#Briar Earnest

[mossarchives]

Even as the seasons change, some things stay the same <3

Flipped version and Close-ups under the cut :)

[marigoldbaker]

What would Khalid have said to that? That was the thing: he forgave everyone everything, all the time. You could kick him down a hill, shove a sword through his ribs, dissect him in a laboratory, and he’d thank you at the end of it. He’d see the good in you, somehow, impossibly, even when you weren’t good, even when you were just a spoiled-rotten bard who couldn’t handle how fucking awful everything was everywhere. And now he was dead, and Immy was gone, which meant no one was there to see anything—just Jaheira, who wasn’t kind enough to kill Briar, and who didn’t know all the right words to say that would make Briar feel like it was still okay to be here.

[mossarchives]

My child,,,

-pitches Briar at you like a baseball- for doodles if u want :)

Boop !

[kiame-sama]

Would Papa Hades mind if I rant to him my frustration over how people always make him a ‘Bad Guy’ in our world?

Whenever Movies that have Greek Mythology in it, it always pissed me off when they make Hades the Villain (I feel like it’s just because Hades is the God of the Underworld that automatically makes him ‘Evil’)

Literally out of ALL the Greek Gods, Hades is actually the NICEST of the Gods (He was willing to let a mortal man take his wife out of the Underworld but he must not look at her because she’ll be sent back during the journey until they leave his realm) and was never unfaithful to his beloved Persephone

There was a myth that he had ONE lover, but that was BEFORE he met his Beloved

Would Papa Hades appreciate that I don’t see him as evil just because he rules over the Underworld? (Because since he’s one of the Great Seven so he’ll naturally be feared for his powers and authority)

Warnings: Papa Hades in his 50ft form, comforting ancient Shinigami, daily allotted sunshine/shade garden time,

For reference, this is approximately the current height difference:

~~~~~~~~

"-but I mean, why do they always have to make Hades out to be bad? I don't think my Hades is bad and I don't think you're bad either. You're probably the only one I've met in this world who didn't immediately try to make decisions for me. You haven't collared me, or taken me away from where I want to be, or tried to control me in any way. You're even letting me sit on your shoulder and talk your ear off in the garden because I wanted some time away from it all!"

The giant Shinigami was leaning his cheek on his hand, listening attentively to your every word. You both were seated upon a shadowy throne he had summoned in the stone and briar garden of Ramshackle. It was a good distance away from the building itself and no one was willing to tell the Shinigami he couldn't protect you.

Deep in the shadows, watchful eyes thought better of challenging a being of myth and power. Some were dissuaded from the prospect altogether, seeing such an ancient being so casually attending the soft Human prize. Not all who hunted sought harm, but even the insane knew better. Smaller predators will almost always give space to a bigger predator. No need to die this day.

The giant Shinigami was enjoying the history lessons from your world, curious that your own history had beings so similar to him that even shared his name. He also appreciated the fact you were so passionately defending his doppelganger in your world. Truthfully, the similarities between him and the Hades of your world was not lost on him. Perhaps the Humans of your world were originally from Twisted Wonderland and simply forgot over time after crossing to a different realm. If that were the case then he had much to consider.

Still, he appreciates how relaxed you are around him, now trusting in his willingness to act in your best interest. He had always afforded all of the Humans under his protection the ability to choose. The only difference now was he had to keep a closer eye on you than he did the Humans leaving his isle.

"I'm glad to be living up to your expectations, Little One. So long as it is your wish to stay here, I will aid you however I can. Young Idia has updated your phone to contact me directly should you ever have need. I must say, it is nice to hear of your home, you speak so little about it. I'm sure you have your reasons, so I won't pry. I'm thankful you trust me enough to share all of this with."

"Well, it's hard not to trust you. You've kind of been amazing."

It soothed the wounded depths of the old Shinigami's heart to hear such earnest words. You truly did trust him and he treasured that more than you would likely ever know. The mourning shawl had adorned him many long centuries. Those centuries were some of the most painful for him, yet that pain was lessened and balmed by your simple trust and affection. He treasured that.

[twisted-beez]

I've seen sooooo many fics where Malleus is courting y/n and gives them his "greatest treasure" or the "heart of his treasury" as a courting thing, and it's always some fabulous expensive jewelry or glamorous gem of a family heirloom.

But y'all.

We all know his most prized possession is Gao-Gao Dragon.

---

Imagine Malleus Draconia earnestly gazing into your eyes as he presses his prized tamagotchi into your palm. Your hands cradle the little device. His own lithe fingers wrap around them.

"He is yours to care for."

Youre breathless. And bewildered. Once you've discovered air again, your gaze seeks Malleus's for answers. You find only a soft verdant in his eyes. Springtime, and hope, and blossoming things. Affection like a birds song and warmth like down feathers. A world you could waltz in forever.

It is clear this gaze is meant only for you.

"Why?" You think you know.

"It is Briar Valley tradition," he begins. The tenderness in his voice makes your heart swoop.

"To vie for the affection of one whose love and affection we ardently seek with a gift." Malleus's lips curl into a smile. His thin slitted eyes narrow to teasing half-lidded pleasure at the growing red on your cheeks. Earnest as he means this to be, he cannot help but be tempted by your bashful nature. "One's most precious belonging, to be precise. For that is the only thing that comes close to the heart of one's most beloved."

Your heart thrums too loudly to think and you pull Gao-Gao against your chest.

"He'll miss you, you know. I doubt I can care for him as well as you always have," you admit. "We'll have to schedule plenty of play-dates with...?" Come to think of it, you can't recall if Malleus ever gave a name to Gao-Gao's friend. He had always called it just that.

It appears he hadn't, because there's a pause and a solemn hum as Malleus thinks.

"Roaring Drago," he decides.

"That's practically the same thing!" You laugh in fond protest. Malleus feigns a pout in return.

"I quite like it though."

He can't hold it for long before a smile breaks through his guise. Silence settles between you both- comfortable, but a little shy- until you feel soft lips pressed against your forehead.

"My dearest beloved," he near-whispers against your skin, "I vow to bring you all of the happiness in the world, as you have brought me."

[yuurei20]

Malleus Facts Part 45: Humans (pt1)

Malleus seems to have a complex relationship with humans, refusing to make a Magicam account and to participate in the VDC despite Lilia’s invitation, as he has no desire to be put on display for them.

Malleus claims missing out on Housewarden meetings does not upset him because “Humans always avoid (him). This is nothing new,” but Lilia suspects otherwise.

Malleus insists that it is not his fault that he does not attend the meetings. Malleus says, “The humans who fear me for no good reason are to blame," breaking Lilia’s phone and angering him.

Malleus reflects, “Perhaps he’s right and, deep down, I believe it impossible for fae and humans to understand one another. That would explain why I’ve not put forth an earnest effort to get closer to them. But were I to conduct myself differently…what can I do to bridge the gap between myself and the other housewardens…?”

Malleus’ solution is to transport the Housewardens to Diasomnia without their consent, which does not go over well.

Afterwards Malleus admits that he hasn’t put sufficient effort into trying to get to know humans or getting them to understand him, acknowledging that he has failed but does not know why. “Their standards are so vague, and their sensibilities are so strange. How difficult it all is.”

When Lilia asks if he regrets leaving Briar Valley Malleus responds, “You know better than anyone that I don’t. I find my life here quite pleasant. I’ll continue to put forth effort in the hopes that one day I’ll understand them. I’m sure we’ll come to a mutual understanding in another, say…hundred years or so.”

[insideous-beez]

Briar Valley wholey welcoming Malleus's little sunshine human partner bc fae are kinda petty but sunshine human bae is super wholesome and not at all petty, and the fae see that as some divine benevolence blessed unto their kingdom. A servant accidentally spills something on the human? "Oh no biggie!" And they laugh it off with a shimmer of light that rivals a thousand suns. The human is attending court and someone makes a passive aggressive comment? The human addresses it with such sincerity and earnest will to cooperate that the commenter melts and feels so bad they never do it again. All of Briar Valley reveres how wholesome Malleus's lover is and cry tears of joy to have their revered Ruler of the Abyss showered with love and joy by this wholesome little human.

Aka: all of Briar Valley simps Mal's hooman bc hooman is too pure for this world.

[ventique18]

Edit: this post was made months before Diasomnia release.

- Delusional OC sketches and headcanons: Malleus' mama and papa -

*seduce, not saduce lmao sorry I'm tired

Malleus Draconia never met his parents, but Lilia could vividly remember them as if he only last saw them yesterday. Malleus' father (whose name also happened to be Malleus) was a student of his and had a consistent air of superiority about him-- he walked and talked with such confidence befitting that of the majestic horns that adorned his head like a crown. In dragon anatomy, you see, large, beautifully sculpted horns are a clear indicator of how fertile and desirable its genes were. So there was never a doubt that this man was a natural attractor for many a woman.

... Except nobody ever stuck with him. The prince had a terrible personality. He went on and on, on and on with prattling about anything and everything under the sun (actually mostly about weapons and griffons and philosophy and geography) to the point that ladies thought he was self-centered and was looking for a mirror to marry, rather than a wife. That was not true however. He was simply an excitable boy.

He had reached a record age of three centuries (still wifeless) when he decided that being stuck in Briar Valley was limiting his viewpoint of the world. He had enrolled at an academia overseas, and that was when he met his future bride: Matilda. Upon meeting eyes with her, he had known that it was love at first sight. (It was not. He merely thought having another dragon fae as queen would benefit his country.) And so, relentlessly, day in and day out, he pursued her in order to win her affection.

The lady simply treated him like furniture, however.

Still, everyday he would sit at her table in the library. He would first attempt to flirt with her, but as he noticed how focused she was in drafting her blueprints, he would give up and eventually become engrossed in whatever he was studying. He would scribble down notes and make commentaries to himself about this and that, and to be honest... She found that quite endearing. He had a frivolous mouth, but he was earnest in his pursuit of developing his country.

She had been secretly watching him, and one fateful day, she accidentally let out a giggle. A secretive acknowledgment of his presence. And of course, sharp as his draconic ears were, he returned her gaze and happened upon her beautiful smile.

That was when he realized that the words he sang to her-- the "you're lovely as blooming flowers in the spring", "your voice is as melodious as a crystal bell in winter"-- were all very, very true. The next words he had uttered were finally taken straight from his heart, and then for the very first time since they met, she had replied to him with lips upturned in an elegant crescent.

The following year, when he returned to Briar Valley for the holidays, his mother Maleficia almost squealed in pleasant surprise that her son had brought home a lovely bride. It was a blur after that. Lilia could recall how the castle seemed to have turned upside down with how lively it had suddenly gotten; secretive dates, a wedding, a coronation, pregnancy woes, and... a sudden despair.

The couple had created life, but paid for it with their lives.

Whenever Lilia was recalling this story to the toddler he was tucking under the covers, he would come to a sudden halt. Little Malleus would ask why, but he would just shake his head and ruffle the boy's hair.

"I was just thinking how great a king and queen your father and mother had been. They were strong, and brave, and kind..."

"Will I grow great like them, too?"

Lilia paused and gazed into the boy's eyes. Then, with a smile, he stroked his tuft of hair and patted him to sleep.

"Of course, dear. Now sleep. A future king needs to be strong and healthy to be great. You won't grow up without sleep!"

They were gone too early. Far too early; they never even saw what their child looked like beneath the shells.

For now, he would burn every moment of this boy's tiny smiles in his memory, so that he could recall in detail every moment of this child's beautiful life when he finally reunites with his old friends.

[lesbianfakir]

Ever After High/Princess Tutu Au: Duck

Fakir • Mytho • Rue

Role:

Since Princess Tutu dies without ever being with her prince she has no children. Thus, a volunteer is needed to fill the role of Tutu in the Prince and the Raven. The Ever After High faculty searched long and hard but could not find an eligible student who would agree to Tutu’s fate for this iteration of the Prince and the Raven. Only when Drosselmeyer, a rogue narrator cast out for his attempts to drive stories with happy endings to tragedy, interfered with the course of the story that a suitable candidate was found: a little duck who longed to be human. Duck is given human form and a spot at Ever After High on the condition that she follows Princess Tutu’s fate and confesses her love only to vanish.

Royal or Rebel?

Rebel. Despite her obligation to fulfill Tutu’s fate Duck does not want to turn into a speck of light. However, she is afraid to speak out as a rebel for fear her humanity will be taken away from her. While she grows bolder as the story progresses, initially she resigns herself to looking for ways to break her curse in secret.

School Life:

Duck is terrified of falling in love as she knows it will be her demise. She has a crush on Mytho, and she tries to avoid him as much as possible, though they are often placed in the same classes as they are from the same fairytale. Duck avoids dances and dates. She has a hard time making friends. If she starts to feel as if she has the potential to fall in love with a person she runs away. With her fear growing stronger as her destiny approaches, this happens all too often.

Magic Abilities:

Duck can transform from duck to human form. She can also walk on water. Unfortunately, she was not gifted with Princess Tutu’s ability to dance gracefully and effortlessly, so she has to work twice as hard in ballet class.

Friends: Rue, Fakir, Briar, Cupid

Rue always rooms alone and so she was less than pleased when she was assigned a room with Duck at the last minute. Moreover, though neither of them are fated to be with him, the two princesses share a prince. Despite Rue’s wariness at the new girl, Duck’s earnestness wins her over. Rue eventually agrees to tutor Duck in ballet and the two become good friends. However, Rue becomes jealous and resentful upon learning Duck means to change her fate and as such the two have a complicated relationship.

After a rocky start, Fakir became Duck’s best friend. They bond over their deaths in their shared fairytale and their commitment to changing fate. Duck feels safe around Fakir because they have an agreement to keep their relationship completely platonic. Duck confides her fear of falling in love and vanishing, and he understands completely. Fakir fully expects to die young, and dating is the last thing on his mind. They even go to various dances and events like Thronecoming as friends.

Duck relates to Briar a lot as they’re both terrified of their fate but scared to try to change it. Duck stays up with Briar when she’s too scared to go to sleep and they chat all night long. Briar throws Duck a no-dates-allowed anti-prom so she can feel included.

Love is one of Duck’s biggest fears and she often goes to Cupid for advice. Cupid feels immense sorrow at Duck’s fate but tries to help as best she can.

[mega-ringsandthings-world]

pre-execution drama in the loguetown au, could make for a bit of PR mess; The cry to cut comes through the sound of several rifles cocking, Mihawk barely hears either through the ringing in his ears. But he feels the rifles raise in their blocky arcs, and he's already pulling Shanks back before they come to bear. No, Mihawk yanks Shanks back with almost every ounce of strength his has in his body, and barely arrests the boy's desperate charge forward. He hooks his fingers into Shanks' collar, desperate himself to keep hold of him, but Shanks rips himself free and runs forward.  "Tarō!" he shrieks, so shrill that even steps away from him Mihawk winces. "Tarō!"                                      From behind the row of gun muzzles pointed at them, movement comes from within the ring of guards around the prisoner, Mihawk feels the shock that sweeps outward at Shanks' cry like a like a gust of wind. But he has no attention to spare for what that means; one of the Marines steps out of formation to block Shanks' path, his rifle swinging free as he seizes Shanks around his upper left arm and bodily throws him in the opposite direction, Mihawk's direction. Shanks crashes against him and they both stumble backwards for a few feet before Mihawk locks his legs, one hand fisted tight in Shanks' white jacket, his arm yoked across the boy's shoulders. "No!" Shanks cries, but it's with a dazed quality that makes his voice less earsplitting than moments ago. He's disoriented but thrashes weakly, Mihawk puts everything he has into maintaining his hold on him. "Let go!" Mihawk does not let go. His breastbone aches where Shanks' head slammed into it, and under the pain his heart is beating a rapid tempo. The ringing in his ears has not cleared, and he's suddenly aware of an accompanying pressure on the base of his skull. It bears down on his shoulders and seems to envelop his body with every passing second, until his knees wobble, filled from nowhere with a bone-deep ache.  For a single moment he wants nothing more than to drop to his knees to relieve it. What is- What is happening-  Mihawk's body jerks forward and the pressure recedes, morphing into a burn in both arms, Shanks has recovered enough to begin to struggle in earnest, straining forward and threatening to break from Mihawk's grasp again.  From later on in the same scene;

It's in pure desperation that he fights Mihawk's hands now, and as he fights, he screams. Mihawk has never heard Shanks make those sounds before, but he has heard them all the same. 

An ewe lamb had gotten stuck in a briar patch once, and had torn itself half to shreds before it had been found. It had been screaming when Mihawk had gotten to it, and went on screaming and screaming as Mihawk had bloodied himself trying to get it out of the thicket, the pain of torn skin and fingers an afterthought. They had been the screams of a child, but not the screams of a human, both guttural and agonized together. Those are the screams that come from Shanks now, and Mihawk's fingers tingle with the memory of a thousand needle-sharp points. In his arms Shanks feels no different from that baby lamb, warm and red and insane from the pain.   "Tarō!" Shanks howls, nothing human in that cry except for the name of the dead man in front of them. The Tarō mentioned in these scenes is an actual member of the Roger pirates, here and here,

[tamarackbaumann]

((If u still want Tamancers, well, Ill take any excuse to talk about my girl,,, There's art of her here on my artblog: https://mossarchives.tumblr.com/search/Briar+Earnest)) Briar deviates from the main story of OLNF bc I wanted her to exist at the same time as my Qiumancer, so she's lived in Golden Grove her whole life. She gives Qiu a run for their money for being the most popular person in school, but the rivalry is loving for the most part.

Briar's arc is very rooted in finding what sparks joy for her regardless of what her parents want for her. Her mother tries to live very vicariously through her, and for steps 1 and 2 Briar tries her best to be a dutiful daughter! Even though it puts a lot of strain on her relationships in step 2. In step 3 she decides to take control of her own life and leans into her interests in science and medicine, as well as finding the joy in the things from her childhood she genuinely enjoyed!

Her relationship with Tamarack is very much a mirror of how their arcs are very similar. Briar is very enamored with Tam right off the bat, as she's very much in her fantasy princess era. In step 2, Briar will immediately fight anyone who says anything snide about Tamarack, no matter what it is. Talk shit, get hit (verbally). Step 3 Briar has circled back to her fairy tale romance, but now she wants to be the glittering knight who sweeps Tamarack off her feet with roses and gifts.

Tamancers is a term. I love it.

Also, it's fun how you and I did opposite things where we made one of our mcs just a part of golden grove already to mirror another mc being the one to move in. Now onto the dynamic.

That sounds AMAZING. The mirror of tamarack's arc, back to being interested into fairytale romance stuff in step 3 but instead wanting to be in the knight role? Sapphic daydream. A good way of taking the step 2 part of the dynamic and molding it back into the childhood they deserved.

Yeah. You get what I mean? Science and medicine knight. Good luck with the studies Briar I'm sure you can do it

[mossarchives]

The most popular girl in Golden Grove ~

[grelleswife]

Oh man, as an anime only I'm scared. Please tell me Edward isn't like Yuri Briar about his sister.. Cause that guy really turned me off to that anime 🤮

Hi, anon! While Edward’s earnest, intense nature makes him deeply protective of Lizzy and inclined to view O!Ciel as unworthy of her (which…to be fair…he ain’t wrong on that account 😅), his relationship with her doesn’t approach the levels of weirdness we see with Yuri, based on what I recall from the manga (but keep in mind that it’s been a minute since I read the Weston arc). The Midfords by and large are good eggs! Edward’s role as Lizzy’s self-appointed hype man can be a tad uncomfortable at times, but it’s nowhere near as egregious as Kuro’s other problematic elements.

[briar-ffxiv]

Character Associations: Briar Redfeather

[ Art by @shadesofblades ]

List 3-5 items for each section!

🌿EMOTIONS/FEELINGS🌿

-> Curiosity -> Caution -> Joy -> Anxiety -> Optimism

🌿GREETINGS🌿

-> Warm Smile -> Shy Wave -> Your name said with obvious happiness. -> Hug

🌿COLOURS🌿

-> Forest-green -> Honey-gold -> Earth-brown -> Rose-gold -> Cream

🌿SCENTS🌿

-> Soft leather -> Warm earth -> Polished wood -> Hint of honey -> Lanolin (from the sheep)

🌿CLOTHING🌿

-> Green ruana cloak -> Fingerless leather gloves -> Woolen shirt -> Soft leather boots

🌿VICES/BAD HABITS🌿

-> Biting his lip when nervous -> Covering his mouth when he smiles or laughs -> Wringing his hands -> Bad at self-care/will push himself to the point of collapse -> Impulsive/reckless

🌿OBJECTS🌿

-> His mother's druid staff -> His father's carved bow -> His grandfather's knife -> Leather-bound journal -> Wooden pendant with Oschon's symbol

🌿BODY LANGUAGE🌿

-> Constantly moving, flicking ears, reminiscent of a deer (I refuse to not headcanon that Elezen ears are expressive!) -> Bright eyes that can turn unnervingly intense when he finally meets someone's gaze -> Slim hands that are seldom still -> Quick, shy smiles -> Open, earnest expression (i.e. - he can be read like a book most of the time)

🌿AESTHETICS🌿

-> Sunlight through forest leaves, dappling the earth below -> The quiet sounds of sheep as they graze, wandering peacefully over fresh grass -> An arrow being smoothly drawn, released to fly straight and true -> Scarred hands both gentle and steady while tending to an injury -> Soft singing in a sunny kitchen filled with the smell of baking bread

🌿SONGS🌿

-> Coyotes by Modest Mouse -> Soldier, Poet, King - The Oh Hellos -> In The Woods Somewhere - Hozier -> Running With The Wolves - Aurora -> Dance with the Fire - Karliene -> Run Boy Run - Woodkid

Tagged by: @miqojak - Thank you! <3

Tagging: @shadesofblades @midnightmagicks @valdiis @naejlas-axe @prettygayway @scholarlostintime @loldragoon-ffxiv @starrysnowdrop @mimble-sparklepudding @seasaltandcopper @calico-heart @ythealleycat and anyone else that wants to do it!

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Yandere vs yandere with two different ending

How would Sebek and Silver be when they competing for getting Crewle daughter hand in marriage or courting?

Since they are old fastion they court differently compared to people outside of the Valley of thorns

The Duel for Your hand | Sebek Zigvolt vs Silver Vanrouge

Your right they do court differently

And they have some of the most unreliable people cheering them on

Malleus is giving his earnest outdated opinion

Lilia is just in it for laughs 

To a degree he is seriously cheering them on but he knows in the end it can’t really hold a candle to your opinion

If it weren’t for Silver’s compassion they would have done this in front of you

But they won’t, instead they’ll have Malleus and Lilia bare witness

The two only start to worry when the boys both get a little to into it

I most definitely see them inviting Crewel off-record to watch

Your father isn’t one to just give his approval to the baddest brute 

But he is taking it into account when they officially ask

Silver Vanrouge’s Ending 

He’s agile 

He’s smart 

And he’s the goodest boy

When he wins he immediately is praised by his father

Who might have forgotten by now that this is a really really old way to gain a woman’s affection 

“Go on, you have to tell her!”

He actually falls asleep first 

Leaving him to wake up to you, who had been invited to their battle ground unexpectedly

“Silver what have I said about sleeping in dirt? Didn’t you cherish the peacock plumed pillow, where is it?”

Once he answers and you two start idle chatter

He smile widely as he recalls his achievement

“I won!” 

“Excuse me?”

“I won the duel against Sebek for your hand!”

“...so?”

“So? I mean no disrespect…but it is the way this typically goes, right? Or at least that's what Father said.”

“Sweetheart, it's been over a century since that kind of practice went out of date. The only approval you really need now is mine.”

“Then may I ask for your hand in marriage?”

“You may, after we officially start dating of course.”

“Yes, please!”

Crewel might’ve been secretly rooting for him 

And when he eventually does have Silver asking for approval 

He’ll give it to him

“I was under the impression, your sleepy disposition meant you were an airhead unoccupied but your duel showed me otherwise. I expect you will protect her with that same vigor I watched you fight with.”

“Of course, sir! I plan to protect her with all my might!”

“Good boy.”

Sebek Zigvolt Ending 

Where Silver’s nimble 

Sebek has power

Power that ultimately beats Silver

Now at this point Lilia will try to help him

Keyword: try

“AS SUCH I WOULD PREVAIL! (Y/N)’S HAND IS MINE!” 

He’ll run off the grounds shouting and cheering 

He’s so busy tooting his own horn he’s completely oblivious to the atmosphere 

“Dogs with barking problems need a muzzle.”

While Crewel is groaning under his breath as he retreats to rage in his room fill out some paperwork

Meanwhile Sebek is proudly stomping to where you are completely unaware of the way people are disturbed by his loud presence

“(Y/n)! I HAVE PROPERLY DUELED FOR YOUR HAND AGAINST SILVER AND I HAVE WON! NOW SHALL WE UNITE IN BRIAR VALLEY OR QUEENDOM OF ROSES?”

“Sebek…what are you talking about?”

“THE DUEL FOR YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE! YOUR FATHER GIVES HIS APPROVAL FOR OUR UNION!”

“Sebek, you do realize that nowadays you don’t have to fight anyone…you can just ask me.”

“But I’ve already pledged! And I beat him!”

“That doesn’t mean anything compared to my words. Are you suggesting that my opinion doesn’t matter?”

“NO! Not in the slightest! I apologize for assuming! It is my own hubris that makes me overstep to think you could ever want to be with me!”

He kneels wanting to kiss your shoe

“I wouldn’t be against it if you were to court me, by modern standards that is.”

“IT’D BE AN HONOR…but I will admit when it comes to modern courting…I am not very familiar.”

“No worries, I can guide you.”

“THAT’S EXACTLY LIKE YOU (Y/N)-SAMA! I’M HONORED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY!”

Such a worshipper 

You could probably keep him on a leash like this for years

An option Crewel would very much prefer

Expect him to defend your honor in every situation

Like when someone insults you

Or questions why you’ve been dating so long

Or any compliment towards you that makes him insecure which is quite a few

Sebek will eventually grow on Crewel who will still maintain that he doesn’t like him

“I still think you need a muzzle.”

[jordan-the-pious]

“Jordan?”

Jordan looked up from their phone as their name was called. The last several days had been beyond stressful, with the last hour and a half alone surpassing anything they had ever experienced. It was no wonder they had a crushing migraine. All this stuff with Briar… it was bringing up old memories and bad feelings, things Jordan thought they had long since forgotten about. They supposed Briar just has a way of sticking around, even when they aren’t wanted.

Snapping back to reality, they stood and walked towards the young nurse who had called their name, offering him a smile. Silently, they were led back to an appointment room.

“So, what brings you in today?” The nurse asked politely.

“Ah I’ve um, I’ve had this headache for the last bit. Nothing I’ve done has helped get rid of it, I believe it’s stress related though. I was hoping you could help me out.”

“A headache…” the nurse took some notes. Jordan swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous for no reason. They knew Briar said they were on their way to the hospital, but surely that was a bluff, right? And if it wasn’t they’d be stopped by the staff, Jordan really didn’t want to see them right now. They didn’t know what they might say in a fit of emotion right now.

The nurse stood up, jolting Jordan out of their thoughts. He approached, and began taking Jordan’s blood pressure. Jordan looked at the floor in front of their feet, unsure where else to rest their gaze.

“Alright, everything sounds normal, I’ll let Doctor Harper know that you’re here! They’ll be in shortly!” Jordan exchanges another small smile with the nurse before being left alone in silence with just themselves and their thoughts.

How awful. This was the very last thing they needed right now. To have to sit and think. They could get their device back out, but that was what led to this mess in the first place. If they had never made that account, never started posting, they wouldn’t have seen Briar again. Wouldn’t have spoken to them again. Wouldn’t have caught their attention again.

They should have known from the last time they caught their attention how it was. They had been a good, pure child, and Briar had approached them with impure intentions. They wanted to corrupt Jordan’s soul, saw it as a challenge they were desperate to undertake. They got close to Jordan, infiltrated every aspect of the young initiates life. They because everything to Jordan, and Jordan foolishly assumed they were everything to Briar.

At one point Briar had come clean. Told to truth about why they approached Jordan in the first place, but swore that it was different now, that their feelings were real and true, and that they wanted to spend the future together. And Jordan believed them. They were so earnest, so desperate in the way they said it, that it had to be true.

But it wasn’t.

They had passed the test to be sworn to one another, and were just waiting for the ritual to start. Back then there was more of delay between events, it was faster now because of this incident. They had both been pure when they left the temple after passing their test, but upon inspection the next day before the ceremony, Briar was no longer pure. They had broken the oath, broken the promise, betrayed Jordan, all at the very last minute.

They didn’t even have the dignity to tell Jordan themselves, they had to find out from the Head Priestess at the time. She was a kindly old woman, and had always been like a Grandmother to Jordan. So when she walked in with a horrible look on her face, Jordan knew something was wrong.

“What is it?” They asked. “Is Briar okay? Are they injured?”

“Far worse my child. They betrayed you.”

That was the last time Jordan spoke of Briar for many years. After this incident they devoted themselves fully to the temple, and were soon selected to be the successor to the High Priestess. They had hoped these memories would stay buried. But nothing ever works out the way we want it to.

Jordan was pulled from their contemplation by a knock at the door, and it opening to reveal Dr. Harper. They exchanged hellos and smiles, and a few pleasantries before the doctor got down to business.

“So I understand you’ve had a headache for the last couple of days?” Doctor Harper’s methodical voice asked, every syllable measured.

“Yes Doctor. I think I’ve just been stressed recently.”

“I understand. Well, since you don’t have any history of headaches, I think just a pain killer and a good nights sleep should fix you right up.”

“That’s wonderful news! Thank you so much Doctor. Oh, but um, while we’re on the subject, I know it isn’t really allowed, but could I maybe be permitted to spend the night here, at the hospital? I love the temple but I fear returning to my place of work so quickly might make the stress worse.”

Harper raked their eyes up and down Jordan’s form, a sick smile appearing on their face. “Oh of course you can! Here, go ahead and take this pain killer for me, and I’ll go get the necessary paperwork. I am looking forward to you spending the night with me.” Harper said, pulling a small pink pill from their coat pocket.

Jordan smiled in return, and took the pill without a second thought.