#Cause for one I want them to be a traveling merchant but now I also kinda want them to have a really fancy looking revolver

[http-paprika]

IVY AND IRON THORNS

CHAPTER III

a medieval au / sir simon riley x lady reader / 2.4k / warnings descriptions of death, christian religious imagery / taglist open

called to have an audience with the lord of the castle, you leave questioning the life you've known

because this story has been on hiatus so long, please if you are tagged in the taglist, don't hesitate to ask to be removed if this doesn't interest you anymore. I apologize for the delay, you know how life is. also, I promise there'll be more simon in the next chapter!

masterlist / chapter IV

Perched on the cold, stone windowsill, you rest your head against the thick glass. You gaze outside into the bailey below, bustling in the early morning with activity, You spot the knight, though he’s brandished his armor today for simple clothes, the black mask still obscuring his face. But despite the intimidation you feel watching Sir Riley, the children follow him around in awe, clinging onto his legs and arms. There’s no hesitation when he scoops up a little girl and puts her up on his shoulder, and though you cannot hear it, you’re certain she’s giggling. A small smile crosses your face momentarily, witnessing a man of such stature being so soft with children causes warmth to spread through your chest. Briefly. 

A firm knock on the door of your chambers distracts you from the scene, causing you to fill with panic again. Remembering what Sir Riley had told you the night before, you were to have an audience with the lord of the castle. Your heart rattles in its cage of ribs, lungs expanding painfully with each breath as you cross the floor, your steps echo off the walls and each breath sounds louder in your ears. Any attempt to calm yourself falters as you unbolt the door and push open the heavy oak. 

On the outside, in simple leather armor, another knight of the castle stands at attention. He’s new to you, an unfamiliar bronze face with golden eyes. A foreigner, you wonder whilst looking at him. There was a memory of the merchants from afar who traveled through your father’s lands, their skin hadn’t quite been as dark as his, but just as curious to you. 

“My apologies, ma’am. But Lord Price requests your presence.” He tells you, bowing his head and crossing his chest with one arm. 

“Of course,” Swallowing hard, you step over the threshold and into the narrow hallway. Morning light streams through the few windows as he escorts you, speaking little except for directing you as to whether to turn. As you walk, servant girls in the castle greet the knight as he passes by, often giggling though the knight, who was called Sir Garrick, pays them little attention. Instead, he was focused on the task of bringing you to the lord’s study. 

Down narrow passages, up winding stairs into a high turret was where the lord of the castle worked and rested. When Sir Garrick brings you into the study, there is no one waiting for you. Just high shelves full of books, statues, and trinkets from wars and plunders. A tall tapestry with the crest hung down behind the desk, the embroidered skull and sword causing you to shiver. 

“Lord Price will be with you in a moment. Don’t touch anything.” Sir Garrick advises you before stepping out of the room and shutting the door. 

You startle when it slams shut, leaving you alone in the unwelcoming study. Glancing over at the bookshelves, you find yourself wanting to read over the title and run your fingers down the leather spines. Reading had never particularly been a hobby of yours, though your mother and tutor had taught you Latin and French, made you read pages upon pages, it bored you. Until now. There was a growing curiosity to view the collection that was grander than your father’s. How had you never known about a lord with a castle this grand? Surely your father knew the man, yet you’d never heard of Lord Price nor Castle Tharn. 

“Magnificent, aren’t they?” You startle at the sudden intrusion, not even having heard the door open. Quickly turning on your heel, you see the lord of the castle standing in the doorway. Tall in stature, broad shoulders hidden under his dark green shirt. He had the appearance of a warrior, the pride of a king in his gait. 

“Quite the collection, m’Lord.” You stutter out as he walks past, settling behind his desk. 

“My father started them to appease my mother. She was very unhappy in this castle and saw it as her prison, so my father began to gather them as they were the only thing that brought comfort to her short life.” He tells you, his light eyes narrowing to study your reaction, that the way you held yourself was different from a commoner. Even with the state of humility that you were in. 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” You tilt your head, remembering the string of jewels and pearls the prince had sent to you during the engagement. A sick feeling bubbles in your stomach, a frown crossing your face. A question lingers in your head though you do not chase it for an answer. “That was very kind of him.” 

“Hmph. A captor trying to please the captured.” Lord Price hums, his chest rumbling with his words as he sits straight up in his velvet chair. “Foolish, is it not?” 

“I’m not sure, m’Lord.” 

“It’s as foolish as my servants trying to console you.” The frown on your face grows more visible at his words, the riddles he spoke confusing you. His steely, cold eyes sliced like knives through your resolve. “My knights have told me of the misfortunes that befell your company on the highway. A highway which they were not supposed to travel on.” 

“Pardon me?” Your hands grip the fabric of your borrowed dress, wrinkling the gray fabric in your fists. The accusations stung, though you had no defense to his words. What did you know about the plans for traveling your father had forged? 

“The House of Cain, galloping about through the Queen’s land. It’s by God’s graciousness alone and the will of my knights that a single soul survived the night.” Lord Price stands from his seat, his figure eclipsing the silver of light from the lone window. Cloaking you and the room in darkness. The Queen’s land? Your mind swelled from his words, lacking any understanding. 

Lord Price pulls a scroll of paper from a shelf, laying it out on the desk you wearily approach. A map of your father’s lands is etched out in red ink, and the harsh words traitor’s lands are written over the valleys and mountains he governed. In black ink, you saw Castle Tharn with its rivers and surrounding villages. It was different from the maps you’d seen growing up, glimpsing into the rooms where your father and his advisors plotted. You were sure there was more land of which your father governed. But it looked small in comparison to Lord Price’s lands and the land of another lord, a name of which you did not recognize. Where were the allies your father boasted about? Was he really that desperate, closed off from those who would aid him in battle? 

“Was this not the road you traveled?” He asked, his gloved hand pointed to a thick line that ran through the heart of Lord Price’s land. Yes, they were. 

Your blood runs cold, a feeling of faintness passing over you like a ghostly breeze. Reaching for the arm of a nearby chair, you try to steady yourself. This was not what you’d been told. How much more could your world be shattered in such short days? 

“No, no. My father is a respected man. Highly praised and honored. He has allies, he has the favor of the prince.” You respond, trying to defend your family name. The House of Cain demanded respect and you would not let that fall. 

But he scoffs at your declaration, shaking his head in amusement. “The prince?” 

“Yes. Have you no respect for the royal family?” You ask, your voice quivering in fear. Never had you seen a man speak in such a way, so brash and crude in attitude and tone. It made you quiver, a present dread in your bones. He reminded you of a commoner you’d once seen on the gallows, awaiting his death for the crime of treason; he still would not recant the words he’d spoken about your father and the prince. Now, you wondered who had truly committed that crime. 

“That man is royalty by blood alone, I do not bow to him nor do I recognize those who follow him like sheep.” Lord Price looks at you with harshness, sitting down again with his hands flat against the wooden desk. “Your father gave you an illusion of prosperity and power.” 

You’d known that your father had begun to grow weary, that was the reason for your arranged marriage. But you had no idea it was so dire and fearful. The brutes your father spoke of fighting against the borders were the very ones that’d pulled you out of the mud. 

Lord Price watches as you sink into the chair, your lip trembling and eyes beginning to burn though no tears would spill. Not after the long hours you’d spent last night, curled up in the unfamiliar bed praying to wake up from the never-ending nightmare that’d grown longer and colder. 

“I’ve sent a messenger to your father, to tell him of what has happened to his wife and daughter. It will be up to him whether or not he agrees to my negotiations for your freedom.” He says, continuing to watch you like a wolf on its prowl. You were the rabbit being hunted after, small, frail, and unable to defend yourself from the whims of men. 

“My freedom? Am I your prisoner?” So, this was why he’d asked you that question before. From the beginning, he’d made it clear what his intentions for you were. A pawn in a long drawn-out game of chess that Lord Price had captured for his play. His expressive face shows as much, there’s almost an expression of pity that is quickly hidden away the longer you stare. 

“My quarrel is not with you, girl. Your mother was a good woman, it grieves me that she was forced into the marriage she was. For her sake, you will be looked after well. Fed, clothed, and free to do as you wish. Were you just your father’s daughter, I’d keep you in the dungeon.” He says, still speaking to you firmly despite the mercy he’s extended. Yes, it was better than the rat-infested dark dungeons the castle had, but it was not freedom. A castle whose walls confine you, no matter how lavish it is, when the sun sets is still your prison. 

“Were you my own daughter, I wouldn’t waste a moment in your retrieval. For your dignity and sake, I pray your father is the same.” His large hand is gentle when placed on your shoulder. The urge to cry in humility is strong, but the numbing truth of your fate is stronger. Would your father be so kind? For all the affection he used to shower you in, your father had sent you on roads that he knew were unsafe. How much he really cared was yet another question you did not want to answer. 

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

The small chapel sat in the west corner of the castle walls, as you walked down the stone path to seek refuge and pray for your mother, the feeling of being watched did not leave you. Though Lord Price had not explicitly said that you would be escorted by a knight, you knew better than to assume you were alone. But, in the church, you were given a glimpse of freedom.

Inside, it was cool. The stained glass windows depicting images of biblical stories left colorful lights dancing over the floor and walls. Somewhere, you assumed there was a monk who served to bless the lord and his keep. But no one bothered you as you slumped down to kneel and pray for your mother. Believing in higher beings had always seemed silly to you, but for her, you’d pray that she’d safely travel to the heavens that she read of. 

But prayer felt foolish. Her fate had already been decided, what would simple, dumb words do? 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I would be alone at this hour.” You rise from kneeling, turning to see a woman dressed in deep velvets, her hair pulled up out of her fair face. Like a divine being, she smiled softly at you seeing the distress in your appearance. How you seemed to shrink under her gaze. 

“No, it’s my apologies. I only wanted a moment to mourn.” You respond, smoothing down your dress and keeping your head turned to the stone floor. Hadn’t you once refused to look down when speaking to anyone? Weren’t they the ones who were to cower? 

“You must be our guest. I, again, must apologize for not coming to your chambers and introducing myself. My youngest child has been in bed with a fever, and I did not want to leave his bedside until it broke.” She continued to speak softly, stepping forward and offering a hand. “I’m the lady of the castle. Lady Price. Though, I’d prefer it if you just called me by my name, Eden.” 

Eden, a fitting name for the woman. She seemed to radiate the same aura your mother had once had, one of grace and goodwill. Someone you wanted to offer respect to. In the daylight of the chapel, she was strikingly different from her husband. More so than you ever thought your mother was compared to your father. 

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. And do not apologize, your child’s health is more important than a guest. And I was not in the state of mind to visit with anyone.” You curtsy to her as you were taught, humbling yourself like your mother would’ve liked. 

“Yes, I am sorry to hear of what happened to your mother and company. It grieves me to know such tragedies happen within our borders.” She settles down onto a pew, muttering a quick prayer before glancing back at you. “I would also like to apologize for my husband and his ploy. I cannot excuse his behavior and whims, though I assure you he is a good man. There’s no one else in the world I’d want to be the father of my children.” 

Frowning, you still nod at her words and you couldn’t shake the truth from them. Even though you were bound behind the cobblestone walls, there was care offered to you. And you could not decide if you even wished to return home, unable to form a consensus about how you felt towards what you’d been told. Your father, a traitor to the crowned ruler? Exile seemed so much less cruel than accepting that truth.

Taglist: @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @ghostlythots @jadeloverxd @crystallizedtime

[materassassino]

For the prompt ask: hoodie for Joe/Nicky 😉

This one got a bit long, actually... It works though.

One word prompts!

---

Somewhere in the Altai Mountains, 1402

They are travelling east again, weary of the never-ending woes of the Mediterranean and Europe, and because Quynh wants to eat what she calls ‘proper food’ again – there is only so much Nicolò can do with imported spices that have lost their potency from travel (when they can afford them). Why they chose this accursed northern route instead of some sensible ship from Jeddah Yusuf will never understand, but Andromache mistrusts the sea in general, and Quynh will go where she goes, which means Yusuf and Nicolò have little choice. She also wants to show them Karakorum, which they have yet to see.

Winter is not close, but there is a chill on the air, especially now evening is falling and the shadows lengthen. Andromache scouts them a place she deems worthy for camp that night (though she is rarely very discerning, and Yusuf would swear she could sleep on a bed of gravel with no complaint), and they settle. Yusuf joins Quynh to fetch water, Andromache tends to the horses and Nicolò starts their fire and starts to prepare their food. It is a well-worn, familiar routine, each night in the wilderness the same as the one before.

Quynh is busy telling him about the time Andromache got herself in a spot of bother with some Gauls in Armorica when they get back to camp, and Yusuf is trying very hard not to trip over he chokes on his own laughter. Andromache scowls, and if the light were better, Yusuf would wager he saw the slightest embarrassed flush on her stoic cheeks.

“Not that one again,” she grumbles, removing her horse’s saddle and blanket. Quynh grins, something sharp-fanged and delightfully wicked.

“You just hate it because it ends with you in a pig sty!” she says. Yusuf wheezes helplessly.

That is when Nicolò sneezes.

Yusuf stops laughing immediately, sets down their filled waterskins and puts his hands on his hips.

“I told you to wear your cloak!” he grumbles. Nicolò has the cheek to roll his eyes, even as he wipes his nose on the back of his hand.

“I am fine,” he retorts, turning back to the fire. He sneezes again.

“God give me strength,” Yusuf mutters, raises his eyes to the heavens and waving his hands beseechingly. He stomps over to their pile of saddlebags and begins rummaging, but he soon stops.

“Nicolò,” he asks, “where is your cloak?”

They all see the way Nicolò’s shoulders tense, creeping up guiltily by his ears.

“Come to think of it,” Quynh says, pursing her lips, “I have not seen it since the village we passed through two days ago.”

Yusuf levels Nicolò with a long glare. “Nico?”

Nicolò rubs the back of his neck. “I think… I think I forgot it. At the inn.”

Andromache guffaws. Yusuf groans. Nicolò is usually so meticulous, but in fairness they had beaten a rather hasty retreat after Andromache got into a fight with a merchant over the treatment of his horses, so it is entirely likely it was simply lost in the whirlwind madness.

“We might not see another settlement until Karakorum itself,” Andromache says, drumming her fingers on her knee. “And it will only get colder the further up we go.”

Yusuf sighs, getting to his feet and fumbling with the clasp of his own cloak. He throws it over Nicolò’s shoulders and sits heavily beside him.

“Do not be stupid, Yusuf,” Nicolò says, shrugging the cloak off. “You need it!”

Yusuf waves him away, dismissive. That causes Nicolò to scowl.

“Well, if neither of you wants it…” says Quynh edging around the fire with a sly look.

“Leave it!” the two men snap in unison, and she darts back, hands raised defensively even as she laughs.

“Share it, you idiots,” Andromache snaps, shaking her head. “We’ll turn one of the spare blankets into a new cloak tomorrow.”

Yusuf and Nicolò both look at her, and then at each other.

“That… seems wise,” Nicolò concedes, and Yusuf muffles a snort of laughter.

They end the evening beneath the same cloak, huddled close together. There is, Yusuf muses archly, little difference with the night before.

--

Geneva, August 2022

The clouds roll in from almost nowhere, spilling down from the mountains. They don’t herald rain, but they cover the sun and an uncharacteristic chill shrouds the city. They’ve been scouting out potential new safehouses – it’s good to add to the rotation, and it’s time Nile got a few under any of her various shiny new aliases. The prices are eye-watering, but there’s always something to be found somewhere, especially further outside the city.

There’s a slight bite to the air now, just enough to cause some goosebumps. Nile tugs on the cardigan she’d draped over her shoulders that morning, covering her bare arms. Andy does absolutely nothing, because she refuses to let the whims of Mother Nature bother her overmuch. Nicky untie the hoodie from around his waist – unfashionable, as always – and zips it up, sticking his hands in its pockets.

Joe sneezes.

Nicky looks at him, in his optimistic breezy linen shirt and shorts, and raises his eyebrows. He doesn’t even need to say anything as Joe scowls at him.

“It was sunny until a moment ago!” he protests the unspoken accusation.

“Yeah, but the weather lady said it would get cloudy!” Nile pipes up, withering slightly under Joe’s glare.

“Should’ve paid more attention,” is all Andy says with a flippant smirk.

Joe simply folds his arms petulantly and stomps on ahead, attempting to brave the sudden chill. He doesn’t last long before he’s rubbing his arms, and the walk back to the hotel is thirty minutes.

Nicky sighs, and unzips his hoodie again. He drapes it over Joe’s shoulders, completely ignoring Joe’s pout.

“I don’t need it!” he says, about to shrug it off and hand it back like a stubborn fool. Nicky levels him with another long, hard look, and Joe meekly puts it on properly. He allows Nicky to adjust it fastidiously and zip it up, his resigned façade cracking entirely when Nicky plants the most fleeting of kisses on the tip of his nose.

“Oh my God,” Nile says. “That’s so adorable it’s disgusting.”

[thatdeadaquarius]

OKAY OKAY SAGAU BUT THE CREATOR IS A HUGE KPOP FAN LIKE IMAGINE THE MOST STOTIC CHARACTERS DANCING TO TWICE

ANON I HAVE SEEN UR ASK SITTIN IN MY MAILBOX AND BEEN WAITIN FOR THIS ONE-

GOD IM SO BASIC ANON I ONLY KNOW LIKE 2 SONGS BY TWICE (LIKE "FEELS" OR SMTH POPULAR), I KNOW A LITTLE MORE ITZY, BUT MY MAIN'S JUST BEEN BTS SINCE 2019😭

(send me recs pleassseeee ;-;)

Hey this'll be the last time I use colored words for characters!

I think it's a bit too distracting, and the only reason I was using them was to let ppl know if their fav was in there, but now I'll probably just use CW/TW to mention character heavy asks/fics :)

Thanks for being patient with me for so long if ur still reading my stuff :0 <3

Listen as you read?

EDIT 1/1/24: Hey I expanded more about this on my Eldritch Fanfic Part 2 post, but unfortunately I did a form of exoticism by including the term "Huangdi" inappropiately here. I have since replaced it with "Emperor" as was the original untranslated term I would've used. I'm genuinely sorry that I did this, and will absolutely be on the look out/do better in the future. I hope you can understand.

----

AGONIZED OVER THE GIFS THIS TIME THEYRE SO PRETTY AND I WANTED TO GET THEM DANCING ONE OF THEIR CUTER ERA/THEMES ALL DRESSED UP TOO-

also im so sorry?? Idky i was in such a scenario mood today??? Ig im in my exectutive dysfunction paralysis state so maybe that’s why, like it unconcoiusly wants me to waste more time not catching up on uni work??? anyway, hope u like this chaotic addon 😭

or i just love this ask sm, that’s entirely possible too <3

I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW I PUT ON A MEGA TWICE PLAYIST WHILE WRITING THIS ENTIRE THING LMAO

ok but they’d totally heard ur music tastes thru the screen right?

like just imagine-

the video game music is normalized, and to them its just another one of those “all kinds of magic in teyvat” causing the music, like the seelies wandering around all the time or elemental energy

Jean is flipping through a folder filled with the reports for the week, she’s got to get the routes ready for the week, then there’s the liyue shipments the knights need to help escort over, then checking in on any of the emergency stations/rations throughout Mondstadt for weary or hurt travelers/merchants-

She sighs, and yet another irritated thought is thrown Varka’s way in her mind, she can’t even muster the energy to make it outright dislike she’s so tired…

Jean was so concentrated she just now is starting to hear the Favonious Headquarter’s music once more, it’s peppy upbeat tune… grates like nails on a chalkboard.

and if she has to hear that damn flute for the next hour she works, she’s going to start banging her head onto her desk.

♤

Out in Jueyun Karst, Xiao is dealing the finishing blow to a flying ruin hunter

He’s huffing and stabs his spear into the ground to lean on and catch his breath, the gentle music of the peaks begins to float around him once more

The Yaksha feels the earth beneath his feet shake. Not like from his Lord, not the other adepti angered, but an enemy so large it’s stomps shake the ground he stands on

Xiao quickly straightens less he fall over, pulling his spear out of the dirt with a little more effort than it probably should’ve taken…

The high sounds of the guzheng trickle through the air, a perfect representation of the base of the slopes, trees, streams, and nature all around him

Xiao turns to face the enemy behind him, his arm popping with tired joints,

…A ruin grader, two ruin hunters, and finally regular three ruin guards, follows it. they come around the corner of the bottom of another slope, and they're still simmering with black smoke, curling off their metallic shoulders.

Xiao sees several red targets layer over his chest,

the music fades a little, but sticks around, plucking strings gently. Xiao sighs, exhausted already.

♧

Kazuha and Beidou had to redirect the Alcor from a nasty storm at sea that intercepted their usual route between Inazuma and Liyue,

the storm had practically chased them further and further down form the Inazuman islands

it wasn’t until Kazuha, from the crow’s nest, spotted fog on the waters that they realized they’d be forced to go into said creepy fog, what with the crackling looming clouds at their backs pinning them in

“Not good Captain, the fog is miles long, I’m not sure I can see a way around it…” Kazuha calls down to the deck, Beidou letting out a sharp sigh through her nose

“Damn… fucker’s not even sentient and it practically backed us into a corner, feels like we literally gotta escape the damn thing… BRACE YOURSELVES CREW, WE’RE HEADING INTO THAT FOG!”

The Alcor makes it’s way into the fog, a piano swells with a strange tune…

Beidou, Kazuha, and the crew know to listen to the music of teyvat, especially if you have a life at sea, where storms can appear in the middle of the day or other pirates could attack any moment.

The music means nothing good, but at least Kazuha can see the storm staying at the border of the fog, moving no further in, unlike themselves

“Shit… see anything up there Kazu?” the Captain steering the ship doesn’t even reach a shout, for the music has creeped out all conversation on board

“No ma’am, wait,” a chill breeze brushes through the wanderer’s white hair, he feels goosebumps jump on his neck and spine,

“…Yes! Portside Captain, land, no enemy movement yet!”

“Alright, here goes a bad idea…” Beidou’s arms flex as she easily turns the heavy wooden wheel, steering left,

the Alcor gently comes ashore, and they make anchor.

…there are no enemies, like Kazuha said, but the tune worsens, it had gotten louder now that they’re actually on the theme’s land

It plays slowly, encasing the crew of the Alcor in a paranoid quiet, and it almost has a melancholy note

Crows caw and fly off of a stone gate up ahead, they can see flickers of a strange blue light further inland, like figures carrying lanterns everywhere they go…

“Damn music, I wouldn’t feel half this anxious if it didn’t sound like we were walking into a monster infested cave…” the first mate says, the first person to break the quiet the music held over them.

“Yes, while we might need to stay here for awhile, I think we’re all very aware how dangerous this is…” Kazuha agrees, crossing his arms and squinting at the moving blue lights… the piano plays on.

☆

You open on Spotify on your computer, clicking on your favorite kpop playlist, it’s been rainy all day, so you need the peppiness of this dance playlist to actually not be half-asleep playing Genshin-

You hum along to the Korean lyrics as you boot Genshin up, ugh, ur in-game music is so loud, u forgot u turned it up last time to hear the new Sumeru music…

Turning it down, you let the Kpop songs fill ur headphones as you nod to the beat, your team materializing on screen. Right, off to do commissions first!

♤

Jean is like.. seconds away letting out a scream of frustration, anger, tiredness, loneliness, etc. her hands clenching her hair and ruining her ponytail when, thank Creator, the theme quiets down finally.

The loss of her immediate ire gone, she lets go of her hair, her hands just kind of hovering midair, not knowing what to do with herself, all the negative emotions giving her face wrinkles just melt off, leaving her stunned, blank face behind

🎶 Dalkomhan chocolate ice-cream-cheoreom Nogabeorineun jigeum nae gibun so lovely! Kkamkkamhan uju sok gajang banjjagineun Jeo byeol jeo byeol geu yeope keun ne byeol 🎶

Acting Grand Master Jean actually screams when abruptly a song in an unrecognizable foreign language, blasts into her office, around it, filling the entire Favonius Headquarters with its… cheeriness??

Jean lets her hands fall onto the desk, still in shock

..well, she quickly decides she’s grateful for the new music either Barbatos or the All-Parent had heard her pleas for…

…actually, it’s kind of,, catchy?

Jean takes out her ponytail, massaging her aching scalp, huh, she really did have it tight she’s just now noticing, she feels a small smiles appear on her face,

she actually kind of wants to do something now (she kind of hopes this new foreign bard song sticks around..)

♧

If you asked Xiao what happened in that battle he’d be hard pressed to tell you,

without going completely red in the face. LMAO

He probably wouldn’t tell the other adepti this, especially Cloud Retainer, but Xiao had definitely had to get used to fighting brutal battles to the sound of gentle summer day-esque music

Right as the aruguably, army of ruin machines spotted the Yaksha, he’d launched himself into the air to try and evade the rusted beasts, aiming his jade spear, adding winds to swirl around the staff to better boost his attack, the machines warm up, their targets moved and locked onto him midair, right as both sides launch their attack-

🎶 Geogi neo I fancy you! Amuna wonhaji anha Hey, I love you (Love ya!) 🎶

Xiao nearly falls out of the air.

Quickly recovering, he uses his anemo power to propel himself off to the side dodging, he swears to his Lord and his Emperor himself, delayed attacks, as if the machines were caught off guard too,

missiles whiz by him, exploding behind, the peppy song of foreign women’s voices sings out into Jueyun Karst bright and happy-

🎶 Geurae neo I fancy you! Kkumcheoreom haengbokhaedo dwae 'Cause I need you! (What?) 🎶

Xiao’s face goes from being confused to concentrated throughout the rest of the battle, and the worst part… it actually helps his energy levels.

and he finds himself nodding along

☆

Kazuha takes the lead, his sword unsheathed and at the ready to cut down the slightest movement before it can get to any of the crew behind him,

He’s flanked by the Captain of the Alcor herself, Beidou’s electro shield emitting a deep hum as it blocks in front of both himself, and the crew behind him

all of the pirates have unsheather their own weapons, daggers, swords, claymores, bows, their all on high alert, waiting for.. well, any enemies at all.

In fact, Kazuha hopes he sees hilichurls soon, just for the familiarity it could give him and the his crew-

the music begins to fade away.

The crew stops just shy of the entryway that was perched with crows before they scattered, the white fog hasn’t moved beyond its lazy drifting, but the creeping sounds have stopped entirely. Not good.

Captain Beidou sighs after a few silent moments, other than the quiet breathing and shuffling of weapons from the Alcor crew.

She lets her claymore sword thunk against her shoulder, and just as she opens her mouth, turning to address the all, deciding camping here will have to do for the night-

🎶Fancy! youu, ooh Nuga meonjeo johahamyeon eottae Fancy! youu, ooh Jigeum neoegero gallae Fancy! ooh!🎶

Kazuha’s shoulder shoot up to his ears in a flinch, red eyes wide, he barely stops his reflexes from taking a hard swing with his sword, several crewmembers shriek, collide with metal clinks into one another, Beidou drops low, her sword swinging off her shoulder into almost a full swing at the ground-

…

…..

……..

🎶 Dalkomhan chocolate ice-cream-cheoreom Nogabeorineun jigeum nae gibun so lovely! Kkamkkamhan uju sok gajang banjjagineun Jeo byeol jeo byeol geu yeope keun ne byeol 🎶

the music plays on, the only one making any noise as the entire Alcor crew just, stop. after their initial shock.

Kazuha’s the first to break.

He desperately tries to contain a quiet chuckle, which turns into a giggle, which turns into a full-on wheeze, as he buries his sword into the ground to brace himself on it and one of his knees

the Captain cracks by the time Kazuha wheezes, her laughter going straight to guffaws and knee slapping, her claymore shaking the ground where she stabs it to lean against

the crew erupts into laughter, both as the peppy foreign song echoes into the mysterious fog, and Beidou’s ridiculous laugh, as always

they don’t recover until two songs later when there’s finally a slow kpop song, Kazuha’s had to sit down, tears streaming down his face, Beidou’s half-dead, wheezing out complaints about her stomach, as the crew keep sending each other into more and more laughter right as they think they’re done.

They decide their Akitsu Mikami must have the best sense of humor and must just be sitting on their celestial throne pranking some of their subjects from time to time, and the Alcor crew find themselves all the more appreciative for it, their nerves entirely gone about the island

Kazuha and Beidou are constantly asking other bards they meet to try and see if anyone can recreate the song for the crew sometime they liked the beat and the memory so much, Fancy by Twice will still get a laugh out of Beidou and Kazuha, and they’d quickly let you in on the inside joke so you’d be a part of it too (afterall you did it lol)

♡

NOW MORE IMPORTANTLY, BC IDK IVE BEEN ON A SCENARIO KICK LATELY?? SORRY IDK WHY U GUYS KEEP GETTING SCENARIOS-

There’s only TWO 2 CATEGORIES THAT MATTER HERE-

◇

Who’s DANCING!! w/o u needing to do anything but play the music:

NILOU (she got those choreos done in like, an hour flat everytime u teach her, shes always begging for “just one more dance lesson Greatest Lord? 🥺”),

YUNJIN (difference betweeen the two dancers is that nilou asks :) → yunjin lowkey demands, she like always gets u into a situation where you have plenty of time to teach her and feel obligated, u just got gaslight gatekeep girlbossed into teaching her another kpop dance LMAO), they also see it as they’re (literally) god-given job to dance better than any idol you’ve seen do it before, esp when they recruit groups of other dancers to join for group choreos

Yoimiya! cutie #1, CHILDE, amber, eula, ITTO, bennett,

Collei (but shes shy u gotta encourage her),

Diona (cutie #2),

FISCHL (would form an actual group to dance all the choreos like a real kpop group),

Gorou (shy #2, needs encouragement),

Kazuha (tbh I think he’d have fun and be weirdly good at it, fem or masc dances),

Ayaka (shy #3, needs encouragement and would rather die than dance in front of ppl other than you),

KLEE CUTIE #3, NAHIDA CUTIE #4,

Qiqi (but u gotta teach her slow bc she needs to memorize it, and also it takes her a bit to write down the dance steps in her journal so she doesn’t forget as much),

Razor (another person i think would just have fun with it! also he’d do it but it would be very, aggressive? like making finger hearts but violently shoving his arm out at ur face lmao),

HEIZOU (shutup he’d actually be good at it and brag- and flirt at you-),

Aether (shy #4), VENTI, xingqiu, xinyan, KAVEH

BARBARA (she literally stalks u around Mondstadt all like “oh hello your highness! just happened to walk by you and was wondering if you heard any new of those “kpop” dances, you know I’d LOVE to show it off at my next show-!” like she hasnt been a block behind you the entire day 💀)

♡

WHO YOU MANAGED TO CONVINCE TO DANCE LMAO-

babygirl Wanderer (he literally surveyed the area before he finally let u teach him any moves, and refused to any sort of dramatic moves, like fem or masc),

Alhaitham (but only like a small part of a guy group choreo like a bit from God’s Menu or smth, he was too lazy to do anymore even for u lol),

Cyno (dammit some of these bitches look way too good doing even girl group dances-),

Diluc (u got him to do like, a pose. LMAO and he saw Kaeya in the distance and quit immediately LMFAO),

Kaeya (but it didnt take much convincing, if anything it just took forever to teach him, he’s talented in footwork for swordfighting but apparantly not dancing, at least not modern dances he tripped so much ur convinced he did it on purpose at one point so he’d fall into your arms again lol),

Ganyu (super shy, wont do it around anyone but you, and maybe Shenhe),

speaking of Shenhe (she just took awhile to teach bc she wanted to stay upright a lot, kinda stiff),

Keqing (once again, another who’d only dance when it’s just u two lol),

Yae Miko (she just wanted to learn the whole choreo that’s what took so long… and now she’s making comments like “My goodness, my god wants me to dance for them? They’ll even show me how? Oh, now I must do it perfectly so I can satisfy you, my Kami.” STOP TAKING THINGS OUT OF CONTEXT UR TEACHING EVERYONE-),

Ayato (he’s acts so theater gay he refuses to do anything but the girl group dances/fem dances lol),

SARA (easy, give her ur strongest, saddest pout and she cracked like glass, u got her to do a whole dance with u/she actually got into it too, its her secret guilty pleasure now lol),

Kuki (did one sort of move then got BARRELED OVER by Itto’s crazied boy group acrobatics he likes so much, u know the backflips over each other type of ones? yeah. ),

Ei (the god herself/not the puppet, catch her never doing that lol, she tried but didnt, get it? she’s also pretty stiff, but she looks like she’s having fun so u just keep teaching her moves, and she likes that its you teaching her something new),

Thoma (shy #5 ? idek what number we’re on anymore lol),

TIGHNARI (u nag that bitch so hard he nearly throws a drink at you to get u to stop bothering him- NO he does NOT think those dances would suit his ears- dammit he wont do that dance, no matter how much he likes you- DAMMIT MY LORD-),

Xiao (if u thought nagging Tighnari was hard, this is like nightmare mode, not only does he not wanna do the dances, but he also wants to understand WHY u want him to dance each and every move- !! bc he would “look cute or cool”?!?!!?!!! …yeah he’s gone, he went so red u cant even get him back with tofu),

Zhongli (would like, be so confused on how to make his body do that, that he ended up just sort of posing, at least he looks cool)

♡

(anyone not on these 2, u did, in fact, not manage to convince, yes, even if their god asked them to, nor are they doing it of their own volition lol)

WHAT THE HELLLLLLL-

THIS IS SO LONGGG IM SO SORRRYYYYY

ANYWAY HOPE SOMEBODY LIKED THIS, DW ILL STOP THE WEIRD SCENARIOS AFTER THIS ASK I JUST GOT IN A PHASE I DONT KNOW WHY

also, im like, three weeks away form graduating uni? NICE, soon i will be free to assault u all with responses mwhahahaha (rubs my little gremlin hands together)

Safe travels,

💀 ♒

♡the beloveds♡

@karmawonders / @0rah-s / @randomnatics / @glxssynarvi / @nexylaza / @genshin-impacts-me / @wholesomey-artist / @thedevioussmirk

[violent-grove]

Returning Home (Kaeya x Reader)

As Kaeya walked away from Dainsleif and the Traveler, his smile slowly fell. That was it; the beginning of the end for your relationship. Soon you would know of his connection with Khaenri'ah and his relation to the man who started it all. He began his way to the spice merchant he was to meet.

The discussion of the spices went by in a blur, and before Kaeya knew it, he was on a boat back to Liyue. The trip gave him time to plan. He considered himself a selfless being, but just for one more night, he wished to bask in your presence. The plan was simple, spend one more night sleeping next to you, holding you, and then vanish before the fireworks could begin. Kaeya didn't believe he could handle another Diluc-like incident.

The gates to Mondstadt looked the same, but they didn't feel the same. Kaeya supposed this was just his mind getting ready for the inevitable change that was soon to befall him. Looking up at your shared home, he softly sighed and tried to put on the best mask he could muster.

Kaeya sauntered into your shared home as quietly as possible. He arrived home late after his trip to Sumeru and didn't want to wake you. It also didn't help that he had a lot to think about. Knowing you and the Traveler, you would be in the know shortly.

Getting out of his head, Kaeya slipped off his boots and padded to your shared bed. At least he would have this glorious night. A night where you were ignorant of his truth, and the look of disgust was still absent from your face. The same scornful look Diluc wore when the truth was revealed to him.

Climbing in and pulling up your shared covers, he paused when he heard a groan from you. His eye met yours, and a soft smile bloomed across your face. "You're finally back," you sleepily said as your arms opened wide. "Come here, big guy." Normally, Kaeya would tiredly collapse into your embrace, but something made him hesitate. Even while donning his best everything-is-ok act, he was still vulnerable to your calming presence. Sensing his hesitation, you blinked to wake yourself up a tad more and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kaeya kept a straight face, as he always tried to do around you, but you knew. His face may have been the picture of indifference, but his twitchy hands gave him away. As soon as your pointed gaze fell on them, he hid his hands behind his back. "Nothing is wrong, sweetling," Kaeya brushed off your concern with a laugh. He was about to start forming his well-crafted lie when he saw the hurt look on your face.

You shook your head to get rid of the grogginess and show your disapproval of his behavior. Sitting on the edge of your shared bed, you coax Kaeya to sit next to you, "Please, Kaeya, I thought we were past this." Grabbing his hand tenderly, you start to remove his glove and stroke his naked hand with care. Thinking back to all of the hurt caused by his brother, you hold his hand a little tighter.

What was wrong with Diluc for abandoning his own family like that? You never found out what happened during their argument, but you couldn't think of a single justifiable reason for Diluc to do such a thing. Noticing the tension in Kaeya's shoulders starting to evaporate, you slowly ask, "Does this have something to do with Diluc?" Kaeya's eyes flitted away from you, in turn grabbing your ire for his brother, "It's got to be him. Did he say something about it again? Just because you had one argument doesn't give him the right to speak so poorly of you or mistreat you-" Ordinarily, you would have continued rambling, but the shine of Kaeya's tear streaks stopped you right in your tracks.

Kaeya clenched the hand you weren't holding. Why did you have to make losing you so hard? He should have tried harder to keep his cool; he's an expert at that when you aren't around. You always make everything feel too much. The hand holding, the care you give so freely to a sinner like him. He wanted one more night, but now that he's allowed the floodgates to open, he knows that is out of the picture.

You move to try and hug him close to your chest, but for the first time, he resists. Kaeya decided he had to go out on his own terms; he couldn't just leave you in the dark and leave in the morning. Taking a deep breath, Kaeya shakily whispers, "I have to tell you about what happened with Diluc."

-------------------------

The rain was falling over Mondstadt in sheets, and the world was overcome in curtains of water. Crepus' death should have been a hard hit for both of them, but the grief Kaeya should have been feeling was overshadowed by the immense relief he felt. Finally, he could be free from this internal anguish.

As he gazed upon his mourning brother and his father's dead body, a smirk was present on his face, "The world is truly... fascinating." When the other knights came and whisked Crepus' body away for safekeeping, Kaeya swiftly slinked away as well. Putting his hands behind his head, Kaeya whistled a happy tune. Finally, all his worries were deceased. There was no longer a fine balance he had to maintain between his homeland and Mondstadt. He would know what side to pick... Or would he?

It's not as though Crepus was his only tie to this place; he loved Diluc as well. And where was Diluc now? At home, alone, and grieving. What kind of brother was he? Here Kaeya was, reveling in the death of their father while his brother was beside himself. What had Khaenri'ah turned him into?

There was no denying it now. Before, when Kaeya was doing his knightly training and helping the people of Mondstadt, he could put the thought in the back of his mind, but in the wake of this tragedy, the idea blared impossibly loud in his brain. He is the villain. He is a spy sent from an opposing nation, acting as its people's friend when he will always be the outsider. Even his looks were different from the rest; there's only one blue-haired tan person in Mondstadt, and that's him.

Kaeya's thoughts kept spiraling, but some small piece of him still had hope. The small piece that Mondstadt had instilled in him as he was growing up. As a small child, his birth father told him of the fruitlessness of the Khaenrian struggle, but growing up with Crepus and Diluc showed him that ambition and optimism were not exclusive to those who hailed from one of the seven nations. Kaeya felt that love and joy when he was with the two of them, his family.

This hope is what led him to the Dawn Winery's front door. He noticed none of the staff was there and became thankful. What he was about to say was best kept between the family. Kaeya stood at the door for longer than necessary, working up the courage to knock. Taking a deep breath, he knocked, and he hoped.

Diluc saw the drenched and sad state of his brother before yanking open the door, "Kaeya! Thank Barbatos, you're alright." Diluc attempted to pull Kaeya inside, but he resisted, "Come on, brother. You're going to catch your death in-"

Before Diluc could continue his worrying, Kaeya took a step back and gravely said, "Diluc, I have to tell you something."

Hesitantly, Diluc quietly asked, "What is it?" You could scarcely hear his voice over the raindrops.

Kaeya looked Diluc in the eye but soon lost his resolve and looked away. Gulping on nothing, he told the truth, "I'm from Khaenri'ah, and I was sent here to serve Khaenrian interests." A long silence befell the two of them.

Eventually, Diluc was the one to break it, "Come now, brother, this is no time for jokes." He took a step forward so the rain was soaking his clothes just as it was soaking Kaeya's, "Let's stop this jest, go inside, get warmed up, and maybe- perhaps-" A choked sob cut Diluc off.

Kaeya hadn't even noticed Diluc had started to cry; the rain kept their faces drenched in water. But Diluc wasn't the only one crying; Kaeya was as well. Diluc questioned, "Are you absolutely sure? What if there was a mistake? What if-" It had only taken Diluc a mere five seconds to discern that Kaeya was telling the truth, and as soon as that realization dawned upon him, his sadness turned into anger. Kaeya's star-like pupils had given his heritage away.

Diluc's greatsword materialized, and his hand clenched around it with such force that his gloves were straining against the force of his action. Taking a hot angry intake of air, Diluc clearly stated, "Then you are a threat to Mondstadt, and you must be taken care of." With a stance that oozed confidence, Diluc raised his sword and almost struck Kaeya. If not for Kaeya's impressive dodging skills, he would have been cut clean in two.

Eyes and mouth wide open, Kaeya turned to Diluc, "Can't we discuss this? What about being brothers?" Again, Diluc had moved to attack Kaeya.

Slightly out of breath, Diluc declared, "You forfeited that right the moment you were born, Khaenrian." Those words cut Kaeya straight to the bone. He couldn't have been more wrong. How was he so foolish as to think there was any place in this world for a Khaenrian like him.

Soon after Kaeya came to his depressing conclusion, his sword materialized in his hands, and the brothers were knocking back blow after blow. Their Favonious training was promulgating off of them in waves. Kaeya was losing ground fast. The battle was unfair from the start; the only thing keeping Kaeya's clothes unburned was the never-ending rain.

As the fighting continued, Kaeya was gradually forced back off of the winery's courtyard and onto the muddy ground. Just as Diluc was readying his final blow, Kaeya felt a burst of elemental energy. He clung to this power with all of his might to save his life. Cryo met Pyro, and a swirling wind erupted between the two of them, blowing each back. Using this distraction, Kaeya slipped away, never to grace Dawn Winery as an inhabitant but only as an occasional visitor.

-----------------

By the end of Kaeya's story, you were in tears. The story was a lot to take in. Distancing yourself from Kaeya, you stare down at your hands in contemplation, "So, that's what happened..." Glancing at his eyepatch, you have one question in mind, "Are you- I mean- What I'm trying to say is-" Sighing, you work up the courage to get it out, "Are you like a Hilichurl?"

Kaeya snorted and shook his head, "No, I'm not like a hilichurl; I can assure you that I am entirely human." Sensing the lightening mood, you softly caress his right cheek.

Almost, but not quite, touching his eyepatch, you ask, "Then what's this for?" Kaeya's head jerked away at the question, and his smile fell. Your hand fell back down to your lap, and you looked away as well. That was definitely too far, "I'm sorry, Kaeya."

Your words made his heart clench. He just revealed that he's been lying to you since you met, and here you are apologizing. Why weren't you angry? Why were you fine with this? Why weren't you like Diluc? If you were like Diluc, he could deal with this. He could right off your love, but you weren't like Diluc, were you? But you should be.

"What is your problem? Why aren't you brandishing your weapons right now? Your love for me is clearly gone. Oho, wait, is this just an act?" Kaeya's voice quickly changed from angry to merry, but he wasn't done concocting his story, "Just a way to harm the sinner as much as possible. You really had me going there for a bit, believing you still loved me-" You had to cut him off; this couldn't continue, "But I still do love you!"  

Kaeya squinted at you, "I can easily see through lies, darling. Weren't you paying attention to my story? I'm the king of liars."

Inching closer to him, you urged, "But you don't have to be. You just told me the truth." Reiterating your point, you quietly say, "It doesn't have to be the way it was before."

As you scooted nearer to Kaeya, he stood from the bed and went to stand at the opposite end of your bedroom. Smirking, Kaeya continued on his tirade, "Oh yes, it does, because no one can ever love a Khaenrian, a sinner, a liar, an enemy of the state-"

He was about to continue listing all of the things he hated about himself, but you sprung from the bed to hug him with all of your might. Your words were muffled because your face was to his chest, "I don't care, Kaeya, I love you, and your words won't stop me." As soon as you had hugged him, Kaeya stiffened. All was silent for a while, but the silence was broken by Kaeya's sniffles.

Starting to rub his back soothingly, you say, "There there. It's ok. Let it all out," in repetition until he's able to calm down.

After a few minutes or so, Kaeya asks, "Are you sure; are you really sure?"

Still, within the hug, you nod against him, "I wish you had told me sooner, but the truth will never stop me from loving you." You pulled back from the hug a tad bit to look him in the eye, "I think I'm going to need some time to trust you again, but if you're willing to help me through that, I'm ready to help you. So, please don't believe you're unworthy of love just because of your heritage." At your words, Kaeya pulled you into the hug tighter. All was not well, but if you two worked on your relationship, it soon would be. A/N: I hope you enjoyed if you got to this part! 

[randomlyblues]

Yandere!Zane X Librarian!Reader

Part 1

CW:Mention of kidnapping not beta read 1.3k word count

You were on a cloud, melted into the soft fabrics, you didn't want to leave. After stirring a bit in your bed, the memories from the day before made you realize that you weren't home and this isn't your bed. The fabrics were made of the finest, it reeked of luxury. You quickly snapped up from the bed you were once relaxed in. "Good you're awake, you would have been useless to me dead," the mask man responsible for the position you are in at the moment spoke, calmly flipping a page from the book he purchased from you. The High Priest stayed by your side as you slept for the day, watching as you slept soundly while he wished the pillow you held was him. He made sure to put the guard that knocked you hard in the dungeon, he asked for them to knock you unconscious, not harm you.

 Zane didn't bother looking up at you as you slowly began to get off of the soft bed. “Hey, I’m sorry we must have gotten off on the wrong foot, I didn’t mean to offend you especially with that jok-” Zane raised his hand as a way to silence you. Your voice was laced with fear, a nice way to boost this powerful man’s already huge ego. “ Please, I am not easily wounded with jokes about myself, I am aware of the rumor said about me,” he spoke nonchalantly but also with power, still not looking up from his book. “Besides, my goal is to have you alive, you have knowledge.” 

“Believe me High Priest, I have nothing of use to you, I have never left Phoenix drop–”

“It's no use lying to me,” the masked man finally looked at you, his ice cold gaze can drive anyone to the deep end, “ You are originally from Pikoro village, traveled with your father who was a traveling merchant. Your mother dying from a mysterious illness leaving your father having to take care of you when you were the age of ten; soon he succumbed to the same illness as your mother. Later you found Phoenix Drop and have been there for about five years.”

After knocking you out, Zane took it upon himself to ask about you before his departure from the village. He was lucky that Phoenix Drop was pathetically trusting, and also lucky that farmer Brandon didn’t know how to shut up. If he wasn’t looking for information he would have had that man killed. Zane stood up from the comfort of the chair and towered over you, he stood as if he was proud about all the information he memorized about you. His eye looked back and forth to yours, trying to decipher your reaction. He was trying to see if you were proud of him, he was actually looking for your approval.

Your mouth hanged open in shock, soon your face distorted into disgust. “ Oh…wow… that’s actually very disturbing.”

Zane’s confidence was immediately crushed. Him? Disturbing? The guard must have hit you harder than he thought. He kept a mental note for that guard to get lashes as he is finished talking with you. “It’s called being informed,” the High Priest shut his book, causing you to jump at the sudden noise. “Now I will not tolerate any lying, I’ll let this one slide because you are slow as well as me having a certain…liking towards you.” He hesitated on the last of his words but non the less stayed standing and settled his book down on the desk next to the bed.  

Before you even got the chance to say anything about his confession Zane continued on, “That being said, don’t even think about using that knowledge against me, even if it would hurt me, I would have to punish you.” Zane held his hand out, causing you to walk back, your wide eyed expression caused him to stop. His hand turned into a fist and he walked out of the room with a slam of the door.

So many questions ran through your mind, especially the main one. Why me? You knew that Zane was serious about what he said, even if he does have some…romantic feelings towards you, you are not immune to his cruelty. “First, to find a way out, if it has been a day or a few that means we aren't far away. We can’t possibly be in O’khasis.”

Opening the door with a creak, the hallways were strangely empty with multiple doors. “An inn? “I’ve never been in an inn with fancy bedding,” continuing down the hall you notice fancy works of art on the walls, most with Lady Irene. Going down the staircase, the front desk was vacant, if there wasn’t a fancy room, you would have thought that this was abandoned. 

This was too easy. You looked through the curtained windows and saw O’khasis guards standing post in front of the building. Moving to the back, more guards. At every exit it seemed there were guards. “Great, this means I must take things into my own hands…Perfect just great,” you started patting yourself to see if they took your knife and they did even the one in your boot, “My Irene he thought of everything.” Sighing, you started to see if there was anything heavy you can at least knock them unconscious or start some ruckus. The nearest thing was a chair, it looked ancient, calling for you to take it out of its misery. “Worth a shot, as long as I can get as far as I can to know where I’m at.” 

With the backdoor being locked, you broke it off and pushed your way out and didn’t think twice and swang without looking. The guard fell to the ground with a thud.

 “Wow.. That easy? I feel insulted,” making sure the guard was unconscious, you started to loot him to see if he would have at least any money on him. “Score! This would last me for a damn good while!”

“IT CAME FROM OVER HERE!”

Crap. Running as fast as you could, you took notice of the village and realized that this was Meteli. Thank Irene I’m not that far from Phoenix Dop! 

Hearing the guards gaining speed, you decided to hide in the woods and waited for them to pass you. After a while, you continued to run towards the docks, hoping you remembered the way. Thanking yourself for staying in Meteli for a year or else you would’ve gotten lost. It was a nice town, besides the crazy chicken Shaman that was near. The trees guided the path as if nature was cheering you on. Seeing the glistening water, you laughed. Your breath was already getting ragged, legs yelling at you to stop, the side of your ribs felt like knives were poking at you. That couldn’t  stop you, it was there right there.

A boat was already there, wasn’t this such a lucky day. The grin that had just started to take place soon faded as you made eye contact with a certain piercing blue eye. Stopping where you were, you took deep breaths and glared at him. 

Zane knew blood was on his hands that he'd never be able to wash off. He glared at his darling, if you wanted to play cat and mouse. He would. There was nowhere for you to run and you knew that. He looked as you started to get surrounded. Zane nodded at his guards to obtain you. He ignored your cries and how you started thrashing at his guards as he got closer to you, face to face. 

“ I warned you–” Silence. Wet saliva slid down his face. He couldn’t believe it, you actually spat on his face. He started laughing while wiping away the spit. Your eyes were filled with fiery, face with a sly smirk. Zane couldn’t help but love that expression, that is for him, only for him. The hatred you have for him, the passion. 

“Guards, throw her into the dungeon on the ship, I think my pet got too comfortable.”

[butterfly-writer]

Hello! Can you do a part two to the Aizawa fic where the merchant reader accepts and moves on, and then a few years later he barely recognizes aizawa when they see each other again? Thank you!

Troubles Coming Back

Street!Rat!Aizawa x Merchant!Male!reader [Aladdin AU] Summary: Years went by without a hitch. Y/N had gone his separate way, forgetting Aizawa and getting caught up in all his traveling and selling work. When he came back from a long trip after his quarrel with Shota Aizawa 5 years ago, he was unexpectedly robbed. Who’s the robber?

★☽A/N: Oooo! This will be interesting! I didn’t exactly plan to have this to have a part two so I will try my best!

Contents: SLIGHT ANGST - FLUFF

════❖════

“Y/N! It’s so great to see you!” A black-haired woman greeted the H/C-haired man with a smile and open arms. Y/N smiled gleefully and embraced Jasmine in a tight hug. “It’s been too long! You didn’t even write a letter!” Jasmine laughed.

Y/N also laughed in response. “I know, I know! I’m so sorry!” He apologized. The rest of the day was spent talking about their life while the other was gone.

The 36 year old man was shocked to hear that Jasmine had married Aladdin, a streetrat. But it made sense to him after she explained the whole story from her perspective and from Aladdin’s. He had to admit, the topic about Aladdin made him think about Aizawa…

He couldn’t believe it… He missed him?

The memories of how they ended things flooded his mind. He had shivers down his spine just thinking about it. He wished he hadn’t said all those things to Shota.

Though, it was too late to go back from what he said all those years ago.

════

He was taking a stroll in the marketplace. He wanted to buy some things that he needed for his next trip next year, like ink and paper. It was safer to prepare objects such as that since it might increase in worth when it is less in stock and more in demand.

Y/N had lovely talks to familiar faces who were glad to see him after all those years. He was quite shocked that they still remembered him. L/N had a bad reputation as a kid, always running around and giving people death glares.

The only people who actually liked him when he was still a child and teenager were the old librarian, the king, Jasmine, Aladdin, and…

Shota.

He stopped in his tracks.

He couldn’t believe he was thinking about Aizawa again. After all these years, he didn’t expect himself to think back to his quarrel with the black-haired man.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

The H/C-haired man did not want to think about the man anymore. All he wanted to do was to work on his work and not to work on his past broken relations. Everything that happened 5 years ago, should stay in the past, not in the future and bothering him with guilt.

“Y/N!” The man turned to find Aladdin, dressed in much more cleaner clothing than he last saw him in. He couldn’t help but snicker. “Can’t believe you’re wearing cleaner clothes! Hah!!” He laughed. Aladdin laughed along, patting his back like he used to do.

“Now, that’s just mean!” He laughed back.

The pair ended up talking about their lives when the other wasn’t present, just like Y/N did with Jasmine. Suppose the two of them were too loud, because some passersby looked at them with strange looks.

Later, Aladdin had to do something else so he said his goodbyes to Y/N and walked the separate way.

════

Finally, he ended up finishing up his shopping and got what he needed. It was all in his traveling bag.

He was walking past the alley, bright with street lights. Y/N definitely wasn;t expecting his bag to be taken away from his bag in one swift move by a passing person. But he was quick with his instincts and grabbed the bag before it was out of view.

His action caused the robber to stumble back and fall to the ground. Y/N wore his bag again and bent over the fallen robber. He wanted to memorize the face and dragged the robber to the police to report him for the thief.

He took a closer look at the face and entire look.

Long black messy hair, half of it was tied in a messy bun. Sharp cat eyes with dark circles under, black eyes staring right back at him. A dark scruffy goatee on his chin that seems to be maintained well. A single scar across his right cheek, underneath his eye.

“Shota..?” Eyes widened and mouth agape, he looked over with shock. The dark-haired man was also shocked to see a familiar face. “Y/N! I didn’t realize it was you–” Aizawa rushed to say his words, trying to pick himself up.

Y/N gave him a hand and pulled him right back up. “I nearly didn’t recognize you! Your hair gotten longer!” Y/N smiled. He didn’t even realize how much he missed his hoarse voice. He always found it annoying back then, but now… he had a whole different feeling about it.

Aizawa blushed at his comment. “Yeah… It’s a bother to cut it..” he answered, twirling a strand between his fingers. He couldn’t believe that he was seeing Y/N again! Last time he saw him, he looked messy. Now, Y/N looked much cleaner. He looked mature and wise.

The two of them just stood there in silence. In their heads, they had no idea how to talk to each other. Afterall, they end things in a heated arguement.

With a deep sigh, Shota turned to Y/N with a frown on his face. “Look,” He took a step forward. “I’m really sorry for how things ended. I know it’s too late to say this, but– I love you and I’m so sorry I said all those words to you. I never mean to say them, they just came flooding out-”

He was suddenly pulled into a deep and passionate kiss. His eyes wide and his back arched as he was pulled into a kiss by his past lover. His eyes closed and his hands rested on the side on his neck and on his hip.

The two of them pulled apart, a long string of saliva connecting the two of them, their faces flushed and colored a deep red. Shota didn’t realize Y/N was crying until a few drops of water feel to the ground. He looked up at Y/N’s pitiful face.

His eyes were staring at the ground, tears flooding his vision and falling to the ground like rain. His whole body was shaking and hiccups and sniffles could be heard from the older man. “Hey, hey–” Aizawa lifted his head with his hand, revealing his bloodshot eyes from how much he was crying.

“I’m so sorry we ended things like we did. I didn’t want to say all those things– I swear, I-I didn’t mean to!” Aizawa slowly shushes him with a soft smile. “You shouldn’t apologize. I know life must’ve been hard on you.” He pressed his forehead against L/N’s, trying to soothe him.

The two of them ended up staying in that position for a long period of time.

Both relieved the other still loved them just the way they are. Just like old times.

════❖════

★☽A/N: HAHA, I’m not so good at making endings!! Let’s just hope this one goes well!

[utilitycaster]

Stuck my I Voted sticker on my stress ball due to the joys of living in a swing state.

Valinari Ziegler (or Nari for short) was a character I played in an Exandria campaign that unfortunately died a few years ago due to scheduling issues. He was a half-elf Shadow Sorcerer who eventually multiclassed into Rogue (when the campaign died he was 6 Sorc/2 Rogue, I probably would have gone either Swashbuckler or Mastermind if I'd gotten to level him up).

When I created him, I had two thoughts in mind: I wanted to do something fun with the Shadow Sorcerer ability that allows them to possibly stabilize at 1 HP when they would otherwise drop to 0, and I wanted to create a character with a vested interest in being in an adventuring party (because I've noticed that a lot of the time people struggle to come up with a reason their characters all want to be in a group). I ended up landing on the idea that he was a former member of the Deastok Myriad who was betrayed and almost killed by another member on the orders of someone higher up (only surviving due to his sorcerous abilities kicking in), but he had no idea who or why. His goal, then, was to make powerful friends and come back to find out why he was killed and get revenge.

Once I started playing him, however, a few things I didn't anticipate happened. First, I made him in Heroforge and inadvertently made him look like the MCU version of Loki (I had already named him after the mythological Loki's children), which prompted a whole bunch of jokes from my group and ended up informing his character a good bit--I'd always planned him to be a smooth talker, but the Loki lean in characterization made me more inclined to embark on stupid plans that bit me in the ass as often as they worked out (this also meant I was the character that pushed the shiny red button more often than not, and it caused me to utter the line "Fuck it, I have poor impulse control and proficiency in CON saves", which is one of my favorite things I've ever said in D&D). Among other things, he managed to con a treasure map from a merchant by exchanging it for a piece of bent metal that he claimed to have come from the Whispered One's stronghold but actually was pilfered from a dead kobold, but he also almost got killed by a fiend that he had threatened thinking that she was imprisoned in a way that she couldn't harm him. The other thing that happened was the classic character development of him initially seeing the other party members as instruments of his revenge but coming to care about them (in particular our party's Druid was very nice to him and, in her player's words, immediately engaged Mom Friend mode upon hearing him refer to her, the person she'd traveled with for two weeks, as his oldest and dearest friend and our Monk was both interested in the way he operated and willing to call him out on his bullshit--they had a really fun dynamic).

Mechanically, Nari is one of the characters I've put the most thought into build-wise, and I had a lot of fun playing him in combat. His build was centered on the spell Shadow Blade combined with the Shadow Sorcerer ability to cast a version of the Darkness spell that only the caster can see through. Throw in sneak attack I was doing a lot of damage. The DM also gave me a magic item that allowed me to teleport in dim light and darkness 3 times a day--it was, however, identical in appearance to MCU Loki's stupid helmet.

Hey! I saw your other message, and no, i just got off Tumblr and went to bed last night for my own well-being before seeing this, no worries about word count.

I know it feels, well, kind of silly to finish up now, but I do want to thank you for voting. It's by no means the only tool we as people in the US have to express our opinion nor to enact change, but it's certainly one of the lowest effort for the highest impact and it has become bizarrely fraught on online spaces. And so silly ask memes are by far from the only thing I do around elections or in my advocacy; but they are one of them, and I hope to continue doing them for a long time.

Getting to the actual character, I think Nari sounds all around great. "Why is my character here" is perhaps the most important thing you can ask yourself in any story, whether it's D&D or original fiction, and a lot of people don't, so having a character with clear motivations available is not faint praise: it's a sign that you put care and thought in and I think the relationships your character was able to build with others in the party reflect that. I also think the Darkness + sneak attack combo is a really creative and fun multiclass - a lot of my frustration with rogues is that I love a cool assassin in fiction but D&D mechanics explicitly make being a rogue in that archetype almost impossible, and I think you reclaimed that. And I love a big red button pusher. There's hooks! Find them!

Anyway this game and Nari sounds great, and man, I kind of hope for your sake there's a way to revive it.

[peakyswritings]

Nina’s journey

GOT AU

A/N: finally got around Nina’s journey! It’s a bit different from the one I drafted yesterday, but it makes more sense like this. Also this is really messy, and I tried to keep it as short as possible. I really hope it makes sense🫠. So here’s Nina’s six-years journey.

When she turns sixteen, her father’s intention is to marry her off to Stephan Bolton to cement the Waters’ influence in the North. The Waters family has risen, Vincenzo managed to become the Master of Coin of the Small Council, and their closeness to the Crown is appealing to the Bolton family.

But marrying the cruel Lord is not an option for Nina. One night, she steals her brother’s sword and flees from King’s Landing, leaving no trace behind, with the intention of going to the Free Cities.

1. Stormlands. The first place she reaches are the Stormlands. She mainly moves through forests, trying to keep a low profile. Whilst traversing the Kingswood, she crosses trails with Luca, a Tyroshi sellsword who got himself into trouble with the wrong people. She saves his life by helping him hide. Needless to say, it’s not simply out of kindness: the prospect of running into a group of angry men is not that appealing, and she’d rather have someone who can actually fight by her side. And now Luca’s in debt with her. And she gets an idea as soon as she learns he’s heading back to Tyrosh. She tells him about her origins (but not her identity), revealing him her mother was Lyseni and her father Braavosi (speaking in past tense on purpose), and asks him to take her to Essos with him. As you can imagine, his first response would be a big no. I imagine their conversation being a bit like this:

“You’re a sellsword”

“Exactly. Sell-sword. For a price.”

“I just saved your life. Is there anything more valuable than life? It’s a fair price. I saved your life, you’ll protect mine.”

And so she manages to convince him. They travel through the Stormlands, cross the Rainwood, and eventually reach the Weeping Town. Of course, Nina doesn’t fully trust him, she knows it’s not safe to be a nuisance to him, so she makes sure to make herself useful. She hunts, helps him with stuff, and they reach a balance. You do something for me, I do something for you. Luca even teaches her how to fight.

(Little A/N: @evita-shelby I took inspiration from your post about the Peakys in the GoT universe for Luca being a Tyroshi cause I trust your knowledge😂 but fun fact I didn’t remember you had made him a sellsword, so when I went to check again I was like what. I guess this profession makes really sense for him. In this one he doesn’t become a knight though)

2. Tyrosh. They reach Tyrosh, and this is where their ways part. It’s not safe for her to stay, since Tyroshi are known for their aggressive search for slaves, and LucaMs no longer in her debt. However, in one last gesture of recognition for the help she gave him, he finds an occupation in Pentos for her, where she works in the trade market in exchange for food and lodgings. He discourages her from going to Lys, stating that a girl like her wouldn’t last a day there - unless she want to end up in a brothel, that is.

3. Pentos. During her stay in Pentos, Nina learns how to trade, how to communicate with people, and find allies. And here she makes a friend, Oliver (remember Oliver from THG Au? It’s him). He lives with his family of merchants in Pentos. It’s through their family she meets a former First Sword of Braavos, Noho, who will return to his birthplace soon. I imagine them being somehow related, but neither of them knows. During her journey Nina has become quite bold, she isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants - the worst people can say is no, right? - so she explicitly asks him to teach her the water dance. Her proposal is similar to the ones she has made before: you do something for me, I do something for you. So she offers to work for him if he brings her with him to Braavos.

4. Braavos. Nina starts her training as water dancer, and soon becomes one. This is her life for a while. Until one day she runs into a Moonsinger, who tells her to “go where the Doom still rules”. Nina knows it’s dangerous, she has heard the stories surrounding the ruins of Valyria, and she knows the Stonemen live there. However, she eventually decides to go. She starts her long journey to Volantis. After all her travels, now she knows how to move. She can fight and protect herself, she can hunt, and she has learned how to make allies, how to trade work for lodgings and food when she needs it. Once passed Volantis, she dares to cross the Smoking Sea.

5. Ruins of Valyria. So she reaches Old Valyria. She thought it was the diseases and the Stonemen she had to worry about. Until she crosses paths with a wild dragon, whose existence was unknown due to people avoiding the Valyrian peninsula. It’s safe to say that it’s the dragon that claims Nina. Anyway, that’s what allows her to survive in the really short time she spends in Old Valyria (it’s not more than a day).

6. After that, she stays somewhere hidden for a while to train her dragon, and once she’s ready, she goes back to King’s Landing.

Her story with Tommy will start after this.

Tagging the AU team: @justrainandcoffee @call-sign-shark @evita-shelby @mischievouslittlecreature @shelbydelrey @cillmequick

[moonbiscuitsims]

More Stardew NPC sims: (mouse hat vendor, travelling merchant, the witch, bookseller)

The witch:

The travelling merchant:

The mouse hat vendor:

The bookseller (new patch):

Here are the in-game references:

I gave some of them names, the witch is called Dominique, Travelling merchant is called Charlotte , Mouse vendor is still just "mouse hat vendor" haven't decided yet, Bookseller is Jude. So my witch sim is gonna be mischievous and evil (though nothing too bad), mainly cause that's how I perceive her but also cause I wanted the save to have someone I could be "bad" with. I might make the henchman later but not really sure if I want to rn. The bookseller is actually one of my favourites he's this weird kooky hippie old man with a kind of playful spirit who sells books and has a hot air balloon I mean how could I not make him? He gives me Doc Emmet Brown vibes but maybe less crazy. Though he is the type that eats raw garlic and does yoga in the rain so maybe he is also a little eccentric. The mouse is so cute I love how they turned out, and I'm happy with the travelling merchant too. Honestly I thought I'd enjoy making these kinds of characters less, and I left them till last, as they're barely even interactable/in-depth and don't have portraits but it was actually way more freeing to make them in fact, I wanted and do my take on them and I'm really looking forward to building their lots too. About the cc: I don't know if I'll do any lookbook/cc lists for my stardew characters for this save, it's mostly just a personal project for now but I'll consider it if anyone really wants. Also WCIF friendly 100%, let me know if there's a cc thing you would like for your game. Some of the content is just from sims packs. I swear to Yoba I'll try to upload some of the main characters/bachelors/bachelorettes too💜it's just that I took a lot of those off the gallery and have seen so many people do them and mine aren't that much better lol and also didn't really remember how much I've changed them.

🍄You can see all my other Stardew stuff (sims and builds) here🍄

🍄Simdew valley pixel art CC set 🍄

[trappedinafantasy37]

As many of you know, I am currently working through a Shadowheart origin run with Minthara as my only companion. I recently just wrapped up Act I and I just kinda wanted to write about the story so far, cause ya'll know I like telling stories.

WARNING: this gets pretty long. Again, it's a story. But I did include some pictures! Also, some things are gonna be a little outta character and involve my own head canons as I try to fill in the gaps of what isn't directly said in the game.

PRETEXT

Since I had done the Shadowheart origin twice before, I wasn't so strict with certain RP aspects. So, I reclassed her from the beginning to be a Gloomstalker / War Cleric as at the beginning of the game, spell slots were just a little too expensive for her to be a full cleric and she's not really good in melee once those slots run out. But, the build was still semi lore accurate. I also used 1 hireling through the duration of Act I and was playing on Explorer, more so for gameplay reasons though. Narratively, it was just Shadow by herself and things were kinda tough.

THE BEGINNING

After the Nautiloid had crashed and Shadow woke up on the beach, she remembered the mission that she had been given to her by her Mother Superior. She double checks her pack to be sure that the Prism is still secure, which it is, thankfully. But, she has to get movin and groovin. Her mission was a success! But she lost all her comrades. Right now, she is in a strange land who may not be so friendly to Sharrans. So, the first thing she decides is to keep an eye out for a change of clothes to quickly get rid of her Sharran armor and to find a healer for the worm in her skull.

She stumbles into an ancient crypt where there are a few bandits and robbers. She was able to persuade the ones outside the crypt to leave, but the ones inside the crypt weren't so much in a talkative mood. It was a tough fight for her by herself, but she managed to survive. She continues deeper into the crypt to find an old statue to Jergel. What an interesting place for the memory of this god to be!

She walks into a closed off room where she accidentally awakens the dead. Again, another tough fight, but much easier than fighting the robbers and bandits. At least the dead are allergic to holy magic! Once they are killed off, she enters further and meets an interesting skeleton, Withers! After joining the camp, Shadow immediately talks to him for a respec into a Gloomstalker War Cleric of Shar.

She continues on her journey and comes across a pair of tieflings who have a gith trapped in a cage. She knows this gith. It was the one who helped her on the Nautiloid. She knows the gith would surely be angry for her stealing the Prism from her kin and Shadow cannot risk losing it. She convinces the tieflings that this gith is dangerous and she joins them in killing it. Good riddance!

THE GROVE

She continues forward and comes across another challenging situation. A grove is being attacked by a pack of goblins. She has no idea why this fight is going on, but goblins are goblins. She knows they are a threat. She really wants nothing to do with this situation as it isn't her problem. But, there is no other way forward except to fight, so fight she does.

After killing the goblins, she is promptly invited into the grove in which they direct her to Nettie, a healer. She talks to some of the merchants there and purchases new gear so she can finally be rid of her Sharran armor and hide her identity. Thankfully, no one in this grove recognizes the symbols.

Unfortunately, Nettie was of no help to her and directed her to some goblin camp to find the Archdruid Halsin. Shadow groans on the inside, but she needs a healer. As much as she sympathizes with the plight of the tieflings, she has greater priorities right now and this conflict with the goblins and druids just isn't her concern.

But, Shadow is a bit of a meta gamer and decides that the goblin camp will be the last place she travels to. Instead, she goes everywhere else. While ignoring the goblin camp and the situation in the grove, she has gone on many misadventures where she:

Fought on owlbear

Cleared out the Blighted Village of its goblin infestation

Traveled to the Risen Road

Helped some Zhent traders in a Gnoll attack

Rescued Councellor Florrick and learned of the fate of Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard

Discovered a hidden Zhent basement

Traveled to the Underdark

Helped a colony of sentient mushrooms with a duegar infestation

Killed a bulette

Met the great god BOOOAL

Killed a Spectator

Traveled to Grymforge

Freed Nere and took his head

Killed some duegar slavers and freed some gnome slaves

Fought Grym

Killed a Phase Spider Queen

Defeated Ethel

Killed Wood Woad and learned of the Shadow Druids

Confronted Kagha, but she would not back down so Shadow had to kill her and the hostile druids.

Girl has managed to do quite a bit by herself. By now, she is confident that no one around recognizes the symbols of Shar, despite those symbols being literally everywhere in the region for some unknown reason. So, she decides to wear an upgraded version of her armor that she found in Grymforge as it provides better protection for her.

With nothing left to do, it is now time to enter into the goblin camp.

THE GROVE RAID

At some point, she returns back to free Sazza cause she's just tired of fighting and wants an easy way into the camp. She sneaks the goblin out of the grove in which she is safely escorted into the goblin camp. She walks in saying to herself that she is only interested in a healer and Halsin is her priority. As much as she would want to help the tieflings, she is not getting involved in this conflict! That is, until she met Nightwarden Minthara.

Unfortunately, Sazza spilled the beans and told Minthara where the grove was and now the drow wants to recruit Shadow into joining. Of course Shadow has her reservations. They were innocent tieflings and Minthara means to kill them all. But, from Shadow's standpoint, everything was stacked against her. She did not want to play any part in killing the tieflings and was tempted to warn them that Minthara was coming. But Minthara had an army, was backed by a very powerful god who seems to have the ability of mind control, may potentially provide some insight into the worm situation, and well, the dream guardian told Shadow to infiltrate the cult. She also grew increasingly anxious over Minthara's intense desire to retrieve the Prism, the very thing keeping Shadow safe from the Absolute, turning into a mind flayer, and is the one thing she was tasked with returning to Baldur's Gate. She could not risk Minthara taking the Prism from her.

Being trained in the art of espionage, Shadow teams up with Minthara to get a ticket into the cult, especially since Shadow alone couldn't possibly fight against Minthara's goblin warband and she did not have the confidence that the tieflings could either. Not to mention, Shadow can easily evade Minthara's inquisition about the Prism if Shadow presented herself as an ally. At this point, she has abandoned her search into Halsin as it is clear he is Minthara's enemy due to him being Archdruid of the grove and Shadow needs Minthara to think they are on the same side.

Rolling open the gates at the grove made Shadow feel ill to her stomach. But, she knows that this is something her Dark Lady would have wanted. Either way, the tieflings were going to die by Minthara's hand, that was a guarantee. Better to help Minthara and guide the tieflings into embracing their inevitable deaths than to be amongst one of Minthara's casualties where no one would remember her.

After the raid, Shadow just felt horrible and awful. For a brief moment, her indoctrination breaks and the real her slips out. The tieflings were innocent and didn't deserve this. She could have helped, she should have helped. But Minthara reassures her that she is on the right path and she is loved by god Herself. Minthara may have been talking about the Absolute, but Shadow knows Shar approves of her actions today. But the guilt just wouldn't leave and continues to gnaw at her conscious.

Feeling pretty damn horny excited after the raid and the glory to come, Minthara pulls Shadow into the the chapel to celebrate the festivities together. Shadow is more than willing as she'd rather fuck the feelings away or she'd otherwise drink them away. And Minthara certainly helps Shadow by having her feel a wide array of things that aren't guilt. Such as [REDACTED] where Minthara [REDACTED] and then she did this thing with her tongue and [REDACTED]. At some point during the activities, Minthara realizes Shadow's face is very soft and would make an excellent chair, and so she [REDACTED].

Afterwards, the two have a little heart to heart and Shadow sees a side to Minthara that she didn't expect to see. Up until now, she saw Minthara as a monster, some "genocidal lunatic" who probably should have been knocked out in the goblin camp. But, right now, she sees someone who seems genuinely pensive, doubtful, and very much unsure of herself. And, well, who was Shadow to judge. She stood right next to Minthara, participating in the death of the tieflings. If Minthara was a monster, then so was she.

In the middle of the night, Shadow is awakened in her sleep by an overwhelming sensation of an impending murder! She looks up to see Minthara standing above her, ready to kill her. But Minthara gets a little shy and backs away. She explains her doubts and her fears to Shadow and why she perceives her to be a threat to the Absolute. Right now, Minthara is desperate to believe that her perception of Shadow is false. It really does not take too much for Shadow to clear her of any doubts.

Feeling that she is worthy of the Absolute's embrace, Minthara gives Shadow her lyre and a path to Moonrise and the two split up to meet again later. And Minthara sure does hope that she sees Shadow again. After everything that the two just did together in that chapel? Yeah, the half-elf better fucking come back to her. Minthara has plans!

Thanks for reading my story! Currently working through Act 2 right now. Will update the story once I completely finish with the act, but I will post my little mini updates from time to time.

| Act 2>

[lunarluna0]

Octopath Traveler: Another

Hello hello Octopath Traveler community! I am here with a prospective AU of the first game!

Basically, everything’s the same, except the travelers are switched with side characters.

So instead of Ophilia, it’s Lianna. Instead of Cyrus, it’s Therese. Instead of Alfyn, it’s Zeph. So on and so forth. I’ve already got all the ones planned out, and basically I’ve just limited it to characters that show up in the travelers’ first chapters. Here’s the actual list, plus my (honestly kinda lackluster) reasonings for the choices!

Ophilia is switched with Lianna

I feel like this is the most obvious of the bunch? I chose this one mainly because Lianna was originally supposed to be the Flamebearer and go through the Kindling.

In this AU, basically she goes to the cave, passes the trial and gets the flame + the lanthorn, and sets out on the Kindling despite how worried she is for Joseph (while Ophilia stays behind). Pretty simple, not a lot of big changes like with some of the others.

I imagine that during her journey she regains much of her former personality (as it’s stated by Joseph that she put aside a lot of her true self to serve the church), and learns how to properly balance that VS what the church needs of her.

Cyrus is switched with Therese

This one is more of just me wanting to give Therese more of a personality and role than just “Cyrus’ student/admirer”.

Basically she overhears Cyrus talking about one of the books being stolen from the archives and, while he’s off having his talk with Yvon, she decides that she’ll try to find it for him in order to impress him! She does so, finds Russel and beats him up, but when she goes to return the book to the archives she’s told by Yvon that she’s being suspended from the academy for “breaking rules, reckless endangerment, and violence against others” (she was originally going to be expelled, but Lucia and Cyrus talk Yvon down so that it’s just a suspension). While she’s leaving the Academy, and dreading having to go home and explain to her parents about her suspension, she gets to chat with Cyrus and he offhandedly mentions that one of the books Russel stole- From the Far Reaches of Hell- had yet to be recovered. Therese, because it’s Therese, says that she’ll go and find it for him. She’s already on suspension, why not do something productive with it? Cyrus tries to dissuade her before relenting and telling her to go see his friend in Quarrycrest.

Basically during her journey, Therese both grows a proper spine, and also grows out of her schoolgirl crush on Cyrus.

Tressa is switched with Leon

Now, I know what you’re thinking; why not Ali? The answer is simply because I like Leon more. Also his lends the story more ✨pizzazz✨

So basically he sets anchor in Rippletide, and he overhears that the towns been having pirate troubles from Tressa. After seeing the pirates causing the townsfolk grief, he decides to help them out. Tressa helps with the plan of getting all the pirates to sleep, and he goes in to clean up the mess. While going through the treasure horde to help make sure they go back to the right people, he stumbles across a worn, old journal. He picks it up and reads through it, very surprised to see that it’s the personal journal of his dead friend Baltazar (how it got there, he doesn’t know for certain, but he supposed that with the pirates randomly found it, or stole it from a townsfolk for randomly found it). He decides to retrace the journal’s steps in a vain, last ditch effort to find the “greatest treasure” of his late friend.

I’d imagine that he’d start out at a higher level compared to some of the others, especially since he was an established pirate before becoming a merchant.

Olberic is switched with Philip

Warning: I only chose this option because I thought it was funny. This poor nine year old is about to become Orsterra’s #1 most traumatized child.

Basically he didn’t get kidnapped by the brigands, but chased after them instead because Olberic did and he wanted to help his mentor. Once he gets there he sees Olberic fighting off the brigands and demanding answers from Gaston about Erhardt- but Olberic is also wounded because it’s been a long time since he fought so many people all at once. Philip decides to play hero and help, picking up one of the swords on the ground (which is almost like the same size as him) and rushing in to provide support. Somehow he wins, because he now has plot armor, but still wants to help after seeing how torn up Olberic is about what Gaston has told him. He had overheard quite a bit of the conversation himself, and decides that he’ll help Olberic find Gustav and Erhardt. Both Olberic and Philip’s mother go “absolutely not”, Philip goes “well tough luck I’m a Big Boy™️ and I’m going anyway”, and runs away to go to Victor’s Hollow.

I find the mental image of Philip being an absolute prodigy/beast with a sword almost as big as he is to be incredibly funny. Just the team goes up against a dude and they say “time to get our master sword fighter in here to help us” and it’s just some kid.

Primrose is switched with Yusufa

I want justice for my girl, and I will give her the spotlight she deserves if it’s the last thing I do. Also fuck Helgenish, all my homies hate Helgenish.

In this AU, Primrose had told Yusufa her backstory because they’re each other’s only friends, and Yusufa swears to help Primrose find and get revenge on the guys that killed her father. Flash forward to the first chapter of the game, Primrose sees the guy with the crow mark and starts chasing after him, but is stopped by Yusufa asking where she’s going because she’s supposed to perform on stage. Primrose tells Yusufa that she saw one of the men and Yusufa, remembering her promise but also not wanting Primrose to get in trouble, tells Primrose that she’ll chase after him as nobody will notice her absence and so that Primrose doesn’t get in trouble with Helgenish. Primrose is, understandably, hella reluctant but obliges after some convincing. Yusufa gets out of the tavern and starts chasing after the man. She gets pretty close to catching him before Helgenish shows his ugly face and reveals that he had taken Primrose hostage. He gives Primrose a very nasty wound (she doesn’t die) and Yusufa, in her anger at seeing her only friend get hurt, attacks Helgenish and kills him. Because of Primrose’s wound, she can’t chase after the perpetrators even though she wants to, and Yusufa swears that she’ll find them and kill them for her, just like she had promised to help her so long ago.

Is it obvious that Yusufa is one of my favorites? We love a girlboss. She also becomes besties with Lianna because I make the rules now.

Alfyn is replaced with Zeph

I feel like, like with Ophilia and Lianna, this is also one of the really obvious swaps.

Basically Nina still gets bit by the Blotted Viper, and because he’s her older brother he goes off to get the viper’s venom and leaves Alfyn in charge of Nina’s care. He does so, he gets back and makes the cure, bing bang boom everything’s peachy keen. Nina tells Zeph that, while she was sick, she had a dream (kind of in the same vein of the one Joseph had) about Zeph traveling around Orsterra and helping a lot of people, and how she thought it was so cool that her brother was a hero. Zeph, wanting to honor that dream and make Nina proud, decides to leave Clearbrook and travel Orsterra to heal people. He and Alfyn trade satchels, and off he goes!

We get development for Zeph’s relationship with Mercedes! Not a lot changing in the character development department, though he does go through sort of the same problem with Miguel that Alfyn went through.

Therion is switched with Cordelia

Sort of in the same vein as Olberic and Philip being swapped as I did this originally because I thought it’d be funny, and then I realized that it lended Cordelia a lot of character development and that’s always a plus.

So basically in this, Therion defeats Heathcote like planned but doesn’t fall for being hit with the Fool’s Bangle so he just takes the Sapphire Dragonstone and skeddales. Cordelia is hella pissed off and also distraught that the last of her family’s heirlooms had been stolen again, and promptly starts chasing Therion down. She confronts him, defeats him and gets the Dragonstone back. While the both of them are being patched up by Heathcote (Therion is only there because he has a begrudging respect for Cordelia and the fact she has a nasty right hook), Cordelia decides “fuck it I’m getting all the Dragonstones back myself”. Heathcote tries to dissuade her, Therion just goes “hell yeah stick it to the rich people” and teaches her the basics of thievery (she learns it terrifyingly quick), and off Cordelia goes.

I imagine that when Cordelia was little, and before her parents died/the Dragonstones were stolen, she was a very mischievous kid and always stole stuff from like the servants and whatnot. I also find it funny that you have this prim and proper rich girl, who will not hesitate to steal all of your money the second you look away from her (and sometimes when you’re looking straight at her).

Last but not least, we have H’aanit switched with Z’aanta

Our favorite old man with a gambling addiction, as well as his big cuddly direwolf buddy, fill out our last swap!

Honestly, this one is just pretty much the same as H’aanit’s. The only real change is that H’aanit was the one to go after the Redeye, because Z’aanta was too busy protecting S’warkii. He got really worried due to how long it was taking H’aanit to get back home and, when Linde shows up in S’warkii without H’aanit, he decides to set out and find her. His direwolf, Hägen, is just along for the ride.

Z’aanta does as Z’aanta does, and now the story is exactly the same except with more alcohol and more loosing all the leaves they have to a crippling gambling addiction.

Anyways, that’s the basics of it that I’ve got down so far! If anyone else has any ideas or suggestions or just wants to talk about the AU with me, feel free to do so! I don’t know if I’m going to write any sort of story or whatnot about it, but who knows what the future holds!

[somegirlontheinternet135]

☆Anything And Everything, All Of The Time☆

~Chapter 2.5~

~A Few Days Later. . .~

"'Local Merchant Believed to be Embezzling Crystals From Travelers!'"

"Oh! that does sound intriguing! But how about this. . ."

At a large table, two cookies, still clothed in their night fittings, almost atop each other as they flip through the morning newspaper. Across from them was a long haired, very tired and very cranky, cookie, also dressed in the night gown he slept in. Laying his hand on his chin, he barely tries to stay awake for long, quickly nodding off; till the door's entrance slowly creak open, waking him enough to lift his head, but it wasn't enough to disturb the other two, who had their noses deep within the paper. In came a cookie with loose white hair and deer-like features, including many markings. Despite also being in night clothes, in her hands was a tray, carrying five portable cups of coffee, she proceeds to walk to the table slowly, as to not spill the precious drinks inside. And, one by one, she places each coffee cup on the table beside the cookies, the other two being too invested in the paper to notice. The cookie across from them, however, did; rubbing his eye with one hand, he uses the other to wrap around his white-haired companion as she sat right beside him, placing his coffee down and leaving one in the tray. She, touched by his affection, responded by wrapping her much smaller hands around his arm, giving the cookie beside her a peck on the cheek as he smirked

" 'House Cranberry Refused to Speak After Accused of Sabotaging The Princess Contest!'" "My, my, spill the tea!" The two take the coffee cups beside them, clinking them together while laughing obnoxiously loud. In turn, their white-haired mate across from them rolled her eyes in annoyance, whilst the mate she was snuggled up against was too sleepy to care, why did they have to do this so early in the morning? "Golden Cheese Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie, how many times do I have to tell you two? it's coffee, not tea!" She scolded annoyed, the term flying way over her head, "and please, don't spill it!" The two merely laughed it off as one of the two, with a full face of makeup and bird wings, slumped back in her chair; safe to say, White Lily Cookie didn't understand these newer words. "Oh c'mon White Lily Cookie, it's an expression, they're not meant to be taken seriously, right Hollyberry Cookie?" Golden Cheese Cookie explained, nudging her mate's shoulder, Hollyberry wraps her arm around her playfully as a response. "Why of course! And besides," Hollyberry added, taking her knuckle and rubbing it against Golden Cheese's head, causing a few feathers to fall to the ground, "everyone is using words like that nowadays!" White Lily merely groans in annoyance, she hadn't been herself in the past few years, and now she has a lot of catching up to do. . .

Be warned, this isn't a polyamorous relationship going through its morning routine, these four have a very special history and purpose. They make up a group known as the "Ancient Heroes." In the eyes of many cookies, the five heroes: Hollyberry Cookie, Dark Cacao Cookie, Golden Cheese Cookie, White Lily Cookie, and Pure Vanilla Cookie, are seen as beacons of hope, wheeling not just powerful weapons and magic, but possessing magical gemstones, known as the "souljam." Which, according to records, were able to keep them alive for thousands of years; this was something the Dark Enchantress wanted, leading to the Dark Flour War and many other occasions where the souljam was fought over and nearly destroyed. Safe to say, they didn't want to take any more chances with distributing the souljam's power but changed their minds during the war. Legends of the five heroes are known all across Earthbread, but what shocked everyone was that the five were all in a polyamorous relationship, they weren't afraid of telling anyone, even marrying after the war finally ended. That takes us to this morning, where they all decided to stay at the Vanilla Palace for the week, despite them all having their kingdoms to resign to

Wait a minute. . .

Five heroes yet four are at the table. . . 

Where is the fifth one?

Pure Vanilla, their pacifist leader and husband, was sleeping in, he was quite the heavy sleeper. Nothing else had changed, Hollyberry and Golden Cheese still had their noses deep within the pages of the newspaper, as the other two across from them took sips of their coffee. It's only at the middle of the paper, the gossip section, was where things began to stir. "Oh! This one's from the Creme Republic!" Hollyberry Cookie boasted amused, pointing to the article on the page, "is it about that mysterious treasure?" Golden Cheese asked just as curious, both their ears twitched as they put their cups down. "A mysterious treasure?. . " White Lily asked her two lovers across from her, to which they responded by pushing the paper towards them so she and Dark Cacao could read it. Beside the article was a picture of what the artifact looked like, or at least what its doppelgänger looked like. . . "It's says it right here: 'Residents of the Creme Republic Claims Mysterious Artifact Causes Weather Change'" Hollyberry Cookie pointed to the article, Dark Cacao hummed as the both of them read the page

"*Hmm* And is there proof of such happening?" he asked skeptical, Dark Cacao Cookie had always been distrustful toward the Creme Republic, sure his stigma and view on them had changed thanks to the war, but everything that came out of its mouth just felt sketchy to him. "Well, there's no exact evidence but. . ." Golden Cheese Cookie admitted before taking back the newspaper and pulling it towards herself, "that's what cookies speculate anyway, and isn't that more fun?" "More fun? What 'fun' is this?" Dark Cacao asked once. "Well, it's all about throwing your hat into the ring!" Hollyberry Cookie was quick to respond, "Think of the possibilities? Truly anything can happen! Cookies always like a good guessing game, Ha ha!" She boasted, only fueling the flames as Golden Cheese Cookie chimed in. "Exactly! That's why I constructed a few theories of my ow-"

"*Ugh* Silence! . ." Dark Cacao said sternly, slightly banging his fist onto the table just enough for it to make noise but not to spill the drinks on the table. That was the nail in the coffin. . . From their eyes alone, both women could tell that Dark Cacao and White Lily were annoyed. "*Sigh*Oh boy, here we go. . ." Holly sighed as the two straightened up in their chairs, they knew they were up for a scolding. . . "For heroes such as us, we shouldn't create such rumors, especially if it comes from its source. . ." He spoke sternly, which only made Golden Cheese even more defensive, gasping dramatically, "*Gasp* Now who said anything about creating rumors?!" She asked obnoxiously, "these are hypotheses, educated guesses, cookies aren't meant to believe them!" As much as they were used to being scolded like children, Hollyberry decided to stick with Golden Cheese this time, "Well, Golden Cheese Cookie does have a point. . ." Hollyberry added, resting her arm on her mate's shoulder, "Besides, as long as no one else knows of them, they can't be rumors, they're more like exchanges between friends and family."

"Friends, family, or not, it's still creating lies!" White Lily Cookie countered, as someone notorious for spreading the truth, she was the most offended. "As the one who holds the light of Truth, I want to create a world of honesty, a world that only accepts full understanding, and I can't do that with cookies spreading lies amongst each other. . ."

She grabs both her wives' hands across the table, as well leaning against Dark Cacao, looking her lovers dead in the eyes and causing them to sweat. "Golden Cheese Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie, Dark Cacao Cookie, you must promise me that you will not create these rumors, nor will you spread them. . ." 

Both Dark Cacao and Hollyberry made it look easy, agreeing without a second thought and knowing how much it meant to her. . .

"Don't you worry about it Lily, I promise!"

"I promise. . ."

Golden Cheese was much harder to crack, though this was good to her, she couldn't bare to do something her spouse was uncomfortable with. . .

"*Sigh* I promise. . ."

This should be it then. . . Problem solved? Not really, there was still one question that was about to linger in the air. Picking up the newspaper, Dark Cacao Cookie began to read the article, slowly recognizing the story. "*Hmm* I think I know of this tale," he said, gaining everyone's attention, "the watchers of the citadel spoke about its sudden appearance. . ." "Well, who isn't?" Hollyberry chimed in. "It only felt like a few days, but everyone in the Hollyberry Kingdom was talking about this thing!" "*Huh* It's also the same in the Golden Cheese Kingdom" Golden Cheese added, "no matter how far you go, everyone's talking about this thing!" The information flipped a switch in White Lily's head, it wasn't the concern for lies, but rather something else, a feeling she could usually never shake. . . "*Hmm* Is anything wrong White Lily Cookie? You seem to be in discomfort" Golden Cheese said, pointing out her sudden strand of thought, which somewhat startled her "Oh!- nothing, it's just. . . I've never seen a single artifact receive that much attention. . ."

In her travels across Earthbread, White Lily had seen many artifacts, some grand, some not so much. When they were entered into museums, they received the respected amount of attention, visitors would "ooh" and "awe," maybe even a news article or two. Never in her years of life, had she heard of an artifact so talked about and so wide-spread. Just before she could question this further, the group was alerted by the sudden sound of footsteps and a cane repeatedly hitting the ground. "Haha, look who's finally decided to wake up!" Dark Cacao laughed, pleased which corresponded to everyone else, shocking considering he was more of the "serious" type. With how happy the four were, it was not surprising that Pure Vanilla Cookie finally awoken from his slumbers

There was always something angelic about their husband, from the tiny freckles on his face that looked like the inside of natural vanilla bean, to the way he'd giggle when he fed the birds, and when he'd smile, you could clearly see his awkwardly-placed tooth gap, which made him all the cuter. But it wasn't just his physical appearance, Pure Vanilla Cookie had a heart of gold, never shying away to help cookies in need, and willing to do anything to keep others safe. . . Anything. . .

Once entering the room, the other Ancient Heroes were ready to greet him, preparing his seat at the head of the table, as well as his cup of coffee, but unaware of his physical state. "*Yawn* Good morning, everyone. . ." "Morning! You big sleep heaAH!!-" Normally, when he came into a room, an array of peace would come along with him, but not this time. Pure Vanilla's entrance was instead meant with shock and concern by his four lovers. The bags under his eyes, messy hair, and slight dribble from his mouth made him look almost undead, like he hadn't slept that night. "*Yawn* I'm sorry my dears. . . I overslept" He yawned as he rubbed his eyes, trying his best to react to the fear despite being too tired to do so. "Overslept?! IT LOOKS LIKE YOU SLEPT IN A TRASH BIN!!" "Golden!" "Wha-OW! AREN'T I RIGHT?!?!" Golden Cheese defended herself after Hollyberry rightfully nudged her shoulder. Quicker than anyone could say anything else, White Lily got up from her chair and paced to Pure Vanilla Cookie, proceeding to guide him to his chair as both Dark Cacao and Golden Cheese slid next to the seat. "*Ooh* My head. . ." Pure Vanilla said exhausted and excruciated, placing a hand on his head

"Please. . ." Dark Cacao said to him, just as worried as everyone else, "come and sit. . ." At that point, Hollyberry had already hopped out of her chair to aid Pure Vanilla alongside White Lily, all four heroes forming a sort of cautious huddle around their husband, trying to check his health, Pure Vanilla feeling more and more overwhelmed in the process. "*Hmm* You seem to be sick, but I feel no stages of fever" White Lily said, placing a hand on his forehead to check his temperature. "If not in a fever, then likely a flu. . ." "He's sick?! S-Should I get him a hot towel, some tea or-" "Pure Vanilla Cookie- is there anything you need, ANYTHING AT ALL?!?!" Hollyberry, lower your voice! You're only irritating them more. . ." "Oh- sorry!" With how frantic they were, another cookie would be overwhelmed, but Pure Vanilla Cookie was completely used to it. As the healer of the group, becoming sick or unwell was just as rare as a four-leafed clover, and just as panicked over. . .

Yet, to make matters worse, or sadder, is that a lot of the time Pure Vanilla wouldn't even be ill, his body was just going through frequent changes, so there was little telling whether he was actually sick, or if it was something else. . . Despite that, Pure Vanilla was thankful that his lovers cared about him, but at times like these, it can feel a little. . . suffocating, try as he might to break free from their love. Looking down at the table, he notices the newspaper, still flipped to the story of the artifact, to which he immediately recognizes it, even in his rather messed up state. "Oh, I think I heard of that-" Pure Vanilla said before being cut off, attempting to pull the paper toward him before having his hand pulled by one of his wives. "Not so fast mister! Don't think you can get out of this so easy!" Hollyberry stopped him, thinking it was his way of changing the subject, "why didn't you tell us you were sick?!" She, like everyone else, demanded some answers, and he was ever so hesitant to give it to them, not like he was afraid on telling the truth, it's that he feared that if he tells them what was happening, it would only make things worse

"*Ahem* Well Hollyberry Cookie, you see-" "No more talking-" White Lily interrupts him as she forces Pure Vanilla to get up, holding his shoulders once more. "You're obviously sick and need proper tending to. You're going back to bed, immediately!" White Lily said demandingly, looking toward Hollyberry, "Hollyberry Cookie, help me get Pure Vanilla Cookie back to his room!" "Righto!"

By her wife's command, she takes to Pure Vanilla's left side, taking his arm and drapes it over her own shoulder, then they both proceed to guide him out of the room, much to his dismay. "Everyone, please! I'm not!-" "Dark Cacao Cookie, Golden Cheese Cookie, you two prepare him some tea and a warm bath for him" "Of course!" "At your service!" They wouldn't even let him get a word in. Just when they were about to leave the room, someone was already there to stop them, it was one of the villagers of the Pure Vanilla Village, which they ended up bumping into not even an inch out the door. Unannounced to them, they were carrying important news. . . "Pure Vanilla Cookie! I have something to te-" The young villager yelled before being halted by the image of the healer with his head down, two of his wives carrying him by the shoulders. They all deliver glances at each other, creating an awkward silence across the hallway before the villager finally spoke. "*Uhh* What's wrong with Pure Vanilla Cookie?" They asked, somewhat worried for their ruler, which Hollyberry became frantic for an excuse. "Oh!- *Uh* Ha ha! No need to worry kid!" She said, as to not scare them, "our Pure Vanilla Cookie here just needs some rest is all!" White Lily rolled her eyes at her wife's clear fabrication of the truth

"Oh no!- *Uh* This is bad, cause Gingerbrave wanted to see him, and-"

At that very moment, Pure Vanilla Cookie had never woken up so fast before in his life, his head quickly rising, startling everyone around him. Gingerbrave had made friends with hundreds, if not thousands of cookies throughout Earthbread, the cookies he was most fond of were the Ancient Heroes. He was close with each and every one of them, though him and Pure Vanilla were the closest. Both Gingerbrave and Custard Cookie the III, an early descendant of House Custard, had became like sons to him; he even allowed the two of them to visit the palace as much as they pleased. Ever since the war ended, Pure Vanilla had never seen the young lad in what felt like years, he's thankful for pretty much everything the boy did and is willing to do anything to repay him

"Gingerbrave!? Here?! Oh, what a surprise!!" He said happily, sliding away from the restrain of his wives, completely ignoring his current state which bewildered them. "Please, you must take me to him!" He said to the villager, but they slowly backed away, they didn't want his condition to get worse. "*Uh* I don't think that's a good idea, Pure Vanilla Cookie, you don't look too good. . . " "Exactly!" "Ah!-" White Lily pulled him back by his shoulders, like an angry mother. "Pure Vanilla Cookie, you are clearly unwell and need rest! Please, you need our help!" She scolded, and Hollyberry joined in. "Yes! And besides, Gingerbrave is a good boy, surely he’ll understand,” she said reassuringly, but Pure Vanilla didn’t seem to change, he had to see Gingerbrave, it’d be wrong to leave him! Noticing her husband so distressed, she sighed, she couldn’t help but cave in a bit. “*Sigh* Tell you what. . .” Hollyberry admitted, petting him on the head, “how about I go and talk to Gingerbrave huh? Been awhile since we last spoke, it’d be nice to chat!” “*Hmm* That does sound like a good idea. . .” White Lily chimed in and heard her plan. “Yet, I’ve haven’t seen Gingerbrave in a long time either. . . And I still have to thank him. . .” It was clear that White Lily Cookie, like millions of other cookies, wanted to thank the brave lad and his friends, each of them having some sort of burden, but what hers exactly was. . . she preferred to keep it on the low

It takes a long time for her to decide however, choosing the less selfish option. “Alright, Hollyberry Cookie, you go talk to Gingerbrave, I take Pure Vanilla Cookie to his room” “Sounds like a plan!” “No!-” As expected, Pure Vanilla Cookie was not happy with the idea. Breaking from his wife’s restraints once more, he makes one final attempt to convince the two of them. "White Lily Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie, please!- me and Gingerbrave had gotten so close since the war! We have a bond like no other, you must let me see him!" He practically begged. By how distress he was getting, Hollyberry already wanted to cave in, but also wanted her wife's approval. She knew just how close the two were, especially during the war with Dark Enchantress, she couldn't argue with that. . .

So, with a tired sigh. "*Sigh* Alright. . . I suppose you can see Gingerbrave for a bit. . ." She permitted, Pure Vanilla becoming overjoyed and embracing his two lovers in a hug. "Oh! Thank you! Thank you!" He thanked them as he gave them both plenty of smooches on the cheeks, the present villager looking away as to not make things any more awkward. "Ok-ok! Go and see your kid, you big lovebug!" Hollyberry said smugly, finally pulling their husband off them, then he proceeds to turn to the villager, who was ready to guide their ruler to the brave lad. "Gingerbrave is waiting at the entrance" "I won't be long you two!"

Pure Vanilla waves his wives goodbye, White Lily and Hollyberry giving each other concern looks once he was out of view. "Should we talk to Pure Vanilla Cookie about this little 'obsession' of his?" Hollyberry asked whispering, in case he heard. "Oh definitely-" White Lily whispers back. . .

~At The Entrance Of The Pure Vanilla Palace~

Gingerbrave was, as promised, waiting rather patiently at the gates for his parental figure. Admittedly enough, once him and his friends entered the kingdom, the villagers swarmed them like flies, but not just because of their unexpected visit. . . On his back, he was carrying Strawberry Cookie's backpack. He tried to make the excuse of him carrying it for a friend, and most cookies left it at that, just a task he's doing for a friend. . . but others weren't too convinced. . .

Once Gingerbrave started heading to the palace, the villagers practically bombarded him with questions about the backpack, even asking to what was inside, all of which he avoided throughout his journey

~Meanwhile~

As with Pure Vanilla, he couldn't hold his excitement, doing a little twirl as he made his way to the door. He hasn't been this excited since the starting of the council. . . 'What should I say? What news will Gingerbrave bring from his travels?' The questions getting to much for him. Quickly pulling himself back into reality, he places a hand on the giant door, and taking a breath to calm himself, Pure Vanilla Cookie finally opened it. "Pure Vanilla Cookie! It's so great to see you again!" Gingerbrave said cheerfully, walking forward a bit. It almost felt like he was dreaming, the brave lad was back at the Pure Vanilla Palace, the healer fully opens the castle doors, and attempts to walk over to him as calmly as possible, unaware of what was in front of them. "Gingerbrave! It's great to see- *AH!*" In all the excitement, Pure Vanilla failed to notice the small step on the edge of the entrance, causing them to trip forward and almost land on their face

Of course, Gingerbrave instantly rushed to their aid making the healer all the more embarrassed; thank goodness they didn't land face first. . ."Pure Vanilla Cookie! Are you alright?!" He asked worried, crouching to help, but the healer merely brushed him off not wanting to trouble him nor adding to their own humiliation. "No-no! It's quite alright! Thank you Gingerbrave-" They reassuringly said, giving a nervous laugh. With their head still facing the ground, they finally see each other's faces. "*Woah!* You. . ." Gingerbrave yelped before trailing off, "-you don't look that great. . .*hehe*" he let out a nervous laugh. Admittingly enough, both were equally tooken back by the others' half dead appearance, their eye bags and messy hair shocked the both of them, guess their more tired forms were things they weren't used to, considering they always looked so well-rested when they'd meet in the past

"*Heh* Guess that makes the two of us. . ." Pure Vanilla said with a slight laugh, pointing out the brave's appearance. They both laughed a bit as Gingerbrave helped the healer up, sparing them both the embarrassment, like father like son as some say. . . "Glad to see you're doing well Pure Vanilla Cookie!" The brave lad remarked happily, making the healer laugh. It's obvious that Gingerbrave cared for Pure Vanilla as much as they did for him, happy and living the moment, almost forgetting the task at hand. "Now, why is it you came all this way?" Pure Vanilla asked, feeling just a tiny bit embarrassed cause a part of them wanted to save it for when they, you know, actually gotten inside, but they were too curious not to. Gingerbrave's face almost drops upon the healer's words as he's swiftly reminded of why he's there, it felt not like a friendly reminder, but more of a slap to the face. He knew telling them about what he did would absolutely destroy them, but this was Pure Vanilla Cookie he was talking to, his idol and father-figure, surely he'd understand. . . Right? "Oh yeah. . . that. . ." He said almost unsure. He then takes a brief moment to check their surroundings, making sure no one was around, coast seemed clear enough. "Can we. . . go inside first?" Gingerbrave asked, trying not to sound sheepish and make the healer suspicious. With how he spoke, he was sure that they would catch on, but Pure Vanilla, surprisingly enough, didn't blink an eye

They trusted Gingerbrave far too much to sense anything wrong. It also wasn't common for Gingerbrave to be nervous while asking the healer questions, often finding it quite humiliating to ask even just the simplest things, only to be reassured that it was ok to ask about what he didn't know. . ."Oh! Why of course!" They responded completely oblivious to what he had to offer, proceeding to move his side and landing a hand on his shoulder, "please, come inside!" They said, directing the brave lad to the castle's doors, proceeding to open them for him, allowing him to enter first, shutting the doors once they both were inside

Vases on pedestals, holding each a set of orchids, waffle cone patterned carpets, with morning light streaming through big windows, things were just like how he left it. Upon walking a bit through the halls alongside his father figure, Gingerbrave's "nose" was filled with calming, yet, inviting scent of, well, vanilla. He eased a bit in the familiarity of the environment, and although it didn't help a lot, it did give Gingerbrave the smallest amount of hope for the future, maybe things can work out. . . "This place hasn't changed a bit, hasn't it?" Gingerbrave asked as a joke, to which the healer responded with laughter. "Yes, all cozy and peaceful, same as it ever was!" They announced with joy, "Oh, it reminds me of the first days of the council, walking through these halls with the others. . ." Pure Vanilla then happily sighed, clearly the happy memories were getting to them, proceeding to turn to one of the windows. Earthbread came along way since the war, despite the short amount of time that passed, finally able to recover after a massive beat down from Dark Enchantress, Pure Vanilla couldn't help but reminisce in that

"Remember the end of the war Gingerbrave?" They asked the brave lad, who turned in response, "I remember it as if it were yesterday! Standing on that stage with the others, all the happy and cheering cookies, even your speech, every small detail!" They went on as they turned to one of the windows, peering down at the Pure Vanilla village, now doubled in size and just as peaceful as ever. "To think this wouldn't have been possible if I had given up. . ." They somewhat vented but continued on their positive speech, "but look at where we are now! We defeated Dark Enchantress Cookie, restored Crispia to its former glory, we. . . did it. . ." In the end of his monologue, the emotional build up sounded almost. . . sad, as if in longing, yet for most part, they said all the things with good intention, which made Gingerbrave feel all the worse of what he was about to do. . .

By that point, Gingerbrave had already made his way to the healer, patting their shoulder as an attempt to comfort them, adding his news into the mix would surely sour the mood. Getting nervous all over again, he begins to somewhat regret his decision, thinking back to only a few days ago in the museum with his friends. To think a relaxing day out would end up to this. . .

How did things escalate so quickly. . ?

All those pent-up fears he was forced to swallow up, with such powerful object at hand, who knew what was at steak. . . So taking a small breath, he began to speak. . . No turning back now. . .

"Actually, Pure Vanilla Cookie, can I tell you something?" He asked, which the healer turned to him, "it's important. . ."

Pure Vanilla merely shown reassurance with how nervous he looked. "Yes, of course Gingerbrave!" they answered, "you know you can tell me anything that bothers you." The two step away from the window, before proceeding to face each other. Gingerbrave became more afraid, now pulling at the straps of his friend's backpack, even starting to sweat a bit. . . This was when the healer started to worry, whatever this was must have been eating at him. "Please don't strain yourself!" Pure Vanilla consoled, placing a hand on his shoulder once more, "I've already told you that there's nothing to worry about, so be honest! Surely, I'll understand!" "And you promise you won't get mad. . ?" The healer nodded his head, "yes Gingerbrave, I promise. . ." He was almost tooken aback, they didn't know it, but after those few days, those were the exact words he needed to hear. It gave him just enough courage to finally speak out. . . here goes nothing. . .

"*Uh* Well Pure Vanilla Cookie, you see-" Gingerbrave trailed off, pulling at the straps of his friend's backpack, whilst sweat was forming on his face, "I. . . wanted to show you this. . ." As the healer patiently waited, he'd slowly took the backpack off and undid the zipper, dropping the backpack, and at last pulled out the coveted item inside, the treasure that started this whole arrangement to begin with. . . The Time Capsule

The healer was surprised, and just as confused as before, was this. . ?

"Oh my, Gingerbrave. . . This looks exactly like. . ." "The artifact in the Creme Republic. . ?" He blurts out, cutting off the healer, it wouldn't be surprising that Pure Vanilla already heard it, they then proceeded to reach out to touch the object, only for Gingerbrave to nearly pull it away in fear, afraid it may affect them as well. But realizing pulling it back might not be the best idea made him regret his mistake, he proceeded to pull it back out, to let the healer see it at least. Pure Vanilla was shocked, why did Gingerbrave have an object so resemblant of the artifact? and why was he being so protected of it. . ?

Finding the situation rather absurd, silly and confusing. . . It was that moment when Pure Vanilla began to pick up that something wasn't right, noticing just how much the brave lad was sweating and trying to keep a straight face. "Gingerbrave. . .If you don't mind asking. . ." Pure Vanilla inquired, trailing off, "whe-why do you have something like this?" They folded their hands together in a sort of dossal manner, despite acquiring some explanation, they didn't want to make the "brave" lad anymore uncomfortable then he already was. Besides, whatever that was beating him up, couldn't be that bad. . . couldn't it?

Taking one final sigh, he tells Pure Vanilla the truth, the whole truth; that the artifact was the real deal, and that it "was, maybe, possibly, curse. . ?"

.

.

.

"Wh-What?!" Pure Vanilla gasped in utter disbelief, believing him word for word, "wh-why do *you* have it?"

"Oh boy, where do I begin. . ?!"

He proceeds to explain everything to the healer, how him and his friends robbed Eclair Cookie's Museum, how Espresso stole it from them, including what sort of powers the object held, not leaving out a single detail. For the healer, this was obviously an emotional roller-coaster. At first, it drove them into denial, they couldn't believe Gingerbrave, their Gingerbrave, would do something like that! Yet their views are quickly shifted us the brave lad continued his story. Stealing the artifact from Eclair, bringing it to the Creme Republic, it was all in a good cause, Pure Vanilla couldn't help but think of that. Mainly, how he handled each situation was the problem, his "solutions" were completely barbaric and uncivil, yet as how he put it "W-We didn't know what else to do!!" Gingerbrave shamefully admitted, his words getting shakier the guiltier he got; he looked to the carpeted floors in shame, tears rolling down his cheeks

All the healer could do was look down at the lad like a disappointed, yet very concerned parent. Pure Vanilla rummaged through their head for a proper answer as they took a deep, long, heavy inhale through their nose, their fingers just placed below it in a sort of judgmental gesture. It wasn't long for the lad to finish his story, his cheeks still caked with tears. He gulped, waiting intently for what the healer had to say, they saw just how sad and overwhelmingly guilty he was by only peering down. "Gingerbrave. . ." Pure Vanilla said, sorriness in their voice, attempting still to process every word he said; only making the lad even more nervous on waiting for their response. Oh how Pure Vanilla hated being in this position, seeing him so distressed. . . It was far too familiar to them, remembering when they first woke from their eternal slumber, when "they" spoke to them. . . Not wanting to make the same mistakes again, they tried to put him down as lightly as possible, but still informing him on what he did

"Gingerbrave, how you handled the situation was completely irresponsible and chaotic, several cookies could've caught you or worse. . !"

They softly scolded with honesty. Pure Vanilla could already see the despair in his eyes, he was getting guiltier by the second; bring it back, bring it back. . ! There was all but one thing that could save him now; the one thing him & his friends did right, within the utter mess they've gotten themselves into. . . "But. . ." Pure Vanilla nearly trailed off, getting Gingerbrave's attention back instantly, "it's a good thing you took it to us. . ." Truth felt like dominoes as Gingerbrave was left speechless, he couldn't believe he was being let off so easily, thinking surely he'd be up for more than a scolding after coming clean

"Yo-You're not mad?!" Gingerbrave blurted out, still surprised, the healer signed, at that point they didn't know what to feel. . .

"No, Gingerbrave, I'm not mad, it's just- *sigh* surely there could've been another way. . !" The brave lab understood what the healer was saying, a million ways it could've been handle and that was what they settled with?! On the other hand, every other option would've led to the same fate. Like Wizard Cookie said, "desperate times call for desperate solutions. . !"

"Yeah. . . I guess you're right. . ." He admitted to, laughing to himself, as if he were a joke. Gingerbrave, now having finally confessed his sins, hands the object to Pure Vanilla Cookie, which they gladly accepted. They merely had one look at it, it appeared to be a simple snowglobe. . .

"This thing, it. . . does things to a cookie!" Gingerbrave continued on to explain, ". . . we don't know how it works, but anyone who talks about it or gets exposed to it for too long gets obsessed with it!" As if on cue, the treasure began to glow its signature yellow, shocking both of them, Gingerbrave knew that sickly yellow hue almost too well. . . Then it proceeded to play its tune, like a siren's cry. "I don't understand, why would anyone be fixated with something like this?!" Pure Vanilla questioned, very concerned. "That's. . . something we're also trying to figure out. . ." he admitted almost shamefully. A possibly powerful object, already wanted and heard of by so many cookies, and had the possibility of causing havoc, oh yeah this was starting to sound familiar. . . and they were horrified to realize that. "An object like this could be extremely dangerous to Crispia, think of the damage it could cause, the cookies that could be harmed. . ." The brave lad implored, listing horrible thought after horrible thought, getting more distressed by the second, before stumbling onto a terrifying image. . . "*AH!* What if this starts another war?!" In his panicked state, Pure Vanilla quickly placed a hand on his shoulder as an attempt to calm him down, they too knew of possibility as well. "It is alright Gingerbrave, take a few deep breathes. . ." They instructed reassuringly, putting on a brave face for the lad, where in reality, they were just scared as he was, "firstly, we must calm down and figure out what to next. . ."

They said as Gingerbrave counted his breaths, which slowed down as he gained composure. They quickly scattered through their brain for any possible solution, Earthbread had already suffered enough, there had to be a method to this madness. . ! "Wait, that's it!" They said, gaining the brave lad's attention once more, "Gingerbrave, during the events of the Dark Flour War, Dark Enchantress Cookie ranged direct attacks onto the Pure Vanilla Kingdom, at the time, me & the other heroes had no telling of what exactly she wanted, nor why she started her rain of chaos, which gave us a mighty weakness and could've played into our defeat. . ." "But now, that can change, think about it, we have the very object that could start massacres. . !" Putting two and two together, Gingerbrave picked what the healer was leaving on the ground, a little bread crumb trail to a much bigger plan. . . "So we're able to stop a war from happening!" He realized surprised and rejoiced, his fears and worries were long subsided, instead left in hope and newly found determination

For once, just for once, the odds were in their favor! Pure Vanilla has dealt with so many difficulties with massive dangers such as this, from preparing for battle to keeping innocent cookies safe, not only was it exhausting, but it was also despair inducing; especially when it becomes a continuous loop, spiraling someone into regret and shame, a feeling which the healer was far too familiar with. But now, they could stop threats as big as a war in its tracks, they've never had a opportunity like it before, and they couldn't let it pass! They set their decision stone, both would return to their respected groups, then they'll conjure a plan. What was stopping them from thinking of something right then and there? Not just to include their respected groups, and admittingly stop a major issue weighting them down. . . getting a full eight hours of sleep. . .

"You think we'll be able to pull this off. . ?"

"Gingerbrave, there is need to worry, we've dealt with life-changing threat before. . . A war twice was for too many times to count. . . We can't let it happen again. . " Pure Vanilla ensured as the brave lad began to leave, giving him one last stark of hop before he left, the treasure now within the backpack but still in the healer's hands. With a little twinkle in his eyes, Gingerbrave smiles warmly at one of the cookies he's grown so close to. "Thanks again Pure Vanilla Cookie, I knew I could count on you!" He said before finally taking his leave, shutting the grand doors behind him. Once again, the brave lad had returned the favor, exchanging the kind words he received before, making the healer. Although, he couldn't help thinking he'd forgotten something, probably not important. . .

The love and trust between Gingerbrave and Pure Vanilla Cookie was something many cookies don't understand, both are willing extreme lengths for one and other, including their loved ones. But just how far are they willing to go. . ?

[floralneonlights]

Divine Warriors and Relics Overhaul.

The last major post I made was about the regions in my MCD rewrite but this time around it's going to be the Divine Warriors because they scratch my brain. Also this post is probably going to be LONG.

The Divine Warriors are characters we have heard before such as Irene, Shad, Esmund, Enki, Menphia, but I added two more as well, that being Drorit and Fionn.

I did rework some of the titles given to the Divine Warriors as I just didn't like them. Shad the Destroyer specifically felt too on the nose.

So, we have

Irene the Matron

Shad the Vandal

Esmund the Guardian

Enki the Astrophile

Menphia the Fury

Drorit the Defiant

Fionn the Traveler

I will explain some of the changes

Shad the Vandal

As I stated earlier, "Destroyer" felt too on the nose. While Vandal isn't a positive trait, it doesn't imply that Shad has always been a bad individual and was just know for delinquent tendencies, a loose screw in the guard. This allows Shad to be seen as more than someone who was always evil, although I would like to keep "Shad the Destroyer" as another title for him after the betrayal and uprising of Shadow Knights.

Esmund the Guardian

I just didn't like "Protector." That's just it. Nothing deeper.

Enki the Astrophile

Enki was known as "the Keeper" which felt too vague to me. In my version, Enki was an archivist so he was keeper of archives, keeper of knowledge. Although that doesn't explain the "Astrophile" part since that means lover of stars. I can't explain it any further than Enki has a relationship with nature thus the stars and the stars have always been symbols of knowledge in my mind. So that's what I'm doing here.

And then explaining the two NEW characters, Drorit and Fionn.

Drorit the Defiant

Her title is self-explanatory along with Fionn's. Drorit tends to create riots for a cause and doesn't follow the rules, she hates having to follow strict order and wants people to have the ability to have freedom in their choices instead of walking on a tight rope.

Fionn the Traveler

Self-explanatory BUT Fionn is a traveler by sea and is a water spirit. At first, he's a scammy merchant who tries to trick the Divine Warriors into a pitiful deal and only ended up joining for selfish reasons but ends up becoming very valuable to the group, actually being the most well-versed in magick.

Now let's talk about the changes to the Divine Warriors themself.

Irene

Irene in the rewrite is a Swan Maiden. If you don't know what swan maidens are, they are shapeshifting women who can transform from a swan to a woman but they tend to still have their feathers in their human form. They're usually married off to higher up power, like kings, and have their feathers plucked so they cannot fly away.

The cause for the up rising / the final straw was Irene herself being taken away and forced to have her feathers plucked so she could be married off to the King of Ru'aun. She soon runs away with two guards of the king and begins to study magick with the rest of her group. Along the way, she makes allies and builds of bonds with others.

Once the King is overthrown, Irene declares that no one person should rule an entire region, and then settles down as lord and founder of Scaleswind, where the rest of the group followed her. At this point, she had perfected her magick of light and healing. Healing was a lost magick even then, but with a witch's help, she was able to bring that art back to life. Since she is a swan maiden, a sign of purity and hope, it was easier for her to learn.

When one of the guards was overcome with darkness, that left the Divine Warriors as the only ones who could take him down as there was no need to bring innocent parties into this. Before the final battle, Irene asked one of the group to put a magick seal onto gems where, if they were to die, their magick would automatically go to that gem. Each member wrote an encryption onto the gem and went into battle by Irene's command, who held back as a final answer to the problem.

As she felt her friends die, Irene felt herself begin to fade. She didn't head to the battle ground for months as she became a recluse and her villagers and knights began to worry. And one day, there was a big, flaming light that walked down the road, and Irene the Matron was gone.

Phoenix Drop was named after this event as many people believe the light was a Phoenix signifying the end of an era.

Esmund and Shad

Esmund and Shad are put together here as they were both Royal Guards of the King of Ru'uan, Kieran. Esmund was the head guard of the kingdom, while Shad was still but a trainee despite being there for so long due to his rebellious actions. He tended to disobey the king for fun rather than to make a statement, which made Esmund very annoyed with him. The two bumped heads a lot.

When Irene was transferred to the kingdom as Kieran's fiancé, the two were assigned to guard her. They obeyed this command, Esmund because he would always obey the king and Shad because he just wanted to see who on Earth (Known as Terra because MCD is special) would marry him. When they saw a swan maiden without her feathers, both were horrified.

Even though both had sworn their loyalty to the king, more or less, they both realized how cruel this was and how they couldn't let an unwilling party be stripped of anymore rights. They hatched a plan and later escaped to meet with the archivist of Yggdrasil. They continued to run, going to Tu'La, Ivorian, Umbre'en, Aerania, and Rigguard. All places being of worth as Umbre'en and Rigguard were Shad and Esmund's home regions, respectively, which they had seen how Ru'aun's monarchy was slowly taking over the other regions and the protests surrounding this. This sped up the process over overthrowing the king.

Esmund became head guard of Scaleswind, but Shad became Irene's right hand man. They had also become skilled in their magick sets which complimented the other; ice and protection (shielding) and shadow and imprisonment.

Both loved Irene and they both knew she could only love one of them or even neither of them. Esmund felt peace with that, while Shad felt a pain in his chest whenever he thought about the possibility.

Although Irene showed feelings towards Shad, he became more and more bottled up with disgust and despair towards those around him, feeling as though he is still looked down upon as some sort of rebel because of his previous actions and not with all of the good he has done. The darkness in his magick was dangerous to learn, as dangerous as Irene's light magick, and it began to physically and mentally consume him as he lost more control of his thoughts and anger. Esmund, Irene and the others desperately tried to get Shad out of this state, but it failed.

Shad later escaped to the Nether/Underworld (It's Both) trying to attempt to build a kingdom of his own, which previously was just a place of darkness. Esmund felt defeated, and made sure to inscribe his relic to go to someone who was loyal and protected, and did not strive for power.

Esmund was the last person to fall to Shad, he was hoping and praying that maybe if he still stood up and fought, Shad would eventually be reminded of their training days, but that never happened. Shad lost his heart.

Irene had put a seal on Shad's relic, after she defeated his, at least, physical form which put the magic in his relic. The seal being it can only go to someone who had a kind, intelligent soul.

Enki and Zoey

Enki and Zoey are siblings in my rewrite. Zoey was roughly around 10 when Irene was around even in MCD and I thought it would be nice for her to be related to one of them somehow. Enki is a well known archivist in Yggdrasil, near the kingdom in Ru'aun as they get most of their resources from there. Actually, Enki is THE royal archivist, holding all files and letters the king has received and sent, along with anyone else in connection with him. He was a trusted figure. His magick was not seen as a threat during this time as he was more so of a support type rather than an offensive type.

Enki kept a book of myths and read them to Zoey every night as well.

When Esmund, Shad and Irene came to him, asking for help about getting away from the king, relaying all of this information, he was hesitant. But since Esmund was head guard and Irene was the queen-to-be, he felt obligated to show them the files they wanted to see. After a lot of convincing, Enki eventually joins them, not before giving Zoey the book of myths.

After the kingdom fell, he joined Irene and the others in Scaleswind as the archivist there, still visiting Zoey every so often. Similarly to everyone else, Enki had mastered his magick of plants and stars (the stars part is with support -- typically asking for support spells from the galaxy. Isn't as OP as it sounds, it's like Wendy's support magick from Fairy Tail where they either feel lighter or move faster.)

When Shad strayed from the path and the relics were made, Enki went to a remote island (later where the Enki Warrior Tribe is located) and left all of his archives there, out of the weather and where they would be safe, and handed his relic over to Zoey. The encryption was simple, only one of his relatives of the next generation can inherent his power. Enki did not have any kids as much as he hoped he would.

Despite knowing that they would statistically fail against Shad, Enki still went all in when fighting, hoping he wasn't wrong even in the slightest.

Menphia and Drorit

Menphia and Drorit have a lot of overlap between their goals and morals and were also married! Canonical wives in my rewrite.

Menphia comes from Tu'La, a very chaotic region where magick beings and demons roam freely, Menphia being a cat yokai (like KC/Nana). Due her upbringing, she's hotheaded and quick to join fights, she bites. But she is a very supportive person, puts her entire being into everything she does, and loves hard. Most of the chaos as caused by the king as he actually turned Tu'La into just an extension of Ru'aun, so of course she would jump at the chance to overthrow him.

Drorit is from Ivorian and is a big protestor. Ivorian is known for it's precious gems and materials, and her being a person of the public, was scared what might happen if the king of Ru'aun, a tyrant, were to get their hands on these gems. Drorit is a ride or die sort of person, she is willing to do anything for anyone for the cause she believes in. Every action she did was not void of purpose, so she easily joined the Divine Warriors.

We know the drill, kingdom fell, Scaleswind was made, they joined, and they mastered their magick. Menphia's being fire (including explosions and lava) and ground, and Drorit's being wind and flight.

When Shad betrayed then and attempted to make a kingdom, Menphia felt betrayed and Drorit was sickened. Menphia viewed Shad as a brother figure and the two were very close, seeing her... Brother, basically, being taken over by the magick he chose to learn hurt her. Drorit wasn't all that close with Shad but knew him as a honest and passionate man, which is why she was sickened to see the outcome. Drorit did the most damage out of them all during the battle while Menphia was one of the last people standing with Esmund.

Drorit's relic was meant to go to someone who stuck to their beliefs, much like Drorit. Menphia's relic is to go to someone who knows the ins and outs of every battle.

Fionn

Finally, Fionn.

A traveling merchant from Aerania, a region KNOWN for trade, and him being a water spirit. Water spirits can be a little devious and Fionn was just that, always being able to swindle people into giving him ever so slightly more money than intended. That's also what he wanted to do with the Divine Warriors as they caught him on one of their off days, until he say the gems they had in their possession with Drorit had taken from home. He soon warmed up to them, agreeing with them, and faking the passion. Like Flynn Rider/Eugene from Rapunzel.

Along the way, he realized how interesting they all were and how adventure was truly something he liked more than selling stuff for outrageous prices. He enjoyed being with them and learning about their lives.

Once the king was overthrown and Scaleswind was made, he.... Get this... Mastered his magick, being water and storms.

Fionn was the one who created the relics, he was the one who enchanted them and inscribed them with the seal. He had an old book he bought off another merchant that had the ability to take away magick and let it back out depending on how you write it out. He was the only Divine Warrior not to die in that battle as he was the one to hide the relics. Fionn's relic is meant to go to someone who understands the meaning of trust.

After Irene's disappearance, Fionn died from heartbreak.

This was just one big word dump and I am very sorry, but just a little more of you're time and I will talk about

The Relics.

Irene's Relic

Similar to the one that is in the original MCD, where it looks like a bunch of flames but instead it had light purple on the outside but a deep violet as the center. The relic is still in Irene's Dimension in the rewrite.

Shad's Relic

Somewhat the same as Irene's relic with the looks of flames, although they are more scattered and wide. It's also a light pink relic with a red diamond in the center. This relic is also in Irene's Dimension, so she can forever protect it.

Esmund's Relic

A square relic with rounded edges and carved like a diamond, it has varying hues of blue. The relic was in the possession of O'Khasis until Garroth faked his death in help with his mother, who handed him the relic to both protect him and the relic itself.

Enki's Relic

The relic resembles a bug with a pale green center and a dark forest green on the outside, some of it stemming off to look like "legs." The relic is in Zoey's possession BUT the Enki Warrior Tribe says that they have it to bring comfort to everyone else.

Menphia's Relic

A cross shaped relic with a vibrant orange hue that leads to a borderline red. The relic was found in the Nether when Aphmau was saving the werewolf pup from there. Shad had stolen Menphia's relic which caused the Nether to turn into a firey pit of hell.

Drorit's Relic

Two sharp, skinny diamond shaped relics with a piercing teal color. The relics were previously in the palace in Ivorian before the kingdom fell and was reborn with a tyrant, it is now in a treasure hunting guild known for criminal activities.

Fionn's Relic

A water droplet shape relic with a deep, blood red color. The relic was placed in a underwater temple, which Fionn had flooded.

If you have ANY questions regarding my rewrite, please ask. I am currently working on getting a stable rewrite on the characters right now so by all means, THINGS WILL CHANGE and have been changing.

Thanks for reading :3

[the-broken-truth]

Darksiders - Death's Human Meets The Other Horsemen

Broken: I saw an image by @imagine-darksiders, which gave me an idea for this one shot. There's another one that I will do but I wanted to post this one first. Now, let the words weave together.

[Y/N] was feeling uncertain about how to handle the situation. They were living in a chaotic household with some of the most unusual roommates imaginable - the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Death, War, Strife, and Fury. Death and [Y/N] had met while traveling together, and after Death completed a mission, they stumbled upon [Y/N's] House on the outskirts of the city. Since it had not been affected by demons yet, they decided to make it their home while Death did missions for the Charred Council and [Y/N] ran errands for Vulgrim, much to Death's dismay. About five weeks after they settled in, Death's brother War came to visit, followed by Strife, and finally, the Female Rider of the Four Horsemen, Fury, who enjoyed getting under Death's skin the most.

War didn't pay much attention to [Y/N] when it came to the Horsemen. However, Death informed him about the incredible feats accomplished by [Y/N] and him. They had defeated demons, solved puzzles, and [Y/N] even killed a Guardian to save Death. War had not been interested in humans, much like Fury. Nevertheless, Death's accounts of [Y/N]'s bravery and resourcefulness caused him to develop a newfound admiration for the unassuming woman who wore a hoodie and worked with the questionable merchant, Vulgrim.

While working for Vulgrim to collect relics, [Y/N] encountered Strife, the masked gunslinger, in the wastelands. [Y/N] asked if Strife knew of a demon named Vulgrim, to which Strife nodded in recognition. [Y/N] mentioned working for Vulgrim and compared Strife to another masked individual, Death. Strife was surprised to learn that [Y/N] had been in the company of another Horseman and revealed that Death was his brother. After [Y/N] offered Strife a place to rest, they walked to her house where they saw Death talking to a woman in armor with flowing red hair and glowing white eyes. [Y/N] and Strife paused to observe them.

"What are you doing here, Fury?" Death asked from his position on the other side of the door within the house.

Fury teased Death about her lack of enthusiasm upon seeing her sister. However, Death was serious and shared that she had finished her duty for the Charred Council. She mentioned hearing from Vulgrim that Fury was now living in a house with a human woman. Death wanted to confirm this herself and mentioned being able to smell the human even though she wasn't present.

"That would be me." [Y/N] spoke as she took a step forward, gaining both Death's and Fury's attention.

"[Y/N], what are you doing back here so early? I thought you were still working with Vulgrim around this time." Death said as he looked at the hooded human before his eyes drifted to the taller figure standing beside his human, "Strife, what are you doing here, and want are you doing with [Y/N]?"

"While searching for artifacts in the wastelands, I met a woman who works for Vulgrim. She kindly offered me a place to stay while I am in-between missions. I have also heard rumors that War is nearby." Strife said.

"War is not here at the moment, he's dealing with the Charred Council. Now, what are you doing here with…" Death noticed Fury walking over to [Y/N] with a smirk on her face, "Fury?"

As [Y/N] gazed up at The Horseman's glowing eyes, she noticed the black-painted lips that formed a smile. Before she could say anything, Fury grabbed her waist and lifted her into the air, causing [Y/N] to grip Fury's arm in surprise. She stared at Fury's smirking face in shock.

"So, you're the human that took down a Guardian? A rather interesting feat for such a small human but I found that that amazing. Why don't you come with me? I can train you to be an even stronger warrior, I can give you better adventures, more exhilarating than Death can give you, and trust me…I'm much better company than my brother." Fury purred into [Y/N]'s ear, causing the human to shiver.

"Death?! DEATH?! HELP!" [Y/N] called out to her roommate and friend, looking at him with fear in her eyes, causing Death to walk over to them and plucked [Y/N] out of Fury's Grasp, causing Fury to frown and fold her arms. Death placed on the ground on her feet before turning to Fury.

"Stop picking on my human, Fury. Death said as he narrowed his eyes at his sister, who smirked at [Y/N] who hid behind Death.

"Don't worry, Little Human… I'll make you mine before long. Until then, I'll be staying here as well. The Four Horsemen…together again." Fury smirked as she walked into the house with a sway in her hips.

'This was not going to be easy…' [Y/N] and Death thought at the same time.

[theenpcbracket]

Seeding Round: Poll 2

(No images were submitted for these characters)

More about each NPC below the cut!

Character Descriptions are in the order of their appearance in the poll!

Character 1

Name: Skeleton Sam Party: Inconceivable Relationship to party: Traveling Merchant What makes them the best NPC: Skeleton Sam is a living skeletal being that drives a caravan and travels across the different plains selling his wears. He has no interest it typical currency such as gold and instead prefers rarer things like memories, dreams, or person artifacts. Skeleton Sam was willing to make a trade to replace a warlock party member's pact with his own and gave her the pact of the undead. His cart has seemingly endless storage on the inside. Quote: "Be careful with what you give away. You might not miss them now but losing too many memories can change you entirely."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Character 2

Name: Professor Torrin Party: Rigsby Raiders Relationship to party: Party's favorite academic/partner in crime

What makes them the best NPC: Torrin is a gnome man of unknown age and origin. He has a bushy white beard that makes it impossible to see his mouth. He has faked his death 4 times, 2 of which were to hide from the gods cause he pissed off Zeus (again). Torrin is a professor at a university and when one of the PC’s pretended to be a student he realized he was lying but made him do the homework anyways (He got a C-). The man has written nursery rhymes about what a hypocrite Zeus is and LIVED. He has two clowns at any given time. He used to do extreme sports as a young man. Torrin will often say something vague and cryptic and when the party asks for more information he will simply say: “I don’t want to talk about it,” sounding devastated, and the party will drop it. By far the coolest thing about him is that his character was made cause the DM made a funny face and did a bad ‘old man’ voice and the party kept visiting him until the DM was forced to flesh out his character into the most dangerous mortal man alive. He is also queer like most dnd npcs.

Quote: Torrin: "I remember my first amnesia" The Party: "Do you?"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Character 3

Name: Radish Party: Department of Disregard for the Constabulary Relationship to party: Little dude we met someday

What makes them the best NPC: Radish is a little radish with arms, legs, and a face. He runs around a farm owned by a crocodile man and screams. Constantly. Quote: "I'm a security system!"

[caffinedragon]

The Son of Mystra Au remastered

This is a revised version of an Au that literally came to me in a dream a while ago. And as it happens with many of my idea's they tend to grow and change over time until they settle into exactly what they need too. So this, is the new version of this post:

Here we go:

TL;DR: Mystra makes a fail safe out of her oldest daughter, effectively making her a ticking magical time bomb that she uses to blast ambitious mages that threaten the weave off the face of Toril.

Only her daughter finds a way around it, The Karsite Orb, and is like "Fuck that shit and also I'm a dude now."

So Mystra assigns her son to bring her boys to become chosen instead.

Only he finds out what she does with them and is like "Fuck That" and trains his last pupil, Elminster, how to survive her and fucks off for a millennia.

However, Mystra's eyes eventually go astray and fall upon the young neighbor boy whom he talks magic with and sees as a little brother.

So he is like "Fuck you. I am not letting you have him!"

In response she rips the Karsite Orb from his chest, causing him to be lost to the Astral plane for about 20 years.

Once he makes his way back Bahamut shows up and is like, "Hi. I'm your dad now. Here is some of my blood to help reduce the severity of your flare ups but only if you keep using your magic. So to help with that, here is how to enchant stuff so you can regularly keep using your magic without it being weird and we can be a Father and Son team of traveling magic merchants. Cool? Cool."

Only then the Nautaloid happens, reuniting him with the boy he tried to save who now has his old orb in his chest and has been cast out for not being an obedient pet.

This is quickly followed by being swept off his feet by the blade of frontiers and figuring out exactly what the Absolute is and realizing the there is only one way it would be able to do what it's doing before they ever hear about Moonrise.

This means he also knew his mother's next move.

So in order to hopefully prevent it, he warns Gale and reveals to him the true nature of the gods. That way so when he is told to blow himself up he is much less inclined to both follow her orders or to become a god himself.

Instead they agree that if they cant find a way to destroy it that it is safest to return the crown to Mystra in order to keep the power out of mortal hands, regardless of Gale becoming Mystra's chosen again.

The rest of the game proceeds as usual after ,through a deal struck between Bahamut and Mystra, the ticking time bomb Mystra gave him is removed and he is turned into a draconic sorcerer with a mortal lifespan. Then after fixing Karlach's engine and helping Astarion walk in the sun again, he allows his gentle Wyll to put a ring on it, and lives out the rest of his life by the man's side, continuing the work of the wizard who had helped him in the first place.

For the Full Lore read under the cut.

After what Karsus pulled, Mystra decided that she was gonna make sure that she had a fail safe in case it happened again.

So, after she gave birth to several daughters, she had them compete with each other to prove who was the stronger magic user.

Andromeda, her oldest but also most "rebellious" daughter, proved to be the strongest despite her refusal to actively compete with her sisters and as a "reward" was gifted with a piece of Mystra that turned her into a weave generator and gave her the ability to see the weave as she did.

The unfortunate consequence for this was to make her a walking magic bomb on a timer, a wild magic sorcerer on steroids, whenever she was on the material plane.

This particular quirk proved useful for her mother, when others tried to repeat what Karsus did.

And since it made sense that she wanted to protect the weave and thus herself she didn't question when she was sent to the lairs and towers of ruthless and ambitions mages who insisted on repeating history.

However, everything changed when she was told about a wizard hiding in the ruins of one of the fallen cities of Karsus, that was currently using the Karsite weave for his own purpose.

Normally she didn't question her orders but there was something about how her mother was acting that gave her pause. But, when she tried to get more out of her, something she never had problems with in the past, her mother acted erratically and either refused to answer or changed the subject.

So, pushing down her suspicions for the moment to play the obedient daughter, she readied herself to be sent down as always.

When her vision cleared after plane shifting, to her utter horror she realized why her mother was being cagey.

This wizard indeed was hiding amongst old ruins of the Karsite empire but he wasn't alone.

An entire vibrant, bustling, and very much thriving town had grown up around the wizards tower. Men, woman and children were happily going about there day, laughing, loving, arguing, fighting and most of all...living.

Knowing she didn't have much time before tragedy would strike she took off towards the wizards tower, hoping to find an evil wizard who had used the karsite weave to put the entire town under a spell, or that maybe the town was just an elaborate illusion and should it ever drop, the villagers would be revealed to be a massive army of monstrocities or undead under the wizards control.

But when she got to the tower, the wizard was waiting to greet her, as if he knew she was coming.

He led her inside and showed her exactly what he was doing.

He told her of his brother who was born a wild mage. He had lost him to a mob after he accidentally turned the mayor's daughter into a sheep when he tried to cast dancing lights to impress her.

He told her of other wild mages who had met similar ends either by the hands of others or their own because of being burdened with magic that they couldn't control.

As he began to explain how he wanted to do something to help them, she searched him eyes for any sign of deception.

There was none.

The truth of why her mother had been so cagey about this place began to make itself known as he described how he had found a way to make the Karsite weave inert and harmless. In doing so he was able to reverse engineer it to make the very thing that was the reason this town built up around him.

It turns out, that the people that lived here were the descendants of all the wild mages he had saved by creating the Karsite Orb, a magical item that when placed inside the body of a wild mage, stabilized the chaotic forces within the sorcerer by feeding on the excess magic they produced that caused the bursts that they were known for.

She realized then why her mother wanted her to destroy this place.

She wasn't like her other sisters who took their mother's word without question. She had seen the writing on the wall. She knew her mother's true nature, as much as she wanted to believe otherwise.

She had hoped that being her child might make things different but it was clear it didn't.

So, as she felt the timer begin to get to it's final minutes, she leaned into her "rebellious" nature and showed the wizard that she too was a wild mage and that her godly mother had sent her to destroy him and his entire town.

But if he helped her break herself of her chain, she would be able to leave this place behind without so much as a scratch on the towers paint.

The man eagerly agreed and pulled out a shelf where several of the dormant orbs sat.

Over the next few moments he took the largest one that was the size of a fortune tellers crystal ball and activated it with a simple cantrip that set the orb to swirl and glow with a bluish purple light.

He beckoned her to open the tunic she wore, exposing her chest a few seconds before, "Brace yourself, this is gonna hurt.", and then slammed it into her chest.

The pain was extraordinary and caused her to pass out but once she re awoke, she cried as she realized that the timer that had plagued her for so long had not only reset but completely stopped.

After taking a few days to recover and to gain the copy of the orbs design for herself, she left the town just as she found it and began traveling the material plane of her own accord.

As she traveled and reveled in having powerful magic she had complete control over, she realized that the ticking time bomb in her chest hadn't been the only thing wrong with her and used her magic to remedy the situation.

By the time she saw her mother again, Andromeda was gone and in her place was Andrew, a man who still carried his long curly red hair and blue eyes but had shed every thing else.

Mystra didn't really care about the change but was mildly annoyed at what he had done to himself in order to obtain this newfound control.

However, once he showed her a copy of the design she begrudgingly agreed to leave the wizard and his town alone.

But now since she could no longer use him as a walking bomb, she reassigned him to the role of finding and training promising boy mages as her chosen, so that they could do the job he no longer could.

He accepted the task with a roll of the eyes and proceeded to head towards the first of what would be her many victims.

It took the disappearance of a few of his disciples after they left his side for him to get suspicious. When he would claim them for his mother he would always inscribe a tracking charm onto them in case they were needed and at least three of his "graduates" had seemed to disappear suddnely off the map. Concerned for these boys he pretty much raised, he tracked the signals to their last known locations.

And for the second time in his long life was struck with the true horror of how little Mystra cared for those that did her bidding.

Every single one had either let themselves die or took their own lives after his mother no longer found them useful and cast them aside like so much trash.

He tried to warn the rest of them but found, when compared to a goddess, the words of an old mentor meant next to nothing.

Eventually all of the ones he had raised met the same end, and by the time young Elminster was taken under his wing, he vowed not to let another suffer under his mother's gaze.

So, while he dutifully raised and trained Elminster to be her next chosen, he taught him how to see his mother as he did. He taught him how to recognize her tactics and not fall for them. He taught him to never try to be her equal for you are nothing more than a tool to her and if you play into it and never question her judegemnt, to her face, she would leave you to your own devices unless she needed something from you.

Thankfully, unlike his charges before, Elminster was a skeptical and rebellious kid like he was and followed his rules to the letter even after she took him as a lover.

This allowed him to eventually become one of the greatest wizards to ever live and gain a heavily extended lifespan that allowed Andrew, from having to send another lamb to slaughter for a good long time.

However, even Eliminster's great achievements weren't enough to keep her attention indefinitely and soon enough her eyes fell upon another young boy.

This time however, the boy was someone he already knew and had been in direct contact for several years. The boys mother lived in a house that was across the street form his magic store that supplied the nearby magic school with books and supplies.

The boy was a regular to the store, and would often talk about magic with him when the days were slow and his mother was busy running the household after his fathers sudden passing. Heart attack if he remembered correctly.

Overtime he had grown incredibly fond of the talkative kid and had come to care for him as an older borther would, helping him learn the magic he loved so much. The tressym that now followed the 8 year old boy around was a direct result of one of his lessons on how to summon a wizard familiar, in fact.

Tara, as she was called, had told him of how he had summoned her because his parents denied him a kitten. A story that had caused him to laugh so hard the tea he had been drinking went up his nose.

The kid was clearly a natural talent on top of being a lover of magic.

Which, as he got closer to the age his mother liked them, made him start to worry.

One of the worst days of his long life came the moment he felt his mother's eyes fall upon the young boy as he read peacefully in his shop.

"Are you okay, Danny? You look like your about to cry. Would you like a hug?"

Mystra wasn't happy when he refused to bring him to her and as retaliation, she used the orb designs he had given her to rip it out of his chest.

The resulting surge plane shifted him into the Astral plane, where he floated for 20 years before a second surge propelled him back to the material plane in the form of a fireball falling form the sky.

When he regained consciousness, he was in the back of a drake drawn merchant wagon with draconian runes carved on the inside and being driven by an older man surrounded by seven birds perched on various sides both inside and outside the wagon.

it took little time to realize who's wagon he was in.

As much as Gale had loved magic he loved dragons. Thier freedom, strenght and absolute confidence in themselves was somehting he envied and admired.

So there was no way he didn't know about the God of Dragon's favorite past time.

Unknown to both Mystra and himself, Bahamut had been keeping an eye on him for a long time, impressed by his sense of justice and strong will despite being the son of a goddess who hated both in her pawns. So when Mystra threw him away for the very thing he would have praised him for, he decided that if she didn't want her son he would claim him for himself.

With his consent of course.

Andrew eagerly accepted his offer, and was infused with Bahamut's blood in order to lessen the effects of his magic surges from city leveling to the occasional annoying or hilarious inconveniences.

The blood has it's limits however and for it to be effective he has to regularly use his magic to keep it from gettign built up to high. Luckily Bahamut had a simple solution, learing how to enchant and craft magical items. Enchanting items woudl allow him to reguarly purge the extra magic in his system and net him some decent coin as well so it was a win/win.

After he was confient in his new skills the two of them took to the road to find a good place to set up shop, the teo of them easily falling into a father and son realtionship as they spent the next 15 years as wandering merchants who set up temproary shops all across Fae-Run.

This life eventually led them to be running a shop in Yartar the day the Nautaloid split open the sky and started abducting people off the streets.

Andrew, who had up to that point had been teaching a young boy the finer points of his new sorcerer powers, saw one of the tendrils whipping down the street, heading straight for the the mother of the kids back.

Without a second's hesitation, he shoved the mother and child out of the way into Bahamut's waiting arms, letting himself get hit with it instead.

After the Nautaloid's crash, he finds himself reunited with the now adult Gale as his Mother's ex Chosen who now carried the orb that once resided in his chest, while at the same time finding himself being swept off his feet by the Blade of Frontiers that has only ever known courtly love before meeting him.

Of course, as they journey on and more information about their situation comes to light, he comes to a startling realization as to how the Absolute is able to do what it did with the tadpoles. Along with knowing that, if he is correct, he knows that it wont be long before his mother shows up to use her new walking bomb to take care of the problem like he used to do so long ago, only Gale wouldn't survive it like he could.

Not wanting him to suffer that fate, he explains what is going on to Gale who at first protests but, after a long discussion of who Andrew is and his history with her begins to believe him.

Then, sure enough, shortly after they start making the trip to Moonrise, Elminster arrives and tells Gale exactly what he expected Mystra to want him to do as well as giving him a message from Bahamut that Mystra struck a deal with him. The deal struck was that in return for letting him claim Andrew fully as a draconian sorcerer and one of his mortal dragons, emphasis on mortal, that she would remove the weave generator from his body, effectively negating any way he could use his power to get back at her for what she just asked Gale to do.

He readily agrees to the deal after he remembered having Gale use the orb in his chest to keep him from a pretty devastating magic burst that could have leveled the entire Risen Road/Emerald Grove Area.

Luckily, due to their previous conversation, Gale is a lot less willing to go through with it and instead begins to jump to ambitions of godhood. This prompts a conversation about the true nature of gods and how all the power they possess is actually in the hands of mortals because, without them, they wouldn't exist. And, as a god, you can't change and become better than you are like mortals can. Your stuck as the representation of whatever domain your given and that is all you will ever be.

This conversation ultimately convinces Gale to abandon his ambition and turns it towards perhaps finding a way to destroy it so another Absolute doesn't happen instead.

However they both agree, that if there isn't a way to destroy it, that it was safest to hand it over to his mother if no other reason than to make sure mortal hands can't get a hold of it again.

After the game, Andrew spends his time helping Karlach fix her engine, and to find a way for Astarion to regain his mortality or at the very least be able to walk in the sunlight again before letting Wyll change his name from Mr. Andrew Weave the Wandering Enchanter to Sir Andrew Ravenguard The Dragon Sorcerer of Baldur's Gate, living out the rest of the mortal life he was given by his side, using the original Karsite Orb design to help Wild Mages like that wizard who helped him so long ago.