#also i had an idea to have her hold a house to symbolize protection over the home but that might look too silly

[boycannibal]

the real question is how many artistic liberties can i take with a religious painting until my parents dont allow me to hang it anywhere that isnt my room

[mariacallous]

HANAU, Germany—On a fall day in 2022, Serpil Temiz Unvar was sitting in her kitchen when, through the window, she saw an older man and a German shepherd standing outside. Assuming the man was a neighbor, Unvar opened her window to greet him. She was bewildered when he began asking her increasingly strange and aggressive questions: Are you Kurdish? Why did you leave your homeland? How do you have enough money to live here and to go on so many vacations back in Turkey?

The experience left Unvar, 51, deeply unsettled. After the man left, she called several friends who confirmed what she already suspected: The man with the German shepherd wasn’t just a neighbor. He was also the father of her son’s killer.

Unvar’s son Ferhat, then 23, was one of nine people shot and killed in a violent rampage targeting immigrants on Feb. 19, 2020. The shooter, Tobias R., opened fire at a bar in Hanau’s center before driving across town, where he shot a man who had followed him from the first bar by car. Then, Tobias R.—identified by his first name and last initial in keeping with German privacy laws—walked into the Arena Bar & Cafe, showering patrons in a spray of bullets, Ferhat among them. The shooter then drove to his mother’s house, killed her, and turned the gun on himself.

The shootings shook Hanau, a city of just over 100,000 people 15 miles east of Frankfurt. The city is among Germany’s most diverse: Nearly 30 percent of Hanau’s population does not hold a German passport, according to recent city statistics, around twice the national average. German media reported that Tobias R. had posted a manifesto on his website shortly before the attack, which authorities described as demonstrating a “deeply racist attitude.”

The Hanau attack became a symbol of Germany’s struggle to extinguish far-right violence and anti-immigrant ideology. Then-Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the attack, warning, “Racism is a poison. Hate is a poison.” But soon, news crews departed. Politicians who had offered solemn condolences moved on to other matters, and the country went into lockdown as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

Unvar felt a growing sense of rage at the government’s lack of response to the Hanau attack, she told me when I sat down with her in March. Later that year, she became an activist: She founded an educational initiative aimed at fighting racism in schools; testified on the Hanau killings in the state parliament of Hesse, where Hanau is located; and worked with the family members of other victims to pressure the government to take action to prevent future racist attacks.

But honoring Ferhat’s memory has made Unvar a target herself. The man’s 2022 visit to her home wasn’t an isolated event; Hans-Gerd R. came back that night and the next day. After Unvar filed a restraining order against him, he started sending her letters. “If you as a migrant hate the land of the German people, then please leave it, and quickly, and please go back to where you came from,” he wrote in one missive. The harassment and stalking are still going on, she told me.

Unvar’s fight against racist ideas about who belongs in Germany has laid bare how deeply ingrained this ideology remains in parts of the country—particularly as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party continues to creep up in the polls. “We want to trust this country, but this country also needs to protect us,” she said. “But how? I don’t know.”

The Hanau murders came on the heels of a string of other deadly racist attacks in Germany. Less than six months earlier, in October 2019, another right-wing extremist showed up at a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle on Yom Kippur intent on murdering Jewish worshippers; he ultimately killed two people outside the synagogue. Earlier that year, a local politician in the Hessian town of Kassel, Walter Lübcke, was shot and killed by a right-wing extremist who was unhappy over the politician’s welcoming policy toward refugees.

Hanau commanded particular attention because it was a targeted assault on people with “immigration backgrounds,” the official term Germany’s Federal Statistical Office uses to describe those who were born to at least one parent who was not a German citizen. German authorities also faced intense scrutiny for their handling of the incident.

The killer had been allowed to purchase a gun despite past indications that he had a mental illness, which authorities did not adequately investigate before issuing him a weapons permit. The Hanau police were slow to respond to emergency calls about the shootings because they were chronically understaffed. An investigation by regional authorities also revealed that 13 of the officers who responded to the attack were part of a police unit that was later disbanded due to a scandal over membership in right-wing chat groups.

In the Arena Bar, where Ferhat was killed, an emergency door had been locked to keep patrons from fleeing during regular police raids on the venue to look for illegal drugs. A damning investigation by the U.K.-based group Forensic Architecture featured in an exhibition in Frankfurt two years ago found that all five of those killed in the bar could have survived had the door been unlocked.

Late last year, after years of testimony and hearings, a Hessian parliamentary committee investigating the authorities’ response to the attack issued its final report. In 642 pages, it details the various security failures that contributed to the loss of life that day. But without concrete consequences for those responsible for the security failures in Hanau, victims’ family members say it’s hard to believe anything will meaningfully change in how Germany handles right-wing and racist terrorism.

None of the officers or authorities involved in Hanau’s security failures were disciplined or removed from their posts explicitly due to their handling of the situation. Although the Hessian parliamentary committee’s report outlined areas where German law enforcement had fallen short, those who lost family members that day felt its recommendations—for more stringent checks before issuing weapons permits, to develop anti-racism programs in schools, and to better communicate with families of victims—offered little more than lip service.

Armin Kurtovic, whose son Hamza was killed in the attacks, described the report as a “slap in the face” to the victims’ families. “I was convinced something like this wasn’t possible in this country,” he told German broadcaster Hessenschau late last year. “But the more I get involved and the more I read, the more I see: This is continuity.”

Police officers’ handling of the investigation was infuriating to Serpil Temiz Unvar, but it was hardly surprising to her and others who have tracked the history of far-right attacks in Germany. The authorities’ seeming blind spot for this kind of violence—and a lack of concrete action to prevent it—extends back far beyond Hanau.

The most famous case of recent far-right violence in Germany was that of the National Socialist Underground (NSU), a neo-Nazi terrorist cell that killed 10 people, mostly immigrants, across Germany over the course of 13 years, evading police notice. In their investigations of each murder, the police fell back on racist stereotypes of immigrants, assuming that those slain had been involved in the drug trade or victims of immigrant-on-immigrant crime; the German media dubbed them “kebab murders.”

“A nation that liked to think it had atoned for its racist past [was] forced to admit that violent prejudice was a thing of the present,” American journalist Jacob Kushner wrote in his recently published book on the NSU murders, Look Away, adding that “in an age of unparalleled mass migration, the targets of white terrorism are increasingly immigrants.”

When I arrived at the offices of Unvar’s organization, the Ferhat Unvar Educational Initiative, in March, the first thing I saw was a black-and-white mural of Ferhat. Wearing a cap and looking forward, his face appears next to the words “We are only dead when we are forgotten.” Ferhat had posted the phrase on social media before his death. It has now become his mother’s guiding principle as she builds an organization to honor his memory.

Unvar grew up in a Kurdish city in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. Her father moved to Paris, and she eventually joined him. She moved to Hanau when she married a Kurdish man there, with whom she had four children, including Ferhat, before later separating.

In the months after her son’s killing, Unvar said she agonized over what she could have done to make his life better while he was still alive. She thought about the discrimination he faced in school as a student with an immigration background and found herself wracked with guilt that she hadn’t fought harder for him: pushing school officials harder to allow him on a more ambitious track of study, for example, or urging them to stop the discrimination he faced from teachers and other students.

Ferhat was gone, but many other children with similar backgrounds faced those same tough odds at school—and there was still a way to help them, Unvar remembered thinking. Nearly nine months after the attack, on Ferhat’s birthday in November 2020, Unvar officially founded her organization, which seeks to combat racism and discrimination in the German education system, giving talks and holding trainings and workshops to empower young people struggling against systemic racism and to educate teachers about the challenges that students from immigrant communities face.

Her first donation was from a group of Ferhat’s friends, who handed her an envelope with 125 euros they had raised together. She was touched and buoyed by the gesture. “I said, OK, I couldn’t help Ferhat, but I can help them through Ferhat,” she said.

The organization has since scaled up significantly. Donations and grants helped Unvar hire staff and spread the word about their anti-discrimination workshops. Some are for school-age children and youth, giving them a safe space to talk about their experiences of discrimination or racism; others are for teachers and educators, training them to root out racism in their classrooms; yet more are for adults in other professions, including airport staff at Frankfurt Airport. Along with Initiative 19 February Hanau, an organization run by the family members of several of the Hanau victims, Unvar’s initiative won the Aachen Peace Prize in 2021.

“I never had it in my head to do something like this,” said Unvar, reflecting on how her life changed after the attack. Sitting on a black couch in one corner of the organization’s big event space, with posters depicting the organization’s logo and events on the walls and brochures for her training programs on tables across the room, Unvar was animated as she described how she and others have built the initiative into what it is today. At the same time, she said, so “many people instrumentalize [the attack], not just politicians but also others. That hurt me deeply.”

Unvar told me that she hopes to create a cross-border support network for families of victims of terrorism. In Greece, she met Magda Fyssa, the mother of Pavlos Fyssas, a young anti-fascist musician murdered by members of the neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn. She has also traveled to Norway, Spain, and France to meet with other families of terrorist victims and with organizations that combat terrorism. Unvar spoke with local activists and experts about ways to collaborate in their fight against violent extremism and learn from one another’s experiences.

“Regardless of which country I was in, I never felt alone,” she said. “I saw how many other people are also fighting in this direction against terror, for humanity, for human rights—that gave me strength.”

But Unvar admitted that it can be difficult to press forward with her activism while feeling that no matter how hard she works, or how hard others work, her efforts are unlikely to change a country unwilling to address its shortcomings when it comes to welcoming and safeguarding immigrant communities.

In January, the German investigative news outfit Correctiv released a report about a secret meeting between right-wing extremist leaders near Berlin, including members of the far-right AfD. Those present discussed a “remigration” plan to deport millions of people with immigrant backgrounds, including those with German passports.

Unvar said the national outrage over the Correctiv report—and the millions of people who turned out to protest across the country in the weeks that followed—gave her hope that the German population at large finally understood the scale of its problem with right-wing extremism. “It’s good that [the story] came out because then people like us can see how big and important a problem it is,” she said. “The racists—they’re not letting up. We’ve seen the danger is there. … We need to really hold together against the right wing and against terror.”

Still, the AfD continues to gain ground. Riding a wave of support for far-right parties across Europe, the party gained 5 percentage points in June’s European Parliament elections, coming in second—ahead of all three of Germany’s governing parties—with 16 percent of the vote. The AfD then won its first state-level victory in the eastern German state of Thuringia on Sept. 1, taking 32.8 percent of the vote; in neighboring Saxony, it came in a close second to the center-right Christian Democrats, with 30.6 percent of the vote. A third eastern state, Brandenburg, votes on Sept. 22; the AfD is leading the polls there.

The far-right party is also a growing threat in Unvar’s home state: In the years since the attack, Hesse’s political landscape has shifted to the right. The AfD won 18.4 percent to become the second-largest party in last fall’s state elections, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from the previous election in 2018.

In February, around the anniversary of the Hanau attack, Hans-Gerd R. sent Unvar another letter. Another one followed this spring.

Hans-Gerd R. has been cited dozens of times for harassing Unvar and other victims’ family members and for repeatedly violating a restraining order against Unvar. He was taken into custody when he defied the restraining order and showed up outside her house again in 2023. He was also briefly sent to jail that year for failing to pay his fines for the various citations he had received related to that harassment.

But despite the restraining order, the police told Unvar that they can’t do anything about the letters that keep arriving at her house: There are no laws in Germany against sending missives to someone via the postal system, regardless of the intolerance they contain.

Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky described Hans-Gerd. R’s harassment of Unvar and other victims’ family members as “subtle, almost diabolical” terrorism in a 2023 interview with the German broadcaster ARD, saying he wished the man would leave Hanau. But he reiterated that there is little the authorities can do beyond the penalties they have already put into place. “Of course, it would be best if the father left the city, if he changed his place of residence,” Kaminsky said. “That might even be better for him. But there is no legal way to force this.”

Toward the end of our time together, I asked Unvar whether she was afraid that Hans-Gerd R. would escalate from letters and leering outside her kitchen window to something worse. Unvar’s youngest son, Mirza, who is 11, had just come into the office and sat down next to her on the black leather sofa. She wrapped her arms around him as he looked up shyly.

“I’m not afraid, no. I really have zero fear—what should I be afraid of? What can happen? I’ve already lost my dearest son,” she said.

Ultimately, as she told me repeatedly throughout the course of our conversation, her fight isn’t about her. The educational initiative, the connections abroad, the advocacy, the long hours of volunteer work—it’s about children like Ferhat who struggle to get ahead in school because of the color of their skin; it’s about Mirza, sitting on the couch next to her, being able to grow up feeling safe.

“The killer’s father is still a danger to my family,” she said. “I don’t fear for myself, but I have children.”

[spiderlandry]

OMG can you please do overprotective jealous Misty there's never any fics on here for her 😔

im sorry anon this is def not what you asked for 😭 i just suddenly got an idea for a yellowjacket!reader who became an actor after they get out of the wilderness, and i thought i could use it here. if you’d like another drabble with a more specific scenario/plot, i could whip something up so lmk!!

if anyone wants me to expand on this actor!reader x yellowjackets, also lmk bc i actually kinda like it LMAO

last note i promise: i used present day misty for this because it wasn’t specified and i also love christina ricci <3

pact — misty quigley

Eyes. You can feel eyes on you at all times. A looming presence, yet a familiar shadow watching your movements. It’s similar to something you’d felt in the wilderness, however that was the part of your life you promised to leave forever except there was one thing that stopped you from completely doing so: Misty Quigley.

Despite what the tabloids say, you have not kept in contact with any of the yellowjackets. You had taken a path the others deemed unwise—you became an actor. Your work was good enough that most interviewers respected the rule of not asking about your time lost in the woods. But, even though you resisted the urge to reach out to whom you’d bonded with for life, there is always a feeling you can’t shake that Misty has been watching you closely.

It’s not like a papparazzi camera. It’s different. You try to catch the familiar head of blonde hair around the corners in streets where you feel her presence, and get disappointed that she’s not there. You miss her.

The feeling grows when you get a postcard sent to your personal home, an address nobody knows except for your family, drawn with a symbol you know all too well. The second you’d gotten it, you called your manager, telling her that you won’t be able for any projects indefinitely and packed a bag.

Either she sensed it or she was watching your house cameras, because a few hours before you leave for the flight, a disheveled Misty Quigley shows up at your door.

“Misty?” You shove aside your luggage, unbelieving the woman at your door.

“You can’t leave,” She says, out of breath. She’s in scrubs, shoes untied, and you can see her car parked on your lawn haphazardly. “Don’t leave.”

Unexpectedly, to both you and Misty, you lunge at her, arms around her neck and taking in the comfort of being in her arms again.

“You’re actually here,” You whisper, so quiet as if you’re scared she’ll disappear. You tighten the hold as she returns the hug. “I won’t leave. Now that you’re here.” And just like that, it’s the easiest decision you’ve ever made.

When you pull away slightly, you can see the bewildered look on her face.

“Wait—you’re not…gonna ask? Why I’m here?”

You shake your head, a different question on your tongue. “Did you send the card?”

“No,” she mirrors your gesture. “I just—I don’t want you to leave.”

You can’t stop the smile from creeping up on your face. Suddenly remembering where you are, you pulled her into your home and closed the door immediately away from prying eyes.

You sit her down on a bar stool in your kitchen, getting her favourite drink from the fridge.

“You remembered?” She lights up as you hand the cold can to her.

“Why would I not?” You shrug, bashful. “Tell me why you want me to stay.”

You have a feeling she knows that you know why. You just need the confirmation.

“I need you here,” Misty replies. “So I can protect you.”

Stepping closer and taking her hand in yours, you say, “You want to keep our pact?”

“You remember our pact?” She parrots.

Long ago, in the wilderness, of a past life, you and Misty had promised each other protection no matter the circumstances. Over the years as you separated, losing courage to reach out to Misty the way you wanted, the guilt has burrowed itself in your heart and made its home.

You’ve been eager to continue the pact, but it seemed that things were never quite right—until now. The world has pushed you two together even if its through Misty’s sheer will.

You promise, this time, not to let her go.

[the-broken-truth]

I just had an idea! You know that scene where Thor goes to Kratos house to discuss over somethings? Imagine if they also talk about our little bear cub.

“You seem like a calm and reasonable person… are you a cam and reasonable person?”

Imagine the first fight scene between Thor and Kratos and they also talk about Björn while fighting!! They never get tired of talking about the little bear cub, can they?

[Midgard - Kratos' Cabin - When Thor Arrived]

"You seem like a calm and reasonable person," Thor said as he gestured his large hand towards Kratos before placing - caressing - his hand on the face of Mjolnir's Surface. "Are you...a calm and reasonable person?" The Thunderer asked as he glared into Kratos' Golden Eyes.

"If the moment calls for calm." The Former God of War grumbled as he glared into the blue eyes of the Thunderer. Thor focused on Kratos' Eyes before leaning forward and speaking with a chuckle.

"I'd say the moment calls for calm, yeah." Thor nodded before looking around the house again and opening his mouth to speak again to the Former God of War, "You know, there are many symbols of strength but none stand out more than the Great Bear does. They are bodies of great power but can also be seen as keepers of peace - paragons, in a way."

"What does that have to do with you being here?" Kratos grumbled again but Thor didn't lose his smirk.

"I know that you had a bear cub in your possession, but I look around this room and don't see a trace of it. Tell me, where did your bear cub go?" Thor asked as he sat the palm of his hand on Mjolnir again.

"The Bear Cub ran away but I will find it and protect it once again. It's too small to be out there on its' own." Kratos said as he glared into Thor's eyes, wondering how the Thunderer knew about his bear cub leaving him.

"Maybe - just maybe - that's what you did wrong." Thor began, "Bear Cubs need space and training from their mothers to become the bears that we see today - the symbols of power - they long to be. You were holding your bear cub back so it ran away...and found a more suitable home to grow."

Those words made Kratos' eyes grow - Thor knew something about Björn. The Ghost of Sparta opened his mouth to speak again when there was a knock at the door. Atreus went to open it and the All-Father stood there as he called his ravens back to him. The conversation was strained - Kratos and Atreus listening to Odin talking, telling them to stop looking for Tyr and live in peace when offering to stop Freya's Pursuit of Kratos to avenge her son - Baldur. But the Ghost rose from his seat, looking at Thor and then back at Odin before uttering a single word.

"No."

Odin walked over to Thor and whispered in his ear, "Don't take all day." Before the All-Father walked out of the building as the Thunderer stood from his seat and rolled his neck.

"'Bout time."

Thor snapped, calling Mjolnir to his hand, and threw it at Kratos before the Ghost could reach his axe, sending the Ghost through the roof with the hammer picking him up by his chine higher into the sky before Thor appeared before Kratos again, flying through the air, clenching Kratos' head in his hand in a grip with hatred in his eyes.

"I've been waiting for this. You're not from here We got a tradition called ' Blood Payments'. It means I get a piece of you for what you took from my family. However, you also gave something to us so I owe you some breathing room. You'll pick it up." Thor said as Kratos started punching him in the face but the 2 of them crashed through a statue and crashed into the ground before they separated. Thor called Mjolnir back to his hand.

"That was for Baldur. Now, show me this god-killer I've heard so much about." Thor said as he darted at Kratos with his hammer in hand.

"You said I gave something to your family! What was it?!" Kratos asked as he dodged Thor's attacks before giving a few of his own causing Thor to move back.

"Remember my story about the Bears and your bear cub? Well, now, I have a bear cub in replacement for the sons you took from me." Kratos' eyes went wide at the sound of that and he got even madder than he was before.

"You have Björn?! You took him from me?!" Kratos darted at Thor with his fists before punching the God of Thunder in the chest but all it did was make him laugh.

"I didn't take him, he came to me - clung to me like the little bear cub he is. I'm raising him now." Thor said as he thunder clapped to knock Kratos away from him but the Ghost used his shield to avoid taking any damage. Kratos managed to deal enough damage to Thor to make him kneel before running on him and punching him in the face before using his shield to make him back into a wall.

"You know my past?" Kratos asked.

"The Ghost of Sparta thing? Yeah?"

"Then you know what I am capable of! If you know what is good for you, you will return my son to me at once!"" Kratos said as he lifted his hand to call his axe to him but THor managed to push him off and the fight continued.

"You think I'll give him back just because you want to keep him locked up again?! There is no way in hell would let you take him again just to keep him prisoner in that shack you call at home!" Thor said as e grabbed Kratos by his neck and threw him a great distance until he crashed into a statue and dodged Mjolnir from crushing his head. "That's for Magni!" Thor yelled as he pulled his hammer free and backhanded Kratos before the two of them went flying again and Thor crashed Kratos' head to the ground.

"Sorry about your statue, Tyr...you preachy old stiff." Thor said as he watched the statue crumble before he was hit in the back by a stone pillar by Kratos and sent flying. The two of them kept fighting until Thor threw Mjolnir at Kratos and Kratos stooped it with his hands but Thor Thor teleported to grab the hammer handle and brought Kratos to his knees.

"You think you can come over here, become a daddy, then leave one of your boys behind and get a clean slate?! That ain't how it works!"Thor said as he pushed Kraots lower to the ground.

"I did not leave him! He ran away on his own!" Kratos countered.

"That doesn't make it better!" Thor yeled.

"Give my son back to me!" Kratos demanded

"As if!" Thor smacked Kratos in the head with Mjolnir, knocking him unconscious, "Oh no... I say when we're done." The thunderer said as he used his hammer to electrocute Kratos awake. "Now get up, I'm not leaving until I see the God of War!"

The Thunderer and the Ghost fought until they threw their weapons at each other.

"This is for Modi!" Thor yelled at the two weapons clashing together and fighting against each other.

"You put him last, even in death!" Kratos said as the two of them began walking counterclockwise.

"The fuck you say?" Thor yelled.

"Modi sought us out in fear of you. He died of the wounds you gave him" Kratos reminded Thor as the two fighters called back their weapons.

"Oh, we have a model fucking father here!" But you can't even treat your own son right!" Thor yelled as the axe and hammer clashed and created a frozen bolt of lightning. "Seems Familiar, I really need to tell Björn that story, he might like it." Thor said as he looked at the frozen bolt.

"What?" Kratos asked as he got to his feet.

"Don't matter." Thor said as he continued the battle before the grabbed Kratos by his neck and growled in his face," I can see how my sons fell to you, even this lesser version of you, but I am not my sons! And while the All-Father has plans for your other boy, I'm going make sure Björn grows up with a father's love and grows to be the stronger version that you tried to keep away from him!"

That's when Kratos threw his fist out and socked Thor in the face while yelling but the Thunderer chuckled and pointed Mjolnir at TKraots as he dug in his mouth and pulled out the tooth that came loose.

"There he is. There's the God of War." Thor said as he threw the tooth away but Kratos was seething with rage as he demanded for his son be returned to him once again., "Consider your blood debt paid and as for Björn, you can forget about being his father. As of today, you only have one son. Be seeing ya." Thor took to the skies to return to Asgard to his Wife, Daughter, and Son; leaving the Ghost of Sparta yelling his Bear Cub's name to the skies.

[pin-acolada]

CHAPTER FOUR (TQOHH)

Aemond Targaryen x Targaryen OC

Description: Her warmth and love caress his soul making him hum with bliss. Having her presence near makes all of the dark thoughts perish, as she was the flowers that grew in the darkest part of him. She is the keeper of his soul. Holder of his heart. Without her, he is nothing.

A/N: thank you for your patience. I have been feeling sick this whole week so it took time away from me to finish this chapter. Plus, I had so many idea on how this chapter was going to go, until I finally decided so again thank you for your patience. I might go back and revise some details because I feel it’s not my best. xo

The Queen of His Heart Series

Word count: 6592

italic - flashback

Winter collapsed into Spring, a season that symbolizes new beginnings that awaits to be strived. It is the time where the flowers are nourished and the sun above grants them the approval to blossom to present their beauty. The pure season was the Targaryen princess favorite out of the three seasons. The night wind begins to feel moist with the smell of turned loam and the early flowers. The moon pouring out its beauty for those to stop and admire, and allow the lick of the moons energy spur onto them beginning to feel light and safe.

She would spend most of her time out in the garden where she gets to capture the perfume of the flowers. She would sit under the looming tree that dance with the wind, and at times goosebumps will travel throughout her arm when it shyly looms over her; it made her soul smile.

The admiration she holds for such season was ethereal sight to admire from where the prince was standing. He loved how adorning she was for just being. The way the radiant grass surrounded he made her be unreal. She radiated colorful hues that it was too hard to look away, so drinking her appearance till he was full will satisfy his heart, but like always he can never get enough as she was so addicting that she became his drug.

The past four years, Aemond has watched Eudora transform into the greatest version of herself. He watched her behind the shadows – watched the care of her heart that she gives to those that needed a reminder that they were still people like her. He watched the smile she gifts to them and the help she grants without cost. He watched her leave her chambers at late hour to sneak into the Maestors hall to steal medicine, and then she would head down to town where she awaits by a door for someone to open.

There, he saw an older woman who would usher her in and would look out to make sure no one was around. There he found a roof that gave him window access to what the princess transpires, and he spied with his one good eye how she nursed a little boy to good health. There he watched the woman giving her a crying hug when she saw how her son was getting better. He watched how she will look take off her disguise and saw how unafraid she was to show who she was. He thought, at first, how daft she was to do that as she could've lost her life from there, but over time the more she went out and continue to uncover her identity made him see that everyone did not once snitch of the princess; instead, they protected her.

Aemond had pride in his heart knowing he was with someone with heart of gold. Aemond had pride in his heart knowing that someone with a heart of gold, also had a heart of a warrior.

Through the four years that'd past, he has watch her skills advanced. The way she dances with the sword, the way her eyes sharpen and her senses heighten showed how hard she trained in hiding. When Eudora was ten and four and Aemond ten and six, he once asked her "why do you train till the sun rise?"

"why do you train when the sun is full horizon?" she countered questioned.

"Because it is my duty of course. When the time comes where war knocks at our gates, it is my duty to fight for my house, my realm, my family."

"You have answered your questioned then" she said not giving any further explanation which Aemond found unreasonable seeing how the two shared everything together, except for this reason. Till this day, he still wonders and he still questions her and in return, she gives him another dead end. Though she does not offer her reason, she does offer him her wisdom.

The moon light greeted them when they enter the training yard. Aemond was behind her – observing the way her fingers touch each weaponry. He watched her picking one weapon, twirling it around and touch the edge where it was the sharpest, and put them back down. He watch her do that for every weapon, and when she was done she turned to look at him over her shoulder. She extends her hands out which he takes without hesitation.

When he was by her side, their hands never once let go as she spoke, "my father once told me that a sword is given to one who's bravery stoke the spirits. Its blade rivals crystal clear water, and like fire, calcines in each cut – because of its brightness, it appears crowned with pearl. By what I translated from him and what I have learn throughout my training is that a warrior must know the purposeful difference of each weapon. The shield is defense. The spear a battle trench. The sword is a guardian. The dagger is an ambush; knowing these ranking give you a good outlook what will help guide you what will beat your opponent.

But what every solider does not keep in mind is the bondage that must forge between them and their sword – with any other weapon in fact. A soldier and their sword is one, it is a sigil of unity and when you have acknowledge that you will become unstoppable."

"Why are you telling me this," he questioned her – eye still on her as he has never focus on the weapon she has not taken her eyes off, until she finally strip her eyes away and turn to him.

Violet meet Vermillion.

"I've seen you train with Ser Criston, and you train very hard. He rewards with words that you have potential, that you're getting better, and he's not wrong. You are becoming well with the sword, but his teaching lacks valuation. I observed you from behind – when you swing you swing with hate, not swiftness. Hatred has bared you in shackles my Aemond, it has blinded you from what is in front of you."

"Hatred is what got me becoming the best swordsmen Westeros has ever laid eyes on," he argued. She could see it in eyes again, the anger. But deep within she sees a boy whose afraid and needs a hand to hold. A boy who hides as he is to afraid to reopen what has been neglected.

"But it is also a form that will have you dead," she sniped. "What will happen when that anger consumes you Aemond, what then?" She pushed herself closer where now their chest touched, making Aemond breath to hitch feeling how close she was and to feel that familiar feeling of her warmth radiate off to him. "I tell you this for your own good because I care for you" she gently lay her hands on the side of his cheek making him lean down against them. "I am not trying to lower your self-esteem – that will never be my intention my love. This is my wisdom I gift to you: connect with the weaponry art you handle, mend with the past that brought the invasive vines. When you do that you will be unstoppable, you will see the truth." she promised.

She knew she can't change Aemond, no one can change the boy who is man becoming. What happened four years at Driftmark traumatized him, and it is what brought him to who he was now. Nevertheless, she will still stand by him and watch him transform on his own accord. That is the reason why Aemond can not help but love her. His Eudora, the keeper of his soul, holder of his heart – without her he will be lost.

Aemond, the one-eye prince has become a very quiet and angry child. Eudora, the realm jewel has become a wise and the anchor child of the family. They are two opposites that attract to each other.

Black and White.

Violet and Vermillion.

He snapped himself out of his thoughts, and focused back his attention on her. Aemond looked back down at the bouquet of Irises he held, making sure they were the ones she favored. Black Irises, her favorites.

This became a traditional exchange every time Eudora comes back from Dragonstone. She had spent a moon there having the joy of spending time with her family, whilst Aemond dreaded that whole entire month as he awaited for her to return. That was the longest she has gone away from Kings Landing, usually her travel is two weeks – no more longer than that.

When Aemond received news of her arrival, he put down everything that he was doing and ran toward the window where view the red keep, and from a distant he saw Jyrot's big figure concluding the prince that his princess had arrived and was sure she was making her way to the gardens, and he was right as he stood not far from where she laid.

As Aemond began to make his way his footsteps that pressed against the pebbles perk her ears up; her eyes abandoning the book that was laying across her lap. When she met eye contact with the one-eye prince, a smile immediately began to spread on her lips. "My Aemond."

My Aemond, oh how he treasure that name that glides from her tongue so smoothly. It made his heart hammer and when she brought herself close to now he felt her chest pressed against his own, he was afraid with how close she was she might've hear how his heart raced for her. She looked at the Irises that he held with both hands knowing it was a welcome gift for her, as she was finally home where she belonged. "My Eudora welcome home" was he said and smirked when he saw the blush blossoming her cheek. "I gift your favorite, black irises. I had made sure the gardeners to plant them from the direction of your chambers, so when you wake up on the morrow they will be the first sight you'll see from your window."

The princess was absolutely touched by Aemond's munificence, and gladly took the flower from his hand. "Aemond how considerate of you to do that; you know you didn't have to extend ways to do that for me," she said shyly as she took the flowers from his hands. "But like always, I thank you."

"For you... anything my love" he placed his hand on her cheek, and his thumb caress her soft features. "I have you missed you" he confessed, "a moon without you made the castle felt so empty, felt so dark without your light."  

"And I am now here" she reminded "do not fret my princeling as I assure you I will not abandon you. I can see from the bags under your eyes that you lack sleep. Oh my Aemond do you wish that I continue to remind you the importance of taking care of yourself" she tsked.

"I guess I need to be kept reminded," he smiled making Eudora roll her eyes at the boy, however, deep down Eudora does sometime grow concern for Aemond. Being by his side made her see how much he overworks himself, and she is always the one to remind him to take afternoon naps for his body to reset from the hours of training that consisted  of attentiveness and agility. Sometimes, she would wait outside his chambers when he was finished bathing and would get the queue that she was able to come inside. When she did, she would walk up to him and began to brush his hair while humming a lullaby. The two will then move to the bed where Aemond will have his head laid on her lap as she continue to comb her fingers through his hair to ease the tension that would flex. Oh how Aemond had miss her care that he had to depend on tea that the Maester brew to relax his body.

"Well then you can rest your head on my lap as we bath under the sun. I think this will calm your senses and blanket you to sleep. I read that the earth's perfume is quite grounding for the body.   I will comb through your hair while I tell you of my time spent in Dragonstone, I'm sure the topic of our nephews will drowse you to sleep" she joked making the prince to chuckle at that.

"Or we could head to my chambers where it just the two of us, or yours  either will work" he began to step closer having her to move back further, but stopped when her back was pressed against the bark. "I would rather us have the privacy in order for I to share how I've truly missed you. I want to feel your lips against mine again."

"Can you make your voice any louder my prince? I'm sure the ears of others will be delighted to hear your intentions and gossip" she hissed.

"And I'll let them" he challenged, "as it will be easier on my part to have all of Westeros know who holds your heart, and who holds mine."

Ah yes, another thing that began to blossom over the years, the secret relationship between Eudora and Aemond Targaryen. In a week, it will mark two years since they've been in a relationship and two moons till Eudora name day where Aemond would go up to his King father and Queen mother to ask for her hand. Of course over the time of them being intimate in the dark, never did Aemond take the girls virtue, but there wasn't a time where he did thought about it.

It started when Eudora was in the library alone, until Aegon made himself present making it now the both of them. What the two didn't know was that Aemond was also present as he was hiding behind the shelves where he saw how his brother tried to advance himself onto Eudora. The thought of another man, especially his brother, thinking that they had the privilege of placing their grimy hands against her delicate skin made him mad. Aemond over the years has grown quite cold since that time his nephews took his eye. But with the intense training and education, Aemond body and mind grew strong making him evaluate that he was the only one to be worthy of her, which is when he began to be possessive over Eudora.

When Eudora try talking to Aegon of keeping his distance and how inappropriate his intentions were, did Aemond came around the corner making his presence known. Aegon the eldest no longer had the upper hand as he grew quite intimidated of his little brother, especially the way Aemond towers Aegon height made him seem the eldest. When Aegon understood the message, did he left the library leaving only the two left.

Aemond checked to see if she was not in no ways harm, and kept asking her multiples questions that were left unanswered. He eventually stopped when he felt her hands rest against his cheek. The two looked at one another, and sense of calmness cascade through his body when he saw the peace into her eyes. "My Aemond" that name, oh how he loved the way she said. "Always my knight to rescue me from danger, how could I ever repay you?"

With a kiss, he thought or so he thought he did.

"With a kiss? I see... then I a kiss I grant you" and so she granted placing her plump lips against his own making him instinctively grasp her waist pulling her closer. Her hands that rested around his neck began to travel their way to underneath his hair, pulling it making him groan into the kiss.

Eudora was the one to pull away and she smirk when Aemond tried to press his lips onto hers again, but she jerked her head back preventing that to happen. Aemond eyes flutter open, his violet eyes meeting her vermillion ones. "Did that satisfy you my prince?"

"More than you know," he dipped his head making his nose brush hers. Eudora could see the questions beginning to pile in his head, and he wanted to ask her if she felt the same; she just waited for him to ask and where she can say yes.

Eudora has been having romantic feelings for her Aemond, ever since she was ten and two. Unlike Aemond, she knew how to bay her feelings for him, but there would be times where she will make it known in the most littlest ways; it astounded her though of how blind Aemond was as satirical that metaphorically sounds.

Aemond for her, was everything that she wanted.

Eudora for him, was everything he wanted.

When Aemond finally grew the guts to say the words, and hearing her being on the same page made his heart brighten with glee making it travel throughout his body. Eudora smiled at the boy smile that he gifted her. "You don't understand the relief that is soaring from my heart, my love" he said out of breath. "I have waited since I was ten and three to tell you how I truly felt, and hearing that you too feel the same; that your heart yearns to connect with mine, it has me make sure that no lords take your hand."

"And no lord will take it because I belong too you, as you belong to me. Till death do we part my Aemond," she assured, caressing his missing eye that is hidden behind the patch.

"Till death do we part..." I'll make sure death does not take you away.

News of the princess arrival travel it's way to Aegon who was making his way to the kitchen to get another bottle of wine. However, he came to a stop when he heard his mother calling out for him. Alicent with Haleana behind made her way to her son, and base off the look on her face made him dread that he was still sober knowing what will lead from this conversation.

Without another word coming from the Queen, she took her sons arm pulling him to wherever she was going. He looked behind to his sister who hands was intertwined in front of her, her head bowing down as he could see she was in some sort of trance. He roll his eyes at the thought of marrying her, and his stomach turn knowing he was going to have too... consummate with her.

Aegon does not hate his sister, he just doesn't want to do anything with her. She was the odd siblings and he didn't want to have kids with her believing that his children might be like their mother, making it even more of a headache to hear another voice speaking mad nonsense.

Aegon was hoping to be married off to rather Eudora, the realms jewel. Ever since they were children Aegon did not hide his infatuation toward her, in fact at every chance that he had he will try to steal a kiss; he always wonder how they would feel against his own. They seem so soft and fluffy, that he swore he may moan. Aside of that, Eudora is a woman that has ever man to be transfixed. It is a rarity to find beauty of someone inside and out, and seeing the care she gives to others, and surprisingly sometimes Aegon – made him want her even more.

He would find servant maids that had dark hair, and would blindfold them to help his delusional mind to think it was her he was fucking, and will easily moan out her name through his lips. The servants of course did not know how to close their mouths, as the gossip began to travel all the way to the Queens ear.

When Alicent figured out her sons transgression she never felt such vicarious embarrassment. She didn't hesitate to smack harder sense into Aegon. She seethe at her son repugnancy and began to make it known that if his father heard of this atrociousness, he would have his head irregardless if he was his son. He would strip him of his title giving it the more reason the council to not take Aegon seriously. Especially, if word went to Dragonstone of her son lascivious Alicent would be afraid that the rogue prince will not hesitate to take his head, and even more afraid that her dear husband wouldn't do nothing about it.

From there on, Alicent made it known that Aegon was no son of hers, but just a pawn that has she saved on the chess board where to can finally yell out 'check mate'.

As Alicent and her children enter her chambers, the two sat themselves down but sure they were at a distance. Alicent who was still standing looked at her children facial expression that read misery. She paused for a moment to gather herself, and eventually let out a breath to announce what she was going say, "I have you two here today because we need to plan your ceremony that will be taking place in three weeks. Since the announcing the two of you being betrothed, I and your grandsire could see that either never made the effort to spend quality time as a... couple. For the sake of reassuring the council, you two must present yourself as a strong couple who will one day rule the seven kingdom."

"I thought the quality time spent as children was enough bonding," Aegon said.

"Aegon please..." stress began to consume the Queen and the beginning of a headache. "Heedless of your credence, you and Haleana are to marry to strengthen claim to the Iron Throne."

"Then why not wed me to Eudora, she is of Targaryen blood what's the difference within that?" Aegon thought this to be sense. If he were to marry Eudora his claim will be strengthen due to their family be in the highest position of power, with Aegon and Eudora heirs also being full-blooded Targaryens making them legitimate. "Not only that, but she is the daughter of Maegor The Mighty making him known to be the most admirable of our family history. Me being married to Eudora will evidence that our future children will take those traits making us even more powerful and over trump Rhaenyra bastards children. None other than that, everyone is practically in love with her because she hold the perfect trait as Queen; think about it mother–" Aegon stands up as he made his way to his mother who eyes never waver from her son. He took both of her hands, gripping them to signal his emphasis. "Eudora and I will be pictured the perfect sovereigns. Marry me to Eudora and I will complain no longer. Marry me to her and I will change, please."

Before she was able to speak her thoughts, a voice interrupts ruining Aegon chance "I applaud of your ambition grandson, but that will not be allowed unfortunately," coming out from the shadows was the Hand, his grandsire and behind him was his brother who walked behind him.

"I'm glad that my grandson over here–" Otto paused as he turn to Aemond who kept staring at Aegon who was fuming from within. "–who spoke of this meeting that I was not inform about" he then looked at his Queen daughter who had her head bow, not wanting to meet the eyes of her father.

"I was just reminding them of the wedding that's not to far father."

"Yet by the look in your eyes I could see you were considering your eldest sons ideation. Nevertheless, the answer is no. Eudora is off limits according to the King, I apologize my grandchild but your father will deny your proposal – in fact he will not allow it. Trust me when I say that I have consider the notion to the King, but he has no intention of her being married as of now. According to his words, he would rather prefer her choose someone than being forced; similar to what he had done for Rhaenyra."

"Then I have time to sway her to like me, and if I can do that she will want to marry me. Her words hold power over the King, he will not deny her if he sees the love in her eyes" Aegon prevail. "Her name-day is what? two moons from now? That gives me enough time–"

"She will not even look your way brother" Aemond butted in. "and if you knew her well enough, you would've known that she has no intention in marrying at all as she has dreams to travel. So I am apologize to break it to you, but taking the princess hand is a lost cause."

"Then I will change her mind," Aemond eye began to twitch as he could see how sedulous his brother is becoming. Aemond wanted to laugh at his brother thinking he had a chance of scooping Eudora into his arms, when already she was in his and he has no intention of loosing his grasp. "And if her heart does not beat for me then I will just... bed her" and that is where he overstep the line.

"You dare!" Aemond spoke, but was cut off by his mother who grabbed the collar of Aegon shirt making him come eye-to-eye at the fire spitting off.

"Do you truly want to be put on your death bed Aegon? I'm being serious – are you out of your goddamn mind, dear sevens you will be dead once the guards will hear her screams. Viserys alongside Rhaenyra will burn you alive by the time you even have the chance to flee! In result, you as my son will have us ruined!" Alicent pushed him off of her as she wiped her hand harshly on her dress. "And I for one will not have you even touch Eudora, that girl has done nothing wrong but care for not only your brothers, but Haleana as well." Alicent couldn't believe the person in front of her was her son, and it made her think what she did wrong that made him turn out this way. "You will marry Haleana end of discussion." With that the Queen along with the Hand left the room as they had further themes to discuss.

Now it was the only the three Hightower-Targaryens left in their mothers room, none moving. Haleana began to pick at her skin causing her to bleed, eyes closing as she tried to soothe the voices that were beginning to grow louder and louder. Unfortunately, none of her brother noticed as they still stared at one another.

Aemond took a couple steps forward, now closer face-to-face toward his brother. "You will steer clear of Eudora, and if I hear that you place a single hand on her eyes regardless if it was friendly... I will take you by the neck and have you be Vhagar's meal."

"You wouldn't do that" Aegon cackled "or else you will be known not as the one-eye prince, but Aemond the Kinslayer; would you corrupt your image to that little brother?"

Aemond hummed processing the name, has a nice tune to it. "For her I will wear the name proudly – with honor" Aegon look into the depth of eye to see he was bluffing, he saw none. Usually Aegon would back away, but the anger rising inside him did not falter.

"You think you have a chance with Eudora brother" Aegon questioned with amusement. "You think the realm jewel will ever consider you? The second son, fourth child of King Viserys? Eudora is a gem and you... you are crippled." he laughed. "No amount of training will ever hide that because that right there" he pointed at the patch "is a reminder that you are nothing but worthy of her. You really think the kindness of her heat is genuine, are you sure it's not pity that she has for you? Like mother?" Before Aegon could further deepen the knife, Aemond grabbed him by the neck.

"You know know nothing of her heart" he seethed. "And you will never know because you as well brother are not worthy to have her, and to think you had the window of opportunity because you're the first son is satirical. You are a drunkard, disappointing prince and that is what you will always be."

Aemond marched his way to Eudora's chamber where he knew she was taking her afternoon nap or reading the book of herbal medicine she stole from the Maesters. When he turned the corner he saw Eudora's knight guarding the door, Ser Arron Petrovy. When the knight saw the one-eye prince and the urgency into his walk he didn't question him nor stop him from entering into her chambers unannounced.

Eudora pull herself away from the book, standing Aemond correct of his assumption. Eudora looked over his body language and immediately know that something, or rather someone had bothered to the core that he was irregular breathing.

She placed her book down by the table next to her, and made her way to the one-eye prince who's hands come to rest on her elbows pulling her in close where he could feel her breast plush against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she felt the tightness around them as if he was afraid she will be taken any moment. Aemond pressed his forehead against her own, cuddling further into her where he nose brush against her once again. Eudora hand began to stroke his cheek lovingly and traveled up to the cut. "What has you tense my love" she spoke.

"Just my brother" was all he said, not explaining further which she decided not to pry him out of which he felt grateful for. "I just needed to come here, I just... had to make sure you were here."

"We were literally laying in the garden for the past two hours my love" she chuckled. "And it's been barely an hour since we parted ways."

"I just need your warmth against my own once again" he said. "your lack of presence for the past moon was very much missed that I think I might sleep in your chambers once again."

"If that what you want then be my guess, I will not complain" she pulled their heads apart where she can meet his eye. "Besides, I think I will like to have you with me tonight. The past nights I haven been having... questionable dreams that I wake up every night confused."

"Your dreams has come back again? Why didn't you tell me or write to me?" He questioned.

"Well I didn't want to bother you, plus mother was there to aid me and she given me a tea that helped–"

"I would've flown out with Vhagar and take you back home if you were struggling; don't you remember what happened last time, you went through a seizure Eudora I thought... I thought I was going to loose you" he said perturbed. Eudora grew guilty as she began to see the worry in Aemond. He felt she didn't understand how much she meant to him, and he felt that him not being acknowledge about the issue made him assume that maybe she no longer needed him anymore. That maybe Aegon was right.

The anxiety begun to overcome him making the intrusive thoughts to invade him. Aegon voice was heard, then his bastard nephews and his father who did not want to spend dime with him. His mother voice calling out the maids to take Aemond as he could hear how she didn't want to be bothered by him. It was too much for him to handle that his legs began to give up on him making him fall on his knees.

Aemond for years felt like he was not needed. He was never needed by father nor his mother – not even his own sister. He felt he wasn't seen, he felt like a burden to everyone. He was only the second son, the fourth child of Viserys – what is he even needed for?

"Am I no longer needed?" He whispered.

"W-What? Aemond where is this comin – of course you are needed." Eudora began to panic as she could see that he was having another episode of anxiety. "Aemond look at me, what happened? What had Aegon tell you that is making you be this way. Aemond please, my love I worry for you... let me in" she begged.

"No... No I am a burden to you – I don't need your pity" he snapped.

"Aemond you are never a burden to me and what I give to you is not pity, but love. Aemond don't turn away from me – look at me" she grabbed his head forcing his eye to meet hers. "I see you Aemond Targaryen, I see you."

"You see me..." he was entranced by her voice.

"Yes, I see you" she gentle smiled. "You are seen, you are loved, you are worthy Aemond."

"I am?" He questioned.

"Yes my sweet, you are. You don't have to tell me what Aegon told you, you don't. Whatever it was don't let it consume you. Remember what I told you when we were little? People who are blinded by their insecurities would press them onto you to satisfy their ego, don't let their words trump you over my love. Don't let it."

Eudora fingers ran through his hair to comfort him. Her hands then traveled to his eye patch where she paused for a moment to ask him if it was okay, and when he nodded she took off his eye patch revealing the scar. He waited to see if she was going to back away by the scar that held a sapphire in his eye socket, but she didn't. Instead he saw the love in her eyes that never wavered.

"There would be people that will come into your life Aemond that would ravish to see you at your downfall. It will bring them pleasure knowing they have you by the neck where you are weak, and I tell you right now, don't let them. You may think yourself small, but I don't. I see a strong man who holds a sword that he dances so well with. The way he moves and the way he presents himself shows me how powerful of a character he is, that nothing and no one could ever stoop over his level.  However, I also see a lost man who tries too hard. Throughout your life Aemond you have train harder than anyone I've known. I see you screaming at them telling them you are worthy. I see that you try to be seen by those who barely glance your way. My love, don't be desperate; don't waste your time on those who barely even take a time out of their life to return the favor. You will never find what you want if you continue walking on this endless path. You must recognize yourself and reflect. You must meet yourself and mend. You must accept the ugly and the beauty of you.

Once you do that Aemond, others validations are insignificant. Their words are not even worth than your own." She pressed her hand against his heart, "Your heart and soul are the strongest armor you could ever have, and your mind is your sword. Use them. Accept who you are, don't let others rule over you, you are not their slave; you are in control of who you are and who you want to be... do you understand."

"I understand," he whispered. "Thank you."

"Promise me not to hide yourself when you're in pain, it's unfair that we laughed together but you cry alone."

"I promise. You are a gift Eudora, a rarity in this time that I am fortunate to be living in." Aemond continues to believe he has been saved by the angel in front of him, but Eudora did not save him she just found him. He needed to be found and appreciated for exactly who he was, and she doesn't mind if she had to look for him again in the dark. After all, he was the love of her life and someone with that title she will make sure of that.

"I have a gift for you" she said. She stood up from the ground made her way to her satchel where she takes a pouch. She made her way back and sat back herself down where she holds the pouch to him. "Take it."

Aemond obeys and opens the pouch. On the palm of his hand laid a ruby crystal. " I don't mind if you continue to put on the sapphire, but you have two options to choose for whatever occasion. The ruby was given to me from my father who given it to my mother. I thought I lost it and I remember crying to my father about it because we no longer matched. This whole entire time the my father had it put away" she giggled. "I guess he forgot to give it back to me."

"Why gift me something that is so precious to you?" he questioned.

"Because I already have this" she told him as she held the ruby necklace that's wrapped around her neck. "thanks to uncle daemon, he given me my fathers ruby as a token that means so much because it wraps all of my father memories. This necklace alone is precious to me. This ruby was original gifted from our grandmother who given to my father. She told him that to give this ruby only to someone you care deeply, so he given it to my mother. But when my mother passed away, he knew there is no other person he could hand this necklace to other than me because I was his last love. Similiar to what grandmother told him, he told it to me: give it to someone you care deeply about, the person who you love the most. So I thought of you."

"You love me?"

"Yes Aemond, I do."

Aemond looked back down at the ruby and he swore he saw a glint of light speck out of it. Aemond took off the sapphire from the socket of his eye, and place into the pouch that the ruby was once in. Aemond looked back at Eudora who watched him with gentle eyes, he brought the ruby to her "can you do the honors" he asked. With gentle fingers, Eudora placed the ruby into the socket of his eye, "How do I look?"

"Handsome like you always do" she said. "Now we match."

"I love you too," Aemond said. "With all of my heart."

Aemond brought her close to him and captured her lips. She sat on his lap and her arms wrapped around his neck. Aemond brought herself closer and tighten his grasp around her. When the two broke apart, Aemond nuzzled his head into the pocket of her neck as he inhaled her scent bringing him to a peaceful state.

The sapphire gifted by his mother was no longer going to be put back on, Aemond decided that he will have it put in a place somewhere in his room. He had something better and more meaningful that was gifted to the one wrapped in his arm.

His Eudora.

NEXT: CHAPTER FIVE

——————————-

TQOHH taglist:

@jugheadisaweirdo​, @caspianobsessed,

@xcharlottemikaelsonx, @zgzgzh​,

@sawendel​, @mariaelizabeth21-blog1​

[aegor-bamfsteel]

I was really impressed by your Blackfyre metas and also the content that you put sometimes out on animals, religion etc but then was really disappointed to find out that you are a Jonsa shipper. Talk about a smart dumb person. Please get help.

I tried to get help, but the helper ended up being a Jonsa themselves! Apparently when the show gives two characters a tender reunion in the snow, makes one the reason for the other “coming back to life”, one gives the other a cloak with the symbol of their house (aka marriage cloak), parallel several successful couples including the OG happy show couple NedCat, they have tense candlelit arguments in a tent, debate who is going to sleep in the lords chamber, validate each other‘s ruling styles, raise armies to protect the other, seem genuinely upset over the idea of the other having a love interest and are instantly hostile, being partly (I mean mostly, because Arya never had scenes with Dæny at all but the show decided to make Sansa suspicious of her for…reasons) the reason why one had to kill someone, and despite resentment one character still wanted the other to rule with them; and then despite not interacting in the books, they are shown to be the answer to each other’s dreams for family, they have parallel arcs, they would give RLJ and Catelyn’s fears for Jon in Winterfell a satisfying yet unorthodox twist…well, you end up with more than a few people thinking they’d be an interesting couple.

You’re lucky I mostly limit my fandom posts to ASOIAF, because elsewhere I hold even worse opinions than thinking two characters have chemistry and thematic parallels.

[hintofcolor]

More batfamily headcanons because I have so so many:

Duke has a lisp

He also has deadpan humor which his siblings love especially when their in masks and civilians can’t tell whether he’s joking or not

Duke has managed to hide exactly how chaotic he is from Bruce

Nobody told the league what dukes power is

It took them 2 years to figure it out

All they were told is that he was a meta and the all the bat kids had the time of their lives messing with them

He managed to convince a chunk of them that he could communicate with bats

He and tim together are a nightmare

Duke and Tim are the same age

Therefore they really love playing around with the twin stereotypes (twin telepathy, sharing all the same things so forth so on)

(“Oh you two are related” “yeah we’re identical twins”) (“I mean obviously I was born first” “were not” “yes I was I remember kicking you out of the way”) (“yeah Bruce couldn’t tell us apart so we were color coded” “I was red he was yellow” “I’m still not sure he didn’t get us mixed up”)

Tim gets all of his bad habits from dick

The not sleeping, not taking care of himself ,becoming obsessive over cases, holding himself to an impossible standard then hating himself when he fumbles along the way. blaming himself for things he can’t control so on and so on

No one has pointed it out because no one thinks either of them would handle the news well

Tim shattered the knee cap of Gotham academy’s quarter back in school when he overheard him call Damian a slur promptly ending his very promising football career

Dick has a playlist for each original titan member full of songs that remind him of them

Kori proposed to Dick

He cried

When angry, and I mean really angry, there are very very very few people who aren’t afraid of Dick

The people include: Alfred, Wally, kori, Roy, Barbara Tim and WonderWoman

Superman has backed away from Dick before

Dick has also made the justice league stop and take a step back because they didn’t want to get in his way

The bats are the only heroes who tend to get immediate respect because of their symbol

They hate it and tend to go out of their way to prove that they can earn the respect

Tim is one of the few people who can trick kryptonians, telepaths, and bats

There’s no special reason he just got really good at lying trying to get out of schoolwork when he was a kid

Nobody can maneuver and manipulate Bruce like Tim can and it frightens a lot of the hero community

His siblings however think it’s hilarious

If all in a good mood the Wayne kids are nightmares at galas

One time Bruce was accidentally shoved into a food table by one of his goblins

Which started a food fight

It was all over the front pages and everyone thought it was adorable, him humoring his children

The contact photos for all of them on Stephanies phone are strawberry shortcake characters she thinks each are

There’s a gold star chart in the bat cave no one knows how it got there or who started it

They also have no idea how they get a star added to their names each one has spent more time then willing to admit trying to figure it

Also trying to figure out if Bruce is doing it or Alfred

It’s Bruce

And he just randomly puts them on

He finds it entertaining how competitive they get over it

Dick gets cold really easily so in Gotham he’s practically always cold

So there are giant incredibly soft blankets on every single couch or chair in the manor

Mainly because the manor stays fairly cold because Jason runs hot

Bruce always keeps it cold even after Jason died

Since coming back Jason stays cold and nothing helps

He doesn’t mention it to Bruce

Jason’s blood glows

Not neon like a glow stick but it has a shine to it

It’s also jet black

When he gets really bad flashbacks he feels all of the injuries that caused his death which leaves him on the ground writhing until he passes out from the pain

He also tends to bleed when he gets to worked up.

He will bleed from his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and fingernails

Its mainly his eyes tho

Pride doesn’t happen in Gotham. At least not parades because while you have all of the bats and even certain rogues protecting it the city ‘doesn’t want to take that chance’

While Gotham is a lot of things homophobic is not one of them (there are homophobes but they are are few and far between and it’s extremely risky for them to say anything hateful out loud)

So during pride month a lot and I mean a lot of people hang pride flags. Typically never the same one twice. It’s the most color Gotham sees during the year

And the big event is a gala at the manor open to everyone

Harley, ivy and Selina are the guards for it.

It’s free admission but has donation stations and all proceeds go to multiple LGBT+ charities and organizations

It’s a huge event and has been going on since Dick suggested it when he was 12

They have held it every year since and never once has it gone poorly

Barbara has punched Bruce after he told her one night when she was batgirl that she couldn’t have any more coffee

Cassandra is a very tactile person and will cling on to whichever family member is closest to her

Her and Harper are really close and it terrifies the rest of her siblings

Stephanie and Harper started a club called the ‘honoraries’ for the kids that aren’t legally Bruce’s but still live in the manor

Stephs mom travels a lot for work so when her mom is out of town she lives at the manor

She’s there often enough that she has her own room

However she is always out of the house before the sun even rises on the days her mom comes home because of how excited she is to see her mom

Cassandra is scared of dogs

[fijiangecko]

The End of It All

Vampire!Katsuki Bakugou x Witch!Reader

WC: 6k+

Warnings: Cussing

Angst - breakups and makeups

A/N: I wrote this over two years ago and just found it. If I decide to edit it I’ll post that one on my AO3, or if people ask me to post it here I can <3

~~~~~~

The idea of a calamity had never even crossed their minds until a couple of days ago. Everything seemed to be harmonious between the humans and the supernaturals, but never in a thousand years could they guess just how wrong they were. In a matter of days, war had broken loose between the few humans who knew of the other world, and the extremists of the supernatural that wanted only bloodshed. The Negotiator was notified immediately, and brought a group of friends onto the scene. It only spiraled from there.

Mina and Uraraka sobbed into one another as it dawned on them that very soon everything they loved could be eviscerated, while Kaminari and Kirishima attempted to soothe them as the night went on. Midoriya and Iida ran around searching for books that could possibly lead to a solution, but there was no manual on how to fix the destabilization between the supernatural world and the human one. Todoroki sits in a chair by him lonesome, contemplating if he should leave, while Katsuki has the same thought on the opposite side of the room as he leans against the doorframe.

“Do you think we should try (Y/N) again? She might pick up this time,” Iida flips through a tome as he speaks, eyes glancing at Midoriya.

“I don’t think we should. Last I heard from her she was going to visit the harpies, and if her phone went off during that meeting then we could be royally screwed. They could have a solution, so I think it’s better if we just have faith and-” “Have faith?! That’s your shitty advice?!” Katsuki growls from across the room, a deep scowl decorating his features. “We all know damn well that (Y/N) could have ditched us and left the world for dead! She’s a fucking witch and doesn’t give a shit what happens to the rest of us as long as it doesn’t fucking bother her!” His fangs started to grow as he spoke. During his little outburst he had walked over to the table and slammed his hands down, putting more emphasis on the cuss words than anything. “She. Doesn’t. Give. A. Shit. About. Us.”

“You shouldn’t say that about her, Bakugou. We know you have a past with her, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to forget about the rest of the world. She’s not that petty.” Iida is calm as he speaks, making sure not to make eye contact with the vampire, as it could set him off even further.

“You see her as a friend, and I see her as a lover. She’s a completely different person, I can promise you that.” A low growl had escaped Katsuki’s lips after he spoke, but his ear twitched as he sensed movement outside. Looking out the window, he saw no branches move, but a bright light shone through it.

Todoroki gets up and inspects the outside of the estate, careful to not move the curtains too much. He didn’t want any uninvited guests knowing what room they were in. As he stared outside the glass, he could see an alchemy circle burned into the grass with your figure lying in the middle of it. Your body is in a fetal position, as if trying to protect something. Upon seeing this, Todoroki bolts out of the library without saying a word and goes out into the cold night. Katsuki runs after him to see what was going on with the rest of the party in tow.

The stream of people watched as Todoroki made no hesitation to pick you up bridal style from the ground and carry you back to the house. In your hands is an old book; its sides were ripped apart and there was a lock preventing it from being opened. The bind had decorative gold inlays, but no title. As of now, Todoroki did not care for the book, but the girl he carried in his arms.

“She’s breathing,” he looked to Uraraka, “and will most likely need medical attention.” With nothing left to be said, he walks briskly into the house and finds the nearest couch. Uraraka follows him and starts to check on you and perform a series of healing spells.

Kirishima, Mina and Kaminari walk back inside and sit near the other three, but make no move towards them.

“Is there anything we can do?” Mina’s quiet voice pierces the thick coat of silence around them.

“Right now I don’t need anything, but stay put just in case there is an emergency,” Ochako’s eyesight don’t leave your figure once. The party of four sits behind nod silently and watch as she works..

Outside, Iida and Midoriya are trying to figure out what the alchemy circle means. Not everyday does someone use such powerful magic to teleport, let alone a witch who prefers not to use alchemy at all. They carefully examined the etchings in the ground, the symbols older than anything they’ve had the chance to work with. Katsuki stood a couple of feet away, also trying to figure out where the fuck (Y/N) teleported from.

“Well this symbol means ‘ancient’ and this one over here means ‘creature’, but there’s one in between…” Midoriya pulls out his notebook and starts to sketch the symbols down.

“This is definitely from a different plane of existence, but I’ve never seen it. Is this from her personal dimension?” Iida spoke.

“No, it’s not. Her sigil phrase would be ‘nisi rogatus non transient’ and her keyphrase is ‘fiducia’. Plus there aren’t enough swirls in the alchemic circle to fit her personal taste,” the blonde grumbled. His eyes fixed over the old text, but this language was way before he turned into a creature of the night.

“Did (Y/N) use alchemy way back? I haven’t seen her use it in decades,” Iida ponders out loud.

“Doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t you be fucking figuring out what this shit means?” The two nerds nod and walk quickly back into the library where they begin a whole new search. The vampire slowly approached the living area where his once lover was lying on the couch with a fairy over her form. A glow erupts from Ochako’s hands as she tries to wake you up. Again, Katsuki leans against the door frame, eyes carefully watching what was happening.

He couldn’t help but feel concerned; he never truly got over you, no matter how poorly he acted. Remembering everything you had, everything you lost and the times he wished he had spent with you only caused his cold heart to clench in pain. What if I had been there when she asked? Would things be different? Does she still care? His mind raced with a thousand different thoughts. This was, afterall, the first time he had seen you in almost a century after one of the worst breakups to ever exist. 

Long story short, he was more focused on hunting rather than your relationship, so you decided to give a dangerous alchemic spell a shot after having no one to talk sense into you. Bakugou doesn’t know what kind of spell you were trying to cast, but he does know that it caused some sort of damage to your magical force. He wasn’t there during the ritual, but showed up at your hut months after the disaster. You had looked sick, as if death’s grip was starting to drag you down into hell, and before letting him speak you told him to leave, and never come back. After hours of screaming and bickering, he left. Not once did either of you try to speak to the other, but you both knew you were in the wrong. Katsuki wasn’t there for you, but you blamed him for your dangerous actions, which was in no way his fault. 

Nothing brought him joy after that; not the hunt, not the warmth of another. Nothing. For almost a century he felt empty. Katsuki wanted nothing more than to embrace you in his arms once again. Take you away from everyone and keep you to himself, but he knew that it simply wasn’t going to happen. He knew he had fucked up and is now trying to find a way to fix it. Not in a century had he been this close to you, and it was slowly taking away his life force. For all he knows, you’re in a coma caused by the harpies and have no way to save the world - or you found a way to save the world and sacrificed yourself. Either way, someone has hell to pay.

“Bakugou!” Ochako breaks his train of thought, her eyes screaming concern. “I need ice, her ribs are broken.” Standing up straight, he swiftly walks to the kitchen and retrieves the ice, taking a plastic bag and some paper towels.

“Thank you,” the round faced girl was sweating at this point, tired from healing but knowing that she couldn’t stop anytime soon.

“Guys! We found out what (Y/N) was doing!” Midoriya races into the lounge, holding several books within his arms. “She was trying to make contact with the Great Ones!” He flipped open some of the books, showing different languages and sigils.

“Why the fuck would she do that?! Wasn’t she going to see the harpies?” No one needed to look to understand who was speaking.

“I contacted the harpies, and they said she did speak to them, but only for a short time. They didn’t have anything that could help, so she left in a hurry.” The green haired male put his books down on the nearest surface and flipped through a particular book. “They did say that she bought some mandrake liver, which is odd considering it’s very expensive and very hard to come by, but I guess if she made contact with the Great Ones it makes sense. No one has been able to talk to them in years, not after they cut themselves out of the supernatural. If (Y/N) actually talked to them, then she is the first person in a millenium to ever see or speak to them. It’s a miracle she’s even alive.”

“Yeah, they almost fucking killed me.” You start to rise from the couch, rubbing your temples as you do so. “Think I could get a glass of water, my throat is fucking killing me.”

“You’re up! And so quickly!” Izuku stared in amazement at the girl who not only escaped death, but talked to some of the oldest beings in the universe.

“Yay, lucky me.. Can I just get some fucking water? Don’t mean to be rude, but I can feel my broken ribs and my dry ass throat so a little help would be appreciated.” Dry as ever, you spoke to no one in particular as you lean back into the couch and press the ice bag into the ribs that are broken. “Could someone grab me some rat tails, lavender powder and milk from the toad? Should fix these ribs real quick…”

“On it,” Mina hops up from her seat and runs off to gather what you asked.

“How are you feeling? Besides the ribs and headache.” Ochako reaches for your hand, taking it into her own.

“Pretty good, actually. Great Ones offered some knowledge, albeit for a price.” Peeking an eye open, you gaze at your peers. 

“Did you find the answer?”

“What ‘price’?” The negotiator and the vampire spoke at the same time, both asking valid questions but concerned about different matters.

“Cool your jets, besties,” fangs bared, Katuski growled at the thought of being “besties” with a fucking nerd, “I need to heal up before I start spilling the details.” Just then, Mina runs back into the room, all three ingredients in hand along with a mortar and pestle. 

“I got the stuff! What do I do now?”

“Now, you hand it all over and watch a witch work her magic.” Your greedy hands swipe the contents of a healing elixir and begin to mash everything together. Tediously, your fingers throw components into the mortar, then pressing them together with the pestle makes a liquid in which you drink in one big gulp. The group watches as your ribs emanate a sickly light, making the room glow in a mysterious manner. After about five seconds, it stopped and you stood up to stretch.

“Much better, now how about we go into the library so we can examine this,” you wave the torn book, “and figure out how to save the world.” Moving forward, you give them no time to answer. It gave them no choice but to follow you.

“Would you at least answer my damn question?” Katsuki remains in the doorframe, unmoving from his comfy position..

“How about you move out of my fucking way, and go to the library like I said? Maybe you’ll get your answer there, huh?” You shoulder check your way out of the lounge and into the library.

After everyone takes their places in various spots around the library, you begin to speak.

“I want to apologize for being so late, after I said I was only going to the harpies. Turns out, they don’t have much more information than mine and Midoriya’s libraries combined. Right as I was about to leave, Tokoyami said there might be one more group I should go see. He pulled me into his private room and gave me the liver of a mandrake as well as a page from his personal grimoire. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but it was the alchemic way to reach the Great Ones. We talked for a short time after it about how to approach them and what would happen if they did or did not decide to help. Knowing we’re getting short on time, I did the ritual right there in his room, and low and behold I was taken to a dimension far outside our normal planes of existence. It was cold, dark and dank with a stench that rivaled the odors of giants. My senses were being attacked in the most foul of ways, but that was the least of my concerns as I was met with the eyes of not one, but three of the Greats.” You shudder at the memory. “When they spoke it was deafening. I felt like I was going mad, or at the very least I was losing all sense of control. They knew why I was there, and decided that it would be more beneficial to help me, as what is going on now also affects them.” You cast your gaze downward, whispering the next sentence. “They agreed to tell me what to do only if they were given a sacrifice-”

“EXCUSE ME?!” Bakugou roared from the other end of the room. “YOU TOLD THEM YOU WOULD SACRIFICE SOMEONE?!”

“Kacchan-”

“YOU DON’T GET TO SPEAK, DEKU. SHE IS GOING TO SACRIFICE SOMEONE! SHE DECIDED TO TRADE ONE OF US OFF FOR THE ‘GREATER GOOD’! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU ASK A GOOD FOR NOTHING WITCH FOR HELP! I TOLD YOU IT WAS A MISTAKE TO ASK HER FOR HELP!”

“I NEVER SAID IT WAS GONNA BE ONE OF YOU.” The commotion stops. All eyes are now on you. “I never fucking said it was going to be one of you, I didn’t even finish what I was saying…” Your eyes look down at the shaking in your hands. 

Todoroki reaches forward and takes your hands in his own, stopping the tremble that has overcome you. “Go on.”

You take a deep breath in, “Like I was saying, they asked for a sacrifice of a magical being, but one of great power so the balance in the cosmos would be right. I tried to ask them what the requirements were for ‘great power’, but I received no answer. Instead, this book,” you put it down on the table, “appeared in my hands. Next thing I knew, I was on the couch…”

“So you don’t know how to unlock the latch on the front?” The green haired boy slides the book to himself, examining it with a sense of importance.

“No, but I have a feeling I’m the only one that’s going to be able to open it.”

“Why is that?”

“I mean, I’m the first person in forever to even see one of the Greats, let alone live from an encounter with them. If I’m not able to open it, then no one can.”

“Okay, well are there any keys that you have on you now? Maybe it’s the same one as your house key or lab key?” You shrugged and pulled out a set of keys from your pocket. Immediately you noticed one that hadn’t been there previously.

“Or the one that just happened to appear…” Inserting the key, and twisting it releases the metal strap on the bind of the book. It makes a soft clicking noise as it opens. Greedily, you opened up the pages to see what they held, only to find them blank. “What the fuck?” Aggressively, you flip through the whole thing until you find one page where a plethora of information was held.

“Is that it?” Iida was peaking over your shoulder. In fact, the rest of the party had gathered around the table to see what was going on. Well, everyone except the blonde haired, red eyed vampire.

“It has to be. This is the only marked page.”

“Well, it seems to be in celestial. Can you decipher it?” You cock your eyebrow and turn to Iida.

“Is that a question?”

“Hey, less flirting, more reading,” Kaminari spoke.

“That wasn’t flirting, but not like you would know.” He jolts back at the sudden attack, feigning a hurt look. Small chuckles could be heard around the room, but they died down as everyone anticipated your analysis.

“It’s a ritual with both alchemic and abjuration magic,” your eyes continue down the page, trying to make sense of all the scribbles, “but it looks like there’s only one ingredient.”

“Let me guess, a sacrifice.” Red eyes bore deep into your figure as Katsuki spoke.

“...yeah.”

“And where the fuck are you going to find some ‘great magical being’?” His teeth are showing as he scowls once more. It may have been years since he’s seen you, but he knows what you’re thinking.

The knuckles on your hands start to turn white from the frustration that was building in your chest. You weren’t intending on telling everyone how you were going to let yourself be sacrificed in the name of Great Ones. You wanted to keep it a secret from them, but Katsuki could see right through you.

“I don’t know.”

“FUCKING LIAR!” He crosses the room with lightning speed and wraps his hands around your neck, crushing you into a nearby bookcase. Your vision is white for a split second, but returns to see a face with nothing but disgust across its features. Gasping for air, you attempt to pry his hands off of you, but it wasn’t worth trying as you knew the kind of strength Katsuki possesses. “I know what you’re planning to do! You want to kill yourself because some old ass supernaturals want you to, but I’m not gonna let that fucking happen.” He slams you into the bookcase once more after seeing your eyes start to drift off. “Do you hear me?!”

“Bakugou, get your hands off her now!” Iida, Todoroki, Kaminari, Kirishima and Midoriya run over to the scene and start to restrain Katsuki. They struggle to pull him back, but after a few seconds of letting you go, your whole body drops to the floor and your lungs start to gasp for oxygen. While you are coughing, Mina and Uraraka latch onto your sides and help you up. Now sitting down, you cough trying to catch your breath.

“What the hell were you thinking dude?! You didn’t even let (Y/N) fucking speak?!” Kirishima’s speech was a low growl, his eyes turning from the normal black color into a more yellow, dog-like eye.

“I’m not going to let her fucking die because she thinks she is self righteous. She’s not more important than any of us, and if she thinks so I’ll kill her myself.”

“How do you know that?! How do you know that she wants to sacrifice herself?! How do you know that she thinks she’s better?!” Kiri stops, waiting for an answer. When none presents itself, he continues his rant. “You don’t know what is going in her head! So stop assuming you know stuff that we don’t!”

“Kiri, stop before you make a fool of yourself.” Gently, you put your hand on the shoulder of the raging werewolf. His eyes fade into the black abyss they once were. All eyes were now on you, “Katsuki’s right. I was going to sacrifice myself…” several gasps were audible in the thick silence, “but not because I think I’m better than anyone here. We all are powerful in our own regard, but I’ve been alive for twelve hundred years. If anyone of us is going down, it’s going to be me.” Scoffing, Katsuki barges out of the room, unable to deal with the level of bullshit he just heard. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe he was powerful, or anyone else in the room (he wouldn’t say it outloud), but he couldn’t believe that you were willing to give up on yourself to save the world. Did you not see how important you are? Whether you knew it or not, he cared about you and he didn’t plan on letting you die anytime soon.

The tension built itself around the room as the still airwaves remained unchanged. Not even breathing could be heard. Standing up from the table, you put the chair back into place and made a grab for the book, but someone stopped you. 

“No,” green eyes bore into your own, “you’re not taking it. We’re locking it up. There has to be a different solution.”

“There isn’t! We’ve talked to everyone we possibly could have and no one else thought of anything! For fucks sake Midoriya, I had to talk to some ancient beings to get a hold of this spell and almost died because of it! I’m taking what’s mine!” With both hands, you yank it from his grasp.

“I said no (Y/N). We’ll find another way. There has to be another way-”

“There’s not! What is so hard to understand! The clock is ticking and it’s only a matter of time before it all turns to shit, might as well fix it now and get it over with!”

“(Y/N), just give me the grimoire. Don’t make this any more difficult than it needs to be. No one here wants you to die, and we’re not going to let you! Just pass it over.” Conflicted, your white knuckles loosen on the rough leather and place it down on the table. Without looking at anyone, you make your way to a spare room and sit on a bed, thinking about what else there was to do.

Hours passed as you thought about the end of it all. There is no other way for this to end. The fucking Old Ones said that this way the only way possible, so it has to be right? We exhausted all other resources: the scripts from Alexandria, my personal collection, Izuku’s personal collection and the harpies. None of us had anything. Your foot was tapping against the floor anxiously. If I could just get the pages from the book and get back to my place then it could all be over. None of them would have to worry anymore. It’s been a couple of hours… maybe they’re asleep. If I take it now and make a run for it, I’d have at least a couple hour head start. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about someone trying to stop me…

With a gameplan in mind, you stealthily make your way out of the room, creeping around as silently as possible. Passing a few other rooms, the snores of several companions reassure your suspicion. Now was the time to strike. Trying your damnedest not to make the floor creak, you tiptoe through the house to the library. You’re assuming it’s still there, but they could’ve removed it. Too busy focusing on trying to make a sound, you didn’t realize the pair of blood red eyes that closely follow.

Upon reaching the library, your eyes land on the old leather cover that lies exactly where you last remember. Swiftly taking it from its place and reaching for its key, you took the latch off and ripped the single page from its binding. As you did so, a knocking noise was heard from the entrance, but looking at it didn’t give you an answer. Everything was where you left it, but the uneasy feeling of eyes on you causes a thought to cross your mind. Am I being followed? Shoving the spell into your pocket, you glanced around one more time to make sure no one was there. 

“O custos revelare,” voice barely above a whisper and clutching the necklace of the triple goddess, the knowledge of Katsuki’s watchful eyes on you entered your consciousness. Great, just what I needed. How the fuck am I supposed to leave now? Maybe if I trapped him somewhere that he can’t be heard, or if I place a silencing spell? No, he’ll still be able to get someone’s attention. Best shot I got is to lure him out of earshot from the others and place a trapping spell, but that requires time… Fuck! What the hell am I supposed to do?!

Quickly trying to recover from the stream of thoughts, you make your way to the attic. This should be far enough from the others. If he screams up here they shouldn’t hear him, especially with all the fabric. Now how do I get the circle in place? ...goddamnit why the hell can’t my brain think of something? Abjuration? No, that’s later. Conjuration? No. Divination? No. Evocation? No. Necromancy? What the hell, no! Transmutation is a no go as well. That leaves alchemy, enchantments and illusions. Alchemy takes too long, so that’s out of the question, and Katsuki can easily overpower my enchantments. So illusions it is.

Katsuki watches as you stumble your way up a couple flights of stairs, trying so hard not to alarm anyone of your presence. He couldn’t help but feel amused at your little act. You just look so cute acting like a rogue trying to steal their first jewels. On the other hand, he couldn’t believe that after the outburst he had and Deku’s own freakout you still were going through with your plan. Do you not care about him? Do you seriously not realize just how important you are? Of course he’s gonna stop you; the minute you stormed off he knew there was a plan being formulated.

Shattering glass littered the stairwell as the nearest window blew inward. Immediately, Katsuki checks for intruders and looks down the stairwell to see that the other windows have been broken in as well. Peering up, he doesn’t see your figure any more and begins to panic. With his enhanced speed he runs downstairs and starts to sniff out anything suspicious.

Leaving the crystals in their place to keep the illusion going as long as possible, you could care less about making much noise. Bolting up to the attic, you shut the door behind you and took out a pocket knife, working on a trap, or abjuration, spell. The intricate carvings were taking longer than you thought, and the panic of being caught was causing you to slip up.

“Shit! Fuck!” There’s no time left! Once again grabbing the necklace of the goddess, you start reciting a simple fire spell and start to burn the lines into the wood floor, being careful not to burn the house down.

“Adolebitque imperium.” A small flame danced around the floor, as if following a line of gasoline. It wasn’t even a flame, but looked like the end of a stick of incense. The small embers made their way around the room, carving out sigils and words. Trapping a vampire was tough enough, but with Katsuki’s strength and will it was going to be even worse.

Back downstairs, Katsuki stalks the main floor, careful not to alarm something that could be in the house. His nose isn’t picking up on anything out of the ordinary, but he got the feeling that it was all a ruse. Looking around more only confirms his suspicion as he noticed no other windows were broken, and when he got back to the stairs those windows were put back.

“That sneaky little-” his feet pound on the ground as he makes his way to your location. “I can’t believe she- what a little- UGH!” He fells dumb. He knows your magic, but he couldn’t even figure it out on first glance - not like he used too, that is.

Reaching the top of the stairs and closing the door, he tries the doorknob, but to no avail. 

“(Y/N) open the door.” No response. He waits a few seconds until he tries again. “I swear to fucking God (Y/N), open the goddamn door or I will break it down.” Pressing an ear to the door, he listened to double check he was in the right area. After hearing some shuffling on the other side, his fists pound against the door. “I can fucking hear you, you know!” When no response came, again, he grabbed the door knob and snapped it off like it was a candy cane. “I’m coming in so don’t fucking attack me!”

You stand by an opened window, wind softly blowing through your hair and the moonlight highlighting your face in all the right ways. If only someone had a camera, this shot could make “Time” magazine. Katsuki’s breath was taken away at the scene; you looked so serene and just as beautiful as the day he met you. Although his heart wasn’t supposed to be beating, he felt as though it might leap out of his chest and run into your arms. You turn slowly, to face him with the ripped pages gently folded between your fingers.

“Hand it over. We both know I’m not letting this happen.” He inches closer in the room, about a foot away from the carvings on the floor. You just need to provoke him further, but the look in his eyes was killing you. They weren’t like anything you’d ever seen come out of Katsuki; even in the most intimate of moments. They screamed desperation but remain firm.

“It’s the only way, and you know it.” Eye contact hasn’t broken once since he bust the door open, but it only intensified as you speak.

“I don’t fucking care if it’s the only way. You are not dying for this, for these people! We both know what kind of shit the world puts us through and you want to put your life on the line for them. For those BASTARDS!” Screaming, he moves another few inches forward, eyes pleading for you to give in. “WHAT HAS THE WORLD EVER DONE FOR YOU?! BESIDES PUT YOU DOWN AND BEAT YOU TO THE CURB?!”

“It showed me you. Didn’t it?” The question startles him. You were the calm to his storm, the yin to his yang and yet… he didn’t want to admit that the world actually did him good.

“No. I gave myself to you. I wanted to be with you. I loved you. I still love you. Can’t you see this is fucking killing me?! Can’t you see that I just want to be with you?! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT I WANT YOU BACK?! THAT I WANT TO WAKE UP TO YOU WITH ME EVERYDAY?! WHY THE FUCK CAN’T YOU-” He didn’t realize he had closed his eyes with rage, and that you had made your way across the room to him. In the middle of his rant, you placed your soft hand on his cheek, caressing his face. Instinctually, he presses his cheek further into your touch, opening his eyes to meet yours. It felt like he had just had a sip of water after a centuries-long drought; this was something he didn’t acknowledge that he needed so badly, but now that it was happening he only wanted more.

“That day that you left, I was broken. For years I was only half the person I once was, and it was because I didn’t have you. I thought that you hated me, and never wanted to see me again…” 

“I could never hate you,” he grabbed your wrist, “not after everything we’ve been through. Not after our sleepless nights of talking, the years of moving around and the fact that you’re the only person I’ve ever been myself around.” He sighs, the whole ordeal becoming emotionally taxing. Not once did he ever open himself up to anyone; not after you. It was hard enough for you to crack him, but once you two were through, he built up walls of steel. “I never stopped loving you. You are the only one for me. You’re the only person willing to put up with my bullshit and able to control my temper. Even if you are a damn witch, you’re my damn witch.”

Tears start to haze both of your visions, but you give in, letting them cascade down your cheek. Heart clenched, ready to burst, you enveloped yourself in his scent, embracing him like your life depended on it. He quickly returns the gesture and places his head in the crook of your neck. The two of you stayed like this for a moment before gently rocking back and forth. Slowly, you inch him closer to the abjuration spell.

Goddess, what have I done to deserve this? Why do I have to be the one fucking person he loves but also the one person that can save everyone from certain doom? Why am I just getting him back now, right before the end? Crying harder, you push yourself further into his chest. He didn’t take this as “out of the normal” because he thought you were still crying over him; that’s not saying you weren’t, but other thoughts were on your mind. Your body still moves closer to the circle, pulling Katsuki with you. What the fuck (Y/N). You could’ve just placed the circle and left, but no. You had to stick around and make everything 1000 times harder.

The sound of wood burning turns Katsuki’s attention to the ground, where he sees the sigils recarve themselves into the floor. He was flabbergasted, the breath knocked right out of him.

“(Y/N)...?” His voice was weak as he spoke, as if pleading for this to be a dream and not the hell he was about to go through.

“I’m so sorry. I wish there was another way but there isn’t and I just-” He releases your hug, his body going rigid as he starts to piece it together.

“You tricked me… after everything I said and did, you trapped me. You’re gonna fucking kill yourself and you trapped me here so I can’t stop you.”

“There’s no other way. The Greats said that it had to be a powerful magic user, and we both know Izuku, Iida, Todoroki and Uraraka don’t make the cut. The harpies don’t have anyone as powerful as me either and it doesn’t look like we’ll be finding anyone powerful within the next couple of days. I can end this now. The panic, the worry; it could all be over with tonight.” You step out of the circle, grabbing the instructions from your pocket and holding them to your chest.

“You decided that instead of staying with me, you’d rather die. Am I hearing this correctly? YOU WOULD RATHER NOT EXIST THAN BE WITH ME?!” He ran up to you, but the invisible barrier holds him from reaching your body.

“Don’t. Don’t make this about you. This is about more than just us and it is definitely about more than what we had forever ago. I’m fucking sorry neither of us got our acts together in time, but the balance of nature needs to be set anew. If I had known that you still loved me, that you still cared for me, then yeah, this whole situation might’ve turned out differently. But the fact that it took us almost 1000 years to get our shit together and talk to each other says a little something. Maybe we’re both too headstrong to be in a relationship. Hell, that’s how the last one ended! So don’t you dare make this about you, because there are so many other people that I love and want to look out for than just you. The world is counting on me because if I don’t do this, then the world as we know it won’t be in existence within the next few days.” You turn to the window, taking a deep breath and slowing your rapid heart rate.

As you approach the window, you mutter “revertetur in terram suam” and the forest around the house transforms into the inside of your bedroom. Once more, you took a deep breath to ease the pain of leaving everyone behind.

“Tell them I love them, and I did it for the best.” You walk over to Katsuki and rip off your triple goddess necklace, offering it to him. “I know you’re not religious, but it’s a piece of me. So you don’t forget.” Reluctantly, he reaches out and takes it, examining it with a furrowed brow.

“I would never fucking forget…” it was barely audible, but it made your heart flutter.

“I love you, Katsuki. Even if it seems like I’m betraying you, I want you to know that I hope you find someone who loves you and can crack that barrier over your heart.” Walking over to the portal, you utter one last sentence, “Please take care of yourself,” and then you’re gone.

[opossumanonymous]

How did things get so messed up?

Warnings: Talk of murder, a single swear, Inko just sometimes thinks about murder, uh vigilante Izuku

Black Widow Inko! Part 2 featuring Dad Might vs Dad for One! This is honestly just Crack with a plot...

******************************************************

It seemed like yesterday he was in that hospital room meeting his son for the first time. Inko holding their sons tiny body, tears welling in her eyes as she beckoned him closer.

He walked over with no hesitation fully ready to meet Izuku (The name chosen by Inko who got to pick after winning a bet).

Sitting down next to his tired wife he stared down at the infant in wonder. The tiny human they'd waited 9 months for was finally here. Hizashi almost didn't know how to act for a second, so caught up in looking at the tufts of green hair and freckles covering small cheeks.

Reaching out Hizashi gently caressed Izuku's little face with a single finger causing the baby to let out a coo. He grabbed his father's finger in his little fist nearly bringing the 200 year old man to tears.

If asked that's how that day went to Hizashi of course Inko remembers him nearly flooding the hospital room but Hizashi would never admit that.

Tears or not that day Hizashi knew he would protect them with his life so how....how did things get so messed up?!

How did he end up sitting across from his arch nemesis?!

How did Izuku out of everyone in Japan end up with one for all?!

And most importantly how did All Might end up seducing his goddess Inko?!?!

Seriously Hizashi just couldn't understand how she could be with such a lowlife, she must not know who he is.

Never before had Hizashi felt such a deep burning hatred for anyone.

Currently he was sitting on the couch in his and Inko's apartment while she and All Might sat on the adjacent couch. No one spoke until Inko finally cleared her throat.

"Toshi this is my ex hus-"

"Current Husband."

She looked at him with eyes full of fire and a voice full of venom as she spoke. "You forfeited that title the second you thought not calling for 12 years was a good idea."

"...."

She always knew what to say to shut him up especially when she was angry. One of the things that interested him in Inko at first was how unlike most she got incredibly smart when angry.

She also got more sadistic, he could practically hear the gears turning in her head as she calculated all the ways she could kill him.

In this house he was not the devil no, the cute green haired woman sitting across from him was. In fact the murderous aura around her was very concerning, not that he feared for his life with witnesses around. He knew she'd be angry but he'd hoped him getting on his knees and begging for forgiveness would work like last time.

Meanwhile Toshinori was on the verge of having a mental breakdown. At first when he walked into the apartment after a date night he was shocked to find none other than All for One standing in his living room. He quickly pushed Inko behind him ready to defend her against Japan's greatest villain.

While he no longer held one for all that wouldn't stop him from protecting his wife with all he had. How did All for One break out of tartarus anyway?

And just how did he look like this?

All for one looked the way he did before their battle where he smashed his upper face in. All for one, who last they spoke had no eyes, hair and barely a nose now had all of that back and even looked a few years younger.

Each and every person in this room was plotting how to kill someone. Thankfully this day they'd all walk away unscathed.

Mainly because they all had a secret to hide from eachother.

Inko didn't want Toshinori to know about her past, Toshinori didn't want Inko to know who her ex was, and Hizashi didn't want to anger his wife further by revealing any of her secrets. (He may have been criminally insane but he wasn't stupid)

After all one does not rat out their ex-assassin wife's past to her new husband who is also the ex-symbol of peace. Lest they both team up, beat your ass and throw you back in prison or just straight up murder you.

"Anyway Toshi this is my ex husband Hizashi, Izukus father, he left about 12 years ago with no contact or information."

"Oh come now darling those divorce papers weren't serious. I understand you're mad but I'm back and I promise nothing will keep me away this time."

The utter nerve of this guy he really wants to die today! He's lucky he stopped wearing ties years ago or else Inko would've been choked him to death!

"Tea. I'm going to go make some tea I'll be back soon." She said with a strained smile resisting the urge to rip out Hizashi's teeth.

After she left to the kitchen the atmosphere got even darker the two mortal enemies now left alone.

"So it wasn't enough that you destroyed my face and took my son as your successor, you just had to go and seduce my wife too!"

"Your wife! Did you not just hear her she divorced you?!"

"Yeah all because of you and your meddling if you hadn't destroyed my face putting me in comatose I would've been there for her and Izuku!"

All Might paused for a second realization hitting him like cold bucket of water. Before he got his composer back not wanting the enemy to get the upper hand.

"If you hadn't have been quirk smuggling and stealing classified documents I wouldn't have had to!"

"Oh so it's all entirely my fault?!" Hizashi scoffed "I bet she doesn't even know what you did to me does she?"

Toshinori stayed silent it was true she may have known who he was but she didn't know about his hand in her ex husband's absence.

He had no idea how lucky he was she didn't know or there would be two dead men walking instead of one.

"I take your silence as a yes then?" Hizashi was a little smug now.

"Not like you've told her who you really are." Hizashi frowned at this causing Toshinori to smile "I see I'm right as well."

Well he was only half right he never out right told Inko she figured it out on her own. But All Might didn't need to know that, after all no use making Inko even more upset then she already was.

Meanwhile in the kitchen Inko was trying to figure out how to shoot her ex from the kitchen without Toshinori noticing.

While she knew it was impossible without blowing her secret a woman could dream.

As the tea finally came to a boil she noted the distinct sound of her sons bedroom window opening and closing. Knowing her son was back from his nightly vigilantism only done on weekend nights per their agreement. She briefly considered pouring rat poison in Hizashi's serving but decided against it.

Not that the good for nothing scumbag didn't deserve it. But just scaring him would do for now unless Izuku didn't want him in his life. After all he was Izuku's father and Izuku deserved to choose whether he wanted him in his life or not.

Bringing back a tray with the tea she sat the cups down with an eerie look on her face. "Here you go Hizashi I made yours just how you like it!~" She said sweetly.

Yeah Hizashi isn't drinking that, no way she definitely must have done something to it. He hasn't survived the past 200 years to die like that, thankfully his lovely queen isn't good at holding her emotions in.

"Thankyou darling you're too kind." He said taking a cup but not drinking from it.

Toshinori on the other hand called her buff he knew she wouldn't do anything. As he drunk his own cup he remarked on how good it was, well atleast he didn't have to worry about no real or imaginary poison.

Toshinori really didn't know what to do he was having a mental crisis. Should he tell Inko and young Midoriya the truth about All for one or not say anything? The boy would be devastated and would he really want to fight his own father when the time came? He would never forgive himself if it caused Izuku mental pain.

But if he turned Hizashi in to the hero commission they wouldn't know it was him. But he'd still have to deal with them being distraught and possibly hating him for not telling them sooner. Plus everything might become public and there's no telling how many enemies All for one has made that would be out for blood.

This was bad, both his morals and heart clashed at the thought of hurting Izuku and Inko they both quickly became the family he never got to have.

Izuku even started calling him dad for crying out loud! What would he call him if he found out his idol and mentor was the one who separated him from his biological father?!

"We need to settle this once and for all." Inko finally said still annoyed and just wanting Hizashi out.

"Yes you're right we should Inko darling. I won't make this hard, I promise I only want to see my son. Perhaps he can sleepover at my place on the weekends?"

Toshinori paled at that, if he got young Midoriya alone there's no telling what that monster would do to the boy. He could kidnap him, take one for all, and lock him away forever. Toshinori couldn't let that happen deciding he'd rather tell both Inko and Izuku who 'Hizashi' really was.

"Yeah no I don't think so you can have supervised visits and you can take him somewhere if I'm available to go with."

Yeah Inko wasn't buying what her ex was selling she knew he'd have Izuku quirkless and vaulted if she left them alone.

Not to mention that would force her to try rescuing him leading to her being vaulted as well.

But together they could defeat him after all he couldn't fight them both at once.

Hizashi was about to open his mouth when all of a sudden a voice called from the hall.

"Dad?"

"Yes son?" Both men said in unison before looking at eachother with a glare.

Izuku just stood there frozen in shock as his step dad and biological father glared at eachother. He couldn't believe his eyes, even though he heard his father's voice he just thought his mom finally got him on the phone. But this is unreal he never thought in his wildest dreams his father would be in front of him again.

He gripped his plan shirt that had "shirt" written on it in big white letters. His heart felt like it would beat out of his chest at any moment, a million questions going through his mind.

He was so deep in thought he didn't hear his mom get up from the couch and approach him till he felt her hand on his shoulder.

"Sweetie are you okay?" His mom asked him worried.

The two men stopped glaring at eachother now focused on Izuku concerned for him.

Tears came to the greenettes eyes as his voice shook with joy. "Dad!"

Hizashi was then tackled by the boy, slight bits of green lighting appearing on him showing his small use of one for all. Despite Izukus small stature compared to his father's hulking one, Hizashi nearly doubled over feeling like he was punched.

His son was a strong boy, he lamented the years lost since his little green bean was no longer little.

Wrapping his arms around his son Japan's evilest villain patted Izukus head. Causing the ex-symbol of peace to go into a coughing fit, a waterfall of blood pouring from his mouth.

"Dad are you okay?!"

Pushing away from Hizashi Izuku went to check on Toshinori as Inko offered up a handkerchief. Taking it in gratitude Toshinori thanked his wife before reassuring Izuku he was okay. "Thankyou son I'm alright no need to worry." Giving his signature grin he ignored his enemies death glare.

All for One the demon emperor would never admit he's jealous of anyone especially his arch-nemesis. But seeing his son coddle that blonde theif made his blood boil.

"Well this will be a new experience I never thought you'd call someone else dad..." Hizashi said with a strained smile his mouth lighting up with fire for a second.

He could always burn the blonde homewreaker with his fire breath good thing that was the quirk he with.

"Oh I guess it will get really confusing calling you both dad. But what other alternative names for you both? Or I could just call one dad and the other something else...maybe papa could work?" Izuku muttered suddenly, scratching the back of his head.

Both men looked at eachother realizing this could be the deciding factor. They knew that whoever got papa would win, after all it was the cuter of the two choices.

"Alright it's decided then!" Izuku claped his hands together a wide grin growing on his face. Both men sitting in anticipation at the boys verdict. The two looking like they were on a high stakes game show as sweat trickled down their foreheads.

"I'll call you dad" Izuku pointed at Hizashi "and I'll call you papa!" He then pointed to Toshinori.

Toshinori felt like he could do a cheer, his crops were watered, his stomach was back, his scares gone, everything in the universe was right.

That was until he looked over at All for One who he was sure would definitely kill him now if he wasn't going to before. His aura now darker than before as Toshinori's own aura glowed bright with happiness knowing he was the superior father figure in Izukus life.

Meanwhile Izuku ever oblivious to his father's fued just gave his mom his best smile feeling happier to have them in his life. After all they were his family and he wouldn't change that for nothing in the world.

******************************************************

Sometime later

Yoichi: Leave brother we will not leave this host!

AFO: Oh I don't want your quirk little brother, no not anymore.

Yoichi: Then why are you here what else could you possibly want?!

AFO: WHAT I WANT IS FOR YOU TO MAKE YOUR GOLDEN BOY LEAVE MY WIFE AND SON ALONE! HE'S RUINING EVERYTHING!

Yoichi: I see so that's what this is about...yeah no this is what you get. Consider this karma goodbye brother.

AFO: OH NO DON'T YOU DARE HANG UP ON ME TELL ALL MI-

Yoichi: *disconnects AFO from Izukus conscious*

AFO: *Sitting in Izukus room while his son sleeps* I can't believe it he hung up on me.

******************************************************

AFO: I'll have you know I did alot of good things I'm not a good for nothing scumbag!

Inko: Oh really name one good deed you've done since we got married.

AFO:............Well umm..... Oh! I had Izuku our son!

Inko: Hehe yeah no I had Izuku you just stood there and cried in the corner for 11 hours.

AFO: WELL YOU TRY BEING SUPPORTIVE WHEN YOUR WIFE CALLS YOU A- Wait no actually I adopted a stray child off the streets! That definitely counts as one good deed!

Inko: WHAT!?

AFO: *realizing how bad he messed up* You what happened was....

[findingjoynweirdstuff]

Dream SMP Recap (January 14/2021) - Dawn of an Empire

While the day is at first full of happy bonding moments with Techno and Ranboo, and Tubbo continues work on Snowchester, things take a turn for the sorrowful as Puffy questions her stance in the server’s conflicts and wonders what it truly means to be a knight. 

Later, Badboyhalo gathers a Roundtable on the Crimson together to discuss matters concerning the containment of the Egg, and the future of the Badlands.

Now that L’manburg has fallen, it might be time to take a step forward into a new age.

It’s the spark of a new alliance.

The rise...

Of the Eggpire.

---

- Dream whispers to Techno that he’s currently living at his mysterious house far away. 

- Techno comes up with a plan to name his dogs after donators.

- Dream also tells Tubbo he’ll kill him soon. (Uncertain if the things he said are jokes or serious)

- Ranboo gives Techno the axe that he made to replace the Axe of Peace.

- Ranboo tells Techno that he’s planning on going off to find another Woodland Mansion

- Techno’s dogs kill Edward. Rest in Peace.

- Tubbo goes to collect ice from the ice biome for Snowchester

- Ranboo shows Techno the stronghold.

- They then set off through the Nether on another roadtrip. Apparently, Techno still has some plans that may involve some violence in the future.

- They reach the Woodland Mansion and loot it.

- They then commit some mild arson, then head back.

- Techno says goodbye. Ranboo now has three more Totems -- three extra lives!

- Puffy looks out at the L’manburg Crater, saddened by all the loss and destruction. She’s unsure of where her loyalties lie.

She considered Techno and Dream her friends -- and her duckling! But can she really support someone who did this?

“Right now, this castle is a hollow nothing...it’s just a title...There’s no consequence, ever. It just happens, and people just get sad, and they have to suffer their feelings and move on...We need safety, we need security, and happiness. We can’t live in fear.”

“To Dream, my duckling...I might be a villain. I don’t wanna be, but it’s what needs to happen. I might have to sacrifice...”

She questions what her duty is as a knight of the SMP, and starts to write her statements in a book.

“Sometimes being a hero to others comes at the consequence of being a villain to those who you hold closest.”

- She goes to destroy the cottage she made for Dream.

“I did this ‘cause he didn’t have a home...and everybody, no matter how cold, or violent, or angry, or maybe even unforgiving they may be... Everyone deserves a home, a place they can go to at night to feel comfortable and safe.”

- She burns it down. A lot of the non-flammable blocks remain, though.

- Puffy starts listening to “TNT” by CaptainSparklez and TryHardNinja as she explodes the rest of the house with TNT.

- In the explosion, though, she exposes Dream’s old house as well (as it was directly below the cottage) and blows some of it up by accident, instantly regretting it. 

She’s very surprised that she built a whole new home for Dream right on top of his old base without even knowing it was there.

- She decides it was a happy accident, and now Dream is fully homeless. She still puts everything back in the chests, though, to clean up. 

- She finds in one of the old chests an abandoned copy of “Blocks” and decides to keep it. It isn’t Tommy’s canon disc, but she decides to give it meaning anyway.

“This disc might not have started canon...but it’s canon now...Red, because of all the bloodshed and wars that have been waged over them.”

- She goes back to the crater as it starts to rain and thunder, and questions whether she should keep the disc or burn it. Or perhaps give it to Tommy?

- Puffy decides that she has sympathy for Tommy. Sure, Tommy’s made mistakes, but he’s young and has been exiled twice now! He’s already paid for the things he’s done enough. Does he really deserve all of this? And poor Tubbo as well, being put in such a tough position, leading a country.

- She decides that the Glitch Cube can be her panic room for the time being.

- She goes to the Castle, thinking about how useless it is. It’s just a symbol with no real meaning behind it. Not by the fault of Eret, but because Dream calls all the shots. Eret is the king, but has zero control.

- Puffy then looks at the ruins of the Community House. Who’s to say it wasn’t Dream who did it? How do they know it was really Tommy?

- She thinks that when somebody’s made mistakes, you have to be there for them and help them grow instead of just exiling them and leaving them alone to rot. Tommy’s suffered enough consequences for his actions. He doesn’t need to be blamed anymore.

- She wonders why Techno can spawn thirty withers and not be exiled, but all Tommy does is grief George’s house a little and he gets sent miles away? There’s a double standard.

She believes in justice, not cruelty. And exile is cruelty.

- Skeppy comes online and she gets into the Skeppy Maid skin, as one does.

- Puffy goes to set up a beacon in her base. She creates it using one of the stars she got from the Doomsday withers. 

- Puffy then gets a pet spider named Peter Parkour.

- Bad comes online and Puffy shows him her Catboy Skeppy outfit.

- Puffy also gets a slime pet and names it Jream.

- Later, Bad comes online to gather a roundtable about the Egg. Punz, Puffy and Ant come online to join in. As Bad refers to them, the “Egg People.”

- Bad begins the meeting by saying that the Egg has become a problem. What is there to be done?

He also mentions the carnage that took place in L’manburg. They quarantined the Egg and kept it from spreading its Vines across the server. 

Bad proposes that instead of keeping the Egg contained...they break the containment and allow it to spread again.

- Ant insists that Bad must be corrupted somehow, while Bad claims that Skeppy has been cleansed of the Egg’s influence and that whole situation is just a matter of getting him back to normal.

- Bad seems convinced that L’manburg being gone has something to do with them keeping the Egg contained.

- Bad likes that L’manburg is gone, but it’s problematic that there’s so much chaos coming from Dream and other members of the SMP. He wanted L’manburg to remain a source of conflict, and now the Badlands lacks a consistent source of chaos for the server since Dream blew it up.

And he thinks that the Egg is just the right amount of chaos that is needed.

- Punz and Puffy, the Dream SMP faction members, both think Bad has lost it. What about peace? Who knows what the Egg could do?

- Bad points out that the Egg isn’t in the Badlands. It’s in the heart of the Dream SMP. 

If they let the Vines spread, it would give the Badlands an opportunity to take control with the one other large remaining faction weakened.

- Puffy loves the Vines, but she wants the peace to remain. Bad says that peace is never going to happen with the Egg’s power being concentrated in an isolated chamber. The potency of its influence will only grow.

- Bad suggests they look at the Egg to prove a point.

- He asks the Dream SMP members what they want, since he’s already made a case for the Badlands. 

Punz says that he’s “factionless...”

- The entire Egg Room is completely covered, and new growths seem to have appeared on the Egg. Its power is so concentrated that even Punz, who had before always had immunity to its effects, says that he’s starting to feel something.

- “Little Red,” the pet Vine that Ponk has in his Casino, has “flowered” and...turned green?

Ponk apparently poured holy Twitch Prime water on it.

- They go back to the Roundtable and Bad asks if Puffy and Punz want to join the Badlands. 

He says that he has a long-term plan, and that if Punz and Puffy join them in their forces? They could easily take over all of the Badlands territory.

He proposes they let the Egg go and wipe out the entire portion of the Dream SMP while the Badlands searches for a counter to it. They come in after the chaos, clear the Egg with their methods, being the “saviors,” and 

TAKE OVER THE ENTIRETY OF THE DREAM SMP TERRITORY, FORMING THE BADLANDS EMPIRE.

- Puffy says that she thinks Bad is turning into a tyrant. Bad says that he wants the Badlands to be a collective, all with equal say in the government instead of one ruler controlling everything. All the factions with one ruler have faced issues.

- Punz says that he’s willing to work towards chaos. He supports the idea that Bad has. Bad suggests that if Punz and Puffy agree, the Badlands can incorporate Punz’s territory and Puffy’s temple. Punz and Puffy are not a part of the Badlands faction, just part of the incorporated territories of the Empire.

- Bad wants an Empire name.

---

He declares that the Formation between the Badlands, Punz and Puffy shall henceforth be known as: 

THE EGGPIRE

“Let’s let chaos reign over the Dream SMP.”

---

- They go down to the Egg Room to destroy the barriers keeping it in.

“Eggcellent.”

As they destroy it, Bad says he’s grown fond of the way the Vines look. Wouldn’t it look nice if these spread all over the server?

He wonders if Sam would be in agreement with this.

Puffy is still having a few doubts, but Bad insists that all this current chaos will be in the name of achieving eventual peace once all other faction conflicts have been wiped away.

- What’s the best place to plant the seed of the Vines?

Badboyhalo suggests the Crater. 

The Ruins of L’manburg.

- Puffy thinks they all should have protected L’manburg. Punz hesitates...he says he “tried his best to help,” but that they should move on and upgrade the Crater with a little floral decoration.

- They head to the Crater and begin planting seeds of the Crimson all around the L’manburg Flag at the bedrock.

- Badboyhalo believes that, once they take complete control...

It will be the ultimate utopia.

- All they need to do now is convince Sam to go along with the idea. Punz suggests that they get him to go down into the Egg Room without a Prime Suit on.

- The egg puns are getting out of hand. This is an issue.

- Lastly, they gather together, the members of the new Eggpire, in the Church of Prime.

- Puffy still feels that she’s the only voice of reason, and wonders whether she’ll have to warn the others about the Badlands’ plan.

- Once he’s stepped away from the other members, Bad reveals that underneath his disguise, his red has been drained away to gray and white just like the Egg did to his statue. He doesn’t want the others to know yet, but thinks Antfrost was close to catching on.

- Meanwhile, Puffy continues to write in the Captain’s Log -- her journal from earlier. She is very concerned about these new developments.

---

Upcoming Events:

- Futuristic Tales From the SMP Episode

- Tommy’s plan to kill Dream

- The eventual reveal of Pandora’s Vault

[fandomficsnstuff]

Little Dragon - Part 9

Summary: You were a child slave of Meereen, when one day a silver haired woman sets you free. Though your master isn’t too keen on letting you go, and Daenerys took personal action to see you freed and taken care of.

(Warnings: a bit of Dothraki which will be written in bold, also, the tiniest hint of a possible future ~romance~)

High Valyrian is in cursive

You giggled as you flew besides Drogon, Daenerys’ on top of him, heading back towards Dragonstone. Daenerys had suggested flying together, since she knew how much you loved it, and besides, she loved it herself. As you landed near Dragonstone you couldn’t help but feel a certain freedom, one you knew Daenerys felt as well.

You sighed as your feet hit the ground, and you moved to Rhaegal’s face, your hand running along his neck all the way and you gently placed it above his nose, leaning your forehead against his nose tip for a moment before letting him fly off with Drogon. You walked with Daenerys back to Dragonstone, parting ways by your room as she continued down the hall, possibly to her own room.

As you got inside of your room you saw Missandei standing near a hot bath and you grinned widely “Missandei” you greeted and she spun around, hiding something behind her back as she bowed her head “Princess” you walked closer “what are you hiding?” You watched as Missandei pulled a small, but detailed, wooden figure of a girl, and the closer you looked, the more it resembled you, making you grin even more. “One of the Dothraki made it, he was young, a bit older than you, a few years maybe, but he said that he hoped to live long enough to see you and your mother on the throne, he asked me to give it to you”, you looked up at her with tears in your eyes, still grinning. “You inspire a lot of love, Princess (Y/N), just like your mother” you nodded as you wiped away a few tears that had spilled over the corners of your eyes “did he really say ‘throne’?” Missandei laughed “no, he said ‘iron chair’, I see your mother told you that the Dothraki have no word for ‘throne’” you nodded at her words as you took the small figure from her, it really looked like you, but not like in a dress, it was the clothes you had on when you rode Rhaegal, he must have seen you in it and remembered “she did… where is he, the Dothraki who made this?” Missandei smiled gently at you “I can show you, but after your bath, before the water gets cold” you nodded, putting the figure on your night stand before returning to the tub “of course, thank you, Missandei” she smiled and left your room so you could undress and bathe in peace.

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After your bath you had changed into a dress, it was one out of thick material, to keep out the cold, but it was comfortable all the same, it was (Y/F/C), a small dragon pin on your chest, symbolizing your mother’s house, and your own now, your shoes were also warm and thick, but still fit enough to walk on the sand, which you currently were. You watched Missandei point out the Dothraki who had made the small wooden figure, sitting on a stone along with a few other Dothraki, no more than five, scattered on the beach. This Dothraki was handsome, he had the same copper-tones skin as all the other Dothraki but a different glow to it, the same almond shaped eyes that stood out anyway, but he was different, he was younger, so his hair and beard had no real length to it, his curly black hair rested on his head like the rest of them, but you’d somehow be able to see him even in a crowd of Dothraki he was obviously tall, you couldn’t be sure of what physique but he seemed lean, he was leaning his elbows on his knees, a knife in his hand and a rock in the other, he was sharpening his knife. His black coal eyes found yours and you swore, on your life, that you saw a hint of blush on his cheeks as she quickly looked away again, trying to act like he hadn’t seen you. You approached with an amused smile, walking straight up to him, forcing him to look at you without touching him, and your smile somehow grew as your eyes locked, you watched him quickly stand up and try to bow as he had seen the Unsullied and others do but it didn’t go over well, which you didn’t mention, but the fact that he tried made feel weird inside.

You didn’t know how much of the common tongue he spoke, and you didn’t know that much Dothraki, so instead you showed him the small figure, grinning when you saw his eyes widen in realisation, “I am very happy for this” you knew there was no word for thank you in Dothraki, so it was the best you could do, but he seemingly understood you as she grinned himself “good, but I did not know the lady would tell you that it was me who made it” he spoke a bit too fast but you still understood most of what he said, his voice wasn’t as deep as some of the other Dothraki, but then again, he was young, “I asked” you gave a light shrug, enjoying the way he seemed to be shy around you, not at all how you imagined a Dothraki would act up close, but then again, you had heard from Daenerys of Khal Drogo, her husband, and how gentle he could be with her when no one else was around.

“What is your name?” you did your best, but Dothraki had not been one of the languages you had not focused on, sadly, and now you cursed your younger self for not paying more attention.

“Ezzo”

“Ezzo…” you tasted the name on your tongue, it gave you a warm feeling saying it, and it made you smile brightly up at him, and after a while you realized that you had stared, making you blink and quickly look down, blushing red. “I-I hope my Dothraki is understandable enough, I’m afraid that I never paid enough attention when my teacher tried to teach it to me” you knew, you just knew that it sounded awful, but glancing up you only saw his smile “I think you sound beautiful” you grinned widely at him, about to say something else when out of the corner of your eyes you saw an Unsullied soldier approaching, making you turn your head to him, it was one you knew, not well, but you knew his name, his name was Grey Curse, just thinking about it made you wince, so you never spoke it out loud.

“Princess (Y/N), her Grace is asking for you, Missandei said you might be here” you nodded and looked back at Ezzo, who had no idea what was being said “I have to go... “ you said in a sad voice, making Ezzo frown but nod all the same, almost like he expected you to just go right then and there, but you couldn’t help yourself, you leaned up and gave him a peck on his cheek, a quick one, you barely noticed it yourself. You couldn’t help the grin you had on your lips the whole way to the map room where Daenerys and all the rest were waiting for you. Daenerys raised her head to look at you, about to say something but seeing your grin she froze, narrowing her eyes at you and smirking ever so slightly “want to tell me why you are so happy?” she spoke High Valyrian, mainly because she wanted a bit more privacy, even though she knew that Missandei, Varys and Grey Worm could understand her, but both Varys and Grey Worm were good at pretending not to hear her, however Missandei smirked amused at the scene unfolding before her “no reason, why are we speaking Valyrian, mother?” you shrugged, making Daenerys scoff amused at you “I just got ready to scold you for being late, but seeing you this happy, I’ll hold it off, for now” you knew she was just being playful, it was in her tone, and both Varys and Missandei couldn’t help the tiny smile that forced it’s way onto their lips, hearing their Queen’s words, but quickly shook it off as Daenerys turned back to face the map carved into the table.

“So, you were saying?” all of you looked back to Tyrion who nodded and resumed talking about his plan to sent the Unsullied to Casterly Rock, but for some reason, your mind were stuck on the beach, standing with a tall Dothraki, who’s curly hair was like a crown, resting gently on his head, his eyes black as coal but still warm, and you kept thinking of his name, Ezzo, you wondered what it meant. Ezzo, maybe it meant kindness, or maybe it meant strength, or courage, or maybe it meant handsome, if so then it’d certainly fit. You were so lost in thought that you hadn’t noticed the map room clearing, all but Daenerys, who smirked at you with amusement “so” she began, snapping you out of your day dream, you eyes locking with hers and instantly you blushed, looking down and fiddling with the wooden figure you still had in your hand, something that Daenerys easily noticed, “who made that?” you let her take it from your hands, letting her study it with a warm smile “a Dothraki” her head instantly snapped to yours, making you realize what she feared “he’s very sweet,” you quickly assured, seeing her visibly relax, of course she trusted her army, but Dothraki was not known for being gentlemen, she knew this very well, better than most “his name is Ezzo… Missandei said she saw him carve it and he asked her to give it to me” you continued, taking back the small figure as you looked at it fondly “I wanted to thank him so Missandei brought me to him, I’m sorry I lost track of time” when you finally raised your head to meet her gaze, you saw nothing but warmth and joy, a small smile resting on her lips “well, I’d very much like to meet this, Ezzo” a part of you began to grow nervous, what if she didn’t like him? You knew she loved you and only wanted what was best for you, but you also knew that although she had not birthed you, you were her daughter, her only living human child, and you knew that no matter what, a dragon would protect it's young, with fire and blood if need be.

[erromes]

ST. NAHIA OF GETARIA - ART HISTORY (PART 1/2)

on my old blog one of my friends asked me ab how nahia would be portrayed in art over the years (hi zoe) and i wanted to transfer stuff over to here because i still think a lot about it! plus if your muse is into art history and/or religion in general, these might be some fun facts they would know!

- white roses are often depicted in paintings of nahia, as they are the kind of flower into which the arrows in her body turned into after she died, so artists have kind of…just sprinkled them either on nahia or on the environment around her.

- sometimes artists will use lilies in this same manner, but it’s very rare. you can expect paintings with nahia to generally be very dark, with nahia and her bow as the center of light, bc ye olde painters with their shitty light and dark rhetoric.

- as one of her titles is the virgin’s huntress, artists turned to mythology and depictions of diana/artemis for inspiration, and frequently depict nahia with a pack of hunting dogs, even though she never had such a pack of dogs.

- also in relation to diana, her halo when painted will often look very much like the crescent moon often depicted with diana/artemis. to distinguish nahia from artemis/diana, however, she is sometimes given wings

- paintings of saints in general tend to have certain ‘attributes’ that make them recognizable bc let’s be real, there’s an assload of saints and medieval painters weren’t so good at facial features so nahia’s attributes are her bow, pearls, a basket of mussels, or combos thereof.

- she’s predominantly painted with white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes, because old white male painters are terrible that way, so if you see some cookie cutter medieval white female saint holding a bow, it’s probably nahia.

- there are a fair amount of depictions of nahia that feature her in armor, but most of them have her wear your standard draping robes – said robes are always painted a dark blue or grey color, meant to symbolize the sea from her home village. this is also why you will see those baskets of clams, mussels, and/or oysters.

- pearls are a really important object that shows up to distinguish her as saint nahia! she used to collect pearls before her journey, and so paintings will often depict her as either wearing pearls, with pearls studded on her armor, or a string of pearls in her hand! so…yes!!! pearls !!!

- in scenes of her death, sometimes saint sebastian can be seen among the angels and the virgin who are accepting nahia’s soul, because i guess they assumed that saint sebastian just…showed up because he was also shot by archers? even though he 100% was not there at nahia’s death and she has no idea who he is lol. in fact even in depictions of various stages of nahia’s life, saint sebastian is just. there? giving her advice or something? like i said, even though he never did.

- nahia’s death is more often than not depicted as a stricken young woman standing with max three arrows in her body, eyes cast towards heaven – your run of the mill martyr post, even though she was really heaped in the dirt with dozens of arrows in her body.

- the arrow that pierced her heart, and thus the flower that came from that, is sometimes a red rose, not a white one.

- sometimes she is shown as stepping on a serpent, for further connection to depictions of the virgin mary.

- in paintings of the scene where visigoths storm nahia’s house, they often paint her as holding and protecting a baby boy in defiance for more marian significance, when in reality she saved the four little girls by hiding them.

- nahia was 16 when she died, but most of the portrayals make her seem in her mid-20s, making it easier for people to forget that she was a god damn adolescent child on her pilgrimage

- it was only during like…modern times when people may have started to pick up on this forgotten saint nahia, and Portray Her Right, you know what i mean? like. no halo, no wings or flowers or anything. just a young girl depicted bloody and bruised but with HOPE in her eyes.

[hunterartemisanime]

Noragami: Bishamon- the Archetypical Warrior Mother Goddess

Bishamon or Bishamonten from “Seven Gods of Fortune” in Shintoism is the typical “strong woman” trope character in a Shonen anime called Noragami: she is angry, she is beautiful and conveniently buxom for fans to drool over her. Termed by Yato as “ugly broad” Bishamon is fierce and coarse. However, she is not only that: she has a caring and nurturing side which almost caused her demise once and put her in danger over and over again. So this is my take on Bishamon and why she is the Eastern archetype of “Warrior Mother Goddess” instead of her Shinto persona.

First of all, let’s look what Bishamon actually is in the Classic Shinto religion.  In Japan, Bishamonten (毘沙門天), or just Bishamon (毘沙門) is thought of as an armor-clad god of war or warriors and a punisher of evildoers. Bishamon is portrayed holding a spear in one hand and a small pagoda in the other hand, the latter symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. His (because Bishamon is a male in Shintoism) legend derives from the Hindu Demigod “Vaisravana” or “Son of Vishrava”, who is known as Kubera the God of wealth. Both Vaisravana and Bishamon are associated with material fortunes and Bishamon is really a fierce version of Vaisravana, a well-fed, content and rather gluttonous demigod. 

But how a god like Bishamon gets transferred in Noragami to a woman? It could be a design choice by Adachitoka to create a contrasting female character who could meet Yato in a more Godly plane. But I can see some clear Hindu influence in Bishamon’s design. She is inhumanly beautiful, fierce, perfect body and with rapunzel length hair. Her design is very similar to the Warrior Goddess Durga. In the “Meditation of Durga” she is described as

“the one with great length-ed dreadlocks in her head...whose face is beautiful like the full moon, whose complexion is as fair as flax seed flower...whose beautiful teeth sit on her full lips, whose full breasts hold the elixir of immortality*-- (Meditation of Durga, verse 1-3)

The physical description of Durga has uncanny similarity with Bishamon. the Goddess is also called “nabayouvana sampannang, sarbabharana bhushitang” (who is young and clad with fantastic jewels). Bishamon may be young and beautiful but she does not wear any eastern jewels: she is rather clad with her regalias posed as weapons, navigation and clothes; thus it isn’t far off.

It is not only the superficial physical appearance that are similar with Durga and Bishamon; they also share some character similarities. The traditional Bishamonten is not known to have a mount or Divine Familiar, Bishamon in the anime on the other hand does a divine familiar in the form of mount: Kuraha, who takes the shape of Lion and can travel in the air. This is an iconic similarity with Durga, whose divine mount is a lion. In “hymns of Gandhesvari” Durga (or her Gandhesvari form) is described as “Simhasta” (the one who rides a lion). Durga is also known as “Simha vahini” (she whose vehicle is a lion). The Bishamonten is known to carry only one weapon, a spear, but Bishamon in Noragami has or carries multiple weapons because she has multiple regalia. In the “Meditation of Durga” the goddess is known to carry a goad, bow and arrow, executioner’s sword, discus, conch, mace, shield, rosary and the trident. Bishamon too carries multiple weapons: whip, guns, knife long machete etc, just like Goddess Durga herself. One part of Durga’s weapon is “Aveda barma” or the “impenetrable armour” forged by the ironsmith of the Gods, Vishwakarma (the forger of the universe). Bishamon wears a full blown armour by her regalia Aiha when the Ebisu-crisis occured and she had to journey to underworld.

Now, in the parallel of two warrior goddesses who seem to be far from society’s idea of ideal femininity, where does the nurturing part fit? According to the Hindu mythology Durga is only a fragment of the ideal femininity: the rightful rage of “Adi Shakti” (Ancient Energy), the Female mother goddess. (Excuse my jargon) in the “Durga Saptashati” of Rigveda, the Goddess is described as “mother of all creation” (verse no 3) and at the same time she is described as “creator, sustainer and destroyer of the world” (verse no 4) of which she is the Mother. Bishamon has an extensive collection of regalia: she does not discriminate who is weak or who is useful, she takes everyone in as her own according to Noragami Wiki: 

“She willingly accepts any wandering and troubled spirit, useful or not, and adds them to her family. “

She and her Shinkis live in Takamagahara which is the universe on its own, so she is the guardian and mother of her Shinkis in a way. Takamagahara is situated in a place which has golden hued galaxy as the backdrop of the sky. The form of Durga which alludes to the primeval Female Goddess is called “Bhuvaneswari” (she, whose body is the universe). The shinkis or regalias derive strength from her divine existence and they exist in a palpable form because of her. It again alludes to “Devi Suktam” (the introduction of the Goddess) where is has been mentioned:

“ I am the Queen of the Universe; I give wealth to those who worship me. I am the all-knowing one and the prime one among the worshippable deities. I enter many bodies as the Soul, taking various forms and with different manifestations, in various ways. ... That one who eats food, who sees, breathes, and hears whatever is said, he does all that only through me (my powers). Those who do not understand me, die. “ --(Devi Suktam, verse 4 & 5)

The sense of being center of the universe has brought a tremendous sense of loss and grief to the goddesses in many occassion. In the myths, when Goddess Parvati (the calm version of Durga) loses her child Ganesha, she assumes her rageful spirit again to destroy the universe that has taken her child from her. Bishamon has faced tremendous sense of loss and grief when she lost her “Ma” clan due to the malefic thoughts of the Shinkis--an action which blighted her tremendously. She too assumes a vengeful spree towards Yato, who allegedly slaughtered her “Ma” clan. 

In short Bishamon is a great representation of motherly strength in anime field: the term “mother” often evokes a sense of tenderness, security and comfort, but it has been proven in the ancient myth that bringing life into the world and the sense of protectiveness towards life is the most powerful energy of all: it can make an break everything in existence and when the motherly tenderness is challenged it can manifest in one of the most destructive forces in the world. Thus the “ugly broad” “stern powerhouse” persona is only skin deep. The essence of Bishamon is far greater and more empowering. 

* In ancient India, full breasts of a woman, which are swollen with milk was granted as a symbol of motherly power, nourishment and comfort. A woman with moderate breast size or small breast size were considered equally beautiful. In fact talking about sexuality in religious and secular discourses by scholars and sages were acceptable. It has no sexual connotation whatsoever. Please don’t perverse it in any sense.

...

wow that’s a lot, now tags (although I have no evidence that they like Noragami)

: @sidd-hit-my-butt-ham @yanderebakugo @kurokonbscenarios @kurokonobasket @kurokonoboisket @art-zites @idinaxye @sp-chernobyl @strawbe3ryshortcake @reservethemoon @rilnen @a-shy-potato @thirsthourdemon @animebxxch @edagawasatoru @akawaiishi-blog @reinyrei @chloe-noir @theswahn @ahobaka-trash @jeilliane @trashtoria  @scarlettedwardsposts @quirkydarling @ghostieswaifu @levihan-freaks @hope-im-spirited-away @yves0809 @marshiro1101 @bubziles @heartfullofknb @kit-kat57 @akichan-th

[ginkgomoon]

Gavin's New Rain Date- Analysis

Finally was able to watch this new Gavin date, and of course, the gears in my brain started to turn and analyse then type out each individual sentence. I love how I will never look at MLQC content the same way ever again ever since I started Tumblr.

This analysis will heavily be referencing Gavin and MC’s high school history which I made a detailed timeline that you can read before moving onto this analysis.

Following the sound, I discovered a cardboard box in a corner of a wall along the street, with one white and one black kitten crammed within, looking up at me and meowing incessantly.

MC: “Are you guys hungry?”

I squatted down and took out a little packet of sealed cat food.

“You two share now, okay?”

Seeing the two cats tussling over what was apparently their first meal in a while, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I placed the umbrella on top of the cardboard box and prepared to get up and run to the metro station but the rain pattering down suddenly halted.

A shadow blocked out the sky over me. I looked up in surprise to see Gavin holding an umbrella.

Gavin: “So there you are.”

-

He started walking, and we proceeded shoulder to shoulder toward the metro station under the broad umbrella. The rain dripped and splashed everywhere. Suddenly, a scene from the past flashed in my mind, giving me a feeling of déjà vu.

MC: “This seems to have happened before.”

He turned to look at me, a flash of nostalgia in his eyes.

Gavin: “It has, actually.”

He looked at the falling rain and the shining street lights, and thought back to a long time ago when they first met. That was also a rainy day, lit up with the dim lamplight. The drizzle on the girl’s bangs blossomed into a neon glow the boy had never seen before. -New Rain Date

-

As he passed down by the alley, he saw a girl squatting at the corner like a mushroom. She didn’t have an umbrella, relying on a thin, rundown roof for shelter.

Gavin could hear sounds coming from the paper box. Confused, he paused in his steps. It turned out to be a little kitten.  

The girl’s clothes and hair were already drenched from the rain and running down along the side of her face, but she didn’t seem bothered by it. The kitten, with a handkerchief covering it, would meow occasionally .

The girl chuckled softly and said, “are you hungry?”

At that moment, Gavin had thought the girl was asking that question to herself. She retrieved snacks from her bag and opened it, feeding it to the kitten.

The drizzle that accompanied the dim street lamps along the roadside, fell on the tips of the girl’s hair. A rainbow he had never seen before then appears. For an inexplicable reason, for a long time Gavin had stood there until the girl had turned back.

She looked at Gavin in astonishment, not knowing how he had been standing at the opening of the alley.

Water droplets dropped continuously onto Gavin drenching his light-coloured fringe on in front of his forehead. A few seconds passed, and the girl’s astonishment changed into a clear smile, warming into Gavin’s heart without permission.

Gavin frustrated kicked away a can near his feet. He then hurriedly removed his jacket, covering it over the girl’s head. He heard a faint “thank you!” from behind when he had gone.

Gavin ran in the rain, his white shirt fully drenched. In the eyes of that girl, Gavin had a different colour when compared to the tales told about him. -CN Tilted Time Rumours and Secrets

Just from a couple of sentences, we can make out a lot of parallels. I love how in MLQC, the writers make the effort for the storyline and events to juxtapose certain parts, as well. From here, we can also highlight new concepts, too.

On the first rainy day of high school, MC encounters a hungry kitten in a box and feeds it. At the exact moment, Gavin sees her for the first time. After a while, MC turns and smiles at him. In response to this, he takes off his own school jacket and drapes it over her head to shelter her from the rain. He runs off.

Similarly, in the New Rain Date, on a rainy day after work, MC sees two cats in a box and feeds them. Once Gavin sees her, he approaches her to shelter her with his umbrella, and she turns to smile at him. He smiles back. They both leave together.

In addition to the parallels, we can denote specific uses of symbolism that has been established.

The most first and most obvious one- rain. Rain is the symbol of renewal and rebirth. It’s the “washing away of the old” and “regrowing something better”. Without rain, you can’t grow flowers, right? In this context, rain represents the growing pain but also the beauty of life.

Gavin with the umbrella reinforces the physical idea sheltering her from the rain, but he also wants to protect her literally and metaphorically from any danger or any hardship. Like before back then in high school, he gives her his jacket to protect her from the rain- from being drowned like him. But this time, they are under shelter of the umbrella, together. As well of course, not to mention that he gave her his jacket this time around and found her in it, too.

Even within the date title, “New Rain”, we can also apply the contrast between back when they were in high school and where they are currently. The “old rain” would showcase the ideas of being with someone after waiting for them. This concept is what Gavin and MC both discuss, symbolic to their relationship because it unknowingly reminds them of how they were before. This develops into a higher understanding from reflecting, therefore catalyses the “new rain”.

I flipped through pages and stopped at one-

“All this time, I’ve been waiting for you to knock at this door and join me out of the rain.”

The delicate handwriting in blue ink was now a bit blurred. I couldn’t resist wondering what the story was behind the entry.

Gavin: “What are you reading?”

MC: “It seems to be a tale of unrequited love.”

I showed Gavin the entry in the guest book, and after reading it, a confused look came over him.

Gavin: “What makes you think that?”

MC: “Love is just like a sudden storm. One of them was out in the rain, wanting to knock on the door but hesitating. The other was waiting inside for a knock that never came.”

Gavin: “What do you think became of them?”

MC: “Perhaps the more you like someone, the more hesitant you are?”

Gavin: “But maybe at the end of the story, they were together.”

MC states that love comes expectantly, with the knock of intrusion to bring a house of cards down. You never know until it happens on hindsight- that the person is exactly what you want and need.

“It’s she who told me I could live a stronger life. And it’s she who told me I could live a more tender life.” -Spring Festival Date

Gavin had a tough upbringing contrasted to MC, with Gavin noting that she had a very pure look in her eyes when he first met her.

It is certain that MC (thankfully) hadn’t experienced when Gavin had back in his age, and although Gavin who had thought to be “damaged goods” to others, was willing to put that past him and take a chance with MC. Therefore, wanting to experience life- everything that it has to offer- together.

Upon flipping to a certain page, a familiar handwriting once again appeared before me. A simple sentence was written in the white space on the page. “It’s sunshine after rain. We’re together.”

-

MC: “Gavin, after you left, I read through the guest book some more and found the ending. They were together after all!”

Gavin: “Then one of them must have opened that door first.”

MC: Right. But if they had poured their hearts to each other from the beginning, then they wouldn’t have had to wait so long, would they?”

Gavin: “Maybe that person wasn’t afraid of knocking on the door. Maybe there was some other reason.”

His words made me think of that blood-stained letter, and the leaving without saying goodbye- or so I’d thought. The figure of someone waiting in a library seemed to form in front of me.

Again, MC had wondered “why couldn’t they confess?” almost like how people may have thought Gavin had every opportunity to confess to MC in high school.

But, the fact is, he really didn’t. Extrinsic forces, such as his father, his Evol and keeping MC safe from a distance had stopped him, or rather what MC further states, “perhaps the more you like someone, the more hesitant you are,” hesitated instead, because Gavin cannot fathom risking MC for absolutely anything at all. That is, until when he ran out of time and wrote the letter to her.

MC: “But if the rain had stopped, they would have missed it. If it was you, what would you do?”

Gavin paused. His hand holding the jacket stopped on my shoulder, while the other wipe away a bead of water from my face.

Gavin: “I would wait in the rain forever.”

He stared deeply into my eyes, and for moment I got the feeling that he wasn’t just speaking from hypotheticals. The feeling gave me an unexplainable hurtful sensation, and the rain continued to fall.

MC: “But the rain would stop in the end.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” This time he spoke without hesitation.

Gavin: “And if it did, I would wait for it to start raining all over again.”

The thing is, he really would wait for however long for her. He would persevere through life’s pains for her. He would be there time and time again to shelter her. He would go through all of it again just to meet her once more. SOBS SOBS SOBS

His calloused fingertip slipped from my cheek to my lip, bringing my breath to a halt for a second.

“Because there will never be another person like her.”

He caressed my bottom lip, and I could feel his warm breath clearly across my cheek. At seem point, my hand worked its way up to the side of his neck, an uncontrollable urge to get closer.

“Only you can find the real Gavin. Before meeting you, no one has ever entered his heart, because no one had ever reached it before. Only one person has ever broken though.”

Finally, his kiss fell upon my lips, along with a sightly chill wetness and that scent that only Gavin, had, taking my senses by storm. There was an emotion in his smouldering eyes that made my heart skip a heart, but it only scratched the surface, not going further.

The kiss was over in a moment, and only his scorching body heat still lingered distinctively on my lips.

“Now, I’ve knocked on the door.”

Without saying a word, I slipped my arm around Gavin’s neck and pulled him close, then closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his. Gavin froze, and his breath was immediately thrown off rhythm. But the next second, his hand was pressing the back of my hand, not giving me the chance to back out.

Perhaps… before you knocked on the door, I had already walked into the storm, to stand by your side.

The rain seemed without end. And we waited in the rain, for when the sun would shine again.

They’re willing to go through life’s pains in order to be with each other and live through the happiness they created together. MC fully accepts him the way he is, and instead of being under his protection, she’s willing to fight for him, beside him.

[sillyguyhotline]

potential relevance of the guard

As I said, I’ve been re-watching YTTD and doing my best to pick up as many details as possible (i have no life), and though I’m only 9 minutes in, there’s something that’s caught my eye. At the beginning of the game, right after the Shadow Sou sequence, we see a pair of hands coming up behind Sara, seemingly to grab her.

It’s a very short scene, so you tend to forget it, but I do wonder if there’s some relevance to it. Note that the hands are relatively large and have defined veins and contours, with bare arms as far as we can see. These hands look familiar; they look a lot like how Keiji’s hands have been depicted throughout the game. 

This is some pixel art from 3-1a of what Keiji’s hands look like, and they’ve also been depicted when he lays his hand over Sara’s as she clicks the button and when he steadies her from behind after she gets the Sacrifice in ch2. Keiji is even identifiable solely by his hand in the button-clicking CG. Furthermore, whenever there is a CG where Keiji’s hands are present, he is always steadying someone; he’s steadying Sara as she panics or weeps, or he’s steadying himself so that he can properly face Midori. I’d also like to point out one of Keiji’s lines from chapter 2; when Sara asks him to use his strength to bust down a door, he responds that he doesn’t want to do that because his arms are for protecting. Keiji’s arms are a recurring appearance throughout the game, and each of their appearances is associated with protection. 

Consider, also, that as Sara stands outside her school, she specifically notes that the light in there probably belongs to the guard, whom she thanks for his service. It makes me wonder if, perhaps, the guard is Keiji; remember that his only alibi for when he was captured was that he was out on duty with his partner, but he’s an ex-cop! We don’t know what he was doing then. It would make sense for a former police officer to get a job as a school guard; it’s a job that’s within his line of experience, but less high-stakes, and it ties back into that recurring theme of protection and defense. 

I’d also like to bring up the idea that there was something keeping Sara at school that night, something that was preventing her from going home. She makes remarks that the school looks different at night, and later, while walking home, comments that she’s rarely walked home at this hour. When she meets up with Joe, he offhandedly asks if she stayed this late for clubs, but we know she didn’t because in her fondness events with Mishima, she specifically says that she doesn’t attend any clubs. There’s, of course, the possibility that she just randomly fell asleep at her desk, but she’s known to be a model student... and wouldn’t someone wake her up? This is also reinforced with the idea that she “shouldn’t go home,” which is what Kai was yelling at her, and the fact that by the time she reached her house, the kidnappers had already ransacked it and knocked her mother out. 

(it also makes me wonder why Joe, after his date, knew to meet up with Sara at the school, but that’s a theory for a different day) 

This is sort of disjointed, but it maybe makes me wonder, even if the hands aren’t Keiji, if them reaching out towards Sara was supposed to be a symbol of protection, of holding her back from hurting herself as Keiji’s hands have done throughout the story thus far. And if they were intended to be Keiji’s... it would make sense, but it would bring up a lot of other questions. 

[writeforfandoms]

Shake, Rattle and Roll 6

Find my masterlist

This is the last chapter! We just have the epilogue. Now, in true Clue fashion, you have two choices, so please let me know which one you like better!

Summary: This is how it could have ended.

Warnings: Murder, slightly more descriptive. A couple flesh wounds. Swearing.

Tags: @fandom-blackhole @pedrocentric @sarahjkl82-blog @giizhkens-cedar

--

It took moments for footsteps to thunder into the greenhouse, and you headed back down the passageway. That would keep one of them busy, at least. You waited in the study for the next big distraction, which didn’t take long. There was another crash, and idly you wondered who broke what. This house was not lacking in pretty, decorative, utterly smashable baubles. 

Only one set of footsteps headed towards the library. You couldn’t help but grin. That part of the plan was a success, at least. You pulled your knife and left the study, looking carefully down the hallway. No sign of whoever was in the greenhouse. So you slipped into the library on silent feet, keeping a little hunched to make yourself a smaller target.

Mikken was alone in the library, his back to you, but only briefly. He was looking at the smashed window, but you knew that wouldn’t last long. You sped up, crouch-running up behind him, and slit his throat. 

He slid to the floor with a wet gurgle and was still. You took a controlled breath, in and out. Then another. Only Inumon left now. 

“That was very handily done, little dove,” Ezra spoke from behind you, making you jump. This man was a menace. “Then again, I may have to find a new moniker for you yet.”

“What?” you gasped, turning to look at him.

“That wasn’t particularly peaceable,” he told you with a smirk.

You gaped at him for a moment. “You got dove from, what, old Earth symbolism?”

He positively beamed. “I am impressed you know that! Not many do now.” He took a step closer to you, very much in your personal space. “I find myself more impressed with you all the time.”

“Apparently I’m impressive,” you told him, not quite sure if you were teasing or flirting or something else entirely. 

“Most assuredly so.” He dipped his head closer to you, his eyes sliding half-closed even as his gaze dipped briefly to the rest of you. You drew in a breath to answer (although you had no idea what you were going to say) before he kissed you. One of his hands cupped your cheek, holding you still. His lips were soft and not exactly gentle but not rude, either. It was probably honestly the best kiss you’d had in years. 

“Oh Kevva,” you heard Cee mutter, and then she tapped you both firmly on your shoulders. “Still one more murderer?”

“Yes, little bird,” Ezra murmured, pulling back enough to look at her. He looked a little annoyed now.

“She’s right,” you agreed, feeling your cheeks warm even as you took a half-step back. “We need to finish up here first, then we can…” You trailed off, making a vague gesture between yourself and Ezra.

He perked up at that. “Well, then, shall we?” He turned to the door and went rigid. You turned your head to see what was bothering him and also went still.

Inumon stood in the doorway, her face a snarl, her thrower out and pointed at Cee. 

“Woah now,” you murmured, stepping carefully to the side. One hand gently tangled into Cee’s shirt, starting to pull her backwards. “You don’t want to shoot her, she didn’t do anything. I killed him.”

The thrower immediately aimed at you instead. Inumon still didn’t say a word, and for a moment you wondered why she was hesitating. Then you thought about it.

“You’ve only got one bullet left.”

The snarl on her face deepened, twisted, turning to equal parts rage and acknowledgement. 

“That’s a six shooter,” you murmured, thinking it through out loud, for your own benefit as well as Ezra’s. “You shot once at me, which hit the chandelier. Two for the library door. And two for the blondes, which leaves one bullet left.”

“And you will get it,” Inumon finally spoke, her voice actually shaking with rage. She squeezed the trigger, Ezra and Cee both shouted something, and you stumbled backwards. Pain seared through your left arm, just below your shoulder. Somehow Inumon had missed a fatal shot.

Well. Assuming you didn’t bleed out.

There was another shot as Ezra fired at her. You didn’t even get a chance to watch, though, because Cee was in front of you, frantically grabbing you. 

“Are you gonna be okay?” she asked, eyes wide and frightened. This was probably more violence than she’d seen in her life. 

“I’ll be fine,” you gritted out, briefly screwing your eyes shut. Kevva, that hurt. “Got my arm. Probably not vital.” 

“Do you have a med kit?” Ezra asked, joining Cee at your side.

“Who was that aimed at?” you asked. Your eyes were still closed, so it was unclear, and you figured pain gave you an excellent excuse to be both distracted and snippy.

“You. Not here, of course, but at your place of residence.”

“‘Course,” you agreed, opening your eyes. “I’m prepped.”

“Good.” Ezra hesitated only a moment. “Then let us away and I will care for your wound, little dove.” 

You looked between him and Cee and something pulled in your chest. Something you hadn’t felt in a long time. “Yeah, okay,” you agreed, voice quiet. “Let’s go.” 

That’s how it could have happened.

But how about this?

It took moments for footsteps to thunder into the greenhouse, and you headed back down the passageway. That would keep one of them busy, at least. You waited in the study for the next big distraction, which didn’t take long. There was another crash, and idly you wondered who broke what. This house was not lacking in pretty, decorative, utterly smashable baubles. 

Only one set of footsteps headed towards the library. You couldn’t help but grin. That part of the plan was a success, at least. You pulled your knife and left the study, looking carefully down the hallway. No sign of whoever was in the greenhouse. 

Movement from the kitchen caught your attention, and you watched Ezra creep down the hall, thrower in hand. He motioned you back, and you nodded and let him take point. You stayed out in the hallway instead, knife still clutched in your hand, watching for Inumon to reappear. 

A soft call of your voice got your attention, and you half-turned to watch Cee edge her way out of the kitchen towards you.

“You okay, kiddo?” you asked her quietly. 

“I’m fine. Are you?” She gave you a quick once-over.

“Yeah.” You shot her a reassuring smile, and then ushered her into the doorway of the study. That way she was protected, and you still had pretty good line of sight down the hallway. “We’re almost done here, kiddo. Then we’ll figure out what’s next for you. Okay?”

Cee nodded. She looked tired. No wonder, poor thing. It was late, even for you, and you couldn’t run on adrenaline alone forever. 

Movement down the hall caught your attention, and you carefully nudged Cee further back into the room. Inumon crept down the hallway, thrower in hand, looking around cautiously. You looked back towards the library - no Ezra yet. But Inumon was getting closer to the library, and you couldn’t let her sneak up on Ezra. You weren’t willing to risk Ezra’s life. 

So you crouched down low, still just barely leaning out of the doorway, watching as Inumon got closer to the library. And then you shouted.

“Ezra!”

Inumon whipped around, the thrower going off. You heard the bullet hit the gong behind you, and you hit the floor. There was a second shot, a third, and then a thud. 

“Dove!” Ezra hit the floor next to you on his knees, and you blinked up at him. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” you answered, getting up carefully. You didn’t get farther than sitting though before Ezra grabbed you, pulling you to him in a kiss. You settled quickly, one hand pressed to his cheek.

The moment was ruined by the second chandelier crashing to the ground in the entryway, making you and Ezra both jump. 

“How?” you muttered, staring at the ruined pile of crystal and metal.

“Inumon’s shot,” Cee guessed. “Must have ricocheted off the gong.”

You and Ezra both gave Cee appraising looks. Kid was way too smart for her own good. She frowned at you both and pointedly rattled the keys.

“Now can we go?”