#and wears the cape on both shoulders when he doesn't need to fight

[tyulezhik]

I decided to look into Greylancer's outfit a little

[almoststedytimetravel]

Please oh please may I hear a scrap more of your thoughts on the Arena designs?

Well I mean if you insist...

First Ken and Koromaru. Koromaru design is peak and not just because he's a dog. Koro is wearing Ken's old hoddie which is peak but also does a little bit of story telling via design since it had to be Ken who adjusted the old hoddie and sewed on the wings, telling us that in between Persona 3 and Arena Ken has developed some sewing skills (and has likely worked on more practical skills because he doesn't have anyone who can do it for him).

Now Ken himself... His design is just the Gekkokan uniform with the student council arm band and evoker+holster. Which is boring, Ken's design is boring however, if I am to play devils advocate for a moment, I can kinda get what they were going for. Ken is doing his best to act like a normal middle schooler who has never experienced the horrors, meaning the lack of customisation in his uniform is reflective of his trying in fit in. Now, everyone has seen this design.

This is one of Ken's concept designs and while this graphic only points out the Shinjiro Peacoat and the Akihiko Sweater Vest, you may also note that Ken has a pocket watch around his neck (a reference to the pocket watch from Shinjiro's portable link). While the way his collar is open is the same way Junpei's was in P3. his jacket is also undone which is a trait shared by both Makoto and Junpei (since neither Akihiko nor Shinjiro wear the school jacket in the fist place). This design also has Ken wearing gloves like Akihiko. This concept design is peak but if I has to guess why they didn't go with it, that's likely because the large coat would make Ken's animations really hard to read, specifically, it'd be really easy to lose track of Koromaru since Koro would blend in with the coat that would also cover the screen. Ken and Koro are already one of the best fighters in Arena they don't need to be made even more difficult to fight.

Now then Akihiko Sanada, he needs to be put down. That's the only adequate way I have to describe him. First of all, why does he have a knife? Second, Why is his evoker on the right side of his body in his offical art but on the left in his actual battle sprite? Third, and this one isn't character design related but, WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HASN'T CALLED KEN IN ALMOST A YEAR?! I can get over his yapping about body building like, god forbid men have hobbies, (half of the examples people get mad at isn't even Aki talking, it's the illusion the "Protein, protein, and more protein" line is just Naoto hearing things). But, why does he look like that?! you're telling me that mr Dorky sweater vest wearer who halls around his blazer instead of wearing it is going to start dressing like this?!

Oh and he is also supposed to be 65kg. If you want my 2 cents on how I would redesign Akihiko, personally I would put him in his epilogue clothes but with his blazer over his shoulders (and made a little longer to be both reminiscent of a cape and of Shinjiro's coat, heck maybe even make it Shinji's coat).

Yukari, Junpei, and Fuuka all look great but I don't have much to say about them, since there is nothing egregious about them. Like I said, Junpei's cross necklace is a gift from Chidori and it's a really cute reference. Junpei and Yukari are both in their "work clothes" since they both came straight from their jobs, while Fuuka is in more casual clothes, because she was with Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Aigis.

Mitsuru... She's in a skin tight battle suit with a fur coat. She's in high heals, her rapier's blade is blood red, if anyone else was dressed like that they's look so fucking ridiculous but Mitsuru pulls it off. She's serving cunt and I respect it.

Aigis switching her ribbon for a tie is kinda funny but I didn't even notice it in my play through of Arena and only noticed it when I was watching a playthrough of Q2 and the Robot who was modeled after Aigis was called Ribbon and I went "Wait a minute" and booted up Arena to check, only then did I notice the tie

[aecholapis]

@spacedebris1993 There are two versions of Polarfront that differ in characterization and role, one for TF and the other for an original story.

Polarfront of Sonatus is a teacher for close combat fighting techniques at the capital city's Royal Guard Academy of the Diurnal Kingdom and the main characters' form teacher (one might even call him a sort of mentor figure). He is not a people person (anti-social, not shy), yet his teaching skills leave nothing to be desired and he's good at judging people.

This is the reason why he introduces the main characters to Om who is considered to be the Chosen One that will save Aether in the future. They accept them into their friend group and together they and other students from all across the planet search for a way to fight the corruption spreading from inside their planet's core where a parasite is absorbing its energy.

Since the Diurnal Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, they need to present their plans in front of the parliament and the Luminescence (religious leader). It just happens that the current Luminescence, Searchmark, was once one of Polarfront's students and more or less his secret lover. They were both young and foolish and when Polarfront discovered that Searchmark had been dared by his friends to start dating their teacher, a relationship which lasted ten years, they broke up and Searchmark joined the royal guard. Now, circa 350 years later, they meet again and the now blind Searchmark recognizes Polarfront by his voice and they have a bittersweet reunion after the presentation.

Aetherians age differently and looking back at the age chart, it doesn't follow any rules nor does it make sense. But it can be used as an approximation to how age works for humans. Polarfront is about 470 years old now (equivalent to a 37 year old human) and Searchmark is 370 (35 year old human).

They have what they call a First Line of Defense type build: sturdy and strong armor protects their organs and their extremities are powerful enough to serve them well in battle. Most main characters are of this build, only Rhiza, one of the older students, is a Second Line of Defense type with a nimbler, more agile physique.

Their armor is fully customizable and represents their heritage, but the fabrics and how they wear them play a more important role in society. Sonatians wear cold colors in honor of their home city that is located in the far south of Aether (it's like a high tech cyberpunk Scandinavian city but on the southern hemisphere). First Line Defenders usually wear them on their shoulders, Second Line Defenders around their hips. If it's on one side, it has to be their dominant one, if it's on both sides then this person does not do manual work. It's different for Second Line Defenders where the placement on both sides means they are a fighter and on either side means they are not.

The general population only wears fabrics in public and it's easy to lie by moving the cape to a different position. The royal family and a select few nobles may wear capes in more than one color. Oops, I strayed too far from the subject. Back to Polarfront. His turquoise shawl is on his left side because he's a leftie.

Polarfront is also the founder of the Exercitus Crudelis ("cruel army", Rhiza suggested the title just for fun and they agreed, much to her dismay) that starts out as a small group of students who promote Aether's environmental protection program. After his death, Searchmark will leave the Luminacy and take over as their new leader, hellbent on avenging his death and slowly turning it into a specialized combat unit with only the original line-up remaining.

First drawing of him (2020)

[violetswritingg]

Valkyrie

Mark Grayson x OFC!

Description: In which two superpowered teens meet and fall in love amongst blood, death, and betrayal

Rating: M (Canon typical violence, betrayal, mental health issues, abandonment issues, child neglect, angsttttt)

Want to read the other chapters?

Click here

5: Outer Space

~~*~~

I got one foot in the golden life, one foot in the gutter

So close to the other side, so far from the wonder

I got one foot in the golden life, one foot in the gutter

So sick of the tug of war that keeps pulling me under

~~*~~

"Where are the Guardians of the Globe? There's been no sign of the Iconic heroes for over a week, besides Valkyrie at the most recent alien attack." The woman on the News reported, Stella being dumb enough to deepen her own wounds by turning on the station for background noise while she did homework. Cecil once again keeping low contact with her if not outright ignoring her messages. She had been out of the GDA hospital for a week and was better. She was ready for a fight. "Leaving the Local champions to pick up the slack. We will be back with further details after this short-"

She was ready to be a Guardian.

Stella huffed and pushed herself up from the kitchen table, snatching the remote from the couch cushions and turning it off. Her grip a little too rough, the plastic creaking under her fingers before she tossed it – okay, threw it��gently – back onto the couch.

~~*~~

"Twelve minutes." Cecil reminded, interrupting the father-son moment, "And don't worry Debbie, He's not going alone." Cecil looked at the woman in her bathrobe. A small sigh of relief passed her lips as she nodded at the man with a grateful grin.

"Why not? Mark can handle this just fine on his own. He's a Viltrimite, he doesn't need help." Nolan cut in, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing down at Cecil.

"He's greener than the pentagon's grass. No offense Mark." Cecil held up a hand as he glanced at the teenage boy, "The original plan was to send you. But If it's Mark, I'll send Valkyrie too, to even it out." Cecil nodded to himself as Nolan scoffed.

"Nolan." Debbie scolded before looking at Cecil, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Cecil disappearing in a flash of white as soon as the words left his mouth.

~~*~~

"Kid." Cecil called, teleporting into Stella's apartment, seeing her glaring at the dark tv screen and raising an eyebrow, "Meet Invincible in orbit, now. Incoming deep space projectile, alien in nature."

"So now you need me?" Stella scoffed, lifting up her shirt, already wearing the top of her suit under the fabric, grabbing her cape from the back of her couch. "I got it. You can go now."

Cecil sighed, "Please be careful." He wasn't expecting a response, the man just disappearing in his signature flash of white.

Holding her cape in her hands, Stella sighed, unbuttoning her jeans, and grabbing her diadem from the counter. Leaving out the window.

~~*~~

Stella was a faster flier than Invincible and it showed with how she got to the rendezvous point almost a full minute before he did. Invincibles' eyes lit up when he saw the Guardian, grinning as they both floated at the edge of Earth's breathable atmosphere.

"Valkyrie! It's good to see you. Not in a hospital bed, that is. How are you?" Mark nervously chuckled, reaching up a hand to scratch at the back of his neck.

"I appreciate the concern, but now is not the time for small talk. T-minus two minutes, we need to go." Stella created a bubble around her mouth so she could breathe when she needed to. Not being native to earth came with perks but she had also spent her whole life breathing oxygen and never had enough missions in space with the Guardians to really teach herself not to breathe in the lightless vacuum.

Stella started to go, Invincible following but her abrupt stop had him almost flying into her, "And actually follow my lead this time, okay?" She threw over her shoulder, waiting for a confirmation from Invincible. The boy sheepishly nodded, and with that they were off.

Slowing down, Stella kept her eyes out on the emptiness of space, looking for the moving object headed towards earth. Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye Stella jumped. Pushing Invincible out of the way of the blow aimed for his back. Punching the alien in the gut with an energy-covered fist, spinning to the best of her ability, and sending out a wave of energy off of her boot as she kicked. The alien with only one eye center on his forehead was sent flipping backwards.

"You're early! And look different, did you shave your mustache? And you brought a friend! That's cool!" Stella almost jumped at the voice in her head. Shaking it off as Invincible joined her side, both sharing a look of 'are you hearing that too?'.

"Stay away from our planet!" Invincibles' voice in Stella's head was not something she exactly wanted, but it was something that could be figured out later. The boy firing off from his spot beside her. Tackling the alien around the waist and punching him. The Alien drifting towards a satellite in orbit, Stella couldn't huff in annoyance but really wanted to as she raced after Invincible and the alien. Throwing a disk of energy towards Invincible and surrounding him in blue as the Alien grabbed the satellite and threw it at him.

Stella could already hear Cecil groaning at the loss of the satellite as it exploded around Invincible. Who looked shocked for a moment, having crossed his arms in front of himself and screwed his eyes shut in preparation for the hit. Stella pushed away the space debris as she flew up beside Invincible, shooting the teenage boy a harsh look out of the corner of her eye.

Stella flew at the alien, exchanging blows and dodging fists, rotating to kick but the alien grabbed her leg.

"Nice try."

"How are you in my head?" Stella gritted out, shooting an orb into his face. The alien tumbled back as Invincible swooped in and punched him.

"Where else do you keep your brain?" The alien answered with a smirk before looking at Invincible, "That's what you call protecting your planet? I am sad for your people!" The alien exclaimed as he flew at Invincible and landed a punch into the novice hero's gut. Invincible losing his breath and getting punched back into Earth's stratosphere. Stella watched, her fists clenched, eyes narrowing.

"The only person you should be feeling sorry for, is yourself!" She flew at him with a renewed sense of rigor. Eyes sparking blue as she sent out disk after disk towards the Alien, getting close enough to go blow to blow with him before gathering a bowling ball sized amount of energy and shooting it straight into his stomach. The alien was blown back straight into Invincible as he reentered the fight.

The alien grappled with Invincible until the alien had a grip around the boy's arms, Stella not risking shooting off any energy while Invincible was plastered against the enemy. Instead flying at the pair.

"Are you sure you're the same guy I fought here three years ago?" The alien questioned as Stella flew up behind him, her fingernails digging into the alien's eye as she ripped him from Invincible and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.

"Three years- No! I'm not the same guy!" The alien grabbed her arms and curled forward, grabbing her cape and throwing her off of him as Invincible exclaimed in all of their heads.

"My eye!" The alien cried out, glaring at Stella. Invincible catching her spinning form and righting her. The two shared a look before Invincible spun and threw Stella at the alien, him following suit. Their hands wrapped in his collar. The moon getting another beautiful crater.

They were thrown from the hit, now in a low gravity field, mood dust filling the air and making it hard to see. Stella knew the alien wasn't in her hands anymore though.

"Hah! Maybe you'll do after all." The alien smirked in the slowly clearing dust.

"What are you talking about?" Stella and Mark both asked, the alien ignoring them as he rushed Invincible. Stella slowly stood, getting used to moon gravity as the alien sat on Invincible's stomach, punching him over and over.

"Wait! Stop! I.." Mark never got to finish as Stella pushed off and flew at the alien. Tackling him off of Invincible. The two tumbling across the dusty ground while grappling, Stella ending up on top, fist covered in crackling blue energy raised and ready to strike. "Can we just talk?!" Invincibles' mental yelling made both Stella and the alien turn their heads to look at him.

"Are you two using your time out?" The alien asked, looking between Stella and Mark. Stella's head whipping back to the alien.

"Timeout?"

~~*~~

Stella paced as fast as Moon gravity would allow her, lead weights pulling down the corners of her mouth, eyes narrowed as the alien sat a large rock down in front of a much smaller one. Invincible looked to her and she just gestured to the rocks, telling him silently to sit, she would remain standing.

"Alright um, I'm an evaluation officer from the Coalition of Planets. I drop by little dirt balls like yours to make sure there's someone capable of defending them against, you know, planet-conquering monsters, things of that nature." The alien explained and Stella's sardonic laughter filled their heads.

"I literally have no idea what that means." Invincible shrugged with a frown, glancing at Valkyrie.

"He's a space cop Invincible, literally. This is ridiculous." Stella shook her head, and stopped her pacing, planting her feet and glaring at the alien, "Where were you guys when my home planet was being invaded huh? Is this how you spend your time? Putzing around while there are planets that actually need help? Earth doesn't need to be tested. We have the Guardians-" Stella cut herself off, quickly correcting herself, "Earth has me, and Omni-man, and many other heroes just like us. We are more than capable of protecting earth just fine. Thank you very much."

"I'm sorry, Earth?"

~~*~~

Once Allen, the alien who had been coming to the wrong planet for however many years, flew off, Stella reached up to pinch her nose. Her air bubble molded around her fingers as she shook her head. Walking over and sitting on the larger rock Allen had moved and used. Invincible turned, just as confused about the whole thing as she was. His eyes went wide at the view of earth, the sun just peaking over the rounded edge of the planet.

"Wow."

"Yeah." Stella stood, stopping next to Invincible. Watching the same sight.

"So, you're an alien?" Invincible asked, chancing a glance at the Guardian next to him out of the corner of his eye.

"Technically yes." Stella divulged, crossing her arms lazily over her stomach.

"Same." Stella's eyes darted over.

"What?"

"Yeah, I'm part Viltrumite." The teenage boy grinned, seeing Valkyrie soften slightly and taking it as an accomplishment.

"Never heard of them, but don't be offended, I don't know a lot about space and its inhabitants." Stella shrugged.

"Where are you from?" Mark treaded lightly, voice taking on a gentler quality than his previous excitable tamber.

"I was born on a planet called Kasarus. It was invaded by a nearby planet, my parents took me and escaped in a pod ship. We crash landed on earth when I was a baby, and the rest is history." Stella shrugged, listing off the only facts she knew about her supposed 'homeworld'.

"What was it like, before it got invaded. I'm sorry about that, by the way." Mark tripped over his words, trying his best to befriend the person he had looked up to for so long.

"I uh- I don't know. My parents never liked talking about it growing up, and pushed away anything Kasarian as fast as they could, after Cecil helped them assimilate and took them on as GDA scientists." Stella shifted from foot to foot, already sensing that Invincible was about to ask another question and she didn't really particularly feel like answering. So, she pushed off the Moon's surface, "We should get back."

Invincible frowned but nodded, following her and matching her pace. Keeping close tabs on her as they flew.

Stella watched earth get closer and closer, wondering if this was the same view her parents had when they crash landed all those years ago. Upon entering Earth's atmosphere, Stella let the energy bubble over her nose and mouth sink into her skin and she took a deep breath for the first time in what felt like forever.

"Good job-" Stella started only for Invisible to hold up his hands and interrupt her with a loud noise from his throat.

"I'm sorry, was that, dare I say, a compliment?" Mark grinned a shit eating grin as Stella just rolled her eyes.

"Don't get cocky. You still have a lot to learn. But you're getting better, just next time maybe don't throw the bad guy into an expensive satellite. Or give them the opportunity to throw it at you. It was unnecessary collateral damage." Stella watched Invincibles' shoulder's fall slightly and she looked up at the clouds next to her head, wetting her lips before continuing, "For your first time in space you did a great job, I wasn't nearly that good when I had to do a mission in the black vacuum for the first time." Grinning as much as she could, her eyes leveled with Invincibles, his gaze intense, "Like I said, you have a lot left to learn, but you're getting it. A lot faster than most people."

The boy's smile was infectious as he scoffed good naturedly, reaching out and lightly punching her shoulder, "Coming from the one who got drafted into the Guardians at like fourteen years old." He chuckled and Stella looked to her boots to hide her own muffled chuckles.

"I was technically a trainee, and almost fifteen. I wasn't inducted fully until last year." She corrected and Invincible just rolled his eyes, grin never leaving.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you got inducted as a trainee at almost fifteen and became a fully-fledged member at what? Sixteen? Seventeen?" Mark knew she was around his age just never knew how close they were.

"Sixteen." Stella confirmed, starting the descent farther down into the atmosphere, seeing as Invincible seemed to be more than happy just hanging out in the clouds.

"That's so cool! What was that like?" Mark couldn't help but freak out.

"Terrifying. There were so many cameras and reporters in my face, all screaming questions at me. Which mostly had to do with how young and inexperienced I was." Stella scoffed and Mark's excitement dampened upon hearing the reality.

"Oh."

"Yeah," Stella saw the way he deflated and sighed, "I mean, it was worth it, and If I was sent back in time, knowing what I know now, I would still make the same choice. But at the time it was just... a lot." She shrugged and was obviously leaving a lot out, but Mark would take it.

The experience was, in fact, incredibly overwhelming, as Stella had confessed but the Guardians were there for her, they had her back every step of the way, seeing something she didn't even see in herself at the time. Stella owed them everything she was today, and when it came time for her to be there for them...

Stella cleared her throat and motioned off to the side, "This is where I split. See ya around Invincible." She was flying off before Invincible could comment on her quick departure.

~~*~~

[mimiexe15]

chapter 4: I want to be better

Mira Magica

 Narrative pov:

Everyone was stunned mostly because they weren't expecting to run into a witch not now. Especially not two.

The first witch that looked like a knight had webbed fingers and a wavy collar around its neck. Its helmet had speaker looking things on it where the eye should be. It also had a c note on its in front of it stomach area, yellow music note printed on the chest armor. A blue shredded cape around it's right shoulder completed the outfit.

The second witch had a flame for a head as its body looked like it was entirely made out of candlewax .  It was wearing a red Komono with dark blue shoulder pads, and long sleeves, didn't even look like it had hands, the Komono had green and black flames textured on it with an eye pattern on the center of her chest.

(This is my first time describing the character if you want to see what they look like check out my Tumblr I have a drawing of them)

Mira looked at Raya and Kiki. "I thought witches don't work together." Mira said, looking at the them "well they normally don't, but-"before Raya could say anything else a sword almost hit her right in the head barely missed her though.

Jiko immediately grind "witches working together, just means more grief seed for me" she said she seemed to have a great obsession with grief seeds Kiki looks back clearly noticing something was wrong with these ones

Mira looked at Raya "I thought Kyubey would tell us if there was a witch nearby didn't he say he would watch over why you guys train me?" Raya put her axe up ready for a fight. "I guess he fell asleep on the job but don't worry we'll finish this and then get back to training." Raya said, looking back at Mira with a cocky smile.

"Are you guys done talking or you still need a minute?" the candle said spinning her spear everyone froze the first time in forever or maybe in their entire life of fighting witches. They heard one speak, which should be nearly impossible.

"OK, kiki let's go finish these witches" raya said immediately charging into battle head first. "hey those are my grief seed" Jiko said in an anger, temptation following after Raya. surprisingly, the two girls were still keeping up with their rivalry.

"so no introductory fine with me" the candle shrugged as she said before she jumped down off The collapsed building "guess I'm gonna have to kill ya" she immediately spin her spears and just about when raya and Jiko weapons make contact her spear extended, blocking both of them.

Mira immediately tried to move towards the fight wanted to help her friend Raya, but just as she was Kiki grabbed her and immediately pulled her out of the way where a sword was about to land 

The two looked above of them seeing the knight having multiple swords below her and then picking up another one and throwing them at them Kiki immediately got her parasol out with a sharp tip "you had that the whole time!" Mira shouted, surprised

"Well I can't always use grenades as a weapon" Kiki smiled still being calm. Mira doesn't know how she's calm about all this chaos but then again she's done this before more times than Mira, has. she then looked down at her wand. it can materialize. why couldn't she get a simple a weapon? She doesn't even know how to control what it takes form of.

Meanwhile, Kiki was hitting the swords being thrown at her with her own parasol, reflecting each one despite it being some fancy, umbrella. it was pretty sturdy somehow holding up against the blades it's hitting.

Meanwhile, Jiko and Raya we're still battling the candle.  fortunately she has been having the  upper hand despite not having them and it doesn't help much with unfamiliar layout. 

"hey, just a thought maybe if we actually teamed up and-" before Raya  could say anything Jiko immediately shouted at her, "no way, We are not working together. once this battle is over. I'm going to take those grief seeds for my own. You hear me?" Jiko immediately charged back in the battle.

Raya moaned, "OK I get it but we're in like a life or death situation.Plus the sooner we put out this candle the sooner we can help my friends with the knight" Jiko and Raya continued fighting.  however the candle just watch them clearly entertained and then she got bored.

When the two girls were busy fighting, the spear wrapped around jiko throwing her and sending her in front of the guillotine. a sword coming out of nowhere cut the roping as it was about to come right down towards her neck! but before it hit her neck, Raya arm immediately stretched out and grabbed her

After her arms retracted, the next thing Raya knew was holding Jiko with their noses, practically touching. The two girls were stand and oblivious, to kiki and Mira being launched at them.hitting them like bowling pins, knocking them all except Mira, unconscious. hitting hard on the solid labyrinth ground.

"Damn, I know we were supposed to get rid of them, but Oktavia, you didn't have to throw them like a wrecking ball! it kind of almost funny" the candle said, chuckling as the knight whose name has now been to be revealed Oktavia went up towards her "almost"

Mira, who was not an unconscious like the others tried to get up with her legs shaking. holding her wand up, however, it didn't shape shift into any weapon. At this moment, she just felt fear of losing her friends and her own life.

The candle pulled out her spear, but oktavia halted her. "relax Ophelia she can barely even fight." Oktavia then turned her head Mira "besides the world doesn't need a magical girl if she can't even kill a witch."

Oktavia then lend down with her metal helmet just staring into Mira. "you're nothing but an empty shell who's trying to fight for something!.. but in the end, doesn't even know what you're fighting for do you? You can't even properly hit a witch."

Mira kept hearing that voice in her head once again asking to help her.but she was too scared to even make a move or say anything to it in fact, say anything right now. Even with her leg shaking. 

Ophelia who was getting bored immediately raised her spear but before the two witches could do something white smoke immediately emerged, looking like a blizzard, heading straight towards them swallowing Mira and the witch is whole. when the cloud faded the unconscious girls and Mira, we're gone

Ophelia just looked at Oktavia "I bet a doughnut it was that one white magical girl again" Ophelia say Oktavia just stared at her "let's just get going".

Mira pov:

I immediately fell from whatever the hell just came. I'm not in labyrinth anymore. It's solid ground... I look behind me jiko raya and Kiki are safe and they're all unconscious  "You OK? Sorry about the drop, but I had to make a quick run, especially with your friends."

 Immediately turned my head around to see who said that noticing a white hair girl having braids on her bangs and straight hair that flowed behind her and wearing red glasses. She looked pretty and way more mature. "ummm ya"

"Good you're lucky I came around" She adjusted her glasses before turning away and started walking, she seemed perfect in every way "wait-" I immediately tried to get up and run towards her. My legs were a bit covered in bruises, but I'll be fine."I didn't get your name and tha-

I was interrupted "Yuki Aihara that's my name and you're welcome"she immediately walked away after saying that.

I was speechless..yet also depressed. I could barely do anything to save my friends....why did I make that stupid wish I don't even know how to be a proper magical girl...where was Kyubey.. what did I even get myself into?

"You ok?"

.."no just questioning my life decision"

"Well, you shouldn't worry about your friends you should just be  happy that you and your friends are alive"

"I guess"

Wait, why am I talking to the voice inside my head?..

Timeskip

I was currently just walking to school with Raya and Kiki still traumatized of what just happened I was trying to explain to them about that girl who saved us "Yuki Aihara isn't she Like the top student council here." Kiki said

I was surprised when hearing that that girl actually goes to school here Raya also eye widen "Wait, we have a student council?!" Raya said, shouting..I was quiet for a minute after hearing that I don't remember having a student council.

"Yeah well apparently she doesn't show up to school that much despite being the best student there and when she does show up, she's more in the higher upper class" Kiki said when looking at us, she was calm when talking about that "if I'm correct she's in around five different clubs"

When I heard that it sounded like a dream but also stressful. How could you be in five different clubs and succeeded in all of them raya sniffed and started joking around "sounds like a Mary Sue! But aside are you sure she's the one?" Raya said 

I looked at her as we went to our lockers "yes I'm sure a white cloud came out of nowhere and then next thing I knew I was with her all of us completely out of the labyrinth you should've seen it"immediately said that to them trying my best to describe it would've been much easier if they were awake during it

"Well maybe we should go up and talk to her. She sounds like she could be a big help plus the student council on our side would sound amazing." Raya eyes sparkle with excitement. She's always excited for new people to join her, me and Kiki and I guess I can't blame her.

"I think we should just put that aside for now right now we probably need to figure out what happened or at least where is Kyubey" Kiki say concerned I looked around for a minute before saying something before I started talking again "maybe he took a nap I'm sure he'll come back"

Raya immediately spoke up "well don't worried I'm sure we'll find him" ..I wonder where he is I haven't seen him since yesterday. I guess it will be fine. I did what he told me. I cleaned my soul gem with the grief seeds. I collected, so I'll be fine...

"Hey I'm gonna go to the water fountain. I just need a water break" Kiki looked at me and smiled. Raya gave me a thumbs up. I smiled back at them, head over to the water fountain. .. I started walking down the halls. I can't help but blame myself about the whole fight. 

There was different students walking past me probably going to class or clubs

"Mira Hoshi, right" when I heard that voice I turned around seeing that same white hair girl again "umm ya" I looked at her as we stared at each other. "The water fountains over there you're going the wrong direction"Yuri said

..she's the same girl who saved me maybe she can teach me maybe I can be better  I immediately grabbed her hands They feltcold like snowflakes."I have no idea what I'm saying or probably getting into please please teach me how I can be a better magical girl"I said, crying a bit, beckoning her

"Please, I don't even know how to be a magical girl at all, and I made a wasteful wish I can't even use my weapon properly or even going to fight please I wanna be better. I wanna be the best magical girl there is!"

Yuri blinked for a couple of minutes when I said that "magical what ...?I don't know what you're saying but I don't have time for this class is almost starting for you. I'll help you get water and then I'll get you back to your class." as Yuri said those words..I felt stunned and embarrassed almost everybody in the hall was looking at me like a weirdo...

"well this  just got awkward"

Great now everyone in the school will think I'm an anxious wreck and a total weirdo my life cannot get any worse I'll just try to run to class and maybe they forgetit 

I ran go to class and I could already see Raya  waving at me Kiki just smiled both of them at the desk. At least I have friends who could cover for me if I was late and who actually care about me. I silently sign to myself as I sit down on the desk.

"You almost we're going to be late just because of getting some water"said Raya once again, doing her usual cocky smile  "hey, do you remember? Jiko" .. I looked over to the side of the desk so did Kiki.

"You mean the other girl who tried to kill us refused to work with us and also survived the attack with us" Kiki said a bit concerned I was concerned as well and all people she mentioned that girl I mean, she also could've possibly be the reason Kyubey not here

"Well turns out I got a note from her. I don't know how she found my locker. She wanted to meet somewhere and I'm going to meet her." Raya said. What I just heard made me completely scared and frightened me Kiki eyes just widen as she put her hand over her mouth. She was not expecting to hear those words as I could tell from her expression.

"Are you crazy?!?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"I grabbed Raya's shoulders anxious as I shouted that what the hell was going through her mind that orange magical girl try to kill us earlier "she may not be a bad person. Maybe she's stubborn and has an anger issues for a reason." Raya said 

"plus I'll be fine I can fight back. I'll even carry some grief seeds with me." Raya said that as She gave me a thumbs up... "bu-bu-" before I could say something she just put her finger in front of me "no but I have made my decision and next thing you know we have that girl on our team"

...you have crazy ideas, but this might just be the craziest

Timeskip

I was currently looking at the mirror looking at my reflection. I don't even know I how to probably work a weapon and I am embarrassed myself in the whole school....Simply just look at my soul gem which was half taint.I also can't forget of that voice that's been going in my head. Sounds like an entirely different person had developed within me.

Everything has went wrong since I made a contract and worst of all I don't have a grief seed since I used my previous one since they have limited uses..my life sucks..

..I'm probably going to die and no one will care

"Relax..It could've been worse"

..and there she goes again this voice beckons me to let it out to let it help me, but I don't even know what it means...I slowly sign .. what did I even get myself into ...just then I heard my window open..

..do I have an intruder in my house now?...slowly went out of the bathroom to see what surprise me...and just as I thought, my life couldn't get anyworse..

However, what surprised me was entirely different. It was Yuri again. She was standing in front of my window in her magical girl form, holding a Sniper. on her shoulder was kyubey Yuri still looks pretty as I remember her at school and when she saved me.

" you said you wanted to go to become a magical girl so let's get going "I was stunned for a minute didn't she say.. "but you said"she interrupted me before I could say anything else

 "well if you think about it, you look pretty pitiful and desperate and I just couldn't say no I had to pretend since I was at school about what you were talking about you can't just say that in public you know"said Yuri she looked at me with a cold express Kyubey continued sitting on her shoulder, swinging his tail back-and-forth

"so grab your soul gem and let's get going. We have all night to do this" before I could say another word Yuri threw a grief seed in my hand she actually wanted to help me. Maybe this won't be so bad...Quickly Shake my head

"Yeah I'm coming!"

Narrative? pov:

The funeral witch Homulilly watch the two girls head out. She only tilted her hat, knowing that there were problems soon to come she then left dropping kyubey beat up and decapitated body

To be continued

(Chapter 4 was a fun one to write. I also did a bit of updates on the grammar for my previous chapters while doing this one so their dates are mixed up. It's most likely because of that like I said before I'm a small writer, but I can still dream big, I'm hoping to finish this chapter by end of year so I'm going to keep working on it also this had a lot more words than the other chapter)

[brooklynislandgirl]

In all the unutterable vastness of space, it seems to Bill that it was more than coincidence which drove Beth's vessel across immutable boundaries and into Skuttlebutt's proximity. There would surely be those that would claim it was nothing short of divine providence. Others who would marvel at the sheer odds of finding a friendly being so moved to assist her.

But whether those odds were manipulated by the hands of fate, deity, or some other unseen force... or not, as the case might very well be... the facts do not change. Beth is a refugee. An honored guest. And she is terribly, horridly alone.

While the evening's meal and conversations had been intended to be pleasantries, earnest exchanges of information and idea and even culinary recipe, there had been the inevitable turn to that point. All that Bill has shared with her of what he knows of Earth tells them both... her world is not that.

She had apologized for her tears. As though Bill would have ever required her to. And she had questioned whether the men who she misses so dearly... her family... even exist here. Bill could do nothing but attend. To listen and to watch as she wore herself raw right in front of him.

But sorrow and pain are old friends of his.

They were not always. Once, he had been their bitter enemy. An avatar of survival, a champion of hope. But over the countless years of his journey, circumstance and loss had made impressive in-roads towards his core... and he'd had to learn how to accept them for what they could offer him.

Focus. Determination. Renewal, even, in the form of weeping until there were no more sobs to exhale... relieving him of the burdens of his past, turning his gaze to the moment before him.

Seated at one of the monitoring stations on the bridge, Beth wears the face of pure exhaustion after relieving her burden to him. He understands what she has said is not nearly all of it, and he does not need it to be in order for his heart to reach out to her, as she stands (or sits) upon the precipice of slumber, her face still in her hands.

He rises to his feet and tugs his royal red cape loose from his Asgardian armor. The silver filigree shimmers an emerald shade, reflecting the soft glow of the nearby holographic readouts. With care more suited to a nanny than to an interstellar warrior-turned-demigod, he drapes his cape about her shoulders to grant her some of his ambient warmth.

His calm baritone issues to her, steady and assured. "You are not alone."

Lost Sparks || -

That he is able to startle her is something to remark on though she doesn't actually do much more than jerk before guiltily settling back into the still body-warm drape of cloak. She lifts her face up to his. It aches. Her eyes are puffy, red-rimmed. Her nostrils mimic the same shade from being chafed at and Beth knows she looks like a tired, defeated mess. She starts to apologise but whatever words she could cobble together are drownt out by the depth and timbre of his reassurance. "M-mahalo," she chokes out afterwards and drops her head down. He doesn't need to see the bleeding of her soul in her gaze, not when his loss and his story is so much worse than her own. What's being ripped away from your siblings compared to the tragedy of his entire civilisation? Isn't that the exact thing the Traditions were fighting against? To have their cultures survive in the face of technological homogenisation, where under a tyrannical paradigm any sense of individualism, creativity, wonder, hope…life itself…was swept away? He's already survived that and likely has no more room in his heart for her own burden.

And yet Bill still manages to try to offer what comfort he can even if it rankles across her nerves. Not his compassion exactly but it shows her that she might just be as weak and as pitiable as sometimes she was thought to be. How she feels about herself right now. Andy would never find himself crying; he'd rather literally take the task to sword, an avenging angel made of entirely of unwavering conviction and faith in the Lord's will. Jay would be the very fiery lioness of vengeance that was her goddess. Sniffing out corruption and misdeed amongst friend and foe alike, and putting things to balanced right. And Billy ~that coincidence being one she can't quite get over~ one of the Enemy's unstoppable warriors, part man and machine and yet neither one nor the other, gifted the powers of gods by Awakening, and realising that his place was with his family, not the sterile halls of the Ivory Tower. Beth was always so much softer. Connected to life and spirit and intangible fate, the elements in her blood to whom battle was second or third concern. She can't help but yearn especially when she realises they may or not be here in this world now, but either way, they would not be the same people she knew. And there is no promise though Bill swears his oath, that she will ever see them again. Her heart seizes in her chest once more and the breath comes hard and fast as new tears rise in her gaze. It's everything she can do not to let her voice be some inconsolable whine of misery, something his kindness again does not deserve. She wouldn't, in the future, be able to say exactly when and how she loses the plotted course of emotion that she should have mastered long ago and instead she's a bird in mid-flight. She shifts beneath the entirely too large cape that envelopes and keeps it about her shoulders. She ends up assaulting his impossibly broad chest. With all the strength of sodden tissue, she flings her stick thin arms about his waist, burying her face into him. "I'm…I'm sorry…I…"

[simpingwriter]

Jerome Valeska

x

Faith Wayne/Phoenix

'All you need

is a bit of Faith'

Pt.8

___________________

Gonna have to start using Ian GIFs soon because unfortunately Jerome in the actual series doesn't have that many...innocent...scenes. So yes...I know that the future GIFs aren't Jerome but Ian. I know.

Jerome doesn't know how to take care of himself, gets to wear Faith's old clothes and in the meantime Phoenix starts what she does second-best: scheming.

Enjoy! :)

Word Count: approx. 3.400 Words

___________________

You look at the kitchen with a tilt of your head, squinting behind your mask. It didn't look like he ate anything till now, even though he said he was awake for hours now.

"Why didn't you eat anything, aren't you hungry?" He sighs, scratching the back of his head before also looking at the small open kitchen, "I mean, I would've…if Faith had any food here." Fuck, that's right…

You don't have anything in the fridge besides water bottles, for the simple reason that you're barely here, so it would only rot away while you're gone. But…

"Wait, I know what she has though…" what you have, to be correct. Walking past him, your unique cape trailing behind with a nearly enthusiastic bounce in your step – thanks to your newly designed boots that had different soles built in to help you with scaling buildings more quickly now – you targeted the small pantry cupboard above the counter and sink. Opening it, you reveal various cans and opened as well as fresh Cereal Bags, both able to be edible for years if stored in the right conditions, cold and dark.

Unless it's a nut-based Cereal, they get very disgusting once the nuts' oils turn rancid. Thankfully you prefer Fruit Cereals. A regular reason for fights between you and the rest of your siblings, since they rather eat chocolate based Cereals...so much to a protein rich diet. They eat like pigs in the wild.

"Damn, I didn't even look there…I thought that's the cabinet for plates." Yeah, you had a habit of putting shit where it doesn't belong, the plates are in the cabinet that's supposed to be used for food storage, something you also pointed out immediately for the ginger. He was more than thankful for someone at least finally explaining the kitchen to him, which you doubt Jim took his time for yesterday. Somewhere it's understandable though, Jim must've been tired too after a long day at work.

"How come you know all these things about Faith's Apartment?" "She lets me use it as a safe house when she's not here. Oh, as a warning beforehand, I have a second set of keys…so try to refrain from running around bare ass...Or don't." You don't mind, to be fair. You're not going to lie about the elephant in the room to yourself, the boy was very attractive in your eyes. Hit all the right spots for your taste, specifically the unfortunately still very muted freckles.

And Gotham isn't exactly the best place to catch some sun rays to help them get more defined again, the buildings and the smog keep most of the streets in shadows or at least, did not let through enough light to have it affect your skin.

He'd have to learn to travel across the roofs like you and your family for the sun to reach his face. And predicting from his current predisposition for anxiety, or at least it felt like he had one, he probably won't do that anytime soon. Well, you could always test it out while you're taking him along for the training you planned to give him.

"Eat something real quick then, I'll start looking into the description Faith gave me in the meantime. Come join me once you're done…" you pat him on the shoulder, leaving him standing half-frozen to his spot in the kitchen to find the stuff you needed in the office you stashed your equipment for non-physical investigation parts in. Dragging the whiteboard out, you can hear hkm halfway choke on the Cereal he chose to eat. Fruit Loops, nice.

"Where did you get a whole ass whiteboard from?!" "The office??" He probably didn't investigate the apartment that much himself anymore either last night, perhaps just happy to have found the bedroom and to fall down onto the bed in exhaustion for the stress of leaving Arkham behind himself again. "By the way, how is the mattress feeling?" For a moment you swore you saw a thought flicker through those dark greens before he stuttered in his words, "I-I…I slept on the couch, actually." Why would he do that??

"Why? The bedroom is yours while you're here, until Faith found a better place for you, your own apartment." Putting the brake into the small rolls at the bottom of the board, you turn back to the couch, placing down the small box of markers and magnets along with a pack of papers and sticky notes. You doubted that you would end up needing all that much, not for such a simple process. But you could never be too sure.

"I didn't want to make a mess out of it, my nightmares…they make me toss and turn." Yeah, you get that too, even without nightmares, as you're quite the animated sleeper. Meaning, even if it did bother you for some stupid ass reason, high chances you wouldn't even have noticed what he did with the sheets.

"I doubt she cares, she sleeps like that too. And boy does she have a kick in her sleep, almost broke my nose once." No, it was Jason's nose and it was actually after you slipped into his bed from a nightmare. No, it wasn't when you were a kid, but only a few months ago. Yes, you know how mature that sounds, being a vigilante and all but you don't care.

You also don't tell a living soul and Jason will die a second time if it slips out from him, that doesn't matter now though.

"Are you sure?" "Yes, of course I am! Where did you sleep tonight then anyways?"

His gaze went to the green couch you stood at, and then you saw the blankets too, wanting to facepalm at how you, daughter of the greatest Detective alive, didn't see them before. "On this old thing?! It's still from her room at the Manor! That thing is uncomfortable to sleep on as hell!" This was the first time you actually noticed some kind of strength in his "words" and his actions, rolling his eyes as he sent you a look of 'Yeah, no shit. I slept on it, I should know by now.' before going back to eating the cereal. Damn, so he can be sassy if he feels comfortable enough.

And you liked it a lot. You wanted to see more of it, the Jerome under all of this fear and trauma.

With protest from the old springs below it, you throw yourself onto the cushioning of said green couch, throwing the two throw blankets he must've used aside. Couldn't he at least have used a warm blanket, to make you feel less horrible for not having been here yesterday to explain everything? Especially to get him some food into the small fridge, he stills looks quite a bit miserable right now with dry cereal only. So you told him, "I will remind Faith of taking you to buy some clothes and groceries after this is done, so probably tomorrow. Until then, maybe try to find one of her more neutral, baggier t-shirts in the closet, they should fit you."

You continue without having to look up from your papers, knowing he stopped to start standing behind you – due to the more clear and louder crunch of the Fruit Loops he was eating – watching you work with interest, but not with the balls in his pants to give his two cents of opinion. Or maybe he didn't have any, opinions, you meant of course. "...And a pair of sport shorts from me are in there too, lent them to her once, never got them back. They're these Unisex ones, so don't worry about giving everyone a showcase of your ass cheeks…" Because it's hard giving back items to yourself of course, but hey, you're in a need to be creative and currently all of that actual talent went into drawing the features of the suspect.

It took not long, you hear his naked feet pad over to the kitchen again, placing the bowl into the sink and then disappear wordlessly into the adjacent room, the bedroom. It gives you a bit of a smile, knowing he listened to your words without thinking about them like…ten times over in his head, like usually. He needed to know and believe that you wanted anything but to harm him, to hurt him like he was by everyone around him before. You wanted nothing but the best for him, the same chance you were given. And you would keep that promise close to heart, reminding yourself of that as long as you had to, until he recovered to some extent.

Nearly done with the base of the sketch, you hear now socked feet return from the bedroom, calmly turning around to look at him. And while you said that they were…neutral, the shirts, it was still somewhat obvious that they once were supposed to be worn by a woman, especially one with a bigger chest, the gray melange colored cotton fabric stretched and worn out much more at the upper chest section from many previous times you wore it. Most of the clothes in your safehouse were older ones that you didn't wear anymore but thought to be too well kept still to just throw away.

But at least the shorts should sit rig-

...well…no, they don't.

He shouldn't wear THOSE on the street, unless he likes people staring at his crotch…damn. Damn…

Focus, Faith!

Shaking your head free of these inappropriate thoughts, like a fucked up etch-n-sketch drawing, you nod at Jerome with approval. It wasn't perfect, hell, it wasn't even a good fit – mostly becauseof these damn shorts! – , but it was miles and miles better than the disgusting Prisoner Uniform. At least now people wouldn't stare because they think he escaped Arkham or Blackgate, but just because it looks weird on him.

"Nice pink socks you found there, Buddy." You teased, already looking back to your sketch on the coffee table though before you saw his face's reaction to it. The cushions dipped down next to you, with quite the distance, basically the other end of the couch, as he kneaded his hands once more in his lap.

"It's not like I had much choice. The others are pink or purple with glitter or lace…" It's not like you expected to stash a boy in these four walls anytime soon, so yeah…of course the clothes and the underwear will fit to the taste of a 18 year old girl that has her own Credit Card. "Again, I will inform her that she needs to take you clothes shopping, but to bring a set of…street-friendly clothes beforehand." Instead of texting anyone though, you simply opened your Notes and Calendar Apps on your phone.

'Take Jerome shopping for clothes, Tomorrow/ASAP (steal some of Tim's Clothes as well, the bigger ones) ALSO: GROCERIES!!'

Just having put down the phone again, Jerome saw your sketch of the Suspect, mouth falling open slightly, "Holy shit. That's a really good sketch! Did Batman teach you how to sketch these Suspect portraits?" No…not in the slightest, your Dad can remember faces, but he can't draw for shit. One of the few flaws in the Bat, one that you erased in yourself by challenging yourself with new faces every week. Or perhaps it's the photographic memory, though it has a bit of a "life of its own", as Dad calls it. You just call it moody.

It doesn't always work out for you, sometimes you remember things to a T...usually the map of a videogame...

Sometimes you remember just as much as anyone else who looked at the scene, and there have been plenty of times your siblings looked at you with hope, hoping your memory played along but it just didn't in that moment, causing you to shrug, not able to help any more than them.

"No, I usually draw them for him or the rest if they remember enough of the person." Or Alfred. Alfred is quite good at drawing faces too, being the only source of a person that you could turn to and trust with teaching you to hone this skill.

"So you drew all this just from Faith's description…that's mental!"

"And that's just the start of everything. Though I doubt it will be much of a challenge to find this man, from what I can see."

You return matter of factly while going to the whiteboard to put up the drawing with a magnet, looking over your shoulder to wave the ginger over to you, pointing at the sketch, "...But I want to hear it from you. What is the important detail? What tells me where to look for this man?" "M-me?" Yes, from you Jerome, or do you see anyone else behind yourself?

He hesitates at first, then comes to stand next to you, a head taller than you with ease as he looks at the sketch as well, though rather confused instead of enlightened like you, then down to you. "This is the first thing I'm going to teach you as my Aide, Jerome, finding clues and hints on the already existing and cataloged evidence of a case…" you went on, almost feeling put into your father's spot when he first began to teach you and the others how to master the arts of investigations and the work that stood behind being a Detective while also a Vigilante.

You just hope Jerome isn't as dense as some of you were with some subjects.

With Hawk-like eyes, you watch him fall into surprisingly deep focus, scrutinizing the sketch you made. He would need to become faster with deciphering some things in the future, but that's why he is still learning, he will take years to get even close to mastering some of these things. Some of these things, you struggle with to this day, but not to a point that you can't forward your current knowledge and know-how to him.

Then something lights up in his eyes, a smile growing on his pale face. A smile that still could melt you to the ground, something you wouldn't even dream of telling him, not as Faith, not as Phoenix. You wanted him to become more confident in himself as a person, not cocky!

"Is…is it the scar?" …

"Correct. It is the scar. A very familiar pattern to one very familiar type of weapon. A trick umbrella, specifically one with a mini harpoon that can be launched from its tip with the press of a button that's placed down at the handle." And there was only one person that used such intricate, special weaponry the largest amount of times…

"The man we're looking for either works for the Penguin…or a rival Group?" Jerome was right with the first guess, which is unfortunate for one simple reason: If Cobblepot wanted one of his men to walk scott free, he would find his ways, that's how Gotham works.

That's how it has always worked: the corrupt are like slimy leeches that slip through every crack the law has left behind, never really staying in one's grip for long. The only way to stop these people was to cut the main leech's head off. Literally.

But, unfortunately, your dad doesn't allow such "drastic" measures, rather dealing with them by stuffing them back into Blackgate…over and over again. If he would just let you or Jason handle all these criminals, it…it wouldn't even take a night to ease some of the pressure on the normal, working class Gothamite.

"...Your grimace tells that's not good news, either way which guess was right, was one even ri-" "The police won't be able to prosecute this man, at least the chances are very slim. Even if I catch him, Cobblepot will, if this man is important in some way – which he will be, to cover up the crime he committed in the Penguin's name or order – he will find a way to get the suspect an attorney and out of the law's grip. We got…used to it, in a forced way of thinking." Jerome frowns at your bitter observation, crossing his arms before looking back at the sketch, grumbling under his breath.

"Yeah, but…you're PHOENIX, dammit! When did you, or Red Hood too, listen to the law! You killed criminals before for what they did!" Yes you did, and for most cases, you were determined to stay on your opinion that it was the right choice.

But only with the worst scum you crossed paths with. Rapists, Serial Killers, anyone doing harm to children in any form – which often includes the first two examples as well – human traffickers and terrorists, but mostly those that tried to use biological weapons like Anthrax and so on. So you and Jason followed a similar pattern, just that your set of rules sometimes fell onto deaf ears with yourself if a criminal got onto the wrong foot on the wrong day with you.

Or if your butterfingers slipped on the trigger-

"...Red Hood and I have ethics and rules about that. We don't just kill any small time criminal that crosses our path, like some pathetic shoplifter or bank Robber. Because I personally, I don't know how Red Hood sees it, still believe that such crimes can be redeemed after Prison if they want to redeem themselves." You sure hoped that he didn't connect Faith's and Phoenix very similar Philosophies to each other, otherwise, well, at least he would be smarter than you took him for.

But it would also be bad news for your priority rule: Keep your secret identity safe, in turn, keep Jerome safe.

"So…what can we do?" He asks with some desperation in his voice, even some glimmer of annoyance in his eyes. Though you were sure it wasn't directed at you, but instead at the man "in front of you". Did he see it as unfair that he was caught and detained for what he did and this man most likely won't even see a Blackgate cell from the inside? "Well, while he is still afraid of losing his freedom, I can weaponize that fear to press some information for other things out of him." And you have a knack for interrogations, to a point your dad suspected by now that you maybe had a bit too much fun with it. But can someone blame you, even if an asshole can't be taken behind bars, you can make them wish they were from the amount of secrets and info you often salvaged from their pitiful, begging forms.

Ruthless enough to kill a potentially innocent man, following orders like a trained dog, not a single brain cell in those heads used to think about the things they did for the already dirty, laundered money.

But if a nearly less than 5ft tall girl comes along, beats their ass into the asphalt or cement, commands them to speak up about their crimes and that of their group, they shit their pants and act like they are the victims. Too bad that you're wearing the costume, not them…

"...so we're still going to find out where he hangs around? And how much do you think you can get out of him?" Doesn't surprise you that he isn't against interrogating the suspect, as despite his overall fearing and overly filled with respect for you and Gordon, he still had this obvious side to him. A side you can't pinpoint that well, was it just plain anger? Or something more calculated that he himself had a hard time controlling?

" 'course we are. What kind of vigilante would I be if I left it at that? As for how much, i don't know yet. But i won't leave empty-handed, that's for sure." You ask, motioning at the portrait with your open palm before uncapping the black whiteboard marker again, the conversation finished in your own eyes so you tried to return to the focus of the mission.

Beginning to scribble down the current, potential sights the Penguin's men were seen at recently, you were quick to fill half the board, switching out for the green or red markers whenever you knew you needed a bit more contrast to find certain places or information more quickly again. Done, you cap all the pens once more, throwing them over your shoulder, too focused on one specific location to care much for where they ended up. Unlike Jerome, who followed the trajectory of them with his eyes, from what you caught from the corner of your own eyes, walking after them to pick them back up and put them down more carefully.

A vigilante and a former Arkham Inmate are in the same room and the inmate ends up being the more calm, collected one. Sounds like a bad joke, and yet here you were.

"Because then we can stop whatever else he and his buddies are planning. In my…profession…you have to learn to see something good, the positive, in everything. Even a potential setback."

If you don't, the amount of inevitable failures you witness and make in your line of work, they have the potential to drive you insane, drive you into a mad need for perfection.

And perfection isn't possible. But one can always thrive to make the best from the worst scenarios, that was what made you you. What made you take on the moniker of Phoenix, never let the bad and awful win, mentally and physically, keep going and keep pushing till you win, but never lose your true self in the process.

[slothcapsule]

Kaeya's design

as a kaeya enthusiast and lover, i spend an ungodly (haha) amount of time looking at him so here are some things about his design that others and i have noticed! its gonna be a long post so sorry about that

starting off by saying that kaeya's design mostly consists of "two sides" in a way, his mondstat side and his khaenri'ah side.

his mondstat side includes his vision, the full side of his cape in the back, the earring he wears. the khaenri'ah side includes his eyepatch, the wisp of lighter hair in his bang, a clipped cape ("wing") and the majority of the fur coating. all across his design there a bunch of those stars we see associated with khaenri'ah, one being in his pupil which was a confirmed trait to khaenri'ahn people ever since we saw dainsleif.

(i need it to be noted to kaeya's eyepatch is stressed on a lot in game, its constantly referred back to most of the time when kaeya is brought up, he has a voiceline about it, traveler has a voiceline about it, its mentioned right when we start the quest with dainsleif, and its related back to fischl so. do with that what you will, he's also the only one from the eyepatched characters that wears it on the right side other than signora but fatui and khaenri'ah is an entirely different topic, but we do know khaenriah loves the entire one eye thing)

kaeya shares a lot of overall similarities with cryo abyss mages, mostly in playstyle but appearance as well, most notably the fur coat he keeps thrown over his shoulder, the "bunny ears" in his hair (ahoge?) and his boots. (in playstyle he's similar in the sense that he teleports on his fifth attack, his ult is similar to the icicles they produce after their shield is broken, he produces his own shield at c4 etc etc)

i saw someone point this out on reddit but i cant find because it was a while ago but regardless, they brought up his boob window in his design and how it can be perfectly covered up by the symbol abyss heralds and khaenri'ahn soldiers have on their chests.

which is sort of interesting because we know abyss creatures we fight are cursed khaenriahn people, but also, kaeya is seemingly unaffected by the curse. for those who dont know when khaenri'ah was destroyed in the cataclysm its citizens were cursed to immortality and went through various transformations, yet kaeya seems unaffected because he continued to age "normally" (as normal as someone born supposedly 500 years ago can age)

in the chasm quest dainsleif mentions the existing of a device that apparently keeps him from transforming into something else, (i can find a screenshot of the voice line if someone asks) but doesn't help with the immortality issue. there's a lot we don't know regarding that entire situation but i hope to get crumbs in 2.8 since we're getting mona + diluc content

speaking of dainsleif, today there was a certain story teaser that was dropped and id be a fool not to mention the clear connection between pierro, the first fatui harbinger known as the jester and our beloved kaeya. this is him for reference

pierro shares a few attributes with kaeya that are most certainly worth mentioning. the way that the lightning portrays pierro here sort of covers the right side of his fur cape and only leaves one fully showing, similar to kaeya's one-shoulder fur cape. upon a closer look there is a star pupil in his eyes which as we know is a khaenri'ahn thing, the reason i mentioned dainsleif was because his mask vaguely resembles his. one of his eyes is covered like kaeya's, he has an opening in his shirt on his chest in a heart shape that's come to a close at the top by some type of crystal similar to the ones kaeya has littered all over his outfit.

they both share a blue crystal earring and eye shape, pierro has the long star littered over his design as well, and there is a tuft of blue/dark hair in pierro's just like kaeya has a strand of silver. they also share a similar jacket design, which is more of a fatui thing in general but still should be mentioned.

and regarding the silver hair in kaeya, i find it worthy to note that in his splash art and in the manga, he's missing the strand of hair over his left ear. it might be just because they simply forgot to add it because it is rather small, or the silver in his hair is expanding to other places.

(drawing attention to one of his voice lines,, when we asked about his eyepatch kaeya says he inherited it from his grandfather, similarly to how kids inherit hairstyles from parents.. do with that what you will)

one thing i want to note though is his cape, the full one. if you look at it you might think it looks vaguely familiar, wanna know why?

(a lot of people theorize the log in screen is celestia, and that the nails in dragonspine and now the chasm are fallen pillars from there) for someone from a godless nation its sort of weird that he seems to have that connection to something seemingly celestial huh? and you might think but his cape only has three of those wings, the nails and statues have 6!!! well wrong! kaeyas cape is double sided so he does, in fact, have 6.

(someone in reblogs reminded me its also on the statues of the seven after you upgrade which is right and where i actually first noticed it LMAO but you get the gist, celestial design)

i think its also worth to note that paimon shares that in her design, as well as the star. im going to leave the theories about this for later

this is all i can come up with at the moment, im sure there's more than im missing but this is solely for his physical design, theories will come later because im always thinking about him (im personally a supporter of the prince kaeya theory even though i think like abyss herald or mage is more realistic LMAO but a person can dream)

EDIT: I FORGOT HIS VISION IM SO SORRY

this is the back of kaeya's vision, the only notable things are the lack of a third wing probably signifying he's sort of out of place, and the swirl? wave? whatever you wanna call it is on the wrong side. every other character with a double sided vision has the swirl on the other side like jean, diluc, mona, eula, lisa (etc..? i havent seen anyone else with a double sided vision which is also interesting, at least from mond)

here's diluc's vision for comparison (also backside)

[randomshyperson]

The Scarlet Witch Prophecy - The Third Year

Series Masterlist ||  Read on AO3

Summary: As the youngest daughter of Howard Stark, you have ordinary expectations for your years at Hogwarts. Little do you know what adventures await you when your destiny is intertwined with the legendary Scarlet Witch.

Warnings: +16. Adaptation of the Harry Potter Saga, Magical Thematic, Prophecies, Mentions of Violence, Torture and dark magic, Language (swearing and minor/major offenses), manipulation of will, Underage kissing, insinuation of smut with minors, Smut (overage), descriptions of death, aggression, obscurity, angst, fluffy, soulmates analogies.

Chapter Words:  7.290K 

Chapter Notes: Wanda x Reader friendship is here. And more about the world history. I’m pretty sure this is the last chapter where things are easy going. Just like Harry Potter, things start to get dark during four year. Good reading to everyone, i hope you like the story so far.

Tag list ( let me know if you want to be tagged or removed idk haha) @mionemymind​ / @abimess​ / @stephanieromanoff​ / @yourtaletotell​ / @tomy5girls​ / @justagaypanicking​ / @thegayw1tch​ / @idek-5​ // @myperfectlovepoem​ // @helloalycia​ // @ENSORCELLME // @AIMEZVOUSBRAHMS // @imapotatao​ / @aimezvousbrahms​/ @ensorcellme​/ @helloalycia // @ichala

//-// x //-// //-// x //-//

Your list of materials is much longer in the third year.

Tony complains that you shouldn't have taken so many classes, but you are so curious to explore the areas of magic that you can't help it.

This time, Mantis meets you in the diagonal alley. You were hoping to spend some time with Gamora and Nebula as well, but once you get a glimpse of their father, you know that's not going to happen.

Thanos is a tall, muscular man, and has a permanent aggressive look on his face. He also kept his hands on the shoulders of his two daughters while they were waiting to be attended to at Flourish and Blotts. You also noticed that your friends were wearing very beautiful and remarkably expensive dark green capes, and just like their father's outfit, they had a bundle of a silver snake. That was the first time you understood what Slytherin pride meant.

"He's scary." Mantis commented softly beside you. You nodded in agreement. Groot, who was a little bigger since you saw him last year, jumped on your shoulder, sitting next to your ear. You smiled at the creature before looking forward again.

You and Mantis were standing at the entrance of store, and saw your friends through the window. You gave up the idea of complementing them when you saw their father.

"Let's restock the potions list first, Mantis." You tell her. "Then we'll buy our books."

You meet Tony again at the Leaky Cauldron after you finish. He hides something from you quickly, but you are distracted by an apple muffin flying towards you, and you don't ask.

Bucky was staying at the Leaky Cauldron because his house had a magical accident. His father said something about a persistent spell flood. Since the rest of Bucky's family were muggle, only he and his father were staying there, solving the problem while Bucky's sisters were at his aunt's house.

Since everyone needed to buy the materials for the new school year, Tony asked you to join his friends when you were done buying your stuff.

After lunch with everyone, Mantis said goodbye to you, and you returned Groot to her hands.

You led her to the exit of the bar, but as you walked back to the table, a conversation caught your attention.

"I'm telling you, they saw him in Sokovia." A bearded man whispered. He looked so nervous, you couldn't help but pay attention. The woman standing next to him, a cup of a strange liquor in her hands, rolled her eyes.

"That's miles away, Thomas." She said. "If Korvac gets anywhere near London, the ministry will send him back to Azkaban in two seconds."

"He's already escaped once, Sara." You rebut the man. 

You frown at the conversation. Walking back, you have a thoughtful frown on your face, and Tony teases you.

You get distracted by Steve's jokes about the coming year, and forget all about it.

It's only after you've packed your bag, during dinner, that you remember.

"I heard something strange today." You say casually as Tony and your father dine beside you. "Some folks in the Leaky Cauldron were talking about someone escaping from Azkaban."

Your father chokes. Tony stares at you, and ducks his head when your father looks at him angrily. Howard gaze softens when he looks at you however.

"Honey, who told you that?"

You shrug.

"No one told me dad." You reply. "I ended up overhearing two strangers talking about it. I never knew about anyone escaping from Azkaban before, it seemed important."

Tony kicks you under the table, and you frown in confusion. Your father takes a deep breath.

"Honey, listen to me carefully, will you?" He begins, and you worry at his serious tone. "There are important things going on at Daddy's work. Things that could be dangerous." He says and you look at him in surprise. "You and your brother are too young to be getting into such matters, and I hope you will trust me to keep you both safe."

"Yes, dad." Tony assures, but you remain silent. A moment later, you add: 

"Daddy, is there anything I can do to help you?"

"No honey." He says taking back his fork. 

"It's okay to tell me what's going on, I won't be scared. I can help..."

"Enough!" He exclaims angrily punching the table. You jump lightly in your chair, startled. Your father doesn't look at you. "I don't want you to hear anything about this anymore. You two are children, and it's dangerous. Have I made myself clear?"

You look at Tony, but he is glaring at the plate in front of you. 

Swallowing the urge to cry, you get up, hurrying to run to your room.

Your father calls you several times, but you don't answer. 

A few minutes after you are in your bed, he appears in your room. His posture is much gentler than before, and he kneels down beside your bed.

"Honey, hey." He calls to you. You keep your face in the pillow, and he sighs. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." He says, and with your silence, he continues. "Can you forgive me?"

It takes a few seconds, but you look at him, and nod. Howard smiles faintly.

"You and your brother are the most important things in my life." He says fondly. "And I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me."

"Dad, you can't control what is in the rest of the world."

Your father chuckles lightly. 

"Yeah I know." He says. "Damn, I wanted you to stay a little girl forever, so you wouldn't be so smart."

You laugh, pushing his shoulder lightly.

"You're not going to tell me what's going on, are you?" You ask and your father sighs, looking away.

"It's nothing that will affect you honey." He says. "It's just problems of the magical world. I don't want you meddling in something like that. Not at this age."

You sit down on the bed next, raising your pinky to your father.

"I swear I won't pry into such business if you promise to tell me if things get serious enough for me to know."

Her father laughs, raising his own pinky then.

"I promise, kiddo."

You both laugh as you take the oath, and your father hugs you next. When he lets go and stands up, you pull his hand away.

"Apologize to Tony, Daddy." You ask surprising him slightly. "He doesn't like it when you yell either."

Your father sighs, bending down to kiss your forehead. He asked you to go to sleep before he closed the door.

//-//

It is very cold when you arrive at Hogwarts.

But you don't care because all your friends link arms and walk together, making you laugh at the confused looks you get when the other students notice the small row.

Over dinner, your mood changes quickly however.

"I imagine it has come to the attention of many students here, especially the older ones, the recent untoward events in the magical world." Principal Harkness began during the announcement of the new school year. She had a serious and authoritative tone, and deep dark circles under her eyes. You have never seen her like this before. "But for those of you who are not aware, the dark wizard known as Korvac escaped from Azkaban a few months ago." The hall exploded into murmurs at the mention. You saw Professor Strange lock his jaw, probably disagreeing that such a topic should be broached with eleven-year-olds. "After much consideration, the Ministry of Magic thought it best to apply additional security to the castles."

"So, starting next week, we will have special guests at the Hogwarts castles; The ministry has determined that aurors and Azkaban guards will be guarding the outside of the grounds."

The crowd erupted in boos as soon as the words echoed in the hall. Your Hufflepuff colleagues remarked in horror that the dementors, the guards of Azkaban, were terrifying, and you sought your brother's gaze at the Slytherin table, but he was looking earnestly at the principal.

Agatha sighed impatiently, and the hall fell silent. She asked everyone to be careful with the guards in Azkaban, not to give them reason to fight back. And then she returned to the daily announcements as if nothing had happened.

You didn't eat very well after that.

History of Magic with Professor Okoye was one of the hardest classes in school.

You were hoping to get decent grades this year, but you were assigned to be with Peter as your pair, so you knew you would have to work for two, as your friend had no interest at all in that subject.

"Why don't you try to pay attention?" You asked slightly annoyed as you made your notes. Quill was drawing small dragons in his notebook.

"I want to be a famous Quidditch player, I don't need to know the history of the Goblin revolution for that."

You sighed, turning your attention back to the blackboard. Several minutes after class had begun, a Gryffindor student raised his hand.

"Professor Okoye, may I ask you a question?" it was Thor Odinson, and he seemed to have grown at least twenty inches over the summer. You noted that his hair was also longer when you looked back, wondering who was speaking.

"Of course, Odinson." The teacher said with a gentle smile. Thor cleared his throat as he lowered his hand, seeming to hesitate.

"Could you tell us about the Mephisto followers?"

The room fell absolutely silent at the mention of the name, and many students looked at Thor with wide eyes. The smile on Professor Okoye's face completely disappeared.

"Where did you hear that name, boy?" she asked sternly, Thor swallowed dryly.

"M-my father, ma'am." He replied. "I heard him send a bawler to the ministry quoting that name. When I asked, he told me to study the history of the wizarding world. I thought I would ask you because I couldn't find anything in the books."

The room looked at the teacher expectantly. Okoye sighed, seeming to decide whether to talk about it or not.

"Listen to me carefully please." She asked as she walked around the tables. "Some years ago long before any of you were born, there was a sorcerer who made all the wrong choices. He sought immeasurable power, and was never satisfied with his own abilities. And many other wizards believed that the quest for ultimate power was something worth dying for. When this wizard became a symbol of power and cruelty, he named himself Mephisto."

Her classmates exchanged startled looks, but the teacher continued to tell.

"The dark wizards and witches who supported this quest became known as the Followers of Mephisto, or Walkers of Death. The magical ministries around the world banded together to put an end to the group, and there was a great battle, where most of these wizards were imprisoned or killed in a duel."

"What happened to Mephisto?" Thor asks suddenly, interrupting the narration. The teacher hesitates, but then gives a reassuring smile.

"He's dead, of course." She assures.

"My mother says he was never found." Added another classmate, you think her name is Valkyrie, but you've never talked to her. Much buzz runs through the room at her utterance, and Professor Okoye twists her fingers nervously.

"When the Walkers of Death were eliminated, Mephisto lost his power." She tells seriously. "The last person who faced him is related to someone in this room actually."

Professor Okoye turns to you, and you want to sink into your chair, feeling your heart soar.

"Auror Howard Stark was the last sorcerer to fight Mephisto before his demise. Thirteen years ago." She says and you feel all the stares on you. "But that's enough from this matter for today, students. Mephisto's story is taboo in our witch community because of the thousands of lives that were lost during that period." She adds, "I hope you will be respectful about the memory of those victims, and not comment on such a thing, or mention the name of this despicable wizard again."

The teacher closes the subject after that, looking upset. You can't pay attention to the class again when she goes back to talking about the magical revolution.

//-//

"Did you knew about that?" You ask angrily when Tony looks unimpressed when you approach him in the third floor hallway, after searching all over the school for him.

He looks tired.

"Stop talking so loud, will you?" He asks looking around. "Of course I knew, I've been researching this story for months."

You frown in confusion, and Tony rolls his eyes leaning against the bookshelf next to him.

"I didn't tell you anything because you're only thirteen!" He adds nervously. "That's not children's business."

"It is my business if it involves our family!". You retort angrily. A group of students walk past you, looking at you curiously, but Tony just pretends to be admiring the trophies until they leave.

"Look, I don't really know what happened, but dad used to be an auror when mom was alive." He recounts. "And then he took on this powerful sorcerer, and mom died when you were born. He became an inventor, switched departments in the mystery, and nobody talks about this Mephisto guy nowadays."

"Do you know what this has to do with the wizard who escaped from Azkaban?" you ask with your arms crossed, Tony gives a chuckle.

"Isn't it obvious, sis?" he retorts wryly. "Korvac was Mephisto's greatest ally at that time. And he escaped from the most secure prison in the world. A lot of people think that means the walkers are getting back in business again."

"My god Tony, why didn't dad tell us any of this?" You ask worriedly and Tony laughs humorlessly, looking upset.

He straightens his posture and points to the glass on the trophy shelf that was propped up. 

"And there's more." He says. "Take a look at that."

You turn your face to stare at the objects that were stored there. Most were trophies, but there were also pictures of the Quidditch teams from previous years. Tony is pointing to one of those.

"No way." You whispered as you see it. In the caption on the board, it read "Howard Stark and Erik Lehnsherr receiving awards for their honorable service to the school." It was your father and your teacher, probably in their senior year, and they seemed both content. The magical photograph showed them hugging each other by the shoulders, huge smiles on their faces, and two golden cups in their hands. 

"Yes, little sister." Tony said also looking at the picture. "Dad and Magneto were friends in school days. I wonder what happened to Professor Lehnsherr to make him so bitter. He looks happy in that picture."

The sound of the bell announcing the next period makes you jump in fright, as you were completely distracted by the photograph in front of you.

"Let's talk about this later, Tony, I have charms now and..."

"No way, Y/N!" Tony interrupted frowning. "That's none of your business. Dad told me that you promised to stay out of it, and I agree with him. You're too young!"

"Oh and you think he'll like knowing you're investigating this whole story?" You retort and Tony sighs, looking away, "That's what I thought.

"I'm not going to get you mixed up in this story."

"Fine, I'll find out on my own, then."

"Y/n..."

"See you, Tony."

//-//

Having dementors in the castle is really scary.

It's been two weeks since classes started, and with the first Quidditch game of the year approaching, you're pretty anxious.

You didn't make much progress in your research during those days. None of the professors wanted to say anything about Mephisto's time, and you lost fifteen points when you tried to ask Professor Lehnsherr about his school days, for being a snoozer.

The only things you found out other than what Tony told you were what Gamora and Nebula shared with you. They mentioned that Thanos was particularly busy during the summer, and that they had never seen him go to the Ministry so often before. 

You also started reading the Daily Prophet, and every day they would publish something about Korvac's escape, even if it was only to say that there was no news in the case. 

When the day of the first match arrived, you ignored the strange feeling that settled on the edge of your stomach as if something bad was going to happen.

You are overjoyed when you are in the air, waiting for the match to start, and notice that all of Tony's friends, including yourself, have yellow flags in their hands to cheer you on.

Everything goes well until the end of the first half.

You noticed a bludger almost reaching your chaser team mate, Clint Barton and moved forward to defend him many meters above the stadium. Because it was raining, your visibility was very poor. You knocked the ball away, but lost sight of Clint, although you heard him shout a thank you. As you dived down again, lightning exploded beside you, and you jumped in fright, feeling your ear whistle as you became completely disoriented.

As you began to get used to your surroundings again, you felt your body become completely tense. The cloud in front of you was almost a face shape, it looked like someone with horns or maybe wearing a tiara. The image dissolved in the next second, and you felt a strange chill run through your body. Releasing the broom handle only to hug your arms, you looked down, the whole team many meters away. 

When you tried to join them, something came in your way.

Dementors must have been the scariest thing you had ever seen in your life. And there was one of them right in front of you. You widened your eyes in shock, and the creature looked straight at you.

Losing your strength quickly, you felt yourself slipping off the broom. A feeling as if you had been wrapped in a very painful spell overtook your body as you fell. 

//-//

You woke up in a jolt, and warm hands pushed you back into bed.

"Relax, kid." Your brother spoke with a smile. "I swear I'll actually forbid you to play at some point."

"What happened?" you asked confused. All of your friends and Tony's friends around your bed.

"You fell off the broom, damn it." He retorted and you rolled your eyes.

"Yeah but there was a dementor up there..."

"Yeah, everyone saw it." Tony interrupted looking annoyed. "Professor Harkness kicked everyone out of the stadium after Professor Strange conjured up the patronus."

"I have never seen Professor Strange so angry." Gamora remarked next. 

"Oh, there's something else." Natasha warned moving around the crowd to stand beside you on the bed. "Your broom fell into the Whomping Willow, and well. It' s right here."

In Nat's arms were the remains of what had once been your Nimbus 2000. You sighed in displeasure, but at least you could ask Jarvis to buy you another one.

After you were released from the nurse's office, Principal Harkness was waiting for you in the hallway. She waved for all your other colleagues to go their ways, as she escorted you to the Hufflepuff common room.

"Tell me, dear, are you feeling all right?" She asked tenderly. You nodded in agreement as you walked.

When you reached an empty hallway, she stopped walking, and touched your shoulder so that you would do the same. She knelt at your height and looked deep into your eyes.

"Tell me what you saw up there."

" Professor, I don't remember..." You started to say, but then fell silent, immediately recalling what you saw as you gaze the purple glow in front of you. It was as if your thoughts came out of your lips before you even thought to say them. "I saw an image in the clouds, it was like a horned creature or someone wearing a crown. Then the dementor reached me and I felt an immediate chill and unhappiness. I had the feeling that I was wrapped in a sensation of pain as I fell down."

The professor seemed to absorb every one of your words. She smiled then, her eyes returning to their normal color quickly, making you believe you had imagined the whole thing.

"Thank you dear." She said. "Let's keep this between us, okay?"

When you two walked back, you didn't remember any conversation at all.

//-//

Your first trip to Hogsmeade is amazing.

You buy two bags full of candy at the Honeydukes, and then you and your friends go to the Three Broomsticks, to have some buttery beer.

Quill seems to have become friends with Pietro Maximoff during Quidditch practice, because as soon as they see each other, they greet with a hug.

You ignore the feeling of nervousness that settles on the pit of your stomach when your gaze meets Wanda's.

Your friends don't mind sharing a table with the Maximoff twins, and that's how you end up sitting a few feet from Wanda, Gamora's watchful eye on you trying to understand why you're so quiet and flushed.

"Everyone is so nervous about the dementors at the castle, that I think we should try to do something fun. Like throw a party." Quill suggested to the group. Mantis looked excited.

"I think we could do something before Christmas." Gamora suggested and the group agreed.

"Does anyone have any idea where we can have this party? Quill asked." Since we are from different houses, maybe the common rooms are not a good option. I heard that the Slytherin kids don't really like the Hufflepuffs.”

Quill's teasing makes Wanda roll her eyes, but the rest of the table giggles. You look away to your cup.

"We could use some empty room on the seventh floor." Pietro suggested, and Quill gave an excited exclamation.

"This is a great idea." He said. "If the older students are going to participate, we can get some prefect to cover for us."

Quil looks at you and Mantis has to poke your shoulder for you to notice and pay attention.

"Sorry, what is it?" You ask when you notice all the looks on you.

"Can't you convince Steve Rogers to join us? He's your brother's boyfriend."

You laugh, nodding in agreement

"Okay folks, I'll try to call them all."

On the way back to the castle, after you spent the afternoon talking about the most diverse random subjects and telling jokes, you leave your hands in your pocket, because it is very cold.

Quill and Pietro start playing tag, and Wanda walks alone. You hurry up to join her.

"Hey." You greet with a smile, Wanda also has her hands in her pockets.

"Hey". She responds kindly.

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes?"

"Are you asking me?" You say back with humor and Wanda laughs, looking at the floor as she walks. "I… I thought it was cool this afternoon." You confess the next moment, feeling your face get hot. "With everyone together, I say. And you and your brother, it's ... you two are nice."

"Thank you, Stark." She replies with a smile. You move your fingers inside your pocket before you speak again.

"If we're going to be friends, you can use my first name". You say and Wanda looks at you, but you keep looking forward.

"Are you sure?" She asks after a moment. You frown without understanding. "Are you sure you want to be my friend?"

You look at Wanda in surprise. But then your expression softens.

"I thought we were going to be friends last year, but you looked angry every time you saw me."

Wanda laughed lightly, looking ahead.

"Yeah, I… I'm sorry about that." She says. "It wasn't something you did. It was just a few things I heard. And I ended up thinking that you were judging me like everyone else at that school." She tells you. "It would make sense since you saw me face the troll." Wanda whispered the last part. You bit your bottom lip before speaking again.

"You could have talked to me, you know?" You say. "I kept thinking that I had done something wrong."

Wanda said nothing, and you sighed, running your hands through your hair.

"We can forget about it and be friends now, what do you think?" You then suggested a smile on your face.

Wanda looked at you, and her green eyes cause something in your stomach to sink.

"I would like that."

"Cool." You comment breathlessly.

//-//

Being friends with Wanda is so natural that it almost surprises you.

Now whenever you sit down at the Slytherin table, there are two new members in your group of friends.

Eventually you discover that it was Quidditch that build Quill and Pietro friendship, as they stopped fighting because they were spending a lot of time training together.

At the Slytherin table, you know that Pietro and Quill receive angry looks because they are from Gryffindor, but no one has the courage to say anything to you, perhaps it is the deadly stare that Wanda gives anyone who dares to look foully at her brother.

You also succeed in inviting Steve and Tony, in addition to your brother's other friends, to the party before Christmas. Steve says that you all can use the old Astronomy room on seventh-on Saturday, and that the curfew would be at ten o'clock. The news of the party ends up spreading quickly around the school, but your friends don't seem to mind that it stopped being something small just between you guys.

When the day finally comes, you wear a comfortable jeans and sweatshirt set, realizing that it is a choice of clothes much more similar to Muggle-borns than pureblood but no one seems to care.

"Hey, you took so long" remarked Gamora as soon as you went up to the seventh floor and met her at the door of the room. "Come on, everyone is already in there"

As you took some of the non-alcoholic fruit drink that Mantis helped Quill make, you looked around the room. You waved sheepishly when your eyes met Wanda's, who was coming in. She looks very beautiful in her wine red sweater, and she smiled at you, and you didn't understand why you felt your stomach flip.

Soon everyone were all together, talking animatedly on various subjects. When Quill and Pietro started doing a dance competition, you laughed so hard that your belly was aching when they were done.

//-//

You have your first Divination class that week.

Professor Heimdall was already waiting for the students while he was sitting on a kind of ivory throne in the corner of the room, which smelled of incense that made your head spin slightly. It really was a remarkably mystical and mysterious environment, even for a magic school. The illumination was limited due to long white curtains on the walls, and there were many candles scattered around the room. Mantis whispered that this kind of thing was done to increase concentration when working with this kind of magic. 

"Welcome to our first meeting on Divination, students, the most complex and unstable of magical arts." began the professor as soon as everyone was seated at the tables spread around the tower. "I must warn you that if you seek answers to your most personal questions here, you will most likely not find them. There is no stability in this subject."

Some students commented softly among themselves, but no one seemed willing to contradict the professor, his yellow eyes roaming over everyone in the room.

"Let's begin today's class with an introduction to the basics of study in divination." He warns, and with a flick of his wand, the cupboards at the back of the room open, and from there several sets of cups fly out to all the tables. Then the professor touches his wand to the teapot on the table, and it multiplies into four pairs, flying around to serve everyone.

When everyone has their cups full, Professor Heimdall goes to the small blackboard, and begins to explain how divination works. You hurry to start writing it down.

Many minutes later, when you have finished your tea, Mantis pokes your shoulder.

"Let me look at yours and you do mine?" she asks and you nod, handing her your cup. You clear your throat, looking intently at the dregs of tea in Mantis' cup.

"I don't see anything." You grumble, trying to concentrate. The powder doesn't seem to form anything. 

"Remember to check the symbols in your books." Warned Professor Heimdall aloud the next moment. You took a deep breath, running your fingers across the paper as you tried to identify the images.

"Mantis, let's switch, I don't think I'm getting anything..." You start to say softly looking at your book, when you glance at your friend however, you frown in confusion. She has her gaze glazed on your cup, one hand covering her mouth, "Mantis, what happened?"

She gasps softly, and you straighten your position as you notice a thick tear running down her cheek, feeling your heart soar with worry.

"I'm... I'm so sorry." She sighs breathlessly, dropping her cup on the table. The noise attracts everyone's attention, but Mantis is getting up the next moment, and running out of the room. You stand up, but Professor Heimdall puts his hand on your shoulder.

"Don't worry, miss Stark." He says. "It's common for those more sensitive to divination to have that kind of reaction in their first contact with the spirit world." He explains with a tender look. You don't understand why, but his voice calms you. "Go back to your activity, I will talk to your friend."

He waves to the rest of the room next, and then leaves. You sit back down, exchanging worried glances with Gamora and Nebula who are at the table in front of you. 

Your first action is to look at the cup that Mantis has thrown on the table, but the impact has broken it at the bottom, and the liquid has run down the cloth. You sigh in dissatisfaction, using your wand to clean up the mess.

When class is over, Gamora and Nebula quickly join you.

"Any idea what that was about?" Gamora asks as you walk together through the castle. 

"No, she just got a glazed look in her eyes, and then she ran off." You count. "I'll try to ask her in potions class."

"Maybe she saw some evil omen." Nebula comments, and Gamora elbows her in the stomach. "Ouch."

You frown worriedly.

"Does that mean something bad is going to happen to me?"

Gamora denies with her head, forcing a smile as if trying to reassure you.

"Bad omens can be many things, even something silly, like losing a sock in your room." She says and you leave your hands in your pockets, not feeling reassured by this information.

"Yeah, but Mantis wouldn't cry over a sock." You retort and Nebula nods in agreement, but Gamora has a serious expression.

"I'd rather think it's nothing bad." She says. "Professor Heimdall said it's normal for sensitive students to have that reaction, isn't it?" She adds and you shrug. "Maybe she's just been watching you lose a game or something, but she was so overwhelmed with having seen something, that she got emotional."

"I hope you're right." You grumble as you reach the stairs. You sigh. "See you at lunch, girls. Have a good History of Magic class."

Gamora and Nebula wave goodbye and head in the opposite direction from you after they watch the staircase move.

You hurry to avoid being late for potions.

//-//

Mantis doesn't come to the dungeon either. You poke Quill in the back as he sits down in front of you, and ask if he's seen her anywhere, but he shrugs, worried that you don't know either. You just sigh, telling him what happened in class.

"I'm glad I didn't take that subject." He says as he hears the story. "I've heard that some people learn to see the day that the other person is going to die. That's scary."

You laugh incredulously.

"That sounds like a lie."

Quil shrugs his shoulders. "That's what I heard."

You wish you could talk more, however Professor Erik entered the room the next moment, and everyone fell silent. You tried to forget about the divination class by concentrating on making your poison antidote correctly next.

//-//

You only found Mantis at lunchtime.

Or rather, she found you.

You had just come out of charm class, and she was waiting for you outside. You looked at her with surprise and concern, but she just smiled, looking much more relaxed than earlier.

"I'm sorry I disappeared." She says. "Professor Heimdall thought it best that I get some rest, and then he taught me some things about aural sensitivity."

"I don't know what that means." You comment making her smile. 

"It doesn't matter." She says. "I'm sorry for scaring you earlier."

You shake your head.

"Mantis, come on, no need to stress about it." You retort. "I was worried about you, and I'm sure it wasn't your fault." 

Mantis smiles, looking forward. You bite the inside of your cheek, finding her strangely calm and distant.

"Do you remember what you saw in my cup?" You ask hesitantly, and a small glint passes through Mantis' eyes, but then she smiles quietly, denying it.

"It was no great thing, I believe." She says. "Professor Heimdall has assured me that it must have been just a bad memory, and that there is nothing to worry about."

You frown, but something in Mantis' expression tells you that she just won't talk about it anymore. Not wanting to make your friend uncomfortable, you don't press the issue again.

//-//

It's Christmas again, and you don't go home.

This year Hogwarts is much emptier than it usually is, and you know that it's because of the dementors. 

The vast majority of the families, even those who usually leave their children at Hogwarts, have asked the students to return home. Your father briefly mentioned in his last letter how there were many requests for shift changes during the holiday period.

Tony also stayed in the castle, you knew he was planning to enter the forbidden section of the library, and he had told you to mind your own business when you asked if you could help.

Surprisingly, Gamora and Nebula returned home. It was very unusual because Thanos didn't like parties, but they promised to write to you. Mantis always returned home, so you just handed over your present before hugging her goodbye. Quill and the Maximoffs stayed with you.

"You know you're losing right?" you remarked with amusement as you were spending time with your friends in the Gryffindor communal room, a wizard chessboard in front of you. Quill let out an annoyed groan. 

"That game is harder than it looks." He grumbled looking at the pieces. " Knight move to E3 please."

The piece moved, cursing softly that Quill was making a stupid move, and you laughed.

"Can't you see her bisbe right there you idiot? "Squinted the black item, and Quill sighed in irritation.

"You want to play by yourself, do you?" He retorted, and Pietro and Wanda who were watching you two, giggled.

"Are you talking to the game, Quill?" Pietro teased as if the boy in front of him was crazy. 

After you beat Peter, it was your turn to face Pietro. He was a much better player, but he still made a lot of thoughtless moves.

Someone walked past the door, and you heard noises of footsteps, and then there was a girl joining you all.

"Hey, Monica!" Pietro greeted the girl cheerfully as soon as he saw her. The girl smiled at him. "Guys, this is Monica Rambeau, she is..."

"Professor Rambeau's daughter." Quill completes as if it is obvious. And you and Wanda smile at the girl. "Everybody knows Monica, man."

"What are you guys doing?" The girl asks curiously.

"Playing chess."

"Losing at chess, you mean right?" you tease with a smile. Pietro and Quill laugh in agreement, Wanda is distracted by the book in her hands.

"Do you want to hang out with us?" Pietro asks.

"Actually, I'm going to go outside." Monica says excitedly. "I just went in to get a coat. Darcy and I are going to make a snowman. Why don't you guys join us?"

You exchange glances with your friends. They all seem to think the same thing. And that's how you end up in the outside yards, in a snowball war.

" Back off, Pietro, I'm on your team!" You yell at the older Maximoff who has just hit you with an icy snowball to the chest. Pietro laughs.

"In war it's every man for himself!" He shouts running toward you. You laugh as you run away from him, preparing to hit Quill who is in the opposite direction.

"Hey, get down!" You heard someone shout and you turned around, obeying the order as soon as you noticed Darcy's raised arm toward you. She threw a snowball at someone behind you, and you laughed when Pietro let out an exclamation. Running toward the girl, you thanked her with a wave of your hand before running back. 

After hitting Monica and Quill twice, you ran out of Pietro's reach when he appeared at your side, laughing. Stumbling, you ended up miscalculating your speed, and knocked Wanda down next.

"That's a foul." Joked Pietro as he watched you two fall, laughing along with both of you. Before he could throw a snowball at you, Quill was back and he ran. You helped Wanda up as you apologized for knocking her down.

"One point each." She says holding the snowball at chest height. You smile, and wait for her to throw the snow at you. She laughs when she has done so gently, pushing the ball against your shoulder, the icy liquid running down your blouse making you shiver slightly. 

You pick up a snowball from the ground next, but when you look at Wanda, her face flushed with cold, and emerald eyes sparkling with amusement, you don't have the heart, and just smile wryly, making her look at you curiously.

"What is it?" she asks confused by the way you are just looking, making no mention of throwing the snow at her.

But the moment was broken next, when you all heard an animalistic noise nearby, and turned your heads with curiosity.

A few meters away was the guardian of the lands, Drax, leading a line of winged horses through the snow. You and your friends let out a chorus of excitement.

"Wow, look at the size of those horses." Pietro commented looking in the same direction. 

"They're not horses, people!" Monica exclaimed excitedly. "They're unicorns! Mom said we were going to study them next class don't you remember?"

Only when Monica said this did you squeeze your eyes shut to get a better look, and you could see the white horns in the distance. Drax waved at you from a distance when he noticed that you all were looking. He led the horses to the area where the class on Magical Creatures was usually held, and you saw that Professor Rambeau was waiting for him.

After that, it seemed to get colder. And you all decided to go inside and have some hot chocolate, as you took your friends into the kitchens. The elves were happy to serve you sweet breads and cakes, even outside of dinner time.

//-//

On Christmas morning, all of your friends, including Tony and Natasha who was Tony's only friend to stay at Hogwarts, gathered at the same table in the main hall for the gift exchange.

"Stop fussing, boy, you'll mess up the presents!" You heard Darcy complain to Quill. She and Monica were also with you because Pietro invited them. Neither of you guys minded, because they were very nice.

"I'm just trying to get a peek." Retorted Peter raising the gift package in the air out of Darcy's reach.

"It's not your gift, so you can't look!" 

You laughed at the interaction, finishing opening the package in front of you. Natasha had given you a new collection of wand care products and you loved it.

"You do need to take better care of your wand indeed." Teased Tony when he saw the gift. You laughed while waving a middle finger at him, and stood up to hug Nat in appreciation.

Most of the gifts were clothes, and candy. You bought a collection of exploding snap cards for Quill, and he was very pleased, already throwing the cards on the table to play with everyone. Pietro and Monica eventually agreed to participate, while Darcy watched them.

"That's mine right there." You said shyly to Wanda as she picked up one of the packages from the stack. "I hope you like it."

Wanda bit her lower lip in anticipation as she opened the package. And when the red scarf became visible, she fell silent, and it was your turn to be nervous.

"I know you're from Slytherin and all, but I've noticed that you really like red." You hasten to justify. "And then I saw this scarf in Hogsmeade and I remembered that day after charms class that you forgot your scarf and Pietro lent you his and so I thought it would be a good idea and..."

"I loved it." She interrupts looking at you. Her cheeks redden and a tender smile on her lips. You relax with relief immediately.

"Oh, right." You say. "Good, then."

You think you've been looking into Wanda's eyes too long, because your face is starting to heat up. But Peter gives a celebratory shout for getting the card move right, and you and Wanda look away quickly. She puts on her scarf next, and you look down at your lap to hide the silly smile that insists on escaping your lips.

//-//

When classes at Hogwarts return, the Dementors leave.

Apparently there was a big commotion in the Ministry of Magic. You hear many students commenting on this during the class break. And then there is a story in the Daily Prophet saying that Korvac was killed in combat with aurors in London, but there are also many people saying that this is a lie, and that he has run away again and the Ministry of Magic doesn't want to assume to the public.

Anyway, Headmistress Harkness removes the dementors from the castle and the atmosphere in the school improves considerably.

Nebula has a large purple mark on her left eye when she returns. Gamora tells everyone that she fell off her broomstick. You choke when she tells only you that it was Thanos who did this after he caught her snooping in his office.

"You can't tell anyone about this, okay?" She asks tearfully and you nod frantically, hugging her to calm her down. "I've never seen our father like that."

"It's okay now, Gamora." You say tightening in your embrace. "I will help you."

When you write to your father, asking what to do in a situation where the dangers are indoors, he says that Stark Mansion is big enough to accommodate your friends.

When you come home for the vacations after doing very well on your final exams, Gamora and Nebula are with you.

[hiimsociallyawkward]

his father's son

ayoo back again. these are always so much fun to make because otherwise it's me just yelling at my ipad of everything i'm thinking while exercising and singing show tunes and that's never fun. basically, all of my thoughts while watching his fathers son. hi bestie @lady-ofmagic-andstars

OH

IS THIS WHAT I THINKI IT IS

KNIGHT RUNNING?

CAMELOT RED WITH THE CAPE FLUTTERING?

PLEASE

SAL;DFJSADLKFJASLDKFJASLDF

KNIGHT MERLIN

HE ACTUALLY LOOKS SO GOOD HOLY CRAP

ASLJSALFASD AND HIS FACE WHEN THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THAT THIS IS AN ATTACK

STOP THE EPISODE JUST STARTED 🥵🥵🥵

omg merlin is still wearing the cape wtf he looks so good pls bbc have mercy

go away now agravaine.

let me relish in the joy of merlin wearing a cape

damn

you're welcome for this btw 😎😎

stop 😭😭 not arthur thinking that he's not worthy

ok i wish knew arthur knew his destiny but also i know why he can't know but i just don't want him to be sad because he's doubting himself yk???

i actually hate agravaine actually stop i feel like it's harsh but drop dead please 🤪

arthur is so good he just wants peace. agravaine please stop you're making him doubt everything that he is

i wish arthur listened to merlin but after watching this ending i can appreciate it

'i can't just kill a man in cold blood' 🥺🥺

arthur don't push him away he's just trying to help 😪

merlin has his blankie 2x this episode and you better believe that i'm commenting both times

arthur is just. i feel so sad for him sometimes. he's still so young and he has to rule a country now and just-

i get why arthur is doing what he's doing and such but i'm still sad.

alskdjfaslkdfjasdf jeez arthur not knowing abt merlin's magic is just. wow this episode is starting off strong 🤪🤪

ARTHUR DON'T BE MEAN 'stick to what you do know'. i mean. fine i'm just sad. SOMEONE TELL ME WHY I'M SO SAD SO EARLY ON IN THE EPISODE IT JUST GETS WORSE I NEED TO STOP

agravaine please leave now

ok that was hot how arthur walked in after the fact though. 'arthur pendragon. pop off'

arthur just wants peace i'm so sad he doesn't want to kill him but jsalkdfjsal;dkfjasdf

watching spn i watch the beheading a lot so i was expecting it but this is merlin haha

GWEN

WHY IS SHE THE BEST I ACTUALLY LOVE THEM TOGETHER. fvck you agravaine. actually die. please STOp

ok so merlin says 'dont push your friends' and while arthur says that he doesn't need anyone, at least he doesn't say that merlin isn't his friend. it's the little victories 😭

these castles are actually gorgeous

agaravaine please die now. stop

you manipulating arthur by claiming these things will make arthur into a good king is just making me so sad

fricken 'appropritate person' aalskdfj;alskdjfasldf

i literally just want arthur to be happy

dude i'm like 13 mins in and i'm angsting so hard over this

'a matter of the heart'🥺🥺

agaravaine die please :,)))))))

ok i'm so sad for arthur

he's still so young and he has the weight of his entire kingdom on his shoulders. he just wants to be a good king for his citizens and he wants peace and every good thing is just taken from him. he doesn't want to kill caerleon. he wants to marry gwen. and we have FREAKING AGARVAINE. this is why we can't have nice things.

ok the arthur using merlin as a punching bag transitively but also literally?? idk my head is blank. but like; merlin is letting himself be used as a punching bag and also it's his 'duty' to let arthur use him as a punching bag? idk idk thoughts?

stfu i don't want these white old men saying long live the king

pls chill

alright alright morgana

she is actually p good at getting onto annis's side so i'll give her props for that

oh shoot kneeling down to the queen? this is a power move but not a power move yk?

CLOAK

ok this is dumb but i love seeing merlin meander around with his little chores

ok what is bbc thinking when they have the "oh i'd never sleep in a bed with merlin" am i supposed to laugh? well i'm not. alrighty then

gwen :,) look at her in her pretty dress

you're breaking my heart right now arthur

you're BREAKING GWEN'S heart right now arthur

laksdjf;laskdfjasdlfkj I. JUST. WANT. THEM. TO. BE. HAPPY. please i need to read fanfic i'm angsting too hard over this

you tell him gwen. you're a badass and arthur is a sadass

i will not take gwen hate or slander

oh frick i was voted onto my school's hoco court so basically i had to walk across the football field and i felt so awkward and arthur walking down the step while everyone stares at him; i wonder if he feels as awkward as i did

LMAO 'he's not alone gwen' and pan to the arthur standing on a cliff alone?? pls

aw the domesticity 🥺

leon ruffling merlin's hair and that clink was such a good clink

where were these knights last episode. i'm suing

saj;flasjslad and arthur just loking at them fondly pls. he's so sweet i love him

'he's our king' that line makes me feel stuff

arthur sdfsd;as i just want him to be happy

MERLINS BLANKIE. WHY IS HE SO CUTE

bruh 💀 i laughed at the pure absurdity of him tripping over the tent

ok ok you know that vine 'two bros chilling in a hot tub 5 ft apart bc they're not gay?' that but 'two bros, chilling in 2 separate tents 5 ft apart bc they're not gay'

was- was that supposed to be a slap?

arthur is so earnest here and i love him he's the sweetest

sa;ldkfjsldfa arthur being protective over merlin

annis is such a badass. actually queen energy here. literally

merlin saying that they're friends again and arthur not denying it :,))))

these knights are so honorable

stfu agaravaine

'only one person who is just an honorable... ME' - arthur pendragon. HAHA sorry i cackled at this

agaravaine. i stg if you look at morgana like that i'll actually gank you

you absolute freak pervert person

alright ik morgana is evil and everything but i stan her improvement in magic

like- can merlin please get on with learning more magic??

as;dlfkjasdlfkja THE RING. dude i can't rn

merlin saying 'camelot needs you alive', i'm going to say yes.. but also if we swap out 'camelot' with 'i' then this is just a perfect insert line for fanfics :,)

THANK YOU OLD FRIEND. PLS you can't do this to me

aw when arthur asks if merlin is ready and merlin says ready

dude this episode is making me a lot more sad than it should

dude what is annis's champion. like look at his shoes??? they're leather?? literally stab him in the foot and we're golden.

youre welcome for the feet pics ;)

ok idk abt you guys but i can't write fight scenes with swords that well so i just base fights off tv and stuff and if you want inspo this is a great fight to write

legit the first battle with arthur and lancelot in the courtyard? yea i stole that

omg even with the champion is on his knees he's still taller than arthur??

alsjfalskdjasldfkjas ARTHUR AND MERLIN MEETING EACH OTHERS EYES AND ARTHUR NOT KILLING ANNIS'S CHAMPION

dude the trope of 'you make me want to be a better person'?? please i live for this stuff

ok the knights saying long live the king? i love that

alright alright annis&arthur

annis is ACTUALLY queen energy i love her. i love her pop off queen

oh shoot annis hit morgana where it hurts. bring up uther that's right queen

oh yes more castle pics 🥵🥵🥵

a aaw the ceremony for them

merlin and arthur are PALS i love them togehter

stop. there are so many words but i'm so glad they're lads

arthur is lying so awkwardly on that bed HAHA

DUDE THIS IS SO PRETTY AND CUTE AND OH MY FRICKEN ALSKDFJALSDJFASDLFKJASDL. alrighty then

yes arthur you're a dumbass you're lucky that gwen is taking you bad she's a frickin badass biatch who doesn't need you

alright arthur say what you mean why don't you

are we.. are we gonna kiss rn

THE SOUND TRACK PLEASE I LOVE IT. THE ROMANCE SWELL I ACTULALY LOVE IT

THEY'RE SO PRETTY TOGETHER

i love arthur in his night clothes and his bare feet. like that just makes it feel so much more domestic and homely and they love each other and just everything they're actually everything. THEYRE SO CUTE.

ANYWAYS i'll be back next week to endlessly rant about a servant of two masters. thanks i love you bye 😘

[talesofsonicasura]

Spooky Gratitude

A little girl gives a gift to an odd creature on Halloween night. Years later, the creature returns to show it's gratitude on a day that was promised disaster.

Halloween, a day where people celebrate the times of magic, mischief and monsters. To dress as monsters, play innocent pranks, carve pumpkins to light up the night as magical jack o' lanterns and grant delicious goodies to those who say the magic words of the Halloween Spirit: Trick or Treat.

One particular town had a very special cryptid that only appeared on the night of this spooky holiday. An odd doll with a carved pumpkin for a head that wandered the streets. Trick or Treaters who passed the odd being often found extra candy in their bags. If they were good hearted, these spontaneous treats were tasty and delicious.

Those who were naughty however, ended up candy that tastes like their most hated food from broccoli to even liver. They called this oddity the Halloween Jack, after the Pumpkin King himself. Strangely, no one had ever tried to offer a treat to the cryptid. No one knew what would happen if the Halloween Jack was given a treat. Well until now.

A little girl was skipping down the sidewalks with joy in her step. It was a star filled Halloween Night alit with the sound of doorbells ringing and the cheer of childish 'Trick or Treat'! This little girl had locks of blond and eyes of bright sky blue. Her costume was a black witch's hat paired with a purple dress lined with black, frills, little white stockings to little black shoes, and a little wand topped by a pumpkin.

She carried two separate buckets in her hands: a pumpkin and cauldron. Her small plastic cauldron contained a good chunk of chocolate and mixed candies. The plastic pumpkin one strangely had the same but the inclusion of freshly wrapped Halloween cookies. Blue eyes looked around at the various houses and the treaters at their door.

The little girl was about to go to her next house when something made her stop. It was a small child who strangely didn't have a bucket of goodies like her and other children. His costume consisted of a light beige bodysuit with a small green cape around the neck and a jack o' lantern on his head that had axe through part of the top as yellow looked through the eyeholes.

She never saw a costume like it before. It looked so real and well made that it had the child baffled. How come someone with a nice outfit doesn't have any candy or treats on a Halloween night this lively? Blue eyes looked over at the orange bucket in her hands before looking back at the oddity.

Yellow eyes soon turned to the sound of skipping getting closer until they met a kind blue. "Hello. I love your costume. It's pretty cool but I noticed you didn't have a bucket. You can't go trick or treating without one." The little girl then held up the orange bucket in her hand. Yellow eyes widening upon the gesture made.

"Take this one. Everyone should be able to enjoy Halloween. My name is Eva. And I hope you like the treats." The little girl smiled brightly at the pumpkin headed being. Yellow lights curled into akin to a smile as the cloth covered hand took the bag. "I'm Pumpkinmon. Thank you."

Years later, the little girl known as Eva grew up. She never saw the child called Pumpkinmon after that fateful Hallow's Eve as the memory slowly faded with age. The child soon blossomed into a beautiful young woman of two rambunctious twins. Children whose father was an actual demon known as Sparda.

Sparda was hated by his kind for protecting humans and even mating with one. On one fateful night, his enemies decided that he should pay for his treachery. A night that was promised sorrowful spill of blood but…

"Vergil! Vergil!" The voice of a crying mother echoed through the forest night. Feet running in important haste belonged to an older Eva. Her short blonde hair now long and lovely, chubby face smoothed in a beautiful and caring one, and little body now a lean, elegant and curvaceous wonder. Red coat fluttering with the wind of urgent steps as she made way through the wooded path.

Her oldest son was in danger. They had a fight and he ran away to his quiet place, a playground at the edge of the forest. None of them were aware of the monsters that would attack them tonight. Her youngest son Dante was hiding in the closet but Vergil was in the open. She had to find him.

Eva immediately stopped when something large had blocked her path. It was a monster, a demon. The vile beast resembled a pale lethargic phantom cloaked by a long tore black cloak, a blood red scythe in hand. She instinctively took a step back when four more of them appeared around her in every direction.

Eva wasn't blind to the killing intent well aimed on her being. They wanted vengeance in blood and flesh. These demons wanted her dead. Her and her children. "Let me through you bastards! I won't let you lay a figure on my babies!" She hissed with fury, uncaring of the claws or blades that could rip her to pieces.

Picking a stone, she chucked it at one of the Hell Cains before her. The item whacking its head earning a baleful roar in utter rage. All of them moved their scythes to the side, every bladed staff in position to bring down a fatal slash once they were close. They were ready to lunge, ready to reap this woman's soul until…

"Trick or Treat Wallace!" A suave distorted male voice ripped through the air. A wall of pumpkins manifesting around the defenseless woman as the reaper demons charged forth. These pumpkins immediately exploded upon contact with the abominations turning all attackers into pumpkin scented ash.

Eva, who was unharmed, could only blink in grateful surprise. Someone or something had just protected her but who? "Mom!" The cry of a young boy rattled her thoughts with hopeful tears. Running from the woods towards her was a little boy with eyes of blue and slicked back hair of white. "Vergil!" She cried as she embraced the child who ran in her arms.

The young mother and son whispering soft apologies to each other while they sobbed in an emotional hug. "I believe this young man is yours." The male voice from before had both Eva and Vergil turn their heads at the source. Older blue widened in surprise at a very familiar sight.

Standing or floating before them was an odd being. A 12 ft daintly lean man in a luxurious long coated purple trim white tuxedo decorated by golden pumpkin shoulder pauldrons, a green cravat by his neck, purple downward angel wings hung from the back like a scarf, a black top hat with goggles sat delicately on a horned jack o' lantern head and in his hand was a cane topped with a bat winged pumpkin.

An old memory dug itself out from the deep reaches of her mind. Of the little child with a pumpkin head on that Halloween night. The one who she gave a bucket full of treats as a child. "Pumpkinmon?" Eva questioned, her words riddled with surprise, joyful remembrance and hope.

The figure let out a soft kind chuckle as the little boy Vergil sat confused in his mother's arms. "I'm NoblePumpkinmon now. I have grown since that fateful Halloween, just as you blossomed into a beautiful mother. Your kindness that night had blessed me with what I needed to bloom myself." He held up his hand as a well aged but familiar plastic pumpkin bucket appeared.

She could only look at the bucket with a smile from that special memory. The day she realized that there were mysterious wonders in this world they lived in. "I couldn't let the one who granted me kindness lose their life without us meeting once more. Your other son is waiting for you, dear Eva. I hope your family prospers with every Halloween." The bucket then floated over to two.

Eyes widened from the various candies, toys and baked goods held inside as Vergil's hands took the black handle with wonder. "Goodbye Eva. May we meet again someday." And with those words said, NoblePumpkinmon flew up into the sky before disappearing into the darkness.

One year later, upon their return the Sparda Manor had been magically repaired overnight. That night, Eva told the tale of Pumpkinmon to her children but also her husband who miraculously returned that very same day. He also had some assistance from a 'pumpkin headed angel', which made the woman smile warmly.

She never knew that her gift to the strange being that night when she was a child had spared her family from a nasty fate. As time went by, the woman didn't see any signs of NoblePumpkinmon. Maybe he returned back to his home, wherever it was.

Tonight was Halloween once more, the house was strung up with decorations but also charms to ward off any unwanted guests. Eva's sons were getting the last touches of their costumes done with help from her husband. Dante was going as a vampire but Vergil's costume was a bit special. His outfit was based on the very creature that saved them last year, NoblePumpkinmon.

The only difference was instead of wearing a pumpkin head, the pumpkin bucket that was returned had been painted to look like the head instead. A sight that only warmed the young mother's heart. Eva was checking on the pumpkin pie that was in the oven when the doorbell rang throughout the house.

Being curious as it wasn't time for Trick or Treaters yet, she walked over to the door. Eva didn't expect what she would see upon opening the door but she would be lying to say if it wasn't welcomed. For standing on her porch was someone she hoped to see again.

NoblePumpkinmon had returned but he had two friends with him. They looked like what he was on the day they first met, Pumpkinmon but one had an orange scarf and the other had a purple ribbon instead of little green capes. "Trick or treat!" Eva couldn't help the small chuckle that came from her lips.

"I thought it would be nice to visit you once more but with my family this time. Halloween is a time for friends and family to share in delightful tricks but also delicious treats after all." The smaller Pumpkinmon cheering in agreement upon their father's words.

"Well come on in. I got a pie baking in the oven. Plus, my family has been wanting to see you again." Who said good friends can't be made on Halloween much less a miracle? For it was this holiday that a family survived the most disastrous night of their lives.

And it all started with a little girl giving a bucket of sweets to a mysterious being with a pumpkin for a head on Halloween night.

And that's it! Eva and Sparda are alive. Today is Halloween and I wanted to write a little ficlet for it. Pumpkinmon and NoblePumpkinmon sounded like the perfect thing to use in this particular situation. These Puppet Digimon are created from data that embraces this spooky day of the year so they are also the kind to repay kind gestures on that special day too. Hope you guys have a great Halloween!

Tagging: @astral-space-dragon , @synchronmurmurs , @buns-with-a-book , @sakkajagga , and @queenmuzz

This is Pumpkinmon and NoblePumpkinmon. Not my art btw.

[darthlorddiamond]

In the Center of Everything

Request: Hello love! Can you write with something like rebel and force sensetive reader and Kylo kidnaps her but he doesn't want rebels to come so he takes her to Naboo instead? They spend time there and reader is nice person so they slowly start falling for each other? I was thinking like kinda fairytale setup like dresses he gives her, fancy meals etc. Picnic next to the waterfalls like Anakin and padme would be a nice bonus for @imaginesyes​

Words: 3,260

Reading Time: 14 min

Category: Fluff

Warnings: None

Check my Masterlist for more.

In the Center of Everything

There's something sweet and almost kind

But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined

It has been some time since I have been, how to put it... In captivity on this planet? It all started a long time ago, for several years I had done everything possible to try to go unnoticed by the war that was happening everywhere, I knew perfectly well that something in me made me different from others, and for that reason, I decided to live with a low profile, I didn´t want to attract the attention of anyone, not the separatist groups, or those who called themselves rebels and much less the First Order, at the end of the day I was sure that if someone noticed that peculiarity that I had, they wouldn't hesitate to spread the word and eventually I would have someone behind me looking for me.

I realized that I was able to connect with the Force when I was a teenager and to be honest, at first, I was very scared, I didn't understand what was happening or how I could do what I was doing, but with the passage of the years, I accepted that that was my nature and I couldn't deny it, so I cultivated it as best I could.

When my parents passed away, I completely put aside the business and commercial life we ​​had and isolated myself, I built a small cabin from scratch in a quarry near our town and dedicated myself to planting what I could, slowly, I became a self-sufficient person. All this time I stayed out of the conflicts that were happening outside, never in my life did I think that I would end up in the center of everything.

One night, I still remember it perfectly, while I was meditating, I connected with a strange energy. At first, I was very scared, I couldn´t understand what was responding to me, so I immediately cut my meditation. It took a few weeks before I was encouraged to do it again.

The next time I connect with that energy, try to prolong it as long as I can. Little by little, night after night, I connected with that entity more often. I didn't know what it was, who it was, or where in the Galaxy it was, but I felt quite comfortable and intrigued to have made such a connection. I never suspected anything, I never thought that it could be something that would hurt me, I simply felt that it was someone like me out there and that, even with my self-exile in the middle, it made me feel accompanied... Until that night arrived.

It all started like a small whisper that intensified, “Where are you?”; A pair of eyes that pierced the gloom of the space that divided us. One question only. An answer from me that I would later regret "Cantonica".

And now he's dear and so unsure

I wonder why I didn't see it there before

A couple of days passed until the consequence of my actions resonated. It was a day like any other, I never thought that something out of my routine would happen. I woke up, had breakfast, and planned my day: check and maintain my herbs, fetch some water from a nearby well, take the opportunity to wash some clothes, and go quickly to town to find some supplies that I had scarce.

When I returned home, it was already beginning to get dark, the door was closed and everything in my home seemed to be in order until I entered the living room.

A shadowy black figure was sitting on my sofa, slightly lit by the fire in the fireplace, which he had surely lit while waiting for my return.

I was completely paralyzed in place, the basket in my hands fell to the ground and some of the apples that I had collected during the day rolled on the ground, reaching his feet.

The silence was sepulchral, I could see how his body curved towards the floor and slowly, one of his hands took one of the apples that was at his feet. Immediately afterward, his entire body rose from my sofa, he was a huge black mass, I couldn´t distinguish any feature in his figure, his shoulders were wide, his entire body was covered by a black cape that seemed to blend with the shadows of the stay and his face was covered by a mask.

My only reaction was to try to run away. In seconds one of his hands grabbed my arm and my back hit his chest, where he wrapped both arms around me and lifted me off the ground.

I screamed, kicked, tried my best to break his hold on my body. Little by little I ended up getting tired, my mind kept bringing a thousand scenarios: He will it kill me? What is he doing here, what does he want? Who is he? Why me? Just when I stopped fighting him, he released me, and my feet hit the ground again, I immediately turned to look at him.

"Don't you recognize me?" A distorted metallic voice came out of him, I shook my head slightly as I took a step back. My body was tired of trying to get rid of him, my legs were shaking, a cold chill ran down my spine and the room was slowly beginning to darken.

"It was you who brought me here..." He spoke again, at that moment I understood everything, that Beast was the source of the energy with which I had connected the previous nights, what had I done? At that moment, the panic completely seized me, with one last effort, I tried to run, but with a few steps he grabbed me again "No!" I yelled as loud as I could "What are you doing here?" I tried to separate my body from his with all my might "You know perfectly what I have come for" that metallic screech resounded in my ears with peculiar annoyance.

No, no, no. I didn´t want to, I couldn´t believe it, "Please..." the tears ran down my cheeks "Please... Leave me alone..." I sobbed uncontrollably, while my body collapsed on his, rendered by the struggle "Inside you, you know that I can't" his arms held me tighter "Please..." my cry was already a single whisper "Just sleep" he passed one of his hands in front of my face.

He lifted me in his arms, while my eyelids closed completely.

The firelight was completely extinguished.

The last I remember of that night is the sound of his footsteps, I never understood why it had happened.

And now he's dear and so unsure

I wonder why I didn't see it there before

When I woke up I was in a foreign place. It was a small cabin, quite minimalist in the middle of a forest, surrounded by absolutely nothing but trees, I could suspect that near where I was there was a body of water since I could hear it, a small waterfall perhaps, or a small lake.

I walked a little through that small place, I had everything I needed, clothes, food, products for my care. Even though the place was a bit cozy, I felt quite scared, I still didn´t understand what was happening, however, I found enough comfort in the fact that that black figure wasn´t with me.

I spent a few days in solitude, days that I took the opportunity to go into the surroundings of the cabin. I wanted to know if there was a nearby place where I could ask for help, but I didn't find anything.

One afternoon, returning home, I noticed that there was something strange, the door of the cabin was open, smoke was coming out of the chimney and a small light illuminated the main room, I understood that that black figure had returned and before entering I contemplated the possibility to flee, but where? Besides, if he had been able to trace me to Cantonica, he would be more than capable of finding me in this place, so, despite my desire to do so, I entered the cabin.

He was sitting again on a sofa in front of the fire, this time I could observe him better, he wasn´t wearing his helmet, so I could see his long, black and wavy hair "Where were you?" his voice sounded very deep, very different without that mask, I didn't know what to answer so I remained silent "I asked you a question!" he yelled and his voice echoed through all the walls "I went out to see the surroundings" I answered fearfully, with a blow he got up from his place and in a few steps he reached where I was, one of his hands held my chin and looked at me in the eyes "You will never leave this place if I don´t allow it!" at that moment panic took hold of me again, my legs were shaking and I closed my eyes and a few tears escaped. His hand left my face and I could feel him walking past me "I left food in the kitchen..." I could hear a small sigh from him "I also left you some clothes and supplies in your room" and without saying more he left the cabin slamming the door.

These types of encounters were repeated a few more times, every time he came to see me he left me supplies, dresses made with fabrics that I had never seen before, and some other gifts, such as necklaces, bracelets, and sweets. I didn't understand what was happening. Who was this man? Why had he brought me to this place? What did he want from me?

One of those many nights that he had come to see me I decided it was time to confront him, I appreciated the details he had with me, but I couldn't say that I was grateful, at the end of the day, this man had kidnapped me and I still didn't know why.

"Who you are?" I asked before he went out the door again "That doesn't matter" he answered without even turning to look at me, for a moment my blood boiled, I was tired of him appearing and disappearing without giving me explanations, without saying anything "Of course it matters!" I didn't notice the tone of my voice, and yet he kept walking without saying anything to me "Is this all a twisted little fantasy of yours?", he was about to reach the door when he turned his face suddenly, I could notice how his brow frowned "You´re exceeding a limit that you should not cross" he threatened me raising one of his hands and pointing one of his fingers at me, something in my stomach told me that I should stop with this confrontation, but I couldn't… "I need answers!" now it was me who was walking towards him with an outstretched hand and a finger pointing at him "I know you have brought me here because I manipulate the Force!" I yelled at him as my finger sank into his chest "But I don't know why I'm here or why you're doing this and..." his always stoic face, began to flood with a red color "I'm done! I will not continue with this! " Suddenly a roar was present and all the furniture in the house went flying "You will do what I tell you!" he yelled as he paced back and forth "I'm not your toy!" Even though my body was shaking with fear and helplessness, my anger was even greater, "You can't have me here" I threw it in his face once more "Of course I can and I will continue to do so" he turned his back on me once more and went out the door, I ran after him to reach him, but the darkness of the forest didn´t let me see him...

She glanced this way, I thought I saw

And when we touched she didn't shudder at my paw

Once again, I was alone in that place, without knowing what to do or why, full of anger, anger, and fear...

A few weeks went by without him showing up at the cabin, so I take advantage of all those days to tidy up the house, clean, and review some of the things that he had brought. The truth is that I refused to wear several of the clothes that he had given me, as well as the jewels, so I had simply put it away without paying any more attention, but now, with many time alone, I looked closely at it and I could notice each one of it were quite exquisite.

The days continued to pass without knowing anything about him, for some strange reason, I was beginning to miss his presence, I hadn´t noticed before, but the truth is that he was quite a handsome man, although, every time this idea crossed my mind I felt quite guilty and angry at me.

The weeks became months, I began to wonder if I would see him again or if I had to accept the idea that I was stranded in that place with no one else around me. I began to have small panic attacks due to my loneliness and some nights I implored to see him again.

One morning I went for a walk to the nearby stream, indeed, it had a small waterfall, it was a comfortable place that filled me with tranquility, when I returned to the cabin, I noticed that the door was open and my heart jumped, I didn't know if it jolts with joy or scared, but I ran inside right away.

There were a few pieces of furniture lying around, I started to feel scared. I kept going until I reached the bathroom, where I found him lying on the floor, he was injured. I immediately rushed to the ground and tried to hold him "Don't touch me!" he growled as his hands tried to remove mine from his body "You're bleeding!" I insisted holding his hands with mine "I don't need your pity..." he growled again, I turned to see him, our eyes were fixed for a few seconds, I could see that he felt pain and I weighed all that we had previously experienced and I felt the need to attend to him "Let me help you…” I spoke softly “Please…” he nodded slightly and I took it for a yes, despite his pride wasn´t allowing him to say it, he wanted my help.

No it can't be, I'll just ignore

But then she's never looked at me that way before

That night he slept in my bed. When I woke up the next morning, I assumed that it was likely that he was no longer in the cabin. I was so surprised to see him still asleep that a small smile spread across my face. He was a completely different person, calm. The little light that filtered in through the window finely illuminated the features of his face and my heart jumped slightly with a strangely warm, not out of fear or insecurity, so I left that room a bit confused by what I just felt.

The days went by, and he… He stayed with me in the cabin. Little by little, we began to exchange more words, although not many, he was a man who spoke little. He began to help me with the little chores of the house, although he was quite clumsy at first, he improved as the days went by. He even offered to help me with the little herb garden that I had started to build in the garden.

Slowly his laughter began to flood our meals, and his stories about his travels across the Galaxy catch me at night. I learned about things that I didn´t know existed thanks to him and my heart kept jumping every hour that I enjoyed his company.

On one occasion I asked him if he wouldn´t go away again, the only thing he answered was that there was no place out there where he belonged. At that moment I understood that the Beast that had appeared a year ago in the room of my old home no longer existed and it was in that moment that I decided that that place where we were, in the middle of nowhere and far from everything, was now the home of both, however, I still felt my doubts, what if the bond that we were beginning to have was just a product of my imagination.

New and a bit alarming

Who'd have ever thought that this could be?

One morning, after waking up next to him, I wanted to put a plan to the test: the night before I had prepared a basket with some food, my idea was to ask him to accompany me to the forest to find some berries to plant in the garden. That morning I fixed myself with one of the dresses that he had brought me during one of his first visits and that I had never worn. When he got up, I had everything ready.

"I'm going to need your help today...", he just looked at me a little confused "Please get ready before we get late". A few minutes later he left the room towards the kitchen where I was "Hold this" I gave him the basket, his face was full of confusion, he couldn´t understand what was happening, I walked to the door and turned to see him "What are you waiting? Let's go!" and I smiled at him as I walked out the door.

We walked for a few minutes in the forest without saying anything until we reached the stream. Once on the shore, I spread the blanket, I approached him, took the basket, and sat on the ground, he just imitated my steps. I took out some of the bites that were in the basket and we began to eat, we never speak. When we finished, I looked back at him.

"I don't know much about you...", he just fixed his eyes on mine "And you don't know much about me..." I started to take off my shoes "But we´re both... Living in this place..." the sound of the waterfall was like little sinfonie behind us "I didn't get here of my own free will and I still don't understand why..." I plunged my feet into the water "But I've grown to love this place..." I turned to look at him and a huge smile was painted on my lips "And I've started to take a strange affection for you, although I don't know if I should..." and suddenly, everything changed.

The birds sang around us, the sound of the waterfall became louder, and his lips... His lips were on mine with an intensity that I had never felt. One of his hands was holding my neck, while the other was holding one of mine firmly. His caress was soft, however, somewhat desperate, but full of passion "Ben..." he whispered as a smile touched his lips and his hand caressed my cheek "My name is Ben". At no time did his eyes leave mine and my heart burned completely "Well, Hello Ben" I went over to kiss him again "Welcome home".

True that he's not Prince Charming

But there's something in him that I simply didn't see

[edengarden]

Hello and if asks are still open may I have a regular match up for BNHA?

Name: Nox

Gender: FTM

Occupation: Student (16 almost 17 yrs old. Jan 4th is b-day)

Sexual orientation: Omniromantic Asexual (male/masculine leaning)

Quirk: Transformative/Mutant, "Zoologic shift" (This quirk allows the individual(s) to transform into multiple animals, but the individual has to have a emotional/special connection or feeling towards the animal and to know it's physical structure to properly shift into the said animal (mythical/made up creatures can be acquired but it is extremely difficult due to the fact of anatomy and bone structure). The user only has a limited time to be in their animal form before they start going feral, if the person is angry or has a different strong negative emotion in animal form, the fast they can become feral (once the user becomes feral they will not remember anything until they have calmed down or are somehow distracted), if the user becomes feral for too long they will not be able to transform back unless they are hurt tremendously or their hatred may take a physical form and eventually kill them from the inside (I guess look at the demons from Princess Mononoke to get an idea of what that is).)

Animals acquired: White Dire wolf, Raven, Orca, Clydesdale, Black Mamba, Barn Owl, Russian Blue House cat, Ram, Fire Dragon, Phoenix, Snake Basalisc

At least 3 positive attributes:

Empathetic (emotional and animal, riots and civil conflict bring me to tears as well as I can feel my friends' pain I and want to cuddle ever dog, cat, etc. I see)

Intelligent (at least in certain subjects like language, art, biology, and physical/hero training), serious (it may come off as intemidation but I just usually mess around)

Diplomacy (I try to avoid any physical fights that can but I will fight as a last resort)

Calm (in most situations I try to keep a level head and it works since when most people need serious help they come to you for advice or to vent)

Justful (kinda speaks for itself)

Soft Blunt and Soft Honest (I am honest with people as well as blunt, but I am not mean or hurtful when I say it)

At least 3 negative attributes:

Anger issues (even though usually calm and serious, when pushed over the edge I can become furious and using my quirk will not help at all)

Self sacrificing (since due to personal circumstances I have started to put other people above me (my friends mostly) and I would do anything, even get myself physically or emotionally hurt for them. It is sorta in a way for having approval for those I care about but mostly is just showing that I care for the people I care about)

Self deprecating with imposter syndrome (it's mostly a form of humor, but I take it far enough where people start to worry)

Dark humor (idk I just like it)

Confrontational (if someone confronts and tries to provoke me I will tell them off but never physically fight back)

Self Righteous (The righteousness is good but usually my self righteousness comes up when it comes to someone's safety or when revenge and anger cloud my judgement)

Children (I don't care for children, but I'm afraid my anger will get the best of me and I'll lash. So that's why I stay away from kids as much as possible for tr he fear of accidentally hurting innocence)

Hahahaha...daddy issues...

Hobby(ies):

Hiking in the woods

Drawing (it's usually vented or dark in some way, but sometimes I like drawing people and animals or characters)

Cosplaying

Cooking

cApTuRinG sOuLs-

Learning about Witchcraft/Supernatural/Celestial

Music Taste:

Lofi

Anti-Nightcore/Nightcore

Viking Chants

Sea Shanties

Celtic instrumentals

Death metal

Instrumental

Old Rock

Classical

Bands/song writers: Skillet, SKÁLD, Faun, Black Briar, MARETU, Steampianist, Temporex, Penelope Scott, Mirical Music, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Angel Maker, Forest Music, Panic! At the Disco, MESA works design, , Harrison (not too much into bands but here are the general ones I listen too)

Appearance

Eyes: Brown/Black has bags under eyes

Hair: Red (henna dyed), it's frizzy at the tips and it's long (cab length) and thick (I hate it's length, but parents...)

Skin: Pale (warm tone)

Body type: In between Skinny and overweight, wide shoulders, actually muscular

Anything else?: Teeth have tiny canines, sometimes can have wolf ears and tail showing, kinda thick thighs-, 5'6ish, usually wearing school uniform. Hero uniform includes a black Cape with under it being a black mechanical suit that is bullet and elemental proof, boots are sharp and steel toed resembling a wolf's paw, wears a head mask that looks wolfish as well in the front but in the back of the mask has fur in the back (look towards some reference of the princess mononoke headgear) (not completely like a wolf but sorta resembles one), the mask also helps with muffled hearing and sight because I am sensitive to those things.

Traits I look for S/O: Empathetic, kind, cooperative, someone who also finds comfort in darkness or the shade, someone that knows how to take things seriously but also having a humors side, trusting and loyal, someone that can work with others (I'm usually a loner but I try to work with others), someone that would at least like to have a relationship that includes physical affection (I am a touched starved peep-), I guess someone that works, likes, or even somehow resembles an animal, some that doesn't get angry easily and is patient, introvert an extrovert doesn't matter to be (I guess if I had to choose maybe someone in between the 2?), and I guess someone that just tolerates my presence and doesn't or call me a piece of shit.

Traits I cannot be around with a S/O: Anger...I can't be around angry people because they scare me to the point I become panicked, people that work towards apathy (I may be empathetic but with someone that can't or won't return the same comfort when needed, they exhaust me), untrusting, someone who is a dick to everyone except me (it just seems suspicious and hurtful), someone who is closed minded, someone that has joy in hurting other maliciously, someone who loves bright lights/areas/lives by the sun, guess someone who wants a 24/7 therapist (again it can become exhausted and I know how it is...it isn'tthat nice.)

Star sign: Capricorn (sun), Gemini (moon), Cancer (rising)

Personality type: INTJ, Lawful Neutral

HP House: Hufflepuff that isn't afraid to kickass

Fun facts!:

I'm somewhat of an animal whisperer

Obsessed with herbs and Crystals

I know it seemed edgy with my hatred towards light, but in all honesty the late does infact bother and irritate me, especially when it's hot

Intrested in the celestial and supernatural

I look at horror and nature documentaries

I've trained my dog to come when I howl

I guess if loving spicy food counts as a fun fact then count that in

Ehhhhh...switch sub-

cAndLe bOi-

I must apologize if this is a lot, I just wanted the matchup as accurate as possible, but again thank you for having the ask box open and I hope you have a good day!

Honestly while I read your description, all I could think of was Tokoyami!

I think it’s pretty obvious why?? You two share a lot of things in common. The two of you are very calm individuals, and I can see you both being voices of reason not only to the people surrounding you, but to each other as well. In a way, I think you can even tend to challenge each other and even push (to a healthy extent) the other to become the best version of themselves.

The VIBE you two have. It’s almost too good. And while Tokoyami isn’t affectionate in public, he’d be more than happy to indulge in your starvation for touch behind closed doors! Don’t tell anyone, but he’s a straight up cuddlebug. And I can totally see him digging the spiritual/celestial stuff?? Maybe he won’t actually know anything, but he’d be so hyped if you were willing to teach him omg I can totally see this as your go-to type of date, that’s so sweet 🥺

Songs!!

- Breathe (In the Air), Pink Floyd (I honestly see you and Tokoyami straight up vibing to Dark Side of the Moon like no other to be honest)

- In the Lap of the Gods, Queen

- Sense of Doubt, David Bowie (THIS VIBE IS SO DARK AND URGH I CAN SEE THIS AS A V I B E FOR YOU TWO - However, Neuköln could be a close second to portray this vibe!)

- Killing a Little Time, David Bowie

[ofieugogyshz]

I only have the one major romantic f/o (lance), so i'm just gonna answer them regardless.

1) who fell for the other first.

Me. It was definitely me. Tho I wasn't aware of it/was very stubborn about it. He says he had always cared for me regardless and saw someone in need, but it was obvious when I had gotten all starry-eyed at him. My blushing gave it away whenever we got too close to each other (damn a light complexion!)

2) who said ily 1st

Him. See above stubbornness + being tsundere + not wanting to assume his niceness meant anything more. Plus, being obvious, he felt confident that it would be reciprocated. Which feels kind of jerky, now that think about it.

3) who is more affectionate

I think we're both kind of reserved about it publicly, but at the same time, definitely me. I like physical contact/am touch starved, so there's a lot of arm linking/clinging and leaning against coming from me, but he's more likely to kiss me in public than i would him. Or other softer, more intimate signs of affection between two people, ie rubbing shoulders, caressing skin, etc. I think we're equal at hand-holding in public

In private, it's still probably equal-ish, but he's more likely to be more comfortable at showing affection without people watching. (The joy of basically being the equivalent of a celebrity) People are always watching him for the various roles he has, and while it's still obvious in public that we're together from his protective body language, he's waaaaaay more comfortable without eyes watching him. He feels like he can be more himself in private and not need to worry about any of his mantles, from the Dragon Clan to Champion/Elite Four member to a g-man to literally any other way people perceive and think of him. So his guard is lowered and he feels more comfortable initiating affection. It also doesn't help that i'm not comfortable with showing certain kinds of affection in public, and he knows where that line is crossed.

4) who initiates cuddle sessions

I think it really depends on who needs it more or who feels like it more at the time? I'm usually more touch-starved, so I'll basically just lay against him and be like "cuddles plz", which elicits a smile and a short laugh from him. But if I'm in a Mood(tm), he's going to initiate if it's necessary for the situation

5) how do we cheer each other up

If something is weighing on him, I'll approach him and ask him what's wrong and listen, usually with a hug from behind or leaning against him in a sort of half hug half cuddle? He doesn't like anyone to see him when he's that upset, because he doesn't want to lash out and would rather be alone and take time to re-compose himself. ESPECIALLY if he's angry about something. He'll go train in private and I'll have to find him and talk to him to find out what's up

When it's me, to cheer me up like, it's hard for me to resist his gentle smile. He'll be a little silly until he's gotten me to laugh. Maybe plop a cute plush or Pokemon in front of me or he'll drape his cape on me and i don't even know how to describe how there's some silliness in it

If it's something more serious or a Mood, he'll make me talk to him. He'll listen to me and validate my feelings, or fight me on it if i'm expressing self-hatred. He absolutely HATES it when I'm harsh on myself and self-hating, and it's sometimes startling how seriously he'll fight me on it. He loves me so much that it's almost offensive to him that I'll hate myself? I don't really know how to describe it, it just melts my heart thinking about it. And he'll hug me after and stroke my hair and tell me how much he loves me and that it hurts to see me in such pain and that he's sorry for getting so aggressive about it

6) who is more likely to plan a surprise date:

Him, because i'm bad at planning things until the very. last. second. Tho i guess that does make things more of a surprise. For both of us.

7) who suggests more creative date ideas

Me! I'm the ideas person, once a topic/theme has been picked

8) who steals the other's clothes

We uh, don't really do that. I'm a much bigger size than him and i don't think there's much in my wardrobe he'd wear? Tho i could be wrong.

....i do "borrow" his capes tho bc they are good blankets. ;>> so i guess me

9) who is more likely to leave cute notes

Both of us! His are more like "remember to do this! ❤" and mine are more like "ily!!! Thanks for [xyz]!"

10) our favorite thing in the summer

Probably flying around and getting to go to lakes and stuff, finding temperally cooler places to go to! I'm used to 110°+ weather, but that still doesn't mean i wouldn't go somewhere cooler. I really like nature and forests and such, so if he sees a place as he's working that he think I might like, he makes a note of it. I love playing in water but it'd be nice to be able to go around while every thing is lush and green!

11) our favorite thing in winter

CUDDLES AND SNUGGLES AND CURLING UP IN BLANKETS AND HOT COCOA!! He'll take me to snowy places since i haven't been to snowy areas except once in my entire life. He'd probably offer to teach me some snow sport but mmnope i'm good, i have the physical calibration of a broken 90s touch screen and a fear of heights. I can barely stand flying. ><;;

But yes, getting an excuse to spend time bundled up together is gr8 imo

[emo-floof-child-writes]

The Sword of the Solstice

Chapter 1: Dragon Duel!

There are two forces in the world of Theskyx; the Shining Light, and the All-Consuming Dark. The Light is controlled by a Being of Pure Light; known as Lathander the Holy Cat. The Dark is controlled by a Being of Pure Darkness; known as Dendar the Night Serpent.  

Long ago, a great warrior of Lathander, a paladin, fought a great battle, against a force so dark that many said he wouldn't ever be defeated. A Dark Mage, seduced by Dendar's power, gathered all evil to him to join into his dark regiment, as he planned to seal the world in darkness. 

But the great hero would not let him. He used his magic sword to seal The Dark Mage into an inescapable prison. But sadly, he could not keep it sealed unless he too were trapped inside it. The sword that sealed them disappeared, it whereabouts unknown.

Many adventures, mages, and creatures of all sorts, sought after it. They hoped to wield its power, for good or for ill. The sword, however could not be found. Although other legends say that the sword wasn't lost, and the Warrior and Mage are still fighting to this day.

Whichever is true, another adventure was sparked by this Sword of Legend and that is the story that I shall be telling you today. This is the story of how a small group of elves, humans and a Draconic shapeshifter, saved the world from a power that no one foresaw...

We begin our adventure in a damp cave, said by locals to hold a dragon! And it can be expected that with a dragon comes a large fortune! Our adventurers have come in search of treasure, and fame. Their party includes their rather plain looking human rogue, who is the leader, only just turning 26. He wears brown pants, knee high boots and a green tunic to match his messy green hair. Izuku Midoriya, he goes by. 

Then there was their quiet, elven paladin, of the Bright Dawn; Shoto Todoroki. He is 25. He has a long blue coat, which has frilly collar, a pair of leather pants, and gold lined boots. He has a scar on his left side, from a dragon attack years ago. He once a was a Prince, before the attack. His hair has two colors, (perhaps as a result of his service as a paladin), on his right, it is ghostly white, on the other, it is blood red. 

Their other travel companion, a rather angry human barbarian; Katsuki Bakugo. He too is only 26. He wears nothing but a fur cape, and leather trousers, with sandals that spiral up to his knees. He has awfully pale blond hair, that spikes up every which way. He's also known for smashing heads in, and starting fights in taverns! He's a character, to be sure!

The three of them look around the cave, Shoto (using his god's power that flows through him) makes a torch to light up the damp, dreary cave. Izuku slips into the shadows, becoming invisible to the naked eye. Katsuki sulks behind them, arms crossed. “You sure we came to the right place this time?” Katsuki asks, they had been searching for a good while now, and Katsuki was getting sick of searching. Shoto turns to face him. “The map said to go up Myki Pass, and follow along the pass to Dekuuna Road. This is the last cave that isn't on the East-West Road!”

Katsuki growls. “It better be, or I'm striking off on my own." As He says this, a loud roar echoes through the cave. Shoto pulls out his sword, and Izuku grabs one of his throwing daggers. Katsuki laughs, holding up his Warhammer, excited at the thought of a fight. “Be on guard,” Izuku warns, “we have no idea what type of dragon this is.” Dragons aren't always the fire-breathing ones. Some have ice breath, and are blue. Others still are water dragons. There are even some that are said to be shapeshifters, though they have yet to have been proven.

Shoto steps through the door, closely followed by Katsuki, and Izuku takes up the rear. They walk into a room lit by torches. Another roar resounds through the corridors. “I smell something!” A booming voice says. “Has someone entered this Domain?” Shoto looks up to see that the dragon is perched above them. He holds his arms out, making Katsuki and Izuku stop. He points up towards the dragon, and they both nod, walking back into the room they came from.

“What's the plan?" Katsuki asks. “We didn't anticipate that the dragon would be standing right above the entrance.” Izuku scratches his chin. “I should go first, as reconnaissance. If (most likely when) the dragon sees me, charge it from behind, taking as many attacks as you can while it is distracted.” Shoto bows his head. “With all due respect, Midoriya, what happens if he's a fire breather?” He touches his scar, frowning. The last thing Shoto wanted was his reckless friend to receive the same horrible fate he had, or worse.

Izuku places his hand on his friend's shoulder. “Fear not, my friend. I will be as quiet as a fox.” Katsuki sighs. “We're doomed." He says, with a groan. Shoto bows his head. “I will trust your judgment, then." He says, and Izuku nods. Katsuki growls. “Just get this dumb plan over with." he mutters. It may seem that Katsuki doesn't respect his companion, but it's quite the opposite, he is worried that this plan will fail. He knows that even though it is his profession, Izuku can be unreliable when stealthing.

Izuku sighs, and keeping to the wall of the corridor, he sneaks out into plain view of the dragon. He looks up, to see that in place of a dragon, is a young man approximately the same age as Izuku. He has red spikey hair, and is sitting shirtless on the overhang, and he wears a red scarf around his neck. “What's happened?" The red haired boy asks, most likely talking to himself. Izuku looks around for the dragon. All he can see is the entrance to another room. He frowns. Where did the dragon go? Izuku wonders. He scoots along the wall back to where Shoto and Katsuki were standing.

“Hey." Izuku whispers. “The dragon disappeared. There's a boy sitting where the dragon was!” Katsuki gasps, and Shoto clutches his sword. “That is not a boy." Shoto says. “That's a Draconic.” Shoto's village was attacked by dragons, but one was a Draconic, a man-dragon. That particular one was a fire-breather, and caused years and years of damage to his once proud kingdom. It's what made him pledge to be a paladin. He has sought after this dragon for years, to deliver the Evil One into the Divine Light.

"What are we going to do?" Katsuki asks. “I mean, can he turn back into a dragon?” Izuku taps his chin. “It seems that he was unaware of what happened." Izuku says, and Shoto nods. “From what I have learned, it seems Draconics are like Werewolves. Unaware in their human state.” Shoto frowns. “This does pose a moral problem. Is it right to attack something that is unaware of what it has done? I need time in prayer.” Katsuki growls. “We don’t have time!” Izuku places his hand on Katsuki's arm. “The Draconic is unaware of our whereabouts. We can take a moment.”

Katsuki stomps his foot, sitting down. He pouts, because he thought he was about to fight a dragon. Izuku sits down next to him. “I understand that you want to fight a dragon, but Shoto brings up a good point. How do we know that he is aware of this?” Katsuki groans. “For someone who steals for a living, you have a high standard for moral choices.” Izuku scoffs. “I prefer the term, ‘treasure hunter.’ I don't steal from other people.” Izuku had a rough childhood, full of awful hunger on the streets.

Shoto sighs. He kneels, and closes his eyes. Lathander, He prays in his head. What should I do? I can't kill an innocent man, Draconic or not. I don't want to be an oath-breaking paladin. The Draconic that destroyed my village, what if he wasn't aware? Please guide me to the Divine Light. Let me make the right decision, ease my conscience. May Dawn be yours, your faithful servant, Shoto Todoroki. A calmness settles over him, a golden glow from his Aura of Light shines around him.

Katsuki sighs. “Have you come to a decision, Light-Bringer?" He asks, standing up. Shoto folds his hands. “I believe so. You won't appreciate my decision. I want to see if we can convince the Draconic to see the Light of The Morning Lord.” Katsuki fake gags. “You're right, I hate it." Katsuki grumbles. Izuku sighs. “How about we try it Shoto's way, and if that falls, we'll kill it, um, him?” Katsuki sighs. “Fine, let's get this over with.” The three of them walked into the corridor, to see that the red haired young man was standing in the hall now.

“Oh, I have guests?" He says, frowning. Shoto walks forward, and bows. “Pardon me, my companions and I were told that a dragon resides here. The villagers said that it was destroying their crops.” The Draconic gasps. “Oh no! It's happening again!” He curls up into a ball, whimpering. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" He repeats, over and over again. Shoto kneels down next to him. “What is happening again?" He asks, trying to coax him to talk. The Draconic whimpers again. “The voice..." The Draconic says, grabbing Shoto's coat.

Katsuki groans. “Shoto, this person loopy. I think he's a lost cause.” Shoto places his hand on the Draconic's shoulder. “What voice?" Shoto asks. The Draconic look around the corridor. “I've been trapped here for a long time. A mage put a spell on me. I'm Draconic, you see.” He looks at Katsuki. “I'm not loopy. The mage can see in here. His voice is in my head. I can't control my changing anymore. He sends me out to destroy people that cross him. I shall never be free of him.”

Izuku walks over to the Draconic. “What is your name?" The Draconic frowns. “You need to leave, he is coming.” Katsuki growls, holding up his greatclub. “Let him! I've been waiting for a fight all day!” The Draconic winces. “Please, his presence is close. Leave while you still can.” Izuku pulls out his shortsword, Shoto flips his greatsword in his hands. The Draconic sighs. “You've signed your death sentence." Says a different voice. And from around the corner, appears a cloaked figure.

The cloak looks burned, but it appears to be a dark blue color. He pulls up the hood of his cloak, revealing his face. He has red hair, it's shape is reminisce of fire. Shoto freezes. He looks just like Father! He helped the Draconic that burned my kingdom! How is that possible? The Mage chuckles. “You seemed to have seen a ghost, child!” Shoto hands tremor. “Shoto! What's wrong?" Izuku asks. Shoto takes a shaky breath. “He's the man who helped burn my kingdom down!" Shoto says, backing up.

Izuku gasps, and rushes the Mage. The Mage chuckles. “Hello, son.” Shoto whimpers. “‘Son’?!” Izuku says, looking at Shoto. Shoto sighs. “King of Fiery Endeavors.” Shoto says. “If you have come to finish the job, spare my companions.” Katsuki swings his greatclub at the Mage. He connects with his face, sending him backwards. “Katsuki!” Izuku scolds, looking at Shoto. His hands are still shaking, his lip quivers. Lathander, guide me. How can I fight my father? He should be brought into the Light, but must I bring him into the Everlasting Light of Eternity?

Katsuki sighs. “Shoto, take the dragon boy and get yourself out of here. Whatever or wherever the spell or magical object caused this is, we’ll deal with it.” Shoto scoffs. “As a Paladin of the Morning Lord Lathander, I cannot, in good conscience, leave you behind!” The mage, King Endeavor,  laughs. “Paladin of the Morning Lord! How you have changed, my son.” Izuku points his sword at King Endeavor.

“You do not get to speak to him! Shoto, I agree with Katsuki. You need to get him away.” Shoto gasps. Izuku swings his sword at King Endeavor, and it grazes his shoulder. “Very well, Izuku. Come with me." He says, grabbing the scarf of the Draconic boy. The boy whimpers. “But!" the Draconic says, looking at King Endeavor. “He controls me! What if I destroy a village?” Shoto sighs. Katsuki takes another swing at King Endeavor, but his swing is too wild.

King Endeavor smirks, and takes out a glowing, glass ball. Shoto gasps. He had that when my village was destroyed! He convinced the Draconic not to kill me with it, perhaps it controls Draconics? Shoto pushes past Izuku and the Draconic, and casts Command on King Endeavor. “Drop." Shoto says, and King Endeavor grabs his head. Shoto’s voice whispers in King Endeavor’s head, compelling him to release the Magic Orb.

His hand shakes, and he releases the Magic Orb. He gasps, as it falls from his fingers. Shoto reaches his hand out, and catches it. He turns to face the Draconic, and throws the Magic Orb passed him. The Draconic yelps, and King Endeavor gasps. It flies across the room, and smashes against the wall. Shoto turns to King Endeavor, who is whimpering. Shoto chuckles. “That’s what controls the Draconic, right?" Shoto asks, casting his spell, Zone of Truth.

He feels that Lathander’s truthful influence takes hold of King Endeavor. “Y-yes..." King Endeavor says, and his eyes widen. “I didn’t want to say that! Why did I say that?” Katsuki, who has seen Shoto use this spell before, smiles. He knows that if you speak while this spell is in effect, you have to answer honestly. You can get out of it if you make a motion, but he figured that King Endeavor didn’t know that. 

“The power of a Paladin of Light flows through me.” Shoto says, folding his hands. “Now, did that end the effect?” King Endeavor clears his throat. “Yes, it did...” He says, frowning. Izuku sheaths his sword. “Huzzah, we stopped the dragon.” He says, laughing. Katsuki shakes his head. “We may have freed the Draconic, but we don’t know if he’s not gonna murder us.” The Trio of Heroes turn to the Draconic, who frowns.

“I’m not going to murder anyone!” He protests. Shoto can sense that the spell has affected the Draconic as well. “He’s telling the truth.” Shoto says, and Katsuki sighs. “What about Mage of Evil over here?” He asks, pointing at King Endeavor. The Draconic turns to King Endeavor and changes into his dragon-form. “You have destroyed enough lives!” the Draconic’s voice booming. King Endeavor whimpers.

The Draconic breaths fire, and King Endeavor tries to dodge the blast, but he gets consumed in the flames. “Long live Dendar!” King Endeavor wheezes. Whether he intended to or not, our Trio of Heroes get caught in the blast. Shoto and Katsuki whether it, but Izuku is close to death. Once the Draconic realizes it hurt the people that were trying to free him, he turns back into a normal person, and uses a spell on Izuku, who recognizes it as Cure Wounds.

Izuku feels a lot better, thanks to the magic healing, but he still has some pain. Shoto sighs, and also uses Cure Wounds on Katsuki, making him close to fully healed. He then casts Lay On Hands on himself, making himself healed. “S-sorry!” The Draconic sutters, backing up. Katsuki laughs. “I am aware that Dragon Breath is hard to aim... I would have been more mad if you killed my companions.”

The Draconic nods, and bows. “Apologies, um, I’m Eijiro Kirishima.” He rubs his neck, looking away. Shoto walks over to King Endeavor’s ashes. “Sorry about that too.” Eijiro says, biting his lip. Shoto tilts his head and scoffs. “He needed to go to the Eternal Light, I thank Lathander that I didn’t have to smite him myself.” Shoto bows his head, holding his father's ashes in his hand. “May the Light of Lathander shine in your spirit."

He blows the ashes away, and stands up. “I suppose we’re done here, right?” He looks at Izuku, who shrugs. “We should go... best to not be connected to this. Remember what happened last time?” Katsuki groans. “Yeah, no, I do not want to repeat that.” He starts to head towards the door. Izuku follows and Shoto takes up the rear. Eijiro starts to head back to his treasure horde, but now that he is free of that Mage’s power, he has little interest in gold.

He turns around. “Wait.” He says, and they stop, Shoto turns his head. “Yes?” Izuku asks. Eijiro clears his throat. “Is there room for one more?” He asks, tugging at his scarf. Izuku looks at Shoto and Katsuki. Shoto shrugs, and Katsuki smiles. “He can turn into a dragon!” Katsuki says. “He’d be a nice addition.” Izuku nods, and smiles at Eijiro.

“Alright, I think we can be a party of four from now on.” Izuku says, and Eijiro grins, his teeth pointed. He walks over to them, and they walk out of this deary cave, and into the quiet outdoors. The sun is setting, and the road was empty. “Let’s move out, everyone." Izuku says, walking out to the road edge. Shoto follows, and then Katsuki and Eijiro, respectively.

[miss-princesspenney]

To the world, he is Zero

To many, he is Lelouch Lamperouge. To few, he is Lelouch vi Britannia. But to CC, he is all that and more.

Tragedy is the cost of battle; peace is its gain. You can not have one without the other. Lelouch did not start this war, neither will he end it. Rather, the part he plays is one of precision and patience, it is calculated vengeance, and the human condition. What he lives for and what he dies for are one in the same. Nary a cloud before his goals, only those emotions that keep him from losing his mind - a great casuality closer to plausible than anyone knows. He would be a fool to ignore that which kept him healthy and sane; things that make him human. No matter how many voices, names, or ideas that he took upon himself, he would only ever be a man. Unless, of course, his goal could be reached. Then he would be granted that which is forbidden from all other life; immortality. A gift bestowed unto him from a witch who knew him inside and out. An alien who had seen who he truely was, who saw who he could be, and decided that she could aide his efforts in ways he never could as just a man. He was now a man with a gift, a man who paid a price, but a man who had her at his side, there to protect and guide him so that he might make his transition. His metamorphasis from someone who merely lived to die, into someone who would live forever.

There are nights when he trudges into the darkness of his quarters without switching on the lights. He doesn't look at her - the girl who lays on his couch - but knows that she's there, watching him. His thin fingers on his steady hands grasp the face of his mask and slowly remove it. He's downcast, the weight of his gift on his shoulders; a burden. His mind will never regret his decision but will always question his ways. He tosses the helmet to the end of the bed. He unsnaps his cape and places it on a hook. He removes his coat and loosens the buttons of his shirt. He sits at the edge of his bed and puts his head in his hands. Silence on the outside, roar of emotion on the inside. His coping mechanisms wear thin, and sometimes the strings begin to tense and the stretch can almost be heard, like the whine of an untuned violin.

It's on nights like this, when sorrow is heavy on him, as musk is on an ox, that she will approach him. She lays a hand on his shoulder. He looks up into her unwavering face, in all its stoic beauty. She bends down and places a kiss to his lips. It draws him to the here and now, instead of the constant drowning he faces inside himself. She places both hands on his face and his eyes form tears. There are more words spoken in this one moment, a greater exchange from her soulful globes into his, than there ever will be. It makes him feel alive, trembling beneath her, her body beginning to fall into his. He remembers what its like to feel, to hear, to breath. She will press her lips into his again, her tongue will ask his to join her. They will lay together, him grasping her hips, her fingers in his hair. This man of tact, genius, and patience. He will meet her strength, loyalty, and compassion. She will undress him. She will move her lips across him. He will close his eyes, feeling the heat of her breath and silk of her touch. He will feel the heat in his groin and the knot in his stomach. She reaches him where he is, she can pull him up. She will not place him on a pedestal. She will not underestimate him. She will believe in him and know what he is capable of and she will reward him for it and comfort him when it hurts. She will slip out of her clothes - or rather his, he'll notice - with slow ease and finally, the rest of the world is forgotten, unbalanced against the sight of her skin in the static of night. His mind empties, and he knows it, but he doesn't fight. She will sink down to him and press herself against his chest. He will feel her plush bosom on his firm torso. He will groan. She will stroke him in the place he needs it most. He reaches for her with slender fingers and pulls her mouth to his once again, now lost in the feeling - in what can be the only pleasure hidden in his humanity. He feels her tight heat and wonders how he got by without it. Its never been anyone but her; he would be naive to say that will never change; and it would be insulting to believe it could ever be better with anyone else. Sweat beads. She whines. He moans. She purrs. He's close. She cries - like she can feel it the same way he does. He releases within her. It blinds them. It always does. He kisses her once again. She runs a hand through his hair, brushes it aside, kisses his forehead.

They sleep good on nights like these; they have created a sense of peace. He sleeps good for several nights. He will make practical decisions. He will make better plans. She will have made him more man than either of them knew he could be; all so that he could someday be more.

He won't know that she does it for her almost as much as she does it for him. Afterall, she was once a woman, as he will have once been a man.

~art by unknown~