#I'm a leaf on the wind watch me soar

[meimeiherokitten]

Good Omens season3 is going to essentially be a movie. Well, they did it with Serenity/Firefly...what could possibly go wrong...OH FUCK!

[thatonebirdwrites]

Korrasami Weekly Prompts: Autumn

An Endless Autumn

Asami stood on the cliff that overlooked Yue Bay. The breeze from the ocean buffeted her lone form, scented with brine and the reminder of someone that Asami wondered if she'd see again.

She scuffed her boot into the dirt and knelt to pick up a leaf-adorned rock. Holding up the leaf, she twisted it back and forth. Red veins marked the golden tone of the fibers, and its edges crinkled with decay. She held it into the wind and released it to watch it flutter and soar up toward the clouds above.

Hefting the rock, she threw it as far as she could, and it was soon lost to the waves, the sound of its plunk lost to the beat of the ocean against the cliff.

"You know, you could throw it farther with a bit of airbending."

The familiar voice came from behind her.

Asami was used to it. She'd imagined her voice talking with her dozens of times in the last three years. "You know I'm a nonbender," she said, knowing she probably sounded crazy if anyone was around to witness.

"Well, yeah. I meant I could airbend it farther for you."

Asami sighed. "Sure, if you were here and not just in my head."

"And what makes you think I'm not here?"

Asami huffed. "You haven't been for three years!" She knelt and grabbed a fistful of dirt. The soil crumbled between her long, slender fingers. "And here I am, once again talking to you like you're here. I really am going crazy."

She stood and dribbled the soil over the cliff's edge. Bits of broken leaves fell with the soil toward the surf below.

"I don't think you're crazy. I think you're hurt and grieving."

Asami rolled her eyes. "Talking out loud to a voice in my head is crazy."

"Asami, come on. Just turn around and get down here, dammit."

That was the temptation wasn't it? Asami would come to this ledge weekly at the same day and time. She'd look over the bay toward Air Temple Island, and she'd hold conversations in her head with her, despite knowing it was continuous torture.

The ask to turn around would always happen, and she'd carefully climb down, keeping her back to the trees that hugged the slopes behind her. The ledge, more of a pillar that jutted out away from the mountain's slopes, overlooked the pathway to the mountain's peak, where the voice always seemed to emanate.

If she never looked, she'd never have to face the fact that she was slowly losing her mind.

Maybe she ought to head back, even though she'd barely begun her vigil. Staying here until the sunset was her usual fare, but something about how real the voice sounded today had her unnerved.

"I'm not falling for that," Asami said with a hint of anger. This was her vigil though. She couldn't let the voice tear her from it now. She scowled and sat down on the section of the ledge that faced the bay, her legs over the side. "Every single time you ask me that. And I know where that leads! No. So how about we get back to the usual?"

Her fingers dug into the soil and the fallen leaves that coated the ledge. The stone under it was granite, the hardness scraping against her fingernails.

"The... usual? What do you mean?"

"Playing coy now?" Asami laughed bitterly. "It's the vigil. You're supposed to ask me about my week. Or mock me for my stupidity. Asami Sato, the CEO of Future Industries, the philanthropist, community leader, who is in love with a ghost, desperate for what can never be. Here I am talking as if you're real. Keeping watch in hopes you'd return."

"Asami... I would never mock you. Do you seriously do this every week?"

Asami frowned, the urge to turn around even stronger, especially considering her voice was being strangely obtuse. She leaned back, her hands pressed into the dirt on either side of her, and looked at the clouds above. A hint of grey marked the edges of them, likely a storm brewing, and the cool wind had slowly increased in velocity.

The reds and golds of fallen leaves swirled like mini tornadoes on the breeze above her. An odd juxtaposition of her dark mood and desperate hope.

"I don't know why I like Autumn," Asami said, hoping if she changed the subject, the voice would go back to normal. "It's the season of melancholy. Where the world that was decays into the world that will be once winter ends. I suppose that's been my life, you know? Always trapped in autumn. In the decay of the world that was, but I never make it to winter, never to spring, never to the time of growth, where the world that will be springs forth."

The huff of what sounded almost like a polar bear dog echoed behind her.

"Wow, that's both beautiful and really sad. I guess I never really thought about Autumn like that. We don't really have it in the South, you know?" The crunch of rocks and leaves under boots drifted up from the path below. "So uh, how about you come down and you can tell me more about autumn?"

Asami's imagination was really in overdrive today, wasn't it? Was it because of Jinora's last phone call that they had a lead on where she might be?

Asami sighed. The ledge itself was narrow, barely enough for her to stand and sit, and the climb down to the path below fairly perilous, considering how the pillar jutted out over the surf at an odd angle. Part of the reason she'd chosen this spot was for the thrill of the climb, the fact that no one else could fit up here, and for the solitude it carried.

"Not falling for that either," she said, curtly. "The vigil is till sundown. You know that."

"What? That's it. I'm coming up there!"

Asami frowned. The voice had never threatened that in the past. "There's not enough room," she said.

"Then I'll just earthbend more ledge! Seriously, Asami, do you know how hard it was to find you? I tried calling, tried going to your office, and if it weren't for Jinora's tip, I wouldn't have found this place. So can you please listen and stop pretending I'm some damned voice in your head?"

Asami scrambled to her feet and before she could stop herself, she looked back for the first time in three years. The mountain's slope rose up behind her, the trees thick, but path at the base of the pillar held only footprints.

Of course, there was no one there.

"Dammit, dammit! I broke the rule." Asami grabbed a fistful of dirt and threw it at the path below. "Never look behind, never, ever look behind." She trembled at the sheer force of her grief, how it saturated her from her head to her toes. Tears stung her eyes, and the urge to throw herself off the narrow ledge haunted her yet again.

She'd never do it. Not if there was a sliver of hope of seeing her again, but today, the urge was far stronger than it'd ever been.

Asami dropped to the ground, pulled her legs up against her chest, her face in her knees, and shuddered.

The stone below groaned, the pillar trembled, but then it steadied. Quiet fell around her like the fallen leaves of autumn.

"Hey." The crackle of broken twigs sounded in front of her. "Hey, I really am here." Her words broke into a sob. "Please, Asami, look at me."

Hands grasped Asami's arms and gently pulled them away from her face.

Startled, she lifted her head, only to freeze in shock.

The pillar's narrow top was much wider from the earthbending, and there, kneeling in front of her, was someone Asami had feared she'd never see in person again.

Short chestnut hair was shorn short around her ears, and her skin was a deep brown with copper undertones. Her blue eyes regarded Asami, her mouth pursed in worry. Her clothes weren't blue at all but a green tanktop and pants, her boots the desert variety Asami had seen at Misty Palms Oasis back during the days when she thought maybe the world had hope. That maybe she could have a happy ending.

"No. No, I'm hallucinating..." Asami's shoulders shook. Tears blurred her vision. "You're not real."

Korra's fingers brushed away her tears. "I'm real. I'm just sorry it took me so long. You deserve so much better..." Korra's voice broke into a sob. "But I'm here now, okay? You don't have to do this vigil anymore."

Asami rocked forward and wrapped her arms around Korra for the first time in three years. And her arms collided with a real person. Korra's scent of ocean and soil flooded her nostrils, her body warm, her muscles solid under her soft skin. Sobs ripped through Asami's chest, and she held on tighter, afraid that if she let go, Korra would vanish again.

Korra's arms encircled her. She stroked Asami's hair and pressed her lips to the side of Asami's cheek. "It's okay. I'm here now. And I'm not leaving again, okay?"

The wind blew autumn leaves past their embrace and out toward the ocean. Asami's chest heaved, and she buried her face in Korra's hair. Maybe this year she'd finally escape her endless autumn and step into a new season, one of potential and hope instead of grief and melancholy.

With Korra's arms around her, that hope felt more real than it had ever been in her entire life.

[monochrome-sunsets]

tOH x HtTYD

i genuinely could not get this out of my head so here are what dragons i think various owl house characters would have and why

.

.

eda - flame whipper

- heehee gecko dragon :)))

- flame whippers are super protective of their babies!! aunt eda is super protective of luz and king!

- flame whippers usually live in packs and don't like people, but babies are way more curious and open and tend to wander away

- eda probably picked up a baby flame whipper from somewhere and, upon being unable to find its pack, decided to raise it on her own, a la king.

.

- there's like a 50/50 chance eda names it something cool (like king) or a bad pun (like owlbert)

.

lilith - deathburple

- they're so funky lookin...... take a peek at lili's raven out of staff form and tell me she won't love a funky lookin dude, i dare you. that palisman looks like a pure white frogmouth.

- lili's deathburple is almost certainly of purple and white colouring

- she'd probably name it, like. beelzebub or asmodeus or something. i like asmodeus the best, tbh

.

- anyways. deathburples are mischievous (like hooty), vain, lazy, fierce, loyal, and deeply caring. i think lili would absolutely adore her baby deus (and occasionally be a little frustrated with him).

.

belos / philip - threadtails

- ......poisonous dragons. .....what else is there to say.

- i feel like philip wouldn't LOVE dragons, but he'd keep them around because of their use, similar to how he treated magic for a bit. he hated it and wanted it destroyed, but also... he needed it to get home.

- deeply loyal dragons. there would be no convicing them to not follow his orders. that manipulative, controlling bastard would love this.

.

- he doesn't name any of them because he has no love in his non-existent heart.

.

hunter - typhoomerang

- typhoomerangs are anxious, high-strung, and territorial. these all fit hunter pretty well well i think.

- hunter's typhoomerang (he'd name her after a food- waffle, maybe, to fit flapjack) would see him as her baby. she takes one look at him and goes "anxious... aggressive.... yellow...... that is a baby typhoomerang. mine now."

- she tries very hard to make sure he is well-fed. hunter is utterly bemused by her offerings of raw fish. he will not be going hungry on her watch.

.

.

luz - changewing

- honestly if anyone could befriend the living embodiment of severe social anxiety, it would be luz

- it's luz's adhd (and, later, ptsd) service dragon

- luz is its anxiety service human

.

- i'm gonna go with windsor for her changewing's name! she named it after red windsor, a type of cheese, and she thought it was funny bc haha dragon wind soar

.

amity - swiftwing

- deadly nadder probably also would have been a good fit? but i already gave that to emira, and i wanna give everyone a different dragon, so a swiftwing it is!

- swiftwings are stubborn, brave, and committed. they prefer to stay close to their riders, and will do just about anything to keep them safe and healthy.

.

this is the only image i could find :l no grown ups unfortunately

.

willow - hobblegrunt

- hobblegrunts are calm and peaceful, but they are still dragons, and therefore still dangerous- just like willow!

- hobbles have the ability to sense shanges in temperature, air pressure, and emotions. these could be pretty useful to a plant track witch

.

- since she named her palisman clover, she'd probably name her dragon something similar. hedge, maybe? leaf? idk

.

gus - shovelhelm

- shovelhelms are social, friendly, level-headed, and intelligent. i think they'd make a good fit for gus, who is ALSO social, friendly, and intelligent!

- gus gives stupid long names (his palisman is named. emmiline bailey marcostimo.) so i'm gonna sayyyyy sebastian elias thiago will be his dragon's name

- seb is obsessively trying to build gus a nest at all times. gus often assists and is always bringing him new material. he wants the best for his boy, and that sentence means both gus for seb and seb for gus.

- sebastian also works as an autism & anxiety support dragon for gus! he's fantastic at helping gus recognize when he's getting overwhelmed or nearing a meltdown or depressive episode, and great at distracting him and helping him calm down.

.

.

emira - deadly nadder

- constant grooming & focus on physical beauty from a nadder

- when well-trained and befriended, nadders are super affectionate and playful! good emira dragon :o

- nadders have super strong parental instincts, to the point where they'll adopt children of other species. emira's nadder probably sees her as its kid.

- i have.... no idea what emira would name her dragon :(

.

.

edric - terrible terrors

- i cannot explain why. i simply think he'd have a small flock of terrible terrors following him basically everywhere.

- 100% they'd all be named something similar. there's grey, ray, jay, bay, fae....

[gentleshinigami]

@shikkotsunin​​​ hearted for a starter~

     The Jonin just happened to have returned from a mission, and was heading to the hospital for her after mission check up. It’s not a mission without some cuts and bruises; especially with the way she fights. Walking into the doors of the hospital, Crystal turns her gaze to a pink haired woman who welcomed her, and she wondered what her name was again. 

     “I’m here for a check up. I just returned from a mission, and I want to make sure I didn’t overdo it again.”

[pepperdee]

@flashfictionfridayofficial

WIP: The Curse of Hyetal

POV: Dog the Guardian

WC: 951

“The Littoe”

A Littoe encounters its first human after being born.

I wrote this piece a few years back, edited it to fit my current writing style and fix world rules that have changed. I'm going to reblog this with more of Dog and Tyck's story, but this section specifically is for Flash Fiction Friday!

~~~

Darkness.

That’s all there was.

Darkness.

There has to be more.

There is more.

I can know more.

The creature opened its eyes. Everything was strange—yet it knew what it was looking at. Trees. A forest.

The creature laid on the grass, lifting its head. It had four legs, a body, pointed ears. Its pelt rippled…like fire. Its form shifted fluidly, fading like candle smoke.

Funny. The creature had just been born, yet it knew about fire and smoke. Like fire and forests were a long-gone memory.

The creature carefully raised to its feet, prowling, taking in the forest. The air was crisp. Wilting leaves dangled from the trees, shivering in the cold air. The creature watched one in particular: a lone leaf twitching at the end of a bare branch on the weakest twig. It finally let go, drifting slowly to the ground. It landed at the creatures stark black paws.

The creature continued moving, careful to not step on the leaf.

The world remained light for a short time, fading into darkness. The creature could not see itself, yet the darkness felt like home. Like a blanket, wrapped around it, protecting it. Its senses were sharper in darkness.

A single light floated through the darkness. The creature paused, watching the little ball of light bob between the trees. It illuminated a tall creature: a purple one with red hair on the top of its head. It wore cloth decorated with polished gems.

The creature almost left, but curiosity got the best of it. Especially since the purple creature seemed to notice it. The light bobbed toward it until the purple creature stood a couple yards away. It held the light in a box, flickering like fire.

“Savalesong,” the purple creature greeted softly, slowly shrinking to a crouch. Its face was kind, eyes the color of new grass. “I am Tyck. Who are you?”

The creature blinked at Tyck. “I don’t know,” it admitted. It did not have to open its mouth to speak.

“You’re a young one,” the purple creature replied, surprised. It scratched the hair on its face. “I am a human. A man. I’ve spent my life taking care of Littoes like you.”

“A Littoe,” the creature repeated. “What’s that?”

“A shadow. A soul. A ghost,” said Tyck. It—no, he—extended his own paw. “I know how confusing and scary this is. I can take care of you. Would you like to come with me?”

The Littoe stared at the purple paw, frozen. Tyck gently ran his fingers through the Littoe’s shadow. His paws were warm and gentle. The Littoe relaxed into it.

“I will go with you,” the Littoe said.

Tyck showed his teeth—a toothy grin. He grabbed his light and stood. “You need a name. A Tamed form.”

“Tamed?”

“It’s what I do,” Tyck explained. They walked through the dark forest, the Littoe trotting at his side. “Littoes are lost souls. You had died somewhere else, but your soul appeared here. When Littoes do not find companionship, they become…broken. Dangerous. Tamers like me look for Littoes and give them love.”

“What is a Tamed form?”

“Have you seen the other creatures in this forest?” Tyck asked. The Littoe nodded. It had seen small, furry creatures scuttle past, feathered ones soaring and leaping on the wind. “You can look like those, but always be you. We can keep talking like this, and you can return to your shadow-form whenever you feel like. It becomes part of you.”

The Littoe thought about the creatures it had seen. They were too small, it decided. It needed a different Tamed form.

They reached a small town. “It is named after Ashor’s hero and the Goddess of Magic, Raskus,” Tyck explained. “About thirty miles into the mountains is where Raskus Ashor died in order to protect us from the Great Disaster.”

They passed dark shacks made from trees and rock. Homes. Windows of glass, fences. Lantern-posts flickered with fire along the wide path. A new creature slept in one of the yards. “That is another Littoe,” Tyck told the Littoe. “Her name is Everzy. She took the form of a dog.”

They passed more dog-Littoes, as well as cat-Littoes, lizard-Littoes, so many forms. But the Littoe like Everzy, and another dog they saw. They both had black and white pelts: black on top, white on the bottom, a sturdy frame, curled tails.

“I think I know who I am,” the Littoe said.

Tyck paused at the end of a path. “Already?”

The Littoe didn’t know how, but it knew how to change. The darkness melted in, revealing white paws, white arms. A tail grew, curling over its back. Markings formed above the Littoe’s eyes and on its cheeks.

“I think…I am Dog.”

“You’re a dog.”

“No. I am Dog. That is my name. That is what you called this form.” The Littoe wiggled its nose. It was wet and cold, but suddenly, the Littoe could detect all sorts of smells. “It is me.”

Tyck smirked. “Dog it is, then,” Tyck said, walking up the path. Dog followed. “Usually it takes Littoes a few days to take on a name and a form. The Tamer chooses.”

“What does it mean if I chose?”

They approached a more run-down house, smoke curling from the chimney. Tyck pulled a key from his pocket, sticking it in the lock. “I’m not sure yet,” Tyck said, “but I’d love to figure out what it means.”

“Of course,” Dog said. “You are my Tamer. I will protect you like how Raskus Ashor protected this place.”

Tyck pocketed his key, hand wrapped around the doorknob. “I’ll be glad to have you, Dog the Guardian.”

[xbellaxcarolinax]

Forging A Heart (Ivar the Boneless) 22- Queen

Pairing: Ivar x Artemis

Word Count: 3816

Warnings: Corny fluff.

AN: As always, thanks for reading.

21- The Seer

...

Beads of gold and small pearls were threaded into her hair, weaved into one large plait perfected by Geirdis's thin fingers.

"You look lovely, my lady." She says, placing the pendant of Mjölnir over Artemis’s collarbone, securing it at the nape of her neck.

The lady in question did not recognize herself. The lavender water in the large bronze bowl ripples at the slight touch of her small fingers, her distorted reflection revealing kohl lined eyes and rouge colored lips.

"She's quite right, dear sister-in-law, as lovely as Frejya herself." Hvitserk smiles as he walks in past the leather divider, hands clasped behind his back. Artemis turns around to look at him, smiling happily at his arrival.

He too was dressed extremely well. His golden hair was braided neatly in an intricate style, pulled back into one singular braid. The silken green shirt brought out his eyes and his dark breeches looked soft to the touch. He steps closer, pulling from behind his back a thin silver coronet shaped as vined hollies with small rubies in between.

A traditional northern bride was to wear a crown of wild flowers. A summer wedding meant an abundance of beautiful flowers, but with the coming of winter, they were dying with the slow passage of the winds. There was nothing traditional about this particular wedding.

"Hvitserk..."

"It was our mothers. Ivar would like you to have it." Her eyes focus on the shining coronet, a delicate symbol of power.

"Would you not like to give this to your woman someday?" She questions.

"Ivar is king, and these are his wishes. He was always the closest to our mother, and besides," Hvitserk shrugs, "I've no interest in such things. Today you become Kattegat's queen, it is only right for you to wear a queen's crown." She takes the thin coronet from Hvitserk's outstretched hands, the delicate silver feeling heavy in her hands. It was a thing of beauty with remarkable detail despite its simplistic design.

"I cannot accept this." She says suddenly, catching the way Geirdis's eyes followed the shining metal in admiration. Artemis stubbornly gives back the crown, waiting for Hvitserk to grasp it, but he never does. He only smiles, shaking his head as if dealing with a rowdy child.

"It is rude to deny something as significant as a family heirloom," He jokes, moving forward to grasp the coronet, "I've never known a woman to deny jewels." Carefully taking it in both hands, he gently places it atop her dark hair, sinking it into place. He then steps back, smiling bashfully.

"If anyone is to wear my mother's crown, it should be you." He says warmly, adjusting a piece of hair over her still healing ear, "And Ivar wouldn't have it any other way."

She smiles back just as warmly, turning back towards the bronze bowl to scan her eyes over her reflection once more. The silver coronet gleamed in the natural light coming from the window, and the rubies sparkled vividly, like the reddest roses on a fair spring day.

"Thank you, Hvitserk." He nods with a smile, head turning back when he hears the guard call for him.

"Prince Hvitserk, My Lady," Dafi steps in with a slight bow, "Heahmund has informed me that the king is ready."

"Very well," Hvitserk replies, looking back at the nervous bride, "It is time. Let's go show Kattegat its new queen." He stretches out a hand for her to take, and she does, albeit very nervously. She gives Geirdis a quick glance, and the girl waste no time in offering her mistress a smile. Artemis smiles back, standing up, and linking her arm with Hvitserk.

"Artemis?"

"Hmm?"

"You're shaking." She could hear the teasing his voice, whispering for only her to hear.

"I'm nervous, do not tease me." She whispers back, swallowing the lump in her throat.

They step out from the great hall and into the sunlight. Already the people crowded round the entrance, waiting to see the bride and their future queen. There were so many eyes on her, and all she wanted to do was shrink away from the attention. Gripping the side of her blue dress she intakes a harsh breath, willing her feet to guide her.

"Hold your head high." Hvitserk says, patting her arm with his other hand in reassurance. Releasing the breath, she squares her shoulders as if readying her bow, and slowly raises her head, directly meeting the gazes of many onlookers. Some looks were kind and warm, some were indifferent, but she did her best to pay them no mind.

Ravens cawed from up above, and Artemis looks at the sky to see a small cluster of the black creatures, perching themselves in the trees nearby as if to watch the procession. One tilted its head, gazing at her knowingly before cawing and taking flight. Its black wings soared ahead of them as if leading the way.

They walked farther away from the great hall and closer to the center of the city where the crowd was even larger. The people part to make way for the bride, her head now held up in confidence. Her eyes searched the crowd, and what a relief it was for her to see familiar faces. Aria's fiery hair was unmistakable, peeking out through the sea of town folk, and beside her was her master dressed in all his finery.

Heahmund comes into view, tall and a bit less brooding, nodding at her. He struggles to grasp tightly onto a leather cord holding back her massive beast who longed to be by her side.

King Harald steps forward, surrounded by his Vestfold men, taking Artemis's hand and placing a chaste kiss on her lavender coated skin.

"How far you have come, little Artemis." He says to her, his eyes sparkling in the way they used to before so much misfortune had befallen him.

"I shall miss your mirth, King Harald."

"We will see each other again, young Queen."

"You keep her from her husband," Hvitserk interjects, "You know he hates to be kept waiting," He smirks, a glint in his green eyes as they turn to look at her.

"Quite right." Harald chuckles in agreement, moving his large form away from the bride to give her a perfect view of the figure behind him. Suddenly, nothing else mattered. Not her nervousness, not the people waiting for the ceremony, not even Hvitserk who stood close beside her.

Whatever anxiousness she felt had completely melted away, replaced by the warmth of Ivar's eyes, like twinkling stars gazing at her.

He smiles, his eyes falling to his mother's coronet placed upon her hair, right where he intended it to be. It was fitting, really. He holds his crutch tightly in his hand, extending the other for her to take her place beside him, and she does so with no hesitation. Ivar pulls her away from Hvitserk's light grasp, bringing her to his side in a fluid motion. He places a tender kiss to her hand, placing his brow against her and breathing in her lavender scent.

Her eyes move over his handsome features, taking note of his nicely braided hair and silk shirt the very color of her own dress, the blue catching the gleam of the sun and the silver embroidery shining as brightly as his own eyes. She smiles at him happily, feeling how her heart pounded profusely. She thought it would beat right out her chest.

"You shake like a leaf in the wind." Ivar chuckles.

"I am nervous." She says to him, "This is unreal."

"Of course this is real, baby bird. Just look at me," Ivar says to her, "Nothing else matters but you and I, hmm?" He nudges her nose lightly with his own, emitting a laugh from her before she nods.

"The ceremony!" Hvitserk speaks out, reminding them of the affair. Heracles barks at the outburst, and the people murmur in anticipation.

"Are you ready?" Ivar asks. It did not show, but he too was apprehensive, looking down at her with the eyes of a child. Artemis takes a breath and nods, gripping his hand tightly.

"I am ready."

They both turn to face the gothi, and Ivar motions for the ceremony to begin. A goat was brought once a dagger was produced from somewhere in the gothi's robes. She closes her eyes, awaiting the cry from the animal and the sprinkling of warm blood over her face, something she was still unaccustomed to. She felt Ivar squeeze her hand, knowing exactly of her thoughts and fears, and the action alone gave her comfort. She didn't catch him grinning despite the ache in his legs from standing far too long.

He would suffer through the worst of pains just for her.

And now she would finally be his queen.

...

A Viking wedding was to last a minimum of 3 days, and the festivities were only just beginning. The music was lively, the food in abundance, and the mead flowing.

Wild chatter filled the great hall, along with boisterous story telling of lands farther than the West, and the shining cities of the East. There was dancing and performances to entertain the mass crowd, already too intoxicated to focus on anything but the drink in their hands.

The fire was roaring in the center, its flames licking at the juicy meats that hung above them. Thralls walked about, handing out dried fruits and foreign wine for all to taste.

Ivar sits in his throne, content to rest his legs, a grin on his face as he hears the stories told by Hvitserk of his adventures in Spain. Hvitserk, always an animated speaker, uses his hands, already drunk off whatever was in his cup. Harald jokes and laughs along with the rest of the men, the tattoos on his face creasing with the lines of his aged face. Heahmund too bore a smile, his lips stained with wine.

Ivar turns to gaze at his newly crowned queen, finally sitting beside him in her designated throne for the first time. In her lap was an oud, a gift to her from Hvitserk. It was beautifully crafted, with dark blue spiraled designs painted on its light brown surface. Her fingers pluck at the stings, a smile on her face as she creates the smallest of tunes from her homeland.

Her hair was now loose from its plait, the long strands hanging carelessly down her back, falling over her shoulder as she bent forward to watch the clumsy movements of her small fingers.

In that moment Artemis reminded Ivar so much of his past. He imagined Sigurd, plucking at his oud as enthusiastically as she did. There was a fleeting ache in his heart, but it passed as he reached over to brush his fingers softly against her arm. She turns to him, his mother's coronet gleaming in the fire light. She looked just as beautiful as his mother did when she wore it. That aching feeling returned, pulling at his heart strings whenever he thought of both his mother and Sigurd, but his queen's eyes had him coming back to their reality as her face twisted in concern.

"My love," Artemis says to him sweetly, "Are you unwell?" Her obedient beast lay between them, his floppy ears perking up at the sound of her voice, but his alerted eyes watched the meats being passed about by the thralls to feed the hungry guests.

"I was just admiring you. You look beautiful, just as a queen should," Ivar replies, reaching over to grip her hand most lovingly. She smiles at him shyly, rubbing her thumb gently over the surface of his hand.

"I have a gift for you." He announces suddenly, motioning for Geirdis to fetch whatever it was that he had waiting for her.

"More gifts? You've already given me enough."

"Yes, well, jewels and a new quiver seem silly now. You can make them yourself." Ivar mutters. He scratches the back of his neck as if he had committed some form of crime and Artemis rolls her eyes.

Geirdis returns with a large basket, its contents covered by a white linen sheet. The young thrall holds it over her queen who had a questioning look on her face. She glances at Ivar, who motions for her to look inside.

Peeling back the linen, she grins at the sight of four mewling kittens, all in different shades of white, black and brown.

"Forest cats. It is important for any Viking bride to have kittens in her household." Ivar tells her, smiling in satisfaction as Artemis reaches over immediately to cradle a kitten in her hands. It was a tiny thing, big eyes and large tufts of hair on its pointy ears. Its tiny teeth barely pierced the skin of her hand as it bites down in a weak attack.

"Now you have your own little cats as Frejya does." Ivar continues, watching in content as she coddles the mewling thing. His hand goes to scratch at Heracles ears, the jealous mastiff now sitting to attention, his nose detecting the smell of the tiny things.

"Thank you." She lowers her head with a smile, informing Geirdis to attend the kittens in their chambers. The young blonde girl bows, waiting for Artemis to place the kitten back in the basket with the others before hauling them towards the back of the great hall.

"Are you enjoying the festivities?" Ivar asks, bringing his drinking horn to his lips and taking a large swig of the bitter liquid. She nods, her fingers going back to pluck at the strings of the oud, and Ivar makes a mental note to hire a suitable instructor for her in the future.

"Very much, husband." The term makes him swell in pride, his chest puffing out and a smile breaking out on his lips. He had finally accomplished what no one thought he could, and now here he sat, a king with a beautiful wife on his arm.

Many men moved forward to pay their respects to their new queen with gifts of scented oils, rich fabrics, and shining gold. The women bow, offering precious trinkets and jewels, as well as their rouge colored smiles.

Ivar could already tell Artemis was overwhelmed, unaccustomed to praise, gifts, and attention. In time she would gain familiarity, but until then, he took quiet joy at the reddening of her cheeks and her fluttering lashes as she shyly thanked all who offered their best wishes, as well as allegiance to their new queen.

When all gifts were collected and put away, Artemis puts her oud down, motioning for Heahmund to come forward, who now held in his hands a large object wrapped in similar white linen placed over the basket of kittens.

"Your gift." She says, watching Heahmund place the large object in Ivar's waiting hands.

By the shape, Ivar immediately knew what it was. A sword, and a large one by the looks of it. Pulling at the linen his eyes meet with a beautifully crafted war sword, heavy yet powerful in his hands. The handle was slim, with a decorated pommel at the end in the style of the northerners. The steel shined so brightly it hurt his eyes for a moment, reflecting the vivid colors of the flames. What was unfamiliar to him was that the sword was curved.

"It's called a paramerion, used by soldiers of the Byzantine army," Artemis explains as if reading his thoughts, "Sharp and deadly in battle, you should have no problem cutting an enemy down." Ivar ran his thumb over the edge, and it was indeed sharp to the touch. Its sleek design intrigued the king, as it was nothing like the swords he's seen or owned.

"So this is what kept you for weeks, hmm?" He smiles, gripping Artemis's hand to place a soft kiss upon her sweetly smelling skin. "Such talent you have, my love."

She hums in agreement, smiling tiredly as she watches Hvitserk grab the sword, inspecting it with glittering eyes.

"Use it well." She tells Ivar, grabbing at her oud again and playing the soft tune she had been practicing moments before. The festivities continued well into the night until morning when the birds sang their song and the sun began its journey across the sky.

...

She awakens in comfortable warmth, the furs beneath her creating a cocoon of comfort. The mewling of the kittens and Heracles's soft whines for his breakfast could be heard in the distance beyond the leather divider. She turns over, eyes still closed, burrowing further into the worn out bedding. Gentle touches fall upon her cheek, and her eyes flutter open to see Ivar's equally tired features. He continues to stroke her cheek, his sleepy gaze focused on her despite the lateness of the day. She breathes out a content sigh and leans into his touch.

Quiet mornings such as these were Ivar's favorite. The comfortable silence and their sleepy haze was all he could want. He yawns, draping an arm over her waist, pulling her closer to him so that he may bury his face into her messy hair. She giggles, feeling him grip her tighter.

"Good morning, my love." Ivar says, muttering into her hair as he places repeated kisses over it.

"Good morning."

"How is the Queen?"

"Very content," She says to him, reaching up to place a kiss under his jaw, "And the King?"

"Mmm, I'd like it if we could stay right here for the rest of the day." She snorts, pushing at his tattooed chest. She sits up, stretching her limbs and yawning the sleepiness away.

"You have a kingdom to rule." She says to him as if he were unaware of his duties, and he in turn snorts back, resting his weight on one arm while the other traces the planes of her shoulders exposed by her nightdress with the tip of his pointer finger.

"The people can wait."

"Then who will they petition their grievances to?"

"The dog, of course." He says, almost sounding serious.

"You speak too much nonsense."

"And you speak very little," He counters back, moving to sit up, "Why haven't you told me of the seer?" He did not have to see her to know she pulled a face.

"Because I did not want to dampen the mood of our wedding." His brows furrowed in confusion.

"Has he given you ill words?" She flops back down against the furs, curling her body against his. She waited a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking.

"He said a child is to be born."

The silence that followed after wasn't long, but it was enough for her to peer up at him, his expression beyond what shock could be. His eyes were blown wide and his brow wrinkled further into confusion.

"Ivar?" She says his name tentatively, wondering if perhaps the subject was far too sudden to be discussed.

"A child." He repeats, his mind already drifting off at the prospect. Artemis watches the emotions flicker across his eyes. She herself never thought of producing a child, let alone marrying. The idea of bringing a child into the world frightened her, it always had. She had known many women in her village that had passed due to the struggles of labor and birth, and she did not envy such a fate.

She watches him for a moment more, not sure of what his reaction would be.

The rumors had always eaten Ivar alive, the ones that ridiculed him. Impotency was what the people whispered and Artemis herself had heard it time and time again. She never cared for such talk, of course, why should she let something of such irrelevance affect her?

One night of passion was enough to dispel such idle talk.

"Is that what you want?" She asks him softly.

Ivar suddenly let's out a short laugh, grabbing Artemis into a tight embrace. She rests her head in the crook of his neck, smiling against his skin as he let's out his rare little bursts of joy.

"A child!" He says again, pushing her back at arms length to look directly into her eyes, "A child born of our union is a wonderful blessing. Of course it is what I want." Ivar pauses, the look of emotion passing through his eyes again as his mind filled with thoughts. Ivar was always so sure of himself, but for once it was he who was the pensive one.

"A child should have been conceived by now," He says, "We've had so many nights together..." Ivar pauses, looking away from her to gather his thoughts.

"I thought it was impossible." He says finally, looking back at her with glassy eyes.

"Perhaps it will take time. Perhaps...we must invoke the gods," Her words were spoken so softly, Ivar just barely made them out. There it was again, that small hesitation he saw in her whenever she spoke of the gods. It made him smile, because he knew she was making an effort.

"I do not know whether to trust the words of such a man," She continues, "But the seer foresees danger, and if a child is born, then it will be at risk," Ivar's joyous smile dropped into a tight line.

"What do you mean?"

"He said a shadow looms over me but was unable to detect whether it is good or bad." Ivar frowns, scratching at his lengthy hair before dropping his hand to his lap.

"A child shall be born, the eye of the raven. Winter draws near and so will the enemy, lurking like a pack of wolves in the dark night. They wait for Sòl to set," Artemis recites the words of the seer, she could not forget them, "Lagertha may be dead, but her spirit lives on."

Ivar let out a frustrated breath.

"I've always believed she'd come back to haunt us." He mutters.

"How am I to bring a child into this world and already worry for its safety when I can scarcely protect myself?"

"The gods will protect you. I will protect you," Ivar speaks gently, "I will always protect you, baby bird."

"I know." She says, "I know you will, but it still does not keep my worry at bay."

"If our love produces a child, I will fight to protect you both, do you hear me? No one will dare hurt you." There was so much emotion behind his words, Artemis thought he could cry. His eyes shone with determination and perhaps, a bit of hope. She nods, drawing back to rest her head against him again. It was a promise she hoped didn't need to come into fruition, but she knew it was a promise he'd keep.

...

@heavenly1927 @didiintheblog @rastakami23 @inforapound @leilabeaux @a-mess-of-fandoms @ostra814 @zumzum96

[rp-meme-central]

geek sentence starters

1. "Constant vigilance!"

2. "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

3. "Make it so."

4. "These are not the _____ you're looking for."

5. "Driver picks the music, passenger shuts his/her cake-hole."

6. "Fly, you fool!"

7. "A day may come when I ____, but today is not that day!"

8. "There can be only one."

9. "The cake is a lie."

10. "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this."

11. "I'm sorry, ______. I'm afraid I can't do that."

12. "Bow ties are cool."

13. "Do a barrel roll!"

14. "May the Force be with you."

15. "One does not simply walk into ______."

16. "You're a wizard, _______."

17. "I don't understand that reference."

18. "That's my secret. I'm always angry."

19. "Don't blink."

20. "I am not a moron!"

21. "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

22. "Don't panic."

23. "Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

24. "Hello. My name is _______. You killed my ________. Prepare to die."

25. "S/he's dead, _______."

26. "I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."

27. "No power in the 'verse can stop me."

28. "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

29. "I'm a _______, not a _______."

30. "I find your lack of faith disturbing."

[gentleshinigami]

     Leaning back into her desk chair, silver hues disappeared into the darkness as she rested her eyes from the sore sight of the abyssal of paperwork that never seemed to go down no matter how much she worked effectively. It did not help when the migraine crept upon her. Fresh tea did not help her cause, focus was hard to come by even with the breath of fresh air filling the room as she kept her door open for people to come by on business.  

     “Damn, I could use a break...” Words softly breathed out followed by a small sigh. Honestly, it was the migraine she was more worried about, but Crystal knows it’ll go away soon enough; so she hopes. Too lost into her own relaxation, Crystal couldn’t fixate on the presence awaiting her acknowledgement to enter her quarters.

[wendxgo]

geek sentence starters

1. "Constant vigilance!"

2. "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

3. "Make it so."

4. "These are not the _____ you're looking for."

5. "Driver picks the music, passenger shuts his/her cake-hole."

6. "Run, you fool!"

7. "A day may come when I ____, but today is not that day!"

8. "There can be only one."

9. "The cake is a lie."

10. "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this."

11. "I'm sorry, ______. I'm afraid I can't do that."

12. "Bow ties are cool."

13. "Do a barrel roll!"

14. "May the Force be with you."

15. "One does not simply walk into ______."

16. "You're a wizard, _______."

17. "I don't understand that reference."

18. "That's my secret. I'm always angry."

19. "Don't blink."

20. "I am not a moron!"

21. "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

22. "Don't panic."

23. "Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

24. "Hello. My name is _______. You killed my ________. Prepare to die."

25. "S/he's dead, _______."

26. "I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."

27. "No power in the 'verse can stop me."

28. "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

29. "I'm a _______, not a _______."

30. "I find your lack of faith disturbing."