#and ravage is like ‘ah that checks out’

[holographic-mars]

Rereading IDW and how Ravage and Co. found Soundwave and it’s lowkey really funny to me, she really just picked him up off the streets huh

[vivwritesfics]

Oscar with innocent reader? They've been dating for almost a year but she's still a little shy about going further as she's still a virgin. But one day as Oscar didn't do well in a race she decides she wants to make him feel better and finally lets him take control over her body as she's been wanting this as much as he did.

Rough Day At The Office

Warnings: smut! Eating out! Virginity taking!

18+ ONLY

Oscar lifted up her shirt, pulling off and kissing the skin along her collarbone.

She'd never gone this far before. They'd been dating for a year and this was the first time they'd done anything like this.

Y/N had spent months telling herself that they were young, that this was normal. She'd been teased endlessly at college and university, but soon Y/N had realised that their teasing didn't matter, it was about what she was comfortable with.

And then she met Oscar. Oscar, who she was pretty sure she was in love with after the third date. Oscar, who she was sure she could take things further with, if she gave it time.

After a year, the time felt right. Oscar was frustrated. He'd had a tough race and he hadn't gotten laid in a really long time (he didn't mind that, whatever made his love comfortable, but a guy could get pent up, you know?)

And Y/N could tell. And she was ready, she'd never felt more ready.

That was how she got to Oscar kissing down her stomach. Her hands gripped his hair as he kissed lower and lower, pushing up her skirts. He kissed her over her underwear and pushed it to the side.

"Oscar," she moaned softly as he touched her, felt her for the first time. He kissed her folds gently and pushed his tongue through, always being gentle with her.

Everything he did had Y/Ns grip on him growing tighter. "Oh my god," she cried when Oscar sucked on her clit.

Oscar was a very gifted man with a very gifted tongue. He ate out with vigor and passion. She'd never felt anything quite this spectalical before.

Her moans were music to his ears, literally. If he died now, he would have died happily, to the sounds of her moans, whines and cries. "I've been so excited for this," he mumbled against her thigh as he took a moment to breathe.

"Me too, Osc," she said between small breaths as she gently tugged on his hair, pulling him up towards her.

She kissed him, giggling when she tasted herself on his tongue. "We, Oscar," she said through a giggle as she yanked off his shirt.

They made fast work of stripping each others clothes off. Oscar sat in front of her, hard and proud. He watched as she reached out, touching his tip. There wasn't a lot she did, but it was enough for her first time. They could do more later.

"Ready?" Asked Oscar as he lined himself up.

Y/N nodded, her breath hitching. Slowly, Oscar pushed forward. He guided himself, moving slowly, listening to her body. When Y/N let out an 'ah' Oscar stopped, giving her a moment to adjust.

"'M gonna move," he said before he pushed in just a little further.

There was a lot of waiting and going slow. Oscar couldn't go ahead and ravage her just yet, she wasn't ready for that.

When he could begin thrusting, Oscar was still going slow. He checked in every minute, making sure she was still okay.

Slowly, Oscar began gaining speed. He squeezed his eyes shut as he thrust, Y/N's head thrown back.

She wrapped her legs around him, arms around his thick neck. "Holy shit, Oscar," she screamed as she leaned forward, biting into his shoulder.

Oscars pace became bruising, and Y/N realised she loved it. She loved it when he was being rough with her, manhandling her body like it was his.

Y/N truly loved this man. She couldn't think of anybody better to take her virginity but him

[blighted-lights]

how. how fucking hard do you have to kick a cybertronian for them to get knocked out like this. ravage gets one kick from cyclonus and is down for the count. and he spits up a LOT of energon, too. like ik cyc isn't going to pull punches here with tg's life on the line, but like. surely a kick like this leaves lasting damage. surely if rav is knocked out in one hit and spits up THAT much energon, there is some serious internal damage going on

but im sure we'll get to check in on him in the next issue and see what he thinks of the whole thing, right?

,,, ah. yeah. ravage has no mention, apperance, or speaking line in the issue directly after the lopsided triangle. he's probably wrestling with that concussion. im sure he's fine tho.

uhhhh at least we get some glit panels...? in um. grindcore. what's the little guy doin there?

[quinloki]

I Got You

Eustass Kid x fem Reader - bdsm, forced orgasms, use of good girl, squirting, drool.

Apologies for any autocorrected words, knocked this out in one go on my phone at the end of my shift ^^;

Being physically sensitive and having a session with Eustass Kid.

You’re so easy to tickle, so easy to rile up. Ever gentle touch and soft kiss sends bumps over your skin and makes you gasp. There’s nothing you can do, it’s a curse in some ways, maybe you’re a little jumpy too.

Easy to scare.

Easy to tickle.

Easy to pleasure.

Kid’s tying you into a rope dress. The soft rope feels good against your body and you wriggle a little every time he runs his fingers against your skin, checking that the rope’s not too snug.

He teases you, you accept it, there’s no defense.

“Maybe I’ll tie you down and tickle you someday.” He teases.

“Nooooo,” you whine, but it’s not serious. You won’t deny the possibility.

He grins, knowing the opportunity entices you. Especially with him, certain you’d never be able to escape. Trusting him to stop when you needed it.

Kneeling in front of you he spreads your labia apart, the action eliciting a soft rush of air from you even though you knew it was coming. He nestles the wand against your clit and you tense, wiggle, and sigh.

“Seriously?” The damn teasing tone.

“I can’t help it!”

“No aphrodisiacs for you, you’ll literally explode.” He says, delighting in your squirming as he nestles the toy securely in place. “You might not survive this.”

“I bet I’d cum without being touched.” You admit, steadying yourself against the wall.

“You’d explode.” He insists, tugging the ropes and locking the toy in place. Your cry of pleasure seems to agree with his assessment.

“You’re ready to cum already.” He grins, and you cover your mouth, nodding as you look away.

Kid stands up, looming over you so easily. The golden eyes hold your gaze for a moment before he cuffs your wrists to thick leather restraints built into the wall. The ledge had a cushion, forcing your hips forward as the cuffs kept you in place.

Your feet barely touched the floor, forced open with a spreader bar. You’re on display, and someday maybe even for a full audience.

“Look at me.” He commands and you do. There’s no pause, he clicks on the powerful vibrator and you suck in a breath, trying to curl in on yourself and unable to do so because of the restraints.

“FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUCK!” The swear is ripped from your lungs as pleasure eats you alive.

“Hurt?” He asks and you shake your head, gasping harshly again before shivering and moaning. There’s no escape, it’s tied in so well and there’s nothing you can do. Your hips being pushed forward by the ledge drive your clit into the toy and all you can do is take it.

“Say thank you,” Kid demands, looking down at you as you’re already on the verge.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank- FUCK, ah, I’m-.”

“Cum for me.”

And you do. Soundlessly. Your body too taut and too ravaged to do anything but gape up at him and tremble.

As the peak subsides you gasp, whimper, moan, pant and tremble. You can breathe but your even more sensitive and the toy is still going.

Kid grabs a fistful of your hair, it’s almost all of it his hand’s so fucking big, and forces you to look at him.

“Again.” He says, turning a dial with his prosthetic thumb and bringing the toy to a fever pitch right along with you.

Held in place you can’t thrash at all, chains rattling and cuffs creaking as your body pulls taut again. You beg, but he doesn’t relent, and the pleasure is almost too much.

Kid’s knee pushes on the toy and you snap, cumming so hard you scream and squirt, swearing and apologizing and he holds you.

“That’s my good girl. One more, Mouse. One more for me like no one else can do.” His voice is velvet and coarse rocks, heat and honey and need. His eyes are light and life like the gold of the sun and all you can do is babble as the third orgasm has you drooling and breathing in heavy ragged gasps.

Your tongue hangs out of your mouth, drool dripping from it has heavy desperate breathes scratch their way in and out of your throat. Please, you rasp, one more, please, you need it, you want it, you can’t even say it.

“I got you.” He says and hot lips devour your nipple, the extra stimulation being what you needed and your pleasure splatters on the stone floor as you squirt from the rush of pleasure that turns your muscles to mush and your bones to gel.

Cutting the toy away, releasing one arm, then the other, he has you draped over his shoulder as he unhooks your ankles. Cradled in his arms he praises you, checks on you, holds you.

You’ll come back to your senses at some point, and until then, he has you.

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

My brain is melty but something something “you want to bet on it?” Not exactly astarion and Tav but like. The rest of the camp talking about them?

Feel better soon!

A/N: This was actually a lot of fun! You didn't specify so I decided to go with Ace!Tav AKA Evie for this prompt. Hope that's okay.

Consider this a continuation of this headcanon.

Astarion x Ace!Tav (Evie) Masterlist

“You know what? I don’t think they’re fucking.”

Gale choked on his drink, following Karlach's eye line to a familiar corner.

Astarion and Evie had found their own little piece of no where, as was becoming habit with them at this point in the evening. Astarion had an arm wrapped about them and he whispered something in their ear, causing them to laugh. Astarion answered this with a playful nip of their neck which is right about when Gale averted his eyes. They were entitled to some privacy.

"My ears would beg to differ," he said, dryly. "I swear I didn't get a wink last night."

"Well that's just the thing innit?" Karlach pressed. "I mean, I can understand getting that riled up every now and again, but every night?"

"Astarion is a vampire," Wyll pointed out. "Even a spawn is liable to have higher than average...stamina."

Karlach let out a snort. "You read too much. Besides, even if that was true, doesn't stop E from being human."

"Why though?" Gale said. "What would be the point of pretending engage in such, ah...enthusiastic intercourse? I mean, we all know they're together. Why the extra show?"

"I would not be surprised if Astarion is putting on, as you said, an extra show," Lae'zel said. "He has boasted many times of his prowess in giving carnal pleasure. Not to mention, he likes to make clear what is his. Ravaging sex would accomplish both quite easily."

"Still doesn't explain E's half of all this," Karlach insisted. "It does take at least two, last I checked."

"Trust me, just two is enough," Gale grumbled. "If you want proof for yourself, I am more than happy to switch rooms."

"No good. I'm just below them."

"Oh for Gods' sake!"

"You've been oddly quiet, Shadowheart," Wyll interrupted, giving the cleric an assessing look. "Care you share your thoughts."

Shadowheart shrugged, carefully setting down her glass of wine. "I don't see what more I have to add to the conversation. You all seem set in your opinions."

"And I am curious to hear yours," Wyll pressed.

She rolled her eyes. "I think you all are putting a lot of thought into something that is frankly none of your business."

That got Gale's attention as he turned to her suspiciously. "Do you know something?"

"Nothing of importance. Besides, weren't you the one who said that some personal matters should remain personal?"

"Certainly," Gale said. "But when they are shared so openly, they can hardly be considered wholly personal."

"Well, that clenches it for me," Karlach said. "They're not fucking."

"I would be inclined to disagree, although now, I'm not so sure," Gale said, his brow furrowed in thought.

Lae'zel gave an exasperated huff. "Is it common in this realm to over analysis something as simple as mating?"

"It's extremely common," Wyll said, with a smile. "I take it that means you think they are, mating?"

"Obviously."

"Would you put money on that?" Karlach said.

Lae'zel raised an eyebrow. "A wager?"

"Sure. Ten gold says if we open the door on their room tonight, they're doing something stupid like moving furniture. And if I'm wrong, that's ten gold for you and spit in my eye."

The gith's eyes narrowed, before giving Karlach a stiff nod. "A fair wager. Although, I do not think spitting in your eye in necessary."

"I wouldn't go that far," Wyll said. "Depending what's on the other side of that door, it may be very necessary."

[hangeslefteye]

Fvckbuddies to lovers HCS for Eren and Porco (modern au?) nsfw apparently

Them because they are simply ✨THE TYPE TO✨Also this makes them my type too xDD Guess who studied their functions?? I'll be writing about these two a lot this week xD

Eren:

Someone blast Deftones xDDD

Look,Eren is the petty emotional type and not the automatic sensless fuckboy.

Considering his EMOTİONAL AF ass, if Eren is choosing this type of relationships,chances are he was cheated on previously.

Aside from trust issues he's possibly trying to forget his ex.

He's depressed af

Or maybe he thinks all women eventually cheat so he's being petty by being an asshole.

What I mean by this is no open expectations talk.

You won't know if your relationship with him is only sexual, or romantic too?

Heartbreaker type backbreaker too

İt's easy to imagine Eren sending you the cliche hook up texts/nudes at midnight -because he gets overwhelmed by his emotions especially at night- coming to your place and ravaging you just correctly.

Sex with him will be always a little angry and angsty :/

Hard to say he exactly cares about your pleasure soo...you better chase your own orgasm tbh xD

Which won't be hard to,he's naturally good at this.

Chances are he has learnt a lot from his ex and he does many things subconsciously.

Also he accidentally remembers his ex when he's with you

You will know when he thinks of them xDD

He's extra degradative and acts you completely like an escort,maybe even worse.

İnteresingly his emotional ass is the type to NEVER do some certain things with his ✨GİRLFRİEND✨

But you are not that.

You are just a simple slut for him.

Facials?Anal?Slapping?Breath choking?Threesome?Degration?

Np

You are not his girlfriend afterall.

Ah,also he's the head-pusher type.You better take it all or none.İt doesn't matter if you puke on it,better even.

And you'll get no aftercare either.

Not that he doesn't care,he does care.

But he should run back to his place before you can see him crying.Because he's emotionally WRECKED.

He's the tears after cum type :/

However his emotional ass was not designed to mindlessly fuck around.

Simply not that.

So even if he escapes from small talk and affectionate kissing,caressing,aftercare etc. he'll fall for you anyways.

İf he realises he has a thing for you,he'll go around trying to find himself an another partner(s)

He might try to avoid you in the process but he could never xD

*insert sudden emotional breakdown out of nowhere*

Congrats

You guys are officially dating now xD

He has a lot of love to give <3 Suddenly he is very thoughtful and loving.A great bf for real.

However (his) trust issues are not easy to get rid of.

He'll constantly check your phone secretly/not so secretly

He'll call/text very often when you are with your friends.

I hope you don't have a close guy friend(s) because...umm you won't have one after dating with him anyways xD

On the good side 7/24 around you

İt can take him months maybe years to trust you so you must put work into that.

Which he surely does worth the effort.

Last thing is...remember the list above?İt doesn't matter how much you want any of those he simply won't ✨disrespect✨you like that.(not that those are disrespectful he's just crazy xD)

Also he'll feel kinda guilty because he wanted some things to be more special and romantic and not random.He'll never admit tho

Adding his sexual guilt into this one,he kinda regrets the way things escalated.

But he surely knows how to make it up to you.

You guys will go to lots of random but cute dates,you get to pick wherever you want and it's done.

He does photo albums <3

He doesn't have to make EVERY MEMORY immortal but...he'll do just because he can xD

Clingy.clingy.clingyyyyy

✨Touch addiction✨

Porco:

You can blast chase atlantic with this one xD

Porco is the automatic fuckboy

Why? Because it takes him A LOT to fall in love.

He simply does not get carried away.

And of course he's in for the thrill of meaningless sex and not the boredom of relationships.

Open talk type of guy <3

He doesn't want to upset you by giving you the false signals and VERY upfront with it.

Doesn't like kissing,touching while on it but he can do it for you anyways.

He actually understands this goes 50/50 so he'll put effort into you.

Aftercare does.not.exist.

do.not.touch.him. when you are done.

Either dress up or leave or he is out of door anyways.

Also he won't see you out of bedroom and very strict with it.

İf you guys have to co-exist,he'll unsee you like you never existed in the first place.

And he's not the type to fall in love instantly after sex.

To him,sex is one thing;love is something much else.

He must know you very well for that.

Shortcut to that is:✨FUN✨

İf he can have fun with you without getting bored or feeling suffocated,eventually he'll want to know more about you.

Just ask him for a concert/party and say you want public sex xD

He looooves public for sure.

Anything risky?He's in.

1-2 maybe 3 hangouts and suddenly he just wants to dance/listen the music.He just wants to have fun and he'll accidentally forget about sex.

He knows he's fucked up when this happens xD

He wants to ghost you so bad xD

Out of nowhere his kisses last longer,he begins to touch you more,he prefers face to face positions.

I think we can all say he's either a doggy or reverse cowgirl man.

Why?

:✨ASS✨

He surely hates long eye contact too xD

And if the awkward pillowtalk hits...he's whipped

He's the type to have occasional jealousy breakdowns, in secret.

He's too prideful to admit any feelings or whatsoever.

İnstead he marks you.

Anywhere visible is just fine.

COLLARBONES!!!!Neck,thighs,chest,back...anywhere.

Outside he either lays an arm over you or gives you his jacket,hat,scarf etc.

His ✨secret✨ plan is to fall in a natural relationship pattern with you without talking about his feelings xD

From outside,he actually looks like your bf but he's too jealous to keep this going.

Eventually he'll blow up.

He'll have a tantrum about how many more men you see.

*insert feelings and the tsundere blush*

Congrats

You guys are officially dating xD

Seems distant and greatly weirded out but...

He's a kitten for sure :D

He was prolly never romantically loved/cared by someone before so...

H-hugging??

That thing is weird to him but, addicting? Like...do it again? xD

He's a kinda attention whore for you but still prideful af

He recently discovered that thing called,umm...cuddling?

Yeah that thing is not very bad xD He doesn't mind when you spoon him or lay his head to your chest etc.

Lap kitten xD *İnsert simp label*

180 degrees of turn about relationships.

Those things are actually cool?

Like,loser you don't have a gf?

But that would only last as long as he's happy/content

He's the 0 bullshit type and he wouldn't stand arguments to protect his own happiness/heart.

Also he'd want lots of space and freedom.

You can be his best friend,but he'll have other friends too.

İf he feels upset/suffocated/cornered etc. you can lose him overnight.

İf things get too routine or boring,you can lose him again.

But he won't let it get there himself.He's naturally good at creating tension anyways.

İf handled correctly he can be the best of everything <3

Enough internet for tonight I'll fix my grammer.... in the morning? xD I hope you enjoyed it <3

[sassykattery]

Rites and Rituals, Pt. 5

Well that was hot. Can I make it hotter?

CW: MC is afab, uses she/her pronouns. MC is a demon and poly. *Smut scene: monsterfucking? (Use of demon forms), voyeurism, exhibitionism, cucking (I guess?), creampie, biting. Mention blood briefly.

Themes: Romance. DiavoloxMC. LuciferxMC. Sex.

Characters: Barbatos, MC="you", Lucifer, Diavolo

Minors and ageless blogs DNI

18+ only

Enjoy

Masterlist

"Young Master, Mistress I–," Barbatos stopped short to see you and Diavolo passed out on the prince's bed, still naked and in your demon forms, both asleep. You were lying face down, leg kicked out and head laid to the side. Diavolo was partially on top of you, his head directly behind yours, nuzzling your hair.

It wasn't often Barbatos was caught off-guard like this, but he wasn't oblivious to what you and Diavolo did. It just wasn't like either of you to remain this way for long. But what Barbatos also found interesting was his reaction to seeing you in particular. There was something about your demon form he found to be extremely arousing, so quickly and quietly he shut the door, looking to find something else to occupy his time and mind until you two awoke.

There was a knock at the castle doors, so Barbatos attended to that, finding Lucifer on the other side.

"Good afternoon, looking for MC? I don't believe you have any meetings with the young lord today, Lucifer," Barbatos said, gesturing for the demon to come in.

"Indeed. She hasn't answered her D.D.D., and my brothers are driving me up the wall with some of the wedding tasks she asigned to us," Lucifer stated.

"Well, it may be a while," Barbatos said, his eyes shifting away.

"Ah, is she asleep?" Lucifer asked. "It's unusual consider– Barbatos?" Lucifer stopped when he saw the slightest hint of pink on the butler's cheeks. "What's wrong with her?"

"Go see for yourself," Barbatos stated, walking off to distract himself. Before Lucifer could ask, he was gone. So, he began to wander the castle in search of you. You weren't in the office, so he went to your suite, to which everything was still in place and your bed was still made. Finally, he had the thought to check Diavolo's bedroom, becoming slightly concerned.

Quietly, he opened the door to see what Barbatos must have seen. You two were still in the same spot, and truly, to Lucifer, you looked so beautiful like that. He approached, kneeling down next to the bed, just a foot away from your face. He reached out his hand to brush the hair away from your face, which caused you to stir, and your eyes fluttered open.

Instantly, you smiled to see your beloved, and he softly smiled back. Carefully, you detached from Diavolo and slid yourself off the bed, right onto Lucifer's lap, to where he ran his gloved hands up and down your naked back, kissing you softly.

"Hello, my love," he murmured.

"Mm, hi. What are you doing here?" You muttered back quietly.

"My brothers needed your assistance back at the House, but now I'm inclined to just stay here with you like this, my little demon," he replied, his hands wandering down to your ass and giving it a squeeze. His gaze drank in your naked demon form.

"Ah, well, I wouldn't mind, you know you're always welcome," you replied sweetly. His foxlike grin clued you in to his thoughts, so you slipped your hands under his shirt. You peaked up over the bed to see Diavolo still asleep, so you looked back down at Lucifer and attacked his mouth with your own.

*Lucifer grabbed a hold of you and gently reclined back onto the floor and rolled over to hover above you, now in his demon form, too. Quickly, both of you worked together to disrobe him and became tangled up in one another, little moans and gasps escaping. At one point his cock slipped into your entrance, and a louder moan escaped your lips, and your nails drug up his back at the pleasure.

"MC," he growled at you.

"Please," you whimpered, arching your back. He dove down to ravage your neck, thrusting into you faster.

"I've got you, dove," he muttered. He brought his lips back to yours, both your tongues lashing out at one another. Breaking the kiss, his eyes raked over your appearance, the haziness flooding your gaze, the redness of your cheeks.

His hands grabbed your thighs to bring them up and wrap your legs around his hips. Never having tried this with you, he reached up and gently grasped your horns near the base. You gasped and writhed, tightening your legs around his body, refusing to let him go.

"You like that, sweetness?" He whispered. Tears formed at the corners of your eyes, and you nodded. His hands released them only to graze his fingers from the tip of your horns all the way down to where they met your scalp. A more pitiful and needy whimper escaped your lips as your eyes rolled back, wings tensing up and feathers standing on end.

"Mm, now that's sexy," Diavolo said from his perch on the bed. Lucifer side-eyed the prince. He was laying chest-down on the bed near the edge to watch you both, propped up on one elbow, chin held on his palm.

You registered that Diavolo had spoken, but it was far away as all you could think about were the volts of dazzling pleasure rolling down your spine as Lucifer ran his thumbs over the apex of your horns, right on the ridges, causing you to purr. No, not quite like a domestic feline, more like a cheetah, where your whole body vibrated below Lucifer.

Finally, you managed to look up through half-lidded eyes, glancing over at Diavolo, who smiled as you gazed at him. Lucifer quickly grabbed your chin with one hand, snapping it back towards him. "Eyes on me, pretty demon," he demanded, thrusting into you harder to get your attention, to which you gasped at the sensation. Your hands gripped onto his biceps, fingers digging into his flesh.

"That's it, darling, focus on who's making you feel so good," he mused. "In fact, say my name," he ordered.

"Lucifer," you whispered.

"Louder, let me hear your pretty voice," he demanded. Your blush deepened, feeling a touch embarrassed at his command. He saw your hesitation and smirked. "What? You don't want to moan my name in front of him?"

"Go on, darling, stroke his ego," Diavolo mused, watching you. You wanted to look back at him again, but you did your best to keep your eyes on the demon fucking you.

Lucifer reached back and forced one of your legs onto his shoulder, and then leaned forward to deepen the penetration.

"Ah! Lucifer!" You wailed as he hit your g-spot relentlessly.

"That's it, dove, just like that. You sound for pretty like that," Lucifer groaned. He ducked his head down to your ear and whispered, "Now, look at him and scream it while I make you cum."

Your eyes went wide, and he brought your other leg onto his shoulder, pressing your knees back into your torso as he bullied your cervix. Tears began to fall from the stimulation, and a choked, broken sob escaped your lips as you looked over at Diavolo finally.

"Luu-ci-feeer," you cried. Diavolo just watched in awe and a smirk, holding your gaze. The demon fucking you buried his face in your neck, biting into the crook of it as he came apart on top of you. He continued to thrust through your mutual orgasms, carrying you through as he filled you with his warm desire, so much that it was already leaking back out. Your hands dug into his shoulders, your nails beginning to draw blood as you clutched him as tightly as possible. His bite, similarly, nicked into your skin, red drops sliding onto his lips and tongue.

Moments after your climax released you, you still clung onto Lucifer, burying your face into his neck.

"Are you alright?" He whispered into your ear.

"Tired," is all you whispered back. You returned back to your regular form, feeling rather weak.

*Gently, his hands went under your back, and with his core strength, he sat up on his knees and then stood to his feet while you hung on koala-style. And then carefully, he placed you back on the bed. He unhooked your limbs from his body and withdrew from you, leaving to clean himself up.

Diavolo scooted over to you and kissed your temple. Unable to speak, you simply rolled over and cuddled up to him.

"Did we wear you out?" He asked quietly. You nodded. Lucifer returned and joined you two on the bed and then pulled you back over to himself.

Diavolo frowned, but Lucifer retorted, "You had your time with her. However, I do believe Barbatos was... bothered by something, you may want to look into that."

"Barbatos?" Diavolo asked. Lucifer recounted what was said before he found you both. Diavolo left you two to get dressed and investigate.

---

Elsewhere in the castle, Barbatos furiously worked in the kitchen, doing anything to distract himself. He ended up creating a three-course meal enough to feed twenty people by accident, and when he looked around at what he'd done, he sighed.

"Hm, the last time you did this was when MC was nearly killed by lower demons, and you ended up making enough of your signature cake, even Beel didn't finish it, so what's troubling you this time?" Diavolo asked from the doorway.

Barbatos stared at the kitchen counter, combing through his thoughts.

"I wish you would have just told me that's how you felt," Diavolo stated at the lack of an answer.

"Surely, I don't know what you speak of, my lord," Barbatos replied coldly, retrieving plates.

"I knew you loved her, but I'm a tad surprised you desire her," Diavolo stated.

"It doesn't matter," Barbatos replied, keeping his voice even.

Diavolo crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Surely, you know I'd disagree with that. You haven't desired anyone in millennia, Barbatos."

"My lord, it doesn't matter, because how I feel only comes secondary to how you feel, and that is how it must be," Barbatos answered, a tad tense.

"I would think after all these years, you still wouldn't hold that opinion. I care very much about how you feel," Diavolo replied, softening. "I assume she doesn't know."

"No, and she won't," Barbatos stated, finally facing the prince and halting his work.

Diavolo's eyes widened. "You saw something, didn't you?"

Barbatos' eyes glittered with hints of emotion. Diavolo approached, standing on the other side of the kitchen island counter. "What was it?" The prince inquired.

"The last time you asked me to look at her present timelines, yes, I saw something. Sometimes, she reciprocates. Sometimes, she doesn't. In any case, she already has you and the eldest Avatar and holds the attentions of every other beast or being in all three realms. Surely, I don't need to add to her list of concerns," the butler quipped.

"You're worried she'll reject you?" Diavolo pressed further.

"My lord," Barbatos finally warned, "she is betrothed to you and Lucifer. Surely neither of you are interested in creating an even more complicated situation."

"You never asked if we were," Diavolo pointed out. "So, I assume that means we rejected the idea in other realities." He paused for a moment. "Barbatos, you've served me well over the years, I think the least I could do is offer you the chance to get something you want. I'll talk with Lucifer, and maybe you can find out for yourself," he said before turning to leave the butler to his thoughts.

Barbatos was rarely shocked, but he found himself rather nervous at the prospect of confessing himself to you like that.

---

"Is she asleep?" Diavolo asked from the doorway to the bedroom. Lucifer nodded, still cradling you. "Let's talk in my office."

Begrudgingly, Lucifer released his hold on you carefully, and left you to sleep as he got dressed again and followed the prince.

Diavolo smirked as he sat at his desk.

"This should be good," Lucifer mused, seeing the prince's reaction.

"You know Barbatos loves MC, yes?" Diavolo inquired.

"I'm aware," Lucifer replied, unsure of where this was going.

"It seems as though he also has other feelings."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, "Other?"

"He desires her," Diavolo clarified.

"And what do you make of that?" Lucifer asked, a little unenthused.

Diavolo's smirk deepened. "I know you're not fond of sharing MC, however, I do think she may hold some amount of the same feelings. Or, at least, a version that is maybe a little more subdued."

"I think I'd like to know how MC feels about it before going too far with the idea. But does he merely want to spend time with her, or...?" Lucifer trailed off.

"I'm not certain. Barbatos hasn't been interested in anyone in at least a thousand years, so I'm not even sure what he would want out of a relationship at this point. But he made it clear that in other realities, sometimes she accepts his feelings, other times not, as well as sometimes we do and don't reject the idea," Diavolo replied, deep in thought.

"I see. Well, as we agreed, whatever makes MC happy, I'm fine with, but yes, I will admit I'm not fond of sharing her more than I have to," Lucifer stated, slightly uneasy. "I suggest we talk with Barbatos and then MC, to get a better idea of the situation."

Diavolo nodded. "Agreed."

---

Thanks for reading! <3

Post made by sassykattery. Do not repost. Reblogs and comments appreciated.

Tags: @delphi-dreamin @bite-sized-devil @itsmeninerz @themythicaldisaster @obeymediasimp @flemmingbamse @marvelous-maniac @frozengoldie

[ghost-proofbaby]

She knows him. She doesn’t know how or why. But she swears it on her life, she knows this pale elf.  She can’t explain the echoing hollow ache that rings out at the up-close sight of him any other way. She knows him, knew him, and had somehow lost him.

summary: aruna meets gale. aruna meets shadowheart. but, somehow, none it matters - they're not astarion, and she's beginning to think this astarion doesn't exist.

wc: 5.3k+

warnings: continued memory loss, more canon violence/gore. a lot of gameplay recount. spoilers for the game below (act 1, ravaged beach).

a/n: anyone else fail that perception check when meeting astarion? just me? that's cool. i can't even be mad when a pretty boy holds a knife to my throat. also, if some of this isn't 100% game accurate/lore accurate, do not come for me. we're here for a good time! not an accurate time!

masterlist | previous chapter | next chapter

Aruna and Astarion. Astarion and Aruna. Aruna – Astarion. 

She echoes the two names in her mind an impossible amount of times. The one name, her name, clicks right into place for her. It makes sense. Her name is Aruna, there’s not a single doubt within her regarding that. And even if there had been, she’s already laid claim to it – she’s already introduced herself to the two strangers she’d managed to stumble upon on the beach as such. 

Shadowheart and Gale. Kind souls, a bit guarded but fair given the circumstances. They share a common affliction, one that Aruna hadn’t even noticed in the daze of her awakening on the beach – a worm in their heads. Literally. 

And she should be pondering more about how odd that is, all the squirming in her brain that she can feel, the way that she managed to connect telepathically with both of these strangers upon running into them, but she isn’t. 

Because, apparently, according to this mysterious letter addressed to her, she’s supposed to save Astarion. And neither of them are Astarion. 

Who the hell is Astarion? 

Maybe it could be one of her new companions; either of them could have lied regarding their name easily. But she had seen into their minds, and they had proven trustworthy so far. Hell, Gale was even offering to cook some sort of dinner for all of them in their current makeshift campsite they had chosen. A clearing in the edge of the woods, not too far from the beach, but certainly not wandering any further than necessary into the unfamiliar grounds they’ve found themselves crashed onto. They’d snagged some bedrolls out of random chests discarded by the crash (they had all doubted the previous owners were even still alive), made a makeshift fire pit in the center of the clearing, and declared it home – for now. 

It didn’t feel like home. Felt the furthest from home Aruna could have possibly been, and she didn’t even remember where her home was. Or if she had one before all of this. 

“What have you got there?” Gale asks casually from where he stands over the dinner he was scrounging together, pulling Aruna away from all her stubborn thoughts.

They had turned one of the fallen trees into a bench of sorts. Waist level and the perfect place for him to carefully cut up mushrooms they had found along their way with a stolen knife they’d secured. It was the beginnings of a home, gut feelings aside. 

“Hm?” Aruna hums, looking up from her palm, closing it on instinct, “What?” 

Gale stops all movement, eyes narrowing in her further at her closed fist, “The stone you’re holding. Did you find it during our travels?” 

Ah. The stone. One of two items she had found in the mysterious pouch on her body. She’d been mindlessly flipping it between her hands, fingers sliding over the smooth surface as she had studied it. Her investigation had proven half useful when she’d realized there was a carving on the flattest surface of the stone – a  crescent moon, just like one of her daggers. 

She could be honest. But for some reason, she feels protective over the stone. Especially after noticing that carving, “Oh, yeah. Saw it on the side of the road and it looked pretty unique. I’ll probably toss it away when we start back up on the road tomorrow.” 

Like Hells will I be letting it out of my sight. 

She doesn’t know much, frustratingly so, but she knows that this unusual stone is not the kind you would stumble upon on the road. Gale clearly knows as much as well, looking entirely unconvinced as they suddenly stare each other down in silence. 

He’s giving her an opportunity to be honest. As if she owes him the truth. 

“It’d be a shame to get rid of such an… unique stone.”

It would be. And he clearly believes it’s far more than a stone. But it only makes her fingers curl far more tightly around the opal, feeling the rough edge of the moon pressing into her skin. 

“Maybe I’ll sell it,” she shrugs, trying to put up an act of indifference, “It looks pretty enough to earn a decent amount of gold, right?” 

As if to prove her point, to further sell this careless act, she lets her hand fall back open. The moon carving is safe against her palm and out of sight, and the stone glimmers in the moonlight. 

“Looks like it would be worth more than just a bit of gold,” Gale says, taking a few steps closer to get a better look. On instinct, Aruna nearly bristles. “That- Are you aware of what that is-”

“Is dinner done?” Shadowheart interrupts with perfect timing. Her distraction lets Aruna quickly move to shove the stone away back into her pouch, having no interest in some sort of lecture from Gale. 

She doesn’t know what it is. But it’s hers, and his hungry eyes on the small artifact are enough to tell her to keep it far away from him. 

“Pardon me?” Gale blinks a few times, taking longer than a normal person might to register Shadowheart’s questions. He’s still focused on Aruna’s hand that now rests emptily against her lap. “Oh! Oh, no. Not quite. Sorry, my hungry friends. Just a few more minutes. It won’t be much but, it’ll be something. Excellent fuel to continue our search for a healer tomorrow, I assure you.”

Shadowheart says something more as she takes a seat on another makeshift bench they’d set up, and Gale responds with ease this time, but Aruna has tuned them both out. 

He’s probably right. Tomorrow, they need to find a healer. She needs to worry more about the worm in her head. She needs to reassess her priorities.

But it’s awfully hard when not only that stone, but that letter burns a hole in her pack, and she’s dreadfully aware that as kind and oddly trusting these people have been given their current situation, neither of them are Astarion.

And the letter said to save Astarion. Not Shadowheart, not Gale, not even herself. But Astarion. 

—

“So, what were your lives like before this entire mess and impending doom of ceremorphosis?”

Gale is a chatty traveling companion. Aruna learns this quickly when they wake the next morning and gather their packs, and she’d even had half the mind to begin a map of sorts so she can mark their camp and the surrounding areas they’ve already explored on it. All her sketches, trees and scribbles to depict the Nautiloid crash, are abysmal at best. But it’s something. If they can just be smart, if they can just be aware of their surroundings, they might be able to continue to call their perfect clearing home. 

Besides, none of them really wanted to continue to carry every single thing they had gathered thus far in their packs. 

Whatever they left surely is at risk of being found by others wandering, and they could be robbed blind of any supplies left behind, but Aruna is just glad for the lack of an ache in her back as she adjusts her pack. 

Shadowheart nearly trips over her steps, as if not expecting the question and clearly panicking over what to say, but Aruna decides to speak up first.

“I can’t remember,” she says plainly, monotonous as she continues to confidently stride forward. They’re nearly back to the main path they had discovered, and something is tugging her back in the direction of that damned beach. 

Shadowheart trips again, and this time, Aruna truly can’t tell if it’s due to shock or simply not watching where she was going in her effort to keep up. 

“What?” Gale chuckles under his breath, as though Aruna’s told a joke. He’s keeping pace with her fairly impressively, “I know this entire journey thus far has been fairly startling, but a symptom of ceremorphosis is not memory loss. Surely, you remember at least where you’re from.” 

“I don’t,” Aruna finally slows, letting Shadowheart fall into place on her right as she faces Gale, “I… I have no memories from before the ship. I must have just hit my head exceptionally hard, or maybe that worm is digging around in places in my brain that it isn’t in yours.” 

It’s a bold show of trust. She should feel more resistance towards laying out her troublesome internal quarrel so plainly to Gale, but she doesn’t. It’s almost as easy as fiddling with her daggers by the campfire, or mindlessly flipping around that stone in her pack. 

She should trust him, shouldn’t she?

Yes, something screams inside of her. The thing she felt locked up inside of her finally finds its voice, it seems, as it calls to her, you should trust him. Trust him with all that you have. 

The issue, of course, is that Aruna doesn’t have much. Material-wise nor of internal self. 

She has daggers. She has a pretty stone. She has a tarnished ring. She has a name. She has instructions to save Astarion, whoever that elusive bastard may be.

She doesn’t have much to offer. To trust with. 

“How very interesting,” Gale murmurs as he looks at her with nothing but unbridled curiosity, “Well, as I said, it’s not a symptom of ceremorphosis. As far as I’ve read, at least.”

Aruna eyes him wearily, instinct to trust be damned, “Yes, you seem to do a lot of that.” 

He throws his head back in a laugh and- why does it pull on her heartstrings like something of recognition? Why does something about this very moment all feel so familiar? 

The deja vu nearly makes Aruna sick, Gale completely unaware as he says, “Reading? Why, yes, I do. A hungry mind is crucial to surviving this world, I’ve found.” 

Why is his laughter so familiar? Why does it spark a flicker of warmth in her chest, as though he’s some old friend she’s shared endless laughs with while gathered around a fire? 

It terrifies her. 

It was different, inanimate objects holding that flame of warmth and unlocking pieces of her. Daggers carved with nighttime symbols and a stone to match don’t scare Aruna; real people that she might have real history with do. 

“I’m sure your hungry mind is very happy, then, having been fed a worm worthy of a feast,” she tries to say it snappily, but it still all comes out a bit flat. 

And Gale only laughs more – Gods, she wishes he would stop, so that the waves of a memory she can’t catch will finally recede – and it’s clear he’s not affected by her defenses. 

He finally tilts his eyes back forward, trained on her, a ghost of a smile still lingering, “Ah, well, not quite. I prefer feasts of words, of knowled-”

“You know what else is crucial to surviving this world?” Shadowheart interrupts, shifting her weight from one foot to the other in a clear sign of her losing patience, “Finding a healer, and getting rid of the worm. Shall we carry on?” 

Aruna shares a final glance with Gale, and can’t help but also find the corners of her mouth twitching up, a mirror to his own. For the first time in several days, it almost feels as though she might have a friend. The exact opposite result of what she had intended by trying to be particularly sharp and even a bit sarcastic, but she doesn’t fight it. 

Instead, she nods to Shadowheart, and Gale motions for her to take the front as he bows, “Lead on, as you were.” 

Gale is not Astarion. She has no instructions to save him. And yet, she can’t help but feel her defenses are too weak, given the way he’s beginning to crack them with so few prods. Maybe his inquiry regarding her stone had been in genuine curiosity, a hungry mind as he had put it. Maybe he’s just trying to be friendly. Maybe he has good intentions after all. 

Maybe she does know him, and maybe her letter had just forgotten to add another crucial reminder.

Maybe she’ll add it when she gets back to camp. 

She can see it now, as if the words have already been solidified by pen to paper: P.S.S DO NOT FORGET TO FIND A FRIEND IN GALE. 

—

Shadowheart is far from amused when Aruna leads them back to the beach. Yet, to be fair, it’s hers and Gale’s fault for following her so blindly.

She knows there’s no healer on the beach. But something is calling her back to it. 

“The-” Shadowheart starts the moment the sand comes back into view. Trailings of sand mingle with the dirt below their feet, “We’re back on the beach? Haven’t we already established that there’s no healer on this ravished thing?” 

“Good name for it,” Aruna whispers more for herself than her companions, considering adding that to her map when they retire for the night. She turns to face Shadowheart and forces a smile. A kind, disarming type of look in hopes that the girl will just trust her, “Call it a gut feeling. I just feel like we missed something here.” 

“A gut feeling? We’ve already looted all the corpses. What more could there possibly be?”

“We only checked one side of the beach.”

“Yes, because to get to the other side, we’ll have to go through the damn crash rubble. Filled with those- those brain things.” 

“There’s three of us. I have faith.”

“I-”

Gale’s head turns back and forth, bouncing between the arguing girls. He seems perfectly content to add any commentary, almost at ease with the current argument, until Aruna’s hand moves to her hip.

Aruna is quick to pull a dagger from one of her sheaths. Immediately, all relaxed state of being drains from Gale, him paling and stepping forward to finally insert himself between them, “Woah, now! I don’t think there��s any need to-”

“I’m not going to stab her, Gale,” Aruna huffs. Shadowheart doesn’t look very convinced as Aruna focuses on her once more, dagger still hovering up in their line of sight, “I was trying to make a point – we have weapons. Gale has magic. And you’ve said you’re a cleric, which means you can heal. I doubt those ‘brain things’ – devourers, by the way, is the correct term – will even lay a claw on us between all our varying skill sets. If you don’t want to go to the other side of the beach, then don’t. I can’t force you. But you’ve both put your faith in me this far, what harm can a little more do?” 

The speech works. She doesn’t expect it to. She expects them to laugh at her, or walk away from her, or for Shadowheart to even start a proper fight. 

They don’t. 

They follow her right into danger, no hesitation. The wizard she’d saved from a portal in some cliff-side rock and the cleric she’d awoken on the beach when she’d stumbled upon her, faithful to her to a damaging fault. Even when the intellect devourers do attack, just as Shadowheart had worried they would, neither utter a single word so much as sounding like the well-deserved ‘I told you so’. 

They just use their skill sets. The very ones Aruna had pointed out. Her daggers, Shadowheart’s cleric artillery, Gale’s infallible spells – they use them for all they’re worth, until each of those brains are unrecognizable on the ground. 

And best (or possibly worst) of all, Aruna discovers something new about herself.

Her magic. 

She hadn’t even been sure if she held any useful skills beyond being decently good with her daggers thus far, but as one of those brains had trampled towards her, she had felt it. A warm hum beneath her skin, erratic and wild as can be, begging for release. 

Release it, she did. The final brain falls from the power of the fire bolt that flies from her fingertips, not even leaving her so much as marked. 

Gale notices immediately, Shadowheart still scoping out the area for any more enemies. 

“A fellow magic wielder, it seems,” he grins, motioning vaguely to her hands, “Now, if only we knew what kind.” 

What kind? 

“If you have no memory of your life before the ship, I’m correct to assume you aren’t very knowledgeable in the boundaries of your magic, yes?” She hadn’t even realized she had said the thought out loud until Gale is in front of her, still rambling, a light of intrigue in his eyes, “There’s wizards such as yours truly,” he pauses, and motions over himself in flourish, “As well as warlocks. Those, however, usually answer to a patron. So unless you’ve had any strange callings to any great deities over the last few nights… well, it’s off the table, I suppose.” 

“I haven’t,” she croaks, still looking down at her fingertips in shock. Magic. She still feels it now. Probably could have felt it this entire time, had she not been so distracted by the tadpole, the headaches, the memory loss. It’s fluid and tangible, something bursting through her veins for her taking, “I- What would that even feel like?”

“You’d know,” Gale says most assuredly, “Trust me. Besides, your patron probably would have already found you by now.”

“So, I’m a wizard?” 

Gale is quick to shake his head as Shadowheart walks back over to them, “Not necessarily. It’s certainly an option, and would make you a magic wielder who learned their knowledge of the Weave through studies. But there’s also other possibilities – sorcerers, paladins, clerics. They all have the ability to wield some magic. Druids, too, although theirs are usually more of the healing nature. And, well… the nature variety in general.” 

All words that make little sense to Aruna. She gives it a moment, waits to see if her muddled brain might catch up and offer her a little help in understanding, but it’s all in vain. 

“I should know these things,” she whispers, so quietly that both Gale and Shadowheart have to lean in to hear her small tone. It’s the first time she’s openly shown such emotion with them – something like devastation, laced with frustration. The inability to remember, to know, as they do. “Even if my memories of my life before this evade me, I should know these things.” 

Shadowheart speaks up in a tone unlike any other she had used on their journey, “They might still return to you yet, or there might be a greater reason for it all. Don’t give up hope.”

“And if they don’t return to you,” Gale interjects, the air of casualty returning to him as he gives a lopsided grin, “Well, I can always teach you about it all. I have books back at camp.” 

“You have books?” Out of all the things just said, it was probably the most odd for Aruna to latch onto, but she still looks at him befuddled, “Where in the Hells did you just get… books on all this? Did you loot them off of-”

“Bag of holding,” he answers as though it was obvious. 

Great. Awesome. A bag of holding. Because Aruna totally knew what that was. 

“Let’s just keep moving,” she moves on, letting it go. Maybe she’ll take him up on his offer, maybe she won’t. If anything else, she’ll just inquire more about whatever the Hells a bag of holding is later on, back at camp, “I can see the other side of the beach over there.” 

It’s Shadowheart and Gale’s turn to exchange a look, and slowly but surely, it’s feeling as though more than just the tadpoles in their mind are connecting them. Threads are being spun, small connections that are painfully mundane yet easily connecting these three strangers. They could all be friends, if they really wanted to. It might even make their survival a little bit easier. It might make their travels a little lighter.

Aruna can worry about friendship once she’s found Astarion, though. The faceless stranger mentioned in passing on a letter, the one person she’s been tasked with saving.

She doesn’t even know who he, or she, or they are. This mysterious name – it really means nothing to her. All she has to reasonably cling to it is that ridiculous letter. If she were to confide in her two companions about it, she’d probably get an earful, and truly be abandoned. They wanted to seek out a cure to the imminent danger within their heads, and she was sending them on a wild goose chase for Astarion. 

Does this Astarion even have a tadpole as well? Is that how she’s meant to save them? And if they don’t, does that mean that they’ll help her with her issue first, and then she saves them? 

Does she have to save them in order to rid herself of the tadpole? 

It’s all giving her a headache by the time their group of three is slowly walking up the slope of the sliver of beach they’ve discovered, taking small yet sturdy steps along the side of the crashed ship. Gale, thankfully, has stopped his nervous rambling (because, Aruna realized, that’s what it was. His nerves, controlling his tongue endlessly, trying to fill the dreadful silence for even the smallest bit of comfort. It almost makes her feel bad for being grateful for the quiet).

She must have been thinking about her questions hard enough for some mysterious power out in the Universe to hear her, however. Because they’d hardly been walking for a few minutes, she’d hardly been left to all her confusion and cursing of the damn name for such little time, when she sees him. 

Him. Decent height, pure white hair, pale skin that is nearly blinding in the harsh sunlight. 

Him. With eyes so red, she can see them from this distance. They almost match the shades of crimson that haunt her nightmares. 

Him. Who is currently, pathetically, calling out for help. 

“What the-” Shadowheart begins. And Aruna doesn’t notice it, but she starts to reach out to grab the elf by her elbow before she’s beginning to dart up the hill, falling right into the trap. 

Both of her companions, Shadowheart in her guarded glory and Gale in his perpetual state of anxiety, can’t even stop her. Neither dare to breathe out a word as she approaches the pale elf, but she can feel their disapproval as she comes up beside him. 

“You,” he breathes out, half crouched, eyes darting towards the bushes, “Hurry. I’ve got one of those brain things cornered,” he turns and points towards the bushes, assuming where the said brain thing has been lured, “There, in the grass. You can kill it, can’t you? Like you killed the others.” 

She should have been smarter. She should have been more perceptive. She should have heard Gale’s deep breath as he prepared to warn her against getting any closer. 

But she wasn’t. 

She’s a damned fool, a lamb to the slaughter, as she nods and whispers out an immediate, “Of course.” 

There’s no brain thing that has been cornered. The only thing that has been lured is Aruna; one moment, she’s leaning in to get a closer look into the bushes, and the next, a wild boar is skittering out. 

That’s not what catches her off guard.

The blade to her throat is what does it. Quickly, with unsettling ease, before she feels the elf’s arms wrapping around her and bringing them both down to the ground. 

Oh, fuck me. 

He has her trapped. She knows it, he knows it, and both her companions know it. She was an idiot and got exactly what was coming for her. 

All her survival instincts kick in immediately, causing her to trash in his arms, a painful whine coming out as she can feel the cold metal digging deeper into the delicate skin of her neck. 

And all the pale elf does is shush her gently, “Sh, sh, sh, sh. Not a sound. Not if you want to keep that darling neck of yours.” 

His words do little to deter her. He starts to argue with her companions who have finally come to their senses, keeping a safe distance all while spilling out carefully calculated threats to the stranger, but she can’t hear them over the blood rushing in her ears. One hand feebly grabs onto his that is wrapped around the hilt of the dagger, the other reaching for his elbow. She tries to tug the weapon away from her, but he’s strong. It’s a fruitless battle. 

Aruna swears she hears Shadowheart insist she needs her alive. Gale saying something regarding the way he’ll make the elf regret it if he brings Aruna any harm. She can’t be sure. 

The longer his steady grip on her shoulder lingers, the more familiar it begins to become. His leg, trapping both of hers so that she can’t kick out of his grasp, is also familiar. Familiar, familiar, familiar. 

His lips are moving as he stares up at her companions, but it’s only once his eyes narrow back on Aruna that her heart slows and she can hear him properly once more. 

“Now,” he nearly purrs, voice low, dangerous, “I saw you on the ship, didn’t I?” 

She presses her lips together tightly, still trying to maintain her struggle to get out of his grasp. Her teeth grit from the effort, arms shaking violently. 

“Nod,” he commands, nearly condescendingly, and synapses fire off in the darkest corners of her brain. 

I know that voice. 

She almost feels as though she has no control over her body as her head nods on instinct, blade dropping from her neck to her chest now. 

“Splendid. And now, you’re going to tell me what you and those tentacled freaks did to me.” 

I know that voice. 

The same thing deep within her chest that had unfurled at the sight of Gale’s laughter, that had called her to the beach, that had lit up with recognition at the sight of her daggers – it’s wide awake now. Staring through her eyes at his own rubies, tracing every outline of every wrinkle, every curve, every imperfection. She knows his voice. She knows him. 

It weeps at the sight of him, and she has no idea why. The same strings that clench when she reads over her letter, when she let her eyes trace over the words ‘My dearest Aruna’ and the heavily underlined name of Astarion, are now pulled taut. 

She knows him. She doesn’t know how or why. But she swears it on her life, she knows this pale elf. 

She can’t explain the echoing hollow ache that rings out at the up-close sight of him any other way. She knows him, knew him, and had somehow lost him.

Her lack of an answer clearly irritates him, but he’s cut off by whatever quip he had perched on his tongue by the sudden connection. She doesn’t understand it, whether it be due to the new rolling thunder of the most intense deja vu she’s experienced yet or if it were a simple side effect of the tadpole, but each connection via the tadpole has become more painful. More intense. 

She’d first noticed the difference between it happening with Shadowheart versus Gale. 

And now, she notices it an impossible amount with this stranger. 

It’s nauseating as their minds connect, sharp and quick as if their two brains had been laying in wait for this very moment. It feels as though it goes beyond the tadpoles, beyond their shared affliction and terrible predicament. 

She sees bustling taverns and lively night streets, yes, but there’s something more there. Something missing. She’d felt it with Gale as well, an emptiness neither of them could seemingly unlock. But with this one, it’s far more intense than it had been previously. Like gaping wounds being presented to her, interspersed with the exchange of both his memories and… well, the lack of hers beyond the Nautiloid ship, she sees gaps. Spaces to be filled. Questions to be answered. 

I know that voice, the thing in her whimpers, I know this man. 

She doesn’t even care to hold onto the memory. She lets it slip away, wishing the pain would, too. 

But it lingers. 

Not just for her, but for him as well. His grip entirely loosens on her as he winces, a soft gasp falling from his lips as he begins to question, “What was that-”

She doesn’t care to listen to his question. In an instant, she’s pulled away, rolling out of his reach before standing steady on both feet. The pain leftover from the connection fuels her as she holds a hand out, and her magic thrums steadily with her heart as electricity crackles in the palm. 

Neither Gale nor Shadowheart make a single move as she holds out that palm, watching the elf’s every moment as he also rises to meet her. But he’s no longer hostile, hand holding his dagger now limp as he lets it rest at his side. 

“You’re… not one of them,” he says slowly, shame briefly flickering over his features before being replaced with something more despairing, “They took you. Just the same as me.” 

Her fingers shake in front of her as blue bolts continue to flicker amongst them, forming spasming webs between her knuckles. She could obliterate him, if she wanted. Right here, right now, she finally has the upper-hand. 

But she doesn’t. And in her hesitation, she can see him still reeling just as she was from their connection. She swears she can hear the pounding in his head syncing to hers, perfectly in time with one another.

The thing inside her claims to know him, but she doesn’t even know his name. 

I know him. Don’t hurt him. 

She sort of hates that internal dialogue. That true monster inside of her that had been the reason she hadn’t hesitated in her running to his rescue. It was the reason that she’d ended up with a knife against her throat, and she’s praying it’s not the reason for her death as she listens and closes her hand into a soft fist, releasing the hold on her magic momentarily. 

He watches her do it. His face relaxes, a charming smile gracing it now instead. 

“And to think, I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. My sincerest apologies.” 

She highly doubts just how sincere that apology is, but she’s unphased all the same. 

“Apology accepted,” she sighs, swiping her palm on the side of her now dirty pants. Somewhere beneath the dust she’s now covered in, there’s blood from the intellect devourers, but that’s a problem for tonight. Not now, “I would have done the same thing.”

No, I wouldn’t have. From the very first moment I saw you, all I wanted to do was help. Every instinct in me screamed to help you. 

She’s lying, but she really doesn’t care that she’s lying. He has a tadpole. He can join them. She doesn’t care.

Back in the forefront of her mind, even ahead of the damned tadpole and the need for a healer, the need to keep them all alive, her brain is back to whispering of this Astarion. The quicker she carries out this predictable conversation, the quicker they can get back on the road. And the quicker she can find whoever Astarion is-

“I’m out of wine and flowers, so I hope an introduction will suffice,” his blood-red eyes meet hers, and something in her gut twists. As if she already knows. As if she’s just realized that she’s missed the obvious. “My name is Astarion. I was in Balder’s Gate when-”

Astarion. Save Astarion. Astarion. 

All the breath leaves her lungs as she interrupts, “You’re Astarion?”

[rainingstorms1220]

dew upon the yew tree.

... The first chapter of it, at least! Just like Relic (which you should check out if you haven't, under my Stormbringer tag—check pinned ;3), this was for an assignment, so I decided to write about Nada from my Personas story Five Times the Weather~ Things are subject to changes since this was more experimental than anything, but I hope you still enjoy!

This is a story about two siblings! I have another assignment piece in the works regarding the other sibling, Yves, so I'll post that here when I'm done~

『 • • • ✎ • • • 』

The world had ended.

It was the simplest way to call the scenery that surrounded her—buildings crumbled beyond repair, earth ravaged, manipulated roots now so overgrown they stretched towards the clouds, from which embers rained down and painted the sky red. The power of that “brother” of hers had sapped the land of everything it had to offer, leaving naught but dust and decay in his wake. The animals he somehow managed to control littered the streets, used and cast aside and now dead. Typical of him to do such a thing, though it didn’t make the sight any less… what was the word? Pitiable.

After adjusting her hat, she began making her way through the debris. Popped open her umbrella and lifted it over her head, blocking those dark clouds from spewing their ashes at her. It wouldn’t do for them to tarnish her clothes. She preferred to be unstained, untouched, unmarred.

The way she’d always been.

Something caught her attention then. Some sort of noise. A choked, disjointed garble of pleading and praying and crying. So, she gazed around, letting the other screams that were echoing through the air fade into the blazing background. Took tentative steps over concrete scarred by cracks and soot. Peered past the remains of a demolished wall and—

Ah, there they were. A pair of human children, arms wrapped around shoulders and dirty fingers digging into skin, pressing themselves close to each other.

The smaller of the two was the one making that awful sound. It wailed and wailed, fat droplets rolling from its cheeks, while the bigger child patted it on the back and whispered some words, brows creasing. She stared at them, unfazed, then noticed the bloody gash across the smaller one’s leg.

Finally, she could do something.

‘Hello, darlings,’ she said, leaning over the jagged wall and twirling her umbrella so the feathers lining its edges looked like they were fluttering. ‘I’m here to help you.’

As expected, the two children stiffened at her voice, wet eyes blowing wide. They always did that at first. But in a moment, the terror melted into something she’d come to learn was awe. Disbelief. Admiration. The small one went quiet as well, ugly noises reduced to the slightest of sniffles. And as always, she saw herself. As always, she shone like a beacon in their gazes—their wonderful, miraculous light in the darkness of the destruction her “brother” wrought.

Yes, she was looking for this. It made her smile.

‘You’ve been hurt, haven’t you, little one?’ She drifted around the wall, stood over those quivering forms. ‘Poor thing.’

‘Who’re you?’ Surprisingly, the bigger child shifted forward, hiding the smaller one behind it. How odd, she thought, observing the duo and the way they leaned into each other’s touch, despite all the grime that coated their skin. She didn’t expect this behaviour from a human so young. It was always the adults who tried such things.

But no matter.

‘I’m here to help you,’ she said again, giving her umbrella another twirl.

‘Help?’

‘I can heal that little one’s wound.’

The bigger child narrowed its eyes. ‘How? You’re just some lady. You don’t look like a doctor.’

‘Oh, but I am.’

‘�� You are?’

She wasn’t. Though, they didn’t have to know that. As far as she was concerned, she was a much better healer than all the doctors in the world. She doubted there was anyone else who had a gift as potent as hers.

‘Shall I show you?’

Stretching out her hand, she drew in the sparse water vapour around them and concentrated it all at the tips of her fingers. One by one, droplets of dew showered the two children, clearing away grime, moistening cracked skin, washing out the blood. And, as if it had never been there in the first place, the gash on the little one’s leg closed, becoming smooth and whole and perfect again.

As easy as breathing.

The bigger child let out a cry, while the smaller one touched its now healed leg with disbelieving hands. ‘Miss,’ it whispered, staring up at her with something reverent (how she enjoyed that), ‘are you… an angel?’

‘What do you think, little one?’

‘An angel. You’re an angel.’ Tears welled up in its large eyes once more. ‘Thank you, Miss Angel.’

‘Thank you,’ the bigger one said as well, holding the other close and tight. ‘Thank you for healing my sis. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.’

Another smile found its way onto her lips. Then it flickered away as she registered the child’s words.

So, they were siblings. It was a rather human thing to stay close to one’s “family”, wasn’t it? Not that she understood it. In fact, she found it rather ridiculous to be so obsessed with blood ties and notions of relationships… What good did they bring, exactly?

(“Family” didn’t matter if they never looked at you.)

Once more, she thought of that “brother” of hers. He had to be at the heart of the destruction—where the giant roots stemmed from and dug their way into the very core of the world. Chances were, he was crying in self-pity again. Typical.

And pathetic.

Just like the children—siblings—before her, who were still staring at her with adoring eyes like she was a hero, a saint come to bring them to salvation. Their angel.

Good. Humans weren’t all ridiculous, it seemed—they knew how to please her. Alas, she had no time to enjoy their reverence. She still had something to finish.

With a brief farewell to the children, she continued picking her way through the wreckage of glass and animal corpses and shredded roots until she came upon the wall of wood that was that foolish “brother’s” lair. The once grand trees now lay toppled, surrounded by mountains of human and animal corpses alike. In a way, those jagged stumps resembled grave markers for all those bodies. Mirroring the sky that rained burning red, the ground was stained with rust and blood, flowing like miniature rivers of hell past her heels.

And in the centre of it all was her “brother”.

Yves.

He sat hunched over himself atop a log, claw-like accessories over his hands dripping bright red. There wasn’t a single part of his body that was unstained, in fact—his grey hair, tanned skin, fur coat, heeled boots… and his face.

She was right. He’d been crying again.

The tears that fell from his mismatching eyes mixed with the red on his cheeks and made him look more haggard than usual. What a sorry sight he made. She supposed it was fitting, for the villain he was.

‘… Nada?’ Yves croaked out, something strange flaring in his gaze. But before he could utter another word, she whirled her umbrella around and pulled out the blade hidden within.

Pointed it at him.

His eyes widened with something disbelieving, and she smiled at that. Good. She liked that face.

For her sake—for her to be seen and to be whole—it was time to take down the villain.

[sunset-peril]

The Wolfbred Chronicles - The "Lost" Tribe - Part One - Moonlight, Markings and Musings

“You're… Wolfbred?” Zelda couldn't help herself but laugh. 

Her bodyguard looked up at her. His face looked like he wasn't sure whether he was offended or very, very confused by her laughter. 

“No, no… Father hates Wolfbred. He said he'd never knight another one. You're a personal bodyguard knight, Link. Father would never.” 

Urbosa watched as the small, previously-assumed-to-be-Hylian man just looked at Zelda with a completely blank stare. The moon was on his head, painting his eyebrows white along with the mythical swirl of a wolf long gone that was shimmering on his forehead. She pressed on her temple as she tried to recall how her dearest friend interacted with these creatures, and how she determined that they were Wolfbred. Eventually, she bent down to his level and pointed firmly at his hand. “Give, Link, give.” 

Almost instantly, Link offered up his hand. 

“Wow! How did you do that? I've never seen the Tiny Princess get more than a black stare.” 

“Wolfbred were a passion project of my dearest friend. I remember she gave them orders in a particular format. Simple orders in a simple format. I also remember something that could prove… particularly challenging in our future here with Link.”

“But what's with the hand, Urbosa?” Revali tipped his beak from her. “Did you just want to order the guy around?”

“The Queen told me a Wolfbred could be identified by the wrist. I needed his hand to check his wrist to see if he is truly Wolfbred, like I believe he is.” Urbosa retrieved her scimitar. “Catch, Link, catch.” She gently tossed the blade, handle outwards, to Link. A soldier like himself should catch it no problem. 

And he did catch it… at first. His hand grasped the handle, but he dropped the blade when he turned it over. 

Urbosa snatched his hand back, he leaned away from her.

“Okay, so the so-called hero is clumsy, what does that tell us?”

“He's not clumsy. He's Wolfbred.” She held up his hand. “See?” 

“What in the-?” Revali muttered. “Those are some messed up thumbs. No wonder he couldn't hold onto your dumb sword.”

Urbosa bit her tongue. “His thumb is set back, partially on the wrist here.” Link yanked on his hand, she spoke soft. “Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you, Link.”

“Is that all, Urbosa? I fail to see how a simple mutation of the wrist was enough for exile.”

“No, of course. That's just a unique trait of the Wolfbred. He's got the marks on his face too.”

“But… he looks so much like a Hylian.” Zelda wanted to touch his markings, but Link kept pulling his head away when she reached out. “I'd expect him to have fur, or a tail at least.” 

“But of course! They're supposed to be super soldiers. Part of their charm was that you couldn't identify them from afar, which meant enemy armies couldn't target them as easily. Once upon a time, the Hyruliean army was primarily Wolfbred.” She sighed. “We Gerudo were nearly ravaged by the Wolfbred of those days.”

“Oh boy, wolf in the name and descended from war crimes? Wouldn't be surprised if he was Rinkū's son.” 

Link turned his head to Revali after hearing that name. 

“R-Rinkū's… son? His father is named Ordon!”

Link whipped his head back to Zelda. 

“Ah, Tiny Princess. Revali's not talking about a literal son. More like a descendant. A great warhound from ancient times. He was basically the pet of an ancient queen. When she was killed in battle, he… kinda went on a rampage. Goron, Rito, Zora, Hylian… but especially the Gerudo. He and his pack of warhounds slaughtered without mercy… much like this Calamity Ganon is planning to do now.” 

“We… Gerudo have since come to forgive. His queen is believed to have been slaughtered by Ganon, who is believed to have once been Gerudo. If we will not stand to have Ganon's actions associated with our people… then we should not do the same to the descendants of Rinkū. However, I know not all of Hyrule feels the same way. My dearest friend risked her reputation to free the Wolfbred from exile…” 

“It is said that the queen's sole female relative was the only one who could command them to stop. The king himself found his orders on deaf ears. Probably why your father dumped him off on you. He has the Sword, so we have to keep him around, but hey, the female Royal will keep him in line.”

Zelda's face exuded fear, disgust and anger. 

Urbosa bent down to her. “Don't listen to Revali. Hyrule is known for its bloody history. This is simply his. But of course, if Gerudo and Hylia's own can commit atrocities and not be remembered by them, then Link here shouldn't either. He's a sweet boy. I assure you, his fear of you greatly outweighs your fear of him.” 

“You… said there was a complication with him?”

“Ah, yes. You see, because the Wolfbred were exiled for so long… ah, this might be easier to show you.” Urbosa looked towards Link. “Link, there's a carriage with horses near the stable. It will hurt if you get hit.” 

Link turned his head at his name, but didn't respond to the rest of the sentence. 

“Urbosa, where are you going with this nonsense?”

Urbosa held her hand up to silence the bird. “Link,  there's a hit with stable near the hurt. It will horses if you get carriage.”

Link continued to stare at her, staying perfectly still and emotionless. 

“As you can see, little bird, Revali, Daruk… plain and simple, it doesn't matter if I speak coherently to him. Link can't speak Hylian.” 

~~~~

Hyrule's Final Stand Masterlist

[undermounts]

bite the hand - chapter 1: slow knife

pairing: Astarion/The Dark Urge

summary: Astarion helps her hide the body. Romance ensues.

“Power,” Irileth says softly, and she is surprised by the silkenness of her own voice. It sounds like it comes from another person, another life. “Is that all you like about me?”

Astarion’s laugh is a sultry and wicked thing. “Darling,” he croons, and with his free hand, he reaches out to twirl a lock of her white hair around his slender finger. “There are a great many things I like about you.”

Ah. She wonders just how much he would like it if she told him what a pretty corpse he would make.

check it out on AO3

It seemed fitting that Irileth should return to the world surrounded by violence and smoke. Her rebirth went much like she assumes it had before: with her kicking, screaming, and covered in blood.

The nautiloid, the mind flayers, the cambions—all of it felt like a too-vivid nightmare. When Irileth first surged back into consciousness, sodden on the shore of the ravaged beach, she’d nearly mistaken her time aboard the illithid ship for a vicious hallucination.

But sure enough, the wreckage is there, spread out on the beach below her, a heaping mass of smoke and cinder. The rubbery material that made up the entire structure of the ship juts out in jagged ends. It is the vivid purple of a fresh and perfect bruise, but as Irileth stares down at the ship, a different memory comes to mind: glossy white peaking through shimmering red, like a pearl embedded in sumptuous, briny flesh. Cartilage.

The nautiloid is a beast, some organic monstrosity, that carried her, screeching through the Hells. It has been two days since the crash, and still, it moves below, massive tentacles twitching in the shallow sea. Irileth will be glad when it’s finally dead, if such things can die, although it fills her with an almost glib satisfaction to see it slowly burn. 

Perhaps death can take its time.

Irileth reflects on the chaos, the catastrophic event that marked the beginning of her new, wretched life. Somewhere below is the pod that held her captive—for how long, even now she cannot say. When she roused to wakefulness sometime after the tadpole insertion, she threw herself against the pod door until it gave way and, all flailing limbs and atrophied muscles, she struck the floor of the nautiloid with a pathetic thud. 

The scent she remembers well: the acrid tang of smoke in her throat, the sulfur-stink of burnt hair filling her nose. The memory alone nearly makes her gag, the sense of revulsion at odds with the almost pleasurable shiver that runs down her spine.

How her head had pounded! Blood loud in her ears, it drowned out the din of a nautiloid under siege. In it, she heard the only scrap of self that remained in this strange, empty body.

Irileth. My name is Irileth.

By comparison, camp tonight is quiet, although not quite at peace. They are camped in the mouth of the overgrown ruins they cleared out that afternoon, not far from the Druid’s Grove they plan to enter come morning. Nearby, Gale broods by the fire, studying the scrolls he found in an ancient study in the depths of the temple below. Shadowheart has retreated to the furthest corner of the pavilion, her makeshift tent conveniently planted on the exact opposite side of the site from Lae’zel, who is silently polishing her armor with a near religious zeal.

And Astarion—well, Irileth tries not to look at him too much.

She can sense him though. The tadpole has made them all too aware of each other’s presence these past few days. Irileth knows the elf is sprawled out by the fire on the only decent bedroll they’d managed to recover today. And of course, he’s reading—of all things—one of the books they’d found in Withers’ chamber. 

As if this were some sort of vacation, not an abduction. Absurd.

Although, he hasn’t turned a page in quite some time. Either it’s dense reading, or, Irileth has the uncanny feeling that he is watching her too.

Astarion is clever. And obviously, a performer. From the very start, he tried to deceive her, claiming he had “one of those brain things” cornered, before pointing a dagger at her throat. Yes, clever indeed. Nevermind the fact that she’s fairly certain her own blade would have found his sternum first.

Irileth holds one of her daggers now as she thinks, cradling it with one hand while its point presses into a fingertip of the other, the pressure just shy of breaking skin. 

She quickly discovered that she is remarkably skilled with a blade. It was an easy thing, to sever the wings of an imp, to sink the blade into the gelatinous bodies of the intellect devourers that scuttled among the wreckage. Pale pink cerebrums quivering, the foul little beasts died shrieking—one, two, three, went the simple beat. What her mind forgets, the body remembers.

Even Shadowheart seemed impressed.

“You fight well,” the cleric had said approvingly, tossing her head back, black braid swaying like a pendulum. She held herself with pride, chin tilted up, and motes of golden light still fluttered around her fingertips. Behind her, ribbons of smoke curled up from the lumpy body of a charred devourer. “Perhaps our survival isn’t such a distant prospect.”

But the intellect devourers were one thing. The bodies in the temple behind her… Irileth shivers in remembrance of the way they fell beneath her blade, how each little death spurred her on, left her craving more.

Where did she garner such an affinity for weapons? (For death?) Any will do, but daggers, she thinks now, must have always been her favorite. Why else do her senses jump to attention with such fervor? The weight of them are familiar in her hands and Irileth feels that this knowledge is intimate: the sting of a slice, the pressure under which skin will give, part, and burst.

When she reaches out for the how and why she knows these things, there is only blankness. A void where the whole of her used to be. It makes her shudder with apprehension when she thinks of how little she knows of herself.

A breeze flutters up the cliff face where Irileth stands vigil, bringing with it the still glowing embers of the wreck. From this distance, the stench of the illithid ship is nearly diminished, mostly smothered by the freshwater earthiness of the River Chionthar and the surrounding flora.

“It won’t be long now,” a voice croons to Irileth’s right and she startles, suppressing the urge to glare at Astarion as he sidles up beside her, his gaze fixed on the wreckage. 

“For it to die, I mean,” he adds, glancing sidelong at her. “That’s what you’re waiting for, isn’t it?”

Quiet, too, Irileth thinks with an almost bitter admiration, adding onto the list of things she needs to be wary of around him. When he wants to be, at least.

There’s a certain curl to his lips, just visible in some turns of the firelight, and she knows he enjoys having the jump on her.

“Do you think it can?” she asks, lifting a brow. “I’ve been wondering.”

“All things do,” Astarion replies lightly. “Or at least that is my hope.”

“I think I’ll rest easier when it does,” Irileth admits carefully, well aware of how his crimson eyes, just a shade darker than her own, seem to pierce right through her. As much as he likes to feign indifference toward her and the others, Astarion is searching for something, always. Information, perhaps, to use or to be wary of.

“I agree with you wholeheartedly on that front, my dear.” He sounds almost somber, Irileth thinks, as his attention lingers on her for a moment more. But then Astarion shifts back to the nautiloid, where his edge whets once more. “But I certainly won’t mind if it suffers a little while longer.” 

It unnerves Irileth, how open Astarion is with his casual displays of cruelty and violence. It feels perverse, like he is, albeit unknowingly, making a mockery of the restraint she so desperately clings to. Just last night, he’d asked her how she’d like to be killed, should ceremorphosis finally take place. 

Knives, poison, strangulation—whatever you’d prefer.

She’d nearly laughed at his question, ruled by her giddy madness. As if she could really pick just one.

But in some part, Irilieth is relieved and grateful to know that this well of violence she seems to carry within her is not so singular. How odd, the things that bring people together.

“Then we are in agreement on that as well,” she confesses and Astarion barks out a laugh. His laugh is harsh and startling, and it might just be the realest thing about him so far.

“You know, you’re quite fun when you want to be.” He hums, amused, and returns her stare with a look of appraisal. “That is, when you aren’t playing the hero, I mean. Watching you fuss over our friends is so sweet, it’s sickening.”

“I try,” Irileth replies dryly and Astarion’s mouth curves in amusement as he steps forward, pressing into her space. Stubbornly, Irileth forces herself to stay put, which only seems to add to his interest. She is starting to understand his game—how he likes to pick her brain, make her react to him. Like he’s testing how far he can push.

“I mean it. It was a spectacle, darling,” Astarion continues, his voice dropping to a near-conspiratorial purr. The tone of it sends a sweet trill through Irileth’s bones. “Watching you dispatch those bandits today with such a flourish! It really makes me wonder who exactly you were before all of this.”

The laugh Irileth releases is rueful. 

“You and me both,” she mutters and Astarion rewards her with one of his coy little smiles. (How many men and women have fawned over that smile? He offers it like a gift, like a treat, like a trap. She wants to take it.)

“You must admit, it’s a fascinating little mystery,” Astarion drawls, tilting his head as his eyes roam over her. “Very intriguing, your memory loss. Perhaps you were a bard? No. A thief? An assassin? Hm, yes, that would track.”

Irileth’s stomach twists at that and she fixes him with a look. “You’re teasing.”

“I am,” he admits, white teeth shining in the firelight. His smirk is in full bloom now, and those red eyes, so magnetic, narrow. “It’s too much fun with you. But I might be right. You’re quite the punisher, after all.”

Irileth’s mouth dries, even as her grip on the dagger firms and the tip presses harder into the pad of her forefinger. Any more force and it will burst skin. “It was just battle, Astarion. They would have killed us if we didn’t fight back. Nothing more.”

Astarion grins like they both know she’s lying.

“Of course, darling, of course. It all worked out in the end. We got into the temple and picked up our very own magical skeleton as well,” he says flippantly, brandishing his book through the air toward Withers. His expression turns sly as he thumbs his chin innocently. “But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of pain for those who deserve it.”

A shudder passes through Irileth, and the sensation is not entirely unpleasant. She wants to agree, wholeheartedly. It almost feels as if her very marrow calls for it.

But Irileth reins in the impulse. There is a feeling in her gut that makes her hesitate. Perhaps it is the phrasing she takes issue with, or the intent, but she is… conflicted. That familiar headache is starting again, a throbbing at the base of her neck that sparks through her temples.

“And who,” she asks, rolling the hilt of her dagger in one slow circle, “decides who deserves it?”

She has surprised him with this question. Astarion’s brows lift and his eyes dart across her face, searching. He has the same look about him, Irileth thinks, when he’s scouting an area and checking for traps. 

(What a cautious life one must lead, to be constantly anticipating that which would hurt you.)

“You really are asking, aren’t you?” Astarion huffs, drawing back. “It is up to the powerful, my sweet,” he answers as if it is obvious. “He who holds the cards decides how they are dealt. Today, that was you.”

A thrill runs through Irileth at that, one she quickly tries to tamp down.

“Don’t look so scandalized,” Astarion tuts and he grazes the back of his hand down her arm. His fingers are cold and dry. 

Like death, Irileth thinks, suppressing the urge to shiver in delight.  

“I quite like a bit of power,” he says softly, and gods above, he is laying it on thick tonight, this seduction. “It’s… alluring, especially on you.”

Hells. Astarion truly is quite a vision, even when he’s looking at her like she’s something to be toyed with. Perhaps especially then. 

Irileth is overcome with the sudden desire to smile back at him. It’s adorable, she thinks, brazenly, madly—the notion that he could pose a real threat to her (Hah!). Astarion could never truly harm her, but maybe… Irileth’s blood burns hot. Oh, maybe he might bite back.

Wretched thing , Irileth admonishes herself, for that idea should not appeal to her so. But she has lost the run of herself, now. Emboldened and a little incensed, Irileth finds that she wants to indulge him in his little game.

“Power,” Irileth says softly, and she is surprised by the silkenness of her own voice. It sounds like it comes from another person, another life. “Is that all you like about me?”

Astarion’s laugh is a sultry and wicked thing. “Darling,” he croons, and with his free hand, he reaches out to twirl a lock of her white hair around his slender finger. “There are a great many things I like about you.”

Ah. She wonders just how much he would like it if she told him what a pretty corpse he would make.

Irileth jerks away, her heartbeat suddenly thunderous in her ears as her hair snags around Astarion’s finger, then gives and uncoils. Revulsion and shame roll through her at such a depraved thought— where had it come from? (Inside, inside!)

Hastily, she shoves her dagger into her waistband, struck with the irrational fear that her own hands might act on their own accord. Something stings, badly, though she’s not sure what it is, nor does she care.

“Are you alright, dear?” Astarion’s voice is still a sugary drawl, but there is alarm, no doubt on his face. Irileth can tell he is suspicious of her behavior; his gaze was magnetic before, but now it pierces, as if he’s found a gap in her defenses and plans to twist the knife in. “You’ve gone rather pale.”

“I’m fine,” Irileth says hastily, taking an unsteady step back as she feels her head pulse and a cold sweat break out across her skin. “I’m just—tired. I think I need to rest.”

“Yes, of course you are. It’s been a long day,” Astarion replies mildly, although there is a sudden rigidity about him as he looks her over. He swallows, flickering shadows contorting across the long pale column of his neck. “You go rest, I’ll keep watch tonight.”

Irileth nods gratefully, desperate to get away from him, to put space in between him and her depravity.

Though she doesn’t get far. With a sharp yank, Astarion pulls her to a halt. Those crafty fingers—the same that delicately twisted her hair only moments ago—are now wrapped around her wrist like a vise. Irileth is surprised to find that it hurts.

Then gently, as if to make up for startling her, Astarion lifts her hand up between them.

Her finger, the same one she’d held against her dagger’s point, is a bloody mess. Crimson slides down the length of her forearm and drips off the end of her elbow. The droplets strike the earth with a soft pat, pat, pat.

“I think,” Astarion says slowly, his voice thick as he stares steadily at her face, unwavering, “you should get that patched up.”

And then he releases her. 

Irileth merely nods, thinking nothing of the ache she feels in her wrist, or how her wicked heart races at the sight of blood, even her own. She stumbles toward Shadowheart and thinks nothing of the way Astarion’s pupils have dilated, nearly dwarfing the red of his irises, until much later, in the dead of another night.

Shadowheart is not amused.

“You should reserve your knifeplay for the battlefield,” the cleric chastises with a disappointed sneer. “Next time, I might not be so gracious.”

Irileth sits quietly, watching as Shadowheart drags a wet rag across her forearm and all around her hand, wiping away the blood that spilled from her newly healed finger. The remnants of Shadowheart’s magic still linger, a pleasant coolness that has washed over Irileth, soothing all of the aches she’s collected throughout the day, save for the incessant beating against her skull. 

It feels… familiar almost. Like she’s been in this position before, pliant beneath a healer’s hand. But when Irileth reaches out to grasp it, the memory slips away.

“I’m sorry,” Irileth mumbles, curling and straightening her finger. “My hand slipped. I’ll take care of it next time.”

“Will you now?” Shadowheart scoffs, affronted, as her grip on Irileth’s arm tightens. “And do you know how to stitch a wound?”

Irileth bites the inside of her cheek and thinks that she just might. She doesn’t say this though, simply shrugs.

“Just as I thought,” Shadowheart huffs, shaking her head. “‘Next time’… Spare me.”

But despite her chuffing, Shadowheart’s hold eases and her last few strokes of the rag are nearly gentle. She likes this, Irileth realizes. Not just being the healer, but taking care of people.

Not that she would ever tell Shadowheart that.

Irileth gnaws on her cheek a little while longer, feeling the flesh turn raw and metallic before she asks, tentatively, “What do you think I was? Before all of this?”

Shadowheart’s green eyes flick up to meet her. Usually so guarded and flinty, they search Irileth’s face, slowly scrutinizing, and come away with something akin to… pity. She sighs and sits back on her knees, laying the rag in her lap. 

“It still bothers you, your memory loss. Well,” Shadowheart sighs, moving her gaze over the campsite in a long drag. “I suppose I understand that. Though it’s not as uncommon as you think.”

Irileth raises her brows, but the cleric doesn’t elaborate. 

“I don’t quite know who you were,” Shadowheart admits after a few moments have gone by. She plucks at the rag as she considers, the perfect white crescents of her nails pulling reddish brown threads free. “You remind me of—” 

Her voice breaks off suddenly, and Shadowheart’s expression turns stricken with alarm, then confusion. 

Irileth frowns. “Shadowheart?”

The cleric blinks, then shakes her head, pursing her lips. “I’m—sorry. I thought you reminded me of someone, but the name escapes me.” Her smile is tense and bitter. “You might take comfort in knowing that you are not the only one who is missing memories. Though, before you start to wonder: our afflictions are not the same. Mine was… voluntary. For my mission. I can say no more than that.”

“That sounds…extreme,” Irileth observes. It seems unfathomable, to choose the endless void that sits at the center of her. The yawning emptiness of self.

“It is.” A certain steeliness returns to Shadowheart. “It is not a sacrifice undertaken lightly for—for my Lady.”

Irileth, unsurprisingly, does not know much about the gods that govern Faerûn beyond what she has recovered from one of the books they found in Withers’ tomb. Right now, all she has is guesswork regarding which altar Shadowheart worships at.

“The gods seem to demand a lot,” Irileth muses and Shadowheart laughs, a soft little sound that dies quickly in the air.

“You’ve no idea,” Shadowheart replies with a surprising weariness. Then she straightens up, eyes narrowing, and tosses the rag aside. “But back to your original question. There’s something about you that I recognized. When you killed that mind flayer in the wreckage.”

Irileth remembers the event well, the creature pinned beneath the rubble, purple flesh shining. Glittering orange pearls of malice. They’d found it on the first day, she, Shadowheart, and Astarion.

“It was going to die anyway,” the cleric continues, and although her hands twist about, fingers running over the plaits of her hair, her gaze is steady. “But you still killed it. You were so… gentle. Like a lover.”

Irileth swallows, dread unspooling in her stomach even as her heart thumps with glee.

“You cradled its head as you pushed your knife through its skull.” Shadowheart’s voice was flat and almost ponderous, but here, it inflects with unease, “You were slow about it. You needn’t have been.”

Irileth’s mouth feels dry. She hadn’t realized it looked quite like that. She remembers only that she’d wanted it to suffer, for what it had done, for what it tried to do to her.

It tried to command her to love it.

“It captured us. It wanted to control us,” Irileth replies, defensive.

“Yes. And I am glad it’s dead.” Shadowheart is unwavering. “And still, you were unnecessary.”

“What did it remind you of?” she asks, nails biting into her knees as she presses her hands into the tops of her thighs to hide how they shake. “You said you recognized something.”

“Yes.” Shadowheart frowns. Looks away. “You reminded me of myself. When I pray.”

Oh.

Irileth pushes herself to her feet. That is… She doesn’t know what it is. She doesn’t know what it means, but whatever it is, she doesn’t like it.

“Thank you,” she says, and if she sounds a little winded, Shadowheart doesn’t comment on it. “For the healing.”

Shadowheart merely nods. “Just don’t expect me to heal you every time you prick your finger. Next time, try asking Astarion to stitch you up. He seems to know how to use a needle.”

Irileth huffs out a breath that she thinks might be a laugh. She remembers the squawk Astarion let out when his clothes snagged on a bramble, how he mended them the moment they set up camp last night. 

So careful with himself and his things, Astarion is. Like he has lost both before.

“Speaking of,” Shadowheart adds before Irileth turns away. Her voice drops, just loud enough to pass between the two of them. “You should be careful around Astarion. I saw the two of you, standing by the cliffside. Don’t be fooled by his pretty looks.”

“You don’t trust him?”

“I don’t trust anyone,” Shadowheart corrects, as if this is an important distinction. “But especially not him. He wants something. I just haven’t figured out what.”

Astarion has returned to his spot by the fire, his book spread out in his lap. Irileth watches as he slowly moves the page with a perfect, practiced grace—a performer through and through—and thinks that Shadowheart might be right.

The next morning, the nautiloid dies.

Once more, Irileth watches from the cliffside as the massive tentacles undergo their final death twitches, then fall still amongst the waves. Behind her, the rest of her companions pack up their tents. Today, they will enter the Grove to finally find a healer and hopefully get their cure.

Last night’s sleep found Irileth in fits and starts. No dreams, thankfully, just red smoke and metal. Her perpetual headache has subsided, or she has grown to tolerate it, and it has resolved itself to a dull pulse at the base of her cranium. Overall, she feels… better. More in control of herself. She just prays that her clarity of mind will persist.

It has to, Irileth vows to herself. It will. There will be no repeat of what happened last night. She can master her perversions. If her companions knew what rot festers in her jellied brain, they would surely cast her out.

 “Hm. Pity.” Astarion appears by her side once more, the scent of bergamot fresh in the air. There is a whine in his voice as he hums in displeasure. 

Speak of the devil. Irileth raises her brow at his dramatics and Astarion glances at her out of the corner of his eye, putting his palm to his cheek as his bottom lip juts out in a perfect pout.

He sighs with all of the grandiosity that only he can master. “I just hope it hurt.”

Then he walks off, swaggering and elegant. Irileth’s eyes catch on the back of his doublet as he goes, where a row of fine stitches crawl up the hem, just along his ribs.

Irileth presses her thumb into the pad of the forefinger she pierced last night. She won’t hurt him—she can’t. Nor any of her other companions. They are her only chance of survival; there will be no tadpole cure without their help.

But anyone else—their enemies? Irileth glances back at the ruined mind flayer ship one final time before grabbing her pack and checking the daggers hilted at her hips. 

For them, she can make no promises.

[thessalian]

Thess vs Rollerbacks

I mean, @true0neutral warned me about those fuckers...

Right. First lemme get close enough to the ruins so I can fast travel there. Might be useful later. Much later, given metal flower.

Got it. Back to campfire and-- Ravager site.

RAVAGER. SITE. Hiding.

Does ... does that say Apex?

Yep. Cannon dies first.

Aim wasn't so great on Ravager the Second. Oh well, it died with minimal issues for me, so that's fine.

Okay, I wanted to check out that question mark--

Metal. Flower. AGAIN. Mrrrrrrr.

To a shelter. To a shelter so I can see if I can finally upgrade my quivers--

YEEEEEEEEES! Aaaaaaaaaand ... now I need more things' skin. More hoofing it, I guess.

(If it wants me to get salmon bones, does that mean it'll finally let me shoot at things in the water? I really miss shooting fish out of streams...)

Lemme check out north a bit first. A bit of exploration never hurt anyone--

PLOWHORNS. Spreading blight everywhere. Great. But I need Plowhorn horns, so...

Ah. Right. They have Burrowers playing guardian, so lemme just...

Wait. Everything seems to be dead but it still says machines are alerted--

Clawstrider. Right. Go away.

Ooh, drone! Lemme find a good launch point to jump on the drone--

Ah. Rebel scouting party. Bye, Tenakth rebel--

"Is the Nora hiding out there somewhere?" ...Oh, that's hysterical. Someone dies to arrow fire and the first thing they think of is, "OH SHIT, SHE'S HERE!" I mean, they're not wrong, but...

Right. They're gone with a minimum of issues. Now it looks like that platform over there is where I jump for the drone.

This platform is way too narrow for sprinting to make any difference. Right?

WRONG. Climbing up again, trying sprinting for all of ... two and a half feet. Sheesh.

Got the data, aaaaaaaaaand ... the Plowhorns are back. Again. Well, parts are a good thing. And that's ... a ... Rollerback. I've been warned about these. I will stay clear. Tail is... POONK. Gone.

Right. Keep going north for a bit aaaaaaaaand... SCAVENGER CONTRACTS! WOO!

Plowhorns. You want me to go ... and kill Plowhorns. Again. But you also want me to collect the flowers that-- Oh, this is getting weird, but fine...

So here I am, quietly stalking along in the path of a blight-spreading Plowhorn, collecting flowers. Well, I guess I get to put my stealth armour to use.

Flowers done. And, since I'm so wonderfully placed, I'll hit this sucker in the spot behind his neck ridge-thing.

Aaaaand THAT'S a one-shot kill. Except this has gained some attention and here comes a Rollerback. I should take the time to properly scan--

Wait. DOES THAT SAY APEX?!?

WILL YOU STAND THE FUCK STILL, YOU UPPITY AI-DRIVEN PILLBUG?!?

Getting better at dodge-rolling, I can tell you that much. Shame that it's driving me right into the damn blight all the time!

And I have gone flying. At least it's out of the blight...

OKAY, OKAY, I WILL UNLOCK SOME SHIT ON THE WARRIOR TREE, FINE, WHATEVER, NOW LET ME GET THIS THING'S FACE!

...There is nothing better in the world than getting off a point-blank shot at something's undercarriage while it's in the middle of attacking you and having that be the kill shot. Hooboy.

Right. Now can I go kill the other Plowhorn?

THANK you.

I should gather some other bits and pieces on my way back. There's an Unknown Shelter over there--

Flooded Tenakth village. Yes, I will go check that out, but I want to get this shit to Handa first.

Handa, you are ... enthusiastic, I'll give you that. But really, dial the ... I dunno, the "artiste" thing down a couple of notches? I honestly want that poor jerk from No Man's Land to win this one, of the scavenger people I've met so far.

Now, brief detour to base to drop off data module stuff and unlock how to properly override Plowhorns. Then off to someplace that's not ... y'know, Up In The Mountains.

Right. I do have work tomorrow, more's the pity, so I'll call it a night for now and tomorrow ... depends when I wake up, but depending on timings, it's either investigate the flooded settlement or ... whatever other scavenger contract is closest to my current position or can be easily fast-travelled to in the morning and the evening ... depends on how I feel. Just ... gods, I only had time off a few weeks ago; how do I need more already?

(Right, yes, I know, fibromyalgia, one of the symptoms is fatigue, I get it, but it's still a pain in the arse.)

[troubledaddict-backups]

It has been too long since I’ve gotten to feel you. All this time indoors has had both of us squirming and feening to be touched. But finally the time we’ve been waiting for has come. “Come over. And wear that outfit you know I love so much. You got 30 minutes” quickly you respond with “on my way 😈”. I could tell just by that short exchange we were going to make complete messes of each other. I freshen up, and get dressed. I know you always liked to see me dressed up, and how much it turned you on. I check to the time, and immediately hear three knocks at the door. “30 minutes on the dot. Just like clockwork” I walk to the door, and open it to see you standing in tall black heels, a large trench coat, and your hair down and swept to the side just how I like it. I go in for a kiss. “Ah ah ah” you plant a finger to my lips “we’ll get to that in a moment” as you slide your finger down my chest. You walk past me and head down the hallway toward the bedroom. I follow, being mesmerized by the sway of your hips. “You’re going to want to sit down” you say to me with a mischievous smile on your face. I gladly obey, slowly sitting on the bed. You drop the jacket revealing your black lace lingerie. So sheer and thin, I was tempted to rip it off you right then and there. You walk toward me, and join me on the bed, slowly pressing your lips to mine. I had almost forgotten the taste of your kiss. You let my hands explore all over you, as if it were my first time. You felt so good, so soft. “You ready to be a good girl for daddy?” You smile once again, putting your hand to my chest. “I actually...” shoving me down to the bed “... don’t think so. I’m taking you how I want to” you climb on top of me, tightly straddling my torso. “Don’t try to act like you don’t love it when I take charge. You fucking love it” your hand gripping my throat. “I can feel it” you say as you grind back and forth on my dick through my pants. “I’m going to drain every. Last. Drop out of you. Do you understand me?” I nod my head. You still gripping my throat. “This is mine, and I want it now.”

Feeling how hard I’ve become in between your legs, you climb off of me. You slide your hand up from between my legs and grab onto the buckle of belt. “Stand up and take these off. Now!” You then walk across the room, swaying your hips nice and slow in your lace panties with each step, and turn to face me, lowering down to the ground on your knees. I unbutton my shirt, and take my pants off. My dick completely hard, and precum dripping from the tip. On your knees, you just gaze at it, admiring each vein. Your focus lifts from my dick, looking up to my face, and you lift your finger and wave it. “Come here daddy” I steadily walk in your direction. The more I drew near, the more I can see your mouth salivating. You wanted it so badly, and you were gonna take it by any means necessary. I stand in front of you.

My dick hovering over your face. You bring your lips closer and closer. Grazing your lips across the shaft slowly, remembering how good it felt on your face. Letting your tongue out, you slide it all the way from the bottom to the tip. You were so infatuated, you didn’t even notice my legs tremor. It felt so good. You were teasing yourself, and I could tell. You give the tip one last lick and you see a drop of precum start to fall before whispering to yourself “I missed you”. I feel your hands start to glide up my thighs. Your touch felt so good, I couldn’t stop my dick from jumping. You mouth slowly covers the tip, and you let out a little whimper. Back and forth, your head sways. Faster and faster you start to go. Hands still on my thighs. You reach them around and tightly grab onto my ass, as you force yourself to swallow the whole thing, throat fucking yourself with my dick, using me as your toy. I watch you ravage it, feel your warm wet mouth, seeing you drool all over yourself. It was so fucking hot. You were making such a mess and you didn’t care for a second. After one last swallow, you shove me away, pulling the dick out of your mouth. You come to your feet and immediately grab me by the throat tight. Your lips meet mine and our tongues explore each other’s mouths. Still holding my throat you pull me away. “You gonna be a good boy and do whatever I say right?” I nod. “That’s good. Now bend me over that bed and fuck me. Do I make myself clear?” I nod again. You release your grasp, and walk over to the bed. I watch you pull your panties to ground, and you sway your ass side to side. I walk over and give your ass a big slap. You jolt. “Harder” I do it again. “Ugh yes! Now come fuck me daddy.” I kick your legs apart, and just rub my dick across your lips. You were so wet. “Don’t fucking tease me. I said fuck me!” As I slide in, you let out a big gasp, you were so tight, but I loved the thought of stretching you out. I tried to start slow, but my primal instincts got the best of me. I grab your hair tight, bringing your head up from the bed, then wrap my hand around your neck and squeeze as I fucked you.

You loved every second of it. “Daddy please don’t stop. Daddy please. Please. Don’t stop” I was your toy, but you became my little fuck doll. All that ran through your head was wanting my cum. As I pound you harder and harder, you go further into total ecstasy. You’re losing all control. Your mouth salivating, and I feel you drooling all over me. “I want your cum daddy. I want it so bad. Can I have it?” I could feel myself about to cum, your pussy muscles were clenching onto me so tight. “You want it?” “I do! Please! Please!” “Come here!” I grab you by the hair, like my fuck doll, and bring you to your knees once again. “I want all of it!” “Open that pretty little mouth...Fuck!!!” Cum explodes out all over you, covering your lips, down to your chin, and all over your tits. “Keep that mouth open” still hard, I shove my dick back in your mouth, hitting the back of your throat. You grab my ass again to make me go deeper. “Fuck, fuck, FUCK!!!” I cum again, coating the inside of your mouth. Pulling out, you look up to me with a gleam in your eye, and I watch you smile as you swallow the load that was just inside. “Thank you daddy” I lick you from your tits up, grab you by the face and kiss you, giving you a taste of my cum one more time. “You’re very welcome 😏” I go to the bathroom to shower and clean up, and you just lay on the bed enjoying being covered in your cum filled mess.

[agentnico]

The Last of Us - Episode 1 (2023) Review

Pedro Pascal once again plays the ultimate dad.

Plot: Twenty years after a fungal outbreak ravages the planet, survivors Joel and Tess are tasked with a mission that could change everything.

Ah here we are again - a video game being adapted into a movie/TV show. These don’t usually bode well. However HBO seems to have really gone all out on this one, by not only hiring Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin as one of the creators of the show, but also Neil Druckmann as the other creator. For those wondering who in the heavens this Druckmann chap may be, well he’s the fella who’s behind the original The Last of Us games. As we know those games definitely have a very strong fanbase and there isn’t even the slightest amount of disagreeable opinions in the regards to the sequel game whatsoever, so obviously everyone is so on board with Druckmann taking the reigns over the HBO series also, right?? To be fair, love or hate the narrative choices of the second game, hiring Druckmann to co-create the show proves that HBO set out to get the best team to make it; one that understands the world created in the game and one that would actually share a passion to create something special.

The result? The first episode has now aired and so now we are able to feast our eyes on either the mess that has been created, or another masterpiece from the Naughty Dog team. Luckily, judging from the first episode, it is the latter, as I am happy to report that HBO might just have a bombshell on their hands. Look, I’m going to come out clean - I’ve never played The Last of Us games myself. I tried do, I really did, but for some reason the gameplay and controls weren’t doing it for me, which was strange as I absolutely loved playing the Uncharted games (also created by the same studio). However I really enjoyed the world and the atmosphere of the games, so like a loser would, I went onto good old YouTube, and enjoyed watching a walkthrough of the game, where I could avoid the gameplay but enjoy the story. By the way, if you’re a loser like me who likes spending time watching walkthroughs, check out @theRadBrad channel, as he’s actually great at showcasing all the better qualities and aspects of the video game content that he plays. Anyway, coming back to the HBO show, what I immediately enjoyed was how the show is evidently first and foremost made for newcomers to the franchise, as the surprises and plot twists in the game are treated with just as much shock value and suspense in this first episode. For example, keeping it spoiler-free even though 99% of the gaming community know about it, the show when it starts follows a certain character, making it seem like they will be the main protagonist and we shall be following the story from their eyes. However within the first 20 minutes or so this character is brutally killed. Again, the original game’s opening is iconic, yet the show treats this plot twist with as much attention if not more. As we actually get to spend even more time with this character, seeing how they interact in the real world before the outbreak even begins, and I really enjoyed that. It gave the show more purpose. This isn’t just a means to get fans of the video games to shed out more dollar, it’s actually an opportunity for non-games to be able to experience themselves the world of The Last of Us without the need of having to move around joysticks aimlessly.

The first half an hour of this episode is simply ace. It’s thrilling, suspenseful and really throws you into the action and drama that this world is known for. The remainder of the episode is much more slower, however very necessary in building up the relationships and character dynamics that will surely play a major role later in the show. For a first episode this one does exactly what it needs to. In a way it reminded me of the very very first The Walking Dead episode, when one moment Rick and Shane are sitting in their cop car enjoying burgers and chips, and then the next Rick Grimes wakes up alone in hospital in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Back then that episode screamed potential and that we were in for something amazing. Which it was, until The Walking Dead ended up being 11 seasons long + spin-offs. However with The Last of Us seemingly following the game narrative really closely, I don’t imagine it will go on forever.

I also love the visual look of the show. Talking about the game’s atmosphere, this post apocalyptic world looks real. You’ve got the fungi growing on walls, the weathered half fallen skyscrapers... in the last moments of the episode you see our main characters set out on their journey into this wilderness and I cannot wait to see what more horrors this world will bring. Speaking of the main characters, Pedro Pascal is Joel, and if that isn’t some perfect casting right there! If you ever need an ultimate dad being a total badass, Pascal is your mad! *insert Ludwig Goransson’s The Mandalorian theme* He shows so much emotion in his eyes of regret, hurt and grief, yet still trying to make things work in this new horrible reality. Bella Ramsey as also showcases Ellie’s sassiness to the fullest, in fact more so than in the games, as she is willing to knife someone without hesitation and will cuss when need to. You can tell this Ellie has grown up in a post apocalyptic world and has learnt to adapt to her surroundings.

Look, I’ve already made my point. This is a great start to The Last of Us series, and I shall be tuning in to see where it goes next. I mean, it’s a show that features Pedro Pascal in the lead, how can you not want to watch that!? The guy is a natural charmer. 

Overall score: 8/10

[devoutpriest]

cas-ti-fell:

“ no. circumstance. divine intervention, never upon god’s behalf. ABSENT, he’s left his energy upon this world, and he breathes life into all of us, but he noted our destruction. our chaos, our WAR. he left us to our own devices, to resolve our sin. “ it is not HUMANS castiel refers to, but angels, but children with weeping limbs and ravaged pits wh- ere souls–GRACE–should be. anna was one such angel, she rebelled like lucifer, and she fell to earth, her grace ripped out ( she saying the pain was white hot ; worse than any poker burning ) but humans have caused their own pain, their OWN hate. castiel offers out a hand, splays hard bones on the man’s shoulder. light thrums on porous flesh, ingra- ined pads seated soft on the bone. human bones were intriguing to him, he could feel the softness of the skin, the sinew and muscled meat where blood and veins rushed within the river, and the stick structure of course ; life pouring through a matchbook house. it is supposed to be comfort, though he does not know how to muster it, stiff and odd as he is. a just man, a RIGHTEOUS man, suffering from the knowledge his creator has left him … an orphaned child, a floundering babe .. “ i am an angel of the lord. “

his brows furrow downwards, in confusion, at the stranger’s next words. part of what he was saying matched what athelstan was brought up to believe in, god breathing life in clay and humans, animals sprang alive in the garden, yet the rest betrayed such. he wanted to seek guidance from him.

“ you think it is not even the SLIGHTEST bit possible for the divine intervention to be the lord’s work, or carried out with his orders? ”

“i thought I felt his FAMILIAR holy presence guide me out of darkness, many a time, once. ”

he carries his bible everywhere, is surrounded by holy hymns, singing latin as one of his prayers. gregorian ; he sung too, of boulevard of broken dreams. haunting lilt of many voices in chorused unison ; my shadow's the only one that walks beside me, my shadow's the only thing that's beating, check my vital signs to know i'm still alive ( he thumps his chest as he walks slight unsteady in the train tracks, gravel crunching beneath his feet ) ah-ah-ah-ah, i walk alone. they sung, with fellow monks tapping their pens and banging softly on their desks to the beat. they liked singing during their pilgrimages, they walking on foot as cleansing simplicity.

upon feeling the man’s hand touch his shoulder, the trembling in both his bones and soul ebbs slightly. it is a brief comfort from a man, whom decided to spare even a FRACTION of concern for him.

“ …an angel of the lord? h-HOW?”

he studies the man more carefully, disbelief washing over his tone. he seemed human, of tangible flesh and blood, contradicting athelstan’s image of angels. no wings or halo seemed to adorn his back nor head, as far as athelstan could see.

[the-firebird69]

i am out. yes. let it laps no. tried to get there could not. told them no called me you have not occupied do you plan to? and i said i cannot get there and he said he cannot leave it vacant. and it is the law have to move in and i cant. so he said we give it a couple days and i saiid no i cant ok the place smells and it does and of birdshit. and he said we cancel the ccnract and he sent me my check back did not deposit it. knew i did not like it. and that is that

emily b

good. true partially mstly cannot get there had the disenfectant but cant. wont too. does not like the game is out. too dangerous. and they held her to it a bit yes but tehn yur a paain and out now and good. so we see it. coming up the same wiht dan. he is a moron will fall soon. and eys the upsoted the apartment on the yard. and it is nto selling. nope tons hate it here. done wat it no fight. infight too. tons of them. she wants to come in a different form ok and fights.

this started a huge fight the sign. jason and ilily in it too. stan is too. tons fight now over it. lol. and yes causes death lots of it. and the word went out and tons gathered to come herre and infiltrate adn firht to get to it. tons now. and opened and see it and it is on. crowds move to get here and hit john r and co and others

Thor Freya

it is a big deal to me. she a bitch they worse and dangerous to my husband. not out fully is behind him and lal three and dan next door. and sarah houses them at teh blue houe and the house bg lost ahs dan and the girls. heehe and we see. now they fight. ok. hard.

soon out. and we think this month. the first. and cming up too. two weeks. and then sarahs place. and daves. same month yes. and behind is a different month but evictinos are up and started and soon tons. they evacuate and come here need them out today in court theywon and oust tons but are at 5% and tommorrow more court. morlcok say you have not moved any one and lose your bunkers and tons of ppl nad stuff and not so is only a fraction of our size. and we shall see i say how this goes. they say it.

Hera

true too we and she fight over it lol. true though the psuideo empire has about ten percent in the bunkers. and five in the ships. their areas ravaged no but someare and are at seventy percent and the morlockare at 35% though smaller can hold alot. and now they war on the blcokade and shield and psuedo empire reaids hourly to fuel and resupply weapons tc. tons of it. huge loads of ordinance and fuel rubys etc. its on they say we u se it take it now and do. all over earth and morlock dwindle now.

Thor Freya

so i see. percentages and i am right though. yes. HE THANKS ME YES. and good. does. the bunkers are down to about 36% by quantity. and 30% by function. and i t is low. a few mo re days and out. gone. and the morlock are rancid. and say stuff yell and are horrid. thier fleet is under 1B shrinks shortly heats up and is small now only that number in large ships and smaller stil.....800M one mile plus tons out shortly.

they said so mich today i tiink i lost wieght due to it. nope. but did. and we send in units now they are. but what a day. they let loose. we win and are out thee.

since last night we gained five more spain sized areaas and three portugal.

we install the following shortly and globally no western hemisphere:

-3 MegaBases and fully equiped too.

-2 Very Large base. and fully equiped too.

-15 small bases with assoceated

-thosuand of tiny and in the new areas.

-ten obelesque

five standard laser bases.

200 1 block

10 4 block

and a whole lot of regular buildings

2 cones

and more. we advance tonight clam mrore

ew use thie thy make him fidd

Pluto Phase I complete

Mars phase I is in decent shap is 10 percent away. and we push it. yes.Thor Freya said that last part.

-we have a consensus we are working but is it working

Jen Equiz i work on my case and send in some info no. take it out yes. we saw them cringe today out of all that. out.

Hera

and she did great always does. makes us work yes Hera's court case is in transition from companies she would be the one to ask yes but ok. she is half way through and needs to push. we do have it. her status an knew but here it is. half way. fifty percent. and we remove the name case by case and slowly. and soon out of all docs. and we retrieve personal belongings to along the way. and we do take his back too. an more. slowly..and now we approach teh 60% mark shorltly this week and monday we will be at 70% within a couple weeks she will be clear and we start the law suit. our son is not named. no is. and in a couple companies and i thought this first. he thinks it iwill be easier nad will light him up. and also will burn the shit. and we do that shortly. and tehre are some others doing it. and he wants his name expunged. and we shall and criminal charges if they refuse well we do it. and no not yet lol. now we do this. sue for it. and take his stuff back before it is too late and tons of love went into getting him stuff and for him and her and us. we needed this needsa llthose who got it to sign on to this duty and they are. and who helped start up the companies they abuse and have thier names on and they step up and we clean it up now. and start on his. hers wil slow yes. but makes it safe forher characters and him too and more. and good she agrees h e asked. an wonderul too and great idea. and cheeseman did not respond well at all. she he is non rsposnive and says no it is for our pruposes. they list them and in an inappropriat way they say they gave ideas no. owe them yes. and tons of money for their part in the company and usually a debtor. so we take them off it. and have them pay them and shall. they areuseless.. not many do it and usually ohters would eat them alive for it but macs had them. an we are going after it and shall take his name off it....we shall put a debt they have to our son up and threaten them wiht it and defame him and his tie him to real terrorists expose his murders and to ge our son his funds and name off their debtor list and to get monies they hold yeh we take a lot more due to it it is illegal and exortion we move in on them too and we expose their sscams on the public if need be too. starting now. the gloves are off.

Bitol and Goddess Wife

Olympus