#Innocent and Naive power (IC)

[rainydayathogwarts]

Valley-girl Charm - Bucky Barnes

Summary: In which reader from the 1940s knows just how to play the damsel in distress to get exactly what she wants in the modern age after coming out of the ice. Or should I say: 3 times Bucky did things for you, and the 1 time you did something for him. SMUT!!!

2.9k wc

Natasha knew body language better than anyone. Tony knew how to play the knight in shining armour better than any hero in the old tales they told.

So of course, they were the first ones to pick up on the little game you were playing. It had started the second you were back from under the ice, charming anyone you spoke to with your 1940's valley girl accent, using words you'd only hear in old television. Men fell at your feet the second words came out of your mouth, offering you anything you'd dream of, and it didn't have anything to do with the super-soldier serum in your system either. You politely declined every time, but eventually understood the kind of power you held.

The second charming method they noticed you had came from your gorgeous smile. The moment you looked up at someone through your long lashes and beamed widely, looking so innocent and kind, people were willing to give you the clothes off their back if you asked. Of course, you never accepted anything from complete strangers. The two Avengers had come to their conclusion that you were still accustoming yourself to the norms of the new world, unaware of your ability to bewitch people with your natural appeal, however it was not long before they were proven wrong.

They didn't know if it was the fact that you were so familiar to Bucky and Steve, a comfort amongst all things new that made them more vulnerable to do anything for you, or if it was just your flirt, but they were immediately intrigued after seeing your interactions with the soldiers. They'd seen the way you spoke to the two soldiers just after coming out of the ice and hadn't noticed anything unusual apart from the fact you'd essentially come out of a time machine. As the weeks, months passed, they knew your intentions.

It had started by witnessing a simple conversation between you and the two soldiers. "Well I'm all nerves about going to speak to Agent Fury about that last mission. He's going to get all bent and blow a fuse." The two soldiers stood either side of you turned to face you in such synchrony it had almost been comical. Bucky was the first to speak, "Don't worry doll, I can go speak to him if you'd like. You shouldn't be the one he chews out." "Anyway," Cuts in Steve "We were the ones who screwed up honey, not you." From across the kitchen, Natasha rolled her shoulders back, nudging Tony with her elbow lightly as she stirred sugar into her coffee. Their eyes widened slightly at the wide smile sprawling itself on your face, peeking back and forth between the two men.

"Really? You boys don't have to do that just for me." Steve straightened his posture impossibly at your comment, but it was Bucky who beat him to the comment. "Honey, I'd do anything for a broad like you." You cocked your head to the side, a hand coming up to rest on his muscled bicep. "Why, thank you Sergeant. You dreamboats are too kind". Natasha's eyes trailed over to Tony when the three of you finally left, the two boys accompanying you seemingly wherever you wanted to go. "See, I didn't understand half of that conversation, but they are wrapped around her finger." Tony hummed "She's smarter than we thought."

The second time they witnessed it, they were convinced that you did it on purpose, their image of you quickly turning from innocent and naive to a femme fatale, manipulating men into thinking they're doing things for you because they want to. You'd all been hitting the bars, only missing Thor from the team. You had been occupying a large round booth, wedged between Bucky and Natasha, giggling with her about the man she found attractive sat at the bar, whilst the four men at the table shared stories. Natasha's eyes were quickly drawn to your hand as you placed it on Bucky's thigh, the man putting his own hand over yours almost instantly as he glanced down at you. You returned his look, grinning widely before turning back to your conversation with the tall red-head.

Natasha carried on with the conversation, pretending not to notice the intimate moment you'd shared with the soldier, but her jaw went slack nonetheless when Bucky leaned closer to you not two minutes later, whispering "You're drinking a margarita, right?" And rising from his seat when you nodded at him, humming in agreement. Bucky joined the group once more with two drinks in hand: one for him and one for you, smiling proudly when you cocked your head to the side, insisting he didn't have to. He only wrapped one muscled arm around your shoulders as a response, pulling you closer to him despite the humidity of the bar.

When you leant your head on Bucky's shoulder, stealing a glimpse up at him though, Natasha was no longer assured that those tricks up your sleeve were to get what you wanted. Perhaps you used them to get who you wanted. She sipped her drink instead of making a comment, afraid to scare you away with any questions when you'd only just begun getting close to her. Maybe in a couple of weeks during a girls' trip to the bathroom she'd bring up your relationship with him.

That girls' trip didn't end up being in a bathroom, but in a changing room, because next time something so significant had happened, the entire team was training together for the first time in a while, and Steve had declared that you were all doing a round robin. If you were still in the military, sure - you'd have moaned about it, throwing your head back in disappointment and hoping your supervisor hadn't seen you complain. But now, with the super-serum in your bloodstream? Well, you supposed you could be in a worst position, like Tony's, who didn't have any super-powers or spy training. With so many of you on the team, it'd take numerous matches for everyone to have their turn against each of their teammates, so after a quick warm-up, everyone had settled down on the mats of the martial arts training area to watch.

Soon later, everyone who was sat on the mats was trying to catch their breath as two team-mates sparred on the mats. Tony stood after Thor and Steve's match, adding another tally next to Thor's name on the big planning whiteboard before turning around with a wide smirk on his face. "Last match of the day." Bucky hopped up from next to you, sticking a hand out for you to take. Hesitantly, you took it, only for him to pull you up to your feet. "Us?" You asked, only for him to nod. "Well, I'm gonna let you have it, Barnes." You teased, tightening your ponytail. "Oh come on, might as well reach for the sky now, y/n."

"Steve, what the hell are they saying?" Called out Clint, leaning over to see the blonde man from across Natasha. "She's gonna hit him hard, and he says she should just give up now." Replied the man, taking another sip from his water. Tony picked up the whistle next to him, blowing into it, before scrambling back to watch with the others. The second the time started, Bucky faltered - how the hell was he supposed to hit you? But there was already a fist flying to his face which he barely dodged, instead swatting your wrist away from him.

You stared at him intensely from behind your fists, shielding your face, your eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Come on Barnes!" Steve yelled from the sidelines. Bucky's face mirrored yours, his eyes laced with confusion, but he threw a fist anyhow, going for a body shot instead of your face. Nevertheless, you moved to the right, dodging his fist, and grabbing his arm as leverage to help you jump up. You threw your right leg over his shoulder, and behind his neck, swinging your other leg over his second shoulder, and crossing it over your right leg to trap his arm between your legs and over your torso. You tensed your quads as much as you could, hoping the triangle choke would work on him, but instead he used his metal arm to push your thigh over his head as much as he could. It was working, slowly but surely.

"Fuck" you muttered when he slipped his head in the gap between his shoulder and your thigh. You were now essentially hanging onto his arm, both legs over one shoulder. Before he could react, you flexed your core muscles, and sat up onto his shoulder. You released his arm, jumping off his shoulder so you landed behind him, and softly push-kicked him the back so he stumbled forward. As he did though, one hand reached behind him and grabbed your ankle, so you were dragged along with him. You slipped onto your back as he fell forward but Bucky was quicker, getting up instantly to straddle your hips. He leaned forward, above you, trying to get his arms around your neck to get you in a chokehold, but the second you giggled, he shot back up again.

"Sorry, that tickled." You insisted, hand coming to your neck to play the part better, a broad smile gracing your lips. Just as Bucky opened his mouth to say something, you reached out to grab both his hands, bucking your hips up and turning to the side to flip him over. You were on top of him in the blink of an eye, mimicking his movements as your arms snaked around his neck. You successfully put him in the same chokehold he had tried to put you in, but when you twisted your wrists, the blood supply to his face immediately cut off and you felt his hand tapping you twice on the shoulder. "You cheat." Was the first thing he said after his gasp for air, but you only shrugged, rolling off his chest. "I was only using sources available to me."

You giggled as you ran off to catch up to Natasha, already waiting for you by the doors to the changing room. "So..." She started, quite obviously. "So... What?" You echoed, looking up at her curiously, shimmying out of your shorts. You turn around so your back faces her as you struggle out of your sports bra, wrapping your towel around your sweaty body before spinning back around. "You and Bucky. This flirting has been going on for weeks. Do you like him, are you dating?" You laughed, cocking your head to the side. "You don't know?" She shook her head quickly, sitting down on a bench. On the other hand, you just opened one of the doors to the clean showers, calling out to her.

"Well, before the ice, me and Buck knew each other from the military, we got along well. The only problem was, he was my superior. I couldn't possibly make a pass at him and be known as the soldier who had the nerve to try and lay paws on her superior. But there was always something there..." At the lack of response, you stuck your head back out of the shower, to make sure Natasha was still there. "Natasha?" The spy looked at you with her mouth wide open in shock. "What!? And you never told me?" You shrugged, turning the water on. "Well I thought y'all knew."

Her silence told you enough about how much she really knew. As she muttered to herself on the other side of the door, you submerged yourself in the water, massaging shampoo into your hair, hearing flashes of "before the ice" and "he was your superior?" so you assumed she was still talking to you, even though you ignored most of what she said. You barely heard her goodbye and the sound of the changing room door opening and closing one more time, before the sound of water running was all you could hear.

"Y/n? Natasha let me in, she said you were done." You perked up at the sound of Bucky's voice, exclaiming "Here!" He approached the sound of your voice, stopping when he realised Natasha had deceived him. He stood in front of the dark wooden door, watching the steam dance in the space above your door. "Is it anything urgent?" The towel hanging from the door disappeared into the other side, and Bucky realised shaking his head wasn't enough of an answer because the door swung open to reveal you, soaking wet and completely naked with the exception of the small towel that barely covered your private parts. "Oh! Hey you!" You exclaimed, taken aback at his proximity, yet smiling all the while.

Bucky stood frozen in place, mouth ajar as he search for his words. "I'm sorry, I- I, you look beautiful." You giggled at his words, approaching his shirtless, freshly showered figure. His long hair was wet and skin was glistening, and he only wore a pair of jogger shorts to conceal himself. You have to admit, they weren't doing a great job and covering the growing tent in them. Your eyes trailed back up his body to meet his, smiling at him again. "Anything I can help you with, Sergeant?" Bucky's hands hesitantly rose to meet your hips. "I-No it's fine." Your hand met his and you dragged him with you three steps backwards, back into the shower you had just exited. You reached your arm behind him, locking the door once more.

"You're sure?" Bucky shook his head, pulling your hips flush against his as he slammed his lips against yours in a needy kiss. You gasped as your towel started to unravel, but you didn't try to stop it, wrapping your arms around Bucky's shoulders instead. When he separated from you, opening his eyes, they immediately widened, and his bit his lip, poorly trying to suppress a moan. You pushed Bucky back gently, urging him to sit on the small wooden bench. He sat down, legs spreading to make space for you between them, but when you started lowering yourself onto your knees, he shook his head frantically, begging "No, no, none of that, doll. I just want you sweetheart."

The cold metal of his arm flush against your skin chilled you as he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you up to sit on his laps. He grunted, frantically pulling down his cotton shorts. You aided him at doing so, gasping when his cock sprung out, the absence of any underwear surprising you. You immediately took his dick in your hands, watching as Bucky's face scrunched up in pleasure. You guided him inside you, sitting down flat on his dick, but you couldn't help the loud moan that escaped you as you did. You whined, beginning to drag yourself up and down his dick, gradually speeding up your movements. Bucky's hips met your frantically, until his pace was so quick you couldn't keep up. "Buck!" At your plead, he wrapped an arm around you, using his metal one to support both your weights on the wall, and he stood up, walking forward until your back was pressed against the cold shower wall.

You gasped at its feeling against your skin, jerking forward once more when Bucky's metal hand came up to play with your nipples as his speed increased once more. Bucky leaned his forehead against yours, cussing loudly before biting his bottom lip in fear of being heard. His hand left your breasts, instead blinding searching for the shower handle. When he found it, he immediately pushed it upwards, the instant noise of water shooting out moderately covering the sounds of pleasure you made. Your wrapped your arms around his tighter, grinding your pussy onto his pelvis as he thrusted into you, your clit rubbing on the short hairs near the base of his dick.

You busied yourself pressing kisses on Bucky's neck, the water squelching between your bodies as you passionately moved against each other. "Fuck y/n" Bucky moaned, chasing your lips, panting against them once he met them in a deep kiss. Your hands cupped his face as you kissed, deepening it impossibly, and his metal hand went straight to your clit, rubbing circles on it as fast as he could. Your leg twitched and you didn't have time to warn him before you were cumming all over him. "Shit!" Bucky grunted, pulling out of you as he balanced you on the wall, his hand coming to jerk himself off quicker. You put your hand over his, legs still wrapped around his torso, teasing his sensitive tip as you stroked him up and down. With a deep shudder, white stripes of cum shot out of him, painting your belly white, only to be washed away with the shower's stream.

Bucky put you down gently, making sure you wouldn't slip before cupping your face with his large hands and bringing you in for a much slower, more passionate kiss. You pulled away from him, keeping him close as you peppered kisses all over his face. He laughed, trying to pull away from you and saying,

"We should have done this about 80 years ago doll, don't you think?

[phoward89]

Professor!Coriolanus x Innocent!Reader

Masterlist

WARNING ⚠️ Coriolanus Snow is a warning in and of itself. Dark!Coryo, Obsessed!Coryo, Innocent!Reader, Sweet!Reader, Naive!Reader, manipulation, obsession, professor/student relationship, power imbalance, age difference, blackmail

Part 2:

Your mouth felt dry, as if there was cotton in it, and your eyes were a bit heavy as you blinked them open. What the hell? Did you really get hung over from a glass of wine?

Hell…

You must've because you're suffering from a pounding headache. You feel like a woodpecker’s banging against your skull.

When you go to sit up, you notice that you have a long, strong, muscular arm wrapped around you. What the hell?... Who's arm is that? It can't be Professor Snow’s, can it?

No.

No, no, no.

It can't be his arm around you. Even tho you got sick from the win he brought you home, right?

But you suddenly realize that you're not in your room. That room's larger, the furniture’s mahogany, and the walls are a stony-blue instead of your favorite color. Oh my god! You're in your Professor's bed, aren't you.

Oh hell…

Talk about a nightmare.

You look over to where the long arm reaches a body, only to see Professor Snow sound asleep. His platinum blonde curls are a mess against his pillow and his face looks so serene and carefree. Not one wrinkle or line on it.

But then you realize that his chest is bare and that the blanket draped over him is sliding awfully low. You feel like a panic attack’s about to hit you, so you take a couple of deep breaths. But, then you look down and notice that sometime in the middle of the night the blanket and slid down; exposing your bare chest to the air.

Holy shit!

You're naked and in bed with Professor Snow!

And if that isn't enough, you feel and ache between your legs. An ache that tips you off that you slept with your professor last night. But you don't understand why you'd do such a thing. It's so unlike you.

Feeling like the walls are caving in on you, like you don't know what's real and what isn't, you flung your professor's arm off of you and bolt up.

Coriolanus was in a deep sleep, but was abruptly awoken whenever he felt his arm get roughly tossed around. “Where are you going, darling?” Coriolanus asked, his deep voice hoarse with sleep, looking at you as his hand shot out and wrapped around your wrist.

“Get away from me!” You shouted, slapping him across the face while wringing your wrist free from his grasp and pulling the sheet up to cover your naked body with.

The platinum blonde didn't find your dramatics very amusing. He wasn't expecting you to have a melt down as a result of waking up next to him. Oh, why did you have to be so dramatic?

Pinning you underneath him on the bed, Coryo seethed, “Don't hit me again unless you want me to slap you across the face in return.”

With your reaction, Coriolanus knew that he had to resort to his backup plan to get you to behave. And what was his backup plan?

Blackmail.

“Now you listen to me, baby, and you listen to me real good.” Professor Snow hissed dangerously, his baritone thick and poisonous, as his face leaned into yours so closely that you're about to go cross-eyed. “You seduced me and I'm not letting you go run to the University Chancellor crying that I forced myself on you cause I'm not losing my job over your golden cunt.” A dark, calculating look spread over Coriolanus' face; his cerulean eyes turning into black ice. “You're a dirty girl, huh? Seducing me for a passing grade. But I'll fail you if you dare utter a word about last night to anyone.” His lush apricot lips ghosted about yours as he asked, “Am I clear, baby?”

“Crystal.” You nod, eyes wide with fear.

He sits up, a relaxed look all over his handsome face. But as he reaches to grab something off his nightstand, something just doesn't seem right to you. Even tho you were drunk you'd never have a one night stand with your teacher, who's a decade older than you. Hell, you're- well were a virgin up til last night. There's no way you seduced Professor Snow and let him have your first time.

Sitting up, you turn to Coryo as his long fingers wrap around his phone. Needing to know what happened last night, you frantically remark, “I know I was drunk last night from the wine, but none of this makes sense. I was a virgin, I wouldn't just seduce you into deflowering me.”

Coriolanus brings his phone up to his face and unlocks it, all while telling you, “Hate to break it to you, darling, but you were all over me last night.” Quickly, he taps at his phone, only to bring up a video. He pulls you closer, gluing you to side side, while holding the phone up for you to see and hitting play. “You see, Y/N, I recorded us fucking last night. For an insurance policy, in case you try to cry wolf and say that I did something unwanted.”

Your horrified eyes are locked on the video. You feel sick to your stomach watching your drunken self withering underneath your professor- Coryo; begging him for more and moaning out his name. The girl on the video underneath the curly-haired platinum blonde was you, but her actions were so unlike any you'd do. Did being drunk on wine really turn you into a sex crazed vixen?

Coriolanus taps his phone and stops the video. Taking your chin between his thumb and forefinger, he threatens your reputation with, “Now, wouldn't your parents be so disappointed learning that their youngest fucked her professor after drinking and flirting with him just to becomes the teacher's pet; ensure a passing grade?”

Panic spreads throughout your entire body. Shaking your head, tears stinging your eyes, you try to defend yourself. “I didn't do that, Professor Snow. I don't know what happened last night while I was drunk, but I didn't sleep with you for the top spot in your class.”

Coriolanus nods, hiding his grin of victory. Now he knows he's got you right where he wants you. That you'll do anything to keep your reputation intact- to keep your parents from viewing their spotless lamb as a spiked dove.

“Well, I suppose we could come up with a solution to the predicament we're in.” Coriolanus purs, sounding like the cat that got the cream.

In life Coriolanus is a cat, you're the cream, and he's got you. Oh boy, does he ever.

His suggestion to solve your problem in the wake of sleeping together was for you to quit school and move in with him as his girlfriend. You didn't like that idea one bit and told him so, but Coriolanus said that your parents would be thrilled at the prospect of him joining the family. But they'd be devastated if the video every came to light, if it ever came out that you seduced your professor to pass a class.

The idea of disappointing your parents terrified you. You wanted them to be proud of you, like they're proud of you our older brother, and if they ever found out about what you did last night…well…

So, what else could you do other then agree to Professor Snow's suggestion?

And that's why you're now living in a gilded cage. A gilded cage of pomp and circumstances.

Coriolanus has you all to himself. You're his dove, caged up for him to do with as he pleases. He plans on making you his assistant once he heals from his poison induced internal injuries. Ones that he'll be getting soon since he's going to be spiking the teapot at the teahouse when he has a friendly meeting with Festus Creed in a handful of minutes.

Honestly, he looks forward to poisoning himself because it means you get to worry over him; dote on him as you care for his wellbeing.

And once he's well again, you'll be by his side from the moment he wakes til the moment he goes to sleep.

Professor Snow always had great ambitions and being glued to the hip to the daughter of Colonel Javani Halvir will surely give his dead political career a sudden breath of life.

But Coriolanus is also obsessively attached to you. More then he expected to become. Without you, he's nothing more then a shallow shell of a man.

“Baby, I'm meeting my friend, Festua Creed, for tea soon. You'll be okay here grading the papers for me?” Coryo asks, strolling into his study where you're seated at his desk- marking up papers with red pen.

Papers in which one of yours should be in, but due to a drunken mistake it's not.

Raising your head and turning your attention to your boyfriend, who’ll become your fiance once the customary 6 months of proper courting is done, and tell him, “I'll be fine, go enjoy your tea.”

The regal blonde comes up to you, only to lean down and press a kiss to your temple. “Don't be too harsh while grading those papers. Not everyone's as bright as you are, my little dove.” Coriolanus whispers against the shell of your ear before leaving you alone in his study.

You just shake your head while underlining something in red pen on the paper you're stuck grading. You can't help, but feel like you're not very bright. If you truly were, you wouldn't have found yourself blackmailed into a relationship with Coriolanus.

But at least your father and Coryo got along. In fact, Colonel Javani Halvir was so happy that you managed to capture the heart of Professor Coriolanus Snow, the son of his late friend and comrade in arms, General Crassus Snow.

But unknown to everyone in Capitol City, Panem is that you're the one that Coriolanus captured. And by nefarious means too.

Tags: @kuroosbby001 @purriteen @poppyflower-22 @meetmeatyourworst @whipwhoops @bxtchopolis @readingthingsonhere @savagenctzen @ryswritingrecord @erikasurfer @tulips2715 @universal-s1ut @thesmutconnoisseur @squidscottjeans @sudek4l @wearemadeofstardust0 @mashiromochi @gracieroxzy @belcalis9503 @shari-berri @aoi-targaryen @whiteoakoak @spear-bearing-bi-witch @gisellesprettylies @loverandqueenofdragons @qoopeeya @mfnqueen1 @permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88 @v-love @swiftieblyth @joyfulyouthlover @lady-harvey @chxrrybomb22 @marvel-hiddles-stark @xjinnix @devils-blackrose @zombicupcake3 @jacesvelaryons @tempt-ress

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

All I Ever Wanted, All I Ever Needed Pt. 2

Warnings: siblingxsibling implications, Homelander being such a narcissist that he falls in "love" with his own sibling, Homelander being a stalker, innocent reader, naive reader, Homelander being a basic menace, some uncomfortable parts, dubcon, secrets, manipulation, grooming (feel like that's what Homelander is doing), age gap, power imbalance, there will be one more part after this then i think i'm gonna wrap up this little story

Words: 3472

Summary: Starlight unravels the secrets which Homelander and Vought so desperately wanted to keep in the dark.

Part 1 Part 3

Annie was still reeling from the events of yesterday. She'd barely stepped foot into her apartment before a Vought assistant was scrambling to reach her. They inform Annie about the dinner being held that night to introduce a Seven-Trainee. This only further raised the hairs of alarm on the back of her neck.

Worst of all was that you nor anyone else saw a problem with this. Maeve wore her mask well and kept her thoughts to herself though their conversation was till fresh. Maeve really wanted to ignore how odd it was.

Maeve rose her glass with everyone else, a smile plastered across her face. And you, you were beyond happy; unaware of the wolf that paraded beside you. Annie could barely stomach her meal, forcing down bits of lamb but the richness of it soured immediately on her tongue.

Thankfully once everyone seemed to finish, the group parted ways with you and Homelander walking away together side by side.

That night was hard to sleep, even after calling Hughie and telling him all about it. He'd said that him and the Boys would look into it. See what they could find on you. That did help enough to lull Annie to sleep.

Reality was there in the Seven's conference room though, cheerfully beaming up at Annie.

"Good morning Starlight!" You chirp, the mug in your hand is put down forgotten by her entrance. Homelander is taking slow sips of his coffee, watching their interaction like a hawk. Annie didn't have to look at him to know that. She could feel the drilling of his piercing blue eyes. The eyes of a sociopath.

She puts on her best face, similar to the ones she wore when meeting fans. "How was your first night in the Tower?"

"It was great!" Really, it had been a great night. Probably the best one in your life. After the delicious dinner Homelander took you out around the city, giving you an aerial tour. Then he got ice cream for the two of you to enjoy back on Vought Tower's roof. You listened to the urban music it made at night. Honking of cars, sizzling of food, the chatter of people; the city was so alive. Your nights at home were spent quietly.

The warmth that Homelander made you feel took you by surprise. From the moment he showed up at your house, you felt an immediate connection. Like the two of you meeting was fated, written in the stars. In a short amount of time, Homelander had embedded himself in you. Last night all you could think about was spending the next day with him and the rest of the Seven. He gave you comfort in a way your parents never did. They loved you sure but they never really understood you. They were fearful when you started flying. You didn't even want to remember the conniption your father had when you'd accidentally fried an expensive painting with your lasers. To them your powers were somewhat of a burden, not something to revel in.

Yesterday you'd used your powers more than you have in your entire life. Homelander encouraged you.

A bit of a cliche, you already felt yourself really falling in love with him. You'd already been fairly attracted to him to begin with. When you saw him on tv, he was your ideal of the perfect man. Well spoken, handsome, chivalrous- everything you thought your future partner would be. He ticked off all of those boxes.

Chances though that he reciprocated such feelings so soon was low. He must see you as still a child. The age difference didn't help either.

"She'll be shadowing me today." Homelander tells Starlight as she stops by the breakfast buffet that was set up for the Seven. Her hand lingers on the cup of coffee she'd poured herself. "Just to get an idea of what we do on a daily basis."

She raises her brows. "You're taking her out on the field so soon?"

It's obvious that Homelander doesn't like Starlight questioning his choices when it comes to you.

You cheerfully nod. You memorized the schedule Homelander had given to you a few moments before Starlight had entered the conference room. Holding out the sheet of paper to her, she takes it and looks it over.

Starlight doesn't remove her eyes from the paper. "Don't you think she'd benefit from shadowing myself or Maeve one of these days? It looks like she's mainly going to be with you and Black Noir."

He keeps his tight lipped smile. "I'm giving her the basics. Once she's advancing to my satisfaction she can work with you and Queen Maeve. For now I want to be hands on with her training. After all, anyone would kill to be taught by America's number one hero." Homelander's smile that he gives you sends your tummy in a flurry.

Taking everything in you to maintain a professional appearance, you hide your blush by taking a sip of your coffee. You didn't want Starlight to see you obviously simping for him. That would be embarrassing. You wanted to be taken seriously during your time here. This was a once in a life time opportunity that you didn't want to squander. You planned on absorbing everything you learn during your time with the Seven. Maybe one day. . . you'd be able to join their ranks. Wasn't that every little supe's dream?

Starlight was actually happy to see Black Noir and Maeve walk in, A-Train trailing behind them; his eyes glued to his phone.

You straighten in your seat, showing them that you understood the great privilege it was to be there with them. Your heart raced being around so many big names.

You listen attentively as the Seven get down to morning business.

The next few days are spent integrating yourself into the lifestyle and schedule of the Seven. Homelander took control of your training in the beginning, but he had other priorities that pulled him away from you. Much to both of your chagrin. He handed you off to Maeve during his busy hours. Unlike Homelander, Maeve isn't quite as warm. She's a tough teacher. Even when you walk around with her in public she keeps everything professional. She holds herself perfectly which you catch yourself trying to replicate. Maeve had you learning the different districts of New York. Important to understand the diversity in each and the crime statistics that reflected upon it.

"You need to know the streets like the back of your hand. Especially when criminals try to run. They'll do whatever it takes to shake you from their trail." Maeve explains. "Since you can fly, it'll be especially important for you to memorize an aerial map too."

You diligently studied any and all maps you could get ahold of. Even went as far as spreading all of them out around your apartment.

Problems came at the prospect of Maeve sparring with you. With someone like Maeve it was necessary to take care to not use the full capacity of your powers on her. She wasn't completely indestructible, unlike you and Homelander. Physical training would have to wait until Homelander's schedule freed up.

He texts you as you wait for him in Vought's state of the art gym. The both of you make plans after training to hang out.

Finding yourself internally swooning, you shake your head free of any thoughts of that ilk. You wanted to remain professional. He's just being friendly and must know that you might be missing your family.

And it was weird that you hadn't received any calls or texts from either your mom or your dad. When you'd attempted to contact them yourself they never answer. Your messages go unreturned.

You'd thought about paying an actual visit with this concerning behavior. They'd gone from helicopter parents to ghost quiet. Your schedule was just so busy. Maybe you'd take the time to ask Homelander if you could take time off to go.

When Starlight shows up, gym bag hanging off of her shoulder, she's pleasantly surprised to find you alone in the locker room. "Hey! I feel like I haven't seen you in a while."

She was still in her supe outfit but lacked her long lashes that she wore to public events and patrol. Still she was so pretty.

"I've been shadowing Queen Maeve during the day. And then training in the afternoons whenever Homelander's available. I tried sparring with Queen Maeve, but even when I tried not to punch so hard. . ." You rub your knuckles. Even when you held back you still sent Queen Maeve a couple of feet away before she steadies herself to get back up. Really, it was you who insisted to train with Homelander after that. You knew nothing you did would seriously hurt him.

Pressing her lips together, Starlight suggests "You know, I may not look it,, but I'm pretty tough." She offers you a tentative smile. "If you want to try sparring with me? I don't have much to do today."

"Really?"

"Sure! You're supposed to be learning from all of us, right?"

You enthusiastically nod and close your locker door before you hop to your feet. "Okay! Guess I should get a warm up in before Homelander gets here."

Both of you laugh as you exit the lockers side by side. It was odd when you remember that Starlight is only a year or two older than you. She carries herself with such confidence. Each stride she takes is strong. Every block she makes, calculated. She'd only been in the Seven for little more than a year and she fit in so easily.

As much as you idolized Homelander, you loved Starlight. Even after Vought decided to change her supe uniform to something more scandalous. From the first photoshoots she'd done in her new outfit, there was a look of contempt that shadowed her eyes. Clear that this change wasn't her decision. Whatever Vought was trying to make her out to be, Starlight would remain herself. She was still the bad ass girl that gave you hope that you could one day join the Seven officially.

Starlight proved to be a competent sparring partner. Dodging any of your offensive attacks. You had to move quick around her. She was fast, even impressing you.

Neither of you noticed when Homelander strolls into the gym where supes honed their skills. You don't see the twitching of his jaw or the haughty way he folds his arms in front of his expansive chest. His eyes are particularly glued to Starlight, the interloper. It was one thing letting you follow and learn from Maeve. Homelander didn't trust Starlight one bit. He'd always felt something off about her. She just felt fake to him. And he didn't like how her expression had become hostile when he introduced you. Like he was doing something wrong by bringing you to the Tower. He wonders if she knew the truth about you.

A trickle of sweat was rolling down the side of your face when you finally turn to where Homelander was standing. "Oh! Hey Homelander!" You use the front of your tank top to wipe your face.

He forces his iciness to melt just enough so that he could return your bright smile while still shooting Starlight eyes that could only mean 'watch yourself'. "I thought you didn't feel comfortable physically training with anyone but me?" Homelander puts on a tone of faux hurt.

"Starlight assured me that she's sturdier than she looks. And she was right! Plus she's fast and I hardly landed any serious blows to her." Confidence made your smile widen and Homelander felt that familiar clenching in his chest. How precious and perfect you were to him. Starlight threatened that. She could be a bad influence on you. He could already see you dressing in a skimpy outfit like Starlight wore. And while he wouldn't mind seeing that, he would mind everyone else's penetrating gaze. That was something he couldn't risk.

"You almost got me a few times." She chuckles in return, already feeling the both of you were becoming actual friends.

"Well," Homelander inserts himself between you two "thank you for warming her up, but I'm here now. I'll take over."

Starlight's smile waver, her dark eyes hardening toward the leader of the Seven. "Of course." Her warmth returns when she addresses you. "We should do that again. I had fun."

You felt like you could explode. "Y-yeah! I had fun too. I'll see you later!" You didn't have many friends, at least not organic friends that you made yourself.

Yeah, your friendship with Starlight was definitely not Homelander approved.

The entire time it takes Starlight to leave the gym, Homelander's glare didn't move from her back. He didn't like her around his sister one bit.

"Alright!" Your cheerful hum brings him back to you. "Now I can really go all out. You ready?"

Corner of his mouth curling up into one of affection. He'd put a pin in it, wait until later. For now, he just wanted to enjoy being around you and having you beam up at him like he was your own personal deity. Your main god whom you would always rely on.

With Homelander distracted, Starlight takes the opportunity to slink out of the Tower and to the Boys' hideout. Her gray hoodie covers her signature gold hair. Hopefully that and her ripped pants would deter anyone from her identity. What she was doing was not only stupid but dangerous. For her, for Hughie, even for Butcher who wasn't exactly her favorite person.

"Annie! I was about to call you." Hughie immediately opens the door once he spies her through the peephole. "That girl-"

Annie holds her breath, waiting for what information they'd scrounged up.

"Another fuckin' supe." Butcher steals Hughie's opportunity as his heavy gaze lands on Annie.

She blinks and turns to Hughie. "What's he talking about?"

Hughie ruefully glances at Butcher before finishing what he was going to say earlier "That girl is Homelander's sister."

"That's. . ." The air in her lungs was stolen for her as it sunk in. Homelander's predatory claim of her, his hovering. But did you even know? It didn't seem likely.

Sitting her down, Hughie goes on to divulge more of Vought's dirty secrets that they tried to bury. A lot of hard work went into finding anything about you. All they had to go off of was your name. Any lead they managed to get was followed up. It was a wonder that they ever came upon the truth of your origin.

Staring at the blotchy piece of paper that Frenchie handed her, Annie felt her mouth go completely dry. The page was weathered, an old copy that held stains on the surface. Some words were so faded that they were intelligible.

John [the Homelander] failure uncontrollable neutralize

Lack of normal childhood had greatly damaged the psyche of Homelander. The problem lay in the fact that Homelander was indestructible. There was no known way to seriously maim him.

That was where the conception of you was truly developed. You would be raised entirely different than how Homelander was. That was Vought's mistake.

This was a tightly held secret. No one was meant to know about it. It sounded like Stan Edgar and his gaggle of scientists did everything they possibly could to ensure that you being related to Homelander would never come out.

"I guess with the truth of Ryan, he must have grown even more suspicious and found the information himself." quietly mused Hughie.

"Where did you get this document?" Annie forces her eyes up to him.

That has Butcher scoffing "What's it to you?"

Hughie intercedes. "We broke into Vogelbaum's home. Wasn't exactly the easiest thing to do. He was one of the scientist in charge of Homelander when he was growing up."

Worriedly chewing on her bottom lip, Annie closes her eyes to replay all of Homelander's interactions with you. Something still wasn't right. Why didn't you know? And why hadn't Homelander told you yet?

All of those questions plague her trip back to the Tower. It was never a good idea for her to be gone for too long. Others might grow suspicious of her outings.

She shouldn't be poking her nose deeper into Vought's business. But she couldn't let you be influenced by someone like Homelander. He was lying to you like he was lying to the rest of the world about how much of a good person he was. He wasn't golden. He was tarnished and distorted. And by how you gaze at him, Annie worries that you'd be all too willing to be corrupted by him. Eventually Homelander will show his true colors. When he does it will be too late for you to back out. He won't let you. Annie could see your future unfold before her. How you'd be stuck in the Seven similar to everyone else, including herself.

Slipping back in easily, Annie had to shed her sweatshirt and pants to dawn her Starlight uniform. Well, it felt more like a costume to her now. Losing all meaning when she discovered the Seven were not as honorable as she'd first imagined.

You'd done so well during your training, Homelander deemed it only right that you get a special treat: a special viewing of the new Vought supe movie. Better was that it would be screened in Vought's private theatre that was only accessible for the higher ups in the company. For tonight, he'd call in a favor to reserve the whole room just for you. Gourmet treats would be included and anything else you wanted.

Going back to your room to shower and change, you show up in a comfortable pair of yoga pants and an old graphic tee. You're about to put on a lightweight jacket until you catch the buzzing of your phone.

Hope that it's your mom and or dad, you rush to where your phone was charging only to be disappointed. Just a useless app notification.

You try not to let it get to you but it was already nearing a month since you got there and you hadn't spoken to your parents once. Weighing the phone in your hand, you contemplate trying to call them again. Mind changing when you notice the time. You replace your morose mood to one of giddiness and slip your phone into the pocket of your yoga pants.

You were a little surprised to see him still in his uniform and partially embarrassed for yourself. Maybe you should have dressed up a little bit more?

Homelander didn't appear to mind. In fact his smile grew.

"Should I go back and change?"

"No, you're perfect. Just the way you are." His smile disarms any concern you may have previously had. "In fact I feel overdressed."

"Next time we'll have to coordinate outfit aesthetics." You chuckle and follow him in. The theatre was no yet darkened. This wasn't like any screening room you'd been in before. Each seat was the size of a couch that were capable of reclining. Except for the two of you, the room was completely empty.

Seeing Homelander in such a setting was a bit weird. Homelander was doing something as normal as sitting down and watching a movie was bizarre. He even used the reclining button for his own seat.

Before the movie started, he calls in for food and drinks be brought to the both of you.

Once you were in possession of your snacks, the room darkens and the screen comes to life.

You like when Homelander becomes your personal commentator. He tells you behind the scenes bloopers that others would not be privy to on the special features. Both of you are loud and don't care when you laugh or talk. Honestly you didn't pay much attention to the movie. You were more entertained with talking to Homelander and spending time with him.

The feeling was mutual. Homelander had never felt as carefree as he did when he was with you. Your laugh was a beautiful one that he wanted to hear all the time.

And with you looking at him with eyes that shine lightening strike blue from the light of the movie, he really couldn't hold himself back. He removes one of his red gloves and moves it to tenderly brush against your cheek, asking without using his words for your lips.

From that single point of contact, your entire body is set aflame. Your breath lodged in your throat as you realize what is about to happen. To show your consent you tilt your face up and allow him access.

Homelander doesn't waste a second in closing the gap.

Taglist:

@the-maladaptive-daydreamers

@demodemo909

[chosos-mascara]

lord

𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙪𝙣𝙖 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 - After confessing your sins, Sukuna is unsatisfied by your devotion to an undeserving God.

𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 - priest! sukuna, demon! sukuna, true form! sukuna, sacrilege, themes of christianity, sex in a church, unprotected, devotion to sukuna, power dynamic(?), god! sukuna, god complex, sukuna calls reader a whore,

2.5k words

"Forgive me, Father." The words roll from your lips, cherry flavoured chapstick streaked over tongue as you nip at the skin, a tight clenching within chest before you begin the confessional. But, for your own sanity, and your deep faith, you'd needed to come clean. "I have sinned." 

Sukuna shifts in the stall, a tightening of fist and curl of lip, anticipating your admission of guilt. Confessionals had been his favorite part of the role he'd found himself within; to hear the deepest aspects of a human's life had been entertaining within this dull life, as well as a chance to feel the fear plaguing their auras. Though, the added factor of unknowing souls confessing sin to a demon so evil to be banished from Hell itself - that had been icing on the cake. And, with a screen between himself and any unknowing devotee, Sukuna could freely grin as he'd absorbed negativity and fear from the soul beside him. 

Rain had pattered over the stained glass with gusts of wind blowing below ornate doors. Sukuna knew no one would be visiting in this weather, and with that, he'd have you to himself. 

"Confess your sins, girl." His voice was abrasive and unforgiving, a harsh tone you'd felt you'd deserved, though he'd been far from angry. After you'd caught his attention during a Sunday mass, he'd waited patiently for you to arrive with sin in mind. As a demonic being with heightened senses, your presence had an effect over him. Taunting, he'd call it. But, Sukuna had loved every second of it. With you sat the other side of the booth, deep breaths and shaking soul, he'd felt his own hardness over the length of thigh. With your innocent stare and pure scent, he'd wanted to corrupt you more than most; to manipulate and devour your soul until it had been as stained as his. 

"Well, you see..." You sighed, closing eyes and leaning forward in the wooden seat. "I've been paycheck to paycheck for a while now, and it's been really hard to afford things like food, gas-" The excuses had been a way for you not only dress up your story, but to lessen the damage of your sins before you'd told them. Maybe this way, you could save yourself from the shame you'd been burdened with. 

"Get on with it, girl." Sukuna had understood the harsh mannerisms he'd displayed had only caused your thighs to clench harder - he could smell the nectar of your body's natural lubricant and the guilt you held for wanting something you'd been taught was wrong. He'd wondered if your confessional would be a facade when you'd felt so easily aroused by his presence - had you simply wanted to see him? 

"I stole money from someone." The admission hung in the air as it had left your bowed head, hands idly fiddling within your lap in an attempt to distract yourself from the overhanging statement. Sukuna's silence had only caused more array, leaving you to wonder how abhorrent he'd found you when you'd so freely admitted to sin. 

It had taken a minute of silence for your trembling face to turn, and your gaze to set over the grates, checking if his shadow had still been seated on the other side. "Father?" You speak once more, though your growing anxiety is met with a dry laugh. Furrowing brow, your heart racing, you begin to question his quietness.

"That's your confession?" Sukuna's laughter brings you to confusion as you await further explanation, a stuttering mess behind the walls while you try to muster a response. "I think you've done much worse than stealing, dear. Don't be so naive to think I wouldn't know about your other sins." 

Your mouth drops wide as he speaks, nausea within your body rising to throat. 

"You have stolen from many others before. Why do you only confess to this one?"  "I-"  "Do you think I wouldn't notice the disgusting way you act around me? Oh please," Sukuna stood, and somehow much faster than you'd felt to be humanly possible he'd been within your side of the booth, hand around throat as he'd pulled you to the open. You were pulled toward the benches, body folded over wood and trousers pulled down to expose bare skin, cotton thong allowing nothing to the imagination. 

"Spare me your niceties and show me the real whore you are." A harsh slap bestowed onto your ass had caused you to yelp, a burning sensation rippling over skin to leave red marks. "Repent for me, girl." A second and third slap came in quick succession, your eyes squeezing closed and face scrunching with each surge of pain. Sukuna's hands were large and his slaps firm, and with the fourth he'd chosen to leave his hand atop skin to squeeze the thickness. 

"I'm sorry, father." Your voice trembles, head bowed into your folded arms as you struggle to keep yourself in the bent position, hands clutching to the old wood beneath you.  "It's not me you should be apologizing to." For a second, his grip loosens, and you sigh in relief. Though, it's almost immediately returned when Sukuna grips wrist and hip to have you stand, pulling you toward the large cross behind his usual podium. There, he has you kneel, facing the dark wood cross. 

"Apologize to the Lord for your sins, and may you be forgiven." Sukuna's words are like venom in your ear, hand gripping your chin and nails digging to your cheek.  "Lord, I-I'm sorry for stealing, I swear I won't do it again-" 

Sukuna laughs maniacally, second hand clutching your shoulder while remaining in a crouched position. He's careful not to place a knee on the ground and offer submission before the cross - something he couldn't understand why humans had done so freely. "You're not apologizing for that, are you?" 

Your face contorts between his fingers, confusion written over features as you search his eyes for answers. It's now that you notice the red hue - or had they always looked like that? 

"You need to confess the true sin you're entwined yourself within." His voice was lower now, a deep reverberance within chest as his pointed smile grew.  "Father, I don't understand-" Your question is timid, and when he laughs again you flinch.  "Do you think he hasn't seen the way you flaunt yourself before me, a demon? The slick betwixt thigh when you should be repenting for him - you're awful." The final word is more enunciated than the rest, Sukuna sure to break your mind before he can make room his his true intention. 

"I'm sorry for being a whore, I promise I won't act on these impulses within me, Lord." There's not much room for silence before Sukuna speaks again, a tut as he voices his concerns.  "That's a little better, but I fear something is missing..." The sincereness to his voice had been too nonsensical for it to be true - this was another game he would play with you. 

"Ah, I have it." A snap of fingers confuses you, for both of his hands had been holding you tightly in kneeling position. "I think you need a new God to worship. This one won't do for someone as depraved as yourself." 

"Father-" You begin your protest, but Sukuna doesn't allow room for your thoughts.  "Worship me." With his hands over your body, your gaze forced to his, you'd taken in the true face he'd worn. The gentle expression and brown eyes you'd come to lust had long since gone, a demonic replacement of four glowing eyes and black markings etched over skin. The snarl he'd worn had seemed to contort his teeth too, fangs sharp and pointed. 

"Let go!" Your plea had been more energetic than before, fear surging and a fight or flight response causing your stomach to churn. The rush of adrenaline had been enough to make you feel dizzy, but despite your efforts, Sukuna offered no leniency or reprise. 

"That's no way to treat your Lord now, is it?" Sukuna held you in place as you'd trembled in his grip. "You'll have to ask for my forgiveness, won't you?" The superiority of his voice had belittled you in nothing more than a few words, body's struggle fizzling out as you'd succumbed to his authority. 

"I'm sorry." Your relaxed frame caused his grip to loosen slightly, the anxiety within you suddenly merging into something more.  "Good girl, that wasn't so hard." When a hand had come to caress the crown of your head, you'd finally looked to his torso. From there, you'd discovered his true form - four arms had emerged from chest, uniform torn in two to accommodate the extra set of limbs. His stomach had large ridges of muscle, the black markings from his face now decorating flesh previously hidden. As much as you'd hated to admit it, there had been something overwhelmingly enticing about Sukuna. The fear for your life had appeared to die out, and you'd seen him in a new light. 

His gentle touch had soothed you, fingers caressing cheek and head as all four eyes had set on you. Had this been the draw of a God? 

"Now," He'd spoken in a sincere tone, though you'd known within your core that he hadn't meant it. "I need an act of devotion, a display of adoration for your new Lord." 

His lips were close to your ear as he'd spoken, a pair of hands moving to grope your chest above the shirt you'd worn and you'd stifled a moan, leaning into his touch. With this, Sukuna had pushed your body to the stone floor, a quick tare of fabric to leave you exposed to his gaze. There had been something freeing about your nudity before him, chest raised as you'd drawn teeth over lip. The air was cold, yet you felt heat radiating from Sukuna's body - a frame that had practically doubled in size as he'd pinned you to the ground. His grip had settled over your neck, with another set of fingers scratching over the skin of your stomach. 

"Perhaps, you can be my Lilith." His statement had little meaning to you and had been more of an utterance, though for some reason you'd felt a hum in the pit of your stomach. 

There had been a twang over nipple, a swirl of tongue to leave you gasping and confused, half lidded eyes set over a mouth manifested on the palm of his hand. The tongue had drawn over the bud, drawing circles over hardness and causing your back to arch on the stone tile.  "Do you love me?" His words felt sinister but you couldn't help to nod, light headed from his touch. 

"I love you, Lord Sukuna." The phrase had been stuttered through whines as you'd pressed your chest into his hands more, a mouth latched onto you to cause ecstasy. There hadn't been a statement you'd felt more sure about within your life - you were completely enamored by the entity above you. "Show me, then." 

You'd peered down with reluctance, and had been left in awe at the sight before you. Sukuna had peeled the busting cotton from his legs to reveal his endowment: that of two lengths, both thick and extensive. The view had caused some nervousness to stir within you, though a second hand finding it's way to your slick had made your mind numb. 

"So sweet." Sukuna had uttered to your ear as he'd bitten over the flesh, pulling another lewd and blaring moan from your lips. The mouth had lapped over slit, circling your clit before moving downward. There had been a few thrusts of tongue before he'd lowered himself further, a stripe over your lowest point. 

At first, you'd felt shocked at the movement, yet when feeling the thick appendage tease your opening to finally fill you, you'd spread your legs wider to accommodate more. He'd laughed, positioning the lowest cock to the dripping entrance and easing in. If he'd gone faster you were sure he'd have split you in two, though with the fullness of length and tongue, you'd been left to relax on the tile and take what you'd been given. 

Your walls had hugged Sukuna well, his rough rocks allowing a squeeze over cock he hadn't felt before. He'd been right on his initial guess that you were simply something else, something he wouldn't share with others. He'd make you his, he'd make you worship him. With you as a devotee, Sukuna had been sure he wouldn't need another. The feeling of your tightness milking him and the pure moans of pleasure erupting from you had made him want to pillage the entire world to leave only you within it. 

What he'd felt had been greed. He'd wanted to take all he could get from your pure form, an unknowing and dainty human fallen within his trap. Like a spiderweb, you'd been tangled in his clutches and left for him to toy with. 

A finger had circled your clit as his length had stretched you to brim, the thick arousal coating your folds allowing pad to slide easily over bud. Sukuna's touch had been enthralling, the perfectly timed movements and actions leaving you unable to love another as you had him. No one would give you the pleasure he'd bestowed to you, and you would give him absolutely everything in return. 

You swore under your breath, vision blurred. You'd been able to make out his looming body above yours along with the motions of his hips, and with head tilted to the side, you could see the wooden cross he'd defiled you beneath. Even if your mind had raised alarm bells at the sacrilege you had committed, something about the sight had only caused the coil within your core to snap, a sudden wave of intense pleasure to wash over your body. Something that had been coaxed by no one other than the demonic entity you'd allowed inside you. 

"Come for me, whore." Sukuna's length had continued to stretch your body with his, leaving an ache between thigh. You were sure walking home wouldn't be an option after this - if he'd permitted you to leave. 

"You belong to me, now." His words were aggressive as he'd stuffed you to fullness, your legs locked in position with an inhuman grip.  "I belong to you, Lord Sukuna." The phrase had left your lips without thought, and you'd felt nothing other than a deep devotion as Sukuna pushed himself to your limit, the second twitching length lef tto rub over your stomach as the bottom had worked inside. 

The feeling of heat had washed over chest as it had your insides, Sukuna's release covering the exposed skin as he'd held you roughly to the ground, inhuman sounds echoing within his body while he'd decorated your weakness with his arousal. 

[anundyingfidelity]

PLEASE if you find the time could you do perv!adam warlock x reader i would literally go feral also i love your work you’re amazing<333

oFCOURSE, i'm happy to know you like my fics! 🥹 i also received these other 2 requests about perv!adam so yeah. i am making short headcanons, hope you enjoy it! under the cut for you... 😼

if you'd like me to write a long fic just lmk, and i'll see if i can do it 🤓

pairing: adam warlock x fem!reader.

☕ if you like my writing, support me with a ko-fi !

warnings! corruption kink, fantasies, rough sex, overstimulation, dumbification, manhandling, slut shaming.

adam now knows a lot about the universe, life and ofc sex.

when he met you, you woke up something inside him.

you were cute, kind and naive but strong and smart and gorgeous. you were the perfect warrior and the perfect addition to the team once rocket asked you to join.

after you were rescued from your long destroyed planet, you absolutely said yes.

and there's where adam saw the chance of his life to approach you.

he got to know you and teach you the things he learned.

and you were so excited and happy adam was there.

but as time went by, he couldn't stop thinking about you.

he couldn't stop thinking about your laugh, your pretty lips, your beautiful face, and your body, all of him just wanted to ravage your perfect, tiny, silly being and make you his and only his.

his dirty thoughts started to become usual little by little.

you'd be preparing some breakfast in the ship in the middle of a mission, wearing your comfy clothes, shorts and a tank top on and adam's mind would go wild, yearning for you. he would restrain himself to grab your arms and force you on your stomach on the counter, rip your shorts and panties and just fuck you right there, while he whispers how much of a dumb slut you are for him.

or when you're having the ice scream or popsicles quill taught you to prepare while he was visiting knowhere before going back to earth. his dick twitches at the way you lick and your tongue rolls around the flavored ice, wishing your mouth could take his cock as good as that.

but of course you're none of what he thinks and fantasies about. you're just too innocent to give into him and to let yourself go for carnal pleasure, right?

until one night, you're up because of the same reason as adam: you cannot sleep.

he talks to you and he feels something different coming from you. you're nervous, more than ever and he senses that.

"you don't have any idea of what you do to me, do you?"

only one question was enough for you to let him in your bed.

you become addicted to his touch and his roughness.

the first night he made you cum at least four times and ohhhh, once you began this, it never stopped.

he loves your hands all over his golden skin, when you caress his hair and pull him for a kiss, but he is always a step ahead, pinning you down to the mattress - or any surface in the room - to fuck you hard and rough, for you to experience the longest orgasms you ever had, all that while he whispers the dirtiest shit in your ear.

"this is what you do to me, you dumb fucking slut," adam continues to pound into you, your walls pulsing and squeezing his cock after another breathtaking orgasm he gave you. "i wish i fucked you earlier."

each time, he leaves you exhausted and aching for more.

nobody knows the new cute, little naive girl is being fucked by the most powerful man in the galaxy.

you're so cockdrunk and such a slut for him, he points it out each time he's fucking you and you certainly love it.

[uptoolateart]

'Perfect' White

We can't have failed to notice that in S5 Gabriel has gone all white...like Cat Blanc. So my wheels got spinning and here I am, exploring the symbolism of this 'colour'.

Many viewers will link white to ideas of innocence, cleanliness or peace. Maybe even holiness - think angels. We've even seen Adrien wearing angel wings, in 'Simpleman'.

I once read an excellent analysis, I forget by whom, suggesting that Adrien is often in white to show that he's a blank slate, waiting to be written on. We even get the word 'blank' from the Latin root of the French 'blanc', meaning white. Taking this further, we could see it as Adrien not yet being certain of his own identity.

White is also linked with virginity - think of the Western European wedding dress colour. Applying this symbolically, Adrien begins the story inexperienced and naive, kept ignorant of the ways of the world. He also takes things at face value. But this is definitely changing.

I see irony, as well, because the angelic public image of Adrien hides his 'darker' thoughts and impulses. White is often linked to simplicity, and Adrien is perhaps most fascinating for being so much more complicated than anyone in his life believes.

We could also see virginity as not being 'used' yet, and this is ironic too because Adrien is used left and right, by both his father and by Ladybug.

And of course white is honesty. Nothing has been hidden. Adrien is typically the most honest one on the show and the most open with his feelings. An interesting fact I didn't know before some quick research today is that in ancient Rome, public officials wore white, and their robes were called 'candidus', which gives us the word 'candidate' but also 'candid' meaning honest and frank (because politicians never lie...???). We'll come back to this later.

White also indicates being innocent of sins or crimes. It tells us Adrien is a victim.

So why is Gabriel all in white?

Let's start with the obvious. Scientifically, white is both the source and absence of all colour.

On the one hand, we could see Gabriel in white as him trying to swallow up everything else - think of how colourful the kwamis are, and the way Gabriel tries to consume his son.

Or we could see it as his coldness. Think of the Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen, adapted as Elsa in 'Frozen' - or 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. White is ice. We also saw this with Cat Blanc - we all talk about his 'ice-blue eyes' in fan fics.

But Gabriel's white could also be the antithesis of Cat Noir - white versus black. Gabriel is trapped in s state of mind that Adrien is gradually leaving behind.

Another thing I didn't know is that author Robert Graves tied white with the moon goddess, who in mythology is usually said to have three faces, standing for the stages of life - childhood (waxing), motherhood (the full moon), and old age (waning). I think Gabriel's powers are beginning to wane. And although it's a stretch to say the writers of Miraculous had Graves in mind, there is so much moon symbolism tied into the show that I thought this was interesting to think on nonetheless.

Getting heavier, let's travel around the world to places like China, where white is the colour of mourning and worn at funerals. This makes white the colour of sadness, which ties up with Cat Blanc's months of grief and loneliness - but also Gabriel, who literally lives in a mausoleum for his wife and refuses to let go. Suddenly dressing all in white tells us he's gone all in. This is endgame. He's totally embodying his grief. And with white being tied to the end of life, it's a sign that the end of this particular story is nigh.

Now let's remember the old saying that 'Death rides a pale horse'. This comes from the depiction of the Apocalypse found in The Book of Revelation, at the end of the Bible. In fact, in Celtic tradition, if you see a pure white animal (especially if it has red ears), it's supernatural and not to be trusted. White is otherworldly and unnatural - about as unnatural as Gabriel making banana pancakes, amiright?

Gabriel is also straddling life and death. He's been cataclysmed and is now rotting away before our eyes. He's on that pale horse and has nothing left to lose.

There’s also a suggestion of the unknown - going back to that idea of being a blank slate, Gabriel is a wild card here. When someone like that gets truly desperate, we can no longer predict what he will do. Forcing a cataclysm on himself was definitely the start of this.

Coming back to the notion of honesty - we could apply this ironically to Gabriel, who, in his new white suit, recently shook hands with Nino, as if they were partners working against a common enemy.

On that note, let's look again at the Latin 'candidus'. This was considered the brightest shade of white, and it gives us the word 'candle'. So, white can be illuminating. We can see this as Adrien heading towards understanding, revelation. Gabriel is posing in the colour of honesty and innocence, but Adrien is soon to see through the pancakes.

On the other hand, Gabriel is slipping into a state of ignorance. He has never gained anything from all this power because he no longer understands love. He claims to do all this for Emilie, but it's gone far, far beyond that goal. He has reached the point of seeking power for power's sake.

He could learn a few lessons from Adrien, who reprised his Cat Blanc costume in 'Jubilation', this time worn as a wedding suit. It stands out because in European-style weddings the bride wears white but not the groom. The dream was a vision of grief and heartache being transmutated into something pure and beautiful - and of new starts. The slate had been wiped clean, ready for a new story to be written.

This leads me to think of the levels of karate. A lot of people don't realise that after the black belt, there's a higher level - the white belt. It's a sign of humility. Returning to the beginning shows an understanding that we never truly master anything. We're always learning. So Adrien moving from white (Alliance and other ads) to black (Cat Noir) to white again (the wedding vision) tells us he's completed one journey and is now applying the lessons he's learned to his next journey in life.

Of course, it was only a dream because he's not there yet. He needs to learn and deal with the truth about his father first. But all of this is coming.

Because white is the light at the end of the tunnel. As much as my son likes to say the Netflix show tags should now be 'grief', 'child abuse' and 'trauma', I truly see hope in every scene. White wipes the slate clean. Our favourite couple are so close to not a happy ending but a happy new beginning.

[fimproda]

I like their relationship have some innocence and delicacy but without making Gwyn or him naive or ignorant in anything, I feel like elriel ship infantilizes too much both Elain and Az, is like those books of “innocent couple but who are very nasty in bed” which for me feels like objectifying both characters ans give them ooc traits, Elain isn’t a saint and many elriels make her be like an innocent saint, and their smut scenes feel very childish like but in a rough way which for me makes it weirder, instead when in your fics I read of Elain with Lucien I see her more IC, and not that childish type, same with Gwynriel they complement each other without making weird power dynamics that get reversed for sex which is for me very inconsistent

Wow. I wasn't expecting this level of detail, and I applaud you for it. Thank you so much! 😭❤️

I agree with your every word; I think it's overkill at this point to state that Elriels misunderstand both Elain and Azriel and try to fit them into a narrative that doesn't suit their personalities, much less their role in the story. Their treatment of Gwyn and Lucien is a whole other can of worms, one I'm reluctant to open lest I find myself plagued by nightmares for the following month.

I'm truly glad to see that I met your expectations for both Gwynriel and Elucien, and if you'd ever like me to elaborate on that (or whatever else might strike your fancy), I'm one ask away 😁

[cloudlessly-light]

Chills on a summer day 1/3

A/N: Thanks to everyone who voted, part 2 of this will be up Sunday but then I’ll be going on a little break. I’ll be online but I won’t be writing since I’ll be traveling! Summary: Emily takes a summer job as a secretary at a law firm thinking that it will be a good way to keep her mother of her back. What she doesn’t realize though is her boss, prosecutor Aaron Hotchner, is not only a pain in the ass but also a man able to make her lose all sense of control. Word Count: 2,7k Rating: Explicit Warnings: Smut, in public, sex toys, oral sex, dirty talk, orgasm delay/denial, orgasm control, alternative universe, age difference (everyone is of age), power dynamics

 Part I

Emily started her job as a secretary at one of the biggest law firms in San Francisco knowing that she was facing a challenge. Her interview process had been daunting, nothing like previous experiences had been before. She knew that people underestimated her, especially men, but she took every challenge willingly, took every win with a smile. She might only be 22 but with her life (something she kept hidden) she had experiences any of them could only really dream about. She used the fact that she was usually overlooked to her advantage, let the remarks about her looks go even when she felt fury, instead fixed the person saying it with a smile and then laughed when they would stand by in surprise at her knowledge of law, of the world.

She was a secretary and she knew that her job came with disadvantages, but it wasn’t forever, it was a summer job while she finished up her classes in college that her mother helped her get, much to her dismay. It would look good on her resume and it not having to be in DC with her parents was just icing on the cake.

She finds out quickly why the secretary before her had left. Aaron Hotchner was impressive, only 30 years old but still one of the most sought-after prosecutors in San Francisco, but he was also hardheaded, stubborn and would expect too much. He would expect perfection because, he seemingly was perfection himself. She would study him, how he worked faster and harder, the sharp angle of his jaw when he was told something he didn’t like and the darkness of his eyes when he looked at her.

He was attractive, it was the first thing she thought when she first saw him as she imagined what he would taste like. She forced herself not to stare as he introduced himself with a firm handshake and a gentle smile, one of the few she’d ever think she’d get. His shoulders were wide, he was tall even as she stood in heels before him and her mind flashed to images of him pressed against her back. She felt want the first time she saw him.

And she knew she was fucked.

She knew that her attraction to him wasn’t solely based off his looks, that as the first couple of weeks dragged on and she got to see the way people reacted to him was also part of her attraction. The way he effortlessly demanded respect, the way he would go from gentle and caring when talking to a young, single mom to firm and assertive when another lawyer stood in his way. He demanded more from her, would push her to her limit until she would bite the inside of her cheek from frustration and he’d only give her a hard look in return.

He was intimidating, he was addictive.

  Aaron couldn’t really describe the way his new secretary intrigued him, he felt it the first time he met her, the allure in her. She looked at him with eyes that from a distance would seem naive but there was something lurking in her dark orbs, something hidden in the slight curve of her lip. He would watch her sometimes, saw the way she easily manipulated the men that overlooked her and he quickly realized how intelligent she was.

She would come into his office with a careful smile and cheeks tinted pink that could be mistaken for innocence, but he saw right through her, and he wanted to pick her apart. He knew that the attraction he felt towards her was something he shouldn’t act on, she was so much younger, she was his secretary, she would be gone once school started back up, and yet he couldn’t help himself as he admired the silent confidence that radiated off her, didn’t stop himself when his mind wandered to what sounds she’d make as he made her lose control.

It was dangerous, it was thrilling.

  The tension between them only gets worse, subtle flirting and words dripping with innuendo that only makes her want him more. She’s sure he feels the same, is sure that she’s not imagining the way his eyes always find her, staring so intensely at her that she has to fight her body’s urge to just drop whatever she’s doing to obey his every whim.

He can see it on her, the way she so clearly craves him and he can’t say that every day isn’t getting harder. All he wants is to know what she feels like, what his name would sound like falling from her lips as her body twitches from extasy. He wants to act on it, wants more than anything to give in to his desire for her. He watches with pride as her snide comments and slight digs at men leering at her makes them crumble to pieces, the power she possesses addicting because he’s pretty sure that for him she’d give herself willingly. That thought makes him hard in an instant, his cock jerking in his pants as he goes lightheaded.

* 

“Mr. Hotchner?” Emily knocked on the door to his office, his afternoon coffee in one hand as she entered. “David Rossi wanted to know if you can push your 2 o’clock to 3 instead?”

“What’s his excuse this time?” He gratefully took the coffee, barely looking up at her.

“I- I didn’t pry.” Emily batted her eyelashes once he met her eyes, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. She tried to keep from squirming as his eyes flitted over her face, fastening on her mouth for a second before looking up into her eyes.

It had become a game, they both knew it, both aware of the seemingly maddening attraction towards each other. One of them waiting for the other to break.

“Call him back, let him know that 3 isn’t good. I don’t have anything tomorrow at 10 right?” He leaned back into his chair, his shoulders pushed back and legs widening just slightly and he caught the way she swallowed a little harder.

“That’s correct.” She tried to keep her eyes on his, hated the power he seemingly possessed effortlessly over her. She had always been attracted to power, to the things she shouldn’t want, but this was a new realm of want that she hadn’t experienced before.

“Push it until 10 tomorrow, if that doesn’t work for him then it’s 2 today or not at all.” He says, tone dismissive as he picks up his pen again.

“I’ll let him know.” She stood planted for another few moments and one of his eyebrows arched.

“Was there something else?” He asked and it seemed to jolt her out of whatever daydream she was stuck in.

“No.” She pushed some of her dark hair behind her ear and to anybody else it would look like a nervous habit but he could see the way her lip curled into a careful smirk, gone as quickly as it came. She was playing the part of young and naïve well, but it wasn’t fooling him. “That would be all. Let me know if you need me.”

His eyes flashed with something dark, his jaw clenching for a second and then he was nodding, taking another sip of coffee.

“Thank you.” He watched as she left his office, the door closing softly behind her and he breathed a sigh. Emily had been there for less than a month but they had been playing this game for weeks and he could feel himself close to breaking.

 *

 Emily let out a sound of annoyance as her computer froze, again. It had been an ongoing issue all day and she had managed to figure it out every time but she was behind on work because of it, the office close to empty as she tried to catch up, the hour late. The door beside her opened and Aaron stepped out, briefcase in hand and he stopped at the sight of her still at her desk.

“You’re still here?” He asked, he thought she had left hours ago.

“The stupid computer keeps freezing.” She huffed, and for the first time he got a glimpse of Emily not as put together as she seemed. “And I’ve tried everything.”

He set his briefcase down and walked around her desk to be able to look at the screen.

“May I?” He asked and Emily leaned back, rolling her chair away from the desk a little to give him better access.

“Please.” She felt the warmth of his body as he leaned over her shoulder slightly, his fingers on the keyboard as he tried rebooting it. She refrained from rolling her eyes, didn’t mentioned that it was the first things she had tried, and instead focused on the way his cologne surrounded her. She carefully looked up at him, never having him stand this close to her before and she saw the way his pulse beat in his throat and she forced herself not to lick along his skin.

Aaron kept his eyes on the screen, doing anything he could think of to get the computer back to working conditions, but he could feel her eyes on him, could feel how she leaned back into him almost subconsciously and he suppressed a grin. He feels the dark pull of arousal in the pit of his stomach, knows that as badly as he should try to keep himself away from her, he won’t be able to.

“Looks like this won’t sort itself out with my limited computer skills. How about you call tech first thing tomorrow?” When he looks at her he has to keep himself from groaning at the way her pupils are blown black, her cheeks tinted pink from arousal.

“Okay.” She breathes as she keeps herself from tugging on his tie, wanting nothing more than to know what his lips felt like against hers at that moment. The only thing stopping her is him stepping back and clearing his throat.

“I’ll walk down with you.” He says and waits until she’s standing too. The silence is thick with tension as they walk to the elevator, the seconds seeming endless as they wait for it to arrive.

He lets her walk into the elevator first, follows her and stands much closer to her than he should. He can smell her perfume, watches the curve of her neck from where it’s exposed from her hair up in a ponytail. He smiles to himself at the way her breathing comes out a little harsher even as she stares straight ahead.

“Are you alright?” He asks and he’s sure that he’s not imagining the goosebumps on her exposed arms as his breath falls against her neck.

“Yes.” She turns her head slightly to look at him. “I guess you make me nervous.” She admits and his smirk darkens slightly and the thrill of it sends a shiver down her spine.

“Why?” Aaron feels his own want simmer, his body hot in its suit as she stands a tiny bit closer barely an inch between their bodies.

“You see through me.” She whispers and the vulnerability of her voice surprises him. “I can’t hide with you.” Emily looks straight ahead again and she feels him step even closer, pressing against her back.

“Why would you want to hide?” His words are a whisper against her shoulder, his lips gracing her skin and she just barely holds back the mewl in the back of her throat. She cranes her neck slightly, wordlessly gives him permission and she feel his lips curl into a smile against her skin.

“I think you know why.” She whispers just as his hands fall to her hips and then the ding of the elevator comes through, loud and earth shattering and they both jump apart.

They go into the foyer, their eyes meeting briefly and while Emily’s look wide with worry, he seems calmer than she’s ever seen him, a confidence about him that makes her clench her thighs together.

“Well, good night Emily.” He smiles, leans in slowly as if he’s giving her time to turn him away but when she doesn’t his lips graze her cheek, heated and soft and she sucks in a sharp breath.

“Good night, Mr. Hotchner.”

 *

 That night she spends most of her time thinking about him, about the way her body seemed to scream for him, craving him, making restless energy rush through her until the late hours of the night. She decides sometime after midnight that he won’t get her that easily, that the power he knows he has over her isn’t something she’d give him that effortlessly.

When she dresses that morning it’s hot outside and she chooses a dress just short of being inappropriate. The black dress is tight, ends mid-thigh with a cleavage that she knows will get his attention but isn’t too deep. It’s by far the most risqué she’d ever been at work, but she couldn’t bring herself to care as she applies a tint of lipstick on her lips, smiling to herself in the mirror.

“Game on.”

He notices her the second she steps off the elevator with his morning coffee, already standing with a guy from IT at her desk.

“Good morning Mr. Hotchner.” She hands him the take-away cup of coffee and smirks when he looks at her quickly up and down, from the black heels to the exposed skin of her legs. When she removes her thin jacket his tongue sweeps quickly over his bottom lip.

“Good morning.” He says lowly and then notices the young IT-guy checking her out as well. “Spencer here is just about done with your computer. Aren’t you?” The edge in his voice makes the young man stutter, nodding quickly.

“Just gotta restart it and it should be good to go.”

“Then do it.” He says before his eyes move to Emily. “Can I see you in my office, there’s been a change in today’s schedule.”

“Of course, sir.” She struts past him as he gestures towards his office. She thinks she’s won this little game they’ve been playing, her smile widening as she stops in the middle of his office and then hears the door shut behind her. Before she has time to turn she feels him, voice rough as he speaks against her ear.

“So that’s how it’s going to be huh?” His hands land on her waist and she leans into his touch almost instinctively, already craving him.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” She bites down on her bottom lip when he growls, the sound dark and low and she shivers as she presses back against him, her back flush to his chest.

“You’re a menace.” He turns her in his arms, his grip only tightening as she faces him. He feels her breath against his face, feels the heat of her body against his, sees the filthy grin on her lips and he physically has to restrain himself from kissing her.

“What are you waiting for?” She teases, her head falling slightly to the side and his hands only tighten around her waist, making her gasp at the bruises he’s for sure leaving.

“Is this what you want?” His lips nudge against her cheek as he speaks. “You want me to fuck you right here in my office?”

“Yes.” She breathes and surges forward but he dodges her. For a second she feels shame, rejection itching at her but then one hand moves from her waist to hold the back of her neck, his thumb pressing under her chin to keep her eyes on him.

“When I fuck you for the first time I don’t want it to be rushed, I want to pick you apart and put you back together, I want you ruined, want you pleading and begging. I want you to give yourself completely to me, let go of every ounce of control you have.” He watches her eyes grow darker, the tint on her cheeks moving down towards her chest. “Do you want that? Are you ready for that?”

“Please.” She feels her underwear dampen, all of her control slipping away in an instant as his thumb moves from under her chin to press at the hollow of her throat.

“Good girl.”

[thecreaturecodex]

Aristide Malevol

"The Lich King" © Steven Womack. Accessed at ArtStation here

[One of the Big Bads of Castle Xyntillan. When I actually ran the game, my PCs stumbled on him in a random encounter when they were second level. He put a wall of ice on one side of a hallway, summoned a Large earth elemental on the other side, and watched for a few rounds to see if they would survive. They did, but it was one of the most stressful encounters I've ever ran. For them. For me, it was a blast, because I knew that that party was smart enough to know that not every fight is winnable.

The version I used was just the default lich in the Pathfinder RPG bestiary. This version is slightly more powerful, and is more closely tied to the flavor text from Castle Xyntillan. And yes, I did use art of the Lich King from Adventure Time for this.]

Aristide Malevol CR 13 CE Undead This undead creature was probably once human, although curling horns grow from his temples. His flesh still clings to his face like a ragged mask, hanging looser over his jaws, but he is skeletal in most other places. He wears a heavy cloak lined with fur, and a golden circlet. His eyes are empty holes, with pinpoints of green light.

Aristide Malevol, the Patriarch, is the cancer that has turned the Malevol family from crusaders to corruption. He murdered his grandfather in order to become the head of the family, had his minions pick off anyone who tried to resist, and then poured the resources of the family into pursuing lichdom. He had help from a surprising source—Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead, who saw the Malevol family as a way of maintaining a foothold in Avistan while his attention was diverted to other planes and planets. With Orcus’ help, Aristide made his phylactery into a gross parody of the Grayl of Destiny, which is kept close to the real thing in order to throw off potential thieves. And once he was a lich, he continued to encourage the worst habits of his family members, and murder anyone who pushes too hard towards salvation. He does have a soft spot for innocence, however, and a few of the Malevols have lived lives as naive waifs...or as virtuous souls who were good enough at seeming innocuous to escape his attention.

Aristide spends most of his time researching demons, undead and constructs. He is especially interested in blurring the lines between all three. One of his finest creations is a biotyrant named Bruno, who serves him as a loyal bodyguard. Aristide has a passion for cursed items, and many of the cursed items in Castle Xyntillian, and cursed items that have spread through Taldor and beyond, bear his craftsmanship. His own crown and headband are cursed, although their exact effects are unknown (up to the GM). If forced into combat, he would much rather toy with his victims, watch how they respond, and then teleport away if anyone survives, rather than risk his neck in direct combat.

Aristide Malevol carries relatively little on his person, but is heir to one of the largest fortunes in Taldor. He has enough resources to pay for just about any magic item or construct he is capable of creating. The spellbook listed in his statistics is his “traveling” spellbook. His quarters have access to all of the sorcerer/wizard spells of 6th level or lower in the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, and the libraries of Castle Xyntillian may hold any spell of 7th or lower level from any Pathfinder 1e source you wish to use, as well as a handful of 8th and 9th level spells of the conjuration, necromancy and transmutation schools. Aristide cannot access these easily, as even he finds the organization of the castle’s libraries baffling—assume that he requires 1d12+1 days to find exactly what he needs. In order to advance Aristide Malevol, give him more levels in arcanist, or levels in the loremaster prestige class.

The False Grayl (Cursed Item) Aristide Malevol’s phylactery is a decoy of the real Grayl of Destiny. A successful DC 30 Appraise check made by someone familiar with the true Grayl can reveal the deception, as can an analyze dweomer or similar spell (with a successful caster level check). Any living creature that picks up the False Grayl finds that they cannot remove it from their person. The False Grayl acts as both an amulet of inescapable location and a periapt of foul rotting when in the possession of a living creature, both of which properties effect the creature that carries the item. On command, a slick crimson liquid can fill the False Grayl, which acts as a potion of inflict serious wounds (CL 11th)if used within one minute, and evaporates if not used in this time. This liquid can be splashed onto an adjacent creature with a touch attack (Will DC 18 half)

Weight 4 lbs; CL 11th

Aristide Malevol CR 13 XP 25,600 Human lich arcanist (occultist) 12 CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, human) Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +20 Aura fear (60 ft., Will DC 20, 12 rounds) Defense AC 21, touch 12, flat-footed 19(+5 natural, +2 Dex, +4 armor) hp 105 (12d6+48 plus 15) Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +11; +4 channel resistance DR 15/bludgeoning and magic; Immune cold, electricity, undead traits Defensive Abilities rejuvenation Offense Speed 30 ft. Melee staff of the master +7/+2 (1d6+1), touch +1 (1d8+6 negative energy plus paralysis) or touch +6 (1d8+6 negative energy plus paralysis) Special Attacks arcane exploits (dimensional slide, item crafting, potent magic, suffering knowledge), arcane reservoir (12 points, 18 max),paralysis (Fort DC 20, permanent) Spell-like Abilities CL 12th, concentration +16 1/day--augury 1/week—contact other plane Conjurer’s focus—up to summon monster V for 6 points Spells CL 12th, concentration +18 6th (3/day)—banshee blast (DC 22) 5th (5/day)—cloudkill (DC 21), cone of cold (DC 21) 4th (5/day)—enervation, fire shield, wall of ice 3rd (5/day)—arcane sight, dispel magic, lightning bolt (DC 19), magic circle vs. good 2nd (6/day, 1 used)—anticipate thoughts, false life, mirror image, see invisibility, scorching ray 1st (6/day, 1 used)—alarm, mage armor, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield 0th—arcane mark, detect magic, light, mage hand, message, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic, touch of fatigue (DC 16) Before Combat Aristide will cast mage armor and false life whenever he suspects that intruders are in Castle Xyntillian. The statistics above reflect these spells Statistics Str 10, Dex 14, Con -, Int 22, Wis 14, Cha 19 Feats Craft Construct (B), Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Staff, Craft Wondrous Item, Extra Reservoir, Maximize Spell, Piercing Spell, Skill Focus (Knowledge: arcana) Skills Appraise +16, Bluff +14, Knowledge (arcana) +20, Knowledge (dungeoneering, history, planes, religion) +16, Intimidate +21, Linguistics +16, Perception +20, Sense Motive +20, Spellcraft +16, Stealth +20, Use Magic Device +17; +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran, Common, Daemonic, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Kelesh, Necril, Orc, Terran, Undercommon Gear circlet of persuasion, headband of mental prowess +2 (Int, Cha, Intimidate), staff of the master, cloak of resistance +1, scroll of greater dispel magic, scroll of solid fog, scroll of haste, scroll of tongues, spellbook (prepared spells, plus create undead, planar ally, plane shift, lesser planar ally, animate dead, magic circle vs. chaos, magic circle vs. evil, magic circle vs. law), spell components, noble’s outfit and jewelry worth 100 gp, signet ring, 19 pp, 60 gp

[connanro]

look, as much as i like to talk about the tragedy of goncharov/andrei (yes i know that's not the official spelling but 'andrey' is a bad and dumb romanisation from the 1956 translation of the novel), i really think that the foil katya/sofia provides is equally, if not more fascinating - especially given the political climate of 1973 when the film was produced. obviously there's a huge issue of lesbophobia when it comes to sofia's characterisation, and i'm sure we all know the reason she gets sidelined is because the katya/goncharov/andrei triangle is more conventional (if subversive) in terms of social class status.

but sofia. sofia. she plays the role of both the overlooked serving woman AND the threat of female sexuality. you can't even call her two-sided because the roles are so integrated. like, the film obviously deals with threats to the idealised husband-wife relationship - anyone with eyeballs can see how dangerous andrei is to goncharov - but the threat sofia poses is so much more subtle. she's a woman who isn't what she seems. she's in a position of relative vulnerability. she initially plays the role of sympathetic listener to a katya who is struggling to adjust to her own role as a mafia wife in foreign territory. and then!! and tHEN! the romantic tension starts building! it's incredible because it's a reversal of the typical maid/employer relationship - the employer is katya, a woman, and it's SOFIA who makes the initial overtures. i can't get into the complexity of sofia's motivations in this post, but it's definitely a mirror of goncharov's motivations to befriend andrei.

the way that katya responds to sofia's flirtations is, i think, the most interesting aspect of it. we would expect to see katya portrayed as an innocent, naive women being preyed upon a more powerful/mature woman (sofia), but she's not. she clocks (pun intended) sofia's intentions immediately. her reticence is purely about preserving her own place in the complex web of relationships that unravel over the course of the movie. the conflict of their relationship isn't that katya doesn't know what she wants (as is the case with goncharov); it's that her desires oppose each other. she truly does love goncharov, but she she wants to go back home - which she can't do because of him (!!!). she loves sofia, but she hates the entire situation that allowed them to meet. goncharov is supposed to represent security for katya, and sofia freedom; a classic duty-vs-feeling sort of thing. but in the end katya has neither security nor freedom. her relationships gradually fall apart, starting with ice pick joe's death and culminating with that absolutely GUTTING showdown in the middle of act 3. (no, i'm not over it yet. don't talk to me). in the end, it's sofia's vulnerability, not katya's, that undoes them. it's so delightfully tragic, especially because goncharov/andrei's story ends the same way despite all the other differences.

anyway. yeah. gonna be thinking about this for a while.

[lottalottie]

charlotte la bouff is a 30 year old human based on lottie from the princess and the frog. she is an influencer with no powers. she uses she/her pronouns, and all of her memories are intact !

INFO.

full name: charlotte jenny la bouff

date of birth: august 7th, 1993

hometown: evermore

zodic: leo sun, virgo rising, aries moon

sexuality: heterosexual, heteromantic (so she thinks)

education: high school graduate

occupation: influencer

height: 5'2

hair: blonde

eye color: green

tattoos/piercings: earlobes

markings: n/a

mother: jennifer la bouff

father: eli la bouff

siblings: n/a

pets: stella, basset hound

PERSONALITY.

positive traits: faithful, optimistic, generous, poised, friendly

negative traits: egotistical, gullible, pampered, ditzy, impatient

likes: sweet tea, romance novels, fairytales, dresses, dancing, country music, fresh baked goodies, manicures, taylor swift, big hats, all things pink, plusses, cute charming men

fears: never falling in love, losing tiana or her father

dislikes: sweating, waiting, sneakers, jeans, runny mascara

hobbies: daydreaming, reading, shopping, taking selfies

aesthetics: peaches, fluffy pink comforters, high heels, doodled hearts, pink frosting cupcakes, azaleas, boots, sparkly tiaras, beignets, pearl necklaces, feather boas, miss dior eau

HEADCANONS.

lottie is a sweetheart. she's someone who is naive, generous and too kind-hearted for her own good, though she may not seem it from a first glance. it would be easy to assume she cares more about the way she dresses than someone else's well-being, but that's just not true. spoiled, charlotte was also loved growing up. she never had to want for her parents affection. she was her daddy's little princess and the apple of her momma's eye, and they taught her how to be as good as she looked.

sometimes she forgets that everyone isn't the same as her. she expects people to treat her how she would treat them, which can lead to... problems.

the hardest thing she has been through was losing her momma. she was only around six when she passed away. playing with tiana was truly the distraction her little heart needed to cope through it all. she misses that woman so much, still, and she wishes her momma was here to see the young lady she grew into. she still loves her with her whole heart. she just has to love her from afar now.

she keeps waiting for some beautiful man with beautiful eyes to sweep her off her feet. sometimes she thinks she lets her imagination go too far. when she's out walking stella she often imagines bumping into a cutie with a dog of his own. they'd strike up a conversation, their pups would start playing together, and that would be that. at the ice cream parlor, she imagines the man before her in line asking her for help with selection. she cracks an innocent little joke, his eyes meet hers, and the world stops.

she knows that she is a strong independent woman who doesn't need a man! but is it so bad to want one?

she just... loves love. and she knows there's someone out there for her. hopefully in evermore.

lottie loves flowers - she grew up playing in an absolutely beautiful garden that was started by her mother, and it feels wrong to not be surrounded by floral scenery. though she doesn't have a yard for all that here, she has plants sitting in almost all of her windowsills. she doesn't have quite the green thumb her momma did, but they're all managing... for now.

marilyn monroe is her hero.

charlotte doesn't really... do casual. even her bedtime outfits consist of pink satin pj set and a 'messy' bun without a hair out of place. she has to do her makeup to go to the grocery store. it isn't that she's worried about being seen natural. maybe a little. she just loves looking her very best. it makes her feel her very best. she's not judging anyone who is there in their yoga pants, though; to them, she would say, "you look as pretty as a peach, darlin'!"

she has lots of southern phrases. i feel like that goes without saying... but i'm gonna say it anyway.

probably one of very few people you'll ever meet that says "bless your heart" unironically.

her favorite past time is romance novels. there's nothing better than pouring a nice tall glass of sweet tea, grabbing a copy of pride and prejudice and cozying herself into a hammock. she could lose herself in stories for hours. hoping one day she's part of one.

she has a sweet tooth... but specifically baked goods. she's not so much of a candy person. she does like chocolate, but specifically bon-bons and fancy little boxes - not hershey bars. her favorite, though? a nice warm apple pie. a chocolate chip croissant. sweet enough to eat the whole thing without getting a toothache. if she's being real specific, her favorite is anything tia bakes her. that girl bakes with love.

she rarely calls tiana by her name. it's always tia.

she's thought of working as a florist or something for a living, but honestly, running her social media is a full time job and one that she can't let go of. it boosts her ego, but it's also creative and it's fun.

[mysweetgirl2-love]

Roughened Warmth - Reiner x Reader (softtober prompt #3)

Welp. I was on a roll a week ago and now writing is slowing down-- Nevertheless! Here we are again, I'll try to get back in a groove but I do have a friend visiting on TOP of midterms, so expect these to most likely stay sporadic.

This day happened to be Reiner Braun! Ironically after Erwin, I know. It's based in season 1 since I don't know if they ever have a snow experience besides getting stuck out in the woods? So, I just hope it works with what we now know about Reiner.

I'm not giving a COMPLETE spoiler warning since s4 is now animated, but this does talk about Marley... because, you know, what's fiction without trauma.

Here's to another Softtober day!

Prompt #3: Gloves/Mittens (mittens are more convenient for what I wrote.)

Word Count: 2.4k

✦✧✦✧

The bitter cold of Paradis was not something you had prepared for that day so many years ago. You packed many things up when high-tailing it from Marley, but gear against the harsh winter had not crossed your mind. Now caught in a terrible snow storm, stuck in an old wood cabin, most definitely trapped for as many hours as the weather raged on.

The window was frosted over in delicate ice patterns, painting across the pane in fragmented designs that jutted this way and that. You heavily sighed and stared at the piles of snow that were building near and far from the mock-base as of tonight, and you waited in anticipation to see if Ymir would follow through in bringing Daz and Christa back safely. Intuitive as you were, it wasn’t a surprise that you found Ymir to be one of the more suspicious cadets apart of the Training Corps.

Not like you were much better. Your group was a considerable danger to these… Eldians. Ones who you once were convinced to be monsters, slowly were beginning to prove that… they too were merely human. Seemingly afraid of “they mystery of the titans,” something you found to be basic knowledge back in Marley. How could they not understand the horror in which they existed in was due to their past crimes?

It got you thinking as to why you harbored so much blame towards them, why Marley held such high standards towards a past that no longer existed? They were clueless to life off of the island, thinking Paradis was merely the rest of the world and there was nothing beyond that. Their innocence made the anger ease, and only led to your confusion.

Spiraling, you don’t show it. Your face remains calm, staring at the icy drawings on the cold glass as the snow blew wildly in the storm. A hand delicately pressed into your shoulder, jumping you both out of your thoughts and physically in that moment. You sharply turned over your shoulder to find a timid looking Reiner waiting for your attention—clearly having grown concerned when his calling of you fell on deaf ears, and you remained so enamored with the outside snow.

“Shit, Reiner…” you hushed, knowing from the look in his eye that the approaching conversion wasn’t for other’s ears, “is everything alright?”

He visibly swallowed, bringing his hand back to his side and shifting his gaze to reflect out the window, “Just worried…”

Reiner Braun was no stranger to you, knowing you maybe inside and out at this rate—being raised and trained together back in the internment zone. It was maybe the only perk to Warrior training you could ever feasibly argue for, seeing at how it shaped the man before you.

You had always taken a liking to the large blonde, finding his nurturing spirit to be sweet while preparing for who would become a Warrior, and who would not. He was kind, naive, not someone you ever considered to be named a Warrior for Marley. Shockingly enough, like Porco Galliard, he was chosen as the Armored Titan. Along with Berthold, Annie, and Marcel, all appointed to protect Marley with the abusing of their own Eldian blood.

Shocked Reiner was picked over the both of you and Porco, you went to General Magath—begging to be apart of the Paradis operation regardless your lacking of power from one of the Nine. Arguing that you were a terrific strategist and intellectual when it came to a land like Paradis, and if allowed to embark on the long term fight in taking back the Founding Titan beside the Warriors you would prove your worth in potentially inheriting the Beast Titan. 

Knowing your worth in such a plan, and holding personal belief that you were maybe the strongest thinker among the Warriors next to Annie, Magath is able to convince Marley’s generals in allowing you to also embark on the journey. It’s what got you here, five years later. In a creaky, old cabin, sought after for comfort by someone as expectedly strong as the one to inherent the Armored Titan. 

“Worried.” You repeat in a warmer tone, a light smile teasing at the corners of your mouth, “Never thought you’d feel such a thing.”

Reiner’s brow tensed, not entirely appreciating the tease. You snort a light laugh, pulling your legs closer towards your side in giving him a space on the window sill. He didn’t hesitate—familiar with the gesture, he paced himself closer and leaned up across from you.

“About what, this time?” You quietly asked as he seated himself, the man responding with an elongated sigh.

“This. All of this. I can’t—“ He paused suddenly, a sharp inhale, “I really can’t have anything happen to you guys.”

Silence hangs for a longer moment between the both of you, wind lightly battering at the window, and you snort humorously. Reiner remains still, peering up at you from the corner of his eye as you watch with the same, lazy smile.

“First of all, thinking like that isn’t going to allow us to succeed. Stopping with that kind of behavior should be your first step. Secondly,” you lightly kick your foot out towards Reiner, knocking him gently on his shin, “we’re going to be fine. All of your friends are capable of handling themselves.”

“Not all of them.”

You tensed at him interjecting, confusion sweeping through you as you could tell his words clearly meant more than he was letting on.

“No?” You asked earnestly, trying to be patient for the rest of his response.

Regardless of you not having a titan, you all had learned what it meant to protect yourself in a place like this. Losing Marcel was nothing any of you had ever dreamed of happening—all in silent agreement that he was the most capable of your group and definitely who would have the steady head on his shoulders. Next thing you all knew, a titan erupted from the ground and boom. He was gone.

It was then that you remaining four would have to be on your guard’s at all times. The unpredictability of Paradis was proven to be the most dangerous element of this mission, so far. But you four were the only foreigners, everyone else had grown up in such uncertainty. So why—

“… I don’t think I follow.”

Reiner straightened up, making sure you followed him as he nodded towards the upper part of the cabin—where the rest of the Trainees had gone to rest through the storm. The suddenness hit you square in the chest, hardly leaving you with enough room to breathe. “Reiner—“

“I know! I know, I shouldn’t, I just—“ His head fell into his hands, the weight of his admittance quite literally crushing. “…I can’t help it. They all hold so much potential.”

“Good for them, but that’s not why we’re here.” You sternly remind, knowing exactly what he was talking about and not having the will to want to admit it to yourself. “We have a job, Reiner. Keep that in mind… this isn’t a trip to make some friends.”

More silence, Reiner’s fingers curled further into the blonde of his hair as he tugged at its roots. You frowned, head drooping as you pushed off the side of the window in the direction of him. You reached out carefully, pulling a hand from his hair and holding it between you both.

“Listen, I know it’s hard…” You hush now, your defensiveness carefully easing, “They’re good people.”

“Which is just the worst part of it all…” 

Reiner’s hand softly squeezed around your own, pulling it closer to his being while he sat up. He finished pulling your hand into his lap, simply holding it there. About to ask, you watched him carefully observe and study the way your hand looked in his. He pushed and pulled at your fingers, spreading them gently before finally encasing them in his much larger, tattered palm. Roughened warmth holding you there. 

“…” There seemed to be no pressing thoughts bursting at his seams, seemingly caught between two frames and content with how he came to be. Not you, you knew how he would shut himself up like this and anguish in the looming dread all by himself. It didn’t have to be like that, you always tried to convince him. Showing had always proven to be better than telling.

Starting to pull your hand back, you enclosed his hand this time and brought it back in your direction. Wanting to at least try and spark a hope in him, even if the flame had been dimmed a long time ago.

“We have to do this. If not for ourselves, for the people in Liberio.” You are focused on his knuckles in turn, now, gently brushing the pads of your thumb over his skin. “We deserve to be free of these people’s sins… our families are too important to let the devils worm their way into our hearts.”

There was a twinge of guilty pain that pressed into your heart, pulled at its strings and solidifying the feeling of being a bad person. Reiner’s hand closed over yours, and it shook you from the darkness clouding your mind. You turn back up to him, seeing that he too had been watching your hands, still. 

“You’re right. This is our mission… we gotta see it out til the end.” He encouraged, and you couldn’t help but sadly smile at the drastic shift in attitude. He had continued to be torn between being that powerful warrior he showed to his comrades in the trainee program, and the insecure maybe undeserving Warrior that had left Marley. It didn’t matter to you, he was always going to be Reiner—the same boy you cared for since you both were children.

“…I wish I could feel more like Annie.” You hummed in trying to bring a playful nature back to your voices. Reiner finally was receptive of the idea, snorting a gentle laugh in response. Pathetic and void of any true humor, but most definitely hinted at. 

“Glad I’m not alone in that way of thinking,” he chuckled, looking back towards your hands so innocently intertwined, his brow quickly screwing into a scowl in that general direction. “Your hands.”

You tilted your head in confusion, following his movements in staring down at your collective hands, “Yeah…? What about them?”

“They’re freezing.” He retracted his palm quickly from the one, his hand diving into the pocket of his uniform much to your dismay.

“Hey! They’re not made of ice—you don’t have to react like that!” You whine in meaningless complaints, more so wanting to poke fun. “Don’t tell me your that chicken of holding cold hands…”

“What? No. That’s not at all what I was trying to do.” He scoffed, smiling gently to himself as his hand still moved in his pocket. Very clearly digging for something. “I’m trying to give you something.”

“Oh, woo—ow…” you pretend to murmur in awe, “a gift? You shouldn’t have. We don’t even get paychecks, yet.”

“No, no. Not a gift…” he groaned, shaking his head with your sarcasm, “here.”

Out from his pocket, his hand which returned now clutching around two pieces of black fabric. Rugged and looser in some places versus others, they weren’t the prettiest accessory you’d ever seen. But, they were clearly made with care, and looked like an amateur’s knitting job at best.

“Where’d you find those?” You curiously breathed, leaning closer to try and get a better look at the item which he gladly presented.

“They’re mittens.” He chuckled, flipping them over in his hand before running a thumb against the yarn, “I made them.”

You finally understood the feeling of one’s heart leaping into their throat, you having to take a moment to swallow before further assessment of the gloves. No wonder they looked sloppy, Reiner had never picked up knitting before.

“How?—“

“I had some of the girl’s help me… never thought it would actually be that hard.” 

Hesitantly, you reach out and take the mittens in your own hands—giving them another look over much to Reiner’s amusement. He chuckled at how you studied his handy working, quietly shaking his head to himself. “Clearly, I underestimated the skill needed for knitting.” 

“Awe, no, stop that.” You quickly counter, trying to ignore how right the comment resonated within you. “They’re not… that bad.”

“Mmm, not that good either.”

The two of you only quietly laugh at that, knowing that no argument would be able to deny the fact that… gloves, even in times like these, certainly had tighter stitching than this. Regardless of how they might hold up against the weather, you proceed in slipping them on your hands—now spreading your fingers in the cottony covering and watching as numerous holes appeared with every way your hand bent.

You turned towards Reiner, watching his face screw into one of slight disappointment. He eventually moved back to focus on you, nodding pathetically in the direction of his craft.

“I stand by my not that good comment.” 

You chuckle again, pushing him off against his shoulder with a light pressure from your hand. Scooting closer, you begin to press a little against his side, “Ultimately, it’s the thought that counts.”

“Thoughts don’t help against cold weather.” He reminded.

“Stop being so critical! You were making mittens! For the first time, too. Not many people can say they’ve ever made a pair of mittens—me being an example!” You encourage, “You need to give yourself more credit.”

Reiner turned his head closer in your direction, not caring that your faces now stood just inches apart. He hoped that, regardless of the amount of warmth which the mittens may provide, that you could at least feel the heat in his heart he always would hold out for you. That something as cheesy as love really could protect you against the harsh cold of your shared realities. He gave one final huff of wavering humor, facing forward to then lean his head on the side of your own scalp.

“Maybe.” He remarked softly, letting your shared body heat now invade every sense of his in wanting to maybe be numb to the rest of everything else around you both, “Maybe one day I’ll go easy.”

You grew quiet at his sudden point of contact, not shying away from mindlessly returning the unspoken affection. In this window sill, you didn’t think it could get warmer anymore. The wind giving a now pitiful pattering on the glass. “I hope that day comes soon.”

[adventofheroes]

Kamen Rider Ryuki-Crossover Ryuki Chapter 9 (Final)

Ryuki arrived outside of ORE Journal, there was just one thing he had to check. A reporter always knows to follow up any loose ends. He saw Tatsuya in the same spot. 

“Tatsuya!” Shinji said. 

“Ah yes, Shinji. How has your case been going?” Tatsuya asked. 

“I figured it out, its Odin or at least someone using Odin’s power. I just need to find him. I was hoping you could tell me anything.” Shinji said.

“Odin? Odin is gone. He doesn’t exist anymore.” Tatsuya said.

“Well if I use the card I found, it’ll lead me to whoever has been attacking the riders anyway..!” Shinji said. 

He took out his deck. 

“Wait… Shinji is that such a good idea? Let’s think about it before we try something.” Tatsuya said. 

“Henshin!” Shinji said as he transformed. 

He took out the card of the blue Rider from before. 

“Abyss? You have Abyss’ card?” Tatsuya asked. 

“Adobento!” his visor said. 

Then next Kamen Rider Abyss landed next to Tatsuya. 

“I had my suspicions, but I didn’t want to believe it,” Ryuki said. 

Tatsuya’s eyes darted towards Abyss, who awaited orders from his master. His face turned from a naive look to a more cold one. 

“Good work Ryuki,” Tatsuya said. 

Suddenly Tatsuya broke apart into mirror shards revealing himself as Odin. He then took out a card from his visor that read 

“Illusion Vent.” 

“Single-use but long-lasting enough to hide myself and who owned my cards, I didn’t expect you to keep your memories, however,” Odin said. 

Ryuki’s stance became more confident as he put his hands on his hips, “I’ve been through this before. I wrote everything down this time..!” 

“You were only supposed to stall and annoy the riders so nobody could figure out my plan in at least a day,” Odin said. 

“Were you ever really Ryuki?” Ryuki asked. 

“Little of what I told you was true. I tried to run away from Kanzaki, but he forced me into becoming Odin. And there I was a mindless puppet t-till I was….. Murdered! And why? Just so you Kamen Riders could fight. Pathetic. When the Time Vent happened, I really did fall through the cracks as I kept my memories. Gold Phoenix sought me out. Thus I became Odin once again, but this time I am the one who is in control. Abyss kill him.” Odin said. 

Kamen Rider Abyss charged forward as Ryuki threw a punch at him. Abyss was knocked back as Ryuki took out a card. 

“Freeze Bento!” 

Abyss became trapped in ice as Ryuki took out another. 

“Guardo Bento!” 

Ryuki charged forward with his DragShields and he broke through the ice destroying Abyss. 

“Alright..!” he said. 

Odin then floated in front of him hovering just above his head. 

“Ah yes, those new cards I gave you. I only gave them to you, so you wouldn’t die early. I’ll be taking those back now..” Odin said. 

Suddenly the three cards flew out from Ryuki’s belt back towards Odin. Ryuki tried to grab them, but they were too quick. Odin took out the Time Vent card. 

“Now let’s reset time and I’ll kill you yesterday. It messes with my plan a lot, but I’ll figure something out.” Odin said. 

“Final Bento!” 

Suddenly Knight flew down hitting Odin. An explosion covered the scene as the Time Vent card flew in the air dissolving into pieces. Knight glided out of the flames towards Ryuki. 

“Ren!” Ryuki said, “…thanks.” 

Knight nodded, “I can feel my memories from before coming back.” 

“I guess destroying the Time Vent card did that,” Ryuki said. 

Odin then walked out of the flames dazed, “No! My plan!” 

“Let’s stop fighting Tatsuya, you have no reason to,” Ryuki said. 

“Yes, I do! You Riders preyed on me, an innocent man! There’s no justice. I didn’t even have a pure wish when Kanzaki stole my lif! And my killers stand before me escaping punishment? I’ll kill you all!” Odin said. 

He then pulled out a bunch of Advent Cards, each one showed different monsters. 

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!”

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!”

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!” 

Ryuki and Knight were then surrounded by six different monsters. Each one Ryuki had seen before. The Owl Lord, the Falcon Lord, the Crane Orphenoch, the Bird Dopant, the Bee-Woman, and the giant four-legged monster Faiz was fighting. Behind them was an army of Shocker Grunts. 

“Time to prove yourself, Kido..” Knight said. 

Ryuki swallowed in nervousness. The four-legged monster charged first Knight jumped upward as Ryuki rolled out of the way, he turned around to see Knight was on top of the monster leaving Ryuki to fight the horde. Odin watched from above before teleporting. Suddenly Ryuki was slashed from behind him pushed forward towards the Crane. She smacked him backward. 

“Arghh!” Ryuki grunted. 

“What’s the matter Shinji? You heard the man, prove yourself! This was all about you wanting to impress the Riders!” Odin said as he laughed. 

The Bee Woman flew forward slashing Ryuki as he fell.

Those.. Cards.. I need them. If I didn’t survive the Rider War..

Ryuki tried to get up but was kicked by the Bird Dopant. 

“This is pathetic..get out your Survive card or something!” Odin said. 

Ryuki then pulled out the Survive card as flames erupted around him he stood up, then suddenly Odin teleported in front of him and slapped him knocking the Survive card out of his hands. It fell on the ground and Ryuki’s transformation was broken. Odin laughed. 

“You really are just a guy with a card deck,” Odin said. 

Shinji looked down grimly. 

I don’t want to die again..! They were right, I am weak..! 

Just then Shinji heard the familiar tune of the Den-Liner as it appeared behind him. Ichigo and Nigo jumped out kicked the Bee-Woman and the Bird Dopant back. 

“Ryuki!” said Ichigo. 

The other riders jumped out of the Den-Liner rushing into battle to fight the Shocker Grunts as Ichigo held out his hand towards Shinji. He pulled himself up. 

“Stand tall, you’re the one who led us here,” Ichigo said. 

Shinji saw as Den-O appeared nearby and slashed the Crane Orphenoch. 

“And we brought some reinforcements.” Momotaros’ said. 

“Rejoice!” Ryuki turned around as he heard the booming voice of the man with a book and scarf, “The overlord of time is here! Kamen Rider ZI-O!”

Decade and ZI-O jumped forward.

“So we use Ryuki’s power to beat this guy right?” the rider asked Decade excitedly.

“Right.” Decade said. 

“Kamen Ride Ryuki!” 

“Final Form Time Ryu-yu-yuki!” 

Shinji saw as the two Riders were clad in armor similar to his. He could tell that Odin was ready for them. Odin took out one of his cards as Decade used Strike Vent to attack him. 

“Sword Bento!” 

Odin teleported away and slashed Decade’s back with his twin swords. ZI-O dashed forward and clashed with Odin’s blades. Decade got up and jumped forward with a Rider Kick, in which Odin teleported behind ZI-O and pushed him into Decade’s kick! ZI-O was knocked back into his base form as he clutched onto a watch-looking device that had Ryuki on it. 

“You know last time I fought this guy it was a lot easier,” Zi-O said looking up at Decade. 

“Keep trying, he can’t teleport his way out of all my attacks.” Decade said. 

“I believe I can,” Odin said taking out another card. 

“Final Bento!” 

Odin then floated up laughing as he pointed at Decade. The Gold Pheonix burned brightly as it combined with Odin. He then flew down crashing into Decade and emerged unharmed. Both Decade and ZI-O were completely knocked out of their transformations once again. Momotaros stomped his foot on the ground. 

“Even with Ryuki’s power they still can’t beat him! He’s too fast!” Momotaros said. 

“All Kamen Riders that oppose me will die, clearly I cannot be stopped!” Odin said. 

“Ryuki.” Said Ichigo. 

Shinji looked up and saw Ichigo was looking at where the Survive card had landed.

“You should fight him,” Ichigo said. 

“But I can’t! I’m sorry, but all of this time I’ve been in over my head! I’m not a chosen one, a cyborg, or have any sort of superpowers. I really am just a guy with a card deck. A weak one too.” Shinji said. 

“Toh!” Ichigo said as he jumped over and grabbed the Survive card, “That’s not true!” 

“Listen, kid, you may have died but you’ve impressed me. I connected the dots you tricked me earlier!” Momotaros said. 

“Ryuki!” shouted Agito as he fought the Owl Lord, “You don’t have to be special to make a difference.” 

“Yeah, I’m just a man in an armor suit who doesn’t give up!” G3 said emptying out his gun. 

“A journalist isn’t the same as a detective, but you sure solved the case,” W said as he punched a Shocker grunt. 

“The sun isn’t always around, others can be a light as well,” Kabuto said dodging every attack his way. 

“You know sometimes it’s nice to just talk with a well-meaning humble guy like you Ryuki,” Gatack said. 

“You can’t live your life moping around,” Faiz said he flew firing at the 4-legged monster. 

“Ryuki..friend!” Amazon said. 

“We’re calling you to defeat evil!” Stronger said. 

“You can soar into a new tomorrow,” Skyrider said.

Faiz flew down and grabbed Knight dropping him off near the other riders. 

“Kido maybe you were brought back for a special reason,” Knight said. 

“I didn’t wanna admit this, but while I admit your fighting style is silly, but you have a different way of thinking that can turn the tables on the enemy. We need that about right now.” Decade said. 

“I’m like what you said, “just a kid too!” but I’ve met you in the future, your powers and heroics are well remembered!” ZI-O said. 

Shinji looked around at each of the riders as his spirit began to lift up, “Really everyone?” 

Ichigo pumped his fist, “We’re all just men, but at some point, we made the choice to become Kamen Ri-ARGGHHHH!” 

Ichigo then fell over as Odin had thrown one of his swords into his back. 

“That was a lot of riff-raff. Who does he think he is? Captain America?” Odin asked as he examined his other sword, “I hope I can get that cleaned.” 

Shinji grabbed Ichigo, “Kamen Rider..! Come on finish the sentence! Hang in there!” 

Weakly, Ichigo held out the Survive card. Shinji could almost feel tears in his eyes as he snatched the card and stood up. 

“Riders regroup!” shouted Momotaros.

Shinji stepped forward as he heard the jumps and running of the other Riders. He took out his Advent Deck as flames erupted behind him. He heard the transformations of Decade and ZI-O from behind him. His Advent Deck turned from black to red. Shinji moved his arm just like Ichigo. 

“Henshin!” he shouted. 

“Survive!” 

He stared at Odin as all of his monsters had regrouped as well.

“Wait! Wait!” an excited but familiar voice shouted. 

Ryuki turned around as he saw Kamen Rider Build running towards him down the street carrying cards. 

“Sorry I’m late, but Philip and I examined your cards and Decade’s cards, and well… I’m a genius!” he shouted jumping up with glee. 

Shinji then quickly slotted a card into his DragVisor Zwei as he heard something being thrown at him. 

“Gaurdo Bento!” 

DragRanzer flew down and protected him from another one of Odin’s sword strikes. Ryuki looked up. Odin’s hands were on his face as if he was bored. 

“Look I’m just tired of interruptions,” Odin said. 

Kamen Rider Build handed Shinji the cards, as Ryuki examined them each card were Advents and abilities of other Kamen Riders. 

“We got the idea from when you used Den-O’s sword the other day, and I couldn’t just help myself..!” Build said. 

Everyone really did believe in me, I was just thinking too much! He thought. 

“Thank you! Let’s try these cards!” Ryuki said as he grabbed them. 

Ryuki looked at his selection of cards and chose one that had Faiz on it, he then loaded it in. 

“Just attack already,” Odin said. 

“Shoot Bento!” 

Faiz’s gigantic gun from his Blaster form flew down into Ryuki’s hands as both riders and monsters charged forward. Ryuki fired the gun downward at three Shocker Grunts and the Crane woman, then upward towards Odin. Odin promptly teleported out of the way. Ryuki then loaded in another card, this with Den-O. 

“You’ll never be able to properly hit me.” Odin gloated. 

“Sword Bento!” 

Den-O’s sword fell into Ryuki’s hand as he slashed forward knocking back another group of Shocker Grunts. 

“Oh, I’m just having fun! For you don’t know my joy.” Ryuki said. 

Odin then teleported behind him and slapped him forward, however, Survive form proved more resistant to his attack. 

I need some way to distract him! 

Just then Gatack ran past him. 

That’s it! 

“Gatack.. Clock Up and fight Odin!” Ryuki said. 

Gatack nodded and activated Clock Up. 

“CLOCK UP!” 

Gatack then ran at super speeds at Odin, who then teleported once again away, however, Gatack quickly switched gears as he continued to chase after him. Odin was forced to constantly teleport out of the way. Ryuki heard him yawn. 

“You won’t be able to catch me,” Odin said. 

Ryuki then slotted in several cards. 

“Rider Adobento!” 

“Rider Adobento!”

“Rider Adobento!” 

“Rider Adobento!” 

Next Agito, Den-O, W, and Wizard were teleported doing their Rider kicks flying towards Odin. 

KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! 

There were multiple explosions but it was not enough to hit Odin, who then kicked Gatack away. 

“The area of effect isn’t large enough!” Ryuki said. 

“I feel like I can help with that,” ZI-O said holding a golden watch. 

“Grando Time! Grand ZI-O!” his belt said. 

 “I think I see your plan Ryuki.” Den-O said, “Kabuto! Faiz! Help Gatack!” 

Kabuto and Faiz nodded. 

“Start Up!” 

“CLOCK UP!”

“You’ve got ten seconds Ryuki!” Den-O said. 

Odin can handle one-speed Rider, but can he handle three? Ryuki thought. 

Kabuto and Faiz dashed forward and Odin was completely distracted this time.

“Alright now I’ll bring him down..!” ZI-O said. 

Ryuki watched as ZI-O pressed the statues of the other Riders all over his body including Ryuki’s. All of the main Heisei Riders (except for the ones chasing Odin) were now in the air ready to Rider Kick. They all came down like meteors as the explosions didn’t stop coming.

“Urghhhh!” Odin said. 

The smoke began to clear as Odin emerged. His armor was cracking and the golden colors had faded more, Ryuki felt like this indicated he was weak. Odin took out another card and slotted it in.

“Gaurdo Bento!” 

Odin then caught the shield as he put it up to protect himself. 

“This guy just doesn’t know when to stop,” Momotaros said crossing his arms.

Ryuki then noticed two other Rider Advent cards, they were of Ichigo and Knight. He felt a hand on his shoulder as he turned to see Ichigo. 

“Kamen Rider..? You were faking?” Ryuki asked. 

Ichigo laughed, “If there’s anything I’ve learned from you Heisei Riders, it’s how to be more dramatic!” 

Another hand on his other shoulder, “Kido, let’s go.” Knight said. 

Ryuki then jumped up slotting in the two cards, Ichigo and Knight appeared behind him as they all three jumped forward, their feet crashed into the shield as it broke, Odin was then hit.

The impact knocked him backward rolling onto the ground several feet away, yet he continued to stand up. 

“How could he withstand that?” Knight asked. 

Odin held up a single card, it read “Confine Vent.” 

“He must have slotted it in as we were kicking!” Ryuki said. 

“Rider Punch!” Ichigo said dashing forward. 

“Freeze Bento!” Odin’s visor said. 

Ichigo was then frozen, Odin then slotted in another card. 

“Clear Bento!” 

From the air, Knight was hit by Odin’s twin swords. He was knocked backward out of his transformation before appearing before Ryuki. 

“These new cards prove that you’re useless with your own power!” Odin said pointing at Ryuki. 

Ryuki paused for a moment. 

Could he be right?…No! He thought. 

Ryuki then laughed. 

“I’ve always been a formidable fighter, I understand that now. Besides everyone needs help sometimes!” he said taking out the Survive card from his DragVisor Zwei. Ryuki then reverted into his base form and kicked Odin away. Odin then charged back, fist forward, and let out a frustrated grunt. Ryuki quickly slotted in one of his cards. 

“Guardo Bento!” 

Ryuki then held up his DragShields and charged forward crashing into Odin. Splitting apart the shields, Ryuki then headbutted him, and then crouched downward slamming the shields onto his legs. He heard Odin grunt in pain as he kicked him again. Odin backed away holding his hand over his chest. Ryuki then took out his sword vent card and caught his sword, clutching it. 

“I-I-I can still teleport..!” Odin said. 

Ryuki could hear the desperation in his voice as he nodded. Golden feathers then fell in front of his face as he quickly turned around and slashed Odin. 

“ARGGGGHHHH!” Odin screamed again. 

“Strike when you see golden feathers!” Ryuki shouted. 

Odin was then on the ground, tired and weak. 

“Kill me. You Riders always wanted that.” Odin said. 

Ryuki stared at him, “I’ll never kill anyone Tatsuya. You’re just a guy who got mixed up in all of this.” 

“No!” Odin said, “I’ll die on my own terms then!” 

Odin disconnected his cracked deck and smashed it on the ground. Ryuki then heard the Golden Phoenix screech from behind him. It flew towards Tatsuya intending to eat him as the Contract had been ended. 

“No, you don’t!” Ryuki said. 

“Adobento!” 

DragRedder flew downward shooting a fireball at the Phoenix before opening its mouth to chomp upon the bird. 

“WHY?!” Tatsuya asked, “How could you let me live after all I’ve done?”

Ryuki turned around as he saw Ren picking up Tatsuya, “That’s just how Kido is. Now.. Get lost!” 

Ren threw him into a mirror forcing him to leave the Mirror World. Ryuki then looked at his arm as it was fading away. It was time for everyone to leave. Ryuki left with Knight and Ichigo. (The ice had cracked as soon as Tatsuya had left transformation.) Everyone boarded the Den-Liner. 

—————————————————

There was a massive Rider party aboard the Den-Liner. Ryuki sat at a table with Ren, Hongo, and Momotaros. Naomi served them coffee. In the background, the other Riders were dancing with the Imagin. 

“Thank you Naomi,” Shinji said smiling. 

“You’re welcome Shinji..!” she said winking at him. 

“I’ll pass,” Ren said. 

Naomi then gave him a mean glare. 

Shinji saw as Momotaros covered his mouth, “That’s right we never told her it was you and not Knight-jerk who refused her drinks.” 

Shinji sipped Naomi’s drink before spitting it out, “I accepted this time to be polite. Also, I have a date with her on Saturday.” 

Momotaros laughed, “Good luck Drag- Shinji!” 

Shinji then looked at his watch as his eyes widened, “I’m late for work!” 

“You know this is a time travel train right?” Momotaros asked. 

“Yes, but you always chose the wrong time..!” Shinji said. 

“Alright..alright,” Momotaros said. 

“I’m first this time?” Shinji asked. 

Momotaros nodded as he exited to another part of the train car. 

The train came to a halt as Shinji hopped off, Ren followed. 

“Ryuki!” Ichigo’s voice said from behind. 

Shinji turned around to see all of the other Riders waving goodbye. Shinji smiled as he waved goodbye. 

“I’m going back to Eri. See you around Kido.” Ren said as they went separate ways. Shinji composed himself and walked to the front door, but he heard someone beside him. He turned to his left to see Tatsuya holding out a cup of change. Shinji pulled out his wallet and gave him some money before stepping inside. 

If he had stayed a moment longer he would have heard Tatsuya say, “Thank you.. Ryuki.”

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

Epilogue

Shinji was sitting on the Den-Liner as Momotaros, Urataros, Kintaros, and Ryutaros all crowded around.

“So you can make Decade more cards based off of me..?” he asked.

“Certainly! We send him new cards all the time based off of the newer riders. ” Momotaros said.

Ryutaros covered his face, “Momo that’s supposed to be a secret!”

Urataros leaned into Shinji’s ear and said, “Sempaii isn’t the most efficient leader.”

“A secret is a secret!” Kintaros declared.

“SHUT UP!” Momotaros said stomping, “SHUT UP ALL OF YOU! SHINJI IS THERE ANY IMPORTANT MOVES YOU DO BEFORE BATTLE?”

Shinji rubbed his chin, “Well there is one thing.”

Later…

Decade ran forward as he chased after an Mirror Monster.

I thought Ryuki was supposed to have taken care of all of these things?

The Mirror Monster was based off an Rhino and was quite large. It jumped into a mirror to escape Decade, as he quickly chased after it.

This will be the perfect time to try out those new cards the Imagin gave me.

He took out his cards and opened the Neo-Decadriver. The card he read was called “Attack Ride- Sha!” Decade looked at it puzzlingly and put it in the driver.

“Attack Ride..! Sha!”

Not being in control of his movements, Decade forcefully copied Ryuki’s signature fist pumped and shouted “Sha!”

The Mirror Monster looked at him confused as it charged into him throwing him into a wall before escaping. Decade groaned and held onto his stomach.

“Those idiot Imagin and their cursed catchprhase cards!” he said.

Elsewhere Metalgelas returned to his master Kamen Rider Gai as the beast held out an card stolen from Decade. Kamen Rider Gai snatched the card.

“The fool probably didn’t even know what hit him. This will do nicely.” Gai said.

He held the card up to the light, it read “Kamen Ride RYUKI Survive.”

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

Hey, everyone message from the author. Thank you for reading! Crossover Ryuki was my first big writing project I completed. It has been readded to Tumblr as part of expanding my reach. Please follow this blog to check out my original content and future tokusatsu and Kamen Rider fanfics.

[raitrolling]

The Amplifying Dissonance

[Easy reading version on Toyhou.se]

There is something wrong with the town’s scientist.

Lusien had known that for a long time. He typically stayed out of Vallis’ way because of the cuspblood’s strange obsessions, but it is hard to avoid someone forever in such a small town. That, and his presence since he started getting involved with the eldritch had become increasingly more overpowering.

Far, far too much had been stuffed inside that troll’s body, rotting him from the inside-out until he was nothing more than a vessel for Those Who Slumber In The Deep. Lusien could no longer look him directly in the eye for too long, as it caused his psiionics to strain and his thoughts to scramble, dredged with unpleasant memories.

He did not experience this whenever he was with Thrixe, or even when he gazed out to sea and caught a glimpse of the Slumbering Ones. It made him wonder if this was just a product of his own anxiety, or, perhaps… It is Vallis himself who is struggling to maintain a balance between who he was and what he’s become. 

He was well-aware about the dangers of getting involved with the eldritch: It was only half a sweep ago that he had accidentally fallen to the horrorterrors’ influence while he was trying to quell their rage. He was also well-aware of how dangerous the scientist was before he had found his new calling. Vernrot Harbour’s isolated location, generally apathetic opinions towards Imperial laws, and its connection to strange occurrences did make it appear rather mutant-friendly. Some trolls would visit the town on their own accord, and some may find themselves inexplicably washed up on the shore. None of them would make it out safely if they crossed paths with Vallis.

He had once told Lusien that the blueblood’s psiionic eyes were undesirable because the power distribution was asymmetric. Lusien did not want to imagine what was happening to psiionics and mutants less ‘fortunate’ than him. 

Despite all this, he could not help but pity Vallis somewhat. On the small occasions he had bumped into the cuspblood while they were doing their respective nightly activities, he seemed wholly unaware of the situation he was in. Clueless, naive, and if he hadn’t heard Thrixe complaining about what the other seadweller had done, Lusien would have considered him an innocent victim.

The last time they had met, however, that seemed to have changed.

Lusien had spent the evening at Dunwich Pier, fishing. He wanted to catch something fresh for that night’s dinner, but with the only bites being the juvenile fishmen that plague the town’s waters he was on the verge of giving up. He had nothing against the fish markets and on nights he was more successful than usual would often donate his catches to the fishmongers, but he enjoyed the achievement of being able to eat his own catches. He decided he’d wait just a little longer, and if nothing bit within the next twenty minutes or if his last catch was another fishman, he’d cut his losses and go home.

He sat patiently on the ice box he uses as a makeshift chair, keeping a steady gaze on the ocean. His ears twitched, tuning into a sound approaching him. The noise resembled the whispers of Those Who Slumber In The Deep, which Lusien was not unfamiliar with hearing, but… Louder, more joyous. A song that could only send shivers down the blueblood’s spine.

“Oh! 120bpm. That was a sudden jump! I suppose you weren’t expecting me? Then. Haha.” 

That particular eccentric tone was all-too-familiar to Lusien, and he took one of his hands off the fishing rod to place it against his chest. His heart was racing, but how did he know…?

He turned around slowly, and met the gaze of the town’s scientist. Another chill ran down his spine. Vallis was happily humming away, seemingly still unaware of the unstable, shifting aura that plagued him. Of course he would be, that was something only Lusien was capable of seeing through his psiionic eye. But there was something different in the way Vallis looked at him.

He was not just looking down on him from the literal sense that he was standing while Lusien was sitting, but there was an otherworldly condescension to his gaze. The same way one might look at an insect and know just how insignificant its life is compared to their own, and how easily they could cause that life to end. 

Lusien didn’t say anything, causing Vallis to grin with amusement. The scientist did not have to be an expert in reading body language to understand what the shocked expression on the blueblood’s face meant.

“Unfortunate! But, understandable. You can tell what I am now. Yes?”

The blueblood nodded slowly, wary.

“Haha. I recall when you first told me that. You could see the unseen. Very cryptic! I did not believe you at first. But. Now I know! You were correct. Isn’t that great to hear? We have both been gifted something wonderful.”

Lusien’s eyebrows raised slightly at that.

“This is my bloodline’s psiionic. I was hatched with it, not gifted.” He politely corrected the other troll.

“Of course! Of course.” Vallis grinned again, and pointed a finger at the lighthouse keeper. Lusien noticed that his hands were as black as the gloves he was wearing, gloves that only covered half of the palm to accommodate for the webbing that had grown between his fingers. “But. You were still gifted to live here. And. Also bear witness to the Slumbering Ones! They sing praises for you. Very responsible. And very kind.”

Lusien’s heart began racing even faster, and not even the cold rain constantly bearing down on him could prevent him from feeling sweaty. The horrorterrors plague the minds of the town’s residents, keeping them ignorant of the eldritch nature of Vernrot Harbour. They do this to prevent the town from going mad, and to keep a low profile so that their existence on this plane of reality is perpetuated. He has had discussions with the investigators from Gaia, who routinely monitor the town’s eldritch horrors. If the town is ever labelled dangerous and the Slumbering Ones a threat, who knows what lengths the organisation would go to in order to shut them down.

Somehow, Vallis had become aware of his situation, but his mind still appeared to be clouded. He recognised his relation to the horrorterrors, but didn’t seem to realise how dangerous that could be. The cuspblood still continued his song, and the humming began to worm its way into Lusien’s mind. If he listened too closely, he’d start to lose his focus.

He shook his head. No, it is not that Vallis didn’t realise the danger, he simply did not care. And that was far more of a threat to not just himself, but the entire town.

“Be careful.” The blueblood warned, his tone stern. “They do not understand trolls. And, you are still a troll.” 

“I am!” Vallis nodded. “But. As you can tell. I am also so much more! It surprises me, then. How you are not always so fascinated by what you see. Or. Is it because you have known your entire life? While I am in. Well. Quite the predicament! This is new to me, but. I know I have also always felt this way.” 

“Probably. I’m used to it,” Lusien replied, a little less tense. He was getting a better idea of the situation.

“Hm. Hm! I’m a little envious. But also. Not at all!” The cuspblood laughed, which even that sounded a little too melodious for Lusien’s liking. He knew he had to get away from here. “But. I think it’s nice. That we have some common ground. A clear head. A shared experience. A connection!” 

That put Lusien on edge, and he drew in a sharp breath. Is that what Vallis really thought, or were the horrorterrors leading him down that path? And what could they want with him?

He had to stay calm. He could be overthinking it, but he also knew for certain that Vallis was not as clear-minded as he claimed to be. Just like Thrixe, there was a delicate balance that the cuspblood needed to maintain between his troll self and the eldritch being he had become, but unlike his friend he was far more at risk of drifting too deeply towards the latter. He was too caught up in the excitement of a new discovery that Lusien feared he could reject his troll side completely. It was his understanding that was how Vallis fell to eldritch influence in the first place, by becoming so obsessed with his research while failing to understand exactly what he had discovered. 

“Okay,” He finally answered, and Vallis tilted his head with slight confusion. “I suppose we do, but. I think we should speak about this another time. I’m busy tonight.”

He had to leave now, and formulate a plan.

Lusien stood up, reeled in his fishing line, and began to pack away his things. Vallis was unperturbed, he knew that the lighthouse keeper was never one for conversation, and that was unlikely to change. He stepped aside to give the other troll room, watching how the blueblood unhooked the lure and returned it to the tacklebox with the rest of his baits and lures. Some were simple hooks, others took on the appearance of colourful fish with plastic frills that ripple in the water, and others had a soft gummy texture that made Vallis feel hungry when he looked at them. Before he could make an inquiry about the soft plastic squid lures, the box was snapped shut and returned to the lighthouse keeper’s modus alongside his fishing rod and ice box.

“Of course! I would love to chat with you. Actually! I had dismissed you as awfully gloomy. But. Well. Now I understand! You must have felt lonely. Seeing what is around us, but having limited interaction with them. The rest of the town is so ignorant. So sad!” Vallis’ tone is cheerful, but distant. These were his own words, and possibly also his own feelings, but the blueblood could not help but feel like something was missing. Something vital to the troll experience.

He also didn’t want to confirm or deny if he was lonely. He never realised his own loneliness until he had met Anirus, but he couldn’t risk giving the horrorterrors a means to worm their way back into his mind again. He knew the dangers, and he vaguely remembered how terrified his matesprit was to find him in such a poor state, that he could not bear to repeat the same mistake as last time.

“Next week, then. I can visit you.” He nodded, carefully. A week will give him time to figure out how he should approach this.

“Great! I’ll look forward to it!” Vallis grinned, the spots under his eyes and lining the bottom of his ears glowing. Another thing that reminded the blueblood of Thrixe. Perhaps it's those similarities that lead him to this decision.

Lusien nodded again, and took his leave. He didn’t take one last look at the scientist, but the sound of a splash behind him made it clear that Vallis had made his way to the pier for a swim. He felt his whole body relax once the other troll was underwater, and the sound of his humming was no longer swirling around in his mind. He reached into his pocket for his cigarettes and lighter, then lit one up while he continued home. 

Getting involved with an unstable horrorterror hybrid was something he had no intention of doing after his previous stint with Those Who Slumber In The Deep, but he knew how much the town depended on keeping the balance. If Vallis were to fall too far, he could easily start affecting the other residents, or even lead the horrorterrors into extending their influence to dangerous levels. He knew the cuspblood had friends, but he wasn’t overly familiar with them. Were they encouraging him, helping him hold back, or were they equally as ignorant as everyone else around them? 

He had to be careful, but this time he knew how to recognise when he is starting to be affected by the eldritch influence again. He could talk to Thrixe about it as well, although he knows that he will have to be steadfast in his determination that speaking with Vallis was necessary. No one else in town could help, and the scientist very rarely travelled out of town these nights so any outside help is few and far between. He could not let himself become too preoccupied with his responsibility to the town, but keeping the town in balance will always be one of his highest priorities.

After all, there are some things only he is capable of doing.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this Week #114 (Year 3/Week 10):

Innocence Lost in Close, my 2nd sensitive drama by Belgian Lukas Dhont. Movingly and tenderly it details an intimate friendship - love, rather - between two 13-year-old boys. The script, style and direction are flawless and restrained, and the acting of the two amateur teens is pitch-perfect. 10/10.

I really should watch ‘Girl’, his debut film, again.

From the 5 Oscar nominees for Best International feature this weekend I’m missing only ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ by now. My favorite is still ‘The Quiet Girl’, with this ‘Close’ a close second.

🍿

3 from Portugal:

🍿 A landmark of Portuguese New Cinema and Paulo Rocha's underrated debut masterpiece The Green Years ('Os Verdes Anos'). A naive 19-year-old boy from the provinces come to Big City Lisbon of 1963, finds a job as a cobbler assistant, and falls in love with a pretty housemaid. Beautifully gentle and nostalgic, also leisurely-episodic and unrestrained - with a shocking finale. 7/10.

🍿 “...Everything I’m telling you is not reality, but tales...”

Tabu by Miguel Gomez, a black & white magical realist story of madness, obsession and colonialism. A heartbroken explorer commits suicide by jumping into a river infested with crocodiles. A kind middle-aged women tries to help her delusional neighbor who lives in the apartment next door, together with her black maid. A search for a mystery man who committed a grave sin many years ago and miles away. All those and more are mixed into a poetic metaphor of lost love and lost empire.

Mesmerizing and engrossing, melancholic and transcendental - The best film of the week!

(The only issue I had with the story is that it talks of the past in “Africa�� instead of Mozambique, but maybe this is how they talk about it now, I don’t know)

🍿 Ice Merchants, a wordless, enigmatic story about loss which was Oscar nominated for this year’s animated short. It tells of a father and son who live alone in a cabin hanging on a side of a mountain thousands of meter above the ground. Every day they parachute in tandem down to the village below, to sell the ice they gather up there. And every time they jump down, they lose their hats.

🍿 

Allegro Non Troppo, my first by Italian animator Bruno Bozzetto, creator of the ‘Signor Rossi’ cartoon character. It’s a low-rent Italian ‘Fantasia’, a light-hearted feature that showcases psychedelic animations to 6 classic evergreens, including a dance of sugar molecules inside a bottle of Coca-Cola to the tune of Ravel’s Bolero, as well as pieces by Debussy, Dvořák, Sibelius, Stravinsky, and Vivaldi. It specifically asks to be be compared as a parody of the superior Disney original.

🍿

2 by new French director Constance Meyer, both with Gérard Depardieu:

🍿 Another wonderful random discovery: Robust, a powerful debut feature by a young female director (who doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page). It’s a terrific story of two larger-than-life people: Depardieu as an aging, seriously-overweight and lonely superstar, disgusted with life and wishing to be dead. And a black, 22-year-old, 300-lbs. female wrestler who’s assigned to be his helper/bodyguard for a month, and who is not intimidated by his fame or reckless behavior. The two fantastic professionals develop an unlikely relationship without pity or allusions. The young no-bullshit security guard character (Déborah Lukumuena) is a revelation: she’s surprisingly well-rounded, highly-talented in her own right, strong, confident and sexual, with a skinny boyfriend she holds at arm’s length.

I loved its physicality, and will highly recommend it. The trailer. 9/10. 

🍿 Mayer directed only 2 short films before ‘Robust’, both of them also with Depardieu: ‘Frank-Étienne Towards Grace’ (which I cannot find online) and Rhapsody from 2016. It’s an inexplicable poetic story of an old, heavy loner who lives in a small tower apartment, and takes care of a tiny baby the neighbor leaves with him every morning. 

🍿 

Naked Normandy (2018), a light and charming French comedy about French mayor Francois Cluzet who has to convince his villagers to pose naked in a field for a famous American photographer. Toby Jones is obviously Spencer Tunick, and the field he wants to stage his photograph is obviously Windows XP ‘Bliss, “the most viewed photograph in history”. 6/10.

🍿

My life as a zucchini, a stop-motion animated Swiss film that was Oscar-nominated in 2016. In Aardman Studio-style, it tells a sweet and sad story about a little boy who kills his alcoholic mom by accident, and who is sent to an orphanage with 6 other unfortunate kids. It was written by my favorite director Céline Sciamma. Heartfelt and compassionate. (Photo Above).    

🍿

2 with Dean Stockwell:

🍿 I haven’t seen much of Francis Ford Coppola’s last 30+ years (Except of Godfather 3, of course), so I sought his 1987 Gardens of Stone. Another polemic of his about the Vietnam War, it tells of the guards at the Arlington National Cemetery who perform the military kabuki mass-burying dead soldiers. The theater is beautiful, but the drama is a bit outdated. With peak Anjelica Huston and concert promoter Bill Graham (who had a flourishing film career at that time), James Earl Jones, and many others. 3/10.

🍿 I didn’t realize that Stockwell’s career "spanned seven decades” and that he started as a child actor, with his breakthrough role as a young boy in the musical Anchors aweigh. A terrible story of two naive sailors on a shore leave in Hollywood, with thin, virginal Frank Sinatra, and buddy Gene Kelly, both acting and behaving like two six-graders who just discover ‘Dames’. Even the singing and tap dancing numbers are third-grade. It’s notable for the scene when Gene Kelly appears with the animated Tom and Jerry, but this is the only watchable scene that is not dull. 2/10.

🍿

Love letters from 1953, the first film directed by the actress Kinuyo Tanaka, who was the second woman to have a career as a film director in Japan. It’s a romance story about post-war Japan still bearing the scars of the occupation and assimilation. A former prisoner-of-war gets a job writing English-language love letters for females whose GI lovers went back to America. An interesting melodrama.

🍿

After loving the John Cho thriller ‘Searching’ (I saw it 4 times last year!) I was not looking forward to the director’s new “standalone sequel” (because sequels!). The 'Screenlife’ genre where all events are shown on computer, smartphones and tablets is clever, and the team behind it have already produced 4-5 movies just like that. The best thing to say about the new version. Missing, is that it’s exactly the same as the surprise hit from 5 years ago. The only difference is that instead of a father looking for his missing daughter. it’s the daughter looking for her missing mother. So it’s strange, they decided to go that way, surely for viewers new to the set-up. On the other hand, for the old fans, it’s completely redundant. 5/10.

🍿

2 new documentaries with 100% Tomato score:

🍿 Following last week’s discovery of Charles Burnett’s neglected black masterpiece ‘Killer of Sheep’, I was happy to dig into Is That Black Enough for You?!? Film critic Elvis Mitchell’s essay about the legacy of African-American film history from the silent era to its Golden Age of the 1970′s. Samples of hundreds of black movies that were lost, forgotten, censured and white-washed, left me with a big new list of movies to look forward to.

However, his encyclopedic knowledge of the topic was delivered too hurriedly and without digging deep into any particular point. The only overreaching impression is how inherently racist Hollywood’s Amerika had always been. 6/10.

🍿 Ron Howard’s portrait of big-time humanitarian / celebrity chef José Andrés, We feed people. Andrés established his non profit organization ‘World Central Kitchen’, which cooks for survivors after natural disasters. A mix of touching scenes of destruction, together with the usual TV-documentaries blandness. Not 100% for me.

🍿

Another Oscar-nominated Chilean docudrama - with “only” 94% Tomato-score - The Mole Agent, has a wonderful premise: An 84-year-old man answers an employment ad that specifically asks for a very old candidate. His job is to infiltrate a Santiago nursing home, pose as an applicant resident there, and investigate undercover if there’s truth to the claims of abuse toward the mostly female residents. In the course of the 3 months he lives there, he uses clandestine recordings, micro camera pen and Google-type glasses to send daily reports to an off-site investigator. 

I guess it “is” a documentary, in the sense that obviously the location and residents are real, but it’s better not to regard it as a documentary in the strict sense, because it’s obviously filmed with a supporting crew and with the approval from the nursing home.

The very human stories of the old ladies at the end of their lives is moving and fascinating. 8/10.

This is my 26th film in 2023 directed by a woman. I am excited about director Maite Alberdi’s new film ‘The Eternal Memory’.

🍿

Following Elvis Mitchell’s advise (above), I started with Harry Belafonte’s brave 1959 Film Noir Odds Against Tomorrow. It’s an expertly-scripted plot by blacklisted Araham Polonsky, who was credited for the screenplay under another name. Crisp, tight and engaging classic about 3 small timers who try to rob a bank, ring leader Ed Begley, suave nightclub singer Belafonte, and racist ex-con SOB Robert Ryan who doesn’t want to take a job with a colored man. A terrific heist gone awry story with racial undertones. 8/10.

🍿

I used to like Bo Widerberg since his ‘Elvira Madigan’ days. His 1984 The man from Majorca is a highly-enjoyable Nordic style police procedural with cover-ups and conspiracies galore. It is often compared to ‘The French Connection’. The lead is played by ‘Uncle Gunnar’ from ‘My life as a dog’. 7/10.

🍿 

After reading the new Atlantic’s portrait 'Schwarzenegger’s Last Act’, I watched Pumping Iron, the Reality TV documentary that put bodybuilding on the map. I can’t believe I was lifting weights too for about 2 years around that time. 3/10.

🍿

Predestination, a bullshit Australian science-fiction story, complicated and stupid, unfolded as a “Barroom story”. Pre-Succession doppelganger Sarah Snook (one as a woman and one after a sex assignment surgery, where she looks like a young Leonardo DiCaprio) and horribly-playing Ethan Hawke ham it out. 2/10.

🍿

There are Jews in the world, there are Buddhists There are Hindus and Mormons, and then There are those that follow Mohammed, but I've never been one of them...

The meaning of life, Monty Python’s final film, aged very well! Still surreal, irreverent, funny and full of extraordinary violence. Also with 4 Superb musical numbers: ‘Every sperm is sacred’, ‘The Galaxy Song’, ‘The Penis song’ and ‘Christmas in heaven’. And some genial scenes and situations: “Find the Fish”, "Live Organ Transplants", "Oh shit—it's Mr. Creosote!". Also the standalone swashbuckling introduction of ‘The Crimson Permanent Assurance' (with young Max Headroom!). 9/10.

“NOW! Sex, Sex, sex....”

🍿

Throw-back to the art project:  

Monty Python Adora.

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(My complete movie list is here)

[moths-in-the-attic]

'Tis the Season by Andrea Readwolf and Kate Butler

Santa's Little Helpers

*Reeny*

It all started innocently enough. I know, I know, that seems very funny--me talking about innocence, and not doing anything wrong, but I mean it this time. Really, I do... Okay, um...Maybe I'm not all that innocent.

You see, each and every year, Harbor Elementary kids sign up to do nice things for poor people during the holiday season. And this year, me, Reeny--the new kid, the strange kid--got stuck with the one job that no one wanted. Playing Santa and his elves in a stupid Christmas pageant at the orphanage. And that was how it all started...

*Darien*

I was walking down the street, minding my own business, trying to think up the easiest way to avoid Serena and still make it to work on time. And that was when a young voice yelled out to me.

"Darien! Darien!"

I whirled around, not sure whether I would see a little pink-headed girl with an intent to claim me, or if I would have my blonde ex-girlfriend run up and beg me for her eternal forgiveness--Serena and Reeny sound so much alike sometimes, it's really, really frightening. But--and I sighed in relief at this--it was the former (Reeny), smiling up at me with those naively innocent red eyes that I so adore.

"How are you, Darien?" she asked in a sugary-sweet tone. That meant only one thing. She wanted something.

Crouching down, I smiled pleasantly at the child. "Hi, Teeny- Reeny. It's so nice to see you."

"Yeah, well...." Scuffing her little white shoes together, she stared at me. "Darien, will you help me with something?"

Ah, the kiss of death. "Uhh...what do I need to help you with?" If it involved Serena, the other Sailor Scouts, certain talking cats, or anything curry, I wasn't going to help.

Period.

As cranky as it sounds, it's true.

"All you have to do," she assured me sweetly, "is to dress up like Santa and then do a play with me." She sniffled softly. "Please?"

Me? In a play? I should have said no. But those big, cinnamon eyes...and that cute little button nose...not to mention her absolutely adorable pink meatball hair...

"Uh...sure..." I stammered, cursing cute children in general.

*Serena*

"Come on, Serena! Lighten up!"

I stuck out my tongue and proceeded to use Sailor Moon's death kick on Sailor Mars. "Ha ha!" I laughed triumphantly. "Three games in a row, Sammy! Beat THAT!"

Pouting, my younger brother turned off the video game and crossed his arms. "I don't want to play with you anymore!"

Sticking my nose into the air, I stood up and put my hands upon my hips--very smugly. I had been trying for weeks to beat him at that game. "You're just jealous!"

The reaction I got from Sammy was like rubbing salt in a large and open wound. "You're such a dweeb!" he shot back, standing and giving me the evil eye. "You wouldn't know true courage and power if it knocked you in your fat butt!"

Growling, I lowered my eyes dangerously. "Yeah?"

"Yeah!" Sammy shot back.

"Oh yeah?"

"YEAH!"

Just then, I became aware of someone tugging on my denim skirt. And, when I looked from my now angry brother and downward, an overwhelming urge to gag. "What do you want, spore?" I asked Reeny in what I supposed to be an annoyed tone.

She sniffled. "Can I talk to you about a...a school project?"

Like what? Toasting human brains? "Uh..." Chewing on my lower lip, I considered it. Sure, she was an incredibly evil little spawn, but she was cute...and near tears...

"What project, Reeny?" She grinned. I guess that I had given myself away that easily. I was trapped as soon as that cute little smile crossed her face and made its way to me.

Trapped.

Completely cornered.

"It's a play," she explained sweetly. "For school. At the orphanage. We need two elves, a Mrs. Claus, a Christmas angel, a sweet little girl, and an Ice Princess."

Some play. But I sighed and nodded slowly; after all, I was trapped. And, besides, don't you think that the Princess of the Moon would make a stunning Christmas angel?

*Amy*

"X equals the opposite of B, plus or minus the square root..." Trailing off, I chewed on the pencil eraser thoughtfully.

No, that couldn't be right.

As the sun shone down on me, I shivered a bit. Since I'm so attuned to ice and water, I forget too often where I am and what I am doing. In this instance, for example, I was doing my college-level algebra homework on the balcony... In below freezing temperatures.

Grabbing my books, I chided myself for such foolish behaviors. I may be a friend to all water, but that doesn't mean that I'm immune to hypothermia.

As I walked back into the apartment, I heard a knock at the door. This was an extremely unusual occurrence because the other Sailor Scouts rarely visit my at home. This does get lonely, but it is the truth. Opening the door a crack, I saw the familiar pink-haired child who--for some reason that I've yet to understand--has taken a shining to me. I let her in, smiling involuntarily. As much as some of us like to deny it, the child is instant sunshine.

"Hi, Amy!" announced Reeny, hugging my legs. "I'm happy to see you!"

A bit perplexed at the sudden embrace, I pulled away and went to find the cookies Lita had made for me. "Hello, Reeny," I greeted her, glad to have someone in the otherwise empty apartment. "What brings you all the way over here?"

Her face turned very serious. "Fate."

Fate? "An interesting answer from such a little girl," I informed her, furrowing my brow and handing her a cookie. "Do you need help?"

Well, it turned out she did. Something about a play for orphans, and she really needed a graceful and beautiful ice princess. I had quite an urge to turn her down and refuse all inclusion. I'm no actress, and I will not parade around, pretending to be one. However, I am the Princess of Mercury, and an Ice Princess by default. "Sure, Reeny," I sighed sweetly. "I'll do it."

*Raye*

"Sleigh bells--like--ring... Are ya listen'? In the--like-- lane... Snow's glistenin'... A totally beautiful sight, we're all happy ta-night... Walkin' in a winter--like--wonderland..."

As Chad sung his screwed-up version of "Winter Wonderland", I covered my ears and sighed miserably. Queen Beryl would have died at the sound of his beach-bum voice, but I...I, much stronger a person than that evil Queen... I screamed.

"STOP SINGING THAT STUPID SONG!!!"

There was momentary silence, and I let out a long, shuddering breath because of it. The quiet was so...so astounding... I wanted to cry out in sick, sick joy. And then, Chad called across the temple courtyard to me, his face twisted in an impish grin as he tightened some of the electric guitar strings.

"You don't like that song, Raye?" he asked me, a bit of evil echoing in his voice. "I'll sing a different one."

"No?" I attempted, my head still poking out of the living room door.

A chord was played, and Chad--the jerk--cleared his throat. "Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is-like—so delightful... And we ain't got no place ta go... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

Sliding the door shut angrily, I groaned. Why me? WHY ME? Here I am--talented, beautiful, and hand maiden to a blonde princess—and I'm stuck spending Christmas with Chad! Kill me now!

As I laid down on the couch and listened to the hard-rock version of "Let it Snow", the phone rang. I didn't want to--or feel like--answer it. Sighing in defeat, I listened to the machine.

"Hi, this is the Hino residence and Cherry Hill Temple. We're not answering the phone right now, so leave a message." There was an obnoxious beep as the incoming call connected with the tape recorder, and then... I heard a voice that I really didn't expect. After all, Serena's the one who usually leaves the annoying messages...

Stuff like "Hi, this is Serenity, and I think Endymion is sexy. Have a nice day!"... But this--this was unusual.

"Hey, Raye? This is Reeny. Uh...I was wondering if you'd like to play Mrs. Claus in this play we're putting on at school. Please?" I heard her sniffle, which was a patented way to convince me to cave in and join a cause.

I sighed and picked up the phone. "Reeny, this is Raye," I spoke into the receiver, drawing an elated yelp from the little girl. "Of course, I'll help."

She thanked me about sixty times and hung up.

As I put down the phone, I heard more silence, and I smiled. Then, it started again.

"Like--Deck them halls with lots a holly. Fa la la la la...la la, la la!"

"CHAD!"

*Lita*

I didn't see it coming--yes, I am complaining, because I am extremely upset--but I didn't FREAKING see it coming!

Mina's mom and dad were out of town for Christmas, so I had offered to come and stay over at her place for a couple of days. You know, twenty-four hour girl talk with all the fringe--and fridge-- benefits. So, anyway, we were setting up the tree when the doorbell rang and Artemis, bless his furry soul, decided to check the door for us while I wrestled with the lights from hell and while Mina sorted the sea of old ornaments. He came back with a frightened look on his white face.

"It's Reeny," the cat announced to us.

Nearly tripping over a never-ending string of bright orange lights, I raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"You heard me," Artemis shot back, skidding to a halt before a large gold ball-shaped decoration. "And she wants to talk to you two."

"You answered the door?" inquired Mina, raising her eyebrows.

He made a face. "No, Mina," he told her, shaking his head. "I pretended to be your father and told her to hang on. So GO!"

Both jumping at the sudden exclamation, Mina and I made our way to the front door, not knowing what to expect.

*Mina*

We had no clue what to expect, as Lita said. Leading the little kid into my (messy) living room, I started to day-dream about what it could possibly be. A secret Scout spy mission? The return of Sailor V to network television? Time to get Darien and Serena back together? Or maybe, just maybe, little Reeny was a Sailor Soldier in training and THAT'S why...

Okay, I have got to cut down on the brownies. Remind me to hide Lita's recipe.

As we sat down on the couch, careful not to smash any Christmas lights, ornaments, or plates, Reeny sniffled a little. She was conning us into something. I knew it right then and there. She was up to know good! Yeah, well, I'm Sailor V! So there!

"I have this really important play to do for the orphanage," she told us sweetly, in a voice that was impossibly innocent. "And I need two actresses like you to play Christmas elves..."

"Actresses...like...US?" I stuttered, taken aback by the compliment.

Lita crossed her arms. "I will NOT play an elf!"

The girl nodded, pigtails bobbing. "Oh, Mina, you're such a great actress!" she grinned. "You make Sailor V look like a flake!"

I blushed a bit. "Really?"

"I will not be an elf!" repeated Lita, who was being ignored.

"Yep! You're great!" cooed Reeny.

I was in. Hands down.

*Lita*

Okay, I'm five-foot-FREAKING-six! I'm not an elf! How dare she? Who does she think she is, the little brat? I have half a mind to...

"I'd love to help you, sweetie," smiled Mina lovingly, patting the little head. "I can't wait to play an elf."

Damn. Mina had been conned into being an elf. That meant only one thing--I was next. I'm the...determined...Scout. And I was NOT letting Reeny get away with this.

"Lita?" she asked.

"No."

"Please?"

"Nope."

"It's for poor kids, Lita."

"I'll bake them cookies."

"What will I do without a second elf?"

"You play the elf." She was starting to get to me. I could feel it.

"I'm playing the cute little girl."

"Well, Mina can play the part of two elves."

"But the elves go on strike in the play."

"SO?" I knew that, if I didn't get my way soon, I was as good as gone.

"So, I need another elf."

"But, Reeny..."

She sighed sadly, as though my decision would make or break her entire life.

"Fine," I told her, pounding my fist on the coffee table. "I'll do it!"

She cheered, and I knew that this was going to be the worst choice I had ever...EVER...made.

(One Week Later)

*Reeny*

"I am the angel of Christmas, and I have come to take this little girl home to her family," Serena announced loudly, struggling with the cloth wings.

Raye growled as her apron fell off again. "But, Angel," she said in a sweet tone. "This little girl is actually an elf."

"An elf?" asked Mina and Lita in unison, going through the costume box and taking anything green out for their outfits.

"An elf," Darien assured us all, not looking up from his script.

I could tell that Serena's presence bothered him, and I felt bad. Really, I did. But it was the DAY before the PLAY, people! I couldn't change anything now! No one liked doing the play. Well, it started because I had hand-written the whole script, which Amy had deemed inappropriate... I didn't see what was so wrong with Mrs. Claus killing one of the elves in a blind rage. But Amy said that it had to be good for little kids. So much for ME being a little kid.

And then--though this was all my fault, I admit--we couldn't find any cute outfits in Lita's size. Every pair of elf pants were three sizes too short! She looked like a total idiot, and I blame it (mostly) on myself.

The problem, though, was solved when Darien went through his closet and found pants from when he was Peter Pan in the ninth grade. Then, Mina got a cold and lost her voice for three days. Enough said. So much for Santa's little helpers, eh?

"Yes, she is an elf. The daughter of the ice princess." Raye smiled and crossed her hands.

I waited for Amy to come out onto our make-shift stage, but she didn't.

Raye's smile turned into a frown. "I said, THE DAUGHTER OF THE ICE PRINCESS!"

No one appeared. Oh, dear.

*Amy*

I don't like this, and I don't want to be an actress. Humoring Reeny was great, don't get me wrong, but I just can't act. It's so...so...SO scary. Me, Sailor Mercury, scared to death. Yeah.

"The daughter of the Ice Princess."

I recognized my cue and sighed, sinking lower into the cushioned chair that I had taken up as a seat. It was nerve-wracking, really. I was not playing an ice princess. End of story.

*Raye*

"WHERE IS SHE?" I fumed, anger boiling within my veins. "WHERE IN HEAVEN'S NAME IS SHE? I'LL RIP HER THROAT OUT!"

Feeling one of Mina's hands on my shoulder, I took a very deep breath and cracked my knuckles.

"Sorry," I said in a slightly regretful tone. "I didn't want to over-react."

"But you did," pointed out Serena softly. "You really, really, really, REALLY--"

"Enough," I told her, rolling my eyes. "Can I go find Amy?"

Reeny stepped forward, a slight smile on her face. "You know what?" she inquired softly, with a thoughtful touch to her voice. "This is sort of my fault... It's my play and all..."

"No shit," I muttered unconsciously.

"Yeah, well, I'll make it better if you don't mind," she offered helpfully, running off before any of us could stop her.

Smart girl. I must say. She's a smart kid.

*Darien*

As I slumped into an empty chair, I sighed. There, just a few feet away, was my little meatball head... Giggling, laughing, and having a blast just being the Christmas angel she really was. What a person that Serena was. So sweet and loving... Nothing like I am right now.

What is a dream? A dream is just a night time vision, right? Then why do I let a dream stand in the way of happiness. If only I could hold my Serena, and tell her I loved her. That's a dream too, isn't it?

Reeny, the little imp, ran off to find Amy. Lita, clad in my Peter Pan pants and a too-small green tank top, is standing around with Mina, talking loudly about some boy. Serena and Raye are discussing manga... And then, there's me. Thrown into a chair, wearing a too-big Santa costume, staring blankly at a golden haired Princess when I should be studying my script and becoming a better Santa Claus. I can't have my angel. Merry Christmas indeed!

*Reeny*

I really wonder what's wrong with Amy. She's sitting in the dressing room all alone, a sad smile across her face. Her eyes are closed, so she doesn't see me. I sort of wish she'd look at me, because I think she's crying. My angle's bad, so I really can't tell right now. I think she's crying. Over my silly play? Come on! That couldn't be it.

"Amy?"

Tossing her head of blue hair to one side, she brings a hand to her face and I see it--a big blue tear falling into the palm of her hand. She was crying! Over me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, climbing into her lap. "I can see you're sad."

She blinked and smiled a bit. "I'm just not a very good actor, Reeny," she admitted to me.

I grinned. "You're bad?" I inquired. "Serena just reads off the script, and Mina prances around the stage like a brazen idiot." Sighing, I patted one of her hands. "But there's something about you that makes you a great ice princess."

She laughed at this. "I've always liked water, Reeny."

"Good!" I announced, jumping down and trying to pull her out of the seat. "Let's go, okay?"

*Amy*

Pure sunshine. Reeny can be a brat, and she has this very...sly...side to her, but the child is instant sunshine. She makes me want to cry, and then, she makes me want to smile. This whole "ice princess" thing... who cares? It's for children; it's for Christmas. It's for my little dose of sunshine.

You know, I've saved her life time and again, always wondering what was so special about that child. She's so sweet and brave, to go against the evil sisters and to attempt to find her mother and the Silver Crystal in a world she's so unfamiliar with.

"Okay," I agreed with a nod.

She took my hand, and I swore I felt it. Sunshine.

(The Next Day)

*Lita*

"ARGH!" Pulling on the little green skirt (to go over the skin-tight and too revealing pants), I groaned. It didn't fit anymore!

"Mina!" I yelled to my friend. "What did you make these skirts out of?"

"Cotton, 'the fabric of our wives'...no...how does that go?" She clasped her skirt and began pulling her expertly curled hair into tiny ringlets.

"Unwashed cotton?" I inquired, looking at her suspiciously.

She nodded. "Yeah, why?" she asked. "I didn't have time to wash the fabric, and then, I ran out of time to wash my skirt...Did you wash yours?"

Yes, Mina. THAT'S why the damn thing doesn't fit any more! Cursing my blonde friend, I cut one of the seams and made the skirt fit around my evil, evil hips. Stupid skirt. Stupid play. Stupid, stupid Reeny.

*Serena*

"Where are my wings?" I asked, looking through the costume box again. "I could have sworn I left them at the orphanage..."

Zipping up one of the two side-zippers to her blue gown, Amy looked doubtfully at me. "Didn't you take them home last night?" she inquired, tugging on the other zipper.

Oh, yeah, THOSE wings. Blushing, I gulped. "I don't suppose that you have a pair of white angel wings on you?"

Amy shook her head. Some help SHE was. "Oh, okay," I sighed, pulling out my white angel dress and slipping it on over my frilly pink slip. "Just checking..."

I was screwed.

*Darien*

"Ho ho ho..."

Looking around, I sighed. Reeny had finally left, leaving me to myself. "Ho ho, flipping ho..."

No Serena this Christmas. I was with her for HOW long in my past life? Then, I get back to this life, die AGAIN, and end up without her. All because of a dream. Are dreams really worth it?

Just then, there was a knock on the dressing room door, and Serena paraded in, fully clothed in her costume, except for the wings.

"Uh, hi," she grimaced, gulping. "Have you seen my wings?"

I thought she looked great, wings or not. The angel dress was a silky, white, tight thing, and it looked so very incredible, I almost drooled.

"Sorry...no..." I stammered, cracking my knuckles nervously. "Didn't you take them home?"

She nodded, closing the door slowly behind her.

Some Christmas.

*Mina*

I cleared throat and practiced the song over again. "Ho ho, freaking ho, what a crock of ick... We used to work for Santa, but we've had enough... We quit! Cause we do all the freaking work while he stars in the show... Shove your Christmas, go away, and ho ho freaking ho!"

Taking one last look at the script, I tossed it into the garbage can and smiled. There's a certain part of me that just comes alive at the mere thought of acting. It's amazing, really, to watch me when it's time to act. I get all jittery and excited, and there's this rush--like a super sugar high--that over comes me. And I live. I really, really, live. And this was show time.

*Raye*

As I struggled with the apron, I sighed. You know what? As much as I want to be a voice actress, a singer, and a dancer, I don't want to play Mrs. Claus in this play. Poor Serena had lost her wings. Lita's skirt fit wrong, which wasn't a big deal--it was to her, though. Darien was a mess because of his Princess' presence. Mina was wired for sound. Amy had overcome a case of stage fright, and Reeny was nowhere to be found.

I know, the spirit of Christmas is real. I've felt it; I really have. I've lived the spirit of Christmas. I've saved lives, defeated evil, and protected my Princess from all the silly things that we've had to fight. And now, it comes back to haunt me by making me play old Mrs. Santa Claus in a children's play. I hadn't signed up for this, but I was conned into it by a strange little girl. A girl who fell out of the sky and beamed the brains out of my best friend. A girl who has caused Darien to ditch his one and only girlfriend, Serena. But I really can't say I'd quit. Sometimes, no matter how much you hate something, you have to do it.

Even if it is for a strange little girl.

*Reeny*

Everything was perfect.

Well, okay, so I'm a good liar. Serena lost her wings, Darien was cranky, Lita's skirt had a slit in one of the seams because it was too tight otherwise, Mina was so excited that we had to lock her in a closet (literally), Amy—over her stage fright--was too busy practicing her part to notice all of us, Raye had developed a pessimistic outlook on the whole play thing...and then, there was me. Being the writer is never easy. I took this project because I had to. If I had known how much this would have affected each and every one of my friends, do you think I'd have gotten them to do this?

No way!

So, here I was... clad in a tiny, sky-blue dress, my waist length hair falling down to my shoulders before being caught in a big, loose braid, holding a fake candy cane in one hand and a script in the other.

"Santa's Little Helpers," I read aloud off the script. "Whether we mean well and fail, hope and pray for tomorrow, find our own ways out, wait for this moment all our lives, overcome ourselves, or realize the real reasoning behind things, that's us. The little helpers."

Walking out of her dressing room, Serena looked thoughtfully down at me with her big blue eyes. Reminded me of my mom. "You wrote that, Reeny?"

I nodded a little, smiling. "It's the beginning of the play. I put it on this copy so I wouldn't forget the most important part."

The rest of the actors--better known as my best friends--came up to me, ready to do one of the little things that made Christmas so very special and wonderful.

"Is there anything else?" asked Amy, referring to my words.

I smiled knowingly. "Christmas is about making someone else's life brighter, and this has made my life brighter. In a million ways... plus one."

I looked at each of my friends... Sweet Serena. Always caring, though cold, Darien. The genius, Amy. Our tough Lita. The bubbly, free-spirited Mina.

"Thank you all," I told them. "And merry Christmas."

*End.*