#alloy of the nora

[horizoncountdown]

For those that are curious, this is the Real World Horizon location map that Count uses, done by jesuscuervo on Reddit.

See under the cut for more information.

Real World Horizon Map (Speculative)

The Embrace proper is just the valleys and lakes between Pike’s Peak and Cheyenne Mountain, the core of the Nora Territory. Here, I placed each village in a valley respective to the location of Cheyenne Mountain but moved a few things around so it would not be too crowded.

The Outer Sacred Lands – outside the Embrace proper – contain several outcast camps. I had the Nora Territory expand across the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forest. Brom’s Camp is located over the Black Canyon of the Gunnison as it is depicted in-game, while Rost’s Hovel and Grata’s Camp are located on the hills/mountains closer to the Embrace.

Valleymeet; the neutral land between The Sacred Lands and the Carja Sundom is based on Maroon Bells, CO in-game. However, I mapped it out to include all of the White River National Forest within Valleymeet.

Hunter’s Gathering the main settlement in Valleymeet would likely be would be located on the Roaring Fork Valley near Woody Creek. That is the largest open valley in the area and the path through which the present-day CO-82 passes could work as a main throughway between the Nora and Carja lands.

Shivering Watch, following CO-82 the mountains narrow into a canyon south of Glenwood Springs (not Glenwood Canyon). The canyon acts as the chokepoint and border between the formerly Nora lands and the Carja Sundom where Shivering Watch and The Daytower are located.

Two Teeth Camp is depicted as being on Maroon Peak in-game. However, it is built over the ruins of the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Plant, which is further south in Telluride, CO. I kept Two-Teeth in the southern location so it acts as a second buffer between the Sacred Lands and the Sundom.

The Carja Sundom; is where the game took the greatest artistic liberty. The game depicts the heartland of the Carja Sundom south of the Colorado River (Lake Powell specifically); however the real-world locations depicted within The Sundom, the area its geography is based on (Eagle Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks), and the route Alloy travels through suggests the Sundom is actually located north of the Colorado River in the real world. Thus rather than having the Sundom’s heartland located in the Colorado Mesa, it would make more sense to place it in the already fertile Price and Green River Valleys in Utah. This way I was able to keep Meridian in Eagle Canyon and Sunfall in Bryce Canyon. Thus Sunfall is actually southwest rather than northwest of Meridian. The Carja Sundom would extend across most of the Western Slope in Colorado into most of eastern and southern Utah. With Shatter Kiln (Provo) as its northernmost boundary.

The Sun-Steps – are the first region of the Sundom that Alloy encounters on her journey. In-game it stretches from Arches National Park to what appears to be Horseshoe Bend. However, Horseshoe Bend is too far south for it to make sense as the border, so I have Morning Watch located further north on another bend. Since river bends can form anywhere it is not a stretch to think there is a new bend somewhere else. Over all the Sun-Steps correspond to the Grand Valley in CO.

Free Heap – located within the Sun Steps is Free Heap, an Oseram outpost set up to provide construction material for Meridian. If they are mining for industrial materials from the Old Ones, it would make the most sense for Free Heap to be located on or near Grand Junction CO, which is the largest settlement in the area today.

Gatelands – form the eastern half of the central Carja Sundom. Unlike the rest of the Sundom, this region is relatively easy to map out since most locations have an obvious real-world reference corresponding to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Lone Light had to be relocated since Horseshoe Bend is much further downriver in reality. I placed it in a smaller bend upriver.

Gatelands Bandit Camp - I depicted the Bandint Camps as neutral/independent enclaves within the Sundom, the Gatelands Camp being the largest one of these and corresponding to the entirety of Arches National Park.

The Jewel – the central heartland of the Carja Sundom appears to be based on Monument Valley in present-day Utah and Arizona. However this location would be rather out of the way from Aloy’s journey and it doesn’t fit some of the locations depicted within the Jewel itself (mainly Meridian, which is located in Eagle Canyon). Thus, I thought it made more sense for it to be centered on the eastern Green River Basin along the present-day Carbon, Emery, and Wayne counties. This way Meridian remains in Eagle Canyon and the Spurflints in the San Rafael Reef. The Spearshafts would be a new formation (not present today) somewhere in Canyonlands National Park.

Rustwatch – in-game the Shadow Carja territory is north of the Jewel across from Daybrink (Lake Powell), however since The Jewel is no longer located south of the Lake, Rustwatch and Sunfall are now southeast of the Carja heartland. But Sunfall keeps its location in Bryce Canyon.

The Southern Frontier – in-game Kestrel’s Perch is defined as a fortress built by the fifth Sun King Zavarad as the Sundom expanded north of Daybrink (Lake Powell) into Rustwatch. However because in the real world, Lake Powell is south of what I’ve defined as the Carja heartland, this frontier is now south of Daybrink and Rustwatch.

The Mountain Frontier – Call of the Mountain doesn’t really give many references on where Rising Light and the main route of the game are located, except that it is mountainous and – for the most part – densely wooded. So I opted for the Sundom to have a “Mountain Frontier” along the Wasatch Range. Because the world of Horizon is likely set in a warmer and wetter Earth (due to rising sea levels), the Bonneville and Lahontan Great Lakes have been resurrected east of this range. The former of these acts as The Sundom’s western border and provides the precipitation and rainfall necessary to create forests and jungles in the Colorado Plateau.

Shattered Kiln – a bandit camp near the northern reaches of the Sundom, as in-game it is based on Provo Utah near Maker’s End (Salt Lake City).

The Daunt; the southwestern corner of the Carja Sundom corresponds to Zion National Park. However, Zion is relatively small to fit all the in-game locations. In-game, Zion National Park appears to be the same size as the entirety of Southern Nevada or the California Central Valley. To fit everything in, I extended The Daunt to include the entire Virgin River Basin in Washington County Utah.

Barren Light would then be located with St George, Utah where the Virgin River (and the I-15) cross Bloomington Hills.

Chainscrape and the Redhew Quarry, the Oseram settlement within the Daunt is located along a bit upriver from Barren Light.

The Claim; the Oseram territory is not depicted in-game, however, Pitch Cliff and Free Heap are two Oseram settlements near their border with the Carja Sundom. It is stated that their territory is north of The Sundom and west of The Cut, so it likely corresponds to Idaho, specifically the Snake River Basin.

Pitch Cliff is likely located along the Roan Cliffs, and possibly very near the border between the Claim and the Sundom.

The lands between The Long Roam, the Claim, and the Carja Sundom form an unclaimed region around the present-day Uintah Basin. Oseram traders travel through it and the Carja might have sent some raiders across it, but it remains mostly unpopulated. I shaded this area pink as the Carja might claim it but likely hold no direct control.

No Man’s Land - is the border between the Carja Sundom and the Tenakth Clanlands. No Man’s Land borders are not well defined in-game, but they seem to correspond to the northern shore of Lake Mead, specifically the area around the Overton Arm where the Virgin River meets the Lake. The overall location works for a real-world equivalent, but a few things get shuffled around for them to fit.

Jagged Deep; the eastern bank of the Virgin River was tenuously controlled by the Carja Sundom. What remains is Riverwatch, an abandoned fort on the banks of the Overton Arm, and Jagged Deep an abandoned mine that is now delved by Oseram adventurers. The Carja Camp on the west bank of the Overton Arm is the furthest west Carja settlement.

Eastern Lie & Deadfalls are the westernmost Tenakth settlements closest to the Cajra and Utaru borders, which have been taken by Regalla’s Rebels. In fact, most of the Tenakth side of No Man’s Land is occupied by the rebels.

Spinebreak; in-game Spinebreak is located on the southeastern border between No-Man’s Land and the Tenakth Clanlands proper and built under the ruins of a present-day highway tunnel. The issue is that there are no tunnels – or logical places to put a tunnel – between the Overton Arm and Las Vegas (the Stillsands). I thus place Spinebreak further north on the Virgin River Canyon acting as a second border between Barren Light and the Tenakth camps.

The Utaru Tribal Lands; the Utaru settled in the lands surrounding the Western Grand Array (WGA), which they named Plainsong.

Plainsong, although the WGA is based on the Very Large Array in New Mexico, the VLA is very far from Aloy’s path and the in-game geography. Furthermore just like the Nora take their name from the NORAD Facility and the Tenakth take their name from the Tenth Task Force, I suspect the Utaru take their name from Utah. Thus it is likely that the WGA is not the VLA but rather a new array built somewhere in Southern Utah, between the Carja Sundom and the Desert Clans. With this in mind, I placed Plainsong on the Cedar Valley and worked from there.

Stone’s Echo – Stone’s Echo is an Utaru outpost near the Stillsands, just past No Man’s Land. I placed it along the Meadow Valley Wash, which would likely be a tad more fertile than in the present day. Because we are dealing with what I expect is a warmer and wetter climate due to rising sea levels (and AETHER’s supercell storms going haywire).

Riverhymn – On the northern edge of the Utaru lands lies Riverhymn; the second largest Utaru settlement after Plainsong. In-game it is located in a fairly mountainous corner. So it is likely located near Frisco Peak with the river that passes through it being the Beaver River. However this river flows in the opposite direction that is seen in-game, rather than flowing south towards Plainsong, it flows north into the Sevier Lake.

·Due to the wetter climate, it is possible that the entire Bonneville Basin is once again flooded and Lake Bonneville acts as a boundary between the Utaru, the Carja, the Oseram, and Tenakth Desert Clans but the game map does not go that far north. Regardless I thought it be cool so I opted to depict it as such.

Tenakth Desert Clans; the Desert Clans inhabit most of Southern Nevada. Their territory reaches the present-day Great Basin National Park in the northeast and the Shining Wastes (Death Valley National Park) to the West.

The Stillsands; southwest of the Utaru territory, is another semi-contested region (it is within the Tenakth Desert Clan territory but both major settlement Camp Nowhere and Hidden Ember are Oseram). This is pretty simple since it corresponds to Clark County NV, with Hidden Ember clearly being Las Vegas. I originally had Devil’s Grasp be located in Barstow CA, but opted to place it closer to Las Vegas in Primm.

Dry Yearn; is the easternmost region of the Clanlands. It contains Arrowhand, the second largest Desert Clan settlement, and Restless Weald. It is fairly easy to place since Restless Weald is based in Caliente, NV. With this in mind, I placed Arrowhand over Crystal Springs, NV, and the Dry Yearn Camp just north of Restless Weald.

The Greenswell; is the northernmost region of the Desert Clanlands; it is also the least arid region of the Desert Clans. Part of this can be attributed to the supercell storms, but I also opted to have the core of the territory within the Great Basin National Park, which is a very green area within the Nevada desert, which further explains the area’s climate.

Scalding Spear; centrally located in the Nevada desert, the capital of the Desert Clans is located on the present-day Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project.

Shining Wastes; is an arid mostly flat expanse of land, which for the most part corresponds to Death Valley National Park. The only problem is that Death Valley is not particularly flat. I included Death Valley, now filled in with a saline lake, within the Shining Wastes but placed the main settlements located further north within the Nevada Desert (which is mostly flat).

Runner’s Wild – a small region in the Desert Clan territory, Runner’s Wild corresponds to Mammoth Lakes in California and acts as a border between the Desert and Sky Clans.

Salt Bite – north of Runner’s Wild this region borders Runner’s Wild and the Greenswell, it is clearly based on Mono Lake in California and the geography easily fits into this location.

Memorial Grove; although the Tenakth are divided into three warring Clans (and Regalla’s Rebels), the Memorial Grove acts as a capital / neutral ground for all three. The Grove is located on a museum and military base – specifically an airforce base – south of Mono Lake. The base does not exist in the present day but could be located anywhere in the Owens Valley. I paced it on Independence, CA (fitting name). Like other areas on the map, the Owens Valley is also much more fertile than in the current day.

Tenakth Sky Clans; northwest of the Memorial Grove the Sky Clans make their home along the Sierra Nevada, specifically Yosemite Valley and the Sierra National Forrest. Not many changes here, but it doesn’t seem like their territory expands much further north than Lake Tahoe (unless it is not depicted).

The Bulwark; the capital of the Skyclans is based on Sentinel Dome in Yosemite Valley, I kept it here and based the rest around it.

Sheerside Mountains; are based on the Sierra Nevada, the region itself corresponds to the northern half of the Sky Clans’ territory. I took Sheerside Climb to be the pass from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite and assumed Bonewhite Tear and the other settlements would be located along CA Route 120 and the Tuolumne River.

Stand of the Sentinels the southern region of the Sky Clans appears to be based off the Sierra National Forest. Its major settlements follow a pass from Mammoth Lakes to Tide’s Reach (possibly Fresno CA, see below). This suggests that the major settlements are located along the San Joaquin River.

Tenakth Lowland Clans; like the Carja Sundom, the Lowland Clans pose a huge conundrum. The Lowlands seem to consist of the foothills of the Sierras along Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Forrest towards a coast. This suggests that California’s Central Valley is flooded due to rising sea levels. If this is the case it helps explain why The Long Coast (Bakersfield) is a coast and not inland.However, if this were the case there should be a long peninsula formed from California's Coastal Ranges. But this peninsula is completely absent from the in-game map. Furthermore, Tide’s Reach appears to be based in Oakland, but it is geographically located at the foothills of the Sierra National Forrest. This should be impossible; Oakland would be located on the aforementioned “peninsula” between San Francisco Bay and the “Central Valley Sea”, but this peninsula is nowhere to be found on the map.

I tried my best to come up with a creative solution.

Raintrace – as in-game Raintrace is based on Sequoia National Forrest, Lowland Path and Fall’s Edge are located along CA Route 180 and King’s Canyon, which provide a direct route from the Memorial Grove to the rest of the Lowland Clans’ territory. Fenrise is further south on Isabella Lake where the Kern River valley provides a connection between the Desert Clans and Lowland Clans’ territories.

Tide Reach – I relocated Tide’s Reach to Fresno, CA which is now along the coast of the “Central Valley Sea”. I opted to have it based on Fresno since it provides another large present-day settlement where to base it, and more importantly, it is directly on the path Alloy would take from Stand of the Sentinels. Since Alloy can’t swim from Tide’s Reach to the Isle of Spires (San Francisco) it makes sense to place it further away from the island than Oakland. SF Bay is large, but not large enough for there to be a storm that wrecks Alloy’s raft. To make the route Alloy takes a bit more logical I also broke up the Coastal Ranges north of the Salinas River into an archipelago. I considered sinking the entirety of the Mt Diablo Range, to provide a direct route from Tide’s Reach to the Island, but I thought that would be too much.

The Long Coast – in-game The Long Coast seems to refer to the Pacific Coast, but as already mentioned it also refers to the ruins of Bakersfield CA. Thankfully a flooded Central Valley means we’ve gained a new coast. Thus the Long Coast now refers to the western coast of this inland sea. Thornmash, in-game coordinates suggest it is located near Tracy, CA. but I placed it a little further south on this coast so it forms a triangle with Tide’s Rach and Raintrace Rise and so it is not too close to San Francisco.

Cliffs of the Cry – as in-game the Cliffs correspond to Big Sur and the California Pacific Coast. I opted to have Raintrace West located on the Cliffs (close to San Luis Obispo) since you travel from it to the Zennith Base.

Isle of Spires; is straightforward San Francisco, which is now an island. Alva describes San Francisco as an archipelago, so this helped me further justify the breakup of the Coastal Ranges. Although I realize that such geologic shifts would likely destroy the city of San Francisco itself. This is the suspension of disbelief in a world that has a volcano appear on Yellowstone and New Zealand sink beneath the waves.

Zenith Base; originally I thought about having it located in Monterey however it is south of Tilda’s Mansion, which is in Big Sur. It then seemed fitting to place the Zenith Base in Vandenberg Airforce Base instead.

The Burning Shores; it is LA, which like San Francisco is now an archipelago due to tectonic activity and rising sea levels. This is pretty much explained in-game.

Fleet’s End is located somewhere in the Baldwin Hills, which are now the main island of the “bay”

Pangea Park / Londra Productions is described as being on a peninsula. Because it is partially based on Dinseyland (or Universal Studios) I’ve opted to keep it in Anaheim. To make Anaheim a peninsula I’ve flooded the San Gabriel Valley in the north and Newport Beach in the south.

[notebooks-and-laptops]

I think what I love about alloy is that she's so so angry. She's bitter. Yes, she's kind, yes she's empathetic, yes, she's warm. But she's also angry. She's angry about her upbringing. She's angry at the Nora. She doesn't let that go all throughout the first game. She's mad at them for what they did to her. And it's so good. I love alloy

[deadbeatbirdmom]

Been mulling over that Nora-v-Yang hypothetical; among other things it's funny how Elm has a similar weapon, fearsome non-semblance-amped muscle and about the same reach advantage on Yang that the latter has on Nora without Magnhild. Then again, given said hammer's taser widget separating Ms. Valkyrie from her weapon seems much easier said than done-playing tug-o-war in particular strikes me as a great way to get zorched unless Yang's new righty was made with non-conductive alloys.

I figure Yang could hold her own at projectile range (Ember Celica seems faster to shoot & reload), has a short-range agility edge (sure, Nora can fly with Magnhild, but can't simultaneously shoot-plus, shift time between the hammer's zoom & whack modes might cost her), and throws more skilled hands & heels even without the stickybombs, but again: gotta get in past the THWACK zone first. Meanwhile any breathers for juicing (Nora) or non-telling impacts (Yang) they get could swing things sharply. I figure 60/40 in Yang's favor if they're just at it 'till aura break and/or a KO, but 50/50 for a Vytal tourney match which might involve some biome with a major environmental edge (pools, volt dust, et al) or Nora scoring a JNPR-vs-BRNZ finish-style ringout.

I don't really have anything to add to your detailed assessment, except this gif:

Which now that I think of it does seem to imply Yang can turn her prosthetic into a last case scenario projectile if she really needs one, although disarming herself in the process seems a bit extreme for anything except pranks.

Other than that, I'll note Yang was sent sky high by Nora during the food fight in Volume 2, but I don't think the same trick would work on her again. Yang learns from her mistakes.

[blackend2987]

Aaaaaand Overthinking Nick again!

"I am sick, doctor?"

"No, just crazy."

Even if he tries to convince himself that he is a man, it is stronger than him; he can only view himself as a synth. And, perceiving himself as a synth, he can't just get the picture of his nasty "cousins" with their evident metallic bodies out of his mind. And, unable to wipe the vision of the bodies of the evil "cousins" from his mind, he truly fails to understand what Nora sees in him.

It's simply not doable.

It is simply unattainable.

Incomprehensible.

It's like conceptualizing that a cat develops a special affinity with a toaster.

The most perfect animal in any point among all the creation with a machine that has barely evolved over time.

Something all in grace, suppleness, softness and magnificence linking with an object whose usefulness was hardly proved, and all the more useless for this something all in grace, suppleness, softness and magnificence.

A cat and a toaster.

A beautiful young feline and an old rusty kitchen tool.

And deficient.

Because he has so many disabilities.

The first, and most visible; his skin. What should serve as his skin. This strange alloy of plastic and rubber, indefinable, full of sensors, which vulgarly tries to imitate the kind of men. This comedy of semi-flexible material but far from being enough flexible that should hide from the view of others the ingrate structure of his person. The ingrate structure of his being...

The ingrate structure of his conception?

A synth. He is a synth. Something halfway between a robot and a man. But closer to the robot than to the man. Because he doesn’t have the grace to be one of those fancy gen3. So, probably very close to Codsworth.

He shudders at this thought.

“I don’t even want to know,” Nora comments as she hears his kind of disbelieving sigh. “But not hearing you at all for at least twenty minutes worries me.”

“I was thinking.”

“Well, you’re used to thinking out loud. Since I’m not trying to sleep, have you finally found the function to do it in your head?”

“Or my processor, or my motherboard...”

“I shouldn’t have even mentioned.”

“But it’s what you mentioned that makes me think.”

“As if you need encouragement... You think about what?”

He opens his mouth to answer but picks himself up in time. After a moment of floating, he answers what comes in his mind a little more acceptable.

“To Codsworth.”

“Oh my God!”

Nora raises her arms in exasperation.

“Can’t you let go of my poor butler? I don’t know why you’re so hard on him. He never did anything to you, and I think he’s pretty good for a robot. He managed to develop his own personality matrix on his own, which is pretty impressive.”

“Is it, now?”

Nick is holding back from this. At the very least, Nora thinks he’s thinking about how to roast her robot. Or maybe just denigrate him in his head. Somehow, anything better than the truth.

Better than him comparing himself to this robot.

Which involves two branches of thoughts that make him shudder.

First, and horribly, if Nora is attracted to him, she might as well be attracted to the robot. And that would explain everything.

The woman’s brain is fried.

Her spirit is completely down west, and she just doesn’t make sense with the reality.

As it is acceptable to conceive this way her mind could function, it’s also brought the fact that his best friend and only human to have bring something almost human in his sense is just a very malfunctioning human.

And again, it could explain a lot.

But in the other branch of thoughts, it’s also brought back the fact that he is barely more than a robot. And then, how can he think, feel, fear...?

Is Codsworth also think, feel, fear?

Yeah, the obvious answer, proved truth, is yeah.

Codsworth think, Codsworth feel, Codsworth fear. He has proved this often.

Then how Nick can be something more than Codsworth? More than just a robot? Is him more than a robot? Is him...

“I really don’t get why you are so relentless on this poor guy.”

“Because it’s funny. And nothing personal about the poor guy. More about all the General Atomic proudest conception.”

"Don't you think, as you like to pounder and turn and return anything from scratch to finish product and possibilities, that you relentless is just a way to try to dissociate yourself from the fact you may have lot in common with them?"

He can't help but gasp and lose a step. Nora stops in turn and stare at him carefully.

"Sorry, no, it's improperly express."

"Sunken hit."

His partner raises her hand and strokes his, a sorrowful expression on her face.

"Oh shit, Nick. Pardon me. I did not mean to... I was just trying to humor you.”

He shrugs and walk away but she doesn’t let go just like that. She follows him.

“Nick, please!”

“What to add? You are awfully right. Like, you can’t even be more on the mark even if you try again until the dawn of time.”

“But it was NOT what I wanted to mean. Not that way.”

She seems so sad; he slightly smiles at her.

“Don’t mind none, it’s okay, Doll. I have long ago accepted that I AM more of a robot than a man.”

“Is it true? Because first, you are wrong. And more importantly, you are wrong.”

“Then how can you just bring that so easily if it’s wrong?”

“Because it’s so wrong I never doubt for a second you could be so off the track. How can you only try to conceive you as a robot?”

He extends his bad appendices—so battered and worn out that his metal skeleton is apparent—in front of him. Between them. And with this gesture, he speaks loud without opening his mouth.

Nora quickly grasps the instrument as if it were a hand rather than a disgusting device, her fingers caressing it, her gaze focused on his.

"No, dare not go there. I refuse. You must stop thinking this way."

"What other way can I go? Codsworth and I were both manufactured at a factory. Codsworth is made of metal, circuits, and plastic, and I am also formed of these materials. Codsworth was programmed, as was I."

“You were not programmed! Not just programmed! You are so, so much than just this. I can’t accept you to feel that way.”

She may sound upset, he more and more feels annoyed, angry. Downright angry. He gives a dry shake of his hand to encourage her to let go, but she holds on. He raises a so annoyed glance at her, but she glares back with fear and sadness.

And it’s broke his heart.

His core...

His whatever that didn’t understand he is just a conception and try to trick him to think otherwise.

To feel otherwise.

And she raises one hand and caress his cheek.

And he leans on it.

And he realizes at that moment that he is just unable to win the argument.

[ironwoodprotectionsquad]

If you are still doing the ask character thing but if you are maybe ren or Oscar?

Anon why are you making me pick when I love them both? So I’m gonna talk about both lolz XD.

While I do love them both they both once again are just not used to their full potential. They both have so much potential as characters that get squandered largely due to the insanely large cast of characters that need to be kept up with.

Ren really leaning in and trusting and relying on Ironwood while the others didn’t think they could trust him was such an interesting setup and showed a situation where everyone is not United and on the same page on something. We could have had the group being torn apart over their different opinions on what they should do about Ironwood and if they could trust him or not. It would have allowed the characters to feel like unique individuals with their own histories and ways of processing everything they’ve been through.

I think allowing the characters to have different thoughts and opinions on things without having to immediately back down from them would be such interesting writing. Let Nora and Ren fight about trusting Ironwood or not or hell let him actually be angry Nora kissed him without asking and call her out for that because no one, no matter their gender, has the right to forcibly kiss someone without their consent and Ren has every right to be upset and uncomfortable with her doing that.

Overall though as I said I like Rens character. I just feel like he isn’t being used to his full potential as a character which is a shame.

For Oscar I do think he’s a much better utilization of the mouthpiece for the audience so to speak. Unlike Jaune it makes sense for him not to understand what Aura or Semblances are or how they work. Unfortunately though he also comes into the story too late for that to be properly utilized.

Compare that to another video game I adore Horizon Zero Dawn. While Alloy is a talented warrior she doesn’t know a lot of her people’s history or the history of the world because she grew up as an outcast shunned by her tribe for her entire life. She’s confident and skilled in fighting and weaponry because of this but she is ignorant to the conflicts between tribes and the growing aggression of the machines. This works to introduce the player to the world because we learn things as Alloy does and it doesn’t break immersion of the story doing so because the story set up a good reason for it and we have her at the very beginning of the story.

Compared to Jaune and Oscar, with Jaune it makes no sense him wanting to be a hunter and not knowing these things and Oscar being brought in way to late for it to work either and you have a very sloppy attempt at making a character the audience leans about the world through and with.

Though Oscar isn’t supposed to be the main character he sure feels more like one then the mains. He is being thrust into a war he knows nothing about because someone’s soul got shoved into his body without his knowledge or consent and is now being hunted by an immortal witches minions who want him dead because of aforementioned soul and is forced to go on a dangerous journey not only to protect himself but the world. He’s tasked with protecting a powerful artifact that should he lose it would spell the end of the world and suffers what he believes to be the people he’s looked up to for a large chunk of his journeys deaths.

That is a compelling and interesting main character…too bad the show is called RW//BY and not JN//RO or something like that.

Like I said I really like his character. He’s sweet and timid and a little introverted but genuinely cares and wants to do good and help people but he gets overwhelmed and needs encouragement. He’s a well rounded interesting character. But over and over again we see this good writing given to the male characters and the same care can’t be bothered to be given to the female characters which painfully boils down to CRWBY’s sexism.

[analviel]

Zero Dawn Pantheon:

You know, how GAIA is treated as a goddess by the Nora (I mean, making things out of light, literally created everything, so they're not wrong. The genius of how magic and science and sci-fi and primitive life and a bit of cyberpunk and the idea of the apocalypse and ragnarok and genesis were seamlessly combined i can't stop gushing.)

If ever someone else comes upon their holograms or even just their photos, or if Aloy ever shares and spreads their stories, this is how I imagine the Zero Dawn Pantheon will look like.

So the myths go like this: At first, this world was occupied only by the sire of the Metal Devil, feeding on barren lands and drying oceans, but Gaia endured and eventually triumphed with the help of her own children. However, sometime in the chaos, the Metal Devil successfully blasted Apollo till only her essence is left (said essence which will one day choose her champion in Nora Tribe member Araman as her medium to return, by giving him a boon of her knowledge and instructing him to go to Minerva's spire to plant a seed that will one day be instrumental in her resurrection) and planted a corruptive essence of his in Hades. So the All-Mother and her court gives birth to the world, Eleuthia assisting mothers in childbirth, Artemis shepherding wild life so it doesn't devour everything else, Hephaestus forging the tools each need to thrive, Apollo's essence providing knowledge, and Minerva how to use it.

And a myth isn't a myth if it's so linear and clear-cut, so in some versions, it says that the gods, as Minerva as their leader, gathered together for Hephaestus to forge the quintessential essence of themselves, someone who will oversee everything simultaneously to keep the perpetual balance, and came Gaia (I'd imagine this is the Oseram's favourite version, if they had favourite versions of religion). In some versions though, it's the other way around, where Minerva and the others are Gaia's children. As it so happens, in this version, Aloy is considered less of a god's champion/Anointed One and more of a goddess herself, most art even depicting Artemis in her fashion, with red hair and a spear, stalking a machine. Otherwise, Artemis is a male of dark hair and clean shaven hair, while Aloy is an immortal champion bridging the mortals and the gods, essentially a demigod by being born a god but raised as human and probably a patron of heroism/soldiers and assistance or something. Metal Devil is how the essence of all evil and taint is referred to, but especially brazen people or extremely blasphemous ones, may whisper Ted Faro.

Sometimes, Apollo is an active lover of many men and women, sometimes she's a modest woman who's really more interested in acquiring and making knowledge and just so happens to talk to a lot of people to do her duty. Sometimes Hades is a kind, just, and inevitable king who had the unfortunate chance of being corrupted by the Metal Devil, sometimes he's constantly faced with disappointment from his family because of his blatant lust.

There is a name: Elisabet. Could be Gaia, could be Minerva, and though rarely, can also be Aloy. Only thing that doesn't change is that she's a Mother. Gaia's or Aloy's or both. You know how it is. There are many debates.

Carja, of course, choose their patron god as Apollo (who take the form of Samina). Ban-uk has Artemis (I imagine Aluki in particular is fascinated with the stories of how Artemis once took the form of a young maiden and had a band of other young maidens they bring for ETERNAL HUNT!). The Nora are very smug about being right about the All-Mother -for the most part. Oseram aren't the most religious but they have preference of Hephaestus. Eleuthia is the patron of expecting fathers and male family members -they cannot start or stop the act of birthing, nor do it in place of their partners, but they can still be a part of the act by assisting, as it was believed Eleuthia did for his mother. Demeter is, of course, patron of farmers, also herbalist and anyone who puts plants on their plates. Hades is basically patron of people like Nil, who believe that everyone is equal in death -there's also little Travis statues in graves. Generals, kings, organizers, planners, traders, pray for wisdom from Minerva.

The only one programmed with a visual form is Gaia, but eventually, as learning AI who can learn compassion (or, already cares, since they're all initially aspects of Gaia before gaining minds of their own) they just use the forms of their Alpha creators.

Also, none of the AIs whatsoever understand that humans treat them as gods. They are, after all, still just learning how to identify sarcasm. So sometimes, people may ask for a story about, say Apollo, and the question may be phrased that they'd think it's referring to the greek god Apollo.

So, yeah, religion is basically just partly miscommunication and misunderstanding but if you think about it not really.

Also, Carja may start wearing head scarves, as an 'expression of their faith' as Apollo explained their hijab. And also Apollo is basically a reincarnation of the internet.

[mermaidvenom]

Aloy: sun king avad asked me to stay with him in meridian, I would make a terrible queen!

Arana: those who follow you seem to think otherwise 

[ekuroeil]

Last hope of the forest and wilderness, she'll use any technology she can hack to help squirrel kind survive.

To find Trailmix on many textiles (T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, etc.) check out my shop : https://ekuroeil-design.myspreadshop.ch/

Pour retrouver Trailmix sur pleins de textiles (T-shirts, sweats à capuche, casquettes, sacs, etc.) faites un saut sur mon shop : https://ekuroeil-design.myspreadshop.ch/             

[mega-angry-cloud]

Horizon has a habit of killing off characters that would be more interesting if they were left alive. And this started all the way back in the beginning of the first game, when they killed off Bast and Vala. Think of how much more interesting the story would have been if they'd survived to the end of the game?

Maybe instead of dying, Vala gets hurt and Bast and Aloy have to work together to get her off the mountain. That could've been a really interesting dynamic, Bast being this personification of alloys relationship with her tribe. She doesn't LIKE the Nora. Despite Rost's best attempts, she will never feel like she belongs with them, regardless of how often she proves her right to be there. Aloy believes that the tribal laws are all that Nora care about, and as the story stands now, that really is all that matters to most NON OUTCAST characters and that's BORING.

Vala and Aloy becoming friends BEFORE the proving could have been Aloys evidence that the tribe has GOOD PEOPLE in it who are willing to make space for her, even if there were others who might never respect her. And it would be important, because it was someone seeing aloy as a PERSON, not an outcast.

And if Bast survived AFTER the proving, it would have been cool to see their dynamic shift from childhood rivals to grudgingly respecting eachothers skills and willingness to protect vala. She would have EARNED his respect and admiration, regardless of the laws of the tribe. They would still pick on eachother, because Bast is a little shit and Aloy gives as good as she gets, but the bickering would lose its vitriol and become more of a rivalry, with vala there to play referee.

Vala could have easily stepped into Varl's place as the heart of the group for the series, and not much would have changed. But by fridging her for the sake of giving varl and aloy a way to bond, it cheapens things. It's not like aloy knew her more than a few hours in total anyway, so what was the point? If it had been Vala surviving the attack, and living to fight by Aloys side all the way into the second game, the effect of her being Aloys tie to the Nora would have hit harder.

Same with Erends sister. We hear all these stories about why we should care that she's not around, but we dont get to actually see her until her literal death scene. It's lame and ineffectual, and it only serves to give her brother a reason to fight by aloys side which HE DIDNT NEED. HE WAS ALREADY DOING IT, SO WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE POINT?? Everything just feels so black and white in this game, and that sucks because the characters all have so much more potential than what we get.

I am in no way suggesting that no characters should die at all in the game. Varls death was VERY impactful for me in forbidden west. But if you're introducing a character that's going to have some kind of impact on the emotional core of the story, then that impact should effect the player as much as it impacts the other characters. And if that impact would be more effective if the character was left alive, then you should just keep them alive.

[writing-for-me-at-this-point]

Stupid question but, who is Alloy? This the first time I'm hearing this name

This is Aloy!

Now, that's her Genshin Impact look, but shes from a games called Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West (the upcoming game) Also, here's her in game look:

Aloy is supposed to be a free 5 star character you can collect in the 2.1 update and the 2.2 update, with ps4 and ps5 players even collecting a special bow and having early access to the character, probably due to the character being one of the faces of Play Station games.

The game story (chronologically) is that humanity had tried to save the Earth from dying by creating large robots known as peacekeepers (I think, I don't remember it too well, also I'm shit with names). They ate biomass to function and protected the ecosystems, so in turn, they look like animals.

Here's some:

Eventually, the Gea program was corrupted by the Hades program, and basically... terminated humanity.

A woman by the name of Elizaveth Sobeck:

Basically took human DNA and stored it within the Gea program, so that they can clone humans in the future, when the Earth was healed, and restart civilization.

You play as Aloy, an archer who's goal is to basically... find her mother. The tribes that popped up are Matriarchal (usually) so in turn, having a mother is a BIG thing. The Nora tribe even looks down upon you for not having one. And since Aloy was found by the Elders, and was raised by a man, she was looked down upon for not having one.

Eventually, while playing the game, she finds out about old human society and such, and that the Hades program is starting up and corrupting the machines once again. So, she decides to stop it, and in doing so, finds her "mother".

Elizabeth Sobeck, because turns out, Aloy was found inside inside Gea Birthing machine... because shes her clone.

This is a very, VERY, short description of the game but I highly recommend it! It trained my eye well and made me fall in love with bow characters! (I have all bow characters in Genshin too) and she's super cool and gets mad hoes.

Also here's some character designs!!

And there's no stupid questions! Always ask them!

And if anyone would like to add or clarify things feel free to.

[claralaclarividente-fics]

Life is Dream: A Rosegarden story

Chapter 1- Once Upon A Time

Ruby’s eyes watered as the crisp air breezed in front of her face as she fell.

She had watched as her two teammates swooped down the void, only to be swallowed by a golden glimmer. By then, time had slowed down, and she thought about what could happen. Only to be eclipsed by the thought of her sister alone, wherever she might have ended up, waiting for her.

The battle had been arduous, and she had had a hard time tracking down her friends’ whereabouts during most of it, but when it had all quieted down, when Nora had placed a hand on her shoulder with a million questions in her blue eyes, the roar of the answer thumped in her ears.

Penny had understood right there and then, hugging her friends one by one- ‘do what you have to do.’

Jaune nodded gravely, thinking that if he were in their position, he’d do anything to bring his teammates back. ‘We’ll take it from here on out.’

There was no guidance, no certainty of what could happen, of what laid beyond the darkness. But Blake was trembling, her grasp on Gambol Shroud whitening her knuckles. Weiss held on Blake, afraid she might jump alone.

The decision had been made.

A tingling sensation distracted her thoughts, and with a rueful wonder she realized golden shimmers began to dance on her skin.

‘This is it, then.’ She barely had the ability to think before lighting gold consumed her. She felt herself fall asleep and tiredly closed her eyes.

Oscar opened his eyes at the insistence of Emerald. She had probably been trying to shake him awake for a while now judging by the tender expression she tried to conceal with fake annoyance.

Sitting up on his bed, he noticed that the quarters he shared with the rest of his team was empty.

The sunlight streamed harshly through the willowing blinds, telling him that it was way too late to be sleeping.

“Should have woken you up earlier but you nearly fell asleep on your dinner last night, so we thought it would be better to let you sleep in a bit more.” She explained as she slid open her Scroll, checking the itinerary for the day.

Mind still heavy with sleep, Oscar placed his bare feet on the cold floor. The frigid clay under his soles roused him enough so he began mentally preparing for the day.

“What have we got today on the agenda?”

Emerald rolled her eyes and thrusted a paper bag into the teen’s hands.

“Breakfast rolls with honey. Seriously Oscar, you barely ate last night and now you’re insisting on intermittent fasting? This is why even Little Red’s taller than you!” She jeered at his sudden bouts of sleepiness over the past month.

Oscar smiled, pained. Everyone up until now had been walking on eggshells regarding team RWBY, hushing down when they mentioned them, fearing guilt and sadness. But Emerald, who in her pragmatism did what had to be done, and said what needed to be said, did not care too much about being gentle with expectations.

It was weird. A month had passed since the exodus from Mantle and Atlas, and the remaining members of team JNPR were crestfallen, yet tried to ignore the growing negativity stemming in their hearts. They treated Oscar with care, trying to ignore the four missing links in their lives.

Surprisingly, Emerald and Penny were the only ones keeping hope.

Penny was hopeful and reverent. She had been made of alloy, bolts and dolts. But now she wore shoes, sand was annoying, and she could taste food. Anything was possible in this wide world of theirs.

For Emerald, it was more about seeing impossible feats of ancient wonder, something in her ears whispering that there were more incredible feats of magic to be revealed in her time alive. She felt that third chances in life were rare, and thus, grasped at its stray hairs strongly.

So they stuck by Oscar as the task of repatriation began at dawn and ended at dusk.

It had been a grueling month at Vacuo, nobody was happy to have the Atlesians in their land. The citizens of Mantle fared better, they had been humbled when they huddled close together back at the crater in the Motherland. But the Atlas elite? They could not wait for Mistrali ships to come in hoards to get them to colder ground. They revolted, nothing was up to their elevated standards.

But Theodore was nothing but pragmatic, as all Vacuans were, and a night off in the deserts shut the bunch of them up. The ones who made it back that is.

“Alright, I’ll stuff my face with honeyed bread rolls and spiced tea if it makes you happy.” Conceded Oscar after he tied up his boots and threw on the airy cotton cape on his shoulders. He had decided on a lighter fabric for his stay in Vacuo, the gauzy green tunic emboldened with red and white trimmings, and his loose cotton pants were good enough for the mighty sun that beat on the roofs of the deserts.

Emerald smiled despite herself. She and Penny had taken on the big sister role whenever Nora wasn’t there to mother Oscar to hell and back. It had taken some time to get used to, but for anyone that was not privy to the Fall of Beacon, Emerald was just Oscar’s older sister, who emerged at the Fall of Atlas.

Over the course of the weeks she proved herself, as a true Vacuan, and as a true ally.

“C´mon then. There’s a bunch of convoy ships from Argus and Vale willing to take in some snooty idiots in exchange of supplies. Don’t make Nora wait for you more, she’s missed on her hugging quota for the morning.” With a pat on his head, Emerald walked Oscar to the door, and off they were.

The day blurred by Oscar’s eyes, now and again stifling an inconvenient yawn, but nevertheless, persisted during the course of his workday.

Every day there were less Atlesians to send off, and less Mantle citizens who wanted to leave. Like May tended to say, Mantle knows how to show their teeth.

The migratory system they had built recorded every single citizen that wanted to leave or stay under Theodore’s watchful eye. The controls were harsh since there was no way to know if Neopolitan had blended into the crowd at all. Given that Emerald told Theodore and every staff member in Shade that they were to expect Tyrian and Mercury sooner rather than later, security had been the top priority these days.

In between tending to the wounded and sick, delivering supply packets to the tents of refugees, and breaking up fights, Oscar was beat by dusk.

By that time, Theodore insisted Oscar to keep their sparring sessions until he felt that Oscar moved and fought with more fluidity than the day before.

“Squirt,” Theodore would say, “I know Oz has taught you some things, but he was a dandy and thought that battle was graceful matter.” The rippled headmaster would flex and show him how merciless battle was.

Under the strongman’s tutelage, Oscar’s body ached and grew. With Ozpin’s mentoring in his head, his magic grew and he felt something inside of his soul bubble to the surface.

But at the end of the day, when Jaune was sitting right by his side, and Nora was babbling a ten miles per second into his hearing canal, he felt his shoulders drop their tension. He shot a thankful glance at Ren, who was casually conversing with Emerald, but still kept an eye on the youngest of their group. Penny and Nora, two ginger parakeets with insurmountable force and joy lulled his thoughts, until he sagged forward and faceplanted in his tomato soup.

The resounding splash alerted Jaune who quickly pulled Oscar’s face from the cold soup by grabbing him by the collar of his tunic. Oscar’s lack of reaction, and his fluttering eyelids greeted the blond huntsman, flooding him with worry.

The chatter died.

Nora leaned the boy to her side and grabbed his tanned cheeks, wet with stock, and panicked at his quivering eyelids.

Semi-conscious as he were, Oscar saw the motions at the table like photographs forming a standstill gallery inside his mind, the sounds dull and his feeling numb.

Nora and Emerald crowding over him, worried expressions marring his face.

Penny and her cold hands framing his cheeks, her confused expression.

Jaune’s golden aura around his vision as it tunneled.

Lastly, Theodore’s frown before he closed his eyes and tumbled into sleep.

__________________________________________

Ruby tumbled out of bed confused.

Her heartbeat alert and scared, her eyes darted to the four walls surrounding her. Sweet and spices reached her nose, the colourful walls held handmade tapestries and idyllic paintings. The rug that had cushioned her fall was fluffy, and the blanket tangling in her legs felt like a familiar hug.

“Where am I?”

Ruby struggled to stand up, and once she did, she gasped at herself.

In front of her, a mirror held her image. But it was all wrong. She wore a frilly white dress, with white stockings, red lace and ribbons, and her hair was tied in two tiny pigtails. She looked adorable.

And she hated it.

“Where’s-“ she looked at the nearest wardrove, and opened its doors as fast as she could. Rifling through the cutesy dresses, she was taken aback by a familiar skirt.

Holding the black dress with the black combat skirt, she wondered how her Beacon outfit appeared in the room she was in.

She stopped dead on her tracks.

“I’m not in Atlas anymore, am I?”

Clutching the dress to her chest, she slid down to the carpeted floor. She felt a bubble of panic come over her as she remembered the last events of her life.

“Right, Neo struck Yang, and Yang… She fell. We fought Cinder. And she died. I think. Then we…jumped.”

Ruby looked her hands over, turning them this way and that, as if they were given to change at any moment now.

“And-“ Ruby wheezed, close to hyperventilation. She trembled as she remembered flashes of the fight against Cinder, how Blake evolved her Semblance and fought as three copies of herself, about Neo striking the wrong Blake, and being fallen by the original one. Cinder taunting how she used Jinn, revealing their plans. Penny fell to the golden plateau, and then in a fit of rage, silver.

No more Cinder. Probably.

Her heart running like a wild animal under her chest, she took deep breaths as she tried to calm down. She rubbed the black fabric between her thumb and pointer finger, the texture was light to the touch. In the bottom frill, she found her name embroidered by her own hand. It was supposed to be comforting, but it only fueled her confusion.

A few tears threatened to spill, but then several knocks on the door startled her.

“Darling! Breakfast is ready!” a familiar voice called out to her outside the door.

In a haze, Ruby stood up and let the dress fall from her hands. She marched to the door and opened it in a swift motion, scaring the poor woman in front of it.

“Little Red! What sort of behaviour is this!?” An old woman that looked and sounded like María Calavera chided her, hands on her hips as she glowered annoyed at the teen.

“María! It’s you!” Elated, Ruby swooped in to hug the woman, who patted her back confusedly.

“Oh dear, now you’re calling your grandma by her first name too! Did you hit your head when you woke up this morning? What’s wrong with you?” Not-María held Ruby at arms length, checking her head for any injuries.

“Huh?”

Not-quite-María tutted, before guiding Ruby by the hand to the kitchen area of the cottage they seemed to be in.

“Little Red, you seldom ever visit me, and now you’re calling me by my name! Your mother hasn’t been disciplining you as she should!”

More confused than ever, Ruby sat on the stool offered by Not-Really-María.

The old woman sighed before plopping a plate of sausages, beans with crema and tortillas in front of her.

“Repeat after me, Little Red: Abuela María. Ah..Boo-Eh-Lah. Abuela.” Ruby looked at Abuela María in mild shock.

“Abuela?”

The Abuela María nodded satisfied and patted her hand.

“Now, after we finish mending that cape of yours, please give this basket of goodies to your mother for me. Oh! And thank her for the nice fabrics she sent with you, will you?”

Still starstruck, Ruby stared at Abuela María, not yet understanding anything that was happening in front of her.

“My…mother?”

Abuela María nodded, quite exasperatedly at her not-quite-granddaughter. She flipped her gray-haired braid over her shoulder and began repairing the red cape as she mumbled about ‘youth these days’.

“Yes, dear. Summer Rose. My daughter, your mother.”

More confused than anything, Ruby brought her hand up and mercilessly slapped her cheek. Abuela María looked at Ruby curiously, halting her sewing for a moment before resuming.

“But-but!” Ruby stuttered, holding her stinging cheek under her palm. “We don’t look anything alike!”

“My dear!” began Abuela María. “Silver eyes run in our family! Look!”

Abuela María removed her thick rimmed glasses and pointed at her eyes.

But all Ruby could see was a puckered red bruise, swollen and hurt. It slashed from her right temple to her left, there was not much to be said about eyes, as there were none.

Feeling not quite in a dream, but more in a bizarre nightmare, she stood up, the wooden stool clattering behind her.

Abuela María, with her glasses still removed and acting normally, bit off the last thread on the eye of her needle and folded the red cape neatly, offering it to Ruby.

Smiling sweetly, but with her disturbing red scarring across her visage, she gifted Ruby a basket filled with fruits, cheeses and breads, and pushed her through the cabin’s threshold.

Ruby looked petrified at the old lady that looked like her mentor but was nothing like her.

“Take this basket to your mother, will you? Be careful of the Big Bad Wolf, don’t let it bite you!”

Laughing merrily, the old woman closed the door on Ruby, leaving her alone in the cabin’s porch.

Jarred and perturbed, Ruby walked away from the cabin thoughtlessly, and into the winding roads that crossed the forest.

Only once she reached a small ravine, did she sit on the forest floor and pushed to her face the cape that smelled like home, like Yang and Qrow and Weiss and Blake and everyone she knew, did she weep.

For the longest time she cried, but after a while she felt her tears dry up, her shoulders stopped their heaving, and her heart dulled to a somber beat.

Ruby wiped her tears with the cape and splashed her face with the cool water from the ravine. She looked at her reflection, and disliking the pigtails pulling the hair at her nape, she tugged at the elastics and ruffled her hair. She bunched the skirt in her fists.

Annoyed at her dress, she looked down to it expecting to see white ruffles on white lace, she was caught off guard when she found herself wearing a black version of the dress she had woken up into.

As much as she marveled at this feat of reality writing itself, she feared it.

Taking one last look at her reflection, and tugging on the hood on her cape, she trudged into the deep forest, following the map she was given and hoped for the best.

[just-my-fandom]

One After Another (Cisco Ramon x Allen! Reader)

Chapter 3

Summary; Cisco questions quitting the team after Reader was attacked. Reader has nightmares of the attack.

Takes place in Season 5 Episode 5 and 6

Warning(s); Mentions of miscarriages. Nightmares.

Tag list; @thebloodrobin @badasspolygenderfriend

Story list; Chapter 1 , Chapter 2

. . .

When you wake up, the apartment is eerily quiet. Usually it wouldn’t be a problem for you- but now that you have an infant- it startles you to climb out of bed and rush to the nursery across the hall.

When you find that Dante’s crib in empty, you feel your chest tighten, looking over your shoulder as you move back to the hallway, and to the kitchen, “Cisco?!”

“Morning!” Cisco greets you almost instantly with a kiss to your temple, your eyes moving around him to see Dante holding younger him, bouncing in small circles so young Dante giggled and grabbed for his shirt,

“Why didn’t you tell me he was up?” You breathe, hand at your chest, “I almost had a heart attack,”

“Easy, mami,” Cisco soothes, handing you a glass of (favorite/drink), “He got up early, and I figured you were still exhausted from yesterday so Dante and I already got him up for you,”

“Thanks,” You murmur, Cisco humming as he kisses your lips, turning to Dante now looking at his phone,

“It’s Sherloque,” Dante rolls his eyes, almost instantly so does Cisco, “We’re needed at the labs,”

“Are you gonna be okay here without me?” Cisco asks, and you smile, taking the infant from Dante with a nod,

“Gotta get used to being with him alone anyways,” You remind, “Stay safe, and Caitlins been having some struggles with her dad. Help her?”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Cisco nods, pecking your lips before moving to the door, Dante waving over his shoulder before youre left in silence again,

“Okay,” You heave, looking down at the babbling boy, “What to do...”

. . .

“Well, well, well. Liquid nitrogen,”

Cisco shines his flashlight towards Sherloques voice, stepping up next to him to the giant container, “That’s a potent accelerant, is it not? Oh this place it would have gone up,”

“So all my fathers work is completely gone?”

“Well, not necessarily,” Ralph speaks, “I mean, think about it. Police listed this fire as accidental, but they didn’t know about the connect to your father, so,”

“Ralph, my father told me to come find him,”

“I know that, but a guy who disappears on the night of a warehouse fire and who’s hard to find?”

Ralph pauses when finding a box, lifting it and setting it on the table. Within seconds, Sherloque scoffs in addition to Ralph starting an argument on Caitlins mother,

“Alright!” Cisco shouts, pushing past Ralph to grab the lid of the box, “Give me this!”

The three are forced to watch as their friends nose begins to bleed, body collapsing almost instantly so Caitlin gasped, rushing for her friend on the floor of the factory, “Cisco?”

. . .

“While you were unconscious, I scanned your wounds. There are still trace amounts of aluminum beryllium alloy fused within your hands,” Caitlin turns to Cisco on the med bed next to her, her friend running a hand down his face with a large sigh,

“See, this is- this is what I need,” Cisco laughs, irritably, “I just need rest,”

“No, Cisco, rest is not going to fix this, okay? Every time you vibe or breach, the dark matter is going to affect your central nervous system, causing you more and more pain, every time you cube, you are going to experience more and more seizures,”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Cisco asks, loudly, sitting up so he could stare at Caitlins startled expression. He sighs and rests his head in his hands, fingers knotting into his dark locks,

“Y/N woke up from a nightmare last night,” He starts, voice quiet as he lifts his head and looks at his hands, “Of when Cicada attacked her at home yesterday, of her going into labor early. She was scared, Caitlin, because I wasn’t there and she was focused on whether or not I’d make it to see our son,”

“But she made it through it, because she’s strong,” Caitlin reassures, Cisco swallowing and shaking his head,

“But what if I hadn’t had made it?” Cisco asks, now looking up his best friend, “What if Y/N had Dante, and learned that I didn’t make it? It would have crushed her, Cait, you know that,”

“I do know that,” Caitlin nods, hand on Cisco’s knee, “When you and her were thinking of baby names, she chose the name Dante for your brother. When future Dante came, she didn’t complain of the fact that Dante looks exactly like you. When she found out Dante has her powers, she secretly wished he was a breacher like you. Because she wanted Dante to grow up to be the man you are today,”

“Y/Ns terrified of her not regaining her powers,” Cisco murmurs, curling his fingers, “She depends on her powers just as much as we all do, Nora said she’d gain them back, but, with the timeline changing and Dante being here a month early-,”

“Like you told her yesterday,” Caitlin reminds, “Her body is still healing from child birth. Both you and her need to trust the process of time,”

Cisco nods, biting his lip to calm his nerves.

. . .

When you wake up again, it’s at two in the morning and in desperate need for air. You find yourself sitting up, only sparing your sleeping husband a glance before you climb out of bed, edging towards the nursery for the third time that night.

Your footsteps are light as they move from hardwood to carpet, your hand tucking hair behind your ear as you lean over the crib, eyes staring at the bundled infant silently in slumber,

A moments pause before a hand touches your arm, a startled yelp escaping your lips so another hand covered your mouth, your eyes flicking up to Cisco’s face shining from the windows moonlighting,

Your brows furrow as you hit his chest, glancing back over to the infant in fear he had awoken, but Cisco is quietly leading you out into the hallway, his own brows pinched with worry,

“Why did you scare me?” You hiss in a whisper, hitting his chest again but then resting your hand in that spot, fingers clutching at his shirt,

“What’re you doing up again?” He whispers back, watching your held tilt towards the nursery, before his hand slides up to your jaw, guiding your eyes back to his in the dark, “Hey,” He murmurs, second hand mirroring the first on your face, “What’s going through your head?”

You clench your jaw and let your eyes flutter shut, opening them so you met Cisco’s eyes, “I had the nightmare again,” You swallow, “But this one was different,”

“How?” Cisco questions,

“I-,” You shrug, blinking so Cisco felt a tear touch his thumb, where he rubs the skin, soothingly, “In this nightmare Dante didn’t survive, him coming early caused complications,”

You sniffle, Cisco shushing you as he pulls you to his front, hand sliding to clutch at your hair,

“Hey,” Cisco whispers, your eyes shutting as you tuck your head under his chin, “We’re okay, baby. All of us,”

“But you almost weren’t,” You remind, Cisco’s eyes shutting as he exhales, “I could have lost either one of you,”

“But you didn’t,” Cisco reminds back, tilting his head down so you looked up, “You’ve got us,”

“Promise?” You plea, Cisco smiling with a nod, his lips pressing against yours, hand at your hip, tightly,

“I promise,” He murmurs, letting you lean back into him before he kisses your head, guiding you to the bedroom footsteps away.

When you wake up the fourth time, you decide sleep wasn’t your friend and settled in the living room, tea in one hand and phone in the other. Four AM. Dante would be waking up soon. Cisco eventually, too.

Your mind drifts back to the nightmares. All four times, all four nightmares were different. Cicada attacking. Early labor. Dante not surviving. Cisco not surviving.

Lucid dreams weren’t common during your pregnancy. You wondered if it was an after effect of pregnancy for you, or if Cicada attacking really took a toll on you.

You hear Cisco before you see him, his figure soon sinks down onto the couch beside you, and in silent motions, he allows you to set down your mug and press yourself against him, his arms tight around your shoulders,

“Do you wanna talk about it?” His whisper is almost ghost like, one leg spread across the couch as the other hung off the side, your body settled between and against his chest,

A small exhale, and you let your ear rest on his chest, “You didn’t make it,”

Cisco’s hand slides up your back and caresses the back of your head, in silence pressing short, slow kisses to your temple and ear,

“You know I’m not leaving, babe,”

“I know,” You murmur, nodding, “I just don’t know why I keep having these nightmares,”

“We can ask Caitlin,” Cisco hums, “See if it’s really an after effect,”

You nod a second time, allowing your body to relax as your eyes flutter shut, breaths evening out. Dante’s short cry causes you to jump, head shooting up to look over the couch, where Cisco sits up, hands on your hips,

“I got him, don’t worry,” He soothes, and you move to sit back in your previous spot, “Finish your tea,”

Your eyes watch as he disappears around the corner, sighing into your cup as you take a needed sip of the warm beverage.

. . .

“Cisco?” Said male looks up at Caitlins call, her and Barry staring at him in concern, “You okay, bud?”

Cisco’s hand runs down his face, elbow propped on his chair in thought, “What if I took a break?” At Caitlins head tilt, he exhales, “From the team?”

“Cisco Ramon,” Your appearance behind him causes him to turn around, sharply. Dante was not with you- Joe and Cecile had suggested a play date day for him and Jenna, “I’m not letting you do that,”

“Y/N,” Cisco sighs, and you shake your head, moving to stand next to Caitlin in front of him,

“No. Cisco, aside from Dante and I, this team is the most important thing to you. I’m not going to let you walk away from it because of my problems,” You hold a finger, “And I know that’s why you’re thinking this,”

“I just don’t want to be the cause of your nightmares,” Cisco states, and you close your eyes, looking down,

“Cisco, whether you’re on the team or not, I’m always going to worry about you, and them,” You nod to Barry and Caitlin, “The past four years, Barry was the pinpoint of my worry. Scared he would end up like our parents. Dante was born, he’s now the center of my worry. I’m always going to be worried- now with metas in Central City, how can I not be?”

You shake your head, “The point is, I’m not letting you leave this team. No questions asked,”

Barry smiles when Cisco leans his head against his chair and looks up at you, patting Caitlins shoulder so she nodded for him to follow her to her lab,

Cisco pushes up from his chair and rounds the control panel, arms wrapping around you, tightly, “I love you. You know that, right?”

“Always,” You smile and look up at him, Cisco cupping your face with a light laugh,

“Let’s catch Cicadas ass,”

[myrandomfandomramblings]

Arrowverse Science Fair AU

~2004 National Highschool (Gr. 8-12) Science Fair

Projects:

Felicity Smoak (Gr. 9) – Computer software to detect card counters. She may or may not have hacked into online card games to test it (this wasn’t included in/on her project.)

Cisco Ramon (Gr. 8 or 9) – Piano playing robot. He thought it played better than Dante. His parents didn’t agree.

Caitlin Snow (Gr. 9) – Analysis of physiological response to various stimuli. She wanted to find stimuli that would help kids cope with traumatic experiences (say crashing their bike or losing their father.) If she was able to find something that made her mom show some/any emotion that would be a bonus.

Barry Allen (Gr. 9) – Growing crystals (lots of different and cool ones). His project started out as an attempt to make something special for Iris for her birthday but turned into an elaborate project. It ended up being a good choice because 1) it reminded Barry of his parents (the first science experiment they did together was grow Borax crystals on pipecleaner and 2) it followed Joe’s ‘your science fair project must make, not destroy things’ rule instated after Barry’s Gr. 6 project.

Alex (Gr. 9) and Kara (Gr. 8) Danvers – Birds in my Backyard. Eliza had insisted on Alex getting Kara involved in her science fair project this year. Alex was excited to show Kara the science fair experience she enjoyed but wanted to pick a topic she knew more about that Kara (her knowledge of math and science was intimidating enough without the superpowers). Seeing Kara’s interest in birds they decided to study birds in their backyard. With Alex’s design and Kara’s powers they built tall post’s and attached bird houses and feeders with differing properties. They then monitored which kinds of birds built nests and ate from where (with some help from Kara’s flight and X-ray vision). Alex also picked 5 nests from different species to chronicle the embryo and chick development. Kara enjoyed doing the project and learning about birds from Alex. The actual science fairs, not so much but those were Alex’s favourite part. Note: Streaky was locked in the house for the duration of the project so he wouldn’t eat any of the birds.

Winn Schott (Gr. 11) – Pop-up room/ room in a suitcase. Being in the foster system for the last couple years inspired Winn to design a room that collapsed to the size of a suitcase for easy transport but could expand in less than a minute into a nice-sized, fully-furnished, sound-proof room, so no matter how many times a foster kid was moved around they always had their own space and stuff. Also good for camping, travel and special short-term events (like waiting in line at conventions).

Lena Luthor (Gr. 5) – Oxygen absorbing/releasing crystal that could allow breathing underwater. After her Mum drown when Lena was four, she was determined to develop a simple way for people to breath under water. She was able to do just that by synthesizing a substance that absorbed and stored large amounts of oxygen then released it slowly (so if someone held in in their mouth, they could breathe underwater). She was happy and excited that her mom and older brother were interested in her project but a little frustrated and concerned that they were so focused on its ability to absorb all the oxygen from a room (in a big enough amount). Although she supposed it could be used in that capacity to control/extinguish fires. Note: although in elementary school, Lena got to compete against the high schoolers since her project was so advanced for her age.

Sara Lance (Gr. 11) – The Biomechanics of Dance and Martial Arts. As punishment for skipping classes, then sassing her teacher and principal when they tried to discipline her for skipping classes, Sara had to complete a science fair project. To make the best of it Sara chose something that interested her. In hindsight she wished she hadn’t. Her project was so good she was chosen to represent her school at the state and national science fair.

Ronnie Raymond (Gr. 9-12?)- Structural design to minimize Superman related damage in Metropolis. Ronnie was proud of his project and had enjoyed analyzing the powers of Metropolis’ hero, but he lost any chance he had at winning when he decided to leave his project to go flirt with Caitlin. At least Kara, whose project was next to his, seemed interested.

Hartley Rathaway – something to do with sound waves

Lily Stein (Gr. 11) – designing and comparing different miniaturized forms of renewable energy sources. She had some help from her dad.

Patty Spivot – Recreation of crime scene evidence using food models. A bunch of her friends (her whole cabin actually) from her summer camp for those interested in law enforcement came to support her.

-       Maggie Sawyer – seemed really interested in the bird project

-       Ralph Dibny – found every project that said it was OK to touch. His favourite was slime. To Patty’s surprise he didn’t break anything.

-       Dinah Drake – hung out with Patty most of the time. Talked to Hartley, beside her, about his project on sound waves for a bit (seemed kinda interested). Patty joined her when she got into a conversation with Sara, across the way, and Laurel about the implications of her biomechanics project in fighting and self-defence. The rest of the time they talked about that Vince guy from camp Dinah thought was cute.

-       Eddie Thawne – he hung out with Patty most of the time too but did do a lap of the fair with Iris, who was there supporting Barry, when she accepted his offer to buy her something at the concession.

Notable events:

- Clark came to see Alex and Kara’s project and brought James and Lois with him. Kara and Clark (very subtly) tested the models on the project beside them that had been abandoned and were said to be superman proof/resistant. They were very impressed to discover the models did indeed stand-up to heat vison, freeze breath and super-strength leading Clark to believe the student had a bright future. James spent most of his time talking to Winn about his pop-up room project because, “Don’t you think these would be way better than cubicles, the Daily Planet should definitely purchase some.”

- Cat Grant, a young reporter from the National City Tribune pushing a stroller, came around and interviewed all the contestants because, “What better place to find the next world changing innovator or innovation” as she put it when she stopped to talk to Clark (more like flirt Kara thought). Alex used Clark distracting Cat as an opportunity to play with the baby in the stroller. This was the only time during the entire science fair Alex was distracted, except maybe when Maggie had come, but they mainly talked about the project like Alex did with everyone, which left Alex wondering why it felt different. During their entire interview Cat called Kara Kira, much to her annoyance. At least the baby seemed to like her. This interview sparked a conversation between Kara, Lois and Clark about journalism which Iris overhead while she was visiting Barry and joined in.

- Graduate students Ray Palmer and Curtis Holt were volunteer judges and ticket takers. Curtis wore a varsity jacket over his shirt and tie which covered his name tag, but at every project he judged he would describe every aspect as terrific, so the contestants started calling him Mr. Terrific. While judging Barry’s project they began a discussion about their favourite elements/minerals/gems. Barry couldn’t decide so joked he liked Barium. Ray shared his love for dwarf star alloy with a ‘quick’ lecture about its rumoured properties and potential uses. Curtis listed at least 10 compounds essential for modern tech as he flip-flopped back and forth trying to decide a favourite and Lex Luthor who was visiting his sister’s project beside them interjected that he favoured kryptonite. While taking tickets Curtis witnessed the following interaction. He asked Damian Darhk, who was carrying baby Nora, what brought him to the science fair. He responded with “These are the brightest young minds in the country and being young means they are malleable. So, there is nowhere better to recruit future talent for my enterprise.” Malcolm Merlyn, who was behind, him added “I know exactly what you mean with what the world’s coming to we’re going to need a bright mind to save it.” This led Tommy, who was accompanying him, to say “I thought we were just here to support the Queen’s.” Then one of the other judges, Dr. Harrison Wells aka Eobard Thawne in disguise, added “No your Dad is right. This world’s next HERO could be in this very room. I’ve already made a list of students to keep my eye on.” He pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket. On it Curtis saw four names: Hartley Rathaway, Cisco Ramon, Caitlin Snow and Ronnie Raymond. This led to a long conversation between the three men about numerous threats to society, the country and the world and the possible drastic solutions that would need to be employed to stop them. When they left Curtis turned to Ray and asked, “Was it just me or were those Doomsday Dudes really creepy?” “What” Ray replied his attention clearly being pulled from elsewhere. But before Curtis could answer a voice behind him said “Doomsday Dudes is a terrible nickname you should call them the Legion of Doom.” Curtis turned to find Cisco. “Just saying,” he continued, “anyway I heard there’s free Big Belly Burger for the contestants. When’s that coming?” Ray had missed the entire conversation Curtis was asking about because he had been making funny faces at baby Nora the whole time hoping to make her smile or laugh but she had just stared at him with her big blue eyes.

- Queen consolidated gave out a $1500 scholarship and a summer internship at the applied sciences division. This year Moira and Robert had made Oliver come and brought 9-year-old Thea. Oliver was tasked with watching Thea who ran around the entire science fair wanting to look at and touch all the projects even the ones with big ‘Do Not Touch’ signs on them. She spent at least an hour trying to get everybody around the robot pianist to sing and dance with her. Most people ignored her although she was able to get Cisco, Winn, Stein, Joe, Kara (who kept trying to get Alex to join) and to Oliver’s surprise Malcolm Merlyn all to sing with her and they were all surprisingly good. She also got many people to dance including the Lance girls. She even convinced Cisco to make the robot play some of her favourite songs from Disney movies. Barry was very happy that he was able to convince Iris to dance with him for a couple songs with just a little encouragement from Thea and despite Kara’s constant encouragement Alex only agreed to dance when Maggie asked. Oliver had to present his family’s award which went to Felicity. When her name was announced Donna yelled “Woohoo, that’s my daughter! Way to go sweetie!” which earned a whispered “Mom, ssshh” and accompanied eye roll from Felicity as she headed to the stage with her head down and cheeks flushed. When she got onstage Oliver presented her with her award and Felicity began to babble, “Thanks. This is so cool. I’m such a big fan of yours… well not yours… your company… your family’s company. But uh you seem cool too. I could be a fan of yours, but not like a creepy stalker fan just like a normal supportive fan, ya know. I’m sorry, I’m rambling, it’s just, I don’t know what to say. Your very handsome… and I just said that out loud. I’m so sorry.” She stops and whispers “come on Smoak, pull yourself together,” then takes a deep breath before addressing Oliver again, “Thank-you again for the award and I look forward to working with you, or for you. I’m just gonna go now.” Oliver couldn’t help smiling as she left and thinking that just maybe if she had been around when Thea was partnering everyone up to dance he may have just participated.

- Kara quickly got bored of standing by her project and started wandering around to talk to the other contestants. She spent a good chunk of time talking to Barry. Tried to join in on a heated debate between Felicity, Cisco and Winn about the best language to code in but quickly left when she had no idea what they were talking about. She ended up spending most of her time with Lena. They talked about their projects, their lives and interests and about dealing with new and scary situations especially when you feel different from everyone else and learnt that they were both adopted. However, the whole time they were talking Lena’s eyes kept scanning the room as if waiting for something to jump out and scare her. Kara learnt why when a woman Kara thought must be Lena’s mother showed up and menacingly questioned why she was distracting her daughter.

- J’onn came in disguise to check out the Danvers sister’s project

[lalablue0]

The Talk

Inspiration: Prospect (2018)

Pairing: Ezra x OFC (Nora)

Warnings: angst, teen angst, fluff, and yes smut.

Rating: teen+ to mature

Word Count: 623, 497 & 446 (or 1566 total)

Authors Notes: PLEASE READ Unbeta’d. All mistake my own. This is a continuation of The Way Back series that I have dubbed ‘Noraverse’. These are written from Ezra’s POV. 

This chapter is weird. Very dialogue heavy. 

Read Minutiae then A Series of First as these are chronological.

Tagging @jealousmaude & @seawhisperer as requested

As always, constructive criticism is appreciated.

The Talk

Some things are not better left unsaid.

These words fall effortlessly from my head.

The expression of joy and love that you bring.

We found a family away from home.

He brought us together like no other can.

A bond has been forever formed

none can be undone.

All is because of what we have become.

The Talk - No. Not that one

  Sometimes the choices we make are ill advised.

It was well after the witching hour and per usual, Ezra was wide awake. Nora was working a double shift at the medical center, so his bed was empty. It hadn't happened often since Nora was still uneasy about leaving him home alone most of the day. His wounds were considered healed, but he had many issues he still needed to work out.

Nora had suggested some counseling. Someone for him to talk to. He was having a hard time processing the grief for the sake of serenity. Too much was at stake. He saw the lingering doubt in her eyes.

"You're having a hard time adjusting. Counseling could help," Nora said hopefully.

 Sometimes the choices we make are not the choices we would have made for ourselves.

He slammed his fist into the door. The metal alloy didn't give. His knuckles began to swell immediately. "Fuck," he cried out in pain. 

"That was smart," Cee sighed as she went to the cooler for the ice pack.

Breath. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Why he had to remind himself of such a simple innate task was slightly beyond him at the moment. His vision swam. He felt Cee’s hand on his back, but the words sounded funny to his ears. Breath in. Breath out. He kept repeating the mantra in his head. At least he thinks it was inside his head.

 Sometimes the choices we make are made for us.

"You're scaring me," Nora stuttered and gulped back her fear. 

Ezra had awoken from another nightmare violently. She took his fist to her shoulder and a foot to her shin before she managed to get out of harm's way. He hadn't realized what he'd done because the confusion upon waking was evident on his face, as he questioned why she was out of bed. 

"I am remorseful, wife. I didn't intend on waking with such a start. Tell me, did I injure you?" 

Nora returned to the bed. She checked her shin and was met with a small bleeding scratch, likely from Ezra's toenail. He wondered if he could ask if she would assist in getting the longer than they should be toenails trimmed. She then checked her shoulder. An angry red mark contrasted against her pale skin. 

Ezra sank.

 Sometimes the choices we make are for the good of the one and not the many.

“You need to go, Ez," Nora demanded. "You are hurting yourself. You need help. I don't know how to fix you."

From time to time we all have to make a decision. A decision that affects us down to our very fiber. This is a decision that will shake the foundations of our lives and change us, for better or worse. How do you know what the right decision is? How can we pretend that we know what the outcome will be when there are so many variables. There was a lot of guilt and yelling and stress.

Ezra watched Nora as she cried. Tears for him. Because of him. 

 Sometimes the choices we make are for the good of the many but not the one.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how many more times I can say it." 

"Stop being sorry and do something about it. This cannot continue," tears began to pool in her eyes, "I can't keep doing this Ez. Don't make me hate you."

 Sometimes the choices we make stay with us.

"This is a safe place. Anything we discuss here, never leaves this room. You're free to tell me anything. I hope that I can help provide you tools that will assist you in your day to day. Where do you think we should start?"

Ezra exhaled deeply.

--

   The Talk - Not That One Either

  Ezra, Nora and Cee sat together on the sofa. Cee sat in the middle holding the data pad in front of her and staring intently.

“So if you want, I can send the application to Central. And if approved, you would become ours,” Nora explained to Cee.

“How long will it take?”

“The application said because of the Re-establishment it could take up to six months. Of course who really knows.”

Cee looked between them nervously, “What happens to me in the meanwhile?”

“You stay here. Nothing changes,” Nora stated.

“They could deny the application? What happens if they deny it?”

“You stay here and nothing changes,” Ezra assured.

“So why bother? I'm not going anywhere.”

Ezra shifted. “Well, that's true, but that means that some bureaucrat can have taken from us. It's a legality.”

Nora squinted at Ezra, “It's more than a legality. Cee, you know that we have come to care for you deeply,” she took Cee's hand in hers, “We thought you should have some stability. As a family. We can provide that. I want that for you.”

Cee turned to Ezra. She bit her bottom lip. “Does this mean I would call you Dad?”

Ezra laughed heartily. “Oh, little bird, I have no intent to diminish your father's memory. I am perfectly content with Ezra.”

“But I'd be your daughter, wouldn't I?” Cee asked confused.

“Legally.”

“But not,” Cee seemed to weigh exactly what word she wanted to use “– actually? I guess that makes sense.”

“What do you mean?” Ezra questioned.

Cee shifted uncomfortably, “Well. It's my fault. This,” she gestured to his right shoulder, “Why would you want me? I mean, I'm why you go to counseling. Because I did this to you.”

Ezra and Nora looked at each other. Nora made a face that Ezra recognized as her willing him to say the right thing. Ezra took the data pad from Cee's hand and placed it on the table. He gathered her hands into his.

“Now you listen to me, little bird. Do not think for one moment that I do not possess paternal affection for you. I do. I love you. You saved me. You did. In every way that counts. I can only ever hope to do right by you. I will be proud to call you my daughter. If you'll allow it, I shall begin to address you this way, application approved or denied. You are ours. You have us.”

Cee smiled broadly and nodded, “Okay.”

“Okay?” Nora repeated.

Cee's grin continued to get bigger. “Okay. Let's be a family.”

Ezra and Nora both exhaled deeply, unaware of the breaths they'd been holding. Nora pulled Cee into a tight embrace and pulled Ezra to join.

After a long moment, Cee had to intercede, “Uh, guys, can't breath.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Sorry.”

It's okay, Ezra thought, we have lifetime to give and receive embraces.

 --

  The Talk - Yeah, That One

  She traced the patch of white hair that led from his hip to the base of his cock with her index finger. It tickled. His hips bucked in response.

Ezra moved together with Nora. Letting her set the pace. Her lips parted with breathy pants. His skin buzzed with every touch. Rough touches at first. Trying to find the right balance between too much pressure that left bruises and light ghosting touches that left goosebumps. Such glorious feelings, he never wanted it to end. Nora whispered sweet nothings in his ear. Promises of forever and words he never heard outside the bedroom. Even with his eyes closed he knew exactly where to touch. Every place that would elicit a favorable reaction. He opened his eyes when he felt her getting close. He loved watching her. Loved every second as she went from one end of the spectrum to the other. He was obsessed with her. He loved her.

The door opened as Cee knocked, “Oh shit, sorry!”

Ezra and Nora scrambled to cover themselves.

The door closed, but the damage was done. The sound of Ezra’s heart pounded in his ears. It pounded so loud he was sure Nora could hear it too. Ezra was afraid to move; to make a sound. The sound of their breathing started to echo in his ears. Rapid and shallow. He started to feel lightheaded. The tightness and friction surrounding his cock signaled that he needed to move soon. His orgasm was still building.

He thought he should pull out but she felt so good and Cee was soon forgotten. Nora cannot tear her eyes away from his. He’s locked onto those intense eyes. They darkened with lust. He felt the same brief pleasure that is flowing through her. He felt his heart pounding in time with Nora’s grinding against him. He knew she was close to climax because her eyes finally closed. Ezra’s eyes darkened, but he dared not look away. She was too beautiful when she came. Her fingers dug into his chest and her hips faltered.

Ezra takes a moment to close his own eyes. The image of her majestic features burned into his mind’s eye. He followed her climax as she tightened around him. She collapsed onto his chest.

“Not it,” Nora claimed as Ezra took a deep breath in preparation to ask the inevitable question.

Ezra looked down at her and frowned. “My dear wife, it should be you to explain our amorous state. I will surely turn the conversation obscene and embarrass myself and Cee.”

Nora sat up on her elbow and tilted her head. “Not. It,” she repeated.

“Fuck,” Ezra mumbled.

 --

Read the next chapter - Here Be Monsters

--

[whatmack]

Ok but Neil with a southern accent when moving to South Carolina to blend in but it makes him stand out more lowkey it’s good but it’s makes him more attractive (•0•)

SO! So. S o.In my own head Neil is very good at picking up and adopting accents, almost instantly, because he’s had to be (bit of a deep pull, but like Wayne in Alloy of Law and its sequels). So give him a short conversation and he’ll be speaking like a local of wherever-it-is so well even the real locals will be hard-pressed not to feel at ease. I know it says Neil uses Nathan’s accent when he’s in the US but what the Fuck firstable Nora why would you do this to us and secontable like, one accent isn’t gonna let you blend in, you need versatility ho-NEEBut. Neil’s on television now. Neil’s not used to being on television. Neil blends into the accent of most of the Palmetto students, but that accent is not the same as all of the accents of the rest of the country. So non-Southerners…..well. This spitfire with bright blue eyes and taffy vowels and his chin lifted so high as he listens to y’all talkin’ nonsense… . .he’s a hit. A smash. A Monster MashHis vicious roasts are music to the ears in more ways that one, is what I’m sayin’. You’re fuckin r i ght

[zafaria]

Round and Round

Originally inspired by @save-the-spiral​ ‘s seven schools gothic post and their oc Haley Raintamer

I remember, I started making the gear spinner yesterday, or, maybe it was a week ago. Maybe longer. I don't know. Haley says she knows, and that it was two weeks that I've been working on a mechanical spider. She tells me that Nora can back her on this, although I am doubtful, and Nora just continues tightening the bolts on a metal box in her corner desk. Nora has also been working for a while, for how long, I also don't know.

"You don't know much, do you?" Haley pokes. She leans over the desk where I scribble something new on the schematics. The pen makes a squealing sound as it moves over the blue-washed grid.

"I know enough. I know enough to work on my project and stay out of people's hair and create things decent enough for this class." I write another hurried line in the corner with an arrow pointing to a long stretch of a spring on the spider's leg. 

"That's the thing," she says, "you haven't created anything. In fact, I don't know anyone in this class who has. We've all been working on our projects, the same projects, forever it seems."

I look up at her copper eyes. She is sitting up in her chair, leaning over the back and spilling onto my desk, using her elbows at a perfect angle to hold her head up to mine. Her expression is lackluster and unimpressed.

"I'm working on it. It'll be done soon, I think," I say. She looks at me one last time, then back to the bulbous body of the spider golem on my desk. Then, she turns away and faces the front, tapping her pencil as she looks over her drawings.

After my conversation with Haley, I grasp around the edges of my desk looking for my wrench. When I can't find it, I peel back my blueprints to look under the clutter of pages. When I still can't find it, I lean over in my seat, the chair squealing and my long arm reaching down. Shuffling my hat and bag, I then lift my feet, notice nothing different, and stamp them back down on the floor. Still, nothing. 

"Something wrong?" Professor Balestrom calls out over the classroom in a bubbly, spry voice. His voice bounces every other syllable, and he is happy and charged to be running such a productive classroom. The rest of the class looks to the singing professor, then pivots to look at my seat in the center, the origin of the ruckus.

"Uh, no. Not really, just missing a wrench."

"What size?" He reaches around behind him and produces a bag from somewhere under his desk. He begins plucking tools out of the bag as he awaits my answer.

"If you have a two-inch, please."

He pulls out a few more wrenches, and they clank as he lays them in a pile on the desk. One of the large-head ones he looks at a moment, before picking it up and approaching me. I lean down to collect the tool.

"Thank you," I say.

"Be more careful. I only have so many," he tells me. I think about it. This isn't the first wrench I lost. And I certainly am not the only one who misplaces their tools sometimes. 

"This one is a titanium alloy, too," he continues. "It is durable, will work on any bolt. And you can leave it out in the rain and it won't rust!" He practically jumps as he says this last bit. He grabs the brim of his hat before bouncing off back to the front of the room and assuming his position standing in front of the desk. I can't quite recall who else in the class may have laid down a screwdriver or a hammer in the midst of their tinkering only to find it gone, but I know there are others. Yet, Balestrom seems always able to produce the exact tools from his little tool pouch, every week, no matter how many copies of a two-inch wrench have gone missing in the weeks before. There is always one stashed away with him.

I look around at deft hands fastening bolts and the etching sounds of slowed machinations of our automatons. Some people have the motors on their pieces working already, albeit, the rates are wrong and experimental; everything moves slow in this phase. Everything has been moving slow for a while. I have not even completed attaching one leg to the body of my spider. The glint of the other students’ tools catch my eye, and I see they have the same titanium-alloy tools the Professor just boasted to me about. I wonder how long they have had them, and how long I didn't notice them for. I have been using stainless steel wrenches before, and am only now getting caught up.

I look back down to the golem cradled in my arms, tightening the bolt until I can feel it grind into the metal sheets below, the strain on the plate causing it to give a little. I reverse and loosen it a hair. I pick up my pen and go to write another note on the blueprints. This is the first note on the blueprints for the spider golem, and yet I am certain I left at least a couple of half-scribbled ideas in the corner for later. The corners are clean, and I chew my cheek as I write my next note. I try very hard to remember that I wrote that note, but I know that by tomorrow it'll become a fog in my mind and fall into the same memory of small whining sounds and squeaks and groans with everybody's head bent over their creations and Balestrom looking pleasantly over the room. Haley is tapping her pencil fervently on the desk, and I await her turning around and talking about the projects in class again. I refocus on my golem and begin to tighten the bolt holding the leg to the body. It squeals. The bolt grinds on the metal plate, and I can feel the plate warping inward slightly towards the bolt. I move my wrist the opposite direction and loosen the bolt. 

I drop the wrench from my right hand and go to write a note on the blueprints to address the warping in the plate at the bolt. This is the first note about this project that I am jotting down on the blueprints. 

I look back on my desk for my wrench, to find that it is gone.