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shanastoryteller · 5 years ago

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how different do you think the story would be if draco malfoy had been picked as the hogwarts champion?

draco doesn’t know how this happened, and he’s pissed off in between being terrified. he stands up, nose in the air, and walks to the front of the great hall, taking his place between fleur and viktor.

he expects them to look thrilled. if he’s the hogwarts champion, they’re going to have an easy time of it, but instead the both of them just look concerned. he’s been talking with both of them, friendly with both of them, because he’s not an idiot, he knows what power looks like.

he knows what it isn’t, and it’s him. he’s smart, and strong, but he’s a fourth year and even with all the spells he’s not supposed to know, he doesn’t have the easy, solid presence of viktor of fleur, people who are not only powerful but know how to wield their power, unlike potter who just stumbles around accidentally defeating monsters with that stupid confused look on his face.

then, as if this whole situation isn’t bad enough all on it’s own, the goblet spits out one more name.

harry potter.

of course. draco doesn’t know what he expected, really.

severus yells. his parents make an awful lot of scary threats that he knows they’re prepared to deliver on. his aunt floos over from the magical artifacts office to try and declare the goblet faulty, but it’s not use.

his name came out of the goblet, so he has to compete.

he can’t help but notice, however, that no one yells on behalf of potter, no one comes to his defense in the face of this ridiculous task they’re supposed to complete, not even dumbledore, even though potter’s supposed to be some sort of golden boy. it seems, maybe, that everyone’s forgotten along the way that he’s a kid too.

that night his parents send him a package, and he rolls his eyes because he hasn’t worn something like this since he was a kid, but it’s not like he doesn’t understand the rational behind it. he slips the dainty silver ring on his middle finger, and makes a mental note to fidget with it.

his housemates rally around him when he gets back, faces solemn, quiet as severus towers behind him.

he sighs, rubbing his hand over his face. “well,” he says, “are we going to win this or not?”

a slytherin is the hogwarts champion. he can’t get out of it, so he’s going to win it, he’s going to rub silver and green in the face of everyone who’s ever looked at him sideways because of his house.

over a hundred eager smiles meet him. if he succeeds, all of slytherin succeeds, and so all of slytherin is going to help him.

he finds out about the dragons from Flora, who’s cousin is an intern in the department of magical creatures. snape ropes his newts level slytherins into devising a sleeping potion powerful enough to take out a dragon, and cassius drills him in manipulating the bubblehead charm until he’s exhausted and his fingers ache and lungs hurt. pansy promises to carry the potion with her on the day of the first task so draco can cast a simple summoning charm to get it from her in the stands.

the day of the first task, he summons the potion, casts a giant bubblehead charm around them, then a smaller one on himself, and smashes the potion in the center of the dragon’s forehead. it roars, and blue mist surrounds them, and then there’s a thunderous crash as the dragon falls to the ground, asleep. draco cautiously darts forward to collect the golden egg, darts away, and casts a dissipation spell before ending both bubblehead charms and running as far away from angry, sleep muddled dragon as he can get.

he thinks it’s a pretty impressive display until potter flies around the horntail, outflying and out maneuvering her, and coming away victorious with the golden egg tucked under his arm.

the second task seems to throw everyone for a loop. even severus looks perplexed by the screaming egg, and nearly his whole house writes their parents and uncles and cousins for advice.

it all ends up being worthless.

everyone’s huddled around the egg in the common room, and there’s a pounding sound. draco closes the egg and they all look out the window, which of course leads out to the great lake.they are in the dudgeon after all.

there’s a merperson, young based on the pattern of their scales, who’s pointing towards the egg, and them pointing towards themselves, then gives an approximation of a wink and swims away.

marcus flint, of all people, is the one who figures it out. “water,” he says, “listen to it under water. it’s a mermaid singing.”

his prefect takes him to the baths, and him and as many people as they can cram in there listen to the egg sing it’s pretty song. there’s some debate about what the merpeople will take, with vincent suggesting all his hair products and daphne offering up his broom, but it doesn’t actually matter what it is, because what they take doesn’t change what he has to do, which is get it back from them.

severus offers gillyweed, adrien pucey says that draco might as well take advantage of the bubblehead charm he already knows, and theo, who is terrifying and brilliant, says it’s too bad he doesn’t have the durmstrang ship.

they all go quiet, and severus stands up and says that he can’t hear this, then leaves, “hear what?” theo asks, blinking, and marla, who’s already been accepted to cairo’s curse breaking graduate program, leans forward, eyes bright, and starts coming up with a plan.

then draco finds out they’re taking people, not things, and that’s just not on.

they’ve taken his cousin.

“luna lovegood?” potter asks, confused, because he’s an idiot, and draco ignores him.

the stakes are suddenly much higher. he doesn’t think they’d actually let the hostages get seriously hurt for this contest, but intentions don’t mean much to him right now.

the other three champions go bolting into the water. draco turns and goes the other direction.

everyone’s in the stands, so the durmstrang ship is completely empty. people must be figuring out what he’s doing, because there’s some angry yelling, but stealing a ship isn’t against the rules, so. he does just as marla told him to, and he doesn’t know what and who she had to do to get this information, but he’s too grateful to question it. he steps to the captain’s helm, activates the underwater mode, and the boat sinks into the great lake.

steering is extremely difficult and requires more upper body strength than he’s thrilled with, but he’s surrounded by a pocket of air as the ship zooms past the other contestants, so he doesn’t care all that much. he throws up the shield to barrel through the line of merpeople acting as a barrier. he uses a severing spell to cut the ropes and summons luna into the ship. as soon as he crosses the barrier, into the air, she gasps awake, and he carefully sets her on her feet.

“cousin!” she greets, smiling. “headmaster dumbledore said that i would be thing you most sorely miss. that means you like me, right?”

“wrong,” he says gruffly, flicking her radish earring. “i love you, but i don’t like you, you’re weird and annoying.”

she just keeps smiling at him, eyebrows raised, and uhg, this is the worst, she’ll never leave him alone now. “well,” she says, “we are related, after all.”

“hey!” he says, but she only giggles.

they should be leaving, he’s gotten here first and he can get back first, with his cousin in tow.

but.

what if something happens to the others after he leaves? viktor and fleur will be so upset if something happens to their girlfriend and little sister, and well, it’s not like harry will be any fun to poke fun at if he’s busy mourning his best friend.

he can’t just say that though, and it’s not like he’s willing to come in last just to make sure everything gets back okay.

“cousin?” luna asks, head tilted to the side.

“shut up,” he says, and taps his wand on his hand.

he transforms three wooden dummies with the hostages respective names carved into their chest, then right below it adds early bird captures all the prizes, xoxo draco and swaps them out, although he has to keep the ships shield’s activated while he does because the merpeople are pissed.

gabrielle huddles into luna’s side, who speaks even less french than gabrielle does english, but draco’s too busy steering the ship to play translator.

granger and weasley stand next to each other, staring at him like they’ve never seen him before, and he really wishes they’d stop looking at him. “what?” he snaps. “i just - i’m just trying to - to make them angry, is all.”

“right,” weasley says, eyebrows pushed together. he and granger share a look. draco doesn’t know what it means, but he hates it.

“oh, piss off,” he grumbles as the ship breaks the surface.

the durmstrang students are clustered near the shore. their headmaster looks pissed, but all the students are laughing, so draco doesn’t feel too bad about the whole thing.

viktor and potter bring back their wooden figures, and fleur stops crying and kisses him on both cheeks when she realizes draco’s gotten her sister. potter hugs granger and weasley, and the three of them keep looking at him.

draco gets nines across the board, with each judge deducting a point for stealing, which he doesn’t think is fair. no one said stealing wasn’t allowed after all.

the third task happens, and everything goes wrong. viktor attacks him, and later he finds fleur unconscious and sends up red sparks for her. he ends up fighting back to back with potter, which is hell, and the golden trophy is across from them. he and potter look at each other, for a moment completely still, and then they both go running. draco’s so close, he’s not going to let harry win this, even if the whole thing does seem a bit unfair what with viktor having lost his mind and attacking fleur, but draco’s not about to be a hufflepuff about this.

because there’s no justice in this world, they grab it at the same time.

draco’s used a portkey plenty of times, and it doesn’t disorient him. he lands on his feet with his wand out, and pointed right at a man with overly large front teeth.

a crackly voice says, “kill the-”

draco doesn’t wait around for him to finish that sentence. “stupefy!”

the stunning spell works, and the man falls to the ground with a loud crunch that would be concerning if draco cared. “malfoy?” potter mutters, finally getting to his feet, looking too pale and green around the edges. his hand is pressed against his forehead. “i-i think something is wrong. we should leave.”

“malfoy,” that same crackly voice says, and draco leans forward cautiously. “good, good. lucius’s boy. you’ll finish this, then.”

cradled in the man’s stupified arms is a scaly creature about the size of a large toddler with beady red eyes.

draco’s hit with overwhelming wave of revulsion, with wrongness, that he’s never felt before and can’t explain. “I-I,” he pauses, stepping back, and in front of potter, who still looks like he’s going to be sick at any moment. he keeps his wand out, but uses his other hand to twist the ring around his middle finger three times.

“pick me up,” the thing commands, “we have work to do. i need your flesh.”

oh, merlin above.

there’s two pops, and then his parents are here, following the distress signal sent off by his ring.

“mum, dad,” he says, taking another stumbling step back, finally able to breath when they step in front of him, wands raised, “that’s - i think,” he pauses, “that’s the - the dark lord.” then, because he wants them to make informed decisions, “he tried to kill me.”

“did he,” his mother says, voice icy. his father sighs, like he already knows what’s coming, but makes no move to stop it. “avada kedavra.”

there’s a flash of green light, and when draco peeks around his father’s shoulder, the scaly creature is unmoving.

“dear,” lucius says mildly.

narcissa turns, holding out her arm, and draco tucks himself against his mother’s side. “yes darling? surely you didn’t really want to get involved in this mess again. and,” her voice drops, “he tried to hurt our son.”

“yes, of course,” he says, reaching out a hand to brush it through draco’s hair, “but keep in mind there are plenty of people who will want explanations of what just occurred. he’s not actually dead, you know.”

his mother hums, “well, i suppose we’re changing sides.”

lucius frowns, but it’s not like he’s going to argue with narcissa, so he says, “very well.”

“um,” potter says, and the three of them turn to look at him, “what?”

“that’s a portkey then?” lucius asks, looking to the trophy on the ground. daring, “i’ll handle things here, you go back with the boys. surely there’s someone who set this up waiting for whoever returns.”

“uh,” potter says, “er, sorry, i just - can we take pettigrew too? he - i can use him to clear my godfather’s name, is all.”

his parents both make a face like they’ve smelled something rotten, and his mother sighs. “i suppose dealing with sirius is one of the many prices we’ll pay for switching sides. very well. petrificus totalus! wingardium leviosa!” the mans stunned body rises, and voldemorts’ pathetic corpse falls with a dull thump. she looks expectantly towards them. “ready?”

potter shoots him a desperate look, but if he’s looking for draco to explain his mother, he’ll be waiting for a long time. draco had given up on that by the time he turned five. he wonders if all this means that he and potter will actually manage to be friends.

“come on, potter,” he holds out his hand, “mum’s probably going to kill at least one more person tonight, so best not to start questioning things now.”

“at least two, if i get my hands on dumbledore,” she sniffs, grabbing draco’s other hand so she can travel with them by portkey.

potter looks down at his outstretched hand, then back up, and only hesitates a moment more before taking it. “call me harry. isn’t ant of this, you know, weird for you?”

draco shrugs. “we’re wizards, harry. weirdness is relative, don’t you think?”

harry’s just grabbed the portkey, so his laughter gets cut off, and draco tries not to mourn the loss.

hopefully, now he’ll get a chance to hear it again, after all.

#harry potter #fandom ficcery #welp #this ended up being way longer than i planned #me: i'll do a quick thing to get me in the mood to write #me two hours later to myself: you absolute buffoon #anon #asks

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chubbydino · 3 years ago

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fool’s gold 12 days of christmas

DAY 12 || simi

12 days of christmas in the fool’s gold universe!

(as a reminder these are not technically canon)

read on ao3

thank so much for reading everyone! merry christmas!

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

“This is shit,” Kimi said, staring out a window half blocked in snow. He had his hands on his hips and a steely look in his light eyes, as though glaring at the sun might melt the snow that had them both trapped in Sebastian’s Switzerland home.

Stacks of fan letters sat waiting to be responded to, and Sebastian had a hard enough time keeping up with royal letters from Fernando, Nico, and a multitude of other princes asking about his thoughts on the end of the season. Even Pascal Wehrlein wrote to him, asking about how he was supposed to keep an appointment for next year that he definitely wouldn’t be getting.

Everyone always had to ask him everything. They had Google, and most of the men in the royal circle weren’t complete idiots, yet they couldn’t seem to figure out how to keep a crown.

“Should melt in a few days,” Sebastian said distractedly, sifting through letters. “We have plenty of food, no need to panic.”

“Yes, panicking. That is what I am doing,” Kimi said, deadpan.

A smirk curled at Sebastian’s lips. “Think about it, now you can take up knitting. Maybe even catch up on whatever people are watching on television these days.”

Kimi spun to look at him. “You are an ass.”

“Yes, and?”

As far as royal marriages went, Sebastian didn’t see things ever getting better than this. He and Kimi had been good friends long before they were appointed to Ferrari, and now that they were part of the same empire, they ruled well together. Kimi preferred to leave the diplomacy to him, and Sebastian trusted him to keep things together in the garage until he returned to focus on the car.

“Want to help me?” Sebastian asked when he felt Kimi over his shoulder. He wrote out a quick note to a fan, scribbling out his signature at the end.

“No,” Kimi said flatly. “I’m going upstairs.”

“Have fun,” Sebastian replied.

It took him almost a full hour to realize Kimi never came back downstairs. He listened for the TV for a moment, but when he didn’t hear anything, he abandoned his writing desk and made his way up the stairs past trophy cabinets and old racing helmets spanning two decades.

Hell, he was getting old.

Sebastian peeked into his bedroom to see if Kimi had decided to nap away their little snow-in, but the bed was still perfectly made.

He spotted Kimi’s shirt on the floor, and the rest of his clothing beside that. Interesting.

“Kimi?” Sebastian called.

Nothing.

Finns were a strange bunch. Insanely good at driving, because they were mostly insane. Kimi’s idea of fun was driving Thousand Lakes in a beat up rally car on old tires.

It would not be out of the question for Kimi to be running around the property in the nude.

Sebastian sighed as he headed to the door that led out to the back deck. The snow didn’t accumulate quite as much there, and he saw footprints in the snow leading toward the—

“I forgot I had one of these,” Sebastian laughed.

Kimi sat in his hot tub, submerged up to his nose in steaming water.

“I was wondering when you’d get bored of being stupid,” Kimi said.

“That being stupid is making sure our empire stays afloat while we’re away,” Sebastian replied, carefully stepping out into the cold.

“Sounds shit to me,” Kimi said, closing his eyes. “Whole thing. Shit.”

Sebastian pulled his shirt over his head, grinning. He didn’t mind the cold, and he much preferred it to sweltering desert heat.

He stepped out of his bulky sweats and sneakers, breath smoking as he slipped into the welcome heat of the hot tub.

Kimi opened his eyes and made a face. “Nice balls.”

Sebastian ignored him until the water washed over his shoulders, enveloping in warmth.

They stared at each other for a long moment--Kimi glaring, Sebastian smirking, the water steaming.

Finally, Kimi lifted his mouth from the water to speak. “So are we having sex or what.”

Always pragmatic, never passionate until everything fell away. Sebastian loved him, even if being married to Kimi could be a nightmare at times.

“Don’t you want to soak in this lovely snowstorm together?” Sebastian teased, leaning back against the edge of the hot tub.

Kimi crossed to him, is face still sour. “No. I’d rather fuck.”

Sebastian grinned, turning up his chin as Kimi stared down at him. He looked very handsome for someone who ought to have frown lines permanently etched on his face. “I thought so.”

Kimi cocked his head like a raven. Sebastian supposed that made him the carrion.

Right.

“Yes,” Sebastian chuckled, finally answering the question. “Come here.”

#simi #sebastian/kimi #f1 rpf #f1 fanfic #f1 fanfiction #formula 1 rpf #posting here late but it did go up on time

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s1cparvism4gna · 4 years ago

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I Like You A Lot

WARNINGS: cursing and violence

Pairings: Chloe Frazer x Nadine Ross x OC

Tags: @desertvvitch , @courtenbae

Chapter 11

Sunny’s POV

We’d gone through another fort, tucked in a lakebed this time. We ended up going there first instead of the mountain. It was closer than we thought. This job seemed absolutely keen on testing my patience. I’m not sure if anyone really has noticed, but me and heights are not friends. Not even in the slightest. Try as I might, I just couldn’t deal with the fact that one day I might fuck up and fall into the unknown. But with Chloe’s coaching, I managed to be able to climb a couple of cliffs without a massive panic attack. Nadine, who I thought would tease me the most, was actually the most nurturing if you could believe it. And once again, we’d fought through a small clan of insurgents. Afterwards, we found another puzzle, just like the first. With the disc in its slot, I was able to jumble about pieces that formed into a bow and arrow this time. A little more difficult though as the pieces seemed to rotate around each other. But I handled it. It was easier than most puzzles I was subjected to solving. Just like before, the puzzle’s panel flipped, displaying a carved image of Parashurama and bars jutted out from the sides. Knowing what to do, Nadine and Chloe went to turn the crank.

“Alright let's do this.” Nadine said as I took a few steps back but Chloe stopped her.

“Now, now- hold on. What’s to say it’s water again? What if it’s like… fire or something this time?” She asked with a straight face. Nadine narrowed her eyes at her and shook her head.

“You’re messing with me.” Nadine said cautiously.

“Am I?” Chloe asked with a smirk. Nadine stared at her a bit longer before Chloe’s smile cracked. “I’m totally messing with you.” She chuckled. This woman had a talent for making lies sound factual. A talent much like a certain Drake I knew. She could deep fry a rat and tell me it was chicken and I’d believe her. The more I drew these similarities to each other, the more insecure I became. She was just like him…. just his type. My heart shattered at the thought of them being together again. I needed to see him. All I wanted to do was punch him for being an idiot. I sighed and began to light myself a cigarette as they turned the cranked. Again, water began to swell beneath us and burst out of the gutter in front of the platform. Another waterfall began to form in the relief that could be seen from all distances.

“Hm. I’m a little disappointed it isn’t fire.” Chloe said, elbowing Nadine in her side. A small smile threatened to pull on her lips before she began watching the waterfall. I could sense a bit of frustration from her.

“The Hoysala went to an absurd amount of trouble to hide the tusk.” She said, pacing back and forth behind her. Chloe shrugged and put her binoculars away.

“Welp. The Tusk was the symbol of Hoysala dominance. Representing their wealth and their might…” Chloe explained.

“Like a trophy… The Persians definitely would’ve wanted that.” I mumbled loud enough for her to hear. She snapped and finger gunned me for a split second before zoning out again.

“My dad always thought that the tusk was something even greater though…” She hummed.

“Wait. Your dad was after the tusk?” Nadine asked. The story just kept growing.

“Oh, my dad was obsessed with it.” Chloe said, her brows crinkled together in what seemed like resentment. I readjusted myself against a pillar as I listened to her talk. “All our money wasted on fruitless expeditions…”

“Heard that one before…” Nadine seemed to understand what that felt like. Me on the other hand… I only wished my dad had left on account of some great adventure. But no. He just couldn’t stand being around me anymore. I couldn’t relate. Nadine nodded her head as she began to piece Chloe’s story together. This was the most she’d ever revealed herself. To anyone. “So what came of it?” She asked. Chloe looked about aimlessly as she scrambled her brain for the answer. But the truth…

“I don’t know…..” she sighed as she tilted her head, her voice dripping in disappointment. She chuckled as she began to reminisce on the shitty times. “Well he sent me and my mum away…. Said it was no longer safe… and off to Australia we went….” she sighed uncomfortably. I frowned and hung my head, pulling in my cigarette and exhaling smoke. “And now here I stand….. on the outskirts of Halebidu…. that’s pretty funny.” It was crazy how life worked. How her father could never get close to this and yet Chloe has gotten closer than he ever could. If anyone deserves to find this thing, it was definitely her.

“Well at least your accent makes sense now…” Nadine chuckled softly. “Frazer’s not exactly an Indian surname either…”

“It was my mum’s.” Chloe said simply as she pulled her map to mark it up again.

“Speaking of accents… I’ve been meanin’ to ask you, Nadine… What in the fuck is your accent?!” I asked, trying to break the ice. I’d suddenly gotten tired of holding so much animosity. Nadine burst into a giggle.

“South African. Yours?”

“Texan. Nothin’ real special. I don’t speak in cursive like y’all.” I chuckled, pulling on my cigarette. Nadine suddenly giggled a little.

“Cursive. Wow.” Chloe laughed. I patted her on the shoulder on my way out.

“Let’s get goin’.” I grinned.

The way down was much easier than the way up. A passageway that wasn’t there before opened up and led us right to where we parked the 4x4. We began driving so as to not waste any time. I looked at Nadine in the side view mirror and her light eyes seemed to wander all over the place as she thought.

“It’s interesting. I get why Asav wants the tusk now. I thought maybe he just wanted it for the money like us.”

“He’ll use it to rally people to his cause. Wave it in the government’s face. Just like all the other times.”

“The other times? This happened before?” I asked in confusion.

“Oh yeah. Ever since the young king lost to the Persians. Everyone’s wanted to lay claim to it. To this land.”

“I thought this was just a treasure hunt...” Nadine commented.

“It is. Let men like Asav fight over it. It’s none of our concern— SHIT!”

Suddenly, a ball of fire seemed to fly right by us and land on the rocky wall near us, causing a huge explosion. The car bounced back a little from the force but it was fine nonetheless. Posted up on the ruins was another troop of men, taking deadly aim and firing at us from a distance with what looked like a China Lake. Mud kicked up at the spin of the wheels and the engine growled as Chloe whipped the vehicle about. She powered through as another one flew near but missed us and hit the ground before us. Nadine and I pulled our guns and began firing away as cover. Bullet sprayed across the field as we traded shots. And almost a little too easily, Chloe managed to get us out of there quickly and unharmed. “She who drives away, lives another day, I say!” She chuckled as I placed a hand over my heart to calm myself. I still hadn’t relaxed from the last fight. Another bout of adrenaline began to surge and I groaned. This job was a tease. I wanted action; I wanted to blow shit up, stab something, knock a couple heads. And every time I got the littlest taste, it was soon over. It was frustrating really. I just wanted to take some stress out on these guys and it wasn’t happening!

“You do realize fighting wars was my concern for a time.” Nadine mentioned.

“You did it for money though.” I pointed out.

“Usually.”

“And what about for Asav? What was that for?” I asked. She scoffed.

“Definitely a cash grab. Hardly worth the trouble.” She said. Chloe and I squealed like the couple of girls we were.

“Why do it then?” Chloe asked.

“I needed to establish my rep. So I figured I’d start with the worst of the bunch.”

“Guess from there, there’s nowhere to go but up!” I said with sarcasm. The girls both laughed. For once, the three of us were getting along. And that was good. I couldn’t help but wonder for how long though… We hadn’t run into any real trouble and there was no word from Sam yet. ‘I hope you’re okay…’ I thought for a moment. On one hand, I hoped he was safe and unharmed. On the other, I wanted to beat him up myself. For the meantime, the three of us were handling things just fine on our own. It was nice to be working with women for a change. We were only missing Elena...

For a while we began talking about everything from how we all got our start in the Life, what we’d found, where we’d been… At this point I found out Chloe had never been to the states which was insane! I promised I’d let her visit and that I’d show her around San Francisco. I even thought to invite Nadine if we managed to be cool by the end of this. we’d taken out more insurgents and just like that, we were on our way to the last puzzle. The fort we passed through to get there though, I hated. We had to swim through the lake to get by. Not only were my clothes wet but now so was my hair and my cigarettes… I couldn’t stress it enough: I hated it. Afterwards, the job managed to get a bit more exciting. Things were looking up. Inside a dark and musty room was a newer puzzle; statues that seemed to move with each pillar we stepped on.

“Well I’ll be go to hell… That’s elaborate.” Chloe said as the pillars rose from the ground at the turn of a crank. I stared at the mechanism and then longer at the statue. It was towering and golden, shaped like a warrior with a red jewel stuck in its chest. The faint sunlight that drew in seemed to make it glitter. In its hand was one massive axe. It was old but I was damn sure that thing still worked. Within three steps, the statue had risen its axe and swiped across. I could feel the wind from its quick motions from where I stood. Nervously, I hopped back the way I came in, looking at my path again to make sure it was correct. If I let it hit me, I’d be more than dead.

“Oh fun… Felt that one go by...” I grumbled as Chloe rubbed my shoulders.

“You can do this!” She told me with a fake tone of encouragement.

“Yeah… I got it…” I said, absolutely unsure if I really did. Nadine winced as she looked at the contraption.

“Are you sure you can solve that?” She asked me. I nodded as I ran my fingers through my wet curls and adjusted my pants. I bounced on my toes and shook off the nerves that began to prick at me like needles. Chloe made a face and placed a hand on top of my head.

“I can do this for you if you want, Sun—”

“No, no. I got this…..” I said, eyeballing it a little longer. Then suddenly it clicked for me. I could see the path. “Yeah…. yeah I got this.” I said, jumping onto the first pillar. I was able to get through it and the girls could walk over the pillars without the threat of a swinging statue. On the other side was a cliff and a beautiful view of the mountainous terrain, topped with fog and colorful trees. I watched the look on Nadine’s face as Chloe stopped to marvel at the sight. I punched her in the arm subtly with a teasing smile and she averted her gaze, shaking her head. The three of us ended up taking a selfie in front of the pretty green mountains, bunny fingers, goofy faces and all. It was nice.

As we followed the cliff into another dingy room, we’d come upon another puzzle. Just like the first but with more statues and increasingly more difficult. I sighed.

“Shall I take this one?” Chloe asked me. I shook my head.

“Lemme pull my weight. I got it.” I said. Throughout the trip, I barely contributed anything useful other than brute force. This was the time that I got to actually do something. To prove my worth to the team. I had to just nut up and do it. Although I was still pissed at him, I could hear Sam’s voice in my head. ‘Don’t think about it. Just do it.’ I heard him say, thinking about the way his thumbs would rub over the bone of my hips in comfort. I put a hand on my hip for a moment and took a deep breath before I turned the crank, watching the statues set and the pillars rise from the floor. This time there was one golden warrior statue and two silvers with a blue jewel in its chest. I jumped out to the first pillar and all three statues moved into their ready positions. It was harrowing almost. One wrong move and that was my whole head. I worked out a pattern halfway through until suddenly I had gotten stuck. I’d forgotten which way I’d just come from and I was planted right in front of a statue that was ready to swing at me. I was fucked. Royally. “Um…. g-guys!” I cried out nervously. “I fucked it…. I’m lost!”

“What do you mean ‘you’re lost’?!” Chloe shouted.

“I mean I’m lost, bitch! I fucked up! I don’t remember which pillar I jumped from!” I started to panic, pressing my hands to my cheeks and looking around me. I couldn’t figure out what was next. Surprisingly, Nadine was the calm in the storm.

“That’s okay! I was watching. Just give me a second…” I heard Nadine shout to me. Now my life was in her hands. I could only pray that she didn’t have the hesitation that I did. I crouched to hug my knees as I watched the two women bicker about something; I was too far away to really hear what about. After at least twenty minutes went by, I chewed on my lip anxiously as my mind began to overthink and wonder about all the people I loved in my life. Sweet, sweet Erik. My truest and oldest friend. I’ve treated him horrible the past year. And through it all he still loved me. With every flaw. Kitty Cat… the little sister I’d always wanted. Sure she was a little hard headed; stubborn, mouthy, and maybe even a little bit of an asshole! But I loved her and took care of her to the best of my abilities. Natey; the man who brought me into a better life and took me to places I could only ever dream of. His lovely wife Elena, Chloe, Sully, even Nadine… And Sam. God damn that man. The man who made me suddenly feel and want to feel again. I was then ripped from my depressive thoughts as I heard my name being called from a distance. I stood up and leaned forward, hoping to hear them better.

“Move to your left and jump backwards!” I heard Nadine shout. I did as I was told and the statue before me just missed me. The three of us screamed as it’s axe swiped by, cutting through the air. That gave me three more moves to make. I grinned and looked back at the two.

“Alright, I think I got it now!” I shouted back. I figured out how to get around the third statue and completed the puzzle. The girls were able to jump through safely once again. As soon as Chloe got off her platform, she ran to hug me tightly. It startled me but eventually I settled into it.

“I thought we’d lost you.” She grunted. She hugged me tighter and squished my face with her hands. “Lord knows what I’d tell anybody if anything ever happened to you.”

“That I died being dope. That’s all. That’s the announcement.” I joked, making her giggle. Nadine smiled to herself as she watched Chloe embrace me. After I managed to pry myself from Chloe’s arms, I walked over to Nadine and stuck a hand out to her.

“Thanks… for gettin’ me outta there.” I mumbled. She just smiled and shook my hand.

“Now we’re even.” She said simply. Suddenly, I could hear Chloe groaning in the next room. We ran inside to see what the problem was. When I did, I just about wanted to cry. Another puzzle. Five statues. Three gold, two silver, more nerves.

“Please tell me this is all.” I huffed.

“We’ll watch this time. Just in case you get stuck again.” Nadine told me reassuringly. I nodded at her and turned the crank. I stood at the starting point and the gate dropped down for me to begin. Each pillar in front of a statue made me sweat. Every time seemed like a reminder that my life was in this thing’s grasp. Though this one took a little longer, with help, I got through it. I stood at the end triumphantly and tiredly.

“Well done, Spurrs. Let’s hope there’s not another.” Nadine told me, patting my back.

“PLEASE NO!” I exclaimed.

“You mean you didn’t like it?” Chloe asked sarcastically. I made a face at her and she chuckled. “Shall we?” She gestured to the stone steps before us.

“Fuckin’ please.” I said, starting up the steps to get away from the death trap I’d just completed.

Just like the others, the last jigsaw puzzle was under a stone gazebo, overlooking the mountains with a clear view of the relief. The puzzle was like the last; the pieces rotated around one another. But I solved the puzzle to show the image of an axe. The panel flipped to reveal a carved likeness of Shiva and the crank bars sprung from its sides like the others.

“Let’s give it a turn then.” Chloe said grabbing one end and Nadine grabbing the other. I stepped back to watch them turn it when suddenly Chloe’s bar snapped and she fell face first into the grass and moss. I covered my mouth and giggled loudly.

“I told you it was dangerous.” Nadine smiled, helping her up. “Are you hurt?” She asked, giving her a once over. Chloe blinked at her a moment as she placed a hand on her cheek, checking for bumps or bruises. She smiled back and pushed her bangs off of her face.

“Just my dignity.” She cracked. It was like watching a shitty Rom-Com. My heart swelled watching the two of them. Chloe was still clueless but I was sure she’d get the hint eventually. I had faith. They both shared Nadine’s bar and pushed together to turn the crank. We already knew what to expect by then. The rumble, the noises, the gutter. And just like that, the waterfall in the relief was completed. The three of us stood at the edge to admire what we’d gone all over creation to finish. In the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe peek at Nadine from her binoculars with a smirk.

“Y’know… you’re pretty good at treasure hunting.” She told her. Nadine smiled to herself and glanced at the mountain.

“I’m a quick study.” She answered proudly, crossing her arms. Chloe pulled out this small golden piece she’d been constantly playing with since the job started. She tossed it in her hand in thought.

“One question though…” she began. Nadine turned her head and batted her long lashes. “I reckon you could pretty much do anything you want. Why are you so keen to get Shoreline back?” She asked. The question seemed to catch Nadine off guard. She tilted her head like she’d just asked the dumbest question.

“Seriously?” She asked. Chloe just nodded, awaiting an answer. I was rather curious myself. As efficient as she was, as talented as she was, why did she want some bullshit mercenary corp back? She began listing reasons off with her fingers. “My partner turns my own men against me. My lieutenant makes off with the bounty. Sunny got away.” I frowned as she pointed at me. Libertalia was a sticky situation for everybody. But she continued. “Nathan and Samuel Drake get off scot free, and you wanna know what I want Shoreline back?” I winced at the mention of the boys. There would always be that sore spot between us when it came to them. Chloe narrowed her eyes at her, chewing on her lip before answering solidly.

“Yeah.” She said. Nadine looked at her a moment, readying her mouth for the answer. Whatever it was, it seemed like it was still hard for her to accept.

“It was on my watch.” She replied somberly. She wrinkled her brows and hugged herself as she looked out at the foggy mountaintops. “I lost it on my watch.” In a way, I understood. She had a responsibility and it got out of hand. I didn’t exactly make her job easy for her either. I sort of felt bad for that.

“I’m sorry?” I mumbled. I wasn’t really sure what I was apologizing for but I felt like it needed to be said.

“‘I’m sorry’?” Nadine repeated, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Yeah. For what it’s worth, I think you’re a kick ass chick. And I’m sorry things didn’t pan out well for you.”

“You were one of the reasons it didn’t.” She said.

“Yeah… but to be fair, you shot me.”

“And then your bloody boyfriend almost shot me!” She yelled.

“He is NOT my boyfriend!” I snapped. This was what I got for trying to be nice.

“Quit lying to yourself, Spurrs! This whole trip, you’ve done nothing but mope about something you claim doesn’t bother you!” She snapped, turning around to point an aggressive finger at me. Chloe groaned audibly and continued to play with her gold piece as Nadine threw a bitch fit because things hit too close to home. “My advice: stop mucking around with some guy who screws other people to hurt you. Just because you and I are square, doesn’t mean I don’t still have it in for him. He better be lucky he’s not here today because the second I get the chance, he’s dead. And I mean that.” She seethed. I snarled at her protectively. She’d have to go through me before I let that happen. Before I could even respond, she turned her attention back to Chloe, clearly annoyed.

“What is that thing you keep playing with?!” She snapped. Chloe smirked, amused by her annoyance.

“It’s my ‘stress toy’.” She answered. “It showed up in the mail a few weeks after we got to Australia…”

“Nice. Can we go now? As far as we know we’re ahead of this guy…” I said, my eyes never leaving Nadine’s. It seemed as if whatever animosity that was between us would never be resolved. As long as I was in alliance with the Drake brothers, she’d never truly reconcile anything with me. For the moment, that was fine. I wasn’t looking for new friends and I didn’t need them. But like the professional I tried my hardest to be, I pushed it aside to get the job done. As we headed back to the car, I listened to Chloe give her a short and sweet pep talk on how it was okay to fail. Similar to a talk I’d given Sam in Libertalia. At this point, I just wanted to get the job over with. I was tired, hungry, damp from water and sweat, it was hot, and I was worried. Suddenly, Chloe’s phone began to beep. The fact that she even remotely got a signal here was impressive. The expression on her face, not so much. She looked at me before fixing her face as Nadine turned around. What had happened? Was it Sam? I could exactly ask as we were keeping him away from Nadine. So I left it alone until later. With that, we got back to the 4x4 and set out for the relief in the mountain.

Read more on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26555698/chapters/64735600

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narkinafive · 5 years ago

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occasionally i still chip away at different sections of the lothaliad... here’s a snippet that i rly like and think about often (under the cut for vanity 💅)

The Wolf Kader looked upon the face of the child who stood before him, poisonous hate in his sickly gaze, the young man who had thieved that which did not belong to him, the boy who had knelt at his feet, battered and beaten but proud and peaceful in the face of his death, this child who could rally armies to his name. The Wolf Kader saw this Ezran, saw how the Cold withered him from the inside out, from the heart to the very extremities of his hands, and felt such pity.

“You,” Ezran hissed, “you who have stalked and have hunted me through this world and the last, and to what end? You monster, you, foul creature! I know what it is that you truly seek: this, the soul stone of the Elpi! You hoard such treasured items; what is one more trophy in your possession?”

“Sick,” groaned the Wolf Kader. “Unwell.”

“Do not toy with me, wolf! I am Ezran, Wolf-rider, hero of Lothal, and harnesser of the Northern Wind! I am he who ran the threefold path, who tread the lake beneath the earth, who slew the fearsome dragon of [ice-related name]! You are but the latest of the many creatures whom I have bent to my will!”

“No,” said the Wolf Kader. “Fight not.”

“You do not frighten me, beast!” Ezran shrieked, madness and poison flying from his tongue. “I will take your head as a prize for my mother’s house!”

“Sleep,” growled the gray wolf.

“I will not!”

“Sleep.”

The wind howled, a most gruesome chorus. “You will die, dog,” swore Ezran as he drew forth his father’s dagger. “I will cut out your heart and eat it raw!”

“Sleep.”

#lothaliad

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blindkarakul · 6 years ago

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ffxiv asks: 17!!!!!!!!

17. Are there any stories or legends your character was told as a child? Which ones?

He was told many. His tribe lived around them! Here’s a very important one that explains the origin of his trophy necklace-- everyone in the tribe had a similar one.

M’Fhusa, M’Vadhe, and the Sojourn of Sun and Sky

[This story is the origin of the M Tribe’s pilgrimage; known formally to members as the Sojourn of Sun and Sky. All young miqo’te from the tribe are given a necklace when they are born, that they wear through the entirety of their lives. On the eve before their tenth Nameday, these young clan members are given a night of celebration; a glorious feast to gorge themself upon, and a night of dance and song, before they are cast to the wilds to find themself. Warriors are expected to string trophies of battle around their necklace, while crafters are expected to string trophies of their crafts. This can take as much as 10 years, and sometimes even more. But they are not to return until they feel as though they’re ready. Upon returning, the clan seer will commune with the spirits and ask that they recognize the returned member’s affiliation, and if they are received, the night is spent once more in a feast and celebration. The resulting necklace is a show of a member’s identity, and as such, it is an incredibly sacred object.]

Long ago, when the lands had seen their summers but were yet fresher, there lived a young man and a young woman of the M Tribe. Fhusa was the man’s name, and Vadhe was the name of the woman, and together, they prospered under the name of their Nunh for many summers.

The two were great friends. Being raised together as kits, they played in their youth, enacting great battles upon the sandstone of the desert home, and chasing the garners and butterflies to show the hunters each eve they returned with fresh kill. Sticks were spears, rocks were arrows, bruises were battle scars, and soft mewls were rallying cries of war, scarlet and daring as the setting sun.

While both shared common interests, too did they also enjoy their own delights. The visions of battle and fervor inspired little Vadhe, a warrioress and hunter to rival any by the time she could use tooth and claw. Fhusa, however, enjoyed days under a climbing sun in cool waters, weaving looms between his fingertips and painting masterpieces with pigment and hands alike, much like his own father.

However, trouble stirred in their beating, yearning hearts. A Beast within, that wailed incessantly for the taste of blood, the tearing of flesh and muscle, the cracking of bone… One night, on a hunting trip, Vadhe was thrown in a blind rage, eyes red and claws alight like fire. She attacked her prey with the fury of a stinging sandstorm, and promptly turned claw to her tribemates alike. Unfortunately, she was not alone, for Fhusa too joined the fury, angered by his own prey escaping through his fingertips. While the young kits were no match for the more seasoned fighters of the clan, their wounds were still troublesome.

Taken to the leader to be judged, the two were deemed unfit to live under their same sun. Too dangerous was their affliction. And so, at the age of ten summers, both were cast to the winds, like carrion.

However, the two did not see this as the end of their journey. Merely the beginning.

Setting to the deserts around them, they formed a great team, walking across their sands and finding places to make rest. Vadhe would claim them dinner, even on the most sparse of nights, and Fhusa fashioned them clothes to shield their skin from the sun. Snares for the rabbits, and blankets for well sleeping… all were specialties of his, as well as the painted markings they bore upon their face.

They shared the sky together like this for quite a few many years, drinking in the sun, playing in the moon, revelling by the juice of the cacti and making peace with the prey of the land. Exile was hard work, but nothing they couldn’t tackle together. As the suns turned their way overhead, the weary kits moved through the Peaks, and into the Lochs. For each of their footfalls, they grew ever more wearisome, and yet ever more motivated all the same.

Stopping near a mesa, overlooking the salt lakes that sprawled before the land, teeming with her life, the two pondered for a moment.

“We have been traveling for a long time.” Vadhe murmured.

“Indeed.” Fhusa replied, looking over the lands they’d walked… such a distance to travel on two small feet. “And this is not so bad a place to make rest. A cliffside, to shield us from the predators that stalk. An overlook, that we may see all…”But still, something did not sit right in Vadhe’s chest. She turned to Fhusa, the tents they had pitched, and the pit of fire they had placed in the spacious clearing. “It is lovely, Fhusa, but… I do not think my heart is ready to stop its walking.”“Then this is where we part. I do not believe I can make it much further…” The words were a pit in both their stomachs, but it was Fhusa’s truth. Vadhe wanted to grit her teeth and refuse, grab the other by the wrist and keep him walking… but was reminded of their youth. They could play together in the sun, and have their own days for themself. And still, when the sun turned on its head, and made for the refuge of the lands below, they could still find each other once more.

With curiosity, she flickered her ears. “Well… Will you be here, still?” Vadhe questioned.

Fhusa barked laughter. “I do not think I could move an inch if you made me sit on the sun.”

“Then I will go, and when I have seen the world, I will return to you, Fhusa.”

… The idea was not with merit. Fhusa nodded slow, he liked the idea… But Vadhe was ever forgetful. If she was leaving, Fhusa would hear the stories she had to tell ere she returned, and there was no way he would let the hunter forget her tales.He nods to the other. “I would not keep your free spirit to chains. However, before I go, I would ask that you stay, that I may give you something before you leave me…”“That gives me time to prepare a feast for you, then!”

And so Vadhe took to the hills, spear in hand, while Fhusa calmed his nerves by the whispering fire and wove sinew and careful beads of bone between his claws. A long necklace… and at its neck, a larger bone pendant, engraved with the symbol of Rhalgr’s guiding star. It was not too long that he wove one for himself, that Vadhe returned, a large bag of kill hauled behind her, and some fresh meat from a cactus.Both cracked open skins of a liquid they had been leaving to ferment for a long time, as they cooked the meat with fresh herbs, and drank of the cactus, thirsty from a long life’s travel. Together, they sang songs of old stories and danced happily by the fire, before weary limbs saw them sprawled in the dirt, under the stars and moon above. Filled with light and love, they sighed and watched the moments pass in the slowly turning stars… before Fhusa finally turned to Vadhe, and offered the necklace.“My friend, wear this when you leave, and let it never part from your shoulders. Keep momentos of your most glorious battles on its strings, that you may remember them ere you return. That you may tell me your greatest stories.” His smile was soft, as he stared into her eyes of wild wonder. Pressing the bone carvings into her hands, he blinked slowly, and lingered for a moment before letting go.Vadhe took a long gaze at the necklace, and quickly strung it around her neck. “It is a lovely gift! I shall wear it until the ground below claims me. But… I do wonder…”Fhusa tilts his head in curiosity.

Speaking slowly, as if unsure, Vadhe susurrs, “What if… I do not make it back?”The hands on Vadhe’s face are light and tender, as Fhusa takes them into his. A bright expression crosses his fingers, capturing the light of the fire. “Do not say such silly things. Our story has not even come close to its beginning. Not yet, Vadhe.” There was no bitterness in his voice. Only trust, and anticipation.And by the dying embers, they rested one final time in each other’s embrace, before both awoke in the morning, and said their farewells.

Vadhe let her curious feet bring her to the port of the great city of sandstone ahead, sparse in its progress, but still rife with life and new trade. Bartering the finer of her skins for fare to the Far East, she set sail for foreign horizons. Meanwhile, Fhusa eventually found his way there as a merchant, selling his woven arts and fine paintings for food and all else. Eventually, he was able to have a smaller, more permanent sandstone structure built on his mesa, and finer supplies for weaving and cooking.

Many summers saw them apart. But comfort it was, that they could stare into the skies, and find the same stars. Fhusa filled his necklace with beads that told stories of his accomplishments, from great paintings etched into the sides of the mesa, to friends made, and songs written in Vadhe’s absence.

The hunter herself was making well progress. In Doma, she met many people and creatures she had never glimpsed with her eyes before-- and thrill in the hunt. What caught her eye in particular was a tiger, the two embroiled in battle over a meal they both wished to claim for their own. In the conflict, Vadhe’s body was wracked with scars, but eventually, both beings came to and submitted to one another. They saw no need to end their life for the meal, and shared it instead. Having befriended the tiger, and claimed countless more trophies for her time there, at the age of 24 summers, Vadhe finally felt herself quelled. Returning to the budding port town of Kugane with her friend in tow, she set sail for Gyr Abanian skies once more.

When she made it back, it was with the same as with she had left-- fresh kill, fresh herbs, fresh cactus. Fhusa was overjoyed at her return, leaping from his small home on the Mesa to join with her once more in celebration. His own home being furnished with more luxuries, the two enjoyed a well cooked feast with wines and berries imported from far off lands. Sacrificing the flowers he was using for dyes, Fhusa braided Vadhe a crown, and then painted both their bodies in stark color.By the fire they ate, and they laughed. They exchanged stories, through dance and song. Each held their necklaces to another, and showed off their trophies one by one… the countless memories, the stories their lives now held. The meaning they each now lived; Vadhe as a warrior, and Fhusa is a crafter and trader,“... What is there to do now?” Vadhe pondered, draped over Fhusa’s chest.At that, the crafter laughed. “Have you eyes? There is much. This is our land, now. We must do what it takes to make it our own.”Vadhe ponders for a moment. “Hmm… That would be so, I suppose?”“But of course. All this was only the beginning.”

#karakuls tongue #stories of the m #THANK YOOOU #i had this pre written because i love my m tribe #don-pom

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tsundozer · 6 years ago

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Pride for Auction, Pt. II

You can read Pt. I here!

It had been a bell. Where the fuck were they? Larkson tapped a foot impatiently, as he watched item by item come and go from the center stage. He watched a spindly looking man, with nervous fingers and no business wearing a suit make off with an ancient Khopesh, once used by a Sil’dihn lord to fend off an initial Ul’dahn attack. The story behind it? Magnificent, of a man repelling an entire patrol from not just his home property, but then managed to rally the city against the invaders (this was of course, ultimately in vain when you consider what happened not weeks later).

He doubted the buyer appreciated the significance.

Hells, not even he did. Not really. That was Gray’s role in all this, and he was more than happy to leave him to it. It shoulda been Gray, he found himself noting quietly. All of this shit belongs with someone who appreciates it, it’s not--fucking. Trophies on walls.

He was sure that his companion would have been interested in the relics going up for display, if only he had remained around. As soon as Askoya’s voice crackled over the linkpearl, letting him know that there was a delay--in how long it’d take her to kill the power ( distracted, she explained. Sure.) and when the dagger (a Mhachi scian, Gray was always quick to elaborate) would be put on, to begin with.

That was half a bell ago, and Gray had immediately given him the slip. ‘Gotta check on th’kid’ he had said. Really? The kid? What kind of irresponsible man would bring a child to such a dangerous event as this? Why did he even keep the kid around? The justifications prattled off in his mind, over each and every previous discussion on the matter: She ain’t got nowhere else, Larksy.

She’s just like us at that age, Larksy.

She’s useful. She’s clever, Larksy.

She’s almost an adult now! She can handle this, Larksy.

Just look at that smile! Y’can’t tell her no, Larksy!

Larkson felt hot, uncomfortable coals settle in the pit of his stomach. Something within him had steadily burned over the past several years, and he would later in life realize it as jealousy. For now, all he felt was confusion, as to why Gray saw fit to pick up every person he met and drop them into their little crowd. He had, at least for a time, been the primary object of Gray’s attentions. He was his support, and Gray was his. They made it this far together. They came to Sharlayan together, they graduated together. He didn’t--he didn’t see, why they needed anyone else. Least of all some rebellious, bratty whelp who demanded so much of his focus, or students who he was fairly certain were more interested in drinks and empty laps, than a proper education.

( Why was he like this? He’d never been this way before. Why did Gray cause him to foster such anger, and resentment, towards those who came into his life?)

His thoughts were interrupted, by the chiming of the pearl:

AK: Hey! Look alive, boys~ I’ve got my little problems taken care of, and got your little dagger scheduled to come up in five. I’ll be killing the lights shortly. Careful that you aren’t caught unawares, hrm?

Shit. Larkson muttered into the pearl, ducking his head low and fading off into the schmoozing crowds, “Shit. Gray, y’hear that?”

Nothing. Not a single goddamn w-- PG: Yeah, yeah. Jus’ hold on a minute. Dealin’ with somethin’...

AK: Professor? Not to question your authority, but I’m not so sure you’ve got the time to--

Click.

Thal’s fucking stones. Couldn’t anything ever go--simply? He stormed off, looking for whatever trouble Gray must have gotten himself into.

Gray had been more than happy to take a bit of time to relax. Once he’d heard that plans had changed, he decided he may as well take the opportunity to enjoy himself. Who wouldn’t, right? What’s the point in getting all tense, in waiting with bated breath and winding gears until he was so tightly coiled that he burst? He made some excuse to get over to the liquor--that he had to check on Svana, and make sure she had her part down. A few hors d'oeuvres plucked with a muttered thanks, a wave, a nod, a smile to various people he had never met but gladly pretended he did, and a stop at the cocktail bar later (whiskey, chilled coffee, and a bit of brown sugar), and after a brief discussion with his resident disaster for the sole sake of appearances, left to find himself mulling about a library upstairs from the main ballroom, marveling at his ‘host’s’ collection.

He plucked a familiar book from the shelf. A Treatise on Modern Potentials of Allagan Aetherochemistry: Suggested Benefits to Medicine and Agriculture.

Erik Gray.

“Ha. Whaddya know? Wouldn’t think you’d have been a fan, Gravatte.” He gazed at the product of several years of dedicated research, the culmination of all of his experience--and was interrupted, by an inquisitive hum.

“You didn’t think he’d have been a fan of what?”

Gray snapped his head towards the door, holding the book ( his book) to himself almost protectively. There was a woman, a Keeper, leaning in the frame with wide, expressive eyes flecked with gold and an even wider, welcoming smile--the sort of smile that showed you all you needed to know, even the teeth, while managing to withhold everything you didn’t. It was hard to find words, he found, looking into that smile. He fumbled for the briefest of moments, caught off guard. “I--ah. My book? My book. I didn’t think he’d be a fan of my book.”

“ Your book?” The woman strode confidently, snatching up the book from his hands. “A Treatise on Modern..hmnmhmhm, mhm. Erik Gray.” The eyes narrowed, “You don’t look like an Erik. Or a Gray.”

Her words caused bile to rise up in his throat, and his fists to clench, briefly--he stayed himself. It’s not like she knew better, right? He held up his hands towards the woman, and gave a flippant shrug.

“I wanted to ditch the tribal stigma,” he explained, “I got--tired, of bein’ assumed I was some illiterate mountain man, some stupid forest dweller who ain’t know his way ‘round a book, let alone a mattock. I took th’name when I got my papers here. S’on my degree, too.” The irritated huff belied the presentation of flippancy and carelessness over the matter. Why were the cute ones always so fucking grating? She was cute, he gave her that. The lovely teal to her eyes, with gold flecked throughout, the sandy blonde to her hair. The lithe, athletic look to her--even the scrapes on her right knuckle, and a bruise on her forearm. She’d been in a fight, he noted. The woman laughed, loud and rich, “Oh, so that’s how it is? And what, you leave your culture, your birthright, heritage, behind?”

“My culture is shit. Ain’t never cared for it, much.” It was hard to hold back the irritation in his voice, now. He reached to snatch the book back up, only for her to yank it just out of his reach.

“Hey! Hey. No, I didn’t mean it like that.” Two steps back, and the woman flipped through the pages with a little hum in between each turn. “..I get you. I was never a fan of mine, either. What’s your real name, though?”

Gray was caught off guard by the camaraderie, the empathy. He felt the churning irritation in his chest soothe. Whatever lake of fire that churned at the heart of him, and kept him going all these years, reluctantly grew quiet (it was how he knew, that someone was important to include in his life--as soon as it happened, he picked them up. Larksons, Svana, As’koya--whoever this was). “You first. Precaution.”

The woman flicked her ears forward, and her tail lashed about with a sudden energy. There was a glint of mischief to her eyes, as she picked up on what wasn’t being spoken: “You shouldn’t be here. I get it. Well, don’t worry. I’m no Gravatte.” With a little flourish, she offered the book back to him. “Siri, of the Relanah. I’m a journalist, here for a story. I won’t tell, if you won’t.”

Quite the olive branch, announcing her own name, her own intentions. She was either reckless, or confident--a quick look over near enough confirmed it the latter. “G’rha,” he responded. “Folks back in Eorzea, they call me Rha.”

“A Tia?”

“Nah-- just Rha. A Tia...suggests, by its nature, that I still subscribe to their cultural norms. There’s a lot of meaning, in what title you take, and how, an’ even more meaning in taking a title despite something. A, ah. A good friend taught me that.”

Siri nodded, smiling along to the explanation. It was a good enough one, though she felt, perhaps, she could offer something better: “Well, Just Rha seems pretty good, to me. Better than calling yourself ‘Gray.’ It’s, like--taking back, yeah? It’s poetic. It’d make a good story. I don’t know your reasons, but if it was enough to leave behind the person you were? I think, there must be quite a tale, there.”

Gray averted his gaze, at that. In all of three ticks, this woman had waltzed into his life and cut to the heart of him. That was a first. “A sad story, I s’pose. But--one that has a happy endin’ in the works.”

“Aren’t sad stories the best? It sounds to me, Rha, that you put your pride up to the highest bidder, if it meant getting what you wanted. If that was your name, to fit in with academic life? So be it. Maybe it’s time you reclaim that pride.” Siri pulled herself up onto the central coffee table, swinging her feet casually as she studied the man. “Anyway, happy stories are boring. They’re trite. There’s something beautiful, in tragedy. The way people find meaning in the worst of things. Happiness can’t forge empathy, y’know. Only hurt.”

Gray barked out a dismissive laugh (though, in later years, he would come to appreciate those words and hold to them desperately, a frail reminder that there was something good, at the bottom of it all). “Nah. I prefer stories of adventure, stories of intrigue, mystery, thrill. An’ ultimately? Triumph. I’m lookin’ for Belah’dia!”

“Belah’dia?” “Yeah. Belah’dia. I’m lookin’ for my Belah’dia. Where I can hold the sun itself, in the palm of my fuckin’ hand. Just like their temples.” He cracked a confident grin, though his widest, most fiery smile couldn’t hide the lines that had already crept into his face so young.

“Well, I don’t see why it can’t be both.” Siri gave a little shrug, just as flippant as he had demonstrated before. “Every hero worth his salt has a bit of tragedy. It makes them relatable. Flaws, failures, sadness. -- I wouldn’t write about anything less than imperfect, you know.” She winked, as though she knew him. Saw him.

Gray wasn’t sure how to handle that. So he--ignored it, opting instead to ask about her work. “You wanna write?”

“I do write, Rha. Just not what I want. I write what the crowds wanna hear. What I want? I want a story. I want to tell a tale that moves, inspires.” She looked about the room, then parroted him verbatim: “I want to tell a story of adventure, stories of intrigue, mystery, thrill. And ultimately, triumph!” A delay, “but I think Nym is better.”

“Yeah, well. S’alright in bein’ wrong, I suppose.”

A laugh was shared--then his pearl went off. Showtime. “Yeah, yeah,” he spoke into it before giving Siri an apologetic smile. “Jus’ hold on a minute. Dealin’ with somethin’...” Click. He shut off the pearl, and gave a little shrug. “Sorry ‘bout that! Nice talkin’ to ya, really. I suspect my pal’s gonna be bargin’ in here, and I’d rather him not give you any more a taste of the hells than necessary. I’ve got a lil’ magic trick to put on.” Siri’s eyes glinted, as she realized--she was looking at the story of the night. “A magic trick?” “Yeah!” Gray strode for the door, casting a smirk over his shoulder. “Get downstairs in five. You’re about to see a vanishin’ act.”

#pride for auction #drabble #basically a short story by now???#legacy of allag #ffxiv #ic #g'rha nunh #svana heart #as'koya renha #larkson odh #siri relanah

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rallytimeofficial · 2 months ago

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Il ricco montepremi del Lakes Rally Trophy si decide sulle strade del Ticino

🔴🔴 Il ricco montepremi del Lakes Rally Trophy si decide sulle strade del Ticino

Il Lakes Rally Trophy è arrivato all’atto finale. Sugli asfalti del Rally Internazionale del Ticino si svolgerà infatti l’ultimo atto della serie che in sole due edizioni ha richiamato un buon numero di piloti certamente affascinati dall’idea di poter vincere uno dei tanti premi messi in palio dai promoter. (Iscriviti gratuitamente al canale Telegram di Rally Time per ricevere le notizie sul tuo…

#crz #Lakes Rally Trophy

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yessadirichards · 3 years ago

Text

Golf

U.S. counters Europe fightback to stretch lead at Ryder Cup

KOHLER, Wis

The United States seized a commanding 9-3 lead over Europe at the Ryder Cup on Saturday, dominating morning foursomes once more to surge ever closer to reclaiming the coveted title.

The Americans won a third consecutive session 3-1 at Whistling Straits for their largest lead since 1975 despite Europe making a charge in each match, adding to the notion of a "Wake by the Lake" on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Two-time major winners Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa beat England's Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton 2&1 while Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay rallied to beat England's Lee Westwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick 2&1.

Johnson and Schauffele each improved to 3-0.

"I felt like I've just played solid, not trying to do anything too crazy, just keep the ball in play," Johnson said. "We played solid. We got off to a great start.

"We're just trying to win each session and keep that lead."

Top-ranked Jon Rahm, unbeaten in three matches, and Sergio Garcia, the all-time Ryder Cup points leader, rallied after losing the first three holes to beat Americans Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger 3&1.

"It means a lot," Rahm said. "We know it's a long race. We knew we had three to make up from the start. We played unbelievable from six on. We took advantage of the breaks we had."

But Europe rookies Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger went 14 holes without trailing until fading at the finish as Americans Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth charged late to win 2-up.

"We expect to go out and play well," Spieth said. "Our team is playing great and I'm proud of them."

Four afternoon four-ball matches and 12 concluding Sunday singles matches will decide a winner. The Americans need 14.5 points to reclaim the Ryder Cup while Europe need 14 to retain the trophy.

Europe's hopes looked good early as Rahm and Garcia rallied. Rahm won the sixth hole with a 10-foot birdie putt and Garcia chipped in from 41 feet at the ninth to equalize.

"We got on a great stretch of holes with birdies and chip ins," Garcia said.

Garcia sank an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-3 12th to give the Spanish duo their first lead. They traded the 13th and 14th holes with bogeys before Garcia blasted his approach to five feet at the par-5 15th and Rahm sank the eagle putt.

The Spaniards took the match with a par at the par-3 17th, Garcia winning a record 24th Ryder Cup match.

"I've been fortunate to do it for many years," Garcia said. "I'm so proud to be a part of Team Europe."

Johnson and Morikawa went 3-up after three holes on Johnson's 47-foot chip in at the par-3 third and were 4-up through 10 before Casey and Hatton rallied.

Casey and Hatton won 11 and 13 with pars and 14 when Casey holed out for eagle from 105 yards. But Hatton missed a five-foot par putt at 15 and Johnson holed a four-footer for par to win the hole. They halved the next two to seal the match.

Spieth and Thomas, 3-down after six holes, took their first lead when Wiesberger missed an eight-foot par putt at 15 and doubled it with an eagle at the par-5 16th before an exchange of bogeys to end matters.

"Getting to 3-down is tough," Spieth said. "Fortunately it was only through six holes. We knew if we played the last 12 under par we might be able to get it back in this wind."

Schauffele sank a 31-foot birdie putt to win the par-3 seventh and Cantlay sank a 23-foot birdie putt to win the ninth hole and go 1-up over Westwood and Fitzpatrick. The US duo were never matched again.

"It was a dogfight," Schauffele said. "We knew it was going to be."

Harrington benched Rory McIlroy for Saturday's foursomes matches after the four-time major winner lost twice in one day for the first time in his Ryder Cup career.

"We know we need a big performance with him in the singles," Harrington said. "He needs to rest like everybody else."

McIlroy and England's Ian Poulter were set to return in Saturday four-balls against Johnson and Morikawa.

#yessadirichards

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classyfoxdestiny · 3 years ago

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Scottish minister demands investigation into nursery over alleged racism

A Scottish cabinet minister has called for an investigation into alleged racial discrimination at a nursery that refused a place for his young daughter.

Humza Yousaf, the devolved government’s health secretary, said a Dundee nursery had claimed there were no places available for his two-year-old daughter Amal.

But they said a white friend who called to check was told there were places available on three afternoons a week at the same establishment.

Mr Yousaf said applications had been tested by other family members and reporters, with “white-sounding” and “ethnic-sounding” names being accepted and rejected respectively on the same day.

A spokesperson for the owners of the Little Scholars Nursery in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, said they were “extremely proud of being open and inclusive to all” insisting that “any claim to the contrary is demonstrably false and an accusation that we would refute in the strongest possible terms”.

The spokesperson told The Daily Record newspaper, which first reported the claims: “In addition to our owners being of Asian heritage, across more than a decade we have regularly welcomed both children and staff from a range of different religious, cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds, including two Muslim families currently.

“We have also regularly made arrangements to accommodate different lifestyles by, for example, providing a halal menu for those children who come from Muslim families.”

Mr Yousaf said he and his wife had contacted the Care Inspectorate and are also seeking legal advice on the issue.

Mr Yousaf said: “We are fooling ourselves if we believe discrimination doesn’t exist in Scotland. I believe evidence we have proves our case beyond doubt.

“As well as reporting the nursery to the Care Inspectorate we are also seeking legal advice.”

The minister, who has played a high profile role in Scotland’s response to the Covid pandemic, said that contacting the Care Inspectorate with their concerns was “not a step my wife and I have taken lightly”.

He tweeted: “After our nursery application for our daughter was refused a 2nd time, my wife asked her White Scottish friend to put in an application for a Child the same age. Within 24hrs of refusing our application my wife’s friend’s was accepted.”

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Mr Yousaf went on to claim that “three White-Scottish applicants offered tours of nursery and spaces, often within less than 24hrs”, while at the same time that applicants with Muslim names were “being rejected, including application for my daughter”.

He added: “It doesn’t matter what my position or how senior in Govt I may be, some will always see me, my wife and children by our ethnicity or religion first.

“We have given Little Scholars nursery every opportunity for an explanation for the disparity in treatment, none has been forthcoming.”

“With no explanation from Little Scholars, we will pursue the truth and get answers we deserve.”

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trophytruck · 7 years ago

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32nd SCORE San Felipe 250, round 1 of four-race 2018 "World Desert Championship", 7.-8. April 2018 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico Loop course 319 miles. 246 starters, 67.9% or 167 of them did finish the race. Official trophy truck race results.

1. 11 Rob MacCachren, 53, Las Vegas, Ford F-250 (Geiser), 5:20:17 (59.76 miles per hour)

2. 16 Cameron Steele, 50, San Clemente, Calif., Chevy Silverado (Geiser), 5:23:50

3. 83 Luke McMillin, 25, San Diego, Ford F-150 (Racer), 5:25:10

4. 31 Andy McMillin, 30, San Diego, Chevy Silverado (Mason), 5:26:14

5. 32 Ryan Arciero, 44, Lake Forest, Calif., Ford F-150 (Herbst-Smith), 5:32:16

6. 23 Dan McMillin, 30, La Mesa, Calif., Ford F-150 (Racer), 5:35:23

7. 24 Adam Householder, 33, Yorba Linda, Calif./Wayne Gould, 51, Anaheim, Calif., Ford F-150 (Herbst-Smith), 5:39:43

8. 10 Alan Ampudia, 27, Ensenada, Mexico/Aaron Ampudia, 25, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Raptor (ID), 5:40:16

9. 7 Justin ‘Bean’ Smith, 34, Las Vegas (DOR-Bryce Menzies, 30, Las Vegas), Ford Raptor (Geiser), 5:51:04

10. 40 Chris Miller, 44, LaJolla, Calif./Jimmy Nuckles, 50, Brawley, Calif., Toyota Tundra (ID), 5:53:38

11. 19 Tim Herbst, 54, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (Herbst-Smith), 5:53:58

12. 51 Steve Olliges, 54, Las Vegas/Mark Newhan, 50, Lakeside, Calif., Ford Raptor (Geiser), 6:08:38

13. 2 Carrie Smiley, 48, Buckeye, Ariz. (DOR-Tony Smiley, 47, Buckeye, Ariz.)/Jeff Geiser, 51, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado (Geiser), 6:26:35

14. 18 Juan C. Lopez, 43, Tecate, Mexico, Ford Raptor (Racer), 6:33:52

15. 26 Dave Taylor, 44, Page, Ariz., Ford F-150 (Geiser), 7:42:17

16. 6 Ricky Johnson, 53, Trabuco Canyon, Calif. (DOR-Larry Connor, 68, Miamisburg, Ohio), Chevy Silverado (Mason), 8:03:29

17. 30 Robbie Pierce, 58, Santee, Calif./Mike Julson, 60, Descanso, Calif., Ford Raptor (Jimco), 9:05:00

18. 85 Mike Lawrence, 30, Banning, Calif., Ford F-150 (Herbst-Smith), 9:26:04

19. 77 Robby Gordon, 49, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy Silverado (Custom), 9:28:34

20. 15 Billy Wilson, 32, Corpus Christi, Texas, Ford Raptor (Jimco), 12:57:56

21. 1 Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, 23, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Rally Truck (Geiser), 14:17:34

22. 97 B.J. Baldwin, 38, Las Vegas, Toyota Tundra (ID), 14:53:23

23. 45 Chelsea Magness, 30, Denver (DOR-Gary Magness, 64, Denver), Ford F-150 (Custom), 15:16:02

(32 Starters, 23 Finishers)

#San Felipe 250 #SF 250 #Baja 250 #Desert Racing #Trophy Trucks #Desert Series

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icudoucmetoo · 7 years ago

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Ice Dancers Madison Hubbell And Zachary Donohue Ready To Take The Next Step To The Olympics

BY KAREN ROSEN | NOV. 08, 2017, 6:16 P.M. (ET)

Ice dancers Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue packed all their stuff in a car and drove into Canada in the spring of 2015.

Naturally, the border guards had a few questions.

“We just were very honest,” Hubbell said, “and told them, ‘We’re going to train in Montreal for figure skating with Marie-France (Dubreuil) and Patrice (Lauzon).’ They are actually pretty famous in Canada, and the guards said, ‘Oh cool.’

“Usually, their main concern is whether or not you’re working in their country, and we aren’t.”

Hubbell and Donohue aren’t working for a paycheck, but they’re definitely working – harder than they ever have before. They’re banking on Dubreuil and Lauzon, a married couple who, in their competitive ice dance career, won two world championships silver medals in 2006 and 2007, helping them reach the next level in their skating.

Hubbell and Donohue, who will compete this week at NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan, have never placed higher than third at the U.S. championships – and quite frankly, they’re tired of it.

Donohue said they had an “awesome career” training with Pasquale Camerlengo in Detroit, “but we weren’t getting anywhere” and the coach gave them his blessing to “do what you need to do.”

And that meant moving to Canada. “When we were honest with ourselves,” Hubbell said, “we needed somebody who was a little bit more drill sergeant, a little bit more ready to keep us on task and be really strict with us.”

So far this season, Hubbell and Donohue won the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in Salt Lake City and earned the bronze medal at Skate Canada International with the second-best free dance performance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event. They posted personal best scores for free dance and total (189.43, more than eight points higher than their previous best).

With a stellar performance in Japan, Hubbell and Donohue could qualify for the Grand Prix Final for the third season in a row.

Their training in Canada is obviously paying off. But Hubbell and Donohue, who are both 26 years old, also had another reason for choosing that particular facility in Montreal: “Mainly because there are not other Americans there,” Donohue said.

Since 2005, ice dance has been the deepest U.S. figure skating field, with Team USA medaling at worlds every year except 2008 and 2014. Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto won the Olympic silver medal in 2006, then two-time world champs Meryl Davis and Charlie White won Olympic silver in 2010 and ultimately gold in 2014.

When Davis and White stepped away from competition following six straight national titles, Madison Chock and Evan Bates took the baton. They won nationals and the world silver medal in 2015, followed by bronze in 2016. Maia and Alex Shibutani captured the last two national titles and two straight world medals (silver in 2016, bronze in 2017), while Hubbell and Donohue were regularly on the podium at nationals, but never the top step. They’ve won three straight U.S. bronze medals and were either third or fourth the three years before.

“We want to be the national champion and we knew that we wouldn’t be able to feel like the top priority if we went anywhere other than Marie-France and Patrice,” Hubbell said. “And we really wanted the opportunity to train with people that are international and who are at the top of the field.”

Now they do, which Donohue said finally gives the “that window into the next world.” They often share the ice with Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who won Olympic gold in 2010 and silver in 2014 and are three-time world champions. Two-time world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France train at the same rink.

In Detroit, Donohue said, “We weren’t driven in the same way. As soon as we moved to Montreal, we felt the heat.”

They also felt the burn, often quadrupling the amount of daily run-throughs they previously did.

“There is a fear, even in practice, when you have to do a run-through,” Hubbell said. “You want to skate well. It’s a hard thing to do. So doing four a day kind of gets you over that fear.”

Donohue said muscle memory takes over “and you can just be present and really feel and enjoy the moment. That’s what takes your performance to the level that’s untouchable, and that’s what we’re striving for.”

The ice dance couple put their life-changing move in motion by meeting with Dubreuil and Lauzon during the 2015 world championships in Shanghai, where they placed 10th. A year later, Hubbell and Donohue posted their top finish at worlds – sixth.

Last year they were in medal position in Helsinki after placing third in the short dance and earning a small medal for their performance.

Their free dance “was one of those performances that was magical,” Hubbell said, “until that moment.”

With a minute to go, Donohue was spinning on their side-by-side twizzles and fell down.

“I watched the ladies synchronized swimming and I was like, ‘I should try that in the middle of my free dance,’” Donohue deadpanned.

They wound up ninth. He feels he has no choice but to joke about it: “What am I going to do? Am I going to think about it going into every competition and freak out about it?”

Hubbell saw him go down and didn’t falter. “My brain was thinking, ‘Zach, it’s OK, and I knew right away in that instant how heartbroken he must feel, so I just tried to for the rest of the program be there for him.”

This year they have implemented a strategic plan, with meticulous scheduling and reports of how they feel so they can make day-to-day adjustments.

“We need to eliminate that risk factor in our skating by just being able to execute,” Donohue said, noting that judges look for consistency.

They are also taking the opportunity to embrace the beauty and culture of Montreal, where Donohue is working on learning four languages – French, Japanese, Russian and Italian – while Hubbell has adopted a vegan lifestyle that has given her more energy.

As two of the tallest skaters on the ice – he is 6-foot-2, which makes him about 6-6 on skates and she is 5-8 – they are a striking pair and move incredibly well together.

Hubbell’s height didn’t work as well with her previous partner, her older brother Keiffer.

“Being a tall, curvy, muscular girl, I had trouble not coming across as flirtatious or too sexual to skate with my brother,” she said. “Even when we were kids, I remember people being like, ‘Oh, the married couple of Hubbell and Hubbell,’ and it’s like ‘I’m 12. My brother is two years older than me.’ We always fought against it, but we couldn’t get past that.”

The Hubbell siblings placed fourth at nationals in 2011, then Keiffer retired and Madi needed a new partner.

“When I switched to skating with Zach,” Hubbell said, “it was really freeing that I could stop trying to be something I’m not and just fully embrace who I am and my image.”

On the ice, Hubbell said that Donohue “is very focused, but almost to a fault,” and she sometimes has to help him shake off any negativity. But off the ice, she’s more serious while he’s “goofing around, very lighthearted, making weird vocal impressions.”

Donohue admires Hubbell for her “crazy energy and a hilarious laugh.”

“On the ice, there is no better partner than Madi Hubbell,” he said. “She is seriously so passionate and so grounded and so driven, which is a great balance to myself who’s all over the radar, like I always want to change things up.

“I’ve lucked out. I honestly have. We complement each other very well and she’s an incredible woman and I’m very lucky to know her.”

But Hubbell and Donohue weren’t gung-ho initially about being partners.

“We had competed against each other, we were very opposite people and we literally loathed each other,” Donohue said.

Their coaches, Hubbell said, “were kind of scheming behind our back” to create an informal tryout.

“I had to take her hand and she was like, ‘I don’t really want to skate with this dude,’” Donohue said.

At the end of the day, they finally did start stroking together and doing some exercises, and Hubbell said, “It was a really natural match. We fit physically. We’re both very powerful skaters, so right away we had a lot of speed and a lot of carriage and a general impression and chemistry that people saw the potential right away.”

Their personal relationship had potential, too. They started dating about six months after becoming partners and were an off-ice couple for about 2 ½ years.

During the 2013-14 season, Hubbell suffered a torn labrum. Despite skating in pain, she and Donohue were 2.17 points shy of making the Olympic team. After they rallied to win the ISU Four Continents Championship, Hubbell underwent hip surgery.

As they reset for the 2018 Olympic campaign, the couple decided it was best to break up romantically while keeping their professional relationship intact.

“To work harder and do all of these things right, we just realized that to date and be with each other 24-7 with our particular personalities was just explosive,” Hubbell said, “and we weren’t able to keep our focus where it needed to be. We had to ask ourselves what was more important, our on-ice partnership or our off-ice relationship? And we were both very clearly said the on-ice partnership is No. 1.”

But Hubbell, who has a new boyfriend in Montreal, has no regrets about dating Donohue.

“It allowed us to get to know each other on a deeper level and have a really deep relationship,” she said. “When we broke up and put our focus on our career, the fact that we were able to very seamlessly commit to each other and not let that affect our skating, we realized how serious we both were about our goals and our passion, and I think that our relationship got better and even closer – just in a different way.”

Donohue said they are confident in their new roles with each other.

“There was never a second where we’re like, ‘We’re not going to skate together,’” he said. “It’s ‘Are we going to be enemies or are we going to be great friends?’ We just decided there’s no reason to be enemies. Oh, there’s tons of partners that hate each other. It’s very common. There are teams that just skate together because it works and they want to be successful.

“We love and respect each other and we don’t have to be together to have that respect and appreciation.”

They portray a couple having an affair in their bluesy free dance, where they take on the attitude and styling of the television show “Suits.”

Hubbell wears a cocktail dress and Donohue wears a suit as they dance to “Across the Sky (Instrumental)” by Rag’n’Bone Man and “Caught Out in the Rain” by Beth Hart.

“We wanted the costumes to reflect that extra classy image,” Hubbell said, “so in the words of Marie-France, ‘If you’re going for an Olympic medal, you might as well be dressed well for it.’”

They wanted to skate to the blues, which they feel is one of their strengths, just as they did in their first season together.

“We started our partnership with raw sexy blues and now six years later, it’s a lot more refined, sharper,” Hubbell said, “It has more complex character, but is still kind of back to our roots.”

Even if they are training in a different country.

source: temusa.org

#sports #figure skating #hubbell and donohue

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