#But dear lord when the other gets involved he's like hey can you chase this unlikely lead on a product you didn't design

[terrorbirb]

This is my first full day back in a week and I'm still sick, yet because all of my coworkers are out my boss keeps being like "Nicole, can you please try to do this as well? It's for important customers :(" like with all do respect, because I do all manufacturing sales that means I handle the most profitable stuff we do that requires the most work and accounts for half of our business. Just me. And I've been out for a week practically. I'm also still sick. I know you're worried, but just think.

[goldencorecrunches]

@lady-of-the-lotus I’ve done it. I’ve written, G-d help me, YaoYang fanfiction. I hope you’re happy. I hope you forget about your soup on the burner and it scorches. (Also on AO3 for fancy linked footnotes)

---

Must one dread what others dread?

--Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

.

What have I done? Sweet Jesus, what have I done?

--Jean Valjean, Les Misérables (Musical)

.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.[1]

 --Jewish blessing said prior to eating an olive-bulk or more of bread (unless, of course, you disagree).

---------

It was a bright and balmy day, the third of the cultivation conference, and Sect Leader Yao was being insufferable. He was well outfitted for it. He had woken from his insufferable, snoring sleep and demanded an insufferable breakfast, the specifications of which made the most highly-ranked, honor-festooned cook in Jin Tower break down into tears and resign on the spot. He put on his most insufferable underpants on under his most insufferable robes, and tied back his hair in the insufferable style that he favored, the one that made him look like a badly turned rotten beet.[2] He had even spent fifty minutes manipulating his face in an insufferable series of facial expressions in the mirror, involving him at several points “losing” his own reflection only to “find” it again at the corner of the polished bronze, much to his own amusement—though not, it might be stated, to the amusement of the junior launderer he demanded watch his performance.

The hall had been surprisingly vacant of other unoccupied servants, when Sect Leader Yao had checked. All that scurrying and burrying! Well, servants should be busy, anyway: that was the way, and the way was right, HRRGNH. “That Was the Way, And The Way Was Right, HRRGNH,” was the latest of the updated mottos Sect Leader Yao had thought of for his sect. Though it was an excellent guiding principal and pure poetry upon the senses, it had two drawbacks. The first was that the tonally-important HRRGNH at the posterior end of the phrase was obtained by means of thrusting the hips forward, curling the torso, and letting the resulting force of air displaced escape through the mouth. This was, Sect Leader Yao allowed, not very dignified.  

Still, all was not lost. Sect Leader Jiang had scowled upon seeing it, but he was always scowling so he didn’t count. Sect Leader Lan had looked intrigued. Sect Leader Nie had applauded, and asked whether it would be possible to pass gas from below at the same time; a very tactless comment, Sect Leader Yao had thought, considering the gastrointestinal distress he was so often plagued by, which Sect Leader Nie should know about, as Sect Leader Yao had described it to him at length, frequently. He had reminded Sect Leader Nie of this with appropriate grace. It was good to show these young sprites how to conduct oneself with the proper manners. The second problem was that Sect Leader Yao did not, and had not for several years, have a sect. It was not something Sect Leader Yao liked to think about, so he largely didn't.

On the way to the discussion hall Sect Leader Yao felt a whisper, on the back of his neck. It was the slimiest whisper anyone had ever felt, and it carried with it the vague sense that someone had been watching you, through a crack in the wall, the last time you were alone in the bathroom. It also carried the powerful scent of moldy incense. Sect Leader Yao turned and spread his arms wide. “Sect Leader Ouyang!” It was his best, insufferable, friend. His worst friend, too, being his only, but Sect Leader Ouyang took on both roles with ease. They’d stabbed each other, once, over a hunk of demonic metal. Ah, memories were truly the jewels of life. Sect Leader Ouyang grimaced like a dead cat, which was his version of a pleased smile, and bowed. Sect Leader Yao bowed back. When he rose he waggled his eyebrows. Sect Leader Ouyang snapped open his fan and wafted, with the gentle flutter of a category five hurricane, several lungfuls of moldy incense. They had totally sucked face last night. It had been swag.[3] “What’s on the docket for today?” “I believe it is something to do with that Jin boy. An honor ceremony he’s attempting to put together. If he expects my sect to pay for it, I’ll want to know why.” Sect Leader Ouyang sniffed. He did that a lot. Sect Leader Yao lovingly passed over a handkerchief.

The Jin boy’s proposal was indeed the first major case discussed, after the necessary canapés and complaints about the accommodations had been passed around.[5] It was a matter the boy had clearly put much thought into, and one dear to his heart; he presented it with an earnest timbre that would have swayed a petrified forest. Unfortunately, earnestness was outside of Sect Leader Yao’s testicular-sized sphere of understanding. “He’s grubbing for money, you’ll see,” Sect Leader Yao said, in an overtone[6] to Sect Leader Ouyang. Sect Leader Yao considered himself wise to the ways of the conniving, since he, the aforementioned, sometimes cheated at cards. His friend-now-daring-conquest nodded and glared across the room. He was aiming for the Jin boy, but missed, and caught a rather startled wine-pourer on the side. “You ought to say something,” Sect Leader Ouyang said. That was an excellent idea. It was always, in Sect Leader Yao’s opinion, the right time for him to be talking. “Hey!” he shouted, waving his arms over his head like an extremely drunk aircraft marshal. “Hey! What’s this got to do with Wei Wuxian?” “It…doesn’t,” said the Jin boy, who was in fact Sect Leader Jin, and who while admittedly young outranked Sect Leader Yao to a degree that would make you wince and say whoee it’s a scorcher if you saw it on an outdoor thermometer. “Ridiculous!” Sect Leader Yao said. “We all know it does! Stop trying to bamboozle us with dacquoise!”[7] Sect Leader Jiang had stopped scowling in approval and had begun to scowl in apparent constipation. The history between him and Wei Wuxian was somewhat rocky.[8] “Exactly as he says!” Sect Leader Ouyang, the most and least loyal of Sect Leader Yao’s comrades, cut in. He leapt to his feet; several of his neighbors checked, instinctively, to make sure their pants were still up. “You won’t catch us sleeping!” “Hear, hear!” Sect Leader Yao thundered. “Please don’t shout,” Sect Leader Nie hangovered. He had one hand clasped around his temples, the other clutching a cup of water. Sect Leader Yao was surprised he was so bad off. He’d seemed quite sober when he’d stumbled across the totally swag face-sucking betwixt Sect Leaders Yao and Ouyang. Speaking of. Sect Leader Yao turned to look sideways conspiratorially at Sect Leader Ouyang and shoot him finger-bow-and-arrows.[9] Sect Leader Ouyang mimed catching one. Damn, Sect Leader Yao was for sure going to propose marriage after this Wei Wuxian dacquoise was smoked out.

Oh yeah, it was all comin’ up Yao, baby. That was the way, and the way was right.

HRRGNH.

----------

1This blessing has no relevance to the contents of this work. “Honestly,” the author said when questioned, “I’m just trying for all the help I can get.”[return to text]

2A confusing feat, as this was China prior to the year 1000 BCE, Gregorian, and beets had not been invented yet.[return to text]

3“Swag” is neither a genre- nor period-accurate term for the emotion Sect Leader Yao was feeling. However, translation is an art rather than a science,[4] and more atmospheric words fail to communicate to modern English-speaking audiences the true depth of Sect Leader Yao’s douchebaggery. Thus: swag.[return to text]

4"An art rather than a science” is a common phrase used by people who are neither artists nor scientists to describe what they believe to be the difference between these disciplines. One might as well say “a boot rather than a canary”—that is, not the same, but having more in common than people might think.

5There was nothing wrong with the accommodations, and especially nothing any of the poorly-used common folk the attendees lorded over would have found, but if there is one unifying factor among humans it is that they love to complain.[return to text]

6Like an undertone, but the opposite.[return to text]

7A word Sect Leader Yao thought meant “deceit,” but which in fact refers to a tasty meringue-and-cream French pastry.[return to text]

8If by “somewhat rocky” you mean “a high-speed chase over deadly-fast rapids between simultaneous avalanches, and also, there are sharks.”[return to text]

9Small handheld firearms, aka “guns,” had also not been invented yet.[return to text]

[osakaso5]

Everyday Splendor in Olympus Town: Season 1

Episode 3: Artemis

Episode Index

Theseus: Oh? Hey, Artemis. Didn't expect to see you here.

Theseus: Isn't your house in the other direction?

Artemis: Right back at you, Theseus. I thought you chased after Athena as soon as the bell rang.

Theseus: Someone came to pick him up from school today. I could only follow him up to the gates.

Theseus: I need to train more, so I'll be able to keep up with a car...

Artemis: ...Good luck with that. I'm worried you just might succeed.

Theseus: So, what's up with you?

Artemis: I'm going to the shop. 

Artemis: Hermes needs a talking to, after what happened with Apollon.

Theseus: I should've known... You don't waste time when it comes to anything related to Apollon.

Artemis: I've been letting him get off easy so far.

Artemis: No matter what junk he peddled, I could ignore it as long as it made Apollon happy.

Artemis: This time, he actually looked disappointed.

Theseus: Really? He  didn't seem any different to me.

Artemis: You weren't looking hard enough, clearly. His eyebrows were a whole two millimeters lower than usual.

Theseus: Two millimeters..!?

Artemis: Hermes will rue the day he made my dear brother sad.

Theseus: I'll come with you, then. Apollon's my dear friend, too.

Theseus: Not to mention I don't want you to do anything rash.

Artemis: Don't worry about me.

Hermes: Well if isn't Thessy and Arty! You boys on your way home from school?

Artemis: ...Speak of the devil.

Theseus: Hermes, you gave Apollon some piece of junk again.

Hermes: What? Junk, you say..?

Artemis: Quit playing dumb. We know about the robot dog.

Hermes: Ah, you mean the Faithful Nanapup?

Artemis & Theseus: Yes!

Artemis: Explain yourself, or face concequences.

Hermes: Calm down, both of you..!

Hermes: It's a perfectly fine contraption! Didn't Appy look happy to have it, too?

Artemis: Until he tried to demonstrate it to us, he did.

Theseus: Latest AI technology, my foot. It didn't even move!

Hermes: Maybe that was because you two didn't have enough affection?

Hermes: If you call out to the Nanapup gently, like I did, it's sure to respond.

Artemis: Ugh... No signs of remorse. Let's just hand this guy to the authorities.

Theseus: It'll be a lot faster if I call up Heracles.

Hermes: Hold on, now! There's no need to get the law involved, is there?

Hermes: Certainly not that stick-in-the-mud Heracles!

Hermes: Oh, I know! Hey, Thessy. I've got something you might like...

Theseus: T-t-t-this is..!!! A photo of Master Athena having lunch!

Hermes: I got it from a certain associate of mine, and thought you might like it.

Theseus: ...I-I guess you're off the hook this time. Just make sure it doesn't happen again.

Artemis: You can't seriously be this easy to bribe.

Hermes: Now now, Arty. If there's anything you'd like, I'll gladly let you have it.

Artemis: ........

Hermes: What'll it be? You're in high school, so bubble tea maybe? How about donuts? Uncle Hermy will get you anything you'd like~!

[Creak...]

Artemis: It looks like you're not worth talking to.

Hermes: W-whoa! Hold on!

Hermes: Surely, you wouldn't shoot me with your bow? Would you..?

Artemis: When there's prey in front of me, I have to take it out.

Hermes: Do you have to say it so matter-of-factly!?

Artemis: ........

Hermes: ...A-are you really gonna shoot!?

Hermes: Help me, Thessy..! Arty's got a murderous glint in his eye~!

Theseus: C-calm down, Artemis..!

Artemis: Are you taking his side, Theseus?

Artemis: One more target for me, I guess.

Theseus: ......!!!

Theseus: This is bad..! He completely sees us as his prey now! He's gonna shoot..!

Hermes: It's your fault for being so easy to bribe, Thessy!

Theseus: You're the one who started this! Fix your mistake!

Artemis: What are you two whispering about?

Artemis: You don't really think you'll be let off the hook for deceiving my dear brother that easily, do you?

Hermes: L-look, Arty, I'm sorry.

Artemis: "Arty"?

[Creeeak...]

Hermes: I'm sorry, Artemis.

Hermes: No, Lord Artemis!!! Please accept my humble apologies! It won't happen again..!

Hermes: I'll apologize to Apollon, too!

Artemis: ........ Can I really trust you?

Hermes: B-but of course! I, Hermes, swear in the name of the gods themselves..!

Artemis: ...I won't let you off next time.

Hermes: Y-yes, sir..! N-now if you'll excuse me!

Theseus: ...Phew... I thought you were actually gonna shoot. Good thing I came with you.

Artemis: I wouldn't waste my arrows on a guy like him.

Artemis: I just hope Hermes has finally learned his lesson.

Artemis: I can't believe you were all enamored with some photo. You'll never be like Athena if  you  act that way.

Theseus: Ugh... Yeah, you've got a point there. I'll be careful next time.

[nad-zeta]

hi hi!! hcs for nobu, hideyoshi, yuki, and ieyasu finding out that the (female, if possible!) reader has a twin sister? if ikevamp is fine, then also arthur and isaac! you can disregard hideyoshi and ieyasu if u want! 💞

Hi hi, love! ❤😊Thank you so much for the request! And sorry for taking 2 million years to get to this lol! I hope you enjoy this dear and I hope you have a super good day!❤🌻 @x-jodi-x

Headcanon: MC with twin sister feat: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Yukimura, Arthur and Isaac

Nobunaga

When Nobunga found out you had a twin sister he was shook ◉_◉

In his books siblings, or well families for that matter, was not to be trusted

(；一_一)

But then you told him all about your twin sister and what a good relationship you had with her and that you missed her so much （>﹏<）

And as if the universe heard your prayer

Low and behold the wormhole picked up your sister and dropped he off at the gates of the castle ｡◕‿◕｡

She walked in easily and was super confused at everyone addressing her as “princess.” (^^ゞ

That’s when she spotted you walking down the hallway (≧▽≦)

She legit sprinted to your side and tackled you in a hug ＼(^o^)／

Cue Nobunaga walking out of the council room

Whhhhhaaaaat ⊙△⊙

How are there two of you �(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

He keenly examined both of you and grabbed you by your hand to pull you away from your sister in a tight embrace  ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

Be gone imposter (┛ಠДಠ)┛彡┻━┻

“Oi listen here you demanding little brat..” your sister legit took your hand to pull you back into her embrace (ง'̀-'́)ง

“If you want my sister, you are going to have to go through me, we were parted once, and I’m sure as hell, not ganna be parted from her again”

(／‵Д′)／~ ╧╧

Your twin and Nobunaga had an intense staring contest (¬_¬)

Finally, you broke the silence and cleared up the misunderstanding, reminding Nobunaga of the conversation you had had with him about your twin

And then you turned to your sister and introduced her to your devil king boyfriend (◠‿◠✿)

She legit looked him up and down suspiciously, “You sure this one makes you happy, cause I saw a cutie with a beauty mark under his eye as I was wandering around..” (；一_一)

At the sight of your beamingly happy face your sister  reluctantly gave you her blessing ¬_¬

But that by no means met she let Nobunaga completely off the hook

The two of them would bicker all of the freaken time and 100% compete for your attention

Even though Nobunaga and your sister fought like cats and dogs, Nobunaga still felt it only right to ask he permission to marry you

One day he stomped up to your sister’s room, while you were out in the markets helping Mitsunari |*▼皿▼)

“So you want to marry my sister, and what makes you think you are good enough to marry my sweet cute sis, huh?” (≖︿≖✿)

That is when Nobunaga told your sister everything that he loved about you while wearing the most gentle of smiles (◕▿◕✿)

“Fine, you can marry her… if you beat me in a shoot of” (¬‿¬)

And your sister and Nobunaga shook hands and sought out Mitsuhide to have a shoot-off, naturally your sister won (Which low key impressed Mitsuhide big time) 

̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з= ( ▀ ͜͞ʖ▀) =ε/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

Your sister took one look at Nobungaga and knew he truly did love you so she smacked him on the back and said with a huge smirk, “Welcome to the family Nobungaga, just remember if you break my sister’s heart, I will break your face.” (◠‿◠✿)

Nobungaga smiled his devilish smirk, perhaps families and siblings genuinely aren’t that bad 

Yukimura

Both you and your sister had travelled back in time together

You sister was shyer and more reserved, so she spent more time reading with Ieyasu, Mitsuhide and Mitsunari (✿◠‿◠)

While you would explore the markets and go on adventures with Masamune and Hideyoshi (◕▿◕✿)

You had taken a liking to a certain boyish merchant and soon the two of you were in a relationship

You had told Yukimura that you had a sister but forgot to mention that she was your identical twin 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

After gushing about Yukimura to your sister, she was intrigued at the type of man who could make her beloved sister so happy and wanted to meet him

The two of you walked around the markets together when you caught a glimpse of Sasuke (◕‿◕✿)

The two of you stopped and chatted with the ninja

That’s when Yukimura spotted you (˶◕‿◕˶✿)

He rubbed his eyes cause he thought he was seeing doubles (*ﾉω-)

The closer he got, the more his confusion grew ◉_◉

He tapped you on the shoulder and both you and your sister turned around at the same time (｡◕‿‿◕｡)

“Witchcraft!” (ʘ言ʘ╬)

Yuki backed away, slowly, pulling your sister into his arms, “Dummy, quick let’s run, it seems like an evil enchantress has stolen your appearance.”

(∩╹□╹∩)

Just then your sister flicked Yuki on the forehead, and when he looked into your sister’s eyes, he realized that she was most definitely not you

�(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

Meanwhile, you and Sasuke were laughing at the fact that Yuki couldn’t tell the two of you apart （≧ｙ≦＊）☜(˚▽˚)☞

That’s when you stepped forward to gently cup Yuki’s cheeks in your small hands, “Oi calm down, I’m right here, and this isn’t witchcraft, she is my sister.” (｡◕‿◕｡)

Yuki looked at your sister and then back at you, and then at your sister again, and let out a long sigh ◑.◑

He then smiled his boyish smile, “why didn’t you just say so, geez you almost gave me a heart attack, I thought your sister was some evil witch. I’m so relieved to hear she is actually a good witch.”  (◠‿◠✿)

“Hey, I’m not a witch you.. you… idiot,” your sister pouted, and you laughed at the awkward Yuki, now blushing from embarrassment 

┐(-。ー;)┌

“yeah yeah, and this dummy here isn’t a wild boar, geez your family sure is weird.” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Cue both you and your sister smacking him, “You’re the weird one.”

After the initial shock Yuki actually really liked your sister 

He low key adopted her as his little sister, even though you were the same age 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

He legit low key still thinks she is an enchantress even after you explained that you are twins 

Hideyoshi

You and Hideyoshi had been in a relationship for a while now but lately, you had seemed slightly down  (ノ﹏ヽ)

You simply told him that you were missing your sister and that you were worried about her 

｡ﾟ･（>﹏<）･ﾟ｡

You sister was also sent back in time, unbeknown to you, but somehow arrived in the past a year earlier than you.

She had saved Kenshin’s life and was living with Sasuke in Kasugayama Castle (ㅇㅅㅇ❀)

Just as you had found love in the Sengoku period, so had your sister falling head over heels for the bunny warlord himself (⁎˃ᆺ˂)

War was on the horizon and one morning during war council, Nobunaga had declared that his lucky charm would accompany him to the battlefield.

(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)

You usually helped the rear guard with cooking and treating the wounded soldiers 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ 

Hideyoshi accompanied his lord in the front lines when he spotted a familiar face riding beside Kenshin (◯Δ◯∥)

Your name slipped from his lips 

He rode full speed towards the woman riding beside the God of war 

He yelled your name and your sister looked at him curiously, just how on earth did this random man know your name �(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

Before she could question it, the Uesugi forces pulled back for the evening and went back to camp (◕ㅅ◕✿)

The tide of war was turning as new information of Kennyo’s involvement had been discovered

So naturally, the Oda and Uesugi forces formed a temporary alliance, and that’s when it happened 

You were out with Ieyasu collecting some herbs ~(˘▾˘~)

Kenshin and your sister had just entered into the Oda camp and at the sight of your sister, Hideyoshi ran towards her and pulled her into a hug

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

“How many times have I told you not to go wandering off in the middle of the war, and just what do you think you are doing with the God of war.”

ಠ_ಠ

“Hey, I think there is some misunderstanding,” Your sister gently pushed Hideyoshi away as Kenshin was now ready to cut the mama bear down

(┛◉Д◉)┛彡┻━┻

Hideyoshi’s eyes widened in confusion, he looked between her and Kenshin, as your sister retreated into his arms

♡｡ﾟ.(*♡´‿` 人´‿` ♡*)ﾟ♡ °・

Hideyoshi felt his heart break in two, “Tell me this isn’t true, I thought you loved me” he chocked out  (ಥ_ʖಥ)

“Dude I don’t even know you..”  ┐( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)┌

Just then you appeared out of nowhere carrying a bunch of flowers (◕‿◕✿)

“Hey Yoshi look at all these pretty flowers I found, while Yasu and I were out collecting herbs” you placed your hand on Hideyoshi’s shoulder as you walked closer your way to the group (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Cue Yoshi being hella confused  (ʘᗩʘ’)

As you got closer, you spotted your sister and instantly dropped the flowers and tackled her in a tight hug （╯°□°）╯︵( .o.)

Cue error.exe Kenshin & Hideyoshi 

＝(￣□￣;)⇒

After a few moments, Kenshin simply smiled at you, as your sister had been talking non-stop about you (｡◕‿◕｡)

while Hideyoshi just stood there frozen（￣□||||

There were two of you, how was that possible

When he finally processed the information before him, he bowed his head and apologized profusely to your sister, “OwO ahh him so sorry, i-I didn't realize-“ 

Your sister was super chilled and just smiled at him, “it’s all good, people used to mistake us for each other all the time!” ｡◕‿◕｡

Definitely lets you spend lots of time with your sister while the Oda forces are in the alliance

He will legit mama bear the shit outta your sister while the two forces are in an alliance, much to Kenshin's displeasure (¬_¬)

He instantly adopts, and sister zones your sister

Even after the war is over, he will invite her to visit the two of you, even putting his differences aside with the God of war

Anything to make you happy 

Is super happy to have met a member of your family and loves it when your sister tells a bunch of embarrassing stories about you when you were little (◕▿◕✿)

Arthur

Ohhhhooohhh Arthur is definitely excited to have two pretty little skirts around to chase (◕▿◕✿)

Will flirt mercilessly with both of you, to which both of you just scoff and walk away 

(；一_一) (¬_¬)

As you get to know the real Arthur a little bit better, you can’t help but fall in love with him (◠‿◠✿)

Much to your sister’s disproval ب_ب

She legit marched he way up to the playboy’s room the second you told her that the two of you were dating, to find out his intentions  

(ﾉಠдಠ)ﾉ︵┻━┻

“Tell me sherlock wanna be, what exactly are your intentions with my sister.”    (ﾉಠдಠ)ﾉ

Arthur was sister shook, your sister was honestly hella intimidating, “i-I assure you I have no ill intent towards my dearest little bird,” Arthur gave your sister a nervous smile (◕‸ ◕✿)

Your sister simply narrowed her eyes at him, “If you break her heart, you will wish you were never born when I’m done with you,” after a final threat your sister gave him a chilling smile and left (≖︿≖✿)

God, she was frightening (ﾟωﾟ;)

After that Arthur tried to spend time doing 3 people activities to get to know your sister a bit better and to prove that he truly did love you

(▰˘◡˘▰)

“Come on, Arthur is not such a bad guy, yeah he’s got a past, but he also has a cute dog, and no one with a dog is super bad” ｡◕‿◕｡

Arthur would often invite the two of you out with him to solve cases, something which all three of you actually really enjoyed ( ಠ ͜ʖರೃ)

As time went on your sister started to accept Arthur as part of the family, plus you were right, Vic was the sweetest dog in the whole world, no way such a sweet dog would hang around a crappy owner | (• ◡•)| (❍ᴥ❍ʋ)

You and your sister would often prank the residents by pretending to be each other ｡◕‿‿◕｡

But it honestly never worked on Arthur as he could instantly tell which twin was which

 (°ロ°)☝

One day your twin came walking into his room in an attempt to fool him

Arthur simply smiled up at her, and walked over to the coach, which you were hiding behind

“Found you Luv, did you really think I wouldn’t be able to tell the love of my life apart from her sister,” he would then shower your face with kisses

(~￣³￣)~

“Ewww affection, could you guys like not do that in front of me! That’s it, I’m outta here, common Vic lets go see if Napoleon has finished those pancakes yet,” ≧☉_☉≦

Arthur would definitely get jelly sometimes with the amount of time you spend with your sister, and can’t help but whisk you away to have you all for himself  (>^_^)><(^o^<)

Isaac

The first time both you and your sister arrive at the mansion you can’t help but want to befriend the physicist ≧☉_☉≦

Although the only problem was, that both of you were shy little hedgehogs and were rather awkward when it came to human interaction 

(⁎˃ᆺ˂)

That’s where your sister comes in

Out of the two of you, she had always been the more outgoing one (◕▿◕✿)

After watching you and Isaac dance around each other for the better part of a few weeks, your sister decided to team up with Napoleons

And so operation GET SHY CINNAROLLS TOGETHER was created

(☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜)

Napoleon had left some of Harry the hedgehog’s favourite food down in the wine cellar, which caused harry to naturally, stray from Isaacs room to nibble up his fav snacks  V✪ω✪V

While Napoleon worked on getting Isaac into position, your sister had handed you the new shipment of wine to be placed in the cellar 

You made your way to the dark cellar only to stumble upon Isaac on the floor reaching under one of the shelves ಠ╭╮ಠ

“Oh I-I-Isaac, what are you doing down here” you shyly asked as Isaac sat up and looked down at the ground sheepishly (*^_^*)

“My hedgehog, got himself stuck under the shelves and I can’t seem to quite reach him.” 

(〃￣ω￣〃ゞ

You gave him a timid smile and sat beside him reaching your arm beneath the shelf to retrieve the hedgehog (◕‿◕✿)

You handled the little critter to Isaac and the two of you started chatting about your mutual love for animals 

All while unbeknown to the both of you, your sister and Napoleon watched from the doorway high fiving each other at a job well-done

  ヘ( ^o^)ノ＼(^_^ )

It wasn’t long before you and Isaac was in a relationship  (/^-^(^ ^*)/

Honestly, this boy could easily tell you apart from your sister

Isaac was more of an observer than a talker due to his shy nature so he noticed even the smallest of details about you   (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`) ♡

Hehe, he is super awkward around your sister, but tries to get to know her a little better by spending time with both of you 

The three of you actually help out together at Napo’s school

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

Isaac is a little bit of a jealous boy and will get pouty if you are spending too much time with your sister and neglecting him (◕ω◕✿)

But never fear, one hug and kiss from you is enough to bring his cute blushy smile back to his face (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Your sister loves ganging up with Arthur and Dazai to tease Isaac

Isaac low key sees your twin sister as an older sister figure, and will go to her for advice whenever he wants to surprise you with a fun date or thoughtful gift ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

I hope you enjoyed this, dear! and I hope you have a super good day! 🌼❤🌻

[daily-rubbersoul-redux]

Sumi had her hands shoved into her pockets as she waited in the alleyway that afternoon.  This... would be it.  She would end this, here and now.  She just... hoped he would actually show up.

“Greetings Yukikara.” 

She turned her head towards the direction of the voice, perking up a bit when she saw it was coming from Nathan, note in hand.  “Hey.” She pulled her right hand from her pocket, giving a wave.  “Glad to see you’re doing well.”

“....I’ll cut to the chase.  What do you know about, well.... Everything that has been going on with me?”  He had more of a clue now than previously, considering that his memories had slowly been returning to him since the... incident a few days ago. But even still... It felt like some crucial clues were missing.  Not to mention that whatever had done this to him was being completely silent, despite his best efforts to get anything out of it.  

Sumi sighed, averting her gaze a bit.  “I gotta admit, not much.  I’m... Not the smartest.  But even so... I think I know a way to stop it.  One that doesn’t involve violence, or anyone else’s help.  On that’ll make things right.”  She turned to fully face him.  This was it.  The one thing she could do to help.  A determined look in her eyes, she straightened her posture, and throwing forward her arm to point at Nathan.  “Alright, listen up! I have a proposal for you!  If you give Nathan back all of his memories, even the ones that were from when you were in control of him, and leave his body so he can have his life normally again, then...

I’ll let you inhabit MY body instead.  Cause you want to be perfect, right?  So if you agree to this, you’ll have brains AND brawn.”  

What? ....No, she wasn’t talking to him.  She was talking to... 

“Yukikara, what are you doing?  Do you even know if this thing is capable of leaving my body?  And even then, do you not have a sense of self preservation at all!?”  This was insane... To do this for someone that had been so cruel to her previously... Did she actually sustain some sort of damage to her brain when she got attacked a few days ago?

Sumi’s face held the same determined look as she gave Nathan as a smile. “Nah, this is just the best thing for everyone.  Best thing I can do alone, anyways.  And I can’t trust anyone else to handle this, at least in a way that’ll lead to a happy ending.”  

Before he could even open his mouth to respond, however, Nathan once again felt himself being thrust out of control of his body.  

It would be a strain, but the creature wanted a chance to negotiate before they made a decision.  “I have to admit, that offer IS quite enticing... Not to mention that I do find you to be interesting...”  He brought his hand up to his chin, contemplating.  “But I must ask... What do you get out of this?  I would think you would not do this without good reason, no? Besides, as far as you know I will simply do the same to you that I did to him.”

“Yeah, I know.  I can’t exactly force you to leave my memories be and stuff, but... I feel that this is the best thing I CAN do in the situation.  Plus.... Lets just say I have a gut feeling that something else is going on.  Cause... You had no reason to get me to the hospital that other day.”

He seemed taken aback. “How exactly... were you aware that that was me?”

Sumi grinned. “Easy, there’s no way that Nathan would be able to carry me.  And I know that you’re stronger, so... I’m not THAT dumb, heh.”

He contemplated for a few more seconds.  The deal seemed good, and in all honesty.... He was curious about that odd person who had attacked Yukikara.  “...Fine then, I believe we have ourselves a deal.”  Without hesitation, he grabbed onto Sumi’s arm, and.... 

Within a matter of seconds, Nathan once again found himself in control of his own body.  And....

Oh.

O h .

He..... He needed to process this.  All of this.  Oh dear lord.

Sumi, meanwhile was.... huh, actually, she felt about the same.

“....Once I gain enough of my power back, I am going to need to speak through you in order to apologize to Kanpeki.”

She jumped a bit, not expecting to just have... A voice in her head now.  “Oh, uh, sure I guess? But.... Why?”

“.....It seems he was not the only one being manipulated in all of this.”

[ARC: END]

[spaceguybob]

“A memory that remained” Housamo fanfiction Scenario - Ophion.

Tokyo After-school summoners. Fanfiction/scenario. "A memory that remained"

PREFACE - This Fanfiction is my personal love letter to the creators of the TAS game, their imagination and fantastic story telling. Especially to Ophion who is a amazing husband character and i thought his storytelling could use a bit more.

** That bizarre adventure was finally over with things seemingly back to normal. Both you and Seth laughed when you saw each other again this day, especially since you thought you may not see one another ever again. Faith has some odd twists and turns. But now, you were glad, able to finally relax. As much it was possible of course in the summer resort when you were surrounded by a gang of over-hyper friends chasing around the swimming pools, jumping into the water and causing general havoc. "Come on! If you don't get in the pool I'm going to bash you till you do!" Kengo yells impatiently from the water area but his words get blurred out by water sprays coming from Hanuman's water gun. Seth laughed in the background after seeing the scene, he and Shiro oddly found a common language together. Ganglie and Ryota snuck away to replenish the food supplies, and Toji and Moritaka were hiding in the shade debating something formally, perhaps it was sword fighting or training? Or just generally plotting revenge on Kengo for throwing both of them into the pool. Closing your eyes, sitting comfortably on the lounger you only want to drift away. The muscles still felt bruised and tired, although there is no physical sign of the experience you went through, the mind still thinks all the signs are there. Also, there are things you are still slowly processing. Especially one thing. There was a memory that kept creeping on you, almost every time you closed your eyes. It was hard to describe to be honest because memories have images and this one felt so distorted, it was a mix of colours, images, conversation and laugh, and most importantly music and a feeling. The last two things started following you in a pair, always. There is a melody you remember and a longing. Having been told multiple times that your rule has permanently cut you off from memories of your many lives past you have eventually accepted the fact that whatever the past was, it will have to stay in the past. Except for this one broken memory which felt like it was coming from a badly adjusted radio.

A sudden squirt of cold water pulled you sharply out of the depth of your mind. So sharply your whole body jerked up in surprise. “Undercover ninja attack!” Hanuman flashed his teeth from the edge of the pool waving his water gun at you. “Sleepy face gets a direct hit from the super water blaster 1000!” Kengo cheers with him jumping out of the pool heading in your direction fast.

“Sorry partner but you asked for it! I warned you” He grins rubbing his hands ready to grab your legs, but you are faster than him and swiftly turn around jumping off the lounger before he even tries, unexpectedly Kengo slips on a puddle of water created by Hanuman’s gun as he tried to outmanoeuvre you and ends up flat on the lounger waving his arms in panic. You can’t stop but laugh together with everyone else who was observing the scene. Kengo immediately tries to retaliate with a face red like a boiled lobster and chase you but he doesn’t have the stamina you have. Time and time again he tries grabbing you but with a swift zigzag, you outsmart him every time, having the rest of the gang cheer loudly with each of your successful escapes.

“Not fair partner! I’m barefoot!” Kengo huffs loudly.

“Like that stopped you before!” You shout in the air trying not to lose your path, still just to make sure you were far away, for only a split second you turned your head to see Kengo a meter behind, and he suddenly stopped with a surprised face and then – thump! Without knowing you run into something or someone solid feeling the air escapes your lungs as you sat down in shock.

Before you was Xolot standing still firm like a tree, unmoved. He looked down at you with an awkward, slightly fearful smile.

“Oh hi!” Then his expression changed as he realized what just happened. “Sorry! Sorry! It’s my fault I didn’t see you! Mistress Hakumen told me to find you and your friends I didn’t see you run. Are you ok? Sorry!” As you thought that nothing can beat the avalanche of his apologies a high pitched laugh pierced the air and immediately you closed your eyes in a grimace knowing Mistress Hakumen was incoming. Brace yourself you thought.

“Ohohoho! My darling Lucifuge why do you always assume I am up to no good? That’s so presumptuous of you! I’m but a flower pulled by the winds of never-ending emotion!”

“My dearest. You are a jelly fisher. One can have a conversation with you that seems all nice and friendly and sweet, then you suddenly feel like you've been stung with deadly poison, or end up locked in a prison, or even worse; without knowing what happened.” Lucifuge nervously giggled.

As you tried to sneak away back to your group Xolot extremely over-enthusiastically and loudly shouted: “Mistress Hakumen I have found him! You will be so happy I found him, Mistress! Yes!”

You felt as you were betrayed on the spot and couldn’t but grin covering your ears.

“Thanks for blowing my cover.”

“Oh sorry! Were you hiding? I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” But, you couldn’t be angry at Xolot since he was always more than loyal to his mistress, even if it was in a very misguided and not very smart way. And so you braced hoping not to, again, become the object of their fights, and love arguments of these two.

“Milord! There you are! Oh!” Hakumen sang with her flirtatious voice toward you trying to hide behind Xolot, only for him to be shoved aside by her. “Move you idiot!” her songbird voice turned into a snarl. She still kept her flashy swimsuit on.

“I’m sorry! Mistress!” Xolot yelped putting down his ears.

Uhhh here we go, you think to yourself forcing a polite smile as they surround you from both sides.

“My fallen star! Don’t you just find it exhilarating here? My dearest remember, nothing succeeds like excess, well of everything! Maybe with one exception” Lucifuge glanced at Hakumen. You wondered how he wasn’t feeling hot in his flamboyant clothes where everyone else was practically half-naked.

Hakumen snarled slightly in response. “What does that supposed to mean Lucifuge, you half-jelly devil! I have not spared any excess to make this place perfect for my beloved Milord! Don’t you think my bellowed? I know it is so because you enjoyed it so far! Ah, the adventure we prepared for you! And the excitement you had! Ohohoho! There will be more!” She flutters her eyes to you.

“It’s fascinating my bellowed fallen star how Mistress Hakumen can turn any offence into a half baked compliment.”

“It wasn’t?”

“I must have said it wrong.”

“Maybe you should try it too Lucifuge. It would save us so many awkward situations when you behave like you swallowed a toad. Some aristocrat you are.”

Lucifuge looked genuinely hurt and shocked. “Mistress Hakumen, is this your new tactic now? Slander me in front of my divine lord! The beautiful star I wish to capture?! How low of you!”

You can feel like their argument and bickering is getting more intensive every second, completely ignoring your existence which oddly is a relief although you still didn’t even manage to say hello to anyone.

“I would never! Not in front of my beloved milord! For him, I’m a precious flower and I-”

She gets interrupted by the very familiar beaming voice that towers everything and everyone.

“I do hope I am interrupting something! What are you two arguing about now? Isn’t there enough scheming and plotting you caused recently?” Ophion towers above the pair, behind him Aizen marches with his ever-odd military precision and an angry look. You are sure he is judging every square inch of the summer resort and thinking of ways of purifying it from the filth.

Then Ophion saw you and skillfully moved himself in front of the arguing couple.

“My bellowed flower, my world, I heard what this vixen has done. Are you Alright? I should have known she cannot be left without a proper supervisor, as this may end up in another unplanned adventure as she calls them only to vow you into her claws.”

“That’s outrageous!” Hakumen squealed behind him but Ophion stopped her with his arm.

“Silence! Is it not another of your plans? Whenever my spouse is involved you always have a scheme ready. You twisted fox, you have schemes within schemes within schemes!”

“No need for such excessive complaints my dear! My beloved milord already knows his mistress is a genius among her peers!”. Now all three began arguing. It was fun to watch initially but it always becomes tiresome after a while. Especially with Aizen giving you murderous looks.

But the fact was, the moment Ophion showed himself you felt something change. It was that scrambled memory that keeps haunting you. Unsurely if it was the memory or yourself, or both your attitude changed towards Ophion. Yes, he was too much, but what can be expected of millennia-old god dragon that created life – or so he claims. And although it was extremely embarrassing for you to hear him proclaim his love to you every single time so loudly everyone within half a mile could hear, it was also cute. But, was it you or this memory. You couldn’t hear the music anymore, but there was something you decided to do during those nights you spent on the desert with Seth, Hanuman and Ganglie. You decided to gift that one memory to him.

Now only if you could get their attention.

“Hey everyone -!” But they were too occupied in arguing. Well, since nobody is paying attention, you though there is only one way. Next to where you were standing, on one of the loungers, there was a water gun, one of many that were left around the pool for the enjoyment of the guests. So you thought – Let’s see how they like a cold shower.

Their expression was priceless when you squired water around. The bickering stopped immediately and everyone looked just at you!

“Now since everyone is back to planet earth.”

“My dearest milord how could you!” Hakumen cried in shock.

“How undignified! I need a change of clothes!” Lucifuge complained. But Ophion didn’t say anything only piercing you with a highly amused look, you flashed his teeth to him winking innocently.

“How dare you! Have you no brain! Look what have you done to Sir Ophion’s clothes!” Aizen suddenly roared.

“Aizen, you need to stop this!” Ophion waved his hand annoyed at the man.

“Well, if the only way for You to stop arguing about nonsense was me squirting all over you then, I’ll gladly do it again!” You grin at the trio.

“Ohoho the wordplay! My darling milord, you make me blush! Ohohohoh I want to hear more! Please don’t stop!”

“Lady Hakumen, must you want him only for yourself all the time! Such lack of dignity eh!” Lucifuge complained loudly, messing about with his wet shirt. “No, no, no this will not do! I cannot be seen in such an imperfect, undignified outfit” He mumbled to himself and turned on a heel and walked away ignoring everyone.

“My darling spouse is absolutely right. How shameful of us, concentrating on tiny squabbles. Please forgive me, my beloved. “ Ophion steps in front of them closer to you, only to have Hakumen overtake his position pushing him away with her elbow.

“Hmpf! Speak for yourself lizard! There is nothing tiny about us!” She envelopes the curves of her body with her hands. “Mistress Hakumen is all about beauty and grandeur! We go big or not at all! We love or we fall! My milord must know this! He needs to know at all cost how I love him!” You could feel your face getting hot from embarrassment as Hakumen was performing her little dance around you, touching your shoulders and hips in an unwanted way.

“Ha! Pick your words and actions carefully fox-woman! You shall not touch what is not yours!” Ophion’s voice roars in the air.

“Lady Hakumen! Have you no shame! I shall not tolerate frivolous behaviour like this polluting our guests! Especially with this one!” Aizen adds after Ophion glaring at her with fire in his eyes.

With a heavy sight, you can see them start again.

“Lady Hakumen, Xolot mentioned you were looking for me?” The security therion moved his ears and grinned happily as he heard you mention his name.

“Oh, oh! Indeed my beloved milord! How could I get my mind clouded so much by this stupid debate!” Hakumen put on another singing performance. “We, wish in our grace, to invite you to an evening concerto today evening. Of course, you are welcome to bring your friends with you. Just make sure milord they like such events. We only want to make you happy! It won’t be your typical music show, however, ohohoho! Oh no, no, no! There will be a live performance and all guests will receive pillows and drinks or food for their leisure! It will be performed here in the resort and it will be marvellous!”

It sounded fantastic to you since, at least you think, you enjoyed music, saying you think only because with the lack of memories it’s hard to know if you ever heard a live concert. But always enjoyed listening to different radio stations whenever given the chance and craved the occasion to listen it live.

“I would love to!” You say eagerly without hesitation.

“You would, my beloved spouse?” Ophion jumps into the conversation.

“Yes, I never listened to the music being performed live. Or at least I don’t think I did.”

“Ohohohoho! Milord, you please me gratefully! Oh, so many preparations need to be made before tonight! Now my darling run along and let your friends know and leave everything in my hands!”

“My darling spouse, my beloved jewel of the skies, if you are attending so shall I! I will reserve us the best spot and the most luxurious of seating for your comfort!” Ophion shakes in excitement. “I, your husband, delight in well-played instruments!”.

“Not in a million years!” Hakumen snarls. “I won’t let you steal and hurdle him only for yourself!”

Aizen who kept quiet jumps straight into the conversation. “Ophion, sir! I beg you to rethink! This is absurd. You cannot waste your precious, glorious time on such idiotic whims!”

“Nonsense!”Ophion shrugs Aizen’s words away. “I have but all of the eternal time for whims that will please my beloved spouse!”

“Ophion… could I- Could I talk to you for a second? Please?” And so you said it loudly for the first time, unsure if it was best left alone, but you can’t just let it drill a hole in your brain.

“Absolutely not! You shall not pollute my lord's mind with your absurd ideas!” Aizen roared angrily pulling his whip. You were sure that one day the blood vessels in his eyes will rapture spectacularly.

“Silence!” Ophion snapped at Aizen that immediately shrunk within himself in fear. Then looked directly at you with an intense stare, so intense it could only rival the one you remember from when you first saw his younger incarnation that recognized the piece of the soul of his wife within you. “My dearest, my beloved, I am all yours! Please tell me what it is!”

“Uhmm..” You suddenly lost your courage having everyone, especially Ophion look directly at you. It was definitely harder than all of the scenarios you run in your mind before, and even harder when you had to ignore Lady Hakumen scowls and angry grimaces of her theatrical sobs just now. “Can we talk somewhere in private?” After saying that you did expect Aizen to come out with another snotty comment but the last reprimand hit hard on his ego.

“Ha! All these moments I have waited for such a request! Oh, everything of this world! Your Ophion shall give you as much time as you want! Let us find ourselves a quiet place and talk my love!” The golden dragon leads you to a fairly empty bungalow just a few steps away from where you stood. You don’t even want to look back at Lady Hakumen, because her theatrics are just too much. Both her and Aizen are probably burning a hole in the back of your head right now.

“Look here my beloved, shall we step in and hide from the prying ears of the world.” The inside of the bungalow is quite narrow and you are surprised Ophion manages to go inside at all for his massive posture. He is after all much higher than any human, with his wings and long tail and massive physique. But without thinking you follow and close the door.

“Ah, my beloved! I cannot contain my happiness! Please tell me what burdens your heart and mind! My flower of the skies I want to know everything.” Ophion’s voice boomed so loudly you were absolutely sure anyone outside could hear him. And you were also sure the walls had ears, so without thinking you lifted a finger to your lips. The golden dragon looked at you curiously with a smile and a playful wink.

“Are you sure this room isn’t too small for you?” You then said in a low voice. He did look a bit uncomfortable. “It would have been better if You sat on the floor I think.”

“My dearest spouse, I do not care about such trivial problems! The closer I am to you the happier I am but I shall follow your request. The roof of this place is painful for my wings.” Ophion answered and slowly sat down. It felt as he was sitting in a dolls house. “Now, my dearest, please tell me, is everything alright.” But you heard a creak just outside and were sure somebody was listening. The last thing you needed.

“I think somebody is trying to listen so I’ll have to whisper to your ear if that’s OK.” You say casually to Ophion. The dragon turns his head curiously and looks around. But as you think how you can whisper to him you realize how big his stature is. “I’m sorry but I will have to climb on top of you!” You whisper again oblivious about what you just said.

“My dearest! Those words! I can’t believe this wonderful day!”

“That’s not what I mean – ah!” You try your best to reach to his ears, especially since Ophion doesn’t seem to want to help you and without realizing you place your hands on his bare arm. And then it shocks you.

“Ah!” There is a quiet gasp that leaves your mouth

"Is everything alright my darling? My jewel! Are my scales to tough for you?"

"No... No... You are very warm." You leave your hand on his arm and then another on his shoulder for a few seconds.

"I don't think I've ever touched you but it is like I know how it feels all along."

Ophion glances at you with his dark amber red eyes with intensity for a few moments.

"And how does it feel my darling spouse. Is this body of the godly dragon wonderful? Please give me, your beloved husband an answer, my jewel." When Ophion isn't screaming to the whole world his voice is surprisingly husky.

You hesitate not knowing what to say but you don't remove your hands just looking at him.

"There is something I'd like to give you. I have... I've been remembering something and I thought you should have it. As a gift." You whisper closely to his years. " And I don't want others to know because... Because I would like to keep it between us only."

You feel Ophion's hand on your back, you think he was trying to help you keep balance but... Well, this feels really embarrassing and your heart is pounding. This is definitely too much for one encounter, especially since nothing is going as you imagined it. This is harder than fighting. Why does it have to be harder than fighting?

"My beloved, oh how adorable you look blushing like that. Oh my jewel, I'm at a loss for words. Do you have a gift of memory for me? For me? Your husband? Through the cosmos, I knew this day would come. I shall empty my whole calendar for you, my beloved spouse. Will this be a romantic encounter? I shall ask for dinner to be prepared! "

"No... No... Can it just be two of us? Nothing special, no dinner. I'll bring something with me. Will that be ok?" Gods you feel so embarrassed and it feels Ophion grew in size since you asked him. Not sure if it's because he is so proud of himself or excited or both, proud and excited, which reminded you.

"Please, don't go telling everyone."

"Ah, my beloved jewel, why do you think I would do such a thing?" Ophion protested quietly.

"Because you would want everyone to know how proud you are, and to make Lucifuge and Hakumen jealous and angry." You point out.

"My beloved, your words are so hurtful, however true. I would take great pleasure in making, especially that fox woman, jealous as you say. Her scheming is always troublesome." Ophion grimaced and then smiled towards you sticking his tongue out the way he always would. You both spend a moment in this odd silence. Your hand on his arm and shoulder leaning towards his head, Ophion's hand holding your back. You feeling his touch on your bare skin. His dark amber red eyes piercing through you with an intensity you haven't seen before.

"Sir Ophion! My lord! Please I beg you, enough of this. This is inappropriate! This situation should cease immediately!" You hear Aizen's voice coming loudly from behind the door.

You think of moving but Ophion's hand remains still holding you.

"My beloved jewel, I made a promise to shower you with my love for every day I have missed you from my lonely existence from when you have fallen into the sea forcibly. This short encounter, my beloved, has given me so much joy I struggle to express it with words. I... This young Ophion is stunned. You may think my beloved treasure, that I'm rash, and juvenile. But for one like me who lost so much and lived lonely in different worlds, I learned to treasure every moment. That's why my darling spouse, my heart's shouts so much whenever I'm with you. Please don't think any less of this godly husband of yours because of that."

You could hear a commotion outside.

"I... Think...I missed you." You say quietly embarrassed. Ophion closes his eyes with a smile and as your words were a magic spell his grip loosens letting you go.

"I will see you tonight before the concerto, yes my darling? Will that be suitable for you? And then tomorrow? Yes? My beloved?"

You nod in response. Suddenly the door bars wide open.

"My precious fallen star! Others have told me you were her-!" Lucifuge barges straight in completely oblivious he was set up probably by Lady Hakumen. He stops mid-word once he saw both you and Ophion and his face struck with panic and shocked grimace.

"Oh, gods this is so embarrassing." You back away from Ophion who pierces Lucifuge with a deadly stare and very, very quickly excuse yourself and leave both of them who just started their typical arguments.

 *

"What do you mean you don't want to come with me? Come on? Nobody?" You cry annoyed hearing all of the gang decline your request.

"Kengo?"

"I'm sorry partner but I have a training session with Moritaka. Besides, I'm very into music and all sorts. Maybe if it's a fighting club or something. And we can join in!" He clasps his hands.

"I can't believe you are even thinking of asking this meathead. He doesn't know the difference between a drum and a cello if he saw one." Shiro huffs unimpressed. "Had I known earlier, and I mean days earlier I could have made different plans but this is too late of notice."

"I understand Shiro." You say resigned. "How about you Tsathoggua?"

"No!" He yells back at you from the gaming console.

"But-!"

"Nope! I mean there will be too many people there, and Hakumen and the rest. I just want a peaceful evening, yeah?"

You roll your eyes looking around the room.

"Ryota? Come on, please!"

"I would like to, but I've made plans to see Maria earlier so I can't. What's the problem anyway? Just go and enjoy yourself."

"Certainly, it will be a good, new experience for you and you can tell us everything about it. Just make sure you are back in time, yes? Keep me noticed about everything?" Shiro reminds you with a stricter tone.

"That goes to all of you. Not just our Guild Master!" He roars across the room.

"Sure dad" Kengo grins and quickly slips out of the room before Shiro reacts.

"Right, you all have fun. I wanted to see Mr Mononobe and ask him for a favour."

"Enjoy the music" Ryota's voice follows you as you leave.

"Thanks!" You stick your head back through the door with a grin.

Mr Mononobe wasn't the easiest to find but eventually, you spotted him during his round checking classrooms.

"Hello, Mr Mononobe. I hope you are well." You start politely.

"Ahhh. Hello, young one. Are you not getting ready to enjoy the weekend? I can see you have been spending a lot of time outdoors, the sun has definitely left a mark on you."

"It's just too hot to stay indoors if you don't have to. Can I ask you a favour Mr Mononobe?"

"Sure, let's hear it. I can't promise anything though." He smiles gently looking at you with his typical fatherly look.

"Can I borrow the star projector from the astronomy classroom for a day or two? There is a... project thing... I'd like to use it for."

"Project thing you say?" He measures you up with his look for a few seconds thinking. " Well, I can't see no harm in it. We do have more than one in the inventory, so I'm happy for you to borrow it as long as you return it in the same condition you took it." Mr Mononobe says, but then seeing you smile adds "But, in return, I'd like you to help Shiro out with his duties for the next week after that, yes? Fair deal?"

It sounded more than fair to you, especially since in your mind you imagined it going much less smooth.

"Thank you so much Mr Mononobe. You are the best!" You add with a smile.

"Everything for my students." He ruffles your hair flashing his teeth for a second then walks away to finish his duties.

Realising what's the hour you run back to your dorm room, but something catches your eye. On a wall within the main building was a painting, which you never noticed before. Thinking it through you realise it must have just been hang since you are absolutely sure it wasn't here before. The painting, presented in brilliant colours and detail a scene where a huge wave of water covers what looks to be Japan. With a red torii in its right lower corner and there a medieval warrior with a golden shield and what looked like a ghost of a woman.

Struck by the beauty of the painting and how unusual it was you remain in the hallway for a few minutes only to hear a familiar voice.

"Sheesh! It's so hard finding you! Hanuman gasps wildly, he must have been running all over the place trying to find you.

"I'm sorry. I was just on my way back to my room and got sidetracked". You reply.

Hanuman just gesticulates at you silently, clutching his knees and trying to catch a breath. Then he produces three envelopes and waves them in front of your face.

"Those came for you just now..."

You take the envelopes from him, all of them came from the Roppongi guild.

"Listen, Hanuman don't you want to go with-" You start saying but when you lift your head to look at him he is already running away.

"Sorry gotta go!" You can't stop yourself from making a sour face.

It's a bit off to receive three different envelopes from them, but you have a feeling you know what they are.

The first one containing a card that's so heavily soaked with perfumes you started sneezing. It's from Lady Hakumen who praises you in a million different ways and invites you to join her in her private pavilion for the concerto.

The second envelope contained a card that's full to the brink with gold leaves and very elaborate writing. You must admit the way the words were written is quite beautiful. It's from Lucifuge who also invites you to his private pavilion and to enjoy his company.

Holding the third envelope you are absolutely sure whom it's from and you feel a small tingling sensation when you open it and take the card which says: My dear friend. Would you like to join me today evening for tea before the concerto? I'm looking forward to seeing you. Licht

You read a few times, surprised and immediately make a decision as you haven't seen or talked to the Roppongi guild master in a while and thought it would be a nice change. At the same time, you feel just a small amount of disappointment you haven't received a card from Ophion. Quickly shaking that thought off, your return to your room and change. Thinking on your feet about what to wear you decide to put on a light yukata haori with a white upper part and a black lower one, hoping it's going to be presentable for the concerto. It looks good you think and leave. Glad about your choice you head towards Roppongi. Because of how light your clothes feel the summer heat doesn't bother you much anymore, still, the air feels heavy this evening.

After a while, you reach the resort. Surprised you noticed Melusine.

"Hi, Melusine" you say approaching her.

"Good evening, young milord. I'm happy to see you." She bows slightly, so wearing a summer yukata in pastel colours.

"Did Licht send you to meet me?" You ask thinking you already know the answer.

"Indeed, Monsieur Licht asked me to show you to the pavilion and prepare tea for you." She answers and you start walking together slowly.

"That's very kind of him. We haven't spoken in a while, it will be so good to catch up. Is everything ok with you? "

Melusine seems a bit distracted and before she can answer a stranger runs up to you. She stops suddenly and immediately steps in front of you as if she is trying to protect you.

"Is it him! Is it the one everyone is talking?! Is it the one Mistress Hakumen mentioned? The one who's soul contains souls of others?!" Melusine stops him before he can even get near to you.

"I'm sorry but I won't allow such behaviour around young milord, he is a guest here and under my protection!" Her voice changes slightly, becoming less friendly, not yet threatening.

The man stops but there is an odd uncontrollable craze in the way he talks and moves.

"Melusine it's ok." You feel like you should help him if you can. "Can I do something for you?" You ask stepping forward, finally able to look in his face.

His crazy eyes search for something within your face for a few seconds and then... His whole body shrivels down, like life and all hope has left him.

"I... I... I'm sorry. I thought you may be her... I thought... I'm sorry." The man apologies in a shaking stream of words and leaves.

Melusine doesn't say a word and both of you resume your walk. When you get to the concerto venue you can see there is plenty of sitting space for everyone with a multitude of comfy pillows in from of a large stage and a few smaller ones. All this from three sides is enclosed by three private pavilions that let you hide from the public eyes but still enjoy the music and the atmosphere.

"Monsieur Licht had some guests earlier so do not be surprised by the decoration" Melusine adds softly as she opens the door for you and you stop in the doorway speechless. The pavilion it's filled to the brink with the most delicate orchid flowers in gentle pastel colours, their sweet fragrance seeping into the evening air. Like a child, you wander around with an obscene smile touching the flowers and smelling them.

"This is... This..." You start but Melusine finishes for you with a rare mysterious smile.

"This is amazing? Please have a seat-" she points at pillows and seats and a coffee table "I will bring the drink and... Monsieur Licht should be here shortly."

Before she disappears you ask.

"Melusine, that man we met, who was that?" There was something about him that felt familiar and made you sad.

She stops with a sad look on her face.

"That was Orpheus, he is one of the artists that's going to perform tonight. Beyond that, I can't say I know more." You thank her for this and Melusine leaves you alone. Yet within a few seconds you couldn't but get up to explore the room and the beautiful flowers and their shapes. You heard shushed voices thinking it must be Licht and returned to looking at the flowers. Some of them were small and looked like butterflies in dozens on a single spike, where others were easily the size of the palm of your hand with long pendulous garlands. They were just beautiful, and you struggled to find and other words to describe it. What Licht was thinking you had no idea, and what guest he had earlier but this went beyond your wildest dreams. And then you thought maybe, just maybe it was for Melusine knowing their history.

"My dearest, beloved jewel." That voice.

You turn around only to see Ophion standing in the entrance where Melusine disappeared. He was wearing a white and gold yukata that lightly enveloped his body, uncovering a lot of his imposing, muscular stature. His wings spread only slightly as he wanted to make sure you won't run away. "What do you think, my wonderful spouse? Has your husband surprised you? This is a beautiful, delicate trap I have prepared for you."

"I have walked straight into this one, haven't I" You agree defeated, it was never an option you thought about. You had to admit you felt flattered.

"Of course, my beloved, my light that fills the darkness. This young Ophion, although not as experienced in strategy or tactics as my elder self, has unprecedented knowledge of what may please your heart. And if I know, I will spend every moment to find out! Hahaha!" Ophion laughs triumphantly.

"I can't believe Licht would trick me..." You ponder amused.

"Oh, my darling flower, do not hold this against our Guild Master. I have merely asked him for a... favour, which he was happy to oblige. Because of this nobody shall interrupt us if we don't want it. My beloved, I planned this just for you, we have so very few moments together alone... " He opens his arms wide invitingly but behind him appears Melusine with a bow and quietly excusing herself.

"Ophion, sir. Please forgive me the intrusion, I have brought the requested refreshments."

Ophion only nods looking at her nonchalantly and let's her prepare the table, after that she retreats bowing slightly again and sending you a brief smile.

"I..." You start."The flowers are beautiful... I've never seen anything like this before." You add to him. You are embarrassed, especially that you let yourself get into a trap as beautiful like this. Especially when you feel really flattered and there is a lot of thoughts rampaging around your head.

Ophion laughs triumphantly "These are merely a shadow to your beauty my darling, but it warms my heart knowing you like this little trap I have made. Shall we rest?" He extends his hand to you. "Do not be afraid, we won't be interrupted by anyone. I made sure of that."

You sit down and offer to fill his glass with a cold juice which he accepts with a warm smile towards you. But you notice, not for the first time there is an odd flame in Ophion's eyes, and now it hits you, it's somehow similar to the one you saw in the man you met earlier, Orpheus.

"There was something strange that happened today." You start hesitantly. "A man approached me and Melusine, he seemed... Troubled... Very, troubled and sad. He wanted to meet me, he seemed desperate, having his hopes high up and once he did he seemed... Disappointed. Like he lost all hope."

Ophion listed in silence but you could see he wasn't too pleased yet you continued.

"Melusine said his name is Orpheus, and I was... Concerned. "

A few moments passed before the golden dragon finally responded.

"My beloved spouse, I know the man of whom you speak. He is a fool. A poor fool, but a fool nonetheless and there is nothing you can do for him. He brought his fate on him himself."

But not being too happy with such a puzzling answer you decided to push on being honest about what you realized.

"There is a look in your eyes, the Old Ophion was very similar to him." You say slowly trying to pick the gentlest of words. Ophion ponders for a moment with a stone expression and then extends his hand to you inviting to sit closer to him.

"My darling spouse, this what you speak of, is the experience of loss." You hesitantly accept the invitation and sit next to Ophion, feeling the warmth of his skin. "Let me tell you a story of Orpheus, the fool as he is."

"Orpheus was born with a talent of music he was and always will be a singer, musician and poet, carrying a magnificent lyre on his shoulder able to enchant god, man or beast with his music, he had recently proposed to Eurydice whom he loved with all of his heart and beyond, but on the day of their wedding, ‘in the very bloom of her life’, she was bitten by a viper and died of its venom. Distraught with such grief, Orpheus fell into madness and wandered the earth looking for a way to bring his wife back to life. He wondered day and night until he finally found the entrance into the underworld and descended into the fiery pits of hell itself, determined to restore her to mortality. Nothing could stop his brave loving heart. He finally pleaded with Hades the god of the dead and Persephone for his wife's return, and his courage, devotion and eloquence ‘melted the hearts of the gods and the denizens of the underworld, and all fell silent’. Even Cerberus, the fierce three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hell, lies meekly at Persephone's feet.

The gods agreed to Eurydice’s return: Persephone especially sympathetic as she recalled her own forceful abduction by Hades. The only requirement was that Orpheus would not glance back at Eurydice until she was safely ensconced in the upper world. If he broke his word, she would be lost forever into Hell and there would be no changing the god's mind this time.

Orpheus agreed with the loving lightness in his heart and both him and Eurydice depart the underworld, him in the front paving the way for them, she quietly behind him stepping softly. However, Orpheus as emotionally tormented he was through all this time, with the creeping madness slowly started doubting and struggling to look ahead soon the deities have consented to her return. Throughout the underworld, the lovers ascended a steep and misty path and, as they neared the earth’s rim, Eurydice hasn't spoken a word in fear of what the gods may make of it snd anxious Orpheus began to shake inside of his soul. "What if they lied to me and this is but a trick, a joke of the gods. What if this is not my beloved Eurydice but some monstrous wickedness." These were the thoughts in his head. His mind fought with his heart. And just as they approached the exit from the underworld, just as the morning light shone in front of them through the dark gate, the fool Orpheus looked behind thinking "We are almost here. It won't hurt and I must know. My heart must know! He looked for his bride, and as he did he saw her gentle face her loving lips and eyes filled with fear when their gaze met. Eurydice immediately fell in pain and only managed to whisper a final farewell before being taken by a deathly shadow that dragged her into to the dying place. A godly force punched Orpheus out of the underworld and the gates shut before him and disappeared. He cried, pleaded and begged but no one would listen to him and after many days and nights broken Orpheus began to wonder again the world playing his music, with a mind of madness and a heartbroken beyond repair. Somehow he found his way here to this world my beloved spouse, and he hopes, maybe, maybe his wife was reborn in a different form. " Ophion finished his story with half-closed eyes, being so engulfed in his voice you didn't even notice when the music started and it must have been playing for quite a while now. "There is something we share, your Ophion and the fool Orpheus, we both lost our beloved, forcibly taken away by the world. You have seen my elder self, who was beyond help with his heart darkened and madness in his mind. This is why my dearest, my glittering jewel, I promised to gift you my love, my passion, with my whole self every day. This Ophion has finally found you!"

He finishes with a strange note in his voice. You think you finally understand, both what Orpheus and Ophion went through, it's different yet so similar. Remembering how much it took for the elder Ophion to snap out of his destructive madness. What loneliness and sorrow must have driven him to such a state. Looking for words to say you realise that through the story Ophion was slowly using the fact you were so enthralled into his tale to get closer to you. Both his large hand and wing were wrapped around you as he was laying on his side stretched across the floor with your body naturally using him as back support. He was surprisingly gentle.

"They say we are all fools when we are in love." You say finally.

Ophion laughs delighted, his ego right now must be beaming knowing he has you where he wanted, and willing to accept his advances.

"Indeed my beloved spouse, indeed we are. But let this golden dragon tell you who knows many stories, in my millennia-long life I learned it's what you do every day about your love that matters."

You then thought to yourself well what if you are a bit of a child and a coward. Fighting is definitely easier than talking about one's feeling, even Shiro's knowledge tests are easier than... Ok just breathe. You look around the pavilion, the sun slowly setting down painted the inside in crimson and amber shades. Shades elongated everywhere and within them Ophion's burning eyes and the music in the air.

"My darling starlight, beloved spouse, you are so beautiful today, this husband of yours cannot take his eyes off you. Had I known it would be so easy to capture you in this beautiful trap of my devotion I would have done it a long time ago. "Ophion says caressing your shoulder with his arm.

"I wasn't expecting tonight to be like this, you are correct, but everything else after was because I wanted it to happen..." You say turning your head away, but Ophion's lures your gaze back at him by placing his fingers along your chin.

"Is that so, my beloved spouse? Has this husband of yours made you happy?" His voice lowers to a grumble.

"I can't confirm or deny because I'm worried you may want to tell everyone gathered here." You tease lightly.

"Bwahahahaha" Ophion laughs amused. "My beloved, always so feisty, always know how to keep your husband on your toes. How you turn my words against me my jewel in a delightful skirmish."

You close your eyes with an amused smile, having to admit this evening had turned so much better than you could have ever expected.

"Could you tell me another story? Something about heroes, or how the stars were created." You ask, Ophion seems to have a talent for telling captivating tales, or maybe it's because he tells them to you. The golden dragon smiles mysteriously sticking his tongue out.

"Ah, my beloved spouse, you want another story? But where is there a reward for your dearest husband? I have gifted you one tale of the past already. This dearest Ophion of yours should ask for something in return. All stories are of value." He says still smiling mischievously. But before he can make his loving demands you stop him.

"What about if... Umm... If I move closer." You say trying to move your body but Ophion's arm already pulls you towards him.

"Closer you say, my beloved? I'm not sure if this husband of yours can accept such a payment" He murmurs amused.

"Closer..." You reply with a laugh feeling his arm move you further.

"Perhaps... This Ophion can agree to such a delightful agreement, but I'm not..." He continues pressing on your arm, you can feel the pillow you are sitting on moving.

"Just shut up and embrace me" You laugh finally in response and with these words you can feel his huge figure move suddenly, his large strong arms find their way under your own wrapping themselves around your chest. You are glad for your light clothes because of the heat emanating from his body, feeling the stone-hard musculature touch your back.

"This Ophion has finally captured the most beautiful pray in his delightful trap." He says into your ears.

"A pray would only allow such a thing if they wanted to be caught." You answer him with a strongly beating heart, feeling that Ophion will not let you go that easily tonight.

"My beloved spouse, you... You... hahaha I have fallen in my own trap! You make this Ophion's heart so happy, I can feel my body trembling." There was a shiver that travelled across his arms as he spoke, his words rumbling in your ears. "I shall grant your request, my beloved, my jewel in the skies, let me tell you a story of a war between two cities and a woman who caused it all..."  As he spoke his voice mixed with the music in the air that evening.

 *

 You slept well this night after you returned from the event. Ophion purposely extended his story almost making you late for the school curfew. But you didn't mind at all.

This night you experience a dream, very different from the calm ones you seemed to have. Before you would see beautiful, serene scenery, hear a piece of gentle music that you taught yourself to replicate and a gentle song. What you remember most was a pair of gentle amber-red eyes following your every move.

This nights dream was different. You found yourself on a beach overlooking a vast dark ocean covered in thick clouds. A bright fiery light cut through these lights like and hit the ocean like a projectile of fire only to vanish under the waves momentarily. The clouds opened only for a second for you to see a tall mountain. Everything started to shake, the ground moving violently and suddenly the mountain top exploded ravaged by bright, angry flames sending massive pieces of rock everywhere. As you cover your eyes and duck you see a tremendous, angry wave approaches the coast growing bigger and bigger. The ground doesn't stop shaking.

 You wake up suddenly only to realize the shaking hasn't stopped and an alarm is resonating through the school. Slightly panicked you look around, furniture creaking and moving. Right now you should be making sure you were looking for cover and sticking to the disaster prevention and Safety protocol, but instead struggling to keep your balance you throw on your clothes and run out to make sure your friends are safe.

Not long after you see Kengo and Moritaka half crouched trying to hold their balance.

"Kengo! Moritaka! You are ok!" You shout running towards them

"You idiot! What are you doing here? It's dangerous!"

"Indeed my friend, you should not be exposing yourself to any dangers like that. Earthquakes are not something we can control with sacred artefacts."

"Oh? And I thought you just bashed Kengo's head hard enough the ground started shaking." Suddenly you hear Shiro, he was walking slowly toward you. "You shouldn't be looking for trouble in a situation like this!" He adds angrily.

"Same goes to you!" You respond quickly.

"It's my duty to make sure everyone is safe!" Shiro huffs unimpressed.

"I have to make sure my friends are safe. Where is Ryota? Did you see Hanuman?" You flash a challenging grin towards Shiro. His frow disappears hearing your words replaced by embarrassment.

"Ryota stayed over at the Aoyama yesterday, he called me asking for permission. "

"Hanuman was in training with us but left earlier, he said he was starving. I'm sure he will be fine..." Moritaka responded to your questions and halfway through the shaking eased down and stopped. Everyone was waiting in silence but the quake didn't return.

"Mr Jin there they are" You recognised Toji's voice.

"My students! My beloved students are you alright?! Is everyone safe".

"I'm so glad we found you!" Hanuman jumps all over the place happy as you slowly get up, lending your hand to Kengo, who is unimaginably heavy.

"You really need to cut down on chocolate." You say after he is up.

"Oi! Cut it out. It train really hard!" He protests with a fake anger outburst.

"Hey, why is everyone here," Toji asks. "Hanuman only said about Kengo and Moritaka, not you two."

"I had to make sure my friends are alright. Shiro did the same."

"I'm so glad you all are safe!" Mr Jin laughed and suddenly stopped. "What did you say?! You were ignoring the obvious dangerous situation?! "His angry roar could be heard from everywhere and it attracted the attention of Mr Mononobe who together with the other teachers was making sure everyone is ok and there is no structural damage to the school.

"Mr Jin, what is this shouting? Are the students alright?" Mr Mononobe was walking very with a serious face. He must have been incredibly worried and stressed.

"No, no, no Mr Mononobe. All of our beloved students are fine, except these two who blatantly ignored the crisis of the situation." Mr Jin talks very fast giving both you and Shiro an unpleasant, angry look.

"How do? What have they done." Mr Mononobe forces himself to be calm narrowing his eyes at both of you. Shiro's face went pale but you decided to take the blame even if there was nothing wrong about what you have done.

"Mr Jin, Mr Mononobe. We have only left the safety of our rooms to make sure our friends and anyone who may be in trouble is safe." You straighten up without letting the teacher speak. Mr Jin huff loudly surprised.

Mr Mononobe considers his words for a few seconds, his frow eases down.

"What if you helping others would put you in direct danger? Have you thought about that?" He asks you.

"It won't matter as long as we can help them." Shiro jumps in the conversation.

"That's right." You agree.

Mr Mononobe closes his eyes and nods slowly.

"It's ok Mr Jin, those kids have their heads and hearts in the right place. Now stop standing around and go help! "

Quickly the whole gang scatters around the school to help the teachers and other students. Your whole morning passes in a new busy routine, checking the news and listening to your elders to make sure everything is going to be fine. The earthquake was classified as an isolated tremor that came from the land, with no predicted aftershocks. The city didn't experience any problems or damage except some broken furniture and unfortunate accidents that were treated in the hospital right now. It seems everything was back to normal.

Having the chance to relax you pick up the projector from the inventory and send Melusine a polite message asking her for a favour explaining you would need something transported to Ophion tower, small personal items. Only if she wouldn't mind. Shortly after Melusine answers, she would be happy to help and she will meet you shortly at the school.

Gathering your thoughts you return to your room. You look at a guitar that stands hidden in the corner. So far you managed to keep it away from your friends, especially Kengo, as you were worried he would break it by just touching it with his large, clumsy hands.

When the dreams started, the memory a few weeks back you could hear a melody. Initially, it was all scrambled up, just like everything was in reverse or through a badly adjusted radio. You couldn't make sense of anything. But then you started concentrating on one thing, the melody and each time it was clearer and clearer. Then one day, on a whim perhaps you thought, this melody shouldn't be hard to replicate, and being able to play it yourself could help with understanding the memory.

Thus you found a music shop, that stored all kinds of instruments, from drum and percussion kits to electric guitars and pianos. A very slim transient feline covered with many colourful patches of fur welcomed you very enthusiastically. She introduced herself as Saraswati and proceeded to praise all of the instruments and types of music.

Her welcome filled you with warmth and confidence, so you proceeded to explain, however badly, you wanted to learn how to play a melody from your memory. Saraswati was perplexed by your explanation but it made her curious so she kept asking questions, what instrument.

"AHH... I'm sorry... It was ancient-looking. I know how it looks but I don't know the name."

"How did you learn that melody in the first place?" Saraswati asks curiously.

"Most kids come in here wanting to become the next great idol, play the cool thing. Very few come because they love music, even fewer want to learn to play the piano or a violin. Sad times are upon us. I know all instruments, maybe if you draw it for me I'll be able to guess." She gives you something to draw on.

You agree and take a pencil from her. The lines you draw are a bit shaky and in the end, you present an image of u shaped instrument that reminds you of a horseshoe with strings in the centre of it going to the crossbar connecting both arms.

Saraswati studies it for a few seconds and then presents you with a smile. "That's a lyre. It's an instrument used in ancient times. You can say it's similar to a harpe but the rules of its music are more like a modern guitar."

"A lyre? Oh, that would make sense." You think about your dreams.

"Would it? Why so?"

"I saw this instrument in a dream that I think maybe a memory. But it's only a guess."

"Well, the only problem is I don't have a Lyra in stock. So sorry. On fact, it would be hard to get one anyway. These types of instruments are done per request and are quite pricey. Then you would need to attend a special lesson... Oh, trust me you don't want that!" She chuckled softly. "But... I have an idea".

Saraswati adds seeing your disappointment and pushes you into the depts of the shop.

"As I said the modern guitar operates on a very similar principle as the lyre. If you look and listen carefully you may even find one that sounds almost identical." She winks at you mysteriously.

"None of them is secretly sacred artefacts are they?" You joke nervously.

"Ahahaha oh no! Can you imagine what problems that would cause? Oh no, I can't have that in my shop! I put too much heart into it!"

Following Saraswati advice, you slowly look through all of the guitar instruments. There are electric ones in futuristic shapes or ones that resemble those you saw musicians holding on posters, then there are large guitars called acoustic but their sound just doesn't sit ok with your ear. Lastly, you glance on smaller, simpler guitars called classical one, their soft strings produce a warm melody very similar to that from your dreams.

And then you see the prices of these and your heart sinks while the jaw levitates very close to the floor. You have some money you managed to save up recently but not nearly enough to afford even the cheapest of those instruments.

Well, this plan will have to be put on hold for now you think and then unexpectedly something draws your eyes. You just noticed a boxed display with a Sale label on it. Within it you see all sorts of instruments, some are ex-display models, some seemed slightly damaged. In this box you find a single classical guitar, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it except one string being broken. You have just enough money to buy it.

"What's wrong with this guitar?" You ask Saraswati, the feline takes the instrument from your hands to inspect it.

It's a beautiful light guitar, painted in a very dark blue colour that reminds you of the night sky with silver nylon strings.

"There is nothing wrong with it deary, except the broken string. I can thread one for you for free, it will take me just a minute."

"Why was it in the sales box?" You ask curiously.

"It's the colour you see. Very few people would buy a guitar that's not in a light colour like brown or cream. If they are lacquered then maybe but this beautiful thing is in matt."

You admit you are completely lost and ask if you could buy it.

"Of course you can. Let me put on a new string, you know what because you are my first customer today why don't I present you with a guitar case and a book how to play it, yes?"

Saraswati is so kind and nice there is no way you can refuse her. And from that day each free moment, you found you spent on learning how to play the instrument, learning how to replay the sounds from the dreams. Initially, it was hard, your fingers hurt but each time seemed a bit easier. Then the dreams slowly became clearer, and the melody guided you. With the melody came words and suddenly you saw a familiar face with burning dark amber red eyes. Then you realized it wasn't any memory or dream, it was something from Ophion's past.

"Now I know what you were doing all this time when you weren't with us! Are you planning to become a musician, Guild Master?" Shiro's voice interrupted your chain of thoughts as you were sitting on your bed plucking the strings lovingly. Your heart sank and you face immediately felt flushed. Shiro laughed hard seeing your expression. "Don't be concerned, I'm not going to tell the others unless you want me to!"

"Don't you know how to knock?!" You cry out embarrassed.

"You left the door crack open."

"Ah-! I'm... I'm sorry I have been distracted recently." You reply slowly feeling guilty.

"I have noticed that's why I came to talk to you. Your head seems in the clouds, you drift away more often than usual. Is everything alright?"

You scan Shiro's face and measure your words not to say too much and you tell him about the memory and then your last dream with the earthquake.

Shiro almost jumps excited but there is some concern I'm his voice too. "Having a memory recall like that is fantastic! It means something in you is unlocking its secrets even if just a small bit. Do you know who’s memory it is?"

"Y-yes..." You stutter.

"I'm guessing you don't want to share it ?"

You silently turn your head.

"No... Not yet at least. And then there is a matter of the last dream."

"Hmpf... I wouldn't worry too much now. I would think your dreams were merely the effect of the earthquake. Like when you hear a sound while you dream and your brain incorporates it into the dream itself. "

"How do you know things like that?"

"I pay attention in class compared to you and Kengo! That reminds me. Melusine is looking for you." Shiro replies and readies to leave only to turn around. "Remember if there is anything, you can tell us right?"

You nod with a smile.

"Thanks" and Shiro disappears behind the door. Taking a deep breath you put the guitar into a case and pack the projector into a separate box. With both of them, you direct yourself to the school entrance where Melusine is waiting patiently.

"Hi, Melusine!" You greet her from afar, as you get closer you notice her usual outfit has been decorated in many places with garlands of familiar flowers.

"Hello young Milord, I hope you are well? I must take this chance and ask for forgiveness after yesterday. I was only following Monsieur Licht's request who specifically requested not to mention at any point Sir Ophion will be joining you."

"It's ok Melusine." You interrupt her. "It turned out better than I hoped. I... I thought it was Licht's gift to you. "

"Ah-!" Melusine blushes "That would be impossible. But Sir Ophion made a great deal of effort to get everything prepared. Nobody except humble myself and Monsieur Licht knew about his plan. He must care about you very much young Milord. In fact... I don't ever remember him carrying about anything and anyone in the past as his older self. You seem to cause impossible change whenever you go." She added with a hint of a smile.

"What's with these?" You ask about the flowers.

"Oh, forgive me, Milord. Monsieur Licht said I can keep any flowers I want before they get removed so I kept a few of them."

" And you keep saying some things are impossible. They look beautiful on you. Send my kindest regards to Licht when you see him, and thank you so much for your help. Hopefully, I can repay it somehow one day. Oh, by the way, one more thing. Is there any way through the building I can take to avoid meeting literary everyone?"

Melusine takes the boxes from you and slowly explains a route that should help you pass unnoticed, then leaves with a mysterious half-smile as she was deep in thought about what you said earlier.

The weather outdoors is still sunny and pleasant giving you some hope you won’t need the projector and nature will provide the best possible scenery. Does Ophion have a balcony you think only to chase those weird questions away and return to your room to get dressed and leave.

As you leave the dormitory and leave the school building a heavy hand lands on your shoulder unexpectedly.

“Hey-ho partner! Where are you going? Don’t you want to join us for some combat training?” Kengo stops you mid-track, his hand is firmly stuck on your shoulder and you can’t wriggle out from under his tight grip. The grin you see means he is up to no good again.

“Heyy! Actually, let’s get some snacks. We feel like we didn’t have the time to talk recently and I’m curious how the concerto was. Kengo said you got back really late yesterday?” Ryota is just next to him smiling innocently holding a bag of what looks like different colourful candies and crisps.

“Did he now?! And why are you here not at your room doing your penalty studies?!” Suddenly Shiro’s voice pierces the air loudly.

Kengo’s face goes pale.

“Oh crap! Sorry partner gotta run! Catch you later yes? I want the juicy details!”

“Me too!” Ryota tries to catch up with Kengo who left a trail of dust behind him.

You raise your thumb up to Shiro and wave. You can see him smile at you and then you get a message on the App.

“Stay out of trouble, OK?”

“I will.” You reply and press send. As you arrive at the Ophion tower with plenty of time to spare and make your way to the security reception.

“Hi, I’m here to see Ophion. He… is expecting me.” You say nervously.

A completely uninterested transient measures you for a second and then lets you in. “Yes, we have been told.” With relief, you direct your steps following the route Melusine told you which is the executive walkway that is almost always empty and takes an elevator. In your mind surprise visit would be out of place, especially since Ophion is not any man and may be occupied. The corridors around are lavishly decorated and you feel slightly out of place. But finally, the elevator arrives and you step into it.

Pondering why there is always a piece of weird music whenever you go to the office buildings a slight shake resonates around you. Unsure if it was just your imagination or something else you squeeze yourself into the corner. Another floor beeped before your eyes, and as you were counting down, only three more to go, everything starts shaking around you. Whatever is happening knocks you off your feet and you land painfully on the floor. At the same time, the elevator slows down and stops. The lights around you suddenly go out and you hear and electricity creek followed by a metal one. Suddenly there is an empty feeling in your stomach and you painfully drop on the floor again. Panicking you somehow roll to the corner. The elevator must have dropped down but the safety break kicked in just in time. For what feels like an eternity you are in total darkness, unable to understand what’s going on, absolutely scared. And then blue safety lights turn on. Still scared you slowly climb up and try to use the help alarm button on the console and call for help. But there is no reply from anyone. So you try and press every floor button hoping you will be able to get out this way. And then the shaking starts again and instantly you cover in the corner hearing the elevator creek dangerously. It’s a situation your powers won’t do you any good and it feels like you stopped between floors too. You try the help button again. Nothing. You try again. The elevator creeks dangerously again and you start praying to anyone and anything for it to hold and the shaking to stop. Not sure but you think you hear an alarm and screams in the background. With what feels like the worst shake so far everything feels like liquid around you. Suddenly you hear a metal creek just a meter above you and the light blind you. For a moment you flicker your eyes looking at a huge silhouette before you. In the elevator door using all of his might is no other than Ophion covered in dust and grime.

“My beloved give me your hand!” He extends it to you and you gladly take it. Ophion who is extremely strong being an eternal dragon god lifts you out the elevator without any problem. Once you are out and on your own legs you embrace him as hard as you can. That was a horrible and scary experience. “I’m here, I’m here my beloved flower, and nothing is going to hurt you anymore.” He is completely surprised by your reaction and accepts the embrace without hesitation.

“I’m… I’m ok, thanks to you. What happened?” You ask.

“My beloved, we experienced consecutive shock waves. Much, much stronger than these before. Alarms are going through the whole city of Tokyo as we speak. You should thank Aizen here as he was the one who heard plead for help through the elevator device.”

Surprised you thank Aizen, who for once doesn’t look angry. He remains quiet and nods in response. Then you look back at Ophion.

“Are you ok?” You suddenly notice a scrape on his arm. There is no blood but still.

“Oh, my beloved you worry about me? My heart is touched beyond imagination.” He says still embracing you. “I am fine, it was just a few ceiling panels that fell on me. Nothing that can hurt this godly dragon. “

“Ophion, sir! Are you sure you are unhurt? Maybe we should finish this little scene and get into safety!” And the old Aizen is back, however his expression remained unchanged. Once he said that a group of security mobs appeared running toward them.

“Sir! We found you! It’s good you are unharmed sir! We have news!”

Ophion reluctantly lets you go, but won’t let you move away from the reach of his hands or wings.

“Report! What’s the situation? Are you evacuating the civilians? Are there any injuries? Where are the other tycoons?”

“Sir we have been informed by the security forces this was no ordinary shock, but it was caused by the world collision.” One of the mobsters has pointed at the windows. To your surprise, the Tokyo border wall from the harbour was gone stretching to an open sea covered with angry clouds. It wasn’t destroyed in the quake no, it just vanished due to the collision event.

“Where was the source of the earthquake located?” You open your mouth asking loudly. Your mind went straight into the geography lessons and then something else entirely.

“What?” The mobster asked stupidly.

“What the earthquake on land or at sea?” You repeat.

“My beloved, what are you thinking?” Ophion asked.

“If this world collision has temporarily exposed us to an open sea and there was an earthquake which happened at sea everyone in Tokyo is in grave danger. “

Aizen was the first one to get what you were saying.

“Tsunami! The god wave! If the harbour wall is gone the wave will flood the whole city, bottling up because of the border wall!” He turned pale as paper.

“We need to send a message to everyone who has the app! Tell them to go to higher ground!”

Suddenly Tsathoggua appeared from nowhere holding Melusine, breathing heavily.

“Oh, you are ok! Melusine said you were in the building. I was right to think…” He had to stop to breathe. ”I’m not getting any better at this.. huff.. huff.. I was right to think you will be where Ophion is.”

“I'm extremely sorry if my guidance has caused you any trouble young milord.”

“It’s Ok Melusine, you couldn’t have known something like this would happen.”

“Shut up everyone!” Aizen roared. “We need to warn everyone”

“What about the non-app users?” You ask immediately. “We can’t just hope they will be alright. We need to do something.”

“How much time do we have?” Tsathoggua asks still breathing heavily. You look at the long line of windows and with a shiver see a dark shadow on the horizon.

“We don’t have much. Look.” You say pointing at what you saw unconsciously squeezing your sword. Your sword. Then something hits you. A shiver travelled from the top of your head down to your toes. Something you saw earlier, something somebody told you earlier, something you have heard before. The music you have been hearing, It had words and until now you couldn’t understand them. These words were “In the day’s to come my darling, I shall love you, my child, I shall protect you with the power of my ethereal shield of light.” Feeling a warmth come from your sword you now understand those weren’t just idle lyrics. It was the words of a rule of a secret artefact. One of the 24 pieces of what was embedded in your sword. And the scene from your dreams was almost identical, but there is no falling star and an exploding mountain. But the wave remains. And it’s coming fast.

“Are you ok young friend?” Tsotsung pulls your sleeve, it seems everyone is looking at you. “You switched off suddenly.”

“My beloved, we need to get into the shelter.” Ophion insists.

“No.”

“No?” He is troubled and confused. “But my jewel-“ You interrupt him.

“I need to get to the harbour. I think I can stop the wave... I’m not sure how yet but if this is a collision event and it’s somehow connected with an error within the app once this is over everything should go back to normal, yes? I had dreams and in one for them, this was exactly what I saw.”

“Those are just wild speculations! Where are those idiotic ideas coming from?! There are innocent lives at stake and you are trying to play a stupid hero! How incredibly childish of you, I couldn’t expect anything else.” Aizen snarled at your words.

“Aizen leave now!” Ophion almost hit the man in anger.

“Tell us what do you want to do.” Melusine insisted, together her and Tsathoggua expressed will to help.

“Since I know you, your plans and crazy ideas never failed. I trust you friend. I will take you to the harbour.” Tsotsunga said putting on a brave face.

“No! My beloved, my jewel, my darling spouse. I want to help you. I will take you to the harbour, but you must tell me about your plan. We don’t have much time. The wave is almost upon the city!” Ophion stepped in front of you showing all of his protective nature, almost as if hearing others offer help before he instigated a change of mind. Maybe he felt less worthy.

“My sword contains the shard of another sacred relic which was the Etheral Shield of Light its rule was Protection against all. Or so I think… ” Ophion’s eyes grew wider as he listened to your words astounded. “I have a memory that’s been following me for weeks now. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. It’s like something within me knew such an event may happen!”

“My flower! My love!” Ophion was trembling. “You must tell me everything once this is over. Let us haste to the harbour. I will be with you and be behind you at every step.”

You nod silently.

“Let everyone know to find shelter above ground. Tsathoggua please try and reach Mr Triton and others who have any degree of command over water if they can help.”

“On it” Tsathoggua vanished within a split second. At the same moment, you felt a strong arm wrap around you tightly and suddenly you were in the air. Ophion flew out of the terrace next to where you were, taking you with him.

“My beloved, why have you not told me sooner? Why keep this as a secret! My heart is trembling knowing there is even a minute piece of you that feels what I feel toward you!”

“Ophion, We are flying-!” you gasp shocked by the sensation.

“Don’t you like it, my love? There was no other way to get us to the harbour fast enough.”

“If it wasn’t for the circumstances I probably would enjoy it, but I wasn’t ready! Next time ask!”

“I'm sorry my darling, my fiery flower, my spouse. But you haven’t answered my question. Whatever happens, I want to know.”

You fall silent for a moment trying to gather words for an answer.

“I... I wanted to know if it was really me or just the memory. And then when the accident in the TSA happened and Seth’s shadow transported us to a real desert where we spent days wandering, each night I would look at the sky looking for the Dragon constellation… and think about the melody. And each night I would think that although I barely know you, I would miss you even if I never met you.”

“Ooh... Ooh...!” Ophion the Golden Dragon was trembling so much you could feel the hands holding you shaking. “This trembling feeling within my soul is equal to Heaven and Earth's creation itself. Those words! It filled the loneliness in this weary heart that has grown for millennia within seconds! My beloved! You cannot imagine how happy I am right now. But first, let’s save this diamond of a city from disaster. “ Your journey through the skies didn’t last long and you set foot in the harbour, that was already full of people and transients. Each one of them in a line trying to control the incoming wall of water.

“Thank gods you are safe!” You hear Shiro’s voice, behind him is Kengo and Ryota. All running towards you.

“What are you all doing here?! It's dangerous!” You shout at them as you set your feet at the ground.

“Well partner that’s not how you should be welcoming your friends!” Kengo measures Ophion with a cold look. “Looks like you had an interesting way of getting here!”

“Ophion sir! Thank you for helping our friend and bringing him here!” Shiro slurs out to Ophion.

“How did you get here? Where is Tsatsunga? Is he OK?”

Ryota gesticulates at a tall building nearby. “He collapsed exhausted after transporting dozens here. Moritaka is with him right now. Shiro used his powers to get us and Mr. Triton here the minute we got the message.”

“Shiro! Are you ok after that?” You ask your friend who seems paler than usual.

“Yes, yes I am fine. I had a minor nose bleed but it stopped now.” He answers avoiding your stare. “I’m not sure what can we accomplish. A Tsunami is a force of nature, us app users and other Transient don’t seem to have any chance to stop it. This is going to be a massacre!” He keeps trying to rationalize.

“My sword contains a shard of another sacred relic, the Etheral Shield of Light its rule was Protection against all. I know it is going to work.”

“How do you know what? Is it something to do with that memory you said you kept having?” Shiro asked looking at you and then at the approaching wall of water. It was getting nearer and nearer and it didn’t look like the united forces of water relics were doing anything beyond slowing It down.

“Come on kids! Put your back into it! We have a whole city counting on us!” Mr Triton was shouting louder and louder.

You turn around to Ophion. “Can you protect the civilians and anyone who may get into the harm's way?”

“My darling love, Of course! Whatever your plan you need to be ready. I will help as much as I can. I shall call upon my children to be ready to lift anyone into the skies to protect them from the flood wave.” And he has done as he said lifting his sacred relic into the skies, and with a blast of light, dozens of wyverns filled the skies ready.

The tsunami wave was incoming faster now, filling the whole horizon, the sky darkened angrily. This must-have happened somewhere you think, at some time in the history. You think about that picture you saw.

“Shiro, I saw a painting of a tsunami wave, and there were a man and a ghost of a woman that was trying to stop it. What is the story of that painting.” You ask bracing yourself.

Shiro is quite stunned after you tell him this.

“You are talking about The Great Wave off Kanagawa, but there is no man or woman in that painting.”

“Great, so either I’m hallucinating or something else is happening.”

“What if the collision of the worlds started happening much earlier than we thought, and what you saw had something to do with it.”

“I’m thinking my resurfacing memory has something to do with the tsunami.”

Shiro nodded eagerly.

“Don’t you remember? It happened before that you remembered a forgotten part of your powers before during different events.”

“But this is different, this started happening weeks ago.” You say to him.

“Whatever happens Partner, we are here to help you. We will always have your back.” Kengo adds. “Let’s see what my fists can do against a wall of water.”

“I will be with you my friends, even if you take me to the scariest places in all of the 23 worlds.” Ryota yelps quietly. He is scared and shaking yet still with you.

“Oh, gods it’s coming!” Somebody shouted! Screams started getting louder, some transients panicked and run and Mr Triton started having issues controlling the speed of the incoming wave. You could feel an unearthly rumble as the wall of water was before you.

You felt ready. You were ready, you had to be.

”Role of Wanderer, Rule of Rending! Engrave mine name onto thee Come out, Boundless Tail!!”

But nothing happened. Nothing at all. Your swords shone its normal light, but there was nothing your power could affect.

“No, no! This is not right! I know I can do something!”

Ophion lay his hand on your shoulder. “We must go now, my love!”

“No! I know I can help! I just… The song! The words were: In the day’s to come my darling, I shall love you, my child, I shall protect you with the power of my ethereal shield of light.” You panic seeing the wave almost upon on you, glancing over everyone.

Ophion gives away an odd laugh that seems so out of place right now.

“My dearest, you are calling upon the wrong artefact! You must call upon the rule of protection! With the memory this strong it means it has a power of its own over your sacred artefact.”

You turn back to the wave in fear.

“Role of the guardian, Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” But still, nothing happens.

But you don’t give up concentrating even more with your eyes closed. “ Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” There is still nothing.

Feeling the water droplets on your hair and screams around you shout again one last time. “ Role of the guardian, Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” Suddenly a force so powerful hits your body as something has torn the flesh out of your bones. The wall of light emanating out of your swords is so bright you can’t even physically keep your eyes open as and the vibration of the blade is almost breaking the bones in your hand. But you hold it tight as a wall extends in every direction. You know it’s the shield of light, the same one the goddess Euronome used to protect her children during the war of gods, the same she used on Olympos to protect those innocent around her dragged into the war of Titans. You feel your body strength failing and drop on one knee feeling tremendous pain. But there is a dozen of hands suddenly holding your back keeping you from falling. You hear so many voices, calling upon so many rules. You hear Mr Triton calling his rule, you hear Ophion shouting out commands to the Wyverns at the ready to help in an evacuation, You hear Ryota providing healing to others and yourself.

“You can do it, my child. Hold on just a little longer!” Somebody, a woman whispers to your ear. You will try as much as you can, but there is blood going down your nose. The force you are against may just kill you. But you don’t care hearing the words of Mr Mononobe in your head over and over intertwined with the song. “Prove yourself that you are not just a hero in the App. Prove you can defend those innocent from forces far greater than any battle.” With your hands in so much pain, you don’t know if you will be ever able to move your fingers again, with no sounds coming to you because you think your eardrums exploded and the blood is dripping down your neck the strength of your body finally fails you and collapse into darkness.

 *

 In your dreams, you hear and see many things, and the beautiful watercolour world around you dances gently and suddenly a slender figure emerges from the kaleidoscope of colours.

“Well done my child, you have done it. I’m so proud of you.” The woman speaks to you, her voice feels like it is coming from far away.

“Are you-?” You ask without words spoken.

“I am. Or I may be, or I may be just the figment of your imagination. After all, you exhausted your frail body greatly.” She responds with a crystal laugh.

“I thought you would be…” You start but she stops you.

“A dragon? Like my husband? Ahahaha… We were born beyond such boundaries, unconcerned by shape.”

“You are strong for one who has such a great burden on them. I only hope you are strong enough for all the challenges awaiting you. “ She continues. “ As for what is perplexing you, it’s not the memory of me that’s keeping your mind confused, it never was.”

“Am I falling for a god then?” You ask, although unsure if you did but the words resonate anyway. Realizing you won’t have any secrets here.

“Haha-!” The woman laughs warm. “And what if yes? What burdens does it bring to you?”

“Ophion is a bit much. He is a god, a godly dragon… and…”

“And what of it my child? Give yourself and him a chance. Remember he is the father of all in our world, and his golden heart is pure, and his love eternal. Yes, he has spent millennia without a force to restrain his fatherly ego, and in loneliness. Such things would poison any mind. What you witnessed, in your last dream was the moment of my fall… and the moment his heart broke… “ She added sadly. “I am sorry this somehow has influenced your world.”

“It’s time for you to wake up my child. Beware thou, the Rule of the Guardian is not one to be taken lightly as it is a burden that will exhaust your body beyond the boundaries of this peculiar prison everyone is tied to.”

“Can I ask you-!” You suddenly try to find where the voice is coming as the woman seems to have disappeared. Only to approach you from behind and whisper to your ear “Wake up”.

 *

You were in a hospital room, your head still dizzy and the sounds coming to you weren’t completely normal. “So everything truly happened.” You lift a hurting hand trying to reach to your ear but it is still painful. So that’s how physical pain feels like compared to a memory of it from the app. Then you notice Ophion on a large chair next to you. How odd it looks having him here, his large frame bigger than any human, sleeping so peacefully. He must have taken a nap while being here. And then he gave out a gentle snore making you laugh quietly to yourself. It didn’t take him long to wake up and yawn revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.  

“Hey, sleepyhead.” You greet him with a smile.

“My beloved! Forgive me, with so much going on I didn’t have the time to sleep at all.” He looked at you with his dark ember red eyes.

“How long has it been?”

“You slept for almost three days my jewel. How are you feeling? The healers here said your body needs rest. It was hard to explain to them what exactly ailed you since the App injuries seem to be beyond the comprehension of your medicine.”

“My head is still tired, and my body aches but I’m better. So… we have done it. The city is safe?” You ask with a weary voice.

Ophion shifts on his chair leaning towards you.

“Yes my darling spouse, everything is back to normal. It seems your conclusion was correct, my beloved, and after the wave of water was stopped the glitch in the app caused by the world collision cleared itself out. With one exception. World collisions don’t function as app battles, and some physical damage caused by the quake remained, but nobody was hurt.”

“I'm so happy everyone is ok.” You let out the words with relief.

“Yes, yes, my wonderful flower. My children scouted the city to help while you were resting. Your friends will be here shortly I assume. But before that, I need to tell you, my love, no, I need to ask you to promise me not to do anything like that ever again! It was brave but foolish! I, your husband will sacrifice my body for you If I have to! You should never endanger yourself! Not in this frail form! I could not bear losing you again! My beloved, you must promise me! If you won’t I will have to come up with a plan to perhaps enslave you temporarily whenever danger is near to stop you from running toward it.” Ophion is back being himself, with his voice booming across the room.

“You want to enslave me to stop me from getting hurt?”

“In the most comfortable of ways my love!” He adds quickly.

“You know you snore? I’m going to tell everyone if you even think about locking me up somewhere!” You tease him.

“My darling spouse you wouldn’t-!”

And you just thought you have a secret weapon flashing a cheeky smile at him.

 *

 You found yourself staring at the elevator door at the Ophion Tower waiting for it to arrive. It’s been a few days now since the event and you are back on your feet. Of course, this goes without saying you got into trouble at school which Mr Mononobe was willing to turn a blind eye as long as you attend a few extracurricular lessons with him to make sure you caught up with all of the lessons you missed. But this Friday evening you were only thinking to yourself “I just hope I'm not going to embarrass myself”. The weather outside has taken a dramatic turn with a heavy downpour forcing you to rethink your plans. The elevator doors finally open, still with a bit of a fright after the last time you enter and purposely press the floor just below your destination. Closing your eyes for a few seconds you await the familiar sound and yes, you are here. As the door opens you exit with relief with. It was Melusine who told you to skip a floor, claiming you may walk into Aizen. She was right, as you approached the staircase you hear a loud marching noise and a very annoyed monologue.

“I can’t believe my beloved sir Ophion send me away! Me! His loyal servant! To meet this stupid brat! I will find a way! I will! The embarrassment! How dare he!”

“Oh dear,” You think to yourself waiting for the man to disappear and then you walk up the staircase. With each step, it feels harder to walk as if somebody would be adding sand to your burden. But you made a promise, and as nerve-wracking this is you knocked on the door. And there he was. Ophion opened, with his huge silhouette filling the door frame. You just realized they probably had to enlarge all entryways just for him. Unlike his usual clothes, he was wearing a black shirt that was fully pinned up which somehow felt odd.

“My beloved! Please enter. Welcome to my private chambers, that not many have the right to enter! You look unearthly today.” He says trying to sway you as always.

“Hi… You… look different?” You hesitate. “It’s a good different, but I never saw you buttoned up.”

Ophion laughs loudly.

“My darling, I, your husband still need to run a business. But if it pleases you I can change in something more attractive to your eyes? Yes, my love?” You can feel your ears burning.

“You are impossible.” You reply.

“Ah my beloved, of course, I am impossible, I am the godly dragon beloved by all,” Ophion responds with his typical smile and a wink. You are sure he didn’t understand what you meant.

“My flower, my love, I wasn’t sure if you were hungry or thirsty so I asked some refreshments to be brought up. And yes, my spouse, the items you asked to be delivered here were left untouched. You think I wouldn’t notice?” He teases you.

With a pounding heart you think to yourself “Well, this is a moment of truth”. And you approach the boxes that have the projector and your guitar case.

“I’m not hungry right now. And…” Ophion stares at you intensively. “Can we spread some pillows on the floor to sit down?” You ask hesitating.

“Anything you want my love.” As odd it feels you and him take some pillows of the elegant sofas that are within the living area of the apartment and move the furniture away to make more sitting space. You ask Ophion to sit and make himself comfortable, and with amusement you watch the dragon take his time to awkwardly sit on the floor, he smiles like a giddy child to you all the time.  You take out the projector and place it on the floor and then uncase your guitar. Finally, you kneel in front of Ophion who is with great anticipation is observing your every move. There is something in his dark amber eyes you can’t quite place or name.

“Right… I feel nervous and embarrassed.” You say out loud.

“My beloved, why would you be? There is nobody here beyond us.”

“I’m nervous because you are here.” You repeat.

“My darling spouse, I’m confused.” He reaches out and grabs your hand with his. It’s very warm on your skin.

“So… I wanted to see you because I have something for you. A gift let’s call it. It’s the memory I’ve been having, and I wanted to reconstruct it for you somehow.”

“Oh, oh-! My beloved, my heart is shaking. Did you go to so much trouble… for me? Your Ophion?” He smiles openly.

“Can we dim down the lights?” You ask.

“But my dearest jewel, are you sure the floor will be comfortable enough, what about the bedroom-!”

“Ophion!” You protest loudly before he can finish.

“I apologize, my beloved! But you made it so easy…” He sticks out his tongue and does as you request diming down the lights in the living area, not completely dark but enough to what you wanted to do.

“Because mother-nature has been fickle today and I can’t do what I wanted I thought I will present you with something.” You say like a magician preparing the audience for a magic trick.

“Oh my starling jewel, I cannot contain my excitement, I-!” He starts but you interrupt him.

“I give you the stars on a night’s sky.” You say and turn on the start projector. The device lights up the entire room with hundreds of constellations, and stars from all over our galaxy, gently moving to simulate the motion of a night sky above us. With that you pick up your guitar, and gently settle yourself in front of Ophion, with your back towards him, almost touching his chest feeling the heat of his body, but far enough not to touch him while playing.

“In this memory, I would sit like this and play an instrument very much like this and you were listening.” You say lowering your voice as you start gently pulling the nylon strings. Although in his memory the melody was played on an ancient lyre, you were able to easily reproduce it on a classical guitar with almost identical quality. The first few notes came out a bit harsh but once the nerves went away the melody flew gently and pleasantly in the night air with the stars above you. It felt magical and you didn’t want it to stop. Surprisingly you felt Ophion reach-out to you and slowly wrap his large, solid arms around you and place his head on your shoulder. It didn’t stop you from playing at all, it just made your heart beat faster and harder. The melody wasn’t long at all and it was easy to repeat in an infinite loop, perhaps even it was created that way.

“I know it’s not much but I wanted this to be a gift to you.” You say softly still playing.

“Oh my world, you need not say anything, this is the mo1st beautiful of gifts you have ever given me and I wish it wouldn’t stop. Among these riches that surround us, this is the only thing worth cherishing” Ophion says smiling with his head still on your shoulder.

“I’m happy you think so.” You add and after a moment of thinking you turn your head and kiss his cheek, feeling the gentle giant tremble as you do it.

END 

[razieltwelve]

Royalty and the Avatar (AtLA x LoK)

Korra gasped and strained against her bonds as the fingers inside her curled just so. The blindfold made it impossible to focus on anything but the sensations, and she could only arch her back and ride the waves of sensation that followed until she slumped back onto the bed, limp and exquisitely exhausted.

"Hmmm… I certainly can't fault your enthusiasm, but we do have to work on your endurance."

Azula tugged the blindfold off, and Korra stared as the other woman looked her straight in the eyes and licked her fingers clean. Spirits, that was hot.

"Are you really criticising me at a time like this?" Korra asked. She would have sat up, but she was currently tied quite securely to the head of the bed.

The princess's golden eyes gleamed in the twilight of the cabin, and Azula reached down to trail one finger along Korra's belly. Heat flickered to life, just shy of painful. "Self improvement is important, Korra. Isn't that what your instructors taught you?"

"Well, yeah, but I'm pretty sure they were referring to bending and not sex."

Azula's lips curled, and she leaned forward. It provided Korra with a wonderful view. "You know, when I first started chasing after you, I used to wonder what I'd do with you once I'd caught you." She smirked. "It's a good thing I never caught you back then. Killing you would have been such a waste." The words were accompanied by another heated look at Korra's bare body.

"Yeah, I'm glad to not be dead too." Korra grinned. "But do you think you could go back to describing your megalomaniacal plan? You were in the middle of covering that before you decided to tie me up and have your wicked way with me."

"Ah, yes, my megalomaniacal plan." Azula sat up, and a single candle flared to life. The azure light cast shadows across her face and body, and she looked equal parts alluring and imposing. Korra rolled her eyes. Azula was nothing if not theatrical at times. "Would you prefer it if I monologued, perhaps threw in a cackle or two, or would you prefer the simple version."

"I think the simple version would be best." Korra tested her bonds and sighed. Trust Azula to be ridiculously thorough even in a situation like this. "You can go into detail later."

"Very well." Azula sat down next to Korra and let her fingers trace whimsical paths across her body. "First and foremost, I want to assure you that I have no intention of trying to conquer the world."

"Right…"

"I mean it," Azula said. "I do think I would make an excellent ruler of the world, but conquering the entire world is simply impractical. The Fire Nation has neither the manpower nor the resources to conquer the world, never mind actually keep it under control."

"So, hypothetically, you would conquer the world if you thought you could?"

"You're better off not knowing the answer to that." Azula patted Korra's head fondly. "You'll sleep better at night. But, to return to matter at hand, it's really a simple matter of wanting what's best for the Fire Nation. Above all things, I am a patriot. I love the Fire Nation, and I want nothing but the best for it. This… war has dragged on for a century, and what do we have to show for it?"

"About a century of suffering and woe."

"Exactly." Azula held up one hand. Flame kindled around her fist, first orange, and then blue, and then blinding white. Korra shivered. Azula was the single most powerful fire bender she'd ever met, and it was a miracle she'd survived those early years when Azula had genuinely been trying to either kill her or capture her. "A foolish person might say that the Fire Nation has never been stronger, that we now control the North and South Poles and that we have subjugated most of the Earth Kingdom."

"And what would a smart person, presumably you, say?" Korra asked. Azula had many good qualities. Modesty was not one of them. Then again, was it really arrogance given what she'd accomplished so far?

"We hold the North and South Poles by the skin of our teeth. Oh, we've managed to grab hold of the major settlements, but it's getting harder and harder to fight off the resistance groups when they can melt back into the wilderness." Azula scowled. "Trying to fight off water benders in a land made almost completely of ice is the very definition of a bad idea. Oh, I've no doubt we could crush the Southern or Northern Water Tribes in a conventional battle, but they're not stupid. They're never going to give us a conventional battle."

"Yeah, that probably wasn't the greatest idea the Fire Nation has ever had." Korra snickered.

"Oh, be quiet," Azula grumbled. "And it's not like your ancestors have too much to be proud of. They somehow managed to lose despite the initial battles being conducted either at sea or on ice." The princess sighed. "The point of conquest, Korra, is that the conquerors should get something out of it. What does the Fire Nation get out of conquering the North or South Pole? We get constant trouble, land that none of our people want to live in, and vast sheets of ice and snow that serve no real purpose."

"Hey, there are resources in the North and South Pole," Korra countered. "How do you think my people have lived there for so long?"

"Well, of course, there are resources," Azula replied. "But they're the kind the Fire Nation could get far more easily through trade. Conquering the North and South Poles served no real purpose other vanity and bragging rights. Meanwhile, we're forced to waste almost a third of our entire military trying to keep them under control."

"Yeah," Korra said. "My people are pretty awesome."

"And then there's the Earth Kingdom." Azula covered her face with one hand. "By all the spirits, what were my ancestors thinking? The Earth Kingdom is absolutely massive and has multiple times the Fire Nation's population. How exactly were we ever going to maintain control over it?"

"Genocide?" Korra made a face. "I'm pretty sure at least one of your ancestors advocated that."

"Yes," Azula ground out. "My grandfather, an otherwise reasonable man, did propose wiping out the Earth Kingdom's inhabitants and replacing them with Fire Nation citizens." She snarled. "Lunacy! Madness! We are warriors not butchers, and I would have the Fire Nation stand ascendant over a prosperous world, not a world of ash and bones."

"Well, I'm glad you can agree that genocide is evil."

"Defeating the Earth Kingdom in battle was a foregone conclusion," Azula continued. "Their lack of tactical acumen is matched only by their lack of technological progress. However, the sheer size and population of the Earth Kingdom means that occupying it long term is an exercise in futility. The Fire Nation simply lacks the manpower and resources to accomplish that." Azula shivered. "And the less I say about our attempts to attack the Air Nomads, the better. Oh, we had some success initially when we caught them off guard, but since then…"

"So… you want to stop the fighting?" Korra asked. "You? The youngest, most successful general in Fire Nation history?"

"If this war continues," Azula replied. "The Fire Nation will eventually lose. It will take years, and we will inflict terrible wounds on our enemies, but we will lose, and do you think they will be in a merciful mood when we do?" Azula shook her head. "No. They will rip us limb from limb. It is far better to seek an end to hostilities now while we are in a position of strength."

"But you can't end the war," Korra pointed out. "You're not Fire Lord."

"No, I am not." Azula's eyes shimmered, and the blue candle flame roared. "But I could be."

"Ah." Korra nodded slowly. "I see."

"My father truly believes that we can conquer the world and keep it. With Sozin's Comet arriving in a matter of months, he's even come up with a plan. He wants to burn the whole Earth Kingdom and the North and South Poles."

"…" Korra gaped. "That… that might just be the most scarily idiotic thing I've ever heard."

"Yes. Even with the power boost the comet would give us, there simply aren't enough fire benders to burn more than a fraction of the world. That, more than anything, convinced me that I could no longer stand aside while my father leads the Fire Nation to ruin."

"So you want to overthrow him?"

"Korra," Azula said as she shifted to straddle the Avatar's waist. "I have been planning this for years. I have at least half of the Fire Nation's nobility on my side already, and I believe the other half would join me if the Avatar pledged to support my cause."

"I see." Korra's eyes narrowed. "So in exchange for supporting you against your father, you would end the war?"

"Indeed. I would, of course, have to keep some of the gains we've made - nothing too large, I assure you - but the war would end. I would become Fire Lord, and you would become the Avatar who ended the Hundred Year War."

"And you think your father will give you the throne when he realises the nobles support you over him?"

"Oh, no," Azula said dryly. "I'll have to challenge him to Agni Kai and kill him, but that will be the easy part. My dear father hasn't fought on the front lines in more than a decade, and I am the greatest fire bender and warrior my nation has ever produced."

"Not the least bit arrogant, are you?"

"It is not arrogance if it is true," Azula shot back. "The question, Korra, is whether or not you will help me. I will take the throne. Without your help, it may well involve a mountain of corpses. With your help, it will only take one."

"You know, even two years ago, if someone had asked me if I would ever help you, I'd have called them insane."

"And if someone had told me two years ago that I would seriously be contemplating making the Avatar my royal consort once I took the throne, I'd have said the same."

"…" Korra jerked up, tearing her bonds with a subtle application of air bending. "Are you serious?"

"Deadly serious." Azula smirked. "You look wonderful in blue, Korra, but I think you'd look just as good in red." Her smirk widened. "And I'd be yours as much as you'd be mine." Azula leaned forward until their lips were almost touching. "Tell me I wouldn't look amazing in Water Tribe blue."

Korra gulped. The thought of Azula in Water Tribe blue was… intoxicating. "Yeah." She shook herself. She could think about that later. "So you're really going to do this?"

"Why do you think I'm sailing back to the Fire Nation with you in secret?" Azula bared her teeth. "This war has gone on long enough. I will defeat my father and become Fire Lord. I will put an end to the war, but I'll need your help for what comes after."

"Ah." Korra grimaced. "That will be tricky. Even if you do end the war, the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes are still going to be pissed."

"Indeed, which is where you come in. Use some of that charm of yours to help bring about a peaceful solution."

"You think I'm charming?"

"To an extent," Azula countered. "But more than anything you keep your word. You don't make a lot of promises, but you always keep the ones you do make. More importantly, you have won the respect of people throughout the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. Negotiating a lasting peace will be difficult with your help. Without your help, it will be impossible."

"You do realise that they'll accuse you of seducing me to win my favour."

"Maybe. I'd argue they'd be right." Azula smiled thinly. "But perhaps you could try to make it seem as though the opposite occurred." She swooned melodramatically. "Imagine it: the aloof and cruel Fire Nation princess, defeated and then seduced by the Avatar. Driven by her newfound love for the Avatar, the princess overthrows her father and promises to end the war and bring peace to the world."

"…" Korra shook her head. "I don't think there is a single person in the world who would believe that."

Azula straightened. "Of course not. But that's not the point. What we need to impress upon them is that regardless of the… intricacies of our relationship, peace is the best way forward."

"Well, you're not wrong." Korra sighed. "But you really couldn't have explained this to me before we started sailing toward the Fire Nation?"

"And spoil the surprise?" Azula laughed. "Korra, you know me better than that."

X     X     X

Author's Notes

This is obviously a massive AU. I'll get into the specifics in later snippets, but the gist of it is that Aang never ran away, the Air Nomads managed to survive after initially sustaining heavy losses, and the Hundred Year War has been extremely bloody.

By the time Azula shows up, Korra is the Avatar. They're similar in age, and Azula does spend some of her early years trying to capture/kill Korra. However, due to certain events, things change, and Azula develops a better understanding of the conflict and its likely ending.

Let me know what you think.

If you’re interested in my thoughts on writing and other topics, you can find those here.

You can find my original fiction on Amazon here. In fact, I’ve just released a new story, Attempted Adventuring. If you like humour, action, and adventure, be sure to check it out.

[lemonietrinket]

Ladder ||| Lucas x Reader

Summary: You love your boyfriend Lucas, you really do. But sometimes, his chaotic tendencies led him into all kinds of trouble. And you never, ever laugh at him. Totally. Not even when he puts himself in a compromising position. Not even once. Genre: Fluff, Comedy Warning(s): Please remember health & safety when putting up lights (they can get hot, you can trip over the wires, you could get tangled up in said wires...) as well as being very careful when using ladders. If you are not 100% certain that the ladder is stable, then do not use said ladder. Please, save your skulls. Word Count: 1383 Theme Song: I’m Falling - Golden Child I promise I didn’t choose the song for the title no one is going to fall I swear AN: 5th Dec prompt (credit to @songi-writes) decorating the house. I now realise that the original intention was likely to decorate the interior of the house but like, eh, since when did I ever follow the rules hehe. Also, I love Lucas, I love my big dumbass so so much. He’s just so sweet and kind and dumb—did I say I loved my dumbass?

~~~

You loved your boyfriend. You really did.

He was everything you wanted in a man.  Kind. Caring. Affectionate. Sweet. Amusing. Talented—

You get the idea.

The point is, there was one thing he lacked.

That thing, was common sense. 

And said lack of common sense got him in all sorts of situations that you never would have expected a man like himself to get in.

However, you wouldn’t change a thing.

Because one, you loved him in his entirety.

And two, no matter what scenario it was, it never failed to be absolutely hilarious to watch.

All you had to do was make sure he didn’t get hurt in the end and voila: free entertainment.

This was why, on the night of December the 5th, Lucas was up at the very top of an old rusty ladder, with his back to the fading daylight and his girlfriend, standing at the bottom a few feet away.

An old mattress, lent to you by your neighbours, had been on its way to a skip when you politely asked if you could use it as a precaution. They hadn’t understood why you needed it, and you weren’t sure how to explain it either.

Then Yukhei had suddenly sprinted from one side of the road to the other, chasing a drone (it was Haechan’s new toy apparently, though you knew exactly who bought it, and exactly who its real owner was, but you knew better than to get involved in the dorm politics again and so didn’t bring it up) and a few seconds after going out of sight, he reappeared and ran all the way back again.

They gave you the mattress with few extra words.

It sat at your feet, where you presumed he was most likely to land if he was to fall off the ladder, whilst he jostled with the lights.

They were cheap, thank god, on the off-chance (which you had calculated to be pretty high) that he would drop them, but you did hope he’d get them up soon, with as few broken bulbs as possible.

Not only would it be more money to spend, but there’d likely shards of plastic or glass to deal with and that was much more effort than you’d signed yourself up for. 

“Yo babe!” he called down from the penultimate step at the top.

“Yeah?” You couldn’t wait for what came out of his lips next.

“Look at me! I’m so much taller than you!”

“Yep,” you squinted up at him, trying not to let your chuckles edge into your voice, “you sure are! Not that it’s much different on the ground, though,” you added, muttering to yourself.

“Yaaa, what’s it like to be so short?” he asked, laughing to himself mainly. “With your head so close to the ground, like...”

You rolled your eyes.

“How do you see over high counters? Go to concerts? Or reach top shelves?”

“Ah yes,” you announced, “the famed top shelf! You see, we level up our manipulation and charm skills so we can talk those who rolled higher stats in height into doing things for us.”

You heard him laugh and nod his head, but it was the chuckle that appeared  when he didn’t really get what you were saying. 

Instead, you watched him shimmy down the ladder, to shift it across a few steps and clamber back up.

You flinched as there was a loud creak from one of the ledges as he stepped on it.

It wouldn’t actually break. He wouldn’t actually fall. Right?

As you’d zoned out, his joyous shouts brought you back into reality. Looking back up, your breath caught in your throat.

“Hey! Look babe! I’m a giant!”

He was jumping on the top most step, brandishing an end of the lights in his hands, the other rings around his arm. The ladder was shaking, and you could see the leg dipped in the gravel was slipping.

Oh dear lord.  “Yukhei, baby, please be careful!” 

“I am being careful!” he insisted, “I am the definition of careful!”

It was at that moment when the entire ladder juddered. Yukhei immediately caught onto the roof and steadied himself.

After your heart had returned back to your chest from rising into your mouth, you exclaimed, “Yukhei!”

He peered down at you from over his shoulder, the grin you knew so well lighting up his face, and his (in)famous laughter floating over the air. “I’m ok, don’t worry!”

“Well, I’m gonna keep worrying until you’re done up there and have both of your feet on the ground!” You strode over to the ladder and held the legs still as best as you could. “Please just... hurry up back on down here.” You bat your eyelashes as cliché as you could manage. “I haven’t had a cuddle in forever and it’s starting to make me so sad...!”

He pouted cutely, but your move worked. He began hanging up the lights at thrice the speed he’d previously done, and in minutes, with a couple of stretches, he was finished.

And no sooner were they all up, he was down from the ladder, his strong arms picking you up and spinning you around. 

“I’m back!” he announced, smile as bright as the moon.

“You are!” You added, “And alive!”

“And now,” his voice dropped lower, “I can make sure my girlfriend is no longer sad, by cuddling her as much as she wants!”

You accepted the invitation, leaning in to press yourself into his warmth, when you spotted a vacant look in his wide, glistening-clear eyes, his lips parting as he blinked.

The look of a thinking Yukhei.

“What is it?” you enquired, not bothering to follow his line of sight as it never was related to what he was pondering on.  You wondered if you would hear the tick of a clockwork system if you held your head beside his whilst he thought, cogs kicking into gear as he formulated an idea.

“Hang on, just one second!” he reasoned, dashing off round the house, out of sight.

You watched as he went, considering if he wanted you to follow him or not and thus stay round the front.

Luckily it wasn’t long before you received an answer.

The lights were a vast improvement to the plain cream walls, embellishing them with a gold and silver made it look as if the house was much grander than it actually was. As if fairies had pitched in their hands to make it a home for the two of you.

They also brought something into your heart. 

Whether it was a pride or a joy you couldn’t quite tell, but it did suddenly feel to you as if Christmas was genuinely coming in a few weeks, and that the mellow warmth that accompanied it every year would return this time too—even if the hundreds of days that preceded it weren’t always painted with gold. 

As you were distracted, dumbly staring up at the lights, you felt a pair of arms wrap around you.

Holding you as close to his body as he could, Yukhei nestled his chin in your hair, swaying the two of you gently to a beat in his own head.

“There,” he hummed, deep voice resonating through to your heart, “you’re not sad anymore, right?

“No, I’m pretty happy now,” you murmured, nuzzling your face into his chest. 

Though Yukhei brought you no end of joy from being his chaotic self, it was these moments that you prized more than any other. It was when you felt at home at last, and when you were most happiest.

“We should go inside,”  you suggested, fingers tracing lines on his back.

“Aww,” he cooed, “are you cold, baby?”

You smirked, slipping free from his arms. “Yeah I am, so you’d better come inside with me and do a better job at keeping me warm!”

He took this as a challenge, grin wide and shoulders squared. “First one inside doesn’t have to make the hot chocolate!”

The two of you didn’t even hesitate, taking off into a run.

The ladder was left by the front wall, but you didn’t care. You’d deal with it tomorrow, once you’d finished snuggling with your Yukhei. Even though you’d likely be preoccupied for quite some time. 

~~~

AN: I am very tired but I finished it! I’m not sure it’s as good as my others but I really tried I promise. This won’t be the last time I write for him (hopefully I won’t be as tired then) Thank you for reading!

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Did I mention I love Lucas?

Masterlist

[edited on 7th Dec 2019

[poemsforpersephone]

REVIEW FOR THE HANGED MAN BY K.D. EDWARDS

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review (but i also have it pre-ordered like, twice, so you can really honestly believe me when i tell you i love this freaking book).

PSA: if you haven’t read The Last Sun yet, don’t read this because there are minor spoilers kind of for the first book. There are also minor spoilers for The Hanged Man too.

Once every so often there comes a moment when something enters your life and takes you on a path you never could have imagined. One day in January last year I listened to The Last Sun on a whim, because it looked cool, it had good reviews and a talented narrator. I had no way of knowing that a year later i'd be taking part in a street team quest dedicated to promoting it. I didn't know all the cool people I'd meet, all the art we'd produce as a team, as a fandom on the whole. I've been in a lot of fandoms in my life, and created a lot of content, but i have never been as enthralled and caught by a book series as i have this one. I won't talk more about the street team, as tempting as it is, but if you want to learn more check out KD's twitter, it's full of great things!

On with the show.

The Hanged Man is a revelation. There is so much world building going on, so much detail added to an already detail rich world, that I know i'm going to have to read it a few times (which, hey, works out! I will have like four copies by the end of this haha). The additional information we got about the sun court, about the companion bond, about the other Arcanas... I can't even put into words. There are things that happen in this book that I kind of assumed would happen but like, four books down the line, and they were done so well too, so smoothly that even though I didn't expect them, I didn't question them, but i'm not going to spoil anything within this review because this book is a book you have to experience yourself. Trust me.

The action and fight scenes are some of the most well written, fast paced, heart pounding action scenes I’ve ever read. Ever time a fight came up or a chase occurred I was absolutely glued to the page. This was present in The Last Sun as well and it’s one of my favourite aspects of the series as a whole. As with The Last Sun though, despite the action scenes trying to steal the show, it’s the relationships and the characters in The Hanged Man that are a major driving force and the central reason as to why it shines so brightly.

Rune and Brand will always have a major share holder place in my heart, but there is an entire cast now vying for positions. Quinn and Max continue to be so freaking adorable and brave and smart that I could cry. Quinn's character arc in this book especially is so so good? Addam is just?? Such a pure soul? Such a kind person? I cannot get over how he's a real character that we get to enjoy and treasure. Lord Tower is. Well. You guys know how he is but he has some moments in this book that made me a lot less suspicious of him and a lot MORE suspicious of him at the same time. He is a conundrum but i love him. Mayan got more of a role too, and I loved every part of it! Queenie is still in the background a little and I'm convinced she has secrets!!!! If she does, I can't wait to see what they are. I loved Lady Death!! I hope she's sticking around she is super cool and almost exactly what I was hoping her to be.

Also, the introduction of Anna, Corbie and Layne was so well done! I won't say much here for fear of spoilers bc there are some BIG ones but I can't wait to see how things in that area progress.

But talking of Rune and Brand... oh my god. I will never get over their bond. Never. It's impossible. They're?? Everything?? There were moments in this book when they made me laugh and moments when they made me cry and moments where I wanted to scream. I still ship it to high heavens. Friends to lovers trope is like, the best invention ever, and I'm holding out for some lovely polyamory because i've long believed that the best way to end a love triangle is to involve everyone! More people more fun amiright??? (can u tell its 1:15am dear lord) but whether or not anything will come of that only time will tell. Either way, romantic or platonic, nothing will rival their love for each other and that is the foundation of this series. The most solid, well built foundation ever.  

Rune is just. So powerful. And so wonderful. His progression through two books alone is awe inspiring, i can't even think about where we're going to be another three or four books down the line. I love how powerful and confident he is, I love that he knows his strength, that he knows when to play certain trump cards. KD knows how to do character development, he's shown this time and time again, and oh my god I cannot wait to see what Rune becomes.

So, where do we stand. Sometimes you read a book and you don't worry about the characters because you know they'll be fine, but i am constantly worrying about everyone, because the writing feels like it's real, like you're living it, like you're watching people you care about face off against such high odds. I have my theories about where aspects of this series will go but I also very much doubt whether any of them are correct, because KD is playing the long game and I am but a lowly sleep deprived reader, but i am so so excited to go on this journey. I can't wait to see where it takes us. I could prattle on for another five hundred paragraphs about how much i loved this book, but i think i've said all that needed saying, so i'll leave it at this. Read this book, folks, you won't regret it.

[fundeadasylum]

This Photo of Us Part 1: Lips Like Strawberry Wine

To literally no one’s surprise it’s more Micoverse. Let’s just say I listened to Blake Robin’s Unhealthy Obsession one too many times. 

Warnings: none for this chapter

Part 2 / Part 3

**********************************

On a wet, rainy autumn afternoon, Jacob Pierly disappeared.

----

Months before, just as spring was nudging aside the last, clingy vestiges of winter and stubbornly sprouting flowers against the still chilly mornings, Jacob Pierly met a girl. He’d ducked a coffee shop, eager to warm fingers cold from poor circulation and a breeze that had been biting since the early afternoon. Instead he got a shirt soaked with piping hot coco and a frantic, scrambling apology from the young woman who’d spilled her drink on him.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention--it was a total accident--I’ll pay for the cleaning! I’ll--I’ll buy you a new shirt! I’m so, so sorry!”

“I, uh, n-no, it’s f-fine, it’s just--it’ll come right out. It’s not a big deal,” Jake stepped back, awkwardly raising his hands to fend off the woman’s frantic cascade of paper napkins, “It was my fault, I was distracted. Let--let me buy you another one.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t--”

“Please?”

The young woman bit her lip, dirty blonde hair in disarray, twenty or so napkins clutched in her grasp, “I...okay.” She smiled, shy and relenting, straightening up and trying to compose herself.

Jake’s heart skipped a beat for reasons entirely unrelated to preexisting medical conditions.

----

Her name was Rosanna Pearl and she was studying for a medical degree at a nearby college.

“With a minor in chemistry,” She added as they sat at a table in the cafe, each anxiously clutching at their drinks and avoiding direct eye contact, “And you can call me Rosie. Everyone else does.”

“Jake Pierly,” He said, the corner of his mouth twitching in an awkward smile, “Stay at home editor.”

Rosie giggled, “Pierly. Sounds like Pearl. Our last names kind of match. That’s a little funny. Maybe it’s fate we ran into each other.”

“Ah, maybe,” Jake could feel his ears burning as he chuckled, “But next time fate intervenes, I hope it involves less spilled hot chocolate.”

Rosie laughed, a real, resonating laugh that made her cheeks turn pink. It was such a sweet laugh that Jake found himself laughing too.

“What do you edit, if you don’t mind me asking?” Rosie asked when they had settled down.

Jake swallowed a mouthful of decaf, shrugged one shoulder and looked out the window so he didn’t have to face his problems, “Nothing special. Usually whatever anyone throws my way. Creative writing, mostly. Sometimes academic papers but there’s a lot of jargon I don’t get in those so I have to decline a lot of them. I can’t tell you how many awful books get handed off to me by these wanna-be novelists that think they’re going to be the next Stephen King or something.” He rolled his eyes, caught Rosie’s glance, and flushed, “D-don’t tell them I said that, I mean, I do the work. P-pays the bills, you know. Heh.”

“Oh no, don’t apologize, I’m pretty sure I know the type,” Rosie raised her eyebrows, “I used to work at a salon and you would not believe the bitches--the kinds of people who came through there! Awful people. Just. Terrible.”

Jake hid a smile behind the lid of his coffee cup, “Sounds like you’ve got some horror stories.”

Rosie smirked, “I’ll regale you with them sometime.” She glanced at her phone sitting on the table next to her, “But right now I really have to head out. Tell you what, coffee’s on me next time and I’ll spill all the dirty client secrets. Deal?”

Jake hummed, “Deal. What’s your number?”

----

“DAD! DAD! JAKE HAS A DATE! JAKE HAS A DATE!”

Dan looked up from the stove so fast he banged his head on the cabinet. Head smarting and eyes watering, he turned to face the teenager spilling head over heels into the kitchen, “Ow! What!? Milo, stop shouting! What did you say?”

“He didn’t say anything!” Jake shouted, spilling into the kitchen and nearly wiping out on the tile as his socks slid underneath him.

“JAKE’S GOING ON A DATE!”

Dan stared at Milo and then looked at Jake who appeared as though he’d like nothing better than to vanish through the floor, never to show himself again. His face was bright red and he was twisting his shirt into knots between his fingers, gaze darting across the room, shoulders hunched to his ears as he curled in on himself. In contrast, Milo was bouncing up and down, a wide grin on his face, snickering madly at having shared a piece of juicy gossip.

“Jake?” And even though Dan said it carefully he could still hear the eggshells popping under his feet.

“Ih-it’s not a date!” Jake said to the floor, “It’s just a coffee…meetup. Thing. To talk about work. Strictly--strictly platonic. M-maybe even business related. We only just met today and barely know each other but sh-she seems nice and stuff and we were joking around and so we’re just--just going to meet for coffee next week. It’s not a date! It’s nothing!”

Dan winked at him, “Of course, Jake. Not a date. Strictly professional. Got it.”

“You both are the worst.” Jake groaned and Milo cackled with glee.

-----

Dan and Milo left him alone about it for the time preceding the coffee meetup (though Jake suspected Milo only did so with much bribing and pleading from Dan). Jake was grateful for that much because he honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten out of the house with friends apart from Dan and...well, these days it was just Dan. So this would be a nice change of pace from the usual fanfare.

Still, that didn’t stop him from fretting the morning of and changing his shirt three times. He couldn’t help it, he wanted to be presentable. That’s just who he was. He only settled down when Milo caught him trying to match ties and asked him what “his date’s favorite color was”. Dan had to stop Jake from chasing the teenager around the house with a dress shoe and threatening to smack the smile right off his face.

“When do you think you’ll be home?” Dan asked as he ushered Milo away to find something more productive to do with his time.

“Um, no later than 5?” Jake hazard, pulling on a jacket, “I’ve got a video call with a client I don’t want to look like roadkill for tomorrow, so I’ll be home in time for dinner and a decent night’s sleep.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

“Yes, dear,” Jake chided gently, “I’ll keep my phone on and I promise not to sleep with any strangers.”

“Jake…”

“Whoa! Dad’s cheating on dad!”

“Milo, go to your room!”

“This house is a nightmare!”

Jake could only laugh as he stepped outside and pulled the door shut.

The drive to the cafe was short but enough for Jake to work himself back up into a nervous frenzy all over again. He nearly shut his leg in the car door and tripped over his own feet as he stepped into the cafe.

A glance around and he met Rosie’s pretty brown eyes at a seat near the back, private and away from the crowd, sheltered mostly by a bakery display. She smiled and waved and he made his way over, slinging his jacket over the back of the chair as he sat down.

“Hi, um, hello Rosie, sorry. I hope you haven’t been waiting long. You haven’t, have you? It’s just I had to wrangle Milo and--”

“No, no, you’re fine, I’ve only been here a couple of minutes,” She assured him with a smile, “Who’s Milo? Your cat?”

Jake choked on his own breath of air and struggled not to laugh, “Oh my g--no, if he heard you call him that--good lord. No, no, Milo’s my son. Adopted son. My roommate Dan and I are looking after him since his dad, our friend, um…” He swallowed, the lies tasting foul in his mouth.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. I’m sorry I asked.” Rosie said quietly. She shifted in her seat, glancing away from him, “Wow, what a way to start the day. Good job, Rosie.”

“Ah, it’s not...a big deal. It’s been ten years.” Jake pushed his finger across the linoleum tabletop in an absent manner, “Anyway, weren’t you going to--what was it?--regale me with epic tales of your worst clients?”

Rosie smirked, “I don’t think I said it quite like that. But why don’t I get us our drinks and tell you about this lady who wanted every shade of pink in her hair.”

----

It carried on, as these things tended to.

Every few weeks, Jake and Rosie would meet up at a cafe or a restaurant, and share drinks, a meal, and stories of their lives. Jake told her about college, about the red head father of his adopted son, something he hadn’t talked about to anyone for ages. In response, Rosie admitted her crippling fear of academic failure and disappointing the legacy of her dead parents. They got along incredibly well for a pair of mostly introverts, enthusiastically discussing music almost every time they met up. It made Jake light up in a way that even Dan couldn’t remember seeing before.

So of course, it had to end and end badly. Because life just couldn’t be fair to Jacob Pierly.

Dan came home from his shift one evening to find Jake slumped bonelessly on the couch in the sitting room, his expression tired and forlorn, his shirt unbuttoned and rumpled, and an empty package of Oreos open beside him. The television was stuck on the retro channel, playing old reruns of shows from the 70’s and 80’s, audio muffled by age and then cleaned up by modern tech.

“Jake…?” Dan asked tentatively, setting his coat down on the back of the couch, “Hey, buddy, you okay? Is Milo sick again?”

“Huh?” Jake blinked, coming back to himself with a small jolt and looking around as if unsure of where he was, “Oh, no, he’s over at Cody’s right now. He’s fine.”

“But...you’re not.” Dan said, easing onto the couch as if afraid he would startle his friend away, “Wanna talk about it?”

“Mm...I dunno…” Jake sighed, letting his head roll back onto the couch cushions, “Not really, but…” He sighed again, “I screwed up, Dan.”

“How’s that?”

“I...I asked Rosie out.”

Dan brightened but then immediately sobered, “Ah, that was, um, real brave of you.”

“Tch,” Jake snorted and his lip curled and for a second, Dan saw a flash of forgotten bitterness and old anger bubble to the surface, “Yeah, sure. Would have been great except she...she said no.” He deflated all over again, staring at his fingers curled loosely in his lap, looking more drawn and tired than ever, “Said I must’ve gotten the wrong impression, that she never wanted to be more than just friends. Said...we should probably...not see each other for a while.”

“Aw, Jake,” Dan murmured, “Jake, buddy, I’m sorry.”

Jake shrugged and sniffed as if he could dismiss the dreary atmosphere hanging in a cloud over his head, “‘S whatever.”

“Nooooo, no it’s noooottt,” Dan cooed, scooting closer to his friend on the couch, “Come here, Jake, let Dan hug all your sorrow away. Hug Machine Dan is here for you.”

“No, no, no Hug Machine Dan!” Jake backed up, but Dan pinned him against the arm rest and crushed him into a hug, “DAN! DAN LEGGO!”

“Are you done being sad?”

“YES!”

“Lies. I’m gonna keep hugging you!”

“I’m going to tell Milo to eat your cookie stash.”

----

Jake’s funk lasted for weeks.

But, eventually, as summer tumbled awkwardly into autumn, apologized, and politely stepped out of the way, he got over it. Jake tended to hang onto things and hang onto them hard and it took work for him to let them go. But he was trying and Dan could see he was trying and told him he was proud and Jake shoved him and they laughed and tried to pretend they didn’t miss the echo of a third laugh that should have been there but wasn’t.

Things were getting better. Things were looking up.

And then, on a wet, rainy autumn afternoon, Jacob Pierly disappeared.

[poppyknitt]

Spencer, Silly Boy!- A story from the Darkness and Desperation AU

Summary: Ethan Nestor, the bartender at Marvin’s favorite nightclub, discovers a stray puppy out in the back alley of his workplace, and grows very attached to him. After that, he brings at least one scrap of food out for the poor dog every day, doing his best to make sure that no one caught him in the act, for fear of loosing the good boy. However, one day, Marvin sees him slipping out the back door, and, after making sure no one would see him following, went after him, only to discover Ethan playing around and having the time of his life with the stowaway puppy.

——————

Ethan sighed dejectedly, dragging the heavy, filled-to-the-brim trash can outside, trying to finish up his shift as soon as he could so the next guy could take over quickly. God, he hated his job. It wasn’t the people or the coworkers involved, no! He loved the people there! It was just... the work almost made it totally not worth the time. Not to mention all the people who would get totally wasted and start hitting on him. Made him really uncomfortable, at least, until someone stepped in and yelled at them or smacked them. He always felt bad, but he knew no ill will was meant by any of it.

The back door smacked into the wall, interrupting his thoughts, and making a loud sound not unlike that of two large metal objects clanking into each other, even though the wall was brick. He flinched at it, his ears hurting a tiny bit from the force of the sound waves.

But, regardless of the minor pain and the noises that the trash can made against the ground, he still thought heard the sounds of a dog whimpering, and paused, listening closer.

It was a dog! It... It kinda sounded like a puppy! He listened for where it might’ve been coming from, and, to his surprise, realized it was under the dumpster.

He kneeled down onto the ground, placing his hands on either side of his head, as he looked under the small crack. His eyes widened, and he was almost spooked, as his vision adjusted and he found himself face-to-face with a skinny, shivering puppy. He immediately picked it up, and sat up, placing it in his lap. Oh, the poor thing! It was so cold!

“Hey, hey, shhh, it’s okay... I-I’m not gonna hurt you, lil’ man... I-I just wanna hug you... I-It’s way too cold for a little pup like you to be out in the cold like this...” He whispered soothingly, as soon as he saw the pup recoil a bit. He knew it wouldn’t understand too well, but, he didn’t care. He wanted so dearly to take the pup home, but... He knew he couldn’t afford it. Besides, his landlord wouldn’t let him have a dog, anyways. That old cook hated animals, especially dogs.

The dog whimpered weakly, and pressed against him, trembling tremendously, as he wrapped his arm around him.

“... I’ma call you... Spencer.”

~~~

Ethan slipped out the back door, holding a hidden scrap of meat for his stowaway puppy. He had gotten him a fuzzy bed, a heated blanket, and a decent source of shelter over the past few months, and Spencer was content to staying in the alleyway now. He smiled happily as he was greeted by the pup’s usual frenzy of jumps and licks to his face as he flopped back onto his butt.

Spencer finally detected the smell of food, and snapped his head to Ethan’s hand, nosing at it, until the young man finally let go of the cut of meat he’d brought in to work today. He didn’t care about how long Spencer took, because the rest of his coworkers all knew about his puppy now, and they were willing to cover for him, especially because Spencer had become his only reason to even be at work anymore.

After a few minutes of roughhousing with the puppy, Ethan stood up, and ruffled his fur, “Sorry, buddy... I gotta go. Break’s over in a few.” Spencer sat down, his ears perked and head tilted, as he watched the boy leave.

~~~

Ethan beamed on the inside, as he gleefully realized his break was almost upon him, and he could finally run outside to greet Spencer with the gift he’d gotten last night at the store- A squeaky toy! Oh, he just knew Spence was gonna love it! The little goofball had torn up the last toy, but that was okay, because this time, he’d gotten him a rubber one.

The clock hit break time, and he quickly slipped out of view, hoping none of the customers saw him.

...

Ethan was happily playing with Spencer as the dog happily squeaked the toy, but his heart froze when he heard the sound of a heel hitting the pavement. He almost turned around, but the familiar voice of Marvin rang out, and his anxiety lowered... kind of.

“Ethan, darling, what on earth are you... Oh.”

He instinctively hugged Spencer close to his chest, and whipped around, as he stood, “D-Don’t tell anyone! T-T-They’ll take him away from me..!”

“Aw, don’t worry, dear, I wouldn’t dream of it. He really is an adorable puppy, you know.” The flirty magician cooed, walking closer and putting his hand under the poor pup’s chin. Ethan was almost on the verge of tears, though, they were more happy than sad or distressed, though, that didn’t stop him from trembling almost as much as the pup had been when they first met. Even after having known him for so long, there was always something about the magician that seemed... off to him.

Marvin let go of Spence, ruffled the fur on top of his head, and stood up straight, now looking directly down at the small, terrified, and fragile boy before him, “Now... Do you mind explaining why you have to have him here, in such a dreary, soul-drooping place?”

“... my... landlord doesn’t like dogs...”

“... He... What?” He didn’t like the way Marvin said that, nor did he like the look on his face, but, he didn’t pry, for fear of agitating him even more, “Well! I’ll just have to fix that, now won’t I? After all, we can’t let such a delicate thing go without his best friend for so long! How often do you come back here?” He didn’t know which one he was calling delicate, but honestly, that was yet another thing he didn’t want to know.

“... Um... once... a day...?”

“Oh, that simply cannot do! Come on, now, sweetie! Let’s get you back to work, and once your shift is done, you can introduce me to this landlord of yours!” Marvin wrapped his arm around Ethan’s shoulders, a tiny, malicious twinkle in his eyes as he spoke. Good lord, it almost made him look like some kind of murderer or something...

He quickly forgot that thought, as Marvin walked forwards, half-shoving him along, too, as they went back into the nightclub with Spencer still in his arms. At this point, Ethan was too confused and concerned to fight whatever was happening, so, he just went with it.

... Oh boy... Spence, lil buddy, what have we gotten ourselves into this time..?

——————————————————

aftermath:

“uh... marvin... do you know why my landlord hasn’t come to collect my monthly payments on my apartment yet..?”

“the who on the what now? speak up, sugar cube, you’re not making any sense.”

“... did you have something to do with this?”

“mayyyyybeee...” (hiding bloody knife)

——————————————————

@antis-loyal-puppet @tiny-septic-puppet @rorald-spooks @chaoticcrimsonrose @septic-dr-schneep @insaneangel18-blog @ihaveanunhealthyteaaddiction @startschantingpma @acheybeauty

guys look i made a new au called Darkness and Desperation

it’s basically where all the good egos are evil and the evil/neutral egos are... whatever the plot needs them to be, but usually good/neutral

I’m almost done with all the character sheets i promise

... i just... gotta... finish anti, chase, and jj...

[amurderbot]

Composure

FIRST FIC, YO, I AM QUITE NERVOUS BUT HERE WE GO

Summary: Y/N had been missing for weeks, having been captured on a mission with The Avengers. Her boyfriend, Loki, shocks everyone by just how upset he is, as both Loki and Y/N are pretty low-key about affection and emotions, so everyone thought they were just a casual thing. Loki is desperate to help however he can as she’s brought home and patched up. Angst ensues. Fluff ensues.

Warnings: Panic, mentions of torture, surgery, screaming? Some angst with a happy ending

~~~

Loki chased after the men, his desperation clear.

“I don’t understand why you insist upon leaving me here. I have to go, you have to let m-”

“Actually, we don't have to do anything,” Tony interrupted, still briskly walking towards the Carrier. “The only thing we have to do is complete this mission.”

“Tony,” Steve chastised. He turned to Loki, sympathy in his eyes. “Loki, we’ve been over this. We understand your concern, but you have to understand the risks involved with taking you with us.”

"You know you need me,” Loki reasoned. “You know I’m more capable than all of you put together. I’m more devious, I’m more clever, I’m more cunning-”

“You’re more involved.”

Loki tried to seem cool and collected, a smirk painted on his face. “The mission is to find her and get her out, yes?”

“Yes, the mission is to find Y/N and get her home safely, a task that will be very difficult if we have to worry about you being spotted by a grudge-holder or you losing your impulse control and compromising the mission!”

“Guys,” Bruce called from the pavement. “You coming?”

“Look, we gotta go,” Steve told Loki. “You don't have to worry. We’re going to bring her home. We care about her, same as you.”

Loki just glared at the captain, fear and anger and hurt in his eyes, contrasting with the smirk he kept in place with centuries of practice. How strange it was for him to feel betrayed by someone he hadn't consciously trusted in the first place. As Steve made his way toward the Carrier, Tony lingered a moment more.

“You know this is what’s best,” He said quietly. “She’s been gone for weeks. Do you really want to even slightly jeopardize the chance to get her back? I mean, who knows what condition she’ll even be in? We know she’s alive, and God only knows what happens to an agent captured by Hydra and kept alive this long. You know as well as I do that seeing her in whatever condition she may be in may be enough to push you over the edge. You’re just now earning trust.”

Still, Loki glared. Stark’s honesty had caught him off guard, and his smile fell. Instead, he opted to appear more arrogant rather than amused. “You’ll be flailing about without me. It will be highly inefficient. This is foolish.”

“Look. I’m not stupid, okay?” Stark went on. “I know you’re not interested in besting us, you’re just interested in making sure no one else is credited with rescuing your... what is she now, girlfriend? Not the point. Anyway, I also know you’re not opposed to the idea of following us whether we like it or not. But I'm going to be entirely earnest here and say ‘please don't.’ You’re not the only one who cares about her.”

Before Loki could respond, Stark grabbed a small piece of his iron suit and threw it at the trickster’s torso.

“Just checking,” Tony explained.

And with that, the billionaire turned and jogged toward the Helicarrier, leaving Loki with a lump in his throat, glued to his spot in the middle of the hall. No, Stark wasn’t stupid. But he was foolish to think anyone cared for Y/N the way Loki did. Did he really not know? Didn’t everyone know?

~~~

Steve stared straight ahead through the window, unmoving as the team awaited landing. He was scared. Everyone was scared, of course, but he had already had one dear friend taken by Hydra, and he’d seen the pain they’d caused him. But Bucky had been taken so long ago, in an entirely different political and cultural climate. Bucky was kept alive and well in order to be the Winter Soldier. That had backfired badly; what on earth did they want with Y/N? Information? Possibly. But five and a half weeks? Ransom? Was she being used as bait?

Steve was snapped out of his thoughts when Bruce spoke up.

“Hey, what were you guys talking about with Loki? He seemed upset.”

“He was upset,” Tony answered. “The guy’s terrified.”

“He wanted to come with us,” Steve explained. “We had to reason with him once again to keep him from burning down the tower or something.”

“Or stowing away and compromising the mission,” said Tony.

Steve turned to the billionaire. “Tony, what did you say to him after I left?”

“I told him not to do anything stupid. I told him he’s not the only one who cares about Y/N.” This turned a few heads. “Not like that!”

“About that, does anyone really know what exactly is going on between those two?” Asked Clint.

Sam spoke up first. “Who knows with those two? There’s definitely something going on, but are either of them the ‘Relationship Type?’”

“I mean, they’re not exactly hiding their-” Bruce paused, searching for the word. “-affection for one another. But, I mean, neither one of them is a very affectionate person, so that’s not saying much. There’s chemistry. I mean, they compliment one another; they make sense. Hypothetically, they make sense as a couple. But...” he trailed off, making that one face he makes when he assumes you know what he means.

“I don’t know how long it’ll last. I don't think any of us have seen any real closeness,” Natasha mused. “I mean, sure, they sort of compliment each other. Their personalities, I mean. But neither one of them is good with that sort of thing. I can't imagine Loki putting himself aside and actually caring for another being.” A few people chuckled at this.

“And for that matter,” added Bucky. “I can’t imagine Y/N allowing herself to be vulnerable enough to have that kind of closeness with anyone.”

Several people chuckled, most nodded or murmured in agreement. Thor stayed silent.

~~~

Loki’s gaze lifted from the ground as Fury’s Comm went off for all to hear. The trickster had seemed catatonic for the past several hours. No one had said anything when he came to sit near The Bridge; they just let him stay there, huddled up, silent, waiting for news. And now Tony Stark’s voice rang out from a radio. They’d found her.

“Stark. Stark.” Fury got the man’s attention. “Focus, Tony, what’s going on? You’re rambling.”

“Uh,” Tony’s voice was breathless and distressed through the speaker. “I’m not gonna lie: it’s not looking too good. She doesn’t recognize any of us.”

Loki’s heart dropped.

“Banner brought her onboard and got to work immediately, but we don’t know how much can be done. It’s a miracle we got to her when we did; I don't know how much longer she could have held out.”

“How is she now?” Asked Fury.

“Um, she’s unconscious, I think,” Tony said. He was obviously trying to hold his composure. “But, honestly, that might work in our favor because she kept freaking out if any of us got too close. I’ve never seen her like this, Sir.”

“Good Lord.” breathed Fury. “How far out are you?”

“Twenty minutes? More or less?”

“I’ll see you then. A medical team is on standby, they’ll be waiting on the runway. Get her home safe.”

“Roger that.”

Loki’s breathing had shallowed significantly. One could easily see his struggle for air as he processed what he’d just heard. And several people did. Almost everyone did, in fact, at least those on The Bridge. Their pitying and suspicious stares were too much for Loki. His thoughts raced. What would he do? What could he do? Were you going to be okay? Was Stark exaggerating? Why don’t you remember your friends? Would you remember him? Would you freak out if he came too close? Why is everyone staring at him? Did they not hate him? Had he not wronged them? Then why was their pity in their eyes? Why won’t they stop staring at him? Why weren't you here? He was calmer when you were here, why-

“Loki?”

Loki inhaled sharply and flinched away from Nick Fury as he knelt beside him.

“What’s going on in your head, Loki?”

The trickster stood up quickly, eyes darting around like a cornered animal. Fury stood, too, hands held up either to show that he wasn’t going to fight or that he was ready to do just that.

“She’s coming back, Loki. She’ll be here soon.”

Of course she was coming back. Did they think he was deaf? Had he not just heard the status report? How out of it did Loki seem to be? Several agents were tense as they kept their eyes trained on the god, as if afraid he’d run away.

Which he did.

Loki turned on his heel, swishing his cape with a flourish, and started walking briskly away. His speed and gate gradually increased until he knew he could no longer be seen, at which point he broke into a sprint. He didn’t know where he was going, but he had to get out of there, had to get to you. He found himself behind a large window overlooking the runway where a medical staff could be seen standing in the shade the tower provided from the setting sun. His eyes searched the horizon for what felt like hours until the Carrier popped into view and touched down. His heart quickened even more, and once again he broke into a run, sprinting towards the hangar.

He made it just in time to see a group of medics rushing down the hall, surrounding a stretcher.

“Tony, come with me,” Dr. Banner said, and the two joined the team of medics shielding you from view.

That was you. He knew it was you. It had to be. You were right there on the stretcher, approaching, and then suddenly passing right by him.

“Y/N,” he whispered, and ran after you, ignoring the voices behind him shouting his name. All instincts to preserve his pride fell away. All thoughts of how he looked or what people thought fell away. All he knew is, you were right there, right there, and he needed to see you. He had to see you, and they were trying to keep him away. You were in danger, and they were taking you away, and he had to see you, you were in danger. They were taking you away, he couldn’t let that happen again, he had to see you.

He had almost caught up, and he rounded a corner as you were wheeled into what looked almost like an operating room (There were, of course, a few medical facilities in the Avengers compound). He started to run after you when a strong pair of arms seized him around the waist.

“Wait, no,” Loki said, still not thinking clearly at the moment. “Y/N,” he said, a little louder this time. He tried to run again, not even turning around as he kicked and struggled. “RELEASE ME!”

“I can’t do that, buddy.”

“RELEASE ME, MORTAL!” Loki said again, struggling against whoever held him back.

“Steve!” Bucky called. “Come help me, I can’t hold him much longer!”

A second pair of arms suddenly held Loki back as the Captain joined his friend, and then a third as Sam rushed over. He was an Asgardian, after all.

“What’s wrong with you?!” Sam asked the prince, taken aback by his sudden loss of composure. None of them had seen him this way.  

“You gotta let them help her,” Steve tried to reason as Loki fought and spat insults. “Let her go, she’s fine!”

Loki was running out of gas. It was a sight to see as he continued to struggle, despite how obviously he was slowing down. Then suddenly an arrow hit his thigh, and his body went limp, his eyes rolling back and fluttering shut. Clint and Natasha stood a little ways away, Clint poised with a second tranquilizer just in case. Eventually, he lowered his bow, and the three men slowly rose from the ground, breathing heavily. There was a pregnant pause as everyone tried to process what had just happened. The five exchanged looks, sometimes stealing glances back at the sleeping Asgardian on the floor. Sam was the first to speak.

“Well damn.”

~~~

Loki’s eyes opened, and for a moment he just laid where he was. Suddenly, he gasped, jolting fully awake. This was not his bed. This was not his room. And all of a sudden, everything came flooding back at once. Y/N. The prince sat bolt upright, but was met with a hand on his shoulder.

“Woah, woah. Easy.”

Loki’s wide eyes landed on Thor, who chuckled.

“Well you gave quite the show you gave. I don’t think the team will ever let you live that down.”

Loki rolled his eyes as his brother laughed.

“Where is Y/N?” he asked.

“Calm yourself, brother,” said Thor, now earnest. “Y/N is fine. She is in hospital.”

Loki moved to get up. “I want to see her.”

“No,” Thor said plainly as he easily yanked his brother back down. “You are to stay here so as not to upset her more.”

“Why would I upset her more?”

“Because you’re upset, brother, and she’s not in her right mind.”

“Did you see her?”

“Only through the glass.” Thor answered, taking his time. “She she calls out for her friends, for the team, but does not register that we are the ones surrounding her. She thinks she’s still being held prisoner. She is awake, or at least she was last I saw her. Stark says she does not sleep, but merely becomes less responsive and much less aware. She dozes. Having her in that state may be a good thing because she panics when she realizes she’s being touched. But of course, if she doesn’t sleep soon, she-”

“Touched?” Loki interrupted.

“Yes, touched. Surgery requires touching. Needles, stitches, syringes. She’s been very badly injured. Tortured.”

Loki felt nauseous.

“Take me to her.” he commanded.

“No, you are to stay here.” Thor said again.

“Then why am I in your room, why not my own?” Loki was frustrated.

“Your room is cold.” Thor said simply.

“I happen to like the cold.”

“It’s ridiculous.”

“I’m a frost giant.”

“You’re my brother and you’re going to get pneumonia.”

“You don’t have to be in there with me. You could just as easily station guar-”

Thor dropped a hand over his brother’s face, shoving him back unto the bed.

“Just shut up and go back to sleep,” he said. “You’ll feel better in the morning.”

~~~

Loki needed to know what was going on. He knew that there were several operations that needed to take place, and he knew that Y/N was making it difficult as she panicked whenever she became aware enough to comprehend that she was being operated on. They couldn’t keep her sedated because they weren’t sure she’d wake up, and they couldn’t calm her down because she evidently thought she was still being kept by Hydra. The medic staff had left by now, with other things to do seeing as Y/N now seemed to be out of immediate danger. Again, it couldn’t have been easy to operate on an Avenger who would periodically decide you were her captor here to torture her. Banner actually preferred this, apparently. He himself as the head (and only) surgeon, with Tony as his makeshift assistant. Perhaps he thought it might eventually comfort Y/N, if she came to realize they were the friends she’d been calling out for to rescue her and not her captors. Or maybe he didn’t want anyone else seeing her so vulnerable and scared, not even in her right mind. In her state, she honestly had no reason not to think she was still being tortured: she didn’t register that these people were her friends, she was in a room she didn’t recognize, and these people were inflicting pain using medical tools. Granted, the tools and pain were to help her, but she couldn't grasp that.

Loki could hear her screaming from Thor’s room. The whole compound could. He heard when she called for help, he heard when she cried out in pain, in fear... he heard that one time she screamed his name. It took all of Thor’s strength, along with that of Steve and Bucky, who’d been woken up by the commotion in Thor’s room, to restrain Loki and calm him down. He begged to be brought to her, to see for himself, to help somehow. Just to see with his own eyes that she was even home.

And now Loki was missing.

Okay, “missing” is a strong word. Thor had only gone to get food and came back to find the room empty. Thus far, Loki had made no attempt to escape, other than the night you’d called his name. So now the god of thunder jogged through halls of the Avengers Tower in search of his younger brother. He’d had one job, and that was to keep Loki from seeing Y/N in this condition. But now Thor skidded to a stop when as he caught a glimpse of him, just standing in the middle of a hall. It took Thor a minute to realize he was standing right outside where she was being kept.

Loki stood motionlessly in the middle of the hallway, staring through the one-way glass window. As Thor approached slowly, he noticed the silent tears on his brother’s face as he gazed unblinking at the still and broken Y/N.

“Loki?”

Loki didn’t respond.

Thor looked at his brother, not really finding the words. No words would be helpful. He knew Loki cried at night, but he also knew that they were silent, secret tears, and couldn't possibly be what he was really feeling.

After a moment, Thor simply drew Loki into his shoulder, and the younger broke down entirely, sobbing into Thor’s shoulder in the middle of the empty hallway. Thor wasn't surprised. He loved her. Of course he did. Based on the conversation earlier amongst the rest of The Avengers, everyone assumed their relationship was casual, a passing fancy. But Thor knew better, knowing Loki better than anyone and even having seen the couple together when they thought no one was around. Loki’s anxiousness and depression over the past month or so, his desperation to join the rescue mission, the way he sort of lost his senses when he was kept from seeing her upon her return, and now this sudden outpour of blatant emotion: none of it surprised or puzzled Thor. He just knew. And Loki knew he knew, so he let go in that moment.

Later, Steve Rogers approached the operating room carrying coffee for Stark and the doctor.

“Uh, hey,” he had said, clearly surprised to see them sitting on the bench outside the door. For a moment, it seemed the Captain might usher the brothers away from the door, but he seemed to notice the puffiness in Loki’s eyes, the redness on his face. Thor’s grip on Loki’s shoulder tightened unconsciously.

No one ever saw Loki like this. His first instinct was alway to hide true emotions and deceive others in regard to how he’s really feeling. He always stayed collected, he always stayed regal, he always stayed one step ahead of everyone else. Nothing seemed to affect him because he wanted them to think it was all part of his plan. But this was different. He had tried holding himself together. He had held himself together when she went on a mission without his knowing, he had held himself together when the team came back without her, he had held himself together long enough to track her down, he’d even held himself together when he was told he could not go with the others to rescue her. But then she came home, and something snapped in him. His actions or facial expressions or whatever it was had warranted sympathy from Nick Fury. He hardly even remembered the moment she was brought in. All he remembered was the panic and the betrayal as people who had said they were on his side kept him away from his Y/N. No, he couldn’t hold himself together anymore. There was no point. Thor had held him as he sobbed like a child, no doubt Banner and Stark heard it, too. And everyone else had seen him panic at the mere sight of her, or rather, the lack thereof. He had no more energy to keep up appearances. He was falling apart. And everyone could see it. He knew it was visible just by the way Rogers stopped and stared.

Cap looked confused and even sympathetic. Everyone knew Loki and Y/N cared for one another, but no one could have predicted he’d get this worked up.  Upset, sure, but this? Neither Loki nor Y/N were very open people. They’d both built tough exteriors. They were both fierce and ruthless and devious in their own ways. The team loved Y/N for it, as she had her own ways of being part of the family, but still, blatant affection wasn’t a forte for her or Loki. Everyone knew that. Right?

Loki was to be kept away from Y/N for the time being. But the Captain let it slide, saying nothing more as he entered the room to take his shift in keeping Bruce and Tony awake and keeping Y/N pinned down if she started panicking again.

~~~

Which she did.

The brothers had only been camped out there in the hallway for a few hours, but it was late, and Loki had hardly slept since Y/N was taken (really, none of the team had slept much since she was taken). Both Thor and Loki had fallen asleep, Loki laid out on the bench, Thor sitting up, leaned against it, when the screaming started up again. Thor immediately turned to check on Loki, who had his eyes screwed shut and his hands over his ears.

“Loki,” warned Thor, knowing his brother. “Loki, fight it. You know you can’t go in there.”

Tears appeared in the corners of Loki’s closed eyes. His hands clenched into fists.

“I know,” he choked out. And after a moment, again. “I KNOW!”

He seemed to be trying to remind himself more than assure his brother. He was kept away for a reason. There was a reason, right? He had to have known it and agreed with it, otherwise he would have broken in a long time ago. But then his name rang through the compound once more as she screamed for help, and Loki was on his feet. Thor was quick to follow.

“Loki, no!”

“Let go of me!” Loki demanded.

Thor held fast. “She doesn’t understand, Loki! She’s alright! She’s fine, look!”

Thor held Loki near the window, where he could see the Captain stationed behind Y/N’s head, pinning her to the table, trying desperately to soothe her as he stroked her hair and spoke softly. He could see Banner and Stark struggle to stitch her side up what with her flailing arms, and he could see the men distressed as Y/N became a danger to herself the more she fought Banner’s ministrations. But Cap was strong, and would clearly be able to pin her arms and shoulders down long enough for Banner to get to a stopping place.

“She’s fine,” Thor repeated. “She is well protected!”

“She’s terrified!” Loki insisted as he kicked and struggled towards the door.  “Listen to her, she’s terrified, you fool! She needs me! She called for me!”

At Loki��s screaming, Tony and Steve turned to look toward the door, Banner too focused on his work to look up.

“Is that Loki?!” Stark shouted incredulously over Y/N’s screams. Holed up in this room the past few days, Banner and Stark hadn’t caught wind of the state Loki was in.

“Yeah,” Steve began. “he’s been-”

“Thor, get him out of here!” Called Tony through the door.

“Working on it!” Thor called back, struggling to pull his brother away from the area as he struggled and protested.

She screamed for Loki again.

“Thor, get him out!”

“No!” Loki choked out. He could help her somehow, he knew it, if they’d just let him in.

“Dr. Banner?” Steve sounded frightened. “What’s happening?”

A monitor hooked up to Y/N was beeping rapidly, increasing in both speed and volume. A heart monitor, maybe?

“Oh my God,” muttered Bruce. “We have to get her calmed down.”

“Was this because of Loki?” Asked Tony, concerned.

Bruce shook his head as he got to work on checking all her vitals. “No, this was bound to happen with all she’s been through, and she hasn't really slept in days.”

“Loki, just yield!” Thor demanded. “Be rational! Think!”

Loki faltered, even as Y/N’s panicked cried continued. Slowly he began to succumb to his brother’s strength, allowing gravity to pull him to the floor, defeated and broken. Perhaps this was a fruitless battle.

“Bruce?” Tony was starting to freak out. So was Bruce and so was Steve, but they both fought to stay calm in order to help Y/N.

“Tony, buddy, stay with me, okay? It’s gonna be fine.” Banner glanced up from his tablet.

“Tony, you guys are pretty close, what do you think would calm her down?” asked Steve desperately.

“No, we’re past that, it’s gonna be something textbook.” Banner shouted over all the noise.

Tony crouched by Y/N, taking her hand.

“Hey pal,” he tried for perhaps the thousandth time within the past few days. “you’re okay. You know you’re okay, it’s just us. You’re safe.”

Y/N pulled her hand away, eyes screwed shut.

Meanwhile, Banner was starting to get overwhelmed as he listened to the yelling outside the door and the panic before his eyes as his patient, his friend, became increasingly critical. This was ridiculous.

“Loki, try to reason!” Thor continued. “You want to help her, don-”

"Oh, for God’s sake, just let him in!”

All halted at this single, sudden command from Dr. Bruce Banner.

Thor froze, arms still around his brother. Loki’s heart stopped as he looked up in wonder and terror; what had changed? Steve stared at the doctor, as Tony kept his wide eyes trained on Y/N’s heart monitor.

“Now, Steve!” Banner insisted, and Steve jumped up and went to unlock the door. Loki seemed to snap out of his momentary trance as he heard the door click, and he jumped up, assisted by his brother. The Captain gave Loki a pleading look as he opened the door, and with no hesitation, Loki ran to her side, unconsciously pushing both Stark and Banner away. But before Tony could protest, Banner raised a hand, a signal to stop and wait.

Immediately, Loki took her hand in his and crouched beside her.

“Hey hey hey...” he tried to stay calm, his voice soft and gentle as she continued to panic and her heart monitor continued to remind everyone of the situation at hand. “Look at me. Look at me, love, can you hear me?”

She called his name once more.

“I’m right here, darling. I'm right here,” his grip on her hand tightened. He began to stroke her cheek. “I’m right here, it’s me. Can you hear me?”

The others watched in shock and awe as the scene unfolded. This was a side of Loki they’d never imagined. Y/N seemed to calm down ever so slightly. Banner fiddled with the monitor, dumbfounded and hopeful.

“Y/N, it’s me, love. Look, it’s me.”

She kept her eyes screwed shut as she protested. “No it’s not. It’s not.”

Loki’s heart shattered. “Yes it is. I promise. I cross my heart.”

But she insisted he wasn’t real, a lie or a trick of her own mind, and continued weakly struggling to get away from him.

This was it. They had never been open like this in front of people. Over a year and a half had they been together, but they were both private people. But this was different. Yes, there were a lot of people in here, yes he felt vulnerable and scrutinized, but those people didn't matter right now. Y/N mattered. So with but a quick worried glance toward the men staring at the two, Loki’s hand found it’s way behind her neck and he kissed her before he could talk himself out of it. She gradually stilled. How cliche.

Loki pulled back, fear and hope painted across his features. Tears streamed down her face as her eyes stayed shut tight and her body still shook slightly in fear.

“You’re home,” he whispered. “You’re safe. Look.”

She hesitated, her breathing coming in short bursts.

“Look, darling.” he stroked her cheek again as she slowly, slowly opened her eyes. “I’m right here. And look, who’s that?” He gestured, presenting each man. “That’s Doctor Banner. It’s Bruce. You know Bruce, that’s Bruce. He’s right there, he’s real.”

With a sharp intake of breath, Y/N clenched her fist and started to shut her eyes.

“No, love,” Loki said. “Don’t backtrack, we’re nearly there. We have Bruce, see, and look, there’s Tony. You love Tony!” He tried to tease, almost as if speaking to a frightened child. “And there’s Steve, he’s very dear to you, and Thor, you’re quite fond of Thor. Look. See?”

Y/N’s eyes were wild as she struggled to wrap her mind around her situation.

“They’ve been here all this time. You’re safe,” he insisted. He took her chin, guiding her to look him in the eye. “I’m right here. You’re home now.”

By now, her heart rate had mostly gone down, but her breathing remained rapid and urgent. She sobbed and coughed, frightened. Tony reached for her, but she pulled back towards Loki. In her scared and broken state, her instinct was still somehow to draw to Loki. There in the darkness, she seemed to know nothing but him. She looked at him for a minute, and then took a sharp inhale before leaning all the way into him. Without any hesitation, his arms found their way around her as he whispered to her and shed tears himself.

The four other men in the room exchanged glances. Were they shocked? Were they amazed? Were they touched? Confused? Were they gonna vomit? Probably all of the above?

Several minutes passed, Loki holding Y/N there on the operating table, Bruce and Tony knocking back caffeine like nobody’s business, fueling up. Tony eventually spoke up, concern evident in his voice.

“How’s she doin’?”

Loki started, not fully jerking back into reality.

“Hm?”

Sparing Loki the task of moving Y/N to see her and answer the question, Steve bent over to check on her.

“Oh my God,” he said, earning alarmed questions from everyone in the room. “She’s asleep...”

Everyone stared in shock and awe at Loki, who kept his eyes closed and his hold on her tight, seemingly not even aware of the conversation.

Finally, Banner cleared his throat. He motioned to Loki, reminding him there was still work to be done. Loki nodded and pulled back, allowing them to position Y/N however they needed, but refusing to leave her side as they worked.

~~~

This is how they stayed through the next day, when she woke up, immediately starting to hyperventilate.

Loki’s grip tightened instantly, quickly shushing her and calming her down.

“Hey, hey, remember?” he said softly. “You know this is Bruce and Tony. You know that now.” She nodded slightly. “You may forget it, you may not always believe it, but right now, in this moment, you know these are your friends. And you know they’d never do anything to hurt you.” She nodded again. He gestured to where Steve now stood alert, ready to help, and where Thor was passed out in a chair, having not slept properly in quite a long time. “And you know this is Steve and this is Thor. And they would never let anything put you in harm’s way under their watch, is that right?”

Steve shifted uncomfortably and lowered his head, remembering how they got into this mess in the first place. Tony spoke up, though: “Oh, don’t even start, Cap. If this was anyone’s fault, it was mine.” Bruce sighed at his friend, who really needed therapy.

“No,” said Steve finally. “No this was all of our fault. The whole team.”

And suddenly a voice croaked from the table below, “No,” said Y/N. “I’m a self-sacrificing asshole.”

Relief and laughter swept through the room just at the sound of her voice, though anyone could see that that one sentence had taken all her strength and sanity.

“Aren’t we all,” answered Tony, taking note of their present company.

Loki laughed lightly and sniffled. He was trying hard not to be embarrassed by his tears. He turned his attention back to Y/N, who looked at him pleadingly.

“I thought it was over,” she said, barely a whisper.

“I know, I know,” Loki soothed. "And the hardest part is over. You’re safe now, you’re home. But they have to finish fixing you up because you’re injured, yeah? It’s going to hurt, and it’s going to be very scary, but I'm going to be right here.”

She just looked at him. She looked so tired, so broken. It was true, Loki thought, the hardest part was over. She was home now, she was, for the most part, back in touch with reality, and now the fact that she recovering had been realized and processed. But she hardly looked like the Y/N he had fallen in love with. It broke his heart.

“Hey,” Tony said softly. The two looked at him from the hospital pillow. “Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

And eventually she did. She tried to stay awake, still paranoid and not all there yet, but the lack of sleep and nourishment was finally able to take its toll, and she passed out once more. Loki smiled softly and focused on her hand, taking note of the bruises and cuts that were now mixed in with the older scars and callouses.

“Hey,” Tony said again. Loki looked over, confused. “That means you, too.”

Loki stared at Tony even as the man got back to work. But suddenly it all hit him: she was home. She was home, she was safe, she was recovering, and she was right here with him. His eyebrows drew together as he struggled to process all that had happened so seemingly suddenly. Suddenly his eyes met Thor’s, now awake in his chair across the room. The brothers look at one another for a moment, Loki’s face confused and tired, Thor’s relieved and...well...tired. And then Thor nodded at the younger prince, as if to reassure him. Loki did a quick once-over of the room, glancing at the people surrounding himself and his love. And amazingly, he found that he trusted them, as he settled unto the pillow and shifted Y/N ever so slightly against his chest, still not having let go, and still holding on by the time they woke up.

~~~

[nad-zeta]

Match up ~(˘▾˘~)

Hey there! If requests are still open, may I have a matchup? I’m 5’, a Libra, and an enneagram type 4. I’m super loud, sassy, and sarcastic with a dry sense of humor, but I’m also a closeted softie that adores animals and cries over everything lol. And a huge foodie. Also a physical person if yaknow what I mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Hi hi, dear❤🥰☺! Hehe, requests are always open;😏🌻 I’m just super slow at getting  them answered and written!😱😅😅 Sorrryyy for taking so freaken long with this! 😱Hehe, I hope you enjoy the love! And I hope you are keeping safe and warm.❤🦊 @randomchick29​

So I match you with………… Masamune

The first time you arrive in Azuchi it’s like a hurricane of energy has hit the castle. From day one, you let your wonderful loud and sassy personality shine. After you were named as Oda princess, Nobunaga continued on with the war council, leaving you in the corner of the room. You eyed all the warlords, when you gaze finally fell on a boyish man with a piercing blue eye and a playful smile. 

Masamune was definitely intrigued by you the first time he saw you, you radiated a fun-loving energy, and he knew he just had to get to know you. He smiled his mischievous smile and when no one was looking, passed you a little note. You smiled as you opened the note to reveal a picture of him dying of boredom while the man wearing green beside him gave his report. Naturally, you decided to scribble a note back having literally nothing better to do. During the whole duration of the war council, you and this unknown man sent each other hilarious little jokes and playful drawings. 

This, of course, didn’t go unnoticed by the other warlords. Ieyasu being the first to speak up, rolled his eyes and glared at the two of you, “Can the two of you not pass notes around like some irritating school children.” Nobunaga wearing an amused smile commanded to see these little notes. Masamune immediately scooped up the pile of notes and handed it to his lord. Nobunaga glazed through the notes and smirk, you were definitely an interesting little princess. He couldn't help but burst out into laughter at a particular scarp of paper. It was a drawing of Hideyoshi as a monkey dancing. To say Hideyoshi was teased mercilessly for the image would be an understatement.

Once the council was over, Masamune strode his way over to where you were sitting, to finally introduce himself. The second your name left you lips he was already grabbing your hand and whisking you away on some random adventure. Masamune had decided on a whim to show you around the castle and town. Masamune was honestly amazed at just how well you kept up and matched his fast-paced energy. The two of you spent that afternoon joking around and chatting, as Masamune showed you all the wonders of Azuchi.

The next day, sure as rain, Masamune was at your door ready to whisk you off again. This time he took you horse riding. He was intrigued by the story you had told upon your arrival in Azuchi. He found it unbelievable that you had come from the future. Masamune, being Masamune, decided to get the truth out of you, the only way he knew how. By putting a sword to your throat when u least expected it. 

The two of you were taking a break from your long horse ride when all of a sudden Masamune pounced on you. His blue eyes gleamed a dangerous light as he asked you who you were and where you were from. You had told him everything about you, to which he simply laughed and welcomed you to the past. 

You legit smacked him and threw some sarcastic comments his way trying to calm yourself down. Even though you probably should have been angry and weary of the man who had just tried to kill you seconds before, you found yourself laughing with him. The rest of the afternoon was spent exchanging sarcastic comments and laughing at each other stupid jokes. 

Every day like clockwork Masamune would appear by your room and take you on some or another trip. You never knew what to expect with this man as some trips would involve jumping down waterfalls, while others would be a quiet afternoon spent sipping on tea. Either way, the more time the two of you goofballs spent together, the more you fell in love.

Masamune loved discovering new things about you. Like how you are a secret softie. He discovered this little fact one day when he came home injured from war. You had greeted him by his manor gates, only to see a big wound on his arm. That usual fun loving expression fell away as your eyes started filling with concern. You took Masamune by the hand and led him to his room where you patched him up, all traces of your usual sarcasm gone. You gently cleaned and wrapped the wound. And once he was all patched up, you couldn’t help but cry. Masamune realized quickly that you were actually a secret softy and carefully enveloped you in a warm embraced and he rubbed you back and told you he was fine. 

In the weeks to follow, he found himself absolutely smitten with you. You were like the missing piece of his puzzle. He loved that you were a huge foodie just like him. Finally, someone who actually can appreciate good food. Since this discovery he would legit invite you to his manor to help him cook meals for the banquets or to taste test his newest creations. When the two of you are cooking in the kitchen together, its always a good time. If the two of you aren’t quick-firing jokes and sarcastic comments at each other, you are engaged in a full-blown playful food fight. 

The day Masamune confessed his undying love for you, was when he was out in the markets to buy some dinner ingredients. You came by his manor for a visit, only to discover that he was not home. Just before you turned around to leave, you heard a little meow coming from his bedroom. You curiously headed towards his bedroom to see where the sound was coming from, when you spotted a tiger cub making the biggest mess in Masamune’s room. Your eyes lit up, and you immediately approached the cub to cuddle him. The playful little cub happily purred in your arms at the thought of having finding a new friend. 

He then started to playfully claw and play bite you. You couldn’t help but smile at the cute cub trying to play with you. You then got up and ran out into Masamune’s garden to play chase with the little cub. You honestly love animals and upon discovering Masamune’s pet you couldn't help but love him a little more than you did before. 

Masamune had come back carrying an array of different food items and was just about to visit you in the castle and ask if you wanted to have dinner with him, when he heard laughing coming from the garden. He quickly put his groceries down and ran out onto his porch to see you and the tiger cub wrestling on the soft grass. Masamune’s face softened as he watched his two favourite kittens playing outside. He then decided to join in the fun. 

In the midst of you and Masamune’s tickle playfight, he leaned down and kissed you. Getting jealous at the sudden shift of your attention, the tiger cub wiggled in between the two of you and started giving you his own little kisses. You couldn’t help but laugh at Masamune, who was now pouting at the fact that his tiger cub interrupted your kiss. Needless to say, you stayed for dinner and that’s when the one-eyed dragon officially confessed his love for you.

The two of you are honestly couple goals. Masamune loves your sassy, sarcastic personality and he would always be howling with laughter at the fact that you could outwit both Mitushide and Ieyasu at banquets.

As you well know, Masamune is also a rather *cough* physical person, so when the two of you are alone in a room together thing tend to escalate rather quickly. Small playful kisses will turn into a full-blown heated make-out session within a matter of seconds. 

One time as the two of you were cooking together, Hideyoshi walked into a heated moment between you and Masamune and to say you had never seen Hideyoshi, go so red and leave the room as quickly as he did, would be an understatement. Naturally you and Masamune just laughed at the man’s reaction, before continuing where you left off.

Masamune loves to just hold you in his arms and kiss you any and every moment he can get. He loves to come up behind you when you are busy and just wrap his arm around your waist while sneaking in a few little kisses to remind you how much he loves and missed you. 

Often the two of you cuties can be found together in the garden playing with the lil tiger cub and just having the best time. Otherwise, the two of you are nestled in each other’s arms just cuddling the night away *ahem* after certain other activities took place.  

Other potential matches………………. Shingen 

I hope you enjoyed this, dear! I hope you have a super good day!🌻☺ 

[imx-doomer]

Official Ranking For The Most Annoying Missions In Age Of Empires II

(From the original game and the first expansion, I don't own the rest of the new expansions yet so I can't give my opinion about them)

((Needless to say this post contains Spoilers from those missions. Goes from Least Annoying to “Holy Fuck Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?”))

Joan of Arc #5 - The Siege of Paris

"Siege", but it's more of an escort mission. You are given a bunch of soldiers to penetrate Paris in order to perpetrate an impromptu siege, but they legitimately send you just a Militia man and a Scout. Whatever. A boring mission but not as annoying as others if you know where to move and what units to use against the enemies. Also, you don't have La Hire, so it's automatically garbage.

Saladin #2 - Lord Of Arabia

It's bothersome because of how often your allies whine that they're attacking their trade routes and you don't have a good economy to produce enough soldiers to counter the attacks. After you're done with the first enemy and the scattered one, the blue enemy on the other island isn't that much of a threat.

That one is just the beginning of everything wrong with Saladin’s campaign.

Battles of the Conquerors - Lepanto

It is annoying, but not that annoying. Because once you learn that you control a civilization capable of building Cannon Galleons with very, very fast projectiles that can shoot from a long distance, the enemies will just crumble into the sea. Much like a certain mission that I will mention at the end, you don't need to build the Wonder in order to win once you discover you can pretty much fight and conquer the enemy instead.

Attila the Hun #4 - A Barbarian Bethrotal

The Hun campaign could be legitimately the easiest and most fun to complete from the Conquerors Expansion if it wasn't for this small annoyance of a mission. You start with five Villagers and four Scouts scattered in one corner of the map, the Burgundians(?) will give up once you destroy their Town Center and will ask you to build a Castle and tribute them a little gold in order to ally with you. Then your other two enemies are the Reds (Franks? I can't remember) and the Sky Blues. Reds will go down once you level their castle and Town Center, while the other group will go down once you do the same with their Town Center...but then here come the fucking Byzantines to ruin the party. They will spawn in a very specific point in the map, whining that you destroyed yet another Town Center, and they will scatter all over the damn map. The annoying part comes when, in order to win, you must chase and kill ALL of them, no matter how far they are from you.

But here's a fun strat to save you tons of headaches. Play the map, and learn where is the location of their spawning point. Now station over 10/20 units in there (don't worry, you control the Huns, max. population is unlocked from the beginning), and once you destroy the Town Center, they will try, but they won't spawn! Gotta love AOE2 glitches!

Barbarrosa #5 - Barbarossa's March

Escort-ish mission. You have a good bunch of soldiers, but realistically you will only require the Paladins and the Siege Onagers. You only need 10 units in order to win the scenario, so by mere elimination process, your Paladins should be top priority, the rest can die helping you exploring the map and saving yourself from the traps and ambushes.

Saladin #5 - Jihad!

You have to dispatch two out of three enemies in order to win, but one is going to build a Wonder as soon as the mission begins, another will send Bombard Cannons and Cannon Galleons to attack your city, and the blue one will try to bribe you twice for a lot of gold when you destroy their Town Center. It isn't as annoying once you learn that the one with the Wonder will give up as soon as you kill the three Villagers that are trapped building the Wonder, and the blue ones are to be eliminated without remorse or falling for their bribing trap.

Barbarrosa #3 - Pope and Antipope

Ehhh. If you forget to convert Villagers from the first enemy (or your ally) before you attack the Italians then you're pretty much fucked. The blues are all over the place and it takes a while to push them away in order to advance to their city and complete the mission (which involves bringing Monks to their Wonder in order to convert it). Not that much of an annoyance when you focus on your main objective.

Monctezuma #4 - La Noche Triste

The Spanish will start building a Wonder right away, and, mission-wise, you must go clockwise around the city of Tenochtitlan in order to build an army and destroy the Wonder if possible, or else you'll lose. The problem is, once you reach the place in the map where you're supposed to build your army, the Wonder will be pretty much completed and you will have little time to destroy it.

But hey, here's a cool trick. Grab all your fastest units (The Jaguar and Eagle Warriors), and sneak past the first group of Tlaxcala soldiers and go right after the Spanish by crossing the south bridge. Go straight past everyone until you're face to face with the Wonder in construction, kill the Villager and just attack the small stub until it falls apart. That's it, you've completed the scenario in less than 5 minutes because the Spanish (and the developers) forgot to protect that entrance!

Battles of the Conquerors - Agincourt

Limited soldiers, no villagers at all, and an escort mission. Bleh. The advantage is that you only need one unit to survive thru the entire map, no matter if everyone else ends up dying while protecting it as long as you reach the final point where you get inside a boat to escape. Plus, your Elite Longbowmen are super OP.

El Cid #5 - King Of Valencia

Ugh. You start with El Cid Campeador (El Cid on a horse), and you start looking for a new town to live with your dear wife and family. Many soldiers and civilians will join you, but the deal is that Count Berenguer is a joyless motherfucker that won't stop harassing you from town to town until you reach Valencia. Now, let's talk about Valencia. They have a bunch of resources that can help you boost your economy, but the main goal in this scenario is to help Valencia build their wonder by defending the city itself from the attacks from Berenguer. What the game doesn't tell you is that Berenguer has fully maxed units (Paladins, Bombard Cannons, Trebuchets and Catapults) and don't you dare attack him or station near his city because the fucker installed a few Bombard Towers across his corner. Son of a bitch. Once you learn what kind of units will attack you first when you reach Valencia it shouldn't give you that much of a problem later on. I'd recommend you to leave a Villager at the starting point near the forest so you can build another Town Center and boost your economy faster.

Saladin #3 - The Horns of Hattin

Fuck This Mission In Particular. Four enemies that will attack you almost immediately, no stone, not enough resources in the map, you're stuck in Castle Age, oh, and you must capture a relic and put it in a specific point in your camp.

(Keep in mind: There is an hilarious bug that you can take advantage of if you play the game using the original release and not the HD edition, this bug renders this mission and all relic-themed ones obsolete: simply build a Monastery, produce two Monks, but make sure to enclose them inside a one-square tile using a Palisade wall , so that when they spawn they get trapped inside that tile. Now try navigating the map until you can see the relic, and select both Monks and hit Right Click as many times as you can until one of them grabs it, no matter how far the relic is. Unfortunately this bug was patched just a month ago in the HD version, and it was left unpatched even years after its original release on Steam!)

Saladin #6 - The Lion And The Demon

EASILY the absolute dirt fucking worst mission from the original AOE2 campaigns.

Okay, so you have five enemies:

One of them invades mainly by sea (GENOESE WARSHIPS SIGHTED!!!).

Then there's the Franks (FRENCH SOLDIERS HEADING FOR OUR WALLS!) with gunpowder units, Paladins and those Bombard Cannons that everyone loves.

Then you have the lovely Templars with Paladins (TEMPLARS PREPARING TO ATTACK!) that refuse to die early on because they're protected by...

Richard Lionheart (IT'S RICHARD THE LIONHEARTED! HE'S ATTACKING!) the strongest enemy with Elite Longbowmen, Paladins, Scorpions and two special Trebuchets that deal tons of damage, plus another bunch of Trebuchets.

And the little group of Jerusalem (JERUSALEM HEADING FOR OUR WALLS!) with their own Trebuchets and Camels.

But hey, don't worry, the game has given you an ally, the Persians! And all they do in the entire mission is sending you five War Elephants in a boat. Lovely.

Did I forget to mention that in order to win this scenario you must build a Wonder and hold it while you're defending yourself? Well, just in case you completely miss your main objective, you might find out that you can actually push and defeat some of your enemies early on. That is because you can actually win the scenario by defeating all of them and not building the wonder AT ALL. Which is something that the game never tells you or suggests at any point.

Thankfully once you finish this scenario, the whole campaign is over. Fuck you, Saladin, and fuck your pathetic cavalry units.

[here-comes-the-harvester]

This is Hema Message Pad account. For the character ask, give me: It's Hema, Axi, Agate, Frecks, Puff, Rubes, Diaspore, Dioptase, Morgan, Cinna and Beryl. :)

HemaFirst impression: What a cutie >:UImpression now: Hello yes this is my son and I would do anything for himFavorite moment: There are so many good scenes though- I really enjoyed the fight with Yellow at the end of arc 1 because it was. It showed a completely different side to Hema, that he’s a fantastic actor and extremely terrifying when he��s pushed to the brink. But I also really love the scene where he protects White by shifting up to his full height and shielding her as a skyscraper crashed down on his back. It was a heart-stopping, excellent scene where he really showed off how loyal he is to the Diamonds- if they’re at risk of getting damaged, he would literally put his own life on the line to save them.Idea for a story: Honestly, I think all of his adventures on Earth and reaction to all the new things on said planet would be an interesting read.Unpopular opinion: I’ve said this before, but it never hurts to say again. Hema isn’t exactly a pure cinnamon roll, not as much as people think. Like of course he’s my precious son, but he DOES have his flaws. Nobody is perfect, and Hema isn’t the exception to that rule.Favorite relationship: Of his relationships with other gems, some of my absolute favorites include his relationships with White, Morgan, and Blue… and, more recently, Yellow. I just love how all of them have developed so far from where they originally started out.Favorite headcanon: Hema uses swear words that he learned from Earth. Nobody knows what they mean, but he absolutely uses them.

AxiniteFirst impression: Ah yes the skittish scoutImpression now: “I’M NOT GOING BACK TO JAIL”Favorite moment: When Axi was running from Hema, ducked into the bar, and pissed off Blue. The sheer amount of ‘you done fucked up’ was. Utterly hilarious. And then he managed to escape by presumably jumping out a window/door in a different part of Morgan’s bar.Idea for a story: Axinites are more well-known for being snooty Archive workers in the White District, so I’m honestly wondering how he got into the rebel life, and how he got involved with Puff and Rubes.Unpopular opinion: He’s a complete jerk but I find him to be oddly endearingFavorite relationship: I’m not sure if I really have a favorite relationship with Axi quite yet? He’s only showed up a few brief times, and not really interacting with anyone… though I love how Hema is just like ‘AGAIN???’ Favorite headcanon: He has a very high-pitched shriek that is solely reserved for whenever he’s being chased, whether by Hema or a gem monster or another gem… which is rather often.

AggyFirst impression: Aw poor scared bbImpression now: PLEASE LET THE BABY BE FREEFavorite moment: I absolutely adore the scene where, in Hema’s first harvesting mission, he convinced Aggy to come with him peacefully, even though she was scared. It’s like Frecks said; it was a historical moment that really affected every future aspect of the plot of The Harvester.Idea for a story: I feel like being punished by getting chased by Hematites is a bit severe for a few cases of petty theft, so it would be interesting to see exactly what happened that led to her arrest, I think.Unpopular opinion: Not an unpopular opinion, I don’t think, but her little buck-teeth are cute ;w;Favorite relationship: I really enjoy her relationship with Hema; she’s still kind of nervous around him, but she definitely trusts him more than other Hematites since he was the only one to not poof his target when he caught her.Favorite headcanon: Aggy really enjoys reading; she seems the type to prefer quieter, more solitary hobbies. I also feel like she has a few subjects that she’s really passionate about that, if you talk to her about them, she’ll open up despite her inherent shyness and general wariness of others.

PuffFirst impression: EUH NO SHE’S GONNA HURT MY BABYImpression now: BIG BUFF FLOOF AUNTFavorite moment: I really enjoy the scene where Hema, Eka, and Sphal ducked into Puff’s house to escape from the gem, since it really made her character hit home with me. I loved how sweet she was to Hema, and she was gentle and patient with Eka and Sphal, too. She’s such a good aunt ;w;Idea for a story: Aaa like I said with the Rubes one I answered a little while ago, I’d LOVE to see the story of how she met Rubes- but, in general, seeing any backstory on her would be great >:U Also, domestic stuff with Rubes. Always.Unpopular opinion: Something I can’t even remember bothered me about her design at first?? Like I vaguely remember being thrown off by something, but I just. Cannot for the life of me figure out what it was.Favorite relationship: (Shocker incoming) Rubes! These two are SUPER cute together. And also I love her relationship with Hema, also a no-duh- and her budding relationship with Blue that started back in arc 4. I hope we see more Blue and Puff someday!Favorite headcanon: Puff wields the cheesiest, most awful jokes ever. She learned a lot of them from various bodyguarding jobs. Rubes groans at them, but Puff knows that Rubes actually thinks they’re pretty hilarious.

DiasporeFirst impression: This bitch actin’ shiftyImpression now: Rip in pieces you shifty bitchFavorite moment: When she got shattered :)cIdea for a story: I’m honestly quite tempted to see her other instances of foul play/getting in severe trouble… and if they were because she was just being an ass, or if Topaz had ordered her to do those crimes, too. And I’m wondering if Topaz merely set Diaspore to guard the Coliseum just so that Diaspore would attack Hema, or if she specifically told Diaspore to attack Hema.Unpopular opinion: Okay but anyone else who played Fire Emblem: Fates, does she not remind you of HansFavorite relationship: White’s polearm x Diaspore, best ship, 11/10, better than Puff and Rubes combined with Morgan and CinnaFavorite headcanon: She would like eating Reese’s PIECES 8)c

DioptaseFirst impression: //UNHOLY SCREECHING OF EXCITEMENTImpression now: Oh boy it’s gonna be real fun the next time Blue and Hema have to fuse since they’ll be wondering if Dio will stay as a sentient being like she was at the end of the arc 5 finale :’)Favorite moment: When Dio grabbed Citrine’s flaming weapon with her bare hands and also the HEADBUTTIdea for a story: I honestly think the thing I’m most looking forward to seeing is if Dio retains her sentience in future chapters because. It’s. Really concerning me.Unpopular opinion: Dio is great but dear lord she is insane. She almost reminds me of Sugilite, to be honest.Favorite relationship: Her giant mace x Star Sunstone’s faceFavorite headcanon: Dio really was trying to be helpful when she offered to do Hema’s jobs (I mean she mostly did it to stay fused but still). It’s almost a given that she would be partial towards the gems that comprise her very being.

CinnaFirst impression: OW???Impression now: O W???????????????????Favorite moment: Can we have more happy memories with Cinna ;w;Idea for a story: /can we please find a cure for shattering or is it gonna be taboo like in FMA/Unpopular opinion: She died far too soon and I cry a little more inside every time I think about herFavorite relationship: CINDERS!! ALL!! THE!!! WAY!!!!!!Favorite headcanon: She was absolutely the type to be like that one post and justCinna: It sure is muggy out todayMorgan: If all of our mugs are out on the lawn I’m ending this relationshipCinna: … *sips tea from a bowl*

BerylFirst impression: Oh hey lol wonder why there’s a gem in pieces in Hema’s pocket dimensionImpression now: EUH NO NO NO I RESCIND THE QUESTION I  R E S C I N DFavorite moment: When I didn’t know who she was because then I wasn’t full of internal screaming every time I hear her nameIdea for a story: I sound like a broken record but good lord I need that Topaz x Beryl domesticity in my lifeUnpopular opinion: I honestly feel like she and Hema could have gotten along pretty well if she hadn’t been one of his mission targets tsssss yikesFavorite relationship: …Do I need to answer this because I think it’s pretty obv- TopazFavorite headcanon: She was the one gem who was allowed to hug Topaz and also was one of the very few gems who could make the general to genuinely laugh and smile. :’)

[writingamongtheroses-archive]

Showtime- Chapter 7

Of Hallucinations and Pirate Rabbits

"Hey, do you know a six-letter word that means to feel a longing for someone, that ends in e?"

"Try desire."

"Thank you..."

It was 1 am and the job had taken a completely different turn. At least when Liza had been hunted, the time had gone faster. She was busying herself with a crossword she had brought, while Doll was reading a book from...she didn't know. Honestly, Liza wasn't sure if she wanted to know. A few music notes twinkled and she looked up to see the Puppet peeking out.

"Is that...a crossword puzzle?"

"Uh, yeah." Her eyes darted around, looking for some clue to help her. "I figured that I should give everyone some space before trying to be buddy-buddy." Its eyes were firm on the crossword. She held it out after a moment. "...You want it?"

"Yes! It has been some time since I've done a crossword." For a minute, the Puppet sounded very much like a little kid as it took the puzzle and the pencil. "Gracias!" Without further ado, it set to work. Liza folded her arms and watched.

"So, you like crosswords?"

"And those little 1000 piece puzzles. But I am most fond of sewing."

Liza folded her arms on the desk and sat her chin on them, watching.

-_-

Coward.

Whenever Ted locked himself in the bathroom to clean, the others knew to leave him alone. He furiously scrubbed at a spot on the floor, refusing to look at the mirror. Usually, Rebecca was the one to harass him. But...this was much worse.

Do you hear me, Theodore? Coward.

Liza was still in her office. She seemed to be giving them space tonight. Which- he didn't like the idea of an adult solving their problems- he couldn't help but feel better for. It meant he didn't have to see her.

Aw, don't want her to see this? I mean, I don't blame you, but still...

"Oh, dear Lord." Ted threw aside his mop to turn and glare at the bathroom's mirror. "What do you want?"

Instead of his reflection, 10-year-old Liza smirked back. He wasn't sure why he saw this- he hadn't even see Liza in the hospital, wearing those yellow polka-dot pajamas with bandages wrapped around her forehead. One eye was covered. But she was there, along with the blood staining her chin and the yellow of her pajamas.

She smirked at him, her teeth reddened, as she appeared to fold her arms on the mirror's edge. Eh, what does every little bird want? Without waiting for an answer, she responded. To bleed out.

"That's not funny."

Robots couldn't even get hallucinations!

I'm not being paid to be funny.

Ted opened his mouth to respond when he heard a loud CLANG from outside, followed by an "OW, F-!"

He turned from the hallucination to yell "LANGUAGE!"

-_-

Liza slapped a hand over her hand, wincing at the throbbing from her elbow. She had decided to stretch when her elbow banged into the cabinet behind her. She didn't carry spare change with her. And she had just about enough of Ted chasing her for a lifetime.

Right. Yesterday she wanted to try and clear some space.

(She left the kids' drawings alone.)

After a quick inspection, she found that almost all the monitors and TVs cluttering the desk were unplugged and useless. Underneath the desk was the old computers, which were just as useless. From what she could remember, there was a garbage bin outside around back. Unfortunately, they were old, and old meant insanely heavy. She stood in the center of the office, biting on her thumbnail to try and figure out a plan.

In the end, she stacked some of the monitors and computers in her chair and pushed it. She left the Puppet with its crossword, absently noting that Doll was following, still reading her book. Did she have to stay a certain limit?

It was slow going, due to Liza's lack of muscle. Finally, she was passing Treasure Cavern, where she stopped when she heard grumpy muttering behind the sea blue curtains. It sounded like stifled cursing, and she nearly warned 'swear jar' into the gloom, but thought better of it. A thud followed and she sucked it up.

"Bun?" she tried nervously, biting her lip. "A-Are...are you okay?" Hopefully, the pirate wouldn't notice the nerves. Her knuckles went white when the curtain was shoved open.

"No, it's not!" She snapped, looking rather angry.

Liza licked her lips before asking. "Is there... anyway I can help? That doesn't involve me getting any bodily harm?"

"Not unless you know how to build a new ship!"

Without another word, Bun disappeared. Liza stared at the tone. She knew that tone- it was mixed up hurt and anger, the way everyone had acted after her accident and the doctors revealed her amnesia. The tone made her grit her teeth, but she continued. She had agreed to play nice. "Can I come in and take a look? Please?"

There was a grunt, and Liza decided to take that as a whatever.

She slipped inside and nearly tripped over a box. "Is there a light?" she asked, gripping the curtain.

"Bulbs blew out years ago, girlie."

She thought this over before snapping her fingers. "I found some spares in the office! Hang on, be right back!" She hurried out without another word, ignoring Doll's yelp. Liza soon returned with the box of bulbs and a flashlight. She looked up from the instructions at the growl Bun let out. She immediately held her hands up in the gesture of surrender before she realized that she was glaring at the flashlight.

"Do...you want to hold it?" She asked, holding out the flashlight. Bun's glare turned towards her and it took every bit of Liza's strength to not flinch when it was snatched away. (She held onto the fact that: A. Rafael told her once that the animatronics weren't built to have really bright lights in their eyes and B. Bun looked more edgy than mad.) The light turned to the lights and she quickly scrambled to do the task.

When the bulbs were all in, Liza flicked the light switch. The lights came on, casting a dim light in the space. She ignored Bun tossing the flashlight out, focusing instead on how she grumbled out "Thanks."

"So, what's this about a new ship?" She asked, looking around. There were boxes stacked everywhere, but she could see wave props and the ship. The pirate ship was another wooden prop. "It looks fine." Curious, she ran her hand across the ship. Her hand came back grey. "It's a little dusty."

She yelped when she was whirled around so Bun could hold her by the shoulders and give her a shake. "The cannons are supposed to come out and the sound effects don't work! The Queen Bunny's Revenge looks like a wreck from Davy Jones' locker!"

"Well," Liza said, trying not to giggle as she pried herself loose. "I'll take another look?"

Stacking a few boxes up so she could clamber on the other side, Liza looked around. The cannons were plastic models, stacked on boxes. "Well, no wonder!" she said when she found the problem. "Mice have gotten back here! Sheesh, Tio Rafael would have an absolute fit if he saw this."

"What?"

Liza scrambled back over. "The Queen Bunny's Revenge isn't broken, Captain." She made a mental note at how the title made Bun stand a little taller. "I can replace the wires and the ropes, but I'll have to turn it off at night. Okay?"

Bun nodded, looking rather happy. She stopped suddenly, frowning. "What'll be in it for you, night guard?"

"Nothing. I just need something to do otherwise I'm going to start losing it." Liza slipped out, setting to work on pushing the chair. "Just let me take this stuff to the dumpster." Her sneakers let out a squeak as she managed to push it an inch. Bun growled after a minute of pushing and squeaking.

"Move aside, lass." She did, watching the rabbit start pushing. She did it with no effort. It was clear that besides the advanced AI, these animatronics were much stronger than what children entertainers' should be. "Ye have no muscle, ye would be thrown overboard on the high seas!"

Liza blinked before smiling as she followed.

Bun had called her lass.