#also i already voted. cant change my answer now

[starrycat123-blog]

Hi sorry to be typing here but I ran out of tags. Apparently you can only do 30? I guess they don't want us typing in the tags anymore. I promise I won't be much longer.

So like. I've argued myself around both creativity and depression as the causes in my tags. I don't feel like either fully work. I want to say here that I don't feel like correlation's fully it either. Like there's some elements and some situations where it might be, but in my arguments in the tags there's also some stuff at play where creativity and depression can be argued to cause each other. Situations where they might have a more causal relationship. And situations like mine where there's no correlation or causation happening. I do creative stuff for fun, and it makes me happy. No depression involved. The opposite of depression, really.

Anyway great question! It really made me think, so I see why you asked. I guess my conclusion is secret 4th thing:

All of the above! Creatives have a connection to depression for a million different possible reasons.

Thanks for asking, and thanks for listening if you got this far!

[itneverendshere]

as you could’ve guessed I do live in america and i’m not a fully white women so i’m so fucked unfortunately. I cant believe people once again voted for convicted felon and a president who has been impeached twice already before. i’m so scared to lose all of my rights like i’ve checked 3 times at 1am, 3am, and rn at 4:38am. I cant even fall back asleep, there’s literally nothing we can do anymore. i’m so scared for what the next 4yrs or even knowing him, what the rest of my life is going to look and feel like.

he wants a dictatorship, he’s said before at a rally “vote this time and you won’t have to do it again”.. people have got to read between the lines of what this man says but it’s too late. everyone will find out too late and that’s the main issue with america now, wanting to fix things when it’s too fucking late.

i’m so sorry for ranting to you plus cussing, I just don’t have anyone to talk to about this. i’m literally crying so hard right now. I just hate how america is literally going backwards and people are genuinely okay with that like we’ve “hurt” them so now it’s like some sort of revenge to them. anyone who has voted for trump is racist and you can’t say otherwise with the amount of shit he has said.

ugh i’m sorry once again, i’m just spiraling because there’s nothing I can do to fix this and just super scared.

anyways enough with all that I really hope your interview goes well today! I know you’ve got this, believe it yourself and just to answer the questions truthfully but also lie if you have too😭<3333

sweets please never apologize for expressing what you're feeling.

the fact that someone who has repeatedly shown such disregard for marginalized people could still hold such power is INSANE, especially when you don’t fit into the narrow group he "cares" about.

people say time changes everything, but i don't see ANY positive change happening in that country.

you’re absolutely right, it feels like a nightmarish step backward, all the hard-won progress is being stripped away before our eyes. i can only imagine how exhausting it must be to keep checking, to try to reassure yourself in a situation that feels so out of control. 

it's important to refuse to let this "normalization" happen, and support each other through this fucking madness. it’s obviously so hard not to feel powerless, but remember that there’s a community of people who see things just like you do!! 💘

[angel-fruitcake]

Hello just need to vent with someone else cause I feel like im stressing all the people around me irl feel free to not answer if you dont want to its ok really ill understand (im just writing this to you cause i saw you posting about it)

Im not american but ive spent the last months watching the campaign (mostly from misha but also in general on the internet) amd i was scared. Then biden stepped down and I felt relieved and hopefull that harris could actually win this cause "whos gonna vote HIM again? Right???" Then (or maybe before ive lost semse of time) the assassination attempt happend and I got scared again cause he had just gained if nothing at least the coolest picture he could ever wish for. But after that so many people, celebrities and not, started endorsing her and I thought there was still hope

I remember how anxious i got in 2020 and the exact moment of relief seeing Georgia going blue. And that was bad because of covid and all the stress of that slow counting but this felt worse

I spent yesterday rewatching destiel episodes to celebrate the anniversary but also to distract myself from the election but at night I just could sleep i was so scared. I talked about it with all my friends and family but they were not feeling it like me. Like tes they were scared a bit but not... not in the same way. Maybe its because its my first year out? Half out (family still doesnt know) like... i fear for the queer people (and in gemeral all the people who might be endangered) in the us cause now i feel more in the community maybe? Idk but I couldnt sleep at all

This morning I woke up and spent the morning on the destiel tag and on the AP map watchung it going redder and redder every hour and now... i dont even know what to feel

Im at loss of words thoughts and feelings. I DONT KNOW

Im scared like if I couldve done somethng for it or if it could directly affect me. It will sure but not today tomorrow or in january. It will be slow and scary and ill have to watch it happen without tje possibility of doing anything about it. Just like i have seen two wars start and my vote been wasted into nothing when my own country elected the far right just this june

Im hopeless and so fucking scared rn and my friends look at me amd dont get why I feel like a lone freak going crazy over somethung i shouldnt care about when I know I actually have to and they should care too and idk how to warn them i dont know what to do

And im not even american. I cant begin to imagine how it feels to know you have even done anythung you could and it changed nothing

So right now I wanna tell you all of you americans that you are not alone. That we are as scared as you are. Maybe it might be totally useless know this but... to me just seeing on line people going nuts makes me feel less crazy so yeah

sorry for the bad english my brain cant think straight rn (or ever lol)

omg anon i'm so sorry i didn't see this until just now !

it's perfectly ok for you to vent in my inbox. let all your fears and worries out, don't bottle them up. i'm glad you at least won't be directly affected in the immediate future, and i hope to god it stays that way.

i'm very scared as well, especially being a woman of reproductive age in america. i live in a red state too, so i already have less freedoms than my friends and family in blue states. i don't know what the future holds for america or the world, and that thought is terrifying. but all we can do right now is cling tight to our loved ones and take care of each other the best we can. i hope things will turn out okay for us all 🫂💕

ps. keep watching those destiel episodes if they bring you even a little bit of comfort. i know they definitely do for me when i feel like i'm being suffocated by the weight of everything around me

[youngster-monster]

real talk you WOULD be a really good writer for blizzard theres more conciseness in your fics than there is in the actual official lore, i spent like 2 hours one time trying to figure out how old illidan was and i STILL cant get a clear answer

i actually hadnt watched wc3, but since you mentioned it i thought i might finally get around to watching it because Why Not and .. no yeah you were right kael is so obsessed with him there. he is so funny for that

i cant play ffxiv because i fear what the double mount collecting opportunities will do to my brain as if itll like turn me into a shrimp or something. mmorpgs are crazy dangerous forreal

also the best part about recent content- or like. recent...ish... it was in shadowlands and now we're in dragonflight and i still dont know whats happening but kael AND vashj showed up in shadowlands and they had BANTER!!!!! i was going absolutely nuts about it it was great. i miss them (can replay shadowlands at any time)

devastated that neither of them had a Massive role in shadowlands though. i remember prior to launch i found out they would both make an appearance and i just about went feral abt it but then they only really appeared in covenant campaign stuff.. and not even for the full campaigns.. and also only for like two of them... i will never get over this ever

oh illidan's age is really easy! he was already a few thousand years old during the war of the ancients so... that's not right... no he was a baby when... wait a minute... (checks notes) (increasingly frantic riffling of paper) yeah okay so he's anywhere between 10,001 year old and Old As Balls, hope that helps

that's very sweet of you to say though. my secret is that when i make a story choice i try to stick to it and make it work even when my understanding of the universe changes with time :)

(@ blizzard's "rule of cool" i am COMING for you)

also bold take to call my fics 'concise'... i AM looking at a few thousand words of completely unrelated worldbuilding that i snuck into this soulmate au but thank you for the vote of confidence <3

i'm SO GLAD you gave w3 a try!!! it's my favorite warcraft content for many reasons (nostalgia and 'best and only correct kael characterization ever' first and foremost) and it's SO funny like kael truly abandoned kin and country to go on a gay vacation to space mojave with some hunk he found in a ditch. iconic.

(also arthas' arrival to lordaeron is branded permanently into my brain, kid me was so in love with his undead ass it's not even funny)

you should play ffxiv tho... it will absolutely turn you into a shrimp but in a good way. you would not BELIEVE the amount of elves they're hiding in there. also the free trial including-- (i am dragged offstage by a comically long hook)

KAEL AND VASHJ BANTER.... god that's the dream. #1 item on my wow wishlist at all times. rare blizz w for that one now release more kael and vashj content PLEASE

they had to shove illidan in space forever because my level of normalcy about the whole thing would have risen to truly unsafe levels if they had had even the SLIGHTEST Possibility of interacting post-legion

[bloodcorpceo]

today i am feeling pretty blackpilled. it's the first of the month...

i wanted to feel renewed, refreshed but instead I'm feeling pretty hopeless. i am having one of my many body dysmorphia outbursts. i saw this ugly picture of myself in bad lighting last night at a party and immediately began having negative thought loops and an anxiety attack. i know that sounds really silly to people who don't have issues like this but for me... this just made me feel defeated and hideous. i was already feeling down and ugly because no one talked to me at the bar or club last night again... people almost never approach me and my friends tell me it's because im "unapproachable" but sometimes i wonder if this is just cope not to hurt my feelings. what if the only time i look decent is when i am extremely curated but im actually ugly? i see all my flaws intensely and i often think im hideous or mid at best, no this isn't fishing for compliments either I've never been mentally sound with my appearance and spent too much of my life actually being a 4 to the point where i have permanent damage to my self image and general mental state.

i think the people around me irl are awful at dealing with and helping me with my mental health issues. this morning when i was seeking some kind of solid answer my friend just would silently nod or just say something like "don't seek approval from others". my mother and i got into an argument and she raised her voice at me calling me shallow and saying my primary focus is my appearance but she chooses to live in lala land and refuses to recognize that your appearance determines your entire quality of life, especially when you are as poor as me. i literally have no escape out of poverty besides my appearance because in reality I'm not that bright. my mom doesn't understand my mental health state despite having a psychology degree. she doesn't have pcos like me and never struggled with her weight as a young woman, always had tons of friends and boyfriends, was voted prom queen and even had a modeling contract. how could she ever possibly understand how i feel or relate to me? i have quite literally lived most of my life as a femcel. i can count on one hand how many friends i have even now and didn't even kiss a guy until i was over 20.

just last year i started to get sort of attractive by losing weight, changing my makeup and hair and finally felt a little comfortable putting myself out there but I'm still terrified. i still don't go out much and i feel like i repel people. I've built a wall to protect myself from being hurt again. i might be prettier than before but i still feel the same inside and I'm still socially inept, so i still don't attract people. i really need therapy but i cant afford it. i have been intensely struggling financially this year and i could barely scrounge up a dollar today to pay for my change difference at Starbucks because i desperately needed to get out of the house. i feel intensely upset about the fact that i thought i had found the perfect job to work from home just for the guy to scam me and never pay me even though i worked in bed editing a book for him while i was sick with COVID so i could get it in on time.

i was working my ass off expecting some compensation i desperately need. i feel at a dead end, I've been applying many places but my nail school schedule fucks me and it seems no one really wants to hire me. i can't go until the spring like this, I'm drowning in debt. i am also not looking forward to going back to nail school because i don't like the other girls and i had some issues and the vibe is dead, it won't be fun anymore, it won't be the same. i get upset thinking about it because i feel unwanted. i tried to talk to my friend about this too and she still gave me no reassurance, just the same generic responses. i don't feel relieved or comforted. i suppose i should stop dumping my feelings on my friends but i feel hopeless and really depressed. i don't want to do anything, right now i don't even want to exist.

i just want a decent job and a good man next to me and a home of my own and to get the fuck out of Detroit and to get the surgeries i want and to be thinner and prettier and i want a therapist

[farahhauville]

for the infamous ask game !! <3

bandname, favorites, persona, stage name, change, bandmates, tattoo, voice, and seven 🤩

firstly omg soooo sorry i took forever posting this i was on finals lockdown </3 and tysm tori for sending me thee ask!! love u sm .. also long post ahead + slight cw mention for drug use

Band name: How did they and the others come up with the band name? Has the name changed since it was founded? okay, so a huge oversight on MY part but when coming up with the name I kind of.. ignored the other band names.. and so my mc's (Parker's!!!) band name is.. soft overkill 😭 u cant make this shit up HDSJKFHSDKSFDHDSF.. i was thinking of changing it but i kind of like the irony and stupidity of it all (considering parker and seven r exes) so .. i think it will be staying! (so for shits n giggles, soft overkill was first and HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED ... FSDHFDSKJHFDSKDSFH they had a "That FROOT looks familiar" moment on twitter for SUREEEE) Favourites: Which song of the band’s is your MC’s favourite? Which is the fan-favourite?

because parker's all artsy-fartsy, I think he'd have a hard time choosing a favorite song -- probably not their earlier work, though, seeing as he's pretty embarrassed by most of it. he's gotten better at songwriting over the years, and some of their earlier work was all over the place (to put it simply FHDSKJFSDHSDFKHD) the fan-favorite would probably be "PUNCH!" (which is more of a love/breakup adjacent song.. man i wonder how this came to be.. idk im trying to think of how this happened. will get back to u shortly?) Persona: How does their day-to-day personality compare to their on-stage persona?

at first, i think parker (and his day-to-day personality) was COMPLETELY separate from his on-stage persona -- he was a lot "nicer" overall, probaaaably a little on the more shy side kinda thing, less short tempered HFDSKFDSHFDSK.. but after a Certain Breakup he kinda spirals (it was kind of already happening anyway .. looool) and his dazzling rockstar tm persona kinda bled together with the real parts of parker -- esp as he started using drugs more recreationally b4 shows and things of that sort, putting walls up n what not for certain things. it sounds cliche but performing, the breakup, and spiral (and .. continued drug use) resulted in a more confident, sarcastic, short-tempered parker.. also a lot more anxious when he comes off the high (of performing -- its also the drugs, though. (also .. hes short-tempered now for certain things, he's not a complete lost cause dfshfdjkhfdskdsfh) and overall def on the more Brooding Music Guy side. the one thing that remains the same is his love of music n the arts -- its why hes really in it, but the fame is also .. nice Stage name: Do they or have they ever had one? How did they choose it? 

his stage name is Crash! so on stage, and in the competition, he goes by Crash rather than Parker (but the band still calls him parker .. yk how it goes) fans also call him crash !! he chose it on a whim -- he thought it fit the whole "overkill" idea they have going on. plus, he was a teenager -- he just thought it sounded cool! Change: How has their personality changed since Seven left the band? Are those changes related to Seven leaving? kinda answered this in persona, but his personality changed pretty drastically -- maybe not for the best, but definitely not for the worst. those changes are related to seven leaving, especially bc they were dating -- but it was definitely exacerbated by the idea of his "one and only" (platonic n romantic soulmate.. haha pain) being upset w him (and having been voted off the band) (also parker did NOT vote for seven to leave . he liked singing w him . but what does it matter in the end HFDKSFHFDSKHFD) Bandmates: How do they feel about the members of the band? Would they still be interested in stardom if they weren’t with that group?

parker loves his friends/band members!!!!!! this is such a simple answer but like their dynamic is just the best . and no, i dont think theyd be as interested in stardom if it wasnt w their friends .. lots to think about Tattoo: Did they keep the tattoo with Seven’s initials? Why/why not? What was that decision/execution process like? (Bonus: What do they think of Seven keeping their tattoo?) yes, parker kept the tattoo w seven's initials .. (talk about not getting over your ex loool) it was his first tattoo and it was w a person he loved -- to him, it would've been more painful to remove it or cover it up than to just.. let it exist on his skin. he definitely had a hard time between choosing to keep it or covering it up -- lots of tattoo appointments that just turned into tattoos going elsewhere on his body looool . anyway . at the same time tho its a very painful reminder . it's kinda masochistic in a way -- like a punishment of sorts -- "you let THAT happen" kind of thing .. but it's not always painful .. he does cover it up usually tho, he wants to keep that part of their past as private as it possibly can (which is not much anyway) loooool using lots of looools to make this less sad and awkward. Voice: What does their singing voice sound like? Do you have voiceclaims(s) for them?

i havent really decided on a singing voice yet -- but id think parkers singing would prob be similar to thom yorke's heehehehdj Seven: Do you have headcanons about their friendship and/or romantic relationship (past or future)? What do you imagine some of their best memories are? What do you think some of Seven’s favourite things about your MC were/are? their friendship was definitely ride-or-die, they're all in, it's them against the world -- the same goes for their relationship. i think one of their best memories Then were getting those tattoos together -- but also probably their mutual confession n first kisses .. hehe . i think seven's fav thing about parker was how much he loves music (and anything artistic) -- its literally his lifeline !! i also think their relationship (and friendship b4 that) was very .. tender? like affection came to them v easy, thru small gestures, even if they were awkward abt it .. anyway thats definitely not the case anymore HA

[corpsehusband-simp]

Private Messages

Request: I noticed that requests are open, so may you write a fic where Toast kills (y/n) and she and Corpse are secretly talking through the other line and she tells him and he wins the game for her, like, "thats just for you bby."

A/N: Im sorry its taking so long for me to get these stories out guys. Im trying but life has kind of been kicking my ass.

Masterlist 

JackAboy: Want to play some among us, we have an open spot.

Y/N: Sure give me like 2 minutes to get it all set up.

JackAboy: POGS

You laugh shaking you head. You change into a hoody and some shorts before filling up up your water bottle, grabbing your favorite snack and heading to your streaming room. You quickly turn on your stream and enter the discord chat.

“Sup gamers!” You say excitedly as you enter the discord server.

“Ayyy welcome! Y/N have you met Corpse yet?” You fur your brows as you type in the code not realizing Corpse was in call already.

“Uh no I havent officially, I'm a fan of his music tho and I’ve watched his streams so im prepared for his big brain moves.”

“Youve watched my stream?” You choke on your spit.

“Corpse you made her choke!” Poki laughs.

“Choke me like you hate me” Jack does his Corpse impression which makes everyone laugh. You took a deep breath and got loaded into the Among Us server.

“To answer your question, yes Corpse Ive watched your streams, how else am I supposed to know what I’m up against.” Corpse chuckles.

“Touche” The game finally starts and you are an imposter with Charlie. You avoid killing Corpse instead, using him as an alibi until Charlie cuts the lights. You go in for a stack kill and you accidently kill Corpse.

“NOOO son of a bitch!” You laugh before unmuting yourself. “Okay who the hell did it huh?! Who killed Corpse!?” Everyone goes into a debate and you guys end up voting off Poki and that was the end of that round.

“I cant believe you killed me Y/N! I thought we were bonding!” Corpse pouts.

“Im sorry I was trying to get Toast!”

“Me?! Why me?!” 

“Why not you, you’re a threat!” Toast gasps.

“Im gonna remember this Y/N!” he teases but you also knew toast would be out for revenge.

“Okay okay enough threats, can we take a gamer bladder break?” Jack cuts in.

“Yes please!” Poki mutes her mic and leaves along with a few other people. You stayed behind talking to your chat and eating some fruit when you get a discord private message.

Corpse: Hey traitor ;)

Y/N: Im sorry it was an accident :(

Corpse:  Im just teasing you 

Y/N: Hey how come were messaging and not just talking?

You look up from your messages to your chat.

“Uh not Max is sleeping in her bed right now if she wakes up I will definitely show her on stream to you guys,

Corpse: Because the others are hard to talk over and I just want to talk to you without having thousands of fans up our asses about what it all means.

You laugh before clearing your throat.

“Sorry sorry my mom sent me something funny”

Corpse: Youre mom?! XD

Y/N: Are you watching my stream?!

“Okay are you guys ready?” Sykkuno asks. Theres a chorus of yeses. A few rounds go by and corpse and you message back and forth throughout the matches secretly teaming ups against the others in your own little games. That was until Toast finally gets his revenge and kills you. 

“I had that coming” You laugh poping a piece of fruit in your mouth.

Corpse: Where did you go I cant find you.

Y/N: Dead Toast got his revenge.

Corpse: I knew it, I’ve been sus of him from the first round.

Jack finds your body.

“Y/N body was in electrical, it’s a pretty fresh kill.” Poki gasps.

“Corpse what did you do!? She’s been with you the entire game!”

“I left her in electrical with Toast so I could do the gas can thing!”

“Toast finally got his revenge.” Sykkuno says. Corpse quickly votes Toast before he could argue and everyone follows suit laughing at Toast’s excuses. The game ends and everyone cheers.

Corpse: That one was for you Baby ;)

 You blush like crazy and bite your lip, ignoring your chat blowing up.

Y/N: My knight in shining armor. Thanks handsome 

Corpse: You live in LA right?

Y/N: yes…

Corpse: Let me take you out to dinner

Y/N: Its a date :)

Taglist

@fuji175 @corbins-kinda-smart @locallolli @namjoons-crabssss @sadness-babee @reddeserths @eccedxntesi @mayempress  @shinyyoonie @amirahhiddleston @gamerjisoo @trying-to-be-nice-here @jinexedanxrchist @rensaor @yoongis-cumsock @devilishducky97 @mintchip17 @redperson58 @kutiesammyboo @caswinchester2000 @hufflepuff-always-and-forever @thoughtfullydopedragon @neville-longbottomsimp @danny-devitowo @chocolatecloudwinnerhoagie @notmewrongb1tch @moneybagmara @alxcru158 @whatinthyworld @ihavecommitmentissues @mayempress @tanya-sonigra @themeaningofstupid @heavenly3308 @nicetomeetyouamamber  @chileansoul-englishheart

[franeridart]

Anon said: Hi I hope u don't mind but I was wondering if I could get your opinion on JJK??? Do u like where the story is going & how r u enjoying jjk so far? Is there anything u dislike or have any nitpicks about jjk? Is there anything, if u could, change about jjk? Is there any characters u don't particularly care for or don't like? Sorry to bombard u with sooo many questions I'm just really curious about ur opinion >w<

OH I don’t mind the question at all! Though let me be clear right now that this is going to be a completely subjective answer and also that it’s going to be heavy with spoilers. 

Okay, first things first, if I had to give jjk a general vote on a scale from 1 to 10 it’d be a 8, and that’s only because I read the prequel too! Right after catching up with the manga without any knowledge of the prequel’s existence it was a 7, barely (since Gege tends to treat the prequel in the main story as if you’re supposed to know about it, with all the mentions of Yuuta and Geto and stuff, but then never tells you anywhere in the manga that you were supposed to read it? Or that it exists at all? It even has a different name than the main story! I read the manga with the serious feeling that I was missing something, which I was and no one told me. Didn’t like that very much, ngl). 

I still enjoyed it greatly and binged it all in a day and a half, but, you know, I’ve never thought it a perfect story. Am I enjoying how it is and where it’s going? Yeah, yeah, immensely! I adore it, really, if my drawing it 24/7 for the past over half a year wasn’t proof enough 😂 but it tends to go too fast at times for my tastes, it isn’t especially good at exposition and has confused the everloving hell out of me more than just once. Also it’s chokefull with stuff you’d call foreshadowing that ends up meaning nothing at all in the end and that’s, like, something I wish Gege didn’t do since I tend to overthink these kind of things and then feel disappointed when nothing comes out of it 😂😂 that’s on me tho.

If I had to change anything about it.................no, nothing, I’m good with how it is. Like, it has a lot of problems, definitely, but it wouldn’t be the jjk I fell in love with if it was anything else. Do I think everyone will die by the end of it? Yeah. Am I sad some characters already have died? Very much so. I’m still good with how it is tho, it’s just how jjk is. What else...uhhhhhh right, the characters! I don’t have any I especially dislike or hate aside from Mahito, which I just can’t stand sorry Mahito stans he just isn’t my cup of tea at all 😂 I do have characters I don’t particularly care about, like... Ichiji? For example, or Kusakabe, or most of the Kyoto kids (even Kokichi and Mai only became characters I liked after they died tbh, aside from Miwa and Kamo I’m not particularly into any of them). I haveeeeeee mixed feelings about Yuki, but only cause I feel she outright used Geto’s kind heart and depression to reach her own goals in a way that felt a lot like just an experiment for a theory she had, and I live and die for Geto so you can see why I would resent her for this 😂 but other than that she’s pretty cool, so I’m on the fence with her (again, sorry Yuki stans, I don’t have anything against you all 🙏)

That’s it! Overall I love jjk and I’m fully on for the ride, but I wouldn’t lie to anyone and call it perfect 😂 it’s better tho, I like stories that can fail me and have in the past failed me more, I’m more relaxed while reading them

Anon said: hey Fran!! quick question, are you a self taught artist or did you take any classes? hope ur doing well!— ^^

Self taught! As I’m sure anyone who studied art can easily tell  😂 I do my best with the resources I have 💪 I hope you’re doing well too!!!

Anon said: i also struggled with csm in the beginning, but idk after a few chapters i got into the mood and style of humor and now, after finishing it, i think about it all the time 👁 cant wait for you to see the show and if you end up liking it <3 also; ur art is everything!! whatever you draw, it gives me so much serotonin

Ahhhh I hope so I hope so!!!! I want to like it so bad, the art for it are absolutely incredible I wanna enjoy them properly!! 😭 And thank you so so much!!!!!! 💕

[yandere-ac]

Is it despair bear time?

Yandere Human Monokuma X Spy Reader

"Is there a reason you called for me?" Your voice was quiet, almost monotone. Both because you didn’t want to sound rude or snappy to Monokuma but also because you were very tired. It was nighttime, 2 AM precisely, and Monokuma had woken you up and told you to come to his office. He hadn’t given you any chance to ask why or what was happening before he left, so you had to find out for yourself if this was something serious or not. This wasn’t the first time Monokuma had called you to his office, not even the first time he called you to his office at night. The only thing that made you annoyed was that these past few days he’s been waking you up in the middle of the night and telling you to come to him. And most of the time he didn’t even have a valid reason for calling upon you. And it got very tiresome really quick. You barely got any sleep these days and it was effecting you during daytime. You would nod off during the breakfast meetings and find it hard to stand without swaying and closing your eyes. And it was raising everyones suspicions. It peaked when you collapsed and fell asleep mid conversation with Byakuya and Makoto. You woke up later in your dorm, and of course the first person you ran into as you left was Byakuya. He had given you a stern look and scolded you after telling you what had happened. Most of your classmates had amounted it to you having sleep problems but the sharper ones like Byakuya and Kyoko seemed a bit more suspicious of your sudden sleeping problems.

As you walked into the office, which was just a big security room, Monokuma turned his chair to face you. There he was, the tall man had the same gleeful smile that he always had and as his red eyes fell upon you it only got wider. "Reason? Of course I have a reason. But even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t matter. You don’t really have a say in weather to come here or not. Lest you want your little secret to be revealed~" Once Monokuma told you this he let out a teasing giggle while he opened his desk and pulled something out. It was a wine bottle, it wasn’t really a surprise since he pretty much always drank it during the morning announcements. But the fact that he was gonna drink while you two talked told you that this might not be a crisis exactly. After fetching two wine glasses, Monokuma walked back to you and poured you two some wine. By this point you had already pulled out a spare chair, you had been in here so many times that you basically knew where everything was. "So tell me Y/N," Monokuma began as he handed you one of the glasses. "What have your classmates been up to? Any noteworthy news?" He took a sip of his wine after he asked you this. As Junkos spy you had to bring her information about whatever was happening in the school. You were simply a double agent, acting as a classmate when you really weren’t. Unfortunately, you had to give this information to her second in command, Monokuma. Ever since you entered the school he had been a constant nuisance, and it didn’t get any better once he started to call upon you almost every day.

"Not really no. Kyoko has shown everyone alter ego," as you started listing any noteworthy events Monokuma let out a huge sigh. "Yes I know that Y/N. I know they have found alter ego, I can put two and two together. I’m not asking you to tell me about stuff I already know, I want the inside information! What’s happening with everyone! Is there conflict? Are there secrets? Quit boring me to death and get on with it!" He took another sip. "....naturally. Celeste has started taking advantage of Hifumis desperate nature. Kiyotaka has pretty much lost it. He’s started acting like Mondo to cope with his death. And he’s gotten very possessive over Alter ego. Hifumi has been as well. Taka seems to be clinging onto the last part of Chihiro and Hifumi just seems to be in love with him." As you explained the situation to him you noticed that Monokumas eyes narrowed slightly at the end of your sentence.

"What did you just say?" The tone of his voice was cold, dead serious and poisonous. You immediately tensed up as you heard him. "Huh? I said that Hifumi seems to be in love with him-" "Him? Did you just refer to Alter ego, the computer program, as a him?" He put down his glass and rose out of his chair, now towering over your sitting form. "Do you know what that is Y/N? Sentiment. Sentiment for the people you’re supposed to be spying on." He grabbed you by the chin and forced you to look at him. There was pure hatred in his eyes. "Don’t forget the reason why you’re here, the reason why you’re still ALIVE right now." The two of you stayed silent for a couple of seconds before Monokuma let go and sat back down. "Now! Continue!" His whole attitude changed as he gave you yet another wide smile while running his hand through his hair.

You continued with your report, or at least tried to. Even if Monokuma changed his attitude that didn’t erase what had just happened. But luckily, you managed to get through all of the things you wanted to say, all while Monokuma nodded along with a smile. "I think that’s about it...I wanted to ask you something though." You said, letting out a big yawn afterwards. "Sure! Ask away doll face." Ignoring the pet name, you continued. "I wanted to ask if you could stop calling me here for mundane reasons, especially at night. I’m not getting enough sleep and Kyoko and Byakuya are getting suspicious. The last thing I would want is to be discovered because of you." As you told him this, Monokuma let out a laugh. "Puhuhuhu. So you’re tired? Why didn’t you say so Y/N?" He smirked as he stood up and grabbed your hand. He pulled you up and started to walk away, much to your protest. "Monokuma- let g- where the hell are we going?" You asked as you tried to pull away to no avail. "We’re going to bed!" As you heard his answer you had to take a second just to process what he just said. To bed? Surely he didn’t mean...was he taking you to his bed? Did he have a bed? But as he walked out of the control room and into the hallway you realised that he was gonna take you all the way to your room, and that was when you started resisting. "Monokuma no, please. What if someone sees us?! I can go there by myself! Just- let go!" You whispered in a panicked manner, but he didn’t listen. He just kept walking. But he stopped once he heard footsteps approaching. Someone was coming, and they were gonna find you!

You were panicking, begging Monokuma to just let go of you and disappear. But it would seem like he was one step ahead of you as he pulled you in closer to his body, pressing you up against him while grappling your waist, and before you realised what had happened your surroundings had changed completely. You were now in your dorm. You didn’t understand how he could do that, how he could just teleport around the school. But you didn’t care right now. You immediately pushed Monokuma away from you. Not enough to make him fall or anything, just enough to distance yourself from him. "Are you crazy!? Are you out of your mind?! Do you realise what could have happened if someone saw us!?" He didn’t even flinch as you yelled at him. He only walked closer and pushed you into your bed. "Ah shush. Is someone a bit cranky from sleep deprivation?" You growled at him but stopped as soon as he laid down in bed next to you. "What are you doing?" You moved away from him slightly but that didn’t help. "What? Cant I share the bed with my favowite stuwdent?" Monokuma grabbed ahold of you and pulled you close to him. You had tried to pry him off until you felt a huge wave of sudden drowsiness wash over you. Your eyelids started to feel heavy, and you struggled to keep yourself awake. It was strange. You were tired sure but not this tired, it was as if it just came out of nowhere. You felt Monokuma stroke your hair as he cooed to you. "Shh shh. Don’t worry, just go to sleep. Puhuhuhu" you didn’t want to fall asleep now. Not when he was here. But you could no longer force yourself to stay awake. You went out like a candle.

That night, Monokuma laid awake watching you. It wasn’t like he needed sleep anyhow. For the next couple of hours he observed your sleeping body, watching you breathe in and out, watching your chest go up and down as the air entered your lungs. You looked so cute when you slept, he’d seen it multiple times but never while he was in the same room as you. And never this closely. He probably never would have if it wasn’t for the wine you drank. You should have kept your eyes on your glass while he refilled it, silly you. He found you so fascinating, and your apparent annoyance with him only made it better. He knew you would blow your cover soon, blow your cover as the masterminds little spy. After that, it would only be a matter of time before 1 of 3 things happened. First scenario, your classmates find out about your betrayal and start hating you. If a murder occurred all of them would believe it was you who murdered the victim and falsely vote on you. After that he could execute everyone while you had to watch. Oh but you, there was no need for you to be executed since you were a spy and everyone else was dead. Then he would get you all to himself, and he could do whatever he wanted with you. Second scenario, your classmates hates you so much that one of them decides to kill you. Oh how much despair he would feel as he watched your lifeless corpse. How your eyes that once were filled with such hope would be completely empty. The thought of it made him exhilarated. He would hate for you to die, he would mourn you for days, and he would make sure whoever killed you would die in a brutal and horrific way. And finally, third scenario. You ended up being the actual blackened in the case and he could watch as you fell into despair and turn to murder. To see someone who would never hurt a fly give in and murder someone, one of your friends, is there anything better?! And ultimately, if you got caught he’d have to be the one to kill you. To execute you.

Three scenarios in which two of them leads to your death. He wished that you survived, but he would be lying if he said that the thought of you, dead, didn’t fill him with so much pain and despair. And that made him all giddy.

But for now, you were here in his arms. As he pulled you closer and sniffed your hair he felt his stomach fill up with butterflies.

[forever-more-never-again]

Scales and Scars (Part Seven)

Aizawa-Yamada [Y/n] - Given quirks through experimentation, thus their quirks are ‘Artificial’ and not considered ‘true’ quirks

First Quirk: Shadow Manipulation

Uses: Shadow manipulation allows the user to travel almost like teleportation from shadow to shadow by ‘sensing’ the shadows around the user. User is able to control the shadows and form objects. User can change the density of shadows. user also has excellent night vision.

Drawbacks: User experiences flashes of coldness from the presence of shadows, and if holds onto a shadow for too long will begin to develop frost bite.

Second Quirk: Dragon Shift

Uses: User can shift into a dragon, varying in size, and breath fire when in Dragon Form. It is a full shift, and user can not half-shift. Impressive strength in Dragon Form. Excellent vision and sense of smell. Large talons and teeth can break through almost any material.

Drawbacks: User cannot form coherent/rational thoughts while in dragon form and reverts to an animilistic and bloodthirsty mindset.

a/n:Get Ready... Italics are flashbacks

Word Count: 1909

Pairings: Eraserhead(AIzawa) X PresentMic(Hizashi), Reader X Class1A (Will have multiple endings for pairings)

Warnings: Yelling, Swearing, Panic Attacks, Flash backs, Mentions of death

Prologue / Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six

Masterlist

Your own battle trial was short lived. Having Ashido on your team, against Aoyoma and Toru was ridiculously easy. You had captured the bomb in the first three minutes.

That evening, back at home, you collapsed on the living room floor and cuddled with Inu and Hund. 

“What’s wrong Lil’ Listener!?” Your Pa’s voice was loud even without his quirk, making your groan.

“I hate Teenagers.” You grumbled into the carpet. Inu punctuating your statement with a meow.

Hizashi laughed, “You sound just like Shou!”

Lifting your head to give your Pa a deadbeat stare you missed your dad rounding the couch just to steal Hund from where he was sitting on your back.

Whirling up so that you were sitting, you gaped at your Dad, “Hey!”

Shouta shrugged, sitting on the couch petting Hund who was purring up a storm, “Your loss Problem Child.”

You pouted, “You called Midoriya Problem Child to.”

Shouta groaned, “Don’t remind me. That kid is going to be trouble.”

“Why didn’t you expel him then? I know you would’ve if you thought he didn’t have potential.”

You cradled Inu in your arms, staying on the floor as Hizashi collapsed onto the couch beside his husband.

“Hmph.”

And you knew you wouldn’t get an answer.

Sighing deeply, you stood up, “I’m going to my room. Call me when Dinner’s ready?”

Your Pa waved lazily at you as Inu went to his lap.

Shaking your head fondly at your cat’s tactics and your dad’s, you shut your bedroom door and grabbed your phone.

Somehow Ashido had managed to grab everyone’s number and made a class Group Chat. Which was already hell in a handbasket.

Before opening that one, you sent a message to Shinsou.

Kitten: My Cats have betrayed me.

Zombie: ???

Kitten: They chose my father’s over me

Zombie: So...same thing as everyday?

Kitten: WHA!@HKDSJSJGKSH??? NO!

Zombie: Whatever you say Kitten

You felt heat rush to your cheeks at his last message. Even though you had changed your screen name to Kitten, it felt… different, when other people call you that.

Switching over to the group chat, you scrolled up a bit to see what was happening before joining in.

Alien: And then they just popped out and screamed ‘Hot and ready!’

Engines: Ashido, I beg you. Please stop telling us these stories.

Ghost: I don’t know Iida-kun, I find it quite funny

Alien: Aww thks babe

MOMo: I find I agree with Iida, we’ve barely met each other. 

Pikachu: That’s why this chat is a good idea! We get to know each other outside of the classroom

Shark: Yeah! It’s super manly!

Kitten: You all are going to give me a headache, I can feel it

Alien: OMG Yamada is that you!?

Ghost: That screen name is adorbs!

Kitten: … Thank

Bomb: WHO THE HELL IS BLOWING UP MY PHO-

Shark: They got jeana!

Tape: What the hell happened to bakugou?

Bomb: Shut up you extras!

Kitten: You cant call pple extras asshole!

Zombie: Kitten has claws

Engines: As entertaining as this is, I suggest we get ready for sleep for tomorrow.

Turning your phone onto silent, you got ready for dinner.

After eating and petting your cats, you crawled into bed. That night, your dreams were a kaleidoscope of Burning Rubies, Yellow sunsets, Black Feathers, and hazy purple smoke.

The next day, you skipped into the classroom, surprised to see a lot of your classmates already there. It had been hard to get into the school due to all the reporters outside hounding the students about All Might.

“Hey Yamada!” Ashido flung herself onto you, clinging like a koala, “Join us!”

And you found yourself being dragged over to Kirishima’s desk where Tape arms, Pikachu and Bakugou were standing.

Ashido finally let go of you, but stayed close to your side. Smiling widely, she announced, “Guys! I brought [Y/n]!”

Tape Arms smiled and held out his hand, “Sero Hanta.”

You shook his hand, smiling back,  “Yamada [Y/n] but I tell everyone to call me [Y/n].”

You looked over to see Bakugou and Kirishima both looking slightly flustered. Before you could wonder more about that, you found your arm being yanked yet again as you were dragged to your desk.

“Hi ‘Toshi!” You smiled brightly up at the purpleinette.

He grunted, the shadows under his eyes telling a story of a restless night.

“Morning Class.” The silence was sudden and slightly unsettling as everyone flung themselves into their seats and sat at attention as soon as the door opened to reveal Aizawa.

You stifled a giggle. Your father sounded like he would rather be anywhere but here.

“Today you have an important task.” He paused dramatically, and you could practically see the waves of tension and fear on your classmates.

With a deadpan stare Aizawa stated, “You need to pick a class representative.”

And the floodgates opened.

“Me! Pick me!”

“I want to do it!”

“I’m better than all you extras!”

“I wouldn’t mind it.”

You sat back in your chair, you had no desire to be class Representative. No desire to deal with responsibilities and Duties.

Aizawa butted into the yelling contest, stopping everyone for a moment, “I don’t care how you choose, you have until the end of homeroom to pick a Representative and a Vice.”

And without, he pulled out his yellow sleeping bag from behind the podium and rolled over to nap.

Iida stood up and began taking control, “We should put it to a vote!”

Kaminara pointed out a flaw, “Wouldn’t everyone vote for themselves?”

Asui piped in with a croak, “We don’t really know each other well enough.”

That just fueled Iida, “That’s why whoever has the most votes would be best suited as it shows their classmates trust and faith in them!”

Uraraka giggled, “You just want the position for yourself don’t you Iida-kun?”

Iida deflated slightly, “I won’t pretend that I do not desire the position, but I still stand that we should vote!”

And with that, everyone got out a piece of paper and the sound of pencils scratching on paper filled the air.

You stared down at your piece of paper and then glanced around the room.

You could think of a few people who you thought would do a good job. 

Yaomomo was steady and would follow the rules by guiding people to them. Iida would be a stickler for the rules and enforce them.

Your gaze swung to the desks before you. There was Bakugou who was brash and harsh, but you knew he cared underneath his hard exterior due to what happened at the battle trial.

There was also Midoriya. You saw how everyone rallied when he put his all into his battle trail. Pushing everyone to try their hardest.

Flickering your eyes to your friends, you thought of Shinsou being the relaxed voice of reason. And Tokoyami being a relief from the seriousness of the Course.

In the end, you decided to go with Bakugo. Knowing he would make sure people followed the rules, by pushing them to be better. 

Writing his name down, you handed it to Iida when he passed.

Aizawa woke up and took the ballots and counted them, and wrote the names and tallies on the board.

Silence.

And then.

“Who the Hell voted for Bakugo!?”

“I lost. It was my plan but still...no votes.”

“Woah! Deku! You Won!”

You stared at the board.

Midoriya: 4 votes

Yaoyorozu: 3 votes

Bakugou: 2 votes

Aizawa called out dryly, “It looks like Midoriya will be Class Representative with Yaoyorozu as your Vice Representative.

Poor Midoriya looked like a leaf shaking in the wind as he stood before the class.

With Yaomomo looking stoic.

After that, the rest of the day went by fairly fast and before you knew it, it was time for lunch.

As you walked past the table where Ashido, Kaminari, Sero, Kirishima and Bakugou where, you heard Bakugou muttering, “Alright! Which one of you idiots voted for me!?”

Kirishima laughed good naturally, “Bro, I thought you wanted the position?”

Bakugo snarled, “I did, but now I just want to know who was the other person who wanted me to have it.”

You couldn’t help yourself. Balancing your tray of food in one hand, you leaned over Bakugou's shoulder to whisper teasingly into his ear, “Was I wrong to vote for you?” 

Dancing back, you laughed at Bakugou's shout of surprise and the small pops of his quirk from his palms.

Still laughing slightly, you walked to your usual table where Shinsou and Tokoyami already sat.

“Hey [Y/n], what did you say to blasty to make him glare at you like that.” Shinsou asked.

Looking back to the other table, you saw that he was right. Bakugou was glaring at you, his red eyes holding a heat that made you squirm a little in your seat.

Turning back around abruptly, you shrugged and dug into your rice. “ I just told him that I was the other vote for him.”

Tokoyami choked on his water. You patted his back as you waited for him to catch his breath. And then you were met with two disbelieving gazes.

“What?” You tilted your head, confused with their responses.

Shinsou spoke first, “You voted for Blasty?”

Again, you were confused. Squinting your eyes slightly, your answer came out like a question, “Yes?”

Before either boy could open their mouth to ask you more about your choice, a shrill alarm began shrieking through the cafeteria.

“What’s going on!?”

A third year ran past your table, “It’s a level four Alarm! It means someone broke through the barricade!”

Everyone began running, panicked. Everyone, except for you. 

As soon as you heard the shrieking of the alarm, it was like you had been thrown back and were once again five years old. Hearing the shrill scream from the room beside your cell.

Your eyes grew hazy as you fell into the memory.

“Useless! The Quirk is not compatible with its body.”

“Throw them in the incinerator. We can’t have any mistakes or loose ends.”

“Understood.”

“No! Please! I’ll be good! I’ll be good! Please! Mommy! MOOOMMYYY! AGHHHHH!”

Your breathing became erratic and without realizing it, you slipped into a shadow and flew across the school until you popped out in the hallway before the teacher’s lounge door.

Falling to your knees, you dry heaved and choked on a sob. Your mind still replaying the sound of the child screaming before the fire cut all sounds from him.

Drawing in a deep breath, you shakily stood on your feet and staggered to the door. You need Aizawa. You needed your dad. You could feel the shift under your skin, Screaming to be released in the presence of danger and your panic.

As your hand reached for the handle, something made you pause. Holding your breath, you felt a rush of cold air tingle over you.

Familiar.

Panic once again surged forward, but you held it back as you struggled to make out the sounds behind the door.

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

You knew those footsteps. You had spent nearly five years hearing these footsteps on the floorboards above your head. The incessant scratch of skin. The quiet mutters.

They were back. They had found you. 

Panicking and struggling against your quirk, you did the only thing you could think of doing. You Screamed.

FOREVER Taglist:

@sxph-t​ @mialeelavellan​ @rainydaysrnevergrey​ @platonic-plots​ @sociallyawkwardcircus-freak-hi​ @queenbbarnes​ @mythixmagic​ @chas-z​ @thefridgeismybestie​ @strangersstranger​ @princess-evans-addict​ @rororo06​ @timelordhunterandmysterysolver​ @xxxtwilightaxelxxx 

Scales and Scars (BNHA) Taglist:

@trash1ty​ @darkfaethedestroyer​ @foxinaforestofstars​ @axolotl-of-evil​ @inumorph​

[tempestaurora]

WHUMPVEMBER #21: HARSH CLIMATE

i cant believe i actually finished this one in time lmao, it’s a mess AO3

Once upon a time, everyone was safe, happy and healthy, and nothing bad ever happened.

Tony wished. Nothing was ever that simple in the life of a fucking superhero-billionaire-moron with a dumbass teenager to look after. Especially when neither of them had any self-preservation instincts at all.

“You’re getting better at it,” Pepper had mused only two days earlier when she was sticking a bright pink Peppa Pig plaster over a cut on his forehead. “Really. Not going out on every mission possible. You’re making less suits, spending more time at home. And the other day you unironically bought pot pourri.”

Tony frowned. “The bathroom needed it.”

“I agree,” she said with a nod, then leaned back with realisation. “Oh, I get it now. Self-preservation instincts and being domestic go hand in hand with you.”

“That’s not true.”

“It absolutely is. You’re a trophy housewife and you love it.”

Tony hesitated, then considered for a moment. He shrugged. “At least I’m an attractive trophy housewife.”

Pepper pressed a kiss against his lips before checking her handy work with the plaster one last time. “If you weren’t, I would’ve divorced you for a younger model already.”

“Hey,” he said as she turned to place their makeshift first aid kit back in the kitchen cupboard. “If we have kids I can finally transform into my final form of stay-at-home-dad.”

Pepper laughed and she was the brightest thing in the room. “I’ll get back to you on that one. Besides, you already have a spider child to look after. You’d have your hands full with baby Starks running around.”

“Baby Starks,” Tony noted with a smile. “Plural.”

Pepper rolled her eyes. “Stop getting into fights with cupboard doors,” she said, gesturing to the cut on his forehead. “Tell Peter he’s invited to dinner on Friday.”

Tony had sent off a text before Pepper had even left the room, a smile firmly on his face as it usually was when he and Pepper talked about their possible family. For most of his life, children hadn’t even fit into the picture of Tony Stark – but in the previous few years, since a certain Parker tripped, stumbling and a little oblivious, into his life, Tony couldn’t imagine anything else.

TONY: dinner at mine on friday, pepper’s orders

PETER: u got it mr stark

-

 Self-preservation instincts: something Peter Parker didn’t have.

Friday came around quickly; Tony managing to shirk most of the responsibilities for his company in the meantime and focus more on his personal projects, like fixing FRIDAY’s firewall and improving the spider-drone in Peter’s suit.

Friday morning greeted Tony with a snow storm.

He blinked, staring out at the white-covered city; snow falling at such a fast pace it was a wonder he could see anything at all. From the top floor of Stark Tower, New York looked like a white blanket, spread far and wide beneath a grey sky.

At ten AM, he received the notification that Peter was wearing the Spiderman suit.

Tony frowned, tapping his phone screen and bringing up Peter’s phone number.

He answered on the second ring.

“Morning, Mr Stark!”

“Hey, Pete,” Tony said, slow, nursing a cup of coffee as the holoscreens in front of him ran projections and numbers, one after another.

“Did you see all the snow?” Peter asked, and Tony could hear the wind and distant car horns blaring.

“Uh, yeah, I did. I also saw that you’re in your suit.”

“Sure am.”

“What happened to that little institution called school?”

Peter laughed and whooped. Tony was pretty sure he’d done a flip. “Snow day! School’s cancelled!”

“So you thought you’d Spiderman in the snow? Peter, you’re bad with the cold, I thought we talked about this last winter.” Last winter, Peter had frozen to the bone when May’s apartment heating went out. He’d been wearing four layers when May called Tony to ask if Peter could stay at the tower until the heating was fixed. Tony had taken both of them in for three weeks and bought Peter a new winter coat, seeing as his old one was worn and threadbare. He’d also gotten a minor case of pneumonia in the process. Tony was pretty sure they’d dealt with this before.

“It’s fine,” Peter promised. “I’ve got the suit heater on and my Spiderman hoodie and my coat. It’s fine! I’ve never Spidermanned in the snow before!”

“We’ve got to stop using Spiderman as a verb,” Tony muttered before sighing. “Alright, okay. If you’re sure. Don’t be late for dinner.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it! You guys order the best take out.”

“Hey! What if we were planning on cooking?”

He could hear Peter’s snort over the wind. “Pepper doesn’t like cooking after a day at work and you can’t cook to save your life. If you’re taking votes, mine goes to Chinese, okay?”

Tony rolled his eyes, mentally marking it down. “Alright, Underoos. Go fight crime. And go inside if you get too cold.”

“Yes Mom.”

Peter hung up and Tony span around in his chair, once, before dropping his phone back on the desk. “Teenagers,” he muttered.

 -

 Peter was late. Of course he was.

“I told him to get here on time,” Tony muttered, pulling out his phone as Pepper searched the kitchen for plates and cutlery.

“He’s a teenager,” she said with a vague wave of her hand. “They don’t know what punctuality is. Now imagine that but with children. They have no time management skills.”

Tony snorted, bringing up Peter’s tracker. “You realise that as the parents, we’d be in charge of their time management, right?”

Pepper hummed as if she wasn’t so sure.

Tony zoomed in on the map that appeared before him and hesitated, finding that Peter was motionless on a Manhattan rooftop about six blocks out from the tower. He checked the logs and found that the suit hadn’t moved for the past hour.

“FRI,” he said, “there haven’t been any notifications of Peter getting hurt today, right?”

“None at all, sir,” FRIDAY replied.

“What’s happening?” Pepper asked, placing the stack of plates on the kitchen table in front of him. She peered over his shoulder at the phone screen.

“He hasn’t moved in a while. He’s half an hour late and he’s spent the last hour above a diner by the park. I’m gonna call him.” Tony frowned then, listening to the phone ringing and not get picked up. A moment later, he checked the map and still found Peter not to be moving – usually when Tony phoned, Peter at least realised he was supposed to be somewhere else.

Pepper breathed out a sigh through her nose. “You’re gonna go and get him, right?”

“Yeah,” Tony said, quiet. “I’d better. You know you could come, too, right?”

“What about the take out?”

“FRIDAY can just tell the delivery guy to leave it in the elevator. We’ll get it when we come back.” Pepper pursed her lips and Tony knew she was one good excuse from cracking. “We could test run your suit,” he said with a smile.

Pepper’s arms twisted around his neck, a smile playing across her lips. “You mean my superhero suit?”

“Yes, Mrs Stark, I mean your super badass superhero suit.”

She hummed once and then smiled. “Okay! Okay. Let’s go pick up your child.”

Tony snorted, taking her outstretched hand to head for the balcony. “We’re married, Pep. He’s yours too, you know.”

“You shouldn’t say that,” she said, opening the door, the cold air rushing at them suddenly. “Because if he’s mine too, I’ll make sure I get custody of him in the divorce.”

Tony gasped. “You would never.”

“Watch me.”

 -

 Pepper had barely winced when Tony had injected the sensors into her arms. She’d been listing off stock prices and key numbers he needed to remember for an upcoming meeting, and she hadn’t even let him know she could even feel it. (Sometimes, Tony thought about Extremis and how he wiped it from her system – sometimes, he wondered if a slither of it remained in the way her eyes shone something dangerous when she was angry, and how pain meant much less to her after having her insides boil.)

 -

 They called to the suits in tandem; cold air biting at their skin before metal pieces interlocked around their limbs; shining red and gold for Tony and a sleek purple and black for Pepper. Their faceplates slammed into place last and Tony took an appreciative look at Pepper’s suit, the heaters starting up automatically.

“I should’ve given you a suit years ago,” he commented.

“Yes,” Pepper replied. “You should’ve.”

They shot off into the sky, Peter’s location blinking on their visors. He still hadn’t moved. They raced over, making the distance in only a matter of seconds; Pepper looping in the air as she went just for the hell of it and Tony, taking the time to look at the ant-people on the street, bundled up warm and pointing at the two armoured heroes flying overhead.

“There,” he said, pinpointing the roof next to the park. He landed first, Pepper shortly after and frowned, visor slipping up.

“There’s no one here,” Pepper said, stating the obvious. The roof was entirely empty; just coated with thick snow and—footprints. Tony stepped over to them, looking at how they trailed in circles, slipped about and eventually moved to the edge of the roof where, Tony assumed, Peter had jumped off.

For his own peace of mind, he glanced over the ledge and released a breath at the alley below, empty of vigilantes and injured bodies alike.

“Tony,” Pepper said from behind him. He turned, finding that she’d followed a large loop of the footprints all the way over to the other side of the roof, where the short wall that included the door heading inside stood. She span to face him, holding a ratty backpack in her hands. “Found his suit.”

Tony stepped over as she pulled the familiar fabric of the Spiderman suit out of the pack. The rest of it held a half-read book, a jumble of pens and change and Peter’s house keys with a tiny Iron Man keyring.

“I better get a Rescue line of merch when we officially unveil me to the world,” Pepper said, smirking at the keyring. By holding down a small button on the foot, the arc reactor glowed blue.

“I’m sure you will,” Tony replied. “I’ll get you a Rescue sweatshirt and everything.” He was pretty sure it would be similar to the red one that he owned – only purple with the same arc reactor in the centre of the chest; the power core to the suit. “Let’s focus on finding Peter, first.”

Pepper hummed, zipping the backpack shut and slinging it over her shoulder. Wisps of webbing drifted in the wind. “Call him again.”

Tony did. This time, thank god, Peter picked up.

“Hey!” he said, and Peter could hear chatter and laughter, rather than the wind, this time.

“Hey yourself,” Tony replied, “you had a look at the time recently?”

There was a pause then, “Oh my god! I’m so sorry, Mr Stark! I got totally side-tracked!”

“We noticed.”

He could almost hear Peter’s wince. “Oh my god, is Miss Potts mad at me?”

“It’s Mrs Stark now,” Tony replied, mild, “but no, she isn’t. We came looking for you when you didn’t pick up the phone though. We’ve got your backpack – where are you?”

“I’m at the park over the road,” Peter said and yelped suddenly. “Hey! Unfair! I’m on the phone!”

Tony nodded over to the far side of the roof, where the road was, and Pepper followed him over. Across the road a small park sat, half play park with a jungle gym and swing set, and half a patch of grass. The grass side contained about ten kids, all high school-aged, competing in a snowball fight. The grass was tramped over, the fences and benches were used as cover, and the teenagers were laughing uproariously as they leapt about, pretending to be action heroes as they threw snowballs and dodged dramatically.

“Well this is better than him being tragically injured,” Pepper noted. “So, about 200% better than whatever scenario I was imagining.”

“Agreed,” Tony replied.

“Sorry, sorry,” Peter said, on the phone. Tony noticed him on the far left, hidden behind the bench, his body swamped in his Spiderman hoodie and winter coat. “I can meet you back at the tower or something? Or on the roof? I’ll swing back?”

“Oh, no, kid,” Tony responded with a smile. “I’ve got a better idea.” He hung up, shared a knowing grin with Pepper and the two of them leapt off the roof, flying over to the park.

He heard Peter’s groan beneath the shocked gasps of the teenagers. Tony and Pepper, faceplates removed, looked between the groups.

Tony clapped his hands together. “I wanna be on Pete’s team,” he announced. “Pep, we’re gonna kick your ass.”

She raised her eyebrows, looking over to where Peter was moving out from behind the bench, Ned nearby and in awe, MJ tilting her head at the two of them. “Sorry, sweetie, he called you first. Don’t worry though, I’m getting custody of you in the divorce.”

Peter groaned then shook his head. “I’m not legally your child,” he replied, seemingly deciding it was better to just accept his fate than fight it.

“Key word: legally,” Pepper replied, before spinning on her heel and joining the right-hand team.

“Oh my god, you’re Pepper Potts,” a girl on that team said. She’d later be introduced as Cindy, but for now, Pepper grinned.

“Pepper Stark as of a month and a half ago,” she corrected as she ditched Peter’s backpack with the pile of them by the fence. “But call me Pepper.”

Tony wandered over to the other team, slinging and armoured arm around Peter.

“Are you going to embarrass me?” Peter asked as his friends – Tony recognised them all from the Academic Decathlon team – joined the group huddle.

“Oh absolutely,” Tony replied, “but that’s what you get for being late to dinner. Plus, embarrassing your child is an excellent Dad move and I’m trying to convince Pepper to have kids.”

Peter snorted then let out a bark of laughter when a snowball slammed into the back of Tony’s head. He span around suddenly, seeing Pepper, smirking, her entire team already in defensive positions, each holding a snowball.

“Keep up, short stuff,” she said.

Tony narrowed his eyes. “Oh, it’s on.”

 -

 (When the three of them returned home that night, freezing, tired and laughing, they found cold Chinese takeaway sitting in the elevator, and elected to just cook a frozen pizza instead.

“Good parenting,” Peter commented, mild, when Pepper asked if he wanted desert. He got a light flick around the ear from Pepper, but Tony winked at him across the table. Yeah, they’d be pretty good parents, he thought, even to ones with little-to-no self-preservation instincts.)

[dndeviants]

Vasili’s Townhouse

Linda pulled out the journal and began reading it... trusting Ruki to guide them to the right address. Her heart pounded as she walked, reading through Strahd’s perspective of rulership of Barovia... 

While she expected to read the depraved thoughts of a devious and evil man, what she found was more unsettling...

He was like her.

She read as he described the aftermath of war, the tiredness... resigning to duty... trying to return to a normal life... Boredom... 

A brother? Sergei... happiness... Family...

What happened? She read and read... A girl, Tatayana...Sergei’s beloved... he loved her. Jealousy... delving into magic... Her heart ached with pity as she read his descent into obsession... Death...

Murder. He murdered his friend, Alek, hardly even thinking... Murder of his brother... Tatayana would be his... She leapt to her death. Then betrayal...

Leo Dilisnya. She flipped through and read about his attack on the wedding guests... So it turned out that Strahd did not murder them after all... Leo escaped. Years passed, Strahd returned to his duty- then Lovina Wachter told him where Leo was... she paused at a passage:

She took both sheets of parchment and read the introduction right through. As the head of an important house, she would know my writing well enough by now from past documents. This one told her that I was Lord Vasili Von Holtz (I had combined the given name of my great-grandfather with that of his wife's maiden name) and that she was to consider my voice the voice of Strahd in all matters and render me every reasonable assistance for my errand. The bottom of the sheet was properly stamped, and it carried a wax seal impressed with the Von Zarovich coat of arms. She studied it all at length, making me glad I had prepared things so fully.

Her heart pounded as she read, and re-read... Vasili... Vasili is Strahd! She felt a small fury... mostly at herself. So that is what Rictavio meant. She beat herself up... How could she? No, how dare he make her care about him that way! How dare he lie to her...

Why did she still care? She shook her head and forced herself to calm. She’d get to the bottom of this better with a level head. 

She looked to her companions, thinking. She couldn’t trust the native Barovians... Strahd was masquerading as Vasili for a reason, and she didn’t want to risk angering the vampire by revealing the truth... better to have some kind of leverage over him... Ruki surely knew already, and she didn’t want to alert her to her discovery. 

The other outsiders... She looked over to Aric and Jeeves, and tried something on a hunch... They seemed the type to be heavily involved with criminals and criminal activities, despite Aric’s noble heritage. She too was well versed in the ways of the underworld, and spoke the coded language of rogues and rapscallions:

Thieves Cant.

She walked over to the boys, "Do you guys know what I'm saying? I am not sure if you know Thieves Cant."

Aric startled and nodded, replying in the same, "Of course, we wouldn't be very good at what we do if we didn't know, now would we?"

Jeeves inclined his head, "What's the troubling news? We have a bit of our own..."

"I have another of those journal fragments...” she looked to Ruki and back to them,  “Vasili is not who he says he is."

Ruki paused, tilting her head back to listen to them. It was Common, it seemed... but it was filled with so much slang, jargon, and gibberish that she could hardly understand. She shook her head and focused on making sure the rest of the group didn’t get themselves lost.

Aric looked to Linda and nodded, grimly, "I've had my suspicions for a while, but he has had solid answers to my concerns, until just now at least,” Aric lowered his voice, “We caught Ruki and Vasili speaking in Infernal."

Linda raised her brow, "Oh, what was it about?

“A curse placed on a woman,” Aric replied, “And apparently, The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind belonged to Vasili's brother.”

"That's interesting,” Linda replied sarcastically, bitterness creeping into her voice, “considering that he is actually Strahd."

"As in the ruler of this place?” Aric allowed himself a moment of disbelief before nodding, “I did find it strange that 'Vasili' traveled around and tended to the business of Strahd. I guess my suspicions were correct."

Jeeves folded his arms, "Yeah, it was suspicious that he gave him permission to do as he pleased and gave him a writ."

Aric decided that he trusted Linda, "I wanted to know more about the pendant, so I stole it from Ruki and was planning on confronting them anyway, I vote we do it together."

“Sounds good,“ Linda replied, glad that Aric was on the same page as her. She held out a hand, “Though, I suggest pulling them away from the others. Don’t want to cause too much of a scene.”

They wound the corner and walked straight north... It was a quieter part of town. It didn’t seem like most of the buildings here were inhabited. Ruki turned to her companions:

“We will be approaching the manor soon.“

Ruki led them to the manor and looked up at the house. The two story manor had a good view of Lake Zarovich. She nodded to herself fondly. She remembered working on this house when she was a child... It was humble, but well equipped to deal with any threat, and was a favorite hideout of Strahd’s whenever Vasili had any business that needed to be attended to. It wasn’t as grand as the castle, nor as extravagant... but it was a central location for both her vampire friends and Vistani relatives.

It didn’t seem that much changed about the house... save for that Mina’s trips to maintain the house were less frequent than usual. She shook her head at the sad, wilted tulips.

Linda looked to the house... The windows were covered by red-painted shutters, the house itself was that of a gray white. It seemed modest enough, but the location was telling to her: far away from the crowds, and with quick access to the lake, it seemed like a perfect place for a country retreat...

Or a convenient murder. She put her hand on her revolver for comfort.

Aric glanced at the house. Vasili- or Strahd- has good taste. Shame about the tulips...

Linda walked to the front door... she heard movement on the other side. She knocked. There was a pause, but then Vasili came to the door.

Vasili looked over everyone and smiled with closed lips, "Ah, you made it. Please, by all means, come in..."

He bowed to them and stepped to the side, gesturing for them to come in. 

Linda hesitated, and peered around him... She heard the sound of kitchen tools, saw a broom sweeping the floors on its own-

And a large wolf walking down the hall toward them.

Aric saw the wolf in the house and immediately jumped back, nearly knocking Jeeves down. Jeeves stumbled and caught Aric in his arms.

“OOF! Um... my Pasha?“ Jeeves inquired of Aric’s skittish behavior.

“Harald!“ Ruki called out in happy recognition of her favorite pet, “How are you, boy?“

The wolf bounded up to Ruki, wagging its tail.

Linda gestured down to it, “Why do you have a wolf?”

Vasili- or Strahd- seemed genuinely surprised at the question. He laughed, “A wolf? There are no wolves here. This is my dog, Harald.”

Suddenly, everyone gathered was unsure of the dog being a wolf... It looked surprisingly like a wolf, and still did.

Linda blinked, and removed her hand from her revolver, “That’s just a really big dog, then.”

Jeeves nodded, “It must be one of those husky dogs I have heard about...”

Aric slowly lowered himself, “Sorry Jeeves, he just surprised me.”

“You may pet him if you wish,“ Vasili granted them permission.

Linda, always an animal lover, reached down and pet the beast, “Hello, Harald.”

Harald wagged his tail at the attention. Vasili took Harald away from the door.

“Come on boy, let them in...“ He moved to the side, “Warm yourselves by the fire."

Linda ventured in first, followed by Ireena and Ismark, Victor not too long after. Ruki went in as well. Aric and Jeeves lingered in the back, but ultimately came in as well. Vasili locked the door behind them.

The Barovians went immediately to warm themselves by the fire, but the outsiders lingered in the hall with Vasili.

 "Thank you for having us Vasili,” Aric said, “I hope we won't be too much trouble."

Vasili shook his head, "Not at all. My home is your home."

Aric peered around Vasili and saw a young woman hard a work, cooking in the kitchen. His heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t actually expecting anyone else to be there...

Linda turned to Aric, speaking in the Cant, "Should we talk to him now? In another room maybe?"

Aric nodded, "I think that would be best, there is someone in the kitchen and I wasn't expecting someone here besides him."

They silently nodded to each other, and turned to face Vasili. Vasili quirked his head at the odd slang.

Aric stepped forth, “Lord... Holtz,” he ventured, “Linda, Jeeves, and I were wondering if there is someplace private that we may talk with you and Ruki. I have some concerns over my current state, and seeing as you two know this place better than we do, I was hoping for some advice. Linda also has some concerns to run by you.”

Vasili paused, then nodded thoughtfully, "My study is right here. Would that be sufficient?" Vasili indicated a door in the hallway, away from the main living space.

"That will be perfect," Aric replied.

Vasili unlocked the study door. The small space was crammed with bookcases and different tomes of study. Everything was organized and in order. A little writing desk sat in the middle of the room with a chair on one side. A window looked to the outside from behind the desk. The night was pitch black. 

Ruki stepped in and stood by the desk. Jeeves leaned against a side wall.

Vasili closed the door behind them, “What questions do  you have?”

Aric looked to Linda.

Linda stepped to Vasili, "You have some kind of spell so that no one overhears us?”

Vasili quirked a brow, but responded, “Certainly. Do you wish for me to cast it?”

“Yes, please, Vasili.“ Linda held her eyes level with his.

Vasili opened the door and put a finger to his lips, muttering a small spell. When he was done, he turned around and walked past the desk, leaning on the wall near the window, “It is done...” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Aric turned to Linda, "Do you want to go first about his identity, or me about what we overheard?"

Linda faced Vasili and put her hands on her hips. She replied to Aric, "What you overheard."

Aric nodded and faced Vasili, "I guess I'll be honest now, since that is what we are going to ask of you...” he paused to clarify, “We asked you here away from everyone else because we have some concerns about you and Ruki. Earlier, Jeeves and I overheard you and Ruki discussing a curse on a woman named Tatayana, the Ba'al Verzi, and the fact that this pendant...”

Aric reached into his pack and pulled out the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, flashing it in front of the man, “This pendant belonged to your brother..."

Vasili’s eyes widened, and he flinched almost instinctively. It seemed to take every bit of effort to stand his ground. He snarled and hissed, "Put... that... damn... thing... away!"

That confirmed it. Linda put one hand on her revolver and another out in front of her, in a stopping motion. She held her eyes evenly with Strahd, and did her best to keep her voice calm, "We just want to chat, with the Lord of this place."

The man who called himself Vasili, that she now knew to be Strahd glared at her... his eyes glowing red. He seemed to calculate and weigh his options. 

Aric was surprised and confused by the man’s response. He turned to Linda for guidance, holding the symbol still. Linda nodded to Aric, not breaking eye contact with the creature before her. Aric slowly put the symbol away. 

Strahd seemed to calm and regain his composure.

“That is a powerful holy artifact!” Ruki was infuriated, “How dare you take that from my care?!”

Ruki pulled out her staff in anger, but Strahd stepped forward and held out a hand in front of her, reminding her of her place. She lowered her staff and took a small step back.

Strahd silently looked over them, his voice becoming a soft purr,  "Very well. I will admit, that you found me out rather quickly with the aid of my journals...” he bit back the venom that slipped into his voice, resuming his civil demeanor, “I appreciate the consideration in not outing me to the people there. So, let me formally reintroduce myself...”

Strahd stood tall and put his hand over his heart, “I am Strahd von Zarovich, Lord of Barovia. Now..." He glanced over to Aric, "You wanted to know about the artifact, the Ba'al Verzi, and Tatayana?"

Aric met his gaze evenly. He wouldn’t be fazed by the murderous intent in Strahd’s eye. He wanted answers...

“My lord,” Ruki protested, “they are mere outsiders!”

Strahd’s mind touched Ruki’s, "That I understand. It infuriates me so that they had access to my journals... but regardless, I need them. If they betray me or run out of usefulness... we can deal with it then."

"We are outsiders who are trying to help and don't appreciate being lied to!" An edge crept into Linda’s voice. She forced herself to calm down, as she stared at the man who had lied to her- and probably manipulated her. Yelling or getting frustrated wouldn’t help. As dangerous as Strahd probably was, it would only succeed in getting them killed if she couldn’t control her anger.

“Yes we would,” Aric replied to Strahd. “You have kept your true identity from us, and now these things as well. We wish to get home...” Aric paused, “But I, at least, am more than willing to help you, and the citizens of Barovia,” he looked to Strahd, earnestly, “But we need to know that we can trust you.”

Strahd remained silent. Ruki folded her arms. She knew that they would have to demonstrate that themselves. 

“How do you prove your willingness, then?“ Ruki demanded.

Linda was silent. She took her hand off her revolver and removed the weapons belt around her waist. She removed her monster hunting kit off of her back and tossed both of them into the middle of the room. She held up her hands, “There. I’ve taken off my weapons. Your journal is in that bag. Do what you will with that.”

Aric crossed his arms, “I admit we are strangers to you and to this place, but you are the ones who have proven yourselves untrustworthy...” he held up his hand, and indicated the Battleblade Ring, “But, I do believe that my use of this ring to prevent the burgomaster’s escape is proof enough of our intent. We just want to help you, and go home.”

Strahd examined the strangers before him, and wrapped his cloak around him. His face was expressionless, but a sad, tired tone betrayed his feelings in his voice.

"Very well,” he relented, “I will speak of what I know. You already have access to my journals, and my most private thoughts to the events in my life...” He looked over to Linda, “I have not lied to you. Though, admittedly, I may have omitted some information.... "

Linda frowned at the man. Strahd met her gaze briefly, then averted it.

Strahd fixed his gaze on Aric, and sighed, "First... The Ba'al Verzi... an ancient group of assassins, a guild of evil intent. Murderers...” He made a gesture, “I was their target once, long ago, when I became the ruler of this land. What made them so different from other assassin guilds however... was their cultist ways...”

Strahd listed, “They had to kill someone they loved to make a sheathe from the flesh, and used magic to pursue their targets... sometimes that magic was necromantic. The old Ba'al Verzi had undead to serve them. Ghosts, specters... things of that nature. Their signature weapon was a long dagger, with a hilt of gold, red, and black. All of their artifacts were marked similarly so... It seems that their guild has not died after all, and that I am still a target."

Linda blinked at the information, processing. She turned to Ruki, "Wait, so that mirror that you destroyed in the Burgomaster's house was a Ba'al Verzi artifact, Ruki?"

Strahd looked to Ruki, questioningly. He wasn’t aware of any Ba’al Verzi artifact in the Vallakovich mansion- but then again, that mansion didn’t always belong to them. “Well... then certain things begin to make sense...” he grew lost in his thoughts. 

Ruki nodded to Linda, “Indeed...” she withdrew her trophies, all Ba’al Verzi daggers, “This is the dagger I confiscated from the coffin shop, and this is on old dagger that lost its magic.”

Strahd glanced at the daggers and returned to the conversation, "Indeed. True Ba'al Verzi will always have them upon their person. Henrik seems to have been a high ranking member... he also had this..." 

Strahd held up Henrik’s cane, "I did some magical investigation, and this is a Rod of Golem Control. With it, he could have manipulated the golems to do certain things and exceed their own boundaries... fortunately, he perished before he got the chance to use it."

Strahd set down the cane on the study table and paused...

"Next issue... Tatayana...."

Strahd pulled his cloak back around him and gripped it a little more tightly than he had before. He spoke softly, "She was the only woman I ever loved. But... she did not love me. She loved my brother, Sergei.”

 “I was overcome with jealousy... and tried to turn to magical study to turn her affections to me. It seemed... unfair that I had to give up everything- my childhood, my youth, my life... in order to survive and to meet my father’s expectations. But Sergei had to make no such sacrifices.”

An edge crept into his voice, “Everything he had was given to him... and it made me bitter. He didn't have to earn my father's pride, or love... It seemed unfair,” he repeated, “that he could naturally have anything he wanted, where I had to fight just to survive! I wanted Tatayana for my own.”

 He grew quiet again, “It seems so naive and foolish now... to think that someone so innocent and pure could ever come to love someone- something- like me..."

Strahd turned away from them and walked to the window, staring out into the bleak night, "I began to blame my age, my lack of faith in humanity... and my approaching death for her disinterest in me. I... was dying. I knew the feeling... I felt it every time we fought.” 

He paused, “Do you know how it is to feel Death at your back every day you wake? Every night you sleep? I did not fear death, mind you. I feared dying before I ever had the chance to live. Tatayana was the only one who made me feel... like I meant something. Who saw the goodness in me...”

Strahd looked back at them coldly, “I proved her wrong."

He turned to face them fully, "Death himself approached me the night before my brother's wedding. Offering me a chance to take what had been denied me. Coaxing me, threatening me... I debated doing anything. But... unhappy circumstances...” 

“My only friend, Alek had been spying on me, trying to warn me... warn me of an attack, but all I saw was a possible betrayal. Instinctively we fought, and we mortally wounded each other. But I emerged victorious... at what cost?"

Strahd looked back to the window, "I murdered my best friend of over three decades. If I was capable of such an atrocity... surely a brother I hardly knew would be no different. But... I was lied to. I did not get what I wanted. I murdered them... for nothing. Tatayana fled from me... and killed herself.”

 “I died too, that night. Truly died...” he huffed a small laugh, “Betrayed and murdered by the Ba'al Verzi. But it appears that my stubbornness triumphs even over death. I avenged myself... and was cursed to watch Tatayana live and die over and over and over again..."

Strahd put a hand over his chest, letting his cloak fall from his hands. He pat over his heart, "This... is numb now. I feel hardly anything in regards to it. I don't even care if she loves me anymore. I just want to stop watching her die so cruelly...” 

“Ireena..." he murmured. Strahd faced the party, "She is Tatayana reborn."

Linda nodded, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicking together. "That's why you bit her," she stated.

"Yes,” Strahd answered. “It may have been misguided, but I was trying to save her, in the only way I know how...” he held out his hands, pain in his voice, “I meant her no harm. I was tricked... and she was used...” 

He raised a finger, “But I kept my word! I have not bitten her, and I will not make any more such advances...” he paused, “...not until I figure out what is going on here.”

He shrugged, “Truthfully... there are many things that I am just as confused about as you are."

Linda folded her arms, accepting his answer, “Alright.”

Strahd looked to Aric, "I suppose this brings us to the Artifact..."

Aric nodded attentively.

"Sergei...” Strahd sighed, “was the youngest of us all. My homelands had a tradition where the eldest was a war child. The middle was the estate child, and the third and after... were clergymen.”

He made a bleak gesture,”Sturm and I each performed our duties... and Sergei was meant to take over the place of the Most High Priest... solidify the von Zarovich control over our Homelands and territories... each of us controlling portions of our culture's way of life. Sergei was entrusted with the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, the pendant of the High Priest."

Strahd shook his head, "He should have stayed with tradition. He would have never met her, I would have never met her... none of...this... would have happened if he just... did what he was supposed to.” He all but snarled, “But no, apparently Father never wanted him to follow the priest path."

Strahd forced the bitterness from his voice, and shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, "In any case... it is a tool to banish creatures of the night. Destroy them. Creatures like me. The very sight of it... pains me in ways you can't even imagine... I have come up with a few ways to stave off the effects of holy auras... but nothing compares to the strength of that pendant."

Linda raised a brow. She didn’t think that vampires could work around holy auras.

Strahd noticed her response and huffed, "You let me ramble..."

Ruki humphed and folded her arms.

Linda smirked, “Of course,” she leaned against a bookshelf, "Though, I knew some of that from reading your journals. It's good to have the blanks filled in. Thank you for telling us. This was all very insightful. Aric do you have anything else to ask Strahd?"

Linda looked over to Aric.

Aric shook his head no.

Ruki glared, “If you knew, then why this underhanded interrogation?”

Linda looked to her evenly, "As I said, I knew some of it. Not all."

Strahd looked over Aric, Linda, and Jeeves, measuring their reaction. He expected anger, fear, accusation... He pinched the bridge of his nose. This was too much of a headache.

"I'm...” Strahd paused, and rethought his phrasing, “I extend my apologies to you for the deception for my true identity...” he let go of his face and looked to them, tiredly, “Please, understand that it is a danger for both me and Ruki if the general populace knew that Vasili von Holtz is not the man they think he is. The fear of my name is so... deep set in the culture. I don't know if I will ever recover."

Linda looked over to Strahd. She had been upset at his deception before, but she understood the reasons why. She couldn’t hold on to her anger, and sighed, "Even though I don't like it, I understand why you did it."

Aric clasped his hands respectfully, "Thank you for telling us all of this, I understand that it can be hard to trust those around you, especially when they are effectively strangers...” he looked over to Linda, then back to Strahd, “I guess it is only fair to say if there is anything more you want to know about us, now is the time to ask.”

“How about their boring life stories?” Ruki barely muttered.

Strahd smiled slyly and steepled his fingers.

Aric’s heart lurched, Oh dear, I didn’t actually think he was going to take me up on that.

"I want to know more about this business with rings...” Strahd tilted his head, “I sensed objects of great power entering my realm, and a mage... You bear one of those items... I want to know more about them, and this... mage."

Jeeves and Aric exchanged glances. Aric shrugged. There was no point in hiding what they were after.

Ruki turned to Aric, “And I want to know more about your servant.”

Jeeves turned to Ruki, “What about me? I'm simply a butler. Well, a mameluk technically," he pointed to Aric, "And this is my Pasha."

Ruki wasn’t buying it, “You seem to have a myriad of knowledge on many topics for a mere butler. Particularly, poisons.”

Jeeves shrugged innocently, "Well, keeping my master safe from assassins happens to be a hobby of mine...” He held out his hand, "Most of the time my job is repairing clothes that he damages either by fighting or with one of his... bouts. You see, he can have a volatile temper, and can flare up at times."

Aric flared up, “I do not have a 'volatile temper,' I just feel my aggression very strongly!"

"Of course, my lord. I apologize for my mistake," Jeeves batted off a little steam that was flaring from Aric’s shoulders.

Aric muttered about being a fire genasi to himself before turning back to Strahd, who was staring at him, waiting.

"Anyway, I am effectively the crown prince of my people,” he made a dismissive gesture, “I won't bore you with the exact details of how our social and political systems work, but I believe my cousin is working with people who wish to overthrow my father's reign. While this would be difficult to do normally there are many magical items that can help, like the Qysari rings.”

Strahd blinked and tilted his head, "So these rings are part of a set?"

Aric nodded, "Yes, there are twelve in total, at least the legends say... They were crafted by various rulers of my land for the purpose of maintaining- or overthrowing- someone’s rule. It has been a long time since all twelve were possessed by a single person,” Aric looked to Strahd, “and I want that person to be me."

Strahd looked into Aric’s eyes, and laughed, but not mockingly. "Admirable,” he purred, “I like your ambition. Now, tell me about this mage."

 "You must mean my cousin, Mehmet...” Aric paused and thought, “Honestly I don't know as much as I would like. Until now, I never saw him as a threat. He's a bit of an outcast of the family, but he never seemed to have the stomach for anything dark or sinister. That’s what kept him from being afforded any power, he would have been killed almost immediately for it...” 

Aric folded his arms, “At least that is what I thought. I believe he has joined up with a rival family and that's how he ended up with the rings. That is the only explanation I can come up with, he certainly didn't track all of them down himself."

Strahd pondered the information, "Thank you. In any case, I regard any mage that enters my realm as a possible threat. So I will aid you with your quest. If these are items of power, I would prefer a non magic user have them. I have no interest in them myself...."

Strahd looked over to Linda, then glanced at her weapons on the floor. He approached them and knelt next to her belt and pack. He lifted up her speedloaders, "These seem a little too specialized for a dabbler to be carrying about... silver ammunition?"

He turned to her pack and opened it. He raised a brow at the contents and tisked, "A stake, holy water... my, my..."

Linda crossed her arms across her chest, "It's a standard kit."

Strahd raised his brow at her, "For monster hunters?"

She sighed. So much for keeping that a secret from the vampire, "Yes,” she admitted. She uncrossed her arms, "I'm more of a bounty hunter, but I specialize in beasts and monsters."

Linda leaned back against the wall, "Go ahead, look through everything if you want. The stuff in there isn't meant for you."

Strahd hesitated, then smirked at her, "I'm now curious in what a kit designed to put me down would look like..."

Strahd looked through a little more of the kit. Linda called out to him, "You should be careful though, there is silver in there."

Strahd waved off her concern and stood up, walking away from her weapons, "I can touch silver. I just can't allow it to pierce my flesh.” He frowned, “But perhaps that is too much information for you... Or others..."

Strahd looked over them. He folded his cloak around him, "All I ask is to keep my true name a secret. If there is any of the same you want to ask of me, then say what secrets we are keeping. Or keep them for yourselves. I care not."

Linda walked over to her weapons and started to put her belt back on, stating, "We all have our secrets. I'm not going to pry for any more."

She secured everything to her person and walked back to her place near the bookshelf.

Strahd nodded, appreciative of Linda’s sentiment. He paused, "If there is anything pertinent, I will share.” He chuckled, “But we simply don't have the time for us to go over four hundred years worth of my secrets. You know the most pertinent of them. Anything else...” He grew serious, “ I'm not deliberately keeping from you. It's just... not important right now. Is that clear?"

Linda nodded and crossed her arms, "One last thing, though,” she looked to Strahd, “Will you still help us with our missions here? In exchange for helping you?"

"I gave you my word, didn't I?” Strahd spoke quietly, “The name I gave it under doesn't matter. It is still my word."

Linda felt a wave of relief, "Alright. Thank you."

Strahd smiled slightly at Linda, then stood straight, “I think we should return... Mina should be nearly done cooking, by the smell of it... and the rest of my guests may be worried that they’ve not heard nor seen their host in some time...”

He gestured toward the door, “Shall we?”

They nodded in agreement and fell out of the study, the savory aroma of a hardy meal greeted them. They walked into the living room and saw that the other Barovians were none the wiser to the confrontation that just happened behind them. The woman Aric saw working the kitchen had just finished setting the small table.

The woman sighed and brushed off her apron, brushing a stray streak of blonde hair from her face, “Alright, Lord Vasili. Everything is done...” She glanced over to Ruki, “Oh, Lady Ruki... I didn’t know you were coming either.”

"Actually,” Ruki replied, “I have business to attend to at the castle. I was only here to make sure things were in order."

Ruki bowed, and left the room, relieved that things were finally righting themselves.

The woman blinked at Ruki’s odd manner, “Ah, ok... bye, then.”

Strahd resumed his Vasili mannerisms, "It is alright,” he told the woman. He looked to the party, “Everyone, this is Mina. Wilhemina Harper. She is my maid, and a part time bounty hunter."

Mina frowned petulantly, "A part-time maid, and a full-time bounty hunter!"

Vasili smiled. 

Linda blinked, curious. It was clear from their manner that they knew each other well... But the remark about being a bounty hunter as well...?

“Makes two of us,“ Linda said.

Vasili turned to Linda with playful shock, "Oh? You do maid work as well?"

Linda pursed her lips, trying not to show that she found his remark funny. "I do apprentice a teenager..." she finally chuckled.

Ismark rose from his chair, "Pleasure to meet you!"

Ireena nodded, "Good to meet you, Mina."

Victor waved awkwardly.

Aric nodded, “It's a pleasure, Mina, thank you for the meal.”

"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it, even if it was... short notice... " Mina shot a small glare at Vasili.

"Again, I do apologize. It was on a whim. I appreciate the help, and will compensate you for your trouble..." Vasili seemed embarrassed.

Mina put her hands on her hips, "Good."

Vasili pulled out a seat at the table, "Let us sit together. The day has been long and... harrowing."

Everyone gathered around the table. Vasili invited Mina to sit with them. She obliged. Linda sat across from Vasili, and Aric boldly sat next to the disguised vampire.

Mina listed her dishes, "So I have some traditional dumplings with a beef roast, a tomato and basil soup, and rutabagas and turnip greens. We have some Vistani wine, water, and tuika for you. Everyone can help themselves."

Everyone gathered began to help themselves to the food, save for Strahd, who opted to drink from a flask...

It’s blood. Linda berated herself, It’s so obvious now... why didn’t I catch it?

"Not hungry, my lord?" Mina looked over to Vasili, questioningly.

"Not particularly," he replied, "I was attacked twice today. That puts a slight damper on my appetite."

Mina snorted, "Ah, pity. That makes me hungrier. I was about to ask if you ruined your appetite by smoking."

Ireena nodded and spoke with mild disapproval, "Oh, Lord Vasili was smoking. Outside of the church."

Mina pouted at Vasili.

Jeeves uncorked a small flask, and poured a purple fluid into his food, "No one eat after me."

Aric looked over knowingly. Jeeves regularly worked on his poison immunity. 

"Why?" Linda asked.

"I think you'd find my seasoning disagreeable."

Linda realized he was poisoning his own food, and left well enough alone. She turned to Strahd, "So... Vasili, why did you bring us to dinner?"

"I wanted to treat my guests...” Vasili replied, “And have some place for you to stay, where you wouldn't have to pay for lodging. And also to discuss in a more private setting what our next course of action would be. Along with... getting to know everyone a little bit better... outside of a life or death situation."

Keep us from an Inn? Probably to assess if our knowledge of him would be a threat... He knew we would find out... Linda found herself impressed by his ability to think so far ahead, "I think we may have touched on the last on that list a little already."

"So... what happens now?” Ireena questioned, “I've gotten rid of the taint of vampirism in my blood... what are all of you going to do next?"

"I still need to find Timothy,” replied Linda, “and I thought we were going to help out Urwin."

Jeeves curtly nodded, "Seeing the state of the Wizard of the Wines is in our best interests."

Vasili set aside his flask, "I have agreed to not further any of Lord Strahd's other interests at the moment... a 'vacation', was it? I have decided to aid these strangers with their own ends. So, we will be on the way to Krezk."

Victor looked to Vasili, "Krezk? I think I heard that there is some strange magical happenings over there. I think I would like to investigate... and... just get a little further away from Vallaki..."

Ireena looked to everyone and thought to herself for a moment. 

"I think... I will have to decline...” She sighed, “I feel like I am a bit of a handicap to everyone here... I've been kidnapped and nearly died twice. I think Ismark and I should return to Barovia Village, check in on Papa, and get back to our responsibilities."

Ismark seemed relieved, "While I would love to see more of Barovia, Ireena is right. I can't leave her alone while there are dark things after her."

"Ah, is this another reason why you called me to help? Is there someone that needs to be tracked down?" Mina looked to Vasili.

Vasili nodded, "Yes, there is a kidnapped teenager we are looking for. Timothy, I believe the boy is called. There are other cases of missing children I have been looking into. Your help would be much appreciated. But it is up to you."

"I'll help,” she raised a brow, “But I will be charging the usual."

Vasili nodded, "Of course..."

Ireena folded her hands, "Alright. So I suppose we will head back in the morning..."

Linda looked to Mina, overwhelmed by curiosity. "Mina, how did you come to know Vasili?" she asked.

Mina seemed surprised that Linda took interest, "Oh. Well I've known him basically all my life. He rescued me when my village was slaughtered by bandits. I was only nine at the time... But bandits had taken over my village and beheaded our burgomaster... then when they got bored, they burned our village to the ground. I... was the only survivor. My mother threw me into the well when they started slaughtering everyone..."

She shook her head, "I don't remember how long I waited. But Lord Vasili came to our village, and rescued me from the well. I don't remember much of it, because I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was raining, and the fire was gone. I told him what happened, and he put me in his carriage, and sent me to Vallaki. He told me to tell the people at the Inn that Lord Vasili demanded I be taken care of. So I stayed there. I told everyone what happened, and they were worried that he was going to be killed by bandits."

She nodded, "But he came back. Helped me get adopted. By the old owners of the inn. The Von Dran Family. I lived with them, and knew them to be my family too. I learned how to track and hunt from them. But one day, Papa Dran... didn't come back from the hunt. I went out and saw that he had been murdered by bandits when he was out hunting. I took up arms to find his killers, and ran into Lord Holtz again."

Vasili folded his hands over his lap, "I was also tracking down the same group of bandits. When we ran into each other, I welcomed the assistance."

Mina scoffed, "You told me to not get in your way."

Vasili corrected her, "I told you that if you were to join me, you couldn't hesitate at the critical moment."

Mina was defiant, "I didn't hesitate, did I?"

"No, you didn't.” Vasili smirked, “I was impressed. Which is why I offered you employment."

Mina was indignant, "As a maid!"

Vasili chuckled, "As a bounty hunter, and a maid. Did you refuse?"

Mina grumbled, "I needed a job."

Jeeves mused, "A maid and a bounty hunter? Those are two wildly different occupations."

"Not really. Both clean up other people's messes..." Linda looked to Vasili.

Vasili laughed, "Finally, I've waited years for someone to get the joke."

No one else at the table seemed to get that humor.

Linda was the exception, she found herself laughing with him, "You have to admit, that is one good joke."

Aric mused and looked at Jeeves, “I never looked at it that way but I guess it is true.”

Jeeves thought about it, "Oh no, that is my entire job..." he held his hands to his head, "I'm a maid...A maid who also kills people who try to harm my master and break laws. And who eats poison."

Victor pat Jeeves on the back in sympathy, "And I'm a wizard that was living in an attic for years. Reanimating cat skeletons."

Ireena tried to be encouraging, "If you think about it, Lord Vasili is also like a maid. He's cleaning up after Lord Strahd's failings."

Linda burst out laughing... Oh, it was so funny to see the look on Strahd’s face as he tried to be civil and disguise his hurt at the same time... the irony...

"I'm... trying my best..." Vasili choked out.

Ismark shrugged, sipping tuika,  "I mean, there isn't much you can do."

Vasili frowned at Ismark, "I don't think it's... hopeless.Where is your sense of pride and optimism?"

“At the bottom of this cup," Ismark took a swig of the plum brandy.

Victor adjusted his glasses, "Well, I don't think I have any pride or optimism, so that makes it easy."

Linda didn’t buy it, "What about your cat, Mr. Whiskers? Aren't you proud that you reanimated him?"

Victor looked to her, "I was more relieved, actually. I didn't want to go through trying to raise another cat and go through the same pain all over again. So reanimating Mr. Whiskers was a relief."

Victor pet the cat. Mr. Whiskers purred with an unearthly echo.

Mina raised a brow,  "I thought it was illegal for people to reanimate the dead..."

Vasili made a dismissive gesture, "I'll let it pass. The boy is hardly a threat, and the reanimated cat is not exactly worthy of an undead horde."

Victor held Mr. Whiskers close, "Oh no, not part of an undead horde at all. He's just here to help with my nerves is all."

Linda nodded, "Everyone has something that keeps them calm. And for some, that thing is dangerous. For others, it's an undead cat."

Jeeves looked to Linda, "For me, it is my short sword. I don't like being without it."

Aric put his arm around Jeeves’ shoulder, “For me its Jeeves,” he declared, “Nobody wants to get in the way of someone who eats poison.”

Jeeves grinned smugly.

Linda smirked, “See? Dangerous.”

Ireena pondered and took out a handkerchief with embroidery on the edges, "For me, it is this handkerchief. It was mom's, and even though I never met her, It still makes me think of her."

Ismark set down his drink, "I have a lucky coin. It's a counterfeit gold piece, that is actually a gold plated copper, and has two tail ends, instead of a head and tail. I keep it with me. Can't spend it, but it feels lucky."

Mina held out a bracelet with charms, "I have a charm bracelet. Each charm is from a family member. My first Morninlord symbol from my birth mother, a chest key from Mama Dran, an arrowhead from Papa Dran, and a nail from Georg Dran, my little brother."

Linda paused and pulled out a small puzzle box, "This is the hardest to solve puzzle box I have ever made. No one else has ever solved it. It holds my mother's wedding ring."

Everyone looked to Vasili expectantly. Vasili returned their stares with suspicion: "Well? Why are you looking at me?"

Linda looked to him, "You don't carry around anything that means something to you?"

Vasili looked to her and hesitated. He finally relented and reached into his component pouch and took out a small bone.

"A white raven's wishbone,” he explained, “It is supposed to be lucky, and grant a wish when broken. It's said the longer you keep it without breaking it, the more likely the wish will be granted.”

He paused, “It was a gift from my brother when I was... out fighting. I've had it for a very long time. And keep it in my pouch of spell components."

Vasili put away the small wishbone with care.

Linda noticed the gesture... Once more he wasn’t lying... 

Linda nodded,  "See even Vasili has something."

Ireena mused, "How interesting. I've never seen a white raven."

"Neither have I," Vasili admitted.

They enjoyed the rest of their meal and rested. Once everyone was comfortably full, Vasili rose from his chair, "Thank you, Mina, everything was wonderful. Now, my guests, let me show you the rest of the house and you can choose where you stay. I have a few guest rooms, if you would follow me..."

The party obliged him, and followed him to the guest room by the front door.

"All these guest rooms can accommodate two people per bed, but if you would like, I can provide bedrolls. There is a water table, bathtub, and vanity, and drawers for your use here... "

Vasili walked to the kitchen, "Over here is the kitchen and over here is the pantry, if you are still hungry, feel free to help yourselves."

Vasili led them upstairs, "Here is the sitting room, if we need to convene in a more comfortable space. This way..." 

He unlocked a hallway with a piano and music cabinet. Linda looked wistfully to the piano.

"This is my piano room,” Vasili was brief, “Nothing much else to say. The other two bedrooms are this way."

He opened the doorway to a long hall, "At the end there is the water closet, should you need to use it. Here are the other two bedrooms."

He walked to back to the last room, which was much more spacious and had a fireplace, "This is the master bedroom. I don't care if any of you use it, my preferred place of rest is the study."

Vasili steepled his fingers and turned to face them, "So which rooms do you lay claim to?"

 "Dibs on master," Linda was aching for a large bed to herself, and the fireplace would be convenient for her tinkering.

Jeeves looked to his master, "Well, my lord?"

Aric pointed to the room behind him, across from the master bedroom, “I was thinking this one.”

Jeeves nodded, "It will do."

Jeeves and Aric watched as Strahd walked into the piano room, Linda curiously lingering on the corner of the hall. 

Aric closed the door to the room, and Jeeves began to scout it. Bed, dresser, mirror... window... bat? 

Aric looked up at the corner above the bed, and saw a very tiny bat resting in the corner. It was hardly noticeable... but it was certainly there, watching him-

No, it was cleaning its own face.

"So... a bat..." Jeeves looked up to it and crossed his arms.

Aric knew of vampires’ affinity for bats. Not wanting to take chances, he switched to Alzhedo, "You ever get the feeling you’re being watched?"

Jeeves nodded and responded in turn, “You think this is insurance of some kind?” He tilted his head toward the bat.

Aric was cautious, "Maybe. Best to just be aware of it for now. As far as anyone knows, we speak this language when we are alone."

Jeeves nodded and crawled on the bed, "Of course,” he took off his boots, “So, impressions on this vampire fellow?" 

"As much as he told us, we still don't really know him,” Aric crawled on the bed and stood, “But he does seem to want things to change. If nothing else he is our best lead to getting the rings and returning home. At best, I can say I don't distrust him..."

Aric reached out and coaxed the tiny bat into his hand. It nestled its head in his hand. Aric mused, sitting down and petting the bat with the barest touch, "You seem friendly..."

Jeeves looked to the bat and back to Aric, "He hasn't made any overt or threatening gestures. I suppose we should compile what we know, or think we know about Vampires. Worst case scenario, we use those weaknesses against him. Or best case, we tailor our knowledge so that his weaknesses don't hinder us either...” Jeeves paused, “There is also that charm we need to get from Luvash in regards to your... condition."

Aric paused in his petting of the bat, "Yes, my... condition,” he looked to Jeeves, “Luvash said it would be ready tomorrow correct?”

Jeeves nodded. Aric refocused on the previous conversation, “As for Strahd... we know that holy symbol hurt him, but he can apparently set foot in a church... those things seem to contradict each other."

Jeeves agreed, "Completely contradictory. Also... walking in daytime... How do you think that is possible?"

Aric was grim, "He may be more powerful than we realize..."

Aric thought back to everything they had observed Vasili doing... the smoking... He realized then that it was a cleverly designed spell. Vasili only smoked before stepping on holy ground, and when confronted with the holy bones of St. Andral... each time it was dismissed as being his “nerves...”

Aric did give him credit... It would have been impossible for them to discover that it was a spell without knowing that Vasili was actually Strahd in disguise... However, the issue of walking in broad daylight was even more troubling, and he had no idea how any vampire could do that... Aric came to a realization...

Whatever Strahd was, he was far more powerful than any ordinary vampire.

Jeeves brought him out of his thoughts, "Aren't vampires already powerful? How much more power are we talking?”

"A vampire that can walk in daylight must be extremely powerful,” he admitted, “We also don't know how old he really is. I don't know much else about vampires... or werewolves for that matter, I need more information before coming to any conclusions."

Jeeves nodded and thought back to the conversation with Strahd, "Perhaps we can speak with that Linda person. She is knowledgeable about monsters. Her insight may be helpful. We should use any resource we have."

"True,” Aric nodded, “We will ask her after Strahd returns to his study and we are alone."

"An excellent suggestion, Lord Aric..." Jeeves paused, looking at the bat in Aric’s hand, "Can I have a turn petting the bat?"

Aric handed the bat over to Jeeves. Jeeves pet the tiny creature, asking, "Do you think the dog down there is really a dog? It looked like a wolf... but everyone was insistent it was a dog... Vampires have affinity for wolves, right? Wolves, bats, rats, bugs... Eh, I suppose as long as there is no rats or roaches in this place I will be fine..."

--------------------------

Strahd let the guise of Vasili fall, no longer putting on the act, the masquerade of humanity. With Ireena and Ismark on the first floor, Victor resting in the living room, Aric and Jeeves in their room, and Linda in the master...

Why not indulge?

He removed the gloves from his hands and folded them into his pocket, before sitting down at the piano bench. He lifted the protective wood slat off of the keys, revealing the ebony and ivory underneath. His hands reached out to their positions...

He had no song in mind. He had no wish to perform either. Just to take a moment and create something... Just notes, a simple melody... a few harmonies...

Linda peered around the corner, watching Strahd play. She felt herself drawn to the simple chords, the somber melody... Melancholy, with a slight twinge of hope...

She felt herself twitch her fingers, greedily wanting to play as well...

Strahd finished his song, holding down the pedal and letting the final notes ring out...

Linda breathed in and walked into the piano room. Strahd paused, and turned to look at the intrusion.

Linda paused in her approach, then gently gestured to the piano, “May I?” she spoke quietly.

Strahd looked to her. He moved over on the bench to make room for her, "Of course, be my guest.” He paused and moved his cloak out of the way, “You did say that you enjoyed piano... didn't you?"

She nodded and slid into the seat next to him. She stretched her hands, and wiggled her fingers... She relaxed her hands over the keys, and rested her fingers...

Notes fell from her fingers, as she began to test her memory of how to play. It had been years since she played. Slowly, gently... like a lullaby.

Strahd listened carefully, leaning forward to watch her play. She was lost in it... as if she were letting the music guide her.

She overreached, brushing against his arm. Strahd was startled by the unexpected touch. Linda awoke from her trance and retreated her hand, flushing in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, I got carried away,“ she blurted.

 "It's alright. I was enjoying the music,” Strahd reassured. “I'll give you more room..." He retreated his hands into his lap.

Linda nodded, and put her hands back on the keys... She would play a song from her childhood... something she could remember.

Strahd watched her play. It wasn’t the same euphoric trance that she had earlier... her notes seemed to be missing something...

Not one to leave something incomplete, Strahd marked the pattern she played in and the key... then played chords to compliment her...

“You know the song already?” Linda questioned, still playing, “That's part of the other player's part."

"I was just playing what sounded appropriate...” Strahd paused, “I used to be a virtuoso on this instrument. Do you know the part I should be playing?"

"I do. Here.." Linda paused to teach him the pattern of the notes.

Strahd echoed her notes and dutifully played the part. Linda returned to playing the melody, smiling, "Now the piece is whole..."

Strahd and Linda played the piece to completion, letting the final notes linger in the air, both reluctant to end the small joy of playing music. 

Strahd nodded to himself in satisfaction, and looked to the woman sitting at his side, "Thank you. That was enjoyable...” 

A new feeling gripped him as he looked at Linda’s features. The strange look in her eyes as she held his gaze just a little too long...

He stood, “Now, I ought to let you rest. I will retire to my study. I have to make sure affairs are in order before we leave tomorrow," he bowed his head respectfully.

Linda smiled at him with closed lips and nodded her head. She stood, “I enjoyed playing as well...”

They stared at each other just a moment longer, before Strahd turned and walked slowly down the stairs... Linda watched him leave, before turning herself, and walking back toward the master...

But Jeeves looked out of his room at Linda, expectantly.

Linda raised a brow. Jeeves silently gestured for her to come to the room. She sighed and walked over to him, “Yes?”

Aric poked his head out from around the corner, speaking in the Cant,  "If I remember correctly, you know Thieves Cant?"

She spoke dryly in the same, "You remember correctly."

Aric looked to Jeeves holding the bat, and back to Linda. Linda looked at the bat in confusion, before shaking her head and walking fully into the room.

"Forgive us, but we are in need of your expertise,” Aric explained, “We don't know as much about vampires and werewolves as we would like, and were hoping you might help us. Also, forgive the caution, we found this guy-” he pointed to the bat, “-and, well, in our line of work, being distrustful keeps us alive a little longer..."

Jeeves pet the bat, “He’s cute, though.”

Linda nodded, "I completely understand. What did you want to know? I have a great deal of knowledge on those creatures in particular."

Aric paused, "I guess to start with, could this guy be used to spy on us?” he pointed to the bat.

Linda nodded, "Yes, he can be used to spy on us, but it has to be consciously done. Much like a wizard's familiar.”

Aric took note, “Secondly, I figured that the 'smoking' habit is some spell that allows Strahd to walk into churches and such.. but how does he walk in daylight?"

Linda paused. Aric had a point, and it was a concerning one to her, “I'm not quite sure of the walking in daylight,” she admitted, “Vampires shouldn't be able to, though it has been shown that as vampires age they lose their aversions... though no record has been made of any that could withstand sunlight- and there are vampires that are thousands of years old.”

Linda wrinkled her face, "So either he is older than that... or has come up with another spell for it, like being able to set foot on holy ground.”  She paused, “And history books say that Strahd is four hundred and twenty-eight... And is having a birthday soon, so almost four hundred and twenty-nine, which is still... not that old in terms of known vampires."

Jeeves folded his arms,"So... incredibly powerful."

"Apparently so," Aric replied.

"Unusually so," agreed Linda.

Aric paused, thinking again about his own situation, "As for werewolves,” he looked to Linda, “You may remember that I was bitten by one during our first fight. I really don't know much. Apparently, the curse doesn't fully set in until the first full moon. The medicine man, Luvash, is making a charm for me, but I feel just some general knowledge would help in this world."

Jeeves nodded, "Just want to know what to expect."

Linda looked between the two young men. She didn’t blame them for being so concerned. She held out her hand, explaining, "I know that werewolves can either shapeshift into a hybrid form on the full moon... or at will. And that they can retain their personality and awareness while transformed. That they are in full control of their actions, but are driven to hunt. Werewolves can be created by curses, from an untreated bite from a lycanthrope, or hereditarily. They have a normal human lifespan. Werewolves are weak to silver and magic... and they tend to stay in packs.Werewolves tend to avoid vampires on principal. It is possible to remove lycanthropy through a special herbal blend.That is most of what I know."

Aric listened intently. Any bit would be useful... "Thank you for all the information, you have been very helpful.”

Aric paused, “One last question though; do you trust Strahd?"

The question hit Linda like a brick. She thought about the moment she just shared with the vampire and sighed. She spoke truthfully, "I have no problem with him yet. I can't say that I trust him, but I can say that I am trying to understand him...”

She shook her head, “He drives me crazy with how shady and sketchy he is, but... I know I'm one to talk. So I kinda understand why.” She folded her arms, “I just take it in stride, if he isn't trustworthy, or betrays us...” she paused, “I'll kill him."

Regardless of her feelings... she knew how manipulative and cunning vampires were. Strahd was no exception. There is a reason no vampires get mercy calls in the field, she reminded herself...Though, part of her pained at the thought of it.

Aric nodded, “Seems we three are all in agreement then. Thank you for your time, Linda."

Linda nodded, "It's not any trouble. You boys get some rest."

She pat Aric and Jeeves on their heads and walked over to her room, letting them have privacy.

She walked over to the master, and immediately searched for Strahd’s little spy, finding a small bat in the corner of the room. She walked over and reached up, letting the bat flutter onto her hand.

She smiled and cooed as she pet it in her hand, "You're a good little sky puppy."

The bat squeaked and paused, its eyes glazed over for a brief moment... but then it continued to flutter its ears and lick its face.

Linda was well-versed in vampire capabilities. She sighed,  "Ah, not so good sky puppy now. Hello, Strahd.”

Linda pet the bat in her hand anyway. The bat seemed to be surprised. Strahd’s voice came through to her head:

“You are... very attentive. I am surprised.“

Linda spoke dryly, "Well, you see. I love bats, and it seemed weird when it paused and it's little eyes glazed over. So, I knew."

Strahd’s voice replied, "Ah... apologies. I was just... skirting through each of my minions to check on things. I'll make myself scarce..."

Linda shook her head, "Well you have my attention now, and I am alone. Did you want to talk with just me?"

The bat perked its ears up.

Linda sighed, "I am sorry that we confronted you like we did,” she looked to the bat, “But it had to be done. I just didn't want it to be so... open. It's not my place to reveal your secret."

She had no idea why she was telling him that... Perhaps she just wanted him to trust her more... But the truth was that she couldn’t hold on to her anger at him. Even though everyone, and especially she had good reason to...

The bat blinked, "I... appreciated it not being open, but I am... admittedly uneasy at everyone's... lack of a reaction to my confessions.” He explained, “I have... nothing to go off of, as far as expectation. To have everyone act as if nothing happened... and then be friendly towards me, when others have tried to destroy me or plant a stake in my heart...” He paused, “Admittedly, this... calm... Is more alarming to me than outright anger or shouting, which is what I expected."

"Sorry to burst your bubble,” Linda chuckled, “We aren't exactly like most people...” 

She opened up to him, “I’d like to explain myself a bit more. I'm not just a monster hunter. I'm closer to a bounty hunter like Mina. I just got really good at tracking down vampires and werewolves, so that is what I was hired to do. And I don't do it to just to hunt and kill. I don’t kill the misunderstood. Those I protect and help. So... I'm helping you.”

She hid the fact that she was the leader of a monster hunting order from him. He didn’t need to know... She looked at the bat examining her curiously.

She blushed, “What, I'm trying to say is. You haven't done anything to make me sway one way or the other... Sure, you are said to be this devil, this monster, but all I've seen is just a man.”

She pet the bat more, “One that frustrates me because you go from making threats, and being suspicious of me, to playing the piano with me. So.. I am just going to continue to observe you and try to find Timothy. And maybe find out how I can help you while I'm here."

The bat’s ears twitched, "I suppose that is fair. Do you... have any questions of me that you weren't able to ask, or were uncomfortable asking in the presence of the young lord and his... manservant?"

Linda nodded, seriously, "How do you go onto holy ground, and go out in sunlight? Also,” she pursed her lips, “is it really coming up on your birthday?"

Strahd paused, weighing whether or not to trust her...

"I made a spell very early into my vampirism that would allow me to bypass the holy auras for a short period of time.” He revealed, “Over time, I have gotten really adept at disguising magic work as simple gestures or habits. Because that spell requires a certain bastard incense burned... I turned it into a smoking habit. As for being able to walk in sunlight...”

The bat locked eyes with her, “I made an artifact that absorbed my damage from sunlight. It is stored in Castle Ravenloft... but it is more of a relic now. I no longer need it to walk in the sun... so now its use is just to absorb some damage that I take from battle.”

Strahd seemed to sigh, “And yes, my birthday is on the seventeenth, four days from now. I do not usually celebrate it, but rather mark it, as it is a day where I grow more powerful, or lose a weakness."

Linda blinked, stunned, "I didn't expect a straight answer, though I appreciate it,” she regarded him curiously, “So are you really just turning four hundred and twenty-nine? How can you do things that vampires way older than you can't do?"

The bat tilted its head, "It may have something to do with the fact that... I am...” his voice paused, hesitating, “...The First Vampire..."

Linda furrowed her brows. It didn’t make sense, "You are the first. But not the oldest... how?"

"Nine Hells if I know...” He listed his facts, “I know that I made the term, I created others like me... accidentally...” He added, “But I know that time is... off here. I have had visitors from the same world claim that it was different dates, centuries apart when they arrived. I can only assume Barovia's time is independent from your world or others... and that the Mists do as they please to bring in visitors."

Linda made a face of deep thought, "So you actually have no idea how old you are outside of Barovia's timeline.... you could be centuries older if you lived in my world.” She blinked, “Speaking of... what world are we in?"

"I forget the name of the world Barovia was once a part of. Only that it now rests in the Shadowfell because of my dark pact with Death."

Linda was shocked, "The Shadowfell.... we should not exist right now."

Very few who ever ventured into the Shadowfell ever returned... or came back utterly insane from the experience.

"And yet, here we are...” Strahd replied, “There are others like Barovia. All of them ruled by a creature of darkness."

Linda thought back to the journals, "What about this Death? Do the other rulers also have pacts or is that not something you could know?"

The bat blinked and paused, "As far as I am aware, I am the only one who has made a pact with Death... or the Dark Powers that rule the Shadowfell. Others were simply brought here. Not only was I the First Vampire, but Barovia was the first... Dread Realm of the Shadowfell. There was a point where entire nations merged themselves to Barovia's border, but I went through great pains to separate them."

"So are these Dark Powers what keep you from leaving? They control everything?"

The bat folded its ears back, nodding,  "They are the wardens to my prison. I have some influence over the Mists, yes, but the Dark Powers ultimately decide what crosses my borders. Only the Vistani can freely travel. Their people weave an old magic I have yet to understand."

Linda raised a brow, "Have you thought about killing the Dark Powers?"

The bat’s eyes widened, "Does one normally entertain thoughts of killing godlike beings?!"

Linda nodded, "It's happened before. Some of the gods in Faerun have been killed."

The bat seemed stunned, "Then... it is a possibility? That sounds like good news, but also blasphemy. In which case, as a blasphemous creature, I am open to...” he mused, “But I don't know how one would go about challenging a god, much less actually destroying one."

Linda offered, "I can do some research into how the gods were killed where I'm from."

"In any case, it is an interesting idea, and one I haven't tried yet...” His voice seemed skeptical and uncertain, “It is something to think about.” He had the bat look up to Linda, “I think I will let this poor creature go, and let you rest."

Linda watched as the bat’s eyes glazed over again, and Strahd’s presence left the creature. She put it back in the top corner of the room and slunk into the bed, dimming the candlelight to rest.

[journeysintowebcomics]

Homestuck Liveblog #184

UPDATE 184: Individuality According to Dirk Strider

Last time Dirk took over not only Rose, but also the entire narrative of this epilogue. What will be the consequences of such a thing? Well, he can control the story to some extent, for one. One of his actions was to make Jade fall unconscious, from what I understood, so let’s now continue.

The next page has Jade, but it’s a different one. It’s the Jade that was in the fight with Lord English, the one who is now drifting in the middle of nowhere, near the black hole. I suppose she survived the shard of reality impaling her on the back. Either that or she’s on the verge of death, like John is. I’ll take solace on that the odds the reality shard is poisoned are pretty low.

For a moment, she has the feeling that she’s recalling something. Images and sounds in her head that resemble memories. But the memories aren’t hers, exactly. They seem to be someone else’s. There’s an older version of Roxy... someone with a cheerful green skull for a head, who was... Roxy’s girlfriend? Something about an election. No, this doesn’t make any sense at all. The memories are slipping away, anyway. Quickly, they dissolve, and soon they’re completely out of her mind’s reach, like she’s waking from a dream. Just like that, they’re gone.

That sounds like it could be what Dirk and Rose were experiencing, visions of alternate selves. I wonder, though, perhaps Dirk’s the one sending said vision onto Jade? Heck, maybe he’s been doing this for much longer than I thought, and he’s the one who has been tormenting Rose, all so she would go talk to him and he’d have the chance to take over her. It’s plausible, I’d say.

Since she’s floating around half-dead, she has some time to think, and among the thoughts that may or may not be all hers, there’s something that gets my attention.

And she just fought Lord English after being plucked out of a doomed timeline.

For a while I had forgotten that those from doomed timelines are, well, doomed. John took with him a bunch of doomed people to fight Lord English. No wonder they died, really. Not that recruiting everyone from Earth C would have been more palatable, because he’d be placing at risk the versions of his friends who live in a peaceful Earth. There just wasn’t a perfect choice here.

For a moment I thought maybe Dirk had manipulated Rose and gave John instructions to make things go the way he wanted – including John most likely dying, given how Dirk thinks of him as useless and unremarkable – but then I remembered it was stated Dirk took over Rose during their conversation.

Something’s calling for Jade, right from the center of the black hole. It’s beckoning her, so she gets flying towards the black hole. Is that a good thing?

Oh! A red word in middle of everything! Dave red. I’m surprised! I didn’t think Dave would have the ability to mess with the narration too, but it makes sense. Striders, go!

She considers asking who is speaking, but her mouth stays shut, powerless against the forces transfixing her. Jade has no way of knowing who this voice belongs to. She has no context for understanding the true nature of this being, what role she has played in bringing about the end, and how long she has been waiting for this. She has no idea. But I do.

The dead cherub is making her move.

Hm. I’m a liiiittle bit concerned. The text is red, indicating it’s Caliborn. However, it’s not on ALL CAPS, like I remember Caliborn writes. Calliope is the only other option, and she’d write with green if she used color. Odd, hm...I guess I’ll know for sure which cherub this is when a word with U is shown.

You know a page’s not going to be fun when the very first lines are about someone being xenophobic – supposedly. It’s not like it was shown what it was. Sigh.

Apparently what caused potentially xenophobic comments was the mother grub being generally unpleasant to see. Cultural shock, I’ll say, it really was insensitive. I sure wouldn’t think a mother grub doing her thing is a nice sight, but you just don’t say that kind of thing aloud! Inner monologues are such a blessing. But hey, it’s the rebirth of trolls, this pretty much marks the success of everything Karkaroni and the rest of the trolls worked for. Only three of the original twelve are seeing the final result, but it’s worth it anyway.

So, why the description of the mother grub laying slurry from its ovipositional sphincter stuff is somehow less disgusting than the description of John eating meat? It’s kind of incongruent.

Ah, right, Kanaya is here, watching over the mother grub, and questions why they’re here, if it wasn’t to make quips about the mother grub’s performance. They’re here to convince Kanaya to join them into their political adventure, I figure. I’m not sure how Kanaya will react to that, but I don’t think she’ll eagerly support it. If she does it’ll be because of Karkaroni, though.

DAVE: im dropping a beat

DAVE: like im using a turntable and scratching one song into another

DAVE: all smooth and shit

KARKAT: IT LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE TRYING TO FOLD LAUNDRY YOU FORGOT TO IRON.

This amused me so much because that’s such a fun description of Dave’s gesture. It all reminds me I like Karkaroni a lot, what a colorful character he is.

Of course Kanaya was already aware of the election, and is impressed Karkaroni didn’t burst into flames with everyone watching him. Hah! Karkaroni replies to this gentle jab with a harsher remark about Kanaya’s like-blooded ancestors. Kind of a low blow, but nothing Kanaya can’t deal with what after so many years of being friends with Karkaroni.

She says Karkaroni has her utmost faith but that’s not the same as wanting to endorse him. I think if necessary she would, but it definitely isn’t a promise. She admits everything Karkaroni said concerns her, and Dirk takes the time to give a compliment about how Potential President Karkat can’t take compliments directly. The warm feelings cease when Kanaya mentions Jane already passed by to talk, though.

KANAYA: You Know I Do Like Jane

KANAYA: In Some Regards She Reminds Me Of A Friend We Had Who Sadly Did Not Survive Our Time On The Meteor

KANAYA: She Was Unfailingly Kind To Everyone She Met But She Also Happened To Be The Heiress To The Throne Of A Vast And Bloody Empire

KANAYA: And While She Had A Lot Of Opinions On Reform She Had Already Wrenched Some Of Her Power From Our Last Empress In The Traditional Manner

Feferi? Yeah, she was rather sweet, for troll standards. That said, I don’t think she was ‘unfailingly kind’. I mean, one of the few memories I have of her is she calling Jade stupid in a dream because she didn’t realize Feferi was dead. Hard to say someone’s unfailingly kind when the one interaction with somebody who wasn’t a troll was that, from what I remember. To her credit, she did show concern and care towards most of the trolls, so there’s that, at least.

KANAYA: By Which I Mean That Jane Is Perfectly Pleasant And I Believe That She Has Only The Best Of Intentions

KANAYA: But I Cant Shake The Feeling That Deep Inside Her Lurks The Potential For Despotism

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, they say. The saying in its usual meaning doesn’t apply to this, buuuut even though Jane has bad intentions, the result of said good intentions may not be the best for everyone. It’s a shame that so far it’s increasingly clear Jane’s supposed to be treated like she’s 100% in the wrong and should be shunned. My opinion is that maybe it’d be more interesting if it wasn’t so...black and white. That’s how things seem to me from what I have read so far, at least.

KARKAT: BUT FUCKING FEFERI? SHE WAS HARMLESS.

KANAYA: These Things Take Time To Gestate Karkat

DAVE: damn

KANAYA: Power Corrupts In Small Steps

KANAYA: Compromises

KANAYA: Concessions

KANAYA: Appeasements

KANAYA: And Leaders Follow The Example Set For Them

KANAYA: Look At What Jane Has Modeled Herself After Already

KANAYA: I Do Believe Its Important To Consider Precedent

I guess Kanaya would know better than me when it’s about troll culture, buuuut if I had to guess, Feferi would be a bit of an unpopular empress at first, given how different her policies of ‘don’t cull everyone’, but it’d be matter of time before trolls more amenable to her policies and ideas would exist, so I suppose at least for the first century or two she’d have to have a tough hand and maybe even use force to make things change. It’d be pretty close to fascism, admittedly.

Ooooh boy, Kanaya laughed, not kindly. That’s a no to the endorsement. Is she on Jane’s train, then?

KANAYA: Jane Offered Me “A Seat” On The “Board Of Responsible Troll Reproduction”

KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK. HOW DARE SHE!

KANAYA: That Is Exactly What I Said

KANAYA: With More Tact Of Course

Board of responsible troll reproduction? That’s rather controlling. Jane, stop following the Condesce’s style, goodness.

The trolls are rather indignant at Jane’s tactless ideas, best intentions be damned, so it’s likely once anyone who isn’t human hears about it they’ll vote for Karkat. So from what I’m reading, this is starting to shape up into humans vs non-humans in general. That’s a rather delicate situation, no wonder it was said the peace in Earth C was so fragile.

I keep noticing Kanaya is dodging the topic of giving or not giving endorsement, even though that topic is touched she always has a way to go in a tangent. Look at her and learn a thing about smoothly changing topics, Dave, she’s good at this.

Apparently Rose has been distant with Dave, and he thinks she either is sick or she’s pregnant. Ah. Well that’s a thought I’d rather not to delve into, thanks for the weird thoughts, Dave. Take a hint from the trolls staring at you. Kanaya seems to feel guilty about something, and I’m not sure if Rose would have told her or not about the headaches and the unraveling of her powers and stuff. She even decides to call Rose right now.

Dirk answers, alarming Kanaya, who stays calm for diplomatic purposes. No answers come because John is doing something vaguely important to the plot again. Hah! Part of me is just imagining Dirk saw Kanaya was calling and because it’d be so awkward and bothersome to have to explain or make excuses, he made John do something just so he could get out of the conversation. But hey, no complaints from me! Moving the plot forward is good.

John’s vaguely important plot actions involve thinking about how everyone should become one powerful person, apparently. Is that your final objective, Dirk? Do you want everyone to become one person?

...

That kind of makes Jane’s presidential ambitions be a lot more sinister, since Dirk is so into them. I can’t rule out the possibility Jane winning the election would be an important step towards that goal, supposing he really intends to do such a thing.

Enough shoving strange thoughts into John’s head because he needs to focus on Meenah talking to him. She’s alive and not inside a black hole! Neato. What’s up, Lord English is dead. Rejoice!

There’s more silence than conversation here because they don’t know each other at all, unless you count John getting stabbed with a trident once or twice. Since this is a veeeery awkward conversation, he instead asks if she knows where Jade is, and Meenah doesn’t even know who Jade is. This conversation is just going nowhere.

This is without a doubt one of the worst conversations you’ve had in many, many years. And you aren’t just thinking that because I’m telling you you are.

When he’s right he’s right! More awkwardness ensues. They’re two strangers talking, pretty much.

JOHN: so what’s your plan now?

MEENAH: plan

JOHN: yeah.

JOHN: you just gonna hang around here, in the middle of nowhere, doing nothing forever?

MEENAH: thats what ghosts is most good at aint they

JOHN: you don’t have to stay here.

JOHN: i can take you back with me, to my planet.

JOHN: i mean, after we’re done looking for more survivors.

Is that possible? Can a ghost be among the living, just like that? Oh, right, John has the ring of life he took from Aranea. He could give it to Meenah and she’d be alive again. Is it a good idea, though? Do they want Meenah around? That’s what I’m not very sure about, because Meenah really doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who’d enjoy a peaceful existence with everyone else, or...as peaceful as it’ll get with everything that’s going on in Earth C.

Meenah points out correctly she’s a ghost and can’t exist over there in that planet, and she thought of her own plan, anyway. John gets close enough for her to whisper and then she leaves. John then thinks of checking his pockets and realizes the ring has been stolen. Pretty surprising it didn’t fall out of John’s pocket at some point given how much he was moving and getting bitten around. This is why you should captchalogue things instead of storing things in your pocket like some plebian, John!

Now that I think about it, captchaloguing simply stopped being a thing like in the middle of Act 6. Not that I’m complaining, really.

So, it turned out John’s vaguely important plot stuff was he getting the ring stolen by Meenah, so now that it’s done, Dirk can return to the conversation with Kanaya. How do you explain to someone her bride is unconscious after you pretty much started mind-controlling her? I suppose you don’t?

He totally isn’t explaining a thing. For someone who considers himself so clever and forward-planning what with the assimilation plan, he’s pretty awful at not keeping things going smoothly. Pretty bad traits for someone planning to possibly assimilate someone into one being.

DIRK: Sorry, Rose can’t come to the phone right now.

DIRK: She is otherwise... occupied.

KANAYA: Where Is She

DIRK: She’s at my place.

KANAYA: Im Sorry What

KANAYA: Rose Is Extremely Ill And Should Not Be Leaving The House Alone

KANAYA: What Is She Doing At Your Place

DIRK: Chillaxing, whilst we discuss the inevitable heat death of the universe and the unknowable, solitary nature of human consciousness.

KANAYA: I See

KANAYA: If She Is Capable Of Such Abstract Polemics Why Is It That She Cannot Speak With Me

DIRK: That’s a damned good question.

DIRK: One that will undoubtedly benefit from further exploration over the course of the next abstract polemic I have with her.

Goddamnit, Dirk. You could have just said she’s in the bathroom and that’d have worked slightly better than this!

Dirk’s taunting and messing around makes Kanaya decide she’ll get Rose, and once the call is over, Rose starts waking up. She doesn’t seem very under-Dirk’s-control right now, but she’s not okay. Maybe it’s a slow process or something.

John currently is wandering around, pondering if he should do surgery on the golden tooth stuck on his chest with a straight razor, and finding Jade’s shoes. He also finds Terezi. There she is! Wandering aaaaall the way out of the peaceful world, apparently. Either way, in this one paragraph I have compressed one entire page.

Apparently while they want for Kanaya Dirk’s making Rose discuss abstract polemics. I’m pretty sure that’s Dirk talking through her, because although Rose’s plenty verbose, I don’t think discussing philosophy while being sick is something she’d be eager to do. Also, she’s touching the topics of individuality, which is pretty relevant to Dirk right now. May as well listen, so I can understand a little better why Dirk’s doing all this.

Who the heck is Kierkegaard.

I’m going to be honest: reading philosophy being spouted with a straight face isn’t really what I was looking for in a liveblog. I feel a bit bad for scrolling through while all these orange and purple words fly over my head, buuuuut I don’t think liveblogging the intricacies of philosophical concepts is going to be interesting or fun, so I’m sparing everyone – and myself.

Oh, something I can bite into.

ROSE: I think free will is a thing, sure.

DIRK: Are you sure about that?

ROSE: ...

DIRK: Haven’t we spent the entire day having a feelings jam on how none of us got here by accident?

DIRK: Our lives were meticulously planned from clone-ception up through this very post-canon moment we find ourselves riffing in about the very free will we probably don’t even have.

DIRK: Don’t you think it’s all a little too convenient?

I mean, it’s a bit difficult to say there’s not a predetermined plan for these characters. If you don’t go through a series of actions, you’re in a doomed timeline and therefore you die. It’s hard not to go along the predetermined path when it’s either that or death. The only exception is John, who got powers of retcon and was able to jump around changing things to create the new predetermined path, but even then it’s possible the universe at a whole had determined that would happen and just nudged things in that direction.

Then again, when it’s about fiction there’s no free will. The author’s words and thoughts are the predetermined path. Authors are little gods creating their universe, so yeah, characters have no free will. Oh, look what you have done, Dirk, now I’m spouting philosophical nonsense, you sly fox. Won’t lie, typing all that just from a stream of thought was kind of fun. So that’s why the Striders enjoy being verbose.

Dirk keeps Rose lying down on the couch, proving he has full control of the narrative and therefore decides what happens and what doesn’t. He’s the author now and therefore the predetermined path is the one he creates. Oh there I go again, stop baiting me into philosophical hackneyed nonsense, Dirk.

The words ‘Ultimate Self’ and Dirk’s plan to possibly assimilate everyone into one god seem like they’re related, no? Maybe Dirk considers his Ultimate Self to be his goal, and it involves total assimilation. Pretty grim scenario, really.

Dirk makes Rose expand her mind, and she can see what John is doing right now.

ROSE: He could have made another choice.

DIRK: Then where would we be?

ROSE: Who knows.

The Candy epilogue, perhaps? I’m not sure how things would have changed based on that decision, but hey, butterfly effect stories are fun.

I’m not going to describe what she sees. First of all, that would be spoiling it. Unless you already know, in which case, I guess what’s taking place here qualifies as something closer to dramatic irony. But if you really want to see it for yourself, stop what you’re doing, flip the whole thing over, and begin again. I’ll be right here when you get back, waiting. Trust me, no one’s going anywhere.

Is this an indication I should go take a look at the candy epilogue now? It sounds like it is. I wonder if I should...but no, I have decided to see this through to the end. I’m already halfway done, may as well finish it.

If what Rose is saying is a reference to the events of the Candy epilogue, it doesn’t sound like they’re faring much better than the Meat epilogue. Sooooo the characters are generally screwed and are going to suffer either way. For people who spent three years in a game to create a new universe and get their happy lives that sure sucks.

Ah, here he is, I can see this is the moment where Dirk has finally assimilated Rose. It’s over for her. All that’s left is a condescending guy funneling pretentious thoughts into her. I liked Rose’s pretentious thoughts better. Next page!

Dirk’s narration when he’s talking about someone else’s supposed thoughts and actions is pretty exhausting. I find myself going faster and faster, and not because I’m invested in what he’s saying. Having Dirk as a narrator was a bad decision, he’s just on the same level than Doc Scratch was. Still not really enjoying the epilogue much.

He’s trying to stop her from going deeper into the black hole, and he’s failing. Not even the narrative is powerful enough to stop that, because there’s a stronger being trying to control parts of the narrative, the dead cherub trying to do this with red words. There was a U but it’s not any different from the rest of the text. The red text sounds courteous enough instead of Caliborn’s IRREVERENT SHOUTING so I suppose it’s Calliope, or at least a version of her. She beckons Jade deeper and deeper, until she’s irreversibly caught by the black hole and dragged in, much to Dirk’s frustration. There she goes! I’m curious what’ll happen with Jade, I admit!

Oho, the dead cherub is not only taking over the narration related to Jade in the black hole, they also are trying to take over the narration for the Jade in Earth C, the one who passed out in front of Roxy and Calliope.

ROXY: omg!

ROXY: jade

ROXY: jade u ok?

ROXY: callie hurry shes wakin up

JADE: j... john? rose??

JADE: is dave...?

JADE: wh...

JADE: what happened to.....

ROXY: yo its ok

ROXY: daves cool

ROXY: rose is cool

ROXY: everyones just straight chillin like usual

Huh! This feels kinda like the Jade in the black hole is being funneled into the Jade in Earth C. Are they fusing together, perhaps?

Dirk really doesn’t like that he can’t figure out what the dead cherub’s goal with the narrative is, and wastes his narrative grip by fuming about it while the dead cherub actually moves things along. It seems the Jade in Earth C is receiving the memories of her doomed black hole self. Maaaaaybe the doomed ghost versions of people getting caught in the black hole is that causes the headaches and visions. On the other hand, that’d require a lot of Roses and Dirks and Jades to be sucked into the black hole, and last I checked the ghost army was exclusively made of trolls. True, the black hole isn’t tied to the normal flow of time, so maybe it has expanded enough it has sucked a lot of doomed versions of the humans already.

Jade’s eyes are completely black. Alright, that wasn’t expected.

jade does not answer. the dead cherub scans her surroundings, expression neutral.

for the sake of clarity, the dead cherub is a phrase i am using in reference to myself. presently, i inhabit jade’s body, and through her i may influence this world.

Ah, nevermind, the dead cherub’s hijacking people around now. At least I can take solace on that it’s unlikely they have the same goal than Dirk. They even call him megalomaniac, which isn’t really wrong. They also call him a threat to the continued existence of the world and corporeal life, which is a tad worse than I thought it’d be. Was he planning to make everyone eliminate themselves once he got the complete takeover? Dirk’s goal is worse and worse with every page, seriously.

It doesn’t seem like Jade’s able to do anything, not even think. This is just as bad for them than what Dirk did to Rose, but it’s possible Jade’s current state is reversible once the dead cherub doesn’t need her anymore. On the other hand, what Dirk did seems permanent.

Aha, it definitely is Calliope doing things here in the narrative. Neat!

Dirk sounds so salty he’s losing the battle for the narrative, Dead Calliope even uses metaphors that are familiar to him to drive home the point: he’s outclassed. Thank goodness, I was getting tired of Dirk’s narrative.

in his haste to manipulate the events surrounding doomed jade’s ascent toward an outcome favorable to himself, the prince has unwittingly revealed several glaring weaknesses. by dictating the reality of others through expressions which he and he alone can relate to, he resorts to comparing all experience to his own. presuming his status on this side of my horizon would forever go unchallenged, his hubris went unchecked. he exposed too much of himself to all who could observe his wanton display of self-gratification. many of his personal biases and experiences have leaked through the seams of textual causality, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by an adversary.

I’m not very sure what she means, but what’s clear is that Dirk brought this to himself, he’s the one who left the opening and enabled Dead Calliope to strike. He has nobody to blame but himself. A+ work, Dirk, try again. It also helps that Dead Calliope has more experiences with the vastness of metaphysical and narrative stuff than Dirk does, and isn’t as scared of it all as he is. If she’ll spend quite some time dunking on Dirk’s efforts I’m all for it. He deserves all the dunking he can get. Look at his tiny font, getting saltier and saltier. I’m enjoying this more, I have to say!

This seems like a good point to stop, now that we have a new narrator. Alright, until next time!

Next update: next time

[b00bconnoisseur]

Hey do all of the greek god asks

Long post alert

Aphrodite: what you find attractive in a person

Lots of stuff really. But in mostly personality and interests over looks. U can be not really the most good lookin but be the most wonderful person. But u could also be the most beautiful thing ive ever laid eyes on but you're trash of a person. So looks dont matter much to me. But in a person i like if we share interests like art, music, books, and if youre really nice and stuff too

Apollo: favourite piece of music

Ooooo thats hardddd. Just ONE?? Howwww?! Ughhhh. Ok hm idk abt a FAVORITE but i really love heavy by johnnie guilbert and uhh i love ghost and heroin by badflower along with a bazillion others

Ares: opinion on war

If u mean infinity war? Um THAT MOVIE WAS SAD BUT AWESOME AF BUT THAT END THO AAAAAAAAA

Artemis: favourite animal and why

Snakesssss. I just really love snakes. I love the creepiness abt the lil beans. I love how they look. AND I LOVE WHEN THEY WEAR LIL HATS

Athena: share a piece of wisdom

Dont eat Oreos with hotsauce kids. It wont taste good

Dionysus: red, white, or rosé?

I do not drinketh wine but i like the color white over the other 2 so let's go with white

Eros: describe your crush

Nsnsnxndnsnsm damn. Ok uh well he likes hp as well. Hes a tumblr user. Annnddd hes nice :) thats all u lil munchkins get. And only 3 ppl know who this is so ha

Hades: do you believe in life after death?

Like heaven/hell? Idk. Sorta. But i don't really believe it as an afterlife. I think of it as u dead, thats where u go. Over with. But the thought of living like a 100 yrs then being gone for the rest of time sounds stupid like cmon those dudes in the bible can live for thousands of years and we get an average of like 75? Nah. But idk yet

Helios: opinion on tanning

I am already tan. I get more pale in winter n stuff but in summer my skin turns a golden brown color more. Kinda like the color of a cooked hotdog?

Hephaestus: do you think disability can ruin a relationship?

Oof hmm. What kind of disability? Like depression? (wait does it count as one?) I say it can yea maybe but if your partner is loving and supportive and is trying to help then i say you'll be okay

Hera: opinion on feminism

Idk i feel like im sort of a feminist myself. Like i hate that women don't have the same rights as men. Dude hear this. Me and my bro were arguing with our grampa about Hillary clinton or having a woman President and so my bro said to my grampa "so if tam (me) ran for President u wouldn't vote for her? Just cause she's a girl?" And my grampa said "*laughs* yeah i mean i love ya hun but women dont need to be president. Its a mans job. Men are supposed to be the leaders not women. Tge bible says so. No i wouldn't vote for u" and i got pissed cause wtf man??? What's wrong with u?? And then we kept arguing and then he was like *fake laughs* nah i was jk hun u know id vote for u youre my granddaughter. And i called him a liar and that he was lying because i know when hes lying. Then he started being racist abt smtn and then my mom got fed up and we left. I wouldn't talk to my grampa and he got mad so he said I was the one being stupid. Yeah sure ok believe that

Hermes: last text you sent

Uh it was to my best friend and it was "Not a big fan of hp huh?" But before that it was "That's not fai!r everyone has that one book they dont finish when they start on another. And when they dont finish it it usually means they weren't that interested in it. Or they really wanna read this new book cause its hard to focus on the old book when u have the new book and can read it whenever instead"

Persephone: is climate change really a thing or is everyone just overreacting?

I say its a thing!! Everythings changing and i dont think its for the better

Poseidon: list three fears

1. Momo coming to life and chasing after me and finally catching me then making me stare closely into her eyes while killing me slowly

2. Spiders ( @cristal-kyd1280 including jarvis)

3. Dying/dying by me being stupid like skydiving or eating a cup of apple seeds for no reason

Zeus: three places you want to travel to

@dirtysocke in georgia

@mysisterlooksforthisaccountsobye in the Netherlands

@cristal-kyd1280 a few hrs away from me

Demeter: favourite season and why

FALL CAUSE ITS THE BEST AND U CAN F I T E ME ON IT

Pan: opinion on gay rights

I fucking WHOLEHEARTEDLY support gay rights!!! I feel fucking ashamed cause i haven't always......(thanks mom, dad) but over the years ive gotten a bit more supportive and stuff but especially in summer last year one day after our shift at the library whenever my friend cadence came out as pan/bi/gay to me while she waited with me for my parents to pick me up. Also especially since i got tumblr and saw how amazing the lgbtq are. Like dude most of my friends are gay um and its fucking awesome?? Like for example dude my friend lucas is bi and i could talk to him abt boys n stuff and how cute different dude celebrities are xD Also i learned alot abt what pansexual and bisexual and stuff was exactly (my mom fuckin told me pan was when a person likes anyone. Even ANIMALS. She fuckin disgusted me like wtf who says that??) But now I'm ready to fight whenever any one even my fam starts being homophobic. Also i want to start reading more about the lgbtq. (I loved svthsa) But yea i say gay rights should be supported by fuckin EVERYONE and NO ONE should be homophobic and if u are like bitch keep that shit to yourself before i slug u

Hestia: describe your ideal house

Idk? Like i want an apartment for a while before an actual house yknow? But when/if i do get one eventually idk id like....just a house? Not a big one but not tiny either. Uhhh i wsnt a room just for my books and one for like an art room. Besides that? I cant think of anything lol

Dude it took like an hr and a half to answer all these holy shit

[monetfatalia]

Heat Rises (Todoroki X OC)

Chapter 1

(A/N) I hope you all like this. Let me know if you guys want a tag list, also what day should I make updates? Don’t forget to vote and comment, it really does encourage me to get things out to you that much faster!

Prologue

...

Orientation Day @ UA High School

“Class 1-A… class 1-A… class 1-A… oh,” I had been searching for my new home room and ended up standing in awe at the door. The giant door. The door to the classroom looked mundane, save for the fact it was floor to ceiling in length. After staring for a couple seconds, I reached to slide the door to my home room open surprised by how easy it was. I was even more surprised by how quiet the classroom was. There was already three of my new classmates in the room but you couldn’t tell unless you walked in and saw them. There wasn’t a word spoken between them.

“Foster, I cant say I’m surprised you made it in.” Yaoyorozu called out once recognizing me.

Yaoyorozu was one of the three people in the room. I nodded to her in acknowledgment before focusing on the other two in the room. One was a taller boy with well kept blue hair and glasses. His posture was rigid even while just sitting at his desk giving me the impression he was fed with a silver spoon. The other boy in the room was someone I recognized. He was the ice user who spoke up for me after the physical exam. While glancing at him my eyes locked with his. They were still guarded reminding me of his nonchalant persona. My analyzing gaze was cut off when he averted his eyes elsewhere. I did the same looking back at Yaoyorozu.

“Good to see you again Yaoyorozu,” I replied hoping none of them noticed the tension in my voice. I glanced to the chalkboard at the front of the class taking note of the seating chart and my placement in it. 4th row from the front, second from the right. I was happy to take my seat, hoping it would lessen the attention on me. Once I sat down in my seat the well groomed boy turned to face me from the seat to my right.

“I’m Tenya Ilda from the SoMe private academy.” He paused after introducing himself , giving me a chance to do the same.

“Ruine Foster.” I replied politely bowing my head a bit in respect.

“Yaoyorozu seems familiar with you, did you go to the same academy before applying to U.A.?” Before I could answer his question myself Yaoyorozu answered for me.

“We actually just met at the recommendation exams last week. Foster even got the third top score overall.” Yaoyorozu explained. Ilda seemed taken aback for a moment at the information before recovering, his gaze flickering between Yaoyorozu, the ice user, and me.

“All three of you got in through recommendations? I’m impressed, it will be good to work with equally dedicated peers.” Ilda looked genuinely excited at the realization. The door at the front of the class swung open with a resounding “click” as an entire group of fellow students pushed through, wrecking the peaceful atmosphere of the classroom. It didn’t take Ilda long to go after the rowdy group as students began filing in and taking their seats. I exchanged introductions with the people seated around me quickly putting names to faces. Eijiro Kirishima, a boy with red spiked hair and a loud personality sat in front of me. Fumikage Tokoyami, he had the appearance of a black bird and a more conservative persona, he was seated to my left. Rikido Sato, he was broader with puffed lips and brown hair, he took the seat behind me. Everyone was here for the most part and chatting in an animated fashion. I passed the time before class by keeping count of the students that arrived and listening to nearby conversations. One particularly loud conversation took place in the last minutes before class would start.

“Take your feet off that desk now!” The demanding voice was Tenya Ilda’s and quickly caught the attention of most of the class. He was on the other side of the classroom standing over a champagne blonde with spiky hair, red eyes, and a smug grin on his face.

“Huh!” The blonde dragged out obviously trying to get a rise out of Ilda.

“It’s the first day and you’re already disrespecting this academy by scuffing school property you creatin!” Ilda exclaimed seeming distressed with the situation.

“You’re kidding me right? Your old school put a stick up your ass, or were you born with it?” The blonde was definitely looking for a fight and seemed to be enjoying the confrontation. I watched closely as Ilda stumbled over his response for a moment.

“Let’s start over, I’m Tenya Ilda from the SoMe private academy.” Ilda said backtracking quickly.

“SoMe huh? So you must think you’re better than me. I’m gonna have fun tearing you a—“ I decided to cut off the blonde’s rant and used my quirk to discreetly push his feet off the desk, making him stumble to stay upright in his seat. Since the pair had the attention of the whole class at this point, my little trick had most of them trying to hold back fits of laughter at the look of surprise on the blonde. Despite Ilda’s innocence and similar surprise to my trick, the blonde’s screwed up features narrowed in on him. Small sparks began igniting in his hands, quickly growing more explosive.

“Now you’re gonna get it!” He announced launching out of his chair to attack an unsuspecting Ilda. My eyes widened and I quickly created a wall of compressed air currents to act as a barrier, blocking his attack. Every gaze in the room including the blonde’s slowly shifted from the wind barrier protecting Ilda to me. I realized all to late that in my panic to protect my classmate I had given away my involvement, raising my hand to control the barrier. I felt my cheeks heat up at the realization of what I’d gotten myself into. Everything was still for a moment, until everyone but the blonde jumped at the slide of the door opening. The last two students of our class were standing there animatedly chatting with each other, thankfully cutting through the thick tension in the room. The blonde had visibly calmed down at the interruption so I dropped the barrier that had protected Ilda. Ilda quickly redirected his attention to the two newcomers. Not long after the room was silent at the arrival and first words of our new teacher.

“It took eight seconds before you all shut up, that’s not gonna work. Time is precious, rational students would understand that.” The new teachers attire caught my attention as he unzipped himself from a bright yellow sleeping bag and stepped out. He kinda looked like a caterpillar in a cocoon.

“Hello I’m Shota Aizawa, your teacher.” The man droned. He looked worn out in his baggy black jumpsuit and tatters grey scarf.

“Right let’s get to it, put these on and head outside,” Mr. Aizawa instructed pulling a U.A. athletic uniform out of his sleeping bag and holding it up. Everyone got up from their seats and began filing out through the door to get to the locker rooms. One the way down the hall I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned I saw Kirishima behind me with a toothy grin.

“Foster right? Nice moves back there,” he complimented lengthening his strides to walk parallel with me. I smiled back at the outgoing red head.

“Thanks Kirishima. To be honest it was kind of embarrassing.” I replied cheerfully feeling the heat return to my cheeks for a moment.

“Are you kidding me, you were awesome. I don’t know how I missed you at the entrance exams.” Kirishima encouraged me taking notice of my embarrassment. I tucked my blue bangs behind my ear in a anxious twitch.

“Yeah, I went through the recommendations exam, so there’s no way you could have.” I cut in sheepishly. Kirishima turned his focus back to me his eyes lighting up.

“Wow! Seriously? That’s so manly Rue.” Kirishima exclaimed. My blush spread from my cheeks up to my ears at his excitement.

“Rue huh? Didn’t know I would earn a nickname this quickly. Thanks… I think.” I replied softly fiddling with my uniform jacket. I caught Kirishima blushing at my comment on his nickname as we got to the locker rooms and began separating by gender.

“See you out there…Rue,” Kirishima called out as we parted ways, the blush still on his face. Once in the girls locker room I changed quickly and tightened my ponytail, before waiting for the rest of the girls to get ready. Once all of us were dressed Yaoyorozu and I led the pack out to the field. Mr. Aizawa was out there waiting for us and began as soon as we were all gathered by announcing a quirk test. There were surprised outbursts from most of the class about a test on the first day.

“But Orientation, we’re gonna miss it,” Uraraka, a girl my height with short brown hair called out.

“If you really wanna make the big leagues you can’t waste your time on pointless ceremonies. Here at U.A. we’re not tethered to traditions. That means that I get to run my class however I see fit. You’ve been taking standardized tests most of your lives, but you never got to use your quirks in physical exams before. The country’s still trying to pretend we’re all created equal by not letting those with the most power excel. It’s not rational. One day the ministry of education will learn. Bakugo, you managed to get the most points on the entrance exam. What was your farthest distance throw with a softball when you were in junior high?” Aizawa’s tone left no room for objections or interruption as he spoke.

“Sixty seven meters I think.” Bakugo answered after a moment looking skeptical.

“Right, try doing it with your quirk. Anything goes just stay in the circle.” Aizawa instructed as Bakugo obeyed making his way to the circle. Everyone moved to get a better viewpoint and I ended up standing between Kirishima and Yaoyorozu.

“Go on, your wasting our time.” Aizawa droned as Bakugo had yet to make his throw.

“Alright man, you asked for it,” Bakugo replied stretching out his throwing arm. He took his stance and threw. Only he used his quirk sending a flaming softball soaring through the air at an immense speed.

“All of you need to know your maximum capabilities.” Aizawa stated before the ball even hit the ground. When it finally did Aizawa turned to us holding up his phone with the distance the throw went.

“It’s the most rational way of figuring out your potential as a pro hero.” Aizawa stated bluntly. The number on the screen read 705.2 meters.

“Damn,” I muttered earning a chuckle from Kirishima. Everyone was blurting out how insane the throw was and their excitement over this test.

“So this looks fun huh?” Aizawa muttered. The tone of his voice made me stiffen at the sudden change.

“You have three years here to become a hero. You think it’s all gonna be games and playtime? Idiots.” Mr.Aizawa chided, his grin growing almost sadistic.

“Today you’ll compete in eight physical tests to gauge your potential. Whoever comes in last, has none, and will be expelled immediately.” He disclosed, causing almost the entire class to look on in nervous surprise. There were several worried gasps and hushed conversations to go around.

“Do you think he’s being serious, like he’ll actually send someone home packing?” Kirishima whispered from my left. I didn’t take my eyes off our home room teacher as he seemed to be analyzing all of our reactions.

“Of course not. He’s just saying that so everyone puts all of their effort into the tests. He doesn’t want us to hold back because he needs to know our limits.” Yaoyorozu whispered from my right, just loud enough for Kirishima and myself to hear.

“I don’t think so Momo, look at how relaxed he is about all of this. If it was a trick he wouldn’t look so bored, or be analyzing our reactions like he is.” I frowned keeping my voice soft.

“Like I said I get to decide how this class runs. Understand? If that’s a problem you can head home right now.” Mr.Aizawa announced once he was done examining our reactions.

“You can’t send one of us home, I mean we just got here. Even if it wasn’t the first day, that isn’t fair.” Uraraka objected being the first to call out our new teacher.

“Oh and you think natural disasters are? Or power hungry villains? Hmm? Or catastrophic accidents that wipe out whole cities? No, the world is full of unfairness. It’s a hero’s job to combat that unfairness. If you wanna be a pro you’re gonna have to push yourself to the brink. For the next three years U.A. will throw one terrible hardship after another at you. So go beyond. Plus Ultra style. Show me it’s no mistake that you’re here.” Mr.Aizawa concluded putting our next three years into perspective as well as our career choice. There was an obvious change in the air around my classmates. Each of their focuses changing from the uneasy restlessness to a surging determination

“Now then, we’re just wasting time by talking. Let the games begin.” Aizawa announced leadin is to our first test. A 50-meter dash. Tenya and Tsu were the first ones up and I couldn’t help but take account that Tenya was definitely in his element with this one. Tenya crosses the line at 3.04 seconds and Tsu crosses at 5.58 after using a long jump. Everyone lined up taking their turns and I watched how people used their quirks until it was my turn. I stepped forward on the line with sweaty palms. My classmates were powerful. Todoroki took up his position next to me while Aizawa recorded the times of the pair up before us.

“Hey Todoroki?”I ventured quietly not sure if I’d get another chance to converse with the quiet ice user. He focused his gaze on me waiting for me to continue.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” I mumbled getting anxious under his gaze.

“What for?” His voice was monotone but there was an undertone of surprise in it.

“The practical exam, you stuck up for me even though we were strangers. I meant to thank you before but didn’t get a chance,” I explained holding his curious gaze. He turned to face front not replying and I did the same focusing my quirk. The air gun went off and I used my quirk and created pockets of air to propel me forward and crossed the line first at 4.02 seconds. Todoroki was right behind me with his ice at 5.32 seconds. I debated approaching Todoroki after our first test but decided against it. He wasn’t big on conversation, so I’ll leave it in his court to decide whether or not we can get along as friends.

“Nice speed Rue, what kind of quirk do you have?” Kirishima asked high fiving me as I walked in his direction.

“Air manipulation, you?” I replied walking with him towards the rest of the class.

“Hardening, didn’t come in handy for this test though,” he grinned back.

“You still got a pretty decent time though.” I stated waving off his concerns. Kirishima was outgoing and friendly. He and I could be good friends if we weren’t already.

“I’m sure there will be tests better suited towards your quirk,” I reassured as we waited for the others to finish. The second test was grip strength. Kirishima and I decided to have a little friendly competition. I came in at 73kg while his hardening quirk brought him to 107kg. The third test was a standing long jump. I took the higher score and we quickly moved on to the fourth test, repeated side steps. I wasn’t sure how to apply my quirk to this one and decided to just do it without my quirk since my breathing was starting to get a bit uneven anyway. Kirishima didn’t use his quirk either and we came in with pretty close scores, his being higher. Test 5 was the ball throw. I used a wind current to keep my ball going for about 700 meters but Uraraka definitely took the cake. Her zero gravity quirk sent the ball flying for infinity. Test 6 was a distance run, me and Kirishima tied and last but not least was the seated toe touch. Kirishima complained that I had an advantage because I was a girl, after I beat him. Aizawa had revealed himself as the erasure hero Eraserhead earlier during the ball throw. He gathered the entire class before him once we had all completed the tests.

“Alright time to give you your results. I’ve ranked you all from best to worst, you should probably have a good idea of your standing already. I’ll just pull up the whole list, it’s not worth going over each individuals score.” Aizawa explained before pulling up a projection with everybody’s ranking. I was more than pleased to find my name in third place and Kirishima in ninth place.

“Third place, how do you like that Kirishima?” I grinned lightly punching him in the arm. He pouted for a moment before grinning back at me.

“Let’s see how long you can hold onto it Rue,” he taunted back at me. I caught sight of a mess of green hair in the corner of my vision and turned seeing Midoriya. Midoriya came in last place despite his awesome softball throw and he looked horrified.

“And I was lying, no ones going home,” Aizawa added on after we’d all had a chance to find our rank. I watched Midoriya nearly fall over in relief.

“That was just a rational deception to make sure you gave it your all in the tests.” Aizawa stated gleefully. I’m beginning to think this teacher likes giving his students the extra stress.

“I’m surprised the rest of you didn’t figure that out. I’m sorry I guess I should have said something,” Yaoyorozu mentioned seeing all of our peers stunned faces. Kirishima and I grinned at each other in a knowing way at the announcement.

“That’s it we’re done for the day. Pick up a syllabus in the classroom, read it over before tomorrow morning.” Aizawa stated stopping to talk to Midoriya before walking off. Just like that class was done for the day and everybody went home. I on the other hand stood there wondering how in the world I would be able to turn in a signed syllabus. I ended up wandering the halls looking for a staff member that could help with my situation.

“Foster, what are you doing wandering the halls after school?” I turned at the sound of my name to finally catch sight of my teacher.

“Mr. Aizawa, I was just looking for you actually.” I replied tucking my hair behind my ear nervously.

“Class is over for the day, if you have a question about curriculum you can ask tomorrow like everyone else after you turn in your syllabus.” He stayed looking bored.

“Sir, I needed to talk to you because I can’t turn in the syllabus.” I retorted firmly catching onto his annoyance.

“Really? And why is that? What could be so difficult about getting a paper signed?” He asked watching to see if I back talked him again.

“There’s no one to sign it,” I answered bluntly. Aizawa looked taken aback by the blunt answer for a moment before turning and walking down the hall.

“Come with me,” he called out not stopping to see if I listened. I followed him quickly catching up so as not to lose him. He didn’t say a word all the way to the 1-A classroom. He motioned me inside and shut the door behind us before leaning against the wall.

“You’re family situation was missing from your file, as was your address. Yet you were accepted through recommendations. If you want to be exempt from things like parental consent then you need to explain the situation.” Aizawa spoke firmly leaving no room for argument as usual.

“Those details were left out of my file for my own protection.” I muttered not shying from his unsettling looks.

“Nothing you say will leave this room, without serious cause. Is that good enough?” He proposed. I sighed deciding that was the best I would get from him.

“My real name is Ruine Mirai. My father is the villain physique.” I paused my explanation gauging his reaction. He didn’t say a word motioning for me to continue.

“Four years ago he made an attempt on my mother’s life and tried to sell me to an organization that mutated quirks. Since then I’ve been under witness protection and I was recently assigned to the dragoon hero Ryukyu. She’s the one who sent in my recommendation. It was decided she would help me settle in Japan and after that it was safest to isolate me from anyone my father would think to investigate for my location.” I confessed trailing off, not wanting to go into detail. My sweaty palms were clenched at my sides, accidentally crinkling the syllabus that was still in my hand. Mr.Aizawa stood there for a moment before pushing off the wall and stepping towards me holding out his hand.

“I’ll work it out with administrations so that I can sign off on legal documents for you, but in return I need your address for safety reasons, and you need to update me regularly if anything about your situations changes.” Mr.Aizawa offered. His tone was noticeably softer and I couldn’t figure out why. His willingness to take the responsibility on himself was surprising and had me confused as I handed over my syllabus. He took it and walked over to his desk quickly signing it and putting it away in a folder.

“Address?” He urged. I recited it for him while he typed it into his phone before turning it off and locking it.

“You’re free to go Ruine,” he declared finally turning his attention back to me.

“That’s it?” I asked not sure how to voice my concerns.

“Was there something else?” He sighed.

“No I just… you don’t have anything to ask me?” I mumbled.

“As things progress I expect to find out more, but for now you’ve told me what you deemed was safe.” He pointed out. I nodded understanding this wasn’t the last we’d talk about this and turned to walk out of the classroom.

“Thank you,” I said quietly before walking out of the classroom to go home for the day.

…

Chapter 2

[bedlamgames]

Q&A #94

Today we have various forms of removal, the new biomancy assignment, and corruption among others.

nh-maikochan said: Regarding the bimbo slave not being sold: Yes she did have bimboborn. Also, I think I may have sent a message like this before and have totally forgotten. If this is just a repeat, feel free to ignore it. 

Thanks that really did help solve the issue. Should be sorted now as of the current update. 

doof-ex-machina said: Hello! Could I ask some question about one particular problem I'm facing playing No Haven? The thing is, when I try to save a game and then load it, all the names of slavers and slaves in the boxes disappear, and that's just 'Slaver 1', 'Slaver 2' and so on that are visible in Inventory, Visible Characters and Room Objects boxes. I tried all the versions of RAGS available but none of them helped to solve the problem.

That’s a RAGS issue. Make sure you’re saving only when it is safe as detailed at the beginning of the game. Other than that if you finish day the names should update back to normal. 

Anonymous said: I cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove someone from a current role in the camp on No Haven.... would you be willing to tell me? I am probably missing it because it's stupid simple.

No problems. Same way as setting them to the role so Right click > Talk to > Assign to an Encampment Position > -None-.

There’s a couple of positions like second-in-command where slavers will resist giving up power and for them you’ll have to use more nefarious methods. 

Anonymous said: [NH 0.821] Bug / suggestion: My slaver has Dolled Up, and a ton of other corruptions, which is great, but the description is weird. Due to DU, it describers my slaver as having "dark crimson rubber skin[...]" and then "have eyes[...]covered up entirely", but the very next line describes my ponytail. Hair on red rubber is a weird mental image. Might I suggest that DU simply makes the skin rubbery rather than changing the color? That, and not replace the eyes? I miss my heterochromia. Thank you!

It is corrupted rubber of perversion and evil so is capable of having holes for hair :)

Also one of the risks with corruption is you can very much lose as well as win such is the risks of flirting with depravity for power be it traits, arms, or even your nice eyes. 

Anonymous said: [no haven 0.843] so I tried to do basic bimbo training with a slave that had advanced obedience, selected 2 slavers and noticed it needed 3 so I clicked on slavers and then it began the assignment blocking the slave slot but not starting the assignment AND removing the slave permanently, seems like it is also overflowing because I'm getting "not enough to defend the encampment" while I have 6 out of 8 slavers in the camp.

Thanks for letting me know and will sort it for the next update.

Anonymous said: Love the new update, though I have several questions. A: How does one start the quest to gain better Biomancy? B: Say I had a Second-in-command who was set as my characters former owner. This seems to give the character massive bonuses to respect checks. My character has Dominator and Thrallforge, but I still cant succeed Dominating to get him to go nude, etc. Is it currently possible to succeed at such a check? C: Is there currently no way to force a 2nd out of their role via the respect check system? Surely we should be able to dominate or trigger them into giving up the post? D: On a related note, why is there no option to dominate when trying to force a merc to join the camp? E: Is there some kind of block preventing me from shrinking an Amazon Futanari's cock with Biomancy? I tried dozens of times, and never had any results. Anyway, thats all I can think of for now. Look forward to your answers. If I remember more Ill ask. Again, love the game and update! 

The new assignment that will start the biomancy chain begins in the City of Aversol. It's a rare assignment, can be done by anyone with or without biomancy, and like bred to be broken you need a certain amount of gold in the stash to find it.

Theoretically I think? It’s going to be a long shot though unless you can mess with them like making them a bimbo through corruption or send them off on quick as you like.

Not currently. Will think about it. 

Dominating is a short term will overwhelm so once it’s done the merc would just be unhappy and leave.

Futanari for plot related reasons which I swear I’ll get to eventually can’t have their cocks shrunk by biomancy.

Anonymous said: Since we already have Recruiter customization options for brother/sister, any chance we'll see father/mother or son/daughter added as options? I'd love to see that feature expanded on in general, especially if it adds more options for incest.

I’ll think about it. Not super into incest as it is, and the parental versions even less so. Saying that next update will have some implication in regard to one of the assignments so it’s possible as long as it’s not that much of a focus.

madron-fc said: Had the following happen to me in 0.843 of NoHaven, not sure if it is intended behaviour: I went on the Mountains asignment to catch the male drow after which I did get the request to fullfill. After doing some training on the new slave, I realised that the opportunity was no longer listed amon the asignments. I thought it might have just timed out without me noticing, but way later into that same game I got a notice for that very opportunity to soon time out. my guess is that when I completetd the advanced Sissy Training and the Slave changed name, the asignment disappears, but I do not have a save of that time so I cannot test this.

Huh, okay. That opportunity is timed in regard to expiry, but that does sound off. Will check, thank you. 

And now some more from outside of the tumblr:

From Hypnopics: Is the demi Angel commission added to the game?

If you mean the four-winged Truly Divine one then that commission is being used for an assignment next update.

From Hypnopics: This game really needs a way to quickly and easily dismiss slavers and slaves you don't want. You should be able to immediately sell slaves taken as loot, even if only for 15-20 gold and able to R. click - dismiss slaves and slavers. I keep hitting a wall with content blocked because i have too many mediocre slaves/ slavers.

Update following the next one is going to be about having a more reliable way of freeing slaves than sending them to the whore makers. Slavers I always wanted to be one of your challenges to manage with more events coming involving them working to undermine your authority which is why you're limited to assignments like Sudden Betrayal. Saying that there likely will be more options to manipulate their morale/reputation to get them to bugger off coming in future. I'm also planning to introduce slave mines/farms/temples where you'll be able to parcel off a whole number of slaves and slavers at once for an ongoing bonus and the occasional choice/assignments to keep them going.

From TFGames: Loving the new update so far. I was playing with the slave mantras and really liking them, but had something happen. Had gotten two mantras on one slave, Obedience, which had fully embedded, and Sissy, which was at the advanced stage. I was planning on adding some more later, but wanted to finish his proper training first. I ended up getting a crit on Advanced Obedience training and giving him the Obedient trait (there's too many uses of the word Obedient in this paragraph). After that, I couldn't select him for hypnosis. I suspect because of the Obedient trait, it thinks that he has the Denial mantra embedded (which also gives the trait and blocks other mantras). Also, I haven't tried yet, but does the Bimbo mantra block Bimbo training? I had a couple odd situations in the previous version where traits gained outside of training blocked those associated trainings. Two main examples: Had a slave escape, recaptured with a crit, then escaped and recaptured with a crit again, giving them Obedient. However I couldn't do Advanced Obedience Training with them any more. Second was had a slave at Basic Sissy training stage and they got the Pretty Maid corruption result, switching them to the Sissy gender, but also blocking the Advanced Sissy training option. No I know these might be redundant, but the trainings alone add value to the slave, but then getting traits with shortcuts or luck could be a balancing factor, so it might be intentional. Anyway, this was in the last version so it might not be in the current one.

Those are both connected issues and kind of working as intended. If you get what the training/hypnosis is basically trying to achieve then that training/hypnosis becomes no longer available. Think about it as having different paths to the same result. Does mean that you don't get the same value bonuses, but I think I'm okay with that as it reflects how long you spent perfecting the slave and keeps them from being quite so similar in the long run. I do agree though that this can feel off and I'm open to other takes on this as it's feedback I've heard a few times now.

From TFGames: I voted Lamia because I feel like keeping track of all your slavers and all their traits is exhausting and starting with one fewer gives you a bit of time to get familiar with them before adding more.

There's also elitist and proactive under the full custom options if you want to start with less slavers. If you want to go full minimalist there's also the golem scenario where you start with only three slavers.

(This is in regard to the current poll running on the TFGames discussion thread)

From TFGames: Hello, I just spent about 20 hours playing this awesome game for the past 3 days!! It made me insane. I especially loved exploring the limits of corruption and biomancy. There is a lot of content with cum consumption, which is pretty cool =). There's one thing I didn't get: how to raise the encampment leader's tolerance for highly rated armors and clothes? I could wear a 55 rated item at most, but that's it. Oh and also, can the encampment leader get corrupted to the point of getting Babydoll? Or is that just for other players? I managed to inflict Babydoll on two slaves, but never on myself. Anyway, this game is awesome =D. Thank you for doing this.

Thank you, I'm glad you've been enjoying it! The clothing limit is in place to prevent you completely fucking your ability to lead by putting yourself in bondage. Then now the takeover options are included I may just remove it so you can see how long you can last while being in an armbinder and the like   Babydoll for now is limited to others. Will possibly change this again given the takeover options as such a naive and gullible leader is also not going to last long at all. Though for that I'd want to include more personalization for the player to properly reflect that corruption.