#a bit different this time!

[apritellointeractive]

Sworn to Devotion: Chapter 1 - Part 5

>> April decides to bite the arm of the kidnapper.

(Art by @lovelyladylavie)

While her kidnapper’s gaze is steadfast in keeping eye contact with April’s guard, his hand wielding the knife lacks the same unwavering commitment. The white-knuckled fist clenching the dagger shakes mid-air, and the jitters are enough for the blade’s tip to leave her neck. 

It’s a split-second decision. So fast in fact that April’s tasting blood in her mouth before she realizes she’s sunk her teeth into the flesh of her captor.

However, this isn't the first person she's bitten, and he won't be the last.

The man screeches as he tries to pull his hand out of her mouth. The muscles in his hand twitch and seize as April’s teeth sink deeper. The blade clatters to the floor, forgotten as the man tries to free himself.

“What are you? An animal?!” The kidnapper finally rips his hand from her mouth and shoves her away from him. 

April throws her arms out in front of her, wincing as her arms collide with the rough surface of the cavern’s floor. Twinges of pain shoot up her arms, and she wouldn’t be surprised if the sharp gravel cut through the thin fabric of her sleeves. 

“You’re gonna pay for tha-ack!”

April whips her head around to see the yokai guard thrusting the previously abandoned dagger into the man’s chest. The guard twists it, a sickening squelching noise originating from the open wound being shredded. The man wetly gasps, desperately trying to get air into his lungs—though it will certainly not save him.

The yokai guard pushes the kidnapper to the floor, leaving him to take his last gasps of life. He then looks at the dagger and scowls. 

“Condescending hum, the weapon of thieves and criminals.” He holds the blade’s hilt between his thumb and index finger—like it’s covered in filth—before tossing the bloody blade aside, far away from April and her kidnappers.

April watches her guard as he looks over the bodies once more—presumably to make sure they’re dead—before his eyes fall on her. He jolts, his eyebrows—comically drawn onto his purple mask— shooting upward as if he’s surprised that she’s looking at him.

He rushes to her side, offering his weird three-fingered hands to her. “Ahem! Princess, ah… April. Are you alright?”

April narrows her eyes. Did he momentarily forget her name? And his question lacked any warmth and concern. April isn’t going to get anything but the bare minimum from him, is she?

But she doesn’t have time to wallow in self-pity.

She takes his hands, letting him pull her to her feet before wiping the blood from her mouth with her sleeve. “Y-yeah. I’m… I’m fine. The blade didn’t hurt me or anything like that.” Her gaze drops to her arms and she frowns at the blood blotching the shredded fabric. “Scraped my arms up a bit though.”

“Ah! Let me assist you, I have a small aid kit in my possession.”

He guides her over to one of the large rocks in the cave and sits her down. The torn sleeves of her dress are pushed past her shoulder, revealing the collection of small abrasions scattered across her forearms. April hisses as the open air touches the wounds, though she tries to swallow down her discomfort.

The yokai guard does not comment, only pulling a small sack out from underneath his armor and rummaging through the contents. He pulls out an amber bottle and gauze, popping the cork off and pouring the clear fluid onto the fabric strip.

He then places the bottle on the floor and takes one of April’s arms in his hands. “This will sting.”

That’s about all the warning April gets before the fluid-soaked gauze is wiped across her arms. She bites her tongue, trying not to cry in pain as the guard makes quick work of disinfecting her arms. 

He’s certainly not being very gentle, but considering how he was glaring at her earlier this week, April’s just happy he’s taking the time to clean her wounds. He’s at least doing the bare minimum. 

Once the guard is satisfied, he tosses the used gauze on the floor and delves back into his bag. April watches as he takes a large roll of gauze and wraps up her arms, covering all of her scraps and cuts completely.

He finishes securing the bindings before nodding his head. “There. Are you injured anywhere else?”

April runs her hands along the gauze, pleased with his work. “No. I think that’s good. Though... where are we?”

>> April looks around the cave.

OPTION 1: The walls of the cave are made of grey-and-white speckled granite, smoothed over time. However, a thick layer of gravel coats the floor, and the cave continues to tunnel deeper into the earth, the path downward shrouded in darkness. Distant sounds of dropping water echo through the cave.

OPTION 2: The walls of the cave are plain gray with white quartz crystals. Some are small and barely the size of a thumbnail, while others reach right up to her hip. It’s almost magical the way the crystals catch the light filtering in from the outside. Nestled behind one of the crystal clusters is a chest, the green paint peeling away from the weathered wood.

OPTION 3: The walls of the cave are dark grey, with unlit torches lining the stone surfaces. There are a few wooden boxes littered along the sides, all bearing a red footmark. The cave continues to tunnel deeper into the earth, the path downward shrouded in darkness. The air coming up from the deep tastes almost stale.

[butchfalin]

the funniest meltdown ive ever had was in college when i got so overstimulated that i could Not speak, including over text. one of my friends was trying to talk me through it but i was solely using emojis because they were easier than trying to come up with words so he started using primarily emojis as well just to make things feel balanced. this was not the Most effective strategy... until. he tried to ask me "you okay?" but the way he chose to do that was by sending "👉🏼👌🏼❓" and i was so shocked by suddenly being asked if i was dtf that i was like WHAT???? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?????????? and thus was verbal again

[valtsv]

anyone who thinks dostoevsky's writing is dry and humourless is missing out on passages like this

[chiricat]

it was nice while it lasted

[r-aindr0p]

That's probably how he exactly pictured it

[kazehita]

more traveler than rogue

[gascreates]

a new star

[paradox-n-bedrock]

me in big fandoms: oh cool, it's so active and there's so many people to vibe with, this is amaz-

*finds my niche angle that appeals to approximately six people*

me: okay, folks, it's you and me now

[askfordoodles]

"Young man, you cut that tsundere bullshit, I know what you're doing, I wasn't born yesterday." - Secret Brat Tamer Volkarin

[ruikasas]

[delicourse]

Another year, Another lesbian pride gown moment🌸

[Prints]

[nirelaz]

"Yes... Belle and Beau. Beauty Alliance!" "Beauty Alliance!" "Ha, what kind of name is that?! Do you guys spend the day looking pretty?!" "How dare you!!" "Also, yes??? Just look at us." (Isabeau strikes a pose, and Mirabelle follows suit a beat later.) (They both look striking.)

I love these teams and my greatest grief is that I can't pick both Beauty and Age on the same run. (As far as poses go, Isa is going for Vogue and Mira is going for Sailor Moon.)

[wardingshout]

Zelda goes mushroom girl

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Look what we've become.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[paxcallow]

you have a new son agent zanotto. its okay he does this to everyone.

[daily-beau]

Day 13: A blinding sun