#but invading people’s privacy and demonizing their thoughts can be very harmful

[alans-maladaptive-daydreams]

The monster living in my mind. Yandere!MC x Obey Me brothers.

I've always seen fics of the brothers being yandere, which makes sense, they are demons but I think I also want to see a bit more yandere!mc so I wrote this. I didn't put a specific brother because the use of pacts and magic is a bit involved so it affects all seven equally, feel free to imagine it with whoever you want.

note: I might edit it again later to change the gender of the witch, since I don't feel completely comfortable with the female gender for the lover, I'll see if I can do it another day (cries in college student) I've been doing this for almost 3 months now so I just want to finish it lol.

Warnings: Violence, mutilation of the human body (self-harm and injury to a third party), infidelity, mental illness, insecurity, and insults related to someone's sex life. (I think that's all if there should be anything else I will edit it immediately, suggestions are very welcome). No-native writing, corrections are welcome.

Reader: Gender neutral.

Genre: Yandere and explicit violence.

Masterlist

You had always managed to control those negative feelings that consumed your brain. Those feelings that made you think that the person you loved was betraying you, those same feelings that convinced you that you deserved it because after all you will never be enough.

Although you were a very jealous person, you rarely showed it to your partner. You suffered in silence and sometimes even other people paid the consequences of your moodiness and insecurities.

Your jealousy sometimes terrified you, the thought of ripping the throat out of anyone who had the slightest romantic or sexual interest in your partner was not uncommon in your head. Sometimes your brain played tricks on you, convincing you that you should make them understand that no one would love them more than you. They belonged to you.

You were aware that these thoughts were dangerous, you usually pushed them into the deepest and darkest depths of your being because, in the end, it was all part of your imagination and insecurities.

You had different partners, and none of them gave you a reason to distrust or get violent treatment from you. So even though you brutally disliked certain friends of your exes, you never said a word and preferred to ignore the violent flame inside you.

That was until you met him, a beautiful demon from head to toe who, while you brought out the best in him, he brought out the worst in you.

Many of your insecurities were drowned out as you moved through life together, yet they never completely disappeared.

The violent feelings became almost extinct, but they were still there, waiting to be fulfilled at the right time.

That's why you were visiting your psychologist almost daily, that violent insecurity resurfaced.

It resurfaced like an unstoppable flame, a bomb waiting to explode.

In a constant state of nervousness, your body trembled every time your boyfriend had an attitude that made you distrust him.

It started out as something you chose to ignore, but it never left a good taste in your mouth. All of his devices now had a different password than the one you knew.

When you questioned him, afraid of making him think you were invading his privacy, he simply replied "Security", you didn't dare ask him for the new passwords because you feared it would make you look bad.

Your second sign was his obvious nervousness every time he received a message or a call which, of course, he had to take in private.

It was then that you decided to blindly trust your boyfriend and avoid at any cost those thoughts that were taking away your sanity.

However things became more evident, from cancelled dates, strange looks at RAD, his brothers' nervousness when you asked for his whereabouts, his disappearance for hours at a time with ambiguous explanations. The relationship became weird, to the point that your boyfriend couldn't even look you in the eye every time you met because he didn't even have time for you, in his words; he had too much work to do.

That part of you that you thought you had buried was resurfacing, but much more violent, psychotic and anxious.

It was as if your brain was screaming at you in a loud voice "He's cheating on you, kill that slut so he can see who he's fucking with".

The thought of your beloved boyfriend with someone else disgusted you and made you completely sick.

It was then that something in you changed. You don't know what it was exactly, and you can't explain in what moment you started to think like that. It just happened, it was as if that sick and violent being that had always lived in you had finally found a way out, and you decided to accept it because, after all, that was your reality.

"We're demons, you're stupid for thinking he wouldn't cheat on you. "The demon mocked you as she showed you a video in which her friend, a witch, and your beloved boyfriend were the main characters in a sexual scene so repulsive that your stomach turned inside out creating a pain you never thought you would be able to feel.

With trembling legs and a broken heart, you walked to the bathroom holding back your tears and the vomit that threatened to come out. The demon watched you walk with perhaps the saddest look she had ever seen on you.

As soon as you entered the bathroom, you stuck your head in the sink, completely emptying your stomach.

Your cold fingers ran over the dark circles under your eyes, caused by sleepless nights of overthinking the whole situation. You reached down to your lips, covered in the residue of breakfast, and with a trembling hand, you stilled the sob of pain that shot through you like a bullet.

Tears soon overflowed from your eyes as your heavy breathing forced you to crouch on the floor, making yourself as small as possible, as if that way you could avoid the intense pain you felt. Your fingernails reached your scalp, digging violently into it, causing blood to slowly stain your hands.

"'Son of a bitch" you whispered.

You were going to kill him. Him and his fucking whore.

You were going to eat his brains while his brothers watch your feast.

Or better, you were going to rip every fingernail off his body, every finger, every tooth and make a beautiful necklace.

You'd open his head like a jar and eat his insides for breakfast.

You were going to tear him apart piece by piece. You were going to burn every part of his body that you touched until you saw living flesh.

Although you knew you were only a mere human, you also knew that the pact that bound your souls together was your greatest weapon. You were not the same human that had started the exchange program, you were a powerful sorcerer and you had seen death with your own eyes, you were not afraid. You were going to ruin his fucking life.

"Sometimes demons need a show of dominance to know their place, you must prepare yourself because eventually, that day will come". Your master had told you a long time ago. You never thought that day would come so soon.

You stood up and looked at yourself in the mirror, the wounds on your scalp looked deep enough for blood to drip down your face.

"MC? Fuck, I didn't know you'd get like that, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have shown you that." The demoness approached you with a worried expression. She placed a hand on your back to comfort you.

"No, thanks. I needed to see it."

Your cold tone sent a shiver down the girl's spine, without looking at her you headed for the exit and before you left she said; "Don't blame her, okay? I know you know her and you exchanged a couple of words. She's not a bad person, it was just a mistake."

"I don't give a fuck, he was my fucking boyfriend, she knew that." with that, you walked out of the bathroom and headed straight to the House of Lamentations.

That day you locked yourself in your room and refused to let anyone in. They were all traitors, they always knew about his affair with his mistress and didn't have the balls to tell you.

Every time you remembered how they told you they appreciated you and thanked you for saving their family your stomach would drop. You no longer saw them as your friends, they were just disgusting beings who needed a reminder of who was in charge.

For seven days you didn't sleep, you didn't go to RAD and you didn't eat. For seven days you watched your boyfriend's every move, his whore's every move. Every move was etched in your brain like a tattoo. You didn't need to think about it for a second to recite it out loud.

By the end of the week, everything you had been repressing and controlling for years had come to light. What you had always been was now comfortable in your brain, the insecurity was gone, but the violence was more alive than ever.

At the end of the seventh day, in the middle of the night, what you had always feared became your nature.

You grabbed your bag and left your room, leaving it secured in case any of the brothers tried to break in, a spell that would shatter any limb that even accidentally touched your door.

"MC?" you heard one of his brothers say, but you ignored him. You were too focused on your plan.

Behind the House Of Lamentations was the place where you opened a portal, one straight to her lover's house. You didn't hesitate for a second to walk through it, standing right in the entrance hallway.

Your ears heard what you had always feared.

The familiar moans along with a not-so-familiar voice. The sharp movement of the bed's wood.

The love you had once felt for him disappeared completely.

You walked through the dark house, trusting your hearing until you reached the door.

Before you opened it you contemplated all that you were putting at stake in carrying out your desires. You contemplated whether it was really worth it. However, that little spark of reasoning vanished as soon as it arrived.

You set your bag aside and opened it.

The heavy hammer saw the moonlight for the first time since you had bought it. You held on tight and opened the door.

If at any time your sanity was present during all that suffering, after what you saw that night it not only disappeared, you killed it and buried it deep inside your annihilated and diseased self.

Silently you approached him and the first blow was directly to his head. Knocking him unconscious instantly.

The whore looked at you with frightened eyes and screamed trying to get the heavy body off her.

"Do you like getting into other people's relationships?" you asked, grabbing her hair in a fist and dragging her into the living room.

"You're fucking insane!" she screamed as she kicked and struggled with your violent grip. You lifted her body roughly and slammed her against the hard wall, squatted down and with your hand gripping her hair you forced her to look at you.

"Do you like messing with other people's relationships?" you asked again. She tried to defend herself from you with a pathetic and weak spell. You laughed and grabbed her face violently. "That's your attempt to save yourself? You should put a little more enthusiasm into it, like when you spread your legs like the whore you are."

She perhaps saw that she really couldn't against you, after all she knew who you were and she knew that no one could control the seven princes of hell as easily as you, so she felt that her only solution was to kneel at your feet and beg for forgiveness, praying for sanity to return to your mind, for your humanity to win over that monster that had awoken.

"I'm sorry," she cried, her voice heavy with fear. "I won't get into your relationship again" she grabbed your legs begging for your forgiveness over and over again.

"I hope it was worth it," you muttered as you grabbed her hair again to drag her into the dining room.

"What are you going to do?" she asked between sobs still clutching your arm, in an attempt to loosen your hard grip.

"You'll see." you smiled as you picked her up and slammed her down on the table in the middle of the room, causing her bones to crack slightly. "Or you may not survive to find out." You placed a hand on her chest as she tried to get up quickly and with a simple spell you completely paralyzed her body.

Her eyes widened gigantically and as she tried to scream for help you pulled the rest of your things out of your bag.

"It's no use, try screaming all you want, no one will hear you."

"What the fuck are you doing MC?" The voice of the main character appeared behind you. You turned to see him, blood was pouring from his head and he was in his demonic form in all his glory.

He was the love of your life, but if he couldn't play fair you would have to get rid of him, and you knew it would hurt you more than him.

"Don't worry, you'll be the only audience to this wonderful show I call 'Whore Anatomy, for cheating boyfriends'. Sit down and shut your mouth." He rushed over to you, intending to stop you. "Sit down, and shut your mouth." you repeated in a loud, clear voice. The pact worked its magic and your boyfriend was sitting there staring at you with undecipherable eyes.

"You know I love you, don't you? That's why I'm doing this because I love you and you must not disappoint those who would give their lives for you," you said as you took different things out of your bag.

You looked at all your instruments and thought carefully about what to start with, the excitement made your skin crawl. You didn't expect it to be so exciting.

"So, that's why I'm going to show you that this bitch isn't worth what I'm worth and hasn't done what I've done for you. It will be…educational." your eyes sparkled at the sight of the sharp scalpel. You took it and showed it to your boyfriend. "Pick a portion of the head. Ears, nose, eyes…" your kind smile faded as you saw his expression of fear, your hand slammed violently against his cheek and you repeated. "Choose a portion of the head. Ears, nose or eyes."

"Eyes…" he whispered to your surprise.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to go straight to it." You laughed and approached the witch, who was silently praying. "Stop praying, hoes don't go to heaven." With your fingers you opened her eyelids and showed her the scalpel. "Eyes are a hollow, fibrous globe, we use them to see beautiful things and to see unpleasant things. Whores, like your friend here, use it to track down men in relationships and crawl like a snake to get some cock" you muttered as your scalpel pierced the socket of the girl, who was crying and trying to scream, or so you thought after all her mouth was sealed.

As your sharp scalpel pierced the socket, her quiet cries became more erratic. " Quiet." you murmured, trying not to lose your concentration. Your index finger buried itself in her lacrimal duct pressing hard in an attempt to pry the eye out as cleanly as possible. Blood stained your fingers and the witch's constant attempts at movement were beginning to annoy you. "Stop or I'll cut your fucking eyelids off."

When she calmed down, you took the opportunity to completely bury your finger in the lacrimal, practically ripping the eye out of its socket and cut the nerve that attached it to her body.

You looked at the orb with pride and showed it to your boyfriend. "I pulled it off pretty well, don't you think?"

Your boyfriend looked at you with a strange look on his face, one you couldn't quite figure out. However, the game had only just begun, and the excitement was altering every part of your body.

Morning came, and your boyfriend woke up to the sun shining directly on his face. He looked around when the reality of everything that had happened the night before hit him violently.

"Good morning." You smiled brightly. "Go get changed and make me breakfast, the ingredients are in the freezer." you pointed to the kitchen as you lazily flipped through the channels.

Your boyfriend looked around, everything seemed normal, as if nothing had happened. He was a demon thousands of years old, he'd seen and done some fucked up shit but what he'd seen you do surpassed anything he'd ever lived through.

He've never seen a human look so… happy while mutilating a living person piece by piece.

He had never seen your smile and gaze as bright as it was last night.

He walked over to the fridge and opened the freezer, finding his mistress's frozen head, along with different pieces of her body separated into containers.

"So? Any idea what you're going to make?" you asked as you sat down on the island with a quiet smile.

It was then that he realized who was in front of him.

The monster watched him curiously as they rocked back and forth gently, perhaps trying to soothe the voices that were tormenting their deteriorated mind.

He realized that he had never truly met the depths of your being, that your loving, human form was nothing more than a barrier to prevent the one thing you yourself feared from coming to light.

But now… you seemed comfortable with this new nature of yours.

Too comfortable for his liking.

[arigatouiris]

the flame hashira // rengoku kyojuro

Author’s Note: This is just ANGST. It’s not happy, it’s not fluffly, it’s just bitter, bitter angst because Rengoku is my one true love (like so many others) but gosh, I think I cried writing this? Idk. This has some HUGE MANGA SPOILERS. So please read at your own risk!

Word count: 3353

Pairing: Spirit! Rengoku Kyojuro x Reader

Warnings: angst, pining, mentions of death, spoilers for manga

❝

It was a bit hard to believe for people who didn’t know him, but Rengoku Kyojuro could feel softer emotions like love very intensely. It wasn’t as if his heart was stolen by someone already, it was just that it was possible and that he was in some parts a bit of a romantic.

Rengoku was driven; he knew what he had to accomplish and he wanted to be the big brother for his younger sibling; the big brother one could be proud of. And on his way there, he was certainly not too distracted. It wasn’t as if the prospect of love didn’t come to him at all before, but he would brush it off considering it was not his time. 

Perhaps, that was where things went awry. 

Of all things Kyojuro wanted to feel and admire, love was definitely one of them. But, knowing how limited his access was to these things, he believed it was quite difficult for him to approach a woman and court her, considering how there were demons he’d rather kill. Maybe, this woman could be a demon slayer? And they would be the duo that turned the world upside down. Rengoku may have been optimistic, but he wasn’t a dreamer.

It was at that second when Akaza killed him, and when he let himself go, did he feel Akaza’s, no, Hakuji’s sadness. He didn’t know what his story was, but there were some deep and troubling emotions swaying in the demon’s heart. Rengoku wasn’t one to hold grudges, he simply was satisfied that no one else had died there, and he had accomplished his task.

Maybe, that was why he was confused when he woke up.

He remembered his death rather well; it was an event no one could forget if they were given a chance to recall something. He looked at his hands, and then touched his face, shock plastered over his features. Kyojuro couldn’t be alive, not after that kind of injury—even he knew that. He looked around and saw nothing but farmlands, where the train once was. He looked down on the ground and saw no dried blood, his sword was no longer there, his haori wasn’t to be found either.

How strange... He thought, before attempting to stand up. He could stand up rather easily, but it was strange how he seemed so alive when he knew he was dead.

He walked over to what seemed like a clearing. There were people gathered there, minding their own business, tending to their tasks, heading to their homes—it was close to the evening, after all. Kyojuro attempted to speak to someone, his suspicions already placed in his mind, but the second his hand went through a man’s shoulder, he understood.

He had not passed yet. He was roaming here, in search of something.

But, what could it be? Kyojuro was certain that he had accomplished whatever it was that he wanted to. He had saved Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko’s lives, he heard his mother tell him he was good, he felt content—even when he thought about his own death. He had no regrets. Then why hadn’t he moved on? He had seen his mother before losing consciousness permanently, but then why? This didn’t make sense to him.

He wondered if spirits lingered because it was a thing they do. But, he saw no spirits around him. He then thought if spirits with unaccomplished tasks roam around, but he had accomplished a task. Whatever this was, was unexplained and could not be deduced.

     “Maybe I’m supposed to meet someone?” He spoke aloud, no one around him could hear him.

He knew he was divided from the land of the living now, but how could he communicate? What was he to do?

Suddenly, his eyes caught hold of the familiar demon slayer uniform, and he paused. He had seen this demon slayer, he remembered her name; a strange name but sounded nice to hear. (y/n)? Yes, that was it. Kyojuro walked over to her, and stood beside her, taking in her appearance. What was she doing here? If he could recall, she was at the rank of Tsuchinoe. Kyojuro had met her once in between her own mission—a mission, which was later deduced that could not be completed without the presence of a Hashira.

     “(y/n)-san,” Rengoku said, watching her as she stood, no emotion on her face. “I wonder if you can hear me.”

She couldn’t. She stood so close that Rengoku could touch her, but she was no one to him and he was no one to her. He was acquainted with her, and that was basically it. He had met her a couple of times otherwise, she was closer to Kanroji and Kocho than she was with anyone else. She spoke quietly, almost as if she would whisper, but she was loud when she had to be.

However, a second later, Kyojuro saw it. (y/n)’s eyes were filled with tears, her lip was quivering, and the second she realized she was about to break down, her hand violently wiped the tears away—she took a couple of deep breaths and attempted to calm herself down. It was strange how sad he felt for her right then, wondering what caused her pain.

     “I’m so sorry, Rengoku-san,” Kyojuro’s eyes widened, “I should have told you before you...” 

Should have told me what? He thought before blinking rapidly. He wanted to grab her shoulder and turn her around, ask her what she had to tell him. He could feel his heart race, at the mere thought of something left unsaid. He was no longer available—she could never tell him what she wanted to. 

What was it?

     “Rengoku-san,” Her voice broke as she said his name, so softly, almost as if she was scared saying it any louder would do her harm, “You didn’t deserve to die...” 

He wanted to shake his head and tell her so badly that he didn’t regret it. Was she crying for him? Was she grieving because he had died? He recalled how their conversations went, and he remembered being nice to her each time—she wasn’t someone anyone could be rude to. She was funny with how clueless she was sometimes, but she would laugh it off each time someone mentioned it.

     “(y/n)-san!” 

(y/n) turned to spot Rengoku a few feet away from her. Smiling, she raised one hand and waved at him.

     “Rengoku-san, how are you doing today?”

Smiling wide, “I’m good today! As I was yesterday, as well—”

She giggled at his words, confusing him a tad bit.

     “Did I say something funny?” He tilted his head sideways.

She shook her head, “You’re always filled with so much energy! It’s nice to see.”

Rengoku couldn’t help the smile that came his way. He closed his eyes and offered her the kindest of smiles.

     “I’m glad my energy could make you happy!”

He felt desperate, even, at wanting to comfort (y/n). She stood by herself, near the area he had died, crying for him. How many days had passed? Why was she here? Was she on a mission? 

     “I should have told you...” Tears leaked down her eyes, and Rengoku couldn’t bear to watch. 

There was literally nothing he could do but watch her grieve in silence. 

*

That night, Rengoku followed her to the wisteria house. She was given a change of clothes and food; he didn’t allow himself anywhere near her room except when she had completely changed and opened the doors herself. She walked out after dinner and sat at the edge of the house, the bags under her eyes were dark and heavy.

     “Why do you grieve so much for me?” He asked, but knew she couldn’t hear him.

     “Sometimes, I wonder if you knew,” She spoke, chuckling. She was looking down at her feet, dangling from the edge, and she let out a sigh. “I really did make it so obvious. Everyone knew,”

Obvious? What was obvious?

     “Everyone knew, yes... But, I really should have told you, Rengoku-san. I wanted to, I really did. But, each time I tried, you’d... You were just...” Tears filled her eyes once more, her lip was quivering once more, her heart was breaking once more.

     “You would just be yourself and I’d forget in all that happiness that I had to tell you I was in love with you.”

Kyojuro’s eyes widened. A breath escaped his lips, and he instantly understood why he hadn’t passed over yet. He didn’t know. He didn’t know what she was feeling, he didn’t even see her that often, but he knew what the universe was trying to tell him.

He didn’t know if he had to laugh or cry at how pathetic this situation was. To be asked to love after you’re dead.

*

He watched her sleep that night but dared not get any closer. Even if he was a spirit, and even if he couldn’t touch her, he didn’t want to invade her privacy. She cried herself to sleep, making him wonder how many nights she had done this. He wondered if he would have been able to return her love in any way when he was alive. He hadn’t noticed her approaches. 

But, now they were so blatantly obvious, he wanted to slap himself.

     “Rengoku-san,” (y/n) smiled at him when he entered the butterfly mansion.

He was to meet Shinobu for a medicinal pack she had promised him, and he met (y/n) there, almost as if she was waiting for him.

     “(y/n)-san! Were you waiting for me?” 

She nodded, before giggling and looking away. Rengoku smiled widely at her before nodding once.

     “Were you aware of my coming here then? Of course, that’s why you were waiting!” He laughed once before saying, “Did Kocho give you my medicinal pack?”

(y/n) blinked, “No, I... I was actually waiting to tell you something!”

Rengoku blinked. 

     “What is it?” He smiled, and suddenly, he noticed her eyes widen.

     “Um... You see... When you ask me like that... I... Well,” (y/n) fumbled with her uniform’s collar before breaking into a sweat.

Rengoku patted her shoulder, shocking her. Grinning at her, “You can tell me when I get back, is that alright? I need to see Kocho!”

     “O-Oh? Um, yes... Okay.” 

     “You should get some rest. Your face is awfully red.”

Instantly, she covered her face with her hands as Rengoku laughed and walked inside the mansion. He had always enjoyed her company, but sometimes, he didn’t understand her.

It was not her fault, though. It was he who was blind. He let out a sigh as he left her room, leaving her to sleep. However, just as he exited, 

     “I miss you so much, Rengoku-san...” 

Kyojuro looked down with guilt. Maybe, he hadn’t passed on because he had to know the pain he had caused by dying.

*

A few days passed and he could visibly see her pain slowly die down. However, she would never stop talking to him. It was as if she was talking to herself but would always mention him. 

He found it strangely endearing. He watched her eat, sleep and talk to herself; he watched her train and interact with people, he noticed how kind she was, how sometimes she’d make a fool out of herself by not knowing something—but she was equally cute with her clumsiness. Kyojuro couldn’t help but smile at how simple she was with the way she lived but the part that Kyojuro respected and admired the most was how gracefully she carried her pain.

That afternoon, her crow screamed after her after a few days. (y/n) looked up at the crow before reaching one hand out, which the bird took and perched itself on.

     “You have a mission! Mission!” 

(y/n) giggled before rubbing the crow’s neck, listening to the details of the mission.

     “Alright.” She said, but Rengoku felt a strange sense of fear envelop his features.

He had watched her do a great many things—everyday activities such as breathe, eat and sleep. But, this would be the first time he would be watching her put her life in danger, and that didn’t sit well with him.

She grabbed her things and packed some food before setting out, Rengoku following closely behind. 

     “Wish me luck, Rengoku-san,” She said, smiling to herself.

He watched her warmly before saying, “Good luck, (y/n)-san. I’m right here with you.”

A sudden breeze flew and she paused. Kyojuro noticed her eyes widen, and his heart beat a bit quicker and he wondered if she had heard him. She turned to the side and blinked a couple of times, before letting out a sigh.

     “Sometimes, it feels like you’re by my side...” Kyojuro’s eyes widened. “But, why would you be?”

Why wouldn’t I? 

She continued on, shaking her head about her own thoughts. His heart was breaking at the mere sight. Oh, what he would give to hold her! What he would give to just tell her he was sorry! He felt tears strike his eyes but he blinked them away. 

When they reached a clearing, (y/n) grabbed the hilt of her sword. Rengoku was a spirit, after all, he couldn’t smell anything, he couldn’t tell if there was a demon nearby. He simply watched her movements and understood from that that they were not alone.

     “Breath of (..),” She breathed, “First form.”

He had never seen her use her breathing technique before, and he was simply moved to awe at how graceful she looked. Her blade wasn’t too big, but it was big enough to behead demons. There was no demon in sight, but somehow, Kyojuro knew she knew what she was doing.

     “Wavering whisper.”

She moved instantly before turning to the left, Rengoku followed after her. The demon was about to feed off a woman, but her sword had managed to cut off its tongue and hands that had pinned the civilian to the ground. However, she was a bit careless—there was another demon that grabbed her from the back, forcing her to drop her sword.

She cussed before rushing to the civilian, enveloping herself around her. The second demon approached (y/n), chuckling all the while and Kyojuro could feel his heart rampaging inside his chest. Please, he thought, please, he begged, please, please, please.

There was a small knife embedded at the back of her shoe—something she had learned from Shinobu Kocho. She pierced the demon at its neck before turning around and kicking in full force, beheading it in one full go. Rengoku’s eyes widened as she quickly grabbed her sword, 

     “Breath of (..),” She frowned, “Fourth form.”

She rushed toward the demon, whose eyes could see her and her only.

     “Quietus.”

The demon’s head went flying, and that was that. Quickly, (y/n) unsheathed her sword and turned to the woman, running to her.

     “Are you alright? Are you hurt? Can you walk?”

Kyojuro’s heart went out to her. She seemed as worried as she would be if the woman was her family. She meekly nodded before embracing (y/n), and breaking down, while (y/n) sat there, wide-eyed.

     “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Tears filled her eyes. Slowly, she hugged the woman back but held her tears to herself. 

*

That night, Rengoku sat beside her as she sat at the edge of the wisteria house. She was humming a tune he hadn’t heard before, and it had been all day since she had spoken to him. He missed her calling his name as if some part of her knew he was sitting right beside her.

     “Rengoku-san,” He felt his heart skip a beat. “I think I now understand why you did what you did.”

He turned to look at her, a soft smile on his features.

     “Why is that?” He asked, knowing she couldn’t hear him.

     “I think... After I saved that woman’s life, I realized that we’re demon slayers to protect and not just win. And sometimes,” Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke, “Sometimes... Protecting and winning can’t happen together.”

She cried heavily after that, lips quivering, snot-nosed, ugly sobs—all of which Rengoku wished he could hold her for. He hesitantly reached forward, stopping in midair once, before placing his hand on her back—a mere half-inch gap between his hand and her body. He wanted to feel as if he was holding her, even if it wasn’t real.

     “Death is so cruel, Rengoku-san,” She said in between cries, “Passing days after a loss is far worse than anything anyone can imagine! I know that it’s simply going to get worse and worse and that I’m probably not going to be okay for a very, very long time,”

She breathed once, wiping the tears off her eyes, “Maybe... Maybe I’m never going to be okay at all.”

     “Why do you say that, (y/n)-san?” Rengoku asked, his heart breaking.

     “Because losing someone isn’t an occasion or an event. It doesn’t just happen once. It happens over and over and over again. I feel like I lose you each time I think of a warm fire. I lose you each time someone mentions your name. I lose you each time I kill a demon,”

Her face reddened from the constant rubbing. Her voice broke as she continued, “I lose you... I lose you each time I think of kissing you... Holding you or wanting you... I go to bed at night and lose you when I wish I could tell you about my day. And in the morning, when I wake up I lose you all over again.” 

She calmed a bit after saying these words, shattering his heart into pieces. Rengoku couldn’t believe the amount of love he had left behind, but it was no one’s fault. 

     “When I heard the news, I didn’t cry or wail right away,” She looked up at the sky, “The loss hits me slow, each day.”

A lone tear streaked down Rengoku’s cheek as he watched her. His hand, which was on her back went to her cheek, and there was nothing in the world he wanted more than to just touch her once. Just once and that would be enough. There would be nothing more he would ever need.

     “I love you, (y/n)-san. I wish I could have felt this sooner.”

(y/n) gasped before turning to her left, right where Rengoku sat. He gave her such a sad smile, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

     “R-Rengoku... Rengoku-san?” She whispered, unable to conjure what was in front of her.

     “Oh, thank goodness.” He whispered, before leaning forward, pressing his forehead to hers.

His hand was on her cheek and somehow, he could smell her. He didn’t know how much time he had left, what was even going on, but whatever it was, he was going to make use of. 

     “I love you so, so much. I am so glad I could fall in love with you! You have completed my life!”

The same energy that she loved so much. Kyojuro opened his eyes and stared at her wide ones, before laughing hard.

     “You’re... How are you...”

     “No time for questions, my love.”

In an instant, she kissed him. Kyojuro kissed back, holding her as tightly as he could, pressing himself to her as much as he could, for as long as he could. A second later, when she was breathless, he pulled apart.

There was a light only he could see. And he knew he had to go. 

Ah.

That was why he hadn’t passed on.

Letting out a silent ‘thank you’ to whatever had given him this chance, Rengoku whispered one last time,

     “I love you, (y/n). We will meet again.”

When she burst into tears at his disappearance, she felt a bit more whole than she did before. Perhaps, it was because he was such a pure soul, he was given the chance to return again. She would never know.

But, the mere fact that he had come for her had now given her a new reason to live.

     “I love you so much, Rengoku Kyojuro. Flame Hashira. Love of my life.”

❞

[unordinary-analysis]

Episode 132

Best *clap* chapter *clap* ever

Okjnskfjhskjhfikjhgjsikhg I can barely tybe right now. I’m s h a k i n g.

Honorable mentions:

Happy that Leilah’s coming back

Also i thought she was at work not at some beach vacation wth

Where’d Elaine go? She just disappeared.

There’s this one specific panel in this episode about halfway through that’s a view kind of through John’s eyes and he has Arlo’s shirt grabbed with both his hands. Yeh, that one. I just noticed that Alro looks like he’s about to cry.

Because I don’t know how to put my ideas forward in any other way, I’m going to be doing a compare and contrast kind of thing. First, I will talk about John’s side and his argument. Then, Arlo’s. I’m so excited lets go.

Before reading know that in each section, I talk in favor of their mindset. So stuff I’ve written will be true, but will only be half of the story as I would have written the counter-argument in the other person’s p.o.v.. Don’t just read the John section and come after me with how great and right Arlo is. I already know. Please keep reading. Thank you :)

John’s point of view:

John’s argument (? i don’t know what to call it): John is v e x e d because of a few things. Firstly, he’s angry at Arlo for not telling him that he was looking for Sera. Next, he says that it was totally okay for him to beat up Isen. He’s mad because Arlo wouldn’t let him step away from the calm and quiet life he had built for himself. Lastly, he’s angry with Arlo for praising the hierarchy, but at the same time, not listening to John, who is according to Arlo’s rules, a higher authority. As a final statement, John says that he will ruin down Arlo’s precious hierarchy just like Arlo ruined his life (not his exact phrasing, but I like to make things dramatic). That’s a lot of stuff to get into, so let’s get started.

When Arlo turned down John’s request for help in his search for Seraphina, he decided to do his own investigation. Thing is, he didn’t tell John and the whole time that Arlo was finding out information, John was running around desperate to help his friend and one of the only people that could help him and the one that had figured out the most had already turned him down and deliberately done his own search. I would be pissed too. I mean really, Arlo was approached by John and asked if they could combine their powers to complete their mutual goal. But, nooo. Arlo had to deny him and do it himself, also doing his best to inconvenience John.

In regard to Isen’s beating, John has a point. In the past, Isen has lied to John, rudely invaded his privacy and stalked him back to when he was at New Bostin, and hurt John. Despite everyone’s mutual love for Isen (the fandom, not the characters lol), he kind of deserved some sort of beating. His actions are sneaky and self-serving. Isen is thought of as the poor cinnamon bun that is always put in the middle of things. Digging up dirt on John, becoming head of the newspaper, the whole superhero thing with Remi, looking for Sera. But in truth, Isen is put in many of these situations because of his own actions (mostly Arlo’s but even then, John’s side becomes more powerful). True, when requested by Arlo to investigate John, he could hardly turn it down, but the extent that Isen takes his interrogation too was uncalled for and unprofessional. He asked invasive questions and went after John without a thought for the guy. He was only put in charge of the newspaper because Arlo knew he could control Isen and the two could conspire together. He knew that Isen would easily give up information and would leak false information because Isen had ambition to lead the newspaper and Arlo had granted it, but also because Isen has tried to obstruct information in the past to secure his own well-being. Though many of the poorly thought up plans and questionable conspiracies he’s been a part of have been conducted by others, Isen always holds a little blame. His actions are usually always self-preserving and sly, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but because of the harm his actions have indirectly caused, Isen is in no way innocent. I know I went pretty off topic, but I just really wanted to say this. So yeah, Isen kind of deserved the beating….

Also dealing with his beating, technically John is a higher tier than Isen and high-tiers are practically encouraged to establish their authority over those weaker than them. Arlo’s whole problem with John is that he doesn’t, but is John not doing just that when he attacks Isen? Is he not acting like how Arlo thinks he should?

Also, when Tuesday first approaches John, he refers to it as a rank-match. If this qualifies as a rank-match there’s really nothing wrong (kind of similar to above point, but still gotta say.

Finally moving along lol.

Now we’re at the part where John gets mad at Arlo because he disrupted his perfectly peaceful life as a cripple for the belief that all high-tiers should have to be in charge and are separate from everyone else. John isn’t kidding with this. Arlo seriously walked right into John’s life because he hung out with Sera, a god-tier, and Arlo didn’t feel that this was right. That’s it. The whole reason. Arlo didn’t like that Seraphina was hanging out with a low-tier and that’s how this entire drama started. And John had really tried to step away from the high-tier life. After the disaster at New Bostin, he knew that if he ever was in charge again, he wouldn’t be able to put himself in check. He’s already gone through the royalty bullshit system. He tried that already. And he discovered that he couldn’t handle it, not because he was weak or didn’t want the responsibility, but because of what it did to the students around him. John gave up on the hierarchy because in his experience, it brought out the worst in everybody. It brought out the demons in him, it’s brought out the need to be perfect in Seraphina. When he was last involved with the hierarchy, bad stuff happened. John stepped away from that life, he stepped into the light. He was prepared to live life treated as a cripple, spat upon and looked down on to protect himself and others. And everyone was happy! Until Arlo came and ruined it all because he didn’t like his friends hanging out with the riff-raff. Until he ruined it all by invading his privacy. Until he ruined it all by demanding that John come back to the system that ruined his life.

You would think that after all that, Arlo would at least respect the system today. He would understand that there are two parts to the hierarchy that he promotes so much. According to the hierarchy, Arlo has to listen to John. I’ve already covered this briefly when talking about Isen, but now I’m doing it again (brief again too sorry). John tells Arlo as much; that he has to listen to him, but when it’s addressed, Arlo calls it trivial! So I guess the system is only important when Arlo says it is, huh?

We’ve reached the near end of John’s perspective, but there’s one last, and very important, thing to say. John said he was going to break the hierarchy. I have no idea what this is gonna mean. I don’t think he’s gonna reveal himself, but maybe he’ll use his new influence/fear as Tuesday to mess with the students or maybe he’ll do something with Cecile. Whatever it is, I’m hyped.

Not as hyped as I am to write the Arlo section tho ;) (segway).

Arlo’s point of view:

I’m going to address all of the points made above. Because I’ve already explained them above, I won’t go into as much detail, I will just list a reason or two as that supports Arlo’s arguments.

1.) Arlo not telling John that he was looking for Sera

- John was a complete asshole and by agreeing with him and aiding John in his search for Seraphina, that seem to others that Arlo agreed with things John did or that he listened to everything he said, which would ruin the hierarchy. So because of his hatred for John, his pride, and his protectiveness over the hierarchy system, Arlo could not morally help John.

2.) The Isen thing.

- John attacked his friend seemingly for his ability alone! Even if Isen had been a prick to John, he definitely took the beating way too far.

3.) Why Arlo doesn’t listen to John

- He’s an asshole

- He never properly dethroned him and claimed the throne, leaving Arlo as rightful king

- He’s got more important stuff to worry about

- Some of what John is asking is destructive to Wellston and Arlo won’t stand by that

And now, John’s biggest argument: (which i will go fully into)

Arlo’s love for the hierarchy and what it did to him, John, and everyone around them.

When Arlo was younger, he looked up to someone. This person was a role model to Arlo and inspired him. This person was Rei. Within the first two years of Arlo coming to Wellston, Rei was made king. He proposed all of these ideas about equality and self-worth. He told everyone that they mattered and that they belonged. This was a change from any previous king and the students were new to the concept. With Rei’s constant encouragement, they began to treat each other as equals and friends. High-tiers got along with low-tiers and everyone believed in themselves, believed they had something to contribute. Arlo, being a high-tier was introduced to the idea that everyone around him is his equal and that they could all be friends. Because he looked up to Rei, he didn’t question it, just accepted that everyone was happy now. Arlo believed in that system. And so he helped Rei bring up the low-tiers.

Things were going great, until one day, the low-tier realized something. Because Rei said they were all equal, they could do anything they wanted! Suddenly low-tiers were picking fights and trying out for turf wars. If the high-tiers could, why shouldn’t they? Problem was; they were weak. Rei’s insistence that they were equal didn’t change the fact that they had little ability. Soon, low-tiers were getting hurt, hurt by their misconception that they could do anything that the high-tiers could and hurt by the king that introduced them to that misconception. In the end, Rei’s reign did more harm than good, despite his good intentions.

Arlo lived through this. He saw what happened when you gave false hope and he knew what happened when people got confused. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t make the same mistakes that Rei did, that he would honor Rei’s memory by learning from him. And so when Arlo was promoted to king when Rei graduated, he decided that he would abide by the hierarchy previously used before Rei stepped up. He wouldn’t let Wellston fall into chaos again. He wouldn’t let Wellston down. The low-tiers would be treated as such and the responsibility was handed to the high-tiers. Inconvenience on both sides is better than ruin on all sides.

Things are going great. High-tiers are setting examples, low-tiers aren’t getting unnecessarily hurt. Then one day, this new kid shows up. Arlo is only put onto his scent because Elaine tells him that he hung out with Seraphina and Arlo considered her a friend (he didn’t have many considering his position cold demeanor). So he looks into it and is appalled at what he finds! John is supposedly a low-tier, a cripple even, but he acts like he’s the king! He isn’t afraid of the high-tiers, hangs out with Seraphina, the school’s ace, and has no regard for the rules. He acted exactly like low-tiers did when Rei was king. Arlo panicked because he worked so hard to fix Wellston, worked so hard to impress Rei, and then John showed up, threatening to unravel all his work. He remembered what happened when Rei was king and knew what harm an arrogant low-tier could cause.

And so Arlo dug deeper, getting Isen to look into John’s past and personality. Maybe there was something different about this kid, maybe he was just a rarity that had a larger ego than normal. Maybe he wasn’t such a big threat. But when Arlo found out that he wasn’t a low-tier messing up the system, he found another problem. He was a high-tier.

Arlo has stricter rules for high-tier than low-tiers. Though low-tiers will always be there and will always have to be counted on to know their place, high-tiers are the ones who are supposed to tell them where they belong. High-tiers are supposed to be the enforcers and have lots of responsibilities. Even under Rei’s rule, the high-tiers had the most responsibility! It was a must. High-tiers were born with a gift and they had to use it to help the greater good. Whilst John thinks that helping the greater good means being nice to everybody, Arlo knows that helping the greater good is giving everyone a place, it’s letting people know who they are and where they belong. Arlo won’t stand for a high-tier neglecting his responsibilities and at the same time confusing the low-tiers. Because of this, Arlo just couldn’t leave John alone. For the sake of Wellston, for the sake of sanity, and for the sake of order.

-----------------------------------------------

sorry this is late, but theres a small hiatus so hopefully it doesn't matter too much ;)

[jess-the-vampire]

Sky And The Forces Of The Multiverse, Chapter 23

Previous / Next

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"I could portal?", the demon girl looked down at her hands, as if memorized by them, " But, i'm not supposed to be able to do that without years of practice dipping down right? I mean, I've just never heard of our mewberty forms letting us.....portal before...it's never been recorded in our history at least...". Sunny of course, was still upset about her recent.....freakout, but what put her more on edge then anything was her abilities, being more overpowered then normal. She sighed, "I got my wand so young......because I was too powerful....I...needed to be able to control my power sooner then other princesses, so....it's just...a little scary to find out...what I can do...when i'm not in control of my own body.". She looked to the people in the room with her, that being for now, galexia, and judas. Judas coming here right after seeing his father, and waiting on the return of sky, and and keeping a close eye on galexia as she drew in the corner, this was lexi's room after all, anyone was welcome. "I know the feeling....it's kinda a personal fear of mine as well..".

"It's always been like this for me...you know? I kinda always felt like me being stuck at home so much, it wasn't just to keep me safe...it was to keep others safe...from me.", sunny's wings fluttered behind her, they were still new, so still soft and weak, it was going to take some getting used to for her. She was used to flying without wings that having wings felt like a bizarre experience, what were her parents going to say if and when she got back home? "I'm sure it's nothing you need to worry about, at least, not right now.....you're back in control of your body, and you seem to have gotten a good hold on yourself...", the smaller demon nodded, "I have.....but, sometimes it's a scare when you have that kinda power....especially when you want to control it.". Sunny always seemed so in control of her powers, almost better then luna was, so her talking about this, especially as dismal as she spoke on the topic, well, it was strange. Sunny was usually so sweet and cheery, and right now, she was far from it. "You gonna be ok?", it wasn't entirely like judas himself was in the best of moods after speaking to his father, but he sure didn't want sunny to feel awful considering all the stuff she must me going through, the stuff that usually seemed to hide behind her smiles. "I'll be ok...I think, i'm used to having strange things happen to me....I just need more time to process it...". He understood, he honestly would ask her further about her magic back home but it didn't seem remotely appropriate right now considering how sunny felt. "It's alright sunny....for the record though.....your butterfly form was incredible...". It seemed to make her feel a little better, smiling and twiddling her fingers together, "Thanks...I just hope i didn't scare you all TOO bad, i know mewberty can be a little....insane....not to mention how long it'll take to clean up my room of evidence...that stuff doesn't come out easily you know? How are you planning to even get rid of it? If one of the underworld servants walks in to clean it they are going to have to report it to well...your parents...". She took a seat next to her older half-brother, who tried to reassure her. "Eclipsa said she'd take care of it...i'm....still not entirely comfortable with her knowing about....you know, but, i do want to trust her. I just hope she doesn't go into any of our minds again, I don't particularly like people invading my privacy like that...", he looked over to lexi, who was still drawing to her heart's content, "Yesterday was such a crazy day my mind feels like it's turned into jelly, i can't entirely concentrate and today hasn't been much better with my dad.... I just hope sky's doing better then me...". "she's talking to angel?" "Yeah, kinda, well....inviting him to hang out....globgor is going to look into his family but we think well.....we might be better talking to angel ourselves to a degree, right now, we're better off as friends then enemies..", she crossed her arms, "Just, i hope you're not doing it just to get information out of him....he's still a person you know? I know i'd hate it if someone became my friend just to use me like that...I know he's kinda weird but, he's still a person...". She pouted, "Awhile back you got mad with me for trying to mess with Loki, for trying to trick him? I was only trying to help but I wasn't going about it the right way, I have friends back home who'd....well I guess they would've seen the situation more harmless then you did, but i get the feeling being tricked or lied to bothers you a lot...". He nodded, "I guess you could say that yeah....", and Sunny nodded, "I made you upset, and....I don't want you to make him upset....i've met monsters like him back home and....", She stopped speaking, but judas seemed to understand what she was getting at. Sunny had a real sympathy for monsters and people that need help didn't she? "I promise, this isn't just because we're suspicious...we do want to be on good terms with him, trust me.", he patted her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, "With everything going on we need answers, and something is definitely up with angel and we need to look into it, but....I don't want to hurt the guy either....If nothing is really going on and he truly wanted to hang out with us...then.....this can't do any real harm in the end. And hopefully....things work out between us..". She seemed to understand, "Just be careful, he seems like he's going through enough.....I don't think he'd like feeling as though you didn't actually care about him.". Judas knew well enough, and after him being almost friendless aside from sky for most of his life, he wouldn't want to turn into the guy that made someone else feel uncared about either. He just hoped in the back of his mind angel wasn't withholding any dangerous secrets from him, that things could be peaceful between the three of them. There was definitely something strange with him, between him just magically appearing in the castle during the sleepover, to stealing jude's phone, to producing silk again when he shouldn't be able to? Maybe he was indeed overthinking it, it had crossed his mind that he was getting way too paranoid about everyone and everything these days, but he was getting desperate for answers. The biggest issues was mostly going to be getting them from Angel once they confronted him. He was always stern with the boy, but also friendly, despite how tall he was the last thing he ever wanted to do was come off like he was planning to hurt anyone. But if he wasn't careful he might get nothing from him, and only make their relationships with angel worse then they kinda were. He at the very least, could hope the respect they shared between being monster princes from mewni would at least allow the boy to be more comfortable if sky failed. For as long as he remembered the three had never been on the best of terms, even if he wished that were different if he had known he'd sometimes feel as disrespected or as isolated as angel did at times. If there is something on the loose out there, targeting kingdoms, they needed as many allies as they could, and if anyone in this large and insane magical world needed allies and friends at this time of need. It was the boy with extra legs and whose stubbornness matched the one of his best friend most times. No more fights, no more bitter rivalries, no more of angel causing issues. That was the dream, a nice dream at least. "I hope you three become good friends....you know, and nora, nora too.....", sunny sounded sad, her voice growing weak, "If and when we go back home, we're not going to see you anymore most likely....things will go...back to normal, and well....when i'm gone...", she looked over to him with sad eyes, "I hope you all well....are happy...at least, I want to think about you all being happy together, you, sky, angel, nora, mason...landon....all of you.". "I'm gonna miss you too sunny....it's well....it's nice to have a little sister...", sunny smirked, eyes glistening, "Well, it's kinda cool to have an older brother, i've always been so used to being the oldest I've never known what it was like to have a protective older brother looking out for me....I-I hope maybe...we can just...find a way...to talk again, when all of us go home....you know? Think about it, you could meet my friends and they could meet yours and.....it's a nice thought..". "Yeah, yeah it is....the future is always a little funky and even when your reassure yourself things will be easy it can still come back to you but....the though helps, that maybe...everything will work out.". "GUYS!", the door swung open, sky walking in, frantic and.....happy? Catching the attention of both part-demons who were momentarily scared but relaxed and eased as the princess looked the happiest she'd been in awhile. "I think......it actually worked...?". "You asked angel out?", Sunny asked, jokingly, eyebrow raised. "Uh, No......but I think, we're kinda....sorta.....friends? Maybe...well, I actually think he wants to hang out..", Judas stood up, half surprised and half in utter joy, "You actually got him to want to hang out with us? Wow I thought it would take longer but.....sky that's wonderful! What happened?". Sky shrugged, knowing full well the entire situation was kinda awkward to explain , "Well, we kinda fought together and he kinda freaked out and I actually...comforted him? And well we.....he actually.....admitted to well...not liking his actions, that they weren't helping and we.....hugged.". "You hugged?" "Don't make it weird! But yeah....he sorta...cried into my shoulder..". "He cried?! " "Yeah, he kinda went haywire for a sec and i guess it scared the heck outta him and he kinda needed to vent and talk to someone and I was just kinda there and ...look, it's not that important how it happened! I think we just....had a "Bonding moment" and well, he actually smiled, at me.....it's kinda strange when i actually talk about it." Sunny looked rather giddy, "He SMILED?! Awwwww!! That's really sweet! Did you get his number? You could-". "Sunny, angel doesn't have a compact, remember?", judas reminded the small girl, thinking back, "for several different reasons but considering he has to steal mine off me, yeah it's clear he never had one he could easily access, and to order food for some reason too....so that's kinda odd, but yeah, we'd have to go to him to hang out...though, his parents most likely would think we were there because he did something....and our parents still are on high protection of us...". "So how do you even plan on spending time with him? " "Simple", Sky said, not very happy with the solution but knowing full well where it was going, "I'm going to have to talk with my mother..". It didn't sound that bad without context but her mother wasn't very fond of Angel's antics and the only way they could avoid most issues was for angel to come to them And angel can't come to them, without Star herself intervening. Fantastic. - 'Hey celeste...", landon caught up with the girl, a little spring in his step and a compact being placed into his pocket and celeste could only assume what...or who was now putting him in better spirits. "Um....how did things uh...go....with sunny? I'm not talking to judas so....I kinda thought you'd tell me but you've kinda ignored me....", She simply grumbled, her mind feeling as if it were fighting with each other, should she say something or not? By the sounds of it Judas hadn't made it public to the whole group yet , was he even going to? Was everyone just planning on not telling luna anything? Including her? If the Nora stuff was any indication, they were definitely not telling them everything that was going on, sneaking out to see a girl? Seriously? Where were their priorities at if they were sneaking out to see someone else unless it has to do with their current task of finding their way home? It was like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, she was pissed at luna but she was also pretty pissed at judas and sky for keeping more secrets from her. Even if they may of been warranted from someone like luna. She was so lost in thought she only just now noticed landon snapping his fingers in front of her, keeping an eye on the guard following celeste nearby, "Look, we have to talk because if we don't so something and luna finds out, I kinda get the sense she'd wipe our memory or something and I'd....rather she didn't...you have to do some some questioning to figure out what's so...weird about sunny and I have to look at sky's wand and well, we kinda need to talk if we want to do our own investigating I guess..". "You still want to work with uh...luna? You seemed pretty mad with her...". "I don't like her, trust me, but....I've been doing some thinking and well.....I still want you to go home....So, i'll put up with it, but only if it means we figure out what's going on around here.....because If i catch that stupid guy who did this well, imagine that.", she could see a glint of joy in his eyes and suddenly she understood where this was headed, "No more hiding in that private box huh? You just plan on going out there and capturing the guy yourself?". "Oh you bet, i'm freaking sick of this, sick of no one knowing who i am, sick of my brother being more important, sick of people like that girl stomping all over me. I was about to back up, thinking i made a mistake in getting involved in this against my brother, but you know what? Maybe this is just what i need to show him and everyone else, you and me, we work together to figure this out, we'll get what luna needs but we capture the guy together...we both show the others we're not useless..". "You're serious? We team up and work on this together?". "I'll show them....I'll show them all...", he was definitely serious, his violin strapped to his back and his three eyes looking dead forward, "We both will, if luna and everyone else wants to tear us down...we'll shown them what we're made of...". His attitude was so....unlike landon, not to say landon never did anything, but that the boy rarely ever seemed happy or eager to get involved in anything when she'd seen him, she had a feeling luna's words got to him more then he let on. Was he really that mad? She'd seen him mad before but mad enough to push himself into situations he didn't normally like doing? She almost felt like she should talking him out of it, but social interaction wasn't her strong suit, maybe if she was lucky he'd back out of it himself, though right now she just decided to shake it off. She might be overthinking it, if the dude wanted to take charge and prove himself she couldn't really be the kinda person to ruin that for him. "Do you even have a plan?". "Sorta....". "Sorta??!!". "Look, Sunny kinda sorta lives with you, you can talk to her....she's an open book right? Just...ask about her and what's up with her.....why does luna even want to know about that anyway?", his partner shrugged, looking behind her at the guard who wasn't paying too close of an ear to their words, "I assume she just finds it kinda weird this 14 year old girl is more stupidly powerful then she is.....honestly are you surprised? It is freaking weird how good she is at magic...and she's younger then me.". Well, actually, landon had barely ever seen the girl do magic, so he technically had no reason to really know now that she thought about it, but whatever. She shook her head and moved on, "Anyways, I think luna's on edge, the longer she's been here the more and more on edge she's been getting, maybe she thinks....sunny did it?", his eyebrows were raised and his hands were placed in his pockets. "Sunny? But Sunny doesn't really seem to have much interest in like....I dunno, doing anything to hurt anyone? I mean, you've seen her, she eats dinner with our family and she's kinda....well....not really sinister...". "Well, she's also a pretty good actor I believe.....", Celeste mumbled, "I dunno, I think at one point she mentioned being in plays back home and you've seen how she talks to your dad and can get what she wants out of people, I mean....what if she's a better actor then we thought? She seems to have a way with people...". "Yeah, but she's also not tall enough to be under that outfit.....well, i guess unless she flew...but still, like....remember the portal thing? She can't be in two places at once, we were ALL there!", he had a good point, "I mean, unless.....but no, sunny doesn't know anyone else around here enough to have a accomplice, she's in a whole new dimension....and that doesn't explain sky's wand and all this other junk or why she'd do these things... and UUGGHHHH!". "Look, let's just work on talking to her and looking at the stupid wand...though, I dunno what she expects you to do with the wand...stare at it? I mean, if she holds it it would just turn into her wand so....", he grumbled and scratched his head, "I dunno, i've known sky for a long time, seen her use magic all the time, and I don't know enough about it to even know what i'm looking for! I mean, nothing seems wrong about it from the outside....I think...". "Take some pics or something, I dunno....I apparently have to learn to "Socialize" and talk to sunny....", she was clearly not too keen on having the task where she had to smile and make friends and she threw her arms up in the air, "Like, i HATE talking to most people, because most people are annoying and treat me like garbage and I have to try and get information nicely out of them? Like, Ugh.....luna sounds like my mom back home, trying to get me to make friends..". "Really?". "Don't your parents ever just....y'know....make you do these things? Try to help you make friends? Try and make you into what they want to make you into?", he shook his head almost immediatly, "Our parents never really pressured us into anything....being....anyone, judas was gonna be king but....our parents preferred we had y'know....freedom to make our friends and persue our hobbies...you know, i was shut inside my room a lot....my parents didn't try and force me into anything...". "Huh.....", she pondered over that for a moment, before turning her head away, "Well, I guess you're lucky then...". She went silent as she felt landon touch her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her," Look, I-I'm sure you can do it, don't give up...just.....be yourself or something, you can probably get what you need.". She didn't seem all that optimistic about his words but took them anyway, Well, I uh.....hey.....let's head to my room, I think there are some things from yesterday you outta know. He understood, following her. "Hey uh....is it weird to ask if....you know, why do you fall back on things you say you want to do? Like....You said awhile ago you wanted to use magic, use it to help...but don't use it..., and you hate talking about your home...but want everyone to spill their guts....it's kinda weird...". "Why do you care?". "I dunno, it's just...sometimes...It feels like you say things...looking for a fight....but don't actually mean them...". She went silent, before brushing him off, "C'mon, move it....and keep your voice down...". She really didn't want to talk about her problems right now, and just focus on getting this dumd mission done so luna didn't explode. Sunny was an interesting choice of a suspect, but her being in two places at once was an odd thing to explain for now. However, she was not the only monster/mewman that could be under suspect of being responsible behind this. Now, she knew there was another as gears turned in her mind. Meteora. - "You finally ready to go talk to her?", judas sighed, watching sky as she held out the pendent Katrina gave her, sky sighing to herself, knowing he was going to see nora alone today to tell her his progress, in which, there was none of course. Nothing to present to her besides the fact his father would be considering the whole thing, judas would be more then fine on his own of course, though he did seem sad his friend would be sneaking off somewhere else. "Guess I've been stalling long enough...huh?", she was partially laughing, but it was true, she had kinda been stalling for a long time from when katrina first told her she could contact her at any time using this...thing she supposed. Maybe something about going out there to find her made her anxious, maybe she was worried this was a set up for some bizarre elaborate trap, or maybe she was just scared she'd find her and talk to her and come back with nothing. She clutched her wand in her hands, anxious about it and using it before examining the pendent, "I'm not even sure how to use the thing honestly, it's not like this came with any instructions, or katrina told me much, just that this pendent is supposed to help me find her...somehow...". Upon close inspection the pendent was quite decorative, with a few green gems on it, but it wasn't particularly very helpful to point her the right way, because of course it wasn't. Ugh, Spies. Judas carefully took it out of her hands, looking it over closely, "Katrina.....you could at the very least write a note if you wanted to allow us to find where you go", he turned the pendent in his hands and bit at his lips, "I'm not sure sky, maybe you should try using your magic or something?". He was met with silence as he put his hands in his pockets, "You don't have to go, I mean, not tonight at least, you can come with me and nora and we'll talk and you can figure this out later...". "No it's cool, the arm thing is mostly your business anyway,  I just....there's gotta be something here...katrina knows us....there has to be something about it to help....the chick is a freaking spy, if anyone knows wat's happening outside of these walls, she would", he smiled, giving her a small hug before standing back up, "Well, if that's the case, i know you'll figure it out, call me if you figure out anything...ok? We'll talk soon enough, I believe in you....ok?". She smiled and watched him teleport away, staring at the pendent and getting a little more frustrated over time. It was nice for them to be on good terms again, reliving actually, sky could be stubborn as all heck sometimes but judas was probably the one person who could get her to soften so easily. She missed having his support and things sorta seemed to be looking up a little more recently between them being back to normal and angel and her actually seemingly working things out at a decent pace. She wished he could stay and help but, honestly after their stupid fight the last thing she wanted to do was ask too much of him. Plus, this thing with Nora mattered a lot to him personally and no doubt she would be the worst friend ever if she tried to take that away from him. She probably should take advantage of this situation to handle more matters without judas, though she kinda was always under the impression in their duo he was better suited to figuring out puzzles and stuff like this. Even if people were encouraging her that she was pretty competent on her own with magic, she doubted they could argue for her knowledge considering how much studying annoyed her and that she was far from the most knowledgeable about mewni. But she stalled this enough and she had to figure this out, at least, if only because judas was counting on her and believed she would figure it out herself. "Ok.....what am i supposed to do here...how do I find you....ugh...think sky, think like a spy....". She rolled the pendent around and looked closer at the gems, one was a little bit bigger then the other when she took a better look at it, but that was probably for decorative purposes. The she turned the pendent around, looking at it's bare back and scratching at it, "Think think......like...ok.....well, Katrina knows I like to make hats....so maybe....it has something to do with that? But this is like...jewelry! That's.....that's not the same thing! Ugh....maybe I just....". She placed the pendent on her hat, the chain around one of the ears as she frustratingly sat it there, all out of ideas, grumbling, "Ugh....this is freaking stupid....". The pendent, as if it could hear here, hit her in the eye as she moved. "OWWW! Ugghhhhh, c'mon.....". Then she froze, the gem right in front of her eye as she held it closer to her eye. Everything was green. It was a freaking spyglass to hook onto her hats, my god. And then she held it out towards the window. "Are you kidding me..." - "You came! Bluebell!", Katrina wrapped her arms around sky, holding her tightly, "It was about time, I would've thought you'd be more eager to see my other outside work....". Sky huffed and puffed as she pulled up her pendent, the one katrina gave her, "Well, this thing didn't exactly come with instructions, I had to use this weird spyglass thing at my window, till i found some weird blinking thing in the distance, to find your location, and then i had to SNEAK outside of my room to find you...". She looked over the the green gemstone on top of the wall, the stones were clearly linked somehow to find katrina magically but sky still seemed mad about going through so much effort to make it where she should've been countless times before now if she hadn't been so lazy. "And it took you THAT long? it's been weeks!" "What? No! Things just kinda....got in the way", she felt embarrassed, she should've come sooner, and she promised everyone she would, and still didn't do it. Her procrastinating seemed to never fade did it? Katrina still seemed delighted to see her though, smiling from her hideout, atop the ruins of a giant wall, clearly broken from a past war no doubt. Did she really spend her days watching things from atop a ruined wall?  What would she normally even find up here? "Ah, what kinda things?", she was smiling a toothy smile and the mewman groaned. "Trust me, nothing THAT special, but....I'm sure you've heard about the whole....."Masked thief" thing going around? The entire kingdom is kinda in a huff because of it, not to mention security is way tighter to avoid them sneaking back in...". Katrina seemed to get it almost immediately, her eyes diverting to the scene in front of her, "Oh, I know exactly what you mean Sky, I've been on watch for her ever since I heard...I think the monsters have been paranoid about her being a mewman out to get vengeance or something..". "A mewman out for vengeance?". "Yeah, against the royal families for allowing monsters rights and such? You know what some mewmans are like about monsters or half monsters these days.....you're not even a monster and you deal with some flack, i think there have always been rumors for awhile about....secret cults or assassins out to put things back to normal, most of it comes from paranoia of course, but spies like me have caught some crazies out there on the job sadly...you don't think Princess Spiderbite is kept at home or the Lucitor princes are restricted on where they go and what they do for no reason do you? There are dangerous people out there...". "And...you think this is one of them?". "Yes but....you should be careful....because i'm also hearing...you're under suspect from the commission..". "You...hear a lot of things through the grapevine huh?", she had almost forgotten the commission thought she was responsible for the destruction of the archives and tried to take her wand away, it had been awhile since being under suspect had even been brought up and judas made no mention of it when he went to meetings with his parents. Though then again, talking about his best friend like that in front of him would've been a stupid move for them anyway. "Word gets around bluebell......especially when the kingdoms become more heavily guarded and the royals don't leave without bodyguards....besides, you know me, spying is a part time job for me...things slip through the cracks eventually...for example, I assume Judas is out to meet that slime girl?". Sky's eyes widened, then she groaned, "Ugh, does EVERYONE know about that besides our parents? Cause we haven't even done it for very long!". "Oh no, just me....I can see a lot from this point, plus I'm probably keeping better eye on your then the guards anyways..."., she was partially laughing but did seem a little concerned, "Don't worry, I won't snitch, just be careful out there....there's been some weird stuff going on and I'd rather neither of you got hurt on my watch. I know you both can take care of yourselves but if I know you're sneaking out and something happens....that's on me.". "What...weird stuff have you been seeing exactly?". "It's hard to explain, though you know that ponyhead kid? He's been wandering around a lot during the night, I can spot him in the woods sometimes, other times....I spot other people out there, the high commission for one but I can't tell if it's part of their job or not, and some people out there are meant to be out there anyways...". Loki had been wandering around in the woods huh? Yeah, that didn't seem to suit the kid, though it peaked her interests drastically. "Loki's under heavy guard to keep him from running off, he hasn't been like....tagging me or judas for weeks since they locked him up...". "Really? Cause I'm sure it's him...". "Well, judas has said he's been acting strange, tired, more paranoid....dazed....". She hummed and went back to looking over the wall, pulling out binoculars, "That's not a good sign, do you know if he sleepwalks...er....floats? Perhaps he's lacking in rest as a result? Being out in the woods these days, not a good idea....I've tried to catch him, but he's too fast, even for me....and those woods....easy to get lost in. I've been sending reports to his parents you know, but either they aren't listening or whatever they're doing....isn't working..". "You know anything....else going on...that's odd?". "Well, a spy can't tell you everything blue girl...however....i'll tell you this, the high commission are still onto you, be careful, they're looking for more evidence to convict you and the only thing standing in their way of coming to you sooner is your mother..", guess regardless of her mixed feelings towards her mom, she was at least the one thing keeping her from being trialed by the high commission for possible crimes. "You have them on edge, take it from me though, i personally think someone's trying to frame you. That or...the commission is all too eager to remove you from the throne.....". "You think they would do that?". "I put nothing past them after what they pulled with Eclipsa years ago, they're no longer the credible all mighty magic users mewni once saw them. Pretty sure the reason they aren't fired is they don't have anyone to take their place.....but they are still have you under suspicion sky, just....don't trust them, I think they want to believe you're the one under that mask, that your friends are just covering up for you, the stunt that happened with the chandelier? It was only the beginning of trying to make you out worse then you are...". "I got mad during that.....my mom...". "Isn't understanding all the time, or perfect, I know....it's not entirely your fault she leaves you so....emotionally upset. Though, as someone who knew her, she struggled a lot as well, I mean "Fixing" magic? Dying and coming back to life? She went through a lot, and she was just around your age if not younger when she did....and then, she grew up, she kinda had to grow up fast going through all that....she never intended to be so....."Y'know"?". "I guess....". "That's life sometimes, things happen and there's not much you can do about it, your mom wants the best for you she's probably just not...."Good" at expressing that, it's ok though. You'll get through it, you're getting better at magic right?", she held out her wand, "Yeah, I am....i mean...my mom started training me and It did some good....but...I also failed a lot....but then eclipsa started helping and...of all people out here, ANGEL sorta made me realize a lot of the reason I screw up....is cause i lack like...confidence....or well...i'm emotionally messed up..". "Angel? Awww, that's sweet...". "Don't make it creepy.". "Oh don't worry, I just think sometimes you can learn just as much from your enemies, as your friends. And besides, angel is nice boy, sometimes a little stupid and inconsiderate, but a nice boy. I suppose your mother teaching you specifically would make things more complicated wouldn't it? Well, don't worry about it.....your friends will-". Then she went silent, touching sky's shoulder, "Shh, quiet....there the boy is....wandering around again?". Sky looked up and over the wall, squinting. "Uhh....I don't see loki anywhere, I mean...he's bright green....". "That's because he wears a black costume blue girl...., but if you look close enough you can make him out despite that....here", she handed sky her binoculars and sure enough, the outline of a pony could barely been seen as the prince rapidly moved through the woods, "Well, if he's putting on a costume, he's out for a reason....you think he's looking for something?". "Not sure, just know he's scared a lot of villagers passing by because he's so fast and hard to make out...."., the frog woman eyed sky, "I'm not supposed to leave my post tonight since my usual partner ain't here but.....you think we should catch him? I've tried tailing him but he's too fast, but maybe....", she looked to sky's wand and back to her, "You're not perfect I know, But....if you're improving as much as you say you are....see if you can catch that rouge prince before he gets back home, i'll cover for you if you get caught...". "Catch him? You mean go over there and rope him?". "Yep....ever lassoed a stray warnicorn? It's like that....except....it's flying...though, might wanna be careful considering he's royalty. If you can catch him we might be able to find out what he's doing, his parents never listen to me otherwise i'd go to their kingdom and ask myself but....yeah, you know them...". She grabbed the binoculars back as she examined the surroundings, "If you can catch that guy, we might get to properly confront him on this right here, right now...". "You sure we couldn't wait...?". "It'd make good practice....just be careful of the horn, and maybe magic possibly, but it might help you more to use magic in action.", she noted, and she was indeed right. Sky was thinking for a bit, well, if she did catch him she might be able to find out some info, but then again, loki usually lacked anything of interest, even angel at the very least, was fascinatingly annoying, loki was straight up a burden most of the time, and if he weren't being kept in his room he probably would've caught onto sky's little secret uncomfortably fast and blabbed it to the world. "Here.....you are now spy, spies wear this...", she handed sky a dark mask to hide her face, "Here....put this on, might help him have a harder time noticing you...I don't know what he's doing down there, but I think we'll both be better off knowing.". She needed only to look at the mask for a second before grabbing it and pulling it over her head, "Alright, I'll give it a shot, I don't promise i'll catch him though, I have no idea what he's even doing out there...". "Well whatever it is, we outta find out...". Sky creeped away from the way, sneaking over towards the edge of the woods, wand in hand and eyes looking out for sudden movements, she and judas had gotten into a few scrapes, never really to go after anyone of course, but she had recalled times where sneaking around and having your hair stick up on edge was incredibly common for their adventures, that was the thing about mewni at least, you never know what to expect and so much out there was deadly enough to kill you in an instant. Especially out there in the woods. Loki was lucky he hadn't been hurt yet out there, was he using magic against anything that could've killed him? He was pretty cowardly, too cowardly to really fight back that much, too cowardly to sneak into the dark woods at night where he could easily be kidnapped or hurt or worse out there. Maybe he really was sleepwalking or something? Though that probably just meant he should be slamming into every tree he came across, breaking his horn easily. She gripped her wand tighter as she peeked further into the woods, feeling a breeze as something flew past her fast. And then stopped in it's tracks, much to her surprise. "L-Loki?". He turned. He didn't seem normal at all, his eyes were glowing and she couldn't even see the prince's pupils, she barely had time to think when he darted for her and her wand, sky ducking and the prince missing her by a few inches. What? was he trying to impale her or something? He wasn't sleepwalking, that was for sure, he was under some kind of spell. And something about sky and her wand seemed to call to him, he darted again for her and sky put her wand out at him, aiming to hit him. Without hurting him of course, or judas would be PISSED. But then he stopped in his tracks, right in front of the wand, transfixed by it in fact. Sky was panting, shocked by the sight in front of her, was he responding to her being a magic user or something? Did it even really matter? She roped him no trouble with her licorice spell though, right around his mouth, pulling him along and back to katrina, who looked just as stunned as sky was as she got a close look at the spell cast prince. "You caught him...rather....easily....", Katrina reached out to touch the prince's face, he didn't react, whatever spell he was under made him kinda stiff other then the floating his species normally was capable of. "Does he...recognize me? Why would he stop?", Katrina didn't seem to know herself, "Right now, let's just get him home, "Or correction, I'll get him home, you probably shouldn't say anything....I need to report this one sky, he's clearly been tampered with magically. We won't be able to question him till he snaps out of it...and who knows how long that might...last..". Sky circled him, in fascination, "Does this mean...someone's been using him for something?". "It would explain his vanishing for awhile, seems he was an easy target to take control of..", she snapped her fingers in front of his glowing eyes and hummed to herself, taking rein of the "Rope" sky was using. "You better leave blue girl, not safe if masked person is taking control of others for their own benefit. Your safety is incredibly important and I can't risk you ending up like him....". Sky really couldn't argue with that if she tried, though he felt shivers go up and down her spine as she removed the mask she was wearing. "S-should I tell judas? About this?". "The sooner the better, if he's here it's highly likely the masked one isn't too far away...". "Alright, I'll-". Then before her eyes, Loki's eyes returned to normal, the prince fainting and falling only to be caught by katrina quickly, he came to shorty after, dazed and very much confused. He looked between the monster and half-mewman and blinked at them, "Uh....what? Sky, you're kidnapping me? Where you taking me? Tell me you're taking me away from my parents....". Sky gave him a look, and the pony went back to floating, his hair waving and gills working as normal. "Uh....w-why are you staring at me....is...what am i wearing?!...ugh...", he seemed drowsy, even if he wasn't in control of his body, his body still seemed to have all the same affects it normally would've if he had had them, he still seemed a little out of it and katrina looked back to sky as loki finally noticed he had been roped. "Don't worry your highness, I'll explain later, c'mon....we're heading out....", she looked over to sky and motioned to her spyglass, "I'll lead you back home, follow, but once we get back, don't come looking for me anytime soon....I'll come to you next time we need to talk...". "Wait, what's going on...I-I..", she shushed loki, "C'mon, we move.....". And she was out of sight quickly after, tugging the prince behind her as sky grabbed her things, summoning her bat-winged cloudy to catch up. - "Landon...sweetie?", Marco knocked on the boy's bedroom door, hearing a small "Yeah?" from the other side. Marco opened the door to find the boy.....reading a book on magic? And Celeste was with him in the corner, writing something. Marco didn't pay her much mind though, wanting to see their son specifically. Landon looked up at the sight of them and seemed a little embarrassed, he wasn't entirely over the fact he dissapointed Marco as badly as he did. "Hi mom......", he was flipping through the book, specifically on the pages about the butterfly wand, the recorded gemstones it had had in it's history and such, finding any info he could on his mission, his knowledge of sky's wand was limited, but maybe....if he knew more about it......he might have an easier time getting a hold of it and finding out what about it had suddenly gotten luna's attention. Maybe he could figure it out himself? Before she or anyone else could? Though his mom entering the room was a bit of a distraction as he put the book down, he just hoped it wasn't anything.....bad, he was getting a little too used to getting bad news for his liking and he especially hated hearing it come from his mother of all people. But his mother seemed rather happy, their first instinct being to ruffle their son's hair, being mindful of his sharp horns, "I'm glad you made another friend landon, you called bernard recently? I'd like to have him over at some point....so we can all get to know him...". "Mommmmmm~", he was giving her a childish grumble but his mom only seemed to laugh and find it adorable. "C'mon, I think it's a good idea, sky's been over for meals so many times in the past but you've never invited a friend over for dinner to meet the rest of us, I think it'd be nice for all of us to get to know him a bit better, well, as long as his parents were cool with it. I know the whole "being rulers of the underworld" thing, doesn't work with everyone...". "Well, I'll ask, I....I do want him to come over.....soon...", he couldn't see if but he had a feeling celeste was smirking and rolling her eyes from her seat, "You think he'll be cool with......all this? I mean, he saw a little of it and he says it'll be fine but....". The human covered his mouth, "Don't worry about what he thinks, if he can't accept your home and culture, then you can find better friends out there who do care about you and your culture...ok?". The queen removed their hand and landon sighed, "I-I guess....". "Anyways, I came here because I have a package for you....from your brother..", as if by magic, which it probably was, marco pulled out a box from behind them, a rather long box in fact. It didn't take long for Landon to get an idea about what it was, he just was mixed about taking it. His mother though, seemed entirely aware of this, their attitudes to each other at more recent dinners and such most likely gave it away rather quickly since landon was maybe a little too easy to read for his mom. "Open it.....please? I know you two are still mad at each other but.....at least see what he got you...". He sighed but complied, ripping open the package and the paper being used to cushion the object as he found....a new violin bow. Oh yeah, judas did promise him a new one awhile back didn't he? It was beautiful though, back and red with a small wooden skull carved on the top. He stared at it, at a loss for words when he noticed a note in the box as well, pulling it out and looking over it. Yep, it was clearly from his older brother, and he almost considered scrapping it for a moment. But his mom was there and....well....he'd kinda be the worst if he did that, wouldn't he? Sigh --------- Landon, I don't want us to keep fighting like this, but i know you don't want to speak with me so for me this was the best way I could talk to you. Listen, I don't mean to make you feel however you feel, whether it makes you feel inferior or unliked or....that our family prefers me. I never asked for this, to be cursed and have to deal with people either despising me, fearing me, or so sympathetic towards me that....it makes you and others feel insignificant. I feel like a burden sometimes, personally, especially to our family who have to spend so much time arguing about taking care of me or trying to help me that even asking for help feels like crossing a line to some degree. I don't like being the guy everyone is worried about or is pressured to be so many things or i'll blow up like a bomb. You're lucky landon, you're free to do what you want, no pressure, to go out there and make a name for yourself. Mewni has already decided both those things for me, and it's something I have to deal with whether i want it or not. I never meant to come off like i didn't care, you know how much i hate hurting my friends or family members, you're still my brother and I don't want us to keep fighting. We need to talk about this stuff more, in person, I'm not mad with you, and you don't me owe me anything but, just understand I never intended for things to go this kinda way in our relationships. Maybe i could've better, about everything...and maybe I sound kinda bad by trying to make any kind of excuses in this, I guess it just doesn't feel...fair to be blamed for something that's just....out of my control. But If you need a real apology, because i REALLY don't want to come off like i'm trying to guilt trip you...can we talk? In person? We should talk and sort this out, together. I hope you like the bow, It finally came in after awhile and I figured this was the best place i could leave a note since i promised you a bow. just....tell me when, ok? Judas. -------- Landon put the note back in the box quickly, a fast reaction and most likely a resort of his lingering anger. But his face softened a little and marco sighed, "Listen, you can't stay mad at your brother forever, you know how badly he hates hurting you or sky or anyone, he's not perfect but he does love you and mason. This.....this feels more like something you have with me and your father, not with him. And.....we're sorry if you ever felt like we treated you any different". Oh boy, this was NOT the conversation he expected to get today. No sire. He could hear celeste coughing awkwardly from her spot as his mom continued to speak, "Listen, things are rough lately, especially since all the kingdoms are paranoid and the high commission themselves are failing to help solve the problems despite our efforts, but right now, we need to work things out between us, not create a bigger divide. We love all of you and maybe we're not the world's greatest parents but you should speak up about this....if you feel.....like this.". "It just wasn't...". "Landon, we're your parents, you should be able....to talk to us...about these things, if you're afraid to speak to us then....we feel like we failed you three as parents. And you three are our whole world....", landon frowned, his ear twitching as he could hear celeste was no longer writing, in fact, she most likely was listening to the words of the human very closely in fact. Celeste of course, took no interest in in talking about her family back home, but he got the feeling whatever his mom was talking about....meant something to her. "Mom....it's...It's complicated...". "Well, when it came to my parents? For awhile we were kinda distant from each other....they barely talked to me and I barely talked to them and we were growing apart.....and when we realized it, we realized we needed to fix it and mend our bond again. Landon, talk to us....please...if you need to, and we'll do our best to fix whatever's been bothering you...at it's roots. We want to be better for you and your brothers if possible....", they sighed and took a seat on the bed, "You and your brother need to talk, work things between you, we need to sort this all out...". Landon grumbled and Marco gave him a look, making him quiet down and sigh, "Ok, sure....I guess...". This seemed to ease the human, putting their arm around landon in a sort of side hug, "He's your brother landon, you can't stay mad at him forever, look out for each other...alright?". Landon looked up at the human sadly, "And mason?", rewarded with another laugh and head rub from his mother. "Of course, he's your little brother after all, he needs you too as he grows up...". "Is he....ok?". "Well, lately he's been hanging around the stables more recently, since he's in trouble for his plants his garden time and what he takes care of has been more...restricted, we should've kept a closer eye on him and that was on us....however, the skeleton horses are fine as long as he's careful, but you know how much he loves animals. I think he just needed some time away from the garden for a little bit to get some fresh air somewhere else, he's still being kept an eye on though," they winked, "The stables are luckily indoors thankfully...considering the horses don't need to graze...". "I'm sorry mom..". "No, you're still a teenager, i remember being your age, being a moody teen who thought i knew better and had my life figured out....before i realized i was being a complete idiot. We both, me and Tom, we knew this kinda stuff was coming when we wanted to be parents...we just don't want to make the same mistakes our parents might've made and just be the best we can be. We just want you all to have a good future, and if we're letting you down.....that's rough for us...", but they smiled, laughing to themselves. "It'll be fine landon, you're a smart boy, let's all just try and do better in the future, ok?". Landon felt his head lean on his mother's shoulder, on instinct, and was he...crying? "It's alright.....just relax....let it all out...", They were looking over to celeste, hoping they weren't embarrassing their son by having this conversation, but it didn't seem to be a big concern of landon's. He wiped at his eyes, trying to calm down, "Ugh...mom can't you just let me be a bitter and mad teen?". Which seemed to make them both laugh as landon felt some of his usual makeup run down his face, great, now he'd have to wash up before it stained his clothes. Though his mom kissing at his face seemed to draw his attention elsewear as he swatted at them playfully, "Sorry, as your mom I refuse to let you stay bitter and mad at your brother for the rest of your life, it's a important rule for me as a parent.". Landon snorted at them, dear god he was still mad at judas but he knew well that his mom had this kinda affect on him, if anyone in this family could talk him into doing something, it would have to be marco. "M-MOM, Celeste is here!", he said, half amused, half annoyed. "That didn't bother you before, c'mon.....you're never too old to get kisses from your mom!", marco tugged them close to affectionate peck them more and landon was reduced to nothing but laughs before his mom finally, FINALLY let up, Landon red-faced and actually smiling. "I-I'll talk to judas...I guess....but...I'm still kinda mad at him....I can't really help it". Marco seemed to understand though, nodding along, "If you've felt that way for years, it's hard to blame you....but...please talk with each other...ok?". "Yeah mom....". Celeste went back to scrawling, trying to ignore the scene going on nearby, even though she was very much lost in thought at this point in time. Thoughts swarming of back home and she found the pen dropping from her hands once again despite her protests. Swatting away little tears before they could streak down her face. - "I'm sorry Nora...I know you were hoping for more from me today but it's gonna take longer to get what we need.". He sounded guilty as he paced around the princess's room, biting at his lips and crossing his arms, his ears twitching and listening for any signs of trouble during this meeting. He could spot nora taking small notes for her journal as she listened to him speak, but even though at times she seemed to be shyly avoiding eye contact with him, he could tell she looked worried about him, well, more worried then what he had been used to with her in the past. "Jude, i-it's fine, i didn't expect you to get it immediately anyway...your dad is nice, i'm sure he'll come around, he just needs....time...like he said. Let him have time and we can look more into this stuff in the meantime...", he nodded, she was kinda right, he was thinking about this way too much, worrying way too much. There were other matters to worry about as is and he should take advantage of the time he had here while it was still going. He felt he couldn't help it in a way though, even if he knew it was stupid. "Y-you're right, i guess i'm just stressed out...and confused and...a lot is on my mind these days..."., it was true, in the last few days he got hit with WAY too many things at once, way too many things he wanted to still talk about, mostly with sky. It was as if one problems was being topped off with another and he wasn't given enough time to recover from the last even though he wanted to desperately, he'd been trying to focus on everyone else today to distract him but it was a lot harder now, when Nora's prime focus was him. Being calm and trying to stay cool seemed to have escaped from him these days, he was trying so hard to be the most responsible and the biggest adult in the room and now all he felt like doing was letting everything out of his system, he supposed maybe he had been letting all these matters grow inside him for too long, he almost made himself the ringleader of this entire situation and having that topped off with so many other problems seemed to have formed some cracks he usually tried to seal. God, what would it be like when he was king and was dealing with even more on his plate at this rate? He almost wondered if some of those people out there were right, about him not being able to handle it, about being set off but he still scoffed at it, he was being insecure again and he almost wished he could crawl up in a ball or vent.  He felt he was almost growing a headache and he tried to quickly calm down before nora panicked about him maybe coming down with something. He was a prince, he needed to pull himself together and handle this, he needed to clear his mind and calm down. "Oh.....would you like to...uh..?", she didn't seem to know how to say it, that or, she couldn't spit it out to the boy. But Judas seemed to know what she was trying to say regardless, "I want to talk about it....but...I don't think I can.....it's....well, a lot of it is private..". "Oh..", her voice must've sounded a little saddened judging by judas's quick reaction, turning towards her, a little stressed as he tried to ease the situation and explain himself. "It's nothing against you it's just.....I think I've put enough weight on your shoulders, I feel lately like....maybe i'm making you too uncomfortable by pushing you to do these things for me, even if you want to, and for now, I don't want to push any more on your back. I sorta just, wanted to help you get out of your shell, but it feels more like i'm doing this more for me because i feel guilty about mistakes i made in the past and, I don't want to do that anymore....I just want us to hang out...like friends....no huge issues, no pressure, we hang out and work together and...yeah...". "Judas...are you...sure you're ok?", she sounded nervous, moving hair from her face and looking at his rather closely, all judas's mumbling making her rather worried. "No one...was mean to you today....were they? Is it really just....what you were saying?". Judas waved it off though, "I'll be fine, there's just so much on my mind and I wish i could talk about it more but....I can't, you don't have to worry I'll hopefully cool off and get back on track...". He went quiet, he was rambling, probably making a fool out of himself out of stress when he was supposed to be relaxed and focused, he must look incredibly stupid right now in front of nora, who had no idea about all the messy details and problems he was going through. He was lost in thought about Meteora, wondering if maybe it was too much to ask Eclipsa if he and Sky could meet her in person, though at this point it was most likely she was off having a great life, maybe married, maybe wanted to be left alone. and what would he say anyway? There was nothing to say to a person he didn't really know, who he thought was dead and knew nothing of what happened. And his dad, geez everything about that was judas walking on dangerous territory, especially with how his dad was about the whole thing. He wasn't even sure about seeing him again, dinner would just be plain awkward, and it was already awkward enough with landon. And don't get him started on stuff with angel, it honestly wasn't his top priority but if eclipsa and globgor found it strange, him finding it strange couldn't be that weird, though he was happy sky seemed to have gotten along with the boy. There was just a lot to think about, and worry about. He hoped Sky was doing better and she was not sitting in her room, still fiddling with the charm Katrina gave her. He found himself leaning against a wall, keeping his mouth closed shut, nora taking some notes in her little journal, she didn't seem to want to push him any further right now, letting him take some time to clear his own find. He wondered if this was how luna felt most of the time, constantly worried and stressed, feeling like her world was collapsing and being incredibly anxious as she worked alongside her own mother who had taken a VERY big liking to her and he obvious skills. Maybe he gave her too much flack for being such a stick in the mud, considering how much stress she was under over her situation, even if she wasn't the best about it. She was most likely already planning her own solutions, probably behind their back if she had to to get some results. He wouldn't hold it past her in all fairness, considering the results they had been getting where less then ideal, though in all fairness so much more was at risk if they were caught as opposed to her. "Judas....?" "Yes?" "Y-you don't have to be so....nervous around me, y-you seem so....scared i'll get mad...or...something like that?", she was looking at him with her soft green eyes and judas suddenly felt embarrassed, "Well no, it's just...I feel like...I keep screwing up, trying to talk to you and I just...I don't wanna come off like....like a jerk, not to you. I'm just not....I'm not perfect.....at talking to people sometimes, and I just...with everything happening...I just don't want to hurt anyone again". She blinked at him softly, it was as if she wasn't used to him acting like this, so nervous and worried and as if he were falling apart. "You're not a jerk judas..I don't think you are at least...", she hid her face in her book a little more," You're nice and you just like helping people, y-you..... ". Then she stopped. "Nora?" "My parents....I can hear them coming...your spells are sending an alert....you have to remove the magic off the door and hide....or they'll suspect something!", and sure enough, the eyes off his skull chain lock were glowing, a perfect silent alert system for them in case their soundproofing didn't work. That had to mean the arrival of King and Queen spiderbite were only seconds away and boy judas was the last person they would want to find in nora's bedroom of all places. Judas was fast, darting under the bed and snapping his fingers, the enchantments leaving the door quickly after. Hearing two figures make their way in, he kept his mouth shut and hoped he hadn't made it apparent someone else was in the room, though much to his surprise, the conversation going on had little to nothing to do with him, or the fact they may of heard something. Instead, they both sounded worried, even a little panicked. That couldn't be a good sign. "Nora, you need to come with us....", the queen was walking towards the bed, and judas could imply she was most likely grabbing onto her daughter's arm, "What? Mom, is something bad happening?". The woman only frantically pulled her off the bed, "We saw her, out the window, we need to get you somewhere safe, we're on high alert! The guards are on alert and the commission will be here any second....c'mon". Nora wasn't even given much of a time to react when she was pulled out of her room, the door shutting behind her, leaving the boy in complete darkness under the girl's bed. Her? Wait... He was only given a few more minutes of panic before he heard footsteps. LOUD footsteps. And he held his breath as a cloak, or most likely, a black dress, dragged across the floor in front of him. Oh No.

[tapdancinglorax]

A Rant

Ohhhhhhh I love how phantis go "you fetishizing str8 girls just want everything to be all 'real life yaoi' don't you" even though the phandom is so diverse and most phannies I've met aren't straight.

Can we please stop the shipping = fetishizing narrative because it just furthers hetreonormativity by making any gay relationship seen cute by anyone "unacceptable" and furthers the idea you can't see gay and straight relationships as equal. Straight relationships are acceptable to ship no matter what but shipping something gay will get you called a "fetishizing idiot" and that's not ok. It furthers the idea straight relationships are somehow less problematic than gay ones.

We don't want it to be "real life yaoi." I fucking hate yaoi. It over sexualizes gay men for the enjoyment of straight girls, forced hetreonormativity onto gay men, and is often abusive. I don't ship it because I think it's "hot" I ship it because I can see two men who genuinely love and care for each other and I think that's beautiful.

We all know if one of them was a girl there wouldn't be these conversations going on. But they may have also been openly together from the start. Another thing phantis don't seem to understand (probably cause they haven't ever dealt with it) is coming out is fucking hard. It takes me months sometimes to come out to people who I know will take it well. Coming out to my family- it'll be years. The entire internet? Where anyone in the world can know I'm LGBTQIA? Even the people who would kill me or beat me or rape me to "fix me." I don't think I could do it. So yes, they aren't out, but also, that's a fucking terrifying thought, being out, and I know Dan at the very least plays that through his head all the time. Hes starting a journey of being out and more open and I'm giving a shit ton of applause. That's hard as hell. Hes screaming "Hey I'm LGBT" to what's potentially 7 billion people and that's fucking metal as hell. He doesn't know how those 7 billion people think. He can't control them. But he's braving it for the chance he'll help his fans or others and to be an open person who can give the people what they want.

Maybe phan is real and maybe it isn't. But either way it's not ok to be an asshole to people who just have an opinion on the topic. And it's not ok to actually bully people online. You can't send death threats and be an asshole to Phantis. But Phantis have to do that to. Stop calling all shippers "fetishizing yaoi loving straight girls" and stop calling them delusional or naive. I'm not fucking naive. I've stared death in the motherfucking face several times. I know what's happening in the world and that's hard as hell. So stop making fun of me for using Dan and Phil as an escape from the fact I was huddled under a table telling my friends I loved them in case I died, carefully calculating how easy it would be to shoot me, missing the girl I loved because I chose today to go to the late lunch with my other group of friends and if she dies and I never get to tell her- or if I die- I'll never forgive myself. I don't have a lot of escapes. I can't because I can't really enjoy two things at once because my brain has to fucking hyperobsess over minute little things. And yet I've somehow had Phan through it all though. Even when I'm sobbing I can open up this stupid app and read a silly fic about Dan and Phil washing dishes and I can smile again.

People love in this fanbase and I'm so glad of that. But we're big, and that means our 1 percent is big too. And it's on both ends- the one percent is. The Demons and the Phantis. Both are bad, but in different ways. The Demons stalk Dan and Phil to prove they're gay (hint hint, if anyone's fetishizing, it's these asses) and are the ones who refuse to admit they might be just friends. I've seen Demons harass non shippers, but not near as much as I've seen Phantis harass shippers. Phantis do the same shit. They twist everything to be heteronormative and fit the idea that Dan and Phil are best buds. They refuse to admit they could be a couple. They in turn ridicule and harass shippers who ask simple things, like why they think that, by mocking them and telling them they aren't mature and grown up. I've seen Phantis asked to keep the hateful comments they make about shippers out of the phan tag to which they respond, "i don't care how you feel I'm going to do what I want because it's the internet and I have rights" but then insist that shipping on the internet is harmful and it's not ok, even thought that argument you just made about why you can be an ass can be turned on it's head and used against you.

99% of shippers would never take it off the internet, because shockingly they love Dan and Phil for who they are and don't care about Phan as much as Phantis make them out to. If Dan and Phil randomly dropped a video talking about they're signifigant others joe and sue I'd congratulate them, support then 100%, and stop shipping. Because I love Dan and Phil. They've gotten me through a lot. They haven't done that, though.

They haven't explicitly ever said to stop shipping. Hell, Cornelia, Martyn's girlfriend, asked for the link to a phanfic KNOWING IT WAS A PHANFIC. They don't really seem to care or they'd tell us to stop. They wouldn't be posting "Phil's Sugar Baby" as Dan's Alternative Job if YouTube Crashes at II.

Ultimately, I'm just mad shipping two men becomes fetishizing because it's two men being shipped. That's homophobic. If they were if the opposite sex (this is in general) it wouldn't be fetishizing- it would be problematic at worst. PROBLEMATIC is much less aggressive and bad sounding than FETISHIZING. Problematic makes you think it's a split ship, 45% like, 45% don't, 10% don't care. Fetishizing makes you think your making this ship into your kink, that you don't care about the ship for anything but their sex life. And yes, people fetishize, but it's actually a thousand times worse with lesbians. Lesbians are mostly played off in movies as sexy to men. That's fetishizing. Thinking two men (or women) make (or would make) a cute couple isn't fetishizing. But I never see people yell about fetishizing straight relationships- it's simply problematic. I'll see people shipping brothers and sisters and yet that gets a nicer title than two unrelated men. I hate that.

Phantis- one more thing. You so often argue that Dan and Phil are straight because they don't yell their sexualities for the world. 1) read the above about how the internet can influence people's view of you. 2) They've stated they're bi but don't like labels at one point or another. Implying that to be LGBT you have to keep us all updated on your sexuality isn't ok. Implying not saying "I'm gay, ok" once a year makes you straight is fucking homophobic. If they don't like fucking labels than let's not label them BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM STRAIGHT. People can take pride in who they are and dance about in tutus at pride parades, but some people want to keep that in. In their families, in their friend groups, maybe just in them. That's ok. People have a right to privacy, and to imply they're any less LGBTQIA because of that is homophobic. Why? Two reasons. One, it's implying all LGBTQIA people have that privilege and want to flaunt their identities to the world, and have constantly talk about it. Two, you're saying to be a gay or trans or bi person you have to tell the world and fuck that. We can take pride in that we can be who we are, but we also shouldn't be told we have to flaunt it to be LGBT because straight people don't have to do that. They get to walk by and be presumed to be who they are because they have that privilege. That's not fair. That's heteronormative and I really want it to stop. But first we need to stop saying if you haven't said what you are your straight. That's not fair. To closeted people, and to people who don't feel like being flamboyant, and to people who dont want death threats over their sexuality because theyre in the public eye. It's ok to not want to scream about it.

Bottom line- don't be an asshole. Don't make fun of others. Shippers aren't inherently fetishizing. Don't invade others privacy. Don't presume people are straight. Phan may or may not be real and it doesn't really matter because we'll love them no matter what. And- once more for good measure- DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE.

[lattefics]

I'm just sending a request/prompt for the short critical role fanfics. I really enjoyed your recent Vax/Percy fic and would love to see more Vax/Percy or Taryon/Percy. Something a little bit darker/sadder would be cool but if you don't want to that's ok.

Title: burns

Pairing: Taryon/Percy

Warnings: implied abuse and/or self harm

–I don’t even remember what they did in canon but have some angst. 

Taryonwas mostly silent on the way home from his father’s, aftereverything had been settled. He’d made his big speech and walkedaway with confidence that lasted as long as Howard Darrington couldstill see them, and when they arrived back in Whitestone he slumpedwith a bone deep exhaustion and quiet words about wanting nothingmore than a rest and some hot tea. 

Hewas… different, after that. Percy couldn’t exactly place how butTaryon didn’t seem as vibrant or determined, as though his father’sbrutal treatment had sucked all the life out of him. Percy couldn’texactly blame him, he himself knew what less-than-ideal parents werelike. As the days crept on and Tary’s eyes started to look sunkenin, his words less boisterous, his posture weaker, Percy started toworry. 

Despiteall that, it wasn’t truly Percy’s business. Vex or Pike orKeyleth would pester Tary about it before Percy could, and they’dfind out what was wrong and Percy wouldn’t have to do anything toinvade anyone’s privacy.

Exceptthat he stumbled into his workshop one day to find Taryon there, bentover his lap and clutching his arm, and small, quiet sobs filled theroom.

Percyfroze in the doorway. “Taryon?” 

Thecrying stopped, replaced by quick throat clearing, and Taryon sat up.“Percy,” he said, turning around. The workshop was dark, only litby one lamp, and Percy couldn’t see Tary’s face well. “What–what are you doing here?”

“Iwas going to work,” Percy said slowly, “but I didn’t expect tofind you here.”

“Yes,that’s– that makes sense.” Taryon stood quickly, dropping hisarms to his side. “Sorry, I’ll head out.”

Percyshook himself from his daze and stepped inside, shutting the doorbehind him. “No, it’s fine. I’m more than capable of workingwith you around, you know that.”

“Iknow, but, ah… I should go anyway.” He coughed a few more timesand walked fast, trying to get around Percy.

Percyfrowned and reached out, snatching Tary’s arm as quick as hesnatched arrows in battle. Taryon skirted to a stop and whimpered,shaking in Percy’s hold.

“Taryon,what’s wrong?”

Hedidn’t answer. Percy took his arm with his other hand and pushedTary gently, closer to the light. His sleeve had been rolled up and,when Percy could see it, his arm was littered with scars. 

Thisitself was not abnormal. They all had battle scars, and though Taryonhad started out as fresh as spring grass, he’d seen and takenplenty of attacks after his time with them. But these scars were notsharp lines from harsh cuts or gashes, or tangled webs brought outfrom internal damage to veins by powerful spells.

Theywere circles, dashed across Taryon’s arm like freckles, except eachone was a little less than an inch across. And from the way theylooked, Percy could guess that they were burn marks.

“Idon’t remember seeing these,” he said, looking up at Taryon. Hewould know. He and Taryon hadn’t exactly been chaste with eachother, not since they’d first discovered how much they enjoyedworking with each other. Percy had thought he’d seen every inch ofTaryon’s skin.

Taryonsagged, an empty, far-away look in his eyes. “I hid them,” he saidquietly. “All those patches on my armor? There’s some disguisespells on there, too.” 

“Wedidn’t have sex while you wore that.”

Taryonflinched and blushed. “I activated them beforehand. It lastsa while. Long enough to hide this, anyway.” He jerked his arm freefrom Percy’s grip, tucking it close to his chest and wrapping hisother hand over the worst of the scars. “I suppose I can stop now,” he spat bitterly. 

Percyhuffed out a breath. “Is there something going on, Taryon? Youhaven’t looked well in the past week or so.” 

Taryonlaughed, sharp and loud, the sound echoing in the workshop.“That’s an understatement,” he said through the giggles. “I–I haven’t been well for a long, long time.” 

Percypursed his lips. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’dreally rather forget it.”

Thatseemed like a bad idea, and on some level Percy felt like Vexmight disapprove if she knew about this. But this was Taryon’slife; Percy didn’t have a right to intrude if Tary didn’t wanthim to. Still… “How about,” Percy said, putting a hand onTaryon’s shoulder, “we work in here for a little while? Together?Maybe it will take your mind off whatever’s bothering you.”

Tary’seyes narrowed.  He didn’t answer for a long moment.

“Okay,”he said quietly, and forced a small smile. “What shall we do?”

Percytook Tary’s hand gently and pulled him back toward the center ofthe room. Tary kept a hand clasped over his arm at first, watchingPercy pull tools down from one wall and start spreading papers withvarious blueprints across his work desk, until Percy handed him ahammer. “Come on,” Percy said, “I’ll need your help.”

Taryslowly released his own arm, supporting the hammer with both hands.“O-Okay. Sure. What do you need me to do?”

Itwas as good a distraction as any. Percy had a few projects thathadn’t gone anywhere and might need a different perspective; he talked them through with Taryon to see if he could point out anyflaws that Percy would have missed. Taryon was shy at first, tuckinghis arm close to hide the scars, but as they worked he loosened up,sitting closer to Percy and laughing as they found solutions toproblems Percy had thought impossible to fix. 

Hourspassed, in the warmth of the workshop, neither man bringing attentionto the series of circles littering Taryon’s arm. 

Enoughtime passed that Taryon started yawning. 

Percy rubbed at his eyeswith the heel of his hand. “How long has it been?”

Taryglanced at the lamps on the wall. “Long enough for those to almostgo out.” 

“Toolong, then.” Percy stood and stretched, popping his shoulderjoints. “We should eat something before we go to bed, because if we don’tthen one of the twins will have our heads.” 

“Yes,they probably will.” Taryon started for the door, and stopped,looking down at his arm. Carefully, he grabbed the edge of his sleeveand rolled it down from his bicep, hiding themarks. 

Percywatched, thinking of all the scars that littered his own body, howsurprisingly few of them were from actual battle. “Tary,” he saidgently, “if you don’t want to talk about them, it’s fine. But…you don’t have to hide them. We all have scars.” 

Taryonturned to him with a faint smile. “I appreciate that. They’re notcool scars, though. Not like all the ones you have.”

“Taryon,”Percy said sternly, patting his back, “I can name at least twentydifferent scars that were not gifted to me by monsters or demons orbeasts. They were given by people.” He swallowed, a very specificface flashing in his mind. “People who had no reason to harm meother than their own selfish desires.” 

Tary’sbrows furrowed, eyes darting across Percy, like he could see thescars if he looked hard enough. He’d seen them before; he’d seenPercy naked and all of his scars had been on display, even if Tarydidn’t know where they’d come from. If he asked, Percy couldpoint them out.

“So,”Percy continued, “don’t think that any of us will judge you forsomething that someone else has done. We all have our messy pasts.”He patted Tary again and walked around him to open the workshop door,waving for Tary to follow. “Now, do you want to eat with the restof us or not?”

Tary’shand went to his arm again, brushing the hidden burns. He breathedin, and out, straightening his arms. “All right.” He noddeddeterminedly. “Yes, let’s eat. And– and if you want… we couldgo to bed… together?”

Percysnorted at his hesitation. Even after so long of them being together,Taryon still acted like sleeping with Percy was an honored privilege,that he stood on some kind of pedestal. It was Percy’s favoritemistake that people made about him.

[shamankingasakuraworld]

Dark dance

Summary: Sometimes, when demons gather, they dance. Hao attends such dance out of boredom, remembering old days.

Author note: Fic based on concept of sabbath, spirit dance and Hyakki Yagyo. Inspired by scene in Rain on your back’s Loose Thorns (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12186665/5/Loose-Thorns here). Part where Hao describes misconceptions about demon dances is 100% based on paragraph from Witches Abroad dealing with sabbaths. 

Night is dark and heavy. On empty mountain, the demons dance.

Miasma is felt in very air, tinged with dark reiryoku as hundred demons gather on mountain’s peak. Sky and soil vibrate with their presence, and there is tension in air, power collecting and charging like thunderstorm.

Birds fly to other side. Ghosts avoid mountain in miles. Villagers lock their doors and bar their windows, old all too aware of ancient superstitions, young deciding that perhaps tonight there really isn’t anything to do. Few remaining hedge witches and cunning folk craft their pathetic talismans. Hao breathes in black wind and smiles.

Fools fear demon dances. Demons have better things to do than torment humans-not that mankind doesn’t deserve it. But all those fears are unfounded.

Through years, people have accumulated many ideas about demonic revels, mostly products of children’s stories and need to blame somebody for their problems without admitting their mistakes.

First off, some believed that demons conjured storms and earthquakes during those parties. Pure nonsense. Demons who could manipulate weather, or even control elements on smallest scale were rare, especially in this age. And those who could would never attempt anything like that- you couldn’t part sea without understanding it, and if you understood nature you couldn’t harm it. Sometimes it seemed to Hao that being master of elements mostly consisted of not using his powers, at least not without paying Earth back, and even then you had to be careful. Move wrong stone or snowflake and you get ruined mountains and avalanches.

Second nonsensical belief was that demons spent their time planning wars and plagues and other ways to harm humanity. They didn’t need to, for humans did good job of it on their own. Worst thing you could say about demons was that they were awful gossips with no sense of privacy, and they would tell embarassing or juicy stories of people they spied to everybody present, who would later retell it to all whom they knew, and in the end every demon on continent would know about your bad singing in shower. In retrospect, malign machinations weren’t so bad option.

Then, human sacrifices. Who knew where that idea came from. To demons, death was commonplace, and they wouldn’t bother with killing something for celebration. Not to mention that it was hard to kill somebody when you were incorporeal and that demons in general didn’t pay much attention to humanity. They were awfully fond of food offerings, but going from gobbling on sweets and getting drunk to eating human infants was serious leap in logic. Besides, humans didn’t  taste particularly well.

And witches. Oh, how he loathed that idea. There were thousand tales about witches joining demons in mad dancing ( and naked-prepoterous indeed. No sane person would dance naked in night on top of mountain) and plotting evil deeds. Just because demons sometimes brought friendly shamans to revels. Humans had to find some way to turn that in blasphemy.

And finally, description of those dances. Inhuman cheering, mad swaying, brimstone and hellfire… True, few demons were good at music or dancing, but it was simply fun. And how did they expect them to see anything without bonfire?

It has been centuries since he had seen proper dance. World has grown colder and blinder, and though demons are as common as dust ( they follow death and pain, and as long as humanity exists those shall be omnipresent), in this age, removed from spirits, they either hide in burrows or depart for hell. Once, dance like this would have had thousand demons attending.

He remembers his youth, remembers Hyakki Yagyo, so common on summer nights. Hundreds of demon parading through streets, reveling and chasing each other, travelling and checking places for new homes. Legends claimed that were one to encounter parade, they would either perish or be abducted. They, onmyoji were often asked to create amulets and protective spells.

Nonsense. Demons never harmed others unless provoked ( excluding oni born from reishi, but given that they were creatures given life by human thoughts, that was to be expected). As child, he had laid on streets and watched as they passed and none harmed him.

‘’You are always alone.’’

But then again... You never know what you may find. And it truly has been far too long since he had some fun.

Moment he steps in field, spirits stop ( music doesn’t, rough music of their souls, music that humans can’t hear, music that shamans shouldn’t hear as well, but he has walked through Hell and lived for centuries and is father of thousands upon thousands oni, and rough music is as familiar to him as his own heartbeat(s), musics that demands that they dance and who are they to deny it).

Minds of demon are simple, sharp and pure, knives and thorns of blood and flame.Eat, hunt, live. They don’t think in words, but in screams and feeling and sensations. There are hundred and thirty two demons here, creatures of feathers and fangs and claws, with muzzles and scales bodies like corpses, mix of beasts and dead. Born from curses and sinful souls who realized their mistakes but were too late and weren’t strong enough to learn but not weak enough to remain, wicked, cursed creatures. They are nightmares, and shadow, and flames and frost. And they fear him.

Were Hell an ocean, these creatures would be minnows. Hao, on other hand, would be something long and strong, creature thought myth or extinct. Something with rough teeth like swords, tail longer than road, hunter of deepest trenches. He is  a legend that would make bravest soldiers quiver, long, polar night, a volcano and an ice age. Kind of thing that haunted forests  generations didn’t dare enter, something that slept under mountains and ocean’s floor.

He had fought and defeated seventy five lords of hell, gods of death and spirits with nothing but his own soul and will- he didn’t even have a guardian spirit. These small demons know that, know about hundred thousand oni contained within his mind, know about Spirit of Fire, eternally loyal, always watching, forever hungry (demons hunger for souls, sometimes, but like all such beings they have their limit. Spirit of Fire doesn’t. He can never overeat-he only feasts and grows), wrapped around Hao like guardian dog. There is fear within them, sweet, sickly fear of prey, but also amazement, bright and burning,  as they drop and bow before him like serfs before king.

They wait, frozen and stiff, like clock whose gears stopped turning. They kneel and cower before him, for to them he is an archdemon, pack leader, honored elder, saint, angel. They care not for his body-they can sense his furyoku, mighty and heavy as sea, feel centuries in his gaze, smell Hell on him. His soul sings to their beings, and they know they will never match him, so they cower and worship.

Fear is biting, but it is all right if you have respect ( at least here, there is no hatred).

He shows his offering. Bear, mauled and bloodied, thick scent of clotting blood filling air. Honey, gleaming like amber in light of flames. Whiskey, cold and heavy.

There is no need for words. They descend, like starved scavengers, feasting on taste. Rough music of their souls is stronger, tenser now, and Hao knows that soon they all shall have to sance, in same way wood must burn.

One demon, clearly former ring leader, approaches him. Half his age and not tenth of his power, bloated like balloon, head of crow, eyes of goat and gills of shark. Demon screeches, and though he thinks no word, there is offer, submission, formality in very nature of that cry. After moment of consideration, Hao nods and decides to be generous. He lets bits of his furyoku flow into air, creates weak oversouls for them.

Surprise and joy that erupts is like explosion, threatening to render him deaf, as all of their feelings rush in and become his. They aren’t negative emotions, but so much joy can be suffocating too.

But rough music rises and reaches peak and vibrates in heart of mountain itself, and invading feelings find themselves lost as ancient melody, old as sin and darkness,wraps itself around Hao’s heart, comforting and calming him as much as reishi distresses and pains him.

Demons shriek like wild, rabid birds of prey, and Hao joins them, sound coming out from his throat almost same as theirs, primal and inhuman ( he doesn’t have organs to make such noise-neither do they, but they don’t need them- yet it is so close). And then, they dance.

Fast as lighting, swift as wind, they dance as one, everybody playing their tune. Nobody is dancing same way, but it all fits together as they circle bonfire, as they sway and jump and scream. Rough music, essence of Hell is nestled within his bones, treading itself through his very being, rushing and mad as he dances demon dance.

There were shamans, sometimes invited to dance at demon dances. They would either join them, or allow spirits to posses their body, to become one in those few moments. But none of them danced demon dance. To do so, you must understand how they think, feel nature of their power wrap itself around your neck, separate truth from humanity’s lying legends.

He doesn’t belong here, among these violent, hungry animals, but he isn’t thrown out and spit upon, so for few hours he can pretend. He pretended for almost to decades to be human at Imperial Court. This is piece of cake.

For  minutes or hours they dance, before they fall to ground. new ritual begins. Demon next to Hao- creature of eight yellow eyes and body of dog with head of ram- gives Hao drum of old skin and burnt wood ( Hao did demon manage to get it here is surely interesting story, given they aren’t corporeal, but you never ask how offerings or instruments were gained) while Hao turns to giant fly at his right and gives up his carved flute. And then they play.

He closes his eyes, banishes world from his sight, and lets himself slip away. He can feel energy in air, spread out like moth-eaten silk, can feel pollution in air and currents of wind, caress of stars and incoming storm and frost, can feel drops that make clouds, roots of stony mountain, sap of trees and blood of each living thing in range. He is Hao Asakura, master of pentagram, representative of nature, beloved of elements, and here and now, he is mountain and sky and life and planet and world itself, and he plays.

He plays, hands falling on drum, heavy as judgement, and each note is heartbeat of mountain’s beasts, each melody flow of animal’s blood. Demon from his left is ringing copper bells, sound echoing around like malicious rumor, and one on his right is playing melody as light as rose petals.

Below villages hear cacophony as beautiful as hope and don’t dare come out of beds.

Sounds are too different, too mad, to be organized, yet they fall in pattern, as if they were practiced for weeks, and rough music accepts sounds and weaves them in itself.

Reishi almost doesn’t bother him. Joy and happiness of demons muddle and weave in one, such that even he can’t separate their hearts, and if they all fused in one spirit he wouldn’t be surprised.

Jaws and maws open, and songs start, screaming and singing, raw, pure notes carrying undiluted essence of things.  Hao sings too, his voice lost in hundreds thought it is only one to contain words, words or war and revenge and foolishness of mankind ( some old, poor poem that he would be slightly ashamed to show anywhere else. But here, shame has no place).

When he opens his eyes, they are all finished at same time, though none of songs lasted equally. Chatter starts as spirits scatter, all avoiding him.

Even among demons, power and age is respected-and feared. In the end he is left with three demons, none of them over five centuries. One that greeted him at beginning, one that looks like skeleton wreathed in slug shells and shadows and third that is like bear with tail of wolf and horns of bull.

Hao accepts alcohol, and stay silent, listening to their memories of hunt and battle. They don’t ask him anything- he is far too old and powerful to be entertained by their simple existences- they know that better than him.

Finally, that period too ends, and market starts. There are no stalls, no signs, but all know trade is coming. Hao buys poncho from purple-skinned woman with fingers like hedgehog spikes for beaten, broken earring. Golden-brown caramel, almost melted, sickly sweet and scorching, staining his lips and teeth and tongue with each bite, from spider with fish tail for three seagull feathers. Bunch of colorful legos from being with rotting body of rabbit, butterfly’s wings and skull of otter for hair tie.Piece of ham from deer with sheep fur for three breaths. Jagged, obsidian knife from horned, tailed red man for kiss.

He needs none of these things, could buy or steal or make them hand it all over, but where is fun in that? Not to mention that it is most unkind and rude. And in the end, everybody must afford some useless fancies.

Soon ( in four hours, but what is that to one who counts his age by centuries) night end, and dawn will come, and demons will go as dance ends. So it shall be finished as it has started.

Hao danced, rough music filling every bit of his being, dances like onmyoji and peasant, like Patch and fox, like demon and noble,  like ghost and oni, like god and fey. Dances, swirls, moves, runs, flies, there is nothing but stones under him and air around him and rough music over and inside his soul. Dances, right in heart of bonfire.

He won’t burn. This much he knows to be true, constant of half his life. He knows ways to walk through flame and not burn, but this isn’t his doing. Hao is beloved by Spirit of Fire, in same way Hao loves Spirit of Fire. As sailor loves sea and tree Sun, as priest loves deity and slave freedom. Kind of deep, transcending love you dedicate your existence to, kind of love that shapes your fate and becomes your goal. He doesn’t have to read his spirit’s mind ( and gratefully he can’t- not even his reishi can breach mind of something old as time and powerful as world, something born from Great Spirits themselves, mind of very fundamental force of nature, of thing gods and stars claim descent from, and that is surely reason why Hao loves him so much) to know that his loyalty is as bottomless as his hunger, his respect as endless as his greed for souls and fuel, that nothing of flame and heat and light will ever, ever harm hair on head of Hao Asakura.

He feels flames lick his skin, ashes cover his feet ( he can feel heat, but it has been too long since any sort of heat, even that of grandest star and hottest Hellfire, would bother him. He likes to  feel it’s might, and it isn’t even a pain to him anymore) as he dances, mighty and terrible, as demons form circle around him. They all screech to sky and sing as rough music goes faster and faster, as darkness and blood leave Hao’s body.

Oni won’t attack him, for they know he can best easily all of them ( he was forced to make them and he will gleefully end them if he chooses to ). Won’t attack him for this is demon dance, and it is against rough music to fight during dance ( spar yes, little violent orgy of course, brawl definitely, but no true fight is allowed). Won’t attack him for they are small things that hold no grudge against their creator as naka-oni and oh-oni. Won’t attack him, for all small demons and imps worship ground he walks on and must obey him ( they defended and kept him safe when he was child, fed and clothed him when he was starved and nude, fought and stole and killed for his sake, and this much he owes them). Won’t attack him, for they see that he is fire’s beloved, and that shall they stand against him, not even ashes will remain from their souls. So instead they rise and form column of black and red round him, and when Sun breaks through, flee with night along with other demons.

Music ends, and were any to gaze upon top of mountain, either human or shaman, all they would see would be lone boy dancing among ashes.