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aprilsrant · 4 years ago

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Liquid Luck and its wonders | Harry Potter x Ravenclaw!Fem!Reader.

SUMMARY: Harry meets a shy girl from Ravenclaw House. After taking a liking to her, he tries to catch her attention.

WORD COUNT: 1,693.

WARNINGS: none, I think.

REQUEST: Hi! Um I'd like to request a Harry Potter x Ravenclaw!reader where she's pretty shy and Harry has a major crush on her so he's always trying to catch her attention in any way he can? Thank you!

A/N: English is not my first language, there could be mistakes here! If you enjoyed this, like, comment or reblog, whatever you want!

This took a little longer than I expected, but I wrote something and didn’t like it so I had to do it all over again and here it is! I love Harry so I’m really happy someone requested a fic for him because he’s so underrated! Hope you enjoy it!

MASTERLIST. / WORK IN PROGRESS.

Gif below is not mine.

The fake Galleon felt heavier than usual in her hands, the date of their last meeting —the fact unknown to any of them— still engraved in it, gleaming from different angles depending on how the sunlight would shine through the large windows. Not a single day would pass without (Y/N) looking at it from time to time, expecting to see the numbers change, waiting for the return of Dumbledore’s Army.

Once more, reality didn’t reach her wishes.

A sigh left her mouth while she climbed down from the windowsill and abandoned her dorm, Rowena Ravenclaw’s statue watching her back as the sixth year girl started to walk towards the Great Hall, stomach rumbling and crying out desperately for breakfast.

She sat down next to Luna Lovegood, her closest friend, and listened to her comments on Nargles, —“mischievous they are”, she said in a dreamy voice whilst buttering her toast—. (Y/N) knew a lot about the creatures that only Luna and her father believed in after years of being by her side, only separating for lessons and to sleep because of her being a year older than the silver haired girl, although you could find (Y/N) in her friend’s dorm more times than you could encounter Hermione Granger in the Library, laying down on the bed and staring at the canopy filled with little stars that would shine whenever Luna touched them with her wand. (Y/N) had done something similar with hers, but with a glowing full moon instead.

The stars and the moon were never far from each other and neither were them.

Zoning out from her housemates chattering around her, her eyes diverted to the Gryffindor table, quickly finding the remarkable Golden Trio talking to each other. Hermione seemed frustrated, Ron had a delighted expression on his face while the last member had been discussing with the only girl in the group.

Her heart jumped at the thought of them arguing about whether or not Harry would teach the D.A again, just like last year. But why would Hermione be upset then when she was the one who initiated the whole thing? The realisation that they were discussing other matters saddened her. Unconsciously, her fingers reached for the golden coin inside her rob’s pocket.

Glancing back at the plate in front of her, (Y/N) missed Harry waving his hand at her, closing his mouth about to greet her when he noticed the Ravenclaw was no longer looking at them.

Although Harry and (Y/N) were both sixth years and shared many classes, they hadn’t seen each other as much as the first would have liked because of the never ending assignments and most of their free periods spent in the Library.

On the day of tryouts for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, this changed. The girl and Luna had been relaxing near the Quidditch Pitch, resting on top of the grass while the first one read a book and her friend doodled faces on a notebook (Y/N) had gotten her as a birthday present alongside a new set of charcoal crayons, when a large group of people gather around the Pitch.

Leaving the book by her side, (Y/N) began to watch just as a first year crashed into one of the goalposts. Her right hand flew quickly to cover her mouth, a loud laugh trying to escape from her throat. But the laugh disappeared and a tight knot took its place upon seeing the amount of girls trying to catch Harry’s attention, and maybe more.

Luna giggled, her hand still moving around the paper but her bright, blue eyes were flashing with realisation and a funny tingle.

“You like him, don’t you?,” she asked without needing much of an answer.

(Y/N) shocked her head, eyes moving between Luna and the Quidditch Pitch. To her relief, Harry had, apparently, dismissed the girls and they were now sitting on the stands.

But nothing could escape Luna, and most certainly not something related directly to her best friend.

“He fancies you too,” the girl commented casually, like it wasn’t what (Y/N) had yearned to hear since their third year, “you should see how much he stares at you. I was concerned at first, maybe he’d noticed you’ve become infested with Nargles and I hadn’t, but… but then I realised he liked you because I remembered seeing the look on his face.”

“From where?,” (Y/N) questioned softly, still trying to process the fact that Harry Potter liked her. It’s not like she didn’t trust Luna’s judgement —even if people believed she was out of her mind, the girl was surprisingly good for this kind of thing—, but her own insecurities clouded her mind. Did he really fancy her? And if he did, what was so special about her that had captivated Harry’s interest when so many others were throwing themselves at him?

“My dad had the same expression whenever he looked at my mum.” A small smile grew on her face while (Y/N)’s hand travelled to grab one of Luna’s, the one resting on top of the notebook, and squeezed it lightly and reassuringly. “I can still see it whenever he mentions her.”

After the conversation she had with Luna, (Y/N) started to notice more of Harry’s efforts to talk to her while walking to class; after a particular rough lesson of Defense Against the Dark Arts with Snape; sharing hushed instructions (different to the ones in their book but incredibly helpful) every time he pretended to look for more ingredients and walked right behind her during Potions.

Their short exchanges turned quickly into long conversations and shared afternoons, both of the teenagers trying to forget, maybe even ignore for a little amount of time, how dark and obscure was the Wizarding World becoming.

Harry didn’t confess his feelings, —those increasing each time she smiled, or laughed, or gazed at him while rays of sunshine illuminated her skin, making her look even more endearing than usual—, until one particular afternoon.

After succeeding on his mission, —to retrieve an important memory concerning Voldemort from Professor Slughorn that he had altered—, something coming from the interior of his body, or mind, he didn’t know, screaming at him to go to the kitchens. Logically, if a potion that induces luck to the drinker tells you to walk towards a particular destination, then that’s exactly what you do.

The boy wasn’t sure about what could possibly be waiting for him in the kitchens, but after seeing her sitting in one of the large tables across the room, coincidentally the replica of the one she’s used to have breakfast and dinner, he knew the reason the potion had wanted him there.

He took a seat next to her before greeting the house-elves, who were already bringing him trays full of pastries, and struggled to shake the dizziness out of his head —Harry couldn’t figure out if it came from the potion running off, the excitement of finally achieving the memory that would take him one step further to understand Voldemort and his plan, or the nerves that’d always attacked him whenever (Y/N) was near—.

“Hi, Harry,” she murmured softly without looking him in the eyes and grabbing a cookie from the plate in front of her, “what brings you here?”

What brought him to the kitchens and face the girl he had a crush on? Felix Felicis, of course. For what had the potion made him go there? He didn’t want to admit it, Harry didn’t want to confess the urge he had to kiss her whenever she would laugh at one of his jokes, even when they were terrible; he didn’t want to talk about how much he cared for her and how that was the exact same reason why he had taken so long to, first, accept his feelings and to even think about telling her about them. (Y/N) didn’t deserve to be thrown into a war he wasn’t sure he could win. And he didn’t deserve her. She would have to find another person to tease, to laugh with, to confide her problems and desires.

However, the potion hadn’t left his system yet, not entirely at least and enough to make a difference in (Y/N) and Harry’s friendship.

“I-I think I have feelings for you,” the words escaping his mouth before he could stop them, “and they are kind of weird because every time you walk in, or you are close to me, like right now, I don’t know how to act around you.”

No reaction came out of her, not even a slap, which he was kind of preparing for. (Y/N) stood motionless beside him, with the half of her cookie still in her hand, rests of chocolate and crumbs around her mouth.

“I’m sorry if I ruined our friendship, but I just,” he said before releasing a shaky breath,” I needed to tell you that I fancy you and that you are absolutely amazing.”

Swallowing and licking her lips, missing for a few inches the bit of chocolate scattered on them, (Y/N) shifted her position. Her chest was now facing Harry completely, her left leg below her body, giving the impression that she was taller than him, while the other one supported her weight. One of the girl’s hands had barely touched Harry’s jaw when she kissed the corner of his mouth.

“What took you so long?”

Harry could no longer see the chocolate and the crumbs, instead, he was capable of tasting them the second their lips met, hesitant at first but more confident the second time they did.

Whispers coming from the house-elves, —who had stopped, for once, doing their work and were now staring at them, many with tears in their big eyes—, made (Y/N) and Harry to separate from each other, even if it was the last thing they wanted.

“Maybe we should leave,” the Ravenclaw suggested softly in his ear.

Nodding eagerly, Harry took her hand and they both walked out of the kitchens, a grin on each of their faces.

general taglist: @gcdric @lilac-wrists

If you want to be add to the general taglist or to the taglist for a specific character, let me know!

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hops-hunny · 4 years ago

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Felix Felicis

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Hufflepuff! Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Request: “Can you do Draco x Hufflepuff reader fluff where they’re cuddling together and all he wants to do is make her laugh because she failed an exam earlier that day so he’s trying to do everything he can to cheer her up and overall it’s just super fluffy? Thank you have a great day❤️❤️”

Summary: After (Y/N) has a rather unfortunate week, Draco does everything in his power to change that. In a way, he was (Y/n)’s own little Felix Felicis.

A/N: This was my first request so I was a bit nervous writing it! I enjoyed every bit though, this was a very cute request. I hope it was everything you wanted and more anon <3

If (Y/n) didn't know any better, she would've claimed that the world had it out for her. And after the week she had, who would have blamed her? On Monday in potions, she had stirred the wrong way causing a reaction that made her eyebrows disappear(thank god for makeup). On Tuesday, she had slipped and fallen in the great hall which caused a chorus of laughter from every house, including her fellow Hufflepuffs. Wednesday, well, nothing happened. She felt relieved. She had answered a question correctly in DADA, had a free period that overlapped with her friends, and had taken an exam in potions which in her opinion was very easy! Her stroke of bad luck was no more! She was ecstatic...until Thursday came around. If she had thought the rest of the week was bad, then Thursday was absolutely fucking dreadful. Her day started off fine, she woke up, got dressed, and put on her favorite perfume. She didn’t use it often, only when she expected the day to be amazing

That hopeful feeling of luck was short lived and ended by the time she got to the great hall. The Weasley twins had rigged a prank on the wrong person which resulted in her face being stained blue, when she got to her first class her seat was taken by someone else which she didn’t have a problem with. That was until she noticed the only seat left was near Fletcher Digby, who was known for his noticeable...odor that was...to put it nicely, absolutely putrid. By the end of her day, she had gathered up a broken shoe, a run in her stockings, a rip in her blouse, and the blue tint to her face had somehow gotten worse - which she later found out was sweat activated. (Y/n) was usually very optimistic. Even during the cloudiest of days or saddest of times she was always there to offer encouraging words and a smile. If a fellow Hufflepuff was sick, she’d often bake them something with the house elves or give them the last of her sweets from Honeydukes. She even did this for people in other houses as well, a ‘Get Well Soon!’ card attached along with it. That’s what her boyfriend, Draco, loved about her.

She was his light in all the darkness, the candle to his flame. When she came into his life, she taught him many things. His love for her was deep and pure and anyone would be a fool not to notice. That’s why Draco was concerned when he started to see her throughout the week less and less. During the school day, they didn’t have any classes together but even then he’d always wave or smile to her during hallpassing. He’d leave a kiss on her forehead in the great hall before heading to his own table and waited for her after her last class of the day on Friday. So when Draco found himself waiting a lot longer than usual outside of the potion’s room he grew concerned. He pushed past a few students entering the room. His smile dropped when there was no one left in the room but Fletcher Digby. Come to think of it, had he seen her at all today? He assumed she came to the great hall late but now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen her leave with her friends. There were no quick pecks during hallpassing, winks when they saw each other. He quickly strode the halls, looking for her. He was worried, it wasn’t like (y/n) to just miss a day of class with no warning or explanation prior.

“Hannah, have you seen (Y/n)? I haven’t seen her all day and I'm growing quite worried.” He said pulling the Hufflepuff off to the side. If anyone were to know where she was, surely her roommate would. The girl took a moment to think.

“Hm, no. I haven’t seen her since this morning. Before I left the dorm, she was still sleeping. She was really distraught last night so I’m not surprised she decided to stay in. However, I do admit that is completely unlike her.” She offered him a sympathetic smile as he thanked her before heading in the direction of the girls dormitory.

He knocked on the door, finding it to not be locked as it popped open. He walked in only to find that her bed was empty. The only person to be found was Luna, who was holding (Y/n)’s favorite stuffed giraffe (one he had given to her as a present once). She hadn’t noticed him yet but wasn’t phased when he let out a sharp, “What are you doing with that?” she simply turned around and offered him a soft grin.

“Hello Draco, (Y/n) asked me to bring this to her. She was having a terribly bad case of wrackspurts today. One of the worst cases I’ve seen really. So she went where she usually does when she has a bad day although, I think you should bring it to her now that you’re here. Also give her this, it’s a good luck charm I made for her. It should get rid of the wrackspurts and bring luck along with it.” She spoke, handing him the stuffed giraffe and a necklace with a peculiar charm made of tiger’s eye. He looked at it for a sec before taking it, offering her a nod before heading off where he knew you’d be.

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You sat cross legged on the old, comfy couch, drinking the cup of chamomile and lavender tea Hagrid had brought to you. You had grown quite close to the gentle giant throughout your years at Hogwarts. During your first year, you were having an awful day, not as bad as the week you were currently going through but still quite a bad one. You were homesick and missed your family dearly. Your housemates tried to cheer you up with treats and kind words and although you appreciated them dearly, nothing could stop the tears from flowing. That’s when Luna came in, she brought you straight to Hagrid’s hut and explained your dilemma. He welcomed you both in, brewing you tea and offering whatever treats he had. Soon enough, your tears stopped. Hagrid’s hut slowly started to become your home away from home as he offered it to you whenever you liked without asking any questions if you weren’t willing to talk.

Usually, you’d slowly start to tell him what was wrong but today was one of those silent days. Many would expect Hagrid to be absolutely horrid with emotions but, he had like a 6th sense when it came to them. He decided to leave you alone for a few hours, tending to his duties. When he came back, he had gotten you your favorite dessert from the house elves. They were always more than willing to send and make you things because of how kind and helpful you were to them. You sipped at your tea as you softly pet Fang’s head which was resting in your lap. You and Fang’s heads both perked up as you heard a knock at the door. Hagrid walked to the door to see who it was.

“Ah, I figured I would see ya sometime soon.” he said, stepping to the side to let whoever it was in. Draco stepped into the small hut, closing the door as he came to sit near you on the couch. You instantly threw yourself into his arms which in turn, caused him to wrap his arms around you tightly, placing a kiss on the top of your head as he stroked your back. Hagrid took that as his sign to leave, taking the large dog with him. Draco let you cry a bit, his heart breaking at the noises.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, love. Are you alright? Luna told me to give you these.” He said as he handed the girl her giraffe. She hugged it tightly as he put the charm around her neck. She sat between her lover’s legs sighing. He held her close as she described her day, his heart aching from all that she had to deal with and his mind cursing him for not realizing sooner.

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“And on top of all of that, I failed my potions exam! That wouldn’t have been bad if I hadn’t gone on blabbing to all my friends how well I thought I did on the bloody thing. I just feel like the world has it out for me.” She said looking up at him. He nodded in understanding. He had stayed quiet as she had vent to him, just providing the listening ear she needed. That’s when he got a few ideas. He smiled before standing up, stretching his hand out for the girl to grab.

“Come with me. I’ve got an idea! Quickly, we mustn’t be caught.” He said eagerly as he stared at her. She hesitantly grabbed his hand, setting Georgie, her giraffe, on the couch before she was swiftly dragged out of the hut. Draco pulled his girlfriend along, running as she tried to keep up due to the fact her legs were much shorter.

“Where are we going, Dray?” She asked which prompted a quick “shhh!!” from Draco. They both ran across the grounds of the school, hand in hand as to not be caught. (Y/n) had no idea where he was taking her but she thought anything would be better than moping around the rest of the day. They both tried to contain the wild giggles coming from their mouths as they headed in the direction of Hogsmeade.

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As they finally made it, they both still had smiles on their faces at the rush they had gotten from sneaking off. Draco had tied his tie around the girl’s eyes leading her in the way of whatever wild idea it was that he had. “What if we get caught? Someone is bound to see us.” she said, her face forming a frown at the thought of being caught.

“Oh hush darling, we’ll be fine. Besides if we do happen to get caught in some trouble, I’m sure my father won’t mind bailing us out.” He said, finally removing her blindfold. She opened her eyes to see...Madam Puddifoots? She gave him a strange look. “We’re here to get a laugh out of the things that happen in here, sweets. Trust me, you’ll see. Act natural.” He took her hand, leading her to a small booth.

Soon enough, she saw and heard what he meant. The sight of all the couples with their peculiar behaviors was quite a laugh. They saw one couple come in with matching crochet sweaters with each others faces on it, another referred to each other as each others “snuggle-boop-kitty-fuzy-wuzzykins”and only that each time they spoke to each other. But along with the odd, mushy, and gushy couples came a few odd breakups too. One man tried to propose by reciting an “original poem” which turned out to be stolen, causing his boyfriend to dump scalding hot tea on his head. Another guy forgot he scheduled dates with 4 different girls at the same spot, on the same day..didn’t end well for him. A few employees had to carry him out on a stretcher as the girls all exchanged numbers.

By the time they were back on their way to the castle, (Y/n) was already in a better mood. She held an ice cream cone in one hand, and Draco’s hand in her other. They both paused coming to the same realization. Although it was easy to sneak out, how would they sneak back in? The couple locked eyes at the same time before Draco picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder. (Y/n) made sure her ice cream didn’t fall as her boyfriend sprinted in the shadows, using a passageway she had never seen before to get back into the castle. Once inside, they both held in their giggles, quieting their breathing from the run back to the castle as they made their way to his dorm. By then she had long finished her ice cream as he tossed her on his bed, throwing himself down next to her shortly after. (Y/n) rolled over towards Draco to find him already facing her. The pair sat in silence for a moment before both losing composure. They began to laugh hysterically, to the point where a tear or two was shed. After their little laughing fit, Draco sat up, pulling his girlfriend on top of him. She turned, straddling him as she placed a soft kiss on his lips before resting her head on his shoulder.

“I just wanted to say thank you Draco. Not even just for today but for being there whenever I need you. This was honestly one of the worst weeks of my life but if I’m honest, I’d go through it all again to have another evening like the one we just had.” She said as she nuzzled in deeper, taking in the scent of expensive cologne and cinnamon. Her lover was taken back by her words. She was the only one who made him feel like that. Her words meant more to him than anything in the world. He tightened his grip on her, holding her close to him.

“I’d do it all again and more just to see you happy. Why don’t we make this a regular thing of ours, hm? Every friday, we’ll sneak outside the castle and do whatever we want, indulging to our hearts can’t handle it anymore? Even if not, everyday with you is an adventure, sneaky trips or not.” He said. Draco meant what he said full heartedly, everyday she managed to make his life an adventure, learning new things about himself that he didn’t know were there. It was like he was a canvas and she was the painter, each day, each moment, a different stroke of color on his heart.

Perhaps it was Luna’s good luck charm or perhaps it was them, but from then on out each day seemed luckier than the last when he had his girl on his arm.

#draco malfoy #draco malfoy x you #draco malfoy x reader #draco x you #draco #luna lovegood #luna lovegood x you #luna lovegood x reader #harry potter imagines #harry potter #harry potter x reader

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emerald-amidst-gold · 4 years ago

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I blame no one but myself

Since I saw @little-lightning-lavellan create THIS I had to do it for Fane. You have a glorious mind, just so you know! I had to do this, and as a result, I splurged. Holy fuck. Strap yourself in folks!

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You have selected _____ to join your party! Is your OC a Companion in the Dragon Age series? What would it be like for a player to select them to join their party for quests (or romance them, perhaps? 👀)

(yes, I will always use this picture until the day I die. Fight me.)

Fane Lavellan (born 9:17 Dragon) is a Dalish warrior and hunter from Clan Lavellan, but abandoned the clan at the age of 20. He feels no kinship with his own clan or the Dalish as a whole. He is a volatile young man that is prone to bouts of rage, but also indifference, swapping between the two at any given moment. However, he shows an astounding sensibility with keen observational skills and a plethora of worldly knowledge that many would not assume a mere Dalish warrior to have.

Inquisition scouts report that he was along the fringes of the hills surrounding the Conclave several hours before the blast, seemingly observing the gathering of the mages and templars with levels of confusion and intrigue, but was within the village itself when the initial explosion occurred, thus he was brought in as a potential suspect and questioned as to his reasons for being there. Fane stated he was ‘just watching’ and left it at that, so the Inquisition decided to keep him close so they themselves could ‘just watch’. (If playing the Mhairi World State then his reason for being in Haven is as a bodyguard for his sister, and stays with them for her sake alone. He does not leave Clan Lavellan in this world state.)

Fane is a starting companion (appears at the first initial rift with Solas and Varric) and is a romance option for either a female or male elf or human. The initiation of the romance is, however, based on the approval scale. You must be at a certain percentage upon the initiation scene, otherwise, the flag will be unavailable (Dalish Inquisitors start with infinitely lower approval than human, dwarf, or Qunari Inquisitors). If playing the Mhairi World State then romance option is voided, and a background relationship like Dorian and the Iron Bull will be initiated with Solas through banter hints during the game. The background relationship applies for other world states, and for low approval, or if the Inquisitor does not romance Solas.

His primary abilities upon recruitment are centered around two-handed and DPS, but can be respecced after the first seal attempt. Fane’s specialized Ability Tree is akin to the Reaver Ability tree, and unlocks along with other companions’ Ability trees after Haven. However, he has two personalized activated skills named Emotional Baggage and Leashed, But By Choice.

Emotional Baggage is a support, sustained AOE ability that Fane can activate to use the emotional duress of an enemy (i.e. status effects such as panic or weakened.) to augment his, the Inquisitor’s, or other companion’s abilities and basic attacks. This ability eats away at his stamina however and when depleted, Fane is unable to use any of his other abilities for a short period of time, and his basic attacks and general movement is impaired.

Leashed, But By Choice is an ability exclusively tailored to support either Solas or the Inquisitor (if high approval or within the Mhairi World State). When within the appropriate radius of either one, Fane can ‘tether’ himself to Solas or the Inquisitor to bolster their strength by feeding his emotions through the link established. Any debilitating effects upon Solas or the Inquisitor is transferred to him and redistributed back through with fiery purpose. (status effects stack until stamina pool is depleted) If Fane’s stamina pool is completely depleted when the tether is still established, he will begin to take high amounts of spirit damage due to all debuffs circling back to him until he disconnects himself, or Solas or the Inquisitor cease any basic or activated attacks. (If friendly fire is toggled on, Solas or the Inquisitor can direct an attack towards Fane to forcibly remove the link if he is unable to).

Fane’s focused ability is circumstance dependent, meaning it is only activated if Solas has fallen or is at critical health. (If playing the Mhairi World State, it will be available if Mhairi falls or is critically injured, as well.) It is listed with the name Shattered Vow and is along the lines of the base focus ability Berserk. However, Shattered Vow greatly amplifies abilities such as Dragon Rage and Devour, and has no cooldown times on either, but at the cost of extra amounts of health when used. Stamina rate of depletion is exceptionally lowered during the duration of the ability, but upon focus depletion, or if Solas or Mhairi is revived or healed, Fane will immediately collapse and be incapacitated for the rest of the fight. (Revival, potions with Lifeward, or if Healing Grenade is upgraded with Revival will not work to recall Fane.)

Combat Comments

Kills an enemy

(scoffs) Disgusting.

I’m sick of you! *if enemy downed is a mage*

(snarls) Don’t touch me!

Kills an enemy (after Haven)

(tired sigh) Will it ever end?

So much red..

I wasn’t made for this..

Low Health

(growls) Permission granted to heal!

Suledin.. S..Suledin.. Vir enasalin..

I..I have to..keep going..

Low Health (Companions)

(the Inquisitor) Stop attacking! Focus on the Inquisitor! He/She is injured!

(the Inquisitor - if Dalish) Will pride be your downfall, too?! Someone help the Inquisitor!

(the Inquisitor - Mhairi World State) Help, Mhairi! NOW!!

(Solas) Solas! You damned fool! Fall back!

(Varric) Varric! Archers in the back, warriors on the front! Get it?!

(Cole) Cole! Easy, damn you!

Fallen Companions

(the Inquisitor) - If you fall, we all fall! Get. UP!

(the Inquisitor - if Dalish) I thought you would never submit?!

(the Inquisitor - Mhairi World State) My, no! (voice cracks) NO! Open your eyes! OPEN THEM!!

(Solas) Solas! (snarls angrily) I swear if you’re not breathing when I get to you, I’ll--I’ll--!

(Solas - if romanced by Fane) No..NO! (choked up) We made a vow, Solas! It can’t shatter again! I need you!

(Iron Bull) I’m large, but you’re larger, you oaf! Get up!

(Cole) Cole, no! You still have so much to see, to observe! Come on!

(Varric) I don’t fancy having Hawke’s hands on my throat, dwarf!

(Cassandra) The Seeker’s down? (snarls) Fuck me!

Location Comments

If within radius of any Elvhen artifact

Fane: I’m..going to stay out here.

Inquisitor: Is everything all right? What’s wrong?

Fane: Nothing. It’s just more practical for someone to stay outside in case of trouble. Go on.

If within radius of any Elvehn artifact and Solas is in the party (primarily after Haven)

Solas: There is an elven artifact nearby.

Fane: (sighs) Of course there is.

Solas: Ir abelas. We shall be quick.

Fane: Go on, then. I’ll be here.

Exalted Plains

The land is burnt to ash here. How typical.

The sky is...grey. (sighs) I want to leave already.

(Within Halin’sulahn)

Fane: Could we have built a life here? Harmonious with them and free? Without a yoke to bind us, a noose to threaten us?

Inquisitor: With humans, you mean?

Fane: Huh? Hum--? (clears throat) Yeah. Yeah..

(when reading one of the plaques depicting the Exalted March)

(growls) The world would be better off without religion. (scoffs) Zealots, all of them.

(Approaching the Dalish camp)

Inquisitor: Huh. Look. It’s the Dalish encampment.

Fane: Traipsing about a battlefield? (scoffs) Idiots. I feel bad for the halla.

Emprise du Lion

(takes a deep breath) Ahh, feel that? That’s cold. (chuckles) Just how I like it.

I need to shed a layer...or five. How can you all stand so much fur? Ugh.

Watch for falling snow from the branches. It’ll crush you as surely as any boulder would.

(near red lyrium)

This stuff needs to know the perpetuity of black. Destroy it already.

My head is pounding. (growls) Can we get moving? Tsk.

(after walking across Judicael’s Crossing)

Fane: I hear them..

Cole: They’re confused, crazed, chained. They want to correct it, but it’s too much..

Fane: ...Let’s go.

Temple of Mythal

(entering the temple)

Guess the elves learned how to cherish some things. Don’t let that be in vain.

(after meeting Abelas - didn’t attack)

Fane: I wonder if they know..

Solas: They do.

Fane: Hmph. That’s...good, I guess.

Companion Comments about Fane

Varric: Tempest? (laughs) He’s a handful, but he’s not so bad once you get past it. Elf can drink, too! The other night, half the soldiers were knocked out cold and he was still wide awake!

Blackwall: Have you ever played Diamondback with Solas and Fane at the same time? Don’t. My coin purse is still recovering from that duo.

Sera: Grumpy? (cackles) I put a rat in his bed roll the other day and I friggin’ swear his hair turned as red as his face after the screech he let out! ...I had to hide out in the kitchens all day, though.

Cole: His eyes hold dueling duality. He wonders when the battle will end.

Cole (if Fane is romanced with the Inquisitor): He doesn’t know which side he wants, but observing you gives him hope. He feels safe with you.

Solas (not romanced with Fane): Fane has been through a lot, Inquisitor, but his words do not wholly define him. Observe him as he observes all of us, and you will see that.

Solas (if romanced with Fane): (chuckles) Ma’isenatha? He is special, Inquisitor. In more ways than you realize. (more quietly) ...He is more important than you realize.

Iron Bull: He gives me a wide berth for some reason, but he’s one hell of a fighter! (hums) Sort of unhinged though. Like he doesn’t know he’s even moving in for the kill. Kind of worrisome, if you ask me.

Dorian: Fane? (chuckles) Have you ever heard him speak when he thinks no one’s listening? That man is a walking poetry book! Caught him reciting one to himself one time and when I asked about it, he turned beet red! I swear the man’s eyes changed colors from that alone!

Leliana (if not playing the Mhairi World State): I don’t know much about him, or rather, I cannot find much about him. For a large man with very unique features, he remains shadowed. ...And he seems to want it that way.

Leliana (if Inquisitor is Dalish): I attempted to contact your clan after Haven to gather information, but...all inquiries were met with refusal or deflection. You yourself mentioned you had never interacted with him, yes? I believe there is more going on than Fane wishes to admit.

Leliana (if playing the Mhairi World State): Your brother is highly observational and subtle for a man so large. He had taken one of my investigations as his own, and brought back amazing amounts of intel that uncovered a ring of mages attempting to repeat the same dragon control from the Grand Cathedral. ...Would you be adverse to me making him an agent?

Trespasser

No matter the romance or world state, Fane becomes unavailable at the end of Inquisition. If romanced, however, he will leave the Inquisitor a letter stating that he’s sorry, but he can’t continue to ignore what is needed for what he wants. If playing the Mhairi World State, he also leaves a letter, but the message is attached with the favor Mhairi had given him when he turned twenty-one; a velvet sash. After various attempts of locating Fane and turning up no leads, he is presumed out of bounds of Thedas or dead.

During Trespasser, upon the final eluvian that ultimately leads to Solas, the Inquisitor will be stopped by a dragon masked warrior, who is also blocking the Viddasala from entering the mirror. Even when questioned, the warrior doesn’t speak and ultimately moves to the side to allow passage, but not before finally saying, in fluent Elvhen: ‘Your wings are clipped, and only stone awaits you.’

When the Inquisitor speaks to Solas, he will explain that Fane is not dead or missing, and is actively within the Crossroads as they speak. Any circumstance will yield questions from the Inquisitor as to Fane’s exact whereabouts, and Solas with state, with a saddened smile, ‘He saw you when you came in, but you did not do the same courtesy. Such is the way the world views his kind.’ If the Inquisitor made an effort to learn the history of the elves, their downfall, and Solas’s own identity, then he will explain exactly what Fane is and who he is to Solas himself. If not, then Solas will say to find Fane themselves to learn the complete truth and will only explain his own side.

In the Epilogue, it is made known that the warrior the Inquisitor passed in the Crossroads was Fane, after Leliana’s agents reports sightings of a large male along the fringes of Tevinter, wearing the same armor, but without the mask attached. It is later revealed that Fane is working as one of the Agents of Fen’harel, but mainly as Solas’s second in command.

Trivia

Fane has an unhealthy obsession with anything sweet. He often gets stomach aches.

He is demisexual, thus why his romance is based upon the approval scale.

Fane is the only companion that cannot have armor crafted for. He will equip himself as levels dictate.

His area within Skyhold is situated in three places: The third floor in the tavern with Cole, leaning on the crates in the rookery, and most frequently, reclining on the couch in the rotunda, reading. Sometimes banter will trigger between him, Solas, Cole, and Leliana. During Haven, Fane can be found along the edges of the training yard or along one of the broken docks.

His idle animation has him scanning the sky with his arms crossed, or clenching and unclenching his fists.

He enjoys the scent and look of Gladiolus.

If not playing the Mhairi World State, Fane is revealed to have no family beyond his deceased mother and missing father, the latter he speaks of with great disgust and loathing, however.

There is a DLC called Emerald Eyes Amidst Golden Vows that doubles as Fane’s personal quest which reveals towards dragons having a greater influence beyond the Old Gods. It hints towards Fane’s identity, as well, but it is not resolved until Trespasser.

Fane can speak and write in fluent Elvhen, but refuses to unless pressed.

Fane’s Reaver ability Dragon’s Rage is a silvery blue color rather than crimson. Upon activation of Shattered Vow, however, the blue is mixed with red.

It is revealed in Trespasser that Fane was able to ‘tether’ with the Inquisitor due to the mark, since it is Solas’s magic.

He is secretly claustrophobic. This is revealed in The Descent DLC, if taken.

He personally tests every strange bottle of liquor the Inquisitor finds in the wilds.

The Mhairi World State is an origin preset for Fane to personalize the player’s experience with him through special dialogue and unique buffs.

Fane’s ‘climax’ romance scene reveals the abuse he underwent as a child from his father. His scars are exposed for the Inquisitor to see, then.

Refers to Solas as ‘my sky’, if in a romantic relationship. If involved with the Inquisitor, he will call them, ‘my wings’.

***

Yeah, I got carried away. I had to stop myself because I think about this a lot since Fane was not originally my canon Inquisitor. Not entirely canon compliant, but you all know me, I recognize canon, but I don’t chain myself to it. XD

#dragon age #oc: fane lavellan #meme #oc meme #i got really carried away about the abilities #i honestly have so much more like actual companion banter #maybe i'll make another one *side eyes*#dragon age inquisition #male lavellan #reject canon return to fanfiction

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wesawbears · 4 years ago

Text

My @geraskierholidayexchange gift for @keepcalmandexpectopatronum934. I hope you enjoy! This ended up being inspired by the movie Elf. Happy holidays!

In and out Jaskier, he told himself as he adjusted his new work uniform. This was just a temporary gig until he got back on his feet. Besides, it was performance experience, in a way. Perhaps not the kind he’d been expecting, but he’d learned long ago to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Or a gift paycheck, as it were.

With a good luck jingle of his hat and a final tug on his elf ears to ensure they stayed in place, he headed inside to a Christmas wonderland.

More accurately, it was a mall toy store, but hey. Magic! Christmas spirit! Jaskier had never been fussy.

He looked around, glancing at the children milling about, exasperated parents trying to keep them from knocking everything off the shelves. Jaskier supposed he should be grateful, considering cleaning up their messes was now part of his job. Not seeing a manager around, he found the first employee he could see.

The man was tall, with snow white hair tucked up underneath an elf hat similar to Jaskier’s. He was hanging ornaments on a tree in the center of the store, likely ones that some of the running children had knocked over in their haste. He leaned down to pick up a stray ornament the man had missed, hoping to extend it as a token of goodwill toward his fellow employee.

“I love the way you hang those ornaments. Truly an, uh, inspiring show of elfdom.”

The other man stared back at him like he was a space alien, which, okay, fair, that wasn’t one of Jaskier’s better introductions, but what was he supposed to say?

“I’m working on this alone. Go away before Emhyr finds you and fires you.”

“Sorry. Just a bit turned around. I’m Jaskier.” He stuckout his hand, only to realize that his coworker had his hands full.

“Geralt,” the other man said, not glancing away from the tree.

“Nice to meet you! Do you happen to know where the manager might be then?”

As if on cue, another voice sounded behind him. “Geralt, those ornaments are supposed to be spaced apart at 3.8 in.”

“I can’t measure that in my head-”

“Figure it out.” the unfamiliar man turned to Jaskier. “You’re new. Follow me.”

Jaskier gave a last sympathetic glance back to Geralt, before following the manager to the back room.

Well, at least if he was working here for the season, he would have some eye candy while he did it.

It didn’t take long for Jaskier to learn Emhyr hated his fucking guts, and that he would undoubtedly be out of a job come January, but he didn’t mind too much. Being a hated employee ensured that he worked closing shift, which meant he got to work with Geralt. They’d fallen into somewhat of a routine over the last few weeks, cleaning while Jaskier changed the Christmas music to his carefully curated Spotify playlists, which Geralt steadfastly ignored. He’d learned that Geralt worked outdoors, so his job at the local nature preserve didn’t need him during the winter. He also knew that the only reason Emhyr hadn’t fired Geralt for his grumpy nature was that Geralt was Emhyr’s daughter Ciri’s godfather, in an arrangement far too complex for Jaskier to comprehend. In turn, he told Geralt about his performance aspirations, along with every other thought that came to his mind. Geralt didn’t say much, but he listened and made dry comments every so often and Jaskier was in love with him.

Jaskier had always fallen easily, it’s true, but that didn’t take away the flutter in his heart each time one of Geralt’s small smiles was sent his way, a wry laugh into a bottle of water as they waited for the time to switch to ten so they could lock up.

On one such night, the week before Christmas, Jaskier perched himself on the counter, watching Geralt finish cleaning the last of the displays. “Thank you, dearest. You know you’re so much better at organizing those than I am, and I’m pretty sure I’m one fuck up away from getting fired.”

Geralt snorted. “Emhyr won’t fire you. He still needs a warm body in the store and no one else will take night shift.”

“Except you. What is the deal with him anyway? He doesn’t seem the...toy store type. Seems more like a...retail baron to me.”

“He’s not. He’s a regional finance manager. They just couldn’t find anyone else to run the store this year. That’s why he’s being pissier than usual.”

“That...makes more sense. But he gets to see your smiling face, so, you know, a jolly time.”

Geralt huffed a laugh. “Yeah. He’s thrilled to see me. I’m sure my work ethic is what’s keeping him from spiking my eggnog at Christmas this year.”

“Has he...is that a legitimate worry?”

“No. At least, I don’t think so. Probably not.”

“That family dynamic will never make sense to me.”

Geralt sighed and leaned against the counter. “We make it work. For Ciri.”

“Is she excited for Christmas?”

“She is. Between here and spending time with her, I can’t get away from it.”

Jaskier frowned. “You don’t like Christmas?”

Geralt shrugged. “It just...wasn’t a big deal for me growing up.”

“That’s so sad!” Jaskier loved Christmas. Though he didn’t really spend time with his family anymore, he had fond memories of the annual Christmas party- the music, the desserts, the presents. Just the general feeling that all was right with the world.

“It’s fine. It’s just another day.”

“How are you making me even sadder?”

Geralt rolled his eyes. “Dramatic.”

“Of course,” Jaskier answered with a small flourish. “Geralt! I have an idea!”

“Careful. Wouldn’t want to hurt yourself.”

Jaskier huffed. “I’ll show you the magic of Christmas! I”ll be like...your Christmas elf! Your spirit advisor.”

“That sounds horrible.”

“You are so mean to me. I don’t know why I put up with you.”

Geralt shot him an incredulous look, but acquiesced. “What would...that...entail?”

“First rule of Christmas from your official spirit advisor: Christmas is about surprises.”

“I hate surprises.”

“That’s the spirit!”

They decided to hold their Christmas adventure two days later, since Emhyr had told them their services weren’t needed due to a school group volunteering to work as “Santa’s Elves” that day. They met up at the mall at 3, when they usually started work. Jaskier was decked (the halls) out in a very shiny Christmas sweater, while Geralt was in his finest funeral blacks. He had dressed warmly though, as requested, so Jaskier wasn’t going to complain too much.

“Ready, star pupil?”

“No. But I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

“You do not.”

“Hmm.”

They headed out into the cold. The mall was just a short walk away from the rest of town, and Jaskier figured they could look at the lights on the way there. “My mom and sisters and I would always go walk around and try to pick our favorite lights every year. I thought we could try that. As an easy intro activity.”

Geralt glanced around, furrow in his brow. “They all look the same.”

“They do not! It’s like you’re not even trying.”

“Then show me what you see, spirit advisor.”

“Fine,” Jaskier huffed. “Those ones, over there. They look like icicles on the trees. I like them because they sparkle off the snow and from far away, they just...ooze Christmas.”

“Hmm.”

“But I also like the more colorful ones. You can’t tell me that seeing lights everywhere doesn’t leave you feeling the least bit festive?”

“They’re just...bright.”

“Fine, sir humbug. Be difficult.”

They made their way into town, Jaskier showing him different lights, and Geralt remaining unmoved. He felt it was truly a lot cause when Geralt made a noise next to him. “Those ones.”

“Which ones?”

“There. Next to the coffee shop.”

There was a small display, only the barest flash of lights that looked like holly and ivy. They were much more subdued than anything Jaskier picked out, but he couldn’t bring himself to dull Geralt’s small bit of enthusiasm. “They’re lovely. See, you’re getting the hang of it!”

“I’m also getting cold.”

“There’s just no pleasing you. Well, I suppose we could stop for a cup of hot chocolate.”

“Hmm.”

Jaskier led them inside, ordering a large hot chocolate for himself, while Geralt ordered a black coffee.

“Geralt! Come on, you have to get something at least a little Christmas-y.”

“Fine. One pump of peppermint.”

“Oh for the love of God.”

He allowed Geralt his approximation of holiday cheer and sat at one of the tables. He watched smugly as Geralt took a sip and held back a grimace at his concoction.

“How is it?”

“People put peppermint in coffee all the time. How do they like this?”

“Well, usually there’s also chocolate…”

“Too sweet.”

“Unfortunate,” Jaskier said, taking a large sip of his hot chocolate.

“Jaskier...I...appreciate you doing this for me, but I think I’m just not meant for-”

“For Christmas? For nice things?”

“It’s just not my thing.”

Jaskier pursed his lips. “Well, be that as it may, I am your spirit advisor, and I did promise. At least allow me to try one more thing.”

Geralt nodded. Bolstered by his reaction, Jaskier pulled a small box out of his jacket.

“What’s that?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be a very good Christmas demonstration without a present, would it?”

“I don’t have anything for you.”

Jaskier waved his hand. “Seeing your face as you open this is gift enough. Open it!”

Geralt took the box wearily and unwrapped it carefully. Jaskier had half expected him to tear the wrapping paper apart, but instead he carefully untucked and smoothed out every edge. Inside was a small ornament, in the shape of a lion’s paw. Geralt stared at it quietly and Jaskier felt himself fidget.

“I know you call Ciri your little lion cub sometimes. I overheard you on the phone with her, and, you know, maybe I overstepped…”

“Jaskier. Thank you. It’s...perfect.”

He looked up and saw Geralt with a soft smile, only this time it was only for Jaskier and he felt his heart melt. “You’re very, very welcome, Geralt,” he said, reaching out to clasp their hands together.

Geralt looked at their joined hands and slowly brought them to his lips. He kissed the back of Jaskier’s hand and he felt himself flush like a maiden in a period piece. Gracious, it was warm in here.

“Geralt…”

“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling his hand away. “I shouldn’t have…”

“You missed.”

The furrow in his brow was back. “What?”

Jaskier smiled. “You missed. Let me show you.”

He leaned forward and kissed Geralt softly, letting him take the lead and move forward to capture Jaskier’s lips fully. It was a bit minty and the angle was wrong, but Jaskier felt his heart swell anyway. It was perfectly Geralt.

They pulled away, and Jaskier smiled at the uncharacteristic flush across Geralt’s cheeks.

“Well,” he broke the silence, “I suppose my work here is done.”

“How’s that?”

“Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas kiss.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Jaskier laughed and stood. “You should know I always am, darling. Now, come on! We don’t want to miss the ice skating rink…”

#the witcher #geraskier #geraskier holiday exchange #keepcalmandexpectopatronum934

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charlieweasleyxmc · 4 years ago

Text

The Celestial Ball

(Y/N) gaped openly at the midnight blue dress, bespeckled with silver stars in front of her.

“It’s…beautiful,” she breathed out, seeing Andre’s smile out of the corner of her eye. “Did you make it yourself or find it somewhere?” she asked.

“Bit of both,” he said, still smiling, “I’ll leave you to try it on, shall I?” he asked.

She didn’t quite understand what he was saying until he had already gone from the room.

(Y/N) made her way to the great hall from trying on the beautiful gown for the celestial ball. When she finally got into the great room, she noticed that many people had already left for their next lesson after lunch. Since this was her free period, she intended to satisfy the rumbling in her belly before her next Herbology class.

When she saw a familiar head of ginger hair, she smiled and headed straight for it.

“Hey, you,” she said, teasingly, peaking around Charlie at the parchment he was working on. “An essay on gilliweed,” she mused, “for Professor Sprout?”

“No, actually,” Charlie said, writing furiously. “For Professor Kettleburn. It’s extra credit. I’m arguing why gilliweed is a valuable resource for caring for underwater creatures, but Professor Kettleburn seems to think the bubble head charm would do just as well. Only, I don’t think you’d be able to keep up with some of them unless you were some sort of swimming champion. I’ve got to get it done now since I have quidditch practice tonight.”

(Y/N) nodded, finding, rather guiltily, that her attention had faded from what he had been saying, to the piece of hair that tickled against his brow as he leaned over the parchment. She had gotten the gist of the essay, though.

Charlie, obviously feeling what she had noticed, sat up to brush the piece of hair out of his face.

He turned to look at her, smiling tiredly.

“How you doing?” he asked, pieces of hair falling out of the ponytail that had obviously had to go through a Care of Magical Creatures or Defense Against the Dark Arts practical earlier in the day.

“Good. You?” she asked, realizing the reply had been rather formal. She sighed. “Andre heard the rumors, that we started, about going to the celestial ball together.”

“So, it’s working then?” Charlie asked, grinning. “Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly, “we only keep up the rumor until the day of and then we don’t have to go.”

“Yeah, I suppose,” (Y/N) said, her voice growing softer. “It’s just, he got me a dress.”

“A what?”

“Dress robes, you know,” (Y/N) said, ducking her head. “And they are so beautiful. It’s hard not to want to wear them.”

Charlie stared at her. “So…you want to go?” he asked, a little bewildered. “You want to go after all?”

“No…uh…that’s not what I meant…I mean…the dress,” she sighed, going for a different tactic. “What?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips and scrunching up her face in a self-confident pout. “You going back on your promise to me?” she said, teasingly accusatory.

Charlie laughed, his eyes brightening. He lifted his hands up in the air, placating. “I guess not,” he said, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t want to look like I was leading you on, would I?” He grinned.

“No,” (Y/N) confirmed, haughtily. Then she dropped the act, giggling. “You know,” she said, after she had stopped, “we really don’t have to go. I know that wasn’t the deal.”

Charlie shook his head again as he ducked his head back to look at his paper.

“No. What kind of friend would I be if I kept you from wearing that sensational dress?”

(Y/N) smiled.

It was hard to pay attention all through Potions the next day. Snape even kept snapping at her nearly every time her attention wandered. He somehow had an uncanny radar for when her eyes would flit from her work to a random spot of the room and stay there, staring out into space to daydream.

She apologized as he sniffed, but not before taking five points. She scowled into her potion.

She managed to get through the rest of the lesson and get released to lunch without losing (Y/H) any more points. She was on her way to the Great Hall, hoping the House Elves had made some pancakes, waffles, or something, even though it was well past breakfast, when she had to pull up short to stop herself from running into little Oliver Wood.

“Hullo, Oliver,” she said cheerily, glancing down at him.

“Hey,” he gazed at her, a thought clearly dawning across his face. “Did you hear about the accident?”

(Y/N) stared, “what accident? No…I didn’t?

“The quidditch accident.” Oliver said. “Charlie’s got a hurt arm in the hospital wing. Now we are down a seeker for next Saturday’s match if Madam Pomphrey can’t fix him up by then. She said it’ll take a while though.”

But (Y/N) hadn’t heard the rest of Oliver’s comment. She was already gone.

Cutting past the great hall, she clambered up the marble staircase, doing her best not to trip on her robes, and hustled to the hospital wing at a jog.

She entered slowly, noting Madam Pomphrey wasn’t in the room, meaning she must be in her office in the back.

But two students were.

A red haired young man lay in one of the beds, struggling to eat his French toast with one hand, due to the fact that his other arm was bound up in a white sling. To his left, sat Nymphadora Tonks, who was talking animatedly with him and eating a bag of crisps in her hand. They both looked up when (Y/N) approached.

“Hey,” Charlie mumbled, as Tonks waved cheerily.

“Come to bid your last thoughts to the dying,” Tonks said dramatically, clutching her chest.

(Y/N) smiled despite herself and sat on the edge of the bed next to Charlie’s.

“Oliver told me you got hurt,” she said, simply, noticing Charlie had still not met her eyes.

“Yeah,” he said glumly.

“Oh! For goodness sake!” Tonks said, exasperatedly. She turned to (Y/N). “Look, (Y/N). He got hit with a bludger during practice last night and instead of coming up to Madam Pomphrey’s, since they weren’t strictly supposed to be out that late, they decided to try to fix it up themselves and he lost all his bones in his arm.”

(Y/N) stared, “really?” Charlie was still ducking his head.

“Yeah,” Tonks said, eating another chip. “Really stupid, right?”

But (Y/N) started to laugh. She gently slapped Charlie’s arm closest to her, the one not in a sling.

“You idiot. Madam Pomphrey has fixed you up in seconds plenty of times.”

Charlie nodded glumly.

“So, how long are you in here for?” (Y/N) said, still smiling.

“He’s got to grow the bones back,” Tonks said slowly, “and then Madam Pomphrey says he has to rest for a few days.”

“A few days…”

“Yeah,” Charlie finally spoke, his voice hoarse. “She said I can’t go to the celestial ball on Saturday.”

“Actually she said she couldn’t understand why you would want to go without being able to use one of your arms,” Tonks said, resting one of her feet on Charlie’s bed as a footrest, and leaning her chair back since she had finished her crisps. “And then she told you that you couldn’t anyway because the skelegrow makes you really tired and you have to stay in bed while taking it and then after.”

Charlie nodded, looking down at his French toast.

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to come up here,” (Y/N) said.

Charlie looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time.

“You…what?”

(Y/N) looked at him, “well, if my date’s in the hospital wing. I won’t be able to go to the ball, then, will I? I’ll just have to come here instead.”

Charlie shook his head then, putting his good hand on her arm.

“No,” he said, you’re not going to come here to sit with me. Not while everyone else is at the ball. You’ll be able to hear them from here. I’m not going to let you do that. And you wanted to wear your dress. I already asked someone to go with you, so you don’t have to worry about anyone else asking even now that I’m in the hospital wing. He…well, the person he wanted to go with already had a date, so he wasn’t going to go until I got hurt. And he says he’ll go with you.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “Charlie, I don’t want to be given to someone random on a pity date.”

“You won’t be. I promise,” he said, with surety in his voice. “It’s…”

“Don’t tell her,” Tonks said gleefully, “it’d be more fun for it to be a surprise.”

Charlie glanced at her and (Y/N) knew he was going to reject the idea on principle, but (Y/N) rested a hand on his arm.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, “I’m not anxious about it anymore.”

Charlie looked relieved. Then a thought struck (Y/N).

“It’s not…Bill, is it?”

Charlie looked up, startled. “No,” he said, “I thought of Bill, but he’s tied up with some big Gringotts thing in Egypt. Won’t be back until our Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson next week. Did you…want it to be Bill?”

(Y/N) shook her head, “no, I mean, I didn’t want it to be anybody. I just thought that’s who you would ask. That’s all.”

“And Bill would be the only option as good as Charlie himself,” Tonks said, continuing to lean back. “I mean, he is a Weasley.”

(Y/N) grinned, “yup, Weasleys are pretty great.”

“Alright, you two,” Charlie said, chucking a pillow at Tonks with his good arm. “I actually thought,” he said, turning to (Y/N), “that Bill would be the best option since you’ve got that assassin wizard after you. He’d be able to protect you.”

“Or you could just ask the assassin wizard,” Tonks suggested, “I’m sure he’d love a chance to get close to you.”

Charlie frowned at her, but (Y/N) laughed.

“I’ll make sure to keep it in mind if I see him before Saturday.”

Charlie continued to frown at Tonks.

“What?” she asked, shameless, “I’d like a bit of a danger in someone I was with. Adds to the excitement,” she said, grinning. “Love knows no bounds,” she said in an overly romanticized voice.

Charlie chucked another pillow at her.

“Hey, Charlie,” (Y/N) said, “can I have some of your French toast?”

It turned out the date that Charlie had set up for her was with Barnaby. (Y/N) was not disappointed. On the contrary, Barnaby was her friend and she was grateful that she was going with someone she knew well.

She was also grateful that she had had a little while to get over the hope that she would be going with Charlie.

Barnaby met her in the Great Hall in a smooth ensemble of green velvet dress robes and he smiled widely, offering compliments at (Y/N)’s appearance.

She took them graciously, a little uncomfortable with how over-the-top Barnaby was praising her.

But, all in all, they had a great night. The first ball passed with a lot of fun dancing between her and her friends. Almost everyone had come and (Y/N) was having a great time when someone tapped on her shoulder.

It was her date, coming back from getting a drink.

“You want to dance for the slow song?” he asked.

“Sure.” She let Barnaby take her into a slow crawl and they stepped lazily throughout the song.

Barnaby seemed to get distracted part way through though.

“Let’s move this way,” he said, urging her towards the doors.

(Y/N) followed along, but let him move her through the crowd.

“Look to the doors,” he said in a low voice, spinning her around so that she was now facing the open doors to the Great Hall.

She gasped. Leaning around the entrance to the Great Hall was a boy in hospital pajamas and a sweater, his arm in a white sling.

He smiled, catching (Y/N)’s eyes and she grinned.

Charlie had come after all.

And though she could not dance with him. Charlie had made sure she had not missed the dance. Had made sure that she had been able to dance and find joy with her friends. And Barnaby had made sure she had not had to pass this night without seeing Charlie.

She smiled wider.

Charlie disappeared a moment later, but she did not forget his smile, his kind expression, and the effort it must have taken for him to come down here, as tired as he was. She almost wished he hadn’t, that he had rested in bed. But the gesture was not in vain and she held the gesture as a precious memory in her heart, one she knew, she would never forget.

This art by Charliexmcsittinginatree is a beautiful idea. I had to write a story from it because it was so perfect. Go give her a lot of love! She is incredible! In fact, we could all use a bit more love, especially right now, but always. Go spread the love!

#charlie weasley #charlie weasley fanfiction #charlie weasley x jacob's sibling #charlie weasley x mc #charlie weasley x reader #charlie weasley x you #harry potter fanfic rec #harry potter fanfiction #hogwarts mystery #hogwarts mystery charlie #harry potter fanart #charlie weasley fanart

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smiting-finger · 5 years ago

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this exists because I love Wen Ning

The period after the Yiling Patriarch's return is rife with rumour. They spread like wildfire throughout the Wizarding world, each seemingly wilder than the last: Wei Wuxian put part of his soul into a baby so his followers could bring him back to life, Wei Wuxian was alive all along and living under a different identity using Polyjuice (accounts of the precise identity vary) - soon even tales of the Ghost General being seen again begin to spread.

The students of Gusu Academy are taught not to put any stock into idle gossip (and frankly, it's a little too convenient that the Ghost General has popped up right now, when he's had any time within the past ten years to make an appearance), but who among them didn't grow up on stories of the Yiling Patriarch's right-hand man, so thirsty for blood during the war that he'd risen from the dead to continue killing? And yes, it's a little ridiculous that sightings have been reported in so many places (he's a ghost, but even poltergeists don't move fast enough to travel around the Burial Mounds, Koi Tower, the Nightless City and Lotus Pier within a week. What’s he doing, anyway, taking a Grand Tour?), but that doesn't make it any less interesting, so the stories continue to circulate within the school grounds.

And then the ghost turns up right outside.

Someone is immediately sent running for the Headmaster, but it's Professor Lan who comes to the gate, Little Apple perched on his shoulder and looking curiously at the students crowding along the edge of the wards.

"Ah!" the ghost says when he approaches, speaking for the first time. "Lan Wangji! I- I don't know if you remember me, but, uh, I'm-"

"Wen Qionglin," Professor Lan says in greeting, and furious whispers travel up and down the line of students.

The Ghost General!

"Oh, you do remember!" the ghost - the Ghost General says, sounding quietly pleased. "I heard that - that he'd returned, and that he was here, so I…'

He trails off, looking hopefully at Professor Lan, who nods.

"He did. But he's away on a trip."

"Oh."

The Ghost General's entire figure seems to deflate.

"Then-"

"You may come inside and wait for him here," Professor Lan offers, raising a hand and holding out a small jade token. "If you'd like."

Twenty-odd pairs of wide student eyes suddenly zoom towards him.

The Ghost General's pale eyes are also wide with surprise, but he smiles and nods tentatively.

"Y-yes, I would. Thank you."

It just goes to show how well-grounded in principle the Gusu Academy rules are, because just a week of having Wen Qionglin among them unequivocally proves to the students that common knowledge is completely and utterly full of shit.

While no one actually believed that the Ghost General ate babies (being a ghost and therefore incapable of eating anything), most people did take it, and the other stories like it, to be illustrative of his general ferocity and cruelty, since even the conservative estimates of his bodycount in battle are alarmingly high.

Now, a general sentiment is growing amongst the student body that the influence of Jin Guangshan's self-serving propaganda must be stronger than they'd thought, because Wen Qionglin is - well.

(To be honest, they should already have known this. According to Jin Guangshan, the Yiling Patriarch was power-hungry and evil, and in the end the power-hungry one was Jin Guangshan, and Professor Wei is only evil at exam time.)

He is very strong for a poltergeist, that much is true, but he mostly uses his abilities to help Professor Lan cart around class supplies, or stop over-burdened students from dropping their books in the hallways. He can always be found hovering around the Quidditch pitch when practice is in session, waiting to catch anyone who falls off their sword and rush them to the infirmary if they've sustained any injury heavier than a bruise. He spends most mealtimes sitting next to Professor Lan and smiling nervously at anyone who meets his eye, and is terrified of Senior Professor Lan, who apparently taught him in school and left an impression.

(The students can sympathise. He's left much the same impression on them.)

In short, the poltergeist Wen Qionglin is lovely and a student group has already formed to protect him from being bullied.

And then Professor Wei Wuxian comes back with his group of fourth- and fifth-years.

"Young Master Wei!" Wen Qionglin exclaims, zipping through the students towards the dusty figure in the doorway, Professor Lan and Little Apple following behind him at a much more sedate pace.

"Wen Ning?" Professor Wei exclaims, halfway through shrugging his cloak off, his mouth already stretching into a beaming grin. "Where did you come from? When did you get here?!"

"I-" Wen Qionglin begins, and that's when he catches sight of Lan Sizhui walking in the door and turns even whiter than his usual ghostly pallor

"Young Master," he whispers after a moment. "Is that-"

Professor Wei smiles crookedly. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

He beckons Lan Sizhui over with a wave. "Sizhui, why don't you introduce yourself to our guest?"

"Lan Yuan," Lan Sizhui says obediently, bending into a beautifully-correct bow. "Courtesy name 'Sizhui'."

Lan, Wen Qionglin mouths soundlessly, and his gaze immediately flies to Professor Lan, who nods.

"Sizhui," Wen Qionglin repeats softly, turning back. "So your courtesy name was given to you by-"

"Professor Lan," Lan Sizhui confirms with a nod, and then shoots a curious glance in his direction.

Instead of explaining anything about Wen Qionglin, Professor Lan nods a second time and says, cryptically, "Names are for things we intend to keep."

But it must make sense to Lan Sizhui, because he lets out a soft oh!, cheeks dusting with pink and Professor Wei grins.

"You should make some time to spend with Senior Wen," Professor Lan tells Lan Sizhui. "After you've had time to rest and settle back in. He has a lot to speak to you about."

"There's no hurry, though," Professor Wei says, leaning in to rub the top of Little Apple's head, and then tug gently on the end of Professor Lan's hair ribbon. "Unless Wen Ning's got somewhere to rush off to - which I don't imagine he does - Hey Wen Ning, you're staying a while, right?"

"Um," Wen Qionglin says. "I - yes? If it's all right. I'd - I'd like that very much."

And these exist because I had headcanons with nowhere to go:

5 Things Lan Xichen knows about his nephews

The reason their uncle did nothing when he discovered the boys with Little Apple was that it was just so ugly. Had Little Apple been cuter, their uncle would have had no qualms in telling them to get rid of it, or at the very least punishing them for their rule-breaking. As it is, the little bird is so pitiful that their uncle simply cannot bring himself to do anything but turn a blind eye.

Wei Wuxian refers to the newly-returned Little Apple as Sizhui’s 兄长 so much that Sizhui himself starts doing the same, which is fine until the new teacher, Luo Qingyang, overhears him telling Jingyi that his 兄长 likes to nibble on his ear to get his attention.

Little Apple’s new favourite perch is Wangji’s shoulder (Wei Wuxian moves around too much), and the visual impact of this when Wangji walks through the Gusu halls has their uncle wondering what, exactly, has caused the sudden surge of student interest in the jelly-legs curse.

The Gusu house-elves like Wei Wuxian. Theirs is a friendship built on frequent, late-night kitchen visits; food provided without question and in exchange for much-coveted goods smuggled in from the muggle markets. They love Wangji because he is a Gusu Lan, raised in their domain (instead of the more usual Cloud Recesses) and under their care from the first. But they love Sizhui because he is theirs; because when Wangji brought him back, tiny, feverish and much too skinny, it was a parade of house-elves that helped a heartsick Wangji nurse him back to health. It was they who taught Wangji how to see to his needs, who rocked and soothed Sizhui to sleep when Wangji was exhausted from calling out to a ghost who never answered. It was they who comforted and cossetted Sizhui when he came back crying but didn't want Wangji to know it because someone had teased him about being adopted - about being an Outsider, about not being a Lan.

(Wangji knew. Xichen had had to intervene in a great many confrontations with other Lan parents because Wangji knew.)

5 Things Luo Qingyang knows about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji (one of which is actually about Lan Xichen)

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji meet in first-year, on the first day of class, when they're assigned as potions partners for the year.

They become enemies approximately ten minutes later, when Lan Wangji discovers that Wei Wuxian is equally likely to follow instructions as not and Wei Wuxian discovers that Lan Wangji is a lot of fun to rile up.

They become friends the following month, when Lan Wangji comes across Wei Wuxian in the hallway, mid-scuffle with two of the Wen boys. As fists and knees go in all directions, one of them blames something or other on the fact that Wei Wuxian has no parents, and Lan Wangji stops short, says, "I also have no parents. Would you like to say something to me?" and throws himself into the fray.

When Gusu is paid a visit by its British counterpart, and the Headmaster (flanked by Professors Lan and Wei) steps forward to receive their guests, Lan Jingyi asks Lan Sizhui (in what he no doubt fondly believes to be a whisper) whether the foreign teachers are kind of….uglier than he was expecting? and receives a swift elbow to the ribs for his trouble.

(When Qingyang tells the Headmaster about it, he glances at the copy of The Thirty-six Strategems* on his bookshelf and smiles.)

*Specifically, 美人计 or the Beauty Strategem

#The Untamed #wangxian #mo dao zu shi #HP AU #fic

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itsbenedict · 4 years ago

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Two-Faced Jewel: Session 2

Zero and @eternalfarnham are Looseleaf and Saelhen du Fishercrown, a mothfolk animist and a half-elf conwoman. A botched heist forces Saelhen to keep up her fake identity and embark on a quest to places unknown, with Looseleaf to keep a watchful compound eye on her. This time, they prepare to set out for the jungle city of Thunderbrush.

[Campaign log]

It's less than a week after the incident with the pit under Yoshimimoto Plaza. Looseleaf returns to school with Saelhen in tow, and Looseleaf's roommate Oyobi spends some time training them up in basic monster self-defense- the two of them are now level 2! Saelhen gains a Cunning Action, and Looseleaf embarks on the Path of the Mutable Spirit. (There's no combat this session, so more on that later.)

In spending some time with Looseleaf's roommate, Saelhen picks up on... certain nuances.

looseleaf: what you know about your roommate is that she is very friendly and outgoing. the reason she's barely home most of the time is that she's always out partying or fighting or otherwise living it up on campus, and she's pretty well-known and popular amongst the student body. she's technically Martial Arts but takes a few Natural Arts classes, including your archaeology class. she wants to be an adventurer and join the Deathseekers' Guild, and she's taking multiple periods of Severe Zoology to learn to fight monsters. she thinks you in particular are adorable and has probably invited you to various social gatherings. she seems kind of spacey and unreliable, though, and doesn't seem to take you seriously.

saelhen, what you know about looseleaf's roommate is that she a freak nobody else seems to pick up on this, since there's not a lot of other elves at Blacksky, but you can tell from the way she wears her clothes and how she interacts with strangers to the uninformed observer, her fashion sense is sort of rugged and sporty and normal to an elf, her usual outfits are the equivalent of going around dressed in torn booty shorts, a spiked choker, and an ahegao t-shirt she is very obviously making a statement, and that statement is "i can do whatever i want, and if you have a problem with that you can [insert grossly offensive euphemism here]" her super-smiley friendly attitude is clearly part of this- she is breaking every single rule in the elf book, going right for the friendship throat in every social interaction and ignoring every single nicety that's supposed to precede friendly contact she acts a little different around you- like, she expects you to be in on the joke she's playing on everyone around her. she'll say something seemingly innocuous that's a actually a horrendous boundary violation in Kanzentokai, and then look at you with an expectant smile, to see if you appreciated the hilarious prank she just pulled. being around her is like being in the studio audience for a cringe comedy sitcom

Why are we learning so much about Oyobi? Well, partially because I can't help but overthink every single bit character, but also for reasons that'll become clear shortly.

After a few days, Saelhen and Looseleaf are invited to the Provost's office, up at the top of Blacksky Tower. (Ominous sort of place, for a faculty building- hewn out of a single chunk of sparkling black stone, oldest building on campus.) They are not invited to sit- the office contains no chairs.

Provost Hamori Los has good news for them! The people she's had secretly monitoring Saelhen for the past few days- did she forget to mention that?- have determined, by triangulation, that the arrow on Saelhen's bracer is currently pointing in the direction of Thunderbrush, deep in the giant-spider-infested jungle. So that where they'll be going, on a fun field trip!

Looseleaf could not be happier about this. Or less happy. She's really got precisely the amount of unhappiness that she's obligated to feel about giant spiders, being a giant moth.

Luckily, they won't have to trek through the jungle- Hamori has arranged for transportation via the ferry at the town of Cauterdale, which should allow them to bypass a treacherous trek into the depths of the Remoline Rainforest. They'll each be provided 100gp as funding for this academic enterprise- and Headmaster Goodcrest of Thunderbrush Metropolitan University has agreed to provide lodging for them on arrival. Everything is handled for them- so there shouldn't be any problems!

There is one more thing, though- all the different schools want in on this trip, so one school doesn't get all the credit. They're required to bring along a representative from the School of Arcane Arts and the School of Martial Arts, on top of Looseleaf from Natural Arts. And on top of... the representative from the School of Restricted Arts.

This dude is named Vayen, and he's not much for conversation. Or explaining what he's even doing here. Or doing anything besides skulking a careful distance away from the party, staring and listening. What does the School of Restricted Arts even study, again?

Anyway, Looseleaf has someone in mind from Martial Arts, so she leads the party to the School of Arcane Arts to do some recruiting! After being chewed out by Two-Brains for trying to post notices outside the official student notice board, she puts up her ad:

It's not long before she gets a bite!

Orluthe Chokorov is a cleric-in-training, under Diamode, the Goddess of Family. He's been enrolled in Arcane Arts at the insistence of his family... but he seems to think he's a "fake", and is desperate to go somewhere, anywhere, as long as it means he passes his classes without having to actually... be able to do whatever it is he's taking classes in. He says he can fight, though- in fact, he's eager to fight! He once beat Bud Chestplate, did you know?

There are perhaps less delinquent candidates they could go with, but there's something nice about a party member with secrets Saelhen could use as blackmail.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: "...rest assured that I shall be the soul of discretion. As will Looseleaf." "Though I fear that deception of this sort does not come easily to me..." Looseleaf: "Noeru, if he doesn't want to get into it, he doesn't have to- oh my god."

Having recruited Orluthe, the party heads back to Looseleaf's dorm to ask Oyobi about the Martial Arts students- maybe she has some idea as to who would make a good candidate for the trip!

(This isn't me foisting her on the players, though I did suggest it- after the party of two squishies got wiped in the first encounter, I offered them the chance to put together two NPCs who they'd get to control in combat. Their character sheets were more or less created by the players, and I matched their mechanical requirements to NPCs. We may end up having multiple characters per PC, later- this is sort of a trial run.)

With a cleric(?) and a ranger on the team, plus whatever Vayen is that he won't tell them, they're feeling ready to hit the road- right after a shopping trip.

Saelhen buys...

1x bag of 1000 ball bearings

1x traveler's clothes

1x hooded lantern

15x doses of insect repellent salve (much to Looseleaf's great offense)

2x uses of sealing wax

1x tinderbox

fuck it, 4x more bags of 1000 ball bearings

Zero: 'what are you going to do with five thousand ball bearings' 'when the time comes, i'll know'

Looseleaf buys...

1x pint of oil

1x bag of 1000 ball bearings also

5x healer's kits, to distribute to the party

1x pouch of various plant seeds

1x map

Notably absent is any food, since they have Oyobi in their party- she's a ranger with the Goodberry spell. (I've reflavored it to just mean she's good at foraging and always has rations on hand, because holy crap, Goodberry rules-as-written is totally worldbreaking- why would farms exist?)

During their shopping trip, Saelhen manages to get Oyobi alone, without the rest of the party. Oyobi's shtick has been fun, for her, as someone with very little regard for elven rules of politeness, but... it's still a little much. She asks Oyobi to tone it down.

Oyobi Yamatake: "I mean, I thought you had to no-sell it to keep up the fake noble act- I didn't think it was actually getting you!" "That's priceless, oh my god." "What's there to take a 'break' from, anyway? What's wrong with just living?" Saelhen du Fishercrown: "Primarily, the fact that I really need not to twitch in front of the Provost's silent murder goon." Saelhen jerks a thumb over her shoulder, then belatedly checks to make sure that Vayen is not in fact literally right behind her. Benedict I. (GM): Make a Perception roll? Saelhen du Fishercrown: aw, hell, he definitely is, isn't he

She rolls a 13, and no one in particular rolls a 17. So, everything is fine. They keep their voices down, anyway.

Oyobi Yamatake: "I mean, is it really a problem? Can you really not keep a straight face?" Saelhen du Fishercrown: "I mean, I can." Saelhen sweeps a hand over her face and is the picture of serenity. "Why should the lady Noeru de la Surplus concern herself with small lapses such as these?" "Surely someone shall find it in their hearts to forgive all trespasses." Oyobi Yamatake: She snorts. "Okay, I get your point." "But really, don't you think it's weirder for an elven noblewoman not to react?" "You don't think he thinks it's suspicious that you take it all in stride?" Saelhen du Fishercrown: "The character is admittedly kind of a freak. I'm making allowances. I mean, this is fun and all, but if no one sees through the bit at all and I'm stuck in it long-term, which it seems like I am, it's like..." "Just being back in Kanzentokai, except worse, because no one is making me." "And drow catch a lot of crap anyway. They don't need me to teach them that elves can be assholes." Oyobi Yamatake: She frowns. "You can't make me try to keep up with the rules, y'know. I'm not going to put up with that garbage ever again." "But I can tone it down with the..." "Y'know, the stuff I'm going out of my way to do, if that helps." Saelhen du Fishercrown: "The wink-and-nudge, yeah. That would help." Oyobi Yamatake: She sighs. She seems a little put out by all this, but pretty quickly puts her happy face back on.

Meanwhile, Looseleaf and Orluthe seem to have lost track of Vayen. It doesn't take them long to find out where he went (well, after Looseleaf rolls a nat 1 on investigation and accidentally pisses off an old lady she mistook for Vayen). Turns out... he's hiding behind a statue of Ccorde, spying on Saelhen and Oyobi.

Looseleaf doesn't buy his crappy excuses, but also... she isn't altogether opposed to the concept of spying on "Lady Noeru de la Surplus", who really ought to have someone keeping an eye on her. So, she just hands him a medical kit- a kit she happens to have used her animist class feature Soul Link on, so she knows where it is at all times. (She's done the same to the bracer.)

Now, with the shopping done, it's time to hit the road! They have a couple options: go on foot, or requisition some giraffes.

(In this world, they domesticated giraffes instead of horses. Why? Because it's a fantasy world and why not?)

The city's main giraffe rental is run by the Ecumene of Understanding, based out of the Temple of Andra. You can rent giraffes for free, as long as you're willing to serve as a courier for the Ecumene- their convoluted legal system requires them to send mail between cities frequently, and they've only got so many clerics on hand. So, anyone wanting to travel the roads can receive a delivery quest from the Ecumene, and rent mounts for free in exchange!

They meet with the Bishop of Understanding of Oyashio, Sarat Aerens.

Aerens has a simple request for them: in addition to visiting Thunderbrush's Temple of Andra with a mail delivery, they're to bring back a report from said temple on the whereabouts of the Siren's Arraignment, a ship that departed from Oyashio and never arrived at its next destination, Snowhold. There's suspicion that the Siren's Arraignment never departed from its supposed origin of Thunderbrush to begin with, either- so the Ecumene put some clerics on the job to investigate, and the party's job is just to relay their message.

With that, they're given giraffe passes, and directed down to the stables, where they find the stablehand, Updraft, having some difficulties.

Benedict I. (GM):There's no one at the pickup window, but there's a sparrow aarakocra just behind, trying to get a giraffe several times her height to get up and out of the damn water trough. Updraft: "...not a bath, ye stubborn git!" "Ye drink from that, lackbrains!" "Y'really want t'be tastin' yer arse?" Looseleaf: OH I CAN HELP WITH THIS FINALLY, A PLACE WHERE I CAN APPLY MY ADVANTAGE ON ANIMAL HANDLING

Looseleaf uses her Soul Read ability to tune in to the giraffe's feelings and recent history, and discovers that someone fed it a hot pepper and it's in, um, anal distress.

Orluthe volunteers to do some healing to the giraffe, with his Lay On Hands ability. Is... that a cleric thing? Do clerics do that? Probably. In this world, clerics perform magic by inviting their god directly into their mind to borrow their brainpower and work miracles directly, and it sure looks like he does that when he does his healing. He channels a god, for sure!

Benedict I. (GM): As he touches the giraffe, you see his body begin to glow, and his facial features are overlaid with another face. "...A giraffe?" "A waste, I suppose, but... perhaps it'll win us some favor." The voice he speaks in sounds more feminine, somehow.

Some religion checks reveal that this doesn't seem quite right for a cleric of Diamode, the goddess of Family. But hey, healing's healing, right?

With that, they're able to get their giraffes no problem- and next time, they'll be on the road to Thunderbrush!

#tfj log #twofaced jewel

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demigodofhoolemere · 5 years ago

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Long bitterness below because I saw something that drove me crazy and I wasn’t gonna be able to rest until I articulated my frustrated thoughts

~~~~~

@ the person who wrote this I just wanna talk

https://screenrant.com/mcu-avengers-most-shameless-things-loki-ever-done/

Most of these are just outright wrong and it only takes the slightest glance at canon events to prove them as such, and the ones that have any amount of accuracy to them are devoid of critical context.

I don’t remember seeing much of this stuff before Ragnarok but it’s everywhere now and it’s kind of telling of the narrative bias that movie planted in everyone’s heads that people are now looking back with a lens that’s colored to be against him from the outset without bothering to take into consideration context, critical thinking skills, or empathy. The narrative tells us that he’s just bad so let’s not look any further than that I guess.

Wasn’t gonna debate each of them but the more I think about it the more it’s gonna bug me until I do, so here comes the bitter canon police...

Number 10

1) Right from the off: “Loki and Thor have always had a love/hate relationship — though it gravitates more toward the ‘hate’ part.” Um... always? Because last I checked, despite their differences, they grew up as best friends. Their problems that we see onscreen span from 2011-2017, a measly 6 years compared to over a thousand years of life together. This is a blip on the radar, one that certainly doesn’t constitute leaning towards mainly hate for each other. Heck, even during this time period, they’re clearly shown to love each other. Loki definitely gets angry, but I wouldn’t say he outright “loathes” Thor, at least not in a way that diminishes the love he also has for him.

2) “As such, Loki has betrayed Thor and his adoptive family many times.” This is so wrong I barely have the energy to explain why. People love to give examples of all of Loki’s supposed betrayals and they pretty much all fall down under scrutiny. The only ones I can understand listing are lying to Thor about Odin being dead, along with his attempts to kill Thor at the climax of the first movie (this stuff was when he was waaay out of his right mind, btw — not that he’s not responsible for his actions, but context is still important when taking into account anything he does), and various things in Ragnarok that were out of character for him to do in the first place. Anything else, even if it’s bad, cannot be counted specifically as betrayals against his adoptive family, since things like coming to Earth weren’t about them. If only a couple of instances are able to qualify as betrayals, then no, he has not done this “many” times, no matter how much people like to push that idea.

3) “Of course, Thor often got the brunt of it.” I’ll let that one stand because Thor got a fair number of screams aimed at him, but honestly, I’d say the person most negatively affected by Loki’s actions tends to be Loki. Thor really didn’t get more than he could handle. And as much as I love him, he’s not innocent of dishing his own stuff onto Loki as well. Wording it this way makes it sound like he’s Loki’s abuse victim (when more than anything, they are both the victims of Odin’s awful parenting rather than each other).

4) “So, it’s basically a normal sibling relationship that they portrayed. Oh, and Loki is never apologetic about his violence against Thor — siblings through and through.” First of all when I see stuff like this I have deep concerns for other people’s relationships with their siblings and am reminded of how grateful I am for my sister, but secondly, I don’t get the impression that Asgardians do much apologizing overall. You don’t see Thor apologizing for violence against Loki either. Terrible habit, but it seems to be the culture they were raised in. Besides, I feel like dying for Thor multiple times is decent substitution. (And while it’s not totally clear what he was specifically referring to, it’s worth noting Loki did profusely tell Thor he was sorry on Svartalfheim.)

Number 9

1) Oh my word, I am tired of seeing this. That scene was filmed as a real death, and everyone from Tom Hiddleston to Kevin Feige continued to refer to it as such after the reshoots. I wouldn’t know where to find it right now but I know there’s a quote from Kevin about it being real and that it was only just non-fatal enough for him to survive it. The only place anyone ever says he faked it? In Ragnarok, which is already filled to the brim with retcons, and it’s said by Thor (or whoever that is in Ragnarok who took Thor’s face) who has no knowledge of what really happened, he just makes assumptions and accusations that Loki isn’t given the chance to refute. It. Was. Not. Fake.

2) “He was rather casual about it and didn’t care much about how the rest of his family would take the news.” Source? We don’t exactly get the time to see his feelings on the matter. Also, Thor is the only one who would have cared anyway. Frigga was killed and Odin wanted him dead.

Number 8

1) “One of the reasons why Loki faked his own death was to seize a great opportunity [...]” He must not be good at carrying out his own plans then, since he immediately genuinely tried to offer the throne to Thor. Thor turned it down. Was there still satisfaction from getting the chance to prove that he can be a king? Yeah, because he’s still never felt like he’s been able to prove himself as equal. The chance to prove people wrong about him, and especially the chance to prove his own worth to himself, is exciting, hence that grin at the end. He’s certainly not upset at that opportunity. But that only happened because Thor didn’t take him up on the offer.

2) “The worst part was that he cast a spell on Odin and exiled him in a retirement home on Earth.” The... the worst part? That he removed the man who would have killed Thor upon return and was willing to have all of Asgard and everyone in it destroyed? And still had the mercy to send him somewhere that he’d be safe and taken care of every single day? Uh... okay.

3) “For a time, Loki ruled the Asgardians in their process of recovery from the Dark Elves’ attack.” Yeah, exactly. Thanks for aiding my point. Even Ragnarok of all things, despite the issues I have with the way Loki was portrayed as king, still manages to prove this point by showing things on Asgard being peaceful and repaired.

Number 7

1) Mostly correct this time, but missing the context of why Loki is angry enough at Odin to want the Dark Elves to go after him. Without considering all of the lies and heartache Odin caused that sent Loki’s mind spiraling in the first place, let alone the fact that he left him to spend the next 4,000 years of his life in solitary (which is outright torture, and Loki knew it would be because he seemed to have no problem with the thought of being executed instead), it makes it sound like it was a purely petty betrayal rather than based in any reason. Loki does everything for a reason.

2) “One would think that Loki would’ve learned a lot from this but he kept on being his usual self after a short bout of guilt and anger in his cell.” First of all I think you greatly underestimate how long that’s gonna stick with Loki. Secondly, if by ‘kept on being his usual self’ you mean the immediately following scenes wherein he helps Thor go get revenge on the monsters that killed Frigga and ultimately dies to avenge her and save his brother’s life, then you forgot the actual events of canon again and also inadvertently complimented him by saying that’s normal for him.

EDIT: You know how you can watch something a thousand times and somehow it takes that thousandth time to catch something? Yeah. Anyway, Loki directed Kurse to Asgard’s power plant so he could turn the shield off. THAT is what he was directing him towards, it was to let the Elves in to get to Odin. He didn’t even unknowingly lead Kurse to Frigga, Kurse just went where Malekith was, and Malekith found Frigga because she was guarding the Stone. Kurse would have killed her anyway, Loki’s actions had no bearing on that. Hold him responsible for getting the shield shut down and letting more Elves in (while still referring to point 1 for why), but Frigga’s death never had anything to do with him because Kurse got out anyway. Loki just doesn’t know that. But a character blaming themselves doesn’t mean they’re right.

Number 6

1) Another thing I wish would stop cropping up in all discussions of Loki. Stealing the Tesseract isn’t his ~thing~. I’m annoyed with this one just on principle lol.

2) “Throughout all the MCU movies, Loki has stolen the Tesseract at least thrice, each in three different movies. He just doesn’t know when to give up.” None of those times were just for the lolz like people say. In Avengers he had to get it for Thanos to save his life. In Ragnarok, what the heck was he supposed to do, leave an Infinity Stone floating around in space for anyone to get? It’s not like it would have been destroyed with Asgard. Better to take it and keep it safe. And in Endgame, while I felt that was starting to lean too much into ‘haha I love taking the Tesseract’ territory, it was to get away from the imprisonment and possible death that would have been waiting for him in either SHIELD or Asgardian custody. Loki does everything for a reason.

Number 5

1) “[...] he immediately embraced his evil tendencies.” ROFL I’m sorry but the idea of THIS kid having had prior evil tendencies is actually hilarious.

2) “[...] killing countless innocents on Earth [...]” In canon, there were 74 fatalities in the Battle of New York, which were caused by the Chitauri that Thanos sent rather than directly by Loki. Loki’s personal kill count on Earth can be listed on one hand — literally, it’s something like 5 confirmed onscreen deaths by his hand, with several other unconfirmed ones because we just see him attack but not how badly people got hit. The 80 people that Natasha mentions were the SHIELD agents that went down with the base in the beginning, which wasn’t Loki’s doing, outside of the few guards he killed when he got there. That was pretty easy to count.

3) “[...] and probably other planets as well.” Supposition. Not even the slightest bit of hinting of that in canon. Next.

4) Loki himself was being tortured and under extreme emotional duress and mental manipulation during this movie. Not that he’s automatically 100% absolved of responsibilities, because he did make choices of his own, but again - CONTEXT. This was a fight for his life. He was not well, physically, mentally, or emotionally. There is almost nothing he did in this movie that he would do under normal circumstances in his right mind.

5) “In addition to that, he also put his homeworld of Asgard in constant danger. Odin’s words about Loki being followed by death and destruction wherever he goes definitely rang true.” If you’re referring to the first movie when he lets the Jotuns in, both instances of that were planned in such a way that no Asgardians were supposed to be in danger; he couldn’t have known the guards to the vault wouldn’t be able to take them (and that first plan was intended to protect Asgard from a young and arrogant Thor’s reign; another of few instances that can count as betrayal, but done with reason), and the second time he brought them in was specifically to kill them because, with the combination of his unstable mind and the kind of things Odin praises, he thought it would finally gain him approval from his father (and he was raised with no regard for Jotun lives therefore he didn’t even grasp that it was wrong). That’s the only time Asgard was even slightly jeopardized by Loki. In every single other instance, he is pretty darn devoted to protecting Asgard. Time and again. Odin’s words are a load of crap. Loki has only been surrounded by things like that in the last couple of years, when out of his right mind or coerced or both. This is not something that has always been, and it’s certainly hypocritical for Odin of all people to be making accusations like that when he and his favorite son have done worse things. Heck, Thor’s body count on Jotunheim in the very beginning is on its own a larger number than Loki’s body count in the entire MCU, all for being called a princess. Many of the heroes in the franchise have worse — even significantly worse — body counts than Loki.

Number 4

1) Tortured and controlled by Thanos. Next.

2) “[...] the culmination of all of Loki’s plans ever since he left Asgard to become a villain.” For one thing I love how this makes it sound like he made the conscious decision to run away and be a villain lol, but I just... you remember how he left Asgard, right? When he made a suicide attempt by falling into the void that he could not possibly think he would survive through? He didn’t exactly have future plans in mind. He was trying to die.

3) Now you’re only assuming people died? I thought it was countless?

Number 3

1) This wasn’t a takeover of Asgard. Frigga, who knew that he’s a Frost Giant, appointed him as regent for the time being. What he did with the power is what’s questionable, but the way he got it was completely legit. There was no scheming — he didn’t even want it at first. The thought of proving himself got to his head but he didn’t take the throne purposely nor was it illegally, or done in deception or under false pretenses.

2) While the things he did were wrong, it was not technically a betrayal of Odin or Asgard. He did what he did precisely because it was the sort of thing his father and his people would usually see as heroic. If you wanna call it a betrayal of Asgard for taking the risk of having Jotuns there, I guess, but not of Odin, and it was not done maliciously towards them. The ones who actually suffered for this were the Jotuns.

3) “[...] quickly transformed into one of Asgard’s most dangerous enemies.” He transformed into Odin’s enemy. If he were an enemy of Asgard he wouldn’t have spent his years on the throne protecting it.

Number 2

1) This one is mostly fair and I consider this to be the worst thing Loki’s done. However, this is hardly about shamelessness. This (and seemingly all of the article) is written in the assumption that his actions were done in his right mind. Again: he was in the middle of a mental breakdown. That doesn’t exonerate him but it’s sure as heck important context.

Number 1

(covered the image because no one needs to see that)

1) “[...] betraying the whole universe just because you can is pure evil.” Yeah, it would be. Good thing for Loki then that that’s not what he did.

2) “Loki consciously served Thanos with the initial goal of becoming ‘king’ of the Earth.” Loki was consciously fighting to stay alive because disobedience and failure would mean unimaginable horrors.

Working with Thanos is NOT something he would do just because. As far as wanting to be king of Earth goes, Thanos canonically messed with Loki’s head. He made him think that was what he wanted, just like he dug into his mind to make him angrier at Thor. Thor himself, who has known Loki their entire lives, noted that his behavior and goals were uncharacteristic of him.

3) “It seems like Loki got his just desserts on that front.” Gotta say, I’m genuinely a little horrified when I see people say that Loki deserved that death. No one deserves to have their windpipe crushed and neck snapped brutally by their abuser. That was the most gratuitously graphic character death I’ve ever seen. Even if you think he wasn’t tortured by him before and willingly joined forces with him, he still wouldn’t deserve that fate. It’s too morbid for anybody. ‘Just desserts’ is supposed to be about justice. There’s no carrying out of justice here. It’s just senseless and cruel, and done to a man who had gotten out of the dark place in his life to start anew.

~~~~~

That was longer than I ever intended to let myself get worked up over a dumb ScreenRant post but I feel better with that out of my system.

Here’s to fact-checking before making accusations that have no basis 🥂

#as usual i’m trying to stay in my lane keeping my negativity under the cut but just beware that if you click you will see bitterness #marvel #loki #marvel critical #ragnarok critical #tbh mostly article writers critical #i long for the day when people stop writing about things that they don’t know well enough while acting like they’re obviously right

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notafeeling · 6 years ago

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Infinitesimal (Part I)

A/N Infinitesimal (originally titled in a haze as “LOGAN IS BARRY BLUEJEANS”) is a Sanders Sides AU set in the world of The Adventure Zone: Balance, a DnD podcast made by the McElroy brothers. If you have not started The Stolen Century arc and don’t want spoilers, do not read.

Pairing: eventual logince (Logan/Roman)

Genre: scifi; slowburn

Warnings: temporary character death; TAZ-canon-typical violence

Word Count: 7.5k

Summary:

Logan had always thought that being a human meant he had to work harder and faster than everyone else to truly make a difference in the world. When his home is consumed by an intergalactic force known as The Hunger and he’s forced to go on the run through space with six others for a century, he realises that that’s not exactly true.

Or, Logan accepts an offer to join the Institute of Planar Research and Exploration and to travel around the mysterious planes that control his planet for a few months, but ends up hopping realities and dying a whole bunch alongside his mismatched crew members, learning how to love somewhere along the way.

Logan knows that, as a human, he has certain limitations in this world. For one thing, his 80-year expected lifespan is nothing compared to the centuries-old elves and dwarves who are considered teenagers. For another, it means he can’t rely on magic. He doesn’t have enough time to spend it mastering something he was never meant to have.

He turns to science at a young age.

The stars call him from outside his dirty, cracked window, and he dreams of the day he can fly among them. He wants to touch, he wants to grow, he wants to be something more.

Even at 8, he knows that his world doesn’t have the technology for that, and won’t for a very long time. It doesn’t stop him from yearning, though.

His parents send him to an academy at 15, only because he managed to get a scholarship. He graduates at 17 at the top of his class.

It’s still not enough.

He devotes the next five years of his life to mapping the stars and their constellations. Nothing that hasn’t been done before, but Logan’s determined to do this on his own.

If he won’t be able to live among them, then he’ll commit them to memory. Maybe he’ll travel along the constellation Pneuma Cascade in his dreams.

Having two suns is a fact everyone on Phaethon has long since accepted. The early civilisations made entire mythos surrounding those two stars alone, and children of his world are told stories of two lovers who chase each other endlessly. The second is dimmer because of his eternal pining, but he will follow the other to the end of times. When parents are asked why, they reply “because they’re in love,” and that’s all there is to that story.

Logan’s long-since moved on from folklore and the notion of love. Instead, he wants to know how. How can these two massive celestial objects coexist without succumbing to one another's’ gravitational pull? How does his planet, as small as it is, only orbit around the two without being sucked in?

Those questions give Logan purpose.

At 30, Logan finally has something to show for all his research.

The problem with examining two suns is that first of all, you shouldn’t look directly at them, and secondly, they’re too far away to properly study.

He devises a tool. It’s mostly cylindrical, and the otherwise hollow interior contains several panes of glass. Originally it was designed to filter out the sunlight, but Logan quickly figures out how to magnify the image he’s seeing.

(It’s kind of embarrassing that it took someone with corrective lenses for his short-sightedness to figure that one out, but all that matters is that it works.)

It takes him a few more years to have a perfected prototype. And he sees something no one else has.

He can see the suns in shocking clarity, but he doesn’t care about them (too much) anymore. Instead, he focuses on the slight rift between them. It’s not exactly a rift, more like… a divide. A shift.

Logan spends countless hours studying this, almost forgetting to breathe at times. This is what it’s all been leading to. There’s more! He can be more, do more!

It doesn’t take him much longer to figure out that the second sun is a double of the first. No, not exactly a double.

The second sun comes from the Ethereal Plane. The existence behind theirs, to put it simply. So it’s not a double, more like… the same one, but ever so slightly behind.

And the divide? It’s a weakened point between his plane - the Material Plane - and the other. Which means-

Holy shit. If there are other weakened points to other planes, then they could travel. He could explore! Not just magic-users who pop into the Ethereal Plane for brief moments, nor necromancers trying to break into the Astral Plane, no. Everyone.

Notes and ideas spill furiously from Logan’s mind, down through his arm and onto a thick, leather-bound journal. He lives off of caffeine and adrenaline as he completes his paper on Interplanar Travel, and not long after, he’s contacted by Thomas Sanders, the leader of the newly established Institute of Planer Research and Exploration (IPRE, for short).

Thomas offers him a position on the team of explorers that will be tasked with travelling across planes and, hopefully, beyond that at some point. He explains that although not too long ago, their world certainly didn’t have the technology, ever since the Light of Creation fell there’s been massive leaps in scientific advancement.

(Logan must have been holed up in his study during that time, as he has to pretend he knows exactly what his future boss is referencing.)

It’s everything Logan’s ever wanted, so of course, he accepts.

YEAR 0.

10 months later, and he meets his teammates. He’s already known and worked closely with Thomas (soon to be Captain Sanders) for the past few months, and he’s certainly earned Logan’s respect, but the rest of the team has some… shortcomings.

For one thing, he isn’t sure why they need two wizards who also double as cooks (Roman and Virgil) though he supposes the fact that they’re twins who seem to have done everything together makes them a package deal.

And, okay, he gets why they might need a cleric, but surely Patton could also double as the journalist (a young tiefling named Kalumnia), or vice-versa!

Also, if they have a ship that can withstand the heat of passing between two suns and the extremities of space, then why can’t they add a few weapons? Why do they need a security officer? Can’t the twins do magic?

He doesn’t have much time to convince Thomas to hire more fitting members (why not a maintenance crew?) because he meets all these people right before they’re given matching red robes with IPRE emblazoned on them and are told to walk onstage in front of the largest gathering of humans, elves, orcs, tieflings, dragonborns, etc. that Logan’s ever seen in his life.

He’s more than happy to let his Captain manage the questions from various reporters while he sits back and attempts to get to know his crewmates. After all, he’ll be living with them for a few months, possibly longer if the mission is a success. Might as well get comfortable.

“So,” Logan murmurs to the person he’s seated next to (Roman? Or maybe Virgil?), “why did you sign up for this?”

The high-elf casts a cursory glance in his direction as his twin whispers something in his ear, making him snort. They’re definitely laughing at Logan, which. Okay. He can deal with childish behaviour.

“Look! His ears are going red. You embarrassed him, Ro,” the furthest one says.

“I did not! You’re the one who made me laugh!” Roman retorts.

It’s a relief when Thomas calls him up to the podium.

“Salutations. My name is Logan and I’m the Science Officer of IPRE.” His voice rings out all around him and reporters call his name. He chooses one at random - a young human woman with wild hair.

“Hi, Linda from Phaethon Press here. I read your report on Interplanar Travel and I’ve been blown away with the progress you’ve made since!”

“Thank you.”

“Anyway, could you explain what you’re hoping to find or learn from your journey?”

Logan’s struck once more by how much he has to explore and a wide smile spreads over his features. “Well, not much is known about the other planes. The Ethereal Plane is usually only used for short periods of travel because of its ever-changing nature. To stay there too long would leave you clueless about how to get back to the Material Plane. And we all know about the Astral Plane, where the departed souls from our plane go. While we don’t have any concrete goals because of our limited knowledge, we do aim to explore the other 9 planes. We don’t know what we’ll find - maybe new life forms or energy or-”

Roman fakes a cough as he exclaims, none-too-quietly, “Nerd alert!”

Logan clears his throat. “Uh, so, we basically aim to explore and research the planes.”

“You don’t say,” he hears Virgil mutter.

God, he can’t imagine living with these people for the next few months.

The night before they leave is spent drinking onboard the newly-christened “Starblaster”. Logan makes a face every time he hears the name, but it was suggested by a drunk, giggly Roman and backed up by the equally intoxicated members of his team.

He wants to put as much distance as possible between himself and the twins, so he joins Patton and Kalumnia, who spends half the conversation listening and the other half writing down everything that’s happening. Logan has to admire her penmanship.

“Goodness, I wonder what other planes there are?” Patton wonders aloud.

Logan’s interest is piqued immediately. “Oh! I’ve actually been thinking about that a lot. We know there’s some sort of Celestial Plane because that’s where clerics draw their power from- though I suppose you already know that.”

“I do, but I don’t mind!” Patton smiles.

This guy is infinitely better than the twins, Logan decides. “So that, the Ethereal and the Astral are the planes that have the most impact on ours, so they must be closer or at least, larger and more prominent than the other planes. Therefore, the other planes aren’t likely to bear any sort of intelligent life, but the magic there could be completely different.” Magic that he might possess.

“That’s so cool!”

Kalumnia nods. Her bright, golden eyes watch Logan as he continues to talk, pointed ears perked. Patton asks questions and his own brilliant blue eyes widen whenever Logan mentions something he previously hadn’t known. Even Missy, the security officer Logan has avoided due to the scowl she wears, wanders over and joins the discussion.

For the first time in his life, Logan’s listened to. He could get used to this.

It turns out he could and should get used to it because as they leave Phaethon, a thick, suffocating darkness descends on it. They catch a glimpse of 11 other planes before black tendrils shoot out of their plane and pierce the others, and slowly drag it into its massive, incomprehensible form.

“Head for the rift!” Logan yells as his Captain maneuvers them through space.

Columns shoot out at them but the Starblaster dodges them with ease. Alarms blast, ringing sharp and shrill as they rocket towards the two suns, picking up speed each nanosecond.

He, Kalumnia, Thomas and the twins are huddled at the front, staring straight forward into the divide.

Patton and Missy are the only ones brave enough to watch as everything they’ve ever known, everyone they’ve ever loved, is consumed.

They just have to get to the rift. If they do that, they can break through to another plane. They can survive, they can run. They just have to get through, and they’re almost there, so close-

“Right!” Logan cries. Whatever’s attacking comes through the rift, barrelling straight for them.

Thomas jerks his controls to the right, tilting the ship so far that Logan crashes into the side.

His crewmates scream as they collide with something, sending them spiralling through space. Hungry black surrounds them, reaching out, trying to ensnare them and pull them in, but it only ends up flinging them in another direction.

“Change of plans!” Thomas yells, lifting his controls high, trying to break free.

The monster makes one last desperate grab, colliding with the bottom of their ship with a loud clang!

They’re flipped end over end, further and further from the rift. Further from the other planes. Logan’s head bounces off of hard metal, his body thrown around like a sack of bricks. There’s a snap, and then burning pain shoots through his right arm. His vision fades as the pain magnifies, becoming so intense it's unbearable. The panicked yells of his teammates seem so distant, but he manages to pick out a scream of “Roman!” and Patton making one last, desperate effort to heal them.

Black greets him soon after.

YEAR 1.

Pure, white light surrounds him. Threads of light stitch him together, restoring his body, and it’s not long before it unravels and reveals the rest of the IPRE members. Logan watches as its wisps are drawn away and disappear from sight, fading into the night sky. Except… he’s on the Starblaster’s deck. So it’s not the sky, it’s… It’s space.

There’s not a single scratch on any of them - apart from the battlescars Missy shows off proudly, but they had always been there. Nothing shows that they had just survived an attack on their home planet, unless… Unless they didn’t survive? Or Logan dreamt it? Or…

A sob breaks the stunned silence surrounding them. Virgil pushes past Logan as he runs toward Roman, tackling him to the floor.

“You died!” He screams. “You died. You were dead. I saw it; I saw your body in front of me, Ro. How are you- how could you-”

Roman pries his arms out from under Virgil and wraps them around his brother. “Shh, it’s okay, I’m here,” he murmurs, stroking Virgil’s purple hair. His eyebrows are knitted together, trying to remember what happened.

Logan does the same.

“Are we- did we die?” Patton whispers. “Where are we? Where’s Thomas?”

At that, Logan realises that there are only six of them. He bolts towards the cockpit. The rest of the team, barring the twins who seem content to fuss over each other, follow in hot pursuit.

The door slams open as the four of them charge through. There, at the controls, is their Captain.

He bolts out of his chair and spins around, hands raised as he readies a spell. When he sees his crew, his whole body relaxes and he goes limp. Missy rushes forward to steady him.

“You’re- you all disappeared,” Thomas breathes out as he’s lowered to the floor. “You all were taken by this- by this light, and then I was surrounded too! I came to back in this chair and you were all gone. I thought- I thought I was alone.” His voice drops to a whisper at the end there and even Logan has to inhale deeply to stop the panic that rises when he imagines being forever alone in space.

Patton grabs Logan’s wrist, pulling him towards Thomas and Missy, and Logan doesn’t fight it when he’s scooped into a hug.

Patton’s arms may not be able to reach around all of them, but they’re warm and comfy and remind him of his parents. At least they didn’t die at the hands of that… thing.

Logan’s the first to pull away. “We need to take stock of what we know and what we have. Our first priority is to figure out what that being was and if it’s going to attack us again. Then…” His gaze catches sight of a plane. And another. And another! Excitement stirs inside him. “Then we explore.”

It takes them around ten minutes to realise that the twelve planes they’re flying around are completely different from theirs. It takes Logan two days to draw the conclusion that by not jumping through the rift and being thrown off course, they somehow managed to enter a new… planar system? Reality? He couldn’t say.

Basically, there’s no going back home - if their world even still exists.

Roman and Virgil are the only ones who don’t seem to care at all.

Logan doesn’t know much about them (other than the fact that they delight in tormenting him) so he doesn’t want to judge, but their carefree attitude is somewhat rude to Patton, Missy and Thomas who are in mourning.

On the third day, they decide to test their luck on this new Material Plane. As Thomas eases the Starblaster into it, they’re greeted with luscious green forests and wide, stretching savannahs and grasslands and mountains-

The likelihood of that is astounding, and Logan spends quite some time with Kalumnia chronicling the biomes of this planet.

But that’s about where the similarities end. There are no oceans, though there are lakes and rivers, so water isn’t a problem. However, the fauna is even more interesting.

The population of this strange place is mostly made up of giant creatures that are up to ten, twenty, thirty times their tiny, Phaethonian frames.

“Now I’m not the only dwarf,” Patton jokes when they first hover above the planet, trying to find a safe place to land. Logan lets out a stunned laugh, but it's more from the joy of a new discovery than anything else.

That night, Logan lays on the deck of the Starblaster, admiring the countless new constellations and planes, all his to explore!

It’s so clear, up here on a mountain in an undeveloped world, far from artificial light sources. It’s serene, it’s beautiful, it’s-

“Ro, let him be a nerd in peace.” Virgil’s furious whisper cuts through the pristine air and immediately, Logan has a sour taste in his mouth.

“Hush, brother.”

Logan resolutely keeps gazing up at the stars, ignoring as Roman’s boots clack against the metal. He ignores it when they stop by his head, and he continues to pretend Roman doesn’t exist even when he plonks himself down beside him.

“You’re missing out on a glorious feast, you know,” Roman says at last.

Logan tries to detect the sarcasm or the hidden meaning, but he either needs to brush up on his social skills or there isn’t any. Which, coming from Roman, is impossible.

He slides his eyes to his left. In the starlight, Roman’s usual vibrant red robe and equally crimson hair are paler, softer. Instead of his constant smirk and perfect death stare, he seems almost wistful as he too stares into the sky. Logan tears his gaze away and clears his throat.

“I’m fine with freeze-dried cubes of nutrition.”

Roman laughs, and that too is gentle compared to the harsh delight Logan had committed to memory after only a few days. It’s hard not to memorise it when it’s being directed at you more often than not. “Weren’t you the one talking about rationing? C’mon, Lo, me and Virge went through all that effort to take down one of those beasts! Aren’t you going to at least try it?”

Maybe Roman just has a really annoying whiny-voice or maybe he’s hungrier than he thinks because Logan actually considers it. Then he remembers that they don’t know if the meat on this planet is even edible, let alone feast-worthy. “Who said you could call me Lo?” he replies instead. It comes out harsher than he intends.

Roman scoffs and jumps up on his feet. Logan frowns and looks up at him, only to find a scowl as Roman avoids his eyes. “Fine, whatever. Sorry for trying to include you, I guess.” The clacking of his shoes is considerably louder as Roman stomps back to his twin, who murmurs a quiet “I told you so.”

Logan’s insides squirm uncomfortably. Something in him urges him to apologise, but he fights back the feeling. He didn’t do anything wrong. He just wanted to ensure the food wasn’t going to kill him. What’s so wrong with trying to survive?

(Later that night, he sneaks into the kitchen and finds a plate with a slab of meat and a couple of roots. He throws away the note that reads “You’re welcome -R” and braces himself for the first forkful of his new diet. Instead of the strange, bland flavour Logan expected, when he bites into the mouth-wateringly tender meat, he’s met with an explosion of tastes. He can see why Thomas insisted on tasking both Roman and Virgil with cooking now.)

The Light of Creation falls early the next day. Logan misses it (again), but when he wakes up, it’s to Thomas flying the Starblaster at breakneck speed towards where it fell.

“Why has it come here?” Patton asks. No one has an answer.

They find it a few hours later, and already, the surrounding fauna looks… smarter?

There’s a cacophony of sound as a mixture of bleets, honks and moos turn into something singular, cohesive. It’s the sound of language.

“After only this much time?” Logan questions.

“Yeah, well. That’s kind of what happened in our- in Phaethon,” Thomas explains. “When it fell, it didn’t take long for people to start inventing things. You invented your little, uh, cylinder thing-”

“Telescope.”

“Yeah, telescope, when it fell.”

“It was a work in progress!”

“But you only perfected it after the Light, right?”

Logan can’t say for sure, so he stays silent. It’s not like it’s a bad thing to make scientific advancements, it’s just… He wanted it to happen from his own merit. Not because some mythical light suddenly gave him the ability to.

“So,” Virgil pipes up from where he’s leaning against the wall, “should we take it?”

“I really want to steal it,” Roman says.

Logan sighs. “Can we at least see what these animals do with it first?”

“No! I mean, yes, but we shouldn’t steal it,” Patton says, wide-eyed.

“It’s not stealing,” Virgil replies. “It’s not theirs.”

“But it’s not ours either!”

“Not until we take it.” Roman pats Thomas’ shoulder. “C’mon, Cap, let’s get this thing.”

They wait a week and then bring the Light onboard.

In the following months, Virgil and Roman rope Patton into learning the new animal language and over dinner, they talk in a series of grunts and honks that make Logan infuriated. He pretends he isn’t trying to figure it out by delving into the food (still as delicious as the first time, if not more) but at some point, Virgil and Roman confront him.

“Want us to teach you?” Roman asks, and Logan, pride be damned, nods.

Missy starts building herself a home. She gets Logan to make a saw and then she chops down a tree (and she only needs the one). After a month, she has a nice home that she and Kalumnia often stay in.

Patton studies the flora while Logan studies the fauna, and together they help Kalumnia with her chronicling of this world. Dwarves must have some connection with a nature god because the plants lean into Patton’s gentle touch. Flowers spring up underneath his fingers and he thrives out in the jungle.

Thomas remains on the ship, but he’s never alone. They meet up for dinner every night (Missy loves climbing a mountain every day, for some weird reason) and they talk about the progress they’re making in this world.

Logan can speak the language too now, and even though he hated it before, more often than not he, Roman, Virgil and Patton are communicating in it.

It’s a nice rhythm they’ve settled into. Logan thinks he could get used to this.

Another month passes. Everything goes to shit.

Patton notices it first. The grass is dull; the wind quiet. The sky is darker and the lakes are no longer a clear crystal blue. He tells the others about this and Logan wonders if it’s because of their ship, or their presence, or maybe the Light.

He’s answered a few hours later when the 13th plane arrives.

Its form is bigger this time. Darker. More violent. Shadows pierce down from the sky and form humanoid shapes - some short and stocky, some with pointed ears, some who look human - and Logan’s struck with a terrifying realisation that these shadows are people from Phaethon. Or, he should say, were.

Logan and Patton aren’t far from the ship, and the twins, although they like to explore, have been sticking close by recently. Kalumnia had already been in her study onboard, and Thomas is at the controls when Logan enters. Missy, however…

As Thomas brings the ship up into the sky, the rest of them search desperately for Missy. They know they can’t stay too long. This thing, this beast, it’s stronger. Smarter. They need to escape before one of the shimmering black columns pierces their ship and they’re bound to this plane.

“There!” Virgil cries, his elven eyes picking up Missy’s struggling form.

She’s fighting valiantly, taking out multiple shadows with just one swing of her axe. The animals around her stomp and charge, but it’s not enough.

“I can’t get close enough!” Thomas says, weaving the ship through the black.

“Fine!” Roman shouts, and then he runs out of the cockpit and onto the deck, then flings himself overboard.

Virgil rushes to the edge. “Bro, what the fuck?!” He calls, before he too leaps over the railing.

They see the twins float downwards, blasting off spells as they go, and it’s not long before they’re down there fighting with Missy.

Roman’s body becomes a force of fire, burning bright as he flings massive fireballs into the fray. Virgil summons a massive bolt of lightning and the resulting thunderclap is so loud it hurts Logan’s ears.

“We have to go,” Thomas murmurs. Logan and Patton’s heads whip to him. “We have to go, now!” He says more forcefully this time, and Patton starts arguing with him.

“We can’t leave them behind!”

“If we don’t leave then that’s just more carnage, more bodies for that thing to consume. We’re leaving.”

Logan has never, ever, heard such a cold voice coming from Thomas. But he understands.

“Look, Patton,” he begins, “when we left Phaethon, I died. And so did Roman. But we came back. I don’t know how, and I don’t know if it will keep happening, but we need to leave. Or else there’s no hope for them.”

Patton tries to argue, but Thomas is already flying them away, out of the Plane, then out of the Planar System. He doesn’t react when Patton pulls at his arms, trying to get him to turn around. He’s not cold, he’s calculating. Thomas- Captain Sanders is making an executive decision and Logan knows he can’t change it.

The black follows them, and he sees it withdrawing from the planet in favour of pursuit. The cogs in his head turn as the white threads from a year ago weaves around them again, and Logan manages to cry out “It wants the Light!” before he’s wrapped up entirely.

YEAR 2.

Logan wakes up on the deck of the Starblaster, Virgil behind him. Like last time.

He furrows his brows and races back to the cockpit, and sure enough, his captain is there.

When everyone piles in, Logan’s in the middle of theorising.

“Every time we leave a planar system, we’re brought back to our original positions,” Logan says, mostly to himself but Kalumnia starts to transcribe what he’s saying in her journal. “That thing-”

“The Hunger!” Roman supplies.

“Not your most creative name.”

“Got a better one, Virge?”

“Fine, the Hunger wants the Light of Creation. When we left with the Light, it left the planes alone and tried to follow us. When did the Light fall on Phaethon?”

“About a year before the Hunger came,” Kalumnia murmurs.

“And it was about a year after the Light that the Hunger found us on that plane, too!” Logan clasps his hands together and straightens up. “Is there a blackboard on this ship?”

Kalumnia nods and leads them to her study, then wordlessly hands Logan a piece of chalk.

It’s the first time Logan has been in here, and he’s blown away by the countless journals and books from their home planet that remain on the sturdy oak bookshelves. There are also sketches pinned to a corkboard, mostly depicting the strange life they had encountered on the other planet. They’re only sketches, but the extraordinary amount of detail blows him away. How had Kalumnia kept this to herself all this time?

He shakes his head and gets to work. “So, what do we know?” He asks, then divides the board in two. He labels one column “Already Know” and the other “Need to Know”, then scribbles some notes in the former.

“The Hunger’s shadows looked like Phaethonians,” Missy says.

“Yeah, but they could change their form at will. I would blast one with fire and the black would disperse before coming together as a new Phaethonian.”

“It was stronger this time,” Virgil adds, shaking ever so slightly. Roman wraps an arm around him.

Logan nods and continues scrawling. “That means that when it consumes a plane, it adds it to its… collection. Its army.”

“We just left a plane full of massive creatures! How are we supposed to fight that?!” Roman exclaims.

“Well, no. As I said previously, when we left, it followed us. It started to withdraw from the Plane.”

Patton turns to Logan. “You mentioned the Light before we- we reformed. Why would it want that?”

He shrugs. “That’s why we have a Need to Know column,” he answers, then adds that exact question to the board.

“A better question,” Virgil steps forward and takes the chalk from Logan, “is how are we reforming?” He looks around expectantly.

“There’s this light that surrounds us - almost like thread.”

“I think I know what that is,” Captain Sanders says at the same time Kalumnia adds, “It’s the Bond Engine.”

Seeing their blank looks, both of them shake their head.

“We’ve been living on this ship for a year. How do you not know what the Bond Engine is?” Kalumnia has a rare smile on her face as she and the Captain launch into an explanation.

“The Bond Engine doesn’t use any fuel, it runs on bonds.”

“Bonds are what tie us to the Planar System. They’re the experiences and the connections we have to the planes, and it allows us to travel between them without the risk of ending up in a black hole.”

“How come we were able to leave both Phaethon’s System and the other one?” Patton asks.

Kalumnia and Thomas shrug, but Logan’s quick to reply. “It must be the Hunger. We haven’t been able to leave any Planar System until it comes. It must… cut our bonds with the planes. That would mean we don’t have ties to the Astral Plane, so if we die, we don’t go there. Instead, the Bond Engine brings us back onto the ship, in our original positions.”

“So what I’m hearing is,” Roman begins with a grin that he shares with Virgil, “we’re basically immortal, right?”

“No, because we do still die, we just come back-”

“Technicalities, technicalities,” Roman dismisses. “Anyway, this year I’m going to do some wild shit!”

“If you die on me, I’m going to be so fucking pissed,” Virgil threatens, but he also seems excited to be able to do whatever without consequences.

The Light falls into an ocean. They’re unable to retrieve it when the Hunger comes and instead, fly away as soon as they see its black pillars descend. Call them cowards, but at least there wasn’t much life on this planet to begin with. If there was any, it’s all gone now.

YEAR 5.

Logan hadn’t meant to become friends with the twins. It’s more like that they decided they were going to hang out with him, and he hasn’t been able to shake them since.

He finds he doesn’t mind, which is a feat in and of itself, considering he hasn’t had friends for the roughly four decades he had been alive for.

One night, they’re stargazing. Well, Logan is.

Roman and Virgil are wrestling each other next to him and surprisingly, Virgil wins.

“How are you so strong?” Roman whines, flexing his arms to show off his quite impressive muscles.

Virgil shrugs. “I chug my bone juice,” he replies, and Logan decides not to question what he means by that. “Do you give up yet?”

Roman laughs and charges Virgil. His momentum carries him forward and he crashes into his twin, then he swipes his leg out from under him and pins Virgil to the ground. “Take that!”

“Oof, my bones,” he deadpans, and Roman helps him up.

“Are you two done?” Logan asks.

Instead of insulting him, like they would’ve done five years ago, they nod and sit beside him. Logan’s chest flutters when Roman leans into him easily, knee gently bumping his own every now and again.

“So,” Virge begins, and judging by the glint in both his and Roman’s eyes, Logan has a right to be worried.

“We were thinking,” Roman continues, “that we don’t know much about you.”

“And we know everything about each other!”

“So why not tell us about yourself?”

Logan sighs. “What do you want to know?”

Virgil considers this, then asks, “Do you have a last name?”

“No.”

“Cool,” Roman says, “It’s Bluejeans now.”

“What?” Logan splutters. “You can’t just give people last names! And these jeans are comfortable and practical!”

“Whatever you say, Mr Bluejeans, sir,” Virgil mock salutes.

Logan tries to argue with them, but it’s clear he’s getting nowhere. “Fine! Have it your way, Virgil… Purplehoodie.”

Virgil laughs, and okay, it wasn’t his best work, but it’s not like Bluejeans is any better. “So what? Roman and I are twins. Does that make him Roman Purplehoodie? I don’t see a fucking hoodie, nor anything purple. That doesn’t make sense, Lo.”

Logan doesn’t react to the nickname. Instead, he exclaims, “Neither does Bluejeans!”

“You wear blue jeans!” Roman protests.

“And your brother wears a purple hoodie!”

“Not all the time!”

“Almost all the time!”

“Oi, keep it down!” Missy shouts from somewhere inside the ship. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”

“Don’t worry, we’re just playing card games in here!” Patton tells them.

“They ain’t need to know that!”

Even though Missy was bluffing, they stop arguing.

“Do I get to ask a question now?”

“Fine, shoot Mr Bluejeans.”

“I’m never going to get rid of that name, am I?” Both Virgil and Roman shake their heads. “Alright. Can I ask a question now?”

The twins glance at each other and shrug. “Seems fair.”

Logan ponders for a moment. He doesn’t really have any burning questions, but he supposes there had been one thing he was always curious about. “Are you two identical?”

Virgil’s gaze flashes to Roman, then back at Logan. The movement is so quick he almost misses it.

Roman leans back on his palms and puts on an easy smile. Logan knows that he’s only pretending, but he doesn’t get the chance to backpedal before Roman answers him. “Nope,” he pops the p.

Logan waits a moment, then opens his mouth when no explanation follows, but Roman must have changed his mind about how much he wants to share.

“I’m trans,” he blurts. Logan watches as Virgil’s arm snakes around his brother and studies Logan for his reaction.

He doesn’t miss a beat as he says, “Oh, but you look too alike to not be identical.” It’s awkward and kind of clumsy, but he genuinely means it in an “I thought you were identical twins” way and not a “How can you possibly look so masculine?” way. Virgil and Roman seem to pick up on it, at least.

“Genetics, dumbass,” Virgil replies, and the three of them laugh. “Honestly, the scientist should know this!”

“I’m an astrophysicist, not a biologist.”

“Those words? Fake.”

“You can’t call words fake.”

“All words are fake!” Roman and Virgil retort at the same time.

Logan goes to argue. Then he considers it. And okay, maybe they have a point. Especially their words. He’s not sure if they’ll find another Planar System that speaks Common - or any of Phaethon’s languages, in fact. It doesn’t stop him from wanting to learn the others’ languages though, so he gathers up the courage to ask a second question.

“Would you two mind teaching me Elven?”

YEAR 12.

It’s a good thing he’s fluent in Elven now, because this new place is entirely elves. It’s literally called Elfington.

He and the twins have no problem fitting in, and to their surprise, neither does Kalumnia.

She shrugs and with an abashed smile she admits, “I know all of Phaethon’s languages.”

Roman and Virgil share a wide-eyed look. “That’s how you always knew about our pranks!”

“We thought you were a mindreader or something!” Roman adds.

Kalumnia laughs. “I do know that spell, but I wouldn’t invade your privacy like that.”

That year, he and the twins almost exclusively talk to each other. Kalumnia joins in on their exploits around town, and Logan notes that she’s much less reclusive than at the beginning of their journey. He supposes over a decade of selective company would result in that.

Wait. Holy shit. Had they really been doing this for a decade?

Logan catches a glimpse of himself in a store window. At fifty, he expects wrinkles around his eyes like the ones Patton’s had since day one, but no. There aren’t creases in his forehead, no grey hairs, nothing. For all intents and purposes, he hasn’t changed one bit.

Maybe Roman and Virgil weren’t too far off when they joked about immortality.

“And they call me vain!” Roman huffs as he comes to stand beside him. Despite his comment, he leans in to fix his hair in the reflection, running his slender fingers through newly-dyed red. It’s like this at the beginning of every cycle, and for the past week they’ve been on Elfington, all Roman has talked about were the hairdressers and the possibility of dye.

Logan’s friend is always excited when they begin a new year just because he gets the colour back in his hair. He suspects Virgil shares the same enthusiasm, but at least he doesn’t talk his ear off about how he should be able to invent dye when it starts to fade. For starters, he’s an astrophysicist, and secondly, he’s busy, thank you very much.

He wants to study the Light. Considering it has such a big impact on both the Starblaster crew and whatever plane it falls on, they need to learn more about it. Maybe one of these cycles, they can find a way to fight off the Hunger.

Logan doesn’t know how that would work, but this new world that’s positively teeming with life renews his motivation. He doesn’t want to see them get destroyed. He doesn’t want them to fall to the Hunger.

They’ve already recovered it so he wastes no time in setting up experiments.

Around the second month, Roman starts popping into the Starblaster to “make sure he isn’t nerding too hard” (his words, not Logan’s). At first, it’s only for a few minutes. Roman asks a few questions about what he’s doing, Logan responds with questions about what he and Virge have been up to, and then Roman goes back to Elfington.

As time passes, Roman grows more and more keen to help. It gets to the point where Roman and Logan do their experiments together. Kalumnia records for them, keeping track of what they’ve found (the Light of Creation emits waves of some form of energy) and what they need to know (what the fuck is that energy). Missy mostly makes sure that the pair eat and drink when necessary, occasionally throwing them over her shoulder and dragging them to bed.

Even Captain Sanders checks in on their progress (and with the two of them working together, it’s truly remarkable)!

The only one who keeps his distance is Virgil.

Logan finds out the reason for this on their tenth month.

It’s a typical afternoon. Logan had visited Elfington for last-minute supplies, and he had been carrying armfuls of metal parts and spell components when he heard low voices around the corner, where his newly-appointed lab was.

He pauses. He quickly figures that one must be Roman (he had told him to go ahead, but he must have wanted to wait) and therefore the other is Virgil. He considers making his presence known, but it sounds like they’re arguing. And the twins never do that.

He doesn’t mean to eavesdrop, honestly.

“I know why you’re doing this,” Virgil hisses. “You want to stay here.”

“I do not! And even if I did, what’s wrong with that? We haven’t had a home since we were fucking twelve, why can’t you just settle down?”

“This isn’t about that and you know it.” When Virgil continues to speak, his voice loses the anger and instead takes on a much softer tone. “Roman, we have the Light. There’s nothing else we can do for them.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do! In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been doing this thing for over a decade. We either get the Light and some people die, or we don’t and everything gets consumed by the Hunger. We’ve tried fighting it, we’ve died, and honestly, I don’t give a shit about the planes anymore!”

“How can you say that?” Roman murmurs. Logan’s equally surprised by that revelation.

“Look,” Virgil sighs. “We’ve been to like, four planets with life on it. And each time, we decide it’s a grand idea to make friends! Why not build our bonds? But at the end of the year, it’s the same thing. We fly away and we watch those people get torn apart into nothing. They’re dust. We’ve only had each other for so long, and you and the other five people on this ship are the only people I can count on. Everyone else? They’re dust, Roman. If we see them as anything else, we only get our hearts broken. And I can’t take that. Not for however long we’re stuck on this ship, going through the motions.”

Roman’s silent for a long time. Eventually, though, he says, “You’re lying.”

“What?”

“You’re lying,” he repeats, more forcefully. “You can try and pretend like you don’t care, but I’ve seen you with those kids. I know you care about them as much as I do. And I know you’ll fight for them at the end of the year.”

“Because they’re us, Ro!” Virgil’s outburst shocks Logan. He knows he definitely shouldn’t be listening at this point, but he’s frozen in place. “I mean, seriously? Two elven siblings, living on the road? When I see them, all I see is me and you as preteens forcing ourselves to entertain sickos by streetfighting just so we can eat. All I see is you giving me your one jumper because you know I hate the cold even though you were freezing just as much. All I see is us fighting over who should have the last scrap of food, not because we wanted it, but because we wanted the other to eat. So, of course, I’m going to fight for them. But at the end of the day, if it comes to saving you or saving those children, there’s no choice.”

Logan hears Virgil stomp the opposite way and when he’s sure Roman’s alone, he steps into the corridor.

Roman’s back is to him. Logan takes another cautious step forward, then another, and as he gets closer, he can see how he’s shaking. Roman’s fists are clenched at his sides, head hanging low.

“Roman?”

Roman straightens his back and raises one hand to his face. Logan can’t see what he’s doing, but when the hand comes back wet and Roman turns around with red eyes and a watery smile, he can hazard a guess.

“Hey, Lo!” he greets, far too cheery. “Let’s get to work!”

He doesn’t have time to ask what’s wrong because Roman grabs his arm and pulls him into the lab. All day, he interrupts Logan when he goes to offer comfort, and his smile is too wide, too forced. Logan doesn’t understand why he feels sad too.

At the end of the year, Roman pulls all-nighters alongside Logan. He and Virgil have long since made up, but his brother still steers clear of the lab. Logan doesn’t blame him - he’s never heard the pair fight before, and he’s sure it’s something they want to avoid.

Roman’s project that he had Logan helping him with is almost complete. It radiates a golden hue and its form almost replicates the Light exactly. It’s far from perfect, but it might just work. At this point, that’s all they can really hope for.

When the Hunger comes, they’re ready. Roman and Logan order Thomas to bring the ship over a mostly empty country (some mountains bordering an ocean) and they fling the fake Light down, watching as it splashes in the water. Immediately, the black smog that was chasing them dives down.

The Starblaster uses this chance to dart away, hurtling through the skies at breakneck speeds and it's not long until they breach Elfington’s atmosphere. The Hunger chases them, having figured out what they’ve done, and it seems angrier, more determined.

Little darts of black break free of its form and head for the ship, determined to bring them down. Thomas banks right, then left, before dipping down low. The other IPRE members have long since learnt their lesson about seatbelts, but they do rub at their necks during this process.

Roman and Logan share a smile. Most of Elfington was saved. Not just some, most.

Maybe they can win.

A/N That was the first part of Infinitesimal! If you enjoyed it, feel free to ask questions/scream to me about it because this is possibly one of my favourite concepts and I will take any opportunity to talk about it.

I hope I was clear with the whole Planary System stuff. If not, there’s more of an explanation coming in the following parts as well as some romance and maybe a touch of necromancy! Who knows? ;)

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purplexflamingo · 5 years ago

Note

Tell me about Guinevere? Or just some oc's in general?

Alright here I go!

Guinevere is young and constantly learning. In a short period of time she had developed so much character. Becoming very confident with her words and what she believes in. Full of undeniable hope. Her determination shining.

Still favoring peace among anything else. Desiring harmony.

Her father was poisoned and she harbors a feeling of failure for not saving him in time- during the travel he did not make it. Since then she has been learning the art of healing. Helping those of many different races and creatures a like. Finding herself soaring to the rescue of others, well aware how precious time is.

Her companion is a raven that belonged to a merchant who was treated poorly. At the sight she offered many things of value to be able to purchase the bird as she felt despair leaving it in their hands. The bird becoming a loyal companion.

Growing up she was awfully sheltered and has issues with being kept in the dark. Even though she was kept in the dark for her own safety. She’ll persist till the truth has been told.

Guinevere believes that there is good in everyone. Believing in second chances. Unlike her sibling she harbors no hatred for other races. They’re all her equal. She loves experiencing their cultures. Learning about them and more. It makes her happy to witness those around her happy.

Along the lines of feeling others deserve a second chance, she struggles when finding out her brother was the one to poison her father. Finding herself fearing him at times.

She was raised by a human male, her father. Along with an elf named Cledwyn, her cousin Rilian’s father. Learning the elf language young. As Cledwyn welcomed them into his home. Elves usually lived with their families of many different generations. Thus Guinevere had always adored their kind.

Rilian, her half-elven cousin--- became her caretaker. Protector and most importantly her close friend. Making a promise to her father to watch over her. Despite his path he took, following the Eldar. Knowing well eventually they’ll have to part and how hard it’d be.

Guinevere tries to avoid violence, she is not skilled with weapons, but she will defend herself if need be. She had been gifted a dagger by Cledwyn before leaving his home to move to Rivendell. After receiving his blessing.

She doesn’t like being belittled because she is a fragile female or the fact she is young.

Very empathetic, among others...if they’re stressed, she can feel it. If they weep-- she often does too.

Burden rests on her shoulder when she bonded with Elrond. The strain from her brother. Hoping he’ll change when witnessing her love for an elf. Yet he persists on being negative for the time being.

Guinevere is intelligent. She often knows what she is doing. Upon welcoming the child she was to be given, she would be at peace with sacrificing herself. Though at the same time she would not give up.

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fromstraykids · 6 years ago

Text

thank u, next

characters: you x jisung

summary: in which you learn that love sucks; angst; 2.8k

a/n: yes, i was inspired by ariana grande’s new song and uh I'm trying to be more active (trust me i have like 15 wips that are literally almost done) and the semester ends in 3 weeks so hopefully after december i will be more active!! but for now, pls enjoy this !!

You never had luck with boyfriends.

Your first boyfriend was in your third year of middle school. It was what they called ‘cuffing season’ and you felt obligated to have someone to hold hands with through the halls as you walked to your classes. His name was Yang Jeongin, your classmate since kindergarten, and frankly, you did have a little crush on him in fifth grade. It was the spring formal and he had shyly tapped your shoulder during the lunch break. With a quiet voice and fidgeting hands, he had asked you out. This was your first confession. You said yes and dated him for seven months. Every day, he would meet you at your locker with a bright smile that showed his metal braces and walked you to and from classes without fail. He was the first guy you have ever hugged…and the first guy you’ve ever kissed. It was Valentine’s Day (cliche? yes.) and you had met him at your locker as usual as he hands you a pretty arrangement of roses before pulling you into a tight hug. As he pulled away, he leaned forward once again before hesitantly placing his lips on yours. You didn’t say anything besides smiling and letting him walk you to your class. The first time you’ve initiated a kiss was when you kissed him on the cheek before going into your first period. It was the first time you’ve ever felt so energized, you were no longer a shadow, you had someone to be your light. But, that light dimmed. As the next year started, you and Jeongin fell out. He started talking to older girls and made new friends. You could say that it was mutual, but the week of crying said differently. And that was how you’ve experienced your first heartbreak at the ripe age of 13.

Your second heartbreak was only a few months later. It was Jeongin’s best friend, Seungmin, that approached you a week after Jeongin had broken up with you. After a few months of talking, you began to have feelings for Seungmin and vice versa. You didn’t know what came over your head when you started to date Seungmin. Was it to make Jeongin jealous? It could’ve been possible. You would always drift your eyes over to Jeongin whenever you entered the cafeteria with interlocked hands, hoping that he would look over and ask you to be his again. But that never happened. The breakup happened a few months later, but this time, you were the heartbreaker. Maybe if you hadn’t been with Jeongin beforehand, you would have been completely infatuated with Seungmin, but life had different plans in mind.

Your third heartbreak was in your second year of high school. He was a new student from Australia and to be fair, everybody had a crush on him and you were no different. His name was Felix and he would sit next to you in literature class and make conversations with you to make the hour-long class less boring. Compared to your last few crushes, this one felt genuine and not rushed. Sometimes you’d catch yourself thinking about how it would be like if you two were a couple, how it would feel to have his hands entwined with you, how it would feel to be pressed against his chest when you’re hugging him. Slowly, your crush on him grew until you would literally have heart eyes when you saw him. You loved the way his face was dotted with light freckles that would glow whenever his lips curved up into a bright smile when he talks to you. You thought that he was the one for you. Until he got a girlfriend that is. You found out when you were walking to class one day and in the corner of your eye, you saw the two untwining their hands before hugging. It was later confirmed that they were, indeed, dating. Although he would never find out, you felt your heart break into two pieces and called yourself stupid for being so infatuated with someone that you would never have a chance with.

Your fourth heartbreak was in your last year of high school. You were a tutor and he was a flunking student, what could go wrong there? Not to mention, he was the bad boy of the school, it was amazing to even be in the same room as him and never in your life would you have imagined yourself even talking to him. His name was Hyunjin. He adorned a metal lip ring on the bottom of his full lips and always had his tie loosened in school. You found his presence nice; for once, you were not worried about looking a specific way for someone and could vent to him and he would be there the whole way. But there was one thing you ignored: the fact that he was a heartbreaker. You began to date him after he pressed a soft kiss on your lips one day during tutoring. People didn’t expect it, why would they? It ended in two weeks–when you found him pressing another girl against a wall. You were tired of getting the short end of the stick in relationships and concluded that you would never ever find a guy that was fit for you.

It’s your first semester in college–a couple hundred miles away from your hometown meant that you could start a new life and meet new people. And with that, a certain someone stumbled into your life. Literally.

“I’m so sorry!” you immediately said as you watched the lukewarm cup of coffee slip from your grip and onto the person in front of you. You froze in your spot as you watched the figure in front of you stop in his tracks to look at his now-stained shirt. It was a yellow DHL sweater that now had a brown spot in the center of it.

He looks up and you felt your heart stop. Damn, he was good-looking, too. He smiles. “It’s cool, just watch where you’re going next time.” Without another word, he walks past you as you’re left wondering what had just happened.

The next time you saw him was an accident, much like the first time. The door of your dorm room opened, making you curse at your roommate for not locking it when she left.

“Hey–Oh, this isn’t Chan’s room,” a familiar voice says, making you look up to see the brunet you stumbled upon a few days ago. “Wait, aren’t you the girl that spilled coffee on my shirt?”

Your cheeks flare up as you shut your laptop, making your eyes adjust to the dim lights. “Y-yeah. Sorry about that, did you get to clean it up?”

He nods. “Don’t worry, ink stains are even worse to get out, trust me, it’s fine.”

“But I feel so bad–”

“It’s fine,” he reassures again before a thought enters his head. “If you feel that bad, maybe, we can go meet up for coffee some day? I mean, granted, that you won’t spill it on me again.”

He chuckles as your cheeks flare up again. “I’m just kidding,” he says with a smile that showed his white teeth. His phone buzzes. “I would love to stay and chat, but my friend needs help with studying…”

You waved him off. “Do you want to meet at the campus coffee shop on Monday?”

“I would love that.” After hearing the door click shut, you placed your hand over your heart. The erratic beating did not stop, nor did you want it to.

You found out his name was Han Jisung and majored in literature, hence why he always had a pen and paper in his hands. “Ideas pop up in random places. Especially you’ve almost burned down your apartment because you were to focused on finishing a story about a Greek myth rather than cooking your ramen,” Jisung joked.

As much as he loved to write short stories, poetry was his forte. “There’s nothing better than putting vague sentences together hoping that it would make sense,” he says.

He was funny, easygoing, and kind. It wasn’t hard for you to fall for him quickly.

It was the heart of winter and the day after finals. Jisung was slumped against your shoulder as the both of you watch a Christmas movie that was pirated on your laptop. He rests an arm around your waist as he shifts awake.

“I fell asleep again,” Jisung pouts. It was always a habit of his to stay up at nights, typing up a story on his laptop. It was a common sight to see him with a cup of black coffee in his hands and to see his head down in the middle of lectures.

“The movie wasn’t even that interesting anyway,” you said. “A boy doesn’t believe in Christmas and then meets Santa Claus to help save the very holiday he despised? So cliche.”

Jisung chuckles. “How else would you make a Christmas movie without Santa Claus?” He tilts his head as his eyes flutter up to look at yours, waiting for your answer.

You contemplate his question. “I don’t know, focus on the elves? They’re pretty much the backbone of the whole Christmas industry if you’re asking me.”

“You’re not wrong. Who else can make toys for every child? Certainly, not Santa Claus,” Jisung says. The both of you chuckle before a wave of silence overcomes the both of you.

“Hey, y/n,” Jisung speaks up.

“Hm?” you hummed as you scroll through the lists of movies to watch. Jisung doesn’t reply, making you turn your head to his direction to see his eyes already set on your face. The light illuminating from your laptop casts an angelic glow on Jisung’s face.

“You’re beautiful.”

Your breath hitches as you attempt to form words. Jisung was faster. He sits up, his eyes flitting from your eyes to your lips as he presses softly against them. He tasted like a mixture of vanilla and coffee.

The kiss ended as quickly as it started. His eyes widen as he realizes what he did. “I-I like y-you, y/n.”

The corners of your lips tug upwards as you smiled. “I like you, too, Jisung.”

A sigh of relief escapes his mouth. “That would’ve been awkward if you didn’t,” he chuckles before wrapping an arm around your shoulder. “I’ve liked you for a long time.”

You never understood poetry, much to Jisung’s dismay.

“But the symbolism!” he would exclaim before pulling out his favorite poem, Love’s Philosophy.

“They’re using Middle English, how can you comprehend that?”

“First of all, it’s called Early Modern English, and second,” Jisung scoots closer to you, “I’ll show you.”

Jisung loved the concept of love; it intrigued him how an individual could express love through many different ways. It was simply endearing, love, to be so infatuated with a single person and to have someone complete you. There was nothing more genuine than love.

“…So you’re telling me that this whole poem was to ask for a kiss?” You raised an eyebrow before chuckling. “I think there’s another reason why you love this poem, and it’s not because of the symbolism.”

Jisung blushes before looking at you with an innocent face. “Hm?”

Leaning forward, you pressed a soft kiss on his cheek, darkening his already-red cheeks. “Why don’t you show me more poems?”

Jisung loved to write you poems. You would find a short poem on your nightstand, ready for you to read when you woke up. You would find them in your backpack, your car, your kitchen counter; name a place and Jisung would already have placed a poem there.

“Isn’t it hard to write so many poems in this short span of time?” you’d ask when you meet with him before class.

He shakes his head. “No, because I’m always inspired. By you.”

“Are all poets this cheesy?” you teased.

Jisung leans forward to press a kiss on your temple before going back to his seat. “Just let me love you.”

It wasn’t long before you would start making poems for Jisung.

Jisung’s life changed. His short story had won an international award and he was currently in the midst of producing a book.

He became one with his computer, as you had said to him on multiple occasions before he would sheepishly smile and give you a quick peck on the lips before returning to work.

But as the days progressed, you saw him less and all you wanted to do is to spend time with him.

“I got inspired for a chapter, so I have to make a raincheck on our date, okay babe?”

“The publisher wants me to finish this section by tonight.”

“I would love to go to the event with you…but my book awaits me.”

You stood outside Jisung’s door for the nth time this month. You didn’t bother to knock, knowing that he was too immersed with his writing to notice a single sound.

“Hey.”

The boy jumps up, taking off his headphones. “Fuc-Oh hey!” He relaxes when he sees that you were there, not some random killer or something. “What’s up?”

You sighed before looking at him. He forgot, again. “We had a date tonight,” you said in a quiet voice.

His mouth forms an ‘o’ as he realizes his mistake. “I’m so sorry,” he apologizes before glancing at his open laptop. “I need to write this chapter, so can we schedule another day?” He looks at you with pleading eyes and you could never say no to them.

“Of course. Your book matters more.” You smiled sadly at him before placing your hand over the doorknob. “I’ll text you tonight?”

He nods before shooting you a kiss in the air. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

And of course, you meant it. You would do anything for Jisung. He was there for you when you were packed with class assignments, now you’re there for him when he’s writing his first book. Love prospers through the hardships.

Or so you thought.

He looked at you with melancholy eyes, standing at the doorway, fearing that if he went one step farther he would hurt you even more.

You knew that face. You’ve seen that face one too many times to recognize it, but you brushed it off with a bright smile. “You look off today, what’s wrong?”

Jisung sighs, running a hand through his brown locks. You made the mistake of looking at his eyes. “y/n…”

“You’re breaking up with me…aren’t you?” you asked in a quiet voice. You looked down at your crossed legs on your made bed, your hands trembling slightly as you tried to stop the lump in your throat from climbing up. “I understand.”

You didn’t. You let your guard down as a stray tear fell onto your hand before you quickly wiped it away. Sniffling, you added, “Thanks for the memories, they were amazing.”

Jisung felt his heart break; break-ups were the hard part of every relationship. His hands fumbled with each other as he tried to think of something to say. “I’ve been so busy with my book, I think it’s unfair for you to be waiting for me when I’m so focused on my career. I never wanted to hurt you, y/n. I truly love you, and I can’t go further into this relationship when you’re putting all the effort and my mind is on different matters.

“I want you to find someone that will put as much love into you as you did into me,” he continued. “As much as I want to be that guy, I can’t. I’m sorry, y/n. I wish you the best of luck in the future.”

You watched as the door clicked shut softly and let your world come crashing down. Hiccups escaped from your throat as tears ran down your face and onto your sheets.

You thought Jisung would be the one. You really believed that. But love worked differently.

It was cruel. Love only works when two people at a specific time become infatuated with each other, once one person falls out of line, love disappears. Love was only for the lucky, you were never lucky.

Overcome with your emotions, you decided the best thing was to pour out your heart onto a piece of paper, titling it:

thought i’d end up with jisung

You looked at the clock. It had been about three hours since Jisung left your room—and your life. The paper in front of you was riddled with crossed-out words, eraser marks, and dried up tear stains.

Looking down, there was one space left.

You were done with having to repair your broken heart only to have the bandaid tear off again. No more heartbreaks, you thought.

With that, you wrote the last line,

thank u, next

#ugh the fact that this story is literally my life #jisung #han jisung #stray kids #stray kids scenarios #stray kids imagines #jisung scenarios #jisung imagines #han jisung scenarios #han jisung imagines

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aced0g · 6 years ago

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Bruuuhhh there's so many good questions, so I'll ask the most of them. 1-5, 8, 11, 13-18, and 23? ((Sorry if thats a lot lol

[well shit now I actually want to make this a fully fledged self insert oc] from the if you were inquisitor ask meme https://aced0g.tumblr.com/post/183449602162/lesbiansten-if-you-were-inquisitor-ask-meme

1. Race:

-I could be really boring and just stick with human but I honestly think I’d be like half Qunari half elf maybe? Like if you made a qunari shorter and a twink. Horns would probably be the ones that go straight back.

2. Class/Specialization:

-While I’d love to do magic I just don’t think I would have it (probably also wouldn’t be a good mix lol volatile emotions and magic=big problems). SO I’d be a rogue. I’ve always been silent enough to just “appear” behind someone and accidentally freak people out plus I really really like knives. idk they’re really cool. Specialization oof probably tempest because I’m not good at crafting things and with tempest you can at least feel like you’re using magic.

3. Your homeland?

- Probably Ostwick just cause there aren’t too many Qunari out in Ferelden and at least the Free Marches have seen Qunari before.

4. Your family?

-Father would be Qunari tal vashoth who broke free and set up his own bakery out in Ostwick. Mother would be a city elf who’s good at working in the forge. Would have a little sister who’s probably going to be a minstrel. Also kind of estranged from them all, like they write but he wouldn’t want to worry them with his travels. Theres also another sibling but we don’t talk about him ever :)

5. Who were you before?

-Before Inquisition? Probably just on his own trying to forge his own path. An aspiring author who can’t think of anything to write so he takes up odd jobs here and there. Sometimes hes a merc, other times he’s making bread, then sometimes he’s giving tattoos. He was never really someone important. 8. Your opinion on other races?

-Humans he thinks are alright, they’re quick to judge based off of looks and can either be huge assholes or pretty chill. City elves are treated horribly and they need a break, someone to speak up for them. Dalish elves stay secluded and he understands why. They’re fierce warriors though and he respects the hell out of them. Surface Dwarves are usually pretty chill, a fun crowd that could drink you under the table if you try. The Carta suck ass but you just don’t get involved with them. He’s never met the dwarves from Orzamar so he has no opinion. With Qunari usually Tal Vashoth are chill, there are assholes who just want blood and murder but that isn’t just limited to Qunari hes met plenty of humans just like that. He didn’t meet a Qunari that was actually part of the Qun until Iron Bull and at first he was honestly terrified. You hear so many stories of what they do that it leaves you scared which doesn’t help when you already have paranoia and ptsd. (don’t worry eventually he and bull become really good friends)

11. Where would you hang out in Skyhold?

Honestly? Either the library or his quarters. He’s got a lot of social anxiety and he likes quiet so he’d end up making his own little section in the library where he can just read or draw or write, and if its a really bad day he just stays in his quarters until he’s needed13. What armor would you wear?-Oof most of the armor for Rogues is pretty ugly in my opinion. I’ll tell you what this boy would be caught in, black pants and leather boots, he’d be wearing like a black and green flannel shirt with some leather bracers on his arms and like fingerless leather gloves for his hands (they’d also be compressing both wrists cause boy got shitty wrists). He’d also have a leather jacket and a scarf around his neck. (also he wears glasses or else he’s blind as shit for distance stuff)14. What would your room look like?

-Honestly its pretty bare bones. Maybe a few bookshelves that barely hold any books. A few trinkets like a mabari figurine or some crafts his family made for him. The rest would just be his wardrobe, knives and writing/drawing supplies. His bed would be simple, big enough to hold two people but no more. Theres about three blankets on the bed, the bed is always made and he sleeps on top of that and grabs a spare blanket to cover himself at night. He also has a bunch of pillows. The rest of it is a dog bed and a bunch of dog toys for his mabari mutt.15. Who would be your friends at Skyhold?

-I’d like to say he’d be good friends with Varric, Sera, Dorian, Bull, and Cole, maybe Cullen too. It takes a while for everyone to warm up, but the gays get along really fast so he gravitates to them initially and then Varric is like the dad friend and he likes to write too so there are plenty of late nights with the Inquisitor just info dumping about story ideas and character ideas with Varric and its fun. With Cole he was initially a little scared of the spirit but then it turns into a really great friendship and he’d think of Cole as a brother. Plus Cole is great for helping him calm down when he’s having a panic attack. 16. Would you have any friends outside of the Inquisition?

-No. He’s shit at making friends and tends to stay alone than try to make friends. It has a lot to do with his trauma, being told that he was never going to have friends that he wasn’t worth it, so he just doesn’t try. Whenever he was with a group for an extended period of time they would get friendly but he’d never really keep in contact and so no friends. Well he has one, his mabari mutt Mahogany or Huggy for short, but he’s with the Inquisitor so it doesn’t really count. 17. Who wouldn’t you get along with?

-While I love Cassandra and Vivienne’s characters I don’t think I’d actually get along with them. I’m not religious and I don’t like acting all important, so as Inquisitor this boy would probably be Vivienne’s worst nightmare of just dressing in flannel when he’s at Skyhold and Cassandra’s because he doesn’t support the Templars and doesn’t give a shit about the Chantry or the Divine (not in a rude way but he just doesn’t care about it). I think he’d try to be polite at least but I don’t think they’d get along. 18. Who would you romance?

-Mmmm that’s a really hard decision for me because Im stuck between choosing Bull or Dorian. They both have amazing qualities and I love them both so much, but I think just because being a Qunari the inquisitor would be initially more hesitant about being around Bull I’d go with Dorian. Dorian and the Inquisitor would have a lot of personal hurt that they could help each other with and spend a lot of time just cuddling and talking through the night. The inquisitor would get very protective of Dorian during battles and probably get a little self sacraficey. 23. What would be on your tombstone in the fade (What are you afraid of)?

-Honestly? its a toss up between himself and dying alone

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grakkar-gorefang · 6 years ago

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| Prologue | Part I |

Saving Sinafay - Part 2

The air hurt to breathe here; coarse sand whipped up by a ceaseless wind which carved the imposing rock formations, mixed with the soot of volcanic ash from nearby fissures. So dry, so hot, the land itself choked the very life out of anything that dare tread in such a desolate place.

Grakkar drew in a deep breath, and sighed; he was home again.

“We made it… I can’t believe it.” he said, tone a mixture of excitement and lamenting.

He gripped his axe handle tightly, holding it now at his side as he looked around the remains of his former home. The portal had deposited the pair on the outskirts of the last Mag’har settlement in the region; Hellsreach Citadel, nestled in the shadow of the towering Blackrock Foundry. It was laid low since Grakkar had last been there - the Lightbound and their Draenei overlords must have razed what remained of the Mag’har presence there. It made Grakkar grunt aggressively, to think how blind those Draenei and his Lightbound kin were. They’d spit on the Ancestors, if they could - nothing but their precious Light was sacred to them!

“... The final conflict happened at Beastwatch, south of here.” he told his Nightborne partner. “And beyond that, Shattrath.”

Grakkar turned to Aelissah, looking her over to ensure she was alright. He expected she was; portals were something her people used often, right? He nodded, eagerly, ready to go! Ready to save his beloved Sinafay!

Or die trying.

Aelissah was well used to portals. The arid air and harsh wasteland… not so much. The very air burned her airways at every breath! She squinted at their surroundings, eyes drawn to the hideous looking foundry. What kind of savage creature conceptualized that sort of structure? Who could even live out here?

Her hand instinctively moved to her pocket, making certain the item that would assure their way home was still there. With a relieved sigh, she brought her hood up over her head and pulled the collar of her tunic up over her mouth and nose.

“I hope our travels take us somewhere more pleasant,” she couldn’t help but comment.

Grakkar chuffed, shaking his head.

“More pleasant for you to look at, perhaps.” he retorted. “But much more dangerous. The closer to Shattrath we get, the more Draenei there’ll be.”

He started south, taking the worn, familiar path south from Hellsreach towards the site of the Mag’har’s final stand… and the last place he saw Sinafay.

“You’ve encountered the Light, yeah?” he asked, as they walked. “They have it on Azeroth, too. I’ve seen it used, even by the Horde’s allies. But… not like these Draenei use it. They’re zealots - no question.”

His voice grew more grisly and disgruntled as he spoke of the Draenei; his distaste for them more than evident.

“We were allies, once. I think I told you. After the Alliance and Horde came to help us vanquish the Legion, we had a period of peace. But their blind faith in the Light ended that quickly.” he went on, as the pair crested the overlook to the flat canyon of Beastwatch. “Peace wasn’t enough for them. They wanted adherence to their single-faceted faith, uncaring of anything else. The Ancestors, the elements, not even your Arcane. Nothing but the Light is sacred to these oppressive monsters.”

He stopped at the overlook… standing in the last place he and his people stood before being whisked away to Azeroth. The Beastwatch was eerily quiet, still… and littered with bodies of Orcs and Draenei alike. Grakkar remembered the battle well enough, short as it was. He even saw a few corpses of Draenei and Lightbound Orcs he’d cut down, now being feasted on by buzzards. He searched the fields for a sign of Sinafay - Circadia said she was still alive, but Grakkar couldn’t help but worry he’d walk by her corpse without noticing…

“... This is what the Light brought upon my people, Lissah.” he scowled. “Death and pain.”

Aelissah’s ears flickered as she walked alongside Grakkar, indicating her attentiveness to his words. She’d encountered the Light, of course. The Blood Knights within the Guard has utilized it on more than one occasion, both to smite their enemies and to heal. She frowned, remembering the disastrous effects it had when mixed with the Void. She couldn’t deny the Light had its uses, but to claim it as the one true power source seemed foolish.

“My own people are example enough what a dependency on a single power source can do,” she said solemnly, “It is foolish to claim the Light as the only path one must follow.”

The smell hit her before the sight… the field of decomposing bodies, Draenei and Orcs alike. No one had bothered to dispose of the bodies?! It made her feel sick to her stomach, and she had to swallow down bile that rose in her her throat as she turned away,

“Let us not linger in this place,” she said, looking up at the sky for a change of scenery, noting the two moons,“Where do the elves reside on this world?”

“No elves.” Grakkar replied simply, as he carried on south… through the field of bodies. “The only sentient races native to Draenor are we Orcs, the Ogres, and the Aarakoa much further to the south. The Draenei are said to be from another planet altogether… forced from their homeworld because they wouldn't cave to an oppressive power.”

The orc scoffed, glancing back to Aelissah.

“Sounds familiar, yeah?”

The fields seemed to go on forever, even to Grakkar. He still scanned every face, praying to the Ancestors Sinafay's wasn't among them. His heart nearly stopped, seeing one or two faces that looked like her at a glance. He shook it off, clinging to Circadia's prophecy as it echoed in his mind.

‘She is alive.’

He truly hoped so.

“I'm sorry… that I wasn't entirely honest with you.” he changed the subject, as the pair passed by the last of the sun-baked corpses. “I worried you would find my motives selfish if you knew she was my love. She really did make the sacrifice to allow our people to escape, though. That much was true.”

Grakkar frowned at the memory, just as painful now as it was then. His helplessness to save her… it gnawed at him. He shook his head, slowing his pace so Aelissah could walk beside him - now that they weren't navigating through a sea of bodies. He turned to face her, and sighed.

“... But I suppose it's selfish nonetheless, yeah? Were she not my love, I would merely honor the memory of her glorious death.” he admitted. “I want to save her, though. I've lost a lot in my life, Lissah. I can't lose her, too.”

His thoughts flashed back, briefly, to Aelissah's home, and the pictures on the wall. Specifically, the one of her beside another elf. A male… probably. If not, a significant person in her life, nonetheless. He nodded slowly to the Nightborne.

“... You understand, don't you?” he asked… though he felt he already knew the answer to that question.

Aelissah’s ears wilted, her fingers instinctively reaching to brush a gloved hand, a ring on her finger hidden beneath the fabric. She understood all too well the plight Grakkar was in. She may not have had to deal with alternate universes and complicated time streams, but she knew the feeling of being separated from one’s love, and desperately wanting to be reunited with them.

“When my people’s leaders decided to strike a deal with the Burning Legion, some of us fought against it. My husband was part of a failed resistance movement.”

She frowned heavily as she walked alongside Grakkar. To her relief, patches of greenery became more frequent as they traveled south. It was good to finally see something living in this wasteland.

“As far as we knew, they had all been killed in the attempt. In his memory, I secretly continued to work as an informant and assassin for a small remaining pocket resistance. Over time, most of us lost hope… Until a little over a year ago, when we discovered First Arcanist Thalyssra still lived. The Dusklily Revolution was formed. With renewed hope and the help of the Horde, it was a success. The Burning Legion and corrupted officials were eliminated and our city reclaimed.”

She paused, for a moment, debating on adding the next part, “When I learned of survivors withering away outside the city, I searched for my husband.” She shook her head, “By the time I found him, he was too far gone. I had no choice but to end his suffering…”

Grakkar grunted, after a solemn silence during Aelissah’s tale. He frowned deeply, brow furrowed - to make such a choice… to lay a loved one to rest by your own hand… he gained newfound respect for the Nightborne’s strength. He wondered, if it came to it, if he could possibly do the same. His thoughts turned to Neela, his first mate, and their meeting on the battlefield. True to his Clan, he sided with the Iron Horde in their objective to conquer Draenor and Azeroth both. But Neela, a Frostwolf, stuck with her clan and resisted. He couldn’t cut her down then, out on the battlefield. Could he have, if she were so far gone, like Aelissah’s husband…?

“Tragic.” he grunted, sincerity in the word. “No one should have to put an end to a loved one’s suffering like that. My condolences, Lissah.”

He reached over, briefly patting the elf’s shoulder - mindful of the significant size difference between them. She wasn’t as sturdy-looking as others he’d encounter - including other elves - so a light tap was enough to convey his support without knocking her over.

“You honor him, though. A fighter for your people, rebuilding what was lost.” he added, with a firm nod. “He would be proud, yeah?”

“Thank you,” she managed a smile, looking over to meet his gaze, “I like to think that I do.”

She let out a sigh, before rolling her shoulders back, keeping her composure. It wouldn’t do well for her to dwell on her loss during this mission. This wasn’t about her. This was about Grakkar, and making certain his quest to save his mate would be a success.

“I knew when I agreed to this journey, that it was your love we were rescuing from the start. Your words did not trick me. No one travels through time and space, into the face of certain death, for a good friend.” She chuckled, giving him an amused glance, “If your choice to do this feels selfish, then I am selfish along with you. Your plight connected with me. It was as though I was looking at my past self. I want to save Sinafay. I want to see the two of you reunited.”

She let out another sigh, “I could not have my happy ending. You should have yours.”

“Heh,” the orc chuckled. “I guess I thought you'd chalk it up to a cultural difference, yeah? But it seems love is too universal to fool you…”

Grakkar nodded appreciatively to Aelissah, as the continued on into the Talador Pass. He was grateful she understood, though sorry she had learned such understanding from personal experience. That she was willing to continue on with him, knowing from the beginning, made him all the more grateful he'd met her in Stormsong. Ancestors only knew if he would've met anyone else who would not only understand as she did, but had a means to help like Aelissah did, as well. Clearly, the Ancestors smiled on him.

Despite…

His friendly smile faded, as he looked out at the mouth of the pass. It was… quiet. Much too quiet for comfort. This place was dangerous, because sightings of strong Draenei presence were constant - he had seen it himself in days past. To come upon it now, empty and still… he didn't like it.

“Be wary.” he said lowly, stepping off the beaten path. “This pass shouldn't be so peaceful…”

Aelissah drew her daggers and silently padded off the path and into the foliage. She was silent as her eyes darted around the area, noting the different hiding places a sniper might be located. If this was a regularly patrolled area, as Grakkar mentioned, then no soldiers meant traps. They would have to watch out for those as well.

She glanced to him, signalling to him that she would follow his lead. He knew these lands and their enemies better than she did. He had the best chance at spotting trouble before she did.

Part of her wondered if there were no guards simply because there was no Orcish threat to worry about coming from this direction… She didn’t speak that out loud, however. Pessimism wouldn’t help anyone.

Silently, Grakkar advanced into the pass. He kept off the beaten path, progressing through into Talador, itself. This region was now the heart of the Draenei empire; it shouldn't have been so unguarded, even with the Orcs having vacated. Dangers of all sorts still lingered in Gorgrond…

Noise from up ahead caught his attention. He signalled silently to Aelissah that he was advancing, before cresting the small overlook. The ground shook, and a mighty roar pierced the air at a distance. Draenic shouting followed, as Grakkar made his way around the canyon bend. Then, he saw it; the Draenei locked in a vicious battle with a wandering Gronn - a full grown adult, as big as a building itself! There must have been a measly six or seven of them, desperately holding their ground against the behemoth invader. The orc stopped, kneeling down before signaling his hidden partner to join him.

“Great,” he sighed, observing the battle. “That gronn's attracting unwanted attention here. More Draenei will show up at any moment to deal with it.”

He frowned deeply, assessing the scene. On one hand, it would be easy enough to sneak through with the Draenei distracted by the imminent threat. But on the other, the road further in was likely crawling with Draenei defenders on their way to assist. This was both fortunate, and unfortunate at the same time. Grakkar motioned to the right, where the canyon opened up into more gentle greenery. If they could get there without being spotted, they had a good chance of avoiding the fight altogether.

“We make for the foliage.” he suggested. “On my signal. Be mindful - more Draenei will be coming from the road nearby.”

Axe in hand, Grakkar stood once more. He hunched low, watching the scene for their opportunity. It didn't help they were behind the Gronn, with Draenei eyes looking their way. Their timing had to be just right…

“--Veni tiros!” a Draenei called out!

The Gronn’s rampage hit its fevered pitch; the monstrous beast leapt up in the air, and began to slam the ground repeatedly with its huge calloused hands. The ground shook, shook, and stray rocks began to fall from the cliffside. The Draenei defenders started to scatter!

“--Now!”

Grakkar seized the moment, and rushed for the foliage in the cover of the dust and chaos. Just in time, too - as a boulder crashed down where he was crouched! The pair weren't safe from the Gronn's tantrum, even at this distance!

Aelissah moved as Grakkar moved, somewhat in awe at the monster. It somewhat resembled an ettin, except broader and having only one eye. She’d have to ask her partner what it was once they got to safety. It didn’t really matter what it was at the moment anyway. Right now, it was the perfect distraction.

The dust and debris made it difficult to keep Grakkar in her sight. The ground shook under the monster’s tantrum, causing her to miss her footing and fall to the ground. Large falling rocks bruised her form, but didn’t keep her down. She’d lost track of Grakkar, but continued to move in the direction he’d been heading.

She didn’t quite make it, bumping into a larger form in the dusty air. A Draenei! It peered at her with a look of confusion. While they had seen elves back when the dark portal was open 50 years ago, Lissah’s colouring was starkly different. Thankfully, she recovered from the shock first, throwing dirt in his golden eyes and striking out with her dagger. She caught him in the throat, silencing any call for help he might have attempted to utter. She didn’t wait to see if her strike had been fatal. She was on the move again in an attempt to find Grakkar.

It was as Grakkar feared - horrible timing! The pair rushed into the Draenei reinforcements, shrouded by the dust and debris on their way to help deal with the gronn! The Orc encountered a pair of them, wholly unprepared to see an Orc, of all things, emerge from the dust! Grakkar let out a battle shout - no need to be subtle now - before swinging his axe laterally neck-level with the nearest of the two. His head was carved clean off his shoulders, a look of confusion and fear frozen to his lifeless face. The other Draenei, however, retaliated quickly against the familiar foe. Grakkar was slammed hard by a crystalline hammer, which sent him off balance back into the dust cloud. Barely keeping hold of his axe, Grakkar shambled back to his feet, snarling at the silhouette of the Draenei before him.

The gronn’s tantrum kept up for another moment or two - the Draenei who earned its ire unable to get free from the monster’s rampage. A couple were smashed under the gronn’s hand… thankfully, it seemed that group had their hands full.

The other Draenei rushed at Grakkar, shouting in Draenic to try and rally his allies! Grakkar parried the hammerswing with a ferocious grunt, before following up with a strike of his own. He clipped the Draenei’s leg, forcing him to a kneel. Pressing the attack, Grakkar kicked the Draenei over, and finished him off with a swift downward strike!

“Lissah!” Grakkar called out through the dust. “They’re upon us! Make for the trees!”

He turned to make for the foliage, making it into the cover of the underbrush. He took a moment to survey the scene, looking both for Aelissah and any more encroaching Draenei reinforcements - those two couldn’t have been the only ones…

For a moment, Aelissah considered making her presence known to the other Draenei and give Grakkar a chance to get away unnoticed. Then, she thought better of it. She didn’t know these lands: This planet. The two getting separated, no matter for how short a time, could prove to be a fatal mistake.

She remained low to the ground, her leathers thankfully blending in well with the dust in the air, allowing her to move easily unseen. She went into the direction she heard Grakkar’s voice, managing to make her way to the foliage without attracting anymore attention to herself.

Just in time, as the gronn set itself into another tantrum. Lissah remained seated on the ground, pressing her back against the tree for support. They had to get away from the area, but she didn’t want to move without Grakkar. Her ears flickered, attempting to pick up any sound over the battle between gronn and Draenei.

Another Draenei stumbled upon the Orc - he wasn’t exactly hiding, between shouting and slaying the oppressors that stood between him and Shattrath. They came to blows immediately, grappling as their weapons locked. Grakkar let loose a piercing roar, as he began to overpower the Draenei. Snarling and baring his fangs, the sight of the Warsong warrior was clearly far too intimidating for the single Draenei to handle! He staggered back, and turn to run away!

“Coward! Face me!” Grakkar shouted, lunging forth and catching the fleeing Draenei by his tail.

He yanked hard, bringing his foe back and to the ground, before quickly finishing him off by caving in his skull from behind. He jumped up immediately, prepared to face any others who may have made their way up the path. To his disappointment, there were none. Grakkar looked back at the gronn, still rampaging and slamming the ground with fervor. He retained his footing well enough, far as he’d charged from the scene. He looked again for any signs of Aelissah - a futile exercise, of course. He knew well enough that if Aelissah didn’t want to be seen, she wouldn’t be. With a grunt, he headed deeper into the foliage, and dipped down low. The fighting was over, for now. He watched from his hiding place among the roots and brush, hoping to see Aelissah. He couldn’t leave without her - they were partners! She was on an alien world, unfamiliar to her.

Besides, she was his only way back.

Aelissah’s ears swiveled towards the sound of someone… or something, moving through the foliage to her right. It wasn’t obvious, and would most likely be missed by a regular person, but the elf had a keen sense of hearing.

Her eyes narrowed and she gripped her daggers tightly. Pushing herself off the tree, she kept low as she silently stalked through the brush. Her ears continued to twitch as they listened carefully for anything else. She froze as the sound stopped.

Grakkar had told her to make for the foliage. She’d heard him fighting… had he made it to safety? Or was she being hunted by something else? She took a chance at the former.

“Grakkar?” She hissed, keeping her voice at a whisper.

Grakkar turned quickly to the voice whispering his name. Could it be…? Sinafay? --No, that’s ridiculous. It was obviously Aelissah. His eyes focused on the Nightborne, as she called attention to herself. He surely glanced over her once or twice, her drab leathers blending her into the backdrop. But now, focused on her eyes as they fell over him, she really wasn’t that far from him. With a grunt, he nodded and approached - keeping low, as not to attract any more Draenei eyes.

“That wasn’t so bad…” he smirked. “I got all three that saw me. One shouted, but… I think the others were too distracted with the gronn to notice. We should be clear...”

He took another careful look around, for any movement in the trees - in case he was wrong. It looked safe… for the moment. He motioned further into the treeline, due south, then nodded to Aelissah once more.

“Let’s press. Keep low and out of sight.”

The sounds of the battle grew faint the further south and into the trees they ventured. The foliage changed as they progressed, from a thick, humid, and green, to vibrant reds and oranges. The hike lasted several silent minutes - Grakkar kept quiet, watchful, in case they stumbled upon any more threats. So far, so good.

The sun dipped lower as the remainder of the day grew short. The trees began to thin out as they descended down a hilly slope, until finally, the two reached a clearing. The western, right-hand side opened up into a bay - on the other side, illuminating the evening sky, sat the shimmering city of Shattrath. Grakkar frowned, expression a mixture of disgust and determination. He grunted, and motioned out to the brilliant display.

“That’s it.” he told Aelissah. “That’s Shattrath. We’ve reached the Orunai Coast - well into Draenei territory, now.”

Aelissah couldn’t help but stare at the lovely scenery the trees of Talador offered. The bright orange colors of the leaves were so vibrant and different than the world. Clearly, she enjoys the area much more that the desolate wasteland they’d arrived in. She had to keep reminding herself they were in enemy territory. She wasn’t a tourist out here, she was on a mission!

Her partner led them well. They hadn’t attracted any attention since they’d left the pass. Clearly, he knew the area well!

Her jaw dropped, however, as the bay and the sight of the magnificent city came into view. She gasped, and couldn’t help but stand there, frozen in place as the admired the Draenei capital.

“It… it is beautiful,” she breathed, before clearing her throat, “I assume it is well guarded. What is your plan to get in? Where do we start?”

Grakkar was silent for a moment, as he scowled at the city across the bay. He had been there once before, helping pick up the shattered pieces with his first mate, Neela - atonement for his siding with the Iron Horde, he helped them rebuild their harbor, gardens, and residential areas. None but Draenei themselves were allowed in the city center, though. That, he figured, was where they would have Sinafay locked away.

“... I know the city only so well. The outer areas. But I suspect Sinafay will be held in the inner city, beneath that shimmering dome.” he told Aelissah, pointing off to the city center. “We’ll be going in blind.”

The Orc sighed, looking to the Nightborne pensively. Truth was, he didn’t have much of a plan. It was hard to plan something like this; something so seemingly impossible. But they’d come this far… further than he imagined he could when he first arrived on Azeroth. They made it here, to the outskirts of Shattrath… where Sinafay was being held captive. But alive…

“... There is…” Grakkar paused, grunting. “... there is more you should know.”

Aelissah’s ears flickered, and she took her eyes off the Draenei city capital to look at Grakkar as he spoke. Her expression was hard to read, especially with her face partially masked away. Something in her stare, however, and the way her ears twitched, showed that she wasn’t all too pleased with their current predicament.

And then, he announced that there was something else?

The Nightborne moved away from the ledge, looking over the bay. She leaned back against the tree and stared at the orc. She was curious on what else could make their predicament worse.

“Go on.”

The Orc hesitated. It burned inside, not being completely up front about all this. He didn't pay it much thought, until Circadia brought up the additional detail of Sinafay being his mate. The moment of panic haunted him, making him realize the controversy of two Horde operatives going to save a Draenei.

But Sinafay was different than these other Draenei. She had honor. Grakkar eyed Aelissah, wondering… would she understand that? She would understand love, at least. He was certain of it from her story about her husband's fate.

“... We do not choose who we fall in love with, yeah?” he finally spoke, eyes meeting Aelissah's. “Sinafay and I worked together for a great many years before we fell in love. Together, we resisted the Draenei zealots, and worked to make sure Lightbound Orcs who had the sense to escape their enslavement had an avenue to safety.”

He nodded, shoulders back - he was proud of what they had accomplished.

“Something like that… would not be possible without someone on the inside, yeah? Like you, and your Dusklily Revolution.” he went on. “That is how we were able to free so many of my people. We had someone who could move freely through Draenei territory…”

Grakkar grunted, and shook his head - beating around the bush like this didn't sit well with him. He already felt deceitful enough as it was! No ambiguity, it was time to come clean. He cleared his throat, expression growing resolute.

“Sinafay is a Draenei, Lissah.” he stated, firmly. “I know Draenei, generally, are enemies - both here, and on Azeroth. But Sinafay resisted these oppressors, helped free scores of my people… and risked her life to give us a chance to escape to Azeroth.”

He nodded, gaze keeping level with Aelissah's as he watched for her reaction.

“She is exceptional.”

Aelissah’s right brow twitched at the revelation. It was the only indication for some time that she’d actually registered his words fully. So many thoughts were swirling through her head, so many replies she could give, but if she attempted, they would only come out jumbled.

She brought a finger up, indicating that she needed a minute, before beginning to pace, arms crossed over her chest. Her frustration was obvious in the frantic pace, the way her ears flickered, the deep frown on her features. Occasionally, she’d chuckle and give her head a shake, unable to believe that she was in this mess all because her orc friend fancied a member of the enemy faction. Not just an enemy on this world… but an enemy on Azeroth as well. Rescuing Sinafay meant they were bring an Alliance fighter back to Azeroth! They were committing treason!

She finally stopped pacing to face him, opening up her mouth to reply.

“Well… you are correct!” She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Exceptional… good word!”

She went back to pacing, but there was still much to say, “Y-you...heh. This could not be mentioned -before- we stepped through the portal of no return?”

She was suddenly very happy that SHE held the key to get back, and not Grakkar. In fact, she had a mind to leave him stranded right now for the situation he put her in! She frowned again. No… she wouldn’t do that…

“Circadia, you bitch.” She growled, realizing her friend probably knew of this long before she formed the portal. She chose not to tell Aelissah. Why? Did this Draenei play an important role in the battles to come. Would she be a useful informant to the Horde as she was for Grakkar’s people?

She sighed, hanging her head in defeat. She was angry. She was hurt. But they had already come so far.

“I hope…” she growled, “You or Circadia have a good plan as to how to bring her back to Azeroth without branding us all as traitors to the Horde.”

Elves were such quirky, twitchy creatures, Grakkar couldn’t help but think to himself. He watched how expressive Aelissah was - it almost made it so he could hear what she was thinking. None of it good… he expected that. His hesitancy to tell her seemed validated in that moment. He wasn’t happy about keeping it from her in the first place, but he couldn’t help but feel relieved at telling her now - despite the poor reception of the news.

“--I know… it was wrong of me to wait until now to tell you. Dishonorable, even. I’m… ashamed of myself.” Grakkar admitted, shoulders slumping. “You’ve helped me immensely so far, Lissah. I can never repay you for what you’ve done already. I understand if you don’t wish to risk your life any further… for an enemy.”

He rolled his shoulders, as he sheathed his axe. Grakkar turned back to the city, looking it over as the sun sank down further beyond the horizon. Shattrath was so bright, however, it was hard to tell night had fallen. Still, it was as good a time as any for infiltration - if this was going to happen, it needed to happen now. With a grunt, he nodded.

“I’ll go in alone.” he declared. “Give me until sunrise to find Sinafay and bring her back. If we don’t return by then… use that trinket Circadia gave you, and go back to Azeroth yourself, alright?”

The Orc shook his head, before looking back to Aelissah.

“I love Sinafay too much to let her suffer here. If I can’t spare her this fate… I’ll join her in it.”

Aelissah thinned her lips, hand moving over the pocket she’d safely stored to pocket watch away in. She could never understand the attraction some had for other races. She knew some of her own people had branched off to do the same. Her nose scrunched up at the thought. Disgusting.

To each their own. Still, Grakkar undoubtedly demonstrated his loved and trust towards this particular Draenei by coming all the way out here and risking it all for her. Even now, he was willing to finish the mission alone… to the risk of being left behind. It was admirable.

“Grakkar… wait,” she said as he turned to leave, “I cannot allow you to do this alone. I am upset, not heartless. I will not abandon you in the middle of this journey, my friend.”

She reached into a pouch, and pulled out a pair of crystals, handing one to Grakkar.

“Take this. These crystals hold an enchantment that have the ability to disguise us as one of their own. When the time comes, we will have to silently take out two guards, scan them with the crystal, and we will take on their appearance for one hour. Since the inner city is the most guarded, it is best if we activate them there. It will allow us to move about more freely.”

Grakkar’s hardened, determined expression softened some, as he reached out to take the crystal from Aelissah. Rather than pluck it from her hand, he took hold of hers - a rare moment of friendly physical contact. He gently gave her hand a light squeeze, as his eyes met hers.

“... Thank you.” he offered his gratitude, sincerely. “Truly. I vow on my honor - what’s left of it - that I will make this up to you somehow. Starting with ensuring you are not branded a traitor for this when we return. If that’s an issue when we return, I will claim full responsibility. You had no idea.”

As he finished speaking, he offered Aelissah a hopeful smile, squeezing her hand once more before he drew the crystal from it. He examined the stone, curiously - ‘fascinating’ he thought to himself. He remembered hearing something about the Nightborne and their knack for creating - and discerning - illusions. The Orc nodded once to Aelissah, as he slipped the crystal away in his pocket for later.

“Let’s get inside.” Grakkar grunted, wearing his purposeful expression once more. “We have a couple guards to impersonate, yeah? It’d be rude to keep them waiting…”

He flashed a brief smirk, as he turned back towards Shattrath. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, before descending the hill. This was it - no turning back now! His heart beat faster, from excitement and fear both for the prospect of seeing his beloved Sinafay once again. Excitement to hold her in his arms again… fear for what sort of condition they might find her in.

If they find her…

~*~

((Co-written with @kidcatgemini / @aelissah / @sinafay-of-draenor ))

#Saving Sinafay #Grakkar #Aelissah #Gorgrond #character story

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greetingsfromeboncreek · 6 years ago

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BEHOLD the rest of the commentaries. They’re pretty short in comparison to the others, and I wrote them pretty stream of consciousness, so I can’t guarantee how much sense they make, but it’s done, dammit.

BTW, my overall favorite characters (in no particular order): Arthur, Charlie, Meredith, Alaster, Iggy, Bael, Mara, Junior, Solstice

My thoughts on 33 different characters below the cut:

The New Friends:

Kirk: Like Nick, probably could have been written out and not much would be changed. However, he gets a pass because he was never really meant to be in the main storyline to start with, being born of a short lived prompt based adventure on the MSPA forums, who got phased into the main storyline. However, unlike Nick he has a genuinely interesting motivation (evil goon gone good, determined to avenge his mistreated coworkers). I also love his overall cheery and easygoing personality, he seems like a very nice guy. Interesting backstory- he was apparently in the army reserves, but got hired by a private company, if I’m remembering correctly? That means that he might not have had any family in Ebon Creek- which means there may well be people still out there looking for him and worried about him, orrr they’ve just been told he’s dead, which is a sad thought. Also has an adorable dynamic with Morty- I could easily imagine him with that one gif along the lines of “I’ve only known Morty for 15 minutes, but if anything happened to him I would kill everyone in the room and then myself.” I also liked how he’s the only human member of the “good guys” to have any actual combat training- in an AU where nobody has demon powers or magic, he could probably wipe the floor with everyone else. Overall, very nice dude, love his abilities (cool weapons and shouting out power names is really fun), REALLY liked his aegis design, love his dynamic with Morty, grade A character.

Arrie- Another really cool lady! I really liked how she slowly went from confused but not incompetent, to really taking responsibility for the situation in Ebon Creek later in the storyline. It’s awesome to hear she’s going to get a more prominent role in the reboot, I ADORE her new design, and I’m quietly guessing her treasure chest motif pockets have bag of holding style portals in them. Would have loved to have seen her reunion with Azgrut, but ehn, we can’t have everything. Also love her clever use of portals- I think it works really well with her intelligent personality. I also really enjoyed her dynamic with Sally while they were teemed up- rough and tumble lady with a prim, proper and intelligent young woman, both happily beating up their opponents. Wonderful.

Victus- I’ve always had a soft spot for dry, logical characters, and Victus is no exception. I think as a fellow military dude, him and Kirk would have gotten along quite well if they had had more time to talk to each other. However, above all else I love his relationship with Bael- from how he initially turned Bael’s parasitism around on him, to how he, (in my opinion at least) ended up in a near-father figure position. It doesn’t matter how edgy Bael acts, Victus is there to pat him on the head in a patronizing fashion. Sure kid. You’re real cool. (While also taking into account his mental state and showing sympathy.) And frankly, if anyone needs that kind of support, it’s Bael.

Trevor- Always liked this guy! A very useful font of exposition, and a genuinely nice guy. I also really appreciate the fact that he’s not used to the chaos of Ebon Creek, and of horrible situations in general. His moments of vulnerability/near breakdowns (and Eric’s for that matter) remind the audience that everything that’s happening… isn’t normal. He’s the closest thing we have to an ‘audience insert’ in the Asylum arc. Loved his gadgetry based fighting style, would have been interesting to see what sort of demon powers he would have developed, but overall not too bummed about it. Really REALLY happy he got to rebuild his friendship with Azgrut, that was one of the things I was most pleased about with the ending.

Eric- Very similar to Trevor in terms of ‘audience insert’ and ‘nice guy’ and ‘hadn’t been completely traumatized by the start of the comic leading to mental breakdowns’, but rode along with the villains instead of the heroes. Poor thing ultimately ends up suffering more than Trevor though, for obvious reasons. It would have been cool to see someone actually learn how to be a zombie though; Sam and Jericho have been like that for years, and we missed Alaster’s adjustment period, but it would have been amusing to watch Eric slowly get used to it.

Also, he committed the biggest instance of ‘Nice job breaking it, hero’ in the whole comic. Way to revive King Law, Eric. Real smooth. Also very, very interesting in that he was one of the few that SIGVALDI found interesting. Eric’s likely up there on the list of cleverest characters, and I hope he’s doing ok after the end of Suppression.

Assorted Goons:

Grenner- I love this man. I draw him looking perpetually exhausted for a reason. He’s a very good man who blames himself for some very bad things, and while he outwardly holds himself together, is grasping at straws to figure out how to make things better. Is a man that’s plagued with guilt and also the actual plague, but has an INCREDIBLE mental fortitude- it’s been explained that perceiving one’s demonic infection as a separate entity is what kills you, but Dr.Grenner did that… and won. I also love his relationship with Iggy- once pretty good, now strained with Grenner trying very hard to put it back together. I’d really like to see them make up someday. (Iggy takes after his dad a lot tbh, loathe as he is to admit it.) ...Id also like to see Grenner show everyone Iggy’s baby pics. You know he’s got em somewhere.

Kolt- Noooooooo. Probably...my least favorite of the villains. Certainly the one I find the creepiest, for reasons I went over in my commentary with Sally, but also the one I found the least interesting in terms of characterization and backstory. Was really pleased to see his “death” and how he got repurposed into a different character, buuuut it’s less encouraging knowing he was going to come back. Please, you creepy bastard….just stay dead…..

Santris- Changing directions, one of my favorite villains. Unlike Nick, his small number of appearances works in his favor, considering he usually shows up during plot important moments, prodding things in one direction or another. This is a man who KNOWS things, and I love it. What is he up to? What’s his motivation? That’s all part of the intrigue. His power set links into this perfectly, which is to say he doesn’t really have one- he’s the only character that fights without magic or plague powers, leaving his real powers- if he has any- a mystery. There’s only one thing I feel fit to speculate on with this guy, and that’s the fact that he’s PROBABLY an elf, going by his eyes. Even that can’t be confirmed though, and makes things even more strange due to the fact that he seems to mostly work with humans, with little to no contact with Thal’nasia.

Azgrut- Another ‘not technically evil, just a victim of tragic circumstances’ character. Being murdered as a child, brought back as a zombie, and forced to build weapons or else be killed again doesn’t leave a guy with a lot of options. However, the weapons he’s building are his life’s work, and probably the only thing that brings him any real happiness or, failing that, satisfaction. It’s probably why he’s so protective of his work, and why he’s so pissy when anyone comes and bothers him. His magitech based fighting style is cool as heck to look at (And to compare/contrast with Trevor’s), and he has an EXCELLENT general aesthetic to him. Tron line zombie, hell yeah. Overall, his situation was even more miserable and ultimately hopeless than Sam’s, and I’m REALLY glad he got a happy ending. Though it’s a shame that because Arthur raised him, that means he’s still ultimately under control of the Wights, which was his whole goal with the phylactery thing. Wait. Azgrut’s still alive at the end. Which m…..FUCK. ARTHUR’S NOT DEAD, THE CAVE IN DIDN’T KILL HIM. I JUST FIGURED THAT OUT. FUCK

Maggie- Okokokok I’m cool, it’s cool. It’s cool. Arthur’s not dead, fine. I’ll just pretend he’s stuck under a rock somewhere, it’s fine. Ok, Maggie. She’s so. Fucking cool. So goddamn cool, I love her so much. I love her ease and sense of confidence, and the implication that she’s the one wearing the pants in her business relationship with Bartleby, even if the people they work with get the initial impression otherwise. She also probably wears the pants in their romantic relationship too. Which like, might not be a thing, not confirmed for canon, but it’s fun to think about. Also has a bitchin outfit, and the coolest ‘element’ out of everyone in the comic, I think. Gravity powers? There is so much room for shenanigans and cool fight scenes out of that. I’m really looking forward to seeing her in the new comic- judging from the number of stripes on her shoulder, she seems to be the boss in the reboot as well. Keep on rockin, girl.

Bartleby- Look. In almost every piece of media with a lot of villains, there’s always one brightly colored, egotistical and flamboyant one. I think for Suppression, Bartleby is that dude. I’m not even kidding- if you look at the big reference sheet of Suppression characters on Degulus’s Deviantart, there’s only 3 patches of bright color and those are Overload Charlie, Azgrut, and Bartleby. However, unlike other villains of that type, where their biggest flaw is their sense of pride, Bartleby’s motive is that Thal’nasia isn’t proud ENOUGH. He believes that elves are genuinely better than humans, but aren’t acting like it, and that needs to be fixed immediately, by way of violent take over of the government. That is a DELIGHTFUL motivation to have. I’m aware that a lot of Suppression’s villains match up with the seven deadly sins (though it’s not too strictly enforced), and envy is a hard one to pull off. However, Bartleby does it and does it well! (Side note: love this dude’s outfit, and double love the fact that he’s the only character who’s teeth you see on a regular basis… where those teeth aren’t sharp. That’s wonderfully unnerving. A+. )

Tyburn- This dude’s more of an honorable mention because he never actually shows up. You only hear about him in passing, so there’s not a LOT for me to say. It’s some hilarious irony that Azgrut doesn’t know what happened after he died (and neither does Iggy for that matter) so he just lists the completely wrong generals and Iggy just essentially nods and goes “Sounds legit.”. I feel like there’s a lot of mysteries around Tyburn though… like I said, we never see him, so who WAS this guy? Why did he defect? (Is he secretly still alive…?) However, the Blood Red Rebellion seems like it was pretty much a feature exclusive to the original comic, so we’re not likely to get anymore info. I’m fine with that tbh- not everything has to be explained to death. Sometimes a dude is just a dude.

Lexi- First of all. Love this girl’s aesthetic. The cropped haircut? The >:3c face? The goggles? The outfit? Yes, yes, and yes. She’s also the only character in the comic that has a very… ‘big sister’ sort of feel to her. Really she’s just an overworked babysitter who got handed a kid that she is in no way equipped to handle, but she’s doing her best to not mess him up too bad regardless. I get the feeling that she’s a dumb kid who was asked “Hey you wanna do some Villainy (™) “ and she was totally down for it before realizing much too late that. Villainy is not as fun as you’d think and ESPECIALLY not when you’re the replaceable mook.

Junior- Hhhh I love this boy. Look, I love art and drawing. I also love robots n stuff in media. I also have Aspergers, and so I have a tendencies towards anxiety, seeming ‘odd’ to other people, being baffled in situations that others would find normal, and obsessing over certain topics. As a result, those who have seen Junior can see why I love this child so so much. It can be kind of embarrassing to admit it, but I see a lot of myself in this character. I’m glad that he has someone that “gets” him and is looking out for his best interests (you rock, Alaster). We don’t really find out what happened to him, Lexi, Alaster and Maggie after the comic, but I like to think that they all got out ok and are just chilling out there somewhere.

Wight Family

Maxwell- Stern, serious, imposing heads of families are relatively common villains, and it’s pretty easy for it to become a boring, flat stereotype; for a character to become nothing more than, essentially, a villainous rock. Max is not this. Max is trying very hard to be this, but doesn’t always measure up, and that is infinitely more interesting than the evil boulder archetype. His character profile straight up says that he’s only trying to be cool and collected. In reality, he’s surrounded by (what he considers) idiots and is trying very hard to keep this show on the road, and his facade of dignity isn’t nearly as impregnable as he thinks. I love the idea of a cold, collected villain going from complex swordplay to an undignified bar brawl the moment he thinks no one’s looking. Just “Fuck it, fine, I’ll do this the easy way. This idiot doesn’t deserve me at my best anyway.” Unfortunately, while his character is very fun to read, the downfall of having a character that doesn’t go into villainous monologues...means that he never explains his evil plans. Which means I’m STILL not really sure… what it was he was trying to DO. Most of my ideas come from Degulus’s explanations in the comments, which is uhhh probably not the best way to communicate that to one’s audience. I’m pretty sure he was planning on altering the course of the leyline to change the laws of nature, and then controlling the world as an immortal zombie but… trusting Arthur to manage that? Yikes. Maybe not the best plan buddy, but you tried your best.

Arthur- Ohhh this bastard. Who is apparently still alive/undead. This bastard… is actually one of my most favorite characters. Like, irrevocably top 5 (I could never pick a #1, but he’s up there). He is an absolutely terrible person. Lazy and cowardly, but in a way that is loathable and malicious instead of sympathetic. Doesn’t seem to think highly of himself, but...doesn’t seem to have a high opinion of anyone else either. Killed his own kids. Killed his brother (s...sort of. It wasn’t very clear.). And today I figured out he didn’t even get comeuppance for it. (Unless, of course, he’s just trapped under a rock in a caved in cave for all eternity with his phylactery sitting on a desk somewhere. That’s kind of hilarious.) However… despite all that, he is an incredibly fun character to hate. His dialogue and reactions were always funny to read, and there’s something about his desire to just lie down and do nothing that appeals to everyone, I think. In a way, he’s similar to an audience insert or ‘straight man’- the one that says “You realize this plan is stupid and never going to work, right.” and is promptly ignored. In summary, terrible person, HORRENDOUS father, but a GREAT character.

William- Ok technically not a person, but will still be giving commentary. A golem made of souls is an amazingly clever concept, though probably my most favorite part of William is getting to describe him as a “sack of angry ghosts” to my friends. It’s interesting how William appears to be at least partially sentient though- either that collection of souls does have some hivemind sort of consciousness, or that’s some faaaancy spell coding on Sigvaldi’s part. However, due to the fact that he’s a juggernaut superweapon of necromancy, he’s less a character and more a...almost environmental hazard that the characters have to work around. A unique and interesting superweapon that was a blast to read about how they worked around him, but… doesn’t leave me a lot to talk about in terms of character commentary.

Jericho- Ah, the poor narratively-proclaimed D-list villain. Nobody really likes him. Got waylaid by the events of the story, and as a result never did anything of much significance, but it was lampshaded and he later got a huge upgrade. I feel like that matches his personality quite well though. He takes after his dad a lot more than he’d like to admit; he has pride in being undead, and as a member of the Wight family, expects everyone to cower before him… and it’s really funny to watch how frustrated he gets when people don’t immediately do that. I think the combo with Kolt was a good idea; it gave him a much needed power boost and source of intrigue, being a possessed zombie. I was also really interested in seeing where his relationship with Iggy and Azgrut was gonna go! On an unrelated note though...I found out the other day that he’s only 2 years older than Samantha. However, Samantha’s backstory showed that she died as a little girl, and I thought it was implied by the “go get your brother” comment that Jericho died shortly after… but that would make Jericho have the body of a young teen/preteen at most. Sooo I guess that either wasn’t the day Jericho died and Arthur wanted him for something else, or acid zombies can age. Hmmm.

(PS. If Alastair calls Samantha Sam and Meredith Merry, does that mean he calls Jericho Jerry? Because if so, that’s hilarious.)

Samantha- The undying voice of nihilism, in a travel sized package. Sam didn’t get a huge role or a ton of appearances, but she’s one of the few who got what I considered a complete character arc. She had a problem, finally admitted that problem, got assistance with the problem and got her comeuppance. Her story was sad, but god if that didn’t make it all the more satisfying watching Arthur get thrown around like a toy by King Law. You could almost hear the squeaky toy sounds.

Alaster- I have a lot of respect for this guy. In the beginning of the story, he comes off as one of those mysterious, unhinged villains that gives a dramatic speech and then vanishes. However, the course of the story revealed layers of personality and backstory that made me genuinely feel for this guy. He’s proud to be a Wight, but somewhat paradoxically hates his family- this later turns out to be because his dad and uncle are terrible people, even to their own children, and he’s trying to actually create something resembling a “family” instead of...well, a soul-drowning pit of misery. He’s trying to make the Wight family a better place for the members of his generation. He’s trying to be a good brother, a good role model, and is friendly to Sam even though she doesn’t seem to want his kindness. He doesn’t mind though, he gets it. It’s so nice to see the younger members of “villain” half of the cast have someone in their corner willing to throw down for them no matter what. Alaster is an A+ older brother, A+ babysitter, and honestly probably would have made a good dad if he ever got the chance. Well, except for the ‘teaching kids how to murder’ part. But that’s just a traditional part of Wight education, I can give that the slip.

Meredith- My first thought upon seeing Meredith was “Oh my god she’s adorable.” Since then, my opinion has not changed in the slightest. She’s like Sabrina the Teenage Witch but evil. She wants to make a team of US presidents with chainsaw arms. I want to SEE her make a team of US presidents with chainsaw arms. Honestly, she’s a breath of fresh air in the Wight team. She’s good at her job, but young and enthusiastic. After so many dreary, depressed, gothass villains, it’s nice to see one that’s a straight up ray of bubbly sunshine who also wants to rip out your soul and use you as her cute lil familiar. I bet she can ride that scythe like a broomstick. She’s got the wind powers, it could work. The sad part is though is that...while the old Wights might have survived the cave in, and Arthur definitely survived, Meredith was the only one in the room who wasn’t undead or a lich which means she’s probably. Permadead by the end of the comi- AW FUCK THAT MEANS ALASTER’S DEAD TOO. AUUUGH. Oh fffuck I hope Alaster managed to get Junior back home before he just. Dropped dead next to him.

King Law- Unlike Max, this guy is a lot closer to the “villainous rock” stereotype; he even has an elemental affinity to Earth! While I find him a little more boring than Max though, I’m still drawn to him by his bitchin character design, and intriguing sense of ethics; he honestly has some good points on the nature of goodness and the fact that having a sense of right and wrong is worthless if “right” isn’t being defended. He seems to be the concept of “lawful evil” taken to a reasonable endpoint, whereas Sigvaldi would be the “chaotic” end of the scale.

Nora- Ohhh yes that’s the ticket. This is exactly what I wanted. It’s implied that...terrible things happened to the Wight kids’ mothers. (Ok they’re not really kids but you get what I mean.) However, that leaves a very obvious dearth of Wight ladies, leaving me with a hankering for more. Nora hits that spot so well. She’s elegant, refined, but also has a giant, badass fuckin’ sword (ok well she is the sword but still), and will happily kick the crap out of everyone that messes with her family, despite the drama. Is there a ton of depth and backstory? Nah, she was there for like...10 pages and died (thanks, Charlie), but her very existence is a much needed breath of fresh air. Also I need to draw her in a bunch of fancy outfits starting, like. Now.

Sigvaldi- So, I got one of my friends to read the reboot with me entirely on the off chance that Sigvaldi shows up in it based on the few snippets of the old comic that I showed him, so that certainly speaks wonders for Sigvaldi’s character. Granted, it’s mostly because he’s a lich and this friend loves those, but my point stands. Sigvaldi is great. I love characters with a unique worldview and sense of morality, and Sigvaldi is no exception. He is well aware that he creates monsters and commits sins against the laws of nature, and accepts this...what he truly loathes is those who do monstrous things and try to make it look like justice. Now THATS interesting. I also just generally enjoy his omniscient observer role in the story, popping up to give warnings and make predictions. I should also talk about the end of Suppression, while I’m talking about him, specifically those mysterious voices who’s ranks he joined at the end of the story… I’m not sure who they are, but I sure as hell cant wait to find out! I have a few guesses, but 0 evidence, so I’m gonna hold those cards close to my chest for now.

Other Characters

These guys diiiidn’t get a lot of screentime and also I’m feeling really crappy and sick right now so I might not have a lot to say, sorry.

Figaro- An elf with a BEARD. So good. I like how self aware he is about the nature of his job, and how light hearted he stays about it all. Sometimes, your coworkers are incredibly powerful mages that can control the very forces of nature themselves. And sometimes they’re idiots. And sometimes they’re both at the same time and you just kinda gotta roll with it.

Coin- Had pretty much just one conversation so I don’t have a lot to say about this guy. I like his near-naive dedication to heroics and justice though. That can be interesting in done right, especially if it’s from a character who isn’t actually naive and is instead willing to fight for that ideal. I actually find his family more interesting- he has a last name that’s been mentioned a couple times in different contexts. His family certainly gets around, huh?

Mara- Probably my favorite of the elves. I can understand both sides of peoples opinions of her. On one hand, she’s absolutely a child soldier. There’s definite negative effects to this that she straight up doesn’t have the experience or maturity to understand completely, and even though this frustrates her, the people claiming it are absolutely right. However, I can also understand her desire to be taken seriously as a person, the difficulty in repairing the good name of the Red part of the army, and the massive pressure on her as the last remaining heiress of the Kuin family. She’s got a lot of weight on her, and while I want to see her do well… I also wish she had the opportunity to. Well, be a dumb teenager. Very interesting character, but also very specific to the pre-reboot continuity, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen to her now.

Phylo- This is also a reaaaally good one. I love how much care was taken to write his disabilities- he’s competent and well respected, but his missing arm and blindness are taken into account and addressed reasonably. I especially loved how he has to take his arm off during the winter because of the chill that creeps up it- that shows a lot of thought put in, that not a lot of other comics would. A+ writing on that front. Normally I don’t think I’d like his grumpy, but still managing to brag sort of personality, but in this case I think it works because the other characters mentioned that he was the grumpy one; his behavior isn’t treated by the narrative as being a good thing.

Kevin- Admittedly not a huge fan of this guy. I mean he’s ok, I liked the kamen rider leystone power suit, that’s cool. And granted, we might not have gotten the best introduction to him, considering he was exhausted and it was the middle of the night when we met him. But overall, he seemed to me to be a guy where people kept saying that “he was a nice guy, really” despite being whiny and aggressive the whole time. He kept acting really distrustful, but none of his protestations really affected the plot, so I just spent most of the time waiting to move on from this guy. I get the feeling I also would like him more if I watched any episodes of Kamen Rider, as there’s supposed to be a lot of similarities buuuut I haven’t, so. Still, he’s supposed to be getting a lot of focus in the reboot, so hopefully he’ll be able to stand up on his own virtues.

Roni- Noooot a lot to say about this one. I’m interested in seeing what animal-based life magic looks like in practice though. Plant life magic is easy enough, it’s just plants, but is animal husbandry magic like...being able to control/talk to animals? Or is it kind of horrifying fleshcrafting. I also didn’t think she and Cerene were that similar, but I’m still looking forward to the sister relationship they’ll have! (I’ve also always wondered if that promised hang session with her and Cerene was going to lead up to a meeting and confrontation with Lexi… that would have been interesting.)

Torblad and Esra- Wasn’t a huge fan of these two either. I’m not sure if Torblad was just pretending to have gone crazy, or if he was supposed to actually have some sort of illness from his time travel shenanigans, but overall it just felt weird to me. The tone of his ‘prophecies’ was so different from the rest of the comic that I thought he was a one off joke character or a cameo of some other thing (like how Kirk was a character who was originally from a MSPA fanventure, I thought Torblad was a character from the original RP a lot of the elf characters came from that was going to be a tip of the hat one-off, tonally inconsistent cameo and then we’d more on.). Imagine my surprise when he ended up being responsible for the end of the comic! With Cerene’s help, of course. Overall, he just seems...out of place to me. With the rest of the cast being written well enough in terms of physical disabilities, the effects of trauma, and mental illness, Torblad’s sort of… lolrandom sort of craziness feels cut from a different cloth. I don’t even really have anything to say about Esra- she seems to be there pretty much entirely to interpret for Torblad, soooo I got nothing. Sorry, Esra.

Solstice- Aw yeah, there’s the good stuff. Take this with a grain of salt though; I’m not entirely sure if I’m interpreting her backstory correctly, as we only got bits and pieces of it. She was an excellent introduction to how much things were going to change for our “heroes” when they walked into Thal’nasia- instead of snarky comments and scuffles, they got someone that was spooked, shy, and wondering why the hell they were there in the middle of the night. She’s a bit awkward, but seems friendly and genuine; a much needed change of pace and a breath of fresh air. However, the story is quick to give her more depth than that. She used to be a lot sadder, a lot angrier, a lot more aggressive, and it’s taken time and effort to recover from that. She has a useful, unique worldview due to her golden aura color, but is estranged from society due to her differences and her odd personality as a result. And yet… she’s still become a kind person, with a helpful personality, and I have a lot of respect for that. It’s one thing to become a snarling badass in the face of adversity. That’s cool, and I like that too. Hell yeah, punch those who hurt you. But something we don’t get to see a lot is people recovering, getting better, realizing that while that aggression helped them at the time, it can become self destructive. It’s really nice to see a character that shows that stronger isn’t the be all, end all solution to one’s problems. (Though she could probably still kick your ass if she wanted to. Just sayin.)

#suppression #text post #commentary #oh god im so sick right now but at least it's done

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