caught him sleeping at his post. The welts of his punishment would linger for a few days: they always did.)

Hearing the tower bells had pulled Yoongi from his mournful reverie – it was not yet dawn, and those bells should not have been ringing. Something was terribly wrong.

Cold grey stone was already dripping red warmth by the time Yoongi reached the doors to the place he had called home since his seventh winter. Prayerful silence had given way to terrible screams, like the great oaken entrance had buckled beneath the force of the invaders’ battering. Centuries of monastic tradition was no match for the terror of a freshly forged blade baptising itself in the blood of the aged brothers, it would seem.

He could have run there and then, abandoned it all to its inevitable oblivion and fled towards the slowly rising sun. There were things he had grown to value there, though, lessons that had been drummed into him by chant and fast and blood. To run with no attempt at saving the abbey’s great treasure would be an insult to the gods too grave to contemplate. Sure, he would survive – but it would not be a life worth having, cursed to his final breath.

So he had waded through the wails of his brothers, the dying agony of those who had raised and formed him, taking the hidden passages to reach the inner sanctum before the newcomers did. They seemed to plunder aimlessly, unaware that there was only one prize worth having within the abbey walls, more valuable than the golden triptychs or the silver-wrought chalices. For the blessed fire – the one Yoongi had been punished so harshly for failing to attend – burned to light the presence of a great relic: a priceless stone that betokened the favour of the gods. That favour had passed now from the vaulted corridors of the abbey it had settled on for centuries, that much was clear. Even so, as Yoongi crawled past the death-closed eyes of the kind, wizened man he had once playfully addressed as halabeoji, he knew the stone must be preserved and taken to the high altar until the gods chose to bestow it anew. If he could just get it there, he could beg their protection in return – he could beg preservation from the terrible fate that had fallen out around him.

Now, finally dragging his trembling limbs over the last mound, Yoongi saw the goal he had been fighting towards since daybreak. Half-shrouded in bruised blossoms from the apple tree stretching lazily by its side, the high altar basked in afternoon sunshine, dark stone glistening where droplets from the nearby waterfall had lost their way. He had seen it many times, in all weathers – sent far up the mountain in deepest winter to offer penance for a drifting mind; honoured to represent the community in late summer and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Always the end of his journey and always a place of refuge. Looking at it, he could almost forget about the horrors he had seen. It was almost relaxing.

Only almost, though. Not only was he aware of the toll his journey had taken – not to mention the danger still snapping at his blistered heels – but when Yoongi looked at the altar today, he saw something he had never seen there before.

A young man – small, lithe, delicate – was sitting on the altar, back against the sacred tree. He was a vision in the dappled light, so beautiful next to Yoongi’s swollen eyes, bloodied robes and dusty feet. Looks were deceiving, though, and apparently Yoongi was to add another sacrilege to the list of crimes committed against everything he held dear. The man, damn him, was eating the offerings left upon the altar for the gods. Had he had more energy, Yoongi could have burst into tears at the sight.

“What are you doing?” he cried, voice cracking and distraught. “Get off! Go away! Those are offerings, we need them! I – please. I need the gods’ favour. Go away!” The boy did little more than blink at Yoongi and tilt his head slowly to the left. A child-like hand raised a flask of blessed water – blessed water – to full, pink lips and Yoongi choked on air, disbelieving.

“There are no gods here, silly.” A soft, high voice came from the young man, sure and unconcerned. “Only me.”

Angry tears did slip from Yoongi’s eyes then. How dare this – this boy say such things? Yoongi had not endured the destruction of his home for some spoiled brat to anger the gods and leave him defenceless and a failure. Marching towards the altar, he bowed quickly and muttered an apology to the tree before taking a firm grasp of the boy’s black hair and yanking him down unceremoniously, heedless of the responding cry.

“I am the last acolyte of the abbey and I will not have you defile this altar and the offerings left to our gods.” His speech would have more impact if he weren’t gasping through tears and physically shaking, but Yoongi was doing his best. “We have been beaten and burned and murdered today and I am here to return the stone of favour to the gods for safekeeping and beg their protection from the evil that has pursued me all day and you – how dare you treat this place with so little respect?” Wide eyes and a soft pout looked up at him from the ground, the boy not having moved from where Yoongi had thrown him. He realised that the ground was still harsh here and felt a little bad – even if he was a sacrilegious blasphemer, this boy seemed a couple of years younger than Yoongi and the fall must have hurt him. Still, there were more pressing matters at hand. Yoongi did his best to rearrange the remaining gifts on the altar (so few, the boy must taken so much of it, the gods would be displeased) and placed the stone carefully in the centre before dropping stiffly to his knees. Wiping his tears and bowing his head to the ground, he muttered out a series of chants and then sat back on his heels, chin lifted to the skies and streaming eyes closed against the light.

“Great gods above, hear my call,” he declared, loudly as his ragged throat allowed him. “We know not why you have withdrawn your blessing from us. We thank you for having granted it at all, for letting us live such charmed lives for you for many years. We return now your stone. Please retain your grace in it and bestow it anew upon others. Do not abandon us all, oh great ones. Hear me when I call to you, worthless as I am. Do not forget us all.” His voice faltered and Yoongi tipped his head forward again, barely managing a whisper. “I ask your protection. Please. I know I have not served you perfectly, but I have tried so hard. I wanted to please you. I want to deserve your favour. You’ve always answered me so graciously – and I know better servants have died horribly today, but please. I don’t want to die. Protect me.” The thunderous footsteps of the bandits started to reach his ears and Yoongi gasped, pressing his face desperately to the ground once more. A soft noise behind him reminded him he was not alone and he spoke again. “Protect us both.”

For a few moments there was silence, and then Yoongi heard the stones to his left shifting quickly, as though someone were running towards him. He tensed, still bowing before the altar and praying that somehow the gods would protect him. A pair of hands grabbed his upper arms and pulled, and he couldn’t help but let out a sob. He knew he had never deserved anything from the gods, but he had hoped so dearly that they would spare him.

“It’s just me, acolyte, get up.” The words filtered through his distress like thick cream through muslin, slow and awkward. He couldn’t quite grasp them. “We have to go, now.”

“Can’t,” he stuttered out, managing to open his eyes and twist away from the young man’s grip, crawling back towards the altar. “I have to be here. The gods –“

“The gods won’t help you.” Though his words were harsh, the man looked concerned, reaching a hand out towards Yoongi again imploringly. “Let me help you, please. Come with me. They’re close now: we have to go.” Yoongi knew he was telling the truth – he could hear voices as well as footsteps now, could almost hear the singing of the blades he knew the bandits were carrying. But he couldn’t leave the altar – could he? It had always been his safety and it was the last remains of his abbey – his faith. He had run this far for the gods. If he ran further, for himself, did that make him a coward? Would he have betrayed them all? Would he prove himself as unworthy as the abbot had always told him he was? Teary-eyed and shaking, he set his mouth and looked the young man right in the eye.

“Save yourself if you can. I cannot leave.” It had the desired effect. The man nodded curtly, stood and began to leave, pausing by the altar as he did so.

“Fine,” he called back. “But I’m taking the rest of this food with me. No point letting it go to waste. This stone is pretty, too. I don’t know about it being blessed or anything, but I think I’ll take it.” Sure enough, he picked it up, tossed it in the air and pocketed it with a stunning smile that all but closed his eyes. Then, he started simply sauntering away, all sense of urgency gone.

He’s baiting me, Yoongi thought. He hadn’t managed to convince him to leave on his own, so he was taking the stone like some sort of carrot, hoping Yoongi, like a donkey, would follow. Yoongi half wanted to be stubborn, to sit there and die like a fool just to prove that he had a stronger will than this brattish stranger presumed. The louder part of him, however, was relieved at having been given permission to abandon the altar, a reason beyond self-preservation to stand up and follow him to safety. He couldn’t leave the stone of favour in the hands of someone with so little respect that he would lean against a sacred tree and eat the gods’ offerings with his feet on their altar. Impossible. It was his sacred duty to stagger up and stumble after him, calling chastisements as loudly as he dared and trying to match pace when the stranger sped up, leading him around the corner from the altar to a hidden path he had never thought to look for.

The altar was at the top of the mountain path – Yoongi had never considered that there might be other paths down beyond it. It was the destination, the end of the line. Going further just wasn’t something he’d ever considered, and that this man was leading him like it was second nature was the last straw for him. Lost in a haze, he followed wordlessly, almost blindly, the ache of his arms and his legs and his feet whispering somewhere but barely decipherable through the thick fog of his mind. At some point they entered a dark tunnel and the young man took his hand gently, perhaps aware of how feeble Yoongi’s grip on awareness was. Between the soft touch and the pressing darkness around him, Yoongi let himself go.

Waking up again was a far less pleasant experience than drifting off had been. It wasn’t a slow rise to the surface, lazy and comfortable like waking to a summer dawn – it was a sudden dive from absolute nothingness into decided somethingness. All at once Yoongi was aware again of the stiffness in his calves and the ache of his arm; the throb of his head from a week of sickness, a lack of sleep and the dehydration of having cried his frustrations out on the mountaintop. The fog lifted and he sat up quickly, huffing softly through his nose as the movement made his stomach lurch and his vision swim. He could remember being annoyed at a bright smile, and fluffy, black hair disappearing into a tunnel – and the stone! Right, yes. Dangerous bandits, bratty stranger, following the stone. That’s what had happened.

“There’s some water next to you – you should drink it,” he heard the stranger say from somewhere off to his right. Yoongi glanced around him, twisting on the bed roll laid out in his corner of what seemed to be a small, wooden room. Sure enough, there was a whole pitcher of water beside him. After a few seconds of blinking at the floor failed to magic a cup into existence, Yoongi picked it up and hesitantly tilted it against his lips. The water was lukewarm and hardly counted as refreshing, but he hadn’t had anything to drink since the abbot had woken him before, well, everything and his throat was grateful to be soothed.

“What did you do with the stone?” Even after a few mouthfuls of water, his voice was deep and gruffer than he had meant it to be. The stranger just giggled and Yoongi managed to make out his shape in the low light, sitting against the opposite wall.

“Don’t worry, acolyte. It’s safe here. I’ll give it to you in the morning, if you like.” Yoongi grumbled and the stranger laughed again. “You know, you were cute when you were half asleep. All whiny, like a kitten.”

“I’m not a kitten.” (He had a vague notion that his mother used to call him that. He hadn’t seen her for years, not since she had given him away in the hope of pleasing the gods and bringing a good harvest. Maybe he had dreamed it up. He certainly hadn't had a nickname since joining the abbey.)

“Who are you, then?” The question took Yoongi by surprise and he cleared his throat as he shifted back a little, resting against the wall behind him and drawing his knees painfully up. From the feel of the fabric under his fingertips, he was still in his robes from earlier and whilst he was relieved that the stranger had not undressed him, he desperately wanted to be clean. He wondered whether there was any chance of getting a bath, just soaking in hot water and letting it steam away everything that had happened. Probably not.

“Yoongi,” he said shortly. “Who’re you?”

“My name’s Jimin. How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.” Yoongi didn’t like where this was going.

“Hyung!”

“No.” He thought he could see a flicker of a pout and was glad of the cover of darkness. Living around older monks meant he hadn’t really been exposed to much cuteness – he hadn’t been anyone’s hyung ever– so he didn’t think he’d be able to hold out against it. At least if he couldn’t see this Jimin’s face, the only thing he had to resist was the whining that started up immediately.

“I saved your life, let me call you hyung!”

“You desecrated my altar!”

“I told you, Yoongi-hyung, there are no gods here! If the altar’s not really sacred, how can I have desecrated it?” That stung worse than the other injuries vying for Yoongi’s attention. He had devoted his life to serving the gods. It was all he had known. He had put up with long nights and early mornings for years, allowed the other monks to literally beat him into shape, all in the hope that it would appease some deity with the power to improve people’s lives - and now this clueless boy wanted to tear it all into pieces.

“There are gods, Jimin-ssi. We have left them offerings for centuries, and they have always taken them and given what we asked for in return.” He thought he heard a snort, and it was his turn to pout.

“Like what, hyung? When have the gods taken something and given something in return? How would that even work?” Yoongi didn’t have to think.

“Last autumn. The rains were late so the farmers were worried the fruits wouldn’t ripen properly and they would have to feed their livestock from reserves, which might mean they would run out before the frosts ended. I’d been working on a new pair of sturdy boots all year because mine had fallen to pieces, but we needed an offering, so I brought them up to the altar and left them there. Two days later, the rains started, and the boots were gone. We gave the boots; they gave the rains.” He sounded smug. He knew he sounded smug, but he also knew he was right. Traditions existed for a reason, and the abbey existed because it worked. It helped. The monks prayed and trekked up the mountain to offer sacrifices because the gods listened to them and protected their people. Or at least, they used to.

“Oh.” There was the sound of shuffling across the room, and then a hiss as a flame was struck. Yoongi blinked blearily as Jimin lit a candle, picked something up from the floor and shuffled over, nearly tripping on the long, woven blanket he had wrapped around his narrow shoulders. “Um, Yoongi-ssi – those boots, they, um. Well. They didn’t look like this, did they?” Kneeling next to Yoongi’s bed roll, Jimin lifted the candle and proffered a muddy pair of boots with his other hand. Slightly crooked teeth worried his lip as he waited for the acolyte to respond. Yoongi took the boots reluctantly, fingering over the caked mud and peering closely. He couldn’t see much, in truth – and he had only ever felt his boots when they were brand new, unworn. His fingertips didn’t recognise these ones, leather both soft with wear and rugged from the elements. Guiding Jimin’s hand closer to gain more light, he turned them over and picked at the dirt dried into the arch.

“You’re terrible at looking after boots,” he muttered as a large clump came away in his hand, revealing the sole. Jimin didn’t respond. The last bit of mud fell to the floor and Yoongi coughed on a harsh sob. There, tucked next to the heel, was the mark Yoongi put on all his things.

“I’m so sorry,” Jimin whispered as Yoongi’s eyes drifted blankly to the wall beside him. “I didn’t realise you had offered them up. I always – ever since I was tiny, there have always been things there and we always took them, so I thought they were meant for us. I thought you all knew we were taking them. I thought you were looking after us.”

“You’ve been taking the offerings for years?” Maybe if he asked the question quietly enough, the answer would be different. It wasn’t.

“All my life. Yoongi-ssi, I’m so sorry. My parents showed me and when they were gone - I guess I didn't think about it. I didn’t know it meant anything until you shouted at me earlier, and then I thought you were just being… I don’t know. Sanctimonious?” Yoongi huffed, still not looking at the younger man.

“Big word.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry it wasn’t what you thought – but those offerings didn’t go to waste. We’d have died here without them.” A silence stretched tensely between them, Jimin left without words to explain himself and Yoongi winded by how abruptly his world was turning itself inside out. Apparently, it wasn’t enough that he had lost everything that had ever been familiar to him. He also had to have his faith shaken and his understanding of how the world worked ripped out from under him. There was only really one thing to do.

“I’m going to sleep,” he mumbled, curling up to face the wall even though it meant lying on his wrenched shoulder. Behind him, he heard Jimin place the candle on the ground and move the boots – his boots? Yoongi’s boots? it didn’t matter anymore – away.

“Hyung,” came the soft voice again as a small hand reached over his hunched shoulder, “here. I think you should keep this. We can talk again in the morning.” Firm fingers prised Yoongi’s hand away from his side and pressed something cool and round into his palm. The stone, he thought. There is still the stone. He fell asleep with it pressed against his chest, safe.

They didn’t speak the next day. In fact, Yoongi gave Jimin the silent treatment for three weeks, only staying with him because the heavens opened during the night and refused to close again for long enough to allow Yoongi to even hope to venture off the mountainside. He didn’t have anywhere to go in any case – and whilst he was furious with Jimin and completely lost without his routine and the guidance of the other monks, he knew being somewhere warm and dry, with a reliable source of food and someone to offer to massage his aching shoulder was better than dying in a ditch somewhere from stubbornness.

(He never accepted the massage offers, of course, but it felt nice to know that someone cared enough to ask.)

When the rains finally cleared, Yoongi had Jimin show him the way back up to the altar. The blossom was all gone now, flushed away by the rain, but the leaves were strong and the waterfall babbled happily. Yoongi didn’t think the tree would fruit this year, since the flowers hadn’t had time to set before the storms, but it still stood. The altar still stood. That was something.

Sitting on the edge of the mountain, he could see the charred ruins of his home below – joined now by more ruins to the west. Though they hadn’t found him, the group who had attacked the abbey had travelled back down the mountain and continued their rampage, working through the nearby villages and taking what they could. Bright sunshine was no remedy for such heaviness, and Yoongi felt his face crumple watching the birds fly down towards the blackened remains of thriving communities. Maybe Jimin was right and there never were gods – maybe it was better that way. To think that they had been abandoned to such death and ruin hurt more than believing they had never been blessed by anything more than good chance in the first place.

“Hey, hyung – look!” Jimin called excitedly from the waterfall, oblivious to the destruction right below him. Jimin, it turned out, had never really come down off the mountain. His parents had retreated to a small cabin in a hidden glade after a particularly nasty feud with a distant cousin, and he had been raised in near solitude. He knew about the villages, of course, but he had never been to one. Their loss was a sad idea to him, but no more than that. Flowering daisies were all it took to distract him, and he sought to do the same for Yoongi, even if he was ignored.

“Hey, Grumpy-hyung! I saved your life, you know, you can at least pretend to be interested when I try to show you the finer beauties of this world!” A thought struck Yoongi, finally back in the place where he had thought for certain his life would end. It hit him hard enough to make him gasp, head tilting up to the sky so quickly that Jimin forgot his flowers and came rushing to see what the matter was.

“You’re wrong!” he declared as soon as Jimin settled beside him, before the younger boy had even spoken. “You’re wrong.”

“Something tells me you’re not talking about daisies.”

“There are gods.” Yoongi brought his chin down again and looked at Jimin straight, eyes still red from his tears but perfectly sure. “You said there weren’t gods. There are.”

“Um. Ok.”

“There are. I asked them for their protection and they protected me.” Jimin’s brow crinkled a little and his eyes followed Yoongi’s movement as he stood and paced to the altar, one hand reaching out gently to touch the bark of the apple tree.

“I mean, not to be pedantic, but I protected you, hyung.”

“Sure.” Yoongi had never admitted that before, no matter how much Jimin wheedled for acknowledgment. He figured either this was a minor miracle or the pressure had finally cracked him. “I’ve been coming up here for fifteen years, Jimin-ah. All times of day, all seasons, all weathers. I’ve never seen you. None of us have. And then the one day I need someone to be here, when I’m being chased and I’m completely alone for the first time in my life - you’re just sitting on the altar." For the first time, Jimin saw Yoongi smile – a bright, full-toothed, gummy thing that lit up his eyes and transformed his face. “Like an offering. We gave them offerings, they gave them to you – and then they gave you back to me.” When Yoongi chuckled and leant against the tree, Jimin couldn’t help but giggle as well.

“I don’t think that’s compelling theology, hyung, but if it makes you happy, you go ahead and think that.”

“Just admit it, Jimin-ah. You’re wrong. The gods exist and they’re here and they care and we’re going to be alright. Just you wait.”

It had taken two years for the invaders to take everything they could from the land, and three more for life to start again once they abandoned it to decay. Now, though, from his rock on top of the mountain Yoongi could see white smoke rising from chimneys once more, could follow the path of trundling carts along the roads between each growing settlement. He had taken Jimin down there a few times, to see how the people lived and to do what he could to help them. Although the abbey and the men who had raised him were gone, the skills he had learned remained and he had a lot to offer. If in time it meant he could earn a little money and make life a bit easier, that was a blessing too.

Life with Jimin had taken some time to adjust to. He had considered leaving after his revelation, heading north in the hopes of finding a new monastery and enfolding himself once more in the familiarity of an ordered life. He'd got as far as packing a small bag of food and reclaiming his boots from Jimin. When he had put them on to leave, though, it had all felt wrong. Officially, the boots had worn to Jimin's feet already and Yoongi refused to make a long journey in uncomfortable shoes. Jimin had accepted that excuse without fuss, thrilled to keep his companion, but they both knew that wasn't the real reason. After all, Jimin had watched Yoongi stumble into a mountain clearing with a sword wound on his arm, a dislocated shoulder and a broken sandal all for the sake of a small stone. Uncomfortable boots were hardly going to stop him leaving if he really wanted to.

For whatever reason, he had elected to stay, to learn how to live with just one person for company and without orders and punishments and bells to mark his day. Chasing chickens was also useful for catching rabbits, it turned out, and he taught Jimin the skills he needed to find food now that there weren't regular offerings to pilfer. Jimin taught him to dance, and sang real songs to him. He taught him to laugh again, and if anyone were to suggest they be parted now, he would probably growl at them and pull his dongsaeng behind him for protection.

The altar would always be special to him. When the weather was good, Jimin would often find him up there long past dark, listening to the waterfall or leaning against the tree. One autumn, he even convinced him to sit up on the altar itself.

("Hyung," he had whined, "don't leave me up here alone. If the gods didn't like it, they would have struck me down years ago. Live a little."

"Brat," Yoongi had muttered in reply, hiding his smile even as he climbed up onto the stone. Since he was yet to be blasted to smithereens, he figured he was alright to keep doing it.)

It was there that he was sat the day the monks returned to the mountain. The afternoon sunshine was lazy, winding its way through the apple tree's branches and kissing its growing fruit softly. Yoongi had brought a cushion and was leaned back against the tree trunk, legs stretched out across the altar and mind drifting when an outraged shout made him open one eye and smirk.

"Yah!" a tall stranger exclaimed, pulling his robes up with one hand and gesticulating wildly with the other as he strode purposefully towards Yoongi. "Get off of there! Get down! That's a sacred altar!" Behind him was a group of four men, two looking nervous and carrying large baskets of food and one cradling a ceramic pot like it was glass while the last glared at him. Yoongi thought the glare might have something to do with the fact that the pot was missing one handle - which he located in the glarer's hand. Good to know every monastery had its own god of destruction.

"I take it you are the monks in charge of rebuilding the abbey?" Yoongi drawled, crossing his feet, completely unbothered by the new arrivals. Their leader halted in his striding, pulling his head back slightly in confusion.

"Uh - yes. That's us." One of the food bearers turned to the other with wide eyes, but received no more than a shrug in response. They looked very young - Yoongi hoped they were close. He thought he saw the one holding a pot begin to say 'hyung' and stop sheepishly when his hyung's heart-shaped mouth frowned even harder. Cute.

"Excellent." Hopping off the altar, Yoongi pulled a string from around his neck and took the stranger's hand. Unfurling crooked fingers, he placed the object in his palm and patted his shoulder familiarly, smiling at the gawk he got in return. "You'll need this, then. I've had it these past five years and I've been more blessed than I ever thought I would be. Guard it well, brother." He turned to walk away as the leader looked behind him, proffering the stone to one of his followers and saying, "Namjoon-ah, is this -" The answering gasp suggested they knew exactly what the stone meant.

"Oh, by the way," he called back at the corner where the path down to his and Jimin's cottage started. "If you ever need anything, just come here and leave a note. My friend and I will be happy to help. You never walk alone." With a soft smile, he disappeared around down the mountain and left them to their offerings.

(And if Jimin bounced home that evening with fine wine in a pot with a broken handle - well, Yoongi wouldn't be surprised.)

[dailyaudiobible]

03/04/2021 DAB Transcript

Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalms 47:1-9, Proverbs 10:24-25

Today is March 4th welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian it's wonderful to be here with you today. It's a special day at least in my life. Today is my birthday and it's been a while now, a long time ago that I decided to not do these birthdays. Like I don't want to be keep counting my chronological number but I have decided that I will celebrate my Daily Audio Bible birthdays. And this is my 16th birthday. So, that’s hard to believe, that since the time the Daily Audio Bible began, if it were a baby born on January 1st 2006…man…we…we would have a 16-year-old. This thing is looking for its driver's license now. We’re…we’re in the teen years. So, Lord help us as we continue to move forward. But today will be my 16th birthday that I'm…that I’m celebrating or observing since the Daily Audio Bible began. So, thank God. Thank God for His kindness to me. It is beyond expectations. Okay, but we’re not here to, you know, light a birthday cake. We are here to dive in. And actually we’ll be diving into our second day within the book of Numbers. We began the book of numbers yesterday. And numbers just by way of reminder is a part of a grouping of books in the Old Testament known as the Torah or the Pentateuch - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. And as we began the book of Numbers a census was taken to count all the men that were able to go to battle and that was over 600,000 men. 609,000. And they are preparing now to move toward the promised land. All the different tribes were numbered. The tribe of Levi was not numbered. They were the priests. They’re responsibility is the tabernacle. this the place where God travels. And this is interesting. It's a portable tabernacle. It can be set up and torn down and God…God is embedding into the people's understanding that He's going with them. He’s leading them and He's going to stay with them and among them, which is what this tabernacle represents. And, so, the tribe of Levi is responsible for that as well as the worship of God and caring for the people, the soul care of the people. So, they’re preparing to move out and there are obstacles in front of them that we will…that we will encounter in due course. Numbers chapters 2 and 3 today.

Commentary:

Okay. In the gospel of Mark, the religious authorities are trying to narrow in on Jesus…like they're trying to pin Him down they…they want to get rid of him, that's the plan. That’s what they want to do. And, so, they're trying to entrap Him or discredit Him in any way…anything that they can do to diminish Him so that they can kinda isolate Him and then get Him out of the way. Like, literally they want to kill Him, which…which they eventually do. Today Jesus is in the temple complex and they come to Him and they say, “by whose authority are you doing these things?” So, like to put maybe a little bit more modern…like, “who gave you the right to do this? Who told you you could do this?” And Jesus sort of answers their question with a question. And this isn't…I mean we’ve talked about as before, but you…you watch the question. Jesus says, “okay I'll answer your question if you answer one of mine.” The question that Jesus asks forces the truth into the open so that their exposed. They can't stand this about Jesus. So, He says, “tell me about John. Was he from God or was he not from God? Well, the religious authorities had been against John calling him a fraud. The people believed he was a true prophet. So, they’re in like…there's no good answer because either way they’re trapped before the people. But it's even deeper than that. The correct answer to the question Jesus is asking is the same answer to the question they are asking Jesus. “Who told you can do this? Who gave you the right to do this?” If they could or would have answered truthfully that they believe John was a prophet of God, then there would be some common ground there for Jesus to reveal the continuation of that same story and say that He was empowered by God to do the things that He's doing. But Jesus knows they were against John and He knows that they’re against Him and they're trying to snuff out His life. These quote unquote things that Jesus is doing are the works of God, His ministry, but also more recently what they would have considered the vandalism of the temple complex because He goes in there and tips over the money changers and lets the birds go and the sacrifice…the commerce that's going on there. He disrupts the commerce that's happening in the temple in the holy city of Jerusalem, by the way. So, pretty serious what Jesus is doing. And, so, they’re like, “how…what makes you think you can do this stuff?” All Jesus was doing was restoring some things. He said, “this is to be house of prayer for the nations, not a den of thieves.” And the religious leaders, they don't, you know, contemplate that and go like, “wow this is time for lament and repentance. We need to figure out a better way to do this. You're right.” They just get angered at Jesus challenging their authority. They don't like their authority to be challenged. And, so, they're asking Him about His authority. I think we could agree that what Jesus did in the temple complex was disruptive to the system, was disruptive to the way of things and would've had people talking. And Jesus was clear what He was trying to do. But it was disruptive. Right, here's where the mirror happens. What about when we ask God to do things in our lives, to reveal things in our lives, to show us the way that we should go or even as we’re observing the season of Lent, to be openhanded and openhearted to allow Him to move things in and out and rearrange things within us. When that's disruptive or uncomfortable usually we start praying against it. If we understood that it was Jesus doing this our lives might be saying, “who told you you could do this? By what authority are you messing around with my life” even though we've claimed allegiance and claimed that we've submitted ourselves to him so that He can do whatever He wants with us, take us wherever He wants to take us. Usually if that's uncomfortable we’re start going like, “no…no…no, that's not what I was talking about. You…You have full permission to bless me. You can rain it down all you want but who gave you permission to disrupt me?” Ah….ah…now we find ourselves in the story.

Prayer:

Jesus that’s been our story way too many times to count. And we’re sorry. We’re in a season of lament, we’re in a season of repentance, we’re in a season where we’re focusing on these things that You are after in us, the things that we are…that we’re holding on to and we don't want to let them go, especially control. So, come Holy Spirit and continue with Your kindness and Your patience to show us, to show us the way to go, to show us the next step forward. Then it's in our hands whether we obey You or whether we don't, whether we listen or whether we don't. It's not Your fault when we disobey You. We like to transfer blame off of us at every turn but it's not Your fault when we don't obey You. Come Holy Spirit and let this sink in we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it's the website, its where you find what's going on around here. So, definitely stay tuned and stay connected.

I’m going to try to spend some time in reflection today, reflecting back over these 16 birthdays of the Daily Audio Bible. And that's something going on around here for me. I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful that we’ve been able to share this journey together all these years. It is truly remarkable. My life is indeed forever changed because of this community. And, so, I am deeply grateful and hope you feel the same. So, that’s kind of what’s going on around here at least today but you can always stay tuned and connected to…to an anything…all…relating to the Daily Audio Bible at dailyaudiobible.com or if you’re using the app you can access like the Prayer Wall and the Shop. All that stuff that you can access on the web you can access in the app. So, check that out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, if…if the mission that we’ve had all these years, just to bring the spoken word of God read fresh every day and just given to the world to anyone who might come across it or encounter it and listen to it anywhere any time day or night, so that it’s just always there creating a rhythm, steps forward every day through a year and definitely through life. If that brings life to you than thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, which is the little red button up at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi DAB family this is Vonnie in Northern California and it's March 1st, a new day and a new week a new month and I'm reaching out to anonymous. I just heard your prayer request and my heart breaks for you my dear. I am praying…I'm going to be praying for you all day, all week. As much as God reminds me to pray, I'm thinking of you. This is a tough time for a new mom to have to go through postpartum depression. Oh, Jesus please, please help, please help this Young woman. I'm so thankful that she reached out to her doctor and she got medication. I'm also thankful that she took a step of faith trusting You God to…to answer prayer through the prayers of the family. I pray that many of us many, many, many of us will be just coming to Your throne and laying her before You God everyday, trusting You to lift this…this horrible depression, to protect her mind from these thoughts that she's been having, to protect her children and her husband, and to come like a flood, restore the joy in her heart, restore to her Lord a sense of peace and calm and trust and confidence and restore the balance in her brain chemistry. Dear Jesus, we ask You to rebuke the enemy and completely put a wall of protection around this Young woman. Thank You, God for what You're going to do in her life and answer to prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good morning DAB family this is Judy from Georgia. I want to first thank Brian, Jill, and their family for putting the DAB together. It is great. It's a great community and I enjoy listening to this every day. And then I want to thank Doctor John from Jordan New York for the feeling groovy tune that’ll be stuck in my head all day. It's a great uplifting tune and I'm appreciative. We all need that every day. Now I'd like to pray for everyone out there, that please God give them the strength to get through whatever it is they need to get through today and show them the way that they need to go for those that are lost. And anyone fighting addictions please help them get through and show them there's a better way to live their life. God bless all of you and I'll talk to you soon. Bye.

This is Kathy from Kentucky. I wanted to give a praise report that I'm 29 years sober. I celebrated on February 23rd and I got a token. A lot of people say I'm an inspiration. So, I…I don't feel like that but I…I guess I am. But anyways praise God for 29 years clean and sober. Continue to pray for my neighbor and friend Sharon who lost her daughter unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. She's still grieving and she's going through a really hard time. Thank you. Kathy from Kentucky.

Good morning DAB this is Guinn from Texas it is March the 1st and spring is in the air but I'm calling in because I want to pray for the father who called in this morning about his two sons. He…he wanted…he asked for prayer for them. One is Nathan and the other one is Nicholas and I just want to lift them up in prayer because I think Nicholas is in…incarcerated right now and Nathan is…is homeless but their situation can change and it’s going to change because God is able. And, so, I want to say because I also had…had a son that was incarcerated and he got out and he did well and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior and…but he got killed in a motorcycle accident and it's been almost 10 years but it still feels like yesterday. And then my other son just is working, he's a hard worker but he needs to be more responsible. He has his own place now and I’m just praying that he keeps it. So…so, I know what you're going through right now. I feel your pain. So, Father I just lift up this Father to You who…who is praying for his sons Lord, that they will come out Lord doing well Father and I know they will because Father what You did for my sons You will do for his. And…and I just lift him up to give him strength. Your word says in Joshua 1:9 be strong be courageous do not be terrified do not be discouraged for the Lord Your God will be with you with whoever you go and God is with you dad and God is with your sons and He's going to encourage them and they’re going to come out on the other side and you're gonna be proud of them. So, I just want you to know that. Hang in there and God loves you and Jesus loves you and we love you. God bless you.

Hi family this is Melissa from Albertville AL I have a prayer request. My dentist who I've had for years and my neighbor he lives across the street from me committed suicide this morning. His name is Doctor Kirby and he has children and a wife. I don't know what he was going through. Just saw him a few weeks ago in the dentist office and I am devastated. I just wonder if I could have said something to him. I…I don't know. Please, please, please pray for his family. Please pray for his family. I love you family. Y'all hold on to Jesus. Satan is trying to destroy minds during this time but…if…if…you've gotta get ahold of Jesus. Hold on to Him and trust in Him. I love you all so much. Thank you. Bye-bye.

Hey guys this is Rachel in KC Missouri. This is March 1st. I'm not sure when you called in. You wanted to be anonymous. You’ve got three children and…and __ daughters. I don't know. You're married and you were just diagnosed with severe postpartum depression and you took me all the way back ten years ago when I had my last child Jonah. And darling I know exactly the thoughts that invade your mind, the scary, the creepy, the everything. As…as a sister of yours and you put so much faith and trust in us to share what you're going through, I started covering you in prayer as soon as I heard your voice because I…as soon as you said my name is…and you said you want to remain anonymous I knew, I knew something. So, I just want to go ahead and pray now so I don't lose any more time. But just know that I'm praying for you every time you come to mind darling. Heavenly Father thank You so much for this beautiful sister, this beautiful woman of God Lord. The trust and the faith that she's sharing and just reaching out and crying out to her family Lord. Father, please touch her right now this instant Lord, give her peace, cover her with Your feathers of protection. Lord every time she has a negative thought Lord please get her to…to remember something that Brian has said or one of us has said or a scripture Father…

[theincompetentgenius]

Hey, could you give me a match up or life generator for IkeSen? Anything is fine. I'm like 156cms (I know ;_;) I'm introverted but curious by nature. I'm also much of a talker when I become friends with someone. Kinda sassy, likes cats,dogs, raccoons (you get it) and philosophy. I get frightened easily, a box falling from my shelf suddenly can get me screaming 😂 I am a dork. Just found your blog btw and I love it 😭💖

Thanks for sending in the request and I’m sorry about the wait! Also, can I say thank you because your request saved my writer’s block because I got carried away?

Thank you for your interest in the world of Ikemen Sengoku. You will shortly be reborn in your new life. The simulation will begin in 3..... 2..... 1.......

B A C K G R O U N D

Your story began right before your first job interview in Japan. You had graduated from college a few months ago with an economics major and a philosophy minor. Many considered it a peculiar blend of studies, but the contrasting subjects allowed you to enjoy your time at college while maintaining the image of a unique candidate. All throughout school, your academics were fairly strong. It wasn’t the golden 4.0, but high enough to land you your first job. The only issue was that your Japanese wasn’t the strongest, so you were worried about not being able to convey your thoughts properly. To deal with this, you practiced in advance. 

On the way to your interview, you noticed that the clouds had become larger and darker. You didn’t want to be reckless, but there was lots of traffic on the road and your interview was in fifteen minutes. If it started raining, then traffic would probably stop moving and you would be late, so you looked for an alternative route on your GPS. Luckily enough, there was a route that would get you to your destination in time. So you took the closest exit and left that mess.

The streets of the detour were small and narrow. The clouds had become so dark that it looked more like midnight than an afternoon. A shiver ran down your spine. The faster you got out of there, the better. It was not long before the rain started, thunder echoing in the background.  You slowed down the speed of your car and proceeded with caution. 

Your car broke down halfway through the detour. After jamming your keys to start the car (with no results), you got out of your car to search for help. You saw a man in a white lab coat with glasses on the porch of a quaint cottage and rushed to him.

“Can you help me? My car broke down in the middle of the road. ” Your voice was filled with desperation.

He was startled by your sudden appearance. “Ma’am, you need to leave. There is a wormhole that is going to open in a few minutes.”

“I can’t leave if my car doesn’t start.” A clash of thunder echoed in the background. You jumped from the loud noise and looked back at the man.

“Alright, I’ll look for some numbers that you can call to help you. However, I think that this area is extremely unsafe for you,” He said, pulling out his phone.

You nodded. As you waited for the young man in the lab coat, the storm intensified. Hints of blue and green sprouted from the clouds. Was this from the wormhole thing that the man was talking about? You wanted to ask but you didn’t want to burden him more than you already had. But the colors were rapidly spreading across the sky, forming a circle. 

“Sir? It that the wormhole you were talking about?” You pointed to the colors.

He pushed up his glasses with his fingers. His eyes widened. “You need to leave now. Just run away from here.”

Although you had no idea where the wormhole would take you, you knew it was nothing good. So you ran as fast as you could, but the wind ran with you. It grew stronger until it lifted you from your feet and threw you into the glowing wormhole. 

F R I E N D S

Date Masamune

After saving Nobunaga’s life at Honno-ji, you tried your best to adjust to the Sengoku Era. However, the different expectations, mentalities, and social concepts made it almost impossible. Your introverted nature made it harder to talk to the other warlords and your fear only added to the distance. There was Ieyasu (who felt that Nobunaga made a mistake in keeping you around), Hideyoshi (who was still suspicious about your affiliations), and Mitsuhide (he’s the one who caused the fire at Honno-ji in our timeline, so you’re suspicious of him).

Your relationship with Masamune was interesting, to say the least. He nearly chopped off your head when confirming that you were from the future, smashed your arm because you had gotten to close to him during his training, and served you the spiciest dish that was reserved for Ieyasu. Yet he still dared to flirt with you, as if he hadn’t nearly killed you three times.

However, he was the friendliest out of everyone else. He would offer to take you around the town and helped you get settled in your new life. For that, you were extremely grateful. Sometimes the two of you would be out all day, as Masamune would bring Shogestu in the forests. You would point out the different animals around the area. Although he knew the forests very well, your observations made him feel that he was the foreigner. 

“Did you see that deer?” You said.

He spun his head around. Then he looks back at you. “Yes, I do. There’s a beautiful doe sitting right in front of me.”

You give him a playful shove. “That’s not what I’m talking about, you idiot.”

“Oh ho, our little lassie is getting feisty!” He laughs.

“I am not little!” You try to shove him, but he doesn’t budge against the weight of your arms. Instead, he howls with laughter.

You stand up straight and clear your throat. “The only thing that’s little is your manhood!”

He freezes in the middle of his laugh. His face momentarily warps with awe and you feel good about sassing him for once. But his face turns into a smirk. 

“Is that so? I don’t recall ever showing you anything.” He moves closer towards you. “Unless we had an encounter that I don’t remember.”

Your face turns red as you push him away. “I think I’m done here.”

He turns away with laughter, calling for his tiger cup. You dust off your kimono and look one last time into the woods, searching for any other animals. There aren’t any.

Except for the one-eyed beast who disguised his feelings of love in the form of friendship. A friendship he could never escape.

Other friends: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Sanada Yukimura, Oda Nobunaga

**Quick Note: Basically he’s the other suitor in love with you during your time there, but he’s also your closest friend.

R O M A N C E

Akechi Mitsuhide

Although you spent lots of time with Masamune, your sights were set elsewhere. At first, you weren’t interested in this silver-tongued snake for romantic purposes. You assumed he was the one who tried to kill Nobunaga due to the events in our timeline, so you wanted to learn more about his schemes. At first, you kept your distance-- there was no need to interact with a shady traitor. Instead, you got your information about Mitsuhide from other people. The best source of information was the maids, but they had too much information (which were nothing but rumors). When you asked the warlords, they couldn’t tell you much either. He was a mystery waiting to be caught.

At one point, you decided to tell Nobunaga about the future and how it was Mitsuhide that set the fire at Honno-ji. However, you had no proof to back your claims. So against your better nature, you went and tailed Mitsuhide. This was the worst mistake possible because he figured you out within seconds of your investigation. When he asked you questions about your investigations, you didn’t give him any answers. However, that wasn’t necessary because he had you all figured out. 

Soon, the tables turn on you. Mitsuhide investigated you because you had investigated him. While you cluelessly walked around the palace, he followed you to ensure you weren’t a threat. Once he assessed that you weren’t an assassin, Mitsuhide began to talk to you in public. At first, his conversations caught you off-guard. But you grew more comfortable around him, despite the warnings from everyone else. Mitsuhide himself warned about his other side, but you were giving him the benefit of the doubt. After all, your curiosity had shown you that he was much more than his reputation.

You spent your time trying to sass him, causing him to outwit you almost every time. Some times he’d let you have the last word, but you knew when he let you win. Instead, he was drawn to your dorkiness. It was a rare sight in the Azuchi Palace for someone to be so dorky. However, he realized that there was a more mature side to you when serious conversations arose. The mix of purity and realism surprised him; you were less naive than he expected.

However, the worst part of your relationship was when he tried to scare you. Once he figured out that you were easily startled, Mitsuhide used against you with no limits. One day, you were delivering a message from Masamune to Hideyoshi when you felt a cool breeze rush by. 

You spun around. “Whose there?” 

There was no answer. You shivered but continued on your journey to Hideyoshi’s room. Then, you heard soft footsteps behind you.

You jumped. “I know you’re following me! Show yourself!” You voice waivers.

Nothing. You let out a sigh, telling yourself that you were overreacting. A few steps later, you felt a tap on your shoulder. A scream escaped your lips and your feet tripped over each other. You closed your eyes, preparing yourself for the collision between your nose and the floor.

Instead, a pair of light arms grabbed your waist and draws you upwards. You open your eyes to find yourself face-to-face to Mitsuhide. Blood rushes to your cheeks as you are at a loss of words

“Careful, princess. Is that how you want to fall for me?”

F I N A L   F A T E

As you spent more time with the warlords, you felt more at home. The world you once knew had become a distant memory; one that you weren’t sure that you wanted to return to. Time passed as you and Mitsuhide officialized your relationship, you and Masamune bid farewell as he returned to Oshu to take care of some business, and you became acquainted with the Uesugi-Takeda forces. Throughout all these changes, your love for your lover never waivered.

However, when Sauskue informed you that the wormhole to the present would appear in the next month, your whole life fell apart. While you wanted to stay at Azuchi with Mitsuhide, Nobunaga, and everyone else, you had left another set of relationships behind, Your friends, family, and that new job you wanted. Although you had found everything that you wanted in the Sengoku Era, you still wanted to accomplish your 21st-century dreams. So you packed your bags and prepared for the journey. Although Mitsuhide was devastated with your choice, he chose to accompany you until you stepped through the wormhole.

Once you arrived at your destination, you began having second thoughts. Your life was perfect in this era, you had everything. Why should you leave now? As Sasuke entered the portal, he held his hand out to help into the portal. You looked from his hand to your lover.  Your mind was set.

“I’m sorry Sasuke, but I’ve changed my mind. I think I’ll stay.” You run to Mitsuhide and embrace him in a tight hug. 

Sasuke nods with a soft smile. “You do what’s best for you.”

With that, he disappears along with your old life. And you couldn’t be any happier.

[eileniessa]

Hello! For Yennefer and Geralt (I'm predictable), could you do #19 please? Recently I was just rereading the last chapters of the Realm and I thought I could do with some fluff. So if you feel like it... =)

To Be Here - Eileniessa - Wiedźmin | The Witcher (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own]

Summary:  Sitting amongst the vines, surrounded by the family she’s made, Yennefer gains a new perspective on her life’s journey.

Chapters: 1/1Fandom: Wiedźmin | The Witcher (Video Game), Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types, Wiedźmin | The Witcher Series - Andrzej SapkowskiRating: Teen And Up AudiencesWarnings: No Archive Warnings ApplyRelationships: Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of VengerbergCharacters: Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of VengerbergAdditional Tags: Fluff, Family, Confessions, Tumblr Prompt, Prompt Fic

Read it here, on AO3 or FF.Net

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the books by Andrzej Sapkowski and the game series by CD Projekt Red. I do not claim ownership to any of these characters and have written this fan fiction for entertainment, not financial gain.

Prompt: Send me a ship and one of these and i’ll write a mini fic. (19) things you said when we were the happiest we ever were

L.M. Montgomery - ‘Anne of Avonlea’: “After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”

The bright grape-vines stood proudly above their heads, their stalks and leaves rustling in the gentle summer breeze like wind-chimes. Hidden amongst them only the sky was in view, clear and calming, no hint of rain or harsh winds written upon it. It would be hard to get used to the unforgiving weather of the north again, though she saw no reason why she’d ever have to. Other than the occasional trip, for pleasure or for business, Yennefer was content to stay well within the borders of Toussaint. She’d never have thought to find peace here, amongst the fairies and all this colour, and even now it was hard to accept that this was her lot in life. Perhaps she’d been a fool for laughing at the notion of a 'happily ever after’, but she’d learned her lesson now. After all, she was living it.

The fertile soil beneath the picnic blanket was dark and soft, having seen plenty of rain this growing season, most of it unnatural, of course. Retirement hadn’t made her any less competitive, nor would it. She reached just above ahead, pulling free a small bundle of grapes so fat that it seemed the slightest pressure threatened to burst them. The juice inside oozed over her tongue as she bit into the small berry, and she let the taste linger in her mouth before swallowing. Before Toussaint she’d never had much fondness for sweet fruit, preferring rather the slight bitterness of apples or oranges. But such things were not common in the south and her food-palate had to adapt.

On the other hand, Geralt had always had something of a sweet tooth and faced no problems tackling the mounds of sugar in many of Toussaint’s delicacies. Ciri was much the same in that regard, not that the young woman needed any more energy. Today was the first time in almost a week that Yennefer had managed to get her to sit still for more than a few, brief moments. Life in Vizima didn’t provide much of an opportunity for Ciri to stretch her legs, though Emhyr was willing to allow her to practice her sword skills, though she doubted he truly had any say in the matter.

Yennefer sat in silence savouring her wine, watching and listening to Geralt and Ciri as they talked freely within the forest of vines. She wanted to recall this day and hoped there would be many more like it to come. With Thanedd, Rivia and then the Hunt, they’d never had many moments like these. Time spent together free of outside worries and burdens, a chance to believe they were a normal family and that nothing was hiding behind the next corner.

She laughed softly with the others as Ciri concluded a story about her latest faux-pas in court; another trait she appeared to share with their clueless Witcher, though Yennefer hoped she’d be willing to change that, unlike him. They were both looking at her now, wide smiles painted on their faces. It was a shame that they looked so unfamiliar like this, too often had she seen weary faces in their place, as they likely saw in her case.

“Yen, is something wrong?” Geralt asked quietly, the edges of his grin drooping. Yennefer cursed herself for letting her mind wander as it had, too often did it stray backwards rather than staying close by her side. It had gotten better over time, but century-old habits didn’t just go away overnight.

“I’m fine, Geralt” replied the Sorceress, and she meant it. “You needn’t spoil your handsome looks with that frown.” The Witcher didn’t appear willing to obey at first, but kiss she left on his cheek quickly set things straight. He chided Ciri lightly as she rolled her eyes at them and it seemed as though the small tare she’d caused in the atmosphere had been easily mended. But something sat uneasily with her, and she felt an obligation to say more, a sensation Yennefer rarely experienced. “I was simply thinking, it happens to most of us every now and then, as you might be aware.”

“I’ve heard of it,” Geralt chimed in. He closed his mouth quickly when the Sorceress narrowed her eyes very slightly, but enough for the Witcher to plainly see.

She let the pause go on for a few seconds until continuing, hoping the moment was still there. “It’s been a long journey, one spanning a century…” at least for me, she thought, the words unspoken. Even if she were to stand at the edge of time, Yennefer couldn’t believe she’d find it any easier to admit how far she’d come. Such a statement called for a comparison and a view of things that she’d rather stayed buried. The mere thought of her skeletons made the Yennefer flinch when Geralt touched her hand. She felt an uncomfortable tingle run down her spine and over face, but it was quick to disappear and fade into memory.

The tips of Geralt’s fingers were pressed lightly against her wrist and she wondered if he could feel the invisible line marking them. If he had, he’d never mentioned and she was grateful for it. Unlike many others, he and Ciri respected her privacy. Though it had taken them some time to understand, they’d accepted the burden admirably, one she thought none would be willing to bare. A small gesture for some, perhaps, but to her… She never believed it possible.

Yennefer looked at them both sitting there, granting her patience that could span years if she needed it to. Today, however, she needn’t test it. “I’m grateful to still be here, and lucky to…more than you could imagine.”

Whether it was because they couldn’t find the words to say or knew that they weren’t needed here, she couldn’t tell, but she trusted more in the latter. Yennefer tried valiantly not to spill wine all over them as Geralt and Ciri sandwiched her between them, enveloping her in a sprawling hug. She couldn’t spare the time to be angry, as they stained the blanket and creased her dress, not even a second. It wasn’t worth it. Instead, she smiled and laughed along with them without a care in the world. It felt better than she’d thought possible.

There goes another prompt released into the wild from the confines of my inbox! Hurray! Hopefully, his friends will all be able to join by the end of the summer (maybe).

Thank you to Feelfreeimdone (Tumblr) for this prompt, felt good to write something fluffy, hope you enjoy :) Also, to anyone who doesn’t follow my on twitter/tumblr, I’ve posted some original stories (a short story and poem) on my Tumblr if you fancy taking a read Xx

[lizzybeth1986]

Quick Thoughts on Book 3, Chapter 14

• Apologies for the delay, guys. Still recovering.

• It's time for our Ball! YAY.

• ...and for Hana's parents. Not so yay.

• Every LI in the group has at least one not-very-ideal parent. For Liam and Maxwell it's their dads (though Bartalemy seems to be the best of the four) and for Drake and Hana it's their mums.

• Title: Welcome, One and All!

• Alternate Titles should include This Chapter Is Brought To You By Jeffery.

• For those who don't remember the TRR pre-release interviews, Jeffery is the dude who loves hats:

I'm pretty sure this chapter is his baby.

• So technically Xinghai and Lorelai have not kept in touch with Hana since her fight with Xinghai in Shanghai (that rhymes). There is a hint that she might have tried to reach out to them before the tour if you were getting engaged to her (she asks Ana de Luca to send the copies of her shoot to an address, which I presume was her home in Shanghai).

•

You bet I slammed that last option.

• There's also not a lot of difference in this scene between the Hana playthrough and the non-Hana one, and there should have been. The dynamics of this discussion will - should - be different if you're Hana's fiancée. They have Lorelai and Hana's dialogues change if you're marrying her at the end, but technically that's unavoidable. There should have been an obvious difference in dialogue here as well.

• Bertrand has returned. Again.

• AND HE'S LATE. Apparently because his son needs to be coached on proper cutlery placement through the babysitter.

• We have a brief tete-a-tete about Savannah and Bartie before moving on to our OOTD:

Tbh I think I'm okay with both. I had my reservations about the neck but I also like capes so I will take it. The traditional dove one makes you look like Red Riding Hood.

If you choose the phoenix gown, you also get to don a humongous hat, and you get the option to take it off anytime.

Esther loves hats. She's a happy happy camper xD She may not have said those 'fancy hat's comments to Regina in Book 1 but you bet she was thinking them! So Esther - and I as Esther's creator - feel validated and vindicated and all other sorts of v words 😄

• Also yes, Esther, I'm pretty sure that hat ate every other hat in Cordonia before making its way to your head.

• It's now time for our Ball, and our LIs are waiting for us to make our entrance. Liam calls you 'a heroine of myth and song', Maxwell tells you you're 'on fire', Drake asks him if you're trying to give him a heart attack, and Hana settles for a very simple 'you look gorgeous'.

• Okay yadda yadda announcements, yadda yadda speech, yadda yadda complimentes from guests esp if you chose the phoenix decor, yadda accolades all around.

• Basically the main conversations taking place at the Ball are with Madeleine, Kiara, Regina, Mara and Olivia.

- Madeleine: Mainly to close the main loop of Madeleine's role as press secretary. The previous conversation with Liam/Drake at the Lythikos Ball is implied when you choose to call her a snake, even though she sees that as a compliment.

- Kiara: You get to either call her brave, or to ask her about her well-being. Thankfully, she is able to at least sleep at night now. They're definitely wrapping up Kiara's story here. Which is okay, I'm pretty certain it wasn't meant to be manifested in the first place and I suppose I'm expected to be grateful she got some attention. But I won't be, because she deserved this - and perhaps better. I couldn't care less for her brother and would rather not see him again but at least they had the decency to wrap up her storyline first this time rather than ignore it in favour of him completely.

- One of my favourite sequences is the one with Regina. She's clearly affected by Constantine's death and still hasn't recovered enough to get used to the idea of attending a Ball without his presence yet. But you also see her struggling with the stoicism she's been brought up on, and chastising herself because she can't. You have the choice of either asking her what Constantine would have told her if he were alive (like hell I'll choose that option!) or telling her she should allow herself to grieve. I thought her parting words in this conversation were beautiful.

- Mara: From Mara we learn that the Nevrakis family had connections with the Sons of Earth, and that in fact Anton is the son of the leader of that group. I've seen some interesting theories around this, one of which is (I believe this one is @alicars theory) that he is Francesco's son. Which...would make that first meeting in Italy quite interesting, as well as the reveal that Francesco was friends with Liam's mother. Will Liam's mother's background be brought up in future chapters??

- Olivia: So this is what all our efforts to win Olivia over culminates into! I have such Diavolos vibes with this scene (not the betrayal bit, but the winning their trust bit. Olivia I think sticks by Liam's side whether she likes you or not), because if you look at the TCaTF ally chart in Book 3, Diavolos' name is the last on the list of people to join you, even though he has spent time with you as an ally and been part of the rescue mission to save Mind Control!Dom. In a lot of ways, while Olivia has a huge connection to Liam and becomes your ally on that score, it requires effort and some ice-breaking to get her to fully support you.

• Say hello to my new pets y'all!

As of now Esther has a horse named Celestia, a corgi names Joy, a visiting hawk named Tiberius, a black panther named Cava and two red pandas she has named Hansel and Gretel.

• I wonder if you have the ensuing group scene if you don't choose to accept the red pandas (I'd see for myself but the red pandas have really adorable sad faces).

• The group scene is alright, it's a lot like the one in Shanghai with the pandas. Liam is adorable and holds them like a pro, Maxwell is super super SUPER excited, Hana is shocked by their lack of manners (Hana they're animals!) in comparison to pandas and Drake is a mean meanie. You have Zeke on the side giving us factual animal info.

• We're now back at the estate, and Hana's folks have arrived.

• TO TAKE HANA BACK???

• Hana puts up a good fight against her mum (let's be honest, Xinghai hardly seems to have a say in this. He looks sad about this and barely gets in a sentence. This show is all Lorelai's), and refuses to come with them, at which point Lorelai insists on taking her belongings away since they belong to the Lee family, and she isn't a Lee anymore.

• You know what I want Hana to say?

"FINE KEEP THE CRUMMY LUGGAGE MOM LETS SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE ANOTHER WHOLEASS CHILD OUT OF THAT"

• Please tell me she gets to kick Lorelai's ass this chapter. Please.

• So the Ball and festival will continue this chapter, and I'm guessing that any drama might happen later on in the Capitol if we go by the trajectory of the previous books. The places most closely connected to the MC - Ramsford, New York, Valtoria - are usually where you forget briefly the tension in the books, before being plunged into complete and total chaos.

• I still think there's a LOT we have left to find out. A LOT.

• There is a possibility that Hana will get a diamond scene post her confrontation with her parents. And as far as I can see it, this is the culmination of her entire journey, her entire struggle. This is the last shot the writers have at doing justice to her character, and giving her a good scene. If Hana doesn't get an extremely fulfilling, nuanced scene - one that has a marked difference between her as a fiancee and her as a friend - then I doubt she will get another one. They will have lost their chance to be fair to this character.

• And if they fail to do justice to this character...I'm afraid that will be the end for me. I may be chapter reviews and essays, I may still write stuff inspired by this book...but whatever love I still have for TRR will be lost for good.

• Because you know what you're telling me, a brown woman with an upbringing not entirely unlike Hana's? Who loves this character and has to now try to relate to her because her own writers didn't give me enough material? You're telling me that you don't think stories like Hana's - stories like mine - are worth attention, worth nuance, worth telling properly, worth telling with heart. You're telling me women like Hana are alright as tokens, but not important enough as characters. You're telling me you want the accolades that go with using women of colour in your stories, but don't want to put in the work. In fact...you're already telling me that. You've been telling me that for the last two books.

• I'm sincerely hoping this will change with the chapter I will play now, and that I and other Hana stans don't walk away from this chapter disappointed. I really, really do. It won't completely make up for the lack of care they have given this character...but it will be SOMETHING.

• With that, I'm going to go into this week's chapter, folks. Seeya!