#about Vivifriend

[vivifriend]

Nine people I'd like to know better:

I was tagged by the lovely @thequeenofthewinter and @bostoniangirl21 Thank you. 💖

Last song I listened to: Yu Di - Lin Hai

Favorite color: It's a tie between brown and silver.

Currently Watching: One Piece and The Apothecary Diaries. (I can feel the urge to binge a new C-drama building though. XD No idea which one though. Which usually means rewatching The Untamed, Eternal Love, or Word of Honor. Or watching bits and pieces of random dramas on Viki until I find one that hooks my interest).

Sweet/Savory/Spicy?: Spicy please. 😊

Relationship Status: Married

Last thing you googled: picture of riding a camel. (Someone shared a line from a story about a character clinging to a camel's neck while trying to ride it, and I'm still trying to wrap my migraine-addled brain around that).

Current Obsessions: Skyrim, ESO, 4thewords (look, the starfall monsters are adorable, ok?), The Apothecary Diaries, various C-Dramas

Tagging: @sixylicious, @raine-kai, @rainpebble3, @changelingsandothernonsense, @aowyn Zero pressure whatsoever. 💖💖

[dirty-bosmer]

WIP Wednesday

(Wierd format cause otherwise tumblr won't let me tag more than 5 people)

I was tagged last week by @thequeenofthewinter @throughtrialbyfire

@inkysqueed @bostoniangirl21 @theoneandonlysemla and @skyrim-forever Thank you friends <3

Tagging you all again this week, and also tagging @elavoria @vivifriend @rainpebble3 @ladytanithia @sheirukitriesfandom

@wispstalk @kookaburra1701 @sylvienerevarine lets see some wips, if you've got em :)

More Slither and Writhe today. A snip of Sylawen and Thrynn make their way through Falkreath.

It was late afternoon, and the waning sunlight found them scattered and weak through the fingers of the pines. Whatever storm had been brewing reached them moribund, no more than a formless mist, but it was cold mist all the same, and it sank deeply. Straight down to the bone.  The mud sucked at Sylawen’s boots, adding a pound to each stride, and this weather was doing something awful to her skin. Her cheeks burned. Her lips flaked; she could feel the dead bits of it grappling for purchase on her lower lip, so she scraped them off with her teeth, and the thin, bleeding cuts left in their place stung whenever she licked them. I hate Skyrim, she decided then. What a dirty, ugly place filled with dirty, ugly people. And never before had she felt so dirty and ugly either. It was a good thing then that she had Thrynn for company. Juxtaposed, he was still the more unsightly one between them. Wind-chafed but optimistic, Sylawen trudged on. No matter where they ended up, it couldn’t be much worse than where she’d started, and hopefully the next town over stocked a healthy supply of ointment. The thick, pasty kind with zinc. Her stomach rumbled, not the first time that day. “I’m hungry,” she said aloud as if Thrynn hadn’t heard the rumbling, but he didn’t acknowledge her. Not that she’d much expected him to. Still sore about the whole eye-stabbing thing, he spoke little at all to her while they traveled. Stubborn baby. If she could move past the emotional distress of her abduction, why, a little bodily harm was nothing! So dramatic! “Do you know where we are?” Sylawen tried again.  “Not with any more certainty than I did the last time you asked.” “Shouldn’t you be able to… I don’t know, look at the sun and discern the cardinal directions or something?” Thrynn scowled. “What do I look like, a bird heading south for the winter?” “I merely assumed,” Sylawen said, “given you were living out here in the wilds like a barbarian, that perhaps you’d have picked up some primitive survival skills.” “And if you’d any survival skills of your own, you’d know when to shut your mouth and let a man enjoy his peace.” “Hmph!"

[thequeenofthewinter]

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMMMBLLLLEEEEE! In the left corner we have the man in blue, the true high king of Skyrim, everyone's favorite man to hate, the bear himself--ULFRICCCCC STORRMMMCLOAAAAK! And in the right corner we have the man in green, a self-proclaimed king in rags, a myth and conspiracy, the jailbroken man himself--MADANAAAACHHHHHHHHH!

Grump old men, start your engines! This is going to be a hell of a face off.

Tagging: @oblivions-dawn @dirty-bosmer @umbracirrus @bostoniangirl21 @throughtrialbyfire

@vivifriend @inkysqueed @skyrim-forever @bougainvillea-and-saltwater @archangelsunited

@theoneandonlysemla @hircines-hunter

Ulfric scoffs lightly under his breath—the title is nothing but a joke designed to poke fun at authority with the added bonus of inflating Madanach’s ego. Bloody King in Rags would be much more apt in his eyes; the Forsworn leader’s hands are far from clean.

“It is rather generous of me to even entertain this charade, Bear of Markarth.” Madanach’s may be old, but his wrinkled eyes are as sharp as ever tracking every movement of the tyrant king before him down to the single bead of sweat running down the side of his nose. His cracked lips break to reveal a crooked smile, chipped and yellowed teeth bearing a mocking grin. “Is it too warm for you here?” He waves a hand around almost theatrically, a man accustomed to weaving a long yarn or unwinding someone’s dwindling patience. “Or…perhaps it is that you are out of your element, hm? The last time you were here you bathed in the blood of innocent women and children.”

A chair scrapes back suddenly as Galmar makes to stand, but Ulfric raises a hand abruptly stopping him.

“How can you let that savage to speak to you in that way? I’ll cut out his damned tongue and—”

“Enough, Galmar.”

“I knew better than to think that we could sit down and—”

“I said enough.” Ulfric’s measured tone is strained yet still controlled, leaving no room for his housecarl to argue with him. “I know what game he plays, and that I can testify to just as many atrocities as he can try to pin on me. He’d have us here all day arguing about the past in an attempt to avoid the future.” His lips curve into a wan smile. “It’s well played, Madanach, but you are no martyr just as I am no saint, so let’s cut the bullshit and talk like men.”

Madanach claps once and then twice, a slow staccato. “Do you really believe the hollow words you speak, or are you too so charmed by your own hubris? You almost have me fooled into thinking you truly believe in it.”

[changelingsandothernonsense]

Wip Wednesday

Hiii, i'm actually posting this on a Wednesday! Thanks to @saltymaplesyrup for tagging me. Tagging @skyrim-forever @naturalbornlosers @archangelsunited @snowy-weather @vivifriend @viss-and-pinegar @orfeoarte @kookaburra1701 @thequeenofthewinter @firefly-factory

No pressure, as usual but I find seeing what everyone's working on to be fun. Also hoping that all the tags work. I've tried to get it to work but every time I try to fix the tags Tumblr just takes away more. So if you are tagged here and it doesn't notify you I do apologise but i'm awful at computers. Anyway I've been working on the JoshxErra pic and Sleepers Awake chapter 13 so you're getting both today.

The bois! Worked on Joshi's scars today and have started on both Erra and Teldryn's tattoos. And some writing

The heat hit him like a wall. Dry and all-encompassing— wicking away the moisture from his lungs as he breathed in. He found himself coughing at the dryness and quickly reached for his waterskin. He took a long drink, relishing the coolness on his throat. Teldryn placed the waterskin back into his pack, hoping that it would remain cool for when he would need it next but judging by the ambient heat of this place, he’d likely be guzzling down boiling water before long.

Teldryn glanced around the room, noting the four large pillars at the centre and an eery red glow shone through both connecting hallways. He decided to move forward, heading for the hall just ahead. He had no real plan here, just explore until he found the poor sod. He had tried to get some more information out of Pania last night, but he couldn’t quite make out what she was saying with his cock in her mouth. He smirked to himself at the thought as he made it to the next room and what he assumed was the source of the oppressive heat. It had to be, what else burned hotter than Mehrunes Dagon’s ass crack than a river of fucking magma!

He glanced about the long, rectangular chamber, wondering what the purpose of keeping an open magma pit was. Did it have something to do with the steam in the pipes? Maybe a source of energy? Could he turn it off before he shrivelled from the amount of sweat he was losing?

He wasn’t particularly interested in resembling a dried comberry.

It was hard for him to make out much in the chamber outside it being a dead end, the ambient light from the magma below cast the room in deep shadows. The sound of the earth groaning under his feet made him miss the sounds of metal scuttling along the stone floor. It was as he was turning to leave that a flicker of bronze caught his eye, and then the sound of lightning crashed through the air. He had barely registered what was approaching him as he rolled out of the way of the bolt of lightning, bringing up his flame shield as he did so. He hadn’t had much experience with Alteration spells but in this case, the addition of his natural element made it easy to get the hang of. It was a similar story to that of his guardian atronach… come to think of it.

Teldryn summoned his magicka once again, he still couldn’t see his attacker but if he called upon ‘Tear he knew she’d be able to weed the bastard out quicker than he ever could.

He flicked his wrist, aiming his magicka at the far wall and the sound of crackling and crunching filled his ears as he tore open a portal to Oblivion. The sounds of flames grew ever louder as he watched his guardian step through the portal, her presence lighting the floor below her on fire.

He smiled as Molag’tear flipped in the air, Teldryn had a theory that it was some form of greeting, she seemed happy if he smiled and nodded in her direction. Shining brighter once he had made his reply, as she did now, the flames that engulfed her form bathing the chamber in warm light. That’s when he finally identified his attacker, a mass of tarnished metal and whirring gears perched on six legs. He noticed a dome atop the thing, moving up and down like a strange, disembodied lung. It emitted what seemed to be gas from its top just as he saw a bright, almost blue light escape from what he assumed was the Animunculi’s front.

There was a flash as the Centurion Spider shot a bolt of lightning in Teldryn’s direction, only to have the automaton’s attack countered by a jet of flame from the opposite side of the chamber. He watched as his guardian shot another fireball at the creature, sending it hurtling towards the wall. There was a deafening clang as the mechanical spider hit the hard stone, clattering as it fell to the floor. Still as flames licked at the metal, feeding on whatever was powering it. He let out a breath as he stood, dismissing his shield and met the gaze of his atronach.

He wondered if she could see in the same way he could, sometimes when she moved, he got hints of what he thought might be a skeleton made of carved brimstone. She didn’t quite have a face, more the flickering and moving of flame creating the illusion of one, still see seemed almost worried.

[hircines-hunter]

WIP Wednesday

👀👀 hi I have Stormcloak brainrot

Gonna tag @umbracirrus @mavariel @thequeenofthewinter @madamefluffnstuff @vivifriend

@aureli-us @oblivions-dawn and anyone else that wants to do this feel free to tag me okay?

Dyrvina walked along the wall. Fog covered the inlet and bay, making the waters more treacherous than usual. Between the rain and fog, Dyrvina had a hard time catching any ship setting sail. And she could tell snow would be moving in soon.

Dyrvina heard yelling below her. The training yard stood below her. Several soldiers practiced against the dummies and few sparred with each other.

She heard Galmar screaming at them. Dyrvina could never be a soldier. She lacked that discipline. She started to walk away when she spotted Ulfric join the chaos below. He took off his coat and rolled the sleeves to his tunic.

Dyrvina leaned against the wall and watched. After a few minutes, the spar sessions went from one on one to Ulfric versus three of his soldiers.

Dyrvina wanted to get a closer view. But she hadn’t a clue how to get down. And she feared she would miss the fight.

She spotted a guard nearby and asked him. He directed her to a flight of stairs in a tower. She went down the stairs as fast as her boots let her. She pushed the door open and found herself in the training yard.

Dyrvina sat on the stairs and watched. While his soldiers tired out, Ulfric did not. He simply took off his tunic and continued.

Dyrvina’s attention was drawn away from Ulfric when someone sat down next to her. Galmar. He leaned back on the stairs.

“People say he’s grown lazy due to becoming Jarl. He fights the war from inside his Palace. A coward.”

Dyrvina looked back at the fight. “They would be wrong. I bet he could take on my grandfather’s entire guard force. Without the axe.” Dyrvina smiled. “He is anything but lazy or a coward.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve hardly seen them train. Not like this. But…. They’re also not fighting a war…. I mean…. Not like this.” Dyrvina frowned. She sighed. She went back to watching Ulfric. She watched the way he moved around the younger men with finesse and grace. The spar came to a stop. Ulfric stood there catching his breath. Dyrvina wanted to walk over—

“Here.” Galmar handed Dyrvina the Jarl’s tunic.

Dyrvina felt her cheeks burn. She took the tunic quite aggressively when she stood. She walked over with his tunic. She watched a bead of sweat trail down his back across his scars. She cleared her throat and stretched out her arm. Sweat beaded across the coarse hair on his chest. She stared for a moment.

Dyrvina gained the attention of the other soldiers and not just the Jarl. As soon as Ulfric grabbed the tunic, she turned around before he could say anything. She gave Galmar a glare that could kill and slammed the door to the stairs behind her. She covered her ears as she heard jeers and whistles.

Why did she do that?

Dyrvina walked up the stairs. She peered over the edge. Ulfric stood next to Galmar, clothed now. Galmar had a grin on his face. Dyrvina clenched her jaw. She found her way inside and to her room.

Dyrvina flung herself into the bed and groaned into a pillow. She cocooned herself into the blankets.

“My Lady?” She heard her maid walk in and shut the door. “Is everything alright?”

“That stupid general set me up to be embarrassed…. Why did I do that?” She groaned again. “Now they all think I like him!”

Maera sat on the bed. “What happened?”

Dyrvina sat up. “I was watching the Jarl spar with the soldiers. When he was finished, his General handed me his shirt. So naturally I went to give it to him.”

Maera opened her mouth. “Ah. The soldiers made a scene.” She smiled softly. “Well, don’t worry too much about it. They’ll probably forget by tomorrow.” Maera patted Dyrvina’s head. “Have you eaten? Why don’t I get you something to eat?”

Dyrvina nodded. “Aye.”

[throughtrialbyfire]

𝐖𝐈𝐏 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 ♥

i'm a day late but i'm here!

tagged by the amazing @thequeenofthewinter @dirty-bosmer

tagging the fantastic @skyrim-forever @orfeoarte @hircines-hunter @oblivions-dawn @vivifriend

@saltymaplesyrup @viss-and-pinegar @aphocryphas @archangelsunited @changelingsandothernonsense and anyone who feels like joining in!!!! <3333

this is a first draft section of chapter 40 of Cycle of the Serpent. it features emeros thinking about a hunt he went on when he was younger, and some strange dreams he's been having… mild gore warning, but it's more abstract.

He was to kill an indrik. The hunt was a coming-of-age ceremony, one prevalent throughout Valenwood. Once taken with gazelles and other such beasts, the introduction of the indrik into the province from Alinor had created a peculiar problem with the creature, now deemed a pest. Some Bosmer had started farms of indrik, to butcher some calves and spare the rest, a good source of food throughout the northernmost parts of the province. He tracked it for almost a week. In his memory, he was with several other Bosmer, all on the same hunt, to work together, to build a connection to the Valenwood itself and to one another. The hunt lasted days, tracking the beast through the dense forests and humidity of the summer. They would take it down and take the hide, rolling it off like a tight glove, and decide what to do with the other parts. The meat, the organs, the bones, the sinew. He'd made good needles from those bones. Ones which he still used, many years later. He was deemed the best tracker of their group, and with his fathers hunting knife, he crept in pursuit of the wild beast. In his dreams, he was all alone, and the indrik was hunting him.

He'd run through the forests, thick with the natural growth of his home, the sound of hooves not far behind him, trampling the ground and pounding into his skull, the sound all around him now as he sped into any direction which could grant him a chance of survival, meager as it was. He'd come upon a house, and he'd slam open the door and bolt it shut and toe away, eyes wide in terror, the room filled with people he knew - faces, phantom-like, as though his mind didn't care conjure them up - and the voices of curiosity, questioning, why was he running, what from? Faces from his earliest memory, faces from recent, all taking up residence in the growing claustrophobia of the house whose walls threatened to fall in with the force of the indrik outside, pounding away at the door with its antlers, knowing that the one it sought stood there. The door would fall open, and the indrik would grin, and the dream would shift. Blood, in him, outside of him, endless stars, the wink and wax and wane of them. And fire, gods, the endless scorched forests and homes. This, all of this, had been his fault, from the very beginning. The house would not burn if he did not live there. The people would be alive if he had never been. Their faces, fractaled and incomprehensible yet unmistakable, stood in the doorway of a collapsing city and another starless ride through the sands and through the thick fields of another place and the faces shifted to blood on familiar, new faces, to hands reaching from dark waters, to nothingness. Emeros swallowed air as he awoke, the night not yet gone. Sticky with sweat and half-aware of his muddied surroundings, he fumbled for his blankets and tore them off. His throat burnt, hand rubbing against it, muscles beneath shifting as he swallowed down his awareness. Sleep talking, perhaps, the dryness quickly subsiding. He waited in the still, slow breaths through his nose, out through his lips, and again, until his heart could face the same understanding of safety that his mind was now clawing towards. He dressed quickly, seating himself at his desk, head in his hands.

He had not dreamt like this in quite some time. He could not recall what led his mind down this dark pathway, enough to influence the little peace he often got, but he found himself unable to put it aside. The indrik he'd hunted as a teenager, wiry and awkward in his gear compared to his peers, had been a quick kill. Yes, it had taken a few days, but when compared to what use they got out of it, then all had been more than worth the pursuit. Bones for tools, a skull they'd boiled into a stew the night they'd caught the beast, antlers into flutes and other instruments, sinew to thread… It had been routine, practically, and when the gaggle of youths returned a little haggard but with their kill, and showed their skills in taking it apart with the proper techniques and reverence, then they were deemed ready to take on the responsibilities that came with their age. It had never seen its death coming. But in his dream, the eyes took on an almost personal quality, as though borne by someone who wished him harm. Emeros ran his fingers through his thick, chestnut hair, scratching down at his neck and repeating the slow motions, before smoothing it all back with his palm and rising. There was no one to talk to at this hour, whatever hour it was, and the silence permeated the stone walls around him. He slid through the doorway of his dorm, darting his gaze left and right, the licking flames of the hearth and the utter stillness confirming that he was the only one awake, at least on this level. He pulled the door shut behind him and made his way to the kitchens, the sound of Bendt's snoring from his room nearby the only sound aside from the hearth. He could use a drink. Maybe two, if he were being honest with himself.

Emeros pulled one of the high bottles of wine from its shelf, clinking of glass together causing him to mutter curses under his breath, hand snagging the thin neck, wine sloshing around inside. He tugged a goblet from a table and popped the cork from the green bottle, seating himself to watch the flames. He still thought about that rakish boy, the canary-haired Altmer. He thought of him as he sipped his wine, and wondered bitterly how dire the situation in Whiterun must be, now that a Thalmor agent had been given a hand-written note to waltz right through the city gates and up to the Temple of Kynareth, all too close to the statue of Talos, and his zealot. The chill up his spine dusted over his shoulders and through his hair, and it wasn't from a wanton draft down the stairs. He sipped from the brass goblet and studied it in the light, the fine craftsmanship of it, the dents of a hammer which had worked away until the shape came into being. He twisted it in the crook of his thumb to watch the flames cling to the brass sides, the shadow always falling on his side. Another long drink of the wine served to help ease the nerves bundling up like fists in his mind. He poured the goblet full again, and examined the label more closely. Surilie Brothers. Figures, he snickered, that vineyard had a reach that many could only envy, though he had to wonder how. Emeros drank the last of his goblet in the silence, and placed the bottle back where it belonged, and moved to the dormitories. He stood, empty brass vessel in hand, outside the rooms of his friends. Wyndrelis' dorm was to his right, and Athenath's was to his left. He stood outside Athenath's door first, closest to the kitchens, and pressed his ear to the door. He could hear their breathing, punctuated by an occasional snore, then down into the quiet of good sleep. When he made his way to Wyndrelis' room, he twisted the knob, the Dunmer having admitted that he had a habit of not locking doors all the time. It moved, and he peered inside at the sleeping mage, the other in his typical, curled-up position on his side, face buried into the pillow. He shut the door and made his way back to his room, slipping into his chair and watching the faint light trickle in from under the entryway.

[rainpebble3]

WIP Wednesday/Teaser Thursday

Thank you so much for the tag @vivifriend

I did post a chapter but I can never resist teasing my poor readers.

This is from chapter 28 and I'm being incredibly mean to my characters. And by mean I mean beyond evil...

Guess who's going back to Windhelm???

.... Back to Nera's POV

All she knew was they were going to Dawnstar and that was it.

“What would I be doing on your trip?” Nera asked, she was careful to keep her tone deferential and not too questioning to appease Calmlinde, she didn’t want to piss her off again. She had bruises around her chin for days after last time. “I want to be useful,” she added swiftly.

“Oh my dear, you will be,” Calmlinde answered, patting her head. “You and Silm-Ra will help me uncover fragments of my stolen research, like you did when we went on our last trip.”

The last trip had definitely been beneficial for Nera. There was no denying that. She still read those books most evenings, with each time she could feel something settle inside her, another layer to her magic. Working with Silm-Ra made her skin crawl slightly, but she had gotten used to his presence over the last few weeks. He was always there, in every lecture.

Sighing, Nera rolled up her essay and tied the scroll with a piece of thread before drinking more tea. Calmlinde watched her quietly. Nera didn’t like it. Calmlinde was never more dangerous than she was when she plotted silently. The silence became deafening in the small common room.

“Is that your last assignment?” she finally asked pointing at the scroll.

Nera nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Yes, I was going to give it to Master Tolfdir before the Alteration lecture this morning.”

Calmlinde smiled. “So would that mean you’re finished for the semester?”

Nera fought back a frown, she could sense Calmlinde was building up to whatever she had to demand. She chose her words carefully as she answered. “There are still lectures over the next two weeks, but I suppose yes, I would be. Why?”

Calmlinde slid a note across the table to her. “A rather time sensitive request arrived today, just minutes ago actually. A matter of life or death and I’m the only mage available to answer it.”

Nera looked at the envelope with a frown, the writing was definitely desperate, and parts of the envelope were discoloured where tears had landed on it. “Really? What about Master Marence? If it’s that serious they would need a Restoration Master.”

Calmlinde’s eyes flashed and Nera bit her tongue. Obviously Calmlinde had snatched this request before the Masters and senior researchers could see it. It immediately made her suspicious and she wondered why Calmlinde brought it up.

“So, what’s the request?” she asked, keeping her tone even.

“Read for yourself,” Calmlinde said, her smug smile returning easily.

Nera had a horrible, sinking feeling about this but she did as she was asked. The envelope crinkled as she opened and looked over the request, her blood chilling at the contents. A young woman in Windhelm had been wounded with an incurable poison? Nera coughed and tried to clear her parched throat. The mere mention of Windhelm made her queasy.

“Falmer poison, gods… Wouldn’t Master Sleeps-In-Blossoms be better suited for this?”

Calmlinde took the envelope from her. “And you think I would pass up the opportunity to study this poison in action? Don’t be so foolish.”

Nera winced, recalling a passage in one of the books required for her Alchemy lessons. “It’s incurable though, or according to what I’ve read it is.”

Calmlinde’s teeth shone in the candlelight as she grinned. “So? Have you forgotten my area of expertise? Even if the girl passes away, it wouldn’t be for long.”

Nera shuddered. “I assume you intend to leave today?”

She was careful not to sound too hopeful, but two weeks without Calmlinde was dangerously tempting. It would let her enjoy the college more, spend leisurely afternoons in the Arcanaeum and even venture into town to take on some small jobs. She could earn some money and not need to depend on anyone else. Calmlinde’s next words dumped icy water over Nera’s flickering hopes.

“We will be leaving as soon as you deliver your little essay.”

“We?!” Nera squeaked, realising what Calmlinde meant. “As in…”

“You and I will be going to Windhelm before Dawnstar. Silm-Ra will also meet us there after dark.”

[friend-of-giants]

WIP Whenever

Happy Thursday! I have been tagged by the lovely @elfinismsarts @wildhexe @boethiahspillowbook (there is a special line in here inspired by our talks 😉) and @thana-topsy to post a WIP snippet. It has been a long while since I've shared anything or even had the oomph to do any writing, but I've once again got the wind in my sails!

Tagging @umbracirrus @v1ctory-or-sovngarde @katastronoot @vivifriend @thequeenofthewinter and anyone else who sees and wants to participate. Art and writing WIPs both count!

From an upcoming chapter of Ascent from the Ashes

She had just stepped into her other slipper when a sudden, scolding voice caused her to startle.

“Where do you think you’re going? You need to stay in bed."

Teldryn had appeared in the stairway from the basement, apparently having climbed them silently since Wren hadn't heard any footsteps or the usual creaking of stairs. His lips were curled into a sneer of mild annoyance, but his eyes showed nothing but concern.

All Wren could manage was a scathing eye roll as she turned away from him and headed to the door. Her thigh continued to burn steadily, the discomfort causing her jaw to clench. The pain in her leg was already driving her mad, the last thing she wanted was to deal with Teldryn on top of this.

"Azura's sake, Wren, you shouldn't be up at all!" His tone was tense with worry. "Maramal said you need to rest for at least-"

"Maramal can shove it up his ass!" Heat spread across her cheeks as the words flew out, and she felt her heart begin to pound more fiercely, even moreso when she turned around to see that he hadn't put on a shirt quite yet. Though she tried to stop herself, her gaze was immediately drawn to his bare chest, to the patch of hair that she found herself wanting to run her fingers through. Badly. She swallowed hard. "I'm going out."

Teldryn grinned, a response that she certainly wasn't expecting. She wanted to wipe that smug look right off his fucking face.

"Is that so, outlander? Tell me, how far do you think you'll get before you fall flat on your arse?" He pointed at her leg, as if he thought she may have forgotten about her injury. "You're going to get hurt out there, just please, stay in bed. You need to take it easy."

"I am going out whether you like it or not," she snapped petulantly, then turned away and reached for the doorhandle.

"Then I'm going with you."

"Like hell you are!"

"What are you going to do, outrun me?" He let out a raspy, wheezing cackle that made her face grow even hotter. "Sera, you couldn't outrun a one-legged guar right now. Either I'm coming with, or with Azura as my witness I will carry you back to your bed."

Whatever response she had ready died in her throat, and with all of her willpower she swallowed her pride. "Fine, you can come along. Just go put on a shirt, please."

[raine-kai]

Fic Stats Game

Rules: Give us the links to your fics with the most hits, second most kudos, third most bookmarks, fourth most comments, fifth most words, and your fic with the least amount of words.

Tagged by @aowyn <3

Most Hits, Second Most Kudos, and Third Most Bookmarks

Undertow

(One Piece, one-sided Strawhats/Luffy) This amounts to a character study, exploring each crewmember's love for Luffy. I wrote it more than a decade ago. I'm surprised that it basically swept the game 😂

The Straw Hats all feel the gravity. They let it pull them under. And if its source doesn't realize what he does to them...well, they don't really mind.

Fourth Most Comments and Fifth Most Words

Things You Couldn't Possibly Know

(Love Like the Galaxy, Xuan Shen'an-centric modern AU) A slice-of-life fic I wanted to use to explore Zisheng/Shaoshang in a non-canon setting from outsider POV. It turned out that they made no sense from Shen'an's POV, but she did not care to ask them about what was going on, so Shaoshang ended up getting an equal number of POV chapters.

“Zisheng,” Shen’an sighs. “Please just bring Shaoshang to visit me. If her brother wants to visit too, as her brother or as A’Li’s boyfriend, of course he’s also very welcome. But why are you beating around the bush?”

“Ah—Shaoshang isn’t going to visit us by herself,” says Zisheng, so casually that Shen’an nearly doesn’t process the meaning until a few seconds later, at which point she nearly drops her mug.

“Why not?” she asks, eyes narrowing. “What have you done?”

“Nothing,” says Zisheng. “But she thinks spending time alone with me would be unfair to her boyfriend.”

“Zisheng,” Shen’an groans. The life Xuan Shen'an wished for, where she is sister to Yue Heng and mother to Huo Buyi. She would love Cheng Shaoshang as a daughter-in-law...unfortunately, the girl already has a boyfriend.

Least Words

Through the Seasons

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, post-canon poem I wrote when I was 13.

I am highly amused that the first 5 categories basically got swept by the same 2 fics, and that this has resulted in 3 fics each published approximately a decade apart. Random sample of 20 years of my writing! 😂

Tagging @vivifriend and @threephasebird if you want to play, but zero pressure <3

[br-disaster]

this is so true, @vivifriend

cql huaisang is all about being useless and not doing much until his da-ge is hurt

Nie Mingjue: *is a little unsteady on his feet*

Nie Huaisang, immediately: 🏃🏃

[vivifriend]

Murphy is laughing at me.

Finally got one of my Skyrim profiles rebuilt on my PC. (wanted to switch out a few patch heavy mods which required rebuilding about a quarter of the list). And today I wake up and my body tells me that using stairs is a bad idea.

Which means I am now in 'upstairs exile'. On my laptop. Which I have not even downloaded Skyrim on yet.

I had a fleeting thought that I should backup my Skyrim modlist now that it was complete. Or at least my character presets. But alas. Twas too fleet a thought to catch.

[kittyspotatoes]

tag game @getetteroo ty for the tag mwaa ♥ (no homo.. unless)

Rules: tag people you want to get to know better or catch up with

Favourite colour: Orenj and Pench and Blecc

Last Song: I won't say (I'm in love) hahahahahahaha pls don't torture me I just can't stop thinking about Kaidan and Kisa in this T_T

Currently Reading: yet another Kaidan fanfic — Silka by Vivifriend (hi i know they have a tumblr i just forgot it waaa)

Last Movie: A Monster Calls (pls im gonna cry jfhsdf)

Sweet, savory or spicy? SAVORY AND SALTY and overall just probably unhealthy

Currently working on: Secret Santa for a friend bc I'm bad at deadlines ;w;

tagging (banging pots and pans on your window): @icedbuns4all @deenomilk @sanguinettii @youeggbastard @jirosan @lovxhumans not gonna tag everyone but if you see this and wanna do it to your friendos too feel free to copypasta ♥

[thequeenofthewinter]

Wicked Work-in-Progress Wednesday

This is @oblivions-dawn's fault. She told me to tease everyone since all I have is awful smut for WIP. My brain is only full of rot at the moment.

Tagging: @dirty-bosmer, @hircines-hunter, @skyrim-forever, @bougainvillea-and-saltwater, @theoneandonlysemla

@vivifriend, @umbracirrus, and I have no idea who else to tag. If anyone else would like to be tagged (or not tagged) for this sort of thing in the future, let a girl know.

Ulfric pushes his fingers the rest of the way under the cloth, gliding over her center teasingly. “I haven’t even touched you yet, and you’re already wet," he hums with approval. "Will you think about me while you are away?”

[hircines-hunter]

Thanks @rakaiawriter !! I’ve got so many wips and nothing fandom related feels… good enough so… I’ll just drop something from my novel. It’s called Huntsfather atm. Due to change. But it’s about werewolves and magic and Druids. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Mýra spoke under her breath; a spell, praying the gods would bless this neglected land.

Tagging 15 people is a lot lol!

@wildhexe @madamefluffnstuff @umbracirrus @vivifriend @ravenekrops @elfinismsarts @thequeenofthewinter @bostoniangirl21 @critter-in-skyrim and anyone else that wants to do this….

Doing a thing

Thanks for tagging me @twinkle-toph✨

RULES: Post the last sentence you wrote (fanfic / original / anything) and tag as many people as there are words in the sentence (unless you’re like me and write enough run on sentences to where you can’t possibly tag that many people for words).

From the fic where Tenzin gets his tattoos:

She took it in less than a heartbeat and the smile that grew on his face was more confident with the grounding squeeze she provided him.

No pressure tagging: @kurocache @risingsoleil @chiefbeifongcanrailme @oldandirrelevant and anyone else interested :)

[changelingsandothernonsense]

Wip extract

I got tagged by @redyn-nerevarine for a wip extract. Tagging @naturalbornlosers @viss-and-pinegar @archangelsunited @vivifriend @saltymaplesyrup If you also wanna post a short. Still working on the fic that follows this quest because whilst Sleepers Awake is all in Joshi's pov, sometimes i want to write his ghost husband.

Erra exhaled slowly before turning to face the taller mer. He had pulled down his orange scarf from his face, letting it hang loosely around his neck. Teldryn reached into his pocket and pulled out the tin he kept his cigarettes in, something that was apparently popular in the West. Erra hadn’t tried the substance that Teldryn preferred, though he noticed it seemed to calm him somewhat. If he was stressed or in pain then it would be best to find a place to make camp whilst there was still light. “I really do think that it is best that we make camp sooner rather than later,” Erra pressed, pulling down his own scarf and removing his goggles, “I would prefer to set up our yurt whilst there is still light.” Teldryn placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it with his small finger, a tiny flame appearing from his fingertip. He took a long puff, rolling the flame between his fingers before dismissing the spell. “You know I can like just summon a light, yeah?” Teldryn suggested, exhaling a large cloud of grey smoke from the side of his mouth, “It’s not like I’ve used my magicka much today, what with you just taking out every beastie that crossed our path before they even noticed us.” He chuckled to himself, taking another drag of his cigarette. Erra rolled his eyes at the mer. Teldryn was right, Erra had taken out every creature that crossed their path before they became much of a nuisance. Mostly because he had no interest in having a cliff racer bother them every time they encroached on their territory while he was trying to concentrate on tracking Subaddamael. He knew Teldryn was itching to start fighting again but Erra was far more cautious. They were not doing this so that they could spill blood. Ancestors, Teldryn had made that very clear himself— though it was easier said than done, mostly because Erra knew that Teldryn wanted to show-guar about. Wanting to show the other up in combat was almost a game between them at this point. Something that they had developed months ago when they had first met. He remembered watching in awe as Teldryn danced around Zabamund when he had given him an honour challenge. He wanted to show him what he could do himself, insisting on joining him through his first Harrowing in the Urshilaku Burial Caverns. It was not usual— Teldryn was meant to complete the task on his own, but Erra couldn’t help but join him. He was right to do so, the mer was absolutely terrified of the dead. It had unwittingly become the perfect chance for Erra to show off— be this gorgeous outlander’s hero. It had worked in the end, and they had been playing this game ever since.

[hircines-hunter]

WIP Wednesday

Hi hi hi! 😊 have a preview of the thing I’ve been working on for the past 3 days. It’s now like 14k idk if I’m gonna post a long one shot or divide into chapters yet. But either way. It will be eventual Ralof/OC. But for now, it’s kind of in the air

Gonna tag : @umbracirrus @madamefluffnstuff @thequeenofthewinter @bostoniangirl21 @vivifriend

@rakaiawriter @oblivions-dawn

“Ci? Ciara?”

Who called her? It sounded like Ralof. Ciara groaned. She lurched forward. Her eyes fluttered open. Too bright. She went to shield her face, realizing her hands were bound. “Divines.” She mumbled.

“Thank the Divines. You’re finally awake, Ci.”

“Ralof?” She blinked. “What…? Where are we?” Ciara looked around. She saw the gate down the road. Helgen? She looked around the carriage. Her eyes widened when she saw Jarl Ulfric sitting next to her. Gagged, bruised, and bound. “Divines. Ralof….” She felt tears roll down her cheek.

“You're a civilian. And about to marry Hadvar. I’m sure you’ll be okay.” Ralof’s face darkened. He leaned over on his knees.

“This is…. The Empire can’t do this.” She whispered. She looked over when Ralof laughed. She bit her lip until she tasted blood.

“It’s amazing how easily that view can change. This is how they’ve always been, Ci.” Ralof looked at her. He hadn’t seen her in five years. How had she changed so much physically? “What were you doing out there?”

“Alchemy. Jazbay grapes. Canis root. Creep cluster.”

“You haven’t changed.” He smiled a bit.

Ciara looked at him. She looked over when she saw the gates open. She saw General Tullius.

“Damned Elves.” Ralof spat as he saw the Thalmor.

Ciara looked around Helgen, trying to find a familiar face. Would they even listen to her about being engaged to Hadvar?

The carriage came to a stop. She followed the Stormcloaks off the carriage. Her heart stopped when she heard a familiar voice. Her eyes instantly welled.

“Ralof of Riverwood.”

Hadvar held the list. Is there where he’d been stationed for the past month? More tears rolled down her face. Hadvar’s eyes widened when he saw her—dressed in rags. A bruise and dried blood on her temple. “Ciara? Captain, she’s not on the list!” Ciara took a few steps towards Hadvar.

“She goes to the block.” Ciara’s heart stopped. She stared at Hadvar and then the captain.

“Captain, that’s my…. She’s my fianc-” Hadvar stammered. His heart pounded in his ears. He felt sweat bead on his forehead.

The captain turned towards Hadvar. “Are you a traitor as well? If your woman is one, that makes you one as well. And I can add you to the list. Think about your next words.”

“She’s not a traitor. She’s a healer.” He tried to explain.

“She goes to the block. Don’t ask again. Or you’ll join her.”

Hadvar bit his lip. He briefly looked at Ciara and wrote her name on the list. “Ciara Finley of Riverwood. I’ll make sure your family gets your remains.”

Ciara stared in disbelief. Her jaw slackened. Her vision wavered. Her heart pounded with rage. With pain. She turned away and stood next to Ralof, leaning against him. “Fucking coward.” She clenched her jaw. She pulled on her magicka reserves—a fireball formed in her palm.

Ralof reached over and put his hands on her arm. “Save it. Wait.”

A roar pierced the skies.

Ciara looked up. As did everyone else.

“Next the Breton!”

Ciara didn’t move. She readied another fireball in her hands. She held her hands up at the soldier who approached her. She released the fireball. It exploded in the soldier’s face. He fell back, screaming and clutching his face. Ciara readied another fireball as another soldier charged at her. She ducked.

Another roar.

“What in Oblivion is that!”

A dark shadow blocked out the sun. A dragon landed on the tower. Half of the structure collapsed.

“Ci! The gods won’t give us another chance!” Ralof grabbed her arm and dragged her through the mayhem. They made it inside the keep. “Was that…?”

“A dragon.” She finished.