hmdshop001

[kairukitsuneo]

Pocket Edgin 😈😈🤭💕

[a-kind-of-merry-war]

I Hate You

Five times Ed told Xenk he hates him, and one time... he tells him he hates him again, actually.

2.3k, Rated T for swears.

~~~

1

Xenk strides ahead through the winding tunnels of the Underdark, his pretentious cape billowing behind him.

It’s like he has his own personal wind, Ed thinks. Probably generates it himself, the smug bastard, no magic required.

The eery little creatures on the walls around them pulsate gently as they pass, their shimmering tentacles casting a dim blue light across Xenk’s armour. It glimmers. There’s something oddly hypnotic about it. Ed wonders when he last polished it. He was probably polishing it that very morning, desperate not to get a speck on it.

Fucking paladins. Fucking Harpers.

Ed watches him forge on ahead with increased annoyance.

“I hate you,” he whispers. Xenk says nothing, but the tilt of his head is enough for Ed to know he heard.

*

2

After the incident in Neverwinter, Ed does not become rich beyond his wildest dreams. He does not bring home cartloads of gold. He does not swap out cotton for silk and linen.

What Ed does is quietly curse Xenk under his breath every time he thinks about what he could have had. He isn’t poor - heroes of the realm aren’t left to freeze and starve, after all - but he always wonders what life would be like with a little more lining in his pockets.

That is what makes him to take the job offer when it lands at his feet. Although it’s a difficult job to say no to - a request from the old Lord himself, who has sought out Ed and Holga’s skills personally, to deal with what he describes as a spot of bother in a town a few miles from the city. This time, Kira is undeniably nervous but seems keen for them to go: they’re heroes, now, she reminds them. For the first time, Ed realises that she’s proud of him, and that would convince him to do nearly anything.

He muses, as he dodges out of the way of the snarling creature that’s been eating the local’s sheep and goes barreling into a towering pile of hay bales, that he is very glad Kira cannot see him right now. For a baffling moment, straw poking him in all the wrong places, he has no idea which way is up, flailing wildly for something to grab.

And then he does. He wraps his hand around something firm and strong and cold and—

He's heaved to his feet. Standing in front of him, radiant in his armour and the dazzling light, is Xenk.

Ed quickly lets go of his arm.

“Greetings, Edgin.”

Behind him, surrounded by villagers making ohh noises, is the decapitated body of the beast that Ed had been fighting, not seconds before.

“I had it under control,” Ed says.

“Of course.” Xenk smiles.

Ed thinks of the reward money. Of the accolades. Kira’s pride.

“...I hate you,” Ed says.

The smile does not fade. “Of course.”

*

3

First things first: Ed stinks. The stink is everywhere, it’s like it's in his bones, under his skin, in his head.

At least the damn dragon is dead.

“Please, oh heroes, please help us slay the beast!”

Ed had such high hopes. On the ride from their home to the mountainside town, he and Holga had been excitedly discussing how they would split the dragon’s hoard. Gems, jewels, piles of gold: they’d be rich, even after splitting it five ways.

Five. It had taken five of them to slay a dragon last time, after all.

And then, of course, there had been no gems, no jewels, no piles of gold taller than Ed stood.

What sort of shitty dragon hoards garbage?

No wonder the townspeople wanted rid of it.

He slides from the huge pile of muck. He can hear Holga cursing behind him, something about "and it’s in my fucking hair, too", while Doric, transformed momentarily into an enormous bear, attempts to lift a particularly sticky slab of debris from Simon.

Ed tries to stand, slips, and falls down again. This time at least he’s got his mouth shut.

“Need a hand?”

Ed looks up from where he’s on his knees in what he really, really hopes isn’t raw sewage. For a moment, he’s blinded by the sun, then the shadow ahead of him shifts, moves, and suddenly the light is blocked.

Xenk peers down at him, illuminated from behind, one hand extended.

Ed does not take it but instead struggles to his feet, determined not to fall again. He spits as he finally manages to stand.

“How the fuck—”

Xenk is spotless. From his dazzling armour to his perfect cape and his flawless skin. There is not a speck of dirt or shit or mud or even blood on him.

For a moment, Ed can only gape at him with his mouth open. He feels something cold and slimy slide down his back.

“I hate you.”

He goes to push Xenk aside (he dodges, of course he dodges) and strides away.

*

4

How Xenk became a regular member of Ed and Holga’s party, Ed just isn’t sure. It’s not just him: Simon, of course, joins them often, as does Doric when she’s able or the need arises. Ed enjoys having them both around - even if their whole on-again-off-again thing is beginning to piss him off - but Xenk is another matter entirely.

What really annoys him, really, actually gets on his nerves, is the fact that everyone else seems to love him. Sure, Xenk is noble and clever and a brilliant fighter. Yes, he’s a keen tactician and diplomat and is popular wherever he goes, and of course he’s the best swordsman Ed has ever seen and is furiously, distractingly handsome, but—

Where was that thought going?

Right, yes. 

Everyone else loves him. But, of course, everyone loves Ed, too. Ed is just as popular, even if he is a bit more abrasive. Everyone loves a bard. That’s the way of things. 

This is, Ed knows, a dangerous path to let his thoughts wander down when he’s several pints in as they celebrate a decisive victory and is swiftly seeing those pints down with several more, just to keep the first ones safe.

Simon is describing a stunt that Xenk pulled off to an adoring crowd of onlookers. Ed isn’t even sure what part of the daring deed he’s talking about, but the way the crowd is enraptured by his story is grating on him regardless. 

Ed sees back his pint, nearly drops the tankard on the table, and the words spill from his mouth before he can stop them - not that he would try anyway.

“I hate you,” he mumbles.

Simon doesn’t stop in his story. None of his audience notices. 

But Xenk looks up. He catches Ed’s eye across the table. This, Ed thinks. Let this be it. Let him drop that stupid facade and throw himself across the table and hit me. Go on. He eggs him on in his mind. He wonders what his face is doing. Do it, he thinks. Do it. 

Xenk… does nothing. He smiles, the bastard.

The next thing Ed remembers is being poured into a bed in the roof of the inn. Someone is holding him up, making sure he doesn’t trip. There’s a metallic sounding clang that puts his teeth on edge, and when he rolls over he realises that someone’s placed a mental bucket beside the mattress.

“Sorry.”

He looks up. Xenk leans over him. No: he doesn’t lean over him. He’s standing a measured distance away, holding himself carefully.

Ed mumbles something. Xenk smiles again.

When Ed wakes up, horrible dawn light slicing across his face, he’s alone.

*

5

It’s all gone a bit wrong. Ed would be the first to admit when it goes wrong, but this time—

This time they’re truly fucked.

They shouldn’t have gone in with three people. But everyone else was busy, and they were running out of time, and so they entered the tower as a trio: He, Holga - and Xenk.

He’s been getting sort of used to having him around.

Which is what makes this—

It’s what makes this so bad.

He hoists him up over the edge of the demolished floor, pulling him up onto the stone beside him. Holga calls from somewhere up above - she’s coming to get them. Just stay there. Just hold on.

That’s what he mutters to Xenk, too, as he pulls his armour away. 

Ed has never seen Xenk’s cloak stained red, before. The colour looks wrong.

Xenk’s eyes are closed. Ed’s hands shake as he strips off the armour. Xenk would hate to see him treat the expensive plate so carelessly - not that he would see fit to tell him that himself, not in the sort of language that Ed would use, anyway.

Ed presses his hand’s to the paladin’s chest. He’d feared this. Not this exactly, but the fear of being without a magic user is what forced him to finally tap into his buried bard’s magic late sometime last year. The going has been rough, even with Simon’s - and, to Ed’s surprise, Xenk’s tutelage. He’s learnt little, but enough.

It has to be enough.

Ed’s hands stain Xenk’s shirt in scarlet smears. Xenk's blood is hot. Like this, he suddenly seems human. Fragile.

Ed mutters the healing words. It’s the only healing spell he knows, and he’s shitty at it and exhausted to boot, but at this stage he’s willing to try anything.

He feels the magic course through him, down his arms, into Xenk’s chest. There’s a strange, floating moment where he feels the steady thud of Xenk’s heart in his hands, all the way up into his core. Ed can feel his eyes drooping. He’s so tired.

But Xenk opens his eyes.

“Ed?” 

Ed’s never seen him look so scared.

No: that’s wrong. He’s seen him look this scared once before - the moment the hand had wrapped around his torso and pulled him over the edge into the darkness.

Everything hurts. Ed pulls his hands away, and feels himself falling.

“I hate you.”

And then it all goes black.

*

+1

A gentle wind carries with it the smell of fresh leaves and summer wildflowers. Behind Xenk, hooked neatly on the protruding branch of a tree, his cloak moves in the breeze like ocean waves.

Edgin is unusually quiet. He’s leaning against the tree, his lute on his lap, although he isn’t playing. He stares out at something that Xenk cannot see.

“Edgin?”

There’s no response. Xenk goes to sit next to him, crossing his legs and settling straight-backed at his side.

After a few more moments of silence, Edgin finally speaks.

“It’s been a year, you know.”

Xenk turns to look at him. He does not pay too much attention to the passing of time: the celebration of dates and numbers.

“Since?”

Edgin does not respond, but sits up properly, leans forwards, and tugs at the open neck of Xenk’s undershirt, exposing the edge of the twisting scar that splits his dark skin.

Oh. He supposes it has been a year: although it feels like far less time has passed. A lot has changed in a single year - a lot that once terrified him. It feels less frightening now.

“I see.”

“Do you?”

There’s a sudden heat in Edgin’s voice. Like he’s held these words back for too long, and now they’re scorching him.

“Do you see, Xen? Do you really?”

Xen. Xenk cannot remember the last time someone gave him a diminutive name. This is another thing that’s changed in the last year. Before, he would have demanded his full name. But now… Now it makes him feel like he belongs. He belonged to the Harpers, in a way. He had taken dozens of oaths, oaths designed to make many feel like one.

But this— this is different. It was different when Edgin and Holga accepted him as one of the gang, and it’s even more different now, sitting here alone in the sunshine with Edgin.

Ed.

“I—” he struggles with his words, now. He never did before. “Tell me how you see it.”

Ed takes a deep breath. 

“It’s been a fucking year, Xen,” he says. His words have cooled but not extinguished, like fresh-forged red steel. “A year since I thought you were dead. Since we—”

Xenk knows what he’s thinking of. He’s remembering that night - the night after Ed had pulled him back from the brink, nearly throwing himself over in the process. The long, still evening broken by the quiet, quickly smothered confession.

“I told you I hated you,” Ed says, finally. His words are just steam, now. Light and ephemeral.

“You did,” Xenk agrees. 

“I never— I never said sorry.”

“I know you did not mean it.”

Ed’s expression cracks. “Part of me did,” he admits, at last. “I hated you for— for leaving us.” And then, even more quietly: “...leaving me.”

The air feels heavy around them. Xenk twists around to better look at him. He takes Ed’s jaw between gentle fingers, feeling the scratch of his stubble, the gentle puff of his breath when Xenk rubs his thumb against his lip.

Ed does not resist as Xenk pulls him forwards and presses their lips together. Even now, it still thrills him - fills him in a way that all the magic and oaths in the world could not. Xenk thought he knew goodness, until now. He thought he knew devotion. He was wrong.

When they finally part, Ed stares at him with wide, dark eyes. He looks like a man lost.

He blinks once. Twice. And then his expression splits into one that Xenk has grown both familiar and fond of: a cocky grin to shrug off the fact that Ed has just experienced an emotion.

“You mushy bastard,” he says. “I hate you.”

Xenk grins, and kisses him again.

“No,” he says. “You do not.”

[illumiiiz]

sooo after taking @bluebellhairpin's neon sign from her room it’s time to open my room to the people so they may rob me

tagging: @cndrne @tabsters @anothermaddi @bondilluns @ironmars @slayfics @tranquilitybasehotelcasino (you have cool stuff)

[darlinghowl]

tav asks: 4, 10, 20, 21 💖

so a little background on my tav: her name is val’ghast (she and her twin brother taz’myril named themselves when they were 13), she’s a half-drow rogue/bard with an urchin background. she and her brother grew up traveling from city to city, never settling for long. taz’myril gets taken first by the absolutist cult (and brought to moonrise towers), and in looking for him in baldur’s gate that’s when she gets taken by the mindflayers and put on the nautiloid

4. what hobbies does your tav have? how did they acquire this?

she likes to sew/knit (1. bc i imagine she patched her and her brother’s clothes growing up but 2. between volo and edgin in dndhat there’s like. a joke to be made abt bards and knitting). she loves to play her lyre and her brother’s lute. after escaping the Underdark as children, she and her brother were enraptured watching a bard play in the first tavern they found after leaving. also her goddess is eilistraee who is the drow goddess of beauty, song, dance, freedom, moonlight, sword work and hunting, so she finds its a good way to pay tribute to her for helping guide her and her brother out of the Underdark. she also enjoys dancing for the same reason. and she’s an excellent pick-pocket. oftentimes her brother would disguise himself as a handsome elf in richer cities and while he distracted them, val’ghast would pick their pockets for trinkets

10. what would your tav consider to be their greatest skill? is this accurate?

she thinks she’s great at insight having grown up as an urchin and a rogue you’d think she would be good at picking up on body language of people and she does as well. but surprisingly it’s what she fails at most 😭 so no, it’s not accurate. i think her greatest skill is actually slight of hand and either persuasion or deception, can’t remember right off

20. what is your tav’s greatest regret?

she had a fight with taz’myril that lead to him leaving her for baldur’s gate, on the road to which is where he was taken. it takes her a few days to catch up to where he was taken because she stubbornly believed he would come back, but when it was clear he wouldn’t she tried tracking him down. she found his pack and his lute, as well as an apology he was writing to her. so her biggest regret is letting him get away from her, being too stubborn to follow so she could protect him. her goal throughout the plot of the game is to find him and make it right

21. how does your tav feel about love?

i don’t think she’s so jaded as to say she doesn’t believe in it, but she definitely doesn’t believe it’s for her. she and taz’myril have spent their whole lives on the run from their past in the Underdark, so i don’t think she ever allowed herself to get close enough to anybody for it to matter. her LI is gale, who is so so so earnest and passionate that i think it allows her to change her mind on that

30 Questions for Your Tav

[rotdnd]

Session 3

A few days after defeating Mortis, the party was led to the main fortress of the New Valoria, where Lord Varian lives. There was a solemnness to the air as they walked.

They entered the house and went up the stairs, to the door on the right. Lord Varian was waiting for the party, looking worse for ware. Lord Varian said that the basement where the party found the supplies was actually from an organization known as the black spider, which is a terrorist group that wanted to destroy the city to let in the zombies... possibly working with the Pharoah Kahmus?

Lord Varian tells the party that, if they bring information to him, or take action against the black spider, he will give them 500 gold coins. If the black spider group manages to be destroyed, then the party will get 1000 gold coins.

Captain Saline gave Scott a map and some information on the Black Spider: there is a tavern known as the Black Lotus, which has been a consistent front for the organization. It's located near the slums district. Captain Saline also gave the party an envelope which held further information on how to disguise themselves as patrons of the bar so they could gain information. The party was also informed that the city would be in lockdown until the problem is solved.

The group walked toward the slums, with Warren leading. As they walked over, Charles changed his appearance, and the party changed into their costumes.

When the party entered the tavern, Scott cast detect magic and noticed that Daniel Lotus, the bartender, was holding a glowing cloth. Other than that, the tavern was unsuspecting and wasn't very busy. Scott also notices that there is an invisible creature sitting at the table by the entrance of the bar.

Quartzara overheard a table talking about moving some flowers into the [ellins?] district now that the guards were gone.

Warren walks over to Daniel and slides him 50 copper for information about a certain group of patrons. Daniel tells him that they're drug dealers and are moving massive amounts of black tar heroin. They don't like talking to outsiders, but Zekial, the dragonborne ring leader, could be convinved to talk...

Scott, Zendressi, and Charles meander toward the men in the corner who appear th be gambling. One of the men, apparantly the leader of the operation, beckons them over and asks if they're buying in. Scott buys 10 rolls, Charles buys 20, and Zendressi also buys in, but says that if he wins, he wants information.

After winning, Zendressi is told that the symbol carved into the bar is the Black Spider symbol - but you can only see it if you use the correct spell, prestigitation, which, unfortunately, none of the party members currently have.

Scott and Zendressi head toward the bar, where they chat with Borvof Shen.

Elwyn notices that the man on the left of scott is wearing a black cloak. He gets up and walks past someone at the bar before dropping something. The cloaked figure drops a piece of parchment - it is glowing.

The man picks up the parchment paper and begins to walk toward the door. Warren pick pockets the parchment from the man and gives it to Elwyn.

The group, deciding that they are done in the tavern, decide to leave, but as they walk toward the door they are hailed by the invisible creature; Ismara. Ismara asks Scott to use detect magic on the scroll, but Quartzara ends up detecting the magic instead. Quartzara can see that the lettering on the page begins to glow the same blue that was on the undead...

The parchment reads, "The traitor Edgin Darius needs to be dealt with..." it also states that he is in the whispering alley. The signature is a spider with a red skull on the abdomen. The party decides that they should try to save him and Warren leads the group to the western corner of the slums district.

After arriving to whispering alley, Rhicca attempts to scout out the area but sand flies into her eyes and she is unable to see very far. With this in mind, Charles, Zendressi and Quartzara look around and find a sleeping man in one of the buildings.

Charles shakes Edgin awake and he steps back, brandishing a knife. Charles says, "They're trying to kill you!" and Edgin puts his knife down and begins conversing with the party.

He says he used to be a part of the black spider, and then left because they started getting crazier and crazier. He also said that they had phases in their plan, with the first being to break down the western gate and control the zombies with a rune given to them by Morris.

He said that the items in the bunker they came across a few days earlier was meant to destroy the city... to destroy New Valeria. Before he could say anyting else, a single arrow shot out and hit him in the neck, killing him. The party realized that they were surrounded by bandits, and one man spoke up: "You've heard too much," and a fight broke out.

During the battle, Warren nearly died, but was saved at the last moment by Zendressi.

[meetevieinthehallway]

jus’ a little, i-itty bit.

in which she can’t have him when her lips are this stained.

(a bit of filth included)

-

harry was ultimately drained.

there was a specific ache in his back that had accompanied him throughout the day, pulsing at the top of his spine and making him wince at certain positions.

his hair—at this point—was ultimately unruly and unkempt from the amount of times his fingers ran through his locks, pulling and tugging in frustration and in thought.

his lip was bitten raw from being in between his teeth or pinched between his thumb and forefinger, listening to the track over and over again until he was almost sick of hearing it.

his hands were somewhat sore from gentle plucks of the guitar he had toyed with this afternoon, praying that the indents in his fingertips would bring about motivation, inspiration.

nevertheless, he cranked out two songs today, making him ultimately beaming with pride and his throat a bit raw and tired.

he stumbled through the door with heavy feet and an unzipped coat, his nose pink from the cold circulating in the outside air. his beanie had been pulled down to the middle of his forehead from the time he walked from inside the studio to his awaiting driver, who he last-minute remembered possessed a peculiar hatred for artificial heating. so, correspondingly, harry’s body never warmed up in the fifteen minute drive, causing his toes to go numb and his teeth to chatter lightly. he would never ask him to crank the heat, because it’s bad enough he has to drive around a famous stranger all day— harry wasn’t gonna torture the guy with something he specifically despised.

his boots clunked as he passed through the doorway, wrinkling his nose up and closing the door behind him with his back. he inhaled deeply with his eyes closed, then blinked them open, and exhaled slowly— peacefully.

his love had reduced the lighting significantly, the lamps dimmed around the room. it was close to dark, matching the scene outside, and the warmth wrapped his body and nuzzled him. he smiled lazily, his hand carding up and taking the beanie off his hair, curls bouncing out as he shivered. it smelt like vanilla and it was so peacefully quiet that he could fall asleep right then and there.

“angel? where are you?” harry’s voice was a soft coo and his dimples appeared as he leaned his hand against the wall.

he kicked his shoes off as he inhaled the aroma of sweetness, throwing his coat on a chair nearby as he hummed his way down the foyer. he craved for his girl like he craved the warmth to envelop him; he wanted her wrapped around and within his soul, caressing his skin until he was lulled to sleep. he couldn’t wait to bury his face in her neck and stay there for a while, his lips caressing her own and her skin for a time before he found the energy to carry her to bed. he always told her to stop waiting up for him, but she would kiss her teeth and roll her eyes and tell him shut up, and that was that.

harry pondered what she could be doing on his search for her, thinking about how she may be sleeping with a book on her chest in the den or giggling at a sitcom in the living room; either way, she’d be cozy and wrapped in a the wool blanket he bought her for christmas—and if he was lucky—maybe in his shirt with no pants on.

“bubby?” he sang, giggling like a little kid in bliss when he heard her faint gasp as he trekked down the hall. he heard her giggle in response and her fuzzy socks padding in the distance, and he stopped walking, biting his lip as he waited for her to show.

before he could blink twice she was thrown into the front of his body, making him stumble back and bury his face in her hair with a smile.

“you’re home!” she giggled, leaning back to look up at him, and he quirked an eyebrow at the tone in her voice. she sounded off, and when he finally got a good look at her beaming face—

oh.

her lips were stained red and her eyes were glittering.

he smirked.

“you had some wine t’night, angel?”

“mhm.” she nodded and closed her eyes briefly. “jus’— jus’ a little, i-itty bit.” she pinched her fingers close together, putting them between them two to show that it was only this much. he grinned at her and her cuteness; she was pretty tipsy, not drunk but definitely not sober. she giggled before he could respond, her hands reaching towards his back pockets, slipping her fingers in and squeezing lightly. “missed you lots, h.”

she sunk her lips onto his, harry’s throat immediately releasing a groan at the feel of her soft, plush lips against his own. he smiled into her kiss, tasting wine off her tongue and feeling her lick into his mouth.

“woah there, baby.” he pulled away and chuckled at her mischievous eyes, her smile bright and flirty. “you had quite the time tonight, huh?”

“well.” she hiccupped. “knew y’weren’t gonna be home til late.” her eyes widened. “so i drank some of that, t-that fancy shmancy merlot in the cellar while i made m’dinner.”

“drinkin’ alone? don’t have a boyfriend you’re hiding back there, do ya?”

she swatted his chest with her mouth agape in a smile.

“hey! it was just me and cooper! a-and we had a dance party!” she exclaimed excitedly, turning around in his hold to point at the dog. harry looked over her shoulder at cooper, their big golden retriever snoozing on the floor near the couch, probably exhausted from whatever they did together. “don’t have me a boyfriend. i have a fiancé, h.” she dangled her ring in his face, giggling when he planted his lips onto her hand.

“and he’s a very lucky man.”

she smiled at him with dreamy eyes.

“well then.” he sighed. “better get you t’bed, angel, it’s gettin’ late.” he murmured, and she smiled.

“hmph. okay!”

his angel reaches for his hand, lacing their fingers together and dragging his body toward the stairs, giggling as she trotted up them one by one. harry smirked at the view above him, his jumper adorning her body and only reaching her mid-thigh, her ponytail bouncing happily.

harry loves moments like these: where she’s smiling and cuddly and everything in the world around them seems blurry, and unimportant. only the two of them in their cozy london house mattered, and his eyes trailed on the back of her as she led him to their bedroom.

“alright, lovie, let’s get you washed up—”

as he was closing the door and turning back around, he was pushed against it, her chest against his and her eyes shimmering.

“where d’ya want me, h?” she purred, his eyebrows furrowing as her arms moved to lift his jumper over her head.

“woah, woah, woah, angel.” he moved quickly, pulling her shirt back over her frame. he held it down so she couldn’t lift it back up, and she batted her eyes at him. “not t’night, sweet girl, you’re edgin’ on drunk.”

she pouted, eyes big and suggestive, lip jut out into the cutest, yet most seductive look she could manage while intoxicated. “but… i thought we could, have some fun.” her hand slowly reached to scratch lightly at his chest. “c’mon” she whispered into his ear, his eyes closing as he sighed. “i’ll let you do whatever you want to me, daddy—”

his eyes widened. “no, baby, time for bed.” he couldn’t deny the effect she had on him, but when he looked in her eyes all he saw was her inebriation, and the morality in him reminded him that this wasn’t okay nor safe. “yeah? i can make y’feel good tomorrow.”

“b-but dadd—”

“daddy’s sayin’ no right now, angel. we better listen, hm?”

she pouted as his hand came up to her cheek, stroking her skin. her hands slipped from his body, nodding slowly and looking from his face, to the floor.

“can i at least get kisses?”

harry smiled and shook his head, chuckling, in disbelief at how in the world he got so lucky with this girl in front of him.

“as many as y’want.”

her eyes lit up and her irises twinkled in thought. “then… then— a-a million!”

“hm.” he smiled. “better get started on that.”

harry grabbed her face and planted his lips to her cheeks, her lips, forehead and nose, tackling her to their sheets in heaps of giggles and strong pulses of two hearts in ultimate love.

[strawnarrries]

Jealousy

Summary: On a date night, your waitress flirts with Harry and he doesn’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of it. 

Requested: nahhh

POV: 1st

Warning(s): kinda angsty but not really, and cussing

"Yeh look gorgeous, baby." I felt my boyfriend's arms wrap around my waist as I looked at him through the mirror, a smile planted on both of our lips.

"Thank you. You do too." I grinned, turning around to face him, and wrapping my arms around him. 

He mimicked my grin before cupping my face and leaning in, pressing his soft lips to mine for a passionate kiss.

"Ready t' go?" he asked, pulling away from the kiss.

I had noticed that my bright, red lipstick had transferred onto his lips and the skin around them. 

"I got lipstick on you." I giggled, reaching up and beginning to wipe the excess lipstick off of him as he giggled back, looking into the mirror behind me. 

"Okay, let's go." I grabbed my phone and we both headed downstairs.

***

Walking into the restaurant, Harry opened the door for me.

"Oh, what a gentleman. Thank you." I giggled.

"You're welcome, m’love." he grinned as he followed me into the restaurant.

"Hi! How many?" The lady at the front desk asked as we walked up to her.

"Two please." Harry smiled. 

She nodded and grabbed two menus, "Alright, follow me." she smiled before beginning to lead up to our seat.

We slid into the booth across from each other while she set our menus down in front of us, "Your waiter will be with you shortly." 

We both thanked her before she walked off. 

"Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. Thank you for bringing me here." I thanked him excitedly as I began to flip through the menu. 

"You're welcome." he giggled, mimicking my actions and searching through his own menu. 

We sat in silence, looking through our menus before our waitress came over with a smile on her lips. 

"Hi! My name 's Emilee and I'll be serving you all this evening. Can I start you all off with drinks?" She greeted sweetly, placing coaster down in front of us.

We both ordered our drinks.

"Alright, I'll be right back." she smiled and we thanked her before she walked away.

"What'rya gettin', babe?" Harry asked me, eyes glued to the menu as he decided what to get.

"Um, I think 'm gonna be a big girl an’ get steak," I answered, "Wha’ ‘bout you?"

"Dunno. 'm edgin' towards either a salad or-" he began before I cut him off.

"A salad? That's so boring, Harry." 

“Yeh didn’t let me finish. I was gonna say either a salad or the salmon.”

“Get the salmon.” 

“Okay,” he giggled.

We both closed our menus and I started a different conversation before our waitress walked over with our drinks. Setting down on the coasters in front of us, we both thanked her. 

"You're welcome." she smiled sweetly. 

"So, are we ready t' order?" she asked, reaching into her pocket and pulling out her notepad and a pen, ready to write our order down.

“Yeah, ladies first,” Harry replied, nodding towards you.

“Can I get the 6-ounce filet, please?” you ordered.

“And how do you want that cooked?

“Medium well.”

“And what two sides would you like?”

“I’ll do a baked potato and asparagus, please.”

“Alright, and for you?” She replied, smiling at Harry.

"I’ll have the salmon, please.” 

"Oh yes, of course!" Emilee smiled, writing on her notepad, “And your two sides?"

"Rice and the vegetable mix, please."  

"Ooh, the vegetables are so good. The cook steams 'em, puts like a pinch of salt and pepper on them, they're delicious," she replied, writing on the notepad. 

Harry and Emilee then had this stupid conversation about vegetables and I couldn't help but notice how flirty and touchy she was getting. It was really making me upset if I was completely being honest. It was a short conversation but it still was upsetting. 

Their quick conversation came to an end before she asked, "Can I get you all any appetizers to start you off?" 

"You wanna get an appetizer?" I asked him. 

"Uhh, sure-" he mumbled, beginning to flip through the menu to find the list of appetizers.

"Appetizers are right here." Our waitress smiled, helping Harry flip through the menu to the page with the appetizers on it.  

Her hand brushed Harry's and I could tell she was getting a little too close for my comfort. My heart was beating so loudly. Harry looked through the appetizer list before asking me something. I didn't really hear him because I was too focused on my thoughts so I just nodded, not really caring. 

He told Emilee what he wanted and she smiled, "Those are good too. One of my favorites. I'll go put in your order right now." 

My blood was boiling as I watched her away, her hips swaying with every step. Why the hell is she flirting with him? Is it not fucking obvious that we're on a date? I rolled my eyes before looking at my boyfriend who stared at his drink as he took a long sip. Looking up at me, he started a conversation as we waited for everything. 

Soon enough, our waitress came back out with our appetizer. 

"Here you go." she flashed her pearly, white teeth, setting the platter in the middle of the table.

"Thank you so much." 

She walked away and Harry began to snack on the appetizer he ordered while I stole a couple bites here and there. I tried to not show him that I upset, not wanting to ruin the night. Then again, it's kinda hard when a pretty girl is flirting with your boyfriend and he's doing absolutely nothing about it. The night went on and everything was doing okay. We had finished our appetizer before our waitress came back over. 

"I'll get this out of your way. Your food will be out shortly." she smiled, grabbing the platter in the middle of the table before walking off. 

We talked as we waited for our food. Occasionally, I'd see Emilee walk past our table and glance at Harry, smiling flirtatiously if they ever made eye-contact. I knew exactly what she was doing and it was pissing me the fuck off. Harry didn't flirt back at all but it still angered me. 

Soon enough, Emilee came with our food on the circular, black tray in her hand. She set our food down in front of us, warning us that it was a little warm. 

"Everything lookin' good?" she grinned, eyeing Harry while saying those words. 

"It does. Thank yeh." Harry nodded. 

"Is there anything else I can get you?" she asked. 

"No, we're good." Harry replied before she walked off with a smile. 

We both dug into our delicious food. After a couple minutes of silence, Harry started back up the conversation we were on before. Again, I tried my best to not show him I was upset and to not let it bother me.

About halfway through our meal, Emilee walked over. 

"Can I get you a refill?" she asked Harry, placing a hand on his shoulder. I swore I could hear my heart beating out of my chest and steam blowing from my ears.

"Yeah, tha'd be great." Harry nodded. 

She smiled and grabbed his cup before walking off. I eyed her the whole way, watching her every flirtatious move before looking back at my boyfriend.

"(Y/N), are yeh alright? Yeh've seemed upset all night." Harry asked sweetly.

"Yeah, 'm fine." I lied, swinging my fork around my plate, not really wanting to eat the rest of my food. 

"You're lying." 

"No, 'm not."

"Babe, tell me. 's wrong?" he repeated, his voice soft and sweet. 

I rolled my eyes, "Harry, are you fucking blind? Our waitress has been full-on flirting with you all night." 

"Wha'?" he asked, looking over at our waitress as she walked towards us with his drink, a big, flirty smile on her lips. 

"Here's your drink." she smiled, setting Harry's drink on the coaster. 

"Thank you." he smiled back up at her. 

She gave Harry a nod before walking off.

"What'rya talkin' about? She's jus' bein' friendly." he replied to me, a confused look on his handsome face. 

"Okay, what's your definition of friendly?" I tried not to raise my voice in fear of people noticing us fighting. 

"Babe, c'mon, stop actin' like this." he shook his head at me. 

"Are you fucking kidding me, Harry?" I whisper/yelled at him, "Tell me you're not seeing it." 

"I mean," he thought for a minute before repeating his words only seconds before, "No. She's jus' bein' friendly."

I let my jaw drop slightly at him. Was he being serious? 

"Why'rya actin' all crazy over this? 's no' tha' big o' a deal even if she is." he added, popping a piece of broccoli in his mouth. 

"She put her hand on your shoulder." I emphasized. 

"So wha'? Tha' doesn't mean she's flirting." 

Anger and sadness were bubbling in me. My eyes were wide and my heart was racing. He just took another bite of his meal. 

"Are yeh gonna eat?" he asked, gesturing towards my food. 

"'m full." I mumbled. 

He scoffed and rolled his eyes at me, continuing to eat his food. The rest of the night went on, small talk being exchanged here and there. There wasn't much talking being that we both were at least a little upset.

Our waitress walked back over, "Do we need anything? Everything good?" 

"Nope, we're good." Harry smiled. 

All of the sudden, a pen fell out of her pocket. 

"Oops." she smiled, bending over and getting her pen. Her cleavage was prominent and her ass stuck out. Harry watched her with an expressionless face. I couldn't tell if he was liking it or if he was disgusted. Hopefully, he was disgusted. I know I was. 

She slowly came up, sticking her pen back in her pocket. 

"Sorry." she winked and Harry nodded once before she walked off. 

She just fucking winked at him. How the hell is that not flirting?

My eyes widened as I stared at him, lowly gesturing towards her, hoping he would understand now. 

"(Y/N), you're over-reacting, 's not like 'm flirting back." 

"Are you ser - you know what? Fine." I snapped as I leaned back in my seat and crossed my arms, avoiding any eye-contact with him. 

He didn't say anything. 

I felt like crying. Disgusting thoughts ran through my head. Did he like her? Was he gonna leave me? They probably weren't true, but it still hurts me that he's saying these things and acting this way. 

The next few minutes were long and silent as we waited for our bill. Soon enough I saw our waitress walking over with our bill. Finally. Smiling at us, she placed the bill on the table, "No rush."

"Thanks." I fake smiled at her. 

"Let me get this out of your way." she smiled at Harry as she reached over and took his empty plate into her hands. 

"Thank you." he smiled at her. 

"Are you finished, sweetie?" she asked me. 

Sweetie? I'm not fucking 5. I'm literally your age. 

"Yeah." I nodded before she reached over. 

As she reached over to grab my plate, her arm knocked my full glass of water, spilling it all over the table and my lap. Gasping softly as the cold water soaked through my dress, she immediately put Harry's plate down and apologized. 

"Oh god, I'm so sorry! I'll go get some napkins." He rushed over to go get some napkins for me. 

I sucked in a breath before exhaling it, trying to keep myself calm and my emotions in. Harry grabbed the few napkins that we had and set them on the wet table. It soaked the napkins. No words were spoken. He didn't ask if I was okay or if he could do anything for me. He wasn't being the gentlemen he usually is which means he's mad at me. I was upset because our waitress is flirting with him and he's mad at me? I don't know what his problem today is.

Emilee arrived shortly with a bunch of napkins. She helped us clean up the table and gave me a handful of napkins to dab on my soaked clothes. She apologized continuously which I was grateful for and I told her it was okay, putting on my fake, friendly face and voice. Once everything was cleaned up, she apologized once more, "I'm so sorry again. I know I keep saying it but I am." 

"It's fine! Please don't worry about it." I fake-smiled at her.

She grabbed our plates and walked away. Harry then grabbed the bill and began to pay for our dinner with his card. No words were exchanged. His face showed no emotion whatsoever. He set the bill back down on the table, waiting for our waitress to come back to grab it. 

Minutes later, she came back and grabbed the bill, smiling at us before walking off. 

Harry avoided eye-contact with me, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone, beginning to scroll through it. I was livid. Frustration tears threatened to spill. 

Soon enough she walked back with the bill that held Harry's card, handing it back to him.

"Thank you." he smiled, pulling out his wallet and slipping the card in. 

"Please come back and see me." she winked again and my blood was boiling. 

He smiled and gave her a nod before she walked away. Gathering my things, I stood up and made my way out to the car, not even waiting for Harry. I just wanted to be home. This was supposed to be a good night but it just turned into a disaster. 

Harry was not far behind me as I stomped away. As I got to the car, I went to the passenger side and wrapped my hand around the door handle, waiting impatiently for him to unlock the door. Once he got closer to the car, he unlocked the door. Pulling the door open for myself, I quickly got in and closed the door. I set my purse down by my feet and threw on my seatbelt. He got into the driver's seat shortly after me.

"I still don' understand why you're mad." he told me and I refused to look at him, letting myself gaze out the window; waiting impatiently for him to turn on the car and get going.

I stayed quiet, not wanting to talk to him.

"(Y/N), grow the fuck up an' talk t' me." His words were harsh but his voice was soft.

"Harry, our waitress was full-on flirting with you and it obviously fucking upset me and you're still confused. That's what I don't fucking understand." I raised my voice at him, angling my body towards him.

"She wasn' flirting! The hell are yeh talkin' about?" he gave me a confused look.

"She fucking winked at you like seventeen times. Do not tell me that's not flirting!" I was close to yelling.

"Baaabe, who the fuck cares? Even if she was flirting, 's not like I was flirting back." he defended himself, "Why are yeh so upset about i'? I don't ge' i'." 

I sighed, turning my body forward again and looking at the plants outside of the car through the windshield, "I mean, a girl about our age is flirting with you right in front of me, I just - " I sighed again, "She's really pretty." I added, my voice now very soft and vulnerable. 

The waterworks were building quickly and I found myself sniffing, wiping away a single fallen tear.

"Baby, are yeh cryin'? Why'rya cryin'?"

"I just don't wanna lose you." I sniffed again. 

"(Y/N), oh my god, babe. Look a' me." he ordered, grabbing my hands and squeezing them tightly. 

I obeyed his actions and turned my head to come face to face with him, our eyes locking.

"Who did I jus' go on a date with? Who do I say 'I love yeh' t' every mornin'? Who do I kiss every day or cuddle? Hmm?" he asked, "You, baby. You. 's always been you and it'll always be you." 

I couldn't help the small smile that began to form on my lips. 

"Awh, I see tha' smile." he teased, poking my cheek. 

"Stop." I giggled, turning back in my seat and looking forward, all while trying to wipe the smile off of my lips. 

"I love you." he whispered. 

I turned my head to look at him again, "I promise I don' wan' any other girl 'n the world. And I plan on keepin' that promise. I chose yeh fo' a reason. Out of the millions of girls I could choose, I chose you. You're special, (Y/N). You always will be." 

"I love you too." I whispered. 

After cupping my face with one, his other one wrapping around my shoulder, he leaned in and pressed his soft lips to mine for a shared, passionate kiss. 

"'m sorry I freaked out on you like that. I over-exaggerated a little."  

"'s okay, love. Sorry I got upset with yeh. It was stupid. I jus' had a rough day, kinda took it ou' on yeh I guess and 'm sorry."

"Why'dya have a rough day?" I asked.

"Ju's one of those days when everythin' goes wrong, yeh know?" 

"Those are the worst. I'm sorry, baby. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" 

"Didn' wan' yeh to cancel our date night t' make me feel better." he answered resting his head on my shoulder, "Kinda wish I would've now 'cause of all tha' happened." 

I stayed silent, running my fingers through his soft hair. 

"Jus' wanna go home an' cuddle an' watch a rom-com with yeh." he added.

"I'd like that." I agreed.

"Again, 'm sorry about earlier." he apologized again, looking up at me through his lashes. 

"Stop, we already forgave each other, okay?" I smiled softly at him, resting a hand upon his soft cheek. 

Mocking my smile, he leaned in for a passionate kiss on the lips, “Yeh kno’, she wasn’ even tha’ pretty.” 

I giggled at him.

“‘m serious. Compared to you? Mm-mm.” he shook his head. 

“Awhh,” I cooed, “I love you.”

“I love yeh too, pretty girl.” 

[ecotone99]

[HR] [SF] Spence - Chapter 2

‘Fore we got rid of Dr. McFuckknuckle and The Three Stooges, went through all their things and vehicles. No identification at all.

That tablet thing ‘Curly’ had was, along with bein’ a tracker for Spence, a maintenance console kinda thing. Get back to that here in a minute.

The doc’s car had some real interestin’ toys inside. Was a laptop, set up on a stand like in a police vehicle. Opened it up, and it lit up fine, but wanted a password, or a fingerprint. Lucky for me, once I pried open ol’ doc’s torn off hand and cleaned it up a mite, the thumbprint from that did the trick. Couple minutes of tinkerin’ got me my thumbprint authorized jest fine. Tossed that hand back over by its former owner. Spence followed the toss with his head, and chuffed. ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish, right?’ He cocked his head at me, like he was thinkin’ that over.

Was a leather folder which had some papers, a small black nylon toolbag, and a power cord/adapter for keeping the laptop charged.

Plugged the laptop up in the shack, ‘fore we headed out to get rid of the trash.

Loaded the dead weight into the back of that SUV, jerry-rigged a tow for the doc’s car, got ready to haul out into the back-country. Plenty of room for Spence in the back seat. Opened the door and said ‘C’mon bud. It’s garbage day.’ Spence kinda ‘chuffed’, would not get in.

‘You gonna stay here, slick?’

<chuff>

Goddamn, he was sayin’ no.

‘Fair enough, you plenty fast, bud. Follow me.’

Headed out, and Spence was a joy to see in motion. He’d rocket out ahead, swoop around and jet right back. He was playin’ with his lil ol’ slow human. Such a cat, that guy. Wiseass.

Got to where we was gonna dump this sack o’ assholes, and made sure to kick Dr. MFK in the ribs until my leg was tired. Not that it bothered him much, made me feel better.

Not gonna get too detailed on where/how all that was dealt with. Some things are best left unsaid ... but no one is ever gonna find them, or their vehicles ... and there are a couple-three less incendiary grenades left.

Was a long walk back, but Spence had a time. He’d spot a jack-rabbit, start up that chittery thing he does, and off he’d go. Chase the poor lil bugger for a while, and then he’d stop, let that jack run off, look back at me, and speed on back. Keepin’ an eye on his human. Saw a buzzard off on high, ridin’ the thermals. Guess we wasn’t the only ones takin’ care of dead meat today.

Just managed to beat the rain, and nightfall when we got back home.

Was time to get back to those ‘stay tuned’ things, so made up some coffee, and started snoopin’.

That laptop and those papers had some info, but the rest here is some wild-ass-guessin’:

Spence is a ‘prototype weapons system.’ Was the only one that ‘was successful’. Seems ‘they’ (not clear on who ‘they’ really is, but ‘they’ had some deep pockets, as Dr. MFK didn’t seem to have much problem keepin’ the lights on) had built some kinda ’AI’. Too bad for ‘they’, this AI? That dog won’t hunt. Couldn’t manage to ‘code a hunting instinct.’ Some bright-boy lab rat fella decided to ‘look into the feline mind’ to get that ‘hunter/killer’ code.

Dr. MFK was that lab rat. Pretty sure the process died with him. Small favors.

Seems the idea that he come up with was what he called a ‘matrix’ that this AI thing could run in, and the cat ‘code’ part could be copied in there, to give them that missin’ piece. There warn’t no ‘organic’ Spence left in that shiny body, from what I could figger. Just that matrix thing, swaddled up in Spence’s metal and silicon innards, with Spence and that AI all mixed up together.

He also figgered out that ferals and cats not raised ... whaddyacallit ... underfoot? Well, not bonded to humans, they wasn’t gonna work either.

Bastard slaughtered a lot of cats. ‘Spence, Ima thinkin’ the Doc here got off light.’ Spence chuffed again. Ima guessin’ this time he was agreein’ with me.

Spence was a smart fella before, but now he’s scary smarter. Still good company. Conversation is nice, just too damn big for lap-sittin’.

—-

[SIGNAL SCAN IN PROGRESS]

[SIGNAL DETECTED]

[SIGNAL TRIANGULATION ENGAGED]

—-

Also figgered out that the tools in that bag were for openin’ up maintenance ports and the like on Spence’s chrome carcass. One of them had a port for connectin’ that little maintenance console up. Told ya I’d get back to that. Was able to find the tracker tag they had plugged into Spence. Pulled that sumbitch out and unhooked its battery. Put that all away in the toolbag. Oh yeah, Spence is stealth. I can’t claim to understand how it works, but I read that, and tried to take a picture with my old digital camera, and all I could see was a kinda washed out blur, like the lens was smudged. Does the same kinda thing to radar signals and the like, but I ain’t got no way to test that. The black magic don’t extend to regular optical cameras, but that’s ok. Hell, I wanna be able to see him.

—-

[TRIANGULATION INCOMPLETE]

[SIGNAL LOST]

—-

Feelin’ kinda proud of myself at this point, so I closed Spence back up, grabbed a beer, and hit my chair. Spence sat on my left, and leaned his head on my leg. Put my hand on his ear, and he buzzed that purr of his, and lightly thumped his tail. We listened to the rain, until it faded out.

That was pretty close to the last time we felt peaceful.

Thinkin’ that ‘they’ might want to collect on their spendin’, and scoop up Spence. Yeah, well, fellas. Gonna have to go thru me first. Ima thinkin’ we two gonna hit the road. Dunno where to yet, but ‘they’ probably got the shack already nailed down. Also thinkin’ about that buzzard.

Next day, shit to do. Told Spence to guard the shack, and I’d be back. He chuffed and ima sure that was his version of an eye-roll. Walked down to the highway. Waved down the bus. Took that to the city (the other direction from town), and bought a new-to-me truck, with a camper shell on the back. Figgered that would give Spence some cover from all the lookie-loos.

Once I was back home, towed the trusty old truck out to the back-country, for a hero’s funeral. Couple less incendiaries. At least this time, didn’t need to walk back. Yep, could still see that circlin’ bird. Like that paintin’ ... this is not a pipe, and that ain’t no buzzard. Spence was chasin’ jack-rabbits again. I stopped the truck.

‘Spence!’ He spun around and come runnin’ back. ‘Hey bud. Ima thinkin’ you understand me a lot more than you used to. See that?’ I kinda pointed up the bird’s way. Spence’s head tracked the lazy circles for a bit, and then he looked back at me, head cocked. ‘Yep. Ima thinkin’ we on borrowed time. Those ‘they’ fellas are watchin’.’ He thought on that, and gave me a chuff. ‘Time to go, old fella’.’ He didn’t make a sound this time. Just cocked his head, like he does... and then walking over and givin’ me a head bump on my leg. Understood that perfect. I opened up the door, and he jumped in the back of the double-cab.

Got back home, and started packin’ up.

Got my back-country hikin’ gear. Packed some boxes with non-perishables. Loaded up the jugs of water I already had. Wrapped up our little armory in some tarps. Stowed that laptop and the other gear in my pack. Made sure my scatter-gun was loaded and handy. Was just finishing securing ever’thin’ down, when Spence made his chitter sound, looking back towards the road to the highway.

‘Goddammit, guess we outta time, bud. You stay here, in the truck. Let’s see what these assholes are up to.’

<chuff>

It looked to be one of the staties’ prowlers. I got no problem with the real authorities, but I made sure my sawed-off was in easy, hidden reach.

Prowler pulled to a stop. Could see two folks inside. In my experience with the staties, there’s usually only one per car. Somethin’ is not right here.

They both got out. ‘Good afternoon, sir.’

‘Afternoon officers, can I help you fellas?’

‘Yessir. We are out here, working with the rangers, letting people know that there is a very dangerous wild animal in the area. Have you noticed any signs? Any lost livestock? Pets? Anything like that?’

The one talkin’ was bein’ real calm and reassurin’ and walkin’ over easy like, with a nice, friendly grin. The other one was kinda off to the side, movin’ slow and steady, kinda like he was tryin’ to flank me... lookin’ everywhere but at me. Noticed that their sidearms were not the standard statie issue, but more like smaller versions of the Stooges’ weapons, with extended magazines. This is not a pipe, and these ain’t staties.

From where they was at, they couldn’t get a clear view of Spence, but he saw them. I could see him trackin’ their progress from the corner of my eye.

‘Well sir, don’t have any livestock to speak of. Was out hikin’ some today. Didn’t see no varmints bigger than a jack-rabbit.’ Was edgin’ my hand over to the sawed-off.

The chatty one smiled bigger, and started to reply, when the sneaky one finally got to where he saw Spence. He grabbed at his shoulder mike, and they both reached down for their weapons, but they never had a chance. I was spinning behind the truck, grabbin’ my scatter-gun, but I never even got it pulled.

I knew Spence was fast, but the last time he did this, I didn’t see the details. My buddy Spence is a beautiful goddamn chrome murder machine.

Spence went right through the side window of the camper shell. He tore into Sneaky, snipped both hands off clean, and slashed his throat deep, all in one move. Sneaky dropped, no sound but wet chokin’. Never even keyed the mike. Spence was over on Smiley in less than a heartbeat, before he could even get turned. Spence took that gunhand clean, and dropped ol’ Smiley on his back, and held him there, front paws on his shoulders, with the claws slid in for purchase, pressin’ down. Spence smiled, if you can call a mouthful of steely razors smilin’.

It was quiet, ‘cept for Spence’s metallic chirr, and Smiley’s sobs, as he clutched the stub with his remaining hand, ghost white face locked on Spence.

I walked over with my scatter-gun on my shoulder. Put a hand on Spence’s head and rubbed that ear. He thumped my leg once with his tail, not moving anything else.

Knelt down a little off to the side, up by Smiley’s head.

‘Son, meet Spence. Now, you and me? We gonna have us a little come-to-Jesus meetin’.’

submitted by /u/UndiagnosablePaella [link] [comments] via Blogger https://ift.tt/36xvjcm

[rotdnd]

Session 3

A few days later…Led to the main fortress of the city where lord varian lives, there is a solemness to the air. From the outside looks like a giant manor house but the house itself has been here for a long time.

Up the stairs and on the door to the right, lord varian is waiting for the party. Lord varian lookin ROUUUUGH

Organization known as the black spider was where we got materials from.

Varian wants us to continue to investigate the black spider.

Captain saline will be the guard that assists us. City will be in lockdown until we figure this out.

We will get 500 for the party if we bring information or take action against the black spider.

If the black spider group is destroyed we all get 1000 each.

Black spider is a terrorist organizations that wanted to destroy the city to let in the zombies, possibly working with pharaoh khamus?

Tavern known as black lotus has been consistent front for the black spiders activities. Near slums district. Envelope with documents to pose as patrons seeking information.

One corner pair of gamblers is on side of bar

Two homies by the bar are looking shifty

Cloth Daniel lotus the bartender is holding is glowing

Faint outline of figure sitting in chair

Charles changed his face into a paler meaner looking man smooth shaven brown hair (LEE)

Guys from quartzara: Moving some flowers into the ellins district now that the guards are preoccupied

Tavern isn’t busy. Bar keep doesn’t want to share information but Warren. Bribes them with fifty copper and he says they come in every other week

He says they are Drug dealers lol they are moving massive amounts of black tar heroin lmao?..

Zekial dragon born is the ring leader, can be convinced

Scott buys 10 rolls lmao

Ricky rick (mans is lying that isn’t his name)

I bet 20 copper

Black spider, symbol carved into bar is black spider symbol

If you look at it correctly with the right magic… turns into symbol of the black spider, someone may be coming down later tomorrow. Prestigitation is magic needed to see it

Horachio lmaoooo is Ricky’s name

Borvof shen?? Ken and is sitting next to zendressi

Elwin notices guy on left of scott is wearing black cloak. Walks past the guy at bar before dropping something. Cloak figure reaches toward piece of parchment, paper is glowing.

Man picks up parchment and begins to walk toward the door. Warren picks pockets parchment from the guy and gives it to elwyn

Ismara is invisible creature who said that lord Valarian

Ismara wanted Scott to use detect magic on the scroll, quartzara used detect magic. Lettering on page begins to glow the same blue that was on the undead

Traitor edgin Darius needs to be dealt with, whispering alley, signature is black spider with red skull inside the butt

We should try to save him

Western corner of the slums district. Whispering alley is top left of western corner of slums district.

Charles shook edgin

Edgin used to be part of black spider, left because they wanted to

First phase is to break down western gate, control them with rune by morris

Horrific amount of items in bunker to destroy the city, they are trying to destroy new Valeria,

Bandit captain said we heard too much

Bandit e, Scott, Warren, Charles, quartzara, zendressi, bandit captain, rhicca, elwyn, bandit a, bandit f, bandit B,