#Sails stormy waters and is unbothered

[kelsingra-by-night]

Something you'd like to tell us Beloved ???

-carpenter

-he's the real thing people just don't believe him

-full of wisdom

-has to die in order to save the world (is aware of this, dreads it)

-gets crucified and crowned mockingly

-dies

-is resurrected

[floofs-headcanons]

Hello Reiu and Hamfie! I hope you both are doing well. First, do you have rules or a guideline for requests? About what you write or not, what characters and how many, in what form (hcs, one shots, etc)...

Second, may I request Ace, Sabo and Law being saved by a mermaid? And until they need to leave again they spend some time together and the boys can't avoid falling for the reader?

Thank you so much! Welcome back!

Rescued by a Mermaid; Headcanons

Characters; Ace, Sabo, Law

hello! we’re doing good, thank you for asking! and yes, we do have rules and guidelines, they’ve been rewritten and pinned by the time this is posted! Sorry for the long wait on this one we had a little bit of trouble with ideas ;  ;

ACE —

The heavens had sent you an angel, only to let him drown.

Perhaps it was quite bold of you to leave the safety of the sea in the first place, but your curiosity had gotten the better of you. Of this man and his strange craft, powered by what you can only assume to have been his devil fruit. A peek wouldn’t hurt, right?

Well it definitely didn’t hurt you, but it did scare him.

Watching him tumble off his one man raft, there is a sense of urgency- fear. The realization that he could not swim; 

But you can.

Your first meeting was perhaps not the best, but Ace laughs it off, unbothered by the occurrence.

Perhaps it is your worry that keeps you around at first- he did almost drown after all. It would be good to keep an eye on him...

Ace isn’t very against the idea, he’s aware of how much it weighs against your conscious and if it would make you feel better to travel with him for a while- there really was no harm in the company.

You learn very quickly just how much mischief this man gets up to and in to.

Honestly, you’ve experienced- and its barely been a week. 

From the insane encounters with the marines to cocky pirates thinking they could take on Fire Fist Ace of all people- there is never truly a dull day when you’re by his side. 

Speaking to him though, is probably your favourite thing to do. 

Swimming alongside his Striker, you have a great many conversations- be it about his many adventures across the New World, to his current mission and hunt, Ace is full of surprises.

Perhaps the most surprising of them all is when night hits and he camps out by the beach. There’s something incredibly sober about the way he looks under the firelight and for the first time, you really take a moment to admire his features.

He’s not simply just loud and rowdy, but neither is he cold and calculating like an action movie Casanova; Ace isn’t like that. 

You think he has a greater hold on you than you do on him- but you’re sorely mistaken. 

Even when you eventually parts ways and he leaves you with a blinding smile, equivalent only to the sun, you know not the impact you have left in his bleeding heart.

But the sea calls for her sailors and he had a mission to see through.

You’d never know, as he left you with his vivre card, how much he would’ve loved to see you once more.

“Will you visit me?”

“Of course! It’s a promise.” 

SABO —

Sabo was perhaps just a bit too over-confident in his abilities, and a little too forgetful in the fact that he no longer had the ability to swim.

You’re very much not pleased when battleships start sailing in your direction and even less pleased when people start falling into the water left and right. Thankfully, all of them simply swim back up to the surface rather quickly, all except for one.

There’s no reason for you to save him- after all, he was part of the ruckus. Yet even with that train of thought, you find yourself moving towards him, cradling him in your embrace before dragging him to the surface. 

Some air would do him some good. 

To be frank you were ready to give him a piece of your mind once he started waking up- but holy shit was he pretty. 

Your irritation was swallowed temporarily to be replaced with concern when he starts coughing. The poor thing did almost drown, but that didn’t excuse him from disturbing your peaceful day.

He takes your words quite well, offering a sheepish smile in apology and a well overdue introduction.

A revolutionary? And the chief of staff at that?

Perhaps if you’d been in the mood, you might’ve made some snide remark over his careless demeanor, but you were much too intrigued by this new found knowledge.

You’d eventually get him back- after all, you had made the executive decision to come with him, if only for a while. 

He agrees to let you come with him on the condition you’d stay away from anything dangerous and in turn keep him out of trouble [like drowning]. 

It’s a risk by all means- this is a classified mission, but some detours and shortcuts can be advantageous. 

Like your company for example. 

Not a day goes by without some witty banter or the other.

In his eyes, you’re seem so awestruck by every story he shares, particularly enamored by the tales of his youth alongside his brothers. 

Having you around is like a breath of fresh air while his mind is drowning in the sea.

It’s difficult to say goodbye- when he has to meet up with the others upon the completion of his mission. It wouldn’t be right to drag you into their affairs and he’d rather you not be directly involved if he can help it. 

But he makes it clear he’ll be back, you know he’d never lie. Not with that stupid smile on his face. 

“Wait for me!”

“Just try not to drown until then.”

It’s so cheesy, the smile he gives you, “I wouldn’t mind drowning if it means you’ll be there to save me again.” 

You 100% drench him for that one. 

LAW —

You’re certainly not too trusting of humans, but curiosity has always overweighed that fear.

It’s stormy the day you decide to swim out of your little bubble and explore the endless depths of the sea, and perhaps also very fortunate. Even in the raging storm you could hear the shouts of people, possibly pirates, and their rapid footsteps as they tried to clear their... vessel from tipping over.

“Captain!” Even through the heavy rain and roaring waves you could hear members of the crew call out, followed by a loud crash as body meets water.

The heart pirates are more than shocked when their captain resurfaces not even moments later, arm swung over another person’s shoulder and coughing out large amounts of water

He’s grateful for the help but he sure wasn’t expecting you to ask to get on the ship

“This is your pirate ship, right? Can I hitch a ride?”

Can you what now

Shachi and Penguin are more than delighted to say yes for Law

You’re just a little too curious for your own good, asking about everything from what their ship was actually called- you learn it’s a submarine called the Polar Tang- and very quickly make friends with Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin. Jean Bart scares you just a bit.

And of course making friends with those three means making friends with Law, whether he wants to or not

He’s a lil annoyed at first

Why does everyone insist on treating his sub like it was their home

But he warms up to you easily- considering how much time he’s spent with Luffy this was nothing

He likes spending time with you during his breaks. You’ve traveled plenty despite your caution of humans, and there’s a great deal of stories to tell.

“I almost got eaten, you know!”

“Maybe if you weren’t so reckless you wouldn’t have.”

He’s never thought to find banter fun before (that’s a lie, he just won’t accept it) but it sure is nice to talk to you.

When time comes for you to leave he doesn’t ask you to stay- he doesn’t tell you how he likes your company or how he’d like to spend more time with you.

He simply leans over the railing of the sub along with everyone else, “You’re welcomed back anytime.”

“I’ll hold you to that!”

[marengogo]

7 Nation Army - Part 1: Welcome On Board of The Singularity, I’m Your Captain; Kim Taehyung

Let Go - by Frou Frou  [DETAILS]

[Music is a very big part of my life and I’m MOSTLY INCAPABLE of writing without music, so I just thought I'd share what I am listening to while writing this]

–🐺–🐺–🐺–

Remember RM’s words? “I’ve said this several times, but the seven of us are on a boat, looking in different directions but going the same way. That’s how I describe BTS” most likely at the time, they weren’t always too clear of the destination, in fact as they grew bigger in popularity and goals the destination might have become more and more obscure. If we keep using maritime analogies, we can summarise BTS’ first chapter as having been a boat of passionate sailors, who developed into extraordinary captains, all at the same time. However, as we all know, a boat can only have one captain.

So began chapter 2, the beautiful ship from chapter 1 was left safely ashore, where it will be taken care of by ARMY. In this second chapter, each captain has its own ship or boat or even raft. To each their own. But differently from chapter 1, there is one big detail which, this time around, is as clear as day being their destination: Chapter 3 - Together Again. Now how they are going to get to this destination, as we can already tell, is going to be hella different for each one of them, J-Hope, or Captain Jack, for example, is sailing on a very majestic ship, but I’ll get to J-Hope another time. This post is about V and his “yacht”, which I’d like to call The Singularity. Thus far, the voyage of The Singularity has been the one that has piqued my interest the most.

Kim Taehyung is taking taking his time to test himself. Out of all the members thus far he is the one that almost felt like he was keeping himself so tightly he was about to explode. There is this sense of new found freedom? He is well aware that whatever he does from this point on forth is 100% on him, and I’d like to believe that part of him couldn’t wait to not have any of his action reflect on the other members of BTS. That is a different type of guilt, nobody would want that. He is really out there ready to make mistakes, cheat his way out of them RUN-BTS-STYLE but also just accepting final results. 

Kim Taehyung is breathing. Through is very picturesque instagram, his golf training, his hanging out with friends, his never ending support of his members. He is approaching it all in his own way. Rumours are spreading, some “fans” are creating messes (as per usual) and judgments are being cast, basically there’s a whole lot of bad winds coming his way, but he seems to be fairly unbothered and if, as it seems, he is able to withstand all of that, I’m all about it!

Kim Taehyung is living. Dancing away the night. Eating to his heart’s content. Expressing himself. The Expressing himself part is the one that made me write this post. Now we know Tae to be among one of the members who like physical contact as a means of communication. Tae is now taking physical contact to higher levels, he is daring with his body, it’s as if his body has also reached It’s own level of freedom. And I am loving that for him!

Kim Taehyung is sailing. The boys is still working, through it all, as Jimin has told us he might take forever to give us an album, but it is going to be great. Premiere, catwalks, brand launches. He is still sailing towards that new destination.

Not gonna lie, I’m enjoying my ride on board of The Singularity (as a bonus it turns out that I have a lot in common with the captain when it comes to music!). I think Tae has had his emotional down spiral period already after 2018. Somehow (probably with the help of family, friends, members and himself) he got out of it, so where I believe these might be stormy waters at the beginning for some members, it might be smooth sailing for this captain.

So I wish him smooth sailing, and like with all the other members, I’ll take my time to jump on board support him when needed. Fighting Kim Taehyung! (Time to jump back on board of JITB Hobi, that’s how I called J-hopes ship). 

Writing from aboard The Singularity  ✌️,

Marengo.

[zoya-nazyalantsov]

Pirates of The True Sea Chapter 1

(pirates of the carribbean inspired zoyalai fic lmao)

Nikolai Lantsov, aka Sturmhond, has a problem. Cursed by the fearsome pirate, Morozova, Nikolai must seek the one treasure that can cast out his demon: The Sun Summoner. 

Zoya Nazyalensky wants power. Aboard Morozova’s ship of extremely questionable morals, she joins him in a quest to search for an object of legends that bring power to all who wield it. 

As Nikolai and Zoya’s search for the mythical Sun Summoner endures, time pressures them both into an uneasy alliance, one that leads to sword fights, betrayal, small science, and… romance? Of course not, that would be ridiculous. 

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29546391

“To the gallows with this filthy pirate!” announced the governor who hovered waspishly above the crowd. His bulbous nose and ballooning figure glared down from the balcony to said pirate.

“Privateer, actually,” said Nikolai Lantsov with a tight voice as he struggled against the coarse rope that burned around his neck. Death by hanging was not the way any pirate should go, especially one as respected as Sturmhond. Stormchaser. Prince of the Seas. Demon Prince. He had many names, but that was beside the point. The gallows were no respectable place to die, especially not with a murderous demon trapped inside one’s heart. 

Release me. Nikolai felt the creature stir inside the chambers of his chest, scratching lightly at the sinew and muscle. 

No. He knew that if the monster was released, it would kill everyone in the square. He glanced around quickly, estimating about one hundred people. One hundred people were waiting for him to break like a pathetic little twig. Unfortunately, the monster knew this as well and he felt it grin. His traitorous heart jumped as the claws tightened around it. 

Let me take control and I can save us. I can save you, it said. Nikolai gritted his teeth, ignoring the call of darkness and evil. 

I hate you. At this, the demon smiled. 

I am the pirate and the pirate is me, Sobachka. 

“Any last words, Sturmhond?” growled the executioner. Trying to remain human, Nikolai answered thoughtfully, banishing any indication of a curse out of his mind. He missed the cerulean waters, the taste of fine liquor, and the salty smell of the ship. His undignified week in the cellars had dulled his golden skin and his disguised red hair became almost a reddish gold. Not to mention it left him smelling like old rainwater left to dry in a stable cleaned with manure. It was not one of his finer moments. 

“Got any kvas?” he asked and was silently thankful to hear a few snickers from the crowd. “I’m rather parched.” 

“Argh.” spat the executioner at his feet. Nikolai spotted several gnats and mosquitoes caught in his gnarled peppery beard. “Death to the pirate then,” he said, placing his hand on the lever. Nikolai felt the anticipation of the people and prayed to his Saints. 

I didn’t think it would end like this. Nikolai closed his eyes, waiting for the snap of the lever and the subsequent snap of his neck. 

Suddenly the executioner cried out in pain and a shriek followed from somewhere among the masses. Nikolai’s eyes shot open and he was met with two stormy blue eyes. The figure was hooded, dressed in black and gold, flew across the platform wielding a silver sword. The mysterious savior struck down the executioner with swift ease. Nikolai watched wildly as the townspeople darted like guppies to avoid the falling bodies of soldiers onto the square. He took in a sharp inhale as the feral eyes of the stranger faced him, sword raised over their hooded head. He forced himself not to flinch as the figure sliced the sword over him, severing the rope that suspended him in two. 

Nikolai dropped to his knees, gagging, and felt a small but firm hand grip his shoulder. He was free. The figure jerked him to his feet and thrust a sword into his hand. He grabbed his hat back from a petrified soldier and placed it upon his head. 

“I’ll take that back, thank you,” he said. He took off sprinting along with the figure, boots slapping against the cobblestone street. He set his gaze ahead to the ocean, the only place he’d ever known freedom. The path was clear and straight. 

“You’re coming with me, Sturmhond.” said a smooth, feminine voice from under the veil. Nikolai squinted closer at her robes as she dragged him running through the town. A patch was sewn onto the sleeve: an eclipsed sun. The dreaded symbol of Aleksander Morozova. A mix of fear and disgust rolled through him and he snatched his arm away from his captor. 

“What does Morozova want with me?” he hissed, running towards the docks. He glanced back to find an angry group of soldiers chasing them. “That wretched pirate was the one who got me caught in the first place!” he exclaimed. The figure’s hood fell during their escape, revealing a mass of dark tresses and healthy brown skin. Her bright eyes flashed towards him. 

“Follow me and I will explain”, she said, gesturing to a gargantuan ship leaving the harbor. My ship? Nikolai blinked at the magnificent wooden ship that moved quickly towards the open waters. The crazy woman tracked down my ship. The deck of the Kingfisher called to him like the call of the open sea. He spotted the frantic waves of his crew, shouting and howling at him. 

They raced towards the dock, dodging and deflecting the stray bullets that flew around them. The rotted wood creaked under his feet as he approached the Kingfisher. The woman jumped with effortless strength and grabbed the rope that dangled patiently from the side of the ship. 

“Come aboard, Sturmhond!” cried a scar-faced woman with red hair. Nikolai brightened at the sight of her. Genya. She threw down a second rope and he grabbed a hold of it, pulling himself up. 

“Let this be a lesson to you all,” he shouted triumphantly to the soldiers who gaped at him from the edge of the dock. “No governor alive can ever catch the great Sturmhond!” 

“Curse you, Sturmhond!” shouted the Governor with a fat fist thrust into the air. One curse is enough to deal with, Governor, he thought bitterly. He laughed as he swung himself onto the deck and tipped his hat in the direction of the reddening Governor. He landed gracefully in front of the woman who saved him, face hardening into a mask with ease. 

“Now what to do with you?” he contemplated aloud. “You who wear the colors of Morozova.” The woman faced him defiantly, unbothered at his words. 

“Peace, Sturmhond,” she said. She cast off the black robe, uncovering a weathered blue kefta. Typical. Morozova’s whole crew was made up of people like her. The most powerful grisha flocked to him like how sailors were lured by sirens. He promised them riches and power and worst of all, they always believed him. Nikolai was thankful for his band of grisha that knew the truth. Some had even escaped the clutches of Morozova’s ship, The Merzost, like Genya and David. 

“Stormwitch,”  murmured someone among the crew. 

“Stormwitch indeed,” he echoed, folding his arms. “What is your business in saving me from a most unfortunate fate?” he asked with curiosity. “Not that I’m ungrateful, of course, but I do wonder…” He leaned closer, awaiting her answer. A slight crease formed between his brows upon studying her expression. She seemed bored. Bored? We just escaped flying bullets without a scratch and the woman is bored? 

“I escaped from the pirate Morozova and went to find the greatest pirate in the True Sea. I followed whispers, rumors, stories, all to find that the great Sturmhond is hanging from a noose on some obscure island in the south,” she said with disdain. You have your former captain to thank for that. But of course, he couldn’t say that. One more person who knew about the curse was another person who knew of a weakness he possessed. “Obviously your reputation precedes you. Apologies if I’m a bit disappointed,” she added. Nikolai felt a sense of tension stir within the crew. He saw his friends, Tolya and Tamar, place a cautious hand on their respective weapons. 

“No, no,” he said, forcing an easy smile on his face. “I apologize for not living up to your expectations Miss…” 

“Nazyalensky. Zoya Nazyalensky,” she replied sourly. 

“Miss Nazyalensky. I swear I’ll spend the rest of your stay on this ship making it up to you. Sturmhond guarantee.” he said, throwing in a wink. Zoya rolled her eyes but he didn’t miss the slight lift in the corner of her mouth. Interesting. He walked to the upper deck, her piercing gaze trailing his movements. The wind rustled his red locks as he placed his hand on the wooden steering wheel, painted with chipped gold. “So you’re looking to join my crew I suppose?” 

“Yes,” she said. “Morozova has grown power-hungry and mad. I will serve no evil madman.” She seemed disgusted as she said his name and Nikolai knew how she felt. Maybe he could use that to his advantage. 

“Who said I wasn’t mad, darling?” he joked. His crew laughed along with him. “No worries, we are not evil here.” 

I would say otherwise, said the demon. 

“And what do you have to offer us?” chimed in young Ivan. 

“Yeah!” 

Zoya whipped around towards the crew which recoiled at the movement. They’re scared of her, aren’t they, thought Nikolai. She looked wild, standing in the middle of the ship with her ebony hair whipping in the breeze. A wide berth had formed around her, leaving a large clearing between her and the rest of the crew. 

“What can I offer you?” she said, a small smile on her beautiful face. “The winds belong to me.” she declared, closing her eyes. A gust of air rocked the ship, rustling the creamy white sails. The sailors on deck made sudden grabs for the nearest steady object as dark waves churned around them. Nikolai, however, made a point to stand his ground. He planted his hands at his sides, fingers digging into the fabric of his coat. Zoya lifted off the deck like a saint ascending to the heavens. She opened her eyes, glowing a deep royal blue. “I am the Stormwitch.” Power. The woman was raw power, both literally and figuratively. Nikolai clapped politely when she finished. 

“Thank you for that lovely demonstration, Nazyalensky,” he said, leaning onto the railing of the balcony. “But we’re missing one important question.” He let his words linger in the air for a moment. “It’s perhaps the most important question of all, the one that will determine whether you stay on this ship or not.” He forced his eyes away from Zoya, who looked at him with a sense of utter disbelief. He studied his nails, ignoring the muffled laughs from his crew. 

“Spit it out, Sturmhond,” she said with some annoyance. 

“Why should we trust you?” he asked. 

“You can’t,” she said. Nikolai let out a hearty laugh.

“I’m not sure you’re helping your case,” he said. He narrowed his eyes at the girl, standing in her cerulean robes. 

“I’m simply being honest, Sturmhond,” she said. She smirked slightly as if she knew he’d already decided upon her future with the ship. “An honest pirate is hard to come by these days. And I believe that I am worth my weight in gold.” Saints, she was good. Perhaps it would be interesting to have her aboard. She was a curiosity, a mere person of interest. Yes, that was it. 

“Let me consult with my colleagues,” he said. “Genya, David, Tolya, and Tamar, if you would meet with me here please?” He nudged open a mahogany door behind him that led to the captain’s quarters. The four of his friends followed him inside. 

It was just as he left it. A messy pile of maps was scattered across his simple wooden desk like sand on a beach. He eyed the numerous swords leaning against the wall and picked up his favorite: a silver sword with a violet gemstone embedded into the pommel. It was a gift from a fellow pirate, a much better one than he was. He knew the Wraith was out there somewhere, being a hero to those in need. 

“I say to let her stay,” said Genya, tying back her flaming red curls. “She came to us with a way to get you out of the gallows after we’d been struggling for weeks. Granted, she didn’t reveal herself to us.” Tolya and Tamar nodded, although they exchanged a worried glance. 

“I agree with Genya,” said David while Tamar rolled her eyes. 

“Oh, of course, you do!” she said. “Nikolai, I’m not saying she has to leave, I’m wondering if we can trust her.” Nikolai palmed the sword in his hand, considering her words. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t wondering the same. Zoya Nazyalensky’s sudden appearance and motives were not as she presented them to be, that much was obvious. She could have let him swing for all she cared. And the part about him being the ‘greatest pirate in the True Sea’ was all just flattery, as much as his ego denied it. The woman was playing a game and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be part of it. 

“Tolya?” he asked. 

“Let her stay,” he said in a low voice. “And if she tries anything she’ll face the consequences.” 

“Alright,” said Nikolai. “Seems like we’ve made our decision.” He replaced the sword back on the wall and turned to the door, bursting through. The crews’ eyes snapped up to him. He made his way down to the lower deck, stopping just in front of Zoya. Her face was fixed into a frown, her lovely blue eyes boring into his. It was as if she dared him to refuse her passage aboard the ship. She possessed the passion, skills, and nerve it took to be a good pirate. And her abilities as a grisha could come in handy on his search for the Sun Summoner now that he was free. Nikolai met her with a confident smile. 

“Well then Nazyalensky,” he said, pausing for dramatic effect. “Welcome aboard the Kingfisher.” He extended a rough scarred hand out from his teal pirate coat. Her hand clasped his and the deal was done. 

[carrotcakesweetie]

Please, Sit and Stay for a Awhile...

We have all been a victim of it, but yet we all swear we haven't. We wake up everyday thinking we need some kind of morning routine to be more proactive, we watch makeup tutorials and product reviews, we read over endless forums on skincare and hair care and what are the best products and what celebrity uses them. We go shopping for the latest trends and the serotonin from that new outfit you've gotten lasts only about a day or two. We see pictures of girls in wigs, and we bring them to our hairdressers with unrealistic expectations. We sit in the long drive-thru lines to pay for an expensive cup of coffee, that we could have made in the comfort of our homes.

                * I find myself on the floor of the shower one day, unable to bring myself to stand and allowing the hot water to fully submerge my face. A few moments pass, and finally, I take a gasp of air. My mind riddled with these thoughts, almost constantly. I am a prisoner in my own mind. I have been a prisoner here since I was merely 11 years old. The very first year I knew what it felt like to compare myself to other women. It gets a little stale in this prison I must admit, there are so many women here that it's hard to make my way around. Sometimes I bump into women that change their outfit 7 times a day, and I don't think I've ever seen that one red-headed girl without false eyelashes on a day since she's been here, oh yeah! there is that new girl with beautiful brown eyes that I see pretty often but she doesn't eat much of anything. It's kind of impossible trying to make conversation here, sometimes I can't tell if someone is being friendly, or if they are holding a sharp dagger behind their back. Anyways... as I've stated I have been here for many and many years. The strange thing about this prison is that no matter how much time has gone past it's still the same. Different styles and colors every now and then...but the people remain the same. *

- As I stand wobbly like in the bathroom, I hunch forward over my bathroom vanity and give myself a deep look in the mirror and I ask myself why I am allowing myself to remain imprisoned in these thoughts-

                                                   *So Pause*

                In order to take control of my life again, I needed to state some ground rules

As someone who has always been guilty of maybe bending the rules just a smidge, I knew this would be quiet the challenge. However, it's frankly now or never and no in-between. I have already wasted so much delicate time and for that, it is already difficult to forgive myself. Yet I must set sail.

                                                      Rule #1

      Stop Being So Judgemental: Now whether we consider ourselves to be good people or not, we are all guilty of being judgemental in some way or some form. Being judgemental to me looks like this:

Having a preconceived notion about someone or something that you don't understand or don't know right to be true. However your opinion is upmost absolutely certain, and nothing can change your mind. (Point Blank. The END. PERIOD)

Getting past this is not only crucial for your own mental well being, but it also helps you to forge better relationships with people. You are on your way to becoming a much more compassionate human being. My relationship will be thankful for it. My future relationships will be grateful.

                                                         Rule #2

Not Overreacting or Taking Things Personally: This was/is a HUGE DEAL for me. I am guilty of being a tad bit overdramatic you could say, and I had a difficult time not letting things get to me.

Not taking things as personally has helped me to understand that everyone's situation is different and that just because I might think someone has shown me disrespectful behavior, that shouldn't warrant any emotional response. Let's face it, emotional reactions are not that pleasant. It makes things uncomfortable and sometimes awkward. Overreacting at the moment can lead to regret in the future. Though I may be freaking out on the inside, I have found it much more functional to remain calm and unbothered. Though sometimes, this can lead me to seem a little dissociative, I have found it to bring a lot more zen into my life.

                                                          Rule #3

  NO MORE BEAUTY GUROS: This rule is very special and unique to me. This was the most difficult thing for me to swallow. I have made it a personal goal this year, to completely feel comfortable without makeup and in my own skin. Makeup has been nothing but a crutch for me since I was a teenager. My relationship with it is very toxic. This is not unique to me, but like many women, I have never considered myself to be beautiful without it. Whenevenever I started my minimalist journey, the hardest thing for me to part with, was my makeup. Now I am glad to say I am down to one small makeup bag and I'm looking to keep knocking it down.

     Remember this: I am not talking down about the artistry of makeup. I understand many women use it as an art form. I have just been riddled with acne for almost all of my teen and adult life and turned to cosmetics for confidence.

I feel like letting this go will be my biggest challenge to overcome in life (which is rather sad to admit), but even downsizing and progressing to a more natural look,  has honestly done wonders for me. I save SO SO much money, by not frequenting cosmetic stores and I feel SO much better about myself when I'm not burying myself in makeup and skincare tutorials before bed every night, searching for answers I'd never find. It's scary how much I was consumed with always wanting to look a certain way. The truth is, no amount of makeup would ever make me feel complete.

& ALSO MY HAIR-  After graduating beauty school, I thought for sure that I'd like to "FIXUP" my hair all of the time. I used to be very insecure about my hair texture and I often wore it short for that reason.

                 Now You'd be lucky to see my hair brushed, and Honestly, I love it.

                          A little chaos never hurt anybody, but only a little ;)

                                                          Rule #4

GOODBYE FAST FASHION, HELLOW SLOW FASHION: Good quality items Ladies!

Whenever I shop, I like to make sure I know exactly what I'm looking for. I want to make sure my clothes last, they fit well, and they are good for my skin and the environment! I used to ALWAYS look for a bargain deal. The truth is, you're spending less money now to have to replace it with more money in the near future. I like to make sure whatever it is that I buy will be timeless. This means it will never not be in style and I will always have clothes to wear for many, many years to come.

The truth is, that your clothes, your body, and your hair are the least most interesting things about you. Unless fashion is YOUR LIFE don't let it have yours.

                                                    Rule #5

  QUALITY LIFE AND QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS: We all know the famous quote "life is short"

We are always making inspiration boards, Saying "I WISH" way too often, and sometimes even "MAYBE ANOTHER TIME".

Will there be another time? One of the most common things people tend to say on their deathbeds is that they wish they would have spent more time with someone they loved. I don't want to be that person.

I think that sometimes we are so focused on the number of people in our lives, versus the quality of the relationships you already have. How many people in your phone can you call and talk to and trust them to have your best interest in mind? Ok, now how many people do you have stored in your phone?

                             YES, I DECLUTTER MY LIFE IN PEOPLE TOO.

Not everyone is going to add value to your life, and not everyone has your best interest in mind. Whenever you have fewer things bothering you and surrounding you...you start wanting more out of life and turn to the people you are closest to.

These are some of the biggest rules that have helped me with my growth and truthfully finding myself as a woman. I feel like having a simpler approach to life, is the very key to happiness. We as humans like to over complicate things, but who needs the added pressure.  If you always imagined yourself frolicking in a field of daisies on a stormy day, and coming home to a candlelit home in the middle of nowhere. Wearing long and comfortable dresses, and making homemade bread all day. Then you do it! (Maybe that's just me, but I embrace my childlike dreams) Only you are in control of the world you live in. Don't feel pressured to live everyone else's. <3

To whomever is reading this, I hope you at least can take this on with you. Learn to love the way you look (and I mean really look), learn to love both the child and the woman within you, learn to love other women and encourage them to find their true selves, and learn to not pass judgment and hopefully you will inspire someone else to do the same...we are all in search of a quality life.

                                                                     Let us escape this prison together,

                                                                                        Carrot Cake Sweetie

[deadanddeactivated]

Storm Flower

Fandom: Sanders Sides, medieval-ish au Pairing: Logan/Remus, everyone else is platonic Characters: Virgil, Patton, Roman, Logan, Remus, Deceit and Orange are mentioned Warnings: There is betrayal in this, check the end of the tags for who. Summary: When a magical illness overtakes the land, King Thomas calls a quest for the flower that will cure it. No one is expecting The Boy of Fear to show up.

Fear isn't expecting to enjoy the quest.

AO3

--

Rare was a True Mage, even in so grand a kingdom as that of King Thomas Sanders.  In fact, in all the land only six were known.  One barely.  But of the ones known, they were well known.

Some were known for the fear they encouraged:  The Unnamed One, who it's said can convince even the animals to do his bidding.  The Boy of Fear, whose tantrums brought dreadful and terrifying storms.  Remus of the Forest, who would bring about a most gruesome death on any who stumbled through his forest.

But then there were those mages known for their great deeds:  Lord Logan, the royal advisor who took council with the wind itself.  All have heard his tale - how he used the winds to bolt over the castle walls and warn the thing of a coming invasion.  Then there was Patton the Kind, a simple palace cook before he stepped in during rocky peace negotiations.  His powers to feel the earth have always helped him ground others, or so he says.  Last but never least was Sir Roman, a noble Knight and local heartthrob who controlled fire as effortlessly as he controlled his sword.

There were rumors that a seventh mage that roamed the lands, one more terrifying than the Unnamed, the Boy of Fear, and Remus combined.  None had ever seen traces of this rumored Mage, but that did not stop the people from whispering.

When an unknown illness began to sweep the lands - a fever so hot it seemed to boil people alive in no time at all - it was this rumoured mage that was first to be blamed.  Though King Thomas tried to subdue thoughts of a hidden Mage, he couldn't pretend the sickness wasn't magical in origin.  Especially not after Lord Logan suggest the calling of a Quest to stop it.

"We need to find a Storm Flower.  Specifically, a seven petaled Storm Flower."  He informed King Thomas.  "The winds have informed me that one resides on the Lost Isles.  Which I will be able to find with their guidance."  

"Alright.”  King Thomas, who had long given up on Logan ever talking to him casually, nodded.  "I'll call a Quest at once."

"Why does the King insist on calling a Quest every time something happens?"  Roman huffed a few days later, impatiently watching the sun for the moment the calling would be over and the Quest could begin.  "Everyone knows we are the only ones that respond."

"That may be true," there was no 'may' about Patton's statement.  The last time a non-mage had responded to a Quest had been before the Mages had been found.  "But everyone deserves an equal chance to get involved.  We can't hog all the Kingdoms glory for ourselves.  That just wouldn't be very fair, now wouldn't?"

"Besides, it is important to respect tradition."  Logan added.

"So, is this the Quest meeting then or just a geek hang out?"

All three Mages turned at the unfamiliar voice to find a gothic young man smirking at them.  His almost-black hair covered one eye but the other was purple.  More importantly, it was glowing with magic.

"Who let you in here!?"  Roman demanded, sword already drawn and raised.  The Boy of Fear didn't seem bothered.

"The guards just had to let me through after l told them I was here for the Quest."  He said, still smirking.  For a moment the three mages were silent as they took the information in.

"He is correct," Logan eventually said.  "He has never technically committed a crime and so he has every right to join the Quest.  We can not deny him.

"Don't you just love technicalities?"  Fear grinned.

"No."  Roman huffed, putting his sword away but crossing his arms to keep showing his displeasure.

"You're here to help?"  Patton asked, looking unsure but not outright hostile. 

"Why else would l be here?"  Fear shrugged.

"Why would you be here?"  Roman huffed.

"I must admit, I'm also curious as to your motives.”  Logan said.

"Do l have to have a motive to want to stop this?  Maybe I just don't want to catch this thing."  Fear answered.  

"That is rather sound reasoning."  Logan accepted.

"Besides, l highly suspect you'll need help with that boat."  Fear added.

"But I thought you made storms?  Won't that make sailing harder?"  Patton questioned, tone surprising polite.

"I can do a lot more than make storms."  Fear said.  He held out his hands and the mages watched their surroundings as his eyes glowed brighter.  It didn't take long to spot the way the well water was hovering three feet above the well.

"Cool!"  Patton breathed as Fear let the water drop into the well once more, not a single drop missing it's mark.

"That settles that then."  Logan decided.  Despite Romans grumbling, when the sun marked the tenth hour, Fear left with them.  Although he did not tell them his name.

- - -

The boat was a decent size, small enough for four mages to run it alone but large enough to be comfortable.  Large enough they didn’t have to interact out side of necessity.  And for the first week of their travel, that’s what Fear did.  He keep to himself and keep out of the way, only talking with Logan when a course correction was needed or the seas seemed to be getting too frisky.  Logan was unbothered by this arrangement and Roman seemed to prefer it but Patton…

Well, it just seemed wrong to him.  

Sure, everyone said Fear was this horrifying mage that didn’t care about others but Patton just couldn’t believe that.  Over the past week Fear hadn’t done anything mean, let alone evil.  And besides, how bad could he really be?  He was helping them after all.

If anything, Patton thought the mage seemed… lonely.  And Patton just wasn’t going to stand for that.

Thankfully, though the boat was big enough to give everyone space, it wasn’t big enough for anyone to hide.  Which made it easy for Patton to find Fear laying on the crows nest in the middle of the night.

“Hey kiddo!”  He greeted, grinning and trying not to laugh when Fear startled.  It was funny but that’d be rude.  

“Uh, did you need something?”  Fear asked, quickly recovering and pulling himself into a sitting position.

“Nope!”  Patton said.  “I was just wondering if you wanted a midnight snack?”

“Uh, what?”  Fear frowned, confused even after Patton showed off the cookies he’d hidden behind his back.  “How… how do you have cookies?”

“Well, a quest just isn’t a quest without freshly baked cookies.”  Patton claimed, pulling himself onto the crows nest proper and placing the cookies between them.

“But, we’re on a boat?”  Fear questioned further.

“Well, I am still the royal chef.  It’s not the first time I’ve had to make cookies on a boat.”  Patton explained.  “King Thomas likes his cookies.  Try one!”

“Right, um, thanks?”  Fear said. 

“The first cookie of friendship.”  Patton whispered as Fear took his first bite, almost making the mage choke as he laughed in surprise.  

Little did Patton know how right he was.

--

With Patton dragging him by the arm, Fear’s time alone dropped dramaticly.  As much as Fear grumbled it was, admittedly, nice.  Logan and he had fun debates and conversations, no longer just discussing the tides and the quickest way to the island.  Patton insisted he joined ‘family game nights’ and even let him help with the cooking.  Even Roman seemed to warm up to him, although to a considerably lesser extent.

Fear wasn’t really sure what to do with all this sudden kindness.

When he’d joined the quest he’d been prepared to keep his word and then disappear back into the shadows.  Now he wasn’t… now he wasn’t so sure.

“Are you alright?”  Roman asked.  He’d taken the spot to Fear’s left, although Fear couldn’t figure out when he’d gotten there.  “You look darker and stormer than usual.”

“I’m fine.”  Fear claimed.

“You aren’t losing your nerve, are you?”  Roman questioned.

“Of course not.”  Fear said, shouting the fire mage a glare.  “I’m not like that.”

“Alright then.”  Roman accepted, shrugging.  “Captain Nerd says we should all get some rest, we’ll reach the island tomorrow.”

“Night then.”  Fear said, leaving the boats side and the swirling waters behind.  He wasn’t losing his nerve.

--

The boat was large enough for everyone to have their own space, their campsites were not.  It was in their best interests to keep their presence small, or so said Logan.  Two tents and a campfire, occasionally with a third location for keeping watch.  Usually this lack of personal space would leave Fear itching and the clouds above him stormy.

Sitting with the mages, Fear found he actually liked it.  

“You are exgradating.”  Logan huffed, his cheeks a little flush while he tried desperately to keep his composure.  “It was not this dramatic.”

“Oh it was incredibly dramatic.”  Roman grinned.  “You should have seen the King’s face Fear, he was so confused.”

“And Logan just keep talking!”  Patton added.  “King Thomas had to clear his throat to get his attention so he could point it out.”

“Royal Advisor Logan, we can’t give the Queen an inifinestal amount of support.  That would be an insult.”  Roman said, giving his best King Thomas impression.  Logan’s cheeks got darker.

“It was a simple mistake.”  He muttered.

“Doesn’t the wind tell you everything?  Why didn’t it warn you?”  Fear asked, fighting back his own laughter.

“The wind is a rather personal element.”  Logan huffed.  “It likes to laugh.  Especially at me.”

“Which often means a random breeze knocking a basket onto his head.”  Patton explained.

“You certainly never help by putting baskets all over the castle.”  Logan complained.

“I don’t do that, you can’t prove it.”  Patton claimed.  Considering the grin on his face, Fear wasn’t inclined to believe him.  

“I’ve seen you do it.”  Logan argued.

“I think the entire castle has seen you do it.”  Roman added.

“And the wind just knocks those over for you?”  Fear asked.  “I thought you were an Earth mage.”

“It’s not magic.  Patton and the wind are rather alike, they seem to get on despite literally being incapable of talking.”  Logan explained.

“I wish I got along with the wind.  Maybe then it would stop messing with my hair.”  Roman pouted.

“The earth is nothing like the wind.  It’s much more grounding and serious.”  Patton said, pulling a serious face that looked anything but.  “It’s actually a lot like you, Logan.”

“My fire is exactly like me.  Incredibly passionate and enchanting.”  Roman claimed.

“And destructive.”  Fear said, getting a ‘hey!’ and a friendly shove in response.  “I don’t think the water and I are alike.  The water’s a lot calmer than I am.”

“Your storms are anything but calm.”  Roman argued.

“Storms are different.”  Fear shrugged.  “And those are accidental.”  He admitted, more quiet.

“Accidental?”  Logan asked.  “That’s odd.  I don’t think I’ve used my magic accidentally.”

“I have.”  Patton said.  “Sometimes it’s just instinct and emotion, you know?”  Fear and Roman both nodded but Logan couldn’t seem to relate.

“Fascinating.”  He decided.  “I have never had the wind react to my emotions.  We will have to discuss this at a later date so I can collect accurate data.”  

“Nerd.”  Roman said, only half hidden in coughs.

“Precise and well-studied are better labels.”  Logan claimed, though he seemed rather unbothered by the teasing.  He was likely used to it.  

The group of them talked for a little longer before Patton stood with a yawn.

“I think it’s bedtime.”  He decided.  “Who’s taking first watch?”

“I will.”  Fear offered.  “I’m not tired.”

“Alright.”  Logan stood as well.  “I will take the second watch.”

“I suppose I will take the last watch, the sunrise is good for skin complexion.”  Roman decided.

“Sounds like I have the third watch then.”  Patton nodded.

“I will time my watch to ensure you get the most efficient sleep.”  Logan assured.  

“Aw, Lo.”  Patton grinned.  He yawned again then moved around the group, giving each of the mages a tight hug and a personal goodnight, like he always did.  Rather than use the nickname Fear had gained, Patton just called him kiddo.   

“Goodnight.  Sleep well.”  Logan said, after enduring the hug.  

“Pleasant dreams.”  Roman said, waving.  Patton gave yet another goodnight before heading towards his tent.  Watching them, Fear felt anxiety bubbling in his chest.  Was he really… sure he wasn’t actually considering this… but then they had been so nice and didn’t they deserve to know?

Clearing his throat, Fear didn’t look up to see if they’d noticed.

“Virgil.”  He said.  At Patton’s ‘huh’, Virgil did look up.  All three had turned back to look at him, with Patton and Roman looking notably confused.  Oh geez.  Why did he think this was a good idea?  “My uh, my name.  It’s Virgil.”  He managed after a moment, eyes darting around.  Virgil waited anxiously for their response, not quite sure what to expect but not expecting anything good.

Patton broke the silence by squealing.

“I love it!!”  He announced, running back to hug Virgil again.

“It’s not that big a deal Patton.”  Virgil claimed, rolling his eyes fondly and hugging back.

“It clearly is.”  Logan said, fixing his glasses.  “Thank you for trusting us with your name, Virgil.”  

“I must admit I’m rather surprised.”  Roman said.  “But, it is nice to meet you Virgil.”

“Now, we really must be heading to bed.”  Logan pointed out.

“Right, right.  I’m just so happy to finally know your name!”  Patton said, still grinning. 

“You’ll still know it tomorrow.”  Virgil pointed out, smiling back.

“I will!”  Patton agreed.

“Of course?”  Logan whispered to himself, confused.  “Was that in doubt?”

“Goodnight Virgil!”  Patton said, finally letting the water mage.

“Goodnight Patton.”

--

Two weeks since Virgil stepped into the royal courtyard, they find it.  

“Could nature be more dramatic?”  Virgil asked as they stepped into the colouring.  The Storm Flower, with it’s seven petals all in different colours, was in the exact center of the clearing.  It rested atop a small hill, rays of the setting sun falling across it artfully.  There’s even a lake nearby with a small water, giving the clearing a calming soundtrack. 

This was definitely a magical flower, Virgil decided, only a magical flower would be ridiculous.

“Is there only one?”  Patton asked, starting towards the flower.

“We will only need the one.”  Logan assured, following Patton.  Likely to ensure he didn’t pick the flower it the wrong way.  “The illness is a magical curse, likely placed on an item special to the King or the Kingdom.  When we get home we’ll find the item, and then create a tea using the Storm Flower.  Once the item has been soaked in the tea, the curse will be broken.”

“Alright then!”  Roman grinned.

Virgil was expecting it, waiting for it.

He still almost missed it.

Roman’s hand twitched out the corner of his eye and Virgil grabbed for the lake.  The fire whirling ahead sizzled as it met a wall of water.

“What was that?”  Logan asked, turning at the noise.  “Steam?”  He added, confused when he spotted the cloud resting there. 

“Are you two fighting?”  Patton asked, frowning and putting his hands on his hips.

“I think we might just be.”  Roman said, eyes narrowed as Virgil stepped between him and the others.  “Breaking your word there Virgil?  I thought you were better than that.”

“You broke yours first.””  Virgil claimed.  “Just walk away.”

“What are you two talking about?”  Patton asked.  

“Don’t worry about it padre, I’m sure even you’ll figure it out in a moment.”  Roman assured.  Virgil tensed when the mage’s fingers twitched but he no fire came.  

And then he felt heat and a rush of wind on his back.  

Looking over, he found Logan fixing up his clothes.  “I see.”  He said.  “Although I can’t say I understand.”

“Of course you can’t.”  Roman spat.  He gave up on subtly then.  He called fire to both his arms and blasted it at them.  Virgil called on the lake but knew there wasn’t enough water to block it.  Thankfully, the earth that rose was more than enough to shield them.

“Roman?”  Patton whispered, staring at the dirt. 

“We need to go.”  Virgil said.  “Right now.”

“What?  No, no we need to help him!   Something has to have happened to him!”  Patton argued.  

“Nothing’s happened to me.”  Roman huffed.  He stood atop the dirt pile, having used his fire to jump to the top.  “Not like you two.  No, you’ve saved the kingdom.  Everyone sings ballads of you.  I am down being a side character!”  He called fire to rain down on them but Virgil jumped out of the way, taking Patton with him.  The earth mage was too shellshocked to respond, not like Logan.

“I see.”  The wind mage said.  “You believe you have not achieved a grand enough fet, and so you plan to return alone with the Storm Flower to get sole credit.  Likely, you also found a way to create the illness.”

“What gave you that impression genius?”  Roman asked, rolling his eyes and jumping back to the ground. 

“Well it is a fever based illness, and many have described the illness as being alike to burning alive.  In retrospect, it makes the most amount of sense for it to be you.”  Logan explained.

“I was being sarcastic four eyes!”  Roman snapped.

“Oh, I see.” 

“Less exposition, more running away!”  Virgil shouted, grabbing Logan and Patton’s wrists and running towards the forest.  Get stressed, he ordered himself and then almost laughed.  He was already well stressed.  That’s not what called the clouds.  Think of something else.

“Running away again Virgil?  I should have known you’d chicken out.”  Roman mocked.  Ah, yeah, think of that.  Virgil let go of Logan’s wrist to flip off Roman while above him the clouds gathered.

“This can’t be right.”  Patton mumbled, stumbling as they ran.  The downpour began in earnest behind them.

“You think a little rain is going to stop me?”  Roman called away them.  He was chasing them, footsteps heavy against the forest floor.

“Patton, I need you to make it muddy behind us.  And Logan I need you to push the rain Roman’s way.”  Virgil ordered.

“Excellent plan.”  Logan agreed.  Virgil couldn’t feel the wind but he could feel the rain as it focused on Roman, making it hard for him too see and impossible for a fire to catch.

“Patton, mud!”

“But this isn’t, this can’t be happening.”  Patton mumbled.

“Just do it!”  Virgil tried. 

“Patton, worry about that later.  Right now we have to focus on getting away.”  Logan said, tone much calmer than Virgils.  After a moment Patton hesitantly nodded.

“Alright.”  He said, sounding a little more sure as he pulled out of Virgil’s grip.  “Follow me, I can find us a cave.” 

--

They made it safely to the cave, no hint of Roman following behind them.  Patton closed the entrance behind them, leaving only a sliver of an entrance to allow air and moonlight in.  They couldn’t risk starting a fire.

“I believe we are safe.”  Logan announced after about ten minutes. 

“For now.”  Virgil agreed.  

“I believe you owe us an explanation.”  Logan’s words made Virgil tense.  “It appears to me you knew what Roman was planning.”

“Surely he wasn’t planning it.”  Patton argued.  “He can’t have, something just… something happened!  He’s being controlled or manipulated or,” Virgil cut him off before he could continue.

“Roman’s been planning this for months.”  He admitted.

“What?”  Patton whispered, falling back into the cave wall and falling slowly to the ground.  “That’s not…”

“I’m sorry Patton.”  Virgil said.  

“But Roman cares so much about the kingdom!”  Patton argued.  “He’s our friend!”

“That’s not what he told us.”  Virgil mumbled.

“Us?”  Logan asked, raising an eyebrow.  With a sigh, Virgil sat as well.

“You know that Roman and Remus are twins, right?”  He asked.

“The forest mage?”  Patton clarified.

“Of course.  Roman disowned him when Remus joined the Unnamed One.”  Logan recalled.

“That’s not entirely true.”  Virgil said.  “I’m not really sure how to explain this.”  He added, running a hand through his hair.  They were silent a moment then Patton took a steadying breath and sat up a little straighter.

“Start from the beginning.”  He said.  “As far back as you need to go.  I want to understand.”  Hesitating only a moment, Virgil nodded.

“When my powers first came in I couldn’t control them.  I made a lot of damage, my parents kicked me out.”  He admitted, rushing through it and ignoring Patton’s noise of distress.  He tried to say something else but nothing came out, with an annoyed expression he tried again.  “Orange, the seventh mage, found me.  He took me in and D- uh, the Unnamed One.  He raised us, more or less.  Told us that the kingdom hated mages, that the King used them for soldiers and any that weren’t loyal to him were killed.”

“But that’s not true.”  Logan frowned.  “King Thomas is incredibly welcoming of mages.”

“Yeah, well, we didn’t know that.”  Virgil shrugged.  “And the childhood we had, we believed it.  Then…”  He paused again.  “Then Roman and Remus showed up.  Said they were runaways.”

“Roman too?”  Patton asked, frowning deeper when Virgil nodded.

“Orange took them in and Roman confirmed everything he said.  Going on about how the kingdom was horrible to mages.  After a while Orange started talking about… changing things.  Taking over, making the kingdom a better place.  Roman was… he was really into it.  He went back to be a man on the inside, I guess.”

“That must have been when he returned from ‘searching for Remus’.”  Logan pieced together.

“Whenever he got back he and Orange would get worse.  They just kept going on about how horrible the kingdom was, and how the King would kill us and every magic user if he got the chance.”

“Thomas would never!”  Patton shouted.

“Roman was very convincing.”  Virgil sighed.  “More convincing than Orange.  I never really wanted to do Orange’s take over the world thing, but Roman… he made it sound like his life in the kingdom was so horrible.  That the both of you were horrible.  So, when he said he had a plan to make everything better…”  Virgil trailed off.

“The illness.”  Logan guessed.

“You were planning on…?”  Patton didn’t finish the sentence.

“I didn’t know the specifics.”  Virgil claimed.  “I just knew he’d call a quest and I had to be there to help, or be the scapegoat I guess.”

“When did you decided to betray him?”  Logan asked.  Virgil couldn’t help but wince at the choose of words.

“When Patton gave me cookies, I guess.”  Virgil said.  “At first I thought maybe you were just acting, that any second you’d turn into the cold hearted monsters Roman described but it didn’t take long to realize you weren’t.  I mean, no one can be that earnest, right?”  

“He said we were monsters?”  Patton repeated, looking heartbroken.

“Yeah, he uh… he had some pretty extreme stories.”  Virgil admitted.  “I’m sorry.  I never should have agreed.”

“Ultimately I’m glad you were there.”  Logan said.  “I never suspected a thing.  Roman could easily have killed us there and no one would ever figure it out.”

“Do you really think he could have done that?”  Patton asked.

“After today, yes.  I do.”  Logan said.  “And since we don’t seem to know him at all, Virgil what do you think he’ll do now?”  

“Well, he’ll want to get rid of us.  But if he can’t find us he might try to get to the kingdom first.  He could leave us stranded or, if that doesn’t work, he’ll still have enough time to make up a story that’ll make it seem like we’re in the wrong.”  Virgil guessed.  

“I see.  Then it’s likely in our best interest to ensure Roman does not leave the forest.”  Logan decided.

“How are we meant to do that?”  Patton asked.  For a moment it seemed none of them had any ideas, then Virgil jumped up.

“Remus.”  He said.  “Patton, open the cave.”

“What?”  Patton frowned. 

“What are you planning?”  Logan asked.

“Remus might help us.  He can keep Roman trapped in the forest easily.”  Virgil explained.

“Remus?”  Patton frowned.  “Is he on our side?”

“He’s on his own side.”  Virgil said, shaking his head.  “But he loves messing with Roman.”

“But I thought he was a criminal.”  Patton said.

“Not technically.”  Logan said.  “Reports about his murders are greatly exaggerated, mostly he just gets people lost or helps them get away.  The few deaths I’ve been able to confirm as his have been condemned or would-be-condemned criminals.  Which, under some rather old laws, is technically legal.”

“I didn’t know you knew so much about Remus.”  Patton frowned.  “Has everyone been lying to me?”

“It’s not like that.”  Logan tried to assure.  “I just wasn’t sure how to bring it up.  I’m still not sure it’s a good idea to ask his help.”

“I think it might be our only idea.”  Virgil argued.  “Patton?”

“...Alright.”  Patton accepted.  With a heavy movement of his hands, the cave unsealed.  Virgil stepped out and immediately began knocking on a tree.

“Remus!”  He shouted for the man a few times, occasionally changing the tree he was banging on.  Patton and Logan watched, both confused..  “Come out already.”  Virgil eventually growled.

“I’m gay.”  A man announced, stepping out from behind a tree.  The man was the spitting image of Roman, except for the part where he was a mess.  Covered in mud, with leaves in his hair, and… was that moss growing on his legs?

“How did you do that?”  Patton frowned.

“Oh, you have friends!”  Remus grinned as he spotted the two.  “I’m so proud of you Virgil.  You even meet the cute one!”  

“Hello Remus.”  Logan nodded.  “I wasn’t aware you could teleport.” 

“Only in a very specific way.”  Remus claimed.  “We can get real deep into it later.”  He added, winking. 

“Orange is going to be real pissed if he hears you were flirting with a kingdom mage.”  Virgil commented, shaking his head in shook.  Remus wasn’t a subtle person, how had none of them noticed this?

“He’s going to be all the more pissed when he hears you betrayed Roman.”  Remus countered.  “Finally stepping out of your comfort storm.  Very impressive.  Although possibly deadly, I can feel Roman burning trees from here.”  

“He’s close?!”  Patton asked, panicked.

“I didn’t say that.”  Remus assured.  “I did say he’ll burn you to a crisp when he finds you though!  Wait, did I say that?  I meant to.”  Patton whimpered, whether from fear or heartbreak Virgil wasn’t sure.  Maybe it was both.

“We were actually hoping for your help with that.”  Virgil said.  “Roman can’t exactly burn us alive if he’s trapped in the forest and we aren’t, right?”

“You want me to betray Orange and my brother like that?”  Remus gasped.

“Please?”  Virgil tried.

“Hmmm, only if Logan asks.”  Remus decided, turning to the wind mage in question.

“Remus.”  Logan said, rolling his eyes.

“Oh I’m teasing.”  Remus assured, clicking his fingers.  “I’ll do it.  Do put in a good word for me when you get home, will you?  Oh and remember my parents face when they find out I was the not-evil twin.  I want to hear every detail.”

“Wait, we can’t leave yet.”  Patton said suddenly.  “The flower!”  

“My flowers are solely for Logan these days, sorry.”  Remus said.

“No, the Storm Flower.”  Logan recalled as well.  “We can’t fix the curse if we don’t get it.”

“Roman will kill us if we stick around.”  Virgil argued.

“You can leave if you’d like Virgil, but plenty more people will die if we don’t get that flower.”  Logan argued.  

“Well, he’s got you there.”  Remus hummed, leaning on Virgil’s shoulder right until the other mage shoved him off.

“How are we meant to get it?  There was only one and Roman probably grabbed it!”  Virgil pointed out.

“If he did we’ll… we’ll have to take it off him.  However we can.”  Patton decided, voice growing from a mumble.

“Patton, are you sure?”  Logan checked, concerned for his friend.

“The Roman I knew was a lie.  This person… he, he hurts people.  We have to stop him.”  Patton confirmed, nodding.

“Oh what an adventure!”  Remus grinned.  “I should have brought treats.”

“This is a suicide quest.”  Virgil muttered.

“There’s no shame if you don’t want to come Virgil.”  Patton assured.  “Thank you for your help already.”

“No, no.  I’m coming.”  Virgil sighed.  “I’d feel guilty if I didn’t.”

“Then it’s settled, in the morning we’ll all go after Roman.�� For now I suggest we sleep.  If we’re lucky, Roman will spend all night searching and be worn out when we find him.”  Logan said.

“Sleepover!”  Remus cheered.  He was about the only one that felt like cheering as they walked back into the cave.  There was an unease in the stomach of the other mages, even Logan who tried to appear calm as they settled in.  

Tomorrow they would need to fight a friend, there was no way to feel good about that.

[seasonallydepressed]

My two newest characters.

WISTERIA "ICARUS" WATSON

She stands tall in presence, despite her fairly diminutive stature. She stands at 5'3, her mane of curly strawberry blonde hair oft left wild in her fights. When styled, she may braid a single side close to her head, but she loves the wildness of her hair. Her skin is fair by nature, but tanned by work. She is covered in scratches, bumps, bruises, and old scars. Freckles dot her face, shoulders, chest, and forearms. Her body itself is slender, and fairly rectangular, having less curve than many women of her age. She thanks the Gods for this blessing, as it makes armor fitting easy. She wears layered armors when she is fit for battle, wearing many colors and no clear standard. Out of battle, her clothes are simple and open. Loose pants, an open shirt, and a simple leather belt to match her simple folded leather boots.

It isn't common for a woman to become a squire in the city she was raised. Even less likely for a human to be one. She spent her early days working the land outside of the royal city of Jul'Pei, home of the High Elves. She would ascend to to her position as a squire from there after a dark day. From there she spent years in training, her love of fighting having started on the farm, now refined and practiced, turning her into a capable soldier. She found her mind growing very quickly and that she had a knack for tactics. This quick-wit of hers led to the natural track of focusing more on maneuvers that brute force or magic that some of her peers did. She would never finish her Squireship, however, as her knight died before she could be knighted, and the city was not keen on knighting a human woman.

The story of her becoming a squire is mostly one of luck, good and bad. She was in the fields, tending to the crops at the young age of 12. The Army was occupying their home currently, and she had had enough of them for the time being, pushing her into the fields very early that morning. Due to this, she saw them first. From the horizon, an army seemed to march upon the farm. A warband came crashing through her soft summer morning, razing her crops to the ground. The army was there that day and met the warband with force, but she was caught in the middle armed with only the tools she had brought out this morn. When the warband retreated, she stood there, covered in soot and blood. War had grasped her by the throat and she had broken it's fingers. Now she was hungry for more. A knight in the army, Sir Alderran, and the commander of the company that had been living on her farm had seen her feats. Through his power, he commandeered her for service, employing her as his squire.

Though she remembers fondly her life on the farm, she feels as though when she began her training that her life really started. She threw herself into her studies. She trained hard and fast. She grew strong, swift, and tough. Sir Alderran had ensured she would be caught up in her studies, teaching her not only writing but calligraphy. He taught her courtly behaviour, but it stuck fairly poorly. She would often state she never felt more alive than when she was being fought in the field. Her stature and late start put her at a severe disadvantage in the combats she faced, so her brain had to work to make the difference. She fought with new tactics and surprise moves, often to the disdain of her Knight. Still, she succeeded in combat and rose quickly under the pressure, earning the trust and comradiere of her fellow squires.

When she followed her knight to war, she expected to come back and be knighted herself. They met a warband in a classically stereotypical field. The same warband the Army had allowed to go free back when she had first encountered war. War had once again placed its hand around her throat, but this time she would not be satisfied with simply breaking it's hand, she would crush it's skull. She was flush with anger, and her rage fueled her to stop thinking and start acting. She over-extended during the battle, facing down an enemy much larger, stronger, and more experienced. She was horribly injured, a large gash opened in her shoulder, arcing down across her chest. The wound was given in torture, to ensure scarring, if she were to survive. Due to her weakness, Sir Alderran was to her side, saving her life but leaving his company without command. The entire company fell that day, and as herself and Sir Alderran retreated and arrow found itself married with his skull. She returned broken, bloody, and empty. She had quickly become Icarus, drowning in her sea of grief.

The elves of the city had quickly stripped her of service and rank, despite nobody knowing the truth of what happened that day. She would spend a year and a half in silence, focusing her mind on a fight she had never faced before. Her body, however, went on without her. She joined a fledgling mercenary band that insisted upon calling itself an adventuring guild. The Copper Dragon was her family now, and she pushed out to earn the money to survive. She never reached any high ranks, but she was unbothered. Her silence ended when she found a friend in Juu'Nstas, a quirky Triton far from home. He told unbelieveable stories about a faraway land where people sailed boats to live. The first noise she made in her nineteenth year of life was a laugh. With her voice restored, she tempered her confidence with wisdom, and took to the life of an 'Adventurer' much more seriously. Juu'Nstas at her side and the symbol of a low ranking Copper Dragon on her belt, the two pushed out to seek gold and glory. Icarus had found wings once more.

JUU'NSTAS "JUNE" PLIPATH

He is tall for his people, standing at 5 foot exactly. His personality matches it, bringing a larger than life style of joy into a room. His skin is a pale blue, at times seemingly translucent, and his hair is long, straight, and a soft sea foam green. Being a triton he has webbed hands and feet, and enjoys frequent dips into water. Being a person who hates clothes, he often has to be reminded to remain at least halfway dressed, lest folks find him less than decent. When armored, his mail seems to shine like sunlight filtering through water, and his glaive has an intricate wave pattern across the spine. Though a more reckless fighter, he is suspiciously unscarred. Regardless, his hands carry callouses from all his ropework.

A Triton hailing from Samyasa, who grew up off the coast of the tiny city Plip, Juu'Nstas was put naturally into the role of a deep-sea fisherman. He had greater ambitions though, driven by his desire to explore and see brand new things. People called him crazy, for talking of wanting to sail the rough, stormy, waters and try and see what lies beyond the horizon of his land of birth, but still yet he was able to assemble a group of others with similar minds. They put together a small group, had a ship built sturdy and enclosed, and said their goodbyes. The crew was small, only six folks total. They would be the first to travel across the seas and make contact with another nation-- though they have no real desire for political business, so they would not report this. Though they still tell stories of their homelands to those in a bar. Juu'Nstas took to the travel particularly well, finding his love and religion in the storm, deciding to dedicate himself to that natural world once he arrived.

He knew how to sail before he could talk. He spent his earliest days tying knots and unfurling sails. His childhood was spent submerged more than not, and his middling teens were spent hauling and fishing. In between it all, he learned how to fight and all about the principles of honor, as is traditional for Tritons, however restrictive it was for him. He felt a call to something deeper though. The ocean called him like a sultry lover. In time, he responded, and the cobalt mistress stole him from his life, his love, and his career.

He spent the better part of his early adulthood sailing around the Dellina Delta to find others crazy enough to sail with him, much to the disapproval of his partner Zaajaas. Surprisingly he found five others willing to hit the stormy waves with him, and even more surprisingly they were able to cobble together the money to fund the creation of their own ship: The Fairmaiden's Voyage. The ship was built heavier and sturdier than most, with a closed cabin and windowed helm. It was a unique vessel, slow but perfect to weather the storms that lay ahead of them. He was the last to board the ship, as his partner tried to stop him one final time before he left. Juu'nsta promised him that he would return soon.

On the sea itself, they faced many challenges. Food drained faster than expected, they were sent adrift for a short time, and they didn't expect to grow so irritated with each other. The storms themselves did not help in any regard. During a particularly bad storm, Juu'nstas found himself tied to the mast and praying to whoever would listen. In the storms he heard Melora, who came down in the form of a woman made of lightning and rain. She said nothing, and he thought he may have been hallucinating, but shortly after she vanished again the storm faded with her. From that day, he swore his oath to her, to defend the things she found sacred, and the free anybody from the tyranny she would hate. In return, he was blessed with his divine power.

They were very surprised after the week they spent lost, starving, and maddened, when they came across an unfamilar shoreline. When they touched down on the land and were met peaceably by civilization they were overjoyed. They quickly found themselves telling the story of their travels, though nobody appeared to believe them: calling them maddened by seawater. Still, they were well received and assisted. They took up their boat once more, cruising around to another port town, where they were met by a halfling who was very interested in their story. The halfling man, named Tim, promised them funding for their sailing if they promised to join his new guild, The Copper Dragon. They signed on, and set off to get the lay of the land. Upon reaching the Homestead of The Copper Dragon, they were given their ranks and shown how they could make much more money for a newer, larger ship. They took up adventuring. While drinking one night, after a successful quest and good reward, Juu'Nstas found himself faced with a silent woman, broken by grief and shadowed with doubt. For the first time in months, he chose to tell his story- with added humor- and she laughed. From that moment. They were close friends. He would consider her as close as his shipmates, and she would consider him a brother. After a time of rest, the two decided to travel together, and took to the land for gold and glory.