#Dear Herbal Lord

[stalkerofthegods]

Lord Apollo Deep dive

Lord Apollon is an amazing god, he is a healer, but he is also the destroyer of health, the same string that holds his bow and arrows of misery is the same in his lyre that he makes beautiful songs and lyrics with, he deserves respect as a god and as a Father. I adore Lord Apollon as a worshiper and as a researcher, no matter how harsh he may be. May you not judge lord Apollon from his myths and remember his actions of good. May all worshipers of devotees Tell of his amazingness.

God of - prophecy and oracles, Music, song and poetry, archery, healing, plague and disease, and the protection of the young, divine distance, fertility, knowledge, dancing, wolves, locust, doorways, mice, entrances, foreigners, happy travels, light, omens, averting evil and harm, boundaries, and borders, laurels, mildews, the god who punishes and destroys, he helps and wards off evil, he protects the flocks and cattle, the foundation of towns and the establishment of civil constitutions, protection of young boys, god of purification, he’s also a Psychopomp.

Symbols- The lyre, Silver bow & arrows, Dolphins, Swans, Crows, Ravens, Lions, Wolves, Wolves, Mice, Griffins, Hawks, Snakes, Laurel wreath, Fire/flame, The sun/sunlight, Tripod, Apples 

Incense/scents - Bay, Frankincense, Cypress, Clove, Cinnamon, Mugwort, Myrrh, hythincath, Rays of light radiating from his head, Branch of laurel, Wreath, amber, myrrh, lily of the valley, frankinscences, orange, lemongrass, marjoram

Colors • orange and yellow, red, gold and pure white blue, pink (means healing) purple and green (associated with the Oracle)

Herbs• Palm Tree, Apple Tree, Poplar Tree, Mistletoe, cinnamon, myrrh, bay leafs, sunflowers and red roses, oak wood, cypress (his veey dear friend ((not a lover or crush))), mint, heliotrope, Goldenseal, Date Palm, orange, lemongrass, marjoram

elements • his element is light

Day, month and festivals• Yule, Midsummer, May, sunday, his festivals are Noumenia, Delphinia, Thargelia, Apatouria, Pyanepsia, Asklepia (maybe), Pandia (maybe)

Patron of - medicine, mental health, physical health, therapy, the alphabet/words, defender of herds and flocks, justice, prophecy, and mental and moral purity, herdsmen and shepherds, anything in the medical field.

What I resonate with him • resseces pieces (I forgot why),  Raven, lyre, lemonade, yellow, sun, bob Ross, painting, singing, humming, melody, Oracle’s, prophecies, knowledge, Purification, suns/ stars  

Crystals•Sunstone, Citrine, Carnelian, Clear Quartz, Pyrite, Selenite, Lapis Lazuli

His sacred items - Bow and arrows; lyre; the wreath of laurel leaves (he wears that which is to be understood as Daphne’s hair.) 

Planet - The sun 

Tarot card- the sun, the chariot

Number - 7 

Animals - Wolf, griffin, dolphins, Swans, foxes, roe deer, swans, cicadas, hawks, ravens, crows, foxes, mice, and snakes

Signs he's reaching out• Significant Dream Encounters of him, Frequent Solar Imagery, Increased Interest in the Arts, Strong Connection to Healing, seeing his Symbols and Animals, having  Prophetic Experiences, finding yourself seeking the truth all of the sudden, Attraction to Light and Warmth

What u could put on his alter • Sun water, Wine (diluted with pure water), Milk, Olive oil, Herbal teas, Honey, honey cakes, Orange and lemon pastries, Lamb meat,  goat meat, Fruits, Cheeses, Wheat, Breads, Golden objects (ex- such as gold bowls, gold wine cups, flakes of gold), Bows and arrows (real or fake), art, Images of the sun, All musical instruments, (especially stringed instruments), Wolf imagery, dolphin imagery, Any images of birds (especially crows and swans), Yellow, gold, and white candles, Incense he likes. He likes his alters Neat, clean, not cluttered, orderly, surround him with who he loves (ex- past lovers, Leto, artemis) , add images of wolves, mice, and ravens, Wine, incense, gifts of solar imagery, oranges 

Other titles of apollon• ABAEUS/ Abaios (derived from the town of Abae in Phocis),

ACERSE′COMES/Akersekomês (Apollo expressive of his beautiful hair which was never cut or shorn.) ACE′SIUS/ Akesios (surname of Apollo, under which he was worshipped in Elis, This surname, which has the same meaning as akestôr and alexikakos as the god of averter of evil), ACESTOR/Akestôr (A surname of Apollo which characterises him as the god of the healing art, or in general as the averter of evil, like akesios), ACTIACUS (a surname of Apollo, derived from Actium, AEGLE′TES/Aiglêtês (that is, the radiant god), AGE′TOR/Agêtôr (a surname given to several gods, example is Zeus at Lacedaemon) AGO′NIUS/Agônios (a surname or epithet of several gods, like Zeus), AGRAEUS/Agraios (the hunter a surname of Apollo After he had killed the lion of Cithaeron), AGYIEUS/Aguieus (a a title describing him as the protector of the streets and public places), ALEXI′CACUS/ Alexikakos (the averter of evil, is a surname given by the Greeks to several deities like Zeus.), AMAZO′NIUS/ Amazonios, AMYCLAEUS/Amuklaios, ARCHE′GETES/Archêgetês (A surname of Apollo, under which he was worshipped in several places, as at Naxos in Sicily), Megara (The name has reference either to Apollo as the leader and protector of colonies, or as the founder of towns in general, in which case the import of the name is the same as theos patroôs.),  BOEDRO′MIUS/ Boêdromios (the helper in distress), CARNEIUS/ Karneiosx, CATAE′BATES/Kataibatês (invoked by this name to grant a happy return home, katabasis (to those who were travelling abroad), CHRYSAOR/Chrusaôr) (The god with the golden sword or arms), CLA′RIUS/ Klarios (derived from his celebrated temple at Claros in Asia Minor), CO′RYDUS/Korudos (from the temple eighty stadia from Corone, on the sea-coast),  CY′NTHIUS and CY′NTHIA/Kunthia and Kunthios (surnames of Artemis and Apollo from island of Delos, which is their birthplace), DAPHNAEUS and DAPHNAEA/Daphnaia and Daphnaios (surnames of Artemis and Apollo), DECATE′PHORUS/ Dekatêphoros (that is, the god to whom the tenth part of the booty is dedicated), DE′LIUS and DE′LIA/ Dêlios and Dêlia or Dêlias (surnames of Apollo and Artemis respectively), DELPHINIUS and DELPHI′NIA/ Delphinia (a surname of Artemis at Athens & The masculine form Delphinius is used as a surname of Apollo), EPACTAEUS or EPA′CTIUS/ Epaktaios or Epaktios (the god worshipped on the coast, was also used as a surname of Poseidon in Samos) EPIBATE′RIUS/ Epibatêrios (the god who conducts men on board a ship), EPICU′RIUS/ Epikourios (the helper),

EUTRESITES/Eutrêsitês (derived from Eutresis, where he had a ancient Oracle), GALA′XIUS/Galaxios a (from Boeotia, derived from the stream Galaxius),

HEBDOMA′GETES/Hebdomagetês (was derived from the fact of sacrifices being offered to him on the seventh of every month, the seventh of some month which became the god's birthday), HECAERGUS/Hekaergos (same meaning as Hecaerge in the case of Artemis),HY′LATUS/Hulatos (derived from the town of Hyle in Crete, which was sacred to him), INTONSUS/unshorn, (surname of Apollo and Bacchus showing the eternal youth of these gods, beacuse the Greek youths allowed their hair to grow until they attained the age of manhood), ISME′NIUS/Ismenios (A surname of Apollo at Thebes), ISO′DETES/Isodetêg (the god who binds all equally, is also used as a surname of Pluto),I′XIUS/Ixios (derived from a district of the island of Rhodes which was called Ixiae or Ixia.), LAPHRAEUS/Laphraios (a surname of Apollo at Calydon), LEUCA′DIUS/ Leukasios (a son of Icarius and Polycaste, and a brother of Penelope and Alyzeus. Leucas was believed to have derived its name from him), LIBYSTI′NUS, LOE′MIUS/Loimios (the deliverer from plague),

LO′XIAS/Loxias (derived by some from his intricate and ambiguous oracles), LYCE′GENES/Lukêgenês (describing him either as the god born in Lycia, or as the god born of light), LYCEIUS/Lukeios (the meaning is not quite certain, some derive it from lukos, a wolf, so that it would mean "the wolf-slayer;" others from lukê, light, according to which it would mean "the giver of light;"), LY′CIUS/Lukios (the Lycian, a surname of Apollo, who was worshipped in several places of Lycia),

LYCO′REUS/Lukôreus (A surname of Apollo perhaps in the same sense as Lyceius), MALEATES/Maleatês  (surname of Apollo, derived from cape Malea, in the south of Laconia),MARMARINUS/Marmarinos (the god of marble), MALLOEIS and MELUS/Mêlos (A son of Manto, from which the sanctuary of Apollo Malloeis in Lesbos was believed to have derived its name), MOIRA′GETES/Moiragetês (the guide or leader of fate, occurs as a surname of Zeus and Apollo at Delphi) MUSA′GETES/MUSAE (?), NO′MIUS/Noumios (surname of divinities protecting the pastures and shepherds sheared with Apollo, Pan. Hermes, and Aristaeus) ONCAEUS/Onkaios (a surname of Apollo derived from Oncesium on the river Ladon in Arcadia), PAEAN/Paian, Paiêôn or Paiôn (meaning "the healing," however, used also in the more general sense of deliverer from any evil or calamity, PAGASAEUS/ Pagasaios/the Pagasaean, from Pegasus, or Pegasae, (town in Thessaly, uses the surname of Apollo there.), PALATI′NUS, (surname of Apollo at Rome), PARNO′PIUS/Paruopios (the expeller of locusts) paruôps (a surname of Apollo, under which he had a statue on the acropolis at Athen), PARRHA′SIUS/Parrastos (A surname of Apollo, who had a sanctuary on Mount Lyceius, meaning “the helper”, PATAREUS/Patareus (derived from the Lycian town of Patara, where the god used to spend the six winter months in every year), PHILE′SIUS/Philêsios (surname of Apollo at Didyma, where Branchus was said to have founded a sanctuary of the god, and to have introduced his worship) PHOEBUS/ Phoibos (the shining, pure or bright, occurs both as an epithet and a name of Apollo), PHY′XIUS/Phuzios (the god who protects fugitives, also occurs as a surname of Zeus in Thessaly), PY′THIUS/Puthios the Pythian, from Pytho (the ancient name of Delphi, often occurs as a surname of Apollo), SALGANEUS/Salganeus (a surname of Apollo, derived from the town of Salganeus in Boeotia), SARPEDONIUS and SARPEDO′NIA/Sarpêdonia (a surname of Artemis, derived from cape Sarpedon in Cilicia, where she had a temple with an oracle, The masculine Sarpedonius occurs as a surname of Apollo in Cilicia.) SMINTHEUS/Smintheus (a surname of Apollo, which is derived by some from sminthos, a mouse, and from the town of Sminthe in Troas), SPO′DIUS/Spodios (a surname of Apollo at Thebes, derived from spodos, ashes, because his altar consisted of the ashes of the victims which had been sacrificed to him.), TEGYRE′IUS/Tegurêios (a surname of Apollo, derived from the town of Tegyra in Boeotia. where, according to some traditions, the god had been born), TELMI′SSIUS/Telmissios (a surname of Apollo derived from the Lycian town of Telnissus or Telmessus),TEMENITES/Temenitês (a surname of Apollo, derived from his sacred temenus in the neighbourhood of Syracuse), THEOXE′NIUS/Theoxenios (a surname of Apollo and Hermes), THYMBRAEUS/Thumbraios (A surname of Apollo, derived from a place in Troas called Thymbra, where he had a temple in which Achilles was wounded, or from a neighboring hill of the same name), ZOSTERIUS and ZOSTE′RIA/Zôstêria (a surname of Athena among the Epicnemidian Locrians, The masculine form Zosterius occurs as a surname of Apollo in Attica, on the slip of land stretching into the sea between Phaleron and Sunium)

Epithets•Abaeus, Apollo Acesius, Acestor, Acraephiaeus Apollo, Acraephius Apollo, Actiacus Apollo, Apollo Actiacus, Apollo Aegletes, Agetor, Agonius, Agraeus, Agyieus, Alexicacus,Amazonius, Anextiomarus, Aphetor Apollo, Aphetorius Apollo, Apollo Musagetes, Apollo Soranus, Apollo Apotropaeus, Apulu, Archegetes, Argyrotoxus Apollo, Apollo Articenens, Apollo Averruncus, Apollo Clarius, Apollo Coelispex, Apollo Culicarius, Apollo Cynthius, Apollo Cynthogenes, Delius Apollo, Apollo Delius, Apollo Delphinius, Apollo Didymaeus, Apollo Epicurius  Apollo Galaxius, Apollo Genetor, Hecaërgus Apollo, Apollo Hecebolus, Hekatos, Helius Apollo, Apollo Helius, Apollo Iatromantis, Apollo Iatrus, Apollo Ismenius, Kourotrophos, Apollo Leschenorius, Leucadius, Apollo Loxias, Apollo Lycegenes, Lyceus, Apollo Lycoctonus, Manticus Apollo, Apollo Medicus, Apollo Nomius, Apollo Nymphegetes, Paean (god), Apollo Paean, Apollo Parnopius, Apollo Patroüs, Apollo Phanaeus, Ptoion, Ptous, Pythius Apollo, Apollo Pythius, Apollo Smintheus, Apollo Sosianus, Thyraeus, Virotutis. (I’m not gonna put who, why or what the epithets are, cut me some slack 😔)

Equivalents• Abru (Berber), Horus & Ra (Egyptian), Aplu (Etruscan), Helios (Greek), Apollo & Janus (Roman), Nergal (Aplu Enlil) (Semitic)

Offerings•  Candles (he’s the god of light), Paint brushes/paints, Canvases, Colored pencils, markers, crayons, Collages, Journals, Art books, Art prints, Anything you mad, Sculptures, Zines, Stickers, Any art supplies, Music boxes, Records, CDs,Cassettes, Record players,radios, MP3, Headphones, Music posters, Band merch, Instruments (especially String instruments), Dance shoes, Concert tickets, CD book holders, Sun and Light imagery, Sunscreen, Aloe for sunburns, Golden objects, Matches, Candles, Sunflowers/sunflower seeds, First aid kits, Medicine, Pain relievers, Band - aids, Ice/heat packs, Rice socks, face Masks, Aloe, Ambulance toy cars,Adaptive aids, Darts, Bow and arrows, Arrow quiver, Dart board, Targets used in archery, Bullseye used in archery, Snake skins, Snake imagery (ex - Python), Laurels, Bay leaves (because of Daphne), Palm trees (based on his birth myth), Ravens/Crows related things,  Crow feathers, Cattle/turtles (related to Hermes birth myth), Swans (the animals Pull His chariot), Hyacinths (Hyacinthus is his past lover), Locks of hair, Vanilla flavored/scented things , Honey, Sunny D drink, Lemons/lemon juice, Oranges/orange juice, Citrus, Water, chocolate milk (UPG),  molten orange-scented wax cube used on an oil burner, The first bite of every meal (keep a tea plate close by at mealtimes), Pot Pourri, visit a clairvoyant, Welcome foreigners, teach others your own culture/language, make sure foreigners are able to find helpful resources and social life in your community, Make sure the street outside your house is clean and secure, Resin, Sun-shaped cookies or cakes, Wine, Golden cakes, Golden raisins.

Devonatal- Donate to medical charities, Support beginner indie artists and musicians, Sing to Him, Play musical instruments for Him, Hold dance parties in his honor, Make a playlist for Him and listen to it, Read poetry to Him, Take care of your mental health in his honor, take your medicine in his honor, Try/do archery in his honor, Try/do different types of divination (ex- Tarot/Oracle decks, Pendulums, Rune stones, Charm casting supplies, Crystal balls, Scrying bowls, Cookie fortunes, Tea leaves), Try and wake up early and watch the sun rise, Go for a walk and feel the warmth from the sun, Let more sunlight into your home/room, Learn a musical instrument, learn how to sing, Learn simple medical care (ex- CPR), research his family in his honor,  research Apollon, Attend pride, advocate for  LGBT+ rights, Wear yellow clothing in his honor, wear orange clothing in his honor, Honor Leto and Artemis in his honor, Pray to Him/ speak to Him often (ex- for guidance, healing/good health, and new inspiration, protection, improvement in your mental health, fertility, ecstasy, for everything going well in the health aspect),  Dance and sing to your favorite songs or songs you’d think He would like,  Throw a feast in His honor, Support/donate to your local Hospital in his honor, Exercise in his honor, Get vaccinated in his honor, Get STI tested in his honor, practice Self care in his honor, Keep a first aid kit at home/in your car in his honor, Learn about alternative medicine in his honor, Advocate for accessible in his honor, Advocate for disability rights in his honor, Volunteer at a hospital in his honor, Give blood/plasma in his honor; Volunteer at a retirement home in his honor, Learn about anatomy/biology/nutrition in his honor, Learn about health conditions/rare disorders in his honor, Eat healthy for your body in his honor, Help fund surgeries if you can in his honor, Trip sit for someone in his honor, Listen to your body when it needs something in his honor , Sunbathe in his honor, Wear sunscreen in his honor,  Start a garden in his honor, Make sun water in his honor, Music Go to a concert/show, Listen to music in his honor, Make a playlist for someone you love in his honor, dance in general in his honor, Sing in general in his honor, Support local bands in his honor, Explore new music in his honor, Daily tarot card/rune stones sessions in his honor, Make an oracle deck in his honor, Give divination readings in his honor, do Shadow work in his honor , do Colormancy in his honor, Make something in his honor, Draw in his honor, paint in his honor, craft in his honor, Color something for him, Make a zine in his honor, Go see a play in his honor, Get a tattoo in his honor, Throw darts in his honor, Use a slingshot in his honor, Go to a shooting range in his honor, follow and support artist/poet YouTubers and their social media, Check in with your neighbors, do Photography (painting with light), light a candle in his honor because he’s the of…light!

Crystal•Sunstone, Citrine, Carnelian, Clear Quartz, Pyrite, Selenite, Lapis Lazuli, amber, calcite (only the color honey/yellow), quartz (rutilated or clear), rose quartz.

Parentage• Zues and Leto 

Siblings• his full sibling was his twin Artemis, His half siblings were Athena, Hermes, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus and Persephone, Heracles, Ares, Perseus, Hebe, Aphrodite, Athena, Some Muses, Eileithyia.

Works well with• people who are respectful, and are honest, and not boastful. 

Jewelry • friendship bracelets

Hates• saying that your better than him, (too boastful), being to stubborn to learn (he is the god of knowledge.), and anything contradicting his godlyness 

Mortal or immortal • immortal.

Zodiac • Leo. 

Curses• Sickness, and often seeing yourself lying, and in trouble.

Blessings• your healthy and protection and purification. 

Vows/omans• he swears he will be Hermes best friend, and that he will never marry (the muses myth) because he swore he would never because he couldn't choose between all the Muses, not usually used in modern day, he could be married but it is a version of a myth, he could date. just never marry.

Morals• Morally grey.

Courting• he is unmarried. 

Past lovers & crushes• Admetus (a crush), Daphne (rejected him and he fell so in love she had to run away and turn into a tree..), all the nine muses (couldn’t choose so decided to never unwed), Cyrene (a crush), Evadne (a lover who bore him a child.), Rhoeo (bore him a child and made him raise it..) Ourea (had a crush on Apollo and they hooked up on his exile and bore him a kid), Thero, Hyrie or Thyrie (said they were lovers but he made them suicidal so..idk..). Hecuba (bore the child who made Apollo kill Achilles.), Coronis (bore him  Asclepius), Creusa (bore him a child and left him to die and then to be raised by a priestess of Apollo.), Hyacinthus (his most dear male lover.),  Cyparissus (a dear friend but still a honorable mention.), Admetus (a crush), Branchus, Adonis (poly with apollon and Aphrodite), Helenus, Hippolytus of Sicyon,Hymenaios, god of marriage hymns, Iapis, Phorbas, minthe (who he turned into mint) 

Personality• He’s very energetic, cheerful, wise, honest and kind, and very responding.

Fact• Apollo was temporarily stripped of his immortal power by Zeus – twice , he tried to over throw his father Zeus once (He failed, but they have a good bond.)

Roots• Greek mythology, born at Delos in Cyclades archipelago.

Appearance in astral or gen• depicted as a handsome, beardless youth with long hair and wears a wreath and branch of laurel, bow and quiver of arrows, usually accompanied with a raven, and holding a lyre.

Children• Acraepheus, Aeneus, Agamedes, Agreus, Amphiaraus, Amphissus, Amphithemis, Anius, Apis, Apollonis, Arabius, Aristaeus, Asclepius, Borysthenis, Cephisso, Chariclo, Cinyras, Coronus, Cycnus, Delphus, Dius, Dorus, Dryops of Oeta, Eleuther, Epidaurus, Eriopis, Erymanthus, Eumolpus, Eurydice, Eurynome, Hilaeira, Hymen (god), Ialemus, Iamus, Idmon (Argonaut), Ion, Ismenus, Korybantes, Laodocus, Lapithes (hero), Linus (Argive), Linus, Linus of Thrace, Lycomedes, Lycorus, Melaneus of Oechalia, Melite, Miletus, Mopsus, Naxos, Oaxes, Oncius, Orpheus, Phemonoe, Philammon, Philander, Phoebe, Phylacides, Polypoetes, Scylla, Syrus, Tenerus, Tenes, Troilus, Trophonius, Zeuxippus of Sicyon.

Pet• the swans pulling his chariot called the “singers of Apollo” or just “birds of Apollo”

Status• Greek mythology god, in the big theoi, not a Demi god. 

Prayers•

Prayer to Lord Apollon for Help with Divination

Hear me, Foreseeing Apollon, Son of Indomitable Zeus and Gentle Leto, Brother to Far-Shooting Artemis. He who speaks of truth, If I have ever revelled in your sunlight, accept this prayer, Apollon Leader of Fate, I ask you to be with me during this divination and to guide my cards with your knowledge, I ask for your favour with a token of my praise, I offer to you (offering)- @praise-to-the-theoi

To Lord Apollon when taking medication 

Hear me, healing Apollon, Father to Soothing Asklepios. He who controls both plague and healing, If I have ever honoured you, please accept this prayer, Shining Apollon, Please allow me to be safe when taking this medication, to aid it in its effectiveness, and to reduce the likelihood of negative side effects. I ask for your favour with a token of my praise, and I take this medication in your honour. -https://www.tumblr.com/praise-to-the-theoi

Prayer to Artemis and Apollon 

Praise today, O Lord Apollo and Lady Artemis, rulers upon the Sun and Moon. The Celestial Twins, on this date, join each other in the sky, shining upon us their divine light and presence. Praise the children of Great Zeus and Leto; Hail Lady Artemis, the oldest daughter, who helped her mother at birth. Godess of the hunt, divine virgin, patroness of girls, their childhood and innocence.  Hail Apollon, youngest son, born by his sister's hand. God of the plages and sickness. Patron of the arts, music and poetry. May they raise their bows and guide us towards their light. - serotoninbetweenpages

Prayer with his epithets in it-

Let us hymn Paean the great god, Apollo; Immortal, gloriously formed, unshorn, soft-haired, Stern-hearted, king, delighting in arrows, giver of life, Joyous, laughing, slayer of giants, sweet-hearted, Son of Zeus, slayer of dragons, lover of the laurel, Sweet of speech, of ample might, far-shooter, giver of hope, Creator of animals, divine, Jove-minded, giver of zeal, Mild, sweet-spoken, sweet-hearted, gentle-handed, Slayer of beasts, blooming, charmer of the spirit, soft-speaking, Shooter of arrows, desirable, healer, charioteer, Weaver of the world, Clarian, strong-hearted, father of fruits, Son of Leto, pleasant, delighting in the lyre, resplendent, Lord of the mysteries, prophet, magnanimous, thousand-shaped, Lover of the bow-string, wise, stiller of grief, sober,Lover of community, common to all, taking thought for all, benefactor of all, Blessed, making blessed, Olympian, dweller on the hills, Gentle, all-seeing, sorrowless, giver of wealth, Saviour from trouble, rose-coloured, man-breaker, path-opener, Glittering, wise, father of light, saviour, Delighting in the dance, Titan, initiator, revered, Chanter of hymns, highest, stately, of the height, Phoebus, purifier, lover of garlands, cheerer of the spirit, Utterer of oracles, golden, golden-complexioned, golden-arrowed, Lover of the lyre, harper, hater of lies, giver of the soul, Swift-footed, swift-voiced, swift of vision, giver of seasons. Let us hymn Paean the great god, Apollo.   

- Epigram from Book 9 of the Greek Anthology, translated by W.R. Paton (1916-18)

Links/websites/sources •

@praise-to-the-theoi

ofbloodandfaith

Reddit · r/Hellenism5 comments  ·  1 year agosimple offerings for apollo? : r/Hellenism

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo#Children https://www.thoughtco.com/roman-equivalents-of-greek-gods-4067799https://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/d20s5v/would_amber_be_an_appropriate_incense_for_apollo/https://www.reddit.com/r/GreekMythology/comments/du0z4k/did_the_olympian_gods_have_particular_color/https://www.tumblr.com/eldritchhorror06https://www.tumblr.com/themodernwitchsguidehttps://web.pdx.edu/~scarmody/art342/exercise2/index.html#:~:text=Animals%20sacred%20to%20Apollo%20include,foxes%2C%20mice%2C%20and%20snakes.

let the light in and let your truth of loving Apollo shine aswell

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[gtgbabie0]

{Cregan drops his duties for you when you fall sick}

Hope you enjoy lovelies! 💕

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾

The north was abysmally cold and once winter pushes through it only seems to get worse, when the sun is hidden beneath the shadowy grey clouds, and the wind rushes through the trees and the castle walls, it was only a matter of time until you would fall sick.

Bedbound is what Cregan told you as soon as the Maesters informed him about your illness, bedbound and not to move a muscle until the sickness was gone, but there were only so many books you could read before you go crazy.

You were wrapped up in furs, thick blankets and the fire was lit, surrounded by nothing but warmth, another thing Cregan had told the Maesters after you woke up practically shivering, and gods, you were so bored.

“Lady Stark please stay in bed” Lyra asks so politely that you almost feel a little bad, you only wanted to go for a walk, just to stretch your legs a little.

You shake your head, akin to a stubborn child, as you ready yourself, “Lyra I’ll be fine, all I want is to stretch, I won’t go too far and I’ll be back before Cregan returns” you tell her, voice hoarse and scratchy.

She looks at you very concerned, “I will be fine, I promise” You smile as you erupt into a coughing fit, your chest aching with every breath.

Lyra is quick making her way to your side, a gentle hand against your back as she urges you to sit back on the bed, “Please I insist lady Stark, you must rest” she panics a little, but you’d rather have to listen to lord Cerwyn’s boring rambling then go back to bed.

“I’m fine Lyra” she sighs giving up on your relentless fighting, you were stubborn and she had learnt that the hard way, she nods curtly before bidding you farewell and Lyra makes her way straight to Cregan.

Cregan had an inkling that you wouldn’t listen to his nor the Maesters words, he knew you far too well that it was hard to really hide anything from him, and his suspicion was only proven correct when Lyra came bursting through the doors, disrupting one of the lords, as she nervously rambles about how you're up and out of bed.

You don’t even get halfway down the hallway of the freezing castle before you’re stopped by your husband, “What exactly are you doing out of bed” You tense up at the sound of his stern voice, a smile teetering on your lips at the slightest playful hint in his tone.

You turn around with a sheepish smile, he wasn’t meant to be here yet, “You’re supposed to be attending to your duties, lord Stark” you tell him, a smirk playing on your lips, trying to ignore the soreness that itches at the back of your throat.

“And you’re supposed to be in bed, resting,” he says, wincing at the croaky chuckle that falls from your lips, he walks over to you with a gentle hand on the small of your back as he guides you back to your shared bedchambers.

You don’t fight him on the matter figuring you would just lose anyway, because If there was anyone that could outdo your stubbornness it was definitely your husband, especially when the matter involves you.

But that doesn’t stop you from complaining, “My dear, I feel fine” you sigh, yet again overtaken by your feverish cough, the burning in the back of your throat causes tears to well up in your eyes.

Cregan’s heart breaks at the sight, how your shoulders shake, and gods, the sound of your painful cough near enough brings him to tears, he hates seeing you in pain, hates that there’s nothing he can do about it.

“My sweet girl, please sit” he says, noticing the way you shiver slightly as a gust of wind whistles through the castle, you groan slightly as you climb back into bed, “Good girl” he teases, chuckling as you roll your eyes.

He fluffs up the pillows before you lay against them as he pulls the blankets back up to your shoulders, “I’m starting to hate this bed” you mumble, you’re tired of being ill.

“I know, but the more you rest-“ he glances over at the cup of herbal tea that’s now gone cold, his eyebrows knitting together, “-and actually drink the tea the Maesters give you, the quicker you will get better” he presses a kiss to your warm forehead, brushing your hair behind your ear.

You smile up at him, “I’m sure the other Lords aren’t too pleased about you leaving them to fuss over your sick wife” You giggle as he takes a seat beside the bed.

His face softens, “They can wait, you, my love, are the most important person to me— you come first” he smiles, pressing another kiss to your temple, and his thumb gently soothes your cheek and you can’t help but lean into his gentle touch.

Your limbs are overcome with a sudden dull ache and everything just seems to hurt, your hand reaches for his and your fingers entwine, “It hurts so bad” you whisper, your eyes closing with pain and you try so hard to ignore the stinging sensation that scratches at the back of your throat.

“Where sweet girl?” Cregan asks, taking your hand up to his mouth as he presses gentle kisses to your knuckles.

“Everywhere” You squeeze his hand slightly, and he looks down at you with worry laced in his eyes.

He looks over at Lyra who’s preparing tea, just like the Maesters told her, she passes the cup to Cregan with a nod, “Here my love, sit up” he prompts and you groan slightly as you do, he hands you the warm cup and you grimace slightly at the taste as the sharp liquid sits against your tongue.

His hand finds yours squeezing them with encouragement, “There you go” he smiles, taking the cup from your hands as you lay back down, nuzzling against your pillows, sleep already hanging heavy over you.

“Can you stay, tell me about one of your great adventures” You give him a weak giggle as he nods clearing his throat before he recalls the one time, with Jacaerys, about how he taught him how to shoot with a bow and arrow.

He doesn’t leave your side, not until you’re fast asleep, and he prays to the gods that you get better soon.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

[ethereal-multiplicity]

⟡ The Connection Between Demons and "Ghost Hunts" - A Guide to the Demonic ⟡

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(Post header found on pinterest)

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Who here likes watching ghost investigation videos?

I know I do, but I have a huge grudge against youtubers who think they know everything just because they are intuitive. I have repeatedly heard the term "Demon" being used when something negative comes into contact with them, or even freak out when actual demonic entities reach out to help them.... thinking that clearly a demon must want them dead.

This is the problem, they are fear mongering to new people within the spiritual community, obviously its unintentional, but it's a severe issue that no one feels like correcting for the beginner spiritualists.

So I am going to correct it, because if I hear one more thing about demons being evil come from the mouth of a "psychic" or "spiritualist" I'm going to fucking lose it. How can you claim you are spiritual when those words are on your tongue like poison.

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Christianity stole pagan and indigenous gods and spirits to fear monger. They used the names of the entities people held dear to force them into a cage of doubt, used the names of their mythology to make it seem more familiar when converting them, making them think their gods were evil and wrong by using their names in the holy text.

That is why the witch trials happened, that is why colonizers took land, that is why indigenous people were at war for decades, and they are still fighting for their freedom today. Because Christians used their God, used Jesus' name to back any differing beliefs into a corner.

Don't believe me? Here is some translations and historical context Look them up, these aren't fake.

Lucifer = Baldr - Norse God, Phosphorus - Roman God, Venus and Saturn - Greek and Roman Planet Personifications

Satan = "To Oppose" or "Adversary"

Hell = Hel - Norse Goddess, Hades - Greek God

Beelzebub = Baal - Canaanite God

Even their precious Jesus isn't their god, they took his name from Judaism and butchered his story.

Demons have always been known to help guide humans to the truth, to save them from the control of God.

Lucifer guided Eve to the apple from the tree of forbidden truths, trying to save her from being Adam's cattle.

That is why Lilith became a demon, she wanted to be equal with Adam, she refused to lay below him, she ran and God punished her by forcing her to give birth to thousands of demons. She became the demonic liberator, all because she wanted to be properly loved and cared for as a human being, instead of being treated like she was a dog Adam could tame.

⊱ ☆ ⊰

If you research the demons of the Goetia, such as the 7 Lords, Buer, King Paimon, Barbatos, etc. They are all known as the keeper of truths, the teacher of knowledge.

Buer is the teacher of Moral Philosophy, Keeper of Hidden Knowledge, Teacher of Herbal Remedies, he could cure any illness, and he gifted witches with their familiars and protectors.

King Paimon is the Keeper of Hidden Knowledge and Truth, Keeper of Treasure, and Teacher of Academics/Science, Guider to life forces (Such as water)

Barbatos Guides people to Hidden Treasure, He helps heal any kind of relationship, He can understand the language of all animals, and He can see into the past and future.

All 7 Lords of Hell, Lucifer, Satan, Asmodeus, etc. all rule over one key thing. Freedom.

Lucifer and Satan liberate people from horrible and traumatic situations.

Asmodeus and Mammon allow people the freedom for earthly pleasures.

Beelzebub allows people the freedom to eat whatever they want without judgement. Such as pork and shellfish.

Belphegor allows people to rest and sleep as much as they need, not to force themselves or overwork their power.

Leviathan allows people to feel jealous, to feel angry, to make themselves so worked up that they change their life and get rid of what isn't serving them. He is the ruler of manifestation itself.

Do any of these entities sound evil? No! Of course not!

There is no actual historical context of any demon harming humans, in fact the only harm the bible says they do is teach them the forbidden truths.

Demons are liberators! They are saviors! They are the healer of religious trauma! There is a reason people with religious trauma tend to gravitate towards Satanism or Paganism. Demons are healers! Just look at Buer and Barbatos, they heal and protect humans and animals and expect nothing in return.

⊱ ☆ ⊰

But you may be asking, where does this all tie into the ghost hunters on youtube?

Well, the reason I have written this is to point out that demons aren't harmful, to provide proof to the beginner spiritualists that their is no reason to be afraid.

When the hunters say they've came into contact with a violent demon, its called a poltergeist!

Poltergeists are born of human negativity, they are entities born to cause harm and havoc. They are born from all the sadness, anger, trauma, and grief of this world. That is why when you go to these haunted locations with a fucked up history, there is going to be violent entities.

These spirits are hurting, hauntings happen for a reason. Spirits who are actually happy and content don't get stuck in our world. Their collective emotions and thoughts birth Poltergeists, and Poltergeists are made to act upon the violence that they were created with. They are made to seek vengeance on those who they view as a threat.

Has your mood ever got ruined, and then everything else that day went to absolute shit? That is kinda how poltergeists work, they are born from the pain of both the dead and the living, and when there is enough trauma, they come to "life". Poltergeists and the emotions that caused them, deserve to heal, not to be demonized.

I don't give a rats ass if that entity hurt you, trying to hurt it back or expelling it from your home/space is going to anger it, because you are oppressing an already traumatized being. But thats for another post.

My last point of proof is my lived experience, I was raised Christian, but every time I stepped foot in a church I had violent intrusive thoughts and feelings, to the point I constantly felt nauseous in church due to the overstimulating energy.

Once I found Paganism and Witchcraft, all of that went away. Around my gods, I am free, I feel loved, I feel their healing.

When I am sick? I feel their guidance and support allowing me to properly rest. When I am depressed? I feel their nurturing energy. When I am crying? I feel hands gently on the side of my face, my head, or my shoulders.

When I communicate with them? They tell me its time to heal from my trauma. When I ask them about the christian god? They tell me Christians have got it wrong, and God/Jesus is actually so kind and does not support anything Christianity has done in his name.

My point is, STOP TELLING THOUSANDS OF VIEWERS ONLINE THAT DEMONS WANT TO HURT YOU AND SPREAD ILLNESS THAT IS FEAR MONGERING

You cannot under any circumstances say your intuitive, psychic, or spiritual, and then refuse to understand the history of intuition, divination, and religion. You are not a healer, you are not a communicator, you are an oppressor.

This post isn't made to convince people demons are harmless.... but it is made to convince people to stop spreading their hate everywhere just because they don't understand something.

[misshypnofascinated]

Diplomacy

The carriage stops before the castle gates. I smooth my dress and rub my eyes, in an attempt to look the figure of beauty and grace I'm supposed to be. I'm here in a diplomatic role, and I should represent my country and people the best I can. There are treaties that are not the best for my country that I hope to address, but I have to see if something can be changed.

The welcoming committee is big and impressive. The people are welcoming and chatty, and the banquet in honor of both of our countries is plentiful. I had fun dancing with the prince and other courtiers, and I got to get to know most of the important figures. The only person that was missing was the minister of Foreign Affairs. The man I was hoping to informally meet before our negotiations would start. The man, a minor lord, is placed next in my itinerary, right after the banquet. The reason I cannot fully enjoy myself.

As I bid my farewell to the courtiers at the end of the banquet, I find myself in the library. The advisor is not there yet. I'm annoyed, but I make my way to one of the comfortable chairs. My feet hurt from the dancing and walking in the shoes that go with the formal dress, and I welcome the first moment of respite, however short it might be. I notice a herbal scent and a warm fireplace. I let the tension flow from my shoulders.

A warm, deep voice comes from behind me. "Welcome, princess. It is an honor to have you here. No, please, stay seated, I'm sure you had a long day, and I want to tell you something about the history of the treaties of our countries." "Let me first thank you for the welcome, minister. I'm grateful for the opportunity and hope we can achieve the best results for both of our countries. I have been briefed extensively on our treaties, but please, tell me what you think I should know"

The man ends up standing in front of me. I'm genuinely curious what he has to say. All reports about the surroundings of the treaty are vague, with diplomats retiring soon after they worked on the current treaty. I love to hear how we ended up with the shorter end of the stick with the deals the last few years.

"You see, your majesty," he says, while grabbing a coin on a string from his pocket, "all things are about balance. This coin, just like our treaty, has two sides. Can you keep track of this side, as it represents your country, and the other side represents my country. Currently it it in perfect balance, can you see that as I twirl it, my dear princess?"

"Yes, lord." Normally, I don't like it when a man of lower birth assumes such familiarity. But the long day, the atmosphere, and the smooth voice are enough that I let it pass, for now at least. I'm very interested to see where he goes with this.

"Good. I see that you are a good listener. Hear my voice, and see how the coin twils. You are here for the best of your country, and you see it flashing on the coin. Right next to my country. Doesn't that make sense? Wouldn't the best for your country and the best of my country be the same?"

I must admit that makes sense. But it is getting hard to speak. The long day is getting to me. The coin flashes, and I nod to show my agreement. My head feels slow, I suppress a yawn, and I'm glad this is just the first of the conversations. I nod.

"Good, my princess. You look beautiful when agreeing with me. Doesn't it feel good?"

And again, I must agree. I feel strangely pleasant here, with the warmth and the scent and the coin. This lord has a good voice, I can listen for hours to this. My whole body warms up. I'm nodding again. "Good. You are doing well. It is so easy to follow my voice, and easy to follow my lead. Let yourself sink deeper, as you stare at my coin. You feel my power now, and in the coming days, you will learn to follow my lead, as I can make you see what is best for you, is to follow and obey me. Do you understand, my sweet little princess?"

I might have felt a flicker of something for a moment, but the coin flashes again and my mind goes more and more blank. 'I'm sure the negotiations will be pleasant with this man' is my last thought before I surrender and my mind empties completely.

[imtrashraccoon]

Edit: I wrote this on January 8, but kept it my drafts to avoid spoilers for Have Some Empathy, Dear.

Got my first migraine of the year recently and it gave me the idea to write some headcanons down for the boys that I have written for and plan on posting/have posted for. Some of these are more specific than others and generally take place in their respective stories if that makes sense.

The Ones You've Met

My UF!Papyrus aka Edge:

He got home to find you sitting at the kitchen table with your head in your hands. He realizes there's something wrong immediately and when you tell him you're suffering from a migraine, he wants to help.

Only problem is he isn't sure what to do exactly. He knows how bad migraines can be as he's both experienced them and helped his brother deal with them firsthand. He just doesn't know where to start to help you, especially if you're a human as your anatomy is far different from his own.

Fortunately for you, he knows healing magic and is quite talented. You're in good hands with him, literally. (He might even be mildly amused if you point that out.) Depending on the severity of your migraine, his magic may not be able to fully make the pain go away, but it's enough of a relief to make a difference.

He'll offer whatever else he can afterwards like pain meds, tea, a hot bean bag or an ice pack if you prefer, but most importantly, he'll offer cuddles. He doesn't get a ton of down time in general but he's quite happy to just lay on the couch or in bed and hold you close until you do feel better.

My Horror Sans aka Baston:

Your seasonal allergies were acting up and in combination with probably smacking your head recently, you ended up with a migraine. Baston only needed to take a look at you to determine that you were in pain and he was by your side instantly.

He knows loads of homemade pain relief treatments from personal experience and what his brother, Hemlock, has studied. He'll get you situated with a mug of some strong but surprisingly not awful tasting herbal tea in no time. He'll probably even let you lay down in his own bed for a while if you're over at his place.

If you fall asleep, you'll probably wake up to him sitting next to you, gently playing with your hair. If you're still not feeling 100%, he'll try something else but if he isn't needed elsewhere, he'll be staying nearby for a while, just in case.

My Post-Echotale G!Sans aka G:

He travels a lot so it was likely sheer coincidence that he found you while you were suffering from a migraine. Maybe he had to actually go to your house as you weren't at any of your other meeting spots. He's quick to grow serious when he sees how bad you feel too.

While he's often a bit standoffish or casually flirty, G is also surprisingly tender when he wants to be. He'll check if you've already taken pain meds yet and help with that if you want to. Beyond that, he isn't sure what else he can do for you.

Unless you give him ideas, he'll probably just resort to trying to make you comfortable and relaxed. You are getting wrapped up in a blanket burrito and he will hold you as close as you want for however long it takes for your migraine to go away. He'll even lightly massage your head and gently play with your hair until you fall asleep.

He'll likely still be there when you eventually wake up too. You might even catch him in a contemplative mood before he realizes you woke up. He spends a good deal of time thinking about the past and the future which can put him in slightly negative moods, but he's quick to hide this around others. He's willing to talk if you're feeling up to it at least, although you'll have to convince him that you're feeling fine again first.

Lord Nightmare:

He knew something was bothering you from across the castle as he could feel your negative emotions brought on by the intense pain. He found you tossing and turning in your bed as you couldn't find a comfortable position with how bad your migraine was.

He doesn't have a lot of experience actually caring for people but he cares a lot for you and hates seeing you in pain like this. He always spares no expense when you're sick or injured and now is no different. He'll personally go get medication to relieve your pain and tell the boys to leave you alone for the rest of the day.

He'll stay by your side while you take your medication and if you don't mind, he'll gladly siphon off the negative emotions you're experiencing and calm you down with his magic. He'll cuddle you even if you aren't really in the mood as he just wants you to feel better and can't do much more in the moment. The plus side is that his tentacles are soft and cool to the touch which is rather soothing for your poor head.

You aren't leaving your room until he's positive (heh) you're feeling better. Even if you insist otherwise, he'll keep snuggling you just to make sure you'll be okay. He means well of course, but he's also rather possessive of you and since the boys can't bother you right now, he might as well give you as much affection as he can. (The boys will likely be desperate to find out if you're alright once you are released so you're going to be doted on for a while afterwards.)

Note from Trash: I see Lord Nightmare as very similar to the Nightmare I wrote for "Have Some Empathy, Dear" so they'd likely act the same or similarly.

Horror Sans aka Axe:

You'd gotten home from work late as you'd had to stay until you'd finished up one final report that couldn't possibly wait until Monday. Axe had been incredibly worried something happened to you and was just about to go look for you himself when you returned. He knows you're not doing well before you even tell him and practically goes into mother hen mode.

If you can stomach food, he's making you something easy to consume that's so packed with healing magic, you'll almost be swimming in it. He'll also make you a tea and all but insist you go relax while waiting. He can't use much magic anymore but he can make great food at least so that's what he'll do.

He's had quite a bit of experience dealing with pain as he deals with it on a near daily basis. It especially hurts to see someone he counts as a friend, let alone you, in pain. He keeps a level head though and will do anything to help ease your pain.

He'll stay with you as long as physically possible just so that he can reassure you, and himself, that you'll be okay. He likes touching your hair and skin, although he is a bit worried he'll hurt you worse so he won't be giving you a massage. He will play with your hair though and stroke your scalp if you're okay with that.

Murder Sans aka Dust:

He was probably already dealing with a headache today (literal or metaphorical in the form of Killer lol) before he teleported to your place for a break. He can sympathize with your pain but he's not great at the whole caring thing.

You'll probably have to be Pain Pals together for a while, which isn't so bad actually once you get some medication or get comfy. Dust is a great cuddler although he isn't always in the mood. Lucky for you, he happens to like it when you touch him on his bad days.

He'll stay overnight if you let him and may even be there the next morning when you have to leave for work. You'll probably have to untangle yourself from his koala hug though, which could take awhile. Interestingly, he's even more mellow than usual in times like these, although he won't admit that your gentleness and affection are almost like drugs to him.

Killer Sans aka Killer:

He's also very bad at the whole empathy thing. He showed up and made loud noises while doing so until you angrily told him to shut up. He doesn't take your pain seriously at first and very likely finds it hilarious, as pain often is for him (usually other's pain though).

Once he realizes you aren't any fun in this state, he grows deathly serious though. He'll bring the entire contents of your medicine cabinet to you and steal all the blankets in your home just so he can build a blanket fort around your couch. He says little while setting everything up which is a little scary until he flashes you his trademark smile and forces you onto the couch if you aren't there already.

Unfortunately, he isn't going to leave you alone. Expect to be spooned and whispered to incessantly until you tell him to shut up again. He will, for a solid thirty seconds, when he can't handle not saying something stupid anymore. You either have two migraines to deal with now or a buddy who's doing his best to help distract you from it.

The Ones You Haven't Met, Yet...

Fractured Souls - My other Underfell AU:

My Other UF!Sans aka Crimson:

He hates ever seeing you in pain, whether it be emotionally or, as is the case this time, physically. He's a tough guy that had to grow up quickly in a rough world so he isn't the greatest at helping at first. He has the head knowledge on what to do but struggles with figuring out what order to do it in.

If you can stomach food, you are either getting some awesome leftovers of whatever Scar made recently or Crimson will make you something simple himself. If you're okay with taking pain meds, he'll make sure you take the correct amount and make you a golden flower tea as well.

He doesn't know what else he can do for you but will sit and give you all the cuddles you could ask for, if you're comfortable with that anyways. He's a big guy, so he gives great cuddles. You won't want for anything and all you have to do is ask if you do.

If your migraine goes away soon, he'll probably continue to dote on you for the rest of the day. You aren't doing any chores or even lifting a finger on his watch. He will call you out if you force yourself to do anything strenuous too.

My Other UF!Papyrus aka Scar:

Unfortunately for you, he doesn't notice you're in serious pain until he actually stops whatever he was doing and takes a good look at you. When he realizes how awful you're doing though, he's dropping everything to take care of you and if you feel guilty for bothering him, he'll insist your health is more important. You're weaker and more prone to sicknesses than he is afterall. He doesn't mean to be harsh or anything, that's just how he is.

He will make you some soup or a golden flower tea if you'd rather that. Otherwise, you are getting sent to your room and under strict bed rest for the rest of the day. None of his other brothers are permitted to disturb you either. Scar will make sure you have anything you need throughout the day like medications or a hot or cold pack for your head.

He checks in on you every few hours but carries on with his responsibilities otherwise. If you're doing especially bad or if you ask him to, he will concede and stay with you for a while. He has a real soft spot for you afterall and he hates seeing you sad.

It'll be back to business as usual the next day though. So good luck getting out of any chores because he'll send you right back to bed if he thinks you still have a migraine. He's a bit cold that way but he means well.

My Other UF!Gaster aka Vermillion:

He takes an even more clinical approach than Scar would and let's be honest, you only came to him for help because his younger brothers were too busy. He cares a lot about you, maybe not as much as Crimson does, but he does in his own way.

Vermilion knows many ways to make you feel better and will suggest multiple options for you to choose from. He'll make sure you get the exact dosage of medication and give it to you at the correct times if you need more. He'll make sure his brothers are quiet when they do find out about your migraine, but won't interfere if they also want to help.

You'll probably wake up to find him sitting next to your bed watching you fondly or holding your hand in his much larger one. You're such a small human compared to him and his brothers and he finds you absolutely fascinating. Fine, he was also watching you to make sure you would be okay while you slept. No, it's not strange, it's called putting you on Observation... Yes, he is aware that you know that's not what that means.

The Caged Canary - My attempt to rewrite my first Classic fic ever:

My UT!Sans aka Classic:

He could tell something was wrong the moment you didn't at least give him a pity laugh at any of his awful jokes. He's quick to grow serious and he'll try to get you to tell him what's wrong. To his relief, you've only got a migraine and aren't being harassed by your awful family or something.

Classic is great at taking care of you as he took care of Vanilla for many years when they were younger. He'll make sure you drink plenty of water or tea, get pain killers for you if you can take them, and even taking you home if you're out somewhere together.

You're in great hands with him (quite literally he'll be quick to point out). If you have energy, he'll attempt to cheer you up with humour or just pleasant conversation as charisma is one of his strong suits. You'll probably learn something new about him for once and maybe end up revealing some of your own secrets in the process.

He may or not be there in the morning if you fell asleep, depends how comfortable you are around him. He'll check in on you later though and try some more jokes just to make sure you're back to normal.

My UT!Papyrus aka Vanilla:

He's much more observant than you thought and he surprised you by asking if you're doing okay. You tried to play it off and claimed your head just hurt a little, but he easily saw through your lie. For crying out loud, he lives with his brother, the master of deflection and distraction, you are an amateur in comparison.

He's very kind and tries to gently get you to let him help. He'll take you somewhere quieter and make sure you aren't dehydrated or hungry before anything. If you'll let him, he'll also offer to use healing magic to cure your migraine. Otherwise, he'll offer to make you some food with healing magic. (He's gotten really good at cooking now!)

Vanilla won't leave you alone until he knows you'll be okay and he'll go out of his way to make sure you're okay before even dreaming of leaving you. Would a hug from the Great Papyrus help? Of course it would! He is the best at giving hugs! That's what friends are for afterall - making sure you're okay.

He's one step away from acting like a mother hen and will check in for a little while afterwards just to make sure your migraine is completely gone. Maybe he'll ask to come over to hang out just to make sure, but he also wants to spend quality time together don't get him wrong!

[edelweissbarnes]

Utter Devotion

DemonPrinceStolas x f!reader

Tw: (gentle)dom vibes, praise kink, heavy smut, shapeshifting, choking kink

It's a long one folks... I just want to try something new...

You took a deep breath before knocking at the great prince rooms' door.

"Come in" you heard his voice saying and with a compose move you make you entry with a tray in your hands.

"Your evening tea, your majesty" you murmur with a soft tone, directing yourself at the low table near the sofa, where the prince is laying.

With a measured gesture you place the tray on the table and perform a small bow.

'mmm..." he sniffs the light aroma from the teapot, closing lighty his glowing ruby eyes "chamomile and lemon balm...my favourite blend..oh y/n dear...thank you...you are always so attentive...my best student" he praises you before sitting down. The feathers on his face are ruffled, as if he is stressed by too many thoughts.

"You look tired my lord...can I do something for you?"you murmur with hesitation in your tone. You're a mere human on the Ars Goetia infernal court, you were chosen for your particular interests in herbs, poisonous plants and stars, sciences under the dominion of the great prince of hell before you.

At your question, the owl demon turns its head towards you, intrigued.

"Any ideas on how to lighten a head full of thoughts, little one?" he murmurs in his calm voice, his tone gentle. Since your arrival at the infernal court, you have been the most curious and capable student in the last 500 years of the great prince's life. Your pleasant appearance was also an added bonus when choosing to confirm your permanent presence at the court.

"You taught me, my lord, that when your head flies too high that is when you must keep your feet firmly planted on the ground," you reply as a small, shy smile adorns your lips.

The prince's ruby eyes watch you, a nod of the head is the only gesture that intimates you to continue.

Nodding you move to the cabinet where you know the prince keeps the ingredients for his herbal lessons, with a confident hand you open the doors and grab a couple of small bottles, a small bowl and a dark jar.

You feel his gaze burning on your back as you mix the carrier oil together with the scented extracts in the small bowl with a steady hand.

Once finished, you turn and approach the prince, kneeling gracefully at his feet, letting the crimson dress you wear surround you,like an ethereal blood halo.

"May I touch you, my lord?" You ask in a whisper.

His gaze has never left you, even now that he has clearly understood what your intentions are.

He chuckles, a soft sound reverberating inside your ribcage, slowly sliding downwards, towards your core, like honey.

"Oh little one...maybe you'll find it easier with this look..." he murmurs, lowering the volume of his voice before changing his appearance to the one he usually uses in the mortal world, the one you first met him with.

His dark hair is pulled back, his alabaster skin stands out, pale as if kissed by the moon while his eyes, icy blue with the irises circled in red, betray his demonic nature.

"Go on..." he whispers with a small smile on his lips while he took off the lace tie he wears around his neck, then unbuttoning the first buttons of his shirt.

At that vision you blush as a wave of arousal pools in your core, causing you to lightly clench your thighs. Carefully you let your hands grasp the silky fabric of his long socks, sliding them down his calves, one leg at a time, until they are bare. Once uncovered, you dip your fingers into the small bowl of oil and perfumed essences, before gently rubbing your hands together, warming the oil before touching his pale skin. You let your fingers press gently but firmly, sliding down from calf to ankle, several times, earning faint moans of relief from the prince, who now leans his head back against the sofa.

You can't help but find it extremely sexy.

"I hope this pleases you, your majesty," you whisper, continuing the massage. You then move from the ankle to the sole of the foot, first caressing the sole entirely with the palm of your hand, then letting your thumb trace a path down its centre from the heel to below the toes.

You see him arches his back and pushing his head back while a low growl escapes his gracious plump lips.

Suddenly he compose himself and his hand grips your chin, obliging you to come closer to him and watch him in the eyes.

"surely you have your ways, little one..." he whispers while his lips graze yours. His smell of rosemary, juniper and amber fills your nostrils and it intertwines with your desire, leaving you dizzy.

"Having you like this, between my legs... in your devious crimson dress... wondering if this pleases me...' he whispers against your jaw. His other hand grabs your wrist bringing your hand to his clothed crotch. You feel how hard he is and you close your eyes, uttering a soft whimper as you surrender yourself completely to him.

"Is my aswer clear enough?..." he asks, his voice deep and devouring.

You let out another soft whimper and you rub meekly his clothed manhood with your fingers.

"May...may I worship you my Lord?" You ask him, pure devotion in your tone.

"So meek and eager to please your master.... such a good girl you are, little one...' he muses as his hand descends on your throat squeezing lightly, slowing your breathing, without any opposition from you. The idea of your complete surrender, of your absolute devotion, ignites the spark of his lust.

"You'll be a pleasurable diversion...but not here..."he murmurs before snapping his fingers and taking you both to his bedroom, he sitting on his bed and you still between his legs.

"Your dress is lovely but I think it would look better on my bedroom floor" he purrs, his hand leaving your throat.

With an elegant move you stand and turn, giving him your back before shoving your long hair to your left shoulder so you can open your dress and let it flow from your body to the floor, revealing a tight laced crimson and black corset and a pair of long black stocking laced with black silk ribbons.

You turn calmly, feeling him exhales abruptly when he notices your bare sex.

"Your every wish is my command, my lord..." you whisper waiting for him to asking you what he want.

"Come here..." he murmurs signalling with his hand to come closer.

You come closer and kneel gracefully in front of him again. This time his hand cups your face and you feel a thin metal collar around your neck before his lips crash on yours. His tongue pushes lightly against your lips gaining entrance into your mouth. You moan into his mouth and without thinking about it your hands go to his thighs, tightening your grip as he devours you without hesitation. He groans in response of your touch and suddenly he broke the kiss, his eyes glowing darkly.

"Take me in this pretty mouth of yours..." he growls.

You let your hands slide up his thighs, until you reach the flap of his trousers, unbuttoning it and releasing his huge erection. You gasp and a shiver runs down your spine.

"Don't worry, little one... I know you can do it," he whispers reassuringly.

You bend down and let your tongue lick the tip and the crown, tasting his flavour. At that contact you feel a flush of heat emanating from his chest and a low growl, as if he wants to spur you on. You then open your mouth as wide as you can, welcoming his member and hollowing your cheeks to suck him as best you can. Your tongue encircles him, teasing the most sensitive and exposed spots. He moans while his hand caress your hair.

"You are taking me so well..." he praises you, panting.

You let him go deeper, touching the back of your throat with the tip of his cock and at his praise you clench your tights trying to control your arousal.

He moans loudly before tightening his grip on your hair as he leaves your mouth, leaning you back so that your mouth is exposed to him.

"Oh Y/n you're making me so proud...i think you may need a reward..." he whispers darkly with a mischievous smirk, his thumb grazing your lower lip. Slowly he encourages you to lay on the bed and he cups your sex and he let his long digits taste your heat.

"I'm going to fuck this little, sexy, needy" he pauses and hums at the obscene squelcing sound of his fingers on your arousal "cunt of yours into oblivion..."he whispers against your ear while you can't stop moaning from his ministration. His fingers are touching one of your most sensitive spots inside you while the other is circling your clit but you stiff as you want to resist the urge of your body to release.

"Don't resist my dear Y/n...you know, when someone grant me the kind of devotion you have for me, it pleases me over everything else to see them thriving in pleasure...and that's exactly what i expect from you tonight...I want to see you come as many times as your heart desires, screaming my name while every fiber of your body tremble in pure ecstasy" he murmurs softly forcing his fingers to claim your orgasm with expert gestures. The sensation of the orgasm coiling into your belly is becoming unbearable and you let go every resistence.

"There you go...now, scream my name...I want everyone in the palace know your pleasure is mine..." he whispers slyly coaxing the orgasm from your body.

"STOLAS!" You scream, closing you eyes and clutching the silken dark sheets in your hands as your body trembles.

"You're beautiful when you come my dear...as expected..." he murmurs, adoration in his voice. He brings his fingers, dripping with your juices, to his mouth, licking and sucking like it was a delicatesse " but your taste is far more sweeter than I imagined..." he whispers subtly before leaning between your legs.

His hands grips your thighs, gently scratching the delicate skin, leaving you open to his mouth to devour you as he pleases. He blows on your overstimulated clit, making you shudder with relief, but shortly afterwards you feel his tongue teasing your folds. You instinctively want to clench your thighs to resist that indulgent stimulation but his firm grip prevents you from resisting, leaving you no choice but to enjoy yourself to the full.

You arch your back and you feel his lips sucking hardly your clit, you moan loudly, thrusting your hips into his mouth and instinctively you bring a hand to his hair, tightening your grip as he devours you.

"Yes...yes, little one....be consumed by the pleasure I can give you...let it go and let your instincts rule you..." he huffs against your swollen sex. His eyes glow red, delighted, as he watches you give in to pleasure again.

"My lord...I'm...I'm cumiiiing..." you whimper and you feel his grip on your thighs tighten, bringing you even closer to his mouth to let him drown in your release.

He licks your dripping cunt voraciously, caressing the exposed skin of your thighs, which he now brings closer to his face. He moans under his breath, moving his lips over the thin sensitive skin close to your heat, sucking slowly before planting his sharp teeth into your soft flesh, marking you until your blood mixes with the sweet taste of your pleasure. He then proceeds with small kisses to the hem of one of your stockings and with an elegant gesture unties the silk bow holding it up, then lets his fingers, followed by his mouth, slide down your leg, to your ankle, freeing you from the garment, then doing the same with the other stocking.

You feel the blood boil in your veins along with a desire you have never felt before.

He sheds the elegant white shirt he is wearing, leaving you to admire the lean physique of his human form. A small tuft of light-coloured hair overshadows his chest and further down, below his navel, a darker stripe points the sinful way to his erect cock. You gasp at the vision and he chuckles darkly.

"What do you want, my dear Y/n?" He asks slyly while he start to grind his erection between your wet folds. Your legs are resting against his chest. His hand caress the brocade fabric of your corset and he let his finger slide mischievously in the space between your boobs then grabbing the hem of the corset to assert his dominance.

"You, my lord...I want you..." you breathe shamelessly.

"Use my name little one...I crave the sweet and adoring way you can say it..." he whispers before snapping his fingers and get rid of your corset, having you completely naked under him as he thrusts inside you.

"FUCK!" you murmur breathless, your eyes widening at his sudden intrusion. A shiver of pleasure runs down your spine.

"Language" he scolds you by hitting your exposed clit with a light slap but stopping his movement inside you to give you time to stretch and get used to his size.

"I'm sorry..." you whimper meekly, a couple of tears forming at the edge of your eyes like it's too much to bare.

" if you won't say my name willingly...I'll have to coax it from your sweet and tempting lips my dear Y/n..." he says with a devilish smile on his face as he starts to move inside you. His arm tightens your legs against his chest so that he can reach deep inside you, drawing a hoarse moan from your lips. He teases your sensitive spots but as soon as he notices your approaching orgasm, he slows down, inflaming your desire for release.

"Stolas...please..." you beg him.

"What do you want little one?" He answers you, resuming his torture of excitement and denial.

"Please...please...make me cum...Stolas I beg you..." you murmur your plea with a broken voice.

"As you beg me so kindly, my dear....I cannot not oblige gladly your request" he reply with a grin as he thrusts deeply and finally you feel the wave of the orgasm coiling into your belly and washes over you. You repeat his name like a prayer as you ride your high, shuddering. Hard spasms let your walls clench around his cock. He groans, grabbing your tights as he moves at an erratic pace searching for his release.

"Please Stolas...mark me with your seed..." you beg candidly.

Your words and your blissful expression are his demise: with a low growl he tighten the grip on your tights, leaving on your pale skin bruises, and he came, roughly and copiously.

Panting, he leans slightly towards your face.

"Oh little one...I'm going to have so much fun with you..." he whispers with a devilish smile on his lips as his eyes glow bleakly

[themonotonysyndrome]

Hello !! I just wanted to share some of my headcanons if you don’t mind :DD sorry if its too long :((

Sometimes I just can’t help but think about the Baroness’ feelings the moment Castin presented lingerie to them as a gift before their courting. Adding onto that, I also think about the way they feel during and early on in their marriage with Castin, and I’m talking about SUPER early. Like, “got married 2 hours ago” married.

Courting is a two way street in both nations, both parties agree to court and be courted. Although the motives for such things are different when it comes to country, social class, etc., what remains are the courting methods that they do.

As I said before, the motives are different for each country. In the Coastal Empire, it’s more common for nobles to court each other to get more leverage in life; more money, more connections, more land, you get the gist.

The same motives can’t be said about Intacia, their motives of courting aren’t exactly the same. They don’t care about the type of gift that they give, so long as the recipient accepts it. To them, it’s the thought that counts, no matter how inappropriate the gift / timing is.

How does this intertwine with the burning ache in Castin’s chest whenever he sees the Baroness smiling, laughing, or just having fun in general? Well I’m glad you asked <3

I like to think that the Baroness and Lord Reyes made an agreement when they were still in university. The agreement says that if they are both 27 years old and still unmarried, they would court each other, then get married to one another. Why 27? Because married couples who are 25 and older get some tax benefits, doesn’t matter what type of married couple they are, as long as they’re married.

Lord Reyes was already 27 at the time the Baroness broke the news of them and Castin courting, the Baroness on the other hand, was 26 and there were only 2 months before their 27th birthday.

The Baroness made their Intacian debut on their birthday month, with two of their friends in the audience as they were then embarrassed to the point of tears in front of hundreds of nobles. The Baroness looked to the king for him to reprimand the crowd and his dear, guarded brother, only to be met by Rhett minimizing their feelings, saying to “not make a scene”.

Adding insult to this newly inflicted injury was the realization that this could all be avoided if Castin knew the protocols to gifting someone a gift deemed too inappropriate for the public, especially nobles from both respective countries. If the gift was something like a sex toy, condoms, herbal contraception tea, or in this case, lingerie, he should’ve put a pink star on the packaging.

Hello, Neptune! Dude, dude - don't apologise about how long your headcanons are. I LOVE READING IT!

I love how Intacia and the Coastal Empire view courting differently; your ideas fit with the cultures perfectly! The Imperial sees courting and marriage as something to elevate themselves in love (though marrying of love does happen every now and then) while the Intacians put great value in the thoughts of who would be their future partners and the meanings behind every courting gift.

(Still though, lingerie at a first meeting? Castin, I really, REALLY, wanna know your thought process behind that one!)

Having the Baroness and Lord Reyes discuss their possible future was a good move, honestly. Even if Lord Reyes' feelings for the Baroness is nothing more than platonic, they would make good allies.

AND OH MY GOD, THE MOMENT RHETT SAID TO US NOT "TO MAKE A SCENE!?" I WOULD'VE GIVEN HIM AND CASTIN THE BIGGEST ATTITUDE EVER! IF I CAN'T RESORT TO VIOLENCE, I WOULD GO OUT OF MY WAY TO MAKE RHETT'S LIFE FUCKING HELL! I WOULD LITERALLY MAKE THE QUEEN ASCENDANT CHOOSE BETWEEN ME OR HIM; I WANT THIS MAN TO FUCKING GROVEL ALONGSIDE CASTIN!

...so yeah. I have some opinions about how Rhett behaved during our Intacian debut.

But again, cultural misunderstanding is definitely a thing and wait - did Castin ever apologise for humiliating the Baroness?? He had that whole confession about how he wasn't like the other Intacian boys, always struggle to fit in and yada, yada yada, but did did he ever shown genuine remorse about the lingerie incident!?

I... I can't remember.

[foxytoxx]

The Night Before (Astarion x fem!durge fanfic)

The Night Before

Words: 2.5k

Read on AO3

Summary: Morella has been gone for a while and it unnerves Astarion when he suddenly finds her in a compromising situation.

TW: Bad coping mechanism, Drug Use, Angst, Anxiety, Naked Body (no smut tho), Protective Astarion,

A/N: Heya! Been a lurker for a few months now and had an idea for my newly finished Durge Resist play. If this goes ok, I might write up some other ideas I have. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

He looked up from his book. It had been there again, that sound. He stole a quick glance around the other companions socialising lazily in the shared sitting area of their room at the Elfsong. By the looks of it none of the others had heard the sound.

His ears perked up behind the book, trying not to alarm the others unnecessarily.

The last few days had been spent destroying the Steel Watch Foundry, freeing the Gondians who had been forced into the cruel machinery’s creation and today Lord Gortash had finally met his end. The whole group had been exhausted at the end of it.

Astarion lifted his crimson gaze once more to the tall, red tiefling. Karlach had been the one to land the final blow on the man who had stolen her life from her, but she hadn’t seemed happy about Gortash’s death. Only sad and distant. 

His trail of thought was quickly dissipated suddenly to… was that laughter? 

“I believe that would be our dear fearless leader.” Gale said, hovering his eyes to the elf’s direction.

Astarion closed his book and rose to his feet. How long had it been since Morella went to the washroom to clean herself up? 30 minutes? An hour? She was entitled to privacy as much as any of them, and he wanted nothing more for her than to try to relax and take her mind off things every now and then. She had stolen away with a wine bottle to the washroom hadn’t she? But what could possibly have caused that near manic sound to come from her now?

Dagger at his hip he strode across the room and exited into the hallway. The washroom was just across from the rented room. He knocked softly at the door, there was some rustling inside. 

“Darling, I hope one of the Gondians haven’t persuaded you into a moment of passion as thanks for their freedom” a sly smirk toyed with his lips. “I’m not sharing my meals with… gnomes.”

A hushed voice answered, but the door distorted it into an incoherent muffle.

He slowly walked into the room. What met him caught him off guard. 

It was surprisingly dark. Only a few candles valiantly lit the room from complete darkness. The tub was filled, but seemed undisturbed.  She wasn’t there, or at least not currently visible. 

“Morella, darling?”

Then it hit him. A faint, but unmistakable scent. Her blood. His brows instinctively knitted together, hand hovering over the hilt of his dagger. His entire being felt tight like a coiled spring. 

He noticed the lack of alcohol in the air, but instead there was something he could not quite place. Something earthy, almost herbal.

“A-starion…” her voice was breathy, distant even, but it had a slight humorous undertone. 

He moved past the tub to find her curled up in the corner of the room. She was still in her camp clothes, but they were unnaturally dishevelled for her. 

He quickly stooped down to her and cradled her in his arms. His eyes didn’t have to look long til he found the source of the blood. Her lips had been tinted red from a light streak coming from her nose. 

She giggled softly as she looked up at him through glazed eyes. 

“Shit…” he quickly scanned the room. Eyes landed on a bottle laying off to her side. It had been the bottle she had brought, but it had not been wine. 

On their way back to camp from the burning ruins of the Foundry the other day they had run into some arms and drug smugglers down by the docks. Morella had used her silvery tongue to convince them to hand their ware over to the group without drama. Astarion had figured she would take the goods and sell it off for extra coin, but he thought he had seen a little glimpse of familiarity in her eyes. He had thought nothing of it at the time. 

Without letting go of his grip on her he reached out for the bottle. Without getting too close he tried to get a little sniff of its content to try identify it. Silkroot.

He put away the bottle and looked back down at her quivering body in his arms. 

“Darling, how much did you take?” His voice almost cold yet steady.

She shifted in his grip. 

“Enough- '' her voice barely above a whisper. “but she still won’t leave me alone… “ palm raised up to her temple. 

“Who, darling?” He had his suspicions, but didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

“Orin… ”

His grip on her tightened and he couldn’t help but quickly examine the dim room for any sign of the shapeshifter, but they were alone. Morella’s bloodkin Orin had been generous with her bloodstained letters as of recent. Which come to think of it had probably been what had sent his lover spiralling into the drug induced mania. 

There had been a fresh letter centred in a perfect pool of blood when they had returned from Gortash’s execution that day. But somehow this one had somehow made Morella seem… off? The others in the group wouldn’t have noticed the difference, but he did. He had asked her if she was alright, but she had just waved him off with a deceptive smile and laughed. The laugh had a nerve to it though.

“We need to get you an antidote.” He gently lifted her to her unsteady feet and guided her over to a chair, not letting go of her swaying body until he was certain she wouldn’t firmly plant her face onto the wooden floor. 

“I’ll be right back dear, don’t go anywhere.” He quickly exited the room, closed the door and hurried into the rented one. Making his way hurriedly over to his pack rummaging through it.

“Everything alright in there?” Shadowheart  asked with a smirk.

Astarion with only half a mind to pay them any attention finally grabbed the neck of the bottle and turned around.

“Hmm? Oh yes, yes. Everything is fine. Our dear leader only had a tad too much to drink is all.” 

“And for that you want her to drink more? Or is that an antidote bottle I see? Are you sure everything is alright?” There was an uncertainty in her voice.

Gods above, he couldn’t remember the cleric being this quizzitive. 

“I’m sure everything will be fine. I’ll let you know otherwise.” He wished he could ask Shadowheart for assistance, but he didn’t want to cause Morella any unnecessary embarrassment. Although this wasn’t his first run in with the substance, he hadn’t expected it from her. Hells he had used it himself once many many years ago while still under Cazador’s control. 

One of his attempted conquests had convinced him to partake in a dark corner of a tavern once. It hadn’t gone unnoticed or unpunished…

He quickly shook the memory from his head as he quickly made his way back to Morella. As he closed the door behind him he noted that she was still in the chair. She had probably been landing from the euphoria when he had found her. 

He scooted her up into his lap as he sat down. 

“Come here. Now you are going to drink this all up. And when you have come back to me fully, we will have a talk.” His tone was warm, but stern. Her back was very warm and clammy. Her shirt drenched in sweat. As she shakingly placed the bottle to her lips and drank it down he gingerly pulled some loose silvery white locks of hair behind her pointed ear.

Early on in their adventures the group had jested about how the two of them might be related simply because they were both silver haired high-elves. But the tone had quickly changed once they had become an established couple. 

With the antidote bottle empty in her hands he held her tightly to his chest while he listened to her heartbeat slowly picking up its pace.

Finally after what felt like forever there was a weak sob from her.

“I’m sorry, Astarion… I’m sorry.”

He hooked his index finger and lifted her chin so her golden blue eyes would meet his crimson. It struck him as uncanny how close the colouration of her prosthetic eye was to her original eye. He could almost not tell them apart if it wasn’t for the slight yellow tint to the prosthetic.

“It’s alright, darling. I just wished you would have talked to me about what was bothering you.” The corner of his lip lifted into a warm smirk. “I mean honestly you are setting a piss poor example for me now. Do as I say, not as I do isn’t really the greatest way of learning now is it? Or so I’m told at least.”

A small huff escaped her lips. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and her eyes pooled over with tears. Her fingers fidgeted with the empty bottle, her breath became more laboured and her heartbeat quickened. He has seen it in her on a few sheltered occasions before, anxiety eating away at her.

He started tracing her black tendril-like neck tattoo with his cold fingers. This had become somewhat of a favoured way to keep her grounded while she worked through it. 

“Come on, dear. Let’s get you cleaned up.” 

He helped her up. Her legs were more trustworthy now that she was back. He stood back a bit, giving her room to undress and get into the warm tub. As she sank down into the warm water he moved the chair over to sit behind her. Once she was comfortable seated, he continued the cooling tracing along her neck.

“So…” broke the silence tenderly.

Her body tensed up. Eyes flickered.

“We are going after her tomorrow aren’t we…” her voice was more hollow than he was used to. 

“That is the plan. Or so you said at least.”

She nodded slowly.

“I’m scared, Astarion…” her bluntness caught him slightly off guard.

“Our fearless leader, scared. Why, I would never have thought it possible?” he smiled light heartedly, and kissed her forehead again. 

“Darling, you’ve got nothing to fear about Orin. Or I doubt there is at least. Hells! With a tongue as sharp as yours you might cut her down with words alone.”

“It’s not just Orin thought, is it… It’s all of it… Bhaal, Orin, what if I can’t resist him down there? What of Lae’zel? Hells what about you, I could end up hurting you or try to, like the night outside Reithwin…” her voice caught as her memory fell on her attempt on his life.

He leaned forward, shirtsleeves be damned, and held her tightly.

“Shh, no need to dwell on that.” he hushed her. “I’m safe, you are safe. We are safe. And I am sure Lae’zel is relatively fine. Orin signed up for more than she was prepared for by abducting the gith and keeping her leverage.”

He moved out of his chair and crouched along the side of the tub to lock eyes with her. Astarion reached out and took hold of her hands.

“Remember what I said when you tried to break up with me because of your fear for my safety?”

She nodded.

“Well, my statement still stands. We will save you. And if I have to fight for your freedom like you fought for mine, then damn it I will fight for you. Until my last undead breath…” he paused for a quick moment. “Or something like that.”

Morella’s eyes teared up again, but a smile crossed her lips.

“Now with all the roundabout love declarations out of the way, I do believe you owe me an explanation.” His brow rose with a look over at the bottle of silkroot.

“It’s alright, darling. I���m not mad at you, but I do want the truth…” his voice had gone soft as he looked back into her eyes.

She didn’t have it in her to meet his gaze. Her eyes dropped down to her hands under the water. She started picking at her nails.

“I can’t quite explain it. But when we got all the stuff off of the smugglers I recognised the silkroot. Not from our travels, but from before. Almost like a memory of a memory.”

Astarion gently reached for a bar of soap and a sponge while he listened to her, and started sudding up the sponge.

“So when we came back here tonight, the letter was waiting for me… I guess realisation just hit a bit harder about our next steps. I had all these emotions and thoughts flood through me. And it all just became too much. I thought maybe a bath would help clear my mind, but on my way I passed the camp stash, and I just grabbed…”

Her voice broke off into a sob.

“I’m sorry…”

Suddenly she felt a cold hand at the nape of her neck.

“Do you have any idea of how much of that stuff you would consume previously?” she couldn’t detect any judgement in his tone. Only concern.

With a deep steadying breath she shook her head.

“Like I said; memory of a memory.”

He gave her an understanding nod.

“If you wouldn’t mind I would like Shadowheart or Halsin to look you over later. You can’t flip off daddy if you let drugs eat out your stomach lining, and honestly I should be the only thing that gets to eat you out.” 

He snickered as a deep blush and a smirk crossed her face, eyes lifting slowly from the water and she nods. 

He continued the wash in silence. Her heart had calmed down, and her breath was easy. Too soon for her liking he rose and grabbed a towel. She followed soon after. He couldn’t help but admire her body as she rose. Water droplets would dance downwards along her curves, it mesmerised him completely. He pulled the towel around her and held her tightly to him. She rested her head against his shoulder and let his scent consume her. 

He looked over to the pile of clothes she had tossed to the side. “You didn’t bring a set of change did you…”

She dared a look up at him, with a shit eating grin plastered on her lips.

“I figured I could just wear those until I got back.” gesturing to the pile.

“No you are not…” He started unlacing his own shirt. “I didn’t put that much effort into getting you cleaned up for you to ruin my fine work. Tck, honestly…”

He pulled his own shirt off and pulled it over her head, pulling up her long braid. 

“Darling, your foresight is absolutely criminal.”

She giggled and kissed him softly. His hands greeted her forearm and lower back as he leaned into it.

“Come on, let's get you back before the others worry more than they already do.”

He piled up her things and they walked out of the washroom and closed the door behind them.

[winx-blood-and-bone]

Prologue

Word count:

3882

Warning:

Character Death, Angst, Alternate Universe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Tick Tock Tick Tock', the Sound of the Clock was heard in the background, as a Cowlick styled Red-Orange haired Woman sat in the Office of the Lord of Templars, downtrodden her face was, as she was dressed in Clothes of Mourning, her Tired eyes only widen when she felt the Steam of the Cup of Herbal Tea in front of her as she saw a Man dressed in Armor of the Knight-Monks of the Fortress of Light sat at his Desk to face her.

"Princess Bloom of Domino, I don't think we are Properly introduced"

The Man had a Dark Brown Skin Tone, he had Feathers of an Emerald Dove on the sides of his face up to his Blackish Grey hair that was tied into a Short Ponytail, his eyes were Serious like that of a Hawk yet, Gentle like a Dove, he said to the Woman, Bloom, who simply looked up then back down. The Man then introduced himself,

"My name is Lord Amritraj of the Templars, your Sister, Daphne, and I were Friends growing up"

Bloom looked up a little after hearing her Sister's Name but looked down again, her face was sorrowful and replied, in a hushed tone,

"Then you've already heard about what happened, why do you want to hear it again?"

Lord Amritraj gave her time to compose herself, to think, to process as he watches her breathing go back to a regular pace before continuing, his voice was much more serious this time and not breaking Eye Contact with Bloom.

"Because Bloom, there is a difference in what people say and what actually went down, as the Lord of Templars and the Fortress of Light it is my duty to know the Truth of a situation and you my dear hold the Truth, so tell me please"

The Lord leaned forward to hear her talk, to tell the Tale of Tragedy once more, Bloom breathed in and out as she looked up and told him all about it, every single gritty detail,

"I still remember it like it was Yesterday, I could never get a good night sleep because of it, okay...it all happened last year during the Tritannus Incident, in the Infinite Ocean"

-START OF FLASHBACK-

Swimming in the Primordial Waters that sprung Aquatic Life into the Oceans of the Magical Dimension, Bloom was in her Sirenix form, along with her Friends, Stella, Aisha, Tecna, Musa, Flora and Roxy, Sirenix, the Power of Infinite Ocean given to them by Omnia of the Nymphs of Magix, this was their Last Mission and their Last Call to defeat the Rebelled and Power Hungry Prince of Andros, Tritannus.

"Keep them back!" "Watch your Rear Stella!"

Bloom's Friends along with Princess of the Mermaids, Tressa, fought Tritannus's Mutants, Mermaids and Tritons cursed by Magical Toxins. They were fighting them at Pillar of Light, one of the Pillars of Magical Dimension. Bloom, along with Roxy and Nereus, the Prince of the Tritons and Brother of Tressa went to face Tritannus, his Twin and Former Brother, to save his Cousin Aisha and Bloom's Sister, Daphne.

"How Much Further to the Emperor's Throne?"

Bloom asked her Selkie Companion, Serena,

"We're Nearly there! Keep going straight!"

Roxy asked an aged old question to Serena, that she has been pondering since she has heard of the Infinite Ocean,

"What even is the Emperor's Throne?"

Before Phylla, Roxy's Selkie, could answer Fumes of Black-Red Energy came from the Throne's Direction, it rushed towards them to be, Nereus warned and Bloom placed up Shield,

"Toxin Fumes?!"

"Everyone stay Close! Dancing Flames!"

A Fiery Shield burst into existence from Bloom's Arms, the Fumes were redirected into two separate Streams that joined back into one behind them, the Fairy of the Dragon Flame held the Shield as best as she can before being supported by Serena, Phylla and Roxy,

"We've got your back Bloom!"

Roxy said to Bloom and the Fairy of Animals enhanced the Selkies's Magic and making the shield more durable, as soon as the Toxic Fumes had disappeared from the Front, they continued swimming forward, they heard the Maniacal Laughter of the Power Hungry Prince and soon saw him as the Red-Black Toxic Fumes from his Trident pushed and casted his Three Witches away from the Infinity Ocean,

"Tritannus's Power is Greater than Before"

"Then we'll just have to fight Harder"

Bloom Replied to Nereus's Words and directed her Focus to Roxy and Phylla, as she felt her Sister's Presence underneath the Throne,

"Roxy, I think Daphne and Aisha are underneath the Throne, there should be a lock keeping them in, could you try to free them? We'll deal with Tritannus"

Roxy nodded in Reply,

"Sure thing Bloom! Be Careful!"

The Group spilt to their Respective positions, Roxy and Phylla swam down to free Daphne and Aisha while Nereus, Serena and Bloom dealt with Tritannus, 6 Mutants surrounded them, Serena pressed her forehead and summon a blast of Fire which knocked one of the mutants away however the Selkie didn't watch her back and the Mutant appeared behind her,

"Serena behind you!"

"Huh? Oh! Get Back!"

Serena looked behind her quickly and evaded the webbed claws of the Mutant and knocked the Mutant out with another blast of Fire, she thanked Bloom but noticed the mutant coming towards her and so she warned,

"Bloom! At your 5 o'clock!"

Bloom frowned and kicked the Mutant, waves of Fire burst from the attack knocking the Mutant and thanked Serena before looking around to find Nereus,

"Tch!...Dragon Kick! Thanks Serena where's Nereus?"

Bloom sees Nereus hitting one of the mutants at the back of Blade, he quickly held the Sword downwards and hits the other Mutant with its Pommel, they nodded to each other before Swimming forward together to face Tritannus,

"Tritannus! It's between you and us Brother!"

Tritannus faced the Three of them, looked at them with Cold and Uncaring eyes, he lowered his Trident almost as if he was surrendering before he threw his Trident at Nereus who lifted his Sword to Block it,

"Agh! Huh?"

Suddenly Tritannus appeared in front of him, their eyes met as he held his Trident again and disarmed the sword from his hand and shot the Toxic Fumes back at him, knocking him to the Ground, Tritannus looked down on Nereus and replied to him, his Voice was not his own,

"I have no Brother"

"Even if I did he wouldn't be as weak as you"

This was no Prince, this was the voice of an Emperor, the bellowing and Dark Tone replaced the Childish Villainy that the Prince displayed,

"Now begone, HAH!"

Tritannus thrust his Trident towards him but Nereus evaded his attacks and called upon his Father's Sword knocked to his side,

"Neptune's Sword!"

The Sword levitated back to Nereus's hands and as he was about to turn, he felt a smash at his ribs, throwing him to the ground, Tritannus stood in front of him and was about to drive his Trident through Nereus's body before being stopped by Bloom.

They threw a flurry of Spells at him, Fiery spells from Wheel of Fires formed by Bloom's Dancing Flames shot down at the Emperor before Tritannus knock one wheel to another with his weapon before Twirling his polearm to the back and swimming towards her, but Serena went in front of her instead and was grabbed by him,

"Serena No! Let her go!"

"Oh? Now why would I do that?"

Tritannus chuckled darkly and started absorbing her Energy without hesitation, Serena was wailing in pain from his grip before being shot back by Bloom,

"I said! Let. Her. Go! Lava Jab!"

Bloom swam towards him and punched the Emperor in the Face, knocking away some Distance, the Selkie fell to the ground, the Emperor looked at Bloom a bit and gave a chuckle before descending to Maniacal Laughter filled with dark ecstasy.

"You must be the Great Dragon! Pleasure to finally meet you"

"W-What?"

Bloom was taken aback by his response before feeling the Emperor's Presence behind her instead, before she could respond she was punched in the gut by the Emperor and charged right at her, she placed up a Shield and struggled to keep up with the Emperor's strikes from his Trident,

"Igneous Protection! Nngh!"

"You can't hide under there forever Great Dragon! Come out!"

Bloom kept her Barrier up before composing and gathering her Strength, exploding flames around her, knocking him off a little bit and Bloom gave it her all, she swam towards him, Bloom gave him punches and kicks but it was no use,

"Dancing Flames! Fire Punch! Fire Kick! Lava Jab!"

"Give up Great Dragon, you stand no chance"

Bloom clenched her teeth and summoned a small shield and blocked the Toxic Fumes attack, she stood her ground then threw the Fire Shield at him, shouting,

"Dancing Wheel!"

The Shield became Fiery Wheels and shot down to the Emperor, behind him, Aisha and Roxy shouted,

"Neptune's Sting!"

"Mollusc's Beak!"

Aisha shot the Emperor at the back then Roxy summoned Octopus-like wraps on the Emperor, Bloom smiled as she saw Aisha, Roxy and Phylla ready to attack, and Daphne was staying behind, this sight gives Bloom to fight and shouted,

"Lava Jab! I don't know who you are but you certainly don't know me, Dragon Fire!"

Bloom shot a stream of Fire which has the Head of a Dragon, the Emperor simply evaded her attack and growled, this was his fight, no one else's, so he targeted her friends first, so he filled his Trident with Toxic Fume energy allowing it to move on it's own, as he swam down and attacked Aisha, Roxy and Phylla, the Trident striked, sliced and thrusted at Bloom, shooting toxic Fumes if she got too close or when the Trident was close to her.

"Whoa! Hey! Agh! Ow!"

The Trident went past her as she tried to give up with it's attacks by dodging but got hit at the face causing a thin cut on her cheek, the Emperor went towards Roxy, Aisha and Phylla, Aisha first attacked,

"Morphix punch!"

The Emperor broke free of his restrains and stopped the Morphix coming at him and simply said to Aisha as if she was his Subject,

"Morphix? I rule here"

The Emperor gathered the Morphix to the centre of his palm and it grew to a massive size, he threw it to Aisha and , the Area around Aisha and Roxy turned into Morphix, Aisha stretched her hands out trying to control it but was entangled by her own Attack, Roxy tried to Aisha but then Octopus Tentacles came out and pulled her to the Ground,

"Why can't I control it!"

"It's not listening! Argh!"

"I Repeat, I.RULE.HERE"

The Emperor rules the Infinite Ocean that means he has dominion over the Waters from its Animals to the Molecules of Waters all around him, he has more Authority to them than Fairies that simply control them.

The Emperor's Trident attacked Bloom, she dodged left and Right before seeing the Emperor right in front of her thrusting his Trident into her Naval, Bloom just managed to move out of the way for a moment before seeing the Trident behind her, this time she wasn't so lucky,

"Ahh! That Hurts..."

Bloom placed her hand over her Wound as then she was pushed down by the Emperor, Bloom struggled to get up but it was too late she saw the Emperor drive his Trident into her chest, just a mild wound before a Golden Light appeared and Daphne bashed herself to the Emperor along with his Trident,

"Argh! Daphne no get away from here! Tch! Agh..."

Bloom winced in pain as she pressed on her wound to heal herself with her healing Abilities, Daphne came towards her and was about to say something to her but what came out was expression of Pain and Shock, both on her face and in the Sound of her Voice, Bloom asked her,

"D-Daphne are you-"

Bloom gasped, the Prongs of the Trident was seen stabbed clean through her body, Daphne's Mask fell to ground as the Emperor twisted his Trident out of her, there wasn't blood, but the Golden-like Essence levitated to upwards as Daphne fell, Bloom caught her and was panicking,

"Daphne! Daphne! Wake up no you're a Spirit you can't die! Not Now!"

Daphne gave her a little laugh and weakly lifted her Arms up, Bloom held her hands and her voice was shaking as she told her and placed her hand over her Wound,

"I can- I can heal you! Come on Daphne please"

"Bloom no...to heal a s-spirit...like me you'll have to go to...Enchantix and use your Fairy Dust....but you'll drown Bloom, I won't...let you be harmed my little sister"

"But...that means...No Daphne No! Please...don't leave..me"

Daphne weakly smiled and lifted her arm once more to her face, as she softly said to her,

"Bloom...promise me...take care of Mother.....and Father please"

"I will! But not without you, I just got our Family back Daphne......why?"

"Oh Bloom....what did I tell you before?"

Daphne smiled and hear Bloom say it, tears falling from her eyes as her body visibly shaking, she says,

"Daphne...you would never leave me...you promised"

"I know and that promise will stay.....but for now Goodbye Bloom"

"Daph-...no..no"

Bloom felt the Nymph's Final Embrace, she was ready to depart from the World of the Living, just Bloom was about to hug her one last time, but the Spiritual Body of her own Sister burst into Golden Sparkles and ball of Light that went through Bloom and disappeared from her Sight.

Bloom wanted to cry her eyes out, but she knelt there Eyes widen as she senses the Danger was so close to her and said danger only laughed at her face,

"There goes the Last Nymph of Magix and now for you, Great Dragon surrender, you have no guardian, your Swordsman, your Allies and little attendants are all about to fail"

Silence was all the Emperor was given as he repeated himself,

"I Repeat, your Troops have fallen, so Surrender now!"

Deafening Silence was met once more, the indomitable will of the Two sisters was shown as the Emperor growled and thrust his Trident Forward to her, this time met with Physical Resistance as Bloom gripped tight on the center prong of the Trident, commanded Fire as it rose behind her, she roared with all her might, the fury she feels would never be unnoticed,

"FIRE OF SIRENIX! DRAGON FIRE, DRAGON OF DOMINO!"

The Flames spread across the Trident up to the Host of the Emperor, he simply laughed as Light Engulfed the ocean and all across the Magical Dimension, everyone in the World saw the Light and saw the Dragon across flying across the Sky and Space above, The Trident was destroyed and soon the Emperor was Defeated.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

The Lord of the Templars sighed at the end of the Tale from Bloom, this was not what he expected to hear, the death of his Friend, he was hoped that perhaps she survived but no one can be that Lucky, he took a sip of his Tea and asked Bloom,

"This changes things a little, Tritannus is now Charged with the murder of Daphne, coupled with the Threat he gave to the Magical Dimension as a whole, but as you said it, it sounded possessed that mean he had an accomplice or someone Supporting him from behind, the Fire of Sirenix might have removed the problem, so there is no need for us to step in but now at least we know the truth"

Bloom sat silent once more, just talking about this event, fills her heart with Pain but she had to be strong, Lord Amritraj stood up as the Clock stopped ticking, he told her,

"You must be going a lot of hurt right now, Bloom....it's only for today, come now everyone is waiting"

Bloom finished up her cup of Tea and stood up, as the Lord opened the Door leading the Corridor lined up with Domino's Guards and the Knight-Monks of the Fortress, King Oritel ordered for extra security for her Daughter upon hearing the death of their oldest. She didn't protest against it, she had other things to worry about.

As they walked outside to the Portal that led to Domino's Gates, they entered and soon came to the Amphitheatre where Oritel and Marion stood over a shroud of Flowers from Domino's Grasslands, her friends stood in Mourning Clothes in the Rows of Seats, the Specialists were put on Guard Duty around the area, her fellow Alfea Colleagues sat at the front.

The Lord led her up to her Parents, Solemn their faces were as simply nod and acknowledged Bloom, she stood in between them, standing over the Flowers of Orange, Cyan, Lime and Blue, Bloom looked up to face the crowd, her Adoptive Parents Mike and Vanessa sat at the Front, along with the Kings and Queens of the Magical Dimension invited to witness the Farewell, beside them was Queen of Tir Nan nÓg, Nebula, Morgana, it's Former Queen, and her Husband, Klaus.

Among the Royals, Bloom saw King Sky, things have been awkward between them, Sky never got his Memory back and with Bloom's Problems, they have gone Separate ways in Mutual Understandings but this wasn't an Love affair, this was Something else entirely, she looked away and cleared her throat before saying the Final Words,

"Hello, my name is Bloom, Princess of Domino and Sister to Daphne, after my Friends and I freed Domino from Obsidian, I was so so happy, I have my Whole Family back...but sometimes things are not meant to be....not all Fairytales have a happy ending, I just pray wherever Daphne is, she is in Peace, now I shall pass the time to His Highness, my Father, King Oritel of Domino"

Bloom moved to the back as King Oritel stood in a stance, one with a saddened face yet a Strong-willed façade from his body language, this will be broadcast to all of the Magical Dimension, Oritel knew that what he was going to say would allow all of the Magical Dimension to hear him,

"Honoured Guests, Royalties and Representatives, Daphne was a Nymph of Magix and of Domino, we bear witness today a final farewell..."

Oritel quivered a little before lifting his eyes to them continued,

"The Nymph of Magix was not just a Title from the days of Old, it was type of Fairy, an Ancient one that guided the Magical Dimension in Dark times, far darker and destructive than today's threats.....it was of Myths and Legends that birth the very idea of Justice, Love, anything Good and Evil under the Sun."

"Daphne had that responsibility despite not being a Nymph herself....she aspired to be just like them ever since she was young...a Nymph she was indeed, she made me proud, she made all of us proud, she is our Little girl"

The King struggled and tried not to cry, his words were ever firm yet it still shook,

"And Now we say goodbye to her, all of the Magical Dimension will miss her...for all she had done, she deserved so much more than we can give her"

The King's eyes gave way, streams of Tears went down his face, the Kingdom weeps for her, but Oritel continued and this time He stood his ground,

"As my Daughter had said not all Fairytales have a happy ending...I agree with that, there is no such thing as a Happy ending, but Daphne was more than a Happy Ending, it was a Will, a fiery will to keep moving forward!"

"This is a New Era for the Magical Dimension, and we have the strength to move on, that was her last gift!"

Bloom lifted her face a little before moving towards the front, the people of the Crowds understood the message, despite it being a time of darkness it was a time of Hope too, Oritel sighed and finally said,

"We will bid her farewell, in Domino Traditions, this will not be the last time we see her....so keep moving forward step by step in this new era, let the burning of the shroud begin"

The Shroud of Flower lit up with Gentle Flames, as Oritel and Marion carried the Burning shroud from one end to the other, people followed behind them, all the way to Domino's Lakes that shall lead to its Yellow Reefs, the King and Queen sang the Mourning song of Domino, as they sang their hearts out, they bent down and placed the Burning shroud of Flowers to the River as it flows down the River, away from their Sight, the song continued until they nothing left to sing.

Bloom looks to the sky as she placed her hand over her heart, and hear those words that affirm and Haunt her, 'I will never Leave you' as she closed her eyes and hoped that Strength carries on, as the Raindrops fell from the sky to her face and down her hair.

It was Indeed a New Era.

________________________________

A man turned off the Radio, the Clanking of Armour was in sync with the turning of pages, his wavy and short Ashen Brown hair, that tied to a small ponytail at the back matched the Silver looking Armour and Green fur cape stained with Dried Blood, his small Golden star earrings were the only source of Light in the dark room along with purple light that came from a Woman fiddling with the pages.

The Man's Voice was Coarse as he spoke to the Women,

"The Nymph is dead...what other Orders are needed?"

The Woman simply chuckled, her Fair Skin and waist-length thick dirty greenish and olive hair as she fiddled her Hair and the Pages of the Book she was holding, before closing it and said,

"Patience...we need to find a new hideout besides it's a New Era of Magic....time we make an appearance.."

She wore her Navy Blue jacket with a high collar with sleeves that end with spiked Grey areas, she miniaturized the Book and it became a Keychain on the Chain-belt that sits on a Navy Blue Skirt, she walked and passed the Man who asked, in a Surprised tone,

"Oh? Where did you have in mind?"

The Woman tapped on a Wall and projected a Portal with a Forest and in the Distance, a dark purple tower with spires located on a mountain was seen, negative Energy spilled out of the portal, the Woman smirked and the Man gave a slight growl but then looked away, she pointed to the Purple Tower and said,

"There, Clouds tower, the so called boarding school for witches, makes for Easy Prey doesn't it Reaper?"

She turned towards the man, who only growled at her, she sighed and replied to him apologetically and Sarcastically at the same time, before both of them stood beside each other and entered the Portal together, leaving their old hideout.

"Fine Fine I won't say that title of yours, come on now, a New Era is awaiting us"

________________________________

[bishop-percival]

@monarchofmayhem

(prev) Lord Hater immediately held Bishop Percival away from him and started yelling over him. “AAAAAAA! THIS IS, LIKE, TOTALLY WORSE THAN THAT DAMN EMP!!! AND THAT’S SAYING SOMETHING!!!” While it was all going on Gloria stage whispered to the Glornist next to her, “Oh dear, did our lovely bishop swallow a mandrake whole? I should brew my strongest herbal tea for him when we return.” “EVEN YOUR OWN FOLLOWER RAN OFF CRYING!!!” Once Hater realized that the nightmare was over he held Percy in front of his face and glared. “You. Are banned. From ever singing in my empire again.”

You’re the one who wanted to hear it, asshat, is what Percival thought. “Your wish is my command! No more singing from ol’ me!,” is what he said.

As the bishop hung in front of Hater’s face, he took a good look at his lightning bolts. His remark about sounding worse than an EMP piqued Percy’s interest in his electric powers. He wanted to reach out and touch them, but he knew that was a terrible idea, especially considering he was literally in Hater’s grip. He tilted his head and played dumb.

“Say… EMP like uh… electromagnetic pulse? You can hear those? Oof.”

He put a hand to his chin. “I wonder if I would happen to have any magical fixes for that…”

[monarchofmayhem]

(Part 2)

@bishop-percival

(Previous) “Shoe cobb-… Nevermind” Percival muttered with gritted teeth before reminding himself that correcting Hater wasn’t worth it. Lola held the notebook paper to her chest and jumped up and down. “He gave me his email! I got his email!!” Percival shot Theodore a nasty glare, despite his attempt to mouth a mollifier. But as the two left, he turned his head again to Hater. “Why, I’d be delighted to put on a concert for you, sir. Ahem.” “Eeeeego so-lar-io, oraaaatio van-uuuuuus e Lo-laaaa~” His voice was very much grating and off-key. But as he sang, the faintest bit of black smoke escaped from his mouth. Lola pointed at the bishop in preparation to spout off her knowledge again, but as her iris moved, nothing came out except for raspy breathing. Startled, she continued trying to speak to no avail, eventually flapping her arms and running away while crying. Percival grinned wickedly. “Huh. Must be too revolted by my terrible singing!” Despite trying to conserve his magical energy for the fight, cursing Lola was so worth it to him.

Lord Hater immediately held Bishop Percival away from him and started yelling over him. "AAAAAAA! THIS IS, LIKE, TOTALLY WORSE THAN THAT DAMN EMP!!! AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING!!!"

While it was all going on Gloria stage whispered to the Glornist next to her, "Oh dear, did our lovely bishop swallow a mandrake whole? I should brew my strongest herbal tea for him when we return."

"EVEN YOUR OWN FOLLOWER RAN OFF CRYING!!!"

Once Hater realized that the nightmare was over he held Percy in front of his face and glared. "You. Are banned. From ever singing in my empire again."

[silvaswiftcast]

FFxivWrite2023 Prompt #15: Portentous

Characters: Silva Cataracta, Ricmorn Cataracta, and Hien Rijin

Rating: General

Notes: This may or may not be a possible spoiler for my longfic with these three? I'm still WAY too early in it for this moment to pop up and I'm sure it will look much differently than this snippet. (If you're curious to read what I have posted so far, the link to my AO3 page is in my profile!) This scene takes place sometime between Stormblood Patch 4.4 and Patch 4.5. Words contained within [brackets] are in another language, in this case, it's Doman.

Content Warnings/Additional Tags: Mild Angst, Nightmares, Mentions of Fantasy Violence, Mentions of Death, Polyamory Relationship (V Relationship), M/F/M relationship.

“You’ve been having nightmares?”

Silva didn’t look up from the steaming cup of herbal tea resting in her palms. The question made her stomach sink to the floor. “I— Yes…” she hesitated, fighting the urge to squirm around. She hated how she could feel two sets of eyes filled with concern bore into her — hated how small it made her feel.

Even the heat from the cup seeping into her skin did little to distract her.

“For how long?”

The tip of her tail twitched. “A while… They started a week or so after we liberated Ala Mhigo. They weren’t so bad at first and didn’t last long, but…”

The portentous dreams grew darker, more graphic. Instead of lasting for a handful of minutes, it felt like they lasted bells to the Au Ra. Without a doubt, something deeply troubling lay ahead of them — of her. She felt it in her soul.

But what?

“The dreams have become more frequent,” Ricmorn continued for her, frowning. “We’ve noticed they pick up each time a Calling happens, and a Scion is… well—”

“Oh, I see…”

Silva sighed before raising the cup to her lips and taking a few sips of the hot tea. Notes of fresh chamomile and lavender burst on her tongue — an herbal blend known to promote sleep. Or… at least it used to. Now she drank it with the hope she could find a few bells of solace every night.

So far, her prayers have gone unanswered.

The sudden silence of the gods and kami, or the visions of her dead mother being nothing but a distant memory now, killed her.

Someone resting their hand on her arm in a show of comfort slightly startled her. She looked up to find Hien watching her, his bright hazel eyes roaming over her face. The amount of love and worry shimmering in the pretty pools broke her heart — she didn’t want him to worry when he already had so much on his shoulders.

“If you do not mind my asking, would you care to tell me what happens in them?” he asked in a soft murmur. The gentle grazing of his thumb against her light blue-gray skin sent muted sparks of levin dancing along her nerves. “I would be more than happy to listen if you wish to speak about it, [wildflower.]”

How he always offered understanding and kindness to her without question never ceased to amaze her. Not to Ricmorn when they’ve had difficult conversations.

And yet…

She gave him the smallest sad smile she could muster. “I don’t wish to burden you more than I already have, [my heart.]”

The young lord shook his head. “You will never be a burden to me, Silva. I am here for you — always,” he promised.

“Just as you will never be a burden to me, my dear,” Ricmorn said in agreement, rubbing soothing circles against her back. “We love you. Let us be here for you like you’ve been there for the both of us.”

Let us in — you cannot do everything on your own.

She knew they were right. She’s done so much on her own for far too long.

Old habits die hard.

Silva sighed again, closing her eyes. “The sky… the sky is dark and red as if the gates of the seven hells have opened,” she started, wetting her lips. “Stars are falling from the heavens, flickering as the light within them dies. Fire— There’s fire everywhere — the trees, the buildings. People are running for their lives — those who still breathe, anyway — as their brothers and sisters collapse, screams of terror as towers fall and monsters, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Death and ash clings to the air and burns my lungs.”

She couldn’t stop the tears from falling from her eyes, even if she wanted to.

“There’s… there’s no hope in these dreams. Only despair.”

[bykary95]

Chapter 2: The First Adventures

-...and then I found that creek, I was thirsty, so I started to drink, wash my face and clean this ugly wound-

-Woah... a whole fire rain? That explains those really weird dark clouds I saw up north, I guess that's where the fortress is- said Edward amazed -I saw it right a moment before an arrow killed my horse-

-Whelp, I guess the fortress is not there anymore, before I could escape, the entire place was collapsing-

-Between just you and me... glad to hear it, I hope they don't find any other place to torture innocent people-

While they were walking through the path, some lights started to light up the night, they were arriving at the town

-Welcome to Endercreek!-

It was a nice, small town, next to a river, with a tavern, a sawmill, a store, and a workshop, there was a bunch of guards patrolling the roads, and a bridge at the other side of the town, crossing the river

-Oh! this is a nice place- Ranboo was in awe

-Yeah, I grew up here, I am glad that at least there is one piece of land where peace exists-

Ranboo followed Edward through the main road, untill they stopped in front of a house

-Well, this is my house, come in! Make yourself at home!-

They get in, and as soon as Ranboo was inside, he felt comfy with the warm ambience, and the smell of food

-Honey! I'm home!- said Edward

From the kitchen, a smiling women came -Eddie! Honey! I didn't know we would have guests!-

-This man here saved my life... a loose arrow killed the horse and it fell over my leg!-

-Oh my! Are you okay Edward?- the woman aproached him, checking for wounds or something

-Yes honey, I am okay, my fellow here, Ranboo, is the one who need help... he was attacked by a giant spider!-

-Oh geez! Please come here!- took Ranboo by the arm and guided him to a couch -Take a rest-

Edward went for some herbal ingredients, and went to an alchemy table

Ranboo looked at him with curiosity -Are you a potion crafter or some sort?-

-I am an alchemist, I was looking for some fresh ingredients when my horse took the arrow to the head-

The woman went back to the kitchen to prepare the food, and Edward gave the potion to Ranboo -Here, drink it! This one's on the house!- and smiles

Ranboo drinks the potion, and instantly feels a sensation of relief -Oh... woah! Thank you!- looks at the wound... there was nothing there, only a blood stain all over his ragged clothes, he has been fully healed

-Dinner's ready!- said the lady

Ranboo walks to the table, there was three bowls filled of stew, it smelled delicous, and it tasted better

-Yum! This tastes delicious!-

-So... where are you from?- asked Edward

-I don't... I don't know, the last thing I remember is that I woke up in a cart with many prisioners, and among them there was a Lord-

-A Lord?- asked the woman -Won't be that Lord Harald?-

-Yeah! That one!- he kept talking -He was really nice with me, he tried to convince the guards that I was not one of his men, but those guards tried to execute me anyways...-

-Those brute bastards- said Edward outraged -In order to punish Lord Harald they are capable to kill and torture inocent people right in front of him...-

-Did Lord Harald manage to escape?- asked the lady worried -He's our only hope to end the King's tyrany-

-I think he managed to escape, I'm not sure- said Ranboo -We got split by the chaos of the infernal attack-

The lady gasped -Dear lord... not again-

-I am sure Harald escaped- said Edward -If the Men of the King ever got him, they would make sure everyone on the kingdom knows it-

-That's true...-

Ranboo finished his meal and said -Well... I don't know anything about what's happening in the world, I don't know how hard did those guards hit me on the head...-

-Must be really hard, I heard that Imps are kinda hard to knock out, even with maces!- said Edward -You see, your cranium is quite thick, in order to hold well the horns and that, you are able to take several hits before you feel any pain-

-That's true, most imps don't need helmets- said the woman, and then sighed -Our kingdom is in so much trouble...-

-What trouble?- asked Ranboo -Besides the Civil War and... the inminent infernal invasion I just saw...-

-Well, the Civil War is just one of many things- answered Edward -There's many chaos and dispair here-

-As a start, there's a plague on the north- said the woman -An evil plague that turns people into cannibals, terrible savages that always looks for flesh, untill now, no one could find the origin of this plague, let alone a cure-

-Then the Golden Cult- said Edward -A cult of evil rogue priests that were expelled from the Golden Temple for their radical practices, they're gathering fanatic followers from everywhere, and they hunt down anyone who doesn't follow their beliefs, or anyone who they consider "impure", like the imps-

-And also the Black Wave from the West, an evil necromancer that gathers corpses from all over Valdur Ristlow, exploiting the Civil War casualties, no matter the side-

-Erm... Valdur... what??- asked Ranboo

-The... kingdom where we are- said the woman -What did those guys do to you? You seem lost like a priest in Inferis-

-Oh! Right! Yeah... Valdur Ristlow, the land, pfff, sure! I just was... kinda confused haha...- he was very ashamed for not knowing anything about the entire world where he was, like if he doesn't belong there at all

-Well, It's getting late, probably you feel tired... you can sleep on our son's bedroom- said the lady

-Oh, you have a son? Where is he?-

Edward and his wife's face changed, they both looked sad, anguished

-Oh... so sorry! Er... nevermind-

-No! It's okay- said Edward -It's just...-

-We didn't have any news from him for a long time- continued the lady -One day the Men of the King came by our town, and started to take every young man, by the King Ulric's decree, every young man from the small towns would be taken and conscripted into the King's military service...-

-Oh, sorry about that-

-It's okay- said Edward -Every night we pray to our god Aurum, for the safe return of our boy William, you seem to have his age, you know?-

Ranboo was surprised -Oh! Really?-

Edward laughed -Yeah, I mean... I don't know how are the "demon ages", but you look almost as young as him, he is 20-

-You can go sleep there, and in the morning you can borrow some of his clothes-

-Oh... thank you! You are being really nice with me...-

-Bah! You saved my life!- said Edward -This is the least we could do-

After washing the dishes, everyone went to their beds, Ranboo's one was really comfy

So he laid on there, looking at the room, his head was still full of questions and doubts

"Who am I?" Was the biggest question of all

"Why do I know nothing about the world?"

He fell asleep, thinking about that weird vision...

Why did that feel so familiar? Lots of buttons with shiny symbols... and colorfull lights all around him

A howling from the horizon came from the woods, that felt unnatural

...

Ranboo woke up, the sun was shinning through the window, he stretched his arms and stood up

Since the couple offered their son's clothes, he went to the wardrobe and saw all the clothes there

-Hmm... are there any fashion standards or something?- he got some nice trader robes, and a couple of studded bracers -I guess this will do-

He looked for any boots and took the nicest ones -They're perfect for my... strange legs-

He went to the main room, Edward and his wife looked at him

-Hah! You look fine!- said Edward -I don't know where will you go later... but I guess you'll be fine-

-Guess?- asked Ranboo -I'm gonna be honest, I don't know where to go...-

-Oh...- the woman started to think -I guess if you wanna find any information about you... you could go find more imps, the "Ugly Hood" is where most of them live in this kingdom-

Edward was worried -Oh no! Not the "Ugly Hood"! That's a terrible place!-

-What's the "Ugly Hood"?-

Edward sighed -It's basically a ghetto, most of the imps in this kingdom where confined there, forced to live in that awfull place by King Ulric, he name that place as a mockery, calling them "Ugly people", forcing them to live in poor conditions, all crowded together, the King calls it "The mud in the City of Gold"-

Ranboo was outraged -What a bastard!-

-Yeah, since imps are basically descendants of refugee demons who fled the cruelty of Kahn Azurg during the Inferis Expansion, King Ulric treats them like scum-

-The...? Okay!-

-Oh!- the women remembered something -Since you're so lost, you might need this- and hands him a map

-This is the map of Valdur Ristlow, our whole kingdom-

Edward started to point severall places on the map -See here in the centre? In the middle of the huge lake? That's the city of Auris Magna, the capital of the kingdom, that's where the "Ugly Hood" is, you might get some help there, but I warn you, it's a nasty place, and since you're an imp, it might be a bit difficult for you to leave, so be carefull-

Then the woman pointed another city -And there's Scalonia, where the Arena of Argentum is, is the nearest big city to this town-

-Before Ulric's kingdom, it was common among the younglings of these town to have fantasies of fighting in that arena one day- Edward was feeling nostalgic -Those were the days-

-And that's Faunrom, the city of the Woods, where the Hunter's guild is- pointed the woman -They are nice people, despite there are some strange rumors about them-

-Oh! The south is lovelly! Brighthelm! With the Bright Bay!- said Edward -That's where Lord Harald lives, and also is the head of the Rebellion, every race there is more than welcome, sadly, most of the paths towards the south are closed and highly guarded by the Men of the King-

Ranboo looked at the map -I guess that anyone who tries to go into Harald's lands...-

-Without any kind of safe passage aproved by the king, anyone who tries to go is jailed under the charge of treason-

-Hmmm I guess I gotta go to the Auris... Magna... I guess...? Maybe I'll find some clues there-

Edward looked at Ranboo -But be prepared for any danger in your path, I'll make you some potions- and started to craft severall healing potions

-Oh, thank you guys, you have been really helpfull- Ranboo walked through the door, to the path, and looked back at the couple

Edward hands him a bag with some potions -Remember, beware, and be safe-

-Thank you guys, and... good luck-

-Goodspeed Ranboo, may the golden blessing of Aurum protects you!-

-And... you too-

Ranboo walked through the town

"Man! How fucked up are things on these lands? And why I don't know anything of it???"

He was thinking about what to do next, and had the feeling that if tries to go directly to the capital, he won't make it alive

"What should I do now?"

Right before the bridge, there was a blacksmith "Maybe with the 500 gold I can buy a decent sword..."

He aproached to the forge -Uh... hello?- knocked on the wooden fence

-Oh! By the fangs of Sharbug! I cannot find it!!!-

-Holy shit!- Ranboo was scared by the subit appearance of a huge angry orc on blacksmith robes, who seemed really angry

-Sorry sir! But I won't be able to attend you right now... My hammer is missing!- said the orc who was hardly breathing, clearly in anger -And I bet it where those damn bandits from the hill!- and pointed at the hill at the other side of the river, right at the end of the bridge

Ranboo got a bit further from the angry big orc -Oh...kay... erm... why don't you calm down? I bet you can buy another hammer...-

-ARE YOU JOKING???!!!- the orc yelled out in anger

-Pleasedonthurtmeihave500goldtakethem!-

-That hammer belonged to my father! And my grandfather! It's been on my family for 8 generations! I cannot just "replace it"!-

-So... if you know where is it, then why...?-

-I cannot just leave my forge! What happens if more thieves comes and steal everything? Or what if my forge turns off? That would be a dishonor!!-

-Okay... geez... I d...don't need you to forge me anything, I just want a nice sword, that's it, you can give me any sword you already forged-

The orc looked at Ranboo and smiled at him -Oh, you want a sword? Then you can do something- the orc grabbed a sword from the almost empty armory -I can give you this regular iron sword for a hundred coins, or... you can use it to go to fight those bandits from the hill, bring me back my hammer, and as a reward I can forge you a fine steel sword for free-

-You mean... go to fight a bunch of bandits for a free sword?- Ranboo grabbed the sword, he doubted for a moment, then saw the orc's empty armory, the guy needed help -Okay! I'll go-

-Thank you! You are a brave imp!- smiled the orc

Ranboo walked over the bridge -Oh I'm definitelly gonna die for a stupid old hammer- and so started to walk up the road to the hill -Man... where are the bandits? I see no one over here... HOLY FUCK!-

Suddenly an arrow crossed the air, right in front of his eyes, he looked up, and saw a couple of bandits shooting at him from behind some rocks above

-Kill him! I wanna see what kind of loot he has!- yelled one of them

-Come on! Start running so I can backstab ya!-

Ranboo took his iron sword, and the two bandits jumped off, and landed in front of him

-Hehe... a little scared goat man wants to be a hero-

He was kinda scared, this was far different from fighting giant spiders, and he even got hurt on that fight, tried to take some courage and intimidate them -Erhm... Shut up! Or I... I'll kill you!-

Both bandits laughed really loud

-Yo! I heard that Imps can take many hits on the head before being knocked out...- and pulls out an axe -I'm very curious about how many hits it will take-

The other bandit takes his mace and says -Oh boy! I'm gonna have so much fun finding it out!-

-Oh shit...- Ranboo was shaking, but decided to fight -Why am I doing this?-

-DIE SCUM!!- the bandit with the axe attacked, but Ranboo barely blocked it, and then kicked him down there, in the crotch pushing him far -Oh... bollocks!-

-Go back to hell!!!- the other bandit attacked really fast and landed a strong hit on Ranboo's head with the mace... between the horns

-What? .... I barelly felt that! Haha!- he was laughing, and then got serious -Now you're in trouble!- and then swinged his sword so fast, that left a deep cut in the bandit's chest

-AAAAGH! DAMNIT!-

-DIE!!- the bandit with a mace tried to smash Ranboo on the face, but the imp blocked the attack, and pushed him back

-No! You die!- and directly stabbed the bandit on the neck, getting both covered in blood

-BROTHER! NOOOO!- shouted the other bandit -YOU BASTARD!!!- and attacked him fully deranged

Ranboo dodged the attack and shouted -Die you rat!- then swinged the sword so fast, catching the bandit by surprise, beheading him -HOLY SHIT!!!- he covered his mouth in surprise, watching the head rolling down the road, falling to the river

-I... I didn't mean to do that- he said with a small voice

Ranboo couldn't believe that he just killed two people, he was shaking, out of stress, or excitement, he wasn't sure

-Holy... I can't believe I just did that...- he was taking a breath -Holy... Is this how adrenaline feels?-

There was a lot of excitement, once the fear of death has vanished away, he felt the excitement for the fight...

-Yeah! I'm ready to fight more bandits!- he sheated his sword and kept walking up the hill, on alert, waiting for more bandits to attack...

And so he found a cave at the end of the road

-I guess this is where the bandits live... I bet they have the hammer there-

Ranboo walked in, with sword in hand, slowly, in order to not alert the bandits for his intrusion, and so he saw an iron shield, next to a bag full of potatos -This will come in handy-

The cave was quite dark, barelly lightened by a few torches and lamps. As he went deeper into the cave, he started to hear severall voices

-I told those maggots to bring wine! Not mead! I am sick of mead! Damn those bees and their honey!-

-Hah! Pickpocketing, now that's a fine art, but on a second thought... no violence, no hand chopping... where's the fun?-

Ranboo kept going really sneaky, doing his best to not attract any attention, in order to avoid any useless fight

-Yo there!- a huge bandit ran towards him, but Ranboo was ready, and blocked the attack with the shield

-Get lost!- he bashed the bandit on his face with the shield, making him to lose his balance -Do you want some of this?- the imp attacked and stabbed the bandit on the chest

-UUUUGHHH...- the bandit died, but the fight attracted way too much atention

-We got an intruder!-

-Kill him!-

-He got our brother! Kill him!-

-Oh shit!- now Ranboo had to fight against way too many bandits at the same time

He blocked the first attack with the sword, the second with the shield, an archer from the bottom shot an arrow, but Ranboo dodged the arrow, wich it landed on another bandit

-Ouch! Watch where you aim that thing!- yelled the bandit

Another bandit tried to attack with a huge claymore, but Ranboo head butted him in the face, wich knocked him out

-Who else wants a piece of this?!- yelled

A bandit slashed him on the back -AAAH! DAMN IT!- Ranboo turned around and cutted his head with a single swing, he was starting to get some wounds, but only superficial, nothing serious

So he kept fighting, the more he kept fighting, the better he felt, more experimented, more skilled...

-What is happening here?!- the boss bandit came out, it was an intimidating huge man, wearing a fine light leather armor, he walked out of his room and saw the last few of his men falling dead to the ground, while Ranboo was trying to take a breath after the hard fight, barelly wounded, with some bruises and cuts, so he drank a healing potion

-So you little demon scumbag thought you could be a hero?- the boss took out his steel battle axe -Once I'm done with you... I'll have your head on a pike as a trophy!!-

Ranboo once again took his sword, and with a battle scream, he ran towards the boss, who blocked his attack with the axe and pushed him away

The imp rolled back and stood up fast "Dang it! This man is strong! I guess a front attack won't be enough"

The boss attacked Ranboo at full force, but he blocked with the shield, and kicked right to the stomach

-AH! Son of a...!-

Ranboo attacked again, but the boss blocked with his big axe, so he backed up a bit

The boss was really good at blocking, he had to think about something, and fast

So he looked at his shield and thought "I hope this works"

-You want a piece of this?- shouted at the boss

-I'm gonna kill you!- shouted the bandit, and raised his axe

Ranboo tossed the shield at his face, but the boss blocked the shield with his axe -Nice tr...AAAGH!!- the boss headed down, looking at the imp stabbing him on the chest, right on the small gap of the chest piece of his armor -You... demon filth...- stumbled, backing up a bit...

Untill he fell down dead

Ranboo looked around, without believing what he just did...

He just killed an entire band of dangerous bandits!

-I... I just did all this?- he felt so excited, so...

Satisfied, the sensation of huge accomplishment was overwhelming, he was feelling stronger, and somehow he learned new fencing moves and skills on battle, he had a sensation of health improvement

Then... again...

-Nnghh... AAAGHHHH!- he knelt down, the headache was terrible, everything was blurry around him, and again the visions...

This time he was on a stage, with lights from above, lighting him, he couldn't see the crowd clearly...

But everyone seemed to know him... and admire him, they were screaming his name on chorus

"Ranboo! Ranboo! Ranboo!"

-Ah!- he stood up -What the hell was that??-

He looked around, confused, what was that place? Who were those people? Why did they admire him?

He decided to look around and started to loot each one of the corpses

-Hmm... maybe the orc might wanna buy these weapons- and grabbed all the loot he could use or sell, weapons, potions, gold, some alcoholic beverages, and weird ingredients -Now... where's that hammer?- he kept walking through the cave, untill he found the boss's place, there was a bed, and a big chest next to it

Ranboo opened the chest, and found a big pouch of five hundred gold -Woah! Now that's nice!-

Then an enchanted helmet -I cannot use helmets... but I can sell this- and a gold necklace with a big zaphire...

And the hammer, a huge hammer with some orc symbols carved on it

-I guess this is the hammer... danm! This is huge!-

So he kept wandering through the cave and found a couple of books "I'll read them later" and some invisibility potions

Then he looked at the armor of the bandit boss -It looks nice, it would be a shame to waste it...-

So he took the armor and put it on -Woah! I look pretty badass!- and he got out of the cave, still amazed for what he achieved...

And also weirded out for the vision

"What the hell was that? Why everyone were cheering on me? Yelling my name?"

He walked down back to Endercreek, went to the blacksmith and knocked the door

-Hey! Mr... Mr blacksmith? Hello?-

The huge orc walked out, impresed by the sight of the Imp, holding the hammer on his hands

-Yes! That's my hammer!- said the blacksmith -I was afraid of sending you on a suicidal mision... but definitelly you are an imp hard to kill hehe-

-I also got severall weapons, I killed all the bandits so... I guess you do better with their weapons...-

-You killed them all?- the orc was amazed -You definitelly have tallent for the fight, I'll give you one thousand for all the loot-

-Deal!- said Ranboo, giving the loot and taking the gold

-Now... your reward... I bet you want a fine steel sword... in your case a saber would do-

-A saber?- asked Ranboo

-A curved light sword, harder than a diamond stone, and light as a feather- the orc grabbed his hammer and started to forge, hitting with his hammer on the anvil

Ranboo was amazed by the sparks flying out with each hit, the huge orc was working hard, putting effort of forging the best sword ever...

-And here it is!-

-Oh! That... was fast- Ranboo grabbed the saber, and unsheated it -Woah! It is really light as a feather!-

-Hah! And... where did you get that armor?-

-Oh! This thing? I got it after I killed the boss bandit, it looks really sick-

The blacksmith laughed -It looks cool, but with that gap in the chest you can get easily killed!-

-Yeah, I know, that's how I killed him!-

The orc took a closer look -I can upgrade it and add a steel chest plate that covers the gap... and some leather shoulder pads, but that won't be free, 200 golds for it-

-Yeah, I think it would be better if you do it, thank you- and gave him the gold

The blacksmith started to work again, taking Ranboo's armor and adding a steel chestplate, and some nice leather paudrons -With this... you will be even harder to kill-

Ranboo put on the armor -Now I look even cooler!-

-Indeed! And let me tell you some advice... if you feel up to test your habilities and learn even more about fighting... you could try your luck in the Arena of Argentum, in the city of Scalonia-

-I heard about that city... I might go there and take a look-

-If you go there... good luck! It is hard to be accepted into the Arena, specially if you are an imp, races like yours or mine, are not very accepted among the higest people, specially if you are an unknown foreigner-

-Really? Everyone in this town has been nice with me...-

The orc laughed -People on small towns like Endercreek or Lostolf are always nice, but the problem is in the big cities like Scalonia, or Auris Magna, that's where there are some racist, and hatefull people, so be carefull, most of them would just look at you with some disdain, but there could be some drunk idiots who might wanna punch you in the face just for being an imp out of the Ugly Hood-

-Thanks for the warning sir-

-Oh, call me Rogarz- said the orc, extending his hand

Ranboo shaked hands with the orc -My name is Ranboo-

-Ranboo, eh? Curious name for an imp- Rogarz smiled

-Well, I gotta go, I guess I'll try some luck in Scalonia-

-Then farewell, noble imp! May Sharbug's strenght be with you!-

-And so with you... I guess-

Ranboo walked away, crossing the bridge, but this time taking the other path, right to Scalonia, following the river.

- So... every time I win a fight or a battle, I learn something... and when I learn something, a new vision invades me... If I get enough visions, maybe I'll be able to gather the pieces with the help of those imps at the Ugly Hood... so I'll be better go to some places before there-

From the road, it was posible to see the city far away

-Okay... let's see what it may be...-

NEXT:

[lasagnadenoodles]

The Devil Resides in Louisiana

Chapter 2

~~~~~~~~~~~

A week had passed since Father Zion visited the witch named Rosemary. Yet she never left his mind. It puzzled him, and he prayed long and hard about why she lingered in his head. Had she cursed him? Put a spell on him? After asking himself every question he could think of, he felt maybe that this was the Lord’s way of telling him not to give up on her. That she needed him, and it was up to him to guide her to her salvation.

He walked back to her house a few hours after his Sunday sermon. It was warm, but more bearable this time around for him as he enjoyed his walk a bit more; listening to the cicada's cries in the trees he passed by. When he came to the little white house, he heard movement coming from the backyard. He stopped in his tracks, leaning to the side and peering over the house. He could see an ivory, floppy hat moving behind the fence. He stepped over, the English-ivy covered fence coming up to his waist.

Rosemary had her back to him, kneeling barefoot in her herbal garden. He felt his chest tighten, his eyes lingering on the dress that hugged her hips. His eyebrows knitted together, clearing his throat loudly. Rosemary looked over her shoulder, her lips curling into a smile.

“Father Zion! What a pleasant surprise.” She beamed as she stood up, brushing the dirt off her pink knees. Zion never expected to see her like this in a million years, doing such a... domestic activity. However, he had to admit; it does match how she behaved. So far, she had shown she was gentle and caring. Even her black cat was lying in the grass not too far from her, lounging under the tree’s shade.

“Good afternoon.” He finally responds, his voice low and cold.

“What brings you around here? Come to tell me more about how filthy my soul is?” She joked, brushed her red curls behind her shoulders and lifted a handful to air out her sweaty neck.

Zion doesn't laugh, he even narrows his eyes at her comment. “As a priest it is my duty to help lead the flock away from sin. I have come to bring you back to salvation, as well as make sure you are not leading anyone else astray.”

“Oh. Alright then.” She shrugged and smiled at him “Would you mind helping me in my garden? I could use a hand. I need to gather the catnip that's ready to be cut, but Boo gets in the way whenever I do.” She nodded towards the cat, his head perking up hearing his name.

The priest is visibly surprised and even a bit wary. He sighs and shakes his head, but he’s not one to reject a pretty girl’s in need of help.

“Fine. Open the fence.”

“What a gentleman.” She grinned, crinkling her nose while she stepped over and opened the fence. He nods and walks in, his eyes taking in the rather large garden. It's quite impressive; well organized and properly labeled herbs. It’s obvious this garden has been well taken care of. Zion seems almost impressed by the number of herbs and plants she has. There’s all sorts of them, some that the priest had never heard of before.

“Here,” Rosemary said, handing him a woven basket “Be a dear and make sure Boo doesn’t get to it. If you hold it up though, he shouldn’t bother trying to snatch some up.

Zion took the handle of the basket in his hands, still looking unsure of what he was doing. He stood perfectly still as she got back down on her knees, picking up a small pair of silver scissors off the ground and began to snip the long, catnip sprouts.

“How was your week, Father? Explore the town at all? Or do you stay cooped up in that little chapel of yours?” she asked, her voice sweet and tangy. Zion tries to remain stoic while he holds the basket, watching her place the green and purple plant into the basket. He doesn’t want her to think he’s enjoying this, that he’s just taking up the help as a priest.

“Yes, I’ve explored the town a bit. But it’s such a small place, There’s not much else here besides the main strip with a few decent shops.”

“Oh, you’re telling me. It's why so many of the townsfolk are so...the way that they are. All they can do is go to church and make up silly rumors. They don’t know how else to get a rise.” She tisked her tongue and shook her head “There are a few nice places just on the outskirts of town, though. Some trails in the woods, swamps. There is a beach about an hour drive from here.”

“Those the same woods you sacrificed men in this town?” He arched a brow, looking down darkly at her. Rosemary’s grin only grew as she continued harvesting the catnip, placing a small bundle in the basket.

“Well now, of course not. It’s definitely not secluded enough.” She joked, glancing up at him. Her eyes locked onto him, for so long it made him uncomfortable. He’d never met a woman before that made such intense eye contact with him before. “Your eyes look much better, Father. I see you’ve tried that tea I gave you?”

In a moment of frustration when his insomnia was getting to the best of him, he had said a quicker prayer before brewing a cup of tea a few nights before. He’s been sleeping like a baby since.

“It worked okay.” He grunted, turning his head away from her. Rosemary tilted her head up at him, the bundle of catnip in her hands.

“See? I’m not so evil, am I?”

“One stone thrown in the ocean won’t fill the sea.”

“Well, let’s see how many I can throw in.” She stood up this time, placing the last bundle of the sweet-smelling herb into the basket “Would you do me a kindness, Father?”

Zion narrowed his eyes on her. He couldn’t imagine what else she could ask of him. He was already helping her pick flowers in her garden. “What, witch?”

“Could you tell your flock I’m not hexing their men or having orgies with the devil, or whatever silly rumor they’ve stirred up this week.” She asked sweetly “I think if I’ve shown a priest I’m not all that bad, maybe they’ll believe you.”

Zion could not help but let out a snort of frustration at her request. She knew what she was doing, batting her eyelashes up at him with that wicked smile. Manipulative little lamb; the blackest he had ever seen.

“I am willing to tell the town that you are a good woman. That I and the rest of this town have been wrong for accusing you of being a witch with nefarious intentions,” he began, a grin curling over his mouth “If you agree to considering accepting Christ and attending my church next Sunday.”

She thought for a moment, pursing her lips before shaking her head. “No can do, Father. I had a feeling you’d say that, but it was worth a shot.”

He couldn’t help but feel his irritation brimming over the edge now. This witch was being so stubborn now. She was willing to prove to the town that she was pure of heart, and apparently what she was doing was not evil, but she was unwilling to even go to his church.

“But don’t you see?” He argued “If I go telling them otherwise now, without making sure you truly change, they will think that I have been bewitched myself. If you don’t accept Christ, this whole thing would have been pointless!”

“Becoming my friend was pointless?” She pouted her bottom lip, looking genuinely upset by his statement. Zion froze. He wasn’t sure what it was, perhaps some sort of spell she just inflicted on him just now, but her pout threw him off guard.

“That...you know what I meant!” He scoffed with a slight wave of his hand “I meant that if you refuse to accept Christ and continue this evil, all while I tell the people here you’re not bad; my words about you will be dismissed as the ramblings of a man corrupted by a witch.”

Rosemary said nothing, just placed the catnip in the basket. She was standing close to him, so close Zion could smell the earth and flowery perfume on her. He was about ready to shove the basket back to her and call it a day with her, hoping maybe his words would ring in her head as she performed more of her damned craft.

A small chirp was to be heard below. Zion looked down, finding the cat, Boo, pawing Zion’s legs as he stretched his sleepy legs. His little pink nose sniffed the air thoroughly, eyeing the priest as he held the catnip.

“Get that animal away from me.” He squinted at Boo.

“Now, Father!” Rosemary gasped, scolding him “Don’t be so cruel. He's no hell cat.”

In all truth, Zion loved cats. He even had an orange cat that came by to visit him at the church occasionally that brightened up his day. Even as Boo rubbed his head against Zion's leg, it was melting his heart. Yet he kept on that stoic and cold face, his lips pressed tight against his mouth.

“You’re a walking stereotype, you know that? Growing herbs for potions with your little black cat.”

“Oh, well, I don’t care what color Boo is. He’s a good little kitty.” She cooed as she picked up the cat and cradled him in her arms. “He was just a sad, starving little baby on the side of the road I saved shortly after my mother’s death. He helped me mourn her with his playful and loving self.”

Zion was visibly disturbed by yet another confession coming from the red-haired witch. Making tea and saving cats on the side of the road? It made her sound so...pure. This witch isn’t supposed to sound innocent, she was supposed to sound like the devil himself.

“Why are you trying to appeal to me like this?” He hissed, putting the basket on the ground roughly “I don’t understand. Are you trying to make me forget all the sins you're committing?”

“I’m not trying to appeal to anyone, Father. I’m just...telling you about me.” She shrugged. Boo was now eyeing the basket full of catnip on the ground, Rosemary keeping her hand on his chest to avoid him rolling around in the herbs and making a mess. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m famished from all that gardening. You hungry too? I could make us some lunch.”

“No.” he said sternly with a shake of his head. He wasn’t letting this woman manipulate him into anymore pleasantries “I will not be doing that.”

“Oh,” she frowned, holding Boo closer to her chest as his pupils grew wider as he stared at the catnip “Well, maybe next week then?”

“I-no! I’m not here for...” Zion let out a heavy sigh of frustration, raking a hand through his inky, black hair. He then dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small, travel sized bible. “I came by, to give you this.” He presented her the bible, holding it with his thumb and index finger.

“For me?” Her frown was instantly replaced with a smile, accepting the little holy book.

“For you.” he confirmed with a nod “Read it, study it, ponder it; do whatever you want. And perhaps I will consider telling everyone you’re not as evil as they say.”

“Alright then.” She kept her smile on, flipping through the pages with one hand. He wasn’t convinced she would do it, but he could only hope and pray that she would.

“Good girl.” he grunted, spinning around on his heels and heading for the fence gate. “I hope I’ll see you next Sunday.”

“Don’t get your hopes up now, Father.” She watched him leave, finally giving up and letting Boo indulge in the freshly cut catnip. “Bye, now!”

Father Zion waved his hand once at her as he walked away, not bothering to turn around and face her. In the back of his mind, he knew he’d want to stay for lunch if he looked at her once more.

[thoughtrefinery]

DEATH

I still struggle to find the right words to describe how I felt when my grandfather died. The memory of events pertaining to his sickness, death and burial are perhaps the most abhorred by my mind. He meant a lot to me, for so many reasons I could fill a thousand blogs going on about him. I lived with him from since I was 8 months old- way before my own consciousness was fully fledged. He, along with the tender care of my grandmother, adopted me from the chaos of a failing affair between my parents.

I developed a very severe asthma in those days and I struggled with it until I was about fourteen. It was clear to me during that time before I completely healed from that agonising ailment that for me to be able to lead a healthy life was my grandfather’s most fundamental purpose. And albeit he was a man of somewhat modest means, he bought several medicines for me ranging from contemporary pharmaceuticals to indigenous herbal concoctions. He seemed determined to go to the end of the world to find a cure for me. Every rumoured remedy for asthma (and there happened to be several of such claimed treatments) he bought for me. Other times he only got recipes and had to prepare the medication at home. Prayers were said for me on nights when I could barely breathe and many suggested to take me to a traditional healer. If it wasn’t for his unwavering Christian faith, I am sure he’d have forayed onto this path as well.

After several years of pain and inestimable doses of various kinds of medications, suddenly-one day, I stopped getting the attacks. The cold seasons came and nothing- no breathlessness, no sleepless nights, no purring from my chest. I could now magically run as fast as every other child. In the subsequent term I registered into both the basketball and football teams at my high school. The truth was that this unanticipated chance to health had bred such ambition within me! I so badly wanted to be normal and to measure up. I pushed myself to the limits and still managed to breathe alright during the games. At first, I was sceptical, but with time it dawned on me that I was finally healed.

To date countless people with ailing family members still come home to inquire about the magical drug that healed me. The answer is always that we do not know- my grandfather bought almost everything that was pitched to him. Whichever of those worked there is no way we’d ever know. Maybe it was his and grandmother’s prayers, or my body becoming tougher as I grew up. I would never know, but lord I was grateful to feel alive.

And then in my first year at university, my grandfather died. He was sixty-two and had just received his pension. I had hoped that he’d see how my life would turn out. If I could make the decision, I would have desired him to die in my arms, under my care when I’d finally found my way in life. But he didn’t wait for that and I didn’t get the chance.

That was my first and thus far the only experience of loss of a dear one. I hope I never chance that feeling again until I die. Sadness or sorrow are not words strong enough for how I felt. Whoever has had the misfortune of this gloomy feeling can bear witness. It’s a feeling of hopelessness, where your tears flow and dry up and still leave you aching inside. Every memory of that person mangles your lungs. It feels like you’ll never be happy again.

In the aftermath of his burial, I found solace in contemplating the essence of death. I wrote about it and read about it. One night I stumbled upon an excerpt on the fear of death and it said ‘it is foolish to fear the inevitable’. It was almost like am imploration to embrace death, to run into his bosom and therein to be at peace. If, no matter how far or how long you ran you could never escape, then maybe it would be wiser to accept your fate and save yourself the brawls of fruitless endeavour.  

At around that same time I remember getting the inspiration to write a poem. Here is what I found myself scribbling down;

Oh, sweet death,

Where is the horror in you?

If you shall unburden my soul,

Why would I dread you?

If I shall feel not the pain of breaking,

The exasperation of losing,

And the anxiety of expectation,

Why would I not love you?

Plunged into an everlasting silence,

The peace of nothingness,

Without standards or classes,

An eternal shelter for everyone,

Sounds like pure fairness.

Oh, Sweet death,

Where is the horror in you?

There are moments when I’d believe every word therein, and those where I’d brush it all off saying that was just me coping with the loss of a loved one. I should be able tell from the grief it caused me that death cannot be sweet. And whereas religion teaches that death is a transition, there are schools of thought that profess the belief in a hereafter as merely a surreal island in the sea of desperation where we have failed to accept that life is fleeting. But death remains no matter what you think of it. And if it is so inescapable, does it matter at all what you think of it? Well, maybe it matters only as a way of coping with how you feel about it, which is maybe why I wrote that poem in the first place.

I have now come to see death in an entirely different way. I am still horrified by it, but I have accepted it. One night, I summarized my feelings about death in simple prose;

Life begins and sets our souls ablaze with the desire to live on. The past is bleak- before birth, but we do not care! We are here now and to live feels good. We revere it. We might just be new here but it already feels like home. We would rather stay than foray into the fabled, uncertain hereafter.

Everything here is vanity, the bible says. Ironical, isn’t it? For it feels different while you live- every breath is more satisfying than vain, considering that death isn’t much of a better idea. We dread death, and the hope of an afterlife doesn’t make it any easier to take.

But could it be inept to fear the inevitable? Could it be that the hereafter is anything but our fears? Why do we even care, for long we have been helpless wisps eddying about in a whirlwind of chance. We never chose to be here, so what makes us think we could choose to leave or stay? Perhaps the hereafter is really as beautiful as optimism would paint it, a grand replica of all our wildest utopias!

It could be foolery to think of death as an endless void of nothingness, perhaps better to think of it as an inevitable transition. Forget the notion that life entails much and death not so much. That is not our part, to worry.

Ours is to live. Make these days count. Mortality is for sure, embrace it, now that you cannot avoid it. This will set you free. For surely, death will knock you someday. Or you will knock it, but knock you must.

The end.

[imalittlewoodenboy]

Chapter 1. The Heat (part 5)

Tone woke up as the servants started muddling about to get together a morning meal, but none of the followers had stirred. He laid totally still once he awoke, noticing Jonathan laying on the ground nearby. He glanced to the rest of the room to see his friends still sleeping, and the whole situation made him smile. All his loved ones at rest. All troubles could be saved for tomorrow. They were at peace right now. He got up, and moved to sit next to Jonathan’s sleeping form. He looked him over fondly, and brushed his long hair gently off his face. He was so small for a man. His brown hair was so full and soft. Tone found himself smoothing it back with gentle pets. He noticed his own hand over the side of Jonathan’s head looked so large. Jonathan was just on the short side, but Tone being tall really made the difference huge. Tone noticed flecks of sand in Jonathan’s eyelashes, making his skin look tanner. He saw slight shoulders rising and falling with the roll of his breath. He was sleeping on his stomach with his neck twisted to the side, one leg outstretched, and one cocked to the side and bet sharply. It was quite a splay of joints, and Tone pulled his own blanket to cover him, just in case someone saw him from the wrong angle. The position made Tone want to giggle, it was so silly for a normally graceful boy. Boy. Tone looked again at Jonathan’s face. There was acne, sparse hints of facial hair. Barely more than peach fuzz. The face looked young, almost adolescent, but when you looked carefully enough there were lines from a life lived. Lines under his eyes, and around his brows from stress and effort. Tone knew very little about Jonathan’s life before they met. He would like to have known, but never wanted to ask. It was clearly a hard life from the faint marks he’d noted on him, from what skin Jonathan showed.  After Tone pulled his blanket over Jonathan, Jonathan began to shift and pull it around himself. Tone thought he’d wake up, and see him there.. he wanted him to wake up and look upon him as the start of his day. He hoped to see Jonathan stir and realize he was there and.. see a smile grow from his sleeping face. But Jonathan just cuddled into the blanket, and seemed to sleep all the harder. Tone was a little disappointed, but after all, he did want Jonathan to rest. He extricated himself from the corner where he slept, and walked through the stirring men and women as they woke. “Good morning my lord.” Shari said, rising to join him, and walk out to the tent where they ate the night before. 

“Good morning, dear Shari. I trust you slept well?”

The sun was rising, and hadn't made the air too hot yet. It was finally tolerable. Servants approached, and put cups, and bread into their hands, which they took gratefully. Taran joined them, and the three stood looking out to the horizon, quietly eating their breakfast. Tone put his arm around Taran’s shoulder, and Taran leaned into him in response. 

“Seems like a town on the horizon.” Taran pointed out “A big one.”  “Yes it seems so. Do you think we may reach it today?” Tone asked, and Taran nodded. He was the best at navigation. Tone took a drink, and was surprised to find herbs floating in the warm liquid. Someone had made an herbal tea. “… Tea..?” he asked aloud with a smile, and glanced around to find Anders smiling from a few yards away.  “I found some Chamomile flowers!” He said, and trotted over with some in his hand to show Tone, Shari, and Taran. His long, straight, dirty blonde hair was a little frizzy and ruffled as if from wind. “There were plenty. I’ll dry some and bring them with us to have or sell in the town.” He proudly stated, then put one of the white flowers behind Tone’s ear. He stood back to look at it then nodded decisively. Yes, the white flower sat quite well against Tone’s black hair. Anders then put one in Taran’s hair, then put a few in Shari’s long braids.  “Thank you very much, Anders.” Tone said through a chuckle, truly enjoying the drink. It showed. More women slowly joined them standing on the ridge, looking to the horizon, chatting here and there about the town, and the weather. They spoke of how they slept, and how stale their bread was getting. Tone took multiple chances to get tea for the people as they joined, all the while pointing out “Look what Anders found, some lovely chamomile.” and “Try this tea that Anders made, it’s so soothing.” None had had any tea in weeks, so a weak floral tea could be quite the luxury.  When most of them were awake and starting to pack up, Tone grabbed a fresh cup of the tea, and retreated back to his own space to bring it to Jonathan. He found his room empty, with the blanket folded up neatly on his bedroll. “… Jonathan..?” he asked softly, almost to himself. He came back out from the tent, and craned his neck around to look for him. Huh. Nowhere to be seen. Perhaps in the servants tent. He got closer to the tent, crossing the camp. Of course as their leader, and a very tall man, attention started turning toward him, wandering around with an extra cup in his hand. “Jonathan?” he called from outside the servants tent. He must have heard four separate gasps from inside. Oops. he hadn’t realized how rarely he came over to this tent. Perhaps the servants had felt it was beneath him. He would remedy that by visiting more often, but for now he didn't want to overwhelm anyone so he took a few steps back. Jonathan emerged, slightly disheveled and Tone smiled at him kindly. “Good morning, I wanted to make sure you got some of this tea.” He offered the cup. 

Jonathan had awoken under the most precious blanket in the world to him. It was heavy and worn from years of use and it smelled like Tone. Not like soap or like outside. Not like sweat, or like musk. It just smelled like Tone. Like the temple of his head, or the very smell of his skin. It felt like a hug that Jonathan hadn’t had in decades. It was hell to get out from underneath it. This big perfect beautiful blanket that was fitted to the big perfect beautiful man that owned it. He had to leave the comfortable knit eventually. He had to get back to his own possessions to make himself pretty for the day- oh god Tone had seen him this morning. Had put this blanket on him. He had to make himself look good stat. Jonathan stealthily ran to his tent, and oiled his hair, removed his clothes, and spread sweet balms over his back and skin. He put a liquid on his face to even his skin tone, and combed his hair with his fingers. He had just pulled on his pants when he heard Tone call him outside. Tone.. His voice rung out saying HIS name. He would never tire of the sound. He quickly pulled on his cleanest tunic, and rushed out without lacing up the front. It was a little saucy, but he was a whore after all. He thought to himself. He pretended to be calm, and smiled back at Tone, as if he woke up like this- which they both knew he didn't- and reached for the cup. Tone brought him tea. How lucky he was for this morning.

Jonathan stepped closer and took the clay cup with one hand underneath it, and the second ghosting over Tone’s hand until he relinquished the cup. “Oooh, thank you!” Jonathan smiled down at the drink, then moved to walk next to Tone back up to the ridge with everyone else. The group quickly pretended not to be watching the entire interaction, and Jonathan took the moment that everyone was looking away to look up at Tone. He did a little gesture at the flower behind Tone’s ear, and Tone smiled back. “Anders found a bunch of them, and made the tea.. arent we lucky?” He said, and Jonathan agreed fully, for more reasons than they spoke. 

They stood on the ridge with the others a little while longer, and Jonathan noticed the absolute afterglow he was feeling just from sharing space with Tone the night before. How silly he was being.. what a fool he was.. feeling so excited over that intimacy- and yet. No one else got to sleep in the same corner with him. He’d never met a man like this. A man that never made a pass at him.. with all his power… with all Jonathan’s history. And yet sex didn’t seem part of their interactions. Though it’s all anyone else seemed to think of.  Tone looked relaxed, and even spoke with Ferdie and Taran easily after the previous night’s disagreements. No one seemed to take issue or even notice that Jonathan slept in the same corner. If they had noticed they kept it among themselves. The morning progressed with everyone getting to work packing up the tents together. They had servants, but truly, they were just Jonathan, Qiana, Sam, and Lawrence. They were half followers like the rest of the group, but had offered useful skills to the group. The three were lower born, and so they thought themselves not good enough to just join without work to contribute. Everyone offered something, so the line between servants and the rest was low. Most didn’t really see that Jonathan did a lot of work too, not the least of which was comforting Tone, washing almost all the clothes, and helping to cook- though he wasn't great at it. Lawrence was more the cook, and sam and Qiana mended, cleaned, and basically did everything else. They all worked to pack up the tents into bags and things. They all carried the supplies on their backs, and Lawrences cooking materials, and the tent supports went on their solitary beast of burden, their old, white, pack ferret. 

As they began their trek through the sand, Tone led the ferret with all the tent supports, softing his hands up and down the beast’s long neck, and scratching behind his ears. Tone was fond of the ferret. It was the only one in their company that stood taller than tone. He almost had a banter with this pack animal of theirs. He was a sassy long thing, and Tone found him charming. The ferret tugged back on his rope, and tried to go other directions, but Tone had a strong hand and teased him. “Now now, i know you’re smarter than I, but i don’t think you’ll find prey to eat any sooner without us.” 

“my lord, allow me.” Grace offered to lead the ferret. People were always trying to take work from Tone. They felt it was unfitting for a leader, and a prophet to do manual labor. It looked unsuited. 

“No, thank you, Grace. I’ve got an understanding with him.” Tone said, mocking pride as the ferret continued to strafe back and fourth. He laughed at himself, getting a bit of a better handle on the his reins as they walked. Grace laughed at him too.