#THIS IS MALAK AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A DOCTOR

[shuublebunny]

I am Malak, a medical student from North Gaza. Our home has been destroyed, and we have been displaced more than 20 times seeking safety, but danger is everywhere💔. During this journey filled with suffering, I lost my brother Moataz, who was martyred while trying to fetch water for us😢.

I want to escape this hell to save my family and continue my medical studies. I have created a donation campaign, and any contribution, whether by donating or sharing the story, means a lot to me. Your support could be the light in this dark tunnel🍉🙏.

‼️URGENT! PLEASE REBLOG AND SHARE‼️

Hello Malak! I would absolutely love to help and will share your story and your donation link. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you and your family, and I sincerely hope that you are able to get out and continue your studies. You've chosen to go into a very noble field of work and I know you will make such an incredible doctor.

This might be a little strange to say, but I have a very dear friend named Malak here in the states, and seeing your ask made me think of her. You have a beautiful name and a beautiful soul. I can't wait to see all the wonderdul things you'll do when you regain your freedom

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

The Arcana HCs: M6 with an MC who has periods

Julian

He's a doctor, he knows what's going on, bodily functions and fluids don't faze him

He is deeply in love with you and cannot stand seeing you in any kind of pain

He is swinging wildly between those two states for the duration of your cycle

Oh, some blood got on the sheets? No worries, he's an expert at cleaning this stuff up. You go lie down and relax

You've got cramps? They're bad enough to cause you pain? He's down on his knees begging for it be him instead

His little performance made you laugh? Laughing is so good for this! He'll get you some painkillers and that'll make it even better

You're crying because you're hormonal and out of chocolate? He's booting a screeching Malak out the window to request chocolates from Portia and turning the house upside down in his mad search for anything with cocoa in it

About halfway through you'll get fed up enough to kick him out of the house

He'll show up at Mazelinka's looking like a kicked puppy and she'll send him back with a jar of apology soup, which works better than any medicine

Asra

They love you and will do anything and everything to help

You want cuddles? He'll cancel any plans for the rest of the day

Need chocolate? They've got three different kinds stocked

Mood swings? He's got pranks for when you want to laugh, handkerchiefs for when you want to cry, and several trinkets he pilfered off of Lucio for when you're angry and want to destroy something

The inevitable mess? They've got a brilliant spell to snap that clean and all kinds of peculiar bath products to try out

Cramps? The stove salamander has been trained to act as the perfect heating pad, Asra's got pain remedies from every place he's visited, and he's a fantastic masseuse

Faust is also happy to wrap herself around your torso for added squeezes

One time he found a pain transferring spell and decided to try it when you were at your very worst

They ended up cry-laughing on the floor, happy with how well it worked, shocked at how much pain they were suddenly experiencing, and totally fascinated with a sensation they had never encountered before

He was willing to try it again, but you refused because 1) you have way more practice handling it than he does and you don't like seeing him in pain, 2) he's so intrigued with how unique the sensation is he keeps losing focus and breaking the spell, and 3) you wouldn't be able to pamper him as well as he pampers you

Nadia

If she isn't the type to experience difficult periods, she grew up with multiple sisters. She knows what she's doing

If she could take time off to look after you she would, but she's the Countess and Vesuvia won't run itself

She will definitely give you time off for it though, as her court magician you need your rest

Every resource you could want is at your beck and call

Palace doctor on standby for pain medication, and to monitor the general health of your cycle

Private bath is available at all hours

Masseuse scheduled for daily therapy

Carefully planned diet to satisfy your cravings and meet your nutritional needs

The only problem is that she's the best person to be around when you're moody, and she's not always available to take a quick break and love you through it

After she came to check on you at the end of the day and found you in tears because you missed her she felt like the worst partner ever

Now she wraps up a body pillow in her softest nightgown for you to snuggle and makes sure it has her perfume on it

Chandra stays perched on the windowsill to relay any status changes to her

She schedules breaks to check in on you

She's also become a master at predicting your cycle patterns to make sure there's nothing big planned

Muriel

Let's be honest here, he was living in the woods full time by the time he was a teen and his only break was spent in the Coliseum

It's possible Asra sat him down and gave him the talk at some point, but you're probably the first person he knows who actually experiences this

He's uncannily tuned in to your emotions though, and he knows what pain looks like better than anyone else

You'll have to explain it to him as much as you're comfortable with, but the way he sees it, you're a noble soul experiencing physical discomfort that you can't control and he loves you very much

He won't mind if there's any mess, he lives in the wild and knows how to clean

The mood swings surprised him a bit, but he likes seeing you on the expressive side

He also appreciates the chance to support you emotionally when it's normally the other way around

The cramps are what make the most sense to him, because again, he knows what physical pain is like better than anyone and this is familiar

He doesn't like seeing you in pain though, and is very attentive to keeping you comfortable

The worst for him is when you get cravings and he doesn't have it stocked

The first time this happened he was too panicked to attempt a trip into town so he sent Innana to Asra with an SOS note

They were very happy to help and shared some helpful tips as well, which Muriel deeply appreciated

Portia

You two are synced and neither of you have easy cycles

The first time was a disaster. Both of you tried to power through it, neither of you were prepared, and the resulting clash sent her sulking to Mazelinka and you isolating in the shop

You were able to talk it out and now you make a monthly holiday of it

You spend the week beforehand stocking up and getting your tasks organized to have the lightest workload possible for the week

You make a game of finding the craziest pain relief or period product you can find and rating it together

Cramp cuddles

You eat so much food in bed there are crumbs everywhere but you're going to have to change the sheets a few times anyway with the blood business going on

You both have a wicked sense of humor, so the mood swings stay manageable as long as one of you is able to crack a joke about it

Pepi lies on your stomachs so she can knead and purr on them

All of your male friends know to stay far, far away from the premises

If they absolutely have to drop by it's with an armload of offerings (mostly chocolate, pain killers, and hot water bottles)

Lucio

Oh dear

He loves you, he really does, but everything about periods down to the concept of them freaks him out

Dude has mommy issues, what can I say

Seriously though, he'll do his best to make you feel loved and supported and provided for so he doesn't have to engage too much

The blood freaks him out the least (mercenary) so he'll spring for a chance to take your sheets or soiled clothing since it removes him from the vicinity while still being helpful

He will also be more than happy to run errands for any and all of your cravings

He's terrified of your mood swings, not because he's scared of you hurting him, but because he can't predict your emotional state and that stresses him out

He also doesn't like seeing you in pain, but he's familiar enough with it to not get scared off by it

He'll bring you all the remedies that used to work for him. Some of them (like the hot water bottle) really help, and some of them don't (like the overripe smoked garlic he tried to hang around your neck)

He has successfully figured out how to comfort you though, and that's what gets you through it

He remembers how well you slept in the labyrinth when he was keeping watch for you

Now, whenever it gets really bad, he'll rest your head on his shoulder and plant his sword in front of the two of you, because at least he knows how to keep you safe

[rafumeika]

I'm honestly intrigued by the bg3/Arcana au idea, like, how do you imagine it? The Arcana 6 in bg3? The bg3 main 6 companions in Arcana? Or maybe just making them meet somehow? I'm sure Asra and Gale would become bestest of friends in 0.5 seconds talking about magic

I was thinking along the lines of "take the 6 origins and put them in the main Arcana 6 place" but now the idea of them all meeting is stuck in my brain and yes, Asra and Gale would be amazing friends but you know who I think would be even better friends? Portia and Karlach! And also Karlach and Muriel, too, bonding over their shitty ex-employer who fucked their lives up

But no, the main idea would have to take the 6 origins and put them in The Arcana in place of the main 6 there, and obviously the story wouldn't be the same since they're different characters who act in different ways but it's still an interesting idea imo

I'm mostly imagining Wyll in Nadia's place, both of them people in power, Wyll's ending where he becomes Grand Duke Ravengard has somehow a special place in my heart and I feel like he would be the best choice as Count of the city in Nadia's place

Gale in Asra's place of course, both of them renowned powerful wizards with Tara as Gale's familiar in place of Faust, and maybe Mystra to represent the Magician which I think would fit amazingly

Now, for Lucio I was thinking Shadowheart, especially Sharran!Shadowheart. She wouldn't be as much of an asshole as Lucio (probably) but I think it'd fit well, with her Reversed Ending basically being the equivalent of DJ!Shadowheart (something something enabling Lucio's delusions results in him being your loyal attack dog something something enabling Shadowheart's delusions results in her being Shar's loyal attack dog) and her Upright Ending being the equivalent of Selûnite!Shadowheart, and instead of having the Red Plague following her every step like Lucio she brings the Shadow Curse wherever she goes (which could still be adapted as some sort of deadly disease)

Julian, though. Julian would be Astarion. Both bitter, grieving people who have lost something. Astarion isn't much of a doctor in bg3 but Julian is a huge theatre kid and don't tell me Astarion wouldn't fit right in. Also Julian being plague-touched and having to hide his eye reminds me of Astarion trying to hide his vampirism at the start of the game, which I think would fit with them both. Not to mention Julian's habit of breaking into people's houses. That is peak rogue behavior and I will not hear otherwise, maybe even with a bat following Astarion instead of Malak the raven

(Bonus point for my favorite Julian quote, "Death cast her gaze on this wretch and turned away" which I think is perfect for Astarion)

(Extra bonus point for the Asra-Julian beef becoming Gale-Astarion beef which is *chef's kiss*)

Karlach would be the perfect Portia I think, working under Wyll and being just generally a sweetheart, I would also like to imagine her and Astarion still being somehow tied together like Portia and Julian are but instead of siblings they'd be childhood friends or something along those lines, and when she heard about the countess' (Shadowheart) death and that Astarion was accused of her murder she immediately went to the city to find him and have answers

That would leave Lae'zel in Muriel's place, which I also think fitting. Maybe without the whole being forgotten thing (I can't see Lae'zel ever resorting to that) but the place of the once fighter would be perfect for her. She wouldn't be like Muriel is in the sense that Muriel comes to hate violence and wants to be left alone and forgotten, but I do think she'd work perfectly in his place if we think that he goes to live in the forest and keeps an eye on things and he's the one noticing weird Lucio-related movements before anyone else, and I do like the idea of Lae'zel going from famous and unbeatable fighter to silent protector living in the forest and prowling the edges of the city to make sure nothing weird/wrong/worrying happens

I do have more than one idea to be fair (if I wasn't trying to fit the 6 origin with the main 6 I would have put Gortash in Lucio's place with Karlach as Muriel) but this is the one I'm most obsessed with. I also have some more ideas about the other characters as well (like Valdemar, Volta and all them) and some about the other Arcana (Scratch as Scout, anyone?) but I feel like this post is already long enough so I might write more later on another post if anyone is interested (or even if no one is, because this AU is already eating at my brain so I might post more even if it's just for myself)

[mx-piggy]

Another list of Palestinian users who have reached out to me via ask about their fundraisers. Will include some basic details. Campaigns that are drastically low on funds (i.e. below £1,000 or the equivalent) or have not received a donation in the past 24 hours have been highlighted in pink, but it is important to donate to continue to donate to campaigns when they still haven't met their goal. If you would like me to dedicate a post to just your campaign, let me know via direct message. Let me know of any mistakes in this post and I will be sure to correct them, or if any campaigns get vetted in the meantime, I will be sure to edit as needed. Please share this post and these users' campaigns. I have tagged them so that you can go to their accounts and reblog their posts. I still have many asks to get through, so I will be making more posts like this. please check out my previous post for other fundraisers in need of support.

@wejdan-32 | Wijdan and her three children, Hamza, Zakaria and Israa - unvetted

Wijdan is 43, Hamza is 16, Zakaria is 18 and Israa is 24. Wijdan's husband passed away eight years ago. The family has been displaced at least 12 times now. There have been no donations in four days!! €2,423/€20,000

[username unknown (account that sent the ask has since been deleted); let me know if you have it and I'll add it!] | The Abujarad Family - presumably vetted (again please confirm if you know)

The family consists of five people, including two children. Baligh, the father, who lost his life's work when our home was destroyed. He courageously ventures out daily to gather what little food and water he can find. Miral, the mother, who suffers from a debilitating sinus disease but still manages to care for her family. Malak and Mohammed, the family's children, who dream of becoming a nurse and a doctor. Their studies have been disrupted because of the war. Sanad and Haya, the other children in the family, also dream of becoming doctors. Dalal, the grandmother, who is beloved by her family. This fundraiser hasn't received any donations in a day!! kr367,312 SEK/kr600,000

@maherdahalan | Maher Dahalan, his wife Rawida Sawali, their infant son Mahmoud and Maher's elderly parents - vetted

Maher is 40 (forty). Rawida is recovering from a difficult caesarean section. This will be Mahmoud's first winter, and he has no winter clothes. The prices for baby products have gone up astronomically, which is a challenge for the family because the war has destroyed their source of income. €2,291/€30,000

@princessworlds-posts | Amira and her family - vetted

Amira is 23. Before the war robbed her of everything she worked so hard for, Amira was a university teaching assistant, pursuing a Masters degree and working as a programmer for a company. Her father died from Covid four years ago, which made Amira responsible for her family. Her mother suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes. €31,315/€39,000

@amirashawikh | Khaled Smeer and his family - vetted

Khaled managed a large mall in Gaza before the war and is an English translator. The family needs funds for evacuation, clothes and food. $1,668 AUD/$60,000

@nouraissue4 | Noura Ayman and her family - vetted

Noura is a medical lab specialist, and her husband Ibrahim shares her profession and studies. Noura underwent four heartbreaking attempts at IVF before being blessed with her beloved daughter Hanan. Ibrahim's father has kidney cancer and has thankfully escaped Gaza to be with Noura, Ibrahim and Hanan, who are stranded in Egypt with no source of income. Donations will help Noura to establish her own medical analysis laboratory so that she can complete her masters degree, cover her and her family's basic living expenses, and evacuate the members of her family still trapped in Gaza (I will list them below). Noura's father (85), who suffers from asthma. Noura's sister Doaa (18). Noura's brother Samed (15). Noura's mother is with Noura in Egypt (as they went to Egypt for urgent medical treatment for Noura's mother). The kids miss their mother. €2,034/€50,000

@aiamaher |  Aya Almajdoub and her family - unsure if vetted (finding mixed claims, but nothing that calls into question the fundraiser's legitimacy. Let me know where it is vetted and I will edit!)

This is a family of eight: Aya (27), her father Maher (60), her mother Maha (50), her husband (32), her son Bassam (3), her brother Mohammed (28), her sisters Amna (29) and Enas (22). Aya lost her home and her business as a result of the war. Without any income, the family is struggling to support itself. €3,667/€55,000

@hane12345 | Hani Hamid and his family - vetted

Hani has three children: Abdulla (12), Salm (10), and Saleh (7). His wife Nour is 33. Hani was shot in the knee, which has left him unable to walk and in desperate need of medical treatment. €1,228/€70,000

@hillesmahmoud | Mahmoud Helles and his family - vetted

Mahmoud has lived in Belgium for 7 years and hasn't seen his four children since 2015. The children aren't any older than 12. Mahmoud's wife has medical problems with regards to her kidneys, so her condition is deteriorating without access to the necessary treatment. The family has been displaced in the Gaza strip for more than five years. €25,738/€37,000

@asmaa-needs | The Awad family - vetted

The Awad family is as follows: Asmaa (37), her husband Majdi (37), Majdi's father Maher (62), Majdi's mother Honar (55), Menna (9), Malak (6), Mariam (2), Fayza (1). Asmaa suffers from various diseases, including diabetes, and high blood pressure. Her daughter Malak suffers from Epidemic hepatitis. Asmaa is in desperate need of insulin and heparin. Maher suffers from chronic hypertension and diabetes. He has previously undergone heart surgery and has had a foot problem since childhood. In his current condition, he cannot walk. €6,559/€20,000

@mohameddsaker | Mohammed Saqr Ayyad's family of 12 - vetted

The family of 12 was displaced from their home in North Gaza. Mohammed was enrolled Al-Quds Open University before the war but his laptop, library and university books were destroyed. They have lost family and friends as a result of the war. There have been no donations in three days, and the campaign is very low on funds!! €537/€30,000

@hadeelchilds | Hadeel Mikki and her family - vetted

Hadeel's family is as follows: her husband Waseem, her daughters Mira and Nadia, her mother Tahani and her two brothers. Hadeel, her mother and her two brothers are the only survivor of their side of the family. Hadeel's father-in-law tragically passed away because of the scarcity of medicine, much to the sadness of Waseem and the kids. Hadeel is an engineer. €17,895/€35,000

@collageadjacent (they're not the one benefitting from the funds but someone helping to spread the campaign) | Sama Hassouneh, her son Arkan and her daughter Noor - vetted

The children's father died as a result of the genocide. Israel's siege means that Sama can no longer support herself because she no longer has an income. $12,294 USD/$50,000

@osama-family | Osama Al-Anqar, his wife Rana Raed Al-Anqar and their little girl - vetted

Osama's brother Mahmoud, leaving behind his wife and children, was martyred in the bombing of the Baptist Hospital. Osama's brother Ahmed lost one of his legs in the same bombing. Osama's daughter suffers from extreme fear and panic and skin diseases due to the lack of water and cleanliness. £5,288/£50,000

@m-albalawi | Mahmoud AlBalawi and his family - vetted

Mahmoud has five siblings and five nieces and nephews. Mahmoud used to work as a graphic designer. Both Mahmoud's father and mother are suffering from chronic diseases (cartilage in the vertebrae, high blood pressure, diabetes, and his father has heart stents). €44,068/€85,000

@ibrahem-4 | Ibrahim and his family - vetted

Ibrahim's family is as follows: a mother (66), a father (66), two brothers (36 and 22), a sister, his sister's children (7 and 8). Ibrahim's oldest brother is a doctor, and Ibrahim was studying nursing before the war. €614/€30,000

@somaiahassansworld | Hassan and his family - vetted

Hassan's wife lost their child that she was carrying due to stress and malnutrition. Hassan and his wife got married four days before the war. This fundraiser hasn't received donations in 2 days!! €2,035/€50,000

@hosamhammad | Ibrahim and his family - unvetted as far as I can tell but seems legit (let me know if it has been vetted and I'll correct this!)

Ibrahim is 16 and has Down Syndrome. Here's an article written about him. Ibrahim's brother Amjad lives in Belgium and is organising the fundraiser on the behalf of his family to help them evacuate and cover any other necessary living costs. €141,997/€150,000

[sweetestlittledarling]

Devotion

Part of @monthly-challenge 2024 | Moral Support/Night Out

Rating: PG

Pairing: Julian/Sparrow (She/Her Apprentice)

Summary: They were each other's support, no matter what...

(So I am woefully behind, mostly because I got food poising last Friday and well that kind of put a damper on my weekend. I did manage to write though this was originally going to be for another prompt, but I figured it kind of fit both of these so yeah. It's once again inspired by headcannons by the ever fabulous @iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia because I have read through all their work and love it all. It is off the headcannons of the helping one of the M6 through a panic attack and the M6 helping MC through a panic attack. I tried to read up on panic attacks since they are not usually my form of anxiety, so I tried my best.)

It had been a rather busy day at the shop. Sparrow had been so busy she had hardly noticed that it had become evening. She sighed thankfully as she blew out the light at the door, ready for a restful evening. She was kind of surprised actually she hadn’t seen Julian yet. He usually would have closed up the clinic by now. She really hoped he wasn’t pulling a late night again. A sudden loud cawing brought Sparrow’s attention to the sky as Malak flew circles overhead. Sparrow felt a growing sense of worry as she recognized the raven’s warning cry. Something was wrong. Malak glided down to perch atop the sign of Julian’s clinic, once again letting out a loud caw. Had something happened? Had she been so focused on work she missed something important? She quickly made her way over to the clinic, opening the door and stepping inside. Everything looked in to be in place, though there was no doctor anywhere to be seen. “Julian?” Sparrow called, stepping more inside. No answer.

Could he have stepped out for a house call? No, he would have never left the clinic unlocked and Malak was clearly pointing here. Sparrow hurried to the back where Julian’s office was. She carefully opened the door and peered inside. Like the front it was as it should be with a desk full of papers and…Wait, what was that? Sparrow listened carefully and could hear the sound of labored breathing. She peered under the desk and pressed up somewhat uncomfortably with his long legs was Julian, still in full doctor gear. He was paler than usual, and his breathing was shallow. She noticed the very familiar panic in his eyes as he muttered softly to himself. Sparrow’s heart broke seeing him like this. She moved the desk chair away so that she could sit next to him, her eyes focused on him. “Julian?”

At the sound of her voice his eyes turned to hers and she could see the recognition there. “Sparrow,” he said, his voice raspy. She could hear the love and need in his voice even if he didn’t say the words.

She nodded, giving him a comforting smile. “Is it okay if I touch you?” she asked. He nodded and she carefully reached down to take his hand. She removed his glove and gently placed his hand on her chest, allowing him to feel her heartbeat with her hand resting on his. She could already feel him relaxing a little just by touching her, but she knew he would need more. “Okay, now let’s take some deep breaths okay,” she instructed, “breath with me.” He did as instructed, soon their breathing was in sync as he looked thankful into her eyes.

“My darling Sparrow,” he said, voice wavering a little, “always coming to my rescue when I need it the most.”

“Always,” she said, “now would you like to come out here with me and be a little more comfortable?”

He nodded, carefully starting to untangle himself. He did almost hit his head but managed to make it out unscathed. They didn’t stand yet, instead remaining seated on the floor with him wrapped around her, his face pressed into her neck.

“It’s okay Julian,” she said rubbing his back. “Just take your time. I’m here and I won’t leave you.”

“Thank you,” came the muffled reply, which she felt against her skin, “thank you Sparrow for all of it.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Julian sighed as he seemed to pull her closer, holding her as if she was his lifeline on a very rocky sea. “My last patient today,” he explained, “complained of a persistent cough with some flecks of blood in the mucus. It wasn’t so bad until I looked into his eyes and saw…” Julian paused his body beginning to tremble.

Sparrow reached up and gently cupped his face in her hands. “It’s okay,” she said, brushing his cheek with her thumb, “take your time. I’m here. You are safe.”

“You’re here,” he repeated back, his eyes transfixed on hers, “you’re here and I’m safe.” He repeated it a few more times before feeling able to continue. “I looked into his eyes, and I saw…I saw red. His eyes were red. Not completely red but I could see blood and then all I could see was…the plague…” His voice started to get more hectic as his eyes became distant. “All I could think about was what if I was infected? And then all I could think about was being sick and brining it home to you and then you being sick and me not being able to help you. And then others getting sick…Pasha, Mezalinka, Asra and your brothers…” His breathing started to pick up again and Sparrow was quick to take his hand again, placing it gently on her chest.

“It’s okay Julian,” she assured, “it’s okay. Take your time and breathe.” She was thankful as he did just that, his breath coming in and out as he carefully worked his way down. As his breathing calmed, she gently kissed his forehead, allowing him to sag against her using her strength to hold him up. There they remained for a long time, before she gently pulled away to look at his face. “Do you think you are able to move?”

He nodded.

She got to her feet and then helped him to his, allowing him to lean against her. “We are going to go upstairs now, and I will make you a bath,” she said, as she carefully helped him to walk, taking most of the weight upon herself. Luckily, she was pretty strong and although he was gangly, he was pretty light. They walked up the stairs together and she did as she said, helping him strip his clothes, giving him a quick cool down with a face cloth before settling him into the bath. She gathered his favorite calming smells, including his shampoo which she used to do his hair, gently massaging his scalp with her fingers in the way that she knew he liked. He said nothing though she felt the tight ball of nerves begin to unwind. He didn’t speak again until she had put him into bed and his eyes met hers.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

She smiled as she leaned in and kissed first his forehead then his lips, gently brushing his hair as he pressed his face to her collar bone. “I love you,” she murmured to him, then beginning to hum as she helped him slip to sleep.

…

Sparrow’s emotional control was something Julian had always greatly admired. She was calm, cool, and poised on every occasion. But there were some moments, though far in-between, that he was reminded that she too needed his strength. One such occasion happened at a function at the palace. It had been quite an evening with people from all over coming to enjoy the city's sights. Julian was thoroughly enjoying himself, dancing with Sparrow, telling tales, and generally feeling like a hero. He had mostly kept to Sparrow’s side but had foolishly stepped away to get them drinks and then had gotten caught up in another conversation. It was Malak who had caught his attention again, the bird giving his worried caw which Julian of course ignored at first but when the bird began to tug at his ear he could no longer ignore it. That’s when he noticed that he had lost sight of his beloved. He looked around the room, but Sparrow was nowhere to be seen. His heart sank as he instantly felt something was very wrong. Forgetting the drinks, he quickly began to follow Malak who was swift in his flight. It was at first hard to keep up with all the party goers but as they slipped out into the garden Julian was able to move quicker. His heartbeat quickly as his mind whirled with thoughts of a million different awful scenarios. Malak led him to the back of the garden and there he found his songbird, though the sight of her in her current state made his heart stop for a moment.

She was dressed nicely for the evening, having done up her hair as well as dawned more make-up than was the norm. But where he would normally find her cool and collected, he found her pacing and trembling with tears at the corner of her eyes. Having had a few of these himself he instantly recognized the panic as her cool blue eyes met his. “I’m okay…I’m okay really…” she said, though her voice did not convey the same idea as her words. “I’m okay, I just…I Just…”

His mind sprang into action as he remembered who he was and who he was dealing with. He approached carefully holding out his hand. “Sparrow, my love,” he said, voice calm, “can I touch you?” She hesitated, her eyes looking from his hand to his face. Then she nodded, reaching out and taking his hand. He could feel how badly she was trembling now and if made his heart ache. He led them over to a nearby bench and placed her hand on his chest. “Now, breathe with me,” he instructed. He focused on taking deep breaths as he watched her face. She focused on his chest a moment, watching as their breathing slowly began to sink up before closing her eyes, her shoulders relaxing. He is there to catch her as she slumps against him, his other arm pulling her close.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured.

He calmly stroked her back. “For what darling?”

“We were having such a wonderful night and I thought I could handle…” She sighed as she held onto his lapel with one hand. “I thought I could handle this, but it just got worse and I’m sorry that I ruined the evening.”

“Oh, my beloved songbird, you have ruined nothing,” Julian implored. “As one who has felt this way before I know that sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming, and one might need someone else’s help. I believe that you taught me that, and with such a great teacher allow me to put some of my lessons into practice by helping you.” When she didn’t answer right away, he allowed her some time to breathe, still stroking her back and keeping her close to protect against the night’s chill. “May I ask what brought this on?” he asked after a bit. “You don’t have to tell me of course if you aren’t ready but I have found from experience that talking does seem to help.”

Again, she hesitated, and he wondered if he had pushed too much but then she spoke: “I was waiting for you to get back when I overheard someone talking. They were talking about the…” There was a pause and then another sigh. “They were talking about the Lazaret and if there were any plans for it. I don’t think they were from Vesuvia, or they wouldn’t have been so willing to talk about it, but they went on about all the people that died there, and it was like…it was like I was suddenly back there. I couldn’t fully remember it, but I felt such a feeling of dread and fear that I…I just wanted to escape. Like I was trapped. I know it’s just a place and there is nothing there anymore but…I don’t want to go back there. Please don’t make me go back there.”

“Never,” Julian said, his voice clear, “I would never want you to go back to that place nor would I want you anywhere but here with me. I am here and you are safe.”

“You are here, and I am safe,” Sparrow repeated, snuggling closer. “You are here, and I am safe.”

Their mantra seemed to put the same ease into her as it did him, as he watched her body relax a bit more. He smiled as he removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. “Now my dear, I leave the decision up to you. Do you wish to return to the party, or may I suggest that I walk milady to her door and then make her some tea with an extra doctor ordered cuddles?” Her little bit of laughter made his heart pick up and soar. He felt her lean against him, allowing him the honor of being her support.

“The second does sound kind of good right now, especially with the way my head is starting to hurt just a bit.”

“Then my dear,” he said, taking her hand in his, “let us away to home where I will dote on you hand and foot.” But as they started to walk away, he felt a slight tug as she stopped.

She looked at him with concern. “Are you sure that I’m not ruining the evening?”

He smiled as he reached up his other hand, gently cupping her cheek. “Sparrow, my love, my songbird, you and your well being will be more important than any party could ever be.” She smiled and he felt his own calm returning. He truly did love her and by all the magic in the world, she loved him as well. Later as she lay with her head on his shoulder, he heard her murmur:

“Thank you.”

He smiled as he gently kissed her head, pulling her close. “I love you.”

[raccoon-macaroon]

Two

A rooster crows. I stretch without opening my eyes. When I do open them, I see tree roots hanging above me. Pale morning light filters in through the open door. I yawn and rub the wolf’s fur, and she yawns back at me, her huge jaws shutting with a snap. I looked around the hut. It’s empty, but at that moment the door swings open and Muriel steps inside, holding three eggs in one hand and a chicken under one arm. He starts when he notices me awake.

“Good morning,” I say. I pull the fur up to my chin, feeling like I’m doing something indecent just by lying there. He nods, sets the chicken down outside, and crosses the room to the fireplace.

“Thank you for letting me stay,” I say, climbing out of the pile of furs and trying unsuccessfully to neaten them.

Muriel looks at me out of the corner of his eyes, brows furrowed. He’s cracked the eggs and they are sizzling in a pan over the fire.

“You remember?”

“Remember what?”

“Last night.” I feel the heat rush into my cheeks. Did something happen last night? I feel the wound on my forehead. It’s scabbed over and starting to itch. I knocked on his door. He let me stay. Then...he slept over there and I slept over here. I would remember if something happened. Muriel frowns at my silence. There’s dark circles under his eyes.

“Ah, I’m sorry. You didn’t sleep well because I took your bed.”

“No, that’s not what I…” He shakes his head. When the eggs are finished, he slides them onto a plate and sets it on the table. He moves to leave the hut, when he stops and turns back to me.

“You need someone to look at your head. I know someone who can help.” He grimaces, as if thinking of this person was unpleasant. “Eat your breakfast so we can go,” he said, going out the door.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” He freezes with his hand on the doorframe.

“I’m not hungry.”

“I really appreciate the breakfast, but…” Why was I so insistent? Why did I want him to eat with me?

“I can’t eat three eggs. I don’t want them to go to waste.” Clucking sounded from outside. “The chickens worked hard on these.”

Muriel turns around to look at me, frowning.

“Here.” I pick up the tarnished fork sitting next to the plate and cut one of the eggs sloppily in half. The yolk is runny and spills over the plate. I scooch an egg and a half to the far side of the plate and the rest towards myself.

Slowly, Muriel steps into the room towards the table. He picks up another fork and a bowl from a shelf on the wall, the whole time never taking his eyes from me. As if I will strike him if he looks away. He sits down across from me, forking up his share of the eggs and dropping them into the bowl.

Neither of us say anything as we eat. I glance around the room, trying to come up with a topic of conversation, but the room is so sparse it’s hard to come up with anything. There’s a little wooden figurine sitting in an alcove in the far wall. A bear, maybe? The paint job looks old and rubbed off in places.

“That’s nice. Did you make it?”

“No.” I think he’s going to leave it at that when he continues. “A...friend made it for me.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Do they live around here?”

His eyes darken. “No.”

“Oh.” We finish our breakfast in silence.

As soon as I step out into the sunlight, my head begins to ache. I groan and put my hand to my cut. All of the numbing agent from the night before has worn off. When I lift my head, I see Muriel looking over his shoulder at me. In his eyes I see...concern? Maybe? But the look is gone quickly.

“...name,” he mumbles

“Huh?”

“What’s your name?”

What’s my name? What is my name? Panic washes over me. How do I not know my own name? Did my injury cause me to forget? What was I doing before I woke up in the forest? My eyes dart around, and they land on a scrubby plant.

“It’s Sage!” I burst out. “Like the plant!”

Muriel takes a step back, surprised at my outburst. Then he nods and starts walking.

I look at his back as we walk, paying little attention to the forest around me. Did I really just make up a name for myself? And couldn’t I have picked something cooler? Well, too late to change it now. After several minutes alone with my swirling thoughts, I need to break the silence.

“So, who are we going to see?”

“An idiot,” grumbles Muriel. “He’s a doctor. He helped Inanna when she was hurt, once.” The black wolf whines at the sound of her name, pushing her snout into Muriel’s hand. He scratches behind her ears, and for a moment I think I see him smile. But the moment is gone so quickly I can’t be sure.

When we reach the edge of the forest, Muriel pulls his hood up. Inanna is nowhere to be seen.

“This way,” he mumbles. Fields slowly give way to houses, and then a town.

“What is this place?” I ask.

“Vesuvia,” he said. A bell chimes in my mind. I’ve heard that name before.

At the edge of town where the dirt path ends and the cobblestones begin, Muriel stops. He looks uncomfortable.

“Are you alright?” His eyes dart to me, then back to the city.

“I don’t like coming here,” he said.

“Oh.” Immediately I feel the need to alleviate his discomfort. But what can I do? I’ve never been here before...that I can remember. I glance down at his hand. My first instinct is to take it, but I smush the thought down. We only just met. That would be weird. Muriel shakes himself and keeps moving.

With each road we take, the city seems to get busier. Townhouses become businesses and market stalls, a handful of people walking in the street turn into bustling crowds. I try to keep my eyes locked on Muriel’s back. It shouldn’t be this hard, I think to myself. It’s not like he’s hard to find. But as the crowd shuffles around us, he seems to get further away. At a break in the crowd, I dart forward, grabbing onto the back of his cloak. He starts, turning around to look at me.

“Sorry,” I gasp, bending my head to hide my burning cheeks. “I was worried I would lose you in the crowd.”

After a moment he nods. “Don’t let go,” he says.

After a while, Muriel stops in front of a little shop. The sign on the door shows a mortar and pestle with a snake wrapped around it.

“Should be next door…” Muriel mumbles.

The building to the right of the little shop has a sign too, a raven with a syringe in it’s talons.

We stop in front of the door. I realize I’m still holding on to Muriel’s cloak. The door in front of us pops open, and a tall, red haired man with an eyepatch appears in the doorway.

“Oh, um, hello. I was just about to close up shop for a bit but...what can I do for the two of you? Eugh, that is quite a doozy of a head wound if I do say so myself. I assume that’s why you’re here. Come in, come!”

The space is spacious, but cluttered. Knickknacks litter the counter and shelves. Compasses, seashells, carvings and things I don’t recognize. One shelf is covered in just jars of black blobs. Books fill the rest of the space, shoved wherever they will fit. A raven lifts its head sleepily from a little nest on the very top of a shelf close to the ceiling. He caws at us and rustles his feathers.

“Thank you, Malak,” says the doctor dismissively. “Have a seat.” The man gestures to a little side room with a flourish. Inside is a little cot, a chair, and more shelves full of stuff.

I sit gingerly on the cot, and realize I still have yet to let go of Muriel’s cloak.

“Sorry,” I say, dropping it like a hot coal. Muriel shakes his head. He looks peeved, but not at me. He’s staring at the red haired man as he bustles around the room.

“So, how’d you end up getting such a shiner?” The doctor sits in front of me and rests a pair of glasses on the tip of his nose, brushing the hair off my forehead to examine it. When he touches me, I feel Muriel tense beside me.

“I don’t remember,” I say honestly.

“Whew, amnesia? Been there. How far back do you remember?” He’s holding my wrist now, glancing up at a clock on a shelf.

“I don’t remember anything before waking up in the forest.”

“Nothing?” said the doctor. His eye widens in surprise. “That is serious.” He thinks for a moment. “Well, I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do about that, but we can do something about that head wound. Though I pride myself in my stitch work, I’m afraid we’re going to need some more help for this one.” He grins at Muriel and winks - blinks? at him. “Wouldn’t want to mess up the face of your pretty lady.” The doctor begins rifling through the shelves for something.

Muriel sputters. “She’s not...can’t you just heal the wound with your...powers?”

The doctor stops and looks at Muriel.

“Er...ah, no, I’m afraid not. Not anymore.” He looks at the ground, but then smiles. “But! With a little magic-ing, in combination with this-” He holds up a jar of black blobs. “You should be good as new! Er, at least your head wound will be.”

“Julie?” A woman’s voice sounds from upstairs. “I’ve been waiting for-” A pretty woman enters the room. When she sees us, her eyes light up. “Oh, hello! I didn’t hear you come in.”

The doctor grins and presses a kiss to the back of the woman’s hand. “Always arriving just when I need you, as ever.” The woman gazes up at him fondly.

“May I introduce my lovely and magical wife and assistant, Keziah.”

[doctorcanon]

I just read about your Tales of Mash up (again), and I'm really curious as of the relationships everyone has with one another, like I get they all become friends at the end because the power of friendship is awesome, but how does each protagonist view one another, at least at the start?? Hope that's clear enough...

It makes perfect sense! And I’m sorry I took so long! I tried to say something about the character’s personality as much as what they think about the people around them. Some characters have the same opinions for plot reasons. For instance, some people are going to sound like they’re patronizing Ludger or Luke. This is L O N G post. Hope that makes up for the wait!

Velvet:

Sorey - Naive Idiot. 

Jude - Spineless idiot.

Milla - Irresponsible idiot. 

Ludger - You’re useful, so you can stay.

Asbel - A good man, but an idiot.

Luke - PROTECT THE CHILD.

Yuri - You are also useful but you talk too much.

Sorey

Velvet - Please calm down. 

Jude - A good friend and doctor, he’s just a little mixed up, that’s all.

Milla - She’s trying her best, she just doesn’t know what that is yet.

Ludger - Please calm down.

Asbel - A close friend who considers him a confidante. 

Luke - Why are you here?

Yuri - It’s my job to help people like you. Please calm down.

Jude

Velvet - I’m not a coward, you just have no respect.

Sorey - A great Shepherd, but a terrible patient.

Milla - Her Holiness Lord Maxwell of the Cataclysm

Ludger - Oh. You are not who you say you are and I’m the only one who knows that.

Asbel - King Richard’s closest friend who knows nothing about medicine but seems to have an opinion on every treatment he has.

Luke - Who is this lost, sassy child?

Yuri - You have no idea who Ludger really is, do you?

Milla

Velvet - Ah, a nun! Could you please fetch me a drink?

Sorey - Ah, a shepherd! Please tell these people that I only accept offerings of food.

Jude - Jude!!!! My friend!!! I love you!!

Ludger - So you are a human, yes? Why can’t you talk? (oh my god, Milla you can’t just ask before why they can’t talk!)

Asbel - I’m sorry but I’m the Lord here. You are a human lord, I am a malak lord. There is a very, very big difference.

Luke - Ah, a child! Would you like a piece of candy?

Yuri - What do you mean you don’t “do offerings”? Everyone gives offerings!

Ludger

Velvet - Help.

Sorey - Why.

Jude - No.

Milla - Okay?

Asbel - Bitch.

Luke - Child?

Yuri - Friend.

Asbel

Velvet - Maybe not a murderer but definitely still a criminal.

Sorey - A valuable asset to Lhant and confidante. 

Jude - Elympion medicine is weird and I would like you to stop, please.

Milla - Okay, but I’m actually in charge, thanks.

Ludger - It’s my job to help people like you. Stop hanging out with people like Yuri and Velvet.

Luke - Why can’t you be more like Sophie?

Yuri - You’re not being entirely honest with me. 

Luke

Velvet - I.

Sorey - AM.

Jude - NOT.

Milla - A.

Ludger - CHILD.

Asbel - SHUT UP.

Yuri - You’re cool though.

Yuri

Velvet - Exactly who are you to judge me about anything? 

Sorey - Look as long as you can keep up, I don’t care.

Jude - Aren’t doctors supposed to be smart?

Milla - No thanks.

Ludger - We’re gonna get you home. Don’t worry.

Asbel - He thinks he’s the leader. Cute.

Luke - People won’t treat you like a child, if you stopped acting like one.

[talldarkandroguesome]

Dearest Tel,

I thank you for another of your amusing letters. I am glad to hear that you and your Armiger brethren are finding ways to amuse yourselves betwixt your duties to the city. I hope that you are looking forward to your upcoming transfer, even if it means you will not be staying as closely to Lord Vehk’s side.

The weather here continues to grow warmer, though the nights often tend towards a cold chill. Just a couple days past, we had weather akin to that of the end of Rain’s Hand or the start of Second Seed. Then last night it was cold enough I could see my own breath when I went out to the garden. Such a strange phenomena. I fear that all the flowers in my garden whose buds had begun to swell, will lose much of their color as a result of the frost. Particularly those which have been imported from southern Blackmarsh.

The girls have stopped complaining about having to sit with tutors. I do not know what Mother has promised them, or more likely, frightened them into believing, to make them so obedient to learning. Perhaps they are enjoying the teachings? I think it is fair to say that Kuna is excited for anything if it is justified as progress towards becoming the Indoril Princess, for that is what she has called the title she believes she will come into upon joining the House. Cariel is still too young to understand her motivations one way or another. She says she likes her teachers, but mostly she just follows whatever Kuna says.

I will not bore you with matters of the Council. Honestly they have not finished arguing over my expenditures. Even all these weeks later they question if I needed the fifth dagger or how many alchemy bottles are necessary. As I have to keep reminding them, we had to go to Coldharbour where the level of danger was incalculable and supplies would not be easy to come upon.

Yet they continue to quibble over a matter of items as trivial as the number of frogs justifiable upon a cloak. Nevermind that the fate of all of Nirn and her people was at stake, no, let us have an hour’s argument over if it was really necessary to provide potions for my companions on the House account! 

You would believe the Councilmer had not once seen battle, nor accounts related to such matters! And yet, when they are not berating me over such inconsequential items, they are committing resources and troops to the Pact’s armies. It is enough to make me wonder if my presence somehow summons Sheogorath somewhere within the Council chamber. I feel half mad.

Yet that is not what I wished to converse on in this letter.

You had asked for more stories. Particularly about the assassins and their failures. Of course, you know in receiving this letter they must have failed, else how would I be writing to you.

You may recall in my last letter that I scoffed at the poor effort put in by those that wished ill of me. I see now that I have caught Malak’s eye with such remarks, for what they may be failing to produce in qualtity, they have attempted to make up for in quantity. There are more and more attempts each day.

For a while I trusted in the Odinators and their abilities, for the attempts were limited to outside my home. Then they were making sure to get around the Ordinators. And they have now managed to infiltrate the Ordinators.

There is an investigation being conducted, of course, but there has been in all the previous attempts as well. And all to naught but the conclusion that there must be more than one person responsible for the attempts.

Urtisa, may she rot in her room in the Temple, has claimed responsibility for several of the attempts. Even so far as sending me body parts.

While the Ordinators have found no proof of what she has been up to, I have a contact who has assured me that they are working to discover Urtisa’s role in the assassination attempts and to identify her contacts. The Temple says they do not believe there is a way for her to be sending messages out with her having guards posted about the place, but it is clear that she is. If she, or someone else has penetrated the ranks of the Ordinators, it would be possible that Ayem’s Hands or other guards would be in the pocket of those who were trying to get rid of me.

The attempt by the Ordinator, whether they were impersonating the true guard or not, was far closer than I had liked. I made sure to downplay it amongst the servants, but the anti-coagulant his blade was coated in made the situation far more dire than one might find comfort in. I managed to dodge the blade for the most part, but I had to wait in order that the perpetrator would fall into the blade behind me without being able to escape. Without wounding them, I knew they would not stop.

From what I hear, as soon as the other guards tried to take him into custody, he slit his throat. So clearly he had an interest in protecting whoever he worked for. A shame, I was looking forward to the interrogation and learning more about him and his employer.

I apologize that this letter is being sent out later than I should like. The same injury that I described has laid me out for the rest of the day. The doctor tells me that I must rest and recover my strength yet. So I have gotten out of going before the Council.

Staying in bed for one day is no great hardship, though. Nabine got back into bed with me once Mother took the children to their lessons and we were able to spend a long while just enjoying one another’s company without the fuss of servants or the need for me to deal with House duties or replying to the stack of missives that litter my desk.

Instead, I can take my time to write back to you and to read over all the amusing antidotes you have sent along. That story about the nix ox in particular left me in high spirits. I laughed so hard I had to have someone give me a lesser healing spell from where I caused the wound to reopen ever so slightly.

Whatever the poison used was, it makes healing very slow and resistant to magicka. I took some samples from the wound and the dagger used on me and when I am better I plan on discerning the individual components contained within. I should like to develop an antidote in case another assassin tries the same poison upon me again. It must be someone with money to afford such a complicated potion. Or else, they are a master alchemist themselves.

Before I forget, I wanted to thank you for those lovely pictures you painted. I have had the smaller ones put in my study where I can look at them when I need a break from the tedious work I must do. The larger ones have been put in the parlor, save for one, which was greatly admired by our head chef. It is the one with the ash falling over the rocks of the Inner Sea. She stared at it every time she saw it, so I had it hung in her room. She has told me every day of how nice it is to have it to look at the painting every morning and be reminded of home. 

I hope that you do not have too much fun without me. You know how much I hate to miss an orgy. With all the work and assassination attempts, we have had to put any we were hoping for on hold until we can learn more about who is behind the attacks.

Nabine has managed to find us a few very fun and limber people to engage in such amusements. Still, I miss the freedom of being able to choose anyone I like for such things.

There are so many political chains that keep me from doing as I please. No room for rebellion while I am trying to achieve several goals.

I have no more stories about that stray guar to report. I believe that having so many Ordinators around has scared the poor thing off. If she comes back though, I will ensure that I report more on it to you.

The anti-pain potion I have been taking to help me rest is beginning to make me rather tired, so I think I must end here. I would rather drink the rest of the bottle of it and tell you more, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. If I have the opportunity to write you again before the start of the new week, I shall.

Your friend, Indoril Fayrl Indoril

Oh! Also! Give yourself a kiss from me and make sure that you pass the enclosed song along to your more musically inclined Armiger friends. It is hard to see the innuendo at first, but when it is played in time with the music, it soon becomes clear. I am sure that if you follow along it will help to liven up your next gathering, or whatever the Armigers are able to get up to in the barracks.

By the Three, stay safe.

[kaiju-z]

In the past couple of episodes, 8 teams have been fighting for supremacy. Each trying to be more fficient, each trying to do what they do better, faster, harder and stronger than their opponent to reach and win the finale of the Spring Welcoming Tournament.

We’ve seen explosions, we’ve seen dinosaurs and we’ve seen the steady rise of two teams.

Today, these two teams go up against one another. The winner takes 20,000 gold and a mansion. And for someone among them, there is something personal as well...

Seon Adventures Episode 28: “The Cultbusters vs The Traveling Gentlefolk”

The Day of the Tournament’s finale has arrived and each member of the Cultbusters deals with things in their own way. Humor, a precautionary spell set in place, stretching and words to go by. Sweets. Psyching one’s self under a silent gaze, never leaving the direction of the Echosmith Hall, the Colliseum, wherein the battle shall be held.

The party head out and make an easy entrance, with Malak casting Aid on Belli, Amelia and Mournimar. Entering, we are greeted by two figures. One, River, recovered from the 1st round and back in work attire, waiting her turn as our gnome business partner, Peppery Pete comes forth.

Pep talk aside, the aged gnome reveals another motive for his presence in the waiting room for our party, which is to give us an open offer for a job of some sort. A job to map out some part of the continent, under the request of one of Pete’s investors. A high paying job, to be sure from one Lucius Bennett.

As Belli hands Orion and the remainder of her Blueberry Muffins for Pete to take care of (the muffins clearly there to appease the fey creature’s eternal hunger), River comes up next and informs the party of a job offer of her own.

A mostly hush-hush work, River’s offer is the retrieval of a valuable artifact lost for quite a while. She appears to trust us with the details for later talks, should we come to her as well, after having successfully brought the crystal ball from our Cultbusting escapade.

Despite Belli’s best efforst, we do not receive any spoilers on the mission, beyond the surface level stuff. River congratulates the party on how far the Cultbusters have come in the tournament, appreciating the initiative of it all and suggests they go for the Wizard first..

“Go for the wizard’s knees!” which turns everyone’s heads in Amelia’s direction, given that, after all, Sabrina is her sister. She does agree, to some extent. Taking out Sabrina first would be the most logical move to make. However she opposes any scarring and long lasting injuries.

“I’m here. And I’m watching your every. Fucking. Move!”

As Malak casts Anti-Life on himself, which causes black lines to temporarily cover his body, the horn blows, signaling the beginning of the finale.

The Trial of the Betrayed.

Both teams step out. The Cultbusters from the South Side, The Traveling Gentlefolk from the North, right from under the VIP seats.

As the man, sitting in the middle raises and then quickly lowers his hands, the battle begins.

Initiative is rolled and Malak takes point.

And casts Guardian Of Faith in the middle of the five. It takes the form of a Seviper (you know, from Pokémon)! One move out of it’s range and the victim will take the appropriate damage.

With this, Belli takes action and focuses on the promised goal. Taking out the wizard first. Thus, she looks to Sabrina and focuses a spell she had been holding onto for a while to use: Enemies Abound.

Sabrina tries to fight through it. But fails, perceiving everyone around her as a hostile target. As a bonus to all this, she inspires Amelia, given the situation they find themselves in.

With all that happens, Landis calls for his Crusdaer’s Mantle and charges towards Malak, right after getting bitten for his troubles by Sammy, the Seviper Guardian Of Faith.

Standing before the Cleric, he glares, aching from the damage he took from his clever first cast of the match, while the old man that appears with some similar features to him, Jeffry Ramsey tries to knock Belli out of her concentration.

But she easily avoids both his arrows.

Seeing all this, a determined Luctan takes his action, pulling the Greatsword off his back, chanting a word and suddenly... teleporting out of sight from the rest!

Only to reappear right in front of Dink Jawbone, Griffin Tallywork and Sabrina, herself. Three strikes delivered. A Slash on Griffin, a Slash on Dink and a Bonk with the flat side of his major weapon on the wizard in an attempt to stop her in her tracks.

Yes. Luck has truly become... Anime.

With Sabrina down, Dink messed up badly and Griffin not looking so hot, the Halfling pulls out a mace and axe in each hand, attacking Luctan as he teleports again, this time within his reach. He hits twice with the mace, barely doing any notable damage to the magic fighter, right before missing with the axe.

Luctan, seeing this display, and seeing Landis ready to attack Malak, leaves, offended at the insult of Griffin’s weak attacks. And gets hurt some from Landis’Mantle as he draws within range.

But the halfling has no time to process all this as Amelia charges in, right when Mournimar first misses, then critically hits Dink, knocking him out for a microsecond.

Amelia cocks her fists and swings in fast motion against the dual wielding Halfling. Brutalizing him with that good ol’ Dope Ass Monk Shit.

As Luck approaches, Malak attacks the Paladin, unloading blow after powerful blow. First, his Executioner’s Axe Spiritual Weapon strikes from the back, then he comes for the man with his actual axe, followed up with a couple of channeled divine attacks. Each strike is fueled with Necrotic Damage as what Landis essentially goes through in six seconds is essentially the touch of Death Itself. 

Her avatar, Malak, the Death Cleric.

By the time he’s done, Landis does not look happy at all over this situation. Truly did not expect such initiative from a man of faith. But One does not simply underestimate a Death Cleric.

This opening gives Belli the chance to initiate the second part of her plan. The plucky Bard focuses her magic and music onto the brutalized Dink and Griffin aaaand...

Puts them to bed with her signature Sleep spell.  Doctor Sleep in the house.

And for all of Malak’s efforts, she quickly gives him inspiration. Given Landis’ actions that come, following this, the cleric may as well need that.

Slash, followed by a second. Divine Smite implemented and Malak gets rocked in retaliation for all that happened mere moments prior.

With the focus shifting away from the Folk’s archer, Ramsey dashes over to Sabrina, resucitating her with a healing touch. And takes a bite for his troubles from the Guardian Of Faith.

As Luck approaches Landis, he attempts to hit him from behind with a Guiding Bolt, but that misses. The frustration of that misaction drives him to fight on, however as Luck Surges into Action. 

One slash. It hits. Second slash, also hits!

Mournimar tries to help with taking on the Paladin. But the armored avenger dodges out of the way and the arrows fly through Amelia’s hair as she makes a dramatic bullet time dodge.

Regaining her posture, she turns to the slept men before her, right as Sabrina starts getting up again. And she starts stomping on them, flurry of blows upon flurry of blows Dink and Griffin.

The horrific display that follows knocks out the two men, which brings Sabrina to an internal monologue, in which she decides it best to prepare a spell for her lover, Landis.

As this happens, Jeffrey takes a Spiritual Axe to the chest from Malak, who ducks and dodges a swing from Landis’ sword, making a run for the Ranger across the field. While Belli sticks true to character and sends Sabrina into a dreamland of her own with another Sleep Spell.

Upon reaching Griffin and Dink, he touches each with the Spare The Dying spell, stabilizing them in the process from slipping beyond unconsciousness. 

With the Paladin distracted, Belli uses the acting skills to good use to copy Sabrina’s voice and goes “LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!” at Landis. Which gets him to, of course, look behind his back to see a Sleeping Sabrina, causing him to scream out in surprise.

Landis gets played like a fiddle. Again.

Enraged and entering desperation mode with two of his allies unconscious, a third fallen asleep and forth barely holding it together and casting, Landis strikes Luctan with his longsword, drawing blood and knocking the helmet off his head with the spin of his footing.

Luctan, as though by his titular alias or a twist of fate, avoids what clearly would have then become a Smiting attack, saving himself from the kinda damage that even his parents would have felt.

Lucky indeed, as Jeffrey Ramsey casts Conjure Animal, from his grounded position, summoning a pair of Giant Spiders. One next to Luctan and another next to Belli.

Fun. Or not so much for Mournimar, who releases a girly scream, as the tiefling has to watch as one bites onto Belli, who luckily fights through the poison and keeps the sleep spell a-going.

Surprisingly, the other spider goes for Malak. A mistake as it’s web misses the cleric. And for that mistake, Ramsey pays with a blue blur that charges him from the side, while Luck dodges a sword slash from the Paladin as he dashes to Belli.

In reaching distance of her, Luctan casts Flight on the Bard, in order to give her some distance from the large arachnid.

Angry that she can’t get to Landis, Amelia opts to finish things off with knocking out Jeffrey Ramsey. And that she does in spectacular fashion as each of her blows strikes true and hard on the long range combatant’s body.

True to form, Amelia knocks his ass out, using all her strength, speed and inspiration for this task, right as Mournimar critically wounds and then finishes off one of Ramsey’s spiders. As Ramsey loses consciousness, the other Spider vanishes.

And thus, the two stop the menace that is the Spiders man.

Gagging over the spider doing it’s spidery-death thing aside, Mournimar hears the horn blow. The crowd erupting in cheers and chants as the battle comes to an end. And with it, the Spring Welcoming Tournament!

Celebrations begin as Amelia takes to her sister, before she gets escorted out of the arena with the rest of The Traveling Gentlemen. Luctan has no time to follow them with a gaze as Malak calls for Sammy to wrap himself around the lot of them and bring them into a Celebratory Group Hug, wherein compliments start flying from the refocused Tiefling in disguise.

An announcer joins The Cultbusters in the arena and, using a Thaumaturgical purple rock, declares them the winners, before handing them a golden key, which Mournimar accepts. This. This is the key to their new home.

Someone in the audience goes “Why didn’t you make her a T-Rex again?!” Amelia questions this too, but Belli assures her she just has to ask.

Fireworks blast overhead and Belli uses what time she has left under Luck’s spell to fly about, just overhead Mournimar to be the “taller one”.

As the high from the battle starts to go down, the party are given the address for the ball that will take place later on, which is funny, ‘cause it’s in the arena, ya know? The ball will be this evening and the victors are expected to wear their best wear. Which means, of course... Shopping time!

And shop they do. Right after they visit their new home, of course!

It is an enormous place, fitting for 5 people and guests in mind.

A stoney structure with a wooden fill in set between the rocks.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 study rooms, kitchen and a dining area. There is a large greenery in the back that is their yard, perfect for gardening!

Each gets an outfit fitting their style, with the nuance of every party member spending their cut of ther 20,000 gold (4,000 each) in different ways.

Malak hands coin to the people around the area of their new home, near the Crematorium. His kindness brings many a smiles on people’s faces that day.

Belli, with the aid of Ficus, buys and delivers a ton of toys and money to the Orphanage, where she shakes Doreen, the Firbolg, to her knees with the display of kindness. With all this money... all kids will be able to go through school! And if anyone needs anything, Belli would gladly give more. Which brings Doreen to tears.

Santa Belli teaches kids the true meaning of D&D.

Amelia visits a couple of places. Harper’s Treats and later, her favorite flower shop in the city (which for some reason I didn’t write down in this session. Because I am dummy.) And from Lissandra, the Eladrin, she buys one of every baked good in the store.  Lissandra’s shooketh.

Mournimar, meanwhile, visits Dyunificus’ Temple and gives a large number of money, much to the awe of a halfling fellow, who winks at the praying tiefling. “Bless yoouuuuuu!”

All the while everyone spends their cash, Luck remains at their new home, in the room he picked for himself. There, he sits, half undressed and staring at the bag of coinage splayed on a fancy chair before him. He sits. And he ponders. Because that’s a lot of money and he has a lot of thoughts going through his fatigued mind.

As the night comes and people gather and enter the Echosmith once more, the party make their arrival. Fancy. As. Fuck.

Archers set up on top, to guard the area in case someone comes to wreck the festivities, the Cultbusters take notice of Idarys from Crystalgate’s Finest, who was placed as the lone guard on door duty.

Looking inside, there’s a grand buffet table and food and drink abound. Anything we can want? It’s there! For the pickings!!!

Aside from Idarys and most members of the Forest Hearted Bretheren, the second of whom opted out due to this fancy-schmancy stuff not being their thing, pretty much everyone is here from the different teams, even Gutrot from Miniature Mayhem! Though, his charges aren’t in sight. Oddly enough.

Ye Olde Ska music catches Belli’s attention and she points out the Kobold band “Less Than Drake” to everyone. Mostly playing horn instruments, there is a drummer among them.

Pete waves at the five from among the crowd, dressed in his finest tux, which makes him look even smaller. His work clothes having some bulk to them, apparently.

Without even saying a word, like their minds are in sync, Amelia and Luck grab large plates of fried chicken and bottles of Alcohol and bring them out to Idarys.

Who. Um. Yeah. “Confiscates” the contraband.

While Belli approaches the Band and Luck searches for Ficus, Malak takes heed of the people that have arrived at the celebration, while having himself a good nom.

Pretty soon Luck finds the Roguish Narah steals him away from Lord Arwen, with whom he had been having a conversation at the time. And then. They dance. With Belli, who convinced the Kobolds, to join them for a performance, using her clout as a Narah, herself.

And the boys dance. Going full Carameldancen on the dancefloor.

While this goes on, Mournimar and Samson meet up and catch up on old times. Samson admits that he hadn’t seen that much action before and after meeting the party and was genuinely glad to see them again. He missed adventuring with the lot of them.

Mournimar, suddenly, asks for a favor. He hands Samson 30 gold to split between himself, Savon and the guild. Which, Samson takes seriously as he writes the instructions on his hand. With blood. Go big or go home, huh?

The tiefling ranger then would help Samson with a request of his own, helping him to find a secluded area where he could just. Chill out from all the noise.Samson winds up on a balcony, where he relaxes and takes a puff from his pipe.

He congratulates Mourni on the win and then... well. Awkward nature lads fuck off to do their own things. Which leads Mournimar to Sabrina.

And Landis.

And they talk about the fight earlier in the day. “Good fight.” Mournimar feels apologetic for bruising Griffin’s ego, but Sabrina waves that off, saying that he needed to be taken down a peg.  “You know how men can be!” she jokes. But it flies over the poor tief’s head.

Looking to the dance floor, he tries to add mood lighting for the oblivious Luck and Ficus, but the anti-magic field around them prevents such usage.

Then, in an act of kindness that was not forseen, or maybe it was??? Mournimar hands 1,000 gold to Sabrina and Landis. Which just floors the wizard and Paladin, who admit that they were going to re-enter the tournament the following year.

Asked if he wanted anything in return for this exess of money, Mournimar declines. As it is a gift! To FRIENDS OF THE PARTY!!! Alas, Mourni is not good with handling money, it seemed...

This whole thing prods  Amelia to wander over soon enough, extra nervous over the situation at hand.  She worries if tieflings are just like that. Handing out money whenever, given Luck’s own track record with giving money out of kindness in the past.

Sabrina is just. Amazed. They could buy a house with this much money.  Pay off the schooling. Taking the money, she opts to head home and put it somewhere safe, while Landis follows soon enough after her. Confused and doesn’t know what to do with himself. It’s been a weird few days.

What follows is an... awkward talk. Mournimar tries to apologize for past behavior, not being good with words and general manners... But! But Mournimar wants to do better. By her, by everyone and aplogizes for any trouble caused in the past.

On her end... Amelia speaks as well.

She doesn’t hold it against Mournimar. But she cares a lot, really and is hurt, but “it’s ok” as she puts it.

Mournimar offers to talk with her, if she ever wants to  to talk or chat, but Amelia doesn’t seem to easily be reciprocating the comraderie with Mournimar.  If anything changes, just let me know.” – Mournimar states. And in turn,  Amelia suggests she’s too sober and she’s not in the mood for feelings. Normally any other day she’d be so happy, but it’s been a few days.

Looking about, they do see a variety of alcohols. Top shelf stuff. And Mournimar jokes about the Centaur Moonshine. Amelia, countering of course, that she was on a ship for 9 years. Worrying about her wouldn’t be necessary.

Um. Good talk there.

In the meanwhile, Belli would get herself into shenanigans with the Guards, revolving around Orion, his size and his very presence at the festivities, as animals weren’t allowed.

Half a table. Half of it! Cleared out by the chunky cat familiar. Shock and awe!

Eventually she and Mournimar join up again and play “Hot or Not”, judging the fancy people’s looks. It’s wild.

All the while, Malak keeps an eye out for anyone evil vibey.

He seems some people, who are high off their tits, no one malicious. With the high investigation check, he sees a gentleman, who wasn’t in any of the tournaments. He’s high elven, red haired, clearly getting on a lot in years, though. He gives off very low-key evil vibes. Like in the rich man billionaire evil kinda way. His vibes are fucking rancid, bro. That special kind of evil. You know? I can’t be evil, I give to charity” kinda evil.

Self rightcheous-morally corrupt vibes. His face seems familiar, but he’s unsure from where. He can’t quite recall him, sadly. Dude’s pale and has a tattoo on his ring finger of a snake eating it’s own tail. So maybe he’s a follower of Keemis, as well? Odd that such a person would, however.

He’s talking with Salvador, the Aasimar from the Crystalgate’s Finest.

Luck and Amelia each try to learn first hand from the man.

What Luctan learns is that this man is:

- Ingram Bretannen, one of the vigilants of the guard. Oldest and longest of them. Trained with the captain.

- The guy is bragadocious as fuck.

- People tried taking his money, but that was rumor and heresay. He offers us a job at Lucious Beckett’s. (Pete gave us his card).

- He’s been bullshitting a few of the stories, he’s been in the city for a while, something about the 30 years ago seems dishonest.

And while Luck would go off to find Malak and inform him of what knowledge he had gathered...

Amelia approaches, after talking with Malak as well about the guy, while Mournimar and Belli accidentally commit microaggressions against elven workers.

What she learns is...

- Ingram is high up in the guard. Old, snooty and also has a normal wedding ring, as well as the tattoo of the Keemis ring. In honor of one of his late wives.

- She creeps him out.

- His 3rd wife’s name is Arabella and he has 3 kids.  Gilme and twins Luanda and Ellis.

- His sister sails on the “Yellow Tail”.

- This Fuckmothering Shit looks a bit like NEL!

- He totally has had kids out of wedlock, based on his behavior!

(20 minutes of fantasy Billy Mays jokes follow as Belli makes acquaintances with one, Bardy Scott. Lauren kills us with laughter. It’s. It’s so good, ok?! You had to be there.)

Still on the search for Malak, who had already left for the Keemis Temple, Luctan winds up being passed by The Traveling Gentlefolk.Which he only really notices after getting patted on the shoulder by a passing Landis, arm in arm with Sabrina and the money.

He gets the feeling, from this gesture, that Landis was being friendly.

And as he watches them go... Luctan feels himself in turmoil...

As the night and festivities carry on, the four remaining decide to crash the night at Nel’s place. But before that, they agree to go over to the temple and bring Malak with them. He is, after all, a Cultbuster.

Small talk is had along the way over getting the cats kitty toys and bonding is had over the whole thing.

All the while Malak would talk with Mother Destine, discussing the man he was unnerved by at the familiar looking elven man (WHO IS DEFINITELY NOT NEL’S DAD! NO SIREE, BOB!)

After a short discussion (I really wish I could record the sessions for better summaries ; u ;;;; ), Malak walks out of the temple and is greeted by the party, happily taking them up on their offer to head to Nel’s.

Seriously. We need so much Guidance as a party. it’s ridicilous.

Nel welcomes the party, in pajamas. The good kind. Silk and pink. She’s got class, damn it! She congratulates the five on the achievement and she even made sweets for the occasion!

Zone Of Truth shenanigans happen after Nel jokes about being with Belli’s dad.

“Did you fuck my dad, Nel?!”

She didn’t, of course.

And then... wlel, the bombshell not so much drops, as it reaches the final stage of the explosion as Amelia admits to the rest of the party that she is retiring from her adventuring life.

After everything they had been through, Amelia was in a different place as a person. She had Archie. She had Nelatha? And now? Now she had even her sister back!

The party takes this in their own way. With Belli being the most vocal one as she enters a panic mode over how to break the news to the animals. With Morgan vibing at the new mannor the party have, what are they to do with this info?!

Amelia is certain in her decision. And though Luctan keeps quiet and focuses as much of a brave face as he can, on the inside it’s a whole different story.

All this and there is so much work to do too.

Jobs from River and Pete. A revisit to Lake Stren? Going back to Menum to see if anything can be done for Luck’s body?!.

Luck’s body... Oh, now there was a story that needed more elaboration, eh?

As though on a whim, maybe more to it, of course, Luck removed the ring from his right middle finger and his form would change into his true body. And the glamour he had put his festive suit under faded, showing the deep gold color, instead of the fresh mint vibe that was there for hours on end.

He does so. and elaborates as much as he can brave to Malak and Nel. Why the ring. Why the vendetta. Why the everything that he can tell them, except what he had confided in Amelia.

And as the revelation of Luck’s appearance hits the last two members of the party, the new Malak and the honorary Nelatha, this episode comes to an end...

Previous Episode / Next Episode

[starblazerm31]

Apprentice April Asks #1 Azalea/Imalia

Here are my answers to my Apprentice April Asks #1.  Thanks so very much to @leis-main-blog​ and @verysoftthings​ for sending me asks!  I honestly wasn’t expecting it.  ^^;  I tend to write books about these two, so I made a separate post.

1. The Basics.  What is your character's name?  How old are they?  How tall are they?  Skin color?  Eye color?  Hair color?  Gender identification?

Azalea Larinya Nevra.  30, female. 5'6"; medium skin tone; eyes blue with gold around the pupils; hair aqua to coral ombre; medium length

Imalia Vilyana Gabriev. 36, female. 5'10"; fair skin tone; eyes crimson; hair brown with burgundy ends; very long (art by @carowhitewolf​)

2.  Love Interest.  Who does your character love?  What attracted them to that particular LI?

Julian/Lucio (different universes).  

Julian - she loved how kind he was, and she adored his bumbling.  She was compelled to help him because his cause was right.  He couldn't be guilty, he was too much of a good man.  She really wanted to help him with his own inner demons as well because he didn't deserve to suffer, even at his own hand.  That glorious chest didn't help either, lol.

Lucio - she thought he was overall adorable.  Yeah, he was hot as hell, but it was his personality that got her heart thumping.  He really was brave and skilled, and she had a feeling that not many others had appreciated it much.  Yeah, he had done some horrendous things; but Azalea could see the actual changes happening in him and she knew that he had hope.

Asra.  She had known Asra since she was 15 and he was 8.  They had a good 20 year friendship and she knew him very well.  She fell for him when that friendship veil lifted after the events of The Arcana story and she finally really noticed how beautiful he was.  "He's smart, kind, talented, awesome...AND hot?!  THE WHOLE PACKAGE?!  I'm such an idiot..." 

3. Familiar.  Does your character have a familiar?  How did they meet?

Corva, a white raven.  She met Corva when Malak led her to an alley where Corva was lying on the ground with a broken wing.  Azalea nursed Corva back to health, and Corva refused to ever leave. (image c. Mike Yip)

Balthazaar, a phoenix.  Balthazaar was one of the phoenixes in the magical menagerie at the University of Prakra.  He was ornery, and the handlers had a hard time with him.  Imalia liked how stubborn he was and over time developed a rapport and closeness with him.  The university allowed her to claim him as her familiar and take him home. (image c. Kiss Clip Art)

4. Hobbies.  What kinds of things does your character like to do for fun?

Parquor.  She loves running around, slipping up buildings, jumping over rooftops and sliding down poles.  XD  She's a very high-energy person and parquor keeps her healthy and mentally sharp.  She also enjoys writing.  She will write on just about anything that has her attention at the moment.  Magical theory is one of her favorite subjects, but she does enjoy writing fiction.

Her hobby...is harassing bandits.  She gets perverse joy out of robbing robbers blind.  If she can find the original owners of things that were stolen...awesome.  If not...hey, this is an ancient Drakrian fertility statue!  I'm gonna put this on my shelf at home.  Oh, and leaving off-color messages in ancient languages in ruins.  "Here I sit all broken-hearted..."

5. Hidden talents.  Is there something neat that your character can do?  Tie a cherry stem into a knot with their tongue?  Say any word backwards perfectly?

Azalea is kinda like Sherlock Holmes.  She can look at a person and form their entire story in her mind.  She never uses it against someone; she just uses it to be more friendly.  But if you're annoying her and won't go away...she will scare you with what she has figured out about you.

Imalia secretly loves to sing and isn't terrible at it.  She's one of those people who will sing in the bath, and if someone mentions it, she acts like it didn't happen.

6. Magical talents.  Is there a specific type of magic that your character excels at?  Any magic they aren't so great at?  Or do they actually shy away from magic altogether?

Lightning.  She's good at conducting the currents and utilizing its explosive capabilities.  She also uses lightning as a personal shield while in battle.  She is also really good at enchanting things; like her hair.  She makes enchanted dreamcatchers that actually catch nightmares.  Both Julian and Lucio appreciate this ability.  (Lucio's dreamcatcher needs to be cleansed more often than Julian's)

Fire and Darkness.  Imalia is in tune with fire and is extremely good at using it to its fullest potential; absolute destruction.  As for the darkness...that will be explained in number 12.

7. Interaction.  How does your character typically interact with people?

She is very polite, but not overly so.  She tries to come off as someone you can actually have a conversation with.  Sometimes if she's feeling nervous, she will go into overly-polite mode, but if the vibe starts to feel calmer, she will loosen up.  She is very energetic and sometimes hyper with her friends.

She is ingratiating and very proper until you piss her off.  Then you get things like "Why don't you get a horse, move up to the mountains, and don't bother anybody?  You have the personality of a dead moth." (RIP Don Rickles)  With friends, she's very laid back and frank with what she says.

8. Romance.  What is something that your character and their LI love to do together?  How do they show affection?

Azalea x Julian - They LOVE to read together.  They have spent hours cuddled up together over a good book.  Azalea shows Julian affection with gentle touches, kisses, and koala hugs.  (she really loves how tall he is)  She also makes sure he eats and gets plenty of rest.  More than once, she has brought him dinner to his clinic while he was working late.

Azalea x Lucio - They love to spar.  They are so different in fighting style that sparring really helps them improve their skills.  Also, the prize at the end for the winner is quite nice.  ^_~  Azalea shows Lucio affection by listening to him and holding him.  She also likes to try to out kiss him.  He reaches for her hand, she spins away and plants two on his cheek instead.

Imalia and Asra love to travel the Magical Realms together.  They get into really long and in-depth conversations about the things they see and experiment with how their willpower affects the realm around them.  Imalia shows affection by constant words of praise and sneaky touches and kisses.  The more she can surprise him, the better.  She also keeps a hefty supply of Lapsang Souchong tea at her estate for him and loves giving him little trinkets and things she has found on her travels.

9. Travel.  Does your character like to travel outside of Vesuvia?  How often?  For how long?  What kinds of things do they do away from home?

Yes.  She loves to see more of the world and meet new people and see different cultures.  She will travel maybe once every year or two.  When traveling, she will typically stay away for 1-2 months.  She loves adventure, but she does love her home more.  Azalea loves to learn new types of magic or new methods of spellcasting from different cultures.  She finds that certain techniques make her own magic stronger.

Definitely.  She herself is originally from the northern hemisphere, so travel isn't something new to her.  She gets wanderlust sometimes and has to get out into the world.  She will be gone typically for six months when she decides to travel.  She has been gone for three years before.  She HAS to investigate old ruins wherever she goes.  Who knows that treasures or knowledge lay inside?  She must find out!

10. WTF.  Has anything just...weird ever happened to your character?  Something that made them stop and go "What just happened?!"

She was trying to brew a potion that would allow the drinker to become a mermaid for a short while.  She ended up spilling it on a plant before it was done.  The plant sprouted tiny muscular hairy legs and arms, stood up, walked to the window, shook its fist at her, and jumped out.  Turns out she had forgotten a key ingredient in the early stages of brewing the potion.  Mazelinka made fun of her for a solid week.

One time, she and a rival mage were about to have a battle.  Right before they were to begin, this strange fellow wearing a sentient red cape fell from the sky and landed in between them.  He promptly stood to his feet, apologized for the intrusion, and left.  (Yes...I do mean Doctor Strange fell from the sky)

11. Crime.  Has your character ever been arrested?  If so, what did they do?  Have they ever helped stop a crime?

She has never been arrested, however, she is guilty of petty larceny.  It's not something she does often...just when some jerk needs to be taught a lesson.  They always get their stuff back, but she will make sure they are thoroughly inconvenienced.  She has stopped another thief before.  The thief took the purse of an elderly individual who was trying to buy food.  Azalea scaled up to the rooftops and cut the thief off, holding him down until the guards caught up and arrested him.  She gave the money back to its owner.

Yep.  She's been arrested plenty of times.  Usually for assault and/or destruction of property.  Hey, that jerk deserved to have his carriage set on fire.  She has stopped several assassination attempts on her cousin, Queen Dreen Suval of Seiruun.  She has also stopped dark plots at the Magical University in Prakra.

12. Secrets.  What is a secret your character has?  Are they in line for the throne in a far off land?  Was there this one time at band camp...?  Are they secretly involved in an assassin's guild?

Azalea secretly writes smut.  She loves it.  And her actual hair color is gray.  The aqua-coral is an enchantment.

Imalia actually is in line for the throne of Seiruun; second in line, to be exact.  But she HATES this.  It's why she continues to live in Vesuvia rather than her home country.  Imalia is also no longer entirely human.  During an adventure that went terribly wrong, she summoned the Lord of Nightmares while inside the Magical Realms.  (The Lord of Nightmares or "Lon" is an eldritch goddess) Lon then proceeded to implant herself inside Imalia.  Lon is a being of pure darkness and nightmare, so Imalia has control over darkness when she taps into Lon's power. Through some creative wording, the contract between the two of them allows Imalia to use Lon's power and form when she needs to; however, Imalia is forever plagued by terrible nightmares that not even Azalea's dreamcatchers can stop.  The dreamcatchers just catch on fire.

13. Overcompensation.  Is there something that your character just HAS to do better than anyone else?  Or are they just that dang good without trying?  If they see someone else showing off, what is their kneejerk reaction?

She's actually quite humble.  If she sees someone showing off, she really just concerns herself with their safety.  "Please don't be careless and die, please!"  But she IS gifted.  Her magic is insanely strong, she just doesn't like to make a big deal out of it.  She gets embarrassed.

She is the best in the room, and you'd better damn well know it.  Unless she respects you.  Then she will tone it down.  But if she sees a showoff...she's got to mess with them.  She's got to show them that they aren't all that and a bag of chips.

14. Fight Club.  Is your character a good fighter?  What kind of skills do they have?

She's pretty decent.  Her attack magic is awesome, but her physical fighting mainly relies on how quick and squirmy she is.  Her punches hurt, but they don't incapacitate.

She can fight pretty damn well.  Her father made sure of it after most of her family was killed by assassins (it does sometimes really suck to be royalty).  She is a heavy hitter and her intent is to end a fight with one strike.  It doesn't always work, but hey...second, third, maybe fourth time is the charm.  Or maybe you should just blow it the hell up.

15. The Arts.  Is your character a creative type?  What kinds of things can they create?  Can they act?  Street perform?

She is.  Like mentioned earlier, she writes and makes dreamcatchers; she also gets into stage acting with Julian (when he's her LI).  She's not a solo performer though.  She has to be in a troupe or else she gets massive stage fright.

She can draw very well, almost photo-realistically.  She mainly uses this skill for documentation when she's studying something.  But every great once in a while she will draw a political cartoon making fun of some noble.  Once she drew a penis on the face of one of Lucio's statues.  He snapped back "I'd never put something that small in my mouth!"  She retorted by drawing a full body penis on a different statue.  It got misinterpreted by many townspeople as "Hey, look!  Lucio is a dick!!"

16. Goofy.  Is your character a clown?  Do they like to make people laugh?

She does.  She doesn't see herself as funny, but when she slips in something humorous into whatever she's talking about it usually takes whoever is listening by surprise.  Spit your drink kind of humor.

YES.  She has such a strange way of speaking sometimes that you can't help but snort at the things she says.  Yes, it is entirely on purpose.  She loves to crack jokes and has a self-deprecating sense of humor at times.  She will also be hilariously over-confident as well.

17. Language.  Is your character multilingual?  How many languages do they speak?  Do they have an accent?  Is it sexy?  Is it silly?  Do they have the multilingual lisp?

No.  She only speaks her native language.

Yes.  Imalia speaks ten different languages.  In her normal language, she doesn't have a multilingual lisp; but in about four of her other languages, she does.  It drives her nuts, but she just can't seem to fix it.

18. Embarrassment.  What is something really embarrassing that your character has done/said?

Azalea can't remember this, because it's part of the memories she lost.  But Imalia remembers.  One time she was going to meet one of the magisters of the Magical University of Prakra to see if she would be accepted.  She spent weeks preparing how to introduce herself.  On the day of, she mentioned how excited she was to meet Magister Asshole.  Imalia blinked and said, "It's pronounced Ah-shole."

One time she said something quite rude about Lucio in front of Azalea (when Lucio is Azalea's LI).  Azalea proceeded to tear her a new rectum, claiming that for someone so smart, she was incredibly closed-minded.

19. Memory.  Has your character gotten any of their memory back?  If so, what?  Did it change them?

No.  She insists that she doesn't want her memories back because she likes who she is now.  She gets the important information from Asra and Imalia...her parents’ and aunt's names, what they were like, and how they died.  That's all she feels that she needs. 

*looks at me*  "I'm exempt from this question.  I'm your OC, not your MC."  *walks out*

20. Family.  Talk about your character's family.  Who were they?

Her mother (Etoile) and father (Galen) were traveling merchants.  Her mother was the one with magical talent.  Her mother's sister (Sylvaine) owned the shop and taught Azalea most about magic.  When Azalea was 13, her parents were robbed and killed by bandits just outside of Vesuvia.  She lived with Sylvaine until she died of pneumonia when Azalea was 20.

Imalia's father was Vitalric Gabriev and her mother was Narsial Trevallan.  When Imalia was 14, her father's family (the Sairuun royal family) were murdered by assassins sent by a rival country.  Only Vitalric (and Narsial), Imalia, Vitalric's older brother Rhemun and his daughter Dreen survived.  Rhemun and Dreen remained in Seiruun to run the place while Vitalric and his family moved to Vesuvia as a failsafe in case there were other assassination attempts.  Vitalric started studying to become a doctor, while Narsial started grooming Imalia to wed into a noble family.  Narsial was extremely abusive.  Long story short, King Rhemun died of a hunting injury, and both of Imalia's parents died in the Red Plague.

[sterling-starlight]

No Texting During Drama Club

Me: Alright! Week two of Vesuvian pride is all about the modern day AUs, I can do this!

*Eight pages later*

What happened? (Pen pals/online friends meeting in person for the first time. Not quite as adherent to the prompt, but I think it works well enough)

Unknown Sender

3:30 PM.  

“-heard u have a&p with prof valdemar. If you let me copy ur notes, I will owe u pizza for the rest of our lives.

-this is Julian, btw. from the theater club.

-in case u thought this was some, u know, random creep.”

You

3:35 PM

“-Fine. But only because no one deserves to be failed by Valdemar.  

-I’ll drop them off at the dressing room tomorrow. I like pineapple and olive pizza.”

Unknown Sender

3:37 PM

“-pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, u monster!

-sigh. but I'll let it slide since you’re saving my ass.”

You

3:41 PM

“-Did you really just type out ‘sigh’?”

Unknown Sender

3:43 PM

“-….

-Yes.”

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

You

6:30 PM

“-So, hey. Congrats on getting to play Hamlet.”

Julian

6:34 PM

“-not the most original production we’ve done, but a role’s a role. seeing Lucio’s face when he realized he wasn’t the star was worth it.”

You

6:40 PM

“-Remind me who that is.

I’m seriously drawing a blank here.”

Julian

6:43 PM

“-blonde. rich. Insufferable. loud.

-he has that fancy prosthetic arm that somehow makes him better than everyone.”

You

6:50 PM

“-Oooooooooh. Him.

-He doesn’t really come to bother us production people unless he wants to bitch about costuming or the sets. Which is a lot.”

Julian

6:55 PM

“-i think I've heard you chew him out a few times. Ur the girl with the venterran accent, right?”

You

7:01 PM

“-Aye.

-Surprised you could even understand me. Not a lot of people can when I get PO’d.”

Julian

7:10 PM

“-i understood enough to know you called him a prick.  

-my mom and dad took me to venterre once. it was almost as pretty as you.”

You  

7:20

“-Wow.

-That was horrible and you should feel horrible.”

Julian

7:12

“-I have no shame, and never will, my dear.”  

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

Julian

3:00 AM

“-natalia

“-hey, natalia.”

“-tali”

Julian 3:05 AM

“-how did people in the middle ages first think to start using leeches?

“-like, did they stick leeches on themselves and realize that pain and blood loss and disease was the medicine?”

You

3:06 AM

“Jules, it is 3 in the goddamn morning. Go to bed.”

Julian

3:07 AM

“I work the graveyard shift at supermarket.  it’s my lunchtime.”

You

3:08 AM

“-Then fuckin eat your lunch and let normal people sleep before I cram it up your ass.”

Julian

3:10 AM

“- I can think of much more fun things we can do.”

You

3:15 AM

“-Fuck you, I’m going back to sleep.”

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

Jules

2:30 PM

“-So you really had a pet ram as a kid?”

You

2:31 PM

“-Technically, I still do. I just couldn’t bring him with me.

“-my flat allows large dogs, but won’t allow rams? It’s bullshit.”

Jules

2:32 PM

“-rams aren’t really normal pets tho.”

You

2:33 PM

“-Says the guy who has a pet crow.”

Jules

2:34 PM

“-malak is a raven, number 1.  

-number 2, he is an absolute delight. how dare you say otherwise?

You

2:40

“-Rufus is better.

“-Behold the glory”

Jules

2:50 PM

“-oh, so it’s a pet off then? Fine! May the cutest animal win!”

You

3:00 PM

“-Fine!”

Jules

3:05 PM

“-Have at you!”  

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

When Natalia’s phone rang, she was actually shocked to see Julian’s caller id flash on the screen.   They had never actually... talked on the phone before.  

The worst-case scenarios instantly popped into her head. Was he hurt? Did something happen? What if this was the hospital calling her to say he was in critical condition. Why would he put her as an emergency medical contact without telling her?!

Her phone buzzed again, more insistently, and she pressed the answer button with a trembling finger.  

“Hello?”

“Oh, hi~” The feminine voice from the other line was definitely not Julian, not even at his most dramatic falsetto. And she sounded too chipper to be the bearer of doom and death. Natalia let out a breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding. “This is... Tali? Right?”

“It’s Natalia, actually. Who is this?”

“My name is Portia! I’m Ilya’s- oh, sorry. One sec,” Portia put a hand over the speaker, muffling the commotion on her side of the line. There was thumping, shuffling, and her shouting “You have her listed as ‘My Dearest Tali’, Ilya! Come on!”  

A voice that sounded somewhat like Julian’s shouted back something, but Natalia couldn’t hear it clearly.  There was a sound like static or rushing wind, before a door slammed and Portia let out a triumphant laugh. Portia’s voice fully came back on the line. “Sorry. But, yeah. I’m Ilya’s little sister. I would have liked to meet you in person, but my brother is completely hopeless.”  Someone thumped against the door, and Portia lowered the phone again. “You know I’m right!”  She yelled at the door.

Back to normal. “Aaaanyway. He’s been lamenting, and sighing, and wallowing over whether or not he should ask you out. So! You wanna go on a date with him?”  

Natalia opened and closed her mouth a few times, wordless sounds escaping. She was sure her face was burning pink. She could feel the heat spreading from her cheeks to her neck.  “Take your time. I can be in here all day.” Portia said casually. Natalia could almost picture her reclining back casually on whatever it was she was sitting on.  

“Ah- Ah,” Natalia finally managed to choke out. She took in a deep breath, and let it out in a slow whistle.  “...if he really wants tae.” She finally said.  

“Oh, he does. Trust me, I know him better than anyone.” Natalia could hear Portia’s smile through the phone. Distantly, a lock clicked and a door swung open. “She said yes, Ilyushka. You can thank me later.”

“That wasn’t- you’re missing the-!” Julian stammered. He took a breath and lifted the phone to his ear. “Listen, whatever Pasha said, you can just forget it. Really. It’s nothing.”

For a moment, Natalia found herself stunned by the sound of his voice. It wasn’t anything new to her. She had heard it from behind thick velvet curtains and up on catwalks. She had heard him bellow for lost love mournfully, monologue passionately, and condemn his enemies. But those were all characters. Hamlet, and Romeo, and Othello. None of them had been Julian Devorak. Not really.  

“Natalia?” His voice broke her out of her stupor, and sent a shiver down her spine. The way his tongue curled around the syllables of her name, like he had never spoken anything more sacred, sent her heart aflame in the best possible way.  

“Julian.” She spoke his name barely above whisper.  Natalia leaned against her desk for support, head spinning. When had- how did- why didn’t he- she- they-? She took in a breath through her nose, just as Julian heaved a resigned sigh.

“Good night, Tali.”  

“No, wait, Julian! Don’t-!” The dial tone droning in her ear was all she got.  And when she tried calling him, all she got was his voice mail.  

Try again. Voice mail.

Try again. Voice mail.  

You

8:00 PM

“-Julian, you asshole! Pick up your phone!”

*Last Read by Jules at 8:05 PM.  

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

Natalia Valeth was not a quitter.

She hadn’t given up when she left her home country to become a pharmacist. She hadn’t lost hope when she didn’t make the cut to be on the acting team. She didn’t back down even as Professor Valdemar verbally tore the first draft of her thesis to shreds. So, when she drove to the community theater the very next weekend, she was a woman on a mission.  

She was hours early for once, but not so early that the doors to the theater weren’t already unlocked. The only person who would wake up at the ass crack of dawn for theater was Julian, and that was exactly what Natalia was betting on.  She threw open the auditorium doors with a resounding bang that echoed resoundingly all throughout the room. Sitting on the edge of the stage was Julian, who looked up at her when she made her entrance. The script he had been looking over listlessly fell from his grip, scattering like leaves in the wind. In such a quiet room, Natalia could hear him curse as if she were right at his side.  She steeled herself and marched down the steps of the auditorium, stopping less than an arm’s length away from were Julian sat on his haunches collecting the papers.  

“We need tae talk. Face tae face this time.”  

“Do we?” Julian finally collected the script and rose to his full height. Despite having a good foot on Natalia, he had never looked smaller gunmetal gray eyes looking everywhere but at her. He turned his back on her to tap the pages crisply against the stage.  

“You bet yer ass we dae! Whit th’ hell urr ye thinking’s? Whit, did ye think ignoring this wid mak’ it go away?”  

“...Maybe a little.”

“Och! Yer impossible!” Natalia threw her hands up with the exclamation. “Did ye think Ah juist said ‘aye’ tae fuck wi’ ye? A’m waantin’ tae gang oan a date wi’ ye! Mibbie even twa! If we feel really crazy, we’ll mak’ it three.”

It might not have been the three magical worlds that would have been most dramatic. If this were a stage production, this would be the part where the lights would dim, and the spotlight would narrow over the two lovers, giving the illusion that they were the only two people in the world.   With the theater as empty as it was, they might as well have been.  

“Do you... Do you mean that?”

Such vulnerability didn't seem like Julian.  Julian could throw out innuendos as easily as breathing. Julian was overly dramatic in everything he did, even when he wasn’t in front of an adoring audience. But it was the Julian who wanted to be a doctor. It was the Julian who looked at all the pandemics of the past, and wondered why so many people had to die.  The Julian who was wound up so tightly like he was bracing himself for ejection like it would come as a physical blow.  

Sarcasm felt like it would just add fuel to the fire, so Natalia opted for compassion instead. When she brushed her hand against Julian’s cheek, he leaned into it like he needed her touch the same way needed air.

“I’m willin tae huv a go at this.” She said gently, like everything would shatter around them if she was too abrasive. “Ye in?”  

“Absolutely.” Julian placed a hand over hers and tilted his head enough to plant a shy, fleeting kiss to her palm.  

Maybe this would end in a romance for the ages. Maybe this would end in tragedy. Whatever happened, it was better than not pursing it at all.  

[dreaming-of-the-arcana]

Reaction to bringing home a stray animal

// Was aiming to do the main six for this, but eventually I just had to leave out Muriel. While I love him with all my heart, I just found it super difficult to write him. That’s something I’ll defo try working on. Found Julian a little tricky as well, but at least I got something down for him!//

ASRA:

- Honestly, he felt as though it was time for you to get yourself a familiar anyways, so he’s pretty happy about it

- Faust is also pretty happy about having a new animal friend around the shop!

- It’s comforting to know that when he’s on his journeys you’re not left completely alone

- He comes home after a particularly long journey and sees you snuggled up with your pet, sleeping soundly, and it warms his heart to see you both so peaceful

JULIAN:

- He figures that because he’s a pretty good human doctor, he should be a decent animal doctor too, right? Why hire someone else to check over this stray when he could do it himself?

- Several scratches and bites later he decides maybe the skills aren’t so transferable

- Despite this rocky introduction, he is soon able to earn the animal’s trust, and while it’s certainly no Malak, it’s almost as good

NADIA:

- Would immediately hire the best vets in the land to make sure your new best friend is healthy

- You think she spoils you? The amount of collars and toys and beds she buys for your furry friend is ridiculous

- She’s not impressed with the amount of fur that soon covers every piece of clothing the two of you own, but there’s not really much she can do about it, other can ask the maids to clean more thoroughly

- Honestly! She just wants you to be happy, and if adopting stray animals is what does it, she’s fine with it. She would built a sanctuary for every stray cat or dog in Vesuvia if that’s what you wanted

LUCIO:

- Is confused at first why you would adopt just a random stray from the streets

- You realise he could’ve bought you any pedigree you wanted, right?

- Eventually though, he does warm up to the animal a little, mostly because he sees how much you love it

- Don’t be fooled though, he’s defo envious about how much attention you give it, which otherwise you would give to him

- Since he has Mercedes and Melchior, it’s only fair you get an animal too, even if he is jealous of it

PORTIA:

- She falls in love with it approximately two seconds after meeting it

- She hopes Pepi will become best friends with it - and luckily this seems to be the case! Your animals get along pretty well

- Because Portia is used to constantly being covered in cat hair, and knows first hand the messes that animals can make, she never complains about annoying hairs or when it inevitably knocks a glass full of water over

- Well, not much, anyways

- Wants to buy Pepi and your animal matching collars, which is completely adorable

// I can’t believe that my first headcannon got like 20 likes!!! I expected like 2, so I’m rlly rlly happy!! I hope you guys like this one just as much <3 //

[dreamyarcana]

I'm in a very Halloween mood 🦇🎃 The main 6 on pumpkin carving with the MC?

Asra: Honestly he’s pretty good at it because he’s using magic to carve whatever MC wants. If MC wants him to pick what they carve together, then he carves a portrait of them. You can’t help but marvel as you watch him because he lines are like an artist’s lines and he’s cute af when he’s concentrating.

Nadia: She orders for the finest pumpkin for you and her to carve with. She might not be the absolute best at it, but she’s had some artistry experience because she has Navra as a sister, and the final product turns out pretty good. As she and you work, she probably flirts with you a bit.

Julian: He’s also extremely good at pumpkin carving because he’s a doctor and therefore has to be precise with his movements. Depending on what MC wants to carve, he might carve their familiar and Malak together with Brundle or outline the pirate ship that he references in his younger days. Gives you kisses when he’s finished.

Muriel: He’s honestly not too experienced at it and relies a bit on you to help carve it because he wants the final product to be absolutely perfect and to your liking. However, if you are unsatisfied with it, he would take a chunk of wood and carve that since he’s more experienced with wood.

Portia: MC and her end up making some kind of kitty cat - maybe they carve a side portrait of Pepi in the pumpkin. Portia’s used to using her hands a lot, so she’s very precise and it turns out excellent. Nadia puts it on display in the palace briefly so Pepi becomes a Vesuvian icon.

Lucio: Lucio, of course, wants to be carved into the pumpkin lmao so he tries his best and it doesn’t go well. It ends up being more of a demented ghoul looking thing, oof. He’s furious so then he orders to have professional pumpin carvers come in and carve him and MC together.

[hangcdraven-a]

Muse Interview Meme

tagged by @akardlanya

1. What is your name?

“Illya Devorak. But Jullian is fine.” 

2. Do you know why you’re named that?

“No. I guess my parents liked the name. Not like I could ask them why they picked it for me anyways.”

3. Are you single or taken?

“Single. Why? You offering?”

4. Have any abilities or powers?

“ I am a Doctor, unlicensed, but I am good at what I do. I was able to heal any injury thanks to a deal though since dying I and coming back I’m unable to do that anymore. I guess I can also understand Malak and I don’t like to tell anyone that because I don’t know what to do or what that entails now!!!”

5. Stop being a Mary Sue.

“A what?”

6. What’s your eye color?

“They’re rather dull. Just a simple grey. Nothing special about that.”

7. How about your hair color?

“Auburn. Looks more like a brown at times though.”

8. Have any family members?

“My parents are unfortunately dead. I have my sister Portia however. I consider Mazelinka and all the people who took care of us in Nevivion family as well. They didn’t have to help or take us in but they did...”

9. Oh! How about pets?

“I had a dog called Brundle, but well... She... Anyways, I also have Malak but I wouldn’t consider him a pet. More like a friend or companion.”

10. That’s cool, I guess, now tell me something you don’t like.

“Magic?... People pushing me to the side like I’m worth nothing after I’ve been useful to them.”

11. Do you have any hobbies/activities that you like to do?

“Reading. I night out to the Rowdy Raven. Or just going on an adventure. Travel the place so that I can see new things, meet new people and maybe even learn new things as well.”

12. Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?

“I’m a doctor. Sometimes I have to hurt in order to save a life. Like amputate someones arm off. But... I have hurt people in other ways. Especially the people I care about either emotionally, my words, how I treat them and even me being a self-sacrificing idiot has hurt the ones I care for...”

13. Ever… killed anyone before?

“Not... Not intentionally. I guess. Being a medic on a war field? Sometimes you do drastic things to ensure you don’t die... I’ve also had patients who’ve died by my hands as I tried to save them.... Does that count?”

14. What kind of animal are you?

“I’d assume a raven considering Malak and how the Major Arcana I relate to the most is The Hanged Man who is simply a anthropomorphic raven.”

15. Name your worst habits?

“I could be here all day if you let me. For now, I’ll say one of my worst habits is burdening myself with problems and trying to solve them without getting any help from people who are willingly to help.”

16. Do you look up to anyone?

“I look up to Nazali. They where my mentor for years and really knew their stuff. I learnt a lot from them during my time with them.”

17. Are you gay, straight, or bisexual?

“I would say pansexual. It doesn’t matter to me what someone looks like in the end. It’s what counts is who they are as a person in the end.”

18. Do you go to school?

“Not really? True I was taught to read and write from a young age but I believe my parents taught me. I apprenticed to become a Doctor so while I was learning under other Doctors I wasn’t exactly at a school to begin with.”

19. Ever want to marry and have kids one day?

“One day eventually with the right person.”

20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?

“A lot of people like me for some reason, but I wouldn’t say they where ‘fanboys’ or ‘fangirls’.”

21. What are you most afraid of?

“Being abandoned and forgotten...”

22. What do you usually wear?

“What you see on me right now. A white shirt, black trousers, boots, gloves and a cloth sash as well as rope around my waist. I also have a black jacket and cape that I wear too. Oh! And my eye-patch as well. That tends to be my daily attire..”

23. What’s one food that tempts you?

“Lobster claws. They’re expensive and unfortunately I can’t exactly afford them as often as I’d like, but when I can I’m always partial  to indulge on them.”

24. Am I annoying to you?

“I wouldn’t say that now. You shouldn’t think that you’re annoying simply because you want to get to know anyone. I’m enjoying our conversation as well as your questions.”

25. Well, it’s still not over!

“I always enjoy a good conversation anyways!”

26. What class are you? (low/middle/high)

“I would say middle considering I got an education...  But I don’t have a lot of money due to being on the run for around three years and my clinic is in pretty bad condition thanks to everything... Maybe low? I’m uncertain. I might be a mix of the two at the moment...”

27. How many friends do you have?

“I have many acquaintances but as for people I can truly consider a friend? Very few...”

28. What are your thoughts on pie?

“Pie is fine. Not my favourite thing in the world but I’d still eat it.”

29. Favorite drink?

“You might think it’s Salty Bitters but you’d be wrong. It’s coffee. Strong black coffee that hasn’t been tainted in the slightest.”

30. What’s your favorite place?

“I like the Rowdy Raven. It’s a familiar and comforting place.”

31. Are you interested in anyone?

“I... Maybe?”

32. That was a stupid question…

“I wouldn’t worry about that now. We all say some ridiculous things at times.”

33. Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?

“The ocean. I used to do it as a child. It’s been a while since then however. I’d like to swim in the ocean again someday.”

34. What’s your type?

“Someone who likes me even with my flaws.”

35. Any fetishes?

“I-Uh-Um... L-Lets skip this question we’ll be here all day aha...”

36. Camping or outdoors?

“Both of these are outside though? A rather vague question is it not? From what I can gather it seems as if you’re applying if outside, would you prefer to be just outdoors or in a camping situation instead. I’d say both. Sometimes it’s nice to be outdoors. Other times it’s nice to be camping with people you’re travelling with.”

Tagging: Whoever wants to do this

[kissingagrumpygiant]

early morning walk

if you wanna be my lover, you gotta act like a normal person and then maybe be my friend. this was written before The Lovers update, and I like it too much to get rid of it, so here’s some trash 

It was a hot day in Vesuvia and a long walk from the Palace to Roah’s little corner of the world.

She had asked Nadia for a small break for the next few days, just to check on the shop and to deal with a few simple orders, but in all honesty Roah just wanted a break from court life. She hadn’t lived the pampered life style in so long and never thought she would have to live it again and stir up old memories, and the pressure of the investigation from the Countess was wearing her down. Just a few short days in her normal life and she would be in the right mindset to start again and pick up what she had left off in the library.

Devorak’s unintelligible scrolls were Roah’s current project and she regretted not pressing the issue more when they had a drink in that tavern.

I had a drink with Julian Devorak. The idiot invited her to drink and chat with him when he knew she had connections to the Palace and could send the guards after him. He keeps showing up at my shop, messing with my things, flirting with me. What’s his game?

His presence had been plaguing her mind ever since she found out he had a key to her place. For how long? What did he know? Why would he want me to pat him down in the middle of the street, in broad day light?! She wanted to yell at Asra for days for just handing out her things to strangers.

The loud call of a raven echoed above her, and Roah lifted her head only to be blinded by the harsh sun. The heat was becoming unbearable, she quickly took off her vest and untied her scarf from her hips and stuffed it in her bag, where she came in contact with something smooth and cold, and felt it nipping at her fingers. She peered inside the bag while taking a turn at the long shaded staircase that lead to the market square, and was greeted with Faust’s smug face staring at her from between the folds of her shawl.

“Well, looks like I have a little stowaway,” Roah scolded her with a small smile, “at least I know where you are now, little lady, and not causing any trouble at the Palace,” she lightly tapped Faust’s nose, who in return stuck her tongue out at her. Roah gave a small giggle and was about to take a turn left under an archway, when behind her spoke a voice.

“I know the Palace can be maddening, but I never thought you’d start talking to the thin air so fast. I’d have given you a couple more months,” Roah closed the bag quickly and whipped her head back just to see the doctor smugly smiling above her, leaning against the staircase wall. Even with the burning heat he wore his long dark coat and she could have imagined how much he’s probably frying under all those layers, but on the other hand she couldn’t have been more grateful that his cleavage wasn’t in here face again. “What brings you here today, shopkeeper?”

She stared at him for a few moments, trying to sort her emotions and a proper response. He had always caught her so off guard.

“Are you following me? Is that what you’re doing?”

“I’m just taking a light stroll in this lovely city and happened to come by a dear friend,” he touched her arm while he passed her and ducked under the archway, Roah following suit with his quick long steps,

“This early in the morning, and without a mask? Your sense of self preservation is nonexistent, doctor Devorak,” Julian stood out like a sour thumb in the streets of Vesuvia, and all he needed was a target sign on his back saying HERE I AM COUNTESS, MAKE ME YOUR PRISINOR. This wasn’t the Rowdy Raven, and even there the guards were still stalking, though she did see him going around without a mask on in the past.  

“I have no fear of being caught today, though your concern is touching,” he noted and put his hand on his chest in a sarcastically touching gesture, “Besides, if something will go wrong, I’m sure you’ll come to my help, Roah.” He said her name with such a musical tone that it made her face burn, just like Asra would make her do with one of his innuendos. Ugh.

Another caw of a raven was heard above them, and Julian took Roah’s hand im his and sped their pacing towards the market,

“But maybe we shouldn’t risk that after all,” another smile flashed at her and Julian was lightly dragging her behind him.

Roah figured the raven stalking up ahead was Malak, who warned the doctor of the guards patrolling nearby. Julian ducked into an ally behind some stands in the market. It seemed with the early time and the heat of the sun not many people were out to be able to spot them, besides the merchants setting up their stands. They were heading towards the magic shop, and Roah remembered she never told him where she was going.  

“Were you heading to the shop again?!” she hissed angrily at him, trying not to draw attention to themselves.

“Madam I am hurt, is it so awful that I wanted to check on the shop and visit a friend?”

“We are not-” she ripped her hand from his loose grasp, and marched before him, jabbing a finger at his chest, “We are not friends, so stop that.”

She turned her back to him and continued walking fast, hearing an audible oh from him and the click of his boots behind her.

They reached the back door of the shop and Roah started searching for the keys in her bag, shooing Faust out of her hideout and letting her crawl up her arm and settling around her shoulders. Julian was to her left, providing shade with his height and broad shoulders, watching her fumble for her keys with a disappointed look.  

“Listen, Julian,” she wrangled out the set of keys and started searching for the right one, avoiding his stare. “This is…too odd. This entire thing.”

“Is it now?”

“Yes. First Asra leaves with no explanation, again,-”

“Hm, typical,” he scoffed, and Roah decided to ignore that, trying to find that key, unfocused with him being so close again.

“Asra leaves, and then I have the Countess knocking at my door, and no one refuses the countess, and now I have to deal with the murder mystery of the Count and deal with snooty courtiers!”- She tried to fit a random key in the hole but it won’t budge, frustration started crawling up at her- “And I have the possible killer constantly at my door step!” –She jams another key which doesn’t fit, and then another one, all the while continuing her ramblings - “And not only is he constantly there, he keeps making suggestive comments at me, and being too nice and friendly, and helping me even though I’m supposed to catch him and he knows that, and he’s funny and inviting and annoyingly handsome and he’s definitely up to something but I can’t bring myself to tell Nadia because for some reason I’m choosing to trust him a little bit and- Ugh! Where’s that key?!”  She furiously fumbled with the set again, catching a quick glimpse at Julian’s face, which was now completely red. Roah felt her own face redden with embarrassment.

“I'm…sorry, I shouldn’t have ranted like that,” she started, and Julian reached out to her hand, lowering it from the lock while his other hand searched one of his coat pockets.

“Ah- let me,” he pulled his own key from his pocket and finally unlocked the door, and Roah guessed that’s the key Asra gave him.

Roah unsealed the magical ward from the door and the two of them stood there for a couple of moments with her hand on the handle.

She sighed, and Faust nipped at her cheek quickly. She turned to Julian who was staring at the ground and took a deep breath to calm herself.  

“Would you like to come in, like a normal person, and help me set a few things up? I can make us some tea afterwards if you’d like.”

He stared at her for a few seconds, still red faced, and then smiled differently than before, not a broad mocking smile but an actual earnest one.

“I’d love to. Thank you.”

She opened the door and the pair rushed into the shop, leaving the empty street behind them.    

[ladyrevanhalin]

ONLY LIGHT CAN CAST SHADOW: CHAPTER THIRTEEN - SEROCCO AND THE CATHAR MASSACRE

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15753210/chapters/38115335

The Miraluka planet of Katarr was brimming and alive with the Force. It was the reason why the Revanchist had suggested that they rendezvous here before taking the prisoner to Coruscant to go on trial. It would be far easier for the Revanchists to recover from their recent nightmare on Flashpoint in a place that was so full with energy from the Force.

Many were deep in meditation as the ships—the Stalwart Nightingale and the Williwaw—sat landed on the planet’s surface. Away from the others so as not to disturb them, the Revanchist sat in the med bay of the Nightingale with her apprentice, tending to his head wounds. Across the entirety of his skull were a network of crude stitches which seemed to be holding him together. It appeared as though Demagol had performed a vivisection on the man’s head in an attempt to observe the brain. There were soft spots also along many of the stitched points. The Revanchist could only assume that the doctor had drilled through the bone in these places.

In all, Malak was lucky just to be alive. The guilt of this thought ate away at the woman’s soul. Had it not been for the stroke of luck with that Padawan from Taris, it was almost certain he would have been dead before she could reach Flashpoint.

The man grimaced, letting out a groan as his Master applied a Fresh kolto patch to his head. The Revanchist winced at the sound.

“Sorry,” she said. “I’m trying to be as gentle as I can…. I… I’m sorry….”

“Why do you keep apologizing? You’re not the one who carved my head open.”

“I may as well have been…”

“Halin…”

“Please don’t call me that.”

Malak let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t like the Revanchist.”

The woman froze, her hands trembling. She swallowed, so as to contain her emotions from escaping. The words cut through her like a knife.

“The Revanchist,” he continued, “is so caught up in chasing phantom visions that she forgets the real war is happening right in front of her. Halin, on the other hand… Halin would have sensed the distress of a friend much sooner… I’d rather follow Halin into battle than the Revanchist….”

He waited for a reply from her, but the woman remained silent, her eyes downcast, lost in thought. Malak sighed again.

“I’m not sure why I bother…” he said plainly.

The Revanchist choked on the well of emotions caught there in her throat. She made a move as if to leave, but her apprentice caught her wrist before she could do so.

“Please… Please just speak to me,” he said to her. “I’m trying to understand… To understand what’s happening to you. You’ve not been yourself since we met in the grove on Dantooine. I don’t understand why you’re suddenly so cold lately…”

There was another moment of silence between them. He waited, and waited… and finally, she answered:

“The Council was right…”

The man looked at the woman in disbelief, wondering if he had heard her correctly. Even as Halin, the woman before him had always had her fair share of disagreements with the Jedi Council. These disagreements were what drove her to enter the war—what drove her to become the Revanchist in the first place… and now, she was saying that they were right?

“…I had sensed your distress some time ago… Not long after having arrived on Deralia…”

“Then why did you ignore it if you knew something was wrong?”

“Because you are Malak.”

The man looked at her, puzzled at the answer. He’d assumed that the name she’d given to him was a passing whim, meant to separate their current actions from their time in the Order as Halin and Alex…

“I don’t like Malak either…” he replied bitterly.

“Don’t say that…”

“And why shouldn’t I?”

“Please….”

“Please what? Please just accept that my closest friend left me and all of the rest of those who followed her to be tortured to death by the Mandalorians? Well you know what, Revanchist? I can’t do that! You don’t care what happens to any of us! Look at me! Look at what they’ve done to me! Do you think that this,” he said, pointing to his scalp with his free hand, “hurts? Well, what hurts, even more, is you! I….”

He caught himself before he could say it. ‘I love you’ were the words that wanted desperately to escape his lips, but he could not bring himself to say it out loud. Not now… He looked at her face. Her eyes were wide with obvious remorse as she stared at him. This situation must have caused her just as much pain as it had him. He sighed, letting go of her wrist.

“I miss Halin…” he said gently.

“I’m sorry…” she said in a voice no louder than a whisper. “I truly am…”

“Sorry doesn’t alter the past….”

“I know that… but it can alter the future… I’ve decided to disband the Revanchists once we return to Coruscant….”

“What!? You can’t be serious…”

“One of them is already dead because of my foolishness, and I almost you as well. The Council was right. It was stupid of me to involve anyone else in this. I shouldn’t have let you follow me. I shouldn’t have let any of you follow me!”

“We followed you because we thought that you were right—because we believed in what the Revanchist stood for… We believed in ‘justice for the innocent.’ We believed in you…”

She simply shook her head. “You’re all better off without me. I… I can’t ask you to risk your lives in vain….”

“If we stop now, then everything will have been in vain.”

“But…”

“But what?”

The young woman froze. She’d heard the voice again—and this time, it hadn’t been a vision. There on Dxun…. There was more there than just Mandalorian outposts, or even Sith tombs… There were even greater forces at work. She debated for a moment whether she could tell him. Perhaps… perhaps little at a time… Until she was sure that he was ready to understand….

“I’m a danger to all of you… it’s these visions… I’m no seer, but they’re so… so vivid… I don’t know how to control them… and all I see… all I see is darkness… so much darkness….”

Her words concerned Malak. Just what kind of darkness was she talking about here? “Can you be any more specific? Onderon, for example… what did you see exactly?”

“I saw the planet and its moon… at first, everything was peaceful… but then a sort of shadow started stretching from the moon, like an eclipse that engulfed the entire planet… and then… and then there was a voice…”

“A voice? What sort of a voice?”

“It was difficult to distinguish at first… and yet it seemed as though it were always there… and it wasn’t the first time that I heard it either… The same voice was in my previous vision…”

Malak was a bit confused by this. She had told him previously of her first vision, but had never mentioned any sort of a voice… “But what did the voice say to you?”

It was here that the woman froze in hesitation. “I… I can’t say it… I dare not repeat it…”

“You need help. Maybe back on Coruscant there is a seer among the order who can help you interpret their meanings… Who can help you learn to control when the visions come…”

“And then what? I can’t stay there… Someone needs to help the Republic with their war, Malak. And while I don’t want to risk you or the others, it doesn’t mean that I plan on stopping myself.”

Malak just shook his head. “I swear you’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met… Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me. You can’t do this alone… Discuss it with the others if you will, but I think that they’ll agree with me.”

“I put all of you in danger. I knew that something had gone wrong, I sensed your distress, but I did not act. I foolishly continued on my own, thinking that you would be able to handle the situation just fine without me…”

“Well then, change the future,” he said. “Don’t go running off on your own anymore. Let us help you… Promise me that much. If there is something that you need to investigate… another one of these visions, you’ll take me with you. And if you sense that something is even the slightest bit wrong, you’ll attempt to check in with someone from that company… We all knew that this would be dangerous, Halin. We knew it when we first decided to join you…”

“Please don’t call me Halin….”

“I’m sorry… I can’t help it. You’re not the Revanchist—not to me, at least. It’s too impersonal. Will it really kill you to let me call you by your name? At least in private?”

She bit her lip. “I suppose if the others aren’t around…”

“It’s settled then. At least until you manage something that’s less of a mouthful, for me, you’re Halin.” He smiled at her, as if attempting to lighten the mood.

Halin returned the smile. “And I promise to check in more often instead of rushing off on my own… Even if you are Malak.”

“There you go again… I still don’t understand why you call me that. I still prefer Alex. I get it that you want to disconnect from your life as Halin… but is it really necessary for me too?”

“Surely it isn’t so bad…”

“But is it necessary? Malak… what does that even mean?”

The woman smiled again and took up a fresh kolto patch to change the one she had previously placed on his head. “You know, I call you ‘Malak’ as a compliment…. It was clear after you refused to leave me in the grove…. Malak is the Angel.”

The man would have raised an eyebrow at this, but extraneous facial movements pulled on where the stitches were, and so they were best avoided. The Revanchist removed the old patch and applied the new.

“You are Malak because you protect,” she continued to explain. “Because you watch over… It is for this reason that I left you in charge on Suurja…” It was at this point that her expression became somber again. “Why I had assumed that all would be okay….”

Again, silence fell upon the two. This time, it was Malak to break it. “I’m sorry I let you down…”

Halin sighed. “You never let me down…. I suppose I just assumed too much. I was naïve…. I realized that this was a war, but somehow I thought just scouting would be less dangerous… The fighting was over. There was no reason for there to have been an ambush on Suurja… They shouldn’t have known we were there…. I’m so sorry… You did everything that you could, Malak.  Hazar should have been my responsibility, not yours… He was too young. I never should have let him near the front with your company… I should have been there to stop it…”

“Halin, if you had been there, they would have captured you too. They would have tortured you too. And Opela, and Fiolli… We should just be grateful those of us who made it through did… How does it look up there?”

“Pretty bad,” the woman admitted, examining his injuries. “I’m doing what I can, but you’re going to have some nasty scars…”

“Maybe I’ll just have to start going around with a hood all of the time like you do,” he said half-jokingly. “Or I could always get a tattoo or something to cover them. I’ve always wanted an excuse to get one…”

“Now that I’d like to see,” Halin laughed. “All right, nerf-herder, I should go check up on the others…”

“Nerf-herder? I thought I had been upgraded an ‘angel’ now.”

“Watch it, Malak—even angels can still be nerf-herders. Now get some rest. We’ll be leaving soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, watching as the Revanchist left the med bay. They would need to get the prisoner to Coruscant as quickly as possible. Malak didn’t like the idea of keeping him around, yet Halin had insisted that the best option would be to have the Republic hold him on trial. He supposed that might have been the most ‘Jedi’ approach to the situation… but a part of him craved to see the demented Doctor suffer in exactly the way he had made the Jedi suffer. A trial would be justice, but a greater satisfaction would have come with revenge.

><><><><><

           The Revanchists were returning to Coruscant with the prisoner in tow. They were all understandably shaken after the events on Flashpoint. The situation had been like a cold splash of reality to the overenthusiastic advances the group had made. Suurja was a lesson to be remembered.

           In light of her companions’ obvious uneasiness at the prospect, the Revanchist herself had agreed to be the one to watch over the prisoner they carried. He was quite different in appearance than the Mandalorians she had witnessed on Dxun during her investigations. His armor was generally more lithe and slender, and seemed to be outfitted with some additional equipment for medical or scientific purposes.

           He had been knocked out by a rogue Mandalorian who had been helping the Taris Padawan at Flashpoint station, but it was unknown whether the unconscious state of the prisoner would continue until they reached Coruscant. After all, the Core Worlds were a long way from the Outer Rim… The Revanchist hated being stuck on guard duty, but she supposed that it was only fair given the way things had turned out up until this point.

           She had been there for a few hours already when the prisoner began to stir. She moved a hand to her lightsaber to be ready in case of any dangerous situation which might arise. The prisoner was bound, but, given his history, she did not wish to take any chances…

           “Don’t move,” she warned him. “They’ve told me all about you, Demagol the Flesh Carver.”

           A low chuckle erupted from the suit of Mandalorian armor. “Did they now? I suppose I should be flattered that you’ve heard of me, Jedi… You weren’t among my patients though… I would have remembered a pretty face…”

           “You would have remembered the name of the Revanchist, Demagol! I was not there when my company was ambushed on Suurja and brought to your laboratory on Flashpoint. I was not there when you killed a Padawan among them in cold blood, or when you nearly tortured my apprentice to death. But I am here now and I will see to it personally that you pay for your crimes.”

           “The Revanchist? Is that so… Somehow I always thought you would be a man… and taller.”

           “Don’t try my patience. Many would not be so kind as to take you to Coruscant for trial. It’s a bit ironic, really… that after your heinous experiments on Jedi, your life should only be spared now because of the mercy of the Jedi….”

           “Don’t lecture me about your mercy missions, Revanchist. We both know very well that there’s no place for such foolishness in times of war. You and I are not so very different, you know? We each support the war effort in our own unique ways, unorthodox they may be….”

           The woman clenched her teeth. “I’m nothing like you, Demagol!”

           “Ah, you see, but that is where you are wrong….” The low laughter began again. The Revanchist could feel it echoing over and over, pounding inside of her skull. She clenched her hands over her ears, trying to muffle the sound, but it just kept pounding and pounding, as if it were not coming from the outside at all. And then… and then the voice came, slipping through the noise like oil over a smooth hard surface…

           ‘You are no hero… you are no savior… like the Flesh Carver, you will be… the Butcher!’

           “Shut up!” she screamed, “Get out of my head!”

           Without warning, without thinking, she grabbed her lightsaber hilt in one hand and reached out, her fingers stretched out as if to lock him into a choke and, while she never physically made contact with him, the Mandalorian rose from the ground, clutching at his throat…. But the laughter did not stop. The laughter continued pounding and pounding and pounding until…

           “Halin? Halin!”

           It was Malak’s voice. Suddenly, she realized what she was doing and let go of the prisoner, deactivating her lightsaber and returning the hilt to her belt. She clutched her hand which hand locked the prisoner into a choke and massaged it gently through her glove. The sound of the voice and of the laughter had suddenly stopped, but her temples were still throbbing, her ears still ringing.

           “What were you thinking!?” her apprentice exclaimed. “I was watching the security cameras and suddenly heard you scream and saw your lightsaber… What was going on!?”

           “The voice! The voice was there… He was laughing and then came and it… it…”

           “Laughing? Halin, what are you talking about? Demagol has been unconscious the whole time. Whatever that Mandalorian did to him back on Flashpoint knocked him out good…”

           “The whole time…” Halin murmured in repetition.

           “I don’t like this. You’re mixing the visions with reality. It’s like you don’t know what’s what any more…. You need help.”

           “No! No… No, I’ll be fine… I need to meditate, that’s all. My mind is restless….”

           “It seems a little more than restless… You almost killed him, Halin.”

           “I know that! I… I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” She massaged her hand again, as if to check if it were really her own. What she had felt in that moment… What she had felt was hate, desperation, unrestrained raw emotions… and what had alarmed her the most about it was how natural it had felt. “Please,” she continued, more softly this time, “I need to meditate… Did anyone else see the security footage during that time?”

           Malak shook his head, “Not that I am aware of.”

           “Good,” she said, giving a single nod. “See to it that it stays that way…. Lock the prisoner away and ensure there is nothing nearby that could be used for escape. I will be meditating in the Starboard dormitories should you need me.”

           With this, she swiftly left, still rubbing her hand the whole time. Malak was concerned. He knew very well what he had seen. It was a common Sith technique used to cause asphyxiation, crushing the windpipe of one’s opponent. While he’d heard of it before, he’d never actually seen the technique in person. After all, the Sith had hidden their presence since the time of the Great Sith War. But this wasn’t some Sith who had suddenly come out of hiding… This was his friend. This was his Halin….

           Once he had finished securing the prisoner, he left to go find her. Something was very much not right. It was only getting progressively worse, and if they didn’t figure out something soon, then surely her mind would be lost… He knew very well that she was against seeking the aid of the Order on Coruscant, but it may very well have been her only chance for stopping the progression.

           He found her in the starboard dormitory, just as she had said. However, upon entering, he felt that there was a second presence in the room. A strange, dark presence. Something else was here. Something seemed to be following Halin. It was then that he heard it…

           “Tse satsetop sirbmu ni…”

           Malak looked about frantically. Was this the voice that Halin had been talking about?...

           “Tse satsetop sirbmu ni!”

           He looked to where it seemed to be coming from. There was a footlocker with a faint red glow between the cracks of the opening—a glow that seemed to be coming from inside. He approached the footlocker when he heard:

           “Don’t touch it!”

           It was Halin. She’d broken her meditation and had rushed to him, catching his arm. He turned to look at her.

           “It’s trying to trick you into letting it out,” she continued.

           “But what is it?” Malak asked.

           The Revanchist swallowed. She hesitated, glancing around the room to ensure that no one else was there before replying to him. “It’s a Sith Holocron.”

           “Here!? But what is it doing onboard?”

           “It’s something I picked up while on Dxun… While I was investigating the moon and the Mandalorian base there, I found it…”

           “Don’t tell me you opened it!?” Malak exclaimed, ripping his arm from her grasp

           “Of course not! I’m not stupid! But I couldn’t just leave it there either…. What if it were somehow responsible for corrupting the Mandalorians? Or even worse—what if they discovered how to access its knowledge of the Dark Side? It was too dangerous to be left there…”

           “I wouldn’t say that here, on a ship full of Jedi, is any less dangerous…”

           “Well, as you recall, it was not my original intention to be among everyone again so soon… I was hoping to be able to locate a safe place where it could be left or destroyed before the Council sent me to retrieve you from Flashpoint…”

           “Why didn’t you leave it with the Council while you were there?”

           “The thought had crossed my mind… but how do you think they would react if I brought them such a thing? Many of them had already condemned me for starting the Revanchist movement in the first place, and the situation with Hazar and Flashpoint station only served to worsen my relationship with the Council. You should have seen Master Zez-Kai Ell when I appeared before them… Imagine what they might think if I brought them a real Sith holocron! They would probably assume I was some sort of Sith Lord come to uproot their entire ancient tradition.”

           Halin tried to force laughter at her own remark, but it only faded breathlessly into a terrified expression on her face as she again clutched at her own hand.

           “Malak?” she continued, “Do you think me a bad person?”

           “Of course not,” he said. “I wouldn’t have followed you if I did…. But I do think that you need help. You can’t take on the burden of everything by yourself. You need to leave the holocron with the Council.”

           “I’ve already told you why I can’t do that… Besides, who is to say it wouldn’t corrupt them as well?”

           “While you may not agree with all of their choices, and neither do I… the Masters are far more experienced in dealing with such things… I have an idea. You said that Opela and Fiolli were also meeting back with us on Coruscant?”

           “Yes…”

           “Then have Opela bring it to them.”

           The Revanchist considered the thought. Opela had a good standing relationship with many of the high Council members…. At least, before she had joined the war effort. There was no doubt that it would be easier for Opela to bring such a thing before the Council than it would be for her to do such a thing herself. Yes… Yes, perhaps such a thing would work after all…

           “Tse satsetop sirbmu ni!”

           “Hush, you!,” Halin said, turning sharply to the footlocker where the holocron was stashed. “I’ll not have you causing any more problems on board.” She turned back to Malak. “We contact Opela immediately and explain to her the situation. In the meantime, the starboard dormitory is to be closed to everyone. No one may enter until we’re docked and the holocron is being removed—this including ourselves… On that note, I would rather not stay here. It’s becoming restless with so many Jedi around and I don’t know how much longer I can resist its temptation in such close proximity….”

           Malak nodded. It was agreed. They would leave the holocron for the Council to dispose of. Malak was a bit relieved by this. After all, perhaps it would allow for his friend to get some much-needed rest. He had never seen her in such a state as she had been locked in the room with Demagol… But at the same time, her visions had started before Dxun. No… no, surely there was much more to it than this. She knew something that she still wasn’t telling him. There were greater powers at work here. Something was watching them. Somewhere, an invisible puppet master was pulling all of the strings attached to this war. Only time would tell whether they were all a part of the puppet show as well.

><><><><><

Opela followed in close step with Master Atris as the Council Member carefully transported the holocron through a series of passages leading to a vault underneath the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The thing seemed to be screaming all of the while, as if it knew and understood their intentions to dispose of it. The whole task made Opela rather nervous. She could feel the dark side energy which radiated from the holocron. She regarded Master Atris with a concerned expression, but the Master remained focused with her gaze forward.

“What language is it speaking?” Opela asked. “I’ve never heard anything like it before….”

“It is of the ancient Sith tongue,” the Master replied. “Pray you never have to hear it again…”

“What is it saying?

“Things that I dare not repeat… Explain to me where you found this again?”

Opela shook her head. “I didn’t find it. Halin did when she was on Dxun she said…”

“Ah yes, the self-proclaimed ‘Revanchist’… She should have told us of this rather than about the Mandalorian base when she appeared before the Council… No doubt she was debating using its knowledge for herself. It wouldn’t be the first time she attempted to access knowledge that was forbidden…”

Opela was confused by the way of which Master Atris spoke of Halin. It seemed that her distaste for the woman was rooted in occurrences from even before the emergence of the Revanchist. “Master Atris, why do you despise her so?”

“I feel no such thing,” the Master replied. “Hatred is the path to the Dark Side… I merely believe that she should show more respect for the Council’s decisions and try to see their wisdom behind them rather than reacting so violently in opposition. Her actions were irresponsible and cost one young Padawan his life. I’m only glad now that you and the rest have returned so that her poor influence can harm you no longer.”

“She meant no harm in her actions. She had thought all of us to be safe. It was why she had chosen to place everyone where she did, based on their strengths… Though I’m sure she will consider placements differently in future scouting…”

Master Atris stopped, causing Opela to stop alongside her. “Future scouting? Don’t tell me that you intend to follow her back into this war…”

“I made her a promise, Master Atris, and I intend to keep it.”

Master Atris continued walking, quickening her pace this time so that Opela practically had to jog to keep up with her.

“No! She will lead all of you astray! It is foolishness! This holocron only further proves such. Mark my words, Opela Moraf—the horrors that you will find in war are ones that no one can fully cope with—Jedi or not—without grave consequences. Continuing to follow down this path will lead you to violence, hatred, destruction, and ultimately the Dark Side. You will not return as yourself—if you return at all!”

It was at this point that the two made it to the doors of a large vault beneath the temple.

“You are not permitted beyond this point. There are many relics of the Dark Side here that could easily corrupt a mind unprepared. That is, if you’ve not begun to be corrupted already. Reflect upon my words, Opela Moraf. For if you leave this temple and join with the Revanchist again on this crusade, you will not remain a Jedi.”

><><><><><

“Why did you come with them here?” The Revanchist asked, the irritation evident in her voice. Her arms were folded as she stood face-to-face with Talon Chan on the Deralian deep-space shuttle that Opela and Fiolli had returned upon. “Deralia needs you in case of another attack. If the Mandalorians return, it will be in much greater numbers than before.”

“Halin, they need you just as much as they need me,” Talon protested.

“I told you, I’m not Halin anymore!”

“Revanchist or not, you’re still Halin Chan. You’re still my little sister.”

“And you’re still not listening to me. You shouldn’t be here!”

“Why are you like this? It seems like you’re avoiding me….”

“Well, if it seems like I’m avoiding you, then perhaps that’s because I am. I’ve already lost someone under my command and I don’t need you foolishly following me around and getting yourself killed while trying to deal in Jedi business.”

Talon shook his head. “You just don’t get it, do you? I’m trying to help you, Halin…”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Why do you hate me? What did I do deserve this from you?”

“I don’t hate you, I—” She stopped herself mid-sentence, swallowing hard. She understood well why the Order discouraged contact with family members. It was a strange set of emotions that surrounded Talon’s presence, and she didn’t understand them. It made her feel uncomfortable. It made it difficult to focus. The woman let out a sigh. “I don’t hate you….” She repeated, more gently this time.

Talon was no less confused about his sister’s treatment of him. He wasn’t certain whether she was trying to protect him or trying to forget him. The man sighed and reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’m just worried about your safety… Being a Jedi was never a ‘safe’ thing to begin with, but war… war is something completely different…. People aren’t willing to negotiate. Lives are lost every day. Likes are taken every day….”

He broke off and turned from her, going to a locker there on the ship. “I wanted to bring this for you,” he said, opening the locker and pulling out something gleaming in bronze. “You’re going to need it if you end up on the front lines…”

The Revanchist looked at the thing which Talon Chan held before her. It was a suit of armor in the style of the Deralian Royal Military Guard.

“I’m not wearing that,” she said simply.

“In case you haven’t noticed, Jedi robes don’t offer the greatest protection against blaster fire…”

“That’s what a lightsaber is for. Besides, how is one supposed to move in that stuff?”

“Halin, please take it.”

“Fine. But I’m not wearing it.”

Talon rolled his eyes. “You always were stubborn, even as a kid. Just… promise me you’ll be careful out there…”

“Only if you promise to go back to Deralia.”

“I promise.”

“Then I swear to you that I will be careful not to get hit be any stray blaster fire.”

Talon chuckled. “That’s close enough I suppose… Well then, if I’m going to be getting back, I’ll need you to get off of my ship. Otherwise, you’re coming back with me.”

The young woman smiled. “Goodbye, Talon. I’m sorry our meetings are so brief…”

“I’m just happy they exist at all. Given our track record before, I would say it’s quite the improvement.”

“I’ll show myself out then. Have a safe flight. May the Force be with you.”

“May the Force be with you.”

><><><><><

“She didn’t seem happy,” Opela told the other Revanchists of her encounter with Master Atris upon bringing the Sith Holocron to the Jedi Temple. “She said that if we continued, we wouldn’t be Jedi any longer…”

The group was gathered about the Stalwart Nightingale attempting to decide their next course of action. The Council had anticipated that the group would stop once they returned to Coruscant, but the Revanchists had other plans. They had a cause, and Flashpoint had only served to strengthen their resolve. There were undeniable atrocities being committed in this war, and it was up to them to put an end to them.

There were murmurs among the group at Opela’s words, but the Revanchist seemed more certain than before. Her blue-grey eyes burned with a defiant determination. It had become more than just a war to help the Republic defeat the Mandalorians. It had become a war to win over the Jedi Council—to re-define what it meant to be Jedi.

“If we stop now,” the Revanchist began, “then everything we have strived for until this point will be lost. Deaths will have been in vain. Sacrifices will have been for naught. We cannot allow their fear to control our actions. You saw the way that they reacted upon our return. You heard all that they had assumed. Are we to allow their ignorance to determine who we are and what we stand for?”

“I agree with the Revanchist,” Malak said. “I say we press onward.”

“Any opposed?” the Revanchist asked. She looked around the others. There was concern clearly in many of their eyes… but no one dared to speak up. Whether it was because they agreed or because they were afraid to be thought of traitors to the cause was unknown. After all, the last mission they had gone on had been quite gruesome. It was only likely to go downhill from there.

“It is settled then. We continue as planned. Ferroh? You had mentioned you had lost contact with your people on your home planet? That Cathar was one of the first planets attacked at the beginning of the Mandalorian crusades?”

The Cathar hesitated. “Yes… The Mandalorians had never forgiven my people for defeating them in the Great Sith War… After all, the Cathar are a proud warrior race, but our planet is not within the Republic… I’m afraid that no one knows for certain what happened on-planet though. The only ones left of my people that I’ve been able to make contact with are all refugees, scattered on different worlds…”

“I see… Malak, what is the latest update on the Mandalorian front?”

“The Republic is still trying to hold the defense between The front and Taris… It looks as if Admiral Karath is planning to mount a defense at the planet Serrocco to buffer against the Mandalorian advancement.”

“Then we divide our forces,” the Revanchist said. One group will head to Serrocco to make contact with and aid the Republic military there. We will not wait for the battle to clear and risk another ambush unprepared from leftover soldiers… The other group will follow me to Cathar to investigate what remains. If Cathar was the start of this war, perhaps we can find some clue there as to the Mandalorians’ goal and how to stop them.”

“I would like to volunteer to lead the group to Serrocco,” Opela stated. The Revanchist regarded her with confusion. Only weeks before, when they had been headed to Deralia, she had been hesitant to accept any positions of leadership… and yet now she had volunteered on her own accord?

“Why the sudden change in heart?” the Revanchist asked her.

“If we’re meeting the Republic military leaders, then you’ll need someone who can deal with the diplomatic aspects of the situation. Negotiation is a strong point of mine. If we’re acting against the Council’s orders, then it will take negotiation to convince the Republic to accept our aid.”

A small smile crept to the Revanchist’s lips. It was good to see Opela finally taking some initiative. “Very well then, Lieutenant Moraf. I leave the Serrocco company in your care. Fiolli, Nisotsa, Tavlon and Xaset—you will join her. The rest of you are with me. Serrocco Company will take the Williwaw and Cathar the Nightingale. If there are any complications, you report back immediately to your commanding officer. Do I make myself clear?”

There was a bought of ‘ayes’ from the group. Things were taking shape again. Things would be better off this time around. She could sense that much. Perhaps this would finally be the turning point for the Revanchists.

><><><><><

While the battle had yet to start, the situation on Serrocco was far worse than Opela had initially anticipated. She couldn’t say that she agreed at all with the Republic’s decision of Tactics in the matter. They had chosen to place their surface-side outposts and camps near the cities of the native Stareb species. Their reasoning was that they assumed the Mandalorians would not want to possibly destroy anything that could be valuable for looting after the battle.

Opela could not follow this logic. After all, the Mandalorians were not space pirates. In her opinion, all conflict should have been kept away from both the Stareb cities and human settlements alike. It was selfish for either side to knowingly place innocents in danger because of their fighting. What was the point in conquering a planet if there was nothing left by the end of it to be conquered?

Opela sat aboard the Williwaw, waiting for a reply to her transition for a request of an audience with Admiral Karath of the Republic Navy. He was the one who was in charge of the Republic’s fleet in this sector, ad so any and all negotiations would have to ultimately pass through him if they were to be of any consequence. So far, there had been no such luck.

The woman let out a frustrated sigh, debating whether she should take a break from waiting in order to check out the camp. She was quite curious to see what a Republic military camp would look like up close. This transmission was important though. She couldn’t risk missing it.

Finally, a sound came over the communicator. “This is Darrick Kilvaari, communications aboard the Courageous. We’ve received a transmission request from you, Williwaw, over?”

“Yes, Courageous. This is Lieutenant Opela Moraf, Jedi Knight, representing the Revanchists. I wish to speak with Admiral Saul Karath, over.”

“The Admiral is busy with preparations for the battle I’m afraid…”

“Tell him that the Revanchists are looking to aid the Republic in any way possible during their fight. I have both healers and combat specialists aboard. We are ready to provide Jedi support immediately if permitted to do so, over.”

There was a short pause on the line followed by: “Please stand by, Williwaw. We’re contacting Admiral Karath now, over.”

The silence resumed and the anticipation that came with it caused the absence of sound to become deafening. So much of their mission relied on being able to cooperate with the Republic military forces. This meeting was important for them. It was important that it be successful. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Darrick Kilvaari returned over the transmission.

“Admiral Karath is heading planetside. He’s agreed to meet you at one of the army commissaries in four standard hours. Name is Little Bivoli, over.”

Opela breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, there was some progress. “Got it. Tell the Admiral I’ll be there. Thank you so much, Kilvaari, over.”

Finally, she could afford to step away from the communications console. She would have to prepare for her meeting with the Admiral. She changed into fresh robes, checked her general appearance, and then set out. After all, it would reflect poorly if she were late, and should she miss the Admiral, there would perhaps not be a second chance to make the Revanchists’ appeal…

><><><><><

When the time came, Opela Moraf went out to the commissaries ship known as the Little Bivoli. The place was rather a bustle. It seemed to be quite popular with both the soldiers and locals alike. So much so that Opela began to wonder whether it would even be possible to get a table at the place. Beyond that, she had never met the Admiral before, and so she wasn’t exactly certain what he looked like. With this many people around, it might prove difficult to actually find him. That was, at least, until she heard a commotion coming from the area around one of the far tables.

“You’re lucky you’re a finger, boy! On the Courageous, the Admiral would space you for that!”

It seemed that the Admiral was already here. Opela acted quickly. After all, she did not want to miss him. She headed to the location of the commotion and found the Admiral walking away from the situation to his own table with a rather stern look on his face. She approached him.

“Admiral Karath, I take it?” she asked him.

“I am he. And who might you be?”

“My name is Opela Moraf. I am a Jedi Knight and lieutenant with the Revanchists. I was in contact with the Courageous earlier and they informed me that I should meet you here in order to discuss future negotiations between the Revanchists and the Republic military…” She reached a hand out to shake his.

“Ah yes, Lieutenant Moraf. Welcome. Please pull up a seat. Tell me more about your proposal,” he said, accepting her handshake.

While certainly official in his proceedings, the Admiral seemed amicable enough. Following his gesture, the Jedi Knight sat at the table. “Well,” Opela began, “I fear I must begin with a disclaimer…”

“Oh? And what sort of a disclaimer is that?”

“Our movement of the Revanchists is not sanctioned by the Jedi Council. I must inform you that we are acting on our own.  However, I assure you that, even so, our intentions lie purely in the protection of the Republic and its people…”

The Admiral groaned and Opela could not help but to be put back by his reaction. “Great,” he said. “The last thing I need is to be dealing with more rogue Jedi…”

More? The statement caused the woman some confusion. Had other Jedi approached him with similar proposals previously? And if so, why had the Revanchists not heard of them until now? “I beg your pardon?”

“Recently I’ve had to deal with a troublesome Padawan who turned and killed his classmates. I was bringing him in to the Council when the ship was ambushed and he escaped. I’m sure you’ve heard the news recently….”

“Not really,” Opela admitted. “Our investigations haven’t left much time for keeping up with anything outside of the war. I find it difficult to believe that such a thing could happen though. Jedi are pacifists by nature….”

“And yet here we are, discussing your involvement with my company during the war.” And with this, he gave a laugh. “It seems rather ironic, don’t you think, that you of all people should be lecturing me about the peaceful nature of the Jedi. As much as the support would come in handy, I’m not going to risk the Republic’s relationship with the Jedi Order just to satisfy the desire for combat of a few young Knights.”

“But you yourself admit that the Republic needs Jedi support…”

“Even as an Admiral, there’s only so much I’m sanctioned to make decisions about when it comes to the finer political points of this war.”

“You mean like how close your troops are setting up to the Stareb cities,” the woman said, turning her focus to the stone spires only a couple of miles away.

The Admiral grew red in the face, slamming his hand on the table before standing up. “Look, Lieutenant, guys down here are army. My business,” he said, pointing upward, “is up there with the naval positions. I don’t choose the placements of ground troops, and I don’t question the authority of those who do. Now I suggest you show yourself out of this camp before I decide to call up your Council and tell them all about this.”

Opela inhaled deeply, being careful not to allow the Admiral to intimidate her, and stood as calmly as she could. “That will not be necessary,” she said. “I thank you for your agreeing to meet me. If you will not accept our aid here, then we will find alternative means of supporting our cause. Goodbye, Admiral Karath. May the Force be with you and with your fleet. I shall leave you to conduct your battle strategies as you see fit.”

If there was nothing that could be done in conjunction with the troops directly, then perhaps it would be best for them to re-focus their efforts toward protecting the Stareb cities, or to assisting injured left on the battlefield once the fighting commenced. Sure it wasn’t the sort of involvement that there had initially been hoping for, but at least it was something they could do that might make a difference in the battle, however small that difference might be.

><><><><><

Opela Moraf returned to the Williwaw with a report of her meeting with the Admiral. She sent a transmission to the Stalwart Nightingale, explaining to the Cathar company their lack of success thus far. It was a frustrating time just getting the Revanchists to be recognized in the war. The Republic respected the Jedi Council, and largely depended on their support. Unfortunately, it would take more for them to be willing to risk upsetting them…

The day was a rather frustrating one. The Serocco Company was forced to remain apart from the military camps. Instead, they split up, making their way to different camps across the planet’s surface, each one positioned near a different Stareb City… They did what they could in subtlety to encourage the troops to move their positions, but no one was willing to risk the consequences of disobeying orders from the higher-ups in the chain of command, and after the conversation that Opela had had with Admiral Karath, a warning had been issued to avoid Jedi scouts trying to become involved in the war effort. Needless to say, the military was not very cooperative.

The Starebs themselves were no more receptive of the warnings. Gullible as they were, they did not seem to believe that, without the warning sirens going off, there was no reason to consider evacuation. It seemed as though everything the Serrocco Company tried was a wasted effort.

According to the soldiers they had been able to speak to, the Mandalorians were expected to drop within the next day. Time was of the essence.

It was around sunset when the thing finally happened. Warnings began to sound. The dark shapes of ships in the atmosphere above increased. Flashes of light began to appear in the sky. It was happening. It was happening all so quickly… The Mandalorians had arrived!

><><><><><

           Cathar was a lush planet, thick with vegetation and non-sentient species. It was strange that somewhere so seemingly teeming with life should feel so very void. Even the abandoned buildings were alive, carved directly into the great ‘city-trees’ as Ferroh said they were called. It was all so beautiful, yet so morbid. So alive… and yet so dead.

           The Revanchists searched through every empty hall, down every winding road, in every abandoned tent and hut… and found nothing. Nothing but silence—an eerie and unnatural silence.

           “It’s just as it was when I last visited… it appears as though everyone has simply vanished,” Ferroh stated.

           The Revanchist pulled her cloak around herself in order to better keep the native insects away. This place made her uneasy. The Force felt strange here. In the cities, there was no sign of life… but also no sign of death. No sign of battle, or conflict… Nothing! No clue as to what could have possibly happened to the Cathar people. It was as if someone had deliberately washed away any trace of its history.

           It was their intention to extend their search beyond the cities when they all felt it. All at once, billions of voices crying out in horror…

><><><><><

           It was a planet of mostly desert landscapes, tall stone spires stretching toward the orange sunset. It was all so beautiful… Like dancing flames, their light reflecting off the glassy mirror of sand. All was calm, all was still. Lights began to appear in the sky. More and more until…

Honor… Without honor, let them burn! Let all of them burn! Let Serrocco burn!

           All at once, the lights in the sky grew closer, larger, until everything was consumed in one brilliant flash. Suddenly the flaming orange of the sky engulfed the entire surface, burning wildly out of control. Screams of children pierced her ears so sharply that she thought her eardrums would surely burst. Pieces of stone mingled with blood and limbs flew in every which direction, the great stone cities crumbling into mere ruins of glass and sand.

           And through all of it, slipping through like an oil, oozing over the flames and feeding their destruction, a peal of laughter began to resonate in that place. It was everywhere! Everywhere…

><><><><><

           They all felt it. All at once, billions of voices crying out in horror… and then all being silenced at once.

           The Revanchist was bent over clutching her abdomen and seemingly wreathing in pain. The shock of the experienced vision coupled with the great disturbance that all of them had felt in the Force had caused her to vomit. Her entire body was trembling.

           Her apprentice seemed to immediately notice the difference in her reaction compared to the others, for he rushed to her side. Unable to help himself, her name sprung from his lips. “Halin—!”

           She was in too much of a state of shock to protest. She looked as though she could very well vomit a second time. She had grown quite pale, as if every ounce of blood had been drawn from her veins in an instant. Her eyes were wide and pupils dilated, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. All she could do was to repeat, almost incoherently: “I feel it… I feel it… I feel it….”

           Seeing that she was in no state to continue forward, Malak decided to take charge in her stead. He was sure that he wouldn’t hear the end of it from her later, but right now, they had all experienced great pain. They needed someone to direct them from there, and Halin Chan was in no condition to do it.

           “Cathar Company,” Malak said, addressing the group. “We need to return to the Stalwart Nightingale, now! We should make contact with the Williwaw and ask if Serrocco Company has sensed the same… If they’ve had any developments…”

           “Serocco,” the Revanchist breathed. “I feel it… I feel it….”

           The company regarded their debilitated leader with concern. Malak glanced among them, trying to read their expressions. Halin was in a very vulnerable state. It had seemed she’d experienced another one of her visions, and if it had coincided with the great loss which all of them had felt, it could have very well accounted for her intensified reaction. His fear, however, was that it would be seen as a weakness in her leadership.

The movement was barely holding together as it was. After all, all that they had was their leader and their cause. Take away one of the two, and the whole structure would be left on the brink of collapse. Malak had determined that he would not allow for this to happen, even if it meant he had to take over himself. Protectively, he placed an arm around her as if to shield her from the threat of judgement, and encouraged her to rest her head on his side.

“What are you all waiting for?” he said, addressing the others with as much authority as he could muster. “I said move out. To the Nightingale!”

><><><><><

The meeting after Serrocco was a difficult one. Because they had been spread out attempting to assist the Starebs, many from the Serrocco company were not physically close enough to a transport to make it off-planet in time. Even so, Many ships had been grounded, unable to lift off before the nuclear warheads from the Mandalorian fleet had come raining in from above. It was unlikely anyone survived on the surface. Opela and Fiolli were close enough to the Williwaw that they were able to save themselves and the ship. Nisotsa and Xaset had made it off-planet, but with a group from the Republic army, and were being sent back to Coruscant to face the Jedi Council for ‘attempting to interfere with Republic military activities.’ No one had heard a word from Tavlon.

The war had only just begun and their numbers were thinning with each battle. The Revanchist sat with her head hung in her hands. Another… Another, and there was nothing that she could do to stop it. She felt powerless. She hadn’t even been able to command her own company during the occurrence. The shock of Serrocco and the vision of the attack had happened so suddenly that it was as if someone had bashed her over the head with a plasteel cylinder. If it hadn’t been for Malak, she wasn’t sure how she would have been able to even get back to the ship.

Opela approached the Revanchist and seated herself alongside her. She was unsure how she could console her friend in such a situation. The loss of another among their ranks had upset all of them greatly… “There was nothing you could have done….”

“But I could have…. I saw it happening… If only I could have seen it sooner, I could have stopped all of it… I could have saved Tavlon… I could have saved all of them…. If only I could learn control….”

“Tavlon died a hero. He died trying to protect innocent lives… He was a true Revanchist.”

A silence passed. Opela placed her hand on the other woman’s back as if to comfort her.

“Malak told me about what happened on Cathar when Serrocco was destroyed…. He was worried—and still is. He cares very deeply for you, you know…”

“He is my closest friend,” the Revanchist replied simply. “I don’t know what I would do without him sometimes. It’s like we’re two sides of the same coin.”

Opela smiled at this response. She was glad that the other was finally beginning to see the connection between the two of them. She hoped that, for Malak’s sake, the Revanchist would come to realize on her own the way in which he felt about her. Even if it were nothing more than a mutual understanding, at least he wouldn’t have to hide it anymore.

After the groups had rejoined following the investigations on Cathar and on Serrocco, Malak had approached Opela again about the situation of his special ‘bond’ with Halin. He’d been increasingly worried for her lately, particularly because of a series of ‘visions’ she had been having. Lately, they had seemed to grow more and more intense, completely incapacitating her at times, as the one had at the time of Serrocco.

It was Serrocco which had forced Malak to take action. He’d had to assume command over the Cathar Company when it had happened and practically carry Halin back to the ship she was so incoherent. He constantly felt her distress and pain since they had left from Dantooine several months prior, and it bothered him. While Halin was the sort of charismatic idealist that took to inspire people to follow, whatever shadow of darkness was threatening her had stifled her capacity for leadership. He was concerned as to whether the pressure of being the ‘Revanchist’ was what was causing her deteriorating mental stability. He knew he couldn’t convince her to stop, but he thought that perhaps he could at least convince her to share more of the responsibility.

He had hoped that, with his and Opela’s combined persuasion, he could convince her to allow them to handle much of the effort in her stead. So far, there had been no luck, but the fact that she was still weakened from Serrocco had only increased the necessity.

“You certainly are,” Opela said to the Revanchist’s comment about herself and Malak. “You know, he’s only trying to help you… Maybe you should let him…”

The Revanchist simply shook her head. “I can’t ask that of him… He’s always been so shy around others when I wasn’t there, and I don’t think he’s fully forgiven me for what happened on Flashpoint… I couldn’t put him into that sort of a situation again.  It makes him uncomfortable…”

“I think seeing you like this makes him feel even worse…”

The Revanchist sighed. “There’s just no winning either way, is there?”

“At least until you’ve recovered… Give him a chance. He might just surprise you.”

Opela watched her companion, waiting to see how she would react. It was what was best for all of them… she only hoped that the other would see it that way.

“I suppose… but just until I’m well again… You know, I’d hoped for his sake we would have been able to join the Republic in combat by now. It’s where he truly shines…”

“There will be a time,” Opela said, patting the Revanchist on the back. “It’s a big war, and there’s a role for everyone to help. Try to rest. We need you battle-ready when the time comes… It would make Malak feel better.”

><><><><><

The news channels were all abuzz in the Republic and across the entirety of the Outer Rim Territories. Taris had finally fallen under siege from the Mandalorians, and it didn’t look as though the Republic were going to be able to repel them. All of the Jedi had been recently pulled from Taris by the Jedi High Council following a recent tragedy with the deaths of several of the Padawans there, presumably by one of their own, so there were none to aid on-surface when the invasion came. This happening so soon after the destruction of Serrocco had made it a dark time for everyone.

The Republic was growing desperate for a way to defeat Mandalore the Ultimate’s growing army of Mandalorian neo-crusaders. Likewise, the Revanchists were growing desperate to find a means to be able to officially enter the war. It seemed as though their entire effort thus far had been running from shadow to shadow trying to do what they could, but not be caught doing it.

“Halin?” Malak said gently, tapping on the doorway to the chamber in which the Revanchist had been meditating. “There’s someone on the Communicator… says they want to speak to you directly…”

It was then that he noticed how pale she was. Sweat was pouring from her temples. Her body was stiff and she didn’t seem to be breathing. Not again…. Swiftly, he went to her, kneeling down and taking her hands. They were like ice. “Halin! Halin, you need to snap out of it! Focus on my voice. Open your eyes… Dammit, Halin, open your eyes!”

Finally, her eyes flew open and she gasped for air. Malak gave a sigh of relief. It must have been another vision. He didn’t like how frequent they were growing, and they were taking a toll on her both physically and mentally. He wasn’t sure how much longer she would last if this kept up… When she had decided to first set out, she seemed to have attracted the attention of some sort of dark power. Slowly, whatever it was that she had awakened was trying to take hold of her.

“Calm down,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, as he had when he had seen her on Dantooine the night that she had decided to leave. “What did you see?”

“Space,” she said, softly. “I saw space…”

“And what else was there?”

“Asteroids…. Debris…. And strange creatures….”

“Creatures? What sort of creatures?”

“I…. I don’t know…. I had never seen anything like them before…. It was like some sort of an eel, or a snake…. But they were massive! And they lived in open space… They filled me with a sort of dread, though I wasn’t sure why at first. They had seemed to be asleep…. But then, there was a light…”

“A light?”

“Yes… It looked like… Like some sort of a dying star…. And when the creatures felt the light, they began to awaken…. And when they did… When they did, they began to feed… They consumed everything… everything in sight…. And then…. And then they traveled further… deeper into space. They were approaching systems… systems I recognized… Inhabited systems with billions of people…”

It was at this point that he could hear tears threatening to fall from the way that her voice broke. He held her tighter. “Shhhh…. Did you hear the voice again?”

“Yes… It started when they approached the system, but you broke my trance before I could make out what it was saying….”

Malak was somewhat relieved that he had come when he did. Who knew how much worse it would have been had the vision continued… It seemed to him that this voice was the thing that truly terrified Halin, even more so than the visions themselves…

“I’ll tell the person calling that you’re unable to respond at the moment…”

“No…. No, if they’re trying to speak to me directly, then maybe it’s important. Maybe it will finally be something to turn things around for all of us…”

“You’re in no condition to receive calls right now. You look like death…”

“They don’t have to see me,” she protested, pushing her way out of his arms. “I’ll wear my cloak and over holovid they won’t notice a thing!”

Malak sighed. He’d wished she would have stayed like that a little bit longer, there in his arms. These were stressful times and having her so close made him feel a little better. He hoped that he made her feel just as safe as she had made him feel.

He watched her pull herself up. Her legs shook at first, like a newborn animal that was trying to stand for the first time, and so he put his arms out to catch her in case she were to fall, but she managed to stabilize herself on her own. She pulled her cloak from where she had lain it and put it on, pulling its billowing hood over her head.  Neither her face nor frame were visible when she was like this. She was like some sort of specter of a figure, ambiguous, yet unquestionably authoritative in appearance.

“Come, Malak,” she said. “Put me through with the caller… did he give his name?”

She was already walking toward the communications array and so Malak was left with no choice but to follow. “He said he represents Lord Adasca of Arkania, and says he has a proposal for you, but that he could only present it to the Revanchist leader directly…”

What he didn’t tell her was that he had claimed that he was the Revanchist when the call had come through, but that his lie had not been believed. He’d hoped to save her from the trouble by doing so, but the ruse was seen through immediately. Apparently, the caller had anticipated that the Revanchist would not be so easy to reach, and suspected the falsehood when he’d first answered.

The Revanchist sat in the seat at the communications array and pushed the button to accept the call that had been on hold. A hologram of a Duros Male flashed before her. “Ah, greeting, Revanchist Leader. I’m so happy that you have decided to accept my call,” he said upon seeing her cloaked figure. “My name is Eejee, and I’m calling on behalf of Lord Adasca of Arkania.”

“So I’ve been told,” the Revanchist replied. “I’ve heard that he has some sort of a proposal for me?”

“Yes,” the Duros replied. “He insisted that I only give the invitation to you directly.”

“A bold request, given that he has chosen not to call me himself.”

“The Lord apologizes, but he has been busy entertaining a special guest as of late, and has had little time, so as his secretary I’ve been keeping up with his business work as able.”

“What sort of an invitation is this?”

“To view a new weapon that has been in development.”

Halin further paled under her hood. A new weapon… The timing of it all… It must have had something to do with what she had seen in her recent vision.

“And just what sort of a weapon is this?” she managed.

“I’m sending over files with the details now. It’s quite an interesting thing, really… You see, Lord Adasca wants to be certain his project does not fall into the wrong hands… He’s asked me to contact specific groups who he think might be responsible enough to control such a thing.”

“I see… and who else has he contacted about this?”

“Now now, that information I am not at liberty to disclose freely. If you wish to see, then I suggest that you consider meeting us in the Omonoth system in five days time aboard Lord Adasca’s flagship, the Arkanian Legacy. We look forward to meeting you in person, Revanchist.”

The transmission ended and data was displayed from what the Duros Eejee had sent about the weapon in question. Halin removed her hood so she could more clearly view the information. Her apprentice could sense the disturbance in his friend and Master and moved closer to view the information with her. It was information on a species of large space-dwelling beasts called ‘Exogorths.’

“It’s just as it was in my vision…. I have to go,” she said, standing.

“Halin, you can’t. You’re still recovering…”

“I told you what I saw, Malak! If those things are there as he says, and if someone were to release them into an inhabited system…” She stopped. She couldn’t bear to think of the results that might come from such a thing. “I have to go…”

“No you don’t,” Malak said firmly. “You’re staying put—I’ll go!”

“Malak, don’t be ridiculous. You heard already. Lord Adasca is only willing to deal with me directly…”

“He sent his secretary to call us. I say we return the favor. I’ll say you were busy with other matters and sent me in your place.”

“It’s too risky. If we fail…”

“It’s too risky for you to go on your own! Send me on the Williwaw with Fiolli to pilot. We don’t need a large group for the task.”

“Malak, no! My decision is final!”

“Any chance I could bribe you?”

The woman gave him a look of disbelief. “Bribe me? Malak, you can’t be serious. We’re not kids anymore and this isn’t any time to be playing around! Now as your commanding officer and as your Master, I am telling you no!”

“And as your friend I am telling you that I won’t let you go running off again when you’re too weak to fight back if something goes wrong.”

“I can fight just fine if I have to. As I recall, the last time we sparred I had you bested after only a few minutes.”

“The last time we sparred,” he said, growing rather exasperated with her persistence, “you weren’t barely coherent from the after-effects of your visions! You’re not going!”

“Just watch me!”

“Halin, don’t make me do something we’ll both regret…”

The woman laughed. “Are you threatening me?”

“No,” he said, using the Force to pull her closer to him and swiftly applying pressure to a point on her neck, rendering the woman instantly unconscious. “I’m making you a promise.”

He set her back into the communications array chair and downloaded the data from the Consul regarding the information from Lord Adasca. He knew he would be in for an earful when she woke up, but it was for her own good. He would go to the Arkanian Legacy and see exactly what this proposal from Lord Adasca was all about…

><><><><><

The Williwaw was regrouping with the Stalwart Nightingale after Malak’s meeting with Lord Adasca on the Arkanian Legacy. Things certainly hadn’t turned out the way that anyone had expected during the deal. To Malak’s surprise, the other parties invited by Lord Adasca included not only the Republic Military’s Admiral Karath, but Madalore the Ultimate himself! As expected, things went very much awry…

However, as badly as the situation there had turned out, what Malak was dreading, even more, was his return. He’d not spoken to Halin since leaving on the mission, and given the circumstances of his departure, he couldn’t imagine that she would be very happy to see him again. Whatever he had imagined couldn’t have possibly prepared him for the sort of welcome which he received.

The fire in her eyes when he saw her was unlike any which he had seen in her before. And despite their obvious difference in size, he could not help but to feel intimidated. She marched straight up to him and slapped him across the face.

“Ack!” Malak exclaimed, rubbing his cheek. It would seem as though she had finally recovered from the Serrocco vision. “What was that for!?”

“For being a disrespectful nerf-herder!”

“I missed you too,” he muttered.

“You know, in a real military setting, a stunt like that would have you spaced!”

Malak rolled his eyes. “Guess I should feel lucky I have such a benevolent Master then… Are you feeling better now?”

She turned away. “You know, I would have been fine, going on my own…”

Malak sighed, “Somehow I doubt that, Halin… I’m almost surprised I’m even back myself after how things went there. Mandalore himself was there.”

With this, Halin’s eyes widened and she swiftly turned back to him, practically lunging at him as she grabbed the utility belt suspenders of his bodysuit and pulled his face closer to hers so as she could look him in the eye.

“Mandalore the Ultimate!?”

“Yes,” he said, slightly dazed by the ferocity of her reaction. “Lord Adasca called him there under a flag of truce. Apparently, he wanted to see who would offer him the best price for the weapon that he’d been able to develop.”

Halin paled and let go of him. If Mandalore were to get hold of such a thing…

“Please tell me….” She stopped, afraid to finish her thought.

“No… No, Mandalore doesn’t have it. No one does. One of the scientists responsible for its development seemed to have a higher moral ground than the rest of the bastards involved… Sacrificed himself playing hero by baiting the creatures away to some part of the unknown regions,”

Halin breathed a sigh of relief. “I suppose things turned out for the better then… Whoever the scientist was, he’s saved more lives than he probably could have imagined… It’s a shame we never got to meet him… He will be remembered though as a hero of the Republic…”

Malak nodded. “I didn’t come back empty-handed though.”

“Oh?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Malak pulled something out of a bag that he had been carrying with him and tossed it to Halin. “Catch,” he said.

She caught the thing, which was a rust-red colored droid head of some sort.

“Lord Adasca had several of the things aboard the Arkanian Legacy and they attacked us at some point. They resembled the model I found you schematics for a couple years back, and so I thought you might be interested. Consider it an apology present.”

Halin examined the droid head. The memory core still seemed to be intact. With such a thing, she could probably study the droid enough to replicate one should she choose. The war was growing more and more complex with every passing day. Any advantage that they could gain would be for the better…

“Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook that easily,” she said to him, looking up from the droid head.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Master,” he said, bowing to her in a mocking fashion.

Halin rolled her eyes. “All right, nerf-herder, you’re on probation. Any more stunts like that and I’ll have you spaced for real.”

Malak grinned. He liked it when she was spirited like this. It reminded him of how she had been before they had left to form the Revanchists. And even though she had claimed that Halin Chan was dead, for a while, it felt as though he had Halin back there beside him.

><><><><><

“Let me through!” the Revanchist demanded, pushing her way past her apprentice in an attempt to get to the Communications Consul. “I want to speak to them myself!”

Malak grabbed her arms, dragging her backward. “Halin, don’t you think it would be best if Opela handled the situation…”

“I don’t care if it’s what’s best! Those fools have no right to make demands like this!”

“Whether you agree with them or not, they’re still the High Council.”

“Whether they’re the High Council or not they’re still a bunch of Gammorian-faced hypocrites!”

A call had come recently from Coruscant. It was the Jedi High Council contacting the Revanchists with a formal cease-and-desist order. After hearing about the Adasca Affair, they had decided that there was no place in Jedi dealing in arms deals for weapons of mass destruction. While they had turned the other cheek until this point, this was a situation which they felt that they could not ignore.

“Hundreds of Systems would have suffered the consequences had that situation gone any differently!” the woman continued in protest.

“I know that better than anyone!” the man replied. “I was there, after all!”

“What we are doing is right, and the Republic will fall without us!”

“Halin, please…”

“Don’t call me Halin! They’re the ones who killed Halin!” And with this, she let out a sob.

It was at this point that Opela approached them. She had finished the call with the Jedi Council and wore a somber expression on her face. It couldn’t have gone well…

“They won’t be swayed,” she said simply. “If we don’t go back, they’re going to have an arrest warrant issued for all of us… Honestly, I don’t see any way out of this…”

“No,” Halin said tearfully. “No, we can’t… Not now…. Not yet….”

“I’m sorry,” the other woman continued. “I did what I could… They say that, if we come willingly, there will be only minor suspensions for all of us…”

“No,” the Revanchist repeated, swallowing hard and managing to contain the rest of her tears. “No, we continue our course back to Cathar.”

“With all due respect, I don’t think that’s the wisest decision at this point…”

“There is something there that we missed, I can feel it! All we need is something! Some shred of a thing that will show to them the importance of the Jedi in the outcome of this war… If Cathar is where it all started, then Cathar will be our best option…”

“But with the communication having been open, it’s possible that they were able to track our signal and already know where we are headed. They could come after us themselves if they choose…”

“Then let them come! Let them come and let them see for themselves, but I will not be taken back and branded as a traitor for doing the right thing. Others have already given their lives for our cause. We cannot stop now…”

There was a moment of silence between all three. Either decision they made, there was much at stake. So much to be lost…

><><><><><

The Revanchists made their way through the grassy planes and marshlands of the planet Cathar. After a vote among the crew, they had decided to press onward. While there was much for them to lost in continuing, there was also much to be gained. If, as the Revanchist had said, they were able to find something to justify their actions to the Council, then they would be forced to hide no longer! And if the Council approved, then others would help them! They would no longer have to hide from both sides. They would openly be able to help and fight alongside the Republic’s military forces. They had to at least try.

The cities of Cathar were just as they had left them before—eerily empty with no trace of life or death to be found. There were no battered or battle-scarred buildings or piles of rubble anywhere. It was all so very strange…

“Ferroh,” the Revanchist said, addressing the native Cathar within their company, “is there any place where your people might have fled to in the event of an emergency situation?”

“Maybe the beaches,” he replied, “but they wouldn’t have been able to stay for long if they did. Cathar people aren’t suited well for wet climates….”

“It’s worth at least checking out… Company, move out! We head for the shoreline. This could be our last chance to be able to find something to convince the Jedi Order to support our cause. We cannot fail!”

><><><><><

           The sounds of waves could be heard in the near distance. It had been a two-day hike from where they landed to the nearest waterfront. They were weary, but hopeful. The Force resonated differently here than it had in the settlements. There was still some sort of residual energy from whatever had taken place years before. They could feel the moisture of sea spray in the air and quickened their pace. They were so close now—so close to discovering the truth about what had happened to the Cathar.

           They could see the beach now. There were faint traces of an attack here, but not much else as far as they were able to tell at this point. There were some small scattered debris, a few scraps of clothing and trinkets…

           “Halt right now, Revanchists! This crusade of yours has gone on long enough.”

           The company spun around and saw several Jedi Masters approaching them, many of whom here on the Jedi Council. It seemed as though Opela’s concern that they might have been tracking the communication was well-founded, for there they stood now, closing around the Revanchists.

           Halin began to tremble. No… No, not yet… We’re so close… We just need a little more time…

           “You don’t understand,” the Revanchist said to them. “It’s more clear now than ever that the Republic needs us…”

           “There is nothing warranting Jedi aid in another war!” said one of the Masters.

           “You are to abandon this childish cause of yours and disperse—forever!” stated another.

           “No!” the Revanchist protested. “No, I refuse!”

           It was Malak who stopped her before she could do something she would regret. He took hold of her wrist, preventing her from rushing toward the Masters. “Halin, don’t… We’ve done what we could. It’s time to go home now…”

           The Revanchist swallowed hard, collapsing to her knees defeatedly, her back hunched over. Her apprentice finally let go of her wrist. In her entire life, she had never felt so very empty… So defeated… She closed her eyes, letting her senses take in the flurry of stimuli around her—the presence of the Masters, the broken spirits of her comrades, the roar of the sea, the taste and smell of the salt…. These were the last moments that she would ever feel as the Revanchist…

           But when she opened her eyes, she saw something there before her, half-buried in the sand. She wasn’t sure what it was that compelled her to pick the thing up, but the moment she did… the moment it hit the light… all began to change.

           From further up the hill, a stampede of Cathar began to run in their direction, seemingly running for their lives. Halin Chan quickly got to her feet and all of the Jedi there, both Master and Revanchist alike, quickly made way for the terrified crowd to pass through.

           It was then that they noticed what followed behind. A group of Mandalorians led by Mandalore the Ultimate’s right-hand man, Cassus Fett, was shooting at the Cathar people, chasing them and driving them toward the sea. Swiftly, the Revanchists sprung to action, each drawing their blade and attempting to defend the poor Cathar from the Mandalorian onslaught.

           What was strange, however, was that none of their blows seemed to hit. It was as if none of the Cathar, nor any of the Mandalorians, seemed to notice the Jedi at all! However, it was very evident that every one of the Jedi there could see what was happening. Halin spun around observing their surroundings. This feeling… It was the same way she felt during the start of one of her visions…. But this time… This time everyone could see. It was a vision that all of them were sharing! But rather than a vision of the future, this was a vision of the past.

           Many of the Masters shouted out in protest, insisting that the attack on the Cathar people halt, but it was of no use. These were two separate times, and while the past could communicate with the present, there was no way for the present to communicate with the past. But while the present could not communicate with those in the past, perhaps one other from the past could.

           As the Mandalorian attackers began driving the Cathar deeper into the sea waters, one Mandalorian woman moved in front of Cassus Fett, blocking the path between the Mandalorians and the Cathar.

           “Cassus, wait,” the Mandalorian woman said. “They’re already defeated. There’s no need for us to do this…”

           But Cassus Fett would not be swayed. “The Cathar left a stain of dishonor on the Mando’ade,” he stated. “Today, I wash it clean in the waters of their own presumption. But, if you truly believe that they need a defender to stand with them, then do so!”

           And with this, he gave the signal. The Mandalorians, with their jetpacks, flew above the Cathar people and their lone defender and, in a swift and merciless act, opened fire, raining down an assault of terror and destruction from above.

           When the dust of the battle finally settled, the Mandalorians and the Cathar alike had all vanished. The Jedi stood stunned at what they had all just witnessed. It was at this point that Halin finally looked down at what was in her hand—what she had picked up just before the vision had begun. It was the mask of the unknown Mandalorian woman. The woman who alone stood up to Cassus Fett and swore to protect the Cathar people from needless slaughter.

           “They were beaten,” Halin murmured. “You didn’t have to do it… One of you knew, but the rest… the rest didn’t listen…”

           And with this, Halin brought the mask of the Mandalorian woman to her face. “I don’t know your name, but I will take up your cause… I will wear your mask until there is justice—until the Mandalorians have been defeated once and for all. So swears… Revan!”