#but it's a bit of a pain to have to have to change the rods out so often!

[futuristic-science]

Looking back when I first started to learn about welding and engineering, it's pretty funny-- I started off originally arc welding, since that's the first type of welding I was taught.

...And I was really bad at it.

I'm a fairly jumpy person, so every time the arc would spark, I would jump, and that would either extinguish the arc or stick it to the metal.

Or I would tap it too lightly and it wouldn't spark

I'm glad I learned arc welding first, now, but I have to say MIG will forever be much easier!

[vivwritesfics]

Bloody Knuckles

boxer!max

It was a shitty apartment. The wallpaper was peeling, their was damp on the ceiling and none of the appliances worked. At least half of the windows had to be forced open, and the other half were permanently shut. Neither of them could remember the last time their shower stayed warm for more than two minutes.

Hidden away in the bedroom, he laid awake, fingers brushing up and down her arm. She was so delicate compared to him, his bandaged fingers against her skin unmarred by cuts and bruises. She could break, and he would do anything to stop that.

In her sleep, she rolled over and planted her face on his chest. He bit down on his tongue, stopping himself from screaming out in pain at the sensation. She didn't know just how mad the last fight had been, how bad he had come out.

He was the winner, of course. He always was.

His freckled, pillowy lips met the top of her head. Fuck, he loved her. He loved her more than words could describe. His heart ached. It might have been the pain, or the guilt he was harbouring.

When the sun rose (visible because the curtains left the bottom few inches of the window exposed, and they couldn't get the curtain rod down to change it), he did. He slipped out of bed and she rolled onto his side of the bed. Her face was buried against his pillow when he got changed into his workout gear and slipped out of the room.

The change in his pocket paid for his red bull and he headed to the gym.

His build wasn't expected of most boxers. He wasn't big and bulky, with bulging muscles. That was why people betting on him made so much money at first, because he was the underdog.

But he had been in the game for too long now, and people knew his tricks.

Throwing his stuff into his usually locker, number thirty three, he finished his Red Bull and began wrapping his knuckles.

"Maximus," said Daniel as he stepped out of the shower, towel around his hips. "Big night tonight, huh?" He asked and Max gave a nod. "You got the ring?"

He turned and fished the little black box from his gym bag. That was there he'd been hiding it from her, keeping it at the very bottom of his gym bag.

Max opened the box, showing Daniel the engagement ring inside. It was simple, nothing fancy. A simple band with dainty leaves engraved on it.

"She's gonna love it."

Daniel had never met the woman Max wanted to marry. But he was right, she was going to love it.

Max tapped his knuckles together, shut his locker, and headed out into the gym.

***

God, she looked lovely. Her best pair of earrings dangled from her ears and the necklace Max had gotten her for Christmas hung from her neck.

She'd had the dress longer than she'd known Max. She rarely got to wear it, usually had a bag hanging over it in the wardrobe to keep it safe.

But tonight it hugged her frame just right as she walked on Max's arm. She had no idea where they were going as Max wrapped his arm around her.

But then she saw the restaurant. A gasp left her lips. "Max, we can't afford this," she whispered. And tugged on her arm.

But Max stopped her. "Trust me, liefje, I've got this," he assured her and gave the waiter the name on his reservation.

Dinner with the man she loved. She ordered the cheapest thing possible on the menu even when Max reassured her he could cover the bill, no matter what it was.

She didn't know how Max had made enough extra cash to take her to the fanciest restaurant going. She didn't know the illegal fights he was a part of and the money it was making.

It was going smoothly. The ring was in his pocket, ready for him to get down onto one knee. The weight of it was so damn heavy, Max couldn't wait.

"Mad Max?"

His stomach dropped. That name was never meant to be said outside of the ring. He wildly looked around for the owner of the voice, breaths coming out shallow.

"Let's get out of here, liefje," he said and placed wads of cash down with the receipt.

Unaware of anything wrong, she placed her hand in in his and followed him out of the restaurant.

"Mad Max, wait!"

Max sped them up, pulling her along behind him. "Come on, man! I've put a shitload of money on you!"

Suddenly, Max had him. He pushed the man, a guy he had seen at quite a few ot his fights, against the wall. "Leave us the fuck alone!" He roared, pressing on the guys neck.

He dropped him, grabbed his girl, and sped off.

"What the hell was that?" She gasped, footsteps hurried to keep up with him.

Max shook his head. "Don't worry about it, liefje." His jaw was tight. "It's never gonna happen again."

[byllsbytch]

Halloween Party 🎃 (18+)

Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Genre : Smut

Summary: Dressed up as pirates you and Nicolas head out to a party, it turns out to be a great time and toward the end of the night things start to get heated.

A/N: Due to popular demand - the Halloween party plot was most voted upon so here ya go!

Warnings: p in v (tbh i dont know whats a warning)

I sat on the floor in front of the mirror. Makeup all around me. It was chaos, organised chaos though. I reached over to a fresh pack of eyelashes and placed them on to finish the look. Fuck I was smoking and I wasn’t even done. I leant over behind me to my curling iron and turned it on waiting for it to heat up. While waiting I scrolled through my phone and a message from Nick popped up on my screen.

“You’re gonna love my costume, I’ll be over soon.”

I smiled at his message before putting my phone down and reaching for the curling iron. We planned to go to the party together as pirates. I wrapped my hair around the rod and held it for a few seconds repeating the steps until I’d curled all of my hair.

Once I was finished I grabbed a bandana and wrapped it around my head. Finally I got changed into fishnets, boots, a skirt, white button up shirt and vest. I walked to the living room and loaded up my cooler bag with drinks and a pack of lollies I bought to get into the spirit.

“You’re looking good.” Mum called from the couch.

I smiled knowing damn straight I did.

“Thank you Mum.”

“Nicholas is still tagging along yeah?”

“Yeah he is, why wouldn’t he be?”

“Well, he’s cutting it a bit fine isn’t he?”

I looked at the clock.

“Yeah, but we’re in no rush.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“OK then.”

Almost on cue a knock appeared at the door and I answered to be met with Captain Jack Sparrow.

“You look so good!” I shrieked. “Stop it!”

He looked at the ground a large grin on his face.

After the praise he looked back up and his eyes were stuck on me, his face going redder.

“Woah! You look gorgeous, who knew a pirate could be so HAWT!”

He took a step inside and followed me to my room.

“Can I please put eyeliner on you?”

In character he bowed, “Of course m’lady”

I pushed him onto the bed, straddling him with my eyeliner in hand.

“Ok baby, so you have to keep your eyes open and look up.”

He hummed in agreement.

I brought the pencil to his waterline while he brought his hands to my hips slowly rubbing his thumbs in a circular motion.

His eye twitched like crazy. “Eh! Uh, Uh!” He groaned.

“Shh Nick! Stop being a baby, relax your eye.”

“Oh my god! It’s not relaxing! I don’t know if you can tell… Jesus how do you do this?”

He gripped tighter onto my hips as I started on his other eye, digging his nails into me. I folded backwards yowling in pain.

“Fuck! Ouch!”

Nicholas quickly jumped up from underneath me with instant regret.

“Oh my god babe I’m so sorry.”

“What is going on here!” Mum screamed.

Me and Nick both flung our heads into her direction.

“Oh,” She said quietly. “Nice eyeliner Nicholas.” Before turning back around and heading out the door.

We both look at eachother in silence then began to lose it, laughing hysterically.

“We better go.” I tried to say in between laughs.

I got up and reached my hand out to him, he grabbed my hand and wiped his tears with the other hand.

I grabbed the bag full of drinks and headed out the door, it wasn’t long until our friends swung by and picked us up.

-

Arriving at the party the music was already loud and bumping, the house was decorated nicely. Lights and projections illuminated the exterior of the home.

Me and Nick walked in hand in hand and began to mingle with all the other party goers. The house was packed with people and we were all cramped like sardines.

Once the liquid confidence kicked in, I joined Nick to the dance floor. Nick was being funny and bopped his head, pouting his lips. I giggled at his silly-ness and swayed my hips to the music, keeping my eyes on his. The music was upbeat and Nicholas grabbed my hand spinning me. We danced together and sang all the songs at the top of our lungs. It was so much fun.

We became sweaty messes and Nicholas took my hand as not to loose me dragging me outside to the cooler air.

“Oh this is much better.” I groaned fanning my face with a paper plate I picked up from the buffet table. Nick stood behind me and lifted my hair off my neck.

“Thanks babe, how’d you know?” I laughed.

“You’re gonna have to do the same to me in a minute, this wig is so fucking hot.”

I turned around, him letting go of my hair, placing a hand on his chest.

“That wig IS so fucking hot.”

He rolled his eyes with a chuckle and I lifted the heap of hair off his neck, fanning him now with the plate.

“Fuck this sweat and all this makeup, I cannot wait for a shower.”

Nick grinned looking me up and down. “Me too.”

“I’m gonna get us a drink. Objections?”

I shook my head. “None whatsoever.”

He took off back into the crowd and loud music.

I scanned around me and seen people jumping in the pool, other drinking and then a girl laying in the bush, spew all around her. Yikes.

I walked over to the food table and grabbed some munchies placing them on a plate for me and Nick to share. I then walked back to where I was before so Nick would loose me.

After a while he came back with drinks.

“They’re doing beer pong in there if you want to play.”

I gestured the plate toward him and he grabbed a mozzarella stick.

“Sure, can we finish our drinks out here and then go in?”

“Yeah of course darling.” He wrapped his free arm around me rubbing my shoulder.

Nicholas spun his head toward the girl in the bush and made a disgusted face. “Eh. Nobody see this?”

“I don’t think anyone cares to be honest.”

“She’s sleeping good alright.”

I sipped my drink and once I got to the last mouthful I downed it.

Me and Nicholas walked back into the muggy house and felt the heat instantly his us. The smell of sweat and booze lingered. I noticed that the house was all foggy whether that was a result of a smoke machine or the many vapers in the house I couldn’t tell at first. Judging by the fruity smell it was the vapes.

I stood behind Nicholas as he played his turn at beer pong, cheering him on. He managed to get 3 cups before missing on his fourth attempt. The chick opposing him absolutely crushed his team, dunking 7 cups in a row.

Later on in the night I had a girl spill her drink on me and I was so fucking ready to fight her. I grabbed all of my hair and started to tie it up, to which Nicholas grabbed me and pulled me away.

“It’s not worth it!” He yelled over the music.

I looked at him and instantly calmed down.

“Just wait here I’ll get you some paper towel.”

“I’ll meet you in the bathroom.” I yelled back so he could hear me.

I’d seen the line to the bathroom and threw my head back in annoyance. I leant on the wall with my arms folded waiting for the queue to die down.

Nicholas found me and looked around before shaking his head.

“Come.” He said holding onto my hand and taking me upstairs.

“Nicholas, we shouldn’t be up here.”

“Pft, it’s fine, no one will know.”

He lead me into one of the bedrooms which had a bathroom connected to it.

I hoisted myself up onto the bench which Nicholas soaked the paper towel handing me one, I scrubbed at my t shirt while he wiped the drink off my chest. He stopped what he was doing and looked me in the eyes with a hunger.

I lifted my head up noticing his sudden halt. He’d placed his hand on the spot of my chest he was cleaning previously and then moved his hand up toward my neck, his hand pushed back until my head touched the mirror behind.

I spread my legs making room for Nick to get in between them. He came closer and tucked the hair out of my face all the while I wrapped my legs around his waist.

He kept his hand behind my ear, continuing to look at me with desire. We stayed in this passionate encounter for a couple second before Nicholas had brought his soft lips to mine. He tasted of spirits, making me drunker by the second. I’d had fully given into him.

I wrapped my fingers into his hair, slipping my tongue into his mouth as he sucked on it. Our tongues went to war for dominance, with Nick’s ultimately winning.

“Best get this dirty top off, I don’t think that stain is coming out my love.” He managed to hush out in between our kiss. Immediately I obliged taking off my vest while Nicholas undid the buttons of the white shirt. He stood back to watch himself slip the shirt of my shoulders, admiring me.

“You’re just too perfect my beautiful.” He closed the gap between us, holding my face in his hands. I felt him poking me. “Ouh!” I moaned excitedly moving my hands down to his pants and rubbing his bulge. I yanked at the top of his pants and he groaned lowly as a way to give permission. I began to have a go at his belt. Trying to rush and get his buckle undone quick only made it harder for me so I had to break the kiss and focus on getting the belt undone. Nicholas was panting and looking down at what my hands were doing.

“Mhmm, that’s it baby, you got it, good job” He encouraged me, making me instantly look at him for his validation. He nodded, causing a big smile to approach my face. He wasted no time sliding his pants down. He forced his way between my legs and I brought my feet up to the edge of the counter giving him full access.

His fat cock sprung free and I began to stoke him, teasing him. He threw his head back thrusting into my hand. He lifted my skirt over my thighs and pulled my panties to the side, exposing my wet pussy. He spat on his hand for extra lubrication and slipped his fingers between my wet folds, inserting two fingers. I stopped all movement, especially stroking Nick and gasped, reaching my hand out to grasp anything. He slowly pumped his fingers in and out of me before he teased my entrance with his tip. I flung my knuckle to my mouth and bit it, a weak attempt to silence my pleasurable screams, not that anyone would have heard it through the load music that echoed through the walls.

Nicholas kept his eye on me to watch my reactions, he was pretty good to take notice on what to do, if I didn’t like something or if he should keep going. Judging by the look on my face his had the green light to go faster.

I leant my head back and let the pleasure take over me, Nicks dick repeatedly hit all the right spots. I wrapped my hands around his neck for support and Nick leant in to continue the passionate make out. He slid his tongue to the back of my throat and licked my teeth.

He took it upon himself to lift me. With the back of my knees being supported by his forearms his repeatedly lifted me and dropped me back down onto his member. I buried my head into his neck and dug my nails deep into his back, making scratches that left welts.

“Uh-huh right there.” My words started to become gibberish, as I felt myself coming close to orgasm.

“Nick, uh, right there, right there, right there.” My pitch became higher and my words faster. He continued thrusting into me.

“I’m gonna cum!” I screamed twitching in his arms, my eyes rolled back into ecstasy and I continued to ride out my high. Nicholas placed me back onto the counter before giving his final few pumps, trying to chase his high. At this point I was overstimulated and really sensitive.

“Nicky Baby! It hurts!”

“I’m right ther-“ Before he could finish his sentence he released his load and folded in half, collapsing on top of me.

We both panted loudly and Nick looked back up at my face smiling with a light chuckle.

I placed my hand on his abs and shook my head with a smile.

“Are you ok?” He asked inbetween pants.

Unable to say anything I just nodded with my eyes half closed in satisfied relaxation.

“You were so fucking good baby.” He said planting a kiss on my forehead.

Nick handed me his shirt, “Just put this on, I’ll hold onto your dirty shirt.”

“And you’re just going to walk around half naked?”

He stared at his pecs in the mirror, “Well yeah, I don’t plan on staying for long, I think we have a date with the shower.”

I laughed and shook my head standing up, my legs were wobbly and I couldn’t walk properly for the life of me.

“Yeah I think we should go now, lets not worry about hanging around.”

Nicholas raised his eyebrow at me standing awkwardly

“Shit, I’m sorry babe.”

“It’s fine, as long as you make it up by round 2 in the shower and cuddles and candy in bed.”

He nodded, “Agreed.”

Nicholas was distracted by his reflection again.

“Sorry I gotta say fuck captain jack sparrow looks good shirtless” He winked and clicked his tongue then walked to the door.

“You bet your ass!” I said, following him out the door and slapping him on the ass.

[thereweredragonshere]

Dragon with a metal as fuck (literally) prosthetic wing!!

More Prosper content :D I feel an indescribable amount of love for this dragon. And the cool ass wing designs I can give her.

Even though the entire concept of this prosthetic functioning is quite literally impossible, I still put some actual thought into the design’s fictional functionality (hey that was alliteration).

The wing is piloted with a rod that is connected to her remaining organic wing that synchronises the movements (think Toothless’ automatic tailfin). The fingers of the wing are connected together at the top and don’t all independently move, it’s based on a rig that is controlled by the very outer finger. If that one is half folded in the other 5 fingers will correspond with that, if it is fully extended the other five will correspond with that etc etc. The fact that her wings have to by synchronised is by no means easy to operate. She cannot do most basic manoeuvres in the air, even turning to the left/right whilst in flight is extremely dependant on her secondary hip wings and her tail fins. It is nowhere near having a real, attached to her body wing, but it still gives her the ability to fly again. And long distance flying is still a pain in the ass because the massive scars all along the right side of her body get irritated after a while.

A lot of the thought behind the design came from how odd it felt that httyd 3 just… got rid of Toothless’ disability? Like yeah he was still missing a tail fin but it might as well just have grown back. He has a new, fully functional, doesn’t need to be taken off, apparently doesn’t even need maintenance, fire proof and extremely durable prosthetic that just allowed him to function as if he wasn’t disabled? In the Viking age as well?? Even in the modern day we don’t have prosthetics that can fully restore permanent, none skin irritating, doesn’t need to be fixed up ‘replacement’ limbs. Yes there are some very high quality prosthetic limbs that can restore a lot of functionality and give a very good quality of life, but it is not a new limb. It’s a prosthetic. It doesn’t change the fact that there is a missing body part. It doesn’t completely replace every single functionality of a real limb? The film just entirely disregarded that fact that Toothless had a disability. Just slap a technologically impossible bit of gear work on his tail and BOOM he’s fixed. No that’s not how that works you fucking idiot 😭 His skin would get irritated, the fin would eventually need to be repaired because again IT WAS THE MEDIEVAL ERA. I know Hiccup was smart but girl he was not smart enough to invent an indestructible replacement body part. We can’t do that in 2024, let alone 1000 or whenever the fuck httyd is set.

Anyway going off that rant, whilst Prosper does regain the ability to fly, it is very limited, not for long periods of time and kind of painful. Because that’s what happens when you get a whole ass limb torn from your body. It tends to hurt and not be ‘fixable.’

[dark-konohagakure2]

Could you possibly write about pain having his way with a ninja from whatever village that was following/tracking him (also I love your writing soo much congrats on 1k!!)

tw: noncon, power imbalance, semi-public sex, improvised gags, pierced cocks, degradation, God complex, hate sex, kidnapping, Konoha sucks

All characters depicted are 18+

Pain has very keen senses, and not just his sight, his ability to sense a hostile presence has been nearly perfected after a lifetime of conflict and fighting for survival, so if he's being followed, he will find out sooner rather than later, especially since the ninja that the Hidden Leaf Village sent to track the leader of the Akatsuki is a barely adult chunin with hardly any combat experiencine, in other words; they sent cannon fodder after a God. Pain can plainly see that the damned Leaf Village hasn't changed a bit.

The orange haired man will remain as stoic as ever when he cooly demands that she show herself, but when she refuses to come out of hiding, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Pain will approach her hiding spot, where she is scared out of her mind and paralyzed in terror, Pain takes no pity on her when he snatches her out of her safe hiding place, having no sympathy for any Konoha shinobi attempting to harm him. He'll never allow that to happen ever again.

Pain won't bother with such niceties such as asking her why she's there, he already knows, just one glance at her Konohagakure forehead protector tells him absolutely everything he needs to know. Instead of interrogating or even killing her, Pain is going to use her for his most cherished pastime: making others understand the true meaning of pain.

There are countless ways he can make her experience true pain. He could crush her within an inch of her life with his Almighty Push, or he could stab through her non vital body parts with his black chakra rods, bit he eventually comes to a conclusion; instead of stabbing her with a rod, he'll impale her on his rod. Her village violated his in a irreparable way, so it's only fair that he return the favor.

"Did you truly think you could hide in the shadows without my noticing? Foolish girl, I see the Leaf didn't send their best... and they won't mind me taking a pawn like you off their hands..."

Pain is cold, in every sense of the word, his rigid body pressed flush against her's as he begins to remove her pants, as he's stripping her he'll remove every article or her clothing except one; her forehead protector, but that's because he's going to use it in a different way, wrapping the headband around her mouth so she can't cry out for help. An innocent soul being silenced with the symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village, it's almost poetic really.

Pain's cock isn't huge, but it's still intimidating with all the piercings lining the shaft, it will most certainly hurt when he forces it into her, a cock befitting someone with his name. Causing pain is the main goal here, so he won't prepare her or even warn her before shoving his cock into her untouched cunt, the rough piercings rubbing against her walls in a way that feels both agonizing, and almost pleasurable despite herself.

He won't rut into her like a mutt in heat, such base behavior is too far beneath him, instead he'll go at a torturously slow pace, forcing to feel every single ridge and stud on his cock as he rocks his hips against her's, slowly pulling nearly all the way out before slowly forcing every agonizing inch back into her, the pierced head of his cock nuzzled against her sensitive womb.

Pain's goal isn't even to get off, so whether he reaches climax or not is of little consequence. After a while he believes that his judgment of her is finished and that she's learned her lesson, but just as he's about to pull out, he feels her pussy spasming around his cock in an unwilling orgasm, that's when Pain decides it's time for a change of plans.

"Really? You just can't seem to control yourself can you..? Pitiful harlot, but you've captured my interest. You came here seeking out the Akatsuki, so I'll introduce you to them personally."

Pain is sure his beloved subordinates will enjoy the new toy, they've all been in dire need of some stress relief after all the searching they've been doing for the tailed beasts, and her goal was to get up close and personal with the Akatsuki, so this seems mutually beneficial for all parties involved, Pain just hopes she isn't an ingrate.

[itsabouttimex2]

Ok, ok, HEAR ME OUT-

How about lmk Monkeifam and Bullfam with a Y/N who isn't afraid to throw hands —

Like i mean in a response to trauma or manipulation, becouse i fell it isn't explore enough in this situation -

Sure, your loved that you belived was a friend trapped /kidnapped/gaslight you is heartbreaking and of course you are gonna be sad and more incline to behave butttt-

There is always the other way of absolute rage that comes in once you realized you have been trapped/kidnapped /gaslight ecc- like i don't care anymore, i wanna throw hands, those people are death to me.(even thought this isn't the smarter choice considering the strenght of some of the people here) like them breaking Y/N down so they can comfort them to manipulate them, but then unsurprisingly the get the biggest smack/punch of their life . Just- wow the audacity.

Throwing Hands

Bullfam & Monkiefam

“…is this some sort of pathetic attempt at ‘rebellion’, Y/N? I am not impressed.”

Your hands straight bounce. Like punching a bag of wet cement, the Demon Bull King’s skin just shifts around under your fists, never breaking or bruising. You only shatter yourself against it, leaving you worn and looking foolish.

He might not even punish you, given that it’s likely that you break a wrist on impact.

“Now, look what you’ve done to yourself, foolish child. Did you truly think your mortal flesh could stand a demon king’s might? Well, now you know better.”

You lost your temper and struck him. Immediately, you learn better than to do that ever again, and he considers it lesson enough.

Surprisingly merciful, all things considered. (Partially because he finds it somewhat funny.)

I once said in my yandere alphabet that: “Red Son doesn’t want to waste his time doing something like caning or whipping you”. And though I think that viewpoint is usually true…

This changes that. It’s maybe the only situation where he would actively engage in any form of normalized torture “corporal punishment”.

Being physically attacked switches Red from ‘mildly reasonable, if a bit hair-trigger’ to ‘vicious and cruel’. Through brute force alone does he wrestle you into submission, binding your arms behind your back with a pair of metal cuffs.

He tosses you onto the nearest bed and couch before burning the lower half of your clothing off. He then takes up a thin metal rod to utilize in “disciplining” you, sharply lashing it down against your now unprotected skin. He’ll leave puffy, bleeding welts from the top of your rear to the bottom of your thighs, ensuring that you won’t even be able to think about walking for at least a week.

Problem is that not only does it not solve the problem of you being scared and angry, it also just… makes him feel bad afterwards. It breaks him, seeing you weep brokenly over his bed. Blood sluggishly trickles from the skin he’s lashed open, and you scream your lungs out into the sheets as you try to adjust to the pain.

And then he “has to” (wants to, in truth) settle in for some awkward form of aftercare, offering lotion and bandages. When you don’t accept, he forces you to drink a cup of honeyed tea loaded with sedatives because you won’t stop shrieking.

Antiseptic while you’re asleep, a few stitches here and there, then the lotion and bandages he tried earlier. And then a few cautious back rubs, trying to calm your fitful slumber.

“Gods, Y/N… what have I done to you? I… I was just… I was… no, I… I’m sorry.”

An outright dodge. Princess Iron Fan has no time for your nonsense. For trying, she’ll lock you into whatever room has been set aside for you, barring the door with powerful magic.

One shallowly-filled bowl of food every two days, adding just a little bit more to it each day. One ceramic cup of room temperature water every four hours. A change of clothes every three days. Instead of brute force, Iron Fan teaches you through deprivation.

After a month of this, she might see fit you allow you back out of your room, letting you mingle with the family you have been forced to adopt.

After writing her a letter of apology, of course. Two pages. Pray you have the mind to keep your pencil steady.

So very many tears to deal with, probably on both ends. MK knows that he’s doing isn’t all that great, sure… but it’s because he loves you!

Can’t you love him back, please? Ok, he’s been manipulating you! Maybe he’s been driving some friends away! Maybe he’s sent a few clones to tail you around the city! But, please, please- you can’t stop loving him! He just can’t risk having you hurt!

“Please, Y/N! You don’t understand! I’m just trying to keep you safe! You can hit me again, hit me as many times as you want! Just- please, Y/N… I need you. Please…”

His last resort is stuffing you in Shuilian Cave, given that you can’t escape with his or Sun Wukong’s help. Maybe a few ropes to keep you in place. He’ll cry with each knot tied, begging you not to hate him.

Sun Wukong tanks your punch and gives your head a little pat, frowning at the display. “Sorry, bud. Trust me, I know I’m not exactly the good guy here. Go ahead and let it out. I… kinda deserve it, huh?”

The Great Sage knows you have every reason to be upset. Really, you do. All there’s only so much waylaying of emotions to be done, unfortunately. You were going to crack eventually.

He stands firmly in place, one hand rubbing your back while you break your fists against his body, watching you scream and cry. The man is just… unsurprised? He’s starting to realize that he messes up a lot of things.. So just letting you whale on him seems fair, gently trying to shush your angry tears while your skin grinds to bloody pulp against his shredded abdomen.

“How about I make us some tea,” he offers afterwards, surveying your destroyed hands. “And I’ll patch you up. Then… I think you’ve earned yourself an early bedtime for the rest of the week, bud.”

“Oh, kiddo. Do you know what “screwing up” is? After this, they’re gonna put your picture in the dictionary as an example.”

Macaque does not tolerate having hands laid on him. Not by friends, not by enemies. And certainly not by his little student, who is supposed to be wide-eyed and placid, in awe of his every move and strike.

You are supposed to be sweet and respectful. You are supposed to be kind and loving.

And he’s sure that with a little bit of “training”, he’ll get you back to that disposition.

He’ll snap his fingers with an angry snarl, shadows springing all around you like cold wires. You are gagged with a cold ebon muzzle, both your hands locked inside a cuff of swirling black and purple. You want to act like an animal? Macaque will chain you to the wall by your new muzzle and treat you like an animal.

Maybe a few days spent so on a chain so short you can’t lay down will teach you better than to raise a hand against “the only person who even loves you, Y/N!” ever again.

[middle-ans]

I figured this would get asked for sure, but it hasn’t yet.

Major Lewis Nurse George please!!

Will you believe me when I say I feared this one, but also waited the most? Absolutely smashed me even though I have this particular idea sketched in my head from start to end, and zero chances surviving writing it. But it scratched the itch so perfectly, so thank you very much for asking! (3478 words, I knew it’d be one of the longest)

Also - tw war, tw mentions of blood and injuries, tw air raid alarms

October, 1940, Canterbury

Amidst all the human burdens, his personal sleep being absent for the third night in a row seemed ridiculous. George leaned his elbows on the desk piled with paperwork, rubbing his red eyes and sighing with fatigue. Another night shift, understaffed and they had exhausted the tea supply, waiting now for the next shipment by the end of next month, if they were so lucky. So far the wing had been uneventful, he sat at his post in the main hall, the hospital building looked like a separate battlefield with large rooms occupied by rows of beds and soldiers constantly arriving. No private wards for even a few people, they couldn't afford such a rarity.

The lamp on his desk blinked faintly before fading out entirely, and George held his breath, quickly shifting his clear gaze to the window. Quietly, even too much so, his lips fell open, moving soundlessly in an outline of counting - four, three, two, one. The hum of aircraft and the howl of the alarm siren was as always late, with the first deafening blast coming Omega was already under the table, shuddering with the entire building when a bomb was dropped a few dozen miles from the hospital. They remained almost untouched by most, a small building nearly at the edge of the city, but every so often George shrank into a ball and squirmed, wondering if this night would be an exception. He can hear the fiddling from the beds, triggered traumas screaming desperately in the throats of some of the soldiers, and as frightening as it is, Omega crawls out from under the only rickety shelter to run to their beds and offer a hand to squeeze, to claw at the faint connection to reality amidst the agony and quench the pain just a little. It's Private Peters, clutching at the bandage on his head that nurse notices will need to be changed as soon as the Luftwaffe are done with today's raid, and his old green eyes on a young twenty-year-old face one of the most striking displays of the madness they've been caught up in.

“Sh-h, it's okay Peters, you're in the hospital. I'll go over to the others for a bit and come back, alright? Don't look out the window, the flashes might annoy you.”

With a lingering warmth, George leaves him to run over to the other bunk, three further down the row from Peters, to Alan curled up in a ball and sobbing into the bend of his elbow.

“Now, now, no worries, I worked so hard to heal your arm and you ruined all the bandages by crumpling it under you.”

They must have thought he was resistant to such things, had developed an iron rod and shut off the heart, leaving only the head, but that was too far from the truth. George was trembling as much as they were, but having controlled his voice he was at least seemingly calmer, confidently promising them what was forbidden by any wartime ethic - safety.

“We've got warbirds coming in, lots of them,” Alex slipped past him in the aisle, darting off at a run. As the last German plane buzzed toward the sea, the bustle returned to the hospital in a triple storm of chaos. “They said to vacate as many bunks as we can.”

“From where?” George scolds as he tosses a stack of folders and fixes his coat. Perfectly white, not for long apparently.

“You think I asked questions? Hurry up, I need sheets, preferably clean ones.”

And Alex wasn't lying by labeling the number as 'lots', because not since George joined the volunteers in the nursing society in late 1939 had he seen such an overflow of wounded in the scroll of a single night. All types of injuries he couldn't look at when he started, rips, burns, shrapnel, on his first such tour of duty with a dozen wounded after midnight he'd cried helplessly on the hallway floor, far from being able to help anyone, least of all himself. Now he clenched his teeth, holding his jaw stiffly in tension as he waltzed from one bed to another in the barely lit hall, the power having gone out as soon as the raid began. With any luck, it would be fixed by tomorrow night. Omega's breathing was infrequent and short, letting in blood odors in snatches while his head spun steadily from the density of the air, but George dared not complain. If he was given a choice of which ability to shut off while he worked, it would be hearing. Those screams would haunt him until his last day.

The sheets oozed dirt in no time, they weren't a first class hotel to have their patients complain about the quality of the fabric and its immaculate whiteness, so pushing a cart with first aid supplies and a kerosene lamp, George got the trembling in his fingers under control and kept working. Far past midnight, close to the first rays of dawn, the whole room finally fell quiet, the silence diluted by occasional quiet moans from the occasional bunks at different ends of the room, and Omegas around drifting exhaustedly from one bed frame to the next.

George sighed, straightening his gown and lowering himself into a chair next to the nearest bunk, lamp burning weakly on the bedside table where he'd placed it, and his attention followed tiredly over the soaked bandages around the arms of a man sleeping in a restless slumber. The nurse reached out to see if the soldier's fever had broken purely automatically, running his fingers under the black hair falling over the forehead. His eyebrows twitched at the touch, and George almost thought it best to leave the man alone, but his head reached up to follow the escaping warmth of Omega's fingers. The nurse blinked, returning the uncomplicated dance of the pads back to those rare patches of skin that were free of scratches and wounds. Above on the top of his head was a wisp of hair clumped together from congealed blood, the wound itself washed and sanitized, but that was probably the source of fever plaguing Alpha in his sleep. Alpha, no doubt, his scent seeped even through the deadly odor of the ward. Their job teaches them to be immune to things like weak instincts and primitive pleasures, such as sniffing a handsome man and blushing at the sight of him staring back at them. George examines his hand on the grayish sheets, the bandage applied hastily and carelessly, but the man begins to frown and flinch in his sleep so he's forced to take his fingers into the warmth of his palm and coax them there until Alpha exhales relatively calmly. Omega blinks tiredly, mindlessly rubbing his skin where it won't hurt, and Alpha's scent only flows more intensely into George's fluttering nostrils, the tartness of walnut wood and freshly cut grass in May, crisply breezy, an anomaly in their lost reality. He flinches when fingers embrace his own in return, and gently breaks their contact to attend to the bandage on his arm.

There is little pleasantness in this, he imagines, frowning sympathetically at the painful groans in the hoarse voice still unknown to him, trying to spare him what pain he can, holding the soldier's wrist and shushing him quietly while he removes the dirty bandages. He sometimes sang, barely audible, just mumbling a soft tune and it smoothed the wrinkles on the patients' faces, distracting them from what he was busying his mind with. George had to leave his bed to grab a bowl of warm water and clean gauze, blotting it and wringing it out to apply gently to the man's elbow. He protested louder, twitching in the sheets, and Omega tried desperately to quiet the agony, pressing his palm against his cheek and mumbling confused reassurances. Alpha breathed raggedly, poking his nose into his palm, and it was the only thing that allowed nurse to finish with the bandage, bent in an awkward position over the bed in the low light, fighting the man's disgruntled sighs every time Omega was forced to withdraw his palm and pick up the bandages with both hands. Just as he was finishing up with the first rays of dawn and the kerosene lamps burning out on leftover fuel, the soldier squinted his nose, fluttering eyelashes persistently and restlessly. George wasn't sure he'd be awake this early, and it could hardly be called consciousness - Alpha looked at him with a blurry stare, unaware of anything but what for some reason made the corners of his lips creep up his haggard face.

“Angel,” he wheezed, staring at George. “You're an angel.”

Omega sighed, they were all like that. Saw him in semi-conscious hot flashes and came back to fight it further in deep sleep, then sang odes to him of their love and gratitude until they were discharged, healthy and ready to return to the battlefield. He glanced at the uniform jacket hanging on the edge of the top headboard of the bed, a patch with a blood type and a rank stained with dirt that he couldn't make out, but George discerned the name - L. C. D. Hamilton.

“Sleep,” he whispers to him, adjusting the sheets over his undershirt, the cotton fabric in scarlet stains and three tiny buttons under his collarbones. ���The fever should break by dinner.”

When Omega gets to the room on the second floor of the house he's rented by an old lady who sings in the church choir and occasionally helps out at the radio factory, his strength is enough to take a quick shower with the remnants of hot water and collapse onto the creaking bed in a dreamless sleep. He hears the rumble of sirens and can't make out if it's a scrap of his imagination or actually an alarm, but doesn't care either way, rolling over onto his other side and getting the last hour of sleep before it's time to get up and get ready for the next shift.

“Almost everyone's stabilized,” Alex jumps up from the chair at his post in the hallway as soon as he sees him pacing exhaustedly through the ward. “We're still short on blood, almost all the staff donated some more today, but I'm not going to ask you, you already look one step away from dropping dead in here. And we're short on nurses, so-”

“You're so encouraging, Alex,” Omega rolls his eyes, wrapping himself in a white coat from the closet of their small storage room, straightening the lapels and tying his belt. “Did they fix the power?”

“Yeah, but in an hour it'll be time to turn out the lights anyway - light cloaking and all that. Speaking of your looks - it still managed to catch someone's interest even in such a deplorable state. One soldier-”

“Oh, Alex,” George sighs tiredly, checking the previous shift's records. Not again.

“Called for you all the time in his sleep.”

“How do you even know it was me?”

“Angel,” Alex shrugs. “You're always Angel, darling, and he mumbled incessantly. Almost knocked poor Logan's eye out when he came over to change his bandages.”

George shakes his head stubbornly, but can't help but drift his thoughts to the man. Apparently the fourth night shift is working wonders on his guard.

“How is he?” the nurse asks quietly. “Has the fever gone down?”

“Go and check, it's your shift now, not mine,” Alex pushes him further down the row of bunks before rushing out towards the exit and waving goodbye.

George keeps his face emotionless as he walks through all the patients in the room, because there are no special ones, there are all of them, needing if not a bandage or injection, then at least a drop of sympathy in the middle of this pantomime theater. In the semi-darkness of the room, he doesn't notice when he walks over to the bed with a jacket on the headboard, sets down the lamp, and hops in place as his hand is grabbed, tugged insistently, something he's not quite used to in the emergency room.

“Oh for heaven's sake,” he breathes out, closing his eyes for a second to catch his breath. “Sir, you can't just-”

“Angel,” a glance, this time absolutely clear and unequivocal, lingered on him with sheer fondness and a glare of amusement, the man pulling himself up higher on the pillow. “So you weren't a vision? I thought I'd gone to heaven, since I saw you.”

George swallows, sitting down on the edge of the mattress and starting to unwind the bandages on the man's arm, slowly, and this time Alpha holds up much better, no gnashing of teeth or groans.

“Have you had the wound treated? With ointment, or just peroxide?” he asks as casually as possible while he feels the gaze of dark eyes solely on the side of his face turned toward the soldier.

“I think with ointment, too. Not as carefully as you did, of course.”

The nurse snorts, hiding a smile and blush behind the curls that have fallen over his forehead.

“You were barely here last night, with a fever and delusions. How can you remember what I did it?”

“I remember you singing,” Mr. Hamilton says, plainly and calmly, a confidence in his voice that is lacking in those brash flirtations of the younger soldiers. And they're probably a lot lower in rank than Alpha. “And if I may?”

George looks up cautiously, averting his gaze from the wound when the man takes his hand and opens his palm, pressing it against his own cheek. The tendons in Omega's neck tighten in tension, he feels a small tremor in his fingers where they are gripped between the soldier's light grasp and his cheek.

“Yes, I definitely remember that,” the man smiles, loosening his grip so George can bring his hand back to the bandages. Lost for words and lost for breath.

“Good thing you remember so much,” he flutters his eyelashes, finishing the knot on his forearm. “Strong. Means you'll be better soon.”

“Will you sit with me?” Alpha lets out brokenly, a second before the nurse would have gotten up and headed for the next bed. George opens his mouth to say he still has a lot of work to do, but the soldier grazes his fingers on the sheets with a sore hand, shivering against the warmth. “Please.”

Omega glances around the rest of the room - it's night, dark, and most are asleep, a few nurses walking past the beds to adjust pillows and bandaged limbs. He didn't really have any real reason to refuse, and hesitantly he agrees, moving to a chair to retain some modicum of willpower.

They talk until morning. Extremely negligent of George, he should've left the soldier to sleep, gone to the paperwork that littered the desk at the duty station, done something, but they just kept talking, hiding from the prying eyes of the other staff in the shadows of the dimmed lamp. George said that he had been orphaned in the first month of war after the raid on his home town, he didn't mention what it was exactly, and his sister had been able to catch the last ship to America, which he was incredibly glad about, but he was all alone and so had decided to devote himself to working at the hospital. Lewis had been in the army before the war, something to do with his father's silly insistence, and had had several successful sorties behind enemy lines in France, his careful choice of words and thoughtful narration suggesting a rank with a few badges on his epaulettes and men in his command. He was skilled at playing the piano and baking homemade bread with recipes from his mother's family. George giggled as the man described the intricacies of mixing dough, certain he'd never heard Alpha talk about cooking before. When with the peachy rays of the quiet dawn outside the window, no Luftwaffe raid this time, he yawned in the midst of his own mumblings, Omega glanced down and found Lewis sleeping peacefully, head bowed on the pillow a little uncomfortably, and mouth slightly open in quiet breathing. George leaned over, holding his neck under the bandage and correcting the dislodged fluff in the pillow, gently bringing Alpha's head back, smoothing the hair on the back of his neck.

He's discharged before George returns to the hospital the next time, fresh from a day off and having slept one normal night in what seems like months. He only nods to Alex, trying to smile as he did before, and goes on his evening rounds without long chats in the back room.

After about a week since he last saw Lewis, he finally gets the day shift. George is settling in at a table in the common room, filling out paperwork and reports as accurately as can be observed in wartime when the sunlight from the window is blocked by someone's shadow and he pulls away from files, frowning at the intrusion.

“Good afternoon, Nurse George,” a smile, almost devoid of the mesh of scratches on his face around, shines brightly to him from above, Lewis standing in the full glory of his uniform and with a cap on his head. “I was told I might find you here today, even during daylight hours.”

His hands are placed sternly behind his back, Alpha stands as steady as a ruler in the army-like poise of his posture, and George opens his mouth silently, unable to find anything to say.

“Lewis, it's good to see you're well,” he gulps, rising from a seat so as not to feel so tiny under the shoulder span of the army jacket.

“That's why I came, to thank you properly,” Alpha winds one of his hands behind his back forward, clutching the stems of a bouquet of wildflowers and holding it out for George. “I didn't know which ones you liked, figured we could start with these.”

Oh, in front of everyone, the wing will be buzzing about this forever. Omega hears the commotion and giggles behind the man's back, blushing awkwardly under his scrutiny, but Alpha takes a step closer, blocking his view of the fiddling behind. Having no idea what else he could have done, George takes the bouquet into his hands, briefly meeting the stroke of Lewis' warm fingers' touch and lowering his eyelids immediately in humble awe.

“Thank you, that's quite unnecessary. It's my job, after all. No one gives you flowers for your service, for instance.”

Alpha smiles, tilting his head to pick up the visor of his cap and pull it off, revealing black hair styled back. Out of habit, George studies the spot where the wound was with a quick glance - it all looks healed and barely bothers the man.

“I think it's very much necessary. Might ward off some of the pushy admirers? Peters, you're expected at the barracks as early as tomorrow, so don't think about taking up residence here for long,” it's a misterie how his voice jumps from softness and reserved ease to iron command, Alpha turning around for a moment to glance at the subordinate in the row of bunks. “Are you enjoying music, George?”

“Music?” Omega blinks confusedly, shaking his head in a lack of comprehension.

“The pub near City Hall is having a dance this weekend. If it doesn't interfere with work, I'd like to say I'd be happy to see you there. The wine at Bert's isn't the most exquisite, but I'll make sure a case from our stock is delivered.”

Pulse racing ahead of his heart's capabilities, George swallows thickly, not knowing where to find the answer.

“He's free this weekend,” Logan rounds on his figure, hurrying from the entrance to his turn to make rounds. “I'm on duty Friday, have you forgotten?”

No, he'd absolutely seen the schedule, and this Friday was George's, but Logan winks at him and disappears into the pile of huddled white coats, hurrying them back to work.

“Well, then,” Lewis cleared his throat, viewing him like a tangled mechanism of an armored car gears. “I'll see you there, I suppose?”

The man nods at him with his chin knowing exactly the angle and duration in which it should linger, leaving George and allowing him to finally fall back into his chair, exhaling heavily.

“A whole Major, Georgie!” Alex slams a palm on the table, scaring the hell out of him. “Bringing you flowers and claiming his rights in front of this bunch of silly young Alphas, huh? Oh, I'll lend you my tweed pants for Friday and you will undo two buttons of your shirt, you hear me?”

[undreaming-fanfiction]

Someone is eager to see Mafia Mamma and that someone is me. So anyway.

When a twenty-two year old Steve Harrington gets the call, he isn't in the best spot in his life. Sure, he survived all the Upside Down crap, but his parents finally had enough of his so-called trauma ("the earthquake was bad, Steven, but you can't let that influence your life forever! It's like you're not even trying!"). He didn't get to college and his love life is abysmal, but hey, at least he does something useful now - he's training to be a paramedic and he lives in a small, old flat, regularly calling Robin and his gaggle of kids and hanging out with Eddie whenever possible. So maybe it's not the best spot in life, but it's his.

Well, apparently his great-uncle that his mother never really talked about died and asked that Steve takes over the family business in his will. Family business that is in Italy. Cool.

Look, Steve likes first aid, saving lives and all that, but, after the second shared joint with Eddie, admits he's curious. No one said it has to be forever, but maybe it would help him to try something else for a change. Eddie absolutely approves, squeezes Steve's shoulder, but - a little sadly, it seems to Steve - admits he's going to miss the only person who went through all the shit and stuck around. He even jokes he'll hide in Steve's suitcase and will go to Italy with him. "You know, somewhere far away from the Satanist rep. Well, Vatican is there so that's not ideal, but maybe with no murders and levitation this time, I'd just pass as the weird American?" And without thinking, Steve blurts out: "Come with me."

They land in Italy with almost nothing, Eddie with a beat up backpack and his guitar ("not even death or other fucked up dimensions will us part, Steve!"), Steve with a sports bag full of clothes and graduation pics of his kids plus Robin and Nancy, and his trusted hair spray. He really, really wanted to take his spiked bat, but apparently that would be a hazard on the plane. Go figure.

And of course, the "family business" is full of black suits, guns, rapid Italian threats and on top of that, the other families know that the old head of the family is gone and they smell the blood in the water. Especially when the new leader is barely an adult who looks more like a model than a criminal. And his friend who looks like a criminal? That one looks more like a petty thief or vandal than an actual mafia member. Now is their time to strike.

Turns out, that wasn't the best idea. Not when the doe-eyed metalhead grabs the nearest chair and smashes it repeatedly over the assailant's head while yelling "I-DID-NOT-SURVIVE-BEING-CHEWED-ON-TO-DIE-TO-A-FUCKING-BULLET-YOU-MOTHERFUCKER!" while the new boss reaches for the nearest lamp and, like a bloody ninja, renders three assassins unconscious, then setting down the bloodied rod (goodbye, lamp shade and light bulb) and tells his advisor that he wants a baseball bat, a hammer and a bunch of nails. For...reasons.

They gradually settle in. Steve excels in keeping his family in line by adopting his best mom pose, hands on hips, while sternly uttering "What did we say about excessive violence, Francesco? Hm? If you start there, what do you do when you need to escalate? Why do you start with the worst? And they call me dumb." When his bodyguard cocks his gun and asks who called him dumb and where do they live, Eddie snorts into his coffee. (also Steve later apologizes to Francesco for calling him dumb, but also adds that rules are made to be followed, especially those that save a lot of blood and pain)

As for Eddie, without the academic pressure he becomes and unstoppable language student. He's like a sponge, being semi-fluent while Steve struggles with basic phrases. They study together and Eddie begins feeling more confident, takes up more languages and slowly starts functioning as Steve's interpreter and teacher in one. Also a bit more, when they have to evade another assassination attempt and Steve finds himself laying on top of Eddie, on the ground where he pulled him to save him from a nasty punch, and no one comments on it when they get up a few seconds too late, their lips and faces red.

Eventually Steve becomes fluent as well and that's when Eddie experiences the best time of his life - when they walk together in a market, bodyguards giving them just a little bit of privacy, and someone spits on the ground behind them - "stupid American." But before Eddie can react, Steve throws a bitchy look at the offender and says in perfect Italian: "and you look like a poorly shaved goat, yet I'm not judging."

Eddie howls in laughter and nudges Steve's side. "Careful, Stevie. I might think you don't need a teacher anymore."

Steve wraps his arm around Eddie's waist. In here, surrounded by the bodyguards and his family, he can finally do that. "Maybe not. But I'll always need a boyfriend. Wanna apply?"

[luna-loveboop]

Merry Christmas!!! <3333

The vet basked in the light of the stars, keeping watch over the heroes nestled in their bedrolls. He fidgeted with the many rings on his fingers, listing each name in his head because he didn’t want to have lost one in their most recent battle. Snow covered the ground around them, and though he appreciated the sight, it didn’t help his joints. He heard the crunch of snow and jumped, until he saw it was just the traveller, standing up and walking over. “Won’t sleep or can’t sleep?” Legend asked.

“Can’t sleep,” Hyrule gave him an unimpressed, tired look as he sat down next to the veteran hero.

“Anything I can do to help?”

The traveller shook his head. “No, but thanks. Genuinely.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Enjoying watch?” 

Legend tried to flex his fingers but winced at the pain that quickly coursed through them. “Sure.”

Hyrule’s hands bathed in a warm glow and the vet chuckled dryly. “Won’t work.”

The traveller wilted a bit and Legend put a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, though. Hey, what do you say we do something special for the others?”

“Huh?”

“Well,” Legend blushed a little. “Okay, so I was thinking, in my Hyrule we have this tradition where we give each other gifts in the winter and—“

“You do care!”

“Never said I didn’t,” Legend grumbled. “Are you in or not?” 

“Heck yeah I’m in. What do you have in mind?”

Legend pulled out his bag. “The captain gave me back the fire rod, but I have another one so he can probably keep it. Sky likes woodcarving so I can buy some more tools for him. I’ll get Ravio to make another one of his stupid scarfs for the sailor so he doesn’t have to borrow the captain’s. The smithy loves forging as I’m sure you’ve seen, so if I can find him some tools for that, or maybe I can get him a scarf too. Hmmm…but what colour would that scarf be? I swear, the colour he likes changes every hour of the day.”

Hyrule snorted quietly. Legend was counting the people he was mentioning on his fingers. “The old man I…honestly have no clue. My first thought was a mask, but he said he doesn’t use them anymore, right? Ugh. Think he’d appreciate a scarf too? No idea what colour he’d prefer but the rancher would probably know. Speaking of the rancher, I’m getting him a muzzle.”

“What?” Hyrule laughed.

“Not really. Anything that keeps his mouth shut from teasing. Right now though, I think he’d appreciate a mug, wouldn’t you? I could put something snarky on there.” The traveller nudged him with a smile but he just continued, “The champion would like a cookbook. If we can translate it into his Hylian of course. Or something that allows him to commit arson, and as much as I’d like to see that, I don’t want to get lectured. I’m not missing anyone am I?” 

“Only me,” Hyrule sniffled dramatically.

“The whole point is that it’s a surprise. I’m not just going to tell you.”

The traveller yawned and then stiffened, as if he didn’t mean to do that. Legend nudged him. “Looks like someone’s going to fall asleep to my rambling.”

“N-no.”

The vet found a blanket and draped it over his shoulders, with a look. The vet watched his eyes slip closed with a fond smile. 

AAAAHHHHH Thank you Uni!! This is so cute, I love reading it dhcjdbchidjufhdudf thank you

Merry Christmas!! (delayed response)

<333

[cowbok]

We Are Monsters Now.

(Its not everyday that i write something but enjoy this One-Shoot about Catnap and Dogday!)

Theodore was a timid child. Soft spoken, introverted, and quiet most of the times. But that was in the past, three years before he was transformed into this... Monster.

This creature, this... Thing. The adults working around the daycare that were unnaware of the inhumane experiments, they thought he was nothing but some kind of animatronic for the children.

The children thought he was the real Catnap from the TV show.

But he wasn't. He was Theo. He was once a human being, until the day all that changed, when he went asleep, the most deep sleep he ever got... And woke up like this... Monster.

He was kind of lucky, tho... That he didn't undergo all this pain alone. Some of his friends had suffered the same destinies, waking up in the new bodies, as big creatures that were meant to entretain and obey.

.... That's not really lucky.

But he'll be lying if he said he wasn't at least a bit glad he wasn't all alone in this... Elio, and the rest of his friends were now the... "Smiling Critters".

Still, that didn't mean he wasn't angry. Even with the company of his friends. He tend to act out. To try numerous time to escape. To try to hurt the scientists when they came to analize him

To try to have contact with beings he shouldn't have.

And, of course, all that fighting always got him in trouble. Cruel punishments of isolation. Like right now.

One of the scientist had found out that Theo tried to break in the labs in search of his... God. For his insolence, now he was being punished by not having dinner, by being a prisoner in that little cell.

And soon, by the one and only Leith Pierre who seemed... Upset.

- You are such a pain... - He said while standing outside of the cell. Protected from the ire of Theo. Using a gas mask, of course. He wasn't and idiot. - Do you have any idea of what you have done today... It could have been the end of us all - He explained, slowly.

Theo just growled. Even if his voice box was broken, he had nothing to say to that man.

- Gather yourself, 1188. You're no longer a little kid. You should understand now that actions have consecuences. - Pierre exhaled, and snapped his fingers.

Two more men appeared from behind him, using masks as well, and rods between their hands. Blue and yellow sparks escaped from the tip of the rods. They were going to electrocute him... How... funny.

- Maybe after you get a dosage of discipline, you'll start listening to the scientists and be a good Catnap for the children, won't you?

The two men opened the door, pointing the rods at Theo at every moment in case he tried to do something risky. They closed the door behind them and got closer, and closer.

Theo hissed and growled. His tail moving rapidly.

And suddenly, there was a scream. But it wasn't from Theodore.

But from Pierre.

- GET THIS MONSTER AWAY FROM ME-EE!! - Barely could talk as Elio was holding his throat between his orange hands

- YOU DON'T GET TO HURT HIM, YOU DON'T GET TO- - Elio tried. But he couldn't bring himself to actually press hard enough to choke Pierre.

- DOGDAY! STOP IT!! - Said one of the scientists still inside Theo's cell, rushing to get the door open while the second one still pointed at Theo with the rod.

- KILL HIM, KILL HIM!!! - Theo cried out loud. This was it, this was his chance of escaping!

If Elio killed Pierre, then they could use his key to get anywhere in the factory. They could free everybody, they could run away, they could...

Elio still wouldn't press Pierre's thoart hard enough... His hands were trembling, and he seemed stuck in one place, almost like if he was shocked with the heaviness of the situation.

It was too late. The scientist manage to open the cell door and hitted Elio with their rod, sending a wave of electricity throught his body.

His yellowish, dog-like body hit the ground, now unconsious.

The scientist helped Pierre to get up.

- Goodness gracious... You're not only a burden, you also have started to corrupt the other as well? -He said, looking at Theo. - Dogday had never acted out like this before!

Theo wasn't paying to much attention. He just felt his one chance fading away like nothing all because... Because...

- Get Dogday into a cell as well, now! - That was the last thing Pierre said before walking away.

The scientist called for some help to carry Elio's limp body into a cell. Then, decided to leave Theo alone for the rest of the night. Too much chaos now to keep going with the program.

Elio started to wake up. His cell next to Theo's.

- What... Happened? - He said slowly. Talking with the broken voice box was hard. But he wasn't going to let any scientist get close to him to fix it...

- I... I don't know... - Elio answered.

- You.... Didn't... Kill him

- No... I guess i didn't...

-.... - Theo didn't say anything. He just stared at Elio for a few seconds.

-... Oh. Well!! What did you wanted me to do?!?! I saw what they were about to do to you! i-i just acted out of instincs!! I didn't know what to do, alright?!

- You... Should have... Killed him

- Oh, really?! And for what?! What use would that have been?!

- We could... Have ESCAPED!

- WHAT'S THE POINT?!

The prison stayed silent for a long while. Elio had his head down, looking at the dirty floor, while Theo keep looking at him thourgh the bars with those withish, creppy eyes... Trying to understand.

- What.... What do you... Mean?

- Oh please, Theo! You really think we can escape?!?! That there's a chance?! We're not twelve anymore!! - Elio snapped back, standing up, walking as far away from Theodore as he could. - Grow up!

-.... What? - He whispered, and the light left his eyes.

- Alright, just think for a moment... Let's say we escape... What then? Do we go to the police? Us? A big purple cat and a yellow dog?! O-or maybe we first search for some mad scientist that's good of heart and knows how to give us human bodies first? Hmm? Does that seems like a plan?!

- Elio....

- Or perhaps we just survive out of trash for a few days until they send a searching party for us and when they capture us!!.... And they'll capture us... They'll just punish us horribly... - Elio turned to see Theo this time. -

The purple cat was holding the bars, his expression unreadable.

- Theo... Even if we escape... We'll never be truly free... We'll never get into highschool, o-or get a degree, or get to live a normal life... Look at us! We're monsters now... There's nothing for us out there... All we have is this place now

- No... - Theo mumbled, a dark liquid dripping from his eyes.

- The least we can do now is... Protect the other kids so they don't end up like us. - Elio sighed, sitting on the ground. - But, lets face it... We're both 15 now... It's been 3 years trapped inside this bodies... There's no turning back. We will never turn back...

"We are monsters, Theo. Let's face it'

[blorbologist]

For the Spotify prompt: Ashton and either Essek or the Bright Queen with number 42 (the answer to everything)?

42. Kids Again, Artist Vs Poet

[Went a bit of a bittersweet direction with this but ohhh boy]

Ashton Greymoore isn’t an orphan. They aren’t really a ‘normal’ kid either, though. Normal kids don’t -

Wait. Hold up - maybe it’s easier to start with what Ashton is. Because Ashton is: a kid, sixteen as of a few days ago, a huge pain in the ass per his dad and the teachers, and really fucking confused.

They thought they had it all figured out. So what, they didn’t look like their old man - lots of kids didn’t! Didn’t change nothing! I mean, hypothetically he could be an orphan once - but who gives a shit about who those parents were. He has a dad.

Ashton Greymoore doesn’t know why he has the name though. Greymoore. Kids tend to match with their parents. Or at least one of them. When he asked, he just got a cryptic bullshit answer about the name being an heirloom. 

He has a lot of those - heirlooms. A wardrobe full of shit, like an old-ass helmet and a piece of yellow-painted metal. There was some cooler stuff in the dresser, but he might have gotten it all confiscated when he got caught with the immovable rod in class.

Apparently weird ass dreams are something else they inherited. Or were given. Whatever.

Except they’re popping up when he’s sure he’s awake, and when he’s fucking around with his friends, and when he’s playing hookey, and when he hears a storm overhead and when he tugs at vines on a fencepost and when he listens to howling late at night and when he sees a rat and when he’s eating cookies or scones or fish for some fucking reason -

Ashton Greymoore isn’t an orphan. They aren’t - they have a great family, and awesome friends, and all that shit. So why do they feel like they’ve lost everyone?

“Ashton!”

Of course they didn’t hear their fucking dad coming. They measure their breaths. Completely fucking fail to when the knock knock knock sounds right above their head, bounces off all the metal shit in here with them.

“I know you are in there, young man. Would you like to come out, or should I come in?” There’s a pause. “Or would you prefer I left?”

He doesn’t feel like giving an answer. Which is a mistake, because a classic fuck off would have solved his problems - but, shit, being quiet is concerning.

Dad doesn’t even need to touch the wardrobe to open the doors - Ashton doesn’t need to look up as the faint magelight flickers down. Really no point to it: his eyesight is way worse in the dark, just like how his ears are round and his skin isn’t purple.

There’s a flutter of robes as his father floats to the floor. A soft sound as he lets himself land. They’ve never been the hugging sort of father-son duo, but the quiet company is always a big relief.

“Ashton,” Essek says carefully. “I, ah. Am probably due to explain consecution to you.”

Send me a character / pair of characters / AU & a number from 1 to 100 & I'll write a little something inspired by that song!

[corvusspecialartist]

Tree Hugger:

Mortarion was full of despair. After his current failure… after he was punished by the Grandfather… It was agony… His body could take much.. even before his transformation.. but the agonies bestowed on him… it was too much. He could take it, what was more… it was the show of the Grandfather's love. He had spared the rod for too long.. for it was his fault… He had tried to blame one of the Grandfather's sons.. but no matter. However, it wasn't until the cheery voice.. purred. "I know about it…. They will be disappointed to see you like this… all deformed and corrupted…" His heart sank, true the grandfather knew almost everything about diseases and plagues.. but he had tried to keep this precious thing secret. It was your soul, one of the truest and closest loves he had ever had. It was little rival… no. It was close to Nurgle's love as any. When he looked at the anchor… his physical pain seemed to fade, while his sorrow seemed to increase. It was one of the few clean things…while his quarters on his personal planet were similar… a stain of the Grandfather always seemed to remain. The Grandfather cackled. "How exactly did you think such a soul managed to get into my possession? It was almost anathema… not blessing the tree… and allowing you to have such pretty trinkets! You thought that you could keep secrets from me? Your beloved grandfather?! Now.. that deserves a fresh punishment…" Mortation could feel his primarch physiology change… his moth wings started to crack and break as the GrandFather's magic flowed through him… He felt the scorching heat as his wings started to fall..He cold feel sharp shooting pain underneath his arms… and immediately his stomach started to hurt. He doubled over and felt the acidic vomit come back up through his mask. He tried to take it off but found it glued to his face in a web of diseased skin. With the bile having no where to go, it started to burrow a hole though his neck.. In order to try and take the mind off of the pain… he tried to call up the rare memory before his ascension… to a new master. In the memory, he saw you… wearing in full hazard attire.. while he could withstand the area you were in… You turned to him holding up a small little tree. He thought of it strange… You purred to him. "This is like an old type of tree that could resist the biome type of Barbaurus…so I created something that could maybe survive this and produce fruit.. maybe it could filter out the gas and produce oxygen." He had scoffed at it at the time, seeing it as a foolish proclamation. Barbaurus had always been full of toxic gas, and the people there had lived short and miserable lives.. harvesting the grasses… and filtering the rare non polluted ground water. Barburiusans were a hearty people… so why change that? Now, as he looked at the tree.. and within his current sceneario.. He had to protect the tree… even when he first encountered and converted to the grandfather's cause… when all of the plants died.. it remained. The tree started to wither then.. as Mortarions agonies increased and then stopped. "Do not fail me again. Now…get out." Mortarion was back. He was within his personal quarters… he ran to the tree as fast as his blighted body would take him. The little tree looked the same..yet on closer inspection… there was a little bit on browning on the leaves.

[headfulloflettuce]

The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

34. A Sleep Deprived Vacation

“Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.”

- Rod Mckuen

Cosette was ashamed to admit that she used the pain of the bruises to not fall asleep, keeping herself sitting in uncomfortable positions or gently pressing down to make sure she didn’t clock out and potentially suffer something worse due to the hex.

She was grateful that at least she managed to wait out the first period of exhaustion and need for sleep and made it to her current state. The one where she just felt tired.

After applying the medicine the healer gave her, Cosette ended up changing into a different dress from the one she had worn yesterday, unable to wash away the stains of dirt that ended up on it after her fall.

“Good morning Linus.” Cosette greeted the man, closing the door to her cabin.

He looked put together, dressed for another day of work.

“Good morning.” he did a double take when seeing her face, “What’s wrong with you?”

“What?”

I had checked in the mirror. I looked fine, no new bruises.

“Did you even sleep?”

“Well the healer told me that I can’t sleep until we leave Night Court waters, sooo…” Cosette yawned, “I am stuck like this for the time being.”

Linus cringed, “That sucks.”

“Yeah it does.” she agreed, “Are you helping Amelio with work today too?”

“No.” Linus sighed, “Amelio said he would take care of things today and that I should take a break or something.”

“Well that’s nice.”

“No, not nice.”

“Right, let me guess you’re one of those workaholic types?”

“Ha, no. That’s not the problem here.”

You don’t deny it.

“Then what is?”

“You’re really dumb you know that?”

“Way to turn to insults.”

“It’s not an insult, it’s a fact. You think Amelio telling me to take a break is a good thing?”

“Yes…?”

Would a teacher not want his student to take a break?

“That’s not what he’s asking for.”

“What do you mean?”

Linus however didn’t answer her, instead beginning to walk down the hallway and up to the deck.

Cosette followed him.

“Why are you following me?” he snapped.

“I am not, I am just also going to the deck.”

Linus let out a frustrated huff, but still held the door open for her when they clambered onto the deck.

The two walked over to the breakfast table where the captain and sailors were chatting, chugging coffee and getting ready for the day ahead.

“There you are, Linus, thought you already left with Amelio?” the captain smiled at the younger faerie.

“I am staying behind today.”

“I see. Well it would be a shame to just stay at the ship, all we’ll be doing is packing up the cargo and making sure everything is stored properly. You two should head out into the city for a bit.”

“I would love to stay and help you instead.” Linus quickly offered but the captain shook him off.

“Nah mate, you go and have some fun. A couple of the younger sailors are going out into the city today, you should go with them. Just make sure to get back by 2:30, we’re leaving at 3.” the captain winked, “Unless you want to get stuck here.”

“That would actually be hell.” a sailor groaned, “Imagine being stuck with the Night Court fae and their weird mind magic and freaky day cycles until the next boat came.” he shivered, “I think I’d just start swimming back to Winter Court at that point.”

Linus looked even more annoyed but didn’t say anything, instead grabbing some food from the table.

Cosette picked out some fruit and ate it, forcing herself to swallow even though it hurt her chest. Watching the faeries around the table interact it was clear that Amelio sought out more talkative employees as most of the faeries were chatting and smiling. A couple however were a lot more similar to the average Winter Court fae she had encountered: reserved, and quiet, eating their food along the sidelines and exchanging only a few words.

She glanced at Linus who was also silent.

You act more like them than Amelio at times.

“If you’re going to go out into the city we should go together.” she proposed.

Linus glared at her, “No thank you.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to.”

“But you’re going to go out into the city, no?”

“No, I will do something more productive with my time.” 

“If I see you sulking around the ship Linus I will kick you out!” the captain called out, putting his plate away into the dirty tray, “You should escort the miss since she is asking you.”

Linus’s face scrunched up in displeasure but he conceded, “Fine.”

Cosette was on her tenth bite when she decided she wouldn’t be able to eat anymore and put her food away.

“You should eat more.”

“I am not that hungry.”

Hard to eat when it physically hurts too.

“I am going to get my bag and soggy wallet.’

“You better hurry or I’ll leave.” Linus called out after her.

Cosette purposefully walked slower, looking him straight in the eyes. Linus groaned, turning away and looking down at the water over the edge of the deck.

Despite his sour expression, Linus had waited for her and helped Cosette down the gangway.

Upon her return he immediately asked, “Why is your wallet soggy? Did you manage to drop it into the Sidra River or something?”

“No, a male stole it from me and then I found it by the Sidra River. He probably dropped it while running and then it washed up somehow.”

Or a kind civilian picked it up, since it was on the sidewalk and the river’s waves don’t reach that high.

“You got robbed?!” he spun around, “Why didn’t you say anything yesterday?”

“Well I got the wallet back. Besides, I was with Azriel and Elain at the time and neither he nor the faeries around managed to catch the culprit.”

Linus gaped at her before a short laugh escaped him, “You’re telling me the Night Court’s Spymaster couldn’t catch a single thief?”

She shrugged.

The thought seemed to lift Linus’s mood as they exited the port, with Linus taking the lead of walking through the streets of Velaris, even offering his arm to Cosette.

“I don’t understand you.” Cosette stated, taking his hand, not wanting to get separated in the bustle of the city.

“Hm?”

“You act like an asshole at times yet still hold the door open and stuff.”

Linus rolled his eyes, “That’s basic etiquette, nothing more. All proper faeries should do it.”

Cosette was about to call out the fact that Azriel’s behavior did not apply to everyone, beyond whenever Elain had asked him to do something, but stopped herself.

When you’re too exhausted to think properly, the smartest thing to do is to just not speak. No one can catch you making a mistake if you simply do nothing. 

That was my brother’s life lesson from middle school that he passed onto me when I was graduating fifth grade. Easy to say the teachers were thrilled to have a miniature version of my brother running around the same school he had just graduated from.

Cosette considered badmouthing the spymaster of the Night Court in public, in the city of Velaris where he lived, to very much be a stupid mistake. So, she remained silent.

Silence was not a challenge for them as Linus clearly did not want to speak to her. Cosette didn’t mind though, just enjoying the city’s beauty.

She however tugged on his arm, stopping him when they passed by a bookstore.

“Wait, I want to get a souvenir for a friend back home.”

I am going to follow in Ophelia’s footsteps and get Fermin a picture book.

“Are they business associates?”

“No…?”

“Then why are you getting them a gift?”

Cosette gave him a weird look, “Because we’re friends and most faeries never visit a different court so getting them something would be a kind gesture.”

Linus returned the weird look but followed her into the bookstore. Cosette made a beeline towards the picture book section, pleasantly surprised by the selection, and horrified by the high prices.

“Can your friend not read?”

Cosette was starting to get a bit annoyed, shutting a hardcover book more aggressively than she intended, “No, he is a child. Didn’t you read picture books as a child?”

Linus didn’t say anything back, picking up a history text from a neighboring shelf.

Cosette flipped through children’s books, eventually picking out a cute one about a frog and a knight going on an adventure to save the stars from an evil snow wasset that was determined to eat the whole sky.

As far as she was concerned the snow wasset was just an overly large water weasel with tiny legs and a long body.

“Linus, he looks like a worm.” Cosette showed him a funny picture on one of the pages.

Linus closed the book he was reading, not impressed by the worm-like creature, “Is that supposed to be a snow wasset?”

“Yeah!”

“They drew it wrong, it should be fluffier.”

Wait, is this thing real?

“Okay, well, I don’t think the goal here is biological accuracy.”

“I guess.” Linus didn’t sound convinced.

“So…what does a snow wasset normally eat?” she asked.

“Do they never migrate to your area?”

“I never noticed them.”

“Guess that makes sense, they prefer sticking to colder areas, only going to warmer waters during our coldest months. That’s why they’re considered native to Winter Court. The Faerie Realms would take a long time to travel to.”

“Why would they go to the warmth if they like the cold?”

“They prefer the cold but if it gets too cold they might not be able to find stable access to food, so they move to Summer or Spring where they hunt on land. If it gets too hot they either hibernate or move up further North.” Linus said, “But, to answer your question, they eat anything.”

“Even stars?” Cosette quipped sarcastically.

“If they could reach them they would most definitely eat them too.”

Cosette laughed, moving deeper into the bookstore.

Linus followed after her, picking out books as they went and flipping through them, keeping some and putting away others.

“Are you getting those for your business associates?”

“No, they’re for me. Like you said, most faeries never travel to another court. It’s good to stock up on another court’s books.”

“Don’t you want to get Solene or Amelio anything?”

“What’s the point? They can already buy anything they want with money.”

Cosette rolled her eyes.

“You could make them something. Or perhaps a sentimental gift?”

Linus ignored her, so she didn’t bother continuing the conversation.

What can I get Theo? He and Ophelia are the only ones I haven’t really gotten a proper gift for. I don’t want to get him woodworking tools since he already has those. 

“Excuse me.” Cosette addressed a short faerie with small horns stacking books in the corner, “Do you have textbooks on wood carving? Or any educational texts?”

The faerie looked at her, nodded and pointed to a neighboring bookshelf.

“Thank you.” Cosette looked through the books, with various titles: ‘From Concept to Product’, ‘Night Court’s Greatest: A History of Woodworking Masters’, ‘Materials and Where to Find Them’, ‘Night Court’s Woodworking: The Basics’. Cosette paused on the last one.

Although Theo was certainly not a beginner, an introductory text to another court’s wood carving arts is a good place to start.

Cosette purchased the two books with Linus getting a whole stack of them for himself. When their orders got wrapped and prepared, he took her packaged book away and put it into his own bag to carry, offering her his hand again,

Cosette took his hand with a small sigh and they returned to the street. Passing by a familiar vendor with the strange sweets she tugged on Linus’s hand again, dragging him over to it.

“Wait, I want to get some of these for my friends.”

“How many friends do you have?” he muttered.

Clearly more than you.

Cosette took a closer look at the bizarre sweets: sparkling star-like candies, caramels that looked like bubbles, cinnamon rolls in the shapes of cats with numerous eyes, and purple flower pastries, to name a couple.

She ended up picking out a bag with a combination of the various candies and chocolates. Although the cinnamon rolls looked extremely appealing she didn’t want to risk one going bad on the way home.

“Are you done?” Linus drawled.

“Do not rush me.” she glared, paying the vendor, trying to take the pretty cloth bag the goods came in, but Linus snatched it away before she could even react, smugly extending his arm to her once more.

“Shall we?”

“You’re…” Cosette tried to find the right word.

“Respectful? A gentlefaerie?” Linus seemed to be enjoying himself.

“A prick hiding behind the visage of respect.”

“Same thing.”

The two carefully maneuvered about some carts that had turned onto the wrong road and were now trying to get back to the proper route with the help of a few pedestrians.

“Those newcomers…don’t even know how roads work.” a passing by faerie slammed into Cosette’s shoulder, eliciting a growl from Linus.

“Oi, watch where you’re going.”

“What did you say to me?” the older male, turned to face Linus, his face, despite the natural bluish hue, looked a bit red.

He was drunk.

“I said watch where you’re going drunk.” Linus smirked, “What kind of male are you, failing to walk in a straight line?”

The male narrowed his eyes at Linus, “Oh…you’re from that court aren’t you? The popsicle one?”

Cosette felt Linus’s hand clench into a fist. She gently squeezed his arm.

Stay calm.

“Of course you little wendigos would be so uptight how a faerie walks. How many glaciers have you shoved up that ass of yours?”

“You-” Linus’s face twisted in fury. 

“We apologize for the disruption.” Cosette interrupted Linus.

It would do us no good getting into an argument here.

She could already see people stopping to stare.

“We didn’t mean to bother you.”

“Shut up, female, nobody was speaking to you.”

“How vulgar.” Linus chuckled, “Of course I wouldn’t expect anything less from a stupid male off the streets of Velaris.”

The male laughed, “Does the little snowdrop want to fight?”

“The three of you! Cut it out!” the shopkeeper of the place before which they had stopped before had come out, “If you want to brawl do it elsewhere!”

“Mister, those two ice shi-”

“I know.” the shop owner’s tone turned softer as he spoke to the drunk man, “But rules are rules, they are allowed to be here. Go take a small breather, okay? They’re not worth it.”

The large male growled, but left.

“What are you two still doing here?” the shop owner’s face snapped back to Cosette and Linus, “Away with you!”

Cosette pulled on Linus’s sleeve before he would try to defend hers or his own honor again.

“What a prick.” Linus muttered under his breath, matching Cosette’s step, not struggling against her grip.

Once they were a good distance away, Cosette slowed her walking speed, taking deep breaths as the bruising began to hurt.

“What’s wrong? Did he hurt you when he walked by?

“Is that concern I hear in your voice?” Cosette massaged her stomach.

“Oh drop it, what is it?”

“It’s the bruising from the hex, I need to sit down.”

Linus nodded, beginning to lead her over to a bench before stopping, “Do you think you can walk a couple more meters?”

“Why?” she wheezed.

“There’s a good cafe I know that’s close by. If you can make it we can rest there instead.” he pointed to the cafe.

He was right, it was pretty close.

“Alright.” Cosette agreed, leaning on Linus slightly as they walked, collapsing into a chair on the patio once they made it over.

Linus waited for her before she sat upright again, “Better?”

She nodded.

“Do you want anything from the cafe?”

“Hot chocolate.”

He left, returning soon with a cup of steaming hot chocolate and a sweet smelling coffee.

Cosette reached for her wallet to pay him back but Linus shook his head, “What kind of a prick hiding behind a visage of respect would I be if I made you pay?” 

She wanted to argue but the pain was too much so Cosette dropped the topic. Taking a couple more deep breaths and taking a small gulp of her hot chocolate she spoke, “It’s sweet?”, she gestured to the coffee.

“Yeah, they add some native plants to make it. Balances the bitterness quite nicely.”

“I thought faeries drank coffee because of the bitterness?”

“You see that was Amelio’s argument but sometimes you just want something a little sweet, you know?”

“That’s why hot chocolate exists.”

He sighed dramatically, “You don’t get it either.”

“Here, you try the hot chocolate, and I try the coffee.” she offered an exchange.

Linus held her gaze, not about to back down, “Deal.”

They exchanged drinks, taking a small sip each from a spot where the others’ lips hadn’t touched the cup.

“You’re right, it’s good!” Cosette licked her lips clean of the foam from the drink.

“Exactly.” he pushed her hot chocolate back to her, “Your drink is average just so you know.”

Cosette was flabbergasted.

He laughed at her expression, waving a hand placatingly, “It’s not bad, I just think Winter Court’s hot chocolate is better.”

He was kind of right; the hot chocolate there definitely felt cozier.

Cosette huffed, taking a sip of her hot drink again, “Say, have you been to Day Court?”

“No.”

“Really? But you had so much to say about their philosophers.”

“That’s based on texts that I have read written by them and stories from Solene and Amelio who have been there.”

“Wait, why have you not gone?”

Linus went slightly pink, taking a sip of his coffee.

“What? Why have you not gone?” she leaned in.

Don’t think I miss that blush of embarrassment.

“...Amelio and Solene don’t allow me to go.”

“Ha!” Cosette smiled, “What? They don’t want to deal with your tomfoolery?”

His expression shifted to one of offense, “No, they don’t want me to get stabbed to death.”

“What?”

He rolled his eyes, “Right, of course, my apologies, I forget you’re stupid.”

Now it was her turn to look offended, “That’s not nice, and you call yourself a gentlefaerie.”

“A gentlefaerie should speak only in facts.” his mischievous eyes met hers from behind his cup, “You must know of their dueling system, right?”

“Of course.”

Aristippus wrote about that, how could I forget?

“Well faeries from other courts aren’t excluded from that system. Especially during major public gatherings, duels are encouraged between various court members.”

“Oh…” Cosette realized what he was getting at, “So they don’t bring you for your own safety?”

“Yeah, they think I’ll just keel over and die if a faerie tries to attack me.”

“Well they are speaking facts”

Linus frowned, “I can hold my own in a fight.”

“Please, I bet you can’t even hold a sword.”

“Of course I can, don’t be stupid. What kind of faerie can’t even hold a sword properly?”

“I can’t.” Cosette laughed at his incredulous expression.

“You’re joking.”

“Absolutely serious. Briar and Aquilo tried to train me but failed miserably.”

“No way.”

“Well, in my defense I am getting better since my first lesson with them.”

“A faerie so weak she can’t even hold a sword upright…” Linus shook his head, drinking down his confusion with coffee.

“How did you meet Amelio?” Cosette asked, “You’re his student, was there an application or something?”

Linus took a deep, long sip from his drink, “It’s a bit complicated, but no, there was no application. He just helped me out when things were rough and now we’re here.”

“Uh huh…”

“So, tell me about your perfumery.” Linus quickly changed the subject, “If I am going to be insulting you over it, might as well hear from the creator herself regarding said business.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How did you get the idea to make a perfumery business?”

“Well that’s a generic question.” she giggled much to his displeasure, “When I first came to Winter Court I walked around the streets with my friend in search of a job or any sort of opportunity. When Blanche showed us the perfumery street I knew I had to take advantage of the market’s lack of quality products.”

“Blanche? Forrest’s wife right? The inn owner’s?”

“Yeah! You know them?”

“Somewhat, they’re weird like Amelio.” Linus paused, his eyes looking down at his cup, “No, not like Amelio, but still weird.”

“I mean I would say like Amelio. They’re very smiley and welcoming unlike most Winter Faeries…no offense to you.”

“None taken, however, I disagree that Amelio is welcoming.”

“Why?”

“You wouldn’t get it because you’re dumb.”

“Okay, I am going to need you to stop calling me that.”

Linus smiled playfully, “Back to the conversation at hand. Tell me about how your business was when you first started it.”

“I mean it was rough at the beginning.” Cosette said, “I didn’t even know if we would succeed. I bought a building for dirt cheap and permitted the people who lived and worked there before to remain.”

“Where did you live?”

“A hotel.”

“Eh?”

“Even though the building wasn’t too expensive it still took out a large portion of our savings meaning we had to budget our spending big time while not even knowing if the business would take off.” Cosette rambled, “That’s not counting the fact that Theo and his father owed money to the faeries who had given them the building, and they had to pay them back right after the solstice so there was a harsh time crunch too.”

Linus stared at her, dumbfounded.

“Theo is great. Really hard worker but his father is a bit challenging to deal with.”

“So, not only are you an idiot…you are also a self sacrificing workaholic.” he ran a hand through his hair, “Your business model is fucked, and you claim to not take risks?”

“Well, I would argue my risks were well calculated and minimized.”

“Your risks were in fact not calculated. You have planned your secondary venture for farming better than your primary business.”

“How would you have suggested doing it?”

“Well you said it yourself, you lost a bunch of your savings with purchasing the building. How were you going to ensure you had the resources to pay for materials to produce the perfume?”

“I ended up investing in some cheaper materials for making perfume and then to save money on renovating the building we had Theo build a stand from the extra stuff they had left over from woodworking. We then used that to sell our products out on the street and manufactured the perfume inside.”

“Well-...actually that’s not horrible…Still risky but better.”

“Technically no business is without risk. Perhaps I am wrong in saying that I would rather not take a risk at all.” Cosette mused, “However, I like odds that are in my favor or a situation in which I am comfortable in rather than leaving my victory up to chance, you know?”

“I get what you’re saying.” the male looked at her thoughtfully, taking another sip of his coffee, “What about you day to day life? What do you do?”

“Well, me and Ophelia get up and open up shop. During the early morning I work on making perfumes and designing the next scent to be released. When it’s rush hour I help out Ophelia. Theo is usually around to help as well though with the farming project he’s been busy.”

“Ophelia, she’s the one you traveled to the capital with, right?”

“Yup! Well, now it’s your turn. What does the life in a day of Amelio’s student look like?”

“It’s nothing special.”

“Aww, come on. That’s not fair! I told you about me a bit, share something about yourself.” she smiled, “Who knows, maybe it’ll make us grow closer.

“I highly doubt that.”

“You still don’t like me after all that effort I put into telling you a story?”

“That wasn’t a story, you just answered questions. And as for liking you, I thought you said you didn’t care.”

“I mean, I don’t but I would rather we be amicable than at each other’s throats.”

He narrowed his eyes but obliged, “Fine, what do you want to know?”

“Well, what exactly is your job? You mentioned that you make sure stores are still stocked with food. That you are busy ‘maximizing the remaining alliances Winter Court has’. What is it you actually do on a daily basis?”

“That’s pretty much my job. I am in resource management. I track how much stuff various trade agreements or routes bring in as well as businesses via their profit reports. If I see that we are lacking in a certain area of produce whether it be food related or raw materials I make a plan of suggested changes and notify Amelio of the problem. He then works with Viviane and Kallias to support businesses that are lucrative yet struggling, or to tweak agreements with businesses or neighboring courts to maximize profit.”

“So does Amelio have you help him in his projects?”

“Yeah, he usually employs me as an assistant. If he thinks I am ready he’ll give me a more challenging task, though still under his supervision. Granted, before he would give me more projects to work on by myself, now I am expected to take initiative.”

“Wait, that’s terrifying. He expects you to write project proposals and carry through with them on your own?”

“Yeah. It’s reasonable though, what’s he supposed to do otherwise?”

“I think I would cry giving a business proposal to Amelio.”

“It’s basically what you did with your perfumery, and if you’re so sensitive that you would cry over it then you won’t survive being a businessfaerie.”

Fair point, though I never wanted to be a businesswoman so ha! I don’t technically have to be competent as I’ve had no training! Apart from college and life experience…

“Still, I can say it’s intimidating before I try it.”

“Guess so, though for me the more I think about how scary something is the less likely I am to do it.”

“What about the weekends?”

“Hm?”

“What do you do for fun Linus?”

“Well, I read.”

Do you not hang out with friends?

“What books do you like to read?”

“History, economics, philosophy, anything that interests me really.”

Cosette hummed, “Do you have anywhere you like to go to hang out?”

“No, why would I?”

“Really you don’t have a cafe or library you enjoy visiting?”

“The public library has nothing on Amelio’s or the palace’s archives. It’s quite pointless to go there if you want to find something of interest.”

As I suspected, I am going to need to target the courts’ palace libraries. There must be something in those that will help me get home.

“What books are the most interesting ones in the palace?”

He shrugged, “I guess books about magic are deemed the most interesting, but I personally prefer more data based texts. Records, you know?” 

“What kind of magic books do they have?”

“Various, anything a palace library should have.” he narrowed his eyes, “Why are you berating me about this?”

“Can you blame a female for being curious about a massive library she’s never gotten to see?” Cosette leaned in, “I am quite the reader myself.”

“Oh yeah? What books have you been reading?”

“‘Politics and Tea: A Partnership’, ‘A Lady’s Guide to Proper Behavior’, ‘The History of Winter Court’s Trade’, ‘A History of Winter Court’s Trading Routes’, and ‘Fae Courts and Customs: A Comprehensive Guide’” she listed off a few of the titles.

Still have to read ‘The History of Winter Court’s Fish: Did They Evolve?’.

“Right, so baby stuff. Guess that makes sense since you’re a newbie at this.”

Cosette smiled.

Could this man say a sentence without insulting her? I am only being patient because he might speak more about that damned palace library.

Linus however didn’t bring up the library again, instead continuing on to ask, “That last one is by Aristippus, right?”

“Yeah.”

The man, the myth, the legend.

“I would take Aristippus’s words with a grain of salt though.”

“Why?”

“Did you not listen to my explanation back on the ship? Day Court’s philosophers and scholars are on payroll, their texts are extremely biased.”

“Well, arguably all authors are biased.”

“I guess, but not in the same way they are.”

“You know Linus, I think you’re just salty you haven’t gotten a chance to go to Day Court.”

“I am not salty.”

“Yup, definitely tasting the salt.”

The more he talked the more she realized Linus didn’t seem to interact with many people besides Amelio’s coworkers and traders. ‘Aren’t you lonely?’ she wanted to ask but decided that was insensitive.

“We should get going if we want to walk around a bit more.” Linus said, checking the time, “We’ll have to head back soon.”

“Good idea.” Cosette got up, not trying to beat Linus to the bags having gotten that it would be pointless.

Let the male act like a gentleman if he wanted to, she certainly wasn’t going to complain about not having to carry extra weight.

The two made it back to the ship at exactly 2:30, with Amelio waiting for them at the gangway.

“Good, you’re back. Did you have a good day out?” Amelio took a couple bags from Linus, carrying them onto the ship while they climbed on behind him.

“It was good, I got souvenirs for friends.” Cosette said.

“Ophelia and Theo?”

“Yeah.”

“Good work.” Amelio glanced at Linus, “How about you?”

“I purchased a couple historical texts.” Linus reported.

Amelio nodded approvingly, patting his student on the shoulder, “We’ll be leaving soon so make sure you have all your belongings on board one last time.”

Cosette followed Linus down to the cabin area, putting her bags away and making sure all her previously bought goods were as they were. Coming out of her room she found Linus waiting for her.

“Do you have everything?”

“Yeah.”

“Good, we should head back to the deck, I want to watch us leave port.”

Cosette followed him, pausing when a young sailor joined them, carrying a small critter in his arms.

“What is that?” Cosette stared at the mass of black fur in his arms.

“A cat! Or well, a special Night Court cat!” the sailor showed her the creature excitedly, “I got one to bring home. My family and I are big fans of felines.”

Linus eyed the critter, “I remember, you have like five maine coons. How many of these guys did you get?”

“10!”

“10?!” Cosette didn’t want to think of shedding season.

“Don’t worry, I live on a farm, it’s the perfect place for them. It’s also right near the forest so they can explore to their heart's content. Besides, the rest are smaller than this one. I am pretty sure they’re still kittens.”

Cosette was skeptical as to how much smaller the rest of the brood was considering the large size of the fur ball before her. Nonetheless, she patted the cat and it purred, the black mass shifting to lean into her touch.

Despite it looking like a cat it wasn’t exactly a cat. The fluff was rather fluid in its movements and it had no eyes, though Cosette assumed the critter simply tucked its face away.

Linus didn’t pet the fluff ball, tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the two of them to hurry up.

By the time they made it up the ship had slowly begun leaving port. Faeries were yelling instructions at each other, with Solene and Amelio relaxing in some chairs nearby, not getting in the way of the captain and his men’s work.

“Look, over there is the central Spirit shrine.” Linus led Cosette over to the edge of the ship, pointing out various buildings and monuments.

“How many times have you been here?”

“This is my third time.”

“Wow, you’ve already been to so many places.”

“Well, Velaris isn’t that big of a city and the first time we came here it was due to a High Lord meeting between Rhysand and Kallias so the whole delegation got a tour of the city plus some time to explore by ourselves.”

“You two are getting along quite well.” Amelio’s voice boomed as he leaned in between Linus and Cosette, a conspiratorial smirk on his face.

Cosette smiled.

“No, we’re just amicable.”

“Right…” Amelio handed the spyglass to Linus which the younger excitedly took.

After a while the Night Court’s port began fading away, mist covering the glowing lights of the city. Cosette shivered, leaving the edge of the deck to sit next to Solene who poured her some black tea, pushing some fruits towards her. Cosette sipped the tea and nibbled on the fruit. 

It still hurts to eat. Hopefully resting back home will get me on my feet quickly.

Cosette’s eyes began to droop at the peaceful atmosphere: the fog, the faerie lights, the warm tea, the sweet taste of fruit on her tongue…

Suddenly she felt a hand roughly shake her.

“Keep those eyes open Cosette.”

She blinked groggily, looking up at Amelio, absolutely miserable.

He gave her a sympathetic smile, “I know, but we’ll cross Night Court water soon and then you can sleep under the careful watch of our healer.”

“Couldn’t I have slept under her watch while I was here?” Cosette yawned.

I’ve lost count of how many hours I am sleep deprived.

“Sure, if you wanted to play it risky. It’s considered safer to do the action triggering the hex’s consequences out of reach of the caster.” Amelio sat down next to Solene on the couch, with Linus in the chair beside Cosette.

The tall ship had at this point picked up pace, flying on the waves. The sailor who had shown them his newly acquired friend was introducing him to some other coworkers who were on break. The group was laughing, petting and feeding the large fluffy blob.

All was well, until the screams started, and the sailors scattered, covering their eyes.

Amelio quickly grabbed Linus and Cosette shoving them down towards the floor, landing close by them

Cosette was now very much awake.

“What’s-”

Amelio brought a finger to her lips.

Cosette exchanged a confused look with Linus.

The ship was now still and silent.

Solene, with closed eyes, carefully got up, moving away from their sitting area and into the center of the deck.

Amelio’s breath hitched, but he kept himself and them staring at the ground.

What was going on?

Suddenly the sound of ice hitting wooden boards and a yowl pierced the air. Several more thuds followed, then silence.

“It’s safe.” 

Solene’s voice resulted in Amelio standing up, pulling Cosette and Linus into standing positions as well.

“What’s going on?” Cosette looked around.

The desk was covered in ice spots, with crystals extending in all directions. Near their sitting area was a partially destroyed box full of rope and the massive fluffy thing. Except it wasn’t just a black mass anymore. It had expanded to an even larger size than before due to it having stretched out its four legs and tail. 

The most notable however were the eyes. Countless eyes covering its face, all of them disfigured or destroyed by the expanded ice.

The creature’s limp body, cut open by ice shards extending in various directions, was picked up by the captain, looking to Amelio and Solene for an explanation. 

When they gave none he turned to the faerie who had purchased the thing, “Sailor, what is this thing?”

The young sailor sat there, dumbfounded.

“Sailor, I asked you a question.”

“Where are we?” the male looked around confused, “Who are you?”

The captain frowned

“Who am I?” the male looked like he was about to start hysterically crying when one of his coworkers swiftly knocked him out.

“It’s a glawackus.” Amelio murmured.

A what?

“I have never seen one before.” Amelio approached the carcass with almost a wondrous expression, poking at it, “It’s a native Night Court creature. It lives in the forests and mountains. Based on its fur one could guess it burrows in snow. How in all of Pyrthian did that male get his hands on one? They shouldn’t be near cities.”

Cosette couldn’t look away from the creature’s multitude of eyes, all gushing blood, still staring in various directions, its mouth still open, the canines glistening with saliva. 

“If you make eye contact with it, the creature wipes your memories. Well, technically it steals them, feeds on them.” Amelio pulled away from the creature, “They warned us about it the first time we came here but it was done in such a joking manner I didn’t think the creatures actually could make their way into Velaris considering all its defenses and the creature’s supposed preference for the mountain steeps and forests.

“Is there any way to protect yourself against it?” Cosette managed to break eye contact to look at Amelio instead.

“No, no known way. The only immune ones are said to be daemati, but I don’t know how true that is.” Amelio sighed.

“The male said he had purchased 10 of them.” Linus spoke up.

Amelio let out a soft curse, “Alright, we’ll have to send some faeries down to extract them.”

“I will go.” Solene began walking towards the door leading down to the cabins.

“Not alone you’re not.” Amelio followed right after her. Several of the larger faeries joined them as well, grabbing various weapons and objects to defend themselves with.

The remaining faeries secured positions on deck, and put the body of the Glawackus into an empty cargo box.

“I am coming too.” Linus moved to join the group but Amelio put both of his arms on Linus’s shoulders.

“No.”

That was probably the most firm ‘no’ Cosette had ever heard.

“But-”

“No.”

“I don’t think they should join us, but they shouldn’t stay out here.” Solene said, “They’re too young to fight it properly. It’s best to leave them somewhere secluded and safe.”

“We’ll put them in a cargo box.”

“What?” Cosette and Linus said in unison.

“I am not letting them down there into any of the rooms. That creature could have gotten out of the sailor’s room for all we know.” Amelio crossed his arms.

“Hm, you have a point.” Solene nodded in agreement, “Captain, put these two and the rest of the younger faeries into the empty cargo boxes. Make sure they sit facing away from the air holes.”

“Will do Lady Solene.” the captain quickly got to work with a couple other older faeries, dragging cargo boxes over to the center of the deck and opening them up, helping some of the younger employees hide in them.

“Wait, hold on. You can’t just put us into-” Linus  got shoved into the box first by Amelio.

Cosette decided to not wait and climbed in voluntarily.

“We’ll be back soon.” Solene waved goodbye as they, and a few others were trapped inside boxes.

They could hear the footsteps of the team heading into the ship’s lower levels, the door slamming shut behind them.

Cosette looked to Linus, the two of them leaning against the wall of the box that had the air hole so that neither could physically see a potential eye.

Linus sighed, letting his head hit the wall, “So much for getting home in record time.”

Cosette yawned.

Even the adrenaline wasn’t enough to keep me awake properly.

“Oi, stay awake.”

“Tell me a story or something…” she murmured.

“Are you 20?”

“Ha…No.”

Close though.

Cosette didn’t want to think of the fact that her birthday was steadily approaching.

Another year spent in Prythian. Whoo…!

“Fine. Once upon a time there was a stupid sailor who brought onto the ship a thing that looked like a cat but that turned out to be a memory stealing piece of vermin that hunts whatever it can smell.”

“That’s a bad story.”

“Well it’s the one we’re living in right now.”

A pair of soft footsteps passed by them.

“Will the ship be okay without everyone monitoring it?”

“It’ll be fine mostly. They have a few people on look out in case something goes wrong.”

“When Solene killed the glawackus its eyes were pierced, any particular reason?”

“The eyes remain deadly post death, you have to destroy them to properly disarm it.”

Footsteps passed by again.

“Why are they walking around then? Wouldn’t it make more sense to stay at their designated posts?” Cosette was confused.

The soft footsteps stopped before their box and the little dot of light cast by the air hole disappeared.

Cosette tensed up.

Now that she thought of it, those footsteps hadn’t sounded like that of boots on wood.

A small meowl sounded from the outside and a fluffy tail was stuck through the hole.

Cosette almost yelped as it tickled her but Linus covered her mouth, pulling her close to him.

“Close your eyes.” he mouthed.

She shut them closed, gripping onto Linus’s arms. His heartbeat was racing just as fast as hers.

There was now scratching at the box. Like chalk on a board it persisted and gnawed at the wood until a crack resounded and a satisfied meowl was followed by purring.

Linus’s grip on her tightened, pulling Cosette closer as something soft brushed against their side.

Cosette cried as the ‘cat’ dug its claws into her dress, piercing the layers and reaching her skin. A soft tail brushed away her tears, followed by another meowl. Soft fluff butted against her cheek, brushing against Linus for good measure.

A small wet nose prodded at them, sniffing.

Cosette tensed as the creature brushed against her again but this time Linus hissed.

How did they even manage to get here? 

She squirmed as the glawackus dug its claws into her, an annoyed yowl escaping it.

Why wasn’t it attacking properly? This just seemed like unnecessary acti-

Cosette cried out as the glawackus slashed at her arm.

I spoke too soon.

She yelped again as she was kicked.

“Sorry.” Linus grunted, kicking again, “I was hoping it would get bored but clearly that was hopeful thinking.”

“It’s fine…” Cosette did her best to move closer to him again, rubbing the place where she got kicked. Feeling with her fingers she could tell that the gash left by the creature was fairly large but not deep enough to cause concern.

The glawackus growled as Linus managed to land a hit, sending it flying against the other side of the medium sized crate. Putting some distance between them and the creature he pulled Cosette closer again, his body slightly shielding her.

“Should we start yelling for help?” she whispered. Cosette could hear the soft pitter patter of the creature’s footsteps as it approached once more.

“And draw in his other pals that clearly managed to make it onto the deck? You want to fight a horde of these while blind?”

The glawackus went quiet.

“Linus?”

Linus shrieked.

“Linus!” Cosette grabbed at the man, flailing her arms in random directions to try and shove the creature off. She managed to punch it off and Linus quickly squirmed away from it, pulling Cosette along with him as they shoved themselves into a corner once more.

The glawackus growled, its soft tail swishing as it drew closer until it stopped. Cosette and Linus also stopped, listening as a strange thrashing, growling sounded from the deck of the ship. 

The three individuals currently sitting in the cargo crate felt their blood run cold as the sound began drawing closer. It was when a different glawackus screeched and a bone snapped that the creature beside them quickly tried to run.

However, it was too late as something large, wet and furry burst into the crate. As Cosette felt the walls of the container fall apart, she and Linus were pushed away by the new wet creature’s tail as the glawackus screeched and yowled in pain.

Cosette threw a punch when something grabbed her.

“Ow!”

“Sorry!” she covered her mouth, not intending to hit Linus.

He didn’t entertain a response, instead just pulling her closer and using his hand to feel the deck’s floorboards and surroundings to move away from the fight.

Neither had opened their eyes but they could hear other cargo boxes getting smashed or opened as the crew had realized what was happening and began pulling out the hidden faeries from their spots. 

Screeches from the glawackus filled the air as something else audibly chomped down on them.

Linus and Cosette startled when a hand gently tugged on their arms, signaling they could stand.

“You can open your eyes.” Amelio’s voice said.

Cosette blinked a couple times, staring at the scene before her as white long fluffy creatures with small legs and arms, wriggled across the deck, leaving water everywhere as they extended their large mouths to reveal mouths full of teeth before throwing their body weight at the glawackuses which hissed and scratched at them. It almost seemed unnatural for them to be hunting on land.

Cosette looked away so that she didn’t stare into glawackus’s eyes when she realized,“Wait a minute…is that…”

“Yeah.” Linus nodded, his hand gripping at his side where the glawackus had bit him, “Snow wassets.”

Solene, Amelio and the rest of their crew had returned to the deck, a couple of them carrying corpses of the glawackus, throwing them to the snow wassets which quickly devoured them. 

The larger of these furry long tailed worm-like critters practically squashed the glawackuses under their weight before gulping them down whole. Their battle was not without losses as a couple snow wassets lay on the deck confused.

Seems even magical creatures could get their memories wiped too.

That however didn’t stop the snow wasset’s appetite as the creatures began wriggling once more, and moving their short arms and legs to try and chomp another passing by glawackus.

The crew merely stood in silence at the massacre, not daring to intervene. As the last cat-like creature got swallowed the faeries around Cosette tensed, expecting the snow wassets to attack them next, but instead they just wriggled their way back into the ocean. Dropping into the water with satisfying, clean splashes. 

The critters that seemed to get their memories wiped tried to approach the crew who quickly began nudging it away with some shields, moving it back to the edge of the deck. The rest slithered after their counterparts.

Amelio walked over to the deck

“Cosette, Linus, come look.”

The two walked over to the edge staring down at whatever fascinated Amelio.

Cosette gasped, eyes full of wonder.

In the water she saw countless white spots moving up North to the Night Court. The water made the white fur of the snow wassets sparkle, creating shimmering ripples in the waves. The massive group moved quickly, with some jumping out of the water, others chasing each other and twisting in various patterns. A few of the smaller snow wassets, that looked like otters rather than giant icy sea creatures, bobbed their heads out and stared up at them on the ship before diving back underwater and rejoining their friends.

“I have never seen so many in one spot.” Linus stared in wonder.

“They must be moving to a colder area from Dawn and Day.” Amelio noted, “They’re not usually together in such large groups. Migration season is one of the few times you could ever get to see something like this.”

The crew watched as the snow wassets disappeared.

Linus winced, his hand covered in blood as he tried to take a look at his injury. Amelio only needed once glance for his expression to harden and drag the younger faerie over to a sitting area on the deck. Cosette almost couldn’t believe seeing the casual Amelio so concerned.

“Stay still.” Solene began cleaning Linus’s wound, not minding how the blood stained her beautiful wintery dress. 

Linus hissed in pain.

Solene frowned, “Amelio call for the healer, it’s not just a simple gash.”

Amelio disappeared without another word.

If he hadn’t covered me with his body then, it would be me with a chunk of my side chewed off.

Cosette shivered, looking away from the wound.

Linus yelped as Solene dug the sanitizing wipe deeper into his body. She didn’t scold him for squirming, simply holding him in place while she worked.

Cosette sat down across from them, deciding to try and distract Linus from the pain, “From your explanation I thought the snow wasset was a creature native to the Winter Court.”

“It is.”

“Then how come it’s out here.”

“I told you, they migrate. Although they’re native to our lands they move around depending on their relations with the land. They say that some left our court because fisher faeries began excessively killing them off in some regions and forests to sell their pelts.” he said through gritted teeth.

The healer approached the group, taking over Solene’s attempts at treating a squirming Linus, “I have checked in with the sailor who has lost his memory. I am afraid there’s not much I can do to help him.”

Amelio nodded solemnly, “I will speak with his family once we return. Is there any hope of him regaining his memories with treatment?”

“Unfortunately no. The glawackus don’t induce temporary amnesia or merely stun their opponent. They feed on their thoughts, their memories. It’s all gone now. ”

“How do they feed on it?” Cosette asked, “Like do they store the memories or do they digest them somewhere?”

“We don’t know.” the healer shook her head, beginning to bandage up Linus, “Faeries have just tracked that the creatures can’t survive without stealing memories.”

Cosette hummed.

You could maybe find out more if you knew about proper surgeries. Cut open the creature’s head and see how it all works inside. Although, that wouldn’t answer all your questions. We’ve been cutting humans open for how long and there’s still stuff we can’t explain about the human body, not to mention the brain.

“We were lucky.” the captain approached the group, “Despite the fact that most operations of the boat stopped due to the glawackus outbreak the wind blew strongly enough, and in the right direction that we kept moving towards the border and have now entered Dawn Court’s waters.”

“Lucky indeed.” Amelio exhaled, leaning back on the couch, “Next time, we’re requiring everyone to get their souvenirs checked before they bring them on board. ”

“Well, you know what that means.” the healer stood up, giving Cosette a small smile.

“I can finally sleep?”

“Don’t get too excited, if the hex is still effective I will have to shake you awake.”

Cosette practically ran to her cabin, just happy to finally be able to have a small minute of proper rest. The healer bandaged up her gashes and scratches left by the glawackus. Cosette snuggled up in the bed immediately once she finished, however one question didn’t permit her to rest.

“How did the creatures make it onto the deck all the way from the lower cabins?”

“Ah,” the healer looked up from the book she had begun reading, “Through the ventilation systems and cracks of the ship. They’re surprisingly…squishable. Though, I suppose that’s expected of feline species.”

Despite her newfound fear that something would crawl from one of the tiny corners of her room Cosette was hit by the exhaustion of the past 24 something hours and she passed out without a second thought.

Fortunately, no one woke Cosette up and she got to catch up on her sleep. Unfortunately, or fortunately, they didn’t encounter any more beautiful sea critters but the history texts were enough to keep Cosette company.

In under a week they had managed to make it home and her bruising had improved significantly. She had been shocked at the travel speed of the Winter Court’s boat with how strong the winds were blowing against them, but when she took into account the water magic being used to help the ship move forth on the waves, she assumed it was plausible.

Amelio had even claimed that Summer Court’s ships were the fastest due to their Spirit’s specialization in water.

The wind today was cold, almost colder than usual as their ship was preparing to boat. Amelio, in a slight frenzy to make sure everything was in order, was rushing between cabins and ship levels, checking in with various faeries. 

She was pretty certain that the phrase ‘behind schedule’ was exclaimed on multiple occasions so Cosette didn’t get in the way and simply hung out in the sitting area of the deck, bundled up in her cloak.

“Preparing to enter port!” someone yelled and Cosette stood up, walking over to the edge of the deck, watching as the ship was carefully but confidently navigated in between cliff sides and jagged rocks. 

She looked up at the sky. A single eagle flew with ease through the environment they were navigating through, perching on one of the very tall rocks, staring down at them with interest.

The waves crashed against the lower parts of the port sending sprays of water everywhere. That didn’t stop the sailors from safely docking the ship, with the workers on land raising a bridge for the main deck and several of the lower levels, where the cargo boxes were located.

“Clear!” a different sailor yelled.

Amelio was about to rush past Cosette again when he did a double take and gave her a smile, “Cosette! Hi!”

“Hi.” she smiled back.

“Since we have docked you’re welcome to head home before us.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help with anything?”

“No, we’ve got it covered. Besides, I am sure your friends would love to hear about your project’s progress and adventures.”

“Thank you again for bringing me with you.”

“Of course, it was a pleasure. I just hope it was helpful.” he gave her his iconic smile before rushing away once more.

I hope so too.

Cosette waved goodbye, collecting all her bags, stopping by Linus’s room before she left.

“Hey, I am heading out.”

“Okay? Why are you telling me that?”

The man had been put on bedrest by Solene and Amelio for an undisclosed amount of time, but it was most likely indefinite since the man had been pissy ever since.

“Just wanted to let you know.”

“Okay, great. I am in the know, now go, I am reading.”

“Thank you for protecting me against the glawackus.”

“It was nothing.” he shrugged her off.

“No, it was definitely something.”

“Any proper, educated faerie would do the same.”

I think you underestimate sentient beings’ capacity for self sacrifice and protective instincts.

“If you say so.” she conceded, “Nonetheless, I appreciate it.”

He grumbled as she headed out, “I’ll see you around.”

“Oh? I thought you’d be happy to be rid of me considering how ‘stupid’ I am according to you.” she rolled her eyes.

He narrowed his eyes, “Trust me I am overjoyed to see you leave but I find your antics amusing. Besides, what if they land you in trouble and you need help? It’s only right that I as the mature one, offer my assistance.”

“Right…right..” she laughed.

Cosette happily waved goodbye to the rest of the crew, thanking the captain for getting them home safely. She sighed with relief when her feet touched the Winter Court ground.

Finally back.

She breathed out a puff of air, watching it disappear in the wind.

“Miss Cosette?” an armored guard with the crest of Winter Court on his chest approached her.

“Hello? Can I help you?”

“We’re under orders to escort you to the palace. Please follow us.”

Glawackus reference

Snow wasset reference 1

Snow wasset reference 2

Back: Chapter 33 - Dangerous Dreams

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[naomiknight-17]

#i probably come off sounding pretentious when i get excited about radiation incidents#like. uhm actually hiroshima was an airburst explosion so the fallout is minimal. chernobyl however exploded on the ground and included...#hot particles which blah blah blah

I Would Like To Hear More

@chasm-connected

Okay gosh uhm

I am not an expert in any way, but basically what I was referencing is how the different types of explosions (Hiroshima atom bomb air burst vs Chernobyl reactor meltdown) had drastically different levels of fallout

Let me preface by saying that this in no way is meant to minimize the real destruction, pain and suffering caused by the Hiroshima bombing - that is unspeakably heinous, but that is another post. This is specifically about the science of nuclear fallout

When the Hiroshima bomb exploded, it had not yet reached the ground. The heat and shockwave it produced were extreme and deadly, but the radiation did not stick around as long as one may expect. When that kind of explosion goes off in the air, radioactive particles disperse in the atmosphere and die out relatively quickly. Hiroshima today is a thriving metropolis - forever changed by its nuclear history but safe and livable!

Chernobyl, however, is another story entirely. The exclusion zone is still considered uninhabitable. One could visit and even spend a day or two in the area, but living there every day (as some people do, but again, that's another post) could have serious health effects. The ambient radiation levels are unsafe, even miles from ground zero.

Why?

Well. When the reactor exploded, it sent actual pieces of radioactive fuel into the atmosphere, which rained down all over the immediate area. Not particles that would disperse in the air, whole pieces of active fuel rods just... everywhere. There are still tiny bits of these rods and similarly radioactive materials from the explosion just... hanging out on and in the ground in Chernobyl, continuing to put out radiation. This is in addition to the core of the reactor that actually melted down, but that has been largely enclosed and shielded (though as it continues to slowly degrade there is a risk of further contamination to the ground/groundwater - another post!) The little hot particles everywhere? How do you shield or enclose them? How do you even find them all without putting people in danger? If you could, how long would it take?

There's more to it, of course, and if you want to learn more I highly recommend the Half Life Histories series of videos on YouTube by Kyle Hill. He's an actual scientist who can explain this stuff SO much better than I ever could.

[electricopolis-net]

Life in Exile Pt. 3: Stormy Weather

The days turned into weeks, then months. Bob wasn't sure how long he would have to spend out in the relative wilderness of Junk Town, but some time after he arrived, the air began to warm and turn towards summer.

The passing year brought drastic changes the likes of which he'd never seen before. The seasons in Electricopolis were all very samey, with only the feel of the air and the changes of television and coffee shops indicating the passage of time. Out here, the earth grew softer, the air grew warmer, and the grass began to green while flowers sprung up from the earth.

The changing seasons also brought a familiar crackle in the air that made the hair on the back of Bob Sparker's neck stand on end. When he felt it, he raced back to his and Percy's ramshackle house on the beach almost as fast as the rumor that spread through the town: A storm is coming.

He'd been putting away bits of metal and discarded gadgets for just this occasion. He latched them together and wrapped them with wire, a collection of antennae from long-discarded radios and automobiles until he had a long, flexible rod that swayed and twanged in the air.

"What's that for?" Percy asked, but Bob only looked at him, grinned, and raced out into the plains that surrounded Junk Town. In the distance, thunder sounded.

Percy looked after him, and then his face paled. He closed the book he was reading, jumped to his feet and ran out after him.

It was exactly what he had thought. Bob Sparker had grabbed his homemade lightning rod and was waving it back and forth in the fields, cackling. "Come on!" he shouted, his lightning rod going thwipp in the air as he whipped it back and forth. "Is that the best you've got?"

Percy cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled towards him. "Bob!" he called out. "Stop this foolishness and come back inside!"

"I'll be in in a second!" Bob said, still waving the thin, flexible lightning rod in the air. It bounced off a nearby tree. The clouds began to darken. "Just give me a minute!"

Realistically, there wasn't much Percy could do. If he got close to Bob, there was a good chance the lightning could strike him too, and it would do far more damage to him than it would Bob. While he was contemplating this--

CRACK

--a bolt of lightning flashed in the air. There was a thundering BOOM with it, and Percy nearly flew backwards. Bob's laughter paused, his breath catching in his throat--and then he cackled louder than before. "Now that's more like it!" he hollered, jumping to his feet. "Again! Again!"

"You idiot," Percy grumbled. "Didn't you learn your lesson last time?" He cautiously drew closer to the laughing man and reached out a hand to grasp his shoulder. Then he pulled back, hissing in pain. "Ouch!"

"Sorry, boss," Bob laughed, and the familiar high-pitched mania was back in his voice once more. "I'm a real live wire! Didn't you know that? Hee hee hee!"

"You're a menace, is what you are," Percy growled. He took off his coat, turned it around, and used it as insulation while he grabbed the squirming Bob Sparker in both hands. "You're coming with me!"

---

Bob was a nightmare. Percy barely got him across the threshold of their house before he began thrashing and banging his heels against the floor. "Stop that!" Percy snapped. "You're going to bring the house down if you do that!"

"I don't care!" Bob howled. "I wouldn't have to live here if it weren't for you! I hate this place!" he wailed, sparks flying. "I hate everything here! I hope it burns!"

Percy gritted his teeth. "It will burn, if you're not careful," he admonished. "This place is nothing but wood and scrap metal, you idiot!" He reached out and grabbed a coil of rope from off of the floor. "Stay still!"

"No! You're not tying me up! Not like that no-good Dr. Flask!" Bob protested. He smacked Percy's hand away, then heaved him backwards until they were rolling around on the floor. He straddled Percy's hips and grabbed at the older man's shoulders, banging him backwards against the floor. "I won't let you, you hear me?"

Percy could barely think. Out of desperation, he pulled an arm back, cocked his fist and rammed it straight into the side of Bob's face. Bob yelped, falling back, and Percy scrambled to sit up.

Bob was dazed, but he was bristling all over, as if the electricity within him was causing his skin and clothes to shudder. He sat up, then lunged at Percy, who quickly wrestled him around and wrapped his arms around him from the back.

Bob's head was craned backwards, his body stiff and arched, his eyes wild. His teeth were gritted and his jaw was set so tight that Percy was afraid he would bite his own tongue. "Calm down," he insisted, wrapping his arms around Bob tightly. "Calm down!"

I need to get him to discharge, Percy thought. There's no good way to do that...there's nothing to ground him here. Except...

Percy placed his free hand on the ground, then tilted the other and shoved the side of it, the meaty side, into Bob's mouth. The uncontrollable man immediately latched on to it, bringing his teeth down so hard Percy had to fight not to let out a yelp. Immediately he felt the waves of electricity rip through his body, tensing his forearm up. He couldn't have pulled his hand away even if he wanted to. 

It felt relentless, but the entire ordeal likely only lasted for a couple seconds at most.  As Percy's vision blurred, he slowly slumped against Bob, groaning, a horrible buzzing still vibrating in his ears. His hand hurt--it was clearly bleeding, but it also burned, as if it had been held too close to a fire. His muscles slowly relaxed, aching, one by one. It was as if he was feeling all the pain in his body in bits and pieces, too much to process all at once.

Bob sat up against him, panting and heaving. Slowly his tightened jaw dislodged, letting Percy's hand fall, and Bob let out a hiss of pain as he rubbed at his chin. "Percy?" he croaked, his voice hoarse. "Mr. King?"

Percy said nothing. He only sighed, exhausted, his weight pressing down on Bob's back. The other man turned around, extricating himself from Percy's grip and grabbing his shoulders. "Mr. King?" he said again. "What happened?"

Percy would have laughed if he could have. Instead, he closed his eyes.

---

Percy woke up some time later. He expected to see the white walls of a hospital, but instead, to his immeasurable disappointment, what he saw was nothing but a ceiling of wood and tin. 

"Mr. King?" Bob Sparker leaned over him, craning forward. "Are...are you okay?"

Percy lifted his sore and aching hand. "I'm all right," he wheezed. He turned his hand back and forth, realizing it had been awkwardly bandaged with a cloth. "Did you do that?"

Bob nodded. "I know it isn't much. I'm--I'm sorry," he choked out. "I hurt you really bad, didn't I?"

"It's fine. I gave you quite the black eye, myself," he sighed. "I didn't have much of a choice."

"I didn't even notice." Bob gingerly touched the bruise around his eye. "Mr. King...Percy..."

"Yes?"

"Why'd you do that? I mean--let me shock you."

Percy thought. And after a moment, he responded: "It was the only way to make sure you'd be safe."

Bob collapsed on his chest. "You're just like her," he wailed. "Margaret did the same thing!"

Percy paused for a moment as Bob sniffled. Then, he raised a hand and put it on Bob's head, resting against his fine white hair. "Bob," he whispered. "I'm sorry."

"What? What do you mean?"

"I mean...about everything that's happened. The city. You. Me. Margaret..." He let out a long, slow sigh. "I really made a mess of things, didn't I? All because I was too afraid to do the hard thing. The right thing."

"I...I messed up too." Bob sat up, still trying to stifle his sobs. "I'm sorry. I kept saying I didn't want to hurt people anymore, but look what's happened again." His voice betrayed his frustration. "I never wanted to hurt you. Not like this."

A long silence fell between them.

"Bob," Percy said hesitantly. "I know it's not my place to ask this, but..."

"What is it?"

Percy placed his wounded hand on Bob's shoulder. "Let's not fight anymore."

Bob grasped it in his own hands, as gently as he could. "Okay," he whispered, nodding. "I'd like that."

...They didn't notice it, but far away, through the woods and over the dusty valley beyond, the clouds above Electricopolis had begun, quietly and gradually, to disappear.

[dpsisquared]

(About the soulmate au)

...More than Sothis contacting Dimitri directly in his mind i thought more of sothis wacking the divine pulse like a faulty tv remote until something clicked and somehow he started remembering the time loops... he somehow keep doing things differently each time w different results (executing Miklan, forgiving Miklan, fixing his relationship w Felix, getting into a bigger fight w Felix, forgiving the western lords, having Silvain and Ingrid killed, saving Silvain and Ingrid, finding out even more about Anselma, etc.) until he thought he was actually going crazy and broke down to Rodrigue and Rod told him about the old legend of loog and the maiden of the wind bc he realizes Byleth's death is the common denominator... aka Dimitri's time itself is locked into her existance... and he starts to find more abour her and becomes intrigued w her... 😃

The sothis dragging him by his ugly hair was more like, Sothis fucked up and he accidentally got dragged in the time loop, whoops... SO technically not a soulmate au but they all think it is because of the legend.

So since the legend says the only way time advanced for Loog again was to receive the love of his maiden I guess Dimitri will have to put all of his efforts into seducing the beautiful fish eyed mercenary... for ⋆🌟✪✨ Faerghus ⋆🌟✪✨...

I haven't abandoned you, nonny. The problem with actually writing this is that it would necessarily include a lot of fighting lol. But I do love the idea of him figuring it out. I changed it up a bit but I hope you like this silly little snippet I wrote 😊

Dimitri could take this torture no longer. He hurried into Rodrigue's tent, drawing the flap closed tightly.

The former Duke read his mood without a word. "What's troubling you, Your Majesty?"

"Rodrigue, this may sound mad, but I am reliving the same day over and over again."

The older man's face paled, and he put aside the documents he was studying. "Reliving what day, exactly?"

"This one. We go to battle and encounter Jeralt's Mercenaries before reaching the main imperial force. But we never get past that part. After the Ashen Demon dies, or if I die, I wake up to the same day. I've lost count of how many times it's been so far."

Rodrigue was silent for several minutes, probably considering how to keep the Kingdom afloat with a delusional king.

"You're absolutely sure it's the Ashen Demon's death that causes the events to repeat?"

"Yes. The last time, I faced her myself and felt time pulling me backward as soon as the light died from her eyes. It's hazy, but I know at other times, she has killed me. But death never comes. I simply wake up to do it all again."

"Your Majesty... Dimitri," he said with a sigh. His old friend looked like he had aged a decade in the last few minutes. "There's something your father didn't get a chance to tell you. A special circumstance of your Blaiddyd blood."

"Is it madness? Hallucinations?"

Finally, Rodrigue's pained expression softened, and he gave the king a reassuring smile.

"No, my dear boy, nothing like that. It concerns your soulmate."

He scoffed. "This is no time to think of romance!" The royal advisors would disagree, of course. They hounded him about his lack of heirs daily, and he was sick of it.

But Rodrigue held up a hand to silence his protest. "Hear me out. There is a legend about the soulmates of Faerghan kings, going all the way back to Loog and the Maiden of the Wind."

"Spit it out, man, please!" Dimitri begged. Legends and soulmates? What importance could those trivial things have at a time like this?

"The Ashen Demon is your soulmate, Your Majesty."

Dimitri gave him a flat stare, waiting for clarification. But the other man was silent. "Is that some kind of twisted joke? You think I could love a monster like that?"

In some of the timelines, he'd seen her cut down Rodrigue himself with no remorse! Though, now that he'd lived the day from several perspectives, she only did that after Shez killed Jeralt right in front of her. Not that the circumstances justified the murder, but how could he condemn her when he held the same hatred in his heart?

Which is why this soulmate talk was truly unbelievable. It was just as unlikely that anyone could love a monster like him.

He looked back to Rodrigue, who seemed to be waiting for the shock to subside before continuing.

"You're aware that Loog and his wife first met on opposite sides of the battlefield."

"Yes, of course. Everyone knows that story. When Loog saw Deichtine, he dropped Areadbhar and beseeched her to join his side, for he would rather die than harm such a beautiful and talented warrior. When she lowered her sword and took his hand, the soul bond manifested."

Ashe and Ingrid loved the story, but it had always struck Dimitri as unrealistic and unnecessarily dramatic. More likely, both sides had suffered major losses, so the two commanders arranged a political marriage to avoid further bloodshed. Count Rowe had not-so-subtly suggested the same strategy to soothe relations in the West.

"Yes," Rodrigue confirmed. "That is the version in the storybooks. But the secret legend handed down the line of Blaiddyd is that Loog killed Diechtine when they met on the battlefield. The king stooped to take her head just before she took her last breath, and the soul bond formed. He cried out to the goddess to save her, to take his own life if needed."

Dimitri had leaned in, drawn to this version of the story much more than the original.

"The goddess took pity on the soulmates, unfortunate enough to be born in a time of war. She decreed that she would save Diechtine, but the descendant of Blaiddyd must win the heart of his maiden fairly, without revealing their bond. And by doing so, end the war which caused suffering for the Goddess' beloved people. The day would repeat endlessly until he was able to accomplish the feat."

"I understand, but what does that have to do with me?"

"The problem is, the goddess wasn't exactly specific on which Blaiddyd descendant, which maiden, or which war. Situations with the same broad characteristics have presented themselves more than once throughout history."

Dimitri had always thought the goddess aloof, but this information put her in a new light. Maybe she was simply incompetent.

"So this curse has been passed down to me."

Rodrigue raised an eyebrow at him. "Most people would consider a guaranteed soulmate a blessing, Your Majesty."

"What a burden," the king replied. "It's hard to believe that more than one of my forbears have met their soulmates this way."

Rodrigue failed to completely suppress a smirk. "Ah. Well, your line appears to prefer its lovers... feisty."

"Rodrigue!" Dimitri cried, blushing furiously. "To say such a thing at a time like this!"

He'd never thought of such things, not when there was a kingdom to run and thousands of people whose lives depended on him! And he had certainly never considered his... preferences.

Although, thinking about it outside of the heat of battle, the Ashen Demon was quite lovely. And her skill was beyond compare... Gods, he sounded like Sylvain.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Rodrigue said with a chuckle. He didn't seem terribly repentant. "Circumstances aside, I for one am happy to know you have a soulmate. All of us have tried to get you to take better care of yourself. Perhaps she will be the one you finally listen to."

The man across from Dimitri may have been like a second father, but this was no time for levity! Wasn't his misery obvious?

"There's one thing I don't understand. How did Loog convince Diechtine of their love in mere moments upon the battlefield?"

"That's the other secret. The king actually snuck into her tent before dawn broke, so he had several hours to woo her. This was after many attempts, of course, each one teaching him something new about the maiden. The conversation on the battlefield was merely a performance for their troops to see."

"He... wooed her," repeated Dimitri in disbelief. "I have to... woo the Ashen Demon? In less than a day?"

"Cheer up, Your Majesty!" said Rodrigue with a good-natured pat on the back. "We already know there's something she'll love about you. We just have to figure out what it is!"

Dimitri left the tent with a tempest swirling in his mind. He knew what he had to do. It would be difficult, painful even, but this wasn't just for him. It was for all of Faerghus-- no, all of Fodlan-- so he would do whatever it took, no matter how humiliating.

He walked into the mess hall like a man condemned and mindlessly piled something onto a plate. Bernadetta would probably be horrified by his meal, but there was no time to consider something as inconsequential as food. Scanning the dining room, he spotted his target and sat down.

"Hey, Your Majesty! Look at you, eating while the sun is up!"

He rolled his eyes. There was no point delaying the inevitable. "Sylvain, I need your help... with a girl."

(Diechtine (DECH-tin-uh with the ch like in the Scottish loch) is a mortal woman that the god Lugh had a baby with. That was the mega hero Cúchullain, who interestingly is described as going into a "blood rage" during battle. Fergus (Faerghus), Ferdia (Fhirdiad), and Derdriu are also associated with this crew!)