#What's funny about snake is they're the most “”normal“” out of the three...

[intrigd-voyagr]

ough... lapis got me thinking bout my own anon crossovers....

BH in serverbox would honestly fit right in. Maybe even thrive if he got in at the beginning. They might've been able to maintain healthy practices through encouragement given the nature of the cast of that au

In admin, he'd fall into the same habit of over engrossing but it wouldn't be as... toxic? If that makes sense? Like they'd be stressed and sleep deprived out of genuine worry and concern rather than Fearing For Their Life Every Second. If we maintain that Owl and snake are also still in the au he'd 100% try to be the mediator for them constantly. A true ♣️. Also they'd probably manage to keep their irl job longer. Probably get fired eventually anyways, but still.

Mushroom would Not Have A Good Time in ABW..... They'd stay cagey and defensive, especially given how ABW nito's outbursts make him rather unpredictable. She'd probably never end up joining the server group and would rather watch from afar

In admin I can see her initially joining Owl in the Sonny hate club, but turning around probably by the time he helps Kinito take Jade out. Seeing Kinito's self destruction would scare her into joining Team Sonny, though her loyalties would be cross not out of spite like Owl, but out of inner conflict.

Snake in ABW would be ever helpful, but eventually realize they're hooked into something that will result in their death, one way or another. And they are baaaaad at hiding their feelings, and they don't even know it. They'd flinch and cower every time they see Kinito, and knowing how observant he is, a confrontation would be bound to happen.

In serverbox, I can't see them being any particularly different than how they are in Admin? They'd be besties with Lobby, that's for sure, as they have a personality they'd totally vibe with. I think Snail would be the type to humor their silly antics a little too much and accidentally give them a bit of overinflated pride :) they would absolutely LOVE amie and I can see them bonding with Nio since they are both Creachers.

[retlasute]

॰ In The Rich Man's World ॰

Word Count: 5217

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Chapter 11 - Here In The Real World

''Judas? That's such a bad name.'' Gyro said, as soon as you introduced the horses, while jumping over the fence to analyze your choice. ''Doesn't sound very trustworthy.''

''The man at the stables said they're the most docile.'' You said, stepping through the open gate of the paddock to follow Gyro, as Louise watched Johnny clean and adjust the saddle and stirrups. ''Mountain Pleasure, or something like that.''

Gyro looked at you and laughed. A different laugh, but genuine. His green eyes were narrowed with amusement and, leaning over, he looked at the horses, and then at you again, and laughed some more.

''What?'' You held back your smile, somewhat offended, but you couldn't deny that his laughter was contagious. ''What's wrong?''

''Wrong? Oh, nothing! Nyo-ho-ho!'' He said, if he laughed more, he would be breathless. ''Mountain Pleasure? I've never seen a Mountain Pleasure spotted like a cow!''

You couldn't help but laugh, though you didn't find it as funny as he did.

''I've never even seen a spotted cow, let alone a Mountain Pleasure.'' You distractedly said.

That comment made Gyro's laughter cease incredulously, he couldn't understand if it was a joke or not. He had seen many absurd things, but someone who had never seen a spotted cow? It was simply too much for him.

''What? You've never seen a cow?''

You paused for a second, realizing what you had said and that it was much harder to explain than when you proved to know things about his family that even he didn't know. To be honest, even you didn't think it was acceptable to have never seen a cow in your life, apart from in pictures or on milk cartons. You spent your life locked up in classrooms, laboratories, offices, in the suffocating bubble of the capital, and in the intoxicating comfort of not having to walk more than two blocks to get some milk - that is when the salesman didn't come to your door, offering the milk in very well sterilized glass bottles.

''I, ah...'' You couldn't say it was a joke, because you wouldn't go through the embarrassment of telling an unfunny joke. ''No. Only in... you know, paintings.''

He was dumbfounded, not only with surprise but with revulsion.

''What the hell are you, miss?'' He questioned, giving you an odd smile where you felt a hint of concern. ''A princess?''

''Oh, I wish.'' You replied, eager to get the subject over with. ''I just don't get out of my house much.''

''And when you go out, you make a huge mess, don't you?'' This time the worried smile returned to normal. ''Don't worry, on the way to the station I'll make sure to show you some cows.''

''Ah, Gyro, about this going to the station thing, I'd like to talk about it...''

''Let's have a look at you, mate.'' Gyro interrupted you, but was talking to the black and white horse.

Vegas looked at him with interest, but shook his head. You just dropped your sentence and watched him in silence. You were still thinking about how you've never seen a cow - actually, not a whole cow. You'd worked with bovine tongues and eyes in your lab, but you figured it was the same thing as a piece of steak at the supermarket.

The gold-colored snakes of Gyro’s hair came down glistening, skimming his face in the wind. It was not a beauty like Gorgona's, but that of an earth spirit changing shape, from serpent to magical man. Gyro looked like he had come out of an earthquake or a tornado.

A strong, muscular arm went under Vegas' neck, causing the horse to completely change from a relaxed posture to that of a soldier ready to receive the general's orders.

''Straighten up.'' The man commanded, and you felt the gentle urge to obey him as well as the horse. The voice rose with each command. Though he didn't possess a particularly deep voice, Gyro had enough lung power for three men of normal complexion. ''Good boy.''

He leaned down, running his hand over the belly and legs, as if giving the horse a thorough examination. His hands slid from knee to hoof, and the diagnosis seemed satisfactory as he lavished praise in Italian on the animal, until he stopped by lifting his tail.

Gyro frowned, his face six inches from the horse's wide hip. His expression made you curious, so you slowly walked over, at a safe distance, so you could see what was wrong, and it took a few seconds for both you and Gyro to realize what it was.

"That's not a horse.'' Gyro said, standing up with a slight gesture of an angry customer.

''So I'm seeing a cow for the first time?'' You laughed and crossed your arms.

When Gyro stepped aside, you could clearly see what Vegas had - or rather, what he didn't have.

''That's a mare!'' He said, looking around for the stableman. ''Lying about the breed isn't enough? Johnny, come here!''

The full-blown roar caught Johnny's attention and, figuring it was something serious, he dropped his task of watching Louise and the saddles to come to his friend's rescue. You couldn't help but laugh as you witnessed the lengthy debate started by the men about a horse's missing testicles - which led Gyro to go over to other horses and crouch under their tails to draw his own conclusions.

When you laughed, however, the debate ceased. You stood there, arms crossed, leaning on the fence watching two grown men arguing about equine testicles and not liking it when you laughed about it.

''Huh?'' Gyro asked, his frown deepening and his golden teeth clenched. ''What are you laughing at, woman?''

''That's not a mare, idiots. He's just been neutered. That's why the stableman said Vegas was one of the most docile.''

A shocked silence came over the paddock, and Johnny's eyes widened.

''Neutered?'' He looked at Gyro, and then looked at you. ''Are you sure?''

''Damn, who was the monster that did this to you, buddy?'' Gyro asked the horse, now crouching under the horse's belly and confirming, however, that it was a male. ''Why the hell would they rip your balls off?''

''How do you know that, (Y/N)?'' Johnny questioned.

''You don't even know what a cow is, how the hell?'' Gyro added as he stood up again.

Drawing your own conclusions, you figured that castrating large animals like a horse wasn't a very common, affordable or safe practice in the 19th century.

''Ah, well...'' You thought the truth would be more acceptable. ''My father had a dog, Lion, who was neutered. He said it was safer to have a neutered dog in a house with children, because they were more docile. I figured it was like that with horses.''

They stared at you for a few seconds, and you felt slightly embarrassed that you had indulged in the debate.

''Johnny, I know you were a rich boy before I met you.'' Gyro said to his friend, who seemed slightly unresponsive. ''Have you ever seen anything like this?''

''Well... no.'' Johnny replied. ''My father wasn't too fond of pets... but I've never seen a dog without balls. Let alone a horse.''

"Why do you think everything I do has to do with my rich dad?'' You foolishly asked, and they didn't answer.

You sighed and let them carefully analyze the horses, taking the opportunity to talk more with your friend.

With Gyro and Johnny present, you had imagined that your conversations with Louise would often proceed in code, like two Soviet spies. But now you had no subject without questions.

"Will we be able to ride those horses?'' She asked as you sat down beside her on the fence.

''I came here on Gyro's horse, it wasn't too hard.'' You said, blinking as you remembered a detail. ''But don't tell him I rode his horse.''

''Why? Didn't he give you a ride?''

''It's a long story. I came here with Johnny, and he only agreed to take me to this town because he had to come here anyway, to receive Gyro at the port.''

''At the port?''

"Yes, he came straight from Italy.''

She let out a nasal laugh.

''Well, it's kind of obvious he's Italian, isn't it?'' She scoffed, looking at him. ''But then you rode his horse all by yourself?''

''Yes, but don't let him know that.''

''And why is that?''

You snorted, smiling.

''I don't know either. Johnny said it would be better if he didn't know about it.''

''Is he jealous of the horse? That's kind of weird, isn't it?''

You laughed softly, your fingers clenching the soft, old wood of the fence. Your laugh had the joy of a caged bird. You weren't sure what was in store for you and it didn't allow you to genuinely enjoy any kind of peace. You needed to get back home and having Louise by your side was the first step.

''Well... at least we got some vacation time.'' She said.

''Vacation time?''

''Sounds like a vacation, doesn't it? Green fields, horses, beach, two handsome cowboys.''

''Kidnappings, shootings, hangings... I prefer my vacations in Florida.'' You said, looking at her, and saw the humor slowly drain from her relaxed lips.

You needed to go back; you had used up your vacation, plus many extensions. You had problems to sort out with Thom and the Speedwagon Foundation, bills to pay at home, the maintenance of your car, your sink and the garden - you shuddered to think how high the garden range would reach - friends to contact...

But at least Louise was there, and she was your only friend who would believe what you experienced. You've known her since the beginning of your career at the Speedwagon Foundation. Just like you, she stood out among the other interns at the company. You were the only woman among the promising archaeologists and she was the only woman among the brainless HR staff.

This shared uniqueness seemed to grow stronger even away from the workplace; you felt it clearly, though you didn't mention it.

After a few seconds of silence, you decided to broach useful subjects.

''Louise...'' You began. ''Do you know where Creed sent the corpse?''

You could see her eyes without any difficulty. What lay behind them was far more complicated.

''Or do you know anything about some guy named Dio?'' You continued after you saw that she wouldn't answer.

''No... I don't know anything about the corpse. He just took it from me.''

"He already knew what it was about, didn't he?''

''Yeah, maybe he did.''

''Maybe?''

Rest was an illusion, you thought when you saw her face. When you left the 20th century, you left all your peace of mind behind. You now lived in a mixture of fear and anger, peppered with the pain of uncertainty, which rubbed like salt into the wounds. The questions repeated themselves in your mind, without answers, like a snake chasing its tail.

''What did he do?''

Why didn't he keep the corpse?

Why won't she tell you?"

It was very difficult to get an answer to the first of the questions, which made you think and rethink the situation, as if the answer could give you the key to the whole mystery of Louise.

Yes, you had felt as powerless as she seemed to feel. You knew well what it was like to have no options and no one in the world to take away the words stuck in your gullet. But surely that was one of the reasons you didn't ignore her behavior.

''Where the hell did you get these two guys?'' She asked, looking at Gyro and Johnny.

You looked at them too, they were focused on watching Judas' paws.

Gyro clicked his tongue, and Judas obediently took a step towards him, clearly recognizing someone who spoke his language. Johnny held up one leg of the horse so Gyro could look, then Johnny held the mane and with a word or two urged the horse to walk. Then he told it to stop. Gyro climbed into the saddle and trotted gently twice around the stable field, stopping beside his waiting friend.

The two of them worked with the exceptional synchrony that you envied. When one finished doing this, the other started doing that. When Johnny lifted the horse's leg, Gyro would bend down to examine. When Gyro climbed into the saddle, Johnny would adjust the stirrups for him.

Yes, that was the stuff of envy.

"I have no idea.'' You said. ''I almost stabbed Johnny in the chest with a bottle of Smirnoff.''

She laughed, leaning forward like a gargoyle while still watching the two men.

''I forgot how wild you are with a hangover, I wonder what the poor guy had to go through.''

''I wasn't that bad.'' You said, smiling. ''They just had to tie me to a bed.''

''Hm... yeah, it can't have been too bad. The last time I saw you hungover you were tied up in a hospital bed.''

''Johnny was much kinder than those doctors.'' You shuddered at the shameful memory, but kept smiling.

The roosters in that place must be as sleep-deprived as you, you thought, as you heard the distant crowing and the clopping of horses' hooves. Judas jumped when he saw Gyro approaching, lifting his head sharply and shaking it, then stopped as the sudden movement rattled his brain.

You squinted to see how the two men were faring. The blue eye of the man you were peering at slowly glanced up at you, to add to his tired, impatient look. You let your shoulders relax and smiled sympathetically at him.

''Yeah.'' You could hear Gyro say. ''He's fine, Johnny. Do you think they're good for them?''

''I don't know, what do you think?''

Gyro stopped and narrowed his eyes at his friend, showing his teeth in a disgruntled manner.

''Well, I don't know! Aren't you the genius jockey?''

''These horses aren't for jockeys, so I don't know, Gyro.''

''Well, if they're not for jockeys, then they can be for women. We're wasting too much time here, Johnny.''

''But are you sure? I mean... if that horse's name is Judas, there must be a reason, mustn't there?''

''That we'll find out when it's too late.'' Gyro sighed, looking at you as if you couldn't hear him. ''Let's leave him with the crazy one, she seems tougher.''

''Then let's take those horses. Do you have the money?''

''Huh? What are you talking about?''

''You had given money to (Y/N), I figured you had more.”

''Those bills have been in my pocket since the last stage of the race, Johnny. Of course I don't have any money. I thought being a bounty hunter was good business, or am I wrong?''

Johnny frowned and sighed, straightening up with a slight exclamation of impatience and walking over to his horse to check the money in his saddlebag. Then he tied his horse with gentle but brusque impatience, walking into the stables.

''Who's the crazy one?'' Louise questioned, whispering to you.

''It's definitely me.''

''Are you going to ask them where we're going?'' She leaned over to get a better look at your face. You didn't look back.

''No.'' You answered dryly. ''I don't need to know where they want to take us, I need to convince them not to do that.''

''And do you have a plan in mind? I mean... How do we say we're going to look for the corpse, just like them? What if they ask why?''

''They already know I'm an archaeologist, they already know I work for the foundation. That's enough.''

''Are you sure? What about... well, the truth? From what I heard at the gang's hideout, this corpse has something very special. Like, really special. I'm sure those two know that. Besides, I saw... well, you're sure to think I was crazy or hallucinating. But Gyro, he...''

''Has those strange spheres and use them as a weapon? Yeah, I saw that. Johnny can also shoot nails.''

Louise raised an eyebrow at this rather confusing affirmation, but shook her head.

''Nails? Like... with nailers? Do those things exist here?''

''No. Like, human nails. His nails.''

Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

''Is that... is that really the past? Have you ever seen anything like this in archaeology school?''

You gave a cynical smile as you surveyed the landscape.

''No, I've never seen any material that talked about it. But this corpse...''

''You...'' Her voice sounded shaky, but it didn't falter. ''You were already in the lab when I entered the building that night. You said you went to see the corpse... Is there something you didn't tell me?''

"Is there something you didn't tell me, Louise?''

Louise narrowed her eyes upon hearing your reaction, but did not reply. Instead, she turned to look at the stable door. Johnny was not back yet.

''What's his name?'' Louise asked after a few seconds, still looking at the stable door. ''Johnny's full name.''

''Jonathan Joestar, or something like that.'' You replied, still looking at a fixed point in the landscape.

''Joestar... I've heard that name somewhere.'' She said. ''Maybe it was right here, but it's still weird. What about Gyro?''

''Gyro Zeppeli...'' You said, smiling cynically as you looked at him. ''For those who aren't intimate.''

''Huh?''

You didn't bother to explain.

When the horses were ready, both in terms of harness and transaction. Johnny made a point of complaining to Gyro that you and your friend were becoming rather expensive baggage, but he had the decorum not to say so around you. Then Johnny called out to you, hoping to appear calm.

Gyro was waiting, leaning against a tree while holding the two horses by their halters. You and Louise approached cautiously, with dozens of uncertainties hanging over you.

''Are we going to choose the horse in the odd or even?'' Louise asked.

''No. You're terrible at that.'' You gave a short laugh ''You can have Vegas, he suits you.''

''The horse that looks like a spotted cow suits me more than the horse with freckles?''

''Well... when the freckled horse's name is Judas and for some reason, maybe it does.''

Judas was ready, saddled, with the saddlebags and a rope halter that Gyro tied to the pommel of the saddle, leaving only the reins free. When he saw you, he smiled and said something, indicating Judas.

You thanked him, not knowing exactly why. He leaned over, expecting you to mount Judas and hold the reins properly and skillfully, but the horse was very restless, flapping his legs and fidgeting. Horses knew better than to trust strangers than you did.

"Alright, beast.'' You spoke to the horse, trying to show some authority. ''We have to go.''

Judas approached through the fences and stopped, petrified. He moved only his ears, which remained cocked.

"The stirrups are adjusted for you.'' Gyro explained. ''Do you need help?''

You thought for a moment, but then let your pride do the talking.

''No, I can do it.''

Although you didn't have much skill, you managed to get on the horse. You realized that Gyro was holding back from picking you up and throwing you over the saddle at once and were surprised by the man's patience and consideration in not doing so.

''If you want him to walk, you need to tap your heels.''

''I know, Johnny told me that.''

Gyro frowned, pausing to think for a few seconds.

''Johnny did? And what horse were you riding?''

You paused, looking at him and then at the ground, pretending to try to remember. You didn't know why, but Gyro couldn't figure out that you had ridden Valkyrie.

''On his horse.'' You replied. ''He said I didn't have the experience to ride Valkyrie, so he gave me a ride.''

''Hum...'' He stared at you, and you swallowed. ''I guess you two were getting along, if he could find the time to teach you how to ride.''

The air rushed quietly out of your lungs as Gyro's expression changed from icy suspicion to a satisfied smile. Desperate to put this matter aside, you nudged Judas' belly to get him moving.

Judas did not react, and you urged him again to proceed. But to no effect. If it weren't for the veins pulsing in its warm neck, you'd swear you were riding a statue, not a horse. Suddenly, something touched your back. It was Gyro's hand, and it made you realize that he was quite tall, for even with you on a horse he had no trouble reaching your shoulder blades.

"You're tense, and the horse is feeling it.'' He explained. ''Relax your shoulders and loosen your reins a little. The horse will always respond according to the rider's behavior. If you get agitated, Judas will too."

''It's normal to get tense riding a horse named Judas, isn't it?'' You joked, relaxing your shoulders as the warmth of his hand ran through your blouse.

''That's right.'' He said it in an approving tone that reminded you of Jane Fonda's taped localized gymnastics lessons. ''See? He relaxed his neck.''

''Judas...'' You said, simultaneously with disapproval and irony. ''I didn't mean to insist, but I'm in a hurry, you know that. My friend is already doing somersaults with her horse.''

Judas neighed, waved his ears and snorted, he was clearly trying to say something. But you didn't fully understand him. You didn't have time to, as you felt the large body beneath you shudder and then the horse began to walk calmly. You smiled, allowing yourself a brief celebration that seemed to infect Gyro, who patted Judas on the neck and said some compliment in Italian - and he certainly wasn't talking to you.

Then Gyro turned to Louise, asking if she needed any help.

His hair shone again, thick and soft against the dark violet of his shirt. The golden strands were more obscured by shadow, and then you looked away from Louise. She was quiet, watching you. You felt fearful suddenly, not for yourself, but for her, as if something might materialize in this unknown world to separate the two of you again. But she smiled. A smile that didn't show her teeth and didn't look the least bit happy, but it was a smile nonetheless

''Thank you, mister...'' Louise hesitated for a moment, accustomed to the manner of a subordinate. ''Zeppeli.''

''You can call me Gyro, miss.'' He said reassuringly. ''Let's hurry, we don't have all day. Johnny! Are we forgetting something?''

''I don't think so.''

''Yeah, yeah. Just your brain, huh?'' He joked, smiling as he mounted Valkyrie. ''The ride to the station will take about a day and a half. I hope you ladies have traveled like this before.''

The ride promised to be long for what you were used to and you had already started out discouraged. First, because it was hot. Secondly, you did not like being in such difficult circumstances. Thirdly, you were very worried about Louise. You didn't like her taciturnity at all and her lack of detail whenever she mentioned the hours she spent being held by Joshua Creed's gang.

And fourthly, Johnny Joestar was a silent companion who clashed with the noisy presence of Gyro Zeppeli, who was always asking a question or talking about something he had seen along the way. You were exhausted and preoccupied with more important matters, so this restlessness made you particularly irritable. You thought about quietly complaining to Johnny, until you saw Louise distractedly engaged in a story Gyro was telling about his days on the Steel Ball Run.

You had too many questions and it was distressing. Your questions jumped from topic to topic like fleas. First, what happened to Louise? Then, what's with Johnny's ability to shoot nails? Does it have to do with the corpse? After all, you knew better than anyone that this corpse had something magical about it, something far beyond sticking like a magnet to living flesh. What about the Devil's Palm? What kind of temporal manipulation properties could a centuries-old crater possess? Alien technology from the meteorite? Something divine? Or simply magic? Who is Dio Brando, and why on earth did you have to choose "Brando" as the surname of Louise's boyfriend?

Dead husband, you corrected yourself as you glanced at her, who was straightening in the saddle trying to find some comfortable position, stroking Vegas, its mane black as a chopi's wing.

Neither you nor Louise were born horsewomen, but you already had a slightly broader sense of what it would be like to spend hours sitting on a hard leather saddle - Louise experienced only thirty minutes.

"Did he have two belly buttons?'' Louise questioned, making you half catch the story Gyro was telling. ''Actually... he was crossing the country on horseback at the age of seventy?''

''Exactly.'' Gyro confirmed. ''A strange fellow, but I think he was the only one who didn't do us any harm. I respect him.''

''Did all the others hurt you? Like who?''

Gyro paused to go through his mental inventory of the events of the race, looking up, as if searching through all the drawers for the most suitable story.

''There was a family. A father and two brothers.'' He began. "The Boom Booms. Do you remember them, Johnny?"

Johnny squinted, not seeming to be paying attention to anything but his own horse, but he could hear the question.

"Those crazy people? I remember the boy had some kind of fetish about being strangled."

Louise laughed, but allowed the story to continue.

You noticed that Louise, however, did not seem to be interested in the veracity of these stories. She shook her head and listened intently as a nursing home worker listens to a senile old man. Gyro could tell the most absurd stories, and with the most serious air in this world. These stories circulated about the corpse, most of the time. They were all very curious, however unbelievable they were.

Remembering the stories that were told about the Devil's Palm, you realized that they were very similar to Gyro's experiences within the Steel Ball Run. Violence, death, betrayal, a hint of mysticism and a warm feeling of reading a comic book, especially considering superpowers and magic items.

Gyro didn't necessarily say that something or someone had superpowers but vaguely mentioned their abilities.

''His ropes saved him.'' Gyro said after telling about an old friend who had been the victim of a terrorist attack. One of the race's checkpoints, still on the Arizona stage, blew up with a man named Mountain Tim inside one of the devastated hotels. Gyro's grotesque description of his mangled limbs and screams of agony was gripping. ''I almost lost my leg, too.''

To say that ''his ropes saved him'' suggested, again, some kind of superhuman ability that would save a man from an explosion. You were sure of it.

''What do you mean the ropes? Do you mean literally ropes?'' Louise questioned, like a psychologist listening to her schizophrenic patient, trying to make sure it wasn't all figurative meaning.

Gyro smiled, looking at Johnny and then at the road.

''That's a complicated story, miss. Maybe you'll understand later.'' That was what he always answered when Louise asked a question like that.

You were used to not having useful answers coming from those two men, and you found it amusing to see Louise going through the same thing as you.

As he had promised, Gyro told you some stories about the runner Diego Brando, so fluently and with such ease that you thought he must have told them many times before.

''Johnny has known Diego for much longer.'' He explained, gritting his teeth. ''I know him well enough to regret not killing the bastard the first chance I got.''

''They also call him Dio, right?'' You asked, and Gyro confirmed with a nod.

''Brando?'' Hearing the familiar name of her favorite actor, she quickly inquired, casting a glance at you.

That glance clearly said something amusing like "is he an ancestor of Marlon Brando?" that couldn't be said out loud. You returned it with a serious, concerned and immediate look.

''Yes...'' You confirmed, glancing at Johnny, seeing that he suddenly seemed interested in the conversation. ''Same last name as Luca. Coincidence, no?''

''Luca?''

Your desperate gaze met her plausible unexplained gaze. Your white, visible sclerae said ''I'll explain later'' in a universal language.

''Anyway.'' You said, looking at Gyro. ''What did this Dio do that was so bad?''

''It's easier to ask what the hell this lizard didn't do.'' The Italian replied, and you saw his wrists clench angrily in the leather of his reins. ''He's a greedy, backstabbing son of a bitch. He doesn't care who he has to kill, betray or exploit to be successful, he'll do it."

You could already imagine that all of Gyro's hatred was borne out of the more superficial conflicts of the race, and this was confirmed when he said that in the third stage of the race he had contested first place with Dio Brando. In the heat of the moment, in the suffocating immediacy of a draw, Dio purposely injured Gyro's horse with a stone, making a deep gash in its leg. You didn't realize it until Gyro showed you, but Valkyrie had a large scar on the left front leg. A cut about seven inches long, deep and apparent where no more fur grew.

''I only didn't get first place because of that.'' Gyro concluded.

''Actually, you wouldn't have come in the first place.'' Johnny added. ''Hot Pants had already come in first place three hours before, remember?''

Gyro stared at him, a little offended.

''Yes, I remember.'' He said. ''And I also remember we made a deal: I would finish the race in first place, and you would finish in second place. But at that stage you ran ahead of me like a traitorous rat, remember?''

Johnny sighed and closed his eyes, as if he had heard this many times before.

''What did you want me to do, Gyro? That I should come in fifth place?''

''That was the deal, you idiot!''

[lifesteal-headcanons]

Okay so, Zam, Mapic and Ro were all medusa.

And as seen, medusa= snake. So!

Zam, mapic and Ro are all part snakes, like they have 3 forms, 1 where theyre mostly human bar like, some scales along their arms, neck and on their faces. They also have tiny lil fangs that bearly stick out from under their lips in this form, aswell as slit eyes, which they just don't really hide.

Their second form is basically the same besides from the fact they are covered alot more in scales and they have the tail (?) of a snake aswell as their legs, they all find it easier to balance with their tales than without it so since they're normally in their first form they have some funny instances where they will just be normally walking and will just fall over since they're not as used to walking without it. This was also the main form that they used in the medusa arc, it was also the first time any of the other lifestealers had seen their tails atall, somehow.

And their third form, Basically this is the one they're most comfortable in, so it's like the other one but their legs and Lower torso is just completely replaced by their tails. They mostly use it when they know their alone or it would just be one of the other ones of them to find eachother, Zam uses the form alot less since joining eclipse as he is nervous of his teammates finding out about it. Though he does use it when he's building somewhere either nowhere with find him or when he's chilling somewhere only Mapicc and Ro know about.

Also the three of them fight in this form if they're completely alone like if they're sparring or if they just manage to end up in either a 2v1 or 1v1 with eachother. They're the most agile when in this form and their fights usally look pretty interesting.

Now how the hell eclipse don't know, Zam doesn't really know but he just kinda told them that it was costume for the medusa act, since Subz and Vi had only ever seen him in that form once, when the medusa stuff happened, they somehow believed him.

There was also ALOT of frantic text messages sent to Mapicc and Ro to not rat him out to Subz and Vi about the whole snake thing.

The only thing that ever even kinda gives the trio away is when their instincts kick in around a rabbit and they start quietly sliding towards the rabbit and then killing and eating it raw. This happens more than they would like, especially Zam in his new base in the desert, Subz and zam would just be building and Zam would just snake off after a rabbit and then come back apologising and saying he didn't know what came over him, he knows exactly what did, and then continue building and not mention it.

-🪐

[shiroen]

🫂 - Favourite duo and 🐉- Headcanons for itgr game? 👀

Hello anon! Thank you for sending in an ask!

My favorite duo, isn't a duo in the traditional sense? More like, related to one another in specific ways duo. I think that Barghest (Nine) and Scarlet's possible dynamic is so interesting. Keyword: possible, because at the moment, I think Barghest isn't a great character and hasn't been explored very well. But nonetheless, for someone who has been with you for most of your journey, lived through everything you have, understands all of your plights to a level no other could, and for them to despise you? All your being? What does that say about you? Scarlet knows that she hurt people with her selfishness, Everette proved that, but Barghest proved that she hurt people without even knowing. She hurt him by, in a way, surviving. He called her a true ninth level sinner and only reluctantly lent her his full power, but it didn't seem personal. Scarlet being a bad person was a fact us readers knew already. But in 190 (around that chapter, can't bother to go back to the exact one,) we learn the extent of how personal it is. Barghest is (not a very great one, and maybe I'll elaborate on that if anyone pokes on another character I dislike) the embodiment of all of Scarlet's self-hatred. He is her guilt with a face. He understands her better than any other, enough to read her fucking mind, but detests her and has made it his sole purpose to seek vengeance for what hurt she's done to him. Barghest finds a target he can vent all his anger to, because he sure as hell can't to Satan, who though is the one responsible for his entire situation is far too powerful to do anything to. So he takes it out on Scarlet, the other resident of the vessel they shared, and even Zero, who wears the face of the man (Chase) that caused Scarlet to sacrifice her to go face her sentence in the ninth level (and therefore bringing Barghest with her). It's so painful they're so angsty and I really hope that their dynamic gets thoroughly explored (+ Nine's character development turning the right way.)

As for head canons, I guess I can share my archreaper demon head canons that I've formulated so far. Only two proper ones at the moment aha.

For Six, or Jordan, I think his demon is an anglerfish. In Episode three, the sixth level is revealed to be where sinners are dragged down by their sins to the bottom of an ocean to drown. I think him having an anglerfish would be really fucking funny. It also fits, as anglerfish have lures that draw in their prey using the light produced by it... Fitting for Jordan, a serial killer that lured women using his beautiful looks and charming personality and then killed them.

For Eight, or Judah, I've head canoned his demon to be a peacock. They're a symbol of vanity, pride, and self-assurance, all traits Judah has. His confidence and near carelessness due to it making him so unlikeable. Peacocks are also symbols of immortality, fitting, for the man who figured out how to make himself immortal. The other Minds of the ITGR discord have head canoned him to be a snake, and I can see why, but I feel like it's a bit too on the nose? Would still be cool as hell for him to have a snake demon though.

Anyways, thank you for sending in an ask once again! I definitely have a pattern here. I keep talking about the archreapers and I'm very normal about them

[the-girl-with-the-glass-heart]

A luke warm review of the live action monster high movie

I pirated the monster high movie last night so i'm going to review it.

Allow me to start this review off with a few quick notes.

1. I am well aware of the controversies surrounding this movie, the racist director, the colorism, ect. with that being said, i wanna judge this movie based on how it actually is rather than the controversy surrounding it. This does not give anyone the excuse to ignore these issues, i just think these points have been said many many times by people who are much better at explaining this than somebody like me, who is so white i am practically marble.

2. I'm the kinda person who's incredibly forgiving to movies, i like liking things, i go into some of the most garbage movies with positive vibes. I also have garbage taste in everything. Try to take my review with an optimistic grain of salt. I'm also not a professional movie critic so alot of my critiques are shallow and not very detailed.

3. This is all just my opinion, you will most likely feel differently and that's okay, no pressure, i will not force you to like this movie be unique be urself be a monster or whatever. I will have some opinions in this post you are bound to disagree with and that's fine.

THE GOOD

-Something i think is really underrated about this movie that people never talk about is the set design, it actually looks like monster high, like the actual playset. They could of easily made it look like knock off hogwarts or just painted a normal school purple but they actually tried.

-I know everyone was dunking on the clothes and the wigs and the fact they don't look like monsters enough but i actually loved most of the outfits in this movie. Granted i'm not a huge fashionista and i was always in monster high for the stories than tje clothes but i think they did a good job. I mean they're on a tv budget and they had to make multiple outfits for multiple characters. This movie probably already costed alot with the make up, clothes, and VFX already. I specifically really like frankies clothes.

-The music is pretty nice! I mean it's no classic musical theatre or as iconic as steal the show or the fright song... buuut, i think the music is all pretty good. Coming out of the dark and its reprise is especially sweet, the only song i don't really like is the three of us, i just can't get the groove tbh. I also really like how in monster heart komos has christian youth pastor vibes and how in i can trust you they mixed in the snake sounds. Just be me also is very cute but i swear i've heard it that chorus before. I'm glad they got kids who can actually sing tbh.

-I thought the humor was all around very solid! Frankie was pretty funny at times, speaking of which...

-this version of frankie is very sweet and very very autistically coded, i think cici balgot is perfect for this version of frankie ngl, i'd love to he friends with this frankie irl.

-by herself and not compared to the og i think this version of clawdeen is also quite sweet. obviously she is nothing like her og cartoon counterpart but for what she is in this movie i think she's very cute. Also keep in mind i didn't care much for clawdeen in the og anyways, i found her voice really cringe and like i said, i was never a fashionista so i was always more into frankie or draculaura. If i actually loved clawdeen or wasn't basically a sentient sheet of paper i would probably be alot angrier.

-the acting is all around solid, that's all i have to say tbh.

-the opening scene is very cute.

-i also like the ending where they all float.

-i'm just happy the kids all had a fun time filming this, i know that doesn't actually affect the quality of the movie but child stars are hardly ever treated well and they all got alot of hate during the production of this movie.

-i do like the allegory of racial prejudice against biracial people, just judging it by itself it was a cool take on it that i think it was handled actually better than freaky fusion. Freaky fusion was a mess tbh tho so that isnt saying much.

THE BAD

-the climax lasted like 4 minutes, i get its a short movie but COME ON, AT LEAST BUILD UP A LITTLE MORE.

-I don't like deuce and clawdeen being a couple, i wish they were just good friends tbh and just vaugely hinted at it. I do like what they did with their relationship tho.

-Cleos development was weird, i feel like they made her such a weird character in this movie, although it is sweet that she learned to accept that clawdeen loved deuce.

-i don't like this new draculaura, i don't care that she's taiwanese now, she just doesn't seem all that interesting. She's by far the most forgettable ghoul in the trio.

-Lagoona, Ghoulia, abbey, and heath did NOTHING in this movie. I understand time restraints but seriously, why even have em in there if you already have a limited budget and you aren't going to do anything with them. People might be pissed but at least the plot wouldn't be all bloated.

-This is a problem in the og but i think its weird that frankie was presumabley made by humans and made out of humans but she doesn't seem to care about the human stigma. Cleo also doesn't give a shit yet she used to be human. It's weird that a narcissist like cleo wouldn't be at least a little offended.

-Deuce is so so bland in this movie, he's sweet at sometimes but fuuuuck, he is so bland.

-Clawdeens mom is dead, listen i love the dead mom trope and it kinda makes sense for the story but it feels weird. Idk how you would fix it but just... it's weird.

-The writing at times was a real mess and alot of things made no sense. Why would clawdeen lie about her dads name being pierre? That's a way more human name than fuckin apollo. Why did draculaura say she hates sun when she was wearing a hoodie? Just flip up the hood!

-as much as i like the humor in this movie, the PA announcer is annoying, they used her too much.

-the plot twist about the hand lock thing was so dumb, especially because frankie could of opened it from the beggining.

THE I DONT KNOW HOW TO FEEL

-ghoulia talks, on one hand i understand if you wanna give her lines because it would work better for the movie, on the other hand, she didn't do anything in the movie so why change it?

-SPOILER!........... Komos is revealed to be hydes son, cool i guess. I'll miss jackson/holt.

.... that's it.

Overall probably would pirate it again. 4.9/10. Wouldn't even mind if they made a sequel, as long as they change directors. I mean whatever you think about this movie i think we can all agree that no matter what, at least it's better than the bratz movie, the winx saga, power puff girls cw, and jem and the holograms.

[buckyjamess-archive]

𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲 ❁ 𝓫𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

chapter eighteen • a/n: last chapter folks- wanna thank all those who interacted/read it, I hope you enjoyed it! ♡ gonna miss these fools, ngl • wordcount: 2k • warnings: nothing but fluff. Parenthood. Babies. Kids.

summary

going through  rough years after losing your husband, you try to raise your daughter the best you can. With the help from the wilson's you make the best of it but the road is bumpy when sam introduces you to his friend.

masterlist

His hands are warmer and maybe even bigger as his fingers are intertwined with yours, gently swaying back and forth, his thumb rubbing the back of your hand or a light squeeze to remind you he's still there. 

a few steps ahead, rosie groans, huffs and puffs as she pushes the stroller the best she can. Talking to her little brother who gurgles back just as much. 

"You're really heavy!" 

a soft pink, round handbag with minnie mouse printed on the front hangs loosely in Steve's other hand. Handed to him seconds after leaving the restaurant by Rosie herself as she offered to push her little brother back home. A heavy diaper bag he'd taken off the stroller to take away some weight, hangs of his shoulder– you told him you could carry one of the two but Steve being Steve, refused your offer and instead clamped his hand in yours.

A day out planned by the man walking next to you. A day with the four of you, letting Rosie and JJ get used to Steve being around for more than the two hours every night before getting tucked in. That Steve wasn't just a friend anymore– though Rosie 'just knew' when you told her Steve was more than a friend, a special friend. 

'I don't kiss my friends like that' 

Rosie didn't mind, or at least you think. She was good with everyone, stranger or not. Opening up to Steve wasn't a problem, becoming friends with Steve came easy for the girl. 

And bucky, bucky would always be dad.

'Now I have three daddies. My real daddy, my normal daddy and steve.' 

And though you never intended to let Steve in your life so quickly, it became serious pretty fast. 

Delicately glueing back each other's pieces left of a broken heart; giving solace, a shoulder to cry on and someone to hold. Steve and you never intended to become this, you were just friends, used-to-be-coworkers. It happened. Bucky no longer floating through your head every other minute or feeling that ache in your chest– just you and Steve and for now after the heartbreak Bucky caused you could in all honesty say that Steve Rogers treated you better than anyone ever did.

The stroller comes to a halt when Rosie stills in front of the apartment block. She let's go of the stroller and places both hands on her sides, bright yellow sunglasses resting on the bridge of her nose, she sighs heavily. 

"That was heavy." 

You and Steve chuckle at Rosie her stance as if an old man admiring his self-built furniture, sarcasm dripping from her body yet as innocent as can be. 

"I bet it was, kid." 

"Yes, JJ eats too much." 

"Says the girl who ate all my fries." 

Letting go of your hand, Steve hands Rosie back her own bag which she happily takes– slipping the diaper bag from his shoulder, you wrap your hand around it and carefully toss it over your own. Hand digging in to find your keys. Taking the few steps up the building, you push open the door and watch how Steve casually carries the stroller and JJ up the steps and follows Rosie in the building.

The walk to the elevator is short, the three of you and the stroller packed tight in the small space– you stay quiet, watching the interaction between Rosie and Steve, your heart grows ten times its size. You thank the gods above for giving you all these amazing men in your life, even if they broke your heart in different ways- teaching you the ways of life, giving the best things to ever exist, trusting you, caring about you..loving you.

Riley, your first real love. The one that changed your life forever. Teaching the ropes of this crazy thing called adult life. Be the calm to your chaos. Showed you love like you'd never had before– sure enough about it all to put a ring around your finger and giving you the most important job of them all; be a mother to a beautiful, funny and feisty daughter. Riley who gave you real heartbreak, leaving an empty hole in your heart and took a piece of your soul with him

Sam who stood by your side through it all. Going through the process together of losing a spouse and partner on the field. Your shoulder to lean on when things got rough, a friend of your man turned into your best friend– showing you the meaning of family by letting you into his own.

Bucky who stole your heart so fast, you never had a chance to let it settle– a wild man willing to wait. A wild man who showed you that life after Riley could be something beautiful; taught you how to love again, brought you back to life and gave you the gift you call your son, gave Rosie a father figure. Bucky the best mistake you'd ever made in your life.

And maybe all these men were needed to get you with the one. Without Riley no Sam and without Sam no Bucky, and you'd never have met Steve if you didn't move to Brooklyn. All these men lead you to him.

Steve. The man who picked up the pieces and put them back together– the man you so desperately needed in your life. The calm that Riley once gave you and the wild and silly bucky once showed. The one for real this time.

Even if things didn't go your way, men changing every chapter of your book– life was pretty amazing. 

Steve must've seen the slight wobble of your chin and your eyes filling with tears. His firm hand back into yours, you look up to meet his blues, you shoot him a tight lipped smile.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" 

You inhale deeply, quickly wiping away the tears that have made their way down your cheeks and not trusting your own voice, you smile at your daughter but shrug. 

"You know what I think?" Steve quips, the hand that's intertwined with yours now snaking around your waist to pull you ever closer into his side "I think mom's just really happy." 

Rosie nods unsure but gives a toothy grin "then I'm happy too, then we're all happy." 

"Then we're all happy." 

He reads you like an open book, something you got to love and hate over the last few weeks. Nitpicking little flaws to get under your skin or be the biggest sap whenever you're feeling down; he knows you like the back of his hand. 

"This is so stupid," you breath out a shaky chuckle "Jesus, I'm crying in an elevator–" 

"It's not stupid," Steve reassures "we're all just very happy, right?" 

"Yeah." You nod. 

Squeezing your side, Steve let's you know he's there and plants a kiss to your temple before resting his chin upon your head.

"I love you, sweetheart." 

Bucky can't quite believe it himself; just a month ago he labeled Steve Rogers as his arch enemy and wish bad things upon the blonde and now, now bucky hopes and wishes the blonde would treat you better than anyone else– welcomed Steve into the mess. 

At ease, okay, alright but above all grateful. You didn't kick him out of your life or that of his kids– you wouldn't be the first mother to do such a thing, he's seen it on TV multiple times. Bucky's grateful that you and him still were a thing just not the same. Parents of your kids, friends.

Though jealousy would strike once in a while and he reminded himself of the mistake he'd made, It was good this way.

Big helium balloons in the shape of letters and numbers float above the table shoved against the wall, reading 'JJ 1 YEAR'. Silver birthday garlands hanging from ceilings along the baby blue and white balloons– table filled with snacks, gifts and drinks. Cramped in your apartment but done together– texting back and forth, nights of planning brought you all here, JJ his first birthday.

Friends and family here to celebrate something the two of you made from love.

Bucky leans against the kitchen bar, one hand tucked deep into the pocket of his jeans and the other wrapped around a bottle of beer. Eyes upon the small crowd gathered and lands on Steve, barely on his knees next to a side table, small plastic tiara on his head as Rosie applies makeup on the guy's face from the set she'd just got as a gift from uncle Sam.

Bucky smiles, at least you picked a child magnet, a guy who'll love his kids as much as the two of you do. 

Bucky scans the crowd again and spots you without any problem, another smile on his face at the sight of his godchild hailey holding JJ, probably gossiping around with you.

It's good this way.

"Hey man." 

Snapping out of his own world, Bucky meets the eyes of a man he hasn't spoken to in months; sam. Not since he got to learn about Bucky's mistake.

"Hey." Bucky shoots him a tight lipped smile.

Standing still next to Bucky, Sam leans against the bar in the same stance and follows Bucky's gaze to the crowd to you, his son and hailey.

"He looks like you." Sam confesses "scary." 

Letting his head fall, Bucky chuckles and nods "at least we know it's mine." 

Sam chuckles along till it dies down, silence falling over both men as they keep watching the scene in front of them. How you leave Hailey with her nephew and mingle with some friends– bucky can feel Sam's eyes burning on his face. 

"Told you so, didn't I?" 

Bucky snorts "Let's not go there, I've learned my lesson." 

"Do you?" Sam quips with a grin on his face "No new love on the horizon?" 

Bucky nods, he has learned his lesson and he knows he'll never find someone like you again– he has definitely learned his lesson and definitely not ready for something new.

"No man, I'm going to focus on my kids." Bucky breathes out a soft chuckle "apparently I still have two." 

"Rosie loves you– I have to thank you for that, giving Rosie a father figure." 

"Wouldn't trade it for anything else." 

"I know." 

Another, comfortable silence falls like a thick blanket. Knowing each other well enough to know what they're thinking– a smile creeping on both men's faces at the sight of you pushing yourself past some people and beelining towards the duo.

"Mind If I join?" 

Scooting aside, both Sam and bucky make space for you in between and your arm that snakes around Bucky's back gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling– he pulls you closer into his side with his arm dropped over your shoulder 

"A year ago you nearly passed out." You mumble softly 

"I didn't pass out." Bucky scoffs 

"I said nearly–" 

"Not even nearly." 

"The nurses had to sit you down." 

"They never–" 

"They did!" 

It's a game of back and forth, getting underneath each other's skin and Bucky hopes things like this will never change even if you decided to spend the rest of your life with steve. The silly arguments, the silly fights and the lame jokes– bucky would be alright as long as that stayed. 

The squeeze around his side makes Bucky aware you're still there. Locking eyes with yours, one's he's found himself lost in many times before, he copies your smile. 

"What?" 

"Nothing– we did good." You state.

Though things didn't go the way it was supposed to, the two of you did good indeed, more than good even. 

"I think we did amazing." Bucky smiles back.

Wrapping his arm around your shoulder a bit tighter, he places a quick kiss on your forehead before following your gaze into the crowd, his daughter, his son, his family and steve.

It's good this way.

"So, guys," Sam clears his throat from beside you "really gotta know what happened on hailey her birthday party that day." 

"No, you don't." You and Bucky chuckle in unison "you really don't."

Taglist: @farfromshawn @Nicollettemarie @wooya1224 @felicityofbakerstreet @agentmstark @sierrax023 @lilyevanswhore @qhbr2013 @buckybarnesobsessed @themaddies-obx @aloserwithoutacause @aanngie @sebby-staan @sweetth1ng @starrystarkey93 @libidinexx @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @gasly-kvyat @brown-bi-beautiful @peter-laufeyson @im-squished @meshlababy @lindseyrae20 @cb97skies @qwccrr @ssprayberrythings @yougottalovefandoms @jbcalway @realgaytrash @natyvwe @poetryazenth @winterberryfox @ahahafudge @okiegirl24 @0moondoodler0 @why-wait-4-eventually @abzidabzy

[brassikarts]

This is Fine

A recap of Waterdeep's Finest.

I forgot to write Part 2 of last week’s recap because of job stuff and COVID-19 stuff - forgive me.  Suffice it to say that we ended pretty peacefully save for a new mandate (borne by prophecy) to travel BACK to the High Forest to resurrect our fallen comrades, and having met two new people: Aradek the Flying Axe, and Lu.

Aradek is Chultan, good-natured, and very handy with an axe.  Lu is an sylph (air genasi) that seems keen to hit on anything with two legs and is very pissed off at a former master that ghosted him.

But!

We began last session with last minute preparation to leave Silverymoon and retrace our steps.  We all went to a bank and showed the leader of the refugees, Dasan, how to money. Niak and Aradek, her husband (?), went back to his house to pick up food and other supplies; Lu waited in Loretta’s summoned cart, and Loretta and Lian went to a magic shop because someone was wheeling out a statue of a naked man and this apparently caught the wild mage’s eye.

Anyway - we go in, and to our surpris we see a very familiar face.  (This leads me to tell the story of “Crazy” Habib. He started as silliness in my college D&D sessions [“Crazy” Habib’s Discount <Potions/Scrolls/Magical Equipment Emporium> was where we said we’d be going for any purchases we didn’t want to RP out but did want to note ICly].  In both Tales of Waterdeep’s Finest - set in Waterdeep - and Thay’s Most Wanted [set in various parts of Thay and Thesk], we’ve run into a series of “shops” run by what seem to be clones that hate each other, and that sell items of varying quality at nonsensical prices.  They refer to one another as brothers, thieves and rascals and try to undercut each others’ business - and they're ALL terrible at business.)

Well, we met the original Habib last night in Silverymoon.  Or if he’s not the original, he’s close to it. One, that man is beautiful and two, his items seem to actually be of quality with reasonable discounts.  Three, we found out that he has a problem with simulacra gone terribly wrong. Four, we bought a box from him.  Well, Loretta did; but he demonstrated the box’s ability to take items and change them to something of equivalent value, such as a platinum piece to ten gold coins.  

This is significant for a few reasons:

A. We need diamonds to raise people.  We have gold.  You see where I’m going with this.

B. Three of these boxes were made, and now three have been sold.

One to us - duh

One to a fisherman (possibly significant with regards to Noktyn, a PC who is on hiatus atm but who came from a fishing village?)

One to “a Thayan mage with a funny accent several decades ago”.  We happen to have a book that once used to be a Thayan mage and he has a funny accent.  The book backed up this claim but he has no idea where it is, probably “stolen by some snake of a former friend”.

Anyway, after getting the box off of Habib, we all set off on our adventure back to the High Forest.  Lu and Loretta exchanged spellbooks and tips; Lian sulked, and Niak and Aradek sat in the back and made small talk about spices.

Fast forward and we get to the entrance of the forest and see mages at the forest’s edge trying to fight a blaze that is still somehow burning.  A few groups are there - the Order of Mages and Protectors from Waterdeep, the Harpers (they’re widespread but big in the Silver Marches), and the Spellguard of Silverymoon.  They inform us that more groups are potentially coming from as far as Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter. They also mention that this blaze isn’t natural… it’s hellfire. We did not apply hellfire to the tree - just normal and (in Lian’s case) holy fire - but the fact that the blaze isn’t going out is a clear indication this was more than your garden variety of corruption.  

Anyway, Loretta starts talking to the mages and mentions we’re going back in.  One of the mages in particular - the Spellguard - has a mighty funny accent that’s very reminiscent of our book, The Vizier.  They just caution us to be careful though, and after some spell jiggery we make our way into the blaze. It is a complete hellscape.  From a place that was lush but felt “off” before, we’re now surrounded by blazing trees everywhere and twisted, fiery skeletons that attack us.  We left off after an encounter with a blazing forest spirit whom we managed to talk down out of outright hostilities, but not before attempted mind control from four angry, flame-y dryads and their javelins.

More to report this weekend.  @light-and-magic , did I miss anything?