#Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All

[lord-squiggletits]

Also I'm just gonna say that even if it were true that Rodimus was a """""true Prime"""" and Optimus wasn't, that isn't as much of an L for Optimus as people seemingly want it to be.

Like so you're telling me Optimus was never a chosen hero and the burden of the Matrix/leadership pained him morally, emotionally, and physically, yet he still survived 4 million years of war?

You're telling me he wasn't God's Designated Special Boy but he still tried his best to live up to that impossible ideal to the point of developing serious depression and suicidal ideation as a result of so much goddamn loneliness and self-doubt?

Optimus wasn't a "true Prime" and yet he still believed in ideals of reconciliation and ending the cycle of violence? He wasn't a true Prime but he still stayed on Cybertron trying to fix a broken, broken society while also trying to stop Earth from being invaded for a second time? He didn't even need to do that he could've just stayed in exile which he was originally supposed to do all along, and which he would've personally preferred?? You're telling me that Optimus wasn't Primus' Specialest Boy And Chosen Leader and yet he stepped into leadership anyways bc he perceived that there was injustice to be fixed??

Wow yeah I guess Optimus is just such an inferior leader, clearly his actual actions/moral character as person don't matter and his "worthiness" should be judged solely on whether the Magic Cybertronian 8 Ball liked him or not.

[ladythornofrivia]

Mr. Targaryen Will See You Now

Modern!Aemond x Reader (three parts)

warnings (for the future chapters): sex, oral sex, loss of virginity, squirting, stalking, obsession, manipulation, reader being clueless, but not totally innocent, blackmail, p in v sex, blood kink, knife kink, gun kink, handcuff kink, bdsm, masturbation, fingering

a/n: I’ve been doing okay, but things have been complicated. There are times I wish someone would love and protect me like in the romance book—longing for a romantic life and longing for connection and consistency. I’m still clinging on. Oh, and I started to drive, I’ve gotten better at driving, but still need to learn. And my family has been cruel to me that even made me believe that no one will love me. But art is my passion, one thing that keeps me alive until now. And thank you guys, for supporting me. I love you guys very much.

The morning hair wasn’t cooperating; you took a nice long, hot shower the night before the interview—which you knew nothing about, and planned on spending time to read books and drink merlot and binge on snacks, or watching korean soap operas, being a usual daydreamer you are— and you were getting ready for the interview, groggy, and sobbing on the inside.

The iron curl is broken. And nothing to repair except for your roommate’s curler, tried to make the curls tighter, hence why you brushed your hair back for a softer effect.

Long story short, your friend has called in sick, and asked you to fill in the details for her. Nevertheless, a shy and innocent girl such as yourself. Under a bad weather, you have to fill in, that’s what a good friend does.

Any shenanigans and canceled during the day of interview meant blacklist.

The appointment must be that important.

Clad in knit white jacket with black lines, white top and silky pleated skirt, with your sideswept longish strands tucked in, you were sure you’re going to vomit. Vomit from misery, vomit from stomach pain, or vomit from an awful weather, you made sure your clean, it-girl makeup is on plastered to your sleepy expression, hoping no one would take you as a joke. Presenting as possible also means the downside of being insecure or inferior is low. But with amount of makeup you set up, you made sure you’re neither too plain nor extravagant.

Everything has to be balanced accordingly. But appearance willing to stand out, if the destiny allows it to be.

“You got that tape recorder, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And the interview sheet?”

“Got it right here in my purse.”

“How about the gift for him?”

Your brows knitted. “I have it all set. I don’t think he’s going to accept this. There’s no way in hell.”

“Not if it comes from gorgeous lady like you. You look prim and proper today! Ready to go at the Met Gala, Miss Victoria’s Secret Model?”

“Ha, as if! Besides, I can’t go in looking like a wet rag. They’ll kick me out.” Sprayed a fee spritz of the sweet, vanilla, cotton-candy smelling perfume on your neck and neckline over your interview getup.

“Funny.” Your friend howled a wet, sloppy and stuffy sneeze. “Don’t mind me, just get your round ass going before someone decides to come behind you and give it a good smack, and it’s not going to be me.”

She spilled a good part of the soup as your friend accidentally swallowed and slurped the noodle and coughed. Oops.

“Careful, that’s a $50 white carpet I just got,” you said with a tiny smile.

“I’m being careful,” your friend said, inspecting the bowl if the spicy soup spilled. And there’s none.

“Alright, alright. I’ll go ahead. Stay still.”

“And you stay naughty with your ass poking out,” your friend shouted behind you as you walked off.

You must achieve perfectionism at all costs. That’s what beauty is for.

~~~

As you entered the high floor of the building, the receptionists, looking flawless and elegant, greeted you, as if you’re another member of the company. Beautiful women with beautiful problems with beautiful men, you’d assume.

“Miss Stark?”

“Yes?” you replied, the receptionist insisted to take your coat off, but you politely refused with a sweet grin, but you gave your umbrella instead. Nonetheless, the secretary lead you to the high double doors—grey and glossy.

Immaculate.

“Mr. Targaryen will see you now.”

And opened the door. By your mistake, you didn’t realize one of your items dropped, causing you to lunge forward and knees bruised, following by your personal items and paper for the interview flopped on the ground.

Your ankle received a sharp pain, pressuring.

By the glass window, a long-haired man in a steel grey suit pivoted his head around from the noise and approached. “Are you alright, miss?”

His voice tuned in your ears. You have never heard a voice with profound deepness and…seduction.

A realization pang when you found yourself agitating like a shy teenage girl in high school, a shy, awkward girl talking to a handsome guy. You bet he’s the type of guy who’s popular, but doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks of him, or that he doesn’t occur to him as a benefit of being popular.

You’ve never seen him on papers and articles on the internet. No picture has come to a close when you glimpsed at him in person. Too long, in fact. You thought it would be an old man wanting more attention from the source of dangerous media.

He’s that gorgeous.

Immaculate. Neat.

And strictly punctual.

Is he taking his father’s place for the interview?

“I’m doing okay, sir. I apologize for the inconvenience,” you replied with modesty, nearly breaking the sweat on your brow.

Instead, he huffed, returning back to his desk and leaned himself over the table, awaiting. Watching. A faint scar outlined from the thin brow to cheekbone.

You’d assume he’s associated with dangerous people underground. Though you never knew him personally. Only an assumption.

“Sit,” he commanded, ever so still.

Gulping your parched throat, after drinking water and caffeine—you purchased on your way—in the car, heading for the massive building, you wondered drinking coffee has an effect on the stability in the nervous system. Sat on one of the empty green chairs, you had your utensil pen you bought online from a Japanese website and an aesthetic mini notebook, readying the questions. Flipping over the rippled pages, you studied over the questions, and as it turns out your friend has more of an aspect on the side of…inappropriate philosophy.

Nearly face palming yourself, you wanted to strangle your friend for setting you up for failure.

What the hell are you thinking, dude?

“Are you just going to sit there and act like a mousy librarian or are you going to interview me for the benefit of my time and success?”

Shoulder blades flinched at the sound of his tone. “Pardon me, sir,” you stated, nearly shitting your skirt and thong on his green velvet chair. And cleared your throat. “My first question is…” Your friend’s questions doesn’t give that much benefit for his time and success, so you tweaked your friend’s intentions to more of a productive approach. “How do you stabilize the company despite on the near downfall from the predecessor’s influential endeavors?”

Aemond’s violet eye gleamed. “You did your research on my father.”

In silence, your head inclined as acknowledgment.

“My father’s attempts on reclaim to the company was rather a long difficult process. His real endeavor was to lure people for…unsavory tasks and planned on passing his inheritance to his oldest daughter, my half-sister, Rhaenyra.”

Something in his statement was trying to say he wishes to air the dirty laundry. But you knew that he’s not an idiot.

“And how do you approach it compared to his “past” attempts?”

“Business travels had more suitable to catering and stabilizing the company in years, by speaking to several CEOs and their predecessors who are much more responsible to financial and stocks, how they be able to keep the staff members and their company intact in excellent condition and how business traveling has more benefits on success than staying in one place in one country. Their predecessors are much more controlling than how much stocks they hold—eventually they lost their staff and shares due to certain disadvantages. I learned both sides of the same coin, and I learned to take advantage of both.”

“By being fair and firm,” you assumed, pen scribbling. “You want to be superior and be well-respected, but you also try to be fair in all sides to keep a steady balance, hence why you travel to different countries to learn about different cultures and their ways of work culture, how they handle their staff and clients. And you looked at the bad effects to make sure no mistake is taken place.”

“Precisely.” Aemond smirked as you wrote along his statement.

Scribbling further down on the page until you flipped to a next one, you tweaked another question that your friend’s opposing curiosity has.

“With comes along the inheritance, and with the hefty influence of social media, how do you manage to steady the balance as well? With your father’s…whereabouts and the company, and with today’s social influence and societal aspects on differences, how else do you keep manage from falling?”

Aemond clicked his tongue. “It was a difficult process, and like any ordinary day, we strive for sanity to survive. Not everyone handles scandals correctly. While those who handle with promiscuity, I handled myself, the staff and the company with grace.”

“I assumed that some of the members who are in connections with you, have no ability to face the outcome with grace like you?” you said without thinking.

Aemond frowned at that. “Not everyone.”

“My apologies, sir.” You flipped the blank page over. “And with that said, how do you envision your company in the next 30 years?”

“The questions you asked are vitally intimidating. Are you trying to challenge me in a way?”

“For your benefit of time and success, yes.”

Aemond’s lips curled into a soft grin. “Clever girl.”

Gulped again, you found your legs coiled to a tighter position. Hand nearly shook and released the pen, but caught on it.

Focus, (Y/N). No time to be naughty.

Stop being naughty. Don’t leave yourself along with naughty thoughts. You don’t want to jump on him.

Aemond sat down near you to another set of green velvet chair.

“Continue,” he said, almost sounded like a purr.

“I, uh,” you looked over your friend’s silly questions and alternate it with another. Meanwhile Aemond amused himself with your fluster. “With you as a CEO of the Targaryen Company, where do you find yourself in the next 20 years? Are you planning to be the CEO, or are you planning to inherit the company and stocks to someone new, someone who’s not related to you, even?”

Aemond’s head tilted to the side, his white-blond hair spilled over his right shoulder.

“I would like to know more about yourself, Miss Stark. For a woman who belongs to a prestigious family, your wit and tongue are sharp. Are you always this curious?”

“You’ve met them?”

His brow flicked up. “I met your father during the meeting sometime last week. He has a well-deserved reputation.”

Your hands clutched tighter.

Aemond squinted his hues. “There’s more than meets the eye. What is your name?”

Correcting your postured, you answered in delicate voice. “My name is (Y/N), sir. (Y/N) (L/N).”

Aemond hummed. “(Y/N). I never thought you took your friend’s place to interview me.”

“She’s sick.”

“Figures.”

Your brows scrunched. “How do you know?”

“I can see the way you’re fidgeting to your pen.”

“How do you know her?”

“I know she’s not the brightest girl, nor a brightest student. I overheard her spoke once over a party on how she wanted to have a wonderful marriage with a wealthy man to make her ex-boyfriend jealous.”

“Okay, I don’t need to know that sort of detail, but—”

Aemond took the folded paper from your hand. “Are you single? Are you interested in marriage besides marrying to your own company? Does your family know that I’m single?” He looked at you in disbelief and said, “I’m surprised you have thought of particular questions you asked on the spot despite the opposing questions your friend makes.”

“It’s a job interview. It’s meant to be taken seriously.”

“And you did well, Miss (Y/N). Therefore, I wished to know more about you.” His back leaned in on a large chair frame, as he tossed the folded paper on a small coffee table. “What are you studying right now?”

“I major in history and art.”

“What are your favorite things to do on your spare time?”

“I like to go to the gym. Go to Starbucks and drink coffee. Sometimes I make coffee at home, and then…I sometimes read and watch a lot of shows…”

“What kind of shows?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“So it’s romance?”

“Yes, but a different kind of romance…” you stated, awkward.

Aemond titled his head again.

You shifted in your seat.

“It’s a…um….”

He chuckled. “I never meant to put you on a spot, Miss (L/N), I apologize. So what are your plans regarding to work?”

“I’m studying at the moment for my finals.”

Aemond uncrossed his legs, his back leaned forward, gazing to your eyes. “I would like for you to be as my secretary.”

Your lips parted.

“There’s an internship that I’m offering at the current moment. More benefits for my staff and PTO.”

You leaned back and thought of the offer, but Aemond stopped you.

“What sort of books are you into, Miss (Y/N)? If I were to guess, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte or Thomas Hardy, which author do you prefer?”

“I prefer Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky.”

Aemond folded his hands together. “Sad and poetic?”

“It’s the closest thing to reality. I don’t mind Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte or Tom Hardy. Although Tom Hardy’s stories are also considered as tragic. But..reading modern romance novels isn’t so bad. But I found myself more addictive to coffee, fashionable clothes and beauty products more now.”

You found yourself smiling at that. The sharp gasp filled in your throat when Aemond’s hand reached you, and tugged the band wrapped around your hair, loosening it, and combed the silk, lustrous strands through his fingertips, staring at you.

“Perfect,” he whispered.

You nearly pinched yourself before the secretary entered. “There’s a meeting in the conference room. Another company has requested for your presence.”

Aemond retrieved his hand on time. “I’ll be there soon.”

The door closed as you said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” And a heavy thud clashed onto the ground. It was a gift. For him.

“For you,” you said, handing the gift over.

“What is it?”

“Chocolate.”

Aemond chuckled shortly. “I don’t eat sweets, Miss (L/N).”

As you got up from the seat, Aemond’s hand grasp for your wrist, making your head turn to meet his beautiful eyes. “Think about my offer,” he said, along that, he handed you his card by tucking the card in on one of your back pocket of your skirt, lingering on feeling your round ass than how someone touched you.

With that, you bowed and left his spacious offer, leaving him with wonder and amazement.

He ripped out the ribbon and wrap, revealing it to be compliments for him. Chocolates—as you claimed—and framed translucent glass with a green ink dragon inside.

He ripped one of the pieces from the chocolate box and ate one. Sweet, like yours. He wondered what you would feel and taste like.

Aemond found himself a new toy to play with. Another bite of the caramelized chocolate, with finding himself in an entrance with you, he has his sights on you. And thus dialing the phone number on his smartphone.

“Sir?” a voice said on the other side of the phone call.

“Hello. I have a task for you. You won’t fail me.”

One taste of you, and he won’t ever plan on letting you go.

~~~

Heavy door slammed shut and met up with your friend again.

“Sooo…how’s your meeting with him? What’s he like?”

“He’s…nice?”

“Nice? Saying the word ‘nice’ is automatically a code for friend zone.”

“No, I mean, he, he’s intimidating, and yet he’s able to answer my questions.”

“You mean my questions?”

You handed over your notebook to your friend on your original questions. “Wow, even I can’t ask a question like that.”

“Aemond found out that I stepped in for the interview instead of you.”

“How can you tell?”

“He met your father last week. And he already knows what you look like.”

“I never even knew him personally.”

“And he overheard you on how you wanted to marry a rich to make your ex jealous. That’s not something to easily slip by. Aemond has sharp ears and tongue.”

“Ugh, he caught me.”

“And yet those questions you wanted to ask him is simply more than an interview because why?”

“Because no one knows about him personally.”

“Yeah, but on a matter of a serious spectrum, not a flirtation. Do you even find him attractive, or do you want to set up with his siblings?”

“Ew, no, I don’t find Aemond handsome, but his other brothers do. Or his uncle.” Your friend looked over your interview questions. “Looks like he’s impressed by you.”

“He is.”

“So is he asking you out on a date?”

“No he asked me to be as his secretary.”

Your friend gasped. “No!”

“Yes, he is. He mentioned about the internship, and..”

“Are you going to take it?”

“I haven’t thought about it that much. I’m still studying for the finals.”

Your friend made a casual dismissive wave. “You’ll do great in the company and you get to see his gorgeous face everyday.”

“I thought you said he’s not your type.”

“He’s not. I like his uncle more. Older guys are my thing.”

“Right. Because older men knows how to take care because of their experience.”

“Exactly! I think you and Aemond are going to get along so well! Who knows you’ll get benefits. Even from him.” She winked and took the rest of the coffee.

“Hey!”

“Thanks for the coffee!” And the bedroom door slammed shut, leaving you happy about today’s outcome.

Clapped your hands together, you said aloud to yourself, “Alright! Time for me to take a shower, get dressed and watch some drama on Netflix.” And cheered your way into the bathroom. “By the way,” you called your friend out, shouting, “I didn’t get to tape-record him!”

“WHHHAAAAAATTTTT?!” is what your frantic friend responded.

~~~

Unbeknownst to you, while you’re undressed and soaked in the shower, Aemond’s pants unzipped, his hand caressed his large cock, pressed it harder as you scrubbed your legs and backside.

Delicious.

The bulge in his pants was ready to spring during the interview with you.

Thanks to the card he handed over by tucking it into your back pocket, he felt how good your ass looks. How your ponytail given him an impression that you’re a good girl on the outside but a bad girl was somewhere hiding, dying to get out.

Stroking his hard cock faster, moaning aloud—strained—as he watched you rinsed the soap from your body and stepped out of the shower with your tits bounced, remembering the perfume scent as Aemond went close to you. How he’ll perform his fantasies with you. Envisioned you, right next to a knife, he’ll play with blood trickling down on your skin alongside of bruises on your wrists on handcuffs.

It was beautiful.

Divine.

Cum spritz out, flying and plopping over his thighs, leaving him with a heavy huff and lustful gaze glueing to your naked body, drying up from a steamed shower.

She’ll be mine.

Taglist: @kittendoll05 @xcharlottemikaelsonx @paninisstuff @angeljcca @marvelescvpe @heavenly1927 @snh96 @httpsmenace @domithebomi @moonseye @faesspace @liannafae @buccini555 @watercolorskyy @taangie @qardasngan @jolixtreesunn @screaming-potato @dixie-elocin @momowhoo @saturnssrings @dani5216 @blackgaladriel @theboleyngirlx @elaratyrell @fun-loving-peach @jmliebert @ilikechocolatemilkh @20thcentwriter @sepherinaspoppies @venmondiese @snowprincesa1 @witchy-v1xen @1800-fight-me @fan-goddess @persephonerinyes @anukulee @galactict3a @maxshortformaxine @lcolumbia1988 @ilikemintpeassss-blog @arcielee @hippiedippiekitty @bellaisasleep @lokiofasgard12 @barnes70stark @vipervixxen @f1girlieee @namelesslosers @darylandbethfanforever9

[filurig]

some silly about basilisk eggs

basically all this bs is because basilisks have a long ass development time but still want to raise their young starting with the Nice Seasons.

as it says in the thing, the egg is actually surprisingly packed with the building blocks and nutrients when it is laid, and requires little actual energy investment by the male to sustain it during his period of sole incubation. the female will after conception have hugeeee cravings and basically gorge herself on food in a short amount of time, a lot of that going into the egg. some females may even prepare before conception if they are planning to have eggs that year even earlier. after laying the egg she needs time to recover but with the male being responsible for safekeeping of the egg, she has more time to.

the males are also smaller and more agile, which makes him a better fit for carrying around the egg in a pouch in case of a threat.

if not for this convoluted little thing theyd have to brood on the egg for like almost a year which isnt very Convenient.

there are certain traditions among many basilisk cultures surroudning eggs and stuff seeing as they only lay eggs during the season, and also the eggs differ so drastically when theyre fertile vs not (which probably evolved to ensure they dont waste time trying to incubate a failed egg)

one tradition among the kraksi, which is a smaller and tight knit basilisk community, is for all females who lay unfertile eggs to gift them to females that have laid fertile eggs during an annual little get together to celebrate successful layings if they have happened, or just general celebration/wishes of fertility in the future if they havent happened (in the latter case, everyone just sort of eats eachothers eggs together lol). the eggs are eaten with a big feast intended to help the recently having laid females recuperate, and also prepare their partners for their duty of safekeeping the egg until the cooperative incubation.

oh also when it is time to "lay" the egg for the male, the egg "cord" shuts itself off from the male and "dies" and falls off!

[itsnothingofinterest]

This is probably a weird note to end my time with MHA's run on; but I find it so strange how I still see people calling Tomura out on just being a destruction-hungry villain with supposedly no plan or follow up...as though he is unique for that simplicity. Especially after the ending we got. Like, Deku and All Might never really had a plan when they were reshaping society by beating up the enemy and everything worked out fine for them, but does anyone call them out for just using violence to mindlessly solve everything with no further plan? (Well, yes. Me. Right now.)

Because like, really thinking about it; how different was All Might's plan from the start of his career to take down AFO and become a symbol, and Deku's plan to end the villains and bring everything back, from Shigaraki's plan to end hero society and bring about a world accommodating to the League? It all seemed to boil down to the same basic premise of Step 1) Beat everyone & everything making things worse, Step 2) ...it all just kind of works out from there. (I guess All Might planned on being inspiring and uplifting, but then we could also count Tomura's plan to be imposing and...uplifting but for different people. Deku was winging it every step of the way though.) Everyone's getting on Tomura's case for doing nothing but destroying; but all evidence from when the heroes do it suggests violence & destruction works. And it just never fails to bug me when people call Tomura out for stuff that's fine when heroes do it.

Which, yeah, let's touch on how it did just work out for Deku that way for no logical reason, least of all anything he planned. He punched out the big bad just like All Might and now things are like a hundred times better than they were under All Might with no more Tenkos abandoned in the street. If stuff like that just happens if you punch out your enemies hard enough, then why couldn't that happen for Tomura? Maybe if he had destroyed the government & hero society it would've, idk, been so fear/awe-inspiring that all the villains would've been nice and cooperative under the PLF and everything would've been fine. Or something. No more contrived than what we saw with the old lady plot line, MHA is just a series where that stuff works out. Heck, one time it actually did just work out that way for Tomura:

Again, violence and destruction works in MHA. I mean; duh, it's a shonen manga.

Plus all this is ignoring the fact that, unlike those two, Tomura did have a follow up to the violence. He did have a step two, or at least one & a half, after "beat down all the bad guys in the country." Rather than just going "and everything will work out from there," he had his guys plan for the future so he could say "and Spinner, Toga, and RD et. all will make sure everything works out from there." (Admittedly, not much; but also, not hopes and dreams.) He did have a plan, it was just the plan from the Overahul arc, where he was last asked to have a plan: leave it to his allies.

And hey, that means it's actually better than what we saw from genius All Might and brainiac Deku. So why are we still, even after everything was over, acting like there's some expectation as a villain he didn't meet? I guess it's just in the nature of a 'tantrum-having man-child who wants nothing but destruction' to put more forethought into the future he wants to build than the society-uplifting greatest heroes.

That or maybe everyone had really detailed follow-ups for when they won that Hori never went much into, but that'd render this post a bit pointless so shhh.

[lovesim09]

Free Labour?

As you know, Cale has a lot of people, so he also has a lot of expenses. Even though he calls himself trash and often talks about using people, does he really exploit them and give nothing in return?

The only people he uses in my opinion are Rasheel and Pendrick. However, in Rasheel's case, he listens to orders from the Dragon Lord, and he afraid of the two oldest dragons. When it comes to Pendrick, as an elf he is not interested in material gains. His ability can heal and can be used on people with a dark attribute. It is very easy to convince him to cooperate, just tell him that he is doing a good deed, or say that a dragon would like him to help the Cale group. I remember at Castle Leona, Eruhaben wouldn't come empty handed and who did he take with him? Yes Pendrick. He even took him to another world with him. The wind elementals don't get anything from him either, but these adorable creatures are so happy that he hears them and talks to them 🥹. They also have a lot of fun when it comes to destroying everything, robbing people, etc.

So is Cale really taking advantage of his people?

▪︎Children, I'm not just talking about kittens and Raon. I'm also thinking about wolf children. First, Cale didn't want to take them to dangerous places. When it comes to wolf children, they appear during fights when he's sure they won't be hurt too badly. Cats and Raon are always close to him or hidden. They never fight directly. Lock is the oldest but he doesn't even take him often because he's still a kid. And he always tries to make sure that nothing will happen to him. Even during the war he told him to stay close to him and protect Raon nothing more. He's the one who got them a new home, he probably gives all the children pocket money, with the wolf children he may not do it directly, but they definitely get money too. I am also sure that the Henituse family helps financially with them. In addition, he never forget about gifts. Accept that you are a father.

▪︎Choi Han, homeless and poor. Cale gave him money, arranged for a new sword, new clothes. A new house, a place to train. He also arranged better graves for the dead residents of Harris village. It also gave him a reason to distract himself from this traumatic event. Choi Han did as Cale asked in gratitude, but he actually got more than Cale in their transaction. Even when Cale sent him to Lock's village, he gave him potions, and they're not that cheap. Don't fool yourself, Cale.

▪︎Rosalyn. He became her sponsor. She has her own lab in his house, he gave her mana stones. Do I need to remind you how many billions, was that? Traveling with him gave her more than one opportunity to grow and develop, and more often than not, she did. In the future there will be a free city where she can build tower, he also has a project for a tower. I understand that having a future Mage Tower Master as a friend is beneficial, but you still spent too much. He scams himself again.

▪︎Molan family. In this case, his family did a lot for them. They got jobs, Beacrox learned how to cook. They had a place to hide. Later, Cale gave them a chance for revenge. He literally blew up the island for Ron. They got their home back and Cale also helped regain his foothold in the underworld. And he was supposedly trying to get rid of them so that they would travel with Choi Han 🙄.

▪︎ Sun twins. He saved their lives, hid them, gave them shelter and a home. He cleared their names, gave them a Church to control. Saint Jack is the Pope, the head of the Church, even if he is not officially named that at this point. He gave them divine artifact. He helped them in the rebellion so that their homeland would not have a civil war and would not be taken over by other countries. Okay, they helped him weaken the empire, thanks to the rebellion. So in the future, the title of empire may be taken away from them. They still got more benefits as if Hannah was still alive thanks to you and Mary.

▪︎Tiger tribe. He gave them Harris village, with the consent of Deruth. The clothes they are often described in. The dojo uniform was bought by him. He gave them an opportunity for revenge. You gave them a home where they can run wild (poor monsters in the Forest of Darkness), you got gifts from them but it's nothing compared to the benefits they got.

▪︎ Crown prince Alberu. Cale gave him precious dead mana from the dragon, thanks to him Taylor is on his side,Duchess also went over to his side. Support of the Henituse family, the richest family in the Roan kingdom. Cale helped him develop Roan militarily, he gave him mages. The alliance between the kingdoms was formed with his help, after all, he was the one who had a connection to every single person there. Not to mention emotional support. Ok he can give him a headache, extra paperwork, but he still has benefits. Thanks to him Alberu can become the first Emperor of Roan Empire. He doesn't even realize that he has become an Emperor maker.

▪︎Mary and dark elves. Mary got a bunch of bones from his backyard, he gave her dragon bones. She has a new home, he gave her the opportunity to travel. Dark elves and Mary have been accepted by the world, the Church can't even touch them. Helping him in the fight they got dead mana, became stronger. He also gave them the opportunity to go wild during the war. I haven't forgotten how they behaved in the empire and Molden Kingdom. In addition, he tried to reduce the pain Mary felt. No wonder the dark elves like him so much and always help him.

▪︎Eruhaben. Even if he didn't want at first, Cale helped him extend his life. Cale supports him financially after ARM robbed him, all alchemical ingredients are bought by Cale, gave him lots of mana stones. Eruhaben adopted himself into his family. He helps them because he does not want young people to suffer and be hurt.

▪︎ Whale tribe. They appeared so often that they are now part of the family. Paseton was saved by him. He helped them destroy the swamp from which the mermaids were getting their poison. He destroyed the mermaid base along with the island. He gave them the opportunity to take revenge on ARM for helping the mermaids. Even Archie can show his true character around Cale. At first it balanced out how much help Cale got and how much they got from him. However, as the story progressed, those as part of his family were happy to help

▪︎Mila and Dodori. In their case, it's hard to say. Dodori is obsessed with the heroes and would like to write a book about Cale and others. Cale has also become his teacher. Mila is a supportive mother. Later they too were adopted themself into his family. Cale has an affinity to dragons, probably through dominating aura.

▪︎Elves. They were his people for a while, they even called him Commander . He helped the World tree, in return they were supposed to help him. They tried to help Bud find his people, but it was a trap.

▪︎Clopeh. I know, he had no choice. But Cale spared his life, allowed him to create a new legend with the wyverns. Then Choi Han and him helped him obtain the technique to use dead mana, which made him stronger. He also gave him a sword to be his guardian.

▪︎Dragon half blood. Even though he was his enemy, Cale gave them the choice to live or die. Then, he made him wash dishes, his people put his soul in the bones of a dragon. It really sounds awful, but the most important thing for Half Blood was that he had a choice. Even as an enemy he was given a choice, something he had never had in 900 years. In addition, he was able to experience a normal life during the time he worked for him. Even in the second part he saved his life and gave him a name. Something he had wanted for 900 years 🥲.

So yes, all this time the people he helped got more benefits than him. But he will still argue and call himself trash.

[physalian]

“How do I know if my story needs work or if I’m just being hard on myself?”

As I sit here accepting the fact that at 70k words into Eternal Night’s sequel while waiting for my editor for Eternal Night itself, that I have made an error in my plot.

Disclaimer: This is not universal and the writing experience is incredibly diverse. Figuring this out also takes some time and building up your self-confidence as an author so you can learn to separate “this is awful (when it’s not)” and “this is ok (but it can be better)” and “this isn’t working (but it is salvageable).”

—

When I wrote my first novel (unpublished, sadly), years ago, I would receive feedback all over the chapters and physically have to open other windows to block off parts of the screen on my laptop to slow-drip the feedback because I couldn’t handle constructive criticism all at once. I had my betas color-code their commentary so I could see before I read any of it that it wasn’t all negative. It took me thrice as long as it does today to get through a beta’s feedback because I got so nervous and anxious about what they would say.

The main thing I learned was this: They’re usually right, when it’s not just being mean (and even then, it’s rarely flat out mean), and that whatever criticisms they have of my characters and plot choices is not criticism of myself.

It did take time.

But now I can get feedback from betas and even when I hear “I’d DNF this shit right now unless you delete this,” I take a step back, examine if this one little detail is really that important, and fix it. No emotional turmoil and panic attack needed. I can also hear “I didn’t like it” without heartbreak. Can’t please everyone.

The only time I freak out is when I'm told "this won't need massive edits" followed up by, in the manuscript, "I'd DNF this shit right now". Which happened. And did not, in fact, require a massive rewrite to fix.

So.

What might be some issues with your story and why it “isn’t working”.

1. Your protagonist is not active enough in the story

You’ve picked your protagonist, but it’s every other character that has more to do, more to say, more choices to make, and they’re just along for the ride, yet you are now anchored to this character’s story because they’re the protagonist. You can either swap focus characters, or rework your story to give them more agency. Figure out why this character, above any other, is your hero.

2. Your pacing is too slow

Even if you have a “lazy river” style story where the vibes and marinating in the world is more important than a breakneck plot, slow pacing isn’t just “how fast the story moves” it’s “how clearly is the story told,” meaning if you divert the story to a side quest, or spend too long on something that sure is fluffy or romantic or funny, but it adds nothing to the characters because it’s redundant, doesn’t advance the plot, doesn’t give us more about the world that actually matters to the themes, then you may have lost focus of the story and should consider deleting it, or editing important elements into the scenes so they can pull double-duty and serve a more active purpose.

3. You’ve lost the main argument of your narrative

Sometimes even the best of outlines and the clearest plans derail. Characters don’t cooperate and while we see where it goes, we end up getting hung up on how this one really cool scene or argument or one-liner just has to be in the story, without realizing that doing so sacrifices what you set out to accomplish. Personally I think sticking to your outline with biblical determination doesn’t allow for new ideas during the writing process, but if you find yourself down the line of “how did we get here, this isn’t what I wanted” you can always save the scenes in another document to reuse later, in this WIP or another in the future.

4. You’re spending too long on one element

Even if the thing started out really cool, whether it’s a rich fantasy pit stop for your characters or a conversation two characters must have, sometimes scenes and ideas extend long past their prime. You might have characters stuck in one location for 2 or 3 chapters longer than necessary trying to make it perfect or stuff in all these details or make it overcomplicated, when the rest of the story sits impatiently on the sidelines for them to move on. Figure out the most important reasons for this element to exist, take a step back, and whittle away until the fat is cut.

5. You’ve given a side character too much screentime

New characters are fun and exciting! But they can take over the story when they’re not meant to, robbing agency from your core characters to leave them sitting with nothing to do while the new guy handles everything. You might end up having to drag your core characters along behind them, tossing them lines of dialogue and side tasks to do because you ran out of plot to delegate with one character hogging it all (which is the issue I ran into with the above mentioned WIP). Not talking about a new villain or a new love interest, I mean a supporting character who is supposed to support the main characters.

—

As for figuring out the difference between “this is awful and I’m a bad writer” and “this element isn’t working” try pretending the book was written by somebody else and you’re giving them constructive criticism.

If you can come up with a reason for why it’s not working that doesn’t insult the writer, it’s probably the latter. As in, “This element isn’t working… because it’s gone on too long and the conversation has become cyclical and tiring.” Not “this element isn’t working because it’s bad.”

Why is it bad?

“This conversation is awkward because…. There’s not enough movement between characters and the dialogue is really stiff.”

“This fight scene is bad because….I don’t have enough dynamic action, enough juicy verbs, or full use of the stage I’ve set.”

“This romantic scene is bad because…. It’s taking place at the wrong time in the story. I want to keep it, but this character isn’t ready for it yet, and the vibe is all wrong now because they’re out-of-character.”

“This argument is bad because…. It didn’t have proper build-up and the sudden shouting match is not reflective of their characters. They’re too angry, and it got out of hand quickly. Or I’m not conveying the root of their aggression.”

—

There aren’t very many bad ideas, just bad execution. “Only rational people can think they’re crazy. Crazy people think they’re sane,” applies to writing, too.

I just read a fanfic recently where, for every fight scene, I could tell action was not the writer’s strong suit. They leaned really heavily on a crutch of specific injuries for their characters, the same unusual spot getting hit over and over again, and fights that dragged on for too long being unintentionally stagnant. The rest of the fic was great, though, and while the fights weren’t the best, I understood that the author was trying, and I kept reading for the good stuff. One day they will be better.

In my experience beta reading, it’s the cocky authors who send me an unedited manuscript and tell me to be kind (because they can’t take criticism), that they know it’s perfect they just want an outside opinion (they don’t want the truth, they want what will make them feel good), that they know it’s going to make them a lot of money and everyone will love it (they haven’t dedicated proper time and effort into researching marketing, target audiences, or current trends)—these are the truly bad authors. Not just bad at writing, but bad at taking feedback, are bullies when you point out flaws in their story, and cheap, too.

The best story I have received to date was where the author didn’t preempt with a self-deprecating deluge of “it’s probably terrible you know but here it is anyway” or “this is perfect and I’m super confident you’re going to love it”.

It was something like, “This is my first book and I know it has flaws and I’m nervous but I had a lot of fun doing it”.

And yeah, it needed work, but the bones of something great were there. So give yourself some credit, yeah?

[skyeslittlecorner]

Can I request some scenarios between Mc and the kings? Like how MC is amused by the king's powers and they let MC play with it.

Yeah like play with Satan's weapons and be bitten by him, Mammon's golden hand and the ability to build buildings, Leviathan's monsters and ropes, Beelzebub... 🤷‍♀️ Not sure if playing with the clones or flies better 🫢 (it's just my thoughts, you can write the things that easier for you to write ofc :3)

As a descendant of Solomon, we have access to the power of kings (chapter 4 for example). I wonder how much fun they will have when we use these powers~

Satan's power isn't just about creating weapons. He can create anything from scythes to diamonds. It also works much better if you bite the one who loves you the most. At this point, the entire Gehenna will lie down at your feet, offering you their wrists, necks, or - nothing else, because even by offering the neck, Satan will kick their asses so much that they will fly for a week. He himself is at your service. He will be amused, wiping the blood dripping from your chin, and watching the destruction you bring in his name.

Mammon will offer you private lessons. Making fists is fun, but when you try something more complicated, you end up with very poor modern art sculptures. You need to have at least the basics of sculpture and architecture so that what you have in your head translates into reality. The wasteland where you practice will become an art gallery in the future, and the little demons will have to interpret what you meant. Of course, some of them are Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon.

Beelzebub rather wants you to play with his teleportation than his clones. But okay, no problem, he can clone himself enough times for you to be a couple and a hundredfold. Of course, you can't be with him and the other demons like this. After all, stealing your lover is the ultimate crime, and you are still you. As for the insects, Beel is curious which of you they will listen to more. He will order them to submit completely to you so that you can have fun. He will show you the most beautiful of them, such as moths and butterflies, but also the tastiest... at least in his opinion.

Leviathan. Phew. Dear. There are *so many* possibilities here. Ropes, tentacles and a masochist, what more could you want? His monsters are not very cooperative, at least at first, which is why you will hear a few comments about your incompetence. Then you can shove all these words down his throat when, with a wave of your finger, you tie him up like a puppet and tell your tentacles to play with his own little tentacle. Or maybe you will play with them yourself and make him watch, enjoying his jealousy and fury… there are many options.

[arttsuka]

Some thoughts about the mouthwashing fandom and some character analysis(?) under the cut.

While the game is clearly meant for older audiences (14+ at least, from my understanding, although I couldn't find an official age rating), the fandom is flooded by kids and teens too young to even play the game or understand the characters and actions they take.

The game deals with some very upsetting themes. From murder and suicide to self harm and sexual assault (some more prominent than others). While it's totally fine if someone feels uncomfortable with any of these themes, that doesn't erase them from the game and shouldn't discourage people from showing them in the fandom. If it's truly that upsetting to someone I would recommend they go into some other fandom (at least where the source material is not as triggering to them). We are here to have a good time, not a stressful one.

The fandom is this twisted 'happy/nothing bad happens' and everyone is turning a blind eye to how disturbing and disgusting the game was.

Don't get me started on the treatment Jimmy goes through. Yes, he is a terrible person for what he does in game but 1: he was clearly mentally unwell* (I'll add to that later), especially after a point and 2: 'fandom Jimmy' literally did nothing wrong (unlike cannon Jimmy), his depictions in the fandom is him being brutally murdered or just existing.

*It's not only implied in game that he's mentally unwell, we literally see him descent into madness by the end. From the beginning (him refusing to cooperate for the phyc evaluations), to the breakdown he was having after he navigated the ship to crash into a meteorite, to him having hallucinations (the graveyard, the cake scene with everyone gathered etc).

Also Curly, damn. I get it that he enabled Jimmy's actions to a degree but are we forgetting Swansea also stood there and did nothing? He said Anya was telling him 'all sorts of things' (implying the SA from Jimmy) yet he still did literally nothing, not even attempt to talk to him. Curlys worst sin was him being a realistic and complex character. Having a personal crisis about his own future and fulfilment in life, trying to navigate the whole 'pony express is closing' with an unhappy crew, having to help Anya who was having basically a breakdown and was on a high risk of hurting herself with the gun, having to confront Jimmy about the whole affair (it was implied that he didn't know from the beginning that the pregnancy was not only unwanted but also forced), trying to help an old friend. It all piles up. He could have handled things better, sure, but to pretend he is equally as bad as Jimmy is just wrong and shows the lack of judgment, understanding and overall empathy of realistic characters and situations.

Neither Curly nor Swansea did anything drastic because there was nothing they could do. Curly was trying to help everyone in his way, too blinded by their friendship to acknowledge or predict what Jimmy was capable of before it was too late.

Personally I think mouthwashing is an excellent game, definitely one of the best I've ever played. The story, the way the events take place, the characters, the imagery, the music. The way it successfully builds up the uneasy atmosphere without any jumpscares, embracing the 'psychological horror' element to it's fullest. Truly a great game, I just wish the fandom was a little more 'mature' (mentally wise).

[arcane-ish]

In defense of 2x07

First let me say, no, 2x07 is not perfect. But I want to talk specifically about the accusation that it was pointless. I deeply, deeply disagree.

1.) It is important for the characters and their motivation

On a just flat out level, the AU deeply affects both Ekko and Jayce emotionally. For Ekko it serves as a reminder about what he should be fighting for and that he needs to be more open about approaching his supposed enemies, which leads directly into him approaching Jinx, which leads directly into the finale where Piltover is at the ropes against Ambessa and Viktor till Jinx/Sevika/The Firelights ride to the rescue. Without Ekko getting that push of insight and motivation.

Similarly, for Jayce it also serves up a reason for his determination in act 2/3. Without the AU no Jayce attacking Viktor and setting up the baseline of the conflict. You can even go more deep and say all the suffering Jayce did in the AU might actually have made him more understanding of Viktor's suffering and set up the big speech.

On a pure hardware level, both Jayce and Ekko take something with them from the AU. Ekko builds his famous Z-Drive (literally from the shards of the Vi explosion) here which he uses against Viktor. Jayce picks up the hammer from the AU.

2.) It is essential for setting up the stakes

Without the Jayce parts of 2x07 and his reaction to it, we would have only a vague idea what he deal is with Viktor and why we should be against it (ie when Viktor takes up people, what does that mean? maybe it just gives people a nice buzz? maybe it would always be contained and never spread beyond the city? maybe the astral plane is good actually) It sets up Viktor's powerlevel as interdimensional.

It also sets up the baseline that as far as the writers are concerned: cooperation between Piltover and Zaun is possible, a better Zaun is possible. I would argue it is there to give us a baseline for Sevika's stay on the council. Yes, we can be cynical whether it would ever change anything about the status quo, but at least we have the AU to think back to and give us hope that change is possible.

3.) It is ESSENTIAL for setting up the themes

Heck, if you can levy a complaint at 2x07 I think it could be that is actually does TOO much heavy duty in setting up the themes. But yes, imo it sets up themes for the rest of the arc.

Particularly:

The scene with Silco thematically sets up like 70% of what happens afterwards. We introduce the idea that even the supposedly worst enemies can forgive each other and that that is a good thing.

Caitlyn approaches Jinx even though we used an entire season to set up how deeply Caitlyn hates her. Ekko approaches Jinx. Zaun and Piltover approach each other and of course in the big climax Jayce approaches Viktor.

Please note that I'm a "Jinx faked her death" truther. IMO this scenes begins the setup of Jinx splitting herself from Vi and going away. It introduces the idea of AU Powder being too scared to venture out, introduces the idea of leaping forward and leaving something behind, but that it's still a good thing.

(even if you are a "Jinx is dead" truther, this theme still works for Vi and her future with Caitlyn)

It also makes the first moves for setting up the "breaking the cycle" themes that will become more explicit in ep 8 and 9.

Let's look at the other side of things. Why do people like it?

1.) It gives as a breather and an alternative to the misery

Yeah, it is completely different from the rest of the season, but that is precisely why people like it, why they flock to it. So much of Arcane in general is tragedy and season 2 has had plenty of misery, Caitlyn hitting Vi with the butt of her gun, the death of Isha. I would argue of course people would latch on to it.

For episode 2x07 the show also really sits down and focuses on a character and an idea and not just in a grimdark way like with Caitlyn in Act 1.

2.) It makes great use of contrasts

Whether it is episode 2x07 contrasting with the rest of Arcane or the AU Zaun being contrasted with the wasteland of Jayce's AU, to the stark difference in how the AU characters relate to each other vis a vis how the main verse characters relate to each other, it's the contrast that gives it power.

If the rest of Arcane wouldn't exist, yes of course it wouldn't hit as hard. But that's what makes it so good. The AU episode draws power from the misery of the rest of the verse, and the main verse draws the potential of hope from the AU.

3.) It tells us something about the characters (most notably Ekko)

I don't think 2x07 would be nearly as effective for the people if wasn't also used to really show us something about Ekko. And it shows us things that feel right and that we likely suspected all along. Whether it, yes Timebomb being made explicit rather than it being mostly a fan theory, but also finally getting to see Ekko in fullblown science mode, to getting to see him as the big damn hero who leaves the more perfect world because he has people in the main verse that need him. To taking the time to show that Ekko is thoughtful and considerate when he paints the Vi mural for AU Powder.

I get why somebody might criticize that instead of having the AU episode we should have had a constant stream of Ekko screentime instead. And yes, I would have loved Ekko being involved in the Isha and "Jinx suddenly has a revolutionary fanbase" and "let's break people out of Stillwater" plot of Act 2 for example.

But at the same time, pacing choices are up to the writers and there can be arguments of holding something back before you give it can be powerful. And with how much love 2x07 is getting from people/reviewers, I think it's one of the gambles that the writers took that mostly paid off. (because again the contrasts are what makes the episode hit so good)

So yes, imo the episode is highly emotionally resonant and deeply, deeply important from a motivational/theming point of view, to the extent you can argue it carries too much weight. I couldn't disagree more with the take that you could delete it and the plot would still work. Yes, of course you could have written a completely different plot and you can disagree with the themes and messages they went with. But with the things they chose to do [ie just the base setup of making Viktor a multidimensional threat], 2x07 is absolutely essential.

[yuna542]

🔙 [12.]

~Gold or Silver~

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Reader/Oc

Genre: Fluff, Enemies to Lovers, Smut, Angst, Drama, Action

Warnings: None

Taglist: Open

Word count: 3k

Summary: The Kook princess is back after a year and reignites the war between Pogues and Kooks on Kildare. But she quickly realizes that after this year, nothing is the same as before. Deception, secrets from the past, and dangerous conspiracies sweep across Kildare, leaving her no choice but to work with the Pogues and her personal nemesis to find the truth and maybe even $8 million. A dangerous treasure hunt begins that turns her world upside down.

Soundtrack:

⏯️Play: Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys

„'Cause there's this tune I found

That makes me think of you somehow an' I play it on repeat

Until I fall asleep, spillin' drinks on my settee

Do I wanna know? If this feelin' flows both ways?“

Today was the day of the opening of the new golf resort, which was financed mainly by Ward Cameron and Rick. The two of them had already started the project before we moved back to Kildare.

Officially, the Island Club had provided for a renovation and reopening, but every finely dressed guest sipping from their $600 champagne glass knew exactly from whose wallet the funding actually came from.

That's exactly why the Camerons and we had been treated like aristocrats all day. The building was too white and far too plain for me, even the lawn trimmed to within an inch of its life was not to my taste, but the view from the hill overlooking Figure Eigth and the way the beach flickered through the hot air on the horizon was breathtaking.

"Really pretty. Dad and Rick seem like a real dream team," commented Sarah next to me, who was relaxed and swirling a glass of champagne.

I, too, already had my second glass in hand, trying to escape the awkward conversations of Rick's business associates or the many prying questions from the gossips at the Island Club. After all, with our return, Rick's new projects on the island and not to mention my fresh relationship with Rafe, we were the number one topic of conversation not only around the Kooks.

"If you're into artificial turf and expensive holes in the ground," I muttered, sipping the prickling alcohol which tasted better each sip. I had been avoiding Rafe all morning. The fact that we were now in a relationship scared me, but came across all the better to Ward and Rick.

The last week had actually been quite nice. We had often been together on the beach, spent time either on Tanney Hill or in Lionelly Ville, but that awkward distance still hovered between us.

However, only I seemed to still perceive it, or Rafe skillfully ignored it.

Rick and Ward's eyes had gleamed when Wheezie had told them without my consent. The dollar bills had just been spinning in them like a slot machine. For the two of them, this meant a future-oriented collaboration that would bring them even more money than they already had. Now that Rafe was also primed to take over Cameron Development, that was doubly convenient for Rick, too.

For Kildare, a collaboration between Rick's ferry company, Rimshore Cooperation, and Cameron Development would be like a marriage between Elon Musk and Bill Gates.

Both had patted each other on the back fraternally, and were probably already planning the dowry when I was sold off like an expensive racehorse at the wedding.

"Mm. I don't like golf either," Sarah replied and we exchanged an amused smile.

"Oh my god! That dress is stunning!", I heard Rose Cameron shout from behind us and turned around. Immediately I was dazzled by the bright orange of her tightly tailored pencil skirt. Her blouse blew in the balmy breeze and I wondered if such a bright orange should have been paired with an apple green.

I, on the other hand, looked almost boring with the white floral dress. It fit close to my body and I was especially taken with the balcony neckline when I found it among my clothes.

Sarah was wearing a blue linen dress that fluttered incessantly in the wind and Rafe had choosen a simple shirt in the same blue as when I had last seen him a few hours ago.

"Thanks. Your outfit is incredible, too," I fluted exuberantly.

Incredibly ugly, I added in my mind.

Rose beamed and put a hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"Where did Rafe go?"

Like I was his babysitter. Irritated, I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and covered my bad mood with a laugh.

"I don't know. Maybe he's out in the field practicing already."

That seemed to make sense to her, and she put a hand to my cheek.

"I'm so glad you guys found each other. After all these years. It's so special for our families."

No pressure at all...

I pressed my lips together and she took it as shyness, which is why she raised her empty glass.

"I'll let you girls chat then."

With a wobbly step, she strutted across the lawn like a drunken stork in her high heels. Just the word relationship sent shivers down my spine, but I wanted to give it a chance. So hopefully I would get rid of this strange tingling sensation and weird thoughts of Maybank.

Now everyone was standing in the new birchwood pavilion, drinking and chatting animatedly. Rick had disappeared into the building with Ward, while some of the guests were already trying their hand at golf.

The railing in front of us was adorned with plain laurel leaves, and the put-upon laughter of Island Club members echoed over to us from the blue carpets.

"Is she always this hyper?", I asked, still watching Sarah roll her eyes.

"Only when she's been drinking."

When a waiter came over to us, I unintentionally automatically looked for JJ in his face, but I didn't know the man who took our empty glasses.

Countless times today I had looked for Maybank, but he had not appeared anywhere.

Probably he was preparing the summer fire at the caves. On Kildare it had become a tradition for the young people to have a big party at the beginning of the summer vacations, where big bonfires burned and usually there was even a theme to dress up in.

In the last years the party became more and more important and also the costumes were made with great effort for this day.

It was held on one of the northern beaches, because there were tons of caves that were flooded with water in winter. But in the summer, the tide went out so low that you could get lost in the caves if you weren't careful.

I'd been looking forward to the festival since I arrived, and all day I'd been afraid I'd miss it if we didn't get out of here in time.

"What are you dressing up as? Gold or silver?" asked then Sarah, who must have been thinking the same thing at the sight of the white beach. Gold and silver was the theme for tonight and I already liked it a lot.

In fact, I had already picked out an outfit and I couldn't wait to get ready for the party with Sarah.

"Silver. I have heels to match," I explained, smoothing out my dress.

"Fits perfectly. Topper and I will be going in gold. Rafe, too, as far as I know."

My gaze drifted off into the distance again, and subconsciously I wondered what a certain Pogue would choose.

-

Just a short time later, we stealthily stole away from the golf course and picked up Sarah's things before getting dressed and made up in my bathroom.

Sarah's dress was full of gold sequins from top to bottom, flashing with every movement.

With only my underwear on, I started braiding her hair and worked sparkly gold stones into it.

Britney Spears was playing in the background and we sang along loudly while already pre-drinking with a big bottle of wine.

I had missed such girl's evenings and the togetherness did incredibly well after the week with Rafe.

Just then my cell phone vibrated and with a quick glance at the display, I flipped it over and threaded the next glitter stone into Sarah's hair.

"Who was that?" she asked curiously as she spread gold glitter on her eyelids.

"Just Rafe," I murmured, tweaking my creation a bit.

"How's it going?"

The alcohol didn't allow me to disguise my honest response, so a sigh escaped me.

"It's going well... I think."

Sarah turned around and could immediately read the lie on my face. To avoid her incredulous look, I changed my clothes and slipped into the silver bikini I was going to wear under my outfit. When the light fell on it at a certain angle, it threw back a shimmer of rainbow.

"I know how Rafe can be. What's going on?" she echoed, spreading shimmery lip gloss on her lips.

"He's so...pushy. He never leaves me alone and it's all kind of moving too fast for me."

Now that I'd finally said it, I understood this distance between us, too.

The feelings weren't coming as fast as I'd hoped, which is why the whole situation was making me so insecure.

"I understand that. Have you two slept together yet?"

Immediately I froze, but Sarah was genuinely interested and trying to help her friend, even if it was about her brother. If not her, who else could I tell the truth to?

"No. I haven't felt like it yet."

Not that he hadn't tried. But I had stopped him each time before it could get serious. Sarah nodded her understanding and sat behind me on the edge of the bathtub to tie my hair up.

"That's okay, too. You should just do what feels right and not let yourself be rushed."

Her words calmed me a little, however, the incessant pressure I felt as soon as it came to Rafe did not subside. It seemed like my job to make sure the relationship worked and that was a crappy feeling.

The rest of the time we chatted about unimportant things and when we were done, we looked at ourselves proudly in the mirror.

The silver corsage and skirt I wore over the bikini clung comfortably to my body and the jewelry on my neck and wrists tinkled softly when I moved.

Sarah had tied my hair into a small braid at the back of my head, so most of the curls still fell over my shoulders in chaotic curls.

Around my belly and thighs I wore fine silver chains and around my eyes were lines of plastic gemstones, in the form of waves.

The high shoes with the plateau heels and the little butterflies on them completed the picture and on my dark skin the silver looked as if it would liquefy any minute.

Sarah, on the other hand, shimmered and shone like a golden disco ball and I was already wishing her luck with the thin heels on the sand. We took hundreds of pictures and posted them, looked at other people's instagram stories and as we sat on the floor, giggling while going through posts, Sarah suddenly stopped at one picture. It was from Kiara. It showed the preparations for the party, how everyone was working on decorations, Pope was in the center, lifting a big barrel of beer and John B was helping him. Sarah stared at the picture and I smiled confused, as I realised the blush on her cheeks. But I couldn't think about it any longer, when she swiped to the next pic, which was JJ Maybank with his hair a mess, showing his middle finger to the camera while lifting something that looked like a bench.

His shirt was tied around his hips and the sweat was glistening on his toned stomach.

"Sky?"

"Hm?", I quickly answered and turned my head to the mirror again, as if I didn't saw something interesting at all.

Sarah only lifted her eyebrows and looked at me.

"Did you just check out your enemy?", she asked and I simply shook my head, while concentrating on my lipgloss.

"He looks fit, that's all..."

"That's all huh...", she teased me with a sarcastic laugh.

"What about you? Didn't you stalk John Bs pics last night while we were watching a movie?"

Surprised she just stared at me.

"You noticed?", she looked caught and I smiled evilly.

"Of course! The movie was boring as hell."

She pressed her lips together for a moment and took my hand after a few seconds.

"Let's just never talk about that again."

We both started to giggle and I nodded.

"Deal! It‘s too weird. Pogues are no good.“

Satisfied, Sarah typed a message and just a few minutes later we were picked up by Topper and Rafe on motorcycles.

Both were wearing golden jackets and had neatly gelled hair. As we walked out the door, they were obviously amazed and Rafe let out a whistle.

"You guys look hot," Topper commented, giving Sarah a curt kiss of welcome.

Rafe immediately pulled me close and kissed me stormily before helping me on his bike.

"You look like walking jewels," he commented and I smiled softly.

"Well, of course. After all, I missed the last summer party. I have to catch up."

They started the engines and we drove out to the beaches. You could hear the music and the big fires crackling from far away. Like trees, the burning cones of wood rose into the air in front of the caves, coloring the sand an unnatural orange.

There was a lot of booze and boisterous celebrations. Immediately I was infected by the euphoric mood. Even the caves had been equipped with torches and strings of lights hung everywhere on the palm trees.

A DJ booth and several seating areas made of wicker chairs and small wooden tables had been set up. Directly I got the feeling to be stranded in the Caribbean. Of course, everything was held in gold and silver accents and everywhere were flowers attached, which were sprayed with gold or silver paint in accordance with the motto.

The costumes of the others were in different styles. While some wore fancy dresses and suits, others walked around in garish swimming trunks and ridiculous shirts.

But it was exactly this mixture that made the summer partys charme. Everyone had their own definition of the theme and that's what made it so exciting.

When we arrived at the dance floor, heads automatically turned in our direction and the whispering began. Satisfied, I earned envious or eager looks and let my gaze roam over the people.

At the bar, some were already lining up, as there were obviously delicious cocktails.

Rafe had put his arm around me and pulled me tightly at the hip to show that I belonged to him.

Immediately, a feeling of trepidation spread through me that only got worse when Kelce and Topper's other friends joined us. Most of the kooks were dressed in gold, which made me stand out, but that was just fine with me.

The guys greeted each other with handshakes and laughed loudly. But I was still searching the crowd. For what, I didn't really know.

As soon as I spotted the Pogues in a seating area, a nausea loosened inside me.

JJ was sitting on the back of a wicker chair where Pope sat with a beer-can in his hands.

His blonde hair was sticking up from his head as usual and he wore only a short golden vest over his bare torso.

His shorts were beige, rather than gold, and on his nose he had a pair of gold sunglasses whose lenses were shaped like hearts.

He looked funny, yet I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Kiara was sitting on a bench next to him, wearing silver leather pants and a pretty gray top. Pope had also opted for silver and was wearing a shirt and shorts in the matching fabre.

John B wore a tank top that looked like it had been spray painted gold and simple black bathing trunks to go with it, which gotten some spray paint too. However, he had also a gold cap on his head that was definitely self-painted with little smiley faces on it.

"That sounds good to me. What do you say, Sky?"

Completely perplexed, I stared at Rafe as he snapped me out of my appraisal of the Pogues. I had become dully aware of the conversations, as if I were underwater.

Rafe seemed a bit puzzled by my confused look, then repeated:

"Kelce asked how you liked the new golf course. We spent the whole afternoon there."

"Ah. Yes. Turned out great," I said absently, trying to catch another glimpse of the Pogues as JJ laughed out loud and I really wanted to know why.

"It's really a blessing for the island to have Rick back. Ward and he will definitely start more projects and maybe the Cut will finally go away. Nobody needs that dump."

Kelce's words were directed at the group, but I felt personally addressed. The other girls, who were now also standing with us, agreed with him and Rafe also nodded vehemently.

Maybank stood up straight and laughingly returned a comment from John B. In doing so, he turned in our direction. That's when I tensed as JJ suddenly lifted his gaze and his unabashedly blue eyes scrutinized me.

There was a brief glint of confusion and then disbelief in them, then there was just that cheeky twinkle that blocked the view of his true thoughts like a thick wall.

The sound of the sea seemed to grow deafeningly loud, and Rafe's grip on my waist grew more uncomfortable as JJ came our way with Kiara and John's empty cups. My stomach rotated as if I had swallowed a spinning top and I turned urgently to Rafe.

"Why don't you get us something to drink?"

He smiled and his hands traveled up my back.

"Anything for my girl."

As a parting gesture, he pressed an emphatic kiss to my lips that only served to mark his territory. Because he too had noticed the looks the other guys were giving him, and when he gave JJ a venomous look, it was clear he had seen him too.

The other kooks were emitting whistles and lewd noises. Rafe and I, of course, were quite the latest gossip, especially in our age group.

When he got to the bar, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if handcuffs had been removed from me and I risked another glance at JJ, who was now also heading for the bar.

Was it my imagination or had his eyes darkened and his hands now clasped tightly around the mugs?

He rushed past me so that he brushed my shoulder and stared stubbornly straight ahead.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Sarah.

So it wasn't just me who had noticed the sudden change in mood.

⬇️

[13.]

© Yuna542 — 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝.

[vcrarts]

Chapter 3 is up guys! Thanks for the support <3 FF and Art are both mine, please don't repost! Summary: Gale, once the esteemed Archmage of Waterdeep and now the self-appointed Grand Collector of Magical Misalignments, finds himself stranded in an unfamiliar land with a ragtag group of liars, cutthroats, and aliens. While he manages to rekindle his long-neglected skills in building friendships with most of them, it's painfully apparent that the vampire harbours a profound dislike for him. Given his recent streak of misfortune, it's no surprise that fate dictates learning more about the volatile orb lodged in Gale's chest requires Astarion's begrudging cooperation.

Astarion just wants to survive.

Thus begins a journey marked by personal evolution, confronting inner and not-so-inner demons and embracing self-compassion — not necessarily in that order.

Oh yes, and they also need to save the world.

Or the one with over 150k worth of filler episodes, plus an additional 30k of entirely self-indulgent epilogue.

Updates on Saturdays (GMT+7)

(Mostly) Canon compliant / Explicit

(To all the body hair enjoyers, I sincerely apologise. I just realised I accidentally shaved Gale. I've made a minor fix that the rendered piece allowed, but I promise to do better in the future. Thank you for understanding :'))

[inhuman-obey-me]

Can I ask for Lucifer and #20? Also congrats on hitting 100k likes!!! You guys deserve all the best things 💗 💓 💖 💛

Thank you so much!! 🥹❤️

Lucifer + 20 | "Infectious" - Imminence

"He's gotten into your head, Lucifer. Remember, he's a demon. They can't be trusted."

"But Father—"

"Silence. I won't hear anymore of it. Humor them if you must, but I will entertain this drivel no longer."

Perhaps Father was right, that all of this talk from the Demon Prince was merely idealistic nonsense, a way to manipulate the Celestial Realm into lowering their guard. What demon would want peace unless there was something deviously beneficial in it for them? And surely, if peace could be achieved, Father would have been the first to propose such an audacious and praiseworthy plan.

And yet, Lucifer finds himself in the Devildom once again, sitting across from the very demon he has been told explicitly not to trust above all others. Golden eyes beam at him, and he cannot help but compare them to the glow of an angel's halo. Ridiculous.

"Lucifer! It is so good to see you again. You remain as beautiful and radiant as ever. How fare's the Celestial Realm these days? Your brothers?"

"I'm only here for diplomacy's sake. Do not think I am here to be friends." Lucifer asserts as he inspects the tea served to him. "…And the Celestial Realm is doing as well as ever, same goes for my brothers."

"Of course." Diavolo gives him a polite, knowing smile. "Good to hear. Well then, shall we get started? I have so much I would like to discuss and share with you today."

It's strange how as the minutes pass, Lucifer finds himself slipping into a sense of comfort. He is an angel in enemy territory, but no matter how hard he tried to pick apart every word and action of the demon before him, he could not find deception or harmful intent. He had secretly come to enjoy these meetings, with Diavolo providing more pleasant company than even some of his fellow angels. More pleasant than Father.

He's gotten into your head.

"Diavolo." Lucifer abruptly interrupts. "What is truly your goal here?"

"Have I not made that quite clear?" Diavolo tilts his head ever-so-slightly. "Peace, for all Three Realms."

"And what do you gain from this?" He's desperate to find a flaw, a hidden truth. "What could the demons possibly gain from all of this, other than peace? It's not like you can be trusted."

"Ah, here again, are we?" Diavolo sighs, but there is no anger or frustration. "As hard as it might be for you to believe, I care about my people. I want to protect them, build a better future for them. They cannot have that if we continue the bloodshed as we have for centuries past. Peace benefits us all." The demon leans forward, his gaze inquisitive. "Is that not what you want? Considering how often you've visited, I assumed you felt the same."

"…I do." Lucifer clears his throat. "As hospitable as you've been, you cannot blame me for my doubts."

"Your doubts are understandable. Demons do not trust angels anymore than the angels trust demons. This plan for peace will take a lot of work and some willingness to cooperate, on all sides, but I believe it can be achieved one day." Diavolo smiles, and Lucifer knows it is sincere. "And I think, despite your hostility, you believe it too."

He did. He wanted to believe in it more than anything. He recalls what he thought on that first meeting with the prince — who here was the demon, and who was the angel? It was the beginning of it all, the first crack in the wall that the Celestial Realm and Father had so dutifully built over millennia. But why was it that every time he tried to convince Father that working towards peace was a worthwhile goal, he was silenced?

There's a tightness in Lucifer's chest, and he realizes that one of his worst fears was coming true.

His doubts were no longer in the Demon Prince and his goals — they were in Father and His.

[brandyllyn]

Silk from their soul (24)

The Ghoul / Cooper Howard x f!reader [no use of y/n]

Rated: T Words: 2k Summary: A kiss

Series Masterlist My Masterlist

It’s been a hell of a long while since he had the faith of a good woman in his holster. It’s a heady feeling, putting a spring in his step. He could probably wrestle half of Vault-Tec bare handed right now if someone let him. The only problem is that they’re not letting him near her.

Oh, she’s still in sight. Walking a few steps behind that fuckwit scientist. But when he’d tried to fall in next to her those rank goons had intercepted. Instead, he’d dropped back to walk with the three bounty hunters. 

“I don’t suppose you’ve worked with our malodorous friends here before, have you?”

Sancho shakes his head, chewing on his lip. “No. And I don’t like it.” Cooper waits and the man shoots him a look. “Starting to get the feeling I won’t be getting my bounty.”

“I’d be mighty surprised if you did.”

Sancho frowns but doesn’t say another word and Cooper doesn’t press the issue. He can see a structure in the distance and he squints as it comes into view.

Nero’s palace is a piece of shit.

With as many caps as the man had put out for her, you’d think he’d be able to spare a few on his defenses. Or even a some fucking paint. But the buildings are falling down, bits of sheet metal propped haphazardly together to form other structures. As they get closer a small party comes out to meet them.

“You have the merchandise?”

Galen frowns at the man, using one hand to shield his eyes from the sun. “I have the subject, yes. Please stand aside.”

The guard exchanges a glance with Galen’s bodyguards before stepping to the side and Cooper makes a note of it. There are people peering out as they walk through the slanted doors, most of them sad and bedraggled - not a one worth half a fight. When they get closer to the central building he starts to see some real muscle, but no one who’d give him a lick of real trouble.

“Feel like the four of us could take the place out,” Sancho mutters.

Cooper doesn’t even look his way as they pass inside. “There ain’t no us.”

Nero’s younger than he expected, and about a foot shorter. Hell, his girl’s probably got at least half a foot on the bastard. He’s balding too, with a bit of paunch and lips so thin they disappear into his red face. He’s got his feet kicked up when they enter the room, a sneer on his face.

“This her?”

She steps forward, head high, and a soft smile on her lips. Cooper feels something in his jaw crack at the way she’s walking towards that asshole, hips swaying and eyes making promises - even assuming she has no intention of keeping them.

They probably should have planned things better last night. He’d had every intention to. If she wanted to go in guns blazing then he was down for that. And if she was going to play some game with the assholes he was fine with that too. He was her hired gun, paid for with the cum likely still dripping out of her.

He’d need to keep an eye on that - be sure her healing could keep up with his radioactive spunk.

But the way she’s walking, the way she’s smiling, she had some plan in mind and Cooper has no fucking idea what it is.

“You must be Nero,” she breathes, tilting her hands out in supplication. They’re still bound and she gives them a slight frown before smiling again. Her breasts are doing something bordering on obscene, heaving in her dress until every eye in the room must be stuck on them.

Too bad Cooper was going to have to blind them all for it.

“Dr. Galen told me how handsome you were,” she’s taking a step closer and her breasts are almost in the man’s face. “I thought he must be lying, no one could be…” she stops abruptly, a hitch in her breath that she lets out in a masterful piece of acting, “so lovely.”

God, the cretin is eating it up with a spoon.

“Why is my future wife tied up?” he yells, almost snarling. “If there’s so much as a scratch on her I’ll cut your damn dicks off.”

The smile she gives him is dazzling and Cooper is about to eat someone’s fucking face.

“It’s understandable, a big, powerful, strong man such as yourself,” her fingers reach out, wrists still bound together, and gently trace the buttons on his shirt, “can never be too careful. What if I was dangerous?”

Someone appears next to her and cuts the binding on her wrists and she steps even closer, leaning over him and resting a hand on his thigh..

Nero shakes his head for a moment. “They say you ran away.”

“I got lost,” she pouts, “I wanted to get here sooner and I… I did something silly. Can you forgive me?”

The man’s eyes sharpen and suddenly he’s gripping the back of her head. “Get on your knees.”

There’s only a slight hesitation before she lowers herself, tilting her head up with lips parted. Cooper had imagined the same thing a hundred times, only he was never standing across the room for it.

“You’re mine,” Nero grunts, twisting his hand and forcing her towards him. “You understand that?”

“Of course I am.”

“And you’ll never run again.”

“Never,” she breathes, leaning into his grasping hand. “I couldn’t possibly. Not after seeing you.”

“Did anyone touch you?”

“I would never,” she sounds so vehement Cooper almost believes her, even though he knows for a fact there’s a perfect impression of his handprint on her left asscheek.

“Good,” Nero grunts. He glances up at the doctor, “How does this work?”

She answers first, “You don’t need to ask him. No more questions. Just kiss me.”

He does, thin lips crushing against hers and it takes everything in Cooper to not go into a full berserker rage. They part and Nero gives her a predatory smile.

“Now suck my cock, show them all what an obedient little slut you are.”

With determined nonchalance she turns her head and spits, glaring at him with a small smirk. “I don’t think I will.”

Nero reels as if someone hit him. He glares over her head, eyes narrowing on one figure slowly backing away. “What the fuck, Galen,” Nero hisses. “You fucking said-”

“I did,” Galen holds his hands up. “It’s supposed to - she must have imprinted on someone else.”

Imprinted?

“Which one of you fucks,” Nero rounds on the bounty hunters who immediately take a step back. Cooper doesn’t, tilting his head thoughtfully as he stares at her.

“I said,” she turns slightly, meeting his eyes, “no more questions.”

No more… oh shit that was his cue. In one motion he lifts the revolver of the man next to him, putting a bullet between Nero’s eyes even as he spins to take out the next guard. The room erupts into chaos, people running every which way as shrapnel starts to fly his direction - something hitting him in the shoulder.

“Hit the deck,” he barks at her, grunting in satisfaction when she does so, covering her head with her hands. Someone bumps into his side and he whirls on them, eyes narrowing as Sancho takes a shot past him.

“Take them out and split the loot?”

Cooper doesn’t agree but he doesn’t shoot him either. That’s a problem for later. Right now there’s a host of ill-equipped idiots who think he’s an easy target just because he ain’t ducking for cover like everyone else.

Three more bullets through three more eyes put a stop to that real fast. There’s a pause while Cooper and the three bounty hunters eye each other over the bodies around them.

“Parlay?” a voice asks with a shaky tremor.

Cooper grunts, looking for the source, protectively standing over where she’s still laid out on the floor. “You even know what that word means?” he asks the air.

The frowning face of one of Nero’s men pokes out from behind a wall. “It means I don’t want you shooting my dick off.”

Tilting his head Cooper doesn’t try to hide his grin. “And why would I refrain from such a thing?”

“Cause I don’t give a shit about you, or your girl.” The man eyes him a moment before stepping out further. He’s armed, so not a complete fool, but not aiming it at anything important.

“That doesn’t exactly endear you to me.”

“Leave,” the man says quickly, “you ain’t got a reason to be here, right? Y’all leave, we can all move on with our lives.”

“What about the bounty?” Sancho asks, stepping forward with a frown. Cooper ignores him, turning to crouch next to her and holding a hand out to help her up.

“You okay?”

She shakes her hands out, a bit of someone’s brain sliding off and splattering to the floor.“I’m fine. Gross, but fine.”

He picks a piece of skull out of her hair and tosses it to the side. “You ready to go?”

“No.” Stooping she pulls the revolver from Nero’s body, checking the chambers before clicking the clip into place. “We need to find Galen.”

Cooper frowns at the room, suddenly realizing the scientist isn’t there. Sancho and the man are squabbling and he doesn’t bother to be polite when he interrupts, “Where’d the egghead go?” Both men stop to stare at him. After a moment he prompts them with a slight wave of his gun. “You know, Doctor Shit for Brains.”

“I think he went that way,” someone says, pointing back out the main door. Next to him she nods, holding the revolver loose in one hand and stepping over the blood smears. She doesn’t seem concerned with what is going on in the room so Cooper isn’t either. With a touch of his glove to his hat brim he gives them a smile, “Pleasure,” and then follows her out.

They find Galen not far away, arguing loudly with someone about supplies.

“Nero promised me enough to get back to the facility.”

“I don’t give a flying shit what-”

The trader blanches when he sees Cooper and backs away, leaving Galen gaping at thin air.

“Seems you might be having a bit of a problem.”

The scientist turns so suddenly he nearly falls over. “Oh! Ella come here, you’re not safe with that… thing. We need to get back to safety. It will all be okay.”

“I’m not going with you.”

Galen frowns, glancing at Cooper but this isn’t his fight. He stands sentinel instead, ready to defend her if need be.

“Ella I-”

“Don’t call me that. I’m not… I’m not Ella - I’m an Ella. Some woman you created.”

“Now El-” Galen flinches when he sees her gun. “My dear, you know there was no point in encouraging any individuality - it would all be moot once you…” his gaze shoots to Cooper for a moment before he finishes, “grew up.”

She’s barely listening to him. “I’m not a person to you am I? None of us were. Just another number, another ella.”

“Please, you know I loved you. That I cared for you. All of you.”

“You never even gave us names,” she tells him softly, raising the gun to his head. “Even dogs have names.”

When they leave, they both have blood on their hands.

☢ ☢ ☢

For updates follow and turn on notifications for @brandyllyn-writes

[minzart]

The New Member Of The Family

A canon-divergent fanfic were we Ignore season 5 all togheter

No parings

" his Uncle looks up, the carvings in the red magical arc are scales, serpentine dragons evolving it, right in the center a green Jade pulses, it's shape not taking any face, until he looks at it a bit more and see a reflection, an egg, then… “... pff, your father is forgetting his roots” "

Also on AO3

If someone would ask any agent of section 13 what did their job is like they would say something of the lines incredibly boring paperwork, basic field research, sometimes life or death situation and most time fighting the incredible urge to puke because of the not so pleasant smell of magic

Since the Chans were moving the latter description might disappear for a time, who knows with this crazy job, but at least peace for the agents nostrils would be a welcome change

Two old wizards sat opposite ways of each other, one dressed all in white the other all in black, a balance to the complicated ritual they are about to perform in a vacant vault newly build in the secret base, a vault supposed to always stay empty for its true purpose is to mark a location that must stay protected at all costs

Uncle and Daolon were… a handful these last few months for the Chan household, ever since Tarakudos defeat section 13 finally got the recognition by their superiors that perhaps magic does exist, and maybe they really should have a facility that specializes in said demons. Which means budget which means any magic enemies defeated comes here wich implies danger

Hence it was decided by captain Black that they should know other ways to incarcerate their prisoners besides bars, after all not all enemies will be sorceres that Uncle could block their magic from, some would be demons, and what better place to seal demons, if not the demon realm

The two man had to cooperate in searching and recreation the old ritual that created the eight sorcerer demons portals, a complicated magic spell, that required the preparation of a new symbol for the demon they are about to banish, the son of Shendu, the future treat, Drago, if father was sword, son would be a dagger, that was a suggestion by the good chi wizards niece, an object easily accessible to any time, even if for the first use they needed to forge it from scratch

It has been hell on earth for poor Jackie and Toruh, nephew and apprentice had to deal with countless complains, demands and worse of all, play wireless telephone when both old man fought and disagreed which component was actually needed, that when they hadn't to be always on alert fearing the dark chi wizard would, in the middle of the night, make a spell that gives him back his powers, and he did tried… three times in a roll

Meanwhile Drago has been… odd, the young dragon was never know to engage in good behavior, his muzzle had to be replaced many times with how much he tried to melt them and escape, his cell changed every other week or so to compensate for his almost successes, solitary only made him more agitated and letting him divide a cell with another inmate was calling for trouble

But ever since Uncle has requested one of his scales for the ritual the teenager has been… quiet, almost calm, he does snap, he is still cranky and still doesn't socializes with the other prisoners in his mandatory recreation time, but he has stopped trying to escape, when pressed if he was planning something the only response was

“I should be the one asking that” or silence, needless to say the security was over the walls ready for anything the demon tried, he will not use this as an opportunity to run or worse, summon his uncles and aunts

“Jackie do you hear me” of course were is magic trouble there is Jackie Chan, the Chinese man yelps in surprise to his friends voice, he touches the communicator to let his answer be heard, tension not leaving his shoulders

“Yes! Yes captain Black I do hear you”

“We are arriving at the location, is everything ready?”

He looks at Uncle and Daolon Wong, both completely immersed in their enchantments and mixing, Tohru gives him a thumbs up as he fixes the second drum in place “Yes”

“Good, is Jade with you?”

“What? No, no, she was sleeping in her bed when I checked before coming!”

“Security has spotted her near the entrance, I thought you would like to know that”

“Jade…” he sighs and looks up “I'll make sure she isn't around-” and right there in the vents, a little girl with orange hoodie smiles sheepish at him “never mind, I found her”

On cue Jade opens her hiding place and leaps below “You left to summon a demon and didn't tell me!”

“We are not summoning anything we are banishing one, and you are supposed to be in bed”

“You never said anything that I'm supposed to be in bed, besides I'm sleepwalking and you can't wake up someone who's sleepwalking because…hmmmm” the little girl searches her brain for excuses to keep her here and see the action “that will make their brains explode! Yeah! I learn that in school”

Her Uncle gives her a look she knows he isn't buying anything, but at this point why bother, it's too late for escort now, every camera and security is focused in the demon they are bringing here “fine, but stay far away from the circle, and if anything happens, run for it got it?”

“Yup” she says looking around and poking the drums, this is going to be a long night…

.

.

.

At the same time, in a place were gravity doesn't exists, the sky is red and nothing grows nor a breeze pass, a small reptile boy jumps rock to rock, amusing himself in following one small bumbling patch of dry grass in the vast of nothingness

“gotcha!” he grabs the ground in triumph, a toothy arrogant smile appearing as he pulls it out, only to tumble and fall in his butt, the floating particles of dirt go directly to his nose making the boy sneeze, and with it… nothing comes out “ouch”

Far away observing the little boy, a demon watches, grey skin, skinny enough for his bones to appear, tail lazily swinging in the nothing, bat wings retracted, Hsi Wu, the youngest of the eight demon siblings was tasked to be the current babysitter of the newly addition to the family

Not that there would be any danger to the boy, their territory was surrounded by Shendu's dragons, and those things are more loyal to that brat than any of them anyway, but it's good to know where he was, no-one likes to be awaken by the crying of the little gecko when he gets lost in his play

In better circumstances Hsi Wu would amuse himself to be the fun Uncle, he has fantasized this once, long ago when his brother announced the eggs’ arrival, but as things were now, the fresh memory of the wind dampened his mood, sometimes he wishes to never have attempted to get out of this place at all if it meant his chances to be freed were basically nulled

World domination be damned, he just wanted to feel the wind now, not this static place, he couldn't even mourn his defeat properly because his brothers stupid egg just had to ratch last year… at least he think it was last year, time is hard to tell in this damned place-

“Gah! What?!” a dirty little hand trusts itself in his face, the owner of said said hand looks at him with a serious expression

“Gift” he opens his hand and presents a smooth round rock “you looked sad and i found this cool rock the other day, I thought you might like it uncle”

The sky demon picks the rock with a puzzled expression, what was so cool about a rock anyway, but it seemed to please the small dragon, so he didn't question it anymore, least he makes the baby cry, or worse, mad “hm whatever…”

“Why are you sad?” the boy sits besides him

“Nothing that you can understand” he plays with the rock, sending it from hand to hand “grow up stuff”

“oh… so it doesn't have anything to do with that weird hole?”

“What hole?”

The kid points behind him, making Hsi Wu turn and gasp, that… was a portal, his red eyes wide with surprise, wings spreading instantly in excitement, and exit

“Uncle ? Wah!” The force of the sky demons' propulsion made the small chunk of rock they were on spin as he took flight directly into the portal, be it his or anyone else he doesn't care, if there was the minimum chance he could escape he would take it-

“GAH!” an electric force of a barriers burns Hsi Wu arms, he persists in entering, ignoring the pain, but the barrier doesn't gives in, he pants in frustration

“Uncle?” a tinny voice calls him back, in the nearest floating island his nephew looks at him, scared, tail tucked between his legs, big eyes watching him in concern, he flys over

“Damned portal”

“Is that one of those things that can free us?”

“Not us, if it was you fathers portal maybe, but apparently not, whoever is the demon connected to this portal he is inside here, we can't pass”

“hmm” the little demon studies the portal, in it's arc he finds a name carved “who is… Drago?”

“Weird name…” his Uncle looks up, the carvings in the red magical arc are scales, serpentine dragons evolving it, right in the center a green Jade pulses, it's shape not taking any face, until he looks at it a bit more and see a reflection, an egg, then… “... pff, your father is forgetting his roots”

“what?” the little boy looks annoyed at his Uncle

“This one is yours”

“I have a portal?!”

“And a name, come on, pass trough before it closes”

“but- what- how-” The confusion in little Dragos’ face makes the older demon chuckle “what about you?! All of you! Were am I gonna go- Were-what???”

“Calm down” Hsi Wu knees down at his nephew's eye level, for the first time looking at the little boy with a soft expression “You have to just find a way to get us out of here when you are out, what do you say? Deal?”

The boys’ breath eavens, his eyes open wide in amazement “Deal! I won't fail! You'll see!”

He scrambles out of the sky demons grasp and jumps rock to rock, excited, tail slashing in determination “I'll get you all out of here! I promise”

And Drago jumps out of the demon realm, for the first time…

The adjusting to this new places’ gravity is a shock, the little gecko, unlike his relatives, doesn't steps out gracefully, nor imposing, out of his prison, but stumbled out and falls face first in the cold ground of section 13s’ new vault, making a visible effort to get up, his body still adjusting to the concept of natural gravity, even his training with uncle Tso Lan didn't prepared him enough for this

A raspid voice gets his attention to look up, there is a green demon towering over him, wearing orange and a strange thing covering his mouth, yet his voice , due to how close he is, can heard by the boy

“Ah… this makes more sense now” he chuckles, his eyes looking at the little demon and at his right rapidly, smoke coming out of his mouth cage, little Drago got the message, run “but if you want to imprison me you have to get a lot more creative!”

The demon spins around and in a demonstration of power melts his muzzle as he spits a wall of fire all around, making the simple preparations burn, he adopts a defensive position and locks eyes with the little girl the human man wearing blue holds closer behind him

His attack doesn't break the protective barrier around the main enchants were Uncle starts to chant louder, they had hoped to send him peacefully, now force it is, the portal starts to suck the air around itself, Drago the son of Shendu does not stop his attack, fire still cracking in his mouth, hands and feet piercing the ground trying to delay his inevitable doom, but a maniacal smile never leaving his face

The guards around start to fire against the teenager, their bullets do nothing against his skin, and unbeknown to all a demonic child slips inside one of the drums when it starts to fly around due to the sheer force of the banishing spell, all but one old evil chi wizard, who reaches for the instrument and forces it down

Finally the little girl in orange jumps out of her uncles grasp and using the direction of the wind in her favor kicks the young dragon out of the ground, her Uncle mere seconds away from reaching for her hand before she too is sucked inside

“This isn't the last of me, Chans!” Drago laughs “This is only the beginning!”

The portal closes, the fire crackles more gently, agents move around focusing in extinguishing them, peace has come back once again

“That was…” Tohru murmurs

“Anticlimactic?” Jade returns

“Too climatic” Jackie answers “we are lucky he didn't take you with him! Never do this again, do you want a repeat of last time?! And it would have been worse! We don't have Shendu's portal to get you out this time what if-”

“But Jackie if I didn't jump in he would have tried to scape or jumped on u-”

“Enough!” Uncle slaps both their foreheads “all ends well when it goes well, Drago is gone, and that's what matters, now help Uncle pack his things”

“Yes, we should also take some of this fire, magic like this is rare to- WHAT ARE YOU IMBECILES DOING?! DID ANYONE TOLD YOU TO START PUTTING IT OUT?! NO” Daolon Wong chips in and marches to the agents, branding his cane like a weapon

“Oh yeah, him…” Jade whispers to her best friend, the gentle giant “is he still going to live with us?”

“If captain Black wishes”

“Ugh…”

“Tohru! A little help here!” Jackie calls, doing his best to lift one of the drums alone “this thing seems heavier than last time”

The Japanese man walks towards him and lifts effortlessly the instrument “looks the same to me”

“You must just be exhausted Jackie” Captain Black approaches, putting a reassuring hand in his friends shoulder

“I guess…”

.

.

.

After too much time cramped in a tiny space, Dragos’ legs were starting to hurt even if he was small, he could feel too much energy in his veins, he wanted to move!

A peek in the smallest frests between the wood that he made shows him nothing but darkness, his ears don't hear nothing but soft snores, it may be ok to stretch out a bit, right? Right

With caution he slowly let's go of the letter he was until now forcing together to maintain the illusion of a fixed drum, luck was on his side for there was nothing above him, letting the small dragon put his head out and see his surrounding for the first time

He was in a place full of stuff, vases, paintings, relics, it reeks of magic and enchantment, where was he?

Effortless the boy jumps out of his hiding place and quietly explore this strange building, when he hear a sound and light coming from one of the doors, curiously he approaches and see what looks to be a place were humans eat, an old man with long hair and black tattoos chews what looks to be two pieces of skiny bread

Demons don't need much sustainable as humans, at least that was what he was told, and unless said demon was auntie Po Kong, but Drago could smell the food from a mile, the first sent he ever smelled outside of fire, ozone, dirt and grass, it made his stomach rumble, he gasps, and immediately regrets it closing his mouth, the old man stops, and looks at the door

Please don't notice, please don't notice, the child begs in his thoughts, legs ready to run, then the old man ignores the sound, leaving his food behind leaving the room and making the lights go out with a strange button on the wall

Drago waits… and waits… until he can't hear anything anymore to slide inside, eat the rest the stranger left and go back to his drum

Daolon Wong watches as the boy enters the kitchen and eats the simple sandwich he made with the gusto of a starving man, and smiles knowingly, it's going to be a long game, but he has learned to be patient, he will get his powers back, and if it also guarantees some dragon demon chi it is a bonus, but for now he will have to gain the trust of this boy… his first allie in his journey back to power

[voicesfoundmymemories]

You've started something you can't get out of by the way, my requests (demands) will be met. 🧶

Mmm craving a Nanami x reader kinda thing, I've gathered guidelines all would be preferred but I'm happy at two.

"I’d feel much better if you’d let me walk you home.”

“If I asked you to stay, would you?”

Is that my shirt?” “You mean our shirt?”

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, 🎚️

(Me note: thank you for the demand request! We love nanami and I hope you enjoy!) P.S sorry I didn't add in the last one I forgor but maybe it can be a follow up in the near future.

Cw: Mugging on the news, corporate jobs Word Count: 732

Safe and Sound

"Crime continues to plague the city as a slew of new muggings have been reported. While we don't know what has caused the influx in armed robberies, the police have given out tips on how to prevent these..."

You let your shoulders drop, exhaling as you close your computer. You'd worked late again, and now it was getting dark out.

You stand up, stretching a bit as you look around at the basically empty office. 

It's quiet, and without the droning of your coworkers the office sounds almost peaceful. The hum of a printer in another room, the tired lights buzzing. 

You make your way down to the entrance of the building, absentmindedly trying to fit your laptop into its bag amongst the folders that didn't belong in there.

In your struggle you didn't hear the footsteps slowly approaching you, nor the brisk "ahem" that followed.

"Are you planning to walk home alone at this time of night?" You look up from your struggle, a folder in hand as your eyes meet the blonde man's.

"Oh, Kento. You could've scared me-" Your lips inch with a smile. "Yeah, I don't live far from here."

"Well that's even worse. There's been muggings around here lately. It was on the news." He chides.

"Nanami I've been working here for over a year. You trust my work don't you?" You raise an eyebrow at him.

"...What does that have to do with-"

"Then trust my ability to stay vigilant!" You fix your bag onto your shoulder, having gotten everything to fit nicely. "Besides, what'll they take? My laptop can make eggs if I open more than 3 tabs at once." 

He huffs, looking at you with warm eyes despite his attempt to be stern.

"If you're going to walk home do it earlier in the evening. But since it is so late, I should come with you." He says with a finality, shrugging on the suit jacket he'd been holding on his arm. 

"Come with me?" Your brows raise as you try to conceal your excitement.

"Yes. I'd feel much better if you'd let me walk you home, no matter how... vigilant, you may be." He opens the door with an expectant look on his face and you couldn't hold in your big smile as you walked through, eyeing him.

The two of you walk down various streets in comfortable silence, eventually seeing your apartment building up the road.

"Should I count this a mini date? Or are we still, 'unacquainted' with each other?" He scoffs, adjusting your bag on his shoulder.

"You aren't going to ever let that die are you. Can we not move past that?" A small smile pulls at the corner of his lips. "Besides, I think we've become familiar over the year." He glances down at your wrist, still wearing the silly bangle he'd bought for the office secret santa. 

"If you'd like to consider this a mini date, you can, but I'd much rather take you on a real one." You turn around, mouth agape in shock.

You see his eyes flicker with amusement as you become increasingly flustered, trying to form a coherent thought. "You're serious?"

"Have I built a reputation for jokes?" He muses and you are struggling to keep your cool.

"Well no... A real date, would be- nice." You eye him, reaching a hand out for your bag.

He looks up at the building, "Let me walk you to your door."

"It's a two floor complex, the hallway is visible from the outside." You follow his gaze.

"I don't do half-assed jobs. Now come on, darling." You follow him up the stairs, your heart beating wildly in your chest as you're left to think about his proposal.

You get to your apartment, looking through your keys and opening your door. "Thanks for walking me home, Kento." You say softly. Neither of you wanted this to end, eyes meeting in a silent dance of emotions.

Nanami sucked in a breath. "Of course-"

"Would you-" You blurt out, steadying the heartbeat currently thrumming in your ears. "If I asked you to stay, would you?"

His shoulders dropped, like he'd been dying to say the same and you'd beat him to it. "I would."

Your smile matched his as you backed up into your apartment, letting him in. "Do you want tea? I have chamomile." "I'd love that."

[skinandscales-if]

S&S Anniversary

Today officially marks the 1 year anniversary of the demo release Skin & Scales! The first of many, I hope! I’m so very lucky and fortunate to have such cool people interested in my work, and I’m so delighted to see where the future takes us.

The story is still a baby, with much more to go, but I feel so honored to have built up exactly what the story sets out to create: community. You all have been an incredible part of this journey, and I could not be more grateful, especially to those who send me messages and take the time to interact, big or small. I want to do you justice, and I want to create the best product from everyone’s patience and love over this past year and onwards. This world and the characters have always been a welcome place to return to, and that’s thanks to you all. Thank you so much and here’s to more years to come. ❤️

To celebrate, here’s a little lore tease :)

BELOW IS THE WRITTEN TRANSCRIPT OF PRIVATE POLICE QUESTIONING. DO NOT REPLICATE.

REPORT BY OFFICER LEWIS BRANDY

SEND TO INSTITUTE IMMEDIATELY

DATE: 02/29/1990

QUESTIONS START 09:32

OFFICER BRANDY: Can you state your name for the record?

DARLING: Yes, of course. My name is Samantha Darling.

B: Great. Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. Darling. I'd like to start by asking you a few questions regarding last night, the twenty-eighth of February.

DARLING: Ash Wednesday, yes.

B: That's actually what I'd like to start with. You’re a member of St. Cadoc’s Church in the western district, correct?

DARLING laughs.

DARLING: Yes, though I suppose that doesn’t matter too much anymore. I hadn’t visited in a while after the… new management.

B: Right. You were present at the incident, correct?

DARLING: That is correct.

B: Mind stating where you were in relation to the incident?

DARLING: I was checking in on a neighbor of mine down the street across from the church. I live in a small apartment a few blocks down, meaning I crossed by right as things got intense.

B: You saw the smoke?

DARLING: Easily. It hadn’t reached my house yet, but the smoke was already taller than all of the nearby buildings. It was… it was pretty horrible.

B: Understandable. I’d like for you to detail all that you saw when you arrived on the scene, Mrs. Darling. If you’re able.

DARLING: Of course. When I could see the ashes I pivoted from my street to get a better look, and by the time I could see other people, it was clear that the church was burning into nothing. It was… really hot, and pretty suffocating up close like that. But the fire didn’t look normal it was…

DARLING stops talking and folds her hands into her lap.

B: Blue.

DARLING: Blue. And hot white, but it wasn’t as significant to me at the time. It wasn’t like any other fires I had witnessed.

B: And what did you see around you?

DARLING: Around me? A handful of other folks, mostly shifters, all really scared and confused. I thought maybe one of them would know, but they were all either speechless or just as perplexed as me. It… it was pretty horrific to see, even if we didn’t hear screaming or anything.

B: Was anyone fleeing from the scene? Or anyone around looking suspicious?

DARLING: I… um… no? Not really? I wasn’t paying that much attention, but I saw shadows flickering in the fire, along with some noises from within. Not anyone who sounded hurt though.

B: Yes. And no one around you who saw anything either?

DARLING pauses.

DARLING: I didn’t ask…? It didn’t seem like it. We were all a bit preoccupied. I think someone ran to get a firefighter.

B pauses and shuffles his papers.

B: Right. You mentioned hearing noises inside the church, correct? Could you make any of it out?

DARLING: No. I thought it was just the fire at first, but then it sounded like… well it might sound odd, but it sounded like a conversation. Probably something closer to an argument. I might have heard a roar.

B doesn’t say anything right away. DARLING frowns then leans in a bit.

DARLING: I know Firespitters can withstand extreme heat longer than most but do you think there really could have been someone in *that*? I heard the priest perished in the fire, he may have been one of the voices inside, but I’d never been to a sermon of his. He was one of those, though.

B: Mrs. Darling, please remember I’m asking the questions here. This is a very intense case, and we are taking all possible precautions to make sure this can’t happen again. You understand that, right?

DARLING is quiet for a moment.

DARLING: Right. Yes. Sorry.

B: It’s alright. You’ve given us a lot of important information today, ma’am. Before we wrap up though, are you sure nothing else caught your eye?

DARLING goes quiet again.

DARLING: Well… I did see a larger man leaving right as I arrived. He didn’t look suspicious, he was helping a woman around his size leave the scene, but they traveled down a back alley before I could get a good look. I don’t think they were responsible though, I was worried they were hurt it looked like the woman-

B: Thank you for your time, Mrs. Darling.

DARLING straightens up.

DARLING: Ah- sorry?

B: You’ve given us a lot of valuable information today, ma’am, and the city thanks you for your service. It cannot be understated. Outside, we’ll just gather a quick survey of information in case we need to contact you again, but you are otherwise free to go.

DARLING: Oh- okay… alright, thank you for your time, Officer.

DARLING stands.

B: Be careful out there Mrs. Darling. Plenty of people who’d love to take advantage of the good folks in this city. Give us a call if you need it.

DARLING leaves.

QUESTIONS END 09:40

OFFICER NOTES: Follow up with Director about sent special forces. Include report on spotted witnesses. Question at further radius. Don’t press peculiarities.