#but as far as I am concerned they're still running it and using their fathers business strat

[kujakumai]

"So if Pegasus is dead in the manga who runs I2 now did Kaiba buy it is he the president who owns it" their names are Yakko and Gekko Tenma. Learn your spinoff I2 deeplore :/ smh

[memekais]

epic the musical sentence starters. the ocean saga. feel free to change pronouns as needed!

storm

these waves and tides have grown in strength and size.

is it nature or divine or a blessing in disguise?

our home's in sight.

this storm's our final fight.

brace for a storm!

with home so close, we must keep pushing forward.

head towards the island but avoid the crashing waves.

tread where the tide is flat and then you will be saved.

have them follow my ship, i'll ensure that we prevail!

we're taking too much damage to survive.

at this rate, we won't make it out alive.

grab the harpoons, as many as you can find!

we're gonna shoot for the sky!

everyone grab a harpoon and aim it high!

we're shooting for the island in the sky!

luck runs out

please don't tell me you're about to do what i think you'll do.

you've heard the legends of the island in the sky, this proves they're true.

i'm gonna climb to the top and ask 'em for a hand.

you could be caught off guard and lose your life or piss off this god and infuse us with strife.

don't forget how dangerous the gods are.

have faith, friend, we've come this far.

how much longer till your luck runs out?

how much longer till the show goes south?

how much longer till we all fall down?

you rely on wit, and people die on it...

i still believe in goodness, i still believe that we could be kind.

lead from the heart and see what starts.

what will we do when it tears us apart?

i just don't wanna see another life end.

you're like the brother i could never do without.

suddenly you doubt that i could figure this out?

how much longer till your great days cease?

how much longer till your strength takes leave?

thank you for the concern but brother I can assure you our journey is almost done.

i understand that we're tired, i understand that we're fazed but don't forget how much we've already faced.

if you'd like to speak more, let me pull you aside then i need to talk to you in private.

i can't have you planting seeds of doubt, i can't have you disagreeing each route...

i need you to always be devout and comply with this or we'll all die in this, okay?

keep your friends close

our path to home is blocked by an impenetrable storm.

i ask for your assistance so we at last can go the distance.

i am the wind, twisting and turning, i give the fire enough to stay burning!

if you win, you will get what you're yearning.

take a look right here at this bag, it has the winds of the storm all trapped.

sounds too easy, what's the catch?

keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

never really know who you can trust.

sometimes killing is a must.

the end always justifies the means; friends turn into foes in rivalries.

we cannot let the treasure rumour fly.

now they wanna get the bag open so they can have closure.

sometimes sneaking is a must

for nine days, i've stayed wide awake.

i can't wait to make some new memories.

time for me to be the father i never was.

why are my eyes and my heart and my soul so heavy?

i keep on tried to embraced you both. why won't you let me?

we can save whatever wind we have to use another day, come on!

[NAME].... do you know who i am?

ruthlessness

in all my years of living, it isn't very often that i get pissed off.

i try to chill with the waves but damn, you crossed the line.

i've been so gracious and yet, you hurt the son of mine.

i'm left without a choice and without a doubt!

guess the pack of wolves is swimming with the shark now!

i've gotta make you bleed, i need to see you drown but before you go, I need to make you learn...

ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves!

you are the worst kind of good 'cause you're not even great!

a greek who reeks of false righteousness, that's what I hate!

you fight to save lives but won't kill and don't get the job done...

you are far too nice - mercy has a price!

it's the final crack we're about to break the ice now!

unlike you i've got no mercy left to give.

now it is finally time to say goodbye. today, you die unless, of course, you apologize...

we meant no harm, we only hurt him to disarm him!

we took no pleasure in his pain, we only wanted to escape!

the line between naïveté and hopefulness is almost invisible.

so, close your heart the world is dark, and ruthlessness is mercy.

i am your darkest moment... the monster that always draws near.

any last words?

[fireemblems24]

Scarlet Blaze Ch 11

Sorry this is taking forever, but here's ch 11.

MAIN STORY

Oh, shit, do we have to fight Gilbert next? AND ANNETTE? This suuukkkkks. It especially sucks since you know they didn't have a choice but to risk their lives just defending themselves.

Annette is so precious. Fuck. I don't want to fight her.

Gilbert being a good daddy though 😭😭😭😭

At least CF was entertaining. SB is a giant snoozefest where I have to kill all my favorites.

Man, they all sound like psychopaths. They're all super excited to go kill people who are just defending themselves. Even Dorothea's only worried about marriage.

MAP/SIDE STUFF

Shez just said that everyone who gets killed in the war "is standing in our way." Imagine comparing self-defense to "getting in our way." Yikes for that characterization compared to how concerned GW!Shez is about Claude's aggressive decisions.

Lamo, Mercedes is like wtf am I doing here fighting the Kingdom and Annie? 

Aww, Marianne (and Dorothea) are like the only two who realize they're fighting other people and not just being all murder happy like the rest. 

Dimitri just got put on par with Holst and Caspars dad by Balthis, kind of, unofficially best Kingdom warrior? 

We're addressing the Ferdinand and Hubert subplot again. Which is good. It's by far the most interesting part of SB. Though, it's just a repeat of what we've seen from it before.

Ok, they're adding some different stuff which is interesting. Bringing up that even if Fredie's dad tried to retire and stay out of Edelgard's way, that he would still have to die because of what he symbolizes. Hubert and Ferdinand disagree on whether people like Mr. Aegir can get a second chance (as in, can you when you've become a symbol).

This is especially interesting to me in regards to what happens to Rhea, Dimitri, and Claude if they surrender to Edelgard and become her puppets. Basically, Hubert is saying that, no matter what, they'd have to die because anyone who would rebel would use (fill in here) as a symbol of their resistance. Claude may be the sole exception here because he can scoot off to Almyra, but it's very obvious that Rhea and Dimitri (and their staunch allies) are fighting for their lives, because even if we're generous and say Edelgard would spare them and give them life worth living (i.e. not locked up), Hubert would most certainly have them assassinated.

Which also brings up another point. People always talk about how it's wrong/bad for Dimitri to try and spare Edelgard at the end of AM because what kind of life would she live? But always praise Edelgard for trying to spare Rhea towards the end of CF but no one - not a single soul - asks what kind of life would Rhea live? I gotta make my own post about that.

SB is really gonna be - kill yo dad, the route. Ironic since I played this the day after Father's Day.

I have to fight Sylvain 😭

SHEZ & MANUELA A SUPPORT

Manuela is flirting with Shez lol. He said he liked her voice and she pushed him with like "is that all" until he talked about her looks lamo

Aww, Shez actually likes her hungover side. Saying he likes warrior her, singer her, healer her, and drunk her. That's kinda cute, actually

Shez said that he can't keep his eyes off her. Laying it on a bit thick. And said she's more attractive now than she was younger haha.

Yeah, Shez, I have no idea how she was supposed to see that in any other way lol.

HUBERT & LYSITHEA B SUPPORT

Hubert finds Lysithea studying at night and teases her about ghosts. She runs away.

The Imperial Army is a bunch of children who don't want to eat their veggies. This is 100% cannon. Hubert orders guards to sneak them into soups for the soldiers actually get their veggies. I cannot. (though, imagine the privilege, Faerghus could never)

Lysithea freaks out because she ate veggies.

Veggies are legitimately delicious though. I don't know what the Imperial Army's problem is.

EDELGARD & MONICA A SUPPORT

Guys, I'm so excited. A Monica support. I wonder what she'll talk about.

Monica counts how many times Edelgard worried about her and invited her to tea. I just . . . no.

This support was pure cringe.

I love how "Kingdom bad" because they're willing to die to defend their homes, family, friends, and everything and anything else they've loved from invaders, but Monica is to be admired because she's oh so loyal to Edelgard that even in when Edelgard leaves her for dead, it's a happy moment for Monica because it helps Edelgard's cause. Like . . . double standard much?

PETRA & CONSTANCE C SUPPORT

Constance is something else. She confronts Petra because Petra's dad invaded and it led to the demise of Constance's everything.

I enjoy supports that address conflict, but girl, that was not Petra's fault. Don't take it out on her.

Oh, good, she's not. She recognizes that Petra's people suffered, and that neither of them were involved, so there's no bad blood.

Then she hahahas and leaves. Lamo, this made me love Constance.

Petra doesn't get a chance to say she agrees and seeks out Constance, but finds her in the sunlight, and needlessly to say, is very confused.

MAIN BATTLE

Hubert and Edelgard just said submit or die.

Wow, Linhardt is like I wish the nobles would think about all the people who they're forcing to fight. The lack of self-awareness is astounding.

Ferdinand can join the "lack of self-awareness club" for acting like it's the Kingdom causing the violence.

Baron Dominic opened the gate, risking his defenses to rescue soldiers. Hubert judged him. But we're supposedly the good guys. I swear the writing goes out of it's way to make the Kingdom look good.

Fuck. I have to fight Gustave :( He dead :( Poor Annette.

FUCK. Now I have to fight Annette.

Fuck this route. Ingrid, Rodrigue, Gustave, and now Annette - all dead.

Even Baron Dominic's death is making me sad. None of the Empire generals get this kind of humanization when they die lol.

Edelgard and Hubert sound insane. Edelgard's acting like their deaths were inevitable because of their lineage (when they would've been just fine if not for her actions), and Hubert's like he's happy to die so it doesn't matter. What a bunch of looney tunes.

Edelgard just said whoever wins gets to decide what's right. I mean, victors do write the history but yikes at the implications.

So deep - "we're up against the world itself." Sounds like a teenage edge-lord wrote this lamo.

We got crusher. Joy. Did they pry it out of Annette's dead hands?

Oh, joy, more backtracking. Revolts in the Empire. I thought we were out of the backtracking era and into kill every Blue Lion era.

xxxx

[thatoneluckybee]

inaccurately assigning the sbg kids marina songs

Yes, I KNOW these are NOT the actual meanings of the music, nor are they even that accurate. But I am being self indulgent here and you can't stop me (:

Ashlyn Banner

Solitaire: A major part of her character is learning how to balance her introverted nature with opening up to others. I like how she isn't shamed for being a private person, though, just encouraged to give others a chance, so I'm giving her the song about that.

Oh No!: Ashlyn is a very confident person as far as we've seen (though there are still some insecurities she has to work through) who isn't going to change her entire self for some random kid. Oh No! fits that kinda in that Ashlyn has flaws, but she is aware of them and she decides what's worth trying to change.

Aiden Clark:

Too Afraid: Aiden. Buddy. CHILD. He is incredibly extroverted, outgoing, social, and tends to take up the spotlight wherever he goes. This isn't a bad thing in its own light, however we've seen that it's largely become a coping mechanism for him. This kid's mind is or at the very least WAS in a very dark place before, and it's being repressed largely (at least, that's what it seems like.)

Primadonna: Like the exact same thing as above. Takes up the spotlight because the minute you stop off the stage, what's left?

Ben Clark:

I Am Not a Robot: Ben is a very stoic-seeming character. We've gotten to know him and he's a gentle, kind-hearted, nervous, and sweet person, albeit one with astoundingly destructive and angry tendencies. A bit part of his character, to me, has been seeing him balance not allowing his rage to run away with him but also not bottling up until it overflows. He is NOT a robot.

Valley of The Dolls: Yeah this song's about a book I've never read so uhhhhh ANYWAYS. Ben's past self was ANGRY. He was hurt and upset. No matter how many people he fought, or how much it hurt, he couldn't feel better, if anything at all. There was an emptiness he couldn't heal. Maybe it's still there. But he's healing.

Logan Fields:

Karma: I think this song could fit his relationship with his bully (Baron or Barron? Can't remember how to spell it), especially in the arcade fight scene (LOVED IT). Baron has been getting away with horrific acts simply because nobody knew, but now that it's come to light, now that Logan is stronger, now that he has people in his corner, karma's coming.

The Family Jewels: I'm concerned about Logan's home life, honestly. We don't know (as far as I'm aware) why he lives with his grandparents. Did something happen to his parents? Is he an orphan? Is he not with them for another reason? Also, what's going on with his grandparents? Is it because they're florists that they have access to painkillers and sedative type drugs, or another reason?

Taylor Hernández:

Orange Trees: I don't even know. I just really like the song. And I really like Taylor. And i think she would vibe to it. Taylor has a really fun personality and I think this fits her.

Can't Pin Me Down: On a more serious note, oftentimes Taylor (by both characters and the fandom, myself included) is unfortunately reduced to "aww happygolucky bestgirl!" Especially after Tyler's tragedy, we've gotten to see a new side of her: fierce loyalty and pure anger that stems from her kindness. She's going off the rails and I LOVE this for her, but I can only hope she doesn't lash at out the wrong people.

Tyler Hernández:

Are You Satisfied?: Giving him one of my ALL TIME favorite songs! Since the death of their father, Tyler has been caring for both his mother and sister and keeping the household afloat effectively. Through this, my dude doesn't seem to know what it means to take a break. He needs one.

Highly Emotional People: Furthermore on that note, I can see Taylor saying these lyrics to her twin brother. Tyler has gotten to used to being the caregiver at such a young age he doesn't seem sure how to be cared FOR. My dude is repressing and lashing out and everything in a very unhealthy way. If anything good comes out of the tree kebab, it's forcing him to accept outside help and let others take on some burdens. We're highly emotional people, and everyone deserves to show that.

Anyways I didn't expect this to take so long to type :^

[cyandreamsinwords]

Cut and Run — Pt 4 (BoaWT AU)

Again, none of this is cannon to the main fic, I just like to self-indulge. (3.4k)

Link to the main fic here

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3 • Pt 5

"They're still looking for you," Remus said in a hushed voice, so he wouldn't disturb Lyra. It’d become a sensitive topic around her, the even mildest mention of Sirius leaving. She didn't understand what was going on, not in its full context, but she did know that the threat of them being separated again was real.

"I would assume as much, considering the accusations against me," Sirus said loftily. "I am a suspected mass murderer, after all."

“And kidnapper, don’t forget that bit.”

Sirius scoffed. ��It’s not kidnapping, she’s my child.”

“They don’t see it that way. Oddly enough, it’s that cousin of yours leading the charge on getting her back out of your hands.”

“Who, Andromeda?”

“No, Narcissa. She’s been pulling a number of strings her and Lucius have to try and put emphasis on getting Lyra back during this manhunt. She's all over the papers, doing interviews begging for the public's help to deliver her home safely.”

A cool fury overtook him. “How thoughtful of her. What exactly has she been saying to the press? That I took her to raise her up as loyal supporter of You-Know-Who, because that’s more her style than mine. Does she think if Lyra is found she gets to keep her or something? She's not taking my child, not under any circumstance.”

Remus gave him a sharply pointed look as Lyra's head tilted toward the angry hissing. Sirius collected himself and gave her a reasuring smile, sticking his tounge out at her for good measure just to get a one of her sweet little giggles.

"I’m not suggesting you hand her over to Narcissa, Sirius, I’m just informing you about what's going on. For now, you seem to be safe here, but I'm not sure what sort of leads they have on you, and I think you should consider leaving at some point. England would be best, but here at the very least."

"I don't want to give our position away now by sticking my head out of the hole. What good would that do?"

Remus leaned in so he could whisper. Sirius' lips twitched as he fought a smile, having his worried face so close once more after years of not seeing it. He looked like he’d aged a decade, but it was still his Moony under all those lines. "This won't work in the long term," he insisted, that crease between his brows digging deeper. "Lyra's content right now, but she's going to grow tired of being confined inside all day."

"She's been fine so far."

"Yes, and that's concerning, Sirius. It is concerning a child her age is so okay with this situation. I know you are enjoying having her tied to your side after being apart for so long, but she should be begging to be going outside, to be able to run around and explore. We should be finding her somewhere she can live a relatively normal life."

His restraint breaking, Sirius did finally smile. "We, huh? You plan on running away with us, Remus?"

Remus rolled his eyes, leaning away. "You know what I mean. I'm going to help you find somewhere the two of you can be safe until your name can be cleared. It's going to take time, so we have to figure out the long-term plan."

“Sure thing, Moony.”

Lyra frowned as she overheard what her father had said, standing up. “I thought I was your moon?”

Sirius turned to her. “You are, Lyra, you are my Mini Moon. This here is Moony. He’s the big one.”

Seeing she was still not satisfied with this answer, Remus kindly told her, “I promise, you’re still his favorite moon.”

Lyra turned back to her father. “Do you promise?”

“Oh absolutely.”

Pleased with this answer, Lyra swayed happily, a big smile crossing her face. She ran over to him, pulling herself into her father's lap.

"Moony here was just saying we should look for some other living accommodations. Find a place that we can spread out a bit. What do you think? I’m thinking somewhere warm, tropical. Somewhere with a beach. Anything you'd like to add to the search requirements?"

Lyra thought hard, her little brows furrowed in thought as she leaned her head against her father’s shoulder. “…a dragon.”

The two men chuckled. “There’s no better defense system out there,” Remus agreed. "You'll have a fun time learning to train it."

“Alrighty, when the time is right, we’ll pack up here, and go find our beach home with a dragon. Just as soon as we pick up your god brother.”

And there fell Remus’ smile. “Sirius, no.”

“I can’t leave him, Moony. James wanted him with us if anything happened to him and Lily.”

“That was before you were a criminal on the run.  He’s with family, he’s safe.”

“Have you checked in on him? Personally?” There was silence. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. Look, Lily didn’t talk about it often, but her and that sister of hers were about as close as my mother and I.”

“You can’t kidnap a child that isn’t your own, especially not him. You weren't walking around after You-Know-Who was defeated, he was deemed the Boy Who Lived. There isn't a witch or wizard out there who doesn't know his name. The entirety of the Wizarding world will be in an uproar if they found out you took him.”

“It’s not kidnapping, it’s putting things right,” Sirius snapped. He could feel the grip of Lyra’s little fist in his shirt grow tight with anxiety. He rubbed a soothing hand up and down her back as he tried to smooth his ruffled feathers. “I cannot leave James’ son where he is unless I know for certain he is better off there.”

Remus chewed this over, looking incredibly conflicted. It was clear he didn’t think it was a good idea, but he knew Sirius well enough to know when he wasn’t winning an argument, as logical as it was.

“…fine, Pads. I will go check on Harry—”

“No, I will. I am going to see for myself.” He stood, handing Lyra over to Remus, only for her to immediately scramble out of his hold, arms raised to be picked up again.

“I must not bring this up enough, but you are a fugitive. A very well known one who already has his face plastered across ever wizarding and muggle street corner. You could be recognized!”

“You’ll stay here and watch Lyra for me won’t you?” Sirius smoothed down her hair as her arms flailed even more desperately. “It shouldn’t take more than a few days.”

“Is there a reason you’re wanting to go instead of me? Do you think I’ll lie to you about the conditions he’s in.”

Sirius said nothing, just stared at his friend with a cool, blank sort of stare that was meant to speak for him. And it did, as Remus’ face dropped, and a look of restrained shame came over him. He hadn't yet forgiven him for not looking in on Lyra, to know she wasn't where she was meant to be, for having done nothing to fix it.

“You’ll watch Lyra?” he repeated once he sure the message had come across.

“…yeah. I’ll stay and watch Lyra.”

Lyra let out a wail, the classical toddler sort, and Sirius at once swung her into his arms, laying kisses alongside her head. “Oh, my sweet little moon, what is the matter? I won't be gone long. You won’t miss me will you?” She cried, shoving her head into his shoulder. “Get yourself a break from your ol’ dad. You'll probably be glad I'm gone.” She let out a resounding NO, which died into a whimpering pout. “You might actually get yourself a good nights sleep for once, won’t have to listen to my snoring all night, like SHHZZZZZZZ—!!” Lyra reluctantly began to giggle, her pouting from just a moment before masked by her amusement with her dad’s antics.

"You don't snore like that!" she laughed.

"No? Are you sure? Doesn't sound like this at all: SHHHHHHHHZZZZZZ!!!!"

She pulled away from his shoulder. "You're so silly!"

"I hope you never forget that." He pushed the hair out of her face so he could see it. “You and Remus will have a grand time without me. A pair of moons the two of you are. And he's a great cook, much better than me.”

"Does he cook gormee?"

"Better: he cooks edible." He pressed his forehead to hers. "You promise you'll be good for him?" She nodded. "Make at least one mess for him to clean up? A real big one, with a big impossible stain to remove?"

"Promise you're coming back?"

"Consider it an unbreakable vow."

"Now I want a promise of my own," Remus said. "Promise you'll think about what I've said, and that taking Harry is a last resort."

"As if I could rid myself of your dulcet tones, Moony."

                                   ⁂   ⁂   ⁂

Lyra wasn't quite sure about this man named Remus yet. When he’d first arrived all those days ago, she was sure he was there to take her father away. He’d been so angry, and he’d made her father angry, and she had wanted nothing more than for him to go away and never come back.

Instead, her father invited him inside, and they all ate dinner together—or, more like they watched Lyra eat her dinner and then awkwardly stirred their own—then her father put her in their bed, and they sat in silence until she’d convinced them she was asleep. Then they spoke in very quiet whispers on the other side of the room, in voices so low Lyra couldn’t make out the words and eventually just fell asleep for real. She had expected him to be gone in the morning, but they were both still there, neither looking like they had gotten any sleep. Her father took her nap with her that day.

The man Remus stayed for two more nights before he left, that was the last she thought they’d see of him. But it wasn’t long before he was back, this time with food, and lots of it. Her father had been excited, and the two of them spent the afternoon fixing up a shelf to store things on and organizing the cans and boxes.

He’d brought more food with him every time he left and came back, and Lyra was starting to think he might be around for a while. It seemed to make her father happy, but she still wasn’t quite sure she felt the same. He was a stranger, one who had started a fight and stole her father’s attention, yet was oddly familiar.

That morning, after breakfast, her father kissed her on the forehead and promised he’d be back soon. Lyra would have gone and hid as soon as her father was gone, if there was somewhere in her new home for her to hide. All there was was the space under the bed, which the man Remus could see quite easily to where she lay under there.

Just to prove how easy it was to find her, he pulled up the dangling covers and got down onto his knees to look at her. "Are you pouting down there?" he asked.

Lyra shook her head, hiding her face in her crossed arms.

"Are you sure?" She nodded her head. "Well, if you're going to stay down there, would you like a little blanket to wrap yourself up in." She hesitated before nodding her head. He pulled the length of fabric she'd claimed as hers off the top of the bed and handed it over to her. "Would you like a pillow too? In case you get tired?" Another nod. "You're looking pretty set down there. Would you like some juice as well? Any snacks? No? Okay, you let me know if you want your books or toys to keep you entertained. I'd be more than happy to deliver."

Those were things she had now. Books and toys. She hadn’t had any when they first came to this new place, and she’d had to make do with her imagination and whatever makeshift thing her father could conjure up. They were some of the things this man Remus had brought when he'd brought them food. Her father sat with her before bed every night and read her a story that she got to pick, using the few stuffies she'd been gifted as props for the voices he used.

Her lip jutted out as she realized she wasn't getting a story tonight.

She was very careful not to let her sniffles be heard from her position under the bed, hiding them in her blanket. Father didn't seem to mind her cries, she'd learned it was fine when he heard them, but grandmother had been different. She would become very cross anytime she heard Lyra crying, even when she did so quietly. She didn’t know about other people; she didn’t know about him, and she didn’t want to test it.

She saw one of her new stuffies on the ground, just a bit away from the edge of the bed. It was a frog, with long legs, floppy webbed feet and a big head that usually tipped it over. She’d named him Jumper, because that was what frogs did and this one was wearing a brown knit one over its plump body. Her father had called her clever for that.

Wanting it, she reached out from her hiding spot, straining to reach it.

From where he sat, the man Remus paused, then stood up and walked over. Her hand quickly retreated, afraid of getting caught.

He reached down, picking up the stuffed frog, and placing it just within Lyra’s reach. She didn’t reach out for it now, fearing it was a trick to get her out from her hiding spot. It fell onto its face and he took the time to set it back up into its seated position, holding a hand out to make sure it stayed, before surprising her by walking back to his seat and resuming his activity.

She waited a full minute just to see if it were some sort of trap, before reaching out and grabbing it. He did nothing about it.

With a friend safely secured, Lyra now wiped her tears across its head, and cried in silent misery, missing her father, until she fell asleep.

When she woke next, the sun had reached further across the floor and she was feeling less weepy. She could still see Remus’ feet across the room, standing now and chopping something up. Her stomach growled at the thought of food, and she realized just how hungry she really was.

“…can I have a snack?”

He paused his chopping for a moment. “Yeah, you can have a little snack,” he said easily. “I’m making lunch right now, so only a little one, to tide you over. You’ll have to come out to get it though.”

The thought of a snack was a bit more appealing than staying under the bed all day. With some reluctance, Lyra crawled out.

The man Remus smiled at her as she did. “Nice to finally see you, moon,” he said in a soft, kind voice. The scars across his face stretched, but in a nice sort of way. “How about a bit of fruit? I’ve got apples I could cut up.”

Lyra nodded her approval and came to sit at the table, waiting for her food. She brought Jumper with her, sitting him in her lap.

“We’ve still got half a day left,” he said as he cooked and she nibbled on her apple slice. She watched him warily as she did so. “Is there anything you are wanting to do?”

She shook her head wordlessly, sitting further back in her chair.

He hummed thoughtfully. “Could you help me with something then?” Her head tilted in question. He picked up a cutting board with slices of bread on it, some butter and a dull knife and placed it in front of her. “I’m busy with the stew. Do you mind buttering some bread for the two of us? Something to go with our lunch. It’d be very helpful.”

That caught her interest. She didn’t think she’d ever really been helpful before. Her father was always able to handle everything for the two of them, and Kreature had never needed her for help, not ever.

She busied herself with buttering the bread, being sure that it got into every corner of the bread. When the man checked back in her work he nodded in approval. “Yes, this will do just nicely. You did a really good job, Lyra.”

Her heart soared at that despite her wariness of him. She couldn’t wait to tell her father that she’d done a good job when he got home, he’d be so happy to hear it.

A little bit later, lunch was ready, and they had their actual meal. He was a better cook than her father, that much was unfortunately for certain. Kreature had been a good cook as well, and she’d yet to get used to what her father served. 

“You can play with your toys while I clean up, Moon,” he said once they were finished.

He stood to clear away their dishes. 

“...why did you try and take my father away?”

He was startled by the question. Lyra, having only just gathered up the courage to ask, sat on her hands and hoped he wouldn’t be too upset with her asking.

“I…I thought your dad did a very bad thing,” he explained cautiously. “The sort of thing someone has to go to jail for, so they can be punished.”

“Did he do a really bad thing?”

“No, there was a mistake. It just looked like he did.”

“Grandmother says he did something bad too.”

“A lot of people think so. That’s why there are people are after him right now, because not everyone knows the truth.” Remus leaned down onto his elbows so he could level their eyesight. “You did a very brave thing, coming out that day to help your dad. You helped to convince me to let him explain himself.” He smiled. “But please, don’t do that again. I’m very scared the next person won’t do the same and you could be hurt.”

She hadn’t thought so much that she was saving her father that day as much as she wanted to be sure, wherever he went, she went with him.

Remus reached out and took one of the frog’s little hands. “You know, this was my stuffie when I was your age. I took him everywhere with me, even when I got a bit old for toys like this, because I was a very lonely little boy. But after I met your dad, and our friend James, I found I didn’t need him so much.”

Lyra thought on that for a moment before holding the stuffie out. “Do you want him back?”

“No, sweet heart, I gave him to you. I think you’ll be a better friend to him than I will. Besides, I got my friend back. And maybe you and I can be friends too.”

“Because you’re a moon and I’m a moon too?”

Remus laughed softly. “Yeah, exactly.”

“But I’m still my dad’s favorite.”

He reached out and gave her nose a teasing pinch, making her giggle. “Braggart.”

                                  ⁂   ⁂   ⁂

Now no longer suspicious of the new figure in her and her father’s lives, Lyra decided she actually liked Remus quite a lot. He wasn’t as good at doing the voices as her father was while reading her stories, but he was very good at telling new ones, ones he didn’t even need a book for. He let her color his drawings and in turn let her help him make their meals. And right before bed, when she really started to miss her father, he made shadow puppets against the wall for her to watch as she fell asleep. Their next few days alone together went by quickly and without issue, and by the third night, he'd become her second favorite person, right after her father.

“Night, little moon.” He smoothed a hand over her hair.

“Night big moon.” She grabbed his hand, much larger than her own, and held that in one hand, her other arm wrapped around Jumper, just until she fell asleep.

Later that night, Lyra was woken first to the sound of heavy rain and thunder. She rubbed her eyes and turned toward the window where water pelted against the glass. There was a new sound, one that had Remus jerking upright in the chair he’d claimed as his bed, and grabbing his wand. He was silhouetted by the next flash of lighting, his entire frame ridgid. 

“Lyra,” he hissed in a low voice. “Under the bed. Now—”

The door opened, and he pointed his wand towards it.

“Mind getting us a towel, Moony?” her father asked, setting down a little boy. “We’re dripping all over.”

[butterflyintochains]

The Grid's Royal Family

With the 2024 title wrapped up in Sao Paolo, Max flies home to Monaco to become a father. The Paddock's King and his Queen-Consort are on the verge of having their little family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max and Charles run for the plane as soon as they're parked at the airport. Both men on the verge of becoming a father and uncle in a few days' time. Charles is equal parts thrilled and terrified for his sister, she's come so far in this pregnancy with no anxiety, so he's worried it'll all come to the surface again. On Max's part, the excitement is dizzying, the love of his life is having their twins. He might be a four-time world champion, but husband and father will be his magnum opus. The pilot ushers them onto the plane, and they take off for home. Max gets on the phone to Stefanie, who has all but moved in lately. ''Steffi, are you awake?''

Stefanie says. ''Yeah, I'm making Julia some breakfast in bed, where are you guys?''

Charles informs her. ''In the air over the ocean, we should be home by evening your time. How is she? How are they?''

Stefanie says, assuring the concerned brother and husband alike. ''She's doing great, I have no idea how she's doing it to be honest. The cubs are in perfect health, doctor said they're almost in position. Could be any day now.''

They hang up, and get to answering texts in the Grid's group chat, seems like half the grid are going to be in Switzerland to meet the cubs.

Lando Yeswins: Osc and I are plane sharing w/ Carlos and Logan rn, have we missed anything? SuperMax: No, you're good, Julia's asleep, she and the cubs are doing well. Predestinato: Steffi is with her. Albono: With George, Pierre, and Mick, the babies are still on board, yeah? SuperMax: Yeah, could be any day. Pastry: Can't believe they're almost here, our very own prince and princess. Predestinato: Where are the elders, Lance, Zhou, and Yuki? Smooth Operator: Flying in tomorrow, Mohammed made us stagger our flights for safety reasons.

The flight seems to last forever, but they eventually land in Geneva, and take a car to the house. ''Welcome home, Mr Verstappen and Mr Leclerc.'' Their driver says as they drive to the house. Max and Julia moved over summer into a proper house near Lake Geneva, with loads of room for them and the babies. Lando was devastated to be losing his big brother and sister as neighbours. In all, the drive is quick, and they head inside. Security buzz them in, Mohammed insisted on that too, no harm shall come to the First Family of F1. ''Steffi, how is she?'' Charles asks his sister's best friend. Stefanie assures them both. ''She's doing well, come and see her.'' They go through to the living room, Juliette looks almost ethereal, dressed in soft white clothes, reading a book by the window. ''Hello, schatje.'' Max kneels down to kiss her lips, Juliette directs his hand to her belly. ''Hello, mon vainqueur.''

Charles kisses his sister's forehead. ''Excited, papillon?'' Juliette nods, her face serene amidst the storm. ''Yeah, I am. Can't wait to see who these two look like.''

Max says. ''Our princess will have her maman's ethereal beauty, I know that for sure.''

Juliette says, voice soft with love. ''Our prince will have his papa's Dutch handsome genes, gorgeous eyes and all.'' The rest pour in, and are astonished at how unchanged Julia is, by her face, you'd never guess she was carrying two babies. She's nearly saint-like in expression. Stefanie says to Mick. ''I have no idea how she's been staying this calm, if I was nine months pregnant, I'd be all over the place.''

Mick laughs. ''I guess she's just happy to be having babies with her soulmate.''

Oscar asks, pressing his luck. ''Who are their godparents, guys?'' Max smiles, and reminds him. ''We told you, Osc, we aren't having godparents. You're all their godparents.''

Lando braves asking. ''It's me, right?''

Juliette chuckles, and returns to her reading. ''Nice try, Lan.'' Lando faux sulks. ''Worth a try.''

The family cook dinner, and sit around the living room eating. Juliette puts the race highlights on, Sassy curled up on her lap, Jimmy on Max's shoulder. Luna curls up at her mother's feet. On screen, Max crosses the finish line a full fifteen seconds ahead of Charles in second, and seventeen seconds ahead of Carlos in third. ''That was number four, yeah?'' Juliette asks.

Max nods, and says. ''Your husband is a four-time world champion.'' Juliette says to her husband. ''Good, I'm proud of you.'' Max leans over to kiss her lips. ''That's the goal, schatje.''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of slow, but edgy, days pass. Juliette is still very much the serene and saint-like mother-to-be, and no one knows how the hell she's been able to keep so calm. Max is also unusually chilled out, he's days away from having twins, he's tied Sebastian, and he's inherited his wife's serenity. Stefanie, Charles, Alexandra, and Mick are using the guest rooms. Juliette watches Mick help with breakfast on the last morning before her due date. He looks so much like his dad. He's making easy conversation with Stefanie, which she tries to ignore. ''You alright, liefje?'' Max asks her, handing her some tea. Juliette nods, and says to her husband. ''I think Steffi and Mick like each other.''

Max chuckles, and kisses her head. ''That'd be nice, have your best friend in the paddock with us more often.''

Alex asks her sister-in-law. ''Julia, can I ask you something?'' Juliette digs into her breakfast, feeling the twins shift inside her. ''Yeah, of course.''

Alex asks. ''How are you being so calm through all this? I admire you for it, but still, you're having twins!'' Juliette laughs, and sips her tea, she says. ''I don't know, Alex, it's just... happened. You'll understand when it's your turn.''

Charles' eyes bug out of his head. ''One pregnancy at a time, please!'' They finish breakfast, and relax with some race highlights in the living room. Juliette feels something painful within herself, she puts her hand on her belly, Max asks her. ''Is it time, love?''

Juliette rides what she now knows to be a contraction. ''I think so, darling.'' He helps her up from the sofa, into her shoes, and into her beloved Renault. Stefanie loads their bags in, and kisses her best friend's cheek. ''We'll be over once you've had them.''

Max says, buckling up. ''Take care of the cats and Luna.'' They drive down to the hospital, they check in, and Max wheels his wife to their room. Max gets her settled in, and lovingly braids her hair as Victoria showed him. ''We're doing this, amour, this is actually happening.'' Juliette says.

Max kisses her, taking her mind off of the contractions. ''We're doing this.''

The doctors come in to give her the epidural, and get her hooked up to the machines. The main doctor, a kind looking man in his early fifties, surveys her. ''Mon dieu, Mrs Verstappen, were you aware you're already five centimeters dilated? And that your waters have broken?'' Juliette and Max just laugh, she says, not surprised in the slightest. ''No, but it wouldn't surprise me.''

Nurse Adella asks, taking notes. ''Oh? How come?''

Max says, already proud of his children. ''We're Verstappens, speed is in our blood.''

Doctor Beliveau laughs. ''True enough, sir.'' The medical team keep on with their checks, and leave her to relax. This could be a couple of hours yet, so they'll need to be patient. Max updates the family in the group chat while his wife reads.

SuperMax: Well, it's happening, they're coming. Five cm dilated, should be later this afternoon. SchumiJr: We're getting the house tidied, give Jewel our love. Smooth Operator: God, this feels real now, they're really coming. LogieBear: Keep us posted. HoneyBadger: Daniel and Daniella are finally on their way!! SuperMax: We're not naming them after you, Danny. Lando Yeswins: What are you naming them, then? SuperMax: That's a secret.

The doctor comes back to check her over after a couple of hours, and says. ''That's nine centimeters, Mrs Verstappen. Shouldn't be long, how do you feel?''

Juliette says. ''Strangely not too bad, more excited than anything else.''

Max asks. ''How much longer?''

Dr Beliveau says. ''Thirty minutes to an hour at most.'' He adds the notes to her file, and goes to consult with the rest of the medical team. Juliette shifts in the bed, and says to Max. ''Wonder if any of them are on the way down.''

Max sits on the bed next to her. ''Charles and Alexandra will be, so will Arthur, Enzo, and your mum.'' He kisses her forehead, and muses to her. ''Which do you think is coming first? Our son or daughter?'' Juliette laughs. ''Well, if our son is anything like his papa, he'll be the first one out.''

They get their answer pretty soon, Dr Beliveau noticing one of the twins crowning. Juliette is given the orders to begin pushing. Max holds her tight, counting her in. ''Just a few more, Julia.'' Max promises her. She bears down, bottoms out, and hears soft crying. ''Which one?''

Dr Beliveau says. ''A very healthy baby boy, Mr and Mrs Verstappen.'' Their son is cleaned, and checked, before being placed on his mother's chest. ''Bonjour, mon chou.'' Juliette says. Max leans down to kiss his son. ''Hello, little man.'' She's able to kiss and feed him, and hand him over to Max before the second part begins. This one is easier, Max places their son in his crib, and holds her close. ''One more push, Mrs Verstappen.'' The doctor says, Juliette bears down, giving one last push, and feels the release. ''A very healthy baby girl, Mr and Mrs Verstappen.'' After she's cleaned and checked, she's given to her mother for a feed. ''Bonjour aussi, mon fleur.'' Juliette says to their daughter, kissing her on the head. Max, holding their son, kisses their daughter, and says. ''Hello, princess.''

Juliette says, drying her eyes. ''They're here, Max! We're The Verstappens!''

Max leans over to kiss her on the lips. ''We're the Verstappens.'' He says to the twins. ''Your maman is a CEO and a scary good artist.'' Juliette adds. ''And your papa is the best driver ever.'' After Juliette is tended to. The nurses get a photo, and the couple sign the birth certificates. Then, it's rest and recovery time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, the family begin visiting. Max is holding their daughter when Charles and Alexandra stop in. Juliette is fawning over their son. Charles is in awe of his sister and brother-in-law. The anxiety riddled Juliette is dead, Max killed her, and the twins buried her. Max, not one week off of winning the world championship, is now in full dad-mode. ''Hi, papillon.''

Juliette beams, still radiating serenity. ''Hi, Charlie.'' She goes back to fawning over the boy. Max looks up from their daughter. ''Hi, guys.'' Alexandra sits down by the window. ''Hi, how is everyone?'' Juliette says, speaking softly. ''We're all okay, a bit tired, but these two are worth it.''

Charles asks. ''What are their names going to be? Surely not Daniel and Daniella?''

Max chuckles. ''No, God, no. Typical Daniel to suggest it, though. Our son is; Emilian Victor Verstappen.''

Juliette adds. ''Our daughter is; Estelle Grace Verstappen.'' Alexandra gushes, with a beaming smile for her sister and brother. ''Emilian and Estelle, such perfect names!''

Charles asks his sister. ''Grace, like Princess Grace? And Victor because his dad's a champion?''

Juliette happily nods. ''Yeah, cool, huh?'' Max moves over to sit on the bed with his wife. ''We couldn't use Sophie for our daughter, Vicky already called her daughter that.'' He explains. Juliette adds, breaking off some chocolate for herself. ''And, we're saving Herve, Anthoine, and Jules for you.''

Max finishes off. ''Emilian and Estelle was a given, though.'' Charles and Alexandra update them both on happenings in the outside world. Then, head home to give the new family space.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max and Juliette are allowed to bring the twins home the following day, They load up the car, and get going home. Max drives them up the road to their new fancy lakeside home where they're going to grow up together. Juliette softly jokes from the back of the car. ''No heroics into Sainte Devote, mon vainqueur.''

Max chuckles, keeping his eyes on the road. ''Got it, schatje.'' In time, they arrive home. Max grabs Emilian's car seat, and helps Juliette out of the car, she grabs Estelle's car seat, and they head inside. There's an afternoon tea set up for them in the living room. ''Welcome home, guys.'' Lando says.

Juliette smiles, hugging her friend with her free arm. ''Thanks, Lan.'' She goes to sit down on the sofa, taking tiny Estelle out of her carseat. Max does the same with Emilian. ''There they are! They're gorgeous, guys.'' Oscar gushes.

Alex nods, taking Julia's armchair. ''You two have made two beautiful babies.''

Daniel asks, putting some food and tea in front of them. ''Did you take my name suggestions?'' Juliette occupies herself with a lion cupcake, letting her husband handle this one. ''No, Danny, sorry. This is Emilian, and Julia is holding Estelle.'' Max says.

Lily says, beaming ear to ear. ''Such perfect names. What are their middle names?''

Juliette says. ''Victor and Grace.''

Max says to Checo. ''Checo, we know your younger son is called Emilio, and we hope you don't feel offended by us using a similar name.''

Checo assures the younger Red Bull couple. ''They're cousins, Max, I think they'll be happy to have similar names. Besides, Emilian is your middle name, no?'' Juliette drinks some of her tea, and smiles at her husband's teammate. ''That's what I said back in July, thank you, Checo.''

Lorenzo sits on the arm of the sofa next to his little sister, though she's not so little anymore, owning a business, married to her soulmate, and now a mother of twins. ''Papa would be so proud of you, papillon. As am I.''

Juliette smiles up at her oldest brother. ''I'd hope so, Enzo, I saved his name for Charles.''

That night, after a feed for each of them, the couple finally get to put their little ones down for their first night at home. They head to bed themselves, Max says. ''I have no idea what to do about Vegas.'' Juliette says. ''I think you should go, Max. Remember, I designed your suit and helmet? I'd hate to see those designs go to waste.'' Max asks his wife. ''What about you and the twins?''

Juliette says. ''My maman said she'd help us if we needed her, I'll call her in.'' She adds. ''Besides, you'll be gone three days, I'm sure someone can handle your media duties.'' They kiss, exhausted in all the best ways, and fall asleep together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

maxverstappen1:

liked by JuliaVerstappen, charles_leclerc, redbullracing, and 1.2 million others.

maxverstappen1: How it started -> how it's going. In four years, I've gained everything I could ever dream of in life. Four world championships, the best wife and partner in this world, and two amazing children. Julia, schatje, my love for you grows everyday. And, to Emilian and Estelle, I will love you forever.

Replies:

JuliaVerstappen: I love you too, mon vainqueur, so do our little ones. I've been yours since I can remember, and will be yours for eternity.

liked by maxverstappen1

F1: Congrats to our world champ and his wonderful wife on the birth of their twins, Emilian and Estelle Verstappen. Can't wait to see them in the paddock next year!

charles_leclerc: I could not be prouder to call you my brother right now, Max. For all the on track battles, you are my brother, and nothing will ever change that.

maxverstappen1: Thank you, Charles, these two are so lucky to have their uncle Charlie in their life.

landonorris: No one deserves this like you two do, Max! Enjoy this!

redbullracing: Sending all our love from both Spielberg and Milton Keynes to the Verstappen family.

fernandoalo: I've seen you grow up, Max, and I am so proud of you for the man you've become, those two are so lucky to be yours.

maxverstappen1: Thank you, Nando, that means the world to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JuliaVerstappen

liked by: maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc, StefanieJoubert, and 500k others.

JuliaVerstappen: The two artists with their most beautiful creations. With all life has thrown at me, I never dared to dream I'd be here. With a job I love, the greatest husband and partner in the universe, and our two little babies. Max, mon amour, I've loved you since I knew what love meant. Emilian, Estelle, I'm so proud to be your maman already.

Replies:

maxverstappen1: I love you, Julia, I'm your man now and always. Our cubs love you too, and I hope you never doubt that.

JuliaVerstappen: Can't wait to raise our family together.

VitaLuxuria: Congrats to our Co-CEO and her lovely husband on the birth of their twins, the shop may feel a bit empty without you, Juliette, but these two are the best reasons for that.

danielricciardo: Love Emilian's little judgy face already!

JuliaVerstappen: Like father, like son!!

charles_leclerc: I am so incredibly proud of the woman you've become, papillon, you've handled this like a saint. Enzo, Artie, and I are so proud to be your brothers.

liked by JuliaVerstappen.

StefanieJoubert: From the shy little girls who found each other, to best friends, to CEOs, and now you are a mother to the cutest babies ever!

JuliaVerstappen: And, you are an auntie to said babies!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Friends, to Lovers, to Soulmates - The Max and Juliette Story. By: David Coulthard.

It was an overcast day in Hasselt, Belgium. And, thirteen year old prodigy Max Verstappen was on pole for the kart race, eternal childhood rival Charles Leclerc was in p2. Just another saturday, right? However, it was this weekend that would change everything for young Max. He had just met Leclerc's younger sister, eleven year old Juliette. According to the couple, they ''Just immediately hit it off''. Thus, beginning F1's modern love story.

Flash forwards to Spain 2016, Verstappen has just made history, becoming the youngest race winner in history. Who's the first person he finds in the adoring crowds from atop the podium? His now sixteen year old friend. According to the couple, this was when they fell in love with each other. Juliette Leclerc, as she was then, was in Ferrari red that day, a rare sight nowadays in the paddock. ''My allegiances have shifted, true, but I will always support both teams. There's enough of me to go around.'' Juliette said to me at Zandvoort in 2022, with a hearty laugh. To be sure, she still wears red in Italy, and 'the lucky orange dress' she made herself for Zandvoort. It would take a few more years for things to come full circle, with the couple finally getting together sometime in 2020.

Max is quick to call a spade a spade, crediting his wife with his win in 2021. ''She was there, you know? When I won, when I lost, when I needed inspiration, or someone to talk to. I could not have done this without her.'' Juliette is an ever present supporter for her husband, even at races she's not at - too busy running her ethical fashion brand Vita Luxuria. Max, for his part, is the blood in his wife's work. ''Max inspires me, I've loved art my whole life, and he woke my creativity up. He's a wonderful sounding board.'' Max is never shy about boasting of his wife's talents, often posting about her art and design on his instagram.

They've never had it easy, Max coming from a... difficult upbringing. Juliette surviving an abusive relationship a mere year before getting together with Max. But, they tied the knot during summer break of 2023, and haven't looked back since. Then, in february 2024, came the announcement of Juliette's first pregnancy, not even a year into their fairytale marriage.

This month has been massive for the couple. 27 year old Max becoming a four time champion in Brazil, and, four days later, 25 year old Juliette delivering their twins. Emilian and Estelle Verstappen being the products of what is arguably F1's great modern love story. But, according to the couple themselves; ''This is just life, we never expected to be here, and we are just happy to have found each other when we did.'' For them, they're Max and Juliette. Not some great love story, nor are they the 'king and queen-consort of the paddock'. Just two people deeply in love.

Perhaps this is why they've garnered so many fans together? There's no act, no branding, no pretense at something they're not. Indeed, the sight of them entering the paddock, always hand in hand, immediately lights things up. But, you get the sense that they're just being themselves. Either way, ''the cubs'' as the couple call their twins, are in the perfect hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another marathon to finish! Glad I did, though, this one was being difficult.

[culttvblog]

Doomwatch: The Logicians

Spoiler warning: this blog post gives away the conclusion of the episode.

This post is heavily reliant on the much superior post about this episode on the Archive TV Musings blog which can be found here: https://archivetvmusings.blog/2016/05/08/doomwatch-the-logicians/

This episode of Doomwatch is a rollicking tale of public school life in the UK and is very much of the genre where the boys get out of hand and do things like make a nuclear reactor or riot, or something. I LOVE its depiction of the boys stealing a top secret formula from a pharmaceutical conpany where they're lucky enough to have had outings. I love the depiction of the boys planning this using a paper map in the dormitory. I love the way one of the boys gets trapped in the pharmaceutical company's office because the repeat visit on which he was supposed to have been rescued has been cancelled after the theft of the formula. Basically, this episode is the Famous Five force fed a handful of LSD and let loose on an unsuspecting world.

I am stressing the boys' school story aspect because honestly I think this is the best aspect of this show. Unusually for Doomwatch the ethical aspect in question is not to do with the stolen formula, which is for a newly discovered antibiotic, but is, as the title suggests, about the question of logic, which is where the intended theme of the show rather goes off the rails and makes it best to focus on the show as a rollicking school story.

The problem with the logic theme is this. I just cannot believe that the subject of youngsters taught supposedly in a completely logical, scientific way, would be as disturbing to Doomwatch or anyone else as it is supposed to be in the show. Obviously I may be biased since we live in a world where the lack of reason and logic has become epidemic and we could do with far more people operating with simple logic and unemotionally, in my opinion. In addition to the depiction of logic as more concerning than it would be, we also have the problem that the school is run far from logically. Even the boys themselves comment that there is literally nothing in the way of discipline or order, and beyond the computers in the classroom, the school comes across far more like the legendary Summerhill school. The episode also shoots itself in the foot by making out that the boys are being taught by computer, and yet has a scene where they are clearly being taught by a teacher and the computers are doing little more than a multimedia presentation. I must stress that these mammoth contradictions in the show do not mean I don't think you should watch it, it's great.

It turns out that the reason the boys have stolen the formula is for the utterly endearing one that they want the company to pay a ransom to get it back which they will then donate anonymously to the school, which they know has been struggling financially. This is a striking level of loyalty to the school, given that as far as I can see it's a complete shambles, even by the boys' own estimation.

I think this episode could have been improved by focussing on the way both the school and one of the boys' fathers have rather absented themselves from the role of a parent and instead expected the boys to discipline themselves and hand over the role of teacher to the computers. This would still have allowed the episode's focus on a concern about pure logic by contrasting the logic with the parental and teacher's role.

An excellent adventure, though, and one well worth watching.

This blog is mirrored at

culttvblog.tumblr.com/archive (from September 2023) and culttvblog.substack.com (from January 2023 and where you can subscribe by email)

Archives from 2013 to September 2023 may be found at culttvblog.blogspot.com and there is an index to the tags used on the Tumblr version at https://www.tumblr.com/culttvblog/729194158177370112/this-blog

[casspurrjoybell-24]

The Alpha's Beta - Chapter 17 - Part 1

BOOK ONE: The Alpha's Trilogy

*Warning Adult Content*

The Pack Holding Cells - Part 1

Beta Darren Phoenix

I didn't follow Silas as he ran off in wolf form.   

There was that small piece of me that wanted to follow behind him and I don't know, comfort him?

But the larger part of me said fuck it and I drove back to pack lands.   

I rolled my eyes at Edwin, the guard on gate, when he stopped my car.

Honestly if humans saw that they had a guard out here they would be suspicious.

Soon you'd have people lining up in the mountains to see UFO's because they think we're part of some government shit.  

Really the only thing the government does for us is lessen our land tax since technically we were here first.

I pulled into Jeremy's driveway and slammed the car door behind me.

My eyes turned into slits with I opened the door and saw Jeremy sitting on the couch with Max.

Both men had books in there hands.

That I could only assume were photo albums from the pictures scattered on the coffee table.   

"What is he doing here?" I asked as I stepped my foot on the first stair.    

"Max called last night. I invited him over this morning. Darren are you okay? You're not looking to good," Jeremy had a sound of mock

concern in his voice.

I just shrugged it off, waving my hand towards him as I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom.  

In there I stripped my clothes, not liking the feel of two day old clothes on my skin.

I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and fixed my hair before I left the room again.   

Checking the cell-phone from my pocket, I saw it was almost three.

They should just be finishing up combat and going for the run, I could make it just before group three if I took my time.   

I made my way downstairs again and went into the kitchen.

Jeremy and Max still sat on the couch laughing at something in the book in front of them.

I paid them no mind as I went to the fridge to get milk for Kraft Dinner.   

"I can remember Roddy making Marsh and Sam jump into the lake not far from here in the dead of winter. What was it called? No man's land?" Max asked.

I tried to ignore them but knowing the lake they were talking about and knowing it was named after Marshall I couldn't help but poke my nose into it.   

"Back then it was No Man's Land. Couple years after the accident Rodrick changed it to Lake Marshall sense he liked spending his time there. Shame they're all gone now. Julie would love to meet Scott and Declan," Jeremy said.

They both fell silent after that.   

After I was done eating I stepped into the living room to see both men watching T.V.  

"Don't you have a mate to go to or something?" I asked Max who eyes didn't leave the T.V.

"Scott took Declan for a father/son day. So I'm a free man tell.." he ripped his eyes from the T.V. and looked at his watch before looking back.

"At least five. He said he was bringing home dinner so I don't have to cook 'em anything."   

I nodded before looking at Jeremy, he looked at peace with his old friend.

I'd almost expect him to be a blubbering mess on the floor reliving old memories.   

**********

I made my way out of the house and jogged towards the clearing.

I was close enough that I could hear people talking but I stopped when I saw Simon sitting by himself.   

Normally I wouldn't be overly worried, I mean the guys a loner anyways but he should be helping everyone with their training.

"What's up?" I asked him.

He was pulled into himself.

You could almost not see the black numbers on his purple shirt.

His light brown hair fell over his pale face.

His arms wrapped around his chest.   

"Nothing's up," he said as he looked up at me.

"I'm just tired. I woke up too early. this morning."

I could tell he way lying, Ellis already told me he and Tyler had handled the four am training group.

I sighed, cursing that gut feeling that made its way up my spine.

I sat beside him on the ground, leaning my back on the tree behind us.

"Come on, Simon. You can tell me. I got nobody here, to gossip to."  

"You have Silas."   

I rolled my eyes.

"He told me to fuck off and leave him alone. I don't really think he counts right now."

He looked down at his hands, like they would have all the answers to his questions.

"Its just. It's a lot of stress. Not just on Silas. I mean of course he's stressed out. He has to protect the whole pack. They're all counting on him but I'm stressed out too. People breaking into our houses. All the training, the idea of fighting scares the shit out of me. They're just so much to be thinking of and its stressful and scary and I don't want to lose him. I mean I know he's strong and he can handle himself but what if something goes wrong? What if he doesn't make it?

I sighed, I didn't want to tell him that he's brother wasn't going to die because I can't tell the future so I wouldn't know.

That also went for him living, I didn't know but the thought of him dying made my heart stop and my body go numb.

I pushed the feeling aside, not wanting to feel anything for him.   

"Look. He's strong. I don't see him going out without a fight. I also don't see him leaving you behind. So even if something happened out of our control. We have to remember he fought like hell and did everything he could."   

Simon only nodded his head, before getting up and running a hand through his hair.

"I think I'm done for the day. I'll see ya' later Darren," and with that, he walked off.

[sixstepsaway]

Im having a lot of fun thinking about how Izzy is open with his thoughts to Ed, but Ed doesn't reciprocate, and then Ed is open with his thoughts to Stede who ALSO doesn't reciprocate and how this is what fucks up both their relationships. If either of these relationships was more secure they'd have avoided so much trouble we wouldn't have the story, which is why they aren't secure. They're all a mess!

Very fun to ship steddyhands and think about closing this circle. Stede being open with Izzy while on the outs with Ed and Izzy not sharing absolutely anything bc after the finale he doesn't trust anyone anymore much less Stede.

Fuuuuuuuuck yes.

I know that logically the show is not going down a Steddyhands or Blackhands route. I know that. We're not going to get that. I doubt we'll even be indulged in getting some Blackhands love triangle content or, like, flashbacks or a chunk of time where it is canon before we get endgame Blackbonnet (and, honestly, after what Ed did to Izzy in 1x10, any post-s1 canon Blackhands would need a lot of work to make go without it being deeply concerning).

But the more I analyze what the show gives us and how the characters act right now (and I acknowledge that growth could easily nullify a lot of this? Characters developing is important, and that's how we'll get our Blackbonnet endgame and it'll be good, but) I can't see a lot of ways for Blackbonnet to end up together in a good place without the inclusion of Izzy.

Ed and Stede have, up until this point, seen each other through rose-tinted glasses, to the point Ed didn't give a fuck Stede had left his family, and Stede didn't give a fuck Ed had killed a bunch of people including his own father.

Now Stede is going to have to see Ed as someone who tried to kill seven of the nine people Stede cares about most (seven of eleven, if we say Stede also cares for Ivan and Fang now, which I like to think he does) and willingly maimed his most loyal companion.

Ed is going to have to see Stede as someone who ran away and abandoned him and clearly has a habit of doing this, and Ed being Special and someone Stede Actually Loves did not change that he did the same to Ed as he did to Mary. Mary having his children didn't change he did it to Mary, either. Nor did the fact he loves his kids stop him doing it to them. Loving them does not stop Stede running away from that person like his ass is on fire. Nor does any semblance of commitment (marriage and children).

This relationship will, because of this, need a lot of work, and most of that work is going to require communication. Ed will need to talk about why he did what he did (Izzy's words, how he was feeling etc) and Stede will have to talk about why he did what he did (ruined Blackbeard, the guilt over leaving Mary and the kids that he's been carrying this whole time, probably a splattering of maybe not gay panic (he didn't seem to be panicking he was kissing a man) but definitely a bit of kissing someone I am not married to while I still technically have a wife panic, especially considering he was not super thrilled Mary was sleeping with Doug, even after he fucked off on her).

Closing that loop with Steddyhands is galaxy brain because Stede is open to hearing whatever people want to say about and to him, unlike Edward "You know we speak our minds on this ship until you say something I don't like and then I call you a dog and chokeslam you" Teach, and Stede is also a lot less reserved around Izzy in so far as he's willing to seem like a complete cunt when talking to Izzy ("oh it's you" "iGGy" "tell your boss he can suck eggs in hell!"), whereas he seems to rein his more abrasive sides in around Ed, and the most bitchy he really gets is that sideways comment of, "In hindsight I kinda shoulda known," about Jack being mutinied on and his, "Ed, do you know this guy, he's a real dick!", but that could be assumed by Ed to be Stede pretending to be Blackbeard (which, I do not think he was. Ed embodied Stede, but Stede just chilled in his clothes and remained being Stede).

(Relatedly: I find it very funny that the thing Ed was most fascinated by and attracted to in regards to Stede early on is that Stede told him to go suck eggs in hell, but really Stede was saying that to Izzy, it's Izzy's face he snarled those words into, about some boss he had never met and had no desire to meet, and it was Izzy he was calling Iggy and telling to fuck off. I imagine if Stede had told Ed to go suck eggs in hell to his face, Ed would've come in his pants on the spot, and I also imagine that if Ed found out/realized Stede was actually mostly saying that to Izzy, he'd be utterly baffled that Izzy hated Stede rather than wanting him for himself, idk.)

It's especially fascinating to imagine closing the loop with Stede actually letting himself be bitchy and a bit abrasive around Ed, because judging by the fact Ed readily lets Izzy be abrasive as fuck and rude as hell to him and all he does is pull these faces:

the first of which is downright fond

the second is "you called him a ponce, do you really think he's gay? i'm hoping he's gay"

and this one which is my personal favorite because it's just "idk where those fingers have been, iz" and his eyes sweep back and forth between each finger like "are you going to jam these up my nose next" it's so funny, i love this scene so much it lives rent free in my brain it really does

and after izzy storms off to grab stede he just does this

and it just reads like "hm, we were overdue a shitfit weren't we mate but the fingers were surprising"

(also, related to the conversation about timelines in another meta, though idk if i'd call this post a meta per se, i noticed that stede's bruise from the hanging goes right up under his chin, so the cravat definitely isn't covering it up in 1x05, it's just gone, and presumably completely healed

six weeks my ass)

anyway, Ed's expression when Izzy does his lil tizzy at him tells me that this is something that Izzy does. he broods and eventually blows up and tells Ed how he's feeling and he's mean and grumpy and Ed often finds him being a lil bitch to the crew or to hostages or whatever and it's just. normal.

and that also implies, since Ed kept him around, that Ed likes that about him.

in fact i think the fact that when izzy starts his tirade Ed is just like "*points* that's blackbeard" kind of proves it's something he finds more down the realm of playful than offensive, and actually izzy even smiles a little when he says that, like he's finding it amusing and he'd be playing if the situation wasn't so god damn dire and they werent all probably about to die and if they hadnt lost a bunch of their guys to this

(and i mean, this could be that con struggled to keep a straight face after either something taika did between takes or just the way taika delivered the line "I'm Stede, remember?" but I prefer Watsonian analysis of scenes that make it into the show for my metas)

So, conclusions: Ed finds Izzy's temper and abrasive attitude and temper very endearing and downright amusing. Izzy enjoys the way Ed plays with him (because he's Ed's to play with) and this scene might have gone differently if Ed wasn't actively not-really-leading them into their deaths.

We don't have any canon confirmation of whether Izzy and Ed were ever in any kind of relationship before, if they've ever been sexually intimate etc. All we know is David Jenkins says Izzy is in love with Ed, and that when Ed slammed Izzy into the wall, Izzy reached out to cup his cheek and say, "There you are."

I don't, for the record, think they've ever fucked or even kissed in the past. I do, however, think they've been surprisingly intimate, judging by the way Izzy felt comfortable cupping his cheek, and we already know that Edward's fucked Jack--

(and I know some people think maybe Jack was lying to rile Stede up, but I don't think he was. Ed and Jack are very handsy with one another, they sit very close together, they have excellent chemistry when they're fucking around together. Jack's an ass, but Ed talks at length about how he saved Ed's life in the past and how Jack is his old friend, and they talk about serving together under Hornigold in a way that makes me think they spent a lot of time in close quarters. However, I do think Jack probably fucked Ed because there was no one else around to fuck and they wouldn't make berth somewhere with prostitutes any time soon so he might as well pretend Ed's a girl, whereas Ed fucked Jack because he was hot and he'd saved his life and he wanted to because he's into men. Which is two very different vibes, and if Ed's used to that kind of treatment (him liking a guy sexually or romantically or intimately, and the guy being his bud but either not being gay/bi/etc or simply refusing to admit he might be so putting it down to "it doesn't count at sea"), then it makes sense he wouldn't really feel comfortable leaning into any relationships with anyone, even Izzy and Stede (who he didn't admit to feelings for until 1x09 because it was the first time he thought maybe, if he was lucky, Stede might be feeling the same?) and so for him it's just sex and maybe he wouldn't want to go there with Izzy because being cast off like that by Izzy would just be far, far too much?)

--and the way he flirts with Stede is a guy who knows how to get other guys into bed when he wants to (when they're not oblivious blondes and sporting fine fabrics), so he clearly has experience etc, and I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility that he's attracted to Izzy, and that Izzy's attitude and personality is, actually, something Ed is and has always been into (which would also make the intimacy of the toe scene even more chilling but let's not go too deep about that here).

To dig into the idea of that further, it wouldn't surprise me if the "Izzy, I want you to handle this yourself," "Oh, Edward, can't I just send the boys? 🥺" and the "you are an insane shell of a man posing as blackbeard!" "😏 i'm not blackbeard, he is. I'm stede, remember~?" could actually be their idea of flirting, something they've always done. Except, as I've said up there already, Izzy was genuinely riled up because Ed had sacrificed multiple of their crew to this insanity and was highly likely about to get everyone killed by the Spanish, so although the flirting was familiar and slightly pleasant, it couldn't continue.

Which brings us back to the actual topic at hand, which is that if Ed is into the guy who told Blackbeard to go suck eggs in hell, and Ed is into Izzy's attitude, it stands to reason that if Stede actually let his bitchy side out around Ed and where Ed can see it, and actually allowed the guy to see him be "go suck eggs in hell"!Stede, Ed would be fucking losing his shit over how into Stede he is.

(There's a lot of chemistry between Ed and Stede, but in season 1 it's very sweet and gentle? I love Blackbonnet, but there's not a lot of crackle between them. I don't feel like they'll be ripping each other's clothes off in desperation, which is something I'd really like to see lmao. It's sweet, it's a cute first love that feels like it's between thirteen year olds, which makes sense because they're both experiencing love for the first time! Again, this isn't a bad thing, and I like it as an establishing moment for them, but they are grown men, and Ed has been flirting his ass off with Stede since the moment he met him trying to get that man to fuck him, and I hope that in season 2 the tension between them from Ed going Kraken and trying to kill Stede's crew, and Stede having bailed off on him, will allow in a sort of almost-lovers-to-adversaries-to-lovers pipeline that'll let them be crackly and show a physical and sexual side of their excellent chemistry.)

But Stede doesn't want to let Ed see that side of him because I imagine it never went down very well with Mary or the rest of the society he was meant to be a part of. Stede literally had two modes at the party, one was "tries to fit in, fails horribly" and the other was "goes full bitch and everything burns because of it", so I don't think his full bitch mode went well in the years before he met Ed, and also Ed was completely enamored with Stede just from knowing he 'passive aggression'-d the party guests into self-immolation.

So, I just imagine Izzy getting in a tizzy and he's yelling at Stede and Stede just lets rip and bitches right back, and Ed is looking between the two of them like "what." and afterwards, when Stede has established Ed was very turned on by him being an abrasive shit, he's just like, "You like it when I... act like Izzy?"

and the bottom falls out of Ed's entire world

Because I mean, yeah? You're telling me that Izzy wouldn't tell some pompous pirate who thinks he owns the place to tell his boss to go suck eggs in hell if some dude came along to demand Izzy go to his boss's ship? He absolutely would!

So then you have Stede realizing it's actually okay to not spend his entire life trying to be Sweet and Kind and Caring and Placid and Even-Tempered and Nice, that there's more to him than being nice.

And I would argue that a big downfall of Stede on that beach with Ed is that he thinks he has to be nice all the god damn time. You rewatch that scene as Ed is gushing about running away to China and how he'll go get a dinghy and they'll go and they'll be together. Stede's holding himself really tiny, almost childlike actually, and he's quiet and distracted and the best he can offer Ed in return to the idea of China is, "I think so?"

and to me that reads as someone who is not comfortable being honest about what he wants, needs and feels. Which ties right back in to your message in this ask about how Stede isn't honest with Ed, because it's true. I don't think it's Ed's fault Stede doesn't feel comfortable being honest about how he's feeling, mind, I think Stede is just... very used to being carried away by the currents? The biggest thing he ever did that wasn't that is something that hurt his family and nearly got him and half his crew killed (running away). In the flashbacks when he offers his hope of running away to sea up to Mary and she gets upset with him, his instinct is, "I'll get it stopped," and he may not have actually done that, but he said what he thought she wanted to hear, which was that he'd give that idea up.

Stede said he'd run away to China with Ed because he didn't feel comfortable admitting he didn't want that. Stede wants to be a pirate! He doesn't want to give the life up, he only just got the life he's been dreaming of and how he feels about Ed doesn't change that. More than that, he was already feeling fucked up over hurting so many people, including his family, and he already was thinking he should probably go home and try and fix the damage he caused. He loves Ed, I truly believe that, but he didn't want to run away to China. He wanted to sit on that beach with Ed for a while longer, then escape Privateering Academy and go back to the Revenge, or maybe go back to Barbados and fix his mistakes. He didn't want to go to China but he said he would anyway.

He's not dishonest, he doesn't seem to lie to Ed (or anyone, I've talked about this before), but he does put on a placid smile and stay nice and try not to hurt people with his words, probably because he's been hurt by words so much in his life, he doesn't want to perpetuate that further, and because he was raised to be placid and nice. His "I think so?" is probably him trying so fucking hard to be honest, but instead of his doubts coming out, all he manages is, "I think so?"

So Stede should be able to learn to not always be nice all the time, and then you have Ed realizing that ah, shit, he is into abrasiveness which, ah, is Izzy's calling card, and Izzy still just blinking because Stede met his fire and anger with his own (which must be quite something considering how rough Izzy can get, you tell me he wasn't getting a bit of something sizzly out of his encounters with Stede in 1x02 and 1x03. The way he growls out, "It's Izzy," is just. Mwah.) and that was kinda hot too.

and then there's just; communication time. Because Stede might not feel comfortable telling Ed what he's feeling, but he might just yell it at Izzy, who will happily also yell back, and yell his feelings at Ed, who often tells Stede his feelings.

So yes, that's quite a closed loop and I am into it anon. And also the way you framed it as Stede being on the outs with Ed and letting Izzy in because of it.

But also:

Izzy not sharing absolutely anything bc after the finale he doesn't trust anyone anymore much less Stede.

mm, yes, good soup. Someone in the tags of one of my posts said if they were Izzy they'd never speak again and that really stuck with me.

This response turned a bit rambly, I apologize for that, I just got talking I guess 😂

[dailytatsu]

Hello! I saw request were open so i was wondering if i could request some headcanons of the Archons and/or the Adepti meeting a God reader who is the God of Chaos and destruction. The reader is not a Archon tho and travels all over Teyvat cuz small bits of destruction were ever they go. They're pretty mischievous and somewhat smug but despite how they act they're actually a good person. They dont mean to cause problems(most of the time anyways) chaos follows them were ever they go. Idk if you have a character limit but if you do please tell me so i wont make a mistake again. And if there is you can just do Zhongli and Xiao. Optionally could you make them a dendro user, there not a lot of dendro content and if not thats fine. I understand. Could you make the reader Gn or Non-binary they/them pronouns please? If not male reader is totally fine. Im so sorry for the long post and I hope you have a good day/night!

Ohmy, it’s my first time just writing headcanons! I’m use to write a lot, so let’s hope I did it right (^ ^' )7

Thanks for the request! ✨

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[HC] God of Chaos! Reader and the Archons + Xiao

Characters: Zhongli, Xiao, Venti, Shogun Raiden (Ei).

Gn! Reader

I tried doing it with everyone but I’m no still that confident to try writing with some characters ＿|￣|○

Sorry for any mistakes!

Request are open!

Genshin Masterlist

Second part ->

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VENTI

To be honest, he didn't notice your presence at first. He had other concerns on his mind that day to perceive the chaotic (and slightly threatening) aura that Mondstadt was infected with that day.

Barbatos is a person of habit, so he couldn't help but be curious when the crowd in front of him began to look a little agitated instead of seeming to enjoy his lyre and his songs.

But then a series of domino events appeared in front of his very eyes.

The purity of the chaos was such that he felt overwhelmed, even without the white-haired boy around, if it wasn’t Bennett fault, then how was it possible for everything to be ruined in such a short time?

His patience ended when, out of nowhere, the strings of his lyre jumped close to his face as they snapped. Making that awful noise that couldn’t mean nothing good.

Okay, enough, who is messing around in here? No more joking in his nation!

He concentrated a little, a faint but unique presence kept his nerves on edge, as if he was being watched from afar. He moved away from the busy areas and then chased that ephemeral energy to the highest point of the church, where the bells were ringing in an irregular and stressful way.

Then he found you. Snoozing against one of the columns, somewhat tired because the trip you made to reach Mondstadt.

Surprisingly, Barbatos understood you since the first exchange of words. A god of chaos who was also a free spirit, you followed no rules ever written in Teyvat, and you had no plans to apologize for the mess you made.

Both of you were Zhongli’s worst nightmare, but that’s another story.

He managed to through your arrogance and your teasing nature that you, in fact, were a lonely spirit that liked to witness the life from above of everyone.

The difference between teasing someone accidentally and committing a crime was really visible, but he still couldn't help but feel like he should scold you after your mere presence messed up with the guild's baskets full of fish.

But hey! He also enjoy the company! Venti tried to teach you how to enjoy the calm and the whisper of wind, music can also contain chaos, feelings, old stories waiting to be told again, expressions and desire united, in a wonderful piece of-

As you yawned his lyre broke up again. Making clear the message.

Okay, not even God of Freedom and Wind can control chaos. Anyways, what a tragedy, but there’s nothing a simple bard can do, smh.

“Do you like kids, don’t you?” He said once, after a nice day of hearing him sing before your chaos reached his little concert. Again watching everyone from above on the hands of the statue, with your attention caught by some kids playing tag.

“… I don’t know what do you mean.” Once discovered you had no choice but to remain defensive, pretending to be disinterested.

“Heh, you aren’t a good liar.” It may not be the wisest thing to make fun of someone who could destroy the place where you were resting, but Venti was confident that he knew you well enough to know that you were not so explosive. “You know!, I just have some pieces, but I think it’s because they are little walking concentrations of pure and innocent chaos, am I wrong?”

He wasn’t, no at all. But you would never confess something that embarrassing.

This guy wrote a ballad about the days when Mondstadt got immerse with that strike of bad luck. Kind of an apology of not being able to handle the situation.

Now there’s the rumor that says that, every time somebody sings that song, something unlucky will happen in front of you.

The song is cursed.

One night when the moon was shining on the Cider Lake his well tuned ears distinguished a melody that was broken from time to time by the accidents of his performer, distracting him of his way to look for you.

It could be painful to listen to, but Venti could certainly feel the dedication of the one who was playing the imperfect song.

The ballad of the god of chaos, hummed like a lullaby that instead of making you sleep makes you question the events of the day. Wishing for the slightest thing to be different after an exhaustive week of peace and tranquility.

A lonely spirits cursing their existence, sitting in the highest point of a stranger’s palace, where you can reach the sky by only rising your hand.

The next day, Barbatos invited you to drink some wine, this time near Windrise to avoid accidents in the city.

As he almost dropped the bottle when a lot of slimes were attracted by your presence, he confirmed the theory about that the way to spend time with you would not be his personal definition of hanging out.

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ZHONGLI

Okay, there’s only two scenarios that could happened when you set a foot in Liyue.

Old man has a soft spot for you for being a relative young deity.

Or he’s always lecturing you for not having control of your aura and powers.

How u dare bringing chaos to the nation of order? It’s that a death wish?

Jokes aside, you’re not really a threat. And he could sense that after he saw how you tried to avoid having direct contact with the city. Rex Lapis found your silhouette jumping and crossing through the mountains until reaching the fairest point that allowed you to enjoy the view of the streets that were filled with life and light as the sunsets.

He even noticed how you sighed in frustration when a storm started out of nowhere. A rain dedicated just for the arriving of the God of Chaos. Not even bothering of getting shield, you stayed in your place to look at all the people who were getting back to their places.

The rain seemed to stop over your head, for a second was enough to stop you from being cruelly swamped by the very weather you had created. An elegant umbrella covered you, the long awaited surprise you expected from someone as outdated as Morax.

You looked up, and found his expression calm and attentive, watching you. As if he had made a great discovery that he could not believe

“May I have a moment of your time to keep you company? Letting out your sorrows in the middle of a torrential storm is not what I would recommend as way to spend a good day.”

“… What are you talking about? Get in your own business, old man.”

“Well, you should know that a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.”

Next time you knew was that he was helping you to dry your hair with a towel once you let him guide you to his place.

Zhongli picked you up like a abandoned cat that day. Even if having you near meant to deal with new the roof leaks.

Also kept you away from Hu Tao, if you two ever get along for being partners in crime he would seal himself underground-

For all the time you spend exploring Liyue, there he was. Like a little kid showing his treasures. But also like a worried father looking after his child for them not to stumble making their first steps.

Look at you! Almost crushing those Treasure Hoarders when a bunch of rocks fell down after you jumped at the edge of the cliff.

Wait, no- come back here! You should verify the surroundings and be aware of the weight of your power if you’re going to explore in that bold way. You, chaotic brat.

Another one who believed fervently that your mood was to blame for the constant chaos you caused. He also tried to show you the wonders of peace and calm, teaching you how to prepare tea while listening to the storyteller (also both being a little far away from the rest of them, just in case).

He couldn’t help but sigh when the teapot arm broke as soon as you tried to serve the tea. What a waste, he thought.

You apologized to him, kind of stressed with yourself after you took all the pieces with your bare hands to run away with them. Leaving a confused Zhongli behind.

Next day you were back, with the teapot repaired and just like new.

He let out a lot of thankful words, some flattering and a lot more cheesy things that you never had received before.

With that unexpected affection you couldn’t help but react flustered; then a cat that was chasing a bird jumped through a lot of decorations and merchandise, almost starting a fire as the chained events kept going.

Yeah,, uh, Zhongli got some useful mental notes about you and your chaos that day.

Hey, before you go, want to make a contract? You won’t regret it!

But as the wandering spirit you were you had no problems in reject his offer, but also promising that you would visit Liyue if he wanted you to.

Of course he wanted! But.. maybe next time you should stay in Huaguang Stone Forest instead of roaming near the city,,

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XIAO

Tried to kill you.

I mean, your aura is threatening and full of a destructive energy, how is possible that you weren’t a demon to eradicate??

Sorry, but he had a point.

Your first met was on your way to reach Huaguang Stone Forest along with Zhongli for introduce you with the Adeptus.

Xiao, in the other side, thought that you were about to attack Morax from behind, so he just struck against you. With his polearm near to go through your chest, just stopped because you felt him before.

Lifting your hand at his direction, summoning chaos, this time, on purpose. The wind gained a wrathful nature and the biggest roots that were hiding under his feet rose to caught him.

And when you were about to hit each other Zhongli’s shield appeared just in time to separate both of you. Preventing a real catastrophic event.

Now stop fighting and introduce to each other.

Nice(n’t) to meet u.

What if you tried to awake Azhdaha to bring chaos and destruction to Liyue? What if you wanted to summoned Osial? What if… ?

Zhongli had to confirm and promise to him that those cruel possibilities won’t be a near future for respecting the real reason of your travel.

No matter if he wasn’t comfortable with your presence, it wasn’t his decision to allow you to roam freely, so he had to get use to it.

He immediately knew after hearing about your nature that was your fault that lately there were a lot more demons and monsters. Even his karma was getting more painful than usual.

(If you ever meet Hu Tao, please think twice before doing Xiao a prank)

You both didn’t interact a lot, and being honest, it was better that way.

He hadn’t a single intention of talking with you again until the day you were practicing the song that your Anemo friend taught you. By the other hand, Xiao noticed that the melody had the same nature as the one he once heard before being consumed by the karma.

It wasn’t a flute, but a worn lyre that was still in one piece after weeks of being repaired again and again.

“That song… ”

“Do you know it?” Xiao just nodded, staying in silence, being your very first audience even if you still have a lot to learn about playing a lyre.

It wasn’t as effective as the original, but was still… nice, kind of nostalgic.

Next morning, the Yaksha called for you. Made you stay still in the middle of a plain and then he disappeared of your sight.

He abandoned y- wait, what’s that? Why those monsters has that weird dark aura?

You were about to defend yourself until Xiao appeared back just in time to defeat them.

That day you became his personal bait for demons and monsters. Naturally you attracted chaos, so anyway you were, there will be also something to fight.

I guess this is your way to pay for all the troubles you made for him and his duty, so no complaining about it.

If you ask for a unexpected experience to Ganyu she would said that once she found both of you fighting along against the catastrophe, looking after each other’s back and almost having a perfect synchrony.

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SHOGUN RAIDEN; EI

Also tried to kill you.

Well, the puppet tried to.

And then Ei tried when you had the opportunity of facing her.

But since killing a god just mean the releasing of a lot, pure, energy she couldn’t afford that risk, much less considering your “speciality”.

Who knows what would happen to Inazuma if your vital energy burst across the nation. Just like that old story about Sal Terrae and their goddess.

She just defeated you. Letting you rest and recovering in the midst of the plane of her reality within her mind. Your inert body in the middle of the battlefield as she kept meditating.

When you woke up she ignored your presence, but also denying your complaints about letting you go out back.

In her words, you were a burden, another enemy of eternity. Something as unpredictable as you and your “accidents” couldn’t get along with her utopia.

Ei could banish you from Inazuma, but she knows your type. Stubborn and not accepting the most simple orders to obey.

She knew that you would found a way to be back.

It’s better like this.

And in the hypothetical case of you being freed when she trapped the traveler (kicking you out) and then having a chance to see her again after the end of the war, then things would be somewhat different.

There’s not that much of civilization on some islands, so she allowed you to explore as much as your heart wanted. But if something serious happen, she promised that would end her work in the middle of the sea so your remains never be found.

Okay, message clear. Just do chaos near monsters and bandits, got it,,

Even if she wanted to spend some time with you and telling you some stories about Inazuma and other gods she couldn’t found the right time to call you at her presence.

As the current ruler of Inazuma she was busier than the rest of Archons you have meet. Maybe just some letters now and then like a way to keep a logbook, but not really a face to face talk.

Until she got the opportunity of a day off, just to found you messing around near some ruins. Trying to solve a puzzle before your speciality strikes in. The structure fell down after your fingertips reached the stone.

When the dust dissipated, you discovered her figure judging you from the other side of the remain ruins.

Give her a good reason for not errase you from the map, I dare u.

You felt the worst was about to come when Ei ordered you to follow her after a long sigh. Crossing her arms and starting to walk away from the bunch of old and worn rock.

Plot Twist, she actually invited you to rest under a tree, asking in her serene voice the reason for your journey and your origin. In such a direct way that it seemed more like a sentence than a talk to get to know each other better.

You answered what you could remember and then the silence stayed like the only way of interaction between you two.

Ohno, you know this pattern. Something’s about to happen-

“There is some strange beauty in the chaos, it may be the calm after the storm, but the catastrophe itself is seen as a necessary evil to appreciate the stillness. How much it would last until the lighting hit the valley?”

“So I arrived to keep order between the humans?”

Well yes, but actually no.

“… You see, if there is nothing but order and a lack of problems, mortals are likely to create them on their own. Their minds feels the need to be tested, to prove their worth, so I guess some of your chaos may be part of the history.”

“… then shall we take a walk in Inazuma?” You did not know if you were right, but you thought you saw a faint smile through his lips in the same way that lightning can be seen in the sky.

“I’ll allow it.” She said.

Her only condition was for you not to approach the huge boxes of fireworks down the street.

[mandoalorian]

The Way of Betrayal [Din Djarin x Reader]

Summary: Din Djarin finally meets other Mandalorians, and he learns the truth about his creed. Confused and hurting, he begins to over think, and so it's your job to comfort the Mandalorian and promise him that you'll love him no matter who he is or where he comes from

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: none really, a little bit of guilt and anxiety I suppose.

Authors note: I know I always write a smut based around the new episode but.. as a TCW/Rebels fan, chapter eleven hit hard. I had been theorising about Din being a Death Watch foundling on my twitter literally since season one came out and now that it's been confirmed… my feelings are all over the place. So I knocked up this fluff/angst. It's a little painful but let's preserve.

~ gif by firedragon04

When the leader of Clan Kryze, Bo Katan, removed her helmet, it came as a surprise to you. You couldn't even imagine how it made Din feel. His whole body tensed up, shock coursing through his veins.

Waves crashed against the hull of the ship, the cold air stinging your skin as you nursed the child in your arms. You covered him in your cloak slightly, protecting him from any further attacks. You hushed him gently, rocking him up and down as his big dark eyes blinked up at you. You gently stroked the light white hairs on his little green head and he gave you a tired smile. "You're okay, little one." you whispered out as he settled in your arms.

It wasn't just Bo Katan, but stood by her side were two other Mandalorians, both helmetless. You half expected Din to remove his helmet, despite you knowing that it was against the code of his creed. You were baffled, to say the least. You and your boyfriend were now stood before three Mandalorians, each one helmetless. Of course, there could be a chance that they weren't Mandalorian at all; and that their armour was stolen. It seemed as though Din shared the same thought process as you.

"Where did you get that Mandalorian armour?" he gritted out. "Nobody is allowed to remove their helmet."

"Oh, he's one of those." Said the girl with dark hair, bitterness dripping from her tongue.

Din didn't move an inch, his fingers cautiously gliding over the blaster in his holster. You didn't like her attitude, or the way she spoke to Din. You wanted to rip that smirk from her lips; but you knew that acting irrationally would only get you and your Mando in more trouble than necessary.

"One of what." Din's question came out as a more gruff statement, anger bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. He didn't have time for games.

Bo Katan hesitated for a moment, her amber eyes becoming glossy as traumatic memories swarmed over her. "Death Watch," she tried to remain composed but her explanation came out as a shaky exhale. "You were a foundling of the Death Watch. They're traditionalists, trying to rebuild the way of Mandalore so it remains the way it was intended to. They're a violent faction of Mandalorians. Your creed are responsible for the death of many Mandalorians, including my sister, Duchess Satine of Mandalore."

You knew of this. You had heard of this before. The prolonged silence was unbearable and you decided to speak up. Din was clearly struggling to process Bo Katan's words.

"We don't know what you're talking about," You sighed. "We have been tasked to bring this little one to the Jedi. We've come from far away places, just for some intel. Just to find you. Outer rim to inner rim. We need help."

"You really don't get it, do you?" Bo Katan frowned. Din remained silent and your grip tightened around the child as you took a step forward, breaking any distance between you and the red headed Mandalorian.

"Can you help us?" You asked finally, not wanting Bo Katan to expel any more information that could confuse or hurt Din. You knew he couldn't bear to hear the words that Bo Katan spoke, and to you, it didn't matter anyway.

You had heard of the Death Watch; but your father had always told you it was an ancient folk tale during the Clone Wars. He told you of clan leader Pre Vizsla and how he worked with Darth Maul to overthrow Duchess Satine. And now you were learning that it could all be true, and that your Mando could be part of it. You wondered how much Din knew about it.

Despite all of this, it was something you could see past. You knew Din better than anyone else in the whole world. You knew that he is not capable of Death Watch crimes. You could never judge him for his creed.

"We can help you. I know of… a Jedi…" Bo Katan folded her strong arms over her chest. "But you need to help us first. I'm looking for a certain Mandalorian weapon and I've received word that it's in the hands of an Ex-Imp. There's an Imperial transport leaving docking bay 94 at dawn and we plan on scavenging it for at least information on the weapon. Your help would be greatly appreciated."

Din loosened up, finally moving his gaze from the floor, back to Bo-Katan. For a moment and looked down at you, holding his garbling child in your arms. You and the child were his life, and he hated leaving you both. Since met you, he found himself caring more about you and the child, than he did himself. Mandalorian's are taught to be selfish, but you taught him compassion and love, something he valued a lot more. He was your protector. His mind returned back to Bo Katan's plot and he didn't like the sounds of it. He knew this would be a Mandalorian only mission, and that you wouldn't be able to join him.

The Razor Crest was in bits, and every native Din had already encountered had tried to kill him for his beskar, or kidnap you, or drown the child for shark food. There was no safe place you could stay. Sure, you were strong, but Din needed the confidence that he could protect you. He didn't want to leave your side.

"I'll consider it." Din replied and you knotted your eyebrows together in bewilderment. He wasn't sure if he could go through with the mission if it meant leaving you and the child behind. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to return the child to the Jedi; but he was quested to do so by his creed. The same creed he now learnt were Mandalorian terrorists during the Clone Wars.

"You know where to find us," Bo Katan smiled politely. "This is the way." she said before the three Mandalorians put their helmets back on and jetted off the ship and into the velvety night sky.

"What do you mean, consider it?" You asked Din, dropping a hand to your hip. "You've come this far. This could be your only chance to find the Jedi. You have to help them."

Din's knees felt weak, all this information was too much. The Mandalorian could handle a lot. He could survive a lot. But this was hard to take in. Your words were scrambled to him and with a wobble he fell backwards into a box of crates. You gently placed the child down and ran towards him, grabbing his hand and pulling him up, sitting him on an extended plank of wood. "Are you okay?" you asked, concern filling your eyes.

"Nngh, I don't know. I don't know if I can trust them." Din admitted, looking into the ocean. You slipped your hands into Din's and began to rub comforting circles through his gloved fingers.

"I've heard stories about Clan Kryze… and Duchess Satine. I've heard of the invasion of Mandalore, and all about Death Watch. They… they've done bad things to a lot of people." You felt Dins hand tense up at your words. "But that doesn't mean you're a bad person. I think it just means we can trust her."

Din looked at you. "They… they removed their helmets. All this time I've been telling you I can't but maybe I've been wrong."

"I don't care what they look like under their helmets. I don't care what you look like under yours. Because I fell in love with your heart, Din. And if you still don't want to remove your helmet, then I respect that."

"I feel so foolish." Din admitted and you shook your head. You sighed, leaning into him and curling up on his lap. The child clambered up his knees and shuffled in between you two for comfort. "Look cyar’ika, our little family." Din hummed with delight, running a gloved finger through your hair. "Promise me, no matter what, no matter who I am or where I come from, you won't leave me."

"I promise Din."

"Because I don't think I can live without you, sweet girl," Din croaked out, his heart breaking at the mere thought of losing you. "I wish I could take my helmet off for you and the kid. I wish I could show you who I really am."

You cupped the curve of his beskar helmet and looked into his visor. "I know who you really are Din, and I love you for it. Whatever happens next, we will figure it out together."

Permanent taglist (let me know if you would like to be added!): @supernaturalgirl @phoenixhalliwell @ah-callie @luvzoria @stardust-galaxies @wickedfrsgrl @goth-topic

[fanfiction-funtime]

Spritefather and Selene Interaction

A fan drabble for @clouds-rambles, I hope I characterized Selene right

Without much prompting it's a tad hard to write like this, but I hope it works.

Also I hope you don't mind me mentioning Cael amnesia anon.

(Selene was hanging out with Cael when Venti makes trouble, bringing the night to a close)

(Selene pov)

Yet again, I had to drag Cael's boyfriend out of the bar. This time because he thought someone was insulting his father and punched them, but he was just talking about some mythological person called 'Spritefather'.

I haven't thought about that story in a long time, not since I was a kid. Something about him being able to "use all elements" or something and how he "taught Barbados about freedom", maybe I'll ask Lisa about it.

"Excuse me madam, my father needs to speak to that man you're carrying. Please, hand him to me." I heard a voice from behind me say, the accent was a thick Schneznayan one.

I turned around to meet the person, a woman in an outfit that wouldn't look out of place in a family portrait of old Schneznayan nobility, they also held a vision.

A cryo vision.

I three Venti into a hay pile and summoned my spear, "your a pretty bad liar, LA SIGNORA!"

"No wait! You've got it all w-" I jabbed at her with my spear, using conduct to increase it's power, "I said wait!-"

"I don't bargain with people who hurt my friends!" Hehe, that was a cool line, nice one Selene.

"W-WHAT!? HOW DARE YOU INSINUATE THAT I WOULD HURT MY OWN BROTHER!" The woman gasped and pointed behind me.

I looked back and saw an abyss mage sneaking away with Venti.

"HEY! THAT'S MY BROTHER/BEST FRIEND'S BOYFRIEND!"

The mage noticed and bolted away. We chased it all the way to star conch cliff, where it threw Venti over the edge.

"Haha! Do your worst human! I have already completed my mission! Now without your precious archon, mondstadt will-!"

A tornado of water sprouted up from the sea, then froze in place. From the newly formed spiral of ice rose a cloaked man, and around him were 6 wisps of every element but cryo.

The mage turned around, and were it not for the dendro tendril crushing it's windpipe they would have screamed in horror.

"First you threaten to kill my son," the cloaked man stepped off the spire, the air polarizing itself with electro to form a step, "then you kidnap him while my daughter is trying to retrieve him," another step, this time the air simply pushes him up to form a step, "and now you have followed through on that threat. It tried to," the man took one last, powerful step, to which a geo platform met his feet and lifted him to the hanging abyss mage, "how truly foolish must you be."

He man then lit the tendril on fire, burning the mage like a furby in a campfire.

The man lowered himself down, Venti in his arms, and said, "I'm sorry Barbados, I should have gone to get you myself. Viktoria, what happened?"

Then he noticed me.

"EEEEP!" He shouted as he dropped Venti with a thud.

_____________________

(3rd person limited, Spritefather pov)

'Oh celestia, a person! No no, keep it together. You love interacting with humans in a controlled manner. This is just as controlled, just...a suprise.' Spritefather thought.

"By Barbados' hairy nostrils! You're the Spritefather!" The human Selene shouted.

Spritefather straightened himself out and cleared his throat, "y-yes, I am. But I am not 'the' Spritefather, I'm just Spritefather. Saying 'the Spritefather' is like calling you 'the Selene'. But now isn't the time for such trivial bickerings," Spritefather gave a gentlemanly bow, "thank you for attempting to rescue my eldest child, and for taking him home everytime he indulges a bit to much on vices."

Viktoria facepalmed, "dad! They aren't supposed to know that!"

"Well why not? They're friends with him, and best friends with his boyfriend. Which by the way I STILL need to meet-" he noticed Selene was seeming kind if pale, "you ok?"

*thud*

"Oh dear."

_____________________

(3rd person omniscient pov)

(There's no good point to explain this, but they're in a serenitea pot)

Selene woke up in a very confused state, and on a cloaked woman's lap.

"Please do not be alarmed, neither me nor my daughter did anything to you." The woman said.

Selene, in response, punched the woman and scrambled away, "who the abyss are you!?"

"Well I'm not particularly loved by celestia but I'd hardly say I'm abyssal.."

"Father, people here are not as accustomed to the divine as Liyue or Inazuma." The woman from before, who Selene thought was La Signora, said as she approached them with some tea.

"Wait, fa-no, no. Don't do that Selene, it's rude."

The cloaked woman shook her hands to dismiss Selene's concern, "it's fine, however I thank you for your accepting nature. Though it is to be excepted given your personal identity."

"How do you know me?"

"Heh, have you forgotten already? Though I suppose the change in form is not common among you humans. And nonexistent in the way me and the wisps can do."

The woman got up and started twirling, then surrounded themself in elemental power, and when it cleared stood the cloaked man Selene saw in her dream...

*wait*

"That wasn't a dream...holy shit that wasn't a dream! You're the Spritefather-I mean-you're Spritefather! Your real!"

"Indeed I am. I would think everyone in mondstadt believes I'm real, but atleast that leaves less for that misconception."

"What misconception?"

"Ask Barbados, shouldn't be too hard since you two are close."

"Barba-wait Venti is actually Barbados!?

"Oh dear I'm making this worse."

The still unnamed woman sighed and shook her head, "how about we focus on why my dad decided to be a woman? Surely that would be a far more easy thing to understand."

"It's because she likes women, and I don't blame her. World cold and hard, titty warm and soft."

"Dad who taught you that!?"

"You do realize I can hear the lives of all in my home yes?"

"I guess I'm at fault." Selene laughed.

"I will have my revenge upon you for this." The woman responded.

Spritefather chuckled, "oh? And how about you get your revenge over a date. Anastasia."

"F-FATHER!"

"What? She's single, friends to someone who can teach her proper tea ceremonies, and uh....they have....hmmm..." Spritefather was trying to think if what he could say to convince his daughter, "look I just want to see grand kids!"

"FATHER"

"K-KIDS!?"

"Look I'm pushing fifty million! If one of you doesn't get me kids in the next ten million years I'm going to grow grey hair!"

Anastasia starts forming an ice throwing knife, "REBEL'S-"

"Papa, what happen?" Came a childish voice.

Selene gasped, they were looking at probably the cutest thing EVER!

"Oh my ARCHONS! IS THAT A PYROSPRITE!?"

"Yes that's my child Flameo-"

Selene, already having picked up the the baby, "they're so CUTE!"

They hugged the little flame close to their face and nuzzled them, to which Flameo quickly responded to with their own.

"Smell like..." they thought for a moment, "big Bro Bardos!" They flew around Selene excitedly, "friend!"

Spritefather sighed, "Oh dear, now the rest will be coming out. And I just got them to sleep aswell."

It wasn't long before Selene was surrounded by six Sprites.

The Electrosprite landed on her vision and started vibrating happily.

The Geosprite asked, "are you strong!? I think I could be you!"

"Oh I'm sure you could." Selene said to appease the little Sprite as she chuckled chuckled.

The Anemosprite and Pyrosprite flew around her head like children.

The Hydrosprite was inspecting her clothes, "how utterly bourgeois, has my Brother and father been teaching you how to dress? Honestly, the people of mondstadt should learn from the reconnaissance captain of the knights. Now there's a woman who knows how to dress."

"Oh you mean Eula?"

"You know her?"

"Oh yeah, she's invites me to tea every now and then."

"SHE...invites....YOU...out for TEA!?-"

Anastasia puts her hand over the Hydrosprite and tries to hold her back

"Sorry about that," the woman replied, "kids and their crushes."

(Agua, muffled: I'M SIXTEENTH HUNDRED YEARS OLD!)

"Ha-haaa...."

Selene couldn't respond to that as they felt a prick in her spine, causing them to yelp.

A Dendrodsprite slinkied up her back and put it's head on her shoulder, "just sampling...never seen blood like yours...so intertwined with the...divine....yet so distan-"

Spritefather picked up his child, "please forgive Leafy, they're in their...adventurous stage. And their adventure is to learn things. Often things that involve pins and needles."

This was going to be a looong night

_____________________

The next day, Vanessa's tree

Selene yawns and falls on the statue, Venti doing the same. The difference between them is one is hungover and waiting for his boyfriend to take him home after the fifth assassination attempt this week, the other has to deal with the consequences of being loved by children and being there to try and stop the most recent assassination

"Holy shit....this hang over....I thought Decrabain's hailstorms were bad..."

"You shouldn't try watching after Leafy.....but I think half the pains are from Agua's jealousy bites......"

"You think that's bad?.....you should have seen them when they realized Cael and I....were dating....."

"...archons I hope I was never like that as a kid...."

"Oh cherry up you two!" Spritefather said, a bit too loud for the two, "it's a new day and-"

Venti hit his father with a clump of grass using anemo

"YOUNG MAN!-

"Ohheythere'sCaelgottagobye!" The archon said as he ran off.

Spritefather sighed, "he's always like that, running from responsibilities. But he always means up when it counts, so I can only say I'm proud of the man he's become," he thought for a moment, "except for when he turns into a woman for whatever reason, then I'm proud of the woman she's become...you know, after being around single form life for so long stuff like that feels so strange. I mean you humans are born with one form and cant naturally change it. But if you feel it's wrong you'll go through so much trouble just to get close to what us shape changers can get. While to humans it is inspiring purely because of the person's determination to take the form they so deserve, that they were truly meant to have. But for me it's so much more! The human spirit and will is oh so inspiring, but the amount humans go through! So much money, so much time, and in many places simply enduring life! Why even I couldn't get the...uh...transphobia is it?...out of Inazuma!Terribly sorry human language changes so much. Oh and on language! To think that I was there when the first cave man was trying to mimic the grunts of the gods, only to make something so much superior to them to the point that the gods copied THEM! And speaking of copies have you ever heard of the time Dainsleif-" he paused as he saw Selene's bored face, "sorry. One little thing and I start ranting and rave...no, it's info dumping. And I should thank you humans for making that term, and all the other wonder words you've made, and the medical advances. They've helped me understand myself....ah but look at me, rambling on again. You know what? For entertaining my kids the whole night, and listening to an old man's ramblings, I'll give you a boon. Anything you want, if I can get it you shall have it."

Selene thought for a moment. She thought about asking him to bring back her father, but they knew he couldn't raise the dead. She even thought...of her mother, to see her again, but they knew that it wouldn't help. A selfish part of her even wanted someway to reignite her's and Rosaria's relationship, after all that part of her life was, but she knew it would be wrong and that they both agree they just didn't work.

Perhaps just ask for mora? She did need some for a good night's rest, but that felt wasteful. What was one night's rest for what could be a lifetime of amazing power. But maybe it would be wrong to ask for something like power. Ah! She's got it!

"How about a spear? A really powerful one that compliments my powers perfectly! Oh! And make it look really cool!"

Spritefather blinked, then laughed, "well, that's rather simple isn't it? So amazing you humans. You expect them to make something big and/or selfish, like taking control of a country, or killing someone. Yet never once has one of my boons been used for anything bad. Even when they're selfish. Like one time I met a very selfish person who I granted a boon, and all he did with it was ask me to make sure the kids of Inazuma were never hungry. Ah, now that. That was ranting, sorry." Spritefather walked over to the statue's base and knocked three times, "hello Vanessa. It's been a while since I last called you, but I was hoping you could give me a hand? And perhaps a very sturdy branch off your tree?"

"Uhhh-"

A light shown down from the heavens and the ground shook, causing a skeletal hand to rise from the depths.

Selene would have screeched if she weren't so tired, "I'd prefer my weapon to be less...body part-sy."

"Nonsense! Everyone knows that bones make the best weapons! You know why it's called a prototype rancor?! BECAUSE NOONE WANTS TO ACCEPT THAT THE PERFECTED VERSION I, THE INVENTOR, MADE INCLUDES THE SHINBONES OF MITSCHURLS! YOU EVER SEEN A-*ahem*-sorry, rambling."

As he was ranting, a branch handed Spritefather a sturdy branch from the tree.

"Perfect, now a bit of magic and-" the two items blew up in Spritefather's face before reforming into a purple and black spear that ended in a feathery sleeve like pattern that was attached to a sharp blade that looked very much like a hand made into a spear blade. Mainly because it was.

A brilliant light shone down on the Spritefather as he floated up and presented the spear to Selene(mumbled: thanks Venessa)

"SELENE OF MONDSTADT!"

His voice became that of s god's, filled with power and compassion, booming across windrise.

"YOU HAVE SPOKEN YOUR WISH, AND BY MY HONOR AS THE ENTERNAL FATHER, I AM DUTY BOUND TO GRANT IT!"

He leans imup to Selene and whispered to her, "do you like the eternal father moniker? I thought it up myself."

"Oh yeah, 10/10, really keeping with the Inazuman background."

"Thanks."

"TAKE YOUR GRAND BLADE, AND GO FORTH TO CARVE THROWS DESTINY AND TILL YOUR OWN FUTURE!"

Selene took the spear, "uh...thanks?"

"Oh your very welcome. By the way how was that delivery? I've been working on the whole 'I am a powerful being' delivery for a few centuries."

"A bit hard to understand, but overall gets the vibe across. Maybe 8/10? Low seven probably."

"Yeah, I kind of expected that. Wonder how else I could get that effect, you know without the whole can't understand thing."

"Well, I've got teo other immortals to meet. Ones I need to question."

"Ah yes, I'm sure Cael and Barbados have much to answer for to you."

"Yes they do. I don't suppose 'see you around' would be appropriate here?"

"On a sense? It's appropriate. After all I'm your friend now aswell, and I prefer a life without isolation. So...see you round?"

"Sure, see you around."

_____________________

Admittedly didn't know how to end this. I like it but I'm a tad worried I made it to focused on my character and didn't give Selene enough attention.

Regardless I hope you enjoyed it cloud! I really tried to get Selene right. And sorry it took so long, sleep kept getting messed up, and then covid shot+forgetting to hydrate kicked my ass.

(Tagging: @storytravelled, @golden-wingseos, and @clouds-rambles)

[saktetsu]

'You're Mine' Demon!Oikawa x Princess!Reader [Chapter 1]

Genre: Smut, Fluff, Breeding Kink, Size Kink, Over stimulation, Manipulation

This Chapter doesn't have Smut yet. Though I'll only continue this if someone asks for more. I don't wanna write something nobody wants to read.

It was a Dangerous World that they lived in, they all knew that. But despite the Danger that lurked around every corner, behind ever door; [F/N] [L/N], the Princess of Haikaru remained Innocent.

She had never crossed paths with Danger, had never experienced what it was like to lose something dear. The People of Haikaru purposely protected and shielded the Princess off from any sort of Darkness. She was their light, a light that they swore to Protect.

But of course, protecting her came with a major set back. Their walls less guarded from the Demons that lurked the night. But enough to keep them out. Well, most of them.

"Send him to the Dungeons, keep him out of sight and Lock him up as much as possible." The King, ordered his men.

"Yes, Sir." They voiced with a salute. "Move on your feet you Wretched Demon." One of the Soldiers kicked the said Demon, causing him to snarl out of annoyance.

"Now that's just rude." The horned Male barked out, his fangs showing.

"Move."

"Fine, fine~"

The Group of Guards surrounded the Demon, leading him slowly towards the entrance of the dungeons.

"Get in." One of them opened the door, shoving the Evil Entity inside. Soon after they entered as well, making sure to chain the Cyan Horned Man against the Single Wooden Pole. "This should keep you in place, Oikawa Tōru."

"Oh my, so you do know my Name? I'm quite flattered. Am I perhaps famous around here?"

"In your case yes. Yes you are. We've heard of what you've done to Humans like us. Demons should be banished, specifically a Demon as awful as you" And that was it, the last thing that the Group of Mortals said to the Beast. Leaving him alone in the empty open space, where only the chains that dug through his skin lay.

Oikawa moved his Left Arm slightly, hoping to snap the chains off with a bit of Magic. Only to be met by a sharp pain striking all throughout his body.

"Now, I wouldn't do that if I were you. These chains? They were made to keep Demons like you in place. To keep you from causing anymore trouble than you already have." The Royal turned on his heel. "You deserve to be treated like this."

"Dad, what's in there?" [F/N] pointed towards the cellar, where 2 Guards stood against.

"My sweet Princess, there is no need to be curious about what is within the door. You must avoid that place, for you are not safe there." Her Father replied, patting her head softly while a smile.

"Alright Father" She nodded her head slowly, yet curiosity still lingered inside her thoughts.

Eventually when night began to fall, [F/N] snuck out of her Room. Descending down the nice tiled stairs to approach her destination. She made sure to avoid the soldiers who were put on nightly duty.

Peeking around the corner, she spotted the two guards who were put to stay in front of the door. To her luck, they've fallen asleep. And was on the floor crouching.

[F/N] approached the two, giving them a slight poke to make sure that they are indeed asleep before taking what seems to be the key to the room.

As soon as she unlocked the door, she pushed it open. Making sure that she wouldn't make a single sound in the progress.

From what her Father had said before, this place was dangerous. Yet as soon as she stepped into the so called 'dangerous' room. She wasn't expecting to be met by a Handsome man, straddled with chains around his body. His arms had burns including his neck.

Without much hesitation she shut the door behind her slowly and approached the stranger. "Oh my God..- Are you alright?"

The man slowly opened his eyes, lifting his chin up to meet [E/C] orbs. Oikawa's eyes slightly widened, the scent of the most purest mortal he has ever smelled rushed through his nostrils. Instinctively, he leaned forward, causing the chains to burn his arms a tad bit more. Tōru grunted from the pain, and was unable to Heal himself unless they were off.

He was expecting her to run, to scream as soon as she saw his horns. But what he didn't expect, was her leaning in to slightly brush her finger against them. "What.. What are these? They're so cool"

Oh my, he wasn't expecting any of this at all. His lips quirked up into a devilish smirk, his eyes darkened with the thought of how innocent this little Mortal was. He often went out to many Villages to capture, and redeem souls. Hunted and killed Mortals who stood in his way to feast on their Flesh. But not only does he feed off of flesh, he also feeds off of arousal.

And here he was, chained to the floor with a full course buffet standing before him, offering her concern and curiosity. He could capture her, take her back to the underworld where he will make her his. His to love, his to cherish, and his to claim. "They're my Horns [F/N], you like them?"

[F/N] nodded slowly, she didn't question the Horned man how he knew what her name was. Instead, she maneuvered her way over to the source of the chains, quickly disengaging them.

"What.. The.. -" Tōru felt the chains loosen around him, his eyes darting over to the Precious Girl he sought to claim. "Why.. Why did you do that?" He questioned.

"You seem like a good Demon so.. I thought.. Maybe my Father was wrong about you. Plus um.. It looked like the chains were preventing you from talking properly without wincing in pain"

'She truly is innocent. Fuck, I want her even more now' he stood up, brushing the dust off his legs before completely healing his wounds. "Is that so? You're quite an observant little thing aren't you? But have you ever heard of a Good Demon?"

[F/N] shook her head. "No, I've never even met one up until now"

'Seriously? They were trying to protect her from us? How pathetic, yet rewarding..'

"Oh, well the pleasure's all mine little one. I am Tōru Oikawa. Don't bother telling me your Name." He walked closer, expecting her to back away in fear that she had made the wrong choice. But once again he was proven wrong when she didn't move at all. Instead her eyes remained staring back into his. "How can I repay you Princess..~?"

"Become my Friend"

Oikawa was stunned, his mouth ajar as his eyes grew. "Excuse me? Could you, perhaps-- I don't know--- Repeat that?"

"I said.. Become my.. Friend. My Father doesn't let me go out of the Castle walls, and I don't really have Friends here. I mean I do get along with the people around here but they never really showed interest in trying to get to know me"

"I see.. So you want me, the King of the Underworld, to become your Friend?" Without much of a reply, [F/N] nodded her head vigorously.

"Alright then, I'll be your Friend Little One. I'll make sure to visit you once in a while in your room." Oikawa leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Make sure to not tell anyone with our little Meet ups alright?"

"I won't, I promise.." [F/N]'s cheeks reddened a bit, not expecting to get a kiss on the forehead by the King of the Underworld himself.

But what she didn't know, was that the kiss contained more than just a Thank You. It was a way to tell the other Demons similar to him to back off as soon as they smelled her essence. With the invisible pendant forming on her forehead only for demons to admire, she was practically untouchable.

Days passed with Oikawa constantly visiting [F/N] in secret. Their Friendship growing into a much more passionate one. The lingering touches he dreamt of doing to her were kept at bay, fearing that he might ruin his only chance to claim her.

"Tōru?" [F/N] called out in a soft voice, she nudged her Demon friend on the shoulder a bit.

"Huh" His eyes widened slightly, being snapped out of his thoughts. "What is it?"

"You've been thinking for a while. What has you troubled?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." He slowly lets out a long, low sigh as he feels his hair through his fingers.

"Well, if you say s-"

A sudden knock came from the door, capturing both Tōru's and [F/N]'s attention. Her eyes widened in panic as she quickly got up, ushering Oikawa to leave before he was seen.

"Yes? I'm here!" She replied, her voice was soft and timid compared to her usual out going self.

"Is something wrong?" The knight asked from behind the door. "Your Father sent me here to accompany you. Apparently you've been more distant lately, spending most of your time in your room.. Is there.. Anything I could do to help?"

[F/N] slowly opened the door, peaking through to see who it was. And to her surprise, it was Iwaizumi Hajime. a Friend of hers from a far away village. The only Friend that her Father allowed to blossom. "H-Hajime-"

"I know, it's been a while hasn't it? [F/N]." He smiled ever so softly before staring back at the door that kept him from slinging his arms around her. "Mind if I get in?"

"Not at a- eep!" She stilled, feeling a pair of hands rest on either side of her waist. Slowly moving down to her core. She turned to look at Tōru who had a shit eating grin, obviously proud of the reaction he got from you. "Tōru.. Not now.. What are you doing.. -"

"Is someone there with you?" Iwaizumi asked with a concerned look on his face.

"N-NO- No, I was just startled. You haven't been in my room for.. Over 6 years y'know, and it's kind of overwhelming"

"R-Right... You're making me feel old [F/N]"

"That's because you are, blehhh" Hajime chuckled, forcefully pushing the door open with his strong arms.

"Alright, that's it you little trouble maker. I'm coming in whether you like it or not"

"NO- WAIT N-" She quickly turned to look at Tōru, but was met with an empty room. No trace of him but her bed and along with her other furniture.

Iwaizumi stepped in the room, chuckling at her childish actions. "You seriously can't be that embarrassed with me being here, are you?"

"Kind of... But um, apart from that. How's your Village? Everything alright?"

"Everything's been normal. Not to mention the Grand King hasn't visited us for over a week. It's quite a relief, yet terrifying." He walked further into the room, taking his helmet off with a Huff.

"I wonder why.." [F/N] mumbled out softly. Of course she knew why, she was the reason that Oikawa has been rarely seen out and about. He's always hanging out in her room, chatting, and laughing with her as if he wasn't some demonic entity. But at the end of the day, he's still the King of the Underworld. "How long are you gonna stay here for? Not that I want you to leave or anything"

"Maybe for a couple of days. You know, until you brighten up a bit."

"Haji, I'm okay I promise."

"You Promise?"

"Pinky Promise"

Hajime stared straight into her eyes with concern, but eventually sighed. "Fine, but if your Dad yells at me for not cheering you up? You're so in for it."

"Pfft, yeah, yeah" She quickly plopped herself beside Iwaizumi, slinging her arms around him with a cheerful smile. "I missed you"

He stuttered out a small 'Thank you' before wrapping his arms around her waist. His cheeks were painted pink as he dipped his head against her shoulder.

Little did the two know, a certain horned man was watching them, anger flowing all throughout his body as his fists clenched. She was supposed to be his, not that porcupines woman.

[mostly-marvel-musings]

I'm lurking in people's ask boxes today, making them horny. Marvel Boomer fandom mass insanity? More likely than you think.

Bonus gif in the comments once you reply to this. Tumblr doesn't let me add 😡🤬

"Come on, try and make me angry," Banner grits out, an arm thrown around your neck. You can feel the bulging of his muscles, the tension of his veins. He's barely holding back the force of the Hulk. "See how you like that!"

You want to laugh. You want to laugh in his face, and in Tony's, because they are just mortal men. Intelligent, capable, but at the very core of it, very simple human men.

"I'd listen to the Mean Green if I were you," Tony, of course, throws in a mocking remark. You've never experienced the joys of a quiet Stark.

"Well, mark me down as scared and horny," The look you give Tony and his suit is pornographic. That's your final decision: they will reap what they sow. You'd been minding your business, not hurting anyone - in fact, you've been having nothing but positive reviews, but for some reason, humans just couldn't comprehenda peaceful co-existing with a different species. "I've been alive longer than you, your fathers and your grandfathers combined. Why is it that human men always seem to think they deserve to have the veto power?"

Banner briefly stills behind you; you knew they'd assigned him to the task because his self-control is impeccable, almost good enough for him to be unable to be seduced. Tony's there for the opposite reason: someone had believed a good lover may make you inclined to surrender peacefully. Both of them, of course, were wrong. Neither satisfaction nor submission is in your nature.

"Well, we can't have demons just running around and sucking the souls out of civilians," Tony supplies conversationally.

You groan and then palm your face, not really struggling against Banner's iron grip. "I'm not a demon," For the millionth time in your long life, you spit out the acidic words. "I am a succubus. We do not kill or harm humans," You explain, feeling Banner's apprehension morph into stunned confusion. "That lie was invented by the Catholic church because it was easier to blame repeated infidelity on us rather than hold unfaithful men accountable," You spit out louder than you intend to; being a succubus, things like gender and sex didn't really concern you, but seeing how much it impacted the humanity, it had made sense to spend most of the time in your male form. Only the few past decades you've reacquainted yourself with the female form and the joys of being a woman still were few and in-between. Except the actual physical act of...

That's how you end up in Stark's and Banner's shared lab, wearing one of the former's oversized shirts with an IV and a neat little device that seems to be scanning all your vitals simultaneously. The technological babble is lost in you; instead, you focus on holding back the hunger that grows within you minute by minute.

"Are those numbers looking normal for your species?" Banner asks you, thrusting a tablet in your lap, eyes focused on a whole different set of screens. He is, by far, the kindest man of science you have ever met. Perhaps that's why you agreed to invasive testing.

"No," You can't help but sound grouchy. "I'm hungry," Predictably, the man blushes crimson. You'd explained, in uncomfortable detail, how exactly the feeding process goes down. Dr. Banner was nothing but polite and professional during the small interrogation; now, after the extended time spent in your presence, he seems to grow more and more susceptible to your natural charms.

Or, perhaps, your growing hunger is making the reigns to your self-control to be slippery. Banner accidentally catches your eyes and you see it instantly: the beast, the hunger of his own is doing the same thing. It's pushing against the rails, demanding to be released.

"I can't," He breathes, standing statue-still. "I'll hurt you," With every passing second, you feel the air in the cool room heat up and thicken.

"No, you won't," You're sure. "You can trust me," Neither of you notice how close your bodies are; one moment and his face is inches away from yours, his green-rimmed browns boring into your eyes that undoubtedly have adopted the deep crimson color of hunger by now.

The rest is a rush; his hands, holding you by the shoulders as he gives into his lust, his lips - surprisingly soft - and the noise of the buttons of his shirt hitting the cold tiled floors. There's no finesse, no time for proper foreplay as your hunger bleeds into him, fuels the fire to his all-consuming need.

It's been ages since you've felt someone resist you so strongly, so stubbornly, and it's delicious.

"M'not gonna last," He mumbles, unbuttoning his pants with one clumsy hand while the other noses at your soaking core. You look down on his thick fingers and gasp in surprise: they're big and tinted a fluorescent green, two of them enough to give a delicious stretch once they enter you.

Your face shoots up, finding the previously reserved man smirking in self-satisfaction. "Fuck, that's not... I need more," Is it the casual display of power or the rapid flip of attitude, you don't know, but it's doing it for you. The hunger pangs dull.

Banner's lips and teeth attach themselves to the crook of your neck as the unusually tinted arms drag you almost completely off the table and onto his cock; it's thick, veined and hard as a rock. You let out a squeak - something you considered previously to be above you - as he bottoms out in one single, sharp push of his hips.

"That good enough for you?" His voice had dropped a whole couple of octaves too. Green is steadily crawling up his neck. Your combined sweat stains his friend's t-shirt.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your experiment," Said friend, does, in fact, interrupt, but Dr. Banner only growls. You feel the smile he hides in your skin; you know the boys are just getting started.

After all, as a succubus, you're used to getting what you want.

What even... this is the first thing I’m reading in the morning. Well fuck 🥵

[ask-ultimate-personas]

The voice of a shadow call. It seems far fetched to some until they're called. It's a strong feeling where your shadow- or shadows in my case- end up having an extremely pull you can't break. I found myself trying to figure out where this voice is coming from for a few weeks yet no luck. Mementos has been acting strange when I'm around; shadows aren't hostile at all, some have told me to turn away from reaching where I need to go. That's really all I have still. I'll write more when any resent developments show progress.

The girl closed a writing app on her phone before looking around her. Was she losing her grasp on what world she was in? From all she can tell is the sky is red with black clouds, moths fluttering about in the blue, purple flowers if in a grass area.

"We have to go Chi chi..."

"AGAIN!?" The Shiba Inu piped up.

"I have to find the caller if not I'll decent into more madness..."

"...You know...ever since this all kicked off you've been worrying anyone who looks at you."

"I'm aware yet it's nothing I can't control so I have to do what they need."

"... I'm going with you. I don't want you to end up hurt. Not to mention how many others are running around in that world Rose."

"Alright then."

Chi chi held deep concern for Rose yet the two seem to be growing a crossroad at the moment.

@a-bouquet-of-shadows

Staria was in the velvet room after Akio wanted a little word with them for a bit. Lucian: "What do you want to know Akio since I did beat neo and Saki and your mum in shattered glass world is this important or not?" they said curiously. Akio responded with "Well you see my Father Igor wanted me to tell you about another place similar to shattered glass world called mementos …" staria cut Akio off you mean the place that Mr Joker uses ?" Akio smiled and said "Yes but you see some girl wanted some help but Joker and the rest are on a different mission so I was thinking if you go through that app and save her and I guess Joker told you about his way of doing things right?" staria responded with "Not exactly since he only came to my academy now and again." Akio: "OK I will ask Igor if I can help you and if yes meet me outside the academy and we can do this together" Staria: "OK Akio".

[At the academy}

Kiyoshi: "what shall we do about this crisis Lucian?" Maki Akira followed Kiyoshi's ask with "well then staria we are all waiting for ya" staria smiled and moved to the side to reveal Akio the velvet attendant. everyone is shocked intill Wada Minori spoke and said "Akio how are you after the whole velvet family problems?" Akio smiled and said "I am fine we managed to recover from the shock instead of Igor which explains why I am here to explain the real reason why you heroes are being called for" Akio explain the problem to the group and Tamanhara responded with "Akio do you think saki staraka or neo is doing this ?" Akio: "Don't know yet but you guys up for it here's the app on these spare phones"

the group smiled and Mizuno said "Of course we are ready us heroes is always ready for any situation" Yanagi: "Guys what shall we do since our headmaster Makoto yuki is not alliable as well as our other teachers?" Animalia: "I will stay and make sure everyone is safe while you guys go with Akio" staria: "Are you sure about this Animalia?" Animalia responded with "Yes I am sure about this go and rescue that girl. Akio press the app and the others followed suit while Animalia walks to the Year 2 classroom where the students are.

[katedrakeohd]

What Happens in Paris...(7)

Masterlist

Back at the train, the men and women separate to get ready for the tea party. Down in Max and Drake’s shared room, Drake is sitting on his bed watching Max do his primp and polish in front of the mirror. Impeccably dressed in his black Gucci dress shirt and trousers, Maxwell is running a comb through his neatly trimmed hair and whistling. If he wasn’t his friend, Drake could almost hate him for it. His clothing style rarely changed. His way of taking his day look into a night look usually involved the undoing of a button on his shirt, and the addition of a hair product to keep himself looking sharp when he broke out the moves on the dance floor. Drake knew though, even by day when Maxwell appeared to be calm and collected there was always a three ring circus, complete with peacocks, going on inside his head.

Drake looked down at Maxwell’s shiny black shoes, and then glanced at his own scuffed and worn looking brown ones. As much as Drake didn’t want to dress all fancy for a Royal tea party today, he knew that Kate was expected to be there. Plus he wanted to witness the look of envy on Maddy’s face when Kate walked in all dressed up and stole away attention from the future Queen. Although he usually wouldn’t give a damn how he looked when he skulked his way into events after everyone else important arrived. This time he knew Kate would be under Liam’s lustful eye, and it made his stomach ache at the thought. If he was going to escort Kate into this stupid party, even as her seemingly platonic friend, he had to make an effort to fit in for his own peace of mind. Drake cleared his throat to get Maxwell’s attention. I can’t believe I’m doing this again. Heaven help me.

“Uh, Max? About this party today… I can’t exactly show up looking like some bum off the street. Could you help me pick out something fit to wear?”  

Maxwell gasped, dropping the lint roller he was using to remove fluff and hair from his trouser leg. “Really?! You’ll let me dress you up for two events in a row?”

Drake sighs, getting up from the bed and running his hands through his hair. “Well don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“It is a big deal. My grumpy best friend wants to impress a girl!”

Drake grimaced, “Tone it down will ya? Besides, you are not my best friend.”

Maxwell is unfazed by the brush off and just raises his eyebrows, nodding, “Oh right! We’re even better than that now. We’re family!”

Drake opens his mouth to protest and then closes it again. Technically Max was right, as painful as it was for him to admit. He raises his hands and gives Max an impatient head shake, “Alright! Alright! Whatever! Are you gonna help me or not?”

“Of course I will. Show me what you got.”

Drake holds his hands out to the sides to display his current denim disaster.

“No, no silly.” Maxwell drags over Drake’s suitcase and flops it onto the bed. Drake places a protective hand on top, shakes his head.

“No point in looking in there," Drake grumbles.

“Okay then, to the Royal Closet we go.”

Kate sits in front of Hana’s portable makeup mirror, while Hana runs a round brush through her hair, coaxing it into soft waves. “I love your hair Kate, it’s so soft and manageable. What shampoo do you use?”

With a shrug, Kate admires her freshly painted fingernails. “Some kind of fruity scented stuff that I bought at the drugstore. Drake forgot to grab the matching conditioner when we showered, so I hope my hair doesn't get all full of static and frizz.”

Hana meets Kate's gaze in the mirror and they both giggle. “Oh my goodness, Kate. No wonder you two were late for breakfast.”

Trying to hide her blush in the lighted mirror was impossible, “Yeah, well I did interrupt him while he was shaving this morning. And damn he looked sexy in that bathrobe.”

Hana sighed with envy as she parted Kate’s hair and swept it behind her shoulder. Kate hands her the golden, flower embellished comb from the counter. “What’s it like Kate?”

“What?”

“Having a King and his best friend both in love with you?”

"It's not as fun as you might think. They've both staked their claim on me in some way and I hate being the rope in their tug of war. The worst part is that Liam has already lost me and he doesn't know it yet."

“Poor guy, he’s going to be crushed. What does Drake have that Liam doesn't?”

“He doesn't have the weight of the kingdom sitting on his head and shoulders, nor does he have a bunch of noble ladies fighting over him. Plus he’s nobody important to the press or tabloids. I’m not as worried about being seen with him, because I know he’ll protect me.”

“He’s not worried about being pulled into the Tariq scandal with you?” Hana asks, a look of concern on her face.

Kate shrugs, “I know he doesn't regret coming to my rescue, except for maybe the punches Tariq landed on his ribs. He was very much a gentleman about the whole thing, which is a lot more than I can say for Tariq.”

“But speaking of having two guys interested at the same time, what about Neville and Rashad?”

Hana wrinkles up her nose with a frown of disgust, “They're so boring. And neither were very nice to Penelope when we first met them.”

Kate applies a pale pink lip gloss to the center of her bottom lip to enhance her lipstick, pressing her lips together and then checking the results in the mirror, “Well frankly, since finding out she participated in the smear campaign against me, Penelope isn't one of my favorite people either. But I get what you’re saying, especially with Neville. He creeps me out in the same way Tariq does. Rashad seems to be marginally better than his friend as far as character goes, having made his own way as a businessman. He’s not depending on his Father’s money like Neville.”

Hana tilts her head, considering Kate’s thoughts. “I suppose you make a good point. But still, neither are as important, charismatic, charming or handsome as the King.”

Kate smirks, “Liam's definitely a charmer. I wonder sometimes what he sees in an ordinary barmaid like me. Or what Drake does either.”  Kate meets Hana's gaze in the mirror. "Am I really worth all this fuss? What's so special about me that loving one man must mean breaking the other's heart?"

"You mean besides your charisma, charm, intelligence and beauty? You're a genuinely nice person Kate, and everyone is drawn to you. The other women in the room envy you when the men all look your way."

Kate turns around to look up at Hana, seeing the admiration in her eyes. "You're all of these things and more, Hana."

Hana looks down at her shoes, shyly,  "I wish. My parents have invested so much into my training, refinement and education. But they've rarely praised me for any of my achievements. Sometimes I feel like they'd throw me at any available bachelor if it would raise my status on the social ladder, especially if it got our names in the media back home."

Standing up from her seat, Kate places her hands on Hana's shoulders. "Hey now, don't beat up on yourself. You're more than just some guy's arm candy or potential wife. You need to stand up and grab the future you want for yourself. To Hell with your parents’ expectations. I bet you could excel at anything you put your mind to. You don't need a man to raise your status. Be the strong independent woman I know you can be.”

Hana smiles, “Thanks Kate. I wish I’d met you years ago. You're the type of friend I've been missing all my life.”

Kate smiles back, “You’ve been here for me too, so it's only right that I return the favor.”

Stepping back from Hana, Kate strikes a pose with one hand on her hip, raising the other in a provocative sweep of her hair to highlight her face and bare shoulders. “So what do you think of my finished look?”

Hana smiles broadly, with a clap of approval at her stylish handiwork. “You're going to be hotter than the tea, that’s for sure.”

Kate winks, “Damn straight. We are.”

Drake stands outside of Kate's train compartment, fidgeting. Dressed in a crisp white dress shirt and dark grey trousers, with his hair combed and set with some of Maxwell's styling compound; he felt like a teenager on Prom night. Drying his sweaty hand on his thigh, he's reminded of how thin the fabric feels compared to his usual denim. The way the slim fit of the pant legs hugged his thighs made him feel so exposed, almost naked, and he was starting to regret not opting for his usual jeans. But Maxwell had assured him that he looked good, and that he’d fit in just fine at the party.

He hoped he looked good enough to escort Kate. The sudden absurdity of wanting to dress up for a tea party makes him chuckle and he shakes his head. Damn it Kate, what have you done to me?

Sucking in a deep breath he knocks on Kate’s door and waits.

…

Crouching down to secure the gold strap of her shoe around her ankle, Kate hears the buzzing sound of a text message coming from inside her purse. She glances up, “I bet that’s Drake.”

Hana gets a pinging sound on her phone seconds later, “It's a group text from Liam. The cars arranged to take us to the tea party have arrived. We're to meet in the dining car to coordinate who is traveling with whom.”

Kate breathes a sigh, picking up her clutch. “Ok, off we go then.”

.

Drake is leaning against the wall looking at his phone when he hears the sound of voices to his right, causing him to look up. Kate and Hana are giggling as they approach hand in hand, and then they stop as Kate sees Drake and gasps. “Oh..my...God! Look at you.”

With a smirk, Drake straightens up blushing. “What..do I look that bad?”

Kate shakes her head, then appraises Drake all over again with a head tilt and a slow look from head to toe and then back up again. “Nah, ah. Hardly. You’re looking like a tasty snack.”

Drake clears his throat, raising his eyebrows. “Heh, look who's talking. If I’m a snack you're definitely dessert.”

Hana grins at them both, rolling her eyes, “Ok lovebirds, quit with the flirty food talk and making eyes at each other we’ve got a party to get to.”

Stepping aside, Drake nods. “But of course, after you Ladies.”

Taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes as Kate passes him in the hall, Drake falls into step a few paces behind them. Damn she smells nice, this party isn’t going to be torture at all.

:::

tagging: @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @emceesynonymroll @emichelle @mskaneko @speedyoperarascalparty @dcbbw @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria @drakexwillow @kingliam2019 @kimmiedoo5 @gardeningourmet @drakesensworld @mfackenthal @thequeenchoices @debramcg1106 @fluffy-marshmallow-heart @wickedgypsymoon @griselda1121 @indiacater @texaskitten30 @nikkis1983 @lynne1993 @bobasheebaby @drakesfiance @moonlightgem7 @princessleac1 @janezillow @jlpplays1 @walker7519 @drakesensworld @furiousherringoperatortoad @samihatuli @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @rainbowsinthestorm @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @jessiembruno @msjpuddleduck @princess-andromeda-nazario @princess-geek @mom2000aggie @batgirlassociationofgothamcity @masterofbluff