#and healing on its own is painful and takes a long time and generally leads to deformity

[lololollywrites]

My cat needs surgery. 😭 It’s not serious (an aural hematoma) and I know he’ll be fine but his heart condition means he needs a cardiac ultrasound tomorrow to even determine if he’s in the clear for anesthesia, which is scary. And if he is, I don’t know how long we’ll have to wait to schedule a date and he’s in so much pain the meantime. Crying at the vet for what I’m sure they thought was no good reason wasn’t my plan for today. 😭

Look at his little lopsided ear, all swollen inside. He keeps yowling randomly from pain and it breaks my heart. 💔

[dreaminginpastels]

Wow you’re writing is great! If you’re not busy, would you do a Druig request where he’s in love with his fellow Eternal who’s generally neutral in family fights but one Druig manages to bother her enough that he feels guilty and asks for forgiveness because he can handle everyone else being mad at him but not her? Thank you in advance!

wounding me softly

pairing: druig x fem!eternal!reader

summary: in which druig is increasingly distracted in battle and reader has had enough.

warnings: reader says some slightly not very nice things to druig, sliiiightest angst, brief intimacy

reader pronouns: she/her (by request)

word count: 2.1k

*✧ eternals masterlist | main masterlist | ask ✧*

Druig was getting on your last nerve. Literally. 

Arishem had gifted you the ability to heal others, but what you hadn’t told the rest of the Eternals was that this “ability” came with a catch - each time, you had to absorb the injury in order to heal it. Early on in your inception, you’d decided it was some punishment, for what you had no clue, but as you became an integral part of the Eternals and learned from each of them, you’d come to see it as your own private gift - a way to develop untapped empathy and care for others. It made you the beautiful person you were. 

Right now, however, Druig was testing your patience. The two of you had spent much time together during the early part of your stay in Babylon, and had grown close enough that Druig had started showboating in battles, leading the two of you to keep a tally of Deviants slain and owing each other various snacks after battle depending on who won. You were happy for the first time in a long, long time. You had even let yourself wonder if there might be more on the horizon between you. Over the last week, however, something had changed. Druig was quieter, withdrawn. You’d find him lost in his thoughts, and, most troublesome was the fact that he seemed to have lost his focus in battle. It was taking its toll. 

It had started with slight delays, Druig got where he needed to be but always just a tad too late. At first, you were concerned, checking in on him even though he’d just brush you off. But then you’d begun to get frustrated with the brooding eternal. The battles were becoming more frequent, and as the demand on your abilities grew, so too it seemed did Druig’s wandering mind. 

…

Drained and exhausted, you slumped against a wall as Ikaris blasted a Deviant ahead of you on your route to a wounded Kingo. 

“Kingo, again?” you sighed as your hands pressed on his abdomen. You felt the deep gash slowly and agonisingly transferring to your own side. 

He winced, “It’s not my fault, y/n, I swear-”

“They’re just targeting the weakest link.” Ikaris stated, matter-of-factly. 

Kingo scoffed. “Okay, rude.” 

Ikaris smirked before responding to Sersi’s summon. 

Kingo turned to you, “But seriously, y/n, if Druig showed up every once and a while, maybe these damn Deviants would go down easier.”

You groaned in frustration at the same moment that Kingo sighed in relief. The injury had finished absorbing, but you were severely lightheaded and could barely move. Druig was going to get more than an earful when you got back. 

“You’re an angel, y/n.” Kingo announced as he brushed your hair out of your face. “Seriously, I appreciate you so much.”

You grimaced, trying to hide the immense pain you were in. “T-thanks Kingo. Be careful out there, okay?”

He nodded before saluting you. “I won’t let you down, boss.”

…

“Rock, paper, scissors for the last twinkie?”

Druig brushed up against your shoulder playfully in the common space of the Domo, earning him a glare from you, and a chuckle out of Kingo. 

“Woah,” Druig began, gesturing to your glare with his twinkie in hand, “Careful with that thing, you could seriously hurt someone!”

You scoffed and walked away, feeling Druig’s confused gaze following your every step. As you walked into your room, you could hear his voice echoing through the walls of the Domo. “Was it something I said?”

“You, my friend, are royally screwed.” Kingo replied, stifling a chuckle.

…

A week had passed since Kingo’s major injury, and you hadn’t spoken a single word to Druig. You knew that the silent treatment was probably a bit immature for an eternal being, but frankly, you couldn’t care less. Being unfocused in battle was one thing, but vanishing when your family needs you the most? That you couldn’t condone.

You knew he’d have an excuse, and part of you was desperate to hear it. You missed him. Of course you did. Your love for him only made your resentment more torturous. 

Carefully positioning your still-recovering body against the wall in the meeting room, you watched as the other Eternals filed in with bated breath, wondering how much longer you could keep your secret. 

…

Druig’s heart rate spiked as Ajak concluded their meeting, the blood coursing through his veins as he prepared for what he was about to do. He hated confrontation as much as the next person, although the next person was Ikaris... 

“Alright, if no one has anything further they wish to present, you’re all dismissed.”

“Actually, Ajak,” Druig began, taking in the eye-rolls from his fellow Eternals as his voice filled the room. “I have something I’d like to discuss.”

Ajak’s patient, loving eyes wandered his face like a warning. “Yes, Druig?”

“Y/n’s been giving me the silent treatment lately, and I’d like to get to the bottom of it.”

“Oh here we go…” muttered Kingo as his eyes met Sprite’s, drawn to the impending drama like a car crash he couldn't tear his eyes from.

“It pains me to bring it up," Druig continued, glaring briefly at Kingo, "but seeing as the Deviants are getting more frequent, I figure we need to gel as a unit, and I don’t feel that we’re doing that.”

“HA,” A voice stirred from the shadowed corner of the meeting room. “You can talk.”

As you emerged from the shadows into the light of the meeting space, Druig took in your appearance - your heavy breathing, the dark bags under your bloodshot eyes, how pale you were. He instinctively moved towards you, resting a featherlight hand on your shoulder. His heart shattered as you winced and pulled away from his usually welcome touch. 

“Y/n, you look like crap! What the hell happened?” Then, softly in your ear, “Are you okay?”

Druig felt you tremble the second before you shoved him away from you. “Of course I do! While you’ve been off doing Arishem knows what, we’ve been protecting the humans, and each other, from Deviants. Who, as you so kindly reminded us, are getting more dangerous and more frequent. This is the time that we can’t afford slip-ups, and you’re off with the fairies!”

Druig’s head fell in shame. You hated conflict, least of all with him, and he had driven you to this. He knew it was entirely his fault - he had been distracted lately, and you deserved to know why. “Y/n, I-”

“You’re careless! And you don’t think about anyone but yourself. We can’t afford that, Druig. We’re a team. A family. Act like it.”

He shrunk into himself, every trace of his usual swagger and confidence shattered like the fragile heart he held within. You were right. He had done this to you, left you exhausted and pained - a shell of yourself. The one person he swore he’d never hurt. He mustered the only words he could, hoping they were at least a bandage over your weak frame. At least enough until he could hold you again. “I’m sorry.”

With a deep sigh, he watched as you limped out of the room - step by pained step. Druig looked at the faces of the other Eternals, taking in their disappointment with panicked eyes before rushing out of the room to follow you. 

…

“Y/n, wait!”

You groaned as he approached. Every noise you made splintered Druig’s heart a little more. He needed to make this right. Now. 

“What, you couldn’t even let me have a badass exit? You’re unbelievable.” You mustered a chuckle to lighten the mood, but Druig saw how it pained you. How you shuddered with each breath. 

“Oh my darlin’, you’re not okay.”

You raised an eyebrow, “Obviously, Druig. But great to know you weren’t even listening to my speech-”

“No, I can see it - something’s really wrong.” He lifted an arm above yours and studied your eyes carefully for permission before gently lifting your arm over his shoulder. “Let’s get you to lay down, we can talk when you’re comfortable.”

You winced as Druig lifted your arm, but hummed gratefully at his concern, lifting his hopes ever so slightly that things might just be okay. That he might win his best friend back, if he could muster the courage to be sincere enough.

Druig guided you to your room, and lay you gently on your bed, relishing in the comfortable sigh that emerged from your lips. You looked up at him, guarded but gentle. “Thank you, Druig.”

“You’re  welcome, my darlin’.” He softened as he took you in. Then, he eyed your bed. “Mind if I lay with you?”

You hesitated for a moment before nodding your permission. 

The silence that followed was full of unspoken emotions. Of feelings too large for the room, but deep enough to create a chasm between you. Until your voice echoed through the dark. 

“What’s been going on with you lately? You’re a formidable warrior, unrelenting in battle. What could possibly have you distracted enough that you’d ignore Kingo’s calls for aid?”

Druig sighed. “Look, y/n. It seems we’ve both been keeping secrets. I’ll tell you mine if you promise to tell me yours?”

You eyed his outstretched pinky. “I cannot believe you’re making me pinky swear like our inception was yesterday.”

He laughed gently, “You know you love it.”

Rolling your eyes, you took his pinky in yours. “Fine, pinky swear.”

While your pinkies were still entwined, Druig quickly added, “but you go first!” before letting go. 

“You are an actual child, Druig.”

“And you have a secret to tell me…” he replied in a sing-song voice. 

The mood was instantly quashed by your serious tone. “I…”

Carefully, Druig took your hand in his. “You know you can tell me anything, my darlin’, I’m not going anywhere.”

You took a deep breath as you looked up at him, meeting his concerned irises. 

“My abilities come with a cost. A condition. I can’t heal anyone without taking on their pain first.” Druig searched your eyes, horrified by your words and connecting the dots as you continued, “So, each time I’ve healed the others in battle recently…”

“...you’ve had to take on their injuries yourself and heal from them.” He finished for you. 

You nodded sombrely. “Each, and every one. Individually.”

“Oh, my beautiful, beautiful, y/n. Why didn’t you tell us?” Druig looked down sheepishly at your entwined hands before quietly adding, “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

Your voice was smaller than Druig had ever heard it as you replied, laced with the worries and insecurities you had held inside for an eternity. “I…I didn’t want to burden anyone, to let anyone down, and…I didn’t want you to look down on me for being the only Eternal whose powers are conditional. I was ashamed for a really long time.”

“I could never look down on you, y/n.” Druig began, turning to face you as he gently cupped your cheek and stared into your eyes. “I…I love you.”

Your eyes widened, “You…you do?”

He chuckled sadly, “Of course I do, you beautiful, oblivious fool. I’ve loved you forever.” Druig looked down bashfully before muttering under his breath. “That’s uh, that’s actually why I’ve been so distracted lately.”

“Wait, WHAT?”

“I know, I know, it’s so dumb. I just, I’ve been wanting to ask you if you would ever consider seeing me as more than just the brooding Eternal that boasts in battle for snacks because he’s too shy to ask the girl he loves to be his. I never thought you would ever see me as more and I…I would daydream about us in battle, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. About us. Then, last week I saw these flowers - daisies, I- I know they’re your favourite - when this Deviant shoved me to the ground deep in the forest and I thought they would be perfect for some grand romantic gesture and then I heard about Kingo and- I’m so sorry y/n, I ruined everything, I hurt you, and-”

Druig’s panicked rambling faded into nothingness the second he felt your lips graze his. Gentle, shy at first, and then more deeply, with a passion that he felt at his core. He moaned against your lips, “Y-y/n, I-”

“That is somehow equally the sweetest and dumbest thing I’ve ever heard come out of that beautiful-” kiss, “-beautiful-” kiss, “-mouth.”

With a lovestruck gaze, and an empty mind, Druig’s eyes moved from your lips to your eyes as he took in the sight before him. “Y-you forgive me?”

You smiled then, cupping his face gently before placing another tentative kiss on his waiting lips. “I’ll do you one better. I love you, you sweet, idiotic Eternal. I’d be honoured to be yours.”

The two of you lay there in contented silence, falling asleep entwined in each other's embrace, knowing that everything would be okay. Knowing that you had each other.  ...

a/n: hi lovely, i’m so very sorry for how long it’s taken me to get around to this request. it was my last druig request for AGES and I was just so nervous that if I wrote my last druig request I wouldn't get any more, so I held onto this baby like my life depended on it. that being said, I tweaked the request a little bit and I ADORED writing this. I hope that it’s everything that you wanted it to be, and please please feel free to request for baby boy again because I love writing for him SO MUCH 🤍 

i’m so excited to get back into writing again, i finally finished my honours degree and I have so much creativity it’s not even funny - hoping to really smash out a bunch of your requests and create a writing schedule so i can keep it up because i miss and love writing for you all! thank you so much for your patience and support, you mean the world to me and i’m thankful for you every day 

[honorarysimp]

Chapter 7: Master of Disguise

series masterlist

Is anything real?

Time had slipped away from you once again, leaving you feeling hollow and detached.

A deep-seated emptiness fills you, a numbness that settled into your very core. The weight of the betrayal still looms heavily, a constant reminder of what you’ve been denied.

Freedom. Peace. Happy ever after.

Lorraine.

Each passing moment only deepens the wound, a raw and festering ache that refuses to heal.

The guilt fueled by your own complicity in the situation, gnaws at you, a constant companion on your arduous journey.

This pain, this void, was the inescapable reality that had become your own personal hell.

A once-proud tree that stood tall and strong is now stripped bare, its branches now stark and barren against the sky. Its trunk, now resembling a weathered, curved finger jutting from the ground, served as both support and torment.

You found yourself tethered to its base, arms bound tightly with thick rope just above your head, the coarse fibers chaffing against your skin.

There’s blood everywhere. Your hand stings from the cut, your head stopped bleeding a while ago but the subtle ache still lingers. Not to mention the fact you practically reek of it.

Maxine's voice reaches your ears, piercing through the haze that clouds your mind. Her pretentious and grandiose tone grates at your nerves, but you tune out most of her rambling, too numb to care.

Not even the split in your head is a concern, external wounds pale in comparison to the internal wounds you’re still processing.

Snippets of her flowery language about the ‘ritual’ and how you are the necessary part of it flicker in and out of your consciousness.

Maxine's words somewhat resonate through your weary mind, a dark symphony that echoes with an eerie familiarity.

She speaks of the unholy alliance, the origins of a dark gift — a manifestation of black magic, inherited through the generations. A unique bloodline, bound by a formidable connection to the very essence that birthed the occult and its forbidden arts they practice.

Your bloodline, apparently.

Maxine's voice rings in your ears once more, her tone eerie and ominous as she lays bare the hidden portion of the prophecy.

She delves deep into the dark pact that was forged long ago — it was a bargain between an ancestor and a demon, a deal that granted access to supernatural power in exchange for a sinister promise to inevitably inhabit a descendant of the bloodline.

The last thing you’d asked was why they waited so long to act, Maxine’s reply of “we had to wait for your connection to the land to be remade, you’d been gone a while Rooks, all we had to do was wait�� served no means of easing you.

With each word, a chill runs down your spine, the culmination of generations passed untouched within this cursed bloodline.

Figures, it would lead all the way to you.

Maxine's hand connects with your cheek, two firm pats resonating with a jarring impact that forces your weary attention back to her.

The veil of detachment momentarily lifts as you focus on her face, dazed confusion and unease taking over you.

Maxine's voice cuts through the fog of your thoughts, her tone sharp and unyielding as she urges you to pay attention.

"Stay with me, Rooks," she commands, a hint of impatience lacing her words, “this is the most important part. Focus, don't let your mind wander”.

Your eyes dart back and forth as you observe the scene unfolding around you. Your gaze falls on the three male figures, moving with zombie-like grace, engaged in tasks unknown to you.

At this point, you’re not sure if they actually are alive or not.

Bobby-Lynn and Lorraine stand by the altar a few feet away, their actions concealed by the mysterious preparations that are underway. Anxiety builds within you, fueled by the sense of impending events that are beyond your control.

Lorraine hasn’t looked you in the eye since she walked away a few minutes ago to go help Bobby-Lynn, you hate yourself for being hurt over it.

You hate her. No — you should hate her, but you don’t, and that makes you hate yourself.

Maxine turns back to you, her expression solemn and reverent as she speaks. "You should consider yourself lucky, Rooks," she murmurs, a hint of awe in her voice.

"It is an honor to be a part of this, to bare witness the arrival of the power that has bestowed its gifts upon us. To see it here, in the mortal world, is a long awaited moment”.

You muster the strength to respond, defiance flaring in your eyes. "You're delusional, Maxine," you retort, your voice thick with defiance, “this isn't an honor, it's a goddamn death sentence."

Maxine grins wickedly, her fingers tracing along your jawline with a slow, deliberate touch. "Bless you heart, Rooks," she whispers maliciously.

"You have the honor of becomin’ an instrument of chaos and destruction, set to unleash the fullmight of the darkness upon the world” her words carry a sinister undertone, fueling a chill that runs down your spine.

You jerk your head away from her touch, your defiance flaring as you wrench at the ropes binding your wrists, your breath coming out in rapid bursts.

"You don't actually know a thing about what you're messin’ with," you hiss, voice filled with a mixture of anger and desperation, “you have no fucking idea what you're gonna unleash!"

Maxine's expression turns cold, a chilling resolve etched into her features as she retreats, taking a cautious step back. "It matters not," she declares mockingly, her voice filled with unwavering conviction.

"For if the demon is not capable of inhabitin’ the promised descendant, it means all of our fellow practitioners — myself included — relinquish our occult powers, abilities, and magical gifts” she pauses, tapping her index finger against her pursed lips, “and… well, I just can’t have that, not if I’m gonna be a star one day”.

Your eyes widen in disbelief as you stare at Maxine, a mix of astonishment and frustration evident on your face. "Are you even hearin’ yourself right now?!" you exclaim, your voice filled with incredulity.

"We’re talkin’ the possibility of the end of the world here, all for a few magic tricks and your name in shinin’ lights?! Do you have any idea what you're sayin’?!" The gravity of the situation hits you hard, fueling your desperation to make her see reason.

Her expression hardens, as if your words have struck a nerve. "Maybe you should be worryin’ about your own purpose," she retorts, her tone tinged with a hint of accusation.

"All those people you give a damn about — every single person on this planet — everythin’ they love,” Maxine leans in close, lips parted as the tip of her tongue absently traces the sharp tips of her top teeth, “everythin’ they've ever held dear will burn. And you'll be the one to cause it”.

Guilt and doubt gnaw at your heart as Maxine's words sink in, evoking a wave of conflicted emotions within you.

No. It’s not your fault. You didn’t ask to be born, you didn’t ask for this, you didn’t even know about this.

You pull furiously at the restraints that confine you, your movements desperate and determined.

"No" you protest, the word escaping your lips in a choked whisper, “no, no, no! You can't do this!"

Your heart races, anguish coursing through your veins. The weight of the situation bears down on you, but you refuse to accept the fate that Maxine has laid out.

You glance up at the feeling of something warm dropping down your arm, realizing that the coarse fibres of the rope have seared into your skin, the sharp pain finally registering amidst the turmoil.

A grimace crosses your face as you observe the crimson streaks staining your arms, forming a stark contrast against your skin. You hear a caw somewhere nearby, but it’s faint, pulling your attention instantly regardless.

You want to call out for their help, but you’re not sure what they could do for you.

Maxine's voice pierces through the air, "such a waste, really," she murmurs, her voice tinged with both regret and condescension. Your gaze snaps back to her, meeting her vixen stare as she appraises you with a subtle tilt of her head.

"Such a pretty face," she continues, her tone dripping with a sinister allure “it's a damn shame that it won't be yours for much longer."

The weight of her words sink in, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaits you.

Lorraine's sudden voice breaks the tense moment, firm and steadfast as she approaches. "Everythin’ is ready," she announces, her words carrying a sense of complicity "Bobby-Lynn said to bring this to you."

Maxine breaks her gaze from you, acknowledging Lorraine's message with a nod. The interruption provides a brief reprieve from the intensity of the situation, allowing a temporary respite.

You strain to hear the hushed exchange behind Maxine, picking up on Lorraine's words filled with grim resolve.

"You know what to do?" she asks, a hint of authority in her tone.

At first she says nothing, but when Lorraine's response does comes it’s soft, a quiet yet confident "yes" escaping her lips.

Maxine's words cut through the tension, commanding yet tinged with a hint of disdain as she directs Lorraine.

"Do it, then," she instructs, her voice laced with determination, “I'll go make sure bimbo didn't screw nothin’ up. We only got one shot at this”.

With that Maxine saunters off, leaving you and Lorraine together, you take note of the ritual bowl cradled in her hands.

As you stand bound to the tree, the silence lingers between you and Lorraine. Your skin tingles in places where the blood has dried, a subtle itch reminding you of the toll the situation has taken.

Lorraine remains silent, her expression inscrutable, leaving you uncertain about her next move.

In the stillness, you observe Lorraine raising the ritual bowl as she begins to step forward. She pauses momentarily, her gaze finally meeting yours, instantly a silent communication passing between you.

Hate her. Hate her. She betrayed you. Traitor.

Her voice trembles slightly as she murmurs quietly, "I'm sorry”, the two words shattering the facade you never had the strength to portray.

Not Lorraine. Never with Lorraine. Even now.

Time seems to slow as Lorraine dips her fingers into the bowl, the solemn preparation ceremony beginning.

You stand quietly before Lorraine, allowing her to approach you. You don't struggle as she cautiously reaches out, her fingers begin trace symbols on your face with a mixture of reverence and sorrow.

The sensation of her touch is oddly gentle, and the scent of your own blood mingled with the burning bonfire nearby hangs heavily in the air.

As Lorraine draws symbols on your face with your blood, you remain still, submitting to the ritual unfolding before you.

Her touch is precise, almost tender, as if marking you with the weight of what's about to transpire.

The sensation is peculiar, the coolness of the blood mixing with the warmth of her fingertips, creating a strange dichotomy of emotions within you.

Despite the betrayal and the turbulent emotions seething within you, you can't help but acknowledge the undeniable beauty radiating from Lorraine. It adds an extra layer of complexity to the mix, intertwining anger with admiration, revulsion with fascination.

It’s not fair, you don’t understand it, how your heart can break and stitch itself back together just from the simple fact her eyes are on you.

Lorraine breaks the silence, her voice softer now.

"You can ask me," she whispers gently, continuing with the ritualistic markings on your face. Her words hang in the air, an invitation to voice the questions that weigh heavily on your mind.

There's a solemnity to her tone, a hint of guilt laced through her words, recognizing the debt she owes you for what she's doing.

What she’s done.

Your voice finds its way out of your mouth, the words slipping out with a mix of anguish and confusion.

"Was any of it real?"

Lorraine pauses for a moment, the weight of the question sinking in. "The truth is," she begins, her voice laden with sorrow, "everythin’ I said was real. The connection, the bond we shared — it was real to me”.

There's a lingering pain in her eyes as she speaks, the memories of the time spent together still vivid in her mind. You narrow your eyes at Lorraine's evasive response, the realization dawning on you.

"And me?" you press on, your voice laced with a blend of pain and disbelief, “what about me, Lorraine?"

Lorraine's face contorts with guilt and discomfort as she hears your question, her movements faltering as she struggles to find the right words. The way she chews on her bottom lip serves as a telltale sign of her discomfort.

Finally, she manages to respond, her voice trembling, "you know I care for you”.

But the way she averts her gaze speaks volumes beyond her words, indicating the complexity and depth of her emotions towards you.

She’s still hiding something and you know it.

Your voice breaks as you plead for the truth, desperation seeping into your every word. "Tell me," you croak out, your voice cracking with raw emotion “don't let me die without knowin’."

Lorraine falters, her resolve wavering at your heartfelt request. It's a moment of vulnerability, where the weight of unspoken truths threatens to break the fragile facade she's been holding onto.

It’s almost as if the reality of your life being on the line wasn’t something she’d actually processed, she almost seems… incognitive.

Following Lorraine's glance over her shoulder, you notice her stealing a quick look to check on the other girls.

It's a telling gesture, a subtle yet desperate attempt to ensure that nobody is watching. The air grows thicker with anticipation as she turns back to you, her guard dropping a notch as she meets your gaze.

Lorraine's voice is low, a hushed admission filled with remorse. "Blood magic," she whispers, "it's binding. The only way for it to be broken is if the one who cast it breaks the oath they made upon making it”.

Her words hang in the air, a confession of guilt and a reminder of the inescapable nature of her actions.

Confusion floods your features as you struggle to comprehend the intricacies of the situation. "I don't... understand," you utter, your voice laced with a mixture of perplexity and frustration.

“Maxine cutting her hand and promising to let you go — was that blood magic?”

She has the decency to make an apologetic expression as she shakes her head and mutters “all for show to get you to do what she wants”.

You scoff, shaking your head “yeah that seems to be the only constant around here, can at least count on everyone to bend over fucking backwards for Maxine”.

Lorraine's expression crumples, a wave of guilt washing over her face. Her voice trembles as she speaks, carrying a hint of remorse and a touch of desperation.

"For what it's worth," she murmurs, "I had no idea it would come to this. I swear I didn't sign up for this. That—" her voice wavers, "—that's real."

There's a sincerity in her tone, a glimpse of the genuine care and concern she had for you, amidst the sea of deceit and betrayal.

Something is off about this, you see it in the slightest twitch between her brow, the worry lines that form under her eyes and at the corners of her mouth. And with the way she hesitates before proceeding again, it’s almost reluctant.

The silence envelops you both, only broken by the soft brush of Lorraine's fingertips grazing along your skin. The delicate sensation trails down your neck, a gentle, if not unnerving, reminder of the ritual in progress.

Amidst the solemnity, you break the silence with a poignant inquiry.

"That night when you showed up at my door," you begin, your voice steeped with a mix of vulnerability and skepticism, "was that real?"

Lorraine's expression softens, a hint of shame lacing her features as she contemplates your question.

Lorraine solemnly shakes her head, her gaze averted. "Me showing up," she confesses, her voice laden with sorrow, "that was Maxine's idea."

She pauses for a moment, gathering her words, then continues, "She knew what you’d discovered in the study, and she wanted me there to make sure you didn't leave”.

There's a mixture of guilt and resignation in her voice as she lays bare the orchestrated nature of that fateful night. You aren’t even surprised at this point.

Amidst the delicate strokes of Lorraine's fingers, you broach another question. "That cookout with your parents," you ask, a hint of skepticism in your voice, “was that real or just another part of the scheme?"

Lorraine hesitates for a moment, her painting faltering slightly before resuming.

Lorraine's candid admission fills the air, her voice laden with a touch of reluctance. "They wanted to do a ritual that night," she confesses, "a ceremony to reconnect you with the land quicker during the New Moon”.

The explanation trails off as if the weight of her words is too much to bear at times. She adds, her voice filled with a hint of bitterness, "I just made sure you ‘never’ showed up, so the ritual couldn't happen."

The revelation leaves you somewhat confused. If Lorraine is entwined in this sinister plan, then why has she seemingly been shielding you from harm?

The contrasting threads of her involvement and protective sliver over you weave together, creating a tangle of confusion within your head.

Amidst the ongoing ritual, Lorraine's hands momentarily falter, her expression mirroring a blend of guilt and tenderness.

"You," she utters quietly, a hint of regret mingling with her voice, "I need you to know you were always so much more than a means to an end, but… you became..."

Her words trail off, leaving unspoken emotions to hang in the air between you both. The weight of her unfulfilled confession, both in the present and the past, lingers heavily, tugging at the corners of your heart.

Amidst the quiet ritualistic preparations, a faint longing tugs at Lorraine's tone, a subtle testament to the deep connection blossoming between you both.

Her gaze momentarily averts, her thoughts seemingly overwhelmed by the undeniable truth of your entangled lives.

Within the weight of the revelations and the tension lingering in the air, a silent agreement seems to form, acknowledging the unspoken depth of emotions that binds you together—an admission of the intricate and convoluted journey that brought you to this moment.

Your thoughts are in turmoil, your words tumbling out in a jumbled rush as your emotions get the best of you.

"Fuck — it was real to me!" you exclaim, your voice tinged with a mixture of anguish and desperation, “you asked me if it was real!"

The raw emotion seeps through your words, mirroring the depth of your feelings as your eyes flicker between hers, searching for something — anything that would at least let you know truth.

"Was it not real to you?!"

The question hangs in the air, filled with the weight of your emotional turmoil and the longing for a reciprocal truth amidst the maze of secrets and deceit.

Maxine overhears your outburst, her attention drawn by the intensity of your voice. Alongside Bobby-Lynn, she witnesses the tumultuous exchange between you and Lorraine.

A flicker of disbelief dances in Maxine's eyes as realization dawns upon her. "I'll be damned," she murmurs, the words escaping her lips in a hushed tone.

"You did cave in after all”.

The implication behind Maxine's words is weighted with a mix of astonishment and a hint of satisfaction.

Maxine's presence looms closer, her eyes narrowing as she digs deeper with the pointed questions.

"When did this happen?" she inquires, her voice sharp as she uses the tip of her knife to gesture between you and Lorraine. The tension in the air intensifies as Maxine probes further, her words laden with accusation and curiosity.

Lorraine freezes at Maxine's question, her features hardening. She glances between Maxine and Bobby-Lynn, her gaze guarded.

As Lorraine's silence hangs heavy in the air, Maxine's grin widens as she stares her down knowingly “so you did it”, her expression dripping with malice “of course you did, you’re weak”.

She turns to look at you, her gaze lingering on your face before she reveals the truth. "Lorraine kissing you..." Her voice trails off for a moment, a malevolent gleam in her eyes.

"That was her breakin’ her oath, and it shattered the bindin’ spell between you”.

Your heart plummets, your gaze locking with Lorraine's, searching for an explanation. "What spell?" you wonder aloud, your voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and hurt, “a spell that bound us together?"

Your mind races back to the moment Lorraine's lips softly brushed against yours, a tender moment now burdened with the weight of secrecy and betrayal.

Her silence only confirms the allegations.

As the questions flood your mind, a single question escapes your lips— "since when?"

Lorraine's voice trembles as she recalls the memory, her guilt evident in her expression. "When you cut your hand on the headstone at the cemetery," she admits, her words heavy with remorse, "I wiped up your blood and patched you up”.

Lorraine pauses, the weight of her confession clearly weighing on her conscience. She glances away, unable to meet your gaze as she continues, her voice hushed.

"I used your blood to weave a spell, a spell to bind us together”.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, the fog in your mind clears, and everything starts to make sense. The inexplicable moments when things didn't add up, where your actions didn't seem to align with your true self — it all becomes clear.

Understanding dawns upon you as you realize the depth of the spell’s influence. When you were around Lorraine, her presence seemed to be the only thing that mattered, everything else fading into obscurity.

Before the sting of betrayal can cut deeper into your bones, Maxine's voice oozes with misplaced pride as she lays a proud hand on Lorraine's shoulder.

"Don’t be too hard on her," she smirks, her voice dripping with condescension.

"It's not like she had a choice in the matter, we needed to take extra precautions in case you tried to bail again” she shoots you a smirk, “which is why when she confirmed to us you were seein’ the birds again, it was so easy to lead you here with one”.

Maxine pauses, her eyes narrowing as she adds, "she knows she’s on my leash, and I won’t hesitate to pull it if she ever even thinks about disobeying me” the way she roughly grabs Lorraine’s face to make her look to the redhead makes something snap inside you.

Your protective instincts flare up, your temper flaring in response to Maxine's cruel actions and words.

With a surge of defiance, you pull at your restraints without a second thought, the desperation in your voice undeniable.

"DON’T FUCKING TOUCH HER" you fiercely defend Lorraine, straining against the bonds holding you captive.

Maxine's laughter pierces the air, her tone laced with sardonic amusement. "My lord, look at the loose cannon," she sneers, her gaze flickering between you and Lorraine.

"You really did come after her on your own free will," she mocks, a cruel taunting in her voice, “suppose you were right, Lorraine. We wouldn’t have needed the spell after all."

Maxine releases her grasp on Lorraine, snatching the bowl brusquely from her hands, her grip forceful and unyielding. "Quit wastin’ time!" Maxine spits out, her voice sharp with irritation.

She thrusts the knife into Lorraine's hand, her eyes narrowing as she glares at her expectantly, gesturing towards you. "Finish preppin’!" Maxine's words carry a sinister edge, leaving no room for refusal or delay.

The tension in the room intensifies as the command hangs in the air, leaving Lorraine with no choice but to comply, her expression a mask of obedient resignation.

Lorraine walks up to you, her gaze locking onto you with those captivating doe eyes. Helpless with your wrists bound above your head to the tree, you are vulnerable to her every whim.

No. No. You refuse to believe that Lorraine would just abandon you like this, maybe in some way you deserve it for abandoning her. Hell maybe that’s why she joined them.

Or maybe, Lorraine is blinded, a small delusional part of you prays maybe she’s under the influence of witchcraft she’s unaware of.

You whisper fervently to Lorraine, your voice tremulous with desperation. "Raine," you plead, your heart pounding in your chest, "look at me — this is me, please." Your words carry the weight of undeniable emotion, an unspoken plea for her to acknowledge the depth of your feelings.

"We both know I’m not the only one who feels this," you continue whispering so it stays between you two, voice trembling with sincerity.

Lorraine comes to a halt just a few inches away from you, her proximity sending a surge of mixed emotions through you. Her free hand rests gently on your abdomen, stirring feelings within you that remain unspoken yet can’t be denied.

The knife held loosely in her other hand suddenly feels insignificant, almost insignificant as you find yourself captivated by her presence, the air thick with unspoken longing.

Lorraine's grip on your shirt tightens, and with a gentle yet assertive pull, she tugs at it, exposing more of your skin.

Her gaze lingers on the strip of newly exposed flesh before she whispers softly, "real," the word barely audible.

Without a second thought, she brings the knife up, slicing through the fabric easily, the sound of the sharp blade against the fabric causing a shiver to run down your spine. The cool touch of the metal brushing on your skin sends a jolt of electric anticipation through you, heightening the intimate moment between you and Lorraine.

If you aren’t careful, you might feel just a sliver of hopeful from that simple word that carries so much meaning.

Your heart races in your chest as Lorraine returns your gaze, her eyes holding a vulnerability that mirrors your own. She hands the knife back to Maxine, who grins with satisfaction as Lorraine takes back the ritual bowl.

Maxine shoots a warning glare at you and Lorraine, her voice dripping with a mix of mischief and authority. "Be quick about it," she warns, a subtle smirk curling at the corners of her lips, "no funny business, lovebirds."

Maxine strides away, leaving you and Lorraine once more locked in a silent yet intense stare-off, the air between you both thick with unspoken words.

Lorraine averts her gaze, a mix of vulnerability and determination etched on her face. She plunges her fingers into the bowl, withdrawing them covered in a thin sheen of crimson.

Her hand trembles slightly as she raises it to your chest, her touch gentle yet deliberate. With a steady hand, Lorraine begins to paint sigils along your chest, her fingers leaving dark, bloody traces on your skin.

Sudden realization strikes you with jarring clarity. Her quiet demeanor, her unwavering compliance, her apparent helplessness — it all makes sense now. The pieces of the puzzle click together in your mind.

It’s a pattern she’s been trapped within, conditioned to follow from an early age. The weight of her words — her steadfast determination to break free from the shackles of control — reverberates within you, echoing in the depths of your soul.

It’s something you understand, because you had to leave without a word to anyone just to escape your own hell. Lorraine never had that luxury.

Your heart aches with sympathy and compassion, a desire to protect her from the chains that bind her soul.

As you watch Lorraine working carefully to scribe the sigils on your chest, her fingers trembling slightly, there’s a deep-seated anguish in your heart.

You recognize the familiar dance of fear and obedience that has long dictated her existence. You discern a profound fear within her—a fear instilled by the consequences she’s endured as a result of defying her father’s authority.

It’s as if she’s imprisoned by her own mind, shackled by the weight of her past, her spirit yearning for liberation.

It suddenly hits you — the kiss, the way she had willingly broken her hold over you with a simple kiss. It didn’t align with her compliance.

Why would she free you if she were solely under Maxine’s control?

There’s a deeper conflict within her, a struggle between her conditioned obedience and the fierce, fiery spirit you’ve glimpsed beneath her calm facade.

She knew what they were planning, she knew you’d be free even after her fake kidnapping. She expected you to run for it. Maybe… that wasn’t a complete act after all.

Lost in the intensity of the moment, your focus shifts back to Lorraine as her fingers lightly trail along your skin. The contrast between the chill of the night air and the warmth of the nearby bonfire pales in comparison to the burning ache ignited within you.

Her touch, soft yet deliberate, sends a shiver down your spine, enveloping you in a web of longing and tenderness. In this stolen moment, nothing else matters except for her, her every touch fueling the fire within your soul.

Lorraine pauses her meticulous task, her eyes lifting to meet yours. The tension between you intensifies, her gaze locking onto yours with unwavering focus.

It doesn’t make what she’s done right, and it definitely doesn’t excuse anything, but you’ll be goddamn if you go down without making her wake the fuck up.

The world around you fades into obscurity, leaving only the two of you adrift in a sea of unspoken emotions.

As Lorraine holds your gaze, a mixture of vulnerability and a hidden yearning swirl within her eyes, reflecting the depth of her feelings. Time seems to stand still as the weight of decision hangs heavily in the air.

You muster every ounce of fervor, every bit of conviction, channeling it into your words as you address Lorraine.

With unwavering resolve and a desperate plea in your voice, you declare "you aren’t one of them, you never were."

Each syllable holds meaning, bearing the weight of your belief in her. Your words pierce through the veil of silence, aiming to ignite a flame of self-discovery within her.

At this point, you’re pulling out all the cards you have up your sleeve to get through to her.

As you lock eyes with Lorraine, you channel the memory of her words from weeks ago, echoing them back to her with a sense of determination.

"You wouldn’t let them get away with it, now would you?”

Your plea resounds, a desperate plea for her to find the strength within herself to defy the clutches of the black magic that clouds her judgement.

“You have to fight it, Raine,” you continue with unwavering conviction, your voice laced with a mixture of compassion and desperation “I know this isn’t you”.

“Fight it,” you implore her, your voice becoming a lifeline of connection between you both “you’re stronger than you think, you can break free from them. Trust in yourself, in your own power. It’s not too late”.

Your words carry the weight of your unwavering belief in Lorraine’s ability to overcome her circumstances. You hold onto the hope that somewhere within her, she still possesses the strength to resist the darkness that threatens to consume her.

Lorraine visibly struggles, her expression contorting with a mixture of pain and confusion. She blinks several times, as if trying to clear a fog from her mind, her hand trembling slightly as she presses it gently against your chest.

As she does so, smudges of red mar the delicate sigils on your skin. It’s evident that the conflict within her rages fiercely, with each passing moment.

"Look at me, Raine," you implore, your tone carrying a thread of vulnerability, attempting to catch her attention.

When her gaze meets yours once more, you speak with a mixture of compassion and determination in your voice, "listen to me. You are more than what they've all made you believe. They don’t own you. You're strong, capable, and you have the power to break free."

Your words, a soft yet firm reminder of her resilience and potential, carry a sense of unwavering support.

"They’re going to kill me, Raine," you implore, your voice cracking with raw anguish, “ I need you to wake up."

Your words hang in the air for a brief moment, a poignant pause filled with the weight of impending consequences.

Lorraine's gaze flutters between your eyes, her voice breaking as she whispers, "real?"

Her voice, filled with both hope and trepidation, hints at a glimmer of belief in your words. In this vulnerable moment, she's grasping onto the possibility that the truth you speak might just be her lifeline to liberation.

As the gravity of the moment settles upon you, a wave of raw emotion washes over you, leaving you momentarily speechless.

The weight of the situation bears down on your heart, pulling a confession from within you that you never anticipated making. With a deep breath, you moisten your lips, gathering your courage before speaking the three words that carry an ocean of meaning.

"I love you," you whisper, those three words filled with a vulnerability and sincerity that resonates deep within both of your souls.

Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounds you, one thing remains steadfast and clear — your love for Lorraine. It’s a love that you pray can defy all odds, one that may thrive even amidst the chaos and darkness that threaten to consume her.

A shot in the dark, because you could still be wrong about this, but if you’re wrong… maybe dying would hurt less.

Your heart knows without a doubt now that the depth of your devotion for her is unwavering, a beacon of light in the midst of turbulence.

A hint of surprise dances across Lorraine's face as she struggles to process your confession. Her eyes narrow slightly, a mix of disbelief and confusion reflected within them. A moment passes, and you see a flicker of recognition, a glimmer of the Lorraine you know returning.

Lorraine's voice quivers as she whispers, "don’t say that, you can’t—I led you astray, I broke us—"

The weight of guilt and self-reproach tugs at her words, and she glances away, unable to meet your gaze.

Not only is she having to persevere the tight hold witchcraft has on her. She’s battling with her own self-doubt and remorse, uncertain of her worthiness of you.

You respond with unwavering determination, your eyes locking onto hers, your voice carrying a mix of passion and challenge.

"Then fix it”.

Your words are not a judgment or a dismissal but a call for her to take charge, to rise above the circumstances and find a way to heal and mend what has been broken.

It’s a statement that echoes your unwavering belief in her ability to overcome, to find the strength within herself to make amends and find her own path back to the light.

In that moment, as you gaze into the depths of Lorraine's eyes, a slow yet palpable shift unfolds. The layers of confusion and doubt gradually peel back, revealing the familiar spark of determination and strength that has always resided within her.

You catch a glimpse of the Lorraine that you hold dear — the one filled with fire and unwavering spirit. It's a transformation that sends a wave of relief and hope coursing through your veins.

Finally, there she is — your girl, the woman you love and value, stirring back to life.

Her throat bobs as she tries to find words, face constricting with emotions, the beginning of a watery gleam forming in her eyes.

As Lorraine’s apologetic ramble begin to form, you swiftly silence her with a heartfelt rebuke, your voice tinged with both relief and a touch of humor.

“You scared the shit outta me,” you laugh weakly, a blend of emotions coloring your tone. The weight of the situation, the fear that had gripped you moments ago, all converges into those six simple words — a testament to the turmoil and worry your heart has endured.

In Lorraine's trembling touch, the weight of her guilt and remorse is palpable. As her bloodied fingers gently trace the contours of your face, wiping away the sigils she had meticulously etched with your own blood, her eyes shimmer with a mix of regret and desperation.

Tears threaten to spill over as she grapples with the gravity of what she had nearly allowed to happen. The raw emotion and vulnerability in her gaze speak volumes — a silent plea for forgiveness and a chance at redemption.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what—“ she chokes out, barely above a whisper as, taking in a breath as she rests her forehead to yours. An attempt to ground herself, you feel her hurting, you feel her.

"Hey, hey," you gently murmur, your voice soothing and filled with reassurance “that wasn't you. You're not responsible for what happened. We're going to work together and put this right," you affirm, emphasizing that you see the difference between the Lorraine consumed by dark magic and the true essence of who she is at her core.

It's a gentle reminder that you acknowledge her struggle, her strength, and your unwavering belief in her ability to overcome this ordeal.

Something hits the ground with a soft thump, and then both her hands are cupping your face, thumb delicately tracing your bottom lip as she exhales.

Whatever remaining strings that had been holding her back seem to strain and snap, you see it in the way the warmth returns to her eyes, in the way her touch is with confidence.

And when her lips press tenderly against yours, an electric spark crackles through the air. Despite the metallic tang of copper, the sweetness of the moment envelops you, intertwining with the familiar softness of her.

In that stolen instant, the weight of the world melts away, and you're transported back to the first time you shared a kiss.

You want to live in that moment.

"My girl," you breathe as you part, voice carrying the weight of affection and acceptance, recognizing the indomitable spirit that resides within her.

Anything lost can be found.

Lorraine's forehead remains rested against yours, sending a gentle wave of calm through your being. As her fingers release your face to deftly work at the bindings that constrain your wrists, a shared understanding passes between you.

Your eyes, filled with unwavering determination, meet hers, reflecting a silent agreement — a pact to face what lies ahead together. You know the challenges that await, but in this moment, united, you're ready to confront them head-on.

Just as you feel the binds loosen from your wrists, Maxine's sharp and dangerous voice cuts through the air, causing a shiver to run down your spine.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" she demands, her tone tinged with a hint of knowing that sends a jolt of unease through you. You can almost feel the weight of her gaze bearing down on the both of you, scrutinizing your every move.

With your wrists now free, Lorraine's nimble fingers quickly withdraw, and your collective focus shifts to meet Maxine's piercing gaze.

The air grows taut with tension as her voice, dripping with menace, echoes through the room, setting a chilling precedent for what's to come. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as both of you brace yourselves for the confrontation that looms just before you.

With a surge of defiant determination, Lorraine steps forward, boldly positioning herself between you and Maxine.

A palpable energy crackles around her, radiating off her figure like an unseen force. Both Maxine and Bobby-Lynn visibly startle at the display of rebellious defiance emanating from Lorraine.

It's as if a dormant power has suddenly awakened within her, a quiet strength that surprises even those who thought they knew her best.

Lorraine’s voice, infused with a fierce determination, slices through the tense air, a clear warning that resonates with unyielding conviction.

"Back off," she exclaims, her tone steady but resolute, “your hold on me is broken. I won’t let you do this”.

As she speaks, her words carry a weight of finality, signaling that the dynamic between them has irrevocably shifted.

The power dynamic that once favored Maxine and Bobby-Lynn has crumbled, and Lorraine asserts her newfound control with unflinching resolve.

Maxine's smirk deepens, and with a swift gesture of her hand, the zombified men shift into position, flanking your small group in an eerie dance of shadows cast by the flickering bonfire.

“Looks like you got what you wanted after all, Lorraine. Power, control… love”.

Their silhouettes, bathed in the dance of flames, seem even more unsettling, as if they're mere puppets manipulated by a sinister puppeteer. The tension in the air grows palpably thicker, as the confrontation escalates to new heights.

Maxine's voice, dripping with condescension, cuts through the tension like a knife. "You were always deadweight anyways," she sneers, her words carrying a venomous sting.

"We're going through with this with or without you”, her dismissive tone conveys the depth of her disdain, emphasizing that Maxine sees Lorraine's dissent as inconsequential — a mere inconvenience in her quest.

With a smooth raise of her hands, Lorraine's power surges forth as voice rings out confidently, challenging Maxine's assertion.

"You want it?" she declare, her tone filled with determination. Just as the words leave her lips, the bonfire responds to her power's ascent, its flames sputtering higher and brighter.

A brief pause hangs in the air, taught like a bow string before she finally utters a defiant provocation, her head tilting up in bravado.

"Come fuckin’ get it”.

previous, next

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Tag List: @thatshyboy1998

[buriedyou]

𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀.

previously found at: fomheir.

Eris is originally from A.COTAR, but I and my friends have retconned the whole series. If you're familiar with A.COTAR/Eris, please don't let the preconceptions of canon blind you while you're interacting with this characterization. This guy has just a few things in common with the source version; otherwise, they are not interchangeable and you can consider this an oc.

FULL NAME: Eris Vanserra EPITHET(S): Heir to the Flame, Autumn Heir, Princeling/Lordling GENDER: Cis-male SPECIES: High Fae HEIGHT: 6'4” AGE: 700+ years old BIRTHDAY: The Fall Equinox

HAIR: Dark auburn, naturally wavy. Cropped a little longer than his pointed ears and typically kept off his face. Without the glamour, his hair is ash-colored and as long as his shoulders, full of leaves and twigs and seemingly wet. EYES: Hazel and rimmed in gold and feline. Without the glamour, fully black eyes including the sclera and bleeding black blooded tears. SKIN TONE: The last dredges of summer-kissed skin fading. Pale skin warmed by the moon. Dusted in sparse freckles. Without the glamour, a sickly pallor is prevalent. BODY TYPE: Lean muscled and tall. Long limbed. VOICE: Dulcet and musical. Drawling and casual and ever full of mischief. Typically speaking in facetious tones, his smug and teasing and trickster nature present in his voice. POSTURE: Befitting of a prince. Without the glamour, there’s obvious pain in the tight string or sometimes low droop of his shoulders and the clench of his hands. SCARS: With the glamour, none. Without the glamour, the corners of his mouth extend with gruesome scars and reveal his sharp-toothed back teeth. His back is covered in whip lashes, some which still do not appear fully healed. He has scars on the back of both his hands and the bottom of his feet from his father’s abuse as well. NOTABLE FEATURE(S): His pointed High Fae ears. His red hair. HIGH LORD BEAST FORM: Large black hound, dog skull for a face, with molting antlers protruding from his head.

HOBBIES: Hunting with his smoke hounds. Reading and learning new things. Fashion. Spellcrafting and herbal work. Faerie wine and connoisseuring. PHYSICAL ILLNESSES: Cursed by his power-greedy father, Eris is unable to fully wield the entirety of his magic abilities. ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral VULNERABILITIES: As all Fae are, Eris is vulnerable to ash wood. Salt and iron are also a weakness which can be used to incapacitate him though they won’t kill him.

CURRENTLY.

the sins of the father. PRESENT DAY. eris is in the midst of his plans to unseat his father from the throne of autumn court, but is waiting for the right timing. until then, he continues to both train and lead the autumn court armies as one of its generals; as well as act as emissary and ambassador, using his courtier skills to navigate the political landscape of the faerie realm to gather intel on the coming rebellion against the night court as well as collecting future allies for his own cause.

QUICK FACTS

eris is the eldest of seven brothers and thus the heir to the faerie court of autumn. the autumn court deals in dark magic, necromancy, and pyromancy among other crafts; though it should be noted that the use of magic is banned for anyone within the court's lands not of the royal family, punishable by death as declared by the high lord. autumn court magic is typical faerie magic where it demands payment for its use; as such, the high lord beron, who uses it constantly, has been growing more and more ill and frail as the centuries pass. the only thing keeping him alive anymore is the magic itself, even as it is killing him.

the vanserra brothers grew up pitted against each other as a means to earn their father's respect and affection and as a result, resentment to the point of violence amongst them was inevitable. abuse at the hands of their father, beron, was rampant; eris did what he could to take most of the punishments during their childhood, but always at the cost of purposefully inflaming his brothers that they would never be at odds with beron for growing close to the eldest son. eris establishes very early on that he will follow in his father's cruel footsteps by forcibly drawing a divide between himself and his younger brothers, all the while fervently protecting them when he can.

eris is especially close to his mother, the lady of autumn, who suffers at the hands of her husband as much as her sons do. she is perhaps the only person alive to know the truth of eris' heart, which he keeps so well hidden between his wickedness and cruelty.

the reputation of the heir to autumn is despicable at best and deliberately crafted that way. still, he is magnetic and cunning, an accomplished commander in the autumn court armies, a skilled hunter and tracker, and a devoted son to his mother. he has 12 hounds which he raised himself to be loyal hunting companions.

autumn court fae can’t lie! not in the traditional sense anyway. they can exaggerate (and often speak hyperbolically!) and they can spin circles to avoid landing directly on the truth and they can trick as much as they please (and most often do whether they intend to avoid the truth or not!) but they cannot lie. the only thing is that most not from autumn don’t actually know this to be a fact anymore as it’s another thing to have cycled so much through the sifting ages that it’s often believed to be something the humans made up about fae in general which actually works really well for autumn court anyway. if asked a direct yes or no question, they have to blatantly ignore the question to avoid telling the truth which just gives them away anyway. so no literal lying.

eris has 12 scottish deerhounds all of whom he rescued as a full litter when their mother birthed them, and consequently died, in his father’s stables. beron would have killed them had eris not interfered. he’s raised them himself and they have grown into a pack of exceptionally talented, with the exception of one, the runt, which he gifted his mate, vasilis.

if beron is dying, why doesn't eris just easily kill him/why don't his sons/court rise up against him? fear for one thing. for eris in particular, it's the timing. he is "working for" his father within his court, but under the table he is securing alliances and putting out feelers to those who would be loyal to a court no longer ruled by beron. there are many who are loyal to beron whether by fear or similar ideals and eris has to be very careful when navigating the political waters.

ALT VERSES TBD...

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Trials and Defibrillations (5)

Prev

Jonathan Crane would like to say, for the record, that he did not usually stalk people.

Now, admittedly, this isn’t the kind of thing you would, typically, have to disclaim, but… well, he was currently following someone home, and he would like to say: hey, leave him alone, this is a special case.

You see, the person he was currently stalking was a fucking freak of nature and he needed to know more. For scientific reasons.

... also for Evil Reasons.

After all, Marinette had shown herself to have healing abilities. This, on its own, might not have been worthy of fanfare, until you consider that she seemed not to care all that much about things like literally getting shot in the head. Just how powerful was she? Could she reverse death? Even her own?

Every weird thing that he had learned about the girl over the few times he had had the misfortune of speaking to her was coming together to paint a very clear picture.

She was a meta with, frankly, ungodly healing powers.

It explained why she hadn’t blinked at the gun being pointed at her head. No need to wonder why she had been so good at patching him up that one time despite her lack of medical experience, there was probably an instinctual element involved. It made sense now why she was so interested in the chemicals he developed – he would be wondering if chemical weapons would make healing powers less effective, too, if he were in her shoes (he wasn't even in her shoes and he was already wondering it).

Frankly, he felt stupid for even taking this long to realize.

But he was determined to make up for lost time.

By following her to her home so he could get her on his payroll By Any Means Necessary.

‘But Jonathan, she already took you to her house once, why do you need her to lead you there?’ you may ask. To which he would say fuck off, he doesn’t make a habit of learning random people’s addresses. Like he said – he’s not a stalker.

Ignore what he is doing right now. He is a Rogue and he can do what he wants. And what he wants right now is to pay this random meta to heal him after particularly painful battles. Batman may not kill people, but sometimes getting his knee kicked in by a furry on a Tuesday afternoon was worse than death. And, besides, the bats’ No Kill Rule didn’t go for the rest of Gotham, who generally didn’t like Jonathan all that much, for some reason. So, yeah, getting a healer on board would be great.

Unfortunately, she does not seem that interested in talking to him now that he knew her secret, probably because she thought that he would perform unethical experiments on her or something (which, to be fair, he would do if he wasn’t pretty sure she could beat his ass on sheer willpower alone thanks to the unfair advantage that was getting to heal at any time... and, even then, he was still considering it heavily). She was surprisingly good at avoiding him. Every time he tried to approach her in public, she disappeared so fast that, had he not known her power set already, he would have assumed she could teleport or, at the very least, shapeshift.

Her ability to completely disappear was nothing more than a minor (albeit very annoying) inconvenience, though, because she has two weaknesses:

Firstly, her mysterious roommate, Adrien – a person who was, by all accounts, a normal guy. A good person, even, judging by his status as an EMT. And most good people are super boring and therefore aren’t all that fond of the idea of their friend and/or roommate being in cahoots with Rogues. She had proven that during their first meeting, when she had stressed to Jonathan that her roommate could not know who he is. This meant blackmail was definitely on the table. Which was great! Because Jonathan loves blackmailing people, sometimes you don’t even have to pay them!

Her other weakness was that, while she certainly wasn’t poor enough to fit in among all of his usual henchmen, she wasn’t rich, either. And, if you aren’t rich, it is actually very difficult to uproot your entire life on a whim. Especially when she was as established in Gotham as she was. She attended college and rented an apartment and, assumedly, had friends (though he had yet to see proof of them, which made sense, he was glad to know he wasn’t the only one put off by her general… vibes). All of this meant she would be unlikely to simply move away. If he had to wear her down over time, then that was what he would do.

So, when he found her apartment again, he was happy to say that he knew she would not be leaving anytime soon.

This isn’t a set up for a joke where he comes back in a week to find all evidence of her scrubbed from the apartment. He was just very proud of his stalker abilities. He may not be one professionally or anything, but he’d be good at it if he was.

Okay, well, remember when he said he wasn’t a professional stalker? He would hope so, considering this was one sentence ago.

The point is, he made an amateur mistake.

While he had included Adrien in his plans, he hadn’t really accounted for him to be… in the place that he lived.

So, when Jonathan, having made himself comfortable on their couch once again, a classic Gotham gas mask over the bottom half of his face solely because he had been working with chemicals earlier and didn’t feel the need to take it off after, he was blindsided to find two people walking through the door.

“ – still don’t get it. Yeah, ‘to get to the other side’ is a lame punchline, but it’s a lame punchline. Why is it funny?” Marinette asked as she stepped through the door, her eyes just barely gleaming with amusement, suggesting that she was just messing with her unfortunate roommate.

Adrien seemed to know this, but he still looked like he was going to strangle her to make her shut up. Luckily for her (and unluckily for Jonathan, who had wanted to see whether his ‘unable to die’ theory would be proven correct), he was quickly distracted by the person sitting on their couch.

Neither person looked all that concerned about the stranger who had broken into their house. Just confused.

“It’s funny because it subverts your expectations,” Jonathan offered his answer.

Not that either of them seemed to care about his opinion right now.

“Marinette. There’s a man on our couch.”

Wow. Deja vu.

“How does this keep happen – wait, are you cheating on me?!” Adrien gasped. “After all we’ve been through?! Don’t you know that cheating is, like, wrong?!”

Never mind on the deja vu thing. What?!

Marinette sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Jonathan wasn’t sure whether she was more annoyed at him or Adrien. Which was kind of offensive. He was supposed to be making her panic, not be mildly annoyed.

“No. I would never cheat on my beloved husband. Especially not with a guy that looks this old.”

Jonathan was so hurt by the ‘old’ comment that he almost breezed past the first part of her statement. Which was, technically, logically, the more important one. It recontextualized a lot of stuff and he needed to know more about it.

But he would definitely come back to the ‘old’ comment later.

For now, Jonathan held his hands up in a kind of ‘time out’ gesture. “Wait, you’re married?”

Adrien, looking like he was seconds away from collapsing into a fit of laughter, pulled his hand out of his pocket to reveal a golden band on one of his fingers. Marinette was a little slower, and far more reluctant, but she still tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, revealing that her ring was in her earlobe.

“It’s an ear ring,” Marinette explained with a sigh, looking like she would rather be anywhere else but was oh-so-bravely standing put.

“I’m hilarious,” Adrien added, as if Jonathan really needed him to confirm that he was the one who had come up with that.

“And I’m getting a divorce,” she grumbled.

“Nah.”

Jonathan was pretty sure that’s not how that works. You can’t just say Nah to divorce. No fault divorce was legalized in, like, 1969 (nice). But that was that, apparently, because Marinette didn’t bother arguing it further.

Jonathan was not going to let this go, though. “You said he was your roommate.”

“He is?” Marinette said, sounding confused, motioning to the living space around them, as if to say ‘We share a room, see?’

Jonathan did not, in fact, see.

“Shouldn’t you call him your boyfriend? Or, I guess, husband? Wouldn’t you being in a relationship kind of trump you being roommates?!”

Both of them looked disgusted at the very thought.

“We’re not in a relationship,” Marinette said.

“I would never,” said Adrien, looking like Jonathan had just accused him of a crime and not being in a relationship with the person that he had apparently married.

Jonathan did not deserve this. He did not think there was anything wrong with assuming that the people that are married would be dating. That is how it goes in, like, >99% of cases.

He huffed. “So, what, is the marriage for tax reasons or something?”

College was pretty expensive these days, he’d heard. It was entirely possible.

“No, we’re married because we’re soulmates,” said Adrien, slinging his arm around Marinette’s shoulders.

Marinette looked unimpressed.

Jonathan puzzled over this for a few more minutes before deciding, hey, he isn’t Riddler. He doesn’t have to know everything for the sake of intellectual superiority. Jonathan Crane might be a mad scientist, but this meant that he knew that sometimes the best answer you can get for the time being is ‘I dunno, shit is weird’.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Whatever. Can I talk to you, Marinette?”

“You are cheating,” Adrien sniffed. “Can’t believe you got another man’s wife pregnant. We have kids at home!”

Kids?!

“Please don’t bring the labrats into this,” Marinette said.

Oh. Okay. Jonathan could respect that.

“Tikki and Plagg are going to be devastated when they hear about this.”

“Well, if they are devastated then I’ll have successfully uploaded a human consciousness into their minds so, frankly, that would be wonderful,” said Marinette.

“Why’re you trying to do that to rats?” Jonathan asked. “Yeah, they’ve got minds that aren’t unlike humans’ in structure, but their brains are so small…”

“‘Cause the guy that leases us this place doesn’t allow pets.”

“Rats are pets!” Adrien, someone who was apparently a strong purveyor of rats’ rights, said.

“You dropped an ‘s’. They’re pests,” Marinette corrected. “That's why I'm using them. They're, like, everywhere. Honestly, Gotham has a weirdly high amount of rats.”

“That’s because of the Rat King,” said Jonathan.

Marinette’s eyes widened. “The fucking what now.”

“You know, the Rat King,” he said, shrugging.

Marinette didn’t 'know'. But that wasn’t his problem.

“I can tell you about it after we talk,” he said.

She lit up, immediately rushing over to grab him by the arm, dragging him toward the window. Jonathan made a mental note: she was much more agreeable when she wanted information of some sort.

(He made another, smaller mental note that she had been stalling the coming conversation on purpose. This mental note had a few holes in the paper where he’d pushed his pencil too hard and had accidentally torn through it.)

“Sounds great! See you in a few minutes, Adrien.”

“Cool. Don’t die.”

“No promises!” she chirped.

Then she, unceremoniously, pushed Jonathan out the window.

This wasn’t as bad as it could have been, considering there was a fire escape to stop his fall, but he still didn’t really appreciate hitting a metal grate facefirst. He, probably, could have lived without that experience. Perhaps he would have even lived better, because surely a few of his brain cells had died upon impact.

She didn’t seem to mind, tugging him to his feet and towards the stairs without even giving him time to process the maybe-concussion he’d just earned.

“So, what do you want?” she asked, her tone light.

“Work with me or I’ll kill your – uh – husband-partner-roommate-thing,” he said, straight to the point, because they had waffled about for far too long before this.

She snorted. “Alright.”

“... alright as in You’ll do it, or as in Go ahead and kill him?”

She thought about it for a minute. As if even she hadn’t known what she was saying.

“Mmmm… I mean, if you kill Adrien, I will kill you,” she said, perfectly chipper. As if she was talking about the most recent Brucie Wayne drama and not revenge.

“Then don’t make me kill him,” Jonathan said, raising an eyebrow. “All you have to do is agree to be my healer.”

She sighed, looking reluctant.

“You literally stalked me for weeks on end until, like, a few days ago. Why are you suddenly deciding that you hate me?”

“‘Cause I’m pretty sure you want to experiment on me, and that sounds like a pain,” she said.

This was a fair point. Unfortunately.

Jonathan gritted his teeth. You know, usually, threatening the lives of people and their loved ones was all that he needed to get them to comply to his demands. He was more than a little in the dark here.

“And if I promise to only do the experiments that you agree to…?”

Marinette thought this over. “Can I use your lab from time to time?”

“Fine.”

“Sweet. You have a deal.”

They exchanged numbers and he left, content now that he had her on his payroll.

It wasn’t until he was halfway home that it occurred to him that, somehow, despite the fact that he was the one who was blackmailing her, she ended up getting more out of the deal than him.

At least he had gotten out of telling her who the Rat King was, so she was, probably, suffering, too. That made it, kind of, fair.

He would make it completely fair by bringing Rat King to his next meetup.

Because he was a nice guy! The Rat King, a man who lived in the sewers and communed with the vermin, was sure to have numerous diseases, and a healer would surely help keep him happy and healthy.

(And he was pretty sure that the Rat King would have a few things to say about Marinette’s treatment of ‘Tikki’ and ‘Plagg’. That was a conversation he couldn’t wait to watch play out.)

+++

Up next: Adrien grows on people like a particularly stubborn bit of mold

Next

Trials and defibrillations masterlist

[doctorsupdate]

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis: When to See a Doctor

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can happen for various reasons, including viral infections, alcohol abuse, or other medical conditions. When the liver is not functioning properly, it can lead to serious health complications, including liver failure. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of hepatitis early can make a big difference in the treatment and recovery process. But how do you know if you’re at risk? Should you wait it out or see a doctor immediately? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the signs and symptoms of hepatitis, and when it's time to consult a doctor, especially if you’re looking for the Best Liver Transplant Surgeon in India.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the liver, which is a vital organ which helps to process nutrients, remove toxins, and create proteins needed for body functions. If hepatitis develops it may disrupt these vital processes and result in serious health issues. In some instances it is moderate and heals in its own time, however in other instances it can develop into chronic and result in extensive liver damage.

Causes of Hepatitis

Hepatitis can result from various causes, such as:

HIV-related infections The most frequent kinds are the hepatitis A, B, and C.

Addiction to alcohol Alcohol abuse: Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period can result in alcoholic hepatitis.

Medicines Certain prescription and non-prescription medications can cause liver inflammation.

Autoimmune disorders In a few cases the immune system attacks liver cells.

Toxins exposure to harmful substances or viruses may cause Hepatitis.

How Hepatitis A, B, and C Differ

Although all forms of hepatitis trigger liver inflammation and other organs, there are different signs, causes and treatments.

Hepatitis A can be usually contracted through food or drinking water. It generally goes away naturally without any long-term consequences.

Hepatitis B can be a more serious disease that is spread via bodily fluids as well as blood. It could result in chronic liver disease and liver failure.

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted by blood-to-blood contact. chronic cases can result in serious liver damage in the course of time.

Common Symptoms of Hepatitis

The signs of hepatitis differ depending on the source as well as the severity illness. But some of the most commonly reported symptoms are:

Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)

Fatigue

Nausea and vomiting

A stomach pain

Urine dark

Pale stools

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you are experiencing some of the signs it's crucial to see an expert. Even if you're unsure whether you've got hepatitis or not or not, it's best to be prudent rather than not knowing. A timely diagnosis can result in more effective treatment and help prevent long-term liver damage.

Understanding Jaundice: A Key Symptom

Jaundice is among the main symptoms of Hepatitis. It happens when there is the accumulation of bilirubin the blood. It is a substance created by red blood cells when they are broken down. If the liver's health is good the bilirubin is eliminated and processed. When the liver is damaged, it's unable to perform its function effectively, which can lead to jaundice.

In the event that you observe your skin, or the lenses of your eyes have become yellow, you should consult a physician. It's usually an indication that your liver is in trouble and requires medical care.

Fatigue and Its Link to Hepatitis

A feeling of fatigue or fatigue that is unusually high is a normal manifestation of Hepatitis. The body is working to fight the inflammation or infection that can reduce you of energy. If you feel always tired even after a good night's rest, it could be a sign that something's not right in your liver.

Digestive Issues: Nausea and Vomiting

If you're suffering from nausea, vomiting and the loss of appetite it could indicate the liver may be swollen. The liver plays a vital function in digestion and eliminating toxins. If it's not functioning as it should your digestive system could be irritable. These symptoms of digestion could be particularly alarming in the event that they last for more than a few days.

Pain in the Abdomen: Should You Be Concerned?

Hepatitis can trigger discomfort or pain on the upper right-hand side of your abdomen. This is where the liver is situated. The pain could be anything from a slight pain to a sharp, intense pain. If the pain continues or is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or jaundice, it's crucial to consult a physician immediately.

Dark Urine and Pale Stool: What's the Connection?

Another indication of hepatitis are changes in the quality of your stool and urine. The dark color of urine is a sign that the liver isn't able to process bilirubin in a proper manner. Similar to pale stool, it is usually a sign that the liver hasn't produced enough bile which is vital to digest. If you notice any changes, you should seek out medical advice.

Unexplained Weight Loss: A Red Flag

If you're experiencing unresolved weight loss this could be an indication of liver disease that is chronic as well as a severe version of Hepatitis. The liver is responsible for the processing of the nutrients that are derived from food. And when it's not functioning as it should it could impact your ability to keep an appropriate weight. In the event that you've gained weight and haven't been trying, you should be examined by a medical professional.

Chronic Hepatitis: What to Watch Out For

In certain cases the hepatitis virus can develop into chronic, which means it continues for months, or even years. Hepatitis that is chronic can cause liver the liver, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms of hepatitis, you need to seek medical treatment. The early intervention can help reduce or even stop the progression of chronic liver disease.

Can Hepatitis Be Prevented?

In many instances it is possible to prevent hepatitis. For instance:

Hepatitis A as well as B are vaccines that can prevent the infection.

Afraid of drinking excessively can help to prevent alcoholic hepatitis.

Practice safe hygiene and avoid sharing needles reduces the risk of contracting Hepatitis B or C.

What to Expect From Your Visit to the Doctor

If you see a physician to treat hepatitis-related symptoms They will likely conduct an examination of your body, inquire regarding your history of medical issues and will order tests for blood in order to verify the condition. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds can be utilized to evaluate the health of the liver. Based upon the outcome, you physician might recommend your to an expert when you require.

When to Seek a Liver Transplant Specialist

In cases of severe hepatitis where the liver is severely damaged it is possible that a transplant to the liver be required. If you suffer from complicated liver diseases or chronic cirrhosis it is important to speak with the best liver transplant surgeon located in India for a discussion of possible treatments. The earlier you consult with an expert in liver transplantation will increase your chances of a positive result.

Conclusion

Hepatitis can be a severe disease that could lead to permanent liver damage if not treated. Be aware of symptoms and signs like jaundice, stomach issues, and fatigue and fatigue, is essential for detecting the condition early. If you are experiencing any of these signs do not wait to consult an expert in your medical field as quickly as you can. If you are suffering from serious liver damage, finding the best liver transplant surgeon in India will be the key to your recovery.

FAQs

1. What are the primary reasons for the hepatitis virus? Hepatitis is often caused by viral infections (A B, C,) and excessive consumption of alcohol or autoimmune conditions, as well as certain drugs.

2. What can I do to determine whether my symptoms are linked to Hepatitis? If you experience symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice or abdominal pain and dark urine or faint stools, you need to visit a doctor to establish the diagnosis.

3. Does hepatitis disappear by itself? Certain forms of hepatitis such as hepatitis A is able to be treated with no treatment, while others such as Hepatitis B or C are more likely to develop into chronic conditions and require medical treatment.

4. What are the treatments for hepatitis? The treatment depends on the kind of liver disease. It could be treated with antiviral drugs to lifestyle modifications and in the case of severe instances, liver transplants.

5. When should I consult a specialist in liver transplants? If you're suffering from liver damage due to chronic hepatitis, visiting the best liver transplant surgeon from India is vital to assess your treatment options.

[drdivyasehra]

Robotic Surgery vs Traditional Surgery: Which One is Better for Patients?

The rise of robotic surgery has brought new possibilities in the medical field, but traditional surgery remains a reliable option with decades of proven results. In this blog, we’ll compare both approaches, focusing on their benefits, risks, and patient outcomes, helping you understand which might be the better option.

1. Precision and Accuracy

Robotic Surgery:Robotic surgery offers a higher degree of precision. Using robotic arms controlled by the surgeon, it enables precise movements that are difficult to achieve by hand. Surgeons can operate on delicate tissues or in difficult-to-reach areas with greater accuracy.

Traditional Surgery:In traditional surgery, the surgeon relies on their own hands. While experienced surgeons are very skilled, human limitations sometimes make it challenging to perform highly intricate movements, especially in complex cases.

2. Minimally Invasive Approach

Robotic Surgery:One of the most significant advantages of robotic surgery is its minimally invasive nature. Smaller incisions mean less damage to tissues, resulting in smaller scars, faster recovery, and reduced pain. Patients generally experience quicker healing with fewer complications.

Traditional Surgery:Traditional surgery often involves larger incisions, which can lead to more visible scars and a longer recovery time. While effective, the invasive nature of traditional surgery typically results in more postoperative pain and longer hospital stays.

3. Surgeon Fatigue

Robotic Surgery: Surgeons operate robots while seated comfortably at a console. This reduces the physical strain on the surgeon, especially during lengthy procedures, leading to better focus and efficiency throughout the operation.

Traditional Surgery: In traditional surgery, the surgeon often stands for long periods, which can lead to physical fatigue. While skilled surgeons manage this well, robotic systems can offer an advantage by minimizing the surgeon’s physical strain during long procedures.

4. Recovery Time and Healing

Robotic Surgery:Thanks to smaller incisions and less trauma to the body, patients who undergo robotic surgery tend to recover more quickly. Many patients return to daily activities within a shorter time frame, experiencing less pain overall.

Traditional Surgery:With traditional surgery, the healing process takes longer. Patients may need more time to regain full functionality, and the risk of complications such as infections is higher due to larger incisions.

5. Cost and Accessibility

Robotic Surgery:The downside of robotic surgery is its cost. The equipment is expensive, and this can lead to higher surgery costs for patients. Additionally, robotic systems aren’t available in all hospitals, especially in rural or smaller healthcare facilities.

Traditional Surgery:Traditional surgery is more affordable and widely accessible. Almost all hospitals can perform traditional procedures, making it a more cost-effective option for many patients, especially those without access to high-tech medical centers.

6. Risks of Errors and Malfunctions

Robotic Surgery:Although robotic surgery reduces many human errors, it carries the risk of technology malfunctions. Software glitches or hardware failures, while rare, can pose a problem. However, the surgeon is always in control, reducing the likelihood of such issues.

Traditional Surgery:Traditional surgery doesn’t depend on technology, so there’s no risk of mechanical failure. However, human error is a possibility, though skilled and experienced surgeons minimize these risks.

Conclusion: Which is Better for Patients?

Both robotic and traditional surgeries offer unique advantages. Robotic surgery stands out for its precision, minimally invasive techniques, and quicker recovery times, making it ideal for complex procedures. However, it comes at a higher cost and isn’t available everywhere. Traditional surgery, while more invasive, remains accessible and affordable, offering a dependable option with a longer track record.

Choosing between the two depends on the type of surgery, patient’s health, and the surgeon’s expertise. Always consult with your healthcare provider to find the best option for your specific condition.

[tulasihealth]

Dealing with Grief and Loss: Tulasi Healthcare’s Compassionate Care

Grief and loss can be very profound and dramatically affect the mind and the emotions. It might be the demise of a loved one, a relationship getting ruined, or other major life transitions that make the sting of loss unbearable. Tulasi Healthcare realizes that this is a very complex issue with regard to grief and, therefore, care is given in the most compassionate, personalized way possible in order to help the resident in this difficult journey.

Understanding Grief and Its Impact Grief was one of the natural responses one would develop with loss. It is an extremely individualized and personal experience. The experience might also manifest in emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms. More common emotions include sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, and even relief. Physically, the reaction could add to fatigue, change in appetite, disturbance in sleep, and decreased immunity. At the behavioral level, there could be social withdrawal, difficultly concentrating, changes in routine among other behaviors.

Though the process of grieving is normal, in most cases, it usually gets out of proportion and could take its toll in the forms of depression, anxiety, and complicated grief—a condition wherein the pain of loss has not softened or lessened over a long period of time. How and when such grief gets overwhelming in nature is critical to understand, and here comes the compassionate care from Tulasi Health Care.

Tulasi Health Care's Approach to Grief and Loss Tulasi Healthcare adopts an attitude toward bereavement and loss that is non-judgmental and patient-centered. The staff is aware that the grieving process does not follow a timeline and is unique in every individual. Based on this premise, they develop an individualized care plan that covers emotional, physical, and psychological dimensions in the expression of grief.

1. Counseling and Therapy Counseling and therapy are another strong component of support for grief provided at Tulasi Healthcare. Licensed counselors and therapists form a team that correlates with and gears individuals at close range to be provided with a warm, yet safe, environment in which an individual may be themself, express their feelings, and process their losses. Therapeutic approaches, for instance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, are some that are commonly utilized to assist the individual in better framing their thoughts, creating coping measures, and finding ways in which to move forward yet remain in honor of their loss.

Our therapists at Tulasi Healthcare are trained on understanding the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression—and finally, acceptance. They guide them through these in a person's own pace. In this attitude, it becomes personalized, hence allowing each patient to get exactly what they might need in this process.

2. Support Groups Grief may be an individual and isolated experience, but it is unbelievably consoling to know that some other person also feels the same. Tulasi Healthcare has support groups where people share the same emotions or agonies. These support groups will help people to share their experiences, support others, and learn from one another.

These support groups are lead by professionals who help facilitate conversation and ensure respect and empathy among participants. Such a communal approach to grief often proves to be a very powerful source of healing, as individuals will not feel so alone.

3. Mind-Body Therapies In relation to the close interrelationship between mind and body, Tulasi Healthcare conducts mind-body therapies in its grief support programs. Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and different forms of relaxation techniques are all conducted with the aim of helping an individual to deal with physical symptoms of grief, such as tension and fatigue, and to create general well-being.

These therapies also serve as tools for reconnecting to the self in finding moments of peace amidst pain. Together with thoughts of the present moment and thoughts about physical health, each one can find their balance piece by piece and begin to recover little by little.

4. Spiritual Care For many, grief is not only an emotional and mental journey but also a spiritual one. Tulasi Health Care believes in providing spiritual care for the grieving process. Individual counseling or group sessions support patients in an exploration of their spiritual beliefs, finding meaning in the loss, and drawing strength from their faith or philosophy.

Spiritual care at Tulasi Healthcare is given in a non-denominational way which respects every belief system. It strives to provide a supporting environment where clients can find comfort and support as they work out their spiritual struggle.

5. Involvement of the Best Psychiatrists in Delhi On occasions, grief may also translate to more serious mental health conditions – depression and anxiety, for which an individual requires specialized care. The best of psychiatrists form part of Tulasi Healthcare, Delhi, and hence work shoulder to shoulder with their patients who suffer complicated grief or related mental disorders. Such psychiatrists are well versed in using medication management, therapy, and other practices to guide people back to a state of stabilization and a way forward.

Their involvement ensures that the patients receive all-rounded care, both emotionally and clinically, for their grief, thus allowing them to heal better and for a longer period.

Conclusion The journey through grief and loss may very well be one of the hardest experiences that any person will ever have to encounter. But with the right support, healing does happen. The compassionate care approach at Tulasi Healthcare equips the individual with tools, support, and an understanding that is required of each individual to journey through their grief. Tulasi Health Care supports them to inch through the pain of loss to a place of acceptance and peace with personalized counseling, support groups, mind-body therapies, spiritual care, and expertise from some of the best psychiatrists in Delhi.

[dranubha-homeo-2]

Homeopathy vs. Conventional Medicine: Key Differences Explained

When choosing between homeopathy and conventional medicine, it’s essential to understand the distinct philosophies, approaches, and outcomes each offers. This article explores the key differences to help you make an informed decision about your health care.

1. Treatment Philosophy Homeopathy operates on the principle of “like cures like,” which means that a substance causing symptoms in a healthy person can be used in a highly diluted form to treat similar symptoms in someone who is ill. The idea is to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms. For example, a remedy made from an onion, which causes watery eyes and a runny nose, might be used to treat hay fever with similar symptoms.

Conventional medicine, also known as allopathy, typically uses medications or interventions that are designed to combat or suppress symptoms and target the disease directly. For instance, antibiotics are used to kill bacteria causing an infection, and painkillers are prescribed to alleviate pain.

2. Approach to Healing Homeopathy views health as a balance of the mind, body, and emotions. Treatment is aimed at the individual as a whole, rather than just the disease. This holistic approach means that a homeopath will consider not only the physical symptoms but also the patient’s emotional state, lifestyle, and personality when prescribing a remedy.

In contrast, conventional medicine tends to focus on the symptoms of the disease or the specific ailment. The goal is often to eliminate the symptoms or cure the disease using pharmaceuticals, surgery, or other medical interventions. While this approach can be highly effective, it may not always address underlying imbalances or long-term health.

3. Use of Medications Homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances, including plants, minerals, and animals, which are diluted and potentized to create the final remedy. The extreme dilution process used in homeopathy is thought to eliminate toxicity, making these remedies safe with minimal risk of side effects.

Conventional medications, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers, are often synthetic and designed to have a strong, immediate effect on the body. While these medications can be life-saving and effective for treating acute conditions, they can sometimes lead to side effects or adverse reactions, which may require additional treatment.

4. Side Effects and Safety One of the most significant advantages of homeopathy is its safety profile. Due to the high dilution of substances, homeopathic remedies are considered non-toxic and are generally safe for everyone, including pregnant women, infants, and the elderly. There is little to no risk of harmful side effects, making homeopathy an appealing option for those looking for gentle, natural treatments.

Conventional medicine, though highly effective, can come with a risk of side effects. These side effects can range from mild, such as drowsiness or nausea, to severe, such as allergic reactions or long-term organ damage. In some cases, the side effects of medications can lead to a need for additional treatments.

5. Time to See Results Homeopathy often requires patience, especially when treating chronic conditions. The remedies work by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, which can take time to show visible results. However, this approach aims to provide long-lasting relief by addressing the root cause of the illness rather than just masking symptoms.

Conventional medicine, particularly when dealing with acute conditions, often provides quicker relief. For instance, taking an analgesic can reduce pain within minutes, and antibiotics can clear up infections rapidly. However, this fast-acting approach might not always address the underlying cause, which can lead to recurring issues.

6. Personalized Care In homeopathy, every patient is treated as unique. Two individuals with the same condition might receive different remedies based on their overall health, emotional state, and specific symptoms. This personalized approach ensures that the treatment is tailored to the individual’s unique needs and constitution.

Conventional medicine traditionally follows standardized protocols for treating specific diseases. However, there is a growing trend towards personalized medicine, where treatments are customized based on genetic information and other factors. Despite this, the level of individualization in conventional medicine is typically less than in homeopathy.

7. Cost Homeopathic treatments are generally more affordable, particularly for chronic conditions that require long-term management. Since homeopathy focuses on the whole person and aims for long-term health improvements, it often results in fewer follow-up visits and lower overall healthcare costs.

Conversely, conventional medical treatments can be expensive, especially when involving surgeries, long-term medications, or specialized procedures. The cost of managing chronic conditions with conventional medicine can accumulate over time, making homeopathy a cost-effective alternative for some patients.

Why Choose Dr. Anubbha’s Homeopathy Clinic?

If you’re considering homeopathy, Dr. Anubbha’s Homeopathy Clinic in Hyderabad offers the best homeopathic treatments tailored to your unique needs. Dr. Anubbha is renowned as the best homeopathy doctor in Hyderabad, specializing in treating various conditions with a holistic approach. Whether you’re dealing with skin issues, chronic conditions, or looking for natural ways to improve your health, Dr. Anubbha provides expert care.

Additionally, Dr. Anubbha’s clinic offers convenient online homeopathy consultations, ensuring you receive personalized care no matter where you are. With a focus on your overall well-being, Dr. Anubbha’s treatments are safe, effective, and designed to help you achieve lasting health.

[denimbex1986]

Writer-director Andrew Haigh returns to the silver screen with All of Us Strangers, a loose adaptation of Taichi Yamada's Strangers. When the lonely Adam meets a mysterious stranger, Harry, who lives in the same empty block of flats, he finds himself propelled towards a romance he never saw possible for himself. This chance encounter comes as Adam finds himself revisiting his family, who died when he was a young boy. Andrew Scott leads with the supporting cast rounded out by Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell.

Every now and then, a film touches your soul on such a profound level that you want to scream about its brilliance from the rooftops. A beautiful, soul-stirring and haunting examination of queer loneliness, grief, longing and memory, All of Us Strangers is a profoundly moving and evocative picture that thrives in its focus on a homosexual experience. A film of two beautifully complementary halves, Strangers is a remarkably delicate, strangely straightforward yet slightly surreal contemplation of holding on, letting go and healing the inner child.

With direction both elegant and startling - shockingly tender in its most intimate moments of connection and lust, yet hard-hitting and emotionally gutting as it enters its most devastating territory - Andrew Haigh has crafted an achingly brilliant piece of cinema that could melt the iciest of hearts. Despite the ghostly presence and time-fracturing back-and-forth, a hauntingly authentic core to All of Us Strangers ensures it is continually grounded in the purest human emotion, leading to a cinematic experience that somehow feels like a voyage into our souls. Never tempted to seek out ostentatious filmmaking practices or overly grandiose techniques, Haigh remains wholly focused on the wider picture and the picture soars as a result.

While the original novel provides sturdy foundations on which he can build, Haigh delivers a screenplay of such emotional depth and focus to ruminate upon. Loneliness is a theme frequently found within queer cinema, explored here in such a fascinating way by contrasting views of the past with behaviours of the present in a way that feels revelatory and insightful; aching with the pain of a generation required to suppress to survive, exploring the indelible scars left by words and how our loved ones can be implicit in such lasting damage, Strangers remarkable way of tacking such conflicting, powerful emotions is put to great use, using its conceit of ghosts in a miraculously healing way. Along with its intelligent, beautifully reflective way of exploring grief, Strangers reflectively tight focus means its themes are explored with the profundity and clarity they deserve.

To describe Andrew Scott's performance in All Of Us Strangers as one of the greatest acting performances in recent memory would be an understatement. A life-changing and career-defining turn aching with a vulnerability that Scott portrays with an impossible magnetism, Scott's work is truly superlative. Here he plays a 40-something writer isolating his feelings as a result of grief and suppression, and a preteen boy hiding his true self and desperate to feel his parent’s arms around him one last time. It would take an extraordinarily tight performer to balance those roles with the subtlety and complexity needed to convince, and Scott utterly excels with a leading turn unparalleled in its emotional depth and fortitude.

Paul Mescal emotes like few others, an emotionally charged performance of a man fighting his own demons while trying to support someone else with theirs. As with his sensational Aftersun performance, Mescal conveys so much emotion with the slightest of mannerisms, his eyes signalling so much hurt and sensitivity yet containing an elusive quality we cannot help but be compelled towards. He's wonderful opposite Scott, their chemistry irresistible, with the pair delivering one of the most multi-faceted on-screen relationships in some time. Similarly, Jamie Bell takes on the role of Adam's father and earns some of the most heartwarming moments of the piece, characterised by the stiff upper lip that defined men of the era, but uncovering a soft heart that provides a refreshingly open-minded portrayal of a father who simply wants the best for his son.

Of the supporting cast, however, Claire Foy shines the brightest. Exquisite as Adam’s mother, Foy delivers a complicated performance brimming with the mindset of a period and riddled with a deep sadness that is performed to absolute perfection. While a knowingness of their fates could have become one-note and inevitable, the journey becomes so much more fulfilling because of the layers to Foy and Scott's relationship. In the single most gut-wrenching sequence of the film, as Foy sings to Scott a song that defined his childhood, it feels like the film stops still in its tracks: "Maybe I didn't hold you all those lonely, lonely times/And I guess I never told you, I'm so happy that you're mine". It is in that stillness, and many of the silences that follow, that Foy's performance comes to life, an outstanding, pivotal performance that demonstrates the importance of brilliant supporting turns.

All of Us Strangers begins as an open wound, one the rest of the film seeks to tend to and allow to heal; by the time we reach its close, as devastated as we are, with the pain lingering on, it feels like our souls have been changed by this rather transformative piece. Character-led and theme-heavy, Strangers may not be embraced as enthusiastically by those who prefer a stronger sense of plot to propel its narrative forward - but for those for resonate with the themes, particularly, as suspected given the features’ unwavering focus on a queer experience, an LGBTQ+ audience, will find it hard not to be caught up in the emotional current of Strangers. A rare cinematic experience, All of Us Strangers is a dreamscape that poignantly contemplates some of the hardest-hitting themes while boasting one of the finest British ensembles put to film in some time, led by Andrew Scott's searing work.'

[lelendphysio]

Physiotherapy in Surrey is Being Transformed: The Holistic Approach of Legend Physiotherapy Clinic

Introduction:

Locating excellent physiotherapy services in Surrey can frequently feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. But in the middle of this difficulty, Legend Physiotherapy Clinic emerges as a ray of hope. The field of physiotherapy in Surrey is changing thanks to Legend Physiotherapy's dedication to quality and all-encompassing approach to healing. We will discuss the value of physiotherapy, the special services provided by Legend Physiotherapy Clinic, and how they are changing the community's expectations for care in this blog.

Understanding the Role of Physiotherapy:

Physiotherapy is essential for helping people who have been harmed, sick, or disabled regain their capacity to move and operate. Physiotherapy provides individualized treatment regimens intended to increase mobility, lessen discomfort, and improve overall quality of life, whether a patient is recuperating from a sports injury, managing chronic pain, or recovering from surgery. Reputable clinics like Legend Physiotherapy are essential because Surrey's need for top-notch physiotherapy services is only increasing.

Legend Physiotherapy Clinic: A Trusted Name in Surrey:

The Legend Physiotherapy Clinic, which is centrally located in Surrey, is well-known for its superior physiotherapy services. Legend Physiotherapy provides a wide range of treatments to fulfill the various needs of its patients. The team of skilled and committed professionals, which includes physiotherapists, massage therapists, and rehabilitation specialists, leads the practice. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that includes manual therapy, acupuncture, exercise prescription, and ergonomic assessments, the clinic maximizes patient outcomes.

Key Services Offered by Legend Physiotherapy:

Manual therapy: To reduce discomfort, increase range of motion, and regain function, hands-on methods such joint manipulation and soft tissue massage are utilized.

Exercise Prescription: Exercise regimens that are specifically tailored are intended to increase general physical fitness, increase muscle strength, and improve flexibility.

Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine is used to ease pain, encourage relaxation, and activate the body's own healing processes.

Ergonomic Assessments: Legend Physiotherapy helps avoid musculoskeletal injuries and improves workplace productivity by assessing workplace ergonomics and providing ergonomic therapies.

Rehabilitation Programs: Tailored rehabilitation programs are designed to promote optimal recovery and long-term wellness, whether a patient is recuperating from surgery or managing a chronic condition.

The Legend Physiotherapy Difference:

Legend Physiotherapy's steadfast dedication to patient-centered care distinguishes it from other Surrey clinics. Patients receive kind greetings, considerate care, and individual attention as soon as they enter. The team of specialists at the clinic takes the time to carefully listen to each patient's worries, carry out an extensive evaluation, and create a personalized treatment plan based on their individual requirements and objectives. In addition, Legend Physiotherapy places a high priority on professional development and continuing education to keep its professionals up to date on the most recent developments in physiotherapy practice.

Conclusion:

To sum up, Legend Physiotherapy Clinic is transforming the physiotherapy industry in Surrey with its all-encompassing approach to care, customized treatment programs, and dedication to quality. Patients can rely on Legend Physiotherapy to produce outcomes whether they are trying to improve general well being, manage a chronic disease, or recover from an injury. As Surrey's need for top-notch physiotherapy services grows, Legend Physiotherapy is committed to enabling people to live their best lives—free from pain and restrictions.

Legend Physiotherapy Clinic has established a new benchmark for quality in the industry by its unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, earning its position as a reliable source of Physiotherapy Clinic in Surrey . Legend Physiotherapy can assist anyone on their path to optimum health and wellness, whether they are an athlete recovering from an accident, an office worker dealing with back pain, or anybody in between.

[nobuverse]

Weaknesses and Abilities ( Vampire/ Vampire the Masquerade - Nobukatsu)

Species Weakness: Ghoul

Mortals that regularly consume the blood of Vampires are often referred to as 'Ghouls'. They gain the ability to stop aging, self-healing abilities, as well as a small portion of the original vampire's powers. While they are not prone to certain weaknesses of their masters universally - such as sunlight or fire - they are entirely dependent on receiving blood at least once a month from them. They are often used as servants and an easy source of blood to their masters, as they will otherwise lose all its benefits, along with their immortality ( Withdrawal is said to be a very painful process, which can often result in death. ) While the type of skills they gain is usually fairly dependent on the blood they are given, Nobukatsu has lived as a ghoul for so long that he has a developed a set of powers unique from that of Nobunaga's. ( Although he still inherits a small part of her skills ) He will never, however, come close to reaching the true power of the Kindred of old.

Clan Weakness: Brujah

Nobukatsu does inherit some of Nobunaga's class weakness as a result of her linage. As a result, he feels emotions twice as strongly as any normal human would. This can lead him to being rather irrational or impulsive.

He does not have a particularly violent temper like many of the clan - but does hold the usual distrust towards authority.

Potence ( Rank 1 )

Lethal Body: Despite his skinny frame, Nobukatsu can generate force capable of tearing skin and breaking bones in any mortal.

Celerity ( Rank 2 )

Cat's Grace: He cannot lose his balance. An outside force would have to physically knock him off his feet. Fleetness: His hand and eye coordination is excellent. He can run faster than even other vampires not trained in this skill.

Fortitude ( Rank 4 )

Unswayable Mind: Nobukatsu is particularly strong willed, leaving him resistant against any attempt at manipulation or intimidation

Toughness: He is far more resistant to damage, in addition to sharing the universal strength of a Ghoul's regeneration when it comes to healing. He can take a great amount of punishment before he is incapacitated, including the ability to mend broken limbs - the extent of how much he is able to taken being dependent on the last time he's fed from Nobunaga.

Fortify the Inner Facade: Nobukatsu is able to detect and resist any ability to read into or otherwise control his mind. The ability of other vampires ( or other supernatural beings ) to toy with his mind is greatly handicapped, and often impossible.

Draught of Endurance: Nobukatsu's own blood can serve as a vessel for his powers of fortitude and self healing - giving him the ability to aid others through drinking his blood.

Ghoul Specific Ability: Blood Empathy

As Nobukatsu shares an usually strong bond with his master, their blood allows them to remain connected at all times. He does not have any power of telepathy; but he can sense whenever she is in danger and needs of him.

[smileteam]

Practical Steps to Take Before Removing Your Wisdom Teeth

You may consider getting your wisdom teeth extracted as a young adult. Researching and contemplating the process can be scary if you do not know exactly what is required. Hence, We have compiled all of this information in one thorough guide so that you know everything there is to know, including why they require extraction, how long recovery takes, and more!

Wisdom teeth are permanent molars that generally erupt between the ages of 18 and 22. 

Although some people have enough space for these additional four permanent teeth, many don't which may lead to possible complications such as gum disease, tooth pain, or damage to other neighboring dentitions. If you experience any discomfort associated with the growth of your wisdom teeth, you should visit a dentist who will take an OPG X-ray and prescribe extraction if necessary.

Image from iStock

After having their wisdom teeth out, most people do not experience much pain. Yet it's not unusual to endure swelling and bruising or some slight discomfort throughout the recuperation phase. See your dentist if the problem persists for longer than expected, as this could indicate a condition known as a "dry socket," which requires urgent attention!

Following recovery, guidelines are vital for a speedy recovery, and fortunately, there are simple actions you can follow! Use an ice pack to minimize swelling or discoloration for the best results. Work out your jaw by slowly opening and closing it many times per day. Consuming soft foods throughout your recovery is also beneficial; but, drinking plenty of water should be your primary focus for best success. Lastly, any medication provided by your physician will go a great way toward enhancing your level of comfort!

Aspects of Wisdom Teeth

Following undergoing wisdom teeth removal, it is advisable to wait 3-4 days before adding solid meals back into your diet. Even though this is usual, be sure to ask your dentist for any individualized advice, as each case is unique.

When it's time to eat after the removal of wisdom teeth, it's vital to be cautious! Choose soft, soothing foods like soups, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. In the days that follow surgery, gradually reintroduce your regular diet, but avoid drinking hot beverages if you are still numb from the anesthesia.

Plan to fly soon after having your wisdom teeth extracted? Your doctor should be consulted, since each scenario is unique, although it is generally advised that you wait at least 24 to 48 hours before flying.

After the wisdom teeth removal, you may be tempted to take a dip in the pool but it's recommended to wait until your body is fully recovered. While exercise should be avoided for a few days after surgery, swimming can typically be resumed as soon as you feel ready.

Like with any surgical procedure, great care must be given after the extraction of the wisdom teeth. To ensure a full and successful recovery, it is essential to wait 24 hours before cleaning the back teeth again, and then to do so carefully while avoiding the extraction site as much as possible. According to the majority of dentists and oral surgeons, using an antiseptic mouth rinse such as Savacol may provide additional healing benefits during the first few days after surgery.

Stitches don't always need to be a component of the medical healing process. They typically disintegrate on their own after a few weeks. Nevertheless, if you still have sutures that need to be removed, you can rest certain that your doctor will be present every step of the procedure to ensure everything goes smoothly! Two weeks after your dental operation, you should feel fantastic and be back to normal! If swelling or other symptoms persist for more than a week, consult your physician immediately.

Final Remarks

Wisdom teeth are permanent molars that typically erupt between the ages of 18 and 22. If the growth causes discomfort, a dentist may recommend its removal. Healing should be complete within two weeks; if symptoms persist for more than one week, consult your physician. And if you're seeking general information regarding orthodontic treatment or anything else linked to dentistry, feel free to inquire! Your physician has all the answers.

[yukidragon]

What if... Shaun had planned for Ian to cheat on Alice so he could be with her? What if Alice doesn't choose Jack and decides to be with Shaun?

If Ian finds out, he won't be happy.

Ohhhh my... Alice certainly wouldn’t be happy to find out about that.

I’ve seen that theory before about Shaun convincing Ian to cheat in order to break up the happy couple. It’s incredibly manipulative, though it would fit if Shaun is a yandere (along with possibly all the rest of the male leads) and not as nice and friendly as he presents himself. I even contemplated how Shaun (and the others) might be uniquely yandere in a previous post.

It reminds me of this lovely yandere Shaun art Sauce did on their now gone twitter. They really managed to make such a cuddly goth butterball so unsettling here...

Credit, as always, goes to Sauce for their amazing artwork. As always, I want to direct you all to the SnaccPop Studios patreon. I also want to remind folks not to repost any of the privately posted patreon content. Sauce always deserves credit and is super generous and kind to allow me to use these publicly posted pictures in my posts like this. They’re awesome and deserve all the love and support we can throw at them and the team for letting us play with such great stories and characters!

Anyway, back to the topic of Shaun being a scary manipulative yandere puppet master...

The biggest reason why Alice chooses Jack rather than Shaun is because of the connection Jack and Alice have. He has a supernatural cheat, so to speak. She’s able to feel that Jack loves her and it goes a long way helping her heal after all the pain Ian put her through.

Ian, plus years of bullying, made Alice feel like he was the only one in the world who could ever be attracted to her or love her romantically. Then he betrayed her. He left her feeling undeserving of that sort of love and affection, especially since she is choosing to “abandon” him even though he’s so sorry.

This is the biggest hurdle to overcome when it comes to Alice opening her heart to love again. Her ability to feel Jack’s love goes a long way in helping her accept his love, that he isn’t going to hurt her like Ian did, and that she is worthy of love. Without that connection, it would take a lot longer for anyone to build up that level of trust to give her the courage to try again. Shaun or any other suitor would need to rely on patience and time before she even considered romance again. We’re talking years of building up trust.

I mean... Ian spent many years building up trust with Alice only to twist and destroy it. That’s not something easy to repair, even with a supernatural booster.

Plus Shaun was gone at that point, leaving Alice to feel alone until Jack came into her life. In a way, Shaun did the same thing Ian did when he left her behind to pursue his desired career. It’s not his fault, and she certainly doesn’t equate him to Ian, but she’s still left feeling lonely.

Alice was at the loneliest point in her life when Jack appeared. He’s too good to be true in so many ways, which is another reason why Sunshine in Hell is going to be a slow burn despite his cheat power. If something is too good to be true, it probably is, after all...

As such, by the time Shaun comes back into the picture, he’s too late to be chosen by Alice. He kind of self-sabotaged by leaving her alone, though even if he stayed, Jack would be incredibly stiff competition and would have the advantage due to their supernatural bond. It’s incredibly unlikely that Alice would choose anyone else with Jack around.

I did, however, consider an alternate universe where Alice never watched the tape and wound up with Shaun in this post. It’s a slower burn romance where he eventually helps her open up her heart to the possibility of love again after years have passed. It’s pretty sweet in its own right.

Though... if Shaun was manipulating her all along, that adds quite a bitter taint to the Shaun x Alice AU... and things would certainly end in a very sour way...

If Alice found out the person she opened up her heart to after Ian betrayed her was arguably even more toxic than Ian was... that would crush her. Learning that Ian was manipulated into cheating just as a ploy to get her? She would feel dirty in a way she couldn’t forgive. It would prevent her from trusting anyone again.

Except for maybe a supernatural entity who manages to touch her heart directly with his.

Though, even then, Jack would have a harder time even with that “cheat” helping Alice heal. She was devastated after Ian. Shaun doing something like this might practically destroy her. It’s a good thing Jack would be able to understand her and is patient. His sunshine is worth all the time in the world.

But man... imagine a tangled up mess of yanderes all toying with and crushing Alice’s heart in order to possess her... That’s an even more morbid AU than the Bad End AU, IMHO.

If Ian was a yandere in this twisted AU as well, hooooo boy. That would make it even worse. Most likely someone would wind up dead in the end.

How I can imagine this twisted timeline playing out would be similar to the sweet version of the Shaun x Alice AU... only after Alice blocks Ian, that gets Ian into a panic, to push even harder to get back in touch with her. Shaun would have to continue the manipulation on both sides, to make sure Ian won’t admit the truth and that Alice will keep pushing Ian away.

If Shaun was being a manipulative chess master, he would probably try and arrange other situations to push him and Alice closer together. He wouldn’t necessarily be patient enough to wait for her to heal on her own, if she ever does. If he went to the lengths of sabotaging her relationship to get her, then he’s going to do more.

Since this version of Shaun would be the sort of person who doesn’t care if Alice or others get hurt as long as she winds up with him, even if only justifying that a “little” pain is worth a “happy ending” with him... I’m sure he would set up more situations that hurt her and make her desperately in need of love and support. Fortunately, good ole Shaun is there for her...

Love, however, isn’t something that’s easy to manipulate into growing. It relies on emotion and that isn’t an exact science. The more hurt Alice is, the more cautious she is about being hurt again. I can easily see ploys backfiring. Sure she clings to Shaun more for support and comfort as awful things happen, but with her luck being so abysmal, she would be that much more afraid of ruining what they have by changing the relationship.

Then there’s also Ian’s role in things. He isn’t sitting back and letting his relationship with Alice die so easily. He would be even more determined if he was talked into wrecking his relationship by the person who she is suddenly spending all her time with.

It would be a pretty fucked up thing if Shaun managed to toy with Alice’s life and heart like this in order to win her like a prize, and Ian won’t just idly sit still and let that happen. They would be both trying to bind her to them with the red string of fate, as it were... only poor Alice would be strangled by the red string in the process...

When Alice finds out the truth in this universe - and believe me the truth would definitely come out eventually - she would be devastated. I can’t understate how much this would hurt her and make her feel used and filthy. The poor girl would be broken. It’s the worst case scenario... and the sort of reason why she was so hesitant to try love again.

In this sort of AU, Alice would be a mess, especially by the end of the story. She would’ve been used and betrayed in the worst ways imaginable with her mind fucked up by all the emotional manipulation... not to mention all the blood, violence, madness, and death that likely would result from two yanderes facing off and fighting over her, twisting her heart to pieces.

Plus, if Shaun is the type of yandere to justify hurting Alice in order to keep her, how far would he take it? How much worse would he do to her? Would he go as far as to lock her up or cripple her? Blind her like Moon Pie and keep her in a cage? He already damaged her very badly emotionally, so who knows how far he might go...

It’s a scary thought... and more reason why I’d want Alice to play the tape before things get past the point of no return in this sort of AU.

Yes, it would be adding another dangerous yandere to the mix, but at least Jack draws the line at hurting Alice. He’s manipulative, he makes his sunshine feel good to draw her in, and he uses other unsavory tactics, but he won’t do anything she doesn’t want, and he doesn’t want to hurt her. Those are lines he will not cross.

In the end, Alice would be left broken, and Jack would have to be the one to put the pieces back together. It would take much more time for her to trust again and heal, so much more than in the normal universe, but I’m sure Jack can be patient... after he’s taken care of Shaun and Ian.

Though I imagine it wouldn’t quite be so easy if Shaun is a manipulative puppet master. He might get wise to something supernatural going on, if Alice didn’t outright tell him about Jack in this universe. I can tell you, Jack and Shaun certainly wouldn’t be friends in this AU.

I’m going to say Jack wins out in the end and eventually helps Alice heal, even if it takes a long time even with their bond... if only because this AU idea is just too depressing and dark for me otherwise.

Hurt in fiction is only fun when comfort follows, after all... and Alice is going to need a lot of comfort in a painful AU like this one.

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur 

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Dragonrider AU, Pt 3

Lena's strength is soon spent, and Kara allows her a few moments to rest against Zephyr's shoulder before scooping her back up and returning to the infirmary. Within seconds of returning to bed Lena is asleep, leaving Kara at the mercy of the healers, irate at having their patient moved without their approval.

Kara understands their ire, their concern. But no risk of infection, no exhaustion would let Lena rest without seeing her dragon. Thinking of her own Comet, whose thoughts had sung to her while Lena was with Zephyr, Kara knows in her bones that she'd made the right decision.

Even so, the visit takes its toll, as the healers predicted it would. Fever returns, albeit briefly, leaving Lena restless. This time, however, she remains conscious, and leans upon Kara for distraction.

And so she drifts in and out of sleep as Kara retells her favorite childhood stories, rich in detail and valiant in deeds. When Lena has the strength, they quietly converse, and for a moment Kara is reminded of the nights spent with her sister Alex, huddled around the fire, full of whispers and smiles.

Only this feels different somehow, as with Lena Kara feels full of awe for finally being able to speak with her secret correspondent, but also another, deeper emotion she can't quite put a name to.

Slowly, Lena heals. When the poultices are of no more use, Lena's arm is left only loosely bandaged, and a thin layer of skin soon forms to protect her wounds. It fails to replace the layers lost to the flames, or repair the muscle damaged in the heat, but it is progress. What does not change is the band of metal around Lena's neck.

The shackles on her wrists had been easy enough to remove, simple steel locked with a typical key. But the runes on the neck band not only suppress Lena's magic, but makes it impossible to remove, without so much as a seam to serve as a weak point. Short of decapitation, the magical restraint is there to stay.

"It's all right," Lena murmurs one night, when the last of the hopeful smiths has retreated in failure. "If there's any name to curse, it's my brother's."

It's small comfort to Kara.

"If not for you," Lena continues, "we would be dead. Our rescue is blessing enough."

It's these candid moments between them that leads to a deepening in their relationship. Even their proximity would do, after so long of Kara receiving nothing but whispers. But these moments of reflection puts something tangible to Kara's attachment to Lena, and leads to her belief that it may not be one-sided.

Soon, however, Kara's duties catch up with her. A summons arrives, recalling her to court to report (and answer for) her unsanctioned mission to rescue Lena. She dare not ignore them.

Kara assigns her trusted second lieutenant to watch over Lena in her stead. To ensure she wanted for nothing, and did all in his power to aid in her recovery.

"You have my word, General," James vows readily. "No harm shall come to her."

---

Months pass. Kara is remanded to court, to serve as a military advisor rather than send her back to the front. This time, Lena's words come to her via letter, delivered slowly by courier rather than by breeze. In them, Lena shares news of her healing-- of successes and failures both, and the unceasing pain that accompanies both.

Lena also assures her that she is well taken care of, even making friends with the others of Kara's devoted unit. James is especially kind, Lena reports. He ensures she wants for nothing, and is pleasant company besides.

He and Alex have even gone so far as to help Lena rebuild her strength by drilling with practice swords. It feels strange, Lena tells her, not having the use of her left arm. But it's a return to normalcy, and helps slowly improve her dexterity besides.

It's better than embroidery, at any rate, Lena jokes.

But when news of an attempted raid on the fort reaches Kara's ears, she cannot tolerate the distance any longer. With her family's reluctant permission, Kara recalls her unit to Kandor, and insists that Lena returns with them.

The journey to the capital takes weeks, slowed by the fact that Zephyr can only fly short distances at a time, hampered by his and Lena's injuries. In that time, Kara nearly vibrates with anticipation, eager to see Lena-- now a bona fide friend-- once more.

Their party crosses the bridge into Kandor on foot. A carriage bears Lena and James to the palace as their dragons follow just meters behind. When they finally arrive, Kara stands at her aunt's side to receive them in the great hall.

When Lena crests the final set of stairs leading to the dais where Kara stands, thei eyes instantly meet. A smile as bright as a million suns flashes across Lena's face at the sight of her, and Kara's heart skips a beat.

This is the Lena she imagined-- strong and full of life.

That smiles dims a moment later, when Lena jolts upon registering Kara's royal rainments and her station at Astra's right hand. Only then does Kara realize she has neglected to tell Lena that she is not only a general, but a princess of El.

Lena dips into a deep and immediate curtsy, lower even than James' pristine bow.

Without Kara even registering what she's doing, she's off the dais and reaching for Lena's hand.

"Please, rise," she urges, as whispers of shock ripple throughout the assembled crowd. "Our kingdom owes you a great debt."

Lena swallows audibly, but obeys, standing to her full height. But her gaze remains cast downwards, refusing to meet Kara's eyes in deference.

"Let us speak later," Kara murmurs quietly, so that only Lena could hear. "Privately."

Lena nods minutely, and only then does Kara lets Lena's hand slip from hers.

A cape rests stylishly over Lena's left arm, hiding it from view. But her clouded eye is unobstructed, and Kara believes this is what softens Astra when the queen finally speaks.

"Indeed," she agrees, "my niece speaks the truth of it." Astra shoots Kara a look, and Kara doesn't dare press her luck further. She leads Lena forward by the hand as she returns to the dais, reluctantly letting their fingers slip apart as she assumes her position once more beside her aunt. Lena is left to stand before the throne alone.

Though nerves keep her frame stiff, Kara notes that Lena keeps her chin high.

"With your aid," Astra continues, "a great many lives have been saved. For that we are grateful."

Lena's chest lifts with deep breath. "I only did what I believed to be right."

"Tell me," Astra demands, her tone neither sharp nor soft, carefully disaffected. "What is it you seek?"

Lena's brow furrows, and her cheeks flush. In offense, Kara realizes belatedly, though when Lena responds she gives no hint of it.

"Safety, your majesty," she says simply. "For myself and my dragon. But I do not presume I to find it here. I would not abuse your hospitality more than I already have."

Kara bristles at that, but stills at a twitch of Astra's fingers.

For a long moment, the queen regards the woman who risked all to stop her own realm, her own family, from achieving their monstrous goals. Finally, Astra's features warm in a benevolent smile.

"You may seek safety wheresoever you wish," she decrees, her voice carrying across the crowded room, "but let it be known that you are welcome to remain within our borders however long you wish, not only as an honored guest, but a cherished friend."

Lena cursies again, her shock hidden by the dip of her chin as she bobs in place. Astra extends her arm, gesturing Lena to be received by the palace chatelain.

"Welcome to Kandor."

[demonlovingsheep]

[HEADCANNON] Do y’all ever think that the bro’s wings and tails are decided base on the aftermath of the war? As in how badly they were injured? Let me explain:

Lucifer:

Isn’t it interesting that Lucifer is the only demon bro with feathered wings while others are bat like or insect like? That’s because he basically regrown his wings.

So after the war (as far as I know), Lucifer is angry angry. As a way to protest, Lucifer ripped all 6 of his angel wings and only 4 of them grew back.

People said that the reason he wears so much is to cover up the scars left from it because he isn’t very proud of it.

Result: he lost his original wings but grew new ones.

Mammon:

Mammon’s current wings is from his original 4 wings.

I’m not sure if he originally have four wings but if Asmo has 4, he definitely should have four right? (for writing purposes, Imma say all the bros have 4 wings, with Lucifer having 6)

Mammon is strong and his strength lies in speed. He lasted just as long as Lucifer did, but he cannot dodge forever.

His top pair of wings are gone, only his lower, boney and leathery one remain.

Poor baby probably took a long time adjusting to it, suffering through the pain as his wings tries it’s best to heal itself.

Result: only one pair of his original wings are left

Leviathan:

Levi lost all of his wings.

As mentioned in the story, he’s the General of the Celestial Realm’s militarily. I don’t think it’s because he was a very mean spirited general. (The opposite to his sin “envy” is “kindness,” which could be seen throughout the angel event and hinted in season three). It’s just that angels are often very arrogant and don’t like being ordered around.

In fact, due to his kindness, wouldn’t others think he is a weak general? Therefore, they would take the chance during the war to bring him down while taunting him in the process.

His wings obliterated.

It would explain why he is the avatar of envy. He envy’s others like his brother who are much more successful in their duty than him. It also makes more sense as to why he refer himself as “worthless” or “useless,” because he failed to lead. His past accomplishment, past role means nothing.

Result: no original wings left, therefore grew tail

Satan:

I think one of the main reason why he wasn’t given wings was because he was never an angel.

That or Lucifer took to much energy healing his own wings that his body didn’t have time to grow Satan’s lol.

Jokes aside, I think Satan’s tail is pretty meaningful about who he is as a person. He has everything opposite of Lucifer, an upside down copy of Lucifer’s horn and he probably say hell to the wings.

However it interest me that his tail is boney. Perhaps it reflects off of Lucifer’s injury when he rips his own off.

Or maybe he is Lucifer’s 2 wings that he never manages to grow back. Think about it, the bones of Lucifer’s wings became his tail or something, and that feather boa is made from Lucifer’s wings.

Maybe the tails is a far stretch, but think about the boa. The boa is the most odd one out of his demon form (even though his entire demon form looks like a disaster).

Result: there was no wings to begin with

Asmodeus:

Asmo has all four of his original wings.

Was the guards afraid of damaging the Jewels of Heaven? Or was it because of his charm?

Either way, he is the least injured in terms of his wings. But he still misses the way it once was.

He probably realize that people don’t love him as much as he loves everyone else. Those wings that were once opened to love everyone and anyone has now isolated it’s own use of enhancing its master’s demonic beauty.

Result: all four of his angel wings are intact

Beelzebub:

Similar to Mammon, he definitely has his lower wings remaining. Just barely.

I think he sacrificed his top pair when he shielded Belphegor from killed.

After his top wings was destroyed, his bottom half looks like it was going to go next. So instead of continuing to fight and risking both him and his twin’s life, he carried Belphegor and bolted.

That’s the main reason I think his wings wasn’t completely destroyed and that it grew back like an insect or something. They would both be dead if that was the case.

Result: only one pair of the original wings is left

Belphegor:

He was basically on the verge of death. He can’t hold on no longer and if it wasn’t for Beelzebub, he could’ve been killed.

Levi’s tail look like a lizard tail because his element is water and his tail grew adjust to it. Belphie’s tail has fluff at the end and is spiky, which is an odd choice, but if it goes the same logic as Levi, it would also be a way to adjust.

Firstly, his floof could be used as a sort of pillow to accommodate his sin of sloth. It could also be a way his body tries to comfort itself after the injury it went through.

Second of all, its deadly. If lesson 16 taught us anything, it’s that tail can choke it’s victim to death, or whip up some serious injury. It grew that way as a mean of defense, probably more than what his wings could every do.

Result: no original wings left, grew a tail instead

As a first time obey me headcannon writer, I see the thrill and pain of writing. The idea hits me at 11pm and as I finished just now, it’s 1:20am. Though it was nice, I can definitely learn and improve from this. Now where the hell is the color yellow O-O