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rosesnink · 1 year ago

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Meet Brienne

artwork by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd | template by @storyofmychoices & edit by @aria-ashryver

Full Name: Brienne Elindae Nagoni

Meaning behind the name: Brienne- Beauty

Birthday: 12th of January, ????

Status: Alive

Nickname: The Hero of Morella, the Hero of Riverbend, kit, landrat

Age: 24

Parents: Unknown

Sibling(s): Kade of Riverbend

Further Family: Devana Nagoni (aunt) Clan Nagoni

How old they appear: Mid-twenties

Weight: 110 kg

Height: 1.96m

Skin Type: Green

Religion: Spiritualistic

Sexuality: Bisexual

Hair color and lenght: Jet black, down till her shoulders and in small braids

Taste in clothes: Brienne dresses comfortably and for battle, although she loves revealing clothes and tasteful lingerie

Music: Brienne has a bawdy taste in music due to her simple upbringing in Riverbend, enjoying sailor's songs

Good habits: Kind, humorous, incredibly strong, brave and good-natured

Bad habits: Stubborn, self-sacrificing and too trusting

Guilty pleasure: NA

Hobbies: Practising fighting skills, reading and exploring new places

Deepest fears: Losing Kade or Nia again

Love Interest: Nia Ellarious (main) Tyril Starfury (Uluvali), Aerin Valleros and Princess Valax of the Ash Empire

Child(ren): None (yet)

Actual Residence: Brienne is a nomad, always moving places where the next adventure is

Allies: King Arlan Valleros, House Starfury, the people of Riverbend, the Temple of Whitetower, Willow the fae, Valor Nightbloom ( @oh-so-youre-a-nerd )

Enemies: The Dreadlord (dead) the Ash Empress (dead)

Goals: Become a renowned hero

BACKSTORY

Brienne was just a baby when Kade's parents took her in. She never knew her mother or father, and nobody from her birth family ever asked for her. She and Kade grew up together, Brienne working on different jobs across Riverbend to keep the family afloat and keeping Kade alive by paying the doctor.

Their whole family save Brienne caught a deadly flu, and although Kade survived, their parents did not. Kade was only fifteen, and only knew how to tell stories, so it was up to Brienne to be the breadwinner. She started by moving around heavy stuff for all of the village, as well as helping with rogue animals by fighting them with her incredible strenght and scaring off thieves and rogues who tried to take advantage of the lesser people of Riverbend.

One day, during an escapade of the pub for not paying their gold, Brienne ran into an adventurer and a priestess, and her life changed forevermore.

DURING THE SERIES

What started as a fun adventure, soon unravelled a plot from the Shadow Court to take over the Realm of Light. The worst part? Kade had been trapped in there, and Brienne was compelled to do anything in her hand to take him back, starting by collecting all the Onyx Shards and taking them to Whitetower to purify them.

She first recruited the rogue adventurer, Mal Volari, and the Priestess of the Light, the beautiful and powerful Nia Ellarious. She felt drawn to the last one, and soon the feline nesper Threep joined forces with his insatiable knowledge... and hunger.

Exploring all of Morella and facing threats, they recruited the lonely and prickly elf, Tyril Starfury, to their crew and soon started collecting more shards... and making more enemies on the way, and adding a few crimes to their list.

During a fight gone wrong with the orcs and grobtars, they recruited Imtura Tal Kaelen, soon known as the daughter of Ventra Tal Kaelen, who had united the orcs as a whole and founded Flotilla, the long lost home of Brienne. She had mixed feelings about her own kind, finding their good and bad deeds, and soon she started to have feelings... for several people, but the strongest connection was towards Nia, although she was drawn to Tyril as well, and had a wild night or two with Imtura, seeking to feel seen by one of her kind.

During their journey through the Deadwood, they came across the Valleros princes, Baldur and Aerin. She found Baldur rude, cruel and overly gross and a major asshole, but Aerin's sweetness and mysterious and kind nature drew her towards him in a different way. Spending quality time, they parted ways as he returned to Whitetower and she, to Undermount, where they faced against Duchess Xenia, who had impersonated Tyril's estranged best friend, Kaya Druskaven.

The fight was cathartic for Tyril, and he and Brienne came close, and the journey took them to Whitetower, where they savoured their last night as mere adventurers, and, with hope in her heart, they marched onto the Temple of Light... only to find out the terrible prize to purify the shards!

Horrified, but determined, the gang, especially Nia, fought against High Priest Solerne and got out of there, seeking Prince Aerin's knowledge... only to be betrayed by him in the last second, discovering that he had been working with the Dreadlord all along! Taking Nia hostage, Brienne set herself: she'd get her out of there, as well as Kade, dead or alive, but she would. And she did, beating Baron Vostrasz and other Shadow lackeys, acquiring a new nesper along the way and facing off against what was left of the Shadow Court in the final battle... that turned out fatally, for the Dreadlord successfully possessed Nia, and Brienne had to kill her with a Blade of Light in order to get him out.

Her grief did not last long, though, for she woke up from such death and got out of there, being honoured as the Heroes of Morella, and Brienne and Nia promised one another to seek out better uses for Nia's talent. With a new horizon, and much to think about the future, they stayed the night at the royal castle.

However, during her lap of victory, her time was cut short as she was forcibly taken by a powerful woman who identified herself as Princess Valax of the Ash Empire, who had discovered that Brienne was a realm-walker and wished to kill her and use her special blood to take over the Realm of Light.

Despite being tired and worn out of the experiments she had made on her. A new friend appeared, of the name of The Watcher, who'd help her on her journey as a realm-walker. She successfully got out... only to find out she had been gone for a year!

Hellbent on getting her family back, she regrouped with her friends and, after the pleseantries of her comeback, and an attack of Valax vanquished for now, her new task was afoot: close the rifts from the Realm of Light so balance could be restored. Aerin, whom Brienne had captured, joined them due to his sage knowledge, and the two became close despite Brienne's still anger of his betrayal, but there was something about him that couldn't keep her away from him, even if she should.

Back on the Shadow Realm after closing the rift, fighting off gruesome monsters, they found the counterpart of the Deadwood... the Whimsywood, where the Fae had been living all along! What first seemed like an easy task, the courtiers of the Dreadlord that had escaped the battle almost crushed the mission, but, on the final moment, Brienne convinced them to be on their side and helped fend off once again Valax, who was incredibly hell-bent on killing off Brienne and use her blood for her mother's purpose. Closing the rift, they parted to Riverbend, where Brienne found out that she was now revered as a hero of her people. She spent the night in her hometown, where she got intimate with Imtura and Aerin and got closer to Nia and Tyril. However, the fact that Aerin had left after their magical night hurt her, but she had no option but to carry on.

The next stop to the rift was the dwarf town, Zaradun, where she found out a new world underneath the sand, where she was unfortunately thrown to jail. However, a new friend arose: Cherta, a rebellious dwarf who she made a deal with: helping her on each other's quests. However, the dwarven crypts were dangerous and impredicible, and they almost died fighting off Ancients. It didn't help that Cherta's plan failed miserably when her grandmother turned into a terrible monster.

During the fight, they discovered that the elves mixed shadow and light magic, which they called true magic. This set off Tyril, her Dinvalir then, who had a faith crisis. She comforted him and both set to learn more about the Old Gods and how to stop Valax and the Ash Empress.

While trying to seal the rift in Zaradun, Valax found Brienne and dragged her and her group to the Shadow Realm. During the fight against her, Nia finally gave into her Shadow self and binded Brienne and Valax together, avoiding Valax hurting her. Now, the next rift was in Shroudwatch, and they'd have to journey long there.

They stopped in Ironbreach, a Shadow version of Riverbend, where they met the Ashen people and helped out the struggling villagers. While trying to save an Ashen child from drowning, Brienne was dragged by the current and Valax saved her, and both had to shelter from the storm, where they shared their first kiss and adopted a baby Owlbear, named Wallace. After the storm, they reunited with the crew and set for Shroudwatch. They infiltrated Lord Kerrigan's ball, which the Ash Empress also attended. Trying to seal the rift alongside the Watcher, Valax turned on them and a battle once again ensued, where the Watcher was killed and his powers passed to Valax. When the Empress was about to kill Brienne, Valax opened a portal back to the light realm, where they sailed to Flotilla with an old friend. There, they found themselves in the midst of Ventra Tal Kaelen's funeral.

Imtura quickly dissolved the monarchy and created the unified clans, and during the party, Brienne met her aunt Devana Nagoni and found out more about her mother, and why they died. They gathered the orc army and set for Whitetower, where the final discoverment was made: the Ash Empress was the Mother of Grey, who had been wronged by Nifara.

Gathering the last allies wasn't easy. Brienne and Mal went to the Thieves' Guild to recruit the Reapers. It almost ended up in blood, but Brienne and Mal made it out alive.

Now with an army on her back, they set camp for the upcoming battle. Her former companions showed up...including Aerin, whom she was pissed with. But nevertheless, she spent the night with Nia, Tyril, Aerin and Valax. During that night, she declared her love for Nia and Tyril and decided that, should this end well, she'd figure out how to be with both Nia and Tyril.

The battle wasn't easy, but she finally swaded Valax to her side and, after a long battle, they defeated the Ash Empress thanks to Valax's valiant effort. But there was one last thing to do: the last rift. She decided to bind both worlds together again, light and shadow becoming one once again.

It wasn't an easy transition, for many damages had been done, but eventually, everyone came around with Brienne and her friends' help. She did damage control in Port Parnassus, adventuring with Tyril and Mal, help Aerin in the Whimsywood, support Imtura's sailing adventures, help Nia with the temple and the old king, and better the lifestyle in Ironbreach and Shroudwatch.

She was not aware of what would come next.

AFTER THE SERIES

[WILL ADD AN 'EPILOGUE' WHEN THE SERIES ENDS]

@choicesbookclub @choicesficwriterscreations

#playchoices #meet my mc #mc: brienne of riverbend #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #aerin valleros #nia x mc #tyril x mc #aerin x mc #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow mc #cfwc mcs #choices book club

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outofangband · 10 months ago

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🪼 for Edain who remained in East Beleriand, after the Three Houses left for their separate regions?

From this world building ask here!

🪼society, planning hierarchy or roles

These are a collection of fairly random thoughts, I made this world building ask game with the intention to be inspirational rather than strictly adhering to the proms, which is why the collections of words are so big, so I hope this is OK!

So I headcanon that both the houses of Bëor and Hador were seminomadic or more specifically consisted of seminomadic and non-nomadic populations. I’ve talked about it most frequently with the house of Marach, and with how the semi nomadic populations traveled with their horses, and how this was a central aspect of their culture. I bring this up because I think the humans in Eastern Beleriand had a similar structure of nomadic and non nomadic populations.

There were small settlements in the Ered Luin and in parts of Ossiriand including ones that evolved from small healing camps that were first erected to aid those in groups that became one of the three later houses, but who fell ill or were injured on the journey.

These people were primarily herders, keeping sheep, goats and donkeys*. The Ered Luin contains a wealth of natural resources in clouding, mineral and metal deposits, clay, variety of herbs, and plants and many rivers. Ceramic art, fishing with the use of nets made from reeds and willow fiber, knit wear and masonry developed as crafts that would both serve and innovate their societies, as well as playing important role in their trade.

There were several populations in this region who engaged in trade with each other, as well as with other groups, but also maintained fairly distinctive cultures, just as the later three houses did as well. I imagine they spoke an earlier form of Taliska, more similar to the first human languages of the East, rather than the Taliska languages spoken by the Hadorians and Bëorians which were related but distinct

Governance varies among the populations; some have family led governance with inherited power, others have more practical or informal structures, or more elaborate governance like the Haladin did (see the Wanderings of Húrin!!)

*donkeys were more equipped for the mountainous terrain , and I headcanon that the house of Bëor had donkeys before that horses

#the silmarillion #musing and meta #beleriand

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greencheekconure27 · 2 years ago

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Ideas for a Willow Star Trek AU

(Just the ideas, sorry.I suck at putting words on paper so if anyone wants to pick this up,I'm begging you please do.)

Jade is a half Romulan and half Klingon. She was adopted and raised on Vulcan by commander Ballantine, a Vulcan Starfleet officer and a close friend of Admiral Tanthamore, who found her after a mission to escort some colonists had gone very, very wrong.He does genuinely love her, but has never once told her about what happened back then.Despite knowing about her romulan heritage he raised her as half-Vulcan instead, as he believed things would be easier for her if she didn't know.Nor has he ever told her about a certain exiled Klingon general by the name of K'ael, who may or may not be her biological father.

(K'ael was not a nice guy. He was a charismatic political extremist who had some good points, but also committed many war crimes. Best let his legacy rest)

Jade went to Starfleet academy to follow in her father's footsteps and met Kit there.

Sorsha Tanthalos was born in a colony of descendants of the genetically enhanced supersoldiers of the Eugenics Wars (like Khaan & co) led by her mother Bavmorda.Never quite managing to meet her mother's ideals of "perfection", she ran way and joined Starfleet, making a dazzling career and eventually becoming an admiral.She is known for her diplomatic skills and is often called in for negotiations, though deep down she's tired and really would go back to being an explorer instead, not that she'll ever admit it.Sorsha despises her mother's legacy and everything associated with it, which at times leads her to make some questionable choices.

The Bone Reavers started out as a group of renegade Romulans fleeing from their government, but evolved into a mixed-species tribe of space nomads hanging out on the fringes of colonized space. They got by through trade, hauling cargo, salvage, and other odd jobs, as well as the odd bit of contraband ans space piracy.

At some point in time a newcomer called K' ael took over as their leader.Under him the None Reavers managed to rise considerably in power and wealth (and infamy) by serving as space mercenaries to whomever paid well, eventually allying themselves with an ambitious warlord called Bavmorda.

Unfortunately for them Bavmorda's downfall dragged the Bone Reaver's down as well: due to their indiscriminating attacks on border settlements, as well as Bavmorda's and K'aels atrocities, they became hated by pretty much everyone, making them pariahs and leading them to resort to criminal activities more often than before.

Scorpia is the leader of what remains of the Bone Reavers.She's seeking a home for her people away from the Federation or any other major power.

The Galladoorn is a humanoid alien species (hey, it's star trek) which recently allied themselves with the Federation, though they're not looking to join.They have an empire of their own, and are quite powerful, but appear to be fairly peaceful and benign at first glance.However as the series progresses they will gradually be revealed to have a dark side.

Madmartigan was a captain in the Galladoornish navy.He was court-martialed and formally exiled from all Galladoornish territories for reasons he refuses to discuss.He then joined Starfleet instead, earning the rank of captain incredibly fast, and got put in charge of an spaceship specialising in exploration and first contact much like the Enterprise did. Madmartigan often claimed to be the best captain in the history of Starfleet. The admiralty's opinions on this are ...mixed.

Airk Thaughbaer was Madmartigan's second in command in the Galladoornish navy, who took over his post as captain after his court martial.Last time Mads talked to him he was a vice admiral.Airk was killed soon after.

Madmartigan met Sorsha on a joint Starfleet mission and married her.She was promoted shortly after.They were happy.However about ten years in Madmartigan went MIA during a mission under mysterious circumstances.Sorsha had been the one who suggested him for the mission, and she never quite forgave herself for that.

Thraxus Boorman,the rather traumatized rookie ensign that was accompanying him was found only years later after escaping from a Cardassian prison, nowhere near the last place they were seen.The third member of the away team, Lt. Allagash, was never found and is believed to have been killed in action.Boorman refused to tell anything about what happened and resigned from Starfleet. He pops up on Sorsha's radar occasionally, usually to ask her to bail him out (again).

Willow Ufgood was Madmartigan's second-in-command and chief science officer. He stayed in Starfleet for awhile after Mads disappeared, became a captain, then promptly resigned over a"political disagreement" and returned to his home planet, where he became a renowned professor at a local university.

Kit and Airk joined Starfleet as early as they could, much to Sorsha's chagrin, as she's terrified they'll vanish just like their father.

And then Airk did just that.

Zivian Hastur is the current emperor of Galladoorn. A few years ago, he visited Earth for negotiations, and Kit, Jade and Airk got assigned as tour guides for his son, Prince Graydon.This somehow *accidentally* resulted in Graydon running off to join Starfleet.For diplomatic purposes, as a symbol of cooperation between the two powers, off course ,and definitely not because his father kept suggesting they seal the treaty with a personal union between him and the admiral's daughter.

Graydon joins the search for Airk as a science officer

Jörgen Kase is an experienced captain and Kit and Airk's mentor who gets put in charge of the search party.One last mission before he retires...yup, you've guessed it, he gets killed in the pilot episode.

Ensign Brunhild "Dove" Davids is Airk's girlfriend who asks her commanding officer for "personal time off" and then promptly sneaks aboard the search party's ship as stowaway to go look for Airk. She's a talented medical officer who likes to cook in her spare time. Her file says she was born on earth, but there are some odd discrepancies, and all records of her are a decade old at most.Also both Willow and Sorsha seem to know her even though she's never met them...very weird.

Willow only joined this mission as a last favour to Sorsha and because he's known the twins since their birth and is fond of them.But Kase dies unexpectedly and he's the most experienced officer on board so he's captain now. He is Not happy about this.

Boorman gets pulled out of whatever prison he's landed himself in this time by Sorsha to serve as their guide, being an expert on the area where Airk and his team were last seen.He eventually takes over as the crews navigator/ pilot

Jade is the security officer

Kit is the (somewhat self-proclaimed) second-in-command after the original XO, Silas, gets killed

Kenneth the mudmander is a non-humanoid telepathic alien of a previously unknown species that tried to hijack the ship to escape from slavers. He forms a strong bond with Graydon and eventually takes over as their guide after they leave known space (insert plot convenient wormhole)

Airk switched between divisions (and girlfriends/boyfriends) so often that nobody took him too seriously when he settled for command, claiming to want to become an even better captain than his father was. (he meant it, though).He's a bit of a jack of all trades, and a pretty good engineer, though he doesn't really believe himself to be particularly good at anything.He also gets trapped in holodeck malfunctions A Lot.

@the-grimsqueaker wyd think?

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wickdcreatures · 4 months ago

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new verse : d.imention 20 f.antasy h.igh with @unpossession & @bludrite

SALEM: a cleric of deep sashelas and the healer of the group, salem is a sea elf from an oceanic nomadic commune of fisherman and sailors who sailed mighty ships all along the coast of spire. after a nasty disagreement with his father, his mother took him and his younger brother to elmville where they both now attend aguefort adventuring academy, sharing house in richer side of town with other families that also decided to leave.

TABBY: a warlock of vlaakith the lich queen, tabby is a tiefling who's horns started coming in at the tail end of her last year at oakshield middle school. the youngest of four and the only one with horns and a tail, tabby has grown distant and cold to her family, spending more time at basrar's soda fountain then at home.

the so far unnamed adventuring party consisting of salem, tabby, willow (@unpossession), and their ringleader danny (@bludrite). this verse follows their high school career, their adventures and school assignments! go aguefort owlbears! HOOT! GROWL!

#☽ salem — in character. ☾#☽ tabby — in character. ☾#☽ salem ; alt v. — [ d20 fantasy high ] GO OWLBEARS! ☾#☽ tabby ; alt v. — [ d20 fantasy high ] GO OWLBEARS! ☾

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numericalbridge · 10 months ago

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TOH rewatch semi-liveblog. Season 1 part 2

episodes 6-10

Episode 6

- Why is the opening theme such an earworm.

- 'dangerous nomads' ugh

- curious about the special moon powers and how they fit with the rest of the lore.

- Willow is yet again so good!

- Wh... what? Here is Eda, carelessly saying how she would never trust Luz again if Luz messes up and causing Luz stress, even after what happened in episode 2?

And then Eda even 'threatens' Luz - who even closes her eyes in the end - and Willow and Gus have to intervene, but it turns out Eda just wanted them to clean up the house? But, sure, Darius is the evil/stupid/irresponsible one.

And I am sure everyone in the fandom was obsessed with making Eda disproportionally guilty over this behaviour and twisted her whole character to be about it... right? Like, everyone was screaming how Camila would find out about Eda's behavior and hate her? And everyone was writing out their 'funny' fantasies about slapping and beating Eda up? What, no? Everyone declared Eda the best mom and thought she was better than Camila? And jokes about her irresponcibility and mistakes were good-natured and sympathetic? Weird...

(Sorry, i don't want to rag on Eda too much, but the racist double standarts are so, so obvious. Both in how Darius is treated vs Eda, but also how Luz is treated vs Hunter)

Episode 7

- The Bat Queen is the richest demon on the isles? Another thing i've forgotten completely. I kinda assumed she was a weird half-legendary hermit.

- Yeah, to be honest i don't care about Amity's siblings. Actually i think the Blight family should've been just Amity and one of her parents.

- I do dislike the switch in regards of Amity from previous episodes to this one. My problem is not that we see a different side of her or that Luz wants to befriend her after the Convention, but that Willow just doesn't seem to factor in any of this episode's events, and the episode is pushing this 'Amity just doesn't know how to interact with others without being cold because she can't show weakness' - which might be true in general and in regards of Luz, but doesn't work with how she treated Willow in previous episodes especially from Luz's point of view.

And so the switch between Luz calling Amity out in the previous episodes to simply declaring Amity her rival in this one, as if that's the only problem with Amity's behavior, is odd. If any of that was actually intentional and was adressed and there was an equal focus on Luz and Willow's relationship, then this could've been interesting to explore, but if not then they should've changed that first interaction between Amity and Willow. Or, idk, just put some mentions of Amity and Luz's relationships with Willow in the episode.

Because no, i don't think the audience has to be spoonfed and Amity being multifaceted is not the problem, but the show is not that subtle most of the times and this shift seems more unfocused than deliberate; and Luz wanting to make Willow and Amity friends again is also not a problem and makes sense for her character (more about it in Understanding Willow liveblog), but the pacing of the character arcs seem weird and inconsistent/unfocused, and Luz constantly ends up having less meaningful interactions with Willow and Gus compared to the white characters.

-Oh, but you might ask, why do you, numericalbridge, say you excuse Eda and Darius, but not Amity's writing? Well, first i don't think you can ignore the racial dynamics here. Second, Eda is one of the main characters, and we see her in various situations and so we can conclude that, for example, the moment from episode 4 where she 'threatens' King is more of unthoughtful writing choice than anything meant to be revealing about her character. And with Darius it's the opposite - he is not a main character, so his and Hunter's development happening off-screen is much more acceptable, and if you ignore the things that the fandom straight up invents about Darius the storyline is actually pretty streamlined. But Amity and Willow end up somewhere in between, where they are supposed to be core characters, and yet the storyline is neither here nor there, neither simple nor fully developed, and Willow is the one who gets the short end of the stick.

- And the thing is Amity has so much more focus in the first season but then gets less and less and then her arc ends up completed by the end of season 2 earlier than arcs of other main characters (except Gus who just barely has anything😠), and in season 3 Amity doesn't have much to do, but if her and Willow's relationship and the rekindling of their friendship got more even development from early on, then Amity could've been more deeply connected to Willow's arc in season 3 and it would've benefitted them both.

- And the easiest solution to my problem with Amity's arc would be to make the expulsion episode in season 2 about all of the hexsquad rather than only about lumity, and have Amity call out her parents - or just Alador if she isn't ready to call out Odalia - in regards of their treatment of Willow.

- Amity calling Luz a bully is sure a thing

- The rabbit thing serving as a parallel to Amity would've been great if the show was better about Willow and more consistent about Amity.

- I think it might've been better if Understanding Willow was an earlier episode and then this episode happened after, with prior glimpses of Amity trying to befriend Willow and Gus and being awkward about it.

- I think this is the moment where the show starts to drag, and introduces more unfortunate designs as well.

Episode 8

- This episode is so stupid, but the hints at Eda and Lilith's relationship and backstory are good.

- Luz is again very inventive with the idea to light the sign up! She just doesn't think through the more pragmatic parts because she is an excitable teenager.

- Eda is so silly with the body swap idea and the decision is also soooo abrupt, it's almost like something out of season 2b when they were running out of time. I still wouldn't call it the worst episode.

Episode 9

- The first Gus episode! Luz and Gus are so funny together, and it's such a shame how they are barely allowed to interact with each other afterwards. Because Gus is the one with the experience of feeling tricked! He probably was traumatized by what he saw in Belos's mind too! Ahhh😠

- Again, love that Eda is allowed to be angry about school.

- Matt is so manipulative and funny, lol.

- Interesting that Willow is the responsible one in this episode, but overall at this point in the show she doesn't tend to assume the group leader position yet.

- "No one gets left behind" - except all the other students in the detention pit?

Episode 10

-Missed opportunity to have some deeper interactions between Luz, Willow and Gus.

- The Bat Queen's plot would've been so good if not the design choice. Can't believe Hunter's fandom manages to demonize even her in the AUs

- "Yeah, results of Eda's great parental skill" says my note, but i can't remember what this refers too.

----

Conclusion:

This is where the show kinda starts to drag down, and the inability to balance the cast and character arcs becomes obvious. Shame, because Eda and Lilith, Luz and King, and Luz and Willow and Gus - when they are not just there for comedic scenes - are all excellent character dynamics.

#toh rewatch numericalbridge #toh rewatch liveblog #long post #the owl house #sorry for shitty screenshots i usually watch without subtitles so to make screenshots with subtitles i had to use a different source

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voidedleylines · 1 year ago

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FFXIVWrite 2023 Day 7: Noisome

Day 7! In which the WoL visits a place she abandoned long ago...

Enjoy!

Rating: Gen No CWs apply!

“Oh gods,” Horskfyr lets out a grunt, “this smell…”

Freyalin laughs and nods her head as she wipes sweat from her brow, “smells like home,” she muses.

In truth, she had forgotten how��the pungent smell of magma is. Sulfur and just hot heat so in your face it can easily make the eyes water. Thankfully for her however she's formed a good poker face over the years of living by it so she can look cool in front of her baby brother. A thing she finds herself caring about, for whatever reason.

They're almost to their destination and she feels her stomach turn. She hasn't been back here in almost twenty years. She knows it's likely most of the ones here before are no longer. Nomadic creatures, the Hellsguard were, some move on from voidgate to voidgate. Others just grow tired of where they are and set out to find a change of scenery.

A strobe of anger passes through her briefly. Most take their kids with them she thinks.

It certainly wasn't the time to dwell on that now, though, and so she takes a deep breath, choking a little on the putrid air she takes in.

Horskfyr walked ahead and now waits for her at the cave entrance. He looks unbearably nervous and she puts a hand on his face, tapping it lightly. “C’mon, you've been here before,” she says.

“Yeah but that wasn't. I didn't know what it really meant to be here. You…we could’ve spent more time here. Together and we-”

“Didn't get that chance. For reasons out of our control,” she cuts him off.

He opens his mouth to try and say something else but he then closes it giving her wrist a squeeze and a nod, “you're right,” he mutters.

“Always am,” she exclaims as she backs away from him and towards the inside.

Her heart stops a beat when she sees inside. It's all the same. None of the tables or beds have moved in her two decades away. There's also a lot less people. She closes her eyes and does a trick she learned all those years ago. There's no sense of the voidgate. It must've gotten closed by someone…someone able to actually do it.

She walks towards a familiar spot and lets out a surprised yell to see the old woman still there. Sitting cross cross on the floor, mixing herbs and dyes.

The old woman stops her mixing and looks up, her eyes are glossy and a little unfocused. She smiles, “Sharp Willow,” she says aloud. Freyalin goes still, heat rises in her body, and it's not from the climate. “It has been quite some time, my dear.”

Tears instantly prick her eyes as she walks forward and joins the other woman on the ground. Horskfyr hovers nearby, trying to not act like he's paying attention. “Hello Frail I…it's been some time hasn't it,” she says.

Frail Oleander, the callous and revered old woman that all but raised her when her parents left her here. She’d spent many a morning under this exact tent, helping her tend to her potions, until she was but fourteen and in charge of her own squadron. Too young and too reckless, but Frail always knew the right words to say to reel her in when she needed it. She'd never thought she’d see her again, and yet here they are.

“You outgrew this place long ago,” Frail says. Freyalin looks down at her hands and guilt washes over her. “But this new life suits you, Warrior of Light.”

Her head snaps up, “How did you…” there's no point in finishing that question. She learned early on that her elder had many ways to communicate without needing to leave the cavern.

Frail gives a knowing smile. She then focuses behind Freyalin, “and you, Horskfyr. Lovely to see you again. I see you found what you were looking for.

Horskfyr clears his throat and nervously steps forward. His tall, broad frame engulfs them both as he stands near. “Y-yes ma’am I- thank you.”

She smiles, “There's no need to thank me,” she says, “I thank you for returning her to me. Even if just for a moment,” she says. She reaches a hand out and Freyalin takes it. It's cold and brittle and a stark contrast to the smoldering heat they sit in.

There's moments of silence between them as the two women sit there in each other's company. Eventually Horskfyr sits to join them. They spend the day back into old routines and the paranoia in the back of her head melts away. For the most part.

For the first time in her life, this place truly feels like home and a ball of emotion settles in her throat as she says her goodbye to it again the next morning.

Frail Oleander smiles at her and gives a weak hug. “Be well, Sharp Willow,” she says.

She nods her head and gives a small smile, “You too,” she replies.

As they walk further and further away, smell dissipating, she knows that was the last time she’ll see the closest thing she ever had to a mother and she tries to make her peace with it.

“Hey,” Horskfyr says, grabbing her hand and squeezing it gently, “You okay?”

Freyalin smiles and gives a light squeeze, “I…I am. Thank you,” she says. It's genuine. “It's just…a lot of memories in that place.”

He nods and gives a small smile. “So!” he claps his hands together, “next stop…The Doman Enclave?” his eyebrows wiggle and she rolls her eyes.

“Only if you promise to be nice,” she replies.

He feigns hurt, “I don't know what you mean, I’m a gentleman.”

“Yeah, from Sharlayan. That's not saying much.”

They continue to bicker as they get away from the desert and settle back into U’ldah, stopping by her apartment for a spell before they continue on their way. There's a lightness in her chest that she hasn't felt in a while.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxivwrite #freya writes #hope you like Hellsguard roe backstory !!!!!!

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impulsivemuses · 3 months ago

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@strcngered

While coming to this Pokemon outpost wasn't EXACTLY on the 'to-do' list of coming through the city, she needed to make a pit-stop. Her truck is running out of gas and they're running out of food. They had told the Pokemon up front they were only planning to stay for a short while until they needed to hit the road again. Percy wanted to stay here as long as possible, but she had to remind the ten year old that they needed to go to the wastelands.

This outpost... it held mostly Pokemon more then humans. It's sheltered, that's for damn sure. Though she can't be sure whp actually runs things here. It's supposed to be a community of survivors. She wished she could stay here, but she also needed to go back home. Her REAL home.

"Are you sure we can't stay fer a little while, Willow? I'm sure tha' Jeremiah wouldn' mind us stayin' safe for a bit..." Percy tries to protest, only for Willow to sigh trying to keep up her 'brave' facade she's been having lately.

"We can't stay, Perc. We're only here to refuel then leave in the truck again. Sides', these Pokemon are grantin' us passage through the town for a bit till we can figure out houtta get to the wastelands. From wha' ah hear, the city bridges have been shut down, so unless we find anothah way out, we're gonna be stuck here for a while, hun."

"Aw, okay. I actually like sleepin' inna bed fer once." Percy complained lightly, folding his arms as they would come across a variety of Pokemon talking amongst themselves. Percy felt so out of place in this own with only Pokemon here...

#DSWDFHJ WATCH AS WILLOW IS ALL LIKE: DAMN AINT YOU JUST A TALL THING *_*#IC.#NOMAD NO MORE (WILLOW)#FINDING HOPE (PERCY)#strcngered

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ratsoh-writes · 2 years ago

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For the non-swap fell papyruses, what is the thing that most distinguish them from the other versions of him?

For non swap fell, I’m assuming anyone who isn’t a swap or fell.

Papyrus: out of all the papyri, he is the puzzle Master! None of the others are as skilled as he is at solving puzzles, or making them. He also seems to have this skill of just getting along with every one. He doesn’t have any enemies among the other monsters.

Willow: he stands out with not only his baking, but also his kindness mixed in with a scary no-nonsense attitude. Willow is both a bleeding heart and a steel spine.

Sugar: he’s the only one with a kid! Lol. Being a single dad, or a dad in general, is one thing sugar has that none of the others do.

Rhythm: if you’d ask him, his dance skills are what he’d suggest first. But what really makes him stand out is now accepting he is. Rhythm doesn’t care where someone came from or what they do, as long as they’re good to him and his family he’s friendly

Jupiter: he’s pretty similar to a lot of others by being loud, impulsive, and a real brave soul. Jupiter is definitely more judgemental than papyrus but less vengeful then bruiser. He’s not the only outer-papyrus but his au does help him stand out

Rancher: definitely his super strength. He has the strength of a golem monster, which is something all the other skeletons can only dream of

Green: he’s technically not a papyrus at all but is a clone of his “father” gaster. So that’s pretty unique.

Compass: he’s a nomad monster, meaning he’s the only papyrus who can make magic items, but he also can’t make gaster blaster or bone attacks. Or magic attacks in general

Maple: he’s the “shortest” horror at only 7’6 . And he doesn’t have the health problems as the other horror monsters. Not really a flex but it does make him different

Jasper: he’s the youngest papyrus at only 25! And he’s still in college. All the others have established jobs/careers

Crow: he has wings lol.

Cricket: he’s the shortest papyrus and the only one who doesn’t pass 6 feet lol. And he’s an *sshole. That doesn’t really make him different but it’s fun to mention

Vibrato: besides being fabulous, he’s the best singer and a superstar. And he’s the only papyrus who actually owns wigs.

#undertale imagines #undertale headcanons

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outhis · 1 month ago

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Favourite albums and songs of 2024

Albums - Top 10

Father John Misty - Mahashmashana

Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well

Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood

The Lemon Twigs - A Dream Is All We Know

Bad Nerves - Still Nervous

MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Wild Gods

Personal Trainer - Still Willing

Matt Champion - Mika’s Laundry

Mk.gee - Two Star & The Dream Police

Albums - Honorable mentions

Ray Lamontagne - Long Way Home

Marcus King - Mood Swings

Kendrick Lamar - GNX

Cassandra Jenkins - My Light, My Destroyer

DIIV - Frog In Boiling Water

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Flight b741

Sheer Mag - Playing Favorites

Soccer Mommy - Evergreen

Laura Marling - Patterns in Repeat

Songs (Spotify/Apple Music)

Bad Nerves - You’ve Got The Nerve

Baynk - Grin

The Black Crowes - Wanting and Waiting

Bleachers - Modern Girl

Bon Iver - S P E Y S I D E

Bon Iver - AWARDS SEASON

Cal in Red - Kitchen (feat. James Mercer)

Cassandra Jenkins - Petco

Clairo - Nomad

Daryl Johns - I’m So Serious

DIIV - Brown Paper Bag

Eefje de Visser - Gloeien

English Teacher - Albatross

Fabiana Palladino - Stay With Me Through the Night

Fabiana Palladino - Shoulda

Father John Misty - Summer’s Gone

Fontaines D.C. - Starbuster

Fontaines D.C. - Favourite

The Hard Quartet - Hey

Hurray for the Riff Raff - The World is Dangerous

Jeremie Albino - Rolling Down The 405

Kacey Musgraves - Anime Eyes

Kacey Musgraves - Cardinal

Kacey Musgraves - Lonely Millionaire

Kendrick Lamar - reincarnated

Kendrick Lamar - heart pt. 6

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Antartica

LA Priest - Love 2 Know

The Lemon Twigs - How Can I Love Her More?

The Lemon Twigs - My Golden Years

The Lemon Twigs - They Don’t Know How To Fall In Place

Liam Gallagher & John Squire - Mars To Liverpool

Marcus King - Mood Swings

Matt Champion - Aphid (feat. Dijon)

Matt Champion - Steel (feat. Dora Jar)

MJ Lenderman - Joker Lips

MJ Lenderman - Rudolph

Mk.gee - Are You Looking Up

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Frogs

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Song of the Lake

Oso Oso - All of my Love

Personal Trainer - Intangible

Personal Trainer - Round

Phoebe Go - 7 Up

Phoebe Go - Love You Now

Real Estate - Somebody New

Rubber Band Gun - Street Memories

The Secret Sisters - Same Water

The Secret Sisters & Ray LaMontagne - All the Ways

Sheer Mag - Playing Favorites

The Smile - Friend of a Friend

Soccer Mommy - Some Sunny Day

Sports Team - I’m In Love (Subary)

Vampire Weekend - Pravda

Waxahatchee - Right Back to It (feat. MJ Lenderman)

Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood

White Denim - Hand Out Giving (feat. Eric Slick & Jared Samuel)

WILLOW - symptom of life

Wishy - Spit

#2024 #favourites

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outofangband · 1 year ago

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Birds of Dorthonion

Flora, fauna, geography and environment of Arda Masterlist

Dorthonion was a region north of greater Beleriand. It was a cool region covered in steep slopes, conifer forests and Heath covered highlands. The mountain range Ered Gorgoroth bordered it on the south and above it was the fields of Ard Galen. It was inhabited by the Arafinwëan host following Aegnor and Angrod and later, the human host following Bëor. Nomadic and semi nomadic groups of the northern Sindar and Avari also possibly lived there

As always I included world building notes at the end so it’s not just a list of species

In the conifer forests: black grouse, willow tit, goldcrest, mistle thrush, pine grossbeak, common tree creeper, common redstart, black woodpecker, chiffchaff, coal tit, common raven, crested tit, wood grouse, goshawk, spruce grouse, black throated thrush, pine bunting, boreal owl

The highlands and around Tarn Aeulin: graylag goose, common nightjar, common kestrel, snow crane, hen harrier, tundra swan, horned grebe, common crane, blue duck, water rail, black francolin, northern pintail, velvet scooter, great bittern, pallid harrier, rough legged hawk, little egret, wood lark, corn crane, black necked grebe (migratory), garganey, Merlin

The cliffs and slopes: see see partridge, rock dove, great bustard, long legged buzzard, common quail, black headed bunting, booted eagle, chukard, barred warbler, northern wren, little owl, white throated dipper (near Rivil’s well), black winged kite, steppe eagle, roller

The mountain border: bearded vulture, red fronted serin, black stork, snowcock, horned lark, rock bunting, wallcreeper, blue rock thrush, red kite, peregrine falcon, golden eagle (rare), white wagtail

World building notes:

-The vague images of pine grossbeaks were embroidered on the blankets of Bëorian children using a diluted version of the dyes created from blood madder and coal. The name in Bëorian Taliska translates to pine song bird.

-The Arafinwëan host of Dorthonion as well as some of the Avarin groups hunt with birds of prey which are also used by some of the scouts. Kestrels and Harriers are the most commonly used species. The practice is less common than among the Noldor of Eastern Beleriand however.

-Feathers (usually of peregrine falcons or common kestrels) were also used as a method of communication among Arafinwëan scouts during the times of year where weather would allow for this, left in strategic locations, lodged into the earth or tucked into trees to indicate presence or dangers.

-Eggs of various ground species were eaten by the Bëorian population and there was a practice of burying the eggshells. This was learned from the elves of Ossiriand prior to their settling in Dorthonion.

-Birds eggs appear in Northern Sindar art, in or separate from nests. Though the eggs of certain species have different meanings, they are commonly associated more generally with fragility and defense. Their images may be created through pigments made from certain actual eggshells as well as minerals and plant based dyes. One common motif involves a nest of eggs upon a steep slope or cliff.

-Birds appear throughout Bëorian songs and poems. Most commonly mentioned are the general name for the “fisher birds” (wading and diving birds) seen on and around Tarn Aeulin, as well as several of the smaller songbirds found in the pine forests such as pine grosbeak, tree creepers, and thrushes. After the Bragollach the names for some species became lost or translated differently.

-Also it’s been a headcanon of mine for awhile that Baragund would take Morwen when she was a young child out to the cliffs to watch the birds. He would teach her to identify them by their call. She remembers a lot of them, even as an adult though they are called different names and their habits are often unfamiliar.

#the silmarillion #the children of húrin #Dorthonion #beleriand #musing and meta #Morwen #baragund #houseless for exiles #northern Sindar

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writer-vaira · 2 years ago

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TRR: SABERTOOTH CLAN - PART 3

(First Chapter) (Previous Chapter) (Next Chapter)

Gurr

Reina seems distant now. I thought at first it was the animal dressing that upset her mind as well as her stomach but now I’m not so sure…

I paused a moment to watch her carve some more out of the bone. The elders sometimes used bone to make jewellery - though that was more from the Mammoth clan. Shame coursed through me at the thought that I’d lost track of the nomadic tribe. But only for a moment. I had Reina now, after all. And even if she wasn’t a hunter - obvious from her distaste of skinning animals - then she has tools that would be useful to the tribe. If she couldn’t recall her clan’s name then it would make sense for her to come live with Sabertooth.

With me.

The heat of shame at losing track of Mammoth clan was quickly replaced with a different sort of heat. Surely, I could show Reina what a good mate I’d be. I’d been trying - and even if she didn’t want to clean the animals she didn’t seem opposed to eating of them. So I could provide for Reina, that much must be obvious to her.

What else? What did Mother do when she was trying to convince Father that I should be hers?

I frowned as I tried to recall the stories of their courting. I hadn’t heard them since I was a small child after all.

“Gurr?”

Eyes to the cave entrance - clear, then Reina’s face. Her skin was like the snows, and I longed to touch it.

“Reina?”

She smiled, and my heart thumped roughly against my chest. Her teeth were perfect, like a babe’s. I tried to keep mine clean, but there was obviously something else that she was doing that I did not know. Another tool? Her basket was full of treasures after all.

“Woode you like sum soup?” She gestured at the water she was now boiling. "Can you give me the meat?"

I nodded, collecting the cut up meat - the tough stuff that I didn't smoke yet - in my bowl and bringing it to her. Her odd furs that covered her hands brushed mine - and they were not soft at all. What kind of creature would produce such a hide? Perhaps her clan had a different way of tanning - that would be a good trade, information on tanning for their knowledge of this 'stone' Reina called 'metal'. As long as she could remember her clan - she didn't seem to recall much of anything outside of how to cook in water. But then, her language was so different than theirs - her clan must have come from some distance if they did not even use the hand signals that were almost a standard across the clans in the area. But she wouldn't be doing much travelling with that ankle.

Which reminds me...

"Reina, Gurr go."

She looked from me to the leather-flap covering the cave's entrance, she brows knitting together as she poured the meat chunks into her hot water vessel.

"Gurr go where?"

I made the sign for gather as I spoke. I knew that it was mostly birch and pines around, but farther away there was a creek with a willow tree. If I could ease some of her pain by bringing her the main ingredient in the pain relief tea then it would be worth the trek. I tried to explain as best I could with their limited connected vocabulary, but in the end I just sighed - she'd learn soon enough. I mentally mapped out my journey and nodded to myself.

"Gurr here," I pointed to the floor of the cave, "sleep."

"You'll be here for sleep?"

I nodded as I ducked toward the entrance, picking up my spear en-route. As I left Reina said something about being "Seyf" whatever "seyf" was. I grunted in acknowledgement and left her in the cave. She'd be safe enough in the cave, for now, but I wanted to get back before it got too dark. Plus if she was making more soup... That would certainly soften the meat up enough to be more palatable.

I couldn't wait.

So I went as quickly as I dared, keeping an eye out for game trails and predators. It wasn't going to be too long until the snow melted away, I noticed. The birch trees were starting to drip with the sun now, all it would take would be a few days of heat and the trails would be much easier to traverse.

On and on I went, making mental notes of where dead falls were, and how much sun certain areas were getting. The idea of finally being able to bathe and not freeze and drown was becoming almost an obsession to me.

When I first set out from Sabertooth's camp I didn't take a lot with me - it was supposed to be a fairly quick expedition. But the snowstorm came and I was lucky to even find my small lean-to of a cave. And when I emerged, days later, all signs of the Mammoth clan were gone. I stayed in the area for a few weeks, hoping they'd loop back around but no luck. I was only planning on staying a few more days, smoking the land sloth to make the trek back to Sabertooth a little easier on my stomach... and then I met Reina.

I grinned a little despite myself. Even if she wasn't a hunter, she might one day recall her clan or how to procure the 'metal' she had. Besides that... she was so smart, so beautiful, I couldn't believe my luck. The ancestors in the stars were truly watching over me. If she would have me, I was sure our children would be doubly blessed. Maybe even the next generation's clan leaders.

Snap.

I paused, holding my breath to listen. My eyes darted around the birch trees, not seeing anything. The trees went on and on in all directions and I finally let myself take a breath before checking my surroundings again. Nothing stirred for awhile and I pressed on.

The snapping of trees followed me as I snuck forward. Nothing was showing itself, and I rubbed the scar along my chest subconsciously. I needed to be swift, but if the thing making noise in the woods became a problem… I readjusted my hold on the spear. How I yearned to get Reina’s technology for my people. They would be so much better off with the sharp ‘metal’ that her clan had. I cursed again at the fact that I’d shattered my sharp stone spear and had only this stick version. I knew that sometimes you could find the obsidian in flowing water, and that spurred my movement. I wanted to help Reina with her pain, but if I could also get a better weapon…

My breath was starting to show in front of my face, and I looked to the sky once more. It would be sundown soon.

I looked around again and decided that if something wanted to attack me, I’d deal with it then. My mahogany eyes scanned the area again before I started jogging. The last thing I wanted was to be caught far away from Reina when dark fell. I wouldn’t be home before dark but the faster I went now, the faster I’d be back with my mate.

I thanked the ancestor’s once more as I heard the sound of running water. I slowed as the creek came into view, bits of ice still clinging to the edge of it. I looked around again as I got closer, the frigid creek looked unappealing but I yearned to clean myself up.

Without the large stone basin from the clan to heat water I’d been forced to hand scrub with the freezing liquid. I dare not now, not with the sun fading, but perhaps I could come here with Reina, she didn’t smell bad at all - though I was sure I was ripe.

I grimaced thinking about it. Maybe I could ask Reina to use her pot for a scrub down. It was bad to use the same bowl for cleaning as for cooking but… I frowned, head jerking up at crackling in the trees. A ptarmigan. Was that my shadow? I smiled, thanking the ancestors once more. I wouldn’t catch this one - but the little bits of dark feathers coming in made my heart sing. It wouldn’t be long before spring.

I shook my head before scratching at my scalp, yeah a bath soon. My eyes followed the creek bed as I traversed it, knowing that somewhere along here my quarry would be found. After a few minutes I let out a sigh of relief. I’d simply overshot the course. The willow’s leaves dangled just above the flowing water as I neared - but I was unable to truly see how deep it was with the dim light. I looked around the bank, and found a rock that would suit my purposes, even if it wouldn’t work for a new spear head.

I scraped at the bark, trying to get at least a fistful so I wouldn’t have to make this trip again tomorrow. The work was difficult in the cold, my breath making a fog in front of my face that made it even harder to see what I was doing. I hoped what I gathered was enough and that Reina knew what to do with it. I shoved the bark into a pouch at my hip along with the stone. The flapping of erratic wings caught my attention, and I looked back to see the ptarmigan in flight. What spooked it?

Warily, the I held my spear tight, keeping the direction the bird came from to my front. Whatever it was could probably climb… I grit my teeth. A sabertooth? Surely not out here…

I walked backwards, checking at my shadow every few steps. The sabertooth tigers were supposed to be rare, the fact that my clan was named after them would be legend in time - perhaps even with my children's children.

An odd grinding noise touched my ears, so very faint. What could that possibly be? It unnerved me. Reina was a gift, but had her injuries come from something ‘metal’ - the stuff that her tools came from? Had she angered her ancestors somehow? Now that I thought of the metal Reina had I realised I had heard that grinding noise once before. The sound of the lid scraping the top of her pot. Metal against metal.

Was it one of her clan members, out to find her? Perhaps I could reunite Reina with her family! My heart swelled a moment, but still kept a warrior’s grip on my spear. Who knew what they were like? Reina might come from a technologically advanced clan, but what if they were violent with their tools? I kept watch, walking upstream towards where I’d spotted the ptarmigan at first. The noise got only marginally louder. What tools did they have that had to grind together so much?

My breath was getting more noticeable as the sky turned a darker orange, almost red, as it dipped behind the mountains. I stood still a moment, suddenly unsure. What if they were hostile and Reina was left alone? What if I couldn’t get back to her and she was attacked or… worse. I grit my teeth, if it were Reina’s clan it was my duty to see them reunited. Even if I never saw her again. I had to tell them where she was.

I strode forward, carefully picking my way through the underbrush, avoiding roots that were getting near impossible to see under the snow.

The grinding stopped.

I cleared my throat, about to call out when I saw it across the creek. This was no clan member. The thing looked like a dire wolf - with its back legs broken and trailing behind it. But it couldn’t be a wolf, wolves had fur. This creature, this thing, was covered in metal. The head of it swivelled towards me, its movements jarring the body it pulled forward on its front legs.

Blue fire light came from its eyes - illuminating the snowy bank in front of it. It watched me with an intensity that I knew - I had seen before. This thing was hunting. It pulled itself closer to the water’s edge, staring at me with something akin to hatred. Ancestors, hear me, let me make it back to Reina alive. She needs me.

I watched with mounting horror as the metal wolf opened its jaw, red fire light in its throat showing the rows upon rows of teeth. My blood turned to ice as the open maw produced a screeching howl. The legs behind it were hanging on by loose sinew - but it wasn’t like animal meat, it was all metal.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up as it looked back at me, cocking its head before looking at the water a brief moment. It was unconcerned with my presence, and that shook me - there was no mistaking this as anything but an apex predator.

He didn’t know what it was, but I knew it could not be allowed to live. I gripped my wooden spear anxiously. It was made of Reina’s metal - my spear would do no good against it. I took a step back as the thing pulled itself to the water, dipping a toe in experimentally. A noise sounded and the creature pulled its foot back, yelping.

How did it seem so much like a wolf? It was as if a wolf had been built out of metal and given life. Did someone… make this? I stared at it with new eyes - could Reina’s people have made this monstrosity? I moved back a few more steps and the thing followed along the water. The lack of hind legs hindered its movements but it wasn’t as slow as I hoped. The thing howled again, piercing my ears with the pitch.

No one returned its call.

A large boon considering. I watched the thing come close to the water again, looking up and down the bank. It’s looking for a way to cross. Okay so maybe I couldn’t kill it, but maybe I could force it into the water. Reina’s people might be upset at its loss but I could not let it live to follow me home. It wasn’t… right. Even if it showed no interest in me, I could not allow this thing to wander free.

Everything deserved a chance at life, but this thing… I watched it drag its legs behind it with no apparent issues. This thing was a monster. The ancestors would surely shun me if I let it live. Reina’s people - if they did design it - would not be allowed to join their ancestors without atonement, of this I was certain. It was not natural.

Only those with a womb or egg layers could create life - Not… make it with hands and unnatural blue fire.

I kept going downstream, the eyes of the creature showing me exactly where it was. There was an ice patch that spanned the creek - but it would not hold a creature of my size, let alone this thing.

I went slowly, making sure to keep its attention. The dogged way it was watching me made me so uncomfortable. I knew if I messed up, I would not live to see Reina or my family again. This creature of metal would not allow it.

It moved quietly, aside from the grinding of metal from where the hips and back legs rubbed against each other. The silence made me uneasy - my breath was loud in my ears, rivaled only by the thumping of my erratic heartbeat.

I’d hunted many things before. I’d been hunted by wolves once as well, while the hunting party were bringing back a large kill to camp. I’d seen the hunger in the wolves’ eyes and knew they were desperate. But this thing? It had no food hunger, for how could it eat? It was hunting me for the thrill alone.

There was a thing all hunters knew of, if only once in awhile. The thrill of being able to land the killing blow - of knowing you were the best provider. The thrill of sneaking up on prey with your hunting companions and knowing you would get the kill - that you would eat tonight. It was the most animal part of clan members, even the elders talked of it. Which is why it was most important to thank the creature for its life - to remember that something had to die to fill your belly. It was humbling and required by all. No hunter I’d met had baulked at the idea of thanking the creature for its life. Except one. One clan member had been attacked by a rabid badger… and the Eagle Clan awoke to slaughtered children before being able to tie the man, Zehir, up. It was impossible to reason with him, and he called for more blood to spill when he was ungagged. Eagle Clan had to put Zehir down, to the sorrow of all.

This metal wolf reminded me of Zehir. It did not want to eat me to satiate the hunger it could not feel. It wanted to kill. For killing’s sake.

I shuddered as it pulled itself along, one of the back legs snapping off and left in the dirt. It was only a few more steps - the wolf saw the ice before staring at me. The ice that spanned the creek was ten feet away, and I felt sweat drip down my back. The false wolf ran - faster than I would have thought possible with its two front legs - down the bank and skidded across the ice.

Please, ancestors, please let me return to Reina.

The wolf bayed in triumph as it started to close in on the other side of the creek. I lowered my spear, bracing it against the earth as it ran the last few feet across the ice-

It crashed beneath it, and the triumphant howling turned to pain - small lightning sparked around it as it tried to gain purchase on my side of the creek. It hauled itself up just in time to let out one last whine - the whole body going limp against the water’s edge.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, hands cramping from how tightly they held to my spear. Did it work? Had the ancestor’s heard me? I didn’t take my eyes off the metal body as I fished around for the stone amongst the willow bark. I took a steadying breath as I pulled it from the pouch, taking careful aim before lobbing it at the monster.

It clanged against the side of its neck, with no other movement or sound. I waited before slowly making my way towards the creature. If it could drag itself around with no back legs, perhaps it could fake death?

I wasn’t taking any chances. My blood felt like ice in my veins, while my skin burned. I was a hunter, but I hadn’t felt like this before. Never.

I’d known fear. Fear was important, it kept you safe. Fear let you return home to your family. But this... this was beyond anything I’d felt before. This monster was not natural.

I was close enough now. I grit my teeth and poked the side of it with my spear enough to move the creature. Again, harder. Harder. The metal body rolled slightly, showing its belly. I stabbed hard where there was a gap in the metal plates, but nothing happened. I looked around the area before falling to my knees.

I felt hot tears run down my face, and my body shook from the adrenaline. I was finally safe. ... I was safe.

Once I’d collected myself enough, I looked over the body with the twilight that remained. It was metal alright, all of it. Metal skin, soft twisty metal organs… everything. I frowned. How could metal be alive? Reina used her metal like the Sabertooth Clan used stone. A tool, nothing more.

I pulled on the body - it was heavy, there would be no bringing it back to show Reina. How the monster was able to move that fast with that weight, I had no idea. The whole thing was unnatural. Even its feet were metal with darker metal claws… The leg! I looked at the creek. If Reina knew how to use metal, maybe she would know how or why this thing existed. Her ankle would make it difficult to get out here but the monster's leg… that would work to show Reina. I wouldn’t cross to get the leg that had fallen but the other back leg was also barely hanging on. I pulled with both hands, standing on either side of the joint and yanking as hard as I could. It came loose after I twisted and nearly fell into the icy water beside the monster.

Grunting, I threw the hindleg further inland before pulling the body as far away from the water as I could. After three feet I gave up, noting that I could barely make out my surroundings.

I had to get home.

Reina

Relax, he said he’d be back in time to sleep. I poked the fire a little, making sure my pot was getting the heat it needed. A sigh escaped me, and I leaned back to work on my fish hooks some more. They were… it was a waste of bone, truly. I grimaced as another hook shattered under my fingers. The book made it look so easy. But to get the bone thin enough without going to break off in the fish’s mouth? Ugh.

Gurr didn’t seem phased by what I was doing, so perhaps he knew how to carve bone and not have it shatter into a million pieces. Maybe the curved bit is what I’m having trouble with. Maybe I could make a needle? Though the eye would have to be made first… I looked at the entrance of the cave again. There was no light leaking through, which was the same as it had been for the last couple hours.

I sighed, bundling up my bone mess and calling it for the night. It was tough to move around the cave, especially with my bummed ankle. I cursed myself once more for having made the mistake of not watching where I was going. Gurr really saved me. Even if I didn’t have the bad ankle I’d still be lost in a world with no real proper experience. What did he get out of it? Perhaps he really was just a nice guy. I scoffed to myself as I cinched my backpack closed, shaking my head and smiling at my own stupid joke. They haven’t evolved into assholes yet.

Noise from outside caught my attention. Gurr? No, it’s wings. I looked at my bow a moment, before my heart leapt into my throat at the scratching scrambling sound from the leather door flap. It was trying to gain purchase on the top of the cave, I was sure of it. And if it’s that small - surely I could dispatch it?

My lips formed a solid line, brows coming together. I knew what I had to do, but I’d never shot an animal before. my type of archery was all about the artform, not hunting. But Gurr couldn’t be the only one that was providing, I could help. I had to help, because I was not going to be a kept woman.

As carefully as I could, I picked my way to the front of the cave, the flapping settling down as I drew closer and held my bow at the ready. Deep breaths, you got this. I ducked my head out, and the bird flew out out out… Breathe in, hold… release.

The bird squawked once loudly before it hit the ground. I watched where it fell before glancing around. Nothing else seemed to be in the clearing. I ducked back into the cave and looked around. There was a larger stick that they’d been using to poke the fire with, but it wasn’t going to hold a flame… I couldn’t leave the bird out there for something else to claim it… I grabbed a smaller bit of fire wood and let it catch fire on the tip. It wouldn’t burn long before hitting my hands so I hobbled out of the cave as fast as I could. It was maybe thirty feet out, which would normally not be an issue but with my ankle it took far longer than I expected. The bird was still warm, which was simultaneously wonderful and disgusting on my bare hands.

When I finally got to the cave, I fell to my ass heavily, relief of not stepping on the hurt leg anymore was so strong I took a moment to savour it. Perhaps I should take some of the ibuprofen I had… but then I wouldn’t be thinking of the future. If I really was stuck here, I didn’t have a pharmacy I could go to to just get some more. What if I got sick?

I know I should save it, but damn if I’m not tempted. I looked to the entrance again. Where the hell- heck was he? I refused to believe that he was hurt, because there was nothing I could do if he was. I had no idea where he went. Next time, we’re leaving together, I don’t care what he says.

The bird was laying there, taunting me. How long until it would be difficult to dress it? Would I have to do it before rigour mortis set in? How long does that take? I glanced once more at the cave entrance, before grimacing. Gurr might not be back tonight, if he got waylaid by something he might be camping out somewhere else. I looked back at the bird. I can’t. I shook my head and turned back to the soup. It’s been ready for hours… might as well dig in.

It was on my second bowl that I heard footsteps crunching on the snow and stone outside. I grabbed my knife, holding it in front of me with both hands. I’d be a lot more impressive if my hands weren’t shaking. Gurr’s mess of hair ducked past the flap and my arms fell to my sides.

“Gurr you scared the s--”, What the hell was he holding? “Gurr, what is that?”

“Reina…” Gurr groaned as he sat heavily by the fire, tossing the obviously metal thing to the side. “Soup?”

“Oh god, of course!” I fervently eyed the metal thing as I poured soup into Gurr’s bowl. He’d been gone for so long and he was obviously exhausted, but how did he have a stick of metal?

As soon as he had the bowl in his hands, I rushed to inspect the metal. It looked like a sculpture of some kind, but it had wiring up and down the center. One end even looked like a paw? Like a dog paw. Even had some intense claws. Whoever made this was seriously good at metal work. But how…?

“Gurr, what is this?”

He looked at it, then took another chug of hot soup. His face was red, and he looked… haunted by the thing I held up. I waited impatiently for him to swallow. This could be my ticket out of this damn place.

“It…” He scratched the side of his beard, “It… grrr.”

“It’s… you?” I pointed at him, confused.

“No.” He clenched his hands a moment, “It-” He howled and looked at me sheepishly.

“A wolf?” I looked at the thing in my hand once more, awareness dawning, “Gurr, was this thing alive? Wolf?” I asked again, before howling a little myself. It feels silly but what else could we do to make it obvious? Gurr nodded.

“Reina, what is?”

“I don’t know Gurr…” I rolled it over in my palms, inspecting it once more. “If it came from a wolf-”

my eyes snapped up, “Gurr, you killed it?”

The caveman tilted his head and blinked.

“Uh.. Hunt?” I made a stabbing motion, to which he nodded vehemently. He started spinning his tale with hand motions and I struggled to keep up. There was stabbing, stalking, and howling.

“Wait wait, Gurr-” I shook my head, “This wolf, awoo, wolf, was moving around the water?”

“Water, yes. Gurr hunt, woof in water, woof hunted.”

“Okay…” I watched as he pointed at the leg before continuing.

“Metal… metal no water. Metal…,” Gurr paused before making a cracking noise, “Kirsh kirsh kirsh in water.”

“It was electric?”

“What lectrick?”

“Uh…” I didn’t know how to answer that one. I shook my head. “A metal wolf hunted Gurr, then Gurr hunted it into water? Water killed the wolf? Water hunted the wolf?”

“Ah! Yes! Water hunted wolf!” He grinned ear to ear at the communication bridge, “Kill is end of hunt?”

“Yes, you hunt, wolf was alive, now it’s dead.”

He nodded solemnly, scratching his chin, “Kill wolf dead. Water kill wolf.”

I examined the leg in my hands again, investigating further. The outside plating was so smooth, it looked more like a laptop shell - just smooth metal. The foot, as I poked it, wiggled individual toes. The toe beans even had a rougher texture, as if it was built for climbing. The inside was well protected, but where the leg would attach to the hip was exposed enough to peruse.

The wires and cordage looked like the innards of an animal, just… metal. It was unnerving. Who or what could have made this? Animatronics couldn’t move on their own, couldn’t hunt like Gurr was referencing.

“What if…” I paused, watching Gurr pour himself more soup, “What if when I was sent back in time, other things were as well? What if things from the far future were sent back too?”

“Reina?”

“Yeah, Gurr?” I felt my voice crack as I locked eyes with his, the world suddenly seemed much more dangerous, “What is it?”

“Reina hunt?” He pointed at the bird that was just laying there.

“Yeah with my bow.” I gestured to the carbon fiber tool, “I don’t have a lot of arrows though so we’ll have to be careful.”

Gurr looked over the fire at my bow leaning against the cave wall.

“How?”

“How did I hunt?”

He grunted, tilting his head a bit more, watching the bow as if he watched long enough it would reveal its secrets.

“I can show you tomorrow? After sleep?”

He grunted, “Reina, go with Gurr? Metal wolf?”

“There’s more? Yes, sleep then metal wolf.” I had to know. Was it a statue or was this thing truly some kind of cyborg? Or robot? Who cares what the difference is, good lord Reina! I shook my head as Gurr rifled through his furs. I wasn’t sure how he wore the damn things, it just looked like blankets belted to him… And he pulled out some bark.

“Reina, soup.”

“Uhh…” I reached around the fire to take it, “Thanks Gurr, what’s it-”

That smell… where had I smelled that before? It… couldn’t be…? I scrambled to my backpack, making Gurr jump with my sudden movement.

“Reina?”

I grunted as I rifled through my bag to find my little stash of meds. I popped open one section and… Yeah, it smelled like ibuprofen. Was this the plant the med was derived from? Haitao, my friend in med school would know. He was focusing on the traditional Chinese medicine and its applications for modern medicine.

“Gurr, is this for me? For my ankle?”

“Ain-kull?” He pointed at the foot, “Reina hurt.”

“Yes, oh Gurr,” I smiled, “You went out all that way just for me?”

He looked away a moment, before pointing at the bundle of bark in my hands, “Reina hurt, Gurr… Gurr hunt. Hunt for soup. Hmm… not hunt…”

He made a picking motion, like he was picking berries off the bush. “Pjal?”

“You gathered? Gather?” I copied his motion, “Gather the bark?”

He nodded, pointing at the pot, “Soup for ain-kull. Sleep then soup?”

I nodded, “Sounds good Gurr.”

As Gurr curled up against me for the night, naked, again, I watched the last of the embers glint against the light of the metal wolf leg.

What the hell is going on?

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#ttr #time rift romance #time rift #Sabertooth Clan #original works #original writing #caveman #interspecies #interspecies romance #trr

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