#_I_ love them!!!!!!

[chimchiri]

When someone on the internet goes "I really don't like [character you absolutely love]"

[tankgotstuckinthecircusgate]

me when character finally starts to feel like a CharacterTM and not some abstract statistician

[just-spacetrash]

🦾

[235uranium]

god. atlus really is going to milk the fact that 75% of the fandom accepts akeshu as the Canon Pairing without being willing to just fucking say it

[thornescalling]

you know it's bad when you spent 4 hours reading hurt/comfort fics

[crimeronan]

If Hunter ever had a breakdown about how depressed he is and how much he NEEDS Luz and Him and Amity out of the castle, like, Yesterday, how would Luz react? I can’t imagine she’d immediately drop everything but I can imagine her expediting her plans for ending the Empire in ways that aren’t as air tight as she’d like that she’ll have utterly restless guilt about later.

Or honestly, better yet, how would AMITY react?? For their entire relationship all Amity has ever known about Hunter is that A) he’s a gigantic dick and B) he would do ANYTHING for Luz without question or complaint. I’d love to see her reaction to him having a panic attack in a broom closet somewhere going “I can’t do this I can’t do this I need to get her out! _I_ need to get out!!”

GOD.

i think luz's immediate first response would be to try to arrange some way to get hunter out of the castle, even though she Knows he won't leave her. she's like no no this is different, i can just trust the people in my inner guard to take care of me, it's not an abandonment, we'll keep in contact, i'll call you every night for hours and--

hunter would not take this well.

in the most IDEAL world, luz goes to darius to beg him to talk sense into hunter, & then darius gets to be like. you should discuss this with raine actually. love and light <3

amity's reaction would depend on exactly how hunter phrases things, i think. because if he's still framing luz as his top priority then she Knows she can't separate them. but if he's like "i have to get out, i can't do this, i have to get out" then i think she'd be like okay. i can smuggle you out of the castle. luz won't hold it against you and if she does she's not worth following anyway--

hunter would also not take this well. but it would clear up his intentions pretty fast!

honestly i think the most likely thing that would happen is that hunter would pull himself together after a panic attack, pretend it never happened, and swear amity to secrecy like. luz cannot know about this. she has enough to worry about right now and i cannot burden her. Do Not Bother Her

while amity is like. I THINK SHE'D MAYBE WANT TO BE BOTHERED????

[threehuskiesinatrenchcoat]

It's me again, the one who said he was gonna write a makarov/graves fic (i have not yet)

tbh I do think graves x makarov is an amazing rarepair/crackship bc its just so funny pls its peak evil men yaoi like?? They could meet on a mission or smt and makarov has an anime style nosebleed bc oh no he's hot!!!

But anyways I need plot ideas I have base elements of characters and plot down but I think I need ur expert advice on being the one person who makes content of a ship bc the current graves/makarov fics are not it their all oneshots and the only continuous one is pretty angsty so

I definitely want makarov to get tazed at some point tho so let me know what u think this is so disorganised oml

ngl im wheezing at both "i want makarov to get tazed" and "they're peak evil men yaoi" bold of u to say i make content (well, of _A_ ship sure) bc i made like 2 (two) posts abt them lmao but lmao sure im on board i love ur idea abt makarov instantly being Down Bad it's the funniest thing ever especially in his circumstances. not like "oh hell yeah i want him", but "fucking hell. oh god. oh no. i think i want him"

i also feel like he would be kind of a jerk about this? mostly to save his own ego tbh. like, he def wouldn't show that _he's_ down bad, he's gonna act all high and mighty abt it like it's graves who should be grateful for the attention, in a "ur so lucky _i_ think ur hot" kinda way i also feel like graves would see right through that and try to lowkey bully him about it. like, makarov is not as subtle as he thinks he is and it's obvious he's a little (a lot) obsessed and graves finds it hilarious.

tbh i think they'd both be insufferable and enable each other's worst qualities <3

idk about specific plot ideas, what did u have in mind?? the idea abt them meeting on a mission kinda instantly made me think of makarov being obnoxiously flirty (in his own weird way) which kinda leaves graves a little puzzled like "does he want to kill me so bad, is he ??flirting??, or is he just.... like that"

they could meet on neutral ground afterwards? idk if you wanted the makarov getting tased thing comedic or serious but i just can't get the image of him falling victim to graves being paranoid out of my head and coming to his senses tied to a chair with graves like "ok what the fuck are you doing in my hotel room u freak??????"

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hopefully you or some of your wonderful followers can help me out with a really odd question: what is the difference between an AU and a crossover fic?

This might sound silly, but I've always assumed that a crossover is something like "Sherlock and John, while solving a case, cross paths with Mulder and Scully who are also trying to solve their mystery, and they join up to work together." vs. an AU is more like "Sherlock and John are solving cases in the X-Files universe" and their characters are like combinations: Sherlock/Mulder and John/Scully. But the characters from X-Files don't actually exist in the fic.

Or even fics that are just a completely new universe altogether, not necessarily based on an already known one (like Sherlock and John are from Las Vegas and Sherlock the always winning poker player is under suspicion from security guard John that he is cheating, and that is how they meet, etc etc) would be considered an AU.

Anyway, that is how I've always filtered on AO3 when searching. But now I've come across a few lately that are tagged AU but when I start reading them, they are more what I consider crossover fics (which aren't my preference, sorry. I just don't care to read about Sherlock and Iron Man working together lol).

Maybe I've missed out on some great fics that were tagged as crossover but were actually AU's? Is my assumption of which one is which completely off base? Other than reading every fic until it's obvious which type of story it is, is there a better way to at least get an idea for filtering purposes?

I don't want to miss out on fantastic fics because I don't really understand what they're about because I've misunderstood all along!

Thank you for any help you or your followers can give! 😁

Hey Nonny!

Alright, so here's how _I_ personally understand it, and I'm probably totally off-piste, but it's how I've always understood and try my best in my sorting of fics. PLEASE note that EVERYTHING BELOW is how I PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND it all.

Generally, there's a VERY thin line between AUs and Crossovers AND it also melts into Fusion fics as well.

Alternate Universes:

Basically, AU (or Alternate Universe, for my newbie lovelies) is the "larger umbrella term" that all fics NOT following canon events have. These can be as simple as a non-canon-compliant fic, but GENERALLY it's understood as stories that take place in different franchises, eras, timelines, professions, species, etc. That's the broader definition. It covers everything, really. It doesn't necessarily mean just other franchises, but it can contain them.

But in terms of "this story with BBC Sherlock Characters takes place during the Avengers" for instance, each character from BBC Sherlock REPLACES a character in the Avengers. They would never ever meet any of the cast of the main Avengers IF they are a replacement character.

So let's say we're adapting the Avengers. For the sake of this example: Sherlock is Tony, John is Captain America, Molly is Black Widow, etc. Now THOSE characters in the Avengers franchise should never show up AS those characters. We are doing one-for-one replacements to put Sherlock Characters into the MCU AS Iron Man, AS Black Widow, AS Captain America. Tony, Natasha, and Steve cannot exist in this universe.

(as an aside though, given the MCU's current state of Variants existing in multiverses, it can be argued that they can exist, but I'm being pedantic... for the sake of this example let's say they don't)

TL:DR; we replace main characters with other main characters, and those main characters from either franchise should never meet. So TECHNICALLY what is labelled for your example is actually correct (Crossovers and AU), and unfortunately the filtering needs to be whittled down more. Filtering by "Alternate Universe" does NOT guarantee no-Crossovers, so you will have to add crossovers as an exclusion in your filtered terms. On AO3, there is a place to select exclusions, so just type in "Crossovers" there, or character names.

Crossovers and Fusions

I'm grouping these two together because my understanding of these two is that they're PRETTY close to each other enough that they do overlap.

Crossovers are stories that characters from one franchise meet and interact with characters from another franchise; no characters are omitted intentionally, and don't replace other characters in a story. For instance, in a Harry Potter AU, the Sherlock gang all go to Hogwarts, and Harry and Co. all exist and continue on with their story, probably interact occasionally, but we're focusing on the Sherlock gang and their exploits rather than Potter people.

Fusion stories, or my understanding of them anyway, is one of two things:

You have characters that replace SOME of the characters but keep OTHER characters from Universe 2 to interact with Universe 1. Let's go back to the Avengers sample; Sherlock (Tony), John (Steve) and Molly (Natasha) meet and interact with Bruce Banner and Clint. Now it's a FUSION of two universes, interacting and existing based on the actions of what our BBC AvengersLock is doing.

A fusion can ALSO be adapting or using a franchise storyline as inspiration for the plotline of what an author is writing, ie. the rules of ONE franchise's universe can be brought into another. So you can have a FUSION of Sherlock and the X-Files by adapting an X-Files episode as inspiration for the story with BBC Sherlock characters, but doesn't necessarily take place in the X-Files Universe, just simply the rules of the X-Files universe apply also to the BBC Sherlock Universe.

======

ALL that said, the gist of what I'm trying to say is this: All Crossovers and Fusions are Alternate Universes, but not all Alternate Universes are Crossovers/Fusions.

I tried my best to simplify everything as best I could, so I hope I helped a bit. And hey, if I'm wrong somewhere, or you want better clarification, feel free, all, to reply or send me another ask :)

Cheers, all <3

[thedragonagelesbian]

@yetanotherlesbianonthiswebsite replied to your post “The one time someone lets cyrus die for them and...”:

Question: Has Cyrus ever met someone exactly like him? Has he ever been locked in a "No _I_ will sacrifice myself for _you_" battle with someone? Mutual race to martyr themselves?

across every iteration, if there were ever a character he would get into that battle with, it would be wyllyam ravengard. the two are soooooo similarly convinced that hurt doesn't count if they're the ones bearing it. unfortunately, bg3's main story line is super light on opportunities for sacrifice & loss, so at least in-game, the cascading martyrdom situation never came up

.......except maybe with karlach re: becoming a mind flayer after siding with orpheus. i have some bare bones scraps of dialogue somewhere where romanced!karlach and pallybarb!cyrus argue about it, but i've never gone the full illithid!karlach or illithid!cyrus route....... much to think about...............

the other character that comes to mind is anders, which is less of a mutual battle and more of a unilateral decision that he should be killed by cyrus' hand to spare cyrus the burden of responsibility and sacrificial penance for his actions

speaking generally though i would love to do this to him........ i love lose-lose impossible scenarios and it always breaks him to not be Enough, to not give enough of himself to save someone; to have to keep living because someone he loved beat him to the sacrificial altar and died in his place......................................... augh. it would destroy him.

(veilguard pls...)

[unpopularshipbracket]

Round 1a Match 2

Claude von Riegan/Flayn (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

AO3 fic count: 24

"ok so tbh i didnt consider this ship when i first played the game either (in fact _i_ married claude,,,) but about a year ago i laid out a fic outline for them bonding over something that doesnt come up much in the game and i found they had good chemistry and, actually, a lot in common (their support chain even involves them trying to figure out each others secrets, and claude doesnt have many A+ support chains) but then when i went to look for art or fic,,,, suffice it to say it just made me double down. theyre both just not who they present themselves to be, and i love seeing characters like that find intimacy in each other with mutual secrets (claudes a secret foreign prince and flayn's a secret dragon) and theyre both just so nice and they both care so deeply. i just love them."

Magic Brian/Brad Bradson (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

AO3 fic count: 25

"imagine if you will, the lamest wizard ever and his supportive bard hr fiance (they have a massive pet spider also named bryan)"

[holtronpc98]

I finished a bunch of pins!

Yaaaaay :D They're all done in 80's style. I do these for the love of it, so I don't expect them to sell. It's more like I'm making the stuff _I_ want to see, and then I produce it in small quantities, so other people can enjoy it. And even then, I'll try and produce some extra to give away to cosplayers who do an extra good job.

[fallcrestrpg]

lıllı Hotel - Newton-Avraham Suite - Morning 12/26 ıllıllı

Evan

It had been a day full of new and wonderful experiences, she would definitely admit but, the key word in it all was _’full’_. As they stood on the balcony of her room, the half-demon could only smile and welcome the breeze that reached them from the oceanfront. “Leave it to Leo to manage to snag everyone an ocean view in a popular resort,” she quipped before turning to face Embry, “Granted I do tend to find myself a little more grateful towards Julia for the much more amazing view _I_ get to enjoy.”

Embry

She chuckled as she walked up to the other and looped an arm around the other's so that she could lean down against her girlfriend's shoulder. Embry would never believe it if someone told her back then that she'd be confident about how she looked. Yet, Evan was constantly reminding her so and it just made her heart flutter everytime, especially with how the other looks at her. "Oh stop it." She chuckled, "But you're right, I don't think I'll ever get used to this sort of lifestyle.. I don't even think I was ever going to get to step foot in a penthouse."

Evan

It was practically instinct to lean her head down and place a kiss at the crown of Embry's once it was resting on her shoulder. Granted, since the blonde was slightly taller, that was one of the few occasions Evan had to do such a thing. "I make no promises," she replied, "I mean after all, how am I supposed to _stop_ pointing out the obvious? The least I can do is give my word that I'll try to make each time I mention how beautiful you are different from the last. Make sure you don't grow bored with my compliments now that you have an entire social media following saying the same." There was a cheeky grin on her lips, but a look of absolute fondness and adoration in her eyes.

Evan chuckled and said, "Honestly, it is definitely quite the whirlwind to get used to. To think that if it weren't for the stupid Nexus turning me into Deadpool on Halloween and giving me omniscient knowledge of your phone number, you'd probably have some other sugar baby on your arm tonight."

Embry

She nudged her girlfriend with her head slightly before lifting it up entirely to meet her gaze - though the way Evan was looking back at her will always take her breath away every time. Who would've thought she'd fine someone who'd love her as much as other did? Embry surely didn't think it'd ever happen but ever since she stepped foot back in Fallcrest, she was continually proven wrong - not that she'd ever complain about that. "Well... a lot of those pictures also had help from a team of really, really talented people."

Though the event was rather traumatic at the time, it did bring them closer together and she was thankful for that. "I don't think so." She shook her head, "Because if you weren't there to save me and momma that day, I'd literally be dead." She pointed out. "So if anything, I think it was.. meant to be? Is that too corny?"

Evan

Evan simply hummed in response, a skeptical look on her face as she said, "I don't know...your fanbase seems to chorus your praises just as loud on _my_ insta and those are all just candids of you. Though not to take anything away from the talent of the people Leo tends to hire, but let's face it: a masterpiece is much easier to produce when the canvas itself is already perfect."

Evan turned to meet her gaze and smiled warmly at Embry, nothing but genuine affection in her eyes as she said, "We saved _each other_. If I hadn't met you- like truly gotten to know you and have you allow me to be your friend -I don't think my lifestyle up until that point would've been conducive to long and prosperous life." She added a chuckle to try and sell the last bit as humor, but it was hallow and sounded it. "I don't know if I say it often enough, but _thank you_. After my mom...I'm glad to have a sense of family and real connection again, is all....was _that_ too corny?"

Embry

She had nothing to retort that since it was true that there *were* comments like that on her girlfriend's account. It was..definitely a confidence booster to say the least. Still, Embry simply shook her head when Evan implied that she was already perfect. "Biased."

The way Evan kept looking at her just constantly had her melting, instinctively giving back a smile of her own. Her hand slid up and rested against her girlfriend's neck, her thumb brushing against the skin. "Never too corny." She leaned in and pressed her lips against Evan's, lingering to ensure her own feelings were getting across. "...Thanks for allowing me to be part of your family. I'm really glad to have you in my life. Seriously."

Evan

"Does not mean it's not true," she easily countered. "A vampire will be biased in their dislike for the sun, but that doesn't mean it's a lie when they say the sun is bad. It's essentially microwaving us all just very slowly, unless you don't wear sun protection. Which if there's one thing I can attest to Leo about today with all certainty, it's the fact that _every_ inch of skin you may have even risked exposing on the beach today, was very generously covered in sunscreen by my very hands," she said cheekily.

Evan's own hands instinctively went to wrap around the girl's waist, accepting the show of affection and returning it in kind with an ease she'd never felt before. When one held a succubus nature, kisses were rarely meant to show genuine love. She grinned as they pulled apart. "So does that mean that you're _not_ glad to have me in your life when I'm not being _serious_. Because let's be honest, that would be like ninety-nine percent of the time..."

Embry

Who would have thought that her girlfriend would go on a tangent about the sun and how it affects skin? It was still cute to see Evan go on about it before settling on *the* point. "Mmm. Thank you *again* for saving my skin - quite literally I guess." She laughed.

"Oh my god." She rolled her eye, feigning exasperation. "You know what I mean." She chuckled before wrapping her arms completely around the other, hugging the other. It felt like they were rarely alone that moments like this felt special. "I'm glad to have you in my life in every way, serious or not. Wouldn't have it any other way."

Evan

"Oh I think the reflexive response I was getting from your _body language_ is more than thanks enough, Supergirl," Evan teased. She was hardly a novice when it came to women, but there was something truly unique about just _knowing_ that the responses being illicited from Embry at any given point were _not_ a simple byproduct of her own powers.

She laughed at the dramatics, and pulled the younger woman in closer as she said, "Yes, I'm aware you're being _serious_." Evan went in for another kiss, knowing that the exasperation was fake, but wanting to ensure that no trace of upset or doubt was left. Resting her forehead on Embry's gently as she broke the kiss she said, "You don't have to reassure me of what you already _show_ me every day."

Embry

"As if you weren't also purposely rubbing that sunscreen on me at a devastatingly slow pace." Embry pointed out before going with the flow and allowing her girlfriend to pull her even closer.

It felt like it's been ages since she had a moment alone with Evan that she pouted when the kiss broke. "Yeah, but I like to vocally remind you every now and then - you know, in case you didn't get the memo." She joked before deciding to steal another kiss. "Hmm. I think I'm getting addicted to this."

Evan

"I would never dream of denying to having been very meticulous in my application," Evan replied with ease, "Keeping you safe is my number one priority, and the only thing that should mar that lovely porcelain skin of yours should be markings you _desire_ to have..."

The small smirk on her lips at the sight of the pout only became a full-on grin at the blonde's words. Adding a teasing raised brow she said, "Oh? So you're just a very _vocal girl_ now, is that it?" She was sure the younger woman had intended to say 'verbal' but the slip was there, and Evan wasn't letting it go that easy. Stealing a kiss of her own she added, "Oh I see, you're _vocalizing_ you're approval of such displays of affection. Keep at it and I may end up testing just how _vocal_ you really are."

Embry

She could already feel the mischief brewing from Evan's grin alone - and of course, her little slip up was caught.... But whatever, Embry was just going to roll with it, "Mm. If you think about it... if you do want to try and find out, this *would* be your best time." She pointed out, considering that there were very high chances that both her bodyguard and parents were occupied in their respective ways.

Evan

Evan's immediate response was purely instinctive and she was certain her eyes were no longer their normal color as nature took completely over as she locked her gaze with Embry's and practically growled out a whispered warning. "You know, it's not really wise to tempt a _starving_ succubus..."

Embry

Seeing the eyes, she could sense her own eyes glowing in response to her girlfriend's own instinct. "So I've been warned - various times by many people." Using the back of her hand, she brushed against the shorter woman's cheek before asking in a more serious tone, "But on a scale of 1 to 10, how hungry are you actually right now?"

Evan

Seeing her desire mirrored back in such a way was something absolutely new to Evan, and it gave her a moment of pause as she felt the familiar sensation of the pull from deep within exacerbated and practically wanting to tear it's way out of her to just have a taste. It was taking a hell of a lot more self-restraint for her to not act on her instincts and her focus was split enough, to where she barely caught herself before she actually used her succubus touch as soon as she felt Embry's knuckles graze her skin.

The realization was enough to jar her a bit back, a question on her lips that she opted to answer for herself as she held the younger woman tighter and shimmered them inside. "You're not wearing you're necklace." It was meant to be a question, but it fell out as a statement in a tone of voice much lower in register than she'd ever used around the wolf before.

Embry

She let a little "Whoa" when she suddenly felt that familiar sensation of being shimmered to a different place. While she faired a lot better now having experienced it so many times, it did still take her by surprise when it was done without warning.

However, her attention snapped back to the situation at hand. Evan's gaze was making it impossible to look away, but the hand that was on her girlfriend's cheek automatically reached for where her necklace was supposed to be. "I-" The surprise managed to make her look down as if the necklace would miraculously appear if she did. "I-I must have forgotten to put it back on earlier." Her eyes, though a bit dimmer than a moment ago, looked back up at Evan, "Are you okay, Evan?"

Evan

Her eyes followed the hand as it made its way to Embry's chest, and with all her focus on just keeping the hunger at bay, there was none left to even remotely try to hide that very hunger showing in her gaze as she took in the sight. For all the the compliments she paid Embry over their entire time of knowing each other, be it prose or just double-entendre, there was nothing that would compare to the raw, unbridled desire she was taking in the blonde's form in this very moment.

The question barely registered as Evan had already begun to move in closer, and the shorter woman was practically nuzzling against the blonde when she managed to shake her head a bit. She felt like she was practically vibrating from the effort of not giving in, but she refused to risk Embry. "I don't want to hurt you," was all she could whisper.

Embry

She knew that Evan would never hurt her intentionally and so she'd never blame the other girl *if* something were to happen - besides this was her own fault for forgetting to put her necklace back on, the one that was supposed to help prevent this situation from happening in the first place.

Her girlfriend came up so close to her that her breath hitched a little. "I know." She smiled softly at those words, "I'll go grab the necklace right away, but.. you'll need to ... relax your grip on me for just a bit so I can go get it.." Embry spoke softly and hoped that the other knew she wasn't scared - that they were going to be fine. The wolf was also being careful not to touch the other to avoid instigating anything. She could already tell that Evan was doing her damn best to keep her powers under control right now and she was not going to waste that effort by doing something stupid. "Can you do that for me?"

Evan

The truth of the matter was that Evan wasn't entirely sure that she _could_ do as requested, but the fact that Embry had felt the need to even ask the question was enough to have her manage to relinquish her hold on the younger woman in the only way she felt she could without again being tempted to use her special touch: shimmering a few feet away.

The distance itself served to begin the 'sobering up' process, and by the time that Emmy came back she enough self-control and awareness to feel ashamed of how she'd acted. The fact that though the hunger remained, the pull and feeling of her need to act on it dropped down to practically zero, also let her know that the necklace was back on proper. "I'm sorry," were the first words out of her mouth as soon as her eyes met Embry's once more. "I- The necklace not being there shouldn't be an excuse. _I_ should have much more self-control than that- I _have_ had more control than that. The necklace was never a factor before you had it, and it shouldn't have been just now either."

Embry

Embry walked right up to Evan when she returned with the necklace, already resting her arms on her girlfriend's shoulder as she listened to the apology. She pulled the other in for a tight hug, burying her face into the crook of her neck. "You don't have to apologize." She murmured against the shorter woman's ear and fell into silence to mull over her thoughts.

To be so hungry to the point that she was barely in control? It was clear that something was off. "Did.. something happen?" She pulled back enough to be able to look into her girlfriend's eyes. "Have you.. not been feeding?"

Evan

It was a relief, the likes of which she'd never really known before, to be able to feel the direct contact with Embry and not immediately feel like she had to tamp down on some overwhelming urge. Even as Emmy reassured her that there was no apology needed, Evan kept her own arms at her side. The redhead was hesitant to reciprocate the embrace, afraid that if she did so -as illogical as it was to think so- that this time she'd be overpowered by her own nature and be unable to let go.

"I have," she replied, perhaps a little to fast. "I mean, I've been siphoning bits here and there. Mostly from couples who are _really_ into PDA...But Sky, Tomi, and Erin are also always a good go too because those three are always horny-on-main even when they're just like, existing...?" Realizing she'd begun to ramble she stopped and just said, "Anyway, I've been gettin in my minimum caloric requirement of desire." It wasn't technically a lie, but she didn't exactly want to get into details.

Embry

Embry ran her hands down Evan's arms to take her hands. "O...kay..." She was doing the math in her head. "But.. Siphoning from PDA doesn't sound like.. it'd be enough - even if you say that's *minimum* requirement." She frowned, more so out of concern than anything else.

"Evan.. Talk to me.." She ducked so that she could meet the woman's eyes. "How.. long have you been just using PDA.. and the throuple only?" Embry gently tugged on the hands and guided them to the couch so they could sit down and talk. Evan seemingly had her powers under control whenever they were together, even if she wore her necklace usually so to see her in that state was a bit surprising to say the least.

Evan

Because of course Embry wouldn't just take things at face value. Especially when it came to the people she cared about, and as truly _humbled and honored_ as Evan felt to be included on that list, at this very moment it felt like a bit of a backfire. As hesitant as she was to engage in direct contact with her girlfriend right now, she managed not to pull away when she felt the girl making her way down to her hands. She just _knew_ in her heart of hearts that even given the context of their situation, such an action would do nothing but hurt Embry's feelings and wanting to _not_ do that was far more powerful than her own fear right now.

Once they were on the couch, Evan took a deep breath and let out a defeated sigh. "Okay, so at the risk of sounding like exactly the type of person one pictures when you hear the title 'Kepper of the Tomes', I think it's time I gave a more proper explanation as to what a succubus demon is and how we work," she began, hands never leaving Emmy's. "Succubi demons are normally _made_ from women who already weren't exactly living the most 'moral' of lives and who obviously would have zero qualms with using their new powers as needed. I was an oops baby. I'm a succubus because my sperm-donor was an incubus scion demon. So I have the power set, but I also retained my morality thanks to my mom.

"The way it works is that a though succubi are granted a lot of powers similar to other demons, like shimmering, sensing, enhanced traits, etc. for a succubi those powers are fueled by sexual desire. A succubus tends to feed on other people's desire and if done regularly, the stores will be enough to where the powers aren't affected. If a succubus fails to feed properly, and continues to use their powers, the hunger can become dangerous. It is _very_ possible to kill someone just by draining of their life force via the desire . The most vulnerable are humans, with supers being a bit more resilient."

Evan

She took a brief pause, allowing a moment to let that all sink in and somewhat process in the blonde’s head. Knowing her girlfriend as well as she did, Evan knew that the younger woman was already taking the information and trying to use it to make sense of the puzzle the half-demon now felt she’d become to her…

“I started having to feed when I was thirteen, and being young, it meant that it was never much that was needed, _but_ it also meant that I wasn’t exactly just finding desire easily around me. My mom reached out to Quinn at the Bridgeport and she would allow me to chill at the bar out of sight and siphon from her patrons. Eventually, I got older, and I began to frequent places like the Canopy and the Canopy two… plenty to siphon from and…” she sighed knowing the next part would likely be hard to hear, “…well, using their _other_ services when siphoning wasn’t enough.

“In the vein of full disclosure, after fighting my father, I was so depleted that if Leo hadn’t stepped in and sent me off with funds to Jersey City so I could have access to plenty of different partners, I would’ve either killed someone trying to heal or just died from my own wounds.” Evan pointed at hat her scar, a reminder that some wounds really could never go away fully. “So, I’ve been relying on the milder forms of feeding pretty much since then. Only occasionally visiting the brothel, but I stopped that entirely once I realized how strong my feelings for you were,” she admitted. “I need only stay alive, and if it meant living like a mundane in exchange for having you -respecting you- then so be it. But I think I’ve used my powers a bit too much in recent times what with the last attack on the town and haven’t exactly replenished so…my hunger is pretty dangerous.”

Embry

Embry listened to everything Evan was saying, from her explanation of a succubi demon in general... to what they need... to what *Evan's* been doing due to her demon nature. To think that the other was already dealing with this when she was only thirteen? Embry felt a small relief that she at least had her mom and Quinn to help her through this.

She doubt there will ever be a time when her heart didn't hurt thinking about how Evan got her scar, and how it was a constant reminder of the fight. However, it didn't compare to the full realization that Evan had been.. *holding back* - for lack of a better word - her feeding because of her.

God, just what did she ever do in her past life to meet such an incredible girlfriend? Embry didn't know that the other had completely stopped going to the brothel - what Evan said about only feeding off PDA for the most part now made a lot more sense. "Evan..." Her hands gave a gentle squeeze. "You are.. so thoughtful and amazing in so many ways that I still can't believe you're my girlfriend sometimes." Her smile appeared as quickly as it dropped, "But I don't want you starving and be deprived because of me...Why didn't you tell me?" She looked down, feeling guilty that the other was only getting the minimum requirement. "Not to mention that with this town, it ...it doesn't sound safe to be low on powers either."

Evan

"I 'm sure you're also unable to believe _I'm_ your girlfriend anytime I say something sarcastic or obnoxious, but I'd like to think my banging bod makes up for it." It was said with a straight face, but she was certain Embry would know this was just Evan trying to lighten the mood.

Not that it had much of a chance to work as Emmy continued. "_This_, actually." Evan freed one hand and waved it around to indicate Embry and her current state. "I was hoping to avoid all of this. I knew that if I said anything there was the risk of you either feeling guilty or _worse_, feeling pressured into agreeing to anything you weren't actually comfortable with in order to help. Be it to allow me to go off to the brothel or..." The succubus trailed off, feeling the unspoken was understood based on what her issue _was_.

Embry

At the reasoning Embry looked up at her girlfriend again. "And I appreciate that you factored me and my opinions and feelings in your decisions - I really do, but.." Her voice trailed to a whisper, "It's one thing to not be able to use your powers, but it's another when your livelihood depends on it." Embry may not like the idea but at least the brothel was providing Evan what she needed.

"Even if I were to consent anything, you still require several people to avoid any *accidents* from happening... I'm not.. I'm just one person." It sucked to think that she alone wouldn't be *enough* especially if the half-demon's powers was at a dangerously low level, like at the current moment, but this wasn't about her.

Evan

And _there_ was the last thing that Evan wanted to have happen. She had finally met someone that made it to where _their_ feelings and emotions actually mattered to her -above and beyond her base needs- and she'd managed to do the one thing she always did with the others: her stupid 'needs' had made Emmy feel like she wasn't enough.

"Hey, listen to me," she said, guding Emmy's face gently so they were eye-to-eye. "You are _more_ than enough for me. _I_ was the one who put myself in the stupid position of having my hunger overpower due to the use of my powers, but if I've been able to siphon from our friends safely yet felt that being just near you was a risk, _it is because_ of how much I want _you_. I am _more_ than willing to never use my powers again, if it means I get to prove just how much more than enough you are for me _every. single. day._"

Embry

Embry felt almost ashamed that her little slip got caught. Her confidence had definitely been a lot stronger ever since she met Leo and gained the circle she currently had around her but sometimes... just sometimes, that little seed of doubt would always be sitting there at the back. And currently, it was seeping through.

However, her heart fluttered when Evan held her so gently before meeting her gaze. Her heart once again aching at the fact that it was Evan putting her first instead of herself. Hearing aloud that she was *enough* just.. brought tears to her eyes. Embry met the kiss with just as much force; her hand gripping onto the other as if Evan might disappear if she let go.

Evan

Evan made no move to break their kiss until she was satisfied that her point had been made. Even then, she didn't place much distance between them, helped by the fact she'd brought Embry onto her lap in the process of the kiss. "No one, and I mean _no. one._ has ever made me _feel_ the way you do. You have become a vital piece of me, and I want nothing more than to protect you at any cost because honestly, I don't know what I'd ever do without you. I've never had someone in my life that I was afraid of losing before, and honestly it is fucking terrifying. But I would rather face that fear -and whatever else- every day as long as it meant I got to have you. Embry Arryn Avraham-Newton, I _need_ you to understand that for me, you are not just enough; you are _everything_."

Embry

"You really think that?" She asked softly even though she knew that Evan meant every word. Her own blue hues searched for any hint of a lie in her partner's eyes and obviously she found nothing but love and admiration. "I.. I feel the exact same way about you, Evan.. God, i don't know what I'd do without you." She chuckled, "And, just so you know, I have no plans of going anywhere so.. that's one less thing to worry about."

Evan

Evan let out a light chuckle. "I got so caught up in trying to navigate everything within the parameters of what I _assumed_ were the rules for a genuine relationship, that I completely forgot the main key: _communication_. I should have said more and asked more, and _listened_."

A more genuine chuckle followed, a teasing grin coming after. "In my defense, if you looked at me like you did a few minutes ago more often, I might not have considered that you wanted to keep things so _chaste_. I mean, I don't need my powers to read desire in a look when I see it..."

Embry

"Well, we can work on that a little more moving forward.. starting now." She smiled before leaning in close enough to brush her lips against the other and spoke in a very low voice, "Um.. Do you not know you're hot af?" Her eyes flashed for a second, "It's just that.. we barely have time to be alone when we're home - We currently have the luxury because Andy and Thyra *and* the dogs are keeping Levi company."

Evan

"There is a _massive_ difference between being aware one is attractive, and _knowing_ that the one person you personally find to be the hottest fucking person _ever_, just so happens to think you're attractive too," Evan replied with ease, before nodding to Emmy pointing out the obvious. "Yeah, we are definitely going to have to work on that, because supernatural hunger aside, I don't foresee myself being able to keep my hands to myself for long anymore."

Embry

She hummed with amusement, "Hottest fucking person ever? I don't think I've ever heard you compliment me like *that* before." Her eyes flickered down to the lips naturally while the other continued speaking. "Oh? Is that so?" She leaned in and gave a slow kiss, lingering as long as she can before breaking it off to speak again, "I mean, your hands are currently *on* me though?"

Evan

"I try my best not to curse around minors," Evan quipped back without missing a beat. It was bordering on flat-out exhilarating to have someone looking at her in such a manner, and _knowing_ with one-hundred percent certainty that her powers had absolutely _nothing_ to do with it. The kiss was solely because Embry _wanted_ to kiss her. "Well," she began as said hands started to roam, "Something tells me if I try to remove them now, we'll just _both_ be upset..." Evan's words trailed off as she gave the blonde a slow kiss of her own, her hands working their way to the warm skin of her lower back.

Embry

Her body arched towards her girlfriend while her hands slipped up against Evan's jawline and settling in her hair, holding the other as gentle as she could and letting the kiss (and tongue) do all the talking. Thankfully her eyes were closed because she could already hear Evan teasing her even further if she knew how much they were glowing right now.

Evan

Considering her lack of control over her powers had been the _only_ thing that had kept Evan from acting on her desire before, there was very little that she needed in the way of encouragement in order for her to put her money where her mouth was. Or, rather, put her mouth where she wanted it to _be_...

...but she also wasn't one to rush. _Especially_ given that this was already proving to be much more than just sex for the sake of the act. If there was one good thing to take away from her powers, it was how they allowed her to learn that when it came to sex, there was honestly nothing more satisfying than the pleasure she could _give_ the other person. To put that in the context of genuine _intimacy_? She took Embry's lower lip between her teeth and gave it a teasing tug before soothing the bite with her own tongue and taking advantage to allow it to do some 'talking' of its own.

Embry

There was something so special about being so open, so vulnerable, and so intimate with someone she was falling harder for every single day. For someone who had never thought she'd ever get the chance to nor deserved to after being hurt so many times before, the overwhelming feeling of this was enough to make her heart feel like bursting.

The way Evan was being so patient and slow with her was admiring but the little tease she pulled did get a low growl in response. She gently pushed Evan so that they'd lean against the back of the couch with a hand resting on the couch for support. It was almost impressive with how much strength she was holding back in her grip.

Evan

This was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. It was true that she'd been in actual relationships before, and if the heartbreak she felt over her last ex was anything to go by, the feelings had been genuine. But never had she actually _felt_ that having feelings for another person made such simple things better. Until now, that is.

A growl in response to something she did was nothing new, but coming from Embry? It was as if her powers weren't even affected at all with the way she felt it reverberate in her entire body. The whole thing left her head swimming for a moment, and it only caught up to the present when she was already practically pinned to the couch. It was enough for a growl of her own as she used her position of being beneath the blonde to swiftly lift her and make it to where they laying on the couch instead.

Breaking their kiss only momentarily, she made sure to catch Emmy's gaze, and said "No matter what I do or say going forward, I want you to know -with absolute certainty- that _you_ are in control. You say the word, and I stop." Once satisfied that she'd been heard, Evan wasted little time in getting them back on track as she went in for another kiss, while pulling Embry's leg up to hook around her waist so that the space between them became nonexistent.

Embry

This had been the first time she was so intimate with someone after awakening her wolf and needless to say, her emotions and desire were all amplified to a level she didn't quite comprehend. Her eyes shown brightly when Evan took a moment from their make out session to reassure her. God, bless her heart. How did Embry get so lucky?

Barely able to give a nod, her arm wrapped around the other tightly as she found herself repositioned so she'd be lying down on her back. Her other hand went down her girlfriend's arm, and onto her side, slipping beneath the fabric and and eventually finding solace on the woman's back. However it didn't stay still for very long since it started to roam all over before she felt herself at the limit and tugged the shirt upwards to signal the other.

Evan

This wasn't the first time Evan had been in such a positin with a werewolf. Which wan't a flex just a fact. With the reason behind which she needed to have sex, supernatural partners were just the better fare. So the growls, the increase in body temperature, the eyes that could light up the entire room on their own, even the nails raking her across skin growing just a little sharper every so often, were nothing she hadn't dealt with before.

But getting it all now, specifically from Embry, and all they'd done so far was make out? Evan was on another level of desire she herself had no words for. The silent request as her shirt was tugged up was met with no resistance at all, immediately using the moment to even their state.

Embry

Her eyes managed to run down her girlfriend's body before she was prompted to take her own shirt off. She was definitely not lying earlier - Evan was *hot*. If it weren't for the other resuming their kissing, Embry would no doubt just be ~~staring ~~ admiring. And the fact that someone like that, who was beautiful inside and out, wanted *her*? That was unfanthomable.

It was clear that she was having difficulties decideing between wanting to wrap her arms around again to keep the two of them close, and wanting to touch all over.

Evan

Was doing her damndest to take in, savory, and burn each and every moment into her memory. But the way things were beginning to escalate, it was looking it would be left to be subconscious task -that she even remotely doubted she'd ever be able to forget single fragment of this...

Feeling the way Embry was suddenly approaching touching her, with more hesitation as if unsure of where her hands were meant to go, Evan gently reached out to take one of those soft hands with sharp claws and placed it somewhere she knew they'd both appreciate. Feeling a little more confidence in her girlfriend's hold of her chest, Evan dove back in to placing searing kisses to every exposed piece of skin she could. As she trailed her way across the woman's décolletage, it was as if she could spot each and every little freckle there, and wanted each to become a love bite instead. A reminder of where Evan had been, reveling in her skin.

Embry

A chuckle emitted from her throat as she gave the breast a squeeze - yes, she definitely appreciated. Also feeling more confident than just a second ago, her finger teased the nub with a few light brushes, a few flicks.. being a bit distracted with all the kisses. Using her other hand, she hooked it under Evan's chin to bring her lips back to hers, almost sitting up enough to meet her halfway.

Using the momentum, Embry took the opportunity to switch their positions at the other end of the couch. At the sight of Evan laying there under her had the wolf stopping for a moment to admire - like her girlfriend's beauty just stunned her to the spot.

Evan

For the briefest of moments it was like Evan forgot how to breathe. The sight of the normally shy and reserved Embry glaring down at her with nothing but unbridled desire, no hint of shame or timidness to be found, was absolutely breathtaking in the most literal of senses it seemed. When she did finally remember to inhale, it certainly didn't help that the breath brought along with it the very notable scent that was purely Embry.

Spurred on by the clear desire now making it's way to all of the proper areas, Evan sat up and latched an arm around Embry's middle before shimmering them over to the bed and gently setting the younger woman down on the mattress. She meant what she'd said about stopping at any indication that the wolf did not wish to proceed, but in the meantime, she would take the signs she was being given and began to remove the girls jeans.

Embry

As strongly as she felt about the other, there was something more intense about her desire. Was it due to the wolf that naturally enhanced her senses as well as emotions? Although Evan was half-demon, Embry had been careful not to add too much strength in her touches. However, the desire could not compare to when she had her girlfriend lying under her like *that*.

She didn't know just how much strength she was using in her arms to hold herself up and not daring to move her hands an inch until Evan shimmered them out of the living room. Her eyes never leaving Evan once even as her pants was being tugged off. The moment she was freed, she reached out and pulled her girlfriend towards the bed. Using the advantage of the momentum, she slipped her arm around the woman's waist and flipped them over. With a searing kiss to the lips, Embry started to shift down - her turn to leave a trail down the collarbone, the middle of the chest.. and then very slowing down her girlfriend's stomach before reach the edge of the pants. To even out the playing field, Embry quickly removed those pants.

Evan

It was easy to tell that Embry was holding back, if only because she already knew what a wolf's nature would be like in this situation and the girl's eyes were betraying the fact she very much was in touch with said nature right now. She let Embry take the lead as soon as they were on the bed, hoping to help ease some of the tension that came from having to actively use self-restraint when all one wanted to do was let loose. If anyone knew what that was like, it was her.

As soon as her own jeans were a forgotten heap on the floor, she gently goaded Embry's face back up so they were eye-to-eye and delivered a burning kiss of her own. There was a sense of satisfaction when she pulled a way slightly and was met with the sight of a pair of lips plump from the slight bruising and and angry shade of red. "Let go, baby. I can handle it."

Embry

With the encouragement, Embry gained a little bit more confidence. Her eyes softened at the fact Evan was so patient with her.. to make sure that she felt safe enough for anything. The wolf gave another kiss for good measure as a hand slipped behind the demon to lift her up just enough for her to unclasp the bra and flung it somewhere behind her over her head.

Her hands symetrically brushed across the collarbones, then down until she's got a hold of both breasts. Her girlfriend looked absolutely etheral that she swore she forgot how to breathe from the sight again. Lowering herself, Embry ran her tongue over a nipple, teasing the other with a few tugs before completely engulfing it in her mouth.

Evan

Evan could only chuckle into the kiss as the garment was flung. "You're getting that down later," she teased noting briefly that her bra now hung from the the ceiling fan. Of course there wasn't a lot of time afforded to the dilemma of her lingerie as felt gloriously warm hands began to make their way down her torso. The attention being paid to her chest was expected, if she ws honest. Embry had never exactly been subtle about her appreciation for her assets.

There was a hiss of pleasure that escaped her own lips as Embry's made their way around her currently rather sensitive nipple. Just the thought of the warmth, moist, hold the blonde had on her breast was enough to almost practically forget the girl's hand was busy with the other. Evan ran a rand through tousled blonde locks, giving a gentle tug to match each time she felt teeth graze at her nipple, but making no move to remove the young wolf. This was going to be Embry's first time in a way, and Evan wanted nothing more than for her to thoroughly enjoy it. No restraints. No regrets.

Embry

Whatever dilemna was happening with the bra she just tossed somewhere was not distracting her from this. Since it'd be *rude* to leave the other alone, Embry switched over and gave it as much love as she did the other.

With her eyes gauging on the woman's reactions, the wolf moved lower though her hands were both still keep the demon's chest warm - squeezing them as she left a trail of kisses down until she met that last remaining piece of fabric. She quickly repositioned herself, looping her arms under the older woman's legs. Her tongue slowly dragged against the wetness that seaped through and she couldn't help but smirk. Nothing more arousing than knowing that your girlfriend is turned on by you.

Evan

As soon as Embry began to inch her way down, Evan became acutely aware of just _how_ much her body was primed and ready to let the blonde do as she wished. The way she was feeling right now and with how keyed up just the sight of Embry had her, Evan doubted there would be _any_ wrong move on the other woman's part short of deciding to not make a move at all.

And boy did the wolf _not_ disappoint. The second there was any slight pressure to her sex, another hiss was ripped from her lips, bottom one soon caught between her teeth. Just the sight if Embry's golden locks in between her thighs had made her desire shoot through the roof. The actual lapping was enough to her buck her hips

Embry

Just watching her girlfriend react to her actions was a sight she'd never forget. With a hand coming in from up high, she shifted the fabric that was in the way. Embry teased the other by giving gentle kisses against the wet folds before fully plunging her tongue in.

Moving her tongue at a steady pace, she slowly slipped a finger into her entrance with ease. The wolf was very much buried into the older woman as she worked her tongue and finger in rhythm, with her main priority was to make Evan feel good.

Evan

It was very rare for Evan to miss having access to her powers when near Embry -and their earlier debacle was more then plenty of reason why- but as she allowed herself to just give in and be taken care of, there was a part of her that still wanted to give something back and she wished she was confident enough in her abilities to where she could feel it was safe to use her succubus touch on Embry. To _truly_ show her how good she was making her feel, by allowing the wolf to feel the pleasure she was giving _herself_.

As it stood, the most she could manage were sounds of encouragement, and the use of her own body -hips, legs, hands- to show that she wanted nothing more than to feel Embry as deep inside of her as she could manage. To bring the both of them so close together that it would be near impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.

Embry

It went without saying that all of Embry's senses was being taken over by her girlfriend's scent. if she was being honestly, she didn't have that much experience but she had been acting on instincts for the most part so needless to say, it was quite a boost to her confidence knowing that she was making the other, who was half-*succubus*, feel good. While she thought she had been in love with her ex, nothing compared to how she felt with Evan - which was why she didn't want to rush what she was doing to savour every second of this.

With a hand moving the fabric out of the way, her tongue moved up further, carassing the swollen clit as she slipped in another finger without dropping a beat. Instead, the pace was increasing with each thrust and lap, hoping to bring her girlfriend closer to the edge.

Evan

It was evident that Embry had no plans for this to be something fast and done with, and Evan had no intention to rush her either. When your nature makes sex a necessity for survival, it can easily take on the same qualities as breathing: it's something you know you have to do, but there's nothing particularly exceptional about it. It just _is_. But with Embry, everything was entirely different. She supposed that in a sense, this was a lot like her own first time as well. Everything held meaning, and each touch -no matter how small- was enough to send white-hot heat coursing her entire body, only to settle in that one sensitive spot.

A spot that Embry was quick to find after a while, and with as much anticipation as she had already held onto, it didn't take long for Evan to reach the edge and happily dive right over. As soon as she'd regained control of her limbs, she reached down to guide her girlfriend back up so they were eye-level and immediately drew her into a heated kiss. "Tasting myself on you is almost enough to make me cum all over again," she whispered, "But I think I'd much rather hold off on that until I have a chance to taste _you_..."

Embry

The sight was just.. utterly breathtaking as she drove her girlfriend over the edge, holding her down as the shudders ran through the other. Even though it hadn't even passed yet, she already wanted to do it all over again. While she waited for Evan to ride it out, Embry placed gentle kisses against her inner thighs before she was drawn back up for that kiss. Falling over next to her girlfriend, she kept close enough to nuzzle and sneak tiny kisses as she got comfortable beside her.

"Hmm... What are we going to do?" She feigned innocence, "I want to make you cum all night though." She chuckled as she slipped her leg in-between the other, pressing up against her sex. Her hand was, of course, found on her girlfriend's breast again. Those were really becoming one of her favourite physical features. Not only that but clearly, her confidence was really shot through the roof with the way she was talking.

Evan

Maybe it was the heat of the moment, maybe she was just tired of feeling restrained herself. If pressed, Evan wouldn't have been able to give an answer on what drove her to snap the necklace clean off the wolf and toss it clear across the room. What she _could_ definitely say with the utmost confidence, is that she did so feeling assured that she'd be able to control herself far better than she had earlier in the evening. There would _never_ have been even a remote chance that she would even consider the idea of doing such a thing otherwise. "I hope that begins to answer your question a little," she replied, already feeling her desire rising again at the cheeky contact that Embry opted to go for.

Of course, with the necklace gone, her eyes shone as she lightly ran a finger from just below her girlfriend's ear, down and over her shoulder, and from her arm to the very fingertips that had just moments ago been inside her. The entire time, her succubus touch was allowing her to let Embry feel the very pleasure that she was causing within Evan. "I think 'all night' might be underselling it a bit."

Embry

The surprise she had when Evan suddenly yanked her necklace off and tossed it away. The very same necklace they were concerned with just earlier today. However, she trusted Evan enough to not be concerned for her own safety. She figured that her girlfriend must be confident enough, seeing different she was now compared to how much she was struggling just prior. She was curious to what Evan wanted to do now that the necklace was off. While she had been briefed about what succubusses and their powers do, it was different to personally experience.

Her own eyes locked on those shown back at her, captivating her in every sense as she could feel more than what she expected along the touch. She could feel her own desires growing to her core but at the same time, she knew it wasn't quite *her* own desires... "...Was that.. Am I feeling what you're feeling?" She whispered back a question, somehow feeling herself going breathless.

Evan

Evan simply nodded, before going in for a kiss. It was heated and passionate, but the succubus made sure not to take more than what one would consider a 'nibble' as she pulled away. Having been sated somewhat by her earlier climax, and with Embry being a full werewolf, Evan knew that a feed would be safe, but it wasn't her priority.

If she had gained access to her powers, it was solely with the goal to make Embry feel the best she'd ever felt. "You most certainly are. I want you to feel the exact way _I_ feel, when I get to feel you tense around me," she whispered in the blonde's ear, hand already making it's way down the woman's body. If the slickness she was met with was anything to go by, Embry was more than ready, but a little warmup never hurt.

Embry

Her breath hitched as she felt the path of warmth on her skin. It really wasn't fair that she was feeling both Evan's and her own desire to the point that she had to bite down on her lower lip to stop a whimper from coming out. Not only that but the wolf didn't trust her voice enough to ask any more questions about the power at this current moment. Evan was barely touching her and she swore she could cum already.

Her head dug into her pillow as her body moved according to the location of the hand. God, it really was unfair - even if Embry didn't make any reaction, Evan would know just how she was making her feel regardless. No hiding whatsoever, not that she was going to keep anything from the older woman.

Evan

Evan was well aware of what she was doing. It was an infinite loop of desire that was just going to continue because nothing got her off _quite_ like getting to watch Embry getting off on the things she did to her. She set the pace slow, not wanting to overdo it either, two lithe fingers gaining entry and beginning to pump in and out with ease, her thumb constantly working on the woman's clit. Pressure here, pressure there, circles, flicks, the works. If she could tell tht it _felt good_ for Embry, she was going to keep at it.

She placed light kiss on the woman's exposed neck before making her way down and taking in a nipple herself. A little light grazing of the sensitive nub with her teeth, and she could swear she'd gotten an arch out of the wolf.

Embry

Her eyes fluttered as her hips bucked along the rhythm of the fingers - her need to go over the edge intensified with each pump, and being way too distracted to feel the shyness from learning how her girlfriend feels simply by watching her like this.

At the kiss, she arched her neck even more when a moan finally escapes her lips as she felt her breasts being teased. She even tried moving her hips to speed up the pace if only the woman would let her.

Evan

She could understand the need the blonde likely felt to get this to it's end sooner rather than later, but there was just a special sense of added satisfaction that came with delayed gratification...who was she to deny the younger woman of discovering this. Granted, she also wasn't cruel or about to make her hold out for ages when she was clearly ready for that final push.

So when she began to feel the woman's inner walls begin the tell-tale move of milking her fingers, she curved them just the slightest upwards making sure to hit the magic littl button inside just a time or two and if the way Embry's sex practically clenched around her fingers -almost seeming to want to pull them in further- was anything to go by, the blonde had definitely reached her climax. Once she was done helping the woman ride, essentially _both_ of their highs, Evan simply brought up the slick fingers and made sure to leave them clean with her mouth before grinning from ear to ear. "I can honestly say, I've just been _fed_ like never before."

Embry

She was certain that Evan was discovering just how 'vocal' as she could be as her voice filled the room as her body trembled from the fingers deep inside her. Once it started to calm out ever so slightly, the wolf curled into the other, resting her forehead against the woman's chest with her eyes still closed. She could only chuckle at those words as she took a bit longer to get her breath back. Being a wolf or with the help of the succubus' touch really intensified everything.

"... I can honestly say I've never had sex like *that* before either." She chuckled before looking up again, taking the opportunity to give a soft kiss to Evan's jawline before wrapping her arms fully around the other.

Evan

Shimmering them beneath the actual sheets really was the simplest thing she'd done all day, which is definitely _not_ what she'd have bet money on when the day started. Her reticence to feed properly had made it to where using her powers for at all was draining enough to require a full day of rest.

As she felt Embry snuggling into her, she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. "No one would've looked at us during our initial tutoring sessions and thought 'yeah, the reserved blonde will totally be cuddling up with the redhead bitch post coitus one day'."

Embry

The whole room was covered with their scent and she was *very* thankful that no one was going to drop by for a visit anytime soon - at least she didn't think so. At the same time, she was very much enjoying the rare alone time with Evan.

Which was why she snorted at the adjective used to describe her. "Shut up.. You're not a bitch." Yes, that was the thing she focused on. "Well, you weren't one with me ever.. At least I don't think so?" She frowned, thinking back to their initial encounters.

Evan

Evan could only laugh at the response. "_That's_ your takeaway from what I just said? That I'm not a bitch?" Settling down a bit, she wrapped her own arms around Emmy and placed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. "Well, Supergirl, you make it pretty freaking difficult to be a bitch to you, what with the big, bright doe eyes and the quick to act-first-ask-questions-never-mom."

Embry

"I don't know about that." She couldn't help but place tiny little kisses across the woman's chest as she spoke. "Well - maybe with the mom aspect because if it were the doe eye thing.. I think there's plenty of those within the group. You're not an asshole to them either."

Embry scooted up a bit so that she could be at eye-level with the other. A question nagging at the back of her mind. "... so.. are you like.. fully fed now?"

Evan

She tried and failed to suppress another laugh. "Yeah, see, that actually _proves my point_," she managed as she caught her breath. "I think it's honestly the biggest ego boost to feel like I may have _actually_ fucked your braincells a bit askew," she teased.

Meeting her gaze she smiled softly and said, "I mean that's definitely the most unique way I've been asked if I feel up for going _again_," she chuckled.

Embry

She frowned - though it was clear that she wasn't upset at all, "Stop looking so smug." Continuing the confidence she gained tonight, she leaned in and gave a slow, yet prolonged kiss before talking the arm that was around her and pinned them above Evan's head as she rolled them over. "But Is.. that a no?" She asked though there was a hint of a smirk.

Evan

Evan's smirk remained well into the kiss, even as she let the other take control and reposition them. As Embry pulled away, she simply raised a brow and said, "See, that's thing about being a succubus babe: _I'm practically insatiable_. And most cerainly doesn't help-" she gently pressed her knee up to Embry's sex "-that my absolute favorite meal has now been made available to me _on a sliver platter_."

Embry

Embry had a feeling that Evan would be smug forever after tonight. Still, her instinct had her hips grinding slowly into the other so that her heat was just rubbing against the knee. "Have I mentioned that it's almost unfair that you can tell exactly how I'm feeling." She leaned in close, "Though feeling how wet I am would have easily given that away." She brought both the hands she had pinned down up and onto her body, slowly guiding them up to both chest.

Evan

She hummed in response, feigning a look of innocence that was only given away as a front by the remaining smirk on her lips. "What can I say? It's not entirely difficult to figure out what a girl wants when her body language does the speaking for her," Evan murmured, hands already busying themselves in providing the attention to each breast that Embry was clearly seeking. "I can always get the necklace back if metaphorical handcuffs are your thing, you know..."

Embry

Embry was not going to even argue because anything she said would be a moot point with the position they were in. Having this moment with Evan was simply *addicting* and it had nothing to do with the succubus touch. The girl had never felt so good and confident about herself, about her body but spending every moment with Evan made all those doubts disappear. "Do you *want* the necklace back?" She didn't even care where it flew off to right now. Even if it had been for her protection, she didn't want to restrict Evan from anything.

Evan

Evan responded by shifting one hand of the woman's chest to latch onto her neck, bringing her in for a rather lengthy, searing kiss. When she finally pulled away and let Embry's lips go free, they were slightly swollen and red. The sight was enough to have Evan's eyes glow once again, as she hovered her own lips just barely next to Embry's. "And miss out on getting to _taste_ you in a way no one else ever will? The necklace has only ever been here for _you_."

Embry

Embry eagerly let herself be guided right back for another kiss. "Then.. I guess it could stay off - I don't think my parents would be very happy about it though." She chuckled as she leaned in just enough to give soft pecks against those lips. "So.. how does it actually work when you feed? Would you ever get.. " Her nose crinkled slightly as she thought about it, "..I don't know.. *full*?" Could one overfeed?

Evan

"Feeding is dangerous for many reasons," Evan began, though a bit begrudgingly. She didn't want to possibly ruin the moment, but it was only fair that Embry know what she was getting into. "The person I feed off of won't even feel a thing, if albeit a bit more tired the more I feed off their energy. Which, is something that they can easily be distracted from with the succubus touch...now when I said I was 'insatiable', I pretty much meant it. I can feed to a point where I'm well enough to use my powers with zero issue, but that doesn't mean it stops. Overfeeding does not exist nor affect myself, but if I feed off of the same person too much too soon, it can lead to their death."

Embry

She hummed as she rested her head on her girlfriend's chest to mull over the explanation. "So.. The necklace somehow.. acts like a blocker?" She recalled that Evan lost all sense of hunger the moment she had the necklace back on. "Personally..." She started again, "I don't mind *not* wearing my necklaces, but I think my parents might double down on the overprotectiveness. So rather than keeping me safe, I think it's there to keep *you* safe."

[emsylcatac]

I want to reblog that marichat kiss gif but it's nowhere on my feed gngngnomnomgnnrrer *angrily munches on an imaginary pancake*

[promiseiwillwrite]

I think I am in the same boat here. I've sort of always wanted writing and telling stories to be a part of my practice, and it's why I started this damn blog in the first place, but I learned early that people get bent about things here pretty easily and regularly.

Thankfully, I've scared off or been blocked by most of them at this point. Maybe we should just have story time together, and not worry about what people think.

I've been wanting to write about the hijinks of the people that live in my head, and the gods that wander in and out of my internal spaces like they own the place. And not everyone wants to hear that, but _I_ want to hear it, and stories like it.

I'd love to hear more of what you both want to share, redacted or not, as it pleases you both.

I miss making informative witchy posts, but everything feels so personalized to me now. I’m not sure how to share it anymore.

Like, how do I tell you about a bridge collapse in the spirit world? The month of offerings to grow a mushroom bridge? The conversations about the possibility of taking a dip in the stream that the bridge goes over? The big fuckoff tree? The chinchilla-like spirit that protected the big fuckoff tree?

It was easier when all I had to tell you about was the silly spell where I just yelled “gimme!” at a candle and got a raise.

[vergess]

Sorry to burst into your asks like this, but I'm really interested in the exocolonist datamining-can you tell me what/where to find the file you looked through?

So! Number 1 thing!! You never have to apologize for asking me to talk at great length about something I love. I am extremely autistic. This is one of my favourite kinds of social interaction.

Now then!!

I play on linux, so all the files are just out there in the open and most of them are plain text files with custom file endings.

I don't know what the file structure looks like on windows, but since the game seems to have been written in java, probably basically identical. Assuming nothing is encrypted on windows either, I would say this game is the most beginner friendly for data mining I've ever seen.

So for me, the files are in ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/Exocolonist/Exocolonist_Data/StreamingAssets/ and then in the Data and StreamingAssets folders.

On windows, that would be in your steam folder, then steamapps/common/Exocolonist/Exocolonist_Data/StreamingAssets/

You can also just right click on the game in steam, and go to Manage > Browse Local Files. That will open you to the main Exocolonist folder, so you'll navigate to exocolonist_data/StreamingAssets/

The data folder is where you will find the bulk of the writing for endings, character profiles, cards, card abilities, etc. If you want to modify how much a particular card is worth, view the full names of characters you only see mentioned briefly, etc, this is the folder you want.

The Stores folder contains the actual "gameplay" parts, in the sense that the buildings, locations, jobs, combat calls, etc are in it. That includes mid-game dialogue!

There's also a specific file in Stories called 'unimplemented memories' that shows the specific coding syntax for modifying the game, to ensure any changes you make look and play correctly!

Between that and save files being basically plaintext with a button on the 'load game' menu that will take you directly to them in your file system you you can edit them even easier, this game is a GREAT choice for learning more about how to datamine or mod a game. Everything is so straightforward.

I mean, the code is fully commented, with all human-readable variables and methods. That's insane! I didn't even code shit that tightly when I was in school, actively being graded on it!!!!!!!!

The endings are all written out in Exocolonist - endings.TSV. I mean that's. That's SO straightforward!! You can open TSV files in any spreadsheet editorfor a more visually pleasant experience, or in a plain text editor if you're hardcore for the sake of being hardcore.

Oh, save games are actually located in your documents folder (I think?) on windows, and in the home folder on linux. The folder is helpfully called "exocolonist/save_games" so it's very simple to find. You can edit your save files (which end in .JSON) in any plain text editor. For windows, I like notepad++ since it will automatically color code the formatting. For Linux, I use Kate but any of the ones that come pre-packaged will do just fine.

Some of my favourites so far from fucking around where I don't belong:

The "releasing endorphins" card you get for distracting Tangent from her Big Government Project by fucking her is called "TangBang" in the data. This is, to me, the single funniest phrase on earth. I can't stop saying it.

Unimplemented Memories contains tons of non-canonical filler text including gems like:

"Git outta me bloody face, ye sodding nullshite!" Vace yelled, as Rex blew him another kiss.

~set bg = pinup_tammy_saved WOW you saved Tamtam! Tammadammadingdong lives!

Anemone Enhancement: Scaly lizard lady. > facts

marz: "Ho ho ho welcome to _my_ bridge which _I_ am totally the boss of." dys: "Ug Marz this place smells funny." marz: "He who smelt it dealt it, Nerd."

But, most importantly of all, the dog-like creature that tries to kill you/Anemone in the opening sequence??

Is named Doggo.

[themousefromfantasyland]

THE GIRL WHO PRETENDED TO BE A BOY

What about a transgender fairy tale for Pride Month?

This variant is a English translation by Andrew Lang of a Romanian fairy tale called Ileana Sînziana. In this long, but fun tale, a powerful new Emperor wants in his court all the male heirs of the Emperors who he already dethroned. Knowing her father doesn't have any male heir, the youngest daughter of an old Emperor decides to dress as man and goes out in a journey.

In the end she is "cursed" to be a man, becoming Făt-Frumos, here translated as Fet-Fruners, a stock Romanian character in folk tales, a knight hero similar to Prince Charming. Făt-Frumos can be roughly translated as handsome infant or child or handsome boy.

Once upon a time there lived an emperor who was a great conqueror, and reigned over more countries than anyone in the world. And whenever he subdued a fresh kingdom, he only granted peace on condition that the king should deliver him one of his sons for ten years' service.

Now on the borders of his kingdom lay a country whose emperor was as brave as his neighbour, and as long as he was young he was the victor in every war. But as years passed away, his head grew weary of making plans of campaign, and his people wanted to stay at home and till their fields, and at last he too felt that he must do homage to the other emperor.

One thing, however, held him back from this step which day by day he saw more clearly was the only one possible. His new overlord would demand the service of one of his sons. And the old emperor had no son; only three daughters.

Look on which side he would, nothing but ruin seemed to lie before him, and he became so gloomy, that his daughters were frightened, and did everything they could think of to cheer him up, but all to no purpose.

At length one day when they were at dinner, the eldest of the three summoned up all her courage and said to her father:

'What secret grief is troubling you? Are your subjects discontented? or have we given you cause for displeasure? To smooth away your wrinkles, we would gladly shed our blood, for our lives are bound up in yours; and this you know.'

'My daughter,' answered the emperor, 'what you say is true. Never have you given me one moment's pain. Yet now you cannot help me. Ah! why is not one of you a boy!'

'I don't understand,' she answered in surprise. 'Tell us what is wrong: and though we are not boys, we are not quite useless!'

'But what can you do, my dear children? Spin, sew, and weave—that is all your learning. Only a warrior can deliver me now, a young giant who is strong to wield the battle-axe: whose sword deals deadly blows.'

'But WHY do you need a son so much at present? Tell us all about it! It will not make matters worse if we know!'

'Listen then, my daughters, and learn the reason of my sorrow. You have heard that as long as I was young no man ever brought an army against me without it costing him dear. But the years have chilled my blood and drunk my strength. And now the deer can roam the forest, my arrows will never pierce his heart; strange soldiers will set fire to my houses and water their horses at my wells, and my arm cannot hinder them. No, my day is past, and the time has come when I too must bow my head under the yoke of my foe! But who is to give him the ten years' service that is part of the price which the vanquished must pay?'

'_I_ will,' cried the eldest girl, springing to her feet. But her father only shook his head sadly.

'Never will I bring shame upon you,' urged the girl. 'Let me go. Am I not a princess, and the daughter of an emperor?'

'Go then!' he said.

The brave girl's heart almost stopped beating from joy, as she set about her preparations. She was not still for a single moment, but danced about the house, turning chests and wardrobes upside down. She set aside enough things for a whole year—dresses embroidered with gold and precious stones, and a great store of provisions. And she chose the most spirited horse in the stable, with eyes of flame, and a coat of shining silver.

When her father saw her mounted and curvetting about the court, he gave her much wise advice, as to how she was to behave like the young man she appeared to be, and also how to behave as the girl she really was. Then he gave her his blessing, and she touched her horse with the spur.

The silver armour of herself and her steed dazzled the eyes of the people as she darted past. She was soon out of sight, and if after a few miles she had not pulled up to allow her escort to join her, the rest of the journey would have been performed alone.

But though none of his daughters were aware of the fact, the old emperor was a magician, and had laid his plans accordingly. He managed, unseen, to overtake his daughter, and throw a bridge of copper over a stream which she would have to cross. Then, changing himself into a wolf, he lay down under one of the arches, and waited.

He had chosen his time well, and in about half an hour the sound of a horse's hoofs was heard. His feet were almost on the bridge, when a big grey wolf with grinning teeth appeared before the princess. With a deep growl that froze the blood, he drew himself up, and prepared to spring.

The appearance of the wolf was so sudden and so unexpected, that the girl was almost paralysed, and never even dreamt of flight, till the horse leaped violently to one side. Then she turned him round, and urging him to his fullest speed, never drew rein till she saw the gates of the palace rising before her.

The old emperor, who had got back long since, came to the door to meet her, and touching her shining armour, he said, 'Did I not tell you, my child, that flies do not make honey?'

The days passed on, and one morning the second princess implored her father to allow her to try the adventure in which her sister had made such a failure. He listened unwillingly, feeling sure it was no use, but she begged so hard that in the end he consented, and having chosen her arms, she rode away.

But though, unlike her sister, she was quite prepared for the appearance of the wolf when she reached the copper bridge, she showed no greater courage, and galloped home as fast as her horse could carry her. On the steps of the castle her father was standing, and as still trembling with fright she knelt at his feet, he said gently, 'Did I not tell you, my child, that every bird is not caught in a net?'

The three girls stayed quietly in the palace for a little while, embroidering, spinning, weaving, and tending their birds and flowers, when early one morning, the youngest princess entered the door of the emperor's private apartments. 'My father, it is my turn now. Perhaps I shall get the better of that wolf!'

'What, do you think you are braver than your sisters, vain little one? You who have hardly left your long clothes behind you!' but she did not mind being laughed at, and answered,

'For your sake, father, I would cut the devil himself into small bits, or even become a devil myself. I think I shall succeed, but if I fail, I shall come home without more shame than my sisters.'

Still the emperor hesitated, but the girl petted and coaxed him till at last he said,

'Well, well, if you must go, you must. It remains to be seen what I shall get by it, except perhaps a good laugh when I see you come back with your head bent and your eyes on the ground.'

'He laughs best who laughs last,' said the princess.

Happy at having got her way, the princess decided that the first thing to be done was to find some old white-haired boyard, whose advice she could trust, and then to be very careful in choosing her horse. So she went straight to the stables where the most beautiful horses in the empire were feeding in the stalls, but none of them seemed quite what she wanted. Almost in despair she reached the last box of all, which was occupied by her father's ancient war-horse, old and worn like himself, stretched sadly out on the straw.

The girl's eyes filled with tears, and she stood gazing at him. The horse lifted his head, gave a little neigh, and said softly, 'You look gentle and pitiful, but I know it is your love for your father which makes you tender to me. Ah, what a warrior he was, and what good times we shared together! But now I too have grown old, and my master has forgotten me, and there is no reason to care whether my coat is dull or shining. Yet, it is not too late, and if I were properly tended, in a week I could vie with any horse in the stables!'

'And how should you be tended?' asked the girl.

'I must be rubbed down morning and evening with rain water, my barley must be boiled in milk, because of my bad teeth, and my feet must be washed in oil.'

'I should like to try the treatment, as you might help me in carrying out my scheme.'

'Try it then, mistress, and I promise you will never repent.'

So in a week's time the horse woke up one morning with a sudden shiver through all his limbs; and when it had passed away, he found his skin shining like a mirror, his body as fat as a water melon, his movement light as a chamois.

Then looking at the princess who had come early to the stable, he said joyfully,

'May success await on the steps of my master's daughter, for she has given me back my life. Tell me what I can do for you, princess, and I will do it.'

'I want to go to the emperor who is our over-lord, and I have no one to advise me. Which of all the white-headed boyards shall I choose as counsellor?'

'If you have me, you need no one else: I will serve you as I served your father, if you will only listen to what I say.'

'I will listen to everything. Can you start in three days?'

'This moment, if you like,' said the horse.

The preparations of the emperor's youngest daughter were much fewer and simpler than those of her sisters. They only consisted of some boy's clothes, a small quantity of linen and food, and a little money in case of necessity. Then she bade farewell to her father, and rode away.

A day's journey from the palace, she reached the copper bridge, but before they came in sight of it, the horse, who was a magician, had warned her of the means her father would take to prove her courage.

Still in spite of his warning she trembled all over when a huge wolf, as thin as if he had fasted for a month, with claws like saws, and mouth as wide as an oven, bounded howling towards her. For a moment her heart failed her, but the next, touching the horse lightly with her spur, she drew her sword from its sheath, ready to separate the wolf's head from its body at a single blow.

The beast saw the sword, and shrank back, which was the best thing it could do, as now the girl's blood was up, and the light of battle in her eyes. Then without looking round, she rode across the bridge.

The emperor, proud of this first victory, took a short cut, and waited for her at the end of another day's journey, close to a river, over which he threw a bridge of silver. And this time he took the shape of a lion.

But the horse guessed this new danger and told the princess how to escape it. But it is one thing to receive advice when we feel safe and comfortable, and quite another to be able to carry it out when some awful peril is threatening us. And if the wolf had made the girl quake with terror, it seemed like a lamb beside this dreadful lion.

At the sound of his roar the very trees quivered and his claws were so large that every one of them looked like a cutlass.

The breath of the princess came and went, and her feet rattled in the stirrups. Suddenly the remembrance flashed across her of the wolf whom she had put to flight, and waving her sword, she rushed so violently on the lion that he had barely time to spring on one side, so as to avoid the blow. Then, like a flash, she crossed this bridge also.

Now during her whole life, the princess had been so carefully brought up, that she had never left the gardens of the palace, so that the sight of the hills and valleys and tinkling streams, and the song of the larks and blackbirds, made her almost beside herself with wonder and delight. She longed to get down and bathe her face in the clear pools, and pick the brilliant flowers, but the horse said 'No,' and quickened his pace, neither turning to the right or the left.

'Warriors,' he told her, 'only rest when they have won the victory. You have still another battle to fight, and it is the hardest of all.'

This time it was neither a wolf nor a lion that was waiting for her at the end of the third day's journey, but a dragon with twelve heads, and a golden bridge behind it.

The princess rode up without seeing anything to frighten her, when a sudden puff of smoke and flame from beneath her feet, caused her to look down, and there was the horrible creature twisted and writhing, its twelve heads reared up as if to seize her between them.

The bridle fell from her hand: and the sword which she had just grasped slid back into its sheath, but the horse bade her fear nothing, and with a mighty effort she sat upright and spurred straight on the dragon.

The fight lasted an hour and the dragon pressed her hard. But in the end, by a well-directed side blow, she cut off one of the heads, and with a roar that seemed to rend the heavens in two, the dragon fell back on the ground, and rose as a man before her.

Although the horse had informed the princess the dragon was really her own father, the girl had hardly believed him, and stared in amazement at the transformation. But he flung his arms round her and pressed her to his heart saying, 'Now I see that you are as brave as the bravest, and as wise as the wisest. You have chosen the right horse, for without his help you would have returned with a bent head and downcast eyes. You have filled me with the hope that you may carry out the task you have undertaken, but be careful to forget none of my counsels, and above all to listen to those of your horse.'

When he had done speaking, the princess knelt down to receive his blessing, and they went their different ways.

The princess rode on and on, till at last she came to the mountains which hold up the roof of the world. There she met two Genii who had been fighting fiercely for two years, without one having got the least advantage over the other. Seeing what they took to be a young man seeking adventures, one of the combatants called out, 'Fet-Fruners! deliver me from my enemy, and I will give you the horn that can be heard the distance of a three days' journey;' while the other cried, 'Fet-Fruners! help me to conquer this pagan thief, and you shall have my horse, Sunlight.'

Before answering, the princess consulted her own horse as to which offer she should accept, and he advised her to side with the genius who was master of Sunlight, his own younger brother, and still more active than himself.

So the girl at once attacked the other genius, and soon clove his skull; then the one who was left victor begged her to come back with him to his house and he would hand her over Sunlight, as he had promised.

The mother of the genius was rejoiced to see her son return safe and sound, and prepared her best room for the princess, who, after so much fatigue, needed rest badly. But the girl declared that she must first make her horse comfortable in his stable; but this was really only an excuse, as she wanted to ask his advice on several matters.

But the old woman had suspected from the very first that the boy who had come to the rescue of her son was a girl in disguise, and told the genius that she was exactly the wife he needed. The genius scoffed, and inquired what female hand could ever wield a sabre like that; but, in spite of his sneers, his mother persisted, and as a proof of what she said, laid at night on each of their pillows a handful of magic flowers, that fade at the touch of man, but remain eternally fresh in the fingers of a woman.

It was very clever of her, but unluckily the horse had warned the princess what to expect, and when the house was silent, she stole very softly to the genius's room, and exchanged his faded flowers for those she held. Then she crept back to her own bed and fell fast asleep.

At break of day, the old woman ran to see her son, and found, as she knew she would, a bunch of dead flowers in his hand. She next passed on to the bedside of the princess, who still lay asleep grasping the withered flowers. But she did not believe any the more that her guest was a man, and so she told her son. So they put their heads together and laid another trap for her.

After breakfast the genius gave his arm to his guest, and asked her to come with him into the garden. For some time they walked about looking at the flowers, the genius all the while pressing her to pick any she fancied. But the princess, suspecting a trap, inquired roughly why they were wasting the precious hours in the garden, when, as men, they should be in the stables looking after their horses. Then the genius told his mother that she was quite wrong, and his deliverer was certainly a man. But the old woman was not convinced for all that.

She would try once more she said, and her son must lead his visitor into the armoury, where hung every kind of weapon used all over the world—some plain and bare, others ornamented with precious stones—and beg her to make choice of one of them. The princess looked at them closely, and felt the edges and points of their blades, then she hung at her belt an old sword with a curved blade, that would have done credit to an ancient warrior. After this she informed the genius that she would start early next day and take Sunlight with her.

And there was nothing for the mother to do but to submit, though she still stuck to her own opinion.

The princess mounted Sunlight, and touched him with her spur, when the old horse, who was galloping at her side, suddenly said:

'Up to this time, mistress, you have obeyed my counsels and all has gone well. Listen to me once more, and do what I tell you. I am old, and—now that there is someone to take my place, I will confess it—I am afraid that my strength is not equal to the task that lies before me. Give me leave, therefore, to return home, and do you continue your journey under the care of my brother. Put your faith in him as you put it in me, and you will never repent. Wisdom has come early to Sunlight.'

'Yes, my old comrade, you have served me well; and it is only through your help that up to now I have been victorious. So grieved though I am to say farewell, I will obey you yet once more, and will listen to your brother as I would to yourself. Only, I must have a proof that he loves me as well as you do.'

'How should I not love you?' answered Sunlight; 'how should I not be proud to serve a warrior such as you? Trust me, mistress, and you shall never regret the absence of my brother. I know there will be difficulties in our path, but we will face them together.'

Then, with tears in her eyes, the princess took leave of her old horse, who galloped back to her father.

She had ridden only a few miles further, when she saw a golden curl lying on the road before her. Checking her horse, she asked whether it would be better to take it or let it lie.

'If you take it,' said Sunlight, 'you will repent, and if you don't, you will repent too: so take it.' On this the girl dismounted, and picking up the curl, wound it round her neck for safety.

They passed by hills, they passed by mountains, they passed through valleys, leaving behind them thick forests, and fields covered with flowers; and at length they reached the court of the over-lord.

He was sitting on his throne, surrounded by the sons of the other emperors, who served him as pages. These youths came forward to greet their new companion, and wondered why they felt so attracted towards him.

[Quick pause. This is a very funny trope that I keep finding in very old cross-dressing stories. The male characters find themselves mysteriously attracted to the female character pretending to be male. Think of Li Shang from Mulan.]

However, there was no time for talking and concealing her fright.

The princess was led straight up to the throne, and explained, in a low voice, the reason of her coming. The emperor received her kindly, and declared himself fortunate at finding a vassal so brave and so charming, and begged the princess to remain in attendance on his person.

She was, however, very careful in her behaviour towards the other pages, whose way of life did not please her. One day, however, she had been amusing herself by making sweetmeats, when two of the young princes looked in to pay her a visit. She offered them some of the food which was already on the table, and they thought it so delicious that they even licked their fingers so as not to lose a morsel. Of course they did not keep the news of their discovery to themselves, but told all their companions that they had just been enjoying the best supper they had had since they were born. And from that moment the princess was left no peace, till she had promised to cook them all a dinner.

Now it happened that, on the very day fixed, all the cooks in the palace became intoxicated, and there was no one to make up the fire.

When the pages heard of this shocking state of things, they went to their companion and implored her to come to the rescue.

The princess was fond of cooking, and was, besides, very good-natured; so she put on an apron and went down to the kitchen without delay. When the dinner was placed before the emperor he found it so nice that he ate much more than was good for him. The next morning, as soon as he woke, he sent for his head cook, and told him to send up the same dishes as before. The cook, seized with fright at this command, which he knew he could not fulfil, fell on his knees, and confessed the truth.

The emperor was so astonished that he forgot to scold, and while he was thinking over the matter, some of his pages came in and said that their new companion had been heard to boast that he knew where Iliane was to be found—the celebrated Iliane of the song which begins:

'Golden Hair. The fields are green,'

And that to their certain knowledge he had a curl of her hair in his possession.

When he heard that, the emperor desired the page to be brought before him, and, as soon as the princess obeyed his summons, he said to her abruptly:

'Fet-Fruners, you have hidden from me the fact that you knew the golden-haired Iliane! Why did you do this? for I have treated you more kindly than all my other pages.'

Then, after making the princess show him the golden curl which she wore round her neck, he added: 'Listen to me; unless by some means or other you bring me the owner of this lock, I will have your head cut off in the place where you stand. Now go!'

In vain the poor girl tried to explain how the lock of hair came into her possession; the emperor would listen to nothing, and, bowing low, she left his presence and went to consult Sunlight what she was to do.

At his first words she brightened up. 'Do not be afraid, mistress; only last night my brother appeared to me in a dream and told me that a genius had carried off Iliane, whose hair you picked up on the road. But Iliane declares that, before she marries her captor, he must bring her, as a present, the whole stud of mares which belong to her. The genius, half crazy with love, thinks of nothing night and day but how this can be done, and meanwhile she is quite safe in the island swamps of the sea. Go back to the emperor and ask him for twenty ships filled with precious merchandise. The rest you shall know by-and-by.'

On hearing this advice, the princess went at once into the emperor's presence.

'May a long life be yours, O Sovereign all mighty!' said she. 'I have come to tell you that I can do as you command if you will give me twenty ships, and load them with the most precious wares in your kingdom.'

'You shall have all that I possess if you will bring me the golden-haired Iliane,' said the emperor.

The ships were soon ready, and the princess entered the largest and finest, with Sunlight at her side. Then the sails were spread and the voyage began.

For seven weeks the wind blew them straight towards the west, and early one morning they caught sight of the island swamps of the sea.

They cast anchor in a little bay, and the princess made haste to disembark with Sunlight, but, before leaving the ship, she tied to her belt a pair of tiny gold slippers, adorned with precious stones. Then mounting Sunlight, she rode about till she came to several palaces, built on hinges, so that they could always turn towards the sun.

The most splendid of these was guarded by three slaves, whose greedy eyes were caught by the glistening gold of the slippers. They hastened up to the owner of these treasures, and inquired who he was. 'A merchant,' replied the princess, 'who had somehow missed his road, and lost himself among the island swamps of the sea.'

Not knowing if it was proper to receive him or not, the slaves returned to their mistress and told her all they had seen, but not before she had caught sight of the merchant from the roof of her palace. Luckily her gaoler was away, always trying to catch the stud of mares, so for the moment she was free and alone.

The slaves told their tale so well that their mistress insisted on going down to the shore and seeing the beautiful slippers for herself. They were even lovelier than she expected, and when the merchant besought her to come on board, and inspect some that he thought were finer still, her curiosity was too great to refuse, and she went.

Once on board ship, she was so busy turning over all the precious things stored there, that she never knew that the sails were spread, and that they were flying along with the wind behind them; and when she did know, she rejoiced in her heart, though she pretended to weep and lament at being carried captive a second time. Thus they arrived at the court of the emperor.

They were just about to land, when the mother of the genius stood before them. She had learnt that Iliane had fled from her prison in company with a merchant, and, as her son was absent, had come herself in pursuit. Striding over the blue waters, hopping from wave to wave, one foot reaching to heaven, and the other planted in the foam, she was close at their heels, breathing fire and flame, when they stepped on shore from the ship. One glance told Iliane who the horrible old woman was, and she whispered hastily to her companion. Without saying a word, the princess swung her into Sunlight's saddle, and leaping up behind her, they were off like a flash.

It was not till they drew near the town that the princess stooped and asked Sunlight what they should do. 'Put your hand into my left ear,' said he, 'and take out a sharp stone, which you must throw behind you.'

The princess did as she was told, and a huge mountain sprang up behind them. The mother of the genius began to climb up it, and though they galloped quickly, she was quicker still.

They heard her coming, faster, faster; and again the princess stooped to ask what was to be done now. 'Put your hand into my right ear,' said the horse, 'and throw the brush you will find there behind you.' The princess did so, and a great forest sprang up behind them, and, so thick were its leaves, that even a wren could not get through. But the old woman seized hold of the branches and flung herself like a monkey from one to the others, and always she drew nearer—always, always—till their hair was singed by the flames of her mouth.

Then, in despair, the princess again bent down and asked if there was nothing more to be done, and Sunlight replied 'Quick, quick, take off the betrothal ring on the finger of Iliane and throw it behind you.'

This time there sprang up a great tower of stone, smooth as ivory, hard as steel, which reached up to heaven itself. And the mother of the genius gave a howl of rage, knowing that she could neither climb it nor get through it. But she was not beaten yet, and gathering herself together, she made a prodigious leap, which landed her on the top of the tower, right in the middle of Iliane's ring which lay there, and held her tight. Only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements.

All that could be done the old witch did; but the fire that poured from her mouth never reached the fugitives, though it laid waste the country a hundred miles round the tower, like the flames of a volcano. Then, with one last effort to free herself, her hands gave way, and, falling down to the bottom of the tower, she was broken in pieces.

When the flying princess saw what had happened she rode back to the spot, as Sunlight counselled her, and placed her finger on the top of the tower, which was gradually shrinking into the earth. In an instant the tower had vanished as if it had never been, and in its place was the finger of the princess with a ring round it.

The emperor received Iliane with all the respect that was due to her, and fell in love at first sight besides.

But this did not seem to please Iliane, whose face was sad as she walked about the palace or gardens, wondering how it was that, while other girls did as they liked, she was always in the power of someone whom she hated.

So when the emperor asked her to share his throne Iliane answered:

'Noble Sovereign, I may not think of marriage till my stud of horses has been brought me, with their trappings all complete.'

When he heard this, the emperor once more sent for Fet-Fruners, and said:

'Fet-Fruners, fetch me instantly the stud of mares, with their trappings all complete. If not, your head shall pay the forfeit.'

'Mighty Emperor, I kiss your hands! I have but just returned from doing your bidding, and, behold, you send me on another mission, and stake my head on its fulfilment, when your court is full of valiant young men, pining to win their spurs. They say you are a just man; then why not entrust this quest to one of them? Where am I to seek these mares that I am to bring you?'

'How do I know? They may be anywhere in heaven or earth; but, wherever they are, you will have to find them.'

The princess bowed and went to consult Sunlight. He listened while she told her tale, and then said:

'Fetch quickly nine buffalo skins; smear them well with tar, and lay them on my back. Do not fear; you will succeed in this also; but, in the end, the emperor's desires will be his undoing.'

The buffalo skins were soon got, and the princess started off with Sunlight. The way was long and difficult, but at length they reached the place where the mares were grazing. Here the genius who had carried off Iliane was wandering about, trying to discover how to capture them, all the while believing that Iliane was safe in the palace where he had left her.

As soon as she caught sight of him, the princess went up and told him that Iliane had escaped, and that his mother, in her efforts to recapture her, had died of rage. At this news a blind fury took possession of the genius, and he rushed madly upon the princess, who awaited his onslaught with perfect calmness. As he came on, with his sabre lifted high in the air, Sunlight bounded right over his head, so that the sword fell harmless. And when in her turn the princess prepared to strike, the horse sank upon his knees, so that the blade pierced the genius's thigh.

The fight was so fierce that it seemed as if the earth would give way under them, and for twenty miles round the beasts in the forests fled to their caves for shelter. At last, when her strength was almost gone, the genius lowered his sword for an instant. The princess saw her chance, and, with one swoop of her arm, severed her enemy's head from his body. Still trembling from the long struggle, she turned away, and went to the meadow where the stud were feeding.

By the advice of Sunlight, she took care not to let them see her, and climbed a thick tree, where she could see and hear without being seen herself. Then he neighed, and the mares came galloping up, eager to see the new comer—all but one horse, who did not like strangers, and thought they were very well as they were. As Sunlight stood his ground, well pleased with the attention paid him, this sulky creature suddenly advanced to the charge, and bit so violently that had it not been for the nine buffalo skins Sunlight's last moment would have come. When the fight was ended, the buffalo skins were in ribbons, and the beaten animal writhing with pain on the grass.

Nothing now remained to be done but to drive the whole stud to the emperor's court. So the princess came down from the tree and mounted Sunlight, while the stud followed meekly after, the wounded horse bringing up the rear. On reaching the palace, she drove them into a yard, and went to inform the emperor of her arrival.

The news was told at once to Iliane, who ran down directly and called them to her one by one, each mare by its name. And at the first sight of her the wounded animal shook itself quickly, and in a moment its wounds were healed, and there was not even a mark on its glossy skin.

By this time the emperor, on hearing where she was, joined her in the yard, and at her request ordered the mares to be milked, so that both he and she might bathe in the milk and keep young for ever. But they would suffer no one to come near them, and the princess was commanded to perform this service also.

At this, the heart of the girl swelled within her. The hardest tasks were always given to her, and long before the two years were up, she would be worn out and useless. But while these thoughts passed through her mind, a fearful rain fell, such as no man remembered before, and rose till the mares were standing up to their knees in water. Then as suddenly it stopped, and, behold! the water was ice, which held the animals firmly in its grasp. And the princess's heart grew light again, and she sat down gaily to milk them, as if she had done it every morning of her life.

The love of the emperor for Iliane waxed greater day by day, but she paid no heed to him, and always had an excuse ready to put off their marriage. At length, when she had come to the end of everything she could think of, she said to him one day: 'Grant me, Sire, just one request more, and then I will really marry you; for you have waited patiently this long time.'

'My beautiful dove,' replied the emperor, 'both I and all I possess are yours, so ask your will, and you shall have it.'

'Get me, then,' she said, 'a flask of the holy water that is kept in a little church beyond the river Jordan, and I will be your wife.'

Then the emperor ordered Fet-Fruners to ride without delay to the river Jordan, and to bring back, at whatever cost, the holy water for Iliane.

'This, my mistress,' said Sunlight, when she was saddling him, 'is the last and most difficult of your tasks. But fear nothing, for the hour of the emperor has struck.'

So they started; and the horse, who was not a wizard for nothing, told the princess exactly where she was to look for the holy water.

'It stands,' he said, 'on the altar of a little church, and is guarded by a troop of nuns. They never sleep, night or day, but every now and then a hermit comes to visit them, and from him they learn certain things it is needful for them to know. When this happens, only one of the nuns remains on guard at a time, and if we are lucky enough to hit upon this moment, we may get hold of the vase at once; if not, we shall have to wait the arrival of the hermit, however long it may be; for there is no other means of obtaining the holy water.'

They came in sight of the church beyond the Jordan, and, to their great joy, beheld the hermit just arriving at the door. They could hear him calling the nuns around him, and saw them settle themselves under a tree, with the hermit in their midst—all but one, who remained on guard, as was the custom.

The hermit had a great deal to say, and the day was very hot, so the nun, tired of sitting by herself, lay down right across the threshold, and fell sound asleep.

Then Sunlight told the princess what she was to do, and the girl stepped softly over the sleeping nun, and crept like a cat along the dark aisle, feeling the wall with her fingers, lest she should fall over something and ruin it all by a noise. But she reached the altar in safety, and found the vase of holy water standing on it. This she thrust into her dress, and went back with the same care as she came. With a bound she was in the saddle, and seizing the reins bade Sunlight take her home as fast as his legs could carry him.

The sound of the flying hoofs aroused the nun, who understood instantly that the precious treasure was stolen, and her shrieks were so loud and piercing that all the rest came flying to see what was the matter. The hermit followed at their heels, but seeing it was impossible to overtake the thief, he fell on his knees and called his most deadly curse down on her head, praying that if the thief was a man, he might become a woman; and if she was a woman, that she might become a man. In either case he thought that the punishment would be severe.

But punishments are things about which people do not always agree, and when the princess suddenly felt she was really the man she had pretended to be, she was delighted, and if the hermit had only been within reach she would have thanked him from her heart.

By the time she reached the emperor's court, Fet-Fruners looked a young man all over in the eyes of everyone; and even the mother of the genius would now have had her doubts set at rest. He drew forth the vase from his tunic and held it up to the emperor, saying: 'Mighty Sovereign, all hail! I have fulfilled this task also, and I hope it is the last you have for me; let another now take his turn.'

'I am content, Fet-Fruners,' replied the emperor, 'and when I am dead it is you who will sit upon my throne; for I have yet no son to come after me. But if one is given me, and my dearest wish is accomplished, then you shall be his right hand, and guide him with your counsels.'

But though the emperor was satisfied, Iliane was not, and she determined to revenge herself on the emperor for the dangers which he had caused Fet-Fruners to run. And as for the vase of holy water, she thought that, in common politeness, her suitor ought to have fetched it himself, which he could have done without any risk at all.

So she ordered the great bath to be filled with the milk of her mares, and begged the emperor to clothe himself in white robes, and enter the bath with her, an invitation he accepted with joy. Then, when both were standing with the milk reaching to their necks, she sent for the horse which had fought Sunlight, and made a secret sign to him. The horse understood what he was to do, and from one nostril he breathed fresh air over Iliane, and from the other, he snorted a burning wind which shrivelled up the emperor where he stood, leaving only a little heap of ashes.

His strange death, which no one could explain, made a great sensation throughout the country, and the funeral his people gave him was the most splendid ever known. When it was over, Iliane summoned Fet-Fruners before her, and addressed him thus:

'Fet-Fruners! it is you who brought me and have saved my life, and obeyed my wishes. It is you who gave me back my stud; you who killed the genius, and the old witch his mother; you who brought me the holy water. And you, and none other, shall be my husband.'

'Yes, I will marry you,' said the young man, with a voice almost as soft as when he was a princess. 'But know that in OUR house, it will be the cock who sings and not the hen!'