#I might do one for Tenebris later

[foxtricksterwriting]

Meeting Reimagined; Keith

Author's Note: It's been a while since I've written for Duality, even though I think about it a lot. And I'm back with a new MC, Tytus!

Tags: @dualityvn

Tytus sighs, annoyed by the cold rain pelting him harshly. As he jogs, he notices the flower shop he’s walked by everyday. He heads that way, figuring that the rain won’t let up for a while still. He dips into the shop and lets out a relieved breath. The floral air invades his nose while he looks around, making him hum in content. He jumps as a soft voice ahead of him says “Pretty bad weather today, huh?”

Tytus looks ahead at the counter, finding a tall blond man with blue eyes. The man gives him a shy and apologetic smile. “Hello, hi, sorry, I was in my head a bit. Yeah, the rain’s terrible right now,” he responds while giving an awkward laugh, “Is it okay if I stick around until the rain’s gone?”

“Oh, yes, that’d be fine. Feel free to look around while you’re here,” the blond cashier nods as he speaks. Tytus nods back, not giving him a second look. He scans the store, looking at the arrangements and other potted plants. After not finding what he’s looking for, he steps up to the counter. “Excuse me, do you have Bat Flowers?” He asks, scanning the cashier and finding his name card on a lanyard around his neck; Keith. 

“I’m sorry, we sold our last two this morning,” Keith says after a minute of thought and checking somethings. Tytus deflates a little, but desperately tries to rein in his reaction. “Oh, okay. Thank you,” He says. “We could take your number and call you when we get more?” Keith offers. “Ah, no thank you. I appreciate the offer though,” Tytus declines easily but he keeps talking, “but I would still like to get a plant. Do you have any recommendations? Preferably something that wouldn’t hurt a cat if it got eaten.” Keith lights up at the question.

“Of course! Spider plants, Echeveria succulents and Bird’s Nest Ferns are all pet friendly. Spider plants are actually notorious for being non toxic to animals. Boston Ferns are another option, but they're a little harder to care for,” Keith continues to explain how to care for each plant while pointing them out. Tytus watches him as he speaks, mesmerized by how outspoken he is. His passion would be obvious to even the most oblivious person. His whole body radiates joy and a bit of excitement. It’s a bit infectious, at least it is to Tytus. The green and black haired man can’t help but give the slightly shorter man his full attention. When Keith is done explaining, Tytus hums before saying, “I’ll go for the Spider Plant. You said they were over there, right?”

Keith nods and Tytus goes to retrieve it. As he carefully sets it on the counter, Keith asks, “Have you cared for any kind of plant before?”

“Yeah, actually. Mostly herbs and cat grass, though. I use the herbs when I’m cooking,” Tytus internally reminds himself to leave out any mentions of spells or potions. No telling how this guy would react, for now at least. He continues, “I used to have catnip, too, but my cat found and destroyed it when I wasn’t paying much attention. I haven’t had many plants that were there to just look nice.” Keith chuckles a little. As Tytus pays for his new spider plant, he notices that the rain has stopped. He looks back to Keith as he picks up the spindly plant. Before he even thinks to stop himself, he says, “Could I have your number?” Wait, fuck, shit SH--”Sorry, that was really sudden. You don’t have to agree to that.” He tacks that on, not sure if he’s already fucked up somehow.

The blond blushes as he registers the question, “Oh, I’m flattered!” His expression morphs quickly into one of sadness, “Don’t take this the wrong way. I think you’re very attractive and you seem like a nice person, but having my number isn’t a good idea.” Tytus’ brows knit together with confusion but he quickly shakes it off and nods. “That’s alright. Thank you for at least humoring me, and for helping me with the plant. Bye,” He says this as he walks towards the door while giving the blond a smile. He ducks out as suddenly as he came in.

Right as he starts walking home, a shiver crawls up his spine, tickling his neck and making him look around. He spares the shop window a glance, seeing Keith through it. He’s looking back at Tytus, but missing the polite smile. And something about his eyes seem……off. I don’t think they were like that before. He shakes it off and hurries away, content to get lost in his thoughts while minding his new plant buddy.

[another-lost-mc]

Seeing as I dug up my notes on the summoning incantation again... Regardless which variation you use - What would the correct titles for each of your demon OCs be to summon them if you have a pact with them? (Yes, I know Karasu doesn't make pacts but I still wanna know)

"Hear me, denizens of the darkness, you who are born of shadow and you who give birth to it. Hear me and do as I command! I call upon you to send forth one of your number! I summon the Avatar of Lust, Asmodeus -"

That's the incantion used to summon Asmo the very first time in the castle, but I remember it being drastically shortened later on (might have been in NB).

Either way, gimme titles pls~ <3

Some of the demons have formal ranks or titles in the Devildom that will work in addition to the names human conjurers know them as.

AZRA — The Scapegoat (only works with his given name, Azazel).

ZEKHAN — The Unseen Shadow.

KARASU — The Malevolent Pride.

TENEBRIS — The Archmage; The Dark Calamity.

BELIAL — Lord of Arrogance; One Without a Master.

FLEURETY — Lieutenant-General; The Hailstorm.

BATHIN — The Great Duke; The Blazing Fount.

[raayllum]

Teasers Timeline

With the teasers we've gotten this week, I want to try and assemble them into some kind of timeline. Spoilers and speculation ahead!

First off, there's the ones we know are taking place during 6x01 Startouched thanks to con spoilers, such as shots of the prison with Callum, his nightmare featuring Aaravos, Rayllum on the castle battlements, group discussion, them departing for the Starscraper, and Ezran comforting Zym about Zubeia.

Claudia and Terry is also probably from 6x01 (maybe Claudia commiserating with a flashback if it's from later on in the season) due to the beach location and her having to take wet/bloody clothes off. We can even see that one pantleg is shorter than the other.

Now onto the rest, with episode titles as a slight guideline.

This shot with Corvus, Zym, and Soren is likely from 6x02 Love, War, and Mushrooms, given they went looking for Zubeia and Soren meets up with Corvus at the Sunfire camp.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the "Ezran at the castle" and Janaya is around here. If Viren is alive, he could be showing up in Katolis (or Claudia is there to find the fake prison) and Janaya is preparing for war now that Sol Regem has the sun seed. Likewise, this is one of two places I could see the screencap of the Viren and Kpp'Ar flashback being; Viren may be heading back to try to free Kpp'Ar (and may do so with the staf?? If Rayllum didn't take his coin) and thereby reflecting on their past.

Then we get Rayla and Callum on the burning ship in 6x03 Frozen Ship. There's less fire when they're first there together and Callum needs to get his staff back, and significantly more fire when Rayla is there on her own despite being near the same hole in the roof and Callum not being in frame anymore.

Then they head to the Starscraper (and potentially face the big scary dragon along the way, though that could be a trial for 6x05 as well).

Rayla's line about "The fate of the entire world is at stake," her expression, as well as Stella's (almost angry?) expression makes me think she's trying to reason with Callum > telling the celestial elves what's going on, but it really could be either.

Big dragon could also be the trial or thing they're flying off too as well, after the infamous Chin Touch (and possible smooch) given that the clouds from what may be their room seems to match what we see in the background.

If the dragon adventure with Luna Tenebris' unsuitable heir is on the way to the Starscraper, I'd guess it'll have something to do with the moonstone collar its wearing (perhaps an enchantment that cloaks the starscraper from outside viewers?). If it's after, then I have no clue WHY beyond the celestial elves going "you gotta".

At the same time, Karim and Janai are preparing for war. The search for Zubeia must've been either successful or they had to give up and switch gears, as Ezran has 1) left Katolis to be here and 2) reunited with Corvus and with Zym, only to be captured and need rescuing from his favourite dragon pal (Zym's covering them, but it also seems Ez and Corvus showed up on horses so.. parlay gone wrong?)

The amount of Sol Regem regalia on their outfits and Karim's tent makes me think he's already used the sun seed to heal / ally with Sol Regem, or that he's very very close to doing so.

I do think he ultimately goes through with it, though, given that the next time we see Sol Regem, his eyes aren't healed but his wings are 100% patched up and Pharos is seemingly riding him into battle, with Janai and Amaya leading their ground assault.

Amaya still has her crown, and Aanya might show up to help -- the cliffs match the ones she's landing on -- at Ezran's behest, but it's probably not enough.

If she loses but lives, that could be why we see her almost in mourning at the sun seed tree

And I think that's it for now! More speculation and teasers to follow soon I'm sure

[theredhairedmonkey]

Do you have any theories on what might happen in S5, taking into account the episode titles that have been released?

I admit, I cheated a bit with this one by waiting until the trailer came out, but I'll compensate by having my theories be a bit koo koo bananas:

Startouched

At this point you've either seen this episode or you haven't, but not much to predict:

Team Zym have the prison.

Claudia goes off the deep end.

Callum wants to destroy the prison but everyone else isn't sure.

During the night, Aaravos takes over Callum and has him place his hand on the prison, letting Callum see into the prison and gets a vision of Aaravos breaking the pearl (imo this becomes extremely important later on).

Finally, he and Rayla head off to the Starscraper to find a way to stop Aaravos for good, while Soren goes off to find Zubeia.

Love, War & Mushrooms

In this episode, Rayla and Callum will likely have an important conversation, possibly mentioning Callum's father, as the show runners hinted at his role this season (Love). Meanwhile, Amaya and Janai prepare for war, knowing that Karim has an army and the Sun Seed (War), with Janai sending a crow for help to an "old friend." Soren and Zym meet up with Corvus and search for Zubeia, only to find mushrooms at her last known location (Mushrooms). The episode concludes with Viren arriving in Katolis and Ezran confronting him in the rain. 

The Frozen Ship

Rayla enters the ship from the promo while Callum waits outside. The ship mysteriously catches fire, trapping Rayla inside. Callum rushes in to rescue her when she doesn't emerge, realizing she stayed behind to search for her dropped coins. This scene highlights Callum's devotion to Rayla and suggests that Rayla may be more committed to her family than she initially let on. Meanwhile, Ezran listens to Viren and, despite wanting to punish him for his actions, learns that Claudia remains in Xadia and hasn't given up. This revelation leads Ezran to conclude that Soren, his companions, and the Sunfire elves are in grave danger. Determined to help, Ezran resolves to journey to Xadia.

The Starscraper

The plot kicks into gear when Callum and Rayla arrive at the Starscraper to seek help from the Celestial elves. They learn that using the Corona and Nova Blade requires more than just anyone's abilities. The Celestial elves send them on a mission to retrieve the heartstone of the Behemoth, Luna Tenebris' unsuitable heir, who roams the Frozen Sea. Callum and Rayla hesitate, as this would kill the Behemoth, but Callum proposes using a rune to extract the heartstone's energy without harming the creature. Meanwhile, Claudia hears Aaravos' voice calling her to Katolis, and Karim uses the Sun Seed to restore Sol Regem's sight, preparing to invade the Sunfire camp.

Moonless Night

Callum and Rayla pursue the Behemoth and, after a challenging encounter, successfully retrieve the energy from the rune, bringing it back to the Starscraper. However, the Celestial elves reveal that they need one more thing. Astrid explains that the Corona of the Heavens once belonged to the Star Leola, who bestowed the ability to use it upon the King of Elarion and his descendants, making them the only ones capable of wielding it. As Callum studies the quasar diamonds for an alternative solution, Rayla confronts Astrid, demanding more information since Elarion is long gone and finding a descendant seems impossible. Astrid mentions that the Celestial Elves once tracked down a man who was a direct descendant of the original King, but he had died. Shockingly, this man's name matches Callum's birth father's name. Rayla connects the dots and shares her discovery with Callum, who initially denies the possibility, arguing that it's merely a coincidence. Rayla realizes that Callum has so firmly embraced the idea of "Destiny Is A Book You Write Yourself" that he struggles to accept the possibility of a predetermined destiny. This leads to a heated argument involving their past experiences, ultimately resulting in Rayla and Callum fully reconciling and rekindling their relationship.

The Red Wedding

Karim and his army finally invade the Sunfire camp, capturing Ezran. Soren, Corvus, and Zym arrive to momentarily rescue him, followed by Aanya, who once again saves the Sunfire elves in a Deus-Ex-Machina fashion (as she is the "old friend"). During the rescue, Aanya and Ezran share a meet-cute moment. Soren and Viren reunite, with Soren reluctantly rescuing his father. As Karim takes control of the Sunfire camp, Sol Regem departs, no longer interested in petty squabbles. Meanwhile, Callum, refusing to consider Rayla's theory about his connection to the Corona, decides to connect with the Stars like the Celestial Elves. He attempts to fly blindfolded (as seen in the trailer) but fails and falls back to Earth. However, before hitting the ground, his body begins to levitate, and his eyes glow (similar to Kosmo's), but his smirk reveals the truth—he's possessed by Aaravos..

We All Fall Down

It is revealed that Aaravos had already left the prison, as the magic was designed to be impenetrable, and Claudia never had a way to set him free. Instead, Aaravos had intended on Callum & Co. to get to the prison first, then he had possessed Callum in 6x01, forcing him to place his hand on the prison, transferring Aaravos' essence to Callum. This explains why Callum didn't see Aaravos in the prison, as Aaravos has been in Callum's mind all along. Aaravos also confirms that Callum is the only person who can use the Nova Blade and the Corona of the Heavens. By bringing Aaravos to the Starscraper, Callum has played into his hands, allowing Aaravos to regain his full potential and declare war on his fellow Startouched elves (the Cosmic Order).

Meanwhile, Karim's victory is short-lived as Pharos becomes possessed by Aaravos as well. Karim is killed in a manner similar to Khessa, and Pharos transforms the remaining Sunfire elves into a new army of darkness. This army then converges on the corrupted core in Lux Area, where Pharos!Aaravos plans to gather his strength and spread darkness across the world.

Stardust

As Aaravos!Callum places the crown on his head, he feels his power return to full strength. He gloats that with the Nova Blade - the only weapon capable of killing Startouched elves - the Sunfire elf army, and Lux Aurea under his control, he can simultaneously conquer Xadia and the Cosmic Order, establishing a new empire. As punishment for her defiance, Aaravos "frees" Runaan but turns him into a corrupted version of himself that immediately attacks Rayla.

In Callum's mind, Aaravos taunts him while sharing his own backstory, revealing that he never fit in with the other Startouched elves and was ultimately cast out for his curiosity about magic. Callum empathizes with Aaravos, realizing their similarities and how the main difference between them stems from the love Callum received (and Aaravos did not). This realization leads Callum to a breakthrough with the Star Arcanum. He understands the vastness, darkness, and uncontrollable nature of the world (building on his understanding of the Ocean Arcanum) but recognizes that the sparks of love binding people together lead them from the darkness. Callum realizes that destiny isn't about who he will become (building on his understanding of the Sky Arcanum) but about acknowledging who he already is and the illusion of separation between himself, Aaravos, and everyone else.

By accepting his heritage as the Corona's true heir, Callum frees himself from Aaravos' grip and returns to consciousness. He then uses the Corona to restore Runaan and free Rayla's parents. Holding up the Nova Blade, Callum seemingly accepts that this is who he is, but that who he becomes is up to him.

Meanwhile, as Ezran and his companions march back to Xadia, they discover Zubeia, corrupted by sickness but kept at bay by the Mushroom mage. Janai achieves her own breakthrough, tapping into Light-Being Mode and purifying Zubeia. Simultaneously, Aaravos transports himself to Pharos' mind and teleports him to Katolis through a portal, where Claudia awaits (revealing Aaravos' contingency plan). Claudia uses Viren's staff to cast a powerful spell that restores Aaravos' body, sacrificing Pharos in the process. Aaravos describes the events at the Starscraper as a momentary setback, acknowledging Callum's increased power but persistent vulnerability, and resolving to bring him under his control regardless of what it takes. He then teleports himself and Claudia back to Lux Aurea, leaving Terry behind.

[fwitolei]

The Dragon Prince Thoughts 6x05 - Moonless Night

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Spoilers under the cut

“Oh, don’t worry about Viren, everything will be fine.”

Did you notice the way Soren hesitated when addressing Viren by his name? gahhh this poor man deserves happiness why can’t he get a breakkkk—

I wonder if they’re gonna pull some “Father-Lord” shit like Zuko and reference atla

THE WAY HIS FACE FALLS THE MOMENT HE LEAVES THE ROOM 😭😭😭😭

*crying noises*

“Oh, Soren, my son. Is that you?”

Woah Viren’s been in that cell for a while

There’s gonna be so much to unpack here watch

The way Soren absolutely refuses to look at Viren speaks volumes he’s so done taking Viren’s shit

And it’s the one time Viren isn’t giving Soren shit but he’s burned their bridge so badly Soren’s lost all faith and respect

Not to mention Viren took Claudia away from him too in a way

Lmao why was stella trying to steal callum’s book—

I wonder if Rayla learned that lullaby she’s singing from her parents

OOH or even runaan or Ethari—

Nah my bet is her parents

“Maybe I just want to see you suffering.”

Okay the repetition of the scene is totally intentional what are they trying to convey

Why does Soren keep going down there to see Viren when he knows all Viren has done is hurt him? What does he want?

“But with my eyes open, I also see… you.”

NO CUZ it’s the way Soren IMMEDIATELY starts crying when Viren says “you”

Like all he ever wanted was some form of acknowledgement from Viren his WHOLE LIFE but now that he’s got it it’s too late

Soren desperately wants to believe Viren but he’s been hurt so many times he doesn’t allow himself to

“Everything you’re telling me is… is some kind of lie!”

SEE THIS IS WHAT I MEAN

Viren has given Soren some serious trauma and self-worth issues, and even after two years of virtual peace, he’s still keeping it in

Everyone he trusted either didn’t care or isn’t even present in his life (lissa), so he always kept it in, using his “class clown himbo” facade as a coping mechanism

But now that his entire childhood trauma is literally sitting there staring at him he can’t take the idea of working through it all and that’s why he blew up

SEE NOW HE DOESN’T WANNA TALK ANYMORE

I wanna say he’s just not ready to face Viren but at the same time I don’t think he’s ever gonna be ready he just has to take the plunge

Wait is that Fen—

I thought he was with amaya in xadia

Did he get demoted lmao—

Wait does the standing battalion outrank the crownguard or the other way around

“On moonless nights you miss her the most.”

That is so sad omg—

Luna Tenebris disappeared centuries ago too so Esmeray’s been hurting for a really long time

Imagine that i could never 😭

“It’s the Corona of the Heavens.”

WAIT I THOUGHT VIREN’S STAFF HAD A QUASAR DIAMOND—

If all 3 are in the crown wtf is the stone in his staff

OH THE BLINDFOLD DESIGNS ARE LITTLE EYES I SEE IT NOW

OH WOW KOSMO’S CONNECTING TO THE STARS

Just like that huh

WOAH KOSMO PREDICTING FUTURES HERE

“But your path is… darkness.”

Does that mean callum is still on the dark path aaravos was talking about in s4? Or is kosmo just reflecting callum’s soul from his past usage of dark magic like how sol regem sensed it

Oh? Soren’s back

I wonder why he went back

“If you do not accept my words now, Soren, I want you to have them in the future… when you might need them.”

Okay nah this has got to be foreshadowing or something wtf is going to happen to soren—

Omg this was essentially a soren character study sorry lmaooo. I’m not too learned in trauma and all that stuff this is just my take on what’s going on with him I’m just really invested cuz he’s my bbg princess and i need him to be okay 💀

ANYWAYS considering that Rayla really connected with Esmeray in this season i wonder if she’s gonna have some plot relevance later on (i hope so esmeray is fuckin cool) especially cuz even kosmo commented on it and he can see the future. Soren BETTER BE OKAY by the end of this season i can’t take his pain 😭. And also i am SO EXCITED for rayla to see her parents again and for runaan to FINALLY go back to ethari like he DESERVES GAHH— 

But yeah good episode good episode 👍

[luniviravosshipper]

TDP Inspired Songs

So, uh, hi.

Ever since season 6 came out, I’ve been working on several playlists inspired by TDP. And I just have some songs I really, really want to share with the fandom because I feel like they perfectly represent certain characters, relationships, and themes in the series. And I would absolutely make animatics with these songs if I could, but I haven’t picked up a pencil to draw in like 5 years. So I’m just going to share them here today.

I used to listen to this band quite a bit when I first was figuring out my taste in music, so I’ve known this song for a long time. And to my surprise, when it was revealed that Aaravos had a daughter who he lost, I found this song to be incredibly fitting for his experience of grief over her loss.

I can’t go into all the lyrics for any of these songs and how they’re fitting because that would make this post far too long, but I can’t think of another song that perfectly encapsulates them as this song. Like, it’s just them. This is what I think Aaravos’ grief feels like.

It’s literally titled two coffins, and while in the song it’s referring to the idea that they’ll both die in the end regardless, I can’t help but to connect to the fact that Aaravos had to spend his days rotting away imprisoned in her literal corpse and in a way they were both laying in the same sort of tomb, and just, ugh, this song is so perfect for them.

Please give the song a listen. It’s a sad but beautiful song and just reminds me so much of them.

Now I’m sure more people have probably heard of Elliot Smith, so maybe this song might be more familiar to some.

I definitely imagine this song being told from Aaravos’ perspective where his rage is directed towards Sol Regem or Anak Arow for being the one to cause the pain and death of Leola. And, like, just the whole fire motif representing rage and Aaravos mirroring the rage Sol Regem so often hypocritically expresses towards others back towards him, it works so well. And just the raw emotion sung in this song. I think the lyrics are so applicable towards what happened and Aaravos’ feelings regarding Sol Regem.

So, I started a playlist inspired by Viren and his “redemption arc” the second the last season released. I don’t remember what specifically, but I remember searching up for songs with certain meanings and saw this suggested so I added this song by random because I thought it was kind of fitting. Then I actually gave it a listen and was blown away by how the lyrics perfectly aligned with his arc.

I don’t know what else to say, but this is just Viren’s song. Like, that’s it. It is his song.

Take a listen, pay close attention to the lyrics and how they’re sung. At the very least on a literal sense, I think the lyrics represent the entirety of his arc up to his very death so well.

Alright, last one.

This one’s kind of an odd one because it isn’t really based on anything canon from the series and merely speculation.

But I’ve always had this song in mind whenever the disappearance of Luna Tenebris came up in the series because I always speculated that it was actually Kim’dael who took her life, not Aaravos (or at least he only orchestrated her death from afar).

I don’t know how fitting this song will turn out after what we learn in season 7, but I’ve always imagined this song retelling some sort of conversation Kim’dael and Luna Tenebris had leading up to her demise where Luna confronts her about Kim’dael’s greed for immortality.

But, yeah. This song is probably more suitable for an idea of an amv or animatic rather then something I think we can connect back to what’s actually canon in the series… But I’m just throwing it out there anyways. Just in case, you know, anyone wants to do anything with it.

But that’s all. I might post the actual playlists I’ve come up with soon, or later. We’ll just have to see.

[dualityvn]

I’m so sorry things have turned out this way. T^T The other MCs have already stepped in with food and help, and so I’m just gonna make some raisin cookies and put them in a nice cookie jar for Keith when he gets back.

If it’s not too much to ask, can you tell him that I love every part of him? All the comfy sweaters and raisin cookie loving pieces of him. From his most flustered fanfic-writing moments to even his angry and less moral ones. He’s still Keith through and through, and he’s loved for that. Not for any other version of himself. I know it doesn’t mean much at this point and time, but I want to help remind him how amazing he is as himself. I love him even at his angriest, even if I disagree with how he does things, and none of that will ever change.

Maybe to help encourage you to eat healthy meals, you can have sweets after? As a dessert?

I think Keith just needs some time rn, I don’t wanna pressure him or anything. I’ve been through tough shit myself, and I know I would not have appreciated people pushing a bunch when I needed to get my head screwed on a little. (Not that it’s at all Keith’s fault. I hope that wasn’t implied. - -;; I just meant trying to get yourself together after a big mental event like this. I relate, and I hope things get a little better soon.)

Maybe I can write him some poetry? I don’t know how much he’d appreciate that, but I’m not terrible at it! (I might send some in as an ask later, if I remember!)

You’re handling things very well, Tenebris. I’m sorry you’ve been put in this spot. Thank you for always taking care of him. I’m lucky to have both of you in my life. <3

"Sure, let's do all that. Write him poetry, too. He's started talking to me, but he's only saying dumb shit. Maybe your rhymey words will do him good or something." - Tenebris

[lothli]

I: Tenebris et Hieme Lacero

I was fifteen years of age when he arrived at the orphanage. His skin was loose, and an unnatural light seemed to leak from behind his eyes. His gaze roved over all the orphans before it landed on me. He pointed at me and smiled.

The staff seemed excited for me, or maybe about me. Something about me being the lucky one and that I must be on my best behavior. But I did not feel any of it. All I knew was that the man deeply unsettled me; he was... wrong.

He took me to his home. It was white. All of it was white, painted from top to bottom. Clean and stark. I often found myself touching the walls, which were just as white inside as out, and I would think they would suck away my pinkness and leave me as hollow and bleached as my new guardian. I wished his hands weren't cold when he was kind enough to hold mine.

For a week afterward, I slept as if nothing was out of place. Not dreams, not memories. Empty and vast. Then, the dream started. I dreamed of a Way into the Wood. It was difficult to express how wild, harsh, and impenetrable that wood was. I don't recall exactly what occurred that night in the beating black between the trunks of the trees, where winged things moved beneath my hands.

My guardian was excited. So excited. Those horrid, pallid eyes of his flashed with unnatural glee. He pressed me more, asking of my dream. He spoke of the Mansus and the Glory, of how I could converse with him of things beyond mere words.

That day, I saw a flash of something in a mirror. A pale, ghastly thing, yet strangely flawless. She watched. She was the Maid-in-the-Mirror, and I knew I should not stay to see what she would do.

I ran.

Since that day, I have not slept without a terror of the Woods and the things that writhe within it. I vowed to myself that day that I would not let people like my guardian roam free. And then, a lifetime later...

---

I had studied the occult after my escape. I discovered what my guardian was: A Long, a nigh-immortal creature, looking to ascend to Namehood. I was determined not to join him in damnation.

I had learned of all the Aspects that govern this world and the various cults that follow them. They cannot be allowed to continue. These vile people manipulated and exploited others to ascend and prevent each other from ascending. They play their sick games with not a care about the damage done to innocents in the process.

There was very little of a girl left in me. I had grown older and more hardened. My pinkness had been almost entirely replaced with a cool, steel grayscale. When I cut somebody, I offered a piece of myself to Edge, the Aspect of violence and pain. But I was no filthy cultist. I would wield these Aspects to eliminate them, to root out their sordid influences. This world did not need Hours. It needed no gods.

And now, I had the chance to truly destroy a cult. The Church of the Bright Edge. They worship one called The Colonel, and they'd managed to infiltrate the military.

It would be a significant blow to the cult's power if I succeeded. They might even be forced out of the military. But the danger was sharp and real. Incurring the wrath of an Hour, when I was not even a Long, would surely spell my doom.

But I had come so far. I could not stop now.

I made preparations. The Bright Edge was gathering in a secret location deep in the woods. I had disguised myself and infiltrated the group. I had prepared myself; I, too, bear the scars of Edge. The ritual would begin tonight.

---

A corpse was laid on a cold stone slab, and the congregation began to chant.

It was a hymn to The Colonel, and I could not help but sing along. My voice was a thin, wavering thing. I could feel the presence of a vast, unknowable god, a silent, scarred creature who watched from the shadows. The hymn grew stronger, its power and presence in this realm rising. Then, I heard it — the sharp crack of shattering glass.

I turned around and looked towards the altar.

The corpse had sat up. It stumbled, making a horrid crunching sound. It was silent, even as its bones shattered into brilliant shards. It was risen — risen, and yet broken.

It was the sign the ritual was completed. The Bright Edges began to rejoice. But now was when my own ceremony began.

I pulled out my dagger, which I keep strapped to my thigh, and moved forward. The congregation was so focused on their pathetic Risen that they paid me no heed. I invoked a subtle prayer to the Wolf Divided, who would smile upon my wanton killings.

Then, I plunged the knife into the back of the nearest Bright Edge and pulled him backward onto the altar. His body collapsed with a terrible crunch, and I began to cut.

---

The Bright Edges fell upon me. But they were unskilled. Untrained. Their aspect of Edge was lacking. They had not struggled and bled. Not as I had.

Their edges were dull. I slashed, sliced, and bled, and when the bodies piled high and the altar was soaked red, I knew my task was done. This cult was new and weak. Their leader was not even among the Know.

My wounds were terrible. My life was nearly gone. But I had won. Edge will smile upon my wounds, assuming I lived to see another day.

I would not.

I collapsed to the ground and stared into the cold stars above before I felt a creeping chill.

It was not the chill of death.

No. It was something much worse. It was the chill of Winter, of the things that were not quite dead. The chill was sharp and deep, and it hurt more than anything had ever hurt before. It was a chill that takes you from the inside. A Long. A Winter Long.

She stood over me, a beautiful, cruel, dark thing, her face as pale as moonlight and as unforgiving as the grave. Her chest did not rise and fall; her eyes did not blink. Her mouth opened, and a frozen wind of something best forgotten spilled out. She did not speak, no. That would break the silence, the beautiful, eternal silence. But I understood her words regardless.

"Your Edge is sharp. But your suffering is not."

She took the knife from my hands. It was the only thing that did not hurt, but it soon would. She plunged it deep into my wounds and twisted.

My world exploded into sharp, keening pain as if every part of me was shattering. Frigidity soaked into me, freezing me to the bone. She continued to twist the knife. It was no longer simply pain. It was something beyond, something cold and silent.

My eyes opened. I stared up into the cold stars. The Long was gone. My wounds had stagnated, the blood inside stilled. I picked up my knife and stood.

My wounds would heal. But the touch of Winter would never fade.

[poetinprose]

Happy STS, Jay!

Today's question is characters :)

Do you prefer writing with a small cast or a big one? Do you prefer single, dual or multi pov? Does it vary from project to project?

If you write multi pov, be honest: Do you have a favorite one?

Hey, Elli, thank you for asking!! 🩵

I think I prefer writing with a relatively small cast because when I have too many characters, I feel like I neglect or even sometimes forget some of them. 🤔 Or some might feel too flat compared to others? (Even with small casts I confuse myself too often with the details xD)

I usually try to start writing with a single pov but then scenes pop up where I'm like: That would be so much better from this other characters pov. Or: when I limit myself to single pov how are we ever gonna know about this cool/important thing that happens to the other character?

So most of my wips are written in at least dual pov. Tenebris is a bit weird with this one bc we have one main pov in the beginning, then later two main povs and sometimes someone else's pov thrown into the mix. 😅 I kind of prefer it this way (only works for me in 3rd person though I feel like) but I kinda worry that it's too all over the place. Aeternum stays dual pov though and Bleeding City starts as single but at one point later in the story switches to another character's pov but there's a good reason for that. 😏

Sooo in Tenebris I realized I love writing Elior's pov because he feels very much like me and it's a nice change to write such a soft and kind character (and the fluff that comes with him hehe). But ngl writing Kendra's rage has something pretty cathartic. 😄

[mermaidsirennikita]

When was the last time you were super excited for a book and it just… didn’t meet your expectations? I’m really struggling with a book I wanted to LOVE and am so bummed:(

Oh noes! I feel like it's been a while, because I either approach boks with zero expectations these days, or they're authors I'm super familiar with and so therefore they're pretty likely to hit with me.

I will say that The Forgotten Phantom by Kathryn Ann Kingsley didn't quite work for me. I super enjoyed her Tenebris series, and I think she will have many many more books that DO work for me. But this series is about giving famous horror figures happy endings, and while I'm so down to read the other books, this first one (about Erik of The Phantom of The Opera) wasn't for me. And that's on me as a reader, lol. I just think that she had to do a lot of work to make Erik fuckable. And I don't think I can see Erik as like... a non-pathetic cringe being. And if he's that, he can't be fuckable. But I don't want to read about someone who isn't fuckable. So. MY BAD.

I think that for me, the key is not forcing it. There have been times when a book super doesn't work for me, and I can feeeel that it's a mood thing. So I might come back to it later, maybe do an audiobook next time. But yeah, no point in trying if it ain't working at all.

[aeniqmata]

QUESTIONS FOR MUNS. || @lured-into-wonderland || accepting

6. is roleplaying the only writing-based hobby you have, or are there other things you like to write?

It is my only writing-based hobby. I don’t really do a whole lot of writing for anything other than Tumblr or Discord, though I have absolutely written some Fanfiction in my high school days. I might even still have the book that one of them was written in. A Darker than Black fic that I remember nothing about and hesitate to look at because I hate reading my writing even a week after writing it. 

7. describe your favorite relationship dynamic. (can be any kind, platonic, romantic, familial, antagonistic, etc.)

So it should be no surprise I am also a monster when it comes to shipping. Noctis and the Bros. Noctis and Nyx. Noctis getting the love he so desperately needs once his father is gone. Therion getting someone who won’t be scared off by his attempts to protect himself. Sephiroth and Zack, abandoned by their friends and finding solace and more than friendship with one another.

I adore shipping and exploring the goods and the bads of relationships. Not all of them can be sugar and spice at all times. There are bad times in any relationship, and even the trope of ‘ break up and get back together ’ is something that I adore. 

People dating in high school, and finding small things they didn’t like about eachother then that drove them apart. Years later they see one another happy with someone else and just pine after the love they lost, until they find out that their relationship is ending and they are heartbroken. Sure they could swoop in and take advantage of the vulnerability, but at the same time they are happy to just be the shoulder to cry on that they need. And if they get closer while the other cries their heart out? Well...

Give me the white knight story. The falling for the bad boy story. The ‘we’re on opposite sides, and I’m conflicted about my love for you v. my ideals’

I’m not gonna talk about Prideshipping here cause that’ll get ugly, but @tenebriism and @azure-eyes about the nonsense that is those two. I have feelings about Kaiba making a literal dimension hopping/ripping apart machine just to duel a dead man. That is love and you can’t tell me otherwise. He could have settled for Yuugi, but he wanted the Pharoah. ( Sorry bud. )

[jackdawyt]

Today we’re bittersweetly jumping into the second and third issues of Dragon Age: Dark Fortress. The end is here for this amazing comic-run, and we’ve got plenty of lore to dissect as well as many tears to shed. If you’re not already caught up, I’ve broken down the first issue in a separate video, so you can check that out. If you’ve already read the second and third issue for yourself, well, I guarantee you, I’ve spotted a few things you’ve probably missed. So, let’s dive straight into the huge, juicy lore drops revealed in the final issues of Dark Fortress.

#1 - The Gang’s Arrival at Castellum Tenebris

Issue two opened with Ser Aaron, Vaea, Fenris, Marius, Tessa, Francesca and Autumn’s arrival at Castellum Tenebris - the ‘Dark Fortress’ that is eponymous to this comic run - the gang’s intention has been to stop the Venatori’s wicked ritual and seize their red lyrium artefacts and weapons. Considering the gang couldn’t use the bridge without immediately being sighted or killed by Venatori, Vaea crossed the fortress’s bridge by parkouring underneath it’s structure and reaching the stronghold. She found Danarius’s hidden entrance and let the rest of the gang inside.

As they entered the fortress, they each prepared to face the Venatori, stopping their ritual to create a red wraith using the sarcophagus. Fenris explained the few things he remembered when he was imbued with lyrium tattoos through the sarcophagus, in preparation for what the Venatori might do with Shirallas’s transformation. He shared that a sword laced with lyrium was put into the device in order for it to work. Marius exclaimed that the magisters will be using a red lyrium imbued weapon this time around.

Fenris went on to say that, among other things, his ritual was bombarded with magic, he suspected that fire magic was used for his transformation. He suggested that the group should watch out for the red lyrium-imbued sword and any mages involved in the ritual - they could be the key to stopping it.

However, when the gang arrived at the ritual’s sanctum, they never expected to see an imprisoned dragon that would be used as a catalyst for Shirallas’s red wraith transformation. They each split up to focus on the Venatori and to free the dragon, when suddenly, even more chaos erupted from outside.

#2 – The Qunari Antaam’s Invasion

The Qunari Antaam laid waste to the eastern Tevinter city, Neromenian. Since the first issue, their focus has been on seizing Castellum Tenebris to stop a powerful, magical ritual and kill everyone in the fortress. Tractus Danarius, otherwise known as Danarius the Lesser was held captive by the Qun, until he recently escaped their grasp in the second issue.

The Qunari leader Karasten told his fellow Qunari that they’re bringing the entirety of the Qunari Antaam down on Castellum Tenebris, and they weren’t bluffing. The Antaam arrived with weapons of artillery blasting at the fortress’s gate as soldiers stormed the bridge. Their conquest had begun.

#3 - The Dragon & Red Wraith

Magister Neneleus, Professor Marquette and Shirallas prepared for their ritual as both the Qunari and our heroes invaded the fortress. Marquette examined the red lyrium-imbued sword that would be inserted into the sarcophagus for Shirallas’s transformation. This red lyrium sword was crafted from the infamous red lyrium idol, after the sword transforms Shirallas, its purpose will be to infuse him.

Marquette reminded Neneleus about the deal they made, Marquette is supposed to keep the red lyrium idol for studying purposes after this experiment is over.

As the Qunari laid siege, Nenealeus demanded that the ritual begin now. At that exact moment, the gang made their moves. Vaea and Fenris attempted to free the dragon, Ser Aaron targeted Marquette, Marius faced Nenealeus, and Francesca killed a few mages with her vine magic. Francesca then attempted to destroy the sarcophagus.

Nonetheless, in a sudden flash, the Qunari destroyed parts of the fortress, chaos emerged across the stronghold, and Shirallas slashed Francesca’s magical vine that was about to conceal the sarcophagus.

Shirallas then entered the sarcophagus as Marquette placed the red lyrium sword in place. The dragon’s shackles were broken by Fenris and Vaea with the intention of it fleeing the scene. Instead, Neneleus discovered that Danarius the Lesser bound the beast with magic, as he raised his sword and used magic, the dragon obeyed him and rained fire on the sarcophagus, setting the ritual in motion.

Upon the ritual’s completion, the Red Wraith was born.

#4 - Shirallas

Issue three opened up by revealing more of Shirallas’s backstory before he aligned himself with Magister Nenealeus and became the Red Wraith. His clan was burned to the ground and he remained the only survivor. At a young age, he was taken in by another clan and marked with Elgar’nan’s vallaslin as he began his journey to adulthood. Shirallas joined up with Fenris on a quest to free elves from their bindings. On one mission to recover elven slaves destined for Magister Nenealeus’s estate, Shirallas switched places with one of the slaves as Nenealeus decided to take Shirallas in, and train him to become a Magekiller. Years since, Shirallas became a powerful perrepatae under Nenealeus and the remaining Venatori.

In the present day, Shirallas became the Red Wraith with a powerful red lyrium infused sword. Magister Nenealeus declared that with the Red Wraith and the dragon under his command, they were ready to lead the Venatori to victory. The Qunari would be the first to feel their wrath, and soon the rest of the world.

#5 - The Qunari Arrangement

The Qunari Antaam continued their assault on the front gates of Castellum Tenebris with the intention of killing everyone inside the fortress. However, Fenris and Vaea approached Karasten striking a deal with the Qunari. They agreed that the Qun could kill every single mage inside, except Francesca. With that arrangement, the Qunari Antaam joined forces with the gang and slaughtered many of the Venatori.

With the Qun’s help, Fenris focused on fighting the Red Wraith while Ser Aaron turned his attention to the dragon. Autumn landed a perfect attack on the Red Wraith as Fenris flanked his old friend with a chest-stab. While the Red Wraith was down, Francesca dropped a lit colosseum on top of him and used her vine magic to ensnare the Red Wraith and the dragon.

#6 - Marius vs. Magister Nenealeus

In an epic stand-off, Marius faced off against his mentor Magister Nenealeus. As Marius confronted him, the Red Wraith erupted from the rubble and returned to the fight. Nenealeus said that the Red Wraith can heal from any wound, he then offered Marius a choice - surrender and serve alongside the Venatori, or die.

Marius charged at Nenealeus and threw a trap targeting for hurting mages. Nenealeus laughed at his attempt and electrocuted Marius. While Marius was stunned, and Nenealeus was focused on killing Marius, Vaea jumped on the Magister’s back and stabbed him with two daggers in his neck Killing him almost immediately, this was Vaea’s first confirmed kill and it was absolutely worth it.

As soon as Nenealeus dropped to the floor, his dragon became confused no longer under his spell. Francesca released her vine-magic chains from the beast as it fled the scene, she used her magic on the sarcophagus, plunging the device deep into the earth. There’d only be one Red Wraith to deal with for now.

#7 - The Red Wraith & His Sword

With the discovery that the Red Wraith can heal from any wound, the gang prepared to face an impossible fight against him. Marquette offered advice against the Red Wraith, having felt the convictions of his experiment. He only wanted to see what the artifacts and weapons did, but he never meant to create a monster. He said that the key to stopping the Red Wraith lies within his sword - he feeds energy to the sword from the red lyrium in his veins, and in turn, the sword heals his wounds. Without that sword, he could be defeated.

Instantly, Ser Aaron knew what must be done. He charged at the Red Wraith, and fought vehemently against him, the Red Wraith stabbed Ser Aaron in the middle of his chest. As he did, Ser Aaron used his own sword and cut the Red Wraith’s hands off. With the red lyrium sword still in his gut, Ser Aaron fell backwards against the castle walls and fell to the depths of the fortress - separating the sword from the Red Wraith at the cost of his life.

The Red Wraith, unable to recover from his brutal wounds was in shock having had his hands cut off. Autumn; infuriated with the loss of Ser Aaron, bit the living crap out of the Red Wraith’s leg, he stumbled to the ground as Fenris slashed his head clean off. No longer was Shirallas a friend of Fenris, if he ever was.

#8 - The Gang’s Farewell

Marius and Tessa trekked ahead to find Ser Aaron’s body, they arrived below the fortress with Qunari soldiers waiting, they reminded them of their bargain - that the Qun were to keep the fortress for themselves and the gang had to leave immediately.

Marius and Tessa left the fortress on horseback as Vaea and Autumn comforted Ser Aaron one final time as he shared his final words. He was sorry that Vaea had to take a life and hopes that it will never be easy for her to do in the future. Ser Aaron had a letter in his pocket he wanted her to see, it was a letter for King Alistair requesting him to make Vaea a knight. She only had to give it to him, Ser Aaron was assured he would do it. He faded away as the group mourned the loss of a beloved friend.

Some time later, the gang discussed what’s next. Francesca believed that the lyrium sarcophagus will never be found because of how deep it is beneath the earth. Fenris suggested that the sword should be taken to the Inquisition. Vaea said that she couldn’t join them because she needed to take Ser Aaron’s body back to Portsmouth, so he can be buried with his family.

Fenris and Francesca insisted on joining Vaea with that endeavour. She was his family after all. Vaea and Francesca rode Casse, Ser Aaron’s house, as Fenris and Autumn followed just behind them. As they set off to Portsmouth, Vaea retold the story of how Ser Aaron came to ride Casse in the first place.

Marius and Tessa took a break from riding as they recalled their adventure with the gang. Obliviously or not, the two were standing in front of an eluvian as a familiar figure watched and listened through his own eluvian in an undisclosed location.

#9 - The Red Lyrium Idol & Solas

After Marquette told the gang how to defeat the Red Wraith, he fled the scene with one of their horses. Somewhere outside of Tenebris, Danarius the Lesser found and taunted Marquette with magic and asked him for the red lyrium idol. Marquette suggested that it belonged in a museum, but after Danarius intimidated him, he handed it over and said that he doesn’t think it does anything anymore. Danarius didn’t care about its power, he just wanted it to impress the Venatori.

After retrieving the idol, Danarius was also being watched through an eluvan by the Dread Wolf himself, no doubt, looking for his idol.

Given that Dark Fortress is pre-Tevinter Nights, perhaps Danarius the Lesser is the exact mage from House Danarius in “The Dread Wolf Take You” short story, the very mage who took the red lyrium idol to the Mortalitasi in Nevarra for a ritual to stop the Qunari’s invasion. Given Danarius’s reasoning for acquiring the idol, Stopping the Qunari would certainly impress the Venatori.

In any event, the red lyrium idol has seemingly not been acquired by Solas yet, however, he’s on the hunt and catching up to retrieving it at any point given his eluvian network and pool of spies. It seems like it’s only a matter of time…

Dark Fortress superbly ended on a face reveal of Solas with the caption: “never the end.” Perhaps, this is a tease for a future comic series, or simply for the next game when we come face to face with Solas. I hope for a mix of both because I have loved Nunzio’s, Chrisitna’s and everyone who’s worked incredibly hard at Dark Horse on this comic run, and I’d love to see more comics from them in the future. I really hope BioWare gives them more comics to craft, they’ve been nothing but remarkable.

But if this is the end, then so be it. I’ve loved every second of these comics, especially Dark Fortress with the amount of payoff that’s been delivered to each character. And yes, of course, the Solas reveal does make it all a little bit more exciting, but for me, the juicy lore drops that’s been added, the tie-ins to Tevinter Nights and the epic character journeys have made the entire comic-run since Knight Errant top-notch, and full-circle.

If nothing else, there’s got to be a Vaea and Autumn cameo in the next Dragon Age, they both deserve it! Anyhow, for any potential future comics, or news on the upcoming Dragon Age, you’re already in the right place.

[another-lost-mc]

Hold on now, I absolutely love all your OCs and their personalities! But I had one question. If we got into a fight with any of them and reached our breaking point we took off a ring, (say engagement, promise, a just because gift we never stopped wearing), what would they do?

Oh, let's pretend the argument's just happened, and you left them to get some space and they're reeling from the consequences of whatever stupid thing they've said or done:

AZRA: Paces like a caged beast in his room or office at the club (depending where the fight happened) even though his gut reaction is to go after you. He wanted to reach out to you and try to keep you from leaving, but he knew that would only make things worse. If he hasn't figured out what he's done wrong, someone else like Zee or the demon brothers (if they know what happened) will help set him straight one way or another. He gives you the space and time you ask for because he wants to apologize properly in person, but only when you're ready. He's deeply rattled by what's happened but tries to hide it if others are around - he doesn't want them to see him so vulnerable, but he's fooling no one.

ZEE: All the pent up frustration and anger and disappointment gets unleashed as soon as you're gone, and it's all directed at himself, of course. He might destroy a room of his house or his office at the club, and maybe he hurts himself in the process, but it feels like a fitting punishment. He hurt you, and he never ever wants to hurt you. It takes a while for him to calm down and he's going to make sure the others keep you away on the slim chance you try to come back too soon - he doesn't want you to see him like this. He'll come find you and make it right when he pulls himself together.

KARASU: He's stunned speechless in the worst way possible. He stares where you were just standing or sitting in front of him. He wants to run after you, but he doesn't think he can because of how nauseous he feels. If/when Mammon sees you later and realizes something's happened, he goes to try and stop Karasu's meltdown at the nest while the others comfort you. He'll be ready with an explanation and an apology once he's had time to compose himself.

TENEBRIS: Depending on what happened, he might turn to Diavolo for advice. He'd rather talk to you than text you, so he calls and he'll leave a message for you if you don't answer. He's upset with himself but he's worried about you too - one of his familiars might end up following you just to keep an eye on you even if he doesn't consciously command it to. He comes to you as soon as you give him an indication that you're willing to talk.

META: Follows you teary-eyed, apologizing profusely and asking for a chance to explain or apologize or whatever he has to do to make things right. If/when you ask him for time to be alone, he goes to his room and cries into his pillow then writes a very heartfelt apology letter. He uses magic to deliver his letter to wherever it is you've gone and he locks himself away in his room while he waits to hear from you. He neglects his work or responsibilities because he's too distraught to focus on anything else but what he's done to hurt you.

[random-fandom-ramble]

Thoughts on Ethari leaving the Silvergrove in S4?

Oooooh, where to start...

For me it’s fairly clear that Ethari is going to leave the silver grove at some point. A craftsman who’s not only handy with all kinds of weapons and magical creations but also directly linked to at LEAST two of the most important people in the entire saga (Runaan and Rayla) is just too convenient in this story for him to just be left at home and not do anything. Sure, he might do some good at the silvergroove, and if any of the protagonists ever come back, it would be good to have him there to welcome them. But if we compare that to the sheer MULTITUDE of possibilities that arise if Ethari leaves the silvergroove, then it’s just foolish to think that it won’t happen at some point. (And considering this show will only have 7 seasons, sooner rather than later would be best).

Just going off the top of my head, the options are simply amazing (from a story/plot perspektive):

1: Ethari goes to Katolis.

This is one that many have already theorized about in some way or another (including myself). The most obvious reason why he might go there is because it’s the last place Runaan went to before he died. If Ethari were given any reason at all to believe that there’s something fishy about Runaans “death”, then that would be reason enough for him to go investigate.

But what I would be far more interested in is seeing what Ethari would do at the Moon Nexus. We already know that the moon henge can open a portal between life and death, and it’s easy to see how Ethari might want to use that to save Runaan. But what I’d like to see is if Ethari could learn about other things from other people long past. I mean think about it: with the moon henge he could talk to people who were alive thousands of years ago. Who knows what kind of knowledge he could obtain, be it about history, politics, how to make primal stones, how to learn deep magic, how to defeat Aaravos, etc... if Ethari used his crafting skills to fix the portal and speak with the dead, then he’d have access to nigh unlimited amounts of knowledge! How awesome woul THAT be?!

And he’d get a lot of ghost besties.🌝

2: Ethari goes looking for Rayla.

Obviously Ethari cares very deeply for Rayla, and he would absolutely drop everything to go help her if she ever needed his aid. So if say, a certain human sky mage who happens to be a prince of katolis were to walk up to him in the silvergroove and tell him that Rayla’s disappeared, and that he needs Etharis help to save her, you can bet your bottom dollar that that craftsman will be ready to go before the human prince even finished his sentence.

In this case Ethari would probably be traveling through Xadia with Callum, which could lead to some pretty wonderful scenarios: Ethari teaching Callum some basic moon magic, Callum freaking out Ethari by jumping off a cliff but flying up again, Ethari helping Callum not get killed by other elves, Callum and Ethari nerding over books together, the list just goes on and on. This would also be a great oportunity for Callum to learn more about Raylas upbringing, and what the intricacies of moonshadow elven culture are. Plus it’s a roadtrip. Roadtrips are fun, no? What could possibly go wrong!

3: Ethari goes on a journey for truth.

Imagine if after realizing that something about Runaans death wasn’t right, and that the story with Tiadrin and Lains betrayal just didn’t add up, he went of to find out what really happened. This might start out as a quest to save his family, but with a few tidbits and clues along the way, he might find himself on a path to uncovering some dark truths about xadia. Why was the moon henge destroyed? Was it really just to keep it from human hands? Why did Avizandum/Thunder keep a mirror with a prisoner inside it next to where he slept? Who was that prisoner, and did he have anything to do with the fall of Lux Aurea? Where is the former dragon queen Luna Tenebris? Why is so much information getting obscured? What are the dragons hiding?

While there are many characters who could do it, Ethari might be uniquely situated to actually solving this task. Technically he’s “just a craftsman from a small village in the forest” who’s probably going to fall under many peoples radar. He’s smart, crafty, self reliant and stubborn, and he has such a sweet and polite personality that no one would ever suspect him of attempting treason. (I’m pretty sure digging around Xadias dirty past is something the dragons would call treason).

So yeah; Ethari going undercover to reveal the truth that’s been hidden behind centuries of countless lies and propaganda. How about that?

4: Ethari goes on a journey by/for himself.

Now I’ve had this head canon playing around in my head for a while now. One version includes Ethari having been kidnapped but escaping, one where he accidentally got caught in a teleportation spell, and one where he just gets up and leaves for his own mental well being. But no matter what the build up or starting point is, it always leads to more or less the same premise: Ethari travels the world on his own for a while. He’s not on a specific journey to save his husband, or to find his runaway daughter, or to serve anybody elses purpose; he’s literally just traveling for his own sake. Maybe he’s trying to get home, maybe he’s trying to find answers to something, or maybe his life felt like it was simply in shambles, and so he went out to figure himself out again. Maybe he meets new people along his journey, maybe he gives aid to some farmers. Maybe he helps out a small town and fixes their furnaces, or helps them make weapons to defend against raiders. Or maybe he just makes toys for any kids he happens to pass by. Perhaps he even gains a bit of a reputation amongst the common folk; a mysterious Tinker traveling the land, coming to aid wherever he can.

And then one day, he goes back home, or back to his family, or back to wherever he started. But this time, he comes back with new skills and experiences to help his friends, and maybe even with new allies that he found along the way...

Yeah, this last one is more feel-good-wish-fulfillment than anything else, but it’s a happy-ish hc, and i like it a lot.

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

I could go on and on about Etharis storyline, and what the future holds for him. Heck, I could go on with countless other examples of “this is how and why Ethari leaves the Silvergroove”, but I gotta finish this ask at some point. Plus, dinner is calling.

So yeah, I had fun writing down this ramble that just came straight from my head.

Thanks for reading✨

[kusunogatari]

[ Naruto OC x Canon Ship Week 2020 - Face to Face ] [ @naruto-ocxcanon-ship-week​ || @abyssaldespair​ ] [ Suigin Ryū, Uchiha Obito ] [ Alcohol ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ Trope: Online Dating ]

Nibbling her lip, Ryū stares at the slight reflection in her mobile screen. Thumbs flicker over the keys, not quite touching in indecision.

This is the closest she’s gotten.

The concept, admittedly, is just...not one she ever saw herself using. Online dating seems so, so...weird! Lining up your face, your name, a handful of facts, and calling it good. Is that really all it takes anymore? Sure, she...doesn’t exactly have mountains of experience beyond that. Maybe she’s just old-fashioned. But putting up something akin to a mugshot to try and find love seems very...strange.

“Whatcha doin’?”

Eeping in surprise, she claws the phone to her chest, face going pink and heart pounding. “N-nothing!”

Behind her, a coworker she knows mostly only in passing perks a brow. “Whoa, sorry! You looked kinda, uh...distressed.”

Ryū heaves a small breath. “...sorry, I didn’t mean to jump so bad. I just, uh...I’m trying one of those silly dating websites, and…”

The other woman quickly perks up. “Oh! Yeah they’re kinda scary at first but I met my boyfriend on one! I bet you’ll do just fine. Just be smart about it, and it usually all works out fine.”

“Smart…?”

“Y’know...meet in public places, tell someone where you’re going. About the same as a normal date for those like us, huh?”

At that, Ryū can’t help but deflate. “...yeah, good point.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. People gotta have their pictures on there. I take a pic of any license plates and send them to someone I trust just in case.”

Brow wilting, Ryū admits, “You’re...not exactly giving me votes of confidence here.”

“Hey, gotta be prepared for the worst, but the worst hardly ever happens. Besides, a bit of chatting online usually gives a pretty good indication of if something will even work. And you can always ask friends to go on doubles, too.”

At that, Ryū doesn’t answer. She...doesn’t really have many friends to ask, let alone any with dates she’d feel like asking along. “Yeah, good point. I’ll, uh...I’ll see how it goes.”

“Cool! Good luck!” Giving a wave as she passes by, her coworker heads around a corner and out of sight.

“...what am I doing…” Ryū mumbles to herself, looking back to her nearly-completed account. “I know this isn’t gonna work…” And now the less appealing sides are at the forefront of her mind. Maybe she should just keep her nose to the grindstone and pretend she never brought this up.

...but then again…

As much as she hates to admit it, she’s lonely. Being a pharmacist might be similar to her wish to be a doctor, but it’s not quite what she wanted. It just feels like something is...missing. And while Ryū isn’t the sort to assume all her problems can be solved by a guy (or gal), she’s still pretty able to realize that her social life isn’t the best. No real close friends, passing grades with her coworkers...not even any pets. Up until now, she’s lived life in a series of grinds. School, then work, and now...it feels lacking.

Hence the idea to try the app.

“...no harm in looking,” she eventually mumbles to herself, slowly going through the rest of her profile and hitting the confirm button. “You don’t have to go on with it, but...just look. See how it works. Maybe just...chat with someone. One step at a time, okay?”

Of course, by then her break is nearly over, so she mutes her phone and heads back to work. She...only ate half her lunch, but she’s not really all that hungry anyway. Only once her shift is over does she head back to her little apartment and...give this thing a real try.

At first, it throws nothing but male profiles at her. Which is all well and good, but...it’s not all she’s interested in. Looking over a few names and faces, she eventually bucks up the courage to pick one. He’s a few years older, lives a town over, and works as a physical therapist. Not bad, right?

...ugh, wrong.

As soon as they start chatting, she knows this...isn’t going to work. He’s all Mister Nice Guy, subtly bragging about himself and leaving only certain questions open for her in turn: the only things he wants to hear about, and...things she can easily see through as shallow. Eventually she manages to get him to shut up and quickly deletes him.

Okay...not a great first impression, but it’s not gonna be perfect the first time she tries. This isn’t a fairytale, after all. So, she tries another. And another.

After over two weeks of duds that don’t even get past initial chats, she’s about ready to give up.

Laying on her bed spread-eagle with a sigh, she stares up at the ceiling. What started as a vague inking is turning into nothing but a source of frustration. Not exactly what she signed up for. Weighing her options, Ryū eventually stirs when her phone gives an all-too-familiar notification sound.

Another match...wonderful.

Sitting up with a grunt, she opens the message and looks over yet another profile. At first glance, it’s just another guy. Ugh. The amount of lady-seeking ladies has been depressingly low, but...apparently those are usually on their own kind of sites. So, for now, she entertains herself with this one.

Obito Uchiha...huh. Vaguely sounds like her own Japanese roots. There’s a small spark of curiosity, adjusting her stance slightly. Short dark hair, dark eyes, and...well, his pics aren’t the clearest (he clearly knows his good side (or what he’s assuming is his good side since...it’s all she sees)). But she spies a cat. That’s a win. She likes cats. A glance at his actual profile shows a like of sweets, cats (aha!), and a dislike of...aubergines? Googling that, there’s a hum of understanding. It’s eggplant! She...didn’t know that...whoops. The rest of the summary (stuff about ‘being extreme’ and ‘having abs’) gets her to giggle.

Well...might as well give it a try.

Giving the okay, she opens up the chat window, nibbling her lip in thought. What should she say…?

Hello!

A bit surprised, Ryū jolts slightly, not expecting the quick response! ...hi!

I didn’t think you’d accept it so fast!

And I didn’t think you’d say hello so quickly either!

Oh, sorry...was that too fast?

The apology begets a subconscious smile. No, not at all! My phone is usually pretty quiet is all. Sorry if I’m awkward, I’m...still kinda new at this.

Ha, me too. I haven’t had too many matches yet, so I’m still practicing.

Guess we can practice together! Though I have to ask you…

...eh?

What’s your kitty’s name?

Oh! Her name is Tenebris.

Aww, I love that name!

She’s my lady, haha! Helps me reel in the girls ;D

Ryū can’t help a snort. Well it seems to be working. I don’t have any pets, sadly…

What? None at all?

No...I work a lot so I haven’t gotten around to it. And I don’t want them to be lonely!

Bah, cats are good at being alone. Feed them and clean their box and you’re fine.

I’ll have to think about it, haha~

After a few minutes, Ryū realizes...this is the longest she’s talked to someone on here yet. Sure, it was a little stiff to start, but by some grace they just sort of...fell into conversation. No posturing or anything. It’s rather...refreshing! Encouraged, she keeps texting as she starts working on her dinner.

So what kind of work do you do?

I’m a pharmacist! Not quite the doctor I planned on, but it works.

Ohhh, wow!

What about you?

There’s quiet for a few minutes, and Ryū can’t help but wonder if that was a bad question. But then Obito replies, Sorry, my cat got stuck behind the couch...I uh...am currently working on a garbage truck part time…

She blinks. That’s...very random. Nothing wrong with that. It’s an important job, after all!

Eh, yeah...not very charming though, is it?

Oh, pffft. I stand behind a counter all day and give people medicine over and over. It’s not exactly exciting most days. We all make our ends meet somehow.

I guess that’s true.

Smiling at her phone, Ryū keeps cooking and chatting, giving play-by-plays as he asks what she’s making.

Do you like cooking?

Mhm! Food’s one of those things that’s both a necessity, and yet can be fancy when you want it to be, so...I thought it would be good to learn. And it’s a lot of fun!

I’m...okay at it.

Maybe I can give you some lessons down the road, hm?

You would?

Sure! It’d be something fun to do.

Like a first date?

At that, Ryū pauses. Right...dating. That’s what this is all for. She almost forgot… Sure! If that’s something you’d like to do. I guess dinner and a movie is pretty common for that. We’ll just make our own!

I’d really like that!

Cheeks warming, Ryū beams at the screen. I guess...it’s a date! Eventually. Whenever we can make something work, and maybe talk a little more…?

Sure! I take a lot of random side jobs so I can be a little flaky…

That’s okay - we’ll just keep chatting until then. You’re actually the first person that’s been fun to talk to…

He sends a big smile emoji. Success!

You’ll have to think about what we should make! I have to warn you, I like making dessert, too…

Oh no...my biggest weakness…

And no eggplant, right?

Eugh, no.

Haha, noted!

The conversation runs well into the evening until Ryū admits she’d best get to bed. Guess I’ll talk to you some more later, okay?

Mhm!

Say hi to Tenebris for me!

Haha, I will! Goodnight Ryū.

Night, Obito.

Checking her other messages, Ryū plugs in her mobile to charge before mulling over the evening. As she does, a smile slowly pulls at her lips.

Well, she can’t make any assumptions yet, but...this is a good start.

Chatting with Obito quickly becomes a routine. Though not much of a texter before, she checks in and quips with him throughout the day. He tells her about his latest jobs, and she notes anything out of the ordinary at work. Days blend into a week, and then two.

“So…”

“Hm?”

Leaning against the counter, Ryū’s coworker smirks. “Seems to me you hooked one, huh?”

Her cheeks flush pink. “Um...maybe…”

“You haven’t put your phone down for more than fives minutes all day!”

The pink gets darker as the other woman laughs.

“I’m glad! So, you gonna see him?”

“Yeah, eventually...I think we’re both a little nervous.”

“That’s adorable. You’ll have to let me know how it goes! Been nice seeing you look so bright lately.”

Ryū blinks. “...really?”

“Yeah. No offense, but...ever since I’ve worked here, you’ve been so quiet and to yourself. But lately you’ve just seemed more upbeat and...I dunno, out there.”

The observation admittedly takes her a bit off-guard. “...oh…”

“It’s just nice to see you look happy, that’s all. I know a job like this one’s kinda drudgy. Glad you’ve got something to keep your chin up.” With a smile, the other pharmacist straightens and heads back to work.

Still a bit struck, Ryū mulls all that over. True, she’s always been one to keep her nose to the grindstone. Maybe having a bit of a social outlet just...got her going to opening up some more.

...huh.

So...any openings in your schedule coming up?

Uh...I haven’t really checked lately. One sec!

Waiting for Obito’s reply, Ryū nibbles her thumbnail. She’s going to do it. She’s going to ask him over. By now she’s gotten to know him pretty well. She’s always been able to trust her gut, and...she believes she can trust him.

Though just in case, she’ll be letting her neighbor know when he comes to visit.

Just to be safe.

So I think I actually have Sunday clear. Does that work with you?

Yeah! I’m always on a Monday through Friday schedule, so weekends are almost always good with me!

Okay...cool!

Any idea what you wanna make?

Make?

Yeah! Remember, we talked about cooking…?

Ohhh, yeah! Uh...honestly I don’t have any preference.

You sure?

Yeah, just no aubergines.

I remember, haha.

Should I bring anything?

Nah, I’ll handle it. Though I guess if you have a movie you’d like to watch?

Ooh, okay! Uh...any you don’t like?

Maybe nothing too gory…?

Aw, that’s no fun!

I saw enough in medical school, believe me...it’s not fun.

Okay, okay. I’ll pick something.

And with a few other details hashed out...they have a date scheduled.

Ryū’s stomach can’t stop fluttering: both in excitement, and in nerves. She hasn’t really dated since college...what if she does something stupid? Offends him somehow? Or something just goes...wrong?

Okay, no, stop it. It’s gonna be fine. You’ve talked a lot, so...no need to be nervous. Just do it!

By the time Sunday rolls around, she’s as ready as she’ll ever be.

Fiddling with her hair in the bathroom mirror (can she EVER get it to do what she wants?), she jumps as someone knocks on the door. Trying to manage her nerves, she peers through the little peephole, spying what indeed looks to be Obito.

Taking a moment to steady her breath, she pulls open the door and looks up just as he looks over.

...oh.

She always thought his photo gallery on his profile was a bit...empty. At first she hadn’t really noticed that all of Obito’s photos had been taken showing one side of his face.

So only now, with him looking straight at her, does she see what he’s been hiding.

The apprehension in his face clearly shows he’s awaiting her reaction, and at first she can only blink. Eyes naturally slide to the right side where a plethora of scars mar the skin from his brow to his chin. One even reaches up into his lip.

But though it’s a surprise by novelty, it otherwise does nothing to hinder the blush in her face.

...gosh he’s handsome.

Her gaze lingers on the scars for only a moment before lifting back to his eyes, cheeks rosy and giving a demure smile. “...hi.”

“...hey.”

There’s a few beats of awkward silence, the pair of them stuck staring at each other. “...s-sorry! Um...come on in!” Ryū steps aside, going hotter in the face. A nice button-up shirt and clean jeans make him look quite snazzy. Seems her blouse and skirt wasn’t too much or too little. They hadn’t really breached any ideas about how formal to be…

Stepping in, Obito glances around before clearing his throat. From behind his back he draws a little bouquet of flowers. “Er...for you.”

Ryū’s greys alight with delight. “Oh!” It’s cliché as all hell, but she loves them. Delicately accepting the blooms, she gives them a sniff before beaming at him. “Thank you! I, er...I don’t have anything for you…”

“That’s okay! I mean, food’s good with me, heh.”

Giving a giggle, Ryū retreats to the kitchen to put them in some water, setting the vase on her little table. “There…!”

“You...have a really nice apartment!”

“Thank you...I’m always either working or tired, so I don’t manage to mess it up much,” she laughs. “I tried to make it kinda...cute. I’m not exactly an interior designer.”

“No, it’s nice. It suits you.”

That makes her go pink all over again. “...s-so! Um...are you hungry…?”

Obito gives a grin. “Always!”

“Okay! Um...I thought we’d do something a bit...basic? Just in case? Do you like spaghetti…?”

“Yeah!”

“...okay! Cool. Um…” Awkwardness creeping back up, she claps her hands and giggles nervously. “Then, I...guess we’ll give it a try!”

The pair move back into the kitchen, where Ryū already has everything sorted out and ready to go. “Wow...looks professional.”

“Oh gosh, it’s just…” She gestures vaguely. “...I wanted to be ready so we wouldn’t waste any time…” Turning on the heat under the water, she thinks to ask, “...no food allergies, right?”

“No. At least...none I’ve found…? And I’ve had spaghetti before, it should be fine, hm?”

“Okay!”

A bit stuttery at first, she starts guiding him through her process, letting him take most of the reins and acting more as a guide. Obito listens attentively, looking exceedingly focused.

...it’s adorable.

“Okay, so with the grease drained off, we can add our sauce...and once it’s all combined, that’ll be that!” She, in the meantime, worked on a salad mix. “And the garlic bread should be about done, too!”

“You make this all seem so easy.”

She flushes pink. “It...just takes practice! And you did really well!”

“I had a good teacher.”

Once it’s all finished, the pair of them ferry things to the table. “Okay...you try it first.”

“Me?”

“Mhm! You made it, right?”

Glancing to his plate, Obito twirls some noodles onto his fork, lightly pink at Ryū’s watching as he takes the bite and chews. “...it’s good!”

Beaming again, she follows suit. And it’s perfect! Mouth still full, she gives a thumbs-up, making him laugh. Between spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and a little wine, they get through dinner with hearty conversation and increasing laughter.

“I dunno why I was so nervous,” she admits once they’re done, a cheek leaning against a fist as she twirls the last few sips of her wine. “I mean...we’ve been talking so much already. Guess I just felt kinda...out of practice. Y’know?”

“Yeah, me too. Though I try to bravado my way through things.”

“Well, we got through it. Should we play the movie…?”

“Sure!” He holds up a thumbdrive, grinning. “From my collection.”

“Oho!”

With a refill of wine, they move into the little living room of the apartment, Obito hooking up the TV and starting the film.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see!”

“Not gory, right?”

“Nooo. But...maybe a little scary.”

“Scary is okay. I like spooks. Just not lotsa blood and flesh and…” Her nose wrinkles. “...y’know.”

“Ha, yeah.”

They settle on the one couch she has, and at first sit...a little ways apart. They’d had opposite sides of the table before, and...well, this is new. But like a couple of dumb teenagers, they slowly meander their way closer, testing the other’s boundaries as they go until Ryū finds herself snuggled up against Obito’s side, head on his shoulder.

Obito, just out of her line of sight, is clearly ecstatic.

The movie starts out tame, but true to his word, it quickly takes on a rather creepy tone. Transfixed, Ryū stares at the screen, slowly worming her way further and further into the dip of Obito’s side.

...if she weren’t so focused on the movie, she’d realize that was likely his plan.

Obito, on the other hand, has technically already seen this one, and instead mostly watches for her reactions. The closer they get to a big scare, the more often he looks, biting back a grin until it finally happens -!

Shrieking in terror, Ryū scrambles for someplace to hide, and...ends up burrowing into his chest with a string of garbled, frightened nonsense as Obito does his best not to laugh.

“You okay?”

“I -! That -!” Her head shakes with a whimper, still hiding. “Nope. Nope nope nope.”

“Want me to stop it?”

“...nooo…” One grey peeks out, finding the screen a bit more bearable now. “...that was fricken’ terrifying! Ohhh my gosh!”

He just snickers, ignoring her continuing whines of discomfort. “It’s almost over, don’t worry.”

To his delight, she remains half-perched on his lap for the rest of the film. Once the credits start to creep up the screen, she loses her tension and goes limp. “...I almost had a heart attack…”

“Aw…”

“I mean it was good! But cripes, I wasn’t ready...eugh…”

Obito rubs a hand along her back, still clearly amused. “Gonna be able to sleep tonight?”

“...I better, I have work in the morning…”

He apologizes, watching as she tears herself from the couch and disappears into the kitchen. “...Ryū?”

No answer.

Brow furrowing, he makes to follow just in time to see her pull a pan out of the refrigerator. “What’s that?”

“Peach cobbler,” she sniffs, setting it on the counter and then fetching vanilla ice cream. “This is my reward for surviving your movie.”

“You’re gonna eat the whole pan?”

She shoots him a pout. “...maybe.”

He mirrors the look. “...I want some…”

“You have to promise never to scare me like that again.”

“Okay, okay. But wasn’t it at least a little fun…?”

Scooping the food into bowls, she thinks back over how nice and warm it was in his arms...and she could smell his cologne… “...maybe a little.”

They stay standing in the kitchen, leaned against the counter as they eat their dessert. Though not as lively as before, they chat in the quiet.

“So...on a scale of one to ten, how was our date?”

Ryū sucks on her spoon with a thoughtful hum. “...a nine.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Why not a ten?”

“Because you scared the bejesus out of me!” After a moment to pout, she asks, “...you?”

“A ten.”

“...really?”

“Good food, good movie...good company. What’s not to love?”

She...isn’t sure how to respond to that, so she takes another bite to excuse her silence.

“We’ll have to try cooking something else next time. Something spicy!”

“Not too spicy, it’ll make me sick!”

“Whaaat?”

“I have a delicate stomach...nothing too greasy, either.”

“That’s all the good food!” he laughs.

“It’s not my fault!”

“Fine, fine...we’ll figure something out. I’ll have to find some of my grandmother’s recipes. From Quebec.”

That earns a blink. She thought she heard traces of an accent in his voice, but didn’t want to assume. “...sure! I’d really like that.”

But eventually, the bowls and the wine glasses are empty. The movie is over. The hour is growing late.

It’s time to call it a night.

...but it’s clear neither of them really want to.

Obito offers to help tidy up, and that helps take a little more time. But once that’s done, there’s really no more excuses.

“...well…” Ryū fidgets a bit. “Guess I’ll...say goodnight?”

“Yeah, I better go. Don’t want to keep you up to late. And I’ve got my route in the morning.”

“Mm…”

She walks him to the front door, the pair of them lingering in the opening for a long moment. “...be safe on your way home. Text me to let me know you made it okay, all right?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“And to say goodnight.”

“...again.”

“...yeah, again.”

Another pause.

Indecision seeming to make her bones vibrate, Ryū eventually makes up her mind. Stepping up a bit closer, she lays a hand against Obito’s chest and - with a bit of posturing up on her toes - she gives him a feather-light press of her lips to his.

Flashing pink, he nonetheless reciprocates, both of them easing slowly back apart.

“...goodnight, Obito.”

“...night, Ryū. I’ll...talk to you later.”

Nodding with a shy smile, she watches him head down the hall before forcing herself to shut the door. For a moment, she stands and holds the knob...then turns and leans against it with a sigh.

...it seems so quiet in here now…

Eyes lift to her little dining room table, where the flowers he brought her are still sitting in their vase. The sight brings her a small smile. As much as she’s sad to see him go...well, that just means she’ll get to look forward to seeing him again next time.

Next time...what a lovely concept.

Heaving a more contented breath, she makes her way back into the apartment. Time to get ready for bed, and wait to hear he got home okay. Then she’ll sleep, and start all over again.

...but at least now there’s something to look forward to.

     All righty, another day, this one with Ryū’s ship with @abyssaldespair​‘s Obito, set in a modern verse! I had...several ideas for these two, and picking one was difficult and ended up costing me time BUT, it’s done xD      Hopefully I can get MORE done :’D      But yes! This was actually an idea Meg submitted to me, with the premise based largely on Obito hiding his appearance on his profile until the big reveal! Ryū, of course, doesn’t mind his scars no matter the verse. She still thinks he’s one cute cookie x3      Anywho, I guess that’s...really all there is to say for this one! Hope ya like it Meg, and I better get to work on more drabbles xD

[netflixoxygenoxygen]

aaravos || memories

They couldn’t break you fully. Hurt you, and you would have simply waited until death. Killed you, and you would have simply moved onto the next life to meet with Aaravos. 

There was nothing you feared.

Or so you thought.

aaravos x gender neutral reader, angst, mentions of torture, >1.5k 

The cell was pitch black.

At first, you had liked that. It meant you could slip into dreamland, fool yourself into thinking you weren’t awake, weren’t alive, even.

That was before the memories began to attack you. They hurt. 

Dragged to your knees, head pulled back to watch as he was taken away, casted into a mirror dimension right before you. His eyes met yours one last time; a million years would never wipe that look from your mind.

The darkness meant that you couldn’t escape the memories. Darkness that had once been your friend, your lover. The time of stars in the night sky, scattered on his body.

It was then that you began to love the pitch blackness once more.

You could pretend that the crawling on your skin was not whatever vile creatures festered in the cell; no, it was his fingers trailing your arms, face, like he used to. Pretend that if you opened your eyes, you would wake to his starlit face, and not more nothingness. The cold grip on your wrists were his hands, not the chains.

Those thoughts took up a lot of energy. A lot of will. But you forced yourself to think them, forced yourself to live through the life before you had been caught over and over if only so that when you did finally die, you might not even notice it. You would awaken in the afterlife, wherever and whatever that might be, with him waiting there.

You had long accepted that you would die. No one came to see you. To give you food or water. How long had it been? 

You only wished for death to hurry.

The flame of hope; death. Oh, the irony. 

And when bright light flooded through the cell, your heart soared. You had arrived.

But it was not Aaravos’ face you were met with.

Instead, it was the face of another elf, eyes sharp and disgusted as they glared down at your form.

You had not died.

“You’re coming with us!”

“Hey, be more gentle--”

“You defending the freak?”

“No! If it dies, we’re in trouble, remember? Tch, idiot.”

“Be quiet! It’ll live. Humans always do.”

You did not want to. Could they kill you if you wished? You wanted to tell them that, but however long you had gone without water was too long; your throat was rawer and drier than the west of the continent.

Your heart began to pound weakly against your chest as they hauled you away from the dungeons. 

Whatever this was, there was no way they’d let you live freely and happily.

It was a trick. One you could not bring yourself to care about. If all they did was harm you, that would be fine. As long as they dared not to try pit you against Aaravos; as long as they dared not use you against him. 

You were taken to a large chamber. Candles hung suspended in the air, a circle of robed elves in the center, their faces cast in deep shadows. You were shoved into the midst of it all, too starved to try to move. 

It was fine.

You would accept whatever they did to you. 

It might have been the only way you’d die.

“Y/N of the humans. You, who conspired with the traitorous startouch elf, must now pay the price. You, who dared to steal magic from others, must now atone for your sins! Now!”

The elves lifted their arms, the robes hiding the candles from view.

You might have smiled. You might have been too weak to.

All you knew was that you were fine with whatever atonement they deemed necessary. They couldn’t break you fully. Hurt you, and you would have simply waited until death. Killed you, and you would have simply moved onto the next life to meet with Aaravos. 

There was nothing you feared.

“Obliviscatur te in unum. Obliviscatur te docuit ille qui. Obliviscentes in tenebris.”

Or so you thought.

“Obliviscatur te in unum. Obliviscatur te docuit ille qui. Obliviscentes in tenebris.”

No.

“Obliviscatur te in unum. Obliviscatur te docuit ille qui. Obliviscentes in tenebris.”

No.

You screamed, silently, internally, eternally.

No.

It couldn’t have been.

But it was.

It was it was it was. 

You were wrong. 

You feared one thing. 

A life without Aaravos. A life without memories.

Death would have been a thousand times favoured. A lifetime of torture better endured, if it meant you would return to his arms. 

Now, now...

You might have met him later. Might have found him again in that second life, waiting. No matter how agonizing the days. No matter how wrenching the loneliness. You would have waited.

Because you would have never forgotten.

Even as the seconds ticked by, your mind began to crumble.

Memories. Hundreds upon thousands of them. 

The first time you had seen the elf with the universe in himself. Your first meeting, the way he had raised an eyebrow at your antics. The day you had gathered enough courage to ask him to teach you magic in any way he could, knowing it was likely impossible, putting all your hope and faith in him. The relentless hours of study and spell-casting that never succeeded until that summer evening. You had pulled the magic out of the butterfly in front of you and had lit up his dark garden with a thousand lights. The moment the magic spilled out, the wondrous smile on his face as you both knew, in that moment, that anything and everything was possible.

Anything and everything.

Gone.

All...

Gone?

What

was

gone?

Your name was Y/N L/N. You were a human that woke up surrounded by a group of elves all glaring down at your frail, thin body underneath the sheets. If you looked, you would see your ribs poking out and the sharp shape of your legs.

Your head hurt. Your body did too. It alarmed you. Why were you in such a condition? Why were you in such a lavish sick room? Why were you surrounded by such noble elves? So many questions, and yet you were not the one doing the asking.

“Do you know how to do magic?”

You stared at the elf who spoke, blinking in confusion. “No...I’m a-a human. Why...why would I?” You cautiously answered, feeling like your life hung in those words.

The elves seemed to deflate in relief. But they did not move. You couldn’t understand why you were so attuned to their emotions. Like you knew all their signs.

The elf turned to the one next to them. “It’s all gone now. We can release it.”

“Are you sure?” The other one insisted. “What if it returns--”

“It won’t. Trust me on that.”

You didn’t understand what they were talking about. Had you been caught up in something? An attack? A conspiracy? 

You...

Didn’t care.

You had to return home. Someone was waiting. Someone...

Who?

Who was it that was waiting? Waiting in that room, decorated with stars...

You winced as a spark of pain lashed out from within your head. 

That’s right!

Your mother was waiting. Waiting at your home with her on the outskirts of the country. 

“If I may leave...” You began hesitantly, but with a firm determination. There was so much work to be done at home. Chores and studies. 

Studies of...

Studies of the farm work. You were to take over the farm once mother let you. You had to study how to do everything she did. 

That’s right.

The elf shook their head. “You must come with us first. It will only be a moment.”

You nodded. That was fine. As long as you returned home quickly enough. He didn’t like it when you were late.

He?

No, she. Mother. Mother didn’t like it when you were late.

You’re hefted from the bed in one smooth motion by a larger elf. 

The walk is hurried, but long. Passing the windows, you tried to catch a glimpse outside but you go too quickly. You swore there was smoke in the distance. You went down many flights of stairs, the lower it went, the darker it became. Your heart began to race when you recognised the dungeons. You passed a door that made you nauseous. You could not bear to look at it. It gave you bad vibes. 

Like...like you could not stand it.

Like something had happened there.

The elves stopped at the cell furthest in the dungeons, the door barricaded generously.

When they unlocked it, you’re met with the sight of an elaborate mirror, runes carved into the frame.

The mirror scared you.

But you did not know why.

You stared at your reflection, eyes wide. 

A shadow passed your face, but it made your head ache. You squeezed your eyes shut, and when you opened them, only your tear-stained face stared back.

Why...

Were you crying?

“Tsk. We’ll have to give it another go.”

“Are you sure about that? It may damage it permanently.”

“Do you want to risk it? Do you?” The sharp-eyed elf scoffed. “Asking me ‘are you sure’! Honestly, if I didn’t know better, you are on their side--”

“Of course not! How dare you think that?!”

“Enough. Don’t fight in front of it.”

You did not understand why they were so agitated. You did not understand why you were so emotional. Where did these tears come from? Where did this sea of emotion...

What sea of emotion?

You...

You didn’t feel anything.

What

was

there

to

feel?

The mirror. It must have been dangerous. It must be the one doing all these things to you.

You dropped your gaze, staring down at your wet hands. 

The mirror hurt to look at.

It must have been dangerous.

You did not look at him.

You looked through him. 

Your eyes, that had once gazed at him so lovingly and passionately, now stared blankly at the mirror. You were confused. You were not...

You.

He had fallen in love with your mind, your heart, your passion and desire to grow and learn magic, your silly antics and mannerisms; he had fallen in love with the you that was so clearly not in front of him, a you that moved so little, sat so still. The you that had so clearly been taken away and buried.

He could not bear to see you like that. Your body wrapped in bandages, held by the large elf that gripped you too tightly. Your eyes, dull and different and unseeing.

Your magic, your memories--you were gone.

Of that, he was sure.

And yet, as the elves took you away, speaking of a second round of spells, giving him one last scathing glare as they threw the cloak over the mirror, Aaravos found that that was fine with him.

At least then, you could have a second life. Spared by the lifetimes and lifetimes of pain he would be forced to go through. You would not remember him and all the memories you had shared; from the walks under the starry night, the quiet moments reading together, the days he had awoken to you hovering above him, happily whispering a good morning. From everything and anything you two had shared.

That was fine.

He would meet you again. 

Until then, you could live a life of happiness. What he had always wished for you. What he had not been able to give you.

Because of them.

Aaravos turned away from the mirror.

Until then, he would never forgive those who had separated you from him.

He wouldn’t be idle. 

Lifetimes and lifetimes trapped he would endure.

If only to avenge you when the time came.

a/n: jumping on that aaravos bandwagon yay! first thing ive written for tdp sooo i hope you like it!! thanks for reading!!

(yes i used google translate for the spell. just in case someone wants to know, it’s supposed to say something like “forget who you love forget the magic within” but i forgot (wow the irony) what i wrote exactly and google translate is translating it into something else entirely so whoops)