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acacia-may · 2 years ago

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A Family Where There Once Was None

Description: In the future, the Black Bulls gather together at the beach with their families causing Asta to reflect on his life’s journey and the family he found along the way.

Rating: G

Warnings: Mentions Pregnancy, A character accidentally gets hit in the head

Fandom: Black Clover

Genre: Black Bulls Squad as Family; Domestic Fluff

Relationships: The Black Bulls Squad as Family is main focus. There is some Asta/Noelle, and Asta, Noelle & Their Children. There are a few hints at Grey/Gauche and Rill/Charmy. (Henry/My OC is also briefly mentioned). The rest is left intentionally ambiguous so choose your own adventure.

Characters: Asta (POV Character), Noelle Silva, Liebe, Charmy Pappitson, Vanessa Enoteca, Finral Roulacase, Finesse Calmreich, Yami Sukehiro, Zora Ideale, Nacht Faust, Gauche Adlai, Grey, The Black Bulls Family, Lorelei (Swallow) Legolant (OC), and the Children: (Katsu, Marceline, Tirion, Lia, Kalon, Narah, Asa, Toshi, Mira, Summer, Daphne, Rye, Anni, Altan, Licita, and Kai).

Word Count: 4905

Link to original post on AO3. Please do not repost to another site.

This story was written for Black Bulls Month Day 3: Found Family. I checked with the organiser and got the greenlight for this idea so hopefully what I've written still fits the prompt. I honestly can't believe I actually got this finished in time! 😅

Story Below the Cut! Thank you for reading!

“Dad! Dad! Come see my sandcastle!” Licita’s bare feet made a trail of excited footprints as she ran straight for Asta. Beaming, he scooped his daughter up in his arms causing her to giggle before she grabbed his hand and dragged him off towards the town of sandcastles she and several of her Black Bulls cousins had been building with their Uncle Rill. Judging by the ice cream smeared all over her face, Rill’s daughter Anni had seemingly been distracted from her own sandcastle by snacks leaving her dad to finish it on his own—not that he seemed to mind much since he didn’t even notice Asta wave at him as he walked by. Captain Yami’s son, Katsu, and Lia Roulacase seemed to be equally caught up in their work and, if Asta had to guess, some sort of competition to see whose sandcastle would be the biggest—though they did both find the time to quickly wave back at him. On the other side of their sandcastles, Liebe, in what Noelle affectionately referred to as his “cutesy form,” was smoothing the wall of a much smaller and less elaborate structure.

“This one is mine,” said Licita excitedly—her little blonde pigtails bobbing as she talked.

Asta beamed at her. “It’s beautiful!”

“I’ll show you around, Dad!” Licita’s eyes sparkled with pride as she dragged Asta around the sand structure. She pointed to a cluster of shells stuck into one of the mounds of sand. “That’s the door. Narah helped me find seashells to make it. Narah didn’t make a sandcastle, but she was helping build mine before she went to get more seashells.”

Asta’s smile widened. Narah Roulacase had inherited her father’s kind heart and had always been particularly attached to Licita seeing her more as a little sister than just a little cousin. “That’s really nice of her.”

“Narah is really nice. I like her a lot. I like all my cousins!” Licita prattled excitedly with a smile that seemed to fill her tiny face. “Did you see Lia and Katsu’s sandcastles? They’re really big!”

“Yes, I saw them when we came over,” chuckled Asta. “But your sandcastle is really big too, Licita, and I love all the windows!”

“Uncle Liebe made those. I’m making this sandcastle for him to stay in, and I want to be big enough. Can you help us, Dad?”

“Sure,” said Asta as he reached for a nearby shovel. He couldn’t help but chuckle a little as he glanced over at Liebe who had returned to work—carving another window in the sand. Asta knew that if he had even jokingly suggested making a sandcastle for Liebe, Liebe probably would’ve crossed his arms and scowled at him, but he had such a soft spot for his niece that these days he could be caught building sandcastles, having tea parties, playing dress up, and doing a wide variety of other things, Asta could have never imagined Liebe doing before Licita was born. Asta wondered if it was perhaps how much his daughter took after him and her namesake that caused Liebe to be so attached to her or perhaps it was all the ways she was like Noelle—her smile, the way her nose wrinkled when she laughed, how her shoulders stiffened and she fidgeted when she was nervous. Liebe and Noelle had bonded so much over the years, and she had once confided in him that Liebe, despite only being her brother-in-law, felt as much like her brother as Nozel, possibly even more so.

At the thought of his brother-in-law, Asta glanced towards the ocean where Nozel was standing at the water’s edge holding onto the hands of his young daughter, Acier, who giggled as the water crashed against her feet in tiny little waves. It had been Asta’s idea to invite him and his family along with them to Racque—after talking it over with Noelle, of course—and he liked to think Nozel was grateful to be there, even if he did look a bit exhausted, probably from chasing his twin boys up and down the beach earlier.

Asta was at least pleased to see that he looked happier to be there than Langris, who Finral had invited along for, Asta presumed, much the same reason that he and Noelle had invited Nozel and who had unfortunately, despite ample amounts of sunscreen, gotten horribly burned on their first day. Asta chuckled a bit to himself remembering how Vanessa had teased him for looking like a beached lobster at dinner the previous evening, but immediately felt sorry for it. Despite still being a bit red, Langris seemed to be doing alright now—collecting seashells with his son and his niece not a few yards away from the sandcastle village. Asta wondered if Narah was collecting seashells for her older sister’s sandcastle too or just Licita’s.

It warmed Asta’s heart to see everyone together again. He was sure that most of his former squad mates must have felt the same way since they had all jumped at Vanessa’s idea for everyone to meet at the beach in Racque that summer. Asta and Noelle had been some of the first to commit to the idea and had been planning the trip for months. Of course, that had been before Noelle had found out she was expecting their third child—or the ’tie breaker’ as Luck liked to refer to the baby—and despite Asta’s reassurances that they wouldn’t have to go if it was going to be too much for her, his wife, in that strong, determined way of hers, had insisted that they keep their vacation plans. She had already had two children, she had reasoned, so she knew what she was dealing with, and Asta trusted her judgment. Still, that didn’t change the fact that he was a bit worried about her being in the heat and bright sun for so long when she was so heavily pregnant. He was sure he wasn’t alone in this type of concern seeing as he and Noelle weren’t the only ones expecting—even if their baby was due the soonest.

Asta glanced over at the cabana Henry had set up which Zora had nicknamed “the nest” with a sort of affection on account of all the new or expectant mothers congregating there. Noelle was lounging there now, positively in stitches over Henry’s wife, Lorelei, balancing a tower of seashells on the wide curve of her abdomen. She was due a month after Noelle and had recently knitted a set of matching booties for her baby and theirs since she was determined that they should grow up to be friends. Finesse, who was giggling behind her hand, had also been given a set of booties as she was due nearly two months later and was sporting quite the bump of her own which was a source of much stress, worry, and fussing for everyone, her husband and brother-in-law especially, given her often delicate health. Not an hour ago, Vanessa had told them all to calm down and stop worrying for what had to be the fifteenth time that day, but she too had been keeping a watchful eye on her. She had been looking out for Lorelei and Noelle too, which Asta appreciated. He was sure that Henry did as well especially while his attention was focused on watching his boys splashing around in the shallow water.

It seemed that Vanessa’s strong maternal streak, which Asta had always admired, had only intensified when she had children. Even now, she was helping Charmy pass out water and snacks to the other ladies despite the fact that she could probably benefit from some rest and relaxation of her own considering the fact that she too was, as she called it, “unexpectedly expecting” and seemed to be at that uncomfortably round stage of pregnancy, though she swore she wasn’t nearly as far along as she looked. Still her little one would be also arriving this year along with the rest of the new Black Bulls cousins, and her baby’s matching set of Lorelei’s booties appeared to still be a work in progress—attached to some temporarily forgotten knitting needles. It brought the brightest smile to Asta’s face. He couldn’t wait for all the children to get to grow up together.

He was also glad to see Noelle in such bright spirits, despite being a little bit squished given the wide curve in her belly and the two little boys who were currently leaning on her like a pillow that is. Almos Silva, the elder of Nozel’s twins whom Asta had affectionately nicknamed ‘Al’ much to his father’s chagrin when the nickname had stuck, was particularly fond of his Aunt Noelle and had fallen asleep leaning against her side at nearly every family gathering Asta could think of. This time, however, he had company, as Kai, Asta and Noelle’s two-year-old son, had curled up next to his mother and fallen asleep on her other side with a half-eaten and now melting popsicle in his hand. Asta couldn’t help but laugh a bit as he watched Noelle chuckle at her attempts to fan herself without upsetting her sleeping son and nephew.

His laughter must’ve startled her as she turned towards him with a slight shrug and playful roll of her eyes. Asta beamed at her before turning back to his daughter.

“I’m going to check on your mom real quick. I’ll be right back.”

Licita smiled and nodded. “Tell her about my sandcastle, okay?”

Asta beamed and nodded at her before making his way towards Noelle. Even by the time, he had walked over to the umbrella, Charmy and Vanessa were still busy handing out large glasses of water with festive umbrella straws to the group.

“Here,” Charmy said handing him one. “Drink up. We don’t want anybody getting dehydrated. Take Noelle’s too.”

“Thanks, Charmy!” said Asta as she handed him another cup with a different coloured straw, before she turned to Grey whose hands were currently full, rocking her daughter, Mira, to sleep. Amira Adlai was the first girl in a long line of boys and a generally fussy baby, but she looked so peaceful now as she slept. Charmy gave Grey an understanding nod and thoughtfully placed her cup next to her on a small folding table as Asta took a seat next to his wife and sleeping son and nephew.

He rubbed her back gently with his free hand. “You doing okay, Noelle? Do you want to go back to the hotel and rest?”

“I’m fine,” she assured him with a slight smile.

“At least let me take, Kai,” he said reaching out to scoop up his son. Kai stirred but quickly nestled into Asta’s shoulder and drifted back off to sleep. “Well, someone needs a nap,” Asta chuckled affectionately ruffling his fingers gently through his son’s silvery hair.

Asta thought Kai must be exhausted from playing around in the water with him and his uncles. Though Asta had ducked out about an hour ago, from what he could tell, Magna and Luck were still engaged in an intense splash fight with several nieces and nephews, and every few minutes or so, “Asa, stop turning into me!” or “Kalon, get down from there!” would echo across the beach followed by Asa Adlai, transformed into one of the Silvas, giggling at having drenched Uncle Magna again with borrowed water magic, Rye Boismortier complaining that he was starving before painting up a popsicle or an ice cream cone for himself, or little Summer Legolant running up the beach hand and hand with Daphne Agrippa excitedly exclaiming that she had found yet another hermit crab for the growing collection of “friends” that Gordon was keeping a watchful eye on in a nearby tide pool. In other words, the same kind of fun chaos the Black Bulls had enjoyed back in the day—just with a few more, younger members. That reminded him…

“Oh, Licita wanted me to tell you that she’s building a sandcastle for Liebe. I think she wants you to come see it when she’s done. As long as you’re up for it.”

Noelle tilted her head at him with an almost bantering exasperation. “Bakasta…”

Asta’s mouth twitched into a smile at the nickname which his wife only used in an affectionate and, generally, playfully annoyed way these days. “Sorry. I know. I just want to make sure you and the baby are okay,” he said as he pressed his hand to her stomach.

“Don’t worry. We’re taking good care of her,” reassured Vanessa with a kind smile. “And I swear Nozel has been over here every five minutes to make sure she’s drinking enough water.”

Noelle rolled her eyes and sighed. Asta knew that her only reservation about inviting Nozel along was that he would probably be fussing over her constantly, and, naturally, being Nozel, he was. “I told him I’m fine,” she huffed. “He’s such a worrier.”

“I think that it’s sweet that he cares about you so much,” said Finesse in her soft and gentle way.

Vanessa laughed. “Of course, you would say that,” she teased, and a pale rose filled Finesse’s cheeks.

“I like when he brings his daughter over. She’s so cute,” gushed Charmy. “All those Silva babies with their big, pretty eyes!” She turned to Noelle and Asta with a bright smile. “Who do you think this one will take after?”

Asta and Noelle looked at each other thoughtfully. Their third little one was a tie breaker in this way as well since Licita looked more like Asta and Kai looked more like Noelle. He shrugged. “Dunno. What do you think, Noelle?”

Noelle’s brow furrowed. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see…” she conceded with a sigh.

“Just don’t mention it around Zora or Magna or they’ll start a betting pool again,” joked Vanessa with a wink.

“Where is Zora anyway?” asked Charmy.

“He said something about going with Finral to go pick up some watermelon,” replied Vanessa with a shrug.

Charmy frowned. “We have enough food already.”

“I think it’s for a game,” chimed Grey quietly enough that she wouldn’t wake the sleeping baby.

As if on cue, Finral and Zora suddenly appeared through a shimmery portal.

“Hey, we got watermelon!” Zora yelled at the chaotic group of kids still playing in the water with Luck and Magna. Finral, however, turned to the cabana with a weary sigh.

“Sorry about that. Did we miss anything?” Everyone seated under the cabana shook their heads. “Good. Zora was very insistent about getting everyone together for some watermelon splitting but couldn’t find any watermelon so I told him I’d portal him to the market to pick some up. He’s a very slow shopper though…”

“He was probably just stalling so he could get a break from all the chaos around here,” laughed Vanessa.

Finral shrugged but chuckled, “Yeah probably. I think he picked up every single watermelon they had, and—” He paused holding up a hand to the group. “Hold on just a second…”

In an instant, he had pulled his son, Kalon, gently through a portal. Kalon’s brow furrowed confusedly, but he beamed at him. “Thanks, Dad!”

“Please be careful, Kalon. How did you even get up there?”

Kalon, however, didn’t seem to hear him as his attention had turned to Asta and Noelle. “Oh hi, Uncle Asta. You and Aunt Noelle are still married right?”

“What?” Noelle’s confused exclamation caused her sleeping son and nephew to stir, but they swiftly drifted back off again as Asta double-checked that ring on his left hand, just to be sure.

“Yeah, we’re still married and very happy.”

“Oh good! I’m glad!” Kalon’s smile widened, and he turned to glance over his shoulder exclaiming, “Tirion, don’t worry! Uncle Asta and Aunt Noelle are still married so it’s okay!”

Reaching the edge of the cabana after, Asta presumed, running after Kalon, a particularly flushed Tirion ran a hand through his already messy pink hair before rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “Thank goodness. I was really worried for a minute,” he sighed in relief before being pulled into a hug by his mother, Vanessa. It seemed to visibly calm him, and his face softened to a gentle smile.

“Kalon, what did you do?” asked Noelle with a stern but affectionate sigh.

“Nothing,” he insisted before he noticed his father’s pointed tilt of his head at him and fidgeted a little. “Well not nothing, but nothing bad…”

“Kalon, we talked about this, remember?” Finral said—his voice kind but a bit weary. “No time traveling when we’re on vacation.”

“Sorry, Dad. It was an accident. But don’t worry, I didn’t break any of the rules on the list—I don’t think but I don’t know because I didn’t have it with me because I didn’t want it to get wet and I’m not supposed to time travel on vacation.” Kalon nodded empathically with a bright, cheerful smile. “I was just checking with Uncle Asta to be sure, and everything is okay. I don’t think anything could break up Uncle Asta and Aunt Noelle. Young Aunt Noelle really, really likes him. I can tell.”

Asta stifled a bit of chuckle at the faint blush of pink that filled Noelle’s cheeks even after all these years.

“I’m sure, your Uncle Asta really liked her too,” suggested Finral, and Kalon nodded.

“He’s just more sneaky about it.”

Vanessa and Charmy could scarcely contain their laughter, and even Grey chuckled quietly to herself, always careful of the sleeping baby in her arms. Noelle glared at them with an almost playful roll-of-her eyes, though she did give a genuinely grateful nod to Finesse who was kind enough not to have laughed though she gave Kalon a gentle smile and pat on the head.

“Please be careful, Kalon,” she said, and Kalon nodded.

“I will—Ooh popsicles! Can I have one Aunt Charmy?”

Charmy shrugged but motioned to one of her sheep to bring Kalon a popsicle. “Do you want one tool, Tirion?” she asked. He smiled and nodded.

“Yes, please.”

When Kalon and Tirion had both run off with their popsicles, Finral wearily took a seat in an empty chair next to Grey and turned apologetically to Asta and Noelle. “Sorry about that. He’s still learning how to use his magic. I don’t think he has messed anything up too badly yet…” His voice trailed as his brow furrowed. “But I guess we wouldn’t really know if he had, right? Since the future would be different…?” He rubbed his temples. “I don’t know…”

Asta shrugged. He didn’t know either and thinking about it too much made his head hurt, but he smiled and reassured Finral, “Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s fine. Besides Noelle and I are pretty solid”—he smiled brightly at his wife—“I don’t think he could break us up.”

“You should worry more about your own relationship” said Noelle with a frown. “If he messes that up, he'll make himself not exist.”

Finral sighed. “That’s what keeps me up at night…”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” chimed Charmy with a shake of her head. “If she was going to settle for you once, she’d definitely do it again.”

Noelle snorted a laugh, and Finesse gasped, covering her mouth with her hand while Vanessa scolded, “Charmy!” She huffed but rolled her eyes with an almost playful affection before turning to Finral, “Don’t listen to her. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“And you should take advantage of the time you have to catch up on some sleep,” teased Lorelei Legolant. “You’ll have a baby keeping you up all night pretty soon.”

“The baby’s keeping me up now,” sighed Finral wearily, running his hand through his hair. “Not to mention all the nieces and nephews…”

“I wish you wouldn’t worry so much, especially about us,” Finesse said.

Vanessa comfortingly patted his arm. “You worry too much. It’s not going to help and will only end up hurting you, you know? You’re going to make yourself sick.”

“I know. But really—how are all of you? Can I get anyone anything? Noelle is there—?”

“Asta is taking very good care of Noelle and he and Nozel have cornered the market on worrying about her,” interrupted Vanessa. “Honestly, they’re about as fussy over her as you and Langris are over Finesse.”

Finral sighed. “I really am sorry about that…”

“Here, sit down and drink this,” said Charmy, handing him some water with a colorful straw. “You look awful.”

“Thanks Charmy,” he muttered sarcastically before running his hand through his hair.

“You look tired,” Vanessa corrected. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

Finral sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with a yawn. “Around 2:30, Kalon completely kicked me out of bed—literally. I couldn’t get back to sleep after that.”

“It’s probably karma,” quipped Charmy.

Vanessa rolled her eyes before she patted Finral’s back. “Maybe you should go take a nap. There’s plenty of adults around to keep an eye on the kids.”

“I don’t need—” His protest was cut off by a yawn, and Vanessa blinked at him.

“Please, Finral,” sighed Finesse, and he shrugged his shoulders and conceded.

“Alright, but only if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble.”

With a smile, Vanessa waved her hand at him. “We’ve got this. I mean, we’ve been here all day without any emergencies or injuries.”

“You jinxed it, Vanessa!” huffed Noelle as their long-retired captain made his way up the beach holding his crying daughter, Marceline.

“Charmy, you got any ice back there?” he called as he neared the cabana.

“What happened to her?” asked Noelle in concern, gasping, Asta could only presume at the big, purple bump on her forehead.

“Toshi accidentally hit her in the head when he was trying to split the watermelon.”

Sure enough, there was Gauche running up to the cabana holding a shaking, rattling teacup and saucer which Asta supposed would probably seem very odd to anyone who didn’t know that Toshi Adlai had a bad habit of turning into inanimate objects whenever he got stressed or upset. “Is Marceline okay?” asked Gauche, handing Grey the tea cup as she handed him baby Mira in exchange.

“She’ll be fine,” grunted Yami, taking a towel and a block of ice from Charmy and pressing it to his daughter’s forehead. He turned to Marceline who stared at him with teary blue eyes. “You’re okay,” he reassured her. Marceline sniffled but nodded.

“Is Toshi okay?” asked Asta turning to Grey who shrugged her shoulders as the teacup rattled in her hands.

“Everyone knows it was an accident,” said Gauche shaking his head as he rocked the baby. “You don’t have to get all upset about it.”

“I didn’t…mean to…Dad…” cried a particularly weepy Toshi Adlai as he transformed back into a little boy caught in a hug by his mother. “Marceline, I’m so sorry!”

Crossing her tiny arms, Marceline wrinkled her nose and frowned at him. “You’re a moron.”

Most of Asta’s companions began to stifle laughs, and even the former Captain Yami struggled to hold back a grin as he grunted, “That wasn’t nice.”

“But you say it all the time, Dad…” Marceline argued causing most of her aunts and uncles to burst out laughing. Before Yami could scramble to salvage the situation, Toshi started to cry harder.

“No. No, Toshi, it’s okay,” soothed Grey patting his head comfortingly, before he turned into a butter dish. “Gauche!” she called turning to her husband in concern.

Gauche, however, just let out a long weary sigh. “Just leave him. He’ll be fine.”

“Is Marceline, okay?” interjected Nacht as he appeared in the doorway to the cabana with Zora who practically beamed as he turned to Gauche.

“Your son’s got one hell of an arm.”

“Swear jar.” Nacht frowned, holding up the colorfully decorated swear jar Gordon had made. Huffing, Zora dug through his pocket for some spare Yul and dropped two coins into the jar. Despite this only being the second day of their trip, it sounded pretty full to Asta.

“What are we going to do with the swear jar money when it’s full?” asked Zora with a bitter shake of his head.

“We could buy a cake,” Charmy suggested.

Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “It’s supposed to be a punishment.”

“Okay well, you can buy me a cake and watch me eat it.” Charmy hummed thoughtfully, and Noelle huffed.

“What if we gave it to charity?” asked Asta. “To an orphanage maybe?”

“Good idea, Asta.” Finral smiled at him but yawned and tiredly rubbed his eyes. “Sorry…”

“You still need that nap,” said Vanessa with a light, good-natured chuckle.

Finral sighed. “Eh, I’ll sleep when the kids are grown up and out of the house.”

“That’s gonna be awhile,” said Yami dryly as Charmy and Zora didn’t even try to hide her snickering. Before anyone could protest, however, Licita came running up the beach with a somewhat panicked Liebe in tow, now at his full height trying to catch up with her

“Mama! Mama! Mama!” she yelled, excitedly grabbing Noelle’s hand and pulling her towards the door. “My sandcastle is done! Come see! Come see!”

“Okay. Okay. Just a second,” said Noelle with a smile. Asta knew that Noelle would have probably been the first to admit it was getting harder and harder for her to get around quickly now that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy so he offered her his arm. “Thanks,” she mumbled as she stood up from her seat with a glance towards Al to see if she had accidentally woken him. Asta stifled a chuckle. His nephew really could sleep through anything and had barely stirred despite all the commotion. Kai, however, was beginning to fidget and yawned before Asta laid him down on the chair and Noelle tucked him in gently with a nearby beach towel asking if their friends wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on him for a minute.

With Asta’s hand in one hand and Noelle’s in the other, Licita led her mother and father towards the sandcastle village. Katsu and Lia were still hard at work on theirs, and Anni and Rill appeared to be making a moat or trench of some kind.

“This is mine, Mama!” said Licita triumphantly as she began pointing out her sandcastle. “It’s really for Uncle Liebe, but it has rooms for everybody! You and Dad and me and Kai, but all the aunts and uncles too and the cousins can all play together right here.” She pointed to one of the mounds of sand. “And there’s a big kitchen for Aunt Charmy and Anni and Rye, and this is where Uncle Gordon and Uncle Gauche and Aunt Nene can show me and Narah and Genevieve how to do crafts. And over here we can play hide and seek with Toshi and Kalon and Summer and Uncle Finral and Aunt Grey. And there’s lots of shelves with books for Uncle Nozel to read to me and Al and Adler and Acier. And there’s a really big yard where Uncle Magna and Uncle Luck and Uncle Zora can show us how to play really fun games. And here’s a fireplace where Uncle Yami can tell us all stories if Katsu and Hana and Marceline ask him to. It’s big enough for the whole family! Do you like it?” Licita turned back towards them with the brightest, beaming smile, but her little brow furrowed as she tilted her head in concern. “What’s the matter, Mama?”

Asta turned to Noelle to find her wiping glistening tears from the corners of her eyes. She sniffled but reassured Licita, “Nothing. It’s okay. I’m just”—her face softened into a gentle smile—“really happy.” Asta took her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. He knew without the look she gave him that the tears were mainly a result of the pregnancy wreaking havoc on her mood, but he also knew what it meant to her to see their daughter’s sandcastle, thoughtfully made big enough for her whole family, a family that, at Licita’s age, Noelle could have only dreamed of. How much it meant to her to know that Licita would get to grow up surrounded by a whole group of people who loved her and would have everything that Noelle never got to have before joining up with the Black Bulls.

“I love it!” said Noelle as she scooped up a giggling Licita in her arms.

“Do you want to help me build more of it, Mama?”

Noelle beamed at her. “Of course. Maybe a nice nest for your Aunt Secre, hm?”

As Licita cheerfully prattled about Aunt Secre’s nest, Asta watched as Noelle glanced from the sandcastle, to the cabana filled with cheerful chattering and laughter of their former squad mates, to all of the happy children, their beloved nieces and nephews, running up the beach or splashing around in the water. She smiled, and as she turned to look at him now, no words were needed. He understood—knew Noelle must feel it too, that warm, safe feeling as if everything that had come before, all the sadness, loneliness and pain of the past was just a distant memory now. They were finally home.

#blackbullsmonth2023 #the black bulls as family #black clover fanfiction #just happy to have actually managed to finish this on time #astelle #greyche #rillmy

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kaiju-z · 5 years ago

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Seon Adventures Episode 22: Reunions In The Big City

So it’s been a couple of months. We went on a bit of a hiatus, we did o w o;;;

But we had our 22nd session this Wednesday, so we good~!

The night of the inter-party drama goes a bit smoother than the day. With Malak taking to his room, Luctan sitting against the door to keep company, Amelia travels the town to gather flowers from a kindly gnomish lady named Daffine. She takes a suspicious amount of them, all in good nature as the transaction occurs.

“Quite the bunch, you’re running me out of stock here!”

As the Narahs travel ever the closer to Crystalgate, singing along the way and attracting a crowd, much like in a musical and much to FIcus’ dismay, Mournimar watches from a window, with his dear companion Morgan as Nelatha sneaks her way home.

Luctan, unaware whether Malak is awake or not, talks still, in a Frozen fashion, about the events that transpired that day. He apologizes for the party’s dynamic and makes it clear that he holds no ill will towards the cleric for placing him in a Hold Person spell. He even shares the woes of this happening to him in the past.

The disguised tiefling, who surprisingly would get joined by Archie, who somehow, some way, found Luctan at the Temple, would continue talking about the complications of the lives they live from his youthful perspective. Already soured by his own experiences in the material plane, but keeping that knowledge to himself. As he only knows Malak for aproximately 3 days.

As he tries to express his perspective on morality, given the situation with the old woman from earlier, Mournimar meets up with Nel, downstairs.

“Whatcha doin’?”

“Going back to my home if that’s allowed?” Nel answers to the taller figure and the two have a bit of a sass off.

As Nel keeps her cards to herself, expressing mainly the point of her mother’s transportation being hush-hush, Mourni elaborates on the shenanigans of the day. Nel does love a personal story, assuming that something got the other men in the party hot and bothered for each other.

Regardless, with Amelia eventually returning to the Shadowspire Mannor, everyone finds their sleep.

The day after, Amelia is woken up early by the half-elven woman, who takes her to watch the tri-spires of the city in the morning light.

It is a lovely and romantic experience for the two, to say the least.

Meanwhile, Luctan and Malak also wake, the first much to the dismay of the second. Before initiating any conversations, Luctan feels a familiar pain across his back. An old pain. An ever rebounding one. A Phantom Pain.

That established, Luctan checks with the Cleric to see how he was doing. Malak has to even point out that the Temple of Kemis had accomodations for guests, he didn’t have to sleep on the ground. But Luctan merely would answer that he wanted to make sure Malak was doing ok. If he still wanted to go with the party.

Malak seems to agree to carry on and the two men make their way back to the SM. On the way, Luctan sings a merry little song, which may require attunement, as Malak points out with the offer that Belli could give him singing lessons.

Luctan’s eyes catch something on the path to the Mannor. Flyers and posters for the Spring Welcoming Festival. Upon it, Luctan sees the names of other groups, who will participate.

“Crystalgate’s Finest”, “The Darksbane Elite”, and of course... “The Traveling Gentlefolk”.

Luctan has a hard time composing himself, in profile during this, to Malak’s confusion and unawares.

To Malak’s knowledge, TDBE are the token five of TDBA.Crystalgate’s Finest are the local guard. Usually lead by the same Vigilance of the Guard. Leyla Dustone and Terrorwind the Half Orc from TDBA will be part of the 1st team.

From what Malak knows, TTG travel as a group, typical heroic adventure types. Arrogant, but you know, pretty strong guys. They had recently been asking around the temples for a new magic practioner. But stopped asking 2 months ago. Presumably having found one.

As they carry on their path, Mournimar and Morgan exit the mannor, to search for the other guys, with his trusty dire wolf at his side, after a good vibing session.

The girls come home at this time, laughing and having a gay old time, passing by the tiefling on the way to breakfast.

As it were, the three fellows meet up. With the tieflings almost missing each other again, if not for Malak’s perceptiveness and Dexterous know how.

After a few jokes involving Mournimar’s hair and squirrels, for some reason, they return to the mannor, for breakfast.

As Amelia picks up her furbal, from Luctan, the lads also have breakfast. Much sweeter than what they’re used to, as Belli’s gourmet usually has a variety to it.

(And we get hungri irl)

Post-breakfast, the party convene on the day’s activities. Missing an innuendo from Nel, Luctan brings out a list on possible jobs they could take:

“ Knight Kelvin Mountainsteel wants a job to be done, qualifications uncertain, ‘till we get there.”

“Ziaz, Teller of Tales, slain in the Silver District. Anyone with clues to report back and can get a reward.”

“ Lord Arwen of Elevir, Member of the Circles, wants help with an issue of possible high powered mage. Needs qualified people, who can handle magic users, rather than the guards.”

“String of Murders in the Bronze District, details inside.”

From Nelatha, the party learn that Knight Kelvin’s demeanor has given her the understandable opinion that the man is, As the word is. A “cock”. A creeper of sorts.

From Nel, the party also learn that Zias was a performer at the Voluptani Mistique, whcih strikes the party as odd as they were still fully operating, in spite of the recent murder. Guards seem to be keeping watch over the body in an alley, still.

As this gets discussed, Luctan would occasionally scratch his beard. The noise of hair being scratched would tip off Nel that something was up. Which signals to Luctan to remember that he hasn’t shared with either of them his true form.

In spite of Mournimar’s poor attempt at a lie, Nelatha suggest it fine for Luctan to keep his secret, if he isn’t comfortable sharing.

Regarding the Lord Arwen job, Nel points out that the Lord, a High Mage, isn’t a complete dick, as long as they know how to handle him during negotiations.

The party offer her a position on the Cultbusters for this job, but Nel has to refrain. As she has work to do in town, involving the training of other bards. Less experienced bards. Barldings, if you will.

Safe to say that Luctan and Amelia admire Nel in their own respective way. Biggest fans.

Either way, it’s safely agreed upon that the party will wait for Belli’s big return, before they take on a mission.

Nel messages Belli. “It’s Nelatha. We were wondering how close to home you were and how your personal goings on’re working out for you. Will you be back soon? Goodbye.”

Holy shit, Nel?! You can reply to me? Holy god?! Ok, Ficus, me and my dad’ll be coming soon.” The Narahs were hours away. And Belli had elaborated that the family will be partying it up in Crystalgate soon enough.

Nel goes sheet white.

One way or another, something leads Luctan to remember referring to someone in his past as having “eyes like dandelions”.

As conversations go on, something triggers a response from Luctan. Or lack there of as Luctan gets a 1000 yard stare. Noticing the bout of PTSD coming to Luctan, Mournimar takes his tiefling brother in arms out for fresh air, where the two men have a heart to heart about what had transpired. Luctan, in a sour mood, confides in Mournimar about his phantom pains flaring up.

Mournimar offers to cast Cure wounds on Luctan, however Luctan catches his wrist, before he can even cast it. “It won’t work. They’re scars.”

art by @unholyleaf

While the drama occurs outside, Malak and Amelia have a moment between themselves. Discussing Belli and apologizing for the previous day's outcome, Amelia hands the Cleric one of the sets of flowers she had bought the previous night: The Hyacinth.

A couple of hours pass and the Narah Bus comes back to town, music blaring and people in the streets, familiar with the Narah family, cheering, whooping and hollering like in one big musical. Nel, conveniently making a quick exit, the big reunion and meeting happens as Belli gives everyone hugs!

Mournimar gets a hug! Amelia gets a hug! Luctan gets a hug! Malak gets a hug! Even a random kid gets a hug out of this situation!

Belli gets like 3 gold and 20 silver from her performance.

And so the party meet Bob. Mournimar and Amelia get easily intimidated by the large Orc Man, hiding behind Luctan, comedic as it is with Mournimar having a few inches over Luck without counting the horns.

Words are traded, double pistols and winks are had, dad stares were involved at some point as well! The old bard takes a big moment to thank everyone for being there for Belli, when her family couldn’t. Belli counts the others as her family as well.

Before Bob leaves for the Tabernax inn, it is made known that a big party will be happening, with the Narahs helming it to make their grand return.

Luctan offers Ficus a position on the team, given his mood and the half-orc rogue accepts, joining them for the quest that Belli picks, in honor of her return: The job for Lord Arwen.

Notably, Ficus knows of the Lord, better than the rest, thanks to his underground contacts. His wife had been, at some point, a mark for a crime?

That said, he would lead everyone to the Dunspire, casting Disguise Self to make himself appear as a more elveny half-elf than he already was.

The Dunspire. Mostly silver with a spiral pattern. Windows repeating on every floor. There’s a magical aura to the place. The specific shape and position of the windows change, whenever the winds do.

The only ground entrance seems to come in the form of a single door, guarded by an interesting pair. A Golliath woman with a shaven head and a halfling man. One with a greataxe, the other with a pair of scimitars.

With Luck and Ficus doing the talking and showing the flier the Fighter would have taken at some point, Luctan assures them an audience inside, even though the two guards give each other an “Get a load of these guys” look.

Instructions are given, as well:

The party are to hand over their weapons at the entrance. Follow the path up to the 4th floor, where the Lord sits and do not enter any other parts of the tower.

Entering, the six put away their weapons on the designated spot, one person at a time under the watchful eyes of what appear to be mostly elven and half-elven soldiers.

"Do I leave this?” Belli asks, showing off her kazoo.

“That will not be necessary.”

“How about this?” she asks again, showing her ukelele.

“That will not be necessary.”

“How about this, do I leave this?” she shows off the flute.

“That will not be necessary.”

Offering a cupcake to a half-elven man, Belli is told, yet again, by what a Gwendoline Cristie looking elven woman the words, as a punchline: “Providing food will not be necessary.”

And so. We go up.

Walking past the 2nd floor… Amelia and Mournimar notice and spot Nel, for some reason. There is a blood splatter up her arm. She notices the party. As Amelia gets a one arm hug. “I wasn’t expecting you to be up here in the Dunspire.” and talk shop, Luctan makes a bigger revelation... The blood is not hers.

Thinking fast, he writes a message on her palm, using Prestidigitation, while Nel confides in the group to carry on to the Lord.

While Mournimar and Belli have a conversation over what could have happened with Nel, Amelia and the titular hold a private conversation.

The group soon part with the bard, Belli sharing that the family is coming soon enough.

They eventually get to the Lord’s office. Knocking, the door opens on it’s own.

A Dark haired, elven man sits behind his desk. Lord Arwen himself.

After giving their credentials with the most notable of activities, the party enter.

Lord Arwen explains the problem:

He pulls out two scrolls from the table, unravels them and they are maps of crystalgate from different perspectives. On each there is a seemingly perfect circle in red and blue crosses. Each of these little marks is a spot where a lightning strike has hit, loud thunder clatter.

A magic user conducting a ritual. It’s uncertain whom. Could be one of their mages? Could be dangerous or a curious mind. Not a muscle by a wizard gets lifted in Crystalgate, without the Circle knowing about it. So this mystery understandably has them spooked.

Somewhere, in the South East, outside the walls of town, someone was dropping lightning bolts and they didn’t know who, why or how.

People, who stop there are less well off. There are orphanages and one of them is in the area. Also lots of ex-military. Religion wise, these are Bellinas worshipers. Possibly people, who talk a lot of shit about Qorin. If there would be an area, worshipping Dahktot, it’d be that kinda area.

That said. They hadn’t found any ivine energies in the area, so arcane user. Adventurers are perfect for this, ‘cause people don’t trust the Circle.

A list of people living in the area is provided to the group, to aid them in questioning people in the outskirts.

Something interesting gets noted. 5 previous parties had stepped on this floor before the Cultbusters, regarding this job.

One half of the group never bothered with the quest. The other half thought it too dangerous and the 5th, the info coerced by Malak, failed.

Through the haggling of Luctan and Belli, the party are offered 90GP each for finishing this job. Collecting all physical information the group need, they take to the streets, determined to get the job done.

Walking through the South Eastern part of outer Crystalgate, Luctan bumps into someone.

Standing at 5′6, with red hair and a pair of blue eyes that surprisingly match Amelia’s, he comes face to face with a lovely young woman in blue robes.

She looks from the “human” fighter to the air genasi monk with a look of familiarity.

The two recognize each other as Amelia sees, for the first time in a long time, her sister.

Her sister, who refers to her as “Dee-Dee”.

End of session/episode.

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kaiju-z · 5 years ago

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Seon Adventures Episode 21: Two Days

Following the strange sighting of a shadow not being cast by Mournimar, and yet being close to the Tiefling Ranger, Luctan took some time before finding his rest. With legs crossed and hands in a position, the disguised tiefling closed his eyes... And meditated for what felt to him like an eternity...

Whatever had gone on in his vision, the incognito fighter took an hour before going to bed. And then, by the time the sun began to rise, he had taken the elf baby boy with him and left, with only a note hinting at where he had gone.

“I’m off shopping with the baby. Brb.”

Mournimar is the one to find said note and, given the last note he had to read involved the other martial combatant’s exit, he can’t help but feel that seperation anxiety kick in harder, with Belli out of town with Ficus right now and the only other person in the party he was close with now being out of reach.

Malak has a more peaceful morning awakening, having yet to acclimate to the party fully, while Amelia?

Amelia wakes to another cup of coffee on the nightstand beside her. And a note of her own to read, from Nel specifically, though. Nel had left on a business arrangement.

All the mysterious party pals going off with letters, it seems.

The three remaining guests (and their respective animals) convene downstairs in the kitchen, having themselves a breakfast as best they can prepare. Toast, made by Malak.

And, uh, bacon???! By Mournimar?!

“I is bacon supposed to have that weird-I’m sure it’s fine. “ (This is even funnier when you consider he’s lived in the woods for years.)

It goes without saying that Belli is the cook the Cultbusters not only need, but deserve.

While they enjoy their breakfast, to the best of their abilities, the caped fighter is on the move. Not so much grocery shopping as person searching.

First try at the temples of the gods doesn’t bear him any fruits, but he most definitely soon finds the one he’s after soon enough, by revisiting the house of the cultist of Zarahm.

A few knocks pass, before the door opens and Luctan is met face to face with the very man Belli convinced to turn himself and his husband in. Luctan is allowed inside and the two fellows hold a conversation, involving the passing of a note, the contents of which are unknown.

Luctan learns about the man’s husband, what fate befell him after the arrest and, it was as expected. The cruelties and evil he had commited against his fellow people had brought the final judgement on him.

The now widowed man had made a decision for his future. To leave Crystalgate and take to the road, travel and, gods willing, do something with himself. Luctan is certainly in agreement with this course of action and proceeds to deliver a certain speech, encouraging the widower to follow a certain path, on his travels.

“I ask this, because, well. Life is short. And… like I said, I believe in second chances. Up until recently, that faith I had was in a severe state of quaking, where solid footing wouldn’t allow me to proceed ahead. No chance for peace and all that. But then I read a book, related to my own woes and... that gave me perspective on how to proceed ahead.

“It’s no holy text, I assure you. It’s-It’s actually this-“ And Luctan would bring out the Handerstaad and show the cover to the man with the fine beard. ”Kheyha’s story gave me a chance to find perspective in what I’m doing. What I’m planning on doing with my life and how I can zig, where I normally would have just zagged blindly ahead.”

When questioned by the shorter man at what he’s getting at, Luctan explains:

“ What I’m trying to establish here, sir, is that, while I still believe in punishments for crimes, I also believe that, given the chance and opportunity presenting itself, where the perpetrator feels remorse and regret and a genuine want to do something about it, pay off a non-monetary debt to those they’ve wronged? They should take it. Be allowed to take it and do the best they can out there in the far and wide, within and beyond these stone walls.”

“How would you like to turn your life around and help those in need, for a change?”

With the man ingesting the contents of the note, Luctan would offer the man a soft smile.

“You know, I find the best way to atone for someone’s past is to help someone’s future... You’re a religious man. One, who followed one deity at one point, before things went down the old turd hole.”Luctan would rub be back of his neck awkwardly, some, before reaching a hand forward to the husband. “Dare you believe in another and do yourself and the world favors without any payback in turn? For your own sake and that of those around you...”Luctan would smile. “Dare you redeem yourself? Dare you be just?”

“Take your leave from this land. With your possessions and memories and travel. Meet people, help people, spread the word that there is hope, out there... Young and developing in it’s abilities as we all are. And never take a life lightly again. Regardless of what a loved one considers.”

These were Luctan’s words.

But before he made his exit... He doubled down on what he meant. As he revealed the little one he carried in his arm. He would explain the story of the child and how he got from the trail road, all the way to the widower’s home today.

Tragedy of loss and next to no chance onward. Luctan would share how he was uncertain for the longest time where to leave him, as he couldn’t find his extended family.

He couldn’t leave him with the rich, for they would spoil him too bad and he had certtain experiences with that, growing up. And he couldn’t leave him with a temple, for he would be raised with someone else’s values, as opposed to the ones he could learn for himself.

No.

Just like the widower.

This child needed a new lease on life.

And Luctan offered the young one to the husband. To take him. To raise him on the road. For the two of them to go and help and grow together, as people.

The man was, to say the least, stupified at what had transpired. For he and his husband had always wanted a child, even when they didn’t have the means to. And for him to have this chance now-he was greatful.

Luctan would pass him over, along with the young one’s possessions and then some (30 gold given to the fellow, for a good travel). And he would have a word with his little traveling companion. As hard as it was for him to keep a strong face during the whole thing.

“H-hey, little one. It’s me, Luctan again. I, ah. Okay, I knew this moment was going to come eventually, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon, to come so fast. I, ah. Yeah, this is where we’re parting ways. I don’t know if what we’ve done so far, with you on board will come back to you in some form. Whether a relative, close or distant, will come to pick you up or you’ll be adopted within the next few months or years, but... – sigh- I want you to know this. Even if it’s a far off memory in the back of your head, little one, I want you to keep this in there, eh?

Life is... short. And for some far shorter than expected. But life is also long, oh so very long. And if what I know about elves is correct, you’ll be around for long enough to see little Rimefang grow into a beautiful adult one day. Hells, you might even end up riding him.

But I digress. You will grow up one day. You will have a life of your own, meet people that make you happy and people that make you sad and. Choices will be made, right?

... I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that, I wish for you to do the best you can out there. Whether you take the adventurer’s life or settle to a respectable profession like a carpenter, or glassblower, or hey! Even an enchanter, like ol’ Peppery Pete. Oh. Whoah, now that I think about it, you’ll probably get to interact with him eventually. For centuries. Gnomes and all that.

And when that happens, I want you to do the best you can. Not be as good as the next best guy, right? Be better, be kinder. You don’t have to be a hero. You can be a helper. Not everyone needs a monster slain or a band of rogues decimated. Sometimes… sometimes you need to be a shoulder. An ear. A mouth for someone else. To support, to listen, to tell them that it’s going to be okay, while you wrap them up in a blanket and bring them to safety.

There are a ton of us out there. Not enough helpers, who could prevent people from going down the wrong path before they even get it suggested to them.

And when those times come in your life, whether you think of me or not, I’ll be there. Physically, maybe not. But in spirit, in the literal sense, if I can. When times seem darkest and hope seems lost, I will be there, at your side to give you that encouraging shoulder. That ear. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll chant a word or a few from my mouth.

I’ll always be there for you little one. May all the luck be in your favor.”

Luctan would then lean down and kiss the little one’s forehead, before removing the cloth from around his neck and passing it over to the baby. There’s a little something there, on the inside, for the baby to search for when he becomes of age. “That” and a similar letter to the one he gave the elf boy’s new father.

And Luctan would leave.

A few blocks down he’d hide around a corner and cry onto his knees. He had formed an attachment towards the little one. for all his attempts to avoid that, he really had gotten to care for the kid, damn it!

He would eventually return to the Shadowspire Mannor, groceries in his arms. And the others would note the lack of baby. And understand what went down.

Malak would offer his services on investigating the identity of the bartender, but Mournimar, for some reason, opted out of that line of thought. For one reason or another, the ranger had chosen not to pusue that course of action.

Malak, in stead, then takes the three on a tour around town.

Somewhere along the way, through the line of conversations, the party learn that Malak has an ability to make someone appear dead, without them actually being dead.

(What we learn, I think both OOC and IC that is how he goes to bed)

To prove his claim, he casts the spell on Amelia.

With the tieflings freaking out, Malak just dispells his magic on the Air Genasi monk and Amelia expresses, from an odd place of comfort, how she loved the experience.

Possibly due to this series of events, Malak leads the others to another location.

An establisshment called the “ “Nature’s Bounty” café. A café, where people can sit back and relax alongside comfort animals, which they can feed, if they so fancy and are encouraged to.

Expecting it to smell of animals, it quickly dons on everyone, who isn’t Malak, that it smells very aromatic, like a spa of sorts. Everything seems built for comfort and peace, with the color theme involving pink and green as the main two standing out colors.

Within the room the four + Morgan find themselves, a bald woman (all, who work here seem to be bald as a means of cleanliness around the animals) stands with a raven on her shoulder and a number of animals around her. Among them: 3 cats, 1 weasel, 1 rabbit, 1 deer and 1 large Mastiff dog.

Malak goes straight for the bunny.

Amelia immediately goes to the deer. The deer is nice and boops her hand.

Mournimar sits with Morgan. He waits for animals to come to him, while Morgan seems on edge around all these creatures. You know. With him being a DIRE WOLF and all that. For his troubles, Morgan gets pats and rolls over, getting belly rubs.

As though sensing the initial anxiety, the mastiff sits up next to the floofy newcommer and they bump heads and sit next to each other.

So yeah.

Morgan made a buddy!

The bunny is regal and proud as he gets the gentle pats and scritches. “Yes, I deserve this for existing. I’m a rabbit, for I am perfect.”Snoot twitch.

Luctan feels something running up his leg and the weasel comes up, popping out from inside his his armor. The little one gets real coasy and friendly with the enamored tiefling and nuzzles him but good, all the while Mournimar casts speak with animals, so he can understand what the weasel would be saying to all this.

Much to his shock. The weasel speaks in a New Jersey accent. And is using Luctan to get treats. Though luctan ignores the warning and just feeds the little bugger anyways, because come on! Leetl creecher, deserving of pats!

The weasel soon gets to rest on a fitting cushion with a blanket.

Amelia is walked over by 3 cats + Deer. Lost in the sauce.

With Archie being left at home, Amelia’s player makes a D100 roll. on a roll of 77 from 100, Archie totes didn’t steal from Nel’s pantry.

And the gang have themselves a nice sip for an affordable price.

Splitting off from the group,later on, Malak asks at the dungeons whether they have the cultist’s equipment there, his cultist stuff for Zarahm.

They’ve collected a symbol in a cerulean color and other symbols in association with Zarahm. They’ve collected the dagger, because it was giving a magical aura and some non-related stuff.

Malak thanks the cops and then casts Locate Object for related stuff to Zarahm. He catches a couple of blips across the city, namely one close to the Nature Bound Café, on it’s eastern side and one below the FM

With Mournimar being woken up from a peaceful sleep in the room and Amelia giving a smooch to the head of each and every animal, Luctan goes off and sells the monster heads offscreen for a price of 300 gold, thanks to a good Persuasion roll.

And the trio soon reconfigure with Malak, outside, and head off on wherever their legs will take them next.

Mournimar keeps an eye out, curiously, something that gets noticed by Malak and then Amelia. While Luctan just notices nothing.

He spots on the pavement next to a door a shoddy house. The symbol he’s looking for is there. There’s a symbol of Potencia on a door. Everyone, but Luctan catches onto it.

A cautious, but determined Malak wants to know why they’re here. Him being the cleric to a legal deity, this seems incredibly off to him for a place to be.

Mournimar suggests he had a “gut feeling” at the time. That this place not only existed, but that they should investigate it. And stop a cultist of Potencia’s, by any means, including killing.

Morality comes into question over this decision and Malak suggests they shouldn’t worry about the implications of busting into someone’s home in this particular situation. As a Potenciate’s death would be presented with much grattitude.

Malak opens the door and-

And inside, at a table, sits an older woman with thin gray hair.

Before anything else can happen, as Malak leads the others inside, he casts Zone Of Truth and asks her about the symbol and what it is to her.

The old woman, failing her save, admits that at some point back in the day she made a deal with Potencia.

Her husband was an abuser. She implies that he had killed their son and that she made a deal with Potencia for strength to kill him in turn. And so she did. But after that, she hadn’t done much after.

She doesn’t regret her choice and Luctan and Amelia tend to agree with this statement. Vocally. (Not sure if Amelia saved or not, but Luctan failed on the Wisdom save and wasn’t even sure he was under a spell at the time. So he was just compelled to speak his mind more than he has usually done).

Before anything else could happen, Malak asks her if she harbors any other Potencia cultists in here. She truthfully answers no. No one, but Stuffins the cat.

“He’s a bald, wrinkly old bastard.”

Luctan asks Mournimar how they got here to begin with. Who Mournimar talked to, in order to get the general viscinity of a Potencia pact maker.

Mournimar, in turn, suggests that he spoke with someone called “Jorzoth.” ANd he believes this “Jorzoth” told him to kill this woman?! Which to Malak’s ears came off as music.

He reached for the old woman, demanding to take her with them, one way or another.

Luctan gets in between the two and tries to keep a conversation going.

But before he can even finish his alloud thought, he gets put under the Hold Person spell and freezes in place. T-Posing as the last thing he physically did was try and create space between the cleric and the... uh... shall we say warlock? Sure. Let’s call Agatha (her name is Agatha) a Warlock.

Malak wants this old woman dead or brought to justice.

Half-heartedly, Amelia makes a swing for him, but misses. She doesn’t really want to cause him any harm and just tries to appear to his kindness and perspective. Given his background and all that. Malak, instead, flips the script on Amelia, regarding the situation they find themselves in.

Mournimar screams in Infernal and asks Jorzoth what he’s supposed to do.

No answer.

He instead begs his “friends” to free Luctan.

The old lady, who has Amelia step before her to protect her, makes a big show of threatening Malak with an enchanted knife, maybe her pact weapon, and that’s about it.

Malak attempts to bring her down with one move altogether, what we know as Inflict Wounds and Malak as “Inflict Vibes”.

But for some reason he misses.

Luctan tries to speak and begs Malak to stop and rethink his course of action. But Malak, based on who knows what from his experiences, doesn’t accept this.

Amelia continues with the appeal, while Mournimar tries to call forth the help of the two he had befriended. Jorzoth and the other. At a Nat 22 Religion roll, Mournimar gets his wish and contacts whomever it is he was in contact with.

He suddenly screams out in protest: “Guys! Can we not fight!” and steps to Malak, touching his cheek with one hand. Trying to talk him down.

Malak doesn’t take well to the familiarity Mournimar tries to apply, given that he has only known the Ranger for about a day and a half by this point.

As Malak tries to and fail to hit the old woman with the Vibes spell, Mournimar manages to persuade Agatha to change her alleigiences towards Mournimar’s friends.

Be it due to frustration, fatigue or a sense of defeat, due to being outvoted or what have you, Malak drops the Hold Person spell he had on Luctan and proceeds to step out, heading back to the temples.

Luctan follows after him, leaving Amelia and Mournimar to pick up whatever the hell they want the situation to be in the house of the once allied with Potencia woman.

Apologies are had and Mournimar and Amelia meet Stuffins, the cat. Mournimar gives the old woman some gold and makes his leave, following the trail of Luctan and Malak, while Amelia stays to have a heart to heart with the woman, included with it sharing some personal information that she hasn’t with the rest of the party.

As she makes her own exit...

We cut to the Narah Mannor. As Belli and Ficus arrive with Kevin and Killer. Once inside the grounds, Belli is practically sprinting inside and to her parents’ bedroom, determined to get this done.

Once they reach the familiar sight, now at a different time of day, they ponder on how to do this. Should they apply it one person at a time or one potion per person?! They were uncertain, though Ficus would make the eventual suggestion they try with their father first.

Bob Narah, a massive mountain of a man.

After some trial and error involving the ammount of potion necessary, they succeed in de-paralyzing him. As his body takes on it’s original state, the large orc drops to all fours, able to breathe for the first time in five years.

Clutching his hair and his face, he makes a first, pivotal realization. “My hair’s greasy as balls.”

“Dad?” Belli gets her father’s attention and as the man’s eyes set on her, he first mistakes his full grown daughter for Keemis. But then, she corrects him. And together with Ficus, help him up and out of the room.

Now in the family office, Harold gets caught up on events and explains from his perspective what happened, before the old lights went out in his head. The last thing he remembered was someone running in and yelling. That’s all he could think of the time, after sending Belli off to her given task.

There is a pause that follows. Long and uncomfortable. And awkward. Someone has to pierce that pause and break through the skin and organs to let the innards flow out. All this pressure being too much, a release necessary.

It’s Belli. Belli speaks.

Belli catches him up on what happened after that moment. She tells him every bit. Every. Single. Bit in detail. How she tried. To bring all of them home. Confused and alone, worried, scared. And the panic she went into when she “broke” Rona, Harold’s wife. Belli and Ficus’ mom.

All this is too much for her as she breaks down crying. Ficus applies a hand on her shoulder for support as the remainder of the story is told, from where she left off. How she had been living for the past few years, day by day. First from home, then on the road, in taverns and the like, making money for herself.

She blames herself for “killing” her mom. That pain, that guilt, still having such a powerful grip on this mighty bard.

The feelings are raked up to 11. Belli being able to be so vulnerable right now with her confession and emotional pain.

Fighting through tears, she shares of the events that transpired after. The cultists in Bavorum, the formation of the Cultbusters, the battle in the Death Cult’s strongholds, the travels, Sa Doma, everything!

For Belli, of all his kids to take to the life of an adventurer? Why, Harold was immencely proud, all things considered. He is in awe of his little girl. His youngest, now at 17 years of age.

As things calm down some, the two have themselves a big ol’ embrace.

Harold then notices Ficus all the better. He looks. He thinks and he has a confrontation with Ficus, given how things went between them last they saw each other.

Belli steps in. And takes to defend her brother’s actions, explaining why he left. She stands her ground and gives a heartfelt examination of his motives, without holding back on the jabs at his Wisdom on the matter.

Ficus, on his end, awkwardly explains what he had been through i nthe time since and. Further emotions are had. It’s-He had been through so much, ok?!

And then Belli starts spilling tea on Ficus and his Special SomeoneTM(Luctan). A horrified and redfaced Ficus tries to make a run for it, but Belli’s being her powerful self, holds him in place and dishes the gos out all the more. She is. persistant as all hell.

There is a moment of bisexual solidarity between father and daughter as they fistbump and Harold, now adapting well to his current situation, reveals that he had been hiding money from the kids. In special mounds around the yard.

When asked why not invest in a bank, he basically states that he distrusts the banking system.

Further revelations come that Harold was not only aware of Peppery Pete, but had had business dealings with him. Included, but not limited to, the Orc Strength Potiosn that Belli had almost gotten into fisticuffs over with Pete for.

Harold fucking loves that funky little gnome.

As Harold goes to inspect the kitchen, Belli Sends a message to Mournimar, sharing with him that the potion had worked and that they will soon return to Crystalgate. Mournimar is absolutely radiant about this and informs Luctan of this fact. AND that she spilled the tea on him and Ficus. Which simply befuddles Luctan. That seemed like a private matter at the time, didn’t it?

All the while Malak meditates.

Belli wants to and proceeds to search for the money mound. She finds the spot of her own destined mound. The one that her dad bullshited her 4 cats had peed there and if she touched it, she’d die.

There were more, of course. A spot under the swingset and a straight up mound no one ever questioned.

Lore reveal, but the Twins had come up with the Cannonball move.

Bob recalls that the largest spell slot of healing was used back then to fix them up. So much damage.

After a call to ol’ Pete, from Harold, the gnome comes on over through a magical gate.

The two men share a reunion and Sick burns are had by Pete, who reveals that the combined price for the remaining four potions is 800 gold. Money, which to Belli is basically chumpchange as she makes the transaction with the entusiastic old gnome, who bamfs back and forth one more time with the set of potions.

Belli has cash money. Harold is proud, he doesn’t care how.

As they make their business transaction, she makes peace with the Peppery one.

And then?

“Oi, get your ass down here, we have the other potions!” Belli casts sending at Ficus.

Soon after the trio proceed to fix the remainder of their siblings, leaving out Rona, due to the injuries to her stoney form.

It doesn’t take long, until their four siblings are free as well.

Belli approaches the confused and honestly amazed quartet. “Hi guys, don’t freak out. You’ve been stoned for the past 5 years.” To see their little sister, the youngest of the bunch, all grown up and changed as she was is an unreal experience.

But to also see Ficus there confirms it all the more that this wasn’t an illusion. There is almost an altercation there, if not for Belli stepping in yet again and defending him.

In her own way.

No holds are barred in her verbal defence.

Tears begin to flow from everyone. As emotions are on the high. Except for Keemis. Keemis is too cool to cry.

These people need to sort their lives out, man.

There’s a questi on the war. As at the time, the war was still going on.

The war... the war’s over, of course. Aetorumia won the war.Ficus, having fought for his country, confirms this from the direct witness perspective. It was not a pretty sight.

After another awkward silence, the family now catch up once more, beginning to plan on how to re-instate themselves in Crystalgate as the top musical family.

Shit’s wild.

At some point Belli informs them all about the possibility of meeting the Cultbusters. And Morgan. And Archie. At the mention of the cat, it becomes pretty obvious pretty quick that the Narahs fucking love cats.

And as Belli, Harold and Ficus take off to Crystalgate with Kevin and Killer and the four other Narahs begin strategising and building the constructs for their grand return to popular culture...

The session comes to an end.

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