#a sight for sore eyes

[coffee-in-europe]

thank u keira knightley for allowing yourself to age you are so beautiful and we need you

[imtrashraccoon]

Hello lovelies! I have been working on this for the past two weeks and it's finally time for Badsansuary 2! This time the story is set in my Dark Fortress AU and if you haven't already read that oneshot, I highly recommend doing so to fully understand what's going on. Check it out here. This chapter is a bit wordy to explain some of the worldbuilding and lore, but I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

@owl-bones Thank you for making the prompt list! I'm very excited to be doing this again.

Next Day

Bad Sansuary II: Dust - Differences

Word Count: 2,015

Note: Reven is my name for Dust in this AU.

It was a rather dull day today. The sun should have reached its apex a few hours ago, but thanks to the cloud cover, you couldn't be entirely sure what time of day it really was. On the horizon, there was a large mass of ugly, gray clouds that signaled an impending storm. The only questions were how long the rain would hold off for and, when it did arrive, how much precipitation would end up descending on the land.

You wrinkled your snout in disgust. You didn't like rain. No matter what you wore, it would soak through to your fur, leaving you feeling soggy and gross. Wet paws also meant you were more likely to lose your grip on your weapons or your own footing, not to mention the infamous wet dog smell. Hopefully the rain would pass overnight and you wouldn't have to put up with all that unpleasantness.

Your folded ears flicked as the merchant in the line ahead of you raised his voice, complaining about how long the screening process was taking. You got up on your tip toes, craning your neck to see what had set off the grouchy man this time.

There were at least three guards at the gate into the city, but only one was going through the various baskets in the man's hand cart, while the other two stood back and watched like overgrown squirrels. You had to actively suppress a grin at the comparison, noting how their eyes looked small and beady behind their metal visors. The last thing you needed was to look out of place.

No, you were here for one reason and one reason only: to infiltrate enemy territory.

Your cream coloured fur had been mussed up and stained with clods of dirt to give the appearance of living on the land for weeks already. Your old suit of half plate armour had been downgraded to a set of rough hide and fur, so as to not draw suspicion from onlookers. The quiver of basic iron arrows on your hip, combined with the wooden longbow and rucksack slung over your shoulders, completed the look of a nomadic hunter.

The bow wasn't your preferred weapon, but you were at least competent enough to hit a target if you had to. Unfortunately, you had to leave your trusty meteor hammer behind as it would only betray your military background. At least you had been able to bring a dagger along, so you weren't completely out of your depth.

The blade had actually been a gift from your soulmate, as an apology for destroying your old one, but you suspected there was more to it than that. While the handle looked rather nondescript, the blade was made from steel, folded a dozen times and sharpened to such a fine edge that it could slice through flesh like butter. You had to constantly resist running your paw pads over the leather grip, marvelling at how it molded to your grasp and repressing the itch to test it out.

You were a little surprised that you had been tasked with such an important and risky mission. There were others with more experience, but your small stature and unassuming looks meant you were more than qualified. It helped that your subspecies, canine monsters, were very common throughout the various kingdoms in the land.

Two months.

It had been two months since your last mission. Two months since you abandoned your allegiance to the Klasical Kingdom. Two months since you died.

Well, that was the official account of what happened. The truth was that you had finally found your one and only, except he was the one you and your fellow soldiers had been sent to kill. It had been his idea to fake your death and, lacking any other option, you had agreed. You had willingly thrown away your military career, those you had called family, and your old life, all to spend the rest of your days with your fated.

You didn't regret it one bit.

While your old friends may have thought it weird to partner with a member of a completely different subspecies, you wouldn't have it any other way. Donovan was powerful but careful with you, stern but always fair, intelligent but straightforward with his explanations, thrilling but tender behind closed doors, and so much more to you. Needless to say, you only wished you had met him earlier, rather than waste your years climbing the ranks.

The group in front of you moved forward as the squirrelish guards let the grumpy merchant into the city. You shuffled forward as well, remembering the reason you were sent here in the first place.

Newridge, a city built like more of a fortress than anything else, had caught Lord Donovan's attention a few weeks before. It was built in the narrow valley between two opposing escarpments and if controlled, would grant easy access to several kingdoms just ripe to be conquered. The strategic position wasn't actually what had caught his eye, but rather the presence of a powerful entity or source of magic.

With all the supplies that would be needed to sustain four monsters for a month or so, and no desire to wear everyone down right away, the journey from the Dark Fortress had taken the majority of three days. Travel had been slowed down even more on the third day, so as to not attract unwanted attention from the city or other travelers, and another day was dedicated to setting up a secret camp in the wilderness outside the walls.

Which was how you found yourself standing in line with half a dozen other travelers hoping to get into the city. Some looked like they intended to do trade with local merchants and others you could tell would be moving on in the morning, likely to a more hospitable city for their business. Thankfully, it looked like the guards were processing people at a fast enough pace that you would be in before nightfall, but as long as you weren't forced to wait in the rain, you were happy.

~ ≈ V^ᴥ^V ≈ ~

"Name?" the guard muttered, barely sparing you a glance as you finally reached the front of the queue.

"give simple answers to any questions you're asked, nothing more, got it?" Reven growled. "The less reason they have to be suspicious, the better.

The spellsword seemed especially grouchy today, but you paid him no mind. Your attention was currently divided between him, the resident assassin giving you a suitable makeover, and the subtle clinking as the tank, and your third companion, worked on cleaning Mr. Grumpy's chainmail.

You opened your mouth to respond when Dirk clicked his tongue and tilted your head to the side. "at least stay somewhat still, or i might poke out your pretty eyes by mistake," he chided, rubbing a bit of dirt into your temple. "be a damn shame if i did that, huh?~"

Thankfully, you didn't need to scold him because Maul let out an annoyed huff. "shame ya never shut up." He straightened and leveled the assassin with a stern look before adding, "but feel free to risk yer own neck an' see what happens..."

"Akela Dogera."

You had been practicing how to make your voice sound rougher, almost harsh, to add another level to the simple hunter persona. Of course, the name was fake, but still believable since you knew of several canines with similar last names.

The guard scribbled your "name" in the ledger next to him. "What's your business here, mutt?"

"To sleep in an actual bed tonight before traveling to Lowswitch Kingdom," you answered with more sass than necessary.

"You and everyone else." The guard finished writing and waved you through the gate. "Just keep your nose clean or we'll have to throw you in the Newridge dungeon."

You nodded and stepped into the city, mildly surprised they hadn't wanted to search your bag or question your choice of weapons. Maybe they were tired of harrassing travelers today? Hopefully Reven would have as easy a time getting in as you had.

Taking a moment to look around, you noticed a small market with a few stalls set up not far from the gate, a couple of citizens milling around, and most importantly, a tavern. Heading inside, you were relieved that the establishment wasn't very busy and bought a room for the night. After that, you settled at a corner table with a drink to wait for your partner.

Over an hour passed before the spellsword finally trudged into the tavern. He looked completely different and yet, you would recognize him anywhere. You didn't know how Maul had managed to get all the dust out of the chainmail, but even Reven's red cuirass was cleaner than you had ever seen it. He wasn't wearing his hood at the moment and his mismatched eyelights were a dull white colour. You didn't even know he could change the colour of his magic like that. Interestingly, he was also wearing an amulet with a crossed gavel and axe. While it took you a minute to remember that the symbol belonged to Rytos, the deity of justice, you were more intrigued why Reven would have chosen it.

You supposed his disguise was actually pretty good, despite being what he wore every day. He looked like a battle weary paladin and you couldn't help but wonder if this was what he used to look like before everything that had happened to him. Still, you waited a couple minutes before meandering over to his table, making it seem like you were headed to the bar.

"Didn't expect to see a holy man in a den of iniquity like this," you remarked.

He lifted his skull, giving you a look that was equal parts boredom and resentment. He just seemed so tired and done with the world. After a moment, he made a bit of a show of taking in your leather armour.

"didn't expect to be accosted by a mongrel dog while i'm trying to drown my demons," he growled. "surprised the guards even let you in..."

His comments seemed unnecessarily mean and you wrinkled your snout in annoyance. "Take it easy. I was only going to offer to pay for your drink, as thanks for your service of course."

Reven raised a bonebrow but said nothing.

"Meet me upstairs later," you whispered before resuming your trajectory to the bar.

~ ≈ V^ᴥ^V ≈ ~

A subtle knock was the only indication that your partner had decided to come around. Thankfully, you had been waiting and quickly let him into the small room you had rented.

Reven sort of brushed past you, letting out a quiet grumble in response to your greeting. He dropped heavily onto the bed, rubbing at his skull.

You closed and locked the door so no one could disturb the two of you. Cautiously, you crossed the room, pausing in front of him. "Did you have trouble getting through the gate?" you asked carefully.

Reven grumbled and shook his head, not making eye contact with you.

You bit your lower lip, wondering what could have happened to make him so irritable. "What's bothering you? Did I say something wrong?"

He sighed, "no, not you. it's just...been a rough day." When you remained silent, he looked up and you noticed his eyelights had returned to normal: red with a ring of cyan in his left.

"my lv is acting up," he grumbled. "it takes a lot of concentration to suppress my magic like this. i just can't wait to leave as soon as possible..."

Well that certainly explained why he had been snappish all day. You knew he had a lot of LV but not exactly how much. Definitely more than you had since you didn't experience LV attacks, just increased urges for EXP.

"Maybe you should rest for a bit. We can investigate the city in a few hours when there's less eyes on the streets anyways."

[dawnchorus-if]

Yes, bridal style was the intention 😌

amen, as he deserves.

[sunshineandlyrics]

🫶🏼 Just admiring Louis in Indonesia and Australia 2024 x x

[lackadaisicalideas]

Select pieces by Darryl Daniels .

[mondaysaglitch]

HI SHINSUKE

[seud-luachmhor]

[shttty]

Okay so can pikachu breastfeed i have so many questions

In light of the current spam bot epidemic, it’s so refreshing to get a follow and see it’s from someone with a normal, trustworthy name, like “pikachus-third-nipple”

[holdyuhmuda]

I’m so late but why nobody tell me about Mr. Joaquin Torres.

[imtrashraccoon]

I'm sorry they're being irresponsible again... I have no excuse for this. I'm just a Dust simp at times... 乁⁠[⁠ ⁠◕⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠◕⁠ ⁠]⁠ㄏ

First, Previous, & Next Day

@owl-bones

Bad Sansuary II: Dust - PDA

Word Count: 1,590

Several minutes passed in the dark alley before Reven managed to compose himself. His breathing slowed and his mismatched eyelights refocused on your face. You silently let go of his gauntlets and sat back on your haunches.

He blinked and then rubbed at his eye sockets. Taking a deep breath, he got to his feet before offering you a hand and helping you stand up as well. He said nothing, seeming like he would prefer to pretend he didn't just have a breakdown in front of you.

You cleared your throat and took a step back. "Maybe we should just turn in for the night...call off the mission and leave in the morning..." you started to say.

Reven shook his head. "no, we don't have enough information yet."

"Then what do you think should be our next move?"

He tapped his chin thoughtfully and shifted his weight from one foot to another. "the more i think about it, the more the temple isn't sitting right with me. i know for a fact that it isn't dedicated to any of the divines..."

You raised an eyebrow as he continued to muse out loud. Out of all your comrades, he was the only one who had any knowledge on religion, except for Donovan, who had a whole section of his library dedicated to the subject.

"Could this be occultic?" you interjected.

He frowned and opened his mouth to respond, before closing it again as he reconsidered what he had been about to say. "perhaps? it's strange for anything like that to be so out in the open though."

You let out a sigh and rubbed at your forehead. "Guess that means we'll have to go give it a second look...but after that, we should call it a night."

Surprisingly, Reven let out a hum of agreement before motioning for you to follow. He led you through the streets, occasionally ducking into an alley to avoid the patrolling guards before you spotted it.

The temple was larger, more grand than the buildings surrounding it. Several tall pillars carved from stone held up the sloped roof, and near the door was a large box where worshippers had left offerings. While the money inside looked tempting, you refrained from touching any of it. Your partner may not have any qualms with disturbing a holy place, but you weren't willing to risk being cursed by an angry deity.

Reven tried the heavy door, but it refused to budge. When he turned to you, you shook your head and held up your hands helplessly. Maybe when you were younger you should have learned how to pick a lock, but you had never had need of a sneaky skill like that back in the Klasical army.

The spellsword cursed under his breath and pounded his fist against the wooden surface in frustration. "where's that assassin when we actually need him?" he muttered.

You paid him no mind, instead focusing your attention on the exterior of the temple itself. It was too dark to tell if it had always been dedicated to the purple eye, but all the symbology seemed to have been put up fairly recently. The banners adorning the walls were new and, while the donation box seemed at least a couple years old, the placard with the same eye symbol above it was barely weathered at all.

"We should at least draw a picture of the eye, so we can look into it later," you suggested.

Retrieving a discarded piece of flat wood, you meticulously carved the eye symbol into it, trying to be as accurate as possible. While waiting, Reven stepped closer to the wall, studying the symbol more closely.

"Still don't recognize it?" you asked, sheathing your dagger once more.

Reven shook his head, but before he could respond, you heard the distinct sound of metal on cobblestone - the very sound you had been relying on all night to avoid the guards. Both of you looked around for a place to hide, but the temple was situated in a wide open space on a major intersection. By the time either of you got to an alley, the incoming guard would raise the alarm and then the whole city would be up in arms.

So, you did the only thing your panicked mind could think of in that moment. Shoving the carving into your belt, you grabbed Reven by the shoulders and roughly pulled him closer until your noses nearly touched. To his credit, he only froze up for a split second before realizing what you were doing. He leaned closer, pressing your back against the stone wall and pulling up his hood to conceal both your faces.

The combination of being in such close proximity and the heady scent of alcohol on his breath made your heart race. While you hated the thought, you knew you would have to make this at least seem believable. You only hoped Reven wouldn't absolutely despise you for putting him through this.

You pressed your lips against his teeth, simultaneously slipping your arms around his vertebrae and shoulders. He responded in kind, pinning you against the brickwork and positioning his knee between your legs. One of his gauntlets found the sensitive skin of your throat, carefully thumbing your pulse point as his teeth nipped at your bottom lip.

A soft whine forced its way from your chest at the sharp sting of pain and the primal part of your brain screamed for more. Reven responded with a low growl and tilted your head to the side, baring more of your cream coloured fur to his gaze.

"You two! The temple is closed-!"

At the sound of the guard's voice, your heart leapt into your throat, but all you could focus on was the glow of Reven's eyelights. The firey red mixed with icy blue, coming together to turn his cheekbones a beautiful purple colour. His canines suddenly grazed your jaw, eliciting a soft gasp from your lips.

Your heart was pounding. What should you do? The guard wasn't leaving like you had hoped and you didn't want to drag this out any longer. This had been a really, really stupid idea.

"Hey! If you don't leave, I'll be forced to arrest you for public indecency!"

Reven suddenly pulled back and, in a blink or you'll miss it moment, his mismatched eyelights turned grayish white. His cheekbones were still glowing a slight purple, but he otherwise appeared like he had earlier in the day. It was actually rather scary how quickly he had been able to switch back to "being normal".

He turned towards the guard, being careful to block you from immediate view. "aw, don't get so...so uptight..." he started to say. "just couldn't wait any longer...any more to profess our love."

You bit your lower lip, struggling to keep yourself from doing anything to ruin his performance. He was acting so jovial, like a happy-go-lucky drunk idiot, and it made you feel sick. This wasn't him. He never acted the part of fool and you hated that he was doing it so effortlessly.

"you ever seen someone so pretty...so nice that you just knew..." Reven paused for a second, subtly turning his skull as if staring at something else, before seeming to remember that he was in the middle of speaking. "you just knew...that they were the one...?"

The guard sputtered, "I...what-"

"that you just knew...they were your soulmate...your fated?" Reven pressed further, slurring his words ever so slightly.

"Now see here!" You heard the guard's sabatons shuffle on the cobblestone. "I don't care if you two are...in love or whatever, just, get out of here! Get a room or something, anything. I better not find you still here when I come back..."

You waited until the footsteps mostly faded away, faster this time, before letting out a shaky sigh of relief. Reven let go of you and quickly stepped away, pointedly avoiding your gaze.

You covered your face with your paws, letting out an exasperated groan. "I... I am so sorry! That was uncalled for... I wasn't thinking-"

Reven held up a hand, motioning for you to calm down, before slowly turning to face you again. His eyelights were back to their regular colours, but he didn't look upset, just carefully neutral.

"i'm not mad at you, if anything, i should be apologizing too." He cleared his non-existent throat and ran a hand down his face. "i went too far, i'm sorry, scout."

You nodded and took a shaky breath, slowly pushing yourself off the wall. "No, I shouldn't have done that in the first place. It was wrong and I'm very sorry, Reven."

He shook his head and moved slightly closer again. "it's fine, your plan worked. i won't breathe a word of this to donovan if you would rather tell him yourself."

You nodded, "Yeah, I guess I should tell him, it's only right... Just, please don't tell Dirk or Maul. I fear we'd never hear the end of it if they found out. I already know Donovan is going to be jealous, but I can only hope he'll understand."

"i won't tell a soul," he promised. "and if he's upset, i can deal with that when it comes..."

You frowned and turned to head back to the tavern. "No, what we did was my fault. I won't let him take out his anger on you..." You took a deep breath to recenter yourself. "Come on, I've had quite enough of investigating tonight."

[turtleblogatlast]

That middle child feel when you’re the one who successfully gets you and your siblings out of trouble only to immediately get jumped by them afterwards

[beatlepaul4ever]

This Boy was overly blessed in each and every department.

A delicate ___ mouth that, on a girl, would have been the mouth of a beauty.

His chin was well built and he had good ears and a handsome, almost beautiful, unmarked nose.

The mouth worried you until you knew him and then it worried you more.

Ernest Hemingway describing Scott Fitzgerald (or how John would've described Paul)

[manny-jacinto]

FOOD IN MOVIES

CHEF (2014) dir. Jon Favreau

[andro-dino]

caught up on uprooted and as soon as I saw Peggy’s new design I immediately yelled “WIFE” so I had to draw her <3

[doingdathockey]

“you’re my favorite” (sid, nate and a bunch of other nhl players training x)