#also looking for some other offers farther away too to have some options

[helplesslypurple77]

Day 14 -Shower Sex-Hisoka/Reader

Notes:  k so suspend your disbelief that Hisoka would ever need a roommate, that man is probably rich as hell, but this is my universe and I can do anything I want.

.....

Maybe your decision to get a roommate was a mistake. It had seemed like such a bright idea a few weeks ago, when you had put the last minute listing online. Because you could have a nice, large apartment in a central location and halve the price. And maybe you could make a nice friend out of it. You were even safe, requiring an online form as well as an in person interview. You weren't too worried though, you considered yourself pretty formidable when it came to ability. 

But it was not going as well as you would have liked. You have received plenty of submissions, sure. But each one had something glaringly wrong with it. You shuffle through the forms you had printed out, sighing as each one passes through your vision. These are the better ones, you threw out the worse ones already. Now, only three remain.

The first one is a woman, who after a delightful interview where the two of you got along really well, she had informed you that she had four cats and three dogs, and a cow. And she would expect them to live with her. So she was obviously tossed. The second one had been a rather mousy looking man who had some clear stalker tendencies, and had asked you to compromise on rent. You had told him maybe, and shooed him away. 

The last option was the one you were most hopeful about. It was another man, who was set to arrive any minute now. His answers on the form were promising, of course, but also very general. That was why you had set up the in person interview. To probe people and get their general vibes. 

The doorbell rings, shaking you out of your thoughts. You jump up, straightening your dress and fixing your hair, before moving to the door. This is the last one. You send up a little prayer, begging that this one will be the perfect candidate, and open the door.

The man standing on the other side of the door with his hand on his hip is very hot. It's the first thing you notice, followed very quickly by the odd way he dresses. But have met many a weird dresser in your day so you try not to judge. 

“Are you Mr Morrow?” You question, smiling up at him. He's very tall, looming over you a bit in your own doorway.

“Yes, I was informed you were in desperate need of a roommate,” The man says, offering a hand out in front of him. “You have such a lovely nen, dear.”

You take it, wincing slightly as he shakes it. He's a dramatic one. And probably a pro hunter, given the fact that he noticed your nen. And pointed it out at all. But that doesn't mean anything, not yet at least.  

“I am. Come on in.” You say, yanking your hand out of his tight, cold grip and opening the door wide. The man breezes past you, sauntering into your house with no hint of hesitancy or fear. He shows only blind confidence, accompanied by a smirk tossed over his shoulder. He must be very strong. Or just stupid. You don't know which is better. You sigh, leading him towards the living room where you have your little interview area set up. 

“Alright Mr Morrow, could you tell me why you want a roommate?” You ask, sitting down on the couch of the cozy little living room. He sits down opposite you, in one of the cushy armchairs and crosses one leg over the other. 

“Hisoka is fine,” he says, brushing a hair through his red hair, pushing it back farther. “And it seemed fun!”

You raise an eyebrow. So he's an odd one. 

“Not for a financial need or…” You say, trying to prompt him into a more in depth answer. His smiles, yellow eyes flickering between your face and the rest of the apartment, probably taking it in. It's a nice apartment, and in a central part of Yorknew city. That's partly why you were so desperate for it. 

“Oh no, of course not. I could pay for this entire place if I felt like it.” He laughs lightly, and you chuckle. Probably a bad sign, you muse as he continues. “It's just that the address of my other residence got out and I had the most annoying visitors at all hours of the day.”

You raise your eyebrow high, so high you assume it's going to disappear into your hairline at any moment, and tap your pen. Hisoka shakes his head, pouting slightly and you kick yourself as it occurs to you once again how attractive he really is. 

“It was so inconvenient, I'm sure you know darling. So I had to move.” Hisoka says with a frown, head tilting to the side. “But I soon discovered that I had been put on a no buy list. Like a no fly list? You understand?”

He leans forward, like he's telling some great secret, and you nod with a sigh. This one is a complicated one. No matter how attractive you find his arms as they flex, or his thin waist in that odd outfit he wears, you need to remain rational and not rush such an important decision because you thought this guy was hot as fuck. Hisoka smiles, somehow not disturbing the strange symbols painted on his cheeks. 

“So I figured getting a roomie was the solution to both problems!” He says with a smile, pointing his finger in the air as if he's come up with the solution to a great puzzling problem. “No weak people will figure out my address, as your name will be on the lease. And paying you the rent mitigates the no buy list issue.”

“I see, how interesting.” You say, trying not to sound too amused. He sure is a weird one, alright. “Do you have any pets?”

“Oh no, animals don't like me.” He laughs, passing his hand through his hair again. “I couldn't tell you why, will that be an issue?”

“Oh, no.” You say, a beat of worry ticking at the back of your brain. “I don't have any pets, they make a lot of mess.”

It should probably be a bad sign that animals don't like him, but honestly all you care about is the fact that he doesn't have a pet, not any flags as red as his hair that answer might raise. 

“And you wouldn't object to sharing a bathroom?” You question. The apartment is nice, but it's a two bedroom one bath. You didn't know why, an odd design choice on the part of the former owners. Hisoka chuckles.

“Oh, not at all~” He says silkily, recrossing his legs with a flourish. “I can coexist just fine with someone as lovely as you. I hear that taking showers together conserves water~”

He shoots you a wink, a smirk flashing across his face. You laugh, trying to ignore what he's laying down on the table. It's better not to think of anything like that, lest it urge you closer and closer to just giving up and taking him on as a roommate.

“How environmentally conscious,” You say, appropriately neutral as you continue. “And may I ask what you do for work?”

“Ah work. That's a little complicated, I'm afraid.” Hisoka says, tilting his head to the side with a bit of a frown. “I suppose officially, I would classify as a blacklist hunter.”

Ah, of course. You can't really say you're surprised, but perhaps it's a bad sign for your mental health that his answer doesn't actually put you off as much as it should.

“I see,” you say, noting that down on your little notebook. Hisoka tilts his head, eyes flickering curiously.

“You don't seem at all alarmed.” He questions, yellow eyes staring directly at your face. Not dancing around your face and body, not at the wall behind you. He must be very interested in your reaction.

“It's really none of my business, as long as you don't mess with the apartment,” You explain, running a hand through your hair. “And besides, I'm a hunter as well, and you don't seem to mean any harm to me. Right now anyway.”

Hisoka blinks, letting the silence stretch on for a moment, filling the air of the cozy living room. He seems a bit surprised by your answer, for reasons you can't understand. Maybe he was surprised by your total lack of fear? Or maybe your casual attitude. It was only natural, both your parents were hunters and most of your clientele were as well. You supposed you were a bit dead to what was normal and unusual. You did make specialty weapons for people all over the world. Some of your best clientele were the infamous Zoldyck family. You were kind of used to weirdos dressed in odd costumes who wanted strange things. The only thing you might need to worry about from Hisoka was how attractive you found him. 

Hisoka chuckles. 

“How interesting~” he purrs, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room. “What a strikingly brave person you are, doll.”

“I guess,” You say, shrugging off the pet name he’s already assigned you with a sigh. “Are there any questions you have for me? It's better to settle these things before you move in.”

“Ah, so you’ll have me then?” Hisoka asks, all smiles. You nod, shuffling your papers with a sigh. It seems he really is the best option. 

“Questions, hmm.” Hisoka says, tapping his chin. You wait patiently as he considers, a bit worried. Finally, he speaks. “I have an odd friend. You don't mind him showing up out of nowhere do you?”

You sigh. You've been doing a lot of sighing lately. 

“No, not really. Tell him my bedroom is off limits though.” You say, standing to your feet. You've known your share of weirdos, and as long as this one stays out of your private spaces you're fine. Hisoka smiles, rising smoothly to his feet with a slightly unhinged smile. He held out his hand, yet again. You eye it warily.

“So, we have a deal?” He asks, angling his hand upwards slightly, palm pointing into the ceiling. His nails are a bit long, you notice absentmindedly.

You reach out, taking his hand to shake. 

“Yes, for now.” You say, “But we still need to sign the papers.”

“Yes, of course.” Hisoka supplies, mouth curving into a smile as he grips your hand, bringing it up to his cold lips. You push down a flush, biting your lips as he presses a long kiss to the back of your hand. His yellow eyes flick up, meeting your own and pinning you to the spot. Finally, after what feels like an age, he stands up, gently releasing your hand from his chilly grip. It falls to your side, and you clear your throat.

“Would you like a tour?” You ask, proud of how clear your vocal cords remain. Hisoka chuckles, crossing his arms casually.

“Sure.” He laughs.

You fear for your future self. You’ve certainly found an odd roommate. 

⚀⚀⚀

Hisoka, despite the faults and red flags that constantly run in your vision, isn't actually that terrible of a roomate. He's quite clean, and not very noisy. He does cook at all, but you don't mind cooking for two and leaving leftovers for him as he comes and goes. In return, he cleans the kitchen for you, and often the rest of the house as well. The two of you end up not seeing each other as much as you would like, only meating for meals and the occasional free afternoon of dancing around each other. It's nice, honestly. You can ignore his other faults, like the makeup skin and hair products that are mixing with your own, and the incessant flirting. He flirts so much you assume it's just how he is. Because no matter how much you wanna fuck him, you doubt its returned. Because that's the other problem. You really wanna fuck him, and it can be reliably traced to a combination of a few things. 

One, because of your new roomie, you cant bring men home to fuck anymore. 

Two, He's just insanely attractive and touchy, a hand on your waist here, a brush of your neck there, and you're losing your mind.

And three, the walls are too thin for you to masturbate comfortably. You can only masturbate in the shower now. But that in itself is a problem. You try not to shower for too long because of the water bill and so you can only get yourself off way less than you need.

But it isn't really a big deal, you promise yourself. You don't find yourself spending long bouts of time with Hisoka anyway, so your obvious desire for him isn't on display. You can only hope you can hide it for as long as the two of your remaining roomies. 

⚀⚀⚀

You survey the counters of your bathroom, the white of the countertop slowly being swallowed by skincare. Your own skincare addiction was a beast, but with Hisoka living with you the problem had only worsened. The shelves were covered in various masks and serums, the cabinets taken up by painkillers and mysterious under the counter drugs. The shelves to the side of the counter are laden in your makeup, with a small space devoted to the few products Hisoka used to draw his star and teardrop. 

You shove a couple things aside to grab your hair brush. The mirror is clean, your reflection clear in the glass, a few little sticky notes stuck to one end. You eye them, your messy handwriting noting down the things you were running low on. It was better if you left them in the mirror. You looked at it every morning and night after all when you did your skincare. 

You sigh, running a brush over your scalp in relief. The shower isn't running yet, but you're excited for the opportunity to wash your hair, and of course, to masturbate. Your body is thrumming with pent up energy as you eye yourself in the mirror. Hisoka had been especially annoying this week. It seemed he had nothing to do, so every morning when you left for work you encountered him in the living room, and he was there when you returned. 

Sometimes he was on the couch, watching reality tv in a tank top and sweats, and sometimes he was clearly just coming from the gym with sweat gathering on his arms and face. Each time he was desperately tempting, and much too flirty for your sanity. Be it a wink and a flirty comment, or a brush of your waist and a breath on your neck. He was driving you crazy. 

You sigh, shedding the towel you had been wrapped in and fold it neatly, placing it on the small shelf next to the entrance of the shower. You dig your feet ingo the bathmat, running a hand through your hair with a sigh. And then you see it.

A spider. A nasty, giant spider the size of your palm, sitting directly in the shower. In the path of your feet.

You scream shrilly, jumping backwards dramatically as you run to get as far away from the spider as possible. You hate spiders, more than anything in the world. You scream again, your shrill voice echoing off the bathroom walls.

“Hisoka!” You shriek, hugging your naked waist in fear as the spider moves a few inches closer. “Come here!”

The door slams open, Hisoka moving with a sense of urgency. His face betrays no emotion besides amusement as he takes you in, shivering and naked, glaring at the spider on the shower floor.

“Can I help you doll?” he purrs, moving closer to you across the bathroom floor. You don't even notice, too busy with your worst enemy, the giant spider watching you from the shower. The shower in the bathroom is only covered with a slight wall of glass, leaving about a space wide enough for someone to pass through comfortably into the shower cubby. It's also enough space for the spider to escape and hunt you down relentlessly. 

“Don't you see it?” You hiss, body trembling in the chilly bathroom air. You shiver, holding your arms around your waist. You seem to have forgotten your nakedness. 

Hisoka chuckles, folding his hands across his chest as his yellow eyes scan your body, pausing on all the parts of interest. He licks his lips, moving towards you across the floor. You don't notice, too busy keeping an eye on the spider. 

“Look,” you whisper. “The spider. In the shower.”

“Ah,” Hisoka says, a slight laugh contained in his voice. “Afraid of spiders, are you?”

You roll your eyes, not happy with his sarcasm.

The spider jumps, moving out of the shower cubby and towards you on the floor. You shriek, jumping backwards and into Hisoka’s arms, clinging to his muscled body as you scream.

“Ugh, it's coming this way!” You yell, hiding your face in Hisoka’s chest as your legs clench around his waist. “Just kill it!”

Hisoka laughs, the sound rattling in his chest as you cling close to him. He has his phone in his pocket, poking against your thighs. It's odd, because you don't remember this pair of sweatpants he's wearing having pockets. The spider sits heavy on your mind though, and you grip his muscled shoulders close with a whimper.

“As you wish.” Hisoka laughs, gripping your thighs and holding your body close to him. Faintly, you inhale his scent, a mix of flowers and musk and the unmistakable faint scent of blood. It turns you on as fear runs through your blood. You hid your head in his chest.

“Is it dead?” You whisper, gripping him tightly. Your heart is beating fast against your chest, begging to escape and run away from the stupid spider. 

“Yes, doll.” Hisoka purrs, other hand coming up to stroke your hair gently, an attempt to calm you down. “Your knight in shining armor has rescued you from the great threat lurking in the depths of the shower.”

You roll your eyes. He's making fun of you.

“Did you throw it away?” You question, not loosening your death grip on his shoulders. 

“Yes, I'm delighted to report it’s out of your sight.” Hisoka says, a chuckle in his voice. You pull your head away from his chest cautiously, pearing backwards and scouring the bathroom floor for any remnants of the spider. The floor is empty, only occupied with the fluffy bath mat. You sigh in relief, your chest heavy distractingly against the black tank top Hisoka wears. 

Then you realize exactly where you are. You're clinging to Hisoka like a tree, completely naked and clutching at his body. You shriek again, almost as loud as you did when you saw that damn spider and fly away from him like you've touched fire. Hisoka chuckles.

“Aw, come back.” he coos, running a hand through his hair. “You were so cute, all helpless and scared.”

You frown and bite back a groan at the same time, covering your tits and pussy with your hands as best you can.

“Get out!” You shriek, fighting back the arousal that leaks in as you take him in. 

“How rude!” Hisoka chuckles, pulling his tank top over his head. “No thank you?”

You yank your eyes away from his pale chest, as your pussy twitches with arousal. He toys with the hem of his sweatpants. As he tugs them lower, and you take in the v line pointing lower and lower, you realize he's not wearing boxers. You yank your eyes away, but it's too late. He's seen your wandering eyes. 

“The water bill is getting too high.” You say out of nowhere, body tingling with arousal. 

HIsoka tilts his head, biting back a smirk.

“Is that so?” He smirks, voice lilting seductively. “You know, I've been told showering together conserves water.”

You bite back a smile. A callback to your very first conversation. You let your hands drop, as you move towards the shower. All pretense is gone, just two people who really wanna fuck each others brians out. You giggle.

“What a clever plan.” You say, stepping into the shower and turning on the water with a sigh. Hisoka crowds behind you, smirking like the cat that got the cream. You suppose that's an accurate description for what's happening right now. 

⚀⚀⚀

“How long have you known,” You whimper, boobs and face pressed against the glass divider. Hisoka chuckles, tick chock drilling your insides as you moan loudly. The steam of the shower floats through the air, obscuring his face slightly. His hair is down, dripping with water and plastered to his face, but he doesn't seem to care. You brace your hands against the glass as he grips his hips, hitting the spot inside you that has you seeing stars.

“Since your eyes first scanned my body,” Hisoka grunts, hands gripping you so tight you’ll bruise. “You aren't exactly subtle, doll.”

“Ah, how embarrassing.” you murmur, hair falling wet and heavy down your back, tangling in your mouth. 

“Don't be too upset about it,” Hisoka murmurs, pressing his back against you as he drills deeper into you. “Your lustful glances were very mutual. You're simply a bit romantically oblivious.”

You whimper, hands scrabbling at the slick glass. The bathroom is filled with steam, the sound of the shower muffling your moans and the slapping of wet skin. You hope your neighbors can't hear you. 

“Am i?” You whimper, head falling back as his steady thrusts bring you closer and closer to completion. “I thought you were just like that.”

“I am,” Hisoka mutters, sinking his teeth into your neck. You clench down on him, body tensing as pleasure and pain erupt from the bite mark, tangling and twisting into a heady cocktail of arousal. 

“Ah, god.” You moan, nipples rubbing against the glass. “We should have done this sooner.”

Hisoka’s clawed hand reaches down, abandoning your bruised hips to rub circles into your clit. Stars burst behind your eyes, the bubbles and steam of the ballroom only adding to the floaty, dream like atmosphere. Hisoka chuckles, body hard and powerful against your own soft, curvy one. 

“I think we'll be doing this a lot from now on.” He half chuckles, half groans, body pressing against yours, pressing you to the glass.

Your lips part as you cum, screaming his name into the abyss of hot steam and powerful muscles. And as the orgasms overwhelm your body, you smile to yourself against the glass.

It seems getting a roommate was shaping up to be the best decision you’d ever made. 

.....

Endnotes: my sister is terrified of spiders. I channeled her fear for the spider bit. I don't like spiders very much, but she's genuinely terrified lol.

Also, guess who finished this before one in the morning, instead of at like three. Im hella proud of myself for that <3

[mochayoubi]

hello!! how are you? i'm reaching out to you because you're the one i keep seeing my dashboard that's related to japanese learning.

i wanted to ask: how do you suggest a beginner should start studying? like, they're N5, and they know hiragana and katakana, but do not know how to move forward from there because it scares them? (it's me, btw, hi hello how are you how are the kids)

thank you so much!! have a good day!!

omg hi!!! im doing ok (im sick rn but it's fine lol) thanks sm for the ask! :3

i think the best thing you can do for yourself is follow your curiosity! at the early stages of learning curiosity will take you much farther than trying to set hard deadlines for yourself - especially when it sounds like moving forward is a bit intimidating at the moment.

so, i'm going to list out things that might be worth checking out. it takes a while for people to figure out what works for them, and since you mentioned you already know hiragana/katakana you're primed to get out there and really explore your options! embrace the feeling of possibility rather than the fear of the unknown :D i say this bc if you get too caught up in making the "right" choice it might just make learning too stressful to want to continue

anyway here's some things that beginners commonly go for when continuing with japanese learning (under the readmore)

find a textbook and work through it there's a bunch out there, I know Genki I is probably the most well-known, but i'm also familiar with Tobira I, Yookoso, and Minna no Nihongo. textbooks are nice because they're literally designed for learners and offer structure to what order you learn kanji, grammar, etc. and come with lots of practice questions. the difficult part is self-teaching through them since they tend to assume youre also using it with a teacher who can correct you and give advice. however they're still pretty good as references imo! if you google "[textbook name] pdf" they're pretty likely to come up

find an app you can use daily there are also a lot of these, and many of them are designed to be used daily so you can better enforce the habit of studying japanese every day. these tend to be simpler and gamefied to make it more appealing and easier to pick up as well. i would just stay away from duolingo as i've heard their japanese curriculum is bad. some other ones i've heard are helpful are Renshuu and Human Japanese.

find an online guide and follow it by "online guide" i mean websites people have compiled of their own guides to learning japanese, such as Tae Kim. these are more accessible and unlike textbooks tend to assume that you are self-studying, so it's easier to follow independently, but usually don't have any practice questions or ways to test yourself. still good as a reference. you can also check out this website that specifies their philosophy on what makes effective japanese learning and what steps to take as a beginner (imo it's very. long. and winds on for a while. but people have said it helps!)

download and use anki anki is an app (both phone and pc) that uses flashcards and that many learners use to retain vocab. their site has decks other people have created, and you can find decks of "core vocab" for example which has flashcards of common japanese vocab. you can also create your own flashcards of words you encounter in the wild to help practice them even after you've read it. i think anki is super useful, but i would probably suggest using it once you have more of a grasp on basic japanese concepts or else you'll just be rote-memorizing things that don't make sense to you yet. but i'm putting it here in case this appeals to you!

take a class or find an online tutor now this one will most likely cost you money, but it offers the most structure and guidance possible which can be extremely helpful starting out since you're able to ask questions and get feedback. you can look into nearby universities who might offer japanese classes, or you can try one of the many language-learning tutor websites out there. i've had some decent success with italki, and there's also JOI (japanese online institute) that i've heard is very helpful too.

watch japanese-learning videos these can be nice bc you can actually hear the japanese and how it's supposed to sound, and it's typically lower effort and easier to get into than actively starting a textbook or class. miku real japanese, japarrot, and 日本語の森 are channels i've watched before and like, but there's plenty others out there too. i'd just steer away from clickbait-y looking ones like "i learned japanese in 30 days and here's how!!" since they tend to not be that helpful.

read simple stories in japanese reading in japanese tends to be the most intimidating step for people, but there's sites that have stories made for beginners that are easy to follow and only use hiragana/katakana. my go-to for my students is usually tadoku since the stories are short, organized by level, and very beginner friendly. a while ago someone showed me natively which lets you look up japanese books, also by level. if you want some good beginner manga, yotsuba and teasing master takagi-san are what i've recommended before

misc. things you can try!

watch anime but intentionally - try to actively listen and pick up on words they say. a long time ago i used animelon, which puts japanese subtitles that you can adjust to show hiragana only

look up jlpt n5/n4 specific materials. they're geared for an exam so it might not be the most natural feeling, but they do tend to be convenient for lists of vocab and grammar. this website has some helpful resources for that

add an extension on your browser that will let you hover over japanese words and see its definition. i use firefox and have 10ten reader to do this, but rikaikun and yomichan are also similar extensions

when you learn the japanese word for something in your house, put a sticky note on it that has the japanse word. like, for "table" you can put a note on it that says 「テーブル」. i heard this can help with retention (i haven't done it myself tbf)

EDIT: ohh i can't believe i forgot this. but join a japanese-learning community! there's discord servers out there, and if you have a friend willing to study with you you can ask them to be your accountability buddy.

anyway, i know that was a lot but i hope that gives you some direction on where you'd like to go next in your japanese learning journey! ^_^ and again, absolutely no pressure to do all of these. the most important thing is letting curiosity be your guide and fostering a positive relationship with learning japanese rather than being afraid. if i can help out some more lmk!!

[moodymisty]

Tree in bloom - Ch2

< Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 soon >

Author's Note: Tehe, hi. I take forever to draft things. Hope you enjoy.

-pushes this towards the darksiders fandom like a skiddish animal- hello please accept my humble offering I haven't done a multichapter thing in like 9 years sorry if it's a mess

Summary: Even after humanity has just been resurrected, Strife still finds himself using Jones. It’s easier; Until you find him out of his façade. (Taking place days after Death revives humanity, you wade through a world still infested by demons, while Strife struggles with growing attached to someone.)

Relationships: Strife/Fem!Reader

Story Wide Warnings: Canon typical violence, Friends to lovers, Teratophilia, Strife being an emotionally stunted jokster and pouter, Eventual smut maybe, Strife is clingy, One or two OCs maybe to fill things out at times, Shooting guns, rebuilding trust

Word Count: 3949

Ao3 Mirror

'thump thump thump'

Your heart pounds against your ribcage, willing your legs to push as fast as they can possibly go and beyond, stumbling and nearly falling multiple times.

What’s left of the concrete sidewalk crumbles under your shoes; Cracks going deep into the dirt underneath from one hundred years of strain and winding along like a spider’s web.

You have no goal in mind, you never thought even close to that far ahead.

You just need to get away. From everything. Your body had said to run and you listened, not caring where you would end up.

One of your knees almost buckles from how long you've run at a full sprint, struggling not to collapse under your own weight. When you finally do look over your shoulder you see nothing is following, though the Maker's tree is farther in the distance that you'd expected it to be. You can barely see the top of it from over the skeletal remains of buildings; It's safety is almost impossibly far away. Realistically it's probably only a few miles, but that might as well be a million or more right now.

There’s an abandoned storefront right next to you on the sidewalk that has a foyer-like entrance, and you quickly push against the wreckage of what once was a door to slip inside. The moment you do, you can actually stop for a moment and feel how your lungs burn in your chest, heart thumping against your rib cage as if trying to burst forth from it. With a few steps, you turn until you can press your shoulders against the wall, breathing for a moment while slowly sliding down it. Once you fall into a squat, your hands press against your cheeks.

How did he know your name? He spoke like he had recognized you, at least to some degree.

The fact that he had spoken at all had frightened you at first; As you'd been under the assumption that he was a giant, abit lithe demon. But demons didn't speak, at least not often. He also lacked an angel's wings, and was far too large to be anything close to human.

It leaves only one option, but you never really thought you'd live to see one of the Horsemen again. For the people of Haven there's not a single soul that doesn't remember the blur of War's red cape and thundering steed racing through the city, and those sights will continue to stick as a collective memory as they already have for so long.

Your heart still feels like it's in your throat from all the running, hoarse and dry, but at least you don't feel about to pass out now.

But you can't go back to the tree, not yet. If he was following you, walking back to the tree would absolutely make you run right into him again. Though if he was following you, it would be odd that he hadn't managed to catch up with you yet, as even with one look from a good margin away, his stature clearly dwarfed yours.

But even if you can't go back to the tree, you sure as Hell can't stay here. Almost every wall is glass, and any passerby human or other could easily see a cowering fragile mess of a human huddled in the barely standing remains of a building.

Sighing and using a significant amount of effort just to stand back fully upright, you look around through the glass of the door shortly before opening it.

There's nothing alive in view, but you can hear the crackle of never-ending flames and the screech of undead, hellish creatures, somewhere in the distance. It's best not to spend too much time around here, especially alone. You only have a single clip of ammo in your gun, along with a knife.

Just as you feel to make sure you didn't lose said knife in your scramble down the tree, you hear an ungodly screech loud enough to whip your head in every which direction, trying to find the source. When you don't it makes your heart beat faster once again.

There's no way I last through the entire apocalypse only to die to a random pissant demon.

There's a fire escape you quite noticed to your left; You can use it to climb to the top story of this apartment building and hopefully wait out whatever is stalking around, and then trek back to the tree.

The Makers are absolutely going to tear you a new one, that's for sure. Ulthane will probably travel miles from his hovel just to do so. You know it wouldn't be out of character for him, in response to you pulling a stunt as stupid as this. He's yelled at the humans for less.

Rushing towards what might be your safely the metal of the fire escape is horribly rusted, and you put your full weight onto the ladder with no small amount of uneasiness. It creaks and groans in pain, but doesn't break as you climb up the first two rungs.

Afterwards you dare to take a look over your shoulder, and what you see sends you into a fluffy of frantic, clumsy movements.

Quickly your pace increases, but once your hand touches the fourth rung the fire escape begins to pull away from the wall, forcing you to abandon climbing lest you get trapped underneath it. You let out a yelp of pain as the concrete scrapes against your clothes, ripping and biting at your skin through the fabric as you fall to the ground.

Get up get up get up!

But no matter how fast you try to will yourself to, your body is so tired that you can barely manage to scramble to your knees. As you do you hear him, getting closer and closer.

Your hands shake and once again your heart is trying to escape it’s cage, but you still try to push it a bit further, stumbling to your hands and feet getting ready to-

“Don’t run!"

He yells, the tone of his voice and wild glow of his eyes only serving to frighten you further. He looks like he could crush you in one fell swoop, which makes it all the odder when his voice actually fades down to a tone that almost seems unfitting.

"Please don’t run again?”

It seems like your fight or flight response is finally well and truly shot, frozen in place looking at him awkwardly as you pause stuck halfway between getting to your feet. But now it seems like he’s run out of things to say, and halts.

“Shit- I, Just-” A sharp gauntlet rakes through his wild hair, as he paces.

He shifts his weight from one leg to another, glowing eyes not looking in your direction. It's like he almost didn't expect you to actually listen to him. You finish rising to your feet, one slightly behind the other.

He's still trying to write up his next sentence or, something, as he's still looking almost beyond you. When he does suddenly make a move however, taking one step forward closer to you, it's a lightning quick habit to grab your gun and point it right at him.

His body posture doesn't change in the slightest, but he does retract his only step forward and raise his hands up slightly- like someone who is only jokingly being held at gunpoint.

“Look, respectfully; That gun really isn’t gonna do much more than hurt my feelings.”

He laughs, though it seems to be at himself more than anything. He turns his hands so his palms face the sky, and gives a heavy shrug of his shoulders.

“...You can shoot me if it makes you feel better... Or somethin’.”

What?

The barrel of your gun lowers slightly, mouth agape as you look at him. Every word that’s come out of his mouth has done nothing but confuse you even more than you already are. And in that bafflement, you lower down the gun just enough that you can speak to him, voice almost cracking with how dry and hoarse your throat is.

“What do you want with me?"

He just awkwardly laughs.

“I just wanted to make sure you were ok. There's demons all over out here.”

That was, not anywhere near an answer you had expected; And you really have no answer to it. Slowly lowering the gun to your hip height you keep your eyes on him, watching the way the light bounces off the shiner parts of his armor. Some of it is clearly worn down after an untold number of years of wear and tear, especially the scarf around his neck, as that remains as only tattered remains of what it probably once was.

Your feet smidge backwards just slightly, trying to get even the tiniest bit of space between the two of you.

“And what, you care that much about some random human?" You're not a fan of the way your voice shakes, even if barely. Not as if your emotions can betray you, as he probably already knows quite well you're terrified and nearly shaking like a leaf.

But it's just so weird, the way he's so casually talking to you. It wasn't exactly what you had expected from someone so... Fabled.

It's hard to tell what emotion he's feeling with his helmet covering all but his eyes, but it's clear he's thinking.

"Tch," He makes an almost annoyed noise. "Look; Back there, you weren't supposed to see that."

Perhaps it isn't the smartest thing to raise your voice at a Horsemen, and maybe you'll live to regret it later, but you can't help but reel back at the nonchalance; Almost disrespectful.

You caught him slaughtering demons- and whatever else, not doing something embarrassing.

'If he kills me, he kills me. There's no chance in hell I could run from him now.'

"See what? I was just looking for my friend! I-"

And you still haven't found Jones, but the Horsemen suddenly interrupts you before you have a chance to finish.

"And you found him!"

......

You stand there frozen and confused, eyes wide after hearing his voice rise to a yell for a moment, watching the Horsemen shift from one boot to another as if he's resisting the urge to pace. Your gun is still in your hand, you remember; The metal is cold and while you know it won't do shit to him, you can't quite put it away.

"I knew all the humans wouldn't trust," He gestures broadly and almost self-deprecatingly at himself. "Me, so... I made Jones."

Made?

Your lips part, eyes glancing over him as if the answer is going to lay somewhere else.

He has to be fucking with you. This is some sort of sadistic attempt to pull one over on a human thats already about to keel over like a frightened rabbit.

"This, this has to be a joke," You say, and he seems almost irritated you're still confused and flighty, if only for a moment. "This sounds insane, I don't know you're trying to do but-" You're backing up, getting ready to just bail from this and hope to whatever is listening that you can loose him and forget all of this has ever happened.

"Wait!" He stutters as his brain catches up with his mouth. "I know you, from the tree! I promised to help you once I came back!"

Looking back at him, you remember that yeah- Jones did offer to help you once he came back. And, well you think you'd remember if there had been a giant horsemen in the vicinity.

Sure you've been through the apocalypse, seen weirder, but you still have absolutely no idea what to say.

"I'm Jones. Me." He points at himself, but you aren't exactly fully listening.

This is... insane. But there really isn't anyway you can deny the fact that he doesn't seem to be lying, other than just trying to forget this all happened. A valid option, after everything.

“But...”

You can hear that he's probably giving some sort of smile behind the mask, judging by the surprisingly light tone in his voice now. He seems to have gotten over everything that happened before, and has done a full 180.

“I’m actually Strife.”

Your eyes glance back up to his face, instead of his chest. So you were right; He is one of the horsemen. You’ve heard his name before, and it was never said in a pleasant tone.

Granted you've heard all of the Horsemen's names from the Makers, though Strife's was the one that was usually said with the most amount of distain, or with a curse following shortly thereafter.

But once everything settles just a bit, you can't really feel much else but angry. Clenching your hands you throw them forward, before they go back to your sides.

“I, I trusted you!" The horsemen straightens up at your tone as if you hit him, surprised. "You were lying to me this entire time!?”

He seems almost surprised by your sudden outburst, prompted upon the realization that you'd been strung around in the dark apparently, for so long.

You're absolutely going to collapse when you fully realize the gravity of yelling at a man who's brother nearly destroyed Earth.

“Hey! I did it to avoid this!” He gestures between the both of you, and thus the defensive posture you still have. Quickly you fire back, your throat still hoarse.

“And so you thought lying was better!?”

He goes quiet.

When he makes another move you flinch, instinctively trying to keep a minimum amount of space between you two. You already regret yelling at a Horsemen, but he doesn't seem to take mind of it at all, surprisingly.

You don’t trust him as far as you can throw him; And that isn’t any at all, judging by the bulk of his armor and the way he towers over you. Even from almost two meters away, his shadow is still brushing over the toes of your boots.

He attempts to speak in a softer tone that seems incredibly unfamiliar to him- the caterwaul of dustwings echos off somewhere in the background.

“Look- You need to get back to the tree. Let me give you a ride.”

Eyes darting around you don’t quite know what he means by ride for a moment, though it’s only a moment, as he whistles and suddenly- something seems to just come from what feels the air itself.

The sound of metal clops on the pavement as it materializes, and you barely register that it’s shaped like a horse, before it looks at you and you almost drop dead right then and there. The whinny it gives sounds otherworldly, and it matches the look impeccably. With how much armor it has on however, it's nearly impossible to tell if there is an actual horse under there, or if it's just some sort of unholy creation.

Quickly backing in from the creature this time instead of the Horsemen, you shake your head and put your palms right out in front of you; Hell bent on putting as much space between you and it as possible.

“No! Absolutely no way!”

The steed paws at the crumbled concrete as if bored, it’s ghost-like mane flowing in the soft wind that sends a chill through your body.

'Strife', crosses his arms, looking down on you with those glowing eyes.

“What,” He's smirking, you can just tell. “Scared of a horse?” Quickly your face goes from shocked and frightened to angry and frightened, as you take yet another step back and hug your shoulders. You only pull one away from a moment to point at it, and as if on cue, the horse looks up at you seeming almost with banality.

“That, is not a horse! That, That is a-” He turns to look at his ‘horse’, for a second, before looking back to you and shrugging his armored shoulders.

“Looks like a horse to me.”

You never remembered Jones being this smug.

The horse snorts as it stands behind it’s rider, bored with it all as you continue to fight going anywhere near it.

“Mayhem doesn’t bite.”

Of course that's it's name.

You look at the way his eyes glow and the almost ghost-like nature of his mane, and find that reassurance hard to believe. The Horsemen however seems to not notice or doesn’t care that you don’t seem entirely convinced, and instead hits the saddle. You shake your head and speak at a more normal tone.

“No, I can walk.”

Strife seems to almost deflate at the way you refuse his offer, oddly enough. But he seems to reinflate fast enough to attempt at convincing you. He hits the saddle again.

“You’re not going to make it in one piece alone. Just,” He blows air from his lips that sounds similar to a raspberry from behind his mask. “Just let me get you back."

As much as you don’t want to admit it, he’s not entirely wrong. You’re out in the middle of nowhere, and running out this far has already sapped a good bit of your energy. You don't like the idea of taking up his offer, but it's not as if you have any better alternative.

So perhaps the ghostly steed and his lying owner could give you a ride. But once you’re in the tree, you don’t want to be near him anymore. You need time. To figure this all out.

“Ok," He perks up so much so you startle, shifting your feet. "So I just, get on?”

Strife, you have to remember his name, moves his hands, grabbing the saddlehorn with one and gesturing with the other.

“Like I said, Mayhem doesn’t bite.”

The jury is still out on that; You see the way this horse is staring at you as you approach his flank. He seems to only be allowing you this close because his rider is the one asking you to be. Or maybe his bored face just looks intimidating, but you're not going to take the risk and find out.

Grasping the edges of the saddle you heft yourself into the stirrup after a few tries, and eventually make it up without assistance. He originally moved to quickly help you, but when you shifted away, he seems to take the hint that you want none of that.

Shifting around in the saddle it's huge, fitted for a larger than human rider, but at least it's somewhat comfortable. Your toes can barely reach the stirrups however, now that you're seated.

Just as you're attempting to put a foot in one Strife Puts his right foot in the right stirrup, grasping the saddlehorn and suddenly shifting the whole saddle to one side. You grasp tight underneath his armored hand, the edges sharp against your skin before he takes it away once he's seated right behind you.

With one heel he gives the horse a gentle nudge and you’re moving forward, the jingle of metal the foremost sound in your ear. If it’s Strife’s armor, Mayhem’s, or perhaps a combination of both is unknown.

"See, It's not so bad," He says, The chains that serve as the steed's reins jingling in his hand.

"I mean Mayhem's probably the least scary one out of all of them," You assume by 'them' he's referring to the other Horsemen's mounts. "Maybe Ruin? He's just big."

"The one that helped start the Apocalypse?" You say quietly. Strife lets out a nervous laugh, and you can even hear him thickly swallow.

"Oh yeah... Right. That's still a sore spot."

Did he, think it wouldn't be? Humanity is still in shambles, and unless his outlook on life is overwhelmingly positive it's a bit hard to deny that.

It's not exactly something you want to think too hard about right now, pursing your lips.

"Don't worry," He says, continuing to ramble on despite the fact that you really aren't talking back; A combination of being like a deer in the headlights and still a flurry of emotions. "Me and Mayhem are far better than those angry louts anyways."

Hands tightening around the saddlehorn you see the tree coming closer and closer, and with it your home base.

You can almost feel the tense, borderline nervous energy Strife is exuding behind you, as he ushers his steed to pick up the pace. But even then he still doesn't get the hint that maybe you aren't in the mood to talk, rambling on and on.

You get the hint that besides his occassional words as 'Jones', he hasn't had someone to talk to for a long time.

When you stop at the base of the tree, you’re off the horse as fast as you can possibly go, beating even him to the ground. You have to hand onto the saddle and effectively plummet to the ground, but you manage it well enough.

“Don’t get into too much trouble.”

You purse your lips tight and nod.

“...You too.”

He may have lied to you but… It’s not as if you hope he gets hurt. Your feet scrape against the bark of the tree as you back away from him, before turning and racing upwards.

When you’re halfway up and glance over the side, you can see he’s still there, oddly enough. If he’s still when you enter the tree you don’t know, as instantly you feel multiple sets of eyes on you.

You can hear the voice of one of the Makers asking what’s on your heels, but you don’t answer. Instead you keep pace forward, up the rickety steps and out onto one of the larger branches of the tree. Outside of the main central 'room'. You can update them later, as you've going to make yourself far too hard for them to reach and try and force you to do so.

This is a go to spot for a few of the humans when everything is just a bit too much, and you don’t want one of the Makers bugging you. Or really anyone for that matter. As getting more than one person out on the branch would be precarious at best.

It’s decently cold tonight, and you would’ve needed something to bundle up with if you weren’t still so hot from running for your life. And while you are cooling down, the torn and weathered jacket you have on is enough for now. You wouldn't want to go get anything more anyways.

How do you even, how do you even deal with this?

Sickly for a moment you think you’d rather have just found Jones dead or gone, before instantly throwing out that thought.

No, you don’t want Jones dead. Strife. You’re just frustrated. Need a minute.

The two are nothing alike; And that will take more than awhile to get used to.

Get used to, as you assume you're going to see him again. What if he's just gone forever now?

Thats not really something you want, even after everything. His façade versus the real deal are so incredibly different, but he is still technically your friend.

You can here people talking inside the tree, probably about your raging entrance, but you just drown it all out.

A horsemen? This whole time?

You don’t know exactly how much time has past with you sitting out here, as it's not completely dark.

One rare nice thing about the Apocalypse was with most of the light pollution gone, you can see the stars in the city central again.

I need a fucking nap.

[breadbox-draws]

Can we hear more about Malaise and Amon? They look cool!!! (and I think Malaise is more NSR based, and Amon looks realistic)

sure! and thank you!! credit where credit is due, i commissioned a friend, skull_labyrinth on instagram, for Mal's design! she (the friend) is another wonderful artist, and i highly recommend taking a look at and supporting her artistic endeavors <3

Mal and Amon actually come from an original universe — a Monster of the Week-esque modern urban fantasy dubbed Town Town (the name of which was conceived from the suggestions and blessings of another set of awesome friends)!

i don't have very much on Malaise unfortunately, because i've been too busy hyperfixating on the Main Blorbos these days, but there are some key details that i can share!

Mal is one of KK's longest and closest friends! She's the person that introduced him to music and music production back when he and his brothers were fresh into a different housing situation. they continue to trade albums or tracks to this day, but have a harder time meeting in person because Mal lives farther away now

She mainly makes lo-fi tracks, and can also play on a drum kit! the former she does independently, but the latter skill she uses for the band she's in with KK and two other friends. the band is named Sodium Streets! (KK plays synth)

She dresses in pastel goth styles usually, though there's also a bit of punk in her wardrobe

I think I had her down as Filipino-? i'll have to dive into my notes again for that one

Amon, meanwhile, has much more information and history ... partly because her alternate universe version, Al, had been another Main Blorbo for a long time before KK and the boys moved in. speaking of "alternate universes", she and Al are alternate versions of each other that live in the same house!

Sometimes, she reconsiders her decision to not invite bodily harm to him. Some details for her as well (and for Al, by proxy):

the transing her gender part was pretty recent. she hadn't known or even considered that to be an option until she left her hostile home universe

while Al knows more about chemistry and general physics, Amon specializes in engineering and multiverse theory! (Al also does theory work on multiverses, but she knows more)

Amon had tried to murder Al at one point. a Totally Reasonable Response to perceiving that he betrayed her and was leaving her for dead in her universe. they've made up since then, but he hasn't stopped getting on her nerves jsjfndkfjd

Amon does side work for this shady organization in Town Town, taking over a position that was initially offered to Al (which he subsequently refused ... and she accepted instead).

im not quite comfortable sharing the full breadth and depth of Town Town yet, but you can kind of glean some information from the characters (and memes) that are a part of it!

[skyler10fic]

To Have and to Hold: Ch. 7 Captured

By Skyler10

Summary: Honeymoon destination revealed, Bobbi and Hunter come back into the picture ;) (pun intended), and Daisy and Carol stretch that Mature-for-sexy-times rating after some dressing and undressing.

Read on Ao3

------

Spring indulged the city with a sneak preview of its glory with a sunny, warm week to end March. All knew that it wasn’t here to stay just quite yet, but it was coming in full soon, a promise, a kiss of days approaching. 

For the past rainy week, Carol had dedicated her free time to honeymoon planning. She knew they wanted something relaxing, beachy, and new to both of them. After her talk with Daisy about making more decisions regarding the wedding, though, she was careful not to lean too hard on Daisy to make the final call. She clicked through search results for LGBTQ-friendly honeymoon destinations. There was no point in looking at islands that didn’t want them there in the first place. Every destination listed in Europe looked gorgeous but far away. Within the US, Hawaii seemed ideal but also far in the other direction. Miami seemed within their budget and fun, but not as relaxing. And hot and humid. They needed something farther north. 

One website offered just the thing: Pegasus Resort on Cape Cod, especially run by and for LGBTQ couples. They would take a ferry boat ride to and from the cape. Besides planning their activities, all she would have to do is book their flights and hotels. And a dinner for the resort’s upscale restaurant, of course. The other restaurants were more casual, and Provincetown had more options, but a special romantic dinner was basically a requirement for their honeymoon.  

Carol heard Daisy come in from her yoga class and called to her. “Hey! How was yoga?” 

“Hi. Good.” Daisy walked into the dining area where Carol was sitting at the table with her laptop and snacks. She leaned down to peck a kiss to Carol’s cheek. 

“I’ve got a honeymoon plan ready if you want to hear it?”  

“Ooo honeymoon? Uh, yes, obviously.” Daisy scooted one of the other chairs next to Carol’s so she could see the screen and took a few grapes from the snack plate. 

Carol took her through the Pegasus Resort website, photos of the area, and a few ideas of things to do. 

“And best of all, it fits the budget.” 

Daisy’s eyes widened. “For real? Babe, I’m so impressed. I’ve never been to Cape Cod.” 

“Me either! It’s not set in stone yet, so if you want to change anything, we can, but if not, I’m going to get it booked.” Carol’s mouse hovered over the Book Now button. 

Daisy bounced in excitement. “Yes, book it! While it’s still miraculously affordable.”  

Carol set to work filling out the information. Daisy weighed in when necessary, and soon enough, they had all the transportation and accommodation confirmation emails in their inboxes. 

Carol relaxed into her chair. “Whew, it feels good to have that done.” 

Daisy stood and reminded her, “Next up, our appointment with Bobbi and Hunter to talk about decorations and photos. We have about half an hour.” 

“Half an hour, huh?” Carol let her eyes linger over Daisy’s sports bra, bare midriff, and form-fitting yoga pants. 

“Unh-uh,” Daisy shut down her line of thinking. “I have to actually shower and get ready, and that is not enough time. Tonight. After.”

Carol stood and kissed Daisy with a promise on her lips. “Tonight it is.”

Daisy smiled against her and pulled away reluctantly. The clock was ticking and they couldn’t miss this crucial appointment.  

—----------- 

When Daisy and Carol arrived at the cottage and half-acre grounds that now served as Bobbi and Hunter’s office, they learned Hunter was out shooting some B-roll for another wedding video, but Bobbi was ready for action. She had only been in the business a few years, hence her availability so soon to their date, but she already had a system for each element: decoration packages, florists she worked with, photoshoot options… she even had suggestions based on their colors. She may not have had a long resume in the business, but she certainly had the skills, style, and strategy to be a rising star within it. 

Daisy lit up at Bobbi’s guidance and competence. Carol still didn’t know the difference between a dahlia and a peony, but seeing Daisy happy was all that mattered to her. Being out of her element didn’t help with her resolution to be a more active participant, however, so she relied on Bobbi’s photos for visual references. 

After hours of decoration options and floral arrangement talk, Bobbi sent them outside to walk around the grounds for a break. Bobbi said it would help her get a sense for how they interacted naturally. She’d be nearby if they needed anything, and she would shoot a few practice candids but not close enough to hear them talk. 

The spring breeze was still chilly enough for them to wear their leather jackets (brown and relaxed fit for Carol, black and stylishly cut for Daisy), but the fresh air helped them unwind. They made their way down a dirt path to a pond lined with willows. Carol slipped her hand into Daisy’s as they walked and tried not to be self-conscious that Bobbi was watching them. 

“So,” Daisy began as they reached the pond, “what are you thinking of all this? You’ve been quiet.” 

“Right now,” Carol stalled, “I’m thinking about how your hand fits in mine and how beautiful this all is. If we weren’t already here to plan our wedding, I might propose.” She leaned in toward Daisy and winked. 

Daisy smiled but didn’t let her off the hook that easily. “And what about in there?” She tilted her head toward the cottage. “I know this isn’t really your thing, but I want you to be happy with it too.” 

Carol tried to put some of the terms together correctly. “I think the corsage ideas are exactly what your mom, grandma, and Aunt Wendy and Victoria would all wear, which is a wide range of personalities, so that’s something. And the… mmm… hanging things for the chapel walls? Also good. How about you?” 

“Yeah, for sure.” Daisy squinted against the sun as she looked out to the pond. “I’m honestly not sure we need decorations for the aisle. The chapel is so small, you know? I also wanted to ask you first, before Bobbi brings it up, what do you think about a unity candle in the ceremony? Or something like that?” 

“Unity candle? I don’t know. Tell me more.” Carol furrowed her brow and tuned in. The flowers and ribbons and table centerpieces were one thing, but ceremony symbolism and meaning-laden rituals were another. 

Daisy let go of Carol’s hand and held up two imaginary candlesticks. “Okay, so we’d each have our own candles lit before the ceremony, or we can light them, but the point is we would use them together at the same time to light a bigger middle candle. The important part to me is that we don’t blow out the individual candles.” 

“Ah. Right!” Carol followed the metaphor. “So we’re still individual people, but also we’re a couple. And getting married doesn’t change that we’re each our own person.”

“Exactly.” Daisy shrugged. “If you want to. If that’s too cliche or cheesy, we don’t have to, though.” 

“No, no, I like it. So Bobbi’s going to ask us to pick out candles then, right? Because I have to be honest, I haven’t given much thought to wax color and consistency or height or whatever.” 

Daisy smiled and slipped her arms around Carol’s waist. “I don’t think we need to stress about it too much. They are pretty basic and I have one or two in mind.”

“Thank you.” Carol leaned in and kissed Daisy sweetly. “And the candle is accurate because you light me up.” 

Daisy pulled back but kept her arms firmly around Carol. “The fire-themed puns are already starting?” 

“Well, you do set my heart aflame,” Carol explained. 

“Here we go,” Daisy sighed. 

“One, this was your idea, and two, you are the light of my life. You might even say my love burns for you.”   

“Done?”  

“For now, yes. For the rest of our lives? Just getting started.” Carol assured. 

Daisy rolled her eyes and kissed her. When they parted, she shook her head. “Now you’ve got me thinking of them too.” 

“Yes! I want to hear it!” 

Daisy dropped into a sultry voice. “Babe, you’re the hottest thing since fire was discovered.” 

Carol tried not to laugh. “Okay, we’ll work on it, but a solid start. A+ for the sexy tone, though.”

“Thank you,” Daisy said proudly and then noticed the sun was lowering in the sky. “We should wrap this up. But I haven’t forgotten about tonight.”

“Me either.” Carol winked. 

They walked back to the cottage to finish their appointment with Bobbi and discuss photo poses and locations. Bobbi showed them the practice shots she had taken of their break, and they scheduled some photos of the two of them in normal clothes and some in their gowns. 

—--------- 

On Sunday afternoon, picking outfits for the photoshoot (besides the wedding gowns, of course) led to a full circle moment. As Daisy sat on the bed looking at makeup pro tips and couple posing ideas, Carol put on her deep red jumpsuit and black blazer that looked like the one she had tried on in white at the bridal shop. 

“How about this?” she asked to get Daisy’s attention. Daisy looked up from her computer and took in Carol’s outfit. 

“Yes, please.” She didn’t hide her lingering gaze. “I know exactly what I would wear with that one too.” 

“Yeah?” Carol stepped in front of the closet door mirror, which was long enough to reflect the whole outfit.

Daisy set her laptop on the bedside table and walked up behind Carol. “Three words. Little. Black. Dress.” 

Carol’s eyes met hers in the mirror. “But which one?” 

“My turn to try on.” She closed the closet door behind her so it would be a surprise until she had it on. When she opened it, Carol was sitting on the side of the bed, idly scrolling through the poses Daisy had left open on her computer. 

“How’s this?” Daisy asked, one hand on her hip with the other gesturing down the dress. Carol’s eyes followed her hand and continued down Daisy’s strong legs. Daisy had added heels for maximum effect, highlighting her calves. 

Carol walked over and stood beside her in the mirror. “Very sexy. Look at that power couple. Damn.” 

Daisy turned and pulled Carol in by the hips for a surprise kiss and then backed away just as quickly. “Okay, we have to pick out the casual outfits before I jump you for real.” 

“We have time for both,” Carol pointed out and took off the blazer. She hung it on the hanger and then took off her jumpsuit. “Your choice. I can put on my shirt or not.” 

“Stop,” Daisy whined. “You know I’m highly distractable. Shirt on first, I find something that looks good with it, and then I take it off. In that order.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Carol winked. She decided to speed up the process by walking into the closet and picking out a navy and lavender plaid button-up for herself and a blouse in a matching lavender top for Daisy. “I figured out we have these weeks ago and thought they might be good.” 

“Our wedding colors! Wow, these colors really are us.” 

Carol handed her the blouse. “And I figured we’d just wear jeans with them.” 

Daisy took off her black dress and heels and put on the blouse. She passed Carol and picked out a pair of jeans from the closet. “Hmm, these.” 

They were not her most comfy jeans for everyday wear, but they complemented her form in the right ways for a photoshoot. Carol picked a similar pair for herself. 

When they were dressed, they stood in the mirror together again. 

“What do you think?” Daisy asked.

“I think this is it.” Carol flattened her collar. Daisy turned to check out how her outfit looked from the back, and Carol wet her lips. “God, those jeans were made for your butt. I’m always both jealous and turned on when you wear those. It’s very confusing.”

Daisy laughed. “Like you can talk.” She swiftly squeezed Carol’s round bum in her tight jeans. 

“Hey!” Carol laughed. “Okay. That’s a casual outfit, a dressy outfit, and our wedding dresses. That’s enough, right? We still have two hours until we’re meeting Elena and Mack for dinner and to talk about the ceremony.”

“Yep,” Daisy popped the p. She grabbed a small black gym bag with rainbow handles they had gotten free at Pride but hadn’t used. “Anything we need for the photoshoot can go in here, and we can hang the other clothes in the garment bags with the bridal gowns.”

“Good plan.” Carol took the bag from Daisy and dropped it near the foot of the bed. “Okay, that’s enough dressing. Time for undressing.” 

Daisy kissed her and, as promised, unbuttoned her shirt until it was free. Carol took it and her undershirt off, and Daisy stripped off her own blouse and paused to kiss her again. She pulled away to hang the shirts on hangers so they wouldn’t wrinkle. Impatient, Carol wrapped her arms around Daisy from behind and unbuttoned her jeans while she was hanging the shirts. Daisy grinded back against her in retaliation, and Carol kissed her neck. 

“You know,” Daisy said, turning to unbutton Carol’s jeans in return. “This would go faster if we did one thing at a time.” 

“Okay.” Carol took off her jeans, laid them out on the bed, and stuck out her bum as she leaned over the bed and slowly and deliberately rolled them into a tight, neat log. She raised an eyebrow at Daisy, who was staring with her own jeans around her ankles. 

“Point made.” Daisy rolled up her jeans quickly and stuck both pairs in the bag. “We can worry about shoes later.” 

“Exactly.” Carol led her to the bed and in seconds, they were entangled, with hands tugging at undergarments and lips meeting again and again and thighs slotting naturally between each other. 

Daisy had an odd thought cross her mind that she was grateful to not only be born in an era and culture where they didn’t have to hide their relationship and could be married but also one in which they didn’t have to wait until marriage to have this. Not that it had ever been particularly accepted for queer couples to marry as long as they refrained from premarital sex, but it was more that she was relieved that figuring out sex wasn’t part of their wedding stress. Getting married had plenty of complications and emotions attached without that element. 

“What are you thinking about?” Carol asked as she saw the pensive expression on Daisy’s face. Carol stroked up and down Daisy’s side, and Daisy’s expression softened. 

“Just that I’m so glad we don’t have to figure this part out on our wedding night.” 

Carol involuntarily let out a little laugh and then agreed. “We would not have made it this long if we were supposed to wait.” 

“True, but can you imagine having to worry about not even knowing what to do and having our first time after all of this? Months of planning and scheduling vendors and life commitment, then to also be like sooo how does sex work anyway?” Daisy ran her fingers up Carol’s stomach to her breast and teased her nipple in emphasis. 

“That is way too much pressure for a honeymoon.” Carol rolled on top of Daisy and teased her inner thighs before working in to her warm, wet core. “Knowing every part of you, years of memorizing every sigh and gasp and moan… that’s what our honeymoon is going to be, and I wouldn’t trade one messy, imperfect night of all the time it took learning each other.”

Daisy bucked her hips into Carol’s touch and let out one of those moans. “Fuck, yes. Mmmn!” 

It hadn’t always been sexy to learn what they liked in sex, and they still tried new positions and toys on occasion that might or might not be for them, but their “Is this normal? How do we even do this?” days were worked out in college, during dates that turned into sleepovers and late nights studying for anatomy exams turned “studying” each other’s anatomy, so to speak. They had been young and awkward and new to it all together, and they found through experience what online advice in sapphic sex articles worked and didn’t for them. Now, as an established couple about to be married, they hardly had to think anymore about what to do with their hands, getting twisted up in the sheets, or being embarrassed or self-conscious about their bodies. Their legs and arms and lips and tongues seemed to just simply fit, as if they were made to be intertwined in lovemaking. But every movement and muscle memory was from years of vulnerable communication, awareness, and practice bringing them higher and higher out of the awkwardness of inexperience into the ecstasy of expertise. 

The wisdom from experience helped Carol time Daisy’s orgasm just so she was desperate but not frustrated. And it helped Daisy know when to reach for one of their vibrators, and which one, when Carol needed more to finally crest over the edge of pleasure. After Carol came, they kissed deeply, letting their tongues play, as the vibe still buzzed beside them. Daisy retrieved it and placed it between them, aligning with Carol’s folds so it was securely held against them both. She knew by now exactly where to put it and how to keep it there with their position.

“That took practice, for example,” Daisy panted. 

“It did, mmmhmm,” Carol agreed, turning it into a moan of pleasure.

Daisy did have to adjust it as her hips bucked, but they ended up coming together nearly at the same time, a rare feat, providing further emphasis that the work they had put in over the years was well worth every awkward, weird, imperfect moment it took to get there. 

—--------------- 

That night, as Carol was in the shower, Daisy had an idea of what her wedding gift to her would be. She searched her favorite wedding websites for the new-to-her term: boudoir photography.  She’d seen packages on Bobbi’s website, and looking into it, she thought Carol would appreciate it. It was a bit challenging to find pose ideas for brides that didn’t seem porny or made for the male gaze, but she could do the solo ones herself, and then if Carol was interested in some together, they could finish the shoot after the wedding with some creativity and adapting.

[tandoorijunction]

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Takeaway options are also available, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Indian dishes from the comfort of your home. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or craving a quiet night in, Tandoori Junction brings the flavors of India straight to your door.

Serving Oak Flats, Flinders, and Beyond

With its convenient location in Shellharbour, Tandoori Junction has become a popular choice for diners in nearby suburbs like Oak Flats, Flinders, and even farther afield. For those living outside Shellharbour, the restaurant's easy access and exceptional menu make it well worth the short drive. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Tandoori Junction ensures that authentic Indian food is never too far away.

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Conclusion

Tandoori Junction is more than just an Indian restaurant—it’s a place where the rich culinary traditions of India come to life. Whether you're dining in or taking away, this Indian restaurant in Barrack Heights brings the vibrant flavors of India to Oak Flats, Flinders, and beyond. Make Tandoori Junction your next dining destination and experience the authentic taste of India, right in your neighborhood. Celebrate the Flavors of India at Tandoori Junction, the leading Indian restaurant in Shellharbour. Serving the communities of Barrack Heights, Blackbutt, Oak Flats, and beyond, we offer a wide variety of traditional dishes. Visit us in New South Wales (NSW) or enjoy our cuisine from the comfort of your home with our takeaway service.

[pyxisastronautica]

Clawing and Scraping

Echo stepped up to the podium on the stage in front of their headquarters. The streets nearby had been closed, and were filled now with a mix of press, subsidiary representatives, and curious passersby. Merely to have such an event so publicly was a tacit declaration of victory, of corporate conquest and certainty there would be no reprisal.

Even so, both Oscar and Mike in their prime models stood within arm’s length of them, ready to shield their captain at first detection of a laser sight. Additionally, their new models stood farther to the back, flanking either edge of the guard. Somewhere out of sight, Victor and Uniform, too, were watching their back, their minds observing the security feeds, while they subtly swept the area for any unusual activity.

But even such relative safety did nothing to ease them away from wishing they were anywhere else. A million lightyears out into the void, perhaps, where they could return to tinkering with their gadgets while taking measure of the stars. Or at least, in their room composing music.They felt, as they always did, far in over their head, using the new persona they’d built to breathe underwater.

Still, they looked out into the sea of faces, curious or cautious, and a strange and terribly powerful emotion gripped their core with vice-like cruelty. A terrible affliction of affection, a despair at the alternative, and drumbeat of obligation that tied them both together. There was nowhere else they could be right now.

It was knowledge that steadied Echo as they tapped the mic and began to speak.

“I offer my warmest greetings to you, my fellow Plutopolitans, as well as all of our honored guests, as we gather here on this day of celebration. For it is on this day, my comrades, that the grand First City of Hades stands united, leaving behind the conflicts of division that have torn it apart for so long, and looks forward to a new and brighter tomorrow. 

“To get here, to this point, is a testament not to my will alone, nor even just that of the hard-working people of Cosmo Technologies Incorporated- though I will certainly not diminish their efforts either- but to this city as a whole. No company, no matter how powerful, exists in a vacuum, and thus it is your cooperation and support which has seen us through as we come here to announce the ways in which we seek to repay you- figuratively and literally, as now most of you are now, in some fashion, part of this great endeavor.

“Our cafeteria and housing programs have already seen great success and will continue to be expanded as we grow with you. There is no employee of ours that should have to fear for their own, or their family’s, basic necessities for food, water, shelter, or medical care- the latter of which will be seeing expanded options soon for those that lack them. And, since our conglomerate oversees the labor now for approximately 90% of the city, it is now also our duty to ensure that all of its facilities are also accounted for, I believe. We are pledging a portion of all funds to the education system as well as the maintenance of infrastructure, as much as is needed to ensure that on every level you and your children are given what you need to thrive.

“This is, of course, asking for a great deal of trust from all of you, however. Trust that, in this short period of time, we have little time to earn but have every intention to prove the worth of. Even so, nothing replaces direct feedback- so please, if you have any questions-”

The press erupted, clamoring, nearly deafening. Echo pointed out one who was raising her hand.

“Kineti Goldfield from Ellis Times- Mistrum Addleton, how many of these policies are a response to- or the result of pressure from- the violent insurrectionists of Taros?”

“I’d like to think of it this way: violent actions come from negligent practices. People whose needs aren’t being met are of course going to turn to rebellion- when given no other recourse, what else is to be expected? But we can do better than to merely wait for that to happen. The only means to prevent collapse are to address the issues that might cause it- something I tried to caution my father of but, rest his soul, he was very set in his ways, the old ways. Dismissed these notions as mere naive idealism. And perhaps I am an idealist in that fashion, but I am one who is willing to do whatever is necessary to make them a feasible material reality. The people of this city deserve better than to have their leaders shrug their shoulders at their complaints.

“On that note: expect to see not only redistribution of company resources, but restructuring of our departmental hierarchy and appointment practices- one that will more heavily weight feedback from employees. I have additionally heard that there are those who are wishing to unionize here- and let me tell you now that I do not intend to obstruct you from doing so, I would ask for you to wait to make demands until detailed plans for the future have been officially posted- which will be made publicly available on our website in the coming weeks. As rapidly as I have been and am trying to pivot policies away from useless consolidation of wealth, the city must remain stable and it will take time for implementation to take effect. I eagerly look forward to working with all of you on solidifying our timeline for doing so- and more generally, in working with you towards a better future for this city. It has been a tremendous honor thus far to be granted such a chance- yes, you there?”

“Luin Archetto from the Plutopolis Daily. Speaking of the future of this city, Mistrum Addleton, I think we’ve all been ignoring the bull in the room- the two of them, in fact: those giant metal men besides you. You’ve made some bold claims about their intellect, I believe. That these robots can think and feel as much as any of us can. Do you still stand by them?”

“I do.”

“You must also have heard some concerns, then, that you mean to use these machines to replace us, and that your garnering of public support is just a means of placating folks while the good jobs they’re promised get phased out?”

“I have. But let me assure you unequivocally that this isn’t the case. To my knowledge, absolutely no robots have been built to the caliber or suited to the wide range of tasks that I have built these to accomplish. But my goal for them is that you think of them neither as your replacements, nor as mere objects, but as your helpers and companions. For the entirety of human history, it has been the desire of human beings to labor in some fashion- either for their own enrichment, as through invention and artistic expression, or in support of their communities. This is not a desire that I am able to strip from anyone, neither do I wish to. But the work that you do can be made not only easier but safer. If they do end up replacing your work, it ought only be because you have made the decision to focus on other aspects to which you feel better suited.

“There can be, and is, a place for humans to live in harmony with their technology- if we have but the discipline to be thorough about our standards, the patience to see it through, and mercy and understanding for the needs of both man and machine. To wit, I have made a total of 100 androids for my associates in Steelsong Security Group, and did so under the condition that they would not replace any existing personnel. You have seen their work now on TV, surely. Yes, these in their current roles have been involved in intercompany violence as you know, but you must also have seen how they protect those whose divisions they have been assigned to, and more importantly, in how they protect civilians caught in conflicts. Do not imagine the efficiency and loyalty of these manmade soldiers as heralding collapse, but as bastions for the world to come.”

“That’s all well and good, but being as they are intelligent beings, so you say, may we ask them their opinion on the matter?”

Echo paused, hiding their momentary mortification at the thought. They weren’t entirely unprepared for the possibility and had tried to coach the two guards, but they- especially Oscar- could be unpredictable. They nodded to the reporter, and then to the two of them.

E: Remember. Stay positive, no aggression.

Mike spoke up first, awkwardly clutching one arm with the other. 

“Uh. Can you like, be more specific? I’m…not really used to public speaking. Or, uh. Speaking.”

“Alright, for starters: How do you feel about the city, Mike? You’re only a year and change old, as far as any of us know. Getting thrown into the tumult like this must be a lot to handle- or does your programming account for all that?”

“Oh, uh. I like it, actually. How different things are. I don’t mind adapting to it. It’s really nice being outside and getting to see people. I like working with my squadmates, sometimes we play sports or exercise together. I have to be careful, though. I’d feel pretty bad if I hurt ‘em, they’re good fellas.”

“And you, Oscar? How do you feel about being built for war?”

“Feel pretty alright about it.”

“Excuse me?”

Echo tried to interject, “Alright, that’s enough for-”

“What? Of course it feels alright. I didn’t get a choice about what I was made for, I can only try to do what I do well and trust that my boss knows what they’re doing is actually what’s best. And I do trust them because they haven’t given me a reason not to.”

“So you feel no guilt over any actions you’ve taken?”

“Not really. It feels…exciting to be in a fight. There’s this rush, this good feeling of success at making it work. Ask any of the other guys, the humans, and they’ll tell you the same. Maybe that’s wrong? I don’t know, I didn’t code me. They didn’t code themselves, either. But I do know that it’s not the only thing I found out I like, or even really that I like it the most. When you’re fighting someone and they die, they just stop. They’re done. They can’t do anything else. But if someone’s alive they can do all sorts of things- play sports, or do crazy stunts, or make sick music. I like that just as much or better. Maybe it would feel kinda bad to know that maybe the people I killed coulda done those things, but then. It’d feel just as bad if they killed a civilian who could’ve done the same, right? I don’t know. All that stuff’s kinda above me. I just wanna do a good job and maybe have fun.”

“...I see. Is there anything you don’t like, then?”

“Uhhhhh. Yeah, actually. Sometimes people wave at us- kids like to especially- and usually Mike waves back, but their parents or friends kinda shush them and try to pull them away. That kinda sucks. I mean. I like spooking hostiles sometimes ‘cause it’s funny. But I don’t want everyone to be scared of us all the time. We can’t hurt people unless we’re told to, anyway, and it feels pretty bad to be surrounded by people but not really allowed to talk to any of them.”

“That true, Mike?”

“Yup.”

“So what would you tell people on the street if they met you, then?”

“Uhhhh. Hi. I don’t know if I’ll get to talk to you much ‘cause we’re always on the move, but I probably think you’re interesting and if my CO let’s me, maybe I can play the tuba for you?”

“Play the- but you have no mouth or lips?”

“Downloaded a pretty good synthesizer, though.”

“Alright, can you play something then?”

Mike played a few lines of “When the Saints Go Marching In”, a song for which no human present had any context for nor knew the lyrics of, to uproarious laughter and applause. 

“Thanks Mike- and thank you Mt. Addleton. No more questions from me.”

Echo’s fans pushed out a heavy sigh and they nodded.

“I think that’s as good a note as any- forgive the pun- to end things on.

“Once again, I offer by deepest thanks for your support, Plutopolis. May our best days be ahead of us all.”

The second the speech ended, Echo waited a few seconds, expecting to see the flash of fire from a muzzle, or hear its boom. It didn’t happen.

They returned through the door of the headquarters, expecting some lunatic to rush them with a bomb strapped to their chest and blow them sky high. It didn’t happen.

They entered the elevator that took them, their guards, and fellow crewmates up to the top floor. They expected the cables to get cut, sending them plummeting to a messy end. This one had almost happened due to sabotage by a rival company, with help from an insider if the investigation was to be believed, but the second set of failsafes had prevented their sudden deactivation. This time, however, the ride was completely smooth.

They flopped down into a chair in a large study while Quebec, India, and X-ray took to the couches, Oscar and Mike sat on the floor with a loud thud while Victor, Uniform, and Ailis manned the doors. They expected the sound of cracking stone as the ceiling gave way and the stalactite fell upon the city, crushing not only their own lives and that of many innocents, but whatever little amount of hope they were finally bringing to the world.

It didn’t happen. Not then, at least.

It wasn’t until the next day, after the haze of victory and paranoia had settled down like so much confetti after a parade, that something unusual happened. 

It could not be said that it was unexpected, both in that Echo knew their activities were bound to draw attention from others outside of the First. Nor was it that that they hadn’t literally seen it coming- they had run security feeds from all over the city through some of the unused servers in the archive and kept a connection to it at almost all times, one bot panopticon second only to TCCAI itself at this point. 

(Well. Granted, the other androids in the First had access to it as well, but none used- or abused- the surveillance to the degree that Echo did, determined as they were to never be caught off guard.)

It was…the timing, if anything, both in date and hour. Early in the morning, maybe thirty minutes after the front doors had opened, Charlie called them up to inform them that the CEO and CFO of AcherEN had arrived with the request to speak to them.

Everything about their appearance was meant to be a warning. Not just due to their security detail, which was actually quite modest all things considered, but the suddenness of it, the expectation that absolutely everything else that could have been going on would be put on hold for them- which they were, unfortunately, right about. 

Bravo, at least, was happy enough to play the part of a tour guide while flanked by Uniform and Victor. He had been put into the PR department and had thrived there, as a lifetime of trying to make the dry reports he had given to the occasional researchers who contact the Triskelion entertaining had prepared him to try drawing blood from a stone. It felt no different to him now, watching the mildly entertained faces of his performance nod along to information they probably already sort of knew about the history of CT Inc.

And his part in the whole affair was, at least, pleasantly brief.

As Echo shook the hands of their guests, they felt a spike of envy for him in that regard.

Acher’s wires powered the rest of Hades outside of the First, practically its lifeblood. AcherEN was the city itself for all intents and purposes. And these two, as far as most people in Hades were concerned, were AcherEN.

The CEO, Joanna Vesteris, though physically merely a normal woman in her mid-forties, carried herself as though she were the black heart of Hades itself. She had the green eyes of a cat, the hungry smile of a jackal, and despite being shorter than Echo by several inches it felt as though she towered over them.

Marshall Apellon, by comparison, was not far off from being the perfect average of an Acheran man, an unremarkable person who almost seemed to disappear into thin air- an accomplishment even to Echo, given that in the many millennia of their existence they had never encountered a face so utterly bereft of defining details. They could never voice the question aloud, but part of them wondered if it was perhaps intentional- a deliberate obfuscation of his own role. 

“I’m sorry to be dropping in like this,” Vesteris began in a fashion that was decidedly unapologetic, “but I just had to come to congratulate you as soon as I had the chance. To think I’d see a second city become as united as the Third in my lifetime in a year and a half’s time? Truly inspiring.”

“Especially given the fracturing of Hyperion in the same timeframe. It’s good to have that sort of stability restored to the world,” Apellon added.

“Thank you, both of you,” Echo started, “Had I known how much it meant to you, I would have prepared a brunch for all of us. You’ll have to forgive my lack of preparation. Even so, I can’t imagine you rushed out all of this way just to take off again, so please, come in, take a seat.”

“Of course, of course,” Vesteris and Apellon entered, and with a simple gesture directed their guards to wait outside- a courtesy which Echo returned, mostly, by sending out Victor, Uniform, and the other mercenaries, though when the guard that had already been in the room went to join them Echo bid him to stay.

“Apologies, Mrs. Vesteris, Mr. Apellon, but I’d like to keep my agent here in the room with me. He can be trusted with anything we discuss here, I assure you.”

Joanna eyed the man for a moment. He was largely no different from any other soldier in their power suit, but it didn’t stop her from asking, “Is that right? What’s your name, fella?”

There was a long and tense pause. Echo was paralyzed. Telling him to stay quiet would invite considerable suspicion, but telling him yes would endanger his life.

He remained quiet for a long time. He was comfortable standing in silence.

“Come on, now, don’t be shy.”

“Please continue your conversation with Executive Addleton,” was all that she got from him, but it was enough.

“...You. Well, I’ll be damned. No hard feelings, I hope?”

“None. Business is business.”

Vesteris smiled. “Exactly so. And just as I remembered. Very well, Addleton, I have no issue with his inclusion here.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Mrs. Vesteris. Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea? I think we should still have some pastries or snacks in one of the meeting rooms nearby.”

Vesteris shook her head. “Can’t fool me, dear. I can already see you getting ants in your pants, so I think we can cut to the chase.”

“Which is?” Echo asked coyly.

“Let us say I, and my dear associate here, have our concerns about the future of Hades and the direction you intend to take it in. Never has someone so heavily cyborgized been in a position of power quite like yours- and even those who have been entirely intact have never had as much ambition as you.”

“Ex…cuse me?” Echo tilted their head.

“Save it,” Vesteris said with sudden bluntness, “We have eyes across Hades, just as you do. And our friendships with some of your investors go back from well before you were at senior prom- our family’s since before either of us were alive. You really didn’t think that your performance, your decision to personally put yourself in combat zones, during the past two Blackout Weeks went unnoticed, did you? Or that word wouldn’t reach about your grand plans for your company’s future?” Echo crossed their legs and folded their hands in front of them neatly onto the desk in front of them.

“And? The cyborgized can be found across Hades, and I am the owner of this company. What expectation would you have but that I do everything I can to make it grow? I see opportunities and I take them. How are we any different in that regard?”

“...But you didn’t take an opportunity, did you, Addleton? You made it. Or I think more likely, it was made for you.

“Up until a few years ago you were a nobody in all but name, staying out of all of the circles that would have offered you the world without effort. A shut in with no-name friends. Up until last year, plus some change, you were, even then, a notable wallflower. Never once known for athleticism or genius. And then something very suddenly changed. Your father dies and the old personality with it, while you claim you’ve been trying to convince him of whatever this is you’re doing the whole time.

“I think that ol’ Daddy Addleton got tired of waiting for you to become the perfect heir and decided to make himself one. I just wonder how far he took it- how far he must have to make you want to kill him. Tell me, did he leave anything left of you? I thought surely he must have at least left a little bit left, like those two outside, but now, seeing these more humanoid works of yours, I wonder…”

Echo narrowed their eyes. “You are making baseless accusations about my late father, me, and my medical history. That is libel, ma’am,” Echo said, as if libel was a crime that she was at any risk of receiving any meaningful punishment for.

“...No, of course you couldn’t admit to it,” Vesteris sighed, “I wouldn’t expect that. But I think your associations with Taros make my suspicions a little better than a conspiracy theory. Those cyborgs didn’t appear out of thin air, and contrary to popular speculation I have my doubts they came out of Asphos’s depths either. I’m no engineer, mind you, but there’s something about the style of them that doesn’t match their design philosophy.”

“I ask once again: what is the point of this line of inquiry?”

“The point is this: I will not allow Hades to be conquered by the machinations of a megalomaniacal brain in a can. Beyond mere matters of property ownership- and the fact that you by rights ought to be company property- there is good reason for the cybernetically enhanced to be denied the highest echelons of control. For as much as we have given up to live in Hades,” It was so casual, to these old houses, to speak so easily of the true nature of the world, “we must remain human beings. Humans must be in charge of humanity- not cyberliches surrounded by armies of the all-but-dead.”

“You are catastrophizing for nothing. Where do you see ill intent in anything I have done?”

“There doesn’t need to be any, Addleton. That’s the thing of it. You may have the best wishes for the people who remain people, but necessity will force you to strip them apart. To make them like you, for your own safety. Long have the rest of us agreed to tow the line, to not take those steps that would warp our civilization entirely, but you. You have decided to cross it.”

“You are a businesswoman. It would be good business for us to get along, Mrs.Vesteris.”

“I have enough money to afford principles.”

“Do you? Is that what you call the system that currently exists? Principled?”

“Compared to the long dark age of monarchic tyranny you represent, I would like to think so. There are winners and losers in every system. There aren’t many in ours. There would be only one in yours. I think that’s an improvement.”

“And I think it is cowardice. And projection, frankly. I am not like you. I will be better.”

“You are like me, though, if any part of you is still flesh. You may try to deny that you are a child of privilege as I am, that you’re really all doing this for the little guy, but the fact of it is that money and power has left its mark on your psyche as it has all of us. I have seen it make stupid and arrogant many a person- I’m not above it myself. Why should you be?”

Echo was silent. There was no way to answer her question without saying too much. And in truth, she wasn’t all wrong. There was no good and clean way to concentrate power. For it to exist meant inevitably that it would be abused in the same way a gun left on a table was inevitably going to be fired. On their orders, surgeries had been conducted without consent of the patients, minds made pliable to accept what had been attached to what remained of their bodies. And that was the norm here. The status quo pushed up to its very limit of what dehumanization is acceptable, and they stood posed to escalate.

“I’m sincere in my congratulations to you, by the way,” Vesteris started after a time, smoothness creeping back into her voice for a moment, “It really is remarkable what you’ve been able to accomplish so far. My advice to you is to stop while you’re ahead. Maybe your works in the First will inspire others, but that should be done without meddling from it.”

“And if they should want my cooperation?”

“...Then I would suggest you use your best judgment about taking them up on the offer.”

The two of them held their gazes for a moment. This was no time for war for either of them. Not directly, anyway. The other cities were watching, waiting for the day when they too would ignite into flames- or if others would first and they could cannibalize them. But neither was there an expectation of understanding- that Echo would take Vesteris’s advice to heart, or that Vesteris would not try to choke them out for ignoring it.

The inconvenient truth of it for Vesteris was that said revolution had been a long time in coming for Hades, the product of its own excesses that would have caught up to it eventually even if her rival had never thrown their hat into the ring. But it had always been possible to stamp out unrest before. She had always hoped to be the one to capitalize upon it, but she’d been beaten to the punch in an unexpected way.

The inconvenient truth for Echo was much simpler but equally inevitable: people were afraid of bloodshed, but they were equally afraid of the dark.

Echo sank back into their chair after the two of them left. A moment of suspicion for the wordless CFO who had done nothing but silently nod along prompted them to stand up and fish around along the edge of the seat where he’d been, and pulled out a bug. They thought, for a moment, about doing something funny like boxing it up and sending it to another city, or maybe mailing it back, but opted to just step on it instead. Like a normal person.

They sighed heavily, shoulders dropping as they sank deep into thought. Maybe Victor was right. If they were willing to treat other humans this way just for being augmented, what hope did any of them, as androids, have? There had only been one person from Hades who they had trusted with the knowledge of their true identities, and he had also found himself put into the line of fire  had narrowly missed the first time around.

Not that Ailis seemed to mind, as he placed a hand on Echo’s shoulders.

“I ought to be the one comforting you,” Echo said, trying not to shiver, “I should have let you leave when you had the chance. I didn’t think she’d recognize you.”

“She might have known I was in your employ already. Asking my name may have been a shot in the dark that was worth the gamble to her. Both of us are at risk, at any rate, and I am not afraid.”

“No? I am. I think I’ll set a record for number of assassination attempts if I live to see the end of all this.”

“You will see the end of it. I am contracted to this company, and you are its leader. If it is at all within my power to ensure you live, you will.”

“And if it isn’t?”

“I believe in this company’s future, and I believe in you. If I die for that, I die satisfied that I did all that I could within the framework that I was given.”

Echo turned and held the man tightly. 

“I’ll make it worth it. Or I’ll die trying, at least.” 

“I know.”

[howtoturnoffgooglevpn]

does express vpn slow internet down

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does express vpn slow internet down

ExpressVPN speed impact

ExpressVPN is a popular choice among users looking to enhance their online security and privacy. However, one common concern among potential users is the impact of using a VPN service like ExpressVPN on internet speed.

When using a VPN, there will inevitably be some decrease in internet speed due to the encryption and rerouting of traffic through remote servers. In the case of ExpressVPN, users may experience a slight reduction in speed when connecting to servers located farther away from their physical location. However, ExpressVPN is known for its reliable and fast connection speeds, which helps mitigate the impact on internet speed.

One of the factors that can affect the speed of a VPN connection is the user's own internet connection. If a user has a slow or unstable internet connection to begin with, this can exacerbate any speed reduction caused by using a VPN service like ExpressVPN.

To optimize speed when using ExpressVPN, users can choose servers that are closer to their physical location, as proximity can have a significant impact on connection speed. Additionally, users can also make sure they are using the most up-to-date version of the ExpressVPN app, as updates may include performance improvements.

Overall, while there may be a slight speed impact when using ExpressVPN, the service's fast and reliable connections can help ensure a smooth and secure browsing experience for users.

Internet slowdown with ExpressVPN

Title: Understanding Internet Slowdowns with ExpressVPN: Causes and Solutions

Internet slowdowns can be frustrating, especially when you're relying on a VPN service like ExpressVPN to protect your online privacy and security. While ExpressVPN is known for its speed and reliability, there are instances where users may experience a decrease in internet speed while using the service.

One of the primary reasons for internet slowdowns with ExpressVPN is server congestion. When too many users are connected to the same server at once, it can result in reduced bandwidth for each individual user, leading to slower internet speeds. This issue is more common during peak usage hours when server resources are stretched thin.

Another factor that can contribute to internet slowdowns with ExpressVPN is the distance between the user and the VPN server. The farther away the server is located, the longer it takes for data to travel between the user's device and the server, resulting in increased latency and slower connection speeds.

Additionally, certain VPN protocols used by ExpressVPN may impact internet speeds. While some protocols prioritize security over speed, others are designed to optimize performance. Users can experiment with different protocols to find the one that offers the best balance between security and speed for their needs.

Fortunately, there are steps that users can take to mitigate internet slowdowns with ExpressVPN. One option is to connect to a different server that is less congested and closer to your physical location. ExpressVPN offers a wide range of server locations to choose from, allowing users to find the optimal connection for their needs.

Furthermore, users can also try adjusting their VPN settings or upgrading their internet plan to a higher speed tier to improve performance. By understanding the causes of internet slowdowns with ExpressVPN and implementing these solutions, users can enjoy a faster and more reliable online experience while maintaining their privacy and security.

ExpressVPN performance analysis

ExpressVPN is renowned for its reliability and performance in the realm of virtual private networks (VPNs). A comprehensive analysis of its performance reveals why it stands out among its competitors.

Speed is a critical factor for VPN users, and ExpressVPN consistently delivers impressive results. Through a vast network of servers strategically located around the globe, users experience minimal latency and high connection speeds. This ensures smooth streaming, fast downloads, and seamless browsing, regardless of geographical location.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN prioritizes security without compromising performance. Utilizing top-tier encryption protocols and advanced security features, such as Network Lock (kill switch) and split tunneling, users can browse with peace of mind knowing their data is protected from prying eyes.

In addition to speed and security, ExpressVPN excels in reliability. With robust infrastructure and proactive maintenance, downtime is kept to a minimum, ensuring users have uninterrupted access to the internet whenever they need it.

Another aspect worth noting is ExpressVPN's ability to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship. Whether accessing content from streaming services, social media platforms, or websites blocked by governments, ExpressVPN provides a reliable solution to circumvent such barriers.

Moreover, ExpressVPN offers user-friendly applications across various devices and platforms, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Its intuitive interface and seamless integration ensure a hassle-free experience for both beginners and seasoned VPN enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, ExpressVPN's performance analysis highlights its superior speed, security, reliability, and accessibility. As a leading VPN provider, it continues to set the standard for excellence in the industry, earning the trust and satisfaction of millions of users worldwide.

Network speed with ExpressVPN

Title: Maximizing Network Speed with ExpressVPN

In today's interconnected world, where data security is paramount, virtual private networks (VPNs) have become indispensable tools. Among the plethora of VPN options available, ExpressVPN stands out for its robust security features and user-friendly interface. However, concerns about network speed often arise when considering VPN usage. Fortunately, ExpressVPN offers solutions to mitigate these concerns and ensure a smooth online experience.

One common misconception is that using a VPN inevitably leads to slower internet speeds. While it's true that encryption and rerouting can add a fraction of latency, ExpressVPN employs advanced technologies to minimize this impact. By strategically locating servers worldwide and optimizing their infrastructure, ExpressVPN reduces latency and ensures high-speed connections.

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is a prime example of its commitment to speed and efficiency. Developed in-house, Lightway prioritizes both security and performance, offering users a seamless browsing experience without compromising on protection. With its lightweight design and streamlined architecture, Lightway minimizes latency and maximizes throughput, allowing users to enjoy fast and reliable connections across devices.

Moreover, ExpressVPN offers a feature called Speed Test, which enables users to identify the fastest server available based on their location. By automatically analyzing server speeds and selecting the optimal connection, Speed Test ensures that users experience minimal slowdowns while maximizing bandwidth utilization.

In conclusion, ExpressVPN excels not only in security but also in maintaining high network speeds. Through innovative technologies like the Lightway protocol and features like Speed Test, ExpressVPN empowers users to safeguard their online privacy without sacrificing performance. Whether for browsing, streaming, or gaming, ExpressVPN remains a top choice for those seeking both security and speed in their VPN solution.

ExpressVPN bandwidth reduction

Title: Understanding Bandwidth Reduction with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a renowned provider of virtual private network (VPN) services, offering users enhanced online security, privacy, and anonymity. While its benefits are numerous, some users may experience a reduction in bandwidth when using ExpressVPN. Understanding why this happens and how to mitigate it is crucial for optimizing your VPN experience.

Bandwidth reduction with ExpressVPN occurs due to the encryption and routing processes involved in VPN connections. When you connect to a VPN server, your data is encrypted to protect it from interception by third parties. This encryption adds an overhead to your internet traffic, resulting in slightly slower speeds compared to a direct connection.

Additionally, the routing of your data through VPN servers, which are often located in different geographical regions, can introduce latency and reduce the overall speed of your connection. This is particularly noticeable when connecting to servers that are far away from your physical location.

However, it's essential to note that the extent of bandwidth reduction varies depending on several factors, including your internet speed, the distance between your location and the VPN server, and the server load at the time of connection.

To mitigate bandwidth reduction with ExpressVPN, consider the following tips:

Choose Nearby Servers: Opt for VPN servers that are geographically close to your location to minimize latency and improve speed.

Use Lightweight Protocols: ExpressVPN offers various VPN protocols, including UDP and TCP. Experiment with different protocols to find the one that offers the best balance between security and speed for your needs.

Upgrade Your Internet Plan: A faster internet connection can help offset the bandwidth reduction caused by VPN encryption and routing.

Close Unused Applications: Reduce network congestion by closing unnecessary applications and processes running in the background.

By understanding the factors contributing to bandwidth reduction with ExpressVPN and implementing these strategies, you can optimize your VPN experience and enjoy enhanced online security without sacrificing too much speed.

[vaughnsportsacademy]

What Factors Should You Consider Before Joining a Baseball Camp in Florida?

If you are passionate about baseball and want to improve your playing, joining a baseball camp can help you develop the right skills. A baseball camp can help you pitch better or hit more accurately. You will also learn how to work with your team and keep yourself physically fit for the sport.

Choosing the best baseball camp

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the US, so there are hundreds of camps out there for you to choose from. However, some camps are better suited to your needs than others. Here are some crucial factors you should consider before joining a baseball camp in Florida:

The camp’s location matters a lot

If you’re searching for a good baseball academy, Florida has some of the best in the country. How far within the state you should look generally depends on the type of camp you’re looking to join. 

If you’re considering joining a day camp or one that runs for only a few days, staying close to where you live makes practical sense. But if a camp runs for a week or longer and offers full boarding, choosing one farther away from your home is generally safe.

Consider your player-level

Make sure you know your player level before you join a baseball academy. This way, you can choose one that caters to your level of play. One that caters to a lower level of play will likely teach you skills you already know, while one for a higher level may be too advanced. 

Technology might help you learn better

Some baseball camps use sophisticated technology to enhance how they teach crucial skills and measure participants’ progress. This, of course, does not automatically mean they’re better than camps that teach using traditional approaches and without hi-tech gadgets. Choose a baseball camp whose methods are more aligned with your learning style.

Baseball camp should teach proper attitude

Baseball is a team sport, so camp should teach you how to interact and work with your teammates. It should champion sportsmanship, discipline, and proper attitude and never tolerate bullying. Playing team sports like baseball is an excellent opportunity to gain lifelong friends; camp should reflect that aspect of the game well.

Find a camp that respects your time

Baseball is a serious and challenging sport, so your time at camp must be spent efficiently and wisely on developing the right skills. The best baseball camp follows a well-organized program and won’t waste your time on outdated drills that do not improve your game.

Looking into the coaching staff

You have many options for baseball camps in Florida, so you must consider several factors when selecting the best one. Look for a camp run by reputable staff with years of experience coaching athletes, playing on the field, or both. In this respect, you can never go wrong with choosing Vaughn Sports Academy (VSA).

VSA was founded by Mo Vaughn, who draws upon his long and celebrated career in Major League Baseball to help new generations of baseball players excel in the sport. Under his mentorship and with help from VSA’s outstanding coaches, you can be on your way toward becoming the next baseball legend. Unlock your potential by signing up at Vaughn Sports Academy today!

[valueplusautoparts]

Choosing Best Auto Parts Supplier A Comprehensive Guide

As a car owner, you would want your vehicle to be well maintained and in great condition at all times. You want it to be a reliable companion that can take you wherever you need to go. However, if your vehicle is not in good shape then it will not perform as well as its potential allows it to do. This means that you must make sure that everything is working properly before taking off on any journey.

What Is an Auto Parts Supplier?

An auto parts supplier is a company that sells auto parts and accessories.

Auto Parts Suppliers can be classified into two types: Manufacturers and Distributors. Manufacturers are those companies that manufacture their own products, while distributors are those who buy from manufacturers, then sell to dealerships or retailers.

Why You Need a Good Auto Parts Supplier?

The auto parts industry is a booming one, and it has been for quite some time now. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is the fact that cars and trucks are an integral part of our lives, and we rely on them for transportation as well as other things like work and family outings. Because there are so many vehicles out there in need of maintenance or repairs from time to time, there's no shortage of opportunities when it comes to selling auto parts online or offline (and sometimes both).

However, if you're going to start selling auto parts online then choosing an appropriate supplier is critical because they will provide your business with everything from raw materials all the way through delivery at various locations across North America. This means that if something goes wrong during this process then any problems could end up hurting both parties involved - which is why it's important not only find trustworthy suppliers but also ones who can offer competitive pricing along with good customer service too!

The Advantages of Choosing a Good Auto Parts Supplier

There are a lot of advantages to choosing a good auto parts supplier. First, you can expect better service. A good supplier will be able to provide you with the parts that you need in a timely manner and at an affordable price.

They will also offer quality products, which means that your car will run more smoothly and efficiently once it's been repaired or serviced by them.

Lastly, there will be more options available for customers who choose their services because they have access to more than one supplier at any given time so as long as these companies are reputable then there shouldn't be any issues at all!

How to Choose the Best Auto Parts Supplier?

Before you choose an auto parts supplier, it's important to consider several factors. The most important thing is to make sure that the supplier has a good reputation and can be trusted. If you're just starting out in business, it may be easier for you to work with a local company rather than one that is farther away from your location. You should also look at how easy it would be for them to work together on projects or if there are any other issues that might arise during their interactions with each other such as payment options or delivery times

How to Find the Best Auto Parts Supplier on the Internet?

The first step to finding a good supplier is to search for them online. There are many websites where you can find auto parts suppliers, but not all of them are good quality. You should look for reviews and recommendations from other people who have bought products from these sites before, as well as asking your friends and family if they know of any good suppliers in your area. If there aren't any recommendations available then try using comparison sites such as Google Compare which will compare prices between different suppliers so that you know which one has been offering the best value for money - this way it will save time having to go through each individual company's website manually!

Factors to Consider When Selecting an Auto Parts Supplier in Your Area

When it comes to selecting an auto parts supplier in your area, there are a number of factors that should be considered. Here are some tips for choosing the best:

Experience: As with any business relationship, it's important to know what you're getting into before signing on the dotted line. Ask about their experience working with similar businesses and how long they have been in operation.

Product quality: You want to make sure your products will function as expected when they arrive at their destination--and beyond! Be sure to ask questions about product quality so there aren't any surprises down the road when they arrive at their final destination

Product availability: If something goes wrong with one of your vehicles after installing an item from another company's inventory list, how quickly can they replace or repair it? It may seem obvious but this question is still worth asking since having access 24/7 could mean saving thousands of dollars by avoiding unnecessary downtime during peak hours when everyone else needs transportation most urgently!

At Value Plus Auto Parts, we believe that every customer deserves the best service possible. That's why we work so hard to make sure that our customers are happy with their purchases, from their first inquiry until they receive their order. Whether you're looking for oil filters or tires (or anything in between!), we can help you find what you need at a price that won't break your bank account!

Value Plus Auto Parts 8121 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48204, USA +1 31 3931 9999 https://valueplusautopartswholesale.com/ https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10429367345021126601

[mars-cars]

Body Shop: Essential Tips To Choose The Right One

When you need to get your car repaired, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of body shops in your area. You need a place that has fair prices, quality work and a team that can handle all types of repairs. The good news is that there are plenty of reputable body shops out there who can help you with any type of collision repair needs!

for more info visit our site : https://www.marscars.com.au

Body shops near you

Now that you know what to look for, it's time to find the best body shop near you.

Here are some tips:

Check the location of body shops near you. If they're far away, it might be inconvenient or expensive to get there often. Some people choose a nearby shop because they want to be able to drop off their car and pick up later in the same day if needed (or vice versa). Others prefer one farther away because they think service there will be better than at closer locations--but this isn't always true!

Check reviews of body shops near you on websites like Yelp or Google Reviews so that when you visit one in person and speak with them about services offered and pricing plans before making an appointment; this way nothing is left unanswered between both parties once work begins on repairing your vehicle's exterior damage

What to expect from a body shop

You should expect your body shop to be clean. You should also expect it to be organized and have a good reputation for quality workmanship. Finally, you should feel comfortable communicating with the staff at your body shop about any concerns or questions that you have regarding the repairs being made on your car.

            Choosing the right body shop for your needs

When you're ready to look for a body shop, there are several things you should consider. First, it's important to determine the extent of damage and how quickly you need the repairs done so that you can find a shop that offers those services. Next, find out if they offer any warranties or guarantees on their workmanship; this will help keep your mind at ease while they're repairing your vehicle. Finally, ask about their pricing structure--you don't want surprises when they give an estimate!

Things to consider when choosing a body shop

Location - A good body shop should be close to where you live or work. If it's too far away, the commute will be inconvenient and may cost more in gas money.

Reputation - Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find out if a business is reputable, so ask around! Talk with friends who have had experience with car repair shops in the past--they might know some great ones near you.

Price - This isn't as important as other factors (like quality), but it's still worth thinking about when choosing a body shop for your vehicle repairs. You want to make sure that whatever company does work on your car will provide quality service at an affordable price point; otherwise, their services won't be worth it no matter how good they are!

Conclusion

With all that in mind, it's time to find the right body shop. If you're unsure of where to start, look for recommendations from friends or family members who have had their cars repaired before. You can also check out reviews online before making an appointment with any particular body shop; just make sure they're legitimate sources (and not just biased individuals). Once you've narrowed down your options based on location and reputation, make sure that the business has enough room for your vehicle!

[powerhouseqld]

Things To Look For When Selecting Freight Forwarding Company

When you’re looking for a freight forwarder, there are certain things you should be aware of and look at. A good Freight To Queensland forwarder should be able to offer a wide range of services and have flexibility in their processes. 

They should also be easy to reach, transparent about their pricing structure, and readily available for consultation whenever necessary.

Location

Where is the company located? If you're like most people, your freight forwarder will be in a major city near where you live or work. 

But if your address is remote, it makes sense to find someone who can visit you quickly. If they're too far away, they won't be able to take care of all your needs as efficiently as someone nearby.

How far away is their office from yours? There should be no more than an hour's commute between the two locations—any farther and it becomes a waste of time for everyone involved. 

Consider whether or not this distance will make it harder for them to visit regularly (and thus harder for them to provide service).

Rates

When you're shopping around for freight forwarding companies, be sure to compare their rates and see how they stack up against the competition. A good company will have a competitive rate that can remain so over time due to its low overhead costs and streamlined operations. The rate you pay should be transparent—you should know what each line item on your bill includes so that you can accurately budget for future expenses. 

Finally, if you find a company with reasonable rates but they don't seem like they'll be able to accommodate all of your needs now or in the future (or if they are simply too pricey), it's always smart to negotiate!

Flexibility

Flexibility is a key requirement for a freight forwarding company. The best companies are the ones that can handle last-minute requests and changes, as this is often a sign of the company being able to handle your needs.

 If you have special requirements or need to make adjustments, it's vital that you find an organization that can accommodate these changes with ease.

Experiences

You should ensure that the company you are dealing with has enough experience in the industry. They should be able to give you references of customers they have served before, and they should also be able to tell you how long they have been in business.

As a general rule, it's best to go with a freight forwarding company that has been around for at least five years, but keep in mind that this is not always true.

 Some companies start out small and grow quickly; others begin as large firms and then shrink after a few years. In any case, when choosing a freight forwarding company make sure their services are what you need and can afford before signing anything!

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that when you look at Freight To Queensland forwarding companies, you need to consider their location, rates, services, and ability to meet your needs. If they can’t do this then they may not be the best choice for your business. 

There are many options out there so make sure you find one that suits all of these criteria before making a decision!

[raksh-writes]

Hey 👋🏻 How were your first two days at work? I hope everything went well! And that you're still super exited about that job. 🤗💖

Hi, hello! 🥰 The job thing... got a whole lot complicated xd Or simpler, depending on how you'd look at it, I guess.

A ramble, then, 'cause I dunno how to explain it otherwise, sorry! So:

I went in yesterday, for basically the whole work day trying to learn for that position, and I was already battling away my anxiety about having no experience and that fish-out-of-water feeling and all, y'know, kinda braving it through with the thought that "okay, I have to learn, get to know all the sources, how to write with all those clients, and all that", I got a headache like halfway through, and Then - right before going out - I find out that, apparently, there's a different girl coming in today to also learn for this position. And that they will let me know on Monday. So.

I guess I didn't really got the job...

And, ngl, that whiplash was vicious. Made all my enthusiasm plummet and my self-doubt shoot sky high. At this point, I'm not even sure if I want to go back there xd

Sooo, yeah, unfortunately, not a happy ramble, this one ;/ I honestly don't know what to do now. Rethink my choices through the weekend, maybe, and try to not let my anxiety get me xd

Thank you all the same, though ❤ Good vibes are always Very appreciated ^^ And I hope you're having a lovely week 🥰💗

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

What happens in the cave, stays in the cave | Jon Snow x Jeor Mormont daughter!Reader

Summary: You and Jon spend the night in a cave

Word count: 1.9k (it was originally a blurb, I guess I got a little carried away...)

Warnings: light smut

Request: Can you do Jon looking for the Lord Commander of the Night’s watch’s daughter after she gets taken by the wildlings. When he finds her, he help her escape and they hide in a cavern, the same cavern Ygritte and Jon went to in the show  

A/N: I don’t know if this will be geographically correct, but let’s pretend. 

-

While Beyond the Wall in search of the missing Benjen Stark with the other Crows, you had managed to stray away from the group and get taken by a group of Free Folk.

Your father, Lord Commander of the Night Jeor Mormont, was furious and immediately accused an old ‘friend’ – also called the King-Beyond-the-Wall – to be behind this. It was wrong of him to be making blind accusations, but it was his precious daughter that had been taken and, it turned out he hadn’t been completely wrong.

The men who had taken you hadn’t known your identity, they just wanted you for some…personal fun. It’s only when they brought you to their King that Mance Rayder recognized your mother’s eyes and decided to keep you hostage. The man has had a bone to pick with your father since his days among the Night's Watch – an old conflict between the two men.

The moment your disparition had been confirmed, Jon didn’t think twice and offered to go search for you. Although nothing was his fault, a part of him felt guilty. He should have kept a better eye on you. Jeor had been hesitant to send him, not particularly trusting of Jon or his intentions, but he wasn’t blind and knew the young Crow would be the only one who would protect you and your life before his.

It took Jon three days to find the Free Folk’s campment – to get to you. After evaluating his options, Jon infiltrated the Free Folk, telling them he had deserted the Night’s Watch to become part of the Free Folk. His plan would have worked if Mance Rayder hadn’t recognized him as Ned Stark’s bastard son, which got him captured too.

‘’You’re an idiot, Jon Snow,’’ you had told him when he got thrown in the tent with you, tied up. ‘’I’m flattered that you came to rescue me, but now we’re both gonna get killed.’’

You didn’t get killed. Mance had other plans for you. You’ll be heading to the wall via south along with the wildlings and serve of money of exchange when they invade the north. According to Mance, the Lord Commander won't care much about Jon Snow, but when he will see his daughter tied and with a blade pressed against her neck, he'll let them pass.

Mance's plan wasn't foolproof though. While they were on the move toward the south, you and Jon managed to free yourself and get away.

You and Jon had been on the run for hours, running through the snow-y mountains in the opposite direction of the Free Folk, and your legs were aching from all the running, threatening to give out.

And they did, as you tripped on a rock and fell on the snow covered ground. You cursed and tried to get up, but your body was exhausted.

‘’Jon!’’ you called, panting from running, feeling your heart hammering under your thick layers of wool, leather and fur.

Before you, the raven haired man stopped in his tracks. He looked over his shoulder to see you on the ground. ‘’You alright?‘’

You nodded. You weren't injured, just tired. ‘’I need a break. My- my legs can’t carry me any farther.’’

There was no way you'll be making it to Castle Black before night. Castle Black was hundreds of miles away. It's impossible to make that distance by foot before nightfall.

Jon looked around and nodded. ‘’Okay. We’ll take a break.’’

You didn't stay put for long. The area was safe for a short break, but not for a full night. You needed to find a place to hide away. A nook between trees or–

‘’Y/N! Where are you going,’’ Jon hissed, going after you like one would follow a running child. ‘’Seven Hells…’’

In the distance, you had spotted an opening in a mountain – a cave. It would be perfect to shield yourself from the wind and biting cold. Perhaps you could even make a fire.

Within the cave, Jon kept calling your name as you followed along its jagged walls. You ignored him and kept going, suddenly feeling a strange warmth the farther you went in. A frown creased between your eyebrows. You were in the coldest part of the north beyond-the-wall, warm air was impossible.

Your feet came to a halt and a grin curled on your mouth when you found a waterfall cascading down into a hot spring, explaining the warm air. You had never been to a hot spring, but you had heard of them. According to the men who had traveled beyond-the-wall, they were very rare and the only sources of warmth in the north.

‘’Jon! Come and see.’’

‘’No more running like that. I promised your father I would– What’s this?’’ he asked, looking around with a deep frown.

‘’A hot spring,’’ you explained. ‘’We’ll stay here tonight.’’

It’s been months since Jon had spent a night without wishing for an extra layer of fur to cover himself. Even in Winterfell, some nights were so cold that the warm water running through the pipes wasn't enough to keep the chambers warm. On those nights, Jon was thankful for a fireplace in his small bedchamber. He’s been missing the luxury of it on cold nights in the Night’s Watch’s bedchambers.

Eyeing the hot spring with envy, you reached for the buttons of your coat, undoing them and letting it fall off your body and to the ground, then proceeded to take off your boots, only to be stopped by Jon.

‘’What are you doing?’’ He gulped, getting more uncomfortable at each layer you were peeling off.

You rolled your eyes and continued undressing. ‘’Bathing. This is probably the only time I’ll see a hot spring. I intend of using it.’’ Slowly, you unlaced your pants, pausing before pulling them off. ‘’And you should too,’’ you added with a flirty smile.

When your pants hit the ground, Jon tore his eyes off of you. He wanted to see – he was dying to see what you looked like under your clothes –, but he had to resist the temptation or he would get as hard as the rock around you and break his vows.

‘’I-I’m good,’’ he replied, trying to find interest in the jagged rock walls.

You took off your last clothing item, standing naked while Jon still had all of his layers on. A snicker left your lips, seeing him purposely staring at a wall. ‘’Do I make you uncomfortable, Jon Snow?’’ you taunted, stepping closer to him.

Since his arrival at Black Castle, you suspected him of having an eye on you – like most men who were residing there. That’s what happens when you’re the only woman on land. Jon was different. He didn’t look at you like you were a piece of meat to empty his stones to. He wasn’t gross like them. He was kind and humble, honorable and loyal, charismatic – and he genuinely cared about you.

You weren’t indifferent to his dark curls and gray eyes, or that soft smile he kept just for you either.

‘’It’s polite of you to look away, but I would much rather you had your eyes on me. Perhaps not just your eyes.’’

Jon groaned, your suggestive words putting images in his mind and sending unwanted blood rushing south. ‘’Seven Hells…’’

You moved to stand before him and pressed your hands over the fur of his cloak, gliding them down to the leather that covered his chest. ‘’I want you, Jon Snow.’’ Your eyes flicked to his, the desire in his gray irises mirroring yours.

‘’We shouldn’t.’’ His skin was starting to feel clammy, plausibly from the heat coming from the spring. Was it really the spring, though? ‘’I've pledged my life to the Night's Watch, to your father. If I give in to my oath-’’

As much as you loved him for his loyalty, it was getting in the way of your sexual desires and starting to get on your nerves.

‘’You vowed to take no wife, hold no lands, father no children – I know the Night’s Watch’s oath,’’ you said with a little annoyance in your voice. ‘’It doesn’t say anything about having some fun.’’ You inched a little closer again, kissing his cheek and jaw as your bare body brushed his clothed one, trying to make him give in. ‘’If it makes you feel better, you can tell yourself we’re doing it to keep each other warm.’’

His forehead was prickling with sweat and the tent in his pants was getting difficult to conceal, difficult to fight.

‘’I can’t take what’s not mine.’’

‘’Then make me yours,’’ you replied simply, taking a fist of his fur collar and pulling him down so your lips could brush. ‘’Make me yours, Jon Snow.’’

Jon gave in – finally –, bending the rules and crashing his lips against yours in a searing kiss. He was putting so much in jeopardy – his honor and position in the Night’s Watch, your future by taking your maidenhood, his Lord Commander’s trust –, but the guilt was quickly replaced by fire in his blood.

His hands joined yours, unbuckling and untying, pulling and pushing at his clothes until he was completely naked too.

Women had never been a major interest for him. Back in Winterfell, although he was a Stark by blood, people saw him as a bastard above all and, no women wanted to fuck a bastard. They wanted Robb, who was, by name, more reputable, or even Theon Greyjoy.

You were the first woman who didn't care about his name, the first woman who ever wanted him.

Without breaking the kiss, you explored Jon's body, pleasantly surprised to find a decently muscled body and broad shoulders, all acquired through training and sword fighting. You wanted to kiss him all over, touch him all over, but the hard and uneven rock was starting to hurt your feet.

‘’Shall we get in the water?’’

As expected, the water was warm and agreeable, a contrast to the biting cold you’ve been living in all of your life. You let the water submerge your body up to your shoulders, covering you like a blanket. Only, that one was completely transparent.

You reached for Jon, wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him again, deepening the kiss as you felt his strong arms circle around your back and pulling you against him, your naked breasts and peaked nipples pressing against his chest. The mix of inexperience and touch deprivation elicited a moan from his mouth and made his cock twitch, feeling a woman's body against his for the first time.

You chuckled, but didn't pull away. Instead, you rolled your hips, feeling his erect cock brush your folds, and he moaned again. ‘’You like what I’m doing, Jon Snow?’’ you murmured, twirling a wet curl around your finger.

In response, he grasped onto your hips with a vice-like grip and grinded his erection the same way you had teased him, his cock almost entering, but not quite. You whimpered softly, pulling on his hair as your eyelids fluttered. Fuck. He needed to be inside you – now.

‘’Two can play this game,’’ Jon teased, the waterfall behind you falling as a white noise, giving a romantic ambiance to the underground hideaway.

‘’Haven’t we played enough already?’’ you asked, looking into his gray eyes and running your hands along the muscles of his arms, moving onto his chest and abdomen next, and then back up his chest and shoulders. Using his shoulders as leverage, you curled your legs around his waist, causing the water to swish from the movements. ‘’I want to get to the finish line.’’

-

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[aminiatureworld]

Affection II

Characters: Childe, Ganyu, Kaeya, gn!reader

Word Count: 5,577

Warnings: None

Premise: Sometime we know something is impossible from the start. But still we walk towards it, even if we know it will hurt us. It’s only flirting, only a smile or a hug or some food. Even if nothing comes of it, there is nothing to regret. Even if it hurts.

In which the reader gives affection, expecting nothing in return.

Author’s Note: Evidently I’ve really missed writing these properly. I had such a great time writing, and I hope you guys enjoy these just as much as I did.

Also I’ve decided the version on Ao3 will now always be without bullet points, so if you prefer that format the link will be in the reblog.

Childe

You’d been floored by Childe pretty much since the day you two had met.

What had turned into the two of you meeting had started out a most unfavorable encounter. You’d gone to Lingju Pass, trying to survey some of the carvings of the old structure, and attempting to see the sort of methods used to construct such vast rocky complexes at the time. Unfortunately this goal had quickly turned into a goal of “don’t get caught”, as you’d found the Pass crawling with Fatui members. Though you weren’t nearly helpless, you’d also not come prepared for battle; and had spent most of the “fight” dodging around various blows while trying not to drop the expensive equipment that you’d borrowed from other Guild members.

Just as you’d come to the conclusion that the options were either drop everything and run or get thoroughly injured by a bunch of arrogant Snezhnayan soldiers there was a change in the air. The Fatui soldiers’ expression turned from one of glee to one of confusion, and then one of panic, as one by one a streak of blue began to throw them this way and that. As you regained focus of the terrain your realized that it wasn’t a streak at all but a person, a person who was wildly adept at sword play. Eventually the number of unconscious people had risen to five, and there was no one left but him and you.

“Need any help?”

The words might’ve been kind, had it not been for the smirk on the man’s face. Though you felt that the right answers would’ve probably been to scowl, you found you couldn’t, too wrapped up in the memory of this mysterious person darting this way and that, handling his water-made daggers with the grace of a ballet dancer.

“I’m Childe.” These words finally brought you back to the present.

“You’re a member of the Fatui.”

“I am.”

“Then why did you knock those guys out just now?”

“Boredom.”

You stared at Childe incredulously. Of course you’d heard his name, the man who, it was whispered, almost pulled Liyue into the sea. You’d formed a sort of mental picture of him completely divorced from the redhead now standing in front of you, bouncing slightly on his feet as he smiled cockily. He looked more like a rogue adventurer than one of the heads of a crime syndicate. Maybe that was why you found yourself infatuated, rather than afraid.

This infatuation only grew, fed by the encounters that you had with Childe. It seemed now you couldn’t avoid him, not that you wanted to. What had begun as a chance encounter multiplied into two, into four; soon enough you two had struck up a sort of friendship, one that baffled everyone else around you.

Of course you hadn’t lost all your sense, knowing quite well that the puppy love you were feeling could never be anything more. The way Childe talked about his work, about his duty to the Tsaritsa, made it very clear that he wouldn’t let a partner in his life or in his loyalties. And even if he changed his mind, why would he choose you? You were an adventurer sure, but you hadn’t even been able to properly defend yourself the first time the two of you met, and your oversight of that would’ve surely turned Childe away. Besides, Childe could probably make a partner out of anyone he wanted, if they were foolish enough. Why should that person be you?

Perhaps it was that knowledge that allowed you to be so free in your affection, spurred on by Childe’s own open nature. Hand holding, hugging, leaning one’s head on the other’s shoulder, it was the language of friendship that you two had adopted, and something that you greatly appreciated. There was something nice about a friendship in which one could be so open about caring about someone, without expecting things to go farther. Because you didn’t, you really didn’t. And though that might’ve been a bit painful, it was a small price to pay for Childe’s company.

“I’m going off to Mondstadt for a bit.”

“What?”

You drew away from Childe a bit to look into his face. The two of you were walking along the path towards Yaoguang Shoal, as Childe had taken a particular liking to the Starconches that lined its shores. Now he smiled awkwardly, squeezing your hand and shrugging his shoulders.

“I know, I know. There’s apparently this branch of the Fatui holed up there right now, and I’ve been asked to consult about something, though archons know what it is.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure, I think about two weeks? I’m not sure what exactly is going on, but the troops really must be in disarray if they need me skulking around for the next two weeks.” He let out a awkward laugh.

“I’ll miss you.” You replied, bumping your head into his shoulder and frowning. “It’s very boring without you.”

“I’m sure you’ll be perfectly capable without me.” Childe smiled, one eyebrow raised slightly. “After all, what would you do if I left someday, permanently. You’d have to find a way without me.”

“Let’s not talk about that.” You replied hurriedly, switching the conversation towards something more pleasant. Unfortunately however the words had already been said, and the damage had already been done.

It had been two weeks since Childe had left for Mondstadt, and though normally you might’ve been waiting at the city gates for his return, you found yourself on the familiar road towards Lingju. Childe’s words had been ringing in your ears for the past two weeks, and you’d found the more time passed the more you kept thinking about them.

What would you do if I left someday, permanently. Is that what Childe truly wanted? To leave? The idea made your stomach hurt, as you began once more to run all your interactions through your head, as if trying to find a flaw in the strips of memory you had of Childe. Was that what Childe truly wanted, or was it simply that he was sick of you? When he’d said “you’d have to find a way without me” did that mean he wanted to find a way without you? Perhaps you’d been too forward, too demanding. Perhaps he’d managed to realize your feelings and felt repelled by them. Had it been too much, meeting him almost everyday for some periods of time, eating lunch together and sometimes dinner. What about that time you’d invited him over to your house to play a game? Had that been too much?

You sighed, dragging yourself over the final ridge. Sitting down to take a rest you closed you eyes. You hated that your mind wandered this way, that no matter what you couldn’t help but ask yourself again and again, what had you done. What would Childe think about this sad person laying on the ground, the sad part was you couldn’t answer that question.

The sound of footsteps brought you back to the present, and you let out a suppressed groan at the figures in your line of sight.

“Don’t you guys ever get posted anywhere else?” You rolled your eyes, reaching behind your back to summon your polearm.

“You’re trespassing.” The voice that came out of the Electro Vanguard was so deep and distorted as to be hilarious.

“Lastly I checked you were neither a citizen of Liyue, nor Rex Lapis, so if anyone’s “trespassing” on public territory it’s you.” You sighed. “Oh well. Unfortunately you caught me on a day where I’m somewhat prepared.” With that you lunged towards the Hydro Legionnaire and the fight began.

Fighting when one is already frustrated is both a blessing and a curse. The fight itself was almost invigorating, the first Fatui hit the ground and with it you felt part of your worries fade away, if only for the small window of time which this fight offered. Was this why Childe fought so much? The though crossed your mind as you whirled behind the Pyro Bracer and pressed as much Electro as you dared into the back of his head, tripping him with the staff of your polearm on his way down.

Soon enough there was only you and the Electro Vanguard left. Unfortunately you were beginning to feel the other side affect of anger, that being misfocus. Being more versed in using your polearm as a sort of lightning rod your found the Vanguard much harder to deal with, more than once barely diving out of the way of the hammer he was swinging around, surprisingly light on his feet considering what the weight must be. Your anger was quickly draining, turning into something more akin to panic, and as you found yourself stumbling more and more you realized that today was really, really not your day.

The Vanguard was becoming aware of how fast you were tiring, a gravelly sort of laugh emerging from behind his mask. As you found your with you back to the slope you wondered if it was just worth it to make an escape. The Fatui swung his hammer once more, barreling towards you. Having nothing left to do you put your polearm out in front of you, hoping that your arms were strong enough not to recoil against the inevitable blow. Closing your eyes you thought of nothing, drowning in a sea of panic. If there was any coherent part of your brain it wished that you weren’t here, that you just stayed home, or swallowed you pride and gone to the gate. But it was too late now, and you were about to get hit.

However the blow never landed, instead a loud sound pierced the air. Whipping your arms open you saw the Electro Vanguard stumble, his hammer having been dropped on the ground. He was grasping towards his ankle, in which was stuck an arrow, glowing a faint aquamarine. Swearing the Fatui member glanced around, before stumbling away, dragging his weapon and his left leg behind him like dead weight.

“Some things never change, huh?”

“Childe!” You whirled towards your once again savior, face burning from embarrassment. “I took out the rest of them this time.”

“I can see that,” said Childe, surveying the area, a telltale smirk on his face, “very impressive. Although, if I may suggest, next time try to take out the Electro Vanguard first, especially since you don’t wield a weapon made for pure damage.”

“Is this turning into a teaching moment?”

“Absolutely not.” Childe laughed.

You found the sound catching, and soon a smile spread across your face as you let your polearm disappear once more. You ran up to Childe, and were about to throw you arms around his neck in a characteristic hug, when the thoughts of before came ramming back into your brain. Taking a step back you planted your arms firmly in front of you, hoping that maybe Childe hadn’t noticed what you’d been about to do.

However Childe approached you instead.

“You weren’t at the gate today.” He said coyly, lips drifting somewhere between a smirk and a frown.

“I’m sorry.” You lowered your head. “I just thought, well maybe that would be better. Since you said you might be leaving permanently and all, and since you were right when you said I’d have to figure things out without you, I don’t know, I thought maybe it’d be for the best.”

Looking up the expression on Childe’s face could only be described as one of complete disbelief. For a moment he stayed frozen in place.

“What in Teyvat do you mean I’m leaving permanently?”

“You said that! Remember… when we were going to pick sea shells you said that you were leaving.” You stepped back, cheeks flushed. “Or maybe you were just sort of sick of me or something.”

“Why would you ever think that?” Childe walked up to you, enveloping one of the hands at your side in his own and bringing it up towards him.

“I… I don’t know,” you replied, feeling very confused and very foolish, “I thought maybe that I was being too affectionate, or too clingy. I mean I know you don’t like me or anything like that. And I thought maybe that I was crossing the boundaries of our friendship.”

“I don’t like you? I’ve liked you since almost the first day we’ve met!”

“Not like that! I mean, like like, you know? As in… well, as in I… I love you.” You let your voice peter out.

“I love you too!” Childe let out. Shaking his head he smiled widely. “That’s what I’m trying to say. I’ve liked you since almost the first time we’ve met. I wasn’t trying to shoo you away.”

“What?” Your brain was short circuiting. Something had gone terribly wrong. You’d definitely been knocked out at some point, and was now hallucinating. There was no way Childe liked you, loved you. He could love anyone, why would he love you.

Childe stepped closer, moving so that your foreheads were almost pressed together.

“May I?” He whispered, voice almost shy. You nodded, a just as small “yes” escaping your lips before Childe cut off your ability to say anything more. It was a short kiss, sweet and chaste, and yet you felt everything around you suddenly come into sharp, almost lucid clarity. You weren’t dreaming. This was happening. This was Childe and he liked you. Childe like you. He liked you, he really liked you.

“Why?” You let out, when the two of you separated. Thankfully Childe remained close to you, being without his presence now would’ve been quite lonely.

“Why what?”

“Why me? I’m not, I don’t know, I can’t even knock out an Electro Vanguard without help.”

Childe let out a laugh, lovely as music.

“I don’t know,” he replied, eyes sparkling, “because you’re you. And I like you.”

And all of a sudden you found that that was enough.

 Ganyu

The days that you accompanied Ganyu on her various errands were the ones in which you were most aware that you were on a level utterly below her.

Of course humans could never really measure up to adepti, after all they made the world and humans simply lived in it. Still in terms of humans, well you weren’t exactly pushing exceptional. If Ganyu represented all that was exceptional about the adepti, well then you represented the average human who didn’t like their job and overall went about their day as unnoticeable as an ant on the road.

Of course Ganyu never acted in a way that would betray the imbalance between the two of you. Indeed Ganyu was nothing if not kind, sweet, and utterly without a semblance of hierarchy. It was one of the things that you adored about her, the straightforward honesty she carried with her, and the way that she appeared not to judge living beings on a scale, even if that was the right of those who were higher and didn’t have to worry about said scale.

“Can you carry this for me?” Ganyu’s voice was soft and somewhat hesitant. You smiled widely, knowing that Ganyu simply had difficulty asking other people for help.

“Of course I can!” Scooping up the package that was stretched out towards you, you saw Ganyu let out a short sigh of relief.

“Thank you.”

“Of course! I’m always happy to help you. Where are we taking this?”

“Over to the funeral parlor. It seems that there are some tiles in here that are being used for a specific ritual. Hu Tao said that the family wanted it, I hope she doesn’t actually mean she pushed them towards it.” Ganyu let out a soft sigh. “She once suggested advertising for cremation. Somehow I feel that won’t exactly be welcomed by the people.”

“No one likes to be reminded of their own mortality. Ah, but Hu Tao is doing her best, and if these tiles end up being insulators, I suppose we can’t do much about it. I’ll make sure not to drop them anyways. Getting on Hu Tao’s bad side feels like asking for a prank.”

“You’re probably right.” Ganyu chuckled.

You blushed slightly, loving the way her laugh sounded, soft and open. You knew Ganyu struggled sometimes; she admitted to you herself that it was very difficult to live an existence defined by liminality. Was she an adeptus? Was she a human? She was neither, and yet both would claim her and call her other. In understanding this Ganyu had retreated into herself. Perhaps that’s why her laugh meant so much.

As you strolled down the docks an angry voice cut through the air.

“Qixing!”

Both of you turning around you saw Bolai, heaving slightly, teetering his way towards you. His face was stormy, and for a moment you wondered if someone had stolen something. His words when he caught up however revealed a very different motivation.

“I demand justice!”

“What for?” Ganyu asked, voice deadly serious once more.

“What for? For what Huixin said in regards to me! For the Liyue Qixing complying with disgusting rumors as to the ways in which I conduct my business and my finances. As to the way that you promised to help me then turned on me!”

“I see…” Ganyu sighed as you wracked your brain, trying to remember what she’d told you about the time that she and the traveler ran around trying to detangle various examples of tax fraud. “Have you considered putting up a formal complaint?” Ganyu meanwhile was still trying to keep professional, something that you admired her for.

“How am I supposed to trust the Qixing after what happened? No! I demand compensation now!”

“Sir, I’m sure you’re quite upset, but there’s no need to act in such a way. If you wish to clear your name, then we can meet in private and review the testimony and documents we received. If not, then I’m afraid there is nothing I can do for you. I’m very sorry.”

Ganyu turned back towards the direction in which you two had been previously walking. Evidently too agitated to think properly Bolai let out a strangled cry.

“We’re not finished yet!” Reaching out, he seemed to be attempting to turn Ganyu around by the shoulder. Having been standing there unthinking you now moved to block the action, knowing that Bolai didn’t really mean anything by it, but not trusting the man who looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. Bolai’s hand instead smacked into the box in your hands, which slipped from your grip and fell to the floor in a great crash.

Time seemed to slow down somewhat after this, as Bolai stepped backwards and Ganyu turned around, face one of evident horror at the scene. You felt your face begin to burn as you looked at the unassuming box, which now looked a little bit the worse for wear.

“What…” Ganyu trailed off. Bolai waved his hands about in a panicked sort of way.

“That wasn’t me! That wasn’t my fault! It was this person they… I don’t know what they were thinking, getting in the way like that. How idiotic! This is nothing but a mess, a disgrace!”

Normally you wouldn’t pay Bolai’s words any mind, but now they seemed to pierce right through, as you realized all the trouble you’d just caused Ganyu. Glancing over towards her you found you could neither look her in the eyes nor stay where you were.

“I-I’m sorry!” You stammered. Moving to pick up the box you found your hand hesitating. Fearing that you’d just make things worse you pulled yourself and dashed in the opposite direction, speeding up the docks and towards the outskirts of the city.

Normally the view from Mount Tianheng was one that stole your breath away. Today however the mountain seemed completely uninteresting, especially when compared to the thoughts racing in your head.

How had you gotten here, how had you messed up so much? Ganyu didn’t need your posturing, your attempt to help. She was an adeptus for Morax’s sake! And who were you? Someone who couldn’t even carry a box from Point A to Point B. And now you’d just caused more trouble for Ganyu, when she already had so much to do.

“I’m such a failure.” You groaned into your palms.

“You aren’t!” You lifted your head at the soft exclamation, already knowing who the voice belonged to. Ganyu sidled up to the ledge of the mountain silently, fidgeting with her hands. “May I sit next to you?”

“Of course.” You replied, grateful that Ganyu was even talking to you. Smiling softly the Qixing Emissary let out a soft sigh.

“I love the view of the city from here.” She spoke softly, eyes on the horizon.

“I do too.”

“There’s something so lovely about watching everyone go about their day, isn’t there? To see the people work in harmony to bring prosperity and peace to the city of Liyue. To see how everyone continues on the legacy of Rex Lapis.”

“That’s a lot to see.” You joked, still feeling a little uncomfortable, as if Ganyu might in a minute get up and leave.

“But can’t you see it?” Ganyu’s voice was earnest and her eyes shined. “It’s wonderful how people do it, how they continue to make this city thrive, to keep the contracts of Morax alive and within living memory.”

“Perhaps it’s just harder for humans to judge it themselves?”

“Perhaps.” Ganyu’s expression shifted into something, almost shy, not quite melancholic. “Just like how you’re finding it difficult to forgive yourself.”

“I’m so sorry Ganyu. I don’t know what I was thinking! I just… I just, wasn’t thinking.”

“You were trying to be kind.” Ganyu replied, something almost akin to blush coating her cheeks. “And I have to thank you for that.”

“But I just caused more trouble…”

“You were trying to be kind,” Ganyu repeated, “like I said, you’re finding it difficult to forgive yourself. But you have to. You didn’t truly do anything that needs forgiveness.”

“But I was doing it for completely selfish reasons!” You blurted out, embarrassment and doubt turning into the words you never wanted to utter. “It’s because I like you, and not just because I was trying to be nice. But because, because maybe I wanted to do something for you, and then maybe I’d be good enough maybe.” Realizing how odd that just sounded you turned your head away. For a moment your words hung in the air, and the longer the silence continued the longer you thought about how utterly selfish you were.

“Thank you.” There was a smile in Ganyu’s voice, and as you turned your head once more you could see it plastered across her face.

“For what?”

“For telling me you like me.”

“But… but isn’t it just burdening you? After all I’m not good enough for you.”

“You are!” Ganyu’s voice was firm. “You’re absolutely good enough for me. And what you did, you call it selfishness, but I don’t understand that. Being kind to people you like isn’t selfish, even if you like them. Because this time you were genuinely helping me. Besides, if that’s selfish then I’ve also been terribly selfish.”

“How?”

“By asking you to accompany me everywhere. Because maybe, maybe I like you too.”

For a moment you wondered if you hadn’t accidentally slipped off the cliff, so weightless did you feel. A bit lightheaded you leaned forward.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Ganyu smiled nervously. Reaching out she took your hand in hers.

The two of you watched the sun set over the city of contracts mostly in silence. Every once in a while there would be a spurt of conversation, but mostly there was nothing but the sounds of the birds and the cicadas, and the pounding of two hearts, hearts both a bit ragged from the events of the day.

For what a day it had been. And how wonderfully it had ended.

 Kaeya

If you could use anything as justification for your crush on Kaeya, he did flirt with you. Unfortunately he also flirted with everyone else in Mondstadt.

“How’s my favorite knight of Favonius?” Kaeya’s cocky voice was clear as a bell, and for a moment your heart flipped as the handsome knight came into view, smile as lovely as it had been the day before.

“Blessed by the presence of our beloved cavalry captain.” You replied in a singsong voice.

The first time Kaeya had used that line on you it felt like your soul had left your body and your heart had run a marathon. Unfortunately you’d heard him use practically the same line on Rosaria the next day, his favorite mysterious nun, robbing you of your fantasy in which Kaeya had any interest for you.

Your banter however was not without genuine feeling. You were utterly infatuated with Kaeya, having fallen for the handsome knight about two weeks into your own training. Originally having been an adventurer you’d joined the knights relatively recently after a series of Abyss attacks on the City of Freedom. As such Kaeya had by then already occupied an exalted position among the ranks, and the hours of being trained, teased, and flirted at by the mysterious cavalry captain had been enough to throw you head over heels.

Not that you’d ever expect things to develop more than they already had. Having a crush on the flirtiest man in Mondstadt did mean that you were praised every once in a while, but it also meant that the praise meant little more than empty words, and that there was always someone else who had heard them. Not that you begrudged those people, not knowing them or not caring. It was Kaeya’s right to be as he was, flirty and irreverent; and you’d never ask him to change that part of himself, or any other.

To do so would be to change the person you’d grown to love.

You trotted up the steps of the Favonius headquarters, opening the door with a slight “oof” before stepping into the cool building. Today was going to be a quiet sort of day for the knights, and you’d been assigned to pick up a few books from Jean’s office to be recorded by Lisa before being sent off to the Church. Going to open the door you paused at the voices inside.

“– saying it’s nothing.”

“And I’m saying that it’s becoming a distraction. I don’t want to control your actions Kaeya, but this pining has been slowing down your work, and we need you as one of our most crucial members to be on top of things.”

“I’m not pining.”

“What do you mean you aren’t pining,” Jean let out a snort, “as if it’s not obvious to everyone around you. Look, I’m not saying you have to break things off –”

“Good, because they haven’t even begun.”

“Then maybe that’s part of your problem. Maybe if you told them you liked them then you’d be able to get back on track.”

“I’m doing my best.”

“You aren’t doing anything. And that’s the problem.”

You didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, having made your way over to the library as to make sure that you were get caught, and to cool your head in regards to what you’d just heard.

So Kaeya liked someone. You shouldn’t’ve really been surprised. Kaeya was a wonderful person; intelligent, good with a weapon, polite, handsome. What person wouldn’t fall in love with him? And when everyone’s in love with you, well, it was unsurprising that eventually Kaeya would find someone who he loved back just as much. Then, why did it hurt?

You fought the urge to wrack your brain for the people Kaeya spoke most about, finding the act beneath you. Still, your mind wandered. Perhaps it was Rosaria after all, or maybe it was only because you remembered her. Perhaps it was the sword smith who came twice monthly to check up on the weaponry. Or perhaps it was the tailor, who could sew anything with the utmost care. Or perhaps it was a musician, or an archivist, or another knight. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Your head swam and you found your eyes stinging. Now wasn’t the time to cry, not when you needed to honor your appointment with Jean, not when you were somewhere where any one of your colleagues might discover you. Not where Kaeya might walk in any minute and realize what you’d done. This thought finally brought you out of the spiral of your mind. Making sure that any tears that might’ve escaped were wiped away you took a deep breath, steadying yourself before you walked out of the library and into Jean’s office.

Evidently you must’ve looked much worse than you thought, for Jean took one look at you and ordered you home, grumbling about how much trouble there had been recently. You thanked her half-heartedly before making your way out of the Headquarters, heart heavy as lead. At least work would’ve been a welcome distraction.

Arriving home you saw what Jean meant. Though you weren’t particularly teary, your face had taken on an ashen pallor that made it look like you’d either just gotten a shock, fainted, or had suddenly contracted consumption. Letting out a sigh you collapsed on the couch of your apartment. You knew you should probably do something, should eat or work on some extra work or something. But right now you didn’t want to do any of that. You just wanted to forget.

The knock that sounded at your door was extremely unwelcome, and you bit back bitter words as you made your way over to the door. Any protest however was silenced at the sight of Kaeya, hair slightly tussled, expression opaque, on your doorstep.

“Kaeya.” You meant to sound more peppy, but the action felt too tiring. “What’re you doing here?”

“Making sure that you’re alright. Jean told me that you looked unwell, and we can’t have our best knight getting sick, now can we?”

“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

You went to turn around, when Kaeya reached over and place his hand on your forehead. Freezing you let out a sound somewhere between a strangled cry and a shriek. Kaeya didn’t react to this however, or the red quickly spreading across the bridge of your nose. Instead he let out a sigh, before smiling, something which also caused your heart to seize up.

“Not running a fever. I’m glad. Do you know what’s wrong by any chance?”

“Yes. No! I mean, I think, I, I just need rest.”

“You can tell me if something’s wrong. I might not be able to help, but I can try. Consider it the duty of the Cavalry Captain. Have to keep up appearances, even among the ranks.”

“Really Kaeya, I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.” Kaeya’s eye seemed to pierce through your soul. “You seem… upset, exhausted. Please, let me help.”

“I can’t…” Your voice cracked and you turned your head away, mortified by your inability to control yourself.

“What do you mean you can’t?” Kaeya’s voice was filled with sudden worry. “Is someone doing something to you?”

“No! No one is. I just can’t because, because it’d be selfish.”

“What do you mean?” Kaeya’s tone had become utterly perplexed, and for a moment you felt the crazy urge to laugh. As if it wasn’t painfully obvious why you couldn’t. This was so tiring. You were so tired.

“Because it’s not fair of me to take away your happiness just because of my own feelings.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I heard you talking to Jean,” you explain, face burning, “she said that you liked someone. Or maybe you did, I don’t remember. Anyways you like someone and it’s not fair of that to hurt me, I have no right to your feelings. But, but it hurts, it really, really hurts.”

The silence when you finished was miserable. You weren’t even looking up at Kaeya, not wanting to see the destruction of a friendship you valued so much.

“Have you considered that the person I’m so infatuated with might be you?”

When you looked up you caught a wave of emotions, similar in strength to the ones currently going through you, plastered over Kaeya’s face. Happiness, sadness, regret, relief; all these things danced in his eyes. In that moment you loved him even more for it, for knowing that he understood, and that he too couldn’t hide the affects of having someone you loved so close and yet so far.

Saying nothing you walked over and slowly stretched your hand out. Kaeya took the hand in his, and you reveled in the small intimacy, in his calloused fingers enveloping yours.

“I’m not good enough.” You pointed out, voice soft.

“You aren’t the one who decides who I love.” Kaeya replied, voice firm. “To me there is no one else worthy in the world. Only you. And I hope that I can be the same for you, that I can be worthy.”

“Yes. Oh yes.”

For Kaeya was more than simply worthy. He was the one you loved the most, as well as the one who’d now made you the happiest person you could ever dream of.

[the-insomniac-emporium]

Wounded Love Pt. 2 (Lady Dimitrescu/F!Reader)

Fandom: Resident Evil: Village Rating: T? Maybe? Almost the exact opposite of the first one. Language, minor violence Genre: Fluff, mainly, with admittedly a little bit of humor? I blame my lack of sleep. And my adhd. Warnings: Implied cannibalism adjacent activities because guess what honey, this is a fucked up family, what do you expect of me??? Sure, they have breakfast in this, there's cute stuff, but c'mon, they don't eat flowers and oatmeal! Notes: Doubt it needs to be said, but this is a sequel to the good ending of part one. Also Cass has one line in this that might be OOC, or seem oddly placed, but admittedly this chapter is also loosely based on a dream I had, and I couldn't not include the few direct quotations I remembered, and she seemed the most likely to say the line. And yes, there will be a part 3, because I am weak and also kind of maybe made this one less plot-moving than intended.

{Wounded Love: The re-woundening}

Every step ached more than the last, even with Alcina supporting you. She had wanted to carry you down the stairs, of course, but you had insisted that you would be fine. Now you were just determined not to complain out loud. One yelp or cry and you’d be scooped up in her arms, surely to be carried for the rest of the day. As much as you appreciated your girlfriend’s assistance, you hated feeling useless, and hated putting a burden on others. So here you were, one arm wrapped around Alcina’s waist, limping ever-so-slowly towards the dining room.

Further ahead (unburdened by your injury) the three Dimitrescu daughters talk among themselves, voices hushed as they too headed for breakfast. It was odd to see them all awake, and socializing, as there was usually at least one who came to meals late. You couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with your condition… or the circumstances that had caused it.

Less than eighteen hours had passed since your fight with a stray lycan, and tension had been high since. While you hadn’t yet spoken to the sisters, you had spoken to Alcina, who had briefly mentioned their concern for you. Whether they actually cared about you as a person or just cared because you are dating their mother is unclear. Based on how they had acted while treating your wounds, though, you were inclined to think that they were fond of you. And seeing as Alcina had already vowed to get revenge on your behalf… well, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that her daughters intended to assist.

“Careful on the last step, dear,” Alcina says, positioned as to catch you if you fell. It takes a little willpower to resist the urge to hop down the rest of the way. As long as you landed on your uninjured leg, it wouldn’t even be that bad. Still, irritating your girlfriend first thing in the morning felt like a pretty stupid thing to do. Instead you just nodded, slowing down even more, and took visible care not to trip. “Good girl.”

Well, you certainly couldn’t say that being careful didn’t have its rewards.

“I have my moments,” you replied, blush rising to your cheeks. Suddenly your pain didn’t feel so bad (at least until you took another step and winced). “Damn, who woulda thought that cutting a chunk out of my leg would make it hurt more?” The leg in question throbbed in pain, as if to prove your point, protesting the weight you put on it. Changing the angle at which you stood helped some, allowing the lower half of the limb to bear more of the burden.

“Dearest…” Alcina starts to say, looking like she was going to readdress her desire to carry you. For a moment you try to avoid her gaze, but she moves in front of you, making sure that you could still hold onto her for support. “I know how you feel, how you want, desperately, to be independent. When I was first… granted this gift, it took a long time to adjust. There was so much I had to relearn how to do, so much that I suddenly needed done for me.” A pause, a deep breath. At last you look up at your girlfriend, warmth in your heart, reaching out to hold her hand. “You have time, my dear, and plenty of it. More than that… this will not last forever. The more you push yourself, the longer your recovery will take. Now, please, allow me to assist. You have already proven how strong you are.”

“Oh, you drive a hard bargain… but if you insist, who am I to decline? Or, well, who am I to decline twice in a row?” You answer, somewhat begrudgingly. It wasn’t much farther to the dining room, you figured, so it wouldn’t be much of a loss to accept help. Or at least that was what you told yourself. Even with Alcina’s encouragement it was so hard for you to accept her help. After all, you were the one that worked for her. Never mind the fact that she was somewhat responsible for your injury- really, you were actively avoiding thinking about that.

It’s much easier to forget once Alcina carefully picks you up. One arm goes under your legs, the other under your chest, lifting you without any effort. You might as well have been a kitten or a child’s toy. The movement does, however, shift your injured leg in such a way that it aches. At this point you can hardly move the limb at all without it hurting, and even the slightest friction against the bandage makes your eyes water.

Apparently someone would be delivering some painkillers later in the day. You assumed it would be The Duke (whose name is apparently not Doug, as you had thought), seeing as he knew some special way to get to and fro without risking the same fate that had befallen you. Which, of course, made you feel a lot better. Getting someone else hurt would weigh on your mind forever.

Regardless, you were safe now, as was your strange, bloody little family. Before long you would even be enjoying a pleasant meal together. Certainly that would help get your mind off of your wound? For now, though, you were met with an unexpected impasse. The sort of impasse that really, really should have been expected.

“Why… is the doorway… so small?” You asked, jokingly, as you stare into the mildly embarrassed face of your girlfriend. It’s already hard enough for her to crouch through the gap normally. When she’s carrying you? Impossible. “Can we ask Mother Miranda for bigger doors? She gave you eternal life and also three kids, she’s gotta be capable of making bigger doors. Put me down, I’ll go call her and-”

“That won’t be necessary, dear,” Alcina cuts you off, not fully appreciating this part of your humor. Or maybe she had already asked for bigger doors, only to be told no?... Okay, yeah, it was probably the first option. With a sigh she sets you down, as gently as she can manage. Ready and raring to go, you start to hobble forward, only to find all three of the daughters waiting for you, just beyond the door. They’re grinning as they watch you, and Bela extended her arm to offer her help. “What appears to be the matter?” Alcina asks from behind you. Accepting your fate and Bela’s arm, you let the sisters guide you to the table, Cassandra holding your other side, and Daniela pulls your chair out for you. Honestly it’s pretty adorable. Evidently your girlfriend agrees, from the way she smiles as she follows.

“Thank you,” you say, more out of reflex than genuine gratitude. Again, you weren’t thrilled about needing this assistance. If the girls notice they’re at least polite enough not to mention it. They simply move to their own seats at the large table, eager to dig in. It feels… strange, to be here, on this side of things. Stranger still to realize you’re the only one intending to eat actual food. There’s wine in your glass, but it’s a much fainter red than those you’ve previously served to your girlfriend. Thank goodness, you think, after how raw my throat was yesterday, I really don’t need to taste any more blood.

Once Lady Dimitrescu sits down, the meal formally begins, with several maidens appearing from the kitchen. Several seem relieved to see you, although surprised, and one even gave you a brief smile. The smile did not last, however. It wasn’t unexpected, considering the nature of her job, the pressures that it put upon her. No one smiled at mealtimes. Well, no maidens, that is. They simply moved around, wordlessly, faces blank, doing exactly as instructed. Only a few days ago you had been among them, fear keeping you in line. Was it wrong of you to care for Alcina, knowing what she was capable of doing to others? Knowing what she might have, in another life, done to you?

A maiden places a plate of warm food, as well as a bowl of fresh fruit, in front of you. For a moment your eyes meet, but she looks away instinctively. Your heart threatens to break.

“This looks wonderful, thank you for your hard work, all of you,” you speak up, glancing at each of the women working so hard. There’s more you want to say that dries in your throat; you are valued, you are deserving, someday I will join your ranks again.

“You don’t need to thank them, they’re just doing their jobs,” Cassandra chimes from the other side of the table. Hearing her say that damn near makes you drop your fork. It’s not an uncommon settlement, particularly among older generations and the rich, but one that irks you nonetheless.

“They’re doing my job. They are taking on extra work, for no pay, because I am injured. Why would I be so cruel as to ignore them? Have I not toiled alongside them enough to call them my kin?” You ask, struggling to keep your voice even. Next to you Alcina is slowly cutting into her meat, watching the scene unfold out of the corner of her eyes, perhaps considering when to step in. On the other end of the table, Bela looks increasingly uncomfortable, as if silently willing her sister into silence. None of the maidens have reacted to what you said, likely too afraid of Cassandra to even consider speaking.

“Ooooh, this is much more fun than our usual breakfasts,” Daniela says, stifling a giggle. “Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share? Preferably ones that aren’t about me.” At this, Alcina sets her utensils down, clearly intending to put an end to the discussion. Unfortunately for her, you were a bit… impulsive, especially considering the previous night’s activities had left your mind struggling to cope.

“Dead lycans smell terrible. Literally the worst thing I’ve ever smelled, easily, no question about it,” you answer, shrugging a little as you do. It’s such a simple thought that you almost don’t realize how the others at the table react. Until the clatter of silverware on the table catches your attention, that is. All three sisters are eying you with different expressions (Bela is confused, Cass is impressed, and Daniela looks shocked). But it’s Alcina’s wide-eyed stare that gets you to elaborate. “Should I have said ‘a dead lycan’? I only got one, so I guess I shouldn’t say they all smell bad. C’mon, though, they have to all smell bad, right?”

Suddenly Daniela shifts from shock to pure amusement, a fit of giggles overtaking her. You’re still confused, not sure what the matter was, so you just sip your wine and hope someone asks the right questions.

“You… killed the lycan that attacked you?” Bela finally says, after a few moments of her sister laughing, expression still incredulous. When you nod she sort of shakes her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “May I ask how you managed that?”

“Oh, you know, I just meh meh-” you mime a stabbing motion with your fork- “until the stupid thing stopped moving. I had to use a tree branch as a weapon, but then it broke after a few whacks, which actually helped because then I had two stabbing implements to, you know, stab with. That’s right around when it got my leg, and it tried to bite me. Thankfully it wasn’t very smart, so when it leapt at me I just hyah-” this time an upwards strike- “right into its neck. That didn’t kill it, but it was enough to slow it down, which allowed me to stab the other half of the branch into its skull. Made this horrible, horrible sound as it died. Seeing as we are eating, I will not imitate the sound. Not that I could, now that I think about it…”

Once again there’s silence. Even Daniela has quieted now, and is watching you with rapt interest, likely hoping that you’re hiding another story up your sleeves.

“So… did you guys actually think that I managed to run away from the lycan? Or were you under the impression that it simply got bored of me and left?” You ask, casually returning to your breakfast afterwards. No one says anything, at first, taking in your words as best as they can. A few moments later both Daniela and Bela resume their meal, as nonchalant as one could be in the current situation. Alcina, however, rests a gentle hand on your shoulder, meeting your gaze with a loving look.

“You will never cease to amaze me, my dear. But let us ensure you never have to… smell, or see, one of those wretched things again, yes?” She says, softly squeezing you as she does. You can’t help but agree, and nod eagerly, mouth too full of hashbrowns to speak. Still, there’s been a shift in the atmosphere of the room. It’s not that the family didn’t respect you before, as far as you can tell, but they evidently hadn’t expected you to prove as capable as you had. It brings a sense of pride to the forefront of your mind, making you completely forget about your injury for the remainder of the meal.

Unable to stop yourself, you insist on helping the other maidens clean up, and Alcina eventually agrees to let you wash a few dishes- as long as you stay sitting the entire time. The last thing you hear before you shuffle off to the kitchen is the start of a conversation between Cassandra and her mother.

“You picked quite a feisty one, didn’t you?”

“That I did, that I did…”