#In addition to locating where it was buried and how it functions

[kuruna]

I really like the idea that over the years, AZ's story has been made into a mythology surrounding Kalos where no one knows for certain how much of the story is truth and how much is fiction (ie: Alexander the Great)...

And due to this there's different variations of his tale and different names that he may be referred with (he's generally called AZ because one of the confirmed things about him is that his name contained an A and a Z (or their bronze age equivalents)). It's known that he had a beloved Floette, it's known that he had an important key, but the story of the Ultimate Weapon is likely treated like a myth to explain why Kalos fell into a dark age after experiencing such an era of prosperity under its first king, rather than a factual thing that happened.

I'm also fond of the idea that at some point in history AZ's story became incorporated in some facet of the region's early religion 😭 and in this particular version of the events, AZ is considered a demigod.

(it was many years before AZ returned to Kalos for the first time so he wasn't aware of this at first too)

Hmm while I'm on this topic... I'm gonna pretend the reason why "Floette was a gift from his mother" isn't mentioned in-game is because it's a piece of history that never got uncovered. It is known AZ had a Floette, but her particular origins are a historical mystery.

[feverdreamjohnny]

The Epitaph of Anything Goes

I decided that this morning I would talk about The Museum of Anything Goes and the subject of lost media.

For the uninitiated, The Museum of Anything Goes is an obscure "game" released in 1995 by Wayzata Technologies, a company that is so far under the radar that I was unable to find any useful information about it outside of TMoAG.

All I could uncover is that they published a few multimedia projects (which are essentially lost now) alongside some asset discs (clipart, SFX, etc.). That's it.

The brains behind Wayzata are even more difficult to locate these days: there are only two main names credited inside of TMoAG - Michael Markowski and Maxwell S. Robertson.

The game alleges that Michael and Maxwell are well known in the art world, but any additional information about the duo is scarce beyond the confines of the museum. Attempting to search for either name online turns up plenty of rabbit holes - but none of them have anything to do with the Michael and Maxwell responsible for TMoAG.

This is particularly fascinating because it essentially means that TMoAG is the only accessible record of their lives. Before we dig any deeper into that statement, let me step back and actually address what this game is.

The Museum of Anything Goes is, by definition, a virtual art museum. Functionally it's a prerendered point-and-click adventure game where you can explore a bunch of multimedia exhibits that give the surface-level impression of a children's edutainment game, but once you start exploring further it reveals a side that firmly plants the game's feet into a haze of substance abuse and surreal humor.

Many exhibits are essentially just toying around with the astonishing new powers of CD-ROM. Everything has to make noise. Everything has to spin and flitter around. There's an air of genuine excitement for the medium, and I can't help but find it extremely charming.

The game also functions as a scrapbook, filled to the brim with photos of random trips to the zoo and snow-mobile rides with friends. At one point we even get insight into something as specific as Michael's one-year job as a tutor at a Chicago middle school, where he talks about how it opened his eyes to how poorly funded and mismanaged the school system is.

It's simultaneously quaint and chilling to see so much personal history packed into a world doomed to obscurity. As I explore the deeper parts of the museum, I contemplate if the creators are still alive today. It's a bit morbid, but imagine that - you create a single obscure game with your friend and it's all the world can see. TMoAG is currently the only surviving piece that gives any insight into who these two men were.

While many exhibits are lighthearted or nonsensical, there are occasional moments where the game dips into the eerie.

One exhibit has the player kill a man by dropping him from the sky, and after burying him you open the coffin to a video of a rotting pig carcass being put into an incinerator.

Other exhibits just feature simple 3D renders shifting around a dark screen while haunting groans play in the background.

While I would never refer to the game as "scary," its darker moments combined with the occasional mature subject matter definitely begs the question: Who is this game for?

You have to remember that this game came out long before the concept of "alt-games" had become codified in the digital space. Sure, unconventional digital art had been around before the advent of 256 colors, but TMoAG was being sold on disk as a game! It came out 2 years after DOOM hit shelves!

The trend of using the PC for entertainment was certainly on the upswing around that time, but It's not like TMoAG had a massive audience to find a niche in. With its mature themes it certainly wasn't suited for the kids market either, so who was it for?

At the end of the day, it's a moot question. We already know the target audience for The Museum of Anything Goes: Nobody. It doesn't have an audience because by its nature, TMoAG wasn't being made FOR someone, it was being made BY someone. It's a raw, unfiltered form of personal expression.

I think games like these are pivotal, because they question why people assume a game has to exist for the sake of being a consumable product. TMoAG certainly has the shape of a product: it features an intro cutscene, it has a tutorial, it features intuitive UX, it even has a map! These are all features that are solely integrated to provide comfort to an end-user. But once you actually wander around the museum for a bit, you realize how bizarrely its packaging fits its contents.

I think TMoAG is criminally underrated. It's not because its core content contains some earth-shaking truth, it's because the game defied all odds and cheated death.

How many thousands of other personal projects were deemed a little "too exotic" to be archived? How much history was lost these past 40 years as the digital space evolved and ate its old skin?

God knows how many other TMoAGs we'll never learn about because they weren't lucky enough to be preserved.

The Museum of Anything Goes isn't just some nonsensical art piece, it's a grave marker for so much lost media. Its existence is a reminder that some people's lives were fossilized, then macerated into nothing because a construction company built a skyscraper over them. The only evidence we have of those other games existing is this little fossil that somehow slipped out from under the skyscraper unscathed.

Even though so much has been lost, TMoAG survives as an epitaph.

[advancedsepticdesign]

The Essentials of Septic System Design: An In-Depth Guide

Septic systems are a critical component for homes and properties not connected to a centralized sewer system. They provide an efficient, self-contained solution for wastewater treatment. Proper septic system design is crucial for ensuring long-term functionality, environmental protection, and compliance with local regulations. This article delves into the key aspects of septic system design, focusing on the essential elements of septic tank and field design.

Understanding the Basics of Septic Systems

A septic system typically consists of two primary components: the septic tank and the drain field (also known as the leach field). The septic tank is a watertight container buried underground, usually made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. Its primary function is to hold wastewater long enough for solids to settle to the bottom, forming sludge, while oils and grease float to the top as scum. The middle layer, containing clarified liquid effluent, then flows out to the drain field for further treatment.

The drain field is a network of perforated pipes laid in gravel-filled trenches. As effluent is released into the soil, the natural filtration process removes harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients, rendering the water safe to reenter the groundwater system.

Key Considerations in Septic System Design

Site Evaluation

The first step in designing a septic system is a thorough site evaluation. This involves analyzing soil type, topography, water table levels, and proximity to water bodies. Soil permeability is particularly important, as it determines how quickly the effluent will filter through the soil. Sandy soils allow for rapid drainage, while clay soils may require more complex designs to prevent system failure.

Septic Tank Sizing

Proper septic tank sizing is critical for ensuring the system can handle the expected wastewater load. Tank size is typically based on the number of bedrooms in a home, as this correlates with the number of occupants and, consequently, the volume of wastewater produced. For instance, a three-bedroom home might require a 1,000-gallon tank, while larger homes may need tanks with a capacity of 1,500 gallons or more. Oversizing the tank can lead to reduced treatment efficiency, while undersizing can cause frequent backups and potential system failure.

Drain Field Design

The design of the drain field is equally important. The size and layout of the field depend on the volume of effluent, soil absorption rate, and the overall area available. Typically, a drain field consists of a series of trenches, each filled with gravel and perforated pipes. Effluent flows from the septic tank into these pipes, where it seeps into the surrounding soil for natural filtration.

Trench Depth and Spacing: The trenches must be deep enough to avoid frost penetration but shallow enough to maintain adequate oxygen levels for the bacteria that break down waste. Spacing between trenches is also crucial to prevent oversaturation of the soil.

Slope Considerations: The slope of the land can affect the flow of effluent through the system. Ideally, the drain field should be located on a gentle slope to facilitate gravity flow. Steep slopes may require additional engineering solutions, such as dosing pumps, to ensure even distribution of effluent.

Regulatory Compliance

Septic system design must comply with local health department regulations and environmental protection standards. Regulations often dictate minimum setbacks from property lines, wells, and water bodies, as well as specifications for tank construction and drain field placement. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in fines, system failure, and environmental contamination.

Alternative Septic Systems

In some cases, conventional septic systems may not be suitable due to poor soil conditions, high water tables, or limited space. Alternative designs, such as mound systems, aerobic treatment units, or sand filters, can be employed to overcome these challenges. These systems often involve additional components, such as pumps and mechanical aerators, to enhance the treatment process.

Maintenance and Longevity

Proper maintenance is crucial for extending the life of a septic system. Regular pumping of the septic tank (every 3-5 years) is essential to remove accumulated sludge and prevent clogging of the drain field. Homeowners should also avoid flushing non-biodegradable materials, such as wipes, diapers, and grease, as these can cause blockages and reduce system efficiency.

Additionally, monitoring the drain field for signs of failure, such as soggy areas, foul odors, or slow drainage, can help catch issues early before they become costly repairs. Professional inspections can also ensure that all components are functioning correctly and that the system complies with current regulations.

Designing a septic system requires careful planning, site evaluation, and adherence to regulatory standards. Whether for a new installation or an upgrade, understanding the critical elements of septic tank and drain field design is essential for creating an effective, long-lasting wastewater treatment system. By considering soil characteristics, tank sizing, drain field layout, and local regulations, homeowners and designers can ensure the safe and efficient operation of a septic system for years to come. Proper maintenance further extends the system's life, protecting both the property and the environment.

[on-point-locating]

The Ultimate Guide to Cable Locators: Tool for Efficient Wiring

In today’s fast-paced world, where technology and connectivity are paramount, having a reliable cable locator can make all the difference. Whether you're a professional electrician, a DIY enthusiast, or someone who just needs to find a cable behind the wall, understanding how a cable locator works and why it’s essential is crucial.

In this blog, let’s explore the ins and outs of Cable Locator Underground Service, their benefits, and tips for choosing the right one for your needs.

What is a Cable Locator?

A cable locator, sometimes referred to as a wire tracer or underground wire locator, is a device designed to detect and trace the path of electrical cables and wires, both above ground and underground.

It uses advanced technology to send signals through the cables, allowing users to identify their location with accuracy and ease. This tool is invaluable for electricians, construction workers, and anyone involved in home renovations or installations.

Why You Need a Cable Locator

Preventing Damage

When undertaking renovations or installations, the last thing you want is to accidentally cut through an electrical cable or plumbing line. A cable locator helps prevent costly and dangerous mistakes by providing a clear picture of what lies beneath the surface.

Efficiency and Time-Saving

Searching for cables manually can be time-consuming and frustrating. A cable locator allows you to quickly identify the location of wires, speeding up your projects and ensuring a smoother workflow. With the right tool, you can get the job done faster and more efficiently.

Safety First

Safety should always be a priority, especially when dealing with electrical systems. Using a cable locator reduces the risk of electrical shocks and other hazards associated with improper wiring. It ensures that you’re aware of all existing lines, allowing for safer work practices.

Versatility in Applications

Whether you're working on a home project, commercial building, or outdoor landscaping, cable locators are versatile tools that can adapt to various situations. From tracing electrical wiring to locating irrigation systems, their applications are limitless.

How Does a Cable Locator Work?

Cable locators typically consist of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends a signal along the cable, while the receiver detects the signal’s strength and direction. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

Transmitting the Signal: The transmitter is connected to the cable or wire, sending a specific frequency signal through it.

Receiving the Signal: The receiver scans the area to locate the signal emitted from the cable. As it gets closer to the cable, the signal strength increases, allowing users to track its path.

Mapping the Route: With the signal detected, users can map out the cable's route and identify any potential obstacles or junctions along the way.

Key Features to Look for in a Cable Locator

When selecting a cable locator underground, consider the following features to ensure you choose the right model for your needs:

Depth Capability

Look for a locator that can accurately detect cables at varying depths. Some models can locate cables buried several feet underground, making them suitable for a wide range of projects.

Signal Range and Sensitivity

A good cable locator should have a broad signal range and high sensitivity to detect both high-voltage and low-voltage cables. This ensures you can work with various systems without any issues.

Ease of Use

Choose a user-friendly model that doesn’t require extensive training to operate. Features like clear displays, intuitive controls, and ergonomic designs can significantly enhance usability.

Durability

Consider a rugged, durable locator that can withstand tough job site conditions. A sturdy design ensures longevity and reliability, even in challenging environments.

Multi-Functionality

Some cable locators come equipped with additional features, such as the ability to detect pipes or locate underground utilities. Opting for a multi-functional model can provide added value for your investment.

Top Cable Locators on the Market

Here are a few popular cable locators to consider:

Fluke 2042 Cable Locator

Known for its reliability and accuracy, the Fluke 2042 is a favorite among professionals. It offers advanced features and an intuitive interface, making it easy to trace cables in various environments.

Klein Tools ET310

This budget-friendly option is perfect for DIY enthusiasts. It provides basic cable locating capabilities without breaking the bank, making it an excellent choice for home projects.

Extech Instruments CT70

The Extech CT70 is designed for versatility, with the ability to detect both AC and DC currents. It’s ideal for electricians who work with a range of systems and applications.

Final Words

Investing in a quality cable locator can save you time, money, and hassle in the long run. Whether you’re a professional or a DIYer, having this essential tool in your arsenal ensures you can tackle any wiring project with confidence.

By understanding how to use a cable locator underground effectively, you’ll not only enhance your efficiency but also ensure a safer working environment. So, the next time you’re faced with a wiring challenge, don’t forget to reach for your trusty cable locator!

Source - https://onpointlocating.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-ultimate-guide-to-cable-locators.html

[gorillawall]

Taming the Terrain: A Guide to Retaining Walls

The allure of a tiered landscape can add undeniable beauty and drama to your property. But sometimes, uneven terrain or sloping land throws a wrench into your landscaping dreams. Here's where retaining wall Melbourne comes in - unsung heroes of the yard, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

What is a Retaining Wall?

In essence, a retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or other materials on different elevation levels. They prevent soil erosion, create level areas for planting or patios, and add visual interest to your landscape design.

Benefits of Retaining Walls:

Erosion Control: The primary function of a retaining wall is to combat soil erosion. By creating a barrier, it prevents rainwater from washing away soil on slopes, protecting your property and maintaining the integrity of your landscaping.

Levelling the Playing Field: Retaining walls allows you to create usable flat areas on uneven terrain. This opens up possibilities for patios, decks, planting beds, or even additional living space.

Aesthetics: Retaining walls can be beautiful design elements, adding definition and structure to your landscape. The variety of materials and styles available allows you to create a look that complements your home's architecture and personal taste.

Drainage and Foundation Protection: Retaining walls can help with proper drainage by directing water away from your house's foundation, preventing moisture problems and potential structural damage.

Types of Retaining Walls:

The type of retaining wall Melbourne you choose depends on several factors, including the height of the wall, soil conditions, desired aesthetics, and of course, budget. Here's a breakdown of some popular options:

Gravity Walls: These walls rely on their own weight to resist pressure from the soil. Typically constructed from stone, concrete blocks, or brick, they are suitable for smaller heights (up to 4 feet) and require a strong foundation.

Cantilevered Walls: These L-shaped walls utilise a reinforced concrete base buried underground to hold back soil. They are ideal for creating taller walls (up to 8 feet) with a more modern aesthetic.

Sheet Pile Walls: These walls consist of interlocking steel sheets driven into the ground. They are a good option for tight spaces or situations with poor soil conditions.

Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs): These walls use interlocking concrete blocks that can be stacked without mortar. They offer a versatile and DIY-friendly option for smaller retaining walls.

Planning and Building Your Retaining Wall:

While smaller DIY retaining walls are possible, especially with SRWs, consulting a professional landscaper or engineer is highly recommended for larger or more complex projects. Here's what to consider:

Permits: Depending on your location and the size of the wall, you might need a permit for construction. Check with your local building department before starting any work.

Design and Engineering: A professional can assess your specific needs and design a retaining wall that is structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. They will factor in factors like soil type, drainage, and height requirements.

Material Selection: The type of material you choose will impact the overall cost, aesthetics, and functionality of your wall. Consider factors like durability, maintenance requirements, and how it will blend with your existing landscape.

Adding Flair to Your Functional Friend:

Retaining walls doesn't have to be purely utilitarian. Here are some ways to enhance their visual appeal:

Planting: Incorporate plants and flowers on top of the wall or in front of it to soften the structure and add pops of colour. Opt for cascading or creeping plants for a naturalised look.

Lighting: Adding strategically placed lights can highlight the wall at night and create a dramatic effect. Consider low-voltage path lights or recessed lighting for a subtle glow.

Water Features: A small waterfall or fountain cascading down the wall can add a touch of tranquillity and visual interest.

Seating: Incorporate built-in seating on top of the wall to create a cosy spot to enjoy your newly levelled landscape.

Summing Up

By understanding the different types of retaining wall Melbourne and their benefits, you can unlock the potential of your uneven terrain. With proper planning and a touch of creativity, a retaining wall can become a beautiful and functional addition to your property, adding value and transforming your outdoor space. Source: https://gorillawallconcretesleeper.blogspot.com/2024/07/taming-terrain-guide-to-retaining-walls.html

[devoqdesign]

Creating Intuitive Navigation for Mobile Apps

One of the most critical aspects of designing a great mobile app experience is ensuring that the navigation is intuitive and user-friendly. Poor navigation can lead to frustration, confusion, and ultimately cause users to abandon your app altogether. On the other hand, well-designed navigation can greatly enhance the overall usability and appeal of your app, keeping users engaged and encouraging them to continue exploring its features.

In this blog post, we'll explore some key principles and best practices for creating intuitive navigation in mobile apps.

1. Keep it Simple

Simplicity should be the guiding principle when it comes to mobile app navigation. Mobile screens are relatively small compared to desktop or laptop displays, which means that real estate is limited. Cluttering the interface with too many navigation options can overwhelm users and make it difficult for them to find what they're looking for.

Stick to a minimalistic approach, offering only the most essential navigation elements. Use clear, concise labels and icons that are universally recognizable and make sense within the context of your app.

2. Implement a Consistent Navigation Pattern

Consistency is crucial for creating an intuitive navigation experience. Once you've established a navigation pattern, stick to it throughout your app. Users should be able to predict where certain navigation elements will be located and how they will function based on their previous experiences.

Common navigation patterns for mobile apps include:

- Bottom navigation bar (for 3-5 main sections)

- Top navigation bar (for switching between views or features)

- Hamburger menu (for displaying a comprehensive list of options)

- Tabs (for navigating between different content categories)

Choose the pattern that best suits your app's structure and content, and use it consistently across all screens and sections.

3. Leverage Gestures and Animations

Mobile devices are designed for touch-based interactions, and users have become accustomed to using gestures like swiping, tapping, and pinching to navigate through apps. Incorporating intuitive gestures into your navigation can greatly enhance the user experience.

For example, you could allow users to swipe horizontally to switch between views or vertically to scroll through content. Tapping on a specific area could reveal additional navigation options or take users to a different screen.

Additionally, consider using subtle animations to provide visual feedback and guide users through navigation transitions. Animations can help users understand how different screens and sections are related, making it easier for them to orient themselves within the app.

4. Prioritize Discoverability

While simplicity is important, it's also crucial to ensure that users can easily discover and access the full range of features and functionalities within your app. Burying important navigation elements too deeply can lead to frustration and a poor user experience.

One way to improve discoverability is to implement a well-designed information architecture. Organize your app's content and features in a logical, hierarchical manner, and make sure that the navigation reflects this structure.

You can also use subtle visual cues, such as icons or labels, to hint at additional navigation options or hidden menus. However, be careful not to overdo it, as too many visual cues can create clutter and defeat the purpose of simplicity.

5. Consider Context and User Flow

Effective navigation isn't just about individual screens or buttons – it's about creating a seamless, cohesive experience that guides users through your app's various features and functionalities.

When designing your app's navigation, consider the context in which users will be interacting with it, as well as the typical user flows and tasks they'll want to accomplish. For example, if your app is designed for on-the-go use, you'll want to prioritize quick access to frequently used features and minimize the number of taps or gestures required to navigate.

Additionally, pay attention to the transitions between different screens and sections. Ensure that these transitions are smooth and logical, helping users maintain a sense of orientation and context as they move through the app.

6. Test and Iterate

Like any aspect of user experience design, creating intuitive navigation is an iterative process that requires continuous testing and refinement. Don't make assumptions about what users will find intuitive – instead, conduct usability testing with real users and gather feedback.

Watch how users interact with your app's navigation, and take note of any areas where they seem to struggle or get confused. Use these insights to make adjustments and improvements, and continue testing and iterating until you've achieved a navigation experience that feels seamless and natural.

Remember, user preferences and expectations can change over time, so it's important to periodically reevaluate your app's navigation and make updates as needed.

Conclusion

Creating intuitive navigation for mobile apps is both an art and a science. It requires a deep understanding of user behavior, design principles, and the unique constraints and affordances of mobile devices.

By following the guidelines outlined in this blog post – keeping it simple, implementing consistent navigation patterns, leveraging gestures and animations, prioritizing discoverability, considering context and user flow, and continuously testing and iterating – you can create an app navigation experience that truly delights users and keeps them engaged with your product.

Devoq Design stands out as a top-tier UI/UX design agency with a strong presence in both Toowoomba and Mackay. As a leading UI/UX design agency in Toowoomba, Devoq Design specializes in creating user-friendly and visually compelling digital experiences tailored to the unique needs of businesses. Their expertise also extends to Mackay, where they deliver cutting-edge design solutions that enhance user interaction and drive business success. Whether in Toowoomba or UI/UX design agency in Mackay, Devoq Design is committed to providing exceptional UI/UX design services that ensure optimal user engagement and satisfaction.

[arqukiki]

Space and Environment in Architecture

Space and environment are some of the most important things architects must consider.  It is necessary to think about the architectural space surrounding us, and also discover the messages or soul of the architecture itself.  Just as we understand space and architecture, we must understand the importance of the environment surrounding us.  By taking these factors into consideration, we might help build a better and healthier environment.

          Architecture is not just about space-making or designing a building or a house, but also about shaping meaningful spaces or structures that make us connect with a certain surrounding.  A great example for this is the Thermal Vals, by architect Peter Zumthor.  These thermal baths are located in Switzerland, and the way they were constructed makes the structure connect with nature.  Architecture is not just about addition, but also about subtraction, so for this structure, the architect decided to excavate and build these thermal baths half buried into the hillside.  Peter Zumthor believes that a good building must have a soul.  Another example for this is the Centre Georges Pompidou located in France.  This building was designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, and they came up with a design that could maximize the interior space without interruptions.  In order to do that, they designed a building in which its infrastructure or skeleton is exposed.  This helps them maximize the space inside and it’s a very useful and wise way to economize space and also show everyone that architecture doesn’t have to be beautiful in order to be functional.

          The environment is something everyone must protect and take into consideration, no matter the job they have.  Architects must be very aware of the environment and the ways in which to protect it as they decide on where and how to design a building.  “Wind, rain and sun are enemies to some architects’ minds”, while Ken Yeang, a Malaysian architect and ecologist, thought the opposite and believed that the urban environment itself could become a living breathing organism.  He thought that a building should not only benefit humans, but also plants and animals. He designed a building that would have less electrical and air conditioning consumption.  For example, the escalators in the building stop automatically if there’s no one on them and start again when someone approaches them.  That way, they save a lot of energy.  Also, to reduce the artificial lighting, he designed big windows which let natural light into the offices in the building, and when the sun is too direct, automatic blinds come down, so the environment can be comfortable for the people throughout the day.  This building also has a ventilation shaft in between.  It has a non-air-conditioned space which increases the surface area of the building and also helps to cool it down.  This helps to reduce the energy required for air conditioning the building.  There are also fourteen gardens spread out within the building, which helps maintain nature.  It's important architects consider green buildings as the future, in that way, we would have less environmental problems.  They need to understand that every building is connected to nature and climate, and that they have to complement or harmonize with each other in order to create a sustainable and better environment.

          Every building has a soul, and that soul has to connect with nature as much as with humans. Shaping a building and designing spaces for it has a lot of importance when giving it a meaning and trying to find its soul.  Conserving and maintaining the environment is important.  We can protect nature by designing a building that helps reduce the consumption of electricity and energy, or a green building that complements nature.  These are some of the perfect ways to protect the environment and make every architecture complement humans and nature.

[decks-writing-blog]

Changed Some Things

Summary: Gwen didn't invent necromancy but he sure did perfect it.

[A/N] My friend @itsladykit asked for something with my OC's for Xmas this year, unlocking Gwen's backstory.

~

When an elf died their body was put in a special pod that was then buried in the ground. A tree would grow out of it, feeding on the corpse within. The reverence and ceremonies surrounding the body being placed into the pod and planting it in just the right location, often an area the person particularly enjoyed in life, had never made any sense to Gwen. With the soul gone how was the body any different from that of an animal’s hunted for food? Why go through so much trouble with the ceremonies and carrying it to a specific spot? Even more nonsensical was the fact that trees grown from bodies were forbidden from being chopped down or damaged in any way. A law possible to uphold only due to a specific magical species of tree being used for the purpose.

But as odd as that was at least something useful was still done with the bodies. Even if the trees couldn’t be chopped down to be used for anything, they still provided all the benefits trees always did. Unlike what the humans did with their bodies; put them in boxes, bury them in the ground, put a marked stone atop it and then leave them to rot. Or often wealthy humans would arrange to have their corpses magically preserved when they died and put in stone houses filled with their favorite treasures and magically warded against intruders. If anyone tried to so much as suggest doing anything worthwhile with the corpses instead, a big stink was made about not disrespecting the dead.

It was complete and utter nonsense but also the reason Gwen, upon being exiled from home for studying necromancy, had settled in to live with humans. The graveyards, even in a proper city like this one, were rarely well guarded, making it easy to sneak in and steal bodies to experiment on and with. He’d been at it for years and years now with no one noticing because as much of a stink as humans liked to make about respecting the dead, they didn’t care as much as they liked to pretend. They would notice and care after tonight though… assuming it went how Gwen hoped anyway.

Sneaking into the the graveyard was much the same as it had always been except this time he had five undead puppets following as he climbed the gate at the back. His new command spells continued to work as intended in that a bonus climb command wasn’t need to get them over the fence behind him.

Once they were all over, he started for the rear corner where ostensibly the oldest grave rested, its tombstone weathered down to be unreadable. He dispelled that illusion, revealing the rectangle of wood he’d placed on the ground to stop anyone from accidentally stepping through the illusion into the hole in the ground. Inside of which wasn’t a body but shovels, lots and lots of shovels. Anticipating tonight, he’d been squirreling them away for years.

He flipped the board over with his foot as he reached for the command spell in his mind. Grab a shovel, start digging up the first real grave. The five obeyed, no additional thought needed. As expected but after years of being stuck with inefficient, magic heavy, mentally clunky spells, it still felt almost too good to be true.

The first grave would likely hold little more than an old skeleton by now. Once upon a time the most difficult and inefficient type of corpse to reanimate, not really worth it unless one specifically needed a skeleton for something. His animation spell should fix that though, just like it made all bodies much easier to raise. The old spells were derived from the ones puppeteers used to animate their wooden dolls and cloth puppets. Functional for bone and rotting flesh but clunky and uncomfortable, becoming more and more so the more corpses one rose at a time, severally limiting that number. The spells Gwen had invented should have a limit to how many he could raise too but a much larger one. Figuring out how large was the point of this particular experiment.

Gwen could grab a shovel and help the corpses dig. It was tempting as he was eager to push this forward quickly. But with how much time this was likely to take, it was barely past sunset and thus some folk were still up and about. Even if passing the graveyard after sunset was considered bad luck – more human weirdness around corpses – some might still do so. At the back he and his undead shouldn’t be particularly visible from the path out front and anyone going by would likely be in a carriage – horse drawn on one of those new experimental carriages that ran on stored lightning magic – but humans were known to be unpredictable at times and thus it was a good idea to keep an eye out just in case. Besides, his efforts to sneak the groundskeeper a sleeping potion might’ve failed. So if they showed up, Gwen would have to do something about them.

Even if he did help, it likely wouldn’t make it go much faster anyway. So all there really was left to do was stand nearby and keep an eye out until the corpse was out and ready to be animated to join in digging up the next corpse. Tonight was going to be a long night.

~

The going was predictably slow at first, six feet was a long way to dig even for beings that didn’t tire. But by midnight Gwen had enough corpses under his control to dig up three graves at a time. A couple hours later, despite having had four caches of shovels hidden around the graveyard, they were all in use. Which slowed the rate of growth to a steady stream of fresh corpses being brought to him to add to the horde.

In the process he modified his new animation spell even further, making it more efficient and quicker to cast. His previous record for highest number of undead controlled at once – and the world record as far as he knew – had been just over a hundred. He shot past that with ease and kept going without feeling much strain at all. Naturally his magical strength played a large role in this but with his spells, even the piddliest of necromancers could raise and control a decent number with ease.

Initially his intention had been to see if he could raise the whole graveyard, thinking that’d be pushing it. But with dawn approaching he was more than three fourths of the way through and still going strong. He would need to push it further to see how far he could go. Lucky for him, this city was big enough to hold two graveyards. The other one was smaller but should still add to his numbers enough to be worth the trouble. People wouldn’t like him marching his army down there but it was big enough now that there wasn’t much anyone could do to stop him.

Speaking of that, his luck at not being interrupted was finally being broken as a ping came from the undead guards he’d set on watching the entrance. Later he would need to modify the magics he cast on lookouts to more accurately convey what triggered the ping. But for now, he finished animating the latest body brought to him and with a magical command for it to follow, headed in that direction.

City Guards. A whole big group of them with their swords drawn as they shouted at the guards. The corpses were fairly far inside and on the fresher side so at a casual glance they’d appear to be living people but surely when paying so much attention to them, it should be more obvious they weren’t, right?

Defend me, defend yourself, Gwen sent to his whole little army before approaching further. The shouting stopped as they spotted him. “Please leave,” he said, raising his voice in order to be order from this distance.

“I assume your the necromancer in charge of this grave robbing operation.” The human in middle said. They’re sword had a slight glow to it, indicating it was magical. Thus this fellow was likely the leader. They also had a beard so they were likely considered a man. Despite having lived with them for years, Gwen still wasn’t sure how that particular concept of human society worked. But like how he rolled with the humans’ assumption that he was a man, he was just going to roll with his first assumption here too. It’s not like it really mattered anyway.

“Yes. I’m not hurting anyone and I promise I shall continue not doing so unless someone attacks me first. Meaning you are free to leave.” He lifted a hand to make a dismissive gesture towards the group as a whole, earning more than a few scowls. If they were smart though, they should see that they were outnumbered and thus hesitate to push further.

The leader lifted his sword and pointed it at Gwen. “If you don’t wanna be hung in a fortnight I recommend dropping your magic and coming with us peacefully ‘cause you’re under arrest for grave robbery, disrespecting the dead, and illegal necromancy.”

Gwen had expected such resistance if caught but that didn’t make it any less annoying. It’d be so much easier for everyone if they just let him do his thing. Such would be asking for too much though. And thus even before the man had finished speaking Gwen was pulling the rest of the horde in his direction. The ones with the shovels were the only ones with anything resembling weapons – his own fault for overlooking this possibility – so he pulled on them the hardest to get them to move a bit faster than the rest.

“If you get violent, they’ll kill you.” Gwen could try keep them alive by tying them up to keep them out of the way but that whole situation would be a different kind of annoyance to deal with. Besides if they got violent with him, he had a right to be violent back.

The guy scoffed as the stepped closer to the gate, gesturing for his underlings to follow. “Everyone knows the more corpses a necormancer’s got under his control, the weaker they all are, so you’re not fooling anyone buddy. Fredrick, open the gate so we can get at him. Try not to hurt the bodies too much, the city will want to rebury them.”

One of the shorter fellows stepped up to the gate. It was locked though so they just jiggled it noisily for a few seconds before turning back to look at the leader. With a sigh, he stepped forward and cut the whole padlock off. Seems he was determined to die tonight.

By the time the whole group was through and in the graveyard proper, the bulk of Gwen’s undead puppets had arrived, the ones bearing shovels at the front. The leader was right in his call that large hordes of undead used to be easy to take out. Someone with actual experience would’ve seen immediately that something was different here and thus been more cautious. But unlucky for him and his unfortunate followers, they seemingly had no such person with them to advise caution and thus they were about to find out the hard way that Gwen had changed some things.

Stepping back into his line of undead, Gwen pointed up at the Guard as they grouped for a charge. “Kill them.” Verbalizing the command wasn’t necessary but it would serve as one last warning. The way others often responded to killing, even in self defense, was something Gwen would rather not have to put up with if he didn’t have to. But even more annoying than putting up with that would be allowing these fools to chase him away from his experiment.

None of the Guards heeded the warning though and thus as they charged as a unit into Gwen’s line of undead, it was with a clang of metal on metal and battle cries from the living. Expecting to be faced with barely controlled undead puppets and thus be able to mow through him like a scythe through wheat stalks, several of the Guard fell within seconds. Which finally knocked some sense into the rest as they flinched as whole unit, breaking their charge and pulling back into a more defensive stance.

If they’d gone for a full retreat, Gwen would’ve let them go. They didn’t though and thus were quickly surrounded.

The leader, finally realizing their predicament, locked eyes on Gwen and charged. Killing Gwen would end the battle instantly and thus, short of retreating, it was the smartest move to make. His magic sword allowed him to cut through the shovels and bodies of several undead, allowing him to almost reach Gwen. But, with so many undead, before Gwen even needed to draw on his magic for at attack or defense spell, he was bodily dragged to the ground.

A shovel to his windpipe crushed it before he could recover. Dropping his sword, he gurgled and grabbed at his neck, his face already starting to purple. A shovel came down on his neck again, crushing his fingers with a snap and drawing another strangled cry from him. Another shovel blade was brought down on his head, cutting short his cry as his skull caved in, finally killing him.

Gwen looked up just in time to see the last of the Guard get overwhelmed too. Their exact deaths were impossible to see, the undead around them were too numerous. But the horde soon stilled around them, indicating they’d fulfilled the kill order. Problem solved.

A handful of undead were damaged, a few quite severely, but none so badly he couldn’t repair them with a bit more magic. Keeping them going would take a little more magic now but his superior spells still held, making it barely take more. And he now had a handful of new corpses to add to his number so there was a bright side to this at least. Armored and armed they’d act as his primary attack force should such a situation arise again. Which, annoying as it was, was likely.

In fact, this was almost certainly going to be far from the only time this kind of thing happened before he found out how far his new spells could stretch. Such was just how it had to be because people in general liked to be difficult about stuff like this. But he wasn’t going to stop until he reached his limit, no matter how many undead that was.

[glidegoddesses]

What You Don't Know About Ski Lifts And Recco Reflectors

The article covers two skiing-related topics: Recco Reflectors and Ski Lifts. Recco Reflectors consist of a detector and reflector and are effective in avalanche rescues. The article also provides a guide on the types and usage of Ski Lifts, and addresses common questions such as their installation process and safety concerns.

Recco Reflectors

Ski jackets are an important part of a skier's safety equipment and there are many Recco supported ski jackets to choose from such as Arc'teryx, The North Face and Salomon. Designed to be durable, breathable and waterproof, they provide a comfortable and reliable layer of protection on the mountain. They also have additional safety features such as a removable hood or internal snow skirt.

Should Recco Reflectors Be Used on Skis

Absolutely! Recco reflectors are a simple yet effective tool that can greatly increase your chances of being found in an avalanche. They're lightweight, durable, and don't require any batteries or maintenance. Plus, they're widely used and recognized by rescue teams around the world, making them a valuable addition to any skier's safety gear.

How Effective is a Recco Reflector During a Mountain Rescue

Recco reflectors have been proven to be highly effective during mountain rescues. They're designed to bounce back signals from specialized search and rescue equipment, allowing rescue teams to quickly and accurately locate skiers who may be buried under the snow. Of course, like any technology, there are factors that can affect their effectiveness, such as the depth of the snow or the distance between the skier and the rescuers. But overall, Recco reflectors are a reliable and valuable tool to have in any rescue situation.

How Does the Recco® Avalanche Rescue Technology Work

The Recco® avalanche rescue technology consists of two parts: a detector and a reflector. The detector emits a radar signal that bounces off the reflector and sends a signal back to the detector. This signal is then translated into a location, allowing the rescue team to pinpoint the exact spot where the reflector is located. Recco reflectors are designed to be lightweight and unobtrusive, making them a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders around the world.

Recco Ski Jackets List

There are many great brands and styles of Recco-enabled ski jackets to choose from. Some popular options include Arc'teryx, The North Face, and Salomon. These jackets are designed to be durable, breathable, and water-resistant, providing skiers with a comfortable and reliable layer of protection on the mountain. Many Recco ski jackets also feature additional safety features, such as removable hoods or internal snow skirts, to further enhance their functionality and practicality.

Ski Lifts

Glossary of Aerial Lift Terms

You got it! Here are a few key terms to know: chairlift, gondola, T-bar, J-bar, magic carpet, detachable chairlift, and surface lift. Each type of lift has its own unique features and benefits, so it's worth familiarizing yourself with these terms before you hit the slopes.

Ski Lift Guide: The Different Types And How To Use Them

Ski lifts are a fantastic way to get up the mountain quickly and easily. There are several different types to choose from, including chairlifts, gondolas, and surface lifts. Each has its own quirks and techniques for use, so it's important to read the signs and follow the guidance of the lift operators. And don't forget to watch your step – getting on and off a moving lift can be tricky!

How Are Ski Lifts And Gondolas Installed In The Mountains

Installing a ski lift or gondola is no small feat! It requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and skilled workers who aren't afraid of heights. Typically, the lift towers are anchored to the bedrock or embedded in concrete foundations, while the cables are strung between them using a series of pulleys and tensioners. It's a complex process, but when done correctly, it can provide skiers with a safe and efficient way to access the slopes.

How Do Ski Lifts Function

Ski lifts work by using a combination of gravity and mechanical power to transport skiers up the mountain. As the lift moves up the hill, it pulls skiers along with it, either on chairs or in gondolas. Some lifts are powered by electric motors, while others rely on a diesel or gas engine to keep things moving. It's a fascinating system that's been refined over decades of use.

Is There a Safer Alternative to Ski Chairlifts Available

While there are other types of ski lifts available, such as gondolas and surface lifts, chairlifts remain a popular and relatively safe choice for getting up the mountain. They're designed to withstand high winds and heavy snow, and modern safety features such as automatic brakes and anti-rollback systems help to prevent accidents. Of course, as with any activity, there is always some level of risk involved, but ski resorts work hard to keep their lifts and guests safe.

How Long Is a Ski Lift Ride

The length of a ski lift ride can vary depending on a number of factors, including the height and terrain of the mountain, the speed of the lift, and the number of stops along the way. A typical ride can range from just a few minutes to upwards of 20 or 30 minutes. Regardless of the length, it's a great opportunity to take in the breathtaking views and get ready for your next run down the slopes!

FAQ

What are Recco Reflectors and how do they work?

Recco Reflectors are small, lightweight devices that are designed to bounce back signals from specialized search and rescue equipment. The technology consists of two parts: a detector and a reflector. The detector emits a radar signal that bounces off the reflector and sends a signal back to the detector, allowing the rescue team to pinpoint the exact location of the reflector. They are a valuable addition to any skier's safety gear and have been proven to be highly effective during mountain rescues.

What are some popular brands of Recco-enabled ski jackets?

Some popular brands of Recco-enabled ski jackets include Arc'teryx, The North Face, and Salomon. These jackets are designed to be durable, breathable, and water-resistant, providing skiers with a comfortable and reliable layer of protection on the mountain.

What are the different types of ski lifts and how do they work?

There are several different types of ski lifts, including chairlifts, gondolas, and surface lifts. Each works by using a combination of gravity and mechanical power to transport skiers up the mountain. Chairlifts and gondolas pull skiers along with them as they move up the hill, while surface lifts use a series of pulleys and cables to tow skiers up the slope. It's important to familiarize yourself with the different types of lifts before hitting the slopes to ensure a safe and enjoyable skiing experience.

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[lucagray813]

I've been having a bit of fun figuring out how different Elementals look depending on how much soul they have. These are how Water Elementals look with no to little soul.

The more soul introduced, the more will the Elemental has and so it just starts doing stuff that it wants to do. This Complex WE is going to pretend to be a crab - it doesn't really know what a crab is or how to move or act one so it'll just sort of flail about wearing bits of it.

Next up we have some of the Fire Elementals:

FEs are very common in and around DBK territory. Pure and Simple FEs are popular as they keep fires going for longer, saving on fuel. Complex FEs also do this but they can't be trusted to stay in the fire.

The Complex FEs described above are considered pests because it will burn its way over your nice floors to get to those lovely curtains of yours if they happen to be made of its preferred fuel to burn. They don't even need to burn fuel to survive they just enjoy the way it feels when it burns inside them, the rascals.

The Metal Elementals:

The Simple ME above is a Mercury ME that has escaped the thermometer it was unknowingly used to make.

Complex MEs like the one above are sometimes adopted as "pets" by blacksmiths - the project to find the shape it wants one that can take years to complete. The shape could be anything - simple or complicated, functional or useless, recognisable or abstract - it is completely dependent on the ME.

In the wild, Complex MEs use their ability to shake and vibrate to try and dent themselves into the correct shape. If they find themselves in a molten state they have more mobility and can better shape themselves but it can be difficult to maintain this shape as they move to become solid again.

Some Complex MEs have been forged into jewellery or weaponry and the increasingly violent vibrating they do if they are not in the correct shape leads many to mistakenly believe their item is cursed - a skilled blacksmith will be able to identify the problem but the item often cannot be "fixed", especially if it is made entirely from a ME.

Wood Elementals:

Complex TEs rarely grow taller than a metre in height but they do seem to have some control over the shape they take as they grow, in addition to leaves they can also grow flowers, fruit and seeds. The seeds will not grow if planted however.

Some TEs have a great deal of control over their roots and branches and can use them to travel very small distances but generally most will remain in the same spot. They instead use their mobility to efficiently take in resources, such as nutrients and sunlight, and to the benefit of their "tenant(s)" - such as moving branches and leaves to protect them from adverse weather.

Complex TEs tend to attract specific species depending on the type of tree they are but it is not unheard of for a different species to move in and in those circumstances a TE will try to accommodate their needs - growing more flowers or spacing out their branches, for example.

Unlike Simple TEs, Complex TEs do not seem to benefit from hosting tenants so it is unclear why they do this.

Earth Elementals:

Some believe that it will bring good fortune if you bury a Simple EE if you come across it - the deeper you bury it, the greater your reward.

It is very easy for a Complex EE to become stuck as it rolls about and when this happens it will resort to shaking much like a Simple EE. Sometimes this shifts the terrain enough for it to roll itselves out but sometimes it starts to bury it deeper. If this happens it will never stop shaking, trying futilely to move to its desired location.

Adventurous souls have been known to accompany Complex EEs on their journey - helping get them unstuck if necessary. An EEs ideal location could be anywhere in the world so if you want to travel without knowing where you're going or when it might end then an EE may be the ideal travel companion for you.

Finally some interesting variations:

It could be argued Vapour and Ice are not true variations as they can alternate between states given the right conditions but most WEs appear to favour a particular form and will actively seek out areas that allow them to stay that way.

Mud EEs are a welcome sight to gardeners and farmers as it indicates that the soil is very healthy. The EE itself doesn't leave a trail of dirt but the normal mud that sticks to it does so they can make a mess but they never generally do any damage to healthy plants.

Very niche exploration of how Elementals function in the Monkey Talk AU. Little guys that are very prevalent on the island during MS, MD time when it was teeming with mythical creatures and demons. This is not at all important to the overall plot, just a bit of worldbuilding. Elementals have only ever been mentioned in passing with no detail about what they are.

The Elements in this AU are based on Wǔxíng and are Earth, Metal, Fire, Water and Wood.

Thank you @sweetsrirachasauce for prompting this essay.

---------

The purest forms of an elemental are almost completely indistinguishable from their element - to the point where your average person could mine a Metal Elemental, have it forged into a sword and not realise there was something special about it, a very skilled blacksmith would know however and depending on how superstitious they were, refuse to work with it.

If you did manage to get a hold of an Elemental and knew what you were doing they can be all sorts of use for magic.

The purest forms generally can't be found outside of their element - Wood Elementals (TE) will be attached to trees and look like small branches, Metal Elementals (ME) will be attached to unprocessed ore and look exactly like that ore, Earth Elementals (EE) will be found buried deep underground and look like stones, Fire Elementals (FE) look like flames and only exist within fire, and Water Elementals (WE) are near translucent wobbly spheres that can be found in bodies of water.

But things get a little bit more interesting when a little bit of soul has been introduced. The more soul, the less pure the Elemental but the more complex the creature.

Simple FEs will travel to find more fire, or other FE's, if the fire they were occupying goes out. They burn little trails across the terrain as they go - they are rarely capable of starting big fires by themselves but it's not impossible given the right conditions.

Simple EEs want to be as deep in the earth as possible but have very limited movement, made even more difficult if they are in the form of an awkward stone, their only real way of moving is to vibrate/shake. If they have sharper edges and the ground below them is soft then it can be enough for them to sort of "burrow", if they're rounded it might cause them to roll around instead. Once deep enough they lie dormant.

Simple TEs form symbiotic relationships with certain bugs to create literal stick instincts. The TE will provide a home as well as nutritious sap for the bug, and the bug provides transportation if the host tree of the TE is dying. The bug will break off the TE by chewing along where it is connected before carrying (or wearing it) to another tree where the TE will attach itself.

Simple WEs are drawn to movement - while pure WEs just move passively with the water around them, simple WEs actively seek out whirlpools, rivers, currents. Simple WEs will merge to create bigger Simple WEs but they are often separated into smaller forms again by powerful forces such as whirlpools.

Simple MEs have different properties depending on the metal they are made of - Simple MEs want to be a stable, solid form and will strive to find the conditions this is possible. When in a molten form they will "slither" as best as they can in that form in the direction of the correct temperature and pressure to become solid.

Simple Elementals are also useful for magic but some have historically been used as guides/indicators for particular conditions. For example, some water demons have been said to use Simple WEs to avoid dangerous waters and fruit farmers have used Simple TEs for monitoring the health of their orchards.

Like MEs, other Simple Elementals have variant forms.

Simple WEs can exist in solid and gaseous states - taking the form of ice and clouds respectively.

Like Simple EEs, Ice Elementals have limited mobility but they do have the advantage of being able to slide and depending on whether there is still liquid at their core they do have some control over this. Once they are completely frozen however movement can slow to the speed of a glacier.

Similarly to Liquid WEs, as Clouds they seek out movement - hurricanes, air currents, etc. but they are often caught up in the water cycle relatively quickly and turn back to water in the form of rain. If they fall on land, rather than water, they will move as a unit of droplets until they find a body of water where they can reform as a wobbly, rounded 3D shape.

Simple TEs variants are tied to the type of tree they are - i.e. oak, elm, pine, etc. - and generally they can only attach themselves to a tree of the correct genus however grafting onto different types of tree has been witnessed but it has been theorised this is a temporary measure, a pit stop, to finding the correct family of tree.

Simple EEs can take the form of various gems. The gems function much like Stone EEs but are generally considered rarer, and more valuable. Many claim that these Gem EEs have other special properties to them, but evidence to support this is inconclusive.

Another form of the EE is the Mud EE. Many tiny Mud EEs generally form colonies that are as a unit mistaken for one Mud EE. They are generally unable to move on their own, attaching themselves to burrowing insects and animals in order to seek out healthier soil to inhabit. It is considered a good sign if you have Mud EEs present in your garden. Some even believe they can improve the quality of soil and as such they are much sought after.

It is considerably difficult to identify Mud EEs however due to their lack of independent movement or distinctive features but there are numerous stories and myths with advice on how to spot one - some say you can use worms to track them, others insist that if you touch wet earth and the dirt immediately slides off your hand and leaves it clean then you've just touched a Mud EE.

Simple FEs have been known to burn unique colours and at different temperatures and these rare flames have often been valued as a part of sacred rituals for various peoples throughout history.

Complex Elementals are broken into many subclasses but at a high level are defined as Elementals that possess additional appendages and/or features that could be classified as organs - these do not have to share any resemblance to that of organs typically found in demons, animals or humans but some do and at that point there is some debate as to when a Complex Elemental is considered a demon, or if they even should be.

Examples of a relatively simple Complex Elemental include a Mud EE that has an approximation of arms that it uses to move by dragging itself across the surface or a fire elemental that physically "eats" the fuel needed to sustain it.

Some argue that a clear distinction between whether someone is a Complex Elemental or a demon is their ability to produce offspring, although this has been highly contested, but it does appear to be true that Pure and Simple Elementals cannot do this.

No-one knows what causes Pure, Simple and many Complex Elementals to form, though there are many myths and legends that purport to have the answer.

Some say they are blessings, or even the children, of the Spirits of Wǔxíng left behind to reward those that live in harmony with the elements and/or to repair damage that has been done by a lack of harmony.

Some suggest that they are kin to the Spirits - that the Spirits are no more than Complex Elementals themselves - and help maintain the very balance that all life depends on.

But no-one had ever credibly reported seeing these Elementals form. Plenty had seen them "die" - their forms disintegrating as their energy was used for a spell or potion but there seems to be no need for concern that they may become endangered.

Elementals have a wide variety of myth and superstition surrounding them and despite evidence that they have been around for millennia we still know so little about them.

Many people suggest that demon equivalent Complex Elementals, particularly those capable of speaking human and demon languages, may have the answers - either on a "biological" level that can be studied or as something they intuitively know and keep secret from the world. Many Complex Elementals have suffered in the name of "discovery".

The prejudice towards and exploitation of Complex Elementals is a topic all of its own however.

[laneelectrical]

Why You Should Hire An Electrician to Install Garden Lighting

Are you finishing up landscaping at your residence or place of business and want to add some landscape lighting to make the final touches more enjoyable? Are you looking for efficient outdoor lighting options to illuminate your yard and walkways after dark? Despite the temptation to try installing landscape lighting yourself, there are a few reasons you might discover that hiring a Garden Lighting Electrician In Melbourne yields the greatest results.

Suitable Installation

The electrical system at your home or place of business should not be overloaded even when you are placing lights outdoors. A professional can make sure that your lighting is functional and won't result in any electrical issues while you go about your everyday business.

It's crucial to install your outdoor lighting correctly to ensure that it functions and that your circuit isn't overloaded. Garden Lighting Installation Melbourne electrician must consider where and how deep to bury wires. Additionally, a professional electrician can ensure that your electricity cost doesn't soar through the roof. Think about low-voltage lights, which operate on 12 volts, as well as LED bulbs, which don't consume a lot of energy or produce a lot of heat. Both solutions conserve electricity while still providing your yard with the same amount of light and aesthetic appeal. With these, you may still enjoy outdoor lighting's beauty without paying as much.

Analyze Your Connections

You'll want to ensure that your outdoor connections are secure and safe, which is another excellent reason to enlist the help of General Electrical Services Melbourne. You'll get the best results from a skilled electrician whether you need a new outside outlet installed or a dedicated circuit added to your electrical panel.

Optimal Lighting

While landscape lighting can give a certain atmosphere to your house or place of business, you don't want your electricity costs to suddenly soar. To get the best results, you can always consult an electrician about the outdoor lighting that is most effective for your area.

Beautiful result

Any outdoor location would benefit from the addition of landscape lighting. Having a qualified electrician assist you can guarantee your satisfaction and help you realize your vision for secure, lovely, and safe landscaping features.

If you need assistance from an electrician and are prepared to install landscape lighting, get in touch with laneelectrical.com.au right away to make an appointment. We are eager to collaborate with you! 

Blog Source URL: –

[xbadgerbearx]

your people will have our help

word count: 2.1k

Can’t Sleep: [1] … [3]

Of course you had to jump out of the aircraft into the cold water. What a perfect way to start the mission. Your team swam for a bit before wading through the shore as you approached the beach.

"Congratulations, Bloodsport."

"How'd you do it, Waller? There's no soldiers out here on patrol at all."

The beach was completely empty. There were no disturbances and more importantly, no enemies anywhere to be found. It was... peaceful.

"Let's just say they were distracted."

You only walked on the sand a couple feet before a large explosion erupted.

"Control, we have a disturbance south of here," Bloodsport reported after you jumped in surprise.

"It's just a diversion, Bloodsport."

Bloodsport seemed to weigh his options before speaking, "All right, we cut through the jungle to get to Valle Del Mar."

"Don't they have blockades at the city limits?" Peacemaker interjected.

"That's the word."

"How we getting in? Especially with Charlie the Tuna here," Peacemaker said while looking back at King Shark.

"How the hell am I supposed to know?"

"You're the leader. You're supposed to be decisive."

"And I've decided you should eat a big bag of dicks, how's that?"

"You're being facetious, but if this whole beach was completely covered in dicks and somebody said I had to eat every dick until the beach was clean for liberty, I would say no problemo."

"Why would someone put penises all over the beach?" Ratcatcher II asked.

"Who knows why madmen do what they do."

"Chris, this is the second time you've made a comment like this today. Is there something you want to tell us?" You joked.

"Well, you know what I think?" Bloodsport started. "I think liberty is just your excuse to do whatever you want. Whether that's to eat a beach full of dicks or killin' folk."

"Oh, yeah? At least I don't kill men for money like you."

"Oh, here we go," Bloodsport sighed as he turned to face Peacemaker.

"There's something wrong with your skin," Ratcatcher II called out as she pointed to Polka Dot Man. You turned to see his face covered in bulging colorful... polka dots.

"It's just a rash."

"Oh, my- Abner, are you okay? You don't look so good," you said worriedly as you reached your hand out to touch him. You were interrupted by another loud explosion off in the distance.

"Never mind that, we need to continue forward."

You made it quite the distance before Bloodsport dropped his bag onto the ground. The entire time walking you watched Abner with both curiosity and worry.

"Alright, we'll camp here, and tomorrow we'll go straight through the city to get to La Gatita Amable by nightfall."

Everyone was laying out their sleeping equipment, in this case sleeping bags, as you figured out where you should lay yours.

"Why don't you lay over here, (L/n)? I could keep you warm," Chris offered with a laugh.

"Fuck no," you replied with the same humorous energy. "I'd rather you not roll over on me like you did last time."

"Last time?" Abner piped up timidly.

"It's nothing like that," you assured while rolling your eyes. "Me, Chris, and some of our other teammates at the time had to huddle up for warmth after Waller sent us on a mission somewhere in Siberia."

"Oh," Abner said, kind of relieved.

"I'll just put mine here," you placed your bag next to Abner's and DuBois. "It's near the fire."

You changed into your sleep clothes. Well, to be honest you just took off your shirt and slept in your tank top, but it was close enough. It wasn't long before you drifted off, however, you awoke some time later to some shuffling sounds and a quiet groan. Peeking under your lashes, you find yourself facing toward DuBois who was resting on his elbow, alert. You quietly sat up and turned to see what DuBois was looking at. A colorful light show was dancing on the leaves and tall grass. Almost as quickly as it happened, Abner appeared. He looked a little out of it, but quickly dawned a look of shock as he was caught doing... what exactly?

You got up to make sure your favorite awkward man was doing okay before you were cut off by a loud bang! Instinctively, you disappeared. Literally. DuBois kept shooting Nanaue until he was backed up against a tree.

"How deep of a sleeper are you?" DuBois asked Cleo, to which she responded sleepily, "I was having the most wonderful dream."

"If it was you about to be eaten by King Shark, then you're psychic," Chris said.

"I don't believe he would do that. He has very kind eyes."

Sebastian was saying what you could only guess was that Nanaue was, in fact, going to eat her.

"Hungry," Nanaue whined.

"You bastard!"

Rats from every direction emerged from the darkness as Cleo held up her glowing device. DuBois was looking rather uncomfortable.

"All right, calm down with the rats!" he yelled.

"What?"

"I have a thing with rats."

"You have a thing with rats?"

"Yes."

"And you're on a team with someone who controls them?" your disembodied voice asked.

He whipped around trying to find you before yelling, "What the fuck?"

As if suddenly remembering that you cannot be seen, you revealed yourself behind Abner whom you were using as a shield. As cute as he thought it was that you were using him as protection, it did startle him that you just appeared randomly behind him.

"Partnering up with someone with rats is not something I asked for!"

Peacemaker started laughing.

"What are you laughing at me for, man? Why the fuck are you in your underwear?"

You looked over and sure enough, Chris was in nothing but his underwear.

"Woah!" you yelled while burying your face into Abner's back. "Chris, put on some pants for fucks sake!"

"Tighty-whities? Really?"

"Now that's just racist."

"No, it's not racist! They're tighty-whities!"

"You didn't tell me you had a fear of rats, DuBois," Waller said over the comms.

"I'm an assassin! Why would I share my liabilities?" This was promptly followed by an uncharacteristicly girly scream.

"Aww, he's offering you a pretty leaf to show you he means no harm," Cleo cooed.

"Why the fuck would I want a leaf?"

DuBois was getting increasingly more freaked out while Chris started laughing again.

"Just get the rats out of here!"

Cleo turned off her device and all the rats scurried back into the jungle.

Peacemaker turned to DuBois and asked, "Hey, we gonna kill Megalodouche now, or what?"

"Nanaue's the strongest member of your team. You need him to get into Jotunheim."

"Yeah, well we can't function as a team if we gotta watch our back from one of our own eatin' our bollocks," Bloodsport replied.

"Nanaue," Cleo started as she kneeled down to his height. "Would you eat your friends?"

"I no friends."

"You have no friends? Well, if you did, would you eat them?"

Chris answered with a "yes" before he was shot a look from Ratcatcher II.

"No?"

"Then can we be your friends?"

Chris scoffed, "Come on, he's obviously lying."

"If I die 'cause I gambled on love, it will be a worthy death."

DuBois shook his head, "You are a little idiot."

So much for a full rest. It was nearly morning by the time the shark incident was resolved, so you decided to just pack up and dress yourself.

"Task Force X, you have an additional mission directive. We've located Colonel Rick Flag. He's been taken by the enemy."

"Rick Flag?" DuBois asked while your team made your way through the jungle.

"I know, you both served on special forces in Qurac that took down Avral Kaddam. Flag was the one who initially recommended you."

"You had other operatives in Corto Maltese and didn't tell us?"

"There was no tactical advantage, now there is. I've uploaded the location on your MTS. Terminate his captors with extreme prejudice. Kill anyone you see. These are dangerous people. Recover Flag before moving on to the city."

You eventually made it to a decent sized camp before DuBois MTS started beeping.

"That's where they're holding Flag."

"Nothing like a bloodbath to start the day."

"I thought they called you Peacemaker," Ratcatcher II questioned.

"I cherish peace with all my heart. I don't care how many men, women, and children I need to kill to get it."

Ratcatcher II turned to Polka Dot Man before whispering, "I thought you were the crazy one," which was swiftly answered by you lightly shoving her shoulder.

"I am."

"All right," Bloodsport said, getting everyone's attention. "Let's get it."

You and Nanaue crept behind a man who gave his cup to his buddy.

"Gracias," you heard the man say. Soon after, King Shark picked the man up and ate him as he started screaming. He dropped what looked to be a communication device. Nanaue smacked his mouth as the comms device went off.

"Cualquier cosa?"

As your nearby teammates looked in somewhat fear as to what to do, you picked up the dead soldier's comms and said "Nada, Señora" while perfectly mimicking his voice. Your team carried on.

You hastily turned yourself invisible as you scouted for Rick Flag. It took a couple of minutes but you managed to find the only white guy there. You assumed he was Rick since he was injured, but were they... laughing?

"Bloodsport," you whispered into your comms. "I found Rick Flag. He was laughing?" You sounded unsure.

"Most likely drugged," Peacemaker said. "Where's he located?"

"Northmost tent, past the watchtower." Right after you said that you saw a bunch of colorful polka dots disintegrate the watchtower.

"On our way."

You could hear some of your team's conversation as they approached your location. You made yourself visible again.

"I'm sorry it's so... flamboyant."

"It looks cool," you heard Cleo say.

"I don't like to kill people, but if I pretend it's my mom, it's easy."

"TMI, mate," said DuBois.

More laughter could be heard inside the tent as Bloodsport ripped open the tent curtain. An uncomfortable silence settled.

"DuBois?"

"Hey, Flag."

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Bloodsport looked around confused. "Waller told us that you were... uh... are you drinking tea?"

Flag gestured to his female companion sitting across the table from him, "This is Sol Soria, she's the leader of the freedom fighters, the resistance trying to take down the current government. They-they saved my life."

"Oh. Wow."

Everyone put down their weapons.

"Why did my people not alert me of your arrival?"

You awkwardly hide yourself behind Abner again.

"We didn't see any people," Bloodsport swiftly lied.

"Yeah, I didn't see anybody on the way..." Peacemaker continued.

"There's no one out there."

"They were gone when we got here."

"I turned them into my mother in my head and killed them."

Everyone turned to look at Polka Dot Man. You just sighed and smacked his shoulder. To make matters worse, King Shark hacked up... was that a finger with a wedding ring? Sebastian squeaked out an audible "Uh oh."

Soria promptly lunged off the table and made her way outside. You and your team awkwardly stood amongst the destruction you caused while Flag and Soria looked in pain.

"Typical Americans. Just run in, guns blazing."

"I know, this is messed up. These guys, they're..."

Rick looked behind him to see Peacemaker and Bloodsport getting into a stupid cat fight, while Ratcatcher II was rubbing her face ashamed, and you and Polka Dot Man were looking off into the jungle having your own conversation and not even paying attention.

"They're fucking idiots, but right now our objectives aligh with yours. If Jotunheim contains the technology our intelligence says it does, then it could be used on the people of Corto Maltese as well as Americans. That's why we need your help to get into the city so we can stop 'em."

Soria just stared past Flag and asked, "Is that rat waving at me?"

Sure enough, Rick turned back around to see Sebastian waving at them. Cleo was messing with her hands, Chris and DuBois were looking around while tapping their feet, and you were admiring Abner's polka dots on his costume as he was awkwardly trying to accept your compliments.

"It appears it is."

"Why?"

"I'm gonna guess because it's friendly."

Soria thought for a moment, weighing her options, before speaking again.

"Luna and Suarez murdered my entire family. I'd make a deal with the devil to stop them." As if it physically pained her to say, she continued. "Your people will have our help getting to Vall Del Mar to apprehend this Gaius Grieves."

[wxndswept]

Ruin Blade overview(V2)

The World’s Key, The Sword of Worlds, Star Watcher, names that have been lost to history. Today, it is referred to as the Ruin Blade. The sword that can cut the borders between worlds, giving the user the ability to travel between them, as well as anywhere in Teyvat.

Below are the capabilities of the sword, as well as how Yuuki uses it in battle. 

An ancient sword unearthed in an ancient domain by Yuuki during her travels in Old Mondstadt, otherwise known as Stormterror’s Lair. Intrigued by its origins, the Adventurer took it on her travels as a relic. For a while, she neglected to use it at all, only staying with her in case she found ruins that matched its unique design. The sword, through its own will ‘pulled’ her to Enkanomiya where it awakened, slowly revealing its true nature. Eventually Yuuki was led to a room that housed a fragment of a relic that fit into the sword's hollow cut-out. 

The core(shown completed)

The power source of the Ruin Blade and where data on its functions and records are stored and sorted. Like the blade itself, this core was created with ancient technology from another world and Teyvat, though the collaboration that brought it about had been lost to time. The core was designed in tandem with the sword to keep track of what worlds have been visited, as well as information about them. Some time before the Cataclysm 500 years ago, the core was separated into four fragments and buried in specific ancient civilizations across Teyvat in order to keep it hidden from the instigators of the incident. The sword was not destined to be lost to time, however. The artificial consciousness that was set in both the core and sword, can be used to bring the separate pieces together in addition to collecting data on Teyvat and the worlds visited. The blade itself remained hidden in Old Mondstadt until uncovered many decades later by Yuuki.

The mind

The mind of a genius from a time long past, whose mind was copied into the core upon its creation and fragmented when it was separated. When Yuuki uncovered the sword in Mondstadt, she partially awakened a piece of consciousness placed inside it. This led Yuuki to the underground Enaknomiya, where she eventually found a fragment of the core and awakened the intelligence within. But being incomplete, she could not bring forth the full extent of the blade’s power or data stored within, not even the intelligence’s own name. For communication purposes, Yuuki named it ‘Moon’ and promised to help recover the other pieces of the core. After coming to an understanding and with Moon’s guidance, Yuuki learned to utilize the swords power to tear through the borders between places and leave Enkanomiya.

With a new goal set, the duo treks across Teyvat in search for similar buried civilizations to find the rest of the core pieces, being pulled toward Sumeru by the sword. Along the journey, Moon teaches Yuuki about the combat capabilities of the sword and the world of the past, while Yuuki catches her up on the present day.

Combat

Sword form (5★ sword)

The standard form the Ruin Blade takes. When active, the entire blade will glow orange, an indication that elemental energy is coursing through it. While it is a bit heavy and difficult to wield without proper training, the blade is unnaturally sharp, capable of cutting through anything should it have sufficient energy. Unlike other weapons and items, it cannot enter the ‘hammer space’ that people utilize and is found at Yuuki’s hip.

In times past, the core was blessed with power from certain Archons and Gods by request of its creator, granting it and the sword elemental abilities. With the complete core, the sword is capable of using the Pryo, Electro, Cryo and Hydro elements, as well as utilizing Anemo from Yuuki’s Vision.

Electro Core: Blessed by Raiden Makoto and left in Enkanomiya. Currently held by Yuuki

Pyro Core: Blessed by ??? Original location unknown. Currently with ∎∎∎∎∎∎∎∎

Hydro Core: Blessed by Nalu Mabikata. Located near the Sumeru desert

Cryo Core: Blessed by ??? Location unknown

Whip form(Lvl. 2 constellation)

The sword extends into a number of fragments strung together by a special wired material. Controlled by a twist of the handle, the reach is essentially doubled, allowing Yuuki to strike enemies in a wider area or from further away.  In addition, this form can be used for traversal allowing Yuuki to swing from place to place. 

[whereyoursoulresides]

I did it! I finally finished writing this chapter! I’m so sorry it took ages; it has 4 different scenes so it was a bit tricky to be in the right zone for all four of them! I hope you all enjoy!

As usual, link goes to A03, or you can also read under the cut! 

Chapter Summary: After their first fight, Izou senses Kunihiro has withdrawn. His anxieties take him all over Tokyo, where he bumps into someone who seems strangely familiar.

“Thank you, we’ll let you know if we’re interested.”

Izou accepted the resume graciously and thanked the man for his time. As soon as he had left the establishment and was greeted with the open air, Izou couldn’t help but let out a groan. 

“What a waste of time,” he moaned to himself, crossing The Jazz Heart off his list. 

With another annoyed sigh, Izou ran a hand through his bangs. He had only a few resumes and business cards left, and had to choose wisely. To remain in the area would mean applying to more businesses in which he had little experience: high-end jewelry and retail outlets, flower shops, or elegant dinner venues. A wistful part of him had even hoped to win a position at the up-and-coming jazz bar, despite his lack of official musical experience.

“I should have known better,” Izou muttered to himself, as he scanned the list and chewed on his knuckle absently.  “As if I actually know anything about any of those things…”

But, as quickly as that thought came, another arrived. It rose from his gut, soft and illustrious but tenacious in its roots.

But you do, this voice whispered, echoing into his bones. You would know better than most.

As loudly as he could, Izou tried to squash the voice. 

“Let’s try further afield!” he announced, trying to pep himself up. So long as it wasn’t as far as the coffee shop from last year, anything would be reasonable. With a newfound sense of determination, Izou stuffed the list back into his pocket, and marched off.

---

As Izou meandered his way through the city, however, he found himself struggling to concentrate. At every coffee shop and bakery, his mind would drift to his home: the empty apartment, in which he and Kunihiro had been regularly in and out of since their first “fight”.

It hadn’t been an easy few days since that fateful interaction. Although neither of them had spoken of the incident again, the apartment had fallen with an unusual hush. Izou couldn’t tell how much of the quiet was due to their usual mismatched schedules, or if Kunihiro was intentionally avoiding him. The only exchange they regularly had was Izou handing a daily lunch box to Kunihiro. The man always accepted it with a nod, but Izou couldn’t help but notice that Kunihiro’s eyes never met his.

I’m reading too much into this, Izou scolded himself, as he rounded the corner to yet another hopeful location. This one, like the others, was a bit of a long shot. Izou had seen ads for this particular milkshake shop flash in all his magazines. It was new, hip, and set to open later this month. Izou hoped that by coming here early, he could convince the owner to hire him as part of the opening staff. 

After checking the address once more, he stepped back to take a better look at the establishment. 

Starlight Parfaits...

The windows were a slick shade of dark purple, gradually transparent like the facets of an amethyst. Posters of dark chocolate sundaes, fruity gradients, and swirly sorbets hung like pillars between the windows.  As Izou tilted his head, he tried to gauge his feelings about this particular place. Even though it was so new, there was something about it that seemed strangely familiar. In addition, strangely comforting. Izou could see himself regularly popping up in a place like this.

Deciding it was worth a shot, Izou readied his resume. However, just as he was about to knock on the door, he caught sight of a familiar silhouette. Curious, Izou lowered his hand.

Past the bustling workmen and supervisors, a man and a woman were chatting behind the main counter. Although she had her back to the door, the woman was significantly shorter, and so Izou could see past her stature to the man towering over her. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome. A cloud of dark curls cascaded down his back. Despite his rising heartbeat, Izou squinted closer. Where did he know this man…?

Suddenly, as though the man had sensed his presence, his head jerked up. 

For the briefest moment, their eyes locked. Bright ivy green and startling cerulean were frozen in time. However, as soon as the man shifted from the counter, Izou recoiled back. When the shadow began to solidify closer and closer to the door, Izou bolted from the corner as fast as his feet would carry him.

By the time the man had arrived at the door and opened it, all that remained of Izou’s presence was his resume and business card, lying motionless on the sidewalk. 

---

It seemed ages before Izou’s feet began to slow down. The echoes of the pavement pounding were comforting; as if each step could breach him further from the dread that was rising within him. When he felt he had gained enough distance, Izou stumbled to a halt, crouching down to regain his breath.

Just great, he thought, as he gulped air with his hands on his knees. On top of everything else, he hadn’t needed this. Although deep in his gut he knew who that man was, Izou was forcing all his focus to stave the recognition at bay. Think of anything else, he kept telling himself. We are not going to open this box.

When his lungs were eventually functioning normally again, Izou finally collapsed onto a nearby bench. With the adrenaline wearing off, the heaviness of regret began to sag in. Defeated, Izou hung his head in hands, trying to hold himself together. His messenger bag knocked hollowly against the seat, his silken love-charm dangling silently.

I wish Kunzite-sama would talk to me, Izou finally whispered. 

The name almost brought tears to Izou’s eyes, which he angrily pushed away with his sleeve. That name was so precious, so miraculous, yet as forbidden and dangerous as cursed treasure. To own it would be an elixir, the saving grace from the danger of the ghost that lived inside him. But to touch it at all was to unleash the rest of the monsters from their prisons, to drown in fool's gold in a cave of wonders. 

The past doesn’t matter, Izou kept telling himself. We have a new life. A real life.

But how can it be real, a different voice asked, if you’ll never know the truth?

Letting out a frustrated groan, Izou buried his face in his hands again. If only there was someone else he could talk to. Some higher power who could understand the nuances he was struggling with. Izou didn’t consider himself particularly religious, but at this point, he couldn’t think of anything else to turn to. What human could possibly help him navigate adjusting his first real relationship, a spotty memory of an equally questionable past, and possibly some supernatural elements thrown in the mix?  

At that moment, Izou felt something brush against his cheek. As he looked up, he thought he saw a pink petal float out of the corner of his eye. How strange, he thought. Cherry blossom season wasn’t set to open for another month…

But that’s when he realized where he was. Before him stood an immense stone staircase, lined with green cherry blossom trees that lined its ascent. As Izou’s gaze slowly drew to the top, the grand majesty of the temple slowly dawned to view. It was the same temple he and Kunihiro had visited on his birthday. 

Before he knew it, Izou began to slowly make his way up to the temple once more. 

---

When he arrived at its peak, Izou was dismayed to see that the temple grounds were practically deserted. Not a single attendant could be found, and Izou didn’t feel entirely comfortable approaching the grand establishment on his own. Biting his lip, he unhooked the enmusubi from his messenger bag. Perhaps if nothing else, he could find someone to buy a new one from…

Come back in six month’s time, or when the charm has run out, the attendant had said. Izou gazed upon the charm agonizingly. Only three months had passed, and with Izou’s love and care, the enmusubi practically looked as good as new. Its magic, if he believed in such things, should still be working…

But this isn’t an ordinary situation, Izou thought desperately, closing his eyes. Maybe I should try something more powerful…

“Can I help you?”

Startled, Izou opened his eyes. An attendant with yellow-blond hair had opened the door to the temple, and was stepping out with a broomstick in hand. From this distance, Izou thought he recognized him, but he wasn’t sure from where.

“I’m just hoping to say a little prayer,” Izou answered, but his voice was distant as he struggled to place this man in his memories. His gait, his serious, slightly condescending voice. The way his bangs hung over his eyes, as though he didn’t really want to meet Izou’s gaze unless necessary. How his short hair was the color of summer wheat, or freshly ripened corn.

Without looking up at Izou, the attendant began to sweep briskly. 

“That enmusubi isn’t meant to work overnight,” he answered matter-of-factly. “Trust in it, and let it do its work.”

Although Izou understood where the man was coming from, he couldn’t help but feel uncertain as he glanced back down at the omamori in his hand.

“I just need a little more help,” Izou whispered. “Or maybe a different type of luck…?”

The attendant sighed shortly and paused in his sweeping. Suddenly, he turned to face Izou straight-on, and Izou was startled to see his features so clearly. Though he had boyishly handsome cheeks, they contrasted so sharply with the seriousness of his bright blue eyes. 

“With all due respect,” the attendant said bluntly, “praying for change is a waste of your energy.”

Once more, Izou was taken aback with the man’s words. “Excuse me?” was all he could say.

The attendant didn’t look impressed, but he also seemed to understand that Izou wasn’t going to absorb his advice immediately. 

“Praying only gets you so far,” he explained, gesturing to the charm. “And the omamori can only do so much. The rest is up to you, and your own effort to actively do something about your problem.”

Izou eventually closed his fingers over the amulet. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew the man was right in principle. Even if magic was real, it wasn’t as if Izou could summon such powers to bury away the obstacles that laid before him, or force Kunihiro to open up to him. The only thing he could do was to rely on himself - his own bravery, tenacity, and quick-thinking. He looked back at the man, whose sky-blue eyes remained steadfast. 

“What if I’m doing all I can,” Izou finally asked, “but the other person isn’t responding?”

The attendant’s expression hardly changed.

“How do you know they aren’t?” 

Izou blinked. “Er, well…” He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. ”They haven’t exactly talked to me about it. How would anyone solve a problem if they don’t even discuss it?”

“People process things in different ways,” the attendant shrugged. “Just because they’re not talking about it doesn’t mean they’re not working on it.” 

It took a moment for Izou to process the man’s words, which seemed to have been spoken from a place of personal experience. Speaking came so naturally to Izou that it was hard for him to imagine anyone struggling with it, much less Kunihiro, who seemed so eloquent when he did speak. But perhaps that’s what Izou had been seeing all this time: a perfect facet, polished from practice. 

He looked really upset, Izou recalled from their fight. Perhaps that night he had stumbled upon a crack, and Izou had not given Kunihiro enough time to address it before calling it to attention. Maybe the crack even ran deeper than it first appeared. But Izou understood now that it was unlikely for Kunihiro to trust him with it again so soon. Izou would have to earn it.

Slowly, Izou tilted his head at the attendant, gauging him up and down. Although there was something familiar about him, the sensation was entirely unthreatening. There were no shadows or pinpricks of dread, no echoes of ghosts. Instead, the man felt like a safe harbor, a neutral impasse. Izou decided then and there that this man was a friend.

“What’s your name?” Izou asked. “I’m Kozakura Izou.” He nodded respectfully. “A pleasure to meet you.”

The man blinked at him, as though he hadn’t expected Izou to be so forward. Eventually responded with a nod in kind.

“Daito, Jay,” the attendant answered. “Same to you.”

---

Upon his return home, Izou felt much better. Although his discussion with Jay hadn’t solved his various problems immediately, it certainly lightened Izou’s emotional load considerably. It was still early days yet, and Izou had faith in his self-efficacy to navigate himself around Kunihiro. He had made it this far, after all. They could talk about all that messy stuff when the time was right.

“I’m home,” he sang habitually as he stepped inside. As he hung up his items, he was surprised to see that Kunihiro was indeed home. There was a pot stewing quietly on the stove, and the smell of sweet curry wafted around him like a hug. From around the corner, Kunihiro appeared.

“Welcome home,” he greeted. “How was your day?”

“Good,” Izou chirped back. He decided it wasn’t worth telling Kunihiro about his worries from earlier that day. This was the first the man had spoken to him since their fight, and Izou wasn’t going to ruin it with something he could solve himself. “How was yours?” 

Kunihiro passed Izou his lunchbox, all wrapped up in its fabric. Izou blushed when he realized he had accidentally sent Kunihiro to work with a pattern dotted entirely with flowers. He hoped he hadn’t embarrassed Kunihiro.

“Good,” Kunihiro answered. He looked like he was about to say something else, then quickly changed his mind.

“Why don’t you get yourself settled. I’ll plate for you and we’ll eat on the sofa.”

Izou smiled as Kunihiro went to busy himself with their curries. This was the most normal and relaxed they had felt in some time. When Kunihiro disappeared around the corner, Izou slid open the knot to sort out the lunchbox. Since Kunihiro was a much better cook, Izou was happy to do the cleaning.

Upon opening the lunchbox, however, he discovered it had already been cleaned. Not only that, but a single pink rose laid in its center. His heart warming, Izou slowly brought it up close. 

This is his apology, Izou realized, his eyes closing. He just needed some time.

With the lunchbox and the rest of Izou’s things put away, he hurried to join his partner in the living room. As he tumbled into Kunihiro’s side on the sofa, he flung his arms around his partner and pressed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you,” he said, referring to the rose. “It’s a lovely gift.”

Whatever tension Kunihiro had been reserving seemed to evaporate with relief.

“I know I’ve been a bit distant lately,” he murmured quietly. “I’ve just needed some time to think.”

“I know,” Izou said, resting his head on the crook of Kunzite’s shoulder. 

“But I wanted you to know my affections have never changed,” Kunihiro continued quietly. “To me, you are…” The most important, but somehow Kunzite couldn’t finish the sentence. It felt like making a deathly promise, a vow to beckon fate to break. “My care for you will always remain the same.”

Izou beamed and gave his partner a big, tight hug, before unwinding his arms and settling in next to him.

“Don’t worry, I know,” he said cheerfully, as he picked up his plate from the coffee table. “So long as we have time together like this, nothing else matters to me.” He curled up his knees and looked up at his partner. “I know how you feel, Kunihiro-sama.”

A great weight seemed to have been lifted from the room, and Kunihiro’s smile rose along with it. Reassured, he even turned on the stereo so they could enjoy some quiet, easy listening.

“Thank you for understanding,” he murmured quietly as they began to tuck into their food.

“No worries,” Izou replied, around a mouthful of rice. “Just don’t forget about the special days, you know? Those are the best days to spend some time together.”

“I promise I won’t forget.”

[capricornus-rex]

Someone Left to Save (9)

Cal Kestis x Reader

Requested by Anon

Summary: The Mantis crew arrives to the capital of Ulfin, in the planet of Pevera, under siege. They meet the local rebel cell spearheaded by the former Republic admiral, Jax Beneb, who seeks to destroy the Empire’s occupation that was aggressively imposed upon while exploiting the planet of its natural resources. A plan is devised to destroy the Imperial’s main base of operations—as well as their influence—in the planet; however, it was a do-or-die mission that you and Cal had gotten yourselves caught in.

A/N: I’m trying to come up with ways on how to write and publish like I normally would. Good thing I have a few spare tech I can use!

Tags: Force-Sensitive! Reader, Inquisitor! Reader, Jedi! Reader, Fake Death, Jedi turned Inquisitor, Seduction to the Dark Side, Turn to the Dark Side, The Dark Side of the Force, Aftermath of Torture, Torture, Psychological Torture, Redemption Arc! Reader, Possible Redemption, Premonitions | Additional tags (also TW): Destructive habits, Depressed! Cal

Also in AO3

Chapters: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 | Previous: Part 8 | Next: Part 10 | Masterlist

9 of ?

The forgers at the Imperial armory fashioned your mask with a hybrid of square and triangular accents. Meanwhile, you donned the ash-gray ensemble that goes underneath your armor plates. In the set, you’re granted a pair of pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves to go with the calves of your pants, and a breastplate with a red stripe along at the hem. They all fitted like a glove.

The piece de resistance is all that’s left.

You watched the Imperial armor technician weld and solder the helmet until it morphed into their ideal, desired shape. Sparks flew, shimmered to light the room, and then die out almost instantly. Bit by bit, you’re starting to see his artistic vision realized.

“I do not discriminate. Newcomer or otherwise, I put a lot of attention to detail in all of my crafts,” the technician thought out loud, perhaps sensing your curiosity and worry that it might not look as good as the others.

“I’m sure you do, considering how many we are right now,”

“It doesn’t matter to me whether there’s dozens of you. I can make one unlike the other—always.”

He harrumphed a scoffing laugh as a response, taking pride in his declaration before continuing.

The armor technician has finished the shaping phase, next he lets it sit for a minutes before cooling it with vapor. You watched the whole process with great intent and curiosity, at the same time, it’s as though you’re watching your new face being created right in front of your very eyes.

He gingerly took the helmet in both of his hands, cradling it with an esteemed carefulness—treating it with royalty and high regard, for crafting an Inquisitor’s mask was a heavy yet rewarding task to complete. This particular forger was an expert crafter, he hand-designed and sculpted most if not all Inquisitors’ helmets and masks. Feeling the weight of yours in his hands, he carefully stepped away from his smelter and toward you; like a monarch’s crown, he presented it to you and inched it closer for you to take it.

“Twelfth Sister,” addressed the armorer.

The gloss of the duraplast once cooled distorted your reflection on its convex surface. A part of you doesn’t recognize this face, the other acknowledges it but doesn’t accept the reality—at least not yet.

From the armorer’s hand to yours, the helmet rests in its rightful owner’s grasp. You hoist it to the top of your head and then lowered it once you’ve aligned it. One moment, your eyes were shrouded by black, and then the next thing you know you’re seeing red—literally—through the visor of your helmet, though you see things as clearly as you’d normally do.

“It’s a perfect fit,” you said blankly, although the comment delighted the armorer very much.

He bowed and returned to the front of his smelter, he’d afford small glimpses of you getting used to the helmet. From your end, there were functions that you’re new to—such as infrared scanning—and there were buttons disguised as accents on the side of the mask that respond to these features.

“Interesting,” you mouthed to yourself, not caring whether the armorer heard it or not.

You tried breathing through the mask, fortunately for you, this won’t hinder the strenuousness of your fighting style—let alone movements in general—as well as catching your breath. For a moment, it’s as though the same world was unraveled before you with brand new eyes—ones that stopped fighting the hatred and used it as strength, rage that blinds yet helps you see with great clarity, the intoxication to power was a permanent leech on your skin and you relished it.

Now completely outfitted in your Inquisitor’s garbs, you make your exit out of the armorer’s chamber and head out to join your “brothers and sisters” in conference. Being the newest, therefore the lowest in rank, the crew and Stormtroopers have mixed feelings about you—though you could care less.

They looked at you with curious yet skeptical eyes as you strode past them. You arrived in the conference hall, heads turned to the door at the sound of the sharp, metallic buzz and then revealed you standing on the other side.

“Ah, the newbie, right on time!” the male Twi’lek Inquisitor chirped, his pointed porcelain white teeth standing out of his glistening, obsidian-black skin.

You stepped in, took that one gap in the line and seemed to have closed the circle surrounding the holotable. You didn’t miss much of the briefing, though they picked up where they left, you intently studied all the holographs that are flashed on the table: battle tactics, ship routes, and person profiles. You listened to the Second Brother explain everything down to the last detail; you saw what kind of person  he is when the two of you aren’t swinging your sabers at each other’s neck, trying to kill one another.

The next part of his presentation included a whole collection of head shots. He explains that they are the current, surviving Jedi across the galaxy. The images of unnamed faces encircled the holotable and slowly rotated for each and every one to see. Below their portraits are short, bulleted write-ups of the latest reports about them: be it last known locations, current agendas, potential accomplices, and recent activities.

After the one you’re looking at, the next one made you quiver in your armor—you can spot that splash of red hair, a naïve freckled face, that boyish charm and a scrapper’s roguishness from a parsec away.

Cal’s head shot rotated and froze right in front of you; blank, jade eyes blending in with the fluorescent blue of the holograph as it stared through your helmet’s visor.

The most crucial part of your past life stares back at you.

The male Twi’lek, namely the Fourth Brother, noticed you in the corner of his eye, sensed your uneasiness and discovered your intrepidity replaced with a sudden, dramatic loss of self-confidence. The Second Brother continued his exposition.

“According to our latest intel, these are the Jedi currently in hiding. Some of them are so bold enough to join factions, such as the traitor—the former admiral Jax Beneb who made with a faction in Ulfin,”

“This one, Cal Kestis, joined them not too long ago. He travels with the Mantis crew comprised of its pilot, a Lateron named Greez Dritus, the right-hand and former Jedi Cere Junda, and… er… a witch. We don’t know the latter’s background, we can only confirm she’s Dathomirian.”

“She’s called a Nightsister,” you corrected the Second Brother.

“He and his crew got themselves involved with the uprising in Ulfin,” the Fifth Brother continued.

“Until the Imperial fortification was bombed—no thanks to Twelfth Sister right here.” The Seventh Sister finished with a voice of chagrin and sarcasm.

There were soft gasps and quiet murmurs amongst the other Inquisitors who apparently had no prior knowledge.

“In my defense, I wasn’t one of you that time,” you dryly chuckled before adding. “Took a few good voltages before you broke me, eh Seventh Sister?”

Feeling outclassed, Seventh Sister rolled her eyes and avoided eye contact from you. The sight of her furrowed eyebrows and the crease on the side of her nose warranted a satisfied, mischievous smirk. You bobbed your head at an angle while the next head shot proceeded, and then Cal’s image rotated to the female red-skinned humanoid with cropped brown hair on your left—this one is known as the Eighth Sister.

Second Brother continued with his plan, catching everyone’s attention by clearing his throat and getting back to the objective at hand. The point was to fan out to selected planets and systems where the Jedi stragglers ought to be and hunt them down—which is their original prerogative ever since the Inquisitorius was formed. Before anyone else could call it, you pressed a button which prompted the ring of head shots to spin wildly until the picture of Cal glows right in front of you.

“I’ll find him, along with Cere Junda,”

“Pheh! Hey, who says you get to have first dibs?!” the Eighth Sister screeched.

“Do you know them like I do?” you raised your voice against her and you were met with a stifled silence due to the lack of a good answer. “You’d be more productive in recovering junk parts salvaged by Jawas than finding the Mantis crew and the Jedi boy!”

The same silence hung around the holotable. You seem to have a knack in making anyone who spoke against you to hold their tongues. It seems everyone was waiting for you to elaborate on your rationale.

“I know the pilot’s flying tactics as well as Cere Junda’s technical tinkering that go hand-in-hand. The Nightsister is not to be underestimated lest you won’t be meeting her good side; and her powers exceed urban legend—she can cloak a ship like a normal cloaking device would, she can raise the dead, she can bury you alive six feet under without even touching a hair on you. That’s how potent her magick is. The boy, on the other hand, I know the most—his fighting, his emotions. Point is: I’m the best chance in finding them.”

You glanced left and right, searching for an objecting reaction from the Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother, and then looked straight into Second Brother’s eyes.

“And you can’t deny that, Second Brother. So do the two right beside you.”

The rest of the Inquisitors turn to the Second Brother for his reply, he gave in and he cannot deny that cold, hard fact—that you were once in connivance with these people. And so, you’re granted with your chosen targets; the others followed suit in selecting which Jedi to go after.

—–

Cal wakes up in a cold sweat again. It has become a frequent occurrence, an unwanted habit that he’s trying so hard to kill.

The weeks turned into months, he’s honestly lost count that he had to ask someone else.

They’ve moved on from Jax Beneb’s rebel faction and went off-world. At first, it was difficult convincing the boy that they had to go and leave the planet, as there’s nothing coming back to him as much as he hoped, and whatever he’s waiting for is just dead air. He had developed a destructive habit of drowning himself in trances—he’s practically returned to where he was before: where he loses control in meditation, doing so has distorted his subconscious vision; he eats only once a day—sometimes not at all—and locks himself up in his room. BD-1 is his only companion through and through, but not even the tiny droid can get a word out of the Jedi boy.

The bracelet, your bracelet, is now worn around his wrist; but in the first time he’s secured it on his arm, the leather cord felt like it was burning and searing through his skin, but when others would take a look at it there’s nothing out of the ordinary. The metal pendant, with the scorch marks obscuring the finish, felt like a red-hot branding iron on his arm, his hand twitched and jerked, yet he couldn’t bring himself to swat away or rip the trinket off.

He hated the pain, but it was the only comfort he knew of remembering you by.

A self-imposed penance.

He blames himself for not coming sooner to get you out.

“[Y/N] would hate to see you like this, Cal,” Merrin started to scold.

There was nothing the Nightsister got out of the Jedi.

When he looked at her straight in the eye, she flinched; and then she got a closer look of the sorry state he’s in—there were dark circles around his eyes, the swelling and the redness of the lining of his eyes suggested restless nights whiled away with crying, untreated cuts and bruises spotted his knuckles and the damning evidence is the small yet noticeable streaks of blood on the gray walls.

“Merrin, I can’t crawl out of the grave that I’ve dug for myself,” Cal shuddered, his voice muffled as his mouth was blocked by his knees folded and drawn to his chest. “I know she’s still here. And I’m talking like the sentimental kind, no, I really know. You have to believe me. You all must think I’m crazy.”

“You don’t see or hear any of us saying so,”

“I know, I just… I don’t know if I’m imagining overthinking it but I just feel like you guys are only humoring me,”

“I don’t do that kind of thing, Cal, it’s not in my nature,” Merrin shook her head. “But I miss [Y/N] too. More than you’d like to know.”

Cal sighed and didn’t speak further. Merrin dismissed herself out of his bedroom and reminded him that Cere had left a plate of dinner for him before closing the door. When he was left alone again, he hung his head low and ran his fingers through his loose, unkempt hair.

He had been alone for most of his life, but this was a different kind of loneliness—one that he isn’t entirely used to. The emptiness, the silence, and the depression bore an alien, coldly terrifying air that hung heavily around his bedroom. The engine hum drowned out his sobbing as he tucks himself away in bed, deliberately forgetting his meal outside.

Cere feels all of that grim emotion pooling inside that room, she wonders how much of those feelings will she pick up if she opens that door—could she take it? Will she be overwhelmed? These were the questions she asked herself.

“Give him some more time. I don’t think he needs us right now, Cere,” Greez glumly said, stopping her in her tracks in any attempt of consoling Cal.

Cal could not sleep—another problem he’s dealing with. He lies with his back flat on the bed, tears trickle down his temples and pools on his pillow just below his ears, he feels like he’s nestled in his deathbed. He can close his eyes, but he cannot catch a wink of sleep. Sometimes, he mistakes dreaming for meditation—of the other way around.

As the meeting pronounced adjourned, they scrambled out of the conference hall while you’re left alone. Arms crossed with one another, you stared at the set of head shots you projected on the table—Cal and Cere. Even though you know them so well, you wondered what kind of information the spies have written about them in their reports.

Your eyes trailed to the write-ups for each profile.

CAL KESTIS

Last known location: Ulfin City in Pevera, Goltan System

Potential accomplices: Cere Junda, Greez Dritus (shipmate), unidentified Dathomirian female

Recent activity: Involvement in rebel-initiated terrorist assault

Charges: Conspiracy and acts of terrorism against the Empire

CERE JUNDA

Last known location: Ulfin City in Pevera, Goltan System

Potential accomplices: Cal Kestis, Greez Dritus (shipmate), unidentified Dathomirian female

Recent activity: Involvement in rebel-initiated terrorist assault

Charges: Conspiracy and acts of terrorism against the Empire

You sighed as you finished reading through the facts of their profiles. You turn away from the holotable and stand in front of the mirror that oversees the operations happening outside the Fortress in Mons Golotha. It’s originally a spice mine owned by a crime syndicate who capitalized in the illegal spice trade, but since the occupation and establishment of the Fortress Inquisitorius, the propriety was handed over to the Empire.

Through the window you watch the moving specks that are the people slaving away to harvest the raw, unprocessed spice, loading them into crates and then into freighters. But the turmoil of these pitiful workers weren’t your focus, you’re channeling it to finding Cal’s connection in the Force and through the Force. The storm in your mind has calmed for a time, allowing you to think and meditate clearly; even in the darkness, you see a light at the end of the path. You pursue it, as you run towards it like an excited, curious child you utter his name.

Cal…

His eyes shot up, he was on the verge of falling asleep already until he heard his name in the distance. He sat up, surveyed the bedroom and found nothing. He shrugged it off as nothing and decided to lie back down… but the voice called again.

Cal...

Now this time, he recognizes the voice. He bolted up.

“[Y/N]?!” he gasped.

Where are you?

“Where are you?”

You didn’t answer, one question led to another.

I need to find you. Tell me where you are.

“I… I’m in—”

“So, Twelfth Sister! How’s the hunt coming along?”

The boisterous Fourth Brother interrupted you and deprived you of the most vital part of your plan. He barges right into your personal space; before he could utter another word, you grabbed him in a chokehold using the Force and slammed him against the window wall. The impact was so hard that a crack appeared right behind his head almost like an icy halo.

The grit of your teeth hissed out the words, “What. Do you. Want?”

He gurgled his words but turned out into frothy noises, you saw him tap for submission on the glass and his ankles buckling.

“What is it that you have to say that is so important that you had to interrupt me and my meditation!?”

“I…. Guhhkk! Wanted to ask if… aagghhk! You plan to go alone!”

You released the Twi’lek, he fell to his knees coughing and clutching his neck.

“I work alone. Go.”

You turn away and wait for the Fourth Brother to leave your sight. Despite calling each other brother and sister, there was no filial connection amongst one another; simply put, it was only tolerance and putting up with each other’s bull. You, on the other hand, hate everyone. Some of them may have not played a part on your turning, but you can’t help but remain hostile towards them—the Eighth Sister deduced that it’s a normal feeling when you’re the fledgling of the Inquisitorius.

You leave the room and make for the hangar to your TIE Fighter.

Meanwhile, Cal was met again with silence and the ecstasy he felt in hearing your voice—even just in his head—died with his melting smile. He sighed and slipped under his sheets again, his heart ached as he coaxed himself to sleep.

Another long night awaits.

[afni-fics]

Elder Scrolls DC - A Reluctant Dragonborn - Chapter 15: Not of This World (Part 2)

Elder Scrolls DC - A Reluctant Dragonborn - Chapter 15: Not of This World (Part 2) by C_R_Scott Chapters: 15/? Fandom: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Red Robin (Comics), DCU (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Characters: Tim Drake, Lucien Flavius Additional Tags: Crossover, Crossovers & Fandom Fusions, Skyrim/DCU crossover, Reluctant Dovahkiin | Dragonborn, Not Beta Read, Alternate Universe - Skyrim Fusion, Modded Skyrim, Skyrim Spoilers, Tim Drake is Dragonborn | Dovahkiin, Batfamily-centric (DCU), Tim Drake-centric

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Summary:

More information is revealed between Tim and Lucien as they rest for the night after escaping Bleak Falls Barrow.

-------------------------

Tim had been feeling uneasy since he asked Lucien if he had a copy of a world map. While listening to the scholar's story and history, he became curious about this land called Cyrodiil. From what he could gather, it was somewhere beyond Skyrim, but the further Lucien went into his stories, the more frustrated he became.

Having no frame of reference for any of the locations was bothering him.

Knowing so little in general about this world he was trapped in made him feel extremely uneasy.

So... He asked, "Do you have a map of the world?"

The map Lucien spread out across that stone floor was a functional work of art. As Tim studied the map of Tamriel, a part of him was awed that someone had created such a beautiful detailed thing by hand with just pen and ink on parchment. He felt similarly about the parchment map of Skyrim he had sitting folded neatly in his own bag.

It was beautiful.

But it wasn't a map of any country on Earth. 

A part of Tim had been harboring a small hope that perhaps he was dealing with some sort of Multiverse-shenanigans. Perhaps he was on an alternate Earth where sword and sorcery were king instead of science and technology? Or maybe there was time travel high jinks in play? This world was clearly set on some sort of medieval timeline. Magic and dragons loomed large in old legends in Europe, so perhaps there was a kernel of truth to the fairy tales?

But as Tim studied the map, trying to find any familiar shape among the coastlines, lakes, and mountain ranges, he felt his heart sink.

His face must have been reflecting the encroaching despair that had been chasing him ever since Helgen as Lucien's voice disturbed the silence. "Does nothing on that map look familiar to you?" Then, a bit later, Lucien asked "Then... Where on Nirn do you come from, if not from Tamriel?"

In that moment, Tim decided to take a chance. He looked at Lucien and asked, genuinely, "Nirn? Is that another continent, or is that the name of the entire world?"

As Lucien stared at him in disbelieve, jaw working to form a response but no words escaping him, Tim felt a wave of regret wash over him. He chuckled humorlessly and shook his head. "Shit. Shouldn't have opened my big mouth. You probably think I'm crazy or stupid."

Finally Lucien found his voice. "No. Of course not!"

Tim gave him a deadpan, "don't try and bullshit me" stare.

Lucien sighed. "Well... Perhaps a touch of madness is on the table as a possibility, but certainly not stupidity! The expression of your intelligence in the Barrows was quite indisputable." The scholar took a measured breath and tee-peed his fingers in front of his face, tapping his lips with the apex of his joined fingertips. "Honestly, I was leaning more heavily towards some type of memory loss triggered by the trauma you experienced at Helgen." He looked at Tim over his fingertips.

Tim smiled wearily. "That might make a nice plausible cover-story later on, if anyone asks about my past," he mused. 

"But that's not it..."

"No. That's not it." Tim looked over Lucien appraisingly, trying to mentally gauge how much he should and shouldn't tell the scholar. Then he got an idea. He pulled out his own journal as well as a quill and a bottle of ink. Then he set to work carefully sketching the basic forms of all the known continents of his Earth from memory. Once the shapes of the large land masses were set, he added more details, such as borders between major countries and the locations of major cities along with their names. Lucien watched him work with great curiosity. 

Once he was done, Tim took a steadying breath before he offered Lucien the drawing. "This is a map of the continents of the place I come from," he admitted solemnly. Tim pointed to the dot on the North American continent he had labeled "Gotham City". "And this city is my home." He looked to Lucien. "In your studies, have you ever seen any land masses or maps that are similar to any of these places?"

Carefully, Lucien took the journal and held it a little closer to the light from the campfire. As he studied the rough drawing, his brow furrowed and absent-mindedly he stroked his mustache and goatee as his expression became more thoughtful and inward. After a few quiet moments, the scholar shook his head slight. "I'm sorry. I have studied a fair number of historic maps over the years, but I've never seen any that resemble the land masses displayed here." Lucien set the open journal down next to his own map of Tamriel, so he could look at both at the same time, arms crossed across his chest as he still let his eyes wander from one map to the other.

The silence between the two of them was agonizing to Tim. He could feel a coil of anxiety tightening in his chest, though he tried to keep it suppressed and his expression neutral. "What are you thinking Lucien?" He finally worked up the nerve to ask.

Lucien closed his eyes. "I... don't know yet," he admitted. "I don't have enough information." He finally looked up at Tim. "If you are comfortable with it, can I ask you a few questions?"

Tim nodded, even as he drew his cloak a little closer around himself, as if he was cold even despite the roaring fire in front of him, looking more guarded than forthcoming.

Lucien pulled out his own journal and flipped to a clean page. Then he began to voice a few questions, keeping them with a simple yes/no format. 

"I'm going to give you a list of names. Let me know if any of them are familiar to you. Yes or no answers will suffice."

Tim nodded. 

"Azura?" 

"No."

"Boethia?" 

"No."

"Clavicus Vile?" '

Tim tilted his head. "I know the word 'vile".

Lucien paused in his notes. "But as the name of a being?" 

Tim shook his head.

"Hm... " Lucien murmured thoughtfully. He went down the rest of the list of Tamriel's known Daedric Princes.

Hermaeus Mora. 

Hircine. 

Malacath.

Mehrunes Dagon. 

Mephala.

Meridia. 

Molag Bal. 

Namira. 

Nocturnal. 

Peryite. 

Sanguine. 

Sheogorath. 

Varemina.

To each name, aside from recognizing "nocturnal" and "sanguine" as common words, but not necessarily proper nouns, Tim responded in the negative. He clearly had no knowledge of the Daedra Lords of Oblivion. 

Lucien then moved on. He offered Tim another list of names. It was going to be shorter this time, just the list of the Eight Divines.

"Let's start off with Akatosh--"

"Akatosh..." Tim echoed as memory shards darted through his mind. 

                  ... an ancient temple?                                           ... "A-ka-tosh?"                                                             ..."Dude?! You can read that?"                                                ... "Detective?! What are you--"                                 "DOVAHKIIN!!!"...                                             ... "MEYZ NU YSMIR, DOVAHSEBROM!...                                                                                  ..."ROB!"...                                                                            ... "TIM!!!"                                                                                     ... FALLING!!!..

"Timothy?! Timothy can you hear me?!"

Tim felt hands on his shoulders, shaking him... Until he realized he was the one trembling, and Lucien's hands were trying to hold him steady. Lucien's eyes were wide with concern.

"Lucien?" 

The scholar breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. You went catatonic the moment I mentioned Akatosh. Are you alright?"

Tim buried his face in his hands. The shaking was settling, but not completely gone. "I... don't know," he admitted. "That name... it's familiar, but my memories." He groaned as he felt the spike of a migraine building behind his eyes the harder he tried to remember. "I can't sort them out. Like they've been ripped to pieces. Hurts..."

Lucien pressed a hand to Tim's forehead and noticed he seemed to be far warmer than normal. He frowned. "Here now. I think that's enough for tonight. You are still injured and you need to rest." He helped to lay out Tim's bedroll, despite the weak protests from the younger man. "We'll start off in the morning to Whiterun and as soon as we finish dropping off that Dragonstone with the Jarl's wizard, you're going straight to the temple for proper healing. I think your luck's run out regarding that burn not becoming infected."

Tim tried to protest, but he felt so physically, mentally, and emotionally wrung out. Gingerly, he laid himself down and drew his cloak around himself to stay warm. "Lucien?" 

"Yes?" Lucien had taken a length of linen wrap from Tim's bag and soaked it with water from the rain still falling outside their shelter. He knelt beside Tim and placed the cool compress on his forehead.

"Do you think I'm crazy?"

The scholar gave him a reassuring smile. "I think... I don't believe you're crazy, but I do think you have experienced something that neither of us can quite explain. Don't worry... Once we've completed your task and once you are healed, I will help you find your truth."

That seemed to reassure Tim enough that he finally relaxed to a point where he could let exhaustion drag him under into unconsciousness.

***

Once Lucien was assured that Timothy was fast asleep, he went back to the maps on the ground, and also to both their journals. After a quick glance to make sure his companion was still resting, Lucien picked up Tim's journal and flipped back to the start of the book and read over the few earlier entries that existed. His brow furrowed at some of the contents he read.

"January 23, 20XX... 24 hour days? Is he's on a different measure of time?"

"Gotham... That's name of his home city, but where is that from? His map of his world is so strange? Could it be a land from a plane of Oblivion? But which one, and how? Could it be there's an active Oblivion Gate somewhere in Skyrim? Terrifying thought...."

"Also... Is it possible he is from Nirn, but crossed paths with a Daedric Lord and just didn't realize it? Sheogorath's touch perhaps? But those who are touched by the mad god are usually completely manic or violently insane. Timothy, by comparison, seems quite in control of his mental faculties, if a bit confused at most."

"Medieval? What does that word mean?"

"Oy... no wonder he bristled at the mention of the Imperial Legion... Better be careful when we make our way back to Solitude. He might react poorly if we're approached by anyone that looks like a soldier."

"Clearly no understanding of potions or magic. Maybe they don't exist where he comes from? Hm... Seems the same way regarding Septims as well. Likely different monetary units in his homeland."

After reading the only four entries in the book, Lucien felt marginally guilty about reading Tim's private thoughts, but now he had a little bit more information about his travelling companion.

Too bad he ended up with more questions than answers.

"Who is this young man, and where is his homeland located?"

"How did he get to Skyrim, and for what reason was he brought?"

"Why did he react so unusually to the mention of Akatosh?"

"Is it possible a Divine or a Daedric Lord is involved somehow?"

"How can we get him home?"

Timothy Drake-Wayne was certainly an intriguing puzzle he really, really wanted to solve.

-------------------------

Warning: This is being pantsed more than plotted, and this is not beta read. We'll see where this journey takes us. Mostly I'm just doing this for my own amusement.

Note1: If you have any questions about the playthrough and Tim's feelings/experiences that aren't described in the chapters, please ask me in the comments. I'll do my best to answer your questions as best I can.

Note2: Dragon Tongue Translations: - DOVAHKIIN - Dragonborn - MEYZ NU YSMIR, DOVAHSEBROM - Come now Ysmir, Dragon of the North ***** So ends the evening of rest before making their way back to Whiterun.

#elder scrolls dc#fanfiction#tim drake#skyrim fanfiction#batfam fanfic#red robin#batfam#crossover#lucien flavius#wip#afewnovelideas