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hekateinhell · 1 year ago

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Vamptember, Day 7: Reverse AU

adult vampire!Claudia and little mortal!Lestat | M | 1.3k | tags: abuse and SA mentions/references, gore, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat.

New Orleans, 1808

Winter in New Orleans makes the evenings draw on longer.

Meaning that Claudia has to create her own entertainment lest she go mad with boredom; she takes what she wants and does as she pleases.

How many other women can say that?

Sitting in front of the vanity, turning her head from side-to-side, pondering which role best suits her temperament tonight.

Pity she had been a poor white’s daughter at her death, malnourished to the point of missing her menses at the mature age of twenty. Oh, how utterly brutal the beatings were when her father and brothers caught on and arrived at the wrong conclusion!

Whore. Slut. Witch.

Such a rabid pleasure to crush each of their skulls between her hands the night she’d returned to the dingy little shack by the river. A giggle escaping her at each agonizingly slow crack of bone, delighting in their futile struggles. Dark torrents of blood igniting the demonic thirst inside her, and finally, the gelatinous messes — more fun than mud pies — gushing as she digs her thumbs into their eye sockets.

Eyes that had violated her long before their ever hands did.

“Witch!”

“And yet it’s you that shall burn at the stake tonight, father dearest! Fancy that!”

She beams at her reflection at the memory, the blonde ringlets that cascade over her small breasts bouncing as she trembles with poorly suppressed anticipation. Not a wasteful eater, no, but she does enjoy playing with her food.

Finishing touches, a robin’s blue ribbon in her hair, her corset cinched tight to create the hourglass figure she most certainly did not possess.

Childbearing hips that would never bear onto her a child, the son that the Lord she once prayed to for deliverance had sent to her in her dreams. A promise that one day she would have final dominion over the male sex.

Flesh of her flesh, blood of her blood.

Holy Mary, mother of God.

It’s humid when she sets out, but then again, it’s always humid in New Orleans: a sinner’s city, a gambler’s paradise. Fragrant roses combine with the stench of urine and decay as she makes her way down the cobblestone streets, taking in the sounds of the night. A child cries, a man yells to his wife: You stupid bitch!; a horse and carriage trot by, the mud almost reaching her shoes; a drunkard’s piercing laugh.

“Hey, pretty lady, what are you doing all by your lonesome? Don’t you know what happens to dainty little things like you in places like these?”

Sounds like a tramp but means well. He has two sisters at home; one older and one younger. Claudia reminds him of the youngest.

“Oh, I didn’t know! I’m new to the area, you see, and terribly disoriented! I don’t mean to trouble you Sir, but it is awfully late and now I am awfully frightened… If you could please escort me to my home, I have been trying to find my way back for hours to no avail!” She knows what men like to hear.

She can be demure.

Helpless.

“Of course, darling,” he proffers her his arm which she graciously accepts, “I know this city like the back of my own hand.”

Perfect.

A quick, satisfying break of his elbow and his knees soon follow before she takes her first drink of the night, the gambler’s luck running dry as his sweet blood runs down her throat. His heart pounding on her tongue, the glorious resistance she craves gradually fading. No, no! Fight me more, handsome. Fight me just as hard as I fought them! Alas, it is finished and Claudia pulls back, wiping her mouth on her lace glove.

She stands in the shadows, still clutching the body, savoring the aftertaste. Not an evil soul, merely one made unfortunate by virtue of his sex, as she had once been.

A hunter as shrewd as she, a woman who’d been raised to have the survival instincts of a prey animal in the jungle, shouldn’t have been caught off guard by sudden wailing so high-pitched, Claudia cringes into herself. Relentlessly loud and surely bound to attract attention!

The body hits the ground with a wet thud as another, much smaller body barrels into her skirts, clinging to her legs.

Images flash through the child’s mind; he can’t be older than five. A brute of a father raising his fists. A mother cold and impassive, her nose in a book as her children wept for her affections, even her scolding lacked interest. “Quiet down, Lestat.” Blonde and beautiful yet gaunt — Claudia had she lived another ten years, perhaps. Lived the wretched life she was destined to have, like her mother before her and her mother before her.

This woman doesn’t want her child, and the decision is made.

“There, there,” she drops to her knees to embrace the boy. His hair tangled unkempt, a shade strikingly similar to hers. His face covered in dirt, the scrapes along his arms and legs still oozing blood. Delirious from terror, hunger, and exhaustion, and in the darkness, he thinks she is his mother.

Claudia swallows back her thirst.

“I didn’t mean it!” he sobs as he presses himself flush to her chest, burrowing into her sharp collarbone. Tears, dirt, and mucus smear all over the cotton of her dress, her hardened skin. “I didn’t mean to run! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I want to go home! I’ll be good! I’ll listen, I promise!”

Yes, Claudia's decision has been made, but not here.

“I know, dearest,” she lifts him off the ground and he settles momentarily, soft and warm. Pulls back to stare at her face, large grey eyes blinking at her.

He touches her cheek, curious and gentle. Frowns.

“Mama, you’re so cold.”

There’s a second where she can feel his hummingbird heart quicken, little rosebud mouth pinching as he sniffles loudly, the tears gathered on his long lashes suspended as he holds her stare with intensity. But then it passes, and he rests his head on her shoulder.

“You need a blanket, Mama,” he sighs and drops his sticky fingers from her cheek, bringing his thumb to his mouth instead. She, too, had suckled her thumb until far too old an age.

Back home, she cleanses his face.

He whines in his sleep, whimpering into her palm. Fragile and pitiful as the newborn kittens her brother Edgar had drowned to punish her.

Her clothes are too big, and the doll’s clothes are too small. She cuts a nightgown three-quarters of the way short. The candle flickers and so does her confidence, but it’s too late now. His lifeblood flowing over her tongue, his little heart going and going, refusing to give up! Burst after vibrant burst, innocence devoured.

Mama, Mama… I love you, Mama.

Claudia groans with it, the flavor of unrivaled purity unlike anything she's ever sampled before. She's never had to catch herself at the very edge of the precipice before; the shadow of a thought passes through her mind that perhaps she doesn't have to — she'll gorge herself on this one and find another to suit the same purpose: make for herself a son sculpted in her unholy image alone.

But this precious heart! It still won't surrender! How can she trust that she will ever find another with not only the looks to match hers, but one that reflects back to her her own unbroken tenacity?

“Mama’s here,” she tears open her bodice, exposing her breast, the dark blue vein at the underside. Makes the incision, guiding the child’s mouth to it. She will be Thetis reimagined in the spirit of the new age, submerging the baby Achilles in the River Styx to grant him immortal life, this time careful to fully saturate the heel.

The greedy thing latches quickly, reflexes of an infant still nestled in his subconscious as he takes all that Claudia has to offer.

It must be the male in him.

“Mama’s here,” she repeats, stroking his hair, humming a long-forgotten lullaby.

Once, a poor woman’s only comfort to her daughter. Now, a little boy’s dirge.

“And you’ll be good for your Mama, won’t you, Lestat?”

#my first vamptember this year rip ACTUALLY I WANTED TO WRITE THIS ONE LAST YEAR AND NEVER GOT AROUND TO LMAO #claudia #lestat de lioncourt #vampire chronicles #vc #vamptember #prompts

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syntia13treeman · 8 months ago

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Case files 09.01

what I think happened in:

Case 09.01, the case of "Dice of Fate" or "Mr. Die and a very bad, horrible, no good roll."

Well well well. If it isn't an honest, good old fashioned statement. Fancy seeing it here. Not much left to puzzle out, we have it all laid out very nicely. The Dice make a comeback. When we've seen them last in nineteenth century, they were sitting pretty in the sack of the Gentleman (the mystery man in the woods, quite preoccupied with luck).

By nineteen-nineties they somehow came to be in possession of a young man named Gary. (Double meaning intended). As is their nature, the dice brought Gary luck when rolled. Good luck with high rolls, bad luck with low rolls.

Gary eventually decided that bouts of good luck were not worth the inevitable dive into misfortunes, which varied from leaky pipes to broken legs. Finding himself incapable of simply NOT rolling, he fell back on time-honoured tradition of making his problem somebody else's problem.

Somebody else, we'll call him SG (short for Statement Giver), has recently been dumped by his boyfriend Carl (CaaAAAaaarl! That hurts people!) and really needed something to cheer him up. So when an old high-school friend called to invite him over for a game night, he made his way to Gary's place in West Didsbury, where he got tricked into taking over as the Dice Bearer. The dice changed hands and SG felt it as the ownership transferred to him.

SG was much smarter about rolling that Gary had been. Just like a certain violinist before him, he figured out that he needn't be the one to pay the price for the fortune his cursed object brought him. And he figured out the system (or so he thought. He should have remembered that the House always wins, in the end). He started passing the bad-luck-rolls to random strangers on the street.

After a time, he started to also let strangers roll high. And then… well, for someone who had the gall to talk shit about D&D, SG turned out to be SUCH a nerd himself. He assembled a whole-ass Grim Dicer costume, grew a goatee, he was even doing the voice! Go you, Mr. Totally-not-a-theatre-kid! Rock that Dice King persona!

He was well on his way to becoming a full blown urban cryptid, when alas, he went too far. By chance (chance?) he run into Gary and made him (made him?) roll one last time. It was the lowest roll yet. Snake eyes. 1+1. You couldn't go lower if you tried.

It seems that the Dice did not appreciate being disposed of, and they disposed of the previous Bearer in return, with extreme prejudice, via runaway truck to the face.

After that, SG lost his nerve and tried to get rid of the Dice which… Buddy. You've just seen how that ends. What did you think would happen?

SG thought he was being smart. He gave the Dice to Magnus Institute, who, as paranormal research facility (or whatever they were known as), were bound to accept them and presumably able to handle them safely.

Too bad he believed that rolling was a matter of choice*. Too bad the Dice were still within reach when the urge hit. Too bad he died right there, at the statement giving table. RIP, statement giver (????-14.10.1998). You could have been great.

So that's that. What more to say? Let's see.

I feel quite confident in saying that SG was actively becoming a supernatural creature. That feeling of increasing disconnect from the world was not just in his head. And the rolls that he took for himself, that kept getting more and more abstract, until he couldn't tell what changed, just that something did? It was you, SG. You were changing. Such a damn shame your rise to power was cut short by your own folly.

I'm equally confident that he was unwittingly creating a brand new urban legend. I bet that at the time there were people in Manchester who'd talk in hushed whisper (or at high volume in a crowded bar) about the Grim Gambler, the Dice Devil, the Lord Luck, the Horrid Hatman. (Coincidentally, for no reason whatsoever I need somebody to draw SG in full Mr. Die costume with Alex J. Newall's face). Some would warn against touching his dice, others would swear up and down that he'd bring luck and prosperity. (Imagine the discourse at cryptid message boards!). I wonder if the legend still lives, even if SG doesn't.

*About rolling the dice, even knowing the odds… It sure as hell wasn't free choice, no sir. What was it then, compulsion, or addiction? Was that need to see the dice clutter over one's future coming from without, or within? Both options are equally appealing to me, to be honest.

The statement and the Dice were given to MI in October 1998. This means two things: a) Arguably, events surrounding death of SG could have been one of the 'weird stuff' that Sam saw with no context as a child, and: b) The Institute burned down little over a year later. Do you think somebody was rolling the Dice bit too much?

'Recommend referral to Catalytics for Enrichment Applicability Assessment'. To me it sounds like: "hey, Catalytics, check if we can use this thing for enrichment." And I'm having a bad thought. They were studying kids, Sam among them, for some purpose, almost certainly related to supernatural stuff. Did they give the kids cursed artefacts to play with, to boost development of their otherworldly skills/trait/whatever? Because if so, so help me… 🔪🔪🔪🔥🔥🔥

Lastly, for completion's sake: viability as subject (none), agent (low), catalyst (medium). I've no idea nor theories what these are about, I'm just leaving them here for future reference.

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ackackh · 4 months ago

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First Line Analysis

Rules: post the first lines of up to 10 of your last fics/chapters posted on AO3 or your WIPs and try to draw some conclusions.

Thank you to @majorbuckyegan for tagging me! This was fun and challenging!

1. DOGSTAR.

There’s a hole maybe the size of a quarter ripped in the screen door. Andy watches as two little fingers wiggle through it, the small hand they’re attached to curling up close behind them.

2. Want to See Nirvana/Don’t Want to Die Yet

I am not, Nate thinks to himself as he helps Brad fumble with the passenger-side door, I am not going back in time.

3. God Is a Bluegill

The next-day sun is beginning to pour dark blue light into the jailhouse through the little, barred window of Ray’s cell. The Sheriff sleeps with his feet crossed on top of his desk, his chin tucked into his chest; Ray watched him fight it for the better part of the night. His cellmate sleeps on his back with his gambler pulled on top of his face, his fingers laced perfectly over his chest. And the man in the neighboring cell hasn’t so much as moved since Ray was locked inside his own, earlier in the evening. Ray thinks he might be dead.

(I’m cheating here, a little. There is a small flashback before this scene in GIAB but I consider this to be the first line, really. Otherwise it’s just a baby Ray waking up with his mother.)

4. [untitled Doc Bryan Baby fic]

[Secret Character, Sorry] had this thing about naming babies after family, said it was bad luck. Said, who do you know that hasn’t ever fucked over anybody? Who in our family hasn’t been fucked someway?

5. [untitled BradRay Post OIF fic]

There are a few decent places to cry alone in the cigarette factory, but Ray hasn’t bothered to go find any. Instead he’s crying like a kid against the cinderblocks outside.

6. Some Things You Will Remember, Some Things Stay Sweet Forever

Winter’s comin’ in hard. Only October and the season’s first long drift of snow has blown over their village swiftly these past three days.

7. That Heavy Love

There is a moment, however small, when Brad returns to their attic room, in which the light of the oil lamps and the cotton of the bedclothes paint Nate like a dream-laden lover. Isn’t he beautiful?

8. Last of the Goldenrod

There’s a grave for the last morning glory that ever bloomed in Kilkenny. Before the last of them wilted, Maryanne clipped one clean and pressed it dry between the pages of a Bible, so that it left behind a purple stain, splotched somewhere in the middle of Psalms. Joe enlisted George’s help to break up a patch of their concrete backyard, to claw away the frozen dirt beneath until they had a hole deep enough to bury it inside of a shoebox.

9. Feel in My Bones Just What the Future Has in Store

Sun’s set just a few minutes ago but the end-of-summer sky is still holding onto some of its light. If they finish up now, Mike can get Judy and Tanya inside before full dark and before Cara gets too mad about pushing back their bedtime.

10. When a Man Is Also a Knife

The Arena can seat 5,526 spectators—maybe 200 more if one includes the standing room directly surrounding the ring—and as George bobs and weaves his way though the milling crowd of Philadelphia’s finest, most already drunk or well on their way, he finds that every single one of the 5,726 attendees is doggedly determined to shove themselves between him and his boss.

Tagging @z-ppy @disastrouscanasta @buckyclevens @lamialamia @gorgeousundertow @jenkil and anyone else who wants to join!

Analysis under the cut. Because it’s a lot of rambling on my part.

Okay, looking at all of these, any analysis seems really hard to do. Especially since I could choose whatever fics I wanted, I realized I was using the ones I liked the most, so there’s already some bias in here. But one thing I can say, I know whenever I’m writing something which I know will be the first line I am always thinking about a ‘hook.’ Will this first sentence be enough to get my reader to keep reading? With fanfiction, this is a bit easier. I don’t have to convince anybody to like my characters or like the dynamics or relationships, I just have to get them to like me. Which is sort of daunting, but I’d still argue easier than with original fiction.

I do notice that with fics like 3. 8. And 10. I am trying to be evocative of a very specific time/place, because these are all AUs. And I know the reader, especially with shorter AUs, needs much more information much more immediately than with other fics, in which I have time to feed info throughout. So those seem more concerned with environment, rather than character. Also seems to be the case with others lol. Even if the line is primarily about how a character is feeling, the first line still gives some information about the rest of the scene. (8. Kilkenny is a place, a town; 9. It’s evening, it’s summer; 2. Nate is in a car (lol))

Which makes sense when I think about it. I still have the hangup (I think other writers know this feeling) of wanting my readers to see my stories exactly as I see them. To be immersed, sure, but also to have the right angle, the right lighting. I need to remind myself that books (or fics) aren’t movies. It isn’t a visual medium. So, there’s something I could certainly work on.

Without hurting my brain with too much more thinking, I’ll leave off by saying that in general, I like these! And that’s a treat for myself. I want things I write to be colorful, I want them to be physical, and some of these really do the trick for me. (Key word: me. I already have the images of these scenes set in my head before I ever write them down. So it’s very possible for others not to see it that way).

But yeah, this was fun! And I’m always a slut for sharing lol ❤️

#tag game #fic #writing #idk man I tried lol

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galidisawar · 2 months ago

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andrejeed51 · 11 months ago

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kwebtv · 3 years ago

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The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw - NBC - November 3, 1991

Western

Running Time: 240 minutes

Stars:

Kenny Rogers as Brady Hawkes

Rick Rossovich as Ethan Cassidy

Reba McEntire as Burgundy Jones

In alphabetical order:

Claude Akins as Theodore Roosevelt

Dion Anderson as Fight Promoter (Diamond Jim Brady)

Gene Barry as Bat Masterson

Paul Brinegar as Cookie (G. W. Wishbone)

Jere Burns as Cade Dalton

David Carradine as Caine

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Juliana Donald as Ruby Roy Bean (billed as Juli Donald)

James Drury as Jim

Linda Evans as Kate Muldoon

Brian Keith as The Westerner (Dave Blassingame)

Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick

Patrick Macnee as Sir Colin

Doug McClure as Doug

Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp

Park Overall as Melody O'Rourke

Christopher Rich as Lute Cantrell

Mickey Rooney as The Director

Brad Sullivan as Judge Roy Bean

Dub Taylor as The Westerner's Friend

Clint Walker as Cheyenne Bodie

#The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw #TV #Western #NBC #1991 #Kenny Rogers #Rick Rossovich #Reba McEntire

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michigandrifter · 6 years ago

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Gene Barry 1919-2009

#gene barry #bat masterson #forty guns #40 guns #red garters #guns of paradise #the gambler returns the luck of the draw #westerns #western movies #western #westernmovies #western movie #tv shows #tv series

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leggerefiore · 3 years ago

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Various Pokemon Characters Getting Hisui'd HCs

▲Ingo and Emmet▽

● Ingo and Emmet, of course, the Twin Wardens of the Highlands from opposing clan's. Both have no recollection of each other, but have a strange bond with one another that demands respects and camaraderie. They look out for one another and often are caught battling and training against one another. People describe them as brothers, but both Wardens deny it. They would surely recall something so important. The twins take wonderful care of their Nobles and the highlands. For such a dangerous place to even slightly considered safe is thanks to their hard work and dedication. (They also live together, but they claim it's for safety reasons. Neither acknowledge how natural it feels for them to share a home, nor how lonely they feel when apart.)

🌌Cyrus🛰

☄️ Cyrus landed in the fieldlands after a strange portal ripped apart in the Distortion World. The Galactic Boss tries to resist the pull of the portal, but ultimately was dragged through it. His screams echo, but there is no one around to hear them. He crashes to the earth in a strange, yet familiar location. Lake Verity. The world must be mocking him.

☄️ It's a rare moment in which Cyllene finds herself exploring with a group of Survey Corps members. She leads them, naturally. The Captain is reading over some reports at a base camp when a low star member rushes in yelling about someone falling from a height at the lake. Normally, she would have left it alone, but something within her prompted her to join the rescue effort.

☄️ When they arrive, she sees him. Something strikes her dead in the heart. His resemblance to her is something uncanny. Cyllene's mind rushes to explanations. Was he a distant relative of hers, perhaps? A Zoroark's trick? She kneels down and presses a hand to his sunken in cheeks. No illusion here. He's rushed away to Jublife, the expedition ended early.

☄️ Cyrus wakes up. He then realises he has absolutely not idea who he is nor where he is. A pink-haired woman is tending to someone beside him. She gasps when she notices that he's awake. “Oh! I have to go tell Miss Cyllene!” Cyrus wants to ask more questions, but the harder he tries to think, the more his head throbs with a numb pain. The woman returns with another woman. One who is similar to him in appearance. She sighs after seeing that he's awake. “Who are you?” Her voice is stern and strong, someone who knows how to demand respect. “I'm Cyrus,” he responds, feeling as if there were more to his introduction. She nods, “And from where did you come, Cyrus?” He blanks. Where did he come from? It's impossible to recall. A solid, harsh feeling takes a hold of his lungs and his breath grows short. He doesn't know. All he knows is his name. The breaths grow rough and harsh, he hates it. Why does he hate it?

☄️ Cyllene takes an uncharacteristic pity on the man. Perhaps, the familial pulls something over her. He works in the Survey Corps under her, proving himself as quite a decent trainer. Not so much an explorer, however. It's not long until he moves into her office as an assistant of sorts. His help is deeply appreciated, and he never fails to make himself useful for her. She knows there's something plaguing him outside of the memory loss, but she can't figure it out. Cyrus is taken under her wing, and she corrects and assists with any behaviours that draw her concern.

♠️Grimsley♥️

♤ Grimsley… Well, Grimsley was certain that it wasn't his job, but as an Elite Four member it was his job to help secure the region. The portal was terrifying and pulsing, but a curiosity overcame him. It was a risk, and he loved risks. He stepped forward and reached a careful hand toward the light. Suddenly. A force gravitated him into the mouth of space. People gasped as the gambler was ripped right from his place in reality.

♡ Grimsley panicked as he watched a field of filth approach from above. He was falling from the sky. Dangerously, in fact. Quickly, he repositioned his body to land on his feet. Luck favoured his side, and his lower body bared much of the brunt of the fall. Though, the next die roll proved insufficient, and a startled Stunky sprayed him. The scent was burning and painful, causing him to vomit all over his nice suit. He blinked a few times… Who was he? He was Grimsley, yes, but who was Grimsley?

◇ A red haired girl caught him mindlessly wandering the mirelands and quickly navigated him to her home in order to help him receive help. Everyone knew what had happened to him, judging by his repugnant cologne he donned. Adaman took pity on the stranger and offered him a home temporarily. Grimsley accepted it with no other idea of where he could go.

♧ While he lingered there, he spotted someone who was strange in appearance, just as he was. A taller man in a tattered white coat with a matching hat. His eyes squinted whenever he saw Grimsley, but the black-haired man only waved. The Diamond Clan noted his abilities with pokemon, but Grimsley felt more ensnared by these games. He carved a six faced cube and marked each side with a number before offering a guessing game in exchange for money or precious items. He discovered he quite enjoyed these and had skill in them. The feeling was nostalgic, too.

♤ Grimsley took off from the Diamond Clan and became a travelling man of fortune. A round against him could lead to extreme riches or a loss of everything to your name. He was feared and beloved, revered by all those who resided in Hisui. He took up a home in mirelands, feeling strangely at ease there. Despite the pain it caused him, he took up a Stunky as a partner. She soon became a fearsome Skuntank which put down anyone who would dare assault her trainer.

⚡️Elesa🌟

⭐️ Elesa was determined to find out what happened to the twins. They were friends, and she knew that they would never disappear like that, abandoning the Gear Station to rot and not a single word to anybody. She wanders around the tunnels, convinced that they would either turn up or have the worst-case scenario discovered. No, what she instead finds is a blindingly bright portal that swirls hypnotisingly. The model swallowed. She shouldn't. She should report the anomaly and run away. She knew this is what must have happened to Ingo and Emmet, however. She runs through.

⭐️ Elesa screeches as winds blows post her body. The ground is fast approaching below her. Was she going to die? Is that what happened to the twins? Her body crashes against the ground harshly. Out like a light, taking her memories of her previous life with her. A sniffing wakes her up. A Shinx stares at her curiously before locking her cheek. Elesa shoots up with the inability to recall anything but her own name. Fear shoots through her body as a sob leaves her throat. The feline presses himself to her comfortingly and purrs. The black-haired woman unconsciously brushes and through his soft fur.

⭐️ She wanders around the area for a little while until stumbling across a gated area. Her feet carry her as fast as they can as she pleads for help. The guard stares at her pitifully and shakes his head. They aren't letting outsiders in currently. Elesa grows frustrated and stomps away. A small boy catches her huffing around the Fieldlands and takes her to the Pearl Settlement. Irida catches one look at her and says a word so familiar to Elesa, yet so far away: “Ingo.”

⭐️ She's taken in by the Pearl Clan and becomes a local celebrity, with her, she calms all of the members of the Luxray line with ease. In fact, most electric types seem to love her. That's fine because Elesa loves them, too. She's asked to take on a roll as Warden for a Noble without one. After having, it explained what that is, she is chosen by a Lord Luxray that lurks in an area near the Coronet Highlands. It's there she meets this, “Ingo”. Unfortunately, he first thought is to insult his outfit. It's just too tattered. He's deeply offended. She meets the other Warden of the Highlands and says a similar thing. He laughs at it and they become quick friends.

⭐️ She's smug about her entry into Jublife as a Pearl Clan Warden. Though, the first thing she does is raid their clothier, who was more than happy to serve her. Somehow, she would make the clan tunic fashionable. Somehow. Overall, she's a respected Warden with a team of dazzling electric types. (And that Shinx who woke her up is kept as a pet.)

🐈‍⬛Nanu❤️‍🩹

🌑 Nanu regretted countless things. He especially regretted seeing that portal. It was trouble, he knew, but his duty as Kahuna meant securing the safety of Ula'Ula Island. It wasn't an Ultra Wormhole; however, that became quickly apparent. He yelled and struggled to escape the pull of the strange opening, but nothing could save him. A punk from Team Skull watched in horror as the Kahuna Nanu was ripped from Alola.

🌑 It spit Nanu out in the sky, which led to him falling, naturally. He's not inexperienced, unfortunately, and is quick to position himself to land on his feet. Sand sprays up around him as he lands on a beach. Nanu sighs. That's not an Alolan beach. He judged the pokemon carefully. It was Sinnoh…? Had the portal just spit him out in a remote part of Sinnoh. That was manageable. Annoying, but manageable.

🌑 He then runs into an old man in a strange outfit. The old guy cocks a brow at Nanu. The Kahuna asks for directions to the nearest town, to which the stranger informs him it's Jublife Village. Nanu immediately recognised that was wrong. Looking around, he makes some important observations. Back in time, too, it appeared. Nanu wasn't getting a break, was he? He asks if that's where the other guy was headed, who nods. He tags along with him, keeping his modern pokeballs hidden away. He may have lost his Meowths, but at least he head his Persian.

🌑 It's soon after that he becomes friends with the stranger, Ginter, who invites him to join his merchant guild. Nanu, seeing an opportunity to secure money and entrance to places around his strange new world, agrees. He's given a uniform that's too much for his liking, but he bears it. Getting home and information was going to be no easy task. Though, he does manage to build a home in the coastlands, feeling at home there.

🌑 His explorations as a merchant lead him to travelling across this 'Hisui' and meeting ancestors to many strong trainers of modern Sinnoh. He determines a possible relation of Ginter to Gym Leader Volkner, Zisu to Elite Four Flint, and Commander Kamado of Team Galaxy to Professor Rowan. It was all quite strange. It became only stranger when he spotted Team Galactic Boss Cyrus as an assistant to Captain Cyllene. It was certainly that Cyrus because Looker had informed Nanu about him. He later sees Elite Four Grimsley of Unova as a travelling gambler, which increases his concern. A trip to the highlands slapped him three times as he saw more Unovan trainers just existing. How had this happened?

🌑 Nanu's attention is turned to a fellow guild member. Volo made the Kahuna's old instincts hop into gear. Secretly, he began to observe the blond's movements and actions. All of which quickly became more and more suspicious. He admittedly isn't the best merchant, but he does enough for Ginter to keep him around (and the old man just likes him). He's watching everything unfold around him and debates getting involved should anything get worse.

#pokemon #pokemon elesa #pokemon nanu #pokemon cyrus #pokemon grimsley

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heliads · 4 years ago

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Guns Blazing, Tides Rising (Part Five)

When Kaz Brekker announces that they’ll be working with a certain Tidemaker to help with the latest heist, Jesper knows it’s not going to end well. He and Y/N L/N have a fierce rivalry, although feelings may change over a night.

previous / series masterlist

a/n: it’s finally over 😭thanks once again to @underc0vercryptid for being my muse for all of this

It’s hard for Jesper to convince himself to leave the alley, to let his hands leave Y/N and return to their places by his sides. Inej and Kaz will be looking for them, that much is true. But there’s still a sound like a sigh trapped and rattling in his lungs when he leaves, a regret that he can’t quite excuse away with knowledge of what Kaz’s vengeance would mean if he found a single Dreg disobeying one of his most enforced rules.

Y/N understands, that much is true. She’s become more involved with the Dregs as time goes on. She knows Kaz Brekker in the way that they all do- the Bastard of the Barrel isn’t one that you cross unless you wish to lose your tongue and your life. It still seems wrong to give this up, though, to let Dirtyhands keep walking all over him for the one thing that matters. In the end, they would have had to leave the alley anyways. This is just the first excuse that passes Jesper’s lips.

He manages to turn off his mind for a little while, convincing himself that it doesn’t feel harder and harder to leave, that he can be emotionless and cold. Jesper’s tone is clinical when he tells Kaz and Inej of the successful mission, his hands for once unshaking and firm when he hands over the list of names to Kaz. However, even his attempts at being fine and calm draw suspicion- Kaz hadn’t seen them rejoin the rest of the party when the guests relocated from the main hall, and he wanted to know why.

Jesper has spent enough time running with the canal rats for lies to spring easily to his tongue. There was a difficulty finding the safe, he says, they had to dodge some guards and they didn’t quite get there in time. It doesn’t really matter, though, does it? They got in, they got out, and they weren’t the reason the alarms were sounded. Kaz raises an eyebrow at this, but he doesn’t press it. Jesper might be well and truly hallucinating, but he swears he sees a tinge of unrest in Kaz’s eyes, like the boy is haunting himself over the fact that he may have made an error, one that could have gotten his gang caught like a too-clever fox in a trap.

Maybe this shift in Kaz’s usual ruthless demeanor is enough to unsettle him, or maybe it’s the gnawing knowledge that Jesper keeps walking away from the girl he might love that drives him to leave the Slat once more. It’s early morning now, dawn with its rosy-fingered hues, but a lack of sleep has hardly bothered Jesper before, and it certainly won’t now. He thinks as he walks, stretching his legs as he paces mindless circles around the city.

Jesper can’t shake the feeling that he’s been running for too long. He’s used to it, but for some reason, it feels different now. He doesn’t like this constant leaving, this weight on his shoulders like he’s holding true to a lie that will one day spiral out of control. Jesper is used to living life on the run, to being flamboyantly proud of everything that makes him, well, him. The skulking around back corners, stealing kisses only after he’s checked and double-checked that no one is watching? It feels like a noose is tightening around his neck.

In the end, Jesper finds himself climbing up a rickety fire escape and stretching his legs out over the edge of a roof, watching the golden dawn start to turn the waters surrounding Ketterdam bronze with light. It is not long before he is joined by someone else, someone with answering steps and a reassuring smile tossed his way. Maybe she could tell from how they’d left that he was still lost in thought. Regardless, Jesper is happy to not be alone.

Y/N sits next to him, carefully swinging her feet over the edge. Her heels kick up against the brick. “I like this view. I like being able to see the water. It feels like I’m more connected to it.” Jesper turns his head towards her, watching the way the early morning air toys with her eyelashes, her face. “Is it easy to be a Tidemaker here? I mean, you’re powerful enough that people don’t try to trap you with indentures. Does it ever get easy in Ketterdam?”

Y/N laughs quietly. “Not at all. I still remember when I first showed up and stepped off of the boats. My parents wanted to send me away from the disaster that was the Ravkan civil war. They guessed it would happen long before it did, and assumed Kerch would be safer. They sent me over first, saying that they’d follow soon after.” Jesper can hear the inflections in her voice, the way she casts her eyes towards the water with renewed vigor. He knows this means that they never showed up again.

She clears her throat, voice stubbornly loud as if ridding herself of doubts. “I was terrified when I first got here. Nothing made sense. In Ravka, Grisha were feared, yes, and there were always traders or mercenaries or even drüskelle out for blood, but we had a home there. If you had a home, people rarely came hunting for you. I had no such harbor here.”

Y/N looks out over the streets as if she’s never walked them before, as if she’s once more a stranger to the coal-choked airways always drenched with a spattering of rain and misfortune. “I had a friend. A girl who came with me. She was an Inferni, made the mistake of trying to summon up a small spark to keep her warm. I watched them take her right before my eyes, and I didn’t do anything at all. I vowed from that moment on that I would never be weak again, never hide in the shadows like I did on that night.”

Jesper’s heard bits and pieces of the story from here. He’d learned the most about her before he even liked her at all, actually, back when they still considered themselves to be rivals. Jesper had told himself that he was just collecting information on an enemy to best take her down the next time they crossed paths, but there was more to that, wasn’t there? Maybe that was a sign that even then, when Jesper had convinced himself that the only thing they could ever have was animosity, he still wanted something more. That was a gambler’s luck, after all- always reaching for a better deal, a shinier prospect. She was his best capture.

Y/N glances over at him like she can sense his thoughts. “That’s when you entered the picture, actually. I stopped being scared to hide my powers and started using them in bloodlust. I took up jobs, found this one really annoying sharpshooter who kept getting in my way.” Jesper presses a hand to his chest in mock indignation. “I think you can do better than just ‘really annoying’. Dashingly infuriating, maybe. Devastatingly attractive. A charming enemy who-”

Y/N cuts him off, laughing. “You’re awful. Utterly awful.” Jesper goes to protest, but she leans in, pressing a kiss to his lips that makes his heart swoop in his chest. Y/N raises an eyebrow at Jesper’s sudden silence. “Am I that good of a kisser? I don’t think I’ve seen you that awestruck in a while.” Jesper scoffs. “I can do better than that.”

He lets his hands find hers, lets the rising sun light the way his lips meet hers. They don’t leave the rooftop until the sun has fully ascended to its place in the sky, until the clatter of feet on cobblestones is the only reason for an exit. Not a gang, not its fearsome leader. Just the two of them, drowning out the whole world until there’s nothing left at all.

He is eventually found out, of course. All stories repeat themselves, all beginnings follow suit. When Kaz calls Jesper up to his office, he finds that he isn’t worried at all. Before, he might have felt his shoulders tense, hesitating at the door. When Jesper faces the oddly terrifying wooden paneling, however, all he can think about is the sun shining through Y/N’s eyes, the smile on her lips as his fingers laced around hers. If loving her is wrong, well, Jesper’s already been a criminal for quite some time. Why not add one more misdeed to the list?

Kaz waits for him in the office. He stands up, black gloved hands tapping on the familiar crow’s head cane. It’s all meant for a threatening display- Jesper’s seen this very posture used successfully on many a nervous trainwreck of a failed business partner or lackluster goon. However, Jesper’s still filled with the giddy rush of seeing his girl and he can’t quite force himself to care.

Kaz clears his throat, the metal hull of a ship scraping against jagged rocks. “Y/N L/N.” He doesn’t have to say anything else, just the name. Jesper nods. “Yes.” Kaz raises an eyebrow. “You’re not going to deny it?” Jesper shrugs. “We both know your information is good. Yes, I’m seeing her.” Kaz’s fingers still on the head of the cane. “You know how I feel about that. It’s a weakness.”

Jesper should take it as a possible sign of insanity that he’s considering the path before him at all. He knows what Kaz expects of him- an apology, maybe, a promise that he won’t stray from the rules again, or at least not so long as they interfere with Kaz’s master plan for the Dregs. He’ll see Y/N out, do his best not to cross paths with her again. He might return to the gambling halls once more just to stave off some unsightly emptiness inside of him, and then he’ll be as good as gold.

Jesper, however, does not intend to do any of this at all. What good are the odds if he doesn’t have his girl? He’s stepped inside the Crow Club over the past couple of days. The rattle of Makker’s Wheel doesn’t have that same fervor, the excitement doesn’t spread over him in the same delicious rush. Simply put, it isn’t worth it. It isn’t a gamble worth his time, and Jesper’s lost mightier fortunes over lesser odds.

So Jesper shakes his head. “Not her. Not like this.” Kaz tilts his head just slightly, eyes calculating, looking for loopholes to exploit. “So you’d willingly break the rules?” Jesper leans forward. “We’re Dregs, Kaz. It’s what we do.” Kaz returns his level gaze. “Not like this. Tell me, what is it that makes Y/N L/N worth this much to you? You were enemies before, were you not? Is it the power? The chance that she may be like you?”

Jesper lifts a shoulder. “It’s not always about finding the best possible advantage, Kaz. We work well together. It was only a matter of time before it was more.” Kaz Brekker might understand. Dirtyhands does not. “Your goal was not to find some pretty girlfriend in the Barrel, Jesper, it was to complete the mission and move on. I knew from the second you held her bleeding body in your arms that this wouldn’t be worth my time or my energy.”

Jesper doesn’t realize he’s standing until he is. “Then say it. I’ve spent my time playing your games, Kaz, and Saints know I’ll keep on turning your tables, but not on this. We all break the wheel at some point. I’m willing to do it for her.” Kaz is silent for a time, a time that seems to stretch on into such an eternity that Jesper finds himself tapping his revolvers again, feeling that same itch for a fight. It’s well and good to go into a battle of the bullets and feel the adrenaline kick in, he could handle that. This, however? Waiting for Kaz to do something, anything? You can’t fight that, only wait for it to end. And Jesper’s never been particularly good at waiting.

At last, Kaz speaks. “Then stay with her.” Jesper almost thinks that he’s started hallucinating. “What?” Kaz inclines his head. “She’s good for you. You’ve been more focused.” Jesper stares for a second, then shakes his head, fighting back the impossible urge to break into manic laughter. “Honestly, if it takes you considering the potential business opportunities to approve of us, I’m not about to challenge that.”

Something almost like a smile appears on Kaz’s face. Jesper is most certainly going insane. “I’m not completely heartless, Jesper. You’re a useful sharpshooter.” Jesper’s eyes widen. “That’s practically a compliment. Do you need me for a heist later? I can’t think of anything else to cause this.” Kaz tilts his head in acknowledgement of this surreal situation, pausing for a second as if listening to a voice that no one else can hear.

Then he gestures towards the door, allowing Jesper to leave. As Jesper walks towards the door, though, Kaz says something else. “Inej just left the roof.” Jesper nods in understanding. “Look at you. Dishing out the compliments for your Wraith to hear.” Kaz’s brow furrows, and Jesper decides to leave the office now before Kaz decides to take back his approval of Jesper and Y/N and hit him with his cane or something else overtly Kaz-like.

Despite his best efforts, Jesper is still teeming with anxious energy after the meeting, so he goes on a quick stroll around the crooked alleyways of the Barrel to calm the restless ticking of his hands and legs. When he comes back to the Slat, however, he notices that his door is slightly ajar. Jesper enters his room slowly, relaxing at the sound of voices.

The window is open, showing the faint drizzle of the streets outside. Y/N sits on the floor next to Inej as both girls consider a makeshift target of a few rags at the far end of the room. Inej tosses a knife up and down in her hand, then flings it towards the target. She hits it in the center, to no one’s surprise. Y/N’s eyes follow the path of the blade, and then she extends her hand towards the window, letting drops of rain fly towards her palm. She curls her fingers around the water, shaping it into a perfect replica of the knife Inej had just thrown, then directs it towards the target to slosh around Inej’s blade, another direct hit to the center.

Inej makes a scoffing sound. “That doesn’t count. You got to control the knife instead of just throwing it.” Y/N shrugs absentmindedly. “You got to pick a knife, I had to make mine myself. I think it evens out.” Inej glances up towards Jesper, smiling slightly. Somehow, it comes to no surprise that she’d known he was there all along. “Jesper, come tell your girlfriend that she’s cheating at target practice.”

Jesper shrugs. “As long as you hit the target I don’t think you can cheat. Also, I thought I locked this door.” Y/N grins up at him. “That’s the unbiased support I love to hear. And your door was locked, we just wanted to go in so we did.” Jesper nods. “That clears up everything.” Y/N laughs. “Good to know.” Inej stands up, stretching, and goes to retrieve her knife. She goes to climb through the window once more then pauses, turning to face them.

“I’m glad Kaz let you two stay together. I certainly did my arguing for you.” Jesper frowns. “How long have you known?” Inej sighs exasperatedly. “Practically since the start. You two are terrible at being secretive, you know that?” She doesn’t give them time to protest, just slips out the window and disappears into the roofline before you could even blink.

Y/N walks over to Jesper, a half smile on her face. “I suppose she’s right. We haven’t exactly been the most discreet, have we?” Jesper shrugs. “Maybe not. But we don’t have to hide anymore. We don’t have to leave.” Y/N smiles at him now, a true smile. “I like the sound of that.” Jesper hums thoughtfully, leaning down to kiss her. “So do I.”

guns blazing, tides rising masterlist: @kaqua, @amortensie

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anothertimdrakestan · 4 years ago

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Vacations With The Batboys HC! (batboys x reader)

req: "Can you please write a hc of batboys x s/o traveling for vacay?"

i love this! i also included like where you'd go and stuff it was so fun!!! Thank you for the wonderful request i hope you enjoy!

Dick Grayson:

- Dick would want to go somewhere tropical, probably bahamas or hawaii

- after like a week in vacation Dick looks godly, he's picked up an even tan and slightly disheveled shave with floofy hair - he looks like a model

- at the beach he will throw you in the water at least twice

- spending days in the sun sipping iced drinking talking about life is pure perfection

- he holds your hand no matter where you go

- doing all the cringe coupley things together because even if you don't want to Dick will BEG YOU

- buying little trinkets to remember how much fun you had

- mile high club on the plane ride home???

- you might have to go back early because of an emergency and Dick will spend the next few days trying to make it up to you but the few days you had in paradise were perfect

Jason Todd:

- Jay likes to take you on long drives to beautiful places, he says that when he died one of his wishes was to have made time for more beauty in his life and with you he tries to fulfill his dreams

- after a drive full of long conversations, epic rap battles, and fast food stops the two of you will either stay at a small rental or camp out

- Jason's fsvorite adventures are hikes to pristine waterfalls

- he's even found some private areas and will try to convince you to go skinny dipping with him in lakes or rivers

- sometimes you'll hike to the top of a massive hill and relax together, Jason will make corny jokes about you being prettier than the view while you roll your eyes

- after a long day you enjoy wrapping yourself in his embrace and drifting off, knowing your both completely safe together

- taking Jason away for a week brightens his mood, restores passion in your relationship, and overall betters world; when Red Hood returns home content and in a rather good mood, it's like community service if community service was hooking up on top of various cliffs for a week straight!

Tim Drake:

- because Tim is often really busy so full week vacations are not really doable, but he often takes you on his week/weekend business trips

- his favorite is going to Las Vegas with you

- Tim is business during the day but after the sun sets his tie is slung over his shoulder, the top three buttons of his dress shirt are undone, and his wallet is suddenly very open

- because he's a freaking genius you'll spend the night winning giant hands of cards until they realize you and Tim have been counting cards all night

- walking down the strip at 3am with your heels in your hand, Tim's face covered in lipstick from all your good luck kisses, and a giant recpiet from your nights wins is a high like no other

- the day after is spent nursing water and advil and Tim trying to convince you to let him leave the Wayne business and become a professional gambler

- everyone thinks you and Tim are quiet and easy going, they imagine a trip to vegas is very taxing on such introverted people but you both know the truth of letting it all go but-

- what happens in vegas stays in vegas baby

Damian Wayne:

- vacations with Damian are often forced due to an injury that needs healing or a situation that needs deescalating, Dami is never good at holding back her own wit so you'll be tasked to get him out of Gotham

- Damian brings every single one of his pets or he sends them to Jon's farm, he refuses to leave them uncared for by his beastly older brothers

- because of the abundance of travelers you'll usually rent a pet friendly cabin in the woods, your favorite time of year is when it's snowy and peaceful

- curling up with Damian you'll read a book aloud while Damian sketches whatever view he has in the cabin

- the scent of the smokey crackling fire mixes with Damians cologne perfectly and you'll usually doze off in his arms

- Damian will make you food from his culture, he always pretended to hate cooking in front of his brothers but when it's just the two of you he'll admit his fascination behind the science of cooking

- vacations with Damian feel like a pocket of regular life, the only stress is whether Titus needs to wear his jacket when going out not if a super villain is taking ove the world

- upon returning home you'll find Dami's sketchbook is filled cover to cover of rough drawings of you and his pets, some he drew as he watched, and you can see the detailed movement he was portraying. others were from memory, like the excited look you gave him trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue

- damian won't admit it but he looks forward to vacations with you, having his own simple, perfect family for a week with his dear beloved

hope you enjoyed! let me know which boy you'd go with!

#tim drake #damian wayne #jason todd #dick grayson #batboys #batfam #bruce wayne #batfam headcanons #batboys headcanons #dc headcanon #dick grayson x reader #jason todd x reader #nightwing #red hood #red hood x reader #tim drake x reader #damian wayne x reader #jason todd x y/n #red robin

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dweetwise · 4 years ago

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have a semi-rushed riconti one shot because i couldn’t not write them for valentine’s day 💕

ship: ace x felix warnings: none word count: 4180

The problem with secret admirers

Holidays usually weren't something the survivors had the luxury of celebrating.

The occasional seasonal decorations in trials along with some ridiculous, thematical outfits seemed more like a sign of their Eldritch captor's morbid sense of humor than evidence of the passing of time. But sadly, lacking calendars and all, it was the most accurate estimate they had.

So when the Entity plopped down some fireworks and talismans on the generators to proclaim the Chinese new year, it barely affected any of them.

Yui and Feng seemed more on edge than usual, the decorations crude imitations of the festivities they were used to back home. Adam had told the group about the year of the ox and the Chinese zodiac, the teacher donning a new hoodie he’d received for the occasion.

For Ace, the holiday meant nothing more than looting as many firecrackers as he could manage, along with making questionable “horny” jokes to the few killers that had received ox-themed outfits.

But in the midst of the survivors' celebration or lack thereof, they'd completely forgotten about another well-known February celebration.

When Ace returns from a successful trial and goes to stash yet another firecracker into his generous collection of items, he immediately notices something that doesn't belong.

Inside the trunk, on top of the organized chaos that is his pile of items and add-ons, lies a note.

Curiously unfolding the piece of paper, Ace makes out somewhat messy handwriting on a worn piece of paper.

'Your smile lights up the room'.

“Oh, ha ha, very funny,” Ace says, turning to face the small group of survivors by the campfire.

“Huh? What's up?” Steve perks up, others following suit and turning to watch the spectacle.

“Someone left me a little prank note,” Ace says, rolling his eyes and flicking the slip of paper over his shoulder.

“What?” Claudette says with a frown, immediately reaching for the discarded note.

“What does it say?” Cheryl asks curiously, coming up beside the botanist.

“'Your smile lights up the room,'” Claudette reads.

“Aww, that's adorable!” Kate exclaims. “A Valentine's day card!”

“The joke being that we're continually outdoors,” Ace explains. “Meaning my smile does jack shit.”

“Are you sure? Maybe they meant figuratively,” Claudette gently prods.

“Yes Claudy, I'm sure I'm not getting mystery love notes,” Ace snorts at the incredulous suggestion, before turning back to the others. “Come on, whose idea was it? Fess up!” he demands, looking over the group

When nobody makes a move to come clean, others also looking around in confusion, Ace eventually focuses his stare on Nea, Meg and Feng, the trio of troublemakers sitting together by the fire.

“The hell you looking at me for?” Nea cusses.

“That’s lame as fuck,” Meg agrees.

“I'm tempted to make one now just so you’ll see—” Feng starts.

“That's a great idea! We should all make Valentine's day cards for each other!” Kate suggest, missing the gamer's point entirely.

“Look, there's a drawing too!” Cheryl suddenly exclaims, pointing at the back of the mystery note still in Claudette’s hands.

Ace sighs and leans over to look, fully expecting a doodled caricature of himself or even a crude phallic sketch.

Instead, he finds a pretty good drawing of some sort of flower. It’s not perfect, but it looks like someone clearly put a lot of work into it.

“It's a clover,” Claudette informs, glancing up at Ace with a smile. “No doubt for luck, even if it doesn't have the iconic four leaves.”

“Uh. Maybe,” Ace says, a little taken aback at the information. Someone really went through a lot of effort just for a small prank.

“So? Who's it from?” Steve asks impatiently.

“It still doesn’t say, Steve,” Cheryl sighs in irritation.

“I mean, Jeff and Jane are the artists,” Quentin points out.

“Uh-huh, sure, Jeff would draw a flower card for Ace and not his botanist girlfriend,” Meg snorts, making Claudette duck her head bashfully.

“And Jane—" Steve starts, excitedly turning to the former talk show host.

“No,” Jane interrupts the teen. “I mean this in the nicest way possible, but hell no.”

“No offense taken, sweetheart,” Ace grins good-naturedly, the cheesy flirt making the woman grimace.

“What about Bill?” Nea suggests out of the blue.

“What the hell are you on, kid?” Bill snorts, and even Ace has to bite back a laugh over the thought of the gruff veteran writing love letters.

“Just trying to think of someone in his age range!” Nea protests.

“Well, did anyone see anything?” Quentin asks. “We can’t all have been in a trial when the note was placed.”

“I’ve been in like three trials today,” Feng complains.

“I don’t think any of us really keep track of people at the fire,” Kate says. “Anyone could have walked by and put it there.”

“Aww, so we’re not gonna know who it was?” Steve frowns.

“Maybe that’s for the best,” Jane says.

As the commotion seems to die down, Claudette hands back the note back to Ace.

“You should keep it. It seems you have a secret admirer, after all,” Claudette says, smiling.

“Guess it can’t hurt,” Ace says, reluctantly pocketing the card. He’s still not sure it's genuine, but is intrigued by the sudden turn of events nonetheless.

Surprisingly, it seems the kids aren’t quite ready to give up on finding out the culprit. Some time later, Ace sees Cheryl, Steve and Quentin huddle together by one of the tree stumps, Cheryl looking to be taking notes on a map.

“Did you ask the ones who just got back?” Cheryl asks.

“Yup! Steve says. “Jeff was mostly confused, and David laughed his ass off. Laurie said she hadn't seen anything weird before she got taken to the trial. And Tapp just looked like he'd lost all hope for humanity,” Steve summarizes.

“Sounds about right,” Quentin huffs.

“Okay, so we've ruled out us three, Laurie, Jeff, Claudette, Jane, Bill, Tapp and David,” Cheryl recaps.

“And Nance has Jonathan, and Felix has his girlfriend,” Steve reminds.

“We should definitely rule out Nea too, since she’s way younger than him,” Quentin says. “Meg and Feng too, I guess."

“You're right, they always bully Ace too,” Steve casually remarks.

Ace rolls his eyes behind his shades and keeps shuffling his cards, not understanding why the group is so hell bent on talking about him like he’s not even there.

“Oh, and Yui,” Cheryl says.

“Good point,” Quentin says.

“Huh? Why?” Steve asks, confused.

“She, uh…” Cheryl falters. “Girl talk. I know it's not her.”

“Okay!” Steve beams.

And that pretty much sums up Ace's expectations for their little operation to succeed. If Steve somehow still hasn't figured out that the Japanese woman is solely interested in other women, Ace doesn’t have much trust in his detective work.

“Kate?” Cheryl suggests.

“She’s making Valentine’s cards for all of us as we speak,” Quentin snorts. “I don’t think she’d play favorites.”

“What about Dwight?” Steve suggests.

“Well… it’s definitely awkward and weird enough to fit his MO,” Cheryl considers.

“I thought he was into Jake?” Quentin says.

And that’s about the time Ace tunes out and goes to bug Tapp to play cards with him, hoping the detective will be happy to pretend like this entire thing never happened.

Ace doesn’t know how long it is before he’s finally taken to a trial, but it feels like an eternity. The atmosphere around camp is awkward as people trickle in and out from trials and someone always feels the need to point out he was on the receiving end of an anonymous person’s affection. The reactions, unsurprisingly, range from awkward confusion to straight up laughter.

So when the fog finally surrounds Ace, he actually welcomes it. The familiar sight of the Autohaven gas station is enough to take his mind off the teasing back at camp, at least momentarily.

But another problem presents itself right as he rounds a corner of scrap and finds Élodie on a generator—

“Hey, come here often?” Ace jokes, crouching down next to the machine to get to work.

—And the woman immediately gets up to leave.

“It wasn’t me, so don’t get any ideas,” Élodie scowls in his direction.

“Huh? I didn’t—” Ace tries to explain, but she’s already taking off in a sprint, and Ace thinks he hears her mutter “creep”.

Ace sighs and barely resists the urge to bash his face against the generator in frustration. This day just keeps getting better.

To Ace’s utter delight—that is to say, absolute annoyance—his mystery admirer becomes the biggest source of entertainment for the survivors. He doesn’t mind playing along for the first few jabs at his expense, thinking the others will surely get bored after just a few hours.

They don’t.

Most of the group still seem determined to figure out the person behind the note, others are content to gossip and joke about the possibilities, and some go as far as to blame Ace for intentionally stirring up drama. His not-so-subtle suggestions to let it go are shrugged off, and after a few days, Ace resigns himself to his fate and figures the sooner he lets the whole thing sort itself out, the better.

It doesn’t mean he’s happy about it.

To add insult to injury, even the killers seem to have a sudden hard-on for him, focusing Ace with single-minded determination every chance they get.

It's only a few days later, when the Pig kneels down Ace's prone form to place a trap on his head, that he realizes why.

“There you go, lover boy,” the woman's voice sounds mocking despite being muffled by her mask.

“Wah?” Ace asks, the device attached to his jaw making it hard to speak.

“I heard someone has a little admirer,” the Pig says. “I figured it warrants some special treatment.”

The word is accentuated by throwing Ace up on a hook, and the gambler's following scream is as much from pain as it is from frustration.

When Ace gets back to the campfire after having his head popped by the killer’s trap, he sits down on a log furthest from the group, hoping to get a breather—

“Hey, look who it is!” Ash immediately interrupts his moment of solitude, sitting down uninvited next to Ace. “How you doing, champ?” Ash grins, elbowing him in the side.

“What do you want?” Ace asks, feeling much more irritable than usual because of the constant teasing.

“I mean…” Ash says, before looking around and lowering his voice. “Have you figured out who it is?”

Ace rolls his eyes and resists the urge to slap the man with his own prosthetic hand.

“Come on, you can tell me!” Ash grins in a very suspicious way.

“If I find out, you’ll be the first to know. Trust me,” Ace whispers, lying out of his ass.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Ash laughs, way louder than necessary. “I’m happy for you; at least someone around here will be getting laid!”

Half of the camp erupts into snickers and the other half turns to glare at Ace, notifying him that their conversation was definitely loud enough to overhear.

“Not in front of the children!” Jane sneers, like Ace enjoys having his sex life publicly broadcasted.

“Oh, would you look at that!” Ace quips with fake cheer as fog starts creeping up his legs, thankful for the Entity’s timing even though he barely got back to the campfire. “Time for another trial!”

When the fog clears from around him, Ace is in the killer shack in Red Forest with Cheryl and Felix right beside him.

“I'm gonna go find Zarina,” Cheryl whispers to Ace, informing him of who their last teammate is.

“Sure,” Ace says, knowing it’s good to split up, as Felix has already started repairs on the generator in the shack—

“I need to privately ask her about the note!” Cheryl beams and is sprinting away before Ace can reply.

Which is just as well, because he might have said a few choice words to the kid through his annoyance. Thankfully, he's left with Felix, one of the few people who have treated Ace normally throughout this entire thing.

“Fuck this,” Ace curses, joining the handsome German on the generator. Felix glances up but doesn't ask, and Ace appreciates being given the space to rant. “This is the worst thing that's ever happened!”

“The note?" Felix asks.

“What else? It seems it's all anyone ever talks about!” Ace rages, throwing one of his hands up in frustration and nearly causing the machine to explode. “I swear, this is worse than middle school,” Ace huffs. “I have girls gossiping, kids pestering and killers bullying me. And for what? A shitty piece of paper!”

Damn, it feels good to get this out. Ace doubts Felix cares, but it's nice to get to vent to someone he knows won't make the situation worse.

“Whoever left the note must be an idiot,” Felix comments bluntly, and it gives Ace pause.

Sure, Ace is frustrated, but he's still a little sentimental over the note and cute gesture behind it. Regardless, he shouldn’t be surprised that the no-nonsense architect would find the notion ridiculous.

“I'm just so done with it,” Ace sighs. “At this point, I'd take any explanation. Even an 'oops, wrong trunk, it was never meant for you'. Sure, I like being in the spotlight, but this is getting unbearable.”

Felix doesn't say anything, only keeps working away; probably embarrassed being forced to discuss Ace's (lack of) love life.

“I—” Felix starts after an awkward silence.

“Shit, I'm sorry,” Ace interrupts with a chuckle, not wanting the German to be any more uncomfortable than he already clearly is. “Didn't mean to talk about ear off about this stuff. Let's get this gen done, huh?”

Felix immediately seems relieved, and Ace jumps at the chance to change topics.

“You ever been to China?” Ace asks, nodding at the firework decoration on top of their generator.

As they chat about one of Felix's business trips to Shanghai, Ace is simultaneously glad for a distraction from his Valentine's fiasco and melancholy about their shallow friendship.

Maybe he'd take this whole thing more seriously if there was any possibility it would actually lead to something with the one person he's even remotely interested in. If Ace was in his prime, he'd probably have made a move on Felix months ago, girlfriend and heterosexuality be damned. Young and reckless Ace wouldn't have cared, happily flirting his ass off.

Meanwhile, old and slightly less reckless Ace has to settle for shitty jokes and sneaking glances at Felix.

When the Ghostface finally makes an appearance during their second generator and proceeds to chase and tunnel Ace to death despite the others' best efforts to save him, Ace isn’t even surprised anymore.

“I'm starting to wonder if the note is even legit,” Quentin says one day.

“How come?” Kate asks, cocking her head.

“Don't you think Ace's secret admirer would have come clean by now?" Quentin prods.

“Maybe it was just the Entity messing with us?” Laurie suggests.

“If it was a prank from someone, I’m kinda proud of them for pulling it off,” Nea says. “Especially for this long!”

“I think it’s mean,” Claudette says. “They’ve allowed this to go on for way too long. Just look at poor Ace!”

Everyone turns to collectively look at Ace, who is just trying to play some goddamn solitaire in peace while the rest, again, seem content to talk about him like he’s not even there.

“He looks the same as always,” Meg snorts.

“He’s been tunneled to death the last then trials in a row,” Laurie scolds.

“I’m fine,” Ace insists.

“I think his secret fan is just shy!” Kate continues and sparks another debate, oblivious to Ace’s annoyance.

When Ace gets back from yet another unsuccessful trial and sees a group of gossiping people and a grinning Nea, he groans in exasperation.

Before anyone can bring up Ace’s least favorite subject, Felix butts in.

“Ace,” Felix addresses, coming up beside the group. “Do you have time to teach me that perk you used the other trial? With the longer aura-reading?”

“You want… one of my perks?” Ace asks, surprised.

Felix has always seemed more altruistic than others, and it’s no secret Ace's perks were only used by… Well, Ace.

“Um, yes. If it’s not a bother,” Felix says, discreetly glancing at the group of gossip-hungry survivors waiting to attack Ace’s misery.

And it dawns on Ace that Felix is giving him a distraction to slip away.

“Oh, of course!” Ace grins. “Right this way!”

As soon as they’re out of earshot from the campfire, Ace starts prattling away.

“Thanks for covering for me!” Ace beams. “I thought they’d have gotten bored by now—"

“It was me,” Felix interrupts grimly, making Ace pipe down and turn to look at him.

“Uh… come again?” Ace asks, confused.

“I did it. I wrote the note,” Felix confesses, looking at Ace in determination.

“What? Why?” Ace asks, incredulous. When Felix's bravado falters, he keeps going. “Look, you don't have to cover for whoever it was,” Ace sighs. “I don’t blame you for wanting this entire thing to be over—"

“I'm serious,” Felix says. “I've been lying for way too long. I should have come clean before, but I was too much of a coward.”

Alright, what the actual fuck? Why would Felix, of all people, have sent Ace a love note?

While he’s gaping stupidly, Felix continues:

“Claudette was right, it’s my fault for letting this go on for so long. I’m sorry.”

“But… your girlfriend—” Ace starts, struggling to wrap his head around the whole thing.

“Will hopefully move on once she realizes I'm not coming back,” Felix says. “I've started to accept that I'm not getting out of here.”

“Well, that sounds cheerful,” Ace comments.

“Sheiße, I didn't mean it like that,” Felix winces. “I just… thought I'd do things differently this time. Since I never had the courage to, in my old life.”

“So… where do I come into the picture?” Ace asks, skeptical.

“I…” Felix says, wringing his hands in a nervous gesture. “Wanted to see how you would react to the note. It was stupid.”

“Huh? How come?”

“I caused you nothing but harm,” Felix sighs. “First you thought I was mocking you, then the others kept bothering you, and even the killers were giving you a hard time. I'm sorry, I should never have done it.”

“No, I mean—” Ace flounders for an explanation. Sure, he'd been annoyed, but none of the things that happened were Felix’s fault. “Why give something like that to me?”

“Isn't it obvious?” Felix says, scratching at his neck while averting his eyes. “I admit I haven't celebrated Valentine's day much, but I assumed…” he trails off.

What? Felix was seriously trying to test the waters of… getting together with Ace?

It slowly starts to make sense. Felix’s strange behavior. The messy handwriting on the note, probably from Felix’s nerves. The surprising artistic talent of the sketch, after a lifetime of architectural drawings.

“Well, this is unexpected,” Ace says with a smirk, not able to keep the cockiness from seeping into his voice at the knowledge that Felix, somehow, seems to be interested in him.

“Sorry—”

“I said unexpected, not unwelcome,” Ace interrupts.

And then gets to watch the realization slowly dawn on Felix, the perpetual worried frown on the other’s face smoothing out as his eyes widen in hope.

“You don't mind?” Felix asks.

“Let's just say I'm surprised you haven't caught me looking,” Ace grins. “I never expected someone as handsome as you to return the attention,” he can't resist flirting.

“Ähm, well, I…” Felix flusters from the compliment, looking at the ground. “Am not very good at this.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Ace says.

Then, he reaches into his breast pocket, pulling out the infamous note he’s kept on him this entire time. Felix’s gaze follows his movement as Ace carefully unfolds the paper, crumpled and smudged from having been with him trial after trial.

“I thought you threw it away,” Felix says quietly, eyes wide in awe.

“You don’t just throw away a good luck charm,” Ace chastises playfully, pointedly brushing his thumb over the clover drawing. “Especially not one that’s the nicest thing anyone’s done for me in a long time.”

Ace bites his tongue to stop prevent more mushy sentiments from slipping out. Felix is still staring way too intently and not saying a word, so Ace clears his throat self-consciously tucks the note safely back into his pocket.

“I can’t believe you kept it,” Felix finally says, an adorable smile on his lips as he meets Ace’s eyes.

“Well, seeing as we’ve now established that we’re both sentimental saps…” Ace starts with a smirk, stepping closer to Felix to test the waters. “I have a question.”

“Oh, umh… Yes?” Felix says, straightening his back but still seeming nervous.

It's adorable, and Ace wants to kick himself for not noticing anything sooner. Still, there's no time like the present.

“Be my valentine?” Ace asks with a grin.

Felix's posture instantly relaxes, and the smile is back on his face.

“I'd love to,” Felix says.

Ace’s grin widens until he feels like it’ll be permanently etched onto his face. This is a much better outcome than he ever expected when he found an unassuming note with his items.

“So, ehm…” Felix starts after they’ve been staring at each other for a beat too long, snapping Ace out of it. “Do you… should we…?” Felix falters, nervously brushing a stray lock from his face.

“Wanna find a place to sit down and chat?” Ace suggests, not feeling any need to rush things now that he knows where they stand with each other. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a break from the others.”

“Me too,” Felix says, seeming relieved. “I admit I’m not looking forward to what the others will say about this.”

“Fuck em!” Ace says. “They’ve had their fun, I’m not gonna let them put you through the same shit as they did me. We don’t even have to tell them.”

“No, I want to,” Felix insists. “If I have to hear one more rude joke about you from Feng…” Felix’s mouth pinches into a thin line.

“Aww, babe,” Ace teases, the pet name slipping out before he can stop it. “You don’t have to defend my honor.”

“I do, and I will,” Felix says with surprising determination.

“Well, in that case, I won’t stop you,” Ace grins.

“Good,” Felix says with a smug little smirk.

And the sudden assertiveness makes heat creep up Ace’s neck, quickly starting to regret his suggestion to take things slow.

“I, uh, I think I saw a pretty cozy clearing not far from here,” Ace says, eager to get the chance to get to know more about his companion.

“Lead the way,” Felix agrees.

They end up sitting next to each other under the stars and talking for what has to be hours, but goes by in the blink of an eye. No longer having to filter himself and keep their conversation casual is a much-needed break from the past few days, and the smile never once leaves Ace’s face.

Talking to Felix makes the feelings Ace has tried so hard to ignore come back full force, reminding him of why the man caught his eye in the first place. Sure, Felix is still more attractive than anyone has the right to be, but he’s also insanely smart and surprisingly witty past the initial anxious exterior. The way he smiles and gives his undivided attention even when Ace talks about silly, insignificant things not only makes Ace forget all about his recent frustrations, but also takes his mind away from the strange world surrounding them.

And when Felix eventually scoots even closer and looks at Ace with nothing but fondness in his eyes, Ace has no trouble throwing his initial hesitance out of the window and going in for a kiss.

It’s not earth-shattering or particularly intense, it’s just really, really nice and makes Ace’s heart do stupid leaps in his chest. It’s been so long since he even kissed anyone, and getting to smooch the person he’s been secretly pining over for months and have said person eagerly return the kiss?

“Why the hell haven’t we done this sooner?” Ace voices his thought when he pulls away from the gentle kiss, making Felix huff a quiet laugh into their shared breathing space.

“I should have just signed the note,” Felix says.

“Good thing you can make it up to me now, Valentine,” Ace grins.

Felix chuckles warmly and a callused hand comes up to gently cup Ace’s cheek before tilting his head up into another kiss.

And even though Ace isn’t normally one for holiday celebrations, he’s looking forward to spending many more with Felix by his side.

#riconti #dbd fanfic #ace visconti #felix richter #dweetwrites #dbd #dead by daylight

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sparklywaistcoat · 3 years ago

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#patrick macnee #the gambler returns

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alistonjdrake · 3 years ago

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Part One: The Smiling Prince

Prince Cidro an’Frederick Harver Born: Year 1748 after the fall of the Saints Mother: Queen Isolde ana’Juliano Rios Wife: Lady Liliana ana’Ignacio Verona of Veron, Princess Consort of the Escana Empire

As first in line for the throne and Crown Prince of Escan, Prince Cidro was born in the months after King Frederick’s coronation and wedding and as the smoke cleared on the repairs to Graza city after the siege.

And he was born, as noted by contemporaries, scandalously early.

Much of what is known about the trial of Queen Isolde’s birth comes from Lady Helena, King Frederick’s mother, as she was strictly attentive of her daughter-in-law in the early days of the Harver reign.

The Queen Mother wrote in her diary that, “The midwife took Her Majesty the Queen to the birthing chamber in the early evening after a complaint of stomach problems and I followed soon after. I found the woman on her hands and knees and fretting over a little blood. The midwife assured her it was not enough to cause worry over the babe. I had not the mind to hear her complaints and, eager for her to get to the business, called for the physician to prepare a draft to ease the going. Our prince was born in the morning. A small and wrinkled thing but he had the same dip in his forehead that I recalled seeing on both of my own boys in their first days. The midwife seemed worried about his fragility but he screamed for life with powerful lungs and I made sure one of the servants went to alert Frederick, for now his claim was secure.”

At the time, the court had been whispering about the timeline and the very evident animosity between the royal couple. Queen Isolde had had attentions to marry another before the treaty with King Frederick and the man had been in Graza during the duration of the pregnancy. There was also some speculation that Lady Helena threatened Queen Isolde, going so far as to hold a knife to her throat while the midwife cleaned and prepared the baby for viewing in case it was revealed that the child was not King Frederick’s. This event, true or not, later inspired a song and a rhyme often giving in warning from parents to their child’s spouse on the eve of weddings.

Whatever the rumors were and if they were founded in truths, King Frederick and Lady Helena both accepted Prince Cidro as a member of the Harver family. And his birth came with great fanfare as it was likely used as an excuse to wipe the slate clean. In the months after his arrival, there were festivals throughout the streets of Graza, King Frederick minted a new coin and named it after him and had it given it out generously to the people, there were several ceremonies in which King Frederick simply displayed his son to the court.

However, as he got older few would say Prince Cidro was particularly spoiled. After the death of his mother, he was raised under the attentive care and strict scheduling of Lady Helena. She hired an array of tutors for the first born as she wanted him to be excessively well-read. It should be noted, King Frederick was the first worldly king of Escan, the first one that the rest of the continent paid any true attention to, and so they likely felt they had a lot riding on the reputation of the first son.

However, Prince Cidro did not excel in much. He was not talented in arts, did not take to military stratagem or showed any signs of being a tactician, was not incredibly wise about politics, and never really took to learning languages outside of Escan, basic Oskyi, and passable Ceoye. And yet, the one thing all his tutors would agree on was that Cidro was marvelously charming.

By the age of nine, people would say he could light up a room. He was very personable and people felt draw to the small prince. It was said King Frederick would sometimes have him tag along as a good luck charm. If the young boy had any talents, it was in diplomacy and carrying conversation. Those in his inner circle said he was never jealous, never bitter, always supportive, always kind. He did not shy away from his own ignorance on subjects and would make a point as he got older to invite experts to court to explain something when he did not understand.

Prince Cidro was very fond of all his siblings and would often describe himself as a family man, but he was undoubtedly closest to Prince Leonides and they worked together on most things. While Cidro was the charming and personable one, Prince Leonides was the elusive and stern one, and one often complimented for his brain. Dissenters in Graza’s court would say that Prince Cidro was empty-headed who let his younger brother do all the thinking for him.

Cidro was not unaware of these statements and he did establish himself in other areas. While he did not have the cunning and talent to earn himself the title as the youngest appointed councilman like Prince Leonides (in fact he would not join until he was twenty in contrast to Prince Leonides’ appointment at fourteen). Cidro placed most of his focus in foreign affairs and into their relationship with the nations underneath Escan’s banner. Most notably, and controversial, it was found in letters with the vicereine of Karri that Cidro was incredibly critical of Escan’s actions in the Rhine nations and wanted some sort of reform. This is often credited as one of the reasons he traveled to frequently during his twenties.

Speaking of, Cidro was famously romantic in his youth. He was a very obvious eligible bachelor by the time he was an adult as the heir to a rich nation. He was offered the hand of foreign princesses, influential aristocrats, and there was no shortage of suitable options at Graza Palace. Most of Cidro’s attempts at courtship were short-lived and there doesn’t seem to be any reason why. There was some talk of similarities between him and his father, but as far as anyone knows Prince Cidro did not have any lovers or hidden children. In fact, plenty of his romantic attempts would be later called quite juvenile.

Although not often talked about, Prince Cidro did partake in Graza’s tradition of excessive drinking and partying but somehow avoided causing any long-lasting scandals from this period of his life. Prince Cidro was also at times a bit of a gambler and lost money easily to courtiers at card tables before needing to be dragged away. He was, at the very least, a courteous loser much to the point it was reported people would give him his money back because they felt bad.

Before leaving court, Cidro always took time to spend with his siblings. He was famously the one who had to report the assassination of Queen Luca to Prince Argus. He was very fond of all of them, supporting their hobbies and at times funding some of their projects if their father could not fit it into the budget. He preached the importance of family time and occasional dinners. He gave them many gifts (both while he was in Graza and later he would shower them in souvenirs from his travels) and was always more than happy to offer brotherly advice. He has always tried to be respectful and accommodating to the many queens and stepmothers he’s had throughout his father’s reign and often quoted that he was not close to his own, and as many of his siblings did not have the benefit of knowing their grandmother like he did, took it upon himself to fill that space.

He would eventually meet and marry Lady Liliana ana’Ignacio Verona in 1770 when the couple were twenty-two and would begin the aforementioned decade of traveling throughout Escan’s territories.

Cidro would become a big supporter of Lady Liliana’s charitable endeavors and the couple would open schools and religious institutions together, although Prince Cidro’s dedication to Santivism was never strictly stated and at times he often treated convents more as convenient sanctuaries for Escan’s orphans than a place for the Saints.

In 1782, at the age of thirty-four, Prince Cidro returns to Graza with the news that his wife is pregnant and eager to reunite with his beloved family.

#my characters #my writing #tss trilogy #world building #yes I'm doing this again #I just feel like I've added so much more backstory with the first harvers and the 9 wives #that the original post I did for them is so lacking #I don't really talk about their relationships to the other characters #I mean I'm gonna leave out the Lady Cordinia thing because that's in ORG as opposed to stuff that happens before it

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missmeela · 3 years ago

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The Gambler (Part Six)

Prompt 12: Free Day - Link to master post

Late afternoon. Lene sat at the card table in the bar, waiting. Eventually, Teon arrived, still looking a little glum. Lene smiled brightly and gave him a wave from her seat.

"Hey there, stranger. You look a little worse for wear. How about you come and sit with me?"

Teon plodded over and dropped down into the chair to the right of Lene.

"You may think this is just from a hangover. But you'd only be half right about that. You see, I'm a little low on funds, so I've got to be all business tonight."

Lene hummed softly and reached over to adjust his hat.

"Are you alright? Nothing bad has happened, has it?"

Teon shook his head and gave her a reassuring smile.

"It's merely a temporary position. I just need a few brash drunks with too much gil in their pockets, then I'll be all straight."

Lene touched the back of his hand and nodded.

"Okay, I'll keep you company then. I'll be sure to keep you on track, especially after what happened last night."

"Yeah, about that. I don't... Well, I think I had a little too much. I don't remember too much of it all that clearly."

Lene grinned back at Teon and flicked her hair back.

"Maybe that's what you get from drinking too much whisky. I can't have you falling asleep on me again. Look, how about this guy? He looks ripe for the taking."

Teon looked over at the man coming into the bar. He did give off that certain air of having more money than sense. But he was cautious; it could all be part of an act. Teon was going to let him head to the bar to get a better feel for him first, maybe get a few drinks in him, when Lene called out.

"Hey, you. You over there in the red. Can you play cards? This guy has been boasting about how he's the best poker player in all of the city, and I think it's high time someone took him down a peg or two."

As an opening gambit, it wasn't a bad one. Teon looked over to Lene with surprise, and she gave him a subtle wink in return.

Over the subsequent series of games, Teon managed to make enough to pay off his loan and still have a little to spare. Lene turned out to be great for bringing in new players. She even sat in on a few hands herself to add to the distraction.

By the end of the night, Teon could see why they had trouble paying attention to the game.

"You know, Lene, I could walk you home if you like. The streets aren't a good place for a woman on her own at this sort of time."

Lene smiled and collected up her things to go.

"Well, okay. So long as you're not expecting anything to come of it."

"Expecting? No. But I feel like I owe you this, at least. And I'd certainly feel better about seeing you home safely."

Lene beckoned Teon to follow her out.

"I said okay, didn't I?"

Teon hurridly gathered up his things and offered up his elbow, which Lene took.

"It's not far, which is a good thing because I don't always have a handsome man to walk me home."

True to her word, it wasn’t so far. Once they arrived at her place, Teon looked up at the dark building.

"I could come inside, just to make sure you get into bed safely."

Lene laughed and gave him a playful push.

"You may have been playing your cards right against all those men, but you haven't gotten me beat just yet."

Teon pulled out a deck of cards from his pocket and waved them about.

"So, how about we do that now? High card wins. If I win, I come in, and you fix me up a cup of coffee. If you win, I go home with my tail between my legs, and I bring you over a bunch of flowers tomorrow."

Lene looked at the deck of cards, thinking that over.

"An honest draw, no cheating?"

Teon held his hand over his heart.

"Would I ever?"

Lene smiled and cut the deck. She looked at the card and then showed it to Teon.

"A Queen. Are you sure you haven't got any aces up your sleeve?"

Teon shook his head and cut the deck himself. A nine. He turned it to show Lene and gave her a shrug.

"Can't win them all, I suppose."

Lene leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"We'll see how you do again tomorrow. And don't think that I will forget about those flowers. I'll expect to see them with you when I see you next. Goodnight, Teon. Thank you for walking me home."

Teon tipped his hat to Lene and gave her a nod.

"And I thank you for the company too. Sleep well."

She disappeared behind the door, and Teon started off down the street back to his place. It looked like his luck was turning around, even if that last draw didn't go his way.

At least it looked that way until he rounded the next corner and nearly bumped into a large Roegadyn wearing a brightly polished suit of armour.

"You, you fuck. You owe me six grand."

Teon backed up slowly, holding his hands up.

"Now, now, my good man. That was all an honest game. You gambled, and the luck of the cards just wasn't with you."

The Roegadyn grabbed his collar and yanked him forwards. He banged a hand against his breastplate and shook Teon.

"You were looking at my cards in this. You're a damned cheat."

Teon held up his hands in protest.

"You can hardly blame me for that. If you were playing with your cards face up, would you not expect me to look?"

The Roegadyn grabbed Teon's neck now and added some pressure.

"Make that twelve grand. You're not leaving here until I get what I'm owed."

Teon tapped on the hand at his throat as he turned a deep shade of red.

"Well, you see, I don't quite have that much right now. Not even six. I could maybe see my way to giving you two?"

The Roegadyn drew his sword and pointed it at Teon's belly.

"It's twelve, right now. Or I'm doing what someone should have done long ago and put a filthy cheat like you in the ground."

Teon shook his head.

"I don't have it. Besides, you're bluffing. You're not going to kill me over such a small sum, surely?"

The Roegadyn threw Teon down to the ground and stood on his chest.

"You don't think? Then you have no clue who I am."

It was true; Teon really didn't know who he was. Just another guy he had taken money off of at the poker table. He struggled underneath the weight of the Roegadyns foot as the blade approached his throat.

"Okay, okay! I can get you your money. I know a few guys, I'm sure between them, they'd loan me twelve grand. I mean, what's such a little amount between friends?"

The Roegadyn spat in Teon's face and pushed his boot down harder.

"Fuck it, I've changed my mind. I'd pay that much to see that you never robbed anyone again. Death is what you deserve. Not to be a leech on countless others."

Teon grasped at the ground, trying to get out from under the Roegadyn's weight. The Roegadyn raised up his blade; this looked like it would be the end for Teon. Maybe it would be Lene bringing him flowers instead. Like they always say, if you cast the die enough times, eventually, you'll lose.

Then suddenly, the Roegadyn topped over backwards and clattered to the floor in an awkward heap. A hand came down towards Teon, offering to help him up. He grasped it without hesitation and was pulled to his feet. He was met with the face of the thief from the morning as his unlikely saviour. Teon looked down at the Roegadyn lying on the ground; his throat was cut.

"You killed him."

"Yeah, and he was about to do the same to you."

Teon clasped his hand and shook it heartily.

"You do have my thanks, but I need to ask why you'd help me like that. This is going to cause a whole lot of trouble for someone."

The thief smiled and turned to leave.

"You may be a bit of an asshole. But he seemed like a real nasty bastard. I've got to say, a belly full of food does wonders for my compassion towards folks such as yourself."

Teon reached into his pocket and drew out his winning for the night.

"No, you saved my life. I feel like you've earned this."

The thief waved his hand at the gil.

"You already paid up in advance. Besides, the gil you gave me was enough to pay for a ticket out of this place. I'm heading West, where the hunting is still good. You bought me a path back to an honest life. That's more than anyone has done for me in a long time."

The thief looked up and down the street to see if they had been seen.

"Well, an honest life starting from tomorrow. You should get yourself home. It would be better if neither of us was found here. There would be too many questions to answer."

He darted off into the blackness of the night and left Teon standing there a bit bemused. Teon took one last look at the Roegadyn and then hurried back to his place. Okay, he hadn't killed anyone, but he still didn't want to be drawn in on how he knew the victim.

Tomorrow was a new day with fresh beginnings, and Teon found himself lucky enough to see it.

#FFxivWrite2021 #FFxivWrite

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