#He's such a hodgepodge of birds

[staticymaticyyourlifeisatravesty]

You know how we often give Sanguinius bird headcanons?

What if we gave Sanguinuis Pinning? You know, the thing where a bird's eyes dilate rapidly. In parrots, it's mostly a sign of excitement or enjoyment like with food, but in chickens can be a sign of Aggression. What if Sanguinius does this? Like I already headcanon him as fluffing his feathers when super relaxed , but what if he pinned his pupils like when he's feel particularly blood thirsty with the red thirst on the battlefield. Or maybe he does it when he's particularly pleased with something, like being close to someone he likes, his eyes pin. Might not even realize he's doing it until he starts getting a massive headache.

[madhatterbri]

Word Of Mouth | D.P.

Summary: Damian having to deal with his obnoxious girlfriend when she's coming out of anesthesia from a small procedure 🤣😭 maybe she had a tooth removed or something lol so she'd be all full of gauze trying to hit on Damian, or saying inappropriate things about him lol and her jaw drops and the gauze falls out when he tells her they're already together 🤣

Requested by: @eringobragh420

Damian Priest Masterlist

WWE Masterlist

Taglist: @theworldofotps @smallestsnarkestgirl @mrsarcherofinfamy @terrortwinunicorn @brideofinfamy @miss-kuki-nz @hotwheels1108 @new-zealand-chic @magicalbuttertarts @eringobragh420 @missbmc94 @surdelcielo @hodgepodge-musings

"She's a.... she's still feeling the anesthesia,"

Damian had no idea what that meant until he saw his girlfriend. She was giggling while stumbling down the hallway. They decided to help her after she spent a few minutes talking to a parrot in the dentist's office.

"I'm so sorry. She is not normally like this," Damian apologized yet chuckled. He was definitely going to use this against her later.

"Not a problem. We've had people be combative. She just kept asking our poor bird if Polly wanted a cracker," the nurse informed him.

Damian laughed, then coughed to hide his laughter. There was no way his love was ever going to hear the end of this. The kind nurse told the patient that Damian would be taking her home.

She looked Damian up and down. A smile popped up on her pretty face. Her mouth filled with gauze to stop the bleeding from some work on her teeth. "Is this going to cost my insurance extra? I don't mind paying it,"

Damian shook his head and wrapped an arm around her. He helped her to the car. After he fastened her seat belt, he placed a sweet kiss on her forehead.

"I have a boyfriend," she told him.

"And he is very lucky to have you," Damian assured her.

The caring boyfriend sat in the driver seat. He turned on the car and started to drive back to their place.

"Are we in a rocket ship?" She asked and looked around the car's dashboard. "This feels like a rocket ship,"

"Nope, we are still on planet Earth.... Well, some of us are," he added.

"My boyfriend makes me feel out of this world," she gushed. Her head rested against the window as she stared at the road in a dreamlike state.

The ride was quiet then. Damian was touched. Even in her blitzed out state, she was still so madly in love with him. Y/N perked her head up when she noticed the houses around them.

"Hey, you know where I live? You must be psychic," she giggled.

"I know where you live because we are dating, mi amor. We have for about a year now,"

His words took a moment to connect to her brain. She opened her mouth in shock. The bloody gauze fell on to her lap.

"A year? We've been in space for a year?"

[irreverent-saints]

PREVIOUS NEXT FIRST

Lurking Pikes

Idun took shelter behind a large leaf. Screams echoed. She looked for the source. A grey horse with two riders, somehow far more conspicuous than the beast that had set his sights on it. He appeared such a natural part of the scenery; lumpy, ancient, and colossal.

Jotun. Taller than any building, with the wit of two pigeons in cahoots and the warmth of a glacier. They were horrid beings, a hodgepodge of all the murkiest, foulest parts of the forest, fixed onto a crude approximation of a human. A growl shook her to the core as he toyed with the horsemen. They tried to flee, but the creature was more nimble than he let on. He corralled them with a thin cane. The hunters put up a fight, but found arrows no match for thick hide and fur.

Idun pressed against a tree trunk, refusing to take her eyes off of the scene. Blood dripped down the Jotun’s chin, revealing why one horse carried two. The men’s screams grew more desperate, met with cruel amusement.

The Jotun doubled down, the whole forest reached a boiling point. He prepared to strike. He hesitated.

All of a sudden no birds sang, nor did bugs chirp. Even the wind took a break from rustling leaves. They stood like statues, trapped at the peak of action as the world fell silent around them. She couldn’t tell from which direction, or what it could even be, but she knew something was watching. She felt its eyes all over her.

Then a shadow emerged, as if it had willed itself visible. The Jotun froze, he had a scream on his face but could only choke out a stammer.

“What are you doing here?” the newcomer asked in a velvety voice. Another Jotun. He stood at least a head taller, circling his target like a lion. A single yellow eye, subtly flashing fangs. There was a metallic rattle. Barely audible, yet each pulse hit Idun in the gut like a brick.

“I have a right to be here,” he replied.

“Did you kill any animals, did you trample any plants?” he asked, grinning with deadened eyes.

“None of your business,” the Jotun sneered.

“Then that is your answer,”

The whole forest quaked. Idun shouted, covering her ears. Debris flew, and dust settled around a sprawling body. The horsemen seized the opportunity and fled, leaving her on her own. The challenger towered over the sight, licking blood from his claws as he caught his breath. He stood still for a minute, as if contemplating. He appeared rough, covered in dense muscle, long spines, scutes and fur. Where his left face should have been was only a cleave from lip to forehead, his eye a hollow under gnarly scars. Idun didn’t dare as much as blink. He wiped sweat from his brow, looked around, and left.

With that the birds came back to life, and the temperature seemed to go up by a few degrees. Idun couldn’t afford to relax just yet. She gripped around her belongings, too fearful to move.

Jotun weren't all just dumb and cruel. Some were downright evil.

[kurishiri]

ECB ┊ To our greed this Christmas —Elbert Greetia—

꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to narrative flow or characterization purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but please don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— the ecb story for elbert in the 2024 christmas collection event! ik its already feb but lets pretend its still dec 😂🙏 delulu is le solulu!

[ELBERT’S ROOM]

Kate: Lord Elbert!

Unable to conceal my joy, I burst into his room.

Elbert: Kate…welcome back.

Lord Elbert’s smile was laced with kindness as he wrapped me in his arms.

Elbert: What did Victor say? …Although I think I have an idea from your expression.

Kate: Hehe…it’s exactly as you think…

K: Victor gave us the okay! We have time off from today until the 25th.

K: Good work on all the missions these past several weeks.

Elbert: I’m glad…you too, Kate.

——With little time to relax, the days passed by in a flash, leaving little time left this year.

And so, with Lord Elbert and I deciding we should take some time off, including on Christmas day,

we moved forward with missions for Crown more than usual for some weeks after the second half of November.

Of course, evil knew no break, and so in more dire times we were required to respond…

but it would appear that, at least for this period, we would be able to pass our days by in peace.

Elbert: …Kate, come here.

Sitting on the bed, Lord Elbert patted his own lap as he called out to me.

Though hesitant that I may be heavy, I wanted to feel Lord Elbert’s warmth, so I timidly sat on his lap nonetheless.

When I did, I felt his arms wrap around me, his hands linking at the front of my stomach.

(I’m so happy…)

Like a jellyfish just floating about in the sea, my body swayed in full happiness.

Kate: Lord Elbert, what do you want to do during our break?

Elbert: I think…I would want to keep you in this room and spend time together…just the two of us.

E: Looking only at you, hearing only your breath, pulse, and voice…

E: I want to take in your breath and, forevermore, feel your existence.

E: It’s not very different from the usual though…so it may feel boring to you.

Kate: Hardly. I want to spend time together with you as well.

Elbert: …I’m glad.

E: Actually, the other day, I found something that could keep us in this room…so I ended up buying it without a second thought.

Kate: You found something…?

Elbert: …Mm, it is set to arrive at Crown castle tomorrow, so I would like to use it then——

Just then, as if he had just thought of something, Lord Elbert cut his words off.

Elbert: …Oh, right. I would like to show you that something in a perfect state…

E: So, if you could go elsewhere tomorrow morning, I would appreciate that.

[TIMESKIP – ELBERT’S ROOM – EVENING]

Kate: An…enlarged birdcage?

The next day, I did as Lord Elbert asked, returning to the room after my outing…

And there in the heart of the room was a birdcage large enough to fit a human.

Kate: I feel like I saw this before somewhere…

Elbert: Perhaps…it was from the time you had become a little bird.

E: This birdcage is more durable than what was used then, and it won’t break easily. …Apparently, even if the manor were to collapse, the inside of the cage will stay safe…

E: And like this, nobody can steal you away from me.

Looking up at the birdcage, Lord Elbert’s eyes narrowed in happiness.

Kate: So…you decorated this while I was out?

A Christmas tree was decorated outside the birdcage, as well as festive ornaments.

Elbert: …At first, I intended to just put the birdcage down.

E: But then…Al told me, ‘This reeks of savagery,’ so…

E: …I tried to decorate it so you would feel comfortable in the cage. I just hope it is indeed to your liking…

Indeed, if anyone who didn’t know Lord Elbert laid their eyes on this room alone, they would probably tremble in its unsettling air.

With the hodgepodge of a rugged, large cage and vibrant Christmas decorations, it seemed all too odd.

(But…to me, I hold this room very dear.)

(After all, I think it was because of Lord Elbert’s gentle love and an overflowing desire that makes up this very room.)

Kate: I really, really like it! Thank you so much for preparing all this for me, Lord Elbert.

When I gave him my honest thoughts, Lord Elbert smiled like a blossoming flower.

Kate: Would it be alright to go in now?

Elbert: Yes…of course.

Lord Elbert opened the entrance to the birdcage and extended his hand as if to escort me.

I took his hand, going inside the cage.

Elbert: How is it? …Do you feel cramped, or any claustrophobia?

Kate: Not at all. …It reminds me of a secret base, so it’s actually quite fun.

Elbert: A secret base, huh… When we were children, just once, I made one, together with Al.

E: We would bring out snacks and cushions to the bushes from the manor’s garden…

E: Though…in the end, the adults found it, and so it was removed.

Kate: Ohh, so you had such memories as well…

Elbert: At that time, I did not really know what was good about it, but now, I do.

[CG - START]

With a smile at its finest, Lord Elbert pulled me in.

And I, too, extended my arms, wanting to become closer with him.

Elbert: In this birdcage, there is only you. …It’s a space filled only with the things I like.

With my back to the cage, Lord Elbert’s arms trapped me in, filling my vision with him.

Kate: …It’s the same for me.

K: I’m happy…just being in the same space together, just the two of us…

Those deep blue eyes, swaying with a bottomless love and a dark obsession approached——and our lips met.

Kate: mm…

All we did was exchange a kiss, and yet it felt like a sweet poison was coursing through me from my mouth,

making my body feel hot, on the verge of melting.

Kate: ah…

Lord Elbert’s tongue slipped in through the gap of my mouth, deepening the kiss.

Elbert: haa…When we’re touching each other in the cage like this…it feels like you’ve become mine.

E: Unable to fly away from the cage, unable to do anything but sing in a beautiful voice…my one and only little bird…

E: I want more of you…until I reach the deepest depths…

[CG – END, FADE TO BLACK]

——And so, my life inside the birdcage continued for many days until Christmas.

It was not as though Lord Elbert had ordered me to do so,

but it just turned out that, other than going to the lavatory or taking a bath, we spent all our time within the cage…

[ELBERT’S ROOM]

(Ah, there’s snow…)

One day, as life continued in the cage, I saw something white started fluttering down.

(…I haven’t been able to touch snow this year yet.)

Elbert: ………

E: …We should go out soon.

Kate: Huh…? But…

Lord Elbert said life inside the birdcage would continue on until Christmas, and that’s what I intended to do as well.

Elbert: …I just want you, and looking at you inside the birdcage like this is enough for me…

E: But, I also think seeing you fly free outside is beautiful, so…

Lord Elbert opened the birdcage, taking my hand and pulling me out.

Elbert: …Let me love you as you are free outside the cage as well.

(…Lord Elbert really is kind.)

I was sure that he was thinking in his heart that he wanted to continue staying with me in the cage.

But, even so, his heart was filled with kindness to the point he would push down such desires for my little thought of wanting to go outside.

And so…

I walked out of the birdcage and hugged Lord Elbert as tightly as I could.

Elbert: …? …Kate?

While Lord Elbert looked troubled, he gently returned the gesture.

Kate: Me too…Even outside the birdcage, I want to love you, Lord Elbert.

I do want to be outside the birdcage, but I would also like to fulfill Lord Elbert's desire…

Unable to completely put down one of those feelings, at some point it would seem that this greed as influenced me.

Elbert: …Kate.

His murmur was filled with enough heat to perhaps melt all the falling snow upon London…

And as we loved each other both in- and outside the birdcage, we fulfilled each other’s greed.

Fin

A Christmas of deepening greed with Elbert

masterlist 🍎🎁 ┊ ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ translation + video with sub EN (Part 2/3)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for an MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ | Part 1 (1-3) | Part 2 (4-5) | Part 3 (6) | 🔞Secret Space ASMR🔞

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

Part 1 - 3 -> [Here]

[Subbed Video, TURN ON CC!]

[T/N: if you haven’t listened to the voice dubbing yet, y’all are seriously missing out!! I can't even begin to describe all the noises, like there’s just so much going on! Xia Lei (his CN VA) absolutely NAILED it—like, the way he blends XM anger at himself, that raw possessiveness, the obsession, and the breathlessness??? It’s insanely good and ridiculously sexy jnhadsjnhadjadjadjn]

—[Part 4]— Video Timestamp: [16:57]

As expected, everything has been thoroughly taken care of by Lucien.

Upon seeing on the laptop that the embassy had already contacted the local government to carry out the rescue operation, the last bit of unease in my heart vanished into thin air.

Thinking of how Lucien told me not to wander around, I simply grab one of his books to read and wait for him in the room.

Before I realize it, the light of setting sun slants, casting its glow onto the coffee table. Amid my drowsiness, my phone suddenly rings.

MC: Are you done with work?

Lucien: Mm. Are you doing okay?

MC: I’m fine. I was just reading the book you left on the sofa, but it’s so abstruse I almost fell asleep.

Lucien: To be honest, I’ve dozed off on that book more than a few times myself too.

As we chat and laugh, I stroll to the balcony under the slowly fading glow of the sunset.

Lucien: I should be back very soon.

MC: Then I’ll check what’s left in the fridge and see what I can cook. Maybe I can cook a big hodgepodge~

I smile as I hang up the phone and look up, only to see the same little bird from this morning still perched on the eaves.

—No different from the scene I saw before.

It still preening its feathers, never stopping for even a second, nor ever lifting its head.

It's as if it were a lifeless shadow, mechanically repeating the same motions repeatedly.

A chill spreads through my heart, and I unconsciously feel a bit of panic. Suddenly, I notice that the scene before me carries an absurd sense of repetition—

At times, a passerby would cross to the end of the street only to abruptly reappear on the other side.

The distant edges of the city also seem indescribably blurred, as if detached from reality, carved apart by dividing borders.

I try to calm down and cautiously push open the door.

The dark-colored walls on either side are clean yet monotonous, showing no signs of anything unusual.

After thinking about it, I step through the doorway. But the farther I walk, the more cold sweat seeps down my back.

There is no elevator here nor any emergency exit.

The dim corridor seems endless, with the same unchanging scenery stretching ahead and behind.

As my nerves gradually tighten, I suddenly catch sight of a warm yellow light at the end of the corridor.

I immediately run toward it—

Until that glow envelops me, and I freeze in place.

I find myself back in the room again.

The space that once felt reassuring now makes me feel like I can’t breathe.

Even though I’ve experienced similar situations before, I still can’t help but wonder… could all of this be nothing more than a fleeting hallucination* inside my mind?

But the voice I just heard was gentle and real, and the spot where he lay still retains a faint warmth.

??(Lucien): …MC…

I keep comforting myself not to fall into post-traumatic stress. Lucien said he is here conducting research, maybe this strange phenomenon is also related to his work.

?? (Lucien): MC, are you okay?

In a daze, a warm palm seems to lift me from the depths of the sea, bringing me back to the surface.

I blink and suddenly see Lucien standing before me, his face filled with worry as he cups my cheeks. I have no idea when he got there.

MC: Lucien…

Lucien: Are you feeling unwell anywhere?

I open my mouth, momentarily at a loss. Lucien immediately pulls me into a tighter embrace.

Lucien: It's my fault.

Lucien: You're not in a good state right now. I should have spent more time with you.

Lucien: It’ll be over soon, just hold on a little longer. Soon… we’ll be able to go home together.

His warmth presses against me, enveloping my whole body. I take a deep breath and gently pat him.

MC: Don’t worry, Lucien. I’m fine.

Looking at his raised face, I feel a pang of heartache as I brush over his slightly bloodshot eyes. Tentatively, I ask him.

MC: Are you working on some kind of Evol-related research?

Lucien: Why do you ask?

MC: Maybe I'm overthinking it… but I can't shake the feeling that everything outside this room seems unreal.

He seems startled for a moment, his entire figure hidden in the shadows.

Heavy emotions surge within his dark eyes as he presses his forehead to mine, swallowing my whole reflection into them.

Lucien: Then do you think I’m unreal?

MC: Of course not!

MC: I just... suddenly discover that the corridor outside the door seems endless, so...

Lucien: I see.

He gently takes my hand and leads me outside. We move smoothly through the corridor, take the elevator, and leave the apartment without any trouble.

✂———————–

The night is quiet, and there are hardly any people along the way.

Seeing my stunned expression, Lucien smiles and tightens his hold on my hand.

Lucien: I think the best way to comfort you right now is to take a walk, just like we always do.

Lucien: Although this place isn’t exactly peaceful, at least this neighborhood is not dangerous.

He pauses for a moment, then continues explaining in a gentle voice.

Lucien: The result I await has nothing to do with Evol. It is an experiment in the field of neuroscience.

Lucien: However, the test samples are extremely fragile and require strict control over variables such as temperature and humidity.

Lucien: Therefore, special devices have been installed near the laboratory to restrict Evol, eliminating interference factors and preserving the samples’ activity.

I listen thoughtfully, unable to resist asking another question.

MC: ...So what I saw was really an effect of the experiment?

Lucien gives a noncommittal smile, adjusting my scarf snugly before we continue walking through the quiet neighborhood.

✂———————–

In the following days, Lucien maintains a highly regular work schedule and calls me every now and then.

I have a vague feeling that my accident, combined with my previous state, may have truly frightened him badly. He seems even more attentive to me than before.

I put down the book in my hands and look toward the door again.

Actually, I’ve tried going out on my own since then, but for some reason, whenever I’m alone, I end up circling back to where I started—

As if I’m trapped inside the room.

The vague sense of confinement only makes me even more curious about what Lucien is really doing, so I start searching around.

Before long, I found a report on the Holden Research Institute, which seems to contain a list of personnel and medication records.

As my eyes scan the unfamiliar faces, they all appear ordinary and unremarkable.

Until a familiar face enters my sight, making my eyes widen in shock—

The captain of my flight is among them!

Reading through the information, I find that the captain turns out to be a retired soldier. He has been taking this medication long-term to treat post-war trauma.

The records also show that the drug has a small probability of causing neurasthenia, emotional intensification, and even brief episodes of shock…

I involuntarily break out in a cold sweat as I see these people’s data being continuously recorded and updated, even as recently as two weeks ago.

.

.

.

Lucien: Are you saying that the pilot responsible for the accident is on this medication record list?

MC: …Yes.

When Lucien returns that day, I hesitate but eventually tell him about my discovery.

He sits on the sofa, not saying a word for a long time, his entire being sinking into some kind of heavy and terrifying silence.

Lucien: …It seems there really is no need to continue with them.

Lucien: I will put an end to all of this as soon as possible.

He flicks his fingertips, tossing the stack of data reports into the fireplace.

As the flames burn, the charred traces seem to reach all the way into his eyes.

Somehow, I seem to see even darker emotions burning within them, and I can't resist reaching out to stroke his cheek.

MC: Lucien, are you okay?

Lucien: [quietly] ...MC, are you really here in front of me?

His gaze is deep and distant, yet it firmly holds my gaze in place.

I look at him for a moment, and in that empty gaze, I seem to see a reflection of something similar to myself.

So I move even closer and straddle his lap.

MC: Of course I am. I'm right here with you.

Within his raised gaze, my hand slowly glides toward his sharp jawline.

The artery on the side of his neck subtly swells with each swallow, and with every heartbeat, they pulse steadily yet distinctly beneath my fingertips.

I slightly tilt my face downward, leaning in closer to him. My lips gently graze his, coaxing them to part ever so slightly.

He stares without blinking, watching as in our mingling breaths, my tongue tentatively flicks out to softly lick his upper lip.

It is a test, a touch, and also a reassurance.

I swirl my tongue around his, while Lucien simply follows along, letting himself be led by me.

I can clearly see the corners of his eyes gradually tinged with red, while the pulse at the side of his neck throbs with escalating intensity.

MC: Lucien, tell me, am I in front of you?

Lucien: [gasping for breaths] Yes. You are in front of me.

His voice also seems to catch fire, burning over, searing into his neck as it arches even further, tracing a suggestive arc.

His indulgence unleashes me boundlessly. I can’t help but venture even closer to his breath, brushing past the scorching heat of his chest, trailing all the way downward.

MC: Then... are you in front of me?

Amid the overflowing sultry heat, I can’t stop myself from lifting my body and pushing things further by settling on top of him.

A muffled, unbearable groan slips past his lips. His hand instinctively tightens on my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

Lucien: [breathlessly] …Yes… I am in front of you.

His heartbeat seems to throb inside my body, and mine does too.

Countless trembles surge and collide through the bloodstream, even the instinctive sighs spilling from our lips becoming tangled together.

At some point, the fire in the hearth dims, and the dim light of the night blurs into a chaotic and ambiguous interplay of light and shadow.

I can feel his whole body relaxing, and I can’t help but hold him even tighter.

MC: How wonderful, Lucien. You're here by my side.

In the darkness, Lucien stays silent for a moment. Only after what feels like an eternity does his reply drift slowly through the air.

Lucien: [whispers lowly] Why are you the one offering comfort now... shouldn’t it be me?

MC: Because... even though I’m the one who’s scared, you seem to be afraid of something too.

Lucien: But you should have more important questions to ask me.

Lucien: You should ask me why that drug list is here, or even…

Lucien: Ask whether any of this could possibly be connected to me.

His calm question carries an indescribable scrutiny and simmering anger, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Only now do I belatedly realize the implication of his words. I had almost instinctively not linked Lucien to this matter.

MC: But this drug is essentially used to treat stress-related trauma?

MC: There must be flaws in the screening process that allowed someone taking this medication to become a captain...?

MC: And even if we take a huge step back, if this drug really is connected to you, it’s not like you caused the crash to happen.

MC: As Professor Lucien would usually say, this is just a low-probability event. A mere accident.

Lucien: I don’t like this kind of accident.

He speaks with a stubborn edge, his tone even somewhat stiff and cold.

Like a butterfly with fluttering wings, the massive waves it stirred up should never have crashed upon me.

I only find him endearing and can't resist wanting to peck the corner of his lips.

But in the next second, I’m suddenly picked up. The world spins, and amidst the dizzying whirl, my body is pinned against the sofa in a position difficult to break free from.

My cheek pressed against the cushion, making me unable to see Lucien’s expression at this moment.

With each breath I can sense the fine texture of the fabric, carrying a hint of warmth yet also a subtle, constraining sense of oppression.

Lucien: I don’t like accidents taking you to places I don’t know about.

Lucien: I also don’t like accidents making you go through things I’m unaware of.

Lucien: I dislike it even more when accidents leave bruises that don't belong to me on your body.

As his words trail off, one of his hands seems to trace along my wrist, gliding up my arm to my shoulder, neck, and back.

His burning fingertips travel all the way down my spine, and I can only feel his touch, my body instinctively letting out a trembling shudder.

Lucien: It almost made you disappear.

I feel a firm and increasingly invasive dominant pressure pressing against me from behind, making me bite down my lower lip.

But before I can even utter a word, Lucien overwhelms me almost instantly.

It's as if we're two sheets of dampened paper, growing so wet that we seep into each other.

Without realizing it, we become more and more soaked, until we seem to meld into a single sheet.

I feel as if I've sunk into a deep daze, only aware of him holding me even tighter, pulling me back into his embrace again and again, each time closer than before.

Lucien: MC, you should be angry.

Waves of tingling pleasure continuously spread down my spine, and his voice, filled with frustration, reaches me in a hazy blur.

A dizzy haze endlessly clouds my mind, and I instinctively bite down on a gasp, unable to stop myself from turning my head to look at him.

His face is shrouded in shadows, making his expression even more obscure and harder to discern.

MC: [worriedly] Do you want me to be angry?

Lucien: I don’t know.

He quietly half-kneels there, his voice particularly low and subdued.

MC: Are you trying to punish yourself this way?

MC: You’re angry at yourself, aren’t you?

He still doesn't say anything. He only leans down, pressing his body even deeper into mine. At the same time, his fingers slip between mine, locking our hands together with even more force.

A long time passes before I finally hear his voice from behind me.

Lucien: I almost... lost you again.

The word ‘again’ sinks into my heart, sending a painful ache through me.

MC: Lucien, I want to see you.

MC: Let me see how you are, okay?

Though he doesn’t retreat even half a step, he still yields to my request.

Slowly, he turns me around, finally letting me see his eyes.

Dark. Frenzied. Profoundly raw.***

Too many indescribable emotions surge in those eyes, rising like sky-high waves, sweeping me along with them.

MC: You haven’t lost me, Lucien.

What answers me is an even more scorching kiss. My heartbeat remains restless and shaky.

Lucien: Yes… I won’t give myself another chance to lose you.

✂———————–

[T/N]

I don't add much description for the sexc lines bc it'll end up with wall of text,once again I really recommend y'all to listen and experience the emotions yourself!-

*: "走马灯" (zǒu mǎ dēng) literally refers to a lantern with a carousel of paper horses that rotate due to convection. Metaphorically, it describes rapid and fleeting, or dreamlike scenes, often used to depict sb’s life flashing before their eyes in near-death moments.

**: "神经衰弱" (shén jīng shuāi ruò) is literally translated to "weak nerves"/ "neurasthenia" in English. While uncommon in the West, it remains recognized in some Asian countries. It’s considered a persistent mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as weakness, emotional disturbances, excitement, tension-induced pain, and sleep disturbances caused by ‘nerve weakness’.

***: They use three words to describe the emotions in his eyes: 晦暗 (huì àn), 疯狂 (fēng kuáng), and 深切 (shēn qiè).

晦暗 (huì àn) isn’t just "dark" but also shadowed and obscure, like he is trying to conceal the intense depth of his emotions rather than express them outright.

疯狂 (fēng kuáng) is an unrestrained madness, distinct from his usual 偏执 (piān zhí/obsessive fixation). 疯狂 (fēng kuáng) combines two words, 疯 (fēng) which means ‘’crazy’ or ‘insane’; and 狂 (kuáng), which means ‘unrestrained’ or ‘frantic.' so this word is the more chaotic and uncontrolled madness compared to 偏执 (piān zhí) which is more about his controlled madness from his fixation/obsession (whether about his research or mc-).

深切 (shēn qiè) combines "深" (deep) and "切" (cut/slice), usually used to convey the most sincere emotions. The way I interpret it is that his profound, raw emotions and vulnerabilities are fully exposed, like his heart being laid bare after getting cut open.

✂———————–

—[Heartfelt Reverie]— Video Timestamp: [31:37]

3:00 AM.

Monochrome liquid flows through a blood-collecting device into the vacuum tube as Lucien slightly loosens his tightly clenched fingers.

High-speed metal instruments hum without pause while the surrounding screens flash with streams of data—shifting graphs and numbers reflected in pairs of focused and urgent eyes.

Lucien shifts his gaze to the clock on the wall and speaks in a cold voice.

Lucien: We still need to make up eight hours.

After speaking, he tosses the cotton swab used to press against his vein into the trash. He removes his clothes and, assisted by the researchers, puts on monitoring equipment and a respirator before lying down in the experimental chamber.

According to his calculations, the data samples were originally expected to reach No. 58 today, leaving at most 39 hours until the No. 63 that he needed.

But an accident still happened. In his anxiety, he used space folding to bring the girl back to his room from the ruins.

Rationality told him he shouldn’t have done it. But he was desperate to confirm her real existence, to wash away the dirt and wounds that had tainted her.

Or rather, he had truly felt a certain fear, one that made it impossible for him to calmly leave her in any situation where another accident could occur.

However, the price was that the Evol fluctuations affected the experimental environment, briefly stalling the data progress.

Even the slightest deviation is something Lucien refuses to accept.

If the purpose of accelerating his pace before was to safely obtain the special sample and return to her as soon as possible…

…then now, he has an even stronger reason to race against time.

Lucien: If any abnormal fluctuations occur during the process, as long as the values don’t reach their peak, there’s no need to pause.

Lucien: Begin the experiment.

Lucien closes his eyes, letting the liquid engulf him.

In a trance, the complicated emotions from moments ago rise even faster than the water, suddenly making it hard for him to breathe.

The moment he realized he hadn’t received a message from her reporting her safety, the moment he saw that her flight had lost communication on trending—

—only then did he discover that a heart could contract this severely in an instant.

The stabbing pain in his chest spread along his nerves, making him instinctively furrow his brows and inexplicably take a step forward.

He didn’t know where he was going, nor did he even know why he was moving forward.

Perhaps he just didn't want to stay in place, or perhaps it was just a subconscious reflex of self-deception.

Broken pavement carried the lingering charred scent, and severed electrical wires hung down, scraping eerie marks onto the ground.

The world remained as monotonous and colorless as ever, as if this had always been its true color.

After walking aimlessly past several street corners, a streak of bright color crashed into his vision without warning.

She appeared so abruptly, like a grand hallucination, catching him completely off guard.

Lucien instinctively stopped in his tracks.

Suddenly, he recalled a moment from long ago. Beneath the camphor tree in early spring, he had seen that streak of a phantom that seemed almost real.*

Lucien: [gasps] ….

Lucien: It shouldn’t be like this.

Even though reason told him that there were countless possibilities that she wouldn't be here, an unreasonable certainty drove Lucien towards his only color.

Beep-beep

Somewhat distant sounds from the equipment scratch at his eardrums, and Lucien knows that the experiment is going smoothly.

It seems he can return to her side soon.

Not much time has passed. She probably won’t notice anything.

But she has always been sharper than he thought. If she picks up on something, what then?

In truth, he dislikes this kind of wavering irresolution and, even more so, the feeling of losing control to accidents.

Accidents are supposed to be challenges and abundant possibilities, not something that leaves him helpless and in a flustered mess like this.

But to ensure the experiment goes smoothly, he has no choice but to accelerate the process. This means he cannot be by her side all the time.

So, he chose the safest method at this stage.

Before leaving his room, he locked her inside a dream.

✂———————–

*: SOBBING at the every Not Planned On R&S/S1 Chapter 25 reference—I did not need to be reminded of his hallucination of her after her death every five seconds!! 😭 Also, oh my god, the constant mentions of his colorblindness and how she's the only color in his world… PG really loves twisting the knife for us XM stans huh😭💔

✂———————–

—[Part 5]—

Sure enough, by the next night, Lucien pushes open the door of his room and walks in, calmly picking up the duffel bag he had packed at noon.

Lucien: MC, we should go.

MC: ...Go home? So soon?

Lucien: Yes, but... there might be some complications along the way.

As he speaks, the air outside hums loudly, as if the aftershocks of distant artillery fire continuously ripple through the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, this trembling persisted for almost the entire afternoon, making me slightly uneasy.

Lucien: MC, although I know this is putting you in a bit of a tough spot...

Lucien: But the only way we can evacuate now is by helicopter.

MC: …!

My body nearly trembles on instinct.

But Lucien reacts even faster. He wraps an arm around my waist, his long, narrow eyes gazing deeply at me.

Lucien: I don’t want to make you afraid.

Lucien: If there were any better solution, I would never allow something like this to happen.

As he speaks, he holds out his palm toward me. On it lies a single white pill.

Lucien: MC, do you trust me?

Lucien: This is a sedative, and it has a safe composition. When you wake up, the first thing you see will be a safer place.

Boom—!

An even more intense blast slams through layers of air. This time, even the floor beneath my feet begins to shake faintly.

Looking into those unwavering eyes, I take a deep breath then pick up the pill and the water bottle.

MC: Have you got what you wanted?

Seemingly not expecting that I still have the mind to care about this matter, he freezes briefly, then his eyes crinkle into a smile.

Lucien: Of course, I never break my word.

MC: So, the state I’ll be in after taking it is also within your calculations, right?

Lucien: Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.

I feel relieved and swallow the white pill in one gulp.

In my dazed state, I suddenly feel a violent tremor—

At the same time, bursts of explosions ring out one after another, near and far. It’s as if the entire world is roaring, clamoring to rush toward me.

MC: …Ah!

I abruptly open my eyes, but my consciousness stays foggy, feeling nothing but the world spinning around me.

Until my vision slowly comes into focus, and I suddenly meet a pair of startled, slightly panicked eyes. My mind blanks out in an instant.

Lucien sits across from me, his face pale. Fresh blood seeps through his tattered shirt, snaking down his body in rivulets.

Each blast of distant artillery fire is carried by the raging wind, thrashing wildly inside the aircraft cabin. In the almost suffocating air pressure, my entire body trembles uncontrollably.

MC: Lucien!

I shout at him, my voice choked as all the unease and pain in my heart burst out at once.

His dark pupils shrink for a split second, but he immediately smiles reassuringly at me. He reaches out his hand toward me as if wanting to caress my cheek.

Brownish blood seeps from the bandaged wound on that well-defined hand, mingled with tiny grains of sand and grit.

Everything happens too suddenly. I stare blankly at the IV tube secured to his arm. As it sways and tugs, I catch a glimpse of faint bloodstains around the needle site on his hand.

Lucien: [comfortingly] MC, I'm fine.

Lucien: Close your eyes...

The howling wind and rain instantly swallow up his voice. I bite my lip hard, fighting to push words through

However, the helicopter suddenly tilts sharply to one side. I instinctively grip my seatbelt tightly, but the intense pulling force nearly overwhelms my shoulders and back.

Every bone in my body feels as if being torn apart, and my brain seems vacuumed of air.

My entire body is deathly stiff in my seat, only my heart pounding violently in my chest.

I can't help but shout at Lucien in front of me.

MC: Lucien! You Big Liar!!!

The person across from me freezes for a moment, as if struck by a sudden thought, then immediately shows a faint, particularly conceding smile.

Lucien: [why man sounds so thrilled-] Yes, I'm a big liar. It's all my fault.

MC: You even said it was all within your calculations. Was your injury part of that too?!

Lucien: I don’t mean to upset you on purpose, but none of these are serious wounds, so yes, they fall within my calculations.

MC: ...Y-you, stop talking! Don’t make me mad!

Lucien: Then just be angry. As long as you’re only mad at me, that’s fine.

MC: You bad guy!!

As he unintentionally or intentionally fans the flames, those crushing fears are unknowingly pushed out by anger.

By the time I regain my senses, I realize we’ve come to a stop on the deck of a cargo ship—

A foreign man stands not far away, greeting us with a friendly smile.

.

.

.

The cabin's guest room isn’t large, but it has all the essentials. Devoted medical personnel even come in to treat Lucien’s wounds.

Until they leave with the medical kit, I continue to stand not far away, watching him with a pained heart and furrowing my brows.

MC: Does it hurt?

Lucien: Are you still afraid?

The words we speak come out simultaneously, causing us to freeze in the same instant and then share a tacit smile.

Lucien: Hurts a lot, so come hug me, okay?

He knows I can never do anything about him.

I walk up to him, and he wraps his arms around my waist. His fluffy head leans against my chest, and for a moment, it feels like the tension melts away.

MC: …So now you realize you still have me.

Lucien: I can’t do it alone, after all. But I can’t always rely on you either.

Lucien: Even though I really want to.

Hearing the slightly aggrieved tone in his voice, I feel both exasperated and amused.

MC: If I had stayed asleep, were you planning to hide your injuries?

Lucien: Maybe. I'm sorry, MC.

MC: You big fool, it’s not like I’m blaming you for getting hurt.

Lucien: I know. I’m just really sorry for making you wake up early.

Lucien: The dosage of the sedative was precisely calculated by me. You were supposed to wake up only after we landed.

Lucien: But… we encountered an unexpected attack during the retreat, which delayed us for a bit.

He explains with excessive seriousness and caution, making my heart ache faintly.

While I've suffered trauma, he seems to have been wounded as well.

Those wounds are hidden in corners I can’t see, leaving me with nothing to do but press silent kisses onto his calm face, one after another.

Remembering the foreign man on the deck earlier, I can’t help but gently stroke his brows with some concern.

MC: Lucien, can we really trust these people and make it back to Loveland City without any problems?

Lucien: When the helicopter landed, I noticed the Holden Institute’s insignia on the ship’s stern.

Lucien: On the path from the deck to the guest rooms, a section of the wooden floorboards makes a subtly different sound when stepped on compared to the rest.

Lucien: It is highly possible that he used such a design to transport things he didn't want others to discover easily.

Lucien: Moreover, a considerable amount of this institute's funding comes from underground deals that can’t see the light of day.

Lucien: So I deduce that Holden uses this ship to transport collectibles for trade. Of course, the possibility of smuggling weapons can’t be ruled out either.

Lucien seems to notice my nervousness and gently places his palm on the back of my hand.

Lucien: More importantly, after the helicopter landed, I discovered an Evol-suppressing device that’s difficult to detect.

Lucien: Based on my past observations in the lab, I think there’s a high probability that this ship also carries research samples.

MC: ...Could it be that they also made an emergency transfer while evacuating?

Lucien: We can’t be certain yet, but I think they must’ve set quite a few backup plans in place.

MC: …Will what they're doing affect your objectives?

Lucien: It will have some impact, but it doesn’t matter.

Lucien: I won’t give them the chance. I’ll either find the item or no one will.*

Hearing him say that, I can’t help but feel a little worried and instinctively hold his hand.

MC: Let me help you too, okay?

Lucien: [gently whispers] Of course I need your help.

Lucien: I need you to keep staying well by my side and embracing me just like this.

His gentle whispers brush past my fingertips, but I feel a silent rejection and purse my lips a bit unhappily.

MC: Are you still afraid?

MC: Because of what happened before, you just want to put me in the safest place.

He doesn’t speak, as if this is yet another form of silent acknowledgment.

Relief and dread are intertwined. I’ve known for a long time that he buries his emotions even deeper than I do, which is why I need to embrace him tighter and for longer.

MC: I admit that the airplane incident scared me out of my mind, and even now, I’m still shaking.

MC: But I'm also worried that you'll be in danger, though I trust you, believe you can accomplish anything...

MC: Lucien, I want you safely by my side too.

His profound eyes are filled with my reflection. He simply gazes at me for a long time, as if this way he could lock me within them forever.

In the end, Lucien only tilts his head up and kisses me even deeper.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: The literal translation of that line is “I will either find the item or take care of/dispose of (it/him/them).” After discussing with Ivi, we decided to take some artistic liberties to capture this vagueness kskssk. The phrase "处理掉" (chǔ lǐ diào) is intentionally vague, literally meaning to dispose/take care of something. It's often used when something is taken care of through destruction, removal, or getting rid of something. It could mean he’s simply going to dispose of the item or eliminate the people involved or… both 👁️👁️

✂———————–

Part 6-> [Here]

[transformers-spike]

How would the transformers look in you medieval au?

Ohh boyy - so, keep in mind this is a cultural hodgepodge (with some European renaissance knight elements) To start off, their canon designs are integrated in the armors they wear. Now for a basic physical description of what's underneath: Megatron is a giant of a man, buff as hell despite being in his early 60s, big bushy eyebrows and an untamed beard, absolutely littered in scars. He looks terrifying. And his tits are massive. He still has his sharp teeth, although he had them sharpened back when he was a gladiator (to make him scarier) Starscream is a posh bitch in his late 40s and having the worst mid-life crisis about it. His hair's mostly grayed, he's got a carefully maintained chin-strip of a beard and often wears split capes that look like wings. He's got a few scars from Megatron's abuse, namely a crooked nose that refuses to heal right - also why he's using so much salve and other remedies for his chronic pain Optimus is also in his 60s, although he looks a lot more like a kind old man compared to his uh... ex homoerotic bestie. The Matrix of Leadership is a relic embedded into his chest, probably has a bunch of weird glowing scars from it too. Still pretty well-built for his age, although not as much as Megatron Soundwave is... well, we don't know his age. Only Megatron does at this point. He's the scariest by far, purely because he's covered from head to toe in dark colors. His face is shrouded, not a hint of skin is visible on him. And he's got Laserbeak, still - I'm tempted to make him a raven in this, it's the most intelligent bird I can think of

Dunno abt the others for now

[biblicallyinaccuratespoons]

Linked Universe Links Custom Skates Explained!

yeah, i'm really milking this, aren't i? based on this post of mine!

Close-ups and explanations under the cut!!

Legend: his in-lines were half custom built, half attacked with leather/vinyl paint and stickers. Marin painted the hibiscus while Ravio put on the rupee sticker and Legend was gifted the pink bunny. The toe protector was an add on by Ravio to tie in the magenta wheels. They’re a bit of a hodgepodge but Legend likes them.

Hyrule: his are hand-me-downs from someone in the chain. Wild, probably. Once he can actually skate he’s planning on getting a nice pair for himself. According to Legend these skates were once a nice light yellow.

Warriors: CUSTOM SUEDE MOXI SKATES. Yes i am dropping names in this lmao. He originally started the sparkly wheel kick the chain seems to be on. His other skate has the reverse stopper (stopper on the back) as his are specifically made for dancing. He religiously takes care of the suede and keeps his bearings perfectly cleaned and oiled, and his trucks perfectly loosened to his liking. Yes they were over $500. Yes they were worth it. If you were wondering: yes. The wheels light up too. i want them so badlyyyy

Wind: they were a regular pair of Rio skates that he let Tetra take leather paint to. She tried to paint the ocean but it turned out more like blue flames. Whatever, he likes them. They go fast and he had fun making them his. Once he stops growing he’s gunning for a better pair though, ones that go EVEN FASTER. my friend @/lunalia_121 on twitter helped me figure out the design of these!

Time: He bought his Riedells back in ‘86 and he’s NOT giving them up. These things go for $2000 now! He recently had to replace his wheels since they finally wore out (again, they’re ancient), Warriors convinced him to join the sparkly side. He has long ass laces that he has to wrap around his boot at least twice before they’re even manageable. Next time Warriors is gonna need to bring him to get new stoppers, they are just about worn out too. He also likes keeping his trucks nice and loose, a trait Warriors learned from him.

Wild: As i said; derby style skates. Flora painted the silent princess on his heel for good luck and he personally seeks out to murder anyone who makes him scuff it by accident. He skates for the Sheika team and therefore their logo is both on his helmet and scribbled onto his skates. tie up your goddess-damned laces

Twilight: HOWDY. YOU ASK I DELIVER, WHAT CAN I TELL YA? But no, I un-ironically love these. He found them on the internet and fixed them up. He loves them so much, the matte leather is always taken care of perfectly. When he’s not wearing them he keeps a skate key in them. Since they were kinda cheaply made the trucks and shocks are always wonky so he has to fix them up at the beginning of every night. He’s saving up to rebuild them.

Four: padded vinyl skates. They were originally made as dancing skates, but he just uses them for leisure. One of Warrior’s friends outgrew them so they sold them to Four for a good price. They’re a little much with all the gold and embellished stitching, but he likes them. He keeps up the different coloured wheels even if it means he buys Four packs when he needs more. Though, he doesn't have to buy a new set the next four times the wheels go wonky.

Sky: gimme these i need them so bad please please PLEASE!!! They were just plain blue Impalas when he bought them, Sun said they were too plain. Sky painted the design on the tongue and the clouds, Sun found the wings in a skate store and added on the details so they looked more like Sky’s bird, Crimson. Another perpetrator of the sparkly wheel agenda.

--- --- ---

the art of this took six hours from start to finish, so yeah, I'm really proud of it! i may end up making more of these if you like them, and if you draw any of the characters in these, tag me!!!!

[greenwingss]

Ooo I wanna know more about how the young stans were before they realized their feelings, let alone that they were courting eachother (is that the term? I'm not too familiar with bird aus)

most of the confusion probably comes from the fact i never elaborated on this bUT the wings are part of a curse on gravity falls!!!!! but since i am honestly kinda a sucker for the young stans i might. nudge that a bit so wings are a gene someone can have (invisible until they come in; 4-6, staying babydown for a year and growing in adult feathers at like puberty)

and courting might not be the term but it’s one one i’ve been using!! stuff like the bird-oriented courting (esp the less obvious stuff, and even then the obvious stuff would be considered ‘taboo’ both bc of the association with sex and also bc of discrimination against winged(probably with exceptions with white-winged birds bc of. angels. and america is very christianity centric)) wouldn’t be very researched (both bc of less bird research at the time and the aforementioned discrimination) so it’d probably go unnoticed for a while!!!

at some point ford might notice he’s doing some horned owl courting habits but bc stan’s not doing the courting habits typical for his bird (and also he’d probably been mistakenly placed as the same one as ford’s) he’d likely think the feelings were unreciprocated!! they’re not .

stan probably doesn’t really notice that what he’s feeling would be abnormal for a while (neither would ford; he just figures out first bc it’s not normal to court your sibling) bc he doesn’t really have any other frame of reference so he’s using a a hodgepodge of courting habits to ford for a while and probably only super notices this isn’t Normal in winged during his homeless era where he probably meets others like him!!!

[pccyouthleader]

Hedgehog Hodgepodge: A Story of Espionage, Confusion, and an Evil Plan Gone Haywire

Chapter 17: Stricken

“Have you seen the news this evening?” Amy asked Sonic as he returned from a long run on the beach. She was sitting in bed with a multitude of fluffy pillows behind her back. “I’m beginning to get worried.”

It hadn’t even been a whole day since Aurora left with Shadow, and the whole village was coming apart. 

Sonic sat on the edge of the bed unlacing his shoes. “You know I hate watching the news.” The main reason for that was Soar the Eagle. That bird-brained reporter was years past his prime, and needed to hang up his press badge. 

“This is serious, though,” Amy chided. “People all over the village have become ill, and nobody knows why! Just this afternoon, the receptionist at the museum had to leave early.”

“What are the symptoms?” Sonic asked, becoming only mildly interested.

“Feeling drained, loss of appetite, pale appearance,” Amy read from a news crawler on the TV screen. “Some people are complaining of a strange rash.”

“Well, I feel fine,” he said, doing a turn for her benefit. “How about you?”

Amy shrugged. “I’m feeling the drained part, but I think that has more to do with the baby than this mysterious sickness that’s going around. Apparently it started a couple of weeks ago, but now it’s spread all across the village!”

Sonic stared at her in disbelief. How were they just now getting this news? “I’d better check in with Tails,” he said, pressing a few buttons on his wrist communicator. “Hey, Tails!” he said aloud into the receiver. “You doing okay?” There was some garbled noise over the tiny speaker, then the staticky voice of his best friend came through.

“Sonic! I…” *kkkrrrrrrrtttt* “…trying to reach y…” *kkkkrrrrzzzzz* “…not what…”

“Tails! You’re breaking up! Are you okay?” Sonic yelled.

“…fine!…” *kkzzzzzzrrtt* “…weird that it’s not…” *kkkkrrrttt* Then the signal went out.

“He sounded okay, didn’t he?” Sonic asked, his brows knit together in concern. “He’s fine,” he finally determined. 

As he stared at his silent communicator, Amy had another idea. “Why don’t you try Knuckles and Rouge?” 

“Good thinking!” Sonic pressed a few more buttons, then started calling for Knuckles. “Hey Knux! Can you hear me?” But he was greeted with nothing but silence.

After a few minutes of waiting, Amy spoke up. “Well, they did go on a cruise. Maybe they aren’t within a signal range or something.”

“Yeah…,” was all Sonic could say. He didn’t particularly have a terrible feeling concerning his friends; it just would have been nice to know something for sure. But his hands were tied - he didn’t know their exact locations, and he couldn’t risk leaving Amy alone to go track them down. He finally resolved that they must be doing fine and could take good care of themselves. 

After washing up, Sonic joined Amy in the bed to watch the coverage. He had a nagging feeling that everything was connected, but couldn’t begin to determine how.

Suddenly Amy sat up, another look of concern washing over her face. “Has anyone checked on Sticks?”

—

Sonic yawned and stretched as he prepared to trek over to Sticks’ burrow. At least Amy had acquiesced the night before when he explained that it was too late to barge in on someone. But she was anxious for him to check on their friend, and had nearly shoved him out of the bed at daybreak.

“We really should have checked on Sticks before now,” Amy fretted as she readied herself for the day. 

“You know, if she’d wear her communicator, we could have checked on her before now,” Sonic grumbled.

Amy gave Sonic a withering look before continuing. “I can’t even remember the last time we laid eyes on her! What kind of friend ignores another when the outside world is in utter chaos?!”

“It’ll be okay, Ames,” Sonic reassured her. “Sticks is a loner anyway. I can’t imagine her even getting close enough to someone to catch something.”

Amy nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’ll just feel better when you’ve had a chance to talk to her.”

Sonic knew that was his cue, so he brushed Amy’s cheek with a kiss and gently patted her tummy. Then he took off at top speed, going over the placement of Sticks’ booby traps in his mind. The absolute last thing he wanted on this journey was to become a hedgehog kabob.

Upon arrival, Sonic thought Sticks’ burrow had been deserted. Leaves had blown against the door, and weeds had grown up around the various trinkets she had collected and placed in her front yard. There were no birds chirping or insects buzzing.

This is weird, Sonic thought as he moved quickly towards the door. He just missed being impaled by a wooden pole covered in slime.

“Sticks!” he called, rapping loudly at the round wooden door. For a long time, all Sonic heard was silence. Then something fell and clattered within the burrow. 

Sonic immediately spin-dashed and exploded through the door, surveying the mess within. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he searched the rooms of the small home. There in the kitchen lay Sticks, crumpled on the floor by the table.

Sonic wasted no time. He sped over to Sticks, scooping her up in his arms and gently placing her on the sofa. He zipped back to the kitchen to grab a rag and wet it with some cold water to lightly sponge over her forehead. After what seemed like ages, Sticks’ eyes finally fluttered open.

“Sonic?” she croaked, barely above a whisper. Her face was pale and thin, and her hair hung limply on her shoulders. 

“Sticks, what happened to you?” he asked, bewildered. 

Sticks lay silent for a long time, just laboring to breathe. Then she spoke in a raspy voice. “It’s the black smudge.”

“What?” Sonic asked. “You’re going to have to be more clear.” He was well-versed in Sticks’ strange ideas and conspiracy theories.

Sticks mumbled something incoherent. After taking another ragged breath, she clearly said, “Shadow,” before passing out again.

Fear crept over Sonic. Could Shadow have done something to hurt Sticks? He thought of Aurora, alone with him and with no way to contact her family. As his mind began to run wild with the memories he had of Shadow’s early attempts to destroy him and his friends, panic surged through his veins.

Sticks began to stir once again. She tried to speak, but her words dissolved into a coughing fit. Sonic ran to the kitchen for water, then helped her sit up to sip out of a mug. 

“If Shadow’s done something terrible to you, I’ll-” Sonic began, but his words were cut off when Sticks shook her head. After several more body-wracking coughs, she was finally able to explain in a scratchy voice.

“Not Shadow… the black smudge… the trees…” *cough* “Shadow saw it.” 

She then lifted her arm to show Sonic a bubbling black rash. It appeared as if the skin there was in a state of necrosis. He stared in horror at the breakout, then slowly lifted his hand. 

“Don’t touch it!” she screeched, pulling her arm away.

“Sticks…” Sonic began, lost for words. “How long have you been like this?” 

Sticks attempted to shrug her shoulders, but it took too much effort. “A month?” she responded, barely above a whisper. Her energy completely spent, Sticks lay back down and fell asleep.

Guilt ripped through Sonic as he remembered Amy’s words: “What kind of friend ignores another when the outside world is in utter chaos?!” If only she could see Sticks now.

“I’m sorry,” Sonic said with a catch in his voice. Tears began to flood his vision. “I’m going to figure out what’s going on and get you some help.” 

Pushing up from the side of the couch, he took one long, last look at Sticks’ sleeping form before walking out the door. As he headed away from the burrow, his brain was awash with different scenarios, and he breathed a sigh of relief that Shadow wasn’t the miscreant he feared.

Picking his way through the wooded jungle, Sonic went over in his head what Sticks had said. How he wished he could contact Shadow to find out more! What had she even meant by “the trees”? 

Suddenly he stopped. He didn’t want to, but Sonic lifted his face to look at the jungle around him. There, smeared on every tree in sight, was a black substance that looked like liquid metal. The dread that had floated just out of reach since he had found Sticks began to surface. Looking up, Sonic was able to move just before a big blob of the sticky goo dripped onto his head. With great haste, Sonic darted out of the jungle, anxious to tell Amy what he had discovered. 

Bolting through the door, he ran into the house shouting for her, but there was no answer. Sonic sat heavily in a chair at the dining room table and rested his head in his hands. It was just too much to absorb all at once.

An hour later, Sonic barely heard Amy come in the front door. She approached him to give him a big hug from behind, but stopped, a curious look on her face.

“Sonic?” she asked.

“Yeah, Ames,” he answered flatly.

“What’s that black stuff on your shoulder?”

[m0ssycobblestone]

Thinking about a Trigun au I made a while back that is super self indulgent with a side of projection /pos

I called it the Stale Donuts AU after the donuts I would sometimes get from H-E-B as a kid that, as far as I can remember, were always vaguely stale.

It is at its core, a modern AU–Cryptid Vash–Vashwood story hybrid hodgepodge thing that was also!!! Very much inspired by multiple fics I had either read or was reading at the time!!! And of course full of yummy delicious self indulgence and self projection with bits of me spread throughout like the stale donuts thing!!! Yippee!!!!!!

On to the bits and bops of the au itself in a very rambling way (I'm sorry):

Wolfwood is Mexican American and the main pov of the thing. He lives in an apartment with Livio, who's going to the local college (go girl go, get that higher education ✨). Wolfwood drives a motorcycle because why wouldn't he BUT he ALSO owns a motorcycle place where you can get shit repaired and customized an shit like that (I don't know vehicle things ITS A COOL IDEA I DONT KNOW IF ITS ACCURATE). Meryl also probably works there with him, because in my mind I can't for the life of me separate the thought of Meryl and driving things probably because I watched Stampede first but that's besides the point—we're ignoring that. Livio, Wolfwood, Meryl, and Milly were all friends in highschool (maybe they were in a shitty band?? That's a thought for a different day) and stayed friends into their adult lives (they all care about each other so much guys). ALSO this whole thing takes place in Texas, so AT SOME POINT one of them worked at Whataburger and one of them worked at a DQ I don't know WHO WAS WHERE but at LEAST ONE OF THEM I SWEAR.

Anyways

On his way to the motorcycle shop, Wolfwood passes the H-E-B and has to drive over a short bridge. Guess where he finds Vash.

One day he's coming home from work, and as he's crossing over the bridge he suddenly stops because JESUS CHRIST WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING. Illuminated by the motorcycle headlights, a large, feathered...something startles and crawls over the edge with a sound of pain, leaving behind a trail of blood. Yippee!! Vash makes an appearance!! Of course Wolfwood's freaked the fuck out by the bleeding thing under the bridge, yet for some reason he follows it anyway (I haven't really thought of anything except hey that thing looked kinda hurt and Melanie raised him with compassion ig so)(and I love stupid men). He sees that this giant bird is 100% actually kinda injured (imagine getting hit by a car) and manages to calm it down enough to help it out at least a little, but he's also kinda on his way home and can only see with a flashlight, so there's not much he can do. He does toss it a snack he found hidden in his jacket tho. After that whole cryptid nonsense, Wolfwood stops at H-E-B! (YIPPEEE!!) Livio sends him a text. "You should totally get me a donut from the bakery"

"Still can't believe you actually like those" he sends back, still getting a plain glazed for himself. He offhandedly wonders if the bird thing would like donuts.

The next morning, now armed with a first aid kit, he buys a donut and stops at the bridge, hoping the creature from before is still there. Oh hey look, the creature from before! Now that it's daytime, Wolfwood can clearly see that yeah, that thing is definitely hurt. He says hi, and the creature seems to recognize him from the night before, but still won't let him get close enough to fully see anything other than feathers and old scars. Donut time!! The perfect distraction!!! I don't know what kind of injuries Vash has, but whatever it is Wolfwood manages to patch it up at least a little bit while he's munching on the donut. I like to imagine he's at least a little bit good at caring for animals (specifically birds) because Tristamp Wolfwood taking care of Thoma chicks makes me ill (/pos) so uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh chickens. And maybe like, a cockatiel for fun. Miss Melanie had chickens and a cockatiel that the kids would help take care of. It ends up becoming a routine where Wolfwood stops at the bridge to chill with the bird cryptid every morning and evening. Eventually he ends up telling Livio, Meryl and Milly about Vash. He also very quickly figures out that Vash has human level intelligence and isn't just a giant freaky animal and Vash manages to communicate what his name is!!! Yippee!!!

In this Vash has the Big Bird™ cryptid form and a normal human one, but can't switch between them when he's injured (like being hit by a car) so it's really great that this random human guy is helping him out.

The first time Wolfwood sees Vash de-birdified is hilarious because he goes to the bridge like normal and sees feathers everywhere, no giant bird in sight, and a vaguely familiar naked blond man chilling in the middle of it all. As soon as he sees Wolfwood, his face lights up and he starts excitedly waving.

"Wolfwood!"

"Needle Noggin?!"

"Look I'm all better!!"

Plot wise, no fuckin clue where it goes from here, vibe wise fuck it we ball. All I know is hijinx ensues and it's great fun all around YIPPEEEEEEE!!!

I think that's all I got for now, might post more if I think of anything✨✨✨

[agentnico]

Top 10 WORST Movies of 2023

For every good movie there’s always a dozen stinkers, and 2023 brought out a lot of turkeys, and I’m not referring to all the poor birds that ended up in our bellies this Christmas season. It’s become a tradition for me every year to do a top 10 best and worst movies of the year list, and I tend to leave the top 10 best list till later as I catch up will the awards potentials, however with the bad list I get right on into it. There are of course many bad movies this year I didn’t see, as I don’t actively seek out to watch the bad ones, but I have heard that these following haven’t been the best: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Marvels, Indiana Jones 5, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Expend4bles, Children of the Corn, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey…… damn, a lot of films got a bad rep this year. Yet I have 10 other ones that I’ve seen that I thought were crap. Don’t worry if a film you loved ends up on this list, it will simply mean your opinion is wrong and your have to live with that. With that in mind, here’s my humble list of the shit-fest Hollywood had to offer in 2023…

10) ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA - Everything that is wrong with the current state of Marvel is exhibited on full display here. Lacking a sense of direction and exploiting the idea of the multiverse just for the sake of it, the movie is a dud. It feels like whilst trying to focus on going bigger and bolder, the movie lost the sense of fun that elevated the earlier instalments in the tiny hero’s franchise. Paul Rudd is still as charming and likeable as ever, however the introduction of Kang as the next MCU Big Bad is pointless seeing as this big baddie can be defeated by a bunch of ants. Don’t make no difference now anyway with Jonathan Majors losing the court case, but who in the first place thought “oh yeah, Kang is a badass who killed many Avengers, but a giant head of Corey Stoll should weaken him no problem”. Look, there’s no sugarcoating it - this movie is bad. Also, Bill Murray appears in this because…?

9) THE BEANIE BUBBLE - Zack Galifianakis without any facial hair is truly a sight to behold, but that’s not enough to make this fluffy yet bland behind-the-scenes look at the famous Beanie Babies toys even remotely interesting. It’s as if this film can’t bear (thank you) to show the creepier side of these toys, as this should have been a more darker and messed up tale, especially with the lightly implied institutional sexism. Oh well, that’s that then.

8) WE HAVE A GHOST - If ever there was a movie that fit more to the phrase “Netflix & Chill” then this is it, as you will be too busy banging your partner or your sock than caring about a silent speechless David Harbour creeping about Casper-like and being all quiet and mysterious. To be fair he’s the only redeemable quality as the rest of the movie is a mishmash hodgepodge of genres that is neither funny, nor effective in its family drama dynamic. At least seeing Jennifer Coolidge jump out a window was mildly amusing. Mildly. Anyway, where’s that sock?

7) THE OLD WAY - It is truly fascinating that after starring in over 100 films, this is Nicolas Cage’s first ever western. Aside from that mind boggling revelation, this movie comes out with less than a bang. I don’t know, I was hoping for something a bit more mad, especially with Cage’s involvement. Heck, in the movie’s opening sequence Nicolas Cage is introduced with a sprawling Poirot-like moustache, and immediately I assumed that I am in for something ridiculous. However following that scene the movie cuts to 20 years later, and with that both the moustache and the hope for something exciting or weird is diminished to singular unseen atoms.

6) FOOL’S PARADISE - The directorial debut from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Charlie Day (who also writes and stars), misfiring Hollywood satire Fool’s Paradise wastes a strong ensemble cast that also includes Adrien Brody, Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, Kate Beckinsale, Ken Jeong, Common, John Malkovich and the late Ray Liotta. Look, in a way I feel bad about including this film on this list, as you can tell this is a true passion project for Day and one that has good intentions by attempting to go back to the old-school slapstick Charlie Chaplin-era of comedy, with a lighthearted satire on the way the film industry works. In this case the result is neither sweet nor funny enough, and as such it’s an unfortunate misfire, but easily the most disappointing inclusion on this list.

5) GHOSTED - Adrien Brody’s crappy French accent in this movie I could have forgiven, if only I have not seen John Wick: Chapter 4 a couple of weeks prior where I experienced the most delightful Parisian mouthing of Bill Skarsgard’s villain, so now Brody’s French-ish slur sticks out like a sore thumb. What else sticks out is that Ghosted feels like a film from the early 2000s, featuring every cliche of the genre and with a romantic pairing of Chris Evans and Ana de Armas whom share zero chemistry. Their kissing scenes reminded me of that Andrew Garfield/Emma Stone SNL sketch where they don’t know how to kiss on camera, only in this case it’s unintentional. Also featuring a slew of pointless cameos, and I do mean pointless, this is a throwaway campy spy-action flick that is destined to be forgotten.

4) THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER - Billed as the true sequel to William Friedkin’s original horror masterpiece, it really shouldn’t have strived for that. Ellen Burstyn’s return is a waste. For those excited to see her, she’s only in 3 or 4 scenes total, and the creative choices made with her character are such a disservice to the original movie. Without spoiling, it’s a choice that seems to be inspired by the modern woke culture, with Burstyn’s Chris having being studying the art of exorcism ever since the events that transpired with her daughter, and then when questioned about why she herself did not partake in her daughter’s exorcism she blames the patriarchy. The choice of bringing her into this narrative and then what happens to her…it’s basically taking a classic character and making them dumb. I must say though that the only actual shocking moment in the movie comes in a scene involving her character, and though that moment itself is memorable, the build up towards it is so stupid. Also, with the return of Burstyn it comes as no surprise within the movie when a certain other character pops in for a cameo. Does it add anything to the movie’s story? No, it’s just there for cheap fan service. As for the movie itself, the horror hardly works. It’s not scary at all and you really shouldn’t believe in this one.

3) THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE - Yeah, I know, my inclusion of this film on the list will rattle some feathers, but I don’t care, as for any of you pricks out there thinking that stupid “Peaches” song deserves an Academy Award nomination, you guys are stupid and must be high on some very powerful shrooms. If so, I hope you’re having a great trip, but the fact stands that this movie is bad. Simply doing fan service for the sake of fan service don’t make for a good narrative. Me and my friend were bored throughout, as this movie is 100% for kids. There are nostalgic elements to it all, but I do believe that Illumination and Nintendo should have followed more in The Lego Movie’s footsteps and targeted the film for audiences of all ages, due to the fact that many who grew up with Mario are now adults themselves.

2) LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND - So much wasted potential. A long drawn-out slow shuffle to Nowheresville. A movie that offers so many ideas, plot points, and thread lines that are never answered or go anywhere. In Leave the World Behind things are truly happening under the motto “just because” and “why the hell not” and it makes the viewing experience immensely frustrating. Especially when the movie is nearly 2 and a half hours long and the anticlimactic abrupt ending is a slap to your face for wasting your time. Oh, and if I weren’t a fan of the Friends show before, now more so than ever.

1) 65 - Right ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to ask you all so kindly to rise up from your seats and give a humongous round of applause to 65 - the 2023 film to exhibit qualities of a top contender of the worst movie of this year. Look, I’m disappointed as you are. Adam Driver fighting dino-dinos’?! You’d be a madman to not want to see that! However here’s 65′s first mistake: there actually aren’t that many dinosaurs, let alone fights with them. I know right, I can sense the resounding aura of you, my kind audience, in unison thinking “what the f***?”. Exactly, what the fudge indeed. No, instead what we get is a couple of somewhat thrilling dinosaurs interactions, but overall the movie is just Adam Driver and this little girl walking. Just walking. Walking and whistling. Bunch of jackasses.

That’s it - we did it! Now I can happily forget I ever watched any of these and mentally prepare for what wonders of stupidity 2024 will bring to the big screen. As for my Best Movies of 2023 list, don’t worry, it’s a-coming. Still need to watch The Boy and the Heron and Poor Things and then all will be revealed…

[madhatterbri]

Easter | A.S. and C.S.

Summary: Fic pairing: Alex Shelley x Fem!Reader x Chris Sabin (I like fics that use “you” and petnames instead of Y/N, but tbh I’m good with whatever’s best for you! 💙Spring Prompt: After a long Easter Day visiting family, the trio comes home and takes advantage of the nice weather, setting up a projector out in the backyard to watch a movie and relax. Reader is still overstimulated from all the socialization, and the boys decide to give her something else to focus on when the movie doesn’t seem to cut it. I’d love some *spice* if you’re feeling inspired! Otherwise, go wild, who doesn’t love some good ol’ tooth-rotting fluff!

Requested by: Anonymous

Alex Shelley Masterlist

Chris Sabin Masterlist

WWE Masterlist

Taglist: @smallestsnarkestgirl @hodgepodge-musings @cowboywritersworld @magicalbuttertarts @letsgivethisonemoreshot @blackwingedmisanthrope

The car ride home was painfully quiet. There was no sound from the three occupants inside or the radio. Even the birds that were once chirping outside were now quiet. The silence was something you were grateful for.

The noise back at your mother's house had been nonstop. Laughter, people chewing loudly or humming as they ate, and the screams of children had long overstimulated you the moment you walked through the door. Your boyfriend, Alex, was also tense at the chaos. Your other boyfriend, Chris, was calmer about the chaos. The noise wasn't the worst part.

Children had sticky fingers from candy and coloring the eggs with paint. The smell of perfumes, colognes, and food added to the mix. A couple of times, you felt your stomach ache from the smells. You were happy to be out of there.

You walked in the bedroom and laid down in the California king-sized bed. Your eyes stared at the white ceiling above you. Tense muscles started to relax, but it still wasn't enough. You didn't know the boys were planning something until Chris knocked on the door.

"Come in," you called out. Your gaze never left the ceiling. Out of your peripheral, you could see Chris come in quietly and close to the door behind him.

"I just wanted to check on you, honey, is everything okay?"

A loaded question. Things were a lot better now since time was distancing the Easter dinner disaster.

"I will live, Chris. Thanks for asking."

You half expected him to leave to play video games with Alex. Maybe they would even practice some music in the garage. The younger of the two men needed some time to unwind as well.

"Well, when you are ready, Alex and I have a surprise for you in the backyard."

"Please tell me it isn't an Easter egg hunt with more melted candy," you groaned and covered your eyes.

"Hey," he chuckled. "Alex took a really long time hiding all the eggs, and it was really hard leaving those candy to melt outside for a werk before you came in."

Your lips curled into a smile. Chris grabbed your hand and kissed the back of it. His thumb slowly caressed your fingers and hand. "Whenever you are ready, honey. Take all the time you need."

He gave your hand back to you and left the room. After a few minutes, curiosity got the better of you. The boys weren't really ones to plan anything so last minute. You stood up from the bed and went to the backyard.

The boys were lying on a blanket under the stars. A blanket that had her favorite drinks and snacks on it. A projector stood on a cart behind them, and a white blanket hung from the awning of their house.

"All your favorites, sweetie, no yelling or melted candy or screaming."

You walked through the grass and laid down between them on the blanket. They laid down next to you. Chris rubbed your arm gently while Alex caressed your clothed stomach. Alex pressed the remote for Moulin Rouge to play. Within seconds, the movie started to play. After thirty minutes, you were still frustrated.

"I'm sorry, guys, it isn't working. I just can't focus," you sighed and sat up. Fingers snaked through your hair. Tears begged to fall. The Easter dinner with your family was a horrible idea. Alex paused the movie before turning his attention to you.

"Hey, hey," Alex spoke softly. He rubbed your back and kissed you. A thought popped in his head. He asked you a question against your lips. "How about we try something else?"

"Like what?" You asked. Alex winked at Chris.

Chris sat up behind you. He slowly slid the dress zipper down your back. When he was finished, his hand rested just above your knee before rising up slowly. Your breath hitched in your throat.

"Out here?" You squeaked. Alex kissed your lips and led you to lay back on the blanket. Chris raised your dress up slowly. His thumbs rub the fabric between your legs.

The movie may not have made you forget about your bad day, but their actions certainly did.

[cozygirlcorner]

Welcome.

I want you to imagine yourself in a forest. Not with scary wolves, or god awful mosquitos. A forest that you would read about in a fairytale. It's warm, but not too warm. There are mossy tree trunk benches. The birds are chirping. The air smells so fresh. You can hear a bubbling stream in the distance.

Suddenly, you come upon a large tree with....a door? How odd. But everything feels so nice that you decide to investigate, so you walk up to the door and knock.

A squirrel answers and invites you in for tea. Or coffee if that's what you like. He has some woodland friends coming over in a bit that he'd like you to meet. You notice his hodgepodge of mismatched furniture. It all looks well worn and very soft. There are knitted blankets and little poofs on the floor for resting your feet. He has a small window open and you can feel the breeze. And is that the tinkle of wind chimes you hear?

It feels so cozy that you close your eyes for a brief moment, and fall asleep, tumbling down into the land of dreams.

That's what this page is. That cozy feeling you got in Mr. Squirrel's tree house in the forest. I'll be sharing news stories, but only the feel good ones, recipes, crafts, life stories, pictures of baby animals, and more. This is just a feel good space for us all to relax into. I'm so excited to get started, and I hope you all will stick around and be my friends. :)

[hmshermitcraft]

Pirates are swag but what about space pirates!!

The hermit's ship is massive, larger than most pirating ships. The hermits don't need the stealth of speed that other crews have, even though they still have both thanks to doc and tango being absolutely insane with upgrades.

The name changes depending on who you ask. to xisuma, the captain and navigator, the ship is called hermitcraft. To grian, the resident pesky bird and main thief, it's called the barge and doc insists on calling it the hermatrix. One thing everyone on crew can call the ship is Home.

Etho is a mechanic who generally minds his business and seemingly lives in the vents and his partner Cleo is in charge of distraction tactics whenever they go in for a pillage. She has the ability to string up people like mannequins, which is as terrifying as it sounds. Their partner Bdubs is a gardener and makes sure that food and o2 levels are doing good.

Jevin is a stowaway that they didn't notice arriving but can't remember not having, and being made of goop allows for incredible stealth at high speeds. Wels comes and goes, on and off the ship usually whenever he feels like it but when he is around, jevin will goop on over to "annoy" him. Wels secretly loves it.

Etho found doc when he was a kid and they stuck together until beef and Bdubs found them both and rounded them up to join the crew. Nobody knows what doc is exactly, just that he's physically unstable and keeps changing from in times of stress or excitement. The only thing that stays consistent is the prosthetics and the Crocs.

Xisuma couldn't be more proud of his crew. Theyre a big hodgepodge of love, some romantic, some platonic, some familial, but that's why they're so strong against adversaries. They aren't coworkers or business partners, they're family.

Even as he takes a step back from being the captain to play music through the intercoms, he knows he'll never leave them behind.

Technology exists on their ship that doesn't anywhere else. A side effect of Doc and Tango's tinkering, Impulse and Mumbo's focus on efficiency and Zed and Etho's completely bizarre ideas that somehow work. They're undefeated in a fight (well, besides that one time they lost on purpose as a trap but that doesn't count.)

They also work hard to make sure nobody is left behind. Hermits come and go, but they never lose the protection of the family.

Jevin occasionally joins Wels on his jobs. And despite how he lives to annoy Wels, Wels never complains. When it comes down to it, Jev knows how to get a job done fast. And it's no way related to how that gets Wels home faster.

Etho often uses the vents as a way to reach Bdubs' gardens. It's the quickest way there, plus Etho is probably already in one! Then it's just a quick tuck and roll and the sound of Bdubs screaming. No matter how many times, Bdubs still jumps. And Cleo still laughs at him for it.

Nowadays, they don't feel the need to pillage as much. They're pretty much self-sufficient. But, they are known to take down the occasional corrupt corporation or government - just to keep things exciting.

[foundtherightwords]

The Firebird - Chapter 8

Pairing: Prince Paul (Catherine the Great) x OFC, Fairytale AU

Summary: When Paul, a spoiled young prince, spots a strange bird in the forest near his palace, he impulsively chases after it, hoping to both escape from and prove himself to his disapproving mother. Thus he is plunged into an exhilarating adventure across a magical realm populated by enchanted princesses, dangerous monsters, and powerful wizards, an adventure that may change him more than he can ever imagine.

Chapter warning: brief mention of blood and violence

Chapter word count: 5k

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7

Chapter 8 - The Kidnapping of Elena the Fair

They came down the mountains the next day, and, after crossing a small meadow, entered a taiga full of pines. The forest here was wilder than those of Smorodina on the other side of the mountains, the pines growing close together, throwing dark shadows across their path, forming a near-impassable wall around a castle in the distance. Though also made of wood, this castle was almost free of embellishments and gilding, and as austere as Afron's castle was flamboyant. The trees were so thick that Paul had to leave the saddle and take the donkey by the reins, while Zhara flew ahead, her feathers gleaming like a beacon, leading toward the castle. The gloom of the forest made Paul anxious, and he tried to keep an eye out for wild animals, especially those with medallions around their necks, but so far, the place seemed to be quiet.

Finally, the trees thinned, and they heard voices in the distance. Zhara returned to her hiding place under Paul's cloak just as they came to a large clearing, where a lake lay rippling in the twilight, reflecting the pines and the castle. Women, old and young, were gathering flowers and herbs and ferns, singing all the while, their melodious voices undulating like the waves of the lake, like the soft breeze around the clearing. The song brought memories of childhood flooding back in Paul's mind, of songs his old nurses and the Palace servants used to sing while they worked, before they were reprimanded by the grand chamberlain for singing peasant music.

At the edge of the clearing, close to the castle, men were building a large bonfire and setting up tables for a banquet. A young birch tree was placed near the bonfire, and more women were busy decorating it with flowers and fluttering ribbons.

"Is there some fete going on?" Paul asked a woman sitting on the edge of the clearing, expertly weaving wildflowers and grass and herbs into wreaths.

She looked him up and down, eyeing his hodgepodge clothes with mistrust, before answering shortly, "'tis Kupala Night tonight."

This meant nothing to Paul, and he was about to ask what exactly Kupala Night was when he felt a tug from Zhara in his pocket. Not wanting to repeat the mistake of ignoring her warning, he thanked the woman and retreated into the forest. Here, he tied the donkey near a juniper bush full of ripening berries, and Zhara gestured that they should wait. When torches started to light up around the clearing, she emerged from behind the bush in her sarafan and approached Paul.

"This is perfect," she said, as a procession of torches moved from the castle down into the clearing like a column of fireflies.

"Why? What is Kupala Night?"

"It's the Summer Solstice. Don't you celebrate it in your world?"

Paul shook his head. Summer was the time for hunting and country parties; the Solstice, which sounded pagan, must have been forbidden. He had never heard of Kupala at any rate.

"Well, everybody is coming here to celebrate, and then the young people go into the forest in search of the Fern Flower to divine their future," Zhara explained. "Elena will certainly be there. We'll join the fete. She knows me, so I shall find an opportune moment to lure her away on her own. You'll lie here and wait for my signal, perhaps something like this"—she pulled at her earlobe—"and then you'll snatch her—"

"How?!"

Zhara's calm façade cracked. "I don't know!" she said in a furious whisper. "I've never kidnapped anyone before!"

Paul clutched at his head in frustration. "But her mother is protective," he said. "Won't she have guards?" The more he thought about this kidnapping scheme, the more harebrained it seemed to him. After the trouble they'd had with Afron, he was terrified of putting another foot wrong. In the tale, Prince Ivan manages to take Elena the Fair away, only to be murdered by his jealous brothers. Paul didn't have to worry about that at least, but what about Zhara?

"Not on Kupala Night. Kostroma will expect the people to protect their tsarevna." Seeing that Paul was still hesitating, she turned back and took his hands. "It'll work," she said. He nodded, feeling slightly more at ease, less because of her words and more because her hands felt reassuring in his. She tilted her head, regarding him for a moment or two, and added, "You may want to lose that wig though, if we are to blend in."

"What is wrong with my wig?" Paul grumbled, though by the glint of mischief in Zhara's eyes, he knew she was teasing him.

"Nothing. Only... why do you wear it all the time? Don't you have your own hair?"

"Of course I have hair!" Paul cried indignantly, snatching the wig off and throwing it to the ground to prove his point.

Zhara grinned, satisfied. "That looks much better," she said. "Now you look like a man and not a bolonka."

"What's a bolonka?" Paul asked suspiciously.

"You don't have bolonki in your world? It's an animal, a type of pet, I suppose. About the size of a hedgehog, with lots and lots of curly hair. I never like them because they have sharp teeth and love to bite, but they're very popular with the ladies in court." She looked at him again with appreciative eyes. "I like you much better this way." Without thinking, she reached up to brush Paul's short brown curls away from his forehead. As her fingers touched his hair, however, she seemed to remember herself and jerked her hand back, blushing scarlet. "Shall we?" she said and walked into the clearing, leaving Paul standing there in wonder.

A moment later, he recovered his wits and followed.

Most of the older people were standing around the bonfire, which remained unlit, looking up at the castle expectantly. By and by, a procession of young men and women came into the clearing, carrying tapers, singing the same song the women had sung. At the head of the column, riding on the back of a white horse, was a young lady that Paul immediately knew to be Elena the Fair—with her hair worn loose down her back like a sheet of gold, her skin gleaming like porcelain in the torchlight, and her perfectly proportioned features, no one else could have borne that name. With a wreath of daisies and ferns on her head, in a simple white frock, she approached the center of the clearing like a goddess, not looking at any of them but smiling upon all, as though graciously allowing them the privilege of admiring her.

All the men had their eyes fixed on her. Paul, too, found himself staring open-mouthed at this vision of beauty, thinking, Yes, I could fall in love with her. Easily. Then, as though she could read his mind, he heard Zhara's voice right by his ears, "Well, now that you've seen her, what do you think?"

He turned to find her standing next to him. As soon as he saw that freckled, elfin face, those twinkling amber eyes, and that wide mouth twisted into a playful grin, the spell was broken. He looked back at Elena and saw that her eyes were bored, her radiant smile was forced, and her perfectly symmetrical face was lifeless. He couldn't imagine that a mere moment ago, he'd thought he could fall in love with her.

"I—I don't know what to think," he replied. "She's very beautiful, but—"

He cut himself off, for a hush had fallen over the clearing. Even the music had stopped. Coming up from behind Elena, on another horse, was an older, regal-looking woman, with the same golden hair, though slightly faded, and the same features, though a little heavier and more severe.

"Tsarina Kostroma," Zhara whispered to him, but Paul didn't need an introduction. He could have guessed the lady's identity from her air of imperial dignity and her harsh, fierce eyes, which reminded him so much of his mother's. As she swept those eyes over the crowd, he almost shrank back out of habit, and got angry with himself for it.

The tsarina raised her arms. "Good people of Bryansk," she said, her deep, sonorous voice echoing all around the clearing. "Tonight, on the eve of the Summer Solstice, we are gathered once again to give thanks to the gods and goddesses of the forest and the field, of the river and the mountains, and pray that they continue to grace us with their blessings for another year. Let the festivities commence!"

Someone handed her a torch, which she put to the bonfire. A cheer went up along with the flames. The wreaths were handed out to all the girls. Thus adorned, they joined the boys and ran, giggling, to the lake, where they all plunged in, some in their chemises, others, more daring or practical, wearing nothing at all, shrieking in alarm and delight at the cold water, and started swimming around, boys and girls together.

Zhara had gone ahead and was already in the water by the time Paul arrived. "Come on in!" she urged, with only her head poking out of the water, duckweed scattered over her long red braid like tiny emeralds.

He wavered at the edge of the crowd, unsure. "But what about the—the rusalkas and the vodyanoys?"

"They dare not attack on Kupala Night. Come on, the water's delicious!"

And indeed, Paul could spy, in the distance, a group of those pale-skinned, sharp-teeth, green-haired young ladies, huddled together amongst the reeds on the lakeshore, watching the bathing humans with envy. He suddenly felt sorry for them.

"Poor things," he said, mostly to himself.

Zhara tipped her head to the side. "Why?"

Paul took off his boots and sat down by the water's edge, trying not to notice how her curves kept appearing and disappearing between the folds of her chemise, under the water. "They remind me of when I was a child, looking in at the balls and parties of my mother's court." Even as he said so, those memories were fading, their painful grip on him loosening.

Zhara waded closer and rested her arms on the grassy bank, peering up at him with those inquisitive eyes, searching for something only she knew. Then, without warning, she tugged at his wrist and pulled him into the water.

Paul surfaced, spluttering, to find her laughing at him. He was prepared to be annoyed, but the sound of her laugh, warm, infectious, playful, made him splash at her instead. He grinned at the look of shock on her face.

"Wait 'til I catch you, you rascal—" she yelled. A splash of water hit him square in the face.

"Not if I catch you first!"

Laughing, they chased each other around the lake, weaving in and out between the other swimmers, who were also racing each other like a flock of excited swans or a school of fish. Amongst all that laughter and all those bodies, so exuberant, so alive, Paul forgot about Elena the Fair, about Tsar Afron and the horse with the golden man, about elusive witches and murderous brothers. All he cared about was to find Zhara and feel her warmth against him. He managed to catch her once and hold her, before she wriggled away, slippery as a minnow.

Then, still laughing, dripping wet, the young people climbed out of the lake, pulled their clothes back on—Paul turned away so he didn't see how Zhara's chemise was molded to her body—and returned to the feast. Famished after their swim, they got stuck into the pies and cakes and porridge and the sweet, heady wines. Music started up from somewhere, perhaps from the very trees and field surrounding them, and they danced around the bonfire, all together in a circle and in pairs, to the wildly joyful sound of drums, flutes, and the lilting voice of the gusli, until their clothes were dry and they were breathless with singing and laughter. Paul felt as though he was in a dream, a vivid, wondrous dream, and yet, for all the vibrant music, the glowing fire, and the joyous laughs, it was the feel of Zhara's hand in his and the sight of her face beaming up at him that stayed with him forever afterward, more real than real.

When the bonfire began to dwindle, the decorated tree was taken down and fed into it. As the flames roared once again, the young people paired off and, hand in hand, started leaping over the fire.

"Anyone that fails or refuses to jump will suffer misfortune for an entire year," Zhara told him.

"Best not risk it then," Paul said, grabbing her hand. "Shall we?"

She smiled at him, half taken aback, half excited, and squeezed his hand to show her readiness. There was no hesitation. They ran at the fire and jumped over it in one single bound. Paul felt as though he, too, had been transformed and sprouted wings.

But wings he had not, for he stumbled as he landed and went sprawling on the ground, pulling Zhara down with him. They rolled over the grass to the edge of the clearing, giggling like two children caught at some mischief. Zhara's wreath fell onto Paul's face, which set off another fit of giggling. Paul picked it up and set it back on her head, tucking a strand of loose hair under it.

"I didn't realize your eyelashes were so long," Zhara said, hot breath ruffling those very lashes. "I quite envy them."

He realized they were in the same position they had been the morning after the avalanche, with her lying half atop him, her face mere inches from his. Only this time he didn't push her away. Something seemed to hang in the air between them like a strand of cobweb, fragile and almost imperceptible but unbreakable, while he let his hand linger on her cheek and she moved closer, closer still, whether because he was drawing her to him or because she was leaning down willingly, he couldn't tell. He only knew that she was now so close he could see her darkened irises surrounded by a ring of gold, so close he could count the freckles—all seven of them—that curved around the corner of her lips, could almost feel those lips brushing his...

"By Alkonost and Sirin," she muttered, and her weight on him lifted. "Elena. We must go."

Sitting up with more than just a little disappointment, Paul discovered that the fete had broken up. Some girls were floating their wreaths over the lake for the boys to catch on the other side, while others, in pairs or groups of three and four, were walking into the forest together, laughing excitedly about finding the Fern Flower. Elena was among these, more or less being dragged by the hand by several other girls.

He got to his feet and followed Zhara toward the pines. It was much darker here, with only the fitful flames of the torches carried by some of the boys shining through the dense trees, but that didn't slow Zhara down. She led Paul straight back to where the donkey was standing. "Wait here and stay hidden. Be ready to seize her when I give the signal," she said, before running off and melting into the dancing flames in the distance.

Oh, how he wished he could have seized her and held her close and pressed his lips to hers, to see if that sarcastic mouth could kiss as well as it taunted and teased. But this was no time for such thoughts. Paul glanced guiltily at the donkey, who was patiently foraging for grass around the juniper bush, as if it could read his mind. He tried to concentrate on the matter at hand. How does one kidnap someone? How can they subdue her? Afron would probably not thank them if they delivered his bride to him all black and blue. Paul looked at their supplies—they had some ropes. He could perhaps throw his cloak over her head, as he had done to the wolf, to disorient her, and then gag her and tie her up...

For the love of all the Saints, was he really considering doing such things to a young woman? If only things were simple as in the stories! But if things were like the stories, then he must certainly fall in love with Elena, and he wasn't sure he would want that, not when Zhara's eyes and lips and smiles were all he—

Voices rose near, startling Paul out of his contemplation. He peeked through the juniper and saw Zhara and Elena coming toward him, clutching each other's arms, both speaking urgently. They stopped a few steps away from where Paul was hiding.

"—you shouldn't be here," Elena was saying. This close, she looked less perfect but more approachable. "There are those who believe you are an evil sorceress and a murderer—"

"But not you, Lena? Not your mother?"

"My mother has never liked Illarion. But if he comes searching for you, she will give you up to keep me safe. You must go, Zharissa." The two girls must be good friends indeed, for them to call each other by these pet names.

"I'm going, but I need your help..." Zhara gave a furtive look at the juniper bush and tugged at her ear. In the bush, Paul stretched the length of rope between his sweaty hands, trying to gauge the right moment to spring out. His movement caused the bush to rustle, and Elena glanced at it, frowning. "Please, Lena!" Zhara said quickly, pulling at Elena's arm to turn her back toward the bush. Paul's hands shook.

"Of course. What can I do?" Elena asked.

It was clear that Zhara hadn't thought this far. She mumbled, while still furiously tugging at her ear, "I—I need food and—and—some clothes—and—"

"Where do you plan to go?" Before Zhara could answer, Elena glanced at the donkey. "Is that yours? Be careful about tying him next to that hemlock, he may eat it and become sick."

Her comment about the donkey, incongruous as it was, made Paul realize that Elena was far too kind, far too trusting. He couldn't hurt her.

"You can come with us to see Tsar Afron," he said, standing up from the juniper bush.

At the sound of Paul's voice, Elena whirled around.

"Who in Veles' name are you?!" she cried.

Zhara glared at him. "He is with me," she said through gritted teeth. "He's—he's not from here."

"I'm Pavel Petro—" he started to introduce himself, paused, and corrected himself. "I'm Paul," he said with a bow, because old habits die hard.

Zhara continued to glare at him, her eyes wide, mouth working furiously in a way he'd started to recognize, so he turned to her, pleading, "We need not do this. She's your friend! If you betray her, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!" At this, Zhara's murderous look softened. Encourage, Paul went on, "We can try to convince her—"

"Convince me to do what?" Elena chimed in. "And what is this about Tsar Afron?"

Zhara let out a deep, wearied sigh. Turning to Elena, she quickly explained about their need for the Golden Horse and Afron's demand. Elena listened carefully, while her eyes, of a green so dark they appeared almost black, like the pine trees around them, glinted with a light that Paul found familiar. He recognized in it the impatience and eagerness he himself had felt, the impatience that had prompted him to chase after the firebird through the forest of Tsarskoye Selo.

"I shall go with you," eventually Elena said.

"You—you'll marry Afron?" Zhara asked.

"I said, I shall go with you," Elena repeated, "and talk to Afron. Perhaps I can persuade him into lending you the horse."

Zhara turned to Paul, and he saw his hope reflected on her face. Could it work? Could they appeal to Afron's courteous nature? Could it be that simple?

"What about your mother?" Zhara asked.

A look of worry marred Elena's perfect face for a brief moment. Then she pressed her lips together. "She is going to let me make my own way in the world, sooner or later," she said, removing the wreath from her head and tossing it aside in one swift, resolute movement. "Let's go."

"What, now?" Paul said, astonished. "Without supplies or preparations? It will take us a week to reach Afron's at least!" This was the one thing the tales never mentioned—what the hero ate along the way, where he slept, how he managed to survive months of traveling—but Paul had had first-hand experiences with it and did not wish to repeat the days of wandering the fields and villages like a beggar, not knowing where his next meal was coming from.

"If I go back, my mother will never let me leave again," Elena said. "We must go now."

Paul turned to Zhara, who only shrugged and untied the donkey. It appeared he was outnumbered. So he shrugged as well and followed the girls out of the forest. Well, perhaps they could live off the land again. He didn't relish it, but it hadn't killed him yet.

The fete was drawing to a close now. The voices from the clearing had faded, with only the occasional giggle coming toward them from some corner of the forest, and some moans as well, as they came across a blending of two shadows. All three turned crimson, and then the girls caught each other's eyes, burst into laughter, and went ahead, leaving Paul to struggle with the donkey, who was reluctant to leave the safety of the juniper bush to stumble through the forest at midnight. Paul couldn't really blame the animal, for he felt the same.

At last, they saw the familiar shards of Perun's Crown rising above the tree tops. Paul pulled the stubborn donkey forward, eager to be free of the oppressive forest. Zhara and Elena were a few steps ahead of him, Zhara holding up a small flame on her finger like a taper. They ducked under some low-hanging boughs and stepped out from the last line of trees separating the forest from the meadow.

Suddenly, Elena fell back with a scream, thrown by an invisible force, and landed on the forest floor. Letting go of the reins, Paul rushed over to help her up, just as Zhara ran back.

"What happened?" Zhara asked.

"I don't know," Elena replied, brushing the pine needles from her hair. "Something slammed into me..."

"Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm all right. Let's go."

The three of them went together. Again, Elena staggered back just as she reached the trees, while Zhara and Paul moved past them with no trouble.

"Something is stopping her from leaving," Zhara said, as they helped Elena to her feet.

Out of the corner of his eye, Paul spied some movement amongst the trees. A pair of glowing spots appeared on the pines, and the boughs lifted like arms. A leshy. No, not just one. Paul's stomach dropped when several more pairs of eyes blinked into life all along the rank of trees. A whole column of leshies, rising together.

"Tsarevna Elena," one of them spoke. "You are not to leave Bryansk."

Elena's nostrils flare. "What?! Move aside at once!"

The line of leshies took one step forward, bearing down on the three of them. "You are not to leave," the head leshy repeated.

"On whose order?"

"The Tsarina's," the leshy replied, and Elena went pale.

Zhara made a frustrated sound. "We don't have time for this," she said. "Paul, give me your sword."

"What are you going to do?" Paul asked, fumbling for the broken sword he still wore on his belt, for Afron had neglected to provide them with weapons.

Without a word, Zhara rolled up her sleeve, took the sword from him, and, before Paul could stop her, made a cut on her palm. "No!" Paul shouted, but she only calmly returned the sword to him and smeared the blood over both of her hands. Elena looked on, horrified.

Fire erupted from Zhara's hands, but it wasn't the usual flame she used to light their fire or illuminate their way at night. This was a furnace, hot enough to scorch Paul's cheek even when he stood far back. Zhara advanced towards the leshies, the two fireballs blazing in her palms.

"Move aside," she ordered.

"We have no quarrel with you, Lady Zhara of Arthania," the head leshy said. "You and your mortal can leave."

"Not without Elena."

The leshy didn't reply, only took another step forward. Its comrades followed suit. Zhara threw a fireball at them. Fire roared, spreading quickly across the rank, swallowing the leshies in flaming red tongues. The creatures howled and beat at the flames with their boughs, sending up a spray of sparks and suffocating smoke. The donkey shrank away from the conflagration, braying in terror. Paul ducked his head, tightened his grip on the reins, and tried to pull Zhara back, but she shook him off.

"Go, go, go!" she shouted, throwing the other fireball.

Grabbing Elena's arm in one hand and the donkey's reins in the other, Paul ran for an opening between the trees. Behind him, the fire raged on.

"Stop!" a voice rang out.

Something caught at Paul's arms and legs, throwing him to the ground. Then, to his horror, he found himself rising, wrenched into the air on thick vines that snaked around his body, his throat, choking him. Next to him, Zhara was similarly shackled. More vines grew over the leshies, putting out the flames. Fire burst from Zhara's hands once more, only to be immediately quenched by the vines.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Tsarina Kostroma as she approached them from the forest with a retinue behind her, her green eyes cold with anger.

Elena seemed to shrink in front of her mother. She clasped her hands in front of her and stood with her head hung low, like a child waiting for her punishment. Kostroma strode past her and came to stand in front of Zhara. "How dare you, Zhara Artyomovna?" she said. "You came here uninvited and received our hospitality, and this is how you thanked me? By taking away my Elena?"

"Tsarina Kostroma, please," Zhara began, struggling to speak while the vines encircled her throat. "I would never dream of disrespecting you, but I need help—"

"Help! And you thought Elena could help you? If you need help, why not come to me?" Paul noticed that Elena was wincing at her mother's derisive tone, and felt indignant in her stead.

"But Mother, they need my help, not yours—" she said.

"Silence!" Kostroma whipped her head around, and Elena almost visibly recoiled. "How are you of help to anybody? You know nothing! Do you even know where she is taking you, what dangers you may come across? I'm only trying to protect you—"

"You're smothering her, that's what you're doing," Paul blurted out. Kostroma's words reminded him so much of his mother's reprimands. They raised his hackles. He hadn't been able to stand up to his mother, but he was not going to watch Elena getting berated by her mother without saying something.

Kostroma turned to him with a look of utter disdain, like he was some sort of vermin, not worth her attention. "And who do you think you are, mortal, to speak to me with such insolence?" she said.

Paul felt the vines squeezing his neck, and swallowed hard. "Never mind who I am," he said with more bravado than he felt. "Perhaps you really believe you're protecting Elena, but you're only hurting her. If she knows nothing, then that's your fault—"

Kostroma's face contorted with rage. She flicked her hand, and the vines tightened even more, cutting him off. Zhara thrashed at her own bindings, her eyes fixed on Paul in a panic.

Elena, however, seemed to have found her strength. She raised her head, stiffened her back, and faced Kostroma. "He is right, Mother," she said. "How am I to be your heir, how am I to take the throne, when you teach me nothing and let me do nothing? Every year on my name day, I ask you to let me leave Bryansk, to let me see something of the world, and every year you find an excuse to say no." She was becoming more and more animated, her eyes brightening to emerald green in the torchlight. "I am going with Zhara to help her. You can't stop me. And if you don't let us go, I shall renounce the throne and never speak to you again!"

Kostroma flinched, as though Elena's words were barbs flung at her. She clenched her fingers, and vines curled up around Elena's feet, rooting the girl to the spot.

Elena remained composed. "Mother, please," she said, her voice softening.

Kostroma's lips quivered. "But—you're all that I have—Zhara Artymovna is being hunted—" Now she was looking less like an enraged tsarina and more like an anxious mother.

"I promise you, Tsarina Kostroma, I'm not going to let anything befall Elena," Zhara said. "I shall protect her with my life."

Paul, too, tried to put on an expression of confidence and trustworthiness, though he wasn't sure how much he succeeded. Kostroma looked from one face to another. Finally, she lowered her head and gave another flick of her hand. The vines retreated, throwing Paul unceremoniously to the ground next to Zhara, leaving them both wheezing and gasping for breath.

"Go, then," Kostroma said. "But don't come crying to me when you find life on the outside less than agreeable."

Tentatively, not quite believing it, Elena took a step toward the line of trees with Zhara and Paul, then another, and another. This time, the leshies stood aside to let her pass, before closing ranks and becoming a dark, impenetrable wall yet again.

Chapter 9

A/N: I had to make fun of Paul's wig somehow :)) A bolonka (plural "bolonki") is actually a type of Russian lap dog with curly hair. Kupala Night is a real Slavic festival. It was banned in medieval Russia for its association with paganism, but has regained popularity in Belarus and Ukraine in recent years.

Taglist: @ali-r3n

[delightingintragedy]

Mercury Correspondences

From Christian Astrology by William Lilly

(It is mostly word for word. I tried to format it to fit into a nice correspondence list, but the information itself is untouched.)

Zodiac: Rules Gemini and Virgo. Exalted in Virgo, Detriment in Sagittarius and Pisces, Fall in Pisces.

Nature: We may not call him either Masculine or Feminine, for he is either the one or other as joined to any Planet; for if in Conjunction with a Masculine Planet, he becomes Masculine; if with a Feminine, then Feminine, but of his own nature he is cold and dry, and therefore Melancholy; with the good he is good, with the evil Planets ill; In the Elements the Water; amongst the humours, the mixed, he rules the animal spirit: he is author of subtlety, tricks, devices, perjury, etc.

Profession: Generally signifies all literary men, Philosophers, Mathematicians, Astrologians, Merchants, Secretaries, Scriveners, Diviners, Sculptors, Poets, Orators, Advocates, Schoolmasters, Stationers, Printers, Exchangers of Money, Attorneys, Emperor's Ambassadors, Commissioners, Clerks, Artificers, generally Accountants, Solicitors, sometimes Thieves, prattling muddy Ministers, busy Sectaries, and they unlearned; Grammarians, Tailors, Carriers, Messengers, Footmen, Usurers.

Sicknesses: All Vertigos, Lethargies or giddiness in the Head, Madness, either Lightness, or any Disease of the Brain; Phthisis, all stammering and imperfection in the Tongue, vain and fond Imaginations, all defects in the Memory, Hoarseness, dry Coughs, too much abundance of Spittle, all snaffling and snuffling in the Head or Nose; the Hand and Feet Gout, Dumbness, Tongue-evil, all evils in the Fancy and intellectual parts.

Colour: Mixed and new colours, the Grey mixed with Sky-colour, such as is on the Neck of the Stockdove, Linsie-woolsie colours, or consisting of many colours mixed in one.

Savours: A hodgepodge of all things together, so that no one can give it any true name; yet usually such as do quicken the Spirits, are subtle and penetrate, an in a manner insensible.

Herbs & Plants: Herbs attributed to Mercury, are known by the various colour of the flower, and love sandy barren places, they bear their seed in husks or pods, they smell rarely or subtlety, and have principle relation to the tongue, brain, lungs or memory; they dispel wind and comfort the Animal spirits, and open obstructions. Beans, three leaved-grass, the Walnut and Walnut-tree; the Filbert-tree and Nut; the Elder tree, Adders tongue, Dragonwort, Twopenny grass, Lungwort, Aniseeds, Cubebs, Marjoram. What herbs are used for the Muses and Divination, as Vervain, the Reed; of Drugs, Treacle, Hiera, Diambra.

Beasts: The Hyena, Ape, Fox, Squirrel, Weasel, the Spider, the Greyhound, the Hermaphrodite, being partaker of both sexes; all cunning creatures.

Birds, etc: The Linnet, the Parrot, the Popinian, the Swallow, the Pye, the Beetle, Pismires, Locusts, Bees, Serpent, the Crane.

Fishes: The Fork-fish, Mullet.

Places: Tradesmen's shops, Markets, Fairs, Schools, Common Halls, Bowling Alleys, Ordinaries, Tennis Courts.

Minerals: Quicksilver.

Stones: The Millstone, Marcasite or fire-stone, the Achates, Topaz, Vitriol, all stones of diverse colours.

Weather: Delights in Windy, Stormy and Violent, Boisterous Weather, and stirs up that Wind which the Planet signifies to which he applies; sometimes Rain, at other times Hail, Lightning, Thunder and Tempests, in hot Countries Earthquakes, but this must be observed really from the Sign and Season of the year.

Angel: Raphael

Planetary Alliances: His friends are Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, his Enemies all the other Planets.

Week Day: Wednesday

Correspondence posts for the other planets: [Sun] [Moon] [Venus] [Mars] [Jupiter] [Saturn]